# dict

Words: keep .1
Meaning:
She hasn’t been keeping too well lately...\n  VERB: only cont, V adv\n\n19. A keep is the main tower of a medieval castle, in which people lived.\n  N-COUNT\n\n20. If you keep at it, you continue doing something that you have started, even if you are tired and would prefer to stop.\nIt may take a number of attempts, but it is worth keeping at it...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n21. If you keep going, you continue moving along or doing something that you have started, even if you are tired and would prefer to stop.\nShe forced herself to keep going...\n  PHRASE: keep inflects\n\n22. If one thing is in keeping with another, it is suitable in relation to that thing. If one thing is out of keeping with another, it is not suitable in relation to that thing.\nHis office was in keeping with his station and experience...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR with cl, oft PHR with n\n\n23. If you keep it up, you continue working or trying as hard as you have been in the past.\nYou’re doing a great job! Keep it up!\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n24. If you keep something to yourself, you do not tell anyone else about it.\nI have to tell someone. I can’t keep it to myself...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n25. If you keep yourself to yourself or keep to yourself, you stay on your own most of the time and do not mix socially with other people.\nHe was a quiet man who kept himself to himself...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  !=socialize\n26.\nto keep someone company: see company\nto keep a straight face: see face\nto keep your head: see head\nto keep pace: see pace\nto keep the peace: see peace\nto keep a secret: see secret\nto keep time: see time\nto keep track: see track


Words: keep back
Meaning:
keep back\n1. If you keep back part of something, you do not use or give away all of it, so that you still have some to use at a later time.\nRoughly chop the vegetables, and keep back a little to chop finely and serve as a garnish.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = set aside, hold back\n2. If you keep some information back, you do not tell all that you know about something.\nNeither of them is telling the whole truth. Invariably, they keep something back.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, also V P n (not pron)


Words: keep down
Meaning:
keep down\n1. If you keep the number, size, or amount of something down, you do not let it get bigger or go higher.\nThe prime aim is to keep inflation down...\nAdministration costs were kept down to just .460.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n2. If someone keeps a group of people down, they prevent them from getting power and status and being completely free.\nNo matter what a woman tries to do to improve her situation, there is some barrier or attitude to keep her down.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n  = hold back\n3. If you keep food or drink down, you manage to swallow it properly and not vomit, even though you feel sick.\nI tried to give her something to drink but she couldn’t keep it down.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P


Words: keep on
Meaning:
keep on\n1.\nsee keep 7\n2. If you keep someone on, you continue to employ them, for example after they are old enough to retire or after other employees have lost their jobs.\nSometimes they keep you on a bit longer if there’s no one quite ready to step into your shoes...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P


Words: keep on about
Meaning:
keep on about\n  If you say that someone keeps on about something, you mean that they keep talking about it in a boring way. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHe kept on about me being `defensive’.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P P n\n  = go on about


Words: keep on at
Meaning:
keep on at\n  If you keep on at someone, you repeatedly ask or tell them something in a way that annoys them. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nYou’ve constantly got to keep on at people about that...\nShe kept on at him to get some qualifications.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P P n, V P P n to-inf\n  = nag


Words: keep to
Meaning:
keep to\n1. If you keep to a rule, plan, or agreement, you do exactly what you are expected or supposed to do.\nYou’ve got to keep to the speed limit...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n  = stick to\n2. If you keep to something such as a path or river, you do not move away from it as you go somewhere.\nPlease keep to the paths.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n  = stick to\n3. If you keep to a particular subject, you talk only about that subject, and do not talk about anything else.\nLet’s keep to the subject, or you’ll get me too confused.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n  = stick to\n4. If you keep something to a particular number or quantity, you limit it to that number or quantity.\nKeep costs to a minimum.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P n


Words: keep up
Meaning:
keep up\n1. If you keep up with someone or something that is moving near you, you move at the same speed.\nShe shook her head and started to walk on. He kept up with her.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n, also V P\n\n2. To keep up with something that is changing means to be able to cope with the change, usually by changing at the same rate.\n...wage increases which keep up with inflation...\nThings are changing so fast, it’s hard to keep up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n, V P\n\n3. If you keep up with your work or with other people, you manage to do or understand all your work, or to do or understand it as well as other people.\nPenny tended to work through her lunch hour in an effort to keep up with her work...\nLife is tough for kids who aren’t keeping up in school.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n, V P\n\n4. If you keep up with what is happening, you make sure that you know about it.\nShe did not bother to keep up with the news.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n, also V P\n\n5. If you keep something up, you continue to do it or provide it.\nI was so hungry all the time that I could not keep the diet up for longer than a month...\nThey risk losing their homes because they can no longer keep up the repayments.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n6. If you keep something up, you prevent it from growing less in amount, level, or degree.\nThere will be a major incentive among TV channels to keep standards up...\nOpposition forces are keeping up the pressure against the government.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n7.\n  see also keep 22


Words: keep-fit
Meaning:
keep-fit   also keep fit\n  Keep-fit is the activity of keeping your body in good condition by doing special exercises. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: keeper
Meaning:
keep.er\n   keeper  keepers\n1. In football, the keeper is the same as the goalkeeper. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. In American football, a keeper is a play in which the quarterback keeps the ball. (AM)\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A keeper at a zoo is a person who takes care of the animals.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If you say that you are not someone’s keeper, you mean that you are not responsible for what they do or for what happens to them.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n5.\n  see also keep


Words: keepsake
Meaning:
keep.sake\n   keepsake  keepsakes\n  A keepsake is a small present that someone gives you so that you will not forget them.\n  N-COUNT\n  = memento


Words: keg
Meaning:
keg  kegs\n  A keg is a small barrel used for storing something such as beer or other alcoholic drinks.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N


Words: ken
Meaning:
ken\n  If something is beyond your ken, you do not have enough knowledge to be able to understand it.\nThe subject matter was so technical as to be beyond the ken of the average layman.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR


Words: kennel
Meaning:
ken.nel\n   kennel  kennels\n1. A kennel is a small building made especially for a dog to sleep in. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use doghouse)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Kennels or a kennels or a kennel is a place where dogs are bred and trained, or looked after when their owners are away.\nThe guard dog was now in kennels as it was not aggressive...\n  N-COUNT: oft in N in pl


Words: Kenyan
Meaning:
Ken.yan\n   Kenyan  Kenyans\n1. Kenyan means belonging or relating to Kenya, or to its people or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Kenyan is a Kenyan citizen, or a person of Kenyan origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kerb
Meaning:
kerb  kerbs\nin AM, use curb\n  The kerb is the raised edge of a pavement or sidewalk which separates it from the road.\nStewart stepped off the kerb.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N


Words: kerb-crawling
Meaning:
kerb-crawling\n  Kerb-crawling is the activity of driving slowly along the side of a road in order to find and hire a prostitute. (BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kerchief
Meaning:
ker.chief\n   kerchief  kerchiefs\n  A kerchief is a piece of cloth that you can wear on your head or round your neck. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: kerfuffle
Meaning:
ker.fuf.fle\n   kerfuffle\n  A kerfuffle is a lot of argument, noisy activity, or fuss. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nThere was a bit of a kerfuffle during the race when a dog impeded the leading runners.\n  N-SING\n  = commotion


Words: kernel
Meaning:
ker.nel\n   kernel  kernels\n1. The kernel of a nut is the part that is inside the shell.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The kernel of something is the central and most important part of it.\nThe kernel of that message was that peace must not be a source of advantage or disadvantage for anyone.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n\n  = core, crux\n3. A kernel of something is a small element of it.\nFor all I know, there may be a kernel of truth in what he says.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n\n  = grain


Words: kerosene
Meaning:
kero.sene\n   kerosene\n  Kerosene is a clear, strong-smelling liquid which is used as a fuel, for example in heaters and lamps. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use paraffin)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = paraffin


Words: ketchup
Meaning:
ketch.up\n   ketchup\nin AM, also use catsup\n  Ketchup is a thick, cold sauce, usually made from tomatoes, that is sold in bottles.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kettle
Meaning:
ket.tle\n   kettle  kettles\n1. A kettle is a covered container that you use for boiling water. It has a handle, and a spout for the water to come out of. (mainly BRIT)\nI’ll put the kettle on and make us some tea.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  A kettle of water is the amount of water contained in a kettle. (in AM, use teakettle)\nPour a kettle of boiling water over the onions.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. A kettle is a metal pot for boiling or cooking things in. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use pan)\nPut the meat into a small kettle.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you say that something is a different kettle of fish, you mean that it is very different from another related thing that you are talking about. (INFORMAL)\nPlaying for the reserve team is a totally different kettle of fish.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR


Words: kettledrum
Meaning:
kettle.drum\n   kettledrum  kettledrums\n  A kettledrum is a large bowl-shaped drum which can be tuned to play a particular note.\n  N-COUNT\n  = timpani


Words: key
Meaning:
key  keys  keying  keyed\n1. A key is a specially shaped piece of metal that you place in a lock and turn in order to open or lock a door, or to start or stop the engine of a vehicle.\nThey put the key in the door and entered...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The keys on a computer keyboard or typewriter are the buttons that you press in order to operate it.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n3. The keys of a piano or organ are the long narrow pieces of wood or plastic that you press in order to play it.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n4. In music, a key is a scale of musical notes that starts on one specific note.\n...the key of A minor.\n  N-VAR\n\n5. The key on a map or diagram or in a technical book is a list of the symbols or abbreviations used and their meanings.\nYou will find a key at the front of the book.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. The key person or thing in a group is the most important one.\nHe is expected to be the key witness at the trial...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n7. The key to a desirable situation or result is the way in which it can be achieved.\nThe key to success is to be ready from the start...\n  N-COUNT: usu N to n\n\n8.\n  see also master key


Words: key card
Meaning:
key card  key cards\n  A key card is a small plastic card which you can use instead of a key to open a door or barrier, for example in some hotels and car parks.\n  N-COUNT


Words: key in
Meaning:
key in\n  If you key something in, you put information into a computer or you give the computer a particular instruction by typing the information or instruction on the keyboard.\nBrian keyed in his personal code.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = type in


Words: key player
Meaning:
key play.er\n   key player key players\n  The key players in a particular organization, event, or situation are the most important people or things involved in it.\nThe former chairman was a key player in the deals that pushed the bank to the top.\n  N-COUNT


Words: key ring
Meaning:
key ring  key rings   also keyring\n  A key ring is a metal ring which you use to keep your keys together. You pass the ring through the holes in your keys.\n  N-COUNT


Words: keyboard
Meaning:
key.board\n   keyboard  keyboards\n1. The keyboard of a typewriter or computer is the set of keys that you press in order to operate it.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The keyboard of a piano or organ is the set of black and white keys that you press in order to play it.\nTanya’s hands rippled over the keyboard.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. People sometimes refer to musical instruments that have a keyboard as keyboards.\n...Sean O’Hagan on keyboards.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: keyboarder
Meaning:
key.board.er\n   keyboarder  keyboarders\n  A keyboarder is a person whose job is typing information into a computer or word processor.\n  N-COUNT


Words: keyboarding
Meaning:
key.board.ing\n   keyboarding\n  Keyboarding is the activity of typing information into a computer or word processor.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: keyboardist
Meaning:
key.board.ist\n   keyboardist  keyboardists\n  A keyboardist is someone who plays keyboard instruments, especially in popular music.\n  N-COUNT


Words: keyed up
Meaning:
keyed up\n  If you are keyed up, you are very excited or nervous before an important or dangerous event.\nI wasn’t able to sleep that night, I was so keyed up.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = tense


Words: keyhole
Meaning:
key.hole\n   keyhole  keyholes\n  A keyhole is the hole in a lock that you put a key in.\nI looked through the keyhole.\n  N-COUNT


Words: keyhole surgery
Meaning:
key.hole sur.gery\n   keyhole surgery\n  Keyhole surgery is a surgical technique in which the surgeon inserts the instruments through small cuts in the patient’s body, using as a guide an image provided by equipment inserted into the patient’s body. (MEDICAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: keynote
Meaning:
key.note\n   keynote  keynotes\n  The keynote of a policy, speech, or idea is the main theme of it or the part of it that is emphasized the most.\nHe would be setting out his plans for the party in a keynote speech...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N n, N of n


Words: keypad
Meaning:
key.pad\n   keypad  keypads\n  The keypad on a modern telephone is the set of buttons that you press in order to operate it. Some other machines, such as cash dispensers, also have a keypad.\n  N-COUNT


Words: keystone
Meaning:
key.stone\n   keystone  keystones\n  A keystone of a policy, system, or process is an important part of it, which is the basis for later developments.\nKeeping inflation low is the keystone of their economic policy.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of/in n


Words: keystroke
Meaning:
key.stroke\n   keystroke  keystrokes\n  A keystroke is one touch of one of the keys on a computer or typewriter keyboard.\n  N-COUNT


Words: keyworker
Meaning:
key.worker\n   keyworker  keyworkers\n  The keyworker for a particular group of clients or patients is the person who works with them most closely and has most responsibility for them.\n  N-COUNT


Words: khaki
Meaning:
kha.ki\n   khaki\n1. Khaki is a strong material of a greenish brown colour, used especially to make uniforms for soldiers.\nOn each side of me was a figure in khaki.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Something that is khaki is greenish brown in colour.\nHe was dressed in khaki trousers.\n  COLOUR


Words: kHz
Meaning:
kHz\n  kHz is a written abbreviation for kilohertz. It is often written on radios beside a range of numbers to help you find a particular radio station.\n\n  = kilohertz


Words: kibbutz
Meaning:
kib.butz\n   kibbutz  kibbutzim\n  A kibbutz is a place of work in Israel, for example a farm or factory, where the workers live together and share all the duties and income.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kick
Meaning:
kick  kicks  kicking  kicked\n1. If you kick someone or something, you hit them forcefully with your foot.\nHe kicked the door hard...\nHe threw me to the ground and started to kick...\nHe escaped by kicking open the window...\nThe fiery actress kicked him in the shins...\nAn ostrich can kick a man to death.\n  VERB: V n, V, V n with adj, V n in n, V n to n\n\n  Kick is also a noun.\nHe suffered a kick to the knee.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. When you kick a ball or other object, you hit it with your foot so that it moves through the air.\nI went to kick the ball and I completely missed it...\nHe kicked the ball away...\nA furious player kicked his racket into the grandstand.\n  VERB: V n, V n with adv, V n prep\n\n  Kick is also a noun.\nSchmeichel swooped to save the first kick from Borisov.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you kick or if you kick your legs, you move your legs with very quick, small, and forceful movements, once or repeatedly.\nThey were dragged away struggling and kicking...\nFirst he kicked the left leg, then he kicked the right...\nHe kicked his feet away from the window.\n  VERB: V, V n, V n adv/prep, also V prep\n\n  Kick out means the same as kick.\nAs its rider tried to free it, the horse kicked out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n4. If you kick your legs, you lift your legs up very high one after the other, for example when you are dancing.\nHe was kicking his legs like a Can Can dancer...\nShe begins dancing, kicking her legs high in the air.\n  VERB: V n, V n adj\n\n5. If you kick a habit, you stop doing something that is bad for you and that you find difficult to stop doing. (INFORMAL)\nShe’s kicked her drug habit and learned that her life has value...\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. If something gives you a kick, it makes you feel very excited or very happy for a short period of time. (INFORMAL)\nI got a kick out of seeing my name in print.\n  N-SING: a N\n\n7. If you say that someone kicks you when you are down, you think they are behaving unfairly because they are attacking you when you are in a weak position.\nIn the end I just couldn’t kick Jimmy when he was down.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n8. If you say that someone does something for kicks, you mean that they do it because they think it will be exciting. (INFORMAL)\nThey made a few small bets for kicks.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n9. If you say that someone is dragged kicking and screaming into a particular course of action, you are emphasizing that they are very unwilling to do what they are being made to do.\nHe had to be dragged kicking and screaming into action.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, oft PHR into n/-ing  emphasis\n\n10. If you describe an event as a kick in the teeth, you are emphasizing that it is very disappointing and upsetting. (INFORMAL)\nWe’ve been struggling for years and it’s a real kick in the teeth to see a new band make it ahead of us.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, PHR after v  emphasis\n  = setback\n11. You use kick yourself in expressions such as I could have kicked myself and you’re going to kick yourself to indicate that you were annoyed or are going to be annoyed that you got something wrong.\nI was still kicking myself for not paying attention...\n  PHRASE: V inflects  feelings\n\n12.\nalive and kicking: see alive\nto kick up a fuss: see fuss


Words: kick around
Meaning:
kick around\n  If you kick around ideas or suggestions, you discuss them informally. (INFORMAL)\nWe kicked a few ideas around...\nThey started to kick around the idea of an electric scraper.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)


Words: kick back
Meaning:
If you kick back, you relax. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nAs soon as they’ve finished up, they kick back and wait for the next show.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: kick boxing
Meaning:
kick box.ing\n   kick boxing   also kickboxing\n  Kick boxing is a type of boxing in which the opponents are allowed to kick as well as punch each other.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kick down
Meaning:
kick down   or kick in\n  If someone kicks something down or if they kick it in, they hit it violently with their foot so that it breaks or falls over.\nShe was forced to kick down the front door...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = break down, smash down


Words: kick in
Meaning:
kick in\n1. If something kicks in, it begins to take effect.\nAs discounts kicked in, bookings for immediate travel rose by 15%...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n2. If someone kicks in a particular amount of money, they provide that amount of money to help pay for something. (AM)\nKansas City area churches kicked in $35,000 to support the event...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n  = contribute\n  see also kick down


Words: kick off
Meaning:
kick off\n1. In football, when the players kick off, they start a game by kicking the ball from the centre of the pitch.\nLiverpool kicked off an hour ago.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n2. If an event, game, series, or discussion kicks off, or is kicked off, it begins.\nThe shows kick off on October 24th...\nThe Mayor kicked off the party...\nWe kicked off with a slap-up dinner.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron), V P with n, also V n P\n\n3. If you kick off your shoes, you shake your feet so that your shoes come off.\nShe stretched out on the sofa and kicked off her shoes.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n4. To kick someone off an area of land means to force them to leave it. (INFORMAL)\nWe can’t kick them off the island.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P n, also V n P


Words: kick out
Meaning:
kick out\n  To kick someone out of a place means to force them to leave it. (INFORMAL)\nThe country’s leaders kicked five foreign journalists out of the country...\nHer family kicked her out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P of n, V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n  = throw out\n  see also kick 3


Words: kick up
Meaning:
kick up\n1. If you kick up a fuss about something, you make it very obvious that you are annoyed or dissatisfied.\nThose customers who have kicked up a fuss have received refunds...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n\n2. If you kick up dust or dirt, you create a cloud of dust or dirt as you move along a dusty road.\nShe shuffled along, kicking up clouds of dust.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n  = stir up


Words: kick-off
Meaning:
kick-off  kick-offs\nin AM, use kickoff\n1. In football, the kick-off is the time at which a particular game starts. (BRIT)\nThe kick-off is at 1.30.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. In American football, a kickoff is the kick that begins a play, for example at the beginning of a half or after a touchdown or field goal. (AM)\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. The kick-off of an event or activity is its beginning. (INFORMAL)\nPeople stood waiting for the kick-off of the parade.\n  N-SING


Words: kick-start
Meaning:
kick-start  kick-starts  kick-starting  kick-started   also kickstart\n1. To kick-start a process that has stopped working or progressing is to take a course of action that will quickly start it going again.\nThe President has chosen to kick-start the economy by slashing interest rates.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Kick-start is also a noun.\nThe housing market needs a kick-start.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you kick-start a motorcycle, you press the lever that starts it with your foot.\nHe lifted the bike off its stand and kick-started it.\n  VERB: V n


Words: kickback
Meaning:
kick.back\n   kickback  kickbacks\n  A kickback is a sum of money that is paid to someone illegally, for example money which a company pays someone to arrange for the company to be chosen to do an important job.\n...alleged kickbacks and illegal party financing.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kid
Meaning:
kid  kids  kidding  kidded\n1. You can refer to a child as a kid. (INFORMAL)\nThey’ve got three kids...\nAll the kids in my class could read.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can refer to your younger brother as your kid brother and your younger sister as your kid sister. (INFORMAL)\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. A kid is a young goat.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If you are kidding, you are saying something that is not really true, as a joke. (INFORMAL)\nI’m not kidding, Frank. There’s a cow out there, just standing around...\nAre you sure you’re not kidding me?\n  VERB: usu cont, V, V n\n\n5. If you kid someone, you tease them.\nHe liked to kid Ingrid a lot...\nHe used to kid me about being chubby.\n  VERB: V n, V n about -ing\n\n6. If people kid themselves, they allow themselves to believe something that is not true because they wish that it was true.\nWe’re kidding ourselves, Bill. We’re not winning, we’re not even doing well...\nI could kid myself that you did this for me, but it would be a lie.\n  VERB: V pron-refl, V pron-refl that\n  = fool\n7. You can say `No kidding?’ to show that you are interested or surprised when someone tells you something. (INFORMAL)\n`We won.’.`No kidding?’\n  CONVENTION  feelings\n\n8. You can say `you’ve got to be kidding’ or `you must be kidding’ to someone if they have said something that you think is ridiculous or completely untrue. (INFORMAL)\nYou’ve got to be kidding! I can’t live here!...\n  PHRASE: V inflects  feelings\n\n9. You can say `who is she kidding?’ or `who is he trying to kid?’ if you think it is obvious that someone is not being sincere and does not mean what they say. (INFORMAL)\nShe played the role of a meek, innocent, shy girl. I don’t know who she was trying to kid...\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: kid gloves
Meaning:
kid gloves\n  If you treat someone or something with kid gloves, or if you give them the kid glove treatment, you are very careful in the way you deal with them.\nIn presidential campaigns, foreign policy is treated with kid gloves...\n  N-PLURAL: oft with N


Words: kiddo
Meaning:
kiddo  kiddos\n  You can call someone kiddo, especially someone who is younger than you, as a sign of affection. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nI’ll miss you kiddo.\n  N-VOC


Words: kidnap
Meaning:
kid.nap\n   kidnap  kidnaps  kidnapping  kidnapped\nin AM, also use kidnaped, kidnaping\n1. To kidnap someone is to take them away illegally and by force, and usually to hold them prisoner in order to demand something from their family, employer, or government.\nPolice in Brazil uncovered a plot to kidnap him...\nThey were intelligent and educated, yet they chose to kidnap and kill...\nThe kidnapped man was said to have been seized by five people.\n  VERB: V n, V, V-ed\n\n=>  kid.nap.per      kidnappers\nHis kidnappers have threatened that they will kill him unless three militants are released from prison.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  kid.nap.ping      kidnappings\nTwo youngsters have been arrested and charged with kidnapping.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. Kidnap or a kidnap is the crime of taking someone away by force.\nHe was charged with the kidnap of a 25 year-old woman.\n  N-VAR\n  = abduction


Words: kidney
Meaning:
kid.ney\n   kidney  kidneys\n1. Your kidneys are the organs in your body that take waste matter from your blood and send it out of your body as urine.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Kidneys are the kidneys of an animal, for example a lamb, calf, or pig, that are eaten as meat.\n...steak and kidney pie.\n  N-VAR


Words: kidney bean
Meaning:
kid.ney bean\n   kidney bean  kidney beans\n1. Kidney beans are small, reddish-brown beans that are eaten as a vegetable. They are the seeds of a bean plant.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n2. Kidney beans are long, very narrow beans that are green in colour and are eaten as a vegetable. They grow on a tall climbing plant and are the cases that contain the seeds of the plant. (AM; in BRIT, use French beans)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: kill
Meaning:
kill  kills  killing  killed\n1. If a person, animal, or other living thing is killed, something or someone causes them to die.\nMore than 1,000 people have been killed by the armed forces...\nHe had attempted to kill himself on several occasions...\nThe earthquake killed 62 people...\nHeroin can kill.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V pron-refl, V n, V\n\n=>  kill.ing\nThere is tension in the region following the killing of seven civilians.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. The act of killing an animal after hunting it is referred to as the kill.\nAfter the kill the men and old women collect in an open space and eat a meal of whale meat.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n3. If someone or something kills a project, activity, or idea, they completely destroy or end it.\nHis objective was to kill the space station project altogether...\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Kill off means the same as kill.\nHe would soon launch a second offensive, killing off the peace process...\nThe Government’s financial squeeze had killed the scheme off.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n4. If something kills pain, it weakens it so that it is no longer as strong as it was.\nHe was forced to take opium to kill the pain.\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. If you say that something is killing you, you mean that it is causing you physical or emotional pain. (INFORMAL)\nMy feet are killing me.\n  VERB: only cont, V pron\n\n6. If you say that you kill yourself to do something, you are emphasizing that you make a great effort to do it, even though it causes you a lot of trouble or suffering. (INFORMAL)\nYou shouldn’t always have to kill yourself to do well.\n  VERB: V pron-refl  emphasis\n\n7. If you say that you will kill someone for something they have done, you are emphasizing that you are extremely angry with them.\nTell Richard I’m going to kill him when I get hold of him.\n  VERB: V n  emphasis\n\n8. If you say that something will not kill you, you mean that it is not really as difficult or unpleasant as it might seem. (INFORMAL)\nThree or four more weeks won’t kill me!\n  VERB: V pron\n\n9. If you are killing time, you are doing something because you have some time available, not because you really want to do it.\nI’m just killing time until I can talk to the other witnesses...\nTo kill the hours while she waited, Ann worked in the garden.\n  VERB: V n, V n, also V n -ing\n\n10. If you say that you will do something if it kills you, you are emphasizing that you are determined to do it even though it is extremely difficult or painful.\nI’ll make this marriage work if it kills me.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR with cl  emphasis\n\n11. If you say that you killed yourself laughing, you are emphasizing that you laughed a lot because you thought something was extremely funny. (INFORMAL)\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis\n\n12. If you move in for the kill or if you close in for the kill, you take advantage of a changed situation in order to do something that you have been preparing to do.\nSeeing his chance, Dennis moved in for the kill.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n13.\nto kill two birds with one stone: see bird\ndressed to kill: see dressed\nto be killed outright: see outright


Words: kill off
Meaning:
kill off\n1.\nsee kill 3\n2. If you say that a group or an amount of something has been killed off, you mean that all of them or all of it have been killed or destroyed.\nTheir natural predators have been killed off...\nIt is an effective treatment for the bacteria and does kill it off...\nAll blood products are now heat treated to kill off any infection.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P, V n P, V P n (not pron)


Words: killer
Meaning:
kill.er\n   killer  killers\n1. A killer is a person who has killed someone, or who intends to kill someone.\nThe police are searching for his killers...\n  N-COUNT\n  = murderer\n2. You can refer to something that causes death or is likely to cause death as a killer.\nHeart disease is the biggest killer of men in most developed countries.\n  N-COUNT


Words: killer bee
Meaning:
kill.er bee\n   killer bee  killer bees\n  A killer bee is a type of bee which is very aggressive and likely to attack and sting people.\n  N-COUNT


Words: killer instinct
Meaning:
kill.er in.stinct\n   killer instinct  killer instincts\n  If you say that a sports player or politician has the killer instinct, you admire them for their toughness and determination to succeed.\nHe quit the sport when he realised he didn’t have the killer instinct.\n  N-VAR  approval


Words: killer whale
Meaning:
kill.er whale\n   killer whale  killer whales\n  A killer whale is a type of black and white whale.\n  N-COUNT


Words: killing
Meaning:
kill.ing\n   killing  killings\n1. A killing is an act of deliberately killing a person.\nThis is a brutal killing.\n  N-COUNT\n  = murder\n2. If you make a killing, you make a large profit very quickly and easily. (INFORMAL)\nThey have made a killing on the deal.\n  PHRASE: V and N inflect


Words: killjoy
Meaning:
kill.joy\n   killjoy  killjoys\n  If you call someone a killjoy, you are critical of them because they stop other people from enjoying themselves, often by reminding them of something unpleasant.\nDon’t be such a killjoy!...\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = spoilsport


Words: kiln
Meaning:
kiln  kilns\n  A kiln is an oven that is used to bake pottery and bricks in order to make them hard.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kilo
Meaning:
kilo  kilos\n  A kilo is the same as a kilogram.\nHe’d lost ten kilos in weight.\n...a kilo of rice.\n  N-COUNT: num N


Words: kilo-
Meaning:
kilo-\n  Kilo- is added to some nouns that refer to units of measurement in order to form other nouns referring to units a thousand times bigger.\n...100 kilojoules of energy.\n...an explosion of around 20 kilotons.\n  PREFIX


Words: kilobyte
Meaning:
kilo.byte\n   kilobyte  kilobytes\n  In computing, a kilobyte is one thousand bytes of data.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kilogram
Meaning:
kilo.gram\n   kilogram  kilograms   also kilogramme\n  A kilogram is a metric unit of weight. One kilogram is a thousand grams, or a thousandth of a metric ton, and is equal to 2.2 pounds.\n...a parcel weighing around 4.5 kilograms.\n  N-COUNT: num N, oft N of n\n  = kilo


Words: kilohertz
Meaning:
kilo.hertz\n   kilohertz  kilohertz\n  A kilohertz is a unit of measurement of radio waves. One kilohertz is a thousand hertz.\n  N-COUNT: num N


Words: kilometre
Meaning:
kilo.metre\n   kilometre   kilometres\nin AM, use kilometer\n  A kilometre is a metric unit of distance or length. One kilometre is a thousand metres and is equal to 0.62 miles.\n...about twenty kilometres from the border...\nThe fire destroyed some 40,000 square kilometres of forest.\n  N-COUNT: num N


Words: kilowatt
Meaning:
kilo.watt\n   kilowatt  kilowatts\n  A kilowatt is a unit of power. One kilowatt is a thousand watts.\n  N-COUNT: num N, oft N of n


Words: kilowatt-hour
Meaning:
kilowatt-hour  kilowatt-hours\n  A kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy that is equal to the energy provided by a thousand watts in one hour.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kilt
Meaning:
kilt  kilts\n  A kilt is a skirt with a lot of vertical folds, traditionally worn by Scottish men. Kilts can also be worn by women and girls.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kilter
Meaning:
kil.ter\n   kilter\n1. If one thing is out of kilter with another, the first thing does not agree with or fit in with the second.\nHer lifestyle was out of kilter with her politics...\n  PHRASE: oft v-link PHR with n\n\n2. If something or someone is out of kilter or off kilter, they are not completely right.\nIgnoring feelings of tiredness knocks our body clocks out of kilter...\n  PHRASE: oft v-link PHR


Words: kimono
Meaning:
ki.mo.no\n   kimono  kimonos\n  A kimono is an item of Japanese clothing. It is long, shaped like a coat, and has wide sleeves.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kin
Meaning:
kin\n  Your kin are your relatives. (DIALECT or OLD-FASHIONED)\nShe has gone to live with her husband’s kin.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n  see also kith and kin, next of kin


Words: kind
Meaning:
NOUN USES AND PHRASES\n   kind  kinds\n1. If you talk about a particular kind of thing, you are talking about one of the types or sorts of that thing.\nThe party needs a different kind of leadership...\nHad Jamie ever been in any kind of trouble?...\nThis book prize is the biggest of its kind in the world...\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n  = sort, type\n2. If you refer to someone’s kind, you are referring to all the other people that are like them or that belong to the same class or set.\nI can take care of your kind.\n  N-COUNT: poss N  disapproval\n  = sort, type\n3. You can use all kinds of to emphasize that there are a great number and variety of particular things or people.\nAdoption can fail for all kinds of reasons...\n  PHRASE: PHR n  emphasis\n\n4. You use kind of when you want to say that something or someone can be roughly described in a particular way. (SPOKEN)\nIt was kind of sad, really...\n  PHRASE: PHR adj/adv, PHR before v  vagueness\n\n5. You can use of a kind to indicate that something is not as good as it might be expected to be, but that it seems to be the best that is possible or available.\nShe finds solace of a kind in alcohol.\n  PHRASE: n PHR\n\n6. If you refer to someone or something as one of a kind, you mean that there is nobody or nothing else like them.\nShe’s a very unusual woman, one of a kind.\n  PHRASE  approval\n\n7. If you refer, for example, to two, three, or four of a kind, you mean two, three, or four similar people or things that seem to go well or belong together.\nThey were two of a kind, from the same sort of background.\n  PHRASE\n\n8. If you respond in kind, you react to something that someone has done to you by doing the same thing to them.\nThey hurled defiant taunts at the riot police, who responded in kind.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n9. If you pay a debt in kind, you pay it in the form of goods or services and not money.\n...benefits in kind.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, n PHR\n\nADJECTIVE USES\n   kind  kinder  kindest\n1. Someone who is kind behaves in a gentle, caring, and helpful way towards other people.\nI must thank you for being so kind to me...\nIt was very kind of you to come.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n, it v-link ADJ of n to-inf\n\n=>  kind.ly\n`You seem tired this morning, Jenny,’ she said kindly.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. You can use kind in expressions such as please be so kind as to and would you be kind enough to in order to ask someone to do something in a firm but polite way.\nI wonder if you’d be kind enough to call him.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ  politeness\n\n3.\n  see also kindly, kindness


Words: kind-hearted
Meaning:
kind-hearted\n  If you describe someone as kind-hearted, you mean that they are kind, caring, and generous.\nHe was a warm, generous and kind-hearted man.\n  ADJ\n  = kind


Words: kinda
Meaning:
kinda\n  Kinda is used in written English to represent the words `kind of’ when they are pronounced informally.\nI’d kinda like to have a sheep farm in New Mexico...


Words: kindergarten
Meaning:
kin.der.gar.ten\n   kindergarten  kindergartens\n  A kindergarten is an informal kind of school for very young children, where they learn things by playing.\nShe’s in kindergarten now.\n  N-COUNT: also in/to/at N\n  = nursery


Words: kindle
Meaning:
kin.dle\n   kindle  kindles  kindling  kindled\n1. If something kindles a particular emotion in someone, it makes them start to feel it.\nThe second world war kindled his enthusiasm for politics...\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you kindle a fire, you light paper or wood in order to start it.\nI came in and kindled a fire in the stove.\n  VERB: V n


Words: kindling
Meaning:
kin.dling\n   kindling\n  Kindling is small pieces of dry wood and other materials that you use to start a fire.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kindly
Meaning:
kind.ly\n   kindly\n1. A kindly person is kind, caring, and sympathetic.\nHe was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If someone kindly does something for you, they act in a thoughtful and helpful way.\nHe kindly carried our picnic in a rucksack...\n  ADV: ADV before v\n\n3. If someone asks you to kindly do something, they are asking you in a way which shows that they have authority over you, or that they are angry with you. (FORMAL)\nWill you kindly obey the instructions I am about to give?\n  ADV: ADV before v\n\n4.\n  see also kind\n5. If you look kindly on or look kindly upon someone or something, you support them or approve of what they are doing.\nRecent historical work looks kindly on the regime.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n\n\n6. If someone does not take kindly to something, they do not like it.\nShe did not take kindly to being offered advice...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n/-ing


Words: kindness
Meaning:
kind.ness\n   kindness\n  Kindness is the quality of being gentle, caring, and helpful.\nWe have been treated with such kindness by everybody.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kindred
Meaning:
kin.dred\n   kindred\n1. Your kindred are your family, and all the people who are related to you. (DIALECT or OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-UNCOUNT: with poss\n  = relatives\n2. Kindred things are similar to each other. (FORMAL)\nI recall many discussions with her on these and kindred topics.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = similar


Words: kindred spirit
Meaning:
kin.dred spir.it\n   kindred spirit  kindred spirits\n  A kindred spirit is a person who has the same view of life or the same interests as you.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kinetic
Meaning:
ki.net.ic\n   kinetic\n  In physics, kinetic is used to describe something that is concerned with movement. (TECHNICAL)\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: kinetic energy
Meaning:
ki.net.ic en.er.gy\n   kinetic energy\n  In physics, kinetic energy is the energy that is produced when something moves. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: king
Meaning:
king  kings\n1. A king is a man who is the most important member of the royal family of his country, and who is considered to be the Head of State of that country.\n...the king and queen of Spain...\nIn 1154, Henry II became King of England.\n  N-TITLE; N-COUNT: oft the N of n\n\n2. If you describe a man as the king of something, you mean that he is the most important person doing that thing or he is the best at doing it.\nHe’s the king of unlicensed boxing...\n  N-COUNT: the N of n\n\n3. A king is a playing card with a picture of a king on it.\n...the king of diamonds.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n4. In chess, the king is the most important piece. When you are in a position to capture your opponent’s king, you win the game.\n  N-COUNT


Words: king-size
Meaning:
king-size   also king-sized\n  A king-size or king-sized version of something is a larger size than the standard version, and may be the largest size available.\n...a king-size bed.\n...king-size cigarettes.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: kingdom
Meaning:
king.dom\n   kingdom  kingdoms\n1. A kingdom is a country or region that is ruled by a king or queen.\nThe kingdom’s power declined.\n...the United Kingdom.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft in names\n\n2. All the animals, birds, and insects in the world can be referred to together as the animal kingdom. All the plants can be referred to as the plant kingdom.\n  N-SING: usu n N


Words: kingfisher
Meaning:
king.fisher\n   kingfisher  kingfishers\n  A kingfisher is a brightly-coloured bird which lives near rivers and lakes and catches fish.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kingly
Meaning:
king.ly\n   kingly\n  Kingly means like a king, or related to the duties of a king. (LITERARY)\n...a noble man, kingly in stature...\nThey thought that he should resume his kingly duties.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: kingpin
Meaning:
king.pin\n   kingpin  kingpins\n  If you describe someone as the kingpin of an organization, you mean that they are the most important person involved in it. (JOURNALISM)\n...one of the alleged kingpins of Colombia’s largest drugs ring.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n, n N\n  = linchpin


Words: kingship
Meaning:
king.ship\n   kingship\n  Kingship is the fact or position of being a king.\n...the duties of kingship.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kink
Meaning:
kink  kinks  kinking  kinked\n1. A kink is a curve or twist in something which is otherwise or normally straight.\n...a tiny black kitten with tufted ears and a kink in her tail.\n  N-COUNT: oft N in n\n\n2. If something kinks or is kinked, it has, or it develops a curve or twist in it.\n...her wet hair kinking in the breeze...\nCare is needed when loading the roll to prevent twisting or kinking the film...\n  VERB: V, V n


Words: kinky
Meaning:
kinky  kinkier  kinkiest\n  If you describe something, usually a sexual practice or preference, as kinky, you mean that it is unusual and would be considered strange by most people. (INFORMAL)\nHe had been engaging in some kind of kinky sexual activity.\n  ADJ


Words: kinsfolk
Meaning:
kins.folk\n   kinsfolk\n  Your kinsfolk or kinfolk are the people who are related to you. (LITERARY)\nPoor Emily. Her kinsfolk should come to her...\nI sent my other son to the country to stay with kinfolk.\n  N-PLURAL: oft poss N\n  The spellings kinfolk, and sometimes in American English kinfolks are also used.\n  = family, relations


Words: kinship
Meaning:
kin.ship\n   kinship\n1. Kinship is the relationship between members of the same family.\nThe ties of kinship may have helped the young man find his way in life.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you feel kinship with someone, you feel close to them, because you have a similar background or similar feelings or ideas.\nShe evidently felt a sense of kinship with the woman.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kinsman
Meaning:
kins.man\n   kinsman  kinsmen\n  Someone’s kinsman is their male relative. (LITERARY or WRITTEN)\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss


Words: kinswoman
Meaning:
kins.woman\n   kinswoman  kinswomen\n  Someone’s kinswoman is their female relative. (LITERARY or WRITTEN)\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N


Words: kiosk
Meaning:
ki.osk\n   kiosk  kiosks\n1. A kiosk is a small building or structure from which people can buy things such as sandwiches or newspapers through an open window.\nI was getting cigarettes at the kiosk.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A kiosk or a telephone kiosk is a public telephone box. (BRIT)\nHe phoned me from a kiosk.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kip
Meaning:
kip  kips  kipping  kipped\n1. Kip is sleep. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nMason went home for a couple of hours’ kip.\n  N-SING: also no det\n  = sleep\n2. If you kip somewhere, usually somewhere that is not your own home or bed, you sleep there. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHe moved from one friend’s flat to another, first kipping on the floor of Theodore’s studio.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, also V\n  = sleep


Words: kipper
Meaning:
kip.per\n   kipper  kippers\n  A kipper is a fish, usually a herring, which has been preserved by being hung in smoke.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kirk
Meaning:
kirk  kirks\n1. A kirk is a church. (SCOTTISH)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The Kirk is the Church of Scotland, the main Protestant church in Scotland. (SCOTTISH)\n...ministers of the Kirk.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: kirsch
Meaning:
kirsch   also Kirsch\n  Kirsch is a strong, colourless, alcoholic drink made from cherries which is usually drunk after a meal.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kiss
Meaning:
kiss  kisses  kissing  kissed\n1. If you kiss someone, you touch them with your lips to show affection or sexual desire, or to greet them or say goodbye.\nShe leaned up and kissed him on the cheek...\nHer parents kissed her goodbye as she set off from their home...\nThey kissed for almost half-a-minute...\nWe kissed goodbye.\n  V-RECIP: NON-RECIP: V n, V n n, RECIP: pl-n V, pl-n V n\n\n  Kiss is also a noun.\nI put my arms around her and gave her a kiss...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that something kisses another thing, you mean that it touches that thing very gently.\nThe wheels of the aircraft kissed the runway.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If you blow someone a kiss or blow a kiss, you touch the palm of your hand lightly with your lips, and then blow across your hand towards the person, in order to show them your affection.\nMaria blew him a kiss...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n4. If you say that you kiss something goodbye or kiss goodbye to something, you accept the fact that you are going to lose it, although you do not want to. (INFORMAL)\nI felt sure I’d have to kiss my dancing career goodbye.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: kiss of death
Meaning:
kiss of death\n  If you say that a particular event is the kiss of death for something, you mean that it is certain to make them fail or be a disaster.\nTrying to please an audience is the kiss of death for an artist.\n  N-SING: usu the N, oft N for/to n


Words: kiss of life
Meaning:
kiss of life\n  If you give someone who has stopped breathing the kiss of life, you put your mouth onto their mouth and breathe into their lungs to make them start breathing again. (BRIT; in AM, use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation)\nJulia was given the kiss of life but she could not be revived.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: kiss-and-tell
Meaning:
kiss-and-tell\n  If someone who has had a love affair with a famous person tells the story of that affair in public, for example in a newspaper or book, you can refer to this as a kiss-and-tell story.\n...intimate photographs and kiss-and-tell revelations.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: kit
Meaning:
kit  kits  kitting  kitted\n1. A kit is a group of items that are kept together, often in the same container, because they are all used for similar purposes.\n...a well-stocked first aid kit...\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n2. Kit is special clothing and equipment that you use when you take part in a particular activity, especially a sport. (mainly BRIT)\nI forgot my gym kit.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N\n\n3. A kit is a set of parts that can be put together in order to make something.\nHer popular pot holder is also available in do-it-yourself kits.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If someone gets their kit off or takes their kit off, they take off all their clothes. If they keep their kit on, they do not take off all their clothes, even though people may be expecting them to. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nI don’t like taking my kit off on screen...\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: kit out
Meaning:
kit out\n  If someone or something is kitted out, they have everything they need at a particular time, such as clothing, equipment, or furniture. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nShe was kitted out with winter coat, skirts, jumpers...\nThe place is kitted out in upmarket Italian cafe style.\n  PHRASAL VERB: usu passive, be V-ed P with n, be V-ed P in n\n  = fit out


Words: kitbag
Meaning:
kit.bag\n   kitbag  kitbags\n  A kitbag is a long narrow bag, usually made of canvas, in which soldiers or sailors keep their clothing and personal possessions. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: kitchen
Meaning:
kitch.en\n   kitchen  kitchens\n  A kitchen is a room that is used for cooking and for household jobs such as washing dishes.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also soup kitchen


Words: kitchen cabinet
Meaning:
kitch.en cabi.net\n   kitchen cabinet  kitchen cabinets\n  Journalists sometimes refer to the unofficial advisers of a prime minister or president as that person’s kitchen cabinet, especially if they disapprove of the influence that the advisers seem to have.\n  N-COUNT: usu singular  disapproval


Words: kitchen garden
Meaning:
kitch.en gar.den\n   kitchen garden  kitchen gardens\n  A kitchen garden is a garden, or part of a garden, in which vegetables, herbs, and fruit are grown.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kitchenette
Meaning:
kitch.en.ette\n   kitchenette  kitchenettes\n  A kitchenette is a small kitchen, or a part of a larger room that is used for cooking.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kite
Meaning:
kite  kites\n1. A kite is an object, usually used as a toy, which is flown in the air. It consists of a light frame covered with paper or cloth and has a long string attached which you hold while the kite is flying.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that someone is as high as a kite, you mean that they are very excited or that they are greatly affected by alcohol or drugs.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR


Words: Kitemark
Meaning:
Kite.mark\n   Kitemark\n  In Britain, the Kitemark is a symbol which is put on products that have met certain standards of safety and quality. (BRIT)\n  N-SING


Words: kitsch
Meaning:
kitsch\n  You can refer to a work of art or an object as kitsch if it is showy and thought by some people to be in bad taste.\n...a hideous ballgown verging on the kitsch...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  Kitsch is also an adjective.\nBlue and green eyeshadow has long been considered kitsch.\n  ADJ


Words: kitty
Meaning:
kit.ty\n   kitty  kitties\n1. A kitty is an amount of money gathered from several people, which is meant to be spent on things that these people will share or use together.\nYou haven’t put any money in the kitty for three weeks.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. A kitty is the total amount of money which is bet in a gambling game, and which is taken by the winner or winners.\nEach month the total prize kitty is .13.5 million.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: kiwi
Meaning:
kiwi  kiwis\n1. A kiwi is the same as a kiwi fruit.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A kiwi is a type of bird that lives in New Zealand. Kiwis cannot fly.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. People who come from New Zealand are sometimes referred to as Kiwis. This use could cause offence. (BRIT, AUSTRALIAN)\n  N-COUNT


Words: kiwi fruit
Meaning:
kiwi fruit  kiwi fruit  or kiwi fruits\n  A kiwi fruit is a fruit with a brown hairy skin and green flesh.\n  N-VAR


Words: Klansman
Meaning:
Klans.man\n   Klansman  Klansmen\n  A Klansman is a man who is a member of the Ku Klux Klan.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Kleenex
Meaning:
Kleen.ex\n   Kleenex  Kleenex\n  A Kleenex is a piece of soft tissue paper that is used as a handkerchief. (TRADEMARK)\n...a box of Kleenex.\n  N-COUNT\n  = tissue


Words: kleptomaniac
Meaning:
klep.to.ma.ni.ac\n   kleptomaniac  kleptomaniacs\n  A kleptomaniac is a person who cannot control their desire to steal things, usually because of a medical condition.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kludge
Meaning:
kludge  kludges\n  You can refer to an unsophisticated but fairly effective solution to a problem as a kludge. Kludge is used especially to talk about solutions to computing problems.\n  N-COUNT


Words: klutz
Meaning:
klutz  klutzes\n  You can refer to someone who is very clumsy or who seems stupid as a klutz. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: knack
Meaning:
knack  knacks\n  A knack is a particularly clever or skilful way of doing something successfully, especially something which most people find difficult.\nHe’s got the knack of getting people to listen.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of/for n/-ing


Words: knacker
Meaning:
knack.er\n   knacker  knackers\n  A knacker is someone who buys up old horses and then kills them for their meat, bones, or leather. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHer horse was a show jumper whom the family rescued from the knacker’s yard.\n  N-COUNT


Words: knackered
Meaning:
knack.ered\n   knackered\n1. If you say that you are knackered, you are emphasizing that you are extremely tired. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nI was absolutely knackered at the end of the match.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n2. If you say that something is knackered, you mean that it is completely broken or worn out. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nMy tape player’s knackered.\n  ADJ


Words: knapsack
Meaning:
knap.sack\n   knapsack  knapsacks\n  A knapsack is a canvas or leather bag that you carry on your back or over your shoulder, for example when you are walking in the countryside.\n  N-COUNT


Words: knave
Meaning:
knave  knaves\n1. If someone calls a man a knave, they mean that he is dishonest and should not be trusted. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = rogue, scoundrel\n2. In card games, knave is another word for jack. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use jack)\n  N-COUNT


Words: knead
Meaning:
knead  kneads  kneading  kneaded\n1. When you knead dough or other food, you press and squeeze it with your hands so that it becomes smooth and ready to cook.\nLightly knead the mixture on a floured surface.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you knead a part of someone’s body, you press or squeeze it with your fingers.\nShe felt him knead the aching muscles.\n  VERB: V n


Words: knee
Meaning:
knee  knees  kneeing  kneed\n1. Your knee is the place where your leg bends.\nHe will receive physiotherapy on his damaged left knee.\n...a knee injury.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N\n\n2. If something or someone is on your knee or on your knees, they are resting or sitting on the upper part of your legs when you are sitting down.\nHe sat with the package on his knees...\n  N-COUNT: poss N, oft on N\n  = lap\n3. If you are on your knees, your legs are bent and your knees are on the ground.\nShe fell to the ground on her knees and prayed...\n  N-PLURAL: poss N, usu on/to N\n\n4. If you knee someone, you hit them using your knee.\nIan kneed him in the groin.\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. If a country or organization is brought to its knees, it is almost completely destroyed by someone or something.\nThe country was being brought to its knees by the loss of 2.4 million manufacturing jobs...\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: knee-capping
Meaning:
knee-capping  knee-cappings   also kneecapping\n  Knee-capping is the act of shooting someone in the knee and is carried out by some terrorist organizations as a form of punishment.\n  N-VAR


Words: knee-deep
Meaning:
knee-deep\n1. Something that is knee-deep is as high as your knees.\nThe water was only knee-deep.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If a person or a place is knee-deep in something such as water, the level of the water comes up to a person’s knees.\nThey spent much of their time knee-deep in mud...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ in n, ADJ after v


Words: knee-jerk
Meaning:
knee-jerk\n  If you call someone’s response to a question or situation a knee-jerk reaction, you mean that they react in a very predictable way, without thinking.\nThe knee-jerk reaction to this is to call for proper security in all hospitals.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  disapproval


Words: kneecap
Meaning:
knee.cap\n   kneecap  kneecaps   also knee-cap\n  Your kneecaps are the bones at the front of your knees.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kneel
Meaning:
kneel  kneels  kneeling  kneeled  knelt\n  When you kneel, you bend your legs so that your knees are touching the ground.\nShe knelt by the bed and prayed...\nOther people were kneeling, but she just sat.\n...a kneeling position.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V, V-ing\n  The forms kneeled and knelt can both be used for the past tense and past participle.\n\n  Kneel down means the same as kneel.\nShe kneeled down beside him.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: knees-up
Meaning:
knees-up  knees-ups\n  A knees-up is a party or celebration. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n  = shindig


Words: knick-knacks
Meaning:
knick-knacks\nin AM, usually use knickknacks\n  Knick-knacks are small objects which people keep as ornaments or toys, rather than for a particular use.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: knickers
Meaning:
knick.ers\n   knickers\n\n  The form knicker is used as a modifier.\n\n1. Knickers are a piece of underwear worn by women and girls which have holes for the legs and elastic around the waist to hold them up. (BRIT; in AM, use panties)\nShe bought Ann two bras and six pairs of knickers.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N\n\n2. If someone is getting their knickers in a twist about something, they are getting annoyed or upset about it without good reason. (BRIT HUMOROUS, INFORMAL)\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: knife
Meaning:
knife  knives  knifes  knifing  knifed\n\n  knives is the plural form of the noun and knifes is the third person singular of the present tense of the verb.\n\n1. A knife is a tool for cutting or a weapon and consists of a flat piece of metal with a sharp edge on the end of a handle.\n...a knife and fork...\nTwo robbers broke into her home, held a knife to her throat and stole her savings.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. To knife someone means to attack and injure them with a knife.\nDawson takes revenge on the man by knifing him to death...\n  VERB: V n prep\n\n3. A surgeon’s knife is a piece of equipment used to cut flesh and organs during operations. It is made of metal and has a very thin sharp edge.\n  N-COUNT\n  = scalpel\n  If you go under the knife, you have an operation in a hospital.\nKelly was about to go under the knife when her surgeon stopped everything.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n4.\n  see also carving knife, fish knife, flick knife, palette knife, paper knife, pocket knife, Stanley knife\n5. If someone does something like a knife through butter or like a hot knife through butter, they do it very easily.\nSpending by Japanese companies has left them more competitive than companies in other nations. They will be cutting through the competition like a hot knife through butter.\n  PHRASE: knife inflects, PHR after v\n\n6. If you have been in a place where there was a very tense atmosphere, you can say that you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife. (mainly BRIT)\n  PHRASE\n\n7. If a lot of people want something unpleasant to happen to someone, for example if they want them to lose their job, you can say that the knives are out for that person. (mainly BRIT)\nThe Party knives are out for the leader.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR for n\n\n8. If you twist the knife or if you turn the knife in someone’s wound, you do or say something to make an unpleasant situation they are in even more unpleasant.\nTravis twisted the knife by laughing at her...\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: knife-edge
Meaning:
knife-edge   also knife edge\n1. To be on a knife-edge means to be in a situation in which nobody knows what is going to happen next, or in which one thing is just as likely to happen as another. (mainly BRIT)\nThe game is poised on a knife-edge. One mistake or one piece of good luck could decide it.\n  PHRASE: oft v-link PHR\n\n2. You can use knife-edge to refer to something that is very exciting or tense because you do not know what is going to happen next. (mainly BRIT)\nTonight’s knife-edge vote could be uncomfortably close.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: knifeman
Meaning:
knife.man\n   knifeman  knifemen\n  A knifeman is someone who has attacked or killed someone with a knife. (BRIT mainly JOURNALISM)\nA crazed knifeman attacked three policewomen.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: knifepoint
Meaning:
knife.point\n   knifepoint   also knife-point\n  If you are attacked or robbed at knifepoint, someone threatens you with a knife while they attack or steal from you. (JOURNALISM)\nA 15-year-old girl was attacked at knifepoint in a subway...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: knifing
Meaning:
knif.ing\n   knifing  knifings\n  A knifing is an incident in which someone is attacked and injured with a knife.\n  N-COUNT\n  = stabbing\n  see also knife


Words: knight
Meaning:
knight  knights  knighting  knighted\n1. In medieval times, a knight was a man of noble birth, who served his king or lord in battle.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If someone is knighted, they are given a knighthood.\nHe was knighted in the Queen’s birthday honours list in June 1988.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n3. A knight is a man who has been knighted.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. In chess, a knight is a piece which is shaped like a horse’s head.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If you refer to someone as a knight in shining armour, you mean that they are kind and brave, and likely to rescue you from a difficult situation.\nLove songs trick us into believing in knights in shining armor.\n  PHRASE: knight inflects


Words: knighthood
Meaning:
knight.hood\n   knighthood  knighthoods\n  A knighthood is a title that is given to a man by a British king or queen for his achievements or his service to his country. A man who has been given a knighthood can put `Sir’ in front of his name instead of `Mr’.\n  N-COUNT


Words: knit
Meaning:
knit  knits  knitting  knitted\n1. If you knit something, especially an article of clothing, you make it from wool or a similar thread by using two knitting needles or a machine.\nI had endless hours to knit and sew...\nI have already started knitting baby clothes...\nShe knitted him 10 pairs of socks to take with him...\nDuring the war, Joan helped her mother knit scarves for soldiers...\nShe pushed up the sleeves of her grey knitted cardigan and got to work.\n  VERB: V, V n, V n n, V n for n, V-ed, also V n into n\n\n  Knit is also a combining form.\nFerris wore a heavy knit sweater.\n  COMB in ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. If someone or something knits things or people together, they make them fit or work together closely and successfully.\nThe best thing about sport is that it knits the whole family close together...\nOrdinary people have some reservations about their president’s drive to knit them so closely to their neighbors.\n  VERB: V n with together, V n to/into n, also V n\n\n  Knit is also a combining form.\n...a tightly knit society.\n  COMB in ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. When broken bones knit, the broken pieces grow together again.\nThe bone hasn’t knitted together properly.\n...broken bones that have failed to knit.\n  VERB: V together, V\n\n4. If you knit your brows or knit your eyebrows, you frown because you are angry or worried. (LITERARY)\nThey knitted their brows and started to grumble...\nBilly’s eyebrows knitted together in a little frown.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: knitting
Meaning:
knit.ting\n   knitting\n1. Knitting is something, such as an article of clothing, that is being knitted.\nShe had been sitting with her knitting at her fourth-floor window.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu poss N\n\n2. Knitting is the action or process of knitting.\nTake up a relaxing hobby, such as knitting.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: knitting needle
Meaning:
knit.ting nee.dle\n   knitting needle  knitting needles\n  Knitting needles are thin plastic or metal rods which you use when you are knitting.\n  N-COUNT


Words: knitwear
Meaning:
knit.wear\n   knitwear\n  Knitwear is clothing that has been knitted.\n...expensive Italian knitwear.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: knob
Meaning:
knob  knobs\n1. A knob is a round handle on a door or drawer which you use in order to open or close it.\nHe turned the knob and pushed against the door.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A knob is a round switch on a piece of machinery or equipment.\n...the volume knob.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A knob of butter is a small amount of it. (mainly BRIT)\nTop the steaming hot potatoes with a knob of butter.\n  N-COUNT: N of n


Words: knobbly
Meaning:
knob.bly\n   knobbly   or knobby\n  Something that is knobbly or knobby has lumps on it which stick out and make the surface uneven.\n...knobbly knees.\n  ADJ


Words: knock
Meaning:
knock  knocks  knocking  knocked\n1. If you knock on something such as a door or window, you hit it, usually several times, to attract someone’s attention.\nShe went directly to Simon’s apartment and knocked on the door...\nHe knocked before going in.\n  VERB: V on/at n, V\n\n  Knock is also a noun.\nThey heard a knock at the front door.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  knock.ing\nThey were wakened by a loud knocking at the door.\n  N-SING: also no det\n\n2. If you knock something, you touch or hit it roughly, especially so that it falls or moves.\nShe accidentally knocked the tea tin off the shelf...\nIsabel rose so abruptly that she knocked down her chair...\n  VERB: V n prep, V n with adv\n\n  Knock is also a noun.\nThe bags have tough exterior materials to protect against knocks, rain and dust.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If someone knocks two rooms or buildings into one, or knocks them together, they make them form one room or building by removing a wall.\nThey decided to knock the two rooms into one...\nThe spacious kitchen was achieved by knocking together three small rooms.\n  VERB: V pl-n into n, V pl-n with together\n\n4. To knock someone into a particular position or condition means to hit them very hard so that they fall over or become unconscious.\nThe third wave was so strong it knocked me backwards...\nSomeone had knocked him unconscious.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n adj\n\n5. To knock a particular quality or characteristic out of someone means to make them lose it.\nThe stories of his links with the actress had knocked the fun out of him...\nThose people hurt me and knocked my confidence.\n  VERB: no cont, V n out of n, V n\n\n6. If you knock something or someone, you criticize them and say unpleasant things about them. (INFORMAL)\nI’m not knocking them: if they want to do it, it’s up to them...\n  VERB: V n\n\n7. If someone receives a knock, they have an unpleasant experience which prevents them from achieving something or which causes them to change their attitudes or plans.\nWhat they said was a real knock to my self-confidence...\n  N-COUNT\n  = blow\n8.\nto knock something on the head: see head\nto knock someone or something into shape: see shape


Words: knock around
Meaning:
knock around\n1. If someone knocks you around or knocks you about, they hit or kick you several times. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nHe lied to me constantly and started knocking me around.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P\n\n2. If someone knocks around or knocks about somewhere, they spend time there, experiencing different situations or just passing time.\n...reporters who knock around in troubled parts of the world...\nI know nothing about him except that he knocked about South Africa for a while.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P prep/adv, V P n\n\n3. If someone or something is knocking around or knocking about, they are present in a particular place. (mainly BRIT)\nThere were a couple of decent kits knocking around, but this wasn’t one of them!...\n  PHRASAL VERB: only cont, V P\n\n4. If you knock around or knock about with someone, you spend your spare time with them, either because you are one of their friends or because you are their boyfriend or girlfriend. (mainly BRIT)\nI used to knock about with all the lads from round where Mum lives...\nThey were knocking around together for about a year.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n, pl-n V P together\n  = hang around


Words: knock back
Meaning:
knock back\n1. If you knock back a drink, especially an alcoholic one, you drink it quickly, and often in large amounts. (INFORMAL)\nHe was knocking back his 10th gin and tonic of the day...\nShe poured some vodka into a glass and knocked it back in two swallows.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n2. If an event, situation, or person knocks you back, they prevent you from progressing or achieving something. (mainly BRIT)\nIt seemed as though every time we got rolling something came along to knock us back...\nThat really knocked back any hope for further peace negotiations.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = set back


Words: knock down
Meaning:
knock down\n1. If someone is knocked down or is knocked over by a vehicle or its driver, they are hit by a car and fall to the ground, and are often injured or killed.\nHe died in hospital after being knocked down by a car...\nA drunk driver knocked down and killed two girls...\nA car knocked him over.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P, V P n (not pron), V n P\n  = run over\n2. To knock down a building or part of a building means to demolish it.\nWhy doesn’t he just knock the wall down?...\nThey have since knocked down the shack.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = pull down\n3. To knock down a price or amount means to decrease it. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use bring down)\nThe market might abandon the stock, and knock down its price...\nIt manages to knock rents down to $1 per square foot.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P


Words: knock off
Meaning:
knock off\n1. To knock off an amount from a price, time, or level means to reduce it by that amount.\nUdinese have knocked 10% off admission prices...\nWhen pressed they knock off 10 per cent.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V amount P n, V P amount\n\n2. If you knock something off a list or document, you remove it.\nTighter rules for benefit entitlement have knocked many people off the unemployment register.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P n, also V n P\n\n3. When you knock off, you finish work at the end of the day or before a break. (INFORMAL)\nIf I get this report finished I’ll knock off early...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: knock out
Meaning:
knock out\n1. To knock someone out means to cause them to become unconscious or to go to sleep.\nThe three drinks knocked him out...\nHe had never been knocked out in a professional fight.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n\n2. If a person or team is knocked out of a competition, they are defeated in a game, so that they take no more part in the competition.\nHenri Leconte has been knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Geneva Open...\nThe Irish came so close to knocking England out of the European Championships.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P, V n P of n, also V P n\n\n  see also knockout\n3. If something is knocked out by enemy action or bad weather, it is destroyed or stops functioning because of it.\nOur bombers have knocked out the mobile launchers...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)


Words: knock-on
Meaning:
knock-on\n  If there is a knock-on effect, one action or event causes several other events to happen one after the other. (BRIT)\nThe cut in new car prices has had a knock-on effect on the price of used cars.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: knockabout
Meaning:
knock.about\n   knockabout\n  Knockabout comedy is lively and often involves people doing funny things, rather than saying them. (mainly BRIT)\nHe gave one of his best knockabout performances in a long time.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: knockback
Meaning:
knock.back\n   knockback  knockbacks   also knock-back\n  A knockback is a problem or a rejection which delays your progress or which reverses some of the progress you have made.\nThe schedule has suffered a knockback...\n  N-COUNT


Words: knockdown
Meaning:
knock.down\n   knockdown   also knock-down\n  A knockdown price is much lower than it would be normally. (INFORMAL)\n...the chance to buy it now at a knockdown price...\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: knocker
Meaning:
knock.er\n   knocker  knockers\n  A knocker is a piece of metal on the front door of a building, which you use to hit the door in order to attract the attention of the people inside.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also knock


Words: knockoff
Meaning:
knock.off\n   knockoff knockoffs\n  A knockoff is a cheap copy of a well-known product. (INFORMAL)\nFrilly dresses are out; Chanel knockoffs are in...\nYou can buy a nice knockoff watch from them.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: knockout
Meaning:
knock.out\n   knockout  knockouts   also knock-out\n1. In boxing, a knockout is a situation in which a boxer wins the fight by making his opponent fall to the ground and be unable to stand up before the referee has counted to ten.\n  N-COUNT: also by N\n\n2. A knockout blow is an action or event that completely defeats an opponent.\nHe delivered a knockout blow to all of his rivals.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. A knockout competition is one in which the players or teams that win continue playing until there is only one winner left. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use elimination)\n...the European Cup, a knockout competition between the top teams in Europe.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. If you describe someone or something as a knockout, you think that they are extremely attractive or impressive. (INFORMAL)\nShe was a knockout in navy and scarlet...\n  N-SING: a N  approval


Words: knoll
Meaning:
knoll  knolls\n  A knoll is a low hill with gentle slopes and a rounded top. (LITERARY)\n...a grassy knoll.\n...on Nibley Knoll.\n  N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES


Words: knot
Meaning:
knot  knots  knotting  knotted\n1. If you tie a knot in a piece of string, rope, cloth, or other material, you pass one end or part of it through a loop and pull it tight.\nOne lace had broken and been tied in a knot.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you knot a piece of string, rope, cloth, or other material, you pass one end or part of it through a loop and pull it tight.\nHe knotted the laces securely together...\nHe knotted the bandanna around his neck.\n...a knotted rope.\n  VERB: V n with together, V n, V-ed\n\n3. If you feel a knot in your stomach, you get an uncomfortable tight feeling in your stomach, usually because you are afraid or excited.\nThere was a knot of tension in his stomach.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n4. If your stomach knots or if something knots it, it feels tight because you are afraid or excited.\nI felt my stomach knot with apprehension...\nThe old dread knotted her stomach.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n5. If part of your face or your muscles knot, they become tense, usually because you are worried or angry.\nHis forehead knotted in a frown.\n...his knotted muscles.\n  VERB: V, V-ed\n\n6. A knot in a piece of wood is a small hard area where a branch grew.\n  N-COUNT\n\n7. A knot is a unit of speed. The speed of ships, aircraft, and winds is measured in knots.\nThey travel at speeds of up to 30 knots.\n  N-COUNT: usu num N\n\n8. If you tie yourself in knots, you get very confused and anxious. (INFORMAL)\nThe press agent tied himself in knots trying to apologise.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9. If you say that two people tie the knot, you mean that they get married. (INFORMAL)\nLen tied the knot with Kate five years ago.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: knotty
Meaning:
knot.ty\n   knotty  knottier  knottiest\n1. A knotty problem is complicated and difficult to solve.\nThe new management team faces some knotty problems.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = thorny\n2. Knotty wood has a lot of small hard areas on it where branches once grew.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: know
Meaning:
know  knows  knowing  knew  known\n1. If you know a fact, a piece of information, or an answer, you have it correctly in your mind.\nI don’t know the name of the place...\n`People like doing things for nothing.’.`I know they do.’...\nI don’t know what happened to her husband...\n`How did he meet your mother?’.`I don’t know.’...\nWe all know about his early experiments in flying...\nThey looked younger than I knew them to be...\nIt is not known whether the bomb was originally intended for the capital itself...\nIt’s always been known that key figures in the government do very well for themselves.\n  VERB: no cont, V n, V that, V wh, V, V about n/-ing, V n to-inf, it be V-ed wh, it be V-ed that\n\n2. If you know someone, you are familiar with them because you have met them and talked to them before.\nGifford was a friend. I’d known him for nine years...\nDo you two know each other?...\n  VERB: no cont, V n, V n\n\n3. If you say that you know of something, you mean that you have heard about it but you do not necessarily have a lot of information about it.\nWe know of the incident but have no further details...\nI know of no one who would want to murder Albert.\n  VERB: no cont, V of n, V of n\n\n4. If you know about a subject, you have studied it or taken an interest in it, and understand part or all of it.\nHire someone with experience, someone who knows about real estate...\nShe didn’t know anything about music but she liked to sing.\n  VERB: no cont, V about n, V amount about n\n\n5. If you know a language, you have learned it and can understand it.\nIt helps to know French and Creole if you want to understand some of the lyrics...\n  VERB: no cont, V n\n\n6. If you know something such as a place, a work of art, or an idea, you have visited it, seen it, read it, or heard about it, and so you are familiar with it.\nNo matter how well you know Paris, it is easy to get lost...\n  VERB: no cont, V n\n\n7. If you know how to do something, you have the necessary skills and knowledge to do it.\nThe health authorities now know how to deal with the disease...\nWe know what to do to make it work.\n  VERB: no cont, V wh-to-inf, V wh-to-inf\n\n8. You can say that someone knows that something is happening when they become aware of it.\nThen I saw a gun under the hall table so I knew that something was wrong...\nThe first I knew about it was when I woke up in the ambulance.\n  VERB: no cont, V that, V about n\n\n9. If you know something or someone, you recognize them when you see them or hear them.\nWould she know you if she saw you on the street?...\n  VERB: no cont, V n\n\n10. If someone or something is known as a particular name, they are called by that name.\nThe disease is more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease...\nHe was born as John Birks Gillespie, but everyone knew him as Dizzy...\nHe was the only boy in the school who was known by his Christian name and not his surname.\n...British Nuclear Fuels, otherwise known as BNFL.\n  VERB: no cont, be V-ed as n, V n as n, V n by n, V-ed\n\n11. If you know someone or something as a person or thing that has particular qualities, you consider that they have those qualities.\nLots of people know her as a very kind woman...\n  VERB: V n as n\n\n12.\n  see also knowing, known\n13. If you talk about a thing or system as we know it, you are referring to the form in which it exists now and which is familiar to most people.\nHe planned to end the welfare system as we know it.\n  PHRASE: n PHR\n\n14. If you get to know someone, you find out what they are like by spending time with them.\nThe new neighbours were getting to know each other...\n  PHRASE: get inflects, PHR n\n\n15. People use expressions such as goodness knows, Heaven knows, and God knows when they do not know something and want to suggest that nobody could possibly know it. (INFORMAL)\n`Who’s he?’.`God knows.’\n  PHRASE: PHR as reply, PHR wh\n\n16. You say `I know’ to show that you agree with what has just been said.\n`This country is so awful.’.`I know, I know.’\n  CONVENTION\n\n(next)


Words: know .1
Meaning:
17. You say `I know’ to show that you accept that something is true, but think that it is not very important or relevant.\n`There are trains straight from Cambridge.’.`I know, but it’s no quicker.’\n  CONVENTION\n\n18. You use `I know’ to express sympathy and understanding towards someone.\nI know what you’re going through.\n  PHRASE: PHR wh/that\n\n19. You can use I don’t know to indicate that you do not completely agree with something or do not really think that it is true.\n`He should quite simply resign.’.`I don’t know about that.’\n  PHRASE: usu PHR about n, PHR that\n\n20. You can say `I don’t know about you’ to indicate that you are going to give your own opinion about something and you want to find out if someone else feels the same.\nI don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m hungry...\n  PHRASE: PHR but cl\n\n21. You use I don’t know in expressions which indicate criticism of someone’s behaviour. For example, if you say that you do not know how someone can do something, you mean that you cannot understand or accept them doing it.\nI don’t know how he could do this to his own daughter...\n  PHRASE: PHR wh  disapproval\n\n22. People sometimes use expressions such as I’m blessed if I know or damned if I know to emphasize the fact that they do not know something. (INFORMAL)\n`What was that all about?’.`Darned if I know.’\n  PHRASE: oft PHR as reply, PHR wh  emphasis\n\n23. If you are in the know about something, especially something that is not known about or understood by many people, you have information about it.\nIt was gratifying to be in the know about important people...\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n24. You can use expressions such as you know what I mean and if you know what I mean to suggest that the person listening to you understands what you are trying to say, and so you do not have to explain any more. (SPOKEN)\nNone of us stayed long. I mean, the atmosphere wasn’t.well, you know what I mean...\n  CONVENTION\n\n25. You say `You never know’ or `One never knows’ to indicate that it is not definite or certain what will happen in the future, and to suggest that there is some hope that things will turn out well.\nYou never know, I might get lucky...\n  CONVENTION  vagueness\n\n26. You say `Not that I know of’ when someone has asked you whether or not something is true and you think the answer is `no’ but you cannot be sure because you do not know all the facts.\n`Is he married?’.`Not that I know of.’\n  CONVENTION  vagueness\n\n27. You can use expressions such as What does she know? and What do they know? when you think that someone has no right to comment on a situation because they do not understand it.\nDon’t listen to him, what does he know?...\n  PHRASE: oft PHR about n  disapproval\n\n28. You use you know to emphasize or to draw attention to what you are saying. (SPOKEN)\nThe conditions in there are awful, you know...\nYou know, it does worry me.\n  CONVENTION  emphasis\n\n29. You use you know when you are trying to explain more clearly what you mean, by referring to something that the person you are talking to knows about. (SPOKEN)\nWear the white dress, you know, the one with all the black embroidery.\n  CONVENTION\n\n30. You can say `You don’t know’ in order to emphasize how strongly you feel about the remark you are going to make. (SPOKEN)\nYou don’t know how good it is to speak to somebody from home.\n  PHRASE: PHR wh  emphasis\n\n31.\nto know best: see best\nto know better: see better\nto know no bounds: see bound\nto know something for a fact: see fact\nas far as I know: see far\nnot to know the first thing about something: see first\nto know full well: see full\nto let someone know: see let\nnot to know the meaning of the word: see meaning\nto know your own mind: see mind\nto know the ropes: see rope


Words: know-all
Meaning:
know-all  know-alls\n  If you say that someone is a know-all, you are critical of them because they think that they know a lot more than other people. (BRIT INFORMAL; in AM, use know-it-all)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: know-how
Meaning:
know-how\nin AM, use knowhow\n  Know-how is knowledge of the methods or techniques of doing something, especially something technical or practical. (INFORMAL)\nHe hasn’t got the know-how to run a farm.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n  = expertise


Words: know-it-all
Meaning:
know-it-all  know-it-alls\n  If you say that someone is a know-it-all, you are critical of them because they think that they know a lot more than other people. (AM INFORMAL; in BRIT, use know-all)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: knowing
Meaning:
know.ing\n   knowing\n  A knowing gesture or remark is one that shows that you understand something, for example the way that someone is feeling or what they really mean, even though it has not been mentioned directly.\nRon gave her a knowing smile...\nDan exchanged a knowing look with Harry.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  know.ing.ly\nHe smiled knowingly.\n  ADV


Words: knowingly
Meaning:
know.ing.ly\n   knowingly\n  If you knowingly do something wrong, you do it even though you know it is wrong.\nHe repeated that he had never knowingly taken illegal drugs.\n  ADV: ADV before v


Words: knowledge
Meaning:
knowl.edge\n   knowledge\n1. Knowledge is information and understanding about a subject which a person has, or which all people have.\nShe told Parliament she had no knowledge of the affair.\n...the quest for scientific knowledge.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. If you say that something is true to your knowledge or to the best of your knowledge, you mean that you believe it to be true but it is possible that you do not know all the facts.\nAlec never carried a gun to my knowledge...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl/group\n\n3. If you do something safe in the knowledge that something else is the case, you do the first thing confidently because you are sure of the second thing. (WRITTEN)\nYou can let your kids play here, safe in the knowledge that they won’t get sunburn.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, usu PHR that


Words: knowledgeable
Meaning:
knowl.edge.able\n   knowledgeable\n  Someone who is knowledgeable has or shows a clear understanding of many different facts about the world or about a particular subject.\nWe employ friendly and knowledgeable staff.\n  ADJ\n  = well-informed\n=>  knowl.edge.ably\nKaspar had spoken knowledgeably about the state of agriculture in Europe.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: known
Meaning:
known\n1. Known is the past participle of know.\n\n2. You use known to describe someone or something that is clearly recognized by or familiar to all people or to a particular group of people.\n...He was a known drug dealer...\nHe became one of the best known actors of his day...\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ prep, v-link adv ADJ\n\n3. If someone or something is known for a particular achievement or feature, they are familiar to many people because of that achievement or feature.\nHe is better known for his film and TV work.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ for n/-ing\n\n4. If you let it be known that something is the case, or you let something be known, you make sure that people know it or can find out about it.\nThe Prime Minister has let it be known that he is against it...\n  PHRASE


Words: knuckle
Meaning:
knuck.le\n   knuckle  knuckles  knuckling  knuckled\n  Your knuckles are the rounded pieces of bone that form lumps on your hands where your fingers join your hands, and where your fingers bend.\nBrenda’s knuckles were white as she gripped the arms of the chair.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, oft poss N\n\na rap on the knuckles: see rap


Words: knuckle down
Meaning:
knuckle down\n  If someone knuckles down, they begin to work or study very hard, especially after a period when they have done very little work. (INFORMAL)\nThe only thing to do was knuckle down and get on with some serious hard work...\nHe managed to knuckle down to his lessons long enough to pass his examination.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P to n/-ing\n  = buckle down


Words: knuckle under
Meaning:
knuckle under\n  If you knuckle under, you do what someone else tells you to do or what a situation forces you to do, because you realize that you have no choice. (INFORMAL)\nIt is arguable whether the rebels will knuckle under...\nThe United States, he said, did not knuckle under to demands.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P to n\n  = give in, buckle under


Words: knuckle-duster
Meaning:
knuckle-duster  knuckle-dusters   also knuckleduster\n  A knuckle-duster is a piece of metal that is designed to be worn on the back of a person’s hand as a weapon, so that if they hit someone they will hurt them badly. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use brass knuckles)\n  N-COUNT


Words: koala
Meaning:
koa.la\n   koala  koalas\n  A koala or a koala bear is an Australian animal which looks like a small bear with grey fur and lives in trees.\n  N-COUNT


Words: kohl
Meaning:
kohl\n  Kohl is a cosmetic used to make a dark line along the edges of someone’s eyelids.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kohlrabi
Meaning:
kohl.ra.bi\n   kohlrabi  kohlrabi\n  Kohlrabi is a green vegetable that has a round ball of leaves like a cabbage. It has a thick stem that you boil in water before eating.\n  N-VAR


Words: kook
Meaning:
kook  kooks\n  You can refer to someone who you think is slightly strange or eccentric as a kook. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: kooky
Meaning:
kooky\n  Someone who is kooky is slightly strange or eccentric, but often in a way which makes you like them. (INFORMAL)\nIt’s slightly kooky, but I love it...\nShe’s been mocked for her kooky ways.\n  ADJ


Words: Koran
Meaning:
Ko.ran\n   Koran\n  The Koran is the sacred book on which the religion of Islam is based.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: Koranic
Meaning:
Ko.ran.ic\n   Koranic\n  Koranic is used to describe something which belongs or relates to the Koran.\n...Koranic schools.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: Korean
Meaning:
Ko.rean\n   Korean  Koreans\n1. Korean means belonging or relating to North or South Korea, or to their people, language, or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Korean is a North or South Korean citizen, or a person of North or South Korean origin.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Korean is the language spoken by people who live in North and South Korea.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kosher
Meaning:
ko.sher\n   kosher\n1. Something, especially food, that is kosher is approved of or allowed by the laws of Judaism.\n...a kosher butcher.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Something that is kosher is generally approved of or considered to be correct. (INFORMAL)\nActing was not a kosher trade for an upper-class girl.\n  ADJ


Words: kowtow
Meaning:
kow.tow\n   kowtow  kowtows  kowtowing  kowtowed   also kow-tow\n  If you say that someone kowtows to someone else, you are criticizing them because they are too eager to obey or be polite to someone in authority. (INFORMAL)\nSee how stupidly they kow-tow to persons higher in the hierarchy.\n  VERB: V to n, also V  disapproval


Words: kph
Meaning:
kph\n  kph is written after a number to indicate the speed of something such as a vehicle. kph is an abbreviation for `kilometres per hour’.


Words: Kremlin
Meaning:
Krem.lin\n   Kremlin\n  The Kremlin is the building in Moscow where Russian government business takes place.\n...a two hour meeting in the Kremlin.\n  N-PROPER: the N\n\n  The Kremlin is also used to refer to the central government of Russia and of the former Soviet Union.\nThe Kremlin is still insisting on a diplomatic solution to the crisis.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: krypton
Meaning:
kryp.ton\n   krypton\n  Krypton is an element that is found in the air in the form of a gas. It is used in fluorescent lights and lasers.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Ku Klux Klan
Meaning:
Ku Klux Klan\n  The Ku Klux Klan is a secret organization of white Protestant men in the United States which promotes violence against black people, Jews, and other minorities.\n  N-PROPER-COLL: oft the N


Words: kudos
Meaning:
ku.dos\n   kudos\n  Kudos is admiration or recognition that someone or something gets as a result of a particular action or achievement.\n...a new hotel chain that has won kudos for the way it treats guests.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: kung fu
Meaning:
kung fu\n  Kung fu is a Chinese way of fighting in which people use only their bare hands and feet.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Kuwaiti
Meaning:
Ku.wai.ti\n   Kuwaiti  Kuwaitis\n1. Kuwaiti means belonging or relating to Kuwait, or to its people or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Kuwaiti is a Kuwaiti citizen, or a person of Kuwaiti origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: L, l
Meaning:
L, l  L’s, l’s\n1. L is the twelfth letter of the English alphabet.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. L is the symbol for `learner driver’ in Britain. A large red `L’ on a white background is attached to cars in which people are learning to drive.\n  N-VAR


Words: L-plate
Meaning:
[`l plet;`el pleit]\nL-plate  L-plates\n  In Britain, L-plates are signs with a red `L’ on them which you attach to a car to warn other drivers that you are a learner.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: la-di-da
Meaning:
la-di-da   also lah-di-dah\n  If you describe someone as la-di-da, you mean that they have an upper-class way of behaving, which you think seems unnatural and is only done to impress people. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nI wouldn’t trust them in spite of all their la-di-da manners.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: La-La land
Meaning:
also La La land; la-la land\n1. People sometimes refer to Los Angeles, in particular the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, as La-La land. (HUMOROUS, INFORMAL)\n...her position as La-La land’s premiere hairdresser.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. People sometimes use La-La land to mean an imaginary place. (INFORMAL)\nFor much of the time he was in hospital, he was under sedation. `I was in La La Land,’ he said.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = cloud-cuckoo land


Words: La.
Meaning:
La. is a written abbreviation for lane, and is used especially in addresses and on maps or signs. (BRIT)\nAndy’s Records, 14-16 Lower Goat La., Norwich.


Words: lab
Meaning:
lab  labs\n1. A lab is the same as a laboratory.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. In Britain, Lab is the written abbreviation for Labour.\n...David Blunkett, MP for Sheffield (Lab).


Words: label
Meaning:
la.bel\n   label  labels  labelling  labelled\nin AM, use labeling, labeled\n1. A label is a piece of paper or plastic that is attached to an object in order to give information about it.\nHe peered at the label on the bottle.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If something is labelled, a label is attached to it giving information about it.\nThe stuff has never been properly logged and labelled...\nMeat labelled `Scotch Beef’ sells for a premium in supermarkets...\nAll the products are labelled with comprehensive instructions.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed quote, V-ed with n\n\n3. If you say that someone or something is labelled as a particular thing, you mean that people generally describe them that way and you think that this is unfair.\nToo often the press are labelled as bad boys...\nCertain estates are labelled as undesirable...\nThey are afraid to contact the social services in case they are labelled a problem family...\nIf you venture from `feminine’ standards, you are labelled aggressive and hostile.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed as n, be V-ed as adj, be V-ed n, be V-ed adj  disapproval\n  = brand\n4. If you say that someone gets a particular label, you mean that people show disapproval of them by describing them with a critical word or phrase.\nHer treatment of her husband earned her the label of the most hated woman in America.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp


Words: Labor Day
Meaning:
La.bor Day\n   Labor Day\n  In the United States, Labor Day is a public holiday in honour of working people. It is the first Monday in September.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: labor union
Meaning:
la.bor un.ion\n   labor union  labor unions\n  A labor union is an organization that represents the rights and interests of workers to their employers, for example in order to improve working conditions or wages. (AM; in BRIT, use trade union)\n  N-COUNT


Words: laboratory
Meaning:
la.bora.tory\n   laboratory  laboratories\n1. A laboratory is a building or a room where scientific experiments, analyses, and research are carried out.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A laboratory in a school, college, or university is a room containing scientific equipment where students are taught science subjects such as chemistry.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3.\n  see also language laboratory


Words: laborious
Meaning:
la.bo.ri.ous\n   laborious\n  If you describe a task or job as laborious, you mean that it takes a lot of time and effort.\nKeeping the garden tidy all year round can be a laborious task.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  la.bo.ri.ous.ly\n...the embroidery she’d worked on so laboriously during the long winter nights.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: labour
Meaning:
la.bour\n   labour  labours  labouring  laboured\nin AM, use labor\n1. Labour is very hard work, usually physical work.\n...the labour of seeding, planting and harvesting...\nThe chef at the barbecue looked up from his labours; he was sweating.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl, oft supp N\n\n  see also hard labour\n2. Someone who labours works hard using their hands.\n...peasants labouring in the fields...\nHer husband laboured at the plant for 17 years.\n  VERB: V, V\n\n3. If you labour to do something, you do it with difficulty.\nFor twenty-five years now he has laboured to build a religious community.\n...a young man who’s labouring under all kinds of other difficulties.\n  VERB: V to-inf, V under n\n  = struggle\n4. Labour is used to refer to the workers of a country or industry, considered as a group.\nLatin America lacked skilled labour...\nThey were cheap labour.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft supp N\n\n5. The work done by a group of workers or by a particular worker is referred to as their labour.\nThe unemployed cannot withdraw their labour.they have no power.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft poss N\n\n6. In Britain, people use Labour to refer to the Labour Party.\nThey all vote Labour.\n  N-PROPER-COLL\n\n7. A Labour politician or voter is a member of a Labour Party or votes for a Labour Party.\n...a Labour MP...\nMillions of Labour voters went unrepresented.\n  ADJ\n\n8. If you labour under a delusion or misapprehension, you continue to believe something which is not true.\nShe laboured under the illusion that I knew what I was doing...\nYou seem to be labouring under considerable misapprehensions.\n  VERB: V under n, V under n\n\n9. If you labour a point or an argument, you keep making the same point or saying the same thing, although it is unnecessary.\nI don’t want to labour the point but there it is.\n  VERB: V n\n\n10. Labour is the last stage of pregnancy, in which the baby is gradually pushed out of the womb by the mother.\nI thought the pains meant I was going into labour.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: labour camp
Meaning:
la.bour camp\n   labour camp  labour camps\nin AM, use labor camp\n  A labour camp is a kind of prison, where the prisoners are forced to do hard, physical work, usually outdoors.\n  N-COUNT


Words: labour force
Meaning:
la.bour force\n   labour force  labour forces\n  The labour force consists of all the people who are able to work in a country or area, or all the people who work for a particular company. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: labour market
Meaning:
la.bour mar.ket\n   labour market  labour markets\n  When you talk about the labour market, you are referring to all the people who are able to work and want jobs in a country or area, in relation to the number of jobs there are available in that country or area. (BUSINESS)\nThe longer people have been unemployed, the harder it is for them to compete in the labour market.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: Labour Party
Meaning:
La.bour Par.ty\n   Labour Party\n  In Britain, the Labour Party is the main left-of-centre party. It believes that wealth and power should be shared fairly and public services should be free for everyone.\nThe Labour Party and the teaching unions condemned the idea.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: labour relations
Meaning:
la.bour re.la.tions\n\nin AM use labor relations\n  Labour relations refers to the relationship between employers and employees in industry, and the political decisions and laws that affect it.\nWe have to balance good labor relations against the need to cut costs.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: labour-intensive
Meaning:
labour-intensive\n  Labour-intensive industries or methods of making things involve a lot of workers. Compare capital-intensive. (BUSINESS)\nConstruction remains a relatively labour-intensive industry.\n  ADJ


Words: labour-saving
Meaning:
labour-saving\n  A labour-saving device or idea makes it possible for you to do something with less effort than usual.\n...labour-saving devices such as washing machines.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: laboured
Meaning:
la.boured\n   laboured\n1. If someone’s breathing is laboured, it is slow and seems to take a lot of effort.\nFrom his slow walk and laboured breathing, Ginny realized he was far from well.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If something such as someone’s writing or speech is laboured, they have put too much effort into it so it seems awkward and unnatural.\nDaniel’s few encounters with Gold had been characterized by a laboured politeness.\n  ADJ


Words: labourer
Meaning:
la.bour.er\n   labourer  labourers\nin AM, use laborer\n  A labourer is a person who does a job which involves a lot of hard physical work.\nHer husband had been a farm labourer.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N


Words: labrador
Meaning:
lab.ra.dor\n   labrador  labradors   or labrador retriever; Labrador retriever\n  A labrador or labrador retriever is a type of large dog with short, thick black or gold hair.\n  N-COUNT


Words: laburnum
Meaning:
la.bur.num\n   laburnum  laburnums\n  A laburnum or a laburnum tree is a small tree which has long stems of yellow flowers.\n  N-VAR


Words: labyrinth
Meaning:
laby.rinth\n   labyrinth  labyrinths\n1. If you describe a place as a labyrinth, you mean that it is made up of a complicated series of paths or passages, through which it is difficult to find your way. (LITERARY)\n...the labyrinth of corridors.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n  = maze\n2. If you describe a situation, process, or area of knowledge as a labyrinth, you mean that it is very complicated. (FORMAL)\n...a labyrinth of conflicting political and sociological interpretations.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n  = maze


Words: labyrinthine
Meaning:
laby.rin.thine\n   labyrinthine\n1. If you describe a place as labyrinthine, you mean that it is like a labyrinth. (FORMAL)\nThe streets of the Old City are narrow and labyrinthine.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If you describe a situation, process, or field of knowledge as labyrinthine, you mean that it is very complicated and difficult to understand. (FORMAL)\n...his failure to understand the labyrinthine complexities of the situation.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: lace
Meaning:
lace  laces  lacing  laced\n1. Lace is a very delicate cloth which is made with a lot of holes in it. It is made by twisting together very fine threads of cotton to form patterns.\n...a plain white lace bedspread.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Laces are thin pieces of material that are put through special holes in some types of clothing, especially shoes. The laces are tied together in order to tighten the clothing.\nBarry was sitting on the bed, tying the laces of an old pair of running shoes.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n3. If you lace something such as a pair of shoes, you tighten the shoes by pulling the laces through the holes, and usually tying them together.\nI have a good pair of skates, but no matter how tightly I lace them, my ankles wobble.\n  VERB: V n\n  = tie\n  Lace up means the same as lace.\nHe sat on the steps, and laced up his boots...\nNancy was lacing her shoe up when the doorbell rang.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n4. To lace food or drink with a substance such as alcohol or a drug means to put a small amount of the substance into the food or drink.\nShe laced his food with sleeping pills.\n  VERB: V n with n


Words: lace-ups
Meaning:
lace-ups\n  Lace-ups are shoes which are fastened with laces. (BRIT)\nSlip-on shoes are easier to put on than lace-ups...\nHe was wearing black lace-up shoes.\n  N-PLURAL\n  The form lace-up is used as a modifier.


Words: lacerate
Meaning:
lac.er.ate\n   lacerate  lacerates  lacerating  lacerated\n  If something lacerates your skin, it cuts it badly and deeply.\nIts claws lacerated his thighs.\n  VERB: V n, also V\n\n=>  lac.er.ated\nShe was suffering from a badly lacerated hand.\n  ADJ


Words: laceration
Meaning:
lac.era.tion\n   laceration  lacerations\n  Lacerations are deep cuts on your skin.\nHe had lacerations on his back and thighs.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, oft N prep


Words: lachrymose
Meaning:
lach.ry.mose\n   lachrymose\n  Someone who is lachrymose cries very easily and very often. (LITERARY)\n...the tears of lachrymose mourners.\n  ADJ


Words: lack
Meaning:
lack  lacks  lacking  lacked\n1. If there is a lack of something, there is not enough of it or it does not exist at all.\nDespite his lack of experience, he got the job...\nThe charges were dropped for lack of evidence...\nThere is a lack of people wanting to start up new businesses.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N, usu N of n\n\n2. If you say that someone or something lacks a particular quality or that a particular quality is lacking in them, you mean that they do not have any or enough of it.\nHe lacked the judgment and political acumen for the post of chairman...\nCertain vital information is lacking in the report.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n3.\n  see also lacking\n4. If you say there is no lack of something, you are emphasizing that there is a great deal of it.\nHe said there was no lack of things for them to talk about...\n  PHRASE: PHR n, usu v-link PHR, v PHR  emphasis


Words: lackadaisical
Meaning:
lacka.dai.si.cal\n   lackadaisical\n  If you say that someone is lackadaisical, you mean that they are rather lazy and do not show much interest or enthusiasm in what they do.\nDr. Jonsen seemed a little lackadaisical at times.\n...the lackadaisical attitude of a number of the principal players.\n  ADJ


Words: lackey
Meaning:
lack.ey\n   lackey  lackeys\n  If you describe someone as a lackey, you are critical of them because they follow someone’s orders completely, without ever questioning them.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: lacking
Meaning:
lack.ing\n   lacking\n  If something or someone is lacking in a particular quality, they do not have any of it or enough of it.\nShe felt nervous, increasingly lacking in confidence about herself...\nWhy was military intelligence so lacking?\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ in n\n\n  see also lack


Words: lacklustre
Meaning:
lack.lustre\n   lacklustre\nin AM, use lackluster\n  If you describe something or someone as lacklustre, you mean that they are not exciting or energetic.\nHe has already been blamed for his party’s lackluster performance during the election campaign.\n  ADJ


Words: laconic
Meaning:
la.con.ic\n   laconic\n  If you describe someone as laconic, you mean that they use very few words to say something, so that they seem casual or unfriendly.\nUsually so laconic in the office, Dr. Lahey seemed less guarded, more relaxed...\n  ADJ


Words: lacquer
Meaning:
lac.quer\n   lacquer  lacquers\n  Lacquer is a special liquid which is painted on wood or metal in order to protect it and to make it shiny.\nWe put on the second coating of lacquer...\nOnly the finest lacquers are used for finishes.\n  N-MASS


Words: lacquered
Meaning:
lac.quered\n   lacquered\n  Lacquered is used to describe things that have been coated or sprayed with lacquer.\n...17th-century lacquered cabinets.\n...perfectly lacquered hair and face powder.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: lacrosse
Meaning:
la.crosse\n   lacrosse\n  Lacrosse is an outdoor game in which players use long sticks with nets at the end to catch and throw a small ball, in order to try and score goals.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lactation
Meaning:
lac.ta.tion\n   lactation\n  Lactation is the production of milk by women and female mammals during the period after they give birth. (FORMAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lactic acid
Meaning:
lac.tic acid\n   lactic acid\n  Lactic acid is a type of acid which is found in sour milk and is also produced by your muscles when you have been exercising a lot.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lactose
Meaning:
lac.tose\n   lactose\n  Lactose is a type of sugar which is found in milk and which is sometimes added to food.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lacuna
Meaning:
la.cu.na\n   lacuna  lacunae\n  If you say that there is a lacuna in something such as a document or a person’s argument, you mean that it does not deal with an important issue and is therefore not effective or convincing. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lacy
Meaning:
lacy  lacier  laciest\n1. Lacy things are made from lace or have pieces of lace attached to them.\n...lacy nightgowns.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Lacy is used to describe something that looks like lace, especially because it is very delicate.\n...lacy ferns.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: lad
Meaning:
lad  lads\n1. A lad is a young man or boy. (INFORMAL)\nWhen I was a lad his age I would laugh at the strangest things...\nCome along, lad. Time for you to get home.\n  N-COUNT; N-VOC\n\n2. Some men refer to their male friends or colleagues as the lads. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n...a drink with the lads...\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: ladder
Meaning:
lad.der\n   ladder  ladders\n1. A ladder is a piece of equipment used for climbing up something or down from something. It consists of two long pieces of wood, metal, or rope with steps fixed between them.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can use the ladder to refer to something such as a society, organization, or system which has different levels that people can progress up or drop down.\nIf they want to climb the ladder of success they should be given that opportunity...\n  N-SING: the N, usu with supp\n\n3. A ladder is a hole or torn part in a woman’s stocking or tights, where some of the vertical threads have broken, leaving only the horizontal threads. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use run)\n  N-COUNT


Words: laddie
Meaning:
lad.die\n   laddie  laddies\n  A laddie is a young man or boy. (mainly SCOTTISH INFORMAL)\n...this little laddie, aged about four...\nNow then, laddie, what’s the trouble?\n  N-COUNT; N-VOC


Words: laddish
Meaning:
lad.dish\n   laddish\n  If you describe someone as laddish, you mean that they behave in a way that people think is typical of young men, for example by being rough and noisy, drinking a lot of alcohol, and having a bad attitude towards women.\nTheir manager is unconcerned at the laddish image and the drinking that goes with it.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: laden
Meaning:
lad.en\n   laden\n1. If someone or something is laden with a lot of heavy things, they are holding or carrying them. (LITERARY)\nI came home laden with cardboard boxes...\n...heavily-laden mules.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with n\n\n2. If you describe a person or thing as laden with something, particularly something bad, you mean that they have a lot of it.\nMany of their heavy industries are laden with debt.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ with n


Words: ladette
Meaning:
lad.ette\n   ladette ladettes\n  A ladette is a young woman whose behaviour is regarded as typical of young men, for example because she drinks a lot of alcohol, swears, and behaves badly in public. (BRIT JOURNALISM)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: ladies’ man
Meaning:
ladies’ man\n  If you say that a man is a ladies’ man, you mean that he enjoys spending time socially with women and that women find him attractive. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-SING: usu a N


Words: ladies’ room
Meaning:
ladies’ room\n  Some people refer to a public toilet for women as the ladies’ room.\n  N-SING: usu the N\n  = ladies


Words: ladle
Meaning:
la.dle\n   ladle  ladles  ladling  ladled\n1. A ladle is a large, round, deep spoon with a long handle, used for serving soup, stew, or sauce.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you ladle food such as soup or stew, you serve it, especially with a ladle.\nBarry held the bowls while Liz ladled soup into them...\nMrs King went to the big black stove and ladled out steaming soup.\n  VERB: V n prep, V n with adv, also V n


Words: lady
Meaning:
lady  ladies\n1. You can use lady when you are referring to a woman, especially when you are showing politeness or respect.\nShe’s a very sweet old lady...\n...a lady doctor.\n...a cream-coloured lady’s shoe.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also old lady\n2. You can say `ladies’ when you are addressing a group of women in a formal and respectful way.\nYour table is ready, ladies, if you’d care to come through...\nGood afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.\n  N-VOC  politeness\n\n3. A lady is a woman from the upper classes, especially in former times.\nOur governess was told to make sure we knew how to talk like English ladies.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. In Britain, Lady is a title used in front of the names of some female members of the nobility, or the wives of knights.\nMy dear Lady Mary, how very good to see you.\n  N-TITLE\n\n5. If you say that a woman is a lady, you mean that she behaves in a polite, dignified, and graceful way.\nHis wife was great as well, beautiful-looking and a real lady...\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. People sometimes refer to a public toilet for women as the ladies. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nAt Temple station, Charlotte rushed into the Ladies.\n  N-SING: usu the N\n\n7. `Lady’ is sometimes used by men as a form of address when they are talking to a woman that they do not know, especially in shops and in the street. (AM INFORMAL)\nWhat seems to be the trouble, lady?...\n  N-VOC  politeness\n\n8.\n  see also First Lady, Our Lady


Words: lady friend
Meaning:
lady friend  lady friends\n  A man’s lady friend is the woman with whom he is having a romantic or sexual relationship. (BRIT OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N


Words: lady-in-waiting
Meaning:
lady-in-waiting  ladies-in-waiting\n  A lady-in-waiting is a woman whose job is to help a queen or princess.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lady-killer
Meaning:
lady-killer  lady-killers\n  If you refer to a man as a lady-killer, you mean that you think he is very successful at attracting women but quickly leaves them. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: ladybird
Meaning:
lady.bird\n   ladybird  ladybirds\n  A ladybird is a small round beetle that is red with black spots. (BRIT; in AM, use ladybug)\n  N-COUNT


Words: ladylike
Meaning:
lady.like\n   ladylike\n  If you say that a woman or girl is ladylike, you mean that she behaves in a polite, dignified, and graceful way.\nI hate to be blunt, Frankie, but she just didn’t strike me as being very ladylike...\nShe crossed the room with quick, ladylike steps.\n  ADJ


Words: Ladyship
Meaning:
Lady.ship\n   Ladyship  Ladyships\n  In Britain, you use the expressions Your Ladyship, Her Ladyship, or Their Ladyships when you are addressing or referring to female members of the nobility or the wives of knights.\nHer Ladyship’s expecting you, sir.\n  N-VOC; N-PROPER: det-poss N  politeness


Words: lag
Meaning:
lag  lags  lagging  lagged\n1. If one thing or person lags behind another thing or person, their progress is slower than that of the other.\nBritain still lags behind most of Europe in its provisions for women who want time off to have babies...\nThe restructuring of the pattern of consumption in Britain also lagged behind...\nHe now lags 10 points behind the champion...\nA poll for the Observer showed Labour on 39 per cent with the Tories lagging a point behind...\nHague was lagging badly in the polls.\n  VERB: V behind n, V behind, V amount behind n, V amount behind, V\n\n2. A time lag or a lag of a particular length of time is a period of time between one event and another related event.\nThere’s a time lag between infection with HIV and developing AIDS...\nPrice rises have matched rises in the money supply with a lag of two or three months.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n3. If you lag the inside of a roof, a pipe, or a water tank, you cover it with a special material in order to prevent heat escaping from it or to prevent it from freezing. (mainly BRIT)\nIf you have to take the floorboards up, take the opportunity to lag any pipes at the same time...\nWater tanks should be well lagged and the roof well insulated.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n  see also lagging


Words: lager
Meaning:
la.ger\n   lager  lagers\n  Lager is a type of light beer. (BRIT)\n...a pint of lager...\nHe claims to sell the widest range of beers and lagers in the world.\n  N-MASS\n\n  A glass of lager can be referred to as a lager.\nHewitt ordered a lager.\n  N-COUNT


Words: laggard
Meaning:
lag.gard\n   laggard  laggards\n  If you describe a country, company, or product as a laggard, you mean that it is not performing as well as its competitors.\nThe company has developed a reputation as a technological laggard in the personal-computer arena.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lagging
Meaning:
lag.ging\n   lagging\n  Lagging is special material which is used to cover pipes, water tanks, or the inside of a roof so that heat does not escape from them or so they do not freeze. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lagoon
Meaning:
la.goon\n   lagoon  lagoons\n  A lagoon is an area of calm sea water that is separated from the ocean by a line of rock or sand.\n  N-COUNT


Words: laid-back
Meaning:
laid-back\n  If you describe someone as laid-back, you mean that they behave in a calm relaxed way as if nothing will ever worry them. (INFORMAL)\nNothing worried him, he was really laid back...\n  ADJ


Words: lair
Meaning:
lair  lairs\n1. A lair is a place where a wild animal lives, usually a place which is underground or well-hidden.\n...a fox’s lair.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss\n\n2. Someone’s lair is the particular room or hiding place that they go to, especially when they want to get away from other people. (INFORMAL)\nThe village was once a pirates’ lair.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss


Words: laissez-faire
Meaning:
laissez-faire\n  Laissez-faire is the policy which is based on the idea that governments and the law should not interfere with business, finance, or the conditions of people’s working lives. (BUSINESS)\n...a policy of laissez faire.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: laity
Meaning:
la.ity\n   laity\n  The laity are all the people involved in the work of a church who are not clergymen, monks, or nuns.\nThe Church and the laity were increasingly active in charity work...\nClergy and laity alike are divided in their views.\n  N-SING-COLL: also no det


Words: lake
Meaning:
lake  lakes\n  A lake is a large area of fresh water, surrounded by land.\nThey can go fishing in the lake...\nThe Nile flows from Lake Victoria in East Africa north to the Mediterranean Sea.\n  N-COUNT: oft in names


Words: lakeside
Meaning:
lake.side\n   lakeside\n  The lakeside is the area of land around the edge of a lake.\nThey were out by the lakeside a lot.\n...the picturesque Italian lakeside town of Lugano.\n  N-SING


Words: lam
Meaning:
lam\n  If someone is on the lam or if they go on the lam, they are trying to escape or hide from someone such as the police or an enemy. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nHe was on the lam for seven years.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v


Words: lamb
Meaning:
lamb  lambs\n1. A lamb is a young sheep.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  Lamb is the flesh of a lamb eaten as food.\nLaura was basting the leg of lamb.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. People sometimes use lamb when they are addressing or referring to someone who they are fond of and who is young, gentle, or unfortunate.\nShe came and put her arms around me. `You poor lamb. What’s wrong?’\n  N-COUNT  feelings\n\n3.\nmutton dressed as lamb: see mutton


Words: lambast
Meaning:
lam.bast\n   lambast  lambasts  lambasting  lambasted\nin AM, usually use lambaste\n  If you lambast someone, you criticize them severely, usually in public. (FORMAL)\nGrey took every opportunity to lambast Thompson and his organization.\n  VERB: V n


Words: lambing
Meaning:
lamb.ing\n   lambing\n  Lambing is the time in the spring when female sheep give birth to lambs.\n...the lambing season.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: lame
Meaning:
lame  lamer  lamest\n1. If someone is lame, they are unable to walk properly because of damage to one or both of their legs.\nHe was aware that she was lame in one leg...\nDavid had to pull out of the Championships when his horse went lame.\n  ADJ\n\n  The lame are people who are lame.\n... the wounded and the lame of the last war.\n  N-PLURAL: the N\n\n2. If you describe something, for example an excuse, argument, or remark, as lame, you mean that it is poor or weak.\nHe mumbled some lame excuse about having gone to sleep...\nAll our theories sound pretty lame.\n  ADJ\n  = weak, feeble\n=>  lame.ly\n`Lovely house,’ I said lamely.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\nlame\n  Lame is cloth that has threads of gold or silver woven into it, which make it reflect light.\n...a silver lame dress.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N


Words: lame duck
Meaning:
lame duck  lame ducks\n1. If you describe someone or something as a lame duck, you are critical of them because they are not successful and need to be helped a lot.\n...lame-duck industries.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n  disapproval\n\n2. If you refer to a politician or a government as a lame duck, you mean that they have little real power, for example because their period of office is coming to an end.\n...a lame duck government.\n  N-COUNT: usu N n


Words: lament
Meaning:
la.ment\n   lament  laments  lamenting  lamented\n1. If you lament something, you express your sadness, regret, or disappointment about it. (mainly FORMAL or WRITTEN)\nKen began to lament the death of his only son...\nHe laments that people in Villa El Salvador are suspicious of the police...\n`Prices are down 40 per cent since Christmas,’ he lamented.\n  VERB: V n, V that, V with quote, also V\n\n2. Someone’s lament is an expression of their sadness, regret, or disappointment about something. (mainly FORMAL or WRITTEN)\nShe spoke of the professional woman’s lament that a woman’s judgment is questioned more than a man’s.\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss\n\n3. A lament is a poem, song, or piece of music which expresses sorrow that someone has died.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lamentable
Meaning:
lam.en.table\n   lamentable\n  If you describe something as lamentable, you mean that it is very unfortunate or disappointing. (LITERARY)\nThis lamentable state of affairs lasted until 1947...\nHis command of English was lamentable.\n  ADJ  feelings\n\n=>  lam.en.tably\nThere are still lamentably few women surgeons...\nThey have failed lamentably...\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV with v, ADV with cl


Words: lamentation
Meaning:
la.men.ta.tion\n   lamentation  lamentations\n  A lamentation is an expression of great sorrow. (FORMAL)\nIt was a time for mourning and lamentation.\n...special prayers and lamentations.\n  N-VAR


Words: laminate
Meaning:
lami.nate\n   laminate  laminates\n  A laminate is a tough material that is made by sticking together two or more layers of a particular substance.\n  N-MASS


Words: laminated
Meaning:
lami.nat.ed\n   laminated\n1. Material such as wood or plastic that is laminated consists of several thin sheets or layers that are stuck together.\nModern windscreens are made from laminated glass.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. A product that is laminated is covered with a thin sheet of something, especially clear or coloured plastic, in order to protect it.\nThe photographs were mounted on laminated cards.\n...laminated work surfaces.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: lamp
Meaning:
lamp  lamps\n1. A lamp is a light that works by using electricity or by burning oil or gas.\nShe switched on the bedside lamp...\nIn the evenings we eat by the light of an oil lamp.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A lamp is an electrical device which produces a special type of light or heat, used especially in medical or beauty treatment.\n...a sun lamp.\n...the use of infra-red lamps.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N


Words: lamp-post
Meaning:
lamp-post  lamp-posts   also lamppost\n  A lamp-post is a tall metal or concrete pole that is fixed beside a road and has a light at the top. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use street lamp, street light)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lamplight
Meaning:
lamp.light\n   lamplight\n  Lamplight is the light produced by a lamp.\nHer cheeks glowed red in the lamplight.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lampoon
Meaning:
lam.poon\n   lampoon  lampoons  lampooning  lampooned\n1. If you lampoon someone or something, you criticize them very strongly, using humorous means.\nHe was lampooned for his short stature and political views.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. A lampoon is a piece of writing or speech which criticizes someone or something very strongly, using humorous means.\n...his scathing lampoons of consumer culture...\nThe style Shelley is using here is that of popular lampoon.\n  N-VAR


Words: lampshade
Meaning:
lamp.shade\n   lampshade  lampshades\n  A lampshade is a covering that is fitted round or over an electric light bulb in order to protect it or decorate it, or to make the light less harsh.\n  N-COUNT\n  = shade


Words: LAN
Meaning:
LAN LANs\n  A LAN is a group of personal computers and associated equipment that are linked by cable, for example in an office building, and that share a communications line. LAN is an abbreviation for `local area network’. (COMPUTING)\nYou can take part in multiplayer games either on a LAN network or via the internet.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lance
Meaning:
lance  lances  lancing  lanced\n1. If a boil on someone’s body is lanced, a small cut is made in it so that the liquid inside comes out. (MEDICAL)\nIt is a painful experience having the boil lanced.\n  VERB: usu passive, have n V-ed, also be V-ed\n\n2. A lance is a long spear used in former times by soldiers on horseback.\n...the clang of lances striking armour.\n  N-COUNT


Words: land
Meaning:
land  lands  landing  landed\n1. Land is an area of ground, especially one that is used for a particular purpose such as farming or building.\nGood agricultural land is in short supply.\n...160 acres of land.\n...a small piece of grazing land.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You can refer to an area of land which someone owns as their land or their lands.\nTheir home is on his father’s land...\nHis lands were poorly farmed.\n  N-COUNT: poss N\n\n3. If you talk about the land, you mean farming and the way of life in farming areas, in contrast to life in the cities.\nLiving off the land was hard enough at the best of times.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n4. Land is the part of the world that consists of ground, rather than sea or air.\nIt isn’t clear whether the plane went down over land or sea.\n...a stretch of sandy beach that was almost inaccessible from the land.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N\n\n5. You can use land to refer to a country in a poetic or emotional way. (LITERARY)\n...America, land of opportunity.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n6. When someone or something lands, they come down to the ground after moving through the air or falling.\nThree mortar shells had landed close to a crowd of people.\n  VERB: V\n\n7. When someone lands a plane, ship, or spacecraft, or when it lands, it arrives somewhere after a journey.\nThe jet landed after a flight of just under three hours...\nThe crew finally landed the plane on its belly on the soft part of the runway.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n8. To land goods somewhere means to unload them there at the end of a journey, especially by ship. (mainly BRIT)\nThe vessels will have to land their catch at designated ports.\n  VERB: V n\n\n9. If you land in an unpleasant situation or place or if something lands you in it, something causes you to be in it. (INFORMAL)\nHe landed in a psychiatric ward...\nThis is not the first time his exploits have landed him in trouble.\n  VERB: V in n, V n in n\n\n10. If someone or something lands you with a difficult situation, they cause you to have to deal with the difficulties involved. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nThe other options simply complicate the situation and could land him with more expense.\n  VERB: V n with n\n  = saddle, lumber with\n11. If something lands somewhere, it arrives there unexpectedly, often causing problems. (INFORMAL)\nTwo days later the book had already landed on his desk...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n  = arrive\n12. If you land something that is difficult to get and that many people want, you are successful in getting it. (INFORMAL)\nHe landed a place on the graduate training scheme...\nHis flair with hair soon landed him a part-time job at his local barbers.\n  VERB: V n, V n n\n\n13.\nto land on your feet: see foot


Words: land mass
Meaning:
land mass  land masses   also landmass\n  A land mass is a very large area of land such as a continent.\n...the Antarctic landmass.\n...the country’s large land mass of 768 million hectares.\n  N-COUNT


Words: land reform
Meaning:
land re.form\n   land reform  land reforms\n  Land reform is a change in the system of land ownership, especially when it involves giving land to the people who actually farm it and taking it away from people who own large areas for profit.\n...the new land reform policy under which thousands of peasant families are to be resettled.\n  N-VAR


Words: land registry
Meaning:
land reg.is.try\n   land registry  land registries\n  In Britain, a land registry is a government office where records are kept about each area of land in a country or region, including information about who owns it.\n  N-COUNT


Words: land up
Meaning:
land up\n  If you say that you land up in a place or situation, you mean that you arrive there after a long journey or at the end of a long series of events. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nHalf of those who went east seem to have landed up in southern India...\nWe landed up at the Las Vegas at about 6.30.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P prep/adv, V P prep/adv\n  = end up, wind up


Words: landed
Meaning:
land.ed\n   landed\n  Landed means owning or including a large amount of land, especially land that has belonged to the same family for several generations.\nMost of them were the nobility and the landed gentry.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: landfall
Meaning:
land.fall\n   landfall  landfalls\n  Landfall is the act of arriving somewhere after a journey at sea, or the land that you arrive at.\nBy the time we had made landfall the boat looked ten years older!\n  N-VAR


Words: landfill
Meaning:
land.fill\n   landfill  landfills\n1. Landfill is a method of getting rid of very large amounts of rubbish by burying it in a large deep hole.\n...the environmental costs of landfill.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A landfill is a large deep hole in which very large amounts of rubbish are buried.\nThe rubbish in modern landfills does not rot.\n...the cost of disposing of refuse in landfill sites.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: landing
Meaning:
land.ing\n   landing  landings\n1. In a house or other building, the landing is the area at the top of the staircase which has rooms leading off it.\nI ran out onto the landing.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing\n\n2. A landing is an act of bringing an aircraft or spacecraft down to the ground.\nI had to make a controlled landing into the sea...\nThe plane had been cleared for landing at Brunswick’s Glynco Airport.\n  N-VAR\n\n3. When a landing takes place, troops are unloaded from boats or aircraft at the beginning of a military invasion or other operation.\nAmerican forces have begun a big landing.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A landing is the same as a landing stage.\n  N-COUNT


Words: landing craft
Meaning:
land.ing craft\n   landing craft  landing craft\n  A landing craft is a small boat designed for the landing of troops and equipment on the shore.\n  N-COUNT


Words: landing gear
Meaning:
land.ing gear\n   landing gear\n  The landing gear of an aircraft is its wheels and the structures that support the wheels.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: landing stage
Meaning:
land.ing stage\n   landing stage  landing stages   also landing-stage\n  A landing stage is a platform built over water where boats stop to let people get off, or to load or unload goods. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT\n  = jetty, landing


Words: landing strip
Meaning:
land.ing strip\n   landing strip  landing strips\n  A landing strip is a long flat piece of land from which aircraft can take off and land, especially one used only by private or military aircraft.\n  N-COUNT


Words: landlady
Meaning:
land.lady\n   landlady  landladies\n1. Someone’s landlady is the woman who allows them to live or work in a building which she owns, in return for rent.\nWe had been made homeless by our landlady.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The landlady of a pub is the woman who owns or runs it, or the wife of the man who owns or runs it. (BRIT)\n...Bet, the landlady of the Rovers Return.\n  N-COUNT


Words: landless
Meaning:
land.less\n   landless\n  Someone who is landless is prevented from owning the land that they farm.\n...landless peasants.\n  ADJ\n\n  The landless are people who are landless.\nWe are giving an equal area of land to the landless.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: landlocked
Meaning:
land.locked\n   landlocked   also land-locked\n  A landlocked country is surrounded by other countries and does not have its own ports.\n...the landlocked West African nation of Mali.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: landlord
Meaning:
land.lord\n   landlord  landlords\n1. Someone’s landlord is the man who allows them to live or work in a building which he owns, in return for rent.\nHis landlord doubled the rent.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The landlord of a pub is the man who owns or runs it, or the husband of the woman who owns or runs it. (mainly BRIT)\nThe landlord refused to serve him because he considered him too drunk.\n  N-COUNT


Words: landlubber
Meaning:
land.lubber\n   landlubber  landlubbers\n  A landlubber is someone who is not used to or does not like travelling by boat, and has little knowledge of boats and the sea. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: landmark
Meaning:
land.mark\n   landmark  landmarks\n1. A landmark is a building or feature which is easily noticed and can be used to judge your position or the position of other buildings or features.\nThe Ambassador Hotel is a Los Angeles landmark.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can refer to an important stage in the development of something as a landmark.\n...a landmark arms control treaty...\nThe baby was one of the big landmarks in our relationship.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n, N in n


Words: landmine
Meaning:
land.mine\n   landmine  landmines   also land mine\n  A landmine is an explosive device which is placed on or under the ground and explodes when a person or vehicle touches it.\n  N-COUNT\n  = mine


Words: landowner
Meaning:
land.owner\n   landowner  landowners\n  A landowner is a person who owns land, especially a large amount of land.\n...rural communities involved in conflicts with large landowners.\n  N-COUNT


Words: landowning
Meaning:
land.owning\n   landowning\n  Landowning is used to describe people who own a lot of land, especially when they are considered as a group within society.\n...the Anglo-Irish landowning class.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: landscape
Meaning:
land.scape\n   landscape  landscapes  landscaping  landscaped\n1. The landscape is everything you can see when you look across an area of land, including hills, rivers, buildings, trees, and plants.\n...Arizona’s desert landscape...\nWe moved to Northamptonshire and a new landscape of hedges and fields.\n  N-VAR: oft supp N\n\n2. A landscape is all the features that are important in a particular situation.\nJune’s events completely altered the political landscape.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n3. A landscape is a painting which shows a scene in the countryside.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If an area of land is landscaped, it is changed to make it more attractive, for example by adding streams or ponds and planting trees and bushes.\nThe gravel pits have been landscaped and planted to make them attractive to wildfowl...\nThey had landscaped their property with trees, shrubs, and lawns.\n...a smart suburb of landscaped gardens and wide streets.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n with n, V-ed, also V n\n\n=>  land.scap.ing\nThe landowner insisted on a high standard of landscaping.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: landscape architect
Meaning:
land.scape archi.tect\n   landscape architect  landscape architects\n  A landscape architect is the same as a landscape gardener.\n  N-COUNT


Words: landscape gardener
Meaning:
land.scape gar.den.er\n   landscape gardener  landscape gardeners\n  A landscape gardener is a person who designs gardens or parks so that they look attractive.\n  N-COUNT


Words: landslide
Meaning:
land.slide\n   landslide  landslides\n1. A landslide is a victory in an election in which a person or political party gets far more votes or seats than their opponents.\nHe won last month’s presidential election by a landslide...\nThe NLD won a landslide victory in the elections five months ago.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A landslide is a large amount of earth and rocks falling down a cliff or the side of a mountain.\nThe storm caused landslides and flooding in Savona.\n  N-COUNT


Words: landslip
Meaning:
land.slip\n   landslip  landslips\n  A landslip is a small movement of soil and rocks down a slope. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use slide, mudslide)\nRoads were flooded or blocked by landslips.\n  N-COUNT


Words: landward
Meaning:
land.ward\n   landward\n  The landward side of something is the side nearest to the land or facing the land, rather than the sea.\nRebels surrounded the city’s landward sides.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: lane
Meaning:
lane  lanes\n1. A lane is a narrow road, especially in the country.\n...a quiet country lane...\nFollow the lane to the river.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Lane is also used in the names of roads, either in cities or in the country.\n...The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane.\n  N-IN-NAMES\n\n3. A lane is a part of a main road which is marked by the edge of the road and a painted line, or by two painted lines.\nThe lorry was travelling at 20mph in the slow lane...\nI pulled out into the eastbound lane of Route 2.\n  N-COUNT: usu adj N\n\n4. At a swimming pool or athletics track, a lane is a long narrow section which is marked by lines or ropes.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. A lane is a route that is frequently used by aircraft or ships.\nThe collision took place in the busiest shipping lanes in the world.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N


Words: language
Meaning:
lan.guage\n   language  languages\n1. A language is a system of communication which consists of a set of sounds and written symbols which are used by the people of a particular country or region for talking or writing.\n...the English language...\nStudents are expected to master a second language...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Language is the use of a system of communication which consists of a set of sounds or written symbols.\nStudents examined how children acquire language...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. You can refer to the words used in connection with a particular subject as the language of that subject.\n...the language of business.\n  N-UNCOUNT: the N of n, supp N\n\n4. You can refer to someone’s use of rude words or swearing as bad language when you find it offensive.\nTelevision companies tend to censor bad language in feature films...\nThere’s a girl gonna be in the club, so you guys watch your language.\n  N-UNCOUNT: adj N, poss N\n\n5. The language of a piece of writing or speech is the style in which it is written or spoken.\n...a booklet summarising it in plain language...\nThe tone of his language was diplomatic and polite...\n  N-UNCOUNT: with supp\n\n6. You can use language to refer to various means of communication involving recognizable symbols, non-verbal sounds, or actions.\nSome sign languages are very sophisticated means of communication.\n...the digital language of computers.\n  N-VAR: supp N, N of n


Words: language laboratory
Meaning:
lan.guage la.bora.tory\n   language laboratory  language laboratories\n  A language laboratory is a classroom equipped with tape recorders or computers where people can practise listening to and talking foreign languages.\n  N-COUNT


Words: languid
Meaning:
lan.guid\n   languid\n  If you describe someone as languid, you mean that they show little energy or interest and are very slow and casual in their movements. (LITERARY)\nTo his delight a familiar, tall, languid figure lowered itself down the steps of a club.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  lan.guid.ly\nWe sat about languidly after dinner...\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: languish
Meaning:
lan.guish\n   languish  languishes  languishing  languished\n1. If someone languishes somewhere, they are forced to remain and suffer in an unpleasant situation.\nPollard continues to languish in prison...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n2. If something languishes, it is not successful, often because of a lack of effort or because of a lot of difficulties.\nWithout the founder’s drive and direction, the company gradually languished...\n  VERB: V


Words: languor
Meaning:
lan.guor\n   languor\n  Languor is a pleasant feeling of being relaxed and not having any energy or interest in anything. (LITERARY)\nShe, in her languor, had not troubled to eat much.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: languorous
Meaning:
lan.guor.ous\n   languorous\n  If you describe an activity as languorous, you mean that it is lazy, relaxed, and not energetic, usually in a pleasant way. (LITERARY)\n...languorous morning coffees on the terrace.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: lank
Meaning:
lank\n  If someone’s hair is lank, it is long and perhaps greasy and hangs in a dull and unattractive way.\n  ADJ


Words: lanky
Meaning:
lanky  lankier  lankiest\n  If you describe someone as lanky, you mean that they are tall and thin and move rather awkwardly.\nHe was six feet four, all lanky and leggy.\n  ADJ


Words: lantern
Meaning:
lan.tern\n   lantern  lanterns\n  A lantern is a lamp in a metal frame with glass sides and with a handle on top so you can carry it.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Laotian
Meaning:
Lao.tian\n   Laotian  Laotians\n1. Laotian means belonging or relating to Laos, or its people, language, or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Laotian is a Laotian citizen, or a person of Laotian origin.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Laotian is the language spoken by people who live in Laos.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lap
Meaning:
lap  laps  lapping  lapped\n1. If you have something on your lap when you are sitting down, it is on top of your legs and near to your body.\nShe waited quietly with her hands in her lap...\nHugh glanced at the child on her mother’s lap.\n  N-COUNT: poss N\n\n2. In a race, a competitor completes a lap when they have gone round a course once.\n...that last lap of the race...\nOn lap two, Baker edged forward.\n  N-COUNT: usu ord/adj N, N num\n\n3. In a race, if you lap another competitor, you go past them while they are still on the previous lap.\nHe was caught out while lapping a slower rider.\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. A lap of a long journey is one part of it, between two points where you stop.\nI had thought we might travel as far as Oak Valley, but we only managed the first lap of the journey.\n  N-COUNT: N of n, ord/adj N\n  = leg\n5. When water laps against something such as the shore or the side of a boat, it touches it gently and makes a soft sound. (WRITTEN)\n...the water that lapped against the pillars of the boathouse...\nThe building was right on the river and the water lapped the walls.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V n\n\n=>  lap.ping\nThe only sound was the lapping of the waves.\n  N-UNCOUNT: the N of n\n\n6. When an animal laps a drink, it uses short quick movements of its tongue to take liquid up into its mouth.\nThe cat lapped milk from a dish.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Lap up means the same as lap.\nShe poured some water into a plastic bowl. Faust, her Great Dane, lapped it up with relish.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P\n\n7. If you say that a situation is in the lap of the gods, you mean that its success or failure depends entirely on luck or on things that are outside your control.\nThey had to stop the operation, so at that stage my life was in the lap of the gods.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR


Words: lap dancing
Meaning:
lap danc.ing\n   lap dancing\n  Lap dancing is a type of entertainment in a bar or club in which a woman who is wearing very few clothes dances in a sexy way close to customers or sitting on their laps.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  lap danc.er      lap dancers\n...a club full of lap dancers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lap of honour
Meaning:
lap of hon.our\n   lap of honour  laps of honour\n  If the winner of a race or game does a lap of honour, they run or drive slowly around a race track or sports field in order to receive the applause of the crowd. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lap up
Meaning:
lap up\n  If you say that someone laps up something such as information or attention, you mean that they accept it eagerly, usually when you think they are being foolish for believing that it is sincere.\nTheir audience will lap up whatever they throw at them...\nThey just haven’t been to school before. They’re so eager to learn, they lap it up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\nsee lap 6


Words: lapel
Meaning:
la.pel\n   lapel  lapels\n  The lapels of a jacket or coat are the two top parts at the front that are folded back on each side and join on to the collar.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lapis lazuli
Meaning:
la.pis lazu.li\n   lapis lazuli\n  Lapis lazuli is a bright blue stone, used especially in making jewellery.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lapse
Meaning:
lapse  lapses  lapsing  lapsed\n1. A lapse is a moment or instance of bad behaviour by someone who usually behaves well.\nOn Friday he showed neither decency nor dignity. It was an uncommon lapse.\n  N-COUNT: usu adj N, N in n\n\n2. A lapse of something such as concentration or judgment is a temporary lack of that thing, which can often cause you to make a mistake.\nI had a little lapse of concentration in the middle of the race...\nThe incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.\n  N-COUNT: N of n, supp N\n\n3. If you lapse into a quiet or inactive state, you stop talking or being active.\nShe muttered something unintelligible and lapsed into silence...\n  VERB: V into n\n\n4. If someone lapses into a particular way of speaking, or behaving, they start speaking or behaving in that way, usually for a short period.\nTeenagers occasionally find it all too much to cope with and lapse into bad behaviour.\n  VERB: V into n\n  = slip\n  Lapse is also a noun.\nHer lapse into German didn’t seem peculiar. After all, it was her native tongue.\n  N-COUNT: usu N into n\n\n5. A lapse of time is a period that is long enough for a situation to change or for people to have a different opinion about it.\n...the restoration of diplomatic relations after a lapse of 24 years...\nThere is usually a time lapse between receipt of new information and its publication.\n  N-SING: usu N of n, supp N\n\n6. If a period of time lapses, it passes.\nNew products and production processes are transferred to the developing countries only after a substantial amount of time has lapsed.\n  VERB: V\n\n7. If a situation or legal contract lapses, it is allowed to end rather than being continued, renewed, or extended.\nHer membership of the Labour Party has lapsed...\nFord allowed the name and trademark to lapse during the Eighties.\n  VERB: V, V\n\n8. If a member of a particular religion lapses, they stop believing in it or stop following its rules and practices.\nShe calls herself a lapsed Catholic.\n  VERB: V-ed


Words: laptop
Meaning:
lap.top\n   laptop  laptops\n  A laptop or a laptop computer is a small portable computer.\nShe used to work at her laptop until four in the morning.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lapwing
Meaning:
lap.wing\n   lapwing  lapwings\n  A lapwing is a small dark green bird which has a white breast and feathers sticking up on its head.\n  N-COUNT


Words: larceny
Meaning:
lar.ceny\n   larceny\n  Larceny is the crime of stealing. (LEGAL)\nHaggerman now faces two to 20 years in prison on grand larceny charges.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = theft


Words: lard
Meaning:
lard  lards  larding  larded\n  Lard is soft white fat obtained from pigs. It is used in cooking.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: larder
Meaning:
lar.der\n   larder  larders\n  A larder is a room or large cupboard in a house, usually near the kitchen, in which food is kept. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use pantry)\n  N-COUNT\n  = pantry


Words: large
Meaning:
large  larger  largest\n1. A large thing or person is greater in size than usual or average.\nThe Pike lives mainly in large rivers and lakes...\nIn the largest room about a dozen children and seven adults are sitting on the carpet...\nHe was a large man with thick dark hair.\n  ADJ\n  = big  !=small\n2. A large amount or number of people or things is more than the average amount or number.\nThe gang finally fled with a large amount of cash and jewellery...\nThere are a large number of centres where you can take full-time courses...\nThe figures involved are truly very large.\n  ADJ\n  !=small\n3. A large organization or business does a lot of work or commercial activity and employs a lot of people.\n...a large company in Chicago...\nMany large organizations run courses for their employees.\n  ADJ\n  = big  !=small\n4. Large is used to indicate that a problem or issue which is being discussed is very important or serious.\n...the already large problem of under-age drinking...\nThere’s a very large question about the viability of the newspaper.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = serious\n5. You use at large to indicate that you are talking in a general way about most of the people mentioned.\nI think the chances of getting reforms accepted by the community at large remain extremely remote...\n  PHRASE: n PHR\n  = in general\n6. If you say that a dangerous person, thing, or animal is at large, you mean that they have not been captured or made safe.\nThe man who tried to have her killed is still at large.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n  = free\n7. You use by and large to indicate that a statement is mostly but not completely true.\nBy and large, the papers greet the government’s new policy document with a certain amount of scepticism.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n  = on the whole\n8.\nto a large extent: see extent\nlarger than life: see life\nin large measure: see measure


Words: large-scale
Meaning:
large-scale   also large scale\n1. A large-scale action or event happens over a very wide area or involves a lot of people or things.\n...a large scale military operation.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=small-scale\n2. A large-scale map or diagram represents a small area of land or a building or machine on a scale that is large enough for small details to be shown.\n...a large-scale map of the county.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=small-scale


Words: largely
Meaning:
large.ly\n   largely\n1. You use largely to say that a statement is not completely true but is mostly true.\nThe fund is largely financed through government borrowing...\nI largely work with people who already are motivated...\nTheir weapons have been largely stones.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV with cl/group\n  = mainly\n2. Largely is used to introduce the main reason for a particular event or situation.\nRetail sales dipped 6/10ths of a percent last month, largely because Americans were buying fewer cars...\n  ADV: ADV prep\n  = mainly


Words: largesse
Meaning:
lar.gesse\n   largesse\nin AM, use largess\n  Largesse is a generous gift of money or a generous act of kindness. (FORMAL)\n...grateful recipients of their largesse.\n...his most recent act of largesse.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: largish
Meaning:
larg.ish\n   largish\n  Largish means fairly large.\n...a largish modern city.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = biggish


Words: largo
Meaning:
lar.go\n   largo  largos\n1. Largo written above a piece of music means that it should be played slowly.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. A largo is a piece of music, especially part of a longer piece, that is played slowly.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lark
Meaning:
lark  larks\n1. A lark is a small brown bird which makes a pleasant sound.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that doing something is a lark, you mean that it is fun, although perhaps naughty or dangerous.\nThe children thought it was a great lark...\n  N-COUNT


Words: larva
Meaning:
lar.va\n   larva  larvae\n  A larva is an insect at the stage of its life after it has developed from an egg and before it changes into its adult form.\nThe eggs quickly hatch into larvae.\n  N-COUNT


Words: larval
Meaning:
lar.val\n   larval\n  Larval means concerning insect larvae or in the state of being an insect larva.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: laryngitis
Meaning:
lar.yn.gi.tis\n   laryngitis\n  Laryngitis is an infection of the throat in which your larynx becomes swollen and painful, making it difficult to speak.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: larynx
Meaning:
lar.ynx\n   larynx  larynxes\n  Your larynx is the top part of the passage that leads from your throat to your lungs and contains your vocal cords. (MEDICAL)\n  N-COUNT\n  = voice box


Words: lasagne
Meaning:
la.sa.gne\n   lasagne  lasagnes   also lasagna\n  Lasagne is a food dish that consists of layers of pasta, sauce, and a filling such as meat or cheese, baked in an oven.\n  N-VAR


Words: lascivious
Meaning:
las.civi.ous\n   lascivious\n  If you describe someone as lascivious, you disapprove of them because they show a very strong interest in sex.\nThe man was lascivious, sexually perverted and insatiable.\n...their lewd and lascivious talk.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: laser
Meaning:
la.ser\n   laser  lasers\n1. A laser is a narrow beam of concentrated light produced by a special machine. It is used for cutting very hard materials, and in many technical fields such as surgery and telecommunications.\n...new laser technology...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A laser is a machine that produces a laser beam.\n...the first-ever laser, built in 1960.\n  N-COUNT


Words: laser disc
Meaning:
la.ser disc\n   laser disc  laser discs   also laser disk\n  A laser disc is a shiny flat disc which can be played on a machine which uses lasers to convert signals on the disc into television pictures and sound of a very high quality.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n, also on N


Words: laser printer
Meaning:
la.ser print.er\n   laser printer  laser printers\n  A laser printer is a computer printer that produces clear words and pictures by using laser beams.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lash
Meaning:
lash  lashes  lashing  lashed\n1. Your lashes are the hairs that grow on the edge of your upper and lower eyelids.\n...sombre grey eyes, with unusually long lashes...\nJoanna studied him through her lashes.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n  = eyelash\n2. If you lash two or more things together, you tie one of them firmly to the other.\nSecure the anchor by lashing it to the rail...\nThe shelter is built by lashing poles together to form a small dome...\nWe were worried about the lifeboat which was not lashed down.\n  VERB: V n to n, V pl-n with together, V n with adv, also V n\n  = tie\n3. If wind, rain, or water lashes someone or something, it hits them violently. (WRITTEN)\nThe worst winter storms of the century lashed the east coast of North America...\nSuddenly rain lashed against the windows...\n  VERB: V n, V prep/adv\n\n4. If someone lashes you or lashes into you, they speak very angrily to you, criticizing you or saying you have done something wrong.\nShe went quiet for a moment while she summoned up the words to lash him...\nThe report lashes into police commanders for failing to act on intelligence information.\n  VERB: V n, V into n\n\n5. A lash is a thin strip of leather at the end of a whip.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. A lash is a blow with a whip, especially a blow on someone’s back as a punishment.\nThe villagers sentenced one man to five lashes for stealing a ham from his neighbor.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lash out
Meaning:
lash out\n1. If you lash out, you attempt to hit someone quickly and violently with a weapon or with your hands or feet.\nRiot police fired in the air and lashed out with clubs to disperse hundreds of demonstrators...\nHer husband has a terrible temper and lashes out at her when he’s angry.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P at n\n\n2. If you lash out at someone or something, you speak to them or about them very angrily or critically.\nAs a politician Jefferson frequently lashed out at the press...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P at/against n


Words: lashing
Meaning:
lash.ing\n   lashing  lashings\n1. Lashings of something means a large quantity or amount of it. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nServe by cutting the scones in half and spreading with jam and lashings of clotted cream.\n  QUANT: QUANT of n-uncount\n\n2. Lashings are ropes or cables that are used to tie one thing to another.\nWe made a tour of the yacht, checking lashings and emergency gear.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n3. If you refer to someone’s comments as a lashing, you mean that they are very critical and angry.\nHe never grew used to the lashings he got from the critics.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A lashing is a punishment in which a person is hit with a whip.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lass
Meaning:
lass  lasses\n  A lass is a young woman or girl. (mainly SCOTTISH or NORTHERN ENGLISH)\nAnne is a Lancashire lass from Longton, near Preston...\n`What is it, lass?’ Finlay cried.\n  N-COUNT; N-VOC


Words: lassie
Meaning:
las.sie\n   lassie  lassies\n  A lassie is a young woman or girl. (mainly SCOTTISH INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT; N-VOC


Words: lassitude
Meaning:
las.si.tude\n   lassitude\n  Lassitude is a state of tiredness, laziness, or lack of interest. (FORMAL)\nSymptoms of anaemia include general fatigue and lassitude.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lasso
Meaning:
las.so\n   lasso  lassoes  lassoing  lassoed\n1. A lasso is a long rope with a loop at one end, used especially by cowboys for catching cattle.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you lasso an animal, you catch it by throwing a lasso round its neck and pulling it tight.\nCowboys drove covered wagons and rode horses, lassoing cattle.\n  VERB: V n


Words: last
Meaning:
last  lasts  lasting  lasted\n1. You use last in expressions such as last Friday, last night, and last year to refer, for example, to the most recent Friday, night, or year.\nI got married last July...\nHe never made it home at all last night...\nIt is not surprising they did so badly in last year’s elections.\n  DET\n\n2. The last event, person, thing, or period of time is the most recent one.\nMuch has changed since my last visit...\nAt the last count inflation was 10.9 per cent...\nI split up with my last boyfriend three years ago...\nThe last few weeks have been hectic.\n  ADJ: det ADJ\n\n  Last is also a pronoun.\nThe next tide, it was announced, would be even higher than the last.\n  PRON\n\n3. If something last happened on a particular occasion, that is the most recent occasion on which it happened.\nWhen were you there last?...\nThe house is a little more dilapidated than when I last saw it...\nHunting on the trust’s 625,000 acres was last debated two years ago.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n4. The last thing, person, event, or period of time is the one that happens or comes after all the others of the same kind.\nThis is his last chance as prime minister.\n...the last three pages of the chapter...\nShe said it was the very last house on the road...\nThey didn’t come last in their league.\n  ORD\n  !=first\n  Last is also a pronoun.\nIt wasn’t the first time that this particular difference had divided them and it wouldn’t be the last...\nThe trickiest bits are the last on the list.\n  PRON\n\n5. If you do something last, you do it after everyone else does, or after you do everything else.\nI testified last...\nI was always picked last for the football team at school...\nThe foreground, nearest the viewer, is painted last.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n6. If you are the last to do or know something, everyone else does or knows it before you.\nShe was the last to go to bed...\nRiccardo and I are always the last to know what’s going on.\n  PRON: PRON to-inf\n\n7. Last is used to refer to the only thing, person, or part of something that remains.\nJed nodded, finishing off the last piece of pizza.\n...the freeing of the last hostage.\n  ADJ: det ADJ\n\n  Last is also a noun.\nHe finished off the last of the wine...\nThe last of the ten inmates gave themselves up after twenty eight hours on the roof of the prison.\n  N-SING: the N of n\n\n8. You use last before numbers to refer to a position that someone has reached in a competition after other competitors have been knocked out.\nSampras reached the last four at Wimbledon.\n...the only woman among the authors making it through to the last six.\n  ADJ: det ADJ\n\n9. You can use last to indicate that something is extremely undesirable or unlikely.\nThe last thing I wanted to do was teach...\nHe would be the last person who would do such a thing.\n  ADJ: det ADJ  emphasis\n\n  Last is also a pronoun.\nI would be the last to say that science has explained everything.\n  PRON: PRON to-inf\n\n10. The last you see of someone or the last you hear of them is the final time that you see them or talk to them.\nShe disappeared shouting, `To the river, to the river!’ And that was the last we saw of her...\nI had a feeling it would be the last I heard of him.\n  PRON: the PRON that\n  !=first\n11. If an event, situation, or problem lasts for a particular length of time, it continues to exist or happen for that length of time.\nThe marriage had lasted for less than two years...\nThe games lasted only half the normal time...\nEnjoy it because it won’t last.\n  VERB: V for n, V n, V, also V adv\n\n12. If something lasts for a particular length of time, it continues to be able to be used for that time, for example because there is some of it left or because it is in good enough condition.\nYou only need a very small blob of glue, so one tube lasts for ages...\nThe repaired sail lasted less than 24 hours...\nThe implication is that this battery lasts twice as long as other batteries...\n  VERB: V for n, V n, V adv, also V\n\n13.\n  see also lasting\n(next)


Words: last .1
Meaning:
14. If you say that something has happened at last or at long last you mean it has happened after you have been hoping for it for a long time.\nI’m so glad that we’ve found you at last!...\nHere, at long last, was the moment he had waited for...\nAt last the train arrived in the station...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n  = finally\n15. You use expressions such as the night before last, the election before last and the leader before last to refer to the period of time, event, or person that came immediately before the most recent one in a series.\nIt was the dog he’d heard the night before last...\nIn the budget before last a tax penalty on the mobile phone was introduced.\n  PHRASE\n\n16. You can use phrases such as the last but one, the last but two, or the last but three, to refer to the thing or person that is, for example, one, two, or three before the final person or thing in a group or series.\nIt’s the last but one day in the athletics programme...\nThe British team finished last but one.\n  PHRASE: PHR n, PHR after v\n\n17. You can use expressions such as the last I heard and the last she heard to introduce a piece of information that is the most recent that you have on a particular subject.\nThe last I heard, Joe and Irene were still happily married.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n18. If you leave something or someone until last, you delay using, choosing, or dealing with them until you have used, chosen, or dealt with all the others.\nI have left my best wine until last...\nI picked first all the people who usually were left till last.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n19.\nto have the last laugh: see laugh\nlast-minute: see minute\nthe last straw: see straw\nlast thing: see thing


Words: last hurrah
Meaning:
last hur.rah\n   last hurrah\n  Someone’s last hurrah is the last occasion on which they do something, especially at the end of their career.\nI haven’t even begun to think about quitting, or having a last hurrah, or allowing my career to wind down.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: Last Judgement
Meaning:
Last Judge.ment\n   Last Judgement   also Last Judgment\n  In the Christian religion, the Last Judgement is the last day of the world when God will judge everyone who has died and decide whether they will go to Heaven or Hell.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: last rites
Meaning:
last rites\n  The last rites are a religious ceremony performed by a Christian priest for a dying person.\nFather Stephen Lea administered the last rites to the dead men.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: last-ditch
Meaning:
last-ditch\n  A last-ditch action is done only because there are no other ways left to achieve something or to prevent something happening. It is often done without much hope that it will succeed.\n...a last-ditch attempt to prevent civil war.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: lasting
Meaning:
last.ing\n   lasting\n  You can use lasting to describe a situation, result, or agreement that continues to exist or have an effect for a very long time.\nWe are well on our way to a lasting peace...\nShe left a lasting impression on him.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  see also last


Words: lastly
Meaning:
last.ly\n   lastly\n1. You use lastly when you want to make a final point, ask a final question, or mention a final item that is connected with the other ones you have already asked or mentioned.\nLastly, I would like to ask about your future plans...\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group\n  = finally\n2. You use lastly when you are saying what happens after everything else in a series of actions or events.\nThey wash their hands, arms and faces, and lastly, they wash their feet.\n  ADV: ADV cl\n  = finally


Words: latch
Meaning:
latch  latches  latching  latched\n1. A latch is a fastening on a door or gate. It consists of a metal bar which you lift in order to open the door.\nYou left the latch off the gate and the dog escaped.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A latch is a lock on a door which locks automatically when you shut the door, so that you need a key in order to open it from the outside.\n...a key clicked in the latch of the front door.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you latch a door or gate, you fasten it by means of a latch.\nHe latched the door, tested it, and turned around to speak to Frank.\n  VERB: V n


Words: latch onto
Meaning:
latch onto   or latch on\n1. If someone latches onto a person or an idea or latches on, they become very interested in the person or idea, often finding them so useful that they do not want to leave them. (INFORMAL)\nRob had latched onto me. He followed me around, sat beside me at lunch, and usually ended up working with me...\nOther trades have been quick to latch on.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V P\n\n2. If one thing latches onto another, or if it latches on, it attaches itself to it and becomes part of it.\nThese are substances which specifically latch onto the protein on the cell membrane.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, also V P


Words: latchkey
Meaning:
latch.key\n   latchkey   also latch-key\n  If you refer to a child as a latchkey kid, you disapprove of the fact that they have to let themselves into their home when returning from school because their parents are out at work.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  disapproval


Words: late
Meaning:
late  later  latest\n1. Late means near the end of a day, week, year, or other period of time.\nIt was late in the afternoon...\nShe had to work late at night...\nHis autobiography was written late in life...\nThe case is expected to end late next week...\n  ADV: ADV with cl, ADV prep\n  !=early\n  Late is also an adjective.\nThe talks eventually broke down in late spring...\nHe was in his late 20s.\n...the late 1960s.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. If it is late, it is near the end of the day or it is past the time that you feel something should have been done.\nIt was very late and the streets were deserted...\nWe’ve got to go now. It’s getting late.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n=>  late.ness\nA large crowd had gathered despite the lateness of the hour.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. Late means after the time that was arranged or expected.\nSteve arrived late...\nThe talks began some fifteen minutes late...\nWe got up late.\n  ADV: ADV after v, oft amount ADV\n\n  Late is also an adjective.\nHis campaign got off to a late start...\nWe were a little late...\nThe train was 40 minutes late...\nHe’s a half hour late.\n  ADJ: oft amount ADJ\n\n=>  late.ness\nHe apologised for his lateness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. Late means after the usual time that a particular event or activity happens.\nWe went to bed very late...\nHe married late.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n  Late is also an adjective.\nThey had a late lunch in a cafe...\nHe was a very late developer.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n5. You use late when you are talking about someone who is dead, especially someone who has died recently.\n...my late husband.\n...the late Mr Parkin.\n  ADJ: det ADJ\n\n6. Someone who is late of a particular place or institution lived or worked there until recently. (FORMAL)\n...Cousin Zachary, late of Bellevue Avenue.\n...Strobe Talbott, late of Time magazine.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ of n\n\n7.\n  see also later, latest\n8. If you say better late than never when someone has done something, you think they should have done it earlier.\nIt’s been a long time coming but better late than never.\n  CONVENTION\n\n9. If you say that someone is doing something late in the day, you mean that their action or behaviour may not be fully effective because they have waited too long before doing it.\nI’d left it all too late in the day to get anywhere with these strategies.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl\n\n10. If an action or event is too late, it is useless or ineffective because it occurs after the best time for it.\nIt was too late to turn back...\nWe realized too late that we were caught like rats in a trap.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR with v\n\n11.\na late night: see night


Words: late-night
Meaning:
late-night\n1. Late-night is used to describe events, especially entertainments, that happen late in the evening or late at night.\n...John Peel’s late-night show on BBC Radio One.\n...late-night drinking parties.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Late-night is used to describe services that are available late at night and do not shut when most commercial activities finish.\nSaturday night was a late-night shopping night.\n...late-night trains.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: latecomer
Meaning:
late.comer\n   latecomer  latecomers\n  A latecomer is someone who arrives after the time that they should have done, or later than others.\nThe latecomers stood just outside at door and window.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lately
Meaning:
late.ly\n   lately\n1. You use lately to describe events in the recent past, or situations that started a short time ago.\nDad’s health hasn’t been too good lately...\nLord Tomas had lately been appointed Chairman of the Centre for Policy Studies...\n`Have you talked to her lately?’\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV with cl\n  = recently\n2. You can use lately to refer to the job a person has been doing until recently. (FORMAL)\n...Timothy Jean Geoffrey Pratt, lately deputy treasury solicitor...\n  ADV: ADV n/-ed


Words: latent
Meaning:
la.tent\n   latent\n  Latent is used to describe something which is hidden and not obvious at the moment, but which may develop further in the future.\nAdvertisements attempt to project a latent meaning behind an overt message.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=overt


Words: later
Meaning:
lat.er\n   later\n1. Later is the comparative of late.\n\n2. You use later to refer to a time or situation that is after the one that you have been talking about or after the present one.\nHe resigned ten years later...\nI’ll join you later...\nBurke later admitted he had lied.\n  ADV: ADV with cl, oft amount ADV\n\n  You use later on to refer to a time or situation that is after the one that you have been talking about or after the present one.\nLater on I’ll be speaking to Patty Davis...\nThis is only going to cause me more problems later on.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n3. You use later to refer to an event, period of time, or other thing which comes after the one that you have been talking about or after the present one.\nAt a later news conference, he said differences should not be dramatized...\nThe competition should have been re-scheduled for a later date...\n  ADJ: ADJ n, the ADJ, the ADJ of n\n\n4. You use later to refer to the last part of someone’s life or career or the last part of a period of history.\nHe found happiness in later life...\nIn his later years he wrote very little...\n...the later part of the 20th century.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n5.\n  see also late\n6.\nsooner or later: see sooner


Words: lateral
Meaning:
lat.er.al\n   lateral\n  Lateral means relating to the sides of something, or moving in a sideways direction.\nMcKinnon estimated the lateral movement of the bridge to be between four and six inches.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  lat.er.al.ly\nShafts were sunk, with tunnels dug laterally.\n  ADV: usu ADV after v


Words: lateral thinking
Meaning:
lat.er.al think.ing\n   lateral thinking\n  Lateral thinking is a method of solving problems by using your imagination to help you think of solutions that are not obvious at first. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: latest
Meaning:
lat.est\n   latest\n1. Latest is the superlative of late.\n\n2. You use latest to describe something that is the most recent thing of its kind.\n...her latest book...\nLatest reports say another five people have been killed...\n  ADJ: oft v-link ADJ in/of n\n\n3. You can use latest to describe something that is very new and modern and is better than older things of a similar kind.\nCrooks are using the latest laser photocopiers to produce millions of fake banknotes...\nI got to drive the latest model...\nComputers have always represented the latest in technology.\n  ADJ: oft v-link ADJ in/of n\n\n4.\n  see also late\n5. You use at the latest in order to indicate that something must happen at or before a particular time and not after that time.\nShe should be back by ten o’clock at the latest.\n  PHRASE: amount PHR  emphasis


Words: latex
Meaning:
la.tex\n   latex\n  Latex is a substance obtained from some kinds of trees, which is used to make products like rubber and glue.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lather
Meaning:
lath.er\n   lather  lathers  lathering  lathered\n1. A lather is a white mass of bubbles which is produced by mixing a substance such as soap or washing powder with water.\n...the sort of water that easily makes a lather with soap...\nHe wiped off the remains of the lather with a towel.\n  N-SING\n\n2. When a substance such as soap or washing powder lathers, it produces a white mass of bubbles because it has been mixed with water.\nThe shampoo lathers and foams so much it’s very hard to rinse it all out.\n  VERB: V\n\n3. If you lather something, you rub a substance such as soap or washing powder on it until a lather is produced, in order to clean it.\nLather your hair as normal...\nFor super-soft skin, lather on a light body lotion before you bathe.\n  VERB: V n, V n with adv, also V n prep


Words: Latin
Meaning:
Lat.in\n   Latin  Latins\n1. Latin is the language which the ancient Romans used to speak.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Latin countries are countries where Spanish, or perhaps Portuguese, Italian, or French, is spoken. You can also use Latin to refer to things and people that come from these countries.\nCuba was one of the least Catholic of the Latin countries...\nThe enthusiasm for Latin music is worldwide.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. Latins are people who come from countries where Spanish, or perhaps Portuguese, Italian, or French, are spoken or whose families come from one of these countries.\nThey are role models for thousands of young Latins.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: Latin American
Meaning:
Lat.in Ameri.can\n   Latin American  Latin Americans\n1. Latin American means belonging or relating to the countries of South America, Central America, and Mexico. Latin American also means belonging or relating to the people of culture of these countries.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. A Latin American is someone who lives in or comes from South America, Central America, or Mexico.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Latino
Meaning:
La.ti.no\n   Latino  Latinos   also latino\n1. A Latino is a citizen of the United States who originally came from Latin America, or whose family originally came from Latin America. (mainly AM)\nHe was a champion for Latinos and blacks within the educational system.\n...the city’s office of Latino Affairs.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n\n2. Latino means belonging or relating to Latino people or their culture.\n  ADJ


Words: latitude
Meaning:
lati.tude\n   latitude  latitudes\n1. The latitude of a place is its distance from the equator. Compare longitude.\nIn the middle to high latitudes rainfall has risen steadily over the last 20-30 years.\n  N-VAR\n\n  Latitude is also an adjective.\nThe army must cease military operations above 36 degrees latitude north.\n  ADJ: usu amount ADJ\n\n2. Latitude is freedom to choose the way in which you do something. (FORMAL)\nHe would be given every latitude in forming a new government...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: latrine
Meaning:
la.trine\n   latrine  latrines\n  A latrine is a structure, usually consisting of a hole in the ground, that is used as a toilet, for example in a military camp.\n  N-COUNT


Words: latte
Meaning:
lat.te\n   latte   lattes\n  Latte is strong coffee made with hot milk.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  A latte is a cup of latte.\n  N-COUNT


Words: latter
Meaning:
lat.ter\n   latter\n1. When two people, things, or groups have just been mentioned, you can refer to the second of them as the latter.\nHe tracked down his cousin and uncle. The latter was sick.\n  PRON: the PRON\n\n  Latter is also an adjective.\nThere are the people who speak after they think and the people who think while they’re speaking. Mike definitely belongs in the latter category.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. You use latter to describe the later part of a period of time or event.\nThe latter part of the debate concentrated on abortion.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = later


Words: latter-day
Meaning:
latter-day\n  Latter-day is used to describe someone or something that is a modern equivalent of a person or thing in the past.\nHe holds the belief that he is a latter-day prophet.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: latterly
Meaning:
lat.ter.ly\n   latterly\n  You can use latterly to indicate that a situation or event is the most recent one. (WRITTEN)\nHe was to remain active in the association, latterly as vice president, for the rest of his life...\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group


Words: lattice
Meaning:
lat.tice\n   lattice  lattices\n  A lattice is a pattern or structure made of strips of wood or another material which cross over each other diagonally leaving holes in between.\nWe were crawling along the narrow steel lattice of the bridge.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: latticed
Meaning:
lat.ticed\n   latticed\n  Something that is latticed is decorated with or is in the form of a lattice.\n...latticed doors...\nThe surface of the brain is pinky-grey and latticed with tiny blood vessels.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n, also v-link ADJ with n


Words: latticework
Meaning:
lat.tice.work\n   latticework\n  Latticework is any structure that is made in the form of a lattice.\n...latticework chairs.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: laud
Meaning:
laud  lauds  lauding  lauded\n  If people laud someone, they praise and admire them. (JOURNALISM)\nHe lauded the work of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees...\nThey lauded the former president as a hero...\nDickens was lauded for his social and moral sensitivity...\n  VERB: V n, V n as n, V n for n\n\n=>  laud.ed\n...the most lauded actress in New York.\n  ADJ


Words: laudable
Meaning:
laud.able\n   laudable\n  Something that is laudable deserves to be praised or admired. (FORMAL)\nOne of Emma’s less laudable characteristics was her jealousy...\n  ADJ\n  = admirable


Words: laudatory
Meaning:
lauda.tory\n   laudatory\n  A laudatory piece of writing or speech expresses praise or admiration for someone. (FORMAL)\nThe New York Times has this very laudatory article about your retirement...\nBeth spoke of Dr. Hammer in laudatory terms.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = complimentary


Words: laugh
Meaning:
laugh  laughs  laughing  laughed\n1. When you laugh, you make a sound with your throat while smiling and show that you are happy or amused. People also sometimes laugh when they feel nervous or are being unfriendly.\nHe was about to offer an explanation, but she was beginning to laugh...\nHe laughed with pleasure when people said he looked like his dad...\nThe British don’t laugh at the same jokes as the French...\n`I’ll be astonished if I win on Sunday,’ laughed Lyle.\n  VERB: V, V with n, V at n, V with quote\n\n  Laugh is also a noun.\nLysenko gave a deep rumbling laugh at his own joke.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If people laugh at someone or something, they mock them or make jokes about them.\nI thought they were laughing at me because I was ugly...\n  VERB: V at n\n\n3. If you do something for a laugh or for laughs, you do it as a joke or for fun.\nThey were persuaded onstage for a laugh by their mates...\nIt’s a project she’s doing for laughs.\n  PHRASE: PHR with v\n\n4. If a person or their comment gets a laugh or raises a laugh, they make the people listening to them laugh. (mainly BRIT)\nThe joke got a big laugh, which encouraged me to continue.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n5. If you describe a situation as a laugh, a good laugh, or a bit of a laugh, you think that it is fun and do not take it too seriously. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nWorking there’s great. It’s quite a good laugh actually...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n6. If you describe someone as a laugh or a good laugh, you like them because they are amusing and fun to be with. (mainly BRIT)\nMickey was a good laugh and great to have in the dressing room.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n7. If you say that you have the last laugh, you mean that you become successful at something so that people who criticize or oppose you look foolish.\nDes O’Connor is expecting to have the last laugh on his critics by soaring to the top of the Christmas hit parade.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n8.\nto laugh your head off: see head\nno laughing matter: see matter


Words: laugh off
Meaning:
laugh off\n  If you laugh off a difficult or serious situation, you try to suggest that it is amusing and unimportant, for example by making a joke about it.\nThe couple laughed off rumours that their marriage was in trouble...\nWhilst I used to laugh it off, I’m now getting irritated by it.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P


Words: laughable
Meaning:
laugh.able\n   laughable\n  If you say that something such as an idea or suggestion is laughable, you mean that it is so stupid as to be funny and not worth serious consideration.\nThe idea that TV shows like `Dallas’ or `Dynasty’ represent typical American life is laughable...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = ludicrous\n=>  laugh.ably\nTo an outsider, the issues that we fight about would seem almost laughably petty.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj


Words: laughing gas
Meaning:
laugh.ing gas\n   laughing gas\n  Laughing gas is a type of anaesthetic gas which sometimes has the effect of making people laugh uncontrollably.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = nitrous oxide


Words: laughing stock
Meaning:
laugh.ing stock\n   laughing stock  laughing stocks   also laughing-stock\n  If you say that a person or an organization has become a laughing stock, you mean that they are supposed to be important or serious but have been made to seem ridiculous.\nThe truth must never get out. If it did she would be a laughing-stock.\n...his policies became the laughing stock of the financial community.\n  N-COUNT


Words: laughingly
Meaning:
laugh.ing.ly\n   laughingly\n  If you laughingly refer to something with a particular name or description, the description is not appropriate and you think that this is either amusing or annoying.\nI spent much of what I laughingly call `the holidays’ working through 621 pages of typescript...\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: laughter
Meaning:
laugh.ter\n   laughter\n1. Laughter is the sound of people laughing, for example because they are amused or happy.\nTheir laughter filled the corridor...\nHe delivered the line perfectly, and everybody roared with laughter.\n...hysterical laughter.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Laughter is the fact of laughing, or the feeling of fun and amusement that you have when you are laughing.\nPantomime is about bringing laughter to thousands...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: launch
Meaning:
launch  launches  launching  launched\n1. To launch a rocket, missile, or satellite means to send it into the air or into space.\nNASA plans to launch a satellite to study cosmic rays...\nA Delta II rocket was launched from Cape Canaveral early this morning.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n  Launch is also a noun.\nThis morning’s launch of the space shuttle Columbia has been delayed.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. To launch a ship or a boat means to put it into water, often for the first time after it has been built.\nThere was no time to launch the lifeboats because the ferry capsized with such alarming speed.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Launch is also a noun.\nThe launch of a ship was a big occasion.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss\n\n3. To launch a large and important activity, for example a military attack, means to start it.\nHeavy fighting has been going on after the guerrillas had launched their offensive...\nThe police have launched an investigation into the incident...\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n  Launch is also a noun.\n...the launch of a campaign to restore law and order.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n4. If a company launches a new product, it makes it available to the public.\nCrabtree & Evelyn has just launched a new jam, Worcesterberry Preserve...\nMarks & Spencer recently hired model Linda Evangelista to launch its new range.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n  Launch is also a noun.\nThe company’s spending has also risen following the launch of a new Sunday magazine.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n5. A launch is a large motorboat that is used for carrying people on rivers and lakes and in harbours.\nThe captain was on the deck of the launch, steadying the boat for the pilot...\n  N-COUNT: also by N


Words: launch into
Meaning:
launch into\n  If you launch into something such as a speech, task, or fight, you enthusiastically start it.\nHorrigan launched into a speech about the importance of new projects...\nGeoff has launched himself into fatherhood with great enthusiasm.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V pron-refl P n


Words: launch pad
Meaning:
launch pad  launch pads\n1. A launch pad or launching pad is a platform from which rockets, missiles, or satellites are launched.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A launch pad or launching pad is a situation, for example a job, which you can use in order to go forward to something better or more important.\nWimbledon has been a launch pad for so many players...\n  N-COUNT\n  = stepping stone


Words: launching pad
Meaning:
launch.ing pad\n   launching pad  launching pads\n  A launching pad is the same as a launch pad.\n  N-COUNT


Words: launder
Meaning:
laun.der\n   launder  launders  laundering  laundered\n1. When you launder clothes, sheets, and towels, you wash and iron them. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nHow many guests who expect clean towels every day in an hotel launder their own every day at home?...\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. To launder money that has been obtained illegally means to process it through a legitimate business or to send it abroad to a foreign bank, so that when it comes back nobody knows that it was illegally obtained.\nThe House voted today to crack down on banks that launder drug money.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  laun.der.er      launderers\n...a businessman and self-described money launderer.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Launderette
Meaning:
Laun.der.ette\n   Launderette  Launderettes\nin BRIT, also use laundrette\n  A Launderette is a place where people can pay to use machines to wash and dry their clothes. (TRADEMARK) (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use Laundromat)\n  N-COUNT


Words: Laundromat
Meaning:
Laun.dro.mat\n   Laundromat  Laundromats\n  A Laundromat is the same as a Launderette. (TRADEMARK) (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: laundry
Meaning:
laun.dry\n   laundry  laundries\n1. Laundry is used to refer to clothes, sheets, and towels that are about to be washed, are being washed, or have just been washed.\nI’ll do your laundry...\nHe’d put his dirty laundry in the clothes basket.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = washing\n2. A laundry is a firm that washes and irons clothes, sheets, and towels for people.\nWe had to have the washing done at the laundry.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A laundry or a laundry room is a room in a house, hotel, or institution where clothes, sheets, and towels are washed.\nHe worked in the laundry at Oxford prison.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n4.\nto wash your dirty laundry in public: see dirty


Words: laundry list
Meaning:
laun.dry list\n   laundry list  laundry lists\n  If you describe something as a laundry list of things, you mean that it is a long list of them.\n...a laundry list of reasons why shareholders should reject the bid.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: laurel
Meaning:
lau.rel\n   laurel  laurels\n1. A laurel or a laurel tree is a small evergreen tree with shiny leaves. The leaves are sometimes used to make decorations such as wreaths.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If someone is resting on their laurels, they appear to be satisfied with the things they have achieved and have stopped putting effort into what they are doing.\nThe government can’t rest on its laurels and must press ahead with major policy changes.\n  PHRASE: V inflects  disapproval


Words: lavatorial
Meaning:
lava.to.rial\n   lavatorial\n  Lavatorial jokes or stories involve childish references to urine or faeces. (mainly BRIT)\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: lavatory
Meaning:
lava.tory\n   lavatory  lavatories\n  A lavatory is the same as a toilet. (mainly BRIT)\n...the ladies’ lavatory at the University of London.\n...a public lavatory.\n  N-COUNT\n  = toilet


Words: lavatory paper
Meaning:
lava.tory pa.per\n   lavatory paper\n  Lavatory paper is paper that you use to clean yourself after you have got rid of urine or faeces from your body. (BRIT FORMAL; in AM, use toilet paper)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = toilet paper


Words: lavender
Meaning:
lav.en.der\n   lavender  lavenders\n1. Lavender is a garden plant with sweet-smelling, bluish-purple flowers.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl\n\n2. Lavender is used to describe things that are pale bluish-purple in colour.\n  COLOUR


Words: lavish
Meaning:
lav.ish\n   lavish  lavishes  lavishing  lavished\n1. If you describe something as lavish, you mean that it is very elaborate and impressive and a lot of money has been spent on it.\n...a lavish party to celebrate Bryan’s fiftieth birthday...\nHe staged the most lavish productions of Mozart...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  lav.ish.ly\n...the train’s lavishly furnished carriages.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If you say that spending, praise, or the use of something is lavish, you mean that someone spends a lot or that something is praised or used a lot.\nCritics attack his lavish spending and flamboyant style...\nThe book drew lavish praise from literary critics.\n  ADJ\n  = extravagant\n3. If you say that someone is lavish in the way they behave, you mean that they give, spend, or use a lot of something.\nAmerican reviewers are lavish in their praise of this book...\nHe was always a lavish spender.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ in/with n\n\n=>  lav.ish.ly\nEntertaining in style needn’t mean spending lavishly.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n4. If you lavish money, affection, or praise on someone or something, you spend a lot of money on them or give them a lot of affection or praise.\nPrince Sadruddin lavished praise on Britain’s contributions to world diplomacy...\nThe emperor promoted the general and lavished him with gifts.\n  VERB: V n on/upon n, V n with n


Words: law
Meaning:
law  laws\n1. The law is a system of rules that a society or government develops in order to deal with crime, business agreements, and social relationships. You can also use the law to refer to the people who work in this system.\nObscene and threatening phone calls are against the law...\nThey are seeking permission to begin criminal proceedings against him for breaking the law on financing political parties...\nThere must be changes in the law quickly to stop this sort of thing ever happening to anyone else...\nThe book analyses why women kill and how the law treats them.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n2. Law is used to refer to a particular branch of the law, such as criminal law or company law.\nHe was a professor of criminal law at Harvard University law school...\nImportant questions of constitutional law were involved.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu adj N\n\n3. A law is one of the rules in a system of law which deals with a particular type of agreement, relationship, or crime.\n...the country’s liberal political asylum law...\nThe law was passed on a second vote.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n4. The laws of an organization or activity are its rules, which are used to organize and control it.\n...the laws of the Church of England...\nMatch officials should not tolerate such behaviour but instead enforce the laws of the game.\n  N-PLURAL: the N of n, supp N\n  = rule\n5. A law is a rule or set of rules for good behaviour which is considered right and important by the majority of people for moral, religious, or emotional reasons.\n...inflexible moral laws.\n  N-COUNT\n  = code\n6. A law is a natural process in which a particular event or thing always leads to a particular result.\nThe laws of nature are absolute.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n7. A law is a scientific rule that someone has invented to explain a particular natural process.\n...the law of gravity.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n8. Law or the law is all the professions which deal with advising people about the law, representing people in court, or giving decisions and punishments.\nA career in law is becoming increasingly attractive to young people...\nNearly 100 law firms are being referred to the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n9. Law is the study of systems of law and how laws work.\nHe came to Oxford and studied law...\nHe holds a law degree from Bristol University.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n10.\n  see also court of law, rule of law\n11. If you accuse someone of thinking they are above the law, you criticize them for thinking that they are so clever or important that they do not need to obey the law.\nOne opposition member of parliament accuses the government of wanting to be above the law...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR  disapproval\n\n12. The law of averages is the idea that something is sure to happen at some time, because of the number of times it generally happens or is expected to happen.\nOn the law of averages we just can’t go on losing.\n  PHRASE\n\n13. If you have to do something by law or if you are not allowed to do something by law, the law states that you have to do it or that you are not allowed to do it.\nBy law all restaurants must display their prices outside...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n14. If you say that someone lays down the law, you are critical of them because they give other people orders and they think that they are always right.\n...traditional parents, who believed in laying down the law for their offspring.\n  PHRASE: V inflects  disapproval\n\n15. If someone takes the law into their own hands, they punish someone or do something to put a situation right, instead of waiting for the police or the legal system to take action.\nThe speeding motorist was pinned to the ground by angry locals who took the law into their own hands until police arrived.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n16. If you say that someone is a law unto himself or herself, you mean that they behave in an independent way, ignoring laws, rules, or conventional ways of doing things.\n(next)


Words: law .1
Meaning:
Some of the landowners were a law unto themselves. There was nobody to check their excesses and they exploited the people.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n17.\nSod’s law: see sod


Words: law and order
Meaning:
law and or.der\n   law and order\n  When there is law and order in a country, the laws are generally accepted and obeyed, so that society there functions normally.\nIf there were a breakdown of law and order, the army might be tempted to intervene.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: law court
Meaning:
law court  law courts\n  A law court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate.\nShe would never resort to the law courts to resolve her marital problems.\n  N-COUNT


Words: law-abiding
Meaning:
law-abiding\n  A law-abiding person always obeys the law and is considered to be good and honest because of this.\nThe Prime Minister said: `I am anxious that the law should protect decent law-abiding citizens and their property’...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: law-breaker
Meaning:
law-breaker  law-breakers   also lawbreaker\n  A law-breaker is someone who breaks the law.\n  N-COUNT


Words: law-breaking
Meaning:
law-breaking   also law breaking\n  Law-breaking is any kind of illegal activity.\nCivil disobedience, violent or non-violent, is intentional law breaking.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: law-enforcement
Meaning:
law-enforcement\n  Law-enforcement agencies or officials are responsible for catching people who break the law. (mainly AM)\nWe need to restore respect for the law-enforcement agencies.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: lawful
Meaning:
law.ful\n   lawful\n  If an activity, organization, or product is lawful, it is allowed by law. (FORMAL)\nIt was lawful for the doctors to treat her in whatever way they considered was in her best interests...\nHunting is a lawful activity.\n  ADJ\n  = legal  !=unlawful, illegal\n=>  law.ful.ly\nAmnesty International is trying to establish whether the police acted lawfully in shooting him.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n  !=unlawfully


Words: lawless
Meaning:
law.less\n   lawless\n1. Lawless actions break the law, especially in a wild and violent way.\nThe government recognised there were problems in urban areas but these could never be an excuse for lawless behaviour.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  law.less.ness\nLawlessness is a major problem.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A lawless place or time is one where people do not respect the law.\n...lawless inner-city streets plagued by muggings, thefts, assaults and even murder.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: lawmaker
Meaning:
law.maker\n   lawmaker  lawmakers\n  A lawmaker is someone such as a politician who is responsible for proposing and passing new laws. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lawman
Meaning:
law.man\n   lawman  lawmen\n1. Lawmen are men such as policemen or lawyers, whose work involves the law. (JOURNALISM)\n...the 61-year-old lawman who headed the enquiry.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. In former times in western North America, a lawman was a sheriff or deputy sheriff. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lawn
Meaning:
lawn  lawns\n  A lawn is an area of grass that is kept cut short and is usually part of someone’s garden or backyard, or part of a park.\n  N-VAR


Words: lawnmower
Meaning:
lawn.mow.er\n   lawnmower  lawnmowers   also lawn mower\n  A lawnmower is a machine for cutting grass on lawns.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lawsuit
Meaning:
law.suit\n   lawsuit  lawsuits\n  A lawsuit is a case in a court of law which concerns a dispute between two people or organizations. (FORMAL)\nThe dispute culminated last week in a lawsuit against the government.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lawyer
Meaning:
law.yer\n   lawyer  lawyers\n  A lawyer is a person who is qualified to advise people about the law and represent them in court.\nProsecution and defense lawyers are expected to deliver closing arguments next week.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lax
Meaning:
lax  laxer  laxest\n  If you say that a person’s behaviour or a system is lax, you mean they are not careful or strict about maintaining high standards.\nOne of the problem areas is lax security for airport personnel...\nThere have been allegations from survivors that safety standards had been lax...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  lax.ity\nThe laxity of export control authorities has made a significant contribution to the problem.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: laxative
Meaning:
laxa.tive\n   laxative  laxatives\n1. A laxative is food or medicine that you take to make you go to the toilet.\nFoods that ferment quickly in the stomach are excellent natural laxatives.\n  N-MASS\n\n2. A laxative food or medicine is one that you take to make you go to the toilet.\nThe artificial sweetener sorbitol has a laxative effect...\nMolasses are mildly laxative and something of a general tonic.\n  ADJ


Words: lay
Meaning:
ADJECTIVE USES\n   lay\n1. You use lay to describe people who are involved with a Christian church but are not members of the clergy or are not monks or nuns.\nEdwards is a Methodist lay preacher and social worker.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. You use lay to describe people who are not experts or professionals in a particular subject or activity.\nIt is difficult for a lay person to gain access to medical libraries...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\nVERB AND NOUN USES\n   lay  lays  laying  laid\nIn standard English, the form lay is also the past tense of the verb lie in some meanings. In informal English, people sometimes use the word lay instead of lie in those meanings.\n\nPlease look at category 9 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. If you lay something somewhere, you put it there in a careful, gentle, or neat way.\nLay a sheet of newspaper on the floor...\nMy father’s working bench was covered with a cloth and his coffin was laid there...\nMothers routinely lay babies on their backs to sleep.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n prep/adv, V n prep/adv\n\n2. If you lay the table or lay the places at a table, you arrange the knives, forks, and other things that people need on the table before a meal. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use set)\nThe butler always laid the table.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If you lay something such as carpets, cables, or foundations, you put them into their permanent position.\nA man came to lay the saloon carpet...\nPublic utilities dig up roads to lay pipes.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n4. To lay a trap means to prepare it in order to catch someone or something.\nThey were laying a trap for the kidnapper.\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. When a female bird lays an egg, it produces an egg by pushing it out of its body.\nMy canary has laid an egg...\nFreezing weather in spring hampered the hens’ ability to lay.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n6. Lay is used with some nouns to talk about making official preparations for something. For example, if you lay the basis for something or lay plans for it, you prepare it carefully.\nDiplomats meeting in Chile have laid the groundwork for far-reaching environmental regulations...\nThe organisers meet in March to lay plans.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n7. Lay is used with some nouns in expressions about accusing or blaming someone. For example, if you lay the blame for a mistake on someone, you say it is their fault, or if the police lay charges against someone, they officially accuse that person of a crime.\nShe refused to lay the blame on any one party...\nPolice have decided not to lay charges over allegations of a telephone tapping operation.\n  VERB: V n prep, V n\n\n8. If you lay yourself open to criticism or attack, or if something lays you open to it, something you do makes it possible or likely that other people will criticize or attack you.\nThe party thereby lays itself open to charges of conflict of interest...\nSuch a statement could lay her open to ridicule.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n\n\n9.\nto lay something bare: see bare\nto lay claim to something: see claim\nto lay something at someone’s door: see door\nto lay eyes on something: see eye\nto lay a finger on someone: see finger\nto lay your hands on something: see hand\nto lay down the law: see law\nto lay down your life: see life\nto lay something to rest: see rest\nto lay siege to something: see siege


Words: lay aside
Meaning:
lay aside\n1. If you lay something aside, you put it down, usually because you have finished using it or want to save it to use later.\nHe finished the tea and laid the cup aside...\nThis allowed Ms. Kelley to lay aside money to start her business.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n2. If you lay aside a feeling or belief, you reject it or give it up in order to progress with something.\nPerhaps the opposed parties will lay aside their sectional interests and rise to this challenge...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n  = put aside


Words: lay down
Meaning:
lay down\n1. If you lay something down, you put it down, usually because you have finished using it.\nDaniel finished the article and laid the newspaper down on his desk...\nShe laid down her knife and fork and pushed her plate away.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n2. If rules or people in authority lay down what people should do or must do, they officially state what they should or must do.\nTaxis must conform to the rigorous standards laid down by the police.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n  = set down\n3. If someone lays down their weapons, they stop fighting a battle or war and make peace.\nThe drug-traffickers have offered to lay down their arms.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)


Words: lay in
Meaning:
lay in\n  If you lay in an amount of something, you buy it and store it to be used later.\nThey began to lay in extensive stores of food supplies.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)


Words: lay off
Meaning:
lay off\n  If workers are laid off, they are told by their employers to leave their job, usually because there is no more work for them to do. (BUSINESS)\n100,000 federal workers will be laid off to reduce the deficit...\nThey did not sell a single car for a month and had to lay off workers.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P, V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n  see also layoff


Words: lay on
Meaning:
lay on\n  If you lay on something such as food, entertainment, or a service, you provide or supply it, especially in a generous or grand way. (mainly BRIT)\nThey laid on a superb evening...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: lay out
Meaning:
lay out\n1. If you lay out a group of things, you spread them out and arrange them neatly, for example so that they can all be seen clearly.\nGrace laid out the knives and forks at the lunch-table...\nShe took a deck of cards and began to lay them out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n2. To lay out ideas, principles, or plans means to explain or present them clearly, for example in a document or a meeting.\nMaxwell listened closely as Johnson laid out his plan...\nCuomo laid it out in simple language.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n3. To lay out an area of land or a building means to plan and design how its different parts should be arranged.\nWhen we laid out the car parks, we reckoned on one car per four families...\nOnly people that use a kitchen all the time understand the best way to lay it out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n4. If you lay out money on something, you spend a large amount of money on it. (INFORMAL)\nYou won’t have to lay out a fortune for this dining table.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n  = fork out, shell out\n5.\n  see also layout


Words: lay person
Meaning:
lay per.son\n   lay person lay persons or lay people  also layperson\n  A lay person is a person who is not trained, qualified, or experienced in a particular subject or activity.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=expert


Words: lay up
Meaning:
lay up\n  If someone is laid up with an illness, the illness makes it necessary for them to stay in bed. (INFORMAL)\nI was laid up in bed with acute rheumatism...\nPowell ruptured a disc in his back and was laid up for a year.\n  PHRASAL VERB: usu passive, be V-ed P with n, be V-ed P


Words: lay-by
Meaning:
lay-by  lay-bys\n  A lay-by is a short strip of road by the side of a main road, where cars can stop for a while. (BRIT; in AM, use pull-off, turn-out)\nI left my car in a lay-by and set off on foot.\n  N-COUNT


Words: layabout
Meaning:
lay.about\n   layabout  layabouts\n  If you say that someone is a layabout, you disapprove of them because they do not work and you think they are lazy. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: layer
Meaning:
lay.er\n   layer  layers  layering  layered\n1. A layer of a material or substance is a quantity or piece of it that covers a surface or that is between two other things.\nA fresh layer of snow covered the street...\nArrange all the vegetables except the potatoes in layers.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n\n\n2. If something such as a system or an idea has many layers, it has many different levels or parts.\n...an astounding ten layers of staff between the factory worker and the chief executive...\nCritics and the public puzzle out the layers of meaning in his photos.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you layer something, you arrange it in layers.\nLayer the potatoes, asparagus and salmon in the tin...\n  VERB: V n


Words: layered
Meaning:
lay.ered\n   layered\n  Something that is layered is made or exists in layers.\nMaria wore a layered white dress that rustled when she moved.\n  ADJ


Words: layman
Meaning:
lay.man\n   layman  laymen\n1. A layman is a person who is not trained, qualified, or experienced in a particular subject or activity.\nThe mere mention of the words `heart failure’, can conjure up, to the layman, the prospect of imminent death...\n  N-COUNT\n  !=expert\n2. A layman is a man who is involved with the Christian church but is not a member of the clergy or a monk.\nIn 1932, one Boston layman wrote to Archbishop William O’Connell in support of Father Coughlin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: layoff
Meaning:
lay.off\n   layoff  layoffs\n1. When there are layoffs in a company, workers are told by their employers to leave their job, usually because there is no more work for them in the company. (BUSINESS)\nIt will close more than 200 stores nationwide resulting in the layoffs of an estimated 2,000 employees.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n2. A layoff is a period of time in which people do not work or take part in their normal activities, often because they are resting or are injured.\nThey both made full recoveries after lengthy injury layoffs.\n  N-COUNT


Words: layout
Meaning:
lay.out\n   layout  layouts\n  The layout of a garden, building, or piece of writing is the way in which the parts of it are arranged.\nHe tried to recall the layout of the farmhouse...\nThis boat has a good deck layout making everything easy to operate.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft the N of n


Words: laze
Meaning:
laze  lazes  lazing  lazed\n  If you laze somewhere for a period of time, you relax and enjoy yourself, not doing any work or anything else that requires effort.\nFred lazed in an easy chair...\nThey used the swimming-pool, rode, lazed in the deep shade of the oaks in the heat of the day.\n  VERB: V, V prep\n\n  Laze around or laze about means the same as laze.\nHe went to Spain for nine months, to laze around and visit relations...\nI was happy enough to laze about on the beach.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P\n  = lie around, lounge around


Words: lazy
Meaning:
lazy  lazier  laziest\n1. If someone is lazy, they do not want to work or make any effort to do anything.\nLazy and incompetent police officers are letting the public down...\nI was too lazy to learn how to read music.\n  ADJ\n  = idle\n=>  la.zi.ness\nCurrent employment laws will be changed to reward effort and punish laziness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You can use lazy to describe an activity or event in which you are very relaxed and which you do or take part in without making much effort.\nHer latest novel is perfect for a lazy summer’s afternoon reading...\nWe would have a lazy lunch and then lie on the beach in the sun.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = relaxed\n=>  la.zi.ly\nLiz went back into the kitchen, stretching lazily.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: lb
Meaning:
lb\n  lb is a written abbreviation for pound, when it refers to weight.\nThe baby was born three months early weighing only 3 lb 5oz.\n\n  = pound


Words: LCD
Meaning:
LCD  LCDs\n  An LCD is a display of information on a screen, which uses liquid crystals that become visible when electricity is passed through them. LCD is an abbreviation for `liquid crystal display’.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lead
Meaning:
SUBSTANCES\n   lead  leads\n1. Lead is a soft, grey, heavy metal.\n...drinking water supplied by old-fashioned lead pipes.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. The lead in a pencil is the centre part of it which makes a mark on paper.\n  N-COUNT\n\nBEING AHEAD OR TAKING SOMEONE SOMEWHERE\n   lead  leads  leading  led\n\nPlease look at category 21 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. If you lead a group of people, you walk or ride in front of them.\nJohn Major and the Duke of Edinburgh led the mourners...\nHe walks with a stick but still leads his soldiers into battle...\nTom was leading, a rifle slung over his back.\n  VERB: V n, V n prep/adv, V\n\n2. If you lead someone to a particular place or thing, you take them there.\nHe took Dickon by the hand to lead him into the house...\nLeading the horse, Evandar walked to the door.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n\n\n3. If a road, gate, or door leads somewhere, you can get there by following the road or going through the gate or door.\n...the doors that led to the yard.\n...a short roadway leading to the car park...\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv\n\n4. If you are leading at a particular point in a race or competition, you are winning at that point.\nHe’s leading in the presidential race...\nSo far Fischer leads by five wins to two...\nAston Villa last led the League in March 1990.\n  VERB: V, V by amount, V n\n\n5. If you have the lead or are in the lead in a race or competition, you are winning.\nEngland took the lead after 31 minutes with a goal by Peter Nail...\nLabour are still in the lead in the opinion polls.\n  N-SING: the N, oft in/into the N\n\n6. Someone’s lead over a competitor at a particular point in a race or competition is the distance, amount of time, or number of points by which they are ahead of them.\n...a commanding lead for the opposition is clearly emerging throughout the country...\nHis goal gave Forest a two-goal lead against Southampton...\nSainz now has a lead of 28 points.\n  N-SING: with supp, oft N over n\n\n7. If one company or country leads others in a particular activity such as scientific research or business, it is more successful or advanced than they are in that activity.\nWhen it comes to pop music we not only lead Europe, we lead the world.\n...foodstores such as Marks & Spencer, which led the market in microwaveable meals.\n  VERB: V n, V n in n\n\n8. If you lead a group of people, an organization, or an activity, you are in control or in charge of the people or the activity.\nMr Mendes was leading a campaign to save Brazil’s rainforest from exploitation.\n  VERB: V n\n\n9. If you give a lead, you do something new or develop new ideas or methods that other people consider to be a good example or model to follow.\nThe American and Japanese navies took the lead in the development of naval aviation...\nOver the next 150 years, many others followed his lead.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n10. You can use lead when you are saying what kind of life someone has. For example, if you lead a busy life, your life is busy.\nShe led a normal, happy life with her sister and brother...\n  VERB: V n\n\n11. If something leads to a situation or event, usually an unpleasant one, it begins a process which causes that situation or event to happen.\nEthnic tensions among the republics could lead to civil war...\nHe warned yesterday that a pay rise for teachers would lead to job cuts.\n  VERB: V to n, V to n\n\n12. If something leads you to do something, it influences or affects you in such a way that you do it.\nHis abhorrence of racism led him to write The Algiers Motel Incident...\nWhat was it ultimately that led you to leave Sarajevo for Zagreb?\n  VERB: V n to-inf, V n to-inf\n\n13. If you say that someone or something led you to think something, you mean that they caused you to think it, although it was not true or did not happen.\nMother had led me to believe the new baby was a kind of present for me...\nIt was not as straightforward as we were led to believe.\n  VERB: V n to-inf, V n to-inf\n\n14. If you lead a conversation or discussion, you control the way that it develops so that you can introduce a particular subject.\nAfter a while I led the conversation around to her job...\n(next)


Words: lead .1
Meaning:
He planned to lead the conversation and keep Matt from changing the subject.\n  VERB: V n adv/prep, V n\n\n15. You can say that one point or topic in a discussion or piece of writing leads you to another in order to introduce a new point or topic that is linked with the previous one.\nWell, I think that leads me to the real point.\n  VERB: V n to n\n  = bring\n16. A lead is a piece of information or an idea which may help people to discover the facts in a situation where many facts are not known, for example in the investigation of a crime or in a scientific experiment.\nThe inquiry team is also following up possible leads after receiving 400 calls from the public.\n  N-COUNT\n\n17. The lead in a play, film, or show is the most important part in it. The person who plays this part can also be called the lead.\nNina Ananiashvili and Alexei Fadeyechev from the Bolshoi Ballet dance the leads...\nThe leads are Jack Hawkins and Glynis Johns.\n  N-COUNT\n\n18. A dog’s lead is a long, thin chain or piece of leather which you attach to the dog’s collar so that you can control the dog. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use leash)\nAn older man came out with a little dog on a lead.\n  N-COUNT\n\n19. A lead in a piece of equipment is a piece of wire covered in plastic which supplies electricity to the equipment or carries it from one part of the equipment to another.\n  N-COUNT\n\n20. The lead story or lead in a newspaper or on the television or radio news is the most important story.\nThe Turkish situation makes the lead in tomorrow’s Guardian...\nCossiga’s reaction is the lead story in the Italian press.\n  N-SING: oft N n\n\n21.\nto lead someone astray: see astray\none thing led to another: see thing\nto lead the way: see way\n  see also leading, -led


Words: lead off
Meaning:
lead off\n1. If a door, room, or path leads off a place or leads off from a place, you can go directly from that place through that door, into that room, or along that path.\nThere were two doors leading off the central room...\nThe treatment rooms lead off from the swimming pool...\nA corridor led off to the left.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V P from n, V P prep\n\n2. If someone leads off in an activity, meeting, or conversation, they start it.\nWhenever there was a dance he and I led off...\nBoren surprisingly led off the most intensive line of questioning today.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron)\n  = start off


Words: lead on
Meaning:
lead on\n  If someone leads you on, they encourage you to do something, especially by pretending that something is true.\nI bet she led him on.but how could he be so weak?\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P


Words: lead singer
Meaning:
lead sing.er\n   lead singer  lead singers\n  The lead singer of a pop group is the person who sings most of the songs.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lead time
Meaning:
lead time lead times\n1. Lead time is the time between the original design or idea for a particular product and its actual production. (BUSINESS)\nThey aim to cut production lead times to under 18 months.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Lead time is the period of time that it takes for goods to be delivered after someone has ordered them. (BUSINESS)\nLead times on new equipment orders can run as long as three years.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lead up to
Meaning:
lead up to\n1. The events that led up to a particular event happened one after the other until that event occurred.\nAlan Tomlinson has reconstructed the events that led up to the deaths...\nThey had a series of arguments, leading up to a decision to separate.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P P n, V P P n\n\n  see also lead-up\n2. The period of time leading up to an event is the period of time immediately before it happens.\n...the weeks leading up to Christmas.\n  PHRASAL VERB: usu cont, V P P n\n\n3. If someone leads up to a particular subject, they gradually guide a conversation to a point where they can introduce it.\nI’m leading up to something quite important.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P P n


Words: lead-free
Meaning:
lead-free\n  Something such as petrol or paint which is lead-free, is made without lead, or has no lead added to it.\n  ADJ


Words: lead-in
Meaning:
lead-in  lead-ins\n  A lead-in is something that is said or done as an introduction before the main subject or event, especially before a radio or television programme.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lead-up
Meaning:
lead-up\n  The lead-up to an event is the things connected to that event that happen before it. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use run-up)\nThe lead-up to the wedding was extremely interesting.\n  N-SING: usu the N to n


Words: leaded
Meaning:
lead.ed\n   leaded\n1. Leaded petrol has had lead added to it.\nJapanese refiners stopped producing leaded petrol in December 1987.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=unleaded\n2. Leaded windows are made of small pieces of glass held together by strips of lead.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: leaden
Meaning:
lead.en\n   leaden\n1. A leaden sky or sea is dark grey and has no movement of clouds or waves. (LITERARY)\nThe weather was at its worst; bitterly cold, with leaden skies that gave minimum visibility.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A leaden conversation or piece of writing is not very interesting.\n...a leaden English translation from the Latin.\n  ADJ\n  = dull\n3. If your movements are leaden, you move slowly and heavily, usually because you are tired. (LITERARY)\nHe heard the father’s leaden footsteps move down the stairs.\n  ADJ\n  = heavy


Words: leader
Meaning:
lead.er\n   leader  leaders\n1. The leader of a group of people or an organization is the person who is in control of it or in charge of it.\nWe now need a new leader of the party and a new style of leadership...\nWe are going to hold a rally next month to elect a new leader.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n, n N\n\n2. The leader at a particular point in a race or competition is the person who is winning at that point.\nThe world drivers’ championship leader crossed the line ahead of the Swede.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. The leader among a range of products or companies is the one that is most successful.\nProcter & Gamble is the leader in the mass market cosmetics industry.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A leader in a newspaper is a piece of writing which gives the editor’s opinion on an important news item. (BRIT; in AM, use editorial)\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. A leader in a newspaper is the most important story in it. (AM; in BRIT, use lead, lead story)\n  N-COUNT


Words: leaderboard
Meaning:
lead.er.board\n\n  The leaderboard is a board that shows the names and positions of the leading competitors in a competition, especially a golf tournament.\n  N-SING: usu the N


Words: leadership
Meaning:
lead.er.ship\n   leadership  leaderships\n1. You refer to people who are in control of a group or organization as the leadership.\nHe is expected to hold talks with both the Croatian and Slovenian leaderships.\n...the Labour leadership of Haringey council in north London.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Someone’s leadership is their position or state of being in control of a group of people.\nHe praised her leadership during the crisis...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft with poss\n\n3. Leadership refers to the qualities that make someone a good leader, or the methods a leader uses to do his or her job.\nWhat most people want to see is determined, decisive action and firm leadership.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: leading
Meaning:
lead.ing\n   leading\n1. The leading person or thing in a particular area is the one which is most important or successful.\n...a leading member of Bristol’s Sikh community...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. The leading role in a play or film is the main role. A leading lady or man is an actor who plays this role.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. The leading group, vehicle, or person in a race or procession is the one that is at the front.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: leading article
Meaning:
lead.ing ar.ti.cle\n   leading article  leading articles\n1. A leading article in a newspaper is a piece of writing which gives the editor’s opinion on an important news item. (BRIT; in AM, use editorial)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A leading article in a newspaper is the most important story in it. (AM; in BRIT, use lead)\n  N-COUNT


Words: leading edge
Meaning:
lead.ing edge\n   leading edge\n  The leading edge of a particular area of research or development is the area of it that seems most advanced or sophisticated.\nI think Israel tends to be at the leading edge of technological development.\n  N-SING: usu the N of n\n  = cutting edge\n=>  leading-edge\n...leading-edge technology.\n  ADJ


Words: leading light
Meaning:
lead.ing light\n   leading light  leading lights\n  If you say that someone is a leading light in an organization, campaign, or community, you mean that they are one of the most important, active, enthusiastic, and successful people in it.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leading question
Meaning:
lead.ing ques.tion\n   leading question  leading questions\n  A leading question is expressed in such a way that it suggests what the answer should be.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leaf
Meaning:
leaf  leaves  leafs  leafing  leafed\n1. The leaves of a tree or plant are the parts that are flat, thin, and usually green. Many trees and plants lose their leaves in the winter and grow new leaves in the spring.\nIn the garden, the leaves of the horse chestnut had already fallen...\nThe Japanese maple that stands across the drive had just come into leaf.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, also in/into N\n\n  see also -leaved\n2. A leaf is one of the pieces of paper of which a book is made.\nHe flattened the wrappers and put them between the leaves of his book.\n  N-COUNT\n  = page\n3. If you take a leaf from someone’s book you behave in the same way as them because you want to be like that person or as successful as they are.\nMaybe we should take a leaf out of Branson’s book. It’s easy to see how he became a billionaire...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n4. If you say that you are going to turn over a new leaf, you mean that you are going to start to behave in a better or more acceptable way.\nHe realized he was in the wrong and promised to turn over a new leaf.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: leaf mould
Meaning:
leaf mould\nin AM, use leaf mold\n  Leaf mould is a substance consisting of decayed leaves that is used to improve the soil.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: leaf through
Meaning:
leaf through\n  If you leaf through something such as a book or magazine, you turn the pages without reading or looking at them very carefully.\nMost patients derive enjoyment from leafing through old picture albums.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: leaflet
Meaning:
leaf.let\n   leaflet  leaflets  leafleting  leafleted\n1. A leaflet is a little book or a piece of paper containing information about a particular subject.\nCampaigners handed out leaflets on passive smoking.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you leaflet a place, you distribute leaflets there, for example by handing them to people, or by putting them through letter boxes.\nWe’ve leafleted the university today to try to drum up some support...\nThe only reason we leafleted on the Jewish New Year was because more people than usual go to the synagogue on that day.\n  VERB: V n, V


Words: leafy
Meaning:
leafy\n1. Leafy trees and plants have lots of leaves on them.\nHis two-story brick home was graced with a patio and surrounded by tall, leafy trees.\n  ADJ\n\n2. You say that a place is leafy when there are lots of trees and plants there.\n...semi-detached homes with gardens in leafy suburban areas.\n  ADJ


Words: league
Meaning:
league  leagues\n1. A league is a group of people, clubs, or countries that have joined together for a particular purpose, or because they share a common interest.\n...the League of Nations.\n...the World Muslim League.\n  N-COUNT: oft in names\n\n2. A league is a group of teams that play the same sport or activity against each other.\n...the American League series between the Boston Red Sox and World Champion Oakland Athletics...\nThe club are on the brink of promotion to the Premier League.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. You use the word league to make comparisons between different people or things, especially in terms of their quality.\nHer success has taken her out of my league...\nTheir record sales would put them in the same league as The Rolling Stones.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n4. If you say that someone is in league with another person to do something bad, you mean that they are working together to do that thing.\nThere is no evidence that the broker was in league with the fraudulent vendor...\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, oft PHR with n


Words: league table
Meaning:
league ta.ble\n   league table  league tables\n  A league table is a list that shows how successful an organization such as a sports team or a business is when it is compared to other similar organizations. (mainly BRIT)\n...a league table of British schools ranked by exam results.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leak
Meaning:
leak  leaks  leaking  leaked\n1. If a container leaks, there is a hole or crack in it which lets a substance such as liquid or gas escape. You can also say that a container leaks a substance such as liquid or gas.\nThe roof leaked...\nThe pool’s fiberglass sides had cracked and the water had leaked out...\nA large diesel tank mysteriously leaked its contents into the river.\n  VERB: V, V prep/adv, V n into n, also V n\n\n  Leak is also a noun.\nIt’s thought a gas leak may have caused the blast.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A leak is a crack, hole, or other gap that a substance such as a liquid or gas can pass through.\n...a leak in the radiator...\nIn May engineers found a leak in a hydrogen fuel line.\n  N-COUNT: oft N in n\n\n3. If a secret document or piece of information leaks or is leaked, someone lets the public know about it.\nLast year, a civil servant was imprisoned for leaking a document to the press...\nHe revealed who leaked a confidential police report...\nWe don’t know how the transcript leaked.\n...a leaked report.\n  VERB: V n to n, V n, V, V-ed\n\n  Leak is also a noun.\nMore serious leaks, possibly involving national security, are likely to be investigated by the police.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  Leak out means the same as leak.\nMore details are now beginning to leak out...\nHe said it would leak out to the newspapers and cause a scandal.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P to n


Words: leakage
Meaning:
leak.age\n   leakage  leakages\n  A leakage is an amount of liquid or gas that is escaping from a pipe or container by means of a crack, hole, or other fault.\nA leakage of kerosene has polluted water supplies...\nIt should be possible to reduce leakage from pipes.\n  N-VAR


Words: leaker
Meaning:
leak.er\n   leaker  leakers\n  A leaker is someone who lets people know secret information. (JOURNALISM)\nHe found no direct evidence to identify a leaker.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leaky
Meaning:
leaky  leakiest\n  Something that is leaky has holes, cracks, or other faults which allow liquids and gases to pass through.\n...the cost of repairing the leaky roof.\n  ADJ


Words: lean
Meaning:
lean  leans  leaning  leaned  leant  leaner  leanest\n\n  American English uses the form leaned as the past tense and past participle. British English uses either leaned or leant.\n\n1. When you lean in a particular direction, you bend your body in that direction.\nEileen leaned across and opened the passenger door...\nThey stopped to lean over a gate.\n  VERB: V adv/prep, V adv/prep\n\n2. If you lean on or against someone or something, you rest against them so that they partly support your weight. If you lean an object on or against something, you place the object so that it is partly supported by that thing.\nShe was feeling tired and was glad to lean against him...\nLean the plants against a wall and cover the roots with peat...\n  VERB: V adv, V n adv/prep\n\n3. If you describe someone as lean, you mean that they are thin but look strong and healthy.\nLike most athletes, she was lean and muscular...\nShe watched the tall, lean figure step into the car.\n  ADJ  approval\n\n4. If meat is lean, it does not have very much fat.\nIt is a beautiful meat, very lean and tender.\n  ADJ\n  !=fatty\n5. If you describe an organization as lean, you mean that it has become more efficient and less wasteful by getting rid of staff, or by dropping projects which were unprofitable.\nThe value of the pound will force British companies to be leaner and fitter.\n  ADJ\n\n6. If you describe periods of time as lean, you mean that people have less of something such as money or are less successful than they used to be.\n...the lean years of the 1930s...\nWith fewer tourists in town, the taxi trade is going through its leanest patch for 30 years.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: lean manufacturing
Meaning:
lean manu.fac.tur.ing\n\n  Lean manufacturing is a manufacturing method which aims to reduce wastage, for example by keeping stocks low and by working more flexibly. (BUSINESS)\n...efficiency-raising techniques such as lean manufacturing.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lean on
Meaning:
lean on   or lean upon\n  If you lean on someone or lean upon them, you depend on them for support and encouragement.\nShe leaned on him to help her to solve her problems.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: lean production
Meaning:
lean pro.duc.tion\n\n  Lean production is the same as lean manufacturing. (BUSINESS)\n...Japanese-style lean production techniques.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lean towards
Meaning:
lean towards\n  If you lean towards or lean toward a particular idea, belief, or type of behaviour, you have a tendency to think or act in a particular way.\nMost scientists would probably lean toward this viewpoint.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: lean-to
Meaning:
lean-to  lean-tos\n  A lean-to is a building such as a shed or garage which is attached to one wall of a larger building, and which usually has a sloping roof.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leaning
Meaning:
lean.ing\n   leaning  leanings\n  Your particular leanings are the beliefs, ideas, or aims you hold or a tendency you have towards them.\nMany companies are wary of their socialist leanings...\nI always had a leaning towards sport.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, with supp, oft N towards n\n  = tendency


Words: leap
Meaning:
leap  leaps  leaping  leaped  or leapt\n\n  British English usually uses the form leapt as the past tense and past participle. American English usually uses leaped.\n\n1. If you leap, you jump high in the air or jump a long distance.\nHe had leapt from a window in the building and escaped...\nThe man threw his arms out as he leapt.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V\n  = jump\n  Leap is also a noun.\nSmith took Britain’s fifth medal of the championships with a leap of 2.37 metres.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you leap somewhere, you move there suddenly and quickly.\nThe two men leaped into the jeep and roared off...\nWith a terrible howl, he leapt forward and threw himself into the water.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv\n\n3. If a vehicle leaps somewhere, it moves there in a short sudden movement.\nThe car leapt forward.\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n4. A leap is a large and important change, increase, or advance. (JOURNALISM)\nThe result has been a giant leap in productivity.\n...the leap in the unemployed from 35,000 to 75,000...\nContemporary art has taken a huge leap forward in the last five or six years.\n  N-COUNT: oft N in n\n\n5. If you leap to a particular place or position, you make a large and important change, increase, or advance.\nWarwicks leap to third in the table, 31 points behind leaders Essex.\n  VERB: V prep\n\n6. If you leap at a chance or opportunity, you accept it quickly and eagerly.\nThe post of principal of the theatre school became vacant and he leapt at the chance.\n  VERB: V at n\n  = jump\n7. You can use in leaps and bounds or by leaps and bounds to emphasize that someone or something is improving or increasing quickly and greatly.\nHe’s improved in leaps and bounds this season...\nThe total number of species on the planet appears to be growing by leaps and bounds.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v  emphasis


Words: leap of faith
Meaning:
leap of faith  leaps of faith\n  If you take a leap of faith, you do something even though you are not sure it is right or will succeed.\nTake a leap of faith and trust them.\n  N-COUNT: a N in sing


Words: leap year
Meaning:
leap year  leap years\n  A leap year is a year which has 366 days. The extra day is the 29th February. There is a leap year every four years.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leapfrog
Meaning:
leap.frog\n   leapfrog  leapfrogs  leapfrogging  leapfrogged\n1. Leapfrog is a game which children play, in which a child bends over, while others jump over their back.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If one group of people leapfrogs into a particular position or leapfrogs someone else, they use the achievements of another person or group in order to make advances of their own.\nIt is already obvious that all four American systems have leapfrogged over the European versions...\nAmerican researchers have now leapfrogged the Japanese and are going to produce a digital system within a year or two.\n  VERB: V prep, V n


Words: learn
Meaning:
learn  learns  learning  learned  learnt\n\n  American English uses the form learned as the past tense and past participle. British English uses either learned or learnt.\n\n1. If you learn something, you obtain knowledge or a skill through studying or training.\nTheir children were going to learn English...\nHe is learning to play the piano.\n...learning how to use new computer systems...\nExperienced teachers help you learn quickly.\n  VERB: V n, V to-inf, V wh, V, also V about n\n\n=>  learn.ing\n...a bilingual approach to the learning of English.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you learn of something, you find out about it.\nIt was only after his death that she learned of his affair with Betty...\nIt didn’t come as a shock to learn that the fuel and cooling systems are the most common causes of breakdown...\n...the Admiral, who, on learning who I was, wanted to meet me.\n  VERB: V of n, V that, V wh\n  = find out\n3. If people learn to behave or react in a particular way, they gradually start to behave in that way as a result of a change in attitudes.\nYou have to learn to face your problem...\nWe are learning how to confront death instead of avoiding its reality.\n  VERB: V to-inf, V wh-to-inf\n\n4. If you learn from an unpleasant experience, you change the way you behave so that it does not happen again or so that, if it happens again, you can deal with it better.\nI am convinced that he has learned from his mistakes...\nThe company failed to learn any lessons from this experience.\n  VERB: V from n, V n from n\n\n5. If you learn something such as a poem or a role in a play, you study or repeat the words so that you can remember them.\nHe learned this song as an inmate at a Texas prison.\n  VERB: V n\n\n6.\n  see also learned, learning\n7.\nto learn something the hard way: see hard\nto learn the ropes: see rope


Words: learned
Meaning:
learn.ed\n   learned\n1. A learned person has gained a lot of knowledge by studying.\nHe is a serious scholar, a genuinely learned man.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Learned books or papers have been written by someone who has gained a lot of knowledge by studying.\nThis learned book should start a real debate on Western policy towards the Baltics.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3.\n  see also learn


Words: learner
Meaning:
learn.er\n   learner  learners\n  A learner is someone who is learning about a particular subject or how to do something.\n...a new aid for younger children or slow learners...\n  N-COUNT


Words: learning
Meaning:
learn.ing\n   learning\n  Learning is the process of gaining knowledge through studying.\nThe brochure described the library as the focal point of learning on the campus.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  see also learn, seat of learning


Words: learning curve
Meaning:
learn.ing curve\n   learning curve  learning curves\n  A learning curve is a process where people develop a skill by learning from their mistakes. A steep learning curve involves learning very quickly.\nBoth he and the crew are on a steep learning curve...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: lease
Meaning:
lease  leases  leasing  leased\n1. A lease is a legal agreement by which the owner of a building, a piece of land, or something such as a car allows someone else to use it for a period of time in return for money.\nHe took up a 10 year lease on the house at Rossie Priory.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you lease property or something such as a car from someone or if they lease it to you, they allow you to use it in return for regular payments of money.\nHe went to Toronto, where he leased an apartment...\nShe hopes to lease the building to students...\nHe will need more grazing land and perhaps La Prade could lease him a few acres.\n  VERB: V n, V n to n, V n n\n\n3. If you say that someone or something has been given a new lease of life, you are emphasizing that they are much more lively or successful than they have been in the past.\nThe operation has given me a new lease of life.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: leasehold
Meaning:
lease.hold\n   leasehold\n1. If a building or land is described as leasehold, it is allowed to be used in return for payment according to the terms of a lease. (mainly BRIT)\nI went into a leasehold property at four hundred and fifty pounds rent per year.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you have the leasehold of a building or piece of land, you have the legal right to use it for a period of time as arranged according to a lease. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: leaseholder
Meaning:
lease.holder\n   leaseholder  leaseholders\n  A leaseholder is a person who is allowed to use a property according to the terms of a lease. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: leash
Meaning:
leash  leashes\n  A dog’s leash is a long thin piece of leather or a chain, which you attach to the dog’s collar so that you can keep the dog under control.\nAll dogs in public places should be on a leash.\n  N-COUNT\n  = lead


Words: least
Meaning:
least\nLeast is often considered to be the superlative form of little.\n1. You use at least to say that a number or amount is the smallest that is possible or likely and that the actual number or amount may be greater. The forms at the least and at the very least are also used.\nAim to have at least half a pint of milk each day...\nNormally it has only had eleven or twelve members in all. Now it will have seventeen at the very least.\n  PHRASE: PHR amount, amount PHR\n\n2. You use at least to say that something is the minimum that is true or possible. The forms at the least and at the very least are also used.\nShe could take a nice holiday at least...\nAt the least, I needed some sleep...\nHis possession of classified documents in his home was, at the very least, a violation of Navy security regulations.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl/group\n\n3. You use at least to indicate an advantage that exists in spite of the disadvantage or bad situation that has just been mentioned.\nWe’ve no idea what his state of health is but at least we know he is still alive...\nIf something awful happens to you at least you can write about it.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n4. You use at least to indicate that you are correcting or changing something that you have just said.\nIt’s not difficult to get money for research or at least it’s not always difficult...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl/group\n\n5. You use the least to mean a smaller amount than anyone or anything else, or the smallest amount possible.\nI try to offend the least amount of people possible...\nIf you like cheese, go for the ones with the least fat.\n  ADJ: the ADJ n\n  !=most\n  Least is also a pronoun.\nOn education funding, Japan performs best but spends the least per student.\n  PRON: the PRON\n  !=most\n  Least is also an adverb.\nDamming the river may end up benefitting those who need it the least.\n  ADV: the ADV after v\n\n6. You use least to indicate that someone or something has less of a particular quality than most other things of its kind.\nThe least experienced athletes had caused a great many false-starts through the day’s proceedings...\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv\n  !=most\n7. You use the least to emphasize the smallness of something, especially when it hardly exists at all.\nI don’t have the least idea of what you’re talking about...\nThey neglect their duty at the least hint of fun elsewhere...\n  ADJ: the ADJ n  emphasis\n\n8. You use least to indicate that something is true or happens to a smaller degree or extent than anything else or at any other time.\nHe had a way of throwing her off guard with his charm when she least expected it.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n  !=most\n9. You use least in structures where you are emphasizing that a particular situation or event is much less important or serious than other possible or actual ones.\nHaving to get up at three o’clock every morning was the least of her worries...\nAt that moment, they were among the least of the concerns of the government.\n  ADJ: ADJ of def-n  emphasis\n\n10. You use the least in structures where you are stating the minimum that should be done in a situation, and suggesting that more should really be done.\nWell, the least you can do, if you won’t help me yourself, is to tell me where to go instead...\nThe least his hotel could do is provide a little privacy.\n  PRON: the PRON cl\n\n11. You can use in the least and the least bit to emphasize a negative.\nI’m not like that at all. Not in the least...\nI’m not in the least bit touched by the Marilyn Monroe kind of beauty...\nAlice wasn’t the least bit frightened.\n  PHRASE: with brd-neg, PHR with cl, PHR adj  emphasis\n\n12. You use last but not least to say that the last person or thing to be mentioned is as important as all the others.\n...her four sons, Christopher, twins Daniel and Nicholas, and last but not least 2-year-old Jack.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl/group\n\n13. You can use least of all after a negative statement to emphasize that it applies especially to the person or thing mentioned.\n(next)


Words: least .1
Meaning:
No one ever reads these articles, least of all me...\nSuch a speech should never have been made, least of all by a so called responsible politician.\n  PHRASE: with brd-neg, PHR cl/group  emphasis\n\n14. You can use not least to emphasize a particularly important example or reason.\nDieting can be bad for you, not least because it is a cause of stress...\nEveryone is more reluctant to travel these days, not least the Americans.\n  PHRASE: PHR cl/group  emphasis\n\n15. You can use to say the least to suggest that a situation is actually much more extreme or serious than you say it is.\nAccommodation was basic to say the least...\nSome members of the public can be a bit abusive to say the least.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl  emphasis


Words: leather
Meaning:
leath.er\n   leather  leathers\n  Leather is treated animal skin which is used for making shoes, clothes, bags, and furniture.\nHe wore a leather jacket and dark trousers.\n...an impressive range of upholstered furniture, in a choice of fabrics and leathers.\n  N-MASS


Words: leathery
Meaning:
leath.ery\n   leathery\n  If the texture of something, for example someone’s skin, is leathery, it is tough and hard, like leather.\n  ADJ


Words: leave
Meaning:
leave  leaves  leaving  left\n1. If you leave a place or person, you go away from that place or person.\nHe would not be allowed to leave the country...\nI simply couldn’t bear to leave my little girl...\nMy flight leaves in less than an hour...\nThe last of the older children had left for school.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V, V for n\n\n2. If you leave an institution, group, or job, you permanently stop attending that institution, being a member of that group, or doing that job.\nHe left school with no qualifications...\nI am leaving to concentrate on writing fiction.\n...a leaving present.\n  VERB: V n, V, V-ing\n\n3. If you leave your husband, wife, or some other person with whom you have had a close relationship, you stop living with them or you finish the relationship.\nHe’ll never leave you. You need have no worry...\nI would be insanely jealous if Bill left me for another woman.\n  VERB: V n, V n for n, also V\n\n4. If you leave something or someone in a particular place, you let them remain there when you go away. If you leave something or someone with a person, you let them remain with that person so they are safe while you are away.\nFrom the moment that Philippe had left her in the bedroom at the hotel, she had heard nothing of him...\nLeave your key with a neighbour in case you lock yourself out one day.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n with n\n\n5. If you leave a message or an answer, you write it, record it, or give it to someone so that it can be found or passed on.\nYou can leave a message on our answering machine...\nDecide whether the ball is in square A, B, C, or D, then call and leave your answer...\nI left my phone number with several people.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n, V n with n\n\n6. If you leave someone doing something, they are doing that thing when you go away from them.\nSalter drove off, leaving Callendar surveying the scene.\n  VERB: V n -ing\n\n7. If you leave someone to do something, you go away from them so that they do it on their own. If you leave someone to himself or herself, you go away from them and allow them to be alone.\nI’d better leave you to get on with it, then...\nDiana took the hint and left them to it...\nOne of the advantages of a department store is that you are left to yourself to try things on...\n  VERB: V n to-inf, V n to it, be V-ed to pron-refl\n\n8. To leave an amount of something means to keep it available after the rest has been used or taken away.\nHe always left a little food for the next day...\nDouble rooms at any of the following hotels should leave you some change from .150.\n  VERB: V n for n, V n n\n\n9. If you take one number away from another, you can say that it leaves the number that remains. For example, five take away two leaves three.\n  VERB\n  = equal\n10. To leave someone with something, especially when that thing is unpleasant or difficult to deal with, means to make them have it or make them responsible for it.\n...a crash which left him with a broken collar-bone...\n  VERB: V n with n\n\n11. If an event leaves people or things in a particular state, they are in that state when the event has finished.\n...violent disturbances which have left at least ten people dead...\nThe documentary left me in a state of shock...\n  VERB: V n adj, V n prep/adv\n\n12. If you leave food or drink, you do not eat or drink it, often because you do not like it.\nIf you don’t like the cocktail you ordered, just leave it and try a different one.\n  VERB: V n\n\n13. If something leaves a mark, effect, or sign, it causes that mark, effect, or sign to remain as a result.\nA muscle tear will leave a scar after healing...\n  VERB: V n\n\n14. If you leave something in a particular state, position, or condition, you let it remain in that state, position, or condition.\nHe left the album open on the table...\nI’ve left the car lights on...\nI left the engine running.\n  VERB: V n adj, V n adv/prep, V n -ing\n\n15. If you leave a space or gap in something, you deliberately make that space or gap.\nLeave a gap at the top and bottom so air can circulate.\n(next)


Words: leave .1
Meaning:
VERB: V n\n\n16. If you leave a job, decision, or choice to someone, you give them the responsibility for dealing with it or making it.\nAffix the blue airmail label and leave the rest to us...\nThe judge should not have left it to the jury to decide...\nFor the moment, I leave you to take all decisions.\n  VERB: V n to n, V it to n to-inf, V n to-inf\n\n17. If you say that something such as an arrangement or an agreement leaves a lot to another thing or person, you are critical of it because it is not adequate and its success depends on the other thing or person.\nThe ceasefire leaves a lot to the goodwill of the forces involved...\n  VERB: V amount to n  disapproval\n\n18. To leave someone with a particular course of action or the opportunity to do something means to let it be available to them, while restricting them in other ways.\nThis left me only one possible course of action...\nHe was left with no option but to resign.\n  VERB: V n n, be V-ed with n\n\n19. If you leave something until a particular time, you delay doing it or dealing with it until then.\nDon’t leave it all until the last minute.\n  VERB: V n until/to n\n\n  If you leave something too late, you delay doing it so that when you eventually do it, it is useless or ineffective.\nI hope I haven’t left it too late.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n20. If you leave a particular subject, you stop talking about it and start discussing something else.\nI think we’d better leave the subject of Nationalism...\nHe suggested we get together for a drink sometime. I said I’d like that, and we left it there.\n  VERB: V n, V n prep/adv\n\n21. If you leave property or money to someone, you arrange for it to be given to them after you have died.\nHe died two and a half years later, leaving everything to his wife.\n  VERB: V n to n\n\n22. Leave is a period of time when you are not working at your job, because you are on holiday or vacation, or for some other reason. If you are on leave, you are not working at your job.\nWhy don’t you take a few days’ leave?\n...maternity leave...\nHe is home on leave from the Navy.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft on N\n\n23.\n  see also left\n24. If you leave someone or something alone, or if you leave them be, you do not pay them any attention or bother them.\nSome people need to confront a traumatic past; others find it better to leave it alone...\nWhy can’t you leave him be?\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n25. If something continues from where it left off, it starts happening again at the point where it had previously stopped.\nAs soon as the police disappear the violence will take up from where it left off.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, oft from PHR\n\n26.\nto leave a lot to be desired: see desire\nto leave someone to their own devices: see device\nto take leave of your senses: see sense\ntake it or leave it: see take


Words: leave behind
Meaning:
leave behind\n1. If you leave someone or something behind, you go away permanently from them.\nMany of the women had left their husbands behind and they told of their fears that they may never see them again...\nWe hear of women who run away, leaving behind their homes and families.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n2. If you leave behind an object or a situation, it remains after you have left a place.\nI don’t want to leave anything behind...\nA misty rain in the morning had left behind a coolness that would stay for hours.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n3. If a person, country, or organization is left behind, they remain at a lower level than others because they are not as quick at understanding things or developing.\nWe’re going to be left behind by the rest of the world...\nI got left behind at school with the maths...\nInflation has left them way behind.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P, get V-ed P, V n P


Words: leave of absence
Meaning:
leave of ab.sence\n   leave of absence  leaves of absence\n  If you have leave of absence you have permission to be away from work for a certain period.\n  N-VAR


Words: leave off
Meaning:
leave off\n1. If someone or something is left off a list, they are not included on that list.\nShe has been deliberately left off the guest list...\nThe judge left Walsh’s name off the list of those he wanted arrested.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P n, V n P n, also V n P\n\n2. If someone leaves off doing something, they stop doing it.\nWe all left off eating and stood about with bowed heads...\nSome of the patients left off treatment.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P -ing, V P n (not pron)\n  = stop


Words: leave out
Meaning:
leave out\n  If you leave someone or something out of an activity, collection, discussion, or group, you do not include them in it.\nSome would question the wisdom of leaving her out of the team...\nIf you prefer mild flavours reduce or leave out the chilli...\nNow have we left any country out?\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P of n, V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n  If someone feels left out, they feel sad because they are not included in a group or activity.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: leaven
Meaning:
leav.en\n   leaven  leavens  leavening  leavened\n  If a situation or activity is leavened by or with something, it is made more interesting or cheerful.\nHis mood of deep pessimism cannot have been leavened by his mode of transport.a black cab...\nHe found congenial officers who knew how to leaven war’s rigours with riotous enjoyment.\n  VERB: be V-ed by/with n, V n by/with n, also V n


Words: Lebanese
Meaning:
Leba.nese\n   Lebanese  Lebanese\n1. Lebanese means belonging or relating to Lebanon, or to its people or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Lebanese is a Lebanese citizen, or a person of Lebanese origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lecher
Meaning:
lech.er\n   lecher  lechers\n  If you describe a man as a lecher, you disapprove of him because you think he behaves towards women in a way which shows he is only interested in them sexually. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: lecherous
Meaning:
lech.er.ous\n   lecherous\n  If you describe a man as lecherous, you disapprove of him because he behaves towards women in a way which shows he is only interested in them sexually.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval


Words: lechery
Meaning:
lech.ery\n   lechery\n  Lechery is the behaviour of men who are only interested in women sexually.\nHis lechery made him the enemy of every self-respecting husband and father in the county.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: lectern
Meaning:
lec.tern\n   lectern  lecterns\n  A lectern is a high sloping desk on which someone puts their notes when they are standing up and giving a lecture.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lecture
Meaning:
lec.ture\n   lecture  lectures  lecturing  lectured\n1. A lecture is a talk someone gives in order to teach people about a particular subject, usually at a university or college.\n...a series of lectures by Professor Eric Robinson...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you lecture on a particular subject, you give a lecture or a series of lectures about it.\nShe then invited him to Atlanta to lecture on the history of art...\nShe has danced, choreographed, lectured and taught all over the world...\n  VERB: V on/in n, V\n\n3. If someone lectures you about something, they criticize you or tell you how they think you should behave.\nHe used to lecture me about getting too much sun...\nChuck would lecture me, telling me to get a haircut...\nShe was no longer interrogating but lecturing.\n  VERB: V n about/on n, V n, V, also V n to-inf\n\n  Lecture is also a noun.\nOur captain gave us a stern lecture on safety.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lecturer
Meaning:
lec.tur.er\n   lecturer  lecturers\n  A lecturer is a teacher at a university or college.\n...a lecturer in law at Southampton University.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lectureship
Meaning:
lec.ture.ship\n   lectureship  lectureships\n  A lectureship is the position of lecturer at a university or college.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ledge
Meaning:
ledge  ledges\n1. A ledge is a piece of rock on the side of a cliff or mountain, which is in the shape of a narrow shelf.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A ledge is a narrow shelf along the bottom edge of a window.\nShe had climbed onto the ledge outside his window.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ledger
Meaning:
ledg.er\n   ledger  ledgers\n  A ledger is a book in which a company or organization writes down the amounts of money it spends and receives. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lee
Meaning:
lee  lees\n1. The lee of a place is the shelter that it gives from the wind or bad weather. (LITERARY)\n...the cathedral, which nestles in the lee of a hill beneath the town...\n  N-SING: with poss\n\n2. In sailing, the lee side of a ship is the one that is away from the wind. (TECHNICAL)\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: leech
Meaning:
leech  leeches\n1. A leech is a small animal which looks like a worm and lives in water. Leeches feed by attaching themselves to other animals and sucking their blood.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you describe someone as a leech, you disapprove of them because they deliberately depend on other people, often making money out of them.\nThey’re just a bunch of leeches cadging off others!\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: leek
Meaning:
leek  leeks\n  Leeks are long thin vegetables which smell similar to onions. They are white at one end, have long light green leaves, and are eaten cooked.\n  N-VAR


Words: leer
Meaning:
leer  leers  leering  leered\n  If someone leers at you, they smile in an unpleasant way, usually because they are sexually interested in you.\nMen were standing around, swilling beer and occasionally leering at passing females...\nHe looked back at Kenworthy and leered.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V  disapproval\n\n  Leer is also a noun.\nWhen I asked the clerk for my room key, he gave it to me with a leer.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leery
Meaning:
leery\n1. If you are leery of something, you are cautious and suspicious about it and try to avoid it. (INFORMAL)\nExecutives say they are leery of the proposed system...\nThey were leery about investing in a company controlled by a single individual.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ of/about n\n  = wary\n2. If someone looks or smiles at you in a leery way, they look or smile at you in an unpleasant way, usually because they are sexually interested in you.\n...a leery grin.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: leeway
Meaning:
lee.way\n   leeway\n  Leeway is the freedom that someone has to take the action they want to or to change their plans.\nRarely do schoolteachers have leeway to teach classes the way they want...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: left
Meaning:
DIRECTION AND POLITICAL GROUPINGS\n   left\n\n  The spelling Left is also used for meanings 3 and 4.\n\n1. The left is one of two opposite directions, sides, or positions. If you are facing north and you turn to the left, you will be facing west. In the word `to’, the `t’ is to the left of the `o’.\nIn Britain cars drive on the left.\n...the brick wall to the left of the conservatory...\nBeaufort Castle is on your left.\n  N-SING: usu the N\n  !=right\n  Left is also an adverb.\nTurn left at the crossroads into Clay Lane.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. Your left arm, leg, or ear, for example, is the one which is on the left side of your body. Your left shoe or glove is the one which is intended to be worn on your left foot or hand.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=right\n3. You can refer to people who support the political ideals of socialism as the left. They are often contrasted with the right, who support the political ideals of capitalism and conservatism.\n...the traditional parties of the Left...\n  N-SING-COLL: the N\n  !=right\n4. If you say that a person or political party has moved to the left, you mean that their political beliefs have become more left-wing.\nAfter Mrs Thatcher’s first election victory in 1979, Labour moved sharply to the left...\n  N-SING: the N, usu to the N\n  !=right\n\nREMAINING\n   left\n1. Left is the past tense and past participle of leave.\n\n2. If there is a certain amount of something left, or if you have a certain amount of it left, it remains when the rest has gone or been used.\nIs there any gin left?...\nHe’s got plenty of money left...\nThey still have six games left to play.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, v n ADJ\n\n  If there is a certain amount of something left over, or if you have it left over, it remains when the rest has gone or been used.\nSo much income is devoted to monthly mortgage payments that nothing is left over.\n...a large bucket of cut flowers left over from the wedding.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR


Words: left field
Meaning:
left field\n1. If you say that someone or something has come out of left field or is out in left field, you mean that they are untypical, unusual, or strange in some way.\nThe question came out of left field, but Mary Ann wasn’t really surprised...\nHe is, like most theorists, out there in left field, ignoring the experimental evidence.\n  N-SING: usu prep N\n\n2. Left-field means slightly odd or unusual. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\n...a left-field cabaret act...\nHer parents were creative and left-field and wanted Polly to become a singer or a truck driver.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unconventional


Words: left luggage
Meaning:
left lug.gage\n   left luggage\n  Left luggage is used to refer to luggage that people leave at a special place in a railway station or an airport, and which they collect later. (BRIT)\n...a left luggage locker at Victoria Station.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: left-click
Meaning:
left-click left-clicks left-clicking left-clicked\n  To left-click or to left-click on something means to press the left-hand button on a computer mouse. (COMPUTING)\nWhen the menu has popped up you should left-click on one of the choices to make it operate.\n  VERB: V on n\n  !=right-click


Words: left-hand
Meaning:
left-hand\n  If something is on the left-hand side of something, it is positioned on the left of it.\nThe keys are in the back left-hand corner of the drawer.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=right-hand


Words: left-hand drive
Meaning:
left-hand drive\n  A left-hand drive vehicle has the steering wheel on the left side, and is designed to be used in countries where people drive on the right-hand side of the road.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: left-handed
Meaning:
left-handed\n  Someone who is left-handed uses their left hand rather than their right hand for activities such as writing and sports and for picking things up.\nThere is a place in London that supplies practically everything for left-handed people.\n  ADJ\n  !=right-handed\n  Left-handed is also an adverb.\nMy father thought that I’d be at a disadvantage if I wrote left-handed.


Words: left-hander
Meaning:
left-hander  left-handers\n  You can describe someone as a left-hander if they use their left hand rather than their right hand for activities such as writing and sports and for picking things up.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=right-hander


Words: left-justify
Meaning:
left-justify left-justifies left-justifying left-justified\n  If printed text is left-justified, each line begins at the same distance from the left-hand edge of the page or column.\nThe data in the cells should be left-justified.\n  VERB: be V-ed, also V, V n\n  !=right-justify


Words: left-of-centre
Meaning:
left-of-centre\nin AM, use left of center\n  Left-of-centre people or political parties support political ideas which are closer to socialism than to capitalism.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: left-wing
Meaning:
left-wing   also left wing\n1. Left-wing people have political ideas that are based on socialism.\nThey said they would not be voting for him because he was too left-wing.\n  ADJ\n  !=right-wing\n2. The left wing of a group of people, especially a political party, consists of the members of it whose beliefs are closer to socialism than are those of its other members.\nThe left-wing of the party is confident that the motion will be carried.\n  N-SING: usu the N


Words: left-winger
Meaning:
left-winger  left-wingers\n  A left-winger is a person whose political beliefs are close to socialism, or closer to them than most of the other people in the same group or party.\nWe were accused of being militant left-wingers.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=right-winger


Words: leftism
Meaning:
left.ism\n   leftism\n  Leftism refers to the beliefs and behaviour of people who support socialist ideals.\n...changes which would move the party away from the dreamy leftism that alienated so many people.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: leftist
Meaning:
left.ist\n   leftist  leftists\n1. Socialists and Communists are sometimes referred to as leftists.\nTwo of the men were leftists and two were centrists.\n...Chilean leftists.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you describe someone, their ideals or their activities as leftist, you mean that they support the ideas of socialism or communism.\n...an alliance of seven leftist parties...\n...extreme leftist ideas.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: leftover
Meaning:
left.over\n   leftover  leftovers   also left-over\n1. You can refer to food that has not been eaten after a meal as leftovers.\nRefrigerate any leftovers...\n  N-PLURAL\n\n2. You use leftover to describe an amount of something that remains after the rest of it has been used or eaten.\nLeftover chicken makes a wonderful salad.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: leftward
Meaning:
left.ward\n   leftward   also leftwards\n  Leftward or leftwards means on or towards a political position that is closer to socialism than to capitalism.\nTheir success does not necessarily reflect a leftward shift in politics.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=rightward\n  Leftward is also an adverb.\nHe seemed to move leftwards as he grew older.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: lefty
Meaning:
lefty  lefties   also leftie\n1. If you refer to someone as a lefty, you mean that they have socialist beliefs. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\n...a large group of students and trendy lefties.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n  disapproval\n\n2. A lefty is someone, especially a sports player, who is left-handed. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: leg
Meaning:
leg  legs\n1. A person or animal’s legs are the long parts of their body that they use to stand on.\nHe was tapping his walking stick against his leg.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n\n=>  -legged\nHer name was Sheila, a long-legged blonde.\n...a large four-legged animal.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n2. The legs of a pair of trousers are the parts that cover your legs.\nHe moved on through wet grass that soaked his trouser legs.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n3. A leg of lamb, pork, chicken, or other meat is a piece of meat that consists of the animal’s or bird’s leg, especially the thigh.\n...a chicken leg.\n...a leg of mutton.\n  N-COUNT: n N, N of n\n\n4. The legs of a table, chair, or other piece of furniture are the parts that rest on the floor and support the furniture’s weight.\nHis ankles were tied to the legs of the chair...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft n N, N of n\n\n=>  -legged\n...a three-legged stool.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n5. A leg of a long journey is one part of it, usually between two points where you stop.\nThe first leg of the journey was by boat to Lake Naivasha in Kenya.\n  N-COUNT: usu ord N, N of n\n\n6. A leg of a sports competition is one of a series of games that are played to find an overall winner. (mainly BRIT)\nThey will televise both legs of Leeds’ European Cup clash with Rangers.\n  N-COUNT\n\n7. If you say that something or someone is on their last legs, you mean that the period of time when they were successful or strong is ending. (INFORMAL)\nThis relationship is on its last legs.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n8. If you are pulling someone’s leg, you are teasing them by telling them something shocking or worrying as a joke. (INFORMAL)\nOf course I won’t tell them; I was only pulling your leg.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9. If you say that someone does not have a leg to stand on, or hasn’t got a leg to stand on, you mean that a statement or claim they have made cannot be justified or proved. (INFORMAL)\nIt’s only my word against his, I know. So I don’t have a leg to stand on.\n  PHRASE: with brd-neg\n\n10.\nan arm and a leg: see arm\nwith your tail between your legs: see tail


Words: leg room
Meaning:
leg room\n  Leg room is the amount of space, especially in a car or other vehicle, that is available in front of your legs.\nTall drivers won’t have enough leg room.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: legacy
Meaning:
lega.cy\n   legacy  legacies\n1. A legacy is money or property which someone leaves to you when they die.\nYou could make a real difference to someone’s life by leaving them a generous legacy.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A legacy of an event or period of history is something which is a direct result of it and which continues to exist after it is over.\n...a programme to overcome the legacy of inequality and injustice created by Apartheid...\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu N of n, n N


Words: legal
Meaning:
le.gal\n   legal\n1. Legal is used to describe things that relate to the law.\nHe vowed to take legal action.\n...the British legal system...\nI sought legal advice on this.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  le.gal.ly\nThere are reasons to doubt that a second trial is morally, legally or politically justified...\nIt could be a bit problematic, legally speaking.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj, ADV with cl\n\n2. An action or situation that is legal is allowed or required by law.\nWhat I did was perfectly legal.\n...drivers who have more than the legal limit of alcohol.\n  ADJ\n  !=illegal


Words: legal aid
Meaning:
le.gal aid\n   legal aid\n  Legal aid is money given by the government or another organization to people who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: legal tender
Meaning:
le.gal ten.der\n   legal tender\n  Legal tender is money, especially a particular coin or banknote, which is officially part of a country’s currency at a particular time.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: legalistic
Meaning:
le.gal.is.tic\n   legalistic\n  If you say that someone’s language or ideas are legalistic, you are criticizing them for paying too much attention to legal details.\n...complicated legalistic language.\n...his fussily legalistic mind.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval


Words: legality
Meaning:
le.gal.ity\n   legality\n  If you talk about the legality of an action or situation, you are talking about whether it is legal or not.\nThe auditor has questioned the legality of the contracts.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu the N of n


Words: legalize
Meaning:
le.gal.ize\n   legalize  legalizes  legalizing  legalized\nin BRIT, also use legalise\n  If something is legalized, a law is passed that makes it legal.\nDivorce was legalized in 1981.\n...the decision of the Georgian government to legalise multi-party elections.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n\n\n=>  le.gali.za.tion\nShe ruled out the legalisation of drugs.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu the N of n


Words: legate
Meaning:
leg.ate\n   legate  legates\n  A legate is a person who is the official representative of another person, especially the Pope’s official representative in a particular country. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n  = representative


Words: legation
Meaning:
le.ga.tion\n   legation  legations\n1. A legation is a group of government officials and diplomats who work in a foreign country and represent their government in that country.\n...a member of the US legation.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n2. A legation is the building in which a legation works.\n  N-COUNT


Words: legend
Meaning:
leg.end\n   legend  legends\n1. A legend is a very old and popular story that may be true.\n...the legends of ancient Greece...\nThe play was based on Irish legend.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If you refer to someone as a legend, you mean that they are very famous and admired by a lot of people.\n...blues legends John Lee Hooker and B.B. King.\n  N-COUNT  approval\n\n3. A legend is a story that people talk about, concerning people, places, or events that exist or are famous at the present time.\nThe incident has since become a family legend...\nHis frequent brushes with death are the stuff of legend among the press.\n  N-VAR


Words: legendary
Meaning:
leg.end.ary\n   legendary\n1. If you describe someone or something as legendary, you mean that they are very famous and that many stories are told about them.\n...the legendary Jazz singer Adelaide Hall...\nHis political skill is legendary.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A legendary person, place, or event is mentioned or described in an old legend.\nThe hill is supposed to be the resting place of the legendary King Lud.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: leggings
Meaning:
leg.gings\n   leggings\n1. Leggings are close-fitting trousers, usually made out of a stretchy fabric, that are worn by women and girls.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N\n\n2. Leggings are an outer covering of leather or other strong material, often in the form of trousers, that you wear over your normal trousers in order to protect them.\n...a pair of leggings to slip on over your other clothes.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N


Words: leggy
Meaning:
leg.gy\n   leggy\n  If you describe someone, usually a woman, as leggy, you mean that they have very long legs and usually that you find this attractive.\nThe leggy beauty was none other than our own Naomi Campbell.\n  ADJ


Words: legible
Meaning:
leg.ible\n   legible\n  Legible writing is clear enough to read.\nMy handwriting isn’t very legible.\n...a barely legible sign.\n  ADJ\n  !=illegible


Words: legion
Meaning:
le.gion\n   legion  legions\n1. A legion is a large group of soldiers who form one section of an army.\n...the Sudan-based troops of the Libyan Islamic Legion...\n  N-COUNT: oft in names after n\n\n2. A legion of people or things is a great number of them. (WRITTEN)\nHis delightful sense of humour won him a legion of friends.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n3. If you say that things of a particular kind are legion, you mean that there are a great number of them. (FORMAL)\nEllie’s problems are legion...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ


Words: legislate
Meaning:
leg.is.late\n   legislate  legislates  legislating  legislated\n  When a government or state legislates, it passes a new law. (FORMAL)\nMost member countries have already legislated against excessive overtime...\nYou cannot legislate to change attitudes.\n...attempts to legislate a national energy strategy.\n  VERB: V against/for/on n, V to-inf, V n, also V


Words: legislation
Meaning:
leg.is.la.tion\n   legislation\n  Legislation consists of a law or laws passed by a government. (FORMAL)\n...a letter calling for legislation to protect women’s rights.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: legislative
Meaning:
leg.is.la.tive\n   legislative\n  Legislative means involving or relating to the process of making and passing laws. (FORMAL)\nToday’s hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.\n...the country’s highest legislative body.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: legislator
Meaning:
leg.is.la.tor\n   legislator  legislators\n  A legislator is a person who is involved in making or passing laws. (FORMAL)\n...an attempt to get US legislators to change the system.\n  N-COUNT


Words: legislature
Meaning:
leg.is.la.ture\n   legislature  legislatures\n  The legislature of a particular state or country is the group of people in it who have the power to make and pass laws. (FORMAL)\nThe proposals before the legislature include the creation of two special courts to deal exclusively with violent crimes.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing


Words: legit
Meaning:
le.git\n   legit\n  If you describe a person or thing as legit, you mean that they are in accordance with the law or with a particular set of rules and regulations. (INFORMAL)\nI checked him out, he’s legit...\nWhat is the point of going legit and getting married?\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: legitimate
Meaning:
le.giti.mate\n   legitimate\n1. Something that is legitimate is acceptable according to the law.\nThe government will not seek to disrupt the legitimate business activities of the defendant.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  le.giti.ma.cy\nThe opposition parties do not recognise the political legitimacy of his government.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n=>  le.giti.mate.ly\nThe government has been legitimately elected by the people.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If you say that something such as a feeling or claim is legitimate, you think that it is reasonable and justified.\nThat’s a perfectly legitimate fear...\nThe New York Times has a legitimate claim to be a national newspaper.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  le.giti.ma.cy\nAs if to prove the legitimacy of these fears, the Cabinet of Franz von Papen collapsed on December 2.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n=>  le.giti.mate.ly\nThey could quarrel quite legitimately with some of my choices.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n3. A legitimate child is one whose parents were married before he or she was born.\nWe only married in order that the child should be legitimate.\n  ADJ\n  !=illegitimate


Words: legitimize
Meaning:
le.giti.mize\n   legitimize  legitimizes  legitimizing  legitimized\n  To legitimize something, especially something bad, means to officially allow it, approve it, or make it seem acceptable. (FORMAL)\nThey will accept no agreement that legitimizes the ethnic division of the country...\n  VERB: V n\n  The spellings legitimise in British English, and legitimatize in American English are also used.\n  = sanction


Words: legless
Meaning:
leg.less\n   legless\n1. A legless person or animal has no legs.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. If you say that someone is legless, you mean that they are extremely drunk. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nThey found the locals getting legless on tequila.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: legume
Meaning:
leg.ume\n   legume  legumes\n  People sometimes use legumes to refer to peas, beans, and other related vegetables. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-COUNT\n  = pulse


Words: leisure
Meaning:
lei.sure\n   leisure\n1. Leisure is the time when you are not working and you can relax and do things that you enjoy.\n...a relaxing way to fill my leisure time.\n...one of Britain’s most popular leisure activities.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n\n\n2. If someone does something at leisure or at their leisure, they enjoy themselves by doing it when they want to, without hurrying.\nYou will be able to stroll at leisure through the gardens...\nHe could read all the national papers at his leisure.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: leisure centre
Meaning:
lei.sure cen.tre\n   leisure centre  leisure centres\n  A leisure centre is a large public building containing different facilities for leisure activities, such as a sports hall, a swimming pool, and rooms for meetings. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT: oft in names


Words: leisured
Meaning:
lei.sured\n   leisured\n1. Leisured people are people who do not work, usually because they are rich.\n...the leisured classes.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Leisured activities are done in a relaxed way or do not involve work.\n...this leisured life of reading and writing.\n  ADJ


Words: leisurely
Meaning:
lei.sure.ly\n   leisurely\n  A leisurely action is done in a relaxed and unhurried way.\nLunch was a leisurely affair...\nTweed walked at a leisurely pace.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  Leisurely is also an adverb.\nWe walked leisurely into the hotel.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: leisurewear
Meaning:
leisure.wear\n   leisurewear\n  Leisurewear is informal clothing which you wear when you are not working, for example at weekends or on holiday. (BRIT WRITTEN)\nTheir range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: leitmotif
Meaning:
leit.mo.tif\n   leitmotif  leitmotifs   also leitmotiv\n  A leitmotif in something such as a book or film or in a person’s life is an idea or an object which occurs again and again. (FORMAL)\nThe title of one of Dietrich’s best-known songs could serve as the leitmotif for her life.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lemming
Meaning:
lem.ming\n   lemming  lemmings\n1. A lemming is an animal that looks like a large rat with thick fur. Lemmings live in cold northern regions and sometimes travel in very large numbers.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that a large group of people are acting like lemmings, you are critical of them because they all follow each other into an action without thinking about it.\nThe French crowds pour like lemmings down the motorway to Paris.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl  disapproval


Words: lemon
Meaning:
lem.on\n   lemon  lemons\n1. A lemon is a bright yellow fruit with very sour juice. Lemons grow on trees in warm countries.\n...a slice of lemon.\n...oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits.\n...lemon juice.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. Lemon is a drink that tastes of lemons.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lemon curd
Meaning:
lem.on curd\n   lemon curd\n  Lemon curd is a thick yellow food made from lemons. You spread it on bread or use it to fill cakes or pastries. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lemon squeezer
Meaning:
lem.on squeez.er\n   lemon squeezer  lemon squeezers\n  A lemon squeezer is an object used for squeezing juice out of lemons and oranges.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lemon yellow
Meaning:
lem.on yel.low\n   lemon yellow   also lemon-yellow\n  Lemon yellow or lemon is used to describe things that are pale yellow in colour.\n  COLOUR


Words: lemonade
Meaning:
lem.on.ade\n   lemonade  lemonades\n  Lemonade is a colourless sweet fizzy drink. A drink that is made from lemons, sugar, and water and is not fizzy can also be referred to as lemonade.\nHe was pouring ice and lemonade into tall glasses.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  A glass of lemonade can be referred to as a lemonade.\nI’m going to get you a lemonade.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lemongrass
Meaning:
lem.on.grass\n   lemongrass   also lemon grass\n  Lemongrass is a type of grass that grows in warm countries. It is used as a flavouring in food.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lemur
Meaning:
le.mur\n   lemur  lemurs\n  A lemur is an animal that looks like a small monkey and has a long tail and a face similar to that of a fox.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lend
Meaning:
lend  lends  lending  lent\n1. When people or organizations such as banks lend you money, they give it to you and you agree to pay it back at a future date, often with an extra amount as interest.\nThe bank is reassessing its criteria for lending money...\nI had to lend him ten pounds to take his children to the pictures.\n...financial de-regulation that led to institutions being more willing to lend.\n  VERB: V n, V n n, V, also V n to n, V to n\n\n=>  lend.ing\n...a financial institution that specializes in the lending of money.\n...a slump in bank lending.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. If you lend something that you own, you allow someone to have it or use it for a period of time.\nWill you lend me your jacket for a little while?...\nHe had lent the bungalow to the Conrads for a couple of weeks.\n  VERB: V n n, V n to n\n\n3. If you lend your support to someone or something, you help them with what they are doing or with a problem that they have.\nHe was approached by the organisers to lend support to a benefit concert...\nStipe attended yesterday’s news conference to lend his support.\n  VERB: V n to n, V n, also V n n\n  = give\n4. If something lends itself to a particular activity or result, it is easy for it to be used for that activity or to achieve that result.\nThe room lends itself well to summer eating with its light, airy atmosphere.\n  VERB: V pron-refl to n\n\n5. If something lends a particular quality to something else, it adds that quality to it.\nEnthusiastic applause lent a sense of occasion to the proceedings...\nA more relaxed regime and regular work lends the inmates a dignity not seen in other prisons.\n  VERB: V n to n, V n n, also V n\n\n6.\n  see also lent\n7.\nto lend an ear: see ear\nto lend a hand: see hand


Words: lender
Meaning:
lend.er\n   lender  lenders\n  A lender is a person or an institution that lends money to people. (BUSINESS)\n...the six leading mortgage lenders.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lending library
Meaning:
lend.ing li.brary\n   lending library  lending libraries\n  A lending library is a library from which the public are allowed to borrow books.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lending rate
Meaning:
lend.ing rate\n   lending rate  lending rates\n  The lending rate is the rate of interest that you have to pay when you are repaying a loan. (BUSINESS)\nThe bank left its lending rates unchanged.\n  N-COUNT


Words: length
Meaning:
length  lengths\n1. The length of something is the amount that it measures from one end to the other along the longest side.\nIt is about a metre in length.\n...the length of the fish...\nThe plane had a wing span of 34ft and a length of 22ft.\n  N-VAR: oft with poss, oft amount in N, N of amount\n\n2. The length of something such as a piece of writing is the amount of writing that is contained in it.\n...a book of at least 100 pages in length...\nThe length of a paragraph depends on the information it conveys.\n  N-VAR: oft with poss, oft amount in N\n\n3. The length of an event, activity, or situation is the period of time from beginning to end for which something lasts or during which something happens.\nThe exact length of each period may vary...\nHis film, over two hours in length, is a subtle study of family life.\n  N-VAR: oft with poss, oft amount in N\n\n4. A length of rope, cloth, wood, or other material is a piece of it that is intended to be used for a particular purpose or that exists in a particular situation.\n...a 30ft length of rope...\nYou can hang lengths of fabric behind the glass.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, oft N of n\n\n5. The length of something is its quality of being long.\nMany have been surprised at the length of time it has taken him to make up his mind...\nI noticed, too, the length of her fingers.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n\n\n6. If you swim a length in a swimming pool, you swim the distance from one end to the other.\nI swim 40 lengths a day.\n  N-COUNT: usu num N\n\n7. In boat racing or horse racing, a length is the distance from the front to the back of the boat or horse. You can talk about one boat or horse being one or more lengths in front of or behind another.\nHarvard won by four lengths.\n  N-COUNT: usu num N\n\n8. If something happens or exists along the length of something, it happens or exists for the whole way along it.\nI looked along the length of the building...\nThe inspiration stemming from his travels lasted the length of his career.\n  N-SING: the N of n\n\n9.\n  see also full-length\n10. If someone does something at length, they do it after a long period of time. (LITERARY)\nAt length my father went into the house.\n  PHRASE: PHR cl\n\n11. If someone does something at length, they do it for a long time or in great detail.\nThey spoke at length, reviewing the entire incident.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n12. If you say that someone goes to great lengths to achieve something, you mean that they try very hard and perhaps do extreme things in order to achieve it.\nGreta Garbo went to great lengths to hide from reporters and photographers.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n13.\nat arm’s length: see arm\nthe length and breadth of: see breadth


Words: lengthen
Meaning:
length.en\n   lengthen  lengthens  lengthening  lengthened\n1. When something lengthens or when you lengthen it, it increases in length.\nThe evening shadows were lengthening...\nShe began to walk faster, but he lengthened his stride to keep up with her...\n  VERB: V, V n\n  !=shorten\n2. When something lengthens or when you lengthen it, it lasts for a longer time than it did previously.\nVacations have lengthened and the work week has shortened...\nThe council does not support lengthening the school day to fit in other activities.\n  VERB: V, V n\n  !=shorten


Words: lengthways
Meaning:
length.ways\n   lengthways   or lengthwise\n  Lengthways or lengthwise means in a direction or position along the length of something.\nCut the aubergines in half lengthways...\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: lengthwise
Meaning:
length.wise\n   lengthwise\n  Lengthwise means the same as lengthways.\nPeel the onion and cut it in half lengthwise.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: lengthy
Meaning:
lengthy  lengthier  lengthiest\n1. You use lengthy to describe an event or process which lasts for a long time.\n...a lengthy meeting.\n...the lengthy process of filling out passport application forms.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. A lengthy report, article, book, or document contains a lot of speech, writing, or other material.\n...a lengthy report from the Council of Ministers...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: leniency
Meaning:
le.ni.en.cy\n   leniency\n  Leniency is a lenient attitude or lenient behaviour.\nThe judge rejected pleas for leniency and sentenced him to six months in prison...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N to/towards n


Words: lenient
Meaning:
le.ni.ent\n   lenient\n  When someone in authority is lenient, they are not as strict or severe as expected.\nHe believes the government already is lenient with drug traffickers...\nProfessor Oswald takes a sightly more lenient view.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with n\n\n=>  le.ni.ent.ly\nMany people believe reckless drivers are treated too leniently.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: lens
Meaning:
lens  lenses\n1. A lens is a thin curved piece of glass or plastic used in things such as cameras, telescopes, and pairs of glasses. You look through a lens in order to make things look larger, smaller, or clearer.\n...a camera lens...\nI packed your sunglasses with the green lenses.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. In your eye, the lens is the part behind the pupil that focuses light and helps you to see clearly.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n3.\n  see also contact lens, telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, zoom lens


Words: Lent
Meaning:
Lent\n  Lent is the period of forty days before Easter, during which some Christians give up something that they enjoy.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lentil
Meaning:
len.til\n   lentil  lentils\n  Lentils are the seeds of a lentil plant. They are usually dried and are used to make soups and stews.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: Leo
Meaning:
Leo  Leos\n1. Leo is one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Its symbol is a lion. People who are born approximately between the 23rd of July and the 22nd of August come under this sign.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A Leo is a person whose sign of the zodiac is Leo.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leonine
Meaning:
leo.nine\n   leonine\n  Leonine means like a lion, and is used especially to describe men with a lot of hair on their head, or with big beards. (LITERARY)\n...a tall leonine grey-haired man.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: leopard
Meaning:
leop.ard\n   leopard  leopards\n  A leopard is a type of large, wild cat. Leopards have yellow fur and black spots, and live in Africa and Asia.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leotard
Meaning:
leo.tard\n   leotard  leotards\n  A leotard is a tight-fitting piece of clothing, covering the body but not the legs, that some people wear when they practise dancing or do exercise.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leper
Meaning:
lep.er\n   leper  lepers\n1. A leper is a person who has leprosy.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you refer to someone as a leper, you mean that people in their community avoid them because they have done something that has shocked or offended people.\nThe newspaper article had branded her a social leper not fit to be seen in company.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lesbian
Meaning:
les.bian\n   lesbian  lesbians\n1. Lesbian is used to describe homosexual women.\nMany of her best friends were lesbian.\n  ADJ\n\n  A lesbian is a woman who is lesbian.\n...a youth group for lesbians, gays and bisexuals.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Lesbian is used to describe the relationships and activities of homosexual women, and the organizations or publications intended for them or created by them.\n...a long-term lesbian relationship.\n  ADJ


Words: lesbianism
Meaning:
les.bi.an.ism\n   lesbianism\n  Lesbianism refers to homosexual relationships between women or the preference that a woman shows for sexual relationships with women.\n...today’s increased public awareness of lesbianism.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lesion
Meaning:
le.sion\n   lesion  lesions\n  A lesion is an injury or wound to someone’s body. (MEDICAL)\n...skin lesions.\n...a lesion of the spinal cord.\n  N-COUNT


Words: less
Meaning:
less\nLess is often considered to be the comparative form of little.\n1. You use less to indicate that there is a smaller amount of something than before or than average. You can use `a little’, `a lot’, `a bit’, `far’, and `much’ in front of less.\nPeople should eat less fat to reduce the risk of heart disease.\n...a dishwasher that uses less water and electricity than older machines...\n  DET: DET n-uncount\n  !=more\n  Less is also a pronoun.\nBorrowers are striving to ease their financial position by spending less and saving more.\n  PRON\n  !=more\n  Less is also a quantifier.\nLast year less of the money went into high-technology companies...\n  QUANT: QUANT of def-n-uncount/sing\n  !=more\n2. You use less than before a number or amount to say that the actual number or amount is smaller than this.\nMotorways actually cover less than 0.1 percent of the countryside...\nLess than a half hour later he returned upstairs.\n  PREP-PHRASE: PREP amount\n\n3. You use less to indicate that something or someone has a smaller amount of a quality than they used to or than is average or usual.\nOther amenities, less commonly available, include a library and exercise room...\nPoverty is less of a problem now than it used to be.\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv, ADV of a n\n  !=more\n4. If you say that something is less one thing than another, you mean that it is like the second thing rather than the first.\nAt first sight it looked less like a capital city than a mining camp...\n  ADV: ADV group than group/cl\n\n5. If you do something less than before or less than someone else, you do it to a smaller extent or not as often.\nWe are eating more and exercising less...\nI see less of any of my friends than I used to.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n  !=more\n6. You use the expressions still less, much less, and even less after a negative statement in order to introduce and emphasize a further statement, and to make it negative too. (FORMAL)\nI never talked about it, still less about her...\nThe boy didn’t have a girlfriend, much less a wife.\n  PHRASE  emphasis\n\n7. When you are referring to amounts, you use less in front of a number or quantity to indicate that it is to be subtracted from another number or quantity already mentioned.\n...Boyton Financial Services Fees: .750, less .400...\nCompany car drivers will pay between ten and twenty five percent, less tax.\n  PREP\n  = minus  !=plus\n8. You use less than to say that something does not have a particular quality. For example, if you describe something as less than perfect, you mean that it is not perfect at all.\nHer greeting was less than enthusiastic...\nHer advice has frequently been less than wholly helpful.\n  PHRASE: PHR adj/adv  emphasis\n\n9. You use no less than before an amount to indicate that the amount is larger than you expected.\nNo less than 35 per cent of the country is protected in the form of parks and nature sanctuaries...\nHe is lined up for no less than four US television interviews.\n  PHRASE: PHR amount  emphasis\n\n10.\ncouldn’t care less: see care\nmore or less: see more


Words: lessee
Meaning:
les.see\n   lessee  lessees\n  A lessee is a person who has taken out a lease on something such as a house or piece of land. (LEGAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lessen
Meaning:
less.en\n   lessen  lessens  lessening  lessened\n  If something lessens or you lessen it, it becomes smaller in size, amount, degree, or importance.\nHe is used to a lot of attention from his wife, which will inevitably lessen when the baby is born...\nMake sure that your immunisations are up to date to lessen the risk of serious illness.\n  VERB: V, V n\n  !=increase\n=>  less.en.ing\n...increased trade and a lessening of tension on the border.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of/in n


Words: lesser
Meaning:
less.er\n   lesser\n1. You use lesser in order to indicate that something is smaller in extent, degree, or amount than another thing that has been mentioned.\nNo medication works in isolation but is affected to a greater or lesser extent by many other factors...\nThe more obvious potential allies are Ireland, Denmark and, to a lesser degree, the Netherlands.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, the ADJ of n\n\n  Lesser is also an adverb.\n...lesser known works by famous artists.\n  ADV: ADV -ed\n\n2. You can use lesser to refer to something or someone that is less important than other things or people of the same type.\nThey pleaded guilty to lesser charges of criminal damage...\nHe was feared by other, lesser, men.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, the ADJ of n\n\n3.\nthe lesser of two evils: see evil


Words: lesson
Meaning:
les.son\n   lesson  lessons\n1. A lesson is a fixed period of time when people are taught about a particular subject or taught how to do something.\nIt would be his last French lesson for months...\nJohanna took piano lessons.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You use lesson to refer to an experience which acts as a warning to you or an example from which you should learn.\nThere’s still one lesson to be learned from the crisis.we all need to better understand the thinking of the other side.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n  If you say that you are going to teach someone a lesson, you mean that you are going to punish them for something that they have done so that they do not do it again.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: lessor
Meaning:
les.sor\n   lessor  lessors\n  A lessor is a person who owns something such as a house or piece of land and leases it to someone else. (LEGAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lest
Meaning:
lest\n  If you do something lest something unpleasant should happen, you do it to try to prevent the unpleasant thing from happening. (FORMAL)\nI was afraid to open the door lest he should follow me...\nAnd, lest we forget, Einstein wrote his most influential papers while working as a clerk.\n  CONJ\n  = in case


Words: let
Meaning:
let  lets  letting\n\n  The form let is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle.\n\n1. If you let something happen, you allow it to happen without doing anything to stop or prevent it.\nThorne let him talk...\nShe let the door slam...\nI can’t let myself be distracted by those things.\n  VERB: V n inf, V n inf, V pron-refl inf\n\n2. If you let someone do something, you give them your permission to do it.\nI love sweets but Mum doesn’t let me have them very often...\nVisa or no visa, they won’t let you into the country.\n  VERB: V n inf, V n prep/adv\n\n3. If you let someone into, out of, or through a place, you allow them to enter, leave, or go through it, for example by opening a door or making room for them.\nI had to get up at seven o’clock this morning to let them into the building because they had lost their keys...\nI’d better go and let the dog out...\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n prep/adv\n\n4. You use let me when you are introducing something you want to say.\nLet me tell you what I saw last night...\nLet me explain why...\n  VERB: only imper, V me inf, V me inf\n\n5. You use let me when you are offering politely to do something.\nLet me take your coat...\nLet me get you something to drink.\n  VERB: only imper, V me inf, V me inf  politeness\n\n6. You say let’s or, in more formal English, let us, to direct the attention of the people you are talking to towards the subject that you want to consider next.\nLet’s consider ways of making it easier...\nLet us look at these views in more detail.\n  VERB: only imper, V us inf, V us inf\n\n7. You say let’s or, in formal English, let us, when you are making a suggestion that involves both you and the person you are talking to, or when you are agreeing to a suggestion of this kind.\nI’m bored. Let’s go home...\n`Shall we go in and have some supper?’.`Yes, let’s.’\n  VERB: only imper, V us inf, V ’s\n\n8. Someone in authority, such as a teacher, can use let’s or, in more formal English, let us, in order to give a polite instruction to another person or group of people.\nLet’s have some hush, please...\n`Let us pray,’ said the Methodist chaplain.\n  VERB: only imper, V us inf, V us inf  politeness\n\n9. People often use let in expressions such as let me see or let me think when they are hesitating or thinking of what to say next.\nNow, let’s see. Where did I leave my bag?...\n`How long you been living together then?’.`Erm, let me think. It’s about four years now.’\n  VERB: V pron inf, V pron inf  vagueness\n\n10. You can use let to say that you do not care if someone does something, although you think it is unpleasant or wrong.\nIf he wants to do that, let him do it...\nLet them talk about me; I’ll be dead, anyway...\n  VERB: only imper, V n inf, V n inf\n\n11. You can use let when you are saying what you think someone should do, usually when they are behaving in a way that you think is unreasonable or wrong.\nLet him get his own cup of tea...\n  VERB: only imper, V n inf\n\n12. You can use let when you are praying or hoping very much that something will happen.\nPlease God, let him telephone me.\n  VERB: only imper, V n inf\n\n13. You can use let to introduce an assumption on which you are going to base a theory, calculation, or story.\nLet x equal 5 and y equal 3...\n  VERB: only imper, V n inf\n\n14. If you let your house or land to someone, you allow them to use it in exchange for money that they pay you regularly. (mainly BRIT)\nShe is thinking of letting her house to an American serviceman...\nThe reasons for letting a house, or part of one, are varied.\n  VERB: V n to n, V n\n  = rent\n  Let out means the same as let. (in AM, use rent)\nI couldn’t sell the London flat, so I let it out to pay the mortgage...\nHome owners who have extra space available may want to let out a room.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n15. Let alone is used after a statement, usually a negative one, to indicate that the statement is even more true of the person, thing, or situation that you are going to mention next.\n(next)


Words: let .1
Meaning:
It is incredible that the 12-year-old managed to even reach the pedals, let alone drive the car.\n  PHRASE  emphasis\n\n16. If you let go of someone or something, you stop holding them.\nShe let go of Mona’s hand and took a sip of her drink...\n  PHRASE: let inflects, oft PHR of n\n\n17. If you let someone or something go, you allow them to leave or escape.\nThey held him for three hours and they let him go...\n  PHRASE: let inflects\n\n18. When someone leaves a job, either because they are told to or because they want to, the employer sometimes says that they are letting that person go. (BUSINESS)\nI’ve assured him I have no plans to let him go...\nPeterson was let go after less than two years.\n  PHRASE: let inflects\n\n19. If you say that you did not know what you were letting yourself in for when you decided to do something, you mean you did not realize how difficult, unpleasant, or expensive it was going to be.\nHe got the impression that Miss Hawes had no idea of what she was letting herself in for...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu with brd-neg, PHR n\n\n20. If you let someone know something, you tell them about it or make sure that they know about it.\nThey want to let them know that they are safe...\nIf you do want to go, please let me know.\n  PHRASE: let inflects, oft PHR that/wh, PHR n, PHR about n\n\n21.\nto let fly: see fly\nto let your hair down: see hair\nto let someone off the hook: see hook\nto let it be known: see known\nto let the side down: see side\nto let off steam: see steam


Words: let down
Meaning:
let down\n1. If you let someone down, you disappoint them, by not doing something that you have said you will do or that they expected you to do.\nDon’t worry, Xiao, I won’t let you down...\nWhen such advisers fail in their duty, they let down the whole system.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n=>  let down\nThe company now has a large number of workers who feel badly let down.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n2. If something lets you down, it is the reason you are not as successful as you could have been.\nMany believe it was his shyness and insecurity which let him down...\nSadly, the film is let down by an excessively simple plot.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n\n3. If you let down something such as a tyre, you allow air to escape from it. (mainly BRIT)\nI let the tyres down on his car...\nRemove wheelnuts, let down tyre, put on spare.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = deflate


Words: let in
Meaning:
let in\n  If an object lets in something such as air, light, or water, it allows air, light, or water to get into it, for example because the object has a hole in it.\n...balconies shaded with lattice-work which lets in air but not light.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: let in on
Meaning:
let in on\n  If you let someone in on something that is a secret from most people, you allow them to know about it.\nI’m going to let you in on a little secret...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P P n


Words: let into
Meaning:
let into\n  If you let someone into a secret, you allow them to know it.\nI’ll let you into a little showbiz secret.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P n


Words: let off
Meaning:
let off\n1. If someone in authority lets you off a task or duty, they give you permission not to do it. (mainly BRIT)\nIn those days they didn’t let you off work to go home very often.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P n/-ing\n\n2. If you let someone off, you give them a lighter punishment than they expect or no punishment at all.\nBecause he was a Christian, the judge let him off...\nWhen police realised who he was, they asked for an autograph and let him off with a warning.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V n P prep/adv\n\n3. If you let off an explosive or a gun, you explode or fire it.\nA resident of his neighbourhood had let off fireworks to celebrate the Revolution.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: let on
Meaning:
let on\n  If you do not let on that something is true, you do not tell anyone that it is true, and you keep it a secret. (INFORMAL)\nShe never let on that anything was wrong...\nI didn’t let on to the staff what my conversation was...\nHe knows the culprit but is not letting on.\n  PHRASAL VERB: usu with brd-neg, V P that/wh, V P to n that/wh, V P


Words: let out
Meaning:
let out\n1. If something or someone lets water, air, or breath out, they allow it to flow out or escape.\nIt lets sunlight in but doesn’t let heat out...\nMeer let out his breath in a long sigh.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n2. If you let out a particular sound, you make that sound. (WRITTEN)\nWhen she saw him, she let out a cry of horror.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = give out\n3.\n  see also let 14


Words: let up
Meaning:
let up\n  If an unpleasant, continuous process lets up, it stops or becomes less intense.\nThe rain had let up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: oft with brd-neg, V P\n\n  see also let-up


Words: let-down
Meaning:
let-down  let-downs   also letdown\n  A let-down is a disappointment that you suffer, usually because something has not happened in the way in which you expected it to happen.\nThe flat was really very nice, but compared with what we’d been used to, it was a terrible let-down...\nThe sense of let-down today is all the greater because in the past doctors have been over-confident about these treatments.\n  N-VAR\n  = disappointment


Words: let-up
Meaning:
let-up\n  If there is no let-up in something, usually something unpleasant, there is no reduction in the intensity of it.\nThere was no let-up in the battle on the money markets yesterday...\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N, usu with brd-neg


Words: lethal
Meaning:
le.thal\n   lethal\n1. A substance that is lethal can kill people or animals.\n...a lethal dose of sleeping pills.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe something as lethal, you mean that it is capable of causing a lot of damage.\nFrost and wet are the lethal combination for plants.\n  ADJ


Words: lethargic
Meaning:
le.thar.gic\n   lethargic\n  If you are lethargic, you do not have much energy or enthusiasm.\nHe felt too miserable and lethargic to get dressed.\n  ADJ\n  !=energetic


Words: lethargy
Meaning:
leth.ar.gy\n   lethargy\n  Lethargy is the condition or state of being lethargic.\nSymptoms include tiredness, paleness, and lethargy.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: letter
Meaning:
let.ter\n   letter  letters  lettering  lettered\n1. If you write a letter to someone, you write a message on paper and send it to them, usually by post.\nI had received a letter from a very close friend.\n...a letter of resignation...\nOur long courtship had been conducted mostly by letter.\n  N-COUNT: also by N\n\n2. Letters are written symbols which represent one of the sounds in a language.\n...the letters of the alphabet.\n...the letter E.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If a student earns a letter in sports or athletics by being part of the university or college team, they are entitled to wear on their jacket the initial letter of the name of their university or college. (AM)\nValerie earned letters in three sports: volleyball, basketball, and field hockey.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If a student letters in sports or athletics by being part of the university or college team, they are entitled to wear on their jacket the initial letter of the name of their university or college. (AM)\nBurkoth lettered in soccer.\n  VERB: V prep\n\n5.\n  see also capital letter, covering letter, dead letter, love letter, newsletter, poison-pen letter\n6. If you say that someone carries out instructions to the letter, you mean that they do exactly what they are told to do, paying great attention to every detail.\nShe obeyed his instructions to the letter.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: letter bomb
Meaning:
let.ter bomb\n   letter bomb  letter bombs\n  A letter bomb is a small bomb which is disguised as a letter or parcel and sent to someone through the post. It is designed to explode when it is opened.\n  N-COUNT


Words: letter of credit
Meaning:
let.ter of cred.it\n   letter of credit letters of credit\n1. A letter of credit is a letter written by a bank authorizing another bank of pay someone a sum of money. Letters of credit are often used by importers and exporters. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A letter of credit is a written promise from a bank stating that they will repay bonds to lenders if the borrowers is unable to pay them. (BUSINESS)\nThe project is being backed by a letter of credit from Lasalle Bank.\n  N-COUNT


Words: letterbox
Meaning:
let.ter.box\n   letterbox  letterboxes   also letter box\n1. A letterbox is a rectangular hole in a door or a small box at the entrance to a building into which letters and small parcels are delivered. Compare post box. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use mailbox)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If something is displayed on a television or computer screen in letterbox format, it is displayed across the middle of the screen with dark bands at the top and bottom of the screen.\n  ADJ


Words: lettered
Meaning:
let.tered\n   lettered\n  Something that is lettered is covered or decorated with letters or words.\n...a crudely lettered cardboard sign.\n  ADJ


Words: letterhead
Meaning:
letter.head\n   letterhead  letterheads\n  A letterhead is the name and address of a person, company, or organization which is printed at the top of their writing paper.\nColleagues at work enjoy having a letterhead with their name at the top.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lettering
Meaning:
let.ter.ing\n   lettering\n  Lettering is writing, especially when you are describing the type of letters used.\n...a small blue sign with white lettering.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N


Words: lettuce
Meaning:
let.tuce\n   lettuce  lettuces\n  A lettuce is a plant with large green leaves that is the basic ingredient of many salads.\n  N-VAR


Words: leukaemia
Meaning:
leu.kae.mia\n   leukaemia\nin AM, use leukemia\n  Leukaemia is a disease of the blood in which the body produces too many white blood cells.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: level
Meaning:
lev.el\n   level  levels  levelling  levelled\nin AM, use leveling, leveled\n1. A level is a point on a scale, for example a scale of amount, quality, or difficulty.\nIf you don’t know your cholesterol level, it’s a good idea to have it checked...\nWe do have the lowest level of inflation for some years...\nThe exercises are marked according to their level of difficulty.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n2. The level of a river, lake, or ocean or the level of liquid in a container is the height of its surface.\nThe water level of the Mississippi River is already 6.5 feet below normal...\nThe gauge relies upon a sensor in the tank to relay the fuel level.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n  see also sea level\n3. In cookery, a level spoonful of a substance such as flour or sugar is an amount that fills the spoon exactly, without going above the top edge.\nStir in 1 level teaspoon of yeast.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=heaped\n4. If something is at a particular level, it is at that height.\nLiz sank down until the water came up to her chin and the bubbles were at eye level.\n  N-SING: usu supp N\n\n5. If one thing is level with another thing, it is at the same height as it.\nHe leaned over the counter so his face was almost level with the boy’s...\nAmy knelt down so that their eyes were level.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n\n\n6. When something is level, it is completely flat with no part higher than any other.\nThe floor was level, but the ceiling sloped toward his head.\n...a plateau of fairly level ground.\n  ADJ\n\n7. If you draw level with someone or something, you get closer to them until you are by their side. (mainly BRIT)\nJust before we drew level with the gates, he slipped out of the jeep and disappeared into the crowd...\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n  Level is also an adjective.\nHe waited until they were level with the door before he turned around sharply and punched Graham.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n\n\n8. If someone or something such as a violent storm levels a building or area of land, they destroy it completely or make it completely flat.\nThe storm was the most powerful to hit Hawaii this century. It leveled sugar plantations and destroyed homes.\n  VERB: V n\n\n9. If an accusation or criticism is levelled at someone, they are accused of doing wrong or they are criticized for something they have done.\nAllegations of corruption were levelled at him and his family...\nHe leveled bitter criticism against the US.\n  VERB: be V-ed at/against n, V n at/against n, also V n\n\n10. If you level an object at someone or something, you lift it and point it in their direction.\nHe said thousands of Koreans still levelled guns at one another along the demilitarised zone between them.\n  VERB: V n at n, also V n\n\n11. If you level with someone, you tell them the truth and do not keep anything secret. (INFORMAL)\nI’ll level with you. I’m no great detective. I’ve no training or anything...\n  VERB: V with n\n\n12.\n  see also A level\n13. If you say that you will do your level best to do something, you are emphasizing that you will try as hard as you can to do it, even if the situation makes it very difficult.\nThe President told American troops that he would do his level best to bring them home soon.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR to-inf  emphasis\n\n14.\na level playing field: see playing field


Words: level crossing
Meaning:
lev.el cross.ing\n   level crossing  level crossings\n  A level crossing is a place where a railway line crosses a road. (BRIT; in AM, use grade crossing, railroad crossing)\n  N-COUNT


Words: level off
Meaning:
level off   or level out\n1. If a changing number or amount levels off or levels out, it stops increasing or decreasing at such a fast speed.\nThe figures show evidence that murders in the nation’s capital are beginning to level off...\nInflation is finally levelling out at around 11% a month.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P prep\n\n2. If an aircraft levels off or levels out, it travels horizontally after having been travelling in an upwards or downwards direction.\nThe aircraft levelled out at about 30,000 feet.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: level pegging
Meaning:
lev.el peg.ging\n   level pegging   also level-pegging\n  If two opponents in a competition or contest are level pegging, they are equal with each other. (BRIT)\nAn opinion poll published in May showed Mrs Yardley was level-pegging with Mr Simpson.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n


Words: level-headed
Meaning:
level-headed\n  If you describe a person as level-headed, you mean that they are calm and sensible even in difficult situations.\nSimon is level-headed and practical...\nHis level-headed approach suggests he will do what is necessary.\n  ADJ\n  = sensible


Words: leveller
Meaning:
lev.el.ler\n   leveller  levellers\nin AM, use leveler\n  If you describe something as a leveller, you mean that it makes all people seem the same, in spite of their differences in, for example, age or social status.\nThe computer is a leveller, making information available to everyone...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft adj N


Words: lever
Meaning:
lev.er\n   lever  levers  levering  levered\n1. A lever is a handle or bar that is attached to a piece of machinery and which you push or pull in order to operate the machinery.\nPush the tiny lever on the lock...\nThe taps have a lever to control the mix of hot and cold water.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also gear lever\n2. A lever is a long bar, one end of which is placed under a heavy object so that when you press down on the other end you can move the object.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you lever something in a particular direction, you move it there, especially by using a lot of effort.\nNeighbours eventually levered open the door with a crowbar...\nInsert the fork about 6in. from the root and simultaneously lever it backwards...\n  VERB: V n with adj, V n adv/prep\n\n4. A lever is an idea or action that you can use to make people do what you want them to do, rather than what they want to do.\nRadical, militant factions want to continue using the hostages as a lever to gain concessions from the west.\n  N-COUNT


Words: leverage
Meaning:
lev.er.age\n   leverage  leverages  leveraging  leveraged\n1. Leverage is the ability to influence situations or people so that you can control what happens.\nHis function as a Mayor affords him the leverage to get things done through attending committee meetings.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Leverage is the force that is applied to an object when something such as a lever is used.\nThe spade and fork have longer shafts, providing better leverage.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. To leverage a company or investment means to use borrowed money in order to buy it or pay for it. (BUSINESS)\nHe might feel that leveraging the company at a time when he sees tremendous growth opportunities would be a mistake.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  lev.er.aged\nThe committee voted to limit tax refunds for corporations involved in leveraged buyouts.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: leviathan
Meaning:
le.via.than\n   leviathan  leviathans\n  A leviathan is something which is extremely large and difficult to control, and which you find rather frightening. (LITERARY)\nDemocracy survived the Civil War and the developing industrial leviathan and struggled on into the twentieth century.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: levitate
Meaning:
levi.tate\n   levitate  levitates  levitating  levitated\n  If someone or something levitates, they appear to rise and float in the air without any support from other people or objects.\nHe has claimed he can levitate...\nNina can, apparently, levitate a small ball between her hands.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n=>  levi.ta.tion\n...such magical powers as levitation, prophecy, and healing.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: levity
Meaning:
lev.ity\n   levity\n  Levity is behaviour that shows a tendency to treat serious matters in a non-serious way. (LITERARY)\nAt the time, Arnold had disapproved of such levity.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = frivolity


Words: levy
Meaning:
levy  levies  levying  levied\n1. A levy is a sum of money that you have to pay, for example as a tax to the government.\n...an annual motorway levy on all drivers.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If a government or organization levies a tax or other sum of money, it demands it from people or organizations.\nThey levied religious taxes on Christian commercial transactions...\nTaxes should not be levied without the authority of Parliament.\n  VERB: V n on n, V n


Words: lewd
Meaning:
lewd\n  If you describe someone’s behaviour as lewd, you are critical of it because it is sexual in a rude and unpleasant way.\nDrew spends all day eyeing up the women and making lewd comments.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  lewd.ness\nThe critics condemned the play for lewdness.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lexical
Meaning:
lexi.cal\n   lexical\n  Lexical means relating to the words of a language.\nWe chose a few of the commonest lexical items in the languages.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: lexicography
Meaning:
lexi.cog.ra.phy\n   lexicography\n  Lexicography is the activity or profession of writing dictionaries.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  lexi.cog.ra.pher      lexicographers\nA lexicographer’s job is to describe the language.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lexicon
Meaning:
lexi.con\n   lexicon  lexicons\n1. The lexicon of a particular subject is all the terms associated with it. The lexicon of a person or group is all the words they commonly use.\n...the lexicon of management...\nChocolate equals sin in most people’s lexicon.\n  N-SING: with supp\n\n2. A lexicon is an alphabetical list of the words in a language or the words associated with a particular subject.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lexis
Meaning:
lex.is\n   lexis\n  In linguistics, the words of a language can be referred to as the lexis of that language. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = vocabulary


Words: liability
Meaning:
lia.bil.ity\n   liability  liabilities\n1. If you say that someone or something is a liability, you mean that they cause a lot of problems or embarrassment.\nAs the president’s prestige continues to fall, they’re clearly beginning to consider him a liability.\n...what was once a vote catching policy, is now a political liability.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. A company’s or organization’s liabilities are the sums of money which it owes. (BUSINESS or LEGAL)\nThe company had assets of $138 million and liabilities of $120.5 million.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n  !=asset\n3.\n  see also liable


Words: liable
Meaning:
lia.ble\n   liable\n1. When something is liable to happen, it is very likely to happen.\nOnly a small minority of the mentally ill are liable to harm themselves or others.\n  PHRASE\n\n2. If people or things are liable to something unpleasant, they are likely to experience it or do it.\nShe will grow into a woman particularly liable to depression...\nSteroids are used to reduce the inflammation, which makes the muscles of the airways liable to constriction.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n\n  = prone\n3. If you are liable for something such as a debt, you are legally responsible for it.\nThe airline’s insurer is liable for damages to the victims’ families...\nAs the killings took place outside British jurisdiction, the Ministry of Defence could not be held liable.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ for n\n\n=>  lia.bil.ity\nHe is claiming damages from London Underground, which has admitted liability but disputes the amount of his claim.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: liaise
Meaning:
li.aise\n   liaise  liaises  liaising  liaised\n  When organizations or people liaise, or when one organization liaises with another, they work together and keep each other informed about what is happening.\nDetectives are liaising with Derbyshire police following the bomb explosion early today...\nThe three groups will all liaise with each other to help the child...\nSocial services and health workers liaise closely.\n  V-RECIP: V with n, pl-n V with pron-recip, pl-n V, also V between pl-n


Words: liaison
Meaning:
liai.son\n   liaison\n1. Liaison is co-operation and the exchange of information between different organizations or between different sections of an organization.\nLiaison between police forces and the art world is vital to combat art crime.\n...those who work in close liaison with alcoholics.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If someone acts as liaison with a particular group, or between two or more groups, their job is to encourage co-operation and the exchange of information.\nI have a professor on my staff here as liaison with our higher education institutions...\nShe acts as a liaison between patients and staff.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N, oft N with n\n\n3. You can refer to a sexual or romantic relationship between two people as a liaison.\nShe embarked on a series of sexual liaisons with society figures.\n  N-COUNT\n  = affair


Words: liar
Meaning:
liar  liars\n  If you say that someone is a liar, you mean that they tell lies.\nHe was a liar and a cheat...\n`She seems at times an accomplished liar,’ he said.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lib
Meaning:
lib\n  Lib is used in the names of some movements that are concerned with achieving social and legal freedom for particular groups in society. Lib is an abbreviation for `liberation’.\n...Women’s Lib.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  see also ad-lib


Words: Lib Dem
Meaning:
Lib Dem  Lib Dems\n  In Britain, you can refer to the Liberal Democrat Party or its members as the Lib Dems.\nThree published polls all revealed the Lib Dems gaining ground at the Tories’ expense.\n...Lib-Dem councillors.\n  N-PROPER: the N, N n


Words: libation
Meaning:
li.ba.tion\n   libation  libations\n  In ancient Greece and Rome, a libation was an alcoholic drink that was offered to the gods. (LITERARY)\n  N-COUNT


Words: libel
Meaning:
li.bel\n   libel  libels  libelling  libelled\nin AM, use libeling, libeled\n1. Libel is a written statement which wrongly accuses someone of something, and which is therefore against the law. Compare slander. (LEGAL)\nWarren sued him for libel over the remarks...\n...a libel action against the paper.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. To libel someone means to write or print something in a book, newspaper, or magazine which wrongly damages that person’s reputation and is therefore against the law. (LEGAL)\nThe newspaper which libelled him had already offered compensation.\n  VERB: V n


Words: libellous
Meaning:
li.bel.lous\n   libellous\nin AM, use libelous\n  If a statement in a book, newspaper, or magazine is libellous, it wrongly accuses someone of something, and is therefore against the law.\nHe claimed the articles were libellous and damaging to the interests of the team.\n  ADJ


Words: liberal
Meaning:
lib.er.al\n   liberal  liberals\n1. Someone who has liberal views believes people should have a lot of freedom in deciding how to behave and think.\nShe is known to have liberal views on divorce and contraception.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  Liberal is also a noun.\n...a nation of free-thinking liberals.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A liberal system allows people or organizations a lot of political or economic freedom.\n...a liberal democracy with a multiparty political system...\nThey favour liberal free-market policies.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  Liberal is also a noun.\nThese kinds of price controls go against all the financial principles of the free market liberals.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A Liberal politician or voter is a member of a Liberal Party or votes for a Liberal Party.\nThe Liberal leader has announced his party’s withdrawal from the ruling coalition.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Liberal is also a noun.\nThe Liberals hold twenty-three seats in parliament.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. Liberal means giving, using, or taking a lot of something, or existing in large quantities.\nAs always he is liberal with his jokes...\nShe made liberal use of her elder sister’s make-up and clothes.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with n\n\n=>  lib.er.al.ly\nChemical products were used liberally over agricultural land.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: liberal arts
Meaning:
lib.er.al arts\n   liberal arts\n  At a university or college, liberal arts courses are on subjects such as history or literature rather than science, law, medicine, or business. (AM)\n  N-PLURAL


Words: Liberal Democrat
Meaning:
Lib.er.al Demo.crat\n   Liberal Democrat  Liberal Democrats\n  In Britain, a Liberal Democrat is a member of the Liberal Democrat Party.\n  N-PROPER


Words: Liberal Democrat Party
Meaning:
Lib.er.al Demo.crat Par.ty\n   Liberal Democrat Party\n  The Liberal Democrat Party is the third largest political party in Britain and the main centre party. It believes in improving the constitution and the voting system and in providing good welfare services.\n  N-PROPER: the N, N n


Words: Liberal Party
Meaning:
Lib.er.al Par.ty\n   Liberal Party\n  In Britain, the Liberal Party was a political party which believed in limited controls on industry, the providing of welfare services, and more local government and individual freedom. Liberal Party is also used to refer to similar parties in some other countries.\n  N-PROPER: the N, N n


Words: liberalism
Meaning:
lib.er.al.ism\n   liberalism\n1. Liberalism is a belief in gradual social progress by changing laws, rather than by revolution.\n...a democrat who has decided that economic liberalism is the best way to secure change.\n...the tradition of nineteenth-century liberalism.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Liberalism is the belief that people should have a lot of political and individual freedom.\nHe was concerned over growing liberalism in the Church.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: liberalize
Meaning:
lib.er.al.ize\n   liberalize  liberalizes  liberalizing  liberalized\nin BRIT, also use liberalise\n  When a country or government liberalizes, or liberalizes its laws or its attitudes, it becomes less strict and allows people more freedom in their actions.\n...authoritarian states that have only now begun to liberalise.\n...the decision to liberalize travel restrictions.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n=>  lib.er.ali.za.tion\n...the liberalization of divorce laws in the late 1960s.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n  = relaxation


Words: liberate
Meaning:
lib.er.ate\n   liberate  liberates  liberating  liberated\n1. To liberate a place or the people in it means to free them from the political or military control of another country, area, or group of people.\nThey planned to march on and liberate the city...\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  lib.era.tion\n...a mass liberation movement.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. To liberate someone from something means to help them escape from it or overcome it, and lead a better way of life.\nHe asked how committed the leadership was to liberating its people from poverty.\n  VERB: V n from n, also V n\n  = free\n=>  lib.er.at.ing\nIf you have the chance to spill your problems out to a therapist it can be a very liberating experience.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  lib.era.tion\n...the women’s liberation movement.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. To liberate a prisoner means to set them free.\nThe government is devising a plan to liberate prisoners held in detention camps.\n  VERB: V n


Words: liberated
Meaning:
lib.er.at.ed\n   liberated\n  If you describe someone as liberated, you mean that they do not accept their society’s traditional values or restrictions on behaviour.\nShe was determined that she would become a liberated businesswoman.\n  ADJ  approval\n  = emancipated


Words: liberation theology
Meaning:
lib.era.tion the.ol.ogy\n   liberation theology\n  Liberation theology is the belief that the Christian Church should be actively involved in politics in order to bring about social change.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: liberator
Meaning:
lib.era.tor\n   liberator  liberators\n  A liberator is someone who sets people free from a system, situation, or set of ideas that restricts them in some way. (FORMAL)\nWe were the people’s liberators from the Bolsheviks.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Liberian
Meaning:
Li.berian\n   Liberian  Liberians\n1. Liberian means belonging or relating to Liberia, its people, or its culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Liberian is a person who comes from Liberia, or a person of Liberian origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: libertarian
Meaning:
lib.er.tar.ian\n   libertarian  libertarians\n  If someone is libertarian or has libertarian attitudes, they believe in or support the idea that people should be free to think and behave in the way that they want. (FORMAL)\n...the libertarian argument that people should be allowed to choose...\n  ADJ\n  = liberal\n  A libertarian is someone who with libertarian views.\nLibertarians argue that nothing should be censored.\n  N-COUNT\n  = liberal


Words: libertine
Meaning:
lib.er.tine\n   libertine  libertines\n  If you refer to someone as a libertine, you mean that they are sexually immoral and do not care about the effect their behaviour has on other people. (LITERARY)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: liberty
Meaning:
lib.er.ty\n   liberty  liberties\n1. Liberty is the freedom to live your life in the way that you want, without interference from other people or the authorities.\nWit Wolzek claimed the legislation could impinge on privacy, self determination and respect for religious liberty...\nSuch a system would be a fundamental blow to the rights and liberties of the English people.\n  N-VAR\n  = freedom\n  see also civil liberties\n2. Liberty is the freedom to go wherever you want, which you lose when you are a prisoner.\nWhy not say that three convictions before court for stealing cars means three months’ loss of liberty...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft at N\n\n3. If someone is at liberty to do something, they have been given permission to do it.\nThe island’s in the Pacific Ocean; I’m not at liberty to say exactly where, because we’re still negotiating for its purchase.\n  PHRASE: PHR to-inf, usu v-link PHR\n  = able\n4. If you say that you have taken the liberty of doing something, you are saying that you have done it without asking permission. People say this when they do not think that anyone will mind what they have done.\nI took the liberty of going into Assunta’s wardrobe, as it was open; I was looking for a towel.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR -ing  politeness\n\n5. If you take liberties or take a liberty with someone or something, you act in a way that is too free and does not show enough respect.\nTry and retain the excitement of the event in your writing, without taking liberties with the truth...\nShe knew she was taking a big liberty in developing Mick’s photos without his knowledge.\n  PHRASE: V and N inflect, oft PHR with n


Words: libidinous
Meaning:
li.bidi.nous\n   libidinous\n  People who are libidinous have strong sexual feelings and express them in their behaviour. (LITERARY)\nPowell let his libidinous imagination run away with him.\n  ADJ


Words: libido
Meaning:
li.bi.do\n   libido  libidos\n  A person’s libido is the part of their personality that is considered to cause their emotional, especially sexual, desires.\nLack of sleep is a major factor in loss of libido.\n  N-VAR


Words: Libra
Meaning:
Li.bra\n   Libra  Libras\n1. Libra is one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Its symbol is a pair of scales. People who are born approximately between the 23rd of September and the 22nd of October come under this sign.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A Libra is a person whose sign of the zodiac is Libra.\n  N-COUNT


Words: librarian
Meaning:
li.brar.ian\n   librarian  librarians\n  A librarian is a person who is in charge of a library or who has been specially trained to work in a library.\n  N-COUNT


Words: library
Meaning:
li.brary\n   library  libraries\n1. A public library is a building where things such as books, newspapers, videos, and music are kept for people to read, use, or borrow.\n...the local library...\nShe issued them library cards.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A private library is a collection of things such as books or music, that is normally only used with the permission of the owner.\nMy thanks go to the British School of Osteopathy, for the use of their library.\n  N-COUNT


Words: librettist
Meaning:
li.bret.tist\n   librettist  librettists\n  A librettist is a person who writes the words that are used in an opera or musical play.\n  N-COUNT


Words: libretto
Meaning:
li.bret.to\n   libretto  librettos  or libretti\n  The libretto of an opera is the words that are sung in it.\n...the author of one or two opera librettos.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Libyan
Meaning:
Liby.an\n   Libyan  Libyans\n1. Libyan means belonging or relating to Libya, or to its people or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Libyan is a Libyan citizen, or a person of Libyan origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: licence
Meaning:
li.cence\n   licence  licences\nin AM, use license\n1. A licence is an official document which gives you permission to do, use, or own something.\nPayne lost his driving licence a year ago for drink-driving...\nThe painting was returned to Spain on a temporary import licence...\nIt gained a licence to operate as a bank from the Bank of England in 1981.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that something gives someone licence or a licence to act in a particular way, you mean that it gives them an excuse to behave in an irresponsible or excessive way.\n`Dropping the charges has given racists a licence to kill,’ said Jim’s aunt.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N, N to-inf  disapproval\n\n3.\n  see also poetic licence\n4. If someone does something under licence, they do it by special permission from a government or other authority.\n...a company which made the Mig-21 jet fighter under licence from Russia.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: license
Meaning:
li.cense\n   license  licenses  licensing  licensed\n  To license a person or activity means to give official permission for the person to do something or for the activity to take place.\n...a proposal that would require the state to license guns...\nUnder the agreement, the council can license a U.S. company to produce the drug.\n  VERB: V n, V n to-inf, also V n to n


Words: license number
Meaning:
li.cense num.ber\n   license number  license numbers\n  The license number of a car or other road vehicle is the series of letters and numbers that are shown at the front and back of it. (AM; in BRIT, use registration number)\n  N-COUNT


Words: license plate
Meaning:
li.cense plate\n   license plate  license plates\n  A license plate is a sign on the front and back of a vehicle that shows its license number. (AM; in BRIT, use number plate)\n  N-COUNT


Words: licensed
Meaning:
li.censed\n   licensed\n1. If you are licensed to do something, you have official permission from the government or from the authorities to do it.\nThere were about 250 people on board, about 100 more than the ferry was licensed to carry.\n...a licensed doctor.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to-inf\n\n2. If something that you own or use is licensed, you have official permission to own it or use it.\nWhile searching the house they discovered an unlicensed shotgun and a licensed rifle.\n  ADJ\n\n3. If a place such as a restaurant or hotel is licensed, it has been given a licence to sell alcoholic drinks. (BRIT)\n...licensed premises...\n  ADJ


Words: licensee
Meaning:
li.cen.see\n   licensee  licensees\n1. A licensee is a person or organization that has been given a licence. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A licensee is someone who has been given a licence to sell alcoholic drinks, for example in a pub. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: licensing laws
Meaning:
li.cens.ing laws\n   licensing laws\n  In Britain, the licensing laws are the laws which control the selling of alcoholic drinks.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: licentious
Meaning:
li.cen.tious\n   licentious\n  If you describe a person as licentious, you mean that they are very immoral, especially in their sexual behaviour. (FORMAL)\n...alarming stories of licentious behaviour.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  li.cen.tious.ness\n...moral licentiousness.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lichen
Meaning:
li.chen\n   lichen  lichens\n  Lichen is a group of tiny plants that looks like moss and grows on the surface of things such as rocks, trees, and walls.\n  N-MASS


Words: lick
Meaning:
lick  licks  licking  licked\n1. When people or animals lick something, they move their tongue across its surface.\nThe dog rose awkwardly to his feet and licked the man’s hand excitedly.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Lick is also a noun.\nKevin wanted a lick of Sarah’s lollipop.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2.\nto lick your lips: see lip\nto lick into shape: see shape


Words: licking
Meaning:
lick.ing\n   licking  lickings\n  A licking is a severe defeat by someone in a fight, battle, or competition.\nThey gave us a hell of a licking.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n  = thrashing


Words: licorice
Meaning:
lico.rice\n   licorice\nin BRIT, also use liquorice\n  Licorice is a firm black substance with a strong taste. It is used for making sweets.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lid
Meaning:
lid  lids\n1. A lid is the top of a box or other container which can be removed or raised when you want to open the container.\n  N-COUNT\n  = top\n2. Your lids are the pieces of skin which cover your eyes when you close them.\nA dull pain began to throb behind his lids.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n  = eyelid\n3. If you say that someone is keeping the lid on an activity or a piece of information, you mean that they are restricting the activity or are keeping the information secret. (INFORMAL)\nThe soldiers’ presence seemed to keep a lid on the violence...\nTheir finance ministry is still trying to put a lid on the long-simmering securities scandal.\n  N-SING


Words: lidded
Meaning:
lid.ded\n   lidded\n1. Lidded is used to describe a container that has a lid.\n...a lidded saucepan.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. When someone has lidded eyes, their eyelids are partly or fully closed. (LITERARY)\nJulie squinted at her through lidded eyes...\n  ADJ


Words: lido
Meaning:
lido  lidos\n  A lido is an outdoor swimming pool or a part of a beach which is used by the public for swimming or water sports. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lie
Meaning:
POSITION OR SITUATION\n   lie  lies  lying  lay  lain\n\nPlease look at category 8 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. If you are lying somewhere, you are in a horizontal position and are not standing or sitting.\nThere was a child lying on the ground...\nHe lay awake watching her for a long time.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V adj\n\n2. If an object lies in a particular place, it is in a flat position in that place.\n...a newspaper lying on a nearby couch...\nBroken glass lay scattered on the carpet.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V adj\n\n3. If you say that a place lies in a particular position or direction, you mean that it is situated there.\nThe islands lie at the southern end of the Kurile chain.\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n  = sit\n4. You can use lie to say that something is or remains in a particular state or condition. For example, if something lies forgotten, it has been and remains forgotten.\nThe picture lay hidden in the archives for over 40 years...\nHis country’s economy lies in ruins.\n  V-LINK: V adj, V prep\n\n5. You can use lie to say what position a competitor or team is in during a competition. (mainly BRIT)\nI was going well and was lying fourth...\nBlyth Tait is lying in second place.\n  VERB: V ord, V in n\n\n6. You can talk about where something such as a problem, solution, or fault lies to say what you think it consists of, involves, or is caused by.\nThe problem lay in the large amounts spent on defence...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n7. You use lie in expressions such as lie ahead, lie in store, and lie in wait when you are talking about what someone is going to experience in the future, especially when it is something unpleasant or difficult.\nShe’d need all her strength and bravery to cope with what lay in store...\nThe President’s most serious challenges lie ahead.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv\n\n8.\nto lie in state: see state\nto take something lying down: see take\n\nTHINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE\n   lie  lies  lying  lied\n1. A lie is something that someone says or writes which they know is untrue.\n`Who else do you work for?’.`No one.’.`That’s a lie.’...\nI’ve had enough of your lies...\nAll the boys told lies about their adventures.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also white lie\n2. If someone is lying, they are saying something which they know is not true.\nI know he’s lying...\nIf asked, he lies about his age...\nShe lied to her husband so she could meet her lover...\nHe reportedly called her `a lying little twit’.\n  VERB: V, V about n, V to n, V-ing\n\n=>  ly.ing\nLying is something that I will not tolerate.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If you say that something lies, you mean that it does not express or represent something accurately.\nThe camera can sometimes lie.\n  VERB: V\n\n4.\n  see also lying


Words: lie around
Meaning:
lie around\n  If things are left lying around or lying about, they are not tidied away but left casually somewhere where they can be seen. (in BRIT, also use lie about)\nPeople should be careful about their possessions and not leave them lying around...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: lie behind
Meaning:
lie behind\n  If you refer to what lies behind a situation or event, you are referring to the reason the situation exists or the event happened.\nIt seems that what lay behind the clashes was disagreement over the list of candidates.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: lie detector
Meaning:
lie de.tec.tor\n   lie detector  lie detectors\n  A lie detector is an electronic machine used mainly by the police to find out whether a suspect is telling the truth.\n...the results of a lie detector test.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n  = polygraph


Words: lie down
Meaning:
lie down\n  When you lie down, you move into a horizontal position, usually in order to rest or sleep.\nWhy don’t you go upstairs and lie down for a bit?\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: lie-down
Meaning:
lie-down\n  If you have a lie-down, you have a short rest, usually in bed. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nShe had departed upstairs for a lie-down.\n  N-SING


Words: lie-in
Meaning:
lie-in  lie-ins\n  If you have a lie-in, you rest by staying in bed later than usual in the morning. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nI have a lie-in on Sundays.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: lieu
Meaning:
lieu\n1. If you do, get, or give one thing in lieu of another, you do, get, or give it instead of the other thing, because the two things are considered to have the same value or importance. (FORMAL)\nHe left what little furniture he owned to his landlord in lieu of rent.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n2. If you do, get, or give something in lieu, you do, get, or give it instead of something else, because the two things are considered to have the same value or importance. (mainly BRIT FORMAL)\n...an increased salary or time off in lieu.\n  PHRASE


Words: Lieut.
Meaning:
Lieut. is a written abbreviation for lieutenant when it is a person’s title.\n...Lieut. J. J. Doughty.\n\n  = Lt


Words: lieutenant
Meaning:
lieu.ten.ant\n   lieutenant  lieutenants\n1. A lieutenant is a person who holds a junior officer’s rank in the army, navy, marines, or air force, or in the American police force.\nLieutenant Campbell ordered the man at the wheel to steer for the gunboat.\n  N-COUNT; N-TITLE\n\n  Lieutenant is also a combining form.\n...Lieutenant Colonel Gale Carter.\n  COMB in N-TITLE\n\n2. If you refer to someone as a person’s lieutenant, you mean they are that person’s assistant, especially their main assistant, in an organization or activity.\nHe was my right-hand man, my lieutenant on the field, a cool, calculated footballer.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n  = second-in-command


Words: lieutenant governor
Meaning:
lieu.ten.ant gov.er.nor\n   lieutenant governor  lieutenant governors\n1. A lieutenant governor is an elected official who acts as the deputy of a state governor in the United States. (AM)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A lieutenant governor is an official elected by the Canadian government to act as a representative of the British king or queen in a province of Canada.\n  N-COUNT


Words: life
Meaning:
life  lives\n1. Life is the quality which people, animals, and plants have when they are not dead, and which objects and substances do not have.\n...a baby’s first minutes of life...\nAmnesty International opposes the death penalty as a violation of the right to life.\n...the earth’s supply of life-giving oxygen.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You can use life to refer to things or groups of things which are alive.\nIs there life on Mars?...\nThe book includes some useful facts about animal and plant life.\n  N-UNCOUNT: with supp\n\n3. If you refer to someone’s life, you mean their state of being alive, especially when there is a risk or danger of them dying.\nYour life is in danger...\nA nurse began to try to save his life...\nThe intense fighting is reported to have claimed many lives.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n\n4. Someone’s life is the period of time during which they are alive.\nHe spent the last fourteen years of his life in retirement...\nFor the first time in his life he regretted that he had no faith.\n  N-COUNT: poss N\n\n5. You can use life to refer to a period of someone’s life when they are in a particular situation or job.\nInterior designers spend their working lives keeping up to date with the latest trends...\nThat was the beginning of my life in the television business.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu poss N\n\n6. You can use life to refer to particular activities which people regularly do during their lives.\nMy personal life has had to take second place to my career...\nMost diabetics have a normal sex life.\n  N-COUNT: supp N\n\n7. You can use life to refer to the events and experiences that happen to people while they are alive.\nLife won’t be dull!...\nIt’s the people with insecurities who make life difficult.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n8. If you know a lot about life, you have gained many varied experiences, for example by travelling a lot and meeting different kinds of people.\nI was 19 and too young to know much about life...\nI needed some time off from education to experience life.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n9. You can use life to refer to the things that people do and experience that are characteristic of a particular place, group, or activity.\nHow did you adjust to college life?\n...the culture and life of north Africa...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N\n\n10. A person, place, book, or film that is full of life gives an impression of excitement, energy, or cheerfulness.\nThe town itself was full of life and character...\n  N-UNCOUNT  approval\n\n11. If someone is sentenced to life, they are sentenced to stay in prison for the rest of their life or for a very long time. (INFORMAL)\nHe could get life in prison, if convicted.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n12. The life of something such as a machine, organization, or project is the period of time that it lasts for.\nThe repairs did not increase the value or the life of the equipment.\n  N-COUNT: with poss\n\n13. If you bring something to life or if it comes to life, it becomes interesting or exciting.\nThe cold, hard cruelty of two young men is vividly brought to life in this true story...\nPoems which had seemed dull and boring suddenly came to life.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n14. If something or someone comes to life, they become active.\nThe volcano came to life a week ago.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n15. If you say that someone is fighting for their life, you mean that they are in a very serious condition and may die as a result of an accident or illness. (JOURNALISM)\nHe was in a critical condition, fighting for his life in hospital.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n16. For life means for the rest of a person’s life.\nHe was jailed for life in 1966 for the murder of three policemen...\nShe may have been scarred for life...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, n PHR\n\n17. If you say that someone does something for dear life or for their life, you mean that they do it using all their strength and effort because they are in a dangerous or urgent situation. (INFORMAL)\nI made for the life raft and hung on for dear life.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  emphasis\n\n(next)


Words: life .1
Meaning:
18. If you tell someone to get a life, you are expressing frustration with them because their life seems boring or they seem to care too much about unimportant things. (INFORMAL)\n  PHRASE  disapproval\n\n19. You can use in all my life or in my life to emphasize that you have never previously experienced something to such a degree.\nI have never been so scared in all my life...\n  PHRASE: usu with brd-neg, usu PHR after v  emphasis\n\n20. If you say that someone or something is larger than life, you mean that they appear or behave in a way that seems more exaggerated or important than usual.\n...not that we should expect all good publishers to be larger than life...\nThroughout his career he’s always been a larger than life character.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR n\n\n21. If someone lays down their life for another person, they die so that the other person can live. (LITERARY)\nMan can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR for n\n\n22. If someone risks life and limb, they do something very dangerous that may cause them to die or be seriously injured.\nViewers will remember the dashing hero, Dirk, risking life and limb to rescue Daphne from the dragons.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n23. If you refer to someone as the life and soul of the party, you mean that they are very lively and entertaining on social occasions, and are good at mixing with people. In American English, you usually say that they are the life of the party.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR  approval\n\n24. If something starts life or begins life as a particular thing, it is that thing when it first starts to exist.\nHerr’s book started life as a dramatic screenplay.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR as n\n\n25. If someone takes another person’s life, they kill them. If someone takes their own life, they kill themselves. (FORMAL)\nBefore execution, he admitted to taking the lives of at least 35 more women...\nHe helped his first wife take her life when she was dying of cancer.\n  PHRASE: V and N inflect\n\n26. You can use expressions such as to come to life, to spring to life, and to roar into life to indicate that a machine or vehicle suddenly starts working or moving. (LITERARY)\nTo his great relief the engine came to life...\nIn the garden of the Savoy Hotel the sprinklers suddenly burst into life.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n27.\na matter of life and death: see death\na new lease of life: see lease\nto have the time of your life: see time\ntrue to life: see true\n  see also fact of life, kiss of life


Words: life assurance
Meaning:
life as.sur.ance\n   life assurance\n  Life assurance is the same as life insurance. (BRIT)\n...a life assurance policy.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: life coach
Meaning:
life coach life coaches\n  A life coach is someone whose job involves helping people to improve their lives by doing challenging or worthwhile things.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  life coach.ing\n...life-coaching workshops.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: life cycle
Meaning:
life cy.cle\n   life cycle  life cycles\n1. The life cycle of an animal or plant is the series of changes and developments that it passes through from the beginning of its life until its death.\nThe dormant period is another stage in the life cycle of the plant.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss\n\n2. The life cycle of something such as an idea, product, or organization is the series of developments that take place in it from its beginning until the end of its usefulness.\nEach new product would have a relatively long life cycle.\n  N-COUNT


Words: life expectancy
Meaning:
life ex.pec.tan.cy\n   life expectancy  life expectancies\n  The life expectancy of a person, animal, or plant is the length of time that they are normally likely to live.\nThe average life expectancy was 40...\nThey had longer life expectancies than their parents.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl


Words: life force
Meaning:
life force   also life-force\n  Life force is energy that some people believe exists in all living things and keeps them alive.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: life form
Meaning:
life form  life forms\n  A life form is any living thing such as an animal or plant.\n  N-COUNT: with supp


Words: life history
Meaning:
life his.to.ry\n   life history  life histories\n  The life history of a person is all the things that happen to them during their life.\nSome people give you their life history without much prompting.\n  N-COUNT


Words: life imprisonment
Meaning:
life im.pris.on.ment\n   life imprisonment\n  If someone is sentenced to life imprisonment, they are sentenced to stay in prison for the rest of their life, or for a very long period of time.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = life


Words: life insurance
Meaning:
life in.sur.ance\n   life insurance\n  Life insurance is a form of insurance in which a person makes regular payments to an insurance company, in return for a sum of money to be paid to them after a period of time, or to their family if they die.\nI have also taken out a life insurance policy on him just in case.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = life assurance


Words: life jacket
Meaning:
life jack.et\n   life jacket  life jackets   also lifejacket\n  A life jacket is a sleeveless jacket which helps you to float when you have fallen into deep water.\n  N-COUNT


Words: life member
Meaning:
life mem.ber\n   life member  life members\n  If you are a life member of a club or organization, you have paid or been chosen to be a member for the rest of your life.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: life peer
Meaning:
life peer  life peers\n  In Britain, a life peer is a person who is given a title such as `Lord’ or `Lady’ which they can use for the rest of their life but which they cannot pass on when they die.\nHe was made a life peer in 1991.\n  N-COUNT


Words: life preserver
Meaning:
life pre.serv.er\n   life preserver  life preservers\n  A life preserver is something such as a life jacket, which helps you to float when you have fallen into deep water. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: life raft
Meaning:
life raft  life rafts   also life-raft\n  A life raft is a small rubber boat carried on an aircraft or large boat which can be filled with air and used in an emergency.\n  N-COUNT


Words: life science
Meaning:
life sci.ence\n   life science  life sciences\n  The life sciences are sciences such as zoology, botany, and anthropology which are concerned with human beings, animals, and plants.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: life sentence
Meaning:
life sen.tence\n   life sentence  life sentences\n  If someone receives a life sentence, they are sentenced to stay in prison for the rest of their life, or for a very long period of time.\nSome were serving life sentences for murder.\n  N-COUNT


Words: life’s work
Meaning:
life’s work\n  Someone’s life’s work or life work is the main activity that they have been involved in during their life, or their most important achievement.\nAn exhibition of his life’s work is being shown in the garden of his home...\nMy father’s life work was devoted to the conservation of the Longleat estate.\n  N-SING: usu poss N


Words: life-affirming
Meaning:
life-affirming\n  A life-affirming activity or attitude emphasizes the positive aspects of life.\nThe exhibition is an enjoyable and, ultimately, life-affirming experience.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  approval


Words: life-enhancing
Meaning:
life-enhancing\n  If you describe something as life-enhancing, you mean that it makes you feel happier and more content.\n...a life-enhancing and exciting trip...\nHis letters, like his poetry, are life-enhancing and a delight.\n  ADJ


Words: life-saving
Meaning:
life-saving\n1. A life-saving drug, operation, or action is one that saves someone’s life or is likely to save their life.\n...life-saving drugs such as antibiotics...\nShe decided her child should go to America for life-saving treatment.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. You use life-saving to refer to the skills and activities connected with rescuing people, especially people who are drowning.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: life-size
Meaning:
life-size\n  A life-size representation of someone or something, for example a painting or sculpture, is the same size as the person or thing that they represent.\n...a life-size statue of an Indian boy.\n  ADJ


Words: life-support machine
Meaning:
life-support ma.chine\n   life-support machine  life-support machines\n  A life-support machine is the equipment that is used to keep a person alive when they are very ill and cannot breathe without help. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use respirator)\nHe is in a coma and on a life-support machine.\n  N-COUNT


Words: life-support system
Meaning:
life-support sys.tem\n   life-support system  life-support systems\n  A life-support system is the same as a life-support machine.\n  N-COUNT


Words: life-threatening
Meaning:
life-threatening\n  If someone has a life-threatening illness or is in a life-threatening situation, there is a strong possibility that the illness or the situation will kill them.\nCaitlin was born with a life-threatening heart abnormality.\n  ADJ: oft adv ADJ


Words: lifebelt
Meaning:
life.belt\n   lifebelt  lifebelts\n  A lifebelt is a large ring, usually made of a light substance such as cork, which someone who has fallen into deep water can use to float.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lifeblood
Meaning:
life.blood\n   lifeblood   also life-blood\n  The lifeblood of an organization, area, or person is the most important thing that they need in order to exist, develop, or be successful.\nSmall businesses are the lifeblood of the economy...\nCoal and steel were the region’s lifeblood.\n  N-SING: usu with poss


Words: lifeboat
Meaning:
life.boat\n   lifeboat  lifeboats\n1. A lifeboat is a medium-sized boat that is sent out from a port or harbour in order to rescue people who are in danger at sea.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A lifeboat is a small boat that is carried on a ship, which people on the ship use to escape when the ship is in danger of sinking.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lifeguard
Meaning:
life.guard\n   lifeguard  lifeguards\n  A lifeguard is a person who works at a beach or swimming pool and rescues people when they are in danger of drowning.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lifeless
Meaning:
life.less\n   lifeless\n1. If a person or animal is lifeless, they are dead, or are so still that they appear to be dead.\nTheir cold-blooded killers had then dragged their lifeless bodies upstairs to the bathroom...\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe an object or a machine as lifeless, you mean that they are not living things, even though they may resemble living things.\nIt was made of plaster, hard and white and lifeless, bearing no resemblance to human flesh.\n  ADJ\n\n3. A lifeless place or area does not have anything living or growing there at all.\nDry stone walls may appear stark and lifeless, but they provide a valuable habitat for plants and animals.\n  ADJ\n\n4. If you describe a person, or something such as an artistic performance or a town as lifeless, you mean they lack any lively or exciting qualities.\n...a lifeless portrait of an elderly woman.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: lifelike
Meaning:
life.like\n   lifelike\n  Something that is lifelike has the appearance of being alive.\n...a lifelike doll.\n  ADJ


Words: lifeline
Meaning:
life.line\n   lifeline  lifelines\n  A lifeline is something that enables an organization or group to survive or to continue with an activity.\nInformation about the job market can be a lifeline for those who are out of work...\n  N-COUNT: oft N for/to n


Words: lifelong
Meaning:
life.long\n   lifelong\n  Lifelong means existing or happening for the whole of a person’s life.\n...her lifelong friendship with Naomi.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: lifer
Meaning:
lif.er\n   lifer  lifers\n  A lifer is a criminal who has been given a life sentence. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lifesaver
Meaning:
life.sav.er\n   lifesaver  lifesavers\n  If you say that something is a lifesaver, you mean that it helps people in a very important way, often in a way that is important to their health.\nThe cervical smear test is a lifesaver.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lifespan
Meaning:
life.span\n   lifespan  lifespans   also life span\n1. The lifespan of a person, animal, or plant is the period of time for which they live or are normally expected to live.\nA 15-year lifespan is not uncommon for a dog...\n  N-VAR: oft with poss\n\n2. The lifespan of a product, organization, or idea is the period of time for which it is expected to work properly or to last.\nMost boilers have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss


Words: lifestyle
Meaning:
life.style\n   lifestyle  lifestyles   also life style, life-style\n1. The lifestyle of a particular person or group of people is the living conditions, behaviour, and habits that are typical of them or are chosen by them.\nThey enjoyed an income and lifestyle that many people would envy.\n  N-VAR: usu with supp\n\n2. Lifestyle magazines, television programmes, and products are aimed at people who wish to be associated with glamorous and successful lifestyles.\nHer dream is to present a lifestyle show on television.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. Lifestyle drugs are drugs that are intended to improve people’s quality of life rather than to treat particular medical disorders.\n`I see anti-depressants as a lifestyle drug,’ says Dr Charlton.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: lifetime
Meaning:
life.time\n   lifetime  lifetimes\n1. A lifetime is the length of time that someone is alive.\nDuring my lifetime I haven’t got around to much travelling.\n...an extraordinary lifetime of achievement.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft poss N\n\n2. The lifetime of a particular thing is the period of time that it lasts.\n...the lifetime of a parliament.\n...a satellite’s lifetime.\n  N-SING: with poss\n\n3. If you describe something as the chance or experience of a lifetime, you are emphasizing that it is the best or most important chance or experience that you are ever likely to have.\nThis could be not just the trip of a lifetime but the experience of a lifetime.\n  PHRASE: n PHR  emphasis


Words: lift
Meaning:
lift  lifts  lifting  lifted\n1. If you lift something, you move it to another position, especially upwards.\nThe Colonel lifted the phone and dialed his superior...\nShe lifted the last of her drink to her lips.\n  VERB: V n, V n prep/adv\n\n  Lift up means the same as lift.\nShe put her arms around him and lifted him up...\nCurious shoppers lifted up their children to take a closer look at the parade.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n2. If you lift a part of your body, you move it to a higher position.\nAmy lifted her arm to wave. `Goodbye,’ she called...\nShe lifted her foot and squashed the wasp into the ground.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = raise\n  Lift up means the same as lift.\nTom took his seat again and lifted his feet up on to the railing...\nThe boys lifted up their legs, indicating they wanted to climb in.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n3. If you lift your eyes or your head, you look up, for example when you have been reading and someone comes into the room.\nWhen he finished he lifted his eyes and looked out the window.\n  VERB: V n\n  = raise\n4. If people in authority lift a law or rule that prevents people from doing something, they end it.\nThe European Commission has urged France to lift its ban on imports of British beef.\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. If something lifts your spirits or your mood, or if they lift, you start feeling more cheerful.\nHe used his incredible sense of humour to lift my spirits...\nAs soon as she heard the telephone ring her spirits lifted.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n6. If something gives you a lift, it gives you a feeling of greater confidence, energy, or enthusiasm. (INFORMAL)\nMy selection for the team has given me a tremendous lift.\n  N-SING: usu a N\n  = boost\n7. A lift is a device that carries people or goods up and down inside tall buildings. (BRIT; in AM, use elevator)\nThey took the lift to the fourth floor.\n  N-COUNT\n\n8. If you give someone a lift somewhere, you take them there in your car as a favour to them.\nHe had a car and often gave me a lift home.\n  N-COUNT\n  = ride\n9. If a government or organization lifts people or goods in or out of an area, it transports them there by aircraft, especially when there is a war.\nThe army lifted people off rooftops where they had climbed to escape the flooding...\n  VERB: V n prep/adv\n  = fly\n10. To lift something means to increase its amount or to increase the level or the rate at which it happens.\nThe bank lifted its basic home loans rate to 10.99% from 10.75%...\nA barrage would halt the flow upstream and lift the water level.\n  VERB: V n to/from/by amount, V n\n  = increase\n11. If fog, cloud, or mist lifts, it reduces, for example by moving upwards or by becoming less thick.\nThe fog had lifted and revealed a warm, sunny day.\n  VERB: V\n\n12.\nto lift a finger: see finger


Words: lift off
Meaning:
lift off\n  When an aircraft or rocket lifts off, it leaves the ground and rises into the air.\nThe plane lifted off and climbed steeply into the sky.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  = take off


Words: lift-off
Meaning:
lift-off  lift-offs\n  Lift-off is the beginning of a rocket’s flight into space, when it leaves the ground.\nThe lift-off was delayed about seven minutes...\nThe rocket tumbled out of control shortly after lift-off.\n  N-VAR


Words: ligament
Meaning:
liga.ment\n   ligament  ligaments\n  A ligament is a band of strong tissue in a person’s body which connects bones.\nHe suffered torn ligaments in his knee.\n  N-COUNT


Words: light
Meaning:
UNIMPORTANT OR NOT SERIOUS\n   light  lighter  lightest\n\nPlease look at category 5 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. If you describe things such as books, music, and films as light, you mean that they entertain you without making you think very deeply.\n...light classical music.\n...a light entertainment programme.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If you say something in a light way, you sound as if you think that something is not important or serious.\nTalk to him in a friendly, light way about the relationship...\nLet’s finish on a lighter note.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=serious\n=>  light.ly\n`Once a detective, always a detective,’ he said lightly.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n=>  light.ness\n`I’m not an authority on them,’ Jessica said with forced lightness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If you say that something is not a light matter, you mean that it should be treated or considered as being important and serious.\nIt can be no light matter for the Home Office that so many young prisoners should have wanted to kill or injure themselves.\n  ADJ: usu with brd-neg\n\n=>  light.ly\nHis allegations cannot be lightly dismissed.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n4. If you make light of something, you treat it as though it is not serious or important, when in fact it is.\nRoberts attempted to make light of his discomfort.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  = play down\n5.\nto make light work of: see work\n  see also lighter\n\nBRIGHTNESS OR ILLUMINATION\n   light  lights  lighting  lit  lighted  lighter  lightest\n\n  The form lit is the usual past tense and past participle, but the form lighted is also used.\n\nPlease look at category 17 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. Light is the brightness that lets you see things. Light comes from sources such as the sun, moon, lamps, and fire.\nCracks of light filtered through the shutters...\nIt was difficult to see in the dim light.\n...ultraviolet light.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N\n  !=darkness\n2. A light is something such as an electric lamp which produces light.\nThe janitor comes round to turn the lights out...\n...street lights.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. You can use lights to refer to a set of traffic lights.\n...the heavy city traffic with its endless delays at lights and crossings.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n4. If a place or object is lit by something, it has light shining on it.\nIt was dark and a giant moon lit the road so brightly you could see the landscape clearly...\nThe room was lit by only the one light...\nThe low sun lit the fortress walls with yellow light.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V n with n\n\n5. If it is light, the sun is providing light at the beginning or end of the day.\nIt was still light when we arrived at Lalong Creek...\n...light summer evenings.\n  ADJ\n  !=dark\n6. If a room or building is light, it has a lot of natural light in it, for example because it has large windows.\nIt is a light room with tall windows...\n  ADJ\n  = bright  !=dark\n=>  light.ness\nThe dark green spare bedroom is in total contrast to the lightness of the large main bedroom.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n7. If you light something such as a cigarette or fire, or if it lights, it starts burning.\nStephen hunched down to light a cigarette...\nIf the charcoal does fail to light, use a special liquid spray and light it with a long taper.\n...a lighted candle.\n  VERB: V n, V, V-ed\n\n8. If someone asks you for a light, they want a match or cigarette lighter so they can start smoking. (INFORMAL)\nHave you got a light anybody?\n  N-SING: a N\n\n9. If something is presented in a particular light, it is presented so that you think about it in a particular way or so that it appears to be of a particular nature.\nHe has worked hard in recent months to portray New York in a better light.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n10.\n  see also lighter, lighting, bright lights, night light, pilot light, red light\n11. If something comes to light or is brought to light, it becomes obvious or is made known to a lot of people.\nThe truth is unlikely to be brought to light by the promised enquiry.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n12. If light dawns on you, you begin to understand something after a period of not being able to understand it.\nAt last the light dawned. He was going to marry Phylis!\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n13. If someone in authority gives you a green light, they give you permission to do something.\nThe food industry was given a green light to extend the use of these chemicals...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR\n\n14. If something is possible in the light of particular information, it is only possible because you have this information.\nIn the light of this information it is now possible to identify a number of key issues.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n15. If someone sees the light, they finally realize something or chang1 their attitude or way of behaving to a better one.\nI saw the light and ditched him.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n16. If you set light to something, you make it start burning. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use set fire to)\nThey had poured fuel through the door of the flat and had then set light to it.\n  PHRASE: V inflects: PHR n\n\n17. To shed light on, throw light on, or cast light on something means to make it easier to understand, because more information is known about it.\nA new approach offers an answer, and may shed light on an even bigger question.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n\n  = clarify\n(next)\n\nNOT GREAT IN WEIGHT, AMOUNT, OR INTENSITY\n   light  lighter  lightest\n1. Something that is light does not weigh very much, or weighs less than you would expect it to.\nModern tennis rackets are now apparently 20 per cent lighter.\n...weight training with light weights...\nTry to wear light, loose clothes.\n  ADJ\n  !=heavy\n=>  light.ness\nThe toughness, lightness, strength, and elasticity of whalebone gave it a wide variety of uses.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. Something that is light is not very great in amount, degree, or intensity.\nIt’s a Sunday like any other with the usual light traffic in the city...\n...a light breeze.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  light.ly\nPut the onions in the pan and cook until lightly browned.\n  ADV: usu ADV -ed, also ADV after v\n\n3. Light equipment and machines are small and easily moved, especially because they are not heavy.\n...a convoy of light armoured vehicles...\nThey used light machine guns and AK forty-sevens.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. Something that is light is very pale in colour.\nThe walls are light in colour and covered in paper...\nHe is light haired with gray eyes.\n  ADJ\n  !=dark\n  Light is also a combining form.\nWe know he has a light green van.\n...a light blue box.\n  COMB in COLOUR\n\n5. A light sleep is one that is easily disturbed and in which you are often aware of the things around you. If you are a light sleeper, you are easily woken when you are asleep.\nShe had drifted into a light sleep...\nShe was usually a light sleeper.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=deep\n=>  light.ly\nHe was dozing lightly in his chair.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n6. A light sound, for example someone’s voice, is pleasantly quiet.\nThe voice was sweet and light.\n  ADJ\n\n7. A light meal consists of a small amount of food, or of food that is easy to digest.\n...a light, healthy lunch.\n  ADJ\n  !=heavy\n=>  light.ly\nShe found it impossible to eat lightly.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n8. Light work does not involve much physical effort.\nHe was on the training field for some light work yesterday.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n9. If you describe the result of an action or a punishment as light, you mean that it is less serious or severe than you expected.\nShe confessed her astonishment at her light sentence when her father visited her at the jail.\n  ADJ\n  = lenient\n=>  light.ly\nOne of the accused got off lightly in exchange for pleading guilty to withholding information from Congress.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n10. Movements and actions that are light are graceful or gentle and are done with very little force or effort.\nUse a light touch when applying cream or make-up...\nThere was a light knock at the door.\n  ADJ\n  = gentle\n=>  light.ly\nHe kissed her lightly on the mouth...\nKnead the dough very lightly.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  light.ness\nShe danced with a grace and lightness that were breathtaking.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n11.\n  see also lighter


Words: light .1
Meaning:
18. When you talk about the light at the end of the tunnel, you are referring to the end of the difficult or unpleasant situation that you are in at the moment.\nAll I can do is tell her to hold on, that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.\n  PHRASE\n\n19.\nall sweetness and light: see sweetness


Words: light aircraft
Meaning:
light air.craft\n   light aircraft  light aircraft\n  A light aircraft is a small aeroplane that is designed to carry a small number of passengers or a small amount of goods.\n  N-COUNT


Words: light bulb
Meaning:
light bulb  light bulbs\n  A light bulb or bulb is the round glass part of an electric light or lamp which light shines from.\n  N-COUNT\n  = bulb


Words: light cream
Meaning:
light cream\n  Light cream is thin cream that does not have a lot of fat in it. (AM; in BRIT, use single cream)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: light heavyweight
Meaning:
light heavy.weight\n   light heavyweight  light heavyweights\n  A light heavyweight is a professional boxer who weighs between 160 and 175 pounds, or an amateur boxer who weighs between 165 and 179 pounds.\n  N-COUNT\n  = cruiserweight


Words: light industry
Meaning:
light in.dus.try\n   light industry  light industries\n  Light industry is industry in which only small items are made, for example household goods and clothes.\n  N-VAR


Words: light up
Meaning:
light up\n1. If you light something up or if it lights up, it becomes bright, usually when you shine light on it.\n...a keypad that lights up when you pick up the handset...\nOn September 5, at the end of the festival, a massive display of fireworks will light up the sky around Broadlands.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n2. If your face or your eyes light up you suddenly look very surprised or happy.\nSue’s face lit up with surprise...\nYou should see his eyes light up when he talks about home.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n, V P\n\n3. If you light up, you make a cigarette, cigar, or pipe start burning and you start smoking it. (INFORMAL)\nHe held a match while she lit up...\nHe took his time lighting up a cigarette.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: light year
Meaning:
light year  light years\n1. A light year is the distance that light travels in a year.\n...a star system millions of light years away.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can say that two things are light years apart to emphasize a very great difference or a very long distance or period of time between them. (INFORMAL)\nShe says the French education system is light years ahead of the English one...\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, N prep/adv  emphasis


Words: light-fingered
Meaning:
light-fingered\n  If you say that someone is light-fingered, you mean that they steal things. (INFORMAL)\n  ADJ


Words: light-headed
Meaning:
light-headed\n  If you feel light-headed, you feel rather unsteady and strange, for example because you are ill or because you have drunk too much alcohol.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: light-hearted
Meaning:
light-hearted\n1. Someone who is light-hearted is cheerful and happy.\nThey were light-hearted and prepared to enjoy life.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Something that is light-hearted is intended to be entertaining or amusing, and not at all serious.\nThere have been many attempts, both light-hearted and serious, to locate the Loch Ness Monster.\n  ADJ


Words: lighten
Meaning:
light.en\n   lighten  lightens  lightening  lightened\n1. When something lightens or when you lighten it, it becomes less dark in colour.\nThe sky began to lighten...\nLeslie lightens her hair and has now had it cut into a short, feathered style.\n  VERB: V, V n\n  !=darken\n2. If someone lightens a situation, they make it less serious or less boring.\nAnthony felt the need to lighten the atmosphere...\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If your attitude, or mood lightens, or if someone or something lightens it, they make you feel more cheerful, happy, and relaxed.\nAs they approached the outskirts of the city, Ella’s mood visibly lightened...\nThe sun was streaming in through the window, yet it did nothing to lighten his mood.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n4. If you lighten something, you make it less heavy.\nIt is a good idea to blend it in a food processor as this lightens the mixture...\nHe pulled the lightened sled with all his strength.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: lighter
Meaning:
light.er\n   lighter  lighters\n  A lighter is a small device that produces a flame which you can use to light cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lighthouse
Meaning:
light.house\n   lighthouse  lighthouses\n  A lighthouse is a tower containing a powerful flashing lamp that is built on the coast or on a small island. Lighthouses are used to guide ships or to warn them of danger.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lighting
Meaning:
light.ing\n   lighting\n1. The lighting in a place is the way that it is lit, for example by electric lights, by candles, or by windows, or the quality of the light in it.\n...the bright fluorescent lighting of the laboratory...\nThe whole room is bathed in soft lighting.\n...street lighting.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. The lighting in a film or play is the use of different electric lights to give a particular effect.\nPeter Mumford’s lighting and David Freeman’s direction make a crucial contribution to the success of the staging.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: lightning
Meaning:
light.ning\n   lightning\n1. Lightning is the very bright flashes of light in the sky that happen during thunderstorms.\nOne man died when he was struck by lightning...\nAnother flash of lightning lit up the cave.\n...thunder and lightning.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  see also forked lightning\n2. Lightning describes things that happen very quickly or last for only a short time.\nDriving today demands lightning reflexes.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: lightning bug
Meaning:
light.ning bug\n   lightning bug  lightning bugs\n  A lightning bug is a type of beetle that produces light from its body. (AM)\n  N-COUNT\n  = firefly


Words: lightning conductor
Meaning:
light.ning con.duc.tor\n   lightning conductor  lightning conductors\n  A lightning conductor is a long thin piece of metal on top of a building that attracts lightning and allows it to reach the ground safely. (BRIT; in AM, use lightning rod)\n  N-COUNT


Words: lightning rod
Meaning:
light.ning rod\n   lightning rod  lightning rods\n1. A lightning rod is the same as a lightning conductor. (AM)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that someone is a lightning rod for something, you mean that they attract that thing to themselves. (AM)\nHe is a lightning rod for controversy.\n  PHRASE: PHR n


Words: lightning strike
Meaning:
light.ning strike\n   lightning strike  lightning strikes\n  A lightning strike is a strike in which workers stop work suddenly and without any warning, in order to protest about something. (BRIT)\nBank staff are to stage a series of lightning strikes in a dispute over staffing.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lightship
Meaning:
light.ship\n   lightship  lightships\n  A lightship is a small ship that stays in one place and has a powerful flashing lamp. Lightships are used to guide ships or to warn them of danger.\n  N-COUNT


Words: lightweight
Meaning:
light.weight\n   lightweight  lightweights   also light-weight\n1. Something that is lightweight weighs less than most other things of the same type.\n...lightweight denim...\nThe company manufactures a range of innovative light-weight cycles.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Lightweight is a category in some sports, such as boxing, judo, or rowing, based on the weight of the athlete.\nBy the age of sixteen he was the junior lightweight champion of Poland...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n\n\n  A lightweight is a person who is in the lightweight category in a particular sport.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you describe someone as a lightweight, you are critical of them because you think that they are not very important or skilful in a particular area of activity.\nHill considered Sam a lightweight, a real amateur.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  !=heavyweight\n  Lightweight is also an adjective.\nSome of the discussion in the book is lightweight and unconvincing.\n  ADJ


Words: like
Meaning:
NOUN USES AND PHRASES\n   like  likes\n1. You can use like in expressions such as like attracts like, when you are referring to two or more people or things that have the same or similar characteristics.\nYou have to make sure you’re comparing like with like...\nHomeopathic treatment is based on the `like cures like’ principle.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Someone’s likes are the things that they enjoy or find pleasant.\nI thought that I knew everything about Jemma: her likes and dislikes, her political viewpoints.\n  N-PLURAL: usu poss N\n  !=dislikes\n3.\n  see also liking\n4. You say if you like when you are making or agreeing to an offer or suggestion in a casual way.\nYou can stay here if you like...\n`Shall we stop talking about her?’.`If you like.’\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n5. You say if you like when you are expressing something in a different way, or in a way that you think some people might disagree with or find strange.\nThis is more like a downpayment, or a deposit, if you like.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl/group\n  = let’s say\n6. You can use the expressions like anything, like crazy, or like mad to emphasize that someone is doing something or something is happening in a very energetic or noticeable way. (INFORMAL)\nHe’s working like mad at the moment.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  emphasis\n\n7. You say like this, like that, or like so when you are showing someone how something is done.\nIt opens and closes, like this.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR with cl\n\n8. You use like this or like that when you are drawing attention to something that you are doing or that someone else is doing.\nI’m sorry to intrude on you like this...\nStop pacing like that.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n9. You use the expression something like with an amount, number, or description to indicate that it is approximately accurate.\nThey can get something like .3,000 a year...\n`When roughly would this be? Monday?’.`Something like that.’\n  PHRASE: PHR n\n  = about\n10. If you refer to something the like of which or the likes of which has never been seen before, you are emphasizing how important, great, or noticeable the thing is.\n...technological advances the like of which the world had previously only dreamed of...\nWe are dealing with an epidemic the likes of which we have never seen in this century.\n  PHRASE: n PHR cl  emphasis\n  = such as\n\nPREPOSITION AND CONJUNCTION USES\n   like  likes\n1. If you say that one person or thing is like another, you mean that they share some of the same qualities or features.\nHe looks like Father Christmas...\nKathy is a great mate, we are like sisters...\nIt’s nothing like what happened in the mid-Seventies...\nThis is just like old times.\n...a mountain shaped like a reclining woman.\n  PREP\n\n2. If you talk about what something or someone is like, you are talking about their qualities or features.\nWhat was Bulgaria like?...\nWhat did she look like?...\nWhat was it like growing up in Hillsborough?...\n  PREP\n\n3. You can use like to introduce an example of the set of things or people that you have just mentioned.\nThe neglect that large cities like New York have received over the past 12 years is tremendous...\nHe could say things like, `Let’s go to the car’ or `Let us go for a walk’ in French.\n  PREP: n PREP n/-ing\n  = such as\n4. You can use like to say that someone or something is in the same situation as another person or thing.\nIt also moved those who, like me, are too young to have lived through the war...\n  PREP\n\n5. If you say that someone is behaving like something or someone else, you mean that they are behaving in a way that is typical of that kind of thing or person. Like is used in this way in many fixed expressions, for example to cry like a baby and to watch someone like a hawk.\nI was shaking all over, trembling like a leaf...\nGreenfield was behaving like an irresponsible idiot.\n  PREP: v PREP n\n\n6. You can use like in expressions such as that’s just like her and it wasn’t like him to indicate that the person’s behaviour is or is not typical of their character.\nYou should have told us. But it’s just like you not to share...\n  PREP: v-link PREP n\n\n7. Like is sometimes used as a conjunction in order to say that something appears to be the case when it is not. Some people consider this use to be incorrect.\nOn the train up to Waterloo, I felt like I was going on an adventure.\n  CONJ\n  = as if\n8. Like is sometimes used as a conjunction in order to indicate that something happens or is done in the same way as something else. Some people consider this use to be incorrect.\nPeople are strolling, buying ice cream for their children, just like they do every Sunday...\nHe spoke exactly like I did...\nWe really were afraid, not like in the cinema.\n  CONJ\n  = as\n9. You can use like in negative expressions such as nothing like it and no place like it to emphasize that there is nothing as good as the situation, thing, or person mentioned.\nThere’s nothing like candlelight for creating a romantic mood...\nThere was no feeling like it in the world.\n  PREP: with neg  emphasis\n\n10. You can use like in expressions such as nothing like to make an emphatic negative statement.\nThree hundred million dollars will be nothing like enough...\nIt’s really not anything like as bad as it looks.\n  PREP: with neg  emphasis\n\nVERB USES\n   like  likes  liking  liked\n1. If you like something or someone, you think they are interesting, enjoyable, or attractive.\nHe likes baseball...\nI can’t think why Grace doesn’t like me...\nWhat music do you like best?...\nI just didn’t like being in crowds...\nDo you like to go swimming?...\nI like my whisky neat...\nThat’s one of the things I like about you. You’re strong.\n  VERB: no cont, V n, V n, V n, V -ing, V to-inf, V n adj/prep, V n about n/-ing\n\n2. If you ask someone how they like something, you are asking them for their opinion of it and whether they enjoy it or find it pleasant.\nHow do you like America?...\nHow did you like the trip?\n  VERB: no cont, no passive, V n/-ing, V n/-ing\n\n3. If you like something such as a particular course of action or way of behaving, you approve of it.\nI’ve been looking at the cookery book. I like the way it is set out...\nThe US administration would like to see a negotiated settlement to the war...\nOpal, his wife, didn’t really like him drinking so much...\nI don’t like relying on the judges’ decisions.\n  VERB: no cont, V n, V to-inf, V n -ing, V -ing, also V n about n/-ing\n\n4. If you say that you like to do something or that you like something to be done, you mean that you prefer to do it or prefer it to be done as part of your normal life or routine.\nI like to get to airports in good time...\nI hear Mary’s husband likes her to be home no later than six o’clock.\n  VERB: no cont, no passive, V to-inf, V n to-inf\n\n5. If you say that you would like something or would like to do something, you are indicating a wish or desire that you have.\nI’d like a bath...\nIf you don’t mind, I think I’d like to go home.\n  VERB: no cont, no passive, V n, V to-inf\n\n6. You can say that you would like to say something to indicate that you are about to say it.\nI’d like to apologize...\nI would like to take this opportunity of telling you about a new service which we are offering.\n  VERB: no cont, no passive, V to-inf, V to-inf\n\n7. If you ask someone if they would like something or would like to do something, you are making a polite offer or invitation.\nHere’s your change. Would you like a bag?...\nPerhaps while you wait you would like a drink at the bar...\nWould you like to come back for coffee?\n  VERB: no cont, no passive, V n, V n, V to-inf  politeness\n\n8. If you say to someone that you would like something or you would like them to do something, or ask them if they would like to do it, you are politely telling them what you want or what you want them to do.\nI’d like an explanation...\nWe’d like you to look around and tell us if anything is missing...\nWould you like to tell me what happened?\n  VERB: no cont, no passive, V n, V n to-inf, V to-inf  politeness


Words: like-minded
Meaning:
like-minded\n  Like-minded people have similar opinions, ideas, attitudes, or interests.\n...the opportunity to mix with hundreds of like-minded people.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: likeable
Meaning:
like.able\n   likeable   also likable\n  Someone or something that is likeable is pleasant and easy to like.\nHe was an immensely likeable chap.\n  ADJ\n  = pleasant


Words: likelihood
Meaning:
like.li.hood\n   likelihood\n1. The likelihood of something happening is how likely it is to happen.\nThe likelihood of infection is minimal...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n/-ing, N that\n  = probability\n2. If something is a likelihood, it is likely to happen.\nBut the likelihood is that people would be willing to pay if they were certain that their money was going to a good cause...\n  N-SING\n  = probability\n3. If you say that something will happen in all likelihood, you mean that it will probably happen.\nIn all likelihood, the committee will have to interview every woman who’s worked with Thomas.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n  = in all probability


