# dict

Words: nothing .1
Meaning:
PHRASE: there v-link PHR\n\n14. If you say about a contest or competition that there is nothing in it, you mean that two or more of the competitors are level and have an equal chance of winning.\n  PHRASE: there v-link PHR\n\n15. Nothing of the sort is used when strongly contradicting something that has just been said.\n`We’re going to talk this over in my office.’.`We’re going to do nothing of the sort.’...\nMrs Adamson said that she was extremely sorry, in tones that made it clear that she was nothing of the sort.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR  emphasis\n\n16.\nnothing to write home about: see home\nto say nothing of: see say\nnothing short of: see short\nto stop at nothing: see stop\nto think nothing of: see think\n  see also sweet nothings


Words: nothingness
Meaning:
noth.ing.ness\n   nothingness\n1. Nothingness is the fact of not existing.\nThere might be something beyond the grave, you know, and not nothingness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Nothingness means complete emptiness.\nHer eyes, glazed with the drug, stared with half closed lids at nothingness.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: notice
Meaning:
no.tice\n   notice  notices  noticing  noticed\n1. If you notice something or someone, you become aware of them.\nPeople should not hesitate to contact the police if they’ve noticed anyone acting suspiciously...\nI noticed that most academics were writing papers during the summer...\nLuckily, I’d noticed where you left the car...\nMrs Shedden noticed a bird sitting on the garage roof...\nShe needn’t worry that he’ll think she looks a mess. He won’t notice.\n  VERB: V n, V that, V wh, V n -ing, V, also V n inf\n\n2. A notice is a written announcement in a place where everyone can read it.\nA few guest houses had `No Vacancies’ notices in their windows.\n...a notice which said `Beware Flooding’.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you give notice about something that is going to happen, you give a warning in advance that it is going to happen.\nInterest is paid monthly. Three months’ notice is required for withdrawals...\nShe was transferred without notice.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n4. A notice is a formal announcement in a newspaper or magazine about something that has happened or is going to happen.\nI rang The Globe with news of Blake’s death, and put notices in the personal column of The Times...\n  N-COUNT\n  = announcement\n5. A notice is one of a number of letters that are similar or exactly the same which an organization sends to people in order to give them information or ask them to do something.\nBonus notices were issued each year from head office to local agents...\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n6. A notice is a written article in a newspaper or magazine in which someone gives their opinion of a play, film, or concert.\nNevertheless, it’s good to know you’ve had good notices, even if you don’t read them.\n  N-COUNT\n  = review\n7. Notice is used in expressions such as `at short notice’, `at a moment’s notice’ or `at twenty-four hours’ notice’, to indicate that something can or must be done within a short period of time.\nThere’s no one available at such short notice to take her class...\nAll our things stayed in our suitcase, as if we had to leave at a moment’s notice.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v\n\n8. If you bring something to someone’s notice, you make them aware of it.\nI am so glad that you have brought this to my notice...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9. If something comes to your notice, you become aware of it.\nHer work also came to the notice of the French actor-producer Louis Jouvet...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n10. If something escapes your notice, you fail to recognize it or realize it.\nIt hasn’t escaped our notice that the hospital has come out of all the proposed changes really quite nicely...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR that\n\n11. If a situation is said to exist until further notice, it will continue for an uncertain length of time until someone changes it.\nAll flights to Lanchow had been cancelled until further notice.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n12. If an employer gives an employee notice, the employer tells the employee that he or she must leave his or her job within a fixed period of time. (BUSINESS)\nThe next morning I telephoned him and gave him his notice.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n13. If you hand in your notice or give in your notice, you tell your employer that you intend to leave your job soon within a set period of time. (BUSINESS)\nHe handed in his notice at the bank and ruined his promising career.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  = quit\n14. If you take notice of a particular fact or situation, you behave in a way that shows that you are aware of it.\nWe want the government to take notice of what we think they should do for single parents...\nThis should make people sit up and take notice.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR of n\n\n15. If you take no notice of someone or something, you do not consider them to be important enough to affect what you think or what you do.\nThey took no notice of him, he did not stand out, he was in no way remarkable...\nI tried not to take any notice at first but then I was offended by it.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR of n\n  = ignore


Words: noticeable
Meaning:
no.tice.able\n   noticeable\n  Something that is noticeable is very obvious, so that it is easy to see, hear, or recognize.\nIt is noticeable that women do not have the rivalry that men have...\nThe most noticeable effect of these changes is in the way people are now working together.\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ that\n\n=>  no.tice.ably\nStandards of living were deteriorating rather noticeably...\nThere are also many physical signs, most noticeably a change in facial features.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV group


Words: noticeboard
Meaning:
no.tice.board\n   noticeboard  noticeboards\n  A noticeboard is a board which is usually attached to a wall in order to display notices giving information about something. (BRIT; in AM, use bulletin board)\nShe added her name to the list on the noticeboard.\n  N-COUNT


Words: notifiable
Meaning:
no.ti.fi.able\n   notifiable\n  A notifiable disease or crime is one that must be reported to the authorities whenever it occurs, because it is considered to be dangerous to the community.\nMany doctors fail to report cases, even though food poisoning is a notifiable disease.\n  ADJ


Words: notification
Meaning:
no.ti.fi.ca.tion\n   notification  notifications\n  If you are given notification of something, you are officially informed of it.\nNames of the dead and injured are being withheld pending notification of relatives...\nPayments should be sent with the written notification.\n  N-VAR: oft N of n


Words: notify
Meaning:
no.ti.fy\n   notify  notifies  notifying  notified\n  If you notify someone of something, you officially inform them about it. (FORMAL)\nThe skipper notified the coastguard of the tragedy...\nEarlier this year they were notified that their homes were to be cleared away...\nShe confirmed that she would notify the police and the hospital.\n  VERB: V n of/about n, be V-ed that, V n, also V n that\n  = inform


Words: notion
Meaning:
no.tion\n   notion  notions\n  A notion is an idea or belief about something.\nWe each have a notion of just what kind of person we’d like to be...\nI reject absolutely the notion that privatisation of our industry is now inevitable...\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n/-ing/wh, N that\n  = idea


Words: notional
Meaning:
no.tion.al\n   notional\n  Something that is notional exists only in theory or as a suggestion or idea, but not in reality. (FORMAL)\n...the notional value of state assets.\n  ADJ\n  = theoretical\n=>  no.tion.al.ly\n...those who notionally supported the republic but did nothing in terms of action...\nThat meant that he, notionally at least, outranked them all.\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV with v\n  = theoretically


Words: notoriety
Meaning:
no.to.ri.ety\n   notoriety\n  To achieve notoriety means to become well-known for something bad.\nHe achieved notoriety as chief counsel to President Nixon in the Watergate break-in.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: notorious
Meaning:
no.to.ri.ous\n   notorious\n  To be notorious means to be well-known for something bad.\n...an area notorious for drugs, crime and violence...\nShe told us the story of one of Britain’s most notorious country house murders.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ for n/-ing\n  = infamous\n=>  no.to.ri.ous.ly\nThe train company is overstaffed and notoriously inefficient...\nDoctors notoriously neglect their own health and fail to seek help when they should.\n  ADV: usu ADV group, also ADV before v


Words: notwithstanding
Meaning:
not.with.stand.ing\n   notwithstanding\n  If something is true notwithstanding something else, it is true in spite of that other thing. (FORMAL)\nHe despised William Pitt, notwithstanding the similar views they both held.\n  PREP\n\n  Notwithstanding is also an adverb.\nHis relations with colleagues, differences of opinion notwithstanding, were unfailingly friendly.\n  ADV: n ADV


Words: nougat
Meaning:
nou.gat\n   nougat\n  Nougat is a kind of firm sweet, containing nuts and sometimes fruit.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: nought
Meaning:
nought  noughts\n\n  The spelling naught is also used for meaning 2.\n\n1. Nought is the number 0. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use zero)\nSales rose by nought point four per cent last month...\nHouses are graded from nought to ten for energy efficiency...\n  NUM\n  = zero\n2. If you try to do something but your efforts are not successful, you can say that your efforts come to nought. (FORMAL)\nNumerous attempts to persuade him to write his memoirs came to nought.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: noun
Meaning:
noun  nouns\n  A noun is a word such as `car’, `love’, or `Anne’ which is used to refer to a person or thing.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also collective noun, count noun, mass noun, proper noun, singular noun, uncount noun


Words: noun group
Meaning:
noun group  noun groups\n  A noun group is a noun or pronoun, or a group of words based on a noun or pronoun. In the sentence, `He put the bottle of wine on the kitchen table’, `He’, `the bottle of wine’, and `the kitchen table’ are all noun groups.\n  N-COUNT\n  = noun phrase


Words: nourish
Meaning:
nour.ish\n   nourish  nourishes  nourishing  nourished\n1. To nourish a person, animal, or plant means to provide them with the food that is necessary for life, growth, and good health.\nThe food she eats nourishes both her and the baby.\n...microbes in the soil which nourish the plant.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n=>  nour.ish.ing\nMost of these nourishing substances are in the yolk of the egg.\n...sensible, nourishing food.\n  ADJ\n\n2. To nourish something such as a feeling or belief means to allow or encourage it to grow.\nJournalists on the whole don’t create public opinion. They can help to nourish it.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3.\n  see also -nourished


Words: nourishment
Meaning:
nour.ish.ment\n   nourishment\n1. If something provides a person, animal, or plant with nourishment, it provides them with the food that is necessary for life, growth, and good health.\nHe was unable to take nourishment for several days.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. The action of nourishing someone or something, or the experience of being nourished, can be referred to as nourishment.\nSugar gives quick relief to hunger but provides no lasting nourishment.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: nous
Meaning:
nous\n  Nous is intelligence or common sense. (BRIT)\nFew ministers have the nous or the instinct required to understand the ramifications...\nHe is a man of extraordinary vitality, driving ambition and political nous.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp


Words: nouveau riche
Meaning:
nou.veau riche\n   nouveau riche  nouveau riche  or nouveaux riches   also nouveau-riche\n1. The nouveaux riches are people who have only recently become rich and who have tastes and manners that some people consider vulgar.\nThe nouveau riche have to find a way to be accepted...\n  N-PLURAL: usu the N  disapproval\n\n2. Nouveau-riche means belonging or relating to the nouveaux riches.\n...critics who did not appreciate his nouveau-riche taste.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: nouvelle cuisine
Meaning:
nou.velle cui.sine\n   nouvelle cuisine\n  Nouvelle cuisine is a style of cooking in which very fresh foods are lightly cooked and served in unusual combinations. You can also refer to food that has been cooked in this way as nouvelle cuisine.\n...dining out is easy with everything from a hamburger to hyper expensive nouvelle cuisine on your doorstep.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: novel
Meaning:
nov.el\n   novel  novels\n1. A novel is a long written story about imaginary people and events.\n...a novel by Herman Hesse...\n...historical novels set in the time of the Pharaohs.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Novel things are new and different from anything that has been done, experienced, or made before.\nProtesters found a novel way of demonstrating against steeply rising oil prices...\nThe very idea of a sixth form college was novel in 1962.\n  ADJ


Words: novelist
Meaning:
nov.el.ist\n   novelist  novelists\n  A novelist is a person who writes novels.\n...a romantic novelist.\n  N-COUNT


Words: novella
Meaning:
no.vel.la\n   novella  novellas\n  A novella is a short novel or a long short story.\n...an autobiographical novella from French writer Marguerite Duras.\n  N-COUNT


Words: novelty
Meaning:
nov.el.ty\n   novelty  novelties\n1. Novelty is the quality of being different, new, and unusual.\nIn the contemporary western world, rapidly changing styles cater to a desire for novelty and individualism.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft the N of n\n\n2. A novelty is something that is new and therefore interesting.\nIt came from the days when a motor car was a novelty.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Novelties are cheap toys, ornaments, or other objects that are sold as presents or souvenirs.\nAt Easter, we give them plastic eggs filled with small toys, novelties and coins.\n  N-COUNT


Words: November
Meaning:
No.vem.ber\n   November  Novembers\n  November is the eleventh month of the year in the Western calendar.\nHe arrived in London in November 1939...\nThere’s no telling what the voters will do next November.\n  N-VAR


Words: novice
Meaning:
nov.ice\n   novice  novices\n1. A novice is someone who has been doing a job or other activity for only a short time and so is not experienced at it.\nI’m a novice at these things, Lieutenant. You’re the professional...\nAs a novice writer, this is something I’m interested in.\n  N-COUNT: oft N at n, N n\n\n2. In a monastery or convent, a novice is a person who is preparing to become a monk or nun.\n  N-COUNT


Words: now
Meaning:
now\n1. You use now to refer to the present time, often in contrast to a time in the past or the future.\nShe’s a widow now...\nBut we are now a much more fragmented society...\nBeef now costs well over 30 roubles a pound...\nShe should know that by now.\n  ADV: ADV with cl, oft prep ADV\n\n  Now is also a pronoun.\nNow is the time when we must all live as economically as possible.\n  PRON\n\n2. If you do something now, you do it immediately.\nI’m sorry, but I must go now...\nI fear that if I don’t write now I shall never have another opportunity to do so.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n  Now is also a pronoun.\nNow is your chance to talk to him.\n  PRON\n\n3. You use now or now that to indicate that an event has occurred and as a result something else may or will happen.\nNow you’re settled, why don’t you take up some serious study?...\nNow that she was retired she lived with her sister.\n  CONJ\n\n4. You use now to indicate that a particular situation is the result of something that has recently happened.\nShe told me not to repeat it, but now I don’t suppose it matters...\nDiplomats now expect the mission to be much less ambitious.\n  ADV: ADV with cl, ADV before v\n\n5. In stories and accounts of past events, now is used to refer to the particular time that is being written or spoken about.\nShe felt a little better now...\nIt was too late now for Blake to lock his room door...\nBy now it was completely dark outside.\n  ADV: ADV with cl, oft prep ADV\n\n6. You use now in statements which specify the length of time up to the present that something has lasted.\nThey’ve been married now for 30 years...\nThey have been missing for a long time now...\nIt’s some days now since I heard anything.\n  ADV: ADV with v, n ADV\n\n7. You say `Now’ or `Now then’ to indicate to the person or people you are with that you want their attention, or that you are about to change the subject. (SPOKEN)\n`Now then,’ Max said, `to get back to the point.’...\nNow, can we move on and discuss the vital business of the day, please.\n  ADV: ADV cl\n\n8. You use now to give a slight emphasis to a request or command. (SPOKEN)\nCome on now. You know you must be hungry...\nCome and sit down here, now...\nNow don’t talk so loud and bother him, honey.\n  ADV: ADV with cl\n\n9. You can say `Now’ to introduce information which is relevant to the part of a story or account that you have reached, and which needs to be known before you can continue. (SPOKEN)\nMy son went to Almeria in Southern Spain. Now he and his wife are people who love a quiet holiday...\nNow, I hadn’t told him these details, so he must have done some research on his own.\n  ADV: ADV cl\n\n10. You say `Now’ to introduce something which contrasts with what you have just said. (SPOKEN)\nNow, if it was me, I’d want to do more than just change the locks...\n  ADV: ADV cl\n\n11. If you say that something happens now and then or every now and again, you mean that it happens sometimes but not very often or regularly.\nMy father has a collection of magazines to which I return every now and then...\nNow and again he’d join in when we were playing video games.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n12. If you say that something will happen any day now, any moment now, or any time now, you mean that it will happen very soon.\nJim expects to be sent to Europe any day now...\nAny moment now the silence will be broken.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n13. People such as television presenters sometimes use now for when they are going to start talking about a different subject or presenting a new activity. (SPOKEN)\nAnd now for something completely different...\nNow for a quick look at some of the other stories in the news.\n  PHRASE: PHR n\n\n14. Just now means a very short time ago. (SPOKEN)\nYou looked pretty upset just now...\nI spoke just now of being in love...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n15. You use just now when you want to say that a particular situation exists at the time when you are speaking, although it may change in the future. (SPOKEN)\nI’m pretty busy just now...\n(next)


Words: now .1
Meaning:
Mr Goldsworth is not available just now.\n  PHRASE: cl PHR\n\n16. If you say `It’s now or never’, you mean that something must be done immediately, because if it is not done immediately there will not be another chance to do it. (SPOKEN)\nIt’s now or never, so make up your mind...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n17. You can say `now, now’ as a friendly way of trying to comfort someone who is upset or distressed. (SPOKEN)\n`I figure it’s all over.’.`Now, now. You did just fine.’\n  CONVENTION\n  = there there\n18. You can say `Now, then’ or `Now, now’ when you want to give someone you know well a friendly warning not to behave in a particular way. (SPOKEN)\nNow then, no unpleasantness, please...\nNow, now Roger, I’m sure you didn’t mean it but that remark was in very poor taste.\n  CONVENTION


Words: nowadays
Meaning:
nowa.days\n   nowadays\n  Nowadays means at the present time, in contrast with the past.\nNowadays it’s acceptable for women to be ambitious. But it wasn’t then...\nI don’t see much of Tony nowadays.\n  ADV: ADV with cl


Words: nowhere
Meaning:
no.where\n   nowhere\n1. You use nowhere to emphasize that a place has more of a particular quality than any other places, or that it is the only place where something happens or exists.\nNowhere is language a more serious issue than in Hawaii...\nThis kind of forest exists nowhere else in the world...\nIf you are extremely rich, you could stay nowhere better than the Ruislip Court Hotel.\n  ADV: ADV with be, ADV after v, oft ADV cl/group  emphasis\n\n2. You use nowhere when making negative statements to say that a suitable place of the specified kind does not exist.\nThere was nowhere to hide and nowhere to run...\nI have nowhere else to go, nowhere in the world...\nHe had nowhere to call home.\n  ADV: be ADV, ADV after v, usu ADV to-inf, ADV adj/-ed to-inf\n\n3. You use nowhere to indicate that something or someone cannot be seen or found.\nMichael glanced anxiously down the corridor, but Wilfred was nowhere to be seen...\nThe escaped prisoner was nowhere in sight...\n  ADV: be ADV, oft ADV to-inf, ADV adv/prep\n\n4. You can use nowhere to refer in a general way to small, unimportant, or uninteresting places.\n...endless paths that led nowhere in particular.\n...country roads that go from nowhere to nowhere.\n  ADV: ADV after v, from/to ADV\n\n5. If you say that something or someone appears from nowhere or out of nowhere, you mean that they appear suddenly and unexpectedly.\nA car came from nowhere, and I had to jump back into the hedge just in time...\nHouses had sprung up out of nowhere on the hills.\n  ADV: from/out of ADV\n\n6. You use nowhere to mean not in any part of a text, speech, or argument.\nHe nowhere offers concrete historical background to support his arguments...\nPoint taken, but nowhere did we suggest that this yacht’s features were unique...\nThe most important issue for most ordinary people was nowhere on the proposed agenda.\n  ADV: ADV before v, be ADV, oft ADV prep  emphasis\n\n7. If you say that a place is in the middle of nowhere, you mean that it is a long way from other places.\nAt dusk we pitched camp in the middle of nowhere.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v, v-link PHR\n\n8. If you say that you are getting nowhere, or getting nowhere fast, or that something is getting you nowhere, you mean that you are not achieving anything or having any success.\nMy mind won’t stop going round and round on the same subject and I seem to be getting nowhere...\n`Getting nowhere fast,’ pronounced Crosby, `that’s what we’re doing.’...\nOh, stop it! This is getting us nowhere.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9. If you use nowhere near in front of a word or expression, you are emphasizing that the real situation is very different from, or has not yet reached, the state which that word or expression suggests.\nHe’s nowhere near recovered yet from his experiences...\nThe chair he sat in was nowhere near as comfortable as the custom-designed one behind his desk.\n  PHRASE  emphasis


Words: nowt
Meaning:
nowt\n  Nowt is sometimes used to mean the same as `nothing’. (BRIT DIALECT)\nI’d got nowt to worry about...\n  PRON


Words: noxious
Meaning:
nox.ious\n   noxious\n1. A noxious gas or substance is poisonous or very harmful.\nMany household products give off noxious fumes.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If you refer to someone or something as noxious, you mean that they are extremely unpleasant. (FORMAL)\n...the heavy, noxious smell of burning sugar, butter, fats, and flour...\nTheir behaviour was noxious.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: nozzle
Meaning:
noz.zle\n   nozzle  nozzles\n  The nozzle of a hose or pipe is a narrow piece fitted to the end to control the flow of liquid or gas.\nIf he put his finger over the nozzle he could produce a forceful spray.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nr
Meaning:
In addresses, nr is used as a written abbreviation for near. (BRIT)\nBrackhurst Agricultural College, nr Southwell, Notts.


Words: nth
Meaning:
nth\n  If you refer to the most recent item in a series of things as the nth item, you are emphasizing the number of times something has happened.\nThe story was raised with me for the nth time two days before the article appeared.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n  = umpteenth


Words: nuance
Meaning:
nu.ance\n   nuance  nuances\n  A nuance is a small difference in sound, feeling, appearance, or meaning.\nWe can use our eyes and facial expressions to communicate virtually every subtle nuance of emotion there is.\n  N-VAR


Words: nub
Meaning:
nub\n  The nub of a situation, problem, or argument is the central and most basic part of it.\nThat, I think, is the nub of the problem...\nHere we reach the nub of the argument.\n  N-SING: the N, usu N of n\n  = crux


Words: nubile
Meaning:
nu.bile\n   nubile\n  A nubile woman is young, physically mature, and sexually attractive.\nWhat is this current television obsession with older men and nubile young women?\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: nuclear
Meaning:
nu.clear\n   nuclear\n1. Nuclear means relating to the nuclei of atoms, or to the energy released when these nuclei are split or combined.\n...a nuclear power station.\n...nuclear energy.\n...nuclear physics.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Nuclear means relating to weapons that explode by using the energy released when the nuclei of atoms are split or combined.\nThey rejected a demand for the removal of all nuclear weapons from UK soil.\n...nuclear testing.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = atomic


Words: nuclear capability
Meaning:
nu.clear ca.pa.bil.ity\n   nuclear capability  nuclear capabilities\n  If a country has nuclear capability, it is able to produce nuclear power and usually nuclear weapons.\n  N-VAR


Words: nuclear family
Meaning:
nu.clear fami.ly\n   nuclear family  nuclear families\n  A nuclear family is a family unit that consists of father, mother, and children.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nuclear fuel
Meaning:
nu.clear fuel\n   nuclear fuel  nuclear fuels\n  Nuclear fuel is fuel that provides nuclear energy, for example in power stations.\n  N-VAR


Words: nuclear reactor
Meaning:
nu.clear re.ac.tor\n   nuclear reactor  nuclear reactors\n  A nuclear reactor is a machine which is used to produce nuclear energy or the place where this machine and other related machinery and equipment is kept.\nThey shut down the nuclear reactor for safety reasons.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nuclear winter
Meaning:
nu.clear win.ter\n   nuclear winter\n  Nuclear winter refers to the possible effects on the environment of a war in which large numbers of nuclear weapons are used. It is thought that there would be very low temperatures and very little light during a nuclear winter.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N


Words: nuclear-free
Meaning:
nuclear-free\n  A nuclear-free place is a place where nuclear energy or nuclear weapons are forbidden.\nStrathclyde council has declared itself a nuclear-free zone.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: nucleic acid
Meaning:
nu.cleic acid\n   nucleic acid  nucleic acids\n  Nucleic acids are complex chemical substances, such as DNA, which are found in living cells. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-MASS


Words: nucleus
Meaning:
nu.cleus\n   nucleus  nuclei\n1. The nucleus of an atom or cell is the central part of it.\nNeutrons and protons are bound together in the nucleus of an atom.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. The nucleus of a group of people or things is the small number of members which form the most important part of the group.\nThe Civic Movement could be the nucleus of a centrist party of the future.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N of n\n  = core


Words: nude
Meaning:
nude  nudes\n1. A nude person is not wearing any clothes.\nThe occasional nude bather comes here...\nShe turned down .1.2 million to pose nude in Playboy...\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n\n  If you do something in the nude, you are not wearing any clothes. If you paint or draw someone in the nude, they are not wearing any clothes.\nSleeping in the nude, if it suits you, is not a bad idea...\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v\n  = naked\n2. A nude is a picture or statue of a person who is not wearing any clothes. A nude is also a person in a picture who is not wearing any clothes.\nHe was one of Australia’s most distinguished artists, renowned for his portraits, landscapes and nudes.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nudge
Meaning:
nudge  nudges  nudging  nudged\n1. If you nudge someone, you push them gently, usually with your elbow, in order to draw their attention to something.\nI nudged Stan and pointed again...\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Nudge is also a noun.\nShe slipped her arm under his and gave him a nudge.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. If you nudge someone or something into a place or position, you gently push them there.\nEdna Swinson nudged him into the sitting room...\n  VERB: V n prep/adv\n\n  Nudge is also a noun.\nMcKinnon gave the wheel another slight nudge.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n3. If you nudge someone into doing something, you gently persuade them to do it.\nBit by bit Bob had nudged Fritz into selling his controlling interest...\nForeigners must use their power to nudge the country towards greater tolerance...\nBritish tour companies are nudging clients to travel further afield.\n  VERB: V n into -ing, V n towards n, V n to-inf\n\n  Nudge is also a noun.\nI had a feeling that the challenge appealed to him. All he needed was a nudge.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n4. If someone or something is nudging a particular amount, level, or state, they have almost reached it.\nThe temperature when we were there was nudging 80.F.\n  VERB: usu cont, V n\n  = approaching


Words: nudism
Meaning:
nud.ism\n   nudism\n  Nudism is the practice of not wearing any clothes on beaches and other areas specially set aside for this purpose.\nNudism, the council decided, was doing the resort more harm than good.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = naturism\n=>  nud.ist      nudists\nThere are no nudist areas and topless sunbathing is only allowed on a few beaches.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n  = naturist


Words: nudity
Meaning:
nu.dity\n   nudity\n  Nudity is the state of wearing no clothes.\n...constant nudity and bad language on TV.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: nugget
Meaning:
nug.get\n   nugget  nuggets\n  A nugget is a small lump of something, especially gold.\n...pure high-grade gold nuggets.\n...a small nugget of butter.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N, N of n


Words: nuisance
Meaning:
nui.sance\n   nuisance  nuisances\n  If you say that someone or something is a nuisance, you mean that they annoy you or cause you a lot of problems.\nHe could be a bit of a nuisance when he was drunk...\nSorry to be a nuisance.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n  = pain\n  If someone makes a nuisance of themselves, they behave in a way that annoys other people.\nHe spent three days making an absolute nuisance of himself.\n  PHRASE: V and N inflect


Words: nuke
Meaning:
nuke  nukes  nuking  nuked\n1. A nuke is a nuclear weapon. (INFORMAL)\nThey have nukes, and if they’re sufficiently pushed, they’ll use them.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If one country nukes another, it attacks it using nuclear weapons. (INFORMAL)\nHe wanted to nuke the area.\n  VERB: V n


Words: null
Meaning:
null\n  If an agreement, a declaration, or the result of an election is null and void, it is not legally valid.\nA spokeswoman said the agreement had been declared null and void...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: nullify
Meaning:
nul.li.fy\n   nullify  nullifies  nullifying  nullified\n1. To nullify a legal decision or procedure means to declare that it is not legally valid. (FORMAL)\nHe used his broad executive powers to nullify decisions by local governments...\nIt is worth remembering that previous wills are nullified automatically upon marriage.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = invalidate\n2. To nullify something means to make it have no effect. (FORMAL)\nHe may be able to nullify that disadvantage by offering a wider variety of produce...\n  VERB: V n\n  = negate


Words: numb
Meaning:
numb  numbs  numbing  numbed\n1. If a part of your body is numb, you cannot feel anything there.\nHe could feel his fingers growing numb at their tips...\nMy legs felt numb and my toes ached.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n=>  numb.ness\nI have recently been suffering from pain and numbness in my hands.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N in n\n\n2. If you are numb with shock, fear, or grief, you are so shocked, frightened, or upset that you cannot think clearly or feel any emotion.\nThe mother, numb with grief, has trouble speaking...\nI was so shocked I went numb.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n\n\n=>  numb.ness\nMany men become more aware of emotional numbness in their 40s.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft adj N\n\n=>  numb.ly\nHe walked numbly into the cemetery.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n3. If an event or experience numbs you, you can no longer think clearly or feel any emotion.\nFor a while the shock of Philippe’s letter numbed her...\nThe horror of my experience has numbed my senses.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n  see also mind-numbing\n=>  numbed\nI’m so numbed with shock that I can hardly think.\n...the sort of numbed hush which usually follows an automobile accident.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n4. If cold weather, a drug, or a blow numbs a part of your body, you can no longer feel anything in it.\nAn injection of local anaesthetic is usually given first to numb the area...\nShe awoke with a numbed feeling in her left leg.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: number
Meaning:
num.ber\n   number  numbers  numbering  numbered\n1. A number is a word such as `two’, `nine’, or `twelve’, or a symbol such as 1, 3, or 47. You use numbers to say how many things you are referring to or where something comes in a series.\nNo, I don’t know the room number...\nStan Laurel was born at number 3, Argyll Street...\nThe number 47 bus leaves in 10 minutes.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. You use number with words such as `large’ or `small’ to say approximately how many things or people there are.\nQuite a considerable number of interviews are going on...\nI have had an enormous number of letters from single parents...\nGrowing numbers of people in the rural areas are too frightened to vote.\n  N-COUNT: adj N, usu N of n\n\n3. If there are a number of things or people, there are several of them. If there are any number of things or people, there is a large quantity of them.\nI seem to remember that Sam told a number of lies...\nThere must be any number of people in my position.\n  N-SING: a/any N, usu N of n\n\n4. You can refer to someone’s or something’s position in a list of the most successful or most popular of a particular type of thing as, for example, number one or number two.\n...the world number one, Tiger Woods...\nBefore you knew it, the single was at Number 90 in the US singles charts...\n  N-UNCOUNT: N num\n\n5. If a group of people or things numbers a particular total, that is how many there are.\nThey told me that their village numbered 100...\nThis time the dead were numbered in hundreds, not dozens.\n  VERB: V num, be V-ed in num, also V n in num\n\n6. A number is the series of numbers that you dial when you are making a telephone call.\nSarah sat down and dialled a number.\n...a list of names and telephone numbers...\nMy number is 414-3925...\n`You must have a wrong number,’ she said. `There’s no one of that name here.’\n  N-COUNT\n\n7. You can refer to a short piece of music, a song, or a dance as a number.\n...`Unforgettable’, a number that was written and performed in 1951...\nResponsibility for the dance numbers was split between Robert Alton and the young George Balanchine.\n  N-COUNT\n\n8. If someone or something is numbered among a particular group, they are believed to belong in that group. (FORMAL)\nThe Leicester Swannington Railway is numbered among Britain’s railway pioneers...\nHe numbered several Americans among his friends.\n  VERB: be V-ed among n, V n among n\n\n9. If you number something, you mark it with a number, usually starting at 1.\nHe cut his paper up into tiny squares, and he numbered each one...\n  VERB: V n\n\n10.\n  see also opposite number, prime number, serial number\n11. If you say that someone’s or something’s days are numbered, you mean that they will not survive or be successful for much longer.\nCritics believe his days are numbered because audiences are tired of watching him.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, with poss\n\n12. If you refer to the numbers game, the numbers racket, or the numbers, you are referring to an illegal lottery or illegal betting. (AM)\n  PHRASE\n\n  see also numbers game\n13.\nsafety in numbers: see safety


Words: number cruncher
Meaning:
num.ber crunch.er\n   number cruncher  number crunchers\n  If you refer to number crunchers, you mean people whose jobs involve dealing with numbers or mathematical calculations, for example in finance or statistics. (INFORMAL)\nEven if the recovery is under way, it may be some time before the official number crunchers confirm it.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: number crunching
Meaning:
num.ber crunch.ing\n   number crunching\n  If you refer to number crunching, you mean activities or processes concerned with numbers or mathematical calculation, for example in finance, statistics, or computing. (INFORMAL)\nThe computer does most of the number crunching.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: number one
Meaning:
num.ber one\n   number one  number ones\n1. Number one means better, more important, or more popular than anything else of its kind. (INFORMAL)\nThe economy is the number one issue by far...\nBy the way, I’m your number-one fan.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. In popular music, the number one is the best selling CD in any one week, or the group or person who has made that CD. (INFORMAL)\nPaula is the only artist to achieve four number ones from a debut album.\n  N-COUNT


Words: number plate
Meaning:
num.ber plate\n   number plate  number plates   also numberplate\n  A number plate is a sign on the front and back of a vehicle that shows its registration number. (BRIT; in AM, use license plate)\nHe drove a Rolls-Royce with a personalised number plate.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Number Ten
Meaning:
Num.ber Ten\n   Number Ten\n  Number Ten is often used to refer to 10 Downing Street, London, which is the official home of the British Prime Minister.\nHe called senior Unionist politicians to a meeting at Number Ten...\n  N-PROPER


Words: numberless
Meaning:
num.ber.less\n   numberless\n  If there are numberless things, there are too many to be counted. (LITERARY)\n...numberless acts of personal bravery by firefighters and rescue workers.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = countless


Words: numbers game
Meaning:
num.bers game\n   numbers game\n1. If you say that someone is playing the numbers game, you think that they are concentrating on the aspects of something which can be expressed in statistics, usually in order to mislead people.\nRegrettably, he resorts to the familiar numbers game when he boasts that fewer than 300 state enterprises currently remain in the public sector.\n  N-SING  disapproval\n\n2.\n  see also number


Words: numbskull
Meaning:
numb.skull\n   numbskull  numbskulls\n  If you refer to someone as a numbskull, you mean that they are very stupid. (INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED)\nHow were we to know that he was a numbskull?\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: numeracy
Meaning:
nu.mera.cy\n   numeracy\n  Numeracy is the ability to do arithmetic.\nSix months later John had developed literacy and numeracy skills, plus confidence.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: numeral
Meaning:
nu.mer.al\n   numeral  numerals\n  Numerals are written symbols used to represent numbers.\n...a flat, square wristwatch with classic Roman numerals.\n...the numeral six.\n  N-COUNT


Words: numerate
Meaning:
nu.mer.ate\n   numerate\n  Someone who is numerate is able to do arithmetic.\nYour children should be literate and numerate.\n  ADJ


Words: numerical
Meaning:
nu.meri.cal\n   numerical\n  Numerical means expressed in numbers or relating to numbers.\nYour job is to group them by letter and put them in numerical order.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  nu.meri.cal.ly\n...a numerically coded colour chart...\nNumerically, there are a lot of young people involved in crime.\n  ADV


Words: numerology
Meaning:
nu.mer.ol.ogy\n   numerology\n  Numerology is the study of particular numbers, such as a person’s date of birth, in the belief that they may have special significance in a person’s life.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: numerous
Meaning:
nu.mer.ous\n   numerous\n  If people or things are numerous, they exist or are present in large numbers.\nSex crimes were just as numerous as they are today...\nDespite numerous attempts to diet, her weight soared.\n  ADJ


Words: numinous
Meaning:
nu.mi.nous\n   numinous\n  Things that are numinous seem holy or spiritual and mysterious. (LITERARY)\nThe account of spiritual struggle that follows has a humbling and numinous power.\n  ADJ


Words: nun
Meaning:
nun  nuns\n  A nun is a member of a female religious community.\nMr Thomas was taught by the Catholic nuns whose school he attended.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nuncio
Meaning:
nun.cio\n   nuncio  nuncios\n  In the Roman Catholic church, a nuncio is an official who represents the Pope in a foreign country.\n...the papal nuncio.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nunnery
Meaning:
nun.nery\n   nunnery  nunneries\n  A nunnery is a group of buildings in which a community of nuns live together. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT\n  = convent


Words: nuptial
Meaning:
nup.tial\n   nuptial  nuptials\n1. Nuptial is used to refer to things relating to a wedding or to marriage. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nI went to the room which he had called the nuptial chamber.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Someone’s nuptials are their wedding celebrations. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nShe became immersed in planning her nuptials.\n  N-PLURAL: usu with poss\n  = wedding


Words: nurse
Meaning:
nurse  nurses  nursing  nursed\n1. A nurse is a person whose job is to care for people who are ill.\nShe had spent 29 years as a nurse...\nPatients were dying because of an acute shortage of nurses.\n  N-COUNT; N-TITLE; N-VOC\n\n2. If you nurse someone, you care for them when they are ill.\nAll the years he was sick my mother had nursed him...\nShe rushed home to nurse her daughter back to health.\n  VERB: V n, V n back to n\n\n3. If you nurse an illness or injury, you allow it to get better by resting as much as possible.\nWe’re going to go home and nurse our colds.\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. If you nurse an emotion or desire, you feel it strongly for a long time.\nJane still nurses the pain of rejection...\nHe had nursed an ambition to lead his own big orchestra.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = harbour\n5. When a baby nurses or when its mother nurses it, it feeds by sucking milk from its mother’s breast. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nMost authorities recommend letting the baby nurse whenever it wants.\n...young women nursing babies...\nYoung people and nursing mothers are exempted from charges.\n  VERB: V, V n, V-ing\n  = suckle\n6.\n  see also nursery nurse, nursing, wet nurse


Words: nursemaid
Meaning:
nurse.maid\n   nursemaid  nursemaids\n  A nursemaid is a woman or girl who is paid to look after young children. (AM; also BRIT OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT\n  = nurse, nanny


Words: nursery
Meaning:
nurse.ry\n   nursery  nurseries\n1. A nursery is a place where children who are not old enough to go to school are looked after.\nThis nursery will be able to cater for 29 children...\nHer company ran its own workplace nursery.\n  N-COUNT: also at/from/to N\n\n  see also day nursery\n2. Nursery is a school for very young children.\nAn affordable nursery education service is an essential basic amenity.\n...a nursery teacher.\n  N-VAR: oft N n\n\n3. A nursery is a room in a family home in which the young children of the family sleep or play.\nHe has painted murals in his children’s nursery.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A nursery is a place where plants are grown in order to be sold.\nThe garden, developed over the past 35 years, includes a nursery.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nursery nurse
Meaning:
nurse.ry nurse\n   nursery nurse  nursery nurses\n  A nursery nurse is a person who has been trained to look after very young children. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: nursery rhyme
Meaning:
nurse.ry rhyme\n   nursery rhyme  nursery rhymes\n  A nursery rhyme is a poem or song for young children, especially one that is old or well known.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nursery school
Meaning:
nurse.ry school\n   nursery school  nursery schools\n  A nursery school or a nursery is a school for very young children.\nThe availability of nursery school places varies widely across London.\n  N-VAR\n  = kindergarten


Words: nurseryman
Meaning:
nursery.man\n   nurseryman  nurserymen\n  A nurseryman is a man who works in a place where young plants are grown in order to be sold.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nursing
Meaning:
nurs.ing\n   nursing\n  Nursing is the profession of looking after people who are ill.\nShe had no aptitude for nursing...\nDoes the nursing staff seem to care?\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: nursing bottle
Meaning:
nurs.ing bot.tle\n   nursing bottle  nursing bottles\n  A nursing bottle is a plastic bottle with a special rubber top through which a baby can suck milk or another liquid. (AM; in BRIT, use feeding bottle)\n  N-COUNT


Words: nursing home
Meaning:
nurs.ing home\n   nursing home  nursing homes\n  A nursing home is a private hospital, especially one for old people.\nHe died in a nursing home at the age of 87.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nurture
Meaning:
nur.ture\n   nurture  nurtures  nurturing  nurtured\n1. If you nurture something such as a young child or a young plant, you care for it while it is growing and developing. (FORMAL)\nParents want to know the best way to nurture and raise their child to adulthood...\nThe modern conservatory is not an environment for nurturing plants.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n=>  nur.tur.ing\nShe was not receiving warm nurturing care.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  nur.tur.ing\nWhich adult in these children’s lives will provide the nurturing they need?\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you nurture plans, ideas, or people, you encourage them or help them to develop. (FORMAL)\nShe had always nurtured great ambitions for her son.\n...parents whose political views were nurtured in the sixties...\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n=>  nur.tur.ing\nThe decision to cut back on film-making had a catastrophic effect on the nurturing of new talent.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. Nurture is care that is given to someone while they are growing and developing.\nThe human organism learns partly by nature, partly by nurture.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: nut
Meaning:
nut  nuts\n1. The firm shelled fruit of some trees and bushes are called nuts. Some nuts can be eaten.\nNuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also groundnut, hazelnut, peanut\n2. A nut is a thick metal ring which you screw onto a metal rod called a bolt. Nuts and bolts are used to hold things such as pieces of machinery together.\nIf you want to repair the wheels you just undo the four nuts.\n...nuts and bolts that haven’t been tightened up.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you describe someone as, for example, a football nut or a health nut, you mean that they are extremely enthusiastic about the thing mentioned. (INFORMAL)\n...a football nut who spends thousands of pounds travelling to watch games.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = fanatic\n4. If you are nuts about something or someone, you like them very much. (INFORMAL)\nShe’s nuts about you.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ about n  feelings\n\n5. If you refer to someone as a nut, you mean that they are mad. (INFORMAL)\nThere’s some nut out there with a gun.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n\n6. If you say that someone goes nuts or is nuts, you mean that they go crazy or are very foolish. (INFORMAL)\nYou guys are nuts...\nA number of the French players went nuts, completely out of control.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n7. If someone goes nuts, or in British English does their nut, they become extremely angry. (INFORMAL)\nMy father would go nuts if he saw bruises on me...\nWe heard your sister doing her nut.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n8. If you talk about the nuts and bolts of a subject or an activity, you are referring to the detailed practical aspects of it rather than abstract ideas about it.\nHe’s more concerned about the nuts and bolts of location work.\n  PHRASE: usu the PHR of n


Words: nutcase
Meaning:
nut.case\n   nutcase  nutcases   also nut case\n  If you refer to someone as a nutcase, you mean that they are mad or that their behaviour is very strange. (INFORMAL)\nThe woman’s a nutcase. She needs locking up.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: nutcracker
Meaning:
nut.cracker\n   nutcracker  nutcrackers\n  A nutcracker is a device used to crack the shell of a nut. Nutcrackers can be used to refer to one or more of these devices.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nutmeg
Meaning:
nut.meg\n   nutmeg\n  Nutmeg is a spice made from the seed of a tree that grows in hot countries. Nutmeg is usually used to flavour sweet food.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: nutrient
Meaning:
nu.tri.ent\n   nutrient  nutrients\n  Nutrients are substances that help plants and animals to grow.\n...the role of vegetable fibres, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: nutrition
Meaning:
nu.tri.tion\n   nutrition\n  Nutrition is the process of taking food into the body and absorbing the nutrients in those foods.\nThere are alternative sources of nutrition to animal meat...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: nutritional
Meaning:
nu.tri.tion.al\n   nutritional\n  The nutritional content of food is all the substances that are in it which help you to remain healthy.\nIt does sometimes help to know the nutritional content of foods...\nCooking vegetables reduces their nutritional value.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  nu.tri.tion.al.ly\n...a nutritionally balanced diet.\n  ADV


Words: nutritionist
Meaning:
nu.tri.tion.ist\n   nutritionist  nutritionists\n  A nutritionist is a person whose job is to give advice on what you should eat to remain healthy.\nNutritionists say only 33% of our calorie intake should be from fat.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nutritious
Meaning:
nu.tri.tious\n   nutritious\n  Nutritious food contains substances which help your body to be healthy.\nIt is always important to choose enjoyable, nutritious foods...\nSome ready made meals are nutritious and very easy to prepare.\n  ADJ\n  = nourishing


Words: nutritive
Meaning:
nu.tri.tive\n   nutritive\n  The nutritive content of food is all the substances that are in it which help you to remain healthy.\nCoconut milk has little nutritive value.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = nutritional


Words: nutshell
Meaning:
nut.shell\n   nutshell\n  You can use in a nutshell to indicate that you are saying something in a very brief way, using few words.\nIn a nutshell, the owners thought they knew best...\n  PHRASE: usu PHR with cl


Words: nutter
Meaning:
nut.ter\n   nutter  nutters\n  If you refer to someone as a nutter, you mean that they are mad or that their behaviour is very strange. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHe was a bit of a nutter.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = nut, nutcase


Words: nutty
Meaning:
nut.ty\n   nutty  nuttier  nuttiest\n1. If you describe food as nutty, you mean that it tastes of nuts, has the texture of nuts, or is made with nuts.\n...nutty butter cookies...\nChick peas have a distinctive, delicious and nutty flavour.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone as nutty, you mean that their behaviour is very strange or foolish. (INFORMAL)\nHe looked like a nutty professor...\nThat’s a nutty idea.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: nuzzle
Meaning:
nuz.zle\n   nuzzle  nuzzles  nuzzling  nuzzled\n  If you nuzzle someone or something, you gently rub your nose and mouth against them to show affection.\nShe nuzzled me and I cuddled her...\nThe dog came and nuzzled up against me.\n  VERB: V n, V adv/prep


Words: nylon
Meaning:
ny.lon\n   nylon  nylons\n1. Nylon is a strong, flexible artificial fibre.\nI put on a new pair of nylon socks.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n\n2. Nylons are stockings made of nylon. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nThis woman wore seamed nylons and kept smoothing her skirt.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: nymph
Meaning:
nymph  nymphs\n1. In Greek and Roman mythology, nymphs were spirits of nature who appeared as young women.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A nymph is the larva, or young form, of an insect such as a dragonfly.\n  N-COUNT


Words: nymphomaniac
Meaning:
nym.pho.ma.ni.ac\n   nymphomaniac  nymphomaniacs\n  If someone refers to a woman as a nymphomaniac, they mean that she has sex or wants to have sex much more often than they consider normal or acceptable.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: o’
Meaning:
o’\n  O’ is used in written English to represent the word `of’ pronounced in a particular way.\nI lost a lot o’ blood...\nCan we have a cup o’ coffee, please?\n  PREP\n\n  see also o’clock


Words: o’clock
Meaning:
o’clock\n  You use o’clock after numbers from one to twelve to say what time it is. For example, if you say that it is 9 o’clock, you mean that it is nine hours after midnight or nine hours after midday.\nThe trouble began just after ten o’clock last night...\nI went to sleep, and at two o’clock in the morning I woke up.\n  ADV: num ADV


Words: o’er
Meaning:
o’er\n  O’er means the same as `over’. (LITERARY, OLD-FASHIONED)\nAs long as mist hangs o’er the mountains, the deeds of the brave will be remembered.\n  PREP


Words: O, o
Meaning:
O, o  O’s, o’s\n1. O is the fifteenth letter of the English alphabet.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. O is used to mean zero, for example when you are telling someone a telephone number, or mentioning a year such as 1908. (SPOKEN)\n  NUM\n\n3. O is used in exclamations, especially when you are expressing strong feelings. (LITERARY)\nO how mistaken you are!...\nO God, I want to go home.\n  EXCLAM  feelings\n\n  see also oh


Words: o.n.o.
Meaning:
In advertisements, o.n.o. is used after a price to indicate that the person who is selling something is willing to accept slightly less money than the sum they have mentioned. o.n.o. is a written abbreviation for `or near offer’. (BRIT)


Words: oaf
Meaning:
oaf  oafs\n  If you refer to someone, especially a man or boy, as an oaf, you think that they are impolite, clumsy, or aggressive.\nLeave the lady alone, you drunken oaf.\n  N-COUNT: oft adj N  disapproval\n  = lout


Words: oafish
Meaning:
oaf.ish\n   oafish\n  If you describe someone, especially a man or a boy, as oafish, you disapprove of their behaviour because you think that it is impolite, clumsy, or aggressive.\nThe bodyguards, as usual, were brave but oafish.\n...oafish humour.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = loutish


Words: oak
Meaning:
oak  oaks\n  An oak or an oak tree is a large tree that often grows in woods and forests and has strong, hard wood.\nMany large oaks were felled during the war.\n...forests of beech, chestnut, and oak.\n  N-VAR\n\n  Oak is the wood of this tree.\nThe cabinet was made of oak.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: OAP
Meaning:
OAP  OAPs\n  An OAP is a person who is old enough to receive an old age pension from the government. OAP is an abbreviation for `old age pensioner’. (BRIT)\n...tickets only .6 each and half that for OAPs and kids.\n  N-COUNT\n  = senior citizen


Words: oar
Meaning:
oar  oars\n  Oars are long poles with a wide, flat blade at one end which are used for rowing a boat.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oarlock
Meaning:
oar.lock\n   oarlock  oarlocks\n  The oarlocks on a rowing boat are the U-shaped pieces of metal that keep the oars in position while you move them backwards and forwards. (AM; in BRIT, use rowlock)\n  N-COUNT


Words: oasis
Meaning:
oasis  oases\n1. An oasis is a small area in a desert where water and plants are found.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can refer to a pleasant place or situation as an oasis when it is surrounded by unpleasant ones.\nThe immaculately tended gardens are an oasis in the midst of Cairo’s urban sprawl.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oath
Meaning:
oath  oaths\n1. An oath is a formal promise, especially a promise to be loyal to a person or country.\nHe took an oath of loyalty to the government...\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n  = pledge\n  see also Hippocratic oath\n2. In a court of law, when someone takes the oath, they make a formal promise to tell the truth. You can say that someone is on oath or under oath when they have made this promise.\nHis girlfriend had gone into the witness box and taken the oath...\nUnder oath, Aston finally admitted that he had lied...\nThree officers gave evidence on oath against him.\n  N-SING: the N, also on/under N\n\n3. An oath is an offensive or emphatic word or expression which you use when you are angry or shocked. (WRITTEN)\nWellor let out a foul oath and hurled himself upon him.\n  N-COUNT\n  = curse


Words: oatmeal
Meaning:
oat.meal\n   oatmeal\n1. Oatmeal is a kind of flour made by crushing oats.\n...oatmeal biscuits.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n\n2. Oatmeal is a thick sticky food made from oats cooked in water or milk and eaten hot, especially for breakfast. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use porridge)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = porridge


Words: oats
Meaning:
oats\n\n  The form oat is used as a modifier.\n\n1. Oats are a cereal crop or its grains, used for making biscuits or a food called porridge, or for feeding animals.\nOats provide good, nutritious food for horses.\n...oat bran.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n2. If a young person sows their wild oats, they behave in a rather uncontrolled way, especially by having a lot of sexual relationships.\nThe kids need to sow a few wild oats.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: obduracy
Meaning:
ob.du.ra.cy\n   obduracy\n  If you accuse someone of obduracy, you think their refusal to change their decision or opinion is unreasonable. (FORMAL)\nMPs have accused the government of obduracy and called on ministers to reverse their decision.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval\n  = obstinacy


Words: obdurate
Meaning:
ob.du.rate\n   obdurate\n  If you describe someone as obdurate, you think that they are being unreasonable in their refusal to change their decision or opinion. (FORMAL)\nParts of the administration may be changing but others have been obdurate defenders of the status quo.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = obstinate


Words: obedient
Meaning:
obedi.ent\n   obedient\n  A person or animal who is obedient does what they are told to do.\nHe was very respectful at home and obedient to his parents...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  obedi.ence\n...unquestioning obedience to the law...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N to n\n\n=>  obedi.ent.ly\nHe was looking obediently at Keith, waiting for orders.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: obeisance
Meaning:
obei.sance\n   obeisance  obeisances\n1. Obeisance to someone or something is great respect shown for them. (FORMAL)\nWhile he was still young and strong all paid obeisance to him.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N to n\n\n2. An obeisance is a physical gesture, especially a bow, that you make in order to show your respect for someone or something. (FORMAL)\nOne by one they came forward, mumbled grudging words of welcome, made awkward obeisances.\n  N-VAR


Words: obelisk
Meaning:
ob.elisk\n   obelisk  obelisks\n  An obelisk is a tall stone pillar that has been built in honour of a person or an important event.\n  N-COUNT


Words: obese
Meaning:
obese\n  If someone is obese, they are extremely fat.\nObese people tend to have higher blood pressure than lean people.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  obesity\n...the excessive consumption of sugar that leads to problems of obesity.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: obey
Meaning:
obey  obeys  obeying  obeyed\n  If you obey a person, a command, or an instruction, you do what you are told to do.\nCissie obeyed her mother without question...\nMost people obey the law...\nIt was still Baker’s duty to obey.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V


Words: obfuscate
Meaning:
ob.fus.cate\n   obfuscate  obfuscates  obfuscating  obfuscated\n  To obfuscate something means to deliberately make it seem confusing and difficult to understand. (FORMAL)\nThey are obfuscating the issue, as only insurance companies can...\nMacdonald accepted that such information could be used to manipulate, to obfuscate, and to mislead.\n  VERB: V n, V\n  !=elucidate


Words: obituary
Meaning:
obi.tu.ary\n   obituary  obituaries\n  Someone’s obituary is an account of their life and character which is printed in a newspaper or broadcast soon after they die.\nI read your brother’s obituary in the Times.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N


Words: object
Meaning:
ob.ject\n   object objects objecting  objected\nThe noun is pronounced   The verb is pronounced\n1. An object is anything that has a fixed shape or form, that you can touch or see, and that is not alive.\n...an object the shape of a coconut...\nIn the cosy consulting room the children are surrounded by familiar objects.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The object of what someone is doing is their aim or purpose.\nThe object of the exercise is to raise money for the charity...\nMy object was to publish a scholarly work on Peter Mourne.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss\n\n3. The object of a particular feeling or reaction is the person or thing it is directed towards or that causes it.\nThe object of her hatred was 24-year-old model Ros French...\nThe object of great interest at the Temple was a large marble tower built in memory of Buddha...\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n\n  see also sex object\n4. In grammar, the object of a verb or a preposition is the word or phrase which completes the structure begun by the verb or preposition.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also direct object, indirect object\n5. If you object to something, you express your dislike or disapproval of it.\nA lot of people will object to the book...\nCullen objected that his small staff would be unable to handle the added work...\nWe objected strongly but were outvoted...\n`Hey, I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Russo objected.\n  VERB: V to n, V that, V, V with quote\n\n6. If you say that money is no object or distance is no object, you are emphasizing that you are willing or able to spend as much money as necessary or travel whatever distance is required.\nHugh Johnson’s shop in London has a range of superb Swedish crystal glasses that I would have if money were no object...\nAlthough he was based in Wales, distance was no object.\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis


Words: object lesson
Meaning:
ob.ject les.son\n   object lesson  object lessons\n  If you describe an action, event, or situation as an object lesson, you think that it demonstrates the correct way to do something, or that it demonstrates the truth of a particular principle.\nIt was an object lesson in how to use television as a means of persuasion.\n  N-COUNT: oft N on/in n\n  = example


Words: object-oriented
Meaning:
object-oriented\n  In computing, object-oriented programming involves dealing with code and data in blocks so that it is easier to change or do things with.\n...object-oriented software.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: objection
Meaning:
ob.jec.tion\n   objection  objections\n1. If you make or raise an objection to something, you say that you do not like it or agree with it.\nSome managers have recently raised objection to the PFA handling these negotiations...\nDespite objections by the White House, the Senate voted today to cut off aid.\n  N-VAR\n  !=approval\n2. If you say that you have no objection to something, you mean that you are not annoyed or bothered by it.\nI have no objection to banks making money...\nI no longer have any objection to your going to see her.\n  N-UNCOUNT: with brd-neg


Words: objectionable
Meaning:
ob.jec.tion.able\n   objectionable\n  If you describe someone or something as objectionable, you consider them to be extremely offensive and unacceptable. (FORMAL)\nI don’t like your tone young woman, in fact I find it highly objectionable...\n  ADJ


Words: objective
Meaning:
ob.jec.tive\n   objective  objectives\n1. Your objective is what you are trying to achieve.\nOur main objective was the recovery of the child safe and well...\nHis objective was to play golf and win.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss\n  = aim, goal\n2. Objective information is based on facts.\nHe had no objective evidence that anything extraordinary was happening.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  ob.jec.tive.ly\nWe simply want to inform people objectively about events.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v\n\n=>  ob.jec.tiv.ity\nThe poll, whose objectivity is open to question, gave the party a 39% share of the vote.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If someone is objective, they base their opinions on facts rather than on their personal feelings.\nI believe that a journalist should be completely objective...\nI would really like to have your objective opinion on this.\n  ADJ\n  = impartial  !=subjective\n=>  ob.jec.tive.ly\nTry to view situations more objectively, especially with regard to work.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v\n\n=>  ob.jec.tiv.ity\nThe psychiatrist must learn to maintain an unusual degree of objectivity.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: objector
Meaning:
ob.ject.or\n   objector  objectors\n  An objector is someone who states or shows that they oppose or disapprove of something.\nThe district council agreed with the objectors and turned down the application.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=supporter\n  see also conscientious objector


Words: objet d’art
Meaning:
ob.jet d’art\n   objet d’art  objets d’art\n  Objets d’art are small ornaments that are considered to be attractive and of quite good quality. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: obligate
Meaning:
ob.li.gate\n   obligate  obligates  obligating  obligated\n  If something obligates you to do a particular thing, it creates a situation where you have to do it. (FORMAL)\nThe ruling obligates airlines to release information about their flight delays...\n  VERB: V n to-inf


Words: obligated
Meaning:
ob.li.gat.ed\n   obligated\n  If you feel obligated to do something, you feel that it is your duty to do it. If you are obligated to someone, you feel that it is your duty to look after them. (FORMAL)\nI felt obligated to let him read the letter...\nHe had got a girl pregnant and felt obligated to her and the child.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to-inf, ADJ to n


Words: obligation
Meaning:
ob.li.ga.tion\n   obligation  obligations\n1. If you have an obligation to do something, it is your duty to do that thing.\nWhen teachers assign homework, students usually feel an obligation to do it...\nMinisters are under no obligation to follow the committee’s recommendations.\n  N-VAR: usu N to-inf\n\n2. If you have an obligation to a person, it is your duty to look after them or protect their interests.\nThe United States will do that which is necessary to meet its obligations to its own citizens...\nI have an ethical and a moral obligation to my client.\n  N-VAR: usu N to n\n  = responsibility\n3. In advertisements, if a product or a service is available without obligation, you do not have to pay for that product or service until you have tried it and are satisfied with it.\nIf you are selling your property, why not call us for a free valuation without obligation?...\n  PHRASE


Words: obligatory
Meaning:
ob.liga.tory\n   obligatory\n1. If something is obligatory, you must do it because of a rule or a law.\nMost women will be offered an ultrasound scan during pregnancy, although it’s not obligatory...\nThese rates do not include the charge for obligatory medical consultations.\n  ADJ\n  = compulsory  !=optional\n2. If you describe something as obligatory, you mean that it is done from habit or custom and not because the person involved has thought carefully about it or really means it.\nShe was wearing the obligatory sweater and pearl necklace.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = customary


Words: oblige
Meaning:
oblige  obliges  obliging  obliged\n1. If you are obliged to do something, a situation, rule, or law makes it necessary for you to do that thing.\nThe storm got worse and worse. Finally, I was obliged to abandon the car and continue on foot...\nThis decree obliges unions to delay strikes.\n  VERB: be V-ed to-inf, V n to-inf\n  = compel\n2. To oblige someone means to be helpful to them by doing what they have asked you to do.\nIf you ever need help with the babysitting, I’d be glad to oblige...\nWe called up three economists to ask how to eliminate the deficit and they obliged with very straightforward answers...\nMr Oakley always has been ready to oblige journalists with information.\n  VERB: V, V with n, V n with n, also V n\n\n3. People sometimes use obliged in expressions such as `much obliged’ or `I am obliged to you’ when they want to indicate that they are very grateful for something. (FORMAL or OLD-FASHIONED)\nMuch obliged for your assistance...\nThank you very much indeed, Doctor, I am extremely obliged to you.\n  CONVENTION  formulae\n\n4. If you tell someone that you would be obliged or should be obliged if they would do something, you are telling them in a polite but firm way that you want them to do it. (FORMAL)\nI would be obliged if you could read it to us.\n  CONVENTION  politeness


Words: obliging
Meaning:
oblig.ing\n   obliging\n  If you describe someone as obliging, you think that they are willing and eager to be helpful. (OLD-FASHIONED or WRITTEN)\nHe is an extremely pleasant and obliging man.\n  ADJ  approval\n  = accommodating\n=>  oblig.ing.ly\nHe swung round and strode towards the door. Benedict obligingly held it open.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: oblique
Meaning:
oblique\n1. If you describe a statement as oblique, you mean that is not expressed directly or openly, making it difficult to understand.\nMr Golding delivered an oblique warning, talking of the danger of sudden action.\n  ADJ\n  = indirect\n=>  oblique.ly\nHe obliquely referred to the US, Britain and Saudi Arabia.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n  = indirectly\n2. An oblique line is a straight line that is not horizontal or vertical. An oblique angle is any angle other than a right angle.\nIt lies between the plain and the sea at an oblique angle to the coastline.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  oblique.ly\nThis muscle runs obliquely downwards inside the abdominal cavity.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: obliterate
Meaning:
oblit.erate\n   obliterate  obliterates  obliterating  obliterated\n1. If something obliterates an object or place, it destroys it completely.\nTheir warheads are enough to obliterate the world several times over...\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  oblit.era.tion\n...the obliteration of three isolated rainforests.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. If you obliterate something such as a memory, emotion, or thought, you remove it completely from your mind. (LITERARY)\nThere was time enough to obliterate memories of how things once were for him.\n  VERB: V n\n  = eradicate


Words: oblivion
Meaning:
oblivi.on\n   oblivion\n1. Oblivion is the state of not being aware of what is happening around you, for example because you are asleep or unconscious.\nHe just drank himself into oblivion...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu into N\n\n2. Oblivion is the state of having been forgotten or of no longer being considered important.\nIt seems that the so-called new theory is likely to sink into oblivion.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu into N\n  = obscurity\n3. If you say that something is bombed or blasted into oblivion, you are emphasizing that it is completely destroyed.\nAn entire poor section of town was bombed into oblivion.\n  N-UNCOUNT: into N  emphasis


Words: oblivious
Meaning:
oblivi.ous\n   oblivious\n  If you are oblivious to something or oblivious of it, you are not aware of it.\nShe lay motionless where she was, oblivious to pain...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to/of n\n\n=>  ob.livi.ous.ly\nBurke was asleep, sprawled obliviously against the window.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  ob.livi.ous.ness\nHer obliviousness of what was happening in Germany seems extraordinary.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: oblong
Meaning:
ob.long\n   oblong  oblongs\n  An oblong is a shape which has two long sides and two short sides and in which all the angles are right angles.\n...an oblong table.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n  = rectangle


Words: obnoxious
Meaning:
ob.nox.ious\n   obnoxious\n  If you describe someone as obnoxious, you think that they are very unpleasant.\nOne of the parents was a most obnoxious character. No-one liked him...\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: oboe
Meaning:
oboe  oboes\n  An oboe is a musical instrument shaped like a tube which you play by blowing through a double reed in the top end.\n  N-VAR: oft the N


Words: obscene
Meaning:
ob.scene\n   obscene\n1. If you describe something as obscene, you mean it offends you because it relates to sex or violence in a way that you think is unpleasant and shocking.\nI’m not prudish but I think these photographs are obscene...\nHe continued to use obscene language and also to make threats.\n  ADJ\n\n2. In legal contexts, books, pictures, or films which are judged obscene are illegal because they deal with sex or violence in a way that is considered offensive to the general public.\nA city magistrate ruled that the novel was obscene and copies should be destroyed...\n  ADJ\n\n3. If you describe something as obscene, you disapprove of it very strongly and consider it to be offensive or immoral.\nIt was obscene to spend millions producing unwanted food...\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf/that  disapproval\n  = offensive


Words: obscenity
Meaning:
ob.scen.ity\n   obscenity  obscenities\n1. Obscenity is behaviour, art, or language that is sexual and offends or shocks people.\nHe insisted these photographs were not art but obscenity...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. An obscenity is a very offensive word or expression.\nThey shouted obscenities at us and smashed bottles on the floor.\n  N-VAR


Words: obscurantism
Meaning:
ob.scu.rant.ism\n   obscurantism\n  Obscurantism is the practice or policy of deliberately making something vague and difficult to understand, especially in order to prevent people from finding out the truth. (FORMAL or WRITTEN)\n...legalistic obscurantism.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: obscurantist
Meaning:
ob.scu.rant.ist\n   obscurantist\n  If you describe something as obscurantist, you mean that it is deliberately vague and difficult to understand, so that it prevents people from finding out the truth about it. (FORMAL or WRITTEN)\nI think that a lot of poetry published today is obscurantist nonsense.\n  ADJ


Words: obscure
Meaning:
ob.scure\n   obscure  obscurer  obscurest  obscures  obscuring  obscured\n1. If something or someone is obscure, they are unknown, or are known by only a few people.\nThe origin of the custom is obscure...\nThe hymn was written by an obscure Greek composer for the 1896 Athens Olympics.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Something that is obscure is difficult to understand or deal with, usually because it involves so many parts or details.\nThe contracts are written in obscure language...\n  ADJ\n  !=straightforward\n3. If one thing obscures another, it prevents it from being seen or heard properly.\nOne wall of the parliament building is now almost completely obscured by a huge banner.\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. To obscure something means to make it difficult to understand.\n...the jargon that frequently obscures educational writing...\nThis issue has been obscured by recent events.\n  VERB: V n, V n


Words: obscurity
Meaning:
ob.scu.rity\n   obscurity  obscurities\n1. Obscurity is the state of being known by only a few people.\nFor the lucky few, there’s the chance of being plucked from obscurity and thrown into the glamorous world of modelling...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=fame\n2. Obscurity is the quality of being difficult to understand. An obscurity is something that is difficult to understand.\n`How can that be?’ asked Hunt, irritated by the obscurity of Henry’s reply...\n  N-VAR


Words: obsequious
Meaning:
ob.se.qui.ous\n   obsequious\n  If you describe someone as obsequious, you are criticizing them because they are too eager to help or agree with someone more important than them.\nBarrow was positively obsequious to me until he learnt that I too was the son of a labouring man.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = servile\n=>  ob.se.qui.ous.ly\nHe smiled and bowed obsequiously to Winger.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  ob.se.qui.ous.ness\nI told him to get lost and leave me alone and his tone quickly changed from obsequiousness to outright anger.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: observable
Meaning:
ob.serv.able\n   observable\n  Something that is observable can be seen.\nMars is too faint and too low in the sky to be observable.\n  ADJ


Words: observance
Meaning:
ob.ser.vance\n   observance  observances\n  The observance of something such as a law or custom is the practice of obeying or following it.\nLocal councils should use their powers to ensure strict observance of laws.\n  N-VAR


Words: observant
Meaning:
ob.ser.vant\n   observant\n  Someone who is observant pays a lot of attention to things and notices more about them than most people do.\nThat’s a marvellous description, Mrs Drummond. You’re unusually observant...\nAn observant doctor can often detect depression from expression, posture, and movement.\n  ADJ


Words: observation
Meaning:
ob.ser.va.tion\n   observation  observations\n1. Observation is the action or process of carefully watching someone or something.\n...careful observation of the movement of the planets...\nIn hospital she’ll be under observation all the time.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. An observation is something that you have learned by seeing or watching something and thinking about it.\nThis book contains observations about the causes of addictions.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If a person makes an observation, they make a comment about something or someone, usually as a result of watching how they behave.\n`You’re an obstinate man,’ she said. `Is that a criticism,’ I said, `or just an observation?’.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. Observation is the ability to pay a lot of attention to things and to notice more about them than most people do.\nShe has good powers of observation.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: observational
Meaning:
ob.ser.va.tion.al\n   observational\n  Observational means relating to the watching of people or things, especially in order to learn something new. (FORMAL)\n...observational humour...\nThe observational work is carried out on a range of telescopes.\n  ADJ


Words: observatory
Meaning:
ob.ser.va.tory\n   observatory  observatories\n  An observatory is a building with a large telescope from which scientists study things such as the planets by watching them.\n  N-COUNT


Words: observe
Meaning:
ob.serve\n   observe  observes  observing  observed\n1. If you observe a person or thing, you watch them carefully, especially in order to learn something about them.\nStern also studies and observes the behaviour of babies...\nOur sniper teams observed them manning an anti-aircraft gun.\n  VERB: V n, V n -ing, also V, V n inf\n\n2. If you observe someone or something, you see or notice them. (FORMAL)\nIn 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If you observe that something is the case, you make a remark or comment about it, especially when it is something you have noticed and thought about a lot. (FORMAL)\nWe observe that the first calls for radical transformation did not begin until the period of the industrial revolution...\n`He is a fine young man,’ observed Stephen.\n  VERB: V that, V with quote\n\n4. If you observe something such as a law or custom, you obey it or follow it.\nImposing speed restrictions is easy, but forcing motorists to observe them is trickier...\nThe army was observing a ceasefire...\n  VERB: V n, V n


Words: observer
Meaning:
ob.serv.er\n   observer  observers\n1. You can refer to someone who sees or notices something as an observer.\nA casual observer would have taken them to be three men out for an evening stroll...\nObservers say the woman pulled a knife out of the bunch of flowers and stabbed him in the neck.\n  N-COUNT\n  = witness\n2. An observer is someone who studies current events and situations, especially in order to comment on them and predict what will happen next. (JOURNALISM)\nPolitical observers believe that a new cabinet may be formed shortly.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n\n3. An observer is a person who is sent to observe an important event or situation, especially in order to make sure it happens as it should, or so that they can tell other people about it.\nThe president suggested that a UN observer should attend the conference.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N


Words: obsess
Meaning:
ob.sess\n   obsess  obsesses  obsessing  obsessed\n  If something obsesses you or if you obsess about something, you keep thinking about it and find it difficult to think about anything else.\nA string of scandals is obsessing America...\nShe stopped drinking but began obsessing about her weight...\nI started obsessing that Trish might die.\n  VERB: V n, V about/over n, V that


Words: obsessed
Meaning:
ob.sessed\n   obsessed\n  If someone is obsessed with a person or thing, they keep thinking about them and find it difficult to think about anything else.\nHe was obsessed with American gangster movies...\nShe wasn’t in love with Steve, she was obsessed by him physically.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with/by n


Words: obsession
Meaning:
ob.ses.sion\n   obsession  obsessions\n  If you say that someone has an obsession with a person or thing, you think they are spending too much time thinking about them.\nShe would try to forget her obsession with Christopher...\n95% of patients know their obsessions are irrational.\n  N-VAR: oft N with n


Words: obsessional
Meaning:
ob.ses.sion.al\n   obsessional\n  Obsessional means the same as obsessive.\nShe became almost obsessional about the way she looked.\n  ADJ\n  = obsessive


Words: obsessive
Meaning:
ob.ses.sive\n   obsessive  obsessives\n1. If someone’s behaviour is obsessive, they cannot stop doing a particular thing or behaving in a particular way.\nWilliams is obsessive about motor racing...\n  ADJ: oft ADJ about n\n\n=>  ob.ses.sive.ly\nHe couldn’t help worrying obsessively about what would happen...\nThe Ministry is being obsessively secretive about the issue.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n\n2. An obsessive is someone who is obsessive about something or who behaves in an obsessive way.\nI am not an obsessive. Not at all.\n  N-COUNT


Words: obsessive-compulsive disorder
Meaning:
obsessive-compulsive dis.or.der\n   obsessive-compulsive disorder\n  If someone suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, they cannot stop doing a particular thing, for example washing their hands.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: obsolescence
Meaning:
ob.so.les.cence\n   obsolescence\n  Obsolescence is the state of being no longer needed because something newer or more efficient has been invented.\nThe aircraft was nearing obsolescence by early 1942.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: obsolescent
Meaning:
ob.so.les.cent\n   obsolescent\n  If something is obsolescent, it is no longer needed because something better has been invented.\n...outmoded, obsolescent equipment.\n  ADJ\n  = obsolete


Words: obsolete
Meaning:
ob.so.lete\n   obsolete\n  Something that is obsolete is no longer needed because something better has been invented.\nSo much equipment becomes obsolete almost as soon as it’s made.\n  ADJ


Words: obstacle
Meaning:
ob.sta.cle\n   obstacle  obstacles\n1. An obstacle is an object that makes it difficult for you to go where you want to go, because it is in your way.\nMost competition cars will only roll over if they hit an obstacle...\nHe left her to navigate her own way round the trolleys and other obstacles.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can refer to anything that makes it difficult for you to do something as an obstacle.\nOvercrowding remains a large obstacle to improving conditions...\nTo succeed, you must learn to overcome obstacles.\n  N-COUNT: oft N to n/-ing\n  = hindrance


Words: obstacle course
Meaning:
ob.sta.cle course\n   obstacle course  obstacle courses\n  In a race, an obstacle course is a series of obstacles that people have to go over or round in order to complete the race.\n  N-COUNT


Words: obstetrician
Meaning:
ob.ste.tri.cian\n   obstetrician  obstetricians\n  An obstetrician is a doctor who is specially trained to deal with pregnant women and with women who are giving birth. (MEDICAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: obstetrics
Meaning:
ob.stet.rics\n   obstetrics\n1. Obstetrics is the branch of medicine that is concerned with pregnancy and giving birth. (MEDICAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Obstetric medicine and care is concerned with pregnancy and giving birth. (MEDICAL)\nFor a child to be born with this disability indicates a defect in obstetric care.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: obstinate
Meaning:
ob.sti.nate\n   obstinate\n1. If you describe someone as obstinate, you are being critical of them because they are very determined to do what they want, and refuse to change their mind or be persuaded to do something else.\nHe is obstinate and determined and will not give up...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = stubborn\n=>  ob.sti.nate.ly\nI stayed obstinately in my room, sitting by the telephone...\n  ADV: ADV with v\n  = stubbornly\n=>  ob.sti.na.cy\nI might have become a dangerous man with all that stubbornness and obstinacy built into me.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = stubbornness\n2. You can describe things as obstinate when they are difficult to move, change, or destroy.\n...rusted farm equipment strewn among the obstinate weeds.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  ob.sti.nate.ly\n...the door of the shop which obstinately stayed closed when he tried to push it open.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: obstreperous
Meaning:
ob.strep.er.ous\n   obstreperous\n  If you say that someone is obstreperous, you think that they are noisy and difficult to control.\nYou know I have no intention of being awkward and obstreperous.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: obstruct
Meaning:
ob.struct\n   obstruct  obstructs  obstructing  obstructed\n1. If something obstructs a road or path, it blocks it, stopping people or vehicles getting past.\nTractors and container lorries have completely obstructed the road.\n  VERB: V n\n  = block\n2. To obstruct someone or something means to make it difficult for them to move forward by blocking their path.\nA number of local people have been arrested for trying to obstruct lorries loaded with logs...\n  VERB: V n\n  = block\n3. To obstruct progress or a process means to prevent it from happening properly.\nThe authorities are obstructing a United Nations investigation.\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. If someone or something obstructs your view, they are positioned between you and the thing you are trying to look at, stopping you from seeing it properly.\nClaire positioned herself so as not to obstruct David’s line of sight.\n  VERB: V n\n  = block


Words: obstruction
Meaning:
ob.struc.tion\n   obstruction  obstructions\n1. An obstruction is something that blocks a road or path.\nJohn was irritated by drivers parking near his house and causing an obstruction.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An obstruction is something that blocks a passage in your body.\nThe boy was suffering from a bowel obstruction and he died.\n  N-VAR\n\n3. Obstruction is the act of deliberately delaying something or preventing something from happening, usually in business, law, or government.\nMr Guest refused to let them in and now faces a criminal charge of obstruction.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: obstructionism
Meaning:
ob.struc.tion.ism\n   obstructionism\n  Obstructionism is the practice of deliberately delaying or preventing a process or change, especially in politics.\nObstructionism is generally most evident at the stage of implementing a law.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: obstructive
Meaning:
ob.struc.tive\n   obstructive\n  If you say that someone is being obstructive, you think that they are deliberately causing difficulties for other people.\nMr Smith was obstructive and refused to follow correct procedure.\n  ADJ


Words: obtain
Meaning:
ob.tain\n   obtain  obtains  obtaining  obtained\n  To obtain something means to get it or achieve it. (FORMAL)\nEvans was trying to obtain a false passport and other documents...\n  VERB: V n


Words: obtainable
Meaning:
ob.tain.able\n   obtainable\n  If something is obtainable, it is possible to get or achieve it.\nThe dried herb is obtainable from health shops.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ prep


Words: obtrude
Meaning:
ob.trude\n   obtrude  obtrudes  obtruding  obtruded\n  When something obtrudes or when you obtrude it, it becomes noticeable in an undesirable way. (LITERARY)\nA 40 watt bulb would be quite sufficient and would not obtrude...\nGertrude now clearly felt that she had obtruded her sorrow...\nHe didn’t want to obtrude on her privacy.\n  VERB: V, V n, V on n


Words: obtrusive
Meaning:
ob.tru.sive\n   obtrusive\n  If you say that someone or something is obtrusive, you think they are noticeable in an unpleasant way.\nThese heaters are less obtrusive and are easy to store away in the summer.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  ob.tru.sive.ly\nHawke got up and walked obtrusively out of the building.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: obtuse
Meaning:
ob.tuse\n   obtuse\n1. Someone who is obtuse has difficulty understanding things, or makes no effort to understand them. (FORMAL)\nI’ve really been very obtuse and stupid...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  ob.tuse.ness\nNaivety bordering on obtuseness helped sustain his faith.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. An obtuse angle is between 90. and 180.. Compare acute angle. (TECHNICAL)\n  ADJ


Words: obverse
Meaning:
ob.verse\n   obverse\n  The obverse of an opinion, situation, or argument is its opposite. (FORMAL)\nThe obverse of rising unemployment is continued gains in productivity.\n  N-SING: the N, oft N of n


Words: obviate
Meaning:
ob.vi.ate\n   obviate  obviates  obviating  obviated\n  To obviate something such as a problem or a need means to remove it or make it unnecessary. (FORMAL)\nThe use of a solicitor trained as a mediator would obviate the need for independent legal advice...\n  VERB: V n


Words: obvious
Meaning:
ob.vi.ous\n   obvious\n1. If something is obvious, it is easy to see or understand.\n...the need to rectify what is an obvious injustice...\nDetermining how the Democratic challenger would conduct his presidency isn’t quite so obvious.\n  ADJ\n  = clear\n2. If you describe something that someone says as obvious, you are being critical of it because you think it is unnecessary or shows lack of imagination.\nThere are some very obvious phrases that we all know or certainly should know better than to use.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  ob.vi.ous.ness\nFrancis smiled agreement, irritated by the obviousness of his answer.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  If you say that someone is stating the obvious, you mean that they are saying something that everyone already knows and understands.\nIt may be stating the obvious, but most teleworking at present is connected with computers.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: obviously
Meaning:
ob.vi.ous.ly\n   obviously\n1. You use obviously when you are stating something that you expect the person who is listening to know already.\nObviously, they’ve had sponsorship from some big companies...\nThere are obviously exceptions to this.\n  ADV: ADV with cl  emphasis\n  = clearly\n2. You use obviously to indicate that something is easily noticed, seen, or recognized.\nThey obviously appreciate you very much...\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group


Words: occasion
Meaning:
oc.ca.sion\n   occasion  occasions\n1. An occasion is a time when something happens, or a case of it happening.\nI often think fondly of an occasion some years ago at Covent Garden...\nMr Davis has been asked on a number of occasions.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An occasion is an important event, ceremony, or celebration.\nTaking her with me on official occasions has been a challenge...\nIt will be a unique family occasion.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n3. An occasion for doing something is an opportunity for doing it. (FORMAL)\nIt is an occasion for all the family to celebrate...\nIt is always an important occasion for setting out government policy.\n  N-COUNT: N for n/-ing\n\n4. To occasion something means to cause it. (FORMAL)\nHe argued that the release of hostages should not occasion a change in policy.\n  VERB: V n\n\n5.\n  see also sense of occasion\n6. If you have occasion to do something, it is necessary for you to do it.\nWe have had occasion to deal with members of the group on a variety of charges.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR to-inf\n\n7. If something happens on occasion, it happens sometimes, but not very often.\nHe translated not only from the French but also, on occasion, from the Polish.\n  PHRASE: N inflects, PHR with cl\n  = occasionally\n8. If you say that someone rose to the occasion, you mean that they did what was necessary to successfully overcome a difficult situation.\nInverness, however, rose to the occasion in the second half, producing some of the best football they have played for some time.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: occasional
Meaning:
oc.ca.sion.al\n   occasional\n  Occasional means happening sometimes, but not regularly or often.\nI’ve had occasional mild headaches all my life...\nEsther used to visit him for the occasional days and weekends.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  oc.ca.sion.al.ly\nHe still misbehaves occasionally...\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV with v


Words: occidental
Meaning:
oc.ci.den.tal\n   occidental\n  Occidental means relating to the countries of Europe and America. (FORMAL)\nIn some respects the African mind works rather differently from the occidental one.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = western  !=eastern, Oriental


Words: occult
Meaning:
oc.cult\n   occult\n  The occult is the knowledge and study of supernatural or magical forces.\n...sinister experiments with the occult.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n  Occult is also an adjective.\n...organisations which campaign against paganism and occult practice.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: occultist
Meaning:
oc.cult.ist\n   occultist  occultists\n  An occultist is a person who believes in the supernatural and the power of magic.\n  N-COUNT


Words: occupancy
Meaning:
oc.cu.pan.cy\n   occupancy\n  Occupancy is the act of using a room, building, or area of land, usually for a fixed period of time. (FORMAL)\nHotel occupancy has been as low as 40%...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n  = occupation


Words: occupant
Meaning:
oc.cu.pant\n   occupant  occupants\n1. The occupants of a building or room are the people who live or work there.\nMost of the occupants had left before the fire broke out...\n  N-COUNT\n  = occupier\n2. You can refer to the people who are in a place such as a room, vehicle, or bed at a particular time as the occupants.\nThe lifeboat capsized, throwing the occupants into the water.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: occupation
Meaning:
oc.cu.pa.tion\n   occupation  occupations\n1. Your occupation is your job or profession.\nI suppose I was looking for an occupation which was going to be an adventure...\nOccupation: administrative assistant.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An occupation is something that you spend time doing, either for pleasure or because it needs to be done.\nParachuting is a dangerous occupation.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. The occupation of a country happens when it is entered and controlled by a foreign army.\n...the deportation of Jews from Paris during the German occupation.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: occupational
Meaning:
oc.cu.pa.tion.al\n   occupational\n  Occupational means relating to a person’s job or profession.\nSome received substantial occupational assistance in the form of low-interest loans.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  oc.cu.pa.tion.al.ly\nYou might be having an occupationally related skin problem.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj/-ed


Words: occupational hazard
Meaning:
oc.cu.pa.tion.al haz.ard\n   occupational hazard  occupational hazards\n  An occupational hazard is something unpleasant that you may suffer or experience as a result of doing your job or hobby.\nCatching colds is unfortunately an occupational hazard in this profession.\n  N-COUNT


Words: occupational health
Meaning:
oc.cu.pa.tion.al health\n\n  Occupational health is the branch of medicine that deals with the health of people in their workplace or in relation to their job.\nFor many years, experts in occupational health have puzzled over symptoms reported by office workers, including headache, nausea and fatigue.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: occupational therapist
Meaning:
oc.cu.pa.tion.al thera.pist\n   occupational therapist  occupational therapists\n  An occupational therapist is someone whose job involves helping people by means of occupational therapy.\n  N-COUNT


Words: occupational therapy
Meaning:
oc.cu.pa.tion.al thera.py\n   occupational therapy\n  Occupational therapy is a method of helping people who have been ill or injured to develop skills or get skills back by giving them certain activities to do.\nShe will now begin occupational therapy to regain the use of her hands.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: occupier
Meaning:
oc.cu.pi.er\n   occupier  occupiers\n  The occupier of a house, flat, or piece of land is the person who lives or works there. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n  = occupant\n  see also owner-occupier.


Words: occupy
Meaning:
oc.cu.py\n   occupy  occupies  occupying  occupied\n1. The people who occupy a building or a place are the people who live or work there.\nThere were over 40 tenants, all occupying one wing of the hospital...\nLand is, in most instances, purchased by those who occupy it.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n2. If a room or something such as a seat is occupied, someone is using it, so that it is not available for anyone else.\nThe hospital bed is no longer occupied by his wife...\nI saw three camp beds, two of which were occupied.\n  V-PASSIVE: be V-ed, be V-ed\n  !=vacant, free\n3. If a group of people or an army occupies a place or country, they move into it, using force in order to gain control of it.\nU.S. forces now occupy a part of the country...\n...the occupied territories.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n4. If someone or something occupies a particular place in a system, process, or plan, they have that place.\nMen still occupy more positions of power than women.\n  VERB: V n\n  = hold\n5. If something occupies you, or if you occupy yourself, your time, or your mind with it, you are busy doing that thing or thinking about it.\nHer parliamentary career has occupied all of her time...\nHe hurried to take the suitcases and occupy himself with packing the car...\nI would deserve to be pitied if I couldn’t occupy myself.\n  VERB: V n, V pron-refl with n, V pron-refl, also V n with n\n\n=>  oc.cu.pied\nKeep the brain occupied...\nI had forgotten all about it because I had been so occupied with other things.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n\n\n6. If something occupies you, it requires your efforts, attention, or time.\nI had other matters to occupy me, during the day at least...\nThis challenge will occupy Europe for a generation or more.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n7. If something occupies a particular area or place, it fills or covers it, or exists there.\nEven quite small aircraft occupy a lot of space...\nBookshelves occupied most of the living room walls.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = take up


Words: occur
Meaning:
oc.cur\n   occur  occurs  occurring  occurred\n1. When something occurs, it happens.\nIf headaches only occur at night, lack of fresh air and oxygen is often the cause...\nThe crash occurred when the crew shut down the wrong engine...\nIn March 1770, there occurred what became known as the Boston Massacre.\n  VERB: V, V, there V n\n\n2. When something occurs in a particular place, it exists or is present there.\nThe cattle disease occurs more or less anywhere in Africa where the fly occurs...\nThese snails do not occur on low-lying coral islands or atolls.\n  VERB: V adv/prep, V adv/prep\n  = exist\n3. If a thought or idea occurs to you, you suddenly think of it or realize it.\nIt did not occur to me to check my insurance policy...\nThe same idea had occurred to Elizabeth.\n  VERB: no passive, no cont, it V to n to-inf, V to n


Words: occurrence
Meaning:
oc.cur.rence\n   occurrence  occurrences\n1. An occurrence is something that happens. (FORMAL)\nComplaints seemed to be an everyday occurrence...\nThe food queues have become a daily occurrence across the country.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The occurrence of something is the fact that it happens or is present.\nThe greatest occurrence of coronary heart disease is in those over 65.\n  N-COUNT: the N of n\n  = instance


Words: ocean
Meaning:
ocean  oceans\n1. The ocean is the sea.\nThere were few sights as beautiful as the calm ocean on a warm night.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n2. An ocean is one of the five very large areas of sea on the Earth’s surface.\nThey spent many days cruising the northern Pacific Ocean.\n...the Indian Ocean.\n  N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES\n\n3. If you say that there is an ocean of something, you are emphasizing that there is a very large amount of it. (INFORMAL)\nI had cried oceans of tears...\nAPEC seems be drowning in an ocean of jargon.\n  N-COUNT: N of n  emphasis\n\n4. If you say that something is a drop in the ocean, you mean that it is a very small amount which is unimportant compared to the cost of other things or is so small that it has very little effect on something.\nHis fee is a drop in the ocean compared with the real cost of broadcasting.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR  emphasis


Words: ocean-going
Meaning:
ocean-going\n  Ocean-going ships are designed for travelling on the sea rather than on rivers, canals, or lakes.\nAt the height of his shipping career he owned about 60 ocean-going vessels.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: oceanic
Meaning:
ocean.ic\n   oceanic\n  Oceanic means belonging or relating to an ocean or to the sea.\nMany oceanic islands are volcanic.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: oceanography
Meaning:
ocean.og.ra.phy\n   oceanography\n  Oceanography is the scientific study of sea currents, the sea bed, and the fish and animals that live in the sea.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  ocean.og.ra.pher      oceanographers\n...an oceanographer working on an environmental protection programme.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  oceano.graph.ic\n...oceanographic research.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: och
Meaning:
och\n  Och is used to express surprise at something, or to emphasize agreement or disagreement with what has just been said. (IRISH, SCOTTISH)\n`Och be quiet then,’ Shawn said...\nOch aye. I always liked him.\n  CONVENTION\n  = O, Oh


Words: ochre
Meaning:
ochre   also ocher\n  Something that is ochre is a yellowish orange colour.\nFor our dining room I have chosen ochre yellow walls.\n  COLOUR


Words: octagonal
Meaning:
oc.tago.nal\n   octagonal\n  Something that is octagonal has eight straight sides.\n...a white octagonal box...\n  ADJ


Words: octane
Meaning:
oc.tane\n   octane\n  Octane is a chemical substance that exists in petrol or gasoline and that is used to measure the quality of the fuel.\n...high octane fuel for cars.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n  see also high-octane


Words: octave
Meaning:
oc.tave\n   octave  octaves\n  An octave is a series of eight notes in a musical scale. It is also used to talk about the difference in pitch between the first and last notes in a musical scale.\n  N-COUNT


Words: octet
Meaning:
oc.tet\n   octet  octets\n  An octet is a group of eight singers or musicians.\n...the Stan Tracey Octet.\n  N-COUNT: oft in names


Words: October
Meaning:
Oc.to.ber\n   October  Octobers\n  October is the tenth month of the year in the Western calendar.\nMost seasonal hiring is done in early October...\nThe first plane is due to leave on October 2...\nMy grandson has been away since last October.\n  N-VAR


Words: octogenarian
Meaning:
oc.to.genar.ian\n   octogenarian  octogenarians\n  An octogenarian is a person who is between eighty and eighty-nine years old.\n  N-COUNT


Words: octopus
Meaning:
oc.to.pus\n   octopus  octopuses\n  An octopus is a soft sea creature with eight long arms called tentacles which it uses to catch food.\n  N-VAR\n\n  Octopus is this creature eaten as food.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: ocular
Meaning:
ocu.lar\n   ocular\n  Ocular means relating to the eyes or the ability to see. (MEDICAL)\nOther ocular signs include involuntary rhythmic movement of the eyeball.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: OD
Meaning:
OD  OD’s  OD’ing  OD’d\n  To OD means the same as to overdose. (INFORMAL)\nHis son was a junkie, the kid OD’d a year ago.\n  VERB: V\n\n  OD is also a noun.\n`I had a friend died of an OD,’ she said.\n  N-COUNT


Words: odd
Meaning:
odd  odder  oddest\n1. If you describe someone or something as odd, you think that they are strange or unusual.\nHe’d always been odd, but not to this extent...\nWhat an odd coincidence that he should have known your family...\nSomething odd began to happen.\n  ADJ\n  = peculiar\n  see also odd-looking\n=>  odd.ly\n...an oddly shaped hill...\nHis own boss was behaving rather oddly.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. You use odd before a noun to indicate that you are not mentioning the type, size, or quality of something because it is not important.\n...moving from place to place where she could find the odd bit of work...\nI knew that Alan liked the odd drink.\n  ADJ: det ADJ\n  = occasional\n3. You use odd after a number to indicate that it is only approximate. (INFORMAL)\nHe has now appeared in sixty odd films...\n`How long have you lived here?’.`Twenty odd years.’\n  ADV: num ADV\n\n4. Odd numbers, such as 3 and 17, are those which cannot be divided exactly by the number two.\nThe odd numbers are on the left as you walk up the street...\nThere’s an odd number of candidates.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=even\n5. You say that two things are odd when they do not belong to the same set or pair.\nI’m wearing odd socks today by the way.\n  ADJ\n  !=matching\n6. The odd man out, the odd woman out, or the odd one out in a particular situation is a person who is different from the other people in it.\nAzerbaijan has been the odd man out, the one republic not to hold democratic elections...\nMark and Rick were the odd ones out in claiming to like this cherry beer.\n  PHRASE: N inflects, usu v-link PHR\n\n7.\n  see also odds, odds and ends


Words: odd-job man
Meaning:
odd-job man  odd-job men\n  An odd-job man is a man who is paid to do various jobs such as cleaning or repairing things, usually in someone’s home.\n  N-COUNT


Words: odd-looking
Meaning:
odd-looking\n  If you describe someone or something as odd-looking, you think that they look strange or unusual.\nThey were an odd-looking couple...\n  ADJ


Words: oddball
Meaning:
odd.ball\n   oddball  oddballs\n  If you refer to someone as an oddball, you think they behave in a strange way. (INFORMAL)\nHis mother and father thought Jim was a bit of an oddball too.\n  N-COUNT\n  = eccentric\n  Oddball is also an adjective.\nI came from a family that was decidedly oddball you know.\n  ADJ\n  = eccentric, peculiar


Words: oddity
Meaning:
odd.ity\n   oddity  oddities\n1. An oddity is someone or something that is very strange.\nCarlson noticed another oddity; his plant had bloomed twice.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The oddity of something is the fact that it is very strange.\n...the oddities of the Welsh legal system.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N of n\n  = peculiarity


Words: oddly
Meaning:
odd.ly\n   oddly\n  You use oddly to indicate that what you are saying is true, but that it is not what you expected.\nHe said no and seemed oddly reluctant to talk about it...\nOddly, Emma says she never considered her face was attractive...\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with cl\n  = strangely\n  see also odd


Words: oddment
Meaning:
odd.ment\n   oddment  oddments\n  Oddments are unimportant objects of any kind, usually ones that are old or left over from a larger group of things.\n...searching street markets for interesting jewellery and oddments.\n  N-COUNT


Words: odds
Meaning:
odds\n1. You refer to how likely something is to happen as the odds that it will happen.\nWhat are the odds of finding a parking space right outside the door?...\nThe odds are that you are going to fail.\n  N-PLURAL: usu the N\n\n  see also odds-on\n2. In betting, odds are expressions with numbers such as `10 to 1’ and `7 to 2’ that show how likely something is thought to be, for example how likely a particular horse is to lose or win a race.\nGavin Jones, who put .25 on Eugene, at odds of 50 to 1, has won .1,250.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n3. If someone is at odds with someone else, or if two people are at odds, they are disagreeing or quarrelling with each other.\nHe was at odds with his Prime Minister...\nAn adviser said there was no reason why the two countries should remain at odds.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, oft PHR with n\n\n4. If you say that the odds are against something or someone, you mean that they are unlikely to succeed.\nHe reckoned the odds are against the scheme going ahead...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n\n\n5. If something happens against all odds, it happens or succeeds although it seemed impossible or very unlikely.\nSome women do manage to achieve business success against all odds...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n6. If you say that the odds are in someone’s favour, you mean that they are likely to succeed in what they are doing.\nHis troops will only engage in a ground battle when all the odds are in their favour.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7. To shorten the odds on something happening means to make it more likely to happen. To lengthen the odds means to make it less likely to happen. You can also say that the odds shorten or lengthen.\nHis reception there shortened the odds that he might be the next Tory leader.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: odds and ends
Meaning:
odds and ends\n  You can refer to a disorganized group of things of various kinds as odds and ends. (INFORMAL)\nShe put in some clothes, odds and ends, and make-up...\n  N-PLURAL\n  = bits and pieces


Words: odds-on
Meaning:
odds-on   also odds on\n  If there is an odds-on chance that something will happen, it is very likely that it will happen. (INFORMAL)\nGerald was no longer the odds-on favourite to win the contest...\nIt was odds-on that there was no killer.\n  ADJ


Words: ode
Meaning:
ode  odes\n  An ode is a poem, especially one that is written in praise of a particular person, thing, or event.\n...Keats’ Ode to a Nightingale.\n  N-COUNT


Words: odious
Meaning:
odi.ous\n   odious\n  If you describe people or things as odious, you think that they are extremely unpleasant.\nHerr Schmidt is certainly the most odious man I have ever met...\n  ADJ\n  = obnoxious


Words: odium
Meaning:
odium\n  Odium is the dislike, disapproval, or hatred that people feel for a particular person, usually because of something that the person has done. (FORMAL)\nThe complainant has been exposed to public odium, scandal and contempt.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: odometer
Meaning:
odom.eter\n   odometer  odometers\n  An odometer is a device in a vehicle which shows how far the vehicle has travelled. (mainly AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: odour
Meaning:
odour  odours\nin AM, use odor\n  An odour is a particular and distinctive smell.\nThe whole herb has a characteristic taste and odour...\nThe taste is only slightly bitter, and there is little odour.\n  N-VAR\n\n  see also body odour


Words: odourless
Meaning:
odour.less\n   odourless\nin AM, use odorless\n  An odourless substance has no smell.\n...a completely odourless, colourless, transparent liquid...\nThe gases are odourless.\n  ADJ


Words: odyssey
Meaning:
od.ys.sey\n   odyssey  odysseys\n  An odyssey is a long exciting journey on which a lot of things happen. (LITERARY)\nThe march to Travnik was the final stretch of a 16-hour odyssey.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Oedipus complex
Meaning:
Oedipus com.plex\n   Oedipus complex\n  If a boy or man has an Oedipus complex, he feels sexual desire for his mother and has hostile feelings towards his father.\n  N-SING


Words: oesophagus
Meaning:
oesopha.gus\n   oesophagus  oesophaguses\nin AM, use esophagus\n  Your oesophagus is the part of your body that carries the food from the throat to the stomach.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oestrogen
Meaning:
oes.tro.gen\n   oestrogen\nin AM and sometimes in BRIT, use estrogen\n  Oestrogen is a hormone produced in the ovaries of female animals. Oestrogen controls the reproductive cycle and prepares the body for pregnancy.\nAs ovulation gets nearer, oestrogen levels rise.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: of
Meaning:
of  WEAK   STRONG\nIn addition to the uses shown below, of is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information. Of is also used in phrasal prepositions such as `because of’, `instead of’ and `in spite of’, and in phrasal verbs such as `make of’ and `dispose of’.\n1. You use of to combine two nouns when the first noun identifies the feature of the second noun that you want to talk about.\nThe average age of the women interviewed was only 21.5.\n...the population of this town...\nThe aim of the course is to help students to comprehend the structure of contemporary political and social systems.\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n2. You use of to combine two nouns, or a noun and a present participle, when the second noun or present participle defines or gives more information about the first noun.\nShe let out a little cry of pain.\n...the problem of a national shortage of teachers.\n...an idealized but hazy notion of world socialism.\n...the recession of 1974-75...\n  PREP: n PREP n/-ing\n\n3. You use of after nouns referring to actions to specify the person or thing that is affected by the action or that performs the action. For example, `the kidnapping of the child’ refers to an action affecting a child; `the arrival of the next train’ refers to an action performed by a train.\n...the reduction of trade union power inside the party.\n...the assessment of future senior managers.\n...the death of their father.\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n4. You use of after words and phrases referring to quantities or groups of things to indicate the substance or thing that is being measured.\n...7.6 litres of pure alcohol.\n...dozens of people.\n...billions of dollars.\n...a collection of short stories...\n  PREP: quant PREP n, n PREP n\n\n5. You use of after the name of someone or something to introduce the institution or place they belong to or are connected with.\n...the Prince of Wales.\n...the Finance Minister of Bangladesh.\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n6. You use of after a noun referring to a container to form an expression referring to the container and its contents.\nConder opened another bottle of wine...\n...a box of tissues.\n...a packet of cigarettes.\n...a roomful of people.\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n7. You use of after a count noun and before an uncount noun when you want to talk about an individual piece or item.\n...a blade of grass...\nMarina ate only one slice of bread...\nWith a stick of chalk he wrote her order on a blackboard.\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n8. You use of to indicate the materials or things that form something.\n...local decorations of wood and straw.\n...loose-fitting garments of linen.\n...a mixture of paint-thinner and petrol.\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n9. You use of after a noun which specifies a particular part of something, to introduce the thing that it is a part of.\n...the other side of the square...\nWe had almost reached the end of the street.\n...the beginning of the year...\nEdward disappeared around 9.30pm on the 23rd of July.\n...the core of the problem.\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n10. You use of after some verbs to indicate someone or something else involved in the action.\nHe’d been dreaming of her...\nListen, I shall be thinking of you always...\nHer parents did not approve of her decision...\n  PREP: v PREP n/-ing, v n PREP n/-ing\n\n11. You use of after some adjectives to indicate the thing that a feeling or quality relates to.\nI have grown very fond of Alec...\nHis father was quite naturally very proud of him...\nI think everyone was scared of her...\n  PREP: adj PREP n/-ing\n\n12. You use of before a word referring to the person who performed an action when saying what you think about the action.\nThis has been so nice, so terribly kind of you...\nThat’s certainly very generous of you Tony.\n  PREP: adj PREP pron-proper\n\n13. You use of after a noun which describes someone or something, to introduce the person or thing you are talking about.\n...an awkward, slow-moving giant of a man.\n  PREP: a n PREP a n\n\n(next)


Words: of .1
Meaning:
14. If something is more of or less of a particular thing, it is that thing to a greater or smaller degree.\nYour extra fat may be more of a health risk than you realize...\nAs time goes by, sleeping becomes less of a problem.\n  PREP: more/less PREP a n\n\n15. You use of to indicate a characteristic or quality that someone or something has.\nShe is a woman of enviable beauty.\n...a matter of overwhelming importance...\n  PREP: n PREP n, adj-superl PREP n\n\n16. You use of to specify an amount, value, or age.\nLast Thursday, Nick announced record revenues of $3.4 billion...\nHe has been sentenced to a total of 21 years in prison since 1973...\n...young people under the age of 16 years...\n  PREP: n PREP amount\n\n17. You use of after a noun such as `month’ or `year’ to indicate the length of time that some state or activity continues.\n...eight bruising years of war...\nThe project has gone through nearly a dozen years of planning.\n  PREP: n PREP n/-ing\n\n18. You can use of to say what time it is by indicating how many minutes there are before the hour mentioned. (AM)\nAt about a quarter of eight in the evening Joe Urber calls...\nWe got to the beach at five of one in the afternoon.\n  PREP


Words: of course
Meaning:
of course\n1. You say of course to suggest that something is normal, obvious, or well-known, and should therefore not surprise the person you are talking to. (SPOKEN)\nOf course there were lots of other interesting things at the exhibition...\n`I have read about you in the newspapers of course,’ Charlie said...\nThe only honest answer is, of course, yes.\n  ADV: ADV with cl\n  = naturally\n2. You use of course as a polite way of giving permission. (SPOKEN)\n`Can I just say something about the cup game on Saturday?’.`Yes of course you can.’...\n`Could I see these documents?’.`Of course.’\n  CONVENTION  formulae\n\n3. You use of course in order to emphasize a statement that you are making, especially when you are agreeing or disagreeing with someone. (SPOKEN)\n`I expect you’re right.’.`Of course I’m right.’...\n`You will strictly observe your diet: no wine or spirits, very little meat.’.`Of course.’\n  ADV: ADV with cl, ADV as reply  emphasis\n\n4. Of course not is an emphatic way of saying no. (SPOKEN)\n`You’re not really seriously considering this thing, are you?’.`No, of course not.’\n  CONVENTION  emphasis


Words: off
Meaning:
off\nIn addition to the uses shown below, off is used after some verbs and nouns in order to introduce extra information. Off is also used in phrasal verbs such as `get off’, `pair off’, and `sleep off’.\n1. If something is taken off something else or moves off it, it is no longer touching that thing.\nHe took his feet off the desk...\nI took the key for the room off a rack above her head...\nHugh wiped the rest of the blood off his face with his handkerchief.\n  PREP\n  = from\n  Off is also an adverb.\nLee broke off a small piece of orange and held it out to him...\nHis exhaust fell off six laps from the finish.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. When you get off a bus, train, or plane, you come out of it or leave it after you have been travelling on it.\nDon’t try to get on or off a moving train!...\nAs he stepped off the aeroplane, he was shot dead.\n  PREP\n  !=on\n  Off is also an adverb.\nAt the next stop the man got off too and introduced himself.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n3. If you keep off a street or piece of land, you do not step on it or go there.\nLocking up men does nothing more than keep them off the streets...\nThe local police had warned visitors to keep off the beach at night.\n  PREP\n\n  Off is also an adverb.\n...a sign saying `Keep Off’.\n  ADV\n\n4. If something is situated off a place such as a coast, room, or road, it is near to it or next to it, but not exactly in it.\nThe boat was anchored off the northern coast of the peninsula...\nLily lives in a penthouse just off Park Avenue...\n  PREP\n\n5. If you go off, you leave a place.\nHe was just about to drive off when the secretary came running out...\nShe gave a hurried wave and set off across the grass...\nShe was off again. Last year she had been to Kenya. This year it was Goa...\nWhen his master’s off traveling, Caleb stays with Pierre’s parents.\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, oft ADV -ing\n\n6. When you take off clothing or jewellery that you are wearing, you remove it from your body.\nHe took off his spectacles and rubbed frantically at the lens...\nHe hastily stripped off his old uniform and began pulling on the new one.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n7. If you have time off or a particular day off, you do not go to work or school, for example because you are ill or it is a day when you do not usually work.\nThe rest of the men had the day off...\nShe was sacked for demanding Saturdays off...\nI’m off tomorrow...\nThe average Swede was off sick 27 days last year.\n  ADV: usu n ADV, also be ADV\n\n  Off is also a preposition.\nHe could not get time off work to go on holiday.\n  PREP\n\n8. If you keep off a subject, you deliberately avoid talking about it.\nKeep off the subject of politics...\nKeep the conversation off linguistic matters.\n  PREP\n\n9. If something such as an agreement or a sporting event is off, it is cancelled.\nUntil Pointon is completely happy, however, the deal’s off...\nGreenpeace refused to call off the event.\n  ADV: be ADV, ADV after v\n  !=on\n10. If someone is off something harmful such as a drug, they have stopped taking or using it.\nShe felt better and the psychiatrist took her off drug therapy...\n  PREP\n\n11. If you are off something, you have stopped liking it.\nI’m off coffee at the moment...\nDiarrhoea can make you feel weak, as well as putting you off your food.\n  PREP\n\n12. When something such as a machine or electric light is off, it is not functioning or in use. When you switch it off, you stop it functioning.\nAs he pulled into the driveway, he saw her bedroom light was off...\nWe used sail power and turned the engine off to save our fuel...\nThe microphones had been switched off.\n  ADV: be ADV, ADV after v\n  !=on\n13. If there is money off something, its price is reduced by the amount specified.\n...Simons Leatherwear, 37 Old Christchurch Road. 20 per cent off all jackets this Saturday.\n...discounts offering thousands of pounds off the normal price of a car.\n  PREP: amount PREP n\n\n  Off is also an adverb.\nI’m prepared to knock five hundred pounds off but no more.\n(next)


Words: off .1
Meaning:
ADV: ADV after v, v-link ADV, amount ADV\n\n14. If something is a long way off, it is a long distance away from you.\nFlorida was a long way off...\nBelow you, though still 50 miles off, is the most treeless stretch of land imaginable.\n  ADV: n/amount ADV\n  = away\n15. If something is a long time off, it will not happen for a long time.\nAn end to the crisis seems a long way off...\nThe required technology is probably still two years off.\n  ADV: n/amount ADV\n\n16. If you get something off someone, you obtain it from them. (SPOKEN)\nI don’t really get a lot of information, and if I do I get it off Mark...\n`Telmex’ was bought off the government by a group of investors.\n  PREP\n  = from\n17. If food has gone off, it tastes and smells bad because it is no longer fresh enough to be eaten. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use spoiled, bad)\nDon’t eat that! It’s mouldy. It’s gone off!\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = bad\n18. If you live off a particular kind of food, you eat it in order to live. If you live off a particular source of money, you use it to live.\nHer husband’s memories are of living off roast chicken and drinking whisky...\nAntony had been living off the sale of his own paintings.\n  PREP: v PREP n\n  = on\n19. If a machine runs off a particular kind of fuel or power, it uses that power in order to function.\nThe Auto Compact Disc Cleaner can run off batteries or mains.\n  PREP: v PREP n\n\n20. If something happens on and off, or off and on, it happens occasionally, or only for part of a period of time, not in a regular or continuous way.\nI was still working on and off as a waitress to support myself...\nWe lived together, off and on, for two years.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl


Words: off day
Meaning:
off day  off days   also off-day\n  If someone has an off day, they do not perform as well as usual. (INFORMAL)\nWhittingham, the League’s top scorer, had an off day, missing three good chances.\n  N-COUNT


Words: off limits
Meaning:
off lim.its\n   off limits   also off-limits\n1. If a place is off limits to someone, they are not allowed to go there.\nDowning Street has been off limits to the general public since 1982...\nCertain areas have been declared off limits to servicemen.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to n\n\n2. If you say that an activity or a substance is off limits for someone, you mean that they are not allowed to do it or have it.\nFraternizing with the customers is off-limits...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ for n


Words: off season
Meaning:
off sea.son\n   off season   also off-season\n1. The off season is the time of the year when not many people go on holiday and when things such as hotels and plane tickets are often cheaper.\nIt is possible to vacation at some of the more expensive resorts if you go in the off-season...\nAlthough it was off-season, the hotel was fully occupied.\n...off-season prices.\n  N-SING: also no det, oft N n\n  = low season  !=high season\n  Off season is also an adverb.\nTimes become more flexible off-season, especially in the smaller provincial museums.\n  ADV: usu ADV with cl, also ADV after v\n\n2. The off season is the time of the year when a particular sport is not played.\nHe has coached and played in Italy during the Australian off-season.\n...intensive off-season training.\n  N-SING: oft N n\n  !=season\n  Off season is also an adverb.\nTo stay fit off season, I play tennis or football.\n  ADV: usu ADV with cl, also ADV after v


Words: off topic
Meaning:
off top.ic\n  also off-topic\n  If you describe something that someone says or writes as off topic, you mean that it is not relevant to the current discussion; used especially of discussions on the Internet.\nIn addition to the 81 positive comments, 26 students had neutral, mixed, negative or off topic views.\n  ADJ


Words: off-air
Meaning:
off-air   also off air\n  In radio or television, when a programme goes off-air or when something happens off-air, it is not broadcast.\nThe argument continued off air.\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV\n\n  Off-air is also an adjective.\n...a special off-air advice line.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: off-balance
Meaning:
off-balance   also off balance\n1. If someone or something is off-balance, they can easily fall or be knocked over because they are not standing firmly.\nHe tried to use his own weight to push his attacker off but he was off balance...\n  ADJ: v n ADJ, v-link ADJ\n\n2. If someone is caught off-balance, they are extremely surprised or upset by a particular event or piece of news they are not expecting.\nMullins knocked me off-balance with his abrupt change of subject...\nThe government was thrown off-balance by the attempted coup.\n  ADJ: usu v n ADJ


Words: off-beam
Meaning:
off-beam   also off beam\n  If you describe something or someone as off-beam, you mean that they are wrong or inaccurate. (INFORMAL)\nEverything she says is a little off beam.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: off-Broadway
Meaning:
off-Broadway\n1. An off-Broadway theatre is located close to Broadway, the main theatre district in New York.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. An off-Broadway play is less commercial and often more unusual than those usually staged on Broadway.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: off-centre
Meaning:
off-centre\nin AM, use off-center\n1. If something is off-centre, it is not exactly in the middle of a space or surface.\nIf the blocks are placed off-centre, they will fall down.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone or something as off-centre, you mean that they are less conventional than other people or things.\nDavies’s writing is far too off-centre to be commercial.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = unorthodox


Words: off-chance
Meaning:
off-chance   also off chance\n  If you do something on the off-chance, you do it because you hope that it will succeed, although you think that this is unlikely.\nHe had taken a flight to Paris on the off-chance that he might be able to meet Francesca.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, oft PHR that, PHR of n/-ing


Words: off-colour
Meaning:
off-colour\nin AM, use off-color\n1. If you say that you are feeling off-colour, you mean that you are slightly ill. (BRIT)\nFor three weeks Maurice felt off-colour but did not have any dramatic symptoms.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = out of sorts\n2. If you say that someone’s performance is off-colour, you mean that they are not performing as well as they usually do. (BRIT JOURNALISM)\nMilan looked off-colour but eventually took the lead in the 82nd minute.\n  ADJ


Words: off-duty
Meaning:
off-duty\n  When someone such as a soldier or policeman is off-duty, they are not working.\nThe place is the haunt of off-duty policemen.\n  ADJ


Words: off-guard
Meaning:
off-guard\n  If someone is caught off-guard, they are not expecting a surprise or danger that suddenly occurs.\nThe question caught her completely off-guard.\n  ADJ: v n ADJ, v-link ADJ\n  = unawares


Words: off-key
Meaning:
off-key\n  When music is off-key, it is not in tune.\n...wailing, off-key vocals and strangled guitars...\n  ADJ\n  = out of tune\n  Off-key is also an adverb.\nMoe was having fun banging the drums and singing off-key.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  = out of tune


Words: off-licence
Meaning:
off-licence  off-licences\n  An off-licence is a shop which sells beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks. (BRIT; in AM, use liquor store)\n  N-COUNT: oft the N


Words: off-message
Meaning:
off-message\n  If a politician is off-message, they say something that does not follow the official policy of their party.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: off-peak
Meaning:
off-peak\n  You use off-peak to describe something that happens or that is used at times when there is least demand for it. Prices at off-peak times are often lower than at other times.\nThe price for indoor courts is .10 per hour at peak times and .7 per hour at off-peak times.\n...off-peak electricity.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=peak\n  Off-peak is also an adverb.\nEach tape lasts three minutes and costs 36p per minute off-peak and 48p at all other times.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: off-putting
Meaning:
off-putting\n  If you describe a quality or feature of something as off-putting, you mean that it makes you dislike that thing or not want to get involved with it. (mainly BRIT)\nHowever, many customers found the smell of this product distinctly off-putting.\n  ADJ


Words: off-road vehicle
Meaning:
off-road vehicle  off-road vehicles\n  An off-road vehicle is a vehicle that is designed to travel over rough ground.\n  N-COUNT


Words: off-roading
Meaning:
Off-roading is the activity of driving off-road vehicles over rough ground.\n...training sessions for anyone who wants to go off-roading.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: off-screen
Meaning:
off-screen   also offscreen\n  You use off-screen to refer to the real lives of film or television actors, in contrast with the lives of the characters they play.\nHe was immensely attractive to women, onscreen and offscreen...\nOff-screen, Kathy is under the watchful eye of her father Terry.\n  ADV: ADV with cl\n  !=on-screen\n  Off-screen is also an adjective.\nThey were quick to dismiss rumours of an off-screen romance.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=on-screen


Words: off-the-wall
Meaning:
off-the-wall\n1. If you describe something as off-the-wall, you mean that it is unusual and rather strange but in an amusing or interesting way. (INFORMAL)\n...surreal off-the-wall humor.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If you say that a person, their ideas, or their ways of doing something are off-the-wall, you are critical of them because you think they are mad or very foolish.\nIt can be done without following some absurd, off-the-wall investment strategy.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: off-year
Meaning:
off-year  off-years\n  An off-year is a year when no major political elections are held. (AM)\nElection officials predict they’ll set a new turnout record for an off-year election in Washington state.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: offal
Meaning:
of.fal\n   offal\n  Offal is the internal organs of animals, for example their hearts and livers, when they are cooked and eaten.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: offbeat
Meaning:
off.beat\n   offbeat   also off-beat\n  If you describe something or someone as offbeat, you think that they are different from normal.\n...a wickedly offbeat imagination.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unconventional


Words: offence
Meaning:
of.fence\n   offence  offences\n\n  The spelling offense is used in American English.\n\n1. An offence is a crime that breaks a particular law and requires a particular punishment.\nThirteen people have been charged with treason.an offence which can carry the death penalty...\nIn Britain the Consumer Protection Act makes it a criminal offence to sell goods that are unsafe.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Offence or an offence is behaviour which causes people to be upset or embarrassed.\nThe book might be published without creating offense...\nPrivilege determined by birth is an offence to any modern sense of justice.\n  N-VAR\n\n3. Some people say `no offence’ to make it clear that they do not want to upset you, although what they are saying may seem rather rude.\nDad, you need a bath. No offence.\n  CONVENTION  formulae\n\n4. If someone takes offence at something you say or do, they feel upset, often unnecessarily, because they think you are being rude to them.\nShe never takes offence at anything...\nNever had she seen him so tense, so quick to take offence as he had been in recent weeks.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: offend
Meaning:
of.fend\n   offend  offends  offending  offended\n1. If you offend someone, you say or do something rude which upsets or embarrasses them.\nHe apologizes for his comments and says he had no intention of offending the community...\nThe survey found almost 90 percent of people were offended by strong swearwords...\nTelevision censors are cutting out scenes which they claim may offend.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V\n\n=>  of.fend.ed\nShe is terribly offended, angered and hurt by this.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n2. To offend against a law, rule, or principle means to break it. (FORMAL)\nThis bill offends against good sense and against justice...\nIn showing contempt for the heavyweight championship Douglas offended a stern code.\n  VERB: V against n, V n\n\n3. If someone offends, they commit a crime. (FORMAL)\nIn Western countries girls are far less likely to offend than boys.\n  VERB: no cont, V


Words: offender
Meaning:
of.fend.er\n   offender  offenders\n1. An offender is a person who has committed a crime.\nThe authorities often know that sex offenders will attack again when they are released.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n\n2. You can refer to someone or something which you think is causing a problem as an offender.\nThe contraceptive pill is the worst offender, but it is not the only drug to deplete the body’s vitamin levels.\n  N-COUNT\n  = culprit


Words: offending
Meaning:
of.fend.ing\n   offending\n1. You can use offending to describe something that is causing a problem that needs to be dealt with.\nThe book was withdrawn for the offending passages to be deleted...\n  ADJ: the ADJ n\n\n2. Offending is the act of committing a crime.\nMs Mann is working with young offenders and trying to break cycles of offending.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: offensive
Meaning:
of.fen.sive\n   offensive  offensives\n1. Something that is offensive upsets or embarrasses people because it is rude or insulting.\nSome friends of his found the play horribly offensive.\n...offensive remarks which called into question the integrity of my firm.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  of.fen.sive.ly\nThe group who had been shouting offensively opened to let her through...\n  ADV: ADV after v, ADV adj\n\n2. A military offensive is a carefully planned attack made by a large group of soldiers.\nIts latest military offensive against rebel forces is aimed at re-opening important trade routes...\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n\n3. If you conduct an offensive, you take strong action to show how angry you are about something or how much you disapprove of something.\nRepublicans acknowledged that they had little choice but to mount an all-out offensive on the Democratic nominee.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n  see also charm offensive\n4. If you go on the offensive, go over to the offensive, or take the offensive, you begin to take strong action against people who have been attacking you.\nThe West African forces went on the offensive in response to attacks on them...\nThe Foreign Secretary has decided to take the offensive in the discussion on the future of the community.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: offer
Meaning:
of.fer\n   offer  offers  offering  offered\n1. If you offer something to someone, you ask them if they would like to have it or use it.\nHe has offered seats at the conference table to the Russian leader and the president of Kazakhstan...\nThe number of companies offering them work increased...\nWestern governments have offered aid.\n  VERB: V n to n, V n n, V n\n\n2. If you offer to do something, you say that you are willing to do it.\nPeter offered to teach them water-skiing...\n`Can I get you a drink,’ she offered.\n  VERB: V to-inf, V with quote\n\n3. An offer is something that someone says they will give you or do for you.\nThe offer of talks with Moscow marks a significant change from the previous western position...\n`I ought to reconsider her offer to move in,’ he mused...\nHe had refused several excellent job offers.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If you offer someone information, advice, or praise, you give it to them, usually because you feel that they need it or deserve it.\nThey manage a company offering advice on mergers and acquisitions...\nThey are offered very little counselling or support.\n  VERB: V n, V n n, also V n to n\n\n5. If you offer someone something such as love or friendship, you show them that you feel that way towards them.\nThe President has offered his sympathy to the Georgian people...\nIt must be better to be able to offer them love and security...\nJohn’s mother and sister rallied round offering comfort.\n  VERB: V n to n, V n n, V n\n\n6. If people offer prayers, praise, or a sacrifice to God or a god, they speak to or give something to their god.\nChurch leaders offered prayers and condemned the bloodshed...\nHe will offer the first harvest of rice to the sun goddess.\n  VERB: V n, V n to n, also V n n\n\n  Offer up means the same as offer.\nHe should consider offering up a prayer to St Lambert.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n\n7. If an organization offers something such as a service or product, it provides it.\nWe have been successful because we are offering a quality service...\nSainsbury’s is offering customers 1p for each shopping bag re-used...\nEagle Star offers a 10% discount to the over-55s.\n  VERB: V n, V n n, V n to n\n\n8. An offer in a shop is a specially low price for a specific product or something extra that you get if you buy a certain product.\nThis month’s offers include a shirt, trousers and bed covers...\nToday’s special offer gives you a choice of three destinations...\nOver 40 new books are on offer at 25 per cent off their normal retail price.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N, also on N\n\n9. If you offer a particular amount of money for something, you say that you will pay that much to buy it.\nWhitney has offered $21.50 a share in cash for 49.5 million Prime shares...\nThey are offering farmers $2.15 a bushel for corn...\nHe will write Rachel a note and offer her a fair price for the land...\nIt was his custom in buying real estate to offer a rather low price.\n  VERB: V amount, V n amount, V n n, V n, also V n to n\n\n10. An offer is the amount of money that someone says they will pay to buy something or give to someone because they have harmed them in some way.\nHe has dismissed an offer of compensation.\n  N-COUNT\n\n11. If you have something to offer, you have a quality or ability that makes you important, attractive, or useful.\nIn your free time, explore all that this incredible city has to offer.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n12. If there is something on offer, it is available to be used or bought.\nSavings schemes are the best retail investment products on offer.\n...country cottages on offer at bargain prices.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n13. If you are open to offers, you are willing to do something if someone will pay you an amount of money that you think is reasonable.\nIt seems that while the Kiwis are keen to have him, he is still open to offers.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR


Words: offer price
Meaning:
of.fer price\n   offer price offer prices\n  The offer price for a particular stock or share is the price that the person selling it says that they want for it. (BUSINESS)\nBET shares closed just above the offer price, up 1.5p at 207p.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also asking price, bid price


Words: offering
Meaning:
of.fer.ing\n   offering  offerings\n1. An offering is something that is specially produced to be sold.\nIt was very, very good, far better than vegetarian offerings in many a posh restaurant.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An offering is a gift that people offer to their God or gods as a form of worship.\n...the holiest of the Shinto rituals, where offerings are made at night to the great Sun.\n  N-COUNT


Words: offhand
Meaning:
off.hand\n  also off-hand\n1. If you say that someone is being offhand, you are critical of them for being unfriendly or impolite, and not showing any interest in what other people are doing or saying.\nConsumers found the attitude of its staff offhand and generally offensive to the paying customer.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ  disapproval\n\n2. If you say something offhand, you say it without checking the details or facts of it.\n`Have you done the repairs?’.`Can’t say off-hand, but I doubt it.’...\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: office
Meaning:
of.fice\n   office  offices\n1. An office is a room or a part of a building where people work sitting at desks.\nHe had an office big enough for his desk and chair, plus his VDU...\nAt about 4.30 p.m. Audrey arrived at the office...\nTelephone their head office for more details.\n...an office block.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An office is a department of an organization, especially the government, where people deal with a particular kind of administrative work.\nThousands have registered with unemployment offices.\n...Downing Street’s press office.\n...the Congressional Budget Office.\n  N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES\n\n3. An office is a small building or room where people can go for information, tickets, or a service of some kind.\nThe tourist office operates a useful room-finding service.\n...the airline ticket offices.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n4. A doctor’s or dentist’s office is a place where a doctor or dentist sees their patients. (AM; in BRIT, use surgery)\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If someone holds office in a government, they have an important job or position of authority.\nThe events to mark the President’s ten years in office went ahead as planned...\nThey are fed up with the politicians and want to vote them out of office...\nThe president shall hold office for five years...\nHe ran for office.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft in/out of N\n\n6.\n  see also booking office, box office, post office, register office, registry office


Words: office boy
Meaning:
of.fice boy\n   office boy  office boys\n  An office boy is a young man, especially one who has just left school, who is employed in an office to do simple tasks. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: office hours
Meaning:
of.fice hours\n   office hours\n  Office hours are the times when an office or similar place is open for business. For example, office hours in Britain are usually between 9 o’clock and 5 o’clock from Monday to Friday.\nIf you have any queries, please call Anne Fisher during office hours.\n  N-PLURAL: usu prep N


Words: office-holder
Meaning:
office-holder  office-holders   also office holder\n  An office-holder is a person who has an important official position in an organization or government.\nThey appear to be in a mood to vote against office-holders in the elections.\n  N-COUNT


Words: officer
Meaning:
of.fic.er\n   officer  officers\n1. In the armed forces, an officer is a person in a position of authority.\n...a retired British army officer...\nHer husband served during the Civil War as an officer in the White Army.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An officer is a person who has a responsible position in an organization, especially a government organization.\n...a local authority education officer.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n3. Members of the police force can be referred to as officers.\n...senior officers in the West Midlands police force...\nThank you, Officer.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp; N-VOC\n\n4.\n  see also commanding officer, petty officer, pilot officer, police officer, probation officer, returning officer, warrant officer


Words: official
Meaning:
of.fi.cial\n   official  officials\n1. Official means approved by the government or by someone in authority.\nAccording to the official figures, over one thousand people died during the revolution...\nA report in the official police newspaper gave no reason for the move.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=unofficial\n=>  of.fi.cial.ly\nThe nine-year civil war is officially over.\n  ADV: usu ADV -ed, also ADV group, ADV after v\n\n2. Official activities are carried out by a person in authority as part of their job.\nThe President is in Brazil for an official two-day visit.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=private\n3. Official things are used by a person in authority as part of their job.\n...the official residence of the Head of State.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. If you describe someone’s explanation or reason for something as the official explanation, you are suggesting that it is probably not true, but is used because the real explanation is embarrassing.\nThe official reason given for the President’s absence was sickness.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  of.fi.cial.ly\nOfficially, the guard was to protect us. In fact, they were there to report on our movements.\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group\n\n5. An official is a person who holds a position of authority in an organization.\nA senior UN official hopes to visit Baghdad this month.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n6. An official at a sports event is a referee, umpire, or other person who checks that the players follow the rules.\n  N-COUNT


Words: officialdom
Meaning:
of.fi.cial.dom\n   officialdom\n  Officialdom is used to refer to officials who work for the government or in other organizations, especially when you think that their rules are unhelpful.\nOfficialdom has been against us from the start.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: officiate
Meaning:
of.fi.ci.ate\n   officiate  officiates  officiating  officiated\n1. When someone officiates at a ceremony or formal occasion, they are in charge and perform the official part of it.\nBishop Silvester officiated at the funeral...\nA memorial service was held yesterday at Wadhurst Parish Church. The Rev Michael Inch officiated.\n  VERB: V at n, V\n\n2. When someone officiates at a sports match or competition, they are in charge and make sure the players do not break the rules.\nMr Ellis was selected to officiate at a cup game between Grimsby and Rotherham...\nFrik Burger will officiate when the Pumas play Scotland.\n  VERB: V at n, V, also V in n


Words: officious
Meaning:
of.fi.cious\n   officious\n  If you describe someone as officious, you are critical of them because they are eager to tell people what to do when you think they should not.\nWhen people put on uniforms, their attitude becomes more confident and their manner more officious.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = bossy\n=>  of.fi.cious.ly\nLance Corporal Williams officiously ordered them out.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: offing
Meaning:
of.fing\n   offing\n  If you say that something is in the offing, you mean that it is likely to happen soon.\nA general amnesty for political prisoners may be in the offing.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n  = imminent


Words: offline
Meaning:
off.line\n   offline\n  If a computer is offline, it is not connected to the Internet. Compare online. (COMPUTING)\n  ADJ\n\n  Offline is also an adverb.\nMost software programs allow you to compose emails offline.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\noff line: see line


Words: offload
Meaning:
off.load\n   offload  offloads  offloading  offloaded\n1. If you offload something that you do not want, you get rid of it by giving it or selling it to someone else. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use unload)\nPrices have been cut by developers anxious to offload unsold apartments...\nAlready in financial difficulties, Turner offloaded the painting on to the Getty Museum.\n  VERB: V n, V n onto n\n\n2. When goods are offloaded, they are removed from a container or vehicle and put somewhere else. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use unload)\nThe cargo was due to be offloaded in Singapore three days later.\n  VERB: be V-ed, also V n\n  = unload  !=load


Words: offset
Meaning:
off.set\n   offset  offsets  offsetting\n  If one thing is offset by another, the effect of the first thing is reduced by the second, so that any advantage or disadvantage is cancelled out.\nThe increase in pay costs was more than offset by higher productivity...\nThe move is designed to help offset the shortfall in world oil supplies caused by the UN embargo.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n\n  The form offset is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle of the verb.\n  = balance


Words: offshoot
Meaning:
off.shoot\n   offshoot  offshoots\n  If one thing is an offshoot of another, it has developed from that other thing.\nPsychology began as a purely academic offshoot of natural philosophy...\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss


Words: offshore
Meaning:
off.shore\n   offshore\n1. Offshore means situated or happening in the sea, near to the coast.\n...Britain’s offshore oil industry.\n...offshore islands.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Offshore is also an adverb.\nOne day a larger ship anchored offshore...\nWhen they hit the rocks, they were just 500 yards offshore.\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, oft amount ADV\n\n2. An offshore wind blows from the land towards the sea.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. Offshore investments or companies are located in a place, usually an island, which has fewer tax regulations than most other countries. (BUSINESS)\nThe island offers a wide range of offshore banking facilities.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: offside
Meaning:
off.side\n   offside   also off-side\n1. In games such as football or hockey, when an attacking player is offside, they have broken the rules by being nearer to the goal than a defending player when the ball is passed to them.\nThe goal was disallowed because Wark was offside.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n  Offside is also an adverb.\nWise was standing at least ten yards offside.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n  Offside is also a noun.\nRush had a 45th-minute goal disallowed for offside.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. In American football, a player is offside if they cross the line of scrimmage before a play begins. (AM)\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n3. The offside of a vehicle is the side that is farthest from the edge of the road when the vehicle is being driven normally. (BRIT)\nThe driver of the car lowered his offside front window.\n  N-SING: usu N n\n  !=nearside


Words: offspring
Meaning:
off.spring\n   offspring  offspring\n  You can refer to a person’s children or to an animal’s young as their offspring. (FORMAL)\nEleanor was now less anxious about her offspring than she had once been.\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss


Words: offstage
Meaning:
off.stage\n   offstage   also off-stage\n1. When an actor or entertainer goes offstage, they go into the area behind or to the side of the stage, so that the audience no longer sees them.\nShe ran offstage in tears...\nThere was a lot of noise offstage.\n  ADV: ADV after v, n ADV\n  !=onstage\n2. Offstage is used to describe the behaviour of actors or entertainers in real life, when they are not performing.\n...the tragedies of their off-stage lives.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=onstage\n  Offstage is also an adverb.\nDespite their bitter screen rivalry, off-stage they are close friends.\n  ADV: ADV with cl\n  !=onstage


Words: oft-
Meaning:
oft-\n  Oft combines with past participles to form adjectives that mean that something happens or is done often. (LITERARY)\nThe Foreign Secretary’s views on the treaty are well-documented and oft-repeated...\n  COMB in ADJ


Words: often
Meaning:
of.ten\n   often\nOften is usually used before the verb, but it may be used after the verb when it has a word like `less’ or `more’ before it, or when the clause is negative.\n1. If something often happens, it happens many times or much of the time.\nThey often spent Christmas at Prescott Hill...\nIt was often hard to work and do the course at the same time...\nThat doesn’t happen very often.\n  ADV: ADV before v, ADV with cl/group\n  !=rarely\n2. You use how often to ask questions about frequency. You also use often in reported clauses and other statements to give information about the frequency of something.\nHow often do you brush your teeth?...\nUnemployed Queenslanders were victims of personal crime twice as often as employed people.\n  ADV: how ADV, as ADV as n/cl\n\n3. If something happens every so often, it happens regularly, but with fairly long intervals between each occasion.\nShe’s going to come back every so often...\nEvery so often he would turn and look at her.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n  = occasionally\n4. If you say that something happens as often as not, or more often than not, you mean that it happens fairly frequently, and that this can be considered as typical of the kind of situation you are talking about.\nYet, as often as not, they find themselves the target of persecution rather than praise...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl


Words: oftentimes
Meaning:
often.times\n   oftentimes\n  If something oftentimes happens, it happens many times or much of the time. (AM)\nOftentimes, I wouldn’t even return the calls...\n  ADV: ADV with cl, ADV with v, be ADV group\n  = often


Words: ogle
Meaning:
ogle  ogles  ogling  ogled\n  If you say that one person is ogling another, you disapprove of them continually staring at that person in a way that indicates a strong sexual interest.\nAll she did was hang around ogling the men in the factory...\nPaula is not used to everyone ogling at her while she undresses backstage.\n  VERB: V n, V at n, also V  disapproval


Words: ogre
Meaning:
ogre  ogres\n  If you refer to someone as an ogre, you are saying in a humorous way that they are very frightening.\nBank managers.like tax inspectors.do not really like being thought of as ogres.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oh
Meaning:
oh\n1. You use oh to introduce a response or a comment on something that has just been said. (SPOKEN)\n`Had you seen the car before?’.`Oh yes, it was always in the drive.’...\n`You don’t understand!’.`Oh, I think I do, Grace.’\n  CONVENTION\n\n2. You use oh to express a feeling such as surprise, pain, annoyance, or happiness. (SPOKEN)\n`Oh!’ Kenny blinked. `Has everyone gone?’...\nOh, I’m so glad you’re here.\n  EXCLAM  feelings\n\n3. You use oh when you are hesitating while speaking, for example because you are trying to estimate something, or because you are searching for the right word. (SPOKEN)\nI’ve been here, oh, since the end of June...\n  CONVENTION


Words: ohm
Meaning:
ohm  ohms\n  An ohm is a unit which is used to measure electrical resistance. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: OHMS
Meaning:
OHMS\n  OHMS is used on official letters from British or Commonwealth government offices. OHMS is the abbreviation for `On Her Majesty’s Service’ or `On His Majesty’s Service’.


Words: oi
Meaning:
oi\n  In informal situations, people say or shout `oi’ to attract someone’s attention, especially if they are angry. (BRIT)\nOi! You lot! Shut up!\n  EXCLAM


Words: oik
Meaning:
oik  oiks\n  If you refer to someone as an oik, you think that they behave in a rude or unacceptable way, especially in a way that you believe to be typical of a low social class. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nShe has to live cheek by jowl with oiks, people with tattoos and stolen videos.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: oil
Meaning:
oil  oils  oiling  oiled\n1. Oil is a smooth, thick liquid that is used as a fuel and for making the parts of machines move smoothly. Oil is found underground.\nThe company buys and sells about 600,000 barrels of oil a day.\n...the rapid rise in prices for oil and petrol.\n...a small oil lamp.\n  N-MASS\n\n2. If you oil something, you put oil onto or into it, for example to make it work smoothly or to protect it.\nA crew of assistants oiled and adjusted the release mechanism until it worked perfectly...\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. Oil is a smooth, thick liquid made from plants and is often used for cooking.\nCombine the beans, chopped mint and olive oil in a large bowl...\n  N-MASS: usu n N\n\n4. Oil is a smooth, thick liquid, often with a pleasant smell, that you rub into your skin or add to your bath.\nTry a hot bath with some relaxing bath oil...\n  N-MASS: usu supp N\n\n5. Oils are oil paintings.\nHer colourful oils and works on paper have a naive, dreamlike quality.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n6. When an artist paints in oils, he or she uses oil paints.\nWhen she paints in oils she always uses the same range of colours.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n7.\n  see also castor oil, crude oil, olive oil\n8. If someone or something oils the wheels of a process or system, they help things to run smoothly and successfully.\nOn all such occasions, the king stands in the wings, oiling the wheels of diplomacy.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9.\nto burn the midnight oil: see midnight


Words: oil paint
Meaning:
oil paint  oil paints\n  Oil paint is a thick paint used by artists. It is made from coloured powder and linseed oil.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl


Words: oil painting
Meaning:
oil paint.ing\n   oil painting  oil paintings\n  An oil painting is a picture which has been painted using oil paints.\nSeveral magnificent oil paintings adorn the walls.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oil pan
Meaning:
oil pan  oil pans\n  An oil pan is the place under an engine which holds the engine oil. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use sump)\n  N-COUNT


Words: oil platform
Meaning:
oil plat.form\n   oil platform  oil platforms\n  An oil platform is a structure that is used when getting oil from the ground under the sea.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oil rig
Meaning:
oil rig  oil rigs\n  An oil rig is a structure on land or in the sea that is used when getting oil from the ground.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oil slick
Meaning:
oil slick  oil slicks\n  An oil slick is a layer of oil that is floating on the sea or on a lake because it has accidentally come out of a ship or container.\nThe oil slick is now 35 miles long.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oil tanker
Meaning:
oil tank.er\n   oil tanker  oil tankers\n  An oil tanker is a ship that is used for transporting oil.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oil well
Meaning:
oil well  oil wells\n  An oil well is a deep hole which is made in order to get oil out of the ground.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oil-fired
Meaning:
oil-fired\n  Oil-fired heating systems and power stations use oil as a fuel.\n...an oil-fired furnace.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: oilcloth
Meaning:
oil.cloth\n   oilcloth  oilcloths\n1. Oilcloth is a cotton fabric with a shiny waterproof surface.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. An oilcloth is a covering made from oilcloth, such as a tablecloth.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oiled
Meaning:
oiled\n  Something that is oiled has had oil put into or onto it, for example to make it work smoothly or to protect it.\nOiled wood is water-resistant and won’t flake.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  see also well-oiled


Words: oilfield
Meaning:
oil.field\n   oilfield  oilfields   also oil field\n  An oilfield is an area of land or sea under which there is oil.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oilman
Meaning:
oil.man\n   oilman  oilmen   also oil man\n  An oilman is a man who owns an oil company or who works in the oil business. (JOURNALISM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: oilseed rape
Meaning:
oil.seed rape\n   oilseed rape   also oil-seed rape\n  Oilseed rape is a plant with yellow flowers which is grown as a crop. Its seeds are crushed to make cooking oil. (BRIT; in AM, use rape)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: oilskins
Meaning:
oil.skins\n   oilskins\n  Oilskins are a coat and a pair of trousers made from thick waterproof cotton cloth.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: oily
Meaning:
oily  oilier  oiliest\n1. Something that is oily is covered with oil or contains oil.\nHe was wiping his hands on an oily rag...\nWhen she was younger, she had very oily skin...\n  ADJ\n\n2. Oily means looking, feeling, tasting, or smelling like oil.\n...traces of an oily substance.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. If you describe someone as oily, you dislike them because you think they are too polite or say exaggeratedly nice things, and are insincere.\nHe had behaved with undue and oily familiarity...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = smarmy


Words: ointment
Meaning:
oint.ment\n   ointment  ointments\n1. An ointment is a smooth thick substance that is put on sore skin or a wound to help it heal.\nA range of ointments and creams is available for the treatment of eczema...\nHe received ointment for his flaking skin.\n  N-MASS\n\n2. If you describe someone or something as a fly in the ointment, you think they spoil a situation and prevent it being as successful as you had hoped.\nRachel seems to be the one fly in the ointment of Caroline’s smooth life.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR


Words: okay
Meaning:
okay  okays  okaying  okayed   also OK, O.K., ok\n1. If you say that something is okay, you find it satisfactory or acceptable. (INFORMAL)\n...a shooting range where it’s OK to use weapons...\nIs it okay if I come by myself?...\nI guess for a fashionable restaurant like this the prices are OK.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ to-inf, it v-link ADJ if\n  = all right\n  Okay is also an adverb.\nWe seemed to manage okay for the first year or so after David was born.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  = all right\n2. If you say that someone is okay, you mean that they are safe and well. (INFORMAL)\nCheck that the baby’s okay...\n`Don’t worry about me,’ I said. `I’ll be okay.’\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = all right\n3. You can say `Okay’ to show that you agree to something. (INFORMAL)\n`Just tell him Sir Kenneth would like to talk to him.’.`OK.’...\n`Shall I give you a ring on Friday?’.`Yeah okay.’\n  CONVENTION  formulae\n  = all right\n4. You can say `Okay?’ to check whether the person you are talking to understands what you have said and accepts it. (INFORMAL)\nWe’ll get together next week, OK?\n  CONVENTION\n  = all right\n5. You can use okay to indicate that you want to start talking about something else or doing something else. (INFORMAL)\nOK. Now, let’s talk some business...\nTim jumped to his feet. `Okay, let’s go.’\n  CONVENTION\n  = right\n6. You can use okay to stop someone arguing with you by showing that you accept the point they are making, though you do not necessarily regard it as very important. (INFORMAL)\nOkay, there is a slight difference...\nOkay, so I’m forty-two.\n  CONVENTION\n\n7. If someone in authority okays something, they officially agree to it or allow it to happen. (INFORMAL)\nHis doctor wouldn’t OK the trip...\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Okay is also a noun.\nHe gave the okay to issue a new press release...\n  N-SING: the N


Words: okey doke
Meaning:
okey doke   also okey dokey\n  Okey doke is used in the same way as `OK’ to show that you agree to something, or that you want to start talking about something else or doing something else. (INFORMAL, SPOKEN)\nOkey doke. I’ll give you a ring.\n  CONVENTION\n  = alright


Words: old
Meaning:
old  older  oldest\n1. Someone who is old has lived for many years and is no longer young.\n...a white-haired old man...\nHe was considered too old for the job.\n  ADJ\n  = elderly  !=young\n  The old are people who are old.\n...providing a caring response for the needs of the old and the handicapped.\n  N-PLURAL: the N\n\n2. You use old to talk about how many days, weeks, months, or years someone or something has lived or existed.\nHe was abandoned by his father when he was three months old...\nThe paintings in the chapel were perhaps a thousand years old...\nHow old are you now?...\nBill was six years older than David.\n  ADJ: amount ADJ, how ADJ, as ADJ as, ADJ-compar than\n\n3. Something that is old has existed for a long time.\nShe loved the big old house...\nThese books must be very old.\n...an old Arab proverb.\n  ADJ\n  !=new\n4. Something that is old is no longer in good condition because of its age or because it has been used a lot.\nHe took a bunch of keys from the pocket of his old corduroy trousers.\n...an old toothbrush.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=new\n5. You use old to refer to something that is no longer used, that no longer exists, or that has been replaced by something else.\nThe old road had disappeared under grass and heather...\nAlthough the old secret police have been abolished, the military police still exist...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n6. You use old to refer to something that used to belong to you, or to a person or thing that used to have a particular role in your life.\nI’ll make up the bed in your old room...\nMark was heartbroken when Jane returned to her old boyfriend.\n  ADJ: poss ADJ n\n\n7. An old friend, enemy, or rival is someone who has been your friend, enemy, or rival for a long time.\nI called my old friend John Horner...\nThe French and English are old rivals.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n8. You can use old to express affection when talking to or about someone you know. (INFORMAL)\nAre you all right, old chap?...\nGood old Bergen would do him the favor.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  feelings\n\n9. You use any old to emphasize that the quality or type of something is not important. If you say that a particular thing is not any old thing, you are emphasizing how special or famous it is. (INFORMAL)\nThe portraits and sumptuous ornaments, and the gold clock, show that this is not just any old front room.\n  PHRASE: PHR n  emphasis\n\n10. In the old days means in the past, before things changed.\nIn the old days we got a visit from the vet maybe once a year.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n11. When people refer to the good old days, they are referring to a time in the past when they think that life was better than it is now.\nHe remembers the good old days when everyone in his village knew him and you could leave your door open at night.\n  PHRASE\n\n12.\ngood old: see good\nto settle an old score: see score\nup to one’s old tricks: see trick


Words: old age
Meaning:
old age\n  Your old age is the period of years towards the end of your life.\nThey worry about how they will support themselves in their old age...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft poss N\n  !=youth


Words: old age pension
Meaning:
old age pen.sion\n   old age pension  old age pensions   also old-age pension\n  An old age pension is a regular amount of money that people receive from the government when they have retired from work. (BRIT; in AM, use social security benefit, social security payment)\n  N-COUNT


Words: old age pensioner
Meaning:
old age pen.sion.er\n   old age pensioner  old age pensioners   also old-age pensioner\n  An old age pensioner is a person who is old enough to receive an pension from their employer or the government. (BRIT; in AM, use senior citizen, retiree)\n  N-COUNT\n  = OAP, senior citizen


Words: old bat
Meaning:
old bat  old bats\n  If someone refers to an old person, especially an old woman, as an old bat, they think that person is silly, annoying, or unpleasant. (INFORMAL, OFFENSIVE)\n  N-COUNT: usu sing  disapproval


Words: old boy
Meaning:
old boy  old boys\n  You can refer to a man who used to be a pupil at a particular school or university as an old boy. (BRIT)\n...Eton College, with all its traditions and long list of famous old boys.\n  N-COUNT


Words: old flame
Meaning:
old flame  old flames\n  An old flame is someone with whom you once had a romantic relationship.\nSue was seen dating an old flame...\n  N-COUNT


Words: old girl
Meaning:
old girl  old girls\n  You can refer to a woman who used to be a pupil at a particular school or university as an old girl. (BRIT)\n...the St Mary’s Ascot Old Girls’ Reunion Lunch.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Old Glory
Meaning:
Old Glo.ry\n   Old Glory\n  People sometimes refer to the flag of the United States as Old Glory. (AM)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: old guard
Meaning:
old guard\n  If you refer to a group of people as the old guard, you mean that they have worked in a particular organization for a very long time and are unwilling to accept new ideas or practices.\nThe old guard did not like the changes that Brewer introduced...\n  N-SING-COLL: usu the/poss N  disapproval


Words: old hand
Meaning:
old hand  old hands\n  If someone is an old hand at something, they are very skilled at it because they have been doing it for a long time.\nAn old hand at photography, Tim has been shooting wildlife as a hobby for the last 13 years.\n  N-COUNT: oft N at n\n  = veteran  !=novice


Words: old lady
Meaning:
old lady\n  Some men refer to their wife, girlfriend, or mother as their old lady. (INFORMAL)\nHe had met his old lady when he was a house painter and she was a waitress.\n  N-SING: usu poss N


Words: old maid
Meaning:
old maid  old maids\n  People sometimes refer to an old or middle-aged woman as an old maid when she has never married and they think that it is unlikely that she ever will marry. This use could cause offence.\nAlex is too young to be already thinking of herself as an old maid.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = spinster


Words: old man
Meaning:
old man\n  Some people refer to their father, husband, or boyfriend as their old man. (INFORMAL)\nHer old man left her a few millions when he died...\n  N-SING: the/poss N


Words: old master
Meaning:
old mas.ter\n   old master  old masters\n  An old master is a painting by one of the famous European painters of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. These painters can also be referred to as the Old Masters.\n...his collection of old masters and modern art.\n...portraits by Gainsborough, Rubens and other Old Masters.\n  N-COUNT


Words: old people’s home
Meaning:
old peo.ple’s home\n   old people’s home  old people’s homes\n  An old people’s home is a place where old people live and are cared for when they are too old to look after themselves. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: old school tie
Meaning:
old school tie\n  When people talk about the old school tie, they are referring to the situation in which people who attended the same public school use their positions of influence to help each other. (BRIT)\nOf course, the old school tie has been a help.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: Old Testament
Meaning:
Old Tes.ta.ment\n   Old Testament\n  The Old Testament is the first part of the Bible. It deals especially with the relationship between God and the Jewish people.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: old wives’ tale
Meaning:
old wives’ tale  old wives’ tales\n  An old wives’ tale is a traditional belief, especially one which is incorrect.\nAnn Bradley dispels the old wives’ tales and gives the medical facts.\n  N-COUNT


Words: old woman
Meaning:
old wom.an\n   old woman  old women\n  If you refer to someone, especially a man, as an old woman, you are critical of them because you think they are too anxious about things. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: old-boy network
Meaning:
old-boy net.work\n   old-boy network  old-boy networks   also old boy network\n  When people talk about the old-boy network, they are referring to a situation in which people who went to the same public school or university use their positions of influence to help each other. (BRIT)\nThe majority obtained their positions through the old boy network.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing  disapproval


Words: old-fashioned
Meaning:
old-fashioned\n1. Something such as a style, method, or device that is old-fashioned is no longer used, done, or admired by most people, because it has been replaced by something that is more modern.\nThe house was dull, old-fashioned and in bad condition...\nThere are some traditional farmers left who still make cheese the old-fashioned way.\n  ADJ\n  !=modern\n2. Old-fashioned ideas, customs, or values are the ideas, customs, and values of the past.\nShe has some old-fashioned values and can be a strict disciplinarian.\n...good old-fashioned English cooking.\n  ADJ\n  = traditional


Words: old-style
Meaning:
old-style\n  You use old-style to describe something or someone of a type that was common or popular in the past but is not common or popular now.\n...a proper barber shop with real old-style barber chairs.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = old-fashioned


Words: old-time
Meaning:
old-time\n  If you describe something as old-time, you mean that it was common or popular in the past but is not common or popular now.\n...an old-time dance hall which still has a tea dance on Monday afternoons.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = old-fashioned


Words: old-timer
Meaning:
old-timer  old-timers\n1. If you refer to someone as an old-timer, you mean that he or she has been living in a particular place or doing a particular job for a long time. (INFORMAL)\nThe old-timers and established families clutched the reins of power.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=newcomer\n2. An old man is sometimes referred to as an old-timer. (AM INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: olde
Meaning:
olde\n  Olde is used in names of places and in advertising to make people think that something is very old and interesting.\nI always feel at home at Ye Olde Starre Inn.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: olde worlde
Meaning:
olde worlde\n  Olde worlde is used to describe places and things that are or seem to be from an earlier period of history, and that look interesting or attractive. (BRIT)\n...the quaint olde worlde part of town...\nThere is an olde worlde look about the clothes for summer.\n  ADJ


Words: olden
Meaning:
old.en\n   olden\n  If you refer to a period in the past as the olden days, you feel affection for it. (LITERARY)\nWe had a delightful time talking about the olden days on his farm.\n...the nicely painted railways of olden times.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  In the olden days or in olden days means in the past.\nIn the olden days the girls were married young...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl


Words: oldie
Meaning:
oldie  oldies\n1. You can refer to something such as an old song or film as an oldie, especially when you think it is still good. (INFORMAL)\nRadio Aire only plays Top 40 stuff and oldies.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  Oldie is also an adjective.\nDuring the festival, we’ll be showing 13 classic oldie films.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. You can use oldies to refer to fairly old people. (BRIT HUMOROUS, INFORMAL)\n...a lush English fairy tale that many oldies will remember from their youth.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ole
Meaning:
ole\n  Ole is used in written English to represent the word `old’ pronounced in a particular way.\n`I started fixin’ up ole bicycles fer poor kids.’\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: oleander
Meaning:
olean.der\n   oleander  oleanders\n  An oleander is an evergreen tree or shrub that has white, pink, or purple flowers. Oleanders grow in Mediterranean countries and in some parts of Asia and Australia.\n  N-VAR


Words: olfactory
Meaning:
ol.fac.tory\n   olfactory\n  Olfactory means concerned with the sense of smell. (FORMAL)\nThis olfactory sense develops in the womb.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: oligarchy
Meaning:
oli.gar.chy\n   oligarchy  oligarchies\n1. An oligarchy is a small group of people who control and run a particular country or organization. You can also refer to a country which is governed in this way as an oligarchy.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Oligarchy is a situation in which a country or organization is run by an oligarchy.\n...a protest against imperialism and oligarchy in the region.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: olive
Meaning:
ol.ive\n   olive  olives\n1. Olives are small green or black fruit with a bitter taste. Olives are often pressed to make olive oil.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. An olive tree or an olive is a tree on which olives grow.\n...an olive grove.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Something that is olive is yellowish-green in colour.\n...glowing colours such as deep red, olive, saffron and ochre.\n  COLOUR\n\n  Olive is also a combining form.\nShe wore an olive-green T-shirt.\n  COMB in COLOUR\n\n4. If someone has olive skin, the colour of their skin is light brown.\nThey are handsome with dark, shining hair, olive skin and fine brown eyes.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: olive branch
Meaning:
ol.ive branch\n   olive branch  olive branches   also olive-branch\n  If you offer an olive branch to someone, you say or do something in order to show that you want to end a disagreement or quarrel.\nClarke also offered an olive branch to critics in his party.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: olive oil
Meaning:
ol.ive oil\n   olive oil  olive oils\n  Olive oil is oil that is obtained by pressing olives. It is used for putting on salads or in cooking.\n  N-MASS


Words: Olympian
Meaning:
Olym.pian\n   Olympian  Olympians\n1. Olympian means very powerful, large, or impressive. (FORMAL)\nGetting his book into print has been an Olympian task in itself.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. An Olympian is a competitor in the Olympic Games.\nThe importance of being an Olympian will vary from athlete to athlete.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Olympic
Meaning:
Olym.pic\n   Olympic  Olympics\n1. Olympic means relating to the Olympic Games.\n...the reigning Olympic champion.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. The Olympics are the Olympic Games.\nShe won the individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: Olympic Games
Meaning:
Olym.pic Games\n   Olympic Games\n  The Olympic Games are a set of international sports competitions which take place every four years, each time in a different country.\nAt the 1968 Olympic Games she had won gold medals in races at 200, 400, and 800m.\n  N-PROPER-COLL: the N


Words: ombudsman
Meaning:
om.buds.man\n   ombudsman  ombudsmen\n  The ombudsman is an independent official who has been appointed to investigate complaints that people make against the government or public organizations.\nThe leaflet explains how to complain to the banking ombudsman.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N, supp N


Words: omelette
Meaning:
ome.lette\n   omelette  omelettes\nin AM, use omelet\n  An omelette is a type of food made by beating eggs and cooking them in a flat pan.\n...a cheese omelette.\n  N-COUNT


Words: omen
Meaning:
omen  omens\n  If you say that something is an omen, you think it indicates what is likely to happen in the future and whether it will be good or bad.\nCould this at last be a good omen for peace?\n  N-COUNT


Words: ominous
Meaning:
omi.nous\n   ominous\n  If you describe something as ominous, you mean that it worries you because it makes you think that something unpleasant is going to happen.\nThere was an ominous silence at the other end of the phone...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  omi.nous.ly\nThe bar seemed ominously quiet...\nOminously, car sales slumped in August...\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with cl, ADV with v


Words: omission
Meaning:
omis.sion\n   omission  omissions\n1. An omission is something that has not been included or has not been done, either deliberately or accidentally.\nThe duke was surprised by his wife’s omission from the guest list.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=inclusion\n2. Omission is the act of not including a particular person or thing or of not doing something.\n...the prosecution’s seemingly malicious omission of recorded evidence.\n  N-VAR


Words: omit
Meaning:
omit  omits  omitting  omitted\n1. If you omit something, you do not include it in an activity or piece of work, deliberately or accidentally.\nOmit the salt in this recipe...\nOur apologies to David Pannick for omitting his name from last week’s article.\n  VERB: V n, V n from n\n  = leave out  !=include\n2. If you omit to do something, you do not do it. (FORMAL)\nHis new girlfriend had omitted to tell him she was married.\n  VERB: V to-inf\n  = fail


Words: omnibus
Meaning:
om.ni.bus\n   omnibus  omnibuses\n1. An omnibus edition of a radio or television programme contains two or more similar programmes that were originally broadcast separately. (BRIT)\nI enjoy the omnibus edition of Eastenders on Sunday.\n  N-COUNT: usu N n\n\n2. An omnibus is a book which contains a large collection of stories or articles, often by a particular person or about a particular subject.\n...a new omnibus edition of three Ruth Rendell chillers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: omnipotence
Meaning:
om.nipo.tence\n   omnipotence\n  Omnipotence is the state of having total authority or power. (FORMAL)\n...the omnipotence of God.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: omnipotent
Meaning:
om.nipo.tent\n   omnipotent\n  Someone or something that is omnipotent has complete power over things or people. (FORMAL)\nDoug lived in the shadow of his seemingly omnipotent father.\n  ADJ\n  = all-powerful


Words: omnipresent
Meaning:
om.ni.pres.ent\n   omnipresent\n  Something that is omnipresent is present everywhere or seems to be always present. (FORMAL)\nThe sound of sirens was an omnipresent background noise in New York...\n  ADJ


Words: omniscient
Meaning:
om.nis.ci.ent\n   omniscient\n  If you describe someone as omniscient, you mean they know or seem to know everything. (FORMAL)\n...a benevolent and omniscient deity.\n...the Financial Times’s omniscient data-gathering network.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  om.nis.ci.ence\n...the divine attributes of omnipotence, benevolence and omniscience.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: omnivorous
Meaning:
om.niv.or.ous\n   omnivorous\n1. An omnivorous person or animal eats all kinds of food, including both meat and plants. (TECHNICAL or FORMAL)\nBrown bears are omnivorous, eating anything that they can get their paws on.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Omnivorous means liking a wide variety of things of a particular type. (FORMAL)\nAs a child, Coleridge developed omnivorous reading habits.\n  ADJ


Words: on
Meaning:
on\nIn addition to the uses shown below, on is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information. On is also used in phrasal verbs such as `keep on’, `cotton on’, and `sign on’.\n1. If someone or something is on a surface or object, the surface or object is immediately below them and is supporting their weight.\nHe is sitting beside her on the sofa...\nOn top of the cupboards are vast straw baskets which Pat uses for dried flower arrangements...\nOn the table were dishes piled high with sweets...\n  PREP\n\n2. If something is on a surface or object, it is stuck to it or attached to it.\nI admired the peeling paint on the ceiling...\nThe clock on the wall showed one minute to twelve...\nThere was a smear of gravy on his chin.\n  PREP\n\n  On is also an adverb.\nI know how to darn, and how to sew a button on.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n3. If you put, throw, or drop something on a surface, you move it or drop it so that it is then supported by the surface.\nHe got his winter jacket from the closet and dropped it on the sofa...\nHe threw a folded dollar on the counter.\n  PREP\n  = onto\n4. You use on to say what part of your body is supporting your weight.\nHe continued to lie on his back and look at clouds...\nHe raised himself on his elbows, squinting into the sun...\nShe was on her hands and knees in the bathroom.\n  PREP\n\n5. You use on to say that someone or something touches a part of a person’s body.\nHe leaned down and kissed her lightly on the mouth...\nHis jaw was broken after he was hit on the head.\n  PREP\n\n6. If someone has a particular expression on their face, their face has that expression.\nThe maid looked at him, a nervous smile on her face...\nShe looked at him with a hurt expression on her face.\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n7. When you put a piece of clothing on, you place it over part of your body in order to wear it. If you have it on, you are wearing it.\nHe put his coat on while she opened the front door...\nI had a hat on.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n8. You can say that you have something on you if you are carrying it in your pocket or in a bag.\nI didn’t have any money on me...\n  PREP: PREP pron\n\n9. If someone’s eyes are on you, they are looking or staring at you.\nEveryone’s eyes were fixed on him...\nIt’s as if all eyes are focused on me...\n  PREP\n\n10. If you hurt yourself on something, you accidentally hit a part of your body against it and that thing causes damage to you.\nMr Pendle hit his head on a wall as he fell...\n  PREP\n\n11. If you are on an area of land, you are there.\nYou lived on the farm until you came back to America?\n...a tall tree on a mountain.\n  PREP\n\n12. If something is situated on a place such as a road or coast, it forms part of it or is by the side of it.\nBergdorf Goodman has opened a men’s store on Fifth Avenue...\nThe hotel is on the coast...\nHe visited relatives at their summer house on the river.\n  PREP\n\n13. If you get on a bus, train, or plane, you go into it in order to travel somewhere. If you are on it, you are travelling in it.\nWe waited till twelve and we finally got on the plane...\nI never go on the bus into the town...\n  PREP\n\n  On is also an adverb.\nHe showed his ticket to the conductor and got on.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n14. If there is something on a piece of paper, it has been written or printed there.\nThe writing on the back of the card was cramped but scrupulously neat...\nThe numbers she put on the chart were 98.4, 64, and 105...\n  PREP\n\n15. If something is on a list, it is included in it.\nThe Queen now doesn’t even appear on the list of the 40 richest people in Britain.\n...the range of topics on the agenda for their talks.\n  PREP\n\n16. Books, discussions, or ideas on a particular subject are concerned with that subject.\nThey offer a free counselling service which can offer help and advice on legal matters...\nHe declined to give any information on the Presidential election...\n  PREP\n\n17. You use on to introduce the method, principle, or system which is used to do something.\n(next)


Words: on .1
Meaning:
...a television that we bought on credit two months ago.\n...a levelling system which acts on the same principle as a spirit level...\nThey want all groups to be treated on an equal basis.\n  PREP\n\n18. If something is done on an instrument or a machine, it is done using that instrument or machine.\n...songs that I could just sit down and play on the piano...\nI could do all my work on the computer...\n  PREP\n\n19. If information is, for example, on tape or on computer, that is the way that it is stored.\n`I thought it was a load of rubbish.’.`Right we’ve got that on tape.’...\nDescriptions of the pieces have been logged on computer by the Art Loss Register...\n  PREP\n\n20. If something is being broadcast, you can say that it is on the radio or television.\nEvery sporting event on television and satellite over the next seven days is listed...\nHere, listen, they’re talking about it on Radio-Paris right now.\n  PREP\n\n  On is also an adjective.\n...teenagers complaining there’s nothing good on.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n21. When an activity is taking place, you can say that it is on.\nThere’s a marvellous match on at Wimbledon at the moment...\nWe in Berlin hardly knew a war was on during the early part of 1941.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n22. You use on in expressions such as `have a lot on’ and `not have very much on’ to indicate how busy someone is. (SPOKEN)\nI have a lot on in the next week.\n  ADV: ADV after v, amount ADV\n\n23. You use on to introduce an activity that someone is doing, particularly travelling.\nI’ve always wanted to go on a cruise...\nStudents on the full-time course of study are usually sponsored...\n  PREP\n\n24. When something such as a machine or an electric light is on, it is functioning or in use. When you switch it on, it starts functioning.\nThe central heating’s been turned off. I’ve turned it on again...\nThe light had been left on...\nHe didn’t bother to switch on the light.\n  ADV: be ADV, ADV after v\n  !=off\n25. If you are on a committee or council, you are a member of it.\nClaire and Beryl were on the organizing committee...\nHe was on the Council of Foreign Relations.\n  PREP\n\n26. You can indicate when something happens by saying that it happens on a particular day or date.\nThis year’s event will take place on June 19th, a week earlier than usual...\nShe travels to Korea on Monday...\nI was born on Christmas day...\nDr. Keen arrived about seven on Sunday morning.\n  PREP\n\n27. You use on when mentioning an event that was followed by another one.\nShe waited in her hotel to welcome her children on their arrival from London...\nOn reaching Dubai the evacuees are taken straight to Dubai international airport.\n  PREP: PREP n/-ing\n\n28. You use on to say that someone is continuing to do something.\nThey walked on in silence for a while...\nIf the examination shows your company enjoys basically good health, read on...\nHe happened to be in England when the war broke out and he just stayed on.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n29. If you say that someone goes on at you, you mean that they continually criticize you, complain to you, or ask you to do something.\nShe’s been on at me for weeks to show her round the stables...\nHe used to keep on at me about the need to win...\n  ADV: be ADV, ADV after v, usu ADV at n\n\n30. You use on in expressions such as from now on and from then on to indicate that something starts to happen at the time mentioned and continues to happen afterwards.\nPerhaps it would be best not to see much of you from now on...\nWe can expect trouble from this moment on...\n  ADV: from n ADV\n\n31. You often use on after the adverbs `early’, `late’, `far’, and their comparative forms, especially at the beginning or end of a sentence, or before a preposition.\nThe market square is a riot of colour and animation from early on in the morning...\nLater on I learned how to read music...\nThe pub where I had arranged to meet Nobby was a good five minutes walk further on.\n  ADV: adv ADV\n\n32. Someone who is on a drug takes it regularly.\n(next)


Words: on .2
Meaning:
She was on antibiotics for an eye infection that wouldn’t go away...\nMany of the elderly are on medication.\n  PREP\n\n33. If you live on a particular kind of food, you eat it. If a machine runs on a particular kind of power or fuel, it uses it in order to function.\nThe caterpillars feed on a wide range of trees, shrubs and plants...\nHe lived on a diet of water and tinned fish...\n...making and selling vehicles that run on batteries or fuel-cells.\n  PREP: v PREP n\n  = off\n34. If you are on a particular income, that is the income that you have.\nHe’s on three hundred a week...\nYou won’t be rich as an MP, but you’ll have enough to live on.\n  PREP\n\n35. Taxes or profits that are obtained from something are referred to as taxes or profits on it.\n...a general strike to protest a tax on food and medicine last week...\nThe Church was to receive a cut of the profits on every record sold...\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n36. When you buy something or pay for something, you spend money on it.\nI resolved not to waste money on a hotel...\nHe spent more on feeding the dog than he spent on feeding himself...\nMore money should be spent on education and housing.\n  PREP: PREP n/-ing\n\n37. When you spend time or energy on a particular activity, you spend time or energy doing it.\nPeople complain about how children spend so much time on computer games...\n...the opportunity to concentrate more time and energy on America’s domestic agenda.\n  PREP: PREP n/-ing\n\n38. If you say that something is not on or is just not on, you mean that it is unacceptable or impossible. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nWe shouldn’t use the police in that way. It’s just not on.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n39. If you say that something happens on and on, you mean that it continues to happen for a very long time.\n...designers, builders, fitters.the list goes on and on...\nLobell drove on and on through the dense and blowing snow.\n...a desert of ice stretching on and on.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v\n\n40. If you ask someone what they are on about or what they are going on about, you are puzzled because you cannot understand what they are talking about. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nWhat on earth are you going on about?...\nHonest, Kate, I don’t know what you’re on about.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n41. If you say that someone knows what they are on about, you are confident that what they are saying is true or makes sense, for example because they are an expert. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nIt looks like he knows what he’s on about.\n  PHRASE: Vs inflect\n\n42. If someone has something on you, they have evidence that you have done something wrong or bad. If they have nothing on you, they cannot prove that you have done anything wrong or bad. (INFORMAL)\nHe may have something on her. He may have supplied her with drugs, and then threatened to tell if she didn’t do this...\nYou’ve got nothing on me and you know it. Your theory would never stand up in a court of law.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n43.\non behalf of: see behalf\non and off: see off\nand so on: see so\non top of: see top


Words: on-message
Meaning:
on-message\n  If a politician is on-message, they say something that follows the official policy of their party.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: on-screen
Meaning:
on-screen   also onscreen\n1. On-screen means appearing on the screen of a television, cinema, or computer.\n...a clear and easy-to-follow menu-driven on-screen display...\nRead the on-screen lyrics and sing along.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. On-screen means relating to the roles played by film or television actors, in contrast with their real lives.\n...her first onscreen kiss.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  On-screen is also an adverb.\nHe was immensely attractive to women, onscreen and offscreen...\n  ADV: ADV with cl


Words: on-the-spot
Meaning:
on-the-spot\n  On-the-spot things are done at the place that you are in at the time that you are there.\nRail travellers who try to avoid paying their fares could face on-the-spot fines.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: once
Meaning:
once\n1. If something happens once, it happens one time only.\nI met Wilma once, briefly...\nSince that evening I haven’t once slept through the night...\nMary had only been to Manchester once before.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n  Once is also a pronoun.\n`Have they been to visit you yet?’.`Just the once, yeah.’...\nListen to us, if only this once.\n  PRON: the/this PRON\n\n2. You use once with `a’ and words like `day’, `week’, and `month’ to indicate that something happens regularly, one time in each day, week, or month.\nLung cells die and are replaced about once a week...\nWe arranged a special social event once a year to which we invited our major customers.\n  ADV: ADV a n\n\n3. If something was once true, it was true at some time in the past, but is no longer true.\nThe culture minister once ran a theatre...\nI lived there once myself, before I got married...\nThe house where she lives was once the village post office...\nMy memory isn’t as good as it once was.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV with be, ADV with group/cl\n\n4. If someone once did something, they did it at some time in the past.\nI once went camping at Lake Darling with a friend...\nWe once walked across London at two in the morning...\nDiana had taken that path once.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n5. If something happens once another thing has happened, it happens immediately afterwards.\nThe decision had taken about 10 seconds once he’d read a market research study...\nOnce customers come to rely on these systems they almost never take their business elsewhere...\n  CONJ\n\n6. If something happens all at once, it happens suddenly, often when you are not expecting it to happen.\nAll at once there was someone knocking on the door.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n  = all of a sudden\n7. If you do something at once, you do it immediately.\nI have to go, I really must, at once...\nRemove from the heat, add the parsley, toss and serve at once...\nThe audience at once greeted him warmly.\n  PHRASE: PHR with v\n  = immediately\n8. If a number of different things happen at once or all at once, they all happen at the same time.\nYou can’t be doing two things at once...\nNo bank could ever pay off its creditors if they all demanded their money at once...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR adj and adj\n\n9. For once is used to emphasize that something happens on this particular occasion, especially if it has never happened before, and may never happen again.\nFor once, dad is not complaining...\nHis smile, for once, was genuine.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl  emphasis\n\n10. If something happens once again or once more, it happens again.\nAmy picked up the hairbrush and smoothed her hair once more...\nOnce again an official inquiry has spoken of weak management and ill-trained workers.\n  PHRASE: PHR with v, PHR with cl\n\n11. If something happens once and for all, it happens completely or finally.\nWe have to resolve this matter once and for all...\nIf we act fast, we can once and for all prevent wild animals in Britain from suffering terrible cruelty.\n  PHRASE: PHR with v  emphasis\n\n12. If something happens once in a while, it happens sometimes, but not very often.\nEarrings need to be taken out and cleaned once in a while.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n  = occasionally\n13. If you have done something once or twice, you have done it a few times, but not very often.\nI popped my head round the door once or twice...\nOnce or twice she had caught a flash of interest in William’s eyes...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl, PHR with v\n\n14. Once upon a time is used to indicate that something happened or existed a long time ago or in an imaginary world. It is often used at the beginning of children’s stories.\n`Once upon a time,’ he began, `there was a man who had everything.’...\nOnce upon a time, asking a woman if she has a job was quite a straightforward question.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n15.\nonce in a blue moon: see moon


Words: once-over
Meaning:
once-over\n  If you give something or someone the once-over, you quickly look at or examine them. (INFORMAL)\nShe gave the apartment a once-over.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR after v


Words: oncoming
Meaning:
on.coming\n   oncoming\n  Oncoming means moving towards you.\nShe was thrown from his car after it skidded into the path of an oncoming car.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: one
Meaning:
one  ones\n1. One is the number 1.\nThey had three sons and one daughter.\n...one thousand years ago...\nScotland beat England one-nil at Wembley.\n...one of the children killed in the crash.\n  NUM\n\n2. If you say that someone or something is the one person or thing of a particular kind, you are emphasizing that they are the only person or thing of that kind.\nThey had alienated the one man who knew the business...\nHis one regret is that he has never learned a language.\n  ADJ: det ADJ  emphasis\n  = only\n3. One can be used instead of `a’ to emphasize the following noun.\nThere is one thing I would like to know.What is it about Tim that you find so irresistible?...\nOne person I hate is Russ.\n  DET: DET sing-n  emphasis\n\n4. You can use one instead of `a’ to emphasize the following adjective or expression. (INFORMAL)\nIf we ever get married we’ll have one terrific wedding...\nIt’s like one enormous street carnival here.\n  DET: DET adj sing-n  emphasis\n\n5. You can use one to refer to the first of two or more things that you are comparing.\nPrices vary from one shop to another...\nThe road hugs the coast for hundreds of miles, the South China Sea on one side, jungle on the other.\n  DET: DET sing-n\n\n  One is also an adjective.\nWe ask why peace should have an apparent chance in the one territory and not the other.\n  ADJ: det ADJ\n\n  One is also a pronoun.\nThe twins were dressed differently and one was thinner than the other.\n  PRON\n\n6. You can use one or ones instead of a noun when it is clear what type of thing or person you are referring to and you are describing them or giving more information about them.\nThey are selling their house to move to a smaller one...\nWe test each one to see that it flies well.\n  PRON\n\n7. You use ones to refer to people in general.\nWe are the only ones who know.\n  PRON\n\n8. You can use one instead of a noun group when you have just mentioned something and you want to describe it or give more information about it.\nHis response is one of anger and frustration...\nThe issue of land reform was one that dominated Hungary’s parliamentary elections.\n  PRON: PRON of n, PRON that\n\n9. You can use one when you have been talking or writing about a group of people or things and you want to say something about a particular member of the group.\n`A college degree isn’t enough’, said one honors student.\n  DET: DET sing-n\n\n  One is also a pronoun.\nSome of them couldn’t eat a thing. One couldn’t even drink.\n  PRON\n\n10. You use one in expressions such as `one of the biggest airports’ or `one of the most experienced players’ to indicate that something or someone is bigger or more experienced than most other things or people of the same kind.\nSubaru is one of the smallest Japanese car makers.\n  QUANT: QUANT of adj-superl\n\n11. You can use one when referring to a time in the past or in the future. For example, if you say that you did something one day, you mean that you did it on a day in the past.\nHow would you like to have dinner one night, just you and me?...\nThen one evening Harry phoned, asking me to come to their flat as soon as possible.\n  DET: DET sing-n\n\none day: see day\n12. You use one to make statements about people in general which also apply to themselves. One can be used as the subject or object of a sentence. (FORMAL)\nIf one looks at the longer run, a lot of positive things are happening...\nShares and bonds can bring one quite a considerable additional income.\n  PRON\n\n13. If you say that someone is one for or is a one for something, you mean that they like or approve of it or enjoy doing it.\nI’m not one for political discussions...\nShe was a real one for flirting with the boys.\n  PHRASE: oft with brd-neg, v-link PHR n/-ing\n\n14. You can use for one to emphasize that a particular person is definitely reacting or behaving in a particular way, even if other people are not.\nI, for one, hope you don’t get the job.\n  PHRASE: PHR before v  emphasis\n\n(next)


Words: one .1
Meaning:
15. You can use expressions such as a hundred and one, a thousand and one, and a million and one to emphasize that you are talking about a large number of things or people.\nThere are a hundred and one ways in which you can raise money.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR pl-n  emphasis\n\n16. You can use in one to indicate that something is a single unit, but is made up of several different parts or has several different functions.\n...a love story and an adventure all in one...\nThis cream moisturises and repairs in one.\n  PHRASE: pl-n PHR, PHR after v\n\n17. You use one after the other or one after another to say that actions or events happen with very little time between them.\nMy three guitars broke one after the other...\nOne after another, people described how hard it is for them to get medical care.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n18. The one and only can be used in front of the name of an actor, singer, or other famous person when they are being introduced on a show.\n...one of the greatest ever rock performers, the one and only Tina Turner.\n  PHRASE: PHR n-proper\n\n19. You can use one by one to indicate that people do things or that things happen in sequence, not all at the same time.\nWe went into the room one by one...\nOne by one the houses burst into flames.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n20. You use one or other to refer to one or more things or people in a group, when it does not matter which particular one or ones are thought of or chosen.\nOne or other of the two women was wrong.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR of pl-n\n\n21. One or two means a few.\nWe may make one or two changes...\nI asked one or two of the stallholders about it.\n  PHRASE: oft PHR pl-n, PHR of pl-n\n\n22. If you say that someone is not one to do something, you think that it is very unlikely that they would do it because it is not their normal behaviour.\nI’m not one to waste time on just anyone.\n  PHRASE: PHR to-inf, usu v-link PHR\n\n23. If you try to get one up on someone, you try to gain an advantage over them.\n...the competitive kind who will see this as the opportunity to be one up on you.\n  PHRASE: PHR n, usu v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n24.\none another: see another\none thing after another: see another\nof one mind: see mind\nin one piece: see piece


Words: one’s
Meaning:
one’s\n1. Speakers and writers use one’s to indicate that something belongs or relates to people in general, or to themselves in particular. (FORMAL)\n...a feeling of responsibility for the welfare of others in one’s community...\n  DET\n  = your\n2. One’s can be used as a spoken form of `one is’ or `one has’, especially when `has’ is an auxiliary verb.\nNo one’s going to hurt you. No one. Not any more...\nI think one’s got to consider all the possibilities.\n\nsee one


Words: one-armed bandit
Meaning:
one-armed ban.dit\n   one-armed bandit  one-armed bandits\n  A one-armed bandit is the same as a fruit machine.\n  N-COUNT


Words: one-horse
Meaning:
one-horse\n1. If someone describes a town as a one-horse town, they mean it is very small, dull, and old-fashioned.\nWould you want to live in a small, one-horse town for your whole life?\n  ADJ: ADJ n  disapproval\n\n2. If a contest is described as a one-horse race, it is thought that one person or thing will obviously win it.\nHe described the referendum as a one-horse race...\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: one-liner
Meaning:
one-liner  one-liners\n  A one-liner is a funny remark or a joke told in one sentence, for example in a play or comedy programme. (INFORMAL)\nThe book is witty and peppered with good one-liners.\n  N-COUNT


Words: one-man
Meaning:
one-man\n1. A one-man performance is given by only one man rather than by several people.\nI saw him do his one-man show in London, which I loved.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. A one-man organization, such as a business or type of government is controlled by one person, rather than by several people.\nIt has grown from a one-man business to a multi-million dollar business with close to $10 million in assets...\nHe established one-man rule in his country seven months ago.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: one-man band
Meaning:
one-man band  one-man bands\n  A one-man band is a street entertainer who wears and plays a lot of different instruments at the same time.\n  N-COUNT


Words: one-night stand
Meaning:
one-night stand  one-night stands\n  A one-night stand is a very brief sexual relationship, usually one that is casual and perhaps only lasts one night. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: one-of-a-kind
Meaning:
one-of-a-kind\n  You use one-of-a-kind to describe something that is special because there is nothing else exactly like it. (mainly AM)\n...a small one-of-a-kind publishing house.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = unique


Words: one-off
Meaning:
one-off  one-offs\n1. You can refer to something as a one-off when it is made or happens only once. (mainly BRIT)\nOur survey revealed that these allergies were mainly one-offs.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A one-off thing is made or happens only once. (mainly BRIT)\n...one-off cash benefits.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: one-on-one
Meaning:
one-on-one\n  A one-on-one situation, meeting, or contest involves only two people.\n...a one-on-one therapy session.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = one-to-one\n  One-on-one is also an adverb.\nTalking one-on-one with people is not his idea of fun.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n  One-on-one is also a noun.\nHolloway was beaten in a one-on-one with Miklosko just before half-time.\n  N-SING: oft N with n


Words: one-parent family
Meaning:
one-parent fami.ly\n   one-parent family  one-parent families\n  A one-parent family is a family that consists of one parent and his or her children living together.\nMany children are now born into or raised in one-parent families.\n  N-COUNT


Words: one-piece
Meaning:
one-piece  one-pieces\n1. A one-piece article of clothing consists of one piece only, rather than two or more separate parts.\n...a blue one-piece bathing suit.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. A one-piece is a type of woman’s swimming costume that consists of one piece of material and which covers her chest.\nA one-piece is more flattering than a bikini.\n  N-COUNT


Words: one-sided
Meaning:
one-sided\n1. If you say that an activity or relationship is one-sided, you think that one of the people or groups involved does much more than the other or is much stronger than the other.\nThe negotiating was completely one-sided...\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone as one-sided, you are critical of what they say or do because you think it shows that they have considered only one side of an issue or event.\nThere has been a very one-sided account of her problems with Ted.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = biased


Words: one-stop
Meaning:
one-stop\n  A one-stop shop is a place where you can buy everything you need for a particular purpose.\nA marvellous discovery for every bride-to-be, The Wedding Centre is the ultimate one-stop shop.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: one-time
Meaning:
one-time   also onetime\n  One-time is used to describe something such as a job, position, or role which someone used to have, or something which happened in the past. (JOURNALISM)\nThe legislative body had voted to oust the country’s onetime rulers.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = former


Words: one-to-one
Meaning:
one-to-one\n1. In a one-to-one relationship, one person deals directly with only one other person.\n...one-to-one training.\n...negotiating on a one-to-one basis.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  One-to-one is also an adverb.\nShe would like to talk to people one to one.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. If there is a one-to-one match between two sets of things, each member of one set matches a member of the other set.\nIn English, there is not a consistent one-to-one match between each written symbol and each distinct spoken sound.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: one-upmanship
Meaning:
one-upmanship\n  If you refer to someone’s behaviour as one-upmanship, you disapprove of them trying to make other people feel inferior in order to make themselves appear more important.\n...political one-upmanship.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft supp N  disapproval


Words: one-way
Meaning:
one-way\n1. In one-way streets or traffic systems, vehicles can only travel along in one direction.\nHe zoomed through junctions without stopping and sped the wrong way down a one-way street.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. One-way describes journeys which go to just one place, rather than to that place and then back again.\nThe trailers will be rented for one-way trips...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. A one-way ticket or fare is for a journey from one place to another, but not back again. (mainly AM)\n...a one-way ticket from New York to Los Angeles.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = single  !=return\n  One-way is also an adverb. (in BRIT, usually use single)\nUnrestricted fares will be increased as much as $80 one-way.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n4. If you say that a course of action is a one-way ticket to a place or situation, or is a one-way journey there, you are sure that it will lead to the place or situation mentioned.\nIt seemed like a one-way ticket to riches, but then it all went wrong...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n5. One-way glass or a one-way mirror is a piece of glass which acts as a mirror when looked at from one side, but acts as a window when looked through from the other side. They are used for watching people without their knowledge.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n6. If you describe an agreement or a relationship as a one-way street, you mean that only one of the sides in the agreement or relationship is offering something or is benefitting from it.\nThe experience of the last 10 years has shown that, for the Eurosceptics, loyalty is a one-way street; something you demand but do not give...\nSo trade between the two nations has been something of a one-way street, with Cuba deriving the benefit.\n  PHRASE


Words: one-woman
Meaning:
one-woman\n  A one-woman performance or business is done by only one woman, rather than by several people.\nShe has already presented a one-woman show of her paintings.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: onerous
Meaning:
on.er.ous\n   onerous\n  If you describe a task as onerous, you dislike having to do it because you find it difficult or unpleasant. (FORMAL)\n...parents who have had the onerous task of bringing up a very difficult child.\n  ADJ


Words: oneself
Meaning:
one.self\n   oneself\n\n  Oneself is a third person singular reflexive pronoun.\n\n1. A speaker or writer uses oneself as the object of a verb or preposition in a clause where `oneself’ meaning `me’ or `any person in general’ refers to the same person as the subject of the verb. (FORMAL)\nTo work one must have time to oneself.\n  PRON\n\n2. Oneself can be used as the object of a verb or preposition, when `one’ is not present but is understood to be the subject of the verb. (FORMAL)\nThe historic feeling of the town makes it a pleasant place to base oneself for summer vacations...\nIt’s so easy to feel sorry for oneself...\n  PRON


Words: ongoing
Meaning:
on.going\n   ongoing\n  An ongoing situation has been happening for quite a long time and seems likely to continue for some time in the future.\nThere is an ongoing debate on the issue...\nThat research is ongoing.\n  ADJ\n  = continuing


Words: onion
Meaning:
on.ion\n   onion  onions\n  An onion is a round vegetable with a brown skin that grows underground. It has many white layers on its inside which have a strong, sharp smell and taste.\nIt is made with fresh minced meat, cooked with onion and a rich tomato sauce.\n  N-VAR


Words: online
Meaning:
on.line\n   online   also on-line\n1. If a company goes online, its services become available on the Internet. (BUSINESS, COMPUTING)\n...the first bank to go online.\n...an online shopping centre.\n...an online catalogue.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you are online, your computer is connected to the Internet. Compare offline. (COMPUTING)\nYou can chat to other people who are online.\n  ADJ\n\n  Online is also an adverb.\n...the cool stuff you find online.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\non line: see line


Words: onlooker
Meaning:
on.looker\n   onlooker  onlookers\n  An onlooker is someone who watches an event take place but does not take part in it.\nA handful of onlookers stand in the field watching.\n  N-COUNT


Words: only
Meaning:
only\n\n  In written English, only is usually placed immediately before the word it qualifies. In spoken English, however, you can use stress to indicate what only qualifies, so its position is not so important.\n\n1. You use only to indicate the one thing that is true, appropriate, or necessary in a particular situation, in contrast to all the other things that are not true, appropriate, or necessary.\nOnly the President could authorize the use of the atomic bomb...\nOnly here were the police visible in any strength at all...\n44-year-old woman seeks caring, honest male of similar age for friendship and fun. Genuine replies only...\nA business can only be built and expanded on a sound financial base...\n  ADV: ADV with group, ADV before v\n\n2. You use only to introduce the thing which must happen before the thing mentioned in the main part of the sentence can happen.\nThe lawyer is paid only if he wins...\nThe Bank of England insists that it will cut interest rates only when it is ready...\n  ADV: ADV cl/prep\n\n3. If you talk about the only person or thing involved in a particular situation, you mean there are no others involved in it.\nShe was the only woman in Shell’s legal department...\nMy cat Gustaf was the only thing I had - the only company.\n  ADJ: det ADJ\n\n4. An only child is a child who has no brothers or sisters.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n5. You use only to indicate that something is no more important, interesting, or difficult, for example, than you say it is, especially when you want to correct a wrong idea that someone may get or has already got.\nAt the moment it is only a theory...\n`I’m only a sergeant,’ said Clements...\nDon’t get defensive, Charlie. I was only joking.\n  ADV: ADV group, ADV before v\n  = just\n6. You use only to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is.\nChild car seats only cost about .10 a week to hire.\n...spacecraft guidance systems weighing only a few grams...\nI’ve only recently met him.\n  ADV: ADV n/adv  emphasis\n\n7. You use only to emphasize that you are talking about a small part of an amount or group, not the whole of it.\nThese are only a few of the possibilities...\nOnly a minority of the people supported the Revolution.\n  ADV: ADV n  emphasis\n\n8. Only is used after `can’ or `could’ to emphasize that it is impossible to do anything except the rather inadequate or limited action that is mentioned.\nFor a moment I could say nothing. I could only stand and look...\nThe police can only guess at the scale of the problem.\n  ADV: modal ADV inf  emphasis\n\n9. You can use only in the expressions I only wish or I only hope in order to emphasize what you are hoping or wishing.\nI only wish he were here now that things are getting better for me...\n  ADV: ADV before v  emphasis\n  = just\n10. Only can be used to add a comment which slightly changes or limits what you have just said. (INFORMAL)\nIt’s just as dramatic as a film, only it’s real...\nDrop in and see me when you’re ready. Only don’t take too long about it.\n  CONJ\n  = but, except\n11. Only can be used after a clause with `would’ to indicate why something is not done. (SPOKEN)\nI’d invite you to come with me, only it’s such a long way...\nI’d be quite happy to go. Only I don’t know what my kids would say about living there.\n  CONJ\n  = but\n12. You can use only before an infinitive to introduce an event which happens immediately after one you have just mentioned, and which is rather surprising or unfortunate.\nRyle tried the Embassy, only to be told that Hugh was in a meeting...\nHe raced through the living room, only to find the front door closed.\n  ADV: ADV to-inf\n\n13. You can use only to emphasize how appropriate a certain course of action or type of behaviour is.\nIt’s only fair to let her know that you intend to apply...\nShe appeared to have changed considerably, which was only to be expected.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV to-inf  emphasis\n\n(next)


Words: only .1
Meaning:
14. You can use only in front of a verb to indicate that the result of something is unfortunate or undesirable and is likely to make the situation worse rather than better.\nThe embargo would only hurt innocent civilians...\nShe says that legalising prostitution will only cause problems.\n  ADV: ADV before v\n  = just\n15. If you say you only have to or have only to do one thing in order to achieve or prove a second thing, you are emphasizing how easily the second thing can be achieved or proved.\nAny time you want a babysitter, dear, you only have to ask...\nWe have only to read the labels to know what ingredients are in foods.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR inf  emphasis\n\n16. You can say that something has only just happened when you want to emphasize that it happened a very short time ago.\nI’ve only just arrived...\nThe signs of an economic revival are only just beginning...\n  PHRASE: PHR before v, PHR adv  emphasis\n\n17. You use only just to emphasize that something is true, but by such a small degree that it is almost not true at all.\nFor centuries farmers there have only just managed to survive...\nI am old enough to remember the Blitz, but only just...\n  PHRASE: usu PHR before v, PHR with cl/group  emphasis\n\n18. You can use only too to emphasize that something is true or exists to a much greater extent than you would expect or like.\nI know only too well that plans can easily go wrong...\nWhen the new baby comes along it is only too easy to shut out the others.\n  PHRASE: PHR adv/adj  emphasis\n\n19. You can say that you are only too happy to do something to emphasize how willing you are to do it.\nI’ll be only too pleased to help them out with any queries.\n  PHRASE: PHR adj  emphasis\n\n20.\nif only: see if\nnot only: see not\nthe one and only: see one


Words: onomatopoeia
Meaning:
ono.mato.poeia\n   onomatopoeia\n  Onomatopoeia refers to the use of words which sound like the noise they refer to. `Hiss’, `buzz’, and `rat-a-tat-tat’ are examples of onomatopoeia. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: onomatopoeic
Meaning:
ono.mato.poe.ic\n   onomatopoeic\n  Onomatopoeic words sound like the noise they refer to. `Hiss’, `buzz’, and `rat-a-tat-tat’ are examples of onomatopoeic words. (TECHNICAL)\n  ADJ


Words: onrush
Meaning:
on.rush\n   onrush\n  The onrush of something is its sudden development, which happens so quickly and forcefully that you are unable to control it.\nThe onrush of tears took me by surprise...\nShe was screwing up her eyes against the onrush of air.\n  N-SING: usu N of n\n  = surge


Words: onrushing
Meaning:
on.rush.ing\n   onrushing\n  Onrushing describes something such as a vehicle that is moving forward so quickly or forcefully that it would be very difficult to stop.\nHe was killed by an onrushing locomotive.\n...the roar of the onrushing water.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: onset
Meaning:
on.set\n   onset\n  The onset of something is the beginning of it, used especially to refer to something unpleasant.\nMost of the passes have been closed with the onset of winter...\n  N-SING: usu the N of n, also no det\n  = start


Words: onshore
Meaning:
on.shore\n   onshore\n1. Onshore means happening on or near land, rather than at sea.\n...Western Europe’s biggest onshore oilfield.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=offshore\n  Onshore is also an adverb.\nThey missed the ferry and remained onshore.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. Onshore means happening or moving towards the land.\nThe onshore wind blew steadily past him.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  Onshore is also an adverb.\nThere was a bit of a wind and it was blowing onshore.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: onside
Meaning:
on.side\n   onside\n1. In games such as football and hockey, when an attacking player is onside, they have not broken the rules because at least two players from the opposing team are between them and the goal when the ball is passed to them.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If a person or group of people is onside, they support you and agree with what you are doing.\nGranada and Forte are continuing to telephone shareholders in an attempt to bring them onside.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ


Words: onslaught
Meaning:
on.slaught\n   onslaught  onslaughts\n1. An onslaught on someone or something is a very violent, forceful attack against them.\nThe rebels responded to a military onslaught against them by launching a major assault on an army camp.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N on/against n, N by n\n  = assault\n2. If you refer to an onslaught of something, you mean that there is a large amount of it, often so that it is very difficult to deal with.\n...the constant onslaught of ads on American TV.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n  = barrage


Words: onstage
Meaning:
on.stage\n   onstage\n  When someone such as an actor or musician goes onstage, they go onto the stage in a theatre to give a performance.\nWhen she walked onstage she was given a standing ovation...\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, ADV with cl\n  !=off-stage


Words: onto
Meaning:
onto   also on to\nIn addition to the uses shown below, onto is used in phrasal verbs such as `hold onto’ and `latch onto’.\n1. If something moves or is put onto an object or surface, it is then on that object or surface.\nI took my bags inside, lowered myself onto the bed and switched on the TV...\nSmear Vaseline on to your baby’s skin to prevent soreness.\n  PREP\n\n2. You can sometimes use onto to mention the place or area that someone moves into.\nThe players emerged onto the field...\nAlex turned his car on to the Albert Quay and drove along until he found a parking place.\n  PREP\n\n3. You can use onto to introduce the place towards which a light or someone’s look is directed.\n...the metal part of the door onto which the sun had been shining...\n...the house with its leafy garden and its view on to Regent’s Park.\n  PREP\n\n4. You can use onto to introduce a place that you would immediately come to after leaving another place that you have just mentioned, because they are next to each other.\n...windows opening onto carved black-wood balconies...\nThe door opened onto a lighted hallway.\n  PREP: v PREP n\n\n5. When you change the position of your body, you use onto to introduce the part your body which is now supporting you.\nAs he stepped backwards she fell onto her knees, then onto her face...\nI willed my eyes to open and heaved myself over on to my back.\n  PREP\n\n6. When you get onto a bus, train, or plane, you enter it in order to travel somewhere.\nAs he got on to the plane, he asked me how I was feeling...\n`I’ll see you onto the train.’.`Thank you.’\n  PREP\n  !=off\n7. Onto is used after verbs such as `hold’, `hang’, and `cling’ to indicate what someone is holding firmly or where something is being held firmly.\nThe reflector is held onto the sides of the spacecraft with a frame...\nShe was conscious of a second man hanging on to the rail...\n  PREP\n\n8. If people who are talking get onto a different subject, they begin talking about it.\nLet’s get on to more important matters...\nSo, if we could just move onto something else?\n  PREP\n\n9. You can sometimes use onto to indicate that something or someone becomes included as a part of a list or system.\nThe Macedonian question had failed to get on to the agenda...\nThe pill itself has changed a lot since it first came onto the market...\nTwelve thousand workers will go onto a four-day week at their factory in Birmingham.\n  PREP\n\n10. If someone is onto something, they are about to discover something important. (INFORMAL)\nHe leaned across the table and whispered to me, `I’m really onto something.’...\nArchaeologists knew they were onto something big when they started digging.\n  PREP: be PREP n\n\n11. If someone is onto you, they have discovered that you are doing something illegal or wrong. (INFORMAL)\nI had told people what he had been doing, so now the police were onto him.\n  PREP: be PREP n


Words: ontology
Meaning:
on.tol.ogy\n   ontology\n  Ontology is the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of existence. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  on.to.logi.cal\n...the ontological question of the relationship between mind and body.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: onus
Meaning:
onus\n  If you say that the onus is on someone to do something, you mean it is their duty or responsibility to do it. (FORMAL)\nThe onus is on the shopkeeper to provide goods which live up to the quality of their description...\n  N-SING: usu the N, oft N of n/-ing


Words: onward
Meaning:
on.ward\n   onward   also onwards\n\n  In British English, onwards is an adverb and onward is an adjective. In American English and sometimes in formal British English, onward may also be an adverb.\n\n1. Onward means moving forward or continuing a journey.\nBritish Airways have two flights a day to Bangkok, and there are onward flights to Phnom Penh.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  Onward is also an adverb.\nThe bus continued onward...\nHe measured the distance to the nearest Antarctic coast, and onwards to the South Pole.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  = on\n2. Onward means developing, progressing, or becoming more important over a period of time.\n...the onward march of progress in the British aircraft industry.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  Onward is also an adverb.\nI can see things just going onwards and upwards for us now...\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n3. If something happens from a particular time onwards or onward, it begins to happen at that time and continues to happen afterwards.\nFrom the turn of the century onward, she shared the life of the aborigines.\n  ADV: from n ADV


Words: onyx
Meaning:
onyx\n  Onyx is a stone which can be various colours. It is used for making ornaments, jewellery, or furniture.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: oodles
Meaning:
oodles\n  If you say that there is oodles of something, you are emphasizing that there is a very large quantity of it. (INFORMAL)\nThe recipe calls for oodles of melted chocolate.\n  QUANT: QUANT of n-uncount/pl-n  emphasis\n  = loads, tons


Words: ooh
Meaning:
ooh   also oo\n  People say `ooh’ when they are surprised, looking forward to something, or find something pleasant or unpleasant. (INFORMAL)\n`Ooh dear me, that’s a bit of a racist comment isn’t it.’...\n`Red? Ooh how nice.’\n  EXCLAM  feelings


Words: oomph
Meaning:
oomph\n  If you say that someone or something has oomph, you mean that they are energetic and exciting. (INFORMAL)\n`There’s no buzz, there’s no oomph about the place,’ he complained.\n  N-UNCOUNT  approval


Words: oops
Meaning:
oops\n  You say `oops’ to indicate that there has been a slight accident or mistake, or to apologize to someone for it. (INFORMAL)\nToday they’re saying, `Oops, we made a mistake.’\n  EXCLAM  feelings


Words: ooze
Meaning:
ooze  oozes  oozing  oozed\n1. When a thick or sticky liquid oozes from something or when something oozes it, the liquid flows slowly and in small quantities.\nHe saw there was a big hole in the back of the man’s head, blood was still oozing from it...\nThe lava will just ooze gently out of the crater...\nThe wounds may heal cleanly or they may ooze a clear liquid.\n  VERB: V, V adv, V n\n\n2. If you say that someone or something oozes a quality or characteristic, or oozes with it, you mean that they show it very strongly.\nThe Elizabethan house oozes charm...\nManchester United were by now oozing with confidence.\n  VERB: V n, V with n


Words: op
Meaning:
op ops\n1. An op is a medical operation. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\n...breast cancer ops.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Ops are military operations.\nFlt Lt Beamont had completed a 200 hour tour of ops in December 1941...\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: op-ed
Meaning:
op-ed\n  In a newspaper, the op-ed page is a page containing articles in which people express their opinions about things. (AM INFORMAL)\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: op. cit.
Meaning:
In reference books, op. cit. is used after an author’s name to refer to a book of theirs which has already been mentioned. (FORMAL)\n...quoted in Iyer, op. cit., p. 332.


Words: opacity
Meaning:
opac.ity\n   opacity\n1. Opacity is the quality of being difficult to see through. (FORMAL)\nOpacity of the eye lens can be induced by deficiency of certain vitamins...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you refer to something’s opacity, you mean that it is difficult to understand. (FORMAL)\nIts dramatic nuances were often generalised to the point of opacity.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = obscurity  !=transparency


Words: opal
Meaning:
opal  opals\n  An opal is a precious stone. Opals are colourless or white, but other colours are reflected in them.\n  N-VAR


Words: opalescent
Meaning:
opal.es.cent\n   opalescent\n  Opalescent means colourless or white like an opal, or changing colour like an opal. (LITERARY)\nElaine turned her opalescent eyes on him.\n...a sky which was still faintly opalescent.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  opal.es.cence\nThe sunset was making great splashes of fiery opalescence across the sky.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: opaque
Meaning:
opaque\n1. If an object or substance is opaque, you cannot see through it.\nYou can always use opaque glass if you need to block a street view.\n  ADJ\n  !=transparent\n2. If you say that something is opaque, you mean that it is difficult to understand.\n...the opaque language of the inspector’s reports.\n  ADJ


Words: OPEC
Meaning:
OPEC\n  OPEC is an organization of countries that produce oil. It tries to develop a common policy and system of prices. OPEC is an abbreviation for `Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries’.\nEach member of OPEC would seek to maximize its own production.\n  N-PROPER


Words: open
Meaning:
open  opens  opening  opened\n1. If you open something such as a door, window, or lid, or if it opens, its position is changed so that it no longer covers a hole or gap.\nHe opened the window and looked out...\nThe church doors would open and the crowd would surge out.\n  VERB: V n, V\n  !=close, shut\n  Open is also an adjective.\n...an open window...\nA door had been forced open.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you open something such as a bottle, box, parcel, or envelope, you move, remove, or cut part of it so you can take out what is inside.\nThe Inspector opened the packet of cigarettes...\nThe capsules are fiddly to open.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n  Open is also an adjective.\n...an open bottle of milk...\nI tore the letter open.\n  ADJ\n\n  Open up means the same as open.\nHe opened up a cage and lifted out a 6ft python.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n3. If you open something such as a book, an umbrella, or your hand, or if it opens, the different parts of it move away from each other so that the inside of it can be seen.\nHe opened the heavy Bible...\nThe officer’s mouth opened, showing white, even teeth.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n  Open is also an adjective.\nWithout warning, Bardo smacked his fist into his open hand...\nHis mouth was a little open, as if he’d started to scream.\n  ADJ\n\n  Open out means the same as open.\nKeith took a map from the dashboard and opened it out on his knees.\n...oval tables which open out to become circular.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P, also V P n (not pron)\n\n4. If you open a computer file, you give the computer an instruction to display it on the screen. (COMPUTING)\nDouble click on the icon to open the file.\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. When you open your eyes or your eyes open, you move your eyelids upwards, for example when you wake up, so that you can see.\nWhen I opened my eyes I saw a man with an axe standing at the end of my bed...\nHis eyes were opening wide.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n  Open is also an adjective.\nAs soon as he saw that her eyes were open he sat up.\n  ADJ\n\n6. If you open your arms, you stretch them wide apart in front of you, usually in order to put them round someone.\nShe opened her arms and gave me a big hug.\n  VERB: V n\n\n7. If you describe a person or their character as open, you mean they are honest and do not want or try to hide anything or to deceive anyone.\nHe had always been open with her and she always felt she would know if he lied...\nShe has an open, trusting nature.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  open.ness\n...a relationship based on honesty and openness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n8. If you describe a situation, attitude, or way of behaving as open, you mean it is not kept hidden or secret.\nThe action is an open violation of the Vienna Convention...\nHearing the case in open court is only one part of the judicial process.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  open.ness\n...the new climate of political openness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n9. If you are open to suggestions or ideas, you are ready and willing to consider or accept them.\nThey are open to suggestions on how working conditions might be improved.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n\n  = receptive\n10. If you say that a system, person, or idea is open to something such as abuse or criticism, you mean they might receive abuse or criticism because of their qualities, effects, or actions.\nThe system, though well-meaning, is open to abuse...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n\n  = susceptible\n11. If you say that a fact or question is open to debate, interpretation, or discussion, you mean that people are uncertain whether it is true, what it means, or what the answer is.\nIt is an open question how long that commitment can last.\n  ADJ: oft v-link ADJ to n\n\n12. If people open something such as a blocked road or a border, or if it opens, people can then pass along it or through it.\nThe rebels have opened the road from Monrovia to the Ivory Coast...\nThe solid rank of police officers lining the courtroom opened to let them pass.\n  VERB: V n, V\n  !=close\n  Open is also an adjective.\n(next)


Words: open .1
Meaning:
We were part of an entire regiment that had nothing else to do but to keep that highway open.\n  ADJ\n\n  Open up means the same as open.\nAs rescue workers opened up roads today, it became apparent that some small towns were totally devastated...\nWhen the Berlin Wall came down it wasn’t just the roads that opened up but the waterways too.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P\n\n13. If a place opens into another, larger place, you can move from one directly into the other.\nThe corridor opened into a low smoky room.\n  VERB: V into/onto/to n\n\n  Open out means the same as open.\n...narrow streets opening out into charming squares.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P into/onto/to n\n\n14. An open area is a large area that does not have many buildings or trees in it.\nOfficers will also continue their search of nearby open ground.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n15. An open structure or object is not covered or enclosed.\nDon’t leave a child alone in a room with an open fire.\n...open sandwiches.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n16. An open wound is one from which a liquid such as blood is coming.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n17. If you open your shirt or coat, you undo the buttons or pull down the zip.\nI opened my coat and let him see the belt.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Open is also an adjective.\nThe top can be worn buttoned up or open over a T-shirt.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ\n\n18. When a shop, office, or public building opens or is opened, its doors are unlocked and the public can go in.\nBanks closed on Friday afternoon and did not open again until Monday morning.\n...a gang of three who’d apparently been lying in wait for him to open the shop.\n...opening and closing times.\n  VERB: V, V n, V-ing\n\n  Open is also an adjective.\nHis shop is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.\n  ADJ\n\n19. When a public building, factory, or company opens or when someone opens it, it starts operating for the first time.\nThe original station opened in 1754...\nThe complex opens to the public tomorrow...\nThey are planning to open a factory in Eastern Europe...\n  VERB: V, V to n, V n\n  !=close, shut\n  Open is also an adjective.\n...any operating subsidy required to keep the pits open.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n=>  open.ing      openings\nHe was there, though, for the official opening.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n20. If something such as a meeting or series of talks opens, or if someone opens it, it begins.\n...an emergency session of the Russian Parliament due to open later this morning...\nThey are now ready to open negotiations.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n=>  open.ing\n...a communique issued at the opening of the talks.\n  N-SING: the N of n\n\n21. If an event such as a meeting or discussion opens with a particular activity or if a particular activity opens an event, that activity is the first thing that happens or is dealt with. You can also say that someone such as a speaker or singer opens by doing a particular thing.\nThe service opened with a hymn...\nI opened by saying, `Honey, you look sensational.’...\nPollard opened the conversation with some small talk.\n  VERB: V with n, V by -ing, V n with n, also V n by -ing\n  = begin  !=end\n22. On the stock exchange, the price at which currencies, shares, or commodities open is their value at the start of that day’s trading. (BUSINESS)\nGold declined $2 in Zurich to open at 385.50...\nIn Paris and Milan, the dollar opened almost unchanged.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V adj\n  !=close\n23. When a film, play, or other public event opens, it begins to be shown, be performed, or take place for a limited period of time.\nA photographic exhibition opens at the Royal College of Art on Wednesday...\n  VERB: V\n\n=>  open.ing\nHe is due to attend the opening of the Asian Games on Saturday.\n  N-SING: the N of n\n\n24. If you open an account with a bank or a commercial organization, you begin to use their services.\nHe tried to open an account at the branch of his bank nearest to his workplace.\n  VERB: V n\n\n25. If an opportunity or choice is open to you, you are able to do a particular thing if you choose to.\n(next)


Words: open .2
Meaning:
There are a wide range of career opportunities open to young people.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n\n\n26. To open opportunities or possibilities means the same as to open them up.\nThe chief of naval operations wants to open opportunities for women in the Navy...\nA series of fortunate opportunities opened to him.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n27. You can use open to describe something that anyone is allowed to take part in or accept.\nA recent open meeting of College members revealed widespread dissatisfaction...\nA portfolio approach would keep entry into the managerial profession open and flexible.\n...an open invitation.\n  ADJ\n\n28. If something such as an offer or job is open, it is available for someone to accept or apply for.\nThe offer will remain open until further notice.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n  see also opening 6\n29. If you do something in the open, you do it out of doors rather than in a house or other building.\nMany are sleeping in the open because they have no shelter.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n30. If an attitude or situation is in the open or out in the open, people know about it and it is no longer kept secret.\nThe medical service had advised us to keep it a secret, but we wanted it in the open.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n31. If something is wide open, it is open to its full extent.\nThe child had left the inner door wide open.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR\n\n32. If you say that a competition, race, or election is wide open, you mean that anyone could win it, because there is no competitor who seems to be much better than the others.\nThe competition has been thrown wide open by the absence of the world champion.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n33.\nwith open arms: see arm\nto open the door: see door\nto keep your eyes open: see eye\nwith your eyes open: see eye\nto open your eyes: see eye\nto open fire: see fire\nto open your heart: see heart\nthe heavens open: see heaven\nan open mind: see mind\nto open your mind: see mind\nto keep your options open: see option


Words: open day
Meaning:
open day  open days\n  An open day is a day on which members of the public are encouraged to visit a particular school, university, or other institution to see what it is like. (BRIT; in AM, use open house)\n  N-COUNT


Words: open house
Meaning:
open house\n1. If you say that someone keeps open house, you mean that they welcome friends or visitors to their house whenever they arrive and allow them to stay for as long as they want to.\nFather Illtyd kept open house and the boys would congregate in his study during their recreation time, playing cards or games.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. An open house is a day on which members of the public are encouraged to visit a particular institution or place to see what it is like. (AM; in BRIT, use open day)\nA week later, Sara and I attended open house at Ted’s school...\n  N-VAR: also N n


Words: open letter
Meaning:
open let.ter\n   open letter  open letters\n  An open letter is a letter that is published in a newspaper or magazine. It is addressed to a particular person but is intended for the general reader, usually in order to protest or give an opinion about something.\nThe Lithuanian parliament also sent an open letter to the United Nations.\n  N-COUNT


Words: open market
Meaning:
open mar.ket\n   open market\n  Goods that are bought and sold on the open market are advertised and sold to anyone who wants to buy them. (BUSINESS)\nThe Central Bank is authorized to sell government bonds on the open market.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: open pit
Meaning:
open pit  open pits\n  An open pit is a mine where the coal, metal, or minerals are near the surface and underground passages are not needed. (AM; in BRIT, use opencast mine)\n  N-COUNT\n  = strip mine


Words: open prison
Meaning:
open pris.on\n   open prison  open prisons\n  An open prison is a prison where there are fewer restrictions on prisoners than in a normal prison. (BRIT; in AM, use minimum security prison)\n  N-COUNT: oft in names


Words: open question
Meaning:
open ques.tion\n   open question  open questions\n  If something is an open question, people have different opinions about it and nobody can say which opinion is correct.\nA British official said he thought it was an open question whether sanctions would do any good.\n  N-COUNT


Words: open secret
Meaning:
open se.cret\n   open secret  open secrets\n  If you refer to something as an open secret, you mean that it is supposed to be a secret, but many people know about it.\nIt’s an open secret that the security service bugged telephones.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Open University
Meaning:
Open Uni.ver.sity\n   Open University\n  In Britain, the Open University is a university that runs degree courses using the radio and television, for students who want to study part-time or mainly at home.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: open up
Meaning:
open up\n1.\nsee open 2, 12\n2. If a place, economy, or area of interest opens up, or if someone opens it up, more people can go there or become involved in it.\nAs the market opens up, I think people are going to be able to spend more money on consumer goods...\nHe said he wanted to see how Albania was opening up to the world...\nThese programmes will open up markets for farmers...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P to n, V P n (not pron)\n\n3. If something opens up opportunities or possibilities, or if they open up, they are created.\nIt was also felt that the collapse of the system opened up new possibilities...\nNew opportunities are opening up for investors who want a more direct stake in overseas companies.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P\n\n4. If you open up a lead in a race or competition, you get yourself into a position where you are leading, usually by quite a long way.\nThe Chinese team had opened up a lead of more than two minutes.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n\n5. When you open up a building, you unlock and open the door so that people can get in.\nThree armed men were waiting when the postmaster and his wife arrived to open up the shop...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n\n6. If someone opens up, they start to say exactly what they think or feel.\nLorna found that people were willing to open up to her.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P to n


Words: open-air
Meaning:
open-air   also open air\n1. An open-air place or event is outside rather than in a building.\n...the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park.\n...an open air concert in brilliant sunshine.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = outdoor\n2. If you are in the open air, you are outside rather than in a building.\nWe sleep out under the stars, and eat our meals in the open air.\n  N-SING: the N, usu in the N


Words: open-and-shut
Meaning:
open-and-shut\n  If you describe a dispute or a legal case as open-and-shut, you mean that is easily decided or solved because the facts are very clear.\nIt’s an open and shut case. The hospital is at fault.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: open-door
Meaning:
open-door   also open door\n  If a country or organization has an open-door policy towards people or goods, it allows them to come there freely, without any restrictions.\n...reformers who have advocated an open door economic policy.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Open door is also a noun.\n...an open door to further foreign investment.\n  N-SING


Words: open-ended
Meaning:
open-ended\n  When people begin an open-ended discussion or activity, they do not have a particular result, decision, or timespan in mind.\nGirls do better on open-ended tasks that require them to think for themselves.\n...open-ended questions about what passengers expect of an airline.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: open-minded
Meaning:
open-minded\n  If you describe someone as open-minded, you approve of them because they are willing to listen to and consider other people’s ideas and suggestions.\nHe was very open-minded about other people’s work.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ about n  approval\n\n=>  open-mindedness\nHe was praised for his enthusiasm and his open-mindedness.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: open-mouthed
Meaning:
open-mouthed\n  If someone is looking open-mouthed, they are staring at something with their mouth wide open because it has shocked, frightened, or excited them.\nThey watched almost open-mouthed as the two men came towards them...\nThe finale had 50,000 adults standing in open-mouthed wonderment.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ after v, ADJ n


Words: open-necked
Meaning:
open-necked   also open-neck\n  If you are wearing an open-necked shirt or blouse, you are wearing a shirt or blouse which has no buttons at the top or on which the top button is not done up.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: open-plan
Meaning:
open-plan\n  An open-plan building, office, or room has no internal walls dividing it into smaller areas.\nThe firm’s top managers share the same open-plan office.\n  ADJ


Words: open-top
Meaning:
open-top   also open-topped\n  An open-top bus has no roof, so that the people sitting on the top level can see or be seen more easily. An open-top car has no roof or has a roof that can be removed.\nThe team drove through the streets of Leeds city centre in an open-top bus.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: opencast
Meaning:
open.cast\n   opencast   also open-cast\n  At an opencast mine, the coal, metal, or minerals are near the surface and underground passages are not needed. (BRIT; in AM, use strip mine, open pit)\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: opener
Meaning:
open.er\n   opener  openers\n  An opener is a tool which is used to open containers such as tins or bottles.\n...a tin opener.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N\n\n  see also eye-opener


Words: opening
Meaning:
open.ing\n   opening  openings\n1. The opening event, item, day, or week in a series is the first one.\nThey returned to take part in the season’s opening game.\n...the opening day of the fifth General Synod.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. The opening of something such as a book, play, or concert is the first part of it.\nThe opening of the scene depicts Akhnaten and his family in a moment of intimacy.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n  = beginning\n3. An opening is a hole or empty space through which things or people can pass.\nHe squeezed through a narrow opening in the fence.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. An opening in a forest is a small area where there are no trees or bushes. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use clearing)\nI glanced down at the beach as we passed an opening in the trees.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. An opening is a good opportunity to do something, for example to show people how good you are.\nHer capabilities were always there; all she needed was an opening to show them.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. An opening is a job that is available.\nWe don’t have any openings now, but we’ll call you if something comes up.\n  N-COUNT\n\n7.\n  see also open


Words: opening hours
Meaning:
open.ing hours\n   opening hours\n  Opening hours are the times during which a shop, bank, library, or bar is open for business.\nOpening hours are 9.30am-5.45pm, Mon-Fri.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: opening night
Meaning:
open.ing night\n   opening night  opening nights\n  The opening night of a play or an opera is the first night on which a particular production is performed.\n  N-COUNT\n  = premier, first night


Words: opening time
Meaning:
open.ing time\n   opening time  opening times\n1. You can refer to the time that a shop, bank, library, or bar opens for business as its opening time.\nShoppers began arriving long before the 10am opening time.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N\n\n2. The opening times of a place such as a shop, a restaurant, or a museum is the period during which it is open.\nAsk the local tourist office about opening times.\n  N-PLURAL\n  = opening hours


Words: openly
Meaning:
open.ly\n   openly\n  If you do something openly, you do it without hiding any facts or hiding your feelings.\nThe Bundesbank has openly criticised the German Government...\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n  !=secretly


Words: opera
Meaning:
op.era\n   opera  operas\n  An opera is a play with music in which all the words are sung.\n...a one-act opera about contemporary women in America.\n...an opera singer...\nHe was also learned in classical music with a great love of opera.\n  N-VAR\n\n  see also soap opera


Words: opera house
Meaning:
op.era house\n   opera house  opera houses\n  An opera house is a theatre that is specially designed for the performance of operas.\n...Sydney Opera House.\n  N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES


Words: operate
Meaning:
op.er.ate\n   operate  operates  operating  operated\n1. If you operate a business or organization, you work to keep it running properly. If a business or organization operates, it carries out its work.\nUntil his death in 1986 Greenwood owned and operated an enormous pear orchard.\n...allowing commercial banks to operate in the country...\nOperating costs jumped from .85.3m to .95m.\n  VERB: V n, V, V-ing\n\n=>  op.era.tion\nCompany finance is to provide funds for the everyday operation of the business.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. The way that something operates is the way that it works or has a particular effect.\nCeiling and wall lights can operate independently...\nThe world of work doesn’t operate that way.\n  VERB: V adv/prep, V n\n\n=>  op.era.tion\nWhy is it the case that taking part-time work is made so difficult by the operation of the benefit system?\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n\n3. When you operate a machine or device, or when it operates, you make it work.\nA massive rock fall trapped the men as they operated a tunnelling machine...\nThe number of fax machines operating around the world has now reached ten million.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n=>  op.era.tion\n...over 1,000 dials monitoring every aspect of the operation of the aeroplane.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. When surgeons operate on a patient in a hospital, they cut open a patient’s body in order to remove, replace, or repair a diseased or damaged part.\nThe surgeon who operated on the King released new details of his injuries...\nYou examine a patient and then you decide whether or not to operate.\n  VERB: V on n, V\n\n5. If military forces are operating in a particular region, they are in that place in order to carry out their orders.\nUp to ten thousand Zimbabwean soldiers are operating in Mozambique...\n  VERB: V prep


Words: operatic
Meaning:
op.er.at.ic\n   operatic\n  Operatic means relating to opera.\n...the local amateur operatic society.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: operating
Meaning:
op.er.at.ing\n   operating\n  Operating profits and costs are the money that a company earns and spends in carrying out its ordinary trading activities, in contrast to such things as interest and investment. (BUSINESS)\nThe group made operating profits of .80m before interest.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: operating room
Meaning:
op.er.at.ing room\n   operating room  operating rooms\n  An operating room is the same as an operating theatre. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: operating system
Meaning:
op.er.at.ing sys.tem\n   operating system  operating systems\n  The operating system of a computer is its most basic program, which it needs in order to function and run other programs. (COMPUTING)\n  N-COUNT


Words: operating table
Meaning:
op.er.at.ing ta.ble\n   operating table  operating tables\n  An operating table is a table which a patient in a hospital lies on during a surgical operation.\n  N-COUNT


Words: operating theatre
Meaning:
op.er.at.ing thea.tre\n   operating theatre  operating theatres\n  An operating theatre is a special room in a hospital where surgeons carry out medical operations. (BRIT; in AM, use operating room)\n  N-COUNT\n  = theatre


Words: operation
Meaning:
op.era.tion\n   operation  operations\n1. An operation is a highly organized activity that involves many people doing different things.\nThe rescue operation began on Friday afternoon...\nThe soldiers were engaged in a military operation close to the Ugandan border.\n...a big operation against the drugs trade.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n2. A business or company can be referred to as an operation. (BUSINESS)\nThorn’s electronics operation employs around 5,000 people...\nThe two parent groups now run their business as a single combined operation.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. When a patient has an operation, a surgeon cuts open their body in order to remove, replace, or repair a diseased or damaged part.\nCharles was at the clinic recovering from an operation on his arm.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If a system is in operation, it is being used.\nUntil the rail links are in operation, passengers can only travel through the tunnel by coach.\n  N-UNCOUNT: in/out of N\n\n5. If a machine or device is in operation, it is working.\nThere are three ski lifts in operation.\n  N-UNCOUNT: in/out of N\n\n6. When a rule, system, or plan comes into operation or you put it into operation, you begin to use it.\nThe Financial Services Act came into operation four years ago...\nCheaper energy conservation techniques have been put into operation in the developed world.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: operational
Meaning:
op.era.tion.al\n   operational\n1. A machine or piece of equipment that is operational is in use or is ready for use.\nThe whole system will be fully operational by December 1995.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n2. Operational factors or problems relate to the working of a system, device, or plan.\nThe nuclear industry was required to prove that every operational and safety aspect had been fully researched.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  op.era.tion.al.ly\nThe device had been used operationally some months previously.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV after v


Words: operative
Meaning:
op.era.tive\n   operative  operatives\n1. A system or service that is operative is working or having an effect. (FORMAL)\nThe commercial telephone service was no longer operative...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n2. An operative is a worker, especially one who does work with their hands. (FORMAL)\nIn an automated car plant there is not a human operative to be seen.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. An operative is someone who works for a government agency such as the intelligence service. (mainly AM)\nNaturally the CIA wants to protect its operatives.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If you describe a word as the operative word, you want to draw attention to it because you think it is important or exactly true in a particular situation.\nAs long as the operative word is `greed’, you can’t count on people keeping the costs down...\n  PHRASE: N inflects


Words: operator
Meaning:
op.era.tor\n   operator  operators\n1. An operator is a person who connects telephone calls at a telephone exchange or in a place such as an office or hotel.\nHe dialled the operator and put in a call for Rome.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An operator is a person who is employed to operate or control a machine.\n...computer operators.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N\n\n3. An operator is a person or a company that runs a business. (BUSINESS)\n...`Tele-Communications’, the nation’s largest cable TV operator.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n4. If you call someone a good operator, you mean that they are skilful at achieving what they want, often in a slightly dishonest way. (INFORMAL)\n...one of the shrewdest political operators in the Arab World.\n  N-COUNT: usu adj N\n\n5.\n  see also tour operator


Words: operetta
Meaning:
op.er.et.ta\n   operetta  operettas\n  An operetta is a light-hearted opera which has some of the words spoken rather than sung.\n  N-VAR


Words: ophthalmic
Meaning:
oph.thal.mic\n   ophthalmic\n  Ophthalmic means relating to or concerned with the medical care of people’s eyes. (FORMAL)\nOphthalmic surgeons are now performing laser surgery to correct myopia.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: ophthalmologist
Meaning:
oph.thal.molo.gist\n   ophthalmologist  ophthalmologists\n  An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diseases and problems affecting people’s eyes.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ophthalmology
Meaning:
oph.thal.mol.ogy\n   ophthalmology\n  Ophthalmology is branch of medicine concerned with people’s eyes and the problems that affect them.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: opiate
Meaning:
opi.ate\n   opiate  opiates\n  An opiate is a drug that contains opium. Opiates are used to reduce pain or to help people to sleep.\n  N-COUNT


Words: opine
Meaning:
opine  opines  opining  opined\n  To opine means to express your opinion. (FORMAL)\n`She’s probably had a row with her boyfriend,’ Charles opined...\nHe opined that the navy would have to start again from the beginning.\n  VERB: V with quote, V that, also V on/about n


Words: opinion
Meaning:
opin.ion\n   opinion  opinions\n1. Your opinion about something is what you think or believe about it.\nI wasn’t asking for your opinion, Dick...\nHe held the opinion that a government should think before introducing a tax...\nMost who expressed an opinion spoke favorably of Thomas.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N, N that\n\n2. Your opinion of someone is your judgment of their character or ability.\nThat improved Mrs Goole’s already favourable opinion of him.\n  N-SING: usu supp N, N of n\n  = estimation\n3. You can refer to the beliefs or views that people have as opinion.\nSome, I suppose, might even be in positions to influence opinion...\nThere is a broad consensus of opinion about the policies which should be pursued.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. An opinion from an expert is the advice or judgment that they give you in the subject that they know a lot about.\nEven if you have had a regular physical check-up recently, you should still seek a medical opinion.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n5.\n  see also public opinion, second opinion\n6. You add expressions such as `in my opinion’ or `in their opinion’ to a statement in order to indicate that it is what you or someone else thinks, and is not necessarily a fact.\nWell he’s not making a very good job of it in my opinion.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n7. If someone is of the opinion that something is the case, that is what they believe. (FORMAL)\nFrank is of the opinion that the 1934 yacht should have won.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR that\n\n8.\na matter of opinion: see matter


Words: opinion former
Meaning:
opin.ion for.mer\n   opinion former  opinion formers   also opinion maker\n  Opinion formers are people who have a lot of influence over what the public thinks about things.\n  N-COUNT


Words: opinion poll
Meaning:
opin.ion poll\n   opinion poll  opinion polls\n  An opinion poll involves asking people’s opinions on a particular subject, especially one concerning politics.\nNearly three-quarters of people questioned in an opinion poll agreed with the government’s decision.\n  N-COUNT\n  = poll


Words: opinionated
Meaning:
opin.ion.at.ed\n   opinionated\n  If you describe someone as opinionated, you mean that they have very strong opinions and refuse to accept that they may be wrong.\nSue is the extrovert in the family; opinionated, talkative and passionate about politics.\n  ADJ


Words: opium
Meaning:
opium\n  Opium is a powerful drug made from the seeds of a type of poppy. Opium is used in medicines that relieve pain or help someone sleep.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: opossum
Meaning:
opos.sum\n   opossum  opossums\n  An opossum is a small animal that lives in America. It carries its young in a pouch on its body, and has thick fur and a long tail.\n  N-VAR


Words: opponent
Meaning:
op.po.nent\n   opponent  opponents\n1. A politician’s opponents are other politicians who belong to a different party or who have different aims or policies.\n...Mr Kennedy’s opponent in the leadership contest...\nHe described the detention without trial of political opponents as a cowardly act.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss\n  = adversary\n2. In a sporting contest, your opponent is the person who is playing against you.\nNorris twice knocked down his opponent in the early rounds of the fight...\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n\n3. The opponents of an idea or policy do not agree with it and do not want it to be carried out.\n...opponents of the spread of nuclear weapons...\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n  !=supporter


Words: opportune
Meaning:
op.por.tune\n   opportune\n  If something happens at an opportune time or is opportune, it happens at the time that is most convenient for someone or most likely to lead to success. (FORMAL)\nI believe that I have arrived at a very opportune moment...\nThe timing of the meetings was opportune.\n  ADJ


Words: opportunism
Meaning:
op.por.tun.ism\n   opportunism\n  If you refer to someone’s behaviour as opportunism, you are criticizing them for taking advantage of any opportunity that occurs in order to gain money or power, without thinking about whether their actions are right or wrong.\nThe Energy Minister responded by saying that the opposition’s concern for the environment was political opportunism.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: opportunist
Meaning:
op.por.tun.ist\n   opportunist  opportunists\n1. If you describe someone as opportunist, you are critical of them because they take advantage of any situation in order to gain money or power, without considering whether their actions are right or wrong.\n...corrupt and opportunist politicians.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval\n\n  An opportunist is someone who is opportunist.\nLike most successful politicians, Sinclair was an opportunist...\nCar thieves are opportunists.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Opportunist actions are not planned, but are carried out in order to take advantage of a situation that has just occurred.\nEric Cantona made the game safe with a brilliant opportunist goal.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: opportunistic
Meaning:
op.por.tun.is.tic\n   opportunistic\n  If you describe someone’s behaviour as opportunistic, you are critical of them because they take advantage of situations in order to gain money or power, without thinking about whether their actions are right or wrong.\nMany of the party’s members joined only for opportunistic reasons.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  op.por.tun.is.ti.cal.ly\nThis nationalist feeling has been exploited opportunistically by several important politicians.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: opportunity
Meaning:
op.por.tu.nity\n   opportunity  opportunities\n  An opportunity is a situation in which it is possible for you to do something that you want to do.\nI had an opportunity to go to New York and study...\nI want to see more opportunities for young people.\n...equal opportunities in employment.\n  N-VAR: oft N to-inf, N for n/-ing\n  = chance\n  see also photo opportunity


Words: oppose
Meaning:
op.pose\n   oppose  opposes  opposing  opposed\n  If you oppose someone or oppose their plans or ideas, you disagree with what they want to do and try to prevent them from doing it.\nMr Taylor was not bitter towards those who had opposed him...\nMany parents oppose bilingual education in schools.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  !=support


Words: opposed
Meaning:
op.posed\n   opposed\n1. If you are opposed to something, you disagree with it or disapprove of it.\nI am utterly opposed to any form of terrorism...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n/-ing\n  = against\n2. You say that two ideas or systems are opposed when they are opposite to each other or very different from each other.\n...people with policies almost diametrically opposed to his own...\nThis was a straight conflict of directly opposed aims.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n  = opposite\n3. You use as opposed to when you want to make it clear that you are talking about one particular thing and not something else.\nWe ate in the restaurant, as opposed to the bistro.\n  PHRASE: PHR group


Words: opposing
Meaning:
op.pos.ing\n   opposing\n1. Opposing ideas or tendencies are totally different from each other.\nI have a friend who has the opposing view and felt that the war was immoral...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = opposite\n2. Opposing groups of people disagree about something or are in competition with one another.\nThe Georgian leader said in a radio address that he still favoured dialogue between the opposing sides...\nThe opposing team must in turn try to keep the ball in the air before hitting it back over the net.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: opposite
Meaning:
op.po.site\n   opposite  opposites\n1. If one thing is opposite another, it is on the other side of a space from it.\nJennie had sat opposite her at breakfast.\n  PREP\n\n  Opposite is also an adverb.\nHe looked up at the buildings opposite, but could see no open window...\n  ADV: usu n ADV, ADV after v\n\n2. The opposite side or part of something is the side or part that is furthest away from you.\n...the opposite corner of the room.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = far\n3. Opposite is used to describe things of the same kind which are completely different in a particular way. For example, north and south are opposite directions, and winning and losing are opposite results in a game.\nAll the cars driving in the opposite direction had their headlights on...\nI should have written the notes in the opposite order...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n, also v-link ADJ to n, v-link ADJ\n\n4. The opposite of someone or something is the person or thing that is most different from them.\nRitter was a very complex man but Marius was the opposite, a simple farmer...\nWell, whatever he says you can bet he’s thinking the opposite...\n  N-COUNT: usu the N, oft the N of n


Words: opposite number
Meaning:
op.po.site num.ber\n   opposite number  opposite numbers\n  Your opposite number is a person who has the same job or rank as you, but works in a different department, firm, or organization. (JOURNALISM)\nThe French Defence Minister is to visit Japan later this month for talks with his Japanese opposite number...\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n  = counterpart


Words: opposite sex
Meaning:
op.po.site sex\n   opposite sex\n  If you are talking about men and refer to the opposite sex, you mean women. If you are talking about women and refer to the opposite sex, you mean men.\nBody language can also be used to attract members of the opposite sex.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: opposition
Meaning:
op.po.si.tion\n   opposition  oppositions\n1. Opposition is strong, angry, or violent disagreement and disapproval.\nThe government is facing a new wave of opposition in the form of a student strike...\nMuch of the opposition to this plan has come from the media.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N to n\n  !=support\n2. The opposition is the political parties or groups that are opposed to a government.\nThe main opposition parties boycotted the election, saying it would not be conducted fairly.\n  N-COUNT-COLL: usu sing, oft N n\n\n3. In a country’s parliament or legislature, the opposition refers to the politicians or political parties that form part of the parliament or legislature, but are not the government.\n...the Leader of the Opposition.\n  N-COUNT-COLL: usu sing, oft the N\n\n4. The opposition is the person or team you are competing against in a sports event.\nPoland provide the opposition for the Scots’ last warm-up match at home.\n  N-SING-COLL


Words: oppress
Meaning:
op.press\n   oppress  oppresses  oppressing  oppressed\n1. To oppress people means to treat them cruelly, or to prevent them from having the same opportunities, freedom, and benefits as others.\nThese people often are oppressed by the governments of the countries they find themselves in...\nWe are not normal like everybody else. If we were they wouldn’t be oppressing us.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n, also V, V n with n\n\n2. If something oppresses you, it makes you feel depressed, anxious, and uncomfortable. (LITERARY)\nIt was not just the weather which oppressed her.\n  VERB: V n


Words: oppressed
Meaning:
op.pressed\n   oppressed\n  People who are oppressed are treated cruelly or are prevented from having the same opportunities, freedom, and benefits as others.\nBefore they took power, they felt oppressed by the white English speakers who controlled things...\n  ADJ\n\n  The oppressed are people who are oppressed.\n...a sense of community with the poor and oppressed.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: oppression
Meaning:
op.pres.sion\n   oppression\n  Oppression is the cruel or unfair treatment of a group of people.\n...an attempt to escape political oppression.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl, oft N of n


Words: oppressive
Meaning:
op.pres.sive\n   oppressive\n1. If you describe a society, its laws, or customs as oppressive, you think they treat people cruelly and unfairly.\nThe new laws will be just as oppressive as those they replace.\n...refugees from the oppressive regime.\n  ADJ\n  = repressive\n2. If you describe the weather or the atmosphere in a room as oppressive, you mean that it is unpleasantly hot and damp.\nThe oppressive afternoon heat had quite tired him out...\n  ADJ\n  = stifling\n3. An oppressive situation makes you feel depressed and uncomfortable.\n...the oppressive sadness that weighed upon him like a physical pain.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: oppressor
Meaning:
op.pres.sor\n   oppressor  oppressors\n  An oppressor is a person or group of people that is treating another person or group of people cruelly or unfairly.\nLacking sovereignty, they could organise no defence against their oppressors.\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss


Words: opprobrium
Meaning:
op.pro.brium\n   opprobrium\n  Opprobrium is open criticism or disapproval of something that someone has done. (FORMAL)\nHis political opinions have attracted the opprobrium of the Left.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = censure


Words: opt
Meaning:
opt  opts  opting  opted\n  If you opt for something, or opt to do something, you choose it or decide to do it in preference to anything else.\nDepending on your circumstances you may wish to opt for one method or the other...\nOur students can also opt to stay in residence.\n  VERB: V for n, V to-inf


Words: opt in
Meaning:
opt in\n  If you can opt in to something, you are able to choose to be part of an agreement or system.\nHe proposed that only those countries which were willing and able should opt in to phase three...\nHe didn’t exactly opt out because he never opted in.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P to n, V P


Words: opt out
Meaning:
opt out\n  If you opt out of something, you choose to be no longer involved in it.\n... powers for hospitals to opt out of health authority control...\nUnder the agreement the Vietnamese can opt out at any time.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P of n, V P


Words: opt-out
Meaning:
opt-out  opt-outs\n1. An opt-out school or hospital has chosen to leave local government control and manage itself using national government money. (BRIT)\n...teachers at opt-out schools.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. You can refer to the action taken by a school or hospital in which they choose not to be controlled by a local government authority as an opt-out. (BRIT)\nMore freedom and choice will be given to parents, and the school opt-outs will be stepped up.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. An opt-out clause in an agreement gives people the choice not to be involved in one part of that agreement. (mainly BRIT)\n...an opt-out clause.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. You can refer to the action of choosing not to be involved in a particular part of an agreement as an opt-out.\n...a list of demands, such as opt-outs from some parts of the treaty.\n  N-COUNT


Words: optic
Meaning:
op.tic\n   optic\n  Optic means relating to the eyes or to sight.\nThe reason for this is that the optic nerve is a part of the brain.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  see also optics


Words: optical
Meaning:
op.ti.cal\n   optical\n  Optical devices, processes, and effects involve or relate to vision, light, or images.\n...optical telescopes.\n...the optical effects of volcanic dust in the stratosphere.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: optical fibre
Meaning:
op.ti.cal fi.bre\n   optical fibre  optical fibres\nin AM, use optical fiber\n  An optical fibre is a very thin thread of glass inside a protective coating. Optical fibres are used to carry information in the form of light.\n  N-VAR


Words: optical illusion
Meaning:
op.ti.cal il.lu.sion\n   optical illusion  optical illusions\n  An optical illusion is something that tricks your eyes so that what you think you see is different from what is really there.\nSloping walls on the bulk of the building create an optical illusion.\n  N-COUNT


Words: optician
Meaning:
op.ti.cian\n   optician  opticians\n1. An optician is someone whose job involves testing people’s sight, and making or selling glasses and contact lenses.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An optician or an optician’s is a shop where you can have your eyes tested and buy glasses and contact lenses.\nSome may need specialist treatment at the optician’s.\n  N-COUNT: oft the N


Words: optics
Meaning:
op.tics\n   optics\n  Optics is the branch of science concerned with vision, sight, and light.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  see also fibre optics


Words: optimism
Meaning:
op.ti.mism\n   optimism\n  Optimism is the feeling of being hopeful about the future or about the success of something in particular.\nThe Indian Prime Minister has expressed optimism about India’s future relations with the USA.\n...a mood of cautious optimism.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=pessimism


Words: optimist
Meaning:
op.ti.mist\n   optimist  optimists\n  An optimist is someone who is hopeful about the future.\nOptimists reckon house prices will move up with inflation this year.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=pessimist


Words: optimistic
Meaning:
op.ti.mis.tic\n   optimistic\n  Someone who is optimistic is hopeful about the future or the success of something in particular.\nThe President says she is optimistic that an agreement can be worked out soon...\nMichael was in a jovial and optimistic mood.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ about n, ADJ that\n  !=pessimistic\n=>  op.ti.mis.ti.cal.ly\nBoth sides have spoken optimistically about the talks.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: optimize
Meaning:
op.ti.mize\n   optimize  optimizes  optimizing  optimized\nin BRIT, also use optimise\n1. To optimize a plan, system, or machine means to arrange or design it so that it operates as smoothly and efficiently as possible. (FORMAL)\nThe new systems have been optimised for running Microsoft Windows.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. To optimize a situation or opportunity means to get as much advantage or benefit from it as you can. (FORMAL)\nWhat can you do to optimize your family situation?\n  VERB: V n


Words: optimum
Meaning:
op.ti.mum\n   optimum   or optimal\n  The optimum or optimal level or state of something is the best level or state that it could achieve. (FORMAL)\nAim to do some physical activity three times a week for optimum health.\n...regions in which optimal conditions for farming can be created.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: option
Meaning:
op.tion\n   option  options\n1. An option is something that you can choose to do in preference to one or more alternatives.\nHe’s argued from the start that America and its allies are putting too much emphasis on the military option...\nWhat other options do you have?\n  N-COUNT\n  = alternative\n2. If you have the option of doing something, you can choose whether to do it or not.\nCriminals are given the option of going to jail or facing public humiliation...\nWe had no option but to abandon the meeting.\n  N-SING: oft N of n/-ing, N to-inf\n  = choice\n3. In business, an option is an agreement or contract that gives someone the right to buy or sell something such as property or shares at a future date. (BUSINESS)\nEach bank has granted the other an option on 19.9% of its shares.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. An option is one of a number of subjects which a student can choose to study as a part of his or her course.\nSeveral options are offered for the student’s senior year.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If you keep your options open or leave your options open, you delay making a decision about something.\nI am keeping my options open. I have not made a decision on either matter.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n6. If you take the soft option, you do the thing that is easiest or least likely to cause trouble in a particular situation. (mainly BRIT)\nThe job of chairman can no longer be regarded as a convenient soft option.\n  PHRASE: N inflects


Words: optional
Meaning:
op.tion.al\n   optional\n  If something is optional, you can choose whether or not you do it or have it.\nSex education is a sensitive area for some parents, and thus it should remain optional.\n  ADJ\n  !=compulsory


Words: optometrist
Meaning:
op.tom.etrist\n   optometrist optometrists\n  An optometrist is the same as an optician. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use optician)\n  N-COUNT


Words: opulent
Meaning:
opu.lent\n   opulent\n1. Opulent things or places look grand and expensive. (FORMAL)\n...an opulent office on Wimpole Street in London’s West End.\n  ADJ\n  = sumptuous\n=>  opu.lence\n...the elegant opulence of the German embassy.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. Opulent people are very wealthy and spend a lot of money. (FORMAL)\nMost of the cash went on supporting his opulent lifestyle.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = affluent


Words: opus
Meaning:
opus   opuses   or opera\n1. An opus is a piece of classical music by a particular composer. Opus is usually followed by a number which indicates at what point the piece was written. The abbreviation op. is also used.\n...Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in E minor, Opus 90.\n  N-COUNT: usu N num\n\n2. You can refer to an artistic work such as a piece of music or writing or a painting as an opus.\n...the new opus from Peter Gabriel.\n  N-COUNT\n  = work\n  see also magnum opus


Words: or
Meaning:
or  WEAK   STRONG\n1. You use or to link two or more alternatives.\n`Tea or coffee?’ John asked...\nHe said he would try to write or call as soon as he reached the Canary Islands...\nStudents are asked to take another course in English, or science, or mathematics.\n  CONJ\n\n2. You use or to give another alternative, when the first alternative is introduced by `either’ or `whether’.\nItems like bread, milk and meat were either unavailable or could be obtained only on the black market...\nEither you can talk to him, or I will...\nI don’t know whether people will buy it or not...\n  CONJ\n\n3. You use or between two numbers to indicate that you are giving an approximate amount.\nEveryone benefited from limiting their intake of tea to just three or four cups a day...\nNormally he asked questions, and had a humorous remark or two.\n  CONJ\n\n4. You use or to introduce a comment which corrects or modifies what you have just said.\nThe man was a fool, he thought, or at least incompetent...\nThere was nothing more he wanted, or so he thought...\n  CONJ\n\n5. If you say that someone should do something or something unpleasant will happen, you are warning them that if they do not do it, the unpleasant thing will happen.\nShe had to have the operation, or she would die.\n  CONJ\n  = otherwise\n6. You use or to introduce something which is evidence for the truth of a statement you have just made.\nHe must have thought Jane was worth it or he wouldn’t have wasted time on her, I suppose.\n  CONJ\n  = otherwise\n7. You use or no or or not to emphasize that a particular thing makes no difference to what is going to happen.\nChairman or no, if I want to stop the project, I can...\nThe first difficulty is that, old-fashioned or not, it is very good.\n  PHRASE: group PHR  emphasis\n\n8. You use or no between two occurrences of the same noun in order to say that whether something is true or not makes no difference to a situation.\nThe next day, rain or no rain, it was business as usual...\n  PHRASE: n PHR n\n\n9.\nor else: see else\nor other: see other\nor so: see so\nor something: see something


Words: oracle
Meaning:
ora.cle\n   oracle  oracles\n  In ancient Greece, an oracle was a priest or priestess who made statements about future events or about the truth.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oral
Meaning:
oral  orals\n1. Oral communication is spoken rather than written.\n...the written and oral traditions of ancient cultures.\n...an oral agreement.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  oral.ly\n...their ability to present ideas orally and in writing.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. An oral is an examination, especially in a foreign language, that is spoken rather than written.\nI spoke privately to the candidate after the oral.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. You use oral to indicate that something is done with a person’s mouth or relates to a person’s mouth.\n...good oral hygiene.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  oral.ly\n...antibiotic tablets taken orally.\n  ADV: usu ADV after v


Words: oral history
Meaning:
oral his.to.ry\n   oral history  oral histories\n  Oral history consists of spoken memories, stories, and songs, and the study of these, as a way of communicating and discovering information about the past.\n  N-VAR


Words: oral sex
Meaning:
oral sex\n  Oral sex is sexual activity involving contact between a person’s mouth and their partner’s genitals.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: orang-utan
Meaning:
orang-utan  orang-utans   also orang-utang, orangutan, orang-outan\n  An orang-utan is an ape with long reddish hair that comes from Borneo and Sumatra.\n  N-COUNT


Words: orange
Meaning:
or.ange\n   orange  oranges\n1. Something that is orange is of a colour between red and yellow.\n...men in bright orange uniforms.\n  COLOUR\n\n2. An orange is a round juicy fruit with a thick, orange coloured skin.\n...orange trees.\n...fresh orange juice.\n  N-VAR: oft N n\n\n3. Orange is a drink that is made from or tastes of oranges.\n...vodka and orange.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: orange blossom
Meaning:
or.ange blos.som\n   orange blossom\n  The flowers of the orange tree are called orange blossom. Orange blossom is white and is traditionally associated with weddings in Europe and America.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: orangery
Meaning:
or.ang.ery\n   orangery  orangeries\n  An orangery is a building with glass walls and roof which is used for growing orange trees and other plants which need to be kept warm.\n  N-COUNT


Words: orangey
Meaning:
or.angey\n   orangey\n  Orangey means slightly orange in colour.\n  ADJ\n\n  Orangey is also a combining form.\nThe hall is decorated in bright orangey-red with black and gold woodwork.\n  COMB in COLOUR


Words: oration
Meaning:
ora.tion\n   oration  orations\n  An oration is a formal speech made in public. (FORMAL)\n...a brief funeral oration.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n  = address


Words: orator
Meaning:
ora.tor\n   orator  orators\n  An orator is someone who is skilled at making formal speeches, especially ones which affect people’s feelings and beliefs.\nLenin was the great orator of the Russian Revolution.\n  N-COUNT: oft adj N\n  = public speaker


Words: oratorical
Meaning:
ora.tori.cal\n   oratorical\n  Oratorical means relating to or using oratory. (FORMAL)\nHe reached oratorical heights which left him and some of his players in tears.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: oratorio
Meaning:
ora.to.rio\n   oratorio  oratorios\n  An oratorio is a long piece of music with a religious theme which is written for singers and an orchestra.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oratory
Meaning:
ora.tory\n   oratory  oratories\n1. Oratory is the art of making formal speeches which strongly affect people’s feelings and beliefs. (FORMAL)\nHe displayed determination as well as powerful oratory.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = rhetoric\n2. An oratory is a room or building where Christians go to pray.\nThe wedding will be at the Brompton Oratory next month.\n  N-COUNT: oft in names


Words: orb
Meaning:
orb  orbs\n1. An orb is something that is shaped like a ball, for example the sun or moon. (LITERARY)\nThe moon’s round orb would shine high in the sky, casting its velvety light on everything.\n  N-COUNT\n  = sphere\n2. An orb is a small, ornamental ball with a cross on top that is carried by some kings or queens at important ceremonies.\n  N-COUNT


Words: orbit
Meaning:
or.bit\n   orbit  orbits  orbiting  orbited\n1. An orbit is the curved path in space that is followed by an object going round and round a planet, moon, or star.\nMars and Earth have orbits which change with time...\nThe planet is probably in orbit around a small star.\n  N-COUNT: also in/into N\n\n2. If something such as a satellite orbits a planet, moon, or sun, it moves around it in a continuous, curving path.\nIn 1957 the Soviet Union launched the first satellite to orbit the earth.\n  VERB: V n\n  = circle


Words: orbital
Meaning:
or.bit.al\n   orbital\n1. An orbital road goes all the way round a large city. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use beltway)\n...a new orbital road round Paris.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Orbital describes things relating to the orbit of an object in space.\nThe newly discovered world followed an orbital path unlike that of any other planet.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: orchard
Meaning:
or.chard\n   orchard  orchards\n  An orchard is an area of land on which fruit trees are grown.\n  N-COUNT


Words: orchestra
Meaning:
or.ches.tra\n   orchestra  orchestras\n1. An orchestra is a large group of musicians who play a variety of different instruments together. Orchestras usually play classical music.\n...the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.\n  N-COUNT: oft in names\n\n  see also chamber orchestra, symphony orchestra\n2. The orchestra or the orchestra seats in a theatre or concert hall are the seats on the ground floor directly in front of the stage. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use stalls)\n  N-SING: usu the N, N n


Words: orchestra pit
Meaning:
or.ches.tra pit\n   orchestra pit\n  In a theatre, the orchestra pit is the space reserved for the musicians playing the music for an opera, musical, or ballet, immediately in front of or below the stage.\n  N-SING


Words: orchestral
Meaning:
or.ches.tral\n   orchestral\n  Orchestral means relating to an orchestra and the music it plays.\n...an orchestral concert.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: orchestrate
Meaning:
or.ches.trate\n   orchestrate  orchestrates  orchestrating  orchestrated\n  If you say that someone orchestrates an event or situation, you mean that they carefully organize it in a way that will produce the result that they want.\nThe colonel was able to orchestrate a rebellion from inside an army jail.\n...a carefully orchestrated campaign.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n=>  or.ches.tra.tion\n...his skilful orchestration of latent nationalist feeling.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: orchestration
Meaning:
or.ches.tra.tion\n   orchestration  orchestrations\n  An orchestration is a piece of music that has been rewritten so that it can be played by an orchestra.\nMahler’s own imaginative orchestration was heard in the same concert.\n  N-COUNT\n  = arrangement


Words: orchid
Meaning:
or.chid\n   orchid  orchids\n  Orchids are plants with brightly coloured, unusually shaped flowers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ordain
Meaning:
or.dain\n   ordain  ordains  ordaining  ordained\n1. When someone is ordained, they are made a member of the clergy in a religious ceremony.\nHe was ordained a Catholic priest in 1982...\nWomen have been ordained for many years in the Church of Scotland...\nHe ordained his own priests, and threatened to ordain bishops...\n  VERB: be V-ed n, be V-ed, V n\n\n2. If some authority or power ordains something, they decide that it should happen or be in existence. (FORMAL)\nNehru ordained that socialism should rule...\nHis rule was ordained by heaven...\nThe recession may already be severe enough to ordain structural change.\n  VERB: V that, be V-ed, V n\n  = decree


Words: ordeal
Meaning:
or.deal\n   ordeal  ordeals\n  If you describe an experience or situation as an ordeal, you think it is difficult and unpleasant.\nShe described her agonising ordeal.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft with poss


Words: order
Meaning:
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION USES\nor.der  SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION USES\n   order\n1. If you do something in order to achieve a particular thing or in order that something can happen, you do it because you want to achieve that thing.\nMost schools are extremely unwilling to cut down on staff in order to cut costs.\n  PHRASE\n\n2. If someone must be in a particular situation in order to achieve something they want, they cannot achieve that thing if they are not in that situation.\nThey need hostages in order to bargain with the government.\n  PHRASE\n\n3. If something must happen in order for something else to happen, the second thing cannot happen if the first thing does not happen.\nIn order for their computers to trace a person’s records, they need both the name and address of the individual.\n  PHRASE: CONJ n to-inf\n\nCOMMANDS AND REQUESTS\nor.der  COMMANDS AND REQUESTS\n   order  orders  ordering  ordered\n\nPlease look at category 12 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. If a person in authority orders someone to do something, they tell them to do it.\nWilliams ordered him to leave...\nHe ordered the women out of the car...\n`Let him go!’ he ordered...\n`Go up to your room. Now,’ he ordered him.\n  VERB: V n to-inf, V n prep/adv, V with quote, V n with quote\n  = command\n2. If someone in authority orders something, they give instructions that it should be done.\nThe President has ordered a full investigation...\nThe radio said that the prime minister had ordered price controls to be introduced...\nHe ordered that all party property be confiscated...\nThe President ordered him moved because of fears that his comrades would try to free him.\n  VERB: V n, V n to-inf, V that, V n -ed\n\n3. If someone in authority gives you an order, they tell you to do something.\nThe activists were shot when they refused to obey an order to halt...\nAs darkness fell, Clinton gave orders for his men to rest...\nThey were later arrested and executed on the orders of Stalin.\n  N-COUNT\n  = command, instruction\n4. A court order is a legal instruction stating that something must be done.\nShe has decided not to appeal against a court order banning her from keeping animals...\nHe was placed under a two-year supervision order.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n5. When you order something that you are going to pay for, you ask for it to be brought to you, sent to you, or obtained for you.\nAtanas ordered a shrimp cocktail and a salad...\nThe waitress appeared. `Are you ready to order?’...\nWe ordered him a beer.\n  VERB: V n, V, V n n\n\n6. An order is a request for something to be brought, made, or obtained for you in return for money.\nBritish Rail are going to place an order for a hundred and eighty-eight trains.\n  N-COUNT: oft N for n\n\n7. Someone’s order is what they have asked to be brought, made, or obtained for them in return for money.\nThe waiter returned with their order and Graham signed the bill...\nThey can’t supply our order.\n  N-COUNT: poss N\n\n8.\n  see also holy orders, mail order, postal order, standing order\n9. Something that is on order at a shop or factory has been asked for but has not yet been supplied.\nThe airlines still have 2,500 new aeroplanes on order.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR\n\n10. If you do something to order, you do it whenever you are asked to do it.\nShe now makes wonderful dried flower arrangements to order...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n11. If you are under orders to do something, you have been told to do it by someone in authority.\nI am under orders not to discuss his mission or his location with anyone.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR to-inf\n\n12.\nyour marching orders: see march\na tall order: see tall\n\nARRANGEMENTS, SITUATIONS, AND GROUPINGS\nor.der  ARRANGEMENTS, SITUATIONS, AND GROUPINGS\n   order  orders  ordering  ordered\n\nPlease look at category 17 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. If a set of things are arranged or done in a particular order, they are arranged or done so one thing follows another, often according to a particular factor such as importance.\nWrite down (in order of priority) the qualities you’d like to have...\nMusic shops should arrange their recordings in simple alphabetical order, rather than by category...\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N, usu with supp, oft in/into N\n\n2. Order is the situation that exists when everything is in the correct or expected place, or happens at the correct or expected time.\nThe wish to impose order upon confusion is a kind of intellectual instinct...\nMaking lists can create order and control.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=confusion, chaos\n3. Order is the situation that exists when people obey the law and do not fight or riot.\nTroops were sent to the islands to restore order last November...\nHe has the power to use force to maintain public order.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. When people talk about a particular order, they mean the way society is organized at a particular time.\nThe end of the Cold War has produced the prospect of a new world order based on international co-operation...\n  N-SING: with supp\n\n5. The way that something is ordered is the way that it is organized and structured.\n...a society which is ordered by hierarchy...\nWe know the French order things differently.\n...a carefully ordered system in which everyone has his place.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n, V-ed\n\n6. If you refer to something of a particular order, you mean something of a particular kind. (FORMAL)\nAnother unexpected event, though of quite a different order, occurred one evening in 1973...\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu of supp N\n\n7. A religious order is a group of monks or nuns who live according to a particular set of rules.\n...the Benedictine order of monks.\n  N-COUNT\n\n8.\n  see also ordered, law and order, pecking order, point of order\n9. If you put or keep something in order, you make sure that it is tidy or properly organized.\nNow he has a chance to put his life back in order...\nSomeone comes in every day to check all is in order.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR\n\n10. If you think something is in order, you think it should happen or be provided.\nReforms are clearly in order...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n11. You use in the order of or of the order of when mentioning an approximate figure.\nThey borrowed something in the order of .10 million...\n  PREP-PHRASE: PREP amount\n\n12. If something is in good order, it is in good condition.\nThe vessel’s safety equipment was not in good order.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n13. A machine or device that is in working order is functioning properly and is not broken.\nOnly half of the spacecraft’s six science instruments are still in working order.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n14. If a particular way of behaving or doing something is the order of the day, it is very common.\nThese are strange times in which we live, and strange arrangements appear to be the order of the day.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n15. A machine or device that is out of order is broken and does not work.\nTheir phone’s out of order.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n16. If you say that someone or their behaviour is out of order, you mean that their behaviour is unacceptable or unfair. (INFORMAL)\nYou don’t think the paper’s a bit out of order in publishing it?\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n17.\nto put your house in order: see house\norder of magnitude: see magnitude


Words: order around
Meaning:
order around\n  If you say that someone is ordering you around or is ordering you about, you mean they are telling you what to do as if they have authority over you, and you dislike this. (in BRIT, also use order about)\nGrandmother felt free to order her about just as she wished.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, also V P n (not pron)


Words: order book
Meaning:
or.der book\n   order book  order books\n  When you talk about the state of a company’s order book or order books, you are talking about how many orders for their goods the company has. (mainly BRIT BUSINESS)\nHe has a full order book for his boat-building yard on the Thames.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ordered
Meaning:
or.dered\n   ordered\n  An ordered society or system is well-organized and has a clear structure.\nAn objective set of rules which we all agree to accept is necessary for any ordered society.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=chaotic


Words: orderly
Meaning:
or.der.ly\n   orderly  orderlies\n1. If something is done in an orderly fashion or manner, it is done in a well-organized and controlled way.\nThe organizers guided them in orderly fashion out of the building...\nDespite the violence that preceded the elections, reports say that polling was orderly and peaceful.\n  ADJ\n  !=chaotic\n2. Something that is orderly is neat or arranged in a neat way.\nTheir vehicles were parked in orderly rows.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  or.der.li.ness\nA balance is achieved in the painting between orderliness and unpredictability.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. An orderly is a person who works in a hospital and does jobs that do not require special medical training.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N


Words: ordinal number
Meaning:
or.di.nal num.ber\n   ordinal number  ordinal numbers\n  An ordinal number or an ordinal is a word such as `first’, `third’, and `tenth’ that tells you where a particular thing occurs in a sequence of things. Compare cardinal number.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ordinance
Meaning:
or.di.nance\n   ordinance  ordinances\n  An ordinance is an official rule or order. (FORMAL)\n...ordinances that restrict building development.\n  N-COUNT\n  = regulation


Words: ordinarily
Meaning:
or.di.nari.ly\n   ordinarily\n  If you say what is ordinarily the case, you are saying what is normally the case.\nThe streets would ordinarily have been full of people. There was no one...\n...places where the patient does not ordinarily go.\n  ADV: usu ADV with cl, also ADV adj, ADV before v\n  = normally


Words: ordinary
Meaning:
or.di.nary\n   ordinary\n1. Ordinary people or things are normal and not special or different in any way.\nI strongly suspect that most ordinary people would agree with me...\nIt has 25 calories less than ordinary ice cream...\nIt was just an ordinary weekend for us.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = normal\n2. Something that is out of the ordinary is unusual or different.\nThe boy’s knowledge was out of the ordinary...\nI’ve noticed nothing out of the ordinary.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n  = unusual


Words: ordinary shares
Meaning:
or.di.nary shares\n\n  Ordinary shares are shares in a company that are owned by people who have a right to vote at the company’s meetings and to receive part of the company’s profits after the holders of preference shares have been paid. Compare preference shares. (BRIT BUSINESS; in AM use common stock)\n  N-PLURAL\n  = equities


Words: ordination
Meaning:
or.di.na.tion\n   ordination  ordinations\n  When someone’s ordination takes place, they are made a member of the clergy.\n...supporters of the ordination of women.\n  N-VAR


Words: ordnance
Meaning:
ord.nance\n   ordnance\n  Ordnance refers to military supplies, especially weapons. (FORMAL)\n...a team clearing an area littered with unexploded ordnance.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Ordnance Survey map
Meaning:
Ord.nance Sur.vey map\n   Ordnance Survey map  Ordnance Survey maps\n  An Ordnance Survey map is a detailed map produced by the British or Irish government map-making organization.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ore
Meaning:
ore  ores\n  Ore is rock or earth from which metal can be obtained.\n...a huge iron ore mine.\n  N-MASS


Words: organ
Meaning:
or.gan\n   organ  organs\n1. An organ is a part of your body that has a particular purpose or function, for example your heart or lungs.\n...damage to the muscles and internal organs.\n...the reproductive organs.\n...organ transplants.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also sense organ\n2. An organ is a large musical instrument with pipes of different lengths through which air is forced. It has keys and pedals rather like a piano.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also barrel organ, mouth organ\n3. You refer to a newspaper or organization as the organ of the government or another group when it is used by them as a means of giving information or getting things done.\nThe Security Service is an important organ of the State...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = mouthpiece


Words: organ grinder
Meaning:
or.gan grind.er\n   organ grinder  organ grinders   also organ-grinder\n  An organ grinder was an entertainer who played a barrel organ in the streets.\n  N-COUNT


Words: organdie
Meaning:
or.gan.die\n   organdie   also organdy\n  Organdie is a thin, slightly stiff cotton fabric.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: organic
Meaning:
or.gan.ic\n   organic\n1. Organic methods of farming and gardening use only natural animal and plant products to help the plants or animals grow and be healthy, rather than using chemicals.\nOrganic farming is expanding everywhere.\n...organic fruit and vegetables.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  or.gani.cal.ly\n...organically grown vegetables.\n  ADV\n\n2. Organic substances are of the sort produced by or found in living things.\nIncorporating organic material into chalky soils will reduce the alkalinity.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=inorganic\n3. Organic change or development happens gradually and naturally rather than suddenly. (FORMAL)\n...to manage the company and supervise its organic growth.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n4. If a community or structure is an organic whole, each part of it is necessary and fits well with the other parts. (FORMAL)\nCity planning treats the city as a unit, as an organic whole.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: organism
Meaning:
or.gan.ism\n   organism  organisms\n  An organism is an animal or plant, especially one that is so small that you cannot see it without using a microscope.\n...the insect-borne organisms that cause sleeping sickness.\n  N-COUNT


Words: organization
Meaning:
or.gani.za.tion\n   organization  organizations\nin BRIT, also use organisation\n1. An organization is an official group of people, for example a political party, a business, a charity, or a club.\nMost of these specialized schools are provided by voluntary organizations.\n...a report by the International Labour Organisation.\n  N-COUNT: oft in names\n\n2. The organization of an event or activity involves making all the necessary arrangements for it.\n...the exceptional attention to detail that goes into the organisation of this event...\nSeveral projects have been delayed by poor organisation.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. The organization of something is the way in which its different parts are arranged or relate to each other.\nI am aware that the organization of the book leaves something to be desired.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n


Words: organizational
Meaning:
or.gani.za.tion.al\n   organizational\nin BRIT, also use organisational\n1. Organizational abilities and methods relate to the way that work, activities, or events are planned and arranged.\nEvelyn’s excellent organisational skills were soon spotted by her employers...\nBecause we took the whole class for a complete afternoon session, organisational problems were minimal.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Organizational means relating to the structure of an organization.\nThe police now recognise that big organisational changes are needed.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. Organizational means relating to organizations, rather than individuals.\nThis problem needs to be dealt with at an organizational level...\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: organize
Meaning:
or.gan.ize\n   organize  organizes  organizing  organized\nin BRIT, also use organise\n1. If you organize an event or activity, you make sure that the necessary arrangements are made.\nIn the end, we all decided to organize a concert for Easter.\n...a two-day meeting organised by the United Nations...\nThe initial mobilisation was well organised.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V n\n\n2. If you organize something that someone wants or needs, you make sure that it is provided.\nI will organize transport...\nHe rang his wife and asked her to organize coffee and sandwiches.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n3. If you organize a set of things, you arrange them in an ordered way or give them a structure.\nHe began to organize his materials...\n...the way in which the Army is organised.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n4. If you organize yourself, you plan your work and activities in an ordered, efficient way.\n...changing the way you organize yourself...\nGo right ahead, I’m sure you don’t need me to organize you...\nGet organised and get going.\n  VERB: V pron-refl, V n, V-ed\n\n5. If someone organizes workers or if workers organize, they form a group or society such as a trade union in order to have more power.\n...helping to organize women working abroad...\nIt’s the first time farmers have decided to organize.\n...organised labour.\n  VERB: V n, V, V-ed


Words: organized
Meaning:
or.ga.nized\n   organized\nin BRIT, also use organised\n1. An organized activity or group involves a number of people doing something together in a structured way, rather than doing it by themselves.\n...organised groups of art thieves.\n...organised religion.\n...years of steadfast, organized resistance.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Someone who is organized plans their work and activities efficiently.\nThese people are very efficient, very organized and excellent time managers.\n  ADJ\n  !=disorganized


Words: organized crime
Meaning:
or.ga.nized crime\n   organized crime\nin BRIT, also use organised crime\n  Organized crime refers to criminal activities which involve large numbers of people and are organized and controlled by a small group.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: organizer
Meaning:
or.gan.iz.er\n   organizer  organizers\nin BRIT, also use organiser\n  The organizer of an event or activity is the person who makes sure that the necessary arrangements are made.\nThe organisers of the demonstration concede that they hadn’t sought permission for it...\nShe was a good organiser.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also personal organizer


Words: organophosphate
Meaning:
or.gano.phos.phate\n   organophosphate  organophosphates\n  Organophosphates are chemical substances that are used to make crops grow or protect them from insects.\n  N-COUNT


Words: organza
Meaning:
or.gan.za\n   organza\n  Organza is a thin, stiff fabric made of silk, cotton, or an artificial fibre.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: orgasm
Meaning:
or.gasm\n   orgasm  orgasms\n  An orgasm is the moment of greatest pleasure and excitement in sexual activity.\n  N-VAR


Words: orgasmic
Meaning:
or.gas.mic\n   orgasmic\n1. Orgasmic means relating to a sexual orgasm.\nTestosterone does not increase their erectile or orgasmic ability.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Some people refer to things they find extremely enjoyable or exciting as orgasmic. (mainly JOURNALISM)\n...jerking the neck of his guitar in orgasmic fits of ecstasy.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: orgiastic
Meaning:
or.gi.as.tic\n   orgiastic\n  An orgiastic event is one in which people enjoy themselves in an extreme, uncontrolled way.\n...an orgiastic party.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: orgy
Meaning:
orgy  orgies\n1. An orgy is a party in which people behave in a very uncontrolled way, especially one involving sexual activity.\n...a drunken orgy.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can refer to an activity as an orgy of that activity to emphasize that it is done to an excessive extent.\nOne eye-witness said the rioters were engaged in an orgy of destruction...\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu N of n  emphasis


Words: Orient
Meaning:
Ori.ent\n   Orient\n  The eastern part of Asia is sometimes referred to as the Orient. (LITERARY, OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-PROPER: the N\n  = East


Words: orient
Meaning:
ori.ent\n   orient  orients  orienting  oriented   or orientate\n1. When you orient yourself to a new situation or course of action, you learn about it and prepare to deal with it. (FORMAL)\nYou will need the time to orient yourself to your new way of eating.\n  VERB: V pron-refl towards/to n/-ing\n  = accustom\n2.\n  see also oriented


Words: oriental
Meaning:
ori.en.tal\n   oriental  orientals\n1. Oriental means coming from or associated with eastern Asia, especially China and Japan.\nThere were Oriental carpets on the floors.\n...oriental food.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = eastern\n2. Some people refer to people from eastern Asia, especially China or Japan as Orientals. This use could cause offence.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Orientalist
Meaning:
Ori.en.tal.ist\n   Orientalist Orientalists  also orientalist\n  An Orientalist is someone from the West who studies the language, culture, history, or customs of countries in eastern Asia.\n  N-COUNT


Words: orientation
Meaning:
ori.en.ta.tion\n   orientation  orientations\n1. If you talk about the orientation of an organization or country, you are talking about the kinds of aims and interests it has.\n...a marketing orientation...\nTo a society which has lost its orientation he has much to offer...\nThe movement is liberal and social democratic in orientation.\n  N-VAR: with supp\n  = inclination\n2. Someone’s orientation is their basic beliefs or preferences.\n...legislation that would have made discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation illegal.\n  N-VAR: supp N\n  = inclination\n3. Orientation is basic information or training that is given to people starting a new job, school, or course.\n...a one-day orientation session.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n  = induction\n4. The orientation of a structure or object is the direction it faces.\nFarnese had the orientation of the church changed so that the front would face a square.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss


Words: oriented
Meaning:
ori.ent.ed\n   oriented   or orientated\n  If someone is oriented towards or oriented to a particular thing or person, they are mainly concerned with that thing or person.\nIt seems almost inevitable that North African economies will still be primarily oriented towards Europe...\nMost students here are oriented to computers.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ towards/to n


Words: orienteering
Meaning:
ori.ent.eer.ing\n   orienteering\n  Orienteering is a sport in which people run from one place to another, using a compass and a map to guide them between points that are marked along the route.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: orifice
Meaning:
ori.fice\n   orifice  orifices\n  An orifice is an opening or hole, especially one in your body such as your mouth. (FORMAL)\nAfter a massive heart attack, he was strapped to a bed, with tubes in every orifice.\n  N-COUNT


Words: origami
Meaning:
ori.ga.mi\n   origami\n  Origami is the craft of folding paper to make models of animals, people, and objects.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: origin
Meaning:
ori.gin\n   origin  origins\n1. You can refer to the beginning, cause, or source of something as its origin or origins.\n...theories about the origin of life...\nThe disorder in military policy had its origins in Truman’s first term...\nTheir medical problems are basically physical in origin...\nMost of the thickeners are of plant origin.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss, also in/of N\n\n2. When you talk about a person’s origin or origins, you are referring to the country, race, or social class of their parents or ancestors.\nThomas has not forgotten his humble origins.\n...people of Asian origin...\nThey are forced to return to their country of origin.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N, also of/in N


Words: original
Meaning:
origi.nal\n   original  originals\n1. You use original when referring to something that existed at the beginning of a process or activity, or the characteristics that something had when it began or was made.\nThe inhabitants have voted overwhelmingly to restore the city’s original name of Chemnitz.\n  ADJ: det ADJ\n\n2. If something such as a document, a work of art, or a piece of writing is an original, it is not a copy or a later version.\nWhen you have filled in the questionnaire, copy it and send the original to your employer...\nFor once the sequel is as good as the original.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. An original document or work of art is not a copy.\n...an original movie poster.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n4. An original piece of writing or music was written recently and has not been published or performed before.\n...its policy of commissioning original work.\n...with catchy original songs by Richard Warner.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n5. If you describe someone or their work as original, you mean that they are very imaginative and have new ideas.\nIt is one of the most original works of imagination in the language.\n...an original writer.\n  ADJ  approval\n  = innovative\n=>  origi.nal.ity\nHe was capable of writing things of startling originality.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n6. If you read or sing something in the original or, for example, in the original French, you read or sing it in the language it was written in, rather than a translation.\nHe read every book or author it deals with, often in the original...\nThe texts were sung in the original Italian.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: original sin
Meaning:
origi.nal sin\n   original sin\n  According to some Christians, original sin is the wickedness that all human beings are born with, because the first human beings, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: originally
Meaning:
origi.nal.ly\n   originally\n  When you say what happened or was the case originally, you are saying what happened or was the case when something began or came into existence, often to contrast it with what happened later.\nThe plane has been kept in service far longer than originally intended...\nFrance originally refused to sign the treaty...\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV with cl/group\n  = initially


Words: originate
Meaning:
origi.nate\n   originate  originates  originating  originated\n  When something originates or when someone originates it, it begins to happen or exist. (FORMAL)\nThe disease originated in Africa...\nI suppose no one has any idea who originated the story?\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V n


Words: originator
Meaning:
origi.na.tor\n   originator  originators\n  The originator of something such as an idea or scheme is the person who first thought of it or began it. (FORMAL)\n...the originator of the theory of relativity.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss


Words: ornament
Meaning:
or.na.ment\n   ornament  ornaments\n1. An ornament is an attractive object that you display in your home or in your garden.\n...a shelf containing a few photographs and ornaments.\n...Christmas tree ornaments.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Decorations and patterns on a building or a piece of furniture can be referred to as ornament. (FORMAL)\n...walls of glass overlaid with ornament.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: ornamental
Meaning:
or.na.men.tal\n   ornamental\n1. Ornamental things have no practical function but are put in a place because they look attractive.\n...ornamental trees.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = decorative\n2. Something that is ornamental is attractive and decorative.\n...ornamental plaster mouldings.\n  ADJ


Words: ornamentation
Meaning:
or.na.men.ta.tion\n   ornamentation\n  Decorations and patterns can be referred to as ornamentation. (FORMAL)\nThe chairs were comfortable, functional and free of ornamentation.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = decoration


Words: ornamented
Meaning:
or.na.ment.ed\n   ornamented\n  If something is ornamented with attractive objects or patterns, it is decorated with them.\nIt had a high ceiling, ornamented with plaster fruits and flowers.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with n


Words: ornate
Meaning:
or.nate\n   ornate\n  An ornate building, piece of furniture, or object is decorated with complicated patterns or shapes.\n...an ornate iron staircase.\n  ADJ\n  = elaborate  !=plain, simple\n=>  or.nate.ly\n...the ornately carved doors.\n  ADV: usu ADV -ed\n  = elaborately


Words: ornery
Meaning:
or.nery\n   ornery\n  If you describe someone as ornery, you mean that they are bad-tempered, difficult, and often do things that are mean. (AM INFORMAL)\nThe old lady was still being ornery, but at least she had consented to this visit.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = mean


Words: ornithology
Meaning:
or.ni.thol.ogy\n   ornithology\n  Ornithology is the study of birds. (FORMAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  or.ni.tho.logi.cal\n...the Hampshire Ornithological Society.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  or.ni.tholo.gist      ornithologists\nThat area is an ornithologist’s paradise.\n  N-COUNT


Words: orphan
Meaning:
or.phan\n   orphan  orphans  orphaned\n1. An orphan is a child whose parents are dead.\n...a young orphan girl brought up by peasants...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If a child is orphaned, their parents die, or their remaining parent dies.\n...a fifteen-year-old boy left orphaned by the recent disaster.\n  V-PASSIVE: no cont, V-ed


Words: orphanage
Meaning:
or.phan.age\n   orphanage  orphanages\n  An orphanage is a place where orphans live and are looked after.\n  N-COUNT


Words: orthodontist
Meaning:
ortho.don.tist\n   orthodontist  orthodontists\n  An orthodontist is a dentist who corrects the position of people’s teeth.\n  N-COUNT


Words: orthodox
Meaning:
ortho.dox\n   orthodox\n\n  The spelling Orthodox is also used for meaning 3.\n\n1. Orthodox beliefs, methods, or systems are ones which are accepted or used by most people.\nMany of these ideas are now being incorporated into orthodox medical treatment.\n  ADJ\n  = conventional  !=unorthodox\n2. If you describe someone as orthodox, you mean that they hold the older and more traditional ideas of their religion or party.\n...orthodox Jews.\n...orthodox communists.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = conservative, traditional\n3. The Orthodox churches are Christian churches in Eastern Europe which separated from the western church in the eleventh century.\n...the Greek Orthodox Church.\n  ADJ


Words: orthodoxy
Meaning:
ortho.doxy\n   orthodoxy  orthodoxies\n1. An orthodoxy is an accepted view about something.\nThese ideas rapidly became the new orthodoxy in linguistics...\nWhat was once a novel approach had become orthodoxy.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. The old, traditional beliefs of a religion, political party, or philosophy can be referred to as orthodoxy.\n...a conflict between Nat’s religious orthodoxy and Rube’s belief that his mission is to make money.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl


Words: orthopaedic
Meaning:
ortho.paedic\n   orthopaedic   also orthopedic\n  Orthopaedic means relating to problems affecting people’s joints and spines. (MEDICAL)\n...an orthopaedic surgeon.\n...orthopedic shoes.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: oscillate
Meaning:
os.cil.late\n   oscillate  oscillates  oscillating  oscillated\n1. If an object oscillates, it moves repeatedly from one position to another and back again, or keeps getting bigger and smaller. (FORMAL)\nI checked to see if the needle indicating volume was oscillating.\n  VERB: V\n\n=>  os.cil.la.tion      oscillations\nSome oscillation of the fuselage had been noticed on early flights.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If the level or value of something oscillates between one amount and another, it keeps going up and down between the two amounts. (FORMAL)\nOil markets oscillated on the day’s reports from Geneva.\n...an oscillating signal of microwave frequency.\n  VERB: no passive, V, V-ing\n  = fluctuate\n=>  os.cil.la.tion      oscillations\nThere have always been slight oscillations in world temperature.\n  N-VAR\n\n3. If you oscillate between two moods, attitudes, or types of behaviour, you keep changing from one to the other and back again. (FORMAL)\nThe president of the Republic oscillated between a certain audacity and a prudent realism.\n  VERB: no passive, V between n and n\n\n=>  os.cil.la.tion\n...that perpetual oscillation between despair and distracted joy.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: osmosis
Meaning:
os.mo.sis\n   osmosis\n1. Osmosis is the process by which a liquid passes through a thin piece of solid substance such as the roots of a plant. (TECHNICAL)\n...the processes of diffusion and osmosis.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you say that people influence each other by osmosis, or that skills are gained by osmosis, you mean that this is done gradually and without any obvious effort. (FORMAL)\nShe allowed her life to be absorbed by his, taking on as if by osmosis his likes and dislikes.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu by/through N


Words: ossify
Meaning:
os.si.fy\n   ossify  ossifies  ossifying  ossified\n  If an idea, system, or organization ossifies or if something ossifies it, it becomes fixed and difficult to change. (FORMAL)\nIt reckons that rationing would ossify the farm industry...\nBritish society tended to ossify and close ranks as the 1930s drew to their close.\n  VERB: V n, V  disapproval\n  = fossilize


Words: ostensible
Meaning:
os.ten.sible\n   ostensible\n  Ostensible is used to describe something that seems to be true or is officially stated to be true, but about which you or other people have doubts. (FORMAL)\nThe ostensible purpose of these meetings was to gather information on financial strategies.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = alleged\n=>  os.ten.sibly\n...ostensibly independent organisations...\n  ADV: usu ADV with cl/group


Words: ostentation
Meaning:
os.ten.ta.tion\n   ostentation\n  If you describe someone’s behaviour as ostentation, you are criticizing them for doing or buying things in order to impress people. (FORMAL)\nOn the whole she had lived modestly, with a notable lack of ostentation.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: ostentatious
Meaning:
os.ten.ta.tious\n   ostentatious\n1. If you describe something as ostentatious, you disapprove of it because it is expensive and is intended to impress people. (FORMAL)\n...an ostentatious wedding reception.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n2. If you describe someone as ostentatious, you disapprove of them because they want to impress people with their wealth or importance. (FORMAL)\nObviously he had plenty of money and was generous in its use without being ostentatious...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  os.ten.ta.tious.ly\nHer servants were similarly, if less ostentatiously attired.\n  ADV\n\n3. You can describe an action or behaviour as ostentatious when it is done in an exaggerated way to attract people’s attention.\nHis wife was fairly quiet but she is not an ostentatious person anyway.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  os.ten.ta.tious.ly\nHarry stopped under a street lamp and ostentatiously began inspecting the contents of his bag.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v


Words: osteopath
Meaning:
os.teo.path\n   osteopath  osteopaths\n  An osteopath is a person who treats painful conditions or illnesses by pressing and moving parts of the patient’s body.\n  N-COUNT


Words: osteoporosis
Meaning:
os.teo.po.ro.sis\n   osteoporosis\n  Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones lose calcium and become more likely to break. (MEDICAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: ostracism
Meaning:
os.tra.cism\n   ostracism\n  Ostracism is the state of being ostracized or the act of ostracizing someone. (FORMAL)\n...those who have decided to risk social ostracism and stay on the wrong side of town.\n...denunciation, tougher sanctions and ostracism from the civilised world.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: ostracize
Meaning:
os.tra.cize\n   ostracize  ostracizes  ostracizing  ostracized\nin BRIT, also use ostracise\n  If someone is ostracized, people deliberately behave in an unfriendly way towards them and do not allow them to take part in any of their social activities. (FORMAL)\nShe claims she’s being ostracized by some members of her local community.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed


Words: ostrich
Meaning:
os.trich\n   ostrich  ostriches\n  An ostrich is a very large African bird that cannot fly.\n  N-COUNT


Words: OTC
Meaning:
OTC\n  OTC is an abbreviation for over-the-counter.\n...the first OTC heartburn drug.\n...head of OTC trading at PaineWebber Inc.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: other
Meaning:
oth.er\n   other  others\nWhen other follows the determiner an, it is written as one word: see another.\n1. You use other to refer to an additional thing or person of the same type as one that has been mentioned or is known about.\nThey were just like any other young couple...\nThe communique gave no other details.\n  ADJ: det ADJ, ADJ n\n\n  Other is also a pronoun.\nFour crewmen were killed, one other was injured...\nIn 1914 he (like so many others) lied about his age so that he could join the war effort.\n  PRON\n\n2. You use other to indicate that a thing or person is not the one already mentioned, but a different one.\nCalls cost 36p per minute cheap rate and 48p per minute at all other times...\nHe would have to accept it; there was no other way...\n  ADJ: det ADJ, ADJ n\n\n  Other is also a pronoun.\nThis issue, more than any other, has divided her cabinet...\nSome of these methods will work. Others will not.\n  PRON\n\n3. You use the other to refer to the second of two things or people when the identity of the first is already known or understood, or has already been mentioned.\nThe Captain was at the other end of the room...\nHalf of PML’s scientists have first degrees, the other half have PhDs.\n  ADJ: det ADJ\n\n  The other is also a pronoun.\nAlmost everybody had a cigarette in one hand and a martini in the other...\n  PRON: the PRON\n\n4. You use other at the end of a list or a group of examples, to refer generally to people or things like the ones just mentioned.\nQueensway Quay will incorporate shops, restaurants and other amenities...\nPlace them in a jam jar, porcelain bowl, or other similar container.\n  ADJ: det ADJ, ADJ n\n\n  Other is also a pronoun.\nDescartes received his stimulus from the new physics and astronomy of Copernicus, Galileo, and others.\n  PRON\n\n5. You use the other to refer to the rest of the people or things in a group, when you are talking about one particular person or thing.\nWhen the other pupils were taken to an exhibition, he was left behind.\n  ADJ: det ADJ\n\n  The others is also a pronoun.\nAubrey’s on his way here, with the others.\n  PRON: the PRON\n\n6. Other people are people in general, as opposed to yourself or a person you have already mentioned.\nThe suffering of other people appals me...\nShe likes to be with other people.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Others means the same as other people.\nHis humour depended on contempt for others.\n  PRON\n\n7. You use other in informal expressions of time such as the other day, the other evening, or the other week to refer to a day, evening, or week in the recent past.\nI rang her the other day and she said she’d like to come round...\n  ADJ: the ADJ n\n\n8. You use expressions like among other things or among others to indicate that there are several more facts, things, or people like the one or ones mentioned, but that you do not intend to mention them all.\nHe moved to England in 1980 where, among other things, he worked as a journalist...\nHis travels took him to Dublin, among other places...\nHe is expected to be supported at the meeting by Dennis Skinner and Tony Benn among others.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl, oft PHR n  vagueness\n\n9. If something happens, for example, every other day or every other month, there is a day or month when it does not happen between each day or month when it happens.\nTheir food is adequate. It includes meat at least every other day, vegetables and fruit...\nNow that their children have grown up she joins Paddy in London every other week.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v\n\n10. You use every other to emphasize that you are referring to all the rest of the people or things in a group.\nThe same will apply in every other country.\n  PHRASE: PHR n  emphasis\n\n11. You use none other than and no other than to emphasize the name of a person or thing when something about that person or thing is surprising in a particular situation.\nHe called together all his employees and announced that the manager was none other than his son.\n  PHRASE: PHR n  emphasis\n\n(next)


Words: other .1
Meaning:
12. You use nothing other than and no other than when you are going to mention a course of action, decision, or description and emphasize that it is the only one possible in the situation.\nNothing other than an immediate custodial sentence could be justified...\nThe rebels would not be happy with anything other than the complete removal of the current regime...\nThey have left us with no other choice than to take formal action.\n  PHRASE: PHR n  emphasis\n\n13. You use or other in expressions like somehow or other and someone or other to indicate that you cannot or do not want to be more precise about the information that you are giving.\nThe Foundation is holding a dinner in honour of something or other...\nSomehow or other he’s involved.\n  PHRASE: n/adv PHR  vagueness\n\n14. You use other than after a negative statement to say that the person, item, or thing that follows is the only exception to the statement.\nShe makes no reference to any feminist work other than her own...\n  PHRASE: with brd-neg, PHR n/-ing\n\n15.\neach other: see each\none after the other: see one\none or other: see one\nthis, that and the other: see this\nin other words: see word


Words: otherness
Meaning:
oth.er.ness\n   otherness\n  Otherness is the quality that someone or something has which is different from yourself or from the things that you have experienced.\nI like the otherness of men’s minds and bodies.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: otherwise
Meaning:
other.wise\n   otherwise\n1. You use otherwise after stating a situation or fact, in order to say what the result or consequence would be if this situation or fact was not the case.\nMake a note of the questions you want to ask. You will invariably forget some of them otherwise...\nI’m lucky that I’m interested in school work, otherwise I’d go mad.\n  ADV: ADV with cl\n\n2. You use otherwise before stating the general condition or quality of something, when you are also mentioning an exception to this general condition or quality.\nThe decorations for the games have lent a splash of colour to an otherwise drab city.\n...a blue and gold caravan, slightly travel-stained but otherwise in good condition.\n  ADV: ADV group\n\n3. You use otherwise to refer in a general way to actions or situations that are very different from, or the opposite to, your main statement. (WRITTEN)\nTake approximately 60mg up to four times a day, unless advised otherwise by a doctor...\nAll photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n4. You use otherwise to indicate that other ways of doing something are possible in addition to the way already mentioned.\nThe studio could punish its players by keeping them out of work, and otherwise controlling their lives.\n  ADV: ADV before v\n\n5. You use or otherwise or and otherwise to mention something that is not the thing just referred to or is the opposite of that thing.\nIt was for the police to assess the validity or otherwise of the evidence...\nI was feeling really ill, mentally and otherwise.\n  PHRASE: n/adj PHR


Words: otherworldly
Meaning:
other.worldly\n  also other-worldly\n  Otherworldly people, things, and places seem strange or spiritual, and not much connected with ordinary things.\nThey encourage an image of the region as an otherworldly sort of place.\n...a strange, other-worldly smile.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=worldly


Words: OTT
Meaning:
OTT\n  If you describe something as OTT, you mean that it is exaggerated and extreme. OTT is an abbreviation for `over the top’. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n...an OTT comedy cabaret revue...\n  ADJ\n  !=subtle, understated


Words: otter
Meaning:
ot.ter\n   otter  otters\n  An otter is a small animal with brown fur, short legs, and a long tail. Otters swim well and eat fish.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ouch
Meaning:
ouch\n  `Ouch!’ is used in writing to represent the noise that people make when they suddenly feel pain.\nShe was barefoot and stones dug into her feet. `Ouch, ouch,’ she cried.\n  EXCLAM


Words: ought
Meaning:
ought\n\n  Ought to is a phrasal modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. The negative form of ought to is ought not to, which is sometimes shortened to oughtn’t to in spoken English.\n\n1. You use ought to to mean that it is morally right to do a particular thing or that it is morally right for a particular situation to exist, especially when giving or asking for advice or opinions.\nMark, you’ve got a good wife. You ought to take care of her...\nYou ought to be ashamed of yourselves. You’ve created this problem.\n  PHRASE\n  = should\n2. You use ought to when saying that you think it is a good idea and important for you or someone else to do a particular thing, especially when giving or asking for advice or opinions.\nYou don’t have to be alone with him and I don’t think you ought to be...\nYou ought to ask a lawyer’s advice...\nWe ought not to be quarrelling now.\n  PHRASE\n  = should\n3. You use ought to to indicate that you expect something to be true or to happen. You use ought to have to indicate that you expect something to have happened already.\n`This ought to be fun,’ he told Alex, eyes gleaming.\n  PHRASE\n  = should\n4. You use ought to to indicate that you think that something should be the case, but might not be.\nBy rights the Social Democrats ought to be the favourites in the election. But nothing looks less certain...\nThough this gives them a nice feeling, it really ought to worry them.\n  PHRASE\n  = should\n5. You use ought to to indicate that you think that something has happened because of what you know about the situation, but you are not certain.\nHe ought to have reached the house some time ago.\n  PHRASE  vagueness\n  = should\n6. You use ought to have with a past participle to indicate that something was expected to happen or be the case, but it did not happen or was not the case.\nBasically the system ought to have worked...\nThe money to build the power station ought to have been sufficient.\n  PHRASE\n\n7. You use ought to have with a past participle to indicate that although it was best or correct for someone to do something in the past, they did not actually do it.\nI realize I ought to have told you about it...\nPerhaps we ought to have trusted people more...\nI ought not to have asked you a thing like that. I’m sorry...\nI’m beginning to feel now we oughtn’t to have let her go away like that.\n  PHRASE\n\n8. You use ought to when politely telling someone that you must do something, for example that you must leave.\nI really ought to be getting back now...\nI think I ought to go.\n  PHRASE  politeness\n  = should


Words: ouija board
Meaning:
oui.ja board\n   ouija board  ouija boards\n  A ouija board is a board with the letters of the alphabet written on it. It is used to ask questions which are thought to be answered by the spirits of dead people.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ounce
Meaning:
ounce  ounces\n1. An ounce is a unit of weight used in Britain and the USA. There are sixteen ounces in a pound and one ounce is equal to 28.35 grams.\n...four ounces of sugar.\n  N-COUNT: num N, oft N of n\n\n2. You can refer to a very small amount of something, such as a quality or characteristic, as an ounce.\nIf only my father had possessed an ounce of business sense...\nI spent every ounce of energy trying to hide.\n  N-SING: usu N of n\n\n3.\n  see also fluid ounce


Words: our
Meaning:
our\n\n  Our is the first person plural possessive determiner.\n\n1. You use our to indicate that something belongs or relates both to yourself and to one or more other people.\nWe’re expecting our first baby...\nI locked myself out of our apartment and had to break in...\n  DET\n\n2. A speaker or writer sometimes uses our to indicate that something belongs or relates to people in general.\nWe are all entirely responsible for our actions, and for our reactions.\n  DET


Words: Our Lady
Meaning:
Our Lady\n  Some Christians, especially Catholics, refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, as Our Lady.\nWill you pray to Our Lady for me?\n  N-PROPER


Words: Our Lord
Meaning:
Our Lord\n  Christians refer to Jesus Christ as Our Lord.\nLet us remember the words of Our Lord from the gospel of Mark.\n  N-PROPER


Words: ours
Meaning:
ours\n  You use ours to refer to something that belongs or relates both to yourself and to one or more other people.\nThere are few strangers in a town like ours...\nHalf the houses had been fitted with alarms and ours hadn’t.\n  PRON\n  Ours is the first person plural possessive pronoun.


Words: ourself
Meaning:
our.self\n   ourself\n  Ourself is sometimes used instead of `ourselves’ when it clearly refers to a singular subject. Some people consider this use to be incorrect.\n...the way we think of ourself and others.\n  PRON: v PRON, prep PRON


Words: ourselves
Meaning:
our.selves\n   ourselves\n\n  Ourselves is the first person plural reflexive pronoun.\n\n1. You use ourselves to refer to yourself and one or more other people as a group.\nWe sat round the fire to keep ourselves warm...\nIt was the first time we admitted to ourselves that we were tired.\n  PRON: v PRON, prep PRON\n\n2. A speaker or writer sometimes uses ourselves to refer to people in general. Ourselves is used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject refers to the same people.\nWe all know that when we exert ourselves our heart rate increases.\n  PRON: v PRON, prep PRON\n\n3. You use ourselves to emphasize a first person plural subject. In more formal English, ourselves is sometimes used instead of `us’ as the object of a verb or preposition, for emphasis.\nOthers are feeling just the way we ourselves would feel in the same situation...\nThe people who will suffer won’t be people like ourselves.\n  PRON  emphasis\n\n4. If you say something such as `We did it ourselves’, you are indicating that something was done by you and a particular group of other people, rather than anyone else.\nWe villagers built that ourselves, we had no help from anyone.\n  PRON


Words: oust
Meaning:
oust  ousts  ousting  ousted\n  If someone is ousted from a position of power, job, or place, they are forced to leave it. (JOURNALISM)\nThe leaders have been ousted from power by nationalists...\nLast week they tried to oust him in a parliamentary vote of no confidence.\n...the ousted government.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n, V-ed\n\n=>  oust.ing\nThe ousting of his predecessor was one of the most dramatic coups the business world had seen in years.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = removal


Words: out
Meaning:
VERB USE\n   out  outs  outing  outed\n  If a group of people out a public figure or famous person, they reveal that person’s homosexuality against their wishes.\nThe New York gay action group `Queer Nation’ recently outed an American Congressman.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  out.ing\nThe gay and lesbian rights group, Stonewall, sees outing as completely unhelpful.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\nADVERB USES\n   out\nOut is often used with verbs of movement, such as `walk’ and `pull’, and also in phrasal verbs such as `give out’ and `run out’.\n1. When something is in a particular place and you take it out, you remove it from that place.\nCarefully pull out the centre pages...\nHe took out his notebook and flipped the pages...\nThey paid in that cheque a couple of days ago, and drew out around two thousand in cash.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. You can use out to indicate that you are talking about the situation outside, rather than inside buildings.\nIt’s hot out.very hot, very humid.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  = outside\n3. If you are out, you are not at home or not at your usual place of work.\nI tried to get in touch with you yesterday evening, but I think you were out...\nShe had to go out.\n  ADV: be ADV, ADV after v\n\n4. If you say that someone is out in a particular place, you mean that they are in a different place, usually one far away.\nThe police tell me they’ve finished their investigations out there...\nRosie’s husband was now out East.\n  ADV: ADV adv/prep\n\n5. When the sea or tide goes out, the sea moves away from the shore.\nThe tide was out and they walked among the rock pools.\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV\n  !=in\n6. If you are out a particular amount of money, you have that amount less than you should or than you did. (mainly AM)\nMe and my friends are out ten thousand dollars, with nothing to show for it!\n  ADV: ADV n\n\nADJECTIVE AND ADVERB USES\n   out\n1. If a light or fire is out or goes out, it is no longer shining or burning.\nAll the lights were out in the house...\nSeveral of the lights went out, one after another.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n2. If flowers are out, their petals have opened.\nWell, the daffodils are out in the gardens and they’re always a beautiful show.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n  Out is also an adverb.\nI usually put it in my diary when I see the wild flowers coming out.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n3. If something such as a book or CD is out, it is available for people to buy.\n...cover versions of 40 British Number Ones.out now.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n  Out is also an adverb.\nThe French edition came out in early 1992.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n4. If workers are out, they are on strike. (INFORMAL)\nWe’ve been out for two and a half months and we’re not going back until we get what we’re asking for.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = on strike\n  Out is also an adverb.\nIn June last year, 26 people came out on strike protesting against a compulsory 65-hour week.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n5. In a game or sport, if someone is out, they can no longer take part either because they are unable to or because they have been defeated.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n6. In baseball, a player is out if they do not reach a base safely. When three players in a team are out in an inning, then the team is out.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n7. If you say that a proposal or suggestion is out, you mean that it is unacceptable.\nThat’s right out, I’m afraid.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n8. If you say that a particular thing is out, you mean that it is no longer fashionable at the present time.\nRomance is making a comeback. Reality is out.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  !=in\n9. If you say that a calculation or measurement is out, you mean that it is incorrect.\nWhen the two ends of the tunnel met in the middle they were only a few inches out.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft amount ADJ\n\n10. If someone is out to do something, they intend to do it. (INFORMAL)\nMost companies these days are just out to make a quick profit.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to-inf\n\nPREPOSITION USES\n   out\nOut of is used with verbs of movement, such as `walk’ and `pull’, and also in phrasal verbs such as `do out of’ and `grow out of’. In American English and informal British English, out is often used instead of out of.\n1. If you go out of a place, you leave it.\nShe let him out of the house.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n  !=into\n2. If you take something out of the container or place where it has been, you remove it so that it is no longer there.\nI always took my key out of my bag and put it in my pocket.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n3. If you look or shout out of a window, you look or shout away from the room where you are towards the outside.\nHe went on staring out of the window...\nHe looked out the window at the car on the street below.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n4. If you are out of the sun, the rain, or the wind, you are sheltered from it.\nPeople can keep out of the sun to avoid skin cancer.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n5. If someone or something gets out of a situation, especially an unpleasant one, they are then no longer in it. If they keep out of it, they do not start being in it.\nIn the past army troops have relied heavily on air support to get them out of trouble...\nThe economy is starting to climb out of recession...\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n6. You can use out of to say that someone leaves an institution.\nYou come out of university and find there are no jobs available...\nDoctors should be able to decide who they can safely let out of hospital early.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n7. If you are out of range of something, you are beyond the limits of that range.\nShaun was in the bedroom, out of earshot, watching television...\nHe turned to look back, but by then she was out of sight.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n8. You use out of to say what feeling or reason causes someone to do something. For example, if you do something out of pity, you do it because you pity someone.\nHe took up office out of a sense of duty...\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n9. If you get something such as information or work out of someone, you manage to make them give it to you, usually when they are unwilling to give it.\n`Where is she being held prisoner?’ I asked. `Did you get it out of him?’...\nWe knew we could get better work out of them.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n10. If you get pleasure or an advantage out of something, you get it as a result of being involved with that thing or making use of it.\nWe all had a lot of fun out of him...\nTo get the most out of your money, you have to invest.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n  = from\n11. If you are out of something, you no longer have any of it.\nI can’t find the sugar.and we’re out of milk.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n12. If something is made out of a particular material, it consists of that material because it has been formed or constructed from it.\nWould you advise people to make a building out of wood or stone?\n  PREP-PHRASE\n  = from\n13. You use out of to indicate what proportion of a group of things something is true of. For example, if something is true of one out of five things, it is true of one fifth of all things of that kind.\nTwo out of five thought the business would be sold privately on their retirement or death...\n  PREP-PHRASE: num PREP num\n  = in


Words: out of date
Meaning:
out of date   also out-of-date\n  Something that is out of date is old-fashioned and no longer useful.\nThink how rapidly medical knowledge has gone out of date in recent years.\n  ADJ


Words: out of doors
Meaning:
out of doors   also out-of-doors\n  If you are out of doors, you are outside a building rather than inside it.\nSometimes we eat out of doors...\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV\n  = outdoors  !=indoors


Words: out of touch
Meaning:
out of touch\n1. Someone who is out of touch with a situation is not aware of recent changes in it.\nWashington politicians are out of touch with the American people...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n\n\n2. If you are out of touch with someone, you have not been in contact with them recently and are not familiar with their present situation.\nJames wasn’t invited. We’ve been out of touch for years.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n


Words: out of work
Meaning:
out of work\n  Someone who is out of work does not have a job.\n...a town where half the men are usually out of work.\n...an out of work actor.\n  ADJ\n  = unemployed


Words: out tray
Meaning:
out tray  out trays   also out-tray\n  An out tray is a shallow container used in offices to put letters and documents in when they have been dealt with and are ready to be sent somewhere else. Compare in tray.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=in tray


Words: out-
Meaning:
out-\n  You can use out- to form verbs that describe an action as being done better by one person than by another. For example, if you can outswim someone, you can swim further or faster than they can.\nEuropean investors may outspend the Japanese this year.\n...a younger brother who always outperformed him.\n  PREFIX


Words: out-and-out
Meaning:
out-and-out\n  You use out-and-out to emphasize that someone or something has all the characteristics of a particular type of person or thing.\nMuch of what has been written about us is out-and-out lies.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n  = complete, utter


Words: out-of-body
Meaning:
out-of-body\n  An out-of-body experience is one in which you feel as if you are outside your own body, watching it and what is going on around it.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: out-of-pocket
Meaning:
out-of-pocket\n  Out-of-pocket expenses are those which you pay out of your own money on behalf of someone else, and which are often paid back to you later.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  see also pocket


Words: out-of-the-way
Meaning:
out-of-the-way   also out of the way\n  Out-of-the-way places are difficult to reach and are therefore not often visited.\n...an out-of-the-way spot.\n  ADJ\n  = remote


Words: out-of-town
Meaning:
out-of-town\n1. Out-of-town shops or facilities are situated away from the centre of a town or city.\n...shopping at cheaper, out-of-town supermarkets.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Out-of-town is used to describe people who do not live in a particular town or city, but have travelled there for a particular purpose.\n...a deluxe hotel for out-of-town visitors.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: out-take
Meaning:
out-take  out-takes   also outtake\n  An out-take is a piece of film or a song that is not in the final version of a programme, film, or record, for example because it contains a mistake.\n  N-COUNT


Words: out-there
Meaning:
Someone or something that is out-there is very extreme or unusual. (INFORMAL)\n...various artists with out-there names like Furry Green Lamppost.\n  ADJ\n  = way-out


Words: outage
Meaning:
out.age\n   outage  outages\n  An outage is a period of time when the electricity supply to a building or area is interrupted, for example because of damage to the cables. (AM; in BRIT, use power cut)\nA windstorm in Washington is causing power outages throughout the region.\n  N-COUNT


Words: outback
Meaning:
out.back\n   outback\n  The parts of Australia that are far away from towns are referred to as the outback.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: outbid
Meaning:
out.bid\n   outbid  outbids  outbidding\n  If you outbid someone, you offer more money than they do for something that you both want to buy.\nThe Museum has antagonised rivals by outbidding them for the world’s greatest art treasures...\n  VERB: V n\n  The form outbid is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle.


Words: outboard
Meaning:
out.board\n   outboard\n  An outboard motor is one that you can fix to the back of a small boat.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: outbound
Meaning:
out.bound\n   outbound\n  An outbound flight is one that is leaving or about to leave a particular place.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: outbreak
Meaning:
out.break\n   outbreak  outbreaks\n  If there is an outbreak of something unpleasant, such as violence or a disease, it suddenly starts to happen.\n...the outbreak of war in the Middle East...\nIn Peru, a cholera outbreak continues to spread.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu with supp


Words: outbuilding
Meaning:
out.build.ing\n   outbuilding  outbuildings\n  Outbuildings are small buildings for keeping things in or working in which are near a house, on the land belonging to it.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: outburst
Meaning:
out.burst\n   outburst  outbursts\n1. An outburst of an emotion, especially anger, is a sudden strong expression of that emotion.\n...a spontaneous outburst of cheers and applause...\nThere has been another angry outburst against the new local tax introduced today.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n\n\n2. An outburst of violent activity is a sudden period of this activity.\nFive people were reported killed today in a fresh outburst of violence.\n...this first great outburst of nationalist student protest.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n  = eruption


Words: outcast
Meaning:
out.cast\n   outcast  outcasts\n  An outcast is someone who is not accepted by a group of people or by society.\nHe had always been an outcast, unwanted and alone...\n  N-COUNT


Words: outclass
Meaning:
out.class\n   outclass  outclasses  outclassing  outclassed\n1. If you are outclassed by someone, they are a lot better than you are at a particular activity.\nMason was outclassed by Lennox Lewis in his tragic last fight at Wembley...\nFew city hotels can outclass the Hotel de Crillon.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n\n\n2. If one thing outclasses another thing, the first thing is of a much higher quality than the second thing.\nThese planes are outclassed by the most recent designs from the former Soviet Union...\nThe story outclasses anything written by Frederick Forsyth.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n


Words: outcome
Meaning:
out.come\n   outcome  outcomes\n  The outcome of an activity, process, or situation is the situation that exists at the end of it.\nMr. Singh said he was pleased with the outcome...\nIt’s too early to know the outcome of her illness.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft the N of n


Words: outcrop
Meaning:
out.crop\n   outcrop  outcrops\nin AM and sometimes in BRIT, use outcropping\n  An outcrop is a large area of rock sticking out of the ground.\n...an outcrop of rugged granite.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n


Words: outcry
Meaning:
out.cry\n   outcry  outcries\n  An outcry is a reaction of strong disapproval and anger shown by the public or media about a recent event.\nThe killing caused an international outcry...\n  N-VAR: usu with supp


Words: outdated
Meaning:
out.dat.ed\n   outdated\n  If you describe something as outdated, you mean that you think it is old-fashioned and no longer useful or relevant to modern life.\n...outdated and inefficient factories...\nCaryl Churchill’s play about Romania is already outdated.\n  ADJ


Words: outdistance
Meaning:
out.dis.tance\n   outdistance  outdistances  outdistancing  outdistanced\n1. If you outdistance someone, you are a lot better and more successful than they are at a particular activity over a period of time.\nIt didn’t matter that Ingrid had outdistanced them as a movie star.\n  VERB: V n\n  = outdo\n2. If you outdistance your opponents in a contest of some kind, you beat them easily.\n...a millionaire businessman who easily outdistanced his major rivals for the nomination.\n  VERB: V n\n  = outstrip


Words: outdo
Meaning:
out.do\n   outdo  outdoes  outdoing  outdid  outdone\n1. If you outdo someone, you are a lot more successful than they are at a particular activity.\nBoth sides have tried to outdo each other to show how tough they can be.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. You use not to be outdone to introduce an action which someone takes in response to a previous action.\nShe wore a lovely tiara but the groom, not to be outdone, had on a very smart embroidered waistcoat.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl


Words: outdoor
Meaning:
out.door\n   outdoor\n  Outdoor activities or things happen or are used outside and not in a building.\nIf you enjoy outdoor activities, this is the trip for you...\nThere were outdoor cafes on almost every block.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=indoor


Words: outdoors
Meaning:
out.doors\n   outdoors\n1. If something happens outdoors, it happens outside in the fresh air rather than in a building.\nIt was warm enough to be outdoors all afternoon...\nThe ceremony was being held outdoors.\n  ADV: be ADV, ADV after v\n  !=indoors\n2. You refer to the outdoors when talking about work or leisure activities which take place outside away from buildings.\nI’m a lover of the outdoors...\nLife in the great outdoors isn’t supposed to be luxurious.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: outer
Meaning:
out.er\n   outer\n  The outer parts of something are the parts which contain or enclose the other parts, and which are furthest from the centre.\nHe heard a voice in the outer room.\n...the outer suburbs of the city.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=inner


Words: outer space
Meaning:
out.er space\n   outer space\n  Outer space is the area outside the earth’s atmosphere where the other planets and stars are situated.\nIn 1957, the Soviets launched Sputnik 1 into outer space.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: outermost
Meaning:
outer.most\n   outermost\n  The outermost thing in a group is the one that is furthest from the centre.\n...Pluto, the outermost known planet.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=innermost


Words: outerwear
Meaning:
outer.wear\n   outerwear\n  Outerwear is clothing that is not worn underneath other clothing.\nThe latest in sports bras are colorful tops designed as outerwear.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: outfall
Meaning:
out.fall\n   outfall  outfalls\n  An outfall is a place where water or waste flows out of a drain, often into the sea.\nDuring the winter months, great flocks of gulls gather at rubbish tips and sewage outfalls.\n  N-COUNT


Words: outfield
Meaning:
out.field\n   outfield\n  In baseball and cricket, the outfield is the part of the field that is furthest from the batting area.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: outfielder
Meaning:
out.field.er\n   outfielder  outfielders\n  In baseball and cricket, the outfielders are the players in the part of the field that is furthest from the batting area.\n  N-COUNT


Words: outfit
Meaning:
out.fit\n   outfit  outfits  outfitting  outfitted\n1. An outfit is a set of clothes.\nShe was wearing an outfit she’d bought the previous day...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can refer to an organization as an outfit.\nHe works for a private security outfit...\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n\n3. To outfit someone or something means to provide them with equipment for a particular purpose. (mainly AM)\nThey outfitted him with artificial legs...\n  VERB: V n with/as n\n  = fit out


Words: outfitter
Meaning:
out.fit.ter\n   outfitter  outfitters   also outfitters\n  An outfitter or an outfitters is a shop that sells clothes and equipment for a specific purpose. (mainly BRIT)\n...J. Hepworth, the men’s outfitter.\n...a sports outfitters.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N


Words: outflank
Meaning:
out.flank\n   outflank  outflanks  outflanking  outflanked\n1. In a battle, when one group of soldiers outflanks another, it succeeds in moving past the other group in order to be able to attack it from the side.\n...plans designed by General Schwarzkopf to outflank them from the west.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you outflank someone, you succeed in getting into a position where you can defeat them, for example in an argument.\nHe had tried to outflank them...\n  VERB: V n


Words: outflow
Meaning:
out.flow\n   outflow  outflows\n  When there is an outflow of money or people, a large amount of money or people move from one place to another.\nThere was a net outflow of about .650m in short-term capital.\n...an increasing outflow of refugees.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: outfox
Meaning:
out.fox\n   outfox  outfoxes  outfoxing  outfoxed\n  If you outfox someone, you defeat them in some way because you are cleverer than they are.\nThere is no greater thrill than to bluff a man, trap him and outfox him.\n  VERB: V n\n  = outwit, outsmart


Words: outgoing
Meaning:
out.going\n   outgoing\n1. You use outgoing to describe a person in charge of something who is soon going to leave that position.\n...the outgoing director of the Edinburgh International Festival.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Outgoing things such as planes, mail, and passengers are leaving or being sent somewhere.\nAll outgoing flights were grounded.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=incoming\n3. Someone who is outgoing is very friendly and likes meeting and talking to people.\n  ADJ\n  = extrovert


Words: outgoings
Meaning:
out.go.ings\n   outgoings\n  Your outgoings are the regular amounts of money which you have to spend every week or every month, for example in order to pay your rent or bills. (BRIT; in AM, usually use outlay, expenses)\nShe suggests you first assess your income and outgoings.\n...monthly outgoings.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: outgrow
Meaning:
out.grow\n   outgrow  outgrows  outgrowing  outgrew  outgrown\n1. If a child outgrows a piece of clothing, they grow bigger, so that it no longer fits them.\nShe outgrew her clothes so rapidly that Patsy was always having to buy new ones.\n  VERB: V n\n  = grow out of\n2. If you outgrow a particular way of behaving or thinking, you change and become more mature, so that you no longer behave or think in that way.\nThe girl may or may not outgrow her interest in fashion.\n  VERB: V n\n  = grow out of


Words: outgrowth
Meaning:
out.growth\n   outgrowth  outgrowths\n  Something that is an outgrowth of another thing has developed naturally as a result of it.\nHer first book is an outgrowth of an art project she began in 1988.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: outguess
Meaning:
out.guess\n   outguess  outguesses  outguessing  outguessed\n  If you outguess someone, you try to predict what they are going to do in order to gain some advantage.\nOnly by being him can you hope to out-guess him...\nA very good investor will outguess the market.\n  VERB: V n, V n


Words: outgun
Meaning:
out.gun\n   outgun  outguns  outgunning  outgunned\n1. In a battle, if one army is outgunned, they are in a very weak position because the opposing army has more or better weapons.\nFirst Airborne Division was heavily outgunned by German forces...\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n2. If you are outgunned in a contest, you are beaten because your rival is stronger or better than you.\nClearly, the BBC is being outgunned by ITV’s original drama...\nHe soon hit top speed to outgun all his rivals in the opening qualifying session.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n


Words: outhouse
Meaning:
out.house\n   outhouse  outhouses\n1. An outhouse is a small building attached to a house or very close to the house, used, for example, for storing things in.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An outhouse is an outside toilet. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: outing
Meaning:
out.ing\n   outing  outings\n1. An outing is a short enjoyable trip, usually with a group of people, away from your home, school, or place of work.\nOne evening, she made a rare outing to the local discotheque.\n...families on a Sunday afternoon outing.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. In sport, an outing is an occasion when a player competes in a particular contest or competition.\nPlaying against Zebre in England’s first outing, he suffered a whiplash injury to his neck.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3.\n  see also out 3


Words: outlandish
Meaning:
out.land.ish\n   outlandish\n  If you describe something as outlandish, you disapprove of it because you think it is very unusual, strange, or unreasonable.\nThis idea is not as outlandish as it sounds.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = bizarre


Words: outlast
Meaning:
out.last\n   outlast  outlasts  outlasting  outlasted\n  If one thing outlasts another thing, the first thing lives or exists longer than the second.\nThese naturally dried flowers will outlast a bouquet of fresh blooms...\n  VERB: no passive, V n


Words: outlaw
Meaning:
out.law\n   outlaw  outlaws  outlawing  outlawed\n1. When something is outlawed, it is made illegal.\nIn 1975 gambling was outlawed...\nThe German government has outlawed some fascist groups.\n...the outlawed political parties.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n, V-ed\n  = ban\n2. An outlaw is a criminal who is hiding from the authorities. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: outlay
Meaning:
out.lay\n   outlay  outlays\n  Outlay is the amount of money that you have to spend in order to buy something or start a project.\nApart from the capital outlay of buying the machine, dishwashers can actually save you money...\n  N-VAR: usu with supp


Words: outlet
Meaning:
out.let\n   outlet  outlets\n1. An outlet is a shop or organization which sells the goods made by a particular manufacturer.\n...the largest retail outlet in the city.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n2. An outlet or an outlet store is a place which sells slightly damaged or outdated goods from a particular manufacturer, or goods that it made in greater quantities than needed.\n...the factory outlet store in Belmont.\n  N-COUNT: also N n\n\n3. If someone has an outlet for their feelings or ideas, they have a means of expressing and releasing them.\nHer father had found an outlet for his ambition in his work.\n  N-COUNT: oft N for n\n  = channel\n4. An outlet is a hole or pipe through which liquid or air can flow away.\n...a warm air outlet.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. An outlet is a place, usually in a wall, where you can connect electrical devices to the electricity supply. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use socket)\n  N-COUNT


Words: outline
Meaning:
out.line\n   outline  outlines  outlining  outlined\n1. If you outline an idea or a plan, you explain it in a general way.\nThe mayor outlined his plan to clean up the town’s image...\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. An outline is a general explanation or description of something.\nFollowing is an outline of the survey findings...\nThe proposals were given in outline by the Secretary of State.\n  N-COUNT: also in N\n\n3. You say that an object is outlined when you can see its general shape because there is light behind it.\nThe Ritz was outlined against the lights up there...\n  V-PASSIVE: be V-ed\n\n4. The outline of something is its general shape, especially when it cannot be clearly seen.\nHe could see only the hazy outline of the goalposts.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: outlive
Meaning:
out.live\n   outlive  outlives  outliving  outlived\n  If one person outlives another, they are still alive after the second person has died. If one thing outlives another thing, the first thing continues to exist after the second has disappeared or been replaced.\nI’m sure Rose will outlive many of us...\nThe UN is an organisation which has long since outlived its usefulness...\n  VERB: V n, V n


Words: outlook
Meaning:
out.look\n   outlook  outlooks\n1. Your outlook is your general attitude towards life.\nI adopted a positive outlook on life...\nWe were quite different in outlook, Philip and I.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp, also in N\n\n2. The outlook for something is what people think will happen in relation to it.\nThe economic outlook is one of rising unemployment...\n  N-SING: oft supp N\n  = prospect


Words: outlying
Meaning:
out.ly.ing\n   outlying\n  Outlying places are far away from the main cities of a country.\nTourists can visit outlying areas like the Napa Valley Wine Country...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = remote


Words: outmanoeuvre
Meaning:
out.ma.noeu.vre\n   outmanoeuvre  outmanoeuvres  outmanoeuvring  outmanoeuvred\nin AM, use outmaneuver\n  If you outmanoeuvre someone, you gain an advantage over them in a particular situation by behaving in a clever and skilful way.\nHe has shown once again that he’s able to outmanoeuvre the military...\n  VERB: V n


Words: outmoded
Meaning:
out.mod.ed\n   outmoded\n  If you describe something as outmoded, you mean that you think it is old-fashioned and no longer useful or relevant to modern life.\nRomania badly needs aid to modernise its outmoded industries...\nThe political system has become thoroughly outmoded.\n  ADJ\n  = outdated


Words: outnumber
Meaning:
out.num.ber\n   outnumber  outnumbers  outnumbering  outnumbered\n  If one group of people or things outnumbers another, the first group has more people or things in it than the second group.\n...a town where men outnumber women four to one...\n  VERB: V n


Words: outpace
Meaning:
out.pace\n   outpace  outpaces  outpacing  outpaced\n  To outpace someone or something means to perform a particular action faster or better than they can.\nThese hovercraft can easily outpace most boats...\nThe Japanese economy will continue to outpace its foreign rivals for years to come...\n  VERB: V n, V n


Words: outpatient
Meaning:
out.pa.tient\n   outpatient  outpatients   also out-patient\n  An outpatient is someone who receives treatment at a hospital but does not spend the night there.\n...the outpatient clinic...\nShe received psychiatric care as an outpatient.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: outperform
Meaning:
out.per.form\n   outperform  outperforms  outperforming  outperformed\n  If one thing outperforms another, the first is more successful or efficient than the second. (JOURNALISM)\nIn recent years the Austrian economy has outperformed most other industrial economies...\n  VERB: V n


Words: outplacement
Meaning:
out.place.ment\n   outplacement\n  An outplacement agency gives advice to managers and other professional people who have recently become unemployed, and helps them find new jobs. (BUSINESS)\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: outplay
Meaning:
out.play\n   outplay  outplays  outplaying  outplayed\n  In sports, if one person or team outplays an opposing person or team, they play much better than their opponents.\nHe was outplayed by the Swedish 21-year-old.\n  VERB: V n


Words: outpoint
Meaning:
out.point\n   outpoint  outpoints  outpointing  outpointed\n  In boxing, if one boxer outpoints another, they win the match by getting more points then their opponent.\nKane won the world title in 1938 when he outpointed Jackie Durich.\n  VERB: V n


Words: outpost
Meaning:
out.post\n   outpost  outposts\n  An outpost is a small group of buildings used for trading or military purposes, either in a distant part of your own country or in a foreign country.\n...a remote mountain outpost, linked to the outside world by the poorest of roads.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft supp N, N of n


Words: outpouring
Meaning:
out.pour.ing\n   outpouring  outpourings\n  An outpouring of something such as an emotion or a reaction is the expression of it in an uncontrolled way.\nThe news of his death produced an instant outpouring of grief.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n


Words: output
Meaning:
out.put\n   output  outputs\n1. Output is used to refer to the amount of something that a person or thing produces.\nGovernment statistics show the largest drop in industrial output for ten years.\n  N-VAR: usu supp N\n\n2. The output of a computer or word processor is the information that it displays on a screen or prints on paper as a result of a particular program.\nYou run the software, you look at the output, you make modifications.\n  N-VAR


Words: outrage
Meaning:
out.rage\n   outrage outrages outraging  outraged\nThe verb is pronounced   The noun is pronounced\n1. If you are outraged by something, it makes you extremely shocked and angry.\nMany people have been outraged by some of the things that have been said...\nReports of torture and mass executions in Serbia’s detention camps have outraged the world’s religious leaders.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n\n\n=>  out.raged\nHe is truly outraged about what’s happened to him...\n  ADJ: oft ADJ at/about n\n\n2. Outrage is an intense feeling of anger and shock.\nThe decision provoked outrage from women and human rights groups...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. You can refer to an act or event which you find very shocking as an outrage.\nThe latest outrage was to have been a co-ordinated gun and bomb attack on the station...\n  N-COUNT


Words: outrageous
Meaning:
out.ra.geous\n   outrageous\n  If you describe something as outrageous, you are emphasizing that it is unacceptable or very shocking.\nI must apologise for my outrageous behaviour...\nCharges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n\n=>  out.ra.geous.ly\nCar-parks are few, crammed, and outrageously expensive...\n  ADV: usu ADV adj


Words: outrank
Meaning:
out.rank\n   outrank  outranks  outranking  outranked\n  If one person outranks another person, he or she has a higher position or grade within an organization than the other person.\nThe most junior executive officer outranked the senior engineer officer aboard ship.\n  VERB: V n


Words: outre
Meaning:
outre\n  Something that is outre is very unusual and strange. (FORMAL)\n...outre outfits designed by students at the Royal College of Art.\n  ADJ


Words: outreach
Meaning:
out.reach\n   outreach\n  Outreach programmes and schemes try to find people who need help or advice rather than waiting for those people to come and ask for help.\nTheir brief is to undertake outreach work aimed at young African Caribbeans on the estate.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: outrider
Meaning:
out.rid.er\n   outrider  outriders\n  Outriders are people such as policemen who ride on motorcycles or horses beside or in front of an official vehicle, in order to protect the people in the vehicle.\n...a black Mercedes with motorcycle outriders provided by the city’s police.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N


Words: outright
Meaning:
out.right\n\nThe adjective is pronounced   The adverb is pronounced\n1. You use outright to describe behaviour and actions that are open and direct, rather than indirect.\nKawaguchi finally resorted to an outright lie.\n...outright condemnation.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Outright is also an adverb.\nWhy are you so mysterious? Why don’t you tell me outright?...\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. Outright means complete and total.\nShe had failed to win an outright victory...\nThe response of the audience varied from outright rejection to warm hospitality.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = absolute\n  Outright is also an adverb.\nThe peace plan wasn’t rejected outright.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n  If someone is killed outright, they die immediately, for example in an accident.\nMy driver was killed outright.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: outrun
Meaning:
out.run\n   outrun  outruns  outrunning  outran\n\n  The form outrun is used in the present tense and is also the past participle of the verb.\n\n1. If you outrun someone, you run faster than they do, and therefore are able to escape from them or to arrive somewhere before they do.\nThere are not many players who can outrun me.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If one thing outruns another thing, the first thing develops faster than the second thing.\nSpending could outrun the capacity of businesses to produce the goods.\n  VERB: V n\n  = exceed, outstrip


Words: outsell
Meaning:
out.sell\n   outsell  outsells  outselling  outsold\n  If one product outsells another product, the first product is sold more quickly or in larger quantities than the second. (BUSINESS)\nArmani consistently outsells all other European designers.\n  VERB: V n


Words: outset
Meaning:
out.set\n   outset\n  If something happens at the outset of an event, process, or period of time, it happens at the beginning of it. If something happens from the outset it happens from the beginning and continues to happen.\nDecide at the outset what kind of learning programme you want to follow...\nFrom the outset he had put his trust in me, the son of his old friend.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR cl


Words: outshine
Meaning:
out.shine\n   outshine  outshines  outshining  outshone\n  If you outshine someone at a particular activity, you are much better at it than they are.\nJesse has begun to outshine me in sports.\n  VERB: V n


Words: outside
Meaning:
out.side\n   outside  outsides\n\n  The form outside of can also be used as a preposition. This form is more usual in American English.\n\n1. The outside of something is the part which surrounds or encloses the rest of it.\n...the outside of the building...\nCook over a fairly high heat until the outsides are browned.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N, oft N of n\n  !=inside\n  Outside is also an adjective.\n...high up on the outside wall.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. If you are outside, you are not inside a building but are quite close to it.\n`Was the car inside the garage?’.`No, it was still outside.’...\nOutside, the light was fading rapidly...\nThe shouting outside grew louder.\n  ADV: be ADV, ADV after v, n ADV, ADV with cl\n  !=inside\n  Outside is also a preposition.\nThe victim was outside a shop when he was attacked.\n  PREP\n  !=inside\n  Outside is also an adjective.\n...the outside temperature.\n...an outside toilet.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. If you are outside a room, you are not in it but are in the passage or area next to it.\nShe’d sent him outside the classroom...\nHe stood in the narrow hallway just outside the door.\n  PREP\n  !=inside\n  Outside is also an adverb.\nThey heard voices coming from outside in the corridor...\n  ADV: ADV after v, n ADV\n  !=inside\n4. When you talk about the outside world, you are referring to things that happen or exist in places other than your own home or community.\n...a side of Morris’s character she hid carefully from the outside world...\nIt’s important to have outside interests.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Outside is also an adverb.\nThe scheme was good for the prisoners because it brought them outside into the community.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n5. People or things outside a country, town, or region are not in it.\n...an old castle outside Budapest...\nThe number of warships stationed outside European waters roughly doubled.\n  PREP: n/-ed PREP n\n  !=in\n  Outside is also a noun.\nPeace cannot be imposed from the outside by the United States or anyone else.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n6. On a road with two separate carriageways, the outside lanes are the ones which are closest to its centre.\nIt was travelling in the outside lane at 78mph.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=inside\n7. Outside people or organizations are not part of a particular organization or group.\nThe company now makes much greater use of outside consultants.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Outside is also a preposition.\nHe is hoping to recruit a chairman from outside the company.\n  PREP\n\n8. Outside a particular institution or field of activity means in other fields of activity or in general life.\n...the largest merger ever to take place outside the oil industry.\n  PREP\n\n9. Something that is outside a particular range of things is not included within it.\nShe is a beautiful boat, but way, way outside my price range...\n  PREP\n  = beyond  !=within\n10. Something that happens outside a particular period of time happens at a different time from the one mentioned.\nThey are open outside normal daily banking hours.\n  PREP\n\n11. You use at the outside to say that you think that a particular amount is the largest possible in a particular situation, or that a particular time is the latest possible time for something to happen.\nGive yourself forty minutes at the outside.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl, amount PHR


Words: outside broadcast
Meaning:
out.side broad.cast\n   outside broadcast  outside broadcasts\n  An outside broadcast is a radio or television programme that is not recorded or filmed in a studio, but in another building or in the open air. (BRIT; in AM, use remote broadcast)\n  N-COUNT


Words: outsider
Meaning:
out.sid.er\n   outsider  outsiders\n1. An outsider is someone who does not belong to a particular group or organization.\nThe most likely outcome may be to subcontract much of the work to an outsider.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An outsider is someone who is not accepted by a particular group, or who feels that they do not belong in it.\nMalone, a cop, felt as much an outsider as any of them.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. In a competition, an outsider is a competitor who is unlikely to win.\nHe was an outsider in the race to be the new UN Secretary-General.\n  N-COUNT


Words: outsize
Meaning:
out.size\n   outsize   also outsized\n  Outsize or outsized things are much larger than usual or much larger than you would expect. (BRIT)\n...an outsize pair of scissors...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: outskirts
Meaning:
out.skirts\n   outskirts\n  The outskirts of a city or town are the parts of it that are farthest away from its centre.\nHours later we reached the outskirts of New York.\n  N-PLURAL: the N, oft N of n


Words: outsmart
Meaning:
out.smart\n   outsmart  outsmarts  outsmarting  outsmarted\n  If you outsmart someone, you defeat them or gain an advantage over them in a clever and sometimes dishonest way.\nTroy was very clever for his age and had already figured out ways to outsmart her.\n  VERB: V n\n  = outwit


Words: outsource
Meaning:
out.source\n   outsource  outsources  outsourcing  outsourced\n  If a company outsources work or things, it pays workers from outside the company to do the work or supply the things. (BUSINESS)\nIncreasingly, corporate clients are seeking to outsource the management of their facilities.\n  VERB: V n, also V\n\n=>  out.sourc.ing\nThe difficulties of outsourcing have been compounded by the increasing resistance of trade unions.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: outspoken
Meaning:
out.spo.ken\n   outspoken\n  Someone who is outspoken gives their opinions about things openly and honestly, even if they are likely to shock or offend people.\nSome church leaders have been outspoken in their support for political reform in Kenya...\n  ADJ\n  = forthright\n=>  out.spo.ken.ness\nHis outspokenness has ensured that he has at least one senior enemy within the BBC hierarchy.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: outstanding
Meaning:
out.stand.ing\n   outstanding\n1. If you describe someone or something as outstanding, you think that they are very remarkable and impressive.\nDerartu is an outstanding athlete and deserved to win.\n...an area of outstanding natural beauty...\n  ADJ\n  = exceptional\n2. Money that is outstanding has not yet been paid and is still owed to someone.\nYou have to pay your outstanding bill before joining the scheme.\n  ADJ\n\n3. Outstanding issues or problems have not yet been resolved.\nWe still have some outstanding issues to resolve before we’ll have a treaty that is ready to sign.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n4. Outstanding means very important or obvious.\nThe company is an outstanding example of a small business that grew into a big one...\n  ADJ


Words: outstandingly
Meaning:
out.stand.ing.ly\n   outstandingly\n  You use outstandingly to emphasize how good, or occasionally how bad, something is.\nSalzburg is an outstandingly beautiful place to visit...\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv  emphasis\n  = exceedingly, exceptionally


Words: outstretched
Meaning:
out.stretched\n   outstretched\n  If a part of the body of a person or animal is outstretched, it is stretched out as far as possible.\nShe came to Anna her arms outstretched.\n  ADJ


Words: outstrip
Meaning:
out.strip\n   outstrip  outstrips  outstripping  outstripped\n  If one thing outstrips another, the first thing becomes larger in amount, or more successful or important, than the second thing.\nIn 1989 and 1990 demand outstripped supply, and prices went up by more than a third.\n  VERB


Words: outvote
Meaning:
out.vote\n   outvote  outvotes  outvoting  outvoted\n  If you are outvoted, more people vote against what you are suggesting than vote for it, so that your suggestion is defeated.\nThey walked out in protest after being outvoted by the National Salvation Front majority...\nTwice his colleagues have outvoted him.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n


Words: outward
Meaning:
out.ward\n   outward\n1. An outward journey is a journey that you make away from a place that you are intending to return to later.\nTickets must be bought seven days in advance, with outward and return journey dates specified.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=return\n2. The outward feelings, qualities, or attitudes of someone or something are the ones they appear to have rather than the ones that they actually have.\nIn spite of my outward calm I was very shaken...\nWhat the military rulers have done is to restore the outward appearance of order.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. The outward features of something are the ones that you can see from the outside.\nMark was lying unconscious but with no outward sign of injury.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4.\n  see also outwards


Words: outwardly
Meaning:
out.ward.ly\n   outwardly\n  You use outwardly to indicate the feelings or qualities that a person or situation may appear to have, rather than the ones that they actually have.\nThey may feel tired and though outwardly calm, can be irritable...\nOutwardly this looked like the beginning of a terrific programme but the stage was actually set for a major disaster.\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv, ADV with cl


Words: outwards
Meaning:
out.wards\n   outwards\nin AM and sometimes in BRIT, use outward\n1. If something moves or faces outwards, it moves or faces away from the place you are in or the place you are talking about.\nThe top door opened outwards...\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  !=inwards\n2. If you say that a person or a group of people, such as a government, looks outwards, you mean that they turn their attention to another group that they are interested in or would like greater involvement with.\nOther poor countries looked outward, strengthening their ties to the economic superpowers...\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: outweigh
Meaning:
out.weigh\n   outweigh  outweighs  outweighing  outweighed\n  If one thing outweighs another, the first thing is of greater importance, benefit, or significance than the second thing. (FORMAL)\nThe advantages of this deal largely outweigh the disadvantages.\n  VERB: V n


Words: outwit
Meaning:
out.wit\n   outwit  outwits  outwitting  outwitted\n  If you outwit someone, you use your intelligence or a clever trick to defeat them or to gain an advantage over them.\nTo win the presidency he had first to outwit his rivals within the Socialist Party...\n  VERB: V n


Words: outwith
Meaning:
out.with\n   outwith\n  In Scottish English, outwith means outside.\nIt is, however, necessary on occasion to work outwith these hours.\n  PREP


Words: outworn
Meaning:
out.worn\n   outworn\n  If you describe a belief or custom as outworn, you mean that it is old-fashioned and no longer has any meaning or usefulness.\n...an ancient nation irretrievably sunk in an outworn culture.\n  ADJ


Words: ouzo
Meaning:
ouzo  ouzos\n  Ouzo is a strong aniseed-flavoured alcoholic drink that is made in Greece.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  A glass of ouzo can be referred to as an ouzo.\n  N-COUNT


Words: oval
Meaning:
oval  ovals\n  Oval things have a shape that is like a circle but is wider in one direction than the other.\n...the small oval framed picture of a little boy.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  Oval is also a noun.\nUsing 2 spoons, mould the cheese into small balls or ovals.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: ovarian
Meaning:
ovar.ian\n   ovarian\n  Ovarian means in or relating to the ovaries.\n...a new treatment for ovarian cancer.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: ovary
Meaning:
ova.ry\n   ovary  ovaries\n  A woman’s ovaries are the two organs in her body that produce eggs.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ovation
Meaning:
ova.tion\n   ovation  ovations\n  An ovation is a large amount of applause from an audience for a particular performer or speaker. (FORMAL)\nThey had lost by a wide margin, but their supporters gave them a defiant, loyal ovation.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also standing ovation


Words: oven
Meaning:
oven  ovens\n  An oven is a device for cooking that is like a box with a door. You heat it and cook food inside it.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ovenproof
Meaning:
oven.proof\n   ovenproof\n  An ovenproof dish is one that has been specially made to be used in an oven without being damaged by the heat.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: over
Meaning:
POSITION AND MOVEMENT\n   over\nIn addition to the uses shown below, over is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information. Over is also used in phrasal verbs such as `hand over’ and `glaze over’.\n1. If one thing is over another thing or is moving over it, the first thing is directly above the second, either resting on it, or with a space between them.\nHe looked at himself in the mirror over the table.\n...a bridge over the river Danube.\n  PREP\n  !=under\n  Over is also an adverb.\n...planes flying over every 10 or 15 minutes.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. If one thing is over another thing, it is supported by it and its ends are hanging down on each side of it.\nA grey mackintosh was folded over her arm...\nJoe’s clothing was flung over the back of a chair.\n  PREP: usu -ed PREP n\n\n3. If one thing is over another thing, it covers part or all of it.\nMix the ingredients and pour over the mushrooms...\nHe was wearing a light-grey suit over a shirt...\nHe pulled the cap halfway over his ears.\n  PREP\n\n  Over is also an adverb.\nHeat this syrup and pour it over.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n4. If you lean over an object, you bend your body so that the top part of it is above the object.\nThey stopped to lean over a gate...\nEveryone in the room was bent over her desk.\n  PREP: v PREP n\n\n  Over is also an adverb.\nSam leant over to open the door of the car.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n5. If you look over or talk over an object, you look or talk across the top of it.\nI went and stood beside him, looking over his shoulder.\n...conversing over the fence with your friend...\n  PREP: usu v PREP n\n\n6. If a window has a view over an area of land or water, you can see the land or water through the window.\n...a light and airy bar with a wonderful view over the River Amstel...\n  PREP: n PREP n, v PREP n\n  = onto\n7. If someone or something goes over a barrier, obstacle, or boundary, they get to the other side of it by going across it, or across the top of it.\nI stepped over a broken piece of wood...\nHe’d just come over the border.\n  PREP: v PREP n\n\n  Over is also an adverb.\nI climbed over into the back seat.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n8. If someone or something moves over an area or surface, they move across it, from one side to the other.\nShe ran swiftly over the lawn to the gate...\nJoe passed his hand over his face and looked puzzled.\n  PREP\n  = across\n9. If something is on the opposite side of a road or river, you can say that it is over the road or river.\n...a fashionable neighbourhood, just over the river from Manhattan.\n  PREP\n  = across\n10. If you go over to a place, you go to that place.\nI got out the car and drove over to Dervaig...\nI thought you might have invited her over.\n  ADV: ADV after v, oft ADV to n\n\n11. You can use over to indicate a particular position or place a short distance away from someone or something.\nHe noticed Rolfe standing silently over by the window...\nJohn reached over and took Joanna’s hand...\n  ADV: ADV after v, oft ADV prep\n\n12. You use over to say that someone or something falls towards or onto the ground, often suddenly or violently.\nHe was knocked over by a bus and broke his leg...\nThe truck had gone off the road and toppled over.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n13. If something rolls over or is turned over, its position changes so that the part that was facing upwards is now facing downwards.\nHis car rolled over after a tyre was punctured...\nThe alarm did go off but all I did was yawn, turn over and go back to sleep.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n14. All over a place means in every part of it.\n...the letters she received from people all over the world.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n15. Over here means near you, or in the country you are in.\nWhy don’t you come over here tomorrow evening...\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v, v-link PHR\n\n16. Over there means in a place a short distance away from you, or in another country.\nThe cafe is just across the road over there...\nShe’d married some American and settled down over there.\n(next)\n\nAMOUNTS AND OCCURRENCES\n   over\n1. If something is over a particular amount, measurement, or age, it is more than that amount, measurement, or age.\nCigarettes kill over a hundred thousand Britons every year...\nI met George well over a year ago.\n  PREP: PREP amount\n\n  Over is also an adverb.\n...people aged 65 and over.\n  ADV: amount and ADV\n\n2. Over and above an amount, especially a normal amount, means more than that amount or in addition to it.\nExpenditure on education has gone up by seven point eight per cent over and above inflation...\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n3. If you say that you have some food or money over, you mean that it remains after you have used all that you need.\nLarsons pay me well enough, but there’s not much over for luxuries when there’s two of you to live on it...\nPrimrose was given an apple, left over from our picnic lunch.\n  ADV: be ADV, n ADV, ADV after v\n\n4. If you do something over, you do it again or start doing it again from the beginning. (AM)\nShe said if she had the chance to do it over, she would have hired a press secretary...\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  = again\n5. If you say that something happened twice over, three times over and so on, you are stating the number of times that it happened and emphasizing that it happened more than once.\nHe had to have everything spelled out twice over for him.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  emphasis\n\n6. If you do something over again, you do it again or start doing it again from the beginning. (BRIT)\nIf I was living my life over again I wouldn’t have attended so many committee meetings.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n7. If you say that something is happening all over again, you are emphasizing that it is happening again, and you are suggesting that it is tiring, boring, or unpleasant.\nThe whole process started all over again...\nHe had to prove himself all over again.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  emphasis\n\n8. If you say that something happened over and over or over and over again, you are emphasizing that it happened many times.\nHe plays the same songs over and over...\n`I don’t understand it,’ he said, over and over again.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  emphasis\n\nOTHER USES\n   over\n1. If an activity is over or all over, it is completely finished.\nWarplanes that have landed there will be kept until the war is over...\nI am glad it’s all over.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n2. If you are over an illness or an experience, it has finished and you have recovered from its effects.\nI’m glad that you’re over the flu...\nShe was still getting over the shock of what she had been told.\n  PREP\n\n3. If you have control or influence over someone or something, you are able to control them or influence them.\nHe’s never had any influence over her...\nThe oil companies have lost their power over oil price and oil production.\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n4. You use over to indicate what a disagreement or feeling relates to or is caused by.\n...concern over recent events in Burma...\nStaff at some air and sea ports are beginning to protest over pay...\n  PREP: n PREP n, v PREP n\n  = about\n5. If something happens over a particular period of time or over something such as a meal, it happens during that time or during the meal.\nMany strikes over the last few years have not ended successfully...\nOver breakfast we discussed plans for the day.\n...discussing the problem over a glass of wine.\n  PREP\n\n6. You use over to indicate that you give or receive information using a telephone, radio, or other piece of electrical equipment.\nI’m not prepared to discuss this over the telephone...\nThe head of state addressed the nation over the radio...\n  PREP\n  = on\n7. The presenter of a radio or television programme says `over to someone’ to indicate the person who will speak next.\nWith the rest of the sports news, over to Colin Maitland.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n8. When people such as the police or the army are using a radio to communicate, they say `Over’ to indicate that they have finished speaking and are waiting for a reply.\n  CONVENTION  formulae\n\n9. In cricket, an over consists of six correctly bowled balls.\nAt the start of the last over, bowled by Chris Lewis, the Welsh county were favourites.\n  N-COUNT


Words: over-
Meaning:
over-\n  You can add over- to an adjective or verb to indicate that a quality exists or an action is done to too great an extent. For example, if you say that someone is being over-cautious, you mean that they are being too cautious.\nTony looked tired and over-anxious...\nWhen depressed, they dramatically overindulge in chocolate and sweets.\n  PREFIX


Words: over-age
Meaning:
over-age\n1. If you are over-age, you are officially too old to do something.\nHe was a couple of months over-age for the youth team.\n  ADJ\n\n2. You use over-age to describe someone who is doing something that is usually done by much younger people, and which therefore seems inappropriate or silly.\n...an over-age nightclub singer.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  disapproval


Words: over-excited
Meaning:
over-excited   also overexcited\n  If you say that someone is over-excited, you mean that they are more excited than you think is desirable.\nYou’ll need to provide continuous, organised entertainment or children may get over-excited.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: overachieve
Meaning:
over.achieve\n   overachieve  overachieves  overachieving  overachieved\n  If someone overachieves in something such as school work or a job, they work very hard, especially in a way that makes them tired or unhappy. They want to be successful because it is very important to them to do well and not because they enjoy what they are doing.\n...emotions such as guilt, compulsion to please or overachieve, or depression.\n  VERB: V\n\n=>  over.achiev.er      overachievers\nHe comes from a family of overachievers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: overact
Meaning:
over.act\n   overact  overacts  overacting  overacted\n  If you say that someone overacts, you mean they exaggerate their emotions and movements, usually when acting in a play.\nSometimes he had overacted in his role as Prince.\n  VERB: V


Words: overall
Meaning:
over.all\n   overall overalls\nThe adjective and adverb are pronounced   The noun is pronounced\n1. You use overall to indicate that you are talking about a situation in general or about the whole of something.\n...the overall rise in unemployment...\nCut down your overall amount of physical activity...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Overall is also an adverb.\nOverall I was disappointed...\nThe college has few ways to assess the quality of education overall.\n  ADV: ADV with cl\n\n2. Overalls consist of a single piece of clothing that combines trousers and a jacket. You wear overalls over your clothes in order to protect them while you are working.\n...workers in blue overalls.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N\n\n3. Overalls are trousers that are attached to a piece of cloth which covers your chest and which has straps going over your shoulders. (AM; in BRIT, use dungarees)\nAn elderly man dressed in faded overalls took the witness stand.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N\n\n4. An overall is a piece of clothing shaped like a coat that you wear over your clothes in order to protect them while you are working. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


