Side by Side

word definition
1
abandon /
bndn/ verb
abandons; abandoned; abandoning
1abandon
/ b
ndn/
verb
abandons; abandoned; abandoning
Learner's definition of
ABANDON
[+ object]
1 a : to leave and never return to (someone
who needs protection or help)
The child had been abandoned

(by his parents) as an infant.
He abandoned his family.
[+] more examples [-] hide examples

[+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
b : to leave and never return to (something)
abandon property
They abandoned the car on a
back road.
That house was abandoned years
ago.
1
examples
2 : to leave (a place) because of danger
The approaching fire forced

hundreds of people to abandon
their homes.
The officer refused to abandon
his post.

examples
If you abandon ship, you leave a boat or
ship that is sinking.
The captain gave the order to

abandon ship.

examples
This phrase is sometimes used
figuratively.
The company is doing poorly, and

many investors have decided to
abandon ship. [=to sell their
stock in the company]

examples
3 : to stop supporting or helping (someone or
something)
2
The policy abandons the most
vulnerable members of society.
She abandoned the party not long
after the election.

examples
4 : to stop doing or having (something) : to
give up (something) completely
We abandoned hope of ever

going back.
He abandoned the principles that
he once fought hard to defend.
She had to abandon her plans for
a vacation.
Play was abandoned because of
the bad weather.

examples
abandon yourself to literary

: to allow yourself to be fully controlled or
affected by (something, such as a strong
emotion)
He abandoned himself to
despair. [=he was overcome by
despair]

examples
3
abandonment /
bndnmnt/ noun [noncount]
the abandonment of a child/home

examples
2
abandon noun
2 abandon
noun
ABANDON
[noncount]
: a feeling or attitude of wild or complete
freedom
They all danced with (wild)

abandon.
She decided with reckless abandon
[=in a very wild and reckless way]
to quit her job and move to Tahiti.

examples
aberration /
b ren/ noun
4
aberration
/b r en/
noun
plural aberrations
ABERRATION
: something (such as a problem or a type of

behavior) that is unusual or unexpected
2 aberration [count]
For her, such a low grade on an

exam was an aberration.

examples
[noncount]
a study of sexual aberration

examples
abet / bt/ verb
abets; abetted; abetting
abet
/ b
t/
verb
abets; abetted; abetting
Learner's definition of ABET
[+ object] formal
5
[+ object] formal
: to help, encourage, or support someone in a
criminal act
She abetted the thief in his

3 abet getaway.
Did he abet the commission of a
crime?
Their actions were shown to abet
terrorism.
She is charged with aiding and
abetting [=helping and
encouraging] the thief in his
getaway.

examples
abject / bkt/
adjective
abject
/ bkt/
adjective
Learner's definition of ABJECT
[more abject; most abject]

1 : extremely bad or severe
They live in abject

misery/poverty.
The project ended in abject
[=complete, utter] failure.
6
examples
2 a : very humble : feeling or showing shame
4 abject
He offered an abject apology.

examples
b : very weak : lacking courage or strength
She thought he was an abject

coward.

examples
abjectly / bktli/ adverb
abjectly apologetic

examples
abolitionist /
b lnst/ noun
plural abolitionists
abolitionist
/b l nst/
noun
5 abolitionist plural abolitionists
ABOLITIONIST
7
ABOLITIONIST
[count]
: a person who wants to stop or abolish
slavery
abridge / br/
verb
abridges; abridged; abridging
abridge
/ b
r/
verb
abridges; abridged; abridging
ABRIDGE
[+ object]
1 : to shorten (a book, a play, etc.) by leaving
out some parts
abridge a dictionary by omitting

rare/uncommon words

examples
see also
2 formal : to lessen the strength or effect of
(something, such as a right)
unlawful attempts to abridge

[=curtail, weaken] freedom of
speech
8
6 abridge examples
abridged adjective
an abridged dictionary
an abridged edition/version of a
novel

examples
abridgment or abridgement /
brmnt/ noun, plural
abridgments
[count]
an abridgment of a book
an abridgment of their right to
freedom of speech

examples
[noncount]
a dictionary shortened by
abridgment

examples
absolve /b zlv/
verb
9
verb
absolves; absolved; absolving
absolve
/bzlv/
verb
absolves; absolved; absolving
ABSOLVE
[+ object] formal
1 : to make (someone) free from guilt,
responsibility, etc.
He was absolved of the

responsibility of repaying the
loan. [=he was not required to
7 absolve repay the loan]
His youth does not absolve him
from being guilty for these
crimes. = His youth does not
absolve him of guilt for these
crimes.

examples
2 : to give forgiveness to (someone who has
sinned) or for (a sin)
He asked the priest to absolve

him (of his sins). = He asked the
priest to absolve his sins.

10
accessible /
k ssbl/ adjective
accessible
/k ssbl/
adjective
ACCESSIBLE
[more accessible; most accessible]

1 : able to be reached or approached
The inn is accessible by train and

bus.
The mall is accessible from the
highway.

examples
2 : able to be used or obtained often + to
The information should be

accessible [=available] to all.

examples
3 : easy to appreciate or understand
His writing is more accessible

now than it once was. [=is more
easily understood now]
8 accessible It is a fascinating and accessible
11
It is a fascinating and accessible
8 accessible book.
accessible art

examples
4 of a person : easy to speak to or deal with
You'll find that the teachers here

are quite accessible.

examples
accessibility /
kss blti/ noun [noncount]
the easy accessibility of the
beach
the accessibility of her art

examples
accessibly /k ssbli/ adverb

[more accessibly; most accessibly]
He writes accessibly about

complex topics.

examples
12
k ssri/ noun
plural accessories
accessory
/k ssri/
noun
plural accessories
ACCESSORY
[count]
1 : something added to something else to
make it more useful, attractive, or effective
fashion/clothing accessories such

as scarves, handkerchiefs,
bracelets, and rings
9 accessory automotive accessories
computer accessories

examples
2 law : someone who helps another person
commit a crime
He is wanted as an accessory to
murder.
She was charged as an accessory
before/after the fact. [=someone
who helps a criminal before/after
a crime has been committed]

13
examples
10 acme couldd not find data
acute / kjut/ adjective
acuter; acutest
acute
/ k
jut/
adjective
acuter; acutest
Learner's definition of ACUTE
[or more acute; most acute]

1 : very serious or dangerous : requiring
serious attention or action
an acute [=critical, severe] fuel

shortage
an acute crisis
the acute phase [=the most
important and dangerous phase]
of the struggle for independence

examples
2 usually used before a noun : having or
showing an ability to think clearly and to
understand what is not obvious or simple
14
an acute
observation/understanding
an acute observer
an acute sense of humor
It's a politically acute film that
does not oversimplify the issues.

examples
3 : very strong and sensitive : highly
developed
acute [=keen] hearing/vision

acute awareness

examples
4 : strongly felt or experienced
acute distress/embarrassment

examples
5 medical
a : very sharp and severe
11 acute acute pain/infection
acute symptoms

examples
b : becoming very severe very quickly
15
b : becoming very severe very quickly
an acute disease

examples
A hospital or doctor who specializes in
acute care works with patients who have
diseases or problems that require
immediate care.
an acute care hospital

examples
compare
6 mathematics : ending in a sharp point :
measuring less than 90 degrees
an acute angle

examples
compare
7 of an accent mark : having the form
The word caf is written

with an acute accent over the
e.

examples
compare 3
16
I am acutely aware of these
problems.
The patient was acutely ill.

examples
acuteness noun [noncount]
the acuteness of the fuel shortage

examples
adapt / dpt/ verb
adapts; adapted; adapting
adapt
/ d
pt/
verb
adapts; adapted; adapting
Learner's definition of ADAPT
1 : to change your behavior so that it is easier

to live in a particular place or situation
[no object]
When children go to a different

school, it usually takes them a
while to adapt.

examples
17
examples
usually + to
These fish all adapt easily to

colder water.
She has adapted to college life
quite easily.

examples
[+ object]
She has adapted herself to

12 adapt college life quite easily.

examples
2 [+ object] : to change (something) so that it
functions better or is better suited for a
purpose
The teachers adapted

[=modified] the curriculum so
that students of all abilities will
benefit from it.
The camera has been adapted for
underwater use.
The clock was adapted to run on
batteries.

examples
18
He adapted the novel for the
stage. [=he rewrote the novel as a
play]
The movie was adapted from the
book of the same title.
adapting the movie for television

examples
1 adept / dpt/
adjective
1adept
/ d
pt/
adjective
Learner's definition of ADEPT
[more adept; most adept]

: very good at doing something that is not
easy
He's adept in several languages.

politically adept

examples
usually + at
She's adept at fixing flaws in the

system.
He was adept at (using) computers.
19
system.
He was adept at (using) computers.

examples
adeptly adverb
He switched adeptly between

English and Italian.
13 adept [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
adeptness noun [noncount]
her adeptness at fixing flaws

examples
2 adept / dpt/
noun
plural adepts
2 adept
/ dpt/
noun
plural adepts
Learner's definition of ADEPT
[count]
: a highly skilled or well-trained person :
20
an adept at chess

examples
adjacent /
esnt/ adjective
adjacent
/
esnt/
adjective
ADJACENT
: close or near : sharing a border, wall, or

point
The other group is meeting in the

adjacent room. [=the room that is
next to this room]
Their property and our property are
14 adjacent adjacent. [=are next to each other]
The dialect is spoken in New York
City and adjacent [=nearby] areas.

examples
often + to
We're meeting in the room adjacent

to [=next to] this one.
adjacent to each other.
21
adjacent to each other.

examples
advantageous /
dvn tes/
adjective
advantageous
/dvn tes/
adjective
ADVANTAGEOUS
[more advantageous; most advantageous]

: helpful or favorable : giving an advantage
to someone
He found it advantageous
[=beneficial] to arrive early.
These changes will be
advantageous to you. [=will help
advantageous you]
Her experience placed her in an
advantageous position to apply for
the job.

examples
opposite
advantageously adverb
22
Where can we invest the money
most advantageously?

examples
16 aerie couldd not find data
aerodynamics /
eroda nmks/
noun
aerodynamics
/eroda nmks/
noun
AERODYNAMICS
1 [noncount] : a science that studies the

movement of air and the way that objects
(such as airplanes or cars) move through
air
She has a degree in

aerodynamics.

examples
2 [plural] : the qualities of an object that
affect how easily it is able to move through
aerodynamic the air
23
the air
aerodynamic
Its improved aerodynamics give
the car more speed and better gas
mileage.

examples
aerodynamic /
eroda nmk/ adjective
the airplane's aerodynamic

shape/design

examples
aerodynamically /
eroda nmkli/ adverb
agenda / nd/
noun
plural agendas
agenda
/
nd/
noun
plural agendas
AGENDA
24
The committee set the agenda for
the next several years of
research.
There are several
items/issues/things on the agenda
18 agenda for tonight's meeting.
What's the first/next item on the
agenda?
Such an idea has been high on the
political agenda for some time.

examples
2 : a plan or goal that guides someone's
behavior and that is often kept secret
He wants to push/promote his

own agenda no matter what the
others say.
She had no hidden agenda. [=she
didn't have a secret plan]

examples
agile / l/ adjective
agile
/ l/
adjective
Learner's definition of AGILE
[more agile; most agile]
25
Learner's definition of AGILE
[more agile; most agile]

1 : able to move quickly and easily
She is the most agile [=nimble]

athlete on the team.
Leopards are very fast and agile.
a car with agile handling [=a car
that moves quickly and smoothly
when the steering wheel is
turned]

examples
2 : quick, smart, and clever
an agile mind
19 agile an agile writer
an agile thinker

examples
agilely adverb
The cat jumped agilely out of the

way.

examples
agility / lti/ noun

[noncount]
26
examples
agitate /
tet/ verb
agitates; agitated; agitating
agitate
/ tet/
verb
agitates; agitated; agitating
AGITATE
1 [+ object] : to disturb, excite, or anger

(someone)
If I talk about the problem with

him it just agitates him even
more.

examples
2 [no object] : to try to get people to support
or oppose something
Some members of the union have

been agitating for a strike.
agitate for equal rights
A few local residents have been
agitating against a military
presence.
27
A few local residents have been
agitating against a military
presence.

examples
3 [+ object] technical : to move or stir up (a
liquid)
20 agitation water agitated by wind
The mixture is heated and then
agitated.

examples
agitated adjective [more agitated; most

agitated]
I've never seen her so agitated

before.
The dog became very agitated
during the storm.

examples
agitatedly adverb
pacing back and forth agitatedly

examples
28
noun [noncount]
He spoke with increasing

agitation about the situation.
agitation for civil rights
continuous agitation of the
mixture

examples
21 alacrity couldd not find data
1
alias / elijs/
adverb
1 alias
/ elijs/
adverb
Learner's definition of ALIAS
: also called : otherwise known as used to

indicate an additional name that a person
(such as a criminal) sometimes uses
The thief was identified as John

Smith, alias Richard Jones. [=John
Smith, who is also known as
Richard Jones]

examples
2 29
examples
2
22 alias alias / elijs/ noun
plural aliases
2 alias
/ elijs/
noun
plural aliases
Learner's definition of ALIAS
[count]
: an additional name that a person (such as a
criminal) sometimes uses
a fugitive using several aliases

He was traveling under an alias.
[=he was traveling under an
assumed name; he was using a
name that was not his real name]

examples
23 alliteration couldd not find data
altercation /
lt ken/ noun
30
/lt ken/
noun
plural altercations
24 altercation ALTERCATION
[count] formal
: a noisy or angry argument
She got into several altercations

with the coach this season.

examples
amend / mnd/ verb
amends; amended; amending
amend
/ m
nd/
verb
amends; amended; amending
Learner's definition of AMEND
[+ object]
1 : to change some of the words and often the
meaning of (a law, document, etc.)
The country's constitution was

amended to allow women to
25 amend vote.
They voted to amend the law in
1920.
31
vote.
25 amend They voted to amend the law in
1920.

examples
compare
2 : to change and improve (something, such
as a mistake or bad situation)
He tried to amend the situation by

apologizing to me.

examples
amphibian /
mfbijn/ noun
plural amphibians
amphibian
/mfbijn/
noun
26 amphibian plural amphibians
AMPHIBIAN
[count]
1 : an animal (such as a frog or toad) that can
live both on land and in water
2 : an airplane or vehicle that can be used
both on land and water
32
ampler / mpl/ ; amplest /
mplst/
ample
/ mpl/
adjective
ampler / mpl/ ; amplest / mplst/
Learner's definition of AMPLE
[also more ample; most ample]

1 a : having or providing enough or more
than enough of what is needed
There was ample room for a

garden. [=there was plenty of
room for a garden]
They had ample money for the
trip.
The police found ample evidence
of wrongdoing.
There is ample parking at the
stadium.
You will have ample
opportunity/time to finish the test.
The light in the room is more than
ample.

27 ample examples
Synonyms see:
b : quite large
There was room for an ample

garden.
33
b : quite large
There was room for an ample

garden.
an ample serving of pie

examples
2 used to describe a person's (especially a
woman's) body as being large in usually an
attractive way
She has an ample figure.

a woman with an ample bosom

examples
amply / mpli/ adverb
These facts amply demonstrate

that something is wrong.
an amply stocked store
You will be amply rewarded for
your efforts. [=you will be given
a large reward for your efforts]

examples
amplify /
mplfa/ verb
34
amplify
/ mplfa/
verb
amplifies; amplified; amplifying
AMPLIFY
[+ object]
1 a : to increase the strength of (an electric
signal)
amplify a weak radio signal

a receiver that amplified the
television signal

examples
b : to make (something, such as a musical
instrument) louder by increasing the
strength of electric signals
amplify an electric guitar

examples
2 formal : to give more information about
(something, such as a statement) : to speak
or write about (something) in a more
complete way
28 amplify I'd like to amplify [=expand on]

my earlier remarks by providing
some illustrations.
35
examples
3 : to make (something) stronger
using spices to amplify the

flavors of the food

examples
amplification /
mplf ken/ noun, plural
amplifications
[noncount]
songs played with and without

amplification
the amplification of a signal
The new rules require some
amplification.

examples
[count]
He started the meeting with an

amplification of the new rules.

examples
1 36
1 animate
/ nmt/
adjective
ANIMATE
formal
: having life : alive or living
The lecture was about ancient

worship of animate and inanimate
objects.

examples
opposite
2 animate /
nmet/ verb
animates; animated; animating
2 animate
/ nmet/
verb
29 animate animates; animated; animating
ANIMATE
[+ object]
1 : to make (someone or something) lively or
excited
A smile animated [=brightened]
37
A smile animated [=brightened]
his face.
The writer's humor animates the
novel.

examples
2 : to make (something, such as a drawing)
appear to move by creating a series of
drawings, pictures, etc., and showing them
quickly one after another : to make
(something) appear to move by using the
process of animation
The film's very realistic

dinosaurs were animated on
computers.

examples
animation /
n men/ noun
plural animations
animation
/n m
en/
noun
plural animations
ANIMATION
38
He talked with animation [=in an
excited or animated way] about
his vacation.

examples
2 a [noncount] : a way of making a movie by
using a series of drawings, computer
30 animation graphics, or photographs of objects (such
as puppets or models) that are slightly
different from one another and that when
viewed quickly one after another create the
appearance of movement
The animation for the film took

over two years to complete.
The studio used computer
animation for some of the special
effects.

examples
compare
b [count] : a movie or brief scene that is
made this way
The Web site has hundreds of

animations you can download.

examples
see also
39
examples
see also
antagonist /
n tgnst/ noun
plural antagonists
antagonist
/n tgnst/
noun
plural antagonists
ANTAGONIST
31 antagonist [count]
: a person who opposes another person
He faced his antagonist [=(more

commonly) opponent, adversary]
in a series of debates.

examples
32 antecedent couldd not find data
1
appropriate /
proprijt/ adjective
40
adjective
APPROPRIATE
[more appropriate; most appropriate]

: right or suited for some purpose or situation
It's a formal occasion and

appropriate attire/dress/clothing is
expected. [=you are expected to
wear formal clothing]
Red wine would have been a more
appropriate choice with the meal.
We'll need to find an appropriate
[=suitable] place to store the fuel.
Do you think the movie is
appropriate for small children (to
see)? = Do you think it's
appropriate for small children to
see the movie?
The movie is perfectly/entirely
appropriate to/for people of all
ages.

examples
opposite
appropriately adverb
The dinner is formal, so please

dress appropriately.
She met her husband,
appropriately enough, at a
wedding.
41
appropriately enough, at a
wedding.

examples
appropriateness noun [noncount]
He questioned the
33 appropriate appropriateness of the movie for
young children.

examples
2 appropriate /
propriet/ verb
appropriates; appropriated; appropriating
2appropriate
/ p
ropriet/
verb
appropriates; appropriated; appropriating
APPROPRIATE
[+ object]
1 : to get or save (money) for a specific use
or purpose
The town has appropriated funds

to repair the bridge and work
should begin this summer.
42
2 : to take or use (something) especially in a
way that is illegal, unfair, etc.
The economy has been weakened

by corrupt officials who have
appropriated the country's
resources for their own use.
Elements of the design were
appropriated from other
architects.
The term bad has been
appropriated by teenagers as a
synonym for good.

examples
compare
aquatic / kwtk/
adjective
aquatic
/ k
wtk/
adjective
AQUATIC
1 : living or found in or near water
aquatic animals/plants
aquatic environments

examples
43
2 : of or relating to the animals and plants
that live in or near water
aquatic biology
an aquatic biologist

examples
3 : done in or on water
aquatic sports

examples
arid / erd/ adjective
arid
/ erd/
adjective
Learner's definition of ARID
[more arid; most arid]

1 : very dry : having very little rain or water
an arid desert
arid lands/regions

35 arid examples
2 : lacking in interest and life
a dull and arid textbook
44
a dull and arid textbook

examples
aridity / rdti/ noun

[noncount]
the aridity of the land

examples
arrogant / ergnt/
adjective
arrogant
/ ergnt/
adjective
ARROGANT
[more arrogant; most arrogant]

: having or showing the insulting attitude of
people who believe that they are better,
smarter, or more important than other people
: having or showing arrogance
36 arrogant an arrogant young attorney

She's first in her class, but she's not
arrogant about it.
an arrogant remark/attitude

45
arrogant about it.
an arrogant remark/attitude

examples
arrogantly adverb
She arrogantly dismissed their

claims.

examples
arsenal / snl/
noun
plural arsenals
arsenal
/ snl/
noun
plural arsenals
ARSENAL
[count]
1 a : a collection of weapons
the nation's nuclear arsenal [=the

nuclear weapons that the nation
has]

46
The city is home to a federal
arsenal.

examples
2 : a group of things or people that are
available to be used
The computer comes equipped

with an arsenal [=battery, array]
of features.
Doctors have a broad arsenal of
medicines to choose from.
the team's arsenal of veteran
players

examples
artifact (chiefly US) noun
or chiefly British artefact /

tfkt/
plural artifacts
artifact (chiefly US)

noun
or chiefly British artefact / tfkt/
plural artifacts
ARTIFACT
47
ARTIFACT
[count]
1 : a simple object (such as a tool or
weapon) that was made by people in the
38 artifact past
The caves contained many

prehistoric artifacts.
an artifact from the Colonial
period

examples
2 : a false or inaccurate result or effect that is
produced accidentally usually + of
The drop in scores was merely an

artifact of the way the test was
administered.

examples
artisan / tzn/
Brit /t zn/ noun
plural artisans
artisan
/ tzn/ Brit /t zn/
noun
plural artisans
48
[count]
: a person who is skilled at making things by
hand :
They sell rugs made by local

artisans.

examples
ashen / n/
adjective
ashen
/ n/
adjective
Learner's definition of ASHEN
[more ashen; most ashen]

40 ashen : having a pale light gray color because of
sickness, fear, etc.
His skin became ashen.

She was ashen with fear.

examples
askew / skju/ adverb
askew
/ s
kju/
adverb
49
[more askew; most askew]
: not straight : at an angle
The picture hung askew

[=crookedly] on the wall.
41 askew [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
askew adjective, not used before a noun
His tie is slightly askew

[=crooked] in this picture.

examples
aspire / spaj/ verb
aspires; aspired; aspiring
aspire
/ s
paj/
verb
aspires; aspired; aspiring
Learner's definition of ASPIRE
[no object]
: to want to have or achieve something (such
as a particular career or level of success)
often + to
Both young men aspire to careers

in medicine. [=both young men
50
in medicine. [=both young men
want to have careers in medicine]
She aspires to a more active role in
her government.
people who aspire to home
ownership [=people who want to
own their own homes]
42 aspire
examples
often followed by to + verb
He says he never aspired to

become famous.
little girls who aspire to play
professional basketball

examples
aspiring adjective
an aspiring actor [=a person who

wants to be an actor]
an aspiring young writer

examples
couldd not find data

asymmetrical
51
asymmetrical
attain / ten/ verb
attains; attained; attaining
attain
/ t en/
verb
attains; attained; attaining
Learner's definition of ATTAIN
[+ object] somewhat formal

1 : to accomplish or achieve (something) : to
succeed in getting or doing (something)
a quest to attain enlightenment

She refused to let the injury keep
her from attaining her goal of
being in the Olympics.

examples
44 attain 2 : to grow or increase to (a particular
amount, size, etc.) :
This kind of tree can attain a

height of 20 feet within just a few
years.
The car can attain a top speed of
200 mph.
52
examples
attainable / tenbl/
adjective [more attainable; most attainable]
Be sure that the goals you set are

attainable. [=achievable]

examples
45 auditory couldd not find data
August / gst/ noun
plural Augusts
August
/ gst/
noun
plural Augusts
AUGUST
: the eighth month of the year

[noncount]
We are taking our vacation in

August.
in (early/middle/mid-/late) August
46 august
53
in (early/middle/mid-/late) August
46 august early/late in August
We arrived on August the fourth. =
(US) We arrived on August fourth.
= We arrived on the fourth of
August.

examples
[count]
The last two Augusts have been

very dry.

examples
abbreviation Aug.
authoritarian /
or terijn/ adjective
authoritarian
/or t erijn/
adjective
AUTHORITARIAN
[more authoritarian; most authoritarian]

: expecting or requiring people to obey rules
or laws : not allowing personal freedom
They had authoritarian parents.

an authoritarian
54
examples
authoritarian authoritarian noun, plural

authoritarians [count]
His father was an authoritarian.

examples
authoritarianism /
or terijnzm/ noun
[noncount]
Students protested against the

government's authoritarianism.

examples
48 aviary couldd not find data
1
balk verb
also British baulk / bk/
balks; balked; balking
1 balk
verb
also British baulk / bk/
55
[no object]
1 : to suddenly show that you do not want to
do something : to refuse to do what
someone else wants you to do
If this witness balks [=refuses to

cooperate in court], our lawyers
will not have enough evidence to
win the case.

examples
often + at
The public balked at the

President's new tax plan.
He balks at sending his children
to expensive private schools.
[=he won't send his children to
expensive private schools]

examples
2 a of a horse, mule, etc. : to stop quickly
and refuse to continue going
The horse balked and would not

jump the fence.

examples
49 balk of an engine : to fail to work in the usual
b
or expected way
56
I turned the key, but the car's
engine balked. [=refused to start]

examples
3 baseball, of a pitcher : to stop suddenly
after starting to throw a pitch : to commit a
balk
The runner on third base tried to

make the pitcher balk.

examples
2 balk / bk/ noun
plural balks
2 balk
/ bk/
noun
plural balks
Learner's definition of BALK
[count] baseball
: an occurrence in which a pitcher stops
suddenly or makes an illegal movement after
starting to throw a pitch
He committed a balk.

57
He committed a balk.

examples
A pitcher can only commit a balk if there is
a runner on first base, second base, or third
base. When a balk occurs, the runner is
allowed to go to the next base.
ballad / bld/ noun
plural ballads
ballad
/ bld/
noun
plural ballads
BALLAD
50 ballad [count]
1 : a slow popular song that is typically
about love
2 : a kind of poem or song that tells a story
(such as a story about a famous person from
history)
a ballad about King Arthur

examples
58
plural balms
balm
/ bm/
noun
plural balms
Learner's definition of BALM
1 [count, noncount] : an oily substance that

has a pleasant smell and that is used for
healing, smoothing, or protecting the skin
51 balm 2 [singular] : something that gives comfort or
support
Art can be a balm to the soul.

She shows that laughter is a balm
for difficult times.

examples
1 ban / bn/ verb
bans; banned; banning
1 ban
/ bn/
verb
bans; banned; banning
Learner's definition of BAN
[+ object]
1 : to forbid people from using (something) :
59
1 : to forbid people from using (something) :
to say that something cannot be used or
done
The school banned that book for

many years.
The city has banned smoking in
all public buildings.
The drug was banned a decade
ago.
The use of cell phones is banned
in the restaurant.

examples
2 : to forbid (someone) from doing or being
part of something usually + from
They banned [=barred] him from

entering the building. = He was
banned from entering the
building.
She was banned from the team
52 ban because of drug use.

examples
2 ban / bn/ noun
plural bans
2 ban
60
plural bans
Learner's definition of BAN
[count]
: an official rule saying that people are not
allowed to use or do something
The city has imposed a smoking

ban in all public buildings.

examples
often + on
She challenged the ban on smoking.

They lifted the ban on the drug.

examples
barren / bern/
adjective
barren
/ bern/
adjective
BARREN
1 a : having very few plants : not suitable for

plants
a barren [=desolate] landscape

a barren desert
61
examples
b : not producing fruit or not able to
produce fruit
a barren tree
a barren orchard

examples
2 old-fashioned, of a woman or female
animal : not able to produce children or
offspring :
a barren woman

53 barren examples
3 [more barren; most barren] : not exciting or
interesting
The book was good, but I found

the barren lives of the characters
depressing.
a very barren routine

examples
4 : not producing good or useful things,
ideas, etc.
an artist who is going through a

barren period
a barren mind
62
examples
barren of formal
: not having (something) :
a hillside barren of trees

examples
barrenness noun [noncount]
the barrenness of the land/soil

examples
belittle /bi ltl/

verb
belittles; belittled; bellittling
belittle
/bi ltl/
verb
BELITTLE
[+ object]
: to describe (someone or something) as little
or unimportant
63
BELITTLE
[+ object]
: to describe (someone or something) as little
or unimportant
The critic belittled the author's

work.
Her detractors are in the habit of
belittling her accomplishments.
54 belittle
examples
belittling adjective [more belittling;

most belittling]
a very belittling description

She did not mean to be belittling
(about her predecessors).

examples
belittling noun [noncount]
his belittling of his opponents

examples
bellow / blo/ verb
64
bellows; bellowed; bellowing
bellow
/ blo/
verb
bellows; bellowed; bellowing
BELLOW
1 : to shout in a deep voice

[no object]
He bellowed at/to/for her to come

over at once.
He was bellowing into the phone,
giving orders to one of his
employees.

examples
[+ object]
55 bellow
The sergeant was bellowing
orders.
You're fired! he bellowed.

examples
2 [no object] of an animal : to make a deep,
loud sound
The bull bellowed angrily.

65
examples
bellow noun, plural bellows [count]
He let loose with an angry

bellow.
a bellow of anger/rage
the bellow of a bull

examples
1 bias / bajs/ noun
plural biases
1 bias
/ bajs/
noun
plural biases
Learner's definition of BIAS
1 : a tendency to believe that some people,

ideas, etc., are better than others that
usually results in treating some people
unfairly
[count]
The writer has a strong

liberal/conservative bias.
[=favors liberal/conservative
views]
ethnic and racial biases
66
Do they have a bias against
women/minorities?

examples
[noncount]
The company was accused of

racial/gender bias.
The decision was made without
bias.
She showed no bias toward older
clients.

examples
2 [singular] : a strong interest in something or
ability to do something
56 bias
a student with a strong bias
towards the arts

examples
on the bias
: in a slanted direction used to describe
the way cloth is cut or sewn
The material for the dress was

cut on the bias.

67
biases; biased; biasing
2 bias
/ bajs/
verb
biases; biased; biasing
Learner's definition of BIAS
[+ object]
: to have a strong and often unfair influence
on (someone or something)
I don't want to bias you against the

movie, but I thought the book was
much better.
The circumstances could bias the
results of the survey.

examples
bibliography /
bbli grfi/ noun
plural bibliographies
bibliography
/bbli grfi/
noun
plural bibliographies
BIBLIOGRAPHY
[count]
68
about a particular subject
The instructor provided the

students with an excellent
bibliography on local history.

bibliography examples
2 : a list of the books, magazines, articles,
etc., that are mentioned in a text
The book includes a lengthy

bibliography.

examples
bibliographic /
bblij grfk/ also
bibliographical /
bblij grfkl/ adjective
bibliographic information

examples
bliss / bl/ noun
bliss
/ bl/
noun
Learner's definition of BLISS
69
bliss / bl/ noun
bliss
/ bl/
noun
Learner's definition of BLISS
[noncount]
: complete happiness
Their religion promises eternal

58 bliss bliss [=joy] in heaven.
marital/wedded/domestic bliss
[=complete happiness in marriage]
Relaxing on the porch of our
private villa was sheer bliss.

examples
ignorance is bliss
see
boon / bun/ noun
plural boons
boon
/ bun/
noun
plural boons
Learner's definition of BOON
70
[count]
: something pleasant or helpful : a benefit or
advantage usually singular
59 boon What at first looks like an

inconvenience can be a boon.

examples
usually + for or to
The new tax cut is a boon for

homeowners.
Reliable daycare is a boon to
working parents.

examples
botany / btni/
noun
botany
/ btni/
noun
BOTANY
[noncount]
: a branch of science that deals with plant life
She's studying botany.
60 botanist [+] more examples [-] hide examples

71
60 botanist [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
often used before another noun
the university's botany department

She is taking a botany class.

examples
botanist / btnst/ noun,

plural botanists [count]
bountiful /
bantfl/ adjective
bountiful
/ bantfl/
adjective
BOUNTIFUL
formal
1 : giving or providing many desired things
this bountiful land

bountiful harvests

61 bountiful examples
2 : given or existing in large amounts
72
a bountiful meal
bountiful baskets of fruit

examples
bountifully adverb
They were bountifully rewarded.

examples
bovine / bovan/
adjective
bovine
/ bovan/
adjective
Learner's definition of BOVINE
1 technical : relating to cows
a bovine illness
bovine growth hormones
62 bovine [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
2 disapproving : looking or acting like a cow
his round bovine face

She stared at us with a stupid,
bovine expression.
73
bungle / bgl/ verb
bungles; bungled; bungling
bungle
/ bgl/
verb
bungles; bungled; bungling
BUNGLE
: to make mistakes in doing (something) : to

not do (something) well or successfully
[+ object]
The police bungled [=botched] the

investigation and the crime was
never solved.

examples
[no object]
The government bungled badly in

planning the campaign.

examples
bungle noun, plural bungles [count]
They blamed him for the bungle.

63 bungle [+] more examples [-] hide examples
74
a bungled robbery

examples
bungler noun, plural bunglers [count]
hapless bunglers

examples
bungling adjective
a bungling attempt at humor

examples
bungling noun [noncount]
The investigation was ruined by

their bungling.

examples
burly / bli/ adjective
burlier; burliest
burly
/ bli/
adjective
75
burlier; burliest
burly
/ bli/
adjective
burlier; burliest
Learner's definition of BURLY

64 burly [or more burly; most burly] of a man
: strong and heavy :
a big, burly man

examples
1
bustle / bsl/ verb
bustles; bustled; bustling
1 bustle
/ bsl/
verb
bustles; bustled; bustling
Learner's definition of BUSTLE
[no object]
1 : to move or go in a busy or hurried way
She bustled around the kitchen

getting ready for dinner guests.

76
2
: to have a lot of busy activity often + with
The pier is always bustling with

people.

examples
bustling adjective
a bustling town/pier

examples
65 bustle 2 bustle / bsl/ noun
2 bustle
/ bsl/
noun
[noncount]
: noisy or busy activity
The countryside seems very quiet

after the hustle and bustle of the
city.

examples
compare
3 77
examples
compare
3
bustle / bsl/ noun
plural bustles
3 bustle
/ bsl/
noun
plural bustles
[count]
: a frame or pad worn in the past under a
skirt or dress to hold it out from the body in
the back
compare
1 butt / bt/ noun
plural butts
1 butt
/ bt/
noun
plural butts
Learner's definition of BUTT
[count]
1 chiefly US, informal + sometimes impolite
: the part of the body you sit on :
78
He slipped and landed on his
butt. [=(chiefly Brit) bum]
These exercises will make your
butt firmer.
Why don't you get off your butt
and do something? [=why don't
you stop being so lazy and do
something?]

examples
used in informal phrases where ass
might also be used
Get your butt over here! [=come

over here now]
She really saved my butt. [=she
helped me out of a difficult
situation]
He worked his butt off [=he
worked very hard] to finish on
time.

examples
2 : the thicker end of a weapon or tool
the butt (end) of a rifle

examples
3 a : the end part of a cigarette or cigar that
is not smoked
79
examples
b informal : a cigarette
She went out to buy some butts.

examples
kick butt
see
compare , ,
2 butt / bt/ noun
plural butts
2 butt
/ bt/
noun
plural butts
[count]
: a person who is treated badly or is made
fun of usually singular + of
As a child, she was a clumsy girl

who was the butt of everyone's
jokes. [=people made jokes about
her because she was clumsy]

examples
80
butts; butted; butting
3 butt
/ bt/
verb
: to hit or push (something) forcefully with

the head
[+ object]
A few punches were thrown, and

then one boy butted the other
before a teacher broke up the fight.
She got butted by an angry goat.

examples
[no object]
We saw the goat butt against the

gate until it opened.
66 butt
examples
butt heads chiefly US, informal

: to disagree about how something should
be done
They've butted heads over the

issue a number of times.
81
butt heads chiefly US, informal
: to disagree about how something should
be done
They've butted heads over the

issue a number of times.

examples
butt in [phrasal verb] informal

: to get involved in something (such as a
conversation or someone else's activities)
especially in a rude way
I realize you're trying to help, but

I wish you wouldn't butt in.
You're only making things worse.
Sorry to butt in (on you) like this,
but I need to ask you a question.

examples
butt out [phrasal verb] chiefly US, informal

: to stop being involved in something (such
as a conversation or someone else's
affairs)
This has nothing to do with you! I

wish you would just butt out!
They told me to butt out of the
conversation.
82
compare
4 butt / bt/ noun
plural butts
4 butt
/ bt/
noun
plural butts
[count]
: a forceful hit or push with the head
a head butt in/to the ribs

examples
compare , ,
5 butt / bt/ verb
5 butt
/ bt/
verb
US
83
US
: to place something right next to something
else or to be right next to something else
[+ object]
We laid the boards so that the ends

were butted against the wall.

examples
[no object]
The floorboards are weakest where

they butt (against each other).
[=where they meet, where the ends
of the boards touch each other]
The apartment building butts up
against an old church.

examples
compare
6 butt / bt/ noun
plural butts
6 butt
/ bt/
noun
plural butts
84
[count] British
:
compare , ,
byway / bawe/
noun
plural byways
byway
/ bawe/
noun
plural byways
Learner's definition of BYWAY
1 [count] : a road that is not used very much
I prefer to take byways to town.

He's traveled the highways and
67 byway byways of this country.

examples
2 byways [plural] : the parts of a subject that
are not commonly known
the byways of the art world

The book chronicles some of the
interesting byways of legal
history.

examples
85
kedns/ noun
plural cadences
cadence
/ kedns/
noun
plural cadences
CADENCE
1 : a regular beat or rhythm

[count]
the steady cadence of the drums

68 cadence examples
[noncount]
Oars moved back and forth in

smooth cadence.

examples
2 [count] : the way a person's voice changes
by gently rising and falling while he or she
is speaking
He speaks with a soft Southern

cadence.

examples
86
adjective
callous
/ kls/
adjective
CALLOUS
[more callous; most callous] disapproving

: not feeling or showing any concern about
the problems or suffering of other people
a selfish and callous young man

a callous refusal to help the poor
a very callous remark
69 callous [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
callously adverb
Some of us were treated

callously.

examples
callousness noun [noncount]
callousness toward the poor

examples
1 87
callousness toward the poor

examples
1
caricature /
kerkt/ noun
plural caricatures
1 caricature
/ kerkt/
noun
plural caricatures
CARICATURE
[count]
1 : a drawing that makes someone look funny
or foolish because some part of the
person's appearance is exaggerated
An artist was doing caricatures

in the park.

examples
2 : someone or something that is very
exaggerated in a funny or foolish way
His performance in the film was

a caricature of a hard-boiled
detective.
The interview made her into a
88
examples
70 caricature caricaturist /
kerktrst/ noun, plural
caricaturists [count]
an artist who's a talented

caricaturist

examples
2 caricature /
kerkt/ verb
caricatures; caricatured; caricaturing
2 caricature
/ kerkt/
verb
caricatures; caricatured; caricaturing
CARICATURE
[+ object]
: to do a caricature of (someone or
something) : to draw or describe (someone
or something) in a funny or exaggerated way
The press caricatured him as

clumsy and forgetful.
89
or something) in a funny or exaggerated way
The press caricatured him as

clumsy and forgetful.

examples
1
cast / kst/ Brit /
kst/ verb
casts; cast; casting
1 cast
/ kst/ Brit / kst/
verb
Learner's definition of CAST
[+ object]
1 a : to throw or move (something) in a
forceful way
cast [=throw, toss] a stone

Seaweed was cast up by the
waves.

examples
b : to throw (a fishing line, hook, etc.) into
the water by using a fishing pole
2 a : to send or direct (something) in the
direction of someone or something
90
him.

examples
b : to send (something) out or forward
The fire casts [=gives off] a

warm glow.
The tree cast a long shadow on
the lawn.

examples
often used figuratively
The trial casts a harsh light on

[=reveals bad things about] the
banking industry.
Their argument cast a pall on the
party. [=gave the party an
unhappy mood]
The incident casts doubt on her
honesty.

examples
3 : to make (a vote) formally
How many votes were cast?

cast a ballot

examples
91
cast a play

examples
b : to assign (an actor or actress) a role in a
film, play, etc.
She was cast as a college

professor who becomes a spy.

examples
see also
5 a : to shape (a substance) by pouring it into
a mold and letting it harden
The metal was cast into

candlesticks.
molds used for casting steel

examples
b : to form (something, such as a sculpture)
by casting metal, plaster, etc.
The statue will be cast in bronze.

examples
6 : to arrange (something) into parts or into a
proper form
He cast the story in the form of a

diary.
92
examples
7 : to talk about or think of (someone or
something) in a particular way
The war was cast as a battle

against terrorism.
Health care issues are often cast
in economic terms.

examples
cast about/around for [phrasal verb]

cast about/around for (something)
: to look in many places for (something)
They cast about for new ways to

make money on the farm.
She is still casting around for
[=seeking] someone to watch her
son while she is at work.

examples
cast a (dark) cloud

see
cast adrift [phrasal verb]

1 cast (a boat) adrift : to cause (a boat) to
float on the water without being tied to
anything or controlled by anyone often
used as (be) cast adrift
93
see

a small lifeboat cast adrift in

the open sea
[+] more examples [-] hide

examples [+] Example sentences [-]
Hide examples
2 cast (someone) adrift : to cause
(someone) to float on the water in a boat
that is not tied to anything or controlled
by anyone often used as (be) cast
adrift
They were cast adrift in a

small, leaky boat.

Hide examples
I was cast adrift in a sea of

confusion.

Hide examples
cast aside [phrasal verb]

cast aside (something) or cast
(something) aside
94
cast aspersions
see
cast away [phrasal verb]

cast away (someone) or cast (someone)
away
: to leave (someone) alone somewhere
(such as on an island) as a result of a
storm, shipwreck, etc. usually used as
(be) cast away
The crew was cast away on a

desert island.
71 cast [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
see also
cast caution to the wind

see
cast light on
see
cast lots
see
cast off [phrasal verb]

1 cast off (something) or cast
(something) off : to get rid of
(something)
The snake casts off [=sheds] its

skin.
They wanted to cast off their
fears.
95
(something)

skin.
fears.

Hide examples
see also ,
2 : to untie the rope that is holding a boat
near the land
We decided to cast off and

head out to sea.

Hide examples
3 : to remove stitches from a knitting
needle in a way that does not cause them
to become loose
When I finish this row, can you

show me how to cast off?

Hide examples
cast on [phrasal verb]

: to place stitches on a knitting needle
I was having trouble casting on,
96
examples
cast out [phrasal verb]

cast out (someone or something) or cast
(someone or something) out
: to force (someone or something) to go
away
He was cast out of [=expelled

from] the tribe.
They tried to cast out the spirits
from the haunted house.

examples
cast pearls before swine

see
cast your eye over

see
cast your lot

see
cast your mind back

see
cast your net wide

see
the die is cast

see
2 97
2 cast
/ kst/ Brit / kst/
noun
plural casts
1 [count] : the actors in a play, film, or

television show
members of the cast = cast

members
The show features an all-star
cast. [=a cast that includes many
famous actors]
a strong supporting cast [=the
actors other than the main stars]

examples
The phrase cast of characters is
sometimes used to refer to a group of
people who have important roles in a book,
story, or event.
The cast of characters includes

President Johnson and his top
advisers during the Vietnam War.

examples
2 [count] : a hard covering that is put on an
arm, leg, etc., so that a broken bone can
heal
She has a cast on her arm.
98
examples
called also plaster cast
3 [count] : a container that is used to give its
form or shape to something that is poured
or pressed into it :
also : an object that is made by using such
a container
They made a mask from a wax

cast of her face.

examples
4 [singular] literary : the shape or
appearance of something
His face had a rugged cast.

examples
5 [singular] : a slight bit of color
old photographs with a reddish

cast

examples
6 [singular] : a characteristic of a person or
thing : a distinctive quality
She has a skeptical cast of mind.

[=she tends to be skeptical]
99
examples


examples
7 [count] : the act of throwing a fishing line
into water with a pole
1 cast / kst/ Brit /

kst/ verb
1 cast
/ kst/ Brit / kst/
100
[+ object]
1 a : to throw or move (something) in a
forceful way
cast [=throw, toss] a stone

Seaweed was cast up by the
waves.

examples
b : to throw (a fishing line, hook, etc.) into
the water by using a fishing pole
2 a : to send or direct (something) in the
direction of someone or something
He cast a glance toward the door.

[=he glanced at the door]
The witch cast [=put] a spell on
him.

examples
b : to send (something) out or forward
The fire casts [=gives off] a

warm glow.
The tree cast a long shadow on
the lawn.

examples
101
examples

[=reveals bad things about] the
banking industry.
Their argument cast a pall on the
party. [=gave the party an
unhappy mood]
The incident casts doubt on her
honesty.

examples
3 : to make (a vote) formally
How many votes were cast?

cast a ballot

examples
4 a : to assign roles for (a play, movie, etc.)
to actors
cast a play

examples
b : to assign (an actor or actress) a role in a
film, play, etc.
She was cast as a college

professor who becomes a spy.
102
examples
see also
5 a : to shape (a substance) by pouring it into
a mold and letting it harden
The metal was cast into

candlesticks.
molds used for casting steel

examples
b : to form (something, such as a sculpture)
by casting metal, plaster, etc.
The statue will be cast in bronze.

examples
6 : to arrange (something) into parts or into a
proper form
He cast the story in the form of a

diary.

examples
7 : to talk about or think of (someone or
something) in a particular way
The war was cast as a battle

against terrorism.
Health care issues are often cast
in economic terms.
103
examples
cast about/around for [phrasal verb]

cast about/around for (something)
: to look in many places for (something)
They cast about for new ways to

make money on the farm.
She is still casting around for
[=seeking] someone to watch her
son while she is at work.

examples
cast a (dark) cloud

see

a small lifeboat cast adrift in

the open sea

Hide examples
2 cast (someone) adrift : to cause
(someone) to float on the water in a boat
that is not tied to anything or controlled
by anyone often used as (be) cast
adrift
104
I was cast adrift in a sea of

confusion.

Hide examples
cast aside [phrasal verb]

cast aside (something) or cast
(something) aside
: to stop thinking about (something)
She tried to cast aside her

worries and enjoy the party.

examples
cast aspersions
see
cast away [phrasal verb]

cast away (someone) or cast (someone)
away
: to leave (someone) alone somewhere
(be) cast away

desert island.
72 cast
examples
105
(be) cast away

desert island.
72 cast [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
see also
cast caution to the wind

see
cast light on
see
cast lots
see
cast off [phrasal verb]

(something)

skin.
fears.

Hide examples
see also ,
2 : to untie the rope that is holding a boat
near the land
106
Hide examples
3 : to remove stitches from a knitting
needle in a way that does not cause them
to become loose
When I finish this row, can you

show me how to cast off?

Hide examples
cast on [phrasal verb]

: to place stitches on a knitting needle
I was having trouble casting on,

but I think I have it now.

examples
cast out [phrasal verb]

cast out (someone or something) or cast
(someone or something) out
: to force (someone or something) to go
away
He was cast out of [=expelled

from] the tribe.
They tried to cast out the spirits
from the haunted house.

107
examples
cast pearls before swine

see
cast your eye over

see
cast your lot
see
cast your mind back

see
cast your net wide

see
the die is cast

see
2 cast / kst/ Brit /

kst/ noun
plural casts
2 cast
/ kst/ Brit / kst/
noun
plural casts
1 [count] : the actors in a play, film, or

television show
108
members of the cast = cast
members
The show features an all-star
cast. [=a cast that includes many
famous actors]
a strong supporting cast [=the
actors other than the main stars]

examples
The phrase cast of characters is
sometimes used to refer to a group of
people who have important roles in a book,
story, or event.
The cast of characters includes

President Johnson and his top
advisers during the Vietnam War.

examples
2 [count] : a hard covering that is put on an
arm, leg, etc., so that a broken bone can
heal
She has a cast on her arm.

examples
called also plaster cast
3 [count] : a container that is used to give its
form or shape to something that is poured
or pressed into it :
also : an object that is made by using such
109
They made a mask from a wax
cast of her face.

examples
4 [singular] literary : the shape or
appearance of something
His face had a rugged cast.

examples
5 [singular] : a slight bit of color
old photographs with a reddish

cast

examples


examples
7 [count] : the act of throwing a fishing line
into water with a pole
110
73 caulk couldd not find data
cease / sis/ verb
ceases; ceased; ceasing
cease
/ sis/
verb
ceases; ceased; ceasing
Learner's definition of CEASE
formal
1 [no object] : to stop happening : to end
The fighting along the border has

temporarily ceased.
The conversation abruptly
ceased. [=halted]
111
formal
1 [no object] : to stop happening : to end
The fighting along the border has

temporarily ceased.
The conversation abruptly
ceased. [=halted]
The noise ceased [=stopped]
altogether.
when the weary cease from their
labors [=when people who are
very tired stop working]
The company was ordered by the
court to cease and desist from
selling the photographs. [=was
ordered to immediately stop
selling the photographs]

examples
see also
74 cease 2 [+ object] : to stop doing (something)
The factory ceased operations

last year.
The child would not cease his
constant whining/complaining.
The soldiers were ordered to
cease fire. [=to stop shooting
their weapons]

examples
112
by her courage]

examples
see also
wonders never cease

see
celebrity /s lbrti/
noun
plural celebrities
celebrity
/s l brti/
noun
plural celebrities
CELEBRITY
1 [noncount] formal : the state of being

famous or celebrated :
The actress lived a life of

celebrity.

examples
2 [count] : a person who is famous
75 celebrity
There were many celebrities at
the party.
She's become something of a
113
There were many celebrities at
the party.
She's become something of a
local celebrity. [=someone who
everyone in the area knows or
recognizes]

examples
a celebrity chef [=a chef who is

famous]
celebrity interviews
[=interviews with famous
people]

examples
chaotic
/ke tk/ adjective
chaotic
/ke tk/
adjective
CHAOTIC
[more chaotic; most chaotic]

: in a state of complete confusion or disorder
76 chaotic
a chaotic political race
114
examples
chaotically /ke tkli/

adverb
1
choice / tos/
noun
plural choices
1 choice
/ tos/
noun
plural choices
Learner's definition of CHOICE
1 [count] : the act of choosing : the act of

picking or deciding between two or more
possibilities
He knew he had to make a

choice. [=choose one thing or
another]
He has some important choices to
make.
You made a good/bad choice.
She was faced with a difficult
choice.
You can either accept the job or
not. It's your choice.
I read about the various options
so that I could make an informed
choice.
115
examples
2 : the opportunity or power to choose
between two or more possibilities : the
opportunity or power to make a decision
[singular]
Given the choice, I'd rather stay

home tonight.
He had no choice in the matter. =
He did not have a choice in the
matter.
You leave me (with) no choice.
They gave/offered me a choice
between an automatic and
standard transmission.

examples
[noncount]
A flexible health insurance plan

gives patients more choice about
doctors and coverage.
He had little choice in the matter.
= He did not have much choice in
the matter.

examples
see also
3 a : a range of things that can be chosen
116
[singular]
often + of
The plan has a wide choice of

options. [=there are many options
that can be chosen]
You have the choice of coffee or
tea.

examples
[noncount]
The menu does not have much

choice. [=selection]
(chiefly Brit) Customers are
spoiled for choice [=customers
have a lot of choices] when
buying a new car.

examples
b [count] : one of the things that you can
choose
She wanted pizza, but that wasn't

a choice. [=option]
There is a wide range of choices.
Other choices on the menu looked
equally tempting.
77 choice [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
see also
117
There is a wide range of choices.
Other choices on the menu looked
equally tempting.
77 choice [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
see also
4 [count] : the person or thing that someone
chooses
He is happy with his choice.

She is my first choice for the job.
[=she is the one I most want for
the job]
I don't like her choice of friends.
Selling our car was the right
choice.

examples
by choice also out of choice

If you do something by choice or out of
choice, you choose to do it.
I live here by choice. [=I live

here because I want to]
No one forced them to do it. They
acted out of choice.

examples
of choice
118
examples
of your choice
A person or thing of your choice is a
person or thing that you have chosen.
They said I could bring a guest of

my choice to the party.
The meal is served with a
beverage of your choice.

examples
2 choice / tos/
adjective
choicer; choicest
2 choice
/ tos/
adjective
choicer; choicest
Learner's definition of CHOICE
always used before a noun

1 : very good
The store sells only the choicest

[=best] fruits.

examples
119
examples
2 US, of meat : of a quality that is good but
not the best
Choice beef is not as expensive

as prime beef.

examples
3 of words or phrases : carefully chosen
especially for the purpose of expressing
anger or disapproval
I had a few choice words for

him. [=I said a few angry words
to him]

examples
chortle / totl/ verb
chortles; chortled; chortling
chortle
/ totl/
verb
chortles; chortled; chortling
CHORTLE
120
She chortled [=chuckled] with
delight.
78 chortle [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
[+ object]
He chortled, You're going to love

this.

examples
chortle noun, plural chortles [count]
The gift was received with

chortles of delight.

examples
circumference
/s kmfrns/ noun
plural circumferences
circumference
/s k
mfrns/
noun
plural circumferences
CIRCUMFERENCE
121
something or that makes a circle or other
round shape
[count]
Calculate the circle's

circumference.
What is the circumference of the
Earth at the equator?
circumference [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
[noncount]
The circle is 38 inches in

circumference.

examples
see picture at
2 [count] : the outer edge of a shape or area
The fence marks the

circumference of the field.

examples
civil / svl/ adjective
civil
/ svl/
122
1 always used before a noun : of or relating
to the people who live in a country
civil liberties/duties
a period of civil unrest [=a time
when groups of people in a
country fight one another]

examples
see also ,
to the regular business of the people in a
city, town, state, etc. : not connected to the
military or to a religion
They got married in a civil

ceremony at city hall.
civil institutions

examples
3 not used before a noun, [more civil; most
civil] : polite but not friendly : only as
polite as a person needs to be in order to
not be rude
It was hard to be civil when I felt

so angry.
She was barely civil to me.

examples
80 civil opposite
123
It was hard to be civil when I felt
so angry.
She was barely civil to me.

examples
80 civil opposite
4 [more civil; most civil] : caring about art,
science, government, people's well-being,
etc.
She argues that a civil [=(more

commonly) civilized] society
takes care of its weakest
members.

examples
opposite
5 always used before a noun, law : relating
to laws that describe a person's rights
rather than to laws about crime
The couple filed a civil suit

against the company that made the
crib.
civil cases
rules of civil procedure

examples
compare 2; see also , ,
civilly / svli/ adverb
124
she said civilly.

examples
81 civility couldd not find data
82 cleave couldd not find data
83 coddle couldd not find data
coerce /ko s/ verb
coerces; coerced; coercing
coerce
/ko s/
verb
coerces; coerced; coercing
Learner's definition of COERCE
[+ object]
1 : to make (someone) do something by using
force or threats usually + into
He was coerced into signing the

confession.
Soldiers coerced the residents
125
He was coerced into signing the
confession.
Soldiers coerced the residents
into giving them food.
The singer was coerced into a
contract with the record company.
84 coerce [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
2 : to get (something) by using force or
threats
A confession was coerced from

the suspect by police.

examples
coercion /ko n/
/ko n/ noun [noncount]
They used coercion to obtain the
confession.

examples
85 coffer couldd not find data
cohabit /ko hbt/
126
cohabit
/ko h
bt/
verb
cohabits; cohabited; cohabiting
COHABIT
[no object] formal

86 cohabit : to live together and have a sexual
relationship
They cohabited in a small

apartment in the city.

examples
cohabitation
/kohb ten/ noun
[noncount]
coherent
/ko hirnt/ adjective
coherent
/ko h
irnt/
adjective
COHERENT
[more coherent; most coherent]

1 : logical and well-organized : easy to
understand
127
plan to improve the schools.
a coherent argument/essay

examples
2 : able to talk or express yourself in a clear
way that can be easily understood
The drunk man was not coherent.

[=understandable]

examples
3 : working closely and well together
87 coherent They are able to function as a

coherent group/team.

examples
coherence /ko hirns/ noun

[noncount]
His films are confusing and have

little coherence.
You make some interesting
points, but the essay as a whole
lacks coherence. [=it moves in a
disorganized or confusing way
from one idea to another]
The team lacks coherence.
128
examples
coherently adverb
The student has trouble

expressing his ideas coherently.
They work coherently together.

examples
88 comeliness couldd not find data
commend
/k mnd/ verb
commends; commended; commending
commend
/k m
nd/
verb
commends; commended; commending
COMMEND
[+ object] formal
1 : to praise (someone or something) in a
serious and often public way
He commended her honesty.

His poetry is highly commended
by other writers.
129
[+ object] formal
1 : to praise (someone or something) in a
serious and often public way
He commended her honesty.

His poetry is highly commended
by other writers.

examples
often + for
He commended her for her

89 commend honesty.
They should be commended for
their bravery.

examples
2 : to mention (someone or something) as
deserving attention or approval :
I commend this book to anyone

interested in learning more about
American history.
Their theory has much to
commend it. [=there are many
good things about it]
His ideas are not likely to
commend themselves to most
voters. [=most voters will not
like and approve of his ideas]

130
1 commonplace
/ kmnples/
adjective
COMMONPLACE
[more commonplace; most commonplace]

: happening or appearing in many places and
not unusual : very common or ordinary
Drug use has become

commonplace at rock concerts.
He photographed commonplace
objects like lamps and bowls.
Much of her writing was
commonplace [=unoriginal,
unremarkable] and boring.

examples
2 commonplace /
kmnples/ noun
plural commonplaces
commonplace
2 commonplace
/ kmnples/
noun
plural commonplaces
COMMONPLACE
[count] formal
131
COMMONPLACE
[count] formal
1 : an idea, expression, remark, etc., that is
not new or interesting
It is a commonplace that we only

use a small part of our brain's
capacity.

examples
2 : something that happens or appears in
many places and is not unusual
We now accept cell phones and

laptop computers as
commonplaces of everyday life.

examples
communicable
/k mjunkbl/
adjective
communicable
/k m
junkbl/
adjective
COMMUNICABLE
medical
132
communicable [=infectious]
diseases
There is no evidence that the virus
is communicable. [=contagious,
catching]

examples
compile /kmpajl/
verb
compiles; compiled; compiling
compile
/kmpajl/
verb
compiles; compiled; compiling
COMPILE
[+ object]
1 a : to create (a CD, book, list, etc.) by
gathering things (such as songs or pieces of
writing or information)
He compiled a book of poems.

She compiled a list of names.

examples
92 compile b : to put together (various songs, pieces of
writing, facts, etc.) in a publication or
collection
133
They took the best submissions
and compiled them in a single
issue of the magazine.
We compiled our findings in the
report.

examples
2 computers : to change (computer
programming instructions) into a form the
computer can understand and use
a compiled program

examples
compiler /kmpal/ noun,

plural compilers [count]
1 compound /
kmpaund/ noun
plural compounds
1 compound
/ kmpaund/
noun
plural compounds
COMPOUND
[count]
134
especially technical : a substance created
when the atoms of two or more chemical
elements join together
chemical/organic compounds
a compound of sodium and
chlorine
The metal reacts with the gas to
form a compound.

examples
2 : a word formed by combining two or more
words
Rowboat, high school, and

light-year are compounds.

examples
compare
2 compound
/kmpand/ verb
compounds; compounded; compounding
2 compound
/kmpand/
verb
COMPOUND
135
2 compound
/kmpand/
verb
COMPOUND
1 [+ object] : to make (something, such as an

error or problem) worse : to add to
(something bad)
He compounded [=exacerbated]
his mistake by announcing it to
the whole table.

examples
2 finance : to pay interest on both an amount
of money and the interest it has already
earned
[+ object]
The interest is compounded at

regular intervals.

examples
[no object]
The interest compounds

93 compound quarterly.
136
compound a medicine

examples
usually used as (be) compounded
an attitude compounded of
[=made up of] equal parts greed
and arrogance

examples
3 compound /
kmpand/ adjective
3 compound
/ kmpand/
adjective
COMPOUND
1 : made up of two or more parts
a compound leaf
a compound microscope

examples
2 a : made by combining two or more words
Steamboat is a compound
noun.
137
2
a : made by combining two or more words
Steamboat is a compound noun.

examples
b : consisting of two or more main clauses
I told him to leave and he left is a

compound sentence.

examples
4 compound /
kmpand/ noun
plural compounds
4 compound
/ kmpand/
noun
plural compounds
COMPOUND
[count]
: an enclosed area that contains a group of
buildings
a prison compound
138
1
compound /
kmpaund/ noun
plural compounds
1 compound
/ kmpaund/
noun
plural compounds
COMPOUND
[count]
1 : something that is formed by combining
two or more parts
especially technical : a substance created
when the atoms of two or more chemical
elements join together
chemical/organic compounds
a compound of sodium and
chlorine
The metal reacts with the gas to
form a compound.

examples
2 : a word formed by combining two or more
words
Rowboat, high school, and

light-year are compounds.
139
examples
compare
2
compound
/kmpand/ verb
2 compound
/kmpand/
verb
COMPOUND
1 [+ object] : to make (something, such as an

error or problem) worse : to add to
(something bad)
He compounded [=exacerbated]
his mistake by announcing it to
the whole table.

examples
2 finance : to pay interest on both an amount
of money and the interest it has already
earned
[+ object]
The interest is compounded at

regular intervals.
140
examples
[no object]
The interest compounds

94 compound quarterly.

examples
3 [+ object] : to form (something) by
combining separate things
compound a medicine

examples
usually used as (be) compounded
an attitude compounded of
[=made up of] equal parts greed
and arrogance

examples
3 compound /
kmpand/ adjective
3 compound
/ kmpand/
adjective
141
/ kmpand/
adjective
COMPOUND
1 : made up of two or more parts
a compound leaf
a compound microscope

examples
2 a : made by combining two or more words
Steamboat is a compound
noun.

examples
b : consisting of two or more main clauses
I told him to leave and he left

is a compound sentence.

examples
4 compound /
kmpand/ noun
plural compounds
4 compound
142
plural compounds
COMPOUND
[count]
: an enclosed area that contains a group of
buildings
a prison compound

examples
compare
95 confection couldd not find data
96 congruity couldd not find data
consensus
/kn snss/ noun
consensus
/kn snss/
noun
CONSENSUS
: a general agreement about something : an

idea or opinion that is shared by all the
people in a group
143
CONSENSUS
: a general agreement about something : an

idea or opinion that is shared by all the
people in a group
[singular]
The (general) consensus (of the

group) was to go ahead with the
plan.
Scientists have not reached a
consensus on the cause of the
disease. [=scientists do not yet
agree about the cause of the
97 consensus disease]
There is a growing consensus
[=more and more people agree]
about/on the need for further
investigation.
What is the consensus of opinion
among the experts? [=what do the
experts all say?]

examples
[noncount]
Everyone on the council seems to

understand the need for consensus.
There is a lack of consensus among
the citizens.
The decision was made by
consensus.
144
1 cosmetic
/kz mtk/ noun
plural cosmetics
1 cosmetic
/kz mtk/
noun
plural cosmetics
COSMETIC
[count]
: a substance (such as a cream, lotion, or
powder) that you put on your face or body to
improve your appearance
Use a cosmetic to hide the scar.

examples
usually plural
lipstick, nail polish, and other

cosmetics
shopping for cosmetics [=makeup]

examples
2 cosmetic
/kz mtk/ adjective
2
145
/kz mtk/
adjective
98 cosmetic Learner's definition of
COSMETIC
1 always used before a noun : used or done

in order to improve a person's appearance
cosmetic creams
Almond oil is sometimes used in
cosmetic products.
medical procedures that are done
for cosmetic purposes/reasons
She says she's never
had/undergone cosmetic surgery.
[=surgery done to improve a
person's appearance]

examples
2 : done in order to make something look
better
The house just needs some paint

and a few other cosmetic
[=decorative] changes.

examples
3 [more cosmetic; most cosmetic] : not
important or meaningful
They made a few cosmetic

[=superficial] changes to the
146
deal, but they didn't change
anything of real importance.
The changes were purely
cosmetic.

examples
1
countenance /
kantnns/ noun
plural countenances
1 countenance
/ kantnns/
noun
plural countenances
COUNTENANCE
[count] formal + literary

: the appearance of a person's face : a
person's expression
The photograph showed his somber

countenance.

examples
2 countenance /
99 countenance kantnns/ verb
147
examples
2
countenance /
99 countenance kantnns/ verb
countenances; countenanced;
countenancing
2 countenance
/ kantnns/
verb
countenances; countenanced; countenancing
COUNTENANCE
[+ object] formal
: to accept, support, or approve of
(something)
The city would not countenance

[=permit] a rock concert in the
park.
The leader did not officially
countenance [=encourage]
negotiations with the rebels.

examples
covet / kvt/ verb
148
: to want (something that you do not have)
100 covet very much
All his life he has coveted

[=craved, desired] success.
a coveted prize
His religion warns against coveting
material goods.

examples
creed / krid/ noun
plural creeds
creed
/ krid/
noun
plural creeds
Learner's definition of CREED
[count]
1 : a statement of the basic beliefs of a
religion
101 creed the religion's creed

people of different races and
creeds [=religions]

examples
2 : an idea or set of beliefs that guides the
149
people of different races and
creeds [=religions]

examples
2 : an idea or set of beliefs that guides the
actions of a person or group
a political creed [=credo]

examples
crescendo
/kr ndo/ noun
plural crescendos also crescendoes
crescendo
/kr
ndo/
noun
plural crescendos also crescendoes
CRESCENDO
[count]
102 crescendo 1 : a gradual increase in the loudness of a
sound or section of music
2 : the highest or loudest point of something
that increases gradually
The excitement reaches its

crescendo [=climax, peak] when
he comes on stage.
150
criterion
/kra tirijn/ noun
plural criteria /- tirij/

/kra tirij/
criterion
/kra tirijn/
noun
plural criteria /- tirij/ /kra tirij/
CRITERION
[count]
: something that is used as a reason for
making a judgment or decision
High test scores are one criterion

103 criteria [=standard] used by universities to
determine which students to admit.
What were the criteria used to
choose the winner?

examples
often + for
the university's criteria for

admission
Our main criterion for hiring new
employees is that they have a lot of
past work experience.
151
examples
culprit / klprt/ noun
plural culprits
culprit
/ klprt/
noun
plural culprits
CULPRIT
[count]
: a person who has committed a crime or
done something wrong
104 culprit The police eventually located the
culprits.

examples
Lack of exercise and poor diet are

the chief/main/real culprits in heart
disease.

examples
curator / kjuret/
152
Brit /kj ret/ noun
plural curators
curator
/ kjuret/ Brit /kj ret/
105 curator noun
plural curators
CURATOR
[count]
: a person who is in charge of the things in a
museum, zoo, etc.
106 cygnet couldd not find data
dainty / denti/
adjective
daintier; daintiest
dainty
/ denti/
adjective
daintier; daintiest
DAINTY
[also more dainty; most dainty]

1 : small and pretty
Her hair was decorated with
153
/ denti/
adjective
daintier; daintiest
DAINTY
[also more dainty; most dainty]

1 : small and pretty
Her hair was decorated with

dainty pink flowers.
the girl's dainty little hands
dainty teacups

examples
2 : done with small and careful movements
The dancers' dainty steps were

followed by a series of leaps.
She took a dainty sip of tea from
her teacup.
107 dainty
examples
3 of food : attractive and served in small
amounts
They served dainty sandwiches

on silver trays.
The food was served in dainty
portions.
154
examples
daintiness noun [noncount]
He commented on the daintiness

of my hands.

examples
1
daub / db/ verb
daubs; daubed; daubing
1 daub
/ db/
verb
daubs; daubed; daubing
Learner's definition of DAUB
1 [+ object]
a : to put something on something with
quick, small motions :
He daubed some cologne on his

neck.
Daub the potatoes with a little
butter.

examples
b : to write (something) on a surface
155
examples
b : to write (something) on a surface
Various political slogans had

been daubed on the walls.

examples
2 : to lightly touch (something) usually with
quick, small motions :
[+ object]
He sighed deeply and daubed his

108 daub eyes with a tissue.

examples
[no object]
usually + at
She daubed at the wound with a

wet cloth.

examples
2 daub / db/ noun
plural daubs
2 daub
156
She added a few daubs of color to
the painting.

examples
dawdle / ddl/ verb
dawdles; dawdled; dawdling
dawdle
/ ddl/
verb
dawdles; dawdled; dawdling
DAWDLE
[no object]
109 dawdle : to move or act too slowly
Hurry up! There's no time to

dawdle.
Come home immediately after
school, and don't dawdle.
She dawdled [=lingered] over her
breakfast.

examples
dawdler noun, plural dawdlers [count]
157
verb
defaces; defaced; defacing
deface
/d fes/
verb
defaces; defaced; defacing
Learner's definition of DEFACE
[+ object]
: to ruin the surface of (something) especially
110 deface with writing or pictures
The building was defaced with

graffiti.
He was fined for defacing public
property.

examples
defacement /d fesmnt/
noun [noncount]
deform /d fom/
verb
deforms; deformed; deforming
deform
/d fom/
verb
158
DEFORM
: to change something so that it no longer has

its normal or original shape
[+ object]
The disease eventually deforms the

bones.
a face deformed [=distorted,
contorted] by hatred

examples
111 deform [no object]
The disease eventually causes the

bones to deform.

examples
deformation /
difo men/ noun, plural
deformations
[count]
skeletal deformations [=(more

commonly) deformities]

examples
[noncount]
159
[count]
skeletal deformations [=(more

commonly) deformities]

examples
[noncount]
the deformation of steel

examples
deft / dft/ adjective
defter; deftest
deft
/ dft/
adjective
defter; deftest
Learner's definition of DEFT
[or more deft; most deft]

1 : skillful and clever
a deft politician
The photographer is known for
her deft use of lighting.

160
deftly adverb
a deftly played symphony

examples
deftness / dftns/ noun

[noncount]
political deftness
the deftness of the surgeon

examples
1 delegate /
dlgt/ noun
plural delegates
1 delegate
/ dlgt/
noun
plural delegates
DELEGATE
[count]
: a person who is chosen or elected to vote
or act for others :
the U.N. delegates from African
161
[count]
: a person who is chosen or elected to vote
or act for others :
the U.N. delegates from African

countries
He's been chosen as a delegate to
the convention.

examples
2 delegate /
dlget/ verb
delegates; delegated; delegating
2 delegate
/ dlget/
verb
113 delegate delegates; delegated; delegating
DELEGATE
1 : to give (control, responsibility, authority,

etc.) to someone : to trust someone with (a
job, duty, etc.)
[+ object]
A manager should delegate

authority to the best employees.
Those chores can be delegated to
someone else.
162
examples
2 [+ object] : to choose (someone) to do
something often used as (be) delegated
He was delegated by the town to

take care of the monument.

examples
demean /d min/
verb
demeans; demeaned; demeaning
demean
/d min/
verb
demeans; demeaned; demeaning
DEMEAN
[+ object]
: to cause (someone or something) to seem
less important or less worthy of respect
He was careful not to demean

[=debase, put down] his opponent,
choosing instead to show him
respect.
Her statement demeans the hard
work the group has done.
Their casual reaction demeans the
163
seriousness of the problem. [=fails
to treat the problem in an
appropriately serious way]
I refuse to demean myself by
replying to these unjust accusations.

examples
demeaning adjective [more demeaning;

most demeaning]
Our petty arguments are

demeaning to us both.
His comment is demeaning to
women.
He found the work demeaning.
[=degrading]
demeaning stereotypes

examples
depict /d pkt/
verb
depicts; depicted; depicting
depict
/d pkt/
verb
depicts; depicted; depicting
Learner's definition of DEPICT
164
1
: to show (someone or something) in a
picture, painting, photograph, etc.
The wall was painted with a large

mural depicting famous scenes
from American history.
Several of the architect's most
famous buildings will soon be
depicted on postage stamps.
The photograph depicts the two
brothers standing in front of a store.
Angels are usually depicted with
wings.
In the drawing, the magic cap was
depicted as a soft, black hat.

examples
115 depict 2 : to describe (someone or something) using

words, a story, etc.
The movie depicts the life of

early settlers.
I like the way she depicts the
characters in her novels.
His enemies depict [=portray]
him as a cruel and dangerous
leader.

examples
depiction /d pkn/ noun,
165
I like the way she depicts the
characters in her novels.
His enemies depict [=portray]
him as a cruel and dangerous
leader.

examples
depiction /d pkn/ noun,

plural depictions
[count]
an honest depiction of life in the

city

examples
[noncount]
The book is fascinating in its

depiction of the country's early
history.

examples
deplete /d plit/
verb
depletes; depleted; depleting
deplete
166
to greatly reduce the amount of (something)
Activities such as logging and

mining deplete our natural
resources.
We completely depleted our life
savings when we bought our new
house.

examples
often used as (be) depleted
116 deplete The soil has been depleted by

years of drought.
lakes and rivers that are depleted
of fish
depleted soil
the country's badly depleted
resources

examples
depletion /d plin/ noun,

plural depletions
[count]
a depletion of the water supply

examples
[noncount]
167
examples
[noncount]
the depletion of the ozone layer =

ozone depletion

examples
desist /d sst/ verb
desists; desisted; desisting
desist
/d sst/
verb
desists; desisted; desisting
Learner's definition of DESIST
[no object] formal

: to stop doing something
Despite orders from the police, the

protesters would not desist.
117 desist [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
often + from
They were ordered to desist from

using the symbol as a logo.
The court ordered the company to
168
see also
1
desolate / dslt/
adjective
1 desolate
/ dslt/
adjective
DESOLATE
[more desolate; most desolate]

1 : lacking the people, plants, animals, etc.,
that make people feel welcome in a place
a landscape as desolate
[=barren, lifeless] as the moon
We drove for hours along a
desolate [=deserted] stretch of
road.

examples
2 : very sad and lonely especially because
someone you love has died or left
desolate [=grief-stricken]
parents grieving over the death of
their son
desolate thoughts and memories

examples
2
169
2 desolate /
dslet/ verb
118 desolate
desolates; desolated; desolating
2 desolate
/ dslet/
verb
desolates; desolated; desolating
DESOLATE
[+ object] formal + literary

1 : to make (someone) feel very sad and
lonely for a long time usually used as
(be) desolated
They were desolated [=(more

commonly) devastated] by the
death of their son.

examples
2 : to damage (a place) in such a way that it
is no longer suitable for people to live in
The constant bombings had

desolated [=(more commonly)
destroyed, devastated] the town.

examples
desolated adjective
170
a desolated village

examples
dialect / dajlkt/
noun
plural dialects
dialect
/ dajlkt/
noun
plural dialects
DIALECT
: a form of a language that is spoken in a

particular area and that uses some of its own
words, grammar, and pronunciations
[count]
They speak a southern dialect of

French.
peasant/regional/local dialects

119 dialect [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
[noncount]
The author uses dialect in his

writing.
The play was hard to understand
when the characters spoke in
171
They speak a southern dialect of
French.
peasant/regional/local dialects
119 dialect [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
[noncount]
The author uses dialect in his

writing.
The play was hard to understand
when the characters spoke in
dialect.

examples
dialectal /daj lktl/ adjective
the many dialectal forms of

English

examples
dichotomy
/da ktmi/ noun
plural dichotomies
dichotomy
/da ktmi/
noun
172
Her essay discusses the dichotomy
between good and evil in the
author's novels.

examples
1
diffuse /d fjus/
adjective
1 diffuse
/d fjus/
adjective
DIFFUSE
[more diffuse; most diffuse]

: spread out over a large space : not
concentrated in one area
The forest was filled with a soft,

diffuse light.
diffuse pain

examples
diffusely adverb
The pain spread diffusely through

his legs.

examples
173
The pain spread diffusely through
his legs.

examples
diffuseness noun [noncount]
2
diffuse /d fjuz/
verb
diffuses; diffused; diffusing
2 diffuse
/d fjuz/
verb
diffuses; diffused; diffusing
DIFFUSE
1 a : to spread out : to move freely

121 diffuse throughout a large area
[no object]
The heat from the radiator

diffuses throughout the room.

examples
[+ object]
The heat was diffused throughout

the room.
174
examples
[+ object]
diffusing their ideas

examples
2 [+ object] : to cause (light) to be soft and
spread out
The photographer uses a screen

to diffuse the light.
an area of diffused light

examples
diffusion /d fjun/ noun

[noncount]
dilate / dalet/
verb
dilates; dilated; dilating
dilate
/ dalet/
verb
dilates; dilated; dilating
Learner's definition of DILATE
: to become larger or wider
175
The drug causes the blood vessels
to dilate.
During labor, a woman's cervix
will dilate to about 10 centimeters.

examples
[+ object]
The drug dilates the blood vessels.

122 dilate examples
dilate on/upon [phrasal verb]

dilate on/upon (something) formal
: to talk about (a subject) for a long time
We spent a long evening listening

to him dilate on the need for tax
relief.

examples
dilated adjective [more dilated; most

dilated]
dilated pupils

examples
dilation /da len/ noun
176
dilation of the arteries

examples
disarray /
ds re/ noun
disarray
/ds re/
noun
DISARRAY
[noncount]
123 disarray : a lack of order : a confused or messy
condition
The room was in disarray.

The company has fallen into
complete/total disarray.

examples
disband
/dsbnd/ verb
disbands; disbanded; disbanding
disband
/dsbnd/
177
examples
disband
/dsbnd/ verb
disband
/dsbnd/
verb
DISBAND
: to end an organization or group (such as a

club)
[+ object]
124 disband They've decided to disband the

club.

examples
[no object]
The members of the organization

have decided to disband.

examples
disbandment
178
discern
/d sn/
verb
discerns; discerned; discerning
DISCERN
[+ object]
1 : to see, hear, or notice (something) with
difficulty or effort
We could just discern

[=distinguish, make out] the ship
through the fog.

examples
2 : to come to know, recognize, or understand
(something)
The reasons behind this sudden

change are difficult to discern.
125 discern The purpose of the study is to
discern [=identify] patterns of
criminal behavior.
unable to discern [=distinguish]
right from wrong

examples
discernible /d snbl/
adjective [more discernible; most
discernible]
179
examples
discernible /d snbl/
adjective [more discernible; most
discernible]
There is no discernible
difference between the original
and the copy.

examples
discernibly /d snbli/ adverb

[more discernibly; most discernibly]
The original and copy aren't

discernibly different.

examples
1 discontent /
dskn tnt/ noun
1discontent
/dskn tnt/
noun
DISCONTENT
[noncount]
: a feeling of unhappiness or disapproval : a
lack of contentment
180
examples
opposite
126 discontent
2
discontent /
dskn tnt/ adjective
2discontent
/dskn tnt/
adjective
DISCONTENT
[more discontent; most discontent]

: not pleased or satisfied :
Polls show that voters are growing

increasingly discontent.

examples
discontentment /
dskn tntmnt/ noun
[noncount]
distend /d stnd/
verb
distends; distended; distending
distend
/d stnd/
181
distends; distended; distending
DISTEND
medical + formal
: to become larger and rounder because of
pressure from inside
[no object]
The illness can cause the stomach

to distend. [=swell]
127 distend [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
[+ object]
an abdomen distended by disease

a distended abdomen/stomach

examples
distension or US distention
/d stnn/ noun [noncount]
abdominal distension
[=swelling]

examples
1
distrust
/dstrst/ verb
182
distrusts; distrusted; distrusting
1 distrust
/dstrst/
verb
distrusts; distrusted; distrusting
DISTRUST
[+ object]
: to have no trust or confidence in (someone
or something) :
He generally distrusts doctors.

She's always distrusted their
promises.

examples
2
distrust
/dstrst/ noun
2 distrust
/dstrst/
noun
DISTRUST
128 distrust : lack of trust or confidence : a feeling that

someone or something is not honest and
cannot be trusted
[noncount]
183
/dstrst/ noun
2 distrust
/dstrst/
noun
DISTRUST
128 distrust : lack of trust or confidence : a feeling that
someone or something is not honest and
cannot be trusted
[noncount]
He regards doctors with distrust.

[=mistrust]

examples
[singular]
He has a distrust of doctors.

examples
distrustful /dstrstfl/
adjective [more distrustful; most distrustful]
He is generally distrustful
[=mistrustful] of doctors.

examples
184
docile / dsl/ Brit /
dsal/ adjective
docile
/ dsl/ Brit / dsal/
adjective
Learner's definition of DOCILE
[more docile; most docile]

: easily taught, led, or controlled
His students were docile and eager

to learn.
a docile, well-behaved pet

129 docile [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
docilely adverb
The horses behaved docilely.

examples
docility /d slti/ Brit

/d slti/ noun [noncount]
This breed is known for its
gentleness and docility.

examples
185
examples
donor / don/ noun
plural donors
donor
/ don/
noun
plural donors
Learner's definition of DONOR
[count]
1 : a person or group that gives something
(such as money, food, or clothes) in order
to help a person or organization
The money was raised from

individual donors.
She is one of the charity's/cause's
major donors.
130 donor
examples
2 : a person who gives something (such as
blood or a body organ) so that it can be
given to someone who needs it
blood/organ donors
a kidney donor
a donor organ
a donor card [=a card that says
186
adjective
dormant
/ domnt/
adjective
DORMANT
[more dormant; most dormant]

: not doing anything at this time : not active
but able to become active
a dormant volcano
The seeds will remain/lie dormant
131 dormant until the spring.
Her emotions have lain dormant
for many years.

examples
dormancy / domnsi/ noun

[noncount]
The volcano has been in a state

of dormancy for many years.
a period of dormancy

examples
1 draft / drft/ Brit /

drft/ noun
187
plural drafts
1 draft
/ drft/ Brit / drft/
noun
plural drafts
Learner's definition of DRAFT
1 [count] : a version of something (such as a

document) that you make before you make
the final version
The published poem differs quite

a bit from earlier drafts.
I just completed a rough draft [=a
first version that needs a lot of
editing and rewriting] of my
speech.
The final draft [=the final
version] is due tomorrow.

examples
2 [count] US draft or British draught : cool
air moving in a closed space (such as a
room)
You may want to seal the

windows with plastic to stop
drafts.

examples
3 [count] US
a : a system in which young people are
188
singular
There is debate about whether the

country needs a draft.
Congress reinstated the draft.

examples
He burned his draft card.

He's a draft dodger. [=a person
who illegally avoids joining the
armed forces]

examples
b : a system by which professional sports
teams choose players from college or high
school teams usually singular
He was chosen in the first round

of the draft.

examples
draft day
He was a first-round draft pick.

examples
189
He was chosen in the first round
of the draft.

examples
draft day
He was a first-round draft pick.

examples
4 [count] formal + literary US draft or
British draught : an act of drinking
something
also : the amount swallowed at one time
He took a big draft of beer.

examples
5 [count] US draft or British draught : a
beer that is stored in and poured from a
large container
The bar has 15 different drafts on

tap.

examples
6 : an order for the payment of money from a
person or bank to another person or bank
[count]
190
Payment must be made by bank
draft.

examples
7 technical US draft or British draught
a : the depth of water that a boat needs in
order to be able to float
[count]
usually singular
a boat with a deep/shallow draft

examples
[noncount]
a ship with 45 feet of draft

132 draft examples
b [noncount] : the depth of the water in a
river, channel, etc.
a canal/channel that provides 60

feet of draft

examples
8 draught [count] British :
on draft (US) of beer or British on draught

: stored in and poured from a large
191
8
draught [count] British :
on draft (US) of beer or British on draught

: stored in and poured from a large
container instead of in individual bottles or
cans
The bar has beer on draft. [=on

tap]

examples
2 draft / drft/ Brit

/ drft/ adjective
2 draft
adjective

1 of an animal US draft or British draught :
used for pulling heavy loads
draft animals/horses

examples
2 of beer US draft or British draught :
stored in and poured from a large container
draft beer
192
3 draft / drft/ Brit
/ drft/ verb
drafts; drafted; drafting
3 draft
verb
drafts; drafted; drafting
[+ object]
1 : to make a version of (something, such as a
document or plan) that will need more
work in order to be finished
He drafted a speech.
The two countries are drafting a
treaty.

examples
2 a : to choose (someone) for a special
purpose
The drama club drafted three

teenagers to be in the parade.

examples
often used as (be/get) drafted
A few of us were drafted to help
193
distribute flyers.
He got drafted for the fall play.

examples
b US : to officially order (someone) to join
the armed forces
The legislature debated drafting

more soldiers.

examples
He was drafted for the war.

He got drafted into the army.

examples
c US : to choose (someone) to play on a
professional sports team
The new rule prohibits teams

from drafting players under 18.

examples
He was drafted in the first round.

He got drafted by the Jets.
194
examples
133 dulcet couldd not find data
1
dupe / dup/ Brit /
djup/ verb
dupes; duped; duping
1 dupe
/ dup/ Brit / djup/
verb
Learner's definition of DUPE
[+ object]
: to deceive or trick (someone) into believing
or doing something
They duped her out of $300.

examples
usually used as (be) duped
He was duped into buying a phony

watch.
We were duped by the con artist.
134 dupe
examples
2 195

examples

watch.
134 dupe [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
2 dupe / dup/ Brit /

djup/ noun
plural dupes
2 dupe
/ dup/ Brit / djup/
noun
plural dupes
[count]
: a person who is easily deceived or tricked
He was an unwitting dupe in the

scheme.

examples
1 196
verb
[+ object]
: to deceive or trick (someone) into believing
or doing something

examples

watch.
135 dupe
examples
2
dupe / dup/ Brit /
djup/ noun
plural dupes
2 dupe
/ dup/ Brit / djup/
noun
plural dupes
[count]
197
/ dup/ Brit / djup/
noun
plural dupes
[count]
: a person who is easily deceived or tricked
He was an unwitting dupe in the

scheme.

examples
duplicity
/d plsti/ Brit
/dj plsti/ noun
duplicity
/d p
lsti/ Brit /dj plsti/
noun
DUPLICITY
[noncount] formal
: dishonest behavior that is meant to trick
someone
136 duplicity He exposed the spy's duplicity.

examples
198
durable / durbl/
Brit / djrbl/ adjective
durable
/ durbl/ Brit / djrbl/
adjective
DURABLE
[more durable; most durable]

: staying strong and in good condition over a
long period of time
durable fabric

examples
She is one of Hollywood's most

durable stars.
137 durability a durable athlete
durable myths

examples
durability /dur blti/ Brit /

djr blti/ noun [noncount]
cars known for their durability
199
durably built homes

examples
duration
/d ren/ Brit
/dj ren/ noun
duration
/d r en/ Brit /dj ren/
noun
DURATION
[noncount]
: the length of time that something exists or
lasts
You should gradually increase the

duration of your workout.

examples
138 duration
for the duration
: until the end of something
He was living in England when

the war began and remained there
for the duration.
200
often + of
The camera remained on the

President for the duration of his
speech.

examples
duress /d rs/ Brit

/dj rs/ noun
duress
/d r s/ Brit /dj rs/
noun
DURESS
139 duress [noncount] formal

: force or threats meant to make someone do
something
He gave the information under

duress.

examples
140
editorialize
201
: force or threats meant to make someone do
something
He gave the information under

duress.

examples
140 couldd not find data

editorialize
elate / let/ verb
elates; elated; elating
elate
/ let/
verb
elates; elated; elating
Learner's definition of ELATE
[+ object]
: to make (someone) very happy and excited
The discovery has elated

141 elation researchers.

examples
202
emanate /
mnet/ verb
emanates emanated; emanating
emanate
/ mnet/
verb
emanates emanated; emanating
EMANATE
1 [no object] : to come out from a source
Good smells emanated from the

kitchen.
Constant criticism has emanated
from her opponents.
Happiness seems to emanate
from her.

examples
142 emanate 2 [+ object] : to send (something) out : to

give out (something)
Some radioactive substances can

emanate [=(more commonly)
emit] radiation for many years.
She seems to emanate happiness.

203
emit] radiation for many years.
She seems to emanate happiness.

examples
emanation /m nen/
noun, plural emanations
[count]
radioactive emanations

examples
[noncount]
the continuous emanation of new

ideas

examples
emancipate /
mnspet/ verb
emancipates; emancipated; emancipating
emancipate
/ mnspet/
verb
emancipates; emancipated; emancipating
EMANCIPATE
204
himself from his parents was to
move away.

examples
emancipated adjective
143 an emancipated slave
emancipate She considers herself an
emancipated woman. [=a woman
who is free from old social
limitations and customs]

examples
emancipation /
mns pen/ noun
[noncount]
the emancipation of the slaves

examples
emancipator /
mnspet/ noun, plural
emancipators chiefly US [count]
an emancipator of slaves
Abraham Lincoln is sometimes
called the Great Emancipator.
205
1 emcee /msi/
noun
plural emcees
1emcee
/msi/
noun
plural emcees
Learner's definition of EMCEE
[count] US
:
It was his third appearance as

emcee [=host] of the awards
dinner.

examples
2 emcee /msi/
verb
144 emcee
emcees; emceed; emceeing
2emcee
/msi/
verb
emcees; emceed; emceeing
Learner's definition of EMCEE
US
206
She agreed to emcee [=host] an
awards dinner.

examples
[no object]
She agreed to emcee at an awards

dinner.

examples
145 emend couldd not find data
1 encore / nko/
interjection
1 encore
/ nko/
interjection
ENCORE
used by an audience to call for another

song, dance, etc., when a performance has
ended
The audience shouted Encore! as

the singer left the stage.
207
interjection
1 encore
/ nko/
interjection
ENCORE
used by an audience to call for another

song, dance, etc., when a performance has
ended
The audience shouted Encore! as

the singer left the stage.

examples
2
encore / nko/
noun
plural encores
146 encore 2 encore
/ nko/
noun
plural encores
ENCORE
[count]
1 : an extra piece of music performed in
response to a request from the audience
He sang a folk song as/for an
208
for an encore?

examples
endurance /
n drns/ Brit /
n djrns/ noun
endurance
/n drns/ Brit /n djrns/
noun
ENDURANCE
[noncount]
1 a : the ability to do something difficult for a
long time
The exercise program is designed

to increase both strength and
endurance.
a test of endurance = an
endurance test [=a task that tests
your ability to do something
difficult for a long time]
endurance training
147 endurance [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
b : the ability to deal with pain or suffering
that continues for a long time
209
examples
b : the ability to deal with pain or suffering
that continues for a long time
The overseas flight tested our

(powers of) endurance.
children who are teased beyond
endurance [=for such a long time
or to such a great degree that they
can no longer deal with it]

examples
2 : the quality of continuing for a long time
We need to assure the endurance

[=survival] of this tradition.

examples
entreat /n trit/
verb
entreats; entreated; entreating
entreat
/n trit/
verb
entreats; entreated; entreating
ENTREAT
210
examples
enunciate /
nnsiet/ verb
enunciates; enunciated; enunciating
enunciate
/ nnsiet/
verb
enunciates; enunciated; enunciating
ENUNCIATE
1 [+ object] formal : to make a clear

statement of (ideas, beliefs, etc.)
He set out to enunciate the basic

principles of his system.
enunciate a basic set of beliefs

examples
2 : to pronounce words or parts of words
clearly
[+ object]
Be sure to enunciate
[=articulate] every syllable.
149 enunciate [+] more examples [-] hide examples

211
[no object]
Children should be taught to

enunciate clearly.

examples
enunciation /
nnsi en/ noun [noncount]
the enunciation of principles

precise enunciation

examples
enunciator / nnsiet/
noun, plural enunciators [count]
a careful enunciator

examples
1 equestrian /
kwstrijn/ adjective
1equestrian
/ kwstrijn/
adjective
EQUESTRIAN
212
an equestrian competition

150 equestrian examples
2
equestrian /
kwstrijn/ noun
plural equestrians
2
equestrian
/ kwstrijn/
noun
plural equestrians
EQUESTRIAN
[count]
: a person who rides horses
1 equine /
ikwan/ /
kwan/ adjective
1 equine
/ ikwan/ / kwan/
adjective
Learner's definition of EQUINE
1 : of or relating to horses
an equine disease
equine grace
213
: a person who rides horses
1
equine /
ikwan/ /
kwan/ adjective
1 equine
/ ikwan/ / kwan/
adjective
Learner's definition of EQUINE
1 : of or relating to horses
an equine disease
equine grace

examples
2 : resembling a horse
an equine face
151 equine [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
compare
2 equine /
ikwan/ /
kwan/ noun
plural equines
2
214
etymology /
t mli/ noun
plural etymologies
etymology
/t m
li/
noun
plural etymologies
ETYMOLOGY
1 [count] : an explanation of where a word

came from : the history of a word
According to its etymology, the

English word dope comes from
the Dutch word doop (which
means sauce).
Several different etymologies
have been proposed.

examples
2 [noncount] : the study of word histories
an expert in etymology

152 etymology [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
etymological /tm l
kl/ adjective
215
an expert in etymology
152 etymology
examples
etymological /tm l
kl/ adjective
etymological research
an etymological
dictionary/expert

examples
etymologically /tm l
kli/ adverb
The words are related
etymologically.

examples
etymologist /t ml
st/ noun, plural etymologists [count]
a brilliant etymologist

examples
evade / ved/ verb
216
[+ object]
1 a : to stay away from (someone or
something) : to avoid (someone or
something)
The criminals have so far

managed to evade the police.
They have evaded capture/arrest.
[=have avoided being
captured/arrested]
His criminal activities somehow
evaded detection. [=were not
detected]

examples
b : to avoid dealing with or facing
(something)
a politician skilled at evading

difficult questions
The governor has been accused
of evading the issue.
153 evade [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
c : to avoid doing (something required)
illegally evading taxes [=failing

to pay taxes]

examples
2 a : to not be understood by (someone)
217
Their purpose in doing this
evades me. [=I don't understand
their purpose]

examples
b : to fail to be achieved by (someone)
Up to now, success has evaded

[=eluded] me.

examples
evader noun, plural evaders [count]
tax evaders

examples
evict / vkt/ verb
evicts; evicted; evicting
evict
/ vkt/
verb
evicts; evicted; evicting
Learner's definition of EVICT
[+ object]
: to force (someone) to leave a place
218
154 evict [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
eviction / vkn/ noun,

plural evictions
[noncount]
He was threatened with eviction

for failing to pay the rent.

examples
[count]
unlawful evictions

examples
exasperation /
gzsp ren/ Brit
/gzsp ren/
noun
exasperation
/gzsp ren/ Brit /
gzsp ren/
noun
155 EXASPERATION
exasperation [noncount]
: the state of being very annoyed or upset
219
examples
exasperation /
gzsp ren/ Brit
/gzsp ren/
noun
exasperation
/gzsp ren/ Brit /
gzsp ren/
noun
155 EXASPERATION
exasperation [noncount]
: the state of being very annoyed or upset
They had all experienced the

exasperation and frustration of
holiday shopping.
He sighed in exasperation.

examples
1
excerpt / kspt/
/ gzpt/ noun
plural excerpts
1 excerpt
220
I've read only excerpts of/from
Moby-Dick, never the whole book.

examples
2 excerpt /k spt/
156 excerpt /g zpt/ verb
excerpts; excerpted; excerpting
2
excerpt
/k spt/ /gzpt/
verb
excerpts; excerpted; excerpting
EXCERPT
[+ object]
: to include (part of a longer written work) in
something else usually used as (be)
excerpted
This article was excerpted from the

New York Times.
Portions of her novel were
excerpted in a literary magazine.

examples
1 excess /k ss/ /
221
1
excess /k ss/ /
kss/ noun
plural excesses
1excess
/k ss/ / kss/
noun
plural excesses
Learner's definition of EXCESS
1 [singular] : an amount that is more than the

usual or necessary amount
They were equipped with an

excess of provisions.
The tests found an excess of
sodium in his blood.
an excess of enthusiasm/zeal
There was an excess of 10
bushels (over what was needed
to fill the bin).
Eating anything in excess [=in
overly large amounts] can be bad
for you.

examples
2 a [noncount] : behavior that is considered
wrong because it goes beyond what is
usual, normal, or proper
222
The movie embraces all the
worst excesses of popular
American culture.
the violent excesses of the
military regime
He apologized for his past
excesses.
157 excess [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
in excess of
: more than (an amount)
Annual repairs cost in excess of

[=over] $50,000.
traveling at speeds in excess of
100 mph

examples
to excess
: more than is usual, normal, or proper
He often eats to excess.

[=excessively]
college students who drink to
excess [=who drink too much]

examples
2 223
2 excess /k ss/ /
kss/ adjective
2excess
/k ss/ / kss/
adjective
Learner's definition of EXCESS

: more than is usual, allowed, or needed
excess baggage
Basketball provided an outlet for
their excess energy.
She is trying to eliminate excess fat
and calories from her diet.

examples
1 exotic /
g ztk/ adjective
1exotic
/gztk/
adjective
Learner's definition of EXOTIC
[more exotic; most exotic]

1 : very different, strange, or unusual
exotic colors/flavors
an exotic locale
224
examples
2 of a plant or animal : not living or
growing naturally in a particular area :
from another part of the world
exotic plants
exotic fish/birds

examples
exotically /g ztkli/
adverb
158 exotic exotically flavored teas

examples
exoticism /
g ztszm/ noun
[noncount]
exoticness /g ztkns/
noun [noncount]
2 exotic /
g ztk/ noun
plural exotics
2exotic
/gztk/
225
examples
exoticism /
g ztszm/ noun
[noncount]
exoticness /g ztkns/
noun [noncount]
2 exotic /
g ztk/ noun
plural exotics
2exotic
/gztk/
noun
plural exotics
Learner's definition of EXOTIC
[count]
: a plant or animal that does not live or grow
naturally in a particular area
Some native species are being

crowded out by exotics.

examples
expansive /
k spnsv/ adjective
226
He was unusually expansive at
the press conference.
She was in an expansive mood.

examples
2 a : covering or including many things : very
broad or wide
The law was expansive in its

scope.
a more expansive treatment of the
159 expansive topic

examples
b : covering a large space or area
the hotel's expansive dining room

The house has expansive views
of the valley.
an expansive gesture [=a broad
gesture]

examples
3 : growing quickly or steadily : marked by
expansion
an expansive economy

examples
227
examples
expansively adverb
expansiveness noun [noncount]
expire /k spaj/
verb
expires; expired; expiring
expire
/k spaj/
verb
expires; expired; expiring
Learner's definition of EXPIRE
1 [no object] : to end : to no longer be valid

after a period of time
This offer expires (on) March 1.

My driver's license has expired.

examples
2 [no object] formal : to die
She expired after a long illness.

160 expire [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
3 /k spaj/ [+ object] medical : to
228
time expires
When time expires in a game, the clock
shows that there is no more time and play
stops.
They scored seconds before time

expired.

examples
extinction /
k stkn/ noun
plural extinctions
extinction
/k stkn/
noun
plural extinctions
EXTINCTION
: the state or situation that results when

something (such as a plant or animal species)
has died out completely
[noncount]
the extinction of all life in the

region
161 extinction Several bird species are threatened
with extinction. = Several bird
species are on the brink of
229
the extinction of many old
traditions

examples
[count]
Mass extinctions of prehistoric

animals are known to have
occurred.

examples
extremity /
k strmti/ noun
plural extremities
extremity
/k strmti/
noun
plural extremities
EXTREMITY
1 [count] : a hand or foot usually plural
You will feel the effects of the

cold in your extremities. [=hands
and feet]
230
We lived on the island's
westernmost extremity. [=the part
162 extremity of the island that is farthest to the
west]

examples
3 formal : a very great or extreme degree or
amount of something (such as emotion or
pain)
[noncount]
The extremity of her grief is

impossible to imagine.

examples
[count]
They endured extremities of

suffering. [=they endured extreme
suffering]

examples
1 fathom / fm/
noun
plural fathoms
1 fathom
231
examples
[count]
They endured extremities of

suffering. [=they endured extreme
suffering]

examples
1 fathom / fm/
noun
plural fathoms
1 fathom
/ fm/
noun
plural fathoms
FATHOM
[count]
: a unit of length equal to six feet (about 1.8
meters) used especially for measuring the
depth of water
The water here is five fathoms

deep.

examples
2 232
FATHOM
[+ object]
: to understand the reason for (something)
I couldn't fathom why she made

such a foolish decision. = I couldn't
fathom her reasons for making such
a foolish decision.
(Brit) I couldn't fathom out her
reasons.

examples
see also
1
fathom / fm/
noun
plural fathoms
1 fathom
/ fm/
noun
plural fathoms
FATHOM
[count]
: a unit of length equal to six feet (about 1.8
meters) used especially for measuring the
depth of water
233
depth of water
The water here is five fathoms

deep.

examples
2
164 fathom fathom / fm/
verb
fathoms; fathomed; fathoming
2 fathom
/ fm/
verb
fathoms; fathomed; fathoming
FATHOM
[+ object]
: to understand the reason for (something)
I couldn't fathom why she made

such a foolish decision. = I couldn't
fathom her reasons for making such
a foolish decision.
(Brit) I couldn't fathom out her
reasons.

examples
see also
1 234
plural faults
Learner's definition of FAULT
1 [count]
a : a bad quality or part of someone's
character : a weakness in character
He loved her despite her many

faults. [=failings]
Lack of courage is his worst
fault.
In spite of her faults, she's a loyal
friend. = For all her faults, she's
a loyal friend.

examples
b : a problem or bad part that prevents
something from being perfect : a flaw or
defect
We discussed the book's strengths

and faults. [=weaknesses]
If the book has a fault, it's that it's
too long.

examples
2 [noncount] : responsibility for a problem,
mistake, bad situation, etc.
The accident was not her fault.

[=she did not cause the accident;
she should not be blamed for the
accident]
235
responsible]
It's your own fault you missed
that bus.
Through no fault of his own, he
won't be able to attend the
meeting.

examples
3 [count] tennis : a mistake that results in a
bad serve
She committed too many faults to

win the match.

examples
see also
4 [count] geology : a break in the Earth's
crust
Frequent earthquakes have

occurred along the San Andreas
Fault.

examples
165 fault at fault

: deserving blame for something bad :
She's not at fault for the accident.

It will be difficult to determine
who's really at fault.
236
examples
find fault
see
to a fault
: to a great or excessive degree
generous to a fault [=very

generous or too generous]
honest to a fault

examples
faultless / fltls/ adjective
a faultless [=perfect, flawless]

performance

examples
faultlessly adverb
She performed faultlessly.

examples
faultlessness noun [noncount]
2 fault / flt/ verb
237
a faultless [=perfect, flawless]
performance

examples
faultlessly adverb
She performed faultlessly.

examples
faultlessness noun [noncount]
2
fault / flt/ verb
faults; faulted; faulting
2 fault
/ flt/
verb
faults; faulted; faulting
Learner's definition of FAULT
[+ object]
1 : to criticize (something)
One critic faulted the book as

(being) too long.

examples
2 : to blame or criticize (someone)
238
examples
1 fawn / fn/ verb
fawns; fawned; fawning
1 fawn
/ fn/
verb
fawns; fawned; fawning
Learner's definition of FAWN
[no object] disapproving

: to try to get the approval of an important or
powerful person by giving that person praise,
special attention, etc.
a sports star surrounded by

fawning fans

examples
usually + over or on
The waiters were fawning (all)

166 fawn over the celebrity.
She doesn't seem to mind being
fawned on by her fans.

examples
2 239
2
fawn / fn/ noun
plural fawns
2 fawn
/ fn/
noun
plural fawns
Learner's definition of FAWN
1 [count] : a young deer

especially : a deer that is less than a year
old
2 [noncount] : a light brown color :
faze / fez/ verb
fazes; fazed; fazing
faze
/ fez/
verb
fazes; fazed; fazing
Learner's definition of FAZE
[+ object]
: to cause (someone) to feel afraid or
uncertain
167 faze
Nothing fazes [=daunts] her.
You'll never succeed as a writer if
you let a little bit of criticism faze
240
feasible / fizbl/
adjective
feasible
/ fizbl/
adjective
FEASIBLE
[more feasible; most feasible]

: possible to do
This plan for a new town library is

not economically feasible. [=it
costs too much money]
looking for a feasible way to create
168 feasible new jobs
a feasible goal

examples
feasibility /fiz blti/ noun

[noncount]
She questions the feasibility of

the plan.
a feasibility study [=a study to
show if something can be done]

examples
feasibly / fizbli/ adverb
241
1
fell
1 fell
Learner's definition of FELL
past tense of
2 fell / fl/ verb
fells; felled; felling
2 fell
/ fl/
verb
fells; felled; felling
[+ object]
1 : to cut down (a tree)
using an ax to fell a tree

examples
2 : to beat or knock down (someone or
something)
He's strong enough to fell an ox.

examples
242
Their father was felled [=killed]
by a heart attack at age 55.

169 fell examples
3 fell / fl/ adjective
3 fell
/ fl/
adjective
formal + literary
: very fierce or cruel
a fell enemy/purpose

examples
in one fell swoop also at one fell swoop

: with a single, quick action or effort
The court has dismissed all of the

charges against him in one fell
swoop.

examples
4 fell / fl/ noun
243
in one fell swoop also at one fell swoop
: with a single, quick action or effort
The court has dismissed all of the

charges against him in one fell
swoop.

examples
4 fell / fl/ noun
plural fells
4 fell
/ fl/
noun
plural fells
[count] British
1 : a hill in the north of England
2 : a high field or moor in the north of
England
fetter / ft/ verb
fetters; fettered; fettering
fetter
244
from moving or acting freely
170 fetter He found himself fettered by

responsibilities.
restrictions that fetter [=hinder]
creativity

examples
2 old-fashioned : to put chains around
someone's feet to prevent motion
fetter [=shackle] a prisoner

examples
finicky / fnki/
adjective
finicky
/ fnki/
adjective
FINICKY
[more finicky; most finicky]

1 : very hard to please
a finicky eater
171 finicky My teacher is finicky about
grammar.
245
grammar.

examples
2 : requiring a lot of care or attention
a complicated and finicky recipe

examples
flammable /
flmbl/ adjective
flammable
/ flmbl/
adjective
FLAMMABLE
[more flammable; most flammable]
172 flammable : capable of being set on fire and of burning

quickly
a flammable liquid
a highly flammable fabric

examples
flammability /flm blti/

noun [noncount]
246
1
: to show (something) in a very open way so
that other people will notice
She liked to flaunt her wealth by

wearing furs and jewelry.
173 flaunt Their motto seems to be, If you've
got it, flaunt it! [=you should not
be afraid to show your good
features and talents]

examples
2 : to show a lack of respect for (something,
such as a rule) :
They openly flaunted the rules.

examples
Usage The use of flaunt to mean
flout is common, but it is considered
by many people to be incorrect.
fledgling / fll/
noun
plural fledglings
fledgling
/ fll/
noun
plural fledglings
247
FLEDGLING
[count]
1 : a young bird that has just become able to
fly
174 fledgling a female bird feeding her

fledglings
a fledgling robin

examples
2 : someone or something that is getting
started in a new activity usually used
before another noun
a fledgling company with only

four employees
a fledgling novelist

examples
1 foil / fojl/ verb
foils; foiled; foiling
1 foil
/ fojl/
verb
foils; foiled; foiling
Learner's definition of FOIL
248
[+ object]
1 : to prevent (someone) from doing
something or achieving a goal :
Police managed to foil the

burglars.

examples
often used as (be) foiled
He was foiled by his opponents

once again.
She was foiled by her own
indecision.

examples
2 : to prevent (something) from happening or
being successful
Police foiled an attempted

robbery.
Her accident foiled her dreams of
becoming a dancer.

examples
2 foil
175 foil / fojl/ noun
plural foils
2
249
examples
2 : to prevent (something) from happening or
being successful
Police foiled an attempted

robbery.
Her accident foiled her dreams of
becoming a dancer.

examples
175 foil 2 foil / fojl/ noun
plural foils
2 foil
/ fojl/
noun
plural foils
Learner's definition of FOIL
1 [noncount] : a very thin and light sheet of

metal
Cover the dish with aluminum

foil.
kitchen foil [=foil used to wrap
or cover food]
candy wrapped in foil

examples
250
That dark blue dress is a good
foil for her blonde hair.
His reserved manner was a
perfect foil for/to her bubbly
personality.

examples
3 [count] : a sword that has a light, thin blade
and that is used in the sport of fencing
forgo verb
or forego /fo go/
forgoes; forwent /- wnt/;

/fo wnt/; forgone /- gn/ ;
/fo gn/; forgoing
forgo
verb
or forego /fo go/
forgoes; forwent /- wnt/; /fo wnt/;

forgone /- gn/ ; /fo gn/; forgoing
176 forgo Learner's definition of FORGO
[+ object]
: to give up the use or enjoyment of
(something)
forgo an opportunity
She is planning to forgo her right to
a trial and simply plead guilty.
251
forgo an opportunity
She is planning to forgo her right to
a trial and simply plead guilty.

examples
The past tense forwent is now rare or
formal.
forlorn /f lon/
adjective
forlorn
/f l on/
adjective
FORLORN
[more forlorn; most forlorn]

1 : sad and lonely
a forlorn old widow

examples
2 : empty and in poor condition
a forlorn landscape
a forlorn abandoned factory
177 forlorn [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
3 : not having much chance of success :
252
forlornly adverb
She wandered forlornly through

the deserted neighborhood.

examples
foundation
/fan den/ noun
plural foundations
foundation
/fan den/
noun
plural foundations
FOUNDATION
1 [count]
a : a usually stone or concrete structure that
supports a building from underneath
The inspector discovered a crack

in the house's foundation.
pour/lay/dig the foundation

examples
b : something (such as an idea, a principle,
or a fact) that provides support for
something
He insists that these charges are
253
These charges have no
foundation in fact. [=there are no
facts that support these charges]
The book explains the moral
foundations on which her
political career was built.
178 foundation These problems threaten the very
foundations of modern society.
The scandal has shaken the
government to its foundations.
Her early research laid the
foundation [=provided the basis]
for many important medical
discoveries.

examples
2 [count] : an organization that is created and
supported with money that people give in
order to do something that helps society
They established a foundation to

help orphaned children.
set up a foundation
a charitable/nonprofit/private
foundation

examples
3 [count, noncount] : a special cream that is
the color of your skin and that you spread
on your face and neck before putting on
other makeup
254
4
[noncount] : the act of founding something
the foundation of a new school

examples
frond / frnd/ noun
plural fronds
frond
/ frnd/
noun
plural fronds
Learner's definition of FROND

179 frond
[count]
: a large, long leaf
palm fronds

examples
1 fume / fjum/ noun
plural fumes
1 fume
/ fjum/
noun
plural fumes
255
Learner's definition of FROND
179 frond
[count]
: a large, long leaf
palm fronds

examples
1
fume / fjum/ noun
plural fumes
1 fume
/ fjum/
noun
plural fumes
Learner's definition of FUME
[count]
: smoke or gas that smells unpleasant
usually plural
automobile exhaust fumes

examples
2
fume / fjum/ verb
fumes; fumed; fuming
2
256
We sat there waiting for him,
fuming with anger at the delay.

examples
b [+ object] : to say (something) in an
angry way
They made these changes

without even asking our opinion,
one employee fumed.

examples
2 : to produce or give off (smoke, fumes,
etc.)
[+ object]
The volcano was fuming thick

black smoke.

examples
[no object]
The volcano was fuming.

examples
gavel / gvl/ noun
257
gavel / gvl/ noun
plural gavels
gavel
/ gvl/
181 gavel noun
plural gavels
Learner's definition of GAVEL
[count]
: a small hammer that someone (such as a
judge) bangs on a table to get people's
attention in a meeting or in a court of law
genre / nr/ noun
plural genres
genre
/ nr/
noun
plural genres
Learner's definition of GENRE
182 genre [count]

: a particular type or category of literature or
art
a literary/film/musical genre
This book is a classic of the
mystery genre.

258
Learner's definition of GIDDY
1 : playful and silly
giddy children
giddy antics
a giddy atmosphere

examples
2 : feeling or showing great happiness and
joy
The news made him positively

giddy.
He was giddy with delight.
The room was filled with giddy
laughter.

examples
3 always used before a noun : causing
dizziness
183 giddy giddy heights
giddy panoramic views

examples
Her second book lifted her to

giddy heights of literary fame.
[=made her extremely famous]
259
examples
giddily / gdli/ adverb
He was talking giddily

[=excitedly] about his business
plan.

examples
giddiness / gdins/ noun

[noncount]
youthful giddiness [=silliness,

lightheartedness]

examples
global / globl/
adjective
global
/ globl/
adjective
GLOBAL
1 : involving the entire world
the global economy

global fame
260
English is becoming a global
language.

examples
184 global 2 : involving all of something and especially
a computer system, file, etc.
The program allows users to do

global searches through all the
available data.

examples
globally / globli/ adverb
The game will be televised

globally. [=throughout the world]
a globally recognized problem

examples
1 grasp / grsp/ Brit

/ grsp/ verb
grasps; grasped; grasping
1 grasp
/ grsp/ Brit / grsp/
verb
261
globally / globli/ adverb
The game will be televised

globally. [=throughout the world]
a globally recognized problem

examples
1 grasp / grsp/ Brit

/ grsp/ verb
1 grasp
verb
Learner's definition of GRASP
[+ object]
1 : to take and hold (something) with your
fingers, hands, etc.
I grasped the end of the rope and

pulled as hard as I could.
I grasped the rope by its end.
His arthritis is so bad he can
barely grasp a pencil.

examples
262
They failed to grasp
[=comprehend] the importance of
talking to their children about the
dangers of taking drugs.
They don't (fully) grasp the
implications of these changes.

examples
grasp at [phrasal verb]

grasp at (something)
: to try to take or get (something) in an
eager or desperate way
They were ready to grasp at any

possible solution.
He grasped at the opportunity to
speak with her.

examples
grasp at straws
see
grasp for [phrasal verb]

grasp for (something)
: to try in a desperate or awkward way to
get (something)
His sudden decision to quit the

race has left his supporters
grasping for explanations.
grasping for attention
263
His sudden decision to quit the
race has left his supporters
grasping for explanations.
grasping for attention

examples
grasp the nettle

see
185 grasp graspable / grspb/ Brit /

grspbl/ adjective
an easily graspable idea

examples
2
grasp / grsp/ Brit
/ grsp/ noun
2 grasp
noun
Learner's definition of GRASP
[singular]
1 : a usually strong hold
I kept a firm grasp on the rope.

[=I held the rope firmly with my
hand]
264
grasp. [=I can't understand his
motives]
We're still trying to get a grasp on
[=to gain a good understanding
of] the situation.

examples
3 a : the distance that can be reached by your
arms and hands :
The books on the top shelf are

just beyond my grasp.
She moved the toy to within the
baby's grasp.
He tried to grab the rolling ball,
but it eluded his grasp. [=he
could not reach it]

examples
b : the ability to get or find something
Success is almost within our

grasp. [=we are very close to
success]
She felt the solution was within
her grasp.

examples
4 : power or control
265
The land was in the grasp
[=grip] of a tyrant.
He had the country in his grasp.

examples
grimace / grms/
noun
plural grimaces
grimace
/ grms/
noun
plural grimaces
GRIMACE
[count]
: a facial expression in which your mouth and
face are twisted in a way that shows disgust,
disapproval, or pain
186 grimace The patient made/gave a painful

grimace as the doctor examined his
wound.

examples
grimace verb grimaces; grimaced;

grimacing [no object]
266
The patient grimaced in pain
when his wound was touched.

examples
grime / gram/ noun
grime
/ gram/
noun
Learner's definition of GRIME
[noncount]
: dirt that covers a surface
The windows were coated with

grime.
187 grimy
examples
grimy / grami/ adjective

grimier; grimiest
grimy [=dirty] windows

examples
grisly / grzli/
adjective
267
: dirt that covers a surface
The windows were coated with

187 grimy grime.

examples
grimy / grami/ adjective

grimier; grimiest
grimy [=dirty] windows

examples
grisly / grzli/
adjective
grislier; grisliest
grisly
/ grzli/
adjective
grislier; grisliest
Learner's definition of GRISLY

188 grisly [also more grisly; most grisly]
: causing horror or fear : very shocking
a grisly [=gruesome] murder

The jurors saw grisly photos of the
crime scene.
268
guzzle
/ gzl/
verb
guzzles; guzzled; guzzling / gzl/
Learner's definition of GUZZLE
informal
: to drink (something, such as beer or liquor)
quickly or in large amounts
[+ object]
She spends her days smoking

cigarettes and guzzling (down)
coffee.

examples
[no object]
189 guzzle Sip, don't guzzle.

examples
sometimes used figuratively
devices that guzzle electricity

cars that guzzle gasoline

examples
In British English, guzzle is used for both
eating and drinking.
guzzler / gzl/ noun, plural
269
eating and drinking.
guzzler / gzl/ noun, plural

guzzlers [count]
beer guzzlers

examples
see also
habitat /
hbtt/ noun
plural habitats
habitat
/ hbtt/
noun
plural habitats
190 habitat HABITAT
[count]
: the place or type of place where a plant or
animal naturally or normally lives or grows
a creature's natural habitat

tropical habitats

examples
270
(such as a cold winter or a drought)
a hardy rose
the hardiest plants/animals

examples
2 : strong and able to accept difficult or
unpleasant conditions
191 hardy
Most of the soldiers were hardy
young men.
Hardy fans stuck with the team
through good times and bad.
Only the hardiest pilgrims made
the journey.

examples
hardiness / hdins/ noun

[noncount]
the hardiness of the rose

cattle bred for hardiness

examples
hasten / hesn/
verb
271
hastens; hastened; hastening
HASTEN
1 [+ object] : to cause (something) to happen

more quickly
A factory was built, hastening

[=accelerating] the town's
growth.
His death was hastened by
alcohol abuse.

examples
2 [no object] old-fashioned : to move or act
192 hasten quickly
When she heard the baby crying,

she hastened [=hurried] up the
stairs.

examples
hasten to add/say/explain (etc.)

: to immediately say something in order to
prevent confusion or misunderstanding
The company announced that the

initial tests look promising, but
they hastened to add that there is
still much more testing to be
done.
Let me hasten to point out that
272
existing clients.

examples
hectic / hktk/
adjective
hectic
/ hktk/
adjective
Learner's definition of HECTIC
[more hectic; most hectic]

: very busy and filled with activity
We both had hectic days at work.

She maintains a hectic schedule as
193 hectic a journalist and mother.
a hectic lifestyle

examples
hectically / hktkli/ adverb
hectically busy

examples
heterogeneous /
273
[more hectic; most hectic]
: very busy and filled with activity
We both had hectic days at work.

193 hectic She maintains a hectic schedule as
a journalist and mother.
a hectic lifestyle

examples
hectically / hktkli/ adverb
hectically busy

examples
heterogeneous /
htr inijs/ adjective
heterogeneous
/htr
inijs/
adjective
HETEROGENEOUS
[more heterogeneous; most heterogeneous]

formal
194 : made up of parts that are different
heterogeneous an ethnically heterogeneous
population
274
hews; hewed; hewed or hewn / hjun/ ;
hewing
hew
/ hju/
verb
hews; hewed; hewed or hewn / hjun/ ; hewing
Learner's definition of HEW
[+ object]
: to shape (something) by cutting with a sharp
tool (such as an ax)
They hewed logs to build a cabin.

The walls are built of stones hewn
by skilled craftsmen.
roughly hewn logs

examples
195 hew sometimes used figuratively
Settlers hewed a town from the

wilderness.
His father hewed a fortune from the
railroads.

examples
see also
hew to [phrasal verb]

hew to (something) US
275
examples
see also
hew to [phrasal verb]

hew to (something) US
: to follow or obey (something)
Everyone must hew to the

rules/standards.
He is a politician who has
always hewed [=adhered]
closely to the party line.

examples
holocaust /
holkst/ /
hlkst/ noun
plural holocausts
holocaust
/ holkst/ / hlkst/
noun
plural holocausts
HOLOCAUST
formal
1 the Holocaust : the killing of millions of
Jews and other people by the Nazis during
World War II
276
many people are killed and many things are
destroyed especially by fire
There were fears of a nuclear

holocaust.

examples
homogeneous /
hom injs/ adjective
homogeneous
/hom
injs/
adjective
HOMOGENEOUS
[more homogeneous; most homogeneous]

somewhat formal
: made up of the same kind of people or
things
a racially homogeneous
neighborhood [=a neighborhood in
which all the people belong to the
197 same race]
homogeneous a fairly homogeneous collection of
examples

examples
compare
277
racial/economic/cultural
homogeneity

examples
homonym /
hmnm/ noun
plural homonyms
homonym
/ hmnm/
noun
plural homonyms
198 homonym HOMONYM
[count]
: a word that is spelled and pronounced like
another word but is different in meaning
The noun bear and the verb

bear are homonyms.

examples
1 honor (US) noun
or British honour / n/
plural honors
1
278
noun
plural honors
Learner's definition of HONOR
1 [noncount] : respect that is given to

someone who is admired
These people deserve to be

treated with honor.
The team brought honor to the
school.
Please welcome our guest of
honor. [=the person who is being
specially honored]
He was given a place of honor at
the table. [=a seat for someone
who is being specially honored]
The trophy has a place of honor
[=a special position for
something that is highly valued]
on the mantel.
They're having a dinner in honor
of the new coach. = They're
having a dinner in the new
coach's honor. [=they are having
a dinner as a way to show respect
and admiration for the new
coach]
The building was named in honor
of the city's founder.
He wore his ethnic heritage as a
badge of honor. [=he was proud
of his ethnic heritage and did not
try to hide it]
279
specially honored]
He was given a place of honor at
the table. [=a seat for someone
who is being specially honored]
The trophy has a place of honor
[=a special position for
something that is highly valued]
on the mantel.
They're having a dinner in honor
of the new coach. = They're
having a dinner in the new
coach's honor. [=they are having
a dinner as a way to show respect
and admiration for the new
coach]
The building was named in honor
of the city's founder.
He wore his ethnic heritage as a
badge of honor. [=he was proud
of his ethnic heritage and did not
try to hide it]

examples
2 [noncount]
a : good reputation : good quality or
character as judged by other people
He was prepared to fight to

defend/protect/uphold his
family's honor.

examples
280
examples
3 [singular] formal
a : a special opportunity to do something
that makes you proud usually + of
She was given/granted the honor

of christening the ship.
I have the honor of informing you
that you have won first prize.
May I have the honor of this
dance? [=(more commonly) will
you dance with me?]

examples
b : something that shows that other people
have respect for you
It was an honor to be invited.

It's a great honor (for me) to be
here with you tonight.
I hope you'll do me the honor of
accepting this invitation. [=it will
make me feel happy and proud if
you accept this invitation]

examples
4 [count] : something (such as a title or
medal) that is given to a person as a sign of
respect and admiration
She has received/won many

honors and awards for her
281
medal) that is given to a person as a sign of
respect and admiration
She has received/won many

honors and awards for her
charitable works.
Charitable organizations have
been heaping honors on him.
He was buried with full military
honors. [=a special military
ceremony for a person who has
died]

examples
see also
5 [singular] : an admired person who is a
source of pride and respect for the other
members of a group, organization, etc.
used in the phrase an honor to
She was an honor to [=a credit

to] her profession.

examples
6 Honor [count] used as a title for a judge
or mayor
Please welcome His Honor, the

mayor.
We request a recess, Your Honor.

282
who want to take classes at a high level
honors classes/courses
an honours degree from a British
university

examples
do the honors
: to do the actions performed by a host or
hostess
My mother cooks a big turkey for

Thanksgiving every year, and my
father does the honors at the
table. [=my father carves and
serves the turkey]
The Ambassador did the honors
by introducing the guest speaker.

examples
lap of honour
see
on your honor formal

used to say that you promise to do
something
On my honor, I will do my duty.

examples
283
see
see also
2
honor (US) verb
honors; honored; honoring
2 honor (US)
verb
honors; honored; honoring
Learner's definition of HONOR
[+ object]
1 a : to regard or treat (someone) with
respect and admiration : to show or give
honor to (someone)
You should honor [=respect]

your parents.
When we got married, we
promised to love and honor each
other.
We were honored with/by the
queen's presence.
(often humorous) Thank you for
honoring us with your presence.
[=thank you for coming here]

examples
284
She has been honored by several
organizations for her charitable
works.
We need to find an appropriate
way to honor these brave people.
They're holding a dinner at which
she is being honored (with an
award) as player of the year.
They have established a
scholarship as a way to honor his
memory/achievements.

examples
2 a : to do what is required by (something,
such as a promise or a contract)
He claims that the company failed

to honor [=fulfill] the
contract/warranty.
honor a warranty

examples
b : to accept (something) as payment
honor a credit card

honor a check

examples
c : to repay (a debt)
285
examples
2 a : to do what is required by (something,
such as a promise or a contract)
He claims that the company failed

to honor [=fulfill] the
contract/warranty.
honor a warranty

examples
b : to accept (something) as payment
honor a credit card

honor a check

examples
c : to repay (a debt)
They are accused of failing to

honor their debts.

examples
honored adjective
He was welcomed as an honored

guest.
I feel honored to have been
invited.
an honored tradition
286
/hju men/
adjective
HUMANE
[more humane; most humane]

: kind or gentle to people or animals
a humane prison guard

It's not humane to treat animals that
way.
a humane attitude
200 humane Conditions in the prison are more
humane now.

examples
opposite
humanely adverb
treating the animals humanely

examples
humaneness /hju menns/

noun [noncount]
hymn / hm/ noun
plural hymns
hymn
287
hymn / hm/ noun
plural hymns
hymn
/ hm/
noun
plural hymns
Learner's definition of HYMN
[count]
: a religious song : a song that praises God
sing a hymn of praise/thanksgiving

201 hymn a book of hymns = a hymn book

examples
This sentimental novel is a hymn to

childhood and innocence. [=the
novel praises childhood and
innocence]

examples
hypothesis /
ha p ss/ noun
plural hypotheses /-siz/ /
288
: an idea or theory that is not proven but that
202 hypothesis leads to further study or discussion
Other chemists rejected his

hypothesis.
put forward a hypothesis =
advance a hypothesis
Their hypothesis is that watching
excessive amounts of television
reduces a person's ability to
concentrate.
The results of the experiment did
not support/confirm his hypothesis.

examples
203 ignoramus couldd not find data

immense / mns/
adjective
immense
/ mns/
adjective
IMMENSE
[more immense; most immense]

: very great in size or amount
He inherited an immense fortune.
289
examples
immensely adverb
immensely
popular/successful/wealthy
We enjoyed ourselves
immensely. [=very much]

examples
immune / mjun/
adjective
immune
/ mjun/
adjective
IMMUNE
1 not used before a noun

a : not capable of being affected by a
disease usually + to
Most people are immune to the

disease.

examples
b : not influenced or affected by something
+ to
290
persuasion/criticism.
She is immune to the power of
advertising.
205 immune
examples
2 not used before a noun : having special
protection from something that is required
for most people by law
The court ruled that he was

immune from prosecution [=that
he could not be prosecuted]
because of his diplomatic status.
immune [=exempt] from
punishment

examples
to the body's immune system
immune cells
an immune response/reaction

examples
impair /mpe/
verb
impairs; impaired; impairing
291
immune [=exempt] from
punishment

examples
to the body's immune system
immune cells
an immune response/reaction

examples
impair /mpe/
verb
impair
/mpe/
verb
Learner's definition of IMPAIR
[+ object]
: to make (something) weaker or worse
Smoking can impair your health.

Drinking impairs a person's ability
to think clearly.
His memory was so impaired by
age that he often forgot where he
292
The disease causes impaired
vision/hearing in elderly people.

examples
sometimes used in combination
hearing-impaired people
[=people with impaired hearing]

examples
impulse / mpls/
noun
plural impulses
impulse
/ mpls/
noun
plural impulses
IMPULSE
[count]
1 : a sudden strong desire to do something
He has to learn to control his

impulses.
a natural/creative/sudden impulse
a generous impulse
293
1 : a sudden strong desire to do something
He has to learn to control his

impulses.
a natural/creative/sudden impulse
a generous impulse

examples
He had to resist the impulse

[=urge] to shout.
My first/initial impulse was to
say no.

examples
To do something on (an) impulse or on a
sudden impulse is to do it suddenly and
without thinking about it first.
207 impulse He bought a new camera on
impulse.
She quit her job on a sudden
impulse.

examples
An impulse buy/purchase is something
that is bought on impulse and that usually is
not really needed.
The camera was an impulse buy.
294
an electrical impulse
a nerve impulse [=a wave of
electrical energy that is carried
through the nerves to the brain]

examples
impulsive /
mplsv/ adjective
impulsive
/mplsv/
adjective
IMPULSIVE
[more impulsive; most impulsive]

1 : doing things or tending to do things
suddenly and without careful thought :
acting or tending to act on impulse
She's impulsive and often does

things that she later regrets.

examples
2 : done suddenly and without planning :
resulting from a sudden impulse
He needs to learn to control his

impulsive behavior.
208 impulsive She made an impulsive decision
295
She impulsively decided to quit
her job.
acting impulsively

examples
impulsiveness noun [noncount]
Her impulsiveness gets her in

trouble.
the impulsiveness of her decision

examples
inconceivable /
nkn sivbl/ adjective
inconceivable
/nkn sivbl/
adjective
INCONCEIVABLE
: impossible to imagine or believe : not

conceivable
It's inconceivable (to me) that

anyone could have survived such a
violent crash.
209 The fire caused an inconceivable
amount of damage.
296
would be inconceivable.

examples
inconceivably /
nkn sivbli/ adverb
The fire caused an inconceivably

large amount of damage.

examples
210 indenture couldd not find data
industry / ndstri/
noun
plural industries
industry
/ ndstri/
noun
plural industries
INDUSTRY
1 a [noncount] : the process of making

products by using machinery and factories
He favors policies that promote
297
examples
210 indenture couldd not find data
industry / ndstri/
noun
plural industries
industry
/ ndstri/
noun
plural industries
INDUSTRY
1 a [noncount] : the process of making

products by using machinery and factories
He favors policies that promote

industry.

examples
b [count] : a group of businesses that
provide a particular product or service
211 industry the automobile/oil/computer
industry
the tourist/entertainment industry
She invested in several large
industries.
She became so popular that a
298
2
[noncount] : the habit of working hard and
steadily
She is admired for her industry.

[=industriousness]

examples
infantile /
nfntajl/ adjective
infantile
/ nfntajl/
adjective
INFANTILE
1 [more infantile; most infantile]

disapproving : annoying and childish :
very silly in a way that is not appropriate
or polite
212 infantile His behavior was infantile.

infantile jokes

examples
2 always used before a noun, medical :
affecting babies or very young children
infantile diseases
299
examples
2 always used before a noun, medical :
affecting babies or very young children
infantile diseases

examples
infer /n f/ verb
infers; inferred; inferring
infer
/n f/
verb
infers; inferred; inferring
Learner's definition of INFER
[+ object]
1 : to form (an opinion) from evidence : to
reach (a conclusion) based on known facts
It's difficult to infer how these

changes will affect ordinary
citizens.

examples
often + from
She said she was pleased, but her

true feelings could be inferred
213 infer from the look of disappointment
300
examples
Many people regard this use of infer as
an error, but it occurs commonly in spoken
English.
1 initiate /
niet/ verb
initiates; initiated; initiating
1initiate
/ niet/
verb
initiates; initiated; initiating
INITIATE
[+ object]
1 formal : to cause the beginning of
(something) : to start or begin (something)
initiate a new project

Doctors have initiated a series of
tests to determine the cause of the
problem.
The company initiated judicial
proceedings against them.

examples
2 : to formally accept (someone) as a
member of a group or organization usually
301
He was initiated into a secret
society.

examples
3 : to teach (someone) the basic facts or
214 initiate ideas about something usually + into
They initiated her into the ways

of the corporate world.

examples
initiator / niet/
noun, plural initiators [count]
the initiator of the project

examples
2 initiate /
nijt/ noun
plural initiates
2
initiate
/ nijt/
noun
plural initiates
INITIATE
302
who has been formally accepted as a member
of a group or organization
These secrets are known only to a

small group of initiates.

examples
inject /n kt/ verb
injects; injected; injecting
inject
/n kt/
verb
Learner's definition of INJECT
[+ object]
1 a : to force a liquid medicine or drug into
someone or something by using a special
needle often + into
The medicine is injected directly

into the muscle.

examples
often + with
The patients were injected with

the vaccine.
303
inject
/n kt/
verb
Learner's definition of INJECT
[+ object]
1 a : to force a liquid medicine or drug into
someone or something by using a special
needle often + into
The medicine is injected directly

into the muscle.

examples
often + with
The patients were injected with

the vaccine.

examples
b : to force (a liquid) into something
usually + into
inject fuel into an engine

examples
215 inject sometimes used in combination
a fuel-injected engine
304
She told a few jokes to inject a
little humor into her speech.
We need to inject some life into
this party.

examples
b : to provide or add (something needed,
such as money) + into
Several wealthy investors have

injected money into the project.

examples
injector /n kt/ noun,

plural injectors [count]
a fuel injector

examples
innumerable /
numrbl/ Brit /
njumrbl/ adjective
innumerable
/ numrbl/ Brit /
njumrbl/
adjective
305
njumrbl/ adjective
innumerable
/ numrbl/ Brit /
njumrbl/
adjective
216 Learner's definition of
INNUMERABLE
innumerable
: too many to be counted : very many
the innumerable [=countless] stars

in the sky
There are innumerable errors in
the book.

examples
inoffensive /
n fnsv/ adjective
inoffensive
/n f nsv/
adjective
INOFFENSIVE
[more inoffensive; most inoffensive]

: not likely to offend or bother anyone : not
offensive
The priest was a mild-mannered

217 inoffensive inoffensive fellow.
306
instigates; instigated; instigating
instigate
/ nstget/
verb
instigates; instigated; instigating
INSTIGATE
[+ object]
: to cause (something) to happen or begin
There has been an increase in the

amount of violence instigated by
gangs.
218 instigate She blamed him for instigating
[=starting] the argument.
The government has instigated an
investigation into the cause of the
accident.

examples
instigator / nstget/
noun, plural instigators [count]
the instigators of the violence

examples
integrity /
307
/n tgrti/
noun
INTEGRITY
[noncount]
1 : the quality of being honest and fair
He has a reputation for integrity

[=honesty] in his business
dealings.
He's a man of the highest/greatest
integrity.
academic integrity
I admire her artistic/personal
integrity.
219 integrity She had the integrity to refuse to

compromise on matters of
principle.

examples
2 : the state of being complete or whole
Without music, the film loses its

integrity.
They are trying to preserve the
cultural integrity of the
community.
The earthquake may have
damaged the building's structural
integrity.

308
intermittent /
nt mtnt/ adjective
intermittent
/nt m
tnt/
adjective
INTERMITTENT
: starting, stopping, and starting again : not

constant or steady
The patient was having

intermittent pains in his side.
220 The forecast is for intermittent
rain.
intermittent There are reports of intermittent
[=sporadic] fighting along the
border.

examples
intermittently adverb
It has been raining intermittently

for the past several days.

examples
intersect /
nt skt/ verb
309
rain.
220 There are reports of intermittent
intermittent [=sporadic] fighting along the
border.

examples
intermittently adverb
It has been raining intermittently

for the past several days.

examples
intersect /
nt skt/ verb
intersects; intersected; intersecting
intersect
/nt skt/
verb
intersects; intersected; intersecting
INTERSECT
1 a [+ object] : to divide (something) by

passing through or across it :
A dry stream bed intersects the

trail in several places.
310
221 intersect examples
b [no object] : to meet and cross at one or
more points
Line A intersects with line B.

intersecting lines/paths/streets
The two roads intersect at the
edge of town.

examples
2 [no object] : to share some common area
the place where politics and

business intersect [=overlap] =
the place where politics
intersects with business

examples
intramural /
ntr mjrl/ adjective
intramural
/ntr mjrl/
adjective
INTRAMURAL
US
: existing or occurring within a particular
311
/ntr mjrl/
adjective
INTRAMURAL
222 intramural US
: existing or occurring within a particular
group or organization (such as a school)
intramural sports [=sports in

which the students of one school
compete against each other instead
of competing against other schools]

examples
iota /a ot/ noun
iota
/a ot/
noun
Learner's definition of IOTA
[singular]
: a very small amount usually used in
223 iota negative statements
That doesn't bother me one iota.

[=that doesn't bother me at all]
There isn't an iota of truth in what
he says.

312
1
: to make (someone) impatient, angry, or
annoyed
It's his arrogance that really

irritates me.
The other passengers were
irritated by the child's rudeness.

examples
2 : to make (part of your body) sore or
painful
Harsh soaps can irritate the skin.

examples
irritated adjective [more irritated; most

irritated]
I've never seen him looking so

irritated.
an area of skin that is very
irritated and sore

224 irritation [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
irritating adjective [more irritating;

most irritating]
He's an irritating child.

The child's rudeness was very
313
examples
irritatingly / irtetli/
adverb
He's an irritatingly rude child.

examples
irritation /ir ten/ noun

[noncount]
You'll get over the irritation of

being delayed.
harsh soaps that can cause
irritation of the skin

examples
[count]
We had to put up with delays and

other irritations.
skin irritations

examples
1 issue / u/ noun
plural issues
1
314
Learner's definition of ISSUE
1 [count] : something that people are talking

about, thinking about, etc. : an important
subject or topic
She is concerned with a variety

of social/moral/economic issues.
Water purity is a public health
issue.
The President's speech addressed
a number of important issues.
campaign issues like education
and defense
The company insists that race
was not an issue in its decision.
[=that its decision was not
related to race in any way]
The issue is poverty, not race: to
talk about race is simply to
confuse the issue.
The case involves some
complicated legal issues.
He should stop dodging/avoiding
the issue and make a decision
now.

examples
2 [count] : the version of a newspaper,
magazine, etc., that is published at a
particular time
There's an interesting article on

page 12 of this issue.
315
was not an issue in its decision.
[=that its decision was not
related to race in any way]
The issue is poverty, not race: to
talk about race is simply to
confuse the issue.
The case involves some
complicated legal issues.
He should stop dodging/avoiding
the issue and make a decision
now.

examples
2 [count] : the version of a newspaper,
magazine, etc., that is published at a
particular time
There's an interesting article on

page 12 of this issue.
the most recent issue of the
magazine/journal
the current/latest issue
The library has a large collection
of back issues. [=magazines,
newspapers, etc., published
before the current issue]

examples
3 [singular] : the act of officially making
something available or giving something to
people to be used : the act of issuing
something
316
the issue [=issuance] of new
guidelines.
a government-issue gun [=a gun
that the government has officially
given to someone]

examples
see also
4 issues [plural] : problems or concerns
the health issues associated with

aging

examples
at issue
: being discussed or considered
At issue is the city's budget plan

for next year.
What is at issue is not the
candidate's private life but her
politics.

examples
force the issue

: to force someone to do something or to
make a decision about something
They would never have
317
examples
force the issue

: to force someone to do something or to
make a decision about something
They would never have

addressed the problem if that
newspaper article hadn't forced
the issue.
Neither side is willing to force
the issue.

examples
have issues informal

1 : to have problems that make you
unhappy and difficult to deal with
He seemed nice enough at first,

but it turns out he has (a lot of)
issues.
She has serious anger issues.
[=she often gets so angry that
she is difficult to deal with]

Hide examples
2 : to have reasons for disliking someone
or something : to disagree with or
225 issue disapprove of someone or something
+ with
I have some issues with his
318
cigarettes]

examples
take issue with

: to disagree with (someone or something)
She took issue with the

conclusions reached by the study.
I take issue with their whole
approach to the problem.

examples
without issue law

: without having children
He died without issue.

examples
2 issue / u/ verb
issues; issued; issuing
2 issue
/ u/
verb
issues; issued; issuing
Learner's definition of ISSUE
319
out] numerous tickets for
speeding in recent days.

examples
: to give or supply (something) to
(someone)
The jail issued him an orange

uniform. = (Brit) The jail issued
him with an orange uniform.
Each employee will be issued an
identification card.

examples
b : to make (something) available to be
sold or used
The Post Office will issue a new

first-class stamp.
The company plans to raise
money by issuing more stock.
The bank will be issuing a new
credit card.
the bank's newly issued credit
card

examples
2 [+ object] : to announce (something) in a
public and official way
The king issued a decree
320
for her arrest.
issue a press release

examples
3 [no object] formal : to go, come, or flow
out from some source
A steady flow of lava issued

from a crack in the rock.

examples
issuer noun, plural issuers [count]
credit card issuers = issuers of

credit cards

examples
226 jangling couldd not find data
jargon / gn/
noun
jargon
/ gn/
noun
321
issuer noun, plural issuers [count]
credit card issuers = issuers of

credit cards

examples
226 jangling couldd not find data
jargon / gn/
noun
jargon
/ gn/
noun
JARGON
[noncount] usually disapproving

: the language used for a particular activity or
by a particular group of people
227 jargon
legal/sports jargon
medical jargon that the layman
cannot understand
an academic essay filled with
jargon

examples
322
1 keen / kin/ adjective
keener; keenest
1 keen
/ kin/
adjective
keener; keenest
Learner's definition of KEEN
[also more keen; most keen]

1 : having or showing an ability to think
clearly and to understand what is not
obvious or simple about something
a keen intellect/intelligence/mind
She's a very keen observer of the
political world.
She made some keen [=acute]
observations.
a keen wit

examples
2 : very strong and sensitive : highly
developed
The dog has a keen sense of

smell. = The dog has a keen nose.
keen [=acute] eyesight/hearing
She had a keen awareness of
what was happening. [=she knew
exactly what was happening]
323
keen [=acute] eyesight/hearing
She had a keen awareness of
what was happening. [=she knew
exactly what was happening]
She has a keen ear for languages.
[=she is able to easily learn and
understand languages]
He has a keen eye for details.
[=he is good at noticing details]

examples
3 a : very excited about and interested in
something
She's a keen tennis player. =

She's keen about tennis.
He's a keen student of art history.
= He has a keen interest in art
history.

examples
b : feeling a strong and impatient desire to
do something
He is keen [=eager] to learn

more about art history.

examples
4 : strong or intense
324
examples
This sense is now usually used in a
playful or ironic way.
see also
6 literary : having a sharp edge or point
a keen knife/sword
228 keen [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
7 British, of a price : very low
They sell reliable products at

very keen prices.

examples
(as) keen as mustard British

: very excited and interested : very
enthusiastic
I gave him the job because he

was willing to learn and seemed
as keen as mustard.

examples
keen on
1 : very excited about and interested in
(something)
325
Hide examples
2 chiefly British : interested in or attracted
to (someone)
He's been very keen on her

since they met at my party.

Hide examples
keenly adverb
They were keenly interested in

how well I was doing.
a keenly felt change
The parents were keenly aware
of the teacher's importance.

examples
keenness / kinns/ noun

[noncount]
The keenness of the saw made

cutting the board easier.

examples
[singular]
a keenness of sight

326
keens; keened; keening
2 keen
/ kin/
verb
keens; keened; keening
Learner's definition of KEEN
[no object] old-fashioned + literary

: to make a loud and long cry of sorrow
mourners keening at a funeral

examples
kernel / knl/ noun
plural kernels
kernel
/ knl/
noun
plural kernels
Learner's definition of KERNEL
[count]
1 a : the small, somewhat soft part inside a
seed or nut
b : a whole seed
especially : one of the yellow seeds that
cover an ear of corn
a kernel of corn
327
examples
kernel / knl/ noun
plural kernels
kernel
/ knl/
noun
plural kernels
Learner's definition of KERNEL
[count]
1 a : the small, somewhat soft part inside a
seed or nut
b : a whole seed
especially : one of the yellow seeds that
cover an ear of corn
a kernel of corn

229 kernel [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
see color picture on
2 : a very small amount of something
There's not a kernel of truth in

what they say.
kernels of wisdom

examples
3 : the origin or basis of something
328
the kernel [=germ] of the idea for
the book

examples
keynote / kinot/
noun
plural keynotes
keynote
/ kinot/
noun
plural keynotes
230 keynote KEYNOTE
[count]
: the most important idea or part of something
Humor is the keynote of the play.

examples
kindle / kndl/ verb
kindles; kindled; kindling
kindle
/ kndl/
verb
329
kindle
/ kndl/
verb
Learner's definition of KINDLE
1 a [+ object] : to cause (a fire) to start

burning
using dry twigs to kindle a fire

examples
b [no object] : to begin burning
231 kindle
waiting for the fire to kindle

examples
2 [+ object] : to cause the start of
(something)
A trip to the museum when she

was a child kindled her interest
in art.
The incident kindled a new
national debate.

examples
330
examples
knotty / nti/
adjective
knottier; knottiest
knotty
/ nti/
adjective
knottier; knottiest
KNOTTY
1 of wood : having many dark round marks

showing where branches grew : having
233 knotty many knots
knotty wood
knotty paneling
knotty pine

examples
2 : difficult or complicated
a knotty problem/situation

examples
331
kudos
/ kudoz/ Brit / kjuds/
noun
Learner's definition of KUDOS
[noncount] informal
234 kudos : praise or respect that you get because of
something you have done or achieved
Kudos to everyone who helped.

The company has earned kudos for
responding so quickly to customers'
concerns.

examples
1
lap / lp/ noun
plural laps
1 lap
/ lp/
noun
plural laps
Learner's definition of LAP
[count]
: the area between the knees and the hips of a
person who is sitting down
A child was sitting on his lap.

She held the baby in/on her lap.
He kept his hands in/on his lap.
332
If something good drops/falls into your
lap or lands in your lap, it comes to you
suddenly in an unexpected way even though
you did not try to get it.
This wonderful new job just fell

into my lap when I was least
expecting it!

examples
drop/dump (something) in/into/on your lap

informal
If something is dropped/dumped
in/into/on your lap, it is given to you
suddenly even though you did not want it or
expect it.
Another major problem was

dumped into her lap.

examples
in the lap of luxury

: in a situation of great ease, comfort, and
wealth
She was reared in the lap of

luxury.

examples
333
If something is dropped/dumped
in/into/on your lap, it is given to you
suddenly even though you did not want it or
expect it.
Another major problem was

dumped into her lap.

examples
in the lap of luxury

: in a situation of great ease, comfort, and
wealth
She was reared in the lap of

luxury.

examples
in the lap of the gods chiefly British

: not yet decided or certain
The election is too close to call:

the result is in the lap of the
gods.

examples
compare
2 lap / lp/ verb
334
laps; lapped; lapping
2 lap
/ lp/
verb
[+ object]
1 : to cause (something) to partly cover
something else often + over
lap one shingle over another

examples
2 : to go past (another racer who is one or
more laps behind you)
When I lapped the runner who

was in second place, I knew I'd
have an easy victory.

examples
compare
3 lap / lp/ noun
plural laps
235 lap
3 lap
/ lp/
335
3 lap / lp/ noun
plural laps
235 lap 3 lap

/ lp/
noun
plural laps
[count]
1 : an act of going completely around a track
or over a course when you are running,
swimming, etc.
The race is 12 laps long.

With one lap remaining, the race
was still close.
the last/final lap of the race
(US) He was swimming/doing
laps in the pool. [=he was
swimming from one end of the
pool to the other and then back
again]

examples
The winner of a race often takes a victory
lap (US) or lap of honour (Brit) by going
around the track or over the course alone
one more time as a way to celebrate.
2 : a part of a journey
They were in the last lap [=stage,
336
1 : to drink by licking with the tongue

[no object]
The dog was lapping at the water

in the puddle.

examples
[+ object]
The cat lapped the water in the

dish.

examples
often + up
The dog lapped up the water in

the puddle.

examples
The crowd lapped up every word

he said. [=the crowd eagerly
listened to and accepted every
word he said]
He was making some outrageous
claims, but the audience was
really lapping it up.
337
examples
2 of water : to move repeatedly over or
against something in gentle waves
[no object]
The waves lapped at/against the

shore.

examples
[+ object]
Waves gently lapped the shore.

examples
compare
lapping noun [noncount]
the lapping of the waves

examples
larceny / lsni/
noun
plural larcenies
larceny
/ lsni/
noun
338
larceny.
236 larceny
examples
[count]
He has been accused of several

larcenies.

examples
see also ,
larcenous / lsns/ adjective
a larcenous act

examples
larynx / lerks/
noun
plural larynges /l rniz/ or

larynxes
larynx
/ lerks/
noun
237 larynx plural larynges /l rniz/ or larynxes
LARYNX
339
see also ,
larcenous / lsns/ adjective
a larcenous act

examples
larynx / lerks/
noun
plural larynges /l rniz/ or

larynxes
larynx
/ lerks/
noun
237 larynx plural larynges /l rniz/ or larynxes
LARYNX
[count] medical
: the part of your throat that contains the
vocal cords
called also voice box
lax / lks/ adjective
lax
/ lks/
adjective
340
Security has been lax.
The university has been lax
about/in enforcing these rules.

examples
laxity / lksti/ noun [noncount]

238 laxity
He wrote an essay condemning
the moral laxity in society.

examples
laxly adverb
laws laxly enforced

examples
laxness noun [noncount]
their laxness [=laxity] in

enforcing these rules

examples
1 leaf / lif/ noun
plural leaves / livz/
1
341
examples
1 leaf / lif/ noun
1 leaf
/ lif/
noun
Learner's definition of LEAF
1 : one of the flat and typically green parts of

a plant that grow from a stem or twig
[count]
a maple leaf
a tobacco leaf
tea leaves
I heard the rustle of the autumn
leaves.
a pile of dead leaves
The trees drop their leaves in the
fall, and new leaves grow again
in the spring.

examples
[noncount]
By the end of April, most trees
342
money in the stock market.

examples
see also ,
3 [count] : a part that can be added to or
removed from a table to change the size of
its top surface
4 [noncount] : a very thin sheet of metal (such
as gold or silver) that is used to decorate
something
239 leaf
silver leaf

examples
turn over a new leaf

: to start behaving or living in a different
and better way
I decided to turn over a new leaf

and stop worrying so much.
The program helps drug addicts
to turn over a new leaf when
they get out of jail.

examples
leafless / lifls/ adjective
leafless trees
343
leaflike / liflak/ adjective
2
leaf / lif/ verb
leafs; leafed; leafing
2 leaf
/ lif/
verb
leafs; leafed; leafing
Learner's definition of LEAF
leaf out [phrasal verb] US, of a tree

: to produce leaves
The tree will leaf out in the

spring.

examples
leaf through [phrasal verb]

leaf through (something)
: to turn the pages of (a book, a magazine,
etc.)
She was leafing through the

magazine, looking at the pictures.

examples
leery / liri/ adjective
344
a leery attitude
240 leery She seemed a little leery
[=suspicious] about/of the
proposal.
They were leery of their neighbors.

examples
legible / lbl/
adjective
legible
/ lbl/
adjective
LEGIBLE
[more legible; most legible]

: capable of being read : clear enough to be
read
legible handwriting
241 legible The document is not legible.

examples
opposite
legibility /l blti/ noun

[noncount]
345
legible / lbl/
adjective
legible
/ lbl/
adjective
LEGIBLE
[more legible; most legible]

: capable of being read : clear enough to be
read
legible handwriting
241 legible The document is not legible.

examples
opposite
legibility /l blti/ noun

[noncount]
legibly / lbli/ adverb
He doesn't write legibly at all.

examples
legislate / l
slet/ verb
346
LEGISLATE
1 : to make laws
[no object]
The state legislated against

hunting certain animals. [=the
state created laws making it
illegal to hunt certain animals]

242 legislate [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
[+ object]
legislate a new law

examples
2 [+ object] : to control, create, or cause
(something) by making laws
They are attempting to legislate

morality.
the need to better legislate
foreign trade
trying to legislate changes in the
current law

examples
lenient / linjnt/
347
trying to legislate changes in the
current law

examples
lenient / linjnt/
adjective
lenient
/ linjnt/
adjective
LENIENT
[more lenient; most lenient]

: allowing a lot of freedom and not punishing
bad behavior in a strong way : not harsh,
severe, or strict
a teacher who is lenient with

students who have misbehaved
a lenient teacher
a lenient
243 lenient sentence/punishment/policy
Many people felt that the
punishment was too lenient.

examples
leniency / linjnsi/ also lenience

/ linjns/ noun [noncount]
348
noun
plural lexicons
LEXICON
[count]
244 lexicon 1 : the words used in a language or by a
person or group of people
a computer term that has entered

the general lexicon

examples
2 somewhat formal :
a Latin lexicon

examples
linger / lg/ verb
lingers; lingered; lingering
linger
/ lg/
verb
lingers; lingered; lingering
Learner's definition of LINGER
[no object]
1 : to stay somewhere beyond the usual or
expected time
349
long.
She lingered at the art exhibit.
He lingered in bed and missed
breakfast.
They lingered over coffee after
dinner.

examples
2 a : to continue to exist as time passes
The heat lingered long after the

sun had gone down.
The smell of her perfume
lingered.
The idea lingered in their minds.

examples
often + on
His unhappiness/resentment
lingered on.
The rain lingered on for days.
245 linger
examples
b : to remain alive while becoming weaker
usually + on
He was very ill, but he lingered

on for several more months.
350
examples
lingering / lgr/ adjective
This latest evidence should

remove any lingering
doubts/questions about his
innocence.
The company is still trying to
recover from the lingering
effects of the strike.
a long, lingering kiss
a last, lingering look
He suffered a long, lingering
[=very slow] death.

examples
lingeringly / lgrli/
adverb
literate / ltrt/
adjective
literate
/ ltrt/
adjective
LITERATE
[more literate; most literate]

1 : able to read and write
351
recover from the lingering
effects of the strike.
a long, lingering kiss
a last, lingering look
He suffered a long, lingering
[=very slow] death.

examples
lingeringly / lgrli/
adverb
literate / ltrt/
adjective
literate
/ ltrt/
adjective
LITERATE
[more literate; most literate]

1 : able to read and write
He was barely literate.

She is literate in both English
and Spanish.
What percentage of the
population is literate?

246 literate examples
opposite
352
computer literate.
politically literate

examples
opposite
literate noun, plural literates [count]
computer literates [=people who

know how to use computers]

examples
logo / logo/ noun
plural logos
logo
/ logo/
noun
plural logos
Learner's definition of LOGO

247 logo [count]
: a symbol that is used to identify a company
and that appears on its products
T-shirts with corporate logos

examples
353
T-shirts with corporate logos

examples
loiter / lot/ verb
loiters; loitered; loitering
loiter
/ lot/
verb
loiters; loitered; loitering
Learner's definition of LOITER
[no object]
: to remain in an area when you do not have a
particular reason to be there
248 loiter
Loitering is prohibited outside the
theaters.
There was a group of teenagers
loitering (around) [=hanging
around] in the parking lot.

examples
loiterer / lotr/ noun, plural

loiterers [count]
1 low / lo/ adjective
354
opposite
b : extending or reaching upward less than
other things of the same kind
low boots
a low fence
low [=short] grass

examples
opposite
c : not located far above the ground or
another surface
low clouds/altitudes
The sun was low [=near the
horizon] in the western sky.
The apartment has low ceilings.

examples
opposite
d always used before a noun : not rising
above surrounding land
They have a home in the low

country.
The houses are built on low
ground.

examples
opposite
e : cut far down at the neck
355
a low dress
a dress with a low neckline [=a
dress with a low-cut neckline]

examples
2 a : less than usual in amount, number, or
degree
They were traveling at a low

(rate of) speed.
temperatures as low as 10 below
zero
He's being treated for low blood
pressure.
a low dose of medicine
She earns a low salary.
a low-income family
low heat/humidity/temperatures
low interest rates
low intelligence
Demand for his books has
remained low.
a low price

examples
opposite
b : near or at the bottom of a range
Temperatures were in the low

eighties.
Her salary is in the low 40s.
356
getting/running low.
The airplane was low on fuel.
We're getting/running low on
coffee.

examples
d : having less than the usual or average
amount of something often used in
combination
a low-calorie diet
low-sodium foods
a low-risk investment

examples
opposite ; see also LOW IN (below)
3 a : not favorable
He holds them in low

regard/esteem. = He has a low
opinion of them. [=he thinks
poorly of them; he regards them
unfavorably]
low hopes/expectations
Everyone was in low spirits
[=unhappy] because of the rainy
weather.

examples
opposite
357
combination
a low-calorie diet
low-sodium foods
a low-risk investment

examples
opposite ; see also LOW IN (below)
3 a : not favorable
He holds them in low

regard/esteem. = He has a low
opinion of them. [=he thinks
poorly of them; he regards them
unfavorably]
low hopes/expectations
Everyone was in low spirits
[=unhappy] because of the rainy
weather.

examples
opposite
b : sad or unhappy
She's been feeling pretty low.

a low mood

examples
c : not good : below a certain quality or
standard
358
low morale
He has pretty low standards when
it comes to choosing a hotel.
Our vacation ended on a low note
[=it ended in an unpleasant way]
when our flight was delayed.
The time we spent waiting at the
airport was the low point [=the
least enjoyable part] of our
vacation.

examples
opposite
d : morally bad
a person of low character

low behavior
a low trick
low standards of conduct

examples
opposite
4 : below others in power, importance, etc.
Losing weight is a low priority

for him. = Losing weight is low
on his list of priorities.
officials of low rank = low-
ranking officials
The decision of a lower court is
being reviewed by a higher court.
359
ranking officials
The decision of a lower court is
being reviewed by a higher court.

examples
opposite
5 a : not loud :
a low whisper
a low moan
They were speaking in low
voices. [=they were speaking
quietly]

examples
b : near the bottom of a range of sounds
a singer with a low [=deep] voice

249 low = a singer with a low-pitched
voice

examples
: occurring near the bottom of the musical
scale
a low note

examples
opposite
360
She uses the iron on a low setting
when she is working with
delicate fabrics.

examples
7 : having qualities that do not appeal to
intelligent people
a low style of writing

low humor
low art

examples
opposite
8 of a river, stream, etc. : having less water
than usual
The river is low.

examples
opposite
low in
: containing a small amount of (something)
foods that are low in

sodium/fat/calories
Her diet is low in
fat/carbohydrates.
361
examples
lowness noun [noncount]
2
low / lo/ adverb
lower; lowest
2 low
/ lo/
adverb
lower; lowest
Learner's definition of LOW
1 : at or to a low place or level
The village is nestled low in the

foothills.
The plane circled low over the
airport.
He aimed his punches low.
a low-flying airplane
I put the larger books lower down
and the smaller books higher up.

examples
2 a : in or to a low or poor condition
a family brought low by

misfortune
362
3
: at a low price
buy low and sell high

examples
4 : with a quiet voice : not loudly
speaking low [=softly]

examples
high and low

see
lie low
see
3 low / lo/ noun
plural lows
3 low
/ lo/
noun
plural lows
1 [count] : a low point or level
Prices are at an all-time/record

low.
363
speaking low [=softly]

examples
high and low

see
lie low
see
3 low / lo/ noun
plural lows
3 low
/ lo/
noun
plural lows
1 [count] : a low point or level
Prices are at an all-time/record

low.
The dollar has fallen to a new
low against the Euro.
Have the media reached/hit a
new low in bad taste?
The low [=lowest temperature]
last night was 25.
The forecast is for showers with
lows in the 40s.
He talked about the highs and
364
examples
2 [noncount] US : a gear that is used for slow
speeds in a vehicle
He shifted into low.

examples
called also (US) low gear
3 [count] weather : an area of low
atmospheric pressure
A strong low is expected to bring

cloudy skies tomorrow.

examples
4 low / lo/ verb
lows; lowed; lowing
4 low
/ lo/
verb
lows; lowed; lowing
[no object] literary

: to make the low sound of a cow :
lowing cattle
365
: to make the low sound of a cow :
lowing cattle

examples
1 lumber / lmb/
verb
lumbers; lumbered; lumbering
1 lumber
/ lmb/
verb
LUMBER
[no object]
: to move in a slow or awkward way
The parade lumbers through town

once a year.
We saw an elephant lumbering
along the road.
trucks lumbering [=rumbling]
down the street
an animal with a lumbering gait

366
LUMBER
[noncount]
1 US : wooden boards or logs that have been
sawed and cut for use
250 lumber trees turned into lumber

[=timber]
He works for a lumber company.
the lumber industry

examples
see also
2 British : large objects that are no longer
used or wanted
had a clearout of all his old

lumber and finally got rid of it

examples
3 lumber / lmb/
verb
3 lumber
/ lmb/
verb
367
LUMBER
lumber with [phrasal verb]

lumber (someone) with (something)
British, informal
: to cause (someone) to have (something
unwanted or unpleasant)
His classmates lumbered him

with [=saddled him with] an
unfortunate nickname.

examples
often used as (be) lumbered with
He's been lumbered with an

unfortunate nickname.

examples
compare
lunar / lun/ adjective
lunar
/ lun/
adjective
Learner's definition of LUNAR

: of or relating to the moon
368
examples
malice / mls/ noun
malice
/ mls/
noun
Learner's definition of MALICE
[noncount]
: a desire to cause harm to another person
an attack motivated by pure malice

She claimed that her criticisms
were without malice.
252 malice [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
with malice aforethought law

used to describe a criminal act that was
deliberately planned to cause harm to
someone
Murder is the killing of another

person with malice aforethought.

examples
mandatory /
369
[noncount]
: a desire to cause harm to another person
an attack motivated by pure malice

She claimed that her criticisms
were without malice.
252 malice [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
with malice aforethought law

used to describe a criminal act that was
deliberately planned to cause harm to
someone
Murder is the killing of another

person with malice aforethought.

examples
mandatory /
mndtori/ Brit /
mndtri/ adjective
mandatory
/ mndtori/ Brit / mndtri/
adjective
MANDATORY
: required by a law or rule
This meeting is mandatory for all
370
$200. [=everyone caught littering
must pay $200]
a mandatory retirement age [=an
age at which workers are required
to retire]
a mandatory drug test

examples
maritime /
mertam/ adjective
maritime
/ mertam/
adjective
MARITIME
1 : of or relating to sailing on the sea or

doing business (such as trading) by sea
The country's maritime industry

is an important part of its
254 maritime economy.
She's an expert in maritime law.
a maritime museum

examples
2 : located near or next to the sea
maritime nations/provinces
371
examples
2 : located near or next to the sea
maritime nations/provinces
the country's maritime region

examples
martial / ml/
adjective
martial
/ ml/
adjective
MARTIAL
255 martial always used before a noun

: of or relating to war or soldiers
martial music
martial [=military] discipline

examples
medieval adjective
also mediaeval /midi ivl/ Brit /
372
2
informal : very old : too old to be useful or
acceptable
They're using a computer system

that seems positively medieval by
today's standards.

examples
melody / mldi/
noun
plural melodies
melody
/ mldi/
noun
plural melodies
MELODY
1 : a pleasing series of musical notes that

form the main part of a song or piece of
music
[count]
He wrote a piece that includes

some beautiful/haunting
257 melody melodies.

examples
373
[noncount]
a composer known for his love of

melody

examples
2 [count] : a song or tune
He sang a few old melodies.

examples
meridian
/m rdijn/ noun
plural meridians
meridian
/m r dijn/
noun
258 meridian plural meridians
MERIDIAN
[count]
: any one of the lines that go from the North
Pole to the South Pole on maps of the world
see also
metaphor /
mtfo/ Brit /
374
plural metaphors
METAPHOR
1 : a word or phrase for one thing that is used

to refer to another thing in order to show or
suggest that they are similar
[count]
He was drowning in
paperwork is a metaphor in
which having to deal with a lot of
paperwork is being compared to
drowning in an ocean of water.
Her poems include many
imaginative metaphors.

examples
[noncount]
a poet admired for her use of

metaphor

examples
259 metaphor compare ; see also
2 [count] : an object, activity, or idea that is
used as a symbol of something else often
+ for
The author uses flight as a

metaphor for freedom.
The veil is a metaphor for
[=symbol of] secrecy.
375
paperwork is being compared to
drowning in an ocean of water.
Her poems include many
imaginative metaphors.

examples
[noncount]
a poet admired for her use of

metaphor

259 metaphor [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
compare ; see also
2 [count] : an object, activity, or idea that is
used as a symbol of something else often
+ for
The author uses flight as a

metaphor for freedom.
The veil is a metaphor for
[=symbol of] secrecy.

examples
metaphorical /mt forkl/

adjective
a metaphorical description of
children as plants growing in a
garden
In this class, we'll be taking a
376
examples
metaphorically /mt forkli/

adverb
speaking metaphorically

examples

metronome
microbe /
makrob/ noun
plural microbes
microbe
/ makrob/
noun
plural microbes
MICROBE
[count]
: an extremely small living thing that can only
be seen with a microscope :
261 microbe a disease-causing microbe
377
261 microbe be seen with a microscope :
a disease-causing microbe

examples
microbial /ma krobijl/

adjective
microbial
life/growth/contamination

examples
microorganism /
makro ognzm/
noun
plural microorganisms
microorganism
262 /makro ognzm/
microorganism noun plural microorganisms
MICROORGANISM
[count] biology
be seen with a microscope
378
minimal disruption [=with the least
263 minimal possible disruption] to the
schedule.

examples
minimally adverb
a minimally adequate supply

a minimally useful tool

examples
264
miserliness
misnomer /
msnom/ noun
plural misnomers
misnomer
/msnom/
noun
plural misnomers
379
appropriate
International Airport is
something of a misnomer, since
almost all the arriving and
departing flights are local.

examples
1
mock / mk/ verb
mocks; mocked; mocking
1 mock
/ mk/
verb
mocks; mocked; mocking
Learner's definition of MOCK
[+ object]
1 : to laugh at or make fun of (someone or
something) especially by copying an action
or a way of behaving or speaking
The boys mocked him for

showing fear.
They mocked his cries for help.
[=they imitated his cries for help
in an exaggerated way that was
meant to ridicule him]
Other children would mock her
accent. [=would make fun of the
way she spoke by copying it in an
exaggerated way]
380
2
: to criticize and laugh at (someone or
something) for being bad, worthless, or
unimportant
He mocks art only because he

doesn't understand it.
They continue to mock the idea of a
new government.
We are being mocked for our
religious beliefs.
You can mock me as much as you
like, but I'm going to do it anyway.

examples
mocker / mk/ noun, plural

mockers [count]
mockers of poetry

examples
mocking adjective [more mocking; most

mocking]
mocking words
a mocking crowd

examples
mockingly / mkli/ adverb
381
anyway.

examples
mocker / mk/ noun, plural

mockers [count]
mockers of poetry

examples
mocking adjective [more mocking; most

mocking]
mocking words
a mocking crowd

examples
266 mock mockingly / mkli/ adverb
They laughed at him mockingly.

examples
2 mock / mk/
adjective
2 mock
/ mk/
382
1 : not based on real or honest feelings
I'd love to go, he said with a

mock [=feigned, fake] smile.
We stared at him in mock
surprise.
mock anger

examples
2 : done or performed to look like the real
thing
Two boys started a mock

[=simulated] fight in the hallway.
Every summer, our history club
performs mock battles to relive
our country's greatest war.
a mock trial [=a fake legal trial
used for education and practice]
a mock election

examples
3 mock / mk/ noun
plural mocks
3 mock
/ mk/
noun
383
3 mock
/ mk/
noun
plural mocks
Learner's definition of MOCK
[count] British
: an exam that does not count and that is done
to practice for a real exam : a mock exam
usually plural
He did so well on the mocks that

I'm sure he'll pass the real ones.

examples
molt (US) verb
or British moult / molt/
molts; molted; molting
molt (US)
verb
or British moult / molt/
molts; molted; molting
Learner's definition of MOLT

267 molt
[no object] biology
: to lose a covering of hair, feathers, etc., and
replace it with new growth in the same place
Snakes molt as they grow, shedding
384
1
: not certain : argued about but not possible
for people to prove
He says that they should have

foreseen the accident, but that point
is moot. [=debatable]

examples
2 US : not worth talking about : no longer
important or worth discussing
The court ruled that the issue is

now moot because the people
involved in the dispute have died.
I think they were wrong, but the
point is moot. Their decision has
268 moot been made and it can't be changed
now.

examples
2 moot / mut/ verb
moots; mooted; mooting
2 moot
/ mut/
verb
moots; mooted; mooting
Learner's definition of MOOT
385
examples
1
needle / nidl/
noun
plural needles
1 needle
/ nidl/
noun
plural needles
Learner's definition of NEEDLE
[count]
1 a : a small, very thin object that is used in
sewing and that has a sharp point at one end
and a hole for thread
I need a needle and thread to sew

the button on your shirt.

examples
see picture at
b : one of the two long, thin sticks that are
used in knitting and that are pointed at one
end
c : a very thin, pointed steel tube that is
pushed through the skin so that something
(such as a drug) can be put into your body
or so that blood or other fluids can be taken
from it
386
examples
d : a very thin tube used with a pump to put
air into a ball (such as a basketball or
football)
2 : a long, thin object that moves to point to
something (such as a measurement or
direction)
The needle on the scale points to

9 grams.
The compass needle points north.

examples
3 : a leaf that is shaped like a very thin stick
pine needles

269 needle [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
4 : a very small piece of metal that touches a
record and produces sound when the record
is played
the needle of a record player

examples
a needle in a haystack informal

: someone or something that is very hard to
387
The compass needle points north.

examples
3 : a leaf that is shaped like a very thin stick
pine needles
269 needle [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
4 : a very small piece of metal that touches a
record and produces sound when the record
is played
the needle of a record player

examples
a needle in a haystack informal

: someone or something that is very hard to
find
Searching for your earring at the

park will be like looking for a
needle in a haystack.
Bumping into an old friend in
New York City is like finding a
needle in a haystack.

examples
388
adjective [more needlelike; most needlelike]
2
needle / nidl/
verb
needles; needled; needling
2 needle
/ nidl/
verb
needles; needled; needling
Learner's definition of NEEDLE
[+ object] informal
: to criticize and laugh at (someone) in either
a friendly or an unkind way :
His classmates needled him about

his new haircut.

examples
1 nettle / ntl/ verb
nettles; nettled; nettling
1 nettle
/ ntl/
verb
nettles; nettled; nettling
Learner's definition of NETTLE
[+ object]
389
[+ object]
: to make (someone) angry
The mayor's recent actions have

nettled some members of the
community.
It nettles him that his younger
coworker got a promotion before
he did.

examples
270 nettle 2 nettle / ntl/ noun
plural nettles
2 nettle
/ ntl/
noun
plural nettles
[count]
: a tall plant that has leaves with hairs that
sting you if you touch them
grasp the nettle British

: to deal with an unpleasant situation
without delay
He decided to grasp the nettle
390
1
[noncount] : new information or a report
about something that has happened recently
Do you have any news to report?

I have some good news, and I have
some bad news.
Have you heard the good news?
She's going to have a baby!
What's the big/latest news?
It was late summer when news of
his death arrived. [=when we
learned that he had died]
We tried to break the news [=tell
the bad news] to her gently.
The concert has been canceled.
Well, that is news to me. [=I
didn't know that; no one told me
that]
Lower ticket prices are good news
for [=make things easier for] sports
fans.
We haven't heard from his teacher
lately, but no news is good news.
[=if he was doing badly, his teacher
would have told us]

examples
2 [noncount]
a : information that is reported in a
newspaper, magazine, television news
program, etc.
local/international news
391
news that could be reported on
271 news the front page of a newspaper]

examples
TV news reporters
news stories/reports
the news media
a slow news day [=a day with
little news to report]

examples
b informal : someone or something that is
exciting and in the news
She's big news here in the city.

That band is old news. = The
band is yesterday's news. [=that
band isn't new or exciting
anymore]

examples
3 the news : a television news program
We saw it on the evening/nightly

news.
The local news is on at 5:30.

392
have news for someone
used when you are making a definite and
forceful statement that someone does not
expect, know about, or agree with
You think you're going to win?

Well, I've got news for you:
you're not.
People tell me that my business
will never succeed. Well, I have
news for them. I'm going to make
a profit by the end of the year.

examples
see also
niche / nt/ /
ni/ noun
plural niches
niche
/ nt/ / ni/
noun
plural niches
Learner's definition of NICHE
[count]
1 : a job, activity, etc., that is very suitable
for someone
I found a niche for myself after
393
examples
see also
niche / nt/ /
ni/ noun
plural niches
niche
/ nt/ / ni/
noun
plural niches
Learner's definition of NICHE
[count]
1 : a job, activity, etc., that is very suitable
for someone
I found a niche for myself after

high school.
She finally found her niche as a
teacher.

examples
2 : the situation in which a business's
products or services can succeed by being
sold to a particular kind or group of people
usually singular
They're still trying to find their
394
market. = This product fills a
market niche. [=provides
something that certain kinds of
people want to buy]

examples
272 niche often used before another noun
Teenage girls are our niche

market. [=are the people we can
sell our products to]
niche products/publications
[=products/publications that
appeal to a particular kind or
group of people]

examples
3 technical : an environment that has all the
things that a particular plant or animal
needs in order to live
the species that fill an

environmental/ecological niche

examples
4 : a curved space in a wall that is designed
to hold a statue, vase, etc.
395
ouster / ast/ noun
ouster
/ ast/
noun
OUSTER
[singular] US
273 ouster : the act of removing someone or something
from a position of power or authority
The news reported the ouster of the

dictator.
the dictator's ouster by the rebels

examples
1 396
He was granted/denied parole.
a parole hearing
She robbed a bank while out on
parole.
The prisoner was released on
parole.
274 parole [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
2
parole /p rol/ verb
paroles; paroled; paroling
2 parole
/p r ol/
verb
paroles; paroled; paroling
PAROLE
[+ object]
: to release (a prisoner) on parole usually
used as (be) paroled
He was paroled after three years.

examples
1 peer / pi/ noun
397
Learner's definition of PEER
[count]
1 : a person who belongs to the same age
group or social group as someone else
his academic peers [=people in

the same grade or level of
school]
He was respected and admired
by his peers.
teenagers spending time with
their peer groups
(chiefly US, law) You have the
right to be tried by a jury of your
peers. [=a jury whose members
are from the same community as
you]

examples
275 peer 2 : a member of the British nobility see
also
2
peer / pi/ verb
peers; peered; peering
2
peer
/ pi/
verb
peers; peered; peering
Learner's definition of PEER
398
always followed by an adverb or
preposition [no object]
: to look closely or carefully especially
because something or someone is difficult to
see
She peered into the dark closet

looking for her missing shoe.
He peered down the well.
An animal peered out from the
woods next to their camp.
He peered over the fence.

examples
1 pending /
pnd/ preposition
1 pending
/ pnd/
preposition
PENDING
formal
: while waiting for (something)
He is being held in jail pending

trial.
She received a four-year sentence
and is currently out on bail pending
appeal.
399
examples
1 pending /
pnd/ preposition
1 pending
/ pnd/
preposition
PENDING
formal
: while waiting for (something)
He is being held in jail pending

trial.
She received a four-year sentence
and is currently out on bail pending
appeal.

examples
2
pending /
pnd/ adjective
2 pending
276 pending / pnd/
adjective
PENDING
400
formal
1 : not yet decided or acted on
bills pending in Congress

a pending visa application
The results of the investigation
are pending.
There are lawsuits pending
against the company.

examples
2 : happening or likely to happen soon
the company's pending

[=impending] move to a new
location

examples
pert / pt/ adjective
pert
/ pt/
adjective
Learner's definition of PERT
[more pert; most pert]

1 : having or showing confidence and a lack
of respect or seriousness especially in an
amusing or appealing way used
especially to describe girls or young
women
401
of respect or seriousness especially in an
amusing or appealing way used
especially to describe girls or young
women
a lively and pert young actress

He laughed at the girl's pert
answer.
277 pert [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
2 : small and attractive
a pert little hat

a pert bottom/nose

examples
pertly adverb
She winked at him pertly and

smiled.

examples
pious / pajs/ adjective
pious
/ pajs/
adjective
Learner's definition of PIOUS
402
examples
pious hope/wish
: something that is hoped for but will
probably not happen
His speech contained no

practical solutions, just the pious
hope that the war would end
soon.

examples
piously adverb
pithy / pi/ adjective
pithier; pithiest
pithy
/ pi/
adjective
pithier; pithiest
Learner's definition of PITHY
[also more pithy; most pithy]

1 : using few words in a clever and effective
way
The critic gave the film a pithy

review.
279 pithy The book is filled with pithy
sayings about love and loss.
403
2
: resembling or having a lot of pith
a white, pithy substance

examples
pithily / pli/ adverb
280 plait couldd not find data
plentiful /
plntfl/ adjective
plentiful
/ plntfl/
adjective
PLENTIFUL
[more plentiful; most plentiful]

1 : present in large amounts
When I was a teenager, jobs were

plentiful [=there were plenty of
jobs] and the economy was
strong.
Gasoline won't always be cheap
and plentiful.
Space is plentiful enough for
several homes.
404
plentiful amounts of rain
Natural gas is a plentiful
resource.
Doctors and nurses are now in
plentiful supply. = There is now a
plentiful supply of doctors and
nurses.

examples
2 : containing or giving large amounts of
something
These vegetables are a plentiful

source of vitamins.
plentiful [=fruitful] land

examples
plentifully adverb
281 plentiful fruit growing plentifully on the
trees

examples
PLENTIFUL, ABUNDANT, and AMPLE mean

more than enough but not too much.
PLENTIFUL suggests a large or rich supply
of something.
We moved to the city where jobs
405
These vegetables are a plentiful
source of vitamins.
plentiful [=fruitful] land

examples
281 plentiful plentifully adverb
fruit growing plentifully on the

trees

examples
PLENTIFUL, ABUNDANT, and AMPLE mean

more than enough but not too much.
PLENTIFUL suggests a large or rich supply
of something.
We moved to the city where jobs

are more plentiful.
a plentiful supply of fruits and
vegetables
Oranges are plentiful this
summer.

examples
ABUNDANT suggests a very large supply
that is far greater than what is necessary.
an abundant crop of corn

The fish are becoming
406
increasingly abundant.

examples
AMPLE suggests an amount that may not be
very large but that is more than enough in a
specific situation.
The deer had ample food to last

the winter.
There is ample evidence to
prove that he is guilty of the
crime.

examples
pliant / plajnt/
adjective
pliant
/ plajnt/
adjective
Learner's definition of PLIANT
[more pliant; most pliant]

1 a : able to bend without breaking :
a pliant [=(more commonly)

pliable] material

examples
407
examples
b : able to move freely
282 pliant the dancer's pliant body

examples
2 : too easily influenced or controlled by
other people
a pliant Congress that will do

whatever the President wants
a pliant wife/husband

examples
pliancy / plajnsi/ noun

[noncount]
1 pluck / plk/ verb
plucks; plucked; plucking
1 pluck
/ plk/
verb
plucks; plucked; plucking
Learner's definition of PLUCK
1 [+ object] : to pull (something) quickly to
408
hairs in her eyebrows to make her
eyebrows have a particular
shape]

examples
3 always followed by an adverb or
preposition [+ object]
a : to take (someone or something) away
from a place or situation suddenly or by
force
Firefighters plucked the child

from the top floor of the burning
building.
He'd been plucked from obscurity
and thrust into the national
spotlight.
a cat that was plucked off the
city's streets last winter

examples
b : to select or take (something) usually
from a group, container, or place
We plucked [=chose] passages at

random from the book and read
them aloud.
He plucked a stone out of the
river.

examples
409
pluck a guitar string

examples
[no object]
pluck on a guitar string

examples
b : to play (a guitar, banjo, etc.) by pulling
and releasing the strings with your fingers
[+ object]
She was softly plucking a banjo.

examples
[no object]
plucking on/at a banjo

examples
pluck at [phrasal verb]

pluck at (something)
: to pull part of (something) with your
fingers especially more than once
He nervously plucked at the

blanket.
410
pluck up (the) courage
If you pluck up (the) courage to do
something, you become brave enough to do
it.
He finally plucked up the

courage to ask her out on a date.

examples
2 pluck / plk/ noun
2 pluck
/ plk/
noun
[noncount] old-fashioned + informal

: a quality that makes you continue trying to
do or achieve something that is difficult :
courage and determination
It takes pluck to do what she did.

She showed pluck in getting up on
stage.

examples
plucky / plki/ adjective
411
2 pluck
/ plk/
noun
[noncount] old-fashioned + informal

: a quality that makes you continue trying to
do or achieve something that is difficult :
courage and determination
It takes pluck to do what she did.

She showed pluck in getting up on
stage.

examples
plucky / plki/ adjective
pluckier; pluckiest
plucky
/ plki/
adjective
pluckier; pluckiest
Learner's definition of PLUCKY

284 plucky
[also more plucky; most plucky] informal
: having or showing a lot of courage or
determination
a plucky young man

412
examples
1
ply / pla/ verb
plies; plied; plying
1 ply
/ pla/
verb
plies; plied; plying
Learner's definition of PLY
formal
1 [+ object]
a : to work at (a job, activity, etc.)
The carpenter plies his art/craft

in his workshop.
Wood-carvers were plying their
trade [=doing their work] in the
town square.
a street where many artists ply
their wares [=sell their goods] on
the sidewalk

examples
b old-fashioned : to use (something, such
as a tool) with care and skill
She makes a living as a writer,

busily plying her pen each day.

413
as a tool) with care and skill
She makes a living as a writer,

busily plying her pen each day.

examples
preposition, of a bus, ship, airplane, etc. :
to go along the same route regularly : to
travel on a particular road, way, etc.,
regularly
[no object]
Barges plied back and forth along

the canal.
Two ferries ply between the
island and mainland in the
summer months.

examples
[+ object]
Trucks ply the highway between

the two cities.
ships plying the country's
northern coast

285 ply examples
ply for hire/business/trade British

: to try to get customers or business
414
Waiters plied guests with wine
and hors d'oeuvres.
He plied me with questions. [=he
asked me many questions]

examples
2 ply / pla/ noun
plural plies
2 ply
/ pla/
noun
plural plies
Learner's definition of PLY
[count]
: one of the layers, folds, or strands that make
something (such as yarn or plywood)
a single ply of fabric

examples
usually used in combination
four-ply yarn [=yarn made up of

four strands]
two-ply paper towels

415
poaches; poached; poaching
1 poach
/ pot/
verb
Learner's definition of POACH
[+ object]
1 : to cook (something) in a small amount of
liquid that is almost boiling
The vegetables were poached in

chicken broth.

examples
2 : to cook (an egg without its shell) in
boiling water or in a small cup over boiling
water
poach an egg

examples
compare
poached adjective
We had poached eggs for

breakfast.
poached salmon/oysters

416
2 poach / pot/ verb
2 poach
/ pot/
verb
Learner's definition of POACH
1 : to hunt or fish illegally : to catch or kill

an animal illegally
[+ object]
Elephants are often poached for

286 poach their ivory tusks.

examples
[no object]
The state fines anyone who is

caught poaching.

examples
2 [+ object] : to take (something, such as an
idea, or someone, such as an employee or
customer) from someone else illegally or
unfairly
She was accused of poaching

[=plagiarizing] the material for
her essay from a Web site.
417
286 poach [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
[no object]
The state fines anyone who is

caught poaching.

examples
2 [+ object] : to take (something, such as an
idea, or someone, such as an employee or
customer) from someone else illegally or
unfairly
She was accused of poaching

[=plagiarizing] the material for
her essay from a Web site.
Her former company accused her
of poaching clients.

examples
poach on someone's territory/turf

: to do something that someone else should
do : to interfere in an area that another
person usually controls
The other candidates are

poaching on his turf. [=trying to
get voters who usually vote for
him or his party to vote for them]
418
examples
compare
poacher noun, plural poachers [count]
Poachers are responsible for the

declining rhinoceros population
in this area.

examples
poaching noun [noncount]
a heavy fine for poaching

examples
podium / podijm/
noun
plural podiums
podium
/ podijm/
noun
plural podiums
287 podium Learner's definition of

PODIUM
[count]
1 : a raised platform for a speaker,
419
noun
287 podium plural podiums
PODIUM
[count]
1 : a raised platform for a speaker,
performer, or the leader of an orchestra
2 US : a stand with a slanted surface that
holds a book, notes, etc., for someone who
is reading, speaking, or teaching :
1 poison / pozn/
noun
plural poisons
1 poison
/ pozn/
noun
plural poisons
POISON
1 : a substance that can cause people or

animals to die or to become very sick if it
gets into their bodies especially by being
swallowed
[noncount]
a jar of rat poison

The killer gave her victims food
laced with poison.
suck poison from a snake bite
The villain in the play dies by
420
relationship]
Hiring a carpenter is expensive
and doing it yourself is slow.
Pick/Choose your poison.
[=neither choice is good but you
have to choose one]

examples
[count]
Poverty is a poison to society.

examples
what's your poison? informal + old-

fashioned
used to ask what kind of alcoholic drink
someone wants to be served
2 poison / pozn/
verb
poisons; poisoned; poisoning
2 poison
/ pozn/
verb
288 poison poisons; poisoned; poisoning
POISON
[+ object]
421
He was poisoned with cyanide.

examples
b : to put a harmful or deadly substance in
or on (something)
The factory poisoned the air with

its fumes.
Illegal dumping of waste is
poisoning the stream and killing
fish.
The food was poisoned.

examples
2 : to change (something) in a very harmful or
unpleasant way
He poisoned their minds with

hatred for her.
They let the disagreement poison
[=destroy] their friendship.
His angry outburst poisoned the
atmosphere of the party.
She was working in a hostile
environment poisoned by sexist
jokes.

examples
poisoned chalice
422
poisoner / poznn/ noun,
plural poisoners [count]
poisoning noun, plural poisonings

[noncount]
alcohol/lead poisoning [=illness

caused by having too much
alcohol/lead in your body]
carbon monoxide poisoning

examples
[count]
poisonings caused by bacteria

examples
see also ,
polar / pol/ adjective
polar
/ pol/
adjective
Learner's definition of POLAR

1 : of or relating to the North or South Pole
or the region around it
polar ice caps
423
poisonings caused by bacteria

examples
see also ,
polar / pol/ adjective
polar
/ pol/
adjective
Learner's definition of POLAR

1 : of or relating to the North or South Pole
or the region around it
polar ice caps

289 polar [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
2 : completely different or opposite
They took polar positions on the

issue.
She and I are good friends even
though we're polar opposites.

examples
3 technical : relating to one or both of the
poles of a magnet
424
polarize verb
also British polarise / polraz/
polarizes; polarized; polarizing
polarize
verb
also British polarise / polraz/
polarizes; polarized; polarizing
POLARIZE
1 : to cause (people, opinions, etc.) to

separate into opposing groups
[+ object]
The war has polarized the nation.

examples
[no object]
The current debate polarizes

along lines of class and race.
290 polarize [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
2 [+ object] physics : to cause (something,
such as light waves) to vibrate in a
particular pattern
a filter that polarizes light = a
425
examples
2 [+ object] physics : to cause (something,
such as light waves) to vibrate in a
particular pattern
a filter that polarizes light = a

polarizing filter

examples
3 [+ object] physics : to cause (something) to
have positive and negative charges : to
give polarity to (something)
polarize atoms
polarize a magnet

examples
polarization also British polarisation /

polr zen/ Brit /
plra zen/ noun
[noncount]
1 pore / po/ verb
pores; pored; poring
1 pore
/ po/
verb
pores; pored; poring
426
2 pore
/ po/
noun
plural pores
Learner's definition of PORE
[count]
1 : a very small opening on the surface of
your skin that liquid comes out through
when you sweat
2 : a small opening on the surface of a plant,
a rock, etc.
portly / potli/ adjective
portlier; portliest
portly
/ potli/
adjective
portlier; portliest
PORTLY
292 portly
[also more portly; most portly] somewhat
formal
: having a round and somewhat fat body
a portly gentleman

examples
427
: writing that is not poetry : ordinary writing
She writes in very clear prose.
293 prose [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
She has a unique prose style.

He is a talented prose writer.
a prose narrative

examples
provoke /pr vok/

verb
provokes; provoked; provoking
provoke
/pr v
ok/
verb
provokes; provoked; provoking
PROVOKE
[+ object]
1 : to cause the occurrence of (a feeling or
action) : to make (something) happen
His remarks provoked both tears

and laughter.
428
provoked [=generated] a lot of
discussion.
294 provoke. ideas that are likely to provoke
[=stimulate] change

examples
2 : to cause (a person or animal) to become
angry, violent, etc.
He just says those things because

he's trying to provoke you.
The animal will not attack unless
it is provoked.

examples
sometimes + into
He was provoked into a violent

reaction by their taunts.

examples
1 pry / pra/ verb
pries; pried; prying
1 pry
/ pra/
verb
429
he's trying to provoke you.
The animal will not attack unless
it is provoked.

examples
sometimes + into
He was provoked into a violent

reaction by their taunts.

examples
1
pry / pra/ verb
1 pry
/ pra/
verb
Learner's definition of PRY
[no object]
: to try to find out about other people's
private lives
I was curious, but I didn't want to

pry.

examples
430
improperly prying into his affairs.
They were trying to pry into my
past.

examples
compare
2 pry / pra/ verb

295 pry
2 pry
/ pra/
verb
Learner's definition of PRY
always followed by an adverb or

preposition [+ object] US
: to raise, move, or open (something) with a
tool
pry off a tight lid

pry up a floorboard
They pried open the door with a
crowbar.

examples
I couldn't pry the secret out of her.
431
crowbar.

examples
I couldn't pry the secret out of her.

[=I couldn't get her to reveal the
secret]

examples
compare
1 psychic /
sakk/ adjective
1 psychic
/ sakk/
adjective
PSYCHIC
1 a also psychical / sakkl/

used to describe strange mental powers and
abilities (such as the ability to predict the
future, to know what other people are
thinking, or to receive messages from dead
people) that cannot be explained by natural
laws
people with psychic

abilities/powers
432
2 also psychical : of or relating to the mind
296 psychic
suffered psychic disturbances
psychic disorders

examples
psychically / sakkli/ adverb
2
psychic /
sakk/ noun
plural psychics
2 psychic
/ sakk/
noun
plural psychics
PSYCHIC
[count]
: a person who has strange mental powers
and abilities (such as the ability to predict the
future, to know what other people are
thinking, or to receive messages from dead
people) : a person who has psychic powers
She claims to be a psychic.

examples
433
pudgier; pudgiest
Learner's definition of PUDGY

297 pudgy
[also more pudgy; most pudgy] informal
: somewhat fat
The baby wrapped its pudgy

[=plump, (Brit) podgy] little hand
around my finger.
a pudgy little man

examples
1
quack / kwk/ verb
quacks; quacked; quacking
1 quack
/ kwk/
verb
quacks; quacked; quacking
Learner's definition of QUACK
[no object] of a duck

: to make a loud sound
We could hear the ducks quacking.

examples
2 quack / kwk/
434
2 quack
/ kwk/
noun
plural quacks
[count]
: the loud sound that is made by a duck
compare
3 quack / kwk/
noun
plural quacks
298 quack
3 quack
/ kwk/
noun
plural quacks
[count] informal
1 disapproving : an unskillful doctor or a
person who falsely claims to have medical
skills
That quack almost killed me by

prescribing the wrong
medication.
Her doctor turned out to be a real
quack.

examples
435
3
quack / kwk/
noun
298 quack
plural quacks
3 quack
/ kwk/
noun
plural quacks
[count] informal
1 disapproving : an unskillful doctor or a
person who falsely claims to have medical
skills
That quack almost killed me by

prescribing the wrong
medication.
Her doctor turned out to be a real
quack.

examples
2 British used in usually a negative or
humorous way to refer to a doctor
a visit to the quack

examples
compare
436
examples
qualify /
kwlfa/ verb
qualifies; qualified; qualifying
qualify
/ kwlfa/
verb
qualifies; qualified; qualifying
QUALIFY
1 a [+ object] : to give (someone) the

necessary skill or knowledge to do a
particular job or activity
His experience qualifies him for

the job.
The training will qualify you to
sell insurance.

examples
b [no object] : to have the necessary skill
or knowledge to do a particular job or
activity : to have the qualifications to do
something
They both qualify for the job.
437
examples
b [no object] : to have the necessary skill
or knowledge to do a particular job or
activity : to have the qualifications to do
something
They both qualify for the job.

examples
2 [no object] : to pass an exam or complete a
course of study that is required in order to
do something
Lawyers may only work in the

state in which they qualified.
[=passed the exam]

examples
often + as
He has just qualified as a

doctor/pilot.

examples
3 a [no object] : to have the right to do, have,
or be a part of something
Did she qualify to receive

financial aid?
Financial assistance is available
for those who qualify.
438
do, have, or be a part of something
The win qualifies her to compete

in the final race.
The certification qualifies you to
299 qualify teach only in this state.

examples
often + for
The insurance plan qualifies you

for an eye exam every two years.
Further education will qualify
you for a pay raise.

examples
4 [no object] : to have the skills that are
required or do the things that are required
to become a member of a team or to be
allowed in a competition
Only those racers who qualify

will continue to the next round.
She tried to get into the
tournament, but she failed to
qualify.

examples
often + for
She qualified for the Olympic
439
does not qualify as outdoor
camping.
A 103 victory qualifies as a
blowout.
The book is too short to qualify
as a novel.

examples
b [+ object] : to give (someone or
something) the right to be thought of or
described in a particular way + as
His brief time in the army doesn't

qualify him as a military expert.

examples
6 [+ object] formal : to make (a statement)
more specific or limited in meaning or
effect
I would like to qualify [=modify]

what I said earlier to avoid any
misinterpretation.

examples
7 [+ object] grammar : to limit or describe
the meaning of (a word or group of words)
:
Adjectives qualify nouns.
440
1
quibble / kwbl/
verb
quibbles; quibbled; quibbling
1 quibble
/ kwbl/
verb
quibbles; quibbled; quibbling
QUIBBLE
[no object]
: to argue or complain about small,
unimportant things usually + about or over
People ignored the main point of

the speech and quibbled about its
length.
Why are you quibbling over such a
small amount of money?

examples
300 quibble
2 quibble / kwbl/
noun
plural quibbles
2 quibble
/ kwbl/
noun
441
QUIBBLE
[no object]
: to argue or complain about small,
unimportant things usually + about or over
People ignored the main point of

the speech and quibbled about its
length.
Why are you quibbling over such a
small amount of money?

examples
300 quibble
2
quibble / kwbl/
noun
plural quibbles
2 quibble
/ kwbl/
noun
plural quibbles
QUIBBLE
[count]
: a small complaint or criticism usually about
something unimportant
Our only quibble about the trip was

that it rained a lot.
442
quicken / kwkn/
verb
quickens; quickened; quickening
quicken
/ kwkn/
verb
quickens; quickened; quickening
QUICKEN
1 a [+ object] : to make (something) faster
She quickened [=hastened] her

steps.
We quickened the pace. [=we
started to walk faster]
Stimulants can quicken the heart
rate.

examples
b [no object] : to become faster
301 quicken His pulse quickened at the
thought of seeing her again.
a quickening tempo

examples
443
examples
2 formal + literary
a [+ object] : to make (something, such as a
feeling) stronger or more active
The approach of the deadline

quickened our sense of urgency.

examples
b [no object] : to become stronger or more
active
The drama quickened when

police arrived at the scene.

examples
rabid / rbd/
adjective
rabid
/ rbd/
adjective
Learner's definition of RABID
1 : affected with rabies
rabid dogs
444
rabidly adverb
Photographers rabidly pursued

her wherever she went.

examples
1
rally / rli/ noun
plural rallies
1 rally
/ rli/
noun
plural rallies
Learner's definition of RALLY
[count]
1 : a public meeting to support or oppose
someone or something
a political rally
Supporters held a rally for the
candidate.
Protesters staged an antiwar
rally.
a youth rally [=a public meeting
for teenagers and young adults]

examples
see also
445
3
sports : an occurrence in which a team or
player that has been behind or playing badly
begins to play well
The team's late-game rally

[=comeback] helped them win the
game.

examples
4 sports : a continuous series of hits back
and forth between players in tennis or a
similar game
She ended the rally with a hard

overhand shot to the far corner.

examples
5 : a car race that is usually held on public
roads
a road rally
a professional rally driver

examples
2 rally / rli/ verb
rallies; rallied; rallying
2
446
1
a [no object] : to meet publicly to support or
oppose something : to come together for a
rally
His supporters will rally tomorrow

morning outside the capitol.

examples
303 rally b [+ object] : to cause (people) to join
together to publicly support or oppose
something
The group is trying to rally voters

for the election.
The shootings rallied protesters
who say the city neglects poorer
neighborhoods.

examples
2 [no object] : to publicly support or oppose
something or someone as a group
Many people in the community

have rallied to the mayor's side.
[=have publicly shown support
for the mayor]
Parents rallied for/behind
[=publicly showed support for]
the new dress code guidelines.
Students rallied against
[=publicly showed opposition to]
447
[+ object] : to cause (people) to join
303 rally b
together to publicly support or oppose
something
The group is trying to rally voters

for the election.
The shootings rallied protesters
who say the city neglects poorer
neighborhoods.

examples
2 [no object] : to publicly support or oppose
something or someone as a group
Many people in the community

have rallied to the mayor's side.
[=have publicly shown support
for the mayor]
Parents rallied for/behind
[=publicly showed support for]
Students rallied against
[=publicly showed opposition to]

examples
also : to join together as a group to do
something
Concerned people around the

country have rallied (together) to
help raise money for the victims.
448
3
[+ object] : to cause (a group of people) to
have new energy and enthusiasm in a difficult
time or situation
The coach rallied his players for

the second half of the game.
As the deadline approached, it was
clear that we needed to rally the
troops. [=to urge everyone to work
harder]

examples
4 [no object] : to improve suddenly after a
period of weakness, failure, etc.
We were trailing for most of the

game, but we rallied in the fourth
quarter and ended up winning.
Stocks rallied [=increased in
price or value] at the close of
trading today.
The patient briefly rallied [=got
healthier] but then became much
worse and died a few days later.

examples
rally around [phrasal verb] or chiefly

British rally round
rally around/round (someone or
something)
449
rally around [phrasal verb] or chiefly
British rally round
rally around/round (someone or
something)
: to join together to support (someone or
something) in a difficult time or situation
We rallied around our neighbors

when their house burned down.
When the town library lost its
funding, the community rallied
around it.

examples
1 ramble / rmbl/
verb
rambles; rambled; rambling
1 ramble
/ rmbl/
verb
rambles; rambled; rambling
RAMBLE
[no object]
preposition : to walk or go from one place
to another place without a specific goal,
purpose, or direction
450
examples
2 : to go from one subject to another without
any clear purpose or direction
She rambled for several minutes

before introducing the main
speaker.
He's funny, but he tends to
ramble.

examples
often + on
304 ramble
The novel's first chapter rambles
on for about 100 pages.

examples
2 ramble / rmbl/
noun
plural rambles
2 ramble
/ rmbl/
noun
plural rambles
RAMBLE
[count]
451
examples
2 : a long speech or piece of writing that
goes from one subject to another without
any clear purpose or direction
The first chapter is a 100-page

ramble.
We had to listen to another one of
his long rambles about politics
and religion.

examples
rant / rnt/ verb
rants; ranted; ranting
rant
/ rnt/
verb
rants; ranted; ranting
Learner's definition of RANT
: to talk loudly and in a way that shows anger

: to complain in a way that is unreasonable
[no object]
You can rant and rave all you

want, she said, but it's not going
to change things.

452
He always rants about the evils of
the film industry.
305 rant [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
often + on
She ranted on for hours about the

smoking ban.

examples
[+ object]
He ranted that they were out to get

him.

examples
rant noun, plural rants [count]
We had to listen to his rant about

the evils of the film industry.

examples
306 rarefy couldd not find data
1 rash / r/ noun
453
examples
[+ object]
He ranted that they were out to get

him.

examples
rant noun, plural rants [count]
We had to listen to his rant about

the evils of the film industry.

examples
306 rarefy couldd not find data
1 rash / r/ noun
plural rashes
1 rash
/ r/
noun
plural rashes
Learner's definition of RASH
1 : a group of red spots on the skin that is
454
[count]
The baby has a skin rash.

The doctor said she developed
the rash because of the medicine.
an itchy rash
I break out in a rash if I eat
shellfish.

examples
[noncount]
Symptoms of the disease include

rash and fever.

examples
see also ,
2 [singular] : a series of usually unpleasant
things or events that happen in a short
period of time
There has been a rash of

robberies in the city this summer.
a rash of fires

examples
307 rash
2 rash / r/ adjective
2 rash
455
2 rash / r/ adjective
2 rash
/ r/
adjective
Learner's definition of RASH
1 : done or made quickly and without thought

about what will happen as a result
He later regretted having made

such a rash [=hasty] promise.
Their rash actions resulted in a
serious accident that could have
killed someone.
a rash statement
Please don't do anything rash.
[=foolish]

examples
2 not used before a noun : doing something
quickly and without thinking carefully about
what will happen as a result
Don't be rash about this decision.

Take your time.
It was rash of you to make that
promise.

examples
456
ratify
/ rtfa/
verb
ratifies; ratified; ratifying
Learner's definition of RATIFY
[+ object]
: to make (a treaty, agreement, etc.) official
by signing it or voting for it
A number of countries have refused

308 ratify to ratify the treaty.

examples
ratification /
rtf ken/ noun
[noncount]
ratification of the treaty

examples
1 ration / rn/
noun
plural rations
1 ration
/ rn/
noun
457
oats.
The prisoners were kept on short
rations. [=were given very little
to eat each day]

examples
b rations [plural] : food or supplies
The campers were getting low on

rations. [=had used most of their
food]

examples
2 [count] : a particular amount of something
(such as gasoline or food) that the
government allows you to have when there
is not enough of it
a gas ration
weekly sugar and butter rations
309 ration [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
2 ration / rn/
verb
rations; rationed; rationing
2 ration
/ rn/
458
RATION
[+ object]
: to control the amount of (something, such as
gasoline or food) that people are allowed to
have especially when there is not enough of it
During the war, the government

rationed gasoline.

examples
often used as (be) rationed
Gasoline was rationed during the

war.

examples
rationing noun [noncount]
The drought has forced the

government to institute water
rationing.

examples
1 ration / rn/
noun
plural rations
1
459
examples

war.

examples

rationing.

examples
1
ration / rn/
noun
plural rations
1 ration
/ rn/
noun
plural rations
RATION
1 a [count] : a particular amount of food that

is given to one person or animal for one
day
460
The horse was fed its ration of
oats.
The prisoners were kept on short
rations. [=were given very little
to eat each day]

examples
b rations [plural] : food or supplies
The campers were getting low on

rations. [=had used most of their
food]

examples
2 [count] : a particular amount of something
(such as gasoline or food) that the
government allows you to have when there
is not enough of it
a gas ration
weekly sugar and butter rations
310 ration [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
2 ration / rn/
verb
2 ration
461
verb
2 ration
/ rn/
verb
RATION
[+ object]
: to control the amount of (something, such as
gasoline or food) that people are allowed to
have especially when there is not enough of it
During the war, the government

rationed gasoline.

examples

war.

examples

rationing.
462
[count]
: a small, deep, narrow valley
raze / rez/ verb
razes; razed; razing
raze
/ rez/
verb
razes; razed; razing
Learner's definition of RAZE
312 raze [+ object]

: to destroy (something, such as a building)
completely : often used as (be) razed
The old factory was razed to make

room for a parking lot.

examples
readable / ridbl/
adjective
readable
/ ridbl/
adjective
READABLE
[more readable; most readable]
463
examples
opposite ; see also
readability /rid blti/

noun [noncount]
I enjoy the clarity and readability

of his writing style.

examples
1 recruit /r krut/
verb
recruits; recruited; recruiting
1 recruit
/r krut/
verb
recruits; recruited; recruiting
RECRUIT
1 a : to find suitable people and get them to

join a company, an organization, the armed
forces, etc.
[+ object]
He was recruited by the army

after high school.
Public schools are recruiting
new teachers.
464
athletes.

examples
[no object]
College football coaches spend a

lot of time recruiting.
Some parents don't think the
military should be recruiting
from high schools.

examples
b [+ object] : to form or build (a group,
team, army, etc.) by getting people to join
We recruited a crew of
volunteers to help us.
recruit a regiment
recruit an army

examples
2 [+ object] : to persuade (someone) to join
you in some activity or to help you
I recruited my brother to drive us

to the concert.
She recruited four friends to
314 recruit distribute food to the homeless
with her.
465
military should be recruiting
from high schools.

examples
b [+ object] : to form or build (a group,
team, army, etc.) by getting people to join
We recruited a crew of
volunteers to help us.
recruit a regiment
recruit an army

examples
2 [+ object] : to persuade (someone) to join
you in some activity or to help you
I recruited my brother to drive us

to the concert.
She recruited four friends to
314 recruit distribute food to the homeless
with her.

examples
recruiter noun, plural recruiters

[count]
an army recruiter

466
noun [noncount]
recruitment of college graduates

examples
2
recruit /r krut/
noun
plural recruits
2 recruit
/r krut/
noun
plural recruits
RECRUIT
[count]
1 : a person who has recently joined the
armed forces
army recruits

examples
2 : a person who has recently joined a
company, organization, etc.
the newest recruit on the team

She's one of the department's new
recruits.
467
She's one of the department's new
recruits.

examples
1
remote /r mot/
adjective
remoter; remotest
1 remote
/r mot/
adjective
remoter; remotest
REMOTE
[or more remote; most remote]

1 a : far away :
She enjoys reading about remote

lands.
remote galaxies

examples
b : far away from other people, houses,
cities, etc.
a remote island/village
The mission is to transport
medical supplies to remote
468
available in the remote future

examples
3 : very small :
There is a remote possibility that

I'll be free Friday night.
a remote chance [=a very small
possibility]

examples
4 always used before a noun : not closely
related
remote ancestors

examples
5 : very different from something
315 remote Their traditions are remote from

our own.

examples
6 : not friendly or involved with other people
: distant or cold in manner
She became very remote in her

old age.
469
become connected to this
computer from another place]

examples
b : capable of being controlled from a
distance
a remote camera
remote sensors

examples
remoteness noun [noncount]
The remoteness of his location

made it hard for rescuers to reach
him.
his remoteness as a father

examples
2 remote /r mot/
noun
plural remotes
2 remote
/r mot/
noun
plural remotes
470
REMOTE
[count] informal
:
rend / rnd/ verb
rends; rent / rnt/ also US rended;

rending
rend
/ rnd/
verb
rends; rent / rnt/ also US rended; rending
Learner's definition of REND
[+ object] literary
: to tear (something) into pieces with force or
violence
316 rend They rent the cloth to shreds.
mourners rending their
clothes/garments in grief

examples
a family rent [=torn apart] by

divorce

examples
471
rending
rend
/ rnd/
verb
rends; rent / rnt/ also US rended; rending
Learner's definition of REND
[+ object] literary
: to tear (something) into pieces with force or
violence
316 rend
They rent the cloth to shreds.
mourners rending their
clothes/garments in grief

examples
a family rent [=torn apart] by

divorce

examples
repeal /r pil/ verb
repeals; repealed; repealing
repeal
/r pil/
verb
repeals; repealed; repealing
472
repealed [=rescinded] the tax
317 repeal (law).

examples
repeal noun, plural repeals [count,

noncount]
Most voters oppose the repeal of

the law.

examples
repent /r pnt/ verb
repents; repented; repenting
repent
/r pnt/
verb
repents; repented; repenting
REPENT
formal
: to feel or show that you are sorry for
something bad or wrong that you did and that
you want to do what is right
[no object]
The preacher told us that we would

be forgiven for our sins if we
473
[no object]

be forgiven for our sins if we
repented.
criminals who have repented for
their crimes

examples
sometimes + of
We must repent of our

sins/wrongdoings.

318 repent [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
[+ object]

be forgiven if we repented our
sins.

examples
repentance /r pntns/
noun [noncount]
His behavior is a sign of true

repentance.
a holy day of fasting, prayer, and
repentance
474
examples
retain /r ten/
verb
retains; retained; retaining
retain
/r ten/
verb
retains; retained; retaining
Learner's definition of RETAIN
[+ object] formal
1 : to continue to have or use (something) :
A landlord may retain part of

your deposit if you break the
lease.
They insisted on retaining old
customs.
You will retain your rights as a
citizen.
The TV show has retained its
popularity for many years.

examples
2 : to keep (someone) in a position, job, etc.
The company's goal is to attract

and retain good employees.
The team failed to retain him,
and he became a free agent.
475
examples
4 : to keep (something) in your memory
especially for a long period of time
I studied French in college, but I

haven't retained much of what I
learned.
She has a remarkable ability to
retain odd facts.

examples
5 : to continue to hold (something, such as
heat or moisture) as time passes
Topping the soil with mulch will

help it to retain moisture.

examples
1 retard /r td/
verb
retards; retarded; retarding
1 retard
/r td/
verb
retards; retarded; retarding
RETARD
[+ object] formal
476
: to slow down the development or progress
of (something)
The chemical will retard the

spread of fire.
The problems have retarded the
progress of the program.
320 retard [+] more examples [-] hide examples
examples
2
retard / ritd/
noun
plural retards
2 retard
/ ritd/
noun
plural retards
RETARD
[count] informal + offensive

: a person who has slow mental development
also : a stupid or foolish person
revoke /r vok/
verb
revokes; revoked; revoking
revoke
/r vok/
477
examples
2
retard / ritd/
noun
plural retards
2 retard
/ ritd/
noun
plural retards
RETARD
[count] informal + offensive

: a person who has slow mental development
also : a stupid or foolish person
revoke /r vok/
verb
revoke
/r vok/
verb
REVOKE
[+ object] formal
: to officially cancel the power or effect of
(something, such as a law, license,
agreement, etc.) : to make (something) not
478
He threatened to revoke [=retract,
cancel] his offer.
Their privileges were revoked after
they misbehaved.

examples
revocation /rv ken/

noun, plural revocations [count, noncount]
Not paying the fine may mean

revocation of your driver's
license.

examples
rhythm / rm/
noun
plural rhythms
rhythm
/ rm/
noun
plural rhythms
RHYTHM
1 : a regular, repeated pattern of sounds or

movements
[count]
479
movements
[count]
The music has a fast/slow/steady

rhythm. [=beat]
African/Caribbean rhythms

examples
often + of
the rhythm of the poetry

the rhythm of his breathing
322 rhythm the rhythm of the tides

examples
[noncount]
the composer's use of jazz rhythm

He can't play/dance in rhythm. =
He has no sense of rhythm. [=he
cannot play/dance at the correct
speed to stay with the rhythm of
the music]

examples
2 [count] : a regular, repeated pattern of
events, changes, activities, etc.
She enjoyed the quiet rhythms of

country life.
480
plural riddles
1 riddle
/ rdl/
noun
plural riddles
Learner's definition of RIDDLE
[count]
1 : a difficult question that is asked as a game
and that has a surprising or funny answer
The first person to solve the

riddle wins a candy bar.

examples
Stop speaking in riddles. [=stop

speaking in a confusing way]

examples
2 : someone or something that is difficult to
understand or solve
the riddle of the origins of the

universe
My brother has always been a
riddle to me.

323 riddle examples
2 481
The robbers riddled the car with
bullets.

examples
2 : to fill (something) with something that is
bad or unpleasant usually used as (be)
riddled with
The book is riddled with

mistakes. [=the book has many
mistakes]
Their theory is riddled with
contradictions.

examples
1 root / rut/ noun
plural roots
1 root
/ rut/
noun
plural roots
Learner's definition of ROOT
1 [count] : the part of a plant that grows

underground, gets water from the ground,
and holds the plant in place
Elm trees have shallow roots.
482
they don't grow back.

examples
2 [count] : the part of a tooth, hair, fingernail,
etc., that is attached to the body
You can tell that she dyes her hair

blonde because her dark roots
are showing.

examples
3 [count]
a : the cause or source of something
usually singular
He believes that money is the

root of all evil. [=money causes
people to do bad things]
We need to get to the root of the
problem. = We need to get to the
root cause of the problem.
Simple greed was at the root of
the robbery. [=was the reason for
the robbery]

examples
b : the origin of something usually plural
Rock-and-roll music has its roots

in blues music. [=rock-and-roll
483
blonde because her dark roots
are showing.

examples
3 [count]
a : the cause or source of something
usually singular
He believes that money is the

root of all evil. [=money causes
people to do bad things]
We need to get to the root of the
problem. = We need to get to the
root cause of the problem.
Simple greed was at the root of
the robbery. [=was the reason for
the robbery]

examples
b : the origin of something usually plural
Rock-and-roll music has its roots

in blues music. [=rock-and-roll
music originated/developed from
blues music]

examples
4 roots [plural]
a : the family history of a person or a group
of people
484
examples
b : a special connection to something +
in
She's a dedicated teacher with

roots in the community.
His family has roots in the New
York theater scene.
a novelist with roots deep in
Southern life

examples
see also
5 [count] mathematics : a number that is
multiplied by itself a certain number of
times to produce another number
2 is the 4th root of 16. [=2 x 2 x 2

x 2 = 16]

examples
see also ,
6 [count] : a word from which other words
are formed
Butler and bottle come from

the same Latin root.
Hold is the root of holder.

485
Hold is the root of holder.

examples
put down roots

: to become a member of a community and
begin to feel that it is your home : to settle
and live in one place
The family put down roots in

New England. [=they made New
England their home]

examples
root and branch chiefly British

1 : complete or thorough
a root and branch overhaul of

local schools

Hide examples
2 : completely or thoroughly
The laws were reformed root

and branch.

Hide examples
take root
486
The classroom should be a
place where creativity can take
root and flourish.
It was years before democratic
ideals took root in that part of
the world.

Hide examples
2
root / rut/ verb
roots; rooted; rooting
2 root
/ rut/
verb
1 of a plant
a [no object] : to grow and develop roots
The plants had difficulty rooting

324 root in the poor soil.

examples
b [+ object] : to make (a plant) grow and
develop roots
She rooted the seedlings in pots

before planting them in the
garden.
487
examples
usually used as (be) rooted
I was rooted to my chair by/with

fear.

examples
root in [phrasal verb]

root (something) in (something)
: to form, make, or develop (something) by
using (something) as a basis
He roots his art in reality.

[=bases his art on the real world]

examples
usually used as (be) rooted in
His art is rooted in reality.

Her opinions are deeply rooted
in her faith.
a dance rooted in African
tradition

examples
compare ,
3 488
3 root
/ rut/
verb
[no object]
preposition : to search for something by
moving around or by turning things over
We rooted through the desk

drawers for the phone bill.
She rooted around in her purse to
find her keys.
I think I'll root around for some
leftovers in the fridge.

examples
2 of animals : to look for food under the
ground by digging with the nose :
a rooting pig

examples
root out [phrasal verb]

1 root (something or someone) out or
root out (something or someone)
: to find and remove (something or
someone)
489
preposition : to search for something by
moving around or by turning things over
We rooted through the desk

drawers for the phone bill.
She rooted around in her purse to
find her keys.
I think I'll root around for some
leftovers in the fridge.

examples
2 of animals : to look for food under the
ground by digging with the nose :
a rooting pig

examples
root out [phrasal verb]

1 root (something or someone) out or
root out (something or someone)
: to find and remove (something or
someone)
The mayor was determined to

root out corruption in city
government.

Hide examples
2 : to find (something or someone) after
searching for a long time
490
Hide examples
compare ,
4
root / rut/ verb
4 root
/ rut/
verb
root for [phrasal verb]

root for (someone or something)
: to express or show support for (a person,
a team, etc.)
They always root for the home

team.
We're rooting for the underdog.

examples
: to hope for the success of (someone or
something)
Remember that we're all rooting

for you. [=we all want to see you
succeed]
491
succeed]

examples
root on [phrasal verb]

root (someone or something) on US
: to help (someone or something) to win or
succeed by expressing or showing strong
support
The team is playing for the

championship tomorrow, and
thousands of fans will be there to
root them on.
Her friends and family were
there to root her on to victory.

examples
compare ,
rooter / rut/ noun, plural

rooters [count]
rural / rrl/ adjective
rural
/ rrl/
adjective
Learner's definition of RURAL
492
1
rustic / rstk/
adjective
1 rustic
/ rstk/
adjective
Learner's definition of RUSTIC
[more rustic; most rustic]

1 : of, relating to, or suitable for the country
or people who live in the country
The inn has a rustic atmosphere.

a rustic village

examples
2 : made of rough wood
simple, rustic furniture

examples
326 rustic
rusticity /r ststi/ noun
[noncount]
the rusticity of the inn

examples
2 493
[count]
: a person who lives in the country
327 scanty couldd not find data
1
scoff / skf/ verb
scoffs; scoffed; scoffing
1 scoff
/ skf/
verb
Learner's definition of SCOFF
: to laugh at and talk about someone or

something in a way that shows disapproval
and a lack of respect
[no object]
He scoffed when she told him that

she planned to become an actress.
He scoffed at the
idea/notion/suggestion of her
becoming an actress.

examples
[+ object]
You! An actress?! he scoffed.
494
328 scoff [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
compare
2
scoff / skf/ verb
2 scoff
/ skf/
verb
[+ object] chiefly British, informal

: to eat (something) quickly
She scoffed [=(US) scarfed] her

breakfast.

examples
compare
1 score / sko/ noun
plural scores
1 score
495
/ skf/
verb
[+ object] chiefly British, informal

: to eat (something) quickly
She scoffed [=(US) scarfed] her

breakfast.

examples
compare
1
score / sko/ noun
plural scores
1 score
/ sko/
noun
plural scores
Learner's definition of SCORE
1 [count]
a : the number of points, goals, runs, etc.,
that each player or team has in a game or
contest
The score was tied at 11 [=each

team had scored one run] after the
second inning.
The score (of the game) at
496
score was 43 at the end of the
game]

examples
b chiefly US : the number of points that
someone gets for correct answers on a test,
exam, etc.
students with low/high test scores

Only one person had/got a perfect
score on the test. [=only one
person answered all the questions
correctly]

examples
2 [count]
a : a document showing all the notes of a
piece of music
a musical/orchestral score

examples
b : the music that is written for a movie or
play
The film's score is by a famous

composer.

examples
497
examples
3 [count] : a mark or cut that is made in a
surface with a sharp object
4 [count] formal + literary plural score
a : the number 20
She has written more than a score

of books. [=more than 20 books]

examples
b : a group of 20 people or things
three score years [=60 years]

A score of people were in
attendance.

examples
see also ,
5 scores [plural] formal : a large number or
amount of people or things usually + of
We have received scores of

suggestions.

examples
by the score
: in large numbers or amounts
498
have the same score as your opponent : to
tie the score in a game
They evened the score at 55.

We evened the score in the
second quarter.

Hide examples
2 : to harm or punish someone who has
harmed you
She felt they had mistreated her,

and she was determined to even
the score.

Hide examples
keep score
: to officially record the number of points,
goals, runs, etc., that each player or team
gets in a game or contest
We'll just play for fun. We won't

even keep score.
Who's keeping score?

examples
If you're keeping score at home,

this is the third time that he has
499
again.

examples
on that/this score
: with regard to the thing that is being
discussed
The work will be done on time.

You have nothing to worry about
on that score.

examples
settle a/the score

: to harm or punish someone who has
329 score harmed you
The movie is about a woman who

seeks out an old enemy to settle a
score.
He says he has a few (old) scores
to settle.
She wants to settle the score
with her ex-husband.

examples
2 score / sko/ verb
500
2 score / sko/ verb
scores; scored; scoring
2 score
/ sko/
verb
scores; scored; scoring
1 a : to get points, goals, runs, etc., in a game

or contest
[no object]
She scored twice in the game.

examples
[+ object]
He scored a run/goal/touchdown.

examples
b [+ object] : to be worth (a particular
number of points) in a game or contest
Each correct answer scores two

points.
In American football, a
touchdown scores six points.

501
examples
[+ object]

examples

points.

examples
2 : to officially record the number of points,
[no object]
Who's going to score? [=keep

score]

examples
[+ object]
Who's going to score the game?
502
examples
3 : to give (someone or something) a grade or
a particular number of points based on the
number of correct answers on a test, the
quality of a performance, etc.
[+ object]
Judges will score the

performances based on their
artistic and technical features.

examples
[no object]
Which judges are scoring

tonight?

examples
4 [+ object] : to write the music for (a movie,
play, etc.)
The movie was scored by a

famous composer.

examples
5 [+ object] : to mark or cut the surface of
(something) with a sharp object
He used a sharp blade to score

the glass.
503
examples
6 [+ object] : to achieve or earn (something)
He scored a big success/hit in his

first movie.

examples
7 [no object] : to have success
He has scored again with his

latest thriller.

examples
8 a slang : to buy or get (illegal drugs)
[+ object]
He couldn't score any drugs.

examples
[no object]
Druggies come downtown

looking to score.

examples
b [+ object] US, informal : to get
(something)
504
Did you score (with her) last
night?

examples
score off [phrasal verb]

score off (someone) British, informal
: to say or do something in order to get an
advantage over (someone)
They're always trying to score off

each other.

examples
1
score / sko/ noun
plural scores
1 score
/ sko/
noun
plural scores
1 [count]
a : the number of points, goals, runs, etc.,
that each player or team has in a game or
contest
The score was tied at 11 [=each

team had scored one run] after the
505
b chiefly US : the number of points that
someone gets for correct answers on a test,
exam, etc.
students with low/high test scores

Only one person had/got a perfect
score on the test. [=only one
person answered all the questions
correctly]

examples
2 [count]
a : a document showing all the notes of a
piece of music
a musical/orchestral score

examples
b : the music that is written for a movie or
play
The film's score is by a famous

composer.

examples
3 [count] : a mark or cut that is made in a
surface with a sharp object
4 [count] formal + literary plural score
a : the number 20
506
a : the number 20

of books. [=more than 20 books]

examples
b : a group of 20 people or things
three score years [=60 years]

A score of people were in
attendance.

examples
see also ,

suggestions.

examples
by the score
Factories are closing by the

score. [=a lot of factories are
closing]
He's had girlfriends by the score.
[=he has had lots of girlfriends]
507
see also ,

suggestions.

examples
by the score
Factories are closing by the

score. [=a lot of factories are
closing]
He's had girlfriends by the score.
[=he has had lots of girlfriends]

examples
even the score

1 : to get enough points, goals, runs, etc., to
have the same score as your opponent : to
tie the score in a game
They evened the score at 55.

We evened the score in the
second quarter.

Hide examples
2 : to harm or punish someone who has
508
the score.

Hide examples
keep score
: to officially record the number of points,
We'll just play for fun. We won't

even keep score.
Who's keeping score?

examples
If you're keeping score at home,

this is the third time that he has
run for mayor and lost.

examples
know the score informal

: to have a good understanding of a
situation
Now that she knows the score,

she won't make the same mistake
again.

509
again.

examples
on that/this score
: with regard to the thing that is being
discussed
The work will be done on time.

You have nothing to worry about
on that score.

examples
settle a/the score

330 score : to harm or punish someone who has
harmed you
The movie is about a woman who

seeks out an old enemy to settle a
score.
He says he has a few (old) scores
to settle.
She wants to settle the score
with her ex-husband.

examples
2 score / sko/ verb
510
She scored twice in the game.

examples
[+ object]

examples

points.

examples
2 : to officially record the number of points,
[no object]
Who's going to score? [=keep

score]

examples
[+ object]
Who's going to score the game?
511
artistic and technical features.

examples
[no object]
Which judges are scoring

tonight?

examples
4 [+ object] : to write the music for (a movie,
play, etc.)
The movie was scored by a

famous composer.

examples
5 [+ object] : to mark or cut the surface of
(something) with a sharp object
He used a sharp blade to score

the glass.

examples
6 [+ object] : to achieve or earn (something)

first movie.

512
first movie.

examples
7 [no object] : to have success
He has scored again with his

latest thriller.

examples
8 a slang : to buy or get (illegal drugs)
[+ object]

examples
[no object]

looking to score.

examples
(something)
I managed to score a couple of

tickets to the game.
513

examples
[no object]

looking to score.

examples
(something)
I managed to score a couple of

tickets to the game.

examples
9 [no object] slang : to have sex with
someone and especially with someone you
do not know well
Did you score (with her) last

night?

examples
score off [phrasal verb]

score off (someone) British, informal
: to say or do something in order to get an
advantage over (someone)
514
examples
shirk / k/ verb
shirks; shirked; shirking
shirk
/ k/
verb
shirks; shirked; shirking
Learner's definition of SHIRK
: to avoid doing something that you are

supposed to do
[+ object]
He's too conscientious to shirk his

duty/responsibility.

331 shirk [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
[no object]
He never shirked from doing his

duty.
They did their duty without
shirking or complaining.

examples
shirker noun, plural shirkers [count]
515
examples
shirker noun, plural shirkers [count]
She's no shirker.

examples
signify /
sgnfa/ verb
signifies; signified; signifying
signify
/ sgnfa/
verb
signifies; signified; signifying
SIGNIFY
1 [+ object] : to be a sign of (something) : to

mean (something)
Black clothing signifies

mourning.
A check mark next to your name
signifies that you have met all the
requirements.
The recent decline of the stock
market does not necessarily
signify the start of a recession.
332 signify [+] more examples [-] hide examples

516
3 [no object] formal + somewhat old-
fashioned : to have importance :
Whether he agrees or not does not

signify.

examples
333 skulk couldd not find data
1
slight / slat/
adjective
slighter; slightest
1 slight
/ slat/
adjective
slighter; slightest
Learner's definition of SLIGHT
1 : very small in degree or amount
slight adjustments/errors
a slight odor/cold/fever
There is a slight chance of rain.
Her head is tilted at a slight
angle in the picture.
The medication didn't have the
slightest effect. [=did not have
517
2
: thin and not very strong or muscular
a slight woman

examples
not in the slightest

: not at all : not in the least
Does it bother you? Not in the

slightest.
334 slight
examples
2 slight / slat/ verb
slights; slighted; slighting
2 slight
/ slat/
verb
slights; slighted; slighting
Learner's definition of SLIGHT
[+ object]
: to offend or insult (someone) : to treat
(someone) with disrespect
I'm sure he didn't mean to slight

you.
He was slighted by his colleagues.
518
I'm sure he didn't mean to slight
you.
He was slighted by his colleagues.

examples
slight noun, plural slights [count]
a deliberate slight
The remark was not intended to
be a slight on his character.

examples
slighting adjective
He made slighting references to

her book.
a slighting remark

examples
sloth / sl / noun
plural sloths
sloth
/ sl/
noun
plural sloths
519
examples
slighting adjective
He made slighting references to

her book.
a slighting remark

examples
sloth / sl / noun
plural sloths
sloth
/ sl/
noun
plural sloths
Learner's definition of SLOTH
1 [noncount] formal : the quality or state of

being lazy :
the sins/vices of gluttony and

sloth

335 sloth examples
2 [count] : a type of animal that lives in trees
in South and Central America and that
moves very slowly
520
336 smelt couldd not find data
337 solstice couldd not find data
spartan adjective
also Spartan / sptn/
spartan
adjective
also Spartan / sptn/
SPARTAN
338 spartan
[more spartan; most spartan]
: very bare and simple : lacking the things
that make life comfortable or more pleasant
521
338 spartan SPARTAN
[more spartan; most spartan]

: very bare and simple : lacking the things
that make life comfortable or more pleasant
They lived in spartan conditions.

examples
sporadic
/sp rdk/ adjective
sporadic
/sp r dk/
adjective
SPORADIC
: happening often but not regularly : not

constant or steady
Sporadic cases of the disease were

reported.
sporadic [=intermittent]
gunfire/fighting
339 sporadic
examples
sporadically /sp rdkli/

adverb
522
Learner's definition of SPUR
1 [count] : a sharp pointed object that is

attached to the heel of a horse rider's boot
and that is pressed into the horse's side to
make the horse go faster
2 [singular] : something that makes you want
to do something or that causes something to
happen : often + to
The reward was offered as a

spur to greater
work/achievement.
a spur to the imagination

examples
3 [count] : a mass of sharp rock on the side
of a mountain
4 [count] : a short section of railway track
that leads from the main line
on/at the spur of the moment

If something is done on/at the spur of the
moment, it is done immediately without
planning.
We decided on the spur of the

moment to go to the beach.

examples
see also
win/earn your spurs
523
2 spur / sp/ verb
spurs; spurred; spurring
2 spur
/ sp/
verb
spurs; spurred; spurring
Learner's definition of SPUR
[+ object]
1 : to encourage (someone) to do or achieve
something
The reward spurred them to work

harder.

examples
often + on
524
His encouragement spurred them
on to finish the project.

examples
2 : to cause (something) to happen or to
happen more quickly
Lower interest rates should spur

economic growth.

examples
3 : to urge (a horse) to go faster by pushing
spurs into its sides
He spurred the horse onward.

examples
spurn / spn/ verb
spurns; spurned; spurning
spurn
/ spn/
525
examples
3 : to urge (a horse) to go faster by pushing
spurs into its sides
He spurred the horse onward.

examples
spurn / spn/ verb
spurn
/ spn/
verb
Learner's definition of SPURN
341 spurn [+ object] literary

: to refuse to accept (someone or something
that you do not think deserves your respect,
attention, affection, etc.)
She spurned [=rejected] their offer.

a spurned lover

examples
squander /
skwnd/ verb
526
squanders; squandered; squandering
squander
/ skwnd/
verb
squanders; squandered; squandering
SQUANDER
[+ object]
: to use (something) in a foolish or wasteful
342 squander way
She squandered her

inheritance/allowance.
He vowed not to squander this
opportunity.
The government squandered
[=wasted] the money on failed
programs.

examples
squanderer / skwndr/
noun, plural squanderers [count]
1 stalk / stk/ noun
plural stalks
1 stalk
/ stk/
noun
plural stalks
527
examples
squanderer / skwndr/
noun, plural squanderers [count]
1
stalk / stk/ noun
plural stalks
1 stalk
/ stk/
noun
plural stalks
Learner's definition of STALK
[count]
1 : a thick or tall stem of a plant
a flower stalk
celery stalks

examples
see color pictures on and ; see also
2 : a thin, upright object or part that supports
or connects something
the stalk of a goblet

examples
2 stalk / stk/ verb
528
343 stalk examples
b : to go through (a place or area) while
hunting
This is the time of year when

hunters are stalking the woods
for deer.

examples
A killer stalks the streets of the

city. [=there is a killer
somewhere in the city]
a city that is stalked by fear [=a
city where people are in a
constant state of fear]

examples
2 [+ object] : to follow, watch, and bother
(someone) constantly in a way that is
frightening, dangerous, etc.
She called the police because her

ex-boyfriend was stalking her.

examples
3 always followed by an adverb or a
preposition, [no object] : to walk in a stiff
or proud manner
529
stifle / stafl/ verb
stifles; stifled; stifling
stifle
/ stafl/
verb
stifles; stifled; stifling
Learner's definition of STIFLE
1 [+ object]
a : to not allow yourself to do or express
(something)
trying to stifle a cry/yawn

I had to stifle the desire/urge to
yell Stop!

examples
b : to stop (someone) from doing or
expressing something
Students at the school are stifled

by the pressure to score high on
tests.

examples
344 stifle 2 [+ object] : to make (something) difficult or
impossible
Too many regulations stifle
530
344 stifle examples
2 [+ object] : to make (something) difficult or
impossible
Too many regulations stifle

innovation.
something that stifles the growth
of the plant/economy

examples
3 a [no object] : to be unable to breathe
easily
I wish we could go outside

instead of stifling in this tiny
room.

examples
b [+ object] : to make (someone) unable to
breathe or unable to breathe easily
He was almost stifled by the

smoke.

examples
1 stint / stnt/ noun
plural stints
1
531
examples
b [+ object] : to make (someone) unable to
breathe or unable to breathe easily
He was almost stifled by the

smoke.

examples
plural stints
1 stint
/ stnt/
noun
plural stints
Learner's definition of STINT
[count]
: a period of time spent doing a certain job or
activity
He had a brief stint as a mail

carrier.
a four-year stint in the army

examples
345 stint 2 stint / stnt/ verb
532
stints; stinted; stinting
2 stint
/ stnt/
verb
[no object]
: to use or give something in limited amounts
usually + on or with
She doesn't stint on spices in her

cooking. [=she uses a lot of spices]
He can be stinting with praise.
[=he tends not to praise people
very often]

examples
1
stint / stnt/ noun
plural stints
1 stint
/ stnt/
noun
plural stints
[count]
activity
533
plural stints
1 stint
/ stnt/
noun
plural stints
[count]
activity
He had a brief stint as a mail

carrier.
a four-year stint in the army

examples
346 stint 2 stint / stnt/ verb
2 stint
/ stnt/
verb
[no object]
: to use or give something in limited amounts
534
/st ked/
noun
plural stockades
347 stockade Learner's definition of

STOCKADE
[count]
: a line of tall posts that are set in the ground
and used as a barrier to protect or defend a
place
a fort stockade

examples
1 stoic / stowk/
adjective
or stoical / stowkl/
1 stoic
/ stowk/
adjective
or stoical / stowkl/
Learner's definition of STOIC
[more stoic; most stoic]

: showing no emotion especially when
something bad is happening
She remained stoic [=she did not

complain or become upset] even as
he continued to insult her.
535
2 stoic / stowk/
noun
plural stoics
2 stoic
/ stowk/
noun
plural stoics
Learner's definition of STOIC
[count]
: a person who accepts what happens without
complaining or showing emotion
stolid / stld/
adjective
stolid
/ stld/
adjective
Learner's definition of STOLID
[more stolid; most stolid]

: showing little or no emotion : not easily
excited or upset
She remained stolid during the

trial.
349 stolid a stolid face

examples
536
examples
stolidly adverb
The guard stood stolidly at his

post.

examples
strife / straf/ noun
strife
/ straf/
noun
Learner's definition of STRIFE
[noncount] formal
350 strife : very angry or violent disagreement between
two or more people or groups
political/religious strife
civil strife

examples
351 stunted couldd not find data
537
: very angry or violent disagreement between
350 strife two or more people or groups
political/religious strife
civil strife

examples
351 stunted couldd not find data
sullen / sln/ adjective
sullen
/ sln/
adjective
Learner's definition of SULLEN
[more sullen; most sullen]

1 used to describe an angry or unhappy
person who does not want to talk, smile,
etc.
sullen teenagers
He's in a sullen mood.
She sat in sullen silence.
His face was sullen. = He had a
sullen expression on his face.

352 sullen examples
538
a sullen [=gloomy] sky/morning

examples
sullenly adverb
He stared sullenly out the

window.

examples
sullenness / slnns/ noun

[noncount]
353 sully couldd not find data
supervise /
supvaz/ verb
supervises; supervised; supervising
supervise
/ supvaz/
verb
SUPERVISE
354 supervise [+ object]
539
supervise /
supvaz/ verb
supervise
/ supvaz/
verb
SUPERVISE
354 supervise
[+ object]
: to be in charge of (someone or something) :
to watch and direct (someone or something)
The builder supervised the

construction of the house.
She supervises a staff of 30
workers.
a supervised study period

examples
surly / sli/ adjective
surlier; surliest
surly
/ sli/
adjective
surlier; surliest
540
plural surpluses
1 surplus
/ spls/
noun
plural surpluses
SURPLUS
: an amount (such as an amount of money)

that is more than the amount that is needed
[noncount]
If there is any surplus, it will be

divided equally.

examples
[count]
crop surpluses
There is a surplus of workers and
not enough jobs.
The state currently has a $3 million
budget surplus. [=has $3 million
more than it needs to pay for all of
its planned expenses]
356 surplus [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
opposite ; see also
2 surplus / spls/
adjective
541
surplus to requirements British, formal
: no longer needed
His services had become surplus

to requirements.

examples
1 survey / sve/
noun
plural surveys
1 survey
/ sve/
noun
plural surveys
SURVEY
[count]
1 : an activity in which many people are
asked a question or a series of questions in
order to gather information about what most
people do or think about something :
The survey found/revealed some

surprising tendencies among the
population.
We conducted an opinion survey
on the issue and found that most
people agree.
a survey on American drinking
habits
542
population.
We conducted an opinion survey
on the issue and found that most
people agree.
a survey on American drinking
habits

examples
2 : an act of studying something in order to
make a judgment about it
Surveys of each department were

conducted earlier this year.
A survey of recent corporate
layoffs reveals a new trend in
business management.

examples
3 : an act of measuring and examining an area
of land
A new land survey changed the

borders of their property.

examples
4 : a general description of or report about a
subject or situation
a survey [=overview] of current

events
543
3 : an act of measuring and examining an area
of land
A new land survey changed the

borders of their property.

examples
4 : a general description of or report about a
subject or situation
a survey [=overview] of current

events
surveys of English literature

examples
5 British : a close examination of a building
to see if it is in good condition
A survey [=(US) inspection]

must be done before the house
can be sold.

examples
357 survey 2 survey /s ve/

verb
surveys; surveyed; surveying
2 survey
544
2 survey
/s v
e/
verb
surveys; surveyed; surveying
SURVEY
[+ object]
1 : to ask (many people) a question or a
series of questions in order to gather
information about what most people do or
think about something
A total of 250 city residents were

surveyed about the project.
64 percent of the people
surveyed said that the economy
was doing well.
The magazine surveyed its
readers on their romantic
relationships. [=the magazine
took/conducted a survey of its
readers to find out about their
romantic relationships]

examples
2 : to look at and examine all parts of
(something)
The teacher surveyed the room.

People were surveying the
damage after the storm.

545
romantic relationships]

examples
2 : to look at and examine all parts of
(something)
The teacher surveyed the room.

People were surveying the
damage after the storm.

examples
3 : to measure and examine (an area of land)
Engineers surveyed the property

to see what could be built on it.

examples
4 : to give a general description or report of
(something, such as a subject or a situation)
The class surveys American

history before the Civil War.

examples
5 British : to examine (a building) to make
sure it is in good condition
The house must be surveyed [=

(US) inspected] before it can be
546
1
: causing a feeling that something is wrong or
that someone is behaving wrongly : causing
suspicion
We were instructed to report any

suspicious activity/behavior in the
neighborhood.
The suspicious vehicle was
reported to police.
He died under suspicious
circumstances. [=under
circumstances that suggest a crime
may have been committed]
Suspicious characters were seen
hanging around the bank.
He found a suspicious lump on his
back and was afraid it might be
cancer.

examples
2 : having or showing a feeling that
something is wrong or that someone is
behaving wrongly : feeling or showing
suspicion
358 suspicious
Officials are suspicious about
her death.
His manner made me suspicious.

examples
often + of
547
The security guard stared at us
suspiciously.
He was acting/behaving
suspiciously.
The answers on the two students'
tests are suspiciously alike.
This sounds suspiciously like an
excuse to get out of work.

examples
tacit / tst/ adjective
tacit
/ tst/
adjective
Learner's definition of TACIT
formal
: expressed or understood without being
directly stated
She felt that she had her parents'

tacit approval to borrow the car.
There was a tacit agreement that he
359 tacit would pay off the loan.

examples
tacitly adverb
They felt that he had tacitly
548
examples
tacitly adverb
They felt that he had tacitly

agreed to their proposal by not
objecting to it.

examples
1
taint / tent/ verb
taints; tainted; tainting
1 taint
/ tent/
verb
Learner's definition of TAINT
[+ object]
1 : to hurt or damage the good condition of
(something) often used as (be) tainted
The reputation of the university

has been tainted [=blemished,
marred] by athletic scandals.
Their relationship was tainted
with/by suspicion.

examples
549
[+ object]

with/by suspicion.

examples
2 : to make (something) dangerous or dirty
especially by adding something harmful or
undesirable to it
Bacteria had tainted

[=contaminated, spoiled] the
meat.

examples
often used as (be) tainted
360 taint
The water had been tainted by
pesticides.

examples
tainted adjective
550
tainted food

examples
2
taint / tent/ noun
2 taint
/ tent/
noun
[singular]
: something that causes a person or thing to
be thought of as bad, dishonest, etc.
usually + of
a political career damaged by the

taint of scandal

examples
1
taint / tent/ verb
1 taint
/ tent/
verb
551
examples
1
taint / tent/ verb
1 taint
/ tent/
verb
[+ object]

with/by suspicion.

examples
2 : to make (something) dangerous or dirty
especially by adding something harmful or
undesirable to it
Bacteria had tainted

[=contaminated, spoiled] the
meat.
552
2 taint / tent/ noun
2 taint
/ tent/
noun
[singular]
: something that causes a person or thing to
be thought of as bad, dishonest, etc.
usually + of
a political career damaged by the

taint of scandal

examples
talon / tln/ noun
plural talons
talon
/ tln/
noun
plural talons
Learner's definition of TALON
362 talon [count]

: one of the sharp claws on the feet of some
birds
The hawk gripped the mouse in its

talons.
553
verb
tapers; tapered; tapering
Learner's definition of TAPER
[no object]
: to become gradually smaller toward one
end
leaves that taper to a point

Her slacks taper [=become
narrower] at the ankle.

examples
taper off [phrasal verb]

: to become gradually less and less : to
decrease slowly
Production has been tapering off.

examples
364 taper tapered adjective [more tapered; most

tapered]
tapered slacks

examples
2
taper / tep/ noun
554
2 taper / tep/ noun
plural tapers
2 taper
/ tep/
noun
plural tapers
Learner's definition of TAPER
1 [count]
a : a piece of string covered with wax that
is used for lighting lamps, candles, etc.
b : a long, thin candle
2 [singular] : the shape of something that
becomes gradually smaller toward one end
The taper of her slacks is not

flattering.

examples
365 tarnished couldd not find data
1 terminal /
tmnl/ adjective
1 terminal
/ tmnl/
adjective
555
examples
365 tarnished couldd not find data
1
terminal /
tmnl/ adjective
1 terminal
/ tmnl/
adjective
TERMINAL
1 a : causing death eventually : leading

finally to death
She was diagnosed with terminal

cancer.
a terminal [=fatal]
illness/disease

examples
b : having an illness that cannot be cured
and that will soon lead to death
a terminal patient

examples
556
c : of or relating to patients who have a
terminal illness
terminal care

examples
2 informal : very bad or severe
I was suffering from terminal

boredom.
another person with terminal
stupidity

examples
3 : at the end : forming or coming at the end
of something
branches that end in a terminal

bud
We're on the terminal [=final]
leg of our trip.
The terminal [=last] stop for this
line is Boston.

examples
in terminal decline British

: getting worse without any chance to
improve
The business is in terminal
557
of something
branches that end in a terminal

bud
We're on the terminal [=final]
leg of our trip.
The terminal [=last] stop for this
line is Boston.

examples
in terminal decline British

: getting worse without any chance to
improve
The business is in terminal

decline.

366 terminal [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
terminally adverb
He is terminally ill. [=he has a

disease that cannot be cured and
will cause his death]

examples
2 terminal /
tmnl/ noun
558
: a building at an airport where people
b get on and off airplanes
Flight 1584 is now departing

from Gate 6 in Terminal A.
You are not allowed in the
terminal without a ticket.

examples
2 : a computer or a combination of a
keyboard and a video display that is
connected to a system and used for entering
or receiving data
Ten terminals are connected to

this server.

examples
3 : a part on a piece of electrical equipment
(such as a car battery) where you make an
electrical connection
You will need to clean the

corrosion off the battery
terminals.

examples
terse / ts/ adjective
559
tersely adverb
a tersely worded reply

examples
terseness noun [noncount]
thesis / iss/ noun
plural theses / isiz/
thesis
/ iss/
noun
plural theses / isiz/
Learner's definition of THESIS
[count]
1 : a long piece of writing on a particular
subject that is done to earn a degree at a
university
She wrote her thesis on

Renaissance Nativity scenes.
a master's/doctoral thesis on the
368 thesis effects of global warming

examples
2 formal : a statement that someone wants to
discuss or prove
560
examples
2 formal : a statement that someone wants to
discuss or prove
New evidence supports his

thesis.
We disagreed with the basic
thesis of the report.
The book's central thesis is that
propaganda influences the masses
in important ways.

examples
thwart / wot/ verb
thwarts; thwarted; thwarting
thwart
/ wot/
verb
THWART
[+ object]
: to prevent (someone) from doing something
or to stop (something) from happening
She did all she could to thwart his

369 thwart plans.
The army thwarted the attempt at a
561
thwart
/ wot/
verb
THWART
[+ object]
: to prevent (someone) from doing something
or to stop (something) from happening
369 thwart She did all she could to thwart his

plans.
The army thwarted the attempt at a
coup.

examples
often used as (be) thwarted
The plot was thwarted.

He was thwarted in his evil plans.
thwarted ambition/hopes

examples
370 tidings couldd not find data
562
371 titan
tolerance /
tlrns/ noun
tolerance
/ tlrns/
noun
TOLERANCE
1 : willingness to accept feelings, habits, or

beliefs that are different from your own
[noncount]
religious tolerance

examples
[singular]
a tolerance for/of other lifestyles

examples
see also
2 : the ability to accept, experience, or
survive something harmful or unpleasant
[count]
The plants have a high/low

tolerance for/of heat.
563
examples
[singular]
a tolerance for/of other lifestyles

examples
see also
2 : the ability to accept, experience, or
survive something harmful or unpleasant
[count]
The plants have a high/low

tolerance for/of heat.

372 tolerance [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
[noncount]
I don't have much tolerance for

cold weather. [=I dislike cold
weather; cold weather makes me
uncomfortable]
I have no tolerance for such
behavior. [=I cannot
accept/tolerate such behavior]

examples
3 medical : your body's ability to become
adjusted to something (such as a drug) so
that its effects are experienced less strongly
564
torrid
/ tord/
adjective
TORRID
1 : very hot and usually dry
a torrid summer
torrid weather

examples
373 torrid 2 : showing or expressing very strong

feelings especially of sexual or romantic
desire
a torrid [=passionate] love affair

examples
3 British : very difficult, uncomfortable, or
unpleasant
The team had a torrid time trying

to score.

examples
toxin / tksn/ noun
plural toxins
565
examples

transmittable
trying / traj/
adjective
trying
/ traj/
adjective
Learner's definition of TRYING
[more trying; most trying]

376 trying : difficult to deal with
They have been through some

trying times together.
He can be very trying at times.

examples
tumult / tumlt/
Brit / tjumlt/ noun
plural tumults
566
plural tumults
tumult
/ tumlt/ Brit / tjumlt/
noun
plural tumults
TUMULT
formal
1 : a state of noisy confusion or disorder
[count]
A great tumult [=uproar,

commotion] arose in the street.
We had to shout to be heard over
the tumult.

examples
377 tumult [noncount]
The country was in tumult.

examples
2 : a state of great mental or emotional
confusion
[noncount]
emotional tumult [=turmoil]

567
the tumult.

377 tumult examples
[noncount]
The country was in tumult.

examples
2 : a state of great mental or emotional
confusion
[noncount]
emotional tumult [=turmoil]

examples
[count]
Her mind was in a tumult of

emotions.

examples
tundra / tndr/ noun
plural tundras
tundra
/ tndr/
568
noun
plural tundras
TUNDRA
378 tundra
[count, noncount]
: a large area of flat land in northern parts of
the world where there are no trees and the
ground is always frozen
the Canadian tundra

examples
379 unavailing couldd not find data
undermine /
nd man/ verb
undermines; undermined; undermining
undermine
/nd m
an/
verb
UNDERMINE
[+ object]
380 undermine : to make (someone or something) weaker or
less effective usually in a secret or gradual
way
569
undermine /
nd man/ verb
undermine
/nd m
an/
verb
UNDERMINE
380 undermine [+: toobject]

make (someone or something) weaker or
less effective usually in a secret or gradual
way
She tried to undermine my

authority by complaining about me
to my boss.
The events of the past year have
undermined people's confidence in
the government.

examples

undocumented
1 570
soldiers in (full) uniform
[=wearing uniforms]

examples
2
uniform /
junfom/ adjective
382 uniform 2 uniform
/ junfom/
adjective
UNIFORM
[more uniform; most uniform]

: not varying or changing : staying the same at
all times, in all places, or for all parts or
members
The museum is kept at a uniform

temperature to protect the artifacts.
The cookies should be uniform in
size. = The cookies should be of
uniform size.
All departments have uniform
training standards.

examples
uniformly adverb
571
adjective
UNKEMPT
383 unkempt
: not neat or orderly : messy or untidy
an unkempt lawn
She wore rumpled clothing and her
hair was unkempt.

examples
unwieldy /
n wildi/ adjective
unwieldy
/n wildi/
adjective
UNWIELDY
[more unwieldy; most unwieldy]

: difficult to handle, control, or deal with
because of being large, heavy, or complex
384 unwieldy
a large, unwieldy box
The system is outdated and
unwieldy.
unwieldy [=awkward] prose

examples
572
examples
unwieldiness /n wildins/
noun [noncount]
unwitting /
n wt/ adjective
unwitting
/n wt/
adjective
UNWITTING
always used before a noun [more unwitting;

most unwitting]
1 : not aware of what is really happening
He kept the truth from his

unwitting friends.
an unwitting victim of fraud
385 unwitting [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
2 : not intended or planned
an unwitting mistake

examples
unwittingly adverb
573
always used before a noun [more unwitting;
most unwitting]
1 : not aware of what is really happening
He kept the truth from his

unwitting friends.
an unwitting victim of fraud
385 unwitting [+] more examples [-] hide examples

examples
2 : not intended or planned
an unwitting mistake

examples
unwittingly adverb
She unwittingly offended the

hostess.

examples
unyielding /
n jild/ adjective
unyielding
/n jild/
adjective
UNYIELDING
574
[more unyielding; most unyielding]
1 : not changing or stopping
her unyielding [=firm] belief in

386 unyielding his innocence
unyielding opposition/devotion

examples
2 : not flexible or soft
the hard, unyielding ground

examples
unyieldingly adverb
vanquish /
vkw/ verb
vanquishes; vanquished; vanquishing
vanquish
/ vkw/
verb
VANQUISH
[+ object] literary
: to defeat (someone) completely in a war,
387 vanquish battle, etc.
575
vanquish /
vkw/ verb
vanquish
/ vkw/
verb
VANQUISH
[+ object] literary
: to defeat (someone) completely in a war,
387 vanquish battle, etc.
They were vanquished in battle.

vanquished enemies/foes

examples
She sought to vanquish her desires.

examples
1
variable /
verijbl/ adjective
1 variable
576
examples
variably / verijbli/ adverb
The term is used variably to

388 variable mean different things.

examples
2 variable /
verijbl/ noun
plural variables
2 variable
/ verijbl/
noun
plural variables
VARIABLE
[count]
1 : something that changes or that can be
changed : something that varies
unemployment and other

economic variables

examples
2 mathematics : a quantity that can have any
577
Learner's definition of VENT
1 [+ object] US : to allow (something, such

as smoke or gas) to go out through an
opening
Windows should be opened to

vent the fumes.

examples
2 : to express (an emotion) usually in a loud
or angry manner
[+ object]
She vented her frustrations by

kicking the car.
Don't vent your anger on me.

examples
[no object]
I screamed because I needed to

vent.

examples
2 vent / vnt/ noun

390 vent plural vents
2
578
390 vent 2 vent / vnt/ noun
plural vents
2 vent
/ vnt/
noun
plural vents
Learner's definition of VENT
1 [count] : an opening through which air,

steam, smoke, liquid, etc., can go into or
out of a room, machine, or container
a heating vent
a vent for the clothes dryer

examples
2 [singular] : an opportunity or a way to
express a strong emotion that you have not
openly shown
She needed to find a vent for her

frustration.

examples
3 [count] : a thin opening at the bottom of a
jacket or skirt where a seam ends
give vent to
: to express (a strong emotion, such as
anger) in a forceful and open way
579
examples
2 [singular] : an opportunity or a way to
express a strong emotion that you have not
openly shown
She needed to find a vent for her

frustration.

examples
3 [count] : a thin opening at the bottom of a
jacket or skirt where a seam ends
give vent to
: to express (a strong emotion, such as
anger) in a forceful and open way
He gave vent to his annoyance.

She didn't want to give full vent
to her feelings. [=let her feelings
out completely]

examples
vermin / vmn/
noun
vermin
/ vmn/
noun
580
391 vermin 1 : small insects and animals (such as fleas
or mice) that are sometimes harmful to
plants or other animals and that are difficult
to get rid of
The room was crawling with

roaches and other vermin.

examples
2 informal : very bad, unpleasant, or
offensive people
1 veto / vito/ noun
plural vetoes
1 veto
/ vito/
noun
plural vetoes
Learner's definition of VETO
1 [count] : a decision by a person in authority

to not allow or approve something (such as
a new law)
a legislative veto
a veto of a bill
Are there enough votes in
Congress to override the
President's veto?
581
plural vetoes
1 veto
/ vito/
noun
plural vetoes
Learner's definition of VETO
1 [count] : a decision by a person in authority

to not allow or approve something (such as
a new law)
a legislative veto
a veto of a bill
Are there enough votes in
Congress to override the
President's veto?

examples
2 [noncount] : the right or power of a person
in authority to decide that something (such
as a new law) will not be approved
The President has the veto over

new legislation.
The President may choose to
exercise his veto.
veto power

392 veto examples
see also ,
2 582
We wanted to do a cross-country
trip, but our parents vetoed it.
She vetoed several restaurants
before we could agree on one.

examples
vex / vks/ verb
vexes; vexed; vexing
vex
/ vks/
verb
vexes; vexed; vexing
Learner's definition of VEX
[+ object] old-fashioned
: to annoy or worry (someone)
This problem has vexed

393 vex researchers for years.
We were vexed by the delay.

examples
vexing adjective [more vexing; most

vexing]
a vexing problem [=an
583
tourists should be extra vigilant.
They were vigilant about
394 vigilant protecting their children.
We remain vigilant against theft.
a vigilant tourist/parent

examples
vigilance / vlns/ noun

[noncount]
The situation requires constant

vigilance.

examples
vigilantly adverb
vilify / vlfa/
verb
vilifies; vilified; vilifying
vilify
/ vlfa/
verb
vilifies; vilified; vilifying
Learner's definition of VILIFY
[+ object] formal
395 vilify : to say or write very harsh and critical things
about (someone or something)
584
Learner's definition of VILIFY
395 vilify [+ object] formal

: to say or write very harsh and critical things
about (someone or something)
He was vilified in the press for his

comments.

examples
vilification /
vlf ken/ noun
[noncount]
396 vim couldd not find data
virulent / virlnt/
adjective
virulent
/ virlnt/
adjective
VIRULENT
[more virulent; most virulent]

1 a : full of hate or anger
virulent racists/racism
585
396 vim couldd not find data
virulent / virlnt/
adjective
virulent
/ virlnt/
adjective
VIRULENT
[more virulent; most virulent]

1 a : full of hate or anger
virulent racists/racism

examples
b : extremely or excessively harsh or strong
virulent criticism/remarks
The country seemed to be
returning to the virulent
nationalism of its past.

examples
2 : extremely dangerous and deadly and
397 virulent usually spreading very quickly
a virulent disease/infection
586
virulence / virlns/ noun
[noncount]
the virulence of a particular

strain of the disease
The virulence of the protest was
surprising.

examples
virulently adverb
a virulently racist comment

She virulently opposes the
proposed new law.

examples
vivid / vvd/
adjective
vivid
/ vvd/
adjective
Learner's definition of VIVID
[more vivid; most vivid]

1 of a picture, memory, etc. : seeming like
real life because it is very clear, bright, or
detailed
He gave a vivid description of the

scene.
587
proposed new law.

examples
vivid / vvd/
adjective
vivid
/ vvd/
adjective
Learner's definition of VIVID
[more vivid; most vivid]

1 of a picture, memory, etc. : seeming like
real life because it is very clear, bright, or
detailed
He gave a vivid description of the

scene.
The book includes many vivid
illustrations.
The dream was very vivid.
She could remember the dream in
vivid detail.

398 vivid [+] Example sentences [-] Hide
examples
If you have a vivid imagination, you can
imagine things that are not real very clearly
and easily.
2 : very bright in color
The fabric was dyed a vivid red.
588
Learner's definition of VOID
1 law : having no legal force or effect
The contract is void.

This sales offer is void where
prohibited by law.

examples
often used in the phrase null and void
The law was declared null and

void.

examples
2 formal : not containing anything :
a void space

examples
void of
: not having (something that is expected or
wanted) : completely lacking (something)
a book void of [=devoid of]

interest
He is void of charm. [=he has no
charm]

589
examples
After she left, there was a void in

my life.
When he retires, it will be hard to
find someone to fill the void.

examples
3 void / vod/ verb
voids; voided; voiding
3 void
/ vod/
verb
voids; voided; voiding
Learner's definition of VOID
[+ object] law
: to make (something) invalid : to say that
(something) is no longer in effect
The judge voided the contract.

Any unauthorized repairs will void
the warranty.

examples
voidable / vodbl/ adjective,
590
examples
voidable / vodbl/ adjective,

law
a voidable contract

examples
400 vouchsafe couldd not find data
wan / wn/ adjective
wan
/ wn/
adjective
Learner's definition of WAN
1 : looking sick or pale
a wan complexion

examples
401 wan 2 : having a weak quality :
She gave a wan laugh/smile.
591
wan / wn/ adjective
wan
/ wn/
adjective
Learner's definition of WAN
1 : looking sick or pale
a wan complexion

examples
401 wan 2 : having a weak quality :
She gave a wan laugh/smile.

examples
wanly adverb
She smiled wanly.

examples
wanton / wntn/
adjective
wanton
/ wntn/
592
1
: showing no thought or care for the rights,
feelings, or safety of others
Vandals were guilty of the wanton

destruction of the school property.
They were accused of wanton
cruelty toward animals.
He showed a wanton disregard for
his friend's feelings.

examples
2 : not limited or controlled
402 wanton
a life of wanton luxury

examples
3 old-fashioned, of a woman : having sex
with many men
a wanton woman

examples
wantonly adverb
They wantonly set fire to the

cabin.

examples
593
examples
3 old-fashioned, of a woman : having sex
with many men
a wanton woman

examples
wantonly adverb
They wantonly set fire to the

cabin.

examples
wantonness / wntnns/
noun [noncount]
1 weather / w/
noun
plural weathers
1 weather
/ w/
noun
plural weathers
WEATHER
1 : the state of the air and atmosphere at a
594
examples
[plural]
(Brit) She likes to ride her bike

in all weathers. [=in any kind of
weather]

examples
They have had their fair share of

stormy weather [=they have had
many problems] in their
marriage.

examples
2 [noncount] : bad or stormy weather
The hikers sought protection from

the weather under an overhang.
It looks like we're in for some
weather tomorrow.

examples
3 the weather : a report or forecast about the
weather
We'll take a look at the weather

right after this commercial break.
Check the weather before you
make plans.
595
: not feeling well : feeling sick
She's (feeling) a little under the

weather today, so she won't be
joining us.

examples
see also
2 weather / w/
verb
weathers; weathered; weathering
2 weather
/ w/
verb
weathers; weathered; weathering
WEATHER
1 [no object] : to change in color, condition,

etc., because of the effects of the sun, wind,
rain, etc., over a long period of time
The wood on the porch has

weathered over the years.

examples
2 [+ object] : to deal with or experience
(something dangerous or unpleasant)
without being harmed or damaged too much
596
weathered over the years.

examples
2 [+ object] : to deal with or experience
(something dangerous or unpleasant)
without being harmed or damaged too much
They weathered a terrible storm

while at sea.
They had to weather [=get
through] some difficult times in
the early years of their marriage.
He has weathered the criticism
well.

examples
see also weather the storm at
weathered / wd/ adjective
the sailor's tanned and weathered

face
weathered cedar

examples
weathering noun [noncount]
The rocks have been worn down

by weathering.
597
examples
see also weather the storm at
weathered / wd/ adjective
the sailor's tanned and weathered

face
weathered cedar

examples
weathering noun [noncount]
The rocks have been worn down

by weathering.

examples
whet / wt/ verb
whets; whetted; whetting
whet
/ wt/
verb
whets; whetted; whetting
Learner's definition of WHET
[+ object]
404 whet : to make (something, such as a person's
appetite or curiosity) sharper or stronger
598
examples
wistful / wstfl/
adjective
wistful
/ wstfl/
adjective
WISTFUL
[more wistful; most wistful]

: having or showing sad thoughts and feelings
about something that you want to have or do
and especially about something that made you
happy in the past
She was wistful for a moment, then

405 wistful asked, Do you remember the old
playground?
He had a wistful look on his face.

examples
wistfully adverb
He gazed at her wistfully.

examples
wistfulness noun [noncount]
599
: having or showing sad thoughts and feelings
about something that you want to have or do
and especially about something that made you
happy in the past
405 wistful She was wistful for a moment, then

asked, Do you remember the old
playground?
He had a wistful look on his face.

examples
wistfully adverb
He gazed at her wistfully.

examples
wistfulness noun [noncount]
woe / wo/ noun
plural woes
woe
/ wo/
noun
plural woes
Learner's definition of WOE
1 [noncount] : a feeling of great pain or

sadness
600
are sad or upset about something
Oh, woe is me!

examples
woe to old-fashioned or woe betide

used as a warning that there will be
trouble if someone does something
specified
Woe betide anyone who enters

here! [=anyone who enters here
will be harmed]
Woe to any student who is late for
her class. [=any student who is
late for her class will be in
trouble]

examples
1 writ / rt/ noun
plural writs
1 writ
/ rt/
noun
plural writs
Learner's definition of WRIT
601
His nervousness was writ large
on his face. [=his nervousness
could be seen clearly on his
face]

Hide examples
2 : in a very large form : on a very large
scale
National politics are just local

politics writ large.

Hide examples
writhe / ra/ verb
writhes; writhed; writhing
writhe
/ ra/
verb
writhes; writhed; writhing
WRITHE
408 writhe [no object]
: to twist your body from side to side
She lay on the floor, writhing in

pain.
a nest of writhing snakes
602
408 writhe WRITHE
[no object]
: to twist your body from side to side
She lay on the floor, writhing in

pain.
a nest of writhing snakes

examples
409 yeoman couldd not find data
410 yore couldd not find data
411 yowl couldd not find data
603
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word definition

abandons; abandoned; abandoning

The child had been abandoned

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

The approaching fire forced

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

The captain gave the order to

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

The company is doing poorly, and

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

We abandoned hope of ever

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

abandon yourself to literary

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

They all danced with (wild)

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

: something (such as a problem or a type of

For her, such a low grade on an

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

a study of sexual aberration

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

abet / bt/ verb

abets; abetted; abetting

Learner's definition of ABET

She abetted the thief in his

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

[more abject; most abject]

They live in abject

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

She thought he was an abject

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

abjectly / bktli/ adverb

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

abridges; abridged; abridging

abridge a dictionary by omitting

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

unlawful attempts to abridge

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

absolves; absolved; absolving

He was absolved of the

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

He asked the priest to absolve

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

[more accessible; most accessible]

The inn is accessible by train and

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

The information should be

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

His writing is more accessible

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

You'll find that the teachers here

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

accessibly /k ssbli/ adverb

He writes accessibly about

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

fashion/clothing accessories such

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

[+] more examples [-] hide examples

10 acme couldd not find data