# dict

Words: ungodly
Meaning:
un.god.ly\n   ungodly\n1. If you describe someone or something as ungodly, you mean that they are morally bad or are opposed to religion.\n  ADJ\n  = unholy\n2. If you refer to a time as an ungodly hour, you are emphasizing that it is very early in the morning.\n...at the ungodly hour of 4.00am.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n  = unearthly\n3. If you refer to the amount or volume of something as ungodly, you mean that it is excessive or unreasonable.\n...a power struggle of ungodly proportions.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: ungovernable
Meaning:
un.gov.ern.able\n   ungovernable\n1. If you describe a country or region as ungovernable, you mean that it seems impossible to control or govern it effectively, for example because of violence or conflict among the population.\nThe country has become virtually ungovernable.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n2. If you describe feelings as ungovernable, you mean that they are so strong that they cannot be controlled.\nHe was filled with an ungovernable rage.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = uncontrollable


Words: ungracious
Meaning:
un.gra.cious\n   ungracious\n  If you describe a person or their behaviour as ungracious, you mean that they are not polite or friendly in their speech or behaviour. (FORMAL)\n...his ungracious behaviour during the Queen’s recent visit...\nI was often rude and ungracious in refusing help.\n  ADJ\n  = discourteous


Words: ungrateful
Meaning:
un.grate.ful\n   ungrateful\n  If you describe someone as ungrateful, you are criticizing them for not showing thanks or for being unkind to someone who has helped them or done them a favour.\nI thought it was rather ungrateful...\nYou ungrateful brat.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  !=grateful


Words: unguarded
Meaning:
un.guard.ed\n   unguarded\n1. If something is unguarded, nobody is protecting it or looking after it.\nI should not leave my briefcase and camera bag unguarded.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ, ADJ n\n  = unattended\n2. If you do or say something in an unguarded moment, you do or say it carelessly and without thinking, especially when it is something that you did not want anyone to see or know.\nThe photographers managed to capture Jane in an unguarded moment...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unhampered
Meaning:
un.ham.pered\n   unhampered\n  If you are unhampered by a problem or obstacle, you are free from it, and so you are able to do what you want to. (WRITTEN)\n...her belief that things go best if businessmen are allowed to make money unhampered by any kind of regulations.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ after v, ADJ by n


Words: unhappily
Meaning:
un.hap.pi.ly\n   unhappily\n  You use unhappily to introduce or refer to a statement when you consider it is sad and wish that it was different.\nOn May 23rd, unhappily, the little boy died...\nUnhappily for Berkowitz, he never got a penny.\n  ADV: ADV with cl\n  = unfortunately


Words: unhappy
Meaning:
un.hap.py\n   unhappy  unhappier  unhappiest\n1. If you are unhappy, you are sad and depressed.\nHer marriage is in trouble and she is desperately unhappy...\nHe was a shy, sometimes unhappy man...\n  ADJ\n  = miserable  !=happy\n=>  un.hap.pi.ly\n`I don’t have your imagination,’ King said unhappily.\n...an unhappily married woman.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v\n\n=>  un.hap.pi.ness\nThere was a lot of unhappiness in my adolescence.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you are unhappy about something, you are not pleased about it or not satisfied with it.\nHe has been unhappy with his son’s political leanings...\nI suspect he isn’t altogether unhappy about my absence...\nA lot of Republicans are unhappy that the government isn’t doing more.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about/at n/-ing, ADJ that\n\n=>  un.hap.pi.ness\nHe has, by submitting his resignation, signalled his unhappiness with the government’s decision.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N with/about n, N that\n\n3. An unhappy situation or choice is not satisfactory or desirable.\n...this unhappy chapter in the history of relations between our two countries...\n...unhappy experiences of writing for television.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: unharmed
Meaning:
un.harmed\n   unharmed\n  If someone or something is unharmed after an accident or violent incident, they are not hurt or damaged in any way.\nThe car was a write-off, but everyone escaped unharmed...\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n  = unhurt


Words: unhealthy
Meaning:
un.healthy\n   unhealthy  unhealthier  unhealthiest\n1. Something that is unhealthy is likely to cause illness or poor health.\nAvoid unhealthy foods such as hamburger and chips...\nHe worked in the notoriously unhealthy environment of a coal mine.\n  ADJ\n  !=healthy\n2. If you are unhealthy, you are not very fit or well.\nI’m quite unhealthy really.\n...a poorly dressed, unhealthy looking fellow with a poor complexion.\n  ADJ\n  !=healthy\n3. An unhealthy economy or company is financially weak and unsuccessful. (BUSINESS)\nThe redundancy of skilled and experienced workers is a terrible waste and a clear sign of an unhealthy economy.\n  ADJ\n  = weak  !=strong\n4. If you describe someone’s behaviour or interests as unhealthy, you do not consider them to be normal and think they may involve mental problems.\nFrank has developed what I would term an unhealthy relationship with these people...\nMacGregor believes it is unhealthy to lead a life with no interests beyond politics.\n  ADJ\n  !=healthy


Words: unheard
Meaning:
un.heard\n   unheard\n1. If you say that a person or their words go unheard, you are expressing criticism because someone refuses to pay attention to what is said or take it into consideration. (WRITTEN)\nHis impassioned pleas went unheard...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, ADJ after v, also ADJ n  disapproval\n\n2. If you describe spoken comments or pieces of music as unheard, you mean that most people are not familiar with them because they have not been expressed or performed in public.\n...a country where social criticism was largely unheard until this year.\n  ADJ\n\n3. If someone’s words or cries go unheard, nobody can hear them, or a particular person cannot hear them. (WRITTEN)\nMartin’s weak cries for help went unheard until 6.40pm yesterday.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: unheard of
Meaning:
un.heard of\n   unheard of\n1. You can say that an event or situation is unheard of when it never happens.\nMeals are taken communally with other guests in the dining-room. Private bathrooms and toilets are unheard of...\nIt’s almost unheard of in France for a top politician not to come from the social elite.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n2. You can say that an event or situation is unheard of when it happens for the first time and is very surprising or shocking.\nMom announced that she was going to visit her family for a couple of weeks, which was absolutely unheard of.\n  ADJ


Words: unheeded
Meaning:
un.heed.ed\n   unheeded\n  If you say that something such as a warning or danger goes unheeded, you mean that it has not been taken seriously or dealt with. (WRITTEN)\nThe advice of experts went unheeded...\n...a damning picture of lax banking standards and unheeded warnings.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, also ADJ n, ADJ after v


Words: unhelpful
Meaning:
un.help.ful\n   unhelpful\n  If you say that someone or something is unhelpful, you mean that they do not help you or improve a situation, and may even make things worse.\nThe criticism is both unfair and unhelpful.\n...unhelpful hotel staff.\n  ADJ\n  !=helpful


Words: unheralded
Meaning:
un.her.ald.ed\n   unheralded\n1. If you describe an artist or sports player as unheralded, you mean that people have not recognized their talent or ability. (JOURNALISM)\nThey are inviting talented, but unheralded film-makers to submit examples of their work.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unsung  !=acclaimed\n2. If you describe something that happens as unheralded, you mean that you did not expect it, because nobody mentioned it beforehand. (WRITTEN)\n...Sandi’s unheralded arrival on her doorstep...\nThe complete reversal of this policy was unheralded.\n  ADJ


Words: unhesitatingly
Meaning:
un.hesi.tat.ing.ly\n   unhesitatingly\n  If you say that someone does something unhesitatingly, you mean that they do it immediately and confidently, without any doubt or anxiety.\nI would unhesitatingly choose the latter option...\nSo is there any taboo she wouldn’t touch? Unhesitatingly she replies, `Politics.’\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV with cl


Words: unhinge
Meaning:
un.hinge\n   unhinge  unhinges  unhinging  unhinged\n  If you say that an experience has unhinged someone, you mean that it has affected them so deeply that they have become mentally ill.\nThe stress of war temporarily unhinged him.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  un.hinged\n...feelings that make you feel completely unhinged and crazy.\n  ADJ


Words: unhinged
Meaning:
un.hinged\n   unhinged\n  If you describe someone’s behaviour or performance as unhinged, you are critical of it because it seems wild and uncontrollable. (JOURNALISM)\nThe phrase `yeah yeah yeah’ can rarely have been delivered with so much unhinged passion.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: unhip
Meaning:
un.hip\n\n  If you describe someone or something as unhip, you mean that they are not at all fashionable or modern. (INFORMAL)\n...two rather stiff, unhip, middle-aged men.\n  ADJ\n  !=hip


Words: unholy
Meaning:
un.ho.ly\n   unholy\n1. You use unholy to emphasize how unreasonable or unpleasant you think something is.\nShe protested that it wasn’t traditional jazz at all, but an unholy row...\nThe economy is still an unholy mess.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n  = horrendous\n2. If you refer to two or more people or groups working together as an unholy alliance, you mean that this arrangement is unusual because the people usually oppose each other.\nIf the government does fall it will be because of this unholy alliance between the far right and the left...\nWesterners charged that the party was run by an unholy coalition between North and South.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  disapproval\n\n3. If you describe something as unholy, you mean that it is wicked or bad.\n`This ought to be fun,’ he told Alex, eyes gleaming with an almost unholy relish...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unhook
Meaning:
un.hook\n   unhook  unhooks  unhooking  unhooked\n1. If you unhook a piece of clothing that is fastened with hooks, you undo the hooks.\nShe unhooked her dress.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you unhook something that is held in place by hooks, you open it or remove it by undoing the hooks.\nChris unhooked the shutters and went out on the balcony.\n  VERB: V n


Words: unhurried
Meaning:
un.hur.ried\n   unhurried\n  If you describe something as unhurried, you approve of it because it is relaxed and slow, and is not rushed or anxious.\n...an unhurried pace of life.\n  ADJ  approval\n  = leisurely


Words: unhurt
Meaning:
un.hurt\n   unhurt\n  If someone who has been attacked, or involved in an accident, is unhurt, they are not injured.\nThe lorry driver escaped unhurt, but a pedestrian was injured...\nThe two girls suddenly emerged from among the trees. Both seemed to be calm and unhurt.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n  !=hurt


Words: unhygienic
Meaning:
un.hy.gien.ic\n   unhygienic\n  If you describe something as unhygienic, you mean that it is dirty and likely to cause infection or disease.\nParts of the shop were very dirty, unhygienic, and an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.\n...unhygienic conditions.\n  ADJ\n  = insanitary  !=hygienic


Words: unicorn
Meaning:
uni.corn\n   unicorn  unicorns\n  In stories and legends, a unicorn is an imaginary animal that looks like a white horse and has a horn growing from its forehead.\n  N-COUNT


Words: unidentifiable
Meaning:
un.iden.ti.fi.able\n   unidentifiable\n  If something or someone is unidentifiable, you are not able to say exactly what it is or who they are.\n...unidentifiable howling noises...\nAll the bodies were totally unidentifiable.\n  ADJ\n  = unrecognizable


Words: unidentified
Meaning:
un.iden.ti.fied\n   unidentified\n1. If you describe someone or something as unidentified, you mean that nobody knows who or what they are.\nHe was shot this morning by unidentified intruders at his house.\n...unidentified cancer-causing substances in the environment.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unknown\n2. If you use unidentified to describe people, groups, and organizations, you do not want to give their names. (JOURNALISM)\n...his claims, which were based on the comments of anonymous and unidentified sources.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unnamed


Words: unification
Meaning:
uni.fi.ca.tion\n   unification\n  Unification is the process by which two or more countries join together and become one country.\n...the process of general European unification.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: uniform
Meaning:
uni.form\n   uniform  uniforms\n1. A uniform is a special set of clothes which some people, for example soldiers or the police, wear to work in and which some children wear at school.\nThe town police wear dark blue uniforms and flat caps...\nPhilippe was in uniform, wearing a pistol holster on his belt...\nShe will probably take great pride in wearing school uniform.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. You can refer to the particular style of clothing which a group of people wear to show they belong to a group or a movement as their uniform.\nMark’s is the uniform of the young male traveller.green Army trousers, T-shirt and shirt.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n3. If something is uniform, it does not vary, but is even and regular throughout.\nChips should be cut into uniform size and thickness...\nThe price rises will not be uniform across the country.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  uni.form.ity\n...the caramel that was used to maintain uniformity of color in the brandy.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  uni.form.ly\nBeyond the windows, a November midday was uniformly grey...\nMicrowaves heat water uniformly.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v\n\n4. If you describe a number of things as uniform, you mean that they are all the same.\nAlong each wall stretched uniform green metal filing cabinets...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = identical\n=>  uni.form.ity\n...the dull uniformity of the houses.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  uni.form.ly\nThe natives uniformly agreed on this important point.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v


Words: uniformed
Meaning:
uni.formed\n   uniformed\n  If you use uniformed to describe someone who does a particular job, you mean that they are wearing a uniform.\n...uniformed policemen.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: uniformity
Meaning:
uni.form.ity\n   uniformity\n  If there is uniformity in something such as a system, organization, or group of countries, the same rules, ideas, or methods are applied in all parts of it.\nSpanish liberals sought to create linguistic as well as administrative uniformity.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  see also uniform


Words: unify
Meaning:
uni.fy\n   unify  unifies  unifying  unified\n  If someone unifies different things or parts, or if the things or parts unify, they are brought together to form one thing.\nA flexible retirement age is being considered by Ministers to unify men’s and women’s pension rights...\nHe said he would seek to unify the Conservative Party and win the next general election...\nThe plan has been for the rival armies to demobilise, to unify, and then to hold elections to decide who rules...\n...the benefits of unifying with the West.\n  V-RECIP: V pl-n, V n, pl-n V, V with n\n\n=>  uni.fied\n...a unified German state.\n...a unified system of taxation.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unilateral
Meaning:
uni.lat.er.al\n   unilateral\n  A unilateral decision or action is taken by only one of the groups, organizations, or countries that are involved in a particular situation, without the agreement of the others.\n...unilateral nuclear disarmament.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  uni.lat.er.al.ly\nThe British Government was careful not to act unilaterally.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: unilateralism
Meaning:
uni.lat.er.al.ism\n   unilateralism\n1. Unilateralism is the belief that one country should get rid of all its own nuclear weapons, without waiting for other countries to do the same.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Unilateralism is used to refer to a policy in which one country or group involved in a situation takes a decision or action on its own, without the agreement of the other countries or groups involved.\n...the recent history of American aggressive unilateralism on trade.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unimaginable
Meaning:
un.im.agi.nable\n   unimaginable\n  If you describe something as unimaginable, you are emphasizing that it is difficult to imagine or understand properly, because it is not part of people’s normal experience.\nThe scale of the fighting is almost unimaginable...\nThe children here have lived through unimaginable horrors.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n  = unbelievable\n=>  un.im.agi.nably\nConditions in prisons out there are unimaginably bad.\n  ADV: ADV adj


Words: unimaginative
Meaning:
un.im.agi.na.tive\n   unimaginative\n1. If you describe someone as unimaginative, you are criticizing them because they do not think of new methods or things to do.\nHer second husband was a steady, unimaginative, corporate lawyer.\n...unimaginative teachers.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  !=imaginative\n2. If you describe something as unimaginative, you mean that it is boring or unattractive because very little imagination or effort has been used on it.\n...unimaginative food...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval\n  !=imaginative


Words: unimpaired
Meaning:
un.im.paired\n   unimpaired\n  If something is unimpaired after something bad or unpleasant has happened to it, it is not damaged or made worse. (FORMAL)\nHis health and vigour were unimpaired by a stroke...\nQueen Milena possessed great beauty, which she retained unimpaired in advancing years.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v, ADJ n\n  = unharmed


Words: unimpeachable
Meaning:
un.im.peach.able\n   unimpeachable\n  If you describe someone as unimpeachable, you mean that they are completely honest and reliable. (FORMAL)\nHe said all five were men of unimpeachable character.\n...an unimpeachable source.\n  ADJ


Words: unimpeded
Meaning:
un.im.ped.ed\n   unimpeded\n  If something moves or happens unimpeded, it continues without being stopped or interrupted by anything. (FORMAL)\nWe drove, unimpeded by anyone, to Arras...\nHe promised to allow justice to run its course unimpeded...\nU.N. aid convoys have unimpeded access to the city.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ


Words: unimportant
Meaning:
un.im.por.tant\n   unimportant\n  If you describe something or someone as unimportant, you mean that they do not have much influence, effect, or value, and are therefore not worth serious consideration.\nIt was an unimportant job, and paid very little...\nWhen they had married, six years before, the difference in their ages had seemed unimportant.\n  ADJ\n  !=important


Words: unimpressed
Meaning:
un.im.pressed\n   unimpressed\n  If you are unimpressed by something or someone, you do not think they are very good, clever, or useful.\nHe was also very unimpressed by his teachers...\nGraham Fletcher was unimpressed with the idea of filling in a lengthy questionnaire.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ by/with n\n  !=impressed


Words: unimpressive
Meaning:
un.im.pres.sive\n   unimpressive\n  If you describe someone or something as unimpressive, you mean they appear very ordinary, without any special or exciting qualities.\n...even though Manchester United have looked unimpressive over recent weeks...\nRainey was an unimpressive, rather dull lecturer.\n  ADJ\n  !=impressive


Words: uninformed
Meaning:
un.in.formed\n   uninformed\n  If you describe someone as uninformed, you mean that they have very little knowledge or information about a particular situation or subject.\nHe could not complain that he was uninformed about the true nature of the regime...\nCases of child abuse often go unreported or ignored by uninformed citizens.\n  ADJ


Words: uninhabitable
Meaning:
un.in.hab.it.able\n   uninhabitable\n  If a place is uninhabitable, it is impossible for people to live there, for example because it is dangerous or unhealthy.\nAs parts of the world become uninhabitable, millions of people will try to migrate to more hospitable areas.\n...a young couple turning an uninhabitable wreck into their first home.\n  ADJ\n  !=habitable


Words: uninhabited
Meaning:
un.in.hab.it.ed\n   uninhabited\n  An uninhabited place is one where nobody lives.\n...an uninhabited island in the North Pacific...\nThe area is largely uninhabited.\n  ADJ\n  = deserted


Words: uninhibited
Meaning:
un.in.hib.it.ed\n   uninhibited\n  If you describe a person or their behaviour as uninhibited, you mean that they express their opinions and feelings openly, and behave as they want to, without worrying what other people think.\n...a commanding and uninhibited entertainer...\nThe dancing is uninhibited and as frenzied as an aerobics class...\n  ADJ\n  !=inhibited


Words: uninitiated
Meaning:
un.ini.ti.at.ed\n   uninitiated\n  You can refer to people who have no knowledge or experience of a particular subject or activity as the uninitiated.\nFor the uninitiated, Western Swing is a fusion of jazz, rhythm & blues, rock & roll and country music...\n  N-PLURAL: the N\n\n  Uninitiated is also an adjective.\nFor those uninitiated in scientific ocean drilling, the previous record was a little over 4 km...\n  ADJ


Words: uninjured
Meaning:
un.in.jured\n   uninjured\n  If someone is uninjured after an accident or attack, they are not hurt, even though you would expect them to be.\nThe man’s wife, a passenger in the van, was uninjured in the accident.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n  = unhurt


Words: uninspired
Meaning:
un.in.spired\n   uninspired\n  If you describe something or someone as uninspired, you are criticizing them because they do not seem to have any original or exciting qualities.\nThe script was singularly uninspired...\nFood in the dining car was adequate, if uninspired.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  !=inspired


Words: uninspiring
Meaning:
un.in.spir.ing\n   uninspiring\n  If you describe something or someone as uninspiring, you are criticizing them because they have no special or exciting qualities, and make you feel bored.\nThe series of speeches on the economy was uninspiring and a rehash of old subjects...\nThe house had a tiny kitchen with an uninspiring view.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  !=inspiring


Words: uninstall
Meaning:
un.in.stall\n   uninstall uninstalls uninstalling uninstalled\n  If you uninstall a computer program, you remove it permanently from your computer. (COMPUTING)\nIf you don’t like the program, just uninstall it and forget it.\n  VERB: V n


Words: unintelligent
Meaning:
un.in.tel.li.gent\n   unintelligent\n  If you describe a person as unintelligent, you mean that they are stupid, or do not show any sensible ideas or thoughts.\nHe believes him to be a weak and unintelligent man...\nHe certainly was not unintelligent.\n  ADJ\n  !=intelligent


Words: unintelligible
Meaning:
un.in.tel.li.gible\n   unintelligible\n  Unintelligible language is impossible to understand, for example because it is not written or pronounced clearly, or because its meaning is confused or complicated.\nHe muttered something unintelligible...\n...the unintelligible phrases and images of his earlier poems.\n  ADJ\n  = incomprehensible


Words: unintended
Meaning:
un.in.tend.ed\n   unintended\n  Unintended results were not planned to happen, although they happened.\n...the unintended consequences of human action.\n...unintended pregnancies.\n  ADJ\n  !=intended


Words: unintentional
Meaning:
un.in.ten.tion.al\n   unintentional\n  Something that is unintentional is not done deliberately, but happens by accident.\nPerhaps he had slightly misled them, but it was quite unintentional...\nThere are moments of unintentional humour.\n  ADJ\n  = inadvertent\n=>  un.in.ten.tion.al.ly\n...an overblown and unintentionally funny adaptation of `Dracula’.\n...a scientist who unintentionally absorbed a small quantity of the mind-altering drug through the skin on his fingers.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v


Words: uninterested
Meaning:
un.in.ter.est.ed\n   uninterested\n  If you are uninterested in something or someone, you do not want to know any more about them, because you think they have no special or exciting qualities.\nI was so uninterested in the result that I didn’t even bother to look at it.\n...unhelpful and uninterested shop staff.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ in n/-ing


Words: uninteresting
Meaning:
un.in.ter.est.ing\n   uninteresting\n  If you describe something or someone as uninteresting, you mean they have no special or exciting qualities.\nTheir media has earned the reputation for being rather dull and uninteresting...\n  ADJ\n  = boring, dull


Words: uninterrupted
Meaning:
un.in.ter.rupt.ed\n   uninterrupted\n1. If something is uninterrupted, it is continuous and has no breaks or interruptions in it.\nThis enables the healing process to continue uninterrupted...\n...five years of rapid and uninterrupted growth.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ, ADJ n\n\n2. An uninterrupted view of something is a clear view of it, without any obstacles in the way.\nDiners can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the garden.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: uninvited
Meaning:
un.in.vit.ed\n   uninvited\n  If someone does something or goes somewhere uninvited, they do it or go there without being asked, often when their action or presence is not wanted.\nHe came uninvited to one of Stein’s parties.\n...a hundred invited guests and many more who were uninvited.\n...an uninvited question from a reporter.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ, ADJ n\n  !=invited


Words: union
Meaning:
un.ion\n   union  unions\n1. A union is a workers’ organization which represents its members and which aims to improve things such as their working conditions and pay.\nI feel that women in all types of employment can benefit from joining a union.\n...union officials.\n  N-COUNT\n  = trade union\n2. When the union of two or more things occurs, they are joined together and become one thing.\nIn 1918 the Romanian majority in this former tsarist province voted for union with Romania.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N with/of n\n\n3. When two or more things, for example countries or organizations, have been joined together to form one thing, you can refer to them as a union.\nTanzania is a union of the states of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.\n...the question of which countries should join the currency union.\n  N-SING: usu with supp, oft N of pl-n\n\n4. Union is used in the name of some clubs, societies, and organizations.\nThe naming of stars is at the discretion of the International Astronomical Union.\n  N-IN-NAMES


Words: Union Jack
Meaning:
Un.ion Jack\n   Union Jack  Union Jacks\n  The Union Jack is the national flag of the United Kingdom. It consists of a blue background with red and white crosses on it.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft the N


Words: union suit
Meaning:
un.ion suit\n   union suit  union suits\n  A union suit is a piece of underwear, worn by men or boys, that covers the body and legs. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: unionism
Meaning:
un.ion.ism\n   unionism\n  Unionism is any set of political principles based on the idea that two or more political or national units should be joined or remain together, for example that Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  un.ion.ist      unionists\n...traditional unionists fearful of home rule.\n  N-COUNT


Words: unionization
Meaning:
un.ioni.za.tion\n   unionization\nin BRIT, also use unionisation\n  The unionization of workers or industries is the process of workers becoming members of trade unions.\nIncreasing unionization led to demands for higher wages and shorter hours.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unionized
Meaning:
un.ion.ized\n   unionized\nin BRIT, also use unionised\n  Unionized workers belong to trade unions. If a company or place is unionized, most of the workers there belong to trade unions.\n  ADJ


Words: unique
Meaning:
unique\n1. Something that is unique is the only one of its kind.\nEach person’s signature is unique...\nThe area has its own unique language, Catalan.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  unique.ly\nBecause of the extreme cold, the Antarctic is a uniquely fragile environment...\nUniquely among the great world religions, Buddhism is rooted only in the universal experience of suffering known to all human beings.\n  ADV: ADV group, ADV with v\n\n=>  unique.ness\nEach time I returned I was struck by the uniqueness of Australia and its people.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You can use unique to describe things that you admire because they are very unusual and special.\nBrett’s vocals are just unique...\nKauffman was a woman of unique talent and determination.\n  ADJ  approval\n\n=>  unique.ly\n...people who consider themselves uniquely qualified to be president of the United States.\n  ADV: ADV group, ADV with v\n\n3. If something is unique to one thing, person, group, or place, it concerns or belongs only to that thing, person, group, or place.\nNo one knows for sure why adolescence is unique to humans...\nThis interesting and charming creature is unique to Borneo.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n\n\n=>  unique.ly\nThe problem isn’t uniquely American.\n  ADV: ADV adj


Words: unisex
Meaning:
uni.sex\n   unisex\n  Unisex is used to describe things, usually clothes or places, which are designed for use by both men and women rather than by only one sex.\n...the classic unisex hair salon...\n  ADJ


Words: unison
Meaning:
uni.son\n   unison\n1. If two or more people do something in unison, they do it together at the same time.\nThe students gave him a rapturous welcome, chanting in unison: `We want the king!’...\nMichael and the landlady nodded in unison.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n2. If people or organizations act in unison, they act the same way because they agree with each other or because they want to achieve the same aims.\nThe international community is ready to work in unison against him.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: unit
Meaning:
unit  units\n1. If you consider something as a unit, you consider it as a single, complete thing.\nAgriculture was based in the past on the family as a unit.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A unit is a group of people who work together at a specific job, often in a particular place.\n...the health services research unit...\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A unit is a group within an armed force or police force, whose members fight or work together or carry out a particular task.\nOne secret military unit tried to contaminate the drinking water of the refugees...\nTwo small Marine units have been trapped inside the city for the last 36 hours.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n\n4. A unit is a small machine which has a particular function, often part of a larger machine.\nThe unit plugs into any TV set.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. A unit of measurement is a fixed standard quantity, length, or weight that is used for measuring things. The litre, the centimetre, and the ounce are all units.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. A unit is one of the parts that a textbook is divided into.\n  N-COUNT\n  = module


Words: unit cost
Meaning:
unit cost unit costs\n  Unit cost is the amount of money that it costs a company to produce one article. (BUSINESS)\nThey aim to reduce unit costs through extra sales.\n  N-COUNT


Words: unit sales
Meaning:
Unit sales refers to the number of individual items that a company sells. (BUSINESS)\nUnit sales of T-shirts increased 6%.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: unit trust
Meaning:
unit trust  unit trusts\n  A unit trust is an organization which invests money in many different types of business and which offers units for sale to the public as an investment. You can also refer to an investment of this type as a unit trust. (BRIT BUSINESS; in AM, use mutual fund)\n  N-COUNT


Words: unitary
Meaning:
uni.tary\n   unitary\n  A unitary country or organization is one in which two or more areas or groups have joined together, have the same aims, and are controlled by a single government.\n...a call for the creation of a single unitary state.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: unite
Meaning:
unite  unites  uniting  united\n  If a group of people or things unite or if something unites them, they join together and act as a group.\nThe two parties have been trying to unite since the New Year...\nThe vast majority of nations have agreed to unite their efforts to bring peace.\n  VERB: V, V n


Words: united
Meaning:
unit.ed\n   united\n1. When people are united about something, they agree about it and act together.\nEvery party is united on the need for parliamentary democracy...\nA united effort is always more effective than an isolated complaint.\n  ADJ\n\n2. United is used to describe a country which has been formed from two or more states or countries.\n...the first elections to be held in a united Germany for fifty eight years.\n  ADJ\n\n3. United is used in the names of countries which are made up from several states or smaller countries.\n...the United States of America.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, in names


Words: United Kingdom
Meaning:
Unit.ed King.dom\n   United Kingdom\n  The United Kingdom is the official name for the country consisting of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: United Nations
Meaning:
Unit.ed Na.tions\n   United Nations\n  The United Nations is an organization which most countries belong to. Its role is to encourage international peace, co-operation, and friendship.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: unity
Meaning:
unity\n1. Unity is the state of different areas or groups being joined together to form a single country or organization.\nSenior politicians met today to discuss the future of European economic unity.\n...German unity.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft adj N\n  = union\n2. When there is unity, people are in agreement and act together for a particular purpose.\n...a renewed unity of purpose...\nSpeakers at the rally mouthed sentiments of unity...\nThe choice was meant to create an impression of party unity.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Univ
Meaning:
also Univ.\n  Univ is a written abbreviation for University which is used especially in the names of universities.\n...the Wharton School, Univ. of Pennsylvania.


Words: universal
Meaning:
uni.ver.sal\n   universal  universals\n1. Something that is universal relates to everyone in the world or everyone in a particular group or society.\nThe insurance industry has produced its own proposals for universal health care...\nThe desire to look attractive is universal.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  uni.ver.sal.ity\nI have been amazed at the universality of all of our experiences, whatever our origins, sex or age.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. Something that is universal affects or relates to every part of the world or the universe.\n...universal diseases.\n  ADJ\n\n3. A universal is a principle that applies in all cases or a characteristic that is present in all members of a particular class.\nThere are no economic universals.\n  N-COUNT


Words: universal bank
Meaning:
uni.ver.sal bank\n   universal bank universal banks\n  A universal bank is a bank that offers both banking and stockbroking services to its clients. (BUSINESS)\n...universal banks offering a wide range of services.\n  N-COUNT


Words: universally
Meaning:
uni.ver.sal.ly\n   universally\n1. If something is universally believed or accepted, it is believed or accepted by everyone with no disagreement.\n...a universally accepted point of view...\nThe scale of the problem is now universally recognised.\n  ADV: usu ADV -ed/adj\n\n2. If something is universally true, it is true everywhere in the world or in all situations.\nThe disadvantage is that it is not universally available...\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV with v, be ADV n


Words: universe
Meaning:
uni.verse\n   universe  universes\n1. The universe is the whole of space and all the stars, planets, and other forms of matter and energy in it.\nEarly astronomers thought that our planet was the centre of the universe.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing\n\n2. If you talk about someone’s universe, you are referring to the whole of their experience or an important part of it.\nGood writers suck in what they see of the world, re-creating their own universe on the page...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft with poss\n  = world


Words: university
Meaning:
uni.ver.sity\n   university  universities\n  A university is an institution where students study for degrees and where academic research is done.\nPatrick is now at London University...\nThey want their daughter to go to university, but they are also keen that she get a summer job...\nThe university refused to let Dick Gregory speak on campus.\n  N-VAR; N-IN-NAMES


Words: unjust
Meaning:
un.just\n   unjust\n  If you describe an action, system, or law as unjust, you think that it treats a person or group badly in a way that they do not deserve.\nThe attack on Charles was deeply unjust...\nHe spent 25 years campaigning against racist and unjust immigration laws.\n  ADJ\n  = unfair\n=>  un.just.ly\nShe was unjustly accused of stealing money and then given the sack.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v


Words: unjustifiable
Meaning:
un.jus.ti.fi.able\n   unjustifiable\n  If you describe an action, especially one that harms someone, as unjustifiable, you mean there is no good reason for it.\nUsing these missiles to down civilian aircraft is simply immoral and totally unjustifiable.\n  ADJ\n  !=justifiable\n=>  un.jus.ti.fi.ably\nThe press invade people’s privacy unfairly and unjustifiably every day.\n  ADV\n  !=justifiably


Words: unjustified
Meaning:
un.jus.ti.fied\n   unjustified\n  If you describe a belief or action as unjustified, you think that there is no good reason for having it or doing it.\nYour report last week was unfair. It was based upon wholly unfounded and totally unjustified allegations...\nThe commission concluded that the police action was unjustified.\n  ADJ


Words: unkempt
Meaning:
un.kempt\n   unkempt\n  If you describe something or someone as unkempt, you mean that they are untidy, and not looked after carefully or kept neat.\nHis hair was unkempt and filthy.\n...the unkempt grass.\n...an unkempt old man.\n  ADJ


Words: unkind
Meaning:
un.kind\n   unkind  unkinder  unkindest\n1. If someone is unkind, they behave in an unpleasant, unfriendly, or slightly cruel way. You can also describe someone’s words or actions as unkind.\nAll last summer he’d been unkind to her...\nNo one has an unkind word to say about him...\nWithout wishing to be unkind, she’s not the most interesting company...\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n, it v-link ADJ to-inf\n  !=kind\n=>  un.kind.ly\nSeveral viewers commented unkindly on her costumes...\n`He’s a bit of an eccentric old fatty,’ Thomas thought, unkindly.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV with cl\n  !=kindly\n=>  un.kind.ness\nHe realized the unkindness of the remark and immediately regretted having hurt her with it.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=kindness\n2. If you describe something bad that happens to someone as unkind, you mean that they do not deserve it. (WRITTEN)\nThe weather was unkind to those pipers who played in the morning.\n...a shared conviction that some unkind fate or chance is keeping them apart.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n  !=kind


Words: unknowable
Meaning:
un.know.able\n   unknowable\n  If you describe something as unknowable, you mean that it is impossible for human beings to know anything about it. (WRITTEN)\nAny investment in shares is a bet on an unknowable future flow of profits...\nThe specific impact of the greenhouse effect is unknowable.\n  ADJ


Words: unknowing
Meaning:
un.know.ing\n   unknowing\n  If you describe a person as unknowing, you mean that they are not aware of what is happening or of what they are doing.\nSome governments have been victims and perhaps unknowing accomplices in the bank’s activities.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unwitting


Words: unknowingly
Meaning:
un.know.ing.ly\n   unknowingly\n  If someone does something unknowingly, they do it without being aware of it.\n...if people unknowingly move into more contaminated areas of the river.\n...the extent to which the workforce colludes knowingly or unknowingly with such criminal activity...\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV with cl\n  !=knowingly


Words: unknown
Meaning:
un.known\n   unknown  unknowns\n1. If something is unknown to you, you have no knowledge of it.\nAn unknown number of demonstrators were arrested...\nHow did you expect us to proceed on such a perilous expedition, through unknown terrain...\nThe motive for the killing is unknown.\n  ADJ\n\n  An unknown is something that is unknown.\nThe length of the war is one of the biggest unknowns.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An unknown person is someone whose name you do not know or whose character you do not know anything about.\nUnknown thieves had forced their way into the apartment...\nI could not understand how someone with so many awards could be unknown to me.\n  ADJ\n\n3. An unknown person is not famous or publicly recognized.\nHe was an unknown writer.\n...a popular environment where both established and unknown artists can meet, talk and drink.\n  ADJ\n\n  An unknown is a person who is unknown.\nWithin a short space of time a group of complete unknowns had established a wholly original form of humour.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If you say that a particular problem or situation is unknown, you mean that it never occurs.\nA hundred years ago coronary heart disease was virtually unknown in Europe and America.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = unheard of\n5. The unknown refers generally to things or places that people do not know about or understand.\nIgnorance of people brings fear, fear of the unknown.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: unlawful
Meaning:
un.law.ful\n   unlawful\n  If something is unlawful, the law does not allow you to do it. (FORMAL)\n...employees who believe their dismissal was unlawful...\nA pushed-in window indicated unlawful entry.\n  ADJ\n  = illegal  !=lawful\n=>  un.law.ful.ly\n...the councils’ assertion that the government acted unlawfully in imposing the restrictions.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: unlawful killing
Meaning:
un.law.ful kill.ing\n   unlawful killing  unlawful killings\n  Unlawful killing is used to refer to crimes which involve one person killing another. (LEGAL)\n  N-VAR


Words: unleaded
Meaning:
un.lead.ed\n   unleaded\n  Unleaded fuel contains a smaller amount of lead than most fuels so that it produces fewer harmful substances when it is burned.\nThe new Metro is designed to run on unleaded fuel.\n  ADJ\n\n  Unleaded is also a noun.\nAll its V8 engines will run happily on unleaded.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unlearn
Meaning:
un.learn\n   unlearn  unlearns  unlearning  unlearned\nin BRIT, also use unlearnt\n  If you unlearn something that you have learned, you try to forget it or ignore it, often because it is wrong or it is having a bad influence on you.\nThey learn new roles and unlearn old ones...\nBefore you know it, you will have unlearned the debt habit.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  !=learn


Words: unleash
Meaning:
un.leash\n   unleash  unleashes  unleashing  unleashed\n  If you say that someone or something unleashes a powerful force, feeling, activity, or group, you mean that they suddenly start it or send it somewhere.\nThen he unleashed his own, unstoppable, attack...\nThe officers were still reluctant to unleash their troops in pursuit of a defeated enemy.\n  VERB: V n, V n


Words: unleavened
Meaning:
un.leav.ened\n   unleavened\n  Unleavened bread or dough is made without any yeast.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unless
Meaning:
un.less\n   unless\n  You use unless to introduce the only circumstances in which an event you are mentioning will not take place or in which a statement you are making is not true.\nUnless you are trying to lose weight to please yourself, it’s going to be tough to keep your motivation level high...\nWe cannot understand disease unless we understand the person who has the disease...\n  CONJ


Words: unlike
Meaning:
un.like\n   unlike\n1. If one thing is unlike another thing, the two things have different qualities or characteristics from each other.\nThis was a foreign country, so unlike San Jose...\nShe was unlike him in every way except for her coal black eyes.\n  PREP\n  !=like\n2. You can use unlike to contrast two people, things, or situations, and show how they are different.\nUnlike aerobics, walking entails no expensive fees for classes or clubs.\n  PREP\n  !=like\n3. If you describe something that a particular person has done as being unlike them, you mean that you are surprised by it because it is not typical of their character or normal behaviour.\nIt was so unlike him to say something like that, with such intensity, that I was astonished...\n`We’ll all be arrested!’ Thomas yelled, which was most unlike him.\n  PREP\n  !=like


Words: unlikely
Meaning:
un.like.ly\n   unlikely  unlikeliest\n  If you say that something is unlikely to happen or unlikely to be true, you believe that it will not happen or that it is not true, although you are not completely sure.\nA military coup seems unlikely...\nAs with many technological revolutions, you are unlikely to be aware of it...\nIt’s now unlikely that future parliaments will bring back the death penalty...\nIn the unlikely event of anybody phoning, could you just scribble a message down?\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to-inf, it v-link ADJ that\n  !=likely


Words: unlimited
Meaning:
un.lim.it.ed\n   unlimited\n  If there is an unlimited quantity of something, you can have as much or as many of that thing as you want.\nAn unlimited number of copies can still be made from the original...\nYou’ll also have unlimited access to the swimming pool...\n  ADJ\n  !=limited


Words: unlisted
Meaning:
un.list.ed\n   unlisted\n1. If a person or their telephone number is unlisted, the number is not listed in the telephone book, and the telephone company will refuse to give it to people who ask for it. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use ex-directory)\n  ADJ\n\n2. An unlisted company or unlisted stock is not listed officially on a stock exchange. (BUSINESS)\nIts shares are traded on the Unlisted Securities Market.\n  ADJ


Words: unlistenable
Meaning:
un.lis.ten.able\n\n  If you describe music as unlistenable, you mean that is very poor in quality.\nThe early stuff is mostly unlistenable.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: unlit
Meaning:
un.lit\n   unlit\n1. An unlit fire or cigarette has not been made to start burning.\n  ADJ\n\n2. An unlit street or building is dark because there are no lights switched on in it.\n  ADJ


Words: unload
Meaning:
un.load\n   unload  unloads  unloading  unloaded\n1. If you unload goods from a vehicle, or you unload a vehicle, you remove the goods from the vehicle, usually after they have been transported from one place to another.\nUnload everything from the boat and clean it thoroughly...\nThey were reported to be unloading trucks filled with looted furniture.\n  VERB: V n from n, V n\n\n2. If someone unloads investments, they get rid of them or sell them. (BUSINESS)\nSince March, he has unloaded 1.3 million shares.\n  VERB: V n


Words: unlock
Meaning:
un.lock\n   unlock  unlocks  unlocking  unlocked\n1. If you unlock something such as a door, a room, or a container that has a lock, you open it using a key.\nHe unlocked the car and threw the coat on to the back seat...\n  VERB: V n\n  !=lock\n2. If you unlock the potential or the secrets of something or someone, you release them.\nEducation and training is the key that will unlock our nation’s potential.\n  VERB: V n


Words: unlovable
Meaning:
un.lov.able\n   unlovable\n  If someone is unlovable, they are not likely to be loved by anyone, because they do not have any attractive qualities.\n  ADJ\n  !=lovable


Words: unloved
Meaning:
un.loved\n   unloved\n  If someone feels unloved, they feel that nobody loves them.\nI think she feels desperately wounded and unloved at the moment.\n...a lonely, unloved child.\n  ADJ\n  !=loved


Words: unlovely
Meaning:
un.love.ly\n   unlovely\n  If you describe something as unlovely, you mean that it is unattractive or unpleasant in some way. (WRITTEN)\nShe found a small, inexpensive motel on the outskirts of the town; it was barren and unlovely.\n  ADJ\n  = ugly


Words: unloving
Meaning:
un.lov.ing\n   unloving\n  If you describe a person as unloving, you believe that they do not love, or show love to, the people they ought to love.\nThe overworked, overextended parent may be seen as unloving, but may simply be exhausted.\n  ADJ\n  !=loving


Words: unluckily
Meaning:
un.lucki.ly\n   unluckily\n  You use unluckily as a comment on something bad or unpleasant that happens to someone, in order to suggest sympathy for them or that it was not their fault.\nUnluckily for him, the fraud officers were watching this flight too...\n  ADV: ADV with cl, ADV with v, oft ADV for n\n  = unfortunately  !=luckily


Words: unlucky
Meaning:
un.lucky\n   unlucky  unluckier  unluckiest\n1. If someone is unlucky, they have bad luck.\nOwen was unlucky not to score on two occasions...\nOthers were unlucky victims of falling debris.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to-inf\n  = unfortunate  !=lucky\n2. You can use unlucky to describe unpleasant things which happen to someone, especially when you feel that the person does not deserve them.\n...Argentina’s unlucky defeat by Ireland.\n  ADJ\n  !=lucky\n3. Unlucky is used to describe something that is thought to cause bad luck.\nSome people think it is unlucky to look at a new moon through glass.\n  ADJ\n  !=lucky


Words: unmade
Meaning:
un.made\n   unmade\n  An unmade bed has not had the sheets and covers neatly arranged after it was last slept in.\n  ADJ


Words: unmanageable
Meaning:
un.man.age.able\n   unmanageable\n1. If you describe something as unmanageable, you mean that it is difficult to use, deal with, or control.\nPeople were visiting the house every day, sometimes in unmanageable numbers.\n...her freckles and unmanageable hair.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone, especially a young person, as unmanageable, you mean that they behave in an unacceptable way and are difficult to control.\nThe signs are that indulged children tend to become unmanageable when they reach their teens.\n  ADJ\n  = uncontrollable


Words: unmanly
Meaning:
un.man.ly\n   unmanly\n  If you describe a boy’s or man’s behaviour as unmanly, you are critical of the fact that they are behaving in a way that you think is inappropriate for a man.\nYour partner can feel the loss as acutely as you, but may feel that it is unmanly to cry.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ  disapproval\n  = effeminate


Words: unmanned
Meaning:
un.manned\n   unmanned\n1. Unmanned vehicles such as spacecraft do not have any people in them and operate automatically or are controlled from a distance.\n...a special unmanned spacecraft.\n...unmanned rockets.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If a place is unmanned, there is nobody working there.\nUnmanned post offices meant millions of letters went unsorted.\n  ADJ


Words: unmarked
Meaning:
un.marked\n   unmarked\n1. Something that is unmarked has no marks on it.\nHer shoes are still white and unmarked.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n2. Something that is unmarked has no marking on it which identifies what it is or whose it is.\nHe had seen them come out and get into the unmarked police car...\nHe lies in an unmarked grave at Elmton.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. In a sport such as football, hockey, or basketball, if a player is unmarked, there are no players from the opposing team who are watching them in order to challenge them when they have control of the ball. (BRIT)\nSheringham was unmarked as he met Anderton’s free kick and headed in after nine minutes.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, also ADJ after v


Words: unmarried
Meaning:
un.mar.ried\n   unmarried\n  Someone who is unmarried is not married.\nThey refused to rent an apartment to an unmarried couple.\n  ADJ


Words: unmask
Meaning:
un.mask\n   unmask  unmasks  unmasking  unmasked\n  If you unmask someone or something bad, you show or make known their true nature or character, when they had previously been thought to be good.\nElliott unmasked and confronted the master spy and traitor Kim Philby...\n  VERB: V n\n  = expose


Words: unmatched
Meaning:
un.matched\n   unmatched\n  If you describe something as unmatched, you are emphasizing that it is better or greater than all other things of the same kind.\n...a landscape of unmatched beauty...\nBrian’s old-fashioned cuisine was unmatched for flavour.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n  = unrivalled


Words: unmentionable
Meaning:
un.men.tion.able\n   unmentionable\n  If you describe something as unmentionable, you mean that it is too embarrassing or unpleasant to talk about.\nHas he got some unmentionable disease?\n  ADJ


Words: unmercifully
Meaning:
un.mer.ci.ful.ly\n   unmercifully\n  If you do something unmercifully, you do it a lot, showing no pity.\nUncle Sebastian used to tease Mother and Daddy unmercifully that all they could produce was girls.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n  = mercilessly


Words: unmet
Meaning:
un.met\n   unmet\n  Unmet needs or demands are not satisfied.\n...the unmet demand for quality family planning services...\nThis need routinely goes unmet.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v


Words: unmetered
Meaning:
un.me.tered\n\n  An unmetered service for something such as water supply or telephone access is one that allows you to use as much as you want for a basic cost, rather than paying for the amount you use.\nClients are not charged by the minute but given unmetered access to the Internet for a fixed fee.\n  ADJ


Words: unmissable
Meaning:
un.miss.able\n   unmissable\n  If you say that something such as an event or a film is unmissable, you are emphasizing that it is so good that everyone should try to go to it or see it. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHis new show is unmissable...\n  ADJ  emphasis


Words: unmistakable
Meaning:
un.mis.tak.able\n   unmistakable   also unmistakeable\n  If you describe something as unmistakable, you mean that it is so obvious that it cannot be mistaken for anything else.\nHe didn’t give his name, but the voice was unmistakable.\n...the unmistakable smell of marijuana drifted down.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.mis.tak.ably\nIt’s still unmistakably a Minnelli movie...\nShe’s unmistakably Scandinavian...\n  ADV: usu ADV group, also ADV with v


Words: unmitigated
Meaning:
un.miti.gat.ed\n   unmitigated\n  You use unmitigated to emphasize that a bad situation or quality is totally bad.\nLast year’s cotton crop was an unmitigated disaster...\nShe leads a life of unmitigated misery.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n  = absolute, utter


Words: unmolested
Meaning:
un.mo.lest.ed\n   unmolested\n  If someone does something unmolested, they do it without being stopped or interfered with.\nLike many fugitives, he lived in Argentina unmolested for many years...\nWe now have a community where kids and adults can go to the park unmolested.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ after v, also v-link ADJ, ADJ n


Words: unmoved
Meaning:
un.moved\n   unmoved\n  If you are unmoved by something, you are not emotionally affected by it.\nMr Bird remained unmoved by the corruption allegations...\nHis face was unmoved, but on his lips there was a trace of displeasure.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ


Words: unmusical
Meaning:
un.mu.si.cal\n   unmusical\n1. An unmusical sound is unpleasant to listen to.\nLainey had a terrible voice, unmusical and sharp.\n  ADJ\n\n2. An unmusical person cannot play or appreciate music.\nThey’re completely unmusical.\n  ADJ


Words: unnamed
Meaning:
un.named\n   unnamed\n1. Unnamed people or things are talked about but their names are not mentioned.\nAn unnamed man collapsed and died while he was walking near Dundonald...\nThe cash comes from an unnamed source.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Unnamed things have not been given a name.\n...unnamed comets and asteroids.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unnatural
Meaning:
un.natu.ral\n   unnatural\n1. If you describe something as unnatural, you mean that it is strange and often frightening, because it is different from what you normally expect.\nThe aircraft rose with unnatural speed on take-off...\nThe altered landscape looks unnatural and weird.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.natu.ral.ly\nThe house was unnaturally silent.\n...unnaturally cold conditions.\n  ADV: ADV adj\n\n2. Behaviour that is unnatural seems artificial and not normal or genuine.\nShe gave him a bright, determined smile which seemed unnatural.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = false\n=>  un.natu.ral.ly\nTry to avoid shouting or speaking unnaturally.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: unnaturally
Meaning:
un.natu.ral.ly\n   unnaturally\n  You can use not unnaturally to indicate that the situation you are describing is exactly as you would expect in the circumstances.\nIt was a question that Roy not unnaturally found impossible to answer...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n  see also unnatural


Words: unnecessary
Meaning:
un.nec.es.sary\n   unnecessary\n  If you describe something as unnecessary, you mean that it is not needed or does not have to be done, and is undesirable.\nThe slaughter of whales is unnecessary and inhuman...\nHe accused Diana of making an unnecessary fuss.\n  ADJ\n  = needless  !=necessary\n=>  un.nec.es.sari.ly\nI didn’t want to upset my husband or my daughter unnecessarily...\nA bad keyboard can make life unnecessarily difficult.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n  = needlessly


Words: unnerve
Meaning:
un.nerve\n   unnerve  unnerves  unnerving  unnerved\n  If you say that something unnerves you, you mean that it worries or troubles you.\nThe news about Dermot had unnerved me...\n  VERB: V n


Words: unnerving
Meaning:
un.nerv.ing\n   unnerving\n  If you describe something as unnerving, you mean that it makes you feel worried or uncomfortable.\nIt is very unnerving to find out that someone you see every day is carrying a potentially deadly virus.\n  ADJ\n  = disconcerting


Words: unnoticed
Meaning:
un.no.ticed\n   unnoticed\n  If something happens or passes unnoticed, it is not seen or noticed by anyone.\nI tried to slip up the stairs unnoticed...\nHer forty-fourth birthday had just passed, unnoticed by all but herself.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ after v, also v-link ADJ, ADJ n


Words: unobserved
Meaning:
un.ob.served\n   unobserved\n  If you do something unobserved, you do it without being seen by other people.\nLooking round to make sure he was unobserved, he slipped through the door...\nJohn had been sitting, unobserved, in the darkness.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v, ADJ n\n  = unseen


Words: unobtainable
Meaning:
un.ob.tain.able\n   unobtainable\n  If something or someone is unobtainable, you cannot get them.\nFish was unobtainable in certain sections of Tokyo.\n  ADJ\n  !=available


Words: unobtrusive
Meaning:
un.ob.tru.sive\n   unobtrusive\n  If you describe something or someone as unobtrusive, you mean that they are not easily noticed or do not draw attention to themselves. (FORMAL)\nThe coffee-table is glass, to be as unobtrusive as possible...\n  ADJ\n  !=conspicuous\n=>  un.ob.tru.sive.ly\nThey slipped away unobtrusively...\n  ADV: usu ADV with v


Words: unoccupied
Meaning:
un.oc.cu.pied\n   unoccupied\n  If a building is unoccupied, there is nobody in it.\nThe house was unoccupied at the time of the explosion...\nThe fire broke out in two unoccupied cabins.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ n, ADJ after v


Words: unofficial
Meaning:
un.of.fi.cial\n   unofficial\n  An unofficial action or statement is not organized or approved by a person or group in authority.\nStaff voted to continue an unofficial strike in support of seven colleagues who were dismissed last week...\nOfficial reports put the death toll at under one hundred, but unofficial estimates speak of at least two hundred dead.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=official\n=>  un.of.fi.cial.ly\nSome workers are legally employed, but the majority work unofficially with neither health nor wage security.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV with cl


Words: unopened
Meaning:
un.opened\n   unopened\n  If something is unopened, it has not been opened yet.\n...unopened bottles of olive oil...\nThe letter lay unopened in the travel firm’s pigeonhole...\nCatherine put all the envelopes aside unopened.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v


Words: unopposed
Meaning:
un.op.posed\n   unopposed\n  In something such as an election or a war, if someone is unopposed, there are no opponents competing or fighting against them.\nThe council re-elected him unopposed as party leader...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ after v, also v-link ADJ, ADJ n


Words: unorthodox
Meaning:
un.ortho.dox\n   unorthodox\n1. If you describe someone’s behaviour, beliefs, or customs as unorthodox, you mean that they are different from what is generally accepted.\nShe spent an unorthodox girlhood travelling with her father throughout Europe...\nHis methods were unorthodox, and his lifestyle eccentric.\n  ADJ\n  = unconventional  !=orthodox\n2. If you describe ways of doing things as unorthodox, you are criticizing them because they are unusual or illegal.\nThe charity says the journalists appear to have obtained confidential documents in an unorthodox manner.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  !=orthodox


Words: unpack
Meaning:
un.pack\n   unpack  unpacks  unpacking  unpacked\n1. When you unpack a suitcase, box, or similar container, or you unpack the things inside it, you take the things out of the container.\nHe unpacked his bag...\n  VERB: V n, also V\n  !=pack\n2. If you unpack an idea or problem, you analyse it and consider it in detail.\nA lot of ground has been covered in unpacking the issues central to achieving this market-led strategic change.\n  VERB: V n\n  = analyse


Words: unpaid
Meaning:
un.paid\n   unpaid\n1. If you do unpaid work or are an unpaid worker, you do a job without receiving any money for it.\nEven unpaid work for charity is better than nothing...\nThe unpaid volunteers do the work because they love it.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=paid\n2. Unpaid taxes or bills, for example, are bills or taxes which have not been paid yet.\nThe taxman caught up with him and demanded .17,000 in unpaid taxes...\nThe bills remained unpaid because of a dispute over the quality of the company’s work.\n  ADJ\n  = outstanding


Words: unpalatable
Meaning:
un.pal.at.able\n   unpalatable\n1. If you describe an idea as unpalatable, you mean that you find it unpleasant and difficult to accept.\nIt is an unpalatable fact that rape makes a good news story...\nIt was only then that I began to learn the unpalatable truth about John.\n  ADJ\n  = distasteful\n2. If you describe food as unpalatable, you mean that it is so unpleasant that you can hardly eat it.\n...a lump of dry, unpalatable cheese.\n  ADJ


Words: unparalleled
Meaning:
un.par.al.leled\n   unparalleled\n  If you describe something as unparalleled, you are emphasizing that it is, for example, bigger, better, or worse than anything else of its kind, or anything that has happened before.\nGermany’s unparalleled prosperity is based on wise investments...\nThe country is facing a crisis unparalleled since the Second World War.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ since/in n  emphasis\n  = unequalled


Words: unpardonable
Meaning:
un.par.don.able\n   unpardonable\n  If you say that someone’s behaviour is unpardonable, you mean that it is very wrong or offensive, and completely unacceptable.\n...an unpardonable lack of discipline...\nI must ask a question you may find unpardonable.\n  ADJ\n  = unforgivable, inexcusable


Words: unpick
Meaning:
un.pick\n   unpick  unpicks  unpicking  unpicked\n1. If you unpick a piece of sewing, you remove the stitches from it.\nYou can always unpick the hems on the dungarees if you don’t like them.\n  VERB: V n\n  = undo\n2. If someone unpicks a plan or policy, they disagree with it and examine it thoroughly in order to find any mistakes that they can use to defeat it. (BRIT)\nA statesman who ought to know better wants to unpick last year’s reform of Europe’s common agricultural policy.\n  VERB: V n


Words: unplayable
Meaning:
un.play.able\n   unplayable\n  In some sports, if you describe a player as unplayable, you mean that they are playing extremely well and are difficult to beat. If you describe a ball as unplayable, you mean that it is difficult to hit. (BRIT)\n  ADJ


Words: unpleasant
Meaning:
un.pleas.ant\n   unpleasant\n1. If something is unpleasant, it gives you bad feelings, for example by making you feel upset or uncomfortable.\nThe symptoms can be uncomfortable, unpleasant and serious...\nThe vacuum has an unpleasant smell...\nIt was a very unpleasant and frightening attack.\n  ADJ\n  !=pleasant\n=>  un.pleas.ant.ly\nThe water moved darkly around the body, unpleasantly thick and brown...\nThe smell was unpleasantly strong...\nMy heart was hammering unpleasantly.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v\n  !=pleasantly\n2. An unpleasant person is very unfriendly and rude.\nShe thought him an unpleasant man...\nDon’t start giving me problems otherwise I’ll have to be very unpleasant indeed.\n...a thoroughly unpleasant person.\n  ADJ\n  !=pleasant\n=>  un.pleas.ant.ly\nMelissa laughed unpleasantly...\nThe Heidlers are an unpleasantly hypocritical pair.\n  ADV\n  !=pleasantly\n=>  un.pleas.ant.ness\nThere had to be a reason for the unpleasantness some people habitually displayed.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unplug
Meaning:
un.plug\n   unplug  unplugs  unplugging  unplugged\n  If you unplug an electrical device or telephone, you pull a wire out of a socket so that it stops working.\nI had to unplug the phone.\n  VERB: V n\n  !=plug in


Words: unplugged
Meaning:
un.plugged\n   unplugged\n  If a pop group or musician performs unplugged, they perform without any electric instruments. (JOURNALISM)\nDo you remember when everyone got a bit tired of electronic clutter and went unplugged and acoustic?\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n


Words: unpolluted
Meaning:
un.pol.lut.ed\n   unpolluted\n  Something that is unpolluted is free from pollution.\n  ADJ\n  !=polluted


Words: unpopular
Meaning:
un.popu.lar\n   unpopular\n  If something or someone is unpopular, most people do not like them.\nIt was a painful and unpopular decision...\nIn high school, I was very unpopular, and I did encounter a little prejudice...\nThe Chancellor is deeply unpopular with voters.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with n\n  !=popular\n=>  un.popu.lar.ity\n...his unpopularity among his colleagues.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss\n  !=popularity


Words: unprecedented
Meaning:
un.prec.edent.ed\n   unprecedented\n1. If something is unprecedented, it has never happened before.\nSuch a move is rare, but not unprecedented...\nIn 1987 the Socialists took the unprecedented step of appointing a civilian to command the force.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe something as unprecedented, you are emphasizing that it is very great in quality, amount, or scale.\nEach home boasts an unprecedented level of quality throughout...\nThe scheme has been hailed as an unprecedented success.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis


Words: unpredictable
Meaning:
un.pre.dict.able\n   unpredictable\n  If you describe someone or something as unpredictable, you mean that you cannot tell what they are going to do or how they are going to behave.\nHe is utterly unpredictable.\n...Britain’s notoriously unpredictable weather.\n  ADJ\n  !=predictable\n=>  un.pre.dict.ably\nMonthly costs can rise or fall unpredictably.\n...her husband’s unpredictably violent behavior to others.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, ADV adj\n\n=>  un.pre.dict.abil.ity\n...the unpredictability of the weather.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft with poss


Words: unprepared
Meaning:
un.pre.pared\n   unprepared\n1. If you are unprepared for something, you are not ready for it, and you are therefore surprised or at a disadvantage when it happens.\nI was totally unprepared for the announcement on the next day...\nFaculty members complain that their students are unprepared to do college-level work...\nWe were caught completely unprepared.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ for n\n  !=prepared\n2. If you are unprepared to do something, you are not willing to do it.\nHe was unprepared to co-operate, or indeed to communicate.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to-inf\n  !=prepared


Words: unprepossessing
Meaning:
un.pre.pos.sess.ing\n   unprepossessing\n  If you describe someone or something as unprepossessing, you mean that they look rather plain or ordinary, although they may have good or special qualities that are hidden. (FORMAL)\nWe found the tastiest and most imaginative paella and tapas in the most unprepossessing bars and cafes.\n  ADJ


Words: unpretentious
Meaning:
un.pre.ten.tious\n   unpretentious\n  If you describe a place, person, or thing as unpretentious, you approve of them because they are simple in appearance or character, rather than sophisticated or luxurious.\nThe Tides Inn is both comfortable and unpretentious.\n...good, unpretentious pop music...\n  ADJ  approval


Words: unprincipled
Meaning:
un.prin.ci.pled\n   unprincipled\n  If you describe a person or their actions as unprincipled, you are criticizing them for their lack of moral principles and because they do things which are immoral or dishonest.\nIt is a market where people can be very unprincipled and unpleasant.\n...the unprincipled behaviour of the prosecutor’s office during the crisis.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = unscrupulous  !=principled


Words: unprintable
Meaning:
un.print.able\n   unprintable\n  If you describe something that someone has said or done as unprintable, you mean that it is so rude or shocking that you do not want to say exactly what it was.\nHer reply was unprintable.\n...some quite unprintable stories.\n  ADJ


Words: unproductive
Meaning:
un.pro.duc.tive\n   unproductive\n  Something that is unproductive does not produce any good results.\nResearch workers are well aware that much of their time and effort is unproductive.\n...increasingly unproductive land.\n  ADJ\n  !=productive


Words: unprofessional
Meaning:
un.pro.fes.sion.al\n   unprofessional\n  If you use unprofessional to describe someone’s behaviour at work, you are criticizing them for not behaving according to the standards that are expected of a person in their profession.\nWhat she did was very unprofessional. She left abruptly about 90 minutes into the show...\nHe was also fined $150 for unprofessional conduct.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  !=professional


Words: unprofitable
Meaning:
un.prof.it.able\n   unprofitable\n1. An industry, company, or product that is unprofitable does not make any profit or does not make enough profit. (BUSINESS)\n...unprofitable state-owned industries...\nThe newspaper is believed to have been unprofitable for at least the past decade.\n  ADJ\n  !=profitable\n2. Unprofitable activities or efforts do not produce any useful or helpful results.\n...an endless, unprofitable argument...\nThe day proved frustratingly unprofitable.\n  ADJ\n  = fruitless


Words: unpromising
Meaning:
un.prom.is.ing\n   unpromising\n  If you describe something as unpromising, you think that it is unlikely to be successful or produce anything good in the future.\nIn fact, his business career had distinctly unpromising beginnings...\nTheir land looked so unpromising that the colonists eventually gave most of it back.\n  ADJ\n  !=promising


Words: unpronounceable
Meaning:
un.pro.nounce.able\n   unpronounceable\n  An unpronounceable word or name is too difficult to say.\n  ADJ


Words: unprotected
Meaning:
un.pro.tect.ed\n   unprotected\n1. An unprotected person or place is not looked after or defended, and so they may be harmed or attacked.\nWhat better target than an unprotected girl, going along that river walkway in the dark...\nThe landing beaches would be unprotected.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v\n\n2. If something is unprotected, it is not covered or treated with anything, and so it may easily be damaged.\nExposure of unprotected skin to the sun carries the risk of developing skin cancer...\nThis leaves fertile soil unprotected and prone to erosion.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v\n\n3. If two people have unprotected sex, they do not use a condom when they have sex.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: unproven
Meaning:
un.prov.en\n   unproven     also unproved\n  If something is unproven, it has not definitely been proved to be true.\nThere are a lot of unproven allegations flying around.\n  ADJ


Words: unprovoked
Meaning:
un.pro.voked\n   unprovoked\n  If someone makes an unprovoked attack, they attack someone who has not tried to harm them in any way.\n  ADJ


Words: unpublished
Meaning:
un.pub.lished\n   unpublished\n  An unpublished book, letter, or report has never been published. An unpublished writer has never had his or her work published.\n  ADJ


Words: unpunished
Meaning:
un.pun.ished\n   unpunished\n  If a criminal or crime goes unpunished, the criminal is not punished.\nPersistent criminals who have gone unpunished by the courts have been dealt with by local people...\nI have been amazed at times that cruelty can go unpunished.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ n, ADJ after v


Words: unqualified
Meaning:
un.quali.fied\n   unqualified\n1. If you are unqualified, you do not have any qualifications, or you do not have the right qualifications for a particular job.\nShe was unqualified for the job...\nUnqualified members of staff at the hospital were not sufficiently supervised.\n  ADJ\n  !=qualified\n2. Unqualified means total or unlimited.\nThe event was an unqualified success...\nEgypt has given almost unqualified backing to Washington.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis


Words: unquestionable
Meaning:
un.ques.tion.able\n   unquestionable\n  If you describe something as unquestionable, you are emphasizing that it is so obviously true or real that nobody can doubt it.\nHe inspires affection and respect as a man of unquestionable integrity...\nThere is an unquestionable link between job losses and deteriorating services.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n  = undoubted  !=questionable\n=>  un.ques.tion.ably\nThey have seen the change as unquestionably beneficial to the country...\nHe is unquestionably a star.\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group


Words: unquestioned
Meaning:
un.ques.tioned\n   unquestioned\n1. You use unquestioned to emphasize that something is so obvious, real, or great that nobody can doubt it or disagree with it.\nHis commitment has been unquestioned...\nThe play was an immediate and unquestioned success in London.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n  = unequivocal\n2. If something or someone is unquestioned, they are accepted by everyone, without anyone doubting or disagreeing.\nStalin was the unquestioned ruler of the Soviet Union from the late 1920s until his death in 1953.\n  ADJ\n  = undisputed\n3. If you describe someone’s belief or attitude as unquestioned, you are emphasizing that they accept something without any doubt or disagreement.\nRoyalty is regarded with unquestioned reverence.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n  = unquestioning


Words: unquestioning
Meaning:
un.ques.tion.ing\n   unquestioning\n  If you describe a person or their beliefs as unquestioning, you are emphasizing that they accept something without any doubt or disagreement.\nIsabella had been taught unquestioning obedience...\nFor the last 20 years, I have been an unquestioning supporter of comprehensive schools.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis\n\n=>  un.ques.tion.ing.ly\nShe supported him unquestioningly.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: unquote
Meaning:
un.quote\n   unquote\n  You can say quote before and unquote after a word or phrase, or quote, unquote before or after it, to show that you are quoting someone or that you do not believe that a word or phrase used by others is accurate. (SPOKEN)\nHe drowned in a boating quote `accident’ unquote...\n  PHRASE


Words: unravel
Meaning:
un.rav.el\n   unravel  unravels  unravelling  unravelled\nin AM, use unraveling, unraveled\n1. If something such as a plan or system unravels, it breaks up or begins to fail.\nHis government began to unravel because of a banking scandal...\n  VERB: V\n\n2. If you unravel something that is knotted, woven, or knitted, or if it unravels, it becomes one straight piece again or separates into its different threads.\nHe was good with his hands and could unravel a knot or untangle yarn that others wouldn’t even attempt...\nThe stairway carpet is so frayed it threatens to unravel.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n3. If you unravel a mystery or puzzle, or if it unravels, it gradually becomes clearer and you can work out the answer to it.\nA young mother has flown to Iceland to unravel the mystery of her husband’s disappearance...\nGradually, with an intelligent use of flashbacks, Yves’ story unravels.\n  VERB: V n, V


Words: unread
Meaning:
un.read\n   unread\n  If a book or other piece of writing is unread, you or other people have not read it, for example because it is boring or because you have no time.\nAll his unpublished writing should be destroyed unread...\nHe caught up on months of unread periodicals.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ


Words: unreadable
Meaning:
un.read.able\n   unreadable\n1. If you use unreadable to describe a book or other piece of writing, you are criticizing it because it is very boring, complicated, or difficult to understand.\nFor some this is the greatest novel in the world. For others it is unreadable...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = unintelligible\n2. If a piece of writing is unreadable, it is impossible to read because the letters are unclear, especially because it has been damaged in some way.\n...if contracts are unreadable because of the microscopic print...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = illegible\n3. If someone’s face or expression is unreadable, it is impossible to tell what they are thinking or feeling. (LITERARY)\nHe looked back at the woman for approval, but her face was unreadable.\n  ADJ\n  = impenetrable


Words: unreal
Meaning:
un.real\n   unreal\n1. If you say that a situation is unreal, you mean that it is so strange that you find it difficult to believe it is happening.\nIt was unreal. Like some crazy childhood nightmare...\nIt felt so unreal to be talking about our son like this.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = bizarre\n=>  un.re.al.ity\nTo his surprise he didn’t feel too weak. Light-headed certainly, and with a sense of unreality, but able to walk.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you use unreal to describe something, you are critical of it because you think that it is not like, or not related to, things you expect to find in the real world.\n...unreal financial targets...\nAlmost all fictional detectives are unreal.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = unrealistic


Words: unrealistic
Meaning:
un.re.al.is.tic\n   unrealistic\n  If you say that someone is being unrealistic, you mean that they do not recognize the truth about a situation, especially about the difficulties involved in something they want to achieve.\nThere are many who feel that the players are being completely unrealistic in their demands...\nIt would be unrealistic to expect such a process ever to be completed.\n...their unrealistic expectations of parenthood.\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf\n  !=realistic\n=>  un.re.al.is.ti.cal.ly\nTom spoke unrealistically of getting a full-time job that paid an enormous sum.\n...unrealistically high standards of expectation.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n  !=realistically


Words: unreasonable
Meaning:
un.rea.son.able\n   unreasonable\n1. If you say that someone is being unreasonable, you mean that they are behaving in a way that is not fair or sensible.\nThe strikers were being unreasonable in their demands, having rejected the deal two weeks ago...\nIt was her unreasonable behaviour with a Texan playboy which broke up her marriage...\nIt’s unreasonable to expect your child to behave in a caring way if you behave selfishly.\n  ADJ\n  !=reasonable\n=>  un.rea.son.ably\nWe unreasonably expect near perfect behaviour from our children.\n  ADV\n\n2. An unreasonable decision, action, price, or amount seems unfair and difficult to justify.\n...unreasonable increases in the price of petrol...\nOne in four consumers now say water prices are very unreasonable.\n  ADJ\n  !=reasonable\n=>  un.rea.son.ably\nThe banks’ charges are unreasonably high.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj


Words: unreasoning
Meaning:
un.rea.son.ing\n   unreasoning\n  Unreasoning feelings or actions are not logical, sensible, or controlled. (LITERARY)\nAt this moment of success I found only an unreasoning sense of futility...\nNiki’s voice provoked a new bout of unreasoning anger.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = irrational


Words: unrecognizable
Meaning:
un.rec.og.niz.able\n   unrecognizable\nin BRIT, also use unrecognisable\n  If someone or something is unrecognizable, they have become impossible to recognize or identify, for example because they have been greatly changed or damaged.\nThe corpses of the prisoners were nearly unrecognizable from the number of bullet wounds they’d received...\nThe new town would have been unrecognisable to the original inhabitants.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n  !=recognizable


Words: unrecognized
Meaning:
un.rec.og.nized\n   unrecognized\nin BRIT, also use unrecognised\n1. If someone does something unrecognized, nobody knows or recognizes them while they do it.\nHe is believed to have worked unrecognised as a doorman at East End clubs...\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n\n2. If something is unrecognized, people are not aware of it.\nThere is the possibility that hypothermia can go unrecognized...\nThere must be many vases, bowls or bottles sitting unrecognised in people’s homes...\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ, ADJ n\n\n3. If you or your achievements or qualities are unrecognized, you have not been properly appreciated or acknowledged by other people for what you have done.\nHard work and talent so often go unrecognised and unrewarded...\nThere really is a wealth of unrecognised talent out there.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ, ADJ n\n\n4. An unrecognized meeting, agreement, or political party is not formally acknowledged as legal or valid by the authorities.\nLocal authorities are likely to refuse to hire facilities to unrecognised martial arts organisations.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unreconstructed
Meaning:
un.re.con.struct.ed\n   unreconstructed\n  If you describe systems, beliefs, policies, or people as unreconstructed, you are critical of them because they have not changed at all, in spite of new ideas and circumstances.\n...the unreconstructed racism of the official opposition...\nShe accused him of being an unreconstructed male chauvinist.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval


Words: unrecorded
Meaning:
un.re.cord.ed\n   unrecorded\n  You use unrecorded to describe something that has not been written down or recorded officially, especially when it should have been.\nThe statistics don’t reveal of course unrecorded crime...\nMuch of Poland’s private industry goes unrecorded...\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v


Words: unrefined
Meaning:
un.re.fined\n   unrefined\n  An unrefined food or other substance is in its natural state and has not been processed.\nUnrefined carbohydrates include brown rice and other grains.\n...the price of unrefined oil as it comes out of the ground.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=refined


Words: unrehearsed
Meaning:
un.re.hearsed\n   unrehearsed\n  Unrehearsed activities or performances have not been prepared, planned, or practised beforehand.\nIn fact, the recordings were mostly unrehearsed improvisations.\n  ADJ


Words: unrelated
Meaning:
un.re.lat.ed\n   unrelated\n1. If one thing is unrelated to another, there is no connection between them. You can also say that two things are unrelated.\nMy line of work is entirely unrelated to politics...\nTwo of them died from apparently unrelated causes.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n  = unconnected  !=related\n2. If one person is unrelated to another, they are not members of the same family. You can also say that two people are unrelated. (WRITTEN)\nJimmy is adopted and thus unrelated to Beth by blood.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n  !=related


Words: unrelenting
Meaning:
un.re.lent.ing\n   unrelenting\n1. If you describe someone’s behaviour as unrelenting, you mean that they are continuing to do something in a very determined way, often without caring whether they hurt or embarrass other people.\nShe established her authority with unrelenting thoroughness...\nIn the face of severe opposition and unrelenting criticism, the task seemed overwhelming.\n  ADJ\n  = relentless\n2. If you describe something unpleasant as unrelenting, you mean that it continues without stopping.\n...an unrelenting downpour of rain.\n  ADJ


Words: unreliable
Meaning:
un.re.li.able\n   unreliable\n  If you describe a person, machine, or method as unreliable, you mean that you cannot trust them.\nDiplomats can be a notoriously unreliable and misleading source of information...\nHe had an unreliable car.\n  ADJ\n  !=reliable\n=>  un.re.li.abil.ity\n...his lateness and unreliability.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unrelieved
Meaning:
un.re.lieved\n   unrelieved\n  If you describe something unpleasant as unrelieved, you mean that it is very severe and is not replaced by anything better, even for a short time.\n...unrelieved misery...\nThe sun baked down on the concrete, unrelieved by any breeze.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ by n


Words: unremarkable
Meaning:
un.re.mark.able\n   unremarkable\n  If you describe someone or something as unremarkable, you mean that they are very ordinary, without many exciting, original, or attractive qualities.\n...a tall, lean man, with an unremarkable face.\n...a rather unremarkable town in North Wales.\n  ADJ\n  !=remarkable


Words: unremarked
Meaning:
un.re.marked\n   unremarked\n  If something happens or goes unremarked, people say nothing about it, because they consider it normal or do not notice it. (FORMAL)\nHis departure, in fact, went almost unremarked...\nIt did not pass unremarked that three-quarters of the petitions were instituted by women.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v, ADJ n\n  = unnoticed


Words: unremitting
Meaning:
un.re.mit.ting\n   unremitting\n  Something that is unremitting continues without stopping or becoming less intense. (FORMAL)\nI was sent to boarding school, where I spent six years of unremitting misery...\nHe watched her with unremitting attention.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  un.re.mit.ting.ly\nThe weather was unremittingly awful.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj


Words: unrepentant
Meaning:
un.re.pent.ant\n   unrepentant\n  If you are unrepentant, you are not ashamed of your beliefs or actions.\nPamela was unrepentant about her strong language and abrasive remarks.\n...unrepentant defenders of the death penalty.\n  ADJ


Words: unrepresentative
Meaning:
un.rep.re.senta.tive\n   unrepresentative\n  If you describe a group of people as unrepresentative, you mean that their views are not typical of the community or society to which they belong.\nThe President denounced the demonstrators as unrepresentative of the Romanian people.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ of n\n  !=representative


Words: unrepresented
Meaning:
un.rep.re.sent.ed\n   unrepresented\n  If you are unrepresented in something such as a parliament, legislature, law court, or meeting, there is nobody there speaking or acting for you, for example to give your opinions or instructions.\n...groups who feel they’ve been officially unrecognized or unrepresented in international councils.\n  ADJ\n  !=represented


Words: unrequited
Meaning:
un.re.quit.ed\n   unrequited\n  If you have unrequited love for someone, they do not love you. (LITERARY)\n...his unrequited love for a married woman.\n  ADJ


Words: unreserved
Meaning:
un.re.served\n   unreserved\n  An unreserved opinion or statement is one that expresses a feeling or opinion completely and without any doubts.\nCharles displays unreserved admiration for his grandfather...\nJones’ lawyers are seeking an unreserved apology from the newspaper.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  un.re.serv.ed.ly\nWe apologise unreservedly for any imputation of incorrect behaviour by Mr Taylor.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n  = wholeheartedly


Words: unresolved
Meaning:
un.re.solved\n   unresolved\n  If a problem or difficulty is unresolved, no satisfactory solution has been found to it. (FORMAL)\nThe murder remains unresolved.\n...unresolved issues.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ n, ADJ after v


Words: unresponsive
Meaning:
un.re.spon.sive\n   unresponsive\n1. An unresponsive person does not react or pay enough attention to something, for example to an urgent situation or to people’s needs. (FORMAL)\nHe was totally unresponsive to the pressing social and economic needs of the majority of the population.\n...a cold, unresponsive man.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n  !=responsive\n2. If a person or their body is unresponsive, they do not react physically in a normal way, or do not make any movements. (FORMAL)\nI found her in a coma, totally unresponsive.\n  ADJ


Words: unrest
Meaning:
un.rest\n   unrest\n  If there is unrest in a particular place or society, people are expressing anger and dissatisfaction about something, often by demonstrating or rioting. (JOURNALISM)\nThe real danger is civil unrest in the east of the country...\nThere is growing unrest among students in several major cities.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unrestrained
Meaning:
un.re.strained\n   unrestrained\n  If you describe someone’s behaviour as unrestrained, you mean that it is extreme or intense, for example because they are expressing their feelings strongly or loudly.\nThere was unrestrained joy on the faces of the people...\n  ADJ\n  !=restrained


Words: unrestricted
Meaning:
un.re.strict.ed\n   unrestricted\n1. If an activity is unrestricted, you are free to do it in the way that you want, without being limited by any rules.\nFreedom to pursue extra-curricular activities is totally unrestricted...\nThe Commissioner has absolutely unrestricted access to all the files.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you have an unrestricted view of something, you can see it fully and clearly, because there is nothing in the way.\nNearly all seats have an unrestricted view.\n  ADJ


Words: unrewarded
Meaning:
un.re.ward.ed\n   unrewarded\n  You can say that someone goes unrewarded, or that their activities go unrewarded, when they do not achieve what they are trying to achieve.\nThe jockey rushed back from America to ride at Nottingham on Monday but went unrewarded.\n...a long and unrewarded struggle.\n  ADJ


Words: unrewarding
Meaning:
un.re.ward.ing\n   unrewarding\n  If you describe an activity as unrewarding, you mean that it does not give you any feelings of achievement or pleasure.\n...dirty and unrewarding work...\nListening to it in its entirety is also fairly unrewarding.\n  ADJ\n  !=rewarding


Words: unrivalled
Meaning:
un.ri.valled\n   unrivalled\nin AM, use unrivaled\n  If you describe something as unrivalled, you are emphasizing that it is better than anything else of the same kind.\nHe had an unrivalled knowledge of south Arabian society, religion, law and customs...\nIt’s a team unrivalled in stature, expertise and credibility.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n  = unequalled


Words: unroll
Meaning:
un.roll\n   unroll  unrolls  unrolling  unrolled\n  If you unroll something such as a sheet of paper or cloth, or if it unrolls, it opens up and becomes flat when it was previously rolled in a cylindrical shape.\nI unrolled my sleeping bag as usual...\nGuests bring movies on tape, and show them on the screen that unrolls from the ceiling.\n  VERB: V n, V


Words: unruffled
Meaning:
un.ruf.fled\n   unruffled\n  If you describe someone as unruffled, you mean that they are calm and do not seem to be affected by surprising or frightening events.\n  ADJ\n  = unperturbed


Words: unruly
Meaning:
un.ru.ly\n   unruly\n1. If you describe people, especially children, as unruly, you mean that they behave badly and are difficult to control.\nIt’s not good enough just to blame the unruly children.\n...unruly behaviour.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Unruly hair is difficult to keep tidy.\nThe man had a huge head of remarkably black, unruly hair.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unsafe
Meaning:
un.safe\n   unsafe\n1. If a building, machine, activity, or area is unsafe, it is dangerous.\nCritics claim the trucks are unsafe...\nShe was also warned it was unsafe to run early in the morning in the neighbourhood.\n  ADJ\n  = dangerous  !=safe\n2. If you are unsafe, you are in danger of being harmed.\nIn the larger neighbourhood, I felt very unsafe.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  !=safe\n3. If a criminal conviction is unsafe, it is not based on enough evidence or is based on false evidence. (BRIT LEGAL)\nAn appeal court decided their convictions were unsafe.\n  ADJ


Words: unsaid
Meaning:
un.said\n   unsaid\n  If something is left unsaid or goes unsaid in a particular situation, it is not said, although you might have expected it to be said.\nSome things, Donald, are better left unsaid...\nBill Bradley says too much is going unsaid between blacks and whites.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ after v, also v-link ADJ, ADJ n


Words: unsaleable
Meaning:
un.sale.able\n   unsaleable\nin AM, use unsalable\n  If something is unsaleable, it cannot be sold because nobody wants to buy it.\nMost developers reserve the right to turn down a property they think is virtually unsaleable.\n  ADJ


Words: unsanitary
Meaning:
un.sani.tary\n   unsanitary\n  Something that is unsanitary is dirty and unhealthy, so that you may catch a disease from it.\n...diseases caused by unsanitary conditions...\nDischarge of raw sewage into the sea is unsanitary and unsafe.\n  ADJ\n  = unhygienic, insanitary


Words: unsatisfactory
Meaning:
un.sat.is.fac.tory\n   unsatisfactory\n  If you describe something as unsatisfactory, you mean that it is not as good as it should be, and cannot be considered acceptable.\nThe inspectors said just under a third of lessons were unsatisfactory...\nHe asked a few more questions, to which he received unsatisfactory answers.\n  ADJ\n  = inadequate  !=satisfactory


Words: unsatisfied
Meaning:
un.sat.is.fied\n   unsatisfied\n1. If you are unsatisfied with something, you are disappointed because you have not got what you hoped to get.\nThe game ended a few hours too early, leaving players and spectators unsatisfied...\nThe centre helps people who are unsatisfied with the solicitors they are given.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n\n  = dissatisfied\n2. If a need or demand is unsatisfied, it is not dealt with.\nThe poll suggests that the strongest unsatisfied appetite for home computers isn’t among the richest consumers.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unmet


Words: unsatisfying
Meaning:
un.sat.is.fy.ing\n   unsatisfying\n  If you find something unsatisfying, you do not get any satisfaction from it.\nRose says so far the marriage has been unsatisfying...\nThe boredom is caused as much by people’s unsatisfying home lives as by lack of work.\n  ADJ\n  !=satisfying


Words: unsavoury
Meaning:
un.sa.voury\n   unsavoury\nin AM, use unsavory\n  If you describe a person, place, or thing as unsavoury, you mean that you find them unpleasant or morally unacceptable.\nThe sport has long been associated with illegal wagers and unsavoury characters.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval


Words: unscathed
Meaning:
un.scathed\n   unscathed\n  If you are unscathed after a dangerous experience, you have not been injured or harmed by it.\nTony emerged unscathed apart from a severely bruised finger...\nEast Los Angeles was left relatively unscathed by the riots...\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n  = unharmed


Words: unscheduled
Meaning:
un.sched.uled\n   unscheduled\n  An unscheduled event was not planned to happen, but happens unexpectedly or because someone changes their plans at a late stage.\n...an unscheduled meeting with Robin Cook...\nThe ship made an unscheduled stop at Hawaii.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unschooled
Meaning:
un.schooled\n   unschooled\n  An unschooled person has had no formal education. (LITERARY)\n...unskilled work done by unschooled people...\nHe was almost completely unschooled.\n  ADJ\n  = uneducated  !=educated


Words: unscientific
Meaning:
un.sci.en.tif.ic\n   unscientific\n  Research or treatment that is unscientific is not likely to be good because it is not based on facts or is not done in the proper way.\nNo member of the team was medically qualified and its methods were considered totally unscientific.\n...this small, unscientific sample of voters.\n  ADJ


Words: unscramble
Meaning:
un.scram.ble\n   unscramble  unscrambles  unscrambling  unscrambled\n  To unscramble things that are in a state of confusion or disorder means to arrange them so that they can be understood or seen clearly.\nAll you have to do to win is unscramble the words here to find four names of birds.\n...electronic circuits which can be programmed to allow the user to unscramble transmitted signals.\n  VERB: V n, V n


Words: unscrew
Meaning:
un.screw\n   unscrew  unscrews  unscrewing  unscrewed\n1. If you unscrew something such as a lid, or if it unscrews, you keep turning it until you can remove it.\nShe unscrewed the cap of her water bottle and gave him a drink...\nThe base of the lamp unscrews for wiring and mounting.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n2. If you unscrew something such as a sign or mirror which is fastened to something by screws, you remove it by taking out the screws.\nHe unscrewed the back of the telephone and started connecting it to the cable.\n  VERB: V n


Words: unscripted
Meaning:
un.script.ed\n   unscripted\n  An unscripted talk or speech is made without detailed preparation, rather than being read out.\n...unscripted radio programmes.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unscrupulous
Meaning:
un.scru.pu.lous\n   unscrupulous\n  If you describe a person as unscrupulous, you are critical of the fact that they are prepared to act in a dishonest or immoral way in order to get what they want.\nThese kids are being exploited by very unscrupulous people.\n...the unscrupulous use of hostages.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: unseasonably
Meaning:
un.sea.son.ably\n   unseasonably\n  Unseasonably warm, cold, or mild weather is warmer, colder, or milder than it usually is at the time of year.\n...a spell of unseasonably warm weather...\nIt was unseasonably mild for late January.\n  ADV: ADV adj


Words: unseat
Meaning:
un.seat\n   unseat  unseats  unseating  unseated\n  When people try to unseat a person who is in an important job or position, they try to remove him or her from that job or position.\nIt is still not clear who was behind Sunday’s attempt to unseat the President...\n  VERB: V n


Words: unsecured
Meaning:
un.secured\n   unsecured\n  Unsecured is used to describe loans or debts that are not guaranteed by a particular asset such as a person’s home.\nWe can arrange unsecured loans for any amount from .500 to .7,500.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unseeded
Meaning:
un.seed.ed\n   unseeded\n  In tennis and badminton competitions, an unseeded player is someone who has not been ranked among the top 16 players by the competition’s organizers.\nHe was understandably dejected after losing in the first round to an unseeded American.\n  ADJ\n  !=seeded


Words: unseeing
Meaning:
un.see.ing\n   unseeing\n  If you describe a person or their eyes as unseeing, you mean that they are not looking at anything, or not noticing something, although their eyes are open. (LITERARY)\nIn the hallway Greenfield was staring at the wood panelling with unseeing eyes...\nHe stared unseeing out of the window.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ


Words: unseemly
Meaning:
un.seem.ly\n   unseemly\n  If you say that someone’s behaviour is unseemly, you disapprove of it because it is not polite or not suitable for a particular situation or occasion. (LITERARY)\nIt would be unseemly for judges to receive pay increases when others are having to tighten their belts.\n...unseemly drinking, brawling and gambling.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: unseen
Meaning:
un.seen\n   unseen\n1. If you describe something as unseen, you mean that it has not been seen for a long time.\n...a spectacular ballroom, unseen by the public for over 30 years...\nWe print a selection of previously unseen photos from the Spanish rider’s early years.\n  ADJ\n\n2. You can use unseen to describe things which people cannot see.\nFor me, a performance is in front of a microphone, over the radio, to an unseen audience...\nThere was barely time for the two boys to escape unseen.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ after v


Words: unselfish
Meaning:
un.self.ish\n   unselfish\n  If you describe someone as unselfish, you approve of the fact that they regard other people’s wishes and interests as more important than their own.\nShe started to get a reputation as an unselfish girl with a heart of gold...\nAs a player he was unselfish, a true team man.\n  ADJ  approval\n  = selfless  !=selfish\n=>  un.self.ish.ly\nShe has loyally and unselfishly spent every day at her husband’s side.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  un.self.ish.ness\n...acts of unselfishness and care.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unsentimental
Meaning:
un.sen.ti.men.tal\n   unsentimental\n  If you describe someone as unsentimental, you mean that they do not allow emotions like pity or affection to interfere with their work or decisions.\nShe was a practical, unsentimental woman...\nThey are unsentimental about their impact on employees.\n  ADJ


Words: unsettle
Meaning:
un.set.tle\n   unsettle  unsettles  unsettling  unsettled\n  If something unsettles you, it makes you feel rather worried or uncertain.\nThe presence of the two policemen unsettled her.\n  VERB: V n\n  = disturb


Words: unsettled
Meaning:
un.set.tled\n   unsettled\n1. In an unsettled situation, there is a lot of uncertainty about what will happen.\nBritain’s unsettled political scene also worries some investors...\n  ADJ\n  = unstable\n2. If you are unsettled, you cannot concentrate on anything because you are worried.\nA lot of people wake up every day with a sense of being unsettled and disturbed...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n3. An unsettled argument or dispute has not yet been resolved.\nThey were in the process of resolving all the unsettled issues...\n  ADJ\n  = unresolved\n4. Unsettled places are places where no people have yet lived.\nUntil very recently Texas was an unsettled frontier.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n5. Unsettled weather is unpredictable and changes a lot.\nDespite the unsettled weather, we had a marvellous weekend.\n  ADJ\n  !=settled


Words: unsettling
Meaning:
un.set.tling\n   unsettling\n  If you describe something as unsettling, you mean that it makes you feel rather worried or uncertain.\nThe prospect of change of this kind has an unsettling effect on any organisation...\n  ADJ\n  = disturbing\n=>  un.set.tling.ly\nIt was unsettlingly quiet.\n  ADV: ADV adj


Words: unshaded
Meaning:
un.shad.ed\n   unshaded\n  An unshaded light or light bulb has no shade fitted to it.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = naked


Words: unshakeable
Meaning:
un.shake.able\n   unshakeable   also unshakable\n  If you describe someone’s beliefs as unshakeable, you are emphasizing that they are so strong that they cannot be destroyed or altered.\nShe had an unshakeable faith in human goodness and natural honesty.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis


Words: unshaken
Meaning:
un.shak.en\n   unshaken\n1. If your beliefs are unshaken, you still have those beliefs, although they have been attacked or challenged.\nHis faith that men such as the Reverend John Leale tried to do their best is unshaken.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = firm\n2. If you are unshaken by something, you are not emotionally affected by it.\nMona remains unshaken by her ordeal and is matter-of-fact about her courage.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: unshaven
Meaning:
un.shav.en\n   unshaven\n  If a man is unshaven, he has not shaved recently and there are short hairs on his face or chin.\n  ADJ


Words: unsightly
Meaning:
un.sight.ly\n   unsightly\n  If you describe something as unsightly, you mean that it is unattractive to look at.\nMy mother has had unsightly varicose veins for years...\n  ADJ\n  = ugly


Words: unsigned
Meaning:
un.signed\n   unsigned\n1. An unsigned document does not have anyone’s signature on it.\n  ADJ\n\n2. An unsigned band has not signed a contract with a company to produce CDs.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unskilled
Meaning:
un.skilled\n   unskilled\n1. People who are unskilled do not have any special training for a job.\nHe went to Paris in search of work as an unskilled labourer...\n  ADJ\n  !=skilled\n2. Unskilled work does not require any special training.\nIn the US, minorities and immigrants have generally gone into low-paid, unskilled jobs.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=skilled


Words: unsmiling
Meaning:
un.smil.ing\n   unsmiling\n  An unsmiling person is not smiling, and looks serious or unfriendly. (LITERARY)\nHe was unsmiling and silent.\n...the unsmiling woman in the ticket booth.\n  ADJ


Words: unsociable
Meaning:
un.so.ciable\n   unsociable\n  Someone who is unsociable does not like talking to other people and tries to avoid meeting them.\nMy marriage has broken up. It has made me reclusive and unsociable...\nI am by no means an unsociable person.\n  ADJ\n  !=sociable


Words: unsocial
Meaning:
un.so.cial\n   unsocial\n  If someone works unsocial hours, they work late at night, early in the morning, at weekends, or on public holidays. In Britain, people are often paid extra for working unsocial hours. (BRIT)\n  ADJ


Words: unsold
Meaning:
un.sold\n   unsold\n  Unsold goods have been available for people to buy but nobody has bought them.\n...piles of unsold books...\nThirteen per cent of Christie’s coin and banknote auction went unsold.\n  ADJ


Words: unsolicited
Meaning:
un.so.lic.it.ed\n   unsolicited\n  Something that is unsolicited has been given without being asked for and may not have been wanted.\n`If I were you,’ she adds by way of some unsolicited advice, `I’d watch out for that girl of yours.’\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unsolved
Meaning:
un.solved\n   unsolved\n  An unsolved mystery or problem has never been solved.\n...America’s unsolved problems of poverty and racism...\nDavid’s murder remains unsolved.\n  ADJ


Words: unsophisticated
Meaning:
un.so.phis.ti.cat.ed\n   unsophisticated\n1. Unsophisticated people do not have a wide range of experience or knowledge and have simple tastes.\nIt was music of a rather crude kind which unsophisticated audiences enjoyed listening to...\nShe was quite unsophisticated in the ways of the world.\n  ADJ\n  !=sophisticated\n2. An unsophisticated method or device is very simple and often not very effective.\n...an unsophisticated alarm system.\n  ADJ\n  = crude  !=sophisticated


Words: unsound
Meaning:
un.sound\n   unsound\n1. If a conclusion or method is unsound, it is based on ideas that are wrong.\nThe thinking is good-hearted, but muddled and fundamentally unsound...\nThe national tests were educationally unsound.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  !=sound\n2. If something or someone is unsound, they are unreliable.\nNo sensible person would put his money in a bank he knew to be unsound.\n  ADJ\n  = unreliable\n3. If you say that something is unsound in some way, you mean that it is damaging in that way or to the thing mentioned.\nThe project is environmentally unsound...\nA diet extremely low in calories can also be a diet that is nutritionally unsound.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, usu adv ADJ\n  !=sound\n4. If a building or other structure is unsound, it is in poor condition and is likely to collapse.\nThe church was structurally unsound.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: unspeakable
Meaning:
un.speak.able\n   unspeakable\n  If you describe something as unspeakable, you are emphasizing that it is extremely unpleasant.\n...the unspeakable horrors of chemical weapons...\n...unspeakable crimes.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n  = appalling\n=>  un.speak.ably\nThe novel was unspeakably boring.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj


Words: unspecified
Meaning:
un.speci.fied\n   unspecified\n  You say that something is unspecified when you are not told exactly what it is.\nThe government said an unspecified number of bandits were killed...\nHe was arrested on unspecified charges.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unspectacular
Meaning:
un.spec.tacu.lar\n   unspectacular\n  If you describe something as unspectacular, you mean that it is rather dull and not remarkable in any way.\nHis progress at school had been unspectacular compared to his brother.\n...pleasant, if largely unspectacular, countryside.\n  ADJ


Words: unspoiled
Meaning:
un.spoiled\n   unspoiled\nin BRIT, also use unspoilt\n  If you describe a place as unspoiled, you think it is beautiful because it has not been changed or built on for a long time.\nThe port is quiet and unspoiled.\n...the unspoiled island of Cozumel.\n  ADJ


Words: unspoken
Meaning:
un.spo.ken\n   unspoken\n1. If your thoughts, wishes, or feelings are unspoken, you do not speak about them.\nHis face was expressionless, but Alex felt the unspoken criticism...\nThe other unspoken fear here is of an outbreak of hooliganism.\n  ADJ\n\n2. When there is an unspoken agreement or understanding between people, their behaviour shows that they agree about something or understand it, even though they have never spoken about it.\nThere had been an unspoken agreement between them that he would not call for her at Seymour House...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = tacit


Words: unsporting
Meaning:
un.sport.ing\n   unsporting\n  If you describe someone playing a game as unsporting, you are critical of them because they have done something that is unfair to their opponent.\nPlayers are warned, fined and can even be disqualified for unsporting actions in the heat of contest.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: unstable
Meaning:
un.sta.ble\n   unstable\n1. You can describe something as unstable if it is likely to change suddenly, especially if this creates difficulty or danger.\nAfter the fall of Pitt in 1801 there was a decade of unstable government...\nThe situation is unstable and potentially dangerous.\n  ADJ\n  !=stable\n2. Unstable objects are likely to move or fall.\nBoth clay and sandstone are unstable rock formations.\n  ADJ\n  !=stable\n3. If people are unstable, their emotions and behaviour keep changing because their minds are disturbed or upset.\nHe was emotionally unstable...\n  ADJ\n  !=stable


Words: unstated
Meaning:
un.stat.ed\n   unstated\n  You say that something is unstated when it has not been expressed in words.\nThe implication was plain, if left unstated...\nAn additional, unstated reason for his resignation may have been a lawsuit filed against him.\n  ADJ


Words: unsteady
Meaning:
un.steady\n   unsteady\n1. If you are unsteady, you have difficulty doing something, for example walking, because you cannot completely control your legs or your body.\nThe boy was very unsteady and had staggered around when he got up...\nHe poured coffee into the mugs, and with an unsteady hand, held one of them out to David.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.steadi.ly\nShe pulled herself unsteadily from the bed to the dresser.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If you describe something as unsteady, you mean that it is not regular or stable, but unreliable or unpredictable.\nHis voice was unsteady and only just audible...\n  ADJ\n\n3. Unsteady objects are not held, fixed, or balanced securely.\n...a slightly unsteady item of furniture.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unstick
Meaning:
un.stick\n   unstick  unsticks  unsticking  unstuck\n  If you unstick something or if it unsticks, it becomes separated from the thing that it was stuck to.\nMike shook his head, to unstick his hair from his sweating forehead...\nThe stewards’ badges are made so they do not unstick from a car and therefore cannot be passed around.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n  see also unstuck


Words: unstinting
Meaning:
un.stint.ing\n   unstinting\n  Unstinting help, care, or praise is great in amount or degree and is given generously.\nThe task of producing the text was made easier by the unstinting help and generosity extended to me.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unstoppable
Meaning:
un.stop.pable\n   unstoppable\n  Something that is unstoppable cannot be prevented from continuing or developing.\nThe progress of science is unstoppable.\n...the country’s seemingly unstoppable economy.\n  ADJ


Words: unstressed
Meaning:
un.stressed\n   unstressed\n  If a word or syllable is unstressed, it is pronounced without emphasis. (TECHNICAL)\n...the unstressed syllable of words like `above’, `surround’ or `arrive’.\n  ADJ\n  !=stressed


Words: unstructured
Meaning:
un.struc.tured\n   unstructured\n  Something such as a meeting, interview, or activity that is unstructured is not organized in a complete or detailed way.\nOur aim was that these meetings be unstructured and informal...\n  ADJ\n  !=structured


Words: unstuck
Meaning:
un.stuck\n   unstuck\n1. If something comes unstuck, it becomes separated from the thing that it was attached to.\nThe brown vinyl covering all the horizontal surfaces is coming unstuck in several places.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n2. To come unstuck means to fail. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL; in AM, usually use come unglued)\nWhere economics comes unstuck is when it doesn’t take account of the anticipated actions of human beings...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  = fail\n  see also unstick


Words: unsubscribe
Meaning:
un.sub.scribe\n   unsubscribe unsubscribes unsubscribing unsubscribed\n  If you unsubscribe from an online service, you send a message saying that you no longer wish to receive that service. (COMPUTING)\nGo to the website today and you can unsubscribe online.\n  VERB: V


Words: unsubstantiated
Meaning:
un.sub.stan.ti.at.ed\n   unsubstantiated\n  A claim, accusation, or story that is unsubstantiated has not been proved to be valid or true.\nI do object to their claim, which I find totally unsubstantiated.\n...unsubstantiated rumours about his private life.\n  ADJ\n  = unconfirmed


Words: unsuccessful
Meaning:
un.suc.cess.ful\n   unsuccessful\n1. Something that is unsuccessful does not achieve what it was intended to achieve.\nHis efforts were unsuccessful.\n...a second unsuccessful operation on his knee...\nThere were reports last month of unsuccessful negotiations between guerrillas and commanders.\n  ADJ\n  !=successful\n=>  un.suc.cess.ful.ly\nHe has been trying unsuccessfully to sell the business in one piece since early last year.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n  !=successfully\n2. Someone who is unsuccessful does not achieve what they intended to achieve, especially in their career.\nThe difference between successful and unsuccessful people is that successful people put into practice the things they learn...\nHe and his friend Boris were unsuccessful in getting a job.\n  ADJ\n  !=successful


Words: unsuitable
Meaning:
un.suit.able\n   unsuitable\n  Someone or something that is unsuitable for a particular purpose or situation does not have the right qualities for it.\nAmy’s shoes were unsuitable for walking any distance.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ for n/-ing\n  !=suitable


Words: unsuited
Meaning:
un.suit.ed\n   unsuited\n1. If someone or something is unsuited to a particular job, situation, or place, they do not have the right qualities or characteristics for it.\nHe’s totally unsuited to the job...\nThe snow cruiser proved hopelessly unsuited to Antarctic conditions.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n/-ing\n  !=suited\n2. If two people, especially a man and a woman, are unsuited to each other, they have different personalities or interests, and so are unlikely to have a successful relationship.\nBy the end of that first year, I knew how totally unsuited we were to each other.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n  = incompatible  !=suited


Words: unsullied
Meaning:
un.sul.lied\n   unsullied\n  If something is unsullied, it has not been spoiled or made less pure by the addition of something unpleasant or unacceptable. (LITERARY)\nShe had the combined talents of toughness, intellect, experience and unsullied reputation...\nHe smiled, unsullied by doubt.\n  ADJ\n  !=sullied, tainted


Words: unsung
Meaning:
un.sung\n   unsung\n  Unsung is used to describe people, things, or places that are not appreciated or praised, although you think they deserve to be. (WRITTEN)\nThey are among the unsung heroes of our time...\n  ADJ


Words: unsupported
Meaning:
un.sup.port.ed\n   unsupported\n1. If a statement or theory is unsupported, there is no evidence which proves that it is true or correct.\nIt was a theory unsupported by evidence...\nThe letters contained unsupported allegations.\n  ADJ\n\n2. An unsupported person does not have anyone to provide them with money and the things they need.\nUnsupported mothers are one of the fastest-growing groups of welfare claimants.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. An unsupported building or person is not being physically supported or held up by anything.\n...the vast unsupported wall of the Ajuda Palace in Lisbon.\n...the child’s first unsupported step.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unsure
Meaning:
un.sure\n   unsure\n1. If you are unsure of yourself, you lack confidence.\nHe made her feel hot, and awkward, and unsure of herself...\nThe evening show was terrible, with hesitant unsure performances from all.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ of n\n  !=confident, sure\n2. If you are unsure about something, you feel uncertain about it.\nFifty-two per cent were unsure about the idea...\nScientists are becoming increasingly unsure of the validity of this technique.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about/of n\n  !=certain


Words: unsurpassed
Meaning:
un.sur.passed\n   unsurpassed\n  If you describe something as unsurpassed, you are emphasizing that it is better or greater than anything else of its kind.\nThe quality of Smallbone furniture is unsurpassed.\n...the Hamburg weekly, surely unsurpassed in the world for its intellectual range and quality.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n  = unrivalled


Words: unsurprising
Meaning:
un.sur.pris.ing\n   unsurprising\n  If something is unsurprising, you are not surprised by it because you would expect it to happen or be like it is.\nIt is unsurprising that he remains so hated...\nHis choice was unsurprising.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ that\n  !=surprising\n=>  un.sur.pris.ing.ly\nUnsurprisingly, not everyone agrees that things are better...\nThe proposals were swiftly and unsurprisingly rejected by Western ministers.\n  ADV: ADV with cl, ADV with v\n  !=surprisingly


Words: unsuspected
Meaning:
un.sus.pect.ed\n   unsuspected\n  If you describe something as unsuspected, you mean that people do not realize it or are not aware of it.\nA surprising number of ailments are caused by unsuspected environmental factors...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unsuspecting
Meaning:
un.sus.pect.ing\n   unsuspecting\n  You can use unsuspecting to describe someone who is not at all aware of something that is happening or going to happen.\nThe co-defendants are charged with selling worthless junk bonds to thousands of unsuspecting depositors.\n...his unsuspecting victim.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unsweetened
Meaning:
un.sweet.ened\n   unsweetened\n  Unsweetened food or drink does not have any sugar or other sweet substance added to it.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=sweetened


Words: unswerving
Meaning:
un.swerv.ing\n   unswerving\n  If you describe someone’s attitude, feeling, or way of behaving as unswerving, you mean that it is strong and firm and does not weaken or change.\nIn his diary of 1944 he proclaims unswerving loyalty to the monarchy.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unwavering


Words: unsympathetic
Meaning:
un.sym.pa.thet.ic\n   unsympathetic\n1. If someone is unsympathetic, they are not kind or helpful to a person in difficulties.\nHer husband was unsympathetic and she felt she had no one to turn to.\n...an unsympathetic doctor.\n  ADJ\n  !=sympathetic\n2. An unsympathetic person is unpleasant and difficult to like.\n...a very unsympathetic main character...\nHe’s unsympathetic, but charismatic and complex.\n  ADJ\n\n3. If you are unsympathetic to a particular idea or aim, you are not willing to support it.\nI’m highly unsympathetic to what you are trying to achieve.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n


Words: untamed
Meaning:
un.tamed\n   untamed\n  An untamed area or place is in its original or natural state and has not been changed or affected by people. (LITERARY)\n...the wild, untamed undergrowth...\nThe interior of Corsica is high and untamed.\n  ADJ


Words: untangle
Meaning:
un.tan.gle\n   untangle  untangles  untangling  untangled\n1. If you untangle something that is knotted or has become twisted around something, you undo the knots in it or free it.\nHe was found desperately trying to untangle several reels of film.\n...a light, non-sticky mousse which untangles hair and adds brilliant shine.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n2. If you untangle a confused or complicated situation, you make the different things involved clear, or put the situation right.\nLawyers and accountants began trying to untangle the complex affairs of the bank...\n  VERB: V n\n  = disentangle


Words: untapped
Meaning:
un.tapped\n   untapped\n  An untapped supply or source of something has not yet been used.\nMongolia, although poor, has considerable untapped resources of oil and minerals...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: untenable
Meaning:
un.ten.able\n   untenable\n  An argument, theory, or position that is untenable cannot be defended successfully against criticism or attack.\nThis argument is untenable from an intellectual, moral and practical standpoint...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: untested
Meaning:
un.test.ed\n   untested\n1. If something or someone is untested, they have not yet been tried out or have not yet experienced a particular situation, so you do not know what they will be like.\nThe Egyptian Army remained an untested force...\n  ADJ\n  = untried\n2. If you describe something such as a drug or chemical as untested, you mean that it has not been subject to scientific tests to find out if it is safe to use.\n...the dangers of giving untested drugs to people.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unthinkable
Meaning:
un.think.able\n   unthinkable\n1. If you say that something is unthinkable, you are emphasizing that it cannot possibly be accepted or imagined as a possibility.\nHer strong Catholic beliefs made abortion unthinkable.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ  emphasis\n\n  The unthinkable is something that is unthinkable.\nEdward VIII had done the unthinkable and abdicated the throne.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n2. You can use unthinkable to describe a situation, event, or action which is extremely unpleasant to imagine or remember.\nThis place is going to be unthinkable without you.\n  ADJ


Words: unthinking
Meaning:
un.think.ing\n   unthinking\n  If you say that someone is unthinking, you are critical of them because you consider that they do not think carefully about the effects of their behaviour.\nHe doesn’t say those silly things that unthinking people say...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = thoughtless\n=>  un.think.ing.ly\nMany motor accidents are the result of unthinkingly mixing speed and alcohol.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: untidy
Meaning:
un.ti.dy\n   untidy\n1. If you describe something as untidy, you mean that it is not neat or well arranged.\nThe place quickly became untidy.\n...a thin man with untidy hair...\nClothes were thrown in the luggage in an untidy heap.\n  ADJ\n  !=tidy\n=>  un.ti.di.ly\nHer long hair tumbles untidily around her shoulders.\n...the desk piled untidily with books and half-finished homework.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n=>  un.ti.di.ness\nThe dust and untidiness in her room no longer bothered her.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=tidiness\n2. If you describe a person as untidy, you mean that they do not care about whether things are neat and well arranged, for example in their house.\nI’m untidy in most ways.\n  ADJ\n  !=tidy


Words: untie
Meaning:
un.tie\n   untie  unties  untying  untied\n1. If you untie something that is tied to another thing or if you untie two things that are tied together, you remove the string or rope that holds them or that has been tied round them.\nNicholas untied the boat from her mooring...\nJust untie my hands.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n2. If you untie something such as string or rope, you undo it so that there is no knot or so that it is no longer tying something.\nShe hurriedly untied the ropes binding her ankles...\nThen she untied her silk scarf.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n3. When you untie your shoelaces or your shoes, you loosen or undo the laces of your shoes.\nShe untied the laces on one of her sneakers...\nYour boot lace is untied.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n  = undo


Words: until
Meaning:
un.til\n   until\n1. If something happens until a particular time, it happens during the period before that time and stops at that time.\nUntil 1971, he was a high-ranking official in the Central Communist Committee.\n...consumers who have waited until after the Christmas holiday to do that holiday shopping.\n  PREP: PREP n/prep\n  = till\n  Until is also a conjunction.\nI waited until it got dark...\nStir with a metal spoon until the sugar has dissolved.\n  CONJ\n  = till\n2. You use until with a negative to emphasize the moment in time after which the rest of your statement becomes true, or the condition which would make it true.\nThe traffic laws don’t take effect until the end of the year...\nIt was not until 1911 that the first of the vitamins was identified.\n  PREP: PREP after neg\n  = till\n  Until is also a conjunction.\nThe EU will not lift its sanctions until that country makes political changes.\n  CONJ: CONJ after neg\n  = till\n3.\nup until: see up


Words: untimely
Meaning:
un.time.ly\n   untimely\n1. If you describe an event as untimely, you mean that it happened earlier than it should, or sooner than you expected.\nHis mother’s untimely death had a catastrophic effect on him...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = premature\n2. You can describe something as untimely if it happens at an unsuitable time.\n...an untimely visit from the milkman...\nI am sure your readers would have seen the article as at best untimely.\n  ADJ\n  = ill-timed


Words: untiring
Meaning:
un.tir.ing\n   untiring\n  If you describe a person or their efforts as untiring, you approve of them because they continue what they are doing without slowing down or stopping.\n...an untiring fighter for justice, democracy and tolerance.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  approval\n  = tireless


Words: untitled
Meaning:
un.tit.led\n   untitled\n1. If something such as a book, film, or song is untitled, it does not have a title.\nThe full-length feature, as yet untitled, will include interviews plus footage of their live gigs.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Someone who is untitled does not have a title such as `Sir’ or `Lord’.\n  ADJ


Words: unto
Meaning:
unto\n1. Unto was used to indicate that something was done or given to someone. (LITERARY or OLD-FASHIONED)\nAnd he said unto him, `Who is my neighbor?’...\nI will do unto others what they did to me.\n  PREP\n  = to\n2. Unto was used to indicate that something continued until a particular time. (LITERARY or OLD-FASHIONED)\nBe ye faithful unto the end.\n  PREP\n  = until


Words: untold
Meaning:
un.told\n   untold\n1. You can use untold to emphasize how bad or unpleasant something is.\nThe demise of the industry has caused untold misery to thousands of hard-working tradesmen...\nThis might do untold damage to her health.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n2. You can use untold to emphasize that an amount or quantity is very large, especially when you are not sure how large it is.\n...the nation’s untold millions of anglers.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis


Words: untouchable
Meaning:
un.touch.able\n   untouchable  untouchables\n1. If you say that someone is untouchable, you mean that they cannot be affected or punished in any way.\nI want to make it clear, however, that no one is untouchable in this investigation.\n  ADJ\n\n  An untouchable is someone who is untouchable.\n...an anti-corruption squad nicknamed the `Untouchables’.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you describe someone, especially a sports player or entertainer, as untouchable, you are emphasizing that they are better than anyone else in what they do.\nA lot of the players began to feel they were untouchable.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n\n3. Some people refer to Hindus of the lowest social rank as untouchables.\nHe was born an untouchable in a very poor village in south India.\n  N-COUNT


Words: untouched
Meaning:
un.touched\n   untouched\n1. Something that is untouched by something else is not affected by it.\nAsian airlines remain untouched by the deregulation that has swept America...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v\n\n2. If something is untouched, it is not damaged in any way, although it has been in a situation where it could easily have been damaged.\nMichael pointed out to me that amongst the rubble, there was one building that remained untouched...\nThe desk had been rifled for money, some banknotes taken but cheque-book and credit cards left untouched.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v\n\n3. An untouched area or place is thought to be beautiful because it is still in its original state and has not been changed or damaged in any way.\nDucie is one of the world’s last untouched islands, nearly 5,000km from Australia.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v\n\n4. If food or drink is untouched, none of it has been eaten or drunk.\nThe coffee was untouched, the toast had cooled...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v, ADJ n


Words: untoward
Meaning:
un.to.ward\n   untoward\n  If you say that something untoward happens, you mean that something happens that is unexpected and causes difficulties. (FORMAL)\nThe surveyor’s report didn’t highlight anything untoward...\nTampering with a single enzyme can lead to untoward effects elsewhere.\n  ADJ: pron-indef ADJ, ADJ n


Words: untraceable
Meaning:
un.trace.able\n   untraceable\n  If someone or something is untraceable, it is impossible to find them.\n...a world where electronic crime is untraceable.\n  ADJ


Words: untrained
Meaning:
un.trained\n   untrained\n1. Someone who is untrained has not been taught the skills that they need for a particular job, activity, or situation.\nIt is a nonsense to say we have untrained staff dealing with emergencies...\nOur Intelligence Service was untrained, cumbersome, and almost wholly ineffectual.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe a voice or a mind, for example, as untrained, you mean that it has not been developed through formal education or training.\nIt was often said that he had the best untrained mind in politics.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: untrammelled
Meaning:
un.tram.melled\n   untrammelled\nin AM, use untrammeled\n  Someone who is untrammelled is able to act freely in the way they want to, rather than being restricted by something. (LITERARY)\n...the only place where the royal family could really relax and lead an untrammelled domestic life...\nShe thought of herself as a free woman, untrammelled by family relationships.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ by n


Words: untreated
Meaning:
un.treat.ed\n   untreated\n1. If an injury or illness is left untreated, it is not given medical treatment.\nIf left untreated the condition may become chronic.\n...the consequences of untreated tuberculosis.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ\n\n2. Untreated materials, water, or chemicals are harmful and have not been made safe.\n...the dumping of nuclear waste and untreated sewage.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. Untreated materials are in their natural or original state, often before being prepared for use in a particular process.\nAll the bedding is made of simple, untreated cotton...\nIn its untreated state the carbon fibre material is rather like cloth.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = raw


Words: untried
Meaning:
un.tried\n   untried\n  If someone or something is untried, they have not yet experienced certain situations or have not yet been tried out, so you do not know what they will be like.\nHe was young and untried, with no reputation of his own.\n...a long legal battle through untried areas of law.\n  ADJ\n  = untested


Words: untroubled
Meaning:
un.trou.bled\n   untroubled\n  If you are untroubled by something, you are not affected or worried by it.\nShe is untroubled by the fact that she didn’t win.\n...an untroubled night’s sleep.\n  ADJ\n  !=troubled


Words: untrue
Meaning:
un.true\n   untrue\n  If a statement or idea is untrue, it is false and not based on facts.\nThe allegations were completely untrue...\nIt was untrue to say that all political prisoners have been released...\nSuch remarks are both offensive and untrue.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  !=true


Words: untrustworthy
Meaning:
un.trust.wor.thy\n   untrustworthy\n  If you say that someone is untrustworthy, you think they are unreliable and cannot be trusted.\nI think he is shallow, vain and untrustworthy...\nHis opponents still say he’s a fundamentally untrustworthy figure.\n  ADJ


Words: untruth
Meaning:
un.truth\n   untruth  untruths\n  An untruth is a lie. (FORMAL)\nThe Advertising Standards Authority accused estate agents of using blatant untruths...\nI have never uttered one word of untruth.\n  N-VAR\n  = falsehood


Words: untruthful
Meaning:
un.truth.ful\n   untruthful\n  If someone is untruthful or if they say untruthful things, they are dishonest and say things that they know are not true.\nHe must not be untruthful, or a coward...\nSome people may be tempted to give untruthful answers.\n  ADJ\n  !=truthful


Words: untutored
Meaning:
un.tu.tored\n   untutored\n  If someone is untutored, they have not been formally trained to do something, although they may be quite skilled at it. (FORMAL)\nThis untutored mathematician had an obsession with numbers...\nThey had left school at fifteen and were quite untutored in writing.\n  ADJ


Words: untypical
Meaning:
un.typi.cal\n   untypical\n  If someone or something is untypical of a particular type of person or thing, they are not a good example of the way that type of person or thing normally is. People sometimes say something is not untypical when they mean that it is quite normal.\nAnita Loos was in many respects untypical of the screenwriting trade...\nI believe our results are not untypical.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n=>  un.typi.cal.ly\nUntypically for a man in that situation he became interested in Buddhism.\n  ADV: ADV adj/-ed, ADV with cl\n  = unusually


Words: unusable
Meaning:
un.us.able\n   unusable\n  Something that is unusable is not in a good enough state or condition to be used.\nBombing had made roads and railways unusable.\n  ADJ


Words: unused
Meaning:
un.used\n\nPronounced   for meaning 1, and   for meaning 2.\n1. Something that is unused has not been used or is not being used at the moment.\n...unused containers of food and drink...\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n\n2. If you are unused to something, you have not often done it or experienced it before, so it feels unusual and unfamiliar to you.\nMother was entirely unused to such hard work.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n


Words: unusual
Meaning:
un.usual\n   unusual\n1. If something is unusual, it does not happen very often or you do not see it or hear it very often.\nThey have replanted many areas with rare and unusual plants...\nTo be appreciated as a parent is quite unusual.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone as unusual, you think that they are interesting and different from other people.\nHe was an unusual man with great business talents.\n  ADJ


Words: unusually
Meaning:
un.usu.al.ly\n   unusually\n1. You use unusually to emphasize that someone or something has more of a particular quality than is usual.\nHe was an unusually complex man.\n...this year’s unusually harsh winter.\n  ADV: ADV adj  emphasis\n\n2. You can use unusually to suggest that something is not what normally happens.\nUnusually among British prime ministers, he was not a man of natural authority.\n  ADV: ADV with cl, oft ADV for n


Words: unutterable
Meaning:
un.ut.ter.able\n   unutterable\n  You can use unutterable to emphasize that something, especially a bad quality, is great in degree or intensity. (WRITTEN)\n...unutterable rubbish.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n=>  un.ut.ter.ably\nI suddenly felt unutterably depressed.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj


Words: unvarying
Meaning:
un.vary.ing\n   unvarying\n  If you describe something as unvarying, you mean that it stays the same and never changes.\n...her unvarying refusal to make public appearances.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unveil
Meaning:
un.veil\n   unveil  unveils  unveiling  unveiled\n1. If someone formally unveils something such as a new statue or painting, they draw back the curtain which is covering it.\n...a ceremony to unveil a monument to the victims.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  un.veil.ing\n...the unveiling of a monument to one of the Croatian heroes of the past.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. If you unveil a plan, new product, or some other thing that has been kept secret, you introduce it to the public.\nCompanies from across Europe are here to unveil their latest models.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  un.veil.ing\n...the unveiling of a detailed peace plan.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n


Words: unwaged
Meaning:
un.waged\n   unwaged\n  You can refer to people who do not have a paid job as the unwaged. (BRIT BUSINESS)\nThere are special rates for the under 18s, full-time students, over 60s and the unwaged...\n  N-PLURAL: usu the N\n\n  Unwaged is also an adjective.\n...the effect on male wage-earners, unwaged females, and children.\n  ADJ


Words: unwanted
Meaning:
un.want.ed\n   unwanted\n  If you say that something or someone is unwanted, you mean that you do not want them, or that nobody wants them.\n...the misery of unwanted pregnancies...\nShe felt unwanted...\nEvery year thousands of unwanted animals are abandoned.\n  ADJ


Words: unwarranted
Meaning:
un.war.rant.ed\n   unwarranted\n  If you describe something as unwarranted, you are critical of it because there is no need or reason for it. (FORMAL)\nAny attempt to discuss the issue of human rights was rejected as an unwarranted interference in the country’s internal affairs...\nHe accused the police of using unwarranted brutality.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: unwary
Meaning:
un.wary\n   unwary\n  If you describe someone as unwary, you mean that they are not cautious or experienced and are therefore likely to be harmed or deceived. (FORMAL)\nWith its quicksands the river usually drowns a few unwary visitors every season.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  The unwary are people who are unwary.\nSpecialist subjects are full of pitfalls for the unwary.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: unwashed
Meaning:
un.washed\n   unwashed\n1. Unwashed people or objects are dirty and need to be washed.\nLeftover food and unwashed dishes cover the dirty counters.\n  ADJ\n\n2. The unwashed or the great unwashed is a way of referring to poor or ordinary people. (HUMOROUS)\nA scowling man briskly led the Queen’s husband away from the great unwashed.\n  PHRASE


Words: unwavering
Meaning:
un.wa.ver.ing\n   unwavering\n  If you describe a feeling or attitude as unwavering, you mean that it is strong and firm and does not weaken.\nShe has been encouraged by the unwavering support of her family...\nHis attitude was unwavering.\n  ADJ\n  = unswerving


Words: unwelcome
Meaning:
un.wel.come\n   unwelcome\n1. An unwelcome experience is one that you do not like and did not want.\nThe media has brought more unwelcome attention to the Royal Family...\nA colleague made unwelcome sexual advances towards her.\n  ADJ\n  = unwanted\n2. If you say that a visitor is unwelcome, you mean that you did not want them to come.\n...an unwelcome guest...\nShe was, quite deliberately, making him feel unwelcome.\n  ADJ\n  !=welcome


Words: unwelcoming
Meaning:
un.wel.com.ing\n   unwelcoming\n1. If someone is unwelcoming, or if they behave in an unwelcoming way, they are unfriendly or hostile when you visit or approach them.\nHis manner was cold and unwelcoming...\nBoth women were unwelcoming, making little attempt to put Kathryn at her ease.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n2. If you describe a place as unwelcoming, you mean that it looks unattractive or difficult to live or work in.\nMy room was cold and unwelcoming.\n  ADJ


Words: unwell
Meaning:
un.well\n   unwell\n  If you are unwell, you are ill.\nHe had been riding in Hyde Park, but felt unwell as he was being driven back to his office late this afternoon.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ


Words: unwholesome
Meaning:
un.whole.some\n   unwholesome\n1. Unwholesome food or drink is not healthy or good for you.\nThe fish were unwholesome and old.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone’s feelings or behaviour as unwholesome, you are critical of them because they are unpleasant or unnatural.\nMy desire to be rich was an insane, unwholesome, oppressive desire.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: unwieldy
Meaning:
un.wieldy\n   unwieldy\n1. If you describe an object as unwieldy, you mean that it is difficult to move or carry because it is so big or heavy.\nThey came panting up to his door with their unwieldy baggage.\n  ADJ\n  = awkward\n2. If you describe a system as unwieldy, you mean that it does not work very well as a result of it being too large or badly organized.\nHis firm must contend with the unwieldy Russian bureaucracy.\n...an unwieldy legal system.\n  ADJ\n  = cumbersome


Words: unwilling
Meaning:
un.will.ing\n   unwilling\n1. If you are unwilling to do something, you do not want to do it and will not agree to do it.\nInitially the government was unwilling to accept the defeat...\nFor months I had been either unwilling or unable to go through with it.\n  ADJ: usu v-link, usu ADJ to-inf\n  !=willing\n=>  un.will.ing.ness\n...their unwillingness to accept responsibility for mistakes.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N to-inf\n\n2. You can use unwilling to describe someone who does not really want to do the thing they are doing.\nA youthful teacher, he finds himself an unwilling participant in school politics...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = reluctant\n=>  un.will.ing.ly\nMy beard had started to grow, and I had unwillingly complied with the order to shave it off...\nUnwillingly, she moved aside.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV with cl\n  = reluctantly


Words: unwind
Meaning:
un.wind\n   unwind  unwinds  unwinding  unwound\n1. When you unwind, you relax after you have done something that makes you tense or tired.\nIt helps them to unwind after a busy day at work...\n  VERB: V\n\n2. If you unwind a length of something that is wrapped round something else or round itself, you loosen it and make it straight. You can also say that it unwinds.\nOne of them unwound a length of rope from around his waist...\nThe thread unwound a little more.\n  VERB: V n, V


Words: unwise
Meaning:
un.wise\n   unwise\n  If you describe something as unwise, you think that it is foolish and likely to lead to a bad result.\nIt would be unwise to expect too much...\n...a series of unwise investments in plastics and shipping.\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf\n  !=sensible\n=>  un.wise.ly\nShe accepted that she had acted unwisely and mistakenly...\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV with cl\n  = foolishly


Words: unwitting
Meaning:
un.wit.ting\n   unwitting\n  If you describe a person or their actions as unwitting, you mean that the person does something or is involved in something without realizing it.\nWe’re unwitting victims of the system...\nIt had been an unwitting blunder on Blair’s part.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  un.wit.ting.ly\nHe was unwittingly caught up in the confrontation.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v


Words: unworkable
Meaning:
un.work.able\n   unworkable\n  If you describe something such as a plan, law, or system as unworkable, you believe that it cannot be successful.\nThere is the strong possibility that such cooperation will prove unworkable...\nWashington is unhappy with the peace plan which it views as unworkable.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: unworldly
Meaning:
un.world.ly\n   unworldly\n1. If you describe someone as unworldly, you mean that they have not experienced many things in their life and do not know what sort of things usually happen to other people during their lives.\nShe was so young, so unworldly...\nHe is a little unworldly about such matters.\n  ADJ\n  = naive\n2. If you describe someone as unworldly, you mean that they are not interested in having a lot of money or possessions.\nKitty’s family was unworldly, unimpressed by power, or money.\n  ADJ\n  !=worldly


Words: unworthy
Meaning:
un.wor.thy\n   unworthy\n1. If a person or thing is unworthy of something good, they do not deserve it.\nHe felt unworthy of being married to such an attractive woman.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ of n/-ing, ADJ to-inf\n  !=worthy\n2. If you say that an action is unworthy of someone, you mean that it is not a nice thing to do and someone with their reputation or position should not do it. (LITERARY)\nHis accusations are unworthy of a prime minister.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ of n


Words: unwrap
Meaning:
un.wrap\n   unwrap  unwraps  unwrapping  unwrapped\n  When you unwrap something, you take off the paper, plastic, or other covering that is around it.\nI untied the bow and unwrapped the small box...\n  VERB: V n\n  !=wrap


Words: unwritten
Meaning:
un.writ.ten\n   unwritten\n1. Something such as a book that is unwritten has not been printed or written down.\nUniversal have agreed to pay .2.5 million for Grisham’s next, as yet unwritten, novel.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. An unwritten rule, law, or agreement is one that is understood and accepted by everyone, although it may not have been formally or officially established.\nThey obey the one unwritten rule that binds them all.no talking.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unyielding
Meaning:
un.yield.ing\n   unyielding\n1. You describe someone as unyielding when they have very strong, fixed ideas about something and are unlikely to change their mind. (WRITTEN)\nThe authorities proved unyielding on one crucial opposition demand...\nHis unyielding attitude on this subject was that since he had done it, so could everyone.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If a barrier or surface is unyielding, it is very solid or hard. (LITERARY)\n...the troopers, who had to build roads through those unyielding mountains...\nHe sat on the edge of an unyielding armchair, a cup of tea in his hand.\n  ADJ


Words: unzip
Meaning:
un.zip\n   unzip  unzips  unzipping  unzipped\n1. When you unzip something which is fastened by a zip or when it unzips, you open it by pulling open the zip.\nJames unzipped his bag...\nThis padded changing bag unzips to form a convenient and comfortable mat for nappy changing.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n2. To unzip a computer file means to open a file that has been compressed. (COMPUTING)\nUnzip the icons into a sub-directory.\n  VERB: V n


Words: up
Meaning:
VERB USES\n   up  ups  upping  upped\n1. If you up something such as the amount of money you are offering for something, you increase it.\nHe upped his offer for the company...\n  VERB: V n\n  = increase\n2. If you up and leave a place, you go away from it, often suddenly or unexpectedly.\nOne day he just upped and left.\n  VERB: V and v\n\nPREPOSITION, ADVERB, AND ADJECTIVE USES\nUp is often used with verbs of movement such as `jump’ and `pull’, and also in phrasal verbs such as `give up’ and `wash up’.\n\nPlease look at category 22 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. If a person or thing goes up something such as a slope, ladder, or chimney, they move away from the ground or to a higher position.\nThey were climbing up a narrow mountain road...\nI ran up the stairs and saw Alison lying at the top...\nThe heat disappears straight up the chimney.\n  PREP\n  !=down\n  Up is also an adverb.\nFinally, after an hour, I went up to Jeremy’s room...\nIntense balls of flame rose up into the sky...\nHe put his hand up.\n  ADV: ADV after v, oft ADV prep/adv\n  !=down\n2. If a person or thing is up something such as a ladder or a mountain, they are near the top of it.\nHe was up a ladder sawing off the tops of his apple trees...\nThe Newton Hotel is halfway up a steep hill.\n  PREP\n  !=down\n  Up is also an adverb.\n...a research station perched 4000 metres up on the lip of the crater.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n3. You use up to indicate that you are looking or facing in a direction that is away from the ground or towards a higher level.\nPaul answered, without looking up...\nKeep your head up, and look around you from time to time.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n4. If someone stands up, they move so that they are standing.\nHe stood up and went to the window...\nHe got up and went out into the foyer.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n5. If you go or look up something such as a road or river, you go or look along it. If you are up a road or river, you are somewhere along it.\nA line of tanks came up the road from the city...\nWe leaned on the wooden rail of the bridge and looked up the river...\nHe had a relation who lived up the road.\n  PREP: v PREP n\n  !=down\n6. If you are travelling to a particular place, you can say that you are going up to that place, especially if you are going towards the north or to a higher level of land. If you are already in such a place, you can say that you are up there. (mainly SPOKEN)\nI’ll be up to see you tomorrow...\nHe was living up North...\nI live here now, but I’ve spent all my time up in Swaziland.\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, oft ADV prep/adv\n\n7. If you go up to something or someone, you move to the place where they are and stop there.\nThe girl ran the rest of the way across the street and up to the car...\nOn the way out a boy of about ten came up on roller skates...\nHe brought me up to the bar and introduced me to Dave.\n  ADV: ADV after v, usu ADV to n\n\n8. If an amount of something goes up, it increases. If an amount of something is up, it has increased and is at a higher level than it was.\nThey recently put my rent up...\nTourism is up, jobs are up, individual income is up...\nGermany’s rate has also risen sharply, up from 3 percent to 4.5 percent...\nOver the decade, women in this category went up by 120%.\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, oft ADV to/by amount\n  !=down\n9. If you are up, you are not in bed.\nAre you sure you should be up?...\nSoldiers are up at seven for three hours of exercises.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n10. If a period of time is up, it has come to an end.\nThe moment the half-hour was up, Brooks rose...\nWhen the six weeks were up, everybody was sad that she had to leave.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = over\n11. You say that a road is up when it is being repaired and cannot be used. (BRIT)\nHalf the road was up in Leadenhall Street, so their taxi was obliged to make a detour.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n12. If a baseball player is up, it is their turn to bat.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n13. If a computer or computer system is up, it is working. Compare down.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n14. People sometimes say `Up yours!’ as an insult when you have said something to annoy them or make them angry. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\n`Up yours,’ said the reporter and stormed out into the street.\n  EXCLAM\n\n(next)\n\nUSED IN COMBINATION AS A PREPOSITION\n   up\n\nPlease look at category 9 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. If you feel up to doing something, you are well enough to do it.\nThose patients who were up to it could move to the adjacent pool...\nHis fellow-directors were not up to running the business without him.\n  PREP-PHRASE: PREP n/-ing\n\n2. To be up to something means to be secretly doing something that you should not be doing. (INFORMAL)\nWhy did you need a room unless you were up to something?...\nThey must have known what their father was up to...\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n3. If you say that it is up to someone to do something, you mean that it is their responsibility to do it.\nIt was up to him to make it right, no matter how long it took...\nI’m sure I’d have spotted him if it had been up to me...\n  PREP-PHRASE: oft v-link PREP n to-inf\n\n4. Up until or up to are used to indicate the latest time at which something can happen, or the end of the period of time that you are referring to.\nPlease feel free to call me any time up until half past nine at night...\nUp to 1989, the growth of per capita income averaged 1 per cent per year.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n5. You use up to to say how large something can be or what level it has reached.\nUp to twenty thousand students paid between five and six thousand dollars...\nIt could be up to two years before the process is complete.\n  PREP-PHRASE: PREP amount\n\n6. If you say that something is not up to much, you mean that it is of poor quality. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nMy own souffles aren’t up to much...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n7. If someone or something is up for election, review, or discussion, they are about to be considered.\nA third of the Senate and the entire House are up for re-election.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n8. If you are up against something, you have a very difficult situation or problem to deal with.\nThe chairwoman is up against the greatest challenge to her position...\nThey were up against a good team but did very well.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n9.\nup to your ears: see ear\nup to par: see par\nup to scratch: see scratch


Words: up .1
Meaning:
15. If someone who has been in bed for some time, for example because they have been ill, is up and about, they are now out of bed and living their normal life.\nHow are you Lennox? Good to see you up and about.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n16. If you say that something is up, you mean that something is wrong or that something worrying is happening. (INFORMAL)\nWhat is it then? Something’s up, isn’t it?...\nMr. Gordon stopped talking, and his friends knew something was up.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n17. If you say to someone `What’s up?’ or if you tell them what’s up, you are asking them or telling them what is wrong or what is worrying them. (INFORMAL)\n`What’s up?’, I said to him..`Nothing much,’ he answered...\nLet’s sit down and then you can say what’s up.\n  PHRASE\n\n18. If you move up and down somewhere, you move there repeatedly in one direction and then in the opposite direction.\nHe continued to jump up and down like a boy at a football match...\nI strolled up and down thoughtfully before calling a taxi...\nThere’s a lot of rushing up and down the gangways.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n19. If you have ups and downs, you experience a mixture of good things and bad things.\nEvery relationship has a lot of ups and downs...\nThe organisation has had its ups and downs.\n...the ups and downs of parenthood.\n  PHRASE\n\n20. If something is on the up or on the up and up, it is becoming more successful. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nThey’re saying that the economy is on the up...\nIt was a great year for music, people had money, opportunities, hope.things were on the up and up.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n21. If someone is on the up and up, they are honest and sincere. (AM INFORMAL)\nI’m a pretty good judge of men. If you’re honest and on the up and up, I’ll be able to tell it.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n22.\nup in arms: see arm


Words: up front
Meaning:
up front   also up-front; upfront\n1. If you are up front about something, you act openly or publicly so that people know what you are doing or what you believe. (INFORMAL)\nYou can’t help being biased so you may as well be up front about it...\nThey tended to have a much more up-front attitude.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = open\n2. If a payment is made up front, it is made in advance and openly, so that the person being paid can see that the money is there.\nFor the first time the government’s actually put some money up front...\nSome companies charge a fee up front, but we don’t think that’s right.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n  Up front is also an adjective.\nThe eleven percent loan has no up-front costs.\n...up-front charges.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: up-and-coming
Meaning:
up-and-coming\n  Up-and-coming people are likely to be successful in the future.\n...his readiness to share the limelight with young, up-and-coming stars...\nMr Hurford is an up-and-coming player.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: up-river
Meaning:
up-river   also upriver\n  Something that is moving up-river is moving towards the source of a river, from a point down the river. Something that is up-river is towards the source of a river.\nHeavy goods could be brought up-river in barges...\nHe has a house down there but it’s miles up river...\nThe vineyards of Anjou extend from west of Angers to up-river of Saumur.\n...La Reole, up-river from St-Macaire.\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, oft ADV of/from n\n  !=down-river\n  Up-river is also an adjective.\n...an upriver trip in Central Africa.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: up-tempo
Meaning:
up-tempo   also uptempo\n  An up-tempo piece of music has a fast beat.\n...an up-tempo arrangement of `Some Enchanted Evening’.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: up-to-date
Meaning:
up-to-date   also up to date\n1. If something is up-to-date, it is the newest thing of its kind.\n...Germany’s most up to date electric power station.\n...enhancing the system and bringing it up to date...\nThis production is bang up-to-date.\n  ADJ\n  !=out of date\n2. If you are up-to-date about something, you have the latest information about it.\nWe’ll keep you up to date with any news...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: up-to-the-minute
Meaning:
up-to-the-minute   also up to the minute\n  Up-to-the-minute information is the latest information that you can get about something.\n...24 hours a day up-to-the-minute instant news...\nComputers give them up-to-the-minute information on sales and stocks.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: upbeat
Meaning:
up.beat\n   upbeat  upbeats\n1. If people or their opinions are upbeat, they are cheerful and hopeful about a situation. (INFORMAL)\nThe Defense Secretary gave an upbeat assessment of the war so far...\nNeil’s colleagues say he was actually in a joking, upbeat mood...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = positive\n2. In music, the upbeat is the beat before the first beat of the bar.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=downbeat


Words: upbraid
Meaning:
up.braid\n   upbraid  upbraids  upbraiding  upbraided\n  If you upbraid someone, you tell them that they have done something wrong and criticize them for doing it. (FORMAL)\nHis mother summoned him, upbraided him, wept and prayed...\nHis wife set about upbraiding him for neglecting the children.\n  VERB: V n, V n for n/-ing\n  = reproach  !=praise


Words: upbringing
Meaning:
up.bring.ing\n   upbringing\n  Your upbringing is the way that your parents treat you and the things that they teach you when you are growing up.\nMartin’s upbringing shaped his whole life...\nSam’s mother said her son had a good upbringing and schooling.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp


Words: upchuck
Meaning:
up.chuck\n   upchuck  upchucks  upchucking  upchucked\n  If you upchuck, food and drink comes back up from your stomach and out through your mouth. (AM INFORMAL; in BRIT, use throw up)\n  VERB: V\n  = vomit


Words: upcoming
Meaning:
up.com.ing\n   upcoming\n  Upcoming events will happen in the near future.\n...the upcoming Asian Games in Beijing...\nWe’ll face a tough fight in the upcoming election.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: upcountry
Meaning:
up.country\n   upcountry   also up-country\n  Upcountry places are towards the middle or north of a large country, usually in the countryside.\n...a collection of upcountry hamlets.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Upcountry is also an adverb.\nI run a cattle station some miles up-country...\nWe went up-country to Ballarat.\n  ADV: be ADV, ADV after v


Words: update
Meaning:
up.date\n   update updates updating  updated\nThe verb is pronounced   The noun is pronounced\n1. If you update something, you make it more modern, usually by adding new parts to it or giving new information.\nHe was back in the office, updating the work schedule on the computer...\nAirlines would prefer to update rather than retrain crews.\n...an updated edition of the book.\n  VERB: V n, V, V-ed\n\n2. An update is a news item containing the latest information about a particular situation.\nShe had heard the news-flash on a TV channel’s news update.\n...a weather update.\n...football results update.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. If you update someone on a situation, you tell them the latest developments in that situation.\nWe’ll update you on the day’s top news stories...\n  VERB: V n on n


Words: upend
Meaning:
up.end\n   upend  upends  upending  upended\n  If you upend something, you turn it upside down.\nHe upended the beer, and swallowed.\n...upended flower pots.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: upgrade
Meaning:
up.grade\n   upgrade upgrades upgrading  upgraded\n1. If equipment or services are upgraded, they are improved or made more efficient.\nHelicopters have been upgraded and modernized...\n...upgraded catering facilities.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed, also V\n\n  Upgrade is also a noun.\n...equipment which needs expensive upgrades.\n...upgrades in the level of security.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n2. If someone is upgraded, their job or status is changed so that they become more important or receive more money.\nHe was upgraded to security guard.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed to n\n  = promote  !=downgrade\n3. If you upgrade or are upgraded, you change something such as your air ticket or your hotel room to one that is more expensive.\nYou can upgrade from self-catering accommodation to a hotel.\n  VERB: V, also V n


Words: upheaval
Meaning:
up.heav.al\n   upheaval  upheavals\n  An upheaval is a big change which causes a lot of trouble, confusion, and worry.\nWherever there is political upheaval, invariably there are refugees...\nHaving a baby will mean the greatest upheaval in your life.\n  N-COUNT: usu adj N


Words: uphill
Meaning:
up.hill\n   uphill\n1. If something or someone is uphill or is moving uphill, they are near the top of a hill or are going up a slope.\nHe had been running uphill a long way...\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, ADV from n\n  !=downhill\n  Uphill is also an adjective.\n...a long, uphill journey...\nThe walk from the village to Greystones was uphill all the way.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=downhill\n2. If you refer to something as an uphill struggle or an uphill battle, you mean that it requires a great deal of effort and determination, but it should be possible to achieve it.\nIt had been an uphill struggle to achieve what she had wanted...\nIt’s an uphill battle but I think we’re going to win.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: uphold
Meaning:
up.hold\n   uphold  upholds  upholding  upheld\n1. If you uphold something such as a law, a principle, or a decision, you support and maintain it.\nOur policy has been to uphold the law...\n...upholding the artist’s right to creative freedom.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n2. If a court of law upholds a legal decision that has already been made, it decides that it was the correct decision.\nThe crown court, however, upheld the magistrate’s decision.\n  VERB: V n


Words: upholder
Meaning:
up.hold.er\n   upholder  upholders\n  An upholder of a particular tradition or system is someone who believes strongly in it and will support it when it is threatened. (FORMAL)\n...upholders of the traditional family unit.\n  N-COUNT


Words: upholstered
Meaning:
up.hol.stered\n   upholstered\n  Upholstered chairs and seats have a soft covering that makes them comfortable to sit on.\nAll of their furniture was upholstered in flowery materials.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ in n


Words: upholsterer
Meaning:
up.hol.ster.er\n   upholsterer  upholsterers\n  An upholsterer is someone whose job is to make and fit the soft covering on chairs and seats.\n  N-COUNT


Words: upholstery
Meaning:
up.hol.stery\n   upholstery\n  Upholstery is the soft covering on chairs and seats that makes them more comfortable to sit on.\n...white leather upholstery...\nSimon rested his head against the upholstery.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: upkeep
Meaning:
up.keep\n   upkeep\n1. The upkeep of a building or place is the work of keeping it in good condition.\nThe money will be used for the estate’s upkeep...\nThe maintenance department is responsible for the general upkeep of the park.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss\n  = maintenance\n2. The upkeep of a group of people or services is the process of providing them with the things that they need.\nHe offered to pay .100 a month towards his son’s upkeep.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss\n  = maintenance


Words: upland
Meaning:
up.land\n   upland  uplands\n1. Upland places are situated on high land.\n...San Marino, the tiny upland republic...\nIt’s important that these upland farms continue to survive.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Uplands are areas of high land.\n...a deep valley ringed about by green uplands.\n  N-PLURAL\n  !=lowland


Words: uplift
Meaning:
up.lift\n   uplift uplifts uplifting  uplifted\nThe verb is pronounced   The noun is pronounced\n1. If something uplifts people, it helps them to have a better life, for example by making them feel happy or by improving their social conditions. (LITERARY)\nWe need a little something to help sometimes, to uplift us and make us feel better...\nArt was created to uplift the mind and the spirit.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n  Uplift is also a noun.\nThis victory was a massive uplift for us.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. In economics, an uplift in something such as the price of shares is an increase in their value.\n...an uplift in the stock market...\nIts shares were down across the first quarter, but are now showing a 20 per cent uplift.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N in n


Words: uplifted
Meaning:
up.lift.ed\n   uplifted\n1. If people’s faces or arms are uplifted, they are pointing them upwards or are holding them up. (LITERARY)\nThe men support the ballerinas, who pose with their uplifted arms.\n...her white, uplifted chin.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If something makes you feel uplifted, it makes you feel very cheerful and happy.\n...people whose presence left you feeling uplifted, happy and full of energy.\n...a smile so radiant that he felt uplifted by it.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ by n


Words: uplifting
Meaning:
up.lift.ing\n   uplifting\n  You describe something as uplifting when it makes you feel very cheerful and happy.\n...a charming and uplifting love story...\nI like a film to be uplifting.\n  ADJ


Words: upload
Meaning:
up.load\n   upload  uploads  uploading  uploaded\n  If you upload data, you transfer it to your computer or from your computer to another computer. (COMPUTING)\n  VERB: V n


Words: upmarket
Meaning:
up.market\n   upmarket   also up-market\n  Upmarket products or services are expensive, of good quality, and intended to appeal to people in a high social class. (mainly BRIT)\nAnne chose an upmarket agency aimed at professional people.\n...restaurants which years ago weren’t quite so upmarket as they are today.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=downmarket\n  Upmarket is also an adverb. (in AM, usually use upscale)\nJapanese firms have moved steadily upmarket...\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  !=downmarket


Words: upon
Meaning:
upon\nIn addition to the uses shown below, upon is used in phrasal verbs such as `come upon’ and `look upon’, and after some other verbs such as `decide’ and `depend’.\n1. If one thing is upon another, it is on it. (FORMAL)\nHe set the tray upon the table...\nHe bent forward and laid a kiss softly upon her forehead...\n  PREP\n  = on\n2. You use upon when mentioning an event that is followed immediately by another event. (FORMAL)\nThe door on the left, upon entering the church, leads to the Crypt of St Issac...\nUpon conclusion of these studies, the patient was told that she had a severe problem.\n  PREP: PREP -ing\n  = on\n3. You use upon between two occurrences of the same noun in order to say that there are large numbers of the thing mentioned.\nRow upon row of women surged forwards...\n  PREP: n PREP n\n\n4. If an event is upon you, it is just about to happen.\nThe long-threatened storm was upon us...\n  PREP: PREP pron


Words: upper
Meaning:
up.per\n   upper\n1. You use upper to describe something that is above something else.\nThere is a smart restaurant on the upper floor...\nStudents travel the cheap lower deck and tourists the upper.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, the ADJ\n  !=lower\n2. You use upper to describe the higher part of something.\n...the upper part of the foot.\n...the upper rungs of the ladder.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=lower\n3. If you have the upper hand in a situation, you have more power than the other people involved and can make decisions about what happens.\nThe government was beginning to gain the upper hand...\nIt was easy to see who had the upper hand.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n4. The upper of a shoe is the top part of it, which is attached to the sole and the heel.\nLeather uppers allow the feet to breathe.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: upper case
Meaning:
up.per case\n   upper case\n  Upper case letters are capital letters.\nMost schools teach children lower case letters first, and upper case letters later.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=lower case\n  Upper case is also a noun.\nI’m wondering if `per capita’ ought to have upper case, or should it be lower case?\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=lower case


Words: upper class
Meaning:
up.per class\n   upper class  upper classes   also upper-class\n  The upper class or the upper classes are the group of people in a society who own the most property and have the highest social status, and who may not need to work for money.\n...goods specifically designed to appeal to the tastes of the upper class...\n  N-COUNT-COLL: usu the N\n\n  Upper class is also an adjective.\nAll of them came from wealthy, upper class families.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: upper crust
Meaning:
up.per crust\n   upper crust   also upper-crust\n  The upper crust are the upper classes. (INFORMAL)\n...the kind of lifestyle of the privileged upper crust.\n  N-SING-COLL\n\n  Upper crust is also an adjective.\nSergeant Parrott normally spoke with an upper-crust accent.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: Upper House
Meaning:
Up.per House\n   Upper House  Upper Houses\n1. In Britain, the Upper House is the House of Lords.\nThe decision was announced after objections were raised in the Upper House of Parliament.\n  N-PROPER\n\n2. In the United States, the Upper House is the Senate.\n  N-PROPER\n\n3. In other countries where the parliament is divided into two groups of members, the Upper House is the more senior of these groups, although it may not be more powerful.\nThe Upper House of the German parliament is to meet today in Berlin.\n  N-COUNT: also N-PROPER


Words: upper lip
Meaning:
up.per lip\n   upper lip  upper lips\n1. Your upper lip is the part of your face between your mouth and your nose.\nThe beginnings of a moustache showed on his upper lip.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. Your upper lip is the higher of your two lips.\nHis upper lip was flat, but the lower one sagged.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=lower lip


Words: upperclassman
Meaning:
upper.class.man\n   upperclassman  upperclassmen\n  An upperclassman is a junior or senior student in an American high school, college, or university. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: uppercut
Meaning:
upper.cut\n   uppercut  uppercuts\n  An uppercut is a type of punch used in boxing. It is a hard upward blow to the chin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: uppermost
Meaning:
upper.most\n   uppermost\n1. The uppermost part of something is the part that is higher than the rest of it. The uppermost thing is the highest one of a group of things.\nJohn was on the uppermost floor of the three-storey gatehouse...\nThe rain spattered on the uppermost leaves.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = topmost\n  Uppermost is also an adverb.\nLift the fish and carefully place it on a large board, flat side uppermost.\n  ADV: n ADV\n  = up\n2. If something is uppermost in a particular situation, it is the most important thing in that situation.\nThe economy appears to be uppermost in people’s minds...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: uppity
Meaning:
up.pi.ty\n   uppity\n  If you say that someone is uppity, you mean that they are behaving as if they were very important and you do not think that they are important. (INFORMAL)\nIf you just tried to show normal dignity, you were viewed as uppity.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: upraised
Meaning:
up.raised\n   upraised\n  If your hand or an object is upraised, you are holding it up in the air.\nA soldier stood on the centre line of the road, his arm upraised.\n...the landlady’s upraised glass.\n  ADJ


Words: upright
Meaning:
up.right\n   upright  uprights\n1. If you are sitting or standing upright, you are sitting or standing with your back straight, rather than bending or lying down.\nHelen sat upright in her chair...\nJerrold pulled himself upright on the bed...\nHe moved into an upright position.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ after v, v-link ADJ, also ADJ n\n\n2. An upright vacuum cleaner or freezer is tall rather than wide.\n...the latest state-of-the-art upright vacuum cleaners.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. An upright chair has a straight back and no arms.\nHe was sitting on an upright chair beside his bed, reading.\n  ADJ\n\n4. You can refer to vertical posts or the vertical parts of an object as uprights.\n...the uprights of a four-poster bed.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. You can describe people as upright when they are careful to follow acceptable rules of behaviour and behave in a moral way.\n...a very upright, trustworthy man.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: upright piano
Meaning:
up.right pia.no\n   upright piano  upright pianos\n  An upright piano is a piano in which the strings are arranged vertically, rather than horizontally as they are in a grand piano.\n  N-COUNT


Words: uprising
Meaning:
up.ris.ing\n   uprising  uprisings\n  When there is an uprising, a group of people start fighting against the people who are in power in their country, because they want to bring about a political change.\n...a popular uprising against the authoritarian government...\nIsolated attacks in the north-east of the country have now turned into a full-scale uprising.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n  = rebellion, revolt


Words: uproar
Meaning:
up.roar\n   uproar\n1. If there is uproar, there is a lot of shouting and noise because people are very angry or upset about something.\nThe announcement caused uproar in the crowd...\nThe courtroom was in an uproar.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N, oft in N\n\n2. You can also use uproar to refer to a lot of public criticism and debate about something that has made people angry.\nThe town is in uproar over the dispute...\nThe surprise announcement could cause an uproar in the United States.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N


Words: uproarious
Meaning:
up.roari.ous\n   uproarious\n  When events or people are uproarious, they make people laugh in a very noisy way. (LITERARY)\nHe had spent several uproarious evenings at the Embassy Club...\nThe noise of talk and laughter was uproarious.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  up.roari.ous.ly\nBob laughed uproariously.\n...an uproariously funny story.\n  ADV: ADV after v, ADV adj


Words: uproot
Meaning:
up.root\n   uproot  uproots  uprooting  uprooted\n1. If you uproot yourself or if you are uprooted, you leave, or are made to leave, a place where you have lived for a long time.\n...the trauma of uprooting themselves from their homes...\nHe had no wish to uproot Dena from her present home.\n...refugees who were uprooted during Ethiopia’s civil war.\n  VERB: V pron-refl, V n, be V-ed\n\n2. If someone uproots a tree or plant, or if the wind uproots it, it is pulled out of the ground.\n...fallen trees which have been uprooted by the storm.\n...uprooted trees.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: upscale
Meaning:
up.scale\n   upscale\n  Upscale is used to describe products or services that are expensive, of good quality, and intended to appeal to people in a high social class. (AM)\n...upscale department-store chains such as Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  Upscale is also an adverb. (in BRIT, use upmarket)\nT-shirts, the epitome of American casualness, have moved upscale.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: upset
Meaning:
up.set\n   upset upsets upsetting  upset\nThe verb and adjective are pronounced   The noun is pronounced\n1. If you are upset, you are unhappy or disappointed because something unpleasant has happened to you.\nAfter she died I felt very, very upset...\nMarta looked upset...\nShe sounded upset when I said you couldn’t give her an appointment...\nThey are terribly upset by the break-up of their parents’ marriage.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ by/about n\n\n  Upset is also a noun.\n...stress and other emotional upsets.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If something upsets you, it makes you feel worried or unhappy.\nShe warned me not to say anything to upset him...\nDon’t upset yourself, Ida.\n  VERB: V n, V pron-refl\n\n=>  up.set.ting\nChildhood illness can be upsetting for children and parents alike...\nI will never see him again and that is a terribly upsetting thought.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = distressing\n3. If events upset something such as a procedure or a state of affairs, they cause it to go wrong.\n...a deal that would upset the balance of power in the world’s gold markets...\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Upset is also a noun.\nMarkets are very sensitive to any upsets in the Japanese economic machine.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If you upset an object, you accidentally knock or push it over so that it scatters over a large area.\nDon’t upset the piles of sheets under the box.\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. A stomach upset is a slight illness in your stomach caused by an infection or by something that you have eaten.\nPaul was unwell last night with a stomach upset...\n  N-COUNT: supp N\n\n  Upset is also an adjective.\nLarry is suffering from an upset stomach.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n6.\nto upset the applecart: see applecart


Words: upshot
Meaning:
up.shot\n   upshot\n  The upshot of a series of events or discussions is the final result of them, usually a surprising result.\nThe upshot is that we have lots of good but not very happy employees...\n  N-SING: the N\n  = outcome


Words: upside down
Meaning:
up.side down\n   upside down   also upside-down\n1. If something has been moved upside down, it has been turned round so that the part that is usually lowest is above the part that is usually highest.\nThe painting was hung upside down...\nSalter held the bag by the corners and shook it upside down.\n  ADV: ADV after v, n ADV\n\n  Upside down is also an adjective.\nHis eyes were open and everything he saw was upside down...\nTony had an upside-down map of Britain on his wall.\n  ADJ\n\n2.\nto turn something upside down: see turn


Words: upstage
Meaning:
up.stage\n   upstage  upstages  upstaging  upstaged\n1. When an actor is upstage or moves upstage, he or she is or moves towards the back part of the stage. (TECHNICAL)\nUpstage and right of centre, Robert Morris stands with his back to the audience...\nPosition a camera upstage...\nThey slowly moved from upstage left into the centre.\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, prep ADV\n  !=downstage\n  Upstage is also an adjective.\n...the large upstage box that Noble used for his 1990 production of King Lear.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=downstage\n2. If someone upstages you, they draw attention away from you by being more attractive or interesting.\nHe had a younger brother who always publicly upstaged him...\n  VERB: V n


Words: upstairs
Meaning:
up.stairs\n   upstairs\n1. If you go upstairs in a building, you go up a staircase towards a higher floor.\nHe went upstairs and changed into fresh clothes...\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  !=downstairs\n2. If something or someone is upstairs in a building, they are on a floor that is higher than the ground floor.\nThe restaurant is upstairs and consists of a large, open room...\nThe boys are curled asleep in the small bedroom upstairs.\n  ADV: be ADV, n ADV\n  !=downstairs\n3. An upstairs room or object is situated on a floor of a building that is higher than the ground floor.\nMarsani moved into the upstairs apartment.\n...an upstairs balcony.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. The upstairs of a building is the floor or floors that are higher than the ground floor.\nFrances invited them to occupy the upstairs of her home.\n  N-SING: the N\n  !=downstairs


Words: upstanding
Meaning:
up.stand.ing\n   upstanding\n  Upstanding people behave in a morally acceptable way. (FORMAL)\nYou look like a nice upstanding young man.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = upright


Words: upstart
Meaning:
up.start\n   upstart  upstarts\n  You can refer to someone as an upstart when they behave as if they are important, but you think that they are too new in a place or job to be treated as important.\nMany prefer a familiar authority figure to a young upstart.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: upstate
Meaning:
up.state\n   upstate\n  Upstate means belonging or relating to the parts of a state that are furthest to the north or furthest from the main city. (mainly AM)\n...an idyllic village in upstate New York.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Upstate is also an adverb.\nThese buses will carry families upstate to visit relatives in prison...\n  ADV: ADV after v, n ADV


Words: upstream
Meaning:
up.stream\n   upstream\n  Something that is moving upstream is moving towards the source of a river, from a point further down the river. Something that is upstream is towards the source of a river.\nThe water rose high enough for them to continue upstream.\n...the river police, whose headquarters are just upstream of the Isle St Louis...\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, n ADV, oft ADV of/from n\n  !=downstream\n  Upstream is also an adjective.\nSteps lead down to the subway from the upstream side.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=downstream


Words: upsurge
Meaning:
up.surge\n   upsurge\n  If there is an upsurge in something, there is a sudden, large increase in it. (FORMAL)\n...the upsurge in oil prices...\nSaudi bankers say there’s been an upsurge of business confidence since the end of the war.\n  N-SING: oft N in/of n


Words: upswing
Meaning:
up.swing\n   upswing  upswings\n  An upswing is a sudden improvement in something such as an economy, or an increase in an amount or level.\n...an upswing in the economy...\nViolent crime is on the upswing.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N in n, on the N\n  !=downswing


Words: uptake
Meaning:
up.take\n   uptake\n1. A person’s uptake of something is the amount of it that they use. (TECHNICAL)\nThe drug increases the number of red cells in the blood, enhancing oxygen uptake by 10 percent.\n...research in relation to the uptake of nitrate into vegetables.\n  N-SING: usu with supp\n\n2. You say that someone is quick on the uptake when they understand things quickly. You say that someone is slow on the uptake when they have difficulty understanding simple or obvious things.\nShe is not an intellectual, but is quick on the uptake...\nCarol was absent-minded and a little slow on the uptake.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR


Words: uptight
Meaning:
up.tight\n   uptight\n  Someone who is uptight is tense, nervous, or annoyed about something and so is difficult to be with. (INFORMAL)\nPenny never got uptight about exams...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  !=relaxed


Words: uptown
Meaning:
up.town\n   uptown\n  If you go uptown, or go to a place uptown, you go away from the centre of a town or city towards the edge. Uptown sometimes refers to a part of the city other than the main business district. (mainly AM)\nHe rode uptown and made his way to Bob’s apartment...\nSusan continued to live uptown...\nThere’s a skating rink uptown.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  !=downtown\n  Uptown is also an adjective.\n...uptown clubs.\n...a small uptown radio station.\n...uptown New York.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=downtown


Words: uptrend
Meaning:
up.trend\n   uptrend\n  An uptrend is a general improvement in something such as a market or the economy.\nRacal Electronics shares have been in a strong uptrend...\nMany analysts think the dollar is on an uptrend.\n  N-SING\n  !=downtrend


Words: upturn
Meaning:
up.turn\n   upturn  upturns\n  If there is an upturn in the economy or in a company or industry, it improves or becomes more successful. (BUSINESS)\nThey do not expect an upturn in the economy until the end of the year...\nThere has been a modest upturn in most parts of the industry.\n  N-COUNT: oft N in n\n  !=downturn


Words: upturned
Meaning:
up.turned\n   upturned\n1. Something that is upturned points upwards.\n...his eyes closed and his palms upturned.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Something that is upturned is upside down.\n...upturned buckets...\nHe clung to the upturned boat, screaming for help.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: upward
Meaning:
up.ward\n   upward\n1. An upward movement or look is directed towards a higher place or a higher level.\nShe started once again on the steep upward climb...\nShe gave him a quick, upward look, then lowered her eyes.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=downward\n2. If you refer to an upward trend or an upward spiral, you mean that something is increasing in quantity or price.\n...the Army’s concern that the upward trend in the numbers avoiding military service may continue...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=downward


Words: upwardly mobile
Meaning:
up.ward.ly mo.bile\n   upwardly mobile\n  If you describe someone as upwardly mobile, you mean that they are moving, have moved, or are trying to move to a higher social position.\nThe Party has been unable to attract upwardly mobile voters.\n  ADJ\n\n  The upwardly mobile are people who are upwardly mobile.\n...the large detached houses of the upwardly mobile with their double garages and array of cars.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: upwards
Meaning:
up.wards\n   upwards   also upward\n1. If someone moves or looks upwards, they move or look up towards a higher place.\n`There,’ said Jack, pointing upwards...\nThey climbed upward along the steep cliffs surrounding the village...\nHunter nodded again and gazed upwards in fear...\nLie face upwards with a cushion under your head.\n  ADV: ADV after v, n ADV\n  !=downwards\n2. If an amount or rate moves upwards, it increases.\n...with prices soon heading upwards in high street stores...\nUnemployment will continue upward for much of this year...\nThe share price is likely to leap upwards.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  !=downwards\n3. A quantity that is upwards of a particular number is more than that number.\n...projects worth upwards of 200 million pounds...\nIt costs upward of $40,000 a year to keep some prisoners in prison.\n  PREP-PHRASE: PREP amount


Words: upwind
Meaning:
up.wind\n   upwind\n  If something moves upwind, it moves in the opposite direction to the wind. If something is upwind, the wind is blowing away from it.\n...riding a bike upwind...\nThe rich went to live in the west of London, upwind of the smell of people and industry.\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, oft ADV of n\n  !=downwind\n  Upwind is also an adjective.\n...big trees at the forest’s upwind edge.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: uranium
Meaning:
ura.nium\n   uranium\n  Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal that is used to produce nuclear energy and weapons.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: urban
Meaning:
ur.ban\n   urban\n  Urban means belonging to, or relating to, a town or city.\nMost of the population is an urban population...\nMost urban areas are close to a park.\n...urban planning.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=rural


Words: urban myth
Meaning:
ur.ban myth\n   urban myth  urban myths   or urban legend\n  An urban myth is a strange or surprising story which many people believe, but which is not actually true.\n  N-COUNT


Words: urbane
Meaning:
ur.bane\n   urbane\n  Someone who is urbane is polite and appears comfortable in social situations.\nShe describes him as urbane and charming...\nIn conversation, he was suave and urbane.\n  ADJ\n  = cultured  !=gauche\n=>  ur.ban.ity\nFearey had all the charm and urbanity of the trained diplomat.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: urbanization
Meaning:
ur.bani.za.tion\n   urbanization\nin BRIT, also use urbanisation\n  Urbanization is the process of creating towns in country areas.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: urbanized
Meaning:
ur.ban.ized\n   urbanized\nin BRIT, also use urbanised\n1. An urbanized country or area has many buildings and a lot of industry and business.\nZambia is black Africa’s most urbanised country...\nAll the nice areas in Florida are becoming more and more urbanized.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. An urbanized population consists of people who live and work in a town.\n  ADJ


Words: urchin
Meaning:
ur.chin\n   urchin  urchins\n  An urchin is a young child who is dirty and poorly dressed. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nWe were in the bazaar with all the little urchins watching us.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also sea urchin


Words: urge
Meaning:
urge  urges  urging  urged\n1. If you urge someone to do something, you try hard to persuade them to do it.\nThey urged parliament to approve plans for their reform programme...\n  VERB: V n to-inf\n\n2. If you urge someone somewhere, you make them go there by touching them or talking to them.\nHe slipped his arm around her waist and urged her away from the window...\n`Come on, Grace,’ he was urging her, `don’t wait, hurry up.’\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n\n\n3. If you urge a course of action, you strongly advise that it should be taken.\nHe urged restraint on the security forces...\nWe urge vigorous action to be taken immediately.\n  VERB: V n on n, V n\n\n4. If you have an urge to do or have something, you have a strong wish to do or have it.\nHe had an urge to open a shop of his own...\n  N-COUNT: oft N to-inf


Words: urge on
Meaning:
urge on\n  If you urge someone on, you encourage them to do something.\nShe had a strong and supportive sister who urged her on...\nVisitors remember a lean, cheerful figure on horseback urging on his men.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = encourage


Words: urgent
Meaning:
ur.gent\n   urgent\n1. If something is urgent, it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.\nThere is an urgent need for food and water...\nHe had urgent business in New York.\n  ADJ\n  = pressing\n=>  ur.gen.cy\nThe urgency of finding a cure attracted some of the best minds in medical science...\nIt is a matter of utmost urgency.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  ur.gent.ly\nRed Cross officials said they urgently needed bread and water...\nThe money was most urgently required.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If you speak in an urgent way, you show that you are anxious for people to notice something or to do something.\nHis voice was low and urgent...\nHis mother leaned forward and spoke to him in urgent undertones.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  ur.gen.cy\nShe was surprised at the urgency in his voice...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  ur.gent.ly\nThey hastened to greet him and asked urgently, `Did you find it?’\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: urinal
Meaning:
uri.nal\n   urinal  urinals\n  A urinal is a bowl fixed to the wall of a men’s public toilet for men to urinate in.\n  N-COUNT


Words: urinary
Meaning:
uri.nary\n   urinary\n  Urinary means belonging to or related to the parts of a person’s body through which urine flows. (MEDICAL)\n...urinary tract infections.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: urinate
Meaning:
uri.nate\n   urinate  urinates  urinating  urinated\n  When someone urinates, they get rid of urine from their body.\n  VERB: V


Words: urine
Meaning:
urine\n  Urine is the liquid that you get rid of from your body when you go to the toilet.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: URL
Meaning:
URL  URLs\n  A URL is an address that shows where a particular page can be found on the World Wide Web. URL is an abbreviation for `Uniform Resource Locator’. (COMPUTING)\nThe URL for the Lonely Planet travel centre is http://www.lonelyplanet.com.\n  N-COUNT


Words: urn
Meaning:
urn  urns\n1. An urn is a container in which a dead person’s ashes are kept.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An urn is a metal container used for making a large quantity of tea or coffee and keeping it hot.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N


Words: US
Meaning:
US   also U.S.\n  The US is an abbreviation for the United States.\nThe first time I saw TV was when I arrived in the US in 1956...\nThey are to inherit 100,000 US dollars.\n  N-PROPER: the N, N n


Words: us
Meaning:
us  WEAK   STRONG\n\n  Us is the first person plural pronoun. Us is used as the object of a verb or a preposition.\n\n1. A speaker or writer uses us to refer both to himself or herself and to one or more other people. You can use us before a noun to make it clear which group of people you are referring to.\nNeither of us forgot about it...\nHeather went to the kitchen to get drinks for us...\nThey don’t like us much...\nHe showed us aspects of the game that we had never seen before...\nAnother time of great excitement for us boys was when war broke out.\n  PRON: v PRON, prep PRON\n\n2. Us is sometimes used to refer to people in general.\nAll of us will struggle fairly hard to survive if we are in danger...\nEach of us will have our own criteria for success.\n  PRON: v PRON, prep PRON\n\n3. A speaker or writer may use us instead of `me’ in order to include the audience or reader in what they are saying. (mainly FORMAL)\nThis brings us to the second question I asked.\n  PRON: v PRON, prep PRON\n\n4. In non-standard English, us is sometimes used instead of `me’. (BRIT SPOKEN)\n`Hang on a bit,’ said Eileen. `I’m not finished yet. Give us a chance.’\n  PRON: v PRON, prep PRON


Words: USA
Meaning:
USA   also U.S.A.\n  The USA is an abbreviation for the United States of America.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: usable
Meaning:
us.able\n   usable\n  If something is usable, it is in a good enough state or condition to be used.\nCharity shops and jumble sales welcome usable clothes...\nHalf of the island’s population has no usable English.\n  ADJ


Words: USAF
Meaning:
USAF   also U.S.A.F.\n  The USAF is an abbreviation for the United States Air Force.\n  N-PROPER: usu the N


Words: usage
Meaning:
us.age\n   usage  usages\n1. Usage is the way in which words are actually used in particular contexts, especially with regard to their meanings.\nThe word `undertaker’ had long been in common usage...\nHe was a stickler for the correct usage of English.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. A usage is a meaning that a word has or a way in which it can be used.\nIt’s very definitely a usage which has come over to Britain from America.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Usage is the degree to which something is used or the way in which it is used.\nParts of the motor wore out because of constant usage...\nIf your water usage is very small it may be worthwhile opting for a meter.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp


Words: USB
Meaning:
USB USBs\n  A USB on a computer is a place where you can attach another piece of equipment, for example a printer. USB is an abbreviation for `Universal Serial Bus’. (COMPUTING)\nThe device plugs into one of the laptop’s USB ports.\n  N-COUNT


Words: use
Meaning:
VERB USES\n   use  uses  using  used\n1. If you use something, you do something with it in order to do a job or to achieve a particular result or effect.\nTrim off the excess pastry using a sharp knife...\nHe had simply used a little imagination...\nOfficials used loud hailers to call for calm...\nThe show uses Zondo’s trial and execution as its framework.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V n to-inf, V n prep\n\n2. If you use a supply of something, you finish it so that none of it is left.\nYou used all the ice cubes and didn’t put the ice trays back...\nThey’ve never had anything spare.they’ve always used it all.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n  Use up means the same as use.\nIt isn’t them who use up the world’s resources...\nWe were breathing really fast, and using the air up quickly.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n3. If someone uses drugs, they take drugs regularly, especially illegal ones.\nHe denied he had used drugs...\n  VERB: V n\n  = take, do\n4. You can say that someone uses the toilet or bathroom as a polite way of saying that they go to the toilet.\nWash your hands after using the toilet...\nHe asked whether he could use my bathroom.\n  VERB: V n, V n  politeness\n\n5. If you use a particular word or expression, you say or write it, because it has the meaning that you want to express.\nThe judge liked using the word `wicked’ of people he had sent to jail...\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. If you use a particular name, you call yourself by that name, especially when it is not the name that you usually call yourself.\nNow I use a false name if I’m meeting people for the first time...\n  VERB: V n\n\n7. If you say that someone uses people, you disapprove of them because they make others do things for them in order to benefit or gain some advantage from it, and not because they care about the other people.\nBe careful she’s not just using you...\nWhy do I have the feeling I’m being used again?\n  VERB: V n, V n  disapproval\n  = exploit\n8.\n  see also used\n\nNOUN USES\n   use  uses\n1. Your use of something is the action or fact of your using it.\nThe treatment does not involve the use of any artificial drugs.\n...research related to microcomputers and their use in classrooms...\nWe are denied use of the land by the ruling classes...\nHe would support a use of force if the UN deemed it necessary.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N, usu N of n\n\n2. If you have a use for something, you need it or can find something to do with it.\nYou will no longer have a use for the magazines...\nThey both loved the fabric, but couldn’t find a use for it.\n  N-SING: a N for n\n\n3. If something has a particular use, it is intended for a particular purpose.\nInfrared detectors have many uses...\nIt’s an interesting scientific phenomenon, but of no practical use whatever...\nFrench furniture was designed for every use...\nThe report outlined possible uses for the new weapon.\n...Elderflower Water for use as an eye and skin lotion...\nWe need to recognize that certain uses of the land upon which we live are simply wrong.\n  N-VAR: with supp, oft adj N, N of/for n, N as/in n\n\n4. If you have the use of something, you have the permission or ability to use it.\nShe will have the use of the car one night a week.\n...young people who at some point in the past have lost the use of their limbs...\nYou will have full use of all the new leisure club facilities.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N, usu N of n\n\n5. A use of a word is a particular meaning that it has or a particular way in which it can be used.\nThere are new uses of words coming in and old uses dying out.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, oft N of n\n\n6. Your use of a particular name is the fact of your calling yourself by it.\nPolice have been hampered by Mr Urquhart’s use of bogus names.\n  N-UNCOUNT: N of n\n\n7. If something is for the use of a particular person or group of people, it is for that person or group to use.\nThe leisure facilities are there for the use of guests...\nHe raises crops mainly for the use of his family.\n  PHRASE: PHR n\n\n8. If you say that being something or knowing someone has its uses, you mean that it makes it possible for you to do what you otherwise would not be able to do. (INFORMAL)\nBeing a hospital Sister had its uses.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9. If something such as a technique, building, or machine is in use, it is used regularly by people. If it has gone out of use, it is no longer used regularly by people.\n...the methods of making Champagne which are still in use today...\nThe site has been out of use for many years.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n10. If you make use of something, you do something with it in order to do a job or achieve a particular result or effect. (WRITTEN)\nNot all nursery schools make use of the opportunities open to them.\n...making use of the same bottle time after time.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n\n\n11. You use expressions such as it’s no use, there’s no use, and what’s the use to indicate that a particular action will not achieve anything.\nIt’s no use arguing with a drunk...\nThere’s no use you asking me any more questions...\nWhat’s the use of complaining?\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR -ing\n\n12. If you say it’s no use, you mean that you have failed to do something and realize that it is useless to continue trying because it is impossible.\nIt’s no use. Let’s hang up and try for a better line.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n13. If something or someone is of use, they are useful. If they are no use, they are not at all useful.\nThe contents of this booklet should be of use to all students...\nI’m sorry, I’ve been no use to you.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, oft PHR to n


Words: used
Meaning:
MODAL USES AND PHRASES\n   used\n1. If something used to be done or used to be the case, it was done regularly in the past or was the case in the past.\nPeople used to come and visit him every day...\nHe used to be one of the professors at the School of Education...\nI feel more compassion and less anger than I used to.\n  PHRASE\n\n2. If something used not to be done or used not to be the case, it was not done in the past or was not the case in the past. The forms did not use to and did not used to are also found, especially in spoken English.\nBorrowing used not to be recommended...\nAt some point kids start doing things they didn’t use to do. They get more independent...\nHe didn’t used to like anyone walking on the lawns in the back garden.\n  PHRASE: with neg\n\n3. If you are used to something, you are familiar with it because you have done it or experienced it many times before.\nI’m used to having my sleep interrupted...\nIt doesn’t frighten them. They’re used to it.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n/-ing\n\n4. If you get used to something or someone, you become familiar with it or get to know them, so that you no longer feel that the thing or person is unusual or surprising.\nThis is how we do things here. You’ll soon get used to it...\nHe took some getting used to...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\nADJECTIVE USES\n   used\n1. A used object is dirty or spoiled because it has been used, and usually needs to be thrown away or washed.\n...a used cotton ball stained with makeup...\nHe took a used envelope bearing an Irish postmark.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=unused\n2. A used car has already had one or more owners.\nWould you buy a used car from this man?...\nHis only big purchase has been a used Ford.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = second-hand


Words: useful
Meaning:
use.ful\n   useful\n1. If something is useful, you can use it to do something or to help you in some way.\nThe slow cooker is very useful for people who go out all day...\nHypnotherapy can be useful in helping you give up smoking...\nThe police gained a great deal of useful information about the organization.\n  ADJ\n  !=useless\n=>  use.ful.ly\n...the problems to which computers could be usefully applied...\nWe need to find ways of dealing creatively and usefully with our feelings.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  use.ful.ness\nHis interest lay in the usefulness of his work, rather than in any personal credit.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If an object or skill comes in useful, it can help you achieve something in a particular situation.\nThe accommodation is some distance from the clubhouse, so a hire car comes in useful.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: useless
Meaning:
use.less\n   useless\n1. If something is useless, you cannot use it.\nHe realised that their money was useless in this country...\nComputers would be useless without software writers.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  !=useful\n=>  use.less.ly\nHis right arm hung rather uselessly.\n  ADV\n\n=>  use.less.ness\nThe car had rusted almost to the point of uselessness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If something is useless, it does not achieve anything helpful or good.\nShe knew it was useless to protest.\n...a useless punishment which fails to stop drug trafficking.\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf\n  = pointless\n=>  use.less.ly\nUselessly, he checked the same pockets he’d checked before.\n  ADV\n\n=>  use.less.ness\n...the uselessness of their research.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If you say that someone or something is useless, you mean that they are no good at all. (INFORMAL)\nTheir education system is useless...\nHe was useless at any game with a ball.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ at n\n  = hopeless\n4. If someone feels useless, they feel bad because they are unable to help someone or achieve anything.\nShe sits at home all day, watching TV and feeling useless.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  use.less.ness\n...the sense of uselessness and the boredom of empty days.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Usenet
Meaning:
Use.net\n   Usenet\n  Usenet is a computer network that links newsgroups on the Internet.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: user
Meaning:
user  users\n  A user is a person or thing that uses something such as a place, facility, product, or machine.\nBeach users have complained about people walking their dogs on the sand.\n...a regular user of Holland’s health-care system.\n...a user of electric current, such as an electric motor, a lamp, or a toaster.\n  N-COUNT: with supp


Words: user group
Meaning:
user group  user groups\n  A user group is a group of people with the same interests, who use a particular product or service.\nPLATFORM is an alliance of more than 80 rail-user groups.\n...the IBM PC User Group.\n  N-COUNT


Words: user-friendly
Meaning:
user-friendly\n  If you describe something such as a machine or system as user-friendly, you mean that it is well designed and easy to use.\nThis an entirely computer operated system which is very user friendly.\n...user-friendly libraries.\n  ADJ


Words: usher
Meaning:
ush.er\n   usher  ushers  ushering  ushered\n1. If you usher someone somewhere, you show them where they should go, often by going with them. (FORMAL)\nI ushered him into the office...\nThey were quickly ushered away.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n prep/adv\n\n2. An usher is a person who shows people where to sit, for example at a wedding or at a concert.\nHe did part-time work as an usher in a theatre.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. An usher is a person who organizes people who are attending a law court in Britain.\n  N-COUNT


Words: usher in
Meaning:
usher in\n  If one thing ushers in another thing, it indicates that the other thing is about to begin. (FORMAL)\n...a unique opportunity to usher in a new era of stability in Europe.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)


Words: USMC
Meaning:
USMC   also U.S.M.C.\n  USMC is an abbreviation for United States Marine Corps.\n  N-PROPER: usu the N


Words: USP
Meaning:
USP USPs\n  The USP of a product or service is a particular feature of it which can be used in advertising to show how it is different from, and better than, other similar products or services. USP is an abbreviation for `Unique Selling Point’. (BUSINESS)\nWith Volvo, safety was always the USP.\n  N-COUNT


Words: usual
Meaning:
usu.al\n   usual\n1. Usual is used to describe what happens or what is done most often in a particular situation.\nIt is a neighborhood beset by all the usual inner-city problems...\nShe’s smiling her usual friendly smile...\nAfter lunch there was a little more clearing up to do than usual...\nIt is usual to tip waiters, porters, guides and drivers.\n  ADJ: det ADJ, v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ to-inf\n  = normal\n  Usual is also a noun.\nThe stout barman in a bow tie presented himself to take their order. `Good morning, sir. The usual?’\n  N-SING: the N\n\n2. You use as usual to indicate that you are describing something that normally happens or that is normally the case.\nAs usual there will be the local and regional elections on June the twelfth...\nThe front pages are, as usual, a mixture of domestic and foreign news.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n3. If something happens as usual, it happens in the way that it normally does, especially when other things have changed.\nWhen somebody died everything went on as usual, as if it had never happened...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n4.\nbusiness as usual: see business


Words: usually
Meaning:
usu.al.ly\n   usually\n1. If something usually happens, it is the thing that most often happens in a particular situation.\nThe best information about hotels usually comes from friends and acquaintances who have been there...\nThey ate, as they usually did, in the kitchen...\nUsually, the work is boring...\nOffering only one loan, usually an installment loan, is part of the plan.\n  ADV: ADV before v, ADV with cl/group\n  = generally, normally\n2. You use more than usually to show that something shows even more of a particular quality than it normally does.\nShe felt more than usually hungry after her excursion...\nHe was more than usually depressed by problems at work.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR adj\n  = unusually


Words: usurp
Meaning:
usurp  usurps  usurping  usurped\n  If you say that someone usurps a job, role, title, or position, they take it from someone when they have no right to do this. (FORMAL)\nDid she usurp his place in his mother’s heart?...\n  VERB: V n


Words: usurper
Meaning:
usurp.er\n   usurper  usurpers\n  A usurper is someone who takes another person’s title or position when they have no right to. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: usury
Meaning:
usu.ry\n   usury\n  Usury is the practice of lending money at a high rate of interest.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: ute
Meaning:
ute utes\n  A ute is a vehicle that is designed to travel over rough ground. Ute is an abbreviation for `utility vehicle’. (AUSTRALIAN INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: utensil
Meaning:
uten.sil\n   utensil  utensils\n  Utensils are tools or objects that you use in order to help you to cook or to do other tasks in your home.\n...utensils such as bowls, steamers and frying pans...\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: uterine
Meaning:
u.ter.ine\n   uterine\n  Uterine means relating to the uterus of a woman or female mammal. (MEDICAL)\n  ADJ


Words: uterus
Meaning:
uter.us\n   uterus  uteruses\n  The uterus of a woman or female mammal is her womb. (MEDICAL)\n...an ultrasound scan of the uterus.\n  N-COUNT


Words: utilitarian
Meaning:
utili.tar.ian\n   utilitarian  utilitarians\n1. Utilitarian means based on the idea that the morally correct course of action is the one that produces benefit for the greatest number of people. (TECHNICAL)\nIt was James Mill who was the best publicist for utilitarian ideas on government.\n  ADJ\n\n  A utilitarian is someone with utilitarian views.\nOne of the greatest utilitarians was Claude Helvetius.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Utilitarian objects and buildings are designed to be useful rather than attractive.\nBruce’s office is a corner one, utilitarian and unglamorous.\n  ADJ\n  = functional


Words: utilitarianism
Meaning:
utili.tari.an.ism\n   utilitarianism\n  Utilitarianism is the idea that the morally correct course of action is the one that produces benefit for the greatest number of people. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: utility
Meaning:
util.ity\n   utility  utilities\n1. The utility of something is its usefulness. (FORMAL)\nBelief in the utility of higher education is shared by students nationwide...\nHe inwardly questioned the utility of his work.\n  N-UNCOUNT: with supp\n  = usefulness\n2. A utility is an important service such as water, electricity, or gas that is provided for everyone, and that everyone pays for.\n...public utilities such as gas, electricity and phones.\n  N-COUNT


Words: utility room
Meaning:
util.ity room\n   utility room  utility rooms\n  A utility room is a room in a house which is usually connected to the kitchen and which contains things such as a washing machine, sink, and cleaning equipment.\n  N-COUNT


Words: utility vehicle
Meaning:
util.ity ve.hi.cle\n   utility vehicle utility vehicles\n  A utility vehicle is a vehicle that is designed to travel over rough ground. (AUSTRALIAN)\n  N-COUNT


Words: utilize
Meaning:
uti.lize\n   utilize  utilizes  utilizing  utilized\nin BRIT, also use utilise\n  If you utilize something, you use it. (FORMAL)\nSound engineers utilize a range of techniques to enhance the quality of the recordings...\nMinerals can be absorbed and utilized by the body in a variety of different forms.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = use\n=>  uti.li.za.tion\n...the utilisation of human resources.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n, n N


Words: utmost
Meaning:
ut.most\n   utmost\n1. You can use utmost to emphasize the importance or seriousness of something or to emphasize the way that it is done.\nIt is a matter of the utmost urgency to find out what has happened to these people...\nSecurity matters are treated with the utmost seriousness...\nYou should proceed with the utmost caution...\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n2. If you say that you are doing your utmost to do something, you are emphasizing that you are trying as hard as you can to do it. (FORMAL)\nHe would have done his utmost to help her, of that she was certain...\n  N-SING: poss N  emphasis\n\n3. If you say that something is done to the utmost, you are emphasizing that it is done to the greatest extent, amount, or degree possible.\nMy limited diplomatic skills were tested to the utmost...\nThe best plan is to continue to attack him to the utmost of our power.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v  emphasis


Words: utopia
Meaning:
uto.pia\n   utopia  utopias\n  If you refer to an imaginary situation as a utopia, you mean that it is one in which society is perfect and everyone is happy, but which you feel is not possible.\nWe weren’t out to design a contemporary utopia.\n...the social utopias of revolutionary peasants.\n  N-VAR


Words: utopian
Meaning:
uto.pian\n   utopian\n1. If you describe a plan or idea as utopian, you are criticizing it because it is unrealistic and shows a belief that things can be improved much more than is possible.\nHe was pursuing a utopian dream of world prosperity...\nA complete absence of national border controls is as utopian today as the vision of world government.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = idealistic\n2. Utopian is used to describe political or religious philosophies which claim that it is possible to build a new and perfect society in which everyone is happy. (FORMAL)\nHis was a utopian vision of nature in its purest form.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: utter
Meaning:
ut.ter\n   utter  utters  uttering  uttered\n1. If someone utters sounds or words, they say them. (LITERARY)\nHe uttered a snorting laugh...\nThey departed without uttering a word.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n2. You use utter to emphasize that something is great in extent, degree, or amount.\nThis, of course, is utter nonsense.\n...this utter lack of responsibility...\nA look of utter confusion swept across his handsome face.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n  = absolute, total


Words: utterance
Meaning:
ut.ter.ance\n   utterance  utterances\n1. Someone’s utterances are the things that they say. (FORMAL)\n...the Queen’s public utterances.\n...a host of admirers who hung on her every utterance.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N\n\n2. Utterance is the expression in words of ideas, thoughts, and feelings. (FORMAL)\nShe could choose her own partner in matrimony, as long as she gave no utterance to her passions and emotions.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: utterly
Meaning:
ut.ter.ly\n   utterly\n  You use utterly to emphasize that something is very great in extent, degree, or amount.\nEverything about the country seemed utterly different from what I’d experienced before...\nThe new laws coming in are utterly ridiculous...\n  ADV: ADV adj/prep, ADV with v  emphasis\n  = totally


Words: V, v
Meaning:
V, v  V’s, v’s\n1. V is the twenty-second letter of the English alphabet.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. V or v is an abbreviation for words beginning with v, such as `verse’, `versus’, `very’, and `volt’.\n...Newcastle United v Leicester City.


Words: V-neck
Meaning:
V-neck  V-necks\n  A V-neck or a V-neck sweater is a sweater with a neck that is in the shape of the letter V.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: V-sign
Meaning:
V-sign  V-signs\n1. In Britain, a V-sign is a rude gesture which is made by sticking up your first two fingers in a V shape, with the palm of your hand facing you.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A V-sign is a gesture which is made by sticking up your first two fingers in a V shape, with the palm of your hand facing away from you, as a sign of victory.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vac
Meaning:
vac  vacs\n1. A vac is a period of the year when universities and colleges are officially closed. Vac is an abbreviation for `vacation’. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n..the summer vac.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. A vac is an electric machine which sucks up dust and dirt from carpets. Vac is an abbreviation for `vacuum cleaner’. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: vacancy
Meaning:
va.can.cy\n   vacancy  vacancies\n1. A vacancy is a job or position which has not been filled.\nMost vacancies are at senior level, requiring appropriate qualifications.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If there are vacancies at a building such as a hotel, some of the rooms are available to rent.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vacant
Meaning:
va.cant\n   vacant\n1. If something is vacant, it is not being used by anyone.\nHalf way down the coach was a vacant seat...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = empty\n2. If a job or position is vacant, no one is doing it or in it at present, and people can apply for it.\nThe post of chairman has been vacant for some time.\n  ADJ\n\n3. A vacant look or expression is one that suggests that someone does not understand something or that they are not thinking about anything in particular.\nShe had a kind of vacant look on her face.\n  ADJ\n  = blank\n=>  va.cant.ly\nHe looked vacantly out of the window.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: vacate
Meaning:
va.cate\n   vacate  vacates  vacating  vacated\n  If you vacate a place or a job, you leave it or give it up, making it available for other people. (FORMAL)\nHe vacated the flat and went to stay with an uncle...\nHe recently vacated his post as NHS Personnel Director...\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = leave


Words: vacation
Meaning:
va.ca.tion\n   vacation  vacations  vacationing  vacationed\n1. A vacation is a period of the year when universities and colleges, and in the United States also schools, are officially closed.\nDuring his summer vacation he visited Russia...\n  N-COUNT\n  = holiday\n2. A vacation is a period of time during which you relax and enjoy yourself away from home. (AM; in BRIT, use holiday)\nThey planned a late summer vacation in Europe...\nWe went on vacation to Puerto Rico.\n  N-COUNT: also on/from N\n\n3. If you have a particular number of days’ or weeks’ vacation, you do not have to go to work for that number of days or weeks. (AM; in BRIT, use holiday)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. If you are vacationing in a place away from home, you are on vacation there. (AM; in BRIT, use holiday)\nMyles vacationed in Jamaica...\nHe was vacationing and couldn’t be reached for comment.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V


Words: vacationer
Meaning:
va.ca.tion.er\n   vacationer  vacationers\n  Vacationers are people who are on vacation in a particular place. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use holidaymakers)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: vaccinate
Meaning:
vac.ci.nate\n   vaccinate  vaccinates  vaccinating  vaccinated\n  If a person or animal is vaccinated, they are given a vaccine, usually by injection, to prevent them from getting a disease.\nDogs must be vaccinated against distemper...\nHave you had your child vaccinated against whooping cough?...\nMeasles, mumps and whooping cough are spreading again because children are not being vaccinated.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed against n, have n V-ed against n, be/get V-ed\n\n=>  vac.ci.na.tion      vaccinations\nParents were too frightened to bring their children for vaccination...\nAnyone who wants to avoid the flu should consider getting a vaccination.\n  N-VAR


Words: vaccine
Meaning:
vac.cine\n   vaccine  vaccines\n  A vaccine is a substance containing a harmless form of the germs that cause a particular disease. It is given to people, usually by injection, to prevent them getting that disease.\nAnti-malarial vaccines are now undergoing trials...\nSeven million doses of vaccine are annually given to British children.\n  N-MASS


Words: vacillate
Meaning:
vac.il.late\n   vacillate  vacillates  vacillating  vacillated\n  If you vacillate between two alternatives or choices, you keep changing your mind. (FORMAL)\nShe vacillates between men twice her age and men younger than she...\nWe cannot vacillate on the question of the party’s leadership.\n  VERB: V between pl-n, V


Words: vacuity
Meaning:
va.cu.ity\n   vacuity\n  If you refer to the vacuity of something or someone, you are critical of them because they lack intelligent thought or ideas. (FORMAL)\nHis vacuity was a handicap in these debates.\n...a campaign notable for its intellectual vacuity and personal nastiness.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss  disapproval


Words: vacuous
Meaning:
vacu.ous\n   vacuous\n  If you describe a person or their comments as vacuous, you are critical of them because they lack intelligent thought or ideas.\nMale models are not always so vacuous as they are made out to be.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: vacuum
Meaning:
vacuum  vacuums  vacuuming  vacuumed\n1. If someone or something creates a vacuum, they leave a place or position which then needs to be filled by another person or thing.\nHis presence should fill the power vacuum which has been developing over the past few days.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft supp N\n\n2. If something is done in a vacuum, it is not affected by any outside influences or information.\nMoral values cannot be taught in a vacuum...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n3. If you vacuum something, you clean it using a vacuum cleaner.\nI vacuumed the carpets today...\nIt’s important to vacuum regularly.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n4. A vacuum is a space that contains no air or other gas.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: vacuum bottle
Meaning:
vacuum bot.tle\n   vacuum bottle  vacuum bottles\n  A vacuum bottle is the same as a vacuum flask. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: vacuum cleaner
Meaning:
vacuum clean.er\n   vacuum cleaner  vacuum cleaners   also vacuum-cleaner\n  A vacuum cleaner or a vacuum is an electric machine which sucks up dust and dirt from carpets.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vacuum flask
Meaning:
vacuum flask  vacuum flasks\n  A vacuum flask is a container which is used to keep hot drinks hot or cold drinks cold. It has two thin silvery glass walls with a vacuum between them. (BRIT; in AM, usually use Thermos, vacuum bottle)\n  N-COUNT


Words: vacuum-packed
Meaning:
vacuum-packed\n  Food that is vacuum-packed is packed in a bag from which most of the air has been removed, in order to keep the food fresh.\n  ADJ


Words: vagabond
Meaning:
vaga.bond\n   vagabond  vagabonds\n  A vagabond is someone who wanders from place to place and has no home or job. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT\n  = tramp, vagrant


Words: vagary
Meaning:
va.gary\n   vagary  vagaries\n  Vagaries are unexpected and unpredictable changes in a situation or in someone’s behaviour which you have no control over. (FORMAL)\n...the perplexing vagaries of politics.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, usu N of n


Words: vagina
Meaning:
va.gi.na\n   vagina  vaginas\n  A woman’s vagina is the passage connecting her outer sex organs to her womb.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vaginal
Meaning:
vagi.nal\n   vaginal\n  Vaginal means relating to or involving the vagina.\nThe creams have been used to reduce vaginal infections.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: vagrancy
Meaning:
va.gran.cy\n   vagrancy\n  Vagrancy is a way of life in which someone moves a lot from place to place because they have no permanent home or job, and have to ask for or steal things in order to live.\nVagrancy and begging has become common-place in London.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vagrant
Meaning:
va.grant\n   vagrant  vagrants\n  A vagrant is someone who moves a lot from place to place because they have no permanent home or job, and have to ask for or steal things in order to live.\nHe lived on the street as a vagrant.\n  N-COUNT\n  = tramp


Words: vague
Meaning:
vague  vaguer  vaguest\n1. If something written or spoken is vague, it does not explain or express things clearly.\nThe description was pretty vague.\n...vague information.\n  ADJ\n  !=precise\n=>  vague.ly\n`I’m not sure,’ Liz said vaguely...\nThey issued a vaguely worded statement.\n  ADV\n\n=>  vague.ness\n...the vagueness of the language in the text.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. If you have a vague memory or idea of something, the memory or idea is not clear.\nThey have only a vague idea of the amount of water available...\nWaite’s memory of that first meeting was vague.\n  ADJ\n  = faint\n=>  vague.ly\nJudith could vaguely remember her mother lying on the sofa.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n3. If you are vague about something, you deliberately do not tell people much about it.\nHe was vague, however, about just what U.S. forces might actually do...\nDemocratic leaders under election pressure tend to respond with vague promises of action...\n  ADJ\n\n4. If you describe someone as vague, you mean that they do not seem to be thinking clearly.\nShe had married a charming but rather vague Englishman...\nHis eyes were always so vague when he looked at her.\n  ADJ\n\n5. If something such as a feeling is vague, you experience it only slightly.\nHe was conscious of that vague feeling of irritation again...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n6. A vague shape or outline is not clear and is therefore not easy to see.\nThe bus was a vague shape in the distance.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: vaguely
Meaning:
vague.ly\n   vaguely\n1. Vaguely means to some degree but not to a very large degree.\nThe voice on the line was vaguely familiar, but Crook couldn’t place it at first...\n  ADV: ADV adj\n\n2.\n  see also vague


Words: vain
Meaning:
vain  vainer  vainest\n1. A vain attempt or action is one that fails to achieve what was intended.\nThe drafting committee worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = fruitless\n=>  vain.ly\nHe hunted vainly through his pockets for a piece of paper.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If you describe a hope that something will happen as a vain hope, you mean that there is no chance of it happening.\nHe married his fourth wife, Susan, in the vain hope that she would improve his health.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  vain.ly\nHe then set out for Virginia for what he vainly hoped would be a peaceful retirement.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n3. If you describe someone as vain, you are critical of their extreme pride in their own beauty, intelligence, or other good qualities.\nI think he is shallow, vain and untrustworthy.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n4. If you do something in vain, you do not succeed in achieving what you intend.\nHe stopped at the door, waiting in vain for her to acknowledge his presence...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR\n\n5. If you say that something such as someone’s death, suffering, or effort was in vain, you mean that it was useless because it did not achieve anything.\nHe wants the world to know his son did not die in vain.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR


Words: vainglorious
Meaning:
vain.glo.ri.ous\n   vainglorious\n  If you describe someone as vainglorious, you are critical of them because they are very proud of what they have done and boast a lot about it. (LITERARY)\n  ADJ: ADJ n  disapproval


Words: valance
Meaning:
val.ance\n   valance  valances\n1. A valance is a piece of cloth that hangs down over the sides of a bed in order to make it look nice.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A valance is a long narrow piece of wood or fabric which is fitted at the top of a window for decoration and to hide the curtain rail. (AM; in BRIT, use pelmet)\n  N-COUNT


Words: vale
Meaning:
vale  vales\n  A vale is a valley. (LITERARY)\n...a small vale, sheltering under mist-shrouded hills.\n  N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES: oft in names


Words: valedictorian
Meaning:
vale.dic.to.ri.an\n   valedictorian  valedictorians\n  A valedictorian is the student who has the highest marks in their class when they graduate from high school, college, or university, and who gives a speech at their graduation ceremony. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: valedictory
Meaning:
val.edic.tory\n   valedictory  valedictories\n1. A valedictory speech, letter, or performance is one that is intended as a way of saying goodbye when someone leaves another person, a place, or a job. (FORMAL)\n...Mr Walker, making his valedictory address after two years as chairman.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = farewell\n2. A valedictory is a speech that is given by the student with the highest marks in their class at their graduation ceremony. (AM)\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: valentine
Meaning:
val.en.tine\n   valentine  valentines\n  A valentine or a valentine card is a greetings card that you send to someone who you are in love with or are attracted to, usually without signing your name, on St Valentine’s Day, the 14th of February.\n  N-COUNT


Words: valet
Meaning:
val.et\n   valet   valets   valeting   valeted\n1. A valet is a male servant who looks after his employer by doing things such as caring for his clothes and cooking for him.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If someone valets a vehicle, they are paid to clean it thoroughly inside and out.\n  VERB: V n


Words: valiant
Meaning:
val.iant\n   valiant\n  A valiant action is very brave and determined, though it may lead to failure or defeat.\nDespite valiant efforts by the finance minister, inflation rose to 36%.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  val.iant.ly\nHe suffered further heart attacks and strokes, all of which he fought valiantly.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n  = bravely


Words: valid
Meaning:
val.id\n   valid\n1. A valid argument, comment, or idea is based on sensible reasoning.\nThey put forward many valid reasons for not exporting...\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf\n\n=>  va.lid.ity\nThe editorial in the Financial Times says this argument has lost much of its validity.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss\n\n2. Something that is valid is important or serious enough to make it worth saying or doing.\nMost designers share the unspoken belief that fashion is a valid form of visual art.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  va.lid.ity\n...the validity of making children wear cycle helmets.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n/-ing\n\n3. If a ticket or other document is valid, it can be used and will be accepted by people in authority.\nAll tickets are valid for two months.\n  ADJ\n\n4.\n  see also validity


Words: validate
Meaning:
vali.date\n   validate  validates  validating  validated\n1. To validate something such as a claim or statement means to prove or confirm that it is true or correct. (FORMAL)\nThis discovery seems to validate the claims of popular astrology.\n  VERB: V n\n  = substantiate\n=>  vali.da.tion      validations\nThis validation process ensures that the data conforms to acceptable formats.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. To validate a person, state, or system means to prove or confirm that they are valuable or worthwhile.\nThe Academy Awards appear to validate his career.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  vali.da.tion\nI think the film is a validation of our lifestyle.\n  N-VAR: usu N of n


Words: validity
Meaning:
va.lid.ity\n   validity\n  The validity of something such as a result or a piece of information is whether it can be trusted or believed.\nShocked by the results of the elections, they now want to challenge the validity of the vote...\nSome people, of course, denied the validity of any such claim.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu the N of n\n\n  see also valid


Words: Valium
Meaning:
Va.lium\n   Valium  Valium\n  Valium is a drug given to people to calm their nerves when they are very depressed or upset. (TRADEMARK)\n  N-VAR


Words: valley
Meaning:
val.ley\n   valley  valleys\n  A valley is a low stretch of land between hills, especially one that has a river flowing through it.\n...a wooded valley set against the backdrop of Monte Rosa.\n...the Loire valley.\n  N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES: oft in names


Words: valour
Meaning:
val.our\n   valour\nin AM, use valor\n  Valour is great bravery, especially in battle. (LITERARY)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = gallantry


Words: valuable
Meaning:
valu.able\n   valuable\n1. If you describe something or someone as valuable, you mean that they are very useful and helpful.\nMany of our teachers also have valuable academic links with Heidelberg University...\nThe experience was very valuable.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Valuable objects are objects which are worth a lot of money.\nJust because a camera is old does not mean it is valuable.\n...valuable books.\n  ADJ


Words: valuables
Meaning:
valu.ables\n   valuables\n  Valuables are things that you own that are worth a lot of money, especially small objects such as jewellery.\nLeave your valuables in the hotel safe.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: valuation
Meaning:
valua.tion\n   valuation  valuations\n  A valuation is a judgment that someone makes about how much money something is worth.\n...an independent valuation of the company...\nValuation lies at the heart of all takeovers.\n  N-VAR


Words: value
Meaning:
value  values  valuing  valued\n1. The value of something such as a quality, attitude, or method is its importance or usefulness. If you place a particular value on something, that is the importance or usefulness you think it has.\nFurther studies will be needed to see if these therapies have any value...\nRonnie put a high value on his appearance.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N, usu with supp\n\n  If something is of value, it is useful or important. If it is of no value, it has no usefulness or importance.\nThis weekend course will be of value to everyone interested in the Pilgrim Route...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n2. If you value something or someone, you think that they are important and you appreciate them.\nI’ve done business with Mr Weston before. I value the work he gives me...\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  val.ued\nAs you are a valued customer, I am writing to you to explain the situation...\n  ADJ\n\n3. The value of something is how much money it is worth.\nThe value of his investment has risen by more than $50,000...\nThe country’s currency went down in value by 3.5 per cent...\n  N-VAR\n\n  If something is of value, it is worth a lot of money. If it is of no value, it is worth very little money.\n...a brooch which is really of no value...\nIt might contain something of value.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n4. When experts value something, they decide how much money it is worth.\nYour lender will then send their own surveyor to value the property...\nI asked him if he would have my jewellery valued for insurance purposes...\nSpanish police have seized cocaine valued at around $53 million.\n  VERB: V n, have n V-ed, V-ed\n\n5. You use value in certain expressions to say whether something is worth the money that it costs. For example, if something is or gives good value, it is worth the money that it costs.\nThe restaurant is informal, stylish and extremely good value...\nThis wine highlights the quality and value for money of South African wines.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n6. The values of a person or group are the moral principles and beliefs that they think are important.\nThe countries of South Asia also share many common values...\n  N-PLURAL: with supp, oft with poss, supp N\n\n7. Value is used after another noun when mentioning an important or noticeable feature about something.\nThe script has lost all of its shock value over the intervening 24 years...\n  N-UNCOUNT: n N\n\n8.\n  see also face value


Words: value judgment
Meaning:
value judg.ment\n   value judgment value judgments\nin BRIT, also use value judgement\n  If you make a value judgment about something, you form an opinion about it based on your principles and beliefs and not on facts which can be checked or proved.\nSocial scientists have grown extremely unwilling to make value judgments about cultures...\n  N-COUNT


Words: value system
Meaning:
value sys.tem\n   value system  value systems\n  The value system of a group of people is the set of beliefs and attitudes that they all share.\n  N-COUNT


Words: value-added tax
Meaning:
value-added tax   also value added tax\n  Value-added tax is a tax that is added to the price of goods or services. The abbreviation VAT is also used. (BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: valueless
Meaning:
value.less\n   valueless\n  If you describe something as valueless, you mean that it is not at all useful.\nSuch attitudes are valueless unless they reflect inner cognition and certainty.\n...commercially valueless trees.\n  ADJ\n  = worthless


Words: valuer
Meaning:
valu.er\n   valuer  valuers\n  A valuer is someone whose job is to estimate the cost or value of something, for example a house, or objects that are going to be sold in an auction. (BRIT; in AM, use appraiser)\n  N-COUNT


Words: valve
Meaning:
valve  valves\n1. A valve is a device attached to a pipe or a tube which controls the flow of air or liquid through the pipe or tube.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A valve is a small piece of tissue in your heart or in a vein which controls the flow of blood and keeps it flowing in one direction only.\nHe also has problems with a heart valve.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3.\n  see also safety valve


Words: vamp
Meaning:
vamp  vamps\n  If you describe a woman as a vamp, you mean that she uses her sexual attractiveness to get what she wants from men.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: vampire
Meaning:
vam.pire\n   vampire  vampires\n  A vampire is a creature in legends and horror stories. Vampires are said to come out of graves at night and suck the blood of living people.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vampire bat
Meaning:
vam.pire bat\n   vampire bat  vampire bats\n  A vampire bat is a bat from South America which feeds by sucking the blood of other animals.\n  N-COUNT


Words: van
Meaning:
van  vans\n1. A van is a small or medium-sized road vehicle with one row of seats at the front and a space for carrying goods behind.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A van is a railway carriage, often without windows, which is used to carry luggage, goods, or mail. (BRIT; in AM, use baggage car, boxcar)\nIn the guard’s van lay my tin trunk.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N


Words: vandal
Meaning:
van.dal\n   vandal  vandals\n  A vandal is someone who deliberately damages things, especially public property.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vandalism
Meaning:
van.dal.ism\n   vandalism\n  Vandalism is the deliberate damaging of things, especially public property.\n...acts of vandalism.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vandalize
Meaning:
van.dal.ize\n   vandalize  vandalizes  vandalizing  vandalized\nin BRIT, also use vandalise\n  If something such as a building or part of a building is vandalized by someone, it is damaged on purpose.\nThe walls had been horribly vandalized with spray paint...\nAbout 1,000 rioters vandalized buildings and looted stores.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n


Words: vane
Meaning:
vane  vanes\n  A vane is a flat blade which pushes or is pushed by wind or water, and forms part of a machine such as a fan, a windmill, or a ship’s propeller.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also weather vane


Words: vanguard
Meaning:
van.guard\n   vanguard\n1. If someone is in the vanguard of something such as a revolution or an area of research, they are involved in the most advanced part of it. You can also refer to the people themselves as the vanguard.\nSuch thinking puts Kodak in the vanguard of a movement reshaping the computer industry...\n...the role of the Party as the political vanguard.\n  N-SING: usu the N, oft in the N of n\n\n2. The vanguard of an army is the part of it that goes into battle first.\n...a force of mobile reserve units that could strike quickly and effectively at the vanguard of an invading army.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: vanilla
Meaning:
va.nil.la\n   vanilla\n1. Vanilla is a flavouring used in ice cream and other sweet food.\nI added a dollop of vanilla ice-cream to the pie.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n\n\n2. If you describe a person or thing as vanilla, you mean that they are ordinary, with no special or extra features.\n...just plain vanilla couples like me and Tony...\n  ADJ


Words: vanish
Meaning:
van.ish\n   vanish  vanishes  vanishing  vanished\n1. If someone or something vanishes, they disappear suddenly or in a way that cannot be explained.\nHe just vanished and was never seen again...\nAnne vanished from outside her home last Wednesday...\nThe gunmen paused only to cut the wires to the house, then vanished into the countryside.\n  VERB: V, V from n, V into n\n  = disappear\n2. If something such as a species of animal or a tradition vanishes, it stops existing.\nNear the end of Devonian times, thirty percent of all animal life vanished...\nIn the past two years, one-party rule has vanished from Eastern Europe.\n  VERB: V, V from n\n  = disappear


Words: vanishing point
Meaning:
van.ish.ing point\n   vanishing point  vanishing points\n1. The vanishing point is the point in the distance where parallel lines seem to meet.\nThe highway stretched out ahead of me until it narrowed to a vanishing point some miles away.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. If you say that something has reached vanishing point, you mean it has become very small or unimportant.\nBy 1973, this gap had narrowed almost to vanishing point...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vanity
Meaning:
van.ity\n   vanity\n  If you refer to someone’s vanity, you are critical of them because they take great pride in their appearance or abilities.\nMen who use steroids are motivated by sheer vanity...\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl  disapproval


Words: vanquish
Meaning:
van.quish\n   vanquish  vanquishes  vanquishing  vanquished\n  To vanquish someone means to defeat them completely in a battle or a competition. (LITERARY)\nA happy ending is only possible because the hero has first vanquished the dragons...\n  VERB: V n\n  = overcome


Words: vantage point
Meaning:
van.tage point\n   vantage point  vantage points\n1. A vantage point is a place from which you can see a lot of things.\nFrom a concealed vantage point, he saw a car arrive...\n  N-COUNT\n  = viewpoint\n2. If you view a situation from a particular vantage point, you have a clear understanding of it because of the particular period of time you are in.\nFrom today’s vantage point, the 1987 crash seems just a blip in the upward progress of the market...\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss\n  = viewpoint


Words: vapid
Meaning:
vap.id\n   vapid\n  If you describe someone or something as vapid, you are critical of them because they are dull and uninteresting.\n...the Minister’s young and rather vapid wife...\nShe made a vapid comment about the weather.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = vacuous


Words: vaporize
Meaning:
va.por.ize\n   vaporize  vaporizes  vaporizing  vaporized\nin BRIT, also use vaporise\n  If a liquid or solid vaporizes or if you vaporize it, it changes into vapour or gas.\nThe benzene vaporized and formed a huge cloud of gas...\nThe blast may have vaporised the meteorite.\n  VERB: V, V n


Words: vapour
Meaning:
va.pour\n   vapour  vapours\nin AM, use vapor\n  Vapour consists of tiny drops of water or other liquids in the air, which appear as mist.\n...water vapour.\n  N-VAR


Words: vapour trail
Meaning:
va.pour trail\n   vapour trail  vapour trails\nin AM, use vapor trail\n  A vapour trail is a white line of water vapour left in the sky by an aeroplane, a rocket, or a missile.\n  N-COUNT


Words: variable
Meaning:
vari.able\n   variable  variables\n1. Something that is variable changes quite often, and there usually seems to be no fixed pattern to these changes.\nThe potassium content of foodstuffs is very variable...\n...a variable rate of interest.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vari.abil.ity\nThere’s a great deal of variability between individuals.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A variable is a factor that can change in quality, quantity, or size, which you have to take into account in a situation.\nDecisions could be made on the basis of price, delivery dates, after-sales service or any other variable...\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A variable is a quantity that can have any one of a set of values. (TECHNICAL)\nIt is conventional to place the independent variable on the right-hand side of an equation.\n  N-COUNT


Words: variance
Meaning:
vari.ance\n   variance  variances\n1. If one thing is at variance with another, the two things seem to contradict each other. (FORMAL)\nMany of his statements were at variance with the facts...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, oft PHR with n\n\n2. The variance between things is the difference between them. (FORMAL)\n...the variances in the stock price.\n  N-VAR: usu with supp\n  = variation


Words: variant
Meaning:
vari.ant\n   variant  variants\n  A variant of a particular thing is something that has a different form to that thing, although it is related to it.\nThe quagga was a strikingly beautiful variant of the zebra...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n


Words: variation
Meaning:
vari.ation\n   variation  variations\n1. A variation on something is the same thing presented in a slightly different form.\nThis delicious variation on an omelette is quick and easy to prepare...\n  N-COUNT: usu N on n\n\n2. A variation is a change or slight difference in a level, amount, or quantity.\nThe survey found a wide variation in the prices charged for canteen food...\nEvery day without variation my grandfather ate a plate of cold ham.\n  N-VAR


Words: varicose vein
Meaning:
vari.cose vein\n   varicose vein  varicose veins\n  Varicose veins are swollen and painful veins in a person’s legs, which sometimes require a medical operation.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: varied
Meaning:
var.ied\n   varied\n  Something that is varied consists of things of different types, sizes, or qualities.\nIt is essential that your diet is varied and balanced...\n  ADJ\n  = diverse\n  see also vary


Words: variegated
Meaning:
varie.gat.ed\n   variegated\n1. A variegated leaf or plant has different colours on it. (TECHNICAL)\nThe leaves are a variegated red.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Something that is variegated consists of many different parts or types. (FORMAL)\n...our variegated dialects.\n  ADJ\n  = varied


Words: variety
Meaning:
va.ri.ety\n   variety  varieties\n1. If something has variety, it consists of things which are different from each other.\nSusan’s idea of freedom was to have variety in her life style...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = diversity\n2. A variety of things is a number of different kinds or examples of the same thing.\nThe island offers such a wide variety of scenery and wildlife...\nPeople change their mind for a variety of reasons.\n  N-SING: usu N of n\n\n3. A variety of something is a type of it.\nShe has 12 varieties of old-fashioned roses.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n  = kind


Words: various
Meaning:
vari.ous\n   various\n1. If you say that there are various things, you mean there are several different things of the type mentioned.\nThe school has received various grants from the education department.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If a number of things are described as various, they are very different from one another.\nThe methods are many and various.\n...the country’s rich and various heritage.\n  ADJ\n  = varied


Words: variously
Meaning:
vari.ous.ly\n   variously\n  You can use variously to introduce a number of different ways in which something can be described.\n...the crowds, which were variously estimated at two to several thousand...\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: varnish
Meaning:
var.nish\n   varnish  varnishes  varnishing  varnished\n1. Varnish is an oily liquid which is painted onto wood or other material to give it a hard, clear, shiny surface.\nThe varnish comes in six natural wood shades.\n  N-MASS\n\n2. The varnish on an object is the hard, clear, shiny surface that it has when it has been painted with varnish.\nHe brought out the fiddle, its varnish cracked and blistered.\n  N-SING\n\n3. If you varnish something, you paint it with varnish.\nVarnish the table with two or three coats of water-based varnish...\n...the varnished floorboards.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n4.\n  see also nail varnish


Words: varsity
Meaning:
var.sity\n   varsity   varsities\n1. People sometimes use varsity to describe things that relate to universities, especially sports activities or teams at a university or competitions between universities. (BRIT mainly JOURNALISM)\nThe school has not given them the same opportunities to participate in varsity sports that men receive.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. The varsity is the main or first team for a particular sport at a high school, college, or university. (AM)\nShe has been in the playoffs every year since she made the varsity...\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: vary
Meaning:
vary  varies  varying  varied\n1. If things vary, they are different from each other in size, amount, or degree.\nAs they’re handmade, each one varies slightly...\nThe text varies from the earlier versions...\nDifferent writers will prepare to varying degrees.\n  VERB: V, V from n, V-ing\n  = differ\n2. If something varies or if you vary it, it becomes different or changed.\nThe cost of the alcohol duty varies according to the amount of wine in the bottle...\nYou are welcome to vary the diet.\n  VERB: V, V n\n  = change\n3.\n  see also varied


Words: vascular
Meaning:
vas.cu.lar\n   vascular\n  Vascular is used to describe the channels and veins through which fluids pass in the bodies of animals and plants. (TECHNICAL)\n...the oldest known vascular plants.\n...vascular diseases of the legs.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: vase
Meaning:
vase  vases\n  A vase is a jar, usually made of glass or pottery, used for holding cut flowers or as an ornament.\n...a vase of red roses.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vasectomy
Meaning:
vas.ec.to.my\n   vasectomy  vasectomies\n  A vasectomy is a surgical operation in which the tube that carries sperm to a man’s penis is cut, usually as a means of contraception.\n  N-VAR


Words: Vaseline
Meaning:
Vas.eline\n   Vaseline\n  Vaseline is a soft clear jelly made from petroleum, which is used to protect the skin and for other purposes. (TRADEMARK)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = petroleum jelly


Words: vassal
Meaning:
vas.sal\n   vassal  vassals\n1. In feudal society, a vassal was a man who gave military service to a lord, in return for which he was protected by the lord and received land to live on.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that one country is a vassal of another, you mean that it is controlled by it. (WRITTEN)\nOpponents of the treaty argue that monetary union will turn France into a vassal of Germany.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing  disapproval


Words: vast
Meaning:
vast  vaster  vastest\n  Something that is vast is extremely large.\n...Afrikaner farmers who own vast stretches of land...\nThe vast majority of the eggs would be cracked.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = huge\n=>  vast.ness\n...the vastness of the desert.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vastly
Meaning:
vast.ly\n   vastly\n  Vastly means to an extremely great degree or extent.\nThe jury has heard two vastly different accounts of what happened.\n  ADV: usu ADV compar


Words: VAT
Meaning:
VAT\n  VAT is a tax that is added to the price of goods or services. VAT is an abbreviation for `value added tax’. (BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Vatican
Meaning:
Vati.can\n   Vatican\n  The Vatican is the city state in Rome ruled by the Pope which is the centre of the Roman Catholic Church. You can also use the Vatican to refer to the Pope or his officials.\nThe president had an audience with the Pope in the Vatican...\n  N-PROPER: the N, N n


Words: vatman
Meaning:
vat.man\n   vatman   also VAT man\n  You can refer to the government department which advises and checks the accounts of people who have to pay VAT as the vatman. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nIf you have had a problem with the vatman, let us know.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: vaudeville
Meaning:
vau.de.ville\n   vaudeville\n  Vaudeville is a type of entertainment consisting of short acts such as comedy, singing, and dancing. Vaudeville was especially popular in the early part of the twentieth century. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use music hall)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vault
Meaning:
vault  vaults  vaulting  vaulted\n1. A vault is a secure room where money and other valuable things can be kept safely.\nMost of the money was in storage in bank vaults...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A vault is a room underneath a church or in a cemetery where people are buried, usually the members of a single family.\nHe ordered that Matilda’s body should be buried in the family vault.\n  N-COUNT\n  = tomb\n3. A vault is an arched roof or ceiling.\n...the vault of a great cathedral.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If you vault something or vault over it, you jump quickly onto or over it, especially by putting a hand on top of it to help you balance while you jump.\nHe could easily vault the wall...\nNed vaulted over a fallen tree...\n  VERB: V n, V prep


Words: vaunted
Meaning:
vaunt.ed\n   vaunted\n  If you describe something as vaunted or much vaunted, you mean that people praise it more than it deserves. (FORMAL)\nSimpson’s much vaunted discoveries are in fact commonplace in modern sociology.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: VC
Meaning:
VC  VCs\n1. The VC is a medal awarded to soldiers, sailors, and airmen in Britain and the Commonwealth for acts of great bravery in battle. VC is an abbreviation for `Victoria Cross’.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  A VC is a soldier who has been awarded a Victoria Cross.\nAren’t you the boy whose father was a VC in the war?\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. VC is a written abbreviation for vice-chancellor.


Words: VCR
Meaning:
VCR  VCRs\n  A VCR is a machine that can be used to record television programmes or films onto videotapes, so that people can play them back and watch them later on a television set. VCR is an abbreviation for `video cassette recorder’.\n  N-COUNT\n  = video


Words: VD
Meaning:
VD\n  VD is used to refer to diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhoea which are passed on by sexual intercourse. VD is an abbreviation for `venereal disease’.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: VDT
Meaning:
VDT  VDTs\n  A VDT is the same as a VDU. VDT is an abbreviation for `visual display terminal’. (mainly AM)\n  N-COUNT\n  = monitor


Words: VDU
Meaning:
VDU  VDUs\n  A VDU is a machine with a screen which is used to display information from a computer. VDU is an abbreviation for `visual display unit’. (BRIT; in AM, use VDT)\n  N-COUNT\n  = monitor


Words: vector
Meaning:
vec.tor\n   vector  vectors\n1. A vector is a variable quantity, such as force, that has size and direction. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A vector is an insect or other organism that causes a disease by carrying a germ or parasite from one person or animal to another. (MEDICAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: veep
Meaning:
veep  veeps\n  A veep is a vice-president, especially the vice-president of the United States. (AM INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: veer
Meaning:
veer  veers  veering  veered\n1. If something veers in a certain direction, it suddenly moves in that direction.\nThe plane veered off the runway and careered through the perimeter fence...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n  = swerve\n2. If someone or something veers in a certain direction, they change their position or direction in a particular situation.\nHe is unlikely to veer from his boss’s strongly held views...\n  VERB: V prep/adv


Words: veg
Meaning:
veg  veg\n  Veg are plants such as cabbages, potatoes, and onions which you can cook and eat. Veg is an abbreviation for `vegetables’. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL; in AM, usually use veggies)\n...fruit and veg.\n  N-VAR


Words: vegan
Meaning:
ve.gan\n   vegan  vegans\n  Someone who is vegan never eats meat or any animal products such as milk, butter, or cheese.\nThe menu changes weekly and usually includes a vegan option...\n  ADJ\n\n  A vegan is someone who is vegan.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vegeburger
Meaning:
veg.eburg.er\n   vegeburger  vegeburgers   also veggieburger\n  Vegeburgers are flat round cakes of food made from vegetables mixed with flour and flavourings. You grill or fry them.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vegetable
Meaning:
veg.eta.ble\n   vegetable  vegetables\n1. Vegetables are plants such as cabbages, potatoes, and onions which you can cook and eat.\nA good general diet should include plenty of fresh vegetables.\n...vegetable soup.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Vegetable matter comes from plants. (FORMAL)\n...compounds, of animal, vegetable or mineral origin.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: vegetarian
Meaning:
veg.etar.ian\n   vegetarian  vegetarians\n1. Someone who is vegetarian never eats meat or fish.\nYasmin sticks to a strict vegetarian diet...\n  ADJ\n\n  A vegetarian is someone who is vegetarian.\n...a special menu for vegetarians.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Vegetarian food does not contain any meat or fish.\n...vegetarian lasagnes.\n  ADJ


Words: vegetarianism
Meaning:
veg.etari.an.ism\n   vegetarianism\n  If someone practises vegetarianism, they never eat meat or fish.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vegetate
Meaning:
veg.etate\n   vegetate  vegetates  vegetating  vegetated\n  If someone vegetates, they spend their time doing boring or worthless things.\nHe spends all his free time at home vegetating in front of the TV.\n  VERB: V


Words: vegetated
Meaning:
veg.etat.ed\n   vegetated\n  If an area is vegetated, it is covered with plants and trees. (FORMAL)\nThat part of Castle Walk is not thickly vegetated.\n  ADJ: usu adv ADJ


Words: vegetation
Meaning:
veg.eta.tion\n   vegetation\n  Plants, trees, and flowers can be referred to as vegetation. (FORMAL)\nThe inn has a garden of semi-tropical vegetation.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp


Words: vegetative
Meaning:
veg.eta.tive\n   vegetative\n  If someone is in a vegetative state, they are unable to move, think, or speak, and their condition is not likely to improve. (MEDICAL)\nShe was in what was described as a vegetative state.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: veggie
Meaning:
veg.gie\n   veggie  veggies\n1. Veggie means the same as vegetarian. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nYou can cook a cheap veggie chilli in 15 minutes...\n  ADJ\n\n  A veggie is someone who is vegetarian.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Veggies are plants such as cabbages, potatoes, and onions which you can cook and eat. (mainly AM INFORMAL; in BRIT, usually use veg)\n...well-balanced meals of fresh fruit and veggies, chicken, fish, pasta, and no red meat.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: vehement
Meaning:
ve.he.ment\n   vehement\n  If a person or their actions or comments are vehement, the person has very strong feelings or opinions and expresses them forcefully.\nShe suddenly became very vehement and agitated, jumping around and shouting...\nOne vehement critic is Michael Howard...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  ve.he.mence\nHe spoke more loudly and with more vehemence than he had intended.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  ve.he.ment.ly\nKrabbe has always vehemently denied using drugs...\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV prep/adj


Words: vehicle
Meaning:
ve.hi.cle\n   vehicle  vehicles\n1. A vehicle is a machine such as a car, bus, or truck which has an engine and is used to carry people from place to place.\n...a vehicle which was somewhere between a tractor and a truck.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can use vehicle to refer to something that you use in order to achieve a particular purpose.\nHer art became a vehicle for her political beliefs...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N for n\n  = medium


Words: vehicular
Meaning:
ve.hicu.lar\n   vehicular\n  Vehicular is used to describe something which relates to vehicles and traffic. (FORMAL)\n...vehicular traffic...\nThere is no vehicular access.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: veil
Meaning:
veil  veils\n1. A veil is a piece of thin soft cloth that women sometimes wear over their heads and which can also cover their face.\nShe’s got long fair hair but she’s got a veil over it...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can refer to something that hides or partly hides a situation or activity as a veil.\nThe country is ridding itself of its disgraced prime minister in a veil of secrecy...\nThe chilling facts behind this veil of silence were slow to emerge.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, N of n\n\n3. You can refer to something that you can partly see through, for example a mist, as a veil. (LITERARY)\nThe eruption has left a thin veil of dust in the upper atmosphere...\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n  = haze\n4. If you draw a veil over something, you stop talking about it because it is too unpleasant to talk about.\nThe clamour to draw a veil over the minister’s extra-marital activities reeks of hypocrisy.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n


Words: veiled
Meaning:
veiled\n1. A veiled comment is expressed in a disguised form rather than directly and openly.\nHe made only a veiled reference to international concerns over human rights issues...\nThis last clause is a thinly-veiled threat to those who might choose to ignore the decree.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. A woman or girl who is veiled is wearing a veil.\nA veiled woman gave me a kindly smile.\n  ADJ


Words: vein
Meaning:
vein  veins\n1. Your veins are the thin tubes in your body through which your blood flows towards your heart. Compare artery.\nMany veins are found just under the skin.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n  see also varicose vein\n2. Something that is written or spoken in a particular vein is written or spoken in that style or mood.\nIt is one of his finest works in a lighter vein...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp, usu adj N\n\n3. A vein of a particular quality is evidence of that quality which someone often shows in their behaviour or work.\nThis Spanish drama has a vein of black humour running through it.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp\n\n4. A vein of a particular metal or mineral is a layer of it lying in rock.\n...a rich and deep vein of limestone.\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n  = seam\n5. The veins on a leaf are the thin lines on it.\n...the serrated edges and veins of the feathery leaves.\n  N-COUNT


Words: veined
Meaning:
veined\n1. Veined skin has a lot of veins showing through it.\nHelen’s hands were thin and veined.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Something that is veined has a pattern or colouring like that of veins showing through skin.\n...a bronze ashtray shaped like a veined leaf.\n  ADJ


Words: Velcro
Meaning:
Vel.cro\n   Velcro\n  Velcro is a material consisting of two strips of nylon fabric which you press together to close things such as pockets and bags. (TRADEMARK)\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: veldt
Meaning:
veldt   also veld\n  The veldt is a high area of flat grassy land with very few trees in southern Africa.\n  N-SING: usu the N


Words: velocity
Meaning:
ve.loc.ity\n   velocity  velocities\n  Velocity is the speed at which something moves in a particular direction. (TECHNICAL)\n...the velocities at which the stars orbit.\n...high velocity rifles.\n  N-VAR


Words: velour
Meaning:
ve.lour\n   velour\n  Velour is a silk or cotton fabric similar to velvet.\n...a gold Mercedes with red velour seats.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: velvet
Meaning:
vel.vet\n   velvet  velvets\n  Velvet is soft material made from cotton, silk, or nylon, which has a thick layer of short cut threads on one side.\n...a charcoal-gray overcoat with a velvet collar...\n  N-MASS: usu N n


Words: velveteen
Meaning:
vel.vet.een\n   velveteen\n  Velveteen is a soft fabric which looks and feels like velvet and is sometimes used as a cheaper alternative to velvet.\n...a black velveteen coat.\n...loose blouses of bright-coloured velveteen.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: velvety
Meaning:
vel.vety\n   velvety\n  If you describe something as velvety, you mean that it is pleasantly soft to touch and has the appearance or quality of velvet.\nThe grass grew thick and velvety...\n  ADJ


Words: venal
Meaning:
ve.nal\n   venal\n  If you describe someone as venal, you disapprove of them because they are prepared to do almost anything in return for money, even things which are dishonest or immoral.\nIan Trimmer is corrupt and thoroughly venal.\n...venal politicians.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: vendetta
Meaning:
ven.det.ta\n   vendetta  vendettas\n  If one person has a vendetta against another, the first person wants revenge for something the second person did to them in the past.\nThe vice president said the cartoonist has a personal vendetta against him...\n  N-VAR: oft N against n


Words: vending machine
Meaning:
vend.ing ma.chine\n   vending machine  vending machines\n  A vending machine is a machine from which you can get things such as cigarettes, chocolate, or coffee by putting in money and pressing a button.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vendor
Meaning:
ven.dor\n   vendor  vendors\n1. A vendor is someone who sells things such as newspapers, cigarettes, or food from a small stall or cart.\n...ice-cream vendors.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n  = seller\n2. The vendor of a house or piece of land is the person who owns it and is selling it. (LEGAL)\nRemember, the estate agent is working for the vendor.\n  N-COUNT\n  = seller


Words: veneer
Meaning:
ve.neer\n   veneer  veneers\n1. If you refer to the pleasant way that someone or something appears as a veneer, you are critical of them because you believe that their true, hidden nature is not good.\nHis super-clean image gave a veneer of respectability to the new professional set-up.\n  N-SING: usu with supp, oft N of n, adj N  disapproval\n\n2. Veneer is a thin layer of wood or plastic which is used to improve the appearance of something.\nThe wood was cut into large sheets of veneer...\n  N-VAR


Words: venerable
Meaning:
ven.er.able\n   venerable\n1. A venerable person deserves respect because they are old and wise.\n...a venerable old man with white hair.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Something that is venerable is impressive because it is old or important historically.\nMay Day has become a venerable institution...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: venerate
Meaning:
ven.er.ate\n   venerate  venerates  venerating  venerated\n  If you venerate someone or something, you value them or feel great respect for them. (FORMAL)\nMy father venerated General Eisenhower.\n  VERB: V n\n  = revere\n=>  ven.er.at.ed\nJerusalem is Christianity’s most venerated place.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  ven.era.tion\nChurchill was held in near veneration during his lifetime.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: venereal disease
Meaning:
ve.nereal dis.ease\n   venereal disease  venereal diseases\n  Venereal disease is used to refer to diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhoea which are passed on by sexual intercourse. The abbreviation VD is also used.\n  N-VAR


Words: Venetian blind
Meaning:
Ve.netian blind\n   Venetian blind  Venetian blinds\n  A Venetian blind is a window blind made of thin horizontal strips which can be adjusted to let in more or less light.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vengeance
Meaning:
venge.ance\n   vengeance\n1. Vengeance is the act of killing, injuring, or harming someone because they have harmed you.\nHe swore vengeance on everyone involved in the murder...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = revenge\n2. If you say that something happens with a vengeance, you are emphasizing that it happens to a much greater extent than was expected.\nIt began to rain again with a vengeance...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  emphasis


Words: vengeful
Meaning:
venge.ful\n   vengeful\n  If you describe someone as vengeful, you are critical of them because they feel a great desire for revenge.\nHe was stabbed to death by his vengeful wife...\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: venom
Meaning:
ven.om\n   venom  venoms\n1. You can use venom to refer to someone’s feelings of great bitterness and anger towards someone.\nHe reserved particular venom for critics of his foreign policy...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. The venom of a creature such as a snake or spider is the poison that it puts into your body when it bites or stings you.\n...snake handlers who grow immune to snake venom.\n  N-MASS\n  = poison


Words: venomous
Meaning:
ven.om.ous\n   venomous\n1. If you describe a person or their behaviour as venomous, you mean that they show great bitterness and anger towards someone.\nHe heaped abuse on Waite and made venomous personal attacks...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. A venomous snake, spider, or other creature uses poison to attack other creatures.\nThe adder is Britain’s only venomous snake.\n  ADJ\n  = poisonous


Words: venous
Meaning:
ve.nous\n   venous\n  Venous is used to describe something which is related to veins. (MEDICAL)\n...venous blood.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: vent
Meaning:
vent  vents  venting  vented\n1. A vent is a hole in something through which air can come in and smoke, gas, or smells can go out.\nThere was a small air vent in the ceiling.\n  N-COUNT\n  = duct\n2. If you vent your feelings, you express them forcefully.\nShe telephoned her best friend to vent her frustration...\nThe rioters were prevented from venting their anger on the police.\n  VERB: V n, V n on n\n\n3. If you give vent to your feelings, you express them forcefully. (FORMAL)\nShe gave vent to her anger and jealousy.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: ventilate
Meaning:
ven.ti.late\n   ventilate  ventilates  ventilating  ventilated\n  If you ventilate a room or building, you allow fresh air to get into it.\nVentilate the room properly when paint stripping...\n...badly ventilated rooms.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n=>  ven.ti.la.tion\nThe only ventilation comes from tiny sliding windows.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: ventilator
Meaning:
ven.ti.la.tor\n   ventilator  ventilators\n1. A ventilator is a machine that helps people breathe when they cannot breathe naturally, for example because they are very ill or have been seriously injured.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A ventilator is a device that lets fresh air into a room or building and lets old or dirty air out.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ventricle
Meaning:
ven.tri.cle\n   ventricle  ventricles\n  A ventricle is a part of the heart that pumps blood to the arteries. (MEDICAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: ventriloquist
Meaning:
ven.trilo.quist\n   ventriloquist  ventriloquists\n  A ventriloquist is someone who can speak without moving their lips and who entertains people by making their words appear to be spoken by a puppet.\n  N-COUNT


Words: venture
Meaning:
ven.ture\n   venture  ventures  venturing  ventured\n1. A venture is a project or activity which is new, exciting, and difficult because it involves the risk of failure.\n...his latest writing venture.\n...a Russian-American joint venture.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n2. If you venture somewhere, you go somewhere that might be dangerous. (LITERARY)\nPeople are afraid to venture out for fear of sniper attacks...\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n3. If you venture a question or statement, you say it in an uncertain way because you are afraid it might be stupid or wrong. (WRITTEN)\n`So you’re Leo’s girlfriend?’ he ventured...\nHe ventured that plants draw part of their nourishment from the air...\nStephen ventured a few more sentences in halting Welsh.\n  VERB: V with quote, V that, V n\n\n4. If you venture to do something that requires courage or is risky, you do it.\n`Don’t ask,’ he said, whenever Ginny ventured to raise the subject.\n  VERB: V to-inf\n  = dare\n5. If you venture into an activity, you do something that involves the risk of failure because it is new and different.\nHe enjoyed little success when he ventured into business.\n  VERB: V into n


Words: venture capital
Meaning:
ven.ture capi.tal\n\n  Venture capital is capital that is invested in projects that have a high risk of failure, but that will bring large profits if they are successful. (BUSINESS)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: venture capitalist
Meaning:
ven.ture capi.tal.ist\n   venture capitalist venture capitalists\n  A venture capitalist is someone who makes money by investing in high risk projects. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT


Words: venturesome
Meaning:
ven.ture.some\n   venturesome\n  If you describe someone as venturesome, you mean that they are willing to take risks and try out new things. (FORMAL)\n...the venturesome graduate who is determined to succeed.\n  ADJ\n  = adventurous


Words: venue
Meaning:
venue  venues\n  The venue for an event or activity is the place where it will happen.\nBirmingham’s International Convention Centre is the venue for a three-day arts festival...\n  N-COUNT


Words: veracity
Meaning:
ve.rac.ity\n   veracity\n  Veracity is the quality of being true or the habit of telling the truth. (FORMAL)\nWe have total confidence in the veracity of our research...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: veranda
Meaning:
ve.ran.da\n   veranda  verandas   also verandah\n  A veranda is a roofed platform along the outside of a house.\n  N-COUNT


Words: verb
Meaning:
verb  verbs\n  A verb is a word such as `sing’, `feel’, or `die’ which is used with a subject to say what someone or something does or what happens to them, or to give information about them.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also phrasal verb


Words: verb group
Meaning:
verb group  verb groups\n  A verb group or verbal group consists of a verb, or of a main verb following a modal or one or more auxiliaries. Examples are `walked’, `can see’, and `had been waiting’.\n  N-COUNT


Words: verbal
Meaning:
ver.bal\n   verbal\n1. You use verbal to indicate that something is expressed in speech rather than in writing or action.\nThey were jostled and subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse...\nWe have a verbal agreement with her...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  ver.bal.ly\nTeachers were threatened with kitchen knives, physically assaulted and verbally abused...\n  ADV\n\n2. You use verbal to indicate that something is connected with words and the use of words.\nThe test has scores for verbal skills, mathematical skills, and abstract reasoning skills...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. In grammar, verbal means relating to a verb.\n...a verbal noun.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: verbalize
Meaning:
ver.bal.ize\n   verbalize  verbalizes  verbalizing  verbalized\nin BRIT, also use verbalise\n  If you verbalize your feelings, thoughts, or ideas, you express them in words. (FORMAL)\n...his inability to verbalize his feelings.\n  VERB: V n, also V


Words: verbatim
Meaning:
ver.ba.tim\n   verbatim\n  If you repeat something verbatim, you use exactly the same words as were used originally.\nThe President’s speeches are regularly reproduced verbatim in the state-run newspapers.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n  Verbatim is also an adjective.\nI was treated to a verbatim report of every conversation she’s taken part in over the past week.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: verbiage
Meaning:
ver.bi.age\n   verbiage\n  If you refer to someone’s speech or writing as verbiage, you are critical of them because they use too many words, which makes their speech or writing difficult to understand. (FORMAL)\nStripped of their pretentious verbiage, his statements come dangerously close to inviting racial hatred.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval\n  = waffle


Words: verbose
Meaning:
ver.bose\n   verbose\n  If you describe a person or a piece of writing as verbose, you are critical of them because they use more words than are necessary, and so make you feel bored or annoyed. (FORMAL)\n...verbose politicians...\nHis writing is difficult and often verbose.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = long-winded


Words: verdant
Meaning:
ver.dant\n   verdant\n  If you describe a place as verdant, you mean that it is covered with green grass, trees, and plants. (LITERARY)\n...a small verdant garden with a view out over Paris.\n  ADJ\n  = lush


Words: verdict
Meaning:
ver.dict\n   verdict  verdicts\n1. In a court of law, the verdict is the decision that is given by the jury or judge at the end of a trial.\nThe jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict...\nThree judges will deliver their verdict in October.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Someone’s verdict on something is their opinion of it, after thinking about it or investigating it.\nThe doctor’s verdict was that he was entirely healthy...\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss, oft N on n


Words: verdigris
Meaning:
ver.di.gris\n   verdigris\n  Verdigris is a greenish-blue substance that forms on the metals copper, brass, and bronze after they have been left in wet or damp conditions.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: verge
Meaning:
verge  verges  verging  verged\n1. If you are on the verge of something, you are going to do it very soon or it is likely to happen or begin very soon.\nThe country was on the verge of becoming prosperous and successful...\nCarole was on the verge of tears.\n  PREP-PHRASE: v-link PREP -ing\n  = brink\n2. The verge of a road is a narrow piece of ground by the side of a road, which is usually covered with grass or flowers. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use shoulder)\n  N-COUNT


Words: verge on
Meaning:
verge on\n  If someone or something verges on a particular state or quality, they are almost the same as that state or quality.\n...a fury that verged on madness...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)


Words: verifiable
Meaning:
veri.fi.able\n   verifiable\n  Something that is verifiable can be proved to be true or genuine.\nThis is not a romantic notion but verifiable fact...\n  ADJ


Words: verify
Meaning:
veri.fy\n   verify  verifies  verifying  verified\n1. If you verify something, you check that it is true by careful examination or investigation.\nI verified the source from which I had that information...\nA clerk simply verifies that the payment and invoice amount match.\n  VERB: V n, V that\n\n=>  veri.fi.ca.tion\nAll charges against her are dropped pending the verification of her story.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. If you verify something, you state or confirm that it is true.\nThe government has not verified any of those reports...\nI can verify that it takes about thirty seconds.\n  VERB: no cont, V n, V that\n  = confirm


Words: verily
Meaning:
veri.ly\n   verily\n  Verily is an old-fashioned or religious word meaning `truly’. It is used to emphasize a statement or opinion.\nVerily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.\n  ADV: usu ADV with cl, also ADV adj/adv  emphasis


Words: verisimilitude
Meaning:
veri.si.mili.tude\n   verisimilitude\n  Verisimilitude is the quality of seeming to be true or real. (FORMAL)\nAt the required level of visual verisimilitude, computer animation is costly.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = authenticity


Words: veritable
Meaning:
veri.table\n   veritable\n  You can use veritable to emphasize the size, amount, or nature of something.\n...a veritable feast of pre-match entertainment.\n  ADJ: usu a ADJ n  emphasis


Words: verity
Meaning:
ver.ity\n   verity  verities\n  The verities of something are all the things that are believed to be true about it. (FORMAL)\n...some verities of human nature.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, usu with supp


Words: vermilion
Meaning:
ver.mil.ion\n   vermilion\n  Vermilion is used to describe things that are bright red in colour. (LITERARY)\n...her vermilion lip gloss...\nThe furniture on it is glossy vermilion.\n  COLOUR


Words: vermin
Meaning:
ver.min\n   vermin\n  Vermin are small animals such as rats and mice which cause problems to humans by carrying disease and damaging crops or food.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: vermouth
Meaning:
ver.mouth\n   vermouth  vermouths\n  Vermouth is a strong alcoholic drink made from red or white wine flavoured with herbs.\n  N-MASS


Words: vernacular
Meaning:
ver.nacu.lar\n   vernacular  vernaculars\n  The vernacular is the language or dialect that is most widely spoken by ordinary people in a region or country.\n...books or plays written in the vernacular...\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing


Words: verruca
Meaning:
ver.ru.ca\n   verruca  verrucas\n  A verruca is a small infectious lump which grows on the bottom of your foot. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: versatile
Meaning:
ver.sa.tile\n   versatile\n1. If you say that a person is versatile, you approve of them because they have many different skills.\nHe had been one of the game’s most versatile athletes.\n  ADJ  approval\n\n=>  ver.sa.til.ity\nAileen stands out for her incredible versatility as an actress.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A tool, machine, or material that is versatile can be used for many different purposes.\nNever before has computing been so versatile.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  ver.sa.til.ity\nVelvet is not known for its versatility.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: verse
Meaning:
verse  verses\n1. Verse is writing arranged in lines which have rhythm and which often rhyme at the end.\nI have been moved to write a few lines of verse.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = poetry\n  see also blank verse\n2. A verse is one of the parts into which a poem, a song, or a chapter of the Bible or the Koran is divided.\nThis verse describes three signs of spring...\n  N-COUNT


Words: versed
Meaning:
versed\n  If you are versed in or well versed in something, you know a lot about it.\nPage is well versed in many styles of jazz.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ in n, adv ADJ


Words: version
Meaning:
ver.sion\n   version  versions\n1. A version of something is a particular form of it in which some details are different from earlier or later forms.\n...an updated version of his book...\nLudo is a version of an ancient Indian racing game...\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. Someone’s version of an event is their own description of it, especially when it is different to other people’s.\nYesterday afternoon the White House put out a new version of events...\n  N-COUNT: with supp, oft poss N, N of n


Words: versus
Meaning:
ver.sus\n   versus\n1. You use versus to indicate that two figures, ideas, or choices are opposed.\nOnly 18.8% of the class of 1982 had some kind of diploma four years after high school, versus 45% of the class of 1972.\n...bottle-feeding versus breastfeeding.\n  PREP\n\n2. Versus is used to indicate that two teams or people are competing against each other in a sporting event.\nItaly versus Japan is turning out to be a surprisingly well matched competition.\n  PREP\n  = against


Words: vertebra
Meaning:
ver.te.bra\n   vertebra  vertebrae\n  Vertebrae are the small circular bones that form the spine of a human being or animal.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: vertebrate
Meaning:
ver.te.brate\n   vertebrate  vertebrates\n  A vertebrate is a creature which has a spine. Mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish are vertebrates.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n  !=invertebrate


Words: vertical
Meaning:
ver.ti.cal\n   vertical\n1. Something that is vertical stands or points straight up.\nThe gadget can be attached to any vertical or near vertical surface.\n  ADJ\n  !=horizontal\n=>  ver.ti.cal.ly\nCut each bulb in half vertically.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. The vertical is the direction that points straight up, at an angle of 90 degrees to a flat surface.\nPluto seems to have suffered a major collision that tipped it 122 degrees from the vertical.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: vertiginous
Meaning:
ver.tigi.nous\n   vertiginous\n  A vertiginous cliff or mountain is very high and steep. (LITERARY)\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: vertigo
Meaning:
ver.ti.go\n   vertigo\n  If you get vertigo when you look down from a high place, you feel unsteady and sick.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: verve
Meaning:
verve\n  Verve is lively and forceful enthusiasm. (WRITTEN)\nHe looked for the dramatic, like the sunset in this painting, and painted it with great verve...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: very
Meaning:
very\n1. Very is used to give emphasis to an adjective or adverb.\nThe problem and the answer are very simple...\nIt is very, very strong evidence indeed...\nI’m very sorry...\nThey are getting the hang of it very quickly...\nThank you very much...\nThe men were very much like my father.\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv  emphasis\n\n2. Not very is used with an adjective or adverb to say that something is not at all true, or that it is true only to a small degree.\nShe’s not very impressed with them...\nIt’s obviously not used very much...\n`How well do you know her?’.`Not very.’\n  PHRASE: usu PHR adj/adv\n\n3. You use very to give emphasis to a superlative adjective or adverb. For example, if you say that something is the very best, you are emphasizing that it is the best.\nThey will be helped by the very latest in navigation aids...\nAt the very least, the Government must offer some protection to mothers who fear domestic violence.\n  ADV: ADV superl  emphasis\n\n4. You use very with certain nouns in order to specify an extreme position or extreme point in time.\nAt the very back of the yard, several feet from Lenny, was a wooden shack...\nI turned to the very end of the book, to read the final words...\nHe was wrong from the very beginning...\nWe still do not have enough women at the very top.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n5. You use very with nouns to emphasize that something is exactly the right one or exactly the same one.\nEverybody says he is the very man for the case...\nShe died in this very house...\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n6. You use very with nouns to emphasize the importance or seriousness of what you are saying.\nAt one stage his very life was in danger...\nThe very basis of Indian politics has been transformed...\nHistory is taking place before your very eyes.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n7. The expression very much so is an emphatic way of answering `yes’ to something or saying that it is true or correct.\n`Are you enjoying your holiday?’.`Very much so.’\n  PHRASE: PHR as reply, cl PHR  emphasis\n\n8. Very well is used to say that you agree to do something or you accept someone’s answer, even though you might not be completely satisfied with it.\n`We need proof, sir.’ Another pause. Then, `Very well.’...\nVery well, please yourself.\n  CONVENTION  formulae\n  = all right\n9. If you say that you cannot very well do something, you mean that it would not be right or possible to do it.\nHe couldn’t very well go to her office and force her to write a check...\nI said yes. I can’t very well say no.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR inf


Words: vespers
Meaning:
ves.pers\n   vespers\n  In some Christian churches, vespers is a service in the evening.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vessel
Meaning:
ves.sel\n   vessel  vessels\n1. A vessel is a ship or large boat. (FORMAL)\n...a New Zealand navy vessel.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A vessel is a bowl or other container in which liquid is kept. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n\n3.\n  see also blood vessel


Words: vest
Meaning:
vest  vests  vesting  vested\n1. A vest is a piece of underwear which you can wear on the top half of your body in order to keep warm. (BRIT; in AM, use undershirt)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A vest is a sleeveless piece of clothing with buttons which people usually wear over a shirt. (AM; in BRIT, use waistcoat)\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If something is vested in you, or if you are vested with it, it is given to you as a right or responsibility. (FORMAL)\nAll authority was vested in the woman, who discharged every kind of public duty...\nThe mass media have been vested with significant power as social and political agents in modern developed societies...\nThere’s an extraordinary amount of power vested in us.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed in n, be V-ed with n, V-ed


Words: vested interest
Meaning:
vest.ed in.ter.est\n   vested interest  vested interests\n  If you have a vested interest in something, you have a very strong reason for acting in a particular way, for example to protect your money, power, or reputation.\nThe administration has no vested interest in proving whether public schools were good or bad.\n  N-VAR: usu N in n/-ing


Words: vestibule
Meaning:
ves.ti.bule\n   vestibule  vestibules\n  A vestibule is an enclosed area between the outside door of a building and the inside door. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n  = entrance hall


Words: vestige
Meaning:
ves.tige\n   vestige  vestiges\n  A vestige of something is a very small part that still remains of something that was once much larger or more important. (FORMAL)\nWe represent the last vestige of what made this nation great.hard work.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: vestigial
Meaning:
ves.tig.ial\n   vestigial\n  Vestigial is used to describe the small amounts of something that still remain of a larger or more important thing. (FORMAL)\nVestigial remains of these plays are now seen in the Christmas pantomime.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: vestments
Meaning:
vest.ments\n   vestments\n  Vestments are the special clothes worn by priests during church ceremonies.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: vestry
Meaning:
ves.try\n   vestry  vestries\n  A vestry is a room in a church which the clergy use as an office or to change into their ceremonial clothes for church services.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vet
Meaning:
vet  vets  vetting  vetted\n1. A vet is someone who is qualified to treat sick or injured animals. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use veterinarian)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A vet is someone who has served in the armed forces of their country, especially during a war. (AM INFORMAL)\nAll three are Vietnam vets.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n  = veteran\n3. If something is vetted, it is checked carefully to make sure that it is acceptable to people in authority. (mainly BRIT)\nHe can find no trace of a rule requiring research to be vetted before publication...\nHe had not been allowed to read any book until his mother had vetted it.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n\n\n4. If someone is vetted, they are investigated fully before being given a particular job, role, or position, especially one which involves military or political secrets. (BRIT)\nShe was secretly vetted before she ever undertook any work for me...\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n  = screen\n=>  vet.ting\nThe government is to make major changes to the procedure for carrying out security vetting.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vetch
Meaning:
vetch  vetches\n  Vetch is a wild plant. Some types of vetch are sometimes grown as a crop.\n  N-MASS


Words: veteran
Meaning:
vet.er.an\n   veteran  veterans\n1. A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces of their country, especially during a war.\nThey approved a $1.1 billion package of pay increases for the veterans of the Persian Gulf War.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. You use veteran to refer to someone who has been involved in a particular activity for a long time.\n...Tony Benn, the veteran Labour MP and former Cabinet minister.\n  N-COUNT: usu N n


Words: Veterans Day
Meaning:
Vet.er.ans Day\n   Veterans Day\n  In the United States, Veterans Day is November 11, when people honour those who have served or are serving in the armed forces.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: veterinarian
Meaning:
vet.eri.nar.ian\n   veterinarian  veterinarians\n  A veterinarian is a person who is qualified to treat sick or injured animals. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use vet)\n  N-COUNT


Words: veterinary
Meaning:
vet.eri.nary\n   veterinary\n  Veterinary is used to describe the work of a person whose job is to treat sick or injured animals, or to describe the medical treatment of animals.\nIt was decided that our veterinary screening of horses at events should be continued.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: veterinary surgeon
Meaning:
vet.eri.nary sur.geon\n   veterinary surgeon  veterinary surgeons\n  A veterinary surgeon is someone who is qualified to treat sick or injured animals. (BRIT FORMAL; in AM, usually use veterinarian)\n  N-COUNT\n  = vet


Words: veto
Meaning:
veto  vetoes  vetoing  vetoed\n1. If someone in authority vetoes something, they forbid it, or stop it being put into action.\nThe President vetoed the economic package passed by Congress.\n  VERB: V n\n  = block\n  Veto is also a noun.\nThe veto was a calculated political risk.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Veto is the right that someone in authority has to forbid something.\n...the President’s power of veto.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vex
Meaning:
vex  vexes  vexing  vexed\n  If someone or something vexes you, they make you feel annoyed, puzzled, and frustrated.\nIt vexed me to think of others gossiping behind my back...\n  VERB: V n\n  = annoy\n=>  vexed\nExporters, farmers and industrialists alike are vexed and blame the government.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n=>  vex.ing\nThere remains, however, another and more vexing problem.\n  ADJ\n\n  see also vexed


Words: vexation
Meaning:
vexa.tion\n   vexation  vexations\n  Vexation is a feeling of being annoyed, puzzled, and frustrated. (FORMAL)\nHe kicked the broken machine in vexation.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl\n  = annoyance


Words: vexed
Meaning:
vexed\n  A vexed problem or question is very difficult and causes people a lot of trouble.\nMinisters have begun work on the vexed issue of economic union...\nLater Mr Moi raised the vexed question of refugees.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = thorny\n  see also vex


Words: VHF
Meaning:
VHF\n  VHF is used to refer to a range of frequencies that is often used for transmitting radio broadcasts in stereo. VHF is an abbreviation for `very high frequency’.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: via
Meaning:
via\n1. If you go somewhere via a particular place, you go through that place on the way to your destination.\nMr Baker will return home via Britain and France.\n  PREP\n\n2. If you do something via a particular means or person, you do it by making use of that means or person.\nTranslators can now work from home, via electronic mail systems...\n  PREP


Words: viable
Meaning:
vi.able\n   viable\n1. Something that is viable is capable of doing what it is intended to do.\nCash alone will not make Eastern Europe’s banks viable...\n...commercially viable products.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vi.abil.ity\n...the shaky financial viability of the nuclear industry.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Foetuses, seeds, or eggs are described as viable if they are capable of developing into living beings without outside help. (TECHNICAL)\nFive viable pregnancies were established.\n  ADJ


Words: viaduct
Meaning:
via.duct\n   viaduct  viaducts\n  A viaduct is a long, high bridge that carries a road or a railway across a valley.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Viagra
Meaning:
Vi.ag.ra\n   Viagra\n  Viagra is a drug that is given to men with certain sexual problems in order to help them to have sexual intercourse. (TRADEMARK)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vial
Meaning:
vial  vials\n  A vial is a very small bottle which is used to hold something such as perfume or medicine. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n  = phial


Words: vibe
Meaning:
vibe  vibes\n  Vibes are the good or bad atmosphere that you sense with a person or in a place. (INFORMAL)\nSorry, Chris, but I have bad vibes about this guy...\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: vibrant
Meaning:
vi.brant\n   vibrant\n1. Someone or something that is vibrant is full of life, energy, and enthusiasm.\nTom felt himself being drawn towards her vibrant personality...\nOrlando itself is vibrant, full of affordable accommodation and great places to eat.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vi.bran.cy\nShe was a woman with extraordinary vibrancy and extraordinary knowledge.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = vitality\n2. Vibrant colours are very bright and clear.\nHorizon Blue, Corn Yellow and Pistachio Green are just three of the vibrant colours in this range...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = brilliant\n=>  vi.brant.ly\n...a selection of vibrantly coloured French cast-iron saucepans.\n  ADV: ADV adj


Words: vibraphone
Meaning:
vi.bra.phone\n   vibraphone  vibraphones\n  A vibraphone is an electronic musical instrument which consists of a set of metal bars in a frame. When you hit the bars they produce ringing notes that last for some time.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vibrate
Meaning:
vi.brate\n   vibrate  vibrates  vibrating  vibrated\n  If something vibrates or if you vibrate it, it shakes with repeated small, quick movements.\nThe ground shook and the cliffs seemed to vibrate...\nThe noise vibrated the table.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n=>  vi.bra.tion      vibrations\nThe vibrations of the vehicles rattled the shop windows.\n  N-VAR


Words: vibrato
Meaning:
vi.bra.to\n   vibrato  vibratos\n  Vibrato is a rapidly repeated slight change in the pitch of a musical note. Singers and musicians use vibrato to make the music sound more emotional.\nI encourage oboe and clarinet players to use plenty of vibrato.\n  N-VAR


Words: vibrator
Meaning:
vi.bra.tor\n   vibrator  vibrators\n  A vibrator is an electric device which vibrates. It is used in massage to reduce pain, or to give sexual pleasure.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vicar
Meaning:
vic.ar\n   vicar  vicars\n1. A vicar is an Anglican priest who is in charge of a church and the area it is in, which is called a parish. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT; N-VOC\n\n2. A vicar is a priest who is in charge of a chapel that is associated with a parish church in the Episcopal Church in the United States. (AM)\n  N-COUNT; N-VOC


Words: vicarage
Meaning:
vic.ar.age\n   vicarage  vicarages\n  A vicarage is a house in which a vicar lives. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: vicarious
Meaning:
vi.cari.ous\n   vicarious\n  A vicarious pleasure or feeling is experienced by watching, listening to, or reading about other people doing something, rather than by doing it yourself.\nShe invents fantasy lives for her own vicarious pleasure...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  vi.cari.ous.ly\n...a father who lived vicariously through his sons’ success.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v


Words: vice
Meaning:
vice  vices\n1. A vice is a habit which is regarded as a weakness in someone’s character, but not usually as a serious fault.\nIntellectual pretension was never one of his vices.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Vice refers to criminal activities, especially those connected with pornography or prostitution.\nHe said those responsible for offences connected with vice, gaming and drugs should be deported on conviction.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. A vice is a tool with a pair of parts that hold an object tightly while you do work on it. (BRIT; in AM, use vise)\n  N-COUNT


Words: vice squad
Meaning:
vice squad  vice squads\n  The vice squad is the section of a police force that deals with crime relating to pornography, prostitution, and gambling.\n...ten vice-squad officers.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing, N n


Words: vice versa
Meaning:
vice ver.sa\n   vice versa\n  Vice versa is used to indicate that the reverse of what you have said is true. For example `women may bring their husbands with them, and vice versa’ means that men may also bring their wives with them.\nTeachers qualified to teach in England are not accepted in Scotland and vice versa.\n  PHRASE: usu and/orot PHR


Words: vice-
Meaning:
vice-\n  Vice- is used before a rank or title to indicate that someone is next in importance to the person who holds the rank or title mentioned.\n...America’s vice-president...\nTim Munton becomes the new vice-captain.\n  PREFIX


Words: vice-chancellor
Meaning:
vice-chancellor  vice-chancellors\n1. In a British university, the vice-chancellor is the person in charge of academic and administrative matters.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. In an American university, the vice-chancellor is the person next in rank below the chancellor, who acts as the chancellor’s deputy or substitute.\n  N-COUNT


Words: viceroy
Meaning:
vice.roy\n   viceroy  viceroys\n  In former times, a viceroy was the person who ruled a colony on behalf of his king, queen, or government.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vicinity
Meaning:
vi.cin.ity\n   vicinity\n  If something is in the vicinity of a particular place, it is near it. (FORMAL)\nThere were a hundred or so hotels in the vicinity of the railway station...\n  N-SING: the N, oft in N, N of n


Words: vicious
Meaning:
vi.cious\n   vicious\n1. A vicious person or a vicious blow is violent and cruel.\nHe was a cruel and vicious man...\nHe suffered a vicious attack by a gang of white youths...\nThe blow was so sudden and vicious that he dropped to his knees.\n  ADJ\n  = brutal\n=>  vi.cious.ly\nShe had been viciously attacked with a hammer.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n=>  vi.cious.ness\n...the intensity and viciousness of these attacks.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A vicious remark is cruel and intended to upset someone.\nIt is a deliberate, nasty and vicious attack on a young man’s character.\n  ADJ\n  = savage\n=>  vi.cious.ly\n`He deserved to die,’ said Penelope viciously.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: vicious circle
Meaning:
vi.cious cir.cle\n   vicious circle  vicious circles   or vicious cycle\n  A vicious circle is a problem or difficult situation that has the effect of creating new problems which then cause the original problem or situation to occur again.\nThe more pesticides are used, the more resistant the insects become so the more pesticides have to be used. It’s a vicious circle.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n\n  !=virtuous circle


Words: vicissitudes
Meaning:
vi.cis.si.tudes\n   vicissitudes\n  You use vicissitudes to refer to changes, especially unpleasant ones, that happen to someone or something at different times in their life or development. (FORMAL)\nWhatever the vicissitudes of her past life, Jill now seems to have come through.\n  N-PLURAL: oft N of n


Words: victim
Meaning:
vic.tim\n   victim  victims\n1. A victim is someone who has been hurt or killed.\nNot all the victims survived...\nStatistically our chances of being the victims of violent crime are remote.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A victim is someone who has suffered as a result of someone else’s actions or beliefs, or as a result of unpleasant circumstances.\nHe was a victim of racial prejudice...\nInfectious diseases are spreading among many of the flood victims.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you fall victim to something or someone, you suffer as a result of them, or you are killed by them.\nIn the early 1960s, Blyton fell victim to Alzheimer’s disease...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n


Words: victim support
Meaning:
vic.tim sup.port\n   victim support\n  Victim support is the giving of help and advice to people who are victims of crime.\nWhen the attack took place, there were no victim support schemes.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: victimize
Meaning:
vic.tim.ize\n   victimize  victimizes  victimizing  victimized\nin BRIT, also use victimise\n  If someone is victimized, they are deliberately treated unfairly.\nHe felt the students had been victimized because they’d voiced opposition to the government.\n  VERB: be V-ed, also V n\n\n=>  vic.timi.za.tion\n...society’s cruel victimization of women.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: victimless
Meaning:
vic.tim.less\n\n  A victimless crime is a crime which is considered to be less serious than other crimes because nobody suffers directly as a result of it. (JOURNALISM)\n...the so-called victimless crime of prostitution.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: victor
Meaning:
vic.tor\n   victor  victors\n  The victor in a battle or contest is the person who wins. (LITERARY)\n  N-COUNT


Words: Victorian
Meaning:
Vic.to.rian\n   Victorian  Victorians\n1. Victorian means belonging to, connected with, or typical of Britain in the middle and last parts of the 19th century, when Victoria was Queen.\nWe have a lovely old Victorian house.\n...The Early Victorian Period.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. You can use Victorian to describe people who have old-fashioned attitudes, especially about good behaviour and morals.\nVictorian values are much misunderstood...\nMy grandfather was very Victorian.\n  ADJ\n\n3. The Victorians were the British people who lived in the time of Queen Victoria.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: Victoriana
Meaning:
Vic.to.ri.ana\n   Victoriana\n  Interesting or valuable objects made in the time of Queen Victoria are sometimes referred to as Victoriana.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: victorious
Meaning:
vic.to.ri.ous\n   victorious\n  You use victorious to describe someone who has won a victory in a struggle, war, or competition.\nIn 1978 he played for the victorious Argentinian side in the World Cup.\n  ADJ\n  = winning


Words: victory
Meaning:
vic.to.ry\n   victory  victories\n1. A victory is a success in a struggle, war, or competition.\nUnion leaders are heading for victory in their battle over workplace rights.\n...the former Welsh rugby union skipper who led Great Britain to victory over France.\n  N-VAR\n  !=defeat\n2. If you say that someone has won a moral victory, you mean that although they have officially lost a contest or dispute, they have succeeded in showing they are right about something.\nShe said her party had won a moral victory...\n  PHRASE: N inflects, PHR after v, v-link PHR


Words: video
Meaning:
video  videos  videoing  videoed\n1. A video is a film or television programme recorded on tape for people to watch on a television set.\n...the makers of films and videos.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Video is the system of recording films and events on tape so that people can watch them on a television set.\nShe has watched the race on video.\n...manufacturers of audio and video equipment.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft on N\n\n3. A video is a machine that you can use to record television programmes and play videotapes on a television set. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use VCR)\nHe’d set the video for 8.00.\n  N-COUNT\n  = video recorder, VCR\n4. If you video a television programme or event, you record it on tape using a video recorder or video camera, so that you can watch it later. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use tape, videotape)\nShe had been videoing the highlights of the tournament...\n  VERB: V n\n  = videotape, tape\n5. Video is a system by which you can see television images or films on your computer, rather than on a television set.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: video cassette
Meaning:
video cas.sette\n   video cassette  video cassettes\n  A video cassette is a cassette containing videotape, on which you can record or watch moving pictures and sounds.\n  N-COUNT\n  = videotape


Words: video conferencing
Meaning:
video con.fer.enc.ing\n   video conferencing   also video-conferencing, videoconferencing\n  Video conferencing is a system that enables people in various places around the world to have a meeting by seeing and hearing each other on a screen. (BUSINESS)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: video diary
Meaning:
video dia.ry\n   video diary  video diaries\n  A video diary is a film that someone makes of the things that happen to them over a period of time, recorded using a video camera.\n  N-COUNT


Words: video game
Meaning:
video game  video games\n  A video game is a computer game that you play on your television or on a similar device.\n  N-COUNT


Words: video nasty
Meaning:
video nas.ty\n   video nasty  video nasties\n  A video nasty is an extremely violent or frightening film which people can only buy on video. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: video recorder
Meaning:
video re.cord.er\n   video recorder  video recorders\n  A video recorder or a video cassette recorder is the same as a VCR.\n  N-COUNT\n  = video


Words: video wall
Meaning:
video wall  video walls\n  A video wall is a set of video screens that are connected together, so that each screen shows a part of the whole picture or so that the same picture is repeated on each screen.\n  N-COUNT


Words: video-conference
Meaning:
video-conference  video-conferences\n  A video-conference is a meeting that takes place using video conferencing. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT


Words: videophone
Meaning:
video.phone\n   videophone  videophones   also video phone\n  A videophone is a telephone which has a camera and screen so that people who are using the phone can see and hear each other.\n  N-COUNT


Words: videotape
Meaning:
video.tape\n   videotape  videotapes  videotaping  videotaped   also video tape\n1. Videotape is magnetic tape that is used to record moving pictures and sounds to be shown on television.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A videotape is the same as a video cassette.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you videotape a television programme or event, you record it on tape using a video recorder or video camera, so that you can watch it later. (mainly AM)\nShe videotaped the entire trip.\n  VERB: V n\n  = video


Words: vie
Meaning:
vie  vies  vying  vied\n  If one person or thing is vying with another for something, the people or things are competing for it. (FORMAL)\nCalifornia is vying with other states to capture a piece of the growing communications market...\nFour rescue plans are vying to save the zoo...\nIn hospitals, business plans vie with patients for doctors’ attention...\nThe two are vying for the support of New York voters.\n  V-RECIP: V with n to-inf, pl-n V to-inf, V with n for n, pl-n V for n\n  = compete


Words: view
Meaning:
view  views  viewing  viewed\n1. Your views on something are the beliefs or opinions that you have about it, for example whether you think it is good, bad, right, or wrong.\nWashington and Moscow are believed to have similar views on Kashmir...\nMy own view is absolutely clear. What I did was right...\nYou should also make your views known to your local MP.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N on n, N that\n\n2. Your view of a particular subject is the way that you understand and think about it.\nThe drama takes an idealistic, even a naive view of the subject...\nThe whole point was to get away from a Christian-centred view of religion...\n  N-SING: with supp, oft N of n\n\n3. If you view something in a particular way, you think of it in that way.\nFirst-generation Americans view the United States as a land of golden opportunity...\nAbigail’s mother Linda views her daughter’s talent with a mixture of pride and worry...\nWe would view favourably any sensible suggestion for maintaining the business.\n  VERB: V n as n/-ing, V n with/in n, V n with adv\n  = regard\n4. The view from a window or high place is everything which can be seen from that place, especially when it is considered to be beautiful.\nThe view from our window was one of beautiful green countryside...\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If you have a view of something, you can see it.\nHe stood up to get a better view of the blackboard...\n  N-SING: with supp, oft N of n, poss N\n\n6. You use view in expressions to do with being able to see something. For example, if something is in view, you can see it. If something is in full view of everyone, everyone can see it.\nShe was lying there in full view of anyone who walked by...\nA group of riders came into view on the dirt road...\n  N-UNCOUNT: in/into N\n\n7. If you view something, you look at it for a particular purpose. (FORMAL)\nThey came back to view the house again...\n  VERB: V n\n\n8. If you view a television programme, video, or film, you watch it. (FORMAL)\nWe have viewed the video recording of the incident...\n`Elizabeth R’, a TV portrait of the Queen, had record viewing figures.\n  VERB: V n, V-ing\n\n9. View refers to the way in which a piece of text or graphics is displayed on a computer screen. (COMPUTING)\nTo see the current document in full-page view, click the Page Zoom Full button.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n10. If you take a dim view or a poor view of someone or something, you disapprove of them or have a low opinion of them.\nThey took a dim view of local trade unionists...\n  PHRASE: v PHR, usu PHR of n\n\n11. You use in my view when you want to indicate that you are stating a personal opinion, which other people might not agree with.\nIn my view things won’t change...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n12. You use in view of when you are taking into consideration facts that have just been mentioned or are just about to be mentioned.\nIn view of the fact that Hobson was not a trained economist his achievements were remarkable...\n  PREP-PHRASE: PREP n\n\n13. If you have something in view, you are aware of it and your actions are aimed towards it.\nThey have very clear career aims in view...\nAckroyd worked out this whole plot with one objective in view.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v\n  = in mind\n14. If you take the long view, you consider what is likely to happen in the future over a long period, rather than thinking only about things that are going to happen soon.\nSome investors are taking the long view...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR of n\n\n15. If something such as a work of art is on view, it is shown in public for people to look at.\nA significant exhibition of contemporary sculpture will be on view at the Portland Gallery.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n16. If you do something with a view to doing something else, you do it because you hope it will result in that other thing being done.\nHe has called a meeting of all parties tomorrow, with a view to forming a national reconciliation government.\n  PHRASE: PHR -ing


Words: viewer
Meaning:
view.er\n   viewer  viewers\n1. Viewers are people who watch television, or who are watching a particular programme on television.\nThese programmes are each watched by around 19 million viewers every week.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n2. A viewer is someone who is looking carefully at a picture or other interesting object.\n...the relationship between the art object and the viewer.\n  N-COUNT


Words: viewfinder
Meaning:
view.finder\n   viewfinder  viewfinders\n  A viewfinder is a small square of glass in a camera that you look through in order to see what you are going to photograph.\n  N-COUNT


Words: viewpoint
Meaning:
view.point\n   viewpoint  viewpoints\n1. Someone’s viewpoint is the way that they think about things in general, or the way they think about a particular thing.\nThe novel is shown from the girl’s viewpoint...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = point of view\n2. A viewpoint is a place from which you can get a good view of something.\nYou have to know where to stand for a good viewpoint.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n  = vantage point


Words: vigil
Meaning:
vig.il\n   vigil  vigils\n  A vigil is a period of time when people remain quietly in a place, especially at night, for example because they are praying or are making a political protest.\nProtesters are holding a twenty-four hour vigil outside the socialist party headquarters.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  If someone keeps a vigil or keeps vigil somewhere, they remain there quietly for a period of time, especially at night, for example because they are praying or are making a political protest.\nShe kept a vigil at Patrick’s bedside.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR prep/adv


Words: vigilant
Meaning:
vigi.lant\n   vigilant\n  Someone who is vigilant gives careful attention to a particular problem or situation and concentrates on noticing any danger or trouble that there might be.\nHe warned the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious...\n  ADJ\n  = alert\n=>  vigi.lance\nDrugs are a problem that requires constant vigilance.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vigilante
Meaning:
vigi.lan.te\n   vigilante  vigilantes\n  Vigilantes are people who organize themselves into an unofficial group to protect their community and to catch and punish criminals.\n...vigilante patrols.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vignette
Meaning:
vi.gnette\n   vignette  vignettes\n  A vignette is a short description, picture, or piece of acting which expresses very clearly and neatly the typical characteristics of the thing that it represents. (FORMAL)\nThe book is an excellent vignette of some of the major debates in science.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: vigorous
Meaning:
vig.or.ous\n   vigorous\n1. Vigorous physical activities involve using a lot of energy, usually to do short and repeated actions.\nVery vigorous exercise can increase the risk of heart attacks...\nAfrican dance is vigorous, but full of subtlety.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vig.or.ous.ly\nHe shook his head vigorously...\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. A vigorous person does things with great energy and enthusiasm. A vigorous campaign or activity is done with great energy and enthusiasm.\nSir Robert was a strong and vigorous politician.\n...a vigorous campaign against GM food.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  vig.or.ous.ly\nThe police vigorously denied that excessive force had been used.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: vigour
Meaning:
vig.our\n   vigour\nin AM, use vigor\n  Vigour is physical or mental energy and enthusiasm.\nHis body lacks the bounce and vigour of a normal two-year-old...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Viking
Meaning:
Vi.king\n   Viking  Vikings\n  The Vikings were men who sailed from Scandinavia and attacked villages in most parts of north-western Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vile
Meaning:
vile  viler  vilest\n  If you say that someone or something is vile, you mean that they are very unpleasant.\nShe was in too vile a mood to work.\n  ADJ\n  = foul


Words: vilify
Meaning:
vili.fy\n   vilify  vilifies  vilifying  vilified\n  If you are vilified by someone, they say or write very unpleasant things about you, so that people will have a low opinion of you. (FORMAL)\nThe agency has been vilified by some doctors for being unnecessarily slow to approve life-saving drugs...\nHe was vilified, hounded, and forced into exile by the FBI.\n  VERB: be V-ed for -ing, be V-ed, also V n, V n as n\n\n=>  vili.fi.ca.tion\nClare did not deserve the vilification she had been subjected to.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: villa
Meaning:
vil.la\n   villa  villas\n  A villa is a fairly large house, especially one that is used for holidays in Mediterranean countries.\n  N-COUNT


Words: village
Meaning:
vil.lage\n   village  villages\n  A village consists of a group of houses, together with other buildings such as a church and a school, in a country area.\nHe lives quietly in the country in a village near Lahti.\n...the village school.\n  N-COUNT


Words: villager
Meaning:
vil.lag.er\n   villager  villagers\n  You refer to the people who live in a village, especially the people who have lived there for most or all of their lives, as the villagers.\nSoon the villagers couldn’t afford to buy food for themselves.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: villain
Meaning:
vil.lain\n   villain  villains\n1. A villain is someone who deliberately harms other people or breaks the law in order to get what he or she wants.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The villain in a novel, film, or play is the main bad character.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=hero


Words: villainous
Meaning:
vil.lain.ous\n   villainous\n  A villainous person is very bad and willing to harm other people or break the law in order to get what he or she wants.\n...her villainous father.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: villainy
Meaning:
vil.lainy\n   villainy\n  Villainy is very bad or criminal behaviour. (FORMAL)\nThey justify every villainy in the name of high ideals.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vinaigrette
Meaning:
vinai.grette\n   vinaigrette  vinaigrettes\n  Vinaigrette is a dressing made by mixing oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and herbs, which is put on salad.\n  N-MASS\n  = French dressing


Words: vindicate
Meaning:
vin.di.cate\n   vindicate  vindicates  vindicating  vindicated\n  If a person or their decisions, actions, or ideas are vindicated, they are proved to be correct, after people have said that they were wrong. (FORMAL)\nThe director said he had been vindicated by the experts’ report...\n  VERB: be V-ed\n\n=>  vin.di.ca.tion\nHe called the success a vindication of his party’s free-market economic policy.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N, usu N of n


Words: vindictive
Meaning:
vin.dic.tive\n   vindictive\n  If you say that someone is vindictive, you are critical of them because they deliberately try to upset or cause trouble for someone who they think has done them harm.\n...a vindictive woman desperate for revenge against the man who loved and left her.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  vin.dic.tive.ness\n...a dishonest person who is operating completely out of vindictiveness.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vine
Meaning:
vine  vines\n  A vine is a plant that grows up or over things, especially one which produces grapes.\n  N-VAR\n  = grapevine


Words: vinegar
Meaning:
vin.egar\n   vinegar  vinegars\n  Vinegar is a sharp-tasting liquid, usually made from sour wine or malt, which is used to make things such as salad dressing.\n  N-MASS


Words: vinegary
Meaning:
vin.egary\n   vinegary\n  If something has a vinegary taste or smell, it tastes or smells of vinegar.\nThe salads taste too vinegary.\n  ADJ


Words: vineyard
Meaning:
vine.yard\n   vineyard  vineyards\n  A vineyard is an area of land where grape vines are grown in order to produce wine. You can also use vineyard to refer to the set of buildings in which the wine is produced.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vintage
Meaning:
vin.tage\n   vintage  vintages\n1. The vintage of a good quality wine is the year and place that it was made before being stored to improve it. You can also use vintage to refer to the wine that was made in a certain year.\nThis wine is from one of the two best vintages of the decade in this region...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Vintage wine is good quality wine that has been stored for several years in order to improve its quality.\nIf you can buy only one case at auction, it should be vintage port.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. Vintage cars or aeroplanes are old but are admired because they are considered to be the best of their kind.\nThe museum will have a permanent exhibition of 60 vintage cars.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. You can use vintage to describe something which is the best and most typical of its kind.\nThis is vintage comedy at its best.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: vintner
Meaning:
vint.ner\n   vintner  vintners\n1. A vintner is someone whose job is to buy and sell wine. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A vintner is someone who grows grapes and makes wine. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: vinyl
Meaning:
vi.nyl\n   vinyl  vinyls\n1. Vinyl is a strong plastic used for making things such as floor coverings and furniture.\n...a modern vinyl floor covering.\n...a reclining chair upholstered in shiny blue vinyl.\n  N-MASS: oft N n\n\n2. You can use vinyl to refer to records, especially in contrast to cassettes or compact discs.\nThis compilation was first issued on vinyl in 1984.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft on N


Words: viol
Meaning:
viol  viols\n  Viols are a family of musical instruments that are made of wood and have six strings. You play the viol with a bow while sitting down.\n  N-VAR: oft the N


Words: viola
Meaning:
vio.la\n   viola  violas\n  A viola is a musical instrument with four strings that is played with a bow. It is like a violin, but is slightly larger and can play lower notes.\n  N-VAR: oft the N


Words: violate
Meaning:
vio.late\n   violate  violates  violating  violated\n1. If someone violates an agreement, law, or promise, they break it. (FORMAL)\nThey went to prison because they violated the law...\n  VERB: V n\n  = break\n=>  vio.la.tion      violations\nTo deprive the boy of his education is a violation of state law...\nHe was in violation of his contract.\n  N-VAR: usu N of n\n\n=>  vio.la.tor      violators\n...a government which is a known violator of human rights.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you violate someone’s privacy or peace, you disturb it. (FORMAL)\nThese men were violating her family’s privacy.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If someone violates a special place, for example a grave, they damage it or treat it with disrespect.\nDetectives are still searching for those who violated the graveyard.\n  VERB: V n\n  = desecrate\n=>  vio.la.tion\nThe violation of the graves is not the first such incident.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n


Words: violence
Meaning:
vio.lence\n   violence\n1. Violence is behaviour which is intended to hurt, injure, or kill people.\nTwenty people were killed in the violence...\nThey threaten them with violence.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you do or say something with violence, you use a lot of force and energy in doing or saying it, often because you are angry. (LITERARY)\nThe violence in her tone gave Alistair a shock.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: violent
Meaning:
vio.lent\n   violent\n1. If someone is violent, or if they do something which is violent, they use physical force or weapons to hurt, injure, or kill other people.\nA quarter of current inmates have committed violent crimes.\n...violent anti-government demonstrations...\nSometimes the men get violent.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vio.lent.ly\nSome opposition activists have been violently attacked.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. A violent event happens suddenly and with great force.\nA violent explosion seemed to jolt the whole ground.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  vio.lent.ly\nA nearby volcano erupted violently, sending out a hail of molten rock and boiling mud.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n3. If you describe something as violent, you mean that it is said, done, or felt very strongly.\nViolent opposition to the plan continues...\nHe had violent stomach pains.\n...an outburst of violent emotion.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = intense\n=>  vio.lent.ly\nHe was violently scolded.\n  ADV\n\n4. A violent death is painful and unexpected, usually because the person who dies has been murdered.\n...an innocent man who had met a violent death.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vio.lent.ly\n...a girl who had died violently nine years earlier.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n5. A violent film or television programme contains a lot of scenes which show violence.\nIt was the most violent film that I have ever seen.\n  ADJ


Words: violet
Meaning:
vio.let\n   violet  violets\n1. A violet is a small plant that has purple or white flowers in the spring.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Something that is violet is a bluish-purple colour.\nThe light was beginning to drain from a violet sky.\n  COLOUR\n\n3. If you say that someone is no shrinking violet, you mean that they are not at all shy.\nWhen it comes to expressing himself he is no shrinking violet...\n  PHRASE: usu with brd-neg, N inflects, v-link PHR


Words: violin
Meaning:
vio.lin\n   violin  violins\n  A violin is a musical instrument. Violins are made of wood and have four strings. You play the violin by holding it under your chin and moving a bow across the strings.\nLizzie used to play the violin.\n  N-VAR: oft the N


Words: VIP
Meaning:
VIP  VIPs\n  A VIP is someone who is given better treatment than ordinary people because they are famous, influential, or important. VIP is an abbreviation for `very important person’.\n  N-COUNT


Words: viper
Meaning:
vi.per\n   viper  vipers\n  A viper is a small poisonous snake found mainly in Europe.\n  N-COUNT\n  = adder


Words: viral
Meaning:
vi.ral\n   viral\n  A viral disease or infection is caused by a virus.\n...a 65-year-old patient suffering from severe viral pneumonia.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: virgin
Meaning:
vir.gin\n   virgin  virgins\n1. A virgin is someone who has never had sex.\nI was a virgin until I was thirty years old...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You use virgin to describe something such as land that has never been used or spoiled.\nWithin 40 years there will be no virgin forest left.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. If you say that a situation is virgin territory, you mean that you have no experience of it and it is completely new for you.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n4. You can use virgin to describe someone who has never done or used a particular thing before.\nUntil he appeared in `In the Line of Fire’ Malkovich had been an action-movie virgin...\n  N-COUNT: oft n N


Words: virginal
Meaning:
vir.gin.al\n   virginal\n1. If you describe someone as virginal, you mean that they look young and innocent, as if they have had no experience of sex.\nSomehow she’d always been a child in his mind, pure and virginal...\n  ADJ\n  = pure\n2. Something that is virginal looks new and clean, as if it has not been used or spoiled.\n...abandoning worn-out land to cultivate virginal pasture.\n  ADJ


Words: virginity
Meaning:
vir.gin.ity\n   virginity\n  Virginity is the state of never having had sex.\nShe lost her virginity when she was 20.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  When you lose your virginity, you have sex for the first time.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: Virgo
Meaning:
Vir.go\n   Virgo  Virgos\n1. Virgo is one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Its symbol is a young woman. People who are born approximately between the 23rd of August and the 22nd of September come under this sign.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A Virgo is a person whose sign of the zodiac is Virgo.\n  N-COUNT


Words: virile
Meaning:
vir.ile\n   virile\n1. If you describe a man as virile, you mean that he has the qualities that a man is traditionally expected to have, such as strength and sexual power.\nHe wanted his sons to become strong, virile, and athletic like himself.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vi.ril.ity\nChildren are also considered proof of a man’s virility.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Something that is described as virile is considered to be very strong and forceful. (LITERARY)\n...Prokofiev’s most virile, aggressive music.\n  ADJ


Words: virtual
Meaning:
vir.tual\n   virtual\n1. You can use virtual to indicate that something is so nearly true that for most purposes it can be regarded as true.\nArgentina came to a virtual standstill while the game was being played...\n...conditions of virtual slavery.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Virtual objects and activities are generated by a computer to simulate real objects and activities. (COMPUTING)\nThis is a virtual shopping centre offering visitors entry to a clutch of well-known e-tailers without going to their different websites.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  vir.tu.al.ity\nPeople speculate about virtuality systems, but we’re already working on it.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: virtual memory
Meaning:
vir.tual memo.ry\n\n  Virtual memory is a computing technique in which you increase the size of a computer’s memory by arranging or storing the data in it in a different way. (COMPUTING)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: virtual reality
Meaning:
vir.tual re.al.ity\n   virtual reality\n  Virtual reality is an environment which is produced by a computer and seems very like reality to the person experiencing it. (COMPUTING)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: virtually
Meaning:
vir.tu.al.ly\n   virtually\n  You can use virtually to indicate that something is so nearly true that for most purposes it can be regarded as true.\nVirtually all cooking was done over coal-fired ranges...\nIt would have been virtually impossible to research all the information.\n  ADV: ADV with group\n  = almost


Words: virtue
Meaning:
vir.tue\n   virtue  virtues\n1. Virtue is thinking and doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.\nShe could have established her own innocence and virtue easily enough.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = goodness  !=vice\n2. A virtue is a good quality or way of behaving.\nHis virtue is patience...\nHumility is considered a virtue.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. The virtue of something is an advantage or benefit that it has, especially in comparison with something else.\nThere was no virtue in returning to Calvi the way I had come...\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. You use by virtue of to explain why something happens or is true. (FORMAL)\nThe article stuck in my mind by virtue of one detail...\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n5. If you make a virtue of something, you pretend that you did it because you chose to, although in fact you did it because you had to.\nThe movie makes a virtue out of its economy.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n


Words: virtuosity
Meaning:
vir.tu.os.ity\n   virtuosity\n  The virtuosity of someone such as an artist or sports player is their great skill.\nAt that time, his virtuosity on the trumpet had no parallel in jazz.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft with poss


Words: virtuoso
Meaning:
vir.tuo.so\n   virtuoso  virtuosos  or virtuosi\n1. A virtuoso is someone who is extremely good at something, especially at playing a musical instrument.\nHe was gaining a reputation as a remarkable virtuoso.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A virtuoso performance or display shows great skill.\nEngland’s football fans were hoping for a virtuoso performance against Cameroon.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: virtuous
Meaning:
vir.tu.ous\n   virtuous\n1. A virtuous person behaves in a moral and correct way.\nLouis was shown as an intelligent, courageous and virtuous family man.\n  ADJ\n  = good\n2. If you describe someone as virtuous, you mean that they have done what they ought to do and feel very pleased with themselves, perhaps too pleased.\nI cleaned the flat, which left me feeling virtuous.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vir.tu.ous.ly\n`I’ve already done that,’ said Ronnie virtuously.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: virtuous circle
Meaning:
vir.tu.ous cir.cle\n   virtuous circle\n  If you describe a situation as a virtuous circle, you mean that once one good thing starts happening, other good things happen, which cause the first thing to continue happening.\nExercise creates its own virtuous circle. Once you start a programme and do it regularly, you’ll feel so good you’ll want to continue.\n...a virtuous circle of investment and growth.\n  N-SING\n  !=vicious circle


Words: virulence
Meaning:
viru.lence\n   virulence\n1. Virulence is great bitterness and hostility. (FORMAL)\nThe virulence of the cafe owner’s anger had appalled her.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. The virulence of a disease or poison is its ability to harm or kill people or animals.\nMedical authorities were baffled, both as to its causes and its virulence.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: virulent
Meaning:
viru.lent\n   virulent\n1. Virulent feelings or actions are extremely bitter and hostile. (FORMAL)\nNow he faces virulent attacks from the Italian media...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = vicious\n=>  viru.lent.ly\nThe talk was virulently hostile to the leadership.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj\n\n2. A virulent disease or poison is extremely powerful and dangerous.\nA very virulent form of the disease appeared in Belgium.\n  ADJ


Words: virus
Meaning:
vi.rus\n   virus  viruses\n1. A virus is a kind of germ that can cause disease.\nThere are many different strains of flu virus.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. In computer technology, a virus is a program that introduces itself into a system, altering or destroying the information stored in the system. (COMPUTING)\n  N-COUNT


Words: vis-a-vis
Meaning:
vis-a-vis\n  You use vis-a-vis when you are considering a relationship or comparison between two things or quantities. (FORMAL)\nEach currency is given a value vis-a-vis the other currencies.\n  PREP


Words: visa
Meaning:
visa  visas\n  A visa is an official document, or a stamp put in your passport, which allows you to enter or leave a particular country.\nHis visitor’s visa expired.\n...an exit visa.\n...a tightening of U.S. visa requirements.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N


Words: visage
Meaning:
vis.age\n   visage  visages\n  Someone’s visage is their face. (LITERARY)\n...his milky-white innocent visage.\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss\n  = face


Words: viscera
Meaning:
vis.cera\n   viscera\n  Viscera are the large organs inside the body, such as the heart, liver, and stomach. (MEDICAL)\n  N-PLURAL


Words: visceral
Meaning:
vis.cer.al\n   visceral\n  Visceral feelings are feelings that you feel very deeply and find it difficult to control or ignore, and that are not the result of thought. (LITERARY)\n...the sheer visceral joy of being alive.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = instinctive


Words: viscose
Meaning:
vis.cose\n   viscose\n  Viscose is a smooth artificial fabric. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use rayon)\n...a black viscose floral dress.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: viscosity
Meaning:
vis.cos.ity\n   viscosity\n  Viscosity is the quality that some liquids have of being thick and sticky.\n...the viscosity of the paint.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n


Words: viscount
Meaning:
vis.count\n   viscount  viscounts\n  A viscount is a British nobleman who is below an earl and above a baron in rank.\n...a biography of Viscount Mourne.\n  N-COUNT; N-TITLE


Words: viscountess
Meaning:
vis.count.ess\n   viscountess  viscountesses\n  A viscountess is the wife of a viscount or a woman who holds the same position as a viscount.\n  N-COUNT; N-TITLE


Words: visibility
Meaning:
vis.ibil.ity\n   visibility\n1. Visibility means how far or how clearly you can see in particular weather conditions.\nVisibility was poor.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you refer to the visibility of something such as a situation or problem, you mean how much it is seen or noticed by other people.\nThe plight of the Kurds gained global visibility.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: visible
Meaning:
vis.ible\n   visible\n1. If something is visible, it can be seen.\nThe warning lights were clearly visible...\nThey found a bacterium visible to the human eye...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to/from n\n\n2. You use visible to describe something or someone that people notice or recognize.\nThe most visible sign of the intensity of the crisis is unemployment...\nHe was making a visible effort to control himself...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vis.ibly\nThey emerged visibly distressed and weeping.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n\n3. In economics, visible earnings are the money that a country makes as a result of producing goods, rather than from services such as banking and tourism. (BUSINESS)\nIn the UK visible imports have traditionally been greater than visible exports.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=invisible


Words: vision
Meaning:
vi.sion\n   vision  visions\n1. Your vision of a future situation or society is what you imagine or hope it would be like, if things were very different from the way they are now.\nI have a vision of a society that is free of exploitation and injustice...\nThat’s my vision of how the world could be...\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. If you have a vision of someone in a particular situation, you imagine them in that situation, for example because you are worried that it might happen, or hope that it will happen.\nHe had a vision of Cheryl, slumped on a plastic chair in the waiting-room...\nMaybe you had visions of being surrounded by happy, smiling children.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n  = image\n3. A vision is the experience of seeing something that other people cannot see, for example in a religious experience or as a result of madness or taking drugs.\nIt was on 24th June 1981 that young villagers first reported seeing the Virgin Mary in a vision.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. Your vision is your ability to see clearly with your eyes.\nIt causes blindness or serious loss of vision...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = sight\n5. Your vision is everything that you can see from a particular place or position.\nJane blocked Cross’s vision and he could see nothing...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = view\n6.\n  see also tunnel vision


Words: visionary
Meaning:
vi.sion.ary\n   visionary  visionaries\n1. If you refer to someone as a visionary, you mean that they have strong, original ideas about how things might be different in the future, especially about how things might be improved.\nAn entrepreneur is more than just a risk taker. He is a visionary.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You use visionary to describe the strong, original ideas of a visionary.\n...the visionary architecture of Etienne Boullee.\n  ADJ


Words: visit
Meaning:
vis.it\n   visit  visits  visiting  visited\n1. If you visit someone, you go to see them and spend time with them.\nHe wanted to visit his brother in Worcester...\nBill would visit on weekends.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n  Visit is also a noun.\nHelen had recently paid him a visit.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you visit a place, you go there for a short time.\nHe’ll be visiting four cities including Cagliari in Sardinia...\nCaroline visited all the big stores.\n...a visiting truck driver.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V-ing\n\n  Visit is also a noun.\nI paid a visit to my local print shop.\n  N-COUNT: usu N to n\n\n3. If you visit a website, you look at it. (COMPUTING)\nFor details visit our website at www.cobuild.collins.co.uk.\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. If you visit a professional person such as a doctor or lawyer, you go and see them in order to get professional advice. If they visit you, they come to see you in order to give you professional advice. (mainly BRIT)\nIf necessary the patient can then visit his doctor for further advice...\n  VERB: V n\n  = see\n  Visit is also a noun.\nYou may have regular home visits from a neonatal nurse.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp


Words: visit with
Meaning:
visit with\n  If you visit with someone, you go to see them and spend time with them. (AM)\nI visited with him in San Francisco.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: visitation
Meaning:
vis.ita.tion\n   visitation  visitations\n1. A visitation is an event in which God or another non-human being seems to appear to someone or contact them.\nThe young people have claimed almost daily visitations from the Virgin Mary.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. People sometimes refer humorously to a visit from someone, especially from someone in authority, as a visitation.\nThey had another visitation from Essex police.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Visitation is the act of officially visiting someone. (FORMAL)\nHouse-to-house visitation has been carried on, under the regulations of the General Board of Health...\nI had visitation rights.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp


Words: visiting fireman
Meaning:
vis.it.ing fire.man\n   visiting fireman  visiting firemen\n  A visiting fireman is an important visitor, who gets special treatment. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: visitor
Meaning:
visi.tor\n   visitor  visitors\n  A visitor is someone who is visiting a person or place.\nThe other day we had some visitors from Switzerland...\nAs a student I lived in Oxford but was a frequent visitor to Belfast.\n  N-COUNT: oft N from/to n


Words: visor
Meaning:
vi.sor\n   visor  visors\n1. A visor is a movable part of a helmet which can be pulled down to protect a person’s eyes or face.\nHe pulled on a battered old crash helmet with a scratched visor.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A visor is a piece of plastic or other material fixed above the windscreen inside a car, which can be turned down to protect the driver’s eyes from bright sunshine.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N


Words: vista
Meaning:
vis.ta\n   vista  vistas\n1. A vista is a view from a particular place, especially a beautiful view from a high place. (WRITTEN)\nFrom my bedroom window I looked out on a crowded vista of hills and rooftops.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n  = panorama\n2. A vista is a vision of a situation or of a range of possibilities. (FORMAL)\nThese uprisings come from desperation and a vista of a future without hope.\n  N-COUNT\n  = vision


Words: visual
Meaning:
vis.ual\n   visual  visuals\n1. Visual means relating to sight, or to things that you can see.\n...the graphic visual depiction of violence.\n...music, film, dance, and the visual arts.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  visu.al.ly\n...visually handicapped boys and girls.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj\n\n2. A visual is something such as a picture, diagram, or piece of film that is used to show or explain something.\nRemember you want your visuals to reinforce your message, not detract from what you are saying.\n  N-COUNT


Words: visual aid
Meaning:
vis.ual aid\n   visual aid  visual aids\n  Visual aids are things that you can look at, such as a film, model, map, or slides, to help you understand something or to remember information.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: visualize
Meaning:
visu.al.ize\n   visualize  visualizes  visualizing  visualized\nin BRIT, also use visualise\n  If you visualize something, you imagine what it is like by forming a mental picture of it.\nSusan visualized her wedding day and saw herself walking down the aisle on her father’s arm...\nHe could not visualize her as old...\nShe visualized him stomping to his car, the picture of self-righteousness...\nIt was hard to visualize how it could have been done.\n  VERB: V n, V n prep, V n -ing, V wh\n  = imagine\n=>  visu.ali.za.tion      visualizations\n...a perfect visualization of reality.\n  N-VAR


Words: vital
Meaning:
vi.tal\n   vital\n1. If you say that something is vital, you mean that it is necessary or very important.\nThe port is vital to supply relief to millions of drought victims...\nNick Wileman is a school caretaker so it is vital that he gets on well with young people...\nAfter her release she was able to give vital information about her kidnapper.\n  ADJ\n  = crucial\n=>  vi.tal.ly\nLesley’s career in the church is vitally important to her.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV with v\n\n2. If you describe someone or something as vital, you mean that they are very energetic and full of life.\nThey are both very vital people and a good match...\n  ADJ\n  = lively


Words: vital signs
Meaning:
vi.tal signs\n   vital signs\n  The vital signs of a seriously ill person are the things such as their blood pressure and temperature which show that they are alive.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: vital statistics
Meaning:
vi.tal sta.tis.tics\n   vital statistics\n1. The vital statistics of a population are statistics such as the number of births, deaths, or marriages which take place in it.\n  N-PLURAL: usu with poss\n\n2. Someone’s vital statistics, especially a woman’s, are the measurements of their body at certain points, for example at their chest, waist, and hips.\n  N-PLURAL: usu with poss


Words: vitality
Meaning:
vi.tal.ity\n   vitality\n  If you say that someone or something has vitality, you mean that they have great energy and liveliness.\nWithout continued learning, graduates will lose their intellectual vitality...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = vigour


Words: vitamin
Meaning:
vita.min\n   vitamin  vitamins\n  Vitamins are substances that you need in order to remain healthy, which are found in food or can be eaten in the form of pills.\nButter, margarine, and oily fish are all good sources of vitamin D.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: vitiate
Meaning:
vi.ti.ate\n   vitiate  vitiates  vitiating  vitiated\n  If something is vitiated, its effectiveness is spoiled or weakened. (FORMAL)\nStrategic policy during the War was vitiated because of a sharp division between `easterners’ and `westerners’...\nBut this does not vitiate his scholarship.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n


Words: vitreous
Meaning:
vit.re.ous\n   vitreous\n  Vitreous means made of glass or resembling glass. (TECHNICAL)\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: vitriol
Meaning:
vit.ri.ol\n   vitriol\n  If you refer to what someone says or writes as vitriol, you disapprove of it because it is full of bitterness and hate, and so causes a lot of distress and pain.\nThe vitriol he hurled at members of the press knew no bounds...\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval\n  = acrimony, venom


Words: vitriolic
Meaning:
vit.ri.ol.ic\n   vitriolic\n  If you describe someone’s language or behaviour as vitriolic, you disapprove of it because it is full of bitterness and hate, and so causes a lot of distress and pain.\nThere was a vicious and vitriolic attack on him in one of the Sunday newspapers two weeks ago.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval\n  = venomous


Words: vituperation
Meaning:
vi.tu.pera.tion\n   vituperation  vituperations\n  Vituperation is language that is full of hate, anger, or insults. (FORMAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl


Words: vituperative
Meaning:
vi.tu.pera.tive\n   vituperative\n  Vituperative remarks are full of hate, anger, or insults. (FORMAL)\nHe is often the victim of vituperative remarks concerning his wealth.\n...one of journalism’s most vituperative critics.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = vitriolic


Words: viva
Meaning:
viva  vivas\n  A viva is a university examination in which a student answers questions in speech rather than writing. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: vivacious
Meaning:
vi.va.cious\n   vivacious\n  If you describe someone as vivacious, you mean that they are lively, exciting, and attractive. (WRITTEN)\nShe’s beautiful, vivacious, and charming.\n  ADJ  approval


Words: vivacity
Meaning:
vi.vac.ity\n   vivacity\n  If you say that someone has vivacity, you mean that they are lively, exciting, and attractive. (WRITTEN)\n  N-UNCOUNT  approval


Words: vivid
Meaning:
viv.id\n   vivid\n1. If you describe memories and descriptions as vivid, you mean that they are very clear and detailed.\nPeople of my generation who lived through World War II have vivid memories of confusion and incompetence...\nOn Wednesday night I had a very vivid dream which really upset me.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  viv.id.ly\nI can vividly remember the feeling of panic.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n2. Something that is vivid is very bright in colour.\n...a vivid blue sky.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  viv.id.ly\n...vividly coloured birds.\n  ADV: ADV -ed/adj


Words: vivisection
Meaning:
vivi.sec.tion\n   vivisection\n  Vivisection is the practice of using live animals for scientific experiments.\n...a fierce opponent of vivisection.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: viz.
Meaning:
viz.\n  viz. is used in written English to introduce a list of specific items or examples.\nThe school offers two modules in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, viz. Principles and Methods of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics.\n\n  = namely


Words: vocabulary
Meaning:
vo.cabu.lary\n   vocabulary  vocabularies\n1. Your vocabulary is the total number of words you know in a particular language.\nHis speech is immature, his vocabulary limited...\n  N-VAR: oft with poss\n\n2. The vocabulary of a language is all the words in it.\n...a new word in the German vocabulary.\n  N-SING\n\n3. The vocabulary of a subject is the group of words that are typically used when discussing it.\n...the vocabulary of natural science.\n  N-VAR: with supp


Words: vocal
Meaning:
vo.cal\n   vocal\n1. You say that people are vocal when they speak forcefully about something that they feel strongly about.\nHe has been very vocal in his displeasure over the results...\nA public inquiry earlier this year produced vocal opposition from residents.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vo.cal.ly\nBoth these proposals were resisted by the developed countries, most vocally by the United States.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v\n\n2. Vocal means involving the use of the human voice, especially in singing.\n...a wider range of vocal styles.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  vo.cal.ly\nVocally, it is often a very accomplished performance...\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV with v


Words: vocal cords
Meaning:
vo.cal cords\n   vocal cords   also vocal chords\n  Your vocal cords are the part of your throat that vibrates when you speak.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: vocalist
Meaning:
vo.cal.ist\n   vocalist  vocalists\n  A vocalist is a singer who sings with a pop group.\n  N-COUNT\n  = singer


Words: vocalize
Meaning:
vo.cal.ize\n   vocalize  vocalizes  vocalizing  vocalized\nin BRIT, also use vocalise\n1. If you vocalize a feeling or an idea, you express it in words.\nArchbishop Hunthausen also vocalized his beliefs that women and homosexuals should be more active in the church.\n  VERB: V n\n  = express\n2. When you vocalize a sound, you use your voice to make it, especially by singing it.\nIn India and Bali students learn to vocalize music before ever picking up instruments.\n  VERB: V n, also V


Words: vocals
Meaning:
vo.cals\n   vocals\n  In a pop song, the vocals are the singing, in contrast to the playing of instruments.\nJohnson now sings backing vocals for Mica Paris.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: vocation
Meaning:
vo.ca.tion\n   vocation  vocations\n1. If you have a vocation, you have a strong feeling that you are especially suited to do a particular job or to fulfil a particular role in life, especially one which involves helping other people.\nIt could well be that he has a real vocation...\nDiana was a young mission school teacher convinced of her vocation to provide support for her schoolgirl pupils.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If you refer to your job or profession as your vocation, you feel that you are particularly suited to it.\nHer vocation is her work as an actress...\n  N-VAR: oft poss N


Words: vocational
Meaning:
vo.ca.tion.al\n   vocational\n  Vocational training and skills are the training and skills needed for a particular job or profession.\n...a course designed to provide vocational training in engineering...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  vo.ca.tion.al.ly\n...a variety of vocationally oriented courses.\n  ADV: ADV -ed/adj


Words: vocative
Meaning:
voca.tive\n   vocative  vocatives\n  A vocative is a word such as `darling’ or `madam’ which is used to address someone or attract their attention. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: vociferous
Meaning:
vo.cif.er.ous\n   vociferous\n  If you describe someone as vociferous, you mean that they speak with great energy and determination, because they want their views to be heard.\nHe was a vociferous opponent of Conservatism...\n  ADJ\n  = strident\n=>  vo.cif.er.ous.ly\nHe vociferously opposed the state of emergency imposed by the government.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: vogue
Meaning:
vogue\n1. If there is a vogue for something, it is very popular and fashionable.\nDespite the vogue for so-called health teas, there is no evidence that they are any healthier...\n  N-SING: oft N for n\n  = trend, fad\n2. If something is in vogue, is very popular and fashionable. If it comes into vogue, it becomes very popular and fashionable.\nPale colours are much more in vogue than autumnal bronzes and coppers.\n...the hippie-ethnic look which came into vogue in the late 60s.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v


Words: voice
Meaning:
voice  voices  voicing  voiced\n1. When someone speaks or sings, you hear their voice.\nMiriam’s voice was strangely calm...\n`The police are here,’ she said in a low voice...\nThere was a sound of loud voices from the kitchen...\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N, adj N\n\n2. Someone’s voice is their opinion on a particular topic and what they say about it.\nWhat does one do when a government simply refuses to listen to the voice of the opposition?...\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you have a voice in something, you have the right to express an opinion on it.\nEgypt is once again accepted as an important voice in Arab politics...\n  N-SING: N in n\n\n4. If you voice something such as an opinion or an emotion, you say what you think or feel.\nSome scientists have voiced concern that the disease could be passed on to humans...\nThe predominant opinion voiced by Detroit’s Arab population seems to be one of frustration.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n  = express\n5. In grammar, if a verb is in the active voice, the person who performs the action is the subject of the verb. If a verb is in the passive voice, the thing or person affected by the action is the subject of the verb.\n  N-SING: the adj N\n\n6. If you give voice to an opinion, a need, or a desire, you express it aloud.\n...a community radio run by the Catholic Church which gave voice to the protests of the slum-dwellers.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n\n  = express\n7. If someone tells you to keep your voice down, they are asking you to speak more quietly.\nKeep your voice down, for goodness sake.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n8. If you lose your voice, you cannot speak for a while because of an illness.\nI had to be careful not to get a sore throat and lose my voice.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9. If you raise your voice, you speak more loudly. If you lower your voice, you speak more quietly.\nHe raised his voice for the benefit of the other two women...\nShe’d lowered her voice until it was barely audible.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n10. If you say something at the top of your voice, you say it as loudly as possible.\n`Damn!’ he yelled at the top of his voice.\n  PHRASE: Ns inflect  emphasis\n\n11. If a number of people say something with one voice, they all express the same opinion about something.\nThis would enable the community to speak with one voice in world affairs.\n  PHRASE


Words: voice box
Meaning:
voice box  voice boxes\n  Your voice box is the top part of the tube that leads from your throat to your lungs, which contains your vocal cords.\n  N-COUNT\n  = larynx


Words: voice mail
Meaning:
voice mail\n  Voice mail is a system of sending messages over the telephone. Calls are answered by a machine which connects you to the person you want to leave a message for, and they can listen to their messages later.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: voice-over
Meaning:
voice-over  voice-overs   also voiceover\n  The voice-over of a film, television programme, or advertisement consists of words which are spoken by someone who is not seen.\n89% of advertisements had a male voice-over.\n  N-COUNT


Words: voiced
Meaning:
voiced\n  A voiced speech sound is one that is produced with vibration of the vocal cords. (TECHNICAL)\n  ADJ


Words: voiceless
Meaning:
voice.less\n   voiceless\n  A voiceless speech sound is one that is produced without vibration of the vocal cords. (TECHNICAL)\n  ADJ


Words: void
Meaning:
void  voids  voiding  voided\n1. If you describe a situation or a feeling as a void, you mean that it seems empty because there is nothing interesting or worthwhile about it.\nHis death has left a void in the cricketing world which can never be filled.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. You can describe a large or frightening space as a void.\nHe stared into the dark void where the battle had been fought...\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Something that is void or null and void is officially considered to have no value or authority.\nThe original elections were declared void by the former military ruler...\nThe agreement will be considered null and void.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = invalid\n4. If you are void of something, you do not have any of it. (FORMAL)\nHe rose, his face void of emotion as he walked towards the door...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ of n\n\n5. To void something means to officially say that it is not valid. (FORMAL)\nThe Supreme Court threw out the confession and voided his conviction for murder.\n  VERB: V n


Words: voile
Meaning:
voile\n  Voile is thin material which is used for making women’s clothing, for example dresses, blouses, and scarves.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: vol.
Meaning:
vol. vols\n  Vol. is used as a written abbreviation for volume when you are referring to one or more books in a series of books.


Words: volatile
Meaning:
vola.tile\n   volatile\n1. A situation that is volatile is likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly.\nThe international oil markets have been highly volatile since the early 1970s...\n  ADJ\n  = unstable\n=>  vola.til.ity\nHe is keen to see a general reduction in arms sales given the volatility of the region.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = instability\n2. If someone is volatile, their mood often changes quickly.\nHe has a volatile temper.\n  ADJ\n\n3. A volatile liquid or substance is one that will quickly change into a gas. (TECHNICAL)\nIt’s thought that the blast occurred when volatile chemicals exploded.\n  ADJ


Words: volcanic
Meaning:
vol.can.ic\n   volcanic\n  Volcanic means coming from or created by volcanoes.\nOver 200 people have been killed by volcanic eruptions...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: volcano
Meaning:
vol.ca.no\n   volcano  volcanoes\n  A volcano is a mountain from which hot melted rock, gas, steam, and ash from inside the earth sometimes burst.\nThe volcano erupted last year killing about 600 people...\n  N-COUNT


Words: vole
Meaning:
vole  voles\n  A vole is a small animal that looks like a mouse but has very small ears and a short tail. Voles usually live in fields or near rivers.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also water vole


Words: volition
Meaning:
vo.li.tion\n   volition\n1. Your volition is the power you have to decide something for yourself. (FORMAL)\nWe like to think that everything we do and everything we think is a product of our volition...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = free will\n2. If you do something of your own volition, you do it because you have decided for yourself that you will do it and not because someone else has told you to do it. (FORMAL)\nMakin said Mr Coombes had gone to the police of his own volition.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n  = voluntarily


Words: volley
Meaning:
vol.ley\n   volley  volleys  volleying  volleyed\n1. In sport, if someone volleys the ball, they hit it before it touches the ground.\nHe volleyed the ball spectacularly into the far corner of the net...\nMcNeil volleyed more effectively in the second set.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V\n\n  Volley is also a noun.\nShe hit most of the winning volleys.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A volley of gunfire is a lot of bullets that travel through the air at the same time.\nIt’s still not known how many died in the volleys of gunfire...\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: volleyball
Meaning:
volley.ball\n   volleyball\n  Volleyball is a game in which two teams hit a large ball with their hands backwards and forwards over a high net. If you allow the ball to touch the ground, the other team wins a point.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: voltage
Meaning:
volt.age\n   voltage  voltages\n  The voltage of an electrical current is its force measured in volts.\nThe systems are getting smaller and using lower voltages.\n...high-voltage power lines.\n  N-VAR


Words: volte-face
Meaning:
volte-face  volte-faces\n  If you say that someone’s behaviour is a volte-face, you mean that they have changed their opinion or decision completely, so that it is the opposite of what it was before. (FORMAL)\nThe day’s events were a remarkable volte-face.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n  = about-face


Words: voluble
Meaning:
vol.uble\n   voluble\n  If you say that someone is voluble, you mean that they talk a lot with great energy and enthusiasm. (FORMAL)\nShe was voluble with excitement...\nBert is a voluble, gregarious man.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vol.ubly\nIn the next booth along he could see an elderly lady, talking volubly.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: volume
Meaning:
vol.ume\n   volume  volumes\n1. The volume of something is the amount of it that there is.\nSenior officials will be discussing how the volume of sales might be reduced.\n...the sheer volume of traffic and accidents.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n\n\n2. The volume of an object is the amount of space that it contains or occupies.\nWhen egg whites are beaten they can rise to seven or eight times their original volume.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n3. A volume is a book. (FORMAL)\n...a 125-page volume.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A volume is one book in a series of books.\n...the first volume of his autobiography.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n5. A volume is a collection of several issues of a magazine, for example all the issues for one year.\n...bound volumes of the magazine.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n6. The volume of a radio, television, or sound system is the loudness of the sound it produces.\nHe turned down the volume...\nHe came to complain about the volume of the music.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n7. If something such as an action speaks volumes about a person or thing, it gives you a lot of information about them.\nWhat you wear speaks volumes about you...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR about n


Words: voluminous
Meaning:
vo.lu.mi.nous\n   voluminous\n  Something that is voluminous is very large or contains a lot of things. (FORMAL)\nThe FBI kept a voluminous file on Pablo Picasso.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: voluntary
Meaning:
vol.un.tary\n   voluntary\n1. Voluntary actions or activities are done because someone chooses to do them and not because they have been forced to do them.\nAttention is drawn to a special voluntary course in Commercial French...\nThe scheme, due to begin next month, will be voluntary.\n  ADJ\n  !=compulsory\n=>  vol.un.tar.ily\nI would only leave here voluntarily if there was a big chance to work abroad.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. Voluntary work is done by people who are not paid for it, but who do it because they want to do it.\nHe’d been working at the local hostel for the handicapped on a voluntary basis.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. A voluntary worker is someone who does work without being paid for it, because they want to do it.\nApna Arts has achieved more with voluntary workers in three years than most organisations with paid workers have achieved in ten...\nWe depend solely upon our voluntary helpers.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n4. A voluntary organization is controlled and organized by the people who have chosen to work for it, often without being paid, rather than receiving help or money from the government.\nSome local authorities and voluntary organizations also run workshops for disabled people...\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: volunteer
Meaning:
vol.un.teer\n   volunteer  volunteers  volunteering  volunteered\n1. A volunteer is someone who does work without being paid for it, because they want to do it.\nShe now helps in a local school as a volunteer three days a week...\nMike was a member of the local volunteer fire brigade.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A volunteer is someone who offers to do a particular task or job without being forced to do it.\nRight. What I want now is two volunteers to come down to the front...\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you volunteer to do something, you offer to do it without being forced to do it.\nAunt Mary volunteered to clean up the kitchen...\nHe volunteered for the army in 1939...\nShe volunteered as a nurse in a soldiers’ rest-home...\nHe’s volunteered his services as a chauffeur.\n  VERB: V to-inf, V for n, V as n, V n, also V\n\n4. If you volunteer information, you tell someone something without being asked. (FORMAL)\nThe room was quiet; no one volunteered any further information...\n`They were both great supporters of Franco,’ Ryle volunteered...\nThe next week, Phillida volunteered that they were getting on better.\n  VERB: V n, V with quote, V that\n\n5. A volunteer is someone who chooses to join the armed forces, especially during a war, as opposed to someone who is forced to join by law.\nThey fought as volunteers with the Afghan guerrillas...\n  N-COUNT


Words: voluptuous
Meaning:
vo.lup.tu.ous\n   voluptuous\n  If you describe a woman as voluptuous, you mean that she has large breasts and hips and is considered attractive in a sexual way.\n...a voluptuous, well-rounded lady with glossy black hair.\n  ADJ


Words: vomit
Meaning:
vom.it\n   vomit  vomits  vomiting  vomited\n1. If you vomit, food and drink comes back up from your stomach and out through your mouth.\nAny product made from cow’s milk made him vomit...\nShe began to vomit blood a few days before she died...\nHe vomited up all he had just eaten.\n  VERB: V, V n, V n with up\n\n=>  vom.it.ing\nNausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting may accompany migraine.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Vomit is partly digested food and drink that has come back up from someone’s stomach and out through their mouth.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = sick


Words: voodoo
Meaning:
voo.doo\n   voodoo\n  Voodoo is a form of religion involving magic which is practised by some people in the West Indies, especially Haiti.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: voracious
Meaning:
vo.ra.cious\n   voracious\n  If you describe a person, or their appetite for something, as voracious, you mean that they want a lot of something. (LITERARY)\nJoseph Smith was a voracious book collector.\n...the band’s voracious appetite for fun.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = insatiable\n=>  vo.ra.cious.ly\nHe read voraciously.\n  ADV


Words: vortex
Meaning:
vor.tex\n   vortex  vortexes  or vortices\n1. A vortex is a mass of wind or water that spins round so fast that it pulls objects down into its empty centre.\nThe polar vortex is a system of wintertime winds.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you refer to a situation as a vortex, you feel that you are being forced into it without being able to prevent it.\nWhen marriages break down children are swept into the vortex of their parents’ embittered emotions.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp


Words: vote
Meaning:
vote  votes  voting  voted\n1. A vote is a choice made by a particular person or group in a meeting or an election.\nHe walked to the local polling centre to cast his vote...\nThe government got a massive majority.well over 400 votes...\nMr Reynolds was re-elected by 102 votes to 60.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A vote is an occasion when a group of people make a decision by each person indicating his or her choice. The choice that most people support is accepted by the group.\nWhy do you think we should have a vote on that?...\nThey took a vote and decided not to do it.\n  N-COUNT: usu a N in sing\n\n3. The vote is the total number of votes or voters in an election, or the number of votes received or cast by a particular group.\nOpposition parties won about fifty-five per cent of the vote...\n  N-SING: usu the N\n\n4. If you have the vote in an election, or have a vote in a meeting, you have the legal right to indicate your choice.\nBefore that, women did not have a vote at all...\n  N-SING\n\n5. When you vote, you indicate your choice officially at a meeting or in an election, for example by raising your hand or writing on a piece of paper.\nTwo-thirds of the national electorate had the chance to vote in these elections...\nIt seems many people would vote for the government, at a general election, if there was a new leader...\nThe residents of Leningrad voted to restore the city’s original name of St Petersburg...\nThe parliament has voted by an overwhelming majority to suspend its declaration of independence...\nThe Bridgeport Common Council voted 9:8 for a five percent tax increase.\n  VERB: V, V prep, V to-inf, V by n to-inf/prep, V num prep/to-inf\n\n=>  vot.ing\nVoting began about two hours ago.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n6. If you vote a particular political party or leader, or vote yes or no, you make that choice with the vote that you have.\n52.5% of those questioned said they’d vote Labour...\nA single candidate is put forward and the people vote yes or no.\n  VERB: V n, V yeso\n\n7. If people vote someone a particular title, they choose that person to have that title.\nHis class voted him the man `who had done the most for Yale.’...\n  VERB: V n n\n  = elect\n8.\n  see also block vote\n9. If you vote with your feet, you show that you do not support something by leaving the place where it is happening or leaving the organization that is supporting it.\nThousands of citizens are already voting with their feet, and leaving the country...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n10. If you say `I vote that’ a particular thing should happen, you are suggesting that this is what should happen. (INFORMAL)\nI vote that we all go to Holland immediately...\n  PHRASE: PHR that\n\n11. One man one vote or one person one vote is a system of voting in which every person in a group or country has the right to cast their vote, and in which each individual’s vote is counted and has equal value.\nMr Gould called for a move towards `one man one vote’...\n  PHRASE


Words: vote in
Meaning:
vote in\n  If people vote in a particular person or political party, they give enough votes to that person or party in an official election for them to hold a position of power.\nIf he fails, then he will have little excuse in the eyes of those who voted him in...\nThe members of the national assembly will vote in a prime minister by a simple majority.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = elect


Words: vote of confidence
Meaning:
vote of con.fi.dence\n   vote of confidence  votes of confidence\n1. A vote of confidence is a vote in which members of a group are asked to indicate that they still support the person or group in power, usually the government.\nThe Indian Prime Minister, V P Singh, lost a vote of confidence in the Indian parliament.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. A vote of confidence is something that you say or do which shows that you approve of or support a person or a group.\nThe ten-year deal is a vote of confidence in coal-fired power stations.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: vote of no confidence
Meaning:
vote of no con.fi.dence\n   vote of no confidence  votes of no confidence\n  A vote of no confidence is a vote in which members of a group are asked to indicate that they do not support the person or group in power, usually the government.\nThe opposition has called for a vote of no confidence in the government.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: vote of thanks
Meaning:
vote of thanks  votes of thanks\n  A vote of thanks is an official speech in which the speaker formally thanks a person for doing something.\nI would like to propose a vote of thanks to our host.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: vote out
Meaning:
vote out\n  If people vote out a particular person or political party, they give that person or party so few votes in an official election that they no longer hold a position of power.\nAnd if the President doesn’t make things better, other voters say, we’ll vote him out, too...\nThey cannot join forces to vote her out of office...\nAnd of course we all know we can vote out our councillors.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V n P of n, V P n (not pron)


Words: voter
Meaning:
vot.er\n   voter  voters\n  Voters are people who have the legal right to vote in elections, or people who are voting in a particular election.\nAustrian voters went to the polls this weekend to elect a successor to the President.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: vouch
Meaning:
vouch  vouches  vouching  vouched\n=>  vouch for\n\n1. If you say that you can or will vouch for someone, you mean that you can guarantee their good behaviour.\nKim’s mother agreed to vouch for Maria and get her a job.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n\n2. If you say that you can vouch for something, you mean that you have evidence from your own personal experience that it is true or correct.\nHe cannot vouch for the accuracy of the story.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: voucher
Meaning:
vouch.er\n   voucher  vouchers\n  A voucher is a ticket or piece of paper that can be used instead of money to pay for something.\n...gift vouchers.\n  N-COUNT: usu N for n, n N


Words: vouchsafe
Meaning:
vouch.safe\n   vouchsafe  vouchsafes  vouchsafing  vouchsafed\n  If you are vouchsafed something or it is vouchsafed to you, you are given or granted it. (FORMAL)\nAs we approached the summit we were vouchsafed a rare vision...\nEric gritted his teeth and vouchsafed them a few more drops of brandy...\n`He drives like a madman,’ was all the information he vouchsafed.\n  VERB: be V-ed n, V n n, V n, also V n to n


Words: vow
Meaning:
vow  vows  vowing  vowed\n1. If you vow to do something, you make a serious promise or decision that you will do it.\nWhile many models vow to go back to college, few do...\nI solemnly vowed that someday I would return to live in Europe...\n`I’ll kill him,’ she vowed...\nThey have vowed a quick and decisive response.\n  VERB: V to-inf, V that, V with quote, V n\n\n2. A vow is a serious promise or decision to do a particular thing.\nI made a silent vow to be more careful in the future...\n  N-COUNT: oft N to-inf, N that\n\n3. Vows are a particular set of serious promises, such as the promises two people make when they are getting married.\nHe had broken his vow of poverty.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, with supp


Words: vowel
Meaning:
vow.el\n   vowel  vowels\n  A vowel is a sound such as the ones represented in writing by the letters `a’, `e’ `i’, `o’ and `u’, which you pronounce with your mouth open, allowing the air to flow through it. Compare consonant.\nThe vowel in words like `my’ and `thigh’ is not very difficult.\n  N-COUNT


Words: vox pop
Meaning:
vox pop  vox pops\n  In a radio or television programme, a vox pop is an item consisting of a series of short interviews with ordinary members of the public. (mainly BRIT JOURNALISM)\n  N-VAR


Words: voyage
Meaning:
voy.age\n   voyage  voyages  voyaging  voyaged\n1. A voyage is a long journey on a ship or in a spacecraft.\n...the first space shuttle voyage to be devoted entirely to astronomy.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu with supp\n\n2. To voyage to a place means to travel there, especially by sea. (FORMAL)\nThe Greenpeace flagship is voyaging through the Arctic cold of the Barents Sea.\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n  = journey, travel\n=>  voy.ag.er      voyagers\n...fifteenth-century voyagers to the lands now called America and the Caribbean.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  voy.ag.ing\nOur boat would not have been appropriate for ocean voyaging.\n  N-UNCOUNT: supp N


Words: voyeur
Meaning:
vo.yeur\n   voyeur  voyeurs\n1. A voyeur is someone who gets sexual pleasure from secretly watching other people having sex or taking their clothes off.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you describe someone as a voyeur, you disapprove of them because you think they enjoy watching other people’s suffering or problems.\nThe media has made unfeeling voyeurs of all of us.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: voyeurism
Meaning:
vo.yeur.ism\n   voyeurism\n1. Voyeurism is the practice of getting sexual pleasure by secretly watching other people having sex or taking their clothes off.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you describe someone’s behaviour as voyeurism, you disapprove of them because you think they enjoy watching other people’s suffering or problems.\nThe BBC yesterday defended a series featuring dramatic crime reconstructions against suggestions of voyeurism.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: voyeuristic
Meaning:
vo.yeur.is.tic\n   voyeuristic\n1. Voyeuristic behaviour involves getting sexual pleasure from secretly watching other people having sex or taking their clothes off.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone’s behaviour as voyeuristic, you disapprove of them because you think they enjoy watching other people’s suffering or problems.\nWe as a society are growing more commercial and voyeuristic all the time.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: VSO
Meaning:
VSO\n  VSO is a British organization that sends skilled people to developing countries to work on projects that help the local community. VSO is an abbreviation for `Voluntary Service Overseas’.\n  N-PROPER


Words: vulgar
Meaning:
vul.gar\n   vulgar\n1. If you describe something as vulgar, you think it is in bad taste or of poor artistic quality.\nThe film is tasteless, vulgar and even badly shot.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  vul.gar.ity\nI hate the vulgarity of this room.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you describe pictures, gestures, or remarks as vulgar, you dislike them because they refer to sex or parts of the body in a rude way that you find unpleasant.\nThe women laughed coarsely at some vulgar jokes...\nThe lyrics were vulgar.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  vul.gar.ity\nThere’s a good deal of vulgarity.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If you describe a person or their behaviour as vulgar, you mean that they lack taste or behave rudely.\nHe was a vulgar old man, but he never swore in front of a woman...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = crude\n=>  vul.gar.ity\nIt’s his vulgarity that I can’t take.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vulnerable
Meaning:
vul.ner.able\n   vulnerable\n1. Someone who is vulnerable is weak and without protection, with the result that they are easily hurt physically or emotionally.\nOld people are particularly vulnerable members of our society.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  vul.ner.abil.ity      vulnerabilities\nDavid accepts his own vulnerability.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If a person, animal, or plant is vulnerable to a disease, they are more likely to get it than other people, animals, or plants.\nPeople with high blood pressure are especially vulnerable to diabetes...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ to n\n  = prone, susceptible\n=>  vul.ner.abil.ity\nTaking long-term courses of certain medicines may increase vulnerability to infection.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. Something that is vulnerable can be easily harmed or affected by something bad.\nTheir tanks would be vulnerable to attack from the air...\nGoodyear could be vulnerable in a prolonged economic slump.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n\n=>  vul.ner.abil.ity\n...anxieties about the country’s vulnerability to invasion.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: vulture
Meaning:
vul.ture\n   vulture  vultures\n1. A vulture is a large bird which lives in hot countries and eats the flesh of dead animals.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you describe a person as a vulture, you disapprove of them because you think they are trying to gain from another person’s troubles. (JOURNALISM)\nWith no buyer in sight for the company as a whole, the vultures started to circle.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: vulva
Meaning:
vul.va\n   vulva  vulvas\n  The vulva is the outer part of a woman’s sexual organs. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: W, w
Meaning:
W, w  W’s, w’s\n1. W is the twenty-third letter of the English alphabet.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. W or w is an abbreviation for words beginning with w, such as `west’ or `watt’.


Words: wacko
Meaning:
wacko\n  If you say that someone is wacko, you are saying in an unkind way that they are strange and eccentric. (INFORMAL)\nLampley was obviously completely wacko.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = mad


Words: wacky
Meaning:
wacky  wackier  wackiest   also whacky\n  If you describe something or someone as wacky, you mean that they are eccentric, unusual, and often funny. (INFORMAL)\n...a wacky new television comedy series...\n  ADJ


Words: wad
Meaning:
wad  wads\n  A wad of something such as paper or cloth is a tight bundle or ball of it.\n...a wad of banknotes.\n...a wad of cotton soaked in cleaning fluid.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: wadding
Meaning:
wad.ding\n   wadding\n  Wadding is soft material which is put around things to protect them, for example in packing.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: waddle
Meaning:
wad.dle\n   waddle  waddles  waddling  waddled\n  To waddle somewhere means to walk there with short, quick steps, swinging slightly from side to side. A person or animal that waddles usually has short legs and a fat body.\nMcGinnis pushed himself laboriously out of the chair and waddled to the window...\n  VERB: V prep/adv


Words: wade
Meaning:
wade  wades  wading  waded\n1. If you wade through something that makes it difficult to walk, usually water or mud, you walk through it.\nRescuers had to wade across a river to reach them...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n2. To wade through a lot of documents or pieces of information means to spend a lot of time and effort reading them or dealing with them.\nIt has taken a long time to wade through the `incredible volume’ of evidence...\n  VERB: V through n


Words: wade in
Meaning:
wade in   or wade into\n  If someone wades in or wades into something, they get involved in a very determined and forceful way, often without thinking enough about the consequences of their actions.\nThey don’t just listen sympathetically, they wade in with remarks like, `If I were you...’...\nPolice waded into a crowd of protesters.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n


Words: wader
Meaning:
wad.er\n   wader  waders\n1. A wader is a bird with long legs and a long neck, which lives near water and feeds on fish. There are several different kinds of waders.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Waders are long rubber boots which cover all of the legs and are worn by fishermen when they are standing in water.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: wadi
Meaning:
wadi  wadis\n  A wadi is a river in North Africa or Arabia which is dry except in the rainy season. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: wading pool
Meaning:
wad.ing pool\n   wading pool  wading pools\n  A wading pool is a shallow artificial pool for children to play in. (AM; in BRIT, use paddling pool)\n  N-COUNT


Words: wafer
Meaning:
wa.fer\n   wafer  wafers\n1. A wafer is a thin crisp biscuit which is usually eaten with ice cream.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A wafer is a circular, thin piece of special bread which the priest gives people to eat in the Christian service of Holy Communion.\n  N-COUNT


Words: wafer-thin
Meaning:
wafer-thin\n  Wafer-thin means extremely thin and flat.\nCut the fennel into wafer-thin slices.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ


Words: waffle
Meaning:
waf.fle\n   waffle  waffles  waffling  waffled\n1. If you say that someone waffles, you are critical of them because they talk or write a lot without actually making any clear or important points. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nMy wife often tells me I waffle...\nThere was some bloke on the phone waffling about an airline ticket.\n  VERB: V, V about n  disapproval\n\n  Waffle on means the same as waffle.\nWhenever I open my mouth I don’t half waffle on...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n  Waffle is also a noun.\nHe writes smug, sanctimonious waffle.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If someone waffles on an issue or question, they cannot decide what to do or what their opinion is about it. (AM)\nHe’s waffled on abortion and gay rights...\nHe kept waffling and finding excuses not to close the deal.\n  VERB: V on/about/over n, V\n  = waver\n3. A waffle is a kind of square cake made of batter with squares marked on it. Waffles are usually eaten with syrup poured over them.\n  N-COUNT


Words: waft
Meaning:
waft   wafts   wafting   wafted\n  If sounds or smells waft through the air, or if something such as a light wind wafts them, they move gently through the air.\nThe scent of climbing roses wafts through the window...\nA slight breeze rose, wafting the heavy scent of flowers past her.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V n prep/adv\n\n  Waft is also a noun.\nA waft of perfume drifted into Ingrid’s nostrils.\n  N-COUNT: N of n


Words: wag
Meaning:
wag  wags  wagging  wagged\n1. When a dog wags its tail, it repeatedly waves its tail from side to side.\nThe dog was biting, growling and wagging its tail.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you wag your finger, you shake it repeatedly and quickly from side to side, usually because you are annoyed with someone.\nHe wagged a disapproving finger...\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If you wag your head, you move it from side to side, often because you are unhappy about a situation.\nHe wags his head unhappily.\n  VERB: V n\n  = shake


Words: wage
Meaning:
wage  wages  waging  waged\n1. Someone’s wages are the amount of money that is regularly paid to them for the work that they do.\nHis wages have gone up...\nThis may end efforts to set a minimum wage well above the poverty line.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If a person, group, or country wages a campaign or a war, they start it and continue it over a period of time.\n...the three factions that had been waging a civil war...\n  VERB: V n


Words: wage packet
Meaning:
wage pack.et\n   wage packet  wage packets\n  People’s wages can be referred to as their wage packet. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use paycheck)\nThey work long hours in order to take home a fat wage packet.\n  N-COUNT


Words: waged
Meaning:
waged\n1. Waged is the past tense and past participle of wage.\n\n2. Waged workers receive money regularly for doing a job. Waged work is work that you are paid to do.\n...the influx of women into the waged workforce...\nThey want secure, waged employment.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: wager
Meaning:
wa.ger\n   wager  wagers  wagering  wagered\n1. If you wager on the result of a horse race, football match, or other event, you give someone a sum of money which they give you back with extra money if the result is what you predicted, or which they keep if it is not. (JOURNALISM)\nJust because people wagered on the Yankees did not mean that they liked them...\nGolfers had wagered a good deal of money on Nick Faldo winning the championship.\n  VERB: V on n, V n on n\n  = bet, gamble\n  Wager is also a noun.\nThere have been various wagers on certain candidates since the Bishop announced his retirement.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that you will wager that something is the case, you mean you are confident that it is the case.\nShe was willing to wager that he didn’t own the apartment he lived in...\n  VERB: V that\n  = bet


Words: waggle
Meaning:
wag.gle\n   waggle  waggles  waggling  waggled\n  If you waggle something, or if something waggles, it moves up and down or from side to side with short quick movements.\nHe was waggling his toes in his socks...\n...puppet animals with eyes that move and ears that waggle.\n  VERB: V n, V\n  = wiggle


Words: wagon
Meaning:
wag.on\n   wagon  wagons\nin BRIT, also use waggon\n1. A wagon is a strong vehicle with four wheels, usually pulled by horses or oxen and used for carrying heavy loads.\n  N-COUNT\n  = cart\n2. A wagon is a large container on wheels which is pulled by a train. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use freight car)\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Someone who is on the wagon has stopped drinking alcohol. (INFORMAL)\nI’m on the wagon for a while. Cleaning out my system.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n4.\n  see also station wagon


Words: wagtail
Meaning:
wag.tail\n   wagtail  wagtails\n  A wagtail is a type of small bird which moves its tail quickly up and down as it walks.\n  N-COUNT


Words: wah-wah
Meaning:
wah-wah\n  In music, wah-wah is used to describe the sound produced by covering and uncovering the open end of a brass instrument. This sound can also be produced electronically, especially when playing the electric guitar.\nHe played some wah-wah guitar.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: waif
Meaning:
waif  waifs\n  If you refer to a child or young woman as a waif, you mean that they are very thin and look as if they have nowhere to live.\n...a dirty-faced waif of some five or six years...\n  N-COUNT


Words: wail
Meaning:
wail  wails  wailing  wailed\n1. If someone wails, they make long, loud, high-pitched cries which express sorrow or pain.\nThe women began to wail in mourning.\n...a mother wailing for her lost child.\n  VERB: V, V for n\n\n  Wail is also a noun.\nWails of grief were heard as visitors filed past the site of the disaster.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. If you wail something, you say it in a loud, high-pitched voice that shows that you are unhappy or in pain.\n`Now look what you’ve done!’ Shirley wailed...\nPrimrose, stupefied by tiredness, began to wail that she was hungry.\n  VERB: V with quote, V that, also V about n\n\n3. If something such as a siren or an alarm wails, it makes a long, loud, high-pitched sound.\nPolice cars, their sirens wailing, accompanied the lorries...\n  VERB: V\n\n  Wail is also a noun.\nThe wail of the bagpipe could be heard in the distance.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n\n=>  wail.ing\nOur artillery opened up and we heard a fearful wailing and screeching.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: waist
Meaning:
waist  waists\n1. Your waist is the middle part of your body where it narrows slightly above your hips.\nRicky kept his arm round her waist...\nHe was stripped to the waist.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N\n\n=>  -waisted\nSarah looked slender-waisted, fragile and very beautiful.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n2. The waist of a garment such as a dress, coat, or pair of trousers is the part of it which covers the middle part of your body.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  -waisted\n...high-waisted dresses.\n  COMB in ADJ


Words: waistband
Meaning:
waist.band\n   waistband  waistbands\n  A waistband is a narrow piece of material which is sewn on to a pair of trousers, a skirt, or other item of clothing at the waist in order to strengthen it.\n  N-COUNT


Words: waistcoat
Meaning:
waist.coat\n   waistcoat   waistcoats\n  A waistcoat is a sleeveless piece of clothing with buttons which people usually wear over a shirt. (BRIT; in AM, use vest)\n  N-COUNT


Words: waistline
Meaning:
waist.line\n   waistline  waistlines\n1. Your waistline is your waist measurement.\nA passion for cooking does not necessarily have to be bad for your waistline.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N\n  = waist\n2. The waistline of a piece of clothing is the place where the upper and lower parts are sewn together, which is near to your waist when you wear it.\n  N-COUNT\n  = waist


Words: wait
Meaning:
wait  waits  waiting  waited\n1. When you wait for something or someone, you spend some time doing very little, because you cannot act until that thing happens or that person arrives.\nI walk to a street corner and wait for the school bus...\nStop waiting for things to happen. Make them happen...\nI waited to see how she responded...\nAngus got out of the car to wait...\nWe will have to wait a week or so before we know whether the operation is a success...\nHe told waiting journalists that he did not expect a referendum to be held for several months.\n  VERB: no passive, V for n, V for n to-inf, V to-inf, V, V n, V-ing, also V n for n\n\n=>  wait.ing\nThe waiting became almost unbearable.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A wait is a period of time in which you do very little, before something happens or before you can do something.\n...the four-hour wait for the organizers to declare the result.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n3. If something is waiting for you, it is ready for you to use, have, or do.\nThere’ll be a car waiting for you...\nWhen we came home we had a meal waiting for us...\nShips with unfurled sails wait to take them aboard...\n  VERB: usu cont, V for n, have n V-ing for n, V to-inf\n\n4. If you say that something can wait, you mean that it is not important or urgent and so you will deal with it or do it later.\nI want to talk to you, but it can wait...\nAny changes will have to wait until sponsors can be found.\n  VERB: no cont, V, V\n\n5. You can use wait when you are trying to make someone feel excited, or to encourage or threaten them.\nIf you think this all sounds very exciting, just wait until you read the book...\nAs soon as you get some food inside you, you’ll feel more cheerful. Just you wait.\n  VERB: only imper, V until cl, V\n\n6. Wait is used in expressions such as wait a minute, wait a second, and wait a moment to interrupt someone when they are speaking, for example because you object to what they are saying or because you want them to repeat something. (SPOKEN)\n`Wait a minute!’ he broke in. `This is not giving her a fair hearing!’\n  VERB: only imper, V n\n  = hold on, hang on\n7. If an employee waits on you, for example in a restaurant or hotel, they take orders from you and bring you what you want.\nThere were plenty of servants to wait on her...\nEach student is expected to wait at table for one week each semester.\n  VERB: V on n, V at n\n\n8. If you say that you can’t wait to do something or can hardly wait to do it, you are emphasizing that you are very excited about it and eager to do it. (SPOKEN)\nWe can’t wait to get started...\nIt’s gonna be great. I can hardly wait...\n  PHRASE: oft PHR to-inf  emphasis\n\n9. If you tell someone to wait and see, you tell them that they must be patient or that they must not worry about what is going to happen in the future because they have no control over it.\nWe’ll have to wait and see what happens.\n...a wait-and-see attitude.\n  PHRASE: oft PHR n, PHR wh


Words: wait around
Meaning:
wait around\n  If you wait around or wait about, you stay in the same place, usually doing very little, because you cannot act before something happens or before someone arrives. (in BRIT, also use wait about)\nThe attacker may have been waiting around for an opportunity to strike...\nI waited around to speak to the doctor.\n...the ghastly tedium of waiting about at the airport.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P for n, V P to-inf, V P


Words: wait in
Meaning:
wait in\n  If you wait in, you deliberately stay at home and do not go out, for example because someone is coming to see you. (mainly BRIT)\nIf I’d waited in for you I could have waited all day...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P for n\n  = stay in


Words: wait on
Meaning:
wait on\n  If you are waiting on something, you are waiting for it to happen, for example before you do or decide anything. (AM)\nSince then I’ve been waiting on events...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: wait up
Meaning:
wait up\n1. If you wait up, you deliberately do not go to bed, especially because you are expecting someone to return home late at night.\nI hope he doesn’t expect you to wait up for him...\nDon’t wait up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P for n, V P\n  = stay up\n2. If you ask someone to wait up, you are asking them to go more slowly or to stop and wait for you. (AM INFORMAL)\nI was running down the hill shouting, `Michael, Michael, man, wait up’.\n  PHRASAL VERB: usu imper, V P\n  = wait


Words: waiter
Meaning:
wait.er\n   waiter  waiters\n  A waiter is a man who works in a restaurant, serving people with food and drink.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also dumb waiter


Words: waiting game
Meaning:
wait.ing game\n   waiting game  waiting games\n  If you play a waiting game, you deal with a situation by deliberately doing nothing, because you believe you will gain an advantage by acting later, or because you are waiting to see how other people are going to act.\nHe’s playing a waiting-game. He’ll hope to hang on as long as possible until the pressure is off.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: waiting list
Meaning:
wait.ing list\n   waiting list  waiting lists\n  A waiting list is a list of people who have asked for something which cannot be given to them immediately, for example medical treatment, housing, or training, and who must therefore wait until it is available.\nThere were 20,000 people on the waiting list for a home.\n  N-COUNT: oft on N


Words: waiting room
Meaning:
wait.ing room\n   waiting room  waiting rooms   also waiting-room\n  A waiting room is a room in a place such as a railway station or a clinic, where people can sit down while they wait.\n  N-COUNT


Words: waitress
Meaning:
wait.ress\n   waitress  waitresses  waitressing  waitressed\n1. A waitress is a woman who works in a restaurant, serving people with food and drink.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A woman who waitresses works in a restaurant serving food and drink.\nShe had been working in a pub, cooking and waitressing.\n  VERB: V\n\n=>  wait.ress.ing\nShe does a bit of waitressing as a part-time job.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: waive
Meaning:
waive  waives  waiving  waived\n1. If you waive your right to something, for example legal representation, you choose not to have it or do it.\nHe pleaded guilty to the murders of three boys and waived his right to appeal.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If someone waives a rule, they say that people do not have to obey it in a particular situation.\nThe art gallery waives admission charges on Sundays...\n  VERB: V n


Words: waiver
Meaning:
waiv.er\n   waiver  waivers\n  A waiver is when a person, government, or organization agrees to give up a right or says that people do not have to obey a particular rule or law.\n...a waiver of constitutional rights...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp


Words: wake
Meaning:
wake  wakes  waking  woke  woken\n\n  The form waked is used in American English for the past tense.\n\n1. When you wake or when someone or something wakes you, you become conscious again after being asleep.\nIt was cold and dark when I woke at 6.30...\nBob woke slowly to sunshine pouring in his window...\nShe woke to find her dark room lit by flashing lights...\nShe went upstairs to wake Milton.\n  VERB: V, V to n, V to-inf, V n\n\n  Wake up means the same as wake.\nOne morning I woke up and felt something was wrong...\nAt dawn I woke him up and said we were leaving.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V n P\n\n2. The wake of a boat or other object moving in water is the track of waves that it makes behind it as it moves through the water.\nDolphins sometimes play in the wake of the boats.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with poss\n\n3. A wake is a gathering or social event that is held before or after someone’s funeral.\nA funeral wake was in progress.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n4. If one thing follows in the wake of another, it happens after the other thing is over, often as a result of it.\nThe governor has enjoyed a huge surge in the polls in the wake of last week’s convention...\n  PREP-PHRASE\n  = following\n5. Your waking hours are the times when you are awake rather than asleep.\nIt was work which consumed most of his waking hours...\n  PHRASE: usu with poss\n\n6. If you leave something or someone in your wake, you leave them behind you as you go.\nAdam stumbles on, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n7. If you are following in someone’s wake, you are following them or their example.\nIn his wake came a waiter wheeling a trolley.\n...the endless stream of female artists who released albums in her wake.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: wake up
Meaning:
wake up\n  If something such as an activity wakes you up, it makes you more alert and ready to do things after you have been lazy or inactive.\nA cool shower wakes up the body and boosts circulation.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n  see also wake 1


Words: wake up to
Meaning:
wake up to\n  If you wake up to something, you become aware of it.\nPeople should wake up to the fact that people with disabilities have got a vote as well.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P P n


Words: wake-up call
Meaning:
wake-up call  wake-up calls\n1. A wake-up call is a telephone call that you can book through an operator or at a hotel to make sure that you wake up at a particular time.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. If you say that something is a wake-up call to a person or group of people, you mean that it will make them notice something and start to take action.\nThe Ambassador said he hoped the statement would serve as a wake-up call to the government.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N to n


Words: wakeful
Meaning:
wake.ful\n   wakeful\n  Someone who is wakeful finds it difficult to get to sleep and wakes up very often when they should be sleeping.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  wake.ful.ness\nIt is never a good idea to take sleeping tablets regularly for this kind of wakefulness.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: waken
Meaning:
wak.en\n   waken  wakens  wakening  wakened\n  When you waken, or when someone or something wakens you, you wake from sleep. (LITERARY)\nThe noise of a door slamming wakened her...\nWomen are much more likely than men to waken because of noise.\n  VERB: V n, V\n  = wake\n  Waken up means the same as waken.\n`Drink this coffee.it will waken you up.’...\nIf you do waken up during the night, start the exercises again.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P


Words: walk
Meaning:
walk  walks  walking  walked\n1. When you walk, you move forward by putting one foot in front of the other in a regular way.\nRosanna and Forbes walked in silence for some while...\nShe turned and walked away...\nThey would stop the car and walk a few steps...\nWhen I was your age I walked five miles to school.\n  VERB: V, V prep/adv, V n, V n to n\n\n2. A walk is a journey that you make by walking, usually for pleasure.\nI went for a walk...\nHe often took long walks in the hills.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A walk of a particular distance is the distance which a person has to walk to get somewhere.\nIt was only a three-mile walk to Kabul from there...\nThe church is a short walk from Piazza Dante.\n  N-SING: supp N, N of n\n\n4. A walk is a route suitable for walking along for pleasure.\nThere is a 2 mile coastal walk from Craster to Newton.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. A walk is the action of walking rather than running.\nShe slowed to a steady walk.\n  N-SING: a N\n\n6. Someone’s walk is the way that they walk.\nGeorge, despite his great height and gangling walk, was a keen dancer.\n  N-SING: poss N\n\n7. If you walk someone somewhere, you walk there with them in order to show politeness or to make sure that they get there safely.\nShe walked me to my car...\n  VERB: V n prep/adv\n  = escort\n8. If you walk your dog, you take it for a walk in order to keep it healthy.\nI walk my dog each evening around my local streets.\n  VERB: V n\n\n9.\nto be walking on air: see air\nto walk tall: see tall


