# dict

Words: tractable
Meaning:
trac.table\n   tractable\n  If you say that a person, problem, or device is tractable, you mean that they can be easily controlled or dealt with. (FORMAL)\n...the country’s least tractable social problems.\n  ADJ\n  !=intractable


Words: traction
Meaning:
trac.tion\n   traction\n1. Traction is a form of medical treatment, in which weights and pulleys are used to gently pull or stretch an injured part of the body for a period of time. You say that a person who is having this treatment is in traction.\nIsabelle’s legs were in traction for about two and a half weeks.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft in N\n\n2. Traction is a particular form of power that makes a vehicle move.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N\n\n3. Traction is the grip that something has on the ground, especially the wheels of a vehicle.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: tractor
Meaning:
trac.tor\n   tractor  tractors\n  A tractor is a farm vehicle that is used to pull farm machinery and to provide the energy needed for the machinery to work.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trad
Meaning:
trad\n  Trad or trad jazz is a kind of jazz based on the jazz that was played in the 1920s. (BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: trade
Meaning:
trade  trades  trading  traded\n1. Trade is the activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods or services between people, firms, or countries.\nThe ministry had direct control over every aspect of foreign trade.\n...negotiations on a new international trade agreement...\nTexas has a long history of trade with Mexico.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. When people, firms, or countries trade, they buy, sell, or exchange goods or services between themselves.\nThey may refuse to trade, even when offered attractive prices...\nThey had years of experience of trading with the West...\nHe has been trading in antique furniture for 25 years.\n  VERB: V, V with n, V in n\n\n=>  trad.ing\nTrading on the stock exchange may be suspended...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. A trade is a particular area of business or industry.\nThey’ve completely ruined the tourist trade for the next few years.\n...the arms trade.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n4. Someone’s trade is the kind of work that they do, especially when they have been trained to do it over a period of time.\nHe learnt his trade as a diver in the North Sea...\nAllyn was a jeweller by trade...\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N, also by N\n\n5. If someone trades one thing for another or if two people trade things, they agree to exchange one thing for the other thing. (mainly AM)\nThey traded land for goods and money...\nKids used to trade baseball cards...\nThey suspected that Neville had traded secret information with Mr Foster.\n  V-RECIP: V n for n (non-recip), pl-n V n, V n with n\n\n  Trade is also a noun. (in BRIT, use exchange)\nI am willing to make a trade with you...\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. If you trade places with someone or if the two of you trade places, you move into the other person’s position or situation, and they move into yours. (mainly AM)\nMike asked George to trade places with him so he could ride with Tod...\nThe receiver and the quarterback are going to trade positions.\n  V-RECIP: V n with n, pl-n V n\n  = exchange\n7. In professional sports, for example football or baseball, if a player is traded from one team to another, they leave one team and begin playing for another. (AM; in BRIT, use transfer)\nHe was traded from the Giants to the Yankees...\nThe A’s have not won a game since they traded him.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n\n\n8. If two people or groups trade something such as blows, insults, or jokes, they hit each other, insult each other, or tell each other jokes. (mainly AM)\nChildren would settle disputes by trading punches or insults in the schoolyard...\nThey traded artillery fire with government forces inside the city.\n  V-RECIP: pl-n V n, V n with n\n  = exchange


Words: trade association
Meaning:
trade as.so.cia.tion\n   trade association trade associations\n  A trade association is a body representing organizations within the same trade. It aims to protect their collective interests, especially in negotiations with governments and trade unions.\n...one of the two main trade associations for antiques dealers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Trade Descriptions Act
Meaning:
Trade De.scrip.tions Act\n  also Trades Descriptions Act\n  In Britain, the Trade Descriptions Act or the Trades Descriptions Act is a law designed to prevent companies from presenting their goods or services in a dishonest or misleading way.\nLast year it was convicted and fined under the Trades Descriptions Act for placing For Sale boards on empty homes in the area.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: trade down
Meaning:
If someone trades down, they sell something such as their car or house and buy a less expensive one.\nThey are selling their five-bedroom house and trading down to a two-bedroom cottage.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P to n


Words: trade fair
Meaning:
trade fair  trade fairs\n  A trade fair is an exhibition where manufacturers show their products to other people in industry and try to get business.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trade gap
Meaning:
trade gap  trade gaps\n  If a country imports goods worth more than the value of the goods that it exports, this is referred to as a trade gap. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: trade in
Meaning:
trade in\n  If you trade in an old car or appliance, you give it to the person you are buying a new one from so that you pay less.\nHe had a Rolls-Royce, and he traded it in for two matching silver Range Rovers...\nRichard refused to trade in his old Canon cameras.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n  see also trade-in


Words: trade name
Meaning:
trade name  trade names\n  A trade name is the name which manufacturers give to a product or to a range of products.\nIt’s marketed under the trade name `Tattle’.\n  N-COUNT\n  = brand name


Words: trade off
Meaning:
trade off\n  If you trade off one thing against another, you exchange all or part of one thing for another, as part of a negotiation or compromise.\nThey cynically tried to trade off a reduction in the slaughter of dolphins against a resumption of commercial whaling...\nThere is a possibility of being able to trade off information for a reduced sentence.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n against n, V P n for n\n\n  see also trade-off


Words: trade route
Meaning:
trade route  trade routes\n  A trade route is a route, often covering long distances, that is used by traders.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trade secret
Meaning:
trade se.cret\n   trade secret  trade secrets\n1. A trade secret is information that is known, used, and kept secret by a particular firm, for example about a method of production or a chemical process.\nThe nature of the polymer is currently a trade secret.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A trade secret is a piece of knowledge that you have, especially about how to do something, that you are not willing to tell other people.\nI’d rather not talk about it too much because I don’t like giving trade secrets away.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trade surplus
Meaning:
trade sur.plus\n   trade surplus trade surpluses\n  If a country has a trade surplus, it exports more than it imports. (BUSINESS)\nThe country’s trade surplus widened to 16.5 billion dollars.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trade union
Meaning:
trade un.ion\n   trade union  trade unions   also trades union\n  A trade union is an organization that has been formed by workers in order to represent their rights and interests to their employers, for example in order to improve working conditions or wages. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use labor union)\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: trade unionism
Meaning:
trade un.ion.ism\n   trade unionism\n  Trade unionism is the system, practices, and beliefs of trade unions.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: trade unionist
Meaning:
trade un.ion.ist\n   trade unionist  trade unionists   also trades unionist\n  A trade unionist is an active member of a trade union. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trade up
Meaning:
trade up\n  If someone trades up, they sell something such as their car or their house and buy a more expensive one.\nMini-car owners are trading up to `real’ cars...\nHomeowners will feel more comfortable and they may feel ready to trade up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P to n, V P


Words: trade-in
Meaning:
trade-in  trade-ins\n  A trade-in is an arrangement in which someone buys something such as a new car or washing machine at a reduced price by giving their old one, as well as money, in payment.\n...the trade-in value of the car.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: trade-off
Meaning:
trade-off  trade-offs   also tradeoff\n  A trade-off is a situation where you make a compromise between two things, or where you exchange all or part of one thing for another. (JOURNALISM)\n...the trade-off between inflation and unemployment.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trademark
Meaning:
trade.mark\n   trademark  trademarks   also trade mark\n1. A trademark is a name or symbol that a company uses on its products and that cannot legally be used by another company.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that something is the trademark of a particular person or place, you mean that it is characteristic of them or typically associated with them.\n...the spiky punk hairdo that became his trademark.\n  N-COUNT: with poss


Words: trader
Meaning:
trad.er\n   trader  traders\n  A trader is a person whose job is to trade in goods or stocks.\nMarket traders display an exotic selection of the island’s produce.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N


Words: Trades Union Congress
Meaning:
Trades Un.ion Con.gress\n   Trades Union Congress\n  The Trades Union Congress in Britain is the same as the TUC.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: tradesman
Meaning:
trades.man\n   tradesman  tradesmen\n  A tradesman is a person, usually a man, who sells goods or services, especially one who owns and runs a shop.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trading estate
Meaning:
trad.ing es.tate\n   trading estate  trading estates\n  A trading estate is the same as an industrial estate. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT: oft in names


Words: tradition
Meaning:
tra.di.tion\n   tradition  traditions\n1. A tradition is a custom or belief that has existed for a long time.\n...the rich traditions of Afro-Cuban music, and dance...\nMary has carried on the family tradition of giving away plants...\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If you say that something or someone is in the tradition of a person or thing from the past, you mean that they have many features that remind you of that person or thing.\nThey’re marvellous pictures in the tradition of Gainsborough.\n  PREP-PHRASE


Words: traditional
Meaning:
tra.di.tion.al\n   traditional\n1. Traditional customs, beliefs, or methods are ones that have existed for a long time without changing.\n...traditional teaching methods.\n...traditional Indian music.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  tra.di.tion.al.ly\nMarried women have traditionally been treated as dependent on their husbands...\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group\n\n2. A traditional organization or person prefers older methods and ideas to modern ones.\nWe’re still a traditional school in a lot of ways.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=progressive\n=>  tra.di.tion.al.ly\nHe is loathed by some of the more traditionally minded officers.\n  ADV: ADV -ed, ADV adj


Words: traditionalism
Meaning:
tra.di.tion.al.ism\n   traditionalism\n  Traditionalism is behaviour and ideas that support established customs and beliefs, rather than modern ones.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=modernity


Words: traditionalist
Meaning:
tra.di.tion.al.ist\n   traditionalist  traditionalists\n1. A traditionalist is a person who supports the established customs and beliefs of his or her society or group, and does not want to change them.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=progressive\n2. A traditionalist idea, argument, or organization supports the established customs and beliefs of a society or group, rather than modern ones.\n  ADJ\n  !=progressive


Words: traduce
Meaning:
tra.duce\n   traduce  traduces  traducing  traduced\n  If someone has been traduced, unpleasant and untrue things have deliberately been said about them. (FORMAL)\nWe have been traduced in the press as xenophobic bigots.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed


Words: traffic
Meaning:
traf.fic\n   traffic  traffics  trafficking  trafficked\n1. Traffic refers to all the vehicles that are moving along the roads in a particular area.\nThere was heavy traffic on the roads...\n...the problems of city life, such as traffic congestion.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N\n\n  see also traffic jam\n2. Traffic refers to the movement of ships, trains, or aircraft between one place and another. Traffic also refers to the people and goods that are being transported.\nAir traffic had returned to normal...\nThe railways will carry a far higher proportion of freight traffic...\n  N-UNCOUNT: with supp, usu n N\n\n  see also air traffic control\n3. Traffic in something such as drugs or stolen goods is an illegal trade in them.\nTraffic in illicit drugs was now worth some 500 thousand million dollars a year.\n  N-UNCOUNT: with supp, usu N in n\n\n4. Someone who traffics in something such as drugs or stolen goods buys and sells them even though it is illegal to do so.\nThe president said illegal drugs are hurting the entire world and anyone who traffics in them should be brought to justice.\n  VERB: V in n\n\n=>  traf.fick.ing\nHe was sentenced to ten years in prison on charges of drug trafficking.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu n N


Words: traffic calming
Meaning:
traf.fic calm.ing\n   traffic calming   also traffic-calming\n  Traffic calming consists of measures designed to make roads safer, for example making them narrower or placing obstacles in them, so that drivers are forced to slow down.\n...traffic calming schemes.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: traffic circle
Meaning:
traf.fic cir.cle\n   traffic circle  traffic circles\n  A traffic circle is a circular structure in the road at a place where several roads meet. You drive round it until you come to the road that you want. (AM; in BRIT, use roundabout)\n  N-COUNT


Words: traffic cone
Meaning:
traf.fic cone\n   traffic cone  traffic cones\n  A traffic cone is a plastic object with a pointed top that is placed on a road to prevent people from driving or parking there.\n  N-COUNT


Words: traffic jam
Meaning:
traf.fic jam\n   traffic jam  traffic jams\n  A traffic jam is a long line of vehicles that cannot move forward because there is too much traffic, or because the road is blocked by something.\n  N-COUNT


Words: traffic light
Meaning:
traf.fic light\n   traffic light  traffic lights\n  Traffic lights are sets of red, amber, and green lights at the places where roads meet. They control the traffic by signalling when vehicles have to stop and when they can go. Traffic lights can also be referred to as a traffic light.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: traffic warden
Meaning:
traf.fic war.den\n   traffic warden  traffic wardens\n  A traffic warden is a person whose job is to make sure that cars are not parked illegally. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trafficker
Meaning:
traf.fick.er\n   trafficker  traffickers\n  A trafficker in particular goods, especially drugs, is a person who illegally buys or sells these goods.\nThey have been arrested as suspected drug traffickers.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N


Words: tragedy
Meaning:
trag.edy\n   tragedy  tragedies\n1. A tragedy is an extremely sad event or situation.\nThey have suffered an enormous personal tragedy...\nMaskell’s life had not been without tragedy.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. Tragedy is a type of literature, especially drama, that is serious and sad, and often ends with the death of the main character.\nThe story has elements of tragedy and farce.\n  N-VAR


Words: tragi-comedy
Meaning:
tragi-comedy  tragi-comedies   also tragicomedy\n  A tragi-comedy is a play or other written work that is both sad and amusing.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tragi-comic
Meaning:
tragi-comic   also tragicomic\n  Something that is tragi-comic is both sad and amusing at the same time.\n  ADJ


Words: tragic
Meaning:
trag.ic\n   tragic\n1. A tragic event or situation is extremely sad, usually because it involves death or suffering.\nIt was just a tragic accident...\nThe circumstances are tragic but we have to act within the law.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  tragi.cal.ly\nTragically, she never saw the completed building because she died before it was finished...\n  ADV: ADV with cl, ADV with v, ADV adj/adv\n\n2. Tragic is used to refer to tragedy as a type of literature.\n...Michael Henchard, the tragic hero of `The Mayor of Casterbridge’.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: trail
Meaning:
trail  trails  trailing  trailed\n1. A trail is a rough path across open country or through forests.\nHe was following a broad trail through the trees.\n  N-COUNT\n  = track\n2. A trail is a route along a series of paths or roads, often one that has been planned and marked out for a particular purpose.\n...a large area of woodland with hiking and walking trails.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A trail is a series of marks or other signs of movement or other activities left by someone or something.\nEverywhere in the house was a sticky trail of orange juice...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n\n\n4. If you trail someone or something, you follow them secretly, often by finding the marks or signs that they have left.\nTwo detectives were trailing him...\nI trailed her to a shop in Kensington.\n  VERB: V n, V n prep/adv\n  = follow\n5. You can refer to all the places that a politician visits in the period before an election as their campaign trail.\nDuring a recent speech on the campaign trail, he was interrupted by hecklers.\n  N-COUNT: n N\n\n6. If you trail something or it trails, it hangs down loosely behind you as you move along.\nShe came down the stairs slowly, trailing the coat behind her...\nHe let his fingers trail in the water.\n  VERB: V n, V prep\n\n7. If someone trails somewhere, they move there slowly, without any energy or enthusiasm, often following someone else.\nHe trailed through the wet Manhattan streets...\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n8. If a person or team in a sports match or other contest is trailing, they have a lower score than their opponents.\nHe scored again, leaving Dartford trailing 3-0 at the break...\nThe polls showed the Tories trailing behind the Government by 17 per cent.\n  VERB: usu cont, V amount, V behind n\n\n9. If you are on the trail of a person or thing, you are trying hard to find them or find out about them.\nThe police were hot on his trail...\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n10.\nto blaze a trail: see blaze\n  see also nature trail, paper trail


Words: trail off
Meaning:
trail off   or trail away\n  If a speaker’s voice or a speaker trails off or trails away, their voice becomes quieter and they hesitate until they stop speaking completely.\n`But he had no reason. He of all men...’ Kate’s voice trailed off.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  = tail away


Words: trail-blazing
Meaning:
trail-blazing   also trailblazing\n  A trail-blazing idea, event, or organization is new, exciting, and original.\n...a trail-blazing agreement that could lead to a global ban on nuclear weapons...\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: trailblazer
Meaning:
trail.blazer\n   trailblazer  trailblazers\n  A trailblazer is a person who is the leader in a particular field, especially who does a particular thing before anyone else does.\nHe has been the trailblazer and given British sprinters the belief that we are able to take on and beat the world’s best.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trailer
Meaning:
trail.er\n   trailer  trailers\n1. A trailer is a container on wheels which is pulled by a car or other vehicle and which is used for transporting large or heavy items.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A trailer is the long rear section of a lorry or truck, in which the goods are carried.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A trailer is a long vehicle without an engine which people use as a home or as an office and which can be pulled behind a car. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use caravan)\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A trailer for a film or television programme is a set of short extracts which are shown to advertise it.\n  N-COUNT: oft N for n


Words: trailer park
Meaning:
trail.er park\n   trailer park  trailer parks   also trailer court\n  A trailer park is an area where people can pay to park their trailers and live in them. (AM; in BRIT, use caravan site)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trailer trash
Meaning:
trail.er trash\n   trailer trash\n  Some people use trailer trash to refer to poor people who live in trailer parks and who they think are vulgar or worthless. This use could cause offence. (AM INFORMAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT-COLL  disapproval


Words: trailer truck
Meaning:
trail.er truck\n   trailer truck  trailer trucks\n  A trailer truck is a truck or lorry that is made in two or more sections which are joined together by metal bars, so that the vehicle can turn more easily. (AM; in BRIT, usually use articulated lorry)\n  N-COUNT


Words: train
Meaning:
NOUN USES\n   train  trains\n1. A train is a number of carriages, cars, or trucks which are all connected together and which are pulled by an engine along a railway. Trains carry people and goods from one place to another.\nThe train pulled into a station...\nWe can catch the early morning train...\nHe arrived in Shenyang by train yesterday.\n  N-COUNT: also by N\n\n2. A train of vehicles, people, or animals is a long line of them travelling slowly in the same direction.\n...a long train of oil tankers.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu N of n\n\n3. A train of thought or a train of events is a connected sequence, in which each thought or event seems to occur naturally or logically as a result of the previous one.\nHe lost his train of thought for a moment, then recovered it...\nGiles set in motion a train of events which would culminate in tragedy.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, N of n\n\n4. The train of a woman’s formal dress or wedding dress is the long part at the back of it which flows along the floor behind her.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If a process or event is in train or has been set in train, it is happening or starting to happen. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use in motion)\nHe praised the economic reforms set in train by the government.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\nVERB USES\n   train  trains  training  trained\n1. If someone trains you to do something, they teach you the skills that you need in order to do it. If you train to do something, you learn the skills that you need in order to do it.\nThe US was ready to train its troops to participate...\nStavros was training to be a priest...\nPsychiatrists initially train as doctors...\nWe don’t train them only in bricklaying, but also in other building techniques...\nCompanies tend to favour the lawyer who has trained with a good quality City firm...\nI’m a trained nurse...\n  VERB: V n to-inf, V to-inf, V as/in n, V n as/in n, V, V-ed\n\n=>  -trained\nMr. Koutab is an American-trained lawyer.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n=>  train.er      trainers\n...a book for both teachers and teacher trainers.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. To train a natural quality or talent that someone has, for example their voice or musical ability, means to help them to develop it.\nI see my degree as something which will train my mind and improve my chances of getting a job...\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If you train for a physical activity such as a race or if someone trains you for it, you prepare for it by doing particular physical exercises.\nStrachan is training for the new season...\nHe has spent a year training crews for next month’s round the world race.\n  VERB: V for n, V n for n, also V, V n\n\n=>  train.er\nShe went to the gym with her trainer.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If an animal or bird is trained to do particular things, it is taught to do them, for example in order to be able to work for someone or to be a good pet.\nSniffer dogs could be trained to track them down.\n...a man who trained hundreds of dogs...\n  VERB: be V-ed to-inf, V n, also V n to-inf\n\n=>  train.er\nThe horse made a winning start for his new trainer.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If you train something such as a gun, a camera, or a light on a person or thing, you aim it at them and keep it towards them.\nShe trained her binoculars on the horizon...\n  VERB: V n on n\n\n6. If you train a tree, bush, or plant in a particular direction, you tie it and cut it so that it grows in that direction.\nInstead of training the shoots up the fence, lay them flat in both directions alongside it...\nYou could even put a trellis on your walls and train plants to grow up it.\n  VERB: V n prep, V n to-inf\n\n7.\n  see also training


Words: train up
Meaning:
train up\n  If someone trains you up, they teach you new skills or give you the necessary preparation so that you will reach the standard required for a particular job or activity. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nThe first companies to go in took a policy of employing East Germans and training them up...\nHe usually preferred to train up a crew of enthusiastic young sailors from scratch.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)


Words: trainee
Meaning:
trainee  trainees\n  A trainee is someone who is employed at a low level in a particular job in order to learn the skills needed for that job.\nHe is a 24-year-old trainee reporter...\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: trainer
Meaning:
train.er\n   trainer  trainers\n  Trainers are shoes that people wear, especially for running and other sports. (BRIT; in AM, use sneakers)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n  see also train


Words: training
Meaning:
train.ing\n   training\n1. Training is the process of learning the skills that you need for a particular job or activity.\nHe called for much higher spending on education and training...\n...a one-day training course.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Training is physical exercise that you do regularly in order to keep fit or to prepare for an activity such as a race.\nThe emphasis is on developing fitness through exercises and training.\n...her busy training schedule.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  If you are in training, you are preparing yourself for a physical activity such as a race, by taking a lot of exercise and eating special food.\nHe will soon be back in training for next year’s National...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n3.\n  see also circuit training, potty training


Words: training camp
Meaning:
train.ing camp\n   training camp  training camps\n  A training camp for soldiers or sports players is an organized period of training at a particular place.\n  N-COUNT


Words: training shoe
Meaning:
train.ing shoe\n   training shoe  training shoes\n  Training shoes are the same as trainers.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: trainspotter
Meaning:
train.spotter\n   trainspotter  trainspotters   also train spotter, train-spotter\n  A trainspotter is someone who is very interested in trains and spends time going to stations and recording the numbers of the trains that they see. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trainspotting
Meaning:
train.spot.ting\n   trainspotting   also train spotting, train-spotting\n  Trainspotting is the hobby of going to railway stations and recording the numbers of the trains that you see. (BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: traipse
Meaning:
traipse  traipses  traipsing  traipsed\n1. If you traipse somewhere, you go there unwillingly, often because you are tired or unhappy.\nIf traipsing around shops does not appeal to you, perhaps using a catalogue will...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n2. If you talk about people traipsing somewhere, you mean that they are going there or moving about there in a way that annoys someone or gets in their way.\nYou will have to get used to a lot of people traipsing in and out of your home...\n  VERB: V prep/adv  disapproval


Words: trait
Meaning:
trait   traits\n  A trait is a particular characteristic, quality, or tendency that someone or something has.\nThe study found that some alcoholics had clear personality traits showing up early in childhood...\n  N-COUNT: with supp


Words: traitor
Meaning:
trai.tor\n   traitor  traitors\n1. If you call someone a traitor, you mean that they have betrayed beliefs that they used to hold, or that their friends hold, by their words or actions.\nSome say he’s a traitor to the working class.\n  N-COUNT: oft N to n  disapproval\n\n2. If someone is a traitor, they betray their country or a group of which they are a member by helping its enemies, especially during time of war.\n...rumours that there were traitors among us who were sending messages to the enemy.\n  N-COUNT


Words: traitorous
Meaning:
trai.tor.ous\n   traitorous\n  A traitorous action will betray or bring danger to a country or to the group of people that someone belongs to.\n...the monstrous betrayal of men by their most traitorous companions.\n...the movement could be labeled as divisive, even traitorous.\n  ADJ


Words: trajectory
Meaning:
tra.jec.tory\n   trajectory  trajectories\n1. The trajectory of a moving object is the path that it follows as it moves.\n...the trajectory of an artillery shell.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n2. The trajectory of something such as a person’s career is the course that it follows over time.\n...a relentlessly upward career trajectory.\n  N-COUNT: with supp


Words: tram
Meaning:
tram  trams\n  A tram is a public transport vehicle, usually powered by electricity from wires above it, which travels along rails laid in the surface of a street. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use streetcar)\n  N-COUNT: also by N


Words: tramline
Meaning:
tram.line\n   tramline  tramlines\n  A tramline is one of the rails laid in the surface of a road that trams travel along. (BRIT; in AM, use streetcar line)\n  N-COUNT


Words: tramp
Meaning:
tramp  tramps  tramping  tramped\n1. A tramp is a person who has no home or job, and very little money. Tramps go from place to place, and get food or money by asking people or by doing casual work.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you tramp somewhere, you walk there slowly and with regular, heavy steps, for a long time.\nThey put on their coats and tramped through the falling snow...\nShe spent all day yesterday tramping the streets, gathering evidence.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V n\n  = trudge\n3. The tramp of people is the sound of their heavy, regular walking.\nHe heard the slow, heavy tramp of feet on the stairs.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n\n\n4. If someone refers to a woman as a tramp, they are insulting her, because they think that she is immoral in her sexual behaviour. (mainly AM OFFENSIVE)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: trample
Meaning:
tram.ple\n   trample  tramples  trampling  trampled\n1. To trample on someone’s rights or values or to trample them means to deliberately ignore them.\nThey say loggers are destroying rain forests and trampling on the rights of natives...\nDiplomats denounced the leaders for trampling their citizens’ civil rights...\n  VERB: V on n, V n\n\n2. If someone is trampled, they are injured or killed by being stepped on by animals or by other people.\nMany people were trampled in the panic that followed...\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n3. If someone tramples something or tramples on it, they step heavily and carelessly on it and damage it.\nThey don’t want people trampling the grass, pitching tents or building fires...\nPlease don’t trample on the azaleas...\n  VERB: V n, V on n


Words: trampoline
Meaning:
tram.po.line\n   trampoline  trampolines\n  A trampoline is a piece of equipment on which you jump up and down as a sport. It consists of a large piece of strong cloth held by springs in a frame.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tramway
Meaning:
tram.way\n   tramway  tramways\n  A tramway is a set of rails laid in the surface of a road for trams to travel along. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trance
Meaning:
trance  trances\n  A trance is a state of mind in which someone seems to be asleep and to have no conscious control over their thoughts or actions, but in which they can see and hear things and respond to commands given by other people.\nLike a man in a trance, Blake found his way back to his rooms...\n  N-COUNT: oft prep N


Words: tranche
Meaning:
tranche  tranches\n1. In economics, a tranche of shares in a company, or a tranche of a company, is a number of shares in that company. (mainly BRIT BUSINESS)\nOn February 12th he put up for sale a second tranche of 32 state-owned companies.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. A tranche of something is a piece, section, or part of it. A tranche of things is a group of them. (FORMAL)\nThey risk losing the next tranche of funding...\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: tranquil
Meaning:
tran.quil\n   tranquil\n  Something that is tranquil is calm and peaceful.\nThe tranquil atmosphere of The Connaught allows guests to feel totally at home...\n  ADJ\n  = serene\n=>  tran.quil.lity\nThe hotel is a haven of peace and tranquillity.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: tranquillize
Meaning:
tran.quil.lize\n   tranquillize  tranquillizes  tranquillizing  tranquillized\n  To tranquillize a person or an animal means to make them become calm, sleepy, or unconscious by means of a drug.\nThis powerful drug is used to tranquilize patients undergoing surgery.\n  VERB: V n\n  The spellings tranquilize in American English, and tranquillise in British English, are also used.\n  = sedate


Words: tranquillizer
Meaning:
tran.quil.liz.er\n   tranquillizer  tranquillizers\n  A tranquillizer is a drug that makes people feel calmer or less anxious. Tranquillizers are sometimes used to make people or animals become sleepy or unconscious.\n  N-COUNT\n  The spellings tranquilizer in American English, and tranquilliser in British English, are also used.


Words: trans-
Meaning:
trans-\n1. trans- is used to form adjectives which indicate that something involves or enables travel from one side of an area to the other. For example, a trans-continental journey is a journey across a continent.\n...trans-Pacific flights between Asia and America.\n...the Trans-Siberian railway.\n  PREFIX\n\n2. trans- is used to form words which indicate that someone or something moves from one group, thing, state, or place to another.\n...trans-racial adoption.\n  PREFIX


Words: transact
Meaning:
trans.act\n   transact  transacts  transacting  transacted\n  If you transact business, you enter into a deal with someone, for example by buying or selling something. (FORMAL)\nThis would free them to transact business across state lines...\n  VERB: V n


Words: transaction
Meaning:
trans.ac.tion\n   transaction  transactions\n  A transaction is a piece of business, for example an act of buying or selling something. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: transatlantic
Meaning:
trans.at.lan.tic\n   transatlantic\n1. Transatlantic flights or signals go across the Atlantic Ocean, usually between the United States and Britain.\nMany transatlantic flights land there.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Transatlantic is used to refer to something that happens, exists, or begins in the United States. (BRIT)\n...transatlantic fashions.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: transcend
Meaning:
trans.cend\n   transcend  transcends  transcending  transcended\n  Something that transcends normal limits or boundaries goes beyond them, because it is more significant than them.\n...issues like European union that transcend party loyalty.\n  VERB: V n


Words: transcendence
Meaning:
tran.scend.ence\n   transcendence\n  Transcendence is the quality of being able to go beyond normal limits or boundaries.\n...the transcendence of class differences.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: transcendent
Meaning:
trans.cend.ent\n   transcendent\n  Something that is transcendent goes beyond normal limits or boundaries, because it is more significant than them.\n...the idea of a transcendent God who stood apart from mankind.\n  ADJ


Words: transcendental
Meaning:
tran.scen.den.tal\n   transcendental\n  Transcendental refers to things that lie beyond the practical experience of ordinary people, and cannot be discovered or understood by ordinary reasoning.\n...the transcendental nature of God.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: transcendental meditation
Meaning:
tran.scen.den.tal medi.ta.tion\n   transcendental meditation\n  Transcendental meditation is a kind of meditation in which people mentally relax by silently repeating special words over and over again. The abbreviation TM is also used.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: transcontinental
Meaning:
trans.con.ti.nen.tal\n   transcontinental\n  A transcontinental journey or route goes from one side of a continent to the other. In American English, transcontinental usually means from one side of the United States to the other.\n...in mid-nineteenth-century America, before the transcontinental railroad was built.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: transcribe
Meaning:
tran.scribe\n   transcribe  transcribes  transcribing  transcribed\n1. If you transcribe a speech or text, you write it out in a different form from the one in which it exists, for example by writing it out in full from notes or from a tape recording.\nShe is transcribing, from his dictation, the diaries of Simon Forman...\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you transcribe a piece of music for an instrument which is not the one for which it was originally written, you rewrite it so that it can be played on that instrument.\nHe gave up trying to write for the guitar and decided to transcribe the work for piano.\n  VERB: V n for n, also V n


Words: transcript
Meaning:
tran.script\n   transcript  transcripts\n  A transcript of a conversation or speech is a written text of it, based on a recording or notes.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: transcription
Meaning:
tran.scrip.tion\n   transcription  transcriptions\n1. Transcription of speech or text is the process of transcribing it.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A transcription of a conversation or speech is a written text of it, based on a recording or notes.\n  N-COUNT


Words: transdermal
Meaning:
trans.der.mal\n\n  Transdermal medicine is absorbed through the skin, for example by means of a skin patch.\n...a transdermal cream.\n  ADJ


Words: transept
Meaning:
tran.sept\n   transept  transepts\n  In a cathedral or church, the transept is the part which projects to the north or south of the main part of the building.\n  N-COUNT


Words: transfer
Meaning:
trans.fer\n   transfer transfers transferring  transferred\nThe verb is pronounced   The noun is pronounced\n1. If you transfer something or someone from one place to another, or they transfer from one place to another, they go from the first place to the second.\nRemove the wafers with a spoon and transfer them to a plate...\nThe person can transfer from wheelchair to seat with relative ease.\n  VERB: V n from/to n, V from/to n\n\n  Transfer is also a noun.\nArrange for the transfer of medical records to your new doctor...\n  N-VAR: oft N of n\n\n2. If something is transferred, or transfers, from one person or group of people to another, the second person or group gets it instead of the first.\nI realized she’d transferred all her love from me to you...\nOn 1 December the presidency of the Security Council automatically transfers from the US to Yemen.\n  VERB: V n from/to n, V from/to n\n\n  Transfer is also a noun.\n...the transfer of power from the old to the new regimes.\n  N-VAR: usu N of n\n\n3. Technology transfer is the process or act by which a country or organization which has developed new technology enables another country or organization to use the technology.\nThe Philippines needs capital and technology transfer...\n  N-VAR: supp N, N of n\n\n4. In professional sports, if a player transfers or is transferred from one club to another, they leave one club and begin playing for another. (BRIT)\n...Nick Barmby who transferred from Spurs to Middlesbrough...\nHe was transferred from Crystal Palace to Arsenal for .2.5 million.\n  VERB: V from/to n, be V-ed from/to n, also V n from/to n\n\n  Transfer is also a noun. (in AM, use trade)\n...Gascoigne’s transfer to the Italian club, Lazio.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If you are transferred, or if you transfer, to a different job or place, you move to a different job or start working in a different place.\nI was transferred to the book department...\nI suspect that she is going to be transferred...\nAnton was able to transfer from Lavine’s to an American company.\n  VERB: be V-ed from/to n, be V-ed, V from/to n, also V n, V n from/to n\n\n  Transfer is also a noun.\nThey will be offered transfers to other locations.\n  N-VAR: oft N to n\n\n6. When information is transferred onto a different medium, it is copied from one medium to another.\nSuch information is easily transferred onto microfilm.\n...systems to create film-quality computer effects and then transfer them to film.\n  VERB: be V-ed onto/to n, V n onto/to n\n\n  Transfer is also a noun.\nIt can be connected to a PC for the transfer of information.\n...data transfer.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp, N of n, n N\n\n7. When property or land is transferred, it stops being owned by one person or institution and becomes owned by another. (LEGAL)\nHe has already transferred ownership of most of the works to a British foundation...\nCertain kinds of property are transferred automatically at death.\n  VERB: V n from/to n, be V-ed, also V n\n\n  Transfer is also a noun.\n...an outright transfer of property.\n  N-VAR: oft N of n\n\n8. If you transfer or are transferred when you are on a journey, you change from one vehicle to another.\nHe likes to transfer from the bus to the Blue Line at 103rd Street in Watts...\n1,654 passengers were transferred at sea to a Norwegian cruise ship.\n  VERB: V from/to n, be V-ed from/to n\n\n9. Transfers are pieces of paper with a design on one side. The design can be transferred by heat or pressure onto material, paper, or china for decoration.\n...gold letter transfers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: transfer list
Meaning:
trans.fer list\n   transfer list  transfer lists\n  In football, a transfer list is a list of players at a club who may be sold to other clubs. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: transferable
Meaning:
trans.fer.able\n   transferable\n  If something is transferable, it can be passed or moved from one person or organization to another and used by them.\nYour Railcard is not transferable to anyone else.\n  ADJ


Words: transference
Meaning:
trans.fer.ence\n   transference\n  The transference of something such as power, information, or affection from one person or place to another is the action of transferring it.\nIt is a struggle for a transference of power...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n  = transfer


Words: transfigure
Meaning:
trans.fig.ure\n   transfigure  transfigures  transfiguring  transfigured\n  To be transfigured means to be changed into something great or beautiful. (LITERARY)\nThey are transfigured by the healing powers of art...\nHe smiled back, which for an instant transfigured his unrevealing features.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n


Words: transfix
Meaning:
trans.fix\n   transfix  transfixes  transfixing  transfixed\n  If you are transfixed by something, it captures all of your interest or attention, so that you are unable to think of anything else or unable to act.\nWe were all transfixed by the images of the war.\n  VERB: be V-ed\n  = mesmerize\n=>  trans.fixed\nHer eyes were transfixed with terror...\nFor hours he stood transfixed.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v


Words: transform
Meaning:
trans.form\n   transform  transforms  transforming  transformed\n1. To transform something into something else means to change or convert it into that thing.\nYour metabolic rate is the speed at which your body transforms food into energy...\nDelegates also discussed transforming them from a guerrilla force into a regular army.\n  VERB: V n into n, V n from n into n, also V n\n\n=>  trans.for.ma.tion      transformations\nNorah made plans for the transformation of an attic room into a study...\nChemical transformations occur.\n  N-VAR: usu with supp\n\n2. To transform something or someone means to change them completely and suddenly so that they are much better or more attractive.\nThe Minister said the Urban Development Corporation was now transforming the area...\nHe said she had transformed him from a hard-drinking womaniser into a devoted husband and father.\n  VERB: V n, V n from n into n, also V n into n\n\n=>  trans.for.ma.tion\nIn the last five years he’s undergone a personal transformation.\n  N-VAR: usu with supp


Words: transformer
Meaning:
trans.form.er\n   transformer  transformers\n  A transformer is a piece of electrical equipment which changes a voltage to a higher or lower voltage.\n  N-COUNT


Words: transfusion
Meaning:
trans.fu.sion\n   transfusion  transfusions\n  A transfusion is the same as a blood transfusion.\n  N-VAR


Words: transgender
Meaning:
trans.gen.der\n   transgender transgenders\n  Transgender people, such as transsexuals, do not have a straightforward gender identity.\n...a three-year-project designed to overcome prejudice towards gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.\n  ADJ\n\n  Transgender is also a noun.\nKaren said she is a transgender.a man who wants to be a woman and is attracted to women.\n  N-COUNT


Words: transgenic
Meaning:
trans.gen.ic\n   transgenic\n  Transgenic plants or animals contain genetic material that has been added to them from another species. (TECHNICAL)\n...transgenic sheep that secrete a human protein into their milk.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: transgress
Meaning:
trans.gress\n   transgress  transgresses  transgressing  transgressed\n  If someone transgresses, they break a moral law or a rule of behaviour.\nIf a politician transgresses, that is not the fault of the media.\n...a monk who had transgressed against the law of celibacy...\nIt seemed to me that he had transgressed the boundaries of good taste.\n  VERB: V, V against n, V n\n\n=>  trans.gres.sion      transgressions\nTales of the candidate’s alleged past transgressions have begun springing up.\n  N-VAR


Words: transgressive
Meaning:
trans.gres.sive\n   transgressive\n  Transgressive is used to describe actions that break a moral law or a rule of behaviour. (FORMAL)\nTo write and publish this poem was a daring, transgressive act.\n  ADJ


Words: transgressor
Meaning:
trans.gres.sor\n   transgressor  transgressors\n  A transgressor is someone who has broken a particular rule or law or has done something that is generally considered unacceptable. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: transience
Meaning:
tran.si.ence\n   transience\n  If you talk about the transience of a situation, you mean that it lasts only a short time or is constantly changing. (FORMAL)\n...the superficiality and transience of the club scene.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: transient
Meaning:
tran.si.ent\n   transient\n  Transient is used to describe a situation that lasts only a short time or is constantly changing. (FORMAL)\n...the transient nature of high fashion...\n  ADJ


Words: transistor
Meaning:
tran.sis.tor\n   transistor  transistors\n1. A transistor is a small electronic part in something such as a television or radio, which controls the flow of electricity.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A transistor or a transistor radio is a small portable radio. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: transit
Meaning:
trans.it\n   transit\n1. Transit is the carrying of goods or people by vehicle from one place to another.\nDuring their talks, the two presidents discussed the transit of goods between the two countries.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  If people or things are in transit, they are travelling or being taken from one place to another.\nThey were in transit to Bombay...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n2. A transit area is an area where people wait or where goods are kept between different stages of a journey.\n...refugees arriving at the two transit camps.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. A transit system is a system for moving people or goods from one place to another, for example using buses or trains. (AM; in BRIT, use transport system)\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n  = transport


Words: Transit van
Meaning:
Trans.it van\n   Transit van  Transit vans\n  A Transit van is a type of van that is used for carrying goods. (TRADEMARK) (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: transition
Meaning:
tran.si.tion\n   transition  transitions  transitioning transitioned\n1. Transition is the process in which something changes from one state to another.\nThe transition to a multi-party democracy is proving to be difficult.\n...a period of transition.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If someone transitions from one state or activity to another, they move gradually from one to the other.\nMost of the discussion was on what needed to be done now as we transitioned from the security issues to the challenging economic issues...\nThere was a significant decline in the size of the business as the company transitioned to an intellectual property company.\n  VERB: V from n, V to n, also V n


Words: transitional
Meaning:
tran.si.tion.al\n   transitional\n1. A transitional period is one in which things are changing from one state to another.\n...a transitional period following more than a decade of civil war...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Transitional is used to describe something that happens or exists during a transitional period.\nThe main rebel groups have agreed to join in a meeting to set up a transitional government.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: transitivity
Meaning:
tran.si.tiv.ity\n   transitivity\n  The transitivity of a verb is whether or not it is used with a direct object.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: transitory
Meaning:
tran.si.tory\n   transitory\n  If you say that something is transitory, you mean that it lasts only for a short time.\nMost teenage romances are transitory.\n  ADJ\n  = transient


Words: translate
Meaning:
trans.late\n   translate  translates  translating  translated\n1. If something that someone has said or written is translated from one language into another, it is said or written again in the second language.\nOnly a small number of Kadare’s books have been translated into English...\nMartin Luther translated the Bible into German...\nThe Celtic word `geis’ is usually translated as `taboo’...\nThe girls waited for Mr Esch to translate.\n...Mr Mani by Yehoshua, translated from Hebrew by Hillel Halkin.\n  VERB: be V-ed into/from n, V n into/from n, be V-ed as n, V, V-ed, also V n, V n as n\n\n=>  trans.la.tion\nThe papers have been sent to Saudi Arabia for translation.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If a name, a word, or an expression translates as something in a different language, that is what it means in that language.\nHis family’s Cantonese nickname for him translates as Never Sits Still.\n  VERB: V as n\n\n3. If one thing translates or is translated into another, the second happens or is done as a result of the first.\nReforming Warsaw’s stagnant economy requires harsh measures that would translate into job losses...\nYour decision must be translated into specific, concrete actions.\n  VERB: V into n, be V-ed into n\n\n4. If you say that a remark, a gesture, or an action translates as something, or that you translate it as something, you decide that this is what its significance is.\n`I love him’ often translates as `He’s better than nothing’...\nI translated this as a mad desire to lock up every single person with HIV.\n  VERB: V as n, V n as n\n\n5.\n  see also translation


Words: translation
Meaning:
trans.la.tion\n   translation  translations\n  A translation is a piece of writing or speech that has been translated from a different language.\n...MacNiece’s excellent English translation of `Faust’...\nI’ve only read Solzhenitsyn in translation.\n  N-COUNT: also in N


Words: translator
Meaning:
trans.la.tor\n   translator  translators\n  A translator is a person whose job is translating writing or speech from one language to another.\n  N-COUNT


Words: translucent
Meaning:
trans.lu.cent\n   translucent\n1. If a material is translucent, some light can pass through it.\nThe building is roofed entirely with translucent corrugated plastic.\n  ADJ\n\n2. You use translucent to describe something that has a glowing appearance, as if light is passing through it.\nShe had fair hair, blue eyes and translucent skin...\n  ADJ


Words: transmission
Meaning:
trans.mis.sion\n   transmission  transmissions\n1. The transmission of something is the passing or sending of it to a different person or place.\nHeterosexual contact is responsible for the bulk of HIV transmission.\n...the transmission of knowledge and skills.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp, n N, N of n\n\n2. The transmission of television or radio programmes is the broadcasting of them.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. A transmission is a broadcast.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. The transmission on a car or other vehicle is the system of gears and shafts by which the power from the engine reaches and turns the wheels.\nThe car was fitted with automatic transmission.\n...a four-speed manual transmission.\n  N-VAR


Words: transmit
Meaning:
trans.mit\n   transmit  transmits  transmitting  transmitted\n1. When radio and television programmes, computer data, or other electronic messages are transmitted, they are sent from one place to another, using wires, radio waves, or satellites.\nThe game was transmitted live in Spain and Italy...\nThis is currently the most efficient way to transmit certain types of data like electronic mail...\nThe device is not designed to transmit to satellites.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n, V to n\n\n2. If one person or animal transmits a disease to another, they have the disease and cause the other person or animal to have it. (FORMAL)\n...mosquitoes that transmit disease to humans...\nThere was no danger of transmitting the infection through operations.\n  VERB: V n to n, V n\n\n3. If you transmit an idea or feeling to someone else, you make them understand and share the idea or feeling. (LITERARY)\nHe transmitted his keen enjoyment of singing to the audience.\n  VERB: V n to n\n  = convey\n4. If an object or substance transmits something such as sound or electrical signals, the sound or signals are able to pass through it.\nThese thin crystals transmit much of the power...\n  VERB: V n


Words: transmitter
Meaning:
trans.mit.ter\n   transmitter  transmitters\n  A transmitter is a piece of equipment that is used for broadcasting television or radio programmes.\n  N-COUNT


Words: transmute
Meaning:
trans.mute\n   transmute  transmutes  transmuting  transmuted\n  If something transmutes or is transmuted into a different form, it is changed into that form. (FORMAL)\nShe ceased to think, as anger transmuted into passion...\nScientists transmuted matter into pure energy and exploded the first atomic bomb.\n  VERB: V into n, V n into n, also V n\n\n=>  trans.mu.ta.tion      transmutations\n...the transmutation of food into energy.\n  N-VAR: oft N of n


Words: transparency
Meaning:
trans.par.en.cy\n   transparency  transparencies\n1. A transparency is a small piece of photographic film with a frame around it which can be projected onto a screen so that you can see the picture.\n  N-COUNT\n  = slide\n2. Transparency is the quality that an object or substance has when you can see through it.\nCataracts is a condition that affects the transparency of the lenses.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. The transparency of a process, situation, or statement is its quality of being easily understood or recognized, for example because there are no secrets connected with it, or because it is expressed in a clear way.\nThe Chancellor emphasised his determination to promote openness and transparency in the Government’s economic decision-making.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: transparent
Meaning:
trans.par.ent\n   transparent\n1. If an object or substance is transparent, you can see through it.\n...a sheet of transparent coloured plastic...\n  ADJ\n\n2. If a situation, system, or activity is transparent, it is easily understood or recognized.\nThe company has to make its accounts and operations as transparent as possible.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  trans.par.ent.ly\nThe system was clearly not functioning smoothly or transparently...\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n\n3. You use transparent to describe a statement or action that is obviously dishonest or wrong, and that you think will not deceive people.\nHe thought he could fool people with transparent deceptions.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  trans.par.ent.ly\nTo force this agreement on the nation is transparently wrong...\n  ADV: ADV adj


Words: transpire
Meaning:
tran.spire\n   transpire  transpires  transpiring  transpired\n1. When it transpires that something is the case, people discover that it is the case. (FORMAL)\nIt transpired that Paolo had left his driving licence at home...\nAs it transpired, the Labour government did not dare go against the pressures exerted by the City.\n  VERB: it V that, it V\n  = turn out\n2. When something transpires, it happens. Some speakers of English consider this use to be incorrect.\nNothing is known as yet about what transpired at the meeting.\n  VERB: V


Words: transplant
Meaning:
trans.plant\n   transplant transplants transplanting  transplanted\nThe noun is pronounced   The verb is pronounced\n1. A transplant is a medical operation in which a part of a person’s body is replaced because it is diseased.\nHe was recovering from a heart transplant operation.\n...the controversy over the sale of human organs for transplant.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If doctors transplant an organ such as a heart or a kidney, they use it to replace a patient’s diseased organ.\nThe operation to transplant a kidney is now fairly routine.\n...transplanted organs such as hearts and kidneys.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n=>  trans.plan.ta.tion\n...a shortage of kidneys for transplantation...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. To transplant someone or something means to move them to a different place.\nMarriage had transplanted Rebecca from London to Manchester...\nFarmers will be able to seed it directly, rather than having to transplant seedlings.\n  VERB: V n from/to/into n, V n


Words: transport
Meaning:
trans.port\n   transport transports transporting  transported\nThe noun is pronounced   The verb is pronounced\n1. Transport refers to any vehicle that you can travel in or carry goods in. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use transportation)\nHave you got your own transport?...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Transport is a system for taking people or goods from one place to another, for example using buses or trains. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use transportation)\nThe extra money could be spent on improving public transport...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. Transport is the activity of taking goods or people from one place to another in a vehicle. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use transportation)\nLocal production virtually eliminates transport costs.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. To transport people or goods somewhere is to take them from one place to another in a vehicle.\nThere’s no petrol, so it’s very difficult to transport goods...\nThey use tankers to transport the oil to Los Angeles...\n  VERB: V n, V n prep/adv\n\n5. If you say that you are transported to another place or time, you mean that something causes you to feel that you are living in the other place or at the other time. (mainly LITERARY)\nDr Drummond felt that he had been transported into a world that rivalled the Arabian Nights...\nThis delightful musical comedy transports the audience to the innocent days of 1950s America.\n  VERB: be V-ed prep/adv, V n prep/adv


Words: transportation
Meaning:
trans.por.ta.tion\n   transportation\n1. Transportation refers to any type of vehicle that you can travel in or carry goods in. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use transport)\nThe company will provide transportation.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Transportation is a system for taking people or goods from one place to another, for example using buses or trains. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use transport)\nCampuses are usually accessible by public transportation.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. Transportation is the activity of taking goods or people from one place to another in a vehicle. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use transport)\nOxfam may also help with the transportation of refugees.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: transporter
Meaning:
trans.port.er\n   transporter  transporters\n  A transporter is a large vehicle or an aeroplane that is used for carrying very large or heavy objects, for example cars. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: transpose
Meaning:
trans.pose\n   transpose  transposes  transposing  transposed\n1. If you transpose something from one place or situation to another, you move it there.\nGenetic engineers transpose or exchange bits of hereditary material from one organism to the next...\n  VERB: V n from n to n\n  = transfer\n=>  trans.po.si.tion      transpositions\n...a transposition of `Macbeth’ to third century BC China.\n  N-VAR: oft N of n\n\n2. If you transpose two things, you reverse them or put them in each other’s place.\nMany people inadvertently transpose digits of the ZIP code.\n  VERB: V n\n  = reverse\n=>  trans.po.si.tion\nHis pen name represented the transposition of his initials and his middle name.\n  N-VAR: oft N of n


Words: transputer
Meaning:
trans.put.er\n   transputer transputers\n  A transputer is a type of fast powerful microchip. (COMPUTING)\n  N-COUNT


Words: transsexual
Meaning:
trans.sex.ual\n   transsexual  transsexuals\n  A transsexual is a person who has decided that they want to live as a person of the opposite sex, and so has changed their name and appearance in order to do this. Transsexuals sometimes have an operation to change their sex.\n  N-COUNT


Words: transverse
Meaning:
trans.verse\n   transverse\n  Transverse is used to describe something that is at right angles to something else.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: transvestism
Meaning:
trans.ves.tism\n   transvestism\n  Transvestism is the practice of wearing clothes normally worn by a person of the opposite sex, usually for pleasure.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = cross-dressing


Words: transvestite
Meaning:
trans.ves.tite\n   transvestite  transvestites\n  A transvestite is a person, usually a man, who enjoys wearing clothes normally worn by people of the opposite sex.\n  N-COUNT\n  = cross-dresser


Words: trap
Meaning:
trap  traps  trapping  trapped\n1. A trap is a device which is placed somewhere or a hole which is dug somewhere in order to catch animals or birds.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If a person traps animals or birds, he or she catches them using traps.\nThe locals were encouraged to trap and kill the birds.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. A trap is a trick that is intended to catch or deceive someone.\nHe was trying to decide whether the question was some sort of a trap.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If you trap someone into doing or saying something, you trick them so that they do or say it, although they did not want to.\nWere you just trying to trap her into making some admission?...\nShe had trapped him so neatly that he wanted to slap her.\n  VERB: V n into -ing, V n\n\n5. To trap someone, especially a criminal, means to capture them. (JOURNALISM)\nThe police knew that to trap the killer they had to play him at his own game...\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. A trap is an unpleasant situation that you cannot easily escape from.\nThe Government has found it’s caught in a trap of its own making.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n7. If you are trapped somewhere, something falls onto you or blocks your way and prevents you from moving or escaping.\nThe train was trapped underground by a fire...\nThe light aircraft then cartwheeled, trapping both men...\nUntil he saw the trapped wagons and animals, he did not realize the full extent of the catastrophe.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n, V-ed\n\n8. When something traps gas, water, or energy, it prevents it from escaping.\nWool traps your body heat, keeping the chill at bay...\nThe volume of gas trapped on these surfaces can be considerable.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n9.\n  see also trapped, booby-trap, death trap, poverty trap\n10. If someone falls into the trap of doing something, they think or behave in a way which is not wise or sensible.\nMany people fall into the trap of believing that home decorating must always be done on a large scale...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR of -ing\n\n11. If someone tells you to shut your trap or keep your trap shut, they are telling you rudely that you should be quiet and not say anything. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  = shut up


Words: trapdoor
Meaning:
trap.door\n   trapdoor  trapdoors   also trap door\n  A trapdoor is a small horizontal door in a floor, a ceiling, or on a stage.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trapeze
Meaning:
tra.peze\n   trapeze  trapezes\n  A trapeze is a bar of wood or metal hanging from two ropes on which people in a circus swing and perform skilful movements.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trapped
Meaning:
trapped\n  If you feel trapped, you are in an unpleasant situation in which you lack freedom, and you feel you cannot escape from it.\n...people who think of themselves as trapped in mundane jobs.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n  see also trap


Words: trapper
Meaning:
trap.per\n   trapper  trappers\n  A trapper is a person who traps animals, especially for their fur.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trappings
Meaning:
trap.pings\n   trappings\n  The trappings of power, wealth, or a particular job are the extra things, such as decorations and luxury items, that go with it.\n  N-PLURAL: usu N of n  disapproval


Words: trash
Meaning:
trash  trashes  trashing  trashed\n1. Trash consists of unwanted things or waste material such as used paper, empty containers and bottles, and waste food. (AM; in BRIT, use rubbish)\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N\n\n2. If you say that something such as a book, painting, or film is trash, you mean that it is of very poor quality. (INFORMAL)\nPop music doesn’t have to be trash, it can be art...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = rubbish\n3. If someone trashes a place or vehicle, they deliberately destroy it or make it very dirty. (INFORMAL)\nWould they trash the place when the party was over?...\n  VERB: V n\n  = wreck\n4. If you trash people or their ideas, you criticize them very strongly and say that they are worthless. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nPeople asked why the candidates spent so much time trashing each other.\n  VERB: V n\n  = rubbish\n5.\n  see also white trash


Words: trash can
Meaning:
trash can  trash cans\n  A trash can is a large round container which people put their rubbish in and which is usually kept outside their house. (AM; in BRIT, use dustbin)\n  N-COUNT\n  = garbage can


Words: trashy
Meaning:
trashy  trashier  trashiest\n  If you describe something as trashy, you think it is of very poor quality. (INFORMAL)\nI was reading some trashy romance novel.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = rubbishy


Words: trauma
Meaning:
trau.ma\n   trauma  traumas\n  Trauma is a very severe shock or very upsetting experience, which may cause psychological damage.\nI’d been through the trauma of losing a house...\nThe officers are claiming compensation for trauma after the disaster.\n  N-VAR


Words: traumatic
Meaning:
trau.mat.ic\n   traumatic\n  A traumatic experience is very shocking and upsetting, and may cause psychological damage.\nI suffered a nervous breakdown. It was a traumatic experience...\n  ADJ


Words: traumatize
Meaning:
trau.ma.tize\n   traumatize  traumatizes  traumatizing  traumatized\nin BRIT, also use traumatise\n  If someone is traumatized by an event or situation, it shocks or upsets them very much, and may cause them psychological damage.\nMy wife was traumatized by the experience...\nDid his parents traumatize him?...\nTraumatising a child with an abnormal fear of strangers probably won’t do much good.\n...young children traumatised by their parents’ deaths.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n, V n with n, V-ed\n\n=>  trau.ma.tized\nHe left her in the middle of the road, shaking and deeply traumatized...\n  ADJ


Words: travail
Meaning:
trav.ail\n   travail  travails\n  You can refer to unpleasant hard work or difficult problems as travail. (LITERARY)\nHe did whatever he could to ease their travail.\n  N-VAR


Words: travel
Meaning:
trav.el\n   travel  travels  travelling  travelled\nin AM, use traveling, traveled\n1. If you travel, you go from one place to another, often to a place that is far away.\nYou had better travel to Helsinki tomorrow...\nI’ve been traveling all day...\nStudents often travel hundreds of miles to get here...\nI had been travelling at 150 kilometres an hour...\nHe was a charming travelling companion.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V, V amount, V at amount, V-ing\n\n=>  trav.el.ling\nI love travelling...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Travel is the activity of travelling.\nHe detested air travel.\n...a writer of travel books.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If you travel the world, the country, or the area, you go to many different places in the world or in a particular country or area.\nDr Ryan travelled the world gathering material for his book...\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. When light or sound from one place reaches another, you say that it travels to the other place.\nWhen sound travels through water, strange things can happen...\nLight travels at around 300,000,000 metres per second.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V at amount\n\n5. When news becomes known by people in different places, you can say that it travels to them.\nNews of his work traveled all the way to Asia...\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n6. Someone’s travels are the journeys that they make to places a long way from their home.\nHe also collects things for the house on his travels abroad.\n  N-PLURAL: with poss, usu poss N\n\n7.\n  see also travelling, much-travelled, well-travelled\n8. If you travel light, you travel without taking much luggage.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: travel agency
Meaning:
trav.el agen.cy\n   travel agency  travel agencies\n  A travel agency is a business which makes arrangements for people’s holidays and journeys.\n  N-COUNT


Words: travel agent
Meaning:
trav.el agent\n   travel agent  travel agents\n1. A travel agent or travel agent’s is a shop or office where you can go to arrange a holiday or journey.\nHe worked in a travel agent’s.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A travel agent is a person or business that arranges people’s holidays and journeys.\n  N-COUNT


Words: travel rep
Meaning:
trav.el rep\n   travel rep travel reps\n  A travel rep is the same as a holiday rep. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: travel sickness
Meaning:
trav.el sick.ness\n   travel sickness\n  If someone has travel sickness, they feel sick as a result of travelling in a vehicle.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: traveller
Meaning:
trav.el.ler\n   traveller  travellers\nin AM, use traveler\n1. A traveller is a person who is making a journey or a person who travels a lot.\nMany air travellers suffer puffy ankles and feet during long flights.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n\n2. A traveller is a person who travels from place to place, often living in a van or other vehicle, rather than living in one place. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also New Age traveller


Words: traveller’s cheque
Meaning:
trav.el.ler’s cheque\n   traveller’s cheque  traveller’s cheques\nin AM, use traveler’s check\n  Traveller’s cheques are cheques that you buy at a bank and take with you when you travel, for example so that you can exchange them for the currency of the country that you are in.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: travelling
Meaning:
trav.el.ling\n   travelling\nin AM, use traveling\n  A travelling actor or musician, for example, is one who travels around an area or country performing in different places.\n...travelling entertainers.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = itinerant


Words: travelling salesman
Meaning:
trav.el.ling sales.man\n   travelling salesman  travelling salesmen\nin AM, use traveling salesman\n  A travelling salesman is a salesman who travels to different places and meets people in order to sell goods or take orders.\n  N-COUNT


Words: travelogue
Meaning:
trav.elogue\n   travelogue  travelogues\n  A travelogue is a talk or film about travel or about a particular person’s travels.\n  N-COUNT


Words: traverse
Meaning:
trav.erse\n   traverse  traverses  traversing  traversed\n  If someone or something traverses an area of land or water, they go across it. (LITERARY)\nI traversed the narrow pedestrian bridge.\n  VERB: V n\n  = cross


Words: travesty
Meaning:
trav.es.ty\n   travesty  travesties\n  If you describe something as a travesty of another thing, you mean that it is a very bad representation of that other thing.\nHer research suggests that Smith’s reputation today is a travesty of what he really stood for...\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: trawl
Meaning:
trawl  trawls  trawling  trawled\n1. If you trawl through a large number of similar things, you search through them looking for something that you want or something that is suitable for a particular purpose. (BRIT)\nA team of officers is trawling through the records of thousands of petty thieves...\nHer private secretary has carefully trawled the West End for a suitable show.\n  VERB: V through n, V n\n\n2. When fishermen trawl for fish, they pull a wide net behind their ship in order to catch fish.\nThey had seen him trawling and therefore knew that there were fish...\nWe came upon a fishing boat trawling for Dover sole.\n  VERB: V, V for n, also V n


Words: tray
Meaning:
tray  trays\n  A tray is a flat piece of wood, plastic, or metal, which usually has raised edges and which is used for carrying things, especially food and drinks.\n  N-COUNT


Words: treacherous
Meaning:
treach.er.ous\n   treacherous\n1. If you describe someone as treacherous, you mean that they are likely to betray you and cannot be trusted.\nHe publicly left the party and denounced its treacherous leaders...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n2. If you say that something is treacherous, you mean that it is very dangerous and unpredictable.\nThe current of the river is fast flowing and treacherous...\n  ADJ


Words: treachery
Meaning:
treach.ery\n   treachery  treacheries\n  Treachery is behaviour or an action in which someone betrays their country or betrays a person who trusts them.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl


Words: treacle
Meaning:
trea.cle\n   treacle\n  Treacle is a thick, sweet, sticky liquid that is obtained when sugar is processed. It is used in making cakes and puddings. (BRIT; in AM, use molasses)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: tread
Meaning:
tread  treads  treading  trod  trodden\n1. If you tread on something, you put your foot on it when you are walking or standing.\nOh, sorry, I didn’t mean to tread on your foot...\n  VERB: V on n\n\n2. If you tread in a particular way, you walk that way. (LITERARY)\nShe trod casually, enjoying the touch of the damp grass on her feet.\n  VERB: V adv\n\n3. A person’s tread is the sound that they make with their feet as they walk. (WRITTEN)\nWe could now very plainly hear their heavy tread.\n  N-SING: supp N, N of n\n\n4. If you tread carefully, you behave in a careful or cautious way.\nIf you are hoping to form a new relationship tread carefully and slowly to begin with...\n  VERB: V adv\n\n5. The tread of a step or stair is its flat upper surface.\nHe walked up the stairs. The treads were covered with a kind of rubber and very quiet.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. The tread of a tyre or shoe is the pattern of thin lines cut into its surface that stops it slipping.\nThe fat, broad tyres had a good depth of tread.\n  N-VAR\n\n7. If someone is treading a fine line or path, they are acting carefully because they have to avoid making a serious mistake, especially in a situation where they have to deal with two opposing demands.\nThey have to tread the delicate path between informing children and boring them...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR between pl-n\n\n8. If you tread a particular path, you take a particular course of action or do something in a particular way.\nHe continues to tread an unconventional path...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9. If someone who is in deep water treads water, they float in an upright position by moving their legs slightly.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n10. If you say that someone is treading water, you mean that they are in an unsatisfactory situation where they are not progressing, but are just continuing doing the same things.\nI could either tread water until I was promoted, which looked to be a few years away, or I could change what I was doing.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n11.\nto tread on someone’s toes: see toe


Words: treadle
Meaning:
trea.dle\n   treadle  treadles\n  The treadle on a spinning wheel or sewing machine is a lever that you operate with your foot in order to turn a wheel in the machine.\n  N-COUNT


Words: treadmill
Meaning:
tread.mill\n   treadmill  treadmills\n1. You can refer to a task or a job as a treadmill when you have to keep doing it although it is unpleasant and exhausting.\nMr Stocks can expect a gruelling week on the publicity treadmill.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. A treadmill is a piece of equipment, for example an exercise machine, consisting of a wheel with steps around its edge or a continuous moving belt. The weight of a person or animal walking on it causes the wheel or belt to turn.\n  N-COUNT


Words: treason
Meaning:
trea.son\n   treason\n  Treason is the crime of betraying your country, for example by helping its enemies or by trying to remove its government using violence.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: treasonable
Meaning:
trea.son.able\n   treasonable\n  Treasonable activities are criminal activities which someone carries out with the intention of helping their country’s enemies or removing its government using violence.\nThey were brought to trial for treasonable conspiracy.\n  ADJ


Words: treasure
Meaning:
treas.ure\n   treasure  treasures  treasuring  treasured\n1. Treasure is a collection of valuable old objects such as gold coins and jewels that has been hidden or lost. (LITERARY)\nIt was here, the buried treasure, she knew it was.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Treasures are valuable objects, especially works of art and items of historical value.\nThe house was large and full of art treasures.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n3. If you treasure something that you have, you keep it or care for it carefully because it gives you great pleasure and you think it is very special.\nShe treasures her memories of those joyous days.\n  VERB: V n\n  = cherish\n  Treasure is also a noun.\nHis greatest treasure is his collection of rock records.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  treas.ured\nThese books are still among my most treasured possessions.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. If you say that someone is a treasure, you mean that they are very helpful and useful to you. (INFORMAL)\nCharlie? Oh, he’s a treasure, loves children.\n  N-COUNT\n  = gem


Words: treasure chest
Meaning:
treas.ure chest\n   treasure chest  treasure chests\n1. A treasure chest is a box containing treasure.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you describe something as a treasure chest of a particular thing, you mean that it is very good source of that thing.\nThis book is a treasure chest of information.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: treasure trove
Meaning:
treas.ure trove\n   treasure trove  treasure troves\n1. If you describe something or someone as a treasure trove of a particular thing, you mean that they are a very good or rich source of that thing.\nThe dictionary is a vast treasure trove of information...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, N of n\n\n2. You can refer to a collection of valuable objects as a treasure trove.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N for n


Words: treasurer
Meaning:
treas.ur.er\n   treasurer  treasurers\n  The treasurer of a society or organization is the person who is in charge of its finances and keeps its accounts.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: treasury
Meaning:
treas.ury\n   treasury  treasuries\n  In Britain, the United States, and some other countries, the Treasury is the government department that deals with the country’s finances.\n  N-COUNT-COLL: usu the N in sing


Words: treat
Meaning:
treat  treats  treating  treated\n1. If you treat someone or something in a particular way, you behave towards them or deal with them in that way.\nArtie treated most women with indifference...\nPolice say they’re treating it as a case of attempted murder...\nShe adored Paddy but he didn’t treat her well...\n  VERB: V n with n, V n as/like n, V n adv\n\n2. When a doctor or nurse treats a patient or an illness, he or she tries to make the patient well again.\nDoctors treated her with aspirin...\nThe boy was treated for a minor head wound...\nAn experienced nurse treats all minor injuries.\n  VERB: V n with n, V n for n, V n\n\n3. If something is treated with a particular substance, the substance is put onto or into it in order to clean it, to protect it, or to give it special properties.\nAbout 70% of the cocoa acreage is treated with insecticide...\nIt was many years before the city began to treat its sewage.\n  VERB: be V-ed with n, V n\n\n4. If you treat someone to something special which they will enjoy, you buy it or arrange it for them.\nShe was always treating him to ice cream...\nTomorrow I’ll treat myself to a day’s gardening...\nIf you want to treat yourself, the Malta Hilton offers high international standards.\n  VERB: V n to n, V pron-refl to n, V pron-refl, also V n\n\n5. If you give someone a treat, you buy or arrange something special for them which they will enjoy.\nLettie had never yet failed to return from town without some special treat for him.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. If you say that something is your treat, you mean that you are paying for it as a treat for someone else. (SPOKEN)\n  N-SING: poss N\n\n7. If you say, for example, that something looks or works a treat, you mean that it looks very good or works very well. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nThe first part of the plan works a treat...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n8.\nto treat someone like dirt: see dirt


Words: treatable
Meaning:
treat.able\n   treatable\n  A treatable disease is one which can be cured or controlled, usually by the use of drugs.\nThis is a treatable condition...\nDepression is treatable.\n  ADJ


Words: treatise
Meaning:
trea.tise\n   treatise  treatises\n  A treatise is a long, formal piece of writing about a particular subject.\n...Locke’s Treatise on Civil Government.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N on n


Words: treatment
Meaning:
treat.ment\n   treatment  treatments\n1. Treatment is medical attention given to a sick or injured person or animal.\nMany patients are not getting the medical treatment they need.\n...an effective treatment for eczema.\n  N-VAR: oft supp N, N of/for n\n\n2. Your treatment of someone is the way you behave towards them or deal with them.\nWe don’t want any special treatment...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N, N of n\n\n3. Treatment of something involves putting a particular substance onto or into it, in order to clean it, to protect it, or to give it special properties.\nThere should be greater treatment of sewage before it is discharged...\nAs with all oily hair treatments, shampoo needs to be applied first.\n  N-VAR: usu N of n, supp N\n\n4. If you say that someone is given the full treatment, you mean either that they are treated extremely well or that they are treated extremely severely. (INFORMAL)\nIf you’ve got friends or family coming to stay, make it really special by giving them the full treatment...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: treaty
Meaning:
trea.ty\n   treaty  treaties\n  A treaty is a written agreement between countries in which they agree to do a particular thing or to help each other.\n...negotiations over a 1992 treaty on global warming.\n  N-COUNT


Words: treble
Meaning:
tre.ble\n   treble  trebles  trebling  trebled\n1. If something trebles or if you treble it, it becomes three times greater in number or amount than it was.\nThey will have to pay much more when rents treble in January...\nThe city has trebled the number of its prisoners to 21,000.\n  VERB: V, V n\n  = triple\n=>  tre.bling\nA new threat to Bulgaria’s stability is the week-old miners’ strike for a trebling of minimum pay.\n  N-SING: oft N of n\n\n2. If one thing is treble the size or amount of another thing, it is three times greater in size or amount.\nMore than 7 million shares changed hands, treble the normal daily average.\n  PREDET: PREDET det n\n  = triple\n3. A treble is a boy with a very high singing voice.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. In sport, a treble is three successes one after the other, for example winning three horse races on the same day, or winning three competitions in the same season. (mainly BRIT JOURNALISM)\nThe win completed a treble for them.they already claimed a league and cup double this year.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tree
Meaning:
tree  trees\n1. A tree is a tall plant that has a hard trunk, branches, and leaves.\nI planted those apple trees.\n...a variety of shrubs and trees.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n  see also Christmas tree, family tree\n2. If you say that someone is barking up the wrong tree, you mean that they are following the wrong course of action because their beliefs or ideas about something are incorrect. (INFORMAL)\nScientists in Switzerland realised that most other researchers had been barking up the wrong tree.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu cont\n\n3. If someone can’t see the wood for the trees in British English, or can’t see the forest for the trees in American English, they are very involved in the details of something and so they do not notice what is important about the thing as a whole.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n4.\nthe top of the tree: see top


Words: tree trunk
Meaning:
tree trunk  tree trunks\n  A tree trunk is the wide central part of a tree, from which the branches grow.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tree-lined
Meaning:
tree-lined\n  A tree-lined road or street has trees on either side.\n...the broad, tree-lined avenues.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: treetop
Meaning:
tree.top\n   treetop  treetops   also tree tops\n  The treetops are the top branches of the trees in a wood or forest.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: trek
Meaning:
trek  treks  trekking  trekked\n1. If you trek somewhere, you go on a journey across difficult country, usually on foot.\n...trekking through the jungles...\nThis year we’re going trekking in Nepal.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V-ing\n\n  Trek is also a noun.\nHe is on a trek through the South Gobi desert.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you trek somewhere, you go there rather slowly and unwillingly, usually because you are tired.\nThey trekked from shop to shop in search of white knee-length socks.\n  VERB: V prep/adv


Words: tremble
Meaning:
trem.ble\n   tremble  trembles  trembling  trembled\n1. If you tremble, you shake slightly because you are frightened or cold.\nHis mouth became dry, his eyes widened, and he began to tremble all over...\nGil was white and trembling with anger...\nWith trembling fingers, he removed the camera from his pocket.\n  VERB: V, V with n, V-ing\n  = shake\n  Tremble is also a noun.\nI will never forget the look on the patient’s face, the tremble in his hand.\n  N-SING: usu N in/of n\n\n2. If something trembles, it shakes slightly. (LITERARY)\nHe felt the earth tremble under him...\n  VERB: V\n  = quiver\n3. If your voice trembles, it sounds unsteady and uncertain, usually because you are upset or nervous. (LITERARY)\nHis voice trembled, on the verge of tears.\n  VERB: V\n  = shake\n  Tremble is also a noun.\n`Please understand this,’ she began, a tremble in her voice.\n  N-SING: usu N in/of n


Words: tremendous
Meaning:
tre.men.dous\n   tremendous\n1. You use tremendous to emphasize how strong a feeling or quality is, or how large an amount is. (INFORMAL)\nI felt a tremendous pressure on my chest...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis\n  = terrific\n=>  tre.men.dous.ly\nThe business is tremendously profitable...\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv/-ed, ADV after v\n\n2. You can describe someone or something as tremendous when you think they are very good or very impressive. (INFORMAL)\nI thought it was absolutely tremendous.\n  ADJ\n  = terrific\n=>  tre.men.dous.ly\nI thought they played tremendously well, didn’t you?...\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv/-ed, ADV after v


Words: tremolo
Meaning:
tremo.lo\n   tremolo\n  If someone’s singing or speaking voice has a tremolo in it, it moves up and down instead of staying on the same note.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N


Words: tremor
Meaning:
trem.or\n   tremor  tremors\n1. A tremor is a small earthquake.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If an event causes a tremor in a group or organization, it threatens to make the group or organization less strong or stable.\nNews of 160 redundancies had sent tremors through the community...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. A tremor is a shaking of your body or voice that you cannot control.\nHe felt a tremor in his arms...\n  N-COUNT


Words: tremulous
Meaning:
tremu.lous\n   tremulous\n  If someone’s voice, smile, or actions are tremulous, they are unsteady because the person is uncertain, afraid, or upset. (LITERARY)\nShe fidgeted in her chair as she took a deep, tremulous breath.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  tremu.lous.ly\n`He was so good to me,’ she said tremulously.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: trench
Meaning:
trench  trenches\n1. A trench is a long narrow channel that is cut into the ground, for example in order to lay pipes or get rid of water.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A trench is a long narrow channel in the ground used by soldiers in order to protect themselves from the enemy. People often refer to the battle grounds of the First World War in Northern France and Belgium as the trenches.\nWe fought with them in the trenches.\n...trench warfare.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in pl, N n


Words: trench coat
Meaning:
trench coat  trench coats   also trenchcoat\n  A trench coat is a type of raincoat with pockets and a belt. Trench coats are often similar in design to military coats.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trenchant
Meaning:
trench.ant\n   trenchant\n  You can use trenchant to describe something such as a criticism or comment that is very clear, effective, and forceful. (FORMAL)\nHe was shattered and bewildered by this trenchant criticism...\nHis comment was trenchant and perceptive.\n  ADJ


Words: trend
Meaning:
trend  trends\n1. A trend is a change or development towards something new or different.\nThis is a growing trend.\n...a trend towards part-time employment.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. To set a trend means to do something that becomes accepted or fashionable, and that a lot of other people copy.\nThe record has already proved a success and may well start a trend.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: trend-setter
Meaning:
trend-setter  trend-setters   also trendsetter\n  A trend-setter is a person or institution that starts a new fashion or trend.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trendy
Meaning:
trendy  trendier  trendiest\n1. If you say that something or someone is trendy, you mean that they are very fashionable and modern. (INFORMAL)\n...a trendy London night club.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone who follows new ideas as trendy, you disapprove of them because they are more interested in being fashionable than in thinking seriously about these ideas. (INFORMAL)\nTrendy teachers are denying children the opportunity to study classic texts.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval


Words: trepidation
Meaning:
trepi.da.tion\n   trepidation\n  Trepidation is fear or anxiety about something that you are going to do or experience. (FORMAL)\nIt was with some trepidation that I viewed the prospect of cycling across Uganda.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft with N\n  = anxiety


Words: trespass
Meaning:
tres.pass\n   trespass  trespasses  trespassing  trespassed\n1. If someone trespasses, they go onto someone else’s land without their permission.\nThey were trespassing on private property...\nYou’re trespassing!\n  VERB: V prep, V\n\n  Trespass is the act of trespassing.\nYou could be prosecuted for trespass.\n  N-VAR\n\n=>  tres.pass.er      trespassers\nTrespassers will be prosecuted.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that someone is trespassing on something, you mean that they are involving themselves in something that is not their concern.\nThey were acting to prevent the state from trespassing on family matters such as sex education.\n  VERB: V prep, also V


Words: trestle
Meaning:
tres.tle\n   trestle  trestles\n  A trestle is a wooden or metal structure that is used, for example, as one of the supports for a table. It has two pairs of sloping legs which are joined by a flat piece across the top.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trestle table
Meaning:
tres.tle ta.ble\n   trestle table  trestle tables\n  A trestle table is a table made of a long board that is supported on trestles.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tri-
Meaning:
tri-\n  Tri- is used at the beginning of nouns and adjectives that have `three’ as part of their meaning.\n...a tri-partite meeting...\nIt was triangular in shape.\n  PREFIX


Words: triad
Meaning:
tri.ad\n   triad  triads\n\n  The spelling Triad is also used for meaning 1.\n\n1. The Triads were Chinese secret societies in old China that were often associated with organized crime.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, oft N n\n\n2. A triad is a group of three similar things. (FORMAL)\nFor the faculty, there exists the triad of responsibilities: teaching, research, and service.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: triage
Meaning:
tri.age\n   triage\n  Triage is the process of quickly examining sick or injured people, for example after an accident or a battle, so that those who are in the most serious condition can be treated first. (MEDICAL)\n...the triage process.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: trial
Meaning:
tri.al\n   trial  trials\n1. A trial is a formal meeting in a law court, at which a judge and jury listen to evidence and decide whether a person is guilty of a crime.\nNew evidence showed the police lied at the trial...\nHe’s awaiting trial in a military court on charges of plotting against the state...\nThey believed that his case would never come to trial.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. A trial is an experiment in which you test something by using it or doing it for a period of time to see how well it works. If something is on trial, it is being tested in this way.\nThey have been treated with this drug in clinical trials...\nThe robots have been on trial for the past year...\n  N-VAR\n\n3. If someone gives you a trial for a job, or if you are on trial, you do the job for a short period of time to see if you are suitable for it.\nHe had just given a trial to a young woman who said she had previous experience...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, also on N\n\n4. If you refer to the trials of a situation, you mean the unpleasant things that you experience in it.\n...the trials of adolescence.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, N of n\n\n5. In some sports or outdoor activities, trials are a series of contests that test a competitor’s skill and ability.\nHe has been riding in horse trials for less than a year.\n...Dovedale Sheepdog Trials.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, supp N\n\n6. If you do something by trial and error, you try several different methods of doing it until you find the method that works properly.\nMany drugs were found by trial and error...\n  PHRASE: oft by/through PHR\n\n7. If someone is on trial, they are being tried in a court of law.\nHe is currently on trial accused of serious drugs charges...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n8. If you say that someone or something is on trial, you mean that they are in a situation where people are observing them to see whether they succeed or fail.\nThe President will be drawn into a damaging battle in which his credentials will be on trial.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n9. If someone stands trial, they are tried in court for a crime they are accused of.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR for n


Words: trial balloon
Meaning:
tri.al bal.loon\n   trial balloon  trial balloons\n  A trial balloon is a proposal that you mention or an action that you try in order to find out other people’s reactions to it, especially if you think they are likely to oppose it. (mainly AM)\nThey floated the trial balloon of actually cutting Social Security.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trial run
Meaning:
tri.al run\n   trial run  trial runs\n  A trial run is a first attempt at doing something to make sure you can do it properly.\n  N-COUNT


Words: triangle
Meaning:
tri.an.gle\n   triangle  triangles\n1. A triangle is an object, arrangement, or flat shape with three straight sides and three angles.\nIts outline roughly forms an equilateral triangle.\n...triangles of fried bread.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The triangle is a musical instrument that consists of a piece of metal shaped like a triangle. You play it by hitting it with a short metal bar.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, the N\n\n3. If you describe a group of three people as a triangle, you mean that they are all connected with each other in a particular situation, but often have different interests.\nShe plays a French woman in a love triangle with Jonathan Pryce and Christopher Walken.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp\n\n  see also eternal triangle


Words: triangular
Meaning:
tri.an.gu.lar\n   triangular\n1. Something that is triangular is in the shape of a triangle.\n...cottages around a triangular green.\n  ADJ\n\n2. You can describe a relationship or situation as triangular if it involves three people or things.\nOne particular triangular relationship became the model of Simone’s first novel.\n  ADJ


Words: triathlete
Meaning:
tri.ath.lete\n   triathlete  triathletes\n  A triathlete is someone who takes part in a triathlon.\n  N-COUNT


Words: triathlon
Meaning:
tri.ath.lon\n   triathlon  triathlons\n  A triathlon is an athletics competition in which each competitor takes part in three events; swimming, cycling, and running.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: tribal
Meaning:
trib.al\n   tribal\n  Tribal is used to describe things relating to or belonging to tribes and the way that they are organized.\nThey would go back to their tribal lands.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: tribalism
Meaning:
trib.al.ism\n   tribalism\n1. Tribalism is the state of existing as a tribe.\nApartheid used tribalism as the basis of its `divide-and-rule’ homeland policies.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You can use tribalism to refer to the loyalties that people feel towards particular social groups and to the way these loyalties affect their behaviour and their attitudes towards others.\nHis argument was that multi-party systems encourage tribalism.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: tribe
Meaning:
tribe  tribes\n1. Tribe is sometimes used to refer to a group of people of the same race, language, and customs, especially in a developing country. Some people disapprove of this use.\n...three-hundred members of the Xhosa tribe.\n  N-COUNT-COLL\n\n2. You can use tribe to refer to a group of people who are all doing the same thing or who all behave in the same way. (mainly HUMOROUS, INFORMAL)\n...tribes of talented young people.\n  N-COUNT-COLL: usu N of n, adj N


Words: tribulation
Meaning:
tribu.la.tion\n   tribulation  tribulations\n  You can refer to the suffering or difficulty that you experience in a particular situation as tribulations. (FORMAL)\n...the trials and tribulations of everyday life.\n  N-VAR


Words: tribunal
Meaning:
tri.bu.nal\n   tribunal  tribunals\n  A tribunal is a special court or committee that is appointed to deal with particular problems.\nHis case comes before an industrial tribunal in March.\n  N-COUNT-COLL


Words: tributary
Meaning:
tribu.tary\n   tributary  tributaries\n  A tributary is a stream or river that flows into a larger one.\n...the Napo river, a tributary of the Amazon.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: tribute
Meaning:
trib.ute\n   tribute  tributes\n1. A tribute is something that you say, do, or make to show your admiration and respect for someone.\nThe song is a tribute to Roy Orbison...\nHe paid tribute to the organising committee...\n  N-VAR: usu N to n\n\n2. If one thing is a tribute to another, the first thing is the result of the second and shows how good it is.\nHis success has been a tribute to hard work, to professionalism...\n  N-SING: a N, usu N to n, N to n that


Words: trice
Meaning:
trice\n  If someone does something in a trice, they do it very quickly.\nHe will sew it up in a trice...\nShe was back in a trice.\n  PHRASE: PHR with v, PHR with cl


Words: triceps
Meaning:
tri.ceps\n   triceps  triceps\n  Your triceps is the muscle in the back part of your upper arm.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trick
Meaning:
trick  tricks  tricking  tricked\n1. A trick is an action that is intended to deceive someone.\nWe are playing a trick on a man who keeps bothering me.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If someone tricks you, they deceive you, often in order to make you do something.\nStephen is going to be pretty upset when he finds out how you tricked him...\nHis family tricked him into going to Pakistan, and once he was there, they took away his passport...\nHis real purpose is to trick his way into your home to see what he can steal.\n  VERB: V n, V n into -ing, V way prep/adv\n\n3. A trick is a clever or skilful action that someone does in order to entertain people.\nHe shows me card tricks.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A trick is a clever way of doing something.\nTiffany revamped her sitting room with simple decorative tricks.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5.\n  see also confidence trick, conjuring trick, hat-trick\n6. If something does the trick, it achieves what you wanted. (INFORMAL)\nSometimes a few choice words will do the trick.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7. If someone tries every trick in the book, they try every possible thing that they can think of in order to achieve something. (INFORMAL)\nCompanies are using every trick in the book to stay one step in front of their competitors.\n  PHRASE: v PHR\n\n8. If you say that something is a trick of the light, you mean that what you are seeing is an effect caused by the way that the light falls on things, and does not really exist in the way that it appears.\nHer head appears to be on fire but that is only a trick of the light.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n9. If you say that someone does not miss a trick, you mean that they always know what is happening and take advantage of every situation. (INFORMAL)\n  PHRASE: V inflects, with brd-neg\n\n10. The tricks of the trade are the quick and clever ways of doing something that are known by people who regularly do a particular activity.\n  PHRASE: trick inflects\n\n11. If you say that someone is up to their tricks or up to their old tricks, you disapprove of them because they are behaving in the dishonest or deceitful way in which they typically behave. (INFORMAL)\nI have no respect for my father who, having remarried, is still up to his old tricks.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR  disapproval


Words: trick or treat
Meaning:
trick or treat\n  Trick or treat is an activity in which children knock on the doors of houses at Halloween and shout `trick or treat’. If the person who answers the door does not give the children a treat, such as sweets or candy, they play a trick on him or her.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: trick question
Meaning:
trick ques.tion\n   trick question  trick questions\n  If someone asks you a trick question, they ask you a question which is very difficult to answer, for example because there is a hidden difficulty or because the answer that seems obvious is not the correct one.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trickery
Meaning:
trick.ery\n   trickery\n  Trickery is the use of dishonest methods in order to achieve something.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: trickle
Meaning:
trick.le\n   trickle  trickles  trickling  trickled\n1. When a liquid trickles, or when you trickle it, it flows slowly in very small amounts.\nA tear trickled down the old man’s cheek...\nTrickle water gently over the back of your baby’s head...\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V n\n\n  Trickle is also a noun.\nThere was not so much as a trickle of water.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. When people or things trickle in a particular direction, they move there slowly in small groups or amounts, rather than all together.\nSome donations are already trickling in.\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n  Trickle is also a noun.\nThe flood of cars has now slowed to a trickle...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: trickle-down
Meaning:
trickle-down\n  The trickle-down theory is the theory that benefits given to people at the top of a system will eventually be passed on to people lower down the system. For example, if the rich receive tax cuts, they will pass these benefits on to the poor by creating jobs.\nThe government is not simply relying on trickle-down economics to tackle poverty.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: trickster
Meaning:
trick.ster\n   trickster  tricksters\n  A trickster is a person who deceives or cheats people, often in order to get money from them. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: tricky
Meaning:
tricky  trickier  trickiest\n1. If you describe a task or problem as tricky, you mean that it is difficult to do or deal with.\nParking can be tricky in the town centre...\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe a person as tricky, you mean that they are likely to deceive you or cheat you.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: tricolour
Meaning:
tri.col.our\n   tricolour  tricolours   also tricolor\n  A tricolour is a flag which is made up of blocks of three different colours.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tricycle
Meaning:
tri.cy.cle\n   tricycle  tricycles\n  A tricycle is a cycle with three wheels, two at the back and one at the front. Tricycles are usually ridden by children.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tried
Meaning:
tried\n  Tried is used in the expressions tried and tested, tried and trusted, and tried and true, which describe a product or method that has already been used and has been found to be successful.\n...over 1000 tried-and-tested recipes...\n  ADJ: ADJ and adj\n\n  see also try, well-tried


Words: trier
Meaning:
tri.er\n   trier  triers\n  If you say that someone is a trier, you approve of them because they try very hard at things that they do, although they are not often successful. (BRIT)\nHe may not always achieve greatness but at least he’s a trier.\n  N-COUNT  approval


Words: trifle
Meaning:
tri.fle\n   trifle  trifles  trifling  trifled\n1. You can use a trifle to mean slightly or to a small extent, especially in order make something you say seem less extreme.\nAs a photographer, he’d found both locations just a trifle disappointing...\n  PHRASE: PHR adj/adv/prep  vagueness\n\n2. A trifle is something that is considered to have little importance, value, or significance.\nHe had no money to spare on trifles...\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Trifle is a cold dessert made of layers of sponge cake, jelly, fruit, and custard, and usually covered with cream.\n  N-VAR


Words: trifle with
Meaning:
trifle with\n  If you say that someone is not a person to be trifled with, you are indicating to other people that they must treat that person with respect.\nHe was not someone to be trifled with...\nNo man in Tabriz trifled with the executioner.\n  PHRASAL VERB: usu with brd-neg, be V-ed P, V P n


Words: trifling
Meaning:
tri.fling\n   trifling\n  A trifling matter is small and unimportant.\nOutside California these difficulties may seem fairly trifling.\n...a comparatively trifling 360 yards.\n  ADJ: oft a ADJ amount\n  = trivial


Words: trigger
Meaning:
trig.ger\n   trigger  triggers  triggering  triggered\n1. The trigger of a gun is a small lever which you pull to fire it.\nA man pointed a gun at them and pulled the trigger.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The trigger of a bomb is the device which causes it to explode.\n...trigger devices for nuclear weapons.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n\n3. To trigger a bomb or system means to cause it to work.\nThe thieves must have deliberately triggered the alarm and hidden inside the house...\n  VERB: V n\n  = activate\n4. If something triggers an event or situation, it causes it to begin to happen or exist.\n...the incident which triggered the outbreak of the First World War...\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Trigger off means the same as trigger.\nIt is still not clear what events triggered off the demonstrations.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n5. If something acts as a trigger for another thing such as an illness, event, or situation, the first thing causes the second thing to begin to happen or exist.\nStress may act as a trigger for these illnesses.\n  N-COUNT: oft N for n


Words: trigger-happy
Meaning:
trigger-happy   also trigger happy\n  If you describe someone as trigger-happy, you disapprove of them because they are too ready and willing to use violence and weapons, especially guns. (INFORMAL)\nSome of them are a bit trigger-happy.they’ll shoot at anything that moves.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: trigonometry
Meaning:
trigo.nom.etry\n   trigonometry\n  Trigonometry is the branch of mathematics that is concerned with calculating the angles of triangles or the lengths of their sides.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: trilby
Meaning:
tril.by\n   trilby  trilbies\n  A trilby or a trilby hat is a man’s hat which is made of felt and has a groove along the top from front to back. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trill
Meaning:
trill  trills  trilling  trilled\n1. If a bird trills, it sings with short, high-pitched, repeated notes.\nAt one point a bird trilled in the Conservatory.\n  VERB: V\n\n2. If you say that a woman trills, you mean that she talks or laughs in a high-pitched voice which sounds rather musical but which also sounds rather irritating.\n`How adorable!’ she trills.\n  VERB: V with quote\n\n3. A trill is the playing of two musical notes repeatedly and quickly one after the other. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trillion
Meaning:
tril.lion\n   trillion  trillions\n  A trillion is a million million.\nBetween July 1st and October 1st, the central bank printed over 2 trillion roubles.\n  NUM: usu aum NUM\n  The plural form is trillion after a number, or after a word or expression referring to a number, such as `several’ or `a few’.


Words: trilogy
Meaning:
tril.ogy\n   trilogy  trilogies\n  A trilogy is a series of three books, plays, or films that have the same subject or the same characters.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n, supp N


Words: trim
Meaning:
trim  trimmer  trimmest  trims  trimming  trimmed\n1. Something that is trim is neat, tidy, and attractive.\nThe neighbours’ gardens were trim and neat.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone’s figure as trim, you mean that it is attractive because there is no extra fat on their body.\nThe driver was a trim young woman of perhaps thirty.\n  ADJ  approval\n\n3. If you trim something, for example someone’s hair, you cut off small amounts of it in order to make it look neater and tidier.\nMy friend trims my hair every eight weeks...\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Trim is also a noun.\nHis hair needed a trim.\n  N-SING\n\n4. If a government or other organization trims something such as a plan, policy, or amount, they reduce it slightly in extent or size.\nAmerican companies looked at ways they could trim these costs...\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. If something such as a piece of clothing is trimmed with a type of material or design, it is decorated with it, usually along its edges.\n...jackets, which are then trimmed with crocheted flowers...\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed with n\n\n=>  -trimmed\nHe wears a fur-trimmed coat.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n6. The trim on something such as a piece of clothing is a decoration, for example along its edges, that is in a different colour or material.\n...a white satin scarf with black trim...\n  N-VAR\n  = trimming\n7. When people are in trim or in good trim, they are in good physical condition.\nHe is already getting in trim for the big day...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v


Words: trimaran
Meaning:
tri.ma.ran\n   trimaran  trimarans\n  A trimaran is a fast sailing boat similar to a catamaran, but with three hulls instead of two.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trimming
Meaning:
trim.ming\n   trimming  trimmings\n1. The trimming on something such as a piece of clothing is the decoration, for example along its edges, that is in a different colour or material.\n...the lace trimming on her satin nightgown.\n  N-VAR: usu supp N\n  = trim\n2. Trimmings are pieces of something, usually food, which are left over after you have cut what you need.\nUse any pastry trimmings to decorate the apples.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n3. If you say that something comes with all the trimmings, you mean that it has many extra things added to it to make it more special.\nThey were married with all the trimmings, soon after graduation.\n  PHRASE: with/and PHR


Words: Trinity
Meaning:
Trini.ty\n   Trinity\n  In the Christian religion, the Trinity or the Holy Trinity is the union of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in one God.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: trinket
Meaning:
trin.ket\n   trinket  trinkets\n  A trinket is a pretty piece of jewellery or small ornament that is inexpensive.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trio
Meaning:
trio  trios\n  A trio is a group of three people together, especially musicians or singers, or a group of three things that have something in common.\n  N-COUNT-COLL


Words: trip
Meaning:
trip  trips  tripping  tripped\n1. A trip is a journey that you make to a particular place.\nOn the Thursday we went out on a day trip...\nMark was sent to the Far East on a business trip.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also round trip\n2. If you trip when you are walking, you knock your foot against something and fall or nearly fall.\nShe tripped and fell last night and broke her hip...\nHe tried to follow Jack’s footsteps in the snow and tripped on a rock...\n  VERB: V, V on/over n\n\n  Trip up means the same as trip.\nI tripped up and hurt my foot...\nMake sure trailing flexes are kept out of the way so you don’t trip up over them.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P on/over n\n\n3. If you trip someone who is walking or running, you put your foot or something else in front of them, so that they knock their own foot against it and fall or nearly fall.\nOne guy stuck his foot out and tried to trip me.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Trip up means the same as trip.\nHe made a sudden dive for Uncle Jim’s legs to try to trip him up...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P\n\n4. If you say that someone is, for example, on a power trip, a guilt trip, or a nostalgia trip, you mean that their behaviour is motivated by power, guilt, or nostalgia. (INFORMAL)\nThere’s such pressure to be happy in Hawaii, if you’re unhappy you’re on a guilt trip...\nThe biggest star perk, and the biggest power trip, must be the private plane.\n  N-COUNT: usu on n N  disapproval\n\n5. A trip is an experience that someone has when their mind is affected by a drug such as LSD. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. If someone is tripping, they are having an experience in which their mind is affected by a drug such as LSD. (INFORMAL)\nOne night I was tripping on acid.\n  VERB: usu cont, V on n, also V\n\n7. If someone trips somewhere, they walk there with light, quick steps. (LITERARY)\nA girl in a red smock tripped down the hill...\n  VERB: V prep/adv


Words: trip up
Meaning:
trip up\n  If someone or something trips a person up, or if they trip up, they fail or make a mistake.\nYour own lies will trip you up...\nHe will do all he can to trip up the new right-wing government...\nThe two occasions she tripped up tell you nothing about how often she got away with it.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron), V P\n\n  see also trip 2, 3


Words: tripartite
Meaning:
tri.par.tite\n   tripartite\n  You can use tripartite to describe something that has three parts or that involves three groups of people. (FORMAL)\n...tripartite meetings between Government ministers, trades union leaders and industrialists.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: tripe
Meaning:
tripe\n1. Tripe is the stomach of a pig, cow, or ox which is eaten as food.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You refer to something that someone has said or written as tripe when you think that it is silly and worthless. (INFORMAL)\nI’ve never heard such a load of tripe in all my life.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = rubbish


Words: triple
Meaning:
tri.ple\n   triple  triples  tripling  tripled\n1. Triple means consisting of three things or parts.\n...a triple somersault...\nIn 1882 Germany, Austria, and Italy formed the Triple Alliance.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. If something triples or if you triple it, it becomes three times as large in size or number.\nI got a fantastic new job and my salary tripled...\nThe Exhibition has tripled in size from last year...\nThe merger puts the firm in a position to triple its earnings.\n  VERB: V, V in n, V n\n  = treble\n3. If something is triple the amount or size of another thing, it is three times as large.\nThe mine reportedly had an accident rate triple the national average...\n  PREDET: PREDET the n\n  = treble


Words: triple jump
Meaning:
tri.ple jump\n   triple jump\n  The triple jump is an athletic event in which competitors have to jump as far as they can, and are allowed to touch the ground once with each foot in the course of the jump.\n  N-SING: usu the N


Words: triplet
Meaning:
tri.plet\n   triplet  triplets\n  Triplets are three children born at the same time to the same mother.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: tripod
Meaning:
tri.pod\n   tripod  tripods\n  A tripod is a stand with three legs that is used to support something such as a camera or a telescope.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tripper
Meaning:
trip.per\n   tripper  trippers\n  A tripper is a person who is on a trip or on holiday. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\n...when the shops shut and the trippers go home.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also day-tripper


Words: triptych
Meaning:
trip.tych\n   triptych  triptychs\n  A triptych is a painting or a carving on three panels that are usually joined together by hinges.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tripwire
Meaning:
trip.wire\n   tripwire  tripwires   also trip wire\n  A tripwire is a wire stretched just above the ground, which sets off something such as a trap or an explosion if someone touches it.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trite
Meaning:
trite\n  If you say that something such as an idea, remark, or story is trite, you mean that it is dull and boring because it has been said or told too many times.\nThe movie is teeming with obvious and trite ideas...\n  ADJ\n  = cliched


Words: triumph
Meaning:
tri.umph\n   triumph  triumphs  triumphing  triumphed\n1. A triumph is a great success or achievement, often one that has been gained with a lot of skill or effort.\nThe championships proved to be a personal triumph for the coach, Dave Donovan...\nCataract operations are a triumph of modern surgery, with a success rate of more than 90 percent...\n  N-VAR\n\n2. Triumph is a feeling of great satisfaction and pride resulting from a success or victory.\nHer sense of triumph was short-lived...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If someone or something triumphs, they gain complete success, control, or victory, often after a long or difficult struggle.\nAll her life, Kelly had stuck with difficult tasks and challenges, and triumphed...\nThe whole world looked to her as a symbol of good triumphing over evil.\n  VERB: V, V over n


Words: triumphal
Meaning:
tri.um.phal\n   triumphal\n  Triumphal is used to describe things that are done or made to celebrate a victory or great success.\nHe made a triumphal entry into the city...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: triumphalism
Meaning:
tri.um.phal.ism\n   triumphalism\n  People sometimes refer to behaviour which celebrates a great victory or success as triumphalism, especially when this behaviour is intended to upset the people they have defeated. (mainly BRIT JOURNALISM)\nThere was a touch of triumphalism about the occasion.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: triumphalist
Meaning:
tri.umph.al.ist\n   triumphalist\n  Triumphalist behaviour is behaviour in which politicians or organizations celebrate a victory or a great success, especially when this is intended to upset the people they have defeated. (mainly BRIT JOURNALISM)\n...a triumphalist celebration of their supremacy.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: triumphant
Meaning:
tri.um.phant\n   triumphant\n  Someone who is triumphant has gained a victory or succeeded in something and feels very happy about it.\nThe captain’s voice was triumphant...\nThis trip was not like his first triumphant return home in 1990.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  tri.um.phant.ly\nThey marched triumphantly into the capital.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV with cl


Words: triumvirate
Meaning:
tri.um.vi.rate\n   triumvirate\n  A triumvirate is a group of three people who work together, especially when they are in charge of something. (FORMAL)\n...the triumvirate of women who worked together on the TV dramatisation of the novel.\n  N-SING-COLL: oft N of n


Words: trivia
Meaning:
trivia\n1. Trivia is unimportant facts or details that are considered to be amusing rather than serious or useful.\nThe two men chatted about such trivia as their favourite kinds of fast food...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A trivia game or competition is one where the competitors are asked questions about interesting but unimportant facts in many subjects.\n...a pub trivia game.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: trivial
Meaning:
triv.ial\n   trivial\n  If you describe something as trivial, you think that it is unimportant and not serious.\nThe director tried to wave aside these issues as trivial details that could be settled later...\n  ADJ


Words: triviality
Meaning:
trivi.al.ity\n   triviality  trivialities\n  If you refer to something as a triviality, you think that it is unimportant and not serious.\nHe accused me of making a great fuss about trivialities...\nInterviews with politicians were juxtaposed with news items of quite astonishing triviality.\n  N-VAR


Words: trivialize
Meaning:
trivi.al.ize\n   trivialize  trivializes  trivializing  trivialized\nin BRIT, also use trivialise\n  If you say that someone trivializes something important, you disapprove of them because they make it seem less important, serious, and complex than it is.\nIt never ceases to amaze me how the business world continues to trivialize the world’s environmental problems.\n  VERB: V n  disapproval


Words: troglodyte
Meaning:
trog.lo.dyte\n   troglodyte  troglodytes\n1. A troglodyte is someone who lives in a cave. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you refer to someone as a troglodyte, you mean that they are unsophisticated and do not know very much about anything.\nHe dismissed advocates of a completely free market as economic troglodytes with no concern for the social consequences.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: troika
Meaning:
troi.ka\n   troika  troikas\n  Journalists sometimes refer to a group of three powerful politicians or states as a troika.\n...leader of the troika of past, present and future presidents...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n


Words: Trojan horse
Meaning:
Tro.jan horse\n   Trojan horse  Trojan horses\n1. If you describe a person or thing as a Trojan horse, you mean that they are being used to hide someone’s true purpose or intentions.\nWas Colombo the emissary of Pope Paul, his Trojan horse within the Commission?...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N for/of n  disapproval\n\n2. A Trojan horse is a computer virus which is inserted into a program or system and is designed to take effect after a particular period of time or a certain number of operations. (COMPUTING)\n  N-COUNT


Words: troll
Meaning:
troll   trolls   trolling   trolled\n1. In Scandinavian mythology, trolls are creatures who look like ugly people. They live in caves or on mountains and steal children.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you troll somewhere, you go there in a casual and unhurried way. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nI trolled along to see Michael Frayn’s play, `Noises Off’...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n3. If you troll through papers or files, you look through them in a fairly casual way. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nTrolling through the files revealed a photograph of me drinking coffee in the office.\n  VERB: V through n


Words: trolley
Meaning:
trol.ley\n   trolley  trolleys\n1. A trolley is an object with wheels that you use to transport heavy things such as shopping or luggage. (BRIT; in AM, use cart)\nA porter relieved her of the three large cases she had been pushing on a trolley.\n...supermarket trolleys.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A trolley is a small table on wheels which is used for serving drinks or food. (BRIT; in AM, use cart)\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A trolley is a bed on wheels for moving patients in hospital. (BRIT; in AM, use gurney)\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A trolley or trolley car is an electric vehicle for carrying people which travels on rails in the streets of a town. (AM; in BRIT, use tram)\nHe took a northbound trolley on State Street.\n  N-COUNT\n  = streetcar\n5. If you say that someone is off their trolley, you mean that their ideas or behaviour are very strange. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n  = mad


Words: trolley bus
Meaning:
trol.ley bus\n   trolley bus  trolley buses\n  A trolley bus is a bus that is driven by electric power taken from cables above the street.\n  N-COUNT: also by N


Words: trombone
Meaning:
trom.bone\n   trombone  trombones\n  A trombone is a large musical instrument of the brass family. It consists of two long oval tubes, one of which can be pushed backwards and forwards to play different notes.\n  N-VAR: oft the N


Words: trombonist
Meaning:
trom.bon.ist\n   trombonist  trombonists\n  A trombonist is someone who plays the trombone.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trompe l’oeil
Meaning:
trompe l’oeil  trompe l’oeils\n1. Trompe l’oeil is a technique used in art in which objects are painted their normal size in a very realistic way, to make people think that the objects are solid and real.\n...a trompe l’oeil painting.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n\n2. A trompe l’oeil is a trompe l’oeil painting.\n  N-COUNT


Words: troop
Meaning:
troop  troops  trooping  trooped\n1. Troops are soldiers, especially when they are in a large organized group doing a particular task.\nThe next phase of the operation will involve the deployment of more than 35,000 troops from a dozen countries...\n  N-PLURAL\n\n2. A troop is a group of soldiers within a cavalry or armoured regiment.\n...a troop of enemy cavalry trotting towards the Dutch right flank.\n  N-COUNT-COLL\n\n3. A troop of people or animals is a group of them.\nAmy was aware of the little troop of travellers watching the two of them...\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n\n4. If people troop somewhere, they walk there in a group, often in a sad or tired way. (INFORMAL)\nThey all trooped back to the house for a rest...\n  VERB: V adv/prep


Words: trooper
Meaning:
troop.er\n   trooper  troopers\n1. A trooper is a soldier of low rank in the cavalry or in an armoured regiment in the army.\n...a trooper from the 7th Cavalry...\n  N-COUNT; N-TITLE\n\n2. In the United States, a trooper is a police officer in a state police force.\nOnce long ago he had considered becoming a state trooper.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3.\n  see also storm trooper


Words: troopship
Meaning:
troop.ship\n   troopship  troopships   also troop ship\n  A troopship is a ship on which large numbers of soldiers are taken from one place to another.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trophy
Meaning:
tro.phy\n   trophy  trophies\n1. A trophy is a prize, for example a silver cup, that is given to the winner of a competition or race.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Trophy is used in the names of some competitions and races in which the winner receives a trophy.\nHe finished third in the Tote Gold Trophy.\n  N-IN-NAMES\n\n3. A trophy is something that you keep in order to show that you have done something very difficult.\nHis office was lined with animal heads, trophies of his hunting hobby.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tropical
Meaning:
tropi.cal\n   tropical\n1. Tropical means belonging to or typical of the tropics.\n...tropical diseases.\n...a plan to preserve the world’s tropical forests.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Tropical weather is hot and damp weather that people believe to be typical of the tropics.\n  ADJ


Words: tropics
Meaning:
trop.ics\n   tropics\n  The tropics are the parts of the world that lie between two lines of latitude, the tropic of Cancer, 23.. north of the equator, and the tropic of Capricorn, 23.. south of the equator.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: trot
Meaning:
trot  trots  trotting  trotted\n1. If you trot somewhere, you move fairly fast at a speed between walking and running, taking small quick steps.\nI trotted down the steps and out to the shed...\nA small shabby man was trotting beside Bardi trying to get his attention.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V\n\n  Trot is also a noun.\nHe walked briskly, but without breaking into a trot.\n  N-SING\n\n2. When an animal such as a horse trots, it moves fairly fast, taking quick small steps. You can also say that the rider of the animal is trotting.\nAlan took the reins and the small horse started trotting...\nPete got on his horse and started trotting across the field.\n  VERB: V, V prep/adv\n\n  Trot is also a noun.\nAs they started up again, the horse broke into a brisk trot.\n  N-SING\n\n3. If something happens several times on the trot, it happens that number of times without a break. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nShe lost five games on the trot...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n  = in a row


Words: trot out
Meaning:
trot out\n  If you say that a person trots out old ideas or information, you are criticizing him or her for repeating them in a way that is not new or interesting. (INFORMAL)\nWas it really necessary to trot out the same old stereotypes about Ireland?\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: Trotskyist
Meaning:
Trot.sky.ist\n   Trotskyist  Trotskyists\n  A Trotskyist is someone who supports the revolutionary left-wing ideas of Leon Trotsky.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trotter
Meaning:
trot.ter\n   trotter  trotters\n  Trotters are pig’s feet which you can cook and eat. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: troubadour
Meaning:
trou.ba.dour\n   troubadour  troubadours\n1. Troubadours were poets and singers who used to travel around and perform to noble families in Italy and France in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. People sometimes refer to popular singers as troubadours, especially when the words of their songs are an important part of their music.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trouble
Meaning:
trou.ble\n   trouble  troubles  troubling  troubled\n1. You can refer to problems or difficulties as trouble.\nI had trouble parking...\nYou’ve caused us a lot of trouble...\nThe plane developed engine trouble soon after taking off...\nThe crew are in serious trouble in 50-knot winds and huge seas...\nThe Sullivans continued to have financial troubles.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft in N, also N in pl\n\n2. If you say that one aspect of a situation is the trouble, you mean that it is the aspect which is causing problems or making the situation unsatisfactory.\nThe trouble is that these restrictions have remained while other things have changed...\nYour trouble is that you can’t take rejection.\n  N-SING: usu the N\n  = problem\n3. Your troubles are the things that you are worried about.\nShe kept her troubles to herself.\n  N-PLURAL: usu poss N\n\n4. If you have kidney trouble or back trouble, for example, there is something wrong with your kidneys or your back.\nHer husband had never before had any heart trouble...\nHe began to have trouble with his right knee.\n  N-UNCOUNT: n N, N with n\n\n5. If there is trouble somewhere, especially in a public place, there is fighting or rioting there.\nRiot police are being deployed throughout the city to prevent any trouble...\n...the first victim of the troubles in Northern Ireland.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl\n\n6. If you tell someone that it is no trouble to do something for them, you are saying politely that you can or will do it, because it is easy or convenient for you.\nIt’s no trouble at all; on the contrary, it will be a great pleasure to help you...\n  N-UNCOUNT: with brd-neg, oft N to-inf  politeness\n  = bother\n7. If you say that a person or animal is no trouble, you mean that they are very easy to look after.\nMy little grandson is no trouble at all, but his 6-year-old elder sister is rude and selfish.\n  N-UNCOUNT: with brd-neg\n\n8. If something troubles you, it makes you feel rather worried.\nIs anything troubling you?...\nHe was troubled by the lifestyle of his son.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n=>  trou.bling\nBut most troubling of all was the simple fact that nobody knew what was going on.\n  ADJ\n\n9. If a part of your body troubles you, it causes you physical pain or discomfort.\nThe ulcer had been troubling her for several years.\n  VERB: V n\n\n10. If you say that someone does not trouble to do something, you are critical of them because they do not behave in the way that they should do, and you think that this would require very little effort.\nHe yawns, not troubling to cover his mouth...\nHe hadn’t troubled himself to check his mirrors...\n  VERB: with brd-neg, V to-inf, V pron-refl to-inf  disapproval\n\n11. You use trouble in expressions such as I’m sorry to trouble you when you are apologizing to someone for disturbing them in order to ask them something.\nI’m sorry to trouble you, but I wondered if by any chance you know where he is...\n  VERB  formulae\n  = bother\n12. If someone is in trouble, they are in a situation in which a person in authority is angry with them or is likely to punish them because they have done something wrong.\nHe was in trouble with his teachers...\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n13. If you take the trouble to do something, you do something which requires a small amount of additional effort.\nHe did not take the trouble to see the film before he attacked it.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR to-inf, oft with brd-neg\n\n14. If you say that someone or something is more trouble than they are worth, you mean that they cause you a lot of problems or take a lot of time and effort and you do not achieve or gain very much in return.\nSome grumbled that Johnson was more trouble than he was worth...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, v-link PHR


Words: trouble spot
Meaning:
trou.ble spot\n   trouble spot  trouble spots   also trouble-spot\n  A trouble spot is a country or an area of a country where there is repeated fighting between two or more groups of people.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trouble-free
Meaning:
trouble-free\n  Something that is trouble-free does not cause any problems or difficulties.\nThe carnival got off to a virtually trouble-free start with the police reporting only one arrest.\n  ADJ


Words: troubled
Meaning:
trou.bled\n   troubled\n1. Someone who is troubled is worried because they have problems.\nRose sounded deeply troubled...\n  ADJ\n\n2. A troubled place, situation, organization, or time has many problems or conflicts.\nThere is much we can do to help this troubled country...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3.\nto pour oil on troubled waters: see oil


Words: troublemaker
Meaning:
trouble.maker\n   troublemaker  troublemakers\n  If you refer to someone as a troublemaker, you mean that they cause unpleasantness, quarrels, or fights, especially by encouraging people to oppose authority.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: troubleshooter
Meaning:
trouble.shooter\n   troubleshooter  troubleshooters   also trouble-shooter\n  A troubleshooter is a person whose job is to solve major problems or difficulties that occur in a company or government.\n  N-COUNT


Words: troubleshooting
Meaning:
trouble.shooting\n   troubleshooting\n  Troubleshooting is the activity or process of solving major problems or difficulties that occur in a company or government.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: troublesome
Meaning:
trou.ble.some\n   troublesome\n1. You use troublesome to describe something or someone that causes annoying problems or difficulties.\nHe needed surgery to cure a troublesome back injury...\n  ADJ\n\n2. A troublesome situation or issue is full of complicated problems or difficulties.\nThe economy has become a troublesome issue for the Conservative Party.\n  ADJ


Words: trough
Meaning:
trough  troughs\n1. A trough is a long narrow container from which farm animals drink or eat.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A trough is a low area between two big waves on the sea.\nThe boat rolled heavily in the troughs between the waves.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A trough is a low point in a process that has regular high and low points, for example a period in business when people do not produce as much as usual.\nLooking back afterwards you will see that this was not a terminal trough in your career...\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A trough of low pressure is a long narrow area of low air pressure between two areas of higher pressure. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trounce
Meaning:
trounce  trounces  trouncing  trounced\n  If you trounce someone in a competition or contest, you defeat them easily or by a large score. (INFORMAL)\nIn Rugby League, Australia trounced France by sixty points to four.\n  VERB: V n\n  = thrash


Words: troupe
Meaning:
troupe  troupes\n  A troupe is a group of actors, singers, or dancers who work together and often travel around together, performing in different places.\n...troupes of travelling actors.\n  N-COUNT-COLL: oft N of n\n  = company


Words: trouper
Meaning:
troup.er\n   trouper  troupers\n  You can refer to an actor or other performer as a trouper, especially when you want to suggest that they have a lot of experience and can deal with difficult situations in a professional way.\nLike the old trouper he is, he timed his entry to perfection.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trouser
Meaning:
trou.ser\n   trouser  trousers  trousering  trousered\n  If you say that someone trousers a sum of money, you mean that they receive it, usually when they do not deserve it or should not take it. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nMany people think that ex-ministers are trousering .25,000 in fees simply for going to a few board meetings a year.\n  VERB: V n


Words: trouser suit
Meaning:
trou.ser suit\n   trouser suit  trouser suits\n  A trouser suit is women’s clothing consisting of a pair of trousers and a jacket which are made from the same material. (BRIT; in AM, use pantsuit, pants suit)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trousers
Meaning:
trou.sers\n   trousers\n\n  The form trouser is used as a modifier.\n\n1. Trousers are a piece of clothing that you wear over your body from the waist downwards, and that cover each leg separately. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use pants)\nHe was smartly dressed in a shirt, dark trousers and boots...\nAlexander rolled up his trouser legs.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N\n\n2.\nto wear the trousers: see wear


Words: trousseau
Meaning:
trous.seau\n   trousseau  trousseaux\n  A trousseau is a collection of clothes and other possessions that a bride brings with her when she gets married. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trout
Meaning:
trout  trout  or trouts\n  A trout is a fairly large fish that lives in rivers and streams.\n  N-VAR\n\n  Trout is this fish eaten as food.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: trowel
Meaning:
trow.el\n   trowel  trowels\n1. A trowel is a small garden tool which you use for digging small holes or removing weeds.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A trowel is a small tool with a flat blade that you use for spreading things such as cement and plaster onto walls and other surfaces.\n  N-COUNT


Words: truancy
Meaning:
tru.an.cy\n   truancy\n  Truancy is when children stay away from school without permission.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: truant
Meaning:
tru.ant\n   truant  truants  truanting  truanted\n1. A truant is a pupil who stays away from school without permission.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If a pupil truants, he or she stays away from school without permission.\nIn his fourth year he was truanting regularly.\n  VERB: V\n\n=>  tru.ant.ing\nTruanting is a small but growing problem in primary schools.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = truancy\n3. If a pupil plays truant, he or she stays away from school without permission.\nShe was getting into trouble over playing truant from school.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR from n


Words: truce
Meaning:
truce  truces\n  A truce is an agreement between two people or groups of people to stop fighting or quarrelling for a short time.\nThe fighting of recent days has given way to an uneasy truce between the two sides...\nLet’s call a truce.\n  N-COUNT


Words: truck
Meaning:
truck  trucks  trucking  trucked\n1. A truck is a large vehicle that is used to transport goods by road. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use lorry)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A truck is an open vehicle used for carrying goods on a railway. (BRIT; in AM, use freight car)\nThey were loaded on the railway trucks to go to Liverpool.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n3. When something or someone is trucked somewhere, they are driven there in a lorry. (mainly AM)\nThe liquor was sold legally and trucked out of the state.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed prep/adv\n\n4. If you say that you will have no truck with someone or something, you are refusing to be involved with them in any way.\nHe would have no truck with deceit...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n


Words: truck stop
Meaning:
truck stop  truck stops\n  A truck stop is a place where drivers, especially truck or lorry drivers, can stop, for example to rest or to get something to eat. (mainly AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trucker
Meaning:
truck.er\n   trucker  truckers\n  A trucker is someone who drives a truck as their job. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use lorry driver)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trucking
Meaning:
truck.ing\n   trucking\n  Trucking is the activity of transporting goods from one place to another using trucks. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use haulage)\n...the deregulation of the trucking industry.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: truckload
Meaning:
truck.load\n   truckload  truckloads   also truck load\n  A truckload of goods or people is the amount of them that a truck can carry.\nTruckloads of food, blankets, and other necessities reached the city.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: truculent
Meaning:
trucu.lent\n   truculent\n  If you say that someone is truculent, you mean that they are bad-tempered and aggressive.\n  ADJ\n  = belligerent\n=>  trucu.lence\n`Your secretary said you’d be wanting a cleaner,’ she announced with her usual truculence.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = belligerence


Words: trudge
Meaning:
trudge  trudges  trudging  trudged\n  If you trudge somewhere, you walk there slowly and with heavy steps, especially because you are tired or unhappy.\nWe had to trudge up the track back to the station.\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n  Trudge is also a noun.\nWe were reluctant to start the long trudge home.\n  N-SING


Words: true
Meaning:
true  truer  truest\n1. If something is true, it is based on facts rather than being invented or imagined, and is accurate and reliable.\nEverything I had heard about him was true...\nThe film tells the true story of a group who survived in the Andes in sub-zero temperatures.\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ that\n\n2. You use true to emphasize that a person or thing is sincere or genuine, often in contrast to something that is pretended or hidden.\nI allowed myself to acknowledge my true feelings...\nThe true cost often differs from that which had first been projected...\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n  = real\n3. If you use true to describe something or someone, you approve of them because they have all the characteristics or qualities that such a person or thing typically has.\nMaybe one day you’ll find true love...\nThe ability to work collaboratively is a true test of leadership...\nI think he’s a true genius.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  approval\n  = real\n4. If you say that a fact is true of a particular person or situation, you mean that it is valid or relevant for them.\nI accept that the romance may have gone out of the marriage, but surely this is true of many couples...\nExpenditure on health in most of these countries has gone down, and the same is true for education.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ of/for n\n\n5. If you are true to someone, you remain committed and loyal to them. If you are true to an idea or promise, you remain committed to it and continue to act according to it.\nDavid was true to his wife...\nIndia has remained true to democracy...\nShe’s been true to her word from day one.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n\n  = faithful\n6. If a dream, wish, or prediction comes true, it actually happens.\nOwning a place of their own is a dream come true for the couple.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7. If a general statement holds true in particular circumstances, or if your previous statement holds true in different circumstances, it is true or valid in those circumstances. (FORMAL)\nThis law is known to hold true for galaxies at a distance of at least several billion light years.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR for n\n\n8. If you say that something seems too good to be true, you are suspicious of it because it seems better than you had expected, and you think there may something wrong with it that you have not noticed.\nOn the whole the celebrations were remarkably good-humoured and peaceful. Indeed, it seemed almost too good to be true.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n9. If you say that something such as a story or a film is true to life, you approve of it because it seems real.\nThe opening scenes of this movie are just not true to life.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR  approval\n\n10.\ntrue colours: see colour\ntrue to form: see form\nto ring true: see ring\ntried and true: see tried


Words: true-blue
Meaning:
true-blue   also true blue\n1. If you describe someone as true-blue, you mean that they are right-wing in their ideas and opinions. (BRIT)\nHer husband is a true blue Tory.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A true-blue supporter of something is someone who is very loyal and reliable. (AM)\n  ADJ


Words: truffle
Meaning:
truf.fle\n   truffle  truffles\n1. A truffle is a soft round sweet made with chocolate and usually flavoured with rum.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A truffle is a round type of fungus which is expensive and considered very good to eat.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trug
Meaning:
trug  trugs\n  A trug is a wide, shallow, oval basket used for carrying garden tools, flowers, or plants. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: truism
Meaning:
tru.ism\n   truism  truisms\n  A truism is a statement that is generally accepted as obviously true and is repeated so often that it has become boring.\nOrpington seems an example of the truism that nothing succeeds like success...\n  N-COUNT\n  = cliche


Words: truly
Meaning:
tru.ly\n   truly\n1. You use truly to emphasize that something has all the features or qualities of a particular thing, or is the case to the fullest possible extent.\n...a truly democratic system...\nNot all doctors truly understand the reproductive cycle...\n  ADV: ADV group, ADV before v  emphasis\n\n2. You can use truly in order to emphasize your description of something.\n...a truly splendid man...\nThey were truly appalling.\n  ADV: ADV adj  emphasis\n\n3. You use truly to emphasize that feelings are genuine and sincere.\nBelieve me, Susan, I am truly sorry...\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV before v  emphasis\n\n4.\nwell and truly: see well\n5. You write Yours truly at the end of a formal letter to someone you do not know very well. You write your signature after the words `Yours truly’.\nYours truly, Phil Turner.\n  CONVENTION\n\n6. You can say yours truly as a way of referring to yourself. (HUMOROUS, INFORMAL)\nYours truly was awoken by a shout: `Ahoy there!’\n  PHRASE


Words: trump
Meaning:
trump  trumps  trumping  trumped\n1. In a game of cards, trumps is the suit which is chosen to have the highest value in one particular game.\nHearts are trumps.\n  N-UNCOUNT-COLL\n\n2. In a game of cards, a trump is a playing card which belongs to the suit which has been chosen as trumps.\nHe played a trump.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you trump what someone has said or done, you beat it by saying or doing something else that seems better.\nThe Socialists tried to trump this with their slogan...\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. Your trump card is something powerful that you can use or do, which gives you an advantage over someone.\nIn the end, the Ten took their appeal to the Supreme Court; this, they had believed from the outset, would be their trump card...\n  PHRASE: poss PHR\n\n5. If you say that someone came up trumps, you mean that they did something successfully, often when they were not expected to. (BRIT)\nDwayne has come up trumps with a goal worthy of winning any match.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: trumped-up
Meaning:
trumped-up\n  Trumped-up charges are untrue, and made up in order to punish someone unfairly.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = false


Words: trumpet
Meaning:
trum.pet\n   trumpet  trumpets  trumpeting  trumpeted\n1. A trumpet is a musical instrument of the brass family which plays quite high notes.\n  N-VAR: oft the N\n\n2. If someone trumpets something that they are proud of or that they think is important, they speak about it publicly in a very forceful way.\nThe government has been trumpeting tourism as a growth industry...\nNobody should be trumpeting about chemical weapons...\nIt was trumpeted that the nation’s health was improving.\n  VERB: V n as n, V about n, it be V-ed that


Words: truncated
Meaning:
trun.cat.ed\n   truncated\n  A truncated version of something is one that has been shortened.\nThe review body has produced a truncated version of its annual report.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: truncheon
Meaning:
trun.cheon\n   truncheon  truncheons\n  A truncheon is a short, thick stick that is carried as a weapon by a policeman. (BRIT; in AM, use billy)\n  N-COUNT


Words: trundle
Meaning:
trun.dle\n   trundle  trundles  trundling  trundled\n1. If a vehicle trundles somewhere, it moves there slowly, often with difficulty or an irregular movement.\nThe train eventually trundled in at 7.54.\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n2. If you trundle something somewhere, especially a small, heavy object with wheels, you move or roll it along slowly.\nThe old man lifted the barrow and trundled it away...\n  VERB: V n adv/prep\n\n3. If you say that someone is trundling somewhere, you mean that they are walking slowly, often in a tired way or with heavy steps.\nGirls trundle in carrying heavy book bags.\n  VERB: V adv/prep


Words: trunk
Meaning:
trunk  trunks\n1. The trunk of a tree is the large main stem from which the branches grow.\n...the gnarled trunk of a birch tree.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n, n N\n\n2. A trunk is a large, strong case or box used for storing things or for taking on a journey.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. An elephant’s trunk is its very long nose that it uses to lift food and water to its mouth.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss\n\n4. The trunk of a car is a covered space at the back or front in which you put luggage or other things. (AM; in BRIT, use boot)\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. Trunks are shorts that a man wears when he goes swimming.\n  N-PLURAL\n  = swimming trunks\n6. Your trunk is the central part of your body, from your neck to your waist. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: trunk road
Meaning:
trunk road  trunk roads\n  A trunk road is a major road that has been specially built for travelling long distances. A trunk road is not as wide or as fast as a motorway. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: truss
Meaning:
truss  trusses  trussing  trussed\n1. To truss someone means to tie them up very tightly so that they cannot move. (WRITTEN)\nShe trussed him quickly with stolen bandage, and gagged his mouth.\n  VERB: V n\n  = bind\n  Truss up means the same as truss.\nShe was trussed up with yellow nylon rope.\n  PHRASAL VERB: usu passive, be V-ed P, also V n P\n\n2. A truss is a special belt with a pad that a man wears when he has a hernia in order to prevent it from getting worse.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trust
Meaning:
trust  trusts  trusting  trusted\n1. If you trust someone, you believe that they are honest and sincere and will not deliberately do anything to harm you.\n`I trust you completely,’ he said...\nHe did argue in a general way that the president can’t be trusted.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n=>  trust.ed\nAfter speaking to a group of her most trusted advisers, she turned her anger into action.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Your trust in someone is your belief that they are honest and sincere and will not deliberately do anything to harm you.\nHe destroyed me and my trust in men...\nYou’ve betrayed their trust...\nThere’s a feeling of warmth and trust here.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft poss N in n\n\n3. If you trust someone to do something, you believe that they will do it.\nThat’s why I must trust you to keep this secret...\n  VERB: V n to-inf\n\n4. If you trust someone with something important or valuable, you allow them to look after it or deal with it.\nThis could make your superiors hesitate to trust you with major responsibilities...\nI’d trust him with my life.\n  VERB: V n with n, V n with n\n\n  Trust is also a noun.\nShe was organizing and running a large household, a position of trust which was generously paid...\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N\n\n5. If you do not trust something, you feel that it is not safe or reliable.\nShe nodded, not trusting her own voice...\nFor one thing, he didn’t trust his legs to hold him up...\nI still can’t trust myself to remain composed in their presence.\n  VERB: V n, V n to-inf, V pron-refl to-inf\n\n6. If you trust someone’s judgment or advice, you believe that it is good or right.\nI blame myself and will never be able to trust my instinct again.\n  VERB: V n\n\n7. If you say you trust that something is true, you mean you hope and expect that it is true. (FORMAL)\nI trust you will take the earliest opportunity to make a full apology...\n  VERB: V that\n\n8. If you trust in someone or something, you believe strongly in them, and do not doubt their powers or their good intentions. (FORMAL)\nHe was a pastor who trusted in the Lord who lived to preach.\n  VERB: V in n\n\n9. A trust is a financial arrangement in which a group of people or an organization keeps and invests money for someone.\nThe money will be put in trust until she is 18.\n  N-COUNT: also in N\n\n10. A trust is a group of people or an organization that has control of an amount of money or property and invests it on behalf of other people or as a charity.\nHe had set up two charitable trusts...\n  N-COUNT: supp N, oft in names\n\n11. In Britain, a trust or a trust hospital is a public hospital that receives its funding directly from the national government. It has its own board of governors and is not controlled by the local health authority.\n  N-COUNT: supp N, N n\n\n12.\n  see also trusting, unit trust\n13. If something valuable is kept in trust, it is held and protected by a group of people or an organization on behalf of other people.\nThe British Library holds its collection in trust for the nation...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR, oft PHR for n\n\n14. If you take something on trust after having heard or read it, you believe it completely without checking it.\nHe was adamant that the allegations were untrue, so I took him on trust.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n15.\ntried and trusted: see tried


Words: trust fund
Meaning:
trust fund  trust funds\n  A trust fund is an amount of money or property that someone owns, usually after inheriting it, but which is kept and invested for them.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trust to
Meaning:
trust to\n  If you trust to luck or instinct, you hope that it will enable you to achieve what you are trying to do, because you have nothing else to help you.\nI set off for the valley, trusting to luck...\nGardiner is simply trusting to instinct and experience.\n  PHRASAL VERB: no passive, V P n, V P n\n  = rely on


Words: trustee
Meaning:
trus.tee\n   trustee  trustees\n  A trustee is someone with legal control of money or property that is kept or invested for another person, company, or organization.\n  N-COUNT


Words: trusting
Meaning:
trust.ing\n   trusting\n  A trusting person believes that people are honest and sincere and do not intend to harm him or her.\nShe has an open, trusting nature...\n  ADJ


Words: trustworthy
Meaning:
trust.worthy\n   trustworthy\n  A trustworthy person is reliable, responsible, and can be trusted completely.\nHe is a trustworthy and level-headed leader.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  trust.worthi.ness\nHe wrote a reference for him, describing his reliability and trustworthiness as `above questioning’.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: trusty
Meaning:
trusty\n  Trusty things, animals, or people are reliable and have always worked well in the past.\nShe still drives her trusty black Corvette.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = faithful


Words: truth
Meaning:
truth  truths\n1. The truth about something is all the facts about it, rather than things that are imagined or invented.\nI must tell you the truth about this business...\nThe truth of the matter is that we had no other choice...\nIn the town very few know the whole truth.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you say that there is some truth in a statement or story, you mean that it is true, or at least partly true.\nThere is no truth in this story...\nIs there any truth to the rumors?...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of/in n\n\n3. A truth is something that is believed to be true.\nIt is an almost universal truth that the more we are promoted in a job, the less we actually exercise the skills we initially used to perform it.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4.\n  see also home truth, moment of truth\n5. You say in truth in order to indicate that you are giving your honest opinion about something.\nIn truth, we were both unhappy.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n6. You say to tell you the truth or truth to tell in order to indicate that you are telling someone something in an open and honest way, without trying to hide anything.\nTo tell you the truth, I was afraid to see him...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl


Words: truthful
Meaning:
truth.ful\n   truthful\n  If a person or their comments are truthful, they are honest and do not tell any lies.\nWe’ve all learnt to be fairly truthful about our personal lives...\nShe could not give him a truthful answer.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  truth.ful.ly\nI answered all their questions truthfully.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  truth.ful.ness\nI can say, with absolute truthfulness, that I did not injure her.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: try
Meaning:
try  tries  trying  tried\n1. If you try to do something, you want to do it, and you take action which you hope will help you to do it.\nHe secretly tried to block her advancement in the Party...\nDoes it annoy you if others do things less well than you would, or don’t seem to try hard enough?...\nI tried calling him when I got here but he wasn’t at home...\nNo matter how bad you feel, keep trying.\n  VERB: V to-inf, V adv, V -ing, V\n\n  Try is also a noun.\nIt wasn’t that she’d really expected to get any money out of him; it had just seemed worth a try...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. To try and do something means to try to do it. (INFORMAL)\nI must try and see him.\n  VERB: V and inf\n\n3. If you try for something, you make an effort to get it or achieve it.\nMy partner and I have been trying for a baby for two years...\nHe said he was going to try for first place next year.\n  VERB: V for n, V for n\n\n4. If you try something new or different, you use it, do it, or experience it in order to discover its qualities or effects.\nIt’s best not to try a new recipe for the first time on such an important occasion...\nI have tried painting the young shoots with weed poisoner, but this does not kill them off.\n  VERB: V n, V -ing\n\n  Try is also a noun.\nIf you’re still sceptical about exercising, we can only ask you to trust us and give it a try.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n5. If you try a particular place or person, you go to that place or person because you think that they may be able to provide you with what you want.\nHave you tried the local music shops?\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. If you try a door or window, you try to open it.\nBob tried the door. To his surprise it opened.\n  VERB: V n\n\n7. When a person is tried, he or she has to appear in a law court and is found innocent or guilty after the judge and jury have heard the evidence. When a legal case is tried, it is considered in a court of law.\nHe suggested that those responsible should be tried for crimes against humanity...\nWhether he is innocent or guilty is a decision that will be made when the case is tried in court...\nThe military court which tried him excluded two of his lawyers...\n  VERB: be V-ed for n, be V-ed, V n\n\n8. In the game of rugby, a try is the action of scoring by putting the ball down behind the goal line of the opposing team.\nThe French, who led 21-3 at half time, scored eight tries.\n  N-COUNT\n\n9.\n  see also tried, trying\n10. If you say that something fails but not for want of trying or not for lack of trying, you mean that everything possible was done to make it succeed.\nNot all is perfect, but it isn’t for want of trying.\n  PHRASE: with neg, it v-link PHR, PHR with cl\n\n11.\nto try your best: see best\nto try your hand: see hand\nto try your luck: see luck\nto try someone’s patience: see patience


Words: try on
Meaning:
try on\n1. If you try on a piece of clothing, you put it on to see if it fits you or if it looks nice.\nTry on clothing and shoes to make sure they fit.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n2. If you say that a person is trying it on, you mean that they are trying to obtain something or to impress someone, often in a slightly dishonest way and without much hope of success. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nThey’re just trying it on.I don’t believe they’ll go this far.\n  PHRASAL VERB: usu cont, V it P, also V it P with n


Words: try out
Meaning:
try out\n  If you try something out, you test it in order to find out how useful or effective it is or what it is like.\nShe knew I wanted to try the boat out at the weekend...\nLondon Transport hopes to try out the system in September.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)


Words: trying
Meaning:
try.ing\n   trying\n  If you describe something or someone as trying, you mean that they are difficult to deal with and make you feel impatient or annoyed.\nSupport from those closest to you is vital in these trying times...\n  ADJ\n\n  see also try


Words: tryout
Meaning:
try.out\n   tryout  tryouts   also try-out\n  If you give something a tryout, you try it or test it to see how useful it is.\nThe recycling scheme gets its first try-out in rural Dorset.\n  N-COUNT\n  = trial


Words: tryst
Meaning:
tryst  trysts\n  A tryst is a meeting between lovers in a quiet secret place. (LITERARY)\n  N-COUNT\n  = assignation


Words: tsar
Meaning:
tsar  tsars   also czar\n1. In former times, the tsar was the king of Russia.\n  N-COUNT; N-TITLE\n\n2. A particular kind of tsar is a person who has been appointed by the government to deal with a particular problem that is affecting the country.\n...the former New York police chief who was appointed as `drug tsar’ by Bill Clinton...\n  N-COUNT: supp N


Words: tsarina
Meaning:
tsa.ri.na\n   tsarina  tsarinas   also czarina\n  In former times, a tsarina was the queen of Russia or the wife of the tsar.\n  N-COUNT; N-TITLE


Words: tsarist
Meaning:
tsar.ist\n   tsarist   also czarist\n  Tsarist means belonging to or supporting the system of government by a tsar, especially in Russia before 1917.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: tsetse fly
Meaning:
tset.se fly\n   tsetse fly  tsetse flies   also tsetse\n  A tsetse fly or a tsetse is an African fly that feeds on blood and can cause serious diseases in the people and animals that it bites.\n  N-VAR


Words: tsunami
Meaning:
tsu.na.mi\n   tsunami  tsunamis\n  A tsunami is a very large wave, often caused by an earthquake, that flows onto the land and destroys things.\n  N-COUNT\n  = tidal wave


Words: tub
Meaning:
tub  tubs\n1. A tub is a deep container of any size.\nHe peeled the paper top off a little white tub and poured the cream into his coffee...\n  N-COUNT\n\n  A tub of something is the amount of it contained in a tub.\nShe would eat four tubs of ice cream in one sitting.\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n\n2. A tub is the same as a bathtub. (AM)\nShe lay back in the tub.\n  N-COUNT\n  = bath\n3.\n  see also hot tub


Words: tuba
Meaning:
tuba  tubas\n  A tuba is a large musical instrument of the brass family which produces very low notes. It consists of a long metal tube folded round several times with a wide opening at the end.\n  N-VAR: oft the N


Words: tubby
Meaning:
tub.by\n   tubby  tubbier  tubbiest\n  If you describe someone as tubby, you mean that they are rather fat. (INFORMAL)\n  ADJ\n  = chubby


Words: tube
Meaning:
tube  tubes\n1. A tube is a long hollow object that is usually round, like a pipe.\nHe is fed by a tube that enters his nose.\n...a cardboard tube.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A tube of something such as paste is a long, thin container which you squeeze in order to force the paste out.\n...a tube of toothpaste.\n...a small tube of moisturizer.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n3. Some long, thin, hollow parts in your body are referred to as tubes.\nThe lungs are in fact constructed of thousands of tiny tubes.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. The tube is the underground railway system in London. (BRIT)\nI took the tube then the train and came straight here...\n  N-SING: the N, also by N\n\n5. You can refer to the television as the tube. (AM INFORMAL; in BRIT, use the box)\nThe only baseball he saw was on the tube.\n  N-COUNT: the N\n  = TV\n6. If a business, economy, or institution goes down the tubes or goes down the tube, it fails or collapses completely. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nThe country was going down the tubes economically...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7.\n  see also bronchial tube, cathode-ray tube, fallopian tube, inner tube, test tube


Words: tube top
Meaning:
tube top  tube tops\n  A tube top is a piece of women’s clothing that is made of stretchy material and covers her chest but leaves her shoulders bare. (AM; in BRIT, use boob tube)\n  N-COUNT


Words: tuber
Meaning:
tu.ber\n   tuber  tubers\n  A tuber is the swollen underground stem of particular types of plants.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tubercular
Meaning:
tu.ber.cu.lar\n   tubercular\n  Tubercular means suffering from, relating to, or causing tuberculosis.\n...tubercular patients...\nHe died of tubercular meningitis.\n...tubercular bacteria.\n  ADJ


Words: tuberculosis
Meaning:
tu.ber.cu.lo.sis\n   tuberculosis\n  Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease that affects someone’s lungs and other parts of their body. The abbreviation TB is also used.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: tubing
Meaning:
tub.ing\n   tubing\n  Tubing is plastic, rubber, or another material in the shape of a tube.\n...metres of plastic tubing.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: tubular
Meaning:
tubu.lar\n   tubular\n  Something that is tubular is long, round, and hollow in shape, like a tube.\n...a modern table with chrome tubular legs.\n  ADJ


Words: TUC
Meaning:
TUC\n  In Britain, the TUC is an organization which represents trade unions, and to which most trade unions belong. TUC is an abbreviation for `Trades Union Congress’.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: tuck
Meaning:
tuck  tucks  tucking  tucked\n1. If you tuck something somewhere, you put it there so that it is safe, comfortable, or neat.\nHe tried to tuck his flapping shirt inside his trousers...\nShe found a rose tucked under the windscreen wiper of her car one morning.\n  VERB: V n prep, V-ed\n\n2. You can use tuck to refer to a form of plastic surgery which involves reducing the size of a part of someone’s body.\nShe’d undergone 13 operations, including a tummy tuck.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N


Words: tuck away
Meaning:
tuck away\n1. If you tuck away something such as money, you store it in a safe place.\nThe extra income has meant Phillippa can tuck away the rent...\nI tucked the box away in the linen drawer.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n2. If someone or something is tucked away, they are well hidden in a quiet place where very few people go.\nWe were tucked away in a secluded corner of the room...\n  PHRASAL VERB: usu passive, be V-ed P


Words: tuck in
Meaning:
tuck in\n1. If you tuck in a piece of material, you keep it in position by placing one edge or end of it behind or under something else. For example, if you tuck in your shirt, you place the bottom part of it inside your trousers or skirt.\n`Probably,’ I said, tucking in my shirt...\nTuck the sheets in firmly.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n2. If you tuck a child in bed or tuck them in, you make them comfortable by straightening the sheets and blankets and pushing the loose ends under the mattress.\nI read Lili a story and tucked her in her own bed...\nMy mother would tuck me in, turn out the lights and tiptoe out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P n, V n P


Words: tuck into
Meaning:
tuck into   or tuck in\n  If someone tucks into a meal or tucks in, they start eating enthusiastically or hungrily. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nShe tucked into a breakfast of bacon and eggs...\nTuck in, it’s the last hot food you’ll get for a while.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V P


Words: tuck up
Meaning:
tuck up\n  If you tuck a child up in bed, you tuck them in. (BRIT)\nShe tucked them up in bed...\nHe mostly stayed at home tucking up the children...\nShe had gone to work believing Helen was safely tucked up in bed.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron), V-ed P


Words: tucker
Meaning:
tuck.er\n   tucker\n  Tucker is food. (mainly AUSTRALIAN INFORMAL)\n...a man who knows what constitutes decent tucker and how to go about serving it up.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: tuckered out
Meaning:
tuck.ered out\n   tuckered out   or tuckered\n  If you are tuckered or tuckered out, you are extremely tired. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\n  ADJ


Words: Tuesday
Meaning:
Tues.day\n   Tuesday   Tuesdays\n  Tuesday is the day after Monday and before Wednesday.\nHe phoned on Tuesday, just before you came...\nOn Tuesdays and Saturdays the market comes to town.\n  N-VAR


Words: tuft
Meaning:
tuft  tufts\n  A tuft of something such as hair or grass is a small amount of it which is growing together in one place or is held together at the bottom.\nHe had a small tuft of hair on his chin.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: tug
Meaning:
tug  tugs  tugging  tugged\n1. If you tug something or tug at it, you give it a quick and usually strong pull.\nA little boy came running up and tugged at his sleeve excitedly...\nShe kicked him, tugging his thick hair.\n  VERB: V at n, V n, also V\n\n  Tug is also a noun.\nI felt a tug at my sleeve.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A tug or a tug boat is a small powerful boat which pulls large ships, usually when they come into a port.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tug-of-love
Meaning:
tug-of-love\n  Journalists sometimes use tug-of-love to refer to a situation in which the parents of a child are divorced and one of the parents tries to get the child from the other, for example by taking him or her illegally. (BRIT)\nA mother yesterday won a tug-of-love battle for custody of her twin daughters.\n  N-SING: usu N n


Words: tug-of-war
Meaning:
tug-of-war  tugs-of-war   also tug of war\n1. A tug-of-war is a sports event in which two teams test their strength by pulling against each other on opposite ends of a rope.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. You can use tug-of-war to refer to a situation in which two people or groups both want the same thing and are fairly equally matched in their struggle to get it.\nChelsea and Aston Villa were involved in a tug of war for Liverpool’s Ray Houghton last night.\n  N-VAR


Words: tuition
Meaning:
tui.tion\n   tuition\n1. If you are given tuition in a particular subject, you are taught about that subject.\nThe courses will give the beginner personal tuition in all types of outdoor photography.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft supp N, N in n\n\n2. You can use tuition to refer to the amount of money that you have to pay for being taught particular subjects, especially in a university, college, or private school.\nAngela’s $7,000 tuition at University this year will be paid for with scholarships.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: tulip
Meaning:
tu.lip\n   tulip  tulips\n  Tulips are brightly coloured flowers that grow in the spring, and have oval or pointed petals packed closely together.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tulle
Meaning:
tulle\n  Tulle is a soft nylon or silk cloth similar to net, that is used for making evening dresses.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: tumble
Meaning:
tum.ble\n   tumble  tumbles  tumbling  tumbled\n1. If someone or something tumbles somewhere, they fall there with a rolling or bouncing movement.\nA small boy tumbled off a third floor fire escape...\nHe fell to the ground, and the gun tumbled out of his hand.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv\n\n  Tumble is also a noun.\nHe injured his ribs in a tumble from his horse.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. If prices or levels of something are tumbling, they are decreasing rapidly. (JOURNALISM)\nHouse prices have tumbled by almost 30 per cent in real terms since mid-1989...\nShare prices continued to tumble today on the Tokyo stock market.\n...tumbling inflation.\n  VERB: V by/from/to amount, V, V-ing\n\n  Tumble is also a noun.\nOil prices took a tumble yesterday.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n3. If water tumbles, it flows quickly over an uneven surface.\nWaterfalls crash and tumble over rocks.\n...the aromatic pines and tumbling streams of the Zonba Plateau.\n  VERB: V prep, V-ing\n\n4. If you say that someone tumbles into a situation or place, you mean that they get into it without being fully in control of themselves or knowing what they are doing. (mainly BRIT)\nMany mothers and children tumble into poverty after divorce...\n  VERB: V into n\n\n5.\n  see also rough and tumble


Words: tumble down
Meaning:
tumble down\n  If a building tumbles down, it collapses or parts of it fall off, usually because it is old and no-one has taken care of it.\nThe outer walls looked likely to tumble down in a stiff wind...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: tumble dryer
Meaning:
tum.ble dry.er\n   tumble dryer  tumble dryers   also tumble drier\n  A tumble dryer is an electric machine which dries washing by turning it over and over and blowing warm air onto it. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use dryer)\n  N-COUNT


Words: tumbledown
Meaning:
tumble.down\n   tumbledown\n  A tumbledown building is in such a bad condition that it is partly falling down or has holes in it.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = ramshackle


Words: tumbleweed
Meaning:
tumble.weed\n   tumbleweed\n  Tumbleweed is a plant that grows in desert areas in North America. It breaks off from its roots at the end of its life and then blows around on the ground. (AM)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: tummy
Meaning:
tum.my\n   tummy  tummies\n1. Your tummy is the part of the front of your body below your waist. Tummy is often used by children or by adults talking to children.\nYour baby’s tummy should feel warm, but not hot.\n  N-COUNT\n  = stomach\n2. You can use tummy to refer to the parts inside your body where food is digested. Tummy is often used by children or by adults talking to children.\nIt’s easy to get a tummy upset from river water.\n  N-COUNT\n  = stomach


Words: tumour
Meaning:
tu.mour\n   tumour  tumours\nin AM, use tumor\n  A tumour is a mass of diseased or abnormal cells that has grown in a person’s or animal’s body.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tumult
Meaning:
tu.mult\n   tumult\n1. A tumult is a state of great confusion or excitement.\nA tumult of feelings inside her fought for supremacy.\n...the recent tumult in global financial markets.\n  N-SING: also no det, oft N of n\n\n2. A tumult is a lot of noise made by a crowd of people.\nRound one ends, to a tumult of whistles, screams and shouts.\n  N-SING: also no det, oft N of n


Words: tumultuous
Meaning:
tu.mul.tu.ous\n   tumultuous\n1. A tumultuous event or period of time involves many exciting and confusing events or feelings.\n...the tumultuous changes in Eastern Europe...\nIt’s been a tumultuous day at the international trade negotiations in Brussels.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. A tumultuous reaction to something is very noisy, because the people involved are very happy or excited.\nDelegates greeted the news with tumultuous applause.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: tuna
Meaning:
tuna  tuna  or tunas\n  Tuna or tuna fish are large fish that live in warm seas and are caught for food.\n  N-VAR\n\n  Tuna or tuna fish is this fish eaten as food.\nShe began opening a tin of tuna.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: tundra
Meaning:
tun.dra\n   tundra  tundras\n  Tundra is one of the large flat areas of land in the north of Europe, Asia, and America. The ground below the top layer of soil is always frozen and no trees grow there.\n  N-VAR


Words: tune
Meaning:
tune  tunes  tuning  tuned\n1. A tune is a series of musical notes that is pleasant and easy to remember.\nShe was humming a merry little tune.\n  N-COUNT\n  = melody\n2. You can refer to a song or a short piece of music as a tune.\nShe’ll also be playing your favourite pop tunes.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. When someone tunes a musical instrument, they adjust it so that it produces the right notes.\n`We do tune our guitars before we go on,’ he insisted.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Tune up means the same as tune.\nOthers were quietly tuning up their instruments.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n\n4. When an engine or machine is tuned, it is adjusted so that it works well.\nDrivers are urged to make sure that car engines are properly tuned.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n  Tune up means the same as tune.\nThe shop charges up to $500 to tune up a Porsche.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n\n5. If your radio or television is tuned to a particular broadcasting station, you are listening to or watching the programmes being broadcast by that station.\nA small colour television was tuned to an afternoon soap opera.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed to n\n\n6.\n  see also fine-tune, signature tune, tuning fork\n7. If you say that a person or organization is calling the tune, you mean that they are in a position of power or control in a particular situation.\nWho would then be calling the tune in Parliament?\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n8. If you say that someone has changed their tune, you are criticizing them because they have changed their opinion or way of doing things.\nYou’ve changed your tune since this morning, haven’t you?...\n  PHRASE: V inflects  disapproval\n\n9. If you say that someone is dancing to someone else’s tune, you mean that they are allowing themselves to be controlled by the other person.\nThe danger of commercialism is that the churches end up dancing to the tune of their big business sponsors.\n  PHRASE: V inflects  disapproval\n\n10. A person or musical instrument that is in tune produces exactly the right notes. A person or musical instrument that is out of tune does not produce exactly the right notes.\nIt was just an ordinary voice, but he sang in tune...\nMany of the notes are out of tune...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR\n\n11. If you are in tune with a group of people, you are in agreement or sympathy with them. If you are out of tune with them, you are not in agreement or sympathy with them.\nToday, his change of direction seems more in tune with the times...\nThe peace campaigners were probably out of tune with most Britons.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR n\n\n12. To the tune of a particular amount of money means to the extent of that amount.\nThey’ve been sponsoring the World Cup to the tune of a million and a half pounds.\n  PREP-PHRASE: PREP amount\n\n13.\nhe who pays the piper calls the tune: see piper


Words: tune in
Meaning:
tune in\n1. If you tune in to a particular television or radio station or programme, you watch or listen to it.\nMore than six million youngsters tune in to Blockbusters every day...\nThe idea that people plan their radio listening is nonsense; most tune in impulsively.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P to n, V P\n\n2. If you tune in to something such as your own or other people’s feelings, you become aware of them.\nYou can start now to tune in to your own physical, social and spiritual needs.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P to n\n\n  see also tuned in


Words: tune up
Meaning:
tune up\n  When a group of musicians tune up, they adjust their instruments so that they produce the right notes.\nI could hear the sound of a band tuning up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n  see also tune 4


Words: tuned in
Meaning:
tuned in\n  If someone is tuned in to something, they are aware of it and concentrating on it.\nHe’s just not tuned in to the child’s feelings...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ to n


Words: tuneless
Meaning:
tune.less\n   tuneless\n  Tuneless music and voices do not sound pleasant.\nSomeone walked by, singing a tuneless song.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  tune.less.ly\nMy dad whistled tunelessly through his teeth.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: tuner
Meaning:
tun.er\n   tuner  tuners\n  The tuner in a radio or television set is the part which you adjust to receive different radio or television signals, so that you can watch or listen to the programme that you want.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N


Words: tunic
Meaning:
tu.nic\n   tunic  tunics\n  A tunic is a sleeveless garment that is worn on the top part of your body.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tuning fork
Meaning:
tun.ing fork\n   tuning fork  tuning forks\n  A tuning fork is a small steel instrument which is used to tune instruments by striking it against something to produce a note of fixed musical pitch.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Tunisian
Meaning:
Tu.ni.sian\n   Tunisian  Tunisians\n1. Tunisian means belonging to or relating to Tunisia, or to its people or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Tunisian is a Tunisian citizen, or a person of Tunisian origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tunnel
Meaning:
tun.nel\n   tunnel  tunnels  tunnelling  tunnelled\nin AM, use tunneling, tunneled\n1. A tunnel is a long passage which has been made under the ground, usually through a hill or under the sea.\n...two new railway tunnels through the Alps.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n\n2. To tunnel somewhere means to make a tunnel there.\nThe rebels tunnelled out of a maximum security jail...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n3.\n  see also wind tunnel


Words: tunnel vision
Meaning:
tun.nel vi.sion\n   tunnel vision\n1. If you suffer from tunnel vision, you are unable to see things that are not straight in front of you.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you say that someone has tunnel vision, you disapprove of them because they are concentrating completely on achieving a particular aim, and do not notice or consider all the different aspects of what they are doing.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: Tupperware
Meaning:
Tup.per.ware\n   Tupperware\n  Tupperware is a range of plastic containers with tight-fitting lids that are used for storing food. (TRADEMARK)\n...a Tupperware box.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: turban
Meaning:
tur.ban\n   turban  turbans\n  A turban is a long piece of cloth that is wound round the head. It is worn by Sikh men and by some Hindu and Muslim men.\n  N-COUNT


Words: turbine
Meaning:
tur.bine\n   turbine  turbines\n  A turbine is a machine or engine which uses a stream of air, gas, water, or steam to turn a wheel and produce power.\n  N-COUNT


Words: turbo
Meaning:
turbo  turbos\n  A turbo is a fan in the engine of a car or plane that improves its performance by using exhaust gases to blow fuel vapour into the engine.\n  N-COUNT


Words: turbo-charged
Meaning:
turbo-charged   also turbocharged\n  A turbo-charged engine or vehicle is fitted with a turbo.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: turboprop
Meaning:
tur.bo.prop\n   turboprop  turboprops   also turbo-prop\n1. A turboprop is a turbine engine that makes an aircraft propeller go round.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A turboprop is an aircraft with one or more turboprops.\n  N-COUNT


Words: turbot
Meaning:
tur.bot\n   turbot  turbot\n  Turbot are a type of edible flat fish that live in European seas.\n  N-VAR\n\n  Turbot is this fish eaten as food.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: turbulence
Meaning:
tur.bu.lence\n   turbulence\n1. Turbulence is a state of confusion and disorganized change.\nThe 1960s and early 1970s were a time of change and turbulence.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Turbulence is violent and uneven movement within a particular area of air, liquid, or gas.\nHis plane encountered severe turbulence and winds of nearly two-hundred miles an hour.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: turbulent
Meaning:
tur.bu.lent\n   turbulent\n1. A turbulent time, place, or relationship is one in which there is a lot of change, confusion, and disorder.\nThey had been together for five or six turbulent years of rows and reconciliations...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Turbulent water or air contains strong currents which change direction suddenly.\nI had to have a boat that could handle turbulent seas.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: tureen
Meaning:
tu.reen\n   tureen  tureens\n  A tureen is a large bowl with a lid from which you can serve soup or vegetables.\n  N-COUNT


Words: turf
Meaning:
turf  turfs  turfing  turfed\n1. Turf is short, thick, even grass.\nThey shuffled slowly down the turf towards the cliff’s edge.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N\n\n2. Someone’s turf is the area which is most familiar to them or where they feel most confident.\nTheir turf was Paris: its streets, theaters, homes, and parks...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu poss N\n  = territory


Words: turf out
Meaning:
turf out\n  If someone is turfed out of a place or position, they are forced to leave. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nWe hear stories of people being turfed out and ending up on the streets...\nThe party was turfed out of office after 15 years.\n...the right wing landslide which has turfed out the Socialist government.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P, be V-ed P of n, V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: turf war
Meaning:
turf war turf wars  or turf battle\n1. A turf war is a struggle between criminals or gangs over who controls a particular area. (mainly JOURNALISM)\nThe estate is at the centre of a bitter turf war between rival drug gangs.\n  N-COUNT: oft N between n, N over n\n\n2. A turf war is a struggle between people over who controls a particular activity. (mainly JOURNALISM)\nBoth sides say this is more than just a turf war between big and small banks.\n  N-COUNT: oft N between n, N over n


Words: turgid
Meaning:
tur.gid\n   turgid\n  If you describe something such as a piece of writing or a film as turgid, you think it is boring and difficult to understand.\nHe used to make extremely dull, turgid and frankly boring speeches...\n  ADJ


Words: turkey
Meaning:
tur.key\n   turkey  turkeys\n  A turkey is a large bird that is kept on a farm for its meat.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  Turkey is the flesh of this bird eaten as food.\nIt’s a proper Christmas dinner, with turkey and bread sauce.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  see also cold turkey


Words: Turkish
Meaning:
Turk.ish\n   Turkish\n1. Turkish means belonging or relating to Turkey, or to its people, language, or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Turkish is the main language spoken in Turkey.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Turkish bath
Meaning:
Turk.ish bath\n   Turkish bath  Turkish baths\n1. A Turkish bath is a type of bath in which you sit in a very hot steamy room, then wash, have a massage, and finally swim or shower in very cold water.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A Turkish bath is a place where you can have a Turkish bath.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Turkish delight
Meaning:
Turk.ish de.light\n   Turkish delight  Turkish delights\n  Turkish delight is a jelly-like sweet that is covered with powdered sugar or chocolate.\n  N-VAR


Words: turmeric
Meaning:
tur.mer.ic\n   turmeric\n  Turmeric is a yellow spice that is used to flavour food such as curry.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: turmoil
Meaning:
tur.moil\n   turmoil  turmoils\n  Turmoil is a state of confusion, disorder, uncertainty, or great anxiety.\n...the political turmoil of 1989...\nHer marriage was in turmoil...\n  N-VAR: usu with supp, oft in N


Words: turn
Meaning:
turn  turns  turning  turned\nTurn is used in a large number of other expressions which are explained under other words in the dictionary. For example, the expression `turn over a new leaf’ is explained at leaf.\n1. When you turn or when you turn part of your body, you move your body or part of your body so that it is facing in a different or opposite direction.\nHe turned abruptly and walked away...\nHe sighed, turning away and surveying the sea...\nHe turned his head left and right...\n  VERB: V, V prep/adv, V n adv/prep\n\n  Turn around or turn round means the same as turn.\nI felt a tapping on my shoulder and I turned around...\nTurn your upper body round so that your shoulders are facing to the side.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V n P\n\n2. When you turn something, you move it so that it is facing in a different or opposite direction, or is in a very different position.\nThey turned their telescopes towards other nearby galaxies...\nShe had turned the bedside chair to face the door...\nThe lid, turned upside down, served as a coffee table.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n to-inf, V-ed\n\n3. When something such as a wheel turns, or when you turn it, it continually moves around in a particular direction.\nAs the wheel turned, the potter shaped the clay...\nThe engine turned a propeller.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n4. When you turn something such as a key, knob, or switch, or when it turns, you hold it and twist your hand, in order to open something or make it start working.\nTurn a special key, press the brake pedal, and your car’s brakes lock...\nTurn the heat to very low and cook for 20 minutes...\nI tried the doorknob and it turned.\n  VERB: V n, V n prep/adv, V\n\n5. When you turn in a particular direction or turn a corner, you change the direction in which you are moving or travelling.\nNow turn right to follow West Ferry Road...\nThe man with the umbrella turned the corner again.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V n\n\n  Turn is also a noun.\nYou can’t do a right-hand turn here.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. The point where a road, path, or river turns, is the point where it has a bend or curve in it.\n...the corner where Tenterfield Road turned into the main road.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, also V\n\n  Turn is also a noun.\n...a sharp turn in the road.\n  N-COUNT\n\n7. When the tide turns, it starts coming in or going out.\nThere was not much time before the tide turned.\n  VERB: V\n\n8. When you turn a page of a book or magazine, you move it so that is flat against the previous page, and you can read the next page.\nHe turned the pages of a file in front of him.\n  VERB: V n\n\n9. If you turn a weapon or an aggressive feeling on someone, you point it at them or direct it at them.\nHe tried to turn the gun on me...\nThe crowd than turned their anger on Prime Minister James Mitchell.\n  VERB: V n on n, V n on n\n\n10. If you turn to a particular page in a book or magazine, you open it at that page.\nTo order, turn to page 236.\n  VERB: V to n\n\n11. If you turn your attention or thoughts to a particular subject or if you turn to it, you start thinking about it or discussing it.\nWe turned our attention to the practical matters relating to forming a company...\nWe turn now to the British news.\n  VERB: V n to n, V to n\n\n12. If you turn to someone, you ask for their help or advice.\nFor assistance, they turned to one of the city’s most innovative museums...\n  VERB: V to n\n\n13. If you turn to a particular activity, job, or way of doing something, you start doing or using it.\nThese communities are now turning to recycling in large numbers...\n  VERB: V to/from n/-ing\n\n14. To turn or be turned into something means to become that thing.\nA prince turns into a frog in this cartoon fairytale...\nThe hated dictator had turned his country into one of the poorest police states in Europe...\n  VERB: V into/to n, V n into/to n\n\n15. You can use turn before an adjective to indicate that something or someone changes by acquiring the quality described by the adjective.\n(next)


Words: turn .1
Meaning:
If the bailiff thinks that things could turn nasty he will enlist the help of the police...\n  V-LINK: V adj\n  = become\n16. If something turns a particular colour or if something turns it a particular colour, it becomes that colour.\nThe sea would turn pale pink and the sky blood red...\nHer contact lenses turned her eyes green.\n  V-LINK: V colour, V n colour\n\n17. You can use turn to indicate that there is a change to a particular kind of weather. For example, if it turns cold, the weather starts being cold.\nIf it turns cold, cover plants...\n  V-LINK: V adj\n\n18. If a situation or trend takes a particular kind of turn, it changes so that it starts developing in a different or opposite way.\nThe scandal took a new turn over the weekend.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, oft N in n\n\n19. If a business turns a profit, it earns more money than it spends. (AM BUSINESS; in BRIT, use make, return)\nThe firm will be able to service debt and still turn a modest profit...\n  VERB: no passive, V n\n\n20. When someone turns a particular age, they pass that age. When it turns a particular time, it passes that time.\nIt was his ambition to accumulate a million dollars before he turned thirty...\n  VERB: V n\n\n21. Turn is used in expressions such as the turn of the century and the turn of the year to refer to a period of time when one century or year is ending and the next one is beginning.\nThey fled to South America around the turn of the century.\n  N-SING: the N of n\n\n22. When someone turns a wooden or metal object that they are making, they shape it using a special tool.\n...the joys of making a living from turning wood.\n  VERB: V n\n\n23. If it is your turn to do something, you now have the duty, chance, or right to do it, when other people have done it before you or will do it after you.\nTonight it’s my turn to cook...\nLet each child have a turn at fishing...\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss, oft N to-inf, N at -ing, N -ing\n\n24. If you say that someone is having a turn, you mean they feel suddenly very unwell for a short period of time. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n\n25.\n  see also turning\n26. You can use by turns to indicate that someone has two particular emotions or qualities, one after the other.\nHis tone was by turns angry and aggrieved.\n  PHRASE: PHR with group, PHR with v\n\n27. If there is a particular turn of events, a particular series of things happen.\nThey were horrified at this unexpected turn of events.\n  PHRASE\n\n28. If you say that something happens at every turn, you are emphasizing that it happens frequently or all the time, usually so that it prevents you from achieving what you want.\nIts operations were hampered at every turn by inadequate numbers of trained staff...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl  emphasis\n\n29. If you do someone a good turn, you do something that helps or benefits them.\nHe did you a good turn by resigning...\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v\n\n30. If someone turns a place inside out or upside down, they search it very thoroughly and usually make it very untidy.\nThey hadn’t found a scrap of evidence though they had turned his flat inside out.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n31. If something such as a system or way of life is turned inside out or upside down, it is changed completely, making people confused or upset.\nHe felt too shocked to move. His world had been turned upside down.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n32. You use in turn to refer to actions or events that are in a sequence one after the other, for example because one causes the other.\nOne of the members of the surgical team leaked the story to a fellow physician who, in turn, confided in a reporter.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl/group\n\n33. If each person in a group does something in turn, they do it one after the other in a fixed or agreed order.\nThere were cheers for each of the women as they spoke in turn.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n34. If you speak out of turn or talk out of turn, you say something that you do not have the right or authority to say.\nI hope I haven’t spoken out of turn.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n(next)


Words: turn .2
Meaning:
35. If two or more people take turns to do something, or in British English take it in turns to do something, they do it one after the other several times, rather than doing it together.\nWe took turns to drive the car...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR to-inf\n\n36. If a situation takes a turn for the worse, it suddenly becomes worse. If a situation takes a turn for the better, it suddenly becomes better.\nHer condition took a sharp turn for the worse.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: turn against
Meaning:
turn against\n  If you turn against someone or something, or if you are turned against them, you stop supporting them, trusting them, or liking them.\nA kid I used to be friends with turned against me after being told that I’d been insulting him...\nWorking with the police has turned me against the use of violent scenes as entertainment.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V n P n


Words: turn around
Meaning:
turn around   or turn round\n1.\nsee turn 1\n2. If you turn something around, or if it turns around, it is moved so that it faces the opposite direction.\nBud turned the truck around, and started back for Dalton Pond...\nHe had reached over to turn round a bottle of champagne so that the label didn’t show...\nThere was enough room for a wheelchair to get in but not to turn round.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron), V P\n\n3. If something such as a business or economy turns around, or if someone turns it around, it becomes successful, after being unsuccessful for a period of time. (BUSINESS)\nTurning the company around won’t be easy...\nIn his long career at BP, Horton turned around two entire divisions...\nIf the economy turned round the Prime Minister’s authority would quickly increase.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron), V P\n\n4. If you say that someone turns around and says something, you are indicating that they say it unexpectedly or angrily, especially in order to criticize another person or to defend themselves. (INFORMAL)\nI feel that if I say how tired I get, David will turn around and say, `I told you so’.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P and v\n\n5. If you turn around a question, sentence, or idea, you change the way in which it is expressed, in order to consider it differently.\nNow turn the question around and start looking not for what you did wrong in the past, but for what you can do to make things better in the future...\nIt’s an example of how you can turn around the sentence and create a whole new meaning.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n6.\n  see also turnaround


Words: turn away
Meaning:
turn away\n1. If you turn someone away, you do not allow them to enter your country, home, or other place.\nTurning refugees away would be an inhumane action...\nHard times are forcing community colleges to turn away students.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n2. To turn away from something such as a method or an idea means to stop using it or to become different from it.\nJapanese corporations have been turning away from production and have diverted into finance and real estate...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P from n


Words: turn back
Meaning:
turn back\n1. If you turn back or if someone turns you back when you are going somewhere, you change direction and go towards where you started from.\nShe turned back towards the crossroads...\nThey were very nearly forced to turn back...\nPolice attempted to turn back protesters marching towards the offices of President Ershad.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P prep/adv, V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n2. If you cannot turn back, you cannot change your plans and decide not to do something, because the action you have already taken makes it impossible.\nThe administration has now endorsed the bill and can’t turn back.\n  PHRASAL VERB: with brd-neg, V P


Words: turn down
Meaning:
turn down\n1. If you turn down a person or their request or offer, you refuse their request or offer.\nBefore this I’d have smiled and turned her down...\nWould you turn down $7,000,000 to appear nude in a magazine?\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = reject\n2. When you turn down a radio, heater, or other piece of equipment, you reduce the amount of sound or heat being produced, by adjusting the controls.\nHe kept turning the central heating down...\nShe could not bear the relentless music and turned down the volume.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  !=turn up


Words: turn in
Meaning:
turn in\n1. When you turn in, you go to bed. (INFORMAL)\nWould you like some tea before you turn in?\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n2. If you turn someone in, you take them to the police or tell the police where they are because they are suspected of committing a crime. If you turn yourself in, you go to the police because you have been involved in a crime.\nHe has been given until noon today to turn himself in to authorities...\nThere would be strong incentives to turn someone in...\nI might today hesitate to turn in a burglar.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P to n, V n P, V P n (not pron), also V P n (not pron) to n\n\n3. When you turn in a completed piece of work, especially written work, you give it to the person who asked you to do it.\nNow we wait for them to turn in their essays...\nI want everybody to turn a report in.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n  = hand in\n4. If you turn something in, you return it to the place or person you borrowed it from. (mainly AM)\nI went back to the station-house to turn in my badge and gun...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n  = return


Words: turn off
Meaning:
turn off\n1. If you turn off the road or path you are going along, you start going along a different road or path which leads away from it.\nThe truck turned off the main road along the gravelly track which led to the farm...\nHe turned off only to find he was trapped in a town square with no easy exit.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P\n\n2. When you turn off a piece of equipment or a supply of something, you stop heat, sound, or water being produced by adjusting the controls.\nThe light’s a bit too harsh. You can turn it off...\nI have to get up and turn off the radio...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = switch off  !=turn on\n3. If something turns you off a particular subject or activity, it makes you have no interest in it.\nWhat turns teenagers off science and technology?...\nTeaching off a blackboard is boring, and undoubtedly turns people off.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P n, V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n\n  see also turn-off\n4. If something or someone turns you off, you do not find them sexually attractive or they stop you feeling sexually excited. (INFORMAL)\nAggressive men turn me off completely.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n  !=turn on\n  see also turn-off


Words: turn on
Meaning:
turn on\n1. When you turn on a piece of equipment or a supply of something, you cause heat, sound, or water to be produced by adjusting the controls.\nI want to turn on the television...\nShe asked them why they hadn’t turned the lights on.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n  = switch on  !=turn off\n2. If someone or something turns you on, they attract you and make you feel sexually excited. (INFORMAL)\nThe body that turns men on doesn’t have to be perfect.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P\n  !=turn off\n  see also turn-on\n3. If you say that someone turns on a particular way of behaving, you mean that they suddenly start behaving in that way, and you are often also suggesting that this is insincere. (INFORMAL)\nHe could also turn on the style when the occasion demanded.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n4. If someone turns on you, they attack you or speak angrily to you.\nDemonstrators turned on police, overturning vehicles and setting fire to them...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n\n5. If something turns on a particular thing, its success or truth depends on that thing.\nThe plot turns on whether Ilsa will choose her lover or her husband.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n  = hinge on


Words: turn out
Meaning:
turn out\n1. If something turns out a particular way, it happens in that way or has the result or degree of success indicated.\nIf I had known my life was going to turn out like this, I would have let them kill me...\nSometimes things don’t turn out the way we think they’re going to...\nI was positive things were going to turn out fine.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P prep, V P n, V P adj\n  = work out\n2. When you are commenting on pleasant weather, you can say that is has turned out nice or fine, especially if this is unexpected. (BRIT SPOKEN)\nIt’s turned out nice again.\n  PHRASAL VERB: it V P adj\n\n3. If something turns out to be a particular thing, it is discovered to be that thing.\nCosgrave’s forecast turned out to be quite wrong...\nIt turned out that I knew the person who got shot.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P to-inf, it V-ed P that\n\n4. When you turn out something such as a light or gas, you move the switch or knob that controls it so that it stops giving out light or heat.\nI’ll just play until the janitor comes round to turn the lights out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n  = turn off\n5. If a business or other organization turns out something, it produces it.\nThey have been turning out great blades for 400 years.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n6. If you turn someone out of a place, especially the place where they have been living, you force them to leave that place.\nSurely nobody would suggest turning him out of the house...\nIt was previously a small monastery but the authorities turned all the monks out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P of/from n, V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n  = throw out\n7. If you turn out the contents of a container, you empty it by removing them or letting them fall out.\nTurn out the dough on to a floured surface...\nTurn the plants out of their pots.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P of/from n, also V n P\n\n8. If people turn out for a particular event or activity, they go and take part in it or watch it.\nThousands of people turned out for the funeral...\nIt was no wonder the fans turned out. The matches yielded 259 goals.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P for n, V P\n\n9.\n  see also turnout, turned out


Words: turn over
Meaning:
turn over\n1. If you turn something over, or if it turns over, it is moved so that the top part is now facing downwards.\nLiz picked up the blue envelope and turned it over curiously...\nI don’t suppose you thought to turn over the tape, did you?...\nThe buggy turned over and Nancy was thrown out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron), V P\n\n2. If you turn over, for example when you are lying in bed, you move your body so that you are lying in a different position.\nAnn turned over in her bed once more.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n3. If you turn something over in your mind, you think carefully about it.\nEven when she didn’t say anything you could see her turning things over in her mind.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P in n\n\n4. If you turn something over to someone, you give it to them when they ask for it, because they have a right to it.\nI would, indeed, turn the evidence over to the police...\nThe lawyer turned over the release papers.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P (not pron) to n, V P n (not pron)\n  = hand over\n5. If you turn over a job or responsibility that you have, you give it to someone else, so that you no longer have it.\nThe King may turn over some of his official posts to his son...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron) to n\n\n6. If you turn over when you are watching television, you change to another channel.\nWhenever he’s on TV, I turn over.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n7.\n  see also turnover


Words: turn over to
Meaning:
turn over to\n  If you turn something over to a different function or use, you change its function or use.\nWhen he first leased the land in the late 1970s, he planned to turn it over to cereal production.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P P n, also V P n (not pron) P n


Words: turn signal
Meaning:
turn sig.nal\n   turn signal  turn signals\n  A car’s turn signals are the flashing lights that tell you it is going to turn left or right. (AM; in BRIT, use indicators)\n  N-COUNT


Words: turn up
Meaning:
turn up\n1. If you say that someone or something turns up, you mean that they arrive, often unexpectedly or after you have been waiting a long time.\nRichard had turned up on Christmas Eve with Tony...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  = show up\n2. If you turn something up or if it turns up, you find, discover, or notice it.\nInvestigations have never turned up any evidence.\n...a very rare 15th-Century spoon, which turned up in an old house in Devon.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P\n\n3. When you turn up a radio, heater, or other piece of equipment, you increase the amount of sound, heat, or power being produced, by adjusting the controls.\nBill would turn up the TV in the other room...\nI turned the volume up...\nTurn the heat up high.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P, V n P adj\n  !=turn down


Words: turn-off
Meaning:
turn-off  turn-offs\n1. A turn-off is a road leading away from a major road or a motorway.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Something that is a turn-off causes you to lose interest or sexual excitement. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: turn-on
Meaning:
turn-on  turn-ons\n  Something or someone that is a turn-on is sexually exciting. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: turn-up
Meaning:
turn-up  turn-ups\n  The turn-ups on a pair of trousers are the parts which are folded over at the ends of the legs. (BRIT; in AM, use cuffs)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: turnabout
Meaning:
turn.about\n   turnabout\n  A turnabout is a complete change in opinion, attitude, or method.\nAs her confidence grows you may well see a considerable turnabout in her attitude.\n  N-SING: oft N in n\n  = turnaround


Words: turnaround
Meaning:
turn.around\n   turnaround  turnarounds\n1. A turnaround is a complete change in opinion, attitude, or method.\nI have personally never done such a complete turnaround in my opinion of a person...\n  N-COUNT: oft N in n\n\n2. A turnaround is a sudden improvement, especially in the success of a business or a country’s economy.\nThe deal marks a turnaround in the fortunes of South Wales Electricity...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N in n\n\n3. The turnaround or turnaround time of a task, for example the unloading of an aircraft or ship, is the amount of time that it takes.\nIt is possible to produce a result within 34 hours but the standard turnaround is 12 days...\nThe agency should reduce turnaround time by 11 per cent.\n  N-VAR


Words: turncoat
Meaning:
turn.coat\n   turncoat  turncoats\n  If you describe someone as a turncoat, you think they are disloyal or deceitful, because they have left their party or organization and joined an opposing one.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: turned out
Meaning:
turned out\n  If you are well turned out or smartly turned out, you are dressed smartly.\n...a well-turned-out young chap in a black suit.\n  ADJ: adv ADJ


Words: turning
Meaning:
turn.ing\n   turning  turnings\n  If you take a particular turning, you go along a road which leads away from the side of another road.\nTake the next turning on the right.\n  N-COUNT\n  = turn\n  see also turn


Words: turning point
Meaning:
turn.ing point\n   turning point  turning points\n  A turning point is a time at which an important change takes place which affects the future of a person or thing.\nThe vote yesterday appears to mark something of a turning point in the war...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N in/for n


Words: turnip
Meaning:
tur.nip\n   turnip  turnips\n  A turnip is a round vegetable with a greenish-white skin that is the root of a crop.\n  N-VAR


Words: turnout
Meaning:
turn.out\n   turnout  turnouts   also turn-out\n1. The turnout at an event is the number of people who go to it or take part in it.\nOn the big night there was a massive turnout...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft supp N\n\n2. The turnout in an election is the number of people who vote in it, as a proportion of the number of people who have the right to vote in it.\nElection officials said the turnout of voters was low...\nA high turnout was reported at the polling booths.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: turnover
Meaning:
turn.over\n   turnover  turnovers\n1. The turnover of a company is the value of the goods or services sold during a particular period of time. (BUSINESS)\nThe company had a turnover of .3.8 million.\n  N-VAR: usu with supp, supp N, N of n\n\n2. The turnover of people in an organization or place is the rate at which people leave and are replaced. (BUSINESS)\nShort-term contracts increase staff turnover...\n  N-VAR: usu with supp, supp N, N of n


Words: turnpike
Meaning:
turn.pike\n   turnpike  turnpikes\n  A turnpike is a road, especially an expressway, which people have to pay to drive on. (mainly AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: turnstile
Meaning:
turn.stile\n   turnstile  turnstiles\n  A turnstile is a mechanical barrier at the entrance to a place such as a museum or a football ground. Turnstiles have metal arms that you push round as you go through them and enter the building or area.\n  N-COUNT


Words: turntable
Meaning:
turn.table\n   turntable  turntables\n  A turntable is the flat, round part of a record player on which a record is put when it is played.\n  N-COUNT


Words: turpentine
Meaning:
tur.pen.tine\n   turpentine\n  Turpentine is a colourless liquid used, for example, for cleaning paint off brushes.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: turquoise
Meaning:
tur.quoise\n   turquoise  turquoises\n  Turquoise or turquoise blue is used to describe things that are of a light greenish-blue colour.\n...a clear turquoise sea.\n  COLOUR


Words: turret
Meaning:
tur.ret\n   turret  turrets\n1. A turret is a small narrow tower on top of a building or a larger tower.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The turret on a tank or warship is the part where the guns are fixed, which can be turned in any direction.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N


Words: turtle
Meaning:
tur.tle\n   turtle  turtles\n1. A turtle is a large reptile which has a thick shell covering its body and which lives in the sea most of the time. (BRIT; in AM, use sea turtle)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A turtle is any reptile that has a thick shell around its body, for example a tortoise or terrapin. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: turtleneck
Meaning:
turtle.neck\n   turtleneck  turtlenecks\n1. A turtleneck or turtleneck sweater is a sweater with a short round collar that fits closely around your neck. (BRIT; in AM, use mock turtleneck)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A turtleneck or turtleneck sweater is a sweater with a high neck which folds over. (AM; in BRIT, use polo neck)\n  N-COUNT


Words: tusk
Meaning:
tusk  tusks\n  The tusks of an elephant, wild boar, or walrus are its two very long, curved, pointed teeth.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tussle
Meaning:
tus.sle\n   tussle  tussles  tussling  tussled\n1. If one person tussles with another, or if they tussle, they get hold of each other and struggle or fight.\nThey ended up ripping down perimeter fencing and tussling with the security staff...\nHe grabbed my microphone and we tussled over that...\nJames and Elliott tussled.\n  V-RECIP: V with n, pl-n V over n, pl-n V\n\n  Tussle is also a noun.\nThe referee booked him for a tussle with the goalie.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If one person tussles with another for something, or if they tussle for it, they try to beat each other in order to get it. (JOURNALISM)\nPezzo tussled for fourth place with Orvosova...\nOfficials tussled over who had responsibility for the newly fashionable unemployment agenda.\n  V-RECIP: V for n with n, pl-n V for/over n\n\n  Tussle is also a noun.\n...a legal tussle over who gets custody of the children.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. If someone tussles with a difficult problem or issue, they try hard to solve it. (JOURNALISM)\nHe is tussling with the problem of what to do about inflation.\n  VERB: V with n\n  = wrestle


Words: tussock
Meaning:
tus.sock\n   tussock  tussocks\n  A tussock is a small piece of grass which is much longer and thicker than the grass around it.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: tut
Meaning:
tut  tuts  tutting  tutted\n1. Tut is used in writing to represent the sound that you make with your tongue touching the top of your mouth when you want to indicate disapproval, annoyance, or sympathy.\n\n2. If you tut, you make a sound with your tongue touching the top of your mouth when you want to indicate disapproval, annoyance, or sympathy.\nHe tutted and shook his head.\n  VERB: V


Words: tut-tut
Meaning:
tut-tut  tut-tuts  tut-tutting  tut-tutted   also tut tut\n1. Tut-tut is used in writing to represent the sound that you make with your tongue touching the top of your mouth when you want to indicate disapproval, annoyance, or sympathy.\n  CONVENTION  feelings\n  = tut\n2. If you tut-tut about something, you express your disapproval of it, especially by making a sound with your tongue touching the top of your mouth.\nWe all spent a lot of time tut-tutting about Angie and her lifestyle...\nThe doctor tut-tutted, dismissing my words as excuses.\n  VERB: V about n, V


Words: tutelage
Meaning:
tu.telage\n   tutelage\n  If one person, group, or country does something under the tutelage of another, they do it while they are being taught or guided by them. (FORMAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu under N


Words: tutor
Meaning:
tu.tor\n   tutor  tutors  tutoring  tutored\n1. A tutor is a teacher at a British university or college. In some American universities or colleges, a tutor is a teacher of the lowest rank.\nHe is course tutor in archaeology at the University of Southampton...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A tutor is someone who gives private lessons to one pupil or a very small group of pupils.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If someone tutors a person or a subject, they teach that person or subject.\nThe old man was tutoring her in the stringed instruments.\n...at the college where I tutored a two-day Introduction to Chairmaking course...\nI tutored in economics.\n  VERB: V n in n, V n, V in n, also V


Words: tutorial
Meaning:
tu.to.rial\n   tutorial  tutorials\n1. In a university or college, a tutorial is a regular meeting between a tutor and one or several students, for discussion of a subject that is being studied.\n...teaching in small tutorial groups.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n\n2. Tutorial means relating to a tutor or tutors, especially one at a university or college.\n...the tutorial staff.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: tutu
Meaning:
tutu  tutus\n  A tutu is a costume worn by female ballet dancers. It has a very short stiff skirt made of many layers of material that sticks out from the waist.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tuxedo
Meaning:
tux.edo\n   tuxedo  tuxedos\n  A tuxedo is a black or white jacket worn by men for formal social events. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use dinner jacket)\n  N-COUNT


Words: TV
Meaning:
TV  TVs\n  TV means the same as television.\nThe TV was on...\nI prefer going to the cinema to watching TV.\n...a TV commercial.\n  N-VAR


Words: TV dinner
Meaning:
TV din.ner\n   TV dinner  TV dinners\n  A TV dinner is a complete meal that is sold in a single container. It can be heated up quickly and eaten from the container it is cooked in.\n  N-COUNT


Words: twaddle
Meaning:
twad.dle\n   twaddle\n  If you refer to something that someone says as twaddle, you mean that it is silly or untrue. (INFORMAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval\n  = drivel


Words: twang
Meaning:
twang  twangs  twanging  twanged\n1. If you twang something such as a tight string or elastic band, or if it twangs, it makes a fairly loud, ringing sound because it has been pulled and then released.\n...people who sat at the back of class and twanged an elastic band...\nThe song is a fiery mix of twanging guitar with relentless drumming...\nThe fiddle began to twang.\n  VERB: V n, V-ing, V\n\n  Twang is also a noun.\nSomething gave a loud discordant twang...\n  N-COUNT; SOUND\n\n2. A twang is a quality in someone’s way of speaking in which sound seems to be coming through the nose.\n...her broad Australian twang.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: twat
Meaning:
twat  twats\n  If someone calls another person a twat, they are insulting them and showing that they do not like or respect them. (INFORMAL, OFFENSIVE)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: tweak
Meaning:
tweak  tweaks  tweaking  tweaked\n1. If you tweak something, especially part of someone’s body, you hold it between your finger and thumb and twist it or pull it.\nHe tweaked Guy’s ear roughly...\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you tweak something such as a system or a design, you improve it by making a slight change. (INFORMAL)\nHe expects the system to get even better as the engineers tweak its performance.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Tweak is also a noun.\nThe camera has undergone only two minor tweaks since its introduction.\n  N-COUNT


Words: twee
Meaning:
twee\n  If you say that something is twee, it is pretty or sentimental in a way that you think is excessive or silly. (BRIT)\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ  disapproval


Words: tweed
Meaning:
tweed  tweeds\n1. Tweed is a thick woollen cloth, often woven from different coloured threads.\n  N-MASS\n\n2. Someone who is wearing tweeds is wearing a tweed suit.\n...an academic, dressed in tweeds and smoking a pipe.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: tweedy
Meaning:
tweedy\n1. If you describe someone as tweedy, you mean that they have an upper-class but plain appearance, and look as if they live in the country, for example because they are wearing tweed.\nAn older woman, pink-cheeked and tweedy, appeared in the doorway.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Tweedy clothes are made from tweed.\n  ADJ


Words: tweezers
Meaning:
twee.zers\n   tweezers\n  Tweezers are a small tool that you use for tasks such as picking up small objects or pulling out hairs. Tweezers consist of two strips of metal or plastic joined together at one end.\n  N-PLURAL: oft a pair of N


Words: twelfth
Meaning:
twelfth  twelfths\n1. The twelfth item in a series is the one that you count as number twelve.\n...the twelfth anniversary of the April revolution.\n...a twelfth-century church.\n  ORD\n\n2. A twelfth is one of twelve equal parts of something.\nShe is entitled to a twelfth of the cash.\n  FRACTION


Words: twentieth
Meaning:
twen.ti.eth\n   twentieth  twentieths\n1. The twentieth item in a series is the one that you count as number twenty.\n...the twentieth century.\n  ORD\n\n2. A twentieth is one of twenty equal parts of something.\nA few twentieths of a gram can be critical.\n  FRACTION


Words: twenty
Meaning:
twen.ty\n   twenty  twenties\n1. Twenty is the number 20.\n  NUM\n\n2. When you talk about the twenties, you are referring to numbers between 20 and 29. For example, if you are in your twenties, you are aged between 20 and 29. If the temperature is in the twenties, the temperature is between 20 and 29 degrees.\nThey’re both in their twenties and both married with children of their own.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n3. The twenties is the decade between 1920 and 1929.\nIt was written in the Twenties, but it still really stands out.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: twerp
Meaning:
twerp  twerps\n  If you call someone a twerp, you are insulting them and saying that they are silly or stupid. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = twit


Words: twice
Meaning:
twice\n1. If something happens twice, there are two actions or events of the same kind.\nHe visited me twice that fall and called me on the telephone often...\nThoroughly brush teeth and gums twice daily...\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adv, ADV n\n\n2. You use twice in expressions such as twice a day and twice a week to indicate that two events or actions of the same kind happen in each day or week.\nI phoned twice a day, leaving messages with his wife...\n  ADV: ADV a n\n\n3. If one thing is, for example, twice as big or old as another, the first thing is two times as big or old as the second. People sometimes say that one thing is twice as good or hard as another when they want to emphasize that the first thing is much better or harder than the second.\nThe figure of seventy-million pounds was twice as big as expected.\n  ADV: ADV as adj/adv\n\n  Twice is also a predeterminer.\nUnemployment in Northern Ireland is twice the national average...\n  PREDET: PREDET the n\n\n4. If you think twice about doing something, you consider it again and decide not to do it, or decide to do it differently.\nShe’d better shut her mouth and from now on think twice before saying stupid things.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n5.\nonce or twice: see once\ntwice over: see over


Words: twiddle
Meaning:
twid.dle\n   twiddle  twiddles  twiddling  twiddled\n1. If you twiddle something, you twist it or turn it quickly with your fingers.\nHe twiddled a knob on the dashboard...\nShe had sat there twiddling nervously with the clasp of her handbag.\n  VERB: V n, V with n\n\n2.\nto twiddle your thumbs: see thumb


Words: twig
Meaning:
twig  twigs  twigging  twigged\n1. A twig is a very small thin branch that grows out from a main branch of a tree or bush.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you twig, you suddenly realize or understand something. (INFORMAL)\nThen I twigged that they were illegal immigrants...\nBy the time she’d twigged what it was all about it was too late.\n  VERB: V that, V wh, also V


Words: twilight
Meaning:
twi.light\n   twilight\n1. Twilight is the time just before night when the daylight has almost gone but when it is not completely dark.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = dusk\n2. Twilight is the small amount of light that there is outside just after the sun has gone down.\n...the deepening autumn twilight.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. The twilight of a particular period of time is the final stages of it, when the most important events have already happened.\nNow both men are in the twilight of their careers...\n  N-SING: the N of n, N n\n\n4. A twilight state or a twilight zone is a situation of confusion or uncertainty, which seems to exist between two different states or categories.\nThey fell into that twilight zone between military personnel and civilian employees.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: twill
Meaning:
twill\n  Twill is cloth, usually cotton, that is woven in a way which produces parallel sloping lines across it.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: twin
Meaning:
twin  twins  twinning  twinned\n1. If two people are twins, they have the same mother and were born on the same day.\nSarah was looking after the twins...\nShe had a twin brother and a younger brother.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n\n2. Twin is used to describe a pair of things that look the same and are close together.\n...the twin spires of the cathedral.\n...the world’s largest twin-engined aircraft.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. Twin is used to describe two things or ideas that are similar or connected in some way.\n...the twin concepts of liberty and equality...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. When a place or organization in one country is twinned with a place or organization in another country, a special relationship is formally established between them. (BRIT)\nFive Polish banks are to be twinned with counterparts in Western Europe...\nThe borough is twinned with Kasel in Germany.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed with n, V-ed\n\n5. Twin towns or cities are twinned with each other. (BRIT; in AM, use sister cities)\nThis led Zagreb’s twin town, Mainz, to donate .70,000-worth of high-quality equipment.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n6.\n  see also identical twin, Siamese twin


Words: twin-bedded
Meaning:
twin-bedded   also twin bedded\n  A twin-bedded room, for example in a hotel, has two single beds. (mainly BRIT)\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: twine
Meaning:
twine  twines  twining  twined\n1. Twine is strong string used especially in gardening and farming.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you twine one thing around another, or if one thing twines around another, the first thing is twisted or wound around the second.\nHe had twined his chubby arms around Vincent’s neck...\nThese strands of molecules twine around each other to form cable-like structures.\n  VERB: V n prep, V prep


Words: twinge
Meaning:
twinge  twinges\n1. A twinge is a sudden sharp feeling or emotion, usually an unpleasant one.\nFor a moment, Arnold felt a twinge of sympathy for Mr Wilson.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu N of n\n  = pang\n2. A twinge is a sudden sharp pain.\nHe felt a slight twinge in his damaged hamstring.\n  N-COUNT


Words: twinkle
Meaning:
twin.kle\n   twinkle  twinkles  twinkling  twinkled\n1. If a star or a light twinkles, it shines with an unsteady light which rapidly and constantly changes from bright to faint.\nAt night, lights twinkle in distant villages across the valleys.\n...a band of twinkling diamonds.\n  VERB: V, V-ing\n\n2. If you say that someone’s eyes twinkle, you mean that their face expresses good humour or amusement.\nShe saw her mother’s eyes twinkle with amusement.\n  VERB: V\n\n  Twinkle is also a noun.\nA kindly twinkle came into her eyes.\n  N-SING


Words: twinset
Meaning:
twin.set\n   twinset  twinsets   also twin set, twin-set\n  A twinset is a set of women’s clothing, consisting of a cardigan and sweater of the same colour. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: twirl
Meaning:
twirl  twirls  twirling  twirled\n1. If you twirl something or if it twirls, it turns around and around with a smooth, fairly fast movement.\nBonnie twirled her empty glass in her fingers...\nAll around me leaves twirl to the ground.\n  VERB: V n, V prep/adv\n\n2. If you twirl, you turn around and around quickly, for example when you are dancing.\nSeveral hundred people twirl around the ballroom dance floor.\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n  = whirl\n3. If you twirl something such as your hair, you twist it around your finger.\nSarah lifted her hand and started twirling a strand of hair.\n  VERB: V n


Words: twist
Meaning:
twist  twists  twisting  twisted\n1. If you twist something, you turn it to make a spiral shape, for example by turning the two ends of it in opposite directions.\nHer hands began to twist the handles of the bag she carried...\nTwist the string carefully around the second stem with the other hand...\n  VERB: V n, V n adv/prep\n\n2. If you twist something, especially a part of your body, or if it twists, it moves into an unusual, uncomfortable, or bent position, for example because of being hit or pushed, or because you are upset.\nHe twisted her arms behind her back and clipped a pair of handcuffs on her wrists...\nSophia’s face twisted in pain...\nThe body was twisted, its legs at an awkward angle...\n  VERB: V n prep, V, V-ed\n\n3. If you twist part of your body such as your head or your shoulders, you turn that part while keeping the rest of your body still.\nShe twisted her head sideways and looked towards the door...\nSusan twisted round in her seat until she could see Graham and Sabrina behind her...\n  VERB: V n adv, V adv/prep\n\n4. If you twist a part of your body such as your ankle or wrist, you injure it by turning it too sharply, or in an unusual direction.\nHe fell and twisted his ankle...\nRupert Moon is out of today’s session with a twisted knee.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n5. If you twist something, you turn it so that it moves around in a circular direction.\nShe was staring down at her hands, twisting the ring on her finger...\nReaching up to a cupboard he takes out a jar and twists the lid off.\n  VERB: V n, V n with adv\n\n  Twist is also a noun.\nThe bag is resealed with a simple twist of the valve.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n6. If a road or river twists, it has a lot of sudden changes of direction in it.\nThe roads twist round hairpin bends...\nThe lane twists and turns between pleasant but unspectacular cottages.\n  VERB: V prep, V\n\n  Twist is also a noun.\nIt allows the train to maintain a constant speed through the twists and turns of existing track.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n7. If you say that someone has twisted something that you have said, you disapprove of them because they have repeated it in a way that changes its meaning, in order to harm you or benefit themselves.\nIt’s a shame the way that the media can twist your words and misrepresent you...\n  VERB: V n  disapproval\n  = distort\n8. A twist in something is an unexpected and significant development.\nThe battle of the sexes also took a new twist...\n  N-COUNT\n\n9. A twist is the shape that something has when it has been twisted.\n...bunches of violets in twists of paper...\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n10. If something happens by a twist of fate, it happens by chance, and it is strange, interesting, or unfortunate in some way.\nBy a curious twist of fate, cricket was also my favourite sport...\n  PHRASE: twist inflects, usu by/in PHR\n\n11.\nto twist someone’s arm: see arm\nto get your knickers in a twist: see knickers\nto twist the knife: see knife\n  see also twisted


Words: twisted
Meaning:
twist.ed\n   twisted\n  If you describe a person as twisted, you dislike them because you think they are strange in an unpleasant way.\n...a twisted man who shot at the president...\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: twit
Meaning:
twit  twits\n  If you call someone as a twit, you are insulting them and saying that they are silly or stupid. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = twerp


Words: twitch
Meaning:
twitch  twitches  twitching  twitched\n  If something, especially a part of your body, twitches or if you twitch it, it makes a little jumping movement.\nWhen I stood up to her, her right cheek would begin to twitch...\nStern twitched his shoulders.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n  Twitch is also a noun.\nHe developed a nervous twitch and began to blink constantly.\n  N-COUNT


Words: twitcher
Meaning:
twitch.er\n   twitcher  twitchers\n  A twitcher is an enthusiastic bird-watcher. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: twitchy
Meaning:
twitchy\n  If you are twitchy, you are behaving in a rather nervous way that shows you feel anxious and cannot relax. (INFORMAL)\nAfraid of bad publicity, the department had suddenly become very twitchy about journalists.\n  ADJ\n  = jumpy


Words: twitter
Meaning:
twit.ter\n   twitter  twitters  twittering  twittered\n1. When birds twitter, they make a lot of short high-pitched sounds.\nThere were birds twittering in the eucalyptus trees.\n...a tree filled with twittering birds.\n  VERB: V, V-ing\n\n  Twitter is also a noun.\nNaomi would waken to the twitter of birds.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. If you say that someone is twittering about something, you mean that they are speaking about silly or unimportant things, usually rather fast or in a high-pitched voice.\n...debutantes twittering excitedly about Christian Dior dresses...\nShe laughs, blushes and twitters: `Oh, doesn’t Giles have just the most charming sense of humour?’\n  VERB: V about n, V with quote, also V


Words: two
Meaning:
two  twos\n1. Two is the number 2.\n  NUM\n\n2. If you say it takes two or it takes two to tango, you mean that a situation or argument involves two people and they are both therefore responsible for it.\nDivorce is never the fault of one partner; it takes two...\nIt takes two to tango and so far our relationship has been one-sided.\n  PHRASE\n\n3. If you put two and two together, you work out the truth about something for yourself, by using the information that is available to you.\nPutting two and two together, I assume that this was the car he used.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n4.\nto kill two birds with one stone: see bird\ntwo a penny: see penny


Words: two-bit
Meaning:
two-bit\n  You use two-bit to describe someone or something that you have no respect for or that you think is inferior. (AM INFORMAL)\n...some two-bit little dictator...\nThat may be two-bit psychology, but it’s the only explanation I have.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  disapproval


Words: two-dimensional
Meaning:
two-dimensional   also two dimensional\n1. A two-dimensional object or figure is flat rather than solid so that only its length and width can be measured.\n...new software, which generates both two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional images.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If you describe fictional characters as two-dimensional, you are critical of them because they are very simple and not realistic enough to be taken seriously.\nI found the characters very two-dimensional, not to say dull.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: two-faced
Meaning:
two-faced\n  If you describe someone as two-faced, you are critical of them because they say they do or believe one thing when their behaviour or words show that they do not do it or do not believe it.\nHe had been devious and two-faced...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ  disapproval


Words: two-handed
Meaning:
two-handed\n  A two-handed blow or catch is done using both hands.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n, also ADJ after v


Words: two-horse
Meaning:
two-horse\n  If you describe a contest as a two-horse race, you mean that only two of the people or things taking part have any chance of winning.\nThe election may not be the traditional two-horse race between the preferred Democrat and Republican party candidates.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: two-percent milk
Meaning:
two-percent milk\n  Two-percent milk is milk from which some of the cream has been removed. (AM; in BRIT, use semi-skimmed milk)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: two-piece
Meaning:
two-piece  two-pieces   also two piece\n1. You can use two-piece to describe something, especially a set of clothing, that is in two parts.\n...a two-piece bathing suit.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. A two-piece is a woman’s suit which consists of a jacket and a skirt or pair of trousers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: two-thirds
Meaning:
two-thirds   also two thirds\n  Two-thirds of something is an amount that is two out of three equal parts of it.\nTwo-thirds of householders in this country live in a mortgaged home...\n  QUANT: QUANT of n\n\n  Two-thirds is also a pronoun.\nThe United States and Russia hope to conclude a treaty to cut their nuclear arsenals by two-thirds.\n  PRON\n\n  Two-thirds is also an adverb.\nDo not fill the container more than two-thirds full...\nA second book has already been commissioned and is two-thirds finished.\n  ADV: ADV adj/-ed\n\n  Two-thirds is also an adjective.\n...the two thirds majority in parliament needed to make constitutional changes.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: two-way
Meaning:
two-way\n1. Two-way means moving or working in two opposite directions or allowing something to move or work in two opposite directions.\nThe bridge is now open to two-way traffic...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. A two-way radio can send and receive signals.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. If there is two-way help or learning, two people or groups are both helping each other or both learning from each other.\nTrust is a two way thing.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: twofold
Meaning:
two.fold\n   twofold   also two-fold\n  You can use twofold to introduce a topic that has two equally important parts. (FORMAL)\nThe case against is twofold: too risky and too expensive.\n  ADJ


Words: tycoon
Meaning:
ty.coon\n   tycoon  tycoons\n  A tycoon is a person who is successful in business and so has become rich and powerful.\n  N-COUNT\n  = magnate


Words: tyke
Meaning:
tyke  tykes\n  You can refer to a child, especially a naughty or playful one, as a tyke when you want to show affection for them. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT  approval


Words: type
Meaning:
SORT OR KIND\n   type  types\n1. A type of something is a group of those things that have particular features in common.\nThere are various types of the disease...\nIn 1990, 25% of households were of this type.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n\n  = sort, kind\n2. If you refer to a particular thing or person as a type of something more general, you are considering that thing or person as an example of that more general group.\nHave you done this type of work before?...\nRates of interest for this type of borrowing can be high...\nI am a very determined type of person.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu N of n\n  = sort, kind\n3. If you refer to a person as a particular type, you mean that they have that particular appearance, character, or way of behaving.\nIt’s the first time I, a fair-skinned, freckly type, have sailed in the sun without burning...\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n  = sort\n4. If you say that someone is not your type, you mean that they are not the sort of person who you usually find attractive. (INFORMAL)\nAt first I thought he was rather ordinary looking, a little chubby, not my type...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n5.\n  see also blood type\n\nWRITING AND PRINTING\n   type  types  typing  typed\n1. If you type something, you use a typewriter or word processor to write it.\nI can type your essays for you...\nI had never really learnt to type properly...\nThe letter consists of six closely typed pages.\n  VERB: V n, V, V-ed\n\n2. Type is printed text as it appears in a book or newspaper, or the small pieces of metal that are used to create this.\nThe correction had already been set in type.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3.\n  see also typing


Words: type in
Meaning:
type in   or type into\n  If you type information into a computer or type it in, you press keys on the keyboard so that the computer stores or processes the information.\nOfficials type each passport number into a computer...\nYou have to type in commands, such as `help’ and `print’...\nYou type things in, and it responds.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P n, V P n (not pron), V n P\n  = key in


Words: type out
Meaning:
type out\n  If you type something out, you write it in full using a typewriter or word processor.\nThe two of us stood by while two typists typed out the whole document again...\nI read it down the phone to a man called Dave, who typed it out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n  = type


Words: type up
Meaning:
type up\n  If you type up a text that has been written by hand, you produce a typed copy of it.\nThey didn’t get around to typing up the letter...\nWhen the first draft was completed, Nichols typed it up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P


Words: typecast
Meaning:
type.cast\n   typecast  typecasts  typecasting\n  If an actor is typecast, they play the same type of character in every play or film that they are in.\nI didn’t want to be typecast and I think I’ve maintained a large variety in the roles I’ve played...\nAfrican-Americans were often typecast as servants, entertainers or criminals.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed, be V-ed as n\n  The form typecast is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle.


Words: typeface
Meaning:
type.face\n   typeface  typefaces\n  In printing, a typeface is a set of alphabetical characters, numbers, and other characters that all have the same design. There are many different typefaces.\n  N-COUNT


Words: typescript
Meaning:
type.script\n   typescript  typescripts\n  A typescript is a typed copy of an article or literary work.\n  N-VAR


Words: typewriter
Meaning:
type.writ.er\n   typewriter  typewriters\n  A typewriter is a machine with keys which are pressed in order to print letters, numbers, or other characters onto paper.\n  N-COUNT


Words: typewritten
Meaning:
type.writ.ten\n   typewritten\n  A typewritten document has been typed on a typewriter or word processor.\n  ADJ


Words: typhoid
Meaning:
ty.phoid\n   typhoid\n  Typhoid or typhoid fever is a serious infectious disease that produces fever and diarrhoea and can cause death. It is spread by dirty water or food.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: typhus
Meaning:
ty.phus\n   typhus\n  Typhus is a serious infectious disease that produces spots on the skin, a high fever, and a severe headache.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: typical
Meaning:
typi.cal\n   typical\n1. You use typical to describe someone or something that shows the most usual characteristics of a particular type of person or thing, and is therefore a good example of that type.\nCheney is everyone’s image of a typical cop: a big white guy, six foot, 220 pounds...\n  ADJ\n\n2. If a particular action or feature is typical of someone or something, it shows their usual qualities or characteristics.\nThis reluctance to move towards a democratic state is typical of totalitarian regimes...\nWith typical energy he found new journalistic outlets.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ of n\n  = characteristic\n3. If you say that something is typical of a person, situation, or thing, you are criticizing them or complaining about them and saying that they are just as bad or disappointing as you expected them to be.\nShe threw her hands into the air. `That is just typical of you, isn’t it?’\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ of n  feelings


Words: typically
Meaning:
typi.cal.ly\n   typically\n1. You use typically to say that something usually happens in the way that you are describing.\nIt typically takes a day or two, depending on size...\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group\n  = normally\n2. You use typically to say that something shows all the most usual characteristics of a particular type of person or thing.\nPhilip paced the floor, a typically nervous expectant father.\n  ADV: ADV adj\n  = characteristically\n3. You use typically to indicate that someone has behaved in the way that they normally do.\nTypically, the Norwegians were on the mountain two hours before anyone else...\n  ADV: ADV with cl, ADV adj\n  = characteristically


Words: typify
Meaning:
typi.fy\n   typify  typifies  typifying  typified\n  If something or someone typifies a situation or type of thing or person, they have all the usual characteristics of it and are a typical example of it.\nThese two buildings typify the rich extremes of Irish architecture.\n  VERB: V n\n  = epitomize


Words: typing
Meaning:
typ.ing\n   typing\n1. Typing is the work or activity of typing something by means of a typewriter or word processor.\nShe didn’t do any typing till the evening.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Typing is the skill of using a typewriter or keyboard quickly and accurately.\nMy typing is quite dreadful...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp, oft poss N


Words: typist
Meaning:
typ.ist\n   typist  typists\n  A typist is someone who works in an office typing letters and other documents.\n  N-COUNT


Words: typographical
Meaning:
ty.po.graphi.cal\n   typographical\n  Typographical relates to the way in which printed material is presented.\nOwing to a typographical error, the town of Longridge was spelt as Longbridge.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: typography
Meaning:
ty.pog.ra.phy\n   typography\n  Typography is the way in which written material is arranged and prepared for printing.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: typology
Meaning:
ty.pol.ogy\n   typology  typologies\n  A typology is a system for dividing things into different types, especially in science and the social sciences. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: tyrannical
Meaning:
ty.ran.ni.cal\n   tyrannical\n1. If you describe someone as tyrannical, you mean that they are severe or unfair towards the people that they have authority over.\nHe killed his tyrannical father with a blow to the head...\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe a government or organization as tyrannical, you mean that it acts without considering the wishes of its people and treats them cruelly or unfairly.\n...one of the world’s most oppressive and tyrannical regimes.\n  ADJ


Words: tyrannize
Meaning:
tyr.an.nize\n   tyrannize  tyrannizes  tyrannizing  tyrannized\nin BRIT, also use tyrannise\n  If you say that one person tyrannizes another, you mean that the first person uses their power over the second person in order to treat them very cruelly and unfairly.\n...fathers who tyrannize their families...\nArmed groups use their power to tyrannise over civilians.\n  VERB: V n, V over n, also V


Words: tyranny
Meaning:
tyr.an.ny\n   tyranny  tyrannies\n1. A tyranny is a cruel, harsh, and unfair government in which a person or small group of people have power over everyone else.\nSelf-expression and individuality are the greatest weapons against tyranny.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If you describe someone’s behaviour and treatment of others that they have authority over as tyranny, you mean that they are severe with them or unfair to them.\nI’m the sole victim of Mother’s tyranny.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. You can describe something that you have to use or have as a tyranny if you think it is undesirable or unpleasant.\nThe telephone is one of the great tyrannies of modern life.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: tyrant
Meaning:
ty.rant\n   tyrant  tyrants\n  You can use tyrant to refer to someone who treats the people they have authority over in a cruel and unfair way.\n...households where the father was a tyrant.\n  N-COUNT


Words: tyre
Meaning:
tyre  tyres\nin AM, use tire\n  A tyre is a thick piece of rubber which is fitted onto the wheels of vehicles such as cars, buses, and bicycles.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also spare tyre


Words: tyro
Meaning:
tyro  tyros\n  A tyro is a person who is just beginning to learn something or who has very little experience of something. (JOURNALISM)\n...a tyro journalist.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: U-turn
Meaning:
U-turn  U-turns\n1. If you make a U-turn when you are driving or cycling, you turn in a half circle in one movement, so that you are then going in the opposite direction.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you describe a change in a politician’s policy, plans, or actions as a U-turn, you mean that it is a complete change and that they made the change because they were weak or were wrong.\n...a humiliating U-turn by the Prime Minister.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: uber-
Meaning:
Uber combines with nouns and adjectives to form nouns and adjectives that refer to a great or extreme example of something. (JOURNALISM)\nUber-babe Jenny McCarthy has hinted at the trials young actresses must undergo in Hollywood’s seedier realms...\nMcNally now owns a clutch of uberchic downtown celebrity hang-outs.\n  COMB in N-COUNT, COMB in ADJ


Words: ubiquitous
Meaning:
ubiqui.tous\n   ubiquitous\n  If you describe something or someone as ubiquitous, you mean that they seem to be everywhere. (FORMAL)\nSugar is ubiquitous in the diet...\nShe is one of the wealthiest, most ubiquitous media personalities around.\n  ADJ


Words: ubiquity
Meaning:
ubiquity\n  If you talk about the ubiquity of something, you mean that it seems to be everywhere. (FORMAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n


Words: udder
Meaning:
ud.der\n   udder  udders\n  A cow’s udder is the organ that hangs below its body and produces milk.\n  N-COUNT


Words: UFO
Meaning:
UFO   UFOs\n  A UFO is an object seen in the sky or landing on earth which cannot be identified and which is often believed to be from another planet. UFO is an abbreviation for `unidentified flying object’.\nThere has been a surge of UFO sightings in America.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Ugandan
Meaning:
Ugan.dan\n   Ugandan  Ugandans\n1. Ugandan means belonging or relating to Uganda or to its people or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Ugandan is a Ugandan citizen, or a person of Ugandan origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ugh
Meaning:
ugh\n  Ugh is used in writing to represent the sound that people make if they think something is unpleasant, horrible, or disgusting.\nUgh.it was horrible.\n  EXCLAM


Words: ugly
Meaning:
ugly  uglier  ugliest\n1. If you say that someone or something is ugly, you mean that they are very unattractive and unpleasant to look at.\n...an ugly little hat...\nShe makes me feel dowdy and ugly.\n  ADJ\n  !=beautiful\n=>  ug.li.ness\n...the raw ugliness of his native city.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=beauty\n2. If you refer to an event or situation as ugly, you mean that it is very unpleasant, usually because it involves violent or aggressive behaviour.\nThere have been some ugly scenes...\nThe confrontation turned ugly.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  ug.li.ness\n...the subtlety and ugliness of sexual harassment.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n3.\nto rear its ugly head: see head


Words: ugly duckling
Meaning:
ugly duck.ling\n   ugly duckling  ugly ducklings\n  If you say that someone, especially a child, is an ugly duckling, you mean that they are unattractive or awkward now, but will probably develop into an attractive and successful person.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: uh huh
Meaning:
uh huh   also uh-huh\n  Uh huh is used in writing to represent a sound that people make when they are agreeing with you, when they want to show that they understand what you are saying, or when they are answering `yes’ to a question. (INFORMAL)\n`Did she?’.`Uh huh.’\n  CONVENTION


Words: UHF
Meaning:
UHF\n  UHF is a range of radio waves which allows a radio or television receiver to produce a good quality of sound. UHF is an abbreviation for `ultra-high frequency’.\n...Boston UHF channels.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: UHT
Meaning:
UHT\n  UHT is used to describe milk which has been treated at a very high temperature so that it can be kept for a long time if the container is not opened. UHT is an abbreviation for `ultra-heat-treated’. (BRIT)\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = long-life


Words: UK
Meaning:
UK\n  The UK is Great Britain and Northern Ireland. UK is an abbreviation for `United Kingdom’.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: ukulele
Meaning:
uku.lele\n   ukulele  ukuleles   also ukelele\n  A ukulele is a small guitar with four strings.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ulcer
Meaning:
ul.cer\n   ulcer  ulcers\n  An ulcer is a sore area on the outside or inside of your body which is very painful and may bleed or produce an unpleasant poisonous substance.\n...stomach ulcers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ulcerated
Meaning:
ul.cer.at.ed\n   ulcerated\n  If a part of someone’s body is ulcerated, ulcers have developed on it.\n...ulcerated mouths...\nEvery inch of his arms and legs was ulcerated.\n  ADJ


Words: ulterior
Meaning:
ul.te.ri.or\n   ulterior\n  If you say that someone has an ulterior motive for doing something, you believe that they have a hidden reason for doing it.\nSheila had an ulterior motive for trying to help Stan...\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: ultimate
Meaning:
ul.ti.mate\n   ultimate\n1. You use ultimate to describe the final result or aim of a long series of events.\nHe said it is still not possible to predict the ultimate outcome...\nThe ultimate aim is to expand the network further.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = eventual\n2. You use ultimate to describe the original source or cause of something.\nPlants are the ultimate source of all foodstuffs...\nThe ultimate cause of what’s happened seems to have been the advertising campaign.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = fundamental\n3. You use ultimate to describe the most important or powerful thing of a particular kind.\n...the ultimate power of the central government...\nOf course, the ultimate authority remained the presidency...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. You use ultimate to describe the most extreme and unpleasant example of a particular thing.\nBringing back the death penalty would be the ultimate abuse of human rights...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n5. You use ultimate to describe the best possible example of a particular thing.\nCaviar and oysters on ice are generally considered the ultimate luxury foods.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = definitive\n6. The ultimate in something is the best or most advanced example of it.\nThis hotel is the ultimate in luxury...\n  PHRASE: PHR n/-ing, usu v-link PHR, PHR after v


Words: ultimately
Meaning:
ul.ti.mate.ly\n   ultimately\n1. Ultimately means finally, after a long and often complicated series of events.\n...a tough but ultimately worthwhile struggle.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n  = eventually\n2. You use ultimately to indicate that what you are saying is the most important point in a discussion.\nUltimately, Bismarck’s revisionism scarcely affected or damaged British interests at all.\n  ADV: ADV with cl


Words: ultimatum
Meaning:
ul.ti.ma.tum\n   ultimatum  ultimatums\n  An ultimatum is a warning to someone that unless they act in a particular way, action will be taken against them.\nThey issued an ultimatum to the police to rid an area of racist attackers, or they will take the law into their own hands.\n  N-COUNT


Words: ultra-
Meaning:
ultra-\n  Ultra- is added to adjectives to form other adjectives that emphasize that something or someone has a quality to an extreme degree.\n...a wide range of ultra-modern equipment.\n...an ultra-ambitious executive.\n  PREFIX  emphasis


Words: ultramarine
Meaning:
ultra.ma.rine\n   ultramarine\n  Ultramarine is used to describe things that are very bright blue in colour.\n...an ultramarine sky.\n  COLOUR


Words: ultrasonic
Meaning:
ultra.son.ic\n   ultrasonic\n  Ultrasonic sounds have very high frequencies, which human beings cannot hear.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: ultrasound
Meaning:
ultra.sound\n   ultrasound\n  Ultrasound is sound waves which travel at such a high frequency that they cannot be heard by humans. Ultrasound is used in medicine to get pictures of the inside of people’s bodies.\nI had an ultrasound scan to see how the pregnancy was progressing.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: ultraviolet
Meaning:
ultra.vio.let\n   ultraviolet\n  Ultraviolet light or radiation is what causes your skin to become darker in colour after you have been in sunlight. In large amounts ultraviolet light is harmful.\nThe sun’s ultraviolet rays are responsible for both tanning and burning.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: ululate
Meaning:
ulu.late\n   ululate  ululates  ululating  ululated\n  If someone ululates, they make quickly repeated loud sounds, often to express sorrow or happiness. (LITERARY)\nThey ululated like Red Indians...\nHe let out this long ululating moan.\n  VERB: V, V-ing


Words: um
Meaning:
um\n  Um is used in writing to represent a sound that people make when they are hesitating, usually while deciding what they want to say next.\nShe felt her face going red.`I’m sorry Rob, it’s just that I’m, um, overwhelmed.’


Words: umber
Meaning:
um.ber\n   umber\n  Umber is used to describe things that are yellowish or reddish brown in colour.\n...umber paint.\n  COLOUR


Words: umbilical cord
Meaning:
um.bili.cal cord\n   umbilical cord  umbilical cords\n  The umbilical cord is the tube that connects an unborn baby to its mother, through which it receives oxygen and food.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: umbrage
Meaning:
um.brage\n   umbrage\n  If you say that a person takes umbrage, you mean that they are upset or offended by something that someone says or does to them, often without much reason. (FORMAL)\nHe takes umbrage against anyone who criticises him.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  = take offence


Words: umbrella
Meaning:
um.brel.la\n   umbrella  umbrellas\n1. An umbrella is an object which you use to protect yourself from the rain or hot sun. It consists of a long stick with a folding frame covered in cloth.\nHarry held an umbrella over Dawn.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Umbrella is used to refer to a single group or description that includes a lot of different organizations or ideas.\nDoes coincidence come under the umbrella of the paranormal?...\nWithin the umbrella term `dementia’ there are many different kinds of disease.\n  N-SING: usu N of n, supp N, N n\n\n3. Umbrella is used to refer to a system or agreement which protects a country or group of people.\nThe major powers have chosen to act under the moral umbrella of the United Nations...\n  N-SING: N of n, supp N


Words: umlaut
Meaning:
um.laut\n   umlaut  umlauts\n  An umlaut is a symbol that is written over vowels in German and some other languages to indicate the way in which they should be pronounced. For example, the word `fur’ has an umlaut over the `u’.\n  N-COUNT


Words: umpire
Meaning:
um.pire\n   umpire  umpires  umpiring  umpired\n1. An umpire is a person whose job is to make sure that a sports match or contest is played fairly and that the rules are not broken.\nThe umpire’s decision is final.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. To umpire means to be the umpire in a sports match or contest.\nHe umpired baseball games...\nHe umpired for school football matches until he was in his late 50s.\n  VERB: V n, V


Words: umpteen
Meaning:
ump.teen\n   umpteen\n  Umpteen can be used to refer to an extremely large number of things or people. (INFORMAL)\nHe was interrupted by applause umpteen times...\nHe has produced umpteen books, plays and television series.\n  DET: DET pl-n  emphasis\n  = countless


Words: umpteenth
Meaning:
ump.teenth\n   umpteenth\n  You use umpteenth to indicate that an occasion, thing, or person happens or comes after many others. (INFORMAL)\nHe checked his watch for the umpteenth time...\nShe was now on her umpteenth gin.\n  ORD  emphasis


Words: un-
Meaning:
un-\n1. Un- is added to the beginning of adjectives, adverbs, and nouns, in order to form words that have the opposite meaning.\nMy father was an unemployed labourer...\nHe had sensed his mother’s unhappiness.\n  PREFIX\n\n2. Un- is added to the beginning of a verb that describes a process, in order to form another verb that describes the reverse of that process.\nHe undressed and draped his clothes neatly over the back of the chair...\nShe was anxious for me to unwrap the other gifts.\n  PREFIX\n\n3. Un- is added to the beginning of the past participle of a verb, in order to form an adjective that means that the process described by the verb has not happened.\nThe theory remains untested...\nDealers across the country continue to complain about huge stocks of unsold cars.\n  PREFIX


Words: unabashed
Meaning:
un.abashed\n   unabashed\n  If you describe someone as unabashed, you mean that they are not ashamed, embarrassed, or shy about something, especially when you think most people would be.\nHe seems unabashed by his recent defeat...\nHe’s an unabashed, old-fashioned romantic.\n  ADJ


Words: unabated
Meaning:
un.abat.ed\n   unabated\n  If something continues unabated, it continues without any reduction in intensity or amount.\nThe fighting has continued unabated for over 24 hours.\n...his unabated enthusiasm for cinema.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ after v, also ADJ n, v-link ADJ


Words: unable
Meaning:
un.able\n   unable\n  If you are unable to do something, it is impossible for you to do it, for example because you do not have the necessary skill or knowledge, or because you do not have enough time or money.\nThe military may feel unable to hand over power to a civilian President next year...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to-inf\n  !=able


Words: unabridged
Meaning:
un.abridged\n   unabridged\n  An unabridged piece of writing, for example a book or article, is complete and not shortened in any way.\n  ADJ\n  = full-length  !=abridged


Words: unacceptable
Meaning:
un.ac.cep.table\n   unacceptable\n  If you describe something as unacceptable, you strongly disapprove of it or object to it and feel that it should not be allowed to continue.\nIt is totally unacceptable for children to swear...\nJoanna left her husband because of his unacceptable behaviour.\n  ADJ\n  !=acceptable\n=>  un.ac.cept.ably\nThe reform program has brought unacceptably high unemployment and falling wages.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV after v


Words: unaccompanied
Meaning:
un.ac.com.pa.nied\n   unaccompanied\n1. If someone is unaccompanied, they are alone.\nIt is estimated that every year 50 unaccompanied children arrive in Britain...\nKelly’s too young to go unaccompanied.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n\n2. Unaccompanied luggage or goods are being sent or transported separately from their owner.\nUnaccompanied bags are either searched or removed.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. An unaccompanied voice or instrument sings or plays alone, with no other instruments playing at the same time.\n...an unaccompanied flute...\nThe piece is most often sung unaccompanied.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ after v


Words: unaccountable
Meaning:
un.ac.count.able\n   unaccountable\n1. Something that is unaccountable does not seem to have any sensible explanation.\nFor some unaccountable reason, it struck me as extremely funny...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = inexplicable\n=>  un.ac.count.ably\nAnd then, unaccountably, she giggled...\n  ADV\n\n2. If you describe a person or organization as unaccountable, you are critical of them because they are not responsible to anyone for their actions, or do not feel they have to explain their actions to anyone.\nEconomic policy in Europe should not be run by an unaccountable committee of governors of central banks.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: unaccounted for
Meaning:
un.ac.count.ed for\n   unaccounted for\n  If people or things are unaccounted for, you do not know where they are or what has happened to them.\n5,000 American servicemen who fought in Korea are still unaccounted for...\nAbout .50 million from the robbery five years ago is unaccounted for.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ


Words: unaccustomed
Meaning:
un.ac.cus.tomed\n   unaccustomed\n1. If you are unaccustomed to something, you do not know it very well or have not experienced it very often. (WRITTEN)\nThey were unaccustomed to such military setbacks...\nIt is a part of Britain as yet largely unaccustomed to tourists.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n/-ing\n  = unused  !=accustomed\n2. If you describe someone’s behaviour or experiences as unaccustomed, you mean that they do not usually behave like this or have experiences of this kind. (WRITTEN)\nHe began to comfort me with such unaccustomed gentleness...\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: unacknowledged
Meaning:
un.ac.knowl.edged\n   unacknowledged\n1. If you describe something or someone as unacknowledged, you mean that people ignore their existence or presence, or are not aware of it.\nUnresolved or unacknowledged fears can trigger sleepwalking.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If you describe something or someone as unacknowledged, you mean that their existence or importance is not recognized officially or publicly.\nThis tradition goes totally unacknowledged in official guidebooks...\n  ADJ


Words: unacquainted
Meaning:
un.ac.quaint.ed\n   unacquainted\n  If you are unacquainted with something, you do not know about it or do not have not any experience of it.\nI was then totally unacquainted with his poems.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ with n\n  = unfamiliar


Words: unadorned
Meaning:
un.adorned\n   unadorned\n  Something that is unadorned is plain, rather than having decoration on it.\nThe room is typically simple and unadorned, with white walls and a tiled floor.\n  ADJ


Words: unadulterated
Meaning:
un.adul.ter.at.ed\n   unadulterated\n1. Something that is unadulterated is completely pure and has had nothing added to it.\nOrganic food is unadulterated food produced without artificial chemicals or pesticides.\n  ADJ\n  !=adulterated\n2. You can also use unadulterated to emphasize a particular quality, often a bad quality.\nIt was pure, unadulterated hell.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis


Words: unaffected
Meaning:
un.af.fect.ed\n   unaffected\n1. If someone or something is unaffected by an event or occurrence, they are not changed by it in any way.\nShe seemed totally unaffected by what she’d drunk...\nThe strike shut down 50 airports, but most international flights were unaffected.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ by n\n\n2. If you describe someone as unaffected, you mean that they are natural and genuine in their behaviour, and do not act as though they are more important than other people.\n...this unaffected, charming couple.\n  ADJ  approval\n  = genuine


Words: unafraid
Meaning:
un.afraid\n   unafraid\n  If you are unafraid to do something, you are confident and not at all nervous about doing it.\nHe is a man with a reputation for being tough and unafraid of unpopular decisions...\nShe was a forceful intellectual unafraid to speak her mind.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v, oft ADJ of n, ADJ to-inf\n  !=afraid


Words: unaided
Meaning:
un.aid.ed\n   unaided\n  If you do something unaided, you do it without help from anyone or anything else.\nThere have been at least thirteen previous attempts to reach the North Pole unaided...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ after v, also ADJ n


Words: unalloyed
Meaning:
un.al.loyed\n   unalloyed\n  If you describe a feeling such as happiness or relief as unalloyed, you are emphasizing that it is a strong feeling and no other feeling is involved. (LITERARY)\n...an occasion of unalloyed joy.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis


Words: unalterable
Meaning:
un.al.ter.able\n   unalterable\n  Something that is unalterable cannot be changed.\n...an unalterable fact of life.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unchangeable


Words: unaltered
Meaning:
un.al.tered\n   unaltered\n  Something that remains unaltered has not changed or been changed.\nThe rest of the apartment had fortunately remained unaltered since that time...\nThese were my opinions, and they continue unaltered.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v, ADJ n\n  = unchanged


Words: unambiguous
Meaning:
un.am.bigu.ous\n   unambiguous\n  If you describe a message or comment as unambiguous, you mean that it is clear and cannot be understood wrongly.\n...an election result that sent the party an unambiguous message...\n  ADJ\n  !=ambiguous\n=>  un.am.bigu.ous.ly\nHe has failed to dissociate himself clearly and unambiguously from the attack.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: unambitious
Meaning:
un.am.bi.tious\n   unambitious\n1. An unambitious person is not particularly interested in improving their position in life or in being successful, rich, or powerful.\n  ADJ\n  !=ambitious\n2. An unambitious idea or plan is not very complicated, risky, or new, and is easy to carry out successfully.\n  ADJ\n  !=ambitious


Words: unanimity
Meaning:
una.nim.ity\n   unanimity\n  When there is unanimity among a group of people, they all agree about something or all vote for the same thing.\nAll decisions would require unanimity.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unanimous
Meaning:
unani.mous\n   unanimous\n1. When a group of people are unanimous, they all agree about something or all vote for the same thing.\nEditors were unanimous in their condemnation of the proposals...\nThey were unanimous that Chortlesby Manor must be preserved.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ in n, ADJ that\n\n=>  unani.mous.ly\nToday its executive committee voted unanimously to reject the proposals...\nThe board of ministers unanimously approved the project last week.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. A unanimous vote, decision, or agreement is one in which all the people involved agree.\n...the unanimous vote for Hungarian membership...\nTheir decision was unanimous.\n  ADJ


Words: unannounced
Meaning:
un.an.nounced\n   unannounced\n  If someone arrives or does something unannounced, they do it unexpectedly and without anyone having being told about it beforehand.\nHe had just arrived unannounced from South America...\nMy first night in Saigon I paid an unannounced visit to my father’s cousins.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ after v, ADJ n, also v-link ADJ


Words: unanswerable
Meaning:
un.an.swer.able\n   unanswerable\n1. If you describe a question as unanswerable, you mean that it has no possible answer or that a particular person cannot possibly answer it.\nThey would ask their mother unanswerable questions.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe a case or argument as unanswerable, you think that it is obviously true or correct and that nobody could disagree with it.\nThe argument for recruiting McGregor was unanswerable.\n  ADJ


Words: unanswered
Meaning:
un.an.swered\n   unanswered\n  Something such as a question or letter that is unanswered has not been answered.\nSome of the most important questions remain unanswered...\nHe had always had difficulty leaving questions unanswered.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ n, ADJ after v


Words: unappealing
Meaning:
un.ap.peal.ing\n   unappealing\n  If you describe someone or something as unappealing, you find them unpleasant and unattractive.\nHe’s wearing a deeply unappealing baseball hat...\nThe town is scruffy and unappealing.\n  ADJ\n  !=appealing


Words: unappetizing
Meaning:
un.ap.pe.tiz.ing\n   unappetizing\nin BRIT, also use unappetising\n  If you describe food as unappetizing, you think it will be unpleasant to eat because of its appearance.\n...cold and unappetizing chicken.\n  ADJ\n  !=appetizing


Words: unapproachable
Meaning:
un.ap.proach.able\n   unapproachable\n  If you describe someone as unapproachable, you mean that they seem to be difficult to talk to and not very friendly.\n  ADJ\n  !=approachable


Words: unarguable
Meaning:
un.ar.gu.able\n   unarguable\n  If you describe a statement or opinion as unarguable, you think that it is obviously true or correct and that nobody could disagree with it.\nHe is making the unarguable point that our desires and preferences have a social component.\n  ADJ\n  !=arguable\n=>  un.ar.gu.ably\nHe is unarguably an outstanding man.\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group


Words: unarmed
Meaning:
un.armed\n   unarmed\n  If a person or vehicle is unarmed, they are not carrying any weapons.\nThe soldiers concerned were unarmed at the time...\nThirteen unarmed civilians died in that attack.\n  ADJ\n\n  Unarmed is also an adverb.\nHe says he walks inside the prison without guards, unarmed.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: unashamed
Meaning:
un.ashamed\n   unashamed\n  If you describe someone’s behaviour or attitude as unashamed, you mean that they are open and honest about things that other people might find embarrassing or shocking.\nI grinned at him in unashamed delight.\n...a man rightly unashamed of his own talent.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.asham.ed.ly\nDrugs are sold unashamedly in broad daylight.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj


Words: unasked
Meaning:
un.asked\n   unasked\n1. An unasked question is one that has not been asked, although people are wondering what the answer is.\nShe was undernourished, an observation that prompted yet another unasked question...\nSignificant questions will go unasked.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If someone says or does something unasked, they say or do it without being asked to do it.\nHis advice, offered to her unasked, was to stay home and make the best of things.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v\n  = unprompted


Words: unassailable
Meaning:
un.as.sail.able\n   unassailable\n  If you describe something or someone as unassailable, you mean that nothing can alter, destroy, or challenge them.\nThat was enough to give Mansell an unassailable lead...\nHis legal position is unassailable...\n  ADJ


Words: unassisted
Meaning:
un.as.sist.ed\n   unassisted\n  If you do something unassisted, you do it on your own and no-one helps you.\nAt other times, he’d force her to walk totally unassisted.\n...a mother who has had an unassisted delivery.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n\n  = unaided


Words: unassuming
Meaning:
un.as.sum.ing\n   unassuming\n  If you describe a person or their behaviour as unassuming, you approve of them because they are quiet and do not try to appear important.\nHe’s a man of few words, very polite and unassuming...\n  ADJ  approval


Words: unattached
Meaning:
un.at.tached\n   unattached\n  Someone who is unattached is not married or does not have a girlfriend or boyfriend.\nI knew only two or three unattached men.\n  ADJ\n  = single


Words: unattainable
Meaning:
un.at.tain.able\n   unattainable\n  If you say that something is unattainable, you mean that it cannot be achieved or is not available.\nThere are those who argue that true independent advice is unattainable.\n...an unattainable dream.\n  ADJ


Words: unattended
Meaning:
un.at.tend.ed\n   unattended\n  When people or things are left unattended, they are not being watched or looked after.\nNever leave young children unattended near any pool or water tank...\nAn unattended bag was spotted near the platform at Gatwick...\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ


Words: unattractive
Meaning:
un.at.trac.tive\n   unattractive\n1. Unattractive people and things are unpleasant in appearance.\nI’m 27, have a nice flat, a good job and I’m not unattractive.\n...an unattractive and uninteresting city.\n  ADJ\n  !=attractive\n2. If you describe something as unattractive, you mean that people do not like it and do not want to be involved with it.\nThe market is still unattractive to many insurers...\nIt is not an unattractive option to make programmes for other companies.\n  ADJ\n  !=attractive


Words: unauthorized
Meaning:
un.author.ized\n   unauthorized\nin BRIT, also use unauthorised\n  If something is unauthorized, it has been produced or is happening without official permission.\n...the unauthorized use of a military vehicle...\nIt has also been made quite clear that the trip was unauthorised.\n  ADJ\n  = unofficial


Words: unavailable
Meaning:
un.avail.able\n   unavailable\n  When things or people are unavailable, you cannot obtain them, meet them, or talk to them.\nMr Hicks is out of the country and so unavailable for comment...\nBasic food products are frequently unavailable in the state shops.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  !=available


Words: unavailing
Meaning:
un.avail.ing\n   unavailing\n  An unavailing attempt to do something does not succeed.\nEfforts to reach the people named in the report proved unavailing...\nHe died after a brave but unavailing fight against a terminal illness.\n  ADJ\n  = unsuccessful


Words: unavoidable
Meaning:
un.avoid.able\n   unavoidable\n  If something is unavoidable, it cannot be avoided or prevented.\nManagers said the job losses were unavoidable...\nThe recession has resulted in an unavoidable increase in spending on unemployment benefit.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.avoid.ably\nPrince Khalid was unavoidably detained in Saudi Arabia.\n  ADV


Words: unaware
Meaning:
un.aware\n   unaware\n  If you are unaware of something, you do not know about it.\nMany people are unaware of just how much food and drink they consume...\nShe was unaware that she was being filmed.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ of n, ADJ that\n  !=aware


Words: unawares
Meaning:
un.awares\n   unawares\n  If something catches you unawares or takes you unawares, it happens when you are not expecting it.\nInvestors and currency dealers were caught completely unawares by the Bundesbank’s action...\nThe suspect was taken unawares, without the chance to dispose of the evidence.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: unbalance
Meaning:
un.bal.ance\n   unbalance  unbalances  unbalancing  unbalanced\n1. If something unbalances a relationship, system, or group, it disturbs or upsets it so that it is no longer successful or functioning properly.\nThe interplay between the new politics and the modern media will unbalance the political process and inhibit its workings.\n  VERB: V n\n  = destabilize\n2. To unbalance something means to make it unsteady and likely to tip over.\nHer whole body began to buckle, unbalancing the ladder...\nDon’t lean in.you’re unbalancing the horse.\n  VERB: V n, V n


Words: unbalanced
Meaning:
un.bal.anced\n   unbalanced\n1. If you describe someone as unbalanced, you mean that they appear disturbed and upset or they seem to be slightly mad.\nI knew how unbalanced Paula had been since my uncle Peter died...\n  ADJ\n  = disturbed\n2. If you describe something such as a report or argument as unbalanced, you think that it is unfair or inaccurate because it emphasizes some things and ignores others.\nUN officials argued that the report was unbalanced.\n...unbalanced and unfair reporting.\n  ADJ\n  = biased  !=balanced


Words: unbearable
Meaning:
un.bear.able\n   unbearable\n  If you describe something as unbearable, you mean that it is so unpleasant, painful, or upsetting that you feel unable to accept it or deal with it.\nWar has made life almost unbearable for the civilians remaining in the capital...\nI was in terrible, unbearable pain.\n  ADJ\n  = intolerable\n=>  un.bear.ably\nBy the evening it had become unbearably hot.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj/-ed


Words: unbeatable
Meaning:
un.beat.able\n   unbeatable\n1. If you describe something as unbeatable, you mean that it is the best thing of its kind.\nThese resorts, like Magaluf and Arenal, remain unbeatable in terms of price.\n...unbeatable Italian cars.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n\n2. In a game or competition, if you describe a person or team as unbeatable, you mean that they win so often, or perform so well that they are unlikely to be beaten by anyone.\nThe opposition was unbeatable...\nWith two more days of competition to go China is in an unbeatable position.\n  ADJ\n  = invincible


Words: unbeaten
Meaning:
un.beat.en\n   unbeaten\n  In sport, if a person or their performance is unbeaten, nobody else has performed well enough to beat them.\nHe’s unbeaten in 20 fights...\nSampdoria lost their unbeaten record with a 2-1 home defeat against Genoa.\n  ADJ


Words: unbecoming
Meaning:
un.be.com.ing\n   unbecoming\n1. If you describe things such as clothes as unbecoming, you mean that they look unattractive. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  ADJ\n  !=becoming\n2. If you describe a person’s behaviour or remarks as unbecoming, you mean that they are shocking and unsuitable for that person. (FORMAL)\nHis conduct was totally unbecoming to an officer in the British armed services...\nThose involved had performed acts unbecoming of university students.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to/of n


Words: unbeknown
Meaning:
un.be.known\n   unbeknown\n  If something happens unbeknown to you or unbeknownst to you, you do not know about it.\nI am appalled that children can mount up debts unbeknown to their parents...\nUnbeknownst to her father, she began taking dancing lessons.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n  The form unbeknownst   is also used.


Words: unbelievable
Meaning:
un.be.liev.able\n   unbelievable\n1. If you say that something is unbelievable, you are emphasizing that it is very good, impressive, intense, or extreme.\nHis guitar solos are just unbelievable...\nIt was an unbelievable moment when Chris won the gold medal.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n  = incredible\n=>  un.be.liev.ably\nOur car was still going unbelievably well...\nHe beamed: `Unbelievably, we have now made it to the final twice.’\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group\n  = incredibly\n2. You can use unbelievable to emphasize that you think something is very bad or shocking.\nI find it unbelievable that people can accept this sort of behaviour...\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ that  emphasis\n  = incredible\n=>  un.be.liev.ably\nWhat you did was unbelievably stupid...\nUnbelievably, our Government are now planning to close this magnificent institution.\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group\n  = incredibly, amazingly\n3. If an idea or statement is unbelievable, it seems so unlikely to be true that you cannot believe it.\nI still find this story both fascinating and unbelievable...\nI know it sounds unbelievable but I never wanted to cheat.\n  ADJ\n  = incredible\n=>  un.be.liev.ably\nLainey was, unbelievably, pregnant again...\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group


Words: unbeliever
Meaning:
un.be.liev.er\n   unbeliever  unbelievers\n  People who do not believe in a particular religion are sometimes referred to as unbelievers.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=believer


Words: unbelieving
Meaning:
un.be.liev.ing\n   unbelieving\n  If you describe someone as unbelieving, you mean that they do not believe something that they have been told.\nHe looked at me with unbelieving eyes.\n  ADJ


Words: unbend
Meaning:
un.bend\n   unbend  unbends  unbending  unbent\n  If someone unbends, their attitude becomes less strict than it was.\nIn her dying days the old Queen unbent a little.\n  VERB: V


Words: unbending
Meaning:
un.bend.ing\n   unbending\n  If you describe a person or their behaviour as unbending, you mean that they have very strict beliefs and attitudes, which they are unwilling to change.\nHe was rigid and unbending.\n...her unbending opposition to the old regime.\n  ADJ\n  = inflexible


Words: unbiased
Meaning:
un.bi.ased\n   unbiased   also unbiassed\n  If you describe someone or something as unbiased, you mean they are fair and not likely to support one particular person or group involved in something.\nThere is no clear and unbiased information available for consumers...\nThe researchers were expected to be unbiased.\n...an unbiased jury.\n  ADJ\n  = impartial  !=biased


Words: unbidden
Meaning:
un.bid.den\n   unbidden\n  If something happens unbidden, it happens without you expecting or wanting it to happen. (LITERARY)\nThe name came unbidden to Cook’s mind.Ashley Stoker...\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, v-link ADJ, ADJ n


Words: unbind
Meaning:
un.bind\n   unbind  unbinds  unbinding  unbound\n  If you unbind something or someone, you take off a piece of cloth, string, or rope that has been tied round them.\nShe unbound her hair and let it flow loose in the wind...\nMany cultures still have fairly strict rules about women displaying unbound hair.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: unblemished
Meaning:
un.blem.ished\n   unblemished\n1. If you describe something such as someone’s record, reputation, or character as unblemished, you mean it has not been harmed or spoiled.\n...Lee’s unblemished reputation as a man of honor and principle.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = untarnished\n2. If you describe something as unblemished, you mean that it has no marks or holes on its surface.\nBe sure to select firm, unblemished fruit.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unblinking
Meaning:
un.blink.ing\n   unblinking\n  If you describe someone’s eyes or expression as unblinking, you mean that they are looking steadily at something without blinking. (LITERARY)\nHe stared into Leo’s unblinking eyes.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.blink.ing.ly\nShe looked at him unblinkingly.\n  ADV: usu ADV after v


Words: unborn
Meaning:
un.born\n   unborn\n  An unborn child has not yet been born and is still inside its mother’s womb.\n...her unborn baby...\nThey will affect generations of Britons still unborn.\n  ADJ\n\n  The unborn are children who are not born yet.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: unbounded
Meaning:
un.bound.ed\n   unbounded\n  If you describe something as unbounded, you mean that it has, or seems to have, no limits.\n...an unbounded capacity to imitate and adopt the new...\nHis advice was always sensible and his energy unbounded.\n  ADJ\n  = boundless


Words: unbreakable
Meaning:
un.break.able\n   unbreakable\n1. Unbreakable objects cannot be broken, usually because they are made of a very strong material.\nTableware for outdoor use should ideally be unbreakable.\n  ADJ\n\n2. An unbreakable rule or limit must be obeyed.\nOne unbreakable rule in our school is that no child can be tested without written parental permission.\n  ADJ


Words: unbridgeable
Meaning:
un.bridge.able\n   unbridgeable\n  An unbridgeable gap or divide between two sides in an argument is so great that the two sides seem unlikely ever to agree. (JOURNALISM)\n...the apparently unbridgeable gulf between the SIS and the Security Service...\nThe gap between the President and his opponents is unbridgeable.\n  ADJ


Words: unbridled
Meaning:
un.bri.dled\n   unbridled\n  If you describe behaviour or feelings as unbridled, you mean that they are not controlled or limited in any way.\n...a tale of lust and unbridled passion.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unbroken
Meaning:
un.bro.ken\n   unbroken\n  If something is unbroken, it is continuous or complete and has not been interrupted or broken.\n...an unbroken run of 38 match wins...\nWe’ve had ten days of almost unbroken sunshine...\n  ADJ\n  = uninterrupted


Words: unbuckle
Meaning:
un.buck.le\n   unbuckle  unbuckles  unbuckling  unbuckled\n  If you unbuckle something such as a belt or a shoe, you undo the buckle fastening it.\nHe unbuckled his seat belt...\n  VERB: V n


Words: unburden
Meaning:
un.bur.den\n   unburden  unburdens  unburdening  unburdened\n  If you unburden yourself or your problems to someone, you tell them about something which you have been secretly worrying about.\nThe Centre became a place where many came to unburden themselves, to talk about their hopes and fears...\nSomehow he had to unburden his soul to somebody, and it couldn’t be to Laura...\nSome students unburden themselves of emotional problems that faculty members feel ill equipped to handle.\n  VERB: V pron-refl, V n to n, V pron-refl of n, also V pron-refl, V n


Words: unbutton
Meaning:
un.but.ton\n   unbutton  unbuttons  unbuttoning  unbuttoned\n  If you unbutton an item of clothing, you undo the buttons fastening it.\nShe had begun to unbutton her blouse.\n...his unbuttoned blue coat.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: uncalled for
Meaning:
un.called for\n   uncalled for\n  If you describe a remark or criticism as uncalled for, you mean that it should not have been made, because it was unkind or unfair.\nI’m sorry. That was uncalled for.\n...Leo’s uncalled-for remarks about her cousin.\n  ADJ\n  = unwarranted


Words: uncanny
Meaning:
un.can.ny\n   uncanny\n  If you describe something as uncanny, you mean that it is strange and difficult to explain.\nThe hero, Danny, bears an uncanny resemblance to Kirk Douglas...\nI had this uncanny feeling that Alice was warning me.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.can.ni.ly\nThey have uncannily similar voices...\n  ADV: usu ADV adj/adv


Words: uncared for
Meaning:
un.cared for\n   uncared for\n  If you describe people or animals as uncared for, you mean that they have not been looked after properly and as a result are hungry, dirty, or ill.\n...people who feel unwanted, unloved, and uncared for.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: uncaring
Meaning:
un.caring\n   uncaring\n  If you describe someone as uncaring, you are critical of them for not caring about other people, especially people who are in a bad situation.\nIt portrays him as cold and uncaring.\n...this uncaring attitude towards the less well off.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  !=caring


Words: unceasing
Meaning:
un.ceas.ing\n   unceasing\n  If you describe something as unceasing, you are emphasizing that it continues without stopping.\n...his unceasing labours.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis\n\n=>  un.ceas.ing.ly\nPaul talked unceasingly from dawn to dusk.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: unceremoniously
Meaning:
un.cer.emo.ni.ous.ly\n   unceremoniously\n  If someone or something is removed, left, or put somewhere unceremoniously, this is done in a sudden or rude way that shows they are not thought to be important.\nShe was unceremoniously dumped to be replaced by a leader who could win the election...\nHe had to be bundled unceremoniously out of the way.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: uncertain
Meaning:
un.cer.tain\n   uncertain\n1. If you are uncertain about something, you do not know what you should do, what is going to happen, or what the truth is about something.\nHe was uncertain about his brother’s intentions...\nThey were uncertain of the total value of the transaction...\nHe stopped, uncertain how to put the question tactfully...\nWith some hesitation and an uncertain smile, she held out her hand.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about/of n, ADJ wh/that\n  = unsure  !=certain\n=>  un.cer.tain.ly\nHe entered the hallway and stood uncertainly.\n  ADV: usu ADV after v\n\n2. If something is uncertain, it is not known or definite.\nHow far the republics can give practical help, however, is uncertain...\nIt’s uncertain whether they will accept the plan...\nStudents all over the country are facing an uncertain future.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ wh\n\n3. If you say that someone tells a person something in no uncertain terms, you are emphasizing that they say it strongly and clearly so that there is no doubt about what they mean.\nShe told him in no uncertain terms to go away.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  emphasis


Words: uncertainty
Meaning:
un.cer.tain.ty\n   uncertainty  uncertainties\n  Uncertainty is a state of doubt about the future or about what is the right thing to do.\n...a period of political uncertainty.\n...the uncertainties of life on the West Coast.\n  N-VAR


Words: unchallenged
Meaning:
un.chal.lenged\n   unchallenged\n1. When something goes unchallenged or is unchallenged, people accept it without asking questions about whether it is right or wrong.\nThese views have not gone unchallenged...\n...the unchallenged principle of parliamentary sovereignty...\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ\n\n2. If you say that someone’s position of authority is unchallenged, you mean that it is strong and no one tries to replace them.\nHe is the unchallenged leader of the strongest republic.\n...the man who has led his party unchallenged for over thirty years.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n\n3. If you do something unchallenged, nobody stops you and asks you questions, for example about who you are or why you are doing it.\nI managed to walk around unchallenged for 10 minutes before an alert nurse spotted me.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v


Words: unchangeable
Meaning:
un.change.able\n   unchangeable\n  Something that is unchangeable cannot be changed at all.\nThe doctrine is unchangeable.\n...a thoroughly organised and almost unchangeable system of laws and customs.\n  ADJ\n  = unalterable


Words: unchanged
Meaning:
un.changed\n   unchanged\n  If something is unchanged, it has stayed the same for a particular period of time.\nFor many years prices have remained virtually unchanged...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: unchanging
Meaning:
un.chang.ing\n   unchanging\n  Something that is unchanging always stays the same.\n...eternal and unchanging truths...\n  ADJ


Words: uncharacteristic
Meaning:
un.char.ac.ter.is.tic\n   uncharacteristic\n  If you describe something as uncharacteristic of someone, you mean that it is not typical of them.\nIt was uncharacteristic of her father to disappear like this.\n...an uncharacteristic lack of modesty.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ of n\n  !=typical, characteristic\n=>  un.char.ac.ter.is.ti.cal.ly\nOwen has been uncharacteristically silent...\nUncharacteristically for Keegan, he decided to have a snooze.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV with v, ADV with cl


Words: uncharitable
Meaning:
un.chari.table\n   uncharitable\n  If you describe someone’s remarks, thoughts, or behaviour as uncharitable, you think they are being unkind or unfair to someone.\nThis was an uncharitable assessment of the reasons for the failure.\n  ADJ


Words: uncharted
Meaning:
un.chart.ed\n   uncharted\n  If you describe a situation, experience, or activity as uncharted territory or waters, you mean that it is new or unfamiliar.\nCarter’s fourth album definitely moves into uncharted territory.\n...a largely uncharted area of medical science.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unexplored


Words: unchecked
Meaning:
un.checked\n   unchecked\n  If something harmful or undesirable is left unchecked, nobody controls it or prevents it from growing or developing.\nIf left unchecked, weeds will flourish.\n...a world in which brutality and lawlessness are allowed to go unchecked...\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ


Words: uncivilized
Meaning:
un.civi.lized\n   uncivilized\nin BRIT, also use uncivilised\n  If you describe someone’s behaviour as uncivilized, you find it unacceptable, for example because it is very cruel or very rude.\nThe campaign has abounded in mutual accusations of uncivilised behaviour...\nI think any sport involving animals where the animals do not have a choice is barbaric and uncivilized.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: unclaimed
Meaning:
un.claimed\n   unclaimed\n  If something is unclaimed, nobody has claimed it or said that it belongs to them.\nHer luggage remained unclaimed at Frankfurt Departures.\n...unclaimed prizes.\n  ADJ


Words: unclassified
Meaning:
un.clas.si.fied\n   unclassified\n1. If information or a document is unclassified, it is not secret and is available to the general public.\n  ADJ\n  !=classified\n2. If something is unclassified, it has not been given a grade or put into a category, for example because it is of a low or basic standard.\n...an unclassified honours degree.\n  ADJ\n  !=classified


Words: uncle
Meaning:
un.cle\n   uncle  uncles\n  Someone’s uncle is the brother of their mother or father, or the husband of their aunt.\nMy uncle was the mayor of Memphis...\nA telegram from Uncle Fred arrived...\n  N-FAMILY; N-TITLE


Words: Uncle Sam
Meaning:
Uncle Sam\n  Some people refer to the United States of America or its government as Uncle Sam. (mainly AM; also BRIT JOURNALISM)\nThey are ready to defend themselves against Uncle Sam’s imperialist policies...\n  N-PROPER


Words: Uncle Tom
Meaning:
Uncle Tom  Uncle Toms\n  In the past, some black people used Uncle Tom to refer to a black man when they disapproved of him because he was too respectful or friendly towards white people. This use could cause offence.\nTo the radical blacks of the Sixties, he was an Uncle Tom.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: unclean
Meaning:
un.clean\n   unclean\n1. Something that is unclean is dirty and likely to cause disease.\n...the Western attitude to insects as being dirty and unclean...\nBy bathing in unclean water, they expose themselves to contamination.\n  ADJ\n  = dirty  !=clean\n2. If you describe someone or something as unclean, you consider them to be spiritually or morally bad.\nThey felt as though they had done something discreditable and unclean.\n...unclean thoughts.\n  ADJ


Words: unclear
Meaning:
un.clear\n   unclear\n1. If something is unclear, it is not known or not certain.\nIt is unclear how much popular support they have among the island’s population...\nJust what the soldier was doing in Bireij is unclear...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ wh\n  = uncertain\n2. If you are unclear about something, you do not understand it properly or are not sure about it.\nHe is still unclear about his own future...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about n/wh, ADJ as to wh, ADJ wh


Words: unclothed
Meaning:
un.clothed\n   unclothed\n  If someone is unclothed, they are not wearing any clothes. (FORMAL)\nHe learned how to draw the unclothed human frame...\nIt’s considered improper to be unclothed in public.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v\n  = naked


Words: uncluttered
Meaning:
un.clut.tered\n   uncluttered\n  If you describe something as uncluttered, you mean that it is simple and does not contain or consist of a lot of unnecessary things.\nIf you keep a room uncluttered it makes it seem lighter and bigger...\nThe portraits are simple, uncluttered compositions.\n  ADJ\n  !=cluttered


Words: uncoil
Meaning:
un.coil\n   uncoil  uncoils  uncoiling  uncoiled\n  If something uncoils or if you uncoil it, it becomes straight after it has been wound or curled up. If someone who is curled up uncoils, they move so that their body becomes straight.\nHe uncoiled the hose and gave them a thorough drenching...\nDan played with the tangerine peel, letting it uncoil and then coil again...\nMack seemed to uncoil slowly up into a standing position.\n  VERB: V n, V, V


Words: uncombed
Meaning:
un.combed\n   uncombed\n  If someone’s hair is uncombed, it is untidy because it has not been brushed or combed.\n  ADJ


Words: uncomfortable
Meaning:
un.com.fort.able\n   uncomfortable\n1. If you are uncomfortable, you are slightly worried or embarrassed, and not relaxed and confident.\nThe request for money made them feel uncomfortable...\nIf you are uncomfortable with your counsellor or therapist, you must discuss it...\nI feel uncomfortable lying.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with/about n, ADJ -ing\n  = awkward\n=>  un.com.fort.ably\nSandy leaned across the table, his face uncomfortably close to Brad’s...\nHe smiled uncomfortably.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj/-ed, also ADV after v\n\n2. Something that is uncomfortable makes you feel slight pain or physical discomfort when you experience it or use it.\nWigs are hot and uncomfortable to wear constantly...\n...an uncomfortable chair.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to-inf\n\n=>  un.com.fort.ably\nThe water was uncomfortably cold.\n  ADV: ADV adj\n\n3. If you are uncomfortable, you are not physically content and relaxed, and feel slight pain or discomfort.\nI sometimes feel uncomfortable after eating in the evening...\nPeople living or working with smokers can find it uncomfortable to wear contact lenses because the smoke causes irritation.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n=>  un.com.fort.ably\nHe felt uncomfortably hot...\nHe awoke to find himself lying uncomfortably on a pile of firewood.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV after v\n\n4. You can describe a situation or fact as uncomfortable when it is difficult to deal with and causes problems and worries.\nIt is uncomfortable to think of our own death, but we need to...\nThe decree put the president in an uncomfortable position.\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf, ADJ to-inf


Words: uncommitted
Meaning:
un.com.mit.ted\n   uncommitted\n1. If you are uncommitted, you have not yet decided to support a particular idea, belief, group, or person, or you are unwilling to show your support.\nThe allegiance of uncommitted voters will be crucial...\nI was still uncommitted to the venture when we reached Kanpur.\n  ADJ\n  !=committed\n  The uncommitted are people who are uncommitted.\nIt was the uncommitted that Labour needed to reach.\n  N-PLURAL: the N\n\n2. If resources are uncommitted, it has not yet been decided what to use them for.\n....32.3m of uncommitted loans.\n  ADJ


Words: uncommon
Meaning:
un.com.mon\n   uncommon\n1. If you describe something as uncommon, you mean that it does not happen often or is not often seen.\nCancer of the breast in young women is uncommon...\nA 15-year lifespan is not uncommon for a dog.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = unusual  !=common\n2. If you describe a quality, usually a good quality, as uncommon, you mean that it is unusually great in degree or amount. (LITERARY)\nBoth are blessed with uncommon ability to fix things...\nShe read Cecelia’s last letter with uncommon interest.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = unusual\n=>  un.com.mon.ly\nMary was uncommonly good at tennis.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj/adv


Words: uncommunicative
Meaning:
un.com.mu.ni.ca.tive\n   uncommunicative\n  If you describe someone as uncommunicative, you are critical of them because they do not talk to other people very much and are unwilling to express opinions or give information.\nMy daughter is very difficult, uncommunicative and moody.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: uncomplaining
Meaning:
un.com.plain.ing\n   uncomplaining\n  If you describe someone as uncomplaining, you approve of them because they do difficult or unpleasant things and do not complain about them.\nHe was a cheerful and uncomplaining travel companion.\n  ADJ  approval


Words: uncomplicated
Meaning:
un.com.pli.cat.ed\n   uncomplicated\n  If you describe someone or something as uncomplicated, you approve of them because they are easy to deal with or understand.\nShe is a beautiful, uncomplicated girl.\n...good, fresh British cooking with its uncomplicated, direct flavours.\n  ADJ  approval\n  !=complex


Words: uncomprehending
Meaning:
un.com.pre.hend.ing\n   uncomprehending\n  If you describe someone as uncomprehending, you mean that they do not understand what is happening or what someone has said.\nHe gave the bottle a long, uncomprehending look.\n  ADJ


Words: uncompromising
Meaning:
un.com.pro.mis.ing\n   uncompromising\n1. If you describe someone as uncompromising, you mean that they are determined not to change their opinions or aims in any way.\nMrs Thatcher was a tough and uncompromising politician.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.com.pro.mis.ing.ly\nThe company had once been uncompromisingly socialist...\nHe states uncompromisingly that he is opposed to any practices which oppress animals.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV after v\n\n2. If you describe something as uncompromising, you mean that it does not attempt to make something that is shocking or unpleasant any more acceptable to people.\n...a film of uncompromising brutality.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.com.pro.mis.ing.ly\n...the uncompromisingly modern decor.\n  ADV: ADV adj


Words: unconcealed
Meaning:
un.con.cealed\n   unconcealed\n  An unconcealed emotion is one that someone has made no attempt to hide.\nHis message was received with unconcealed anger.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = open


Words: unconcern
Meaning:
un.con.cern\n   unconcern\n  A person’s unconcern is their lack of interest in or anxiety about something, often something that most people would be concerned about.\nShe’d mentioned it casually once, surprising him by her unconcern...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=concern


Words: unconcerned
Meaning:
un.con.cerned\n   unconcerned\n  If a person is unconcerned about something, usually something that most people would care about, they are not interested in it or worried about it.\nPaul was unconcerned about what he had done...\nHe seems totally unconcerned by real dangers.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about/by n\n  !=concerned


Words: unconditional
Meaning:
un.con.di.tion.al\n   unconditional\n  If you describe something as unconditional, you mean that the person doing or giving it does not require anything to be done by other people in exchange.\nChildren need unconditional love...\nThe leader of the revolt made an unconditional surrender early this morning.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=conditional\n=>  un.con.di.tion.al.ly\nThe hostages were released unconditionally.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: unconfirmed
Meaning:
un.con.firmed\n   unconfirmed\n  If a report or a rumour is unconfirmed, there is no definite proof as to whether it is true or not.\nThere are unconfirmed reports of several small villages buried by mudslides.\n  ADJ


Words: uncongenial
Meaning:
un.con.gen.ial\n   uncongenial\n  If you describe a person or place as uncongenial, you mean that they are unfriendly and unpleasant.\nHe continued to find the Simpsons uncongenial bores...\nHollywood was an uncongenial place to work.\n  ADJ\n  !=congenial


Words: unconnected
Meaning:
un.con.nect.ed\n   unconnected\n  If one thing is unconnected with another or the two things are unconnected, the things are not related to each other in any way.\nShe was known to have had personal problems unconnected with her marriage...\nI can’t believe that those two murders are unconnected.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with/to n\n  = unrelated


Words: unconscionable
Meaning:
un.con.scion.able\n   unconscionable\n  If you describe something as unconscionable, you mean that the person responsible for it ought to be ashamed of it, especially because its effects are so great or severe. (LITERARY)\nIt’s unconscionable for the government to do anything for a man who admits to smuggling 135 tons of cocaine into the United States.\n  ADJ


Words: unconscious
Meaning:
un.con.scious\n   unconscious\n1. Someone who is unconscious is in a state similar to sleep, usually as the result of a serious injury or a lack of oxygen.\nBy the time ambulancemen arrived he was unconscious...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ n, ADJ after v\n  !=conscious\n=>  un.con.scious.ness\nHe knew that he might soon lapse into unconsciousness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you are unconscious of something, you are unaware of it.\nHe himself seemed totally unconscious of his failure...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ of n\n  = oblivious  !=conscious\n=>  un.con.scious.ly\n`I was very unsure of myself after the divorce,’ she says, unconsciously sweeping back the curls from her forehead.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n3. If feelings or attitudes are unconscious, you are not aware that you have them, but they show in the way that you behave.\nUnconscious envy manifests itself very often as this kind of arrogance...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.con.scious.ly\nI think racism is unconsciously inherent in practically everyone.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n\n4. Your unconscious is the part of your mind that contains feelings and ideas that you do not know about or cannot control.\nIn examining the content of the unconscious, Freud called into question some deeply-held beliefs.\n  N-SING: the/poss N


Words: unconstitutional
Meaning:
un.con.sti.tu.tion.al\n   unconstitutional\n  If something is unconstitutional, it breaks the rules of a political system.\nThe Moldavian parliament has declared the elections unconstitutional...\nBanning cigarette advertising would be unconstitutional, since selling cigarettes is legal.\n  ADJ\n  !=constitutional


Words: uncontrollable
Meaning:
un.con.trol.lable\n   uncontrollable\n1. If you describe a feeling or physical action as uncontrollable, you mean that you cannot control it or prevent yourself from feeling or doing it.\nIt had been a time of almost uncontrollable excitement...\nHe burst into uncontrollable laughter at something I’d said.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  un.con.trol.lably\nI started shaking uncontrollably and began to cry.\n  ADV: usu ADV after v\n\n2. If you describe a person as uncontrollable, you mean that their behaviour is bad and that nobody can make them behave more sensibly.\nMark was withdrawn and uncontrollable...\nUncontrollable children grow into young criminals.\n  ADJ\n\n3. If you describe a situation or series of events as uncontrollable, you believe that nothing can be done to control them or to prevent things from getting worse.\nIf political and ethnic problems are not resolved the situation could become uncontrollable.\n  ADJ


Words: uncontrolled
Meaning:
un.con.trolled\n   uncontrolled\n1. If you describe someone’s behaviour as uncontrolled, you mean they appear unable to stop it or to make it less extreme.\nHis uncontrolled behavior disturbed the entire class...\nJulia blows her nose, but her sobbing goes on uncontrolled.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n\n2. If a situation or activity is uncontrolled, no-one is controlling it or preventing it from continuing or growing.\n...the central bank’s uncontrolled printing of money.\n  ADJ\n  = unchecked


Words: unconventional
Meaning:
un.con.ven.tion.al\n   unconventional\n1. If you describe a person or their attitude or behaviour as unconventional, you mean that they do not behave in the same way as most other people in their society.\nLinus Pauling is an unconventional genius...\nHe had rather unconventional work habits, preferring to work through the night.\n  ADJ\n  !=conventional\n2. An unconventional way of doing something is not the usual way of doing it, and may be rather surprising.\nThe vaccine had been produced by an unconventional technique...\nDespite his unconventional methods, he has inspired pupils more than anyone else...\n  ADJ\n  !=conventional


Words: unconvinced
Meaning:
un.con.vinced\n   unconvinced\n  If you are unconvinced that something is true or right, you are not at all certain that it is true or right.\nMost consumers seem unconvinced that the recession is over...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ that


Words: unconvincing
Meaning:
un.con.vinc.ing\n   unconvincing\n1. If you describe something such as an argument or explanation as unconvincing, you find it difficult to believe because it does not seem real.\nMr Patel phoned the University for an explanation, and he was given the usual unconvincing excuses...\nTo many readers it sounded unconvincing.\n  ADJ\n  !=convincing\n=>  un.con.vinc.ing.ly\n`It’s not that I don’t believe you, Meg,’ Jack said, unconvincingly.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If you describe a story or a character in a story as unconvincing, you think they do not seem likely or real.\n...an unconvincing love story.\n  ADJ\n  !=convincing


Words: uncooperative
Meaning:
un.co.opera.tive\n   uncooperative\n  If you describe someone as uncooperative, you mean that they make no effort at all to help other people or to make other people’s lives easier.\nShe became uncooperative: unwilling to do her homework or help with any household chores.\n...a bunch of stupid, cranky, uncooperative old fools.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = unhelpful  !=cooperative


Words: uncoordinated
Meaning:
un.co.ordi.nat.ed\n   uncoordinated   also unco-ordinated\n1. If you describe someone as uncoordinated you mean that their movements are not smooth or controlled.\nThey were unsteady on their feet and rather uncoordinated.\n...an uncoordinated toddler.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe actions or plans as uncoordinated, you mean they are not well-organized.\nGovernment action has been half-hearted and uncoordinated.\n...late, uncoordinated and piecemeal enemy responses.\n  ADJ


Words: uncork
Meaning:
un.cork\n   uncork  uncorks  uncorking  uncorked\n  When you uncork a bottle, you open it by pulling the cork out of it.\nSteve uncorked bottles of champagne to toast the achievement.\n  VERB: V n\n  = open


Words: uncorroborated
Meaning:
un.cor.robo.rat.ed\n   uncorroborated\n  An uncorroborated statement or claim is not supported by any evidence or information.\nUncorroborated confessions should no longer be accepted by courts.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: uncount noun
Meaning:
un.count noun\n   uncount noun  uncount nouns\n  An uncount noun is a noun such as `gold’, `information’, or `furniture’ which has only one form and can be used without a determiner.\n  N-COUNT


Words: uncountable noun
Meaning:
un.count.able noun\n   uncountable noun  uncountable nouns\n  An uncountable noun is the same as an uncount noun.\n  N-COUNT


Words: uncouth
Meaning:
un.couth\n   uncouth\n  If you describe a person as uncouth, you mean that their behaviour is rude, noisy, and unpleasant.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = coarse


Words: uncover
Meaning:
un.cov.er\n   uncover  uncovers  uncovering  uncovered\n1. If you uncover something, especially something that has been kept secret, you discover or find out about it.\nAuditors said they had uncovered evidence of fraud...\n  VERB: V n\n  = discover\n2. When people who are digging somewhere uncover something, they find a thing or a place that has been under the ground for a long time.\nArchaeologists have uncovered an 11,700-year-old hunting camp in Alaska.\n  VERB: V n\n  = unearth\n3. To uncover something means to remove something that is covering it.\nWhen the seedlings sprout, uncover the tray.\n  VERB: V n


Words: uncovered
Meaning:
un.cov.ered\n   uncovered\n  Something that is left uncovered does not have anything covering it.\nMinor cuts and grazes can usually be left uncovered to heal by themselves...\nThe uncovered bucket in the corner stank.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ


Words: uncritical
Meaning:
un.criti.cal\n   uncritical\n  If you describe a person or their behaviour as uncritical, you mean that they do not judge whether someone or something is good or bad, right or wrong, before supporting or believing them.\n...the conventional notion of women as uncritical purchasers of heavily advertised products.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.criti.cal.ly\nPoliticians want a lap-dog press which will uncritically report their propaganda.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: unctuous
Meaning:
unc.tu.ous\n   unctuous\n1. If you describe someone as unctuous, you are critical of them because they seem to be full of praise, kindness, or interest, but are obviously insincere. (FORMAL)\n...the kind of unctuous tone that I’ve heard often at diplomatic parties.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n2. If you describe food or drink as unctuous, you mean that it is creamy or oily. (FORMAL)\n  ADJ


Words: uncultivated
Meaning:
un.cul.ti.vat.ed\n   uncultivated\n  If land is uncultivated, there are no crops growing on it.\n...the flat, largely uncultivated plains.\n...an area left uncultivated to attract insects and small animals.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ


Words: uncultured
Meaning:
un.cul.tured\n   uncultured\n  If you describe someone as uncultured, you are critical of them because they do not seem to know much about art, literature, and other cultural topics.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: uncut
Meaning:
un.cut\n   uncut\n1. Something that is uncut has not been cut.\n...a patch of uncut grass...\nTrees were to be left uncut, roads unpaved.\n  ADJ\n\n2. An uncut book, play, or film has not had parts removed.\nWe saw the uncut version of `Caligula’ when we were in Europe.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. Uncut diamonds and other precious stones have not been cut into a regular shape.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: undamaged
Meaning:
un.dam.aged\n   undamaged\n  Something that is undamaged has not been damaged or spoilt in any way.\nThe Korean ship was apparently undamaged...\nChoose a golden-orange-coloured pineapple with undamaged leaves.\n  ADJ\n  !=damaged


Words: undated
Meaning:
un.dat.ed\n   undated\n  Something that is undated does not have a date written on it.\nIn each packet there are batches of letters, most of which are undated.\n  ADJ\n  !=dated


Words: undaunted
Meaning:
un.daunt.ed\n   undaunted\n  If you are undaunted, you are not at all afraid or worried about dealing with something, especially something that would frighten or worry most people.\nUndaunted by the scale of the job, Lesley set about planning how each room should look.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ by n


Words: undecided
Meaning:
un.de.cid.ed\n   undecided\n  If someone is undecided, they cannot decide about something or have not yet decided about it.\nAfter university she was still undecided as to what career she wanted to pursue...\nHe says he’s counting on undecided voters to help him win next week’s election.\n  ADJ


Words: undefeated
Meaning:
un.de.feat.ed\n   undefeated\n  If a sports player or team is undefeated, nobody has beaten them over a particular period of time.\nShe was undefeated for 13 years...\n  ADJ\n  = unbeaten


Words: undemanding
Meaning:
un.de.mand.ing\n   undemanding\n1. If you describe something such as a job as undemanding, you mean that it does not require you to work very hard or to think a great deal about it.\nOver a tenth of the population have secure, undemanding jobs...\nThe book is an enjoyable and undemanding read.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=challenging\n2. If you describe someone as undemanding, you mean they are easy to be with and do not ask other people to do a great deal for them.\n...an undemanding companion.\n  ADJ\n  !=demanding


Words: undemocratic
Meaning:
un.demo.crat.ic\n   undemocratic\n  A system, process, or decision that is undemocratic is one that is controlled or made by one person or a small number of people, rather than by all the people involved.\n...the undemocratic rule of the former political establishment...\nOpponents denounced the decree as undemocratic and unconstitutional.\n  ADJ\n  !=democratic


Words: undemonstrative
Meaning:
un.de.mon.stra.tive\n   undemonstrative\n  Someone who is undemonstrative does not often show affection.\nLady Ainslie is an undemonstrative woman who rarely touches even her own son.\n  ADJ\n  = reserved


Words: undeniable
Meaning:
un.de.ni.able\n   undeniable\n  If you say that something is undeniable, you mean that it is definitely true.\nHer charm is undeniable.\n...the undeniable fact that she was driving with almost twice the legal limit of alcohol in her blood.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.de.ni.ably\nBringing up a baby is undeniably hard work.\n  ADV


Words: under
Meaning:
un.der\n   under\nIn addition to the uses shown below, under is also used in phrasal verbs such as `go under’ and `knuckle under’.\n1. If a person or thing is under something, they are at a lower level than that thing, and may be covered or hidden by it.\n...swimming in the pool or lying under an umbrella...\nUnder a wide shelf that holds coffee jars stands a pile of magazines...\nShe buried her head under the covers, pretending to be asleep...\nA path runs under the trees.\n  PREP\n\n2. In a place such as a sea, river, or swimming pool, if someone or something is under the water, they are fully in the water and covered by it.\nThey said he’d been held under the water and drowned...\nGoldfish were swimming lazily in a group just under the surface.\n  PREP\n\n  Under is also an adverb.\nWhen the water was up to his neck, a hand came from behind and pushed his head under.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n3. If you go under something, you move from one side to the other of something that is at a higher level than you.\nHe went under a brick arch...\nA river boat passed under the bridge.\n  PREP\n\n4. Something that is under a layer of something, especially clothing, is covered by that layer.\nI was wearing two sweaters under the green army jacket...\nIt was hard to see the colours under the layer of dust.\n  PREP\n\n5. You can use under before a noun to indicate that a person or thing is being affected by something or is going through a particular process.\n...fishermen whose livelihoods are under threat...\nI’m rarely under pressure and my co-workers are always nice to me...\nFiremen said they had the blaze under control...\nHe was rushed to court yesterday under armed guard.\n  PREP\n\n6. If something happens under particular circumstances or conditions, it happens when those circumstances or conditions exist.\nHis best friend was killed by police under extremely questionable circumstances...\nUnder normal conditions, only about 20 to 40 per cent of vitamin E is absorbed...\n  PREP\n\n7. If something happens under a law, agreement, or system, it happens because that law, agreement, or system says that it should happen.\nUnder law, your employer has the right to hire a temporary worker to replace you...\nUnder the Constitution, you cannot be tried twice for the same crime.\n  PREP\n\n8. If something happens under a particular person or government, it happens when that person or government is in power.\nThere would be no new taxes under his leadership.\n...the realities of life under a brutal dictatorship...\n  PREP\n\n9. If you study or work under a particular person, that person teaches you or tells you what to do.\nKiefer was just one of the artists who had studied under Beuys in the early Sixties...\nI am the new manager and you will be working under me.\n  PREP\n\n10. If you do something under a particular name, you use that name instead of your real name.\nWere any of your books published under the name Amanda Fairchild?...\nThe patient was registered under a false name.\n  PREP\n\n11. You use under to say which section of a list, book, or system something is in.\nThis study is described under `General Diseases of the Eye’...\n`Where would it be?’.`Filed under C, second drawer down.’\n  PREP\n\n12. If something or someone is under a particular age or amount, they are less than that age or amount.\n...jobs for those under 65...\nExpenditure this year should be just under 15 billion pounds.\n  PREP: PREP amount\n  !=over\n  Under is also an adverb.\n...free childminding service for 5’s and under.\n  ADV: amount and ADV\n\n13.\nunder wraps: see wrap


Words: under age
Meaning:
un.der age\n   under age   also underage\n1. A person who is under age is legally too young to do something, for example to drink alcohol, have sex, or vote.\nUnderage youths can obtain alcohol from their older friends.\n...girls who have babies when they are under age.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Under age activities such as drinking or smoking are carried out by people who are legally too young to do them.\n...his efforts to stop under age drinking and drug abuse.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: under way
Meaning:
un.der way\n  also underway\n  If an activity is under way, it has already started. If an activity gets under way, it starts.\nAn investigation is underway to find out how the disaster happened...\nThe conference gets under way later today with a debate on the family.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ


Words: under-
Meaning:
under-\n1. Under- is used to form words that express the idea that there is not enough of something. For example if people are underfed, they are not getting enough food.\nMake sure that you are not underinsured...\nVictorian cut glass is perhaps the most underpriced area of the antique glass market.\n  PREFIX\n\n2. Under- is added to the beginning of nouns that refer to a job or rank in order to form nouns that refer to a less important job or rank.\n...the new undersecretary of education.\n...clients who wouldn’t deal with an undermanager.\n  PREFIX


Words: under-secretary
Meaning:
under-secretary  under-secretaries\nin AM and sometimes in BRIT, use undersecretary\n  An under-secretary is a senior official with an important post in a government department.\n...Under-Secretary of State Reginald Bartholomew.\n  N-COUNT


Words: underachieve
Meaning:
under.achieve\n   underachieve  underachieves  underachieving  underachieved\n  If someone underachieves in something such as school work or a job, they do not perform as well as they could.\nSome people might think I’ve underachieved in my job.\n  VERB: V\n  !=excel\n=>  under.achiev.er      underachievers\nHe just wanted people to stop calling him disadvantaged, an underachiever.\n  N-COUNT


Words: underarm
Meaning:
under.arm\n   underarm  underarms\n1. Underarm means in or for the areas under your arms, where they are joined to your body.\n...underarm deodorants.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Underarm is also a noun.\nWash the feet, underarms and body surface using a soap.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n  = armpit\n2. You use underarm to describe actions, such as throwing a ball, in which you do not raise your arm above your shoulder. (BRIT)\n...an underarm throw.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=overarm\n  Underarm is also an adverb. (in AM, use underhand, underhanded)\nPractise throwing a ball underarm.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  !=overarm


Words: underbelly
Meaning:
under.belly\n   underbelly  underbellies\n1. The underbelly of something is the part of it that can be most easily attacked or criticized.\nThe ANC are attacking rugby because it is the soft underbelly of South African sport...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, usu N of n\n\n2. The underbelly of an animal or a vehicle is the underneath part of it.\nThe missiles emerge from the underbelly of the transport plane.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, usu N of n


Words: underbrush
Meaning:
under.brush\n   underbrush\n  Underbrush consists of bushes and plants growing close together under trees in a forest. (AM; in BRIT, use undergrowth)\n...the cool underbrush of the rain forest...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: undercarriage
Meaning:
under.carriage\n   undercarriage  undercarriages\n  The undercarriage of an aeroplane is the part, including the wheels, which supports the aeroplane when it is on the ground and when it is landing or taking off. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use landing gear)\n  N-COUNT


Words: underclass
Meaning:
under.class\n   underclass  underclasses\n  A country’s underclass consists of those members of its population who are poor, and who have little chance of improving their situation.\nThe basic problems of the inner-city underclass are inadequate housing and lack of jobs...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: underclothes
Meaning:
under.clothes\n   underclothes\n  Your underclothes are the items of clothing that you wear next to your skin and under your other clothes.\n...from multi-patterned sweaters to attractive underclothes.\n  N-PLURAL\n  = underwear


Words: underclothing
Meaning:
under.cloth.ing\n   underclothing\n  Underclothing is the same as underclothes.\n...a common brand of men’s underclothing.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: undercoat
Meaning:
under.coat\n   undercoat  undercoats\n  An undercoat is a covering of paint or varnish put onto a surface as a base for a final covering of paint or varnish. Compare topcoat.\n  N-VAR


Words: undercover
Meaning:
under.cov.er\n   undercover\n  Undercover work involves secretly obtaining information for the government or the police.\n...an undercover operation designed to catch drug smugglers.\n...undercover reporters.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  Undercover is also an adverb.\nSwanson persuaded Hubley to work undercover to capture the killer.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: undercurrent
Meaning:
under.cur.rent\n   undercurrent  undercurrents\n1. If there is an undercurrent of a feeling, you are hardly aware of the feeling, but it influences the way you think or behave.\n...a deep undercurrent of racism in British society.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, usu N of n\n\n2. An undercurrent is a strong current of water that is moving below the surface current and in a different direction to it.\nColin tried to swim after him but the strong undercurrent swept them apart.\n  N-COUNT


Words: undercut
Meaning:
under.cut\n   undercut  undercuts  undercutting\n\n  The form undercut is used in the present tense and is also the past tense and past participle.\n\n1. If you undercut someone or undercut their prices, you sell a product more cheaply than they do. (BUSINESS)\nThe firm will be able to undercut its competitors whilst still making a profit.\n...promises to undercut air fares on some routes by 40 per cent...\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n2. If your attempts to achieve something are undercut by something, that thing prevents your attempts from being effective.\nPopular support would be undercut by political developments.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n  = undermine


Words: underdeveloped
Meaning:
under.de.vel.oped\n   underdeveloped\n  An underdeveloped country or region does not have modern industries and usually has a low standard of living. Some people dislike this term and prefer to use developing.\nUnderdeveloped countries should be assisted by allowing them access to modern technology.\n...public-health problems in the underdeveloped world.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = developing  !=developed


Words: underdog
Meaning:
under.dog\n   underdog  underdogs\n  The underdog in a competition or situation is the person who seems least likely to succeed or win.\nMost of the crowd were cheering for the underdog to win just this one time.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N


Words: underdone
Meaning:
under.done\n   underdone\n  Underdone food has been cooked for less time than necessary, and so is not pleasant to eat.\nThe second batch of bread came out underdone.\n...underdone meat.\n  ADJ\n  !=overdone


Words: underemployed
Meaning:
under.em.ployed\n   underemployed\n  If someone is underemployed, they have not got enough work to do, or their work does not make full use of their skills or abilities.\n  ADJ


Words: underestimate
Meaning:
under.es.ti.mate\n   underestimate  underestimates  underestimating  underestimated\n1. If you underestimate something, you do not realize how large or great it is or will be.\nNone of us should ever underestimate the degree of difficulty women face in career advancement...\nNever underestimate what you can learn from a group of like-minded people.\n  VERB: V n, V wh\n\n=>  under.es.ti.ma.tion\n...a serious underestimation of harm to the environment.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N\n\n2. If you underestimate someone, you do not realize what they are capable of doing.\nThe first lesson I learnt as a soldier was never to underestimate the enemy.\n  VERB: V n


Words: underexposed
Meaning:
under.ex.posed\n   underexposed\n  If a photograph is underexposed, it is darker than it should be because the film was not exposed to enough light.\n  ADJ\n  !=overexposed


Words: underfed
Meaning:
under.fed\n   underfed\n  People who are underfed do not get enough food to eat.\nKate still looks pale and underfed.\n...ill-trained and underfed young soldiers.\n  ADJ


Words: underfinanced
Meaning:
under.fi.nanced\n   underfinanced   also under-financed\n  Underfinanced means the same as underfunded.\nFrom the beginning, the project was underfinanced.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: underfoot
Meaning:
under.foot\n   underfoot\n1. You describe something as being underfoot when you are standing or walking on it.\n...a room, high and square with carpet underfoot and tapestries on the walls...\nIt was still wet underfoot.\n  ADV: ADV after v, n ADV\n\n2. If you trample or crush something underfoot, you spoil or destroy it by stepping on it.\nMorgan dropped his cigarette and crushed it underfoot.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: underfunded
Meaning:
under.fund.ed\n   underfunded   also under-funded\n  An organization or institution that is underfunded does not have enough money to spend, and so it cannot function properly.\nFor years we have argued that the health service is underfunded...\n...underfunded pensions.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: undergarment
Meaning:
under.gar.ment\n   undergarment  undergarments\n  Undergarments are items of clothing that you wear next to your skin and under your other clothes. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n  = underwear, underclothes


Words: undergo
Meaning:
under.go\n   undergo  undergoes  undergoing  underwent  undergone\n  If you undergo something necessary or unpleasant, it happens to you.\nNew recruits have been undergoing training in recent weeks...\nHe underwent an agonising 48-hour wait for the results of tests.\n  VERB: V n, V n


Words: undergrad
Meaning:
under.grad\n   undergrad  undergrads\n  An undergrad is a student at a university or college who is studying for his or her first degree. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: undergraduate
Meaning:
under.gradu.ate\n   undergraduate  undergraduates\n  An undergraduate is a student at a university or college who is studying for his or her first degree.\nEconomics undergraduates are probably the brightest in the university.\n...undergraduate degree programmes.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: underground
Meaning:
under.ground\n\nThe adverb is pronounced   The noun and adjective are pronounced\n1. Something that is underground is below the surface of the ground.\nSolid low-level waste will be disposed of deep underground...\nThe plane hit so hard that one engine was buried 16 feet underground.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n  Underground is also an adjective.\n...a run-down shopping area with an underground car park.\n...underground water pipes.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. The underground in a city is the railway system in which electric trains travel below the ground in tunnels. (BRIT; in AM, use subway)\n...a woman alone in the underground waiting for a train...\nHe crossed London by underground...\n  N-SING: the N, also by N\n\n3. In a country which is controlled by an enemy or has a harsh government, the underground is an organized group of people who are involved in illegal activities against the people in power.\nThese US dollars were smuggled into the country during the war, to aid the underground.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n4. Underground groups and activities are secret because their purpose is to oppose the government and they are illegal.\nThey are accused of organising and financing an underground youth movement.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n5. If you go underground, you hide from the authorities or the police because your political ideas or activities are illegal.\nAfter the violent clashes of 1981 they either went underground or left the country.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: undergrowth
Meaning:
under.growth\n   undergrowth\n  Undergrowth consists of bushes and plants growing together under the trees in a forest. (BRIT; in AM, use underbrush)\n...plunging through the undergrowth.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: underhand
Meaning:
under.hand\n   underhand\nin AM usually use, and in BRIT sometimes use underhanded\n1. If an action is underhand or if it is done in an underhand way, it is done secretly and dishonestly.\n...underhand financial deals.\n...a list of the underhanded ways in which their influence operates in the United States...\nMr Livingstone accused the government of being underhand.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval\n\n2. You use underhand or underhanded to describe actions, such as throwing a ball, in which you do not raise your arm above your shoulder. (AM)\n...an underhanded pitch.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=overarm\n  Underhand is also an adverb. (in BRIT, use underarm)\nIn softball, pitches are tossed underhand.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  !=overarm


Words: underlay
Meaning:
under.lay\n   underlay underlays\nThe noun is pronounced   The verb is pronounced\n1. Underlay is a layer of thick material that you place between a carpet and the floor to protect the carpet and make it feel warmer and softer. (BRIT)\n  N-MASS\n\n2. Underlay is the past tense of underlie.


Words: underlie
Meaning:
under.lie\n   underlie  underlies  underlying  underlay  underlain\n  If something underlies a feeling or situation, it is the cause or basis of it.\nTry to figure out what feeling underlies your anger.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  see also underlying


Words: underline
Meaning:
under.line\n   underline  underlines  underlining  underlined\n1. If one thing, for example an action or an event, underlines another, it draws attention to it and emphasizes its importance.\nThe report underlined his concern that standards were at risk...\nBut the incident underlines how easily things can go wrong.\n  VERB: V n, V wh, also V that, V the fact that\n  = underscore\n2. If you underline something such as a word or a sentence, you draw a line underneath it in order to make people notice it or to give it extra importance.\nTake two coloured pens and underline the positive and negative words.\n  VERB: V n


Words: underling
Meaning:
under.ling\n   underling  underlings\n  You refer to someone as an underling when they are inferior in rank or status to someone else and take orders from them. You use this word to show that you do not respect someone.\n...underlings who do the dirty work.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = minion


Words: underlying
Meaning:
under.ly.ing\n   underlying\n1. The underlying features of an object, event, or situation are not obvious, and it may be difficult to discover or reveal them.\nTo stop a problem you have to understand its underlying causes...\nI think that the underlying problem is education, unemployment and bad housing.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. You describe something as underlying when it is below the surface of something else.\n...hills with the hard underlying rock poking through the turf...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3.\n  see also underlie


Words: undermanned
Meaning:
under.manned\n   undermanned\n  If an organization is undermanned, it does not have enough employees to function properly.\nIn some stores we were undermanned and customer service was suffering.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = understaffed


Words: undermine
Meaning:
under.mine\n   undermine  undermines  undermining  undermined\n1. If you undermine something such as a feeling or a system, you make it less strong or less secure than it was before, often by a gradual process or by repeated efforts.\nOffering advice on each and every problem will undermine her feeling of being adult...\nWestern intelligence agencies are accused of trying to undermine the government.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n2. If you undermine someone or undermine their position or authority, you make their authority or position less secure, often by indirect methods.\nShe undermined him and destroyed his confidence in his own talent...\nThe conversations were designed to undermine her authority so she felt that she could no longer work for the company.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n3. If you undermine someone’s efforts or undermine their chances of achieving something, you behave in a way that makes them less likely to succeed.\nThe continued fighting threatens to undermine efforts to negotiate an agreement...\n  VERB: V n


Words: underneath
Meaning:
under.neath\n   underneath\n1. If one thing is underneath another, it is directly under it, and may be covered or hidden by it.\nThe device exploded underneath a van.\n...using dogs to locate people trapped underneath collapsed buildings.\n...a table for two underneath the olive trees...\nHer apartment was underneath a bar, called `The Lift’.\n  PREP\n  = beneath\n  Underneath is also an adverb.\nHe has on a denim shirt with a T-shirt underneath.\n...if we could maybe pull back a bit of this carpet to see what’s underneath...\n  ADV: n ADV, ADV after v, be ADV, from ADV\n\n2. The part of something which is underneath is the part which normally touches the ground or faces towards the ground.\nCheck the actual construction of the chair by looking underneath...\nHis bare feet were smooth on top and rough-skinned underneath.\n  ADV: ADV after v, n/adj ADV\n\n  Underneath is also an adjective.\nSome objects had got entangled with the underneath mechanism of the engine.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Underneath is also a noun.\nNow I know what the underneath of a car looks like.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n3. You use underneath when talking about feelings and emotions that people do not show in their behaviour.\nHe was as violent as Nick underneath...\n  ADV: ADV with cl\n\n  Underneath is also a preposition.\nUnderneath his outgoing behaviour Luke was shy.\n  PREP


Words: undernourished
Meaning:
under.nour.ished\n   undernourished\n  If someone is undernourished, they are weak and unhealthy because they have not been eating enough food or the right kind of food.\n...undernourished children.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = underfed, malnourished


Words: undernourishment
Meaning:
under.nour.ish.ment\n   undernourishment\n  If someone is suffering from undernourishment, they have poor health because they are not eating enough food or are eating the wrong kind of food.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = malnutrition


Words: underpaid
Meaning:
under.paid\n   underpaid\n  People who are underpaid are not paid enough money for the job that they do.\nWomen are frequently underpaid for the work that they do.\n...underpaid factory workers.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  !=overpaid


Words: underpants
Meaning:
under.pants\n   underpants\n  Underpants are a piece of underwear which have two holes to put your legs through and elastic around the top to hold them up round your waist or hips. In British English, underpants refers to only men’s underwear but in American English it refers to both men’s and women’s.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N


Words: underpass
Meaning:
under.pass\n   underpass  underpasses\n  An underpass is a road or path that goes underneath a railway or another road.\nThe Hanger Lane underpass was closed through flooding.\n  N-COUNT


Words: underpin
Meaning:
under.pin\n   underpin  underpins  underpinning  underpinned\n  If one thing underpins another, it helps the other thing to continue or succeed by supporting and strengthening it.\n...mystical themes that underpin all religions...\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  under.pin.ning      underpinnings\n...the economic underpinning of ancient Mexican society.\n...the violent woman-hating underpinnings of films like `Cape Fear’.\n  N-VAR


Words: underplay
Meaning:
under.play\n   underplay  underplays  underplaying  underplayed\n  If you underplay something, you make it seem less important than it really is. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use play down)\nWe often underplay the skills we have...\nThe problem of alcoholism was, and still is, often underplayed.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = play down, downplay


Words: underpopulated
Meaning:
under.popu.lat.ed\n   underpopulated\n  You describe a country or region as underpopulated when it could support a much larger population than it has.\nMany of the islands are mainly wild and underpopulated.\n  ADJ\n  !=overpopulated


Words: underprivileged
Meaning:
under.privi.leged\n   underprivileged\n  Underprivileged people have less money and fewer possessions and opportunities than other people in their society.\n...helping underprivileged children to learn to read.\n...the hideous effects of government cuts on underprivileged families.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = deprived, disadvantaged\n  The underprivileged are people who are underprivileged.\n...government plans to make more jobs available to the underprivileged.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: underrate
Meaning:
under.rate\n   underrate  underrates  underrating  underrated\n  If you underrate someone or something, you do not recognize how clever, important, or significant they are.\nWe women have a lot of good business skills, although we tend to underrate ourselves...\nHe underrated the seriousness of William’s head injury.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  !=overrate\n=>  under.rat.ed\nHe is a very underrated poet...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: underscore
Meaning:
under.score\n   underscore  underscores  underscoring  underscored\n1. If something such as an action or an event underscores another, it draws attention to the other thing and emphasizes its importance. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use underline)\nThe Labor Department figures underscore the shaky state of the economic recovery...\n  VERB: V n, also V that, V the fact that\n  = underline\n2. If you underscore something such as a word or a sentence, you draw a line underneath it in order to make people notice it or give it extra importance. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use underline)\nHe heavily underscored his note to Shelley.\n  VERB: V n\n  = underline


Words: undersea
Meaning:
under.sea\n   undersea\n  Undersea things or activities exist or happen below the surface of the sea.\n...an undersea pipeline running to Europe.\n...undersea exploration.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: undershirt
Meaning:
under.shirt\n   undershirt  undershirts\n  An undershirt is a piece of clothing that you wear on the top half of your body next to your skin in order to keep warm. (AM; in BRIT, use vest)\nHe put on a pair of short pants and an undershirt.\n  N-COUNT


Words: underside
Meaning:
under.side\n   underside  undersides\n  The underside of something is the part of it which normally faces towards the ground.\n...the underside of the car.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, N of n\n  = underneath


Words: undersigned
Meaning:
under.signed\n   undersigned\n  On a legal document, the undersigned people are the ones who have signed their names at the bottom of the document. (LEGAL)\nThe undersigned buyers agree to pay a 5,000 pound deposit.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  The undersigned are the people who have signed a legal document.\n...we the undersigned, all prominent doctors in our fields.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: undersized
Meaning:
under.sized\n   undersized\n  Undersized people or things are smaller than usual, or smaller than they should be.\n...undersized and underweight babies...\nThey squashed into an undersized reception room...\nHe was undersized, as were all the Tibetan children I was to meet.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=oversized


Words: underspend
Meaning:
under.spend\n   underspend  underspends  underspending  underspent\n  If an organization or country underspends, it spends less money than it plans to or less money than it can afford.\n...a country that underspends on health and overspends on statisticians.\n  VERB: V, also V n\n\n  Underspend is also a noun.\nThere has been an underspend in the department’s budget.\n  N-COUNT


Words: understaffed
Meaning:
under.staffed\n   understaffed\n  If an organization is understaffed, it does not have enough employees to do its work properly.\nMany institutions offering child care are understaffed and underequipped.\n...an understaffed police force.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = undermanned


Words: understand
Meaning:
under.stand\n   understand  understands  understanding  understood\n1. If you understand someone or understand what they are saying, you know what they mean.\nRusty nodded as though she understood the old woman...\nI don’t understand what you are talking about...\nHe was speaking poor English, trying to make himself understood.\n  VERB: no cont, V n, V wh, make pron-refl V-ed\n\n2. If you understand a language, you know what someone is saying when they are speaking that language.\nI couldn’t read or understand a word of Yiddish, so I asked him to translate.\n  VERB: no cont, V n\n\n3. To understand someone means to know how they feel and why they behave in the way that they do.\nIt would be nice to have someone who really understood me, a friend...\nTrish had not exactly understood his feelings...\nShe understands why I get tired and grumpy.\n  VERB: no cont, V n, V n, V wh\n\n4. You say that you understand something when you know why or how it happens.\nThey are too young to understand what is going on...\nIn the effort to understand AIDS, attention is moving from the virus to the immune system.\n  VERB: no cont, V wh, V n\n\n5. If you understand that something is the case, you think it is true because you have heard or read that it is. You can say that something is understood to be the case to mean that people generally think it is true.\nWe understand that she’s in the studio recording her second album...\nAs I understand it, you came round the corner by the cricket field and there was the man in the road...\nThe management is understood to be very unwilling to agree to this request...\nIt is understood that the veteran reporter had a heart attack.\n  VERB: no cont, V that, V it, be V-ed to-inf, it be V-ed that/to-inf\n\n6. If someone is given to understand that something is the case, it is communicated to them that it is the case, usually without them being told directly.\nI am given to understand that he was swearing throughout the game at our fans.\n  PHRASE: give inflects, usu PHR that\n\n7. You can use understand in expressions like do you understand? or is that understood? after you have told someone what you want, to make sure that they have understood you and will obey you.\nYou do not hit my grandchildren, do you understand?...\nI don’t need it, understand?...\nI don’t want to hear another word about it. Is that understood, Emma?\n  CONVENTION


Words: understandable
Meaning:
under.stand.able\n   understandable\n1. If you describe someone’s behaviour or feelings as understandable, you think that they have reacted to a situation in a natural way or in the way you would expect.\nHis unhappiness was understandable.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  under.stand.ably\nThe duke is understandably proud of Lady Helen and her achievements...\nMost organizations are, quite understandably, suspicious of new ideas.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with cl\n\n2. If you say that something such as a statement or theory is understandable, you mean that people can easily understand it.\nRoger Neuberg writes in a simple and understandable way.\n  ADJ\n  = comprehensible


Words: understanding
Meaning:
under.stand.ing\n   understanding  understandings\n1. If you have an understanding of something, you know how it works or know what it means.\nThey have to have a basic understanding of computers in order to use the advanced technology.\n  N-VAR: N of n\n  = grasp\n2. If you are understanding towards someone, you are kind and forgiving.\nHer boss, who was very understanding, gave her time off...\nFortunately for John, he had an understanding wife.\n  ADJ\n  = sympathetic\n3. If you show understanding, you show that you realize how someone feels or why they did something, and are not hostile towards them.\nWe would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. If there is understanding between people, they are friendly towards each other and trust each other.\nThere was complete understanding between Wilson and myself.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N between pl-n\n\n5. An understanding is an informal agreement about something.\nWe had not set a date for marriage but there was an understanding between us.\n  N-COUNT: N prep\n\n6. If you say that it is your understanding that something is the case, you mean that you believe it to be the case because you have heard or read that it is.\nIt is my understanding that this torture has been going on for many years...\n  N-SING: poss N, oft N that\n\n7. If you agree to do something on the understanding that something else will be done, you do it because you have been told that the other thing will definitely be done.\nKevin had treatment on the understanding that he would attempt to overcome his drinking problem.\n  PHRASE


Words: understate
Meaning:
under.state\n   understate  understates  understating  understated\n  If you understate something, you describe it in a way that suggests that it is less important or serious than it really is.\nThe government chooses deliberately to understate the increase in prices...\n  VERB: V n\n  !=overstate, exaggerate


Words: understated
Meaning:
under.stat.ed\n   understated\n  If you describe a style, colour, or effect as understated, you mean that it is not obvious.\nI have always liked understated clothes.simple shapes which take a lot of hard work to get right.\n...his typically understated humour.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = subtle


Words: understatement
Meaning:
under.state.ment\n   understatement  understatements\n1. If you say that a statement is an understatement, you mean that it does not fully express the extent to which something is true.\nTo say I’m disappointed is an understatement...\nHe was getting very hard to live with, and that’s the understatement of the year.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Understatement is the practice of suggesting that things have much less of a particular quality than they really have.\nHe informed us with massive understatement that he was feeling disappointed.\n...typical British understatement.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: understudy
Meaning:
under.study\n   understudy  understudies\n  An actor’s or actress’s understudy is the person who has learned their part in a play and can act the part if the actor or actress is ill.\nHe was an understudy to Charlie Chaplin on a tour of the USA.\n  N-COUNT


Words: undertake
Meaning:
under.take\n   undertake  undertakes  undertaking  undertook  undertaken\n1. When you undertake a task or job, you start doing it and accept responsibility for it.\nShe undertook the arduous task of monitoring the elections.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you undertake to do something, you promise that you will do it.\nHe undertook to edit the text himself.\n  VERB: V to-inf


Words: undertaker
Meaning:
under.tak.er\n   undertaker  undertakers\n  An undertaker is a person whose job is to deal with the bodies of people who have died and to arrange funerals.\n  N-COUNT


Words: undertaking
Meaning:
under.tak.ing\n   undertaking  undertakings\n1. An undertaking is a task or job, especially a large or difficult one.\nOrganizing the show has been a massive undertaking.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you give an undertaking to do something, you formally promise to do it.\nThe MOD gave an undertaking to Saville that it had provided him with all relevant material.\n  N-COUNT: oft N to-inf


Words: undertone
Meaning:
under.tone\n   undertone  undertones\n1. If you say something in an undertone, you say it very quietly.\n`What d’you think?’ she asked in an undertone...\nWell-dressed clients were talking in polite undertones as they ate.\n  N-COUNT: in N\n\n2. If something has undertones of a particular kind, it suggests ideas or attitudes of this kind without expressing them directly.\n...a witty, racy story with surprisingly serious undertones.\n  N-COUNT: with supp


Words: undertow
Meaning:
under.tow\n   undertow  undertows\n1. If there is an undertow of a feeling, that feeling exists in such a weak form that you are hardly aware of it, but it influences the way you think or behave.\n...an undertow of sadness.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = undercurrent\n2. An undertow is a strong current of water that is moving below the surface current and in a different direction to it.\n  N-COUNT\n  = undercurrent


Words: underused
Meaning:
under.used\n   underused   also under-used\n  Something useful that is underused is not used as much for people’s benefit as it could be.\nAt present many schools’ sports grounds are grossly underused.\n...areas where muscles are underused and underdeveloped.\n...underused land.\n  ADJ\n  = underutilized


Words: underutilized
Meaning:
under.uti.lized\n   underutilized\nin BRIT, also use underutilised\n  Underutilized is a more formal word for underused.\nThey had to sell off 10 percent of all underutilized farmland.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = underused


Words: undervalue
Meaning:
under.value\n   undervalue  undervalues  undervaluing  undervalued\n  If you undervalue something or someone, you fail to recognize how valuable or important they are.\nWe must never undervalue freedom...\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  under.val.ued\nEven the best teacher can feel undervalued.\n  ADJ\n  = underrated


Words: underwater
Meaning:
under.wa.ter\n   underwater\n1. Something that exists or happens underwater exists or happens below the surface of the sea, a river, or a lake.\n...giant submarines able to travel at high speeds underwater...\nSome stretches of beach are completely underwater at high tide...\n  ADV: ADV after v, n ADV\n\n  Underwater is also an adjective.\n...underwater exploration.\n...a retired underwater photographer.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Underwater devices are specially made so that they can work in water.\n...underwater camera equipment.\n...a pool of clear water lit by underwater lights.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: underwear
Meaning:
under.wear\n   underwear\n  Underwear is clothing such as vests and pants which you wear next to your skin under your other clothes.\n...a couple who went for a late-night swim in their underwear.\n...a change of underwear.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: underweight
Meaning:
under.weight\n   underweight\n  If someone is underweight, they are too thin, and therefore not healthy.\nNearly a third of the children were severely underweight.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  !=overweight


Words: underwhelmed
Meaning:
under.whelmed\n   underwhelmed\n  If you are underwhelmed by something, you are not impressed or excited by it. (INFORMAL)\nHe was underwhelmed by the prospect of meeting the Queen.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ by n\n  !=overwhelmed


Words: underwhelming
Meaning:
under.whelm.ing\n   underwhelming\n  If you use underwhelming to describe the response or reaction to something, you mean that people were not very impressed or excited by it. (INFORMAL)\n...the distinctly underwhelming response to their second album...\n  ADJ


Words: underworld
Meaning:
under.world\n   underworld\n1. The underworld in a city is the organized crime there and the people who are involved in it.\nSome claim that she still has connections to the criminal underworld.\n...a wealthy businessman with underworld connections.\n  N-SING: oft N n, n N\n\n2. In many ancient religions and legends, the underworld is a place under the earth’s surface where people go after they die.\n...Persephone, goddess of the underworld.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: underwrite
Meaning:
under.write\n   underwrite  underwrites  underwriting  underwrote  underwritten\n  If an institution or company underwrites an activity or underwrites the cost of it, they agree to provide any money that is needed to cover losses or buy special equipment, often for an agreed fee. (BUSINESS)\nThe government will have to create a special agency to underwrite small business loans...\n  VERB: V n


Words: underwriter
Meaning:
under.writ.er\n   underwriter  underwriters\n1. An underwriter is someone whose job involves agreeing to provide money for a particular activity or to pay for any losses that are made. (BUSINESS)\nIf the market will not buy the shares, the underwriter buys them...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. An underwriter is someone whose job is to judge the risks involved in certain activities and decide how much to charge for insurance. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT


Words: undeserved
Meaning:
un.de.served\n   undeserved\n  If you describe something such as a reaction, treatment, or result as undeserved, you mean that the person who experiences it has not earned it and should not really have it.\nDouglas has an undeserved reputation for being dull and dry...\nJim’s treatment was harsh and undeserved.\n  ADJ\n  = unmerited


Words: undesirable
Meaning:
un.de.sir.able\n   undesirable  undesirables\n1. If you describe something or someone as undesirable, you think they will have harmful effects.\nInflation is considered to be undesirable because of its adverse effects on income distribution...\nA large group of undesirable strangers crashed her party.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Undesirables are people who a particular government considers to be dangerous or a threat to society, and therefore wants to get rid of.\nThe Home Office is usually quick to deport undesirables.\n  N-COUNT


Words: undetected
Meaning:
un.de.tect.ed\n   undetected\n  If you are undetected or if you do something undetected, people do not find out where you are or what you are doing.\n...the spy ring had a fifth member as yet still undetected...\nThey managed to get away from the coast undetected.\n...an undetected cancer.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ


Words: undeveloped
Meaning:
un.de.vel.oped\n   undeveloped\n1. An undeveloped country or region does not have modern industries and usually has a low standard of living.\nThe big losers will be the undeveloped countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Undeveloped land has not been built on or used for activities such as mining and farming.\nVast tracts of the country are wild and undeveloped...\n...the world’s largest undeveloped gold deposit outside of South Africa.\n  ADJ


Words: undies
Meaning:
un.dies\n   undies\n  You can refer to a woman or girl’s underwear as their undies. (INFORMAL)\n  N-PLURAL: oft poss N


Words: undignified
Meaning:
un.dig.ni.fied\n   undignified\n  If you describe someone’s actions as undignified, you mean they are foolish or embarrassing.\nIt is sad to see a county confine its activities to undignified public bickering...\nAll this public outpouring is so undignified.\n  ADJ\n  !=dignified


Words: undiluted
Meaning:
un.di.lut.ed\n   undiluted\n1. If you describe someone’s feelings or characteristics as undiluted, you are emphasizing that they are very strong and not mixed with any other feeling or quality.\nI will look back at this one with undiluted pleasure...\nHer Irish accent, after thirty-odd years in London, is undiluted.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. A liquid that is undiluted has not been made weak by mixing it with water.\n  ADJ


Words: undisciplined
Meaning:
un.dis.ci.plined\n   undisciplined\n  If you describe someone as undisciplined, you mean that they behave badly or in a disorganized way.\n...a noisy and undisciplined group of students...\nTeachers often view youth workers as undisciplined and ineffectual.\n  ADJ


Words: undisclosed
Meaning:
un.dis.closed\n   undisclosed\n  Undisclosed information is not revealed to the public.\nThe company has been sold for an undisclosed amount...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: undiscovered
Meaning:
un.dis.cov.ered\n   undiscovered\n  Something that is undiscovered has not been discovered or noticed.\nThe name Vulcan was given to the undiscovered planet...\nThis site remained undiscovered, though long sought, until recent times.\n  ADJ


Words: undisguised
Meaning:
un.dis.guised\n   undisguised\n  If you describe someone’s feelings as undisguised, you mean that they show them openly and do not make any attempt to hide them.\nHean looked down at Bauer in undisguised disgust...\nBy mid-season the hostility between the two was undisguised.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: undismayed
Meaning:
un.dis.mayed\n   undismayed\n  If you say that someone is undismayed by something unpleasant or unexpected, you mean that they do not feel any fear, worry, or sadness about it. (FORMAL)\nHe was undismayed by the prospect of failure.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = undaunted


Words: undisputed
Meaning:
un.dis.put.ed\n   undisputed\n1. If you describe a fact or opinion as undisputed, you are trying to persuade someone that it is generally accepted as true or correct.\n...the undisputed fact that he had broken the law.\n...his undisputed genius.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone as the undisputed leader or champion, you mean that everyone accepts their position as leader or champion.\nAt 78 years of age, he’s still undisputed leader of his country.\n...after 10 years of undisputed power.\n  ADJ


Words: undistinguished
Meaning:
un.dis.tin.guished\n   undistinguished\n  If you describe someone or something as undistinguished, you mean they are not attractive, interesting, or successful.\n...his short and undistinguished career as an art student.\n  ADJ\n  = mediocre


Words: undisturbed
Meaning:
un.dis.turbed\n   undisturbed\n1. Something that remains undisturbed is not touched, moved, or used by anyone.\nThe desk looked undisturbed...\nPeonies react badly to being moved and are best left undisturbed.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v, ADJ n\n\n2. A place that is undisturbed is peaceful and has not been affected by changes that have happened in other places.\nIn the Balearics pockets of rural life and inland villages are undisturbed...\nThe war had not left Bargate undisturbed.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ after v, ADJ n\n\n3. If you are undisturbed in something that you are doing, you are able to continue doing it and are not affected by something that is happening.\nI can spend the whole day undisturbed at the warehouse...\nThere was a small restaurant on Sullivan Street where we could talk undisturbed...\nThey want undisturbed rest.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ\n  = uninterrupted\n4. If someone is undisturbed by something, it does not affect, bother, or upset them.\nVictoria was strangely undisturbed by this symptom, even though her husband and family were frightened.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ by n\n  = unconcerned


Words: undivided
Meaning:
un.di.vid.ed\n   undivided\n1. If you give someone or something your undivided attention, you concentrate on them fully and do not think about anything else.\nEldest children are the only ones to have experienced the undivided attention of their parents...\n...any task that requires undivided concentration.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Undivided feelings are ones that are very strong and not mixed with other feelings.\nThe paintings she produced in those months won undivided admiration...\nHe has my undivided loyalty.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = wholehearted\n3. An undivided country or organization is one that is not separated into smaller parts or groups.\nMandela said, `We want a united, undivided South Africa’.\n...the goal of an undivided Church.\n  ADJ


Words: undo
Meaning:
undo  undoes  undoing  undid  undone\n1. If you undo something that is closed, tied, or held together, or if you undo the thing holding it, you loosen or remove the thing holding it.\nI managed secretly to undo a corner of the parcel...\nSome clamps that had held the device together came undone.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n2. To undo something that has been done means to reverse its effect.\nShe knew it would be difficult to undo the damage that had been done...\nIf Michael won, he would undo everything I have fought for.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n3.\n  see also undoing, undone


Words: undoing
Meaning:
un.do.ing\n   undoing\n  If something is someone’s undoing, it is the cause of their failure.\nHis lack of experience may prove to be his undoing...\n  N-SING: with poss\n  = downfall


Words: undone
Meaning:
un.done\n   undone\n1. Work that is undone has not yet been done.\nHe left nothing undone that needed attention.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v\n\n2.\n  see also undo


Words: undoubted
Meaning:
un.doubt.ed\n   undoubted\n  You can use undoubted to emphasize that something exists or is true.\nThe event was an undoubted success.\n...a man of your undoubted ability.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis\n\n=>  un.doubt.ed.ly\nUndoubtedly, political and economic factors have played their part...\nHanley is undoubtedly a great player...\n  ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV before v


Words: undreamed of
Meaning:
un.dreamed of\n   undreamed of\nin BRIT, also use undreamt of\n  If you describe something as undreamed of, you are emphasizing that it is much better, worse, or more unusual than you thought was possible.\nThis new design will offer undreamed-of levels of comfort, safety and speed...\nThey have freedoms that were undreamed-of even ten years ago.\n  ADJ  emphasis


Words: undress
Meaning:
un.dress\n   undress  undresses  undressing  undressed\n  When you undress or undress someone, you take off your clothes or someone else’s clothes.\nShe went out, leaving Rachel to undress and have her shower...\nShe undressed the child before putting her in the tin bath.\n  VERB: V, V n


Words: undressed
Meaning:
un.dressed\n   undressed\n  If you are undressed, you are wearing no clothes or your night clothes. If you get undressed, you take off your clothes.\nFifteen minutes later he was undressed and in bed...\nHe got undressed in the bathroom.\n  ADJ


Words: undue
Meaning:
un.due\n   undue\n  If you describe something bad as undue, you mean that it is greater or more extreme than you think is reasonable or appropriate.\nThis would help the families to survive the drought without undue suffering...\nIt is unrealistic to put undue pressure on ourselves by saying we are the best.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = excessive


Words: undulate
Meaning:
un.du.late\n   undulate  undulates  undulating  undulated\n  Something that undulates has gentle curves or slopes, or moves gently and slowly up and down or from side to side in an attractive manner. (LITERARY)\nAs we travel south, the countryside begins to undulate as the rolling hills sweep down to the riverbanks...\nHis body slowly undulated in time to the music.\n  VERB: V, V, also V n\n\n=>  un.du.lat.ing\n...gently undulating hills.\n  ADJ


Words: unduly
Meaning:
un.du.ly\n   unduly\n  If you say that something does not happen or is not done unduly, you mean that it does not happen or is not done to an excessive or unnecessary extent.\n`But you’re not unduly worried about doing this report?’.`No.’...\nHe appealed to firms not to increase their prices unduly.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj, oft with brd-neg


Words: undying
Meaning:
un.dy.ing\n   undying\n  If you refer to someone’s undying feelings, you mean that the feelings are very strong and are unlikely to change. (LITERARY)\nDianne declared her undying love for Sam...\nHe had won her undying gratitude...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unearned income
Meaning:
un.earned in.come\n   unearned income\n  Unearned income is money that people gain from interest or profit from property or investment, rather than money that they earn from a job.\nReduction in the tax on unearned income could be a boost for small businesses.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unearth
Meaning:
un.earth\n   unearth  unearths  unearthing  unearthed\n1. If someone unearths facts or evidence about something bad, they discover them with difficulty, usually because they were being kept secret or were being lied about.\nResearchers have unearthed documents indicating her responsibility for the forced adoption of children...\n  VERB: V n\n  = uncover\n2. If someone unearths something that is buried, they find it by digging in the ground.\nFossil hunters have unearthed the bones of an elephant believed to be 500,000 years old.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If you say that someone has unearthed something, you mean that they have found it after it had been hidden or lost for some time.\nFrom somewhere, he had unearthed a black silk suit...\n  VERB: V n\n  = dig out


Words: unearthly
Meaning:
un.earth.ly\n   unearthly\n1. You use unearthly to describe something that seems very strange and unnatural.\nFor a few seconds we watched the unearthly lights on the water...\nThe sound was so serene that it seemed unearthly.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If you refer to a time as an unearthly hour, you are emphasizing that it is very early in the morning.\nThey arranged to meet in Riverside Park at the unearthly hour of seven in the morning.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n  = ungodly\n3. An unearthly noise is unpleasant because it sounds frightening and unnatural.\nShe heard the sirens scream their unearthly wail.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unease
Meaning:
un.ease\n   unease\n1. If you have a feeling of unease, you feel rather anxious or afraid, because you think that something is wrong.\nSensing my unease about the afternoon ahead, he told me,`These men are pretty easy to talk to.’...\nWe left with a deep sense of unease, because we knew something was being hidden from us...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft with poss\n  = anxiety\n2. If you say that there is unease in a situation, you mean that people are dissatisfied or angry, but have not yet started to take any action.\nHe faces growing unease among the Democrats about the likelihood of war.\n...the depth of public unease about the economy...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: uneasy
Meaning:
un.easy\n   uneasy\n1. If you are uneasy, you feel anxious, afraid, or embarrassed, because you think that something is wrong or that there is danger.\nHe looked uneasy and refused to answer questions...\nI had an uneasy feeling that he was going to spoil it.\n  ADJ\n  = uncomfortable\n=>  un.easi.ly\nMeg shifted uneasily on her chair...\nHe laughed uneasily...\n  ADV: usu ADV after v, also ADV adj\n\n=>  un.easi.ness\nWith a small degree of uneasiness, he pushed it open and stuck his head inside.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you are uneasy about doing something, you are not sure that it is correct or wise.\nRichard was uneasy about how best to approach his elderly mother...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ about n\n\n=>  un.easi.ness\nI felt a great uneasiness about meeting her again.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If you describe a situation or relationship as uneasy, you mean that the situation is not settled and may not last. (JOURNALISM)\nAn uneasy calm has settled over Los Angeles...\nThe uneasy alliance between these two men offered a glimmer of hope...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  un.easi.ly\n...a country whose component parts fit uneasily together.\n  ADV: usu ADV after v, also ADV adj


Words: uneconomic
Meaning:
un.eco.nom.ic\n   uneconomic\n1. If you describe something such as an industry or business as uneconomic, you mean that it does not produce enough profit. (BUSINESS)\n...the closure of uneconomic factories...\nThe company said the service was uneconomic.\n  ADJ\n  = unprofitable  !=profitable\n2. If you say that an action or plan is uneconomic, you think it will cost a lot of money and not be successful or not be worth the expense.\nIt would be uneconomic to try and repair it...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  !=cost-effective


Words: uneconomical
Meaning:
un.eco.nomi.cal\n   uneconomical\n  If you say that an action, a method, or a product is uneconomical, you mean that it does not make a profit. (BUSINESS)\nIt would be uneconomical to send a brand new tape...\nThe methods employed are old-fashioned and uneconomical...\nEven the successful flying boats proved, in the end, uneconomical.\n  ADJ\n  = unprofitable


Words: uneducated
Meaning:
un.edu.cat.ed\n   uneducated\n  Someone who is uneducated has not received much education.\nThough an uneducated man, Chavez was not a stupid one.\n  ADJ\n  !=educated\n  The uneducated are people who are uneducated.\nThe poor and uneducated did worst under these reforms.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: unemotional
Meaning:
un.emo.tion.al\n   unemotional\n  If you describe someone as unemotional, you mean that they do not show any feelings.\nBritish men are often seen as being reserved and unemotional...\nShe began to read in a brisk, unemotional voice...\n  ADJ\n  !=emotional\n=>  un.emo.tion.al.ly\nMcKinnon looked at him unemotionally.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: unemployable
Meaning:
un.em.ploya.ble\n   unemployable\n  Someone who is unemployable does not have a job and is unlikely to get a job, because they do not have the skills or abilities that an employer might want.\nHe freely admits he is unemployable and will probably never find a job.\n  ADJ


Words: unemployed
Meaning:
un.em.ployed\n   unemployed\n  Someone who is unemployed does not have a job.\nThis workshop helps young unemployed people in Grimsby...\nHave you been unemployed for over six months?\n  ADJ\n\n  The unemployed are people who are unemployed.\nWe want to create jobs for the unemployed.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: unemployment
Meaning:
un.em.ploy.ment\n   unemployment\n  Unemployment is the fact that people who want jobs cannot get them.\n...an area that had the highest unemployment rate in western Europe...\nUnemployment is so damaging both to individuals and to communities.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unemployment benefit
Meaning:
un.em.ploy.ment ben.efit\n   unemployment benefit  unemployment benefits\n  Unemployment benefit is money that some people receive from the state when they do not have a job and are unable to find one.\nIn 1986 more than three million were receiving unemployment benefit...\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl


Words: unemployment line
Meaning:
un.em.ploy.ment line\n   unemployment line  unemployment lines\n  When people talk about the unemployment line, they are talking about the state of being unemployed, especially when saying how many people are unemployed. (AM; in BRIT, use dole queue)\nMany white-collar workers, like stock brokers and investment bankers, find themselves in the unemployment lines.\n  N-COUNT


Words: unending
Meaning:
un.end.ing\n   unending\n  If you describe something as unending, you mean that it continues without stopping for a very long time.\n...the country’s seemingly unending cycle of political violence.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = endless


Words: unendurable
Meaning:
un.en.dur.able\n   unendurable\n  If you describe a bad situation as unendurable, you mean that it is so extremely unpleasant that you have to end it. (FORMAL)\nIsaac had found the work unendurable and walked out of the job...\nIt has placed an almost unendurable strain on their marriage.\n  ADJ\n  = intolerable  !=bearable


Words: unenviable
Meaning:
un.en.vi.able\n   unenviable\n  If you describe a situation or task as unenviable, you mean that nobody would enjoy dealing with it because it is very difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant.\nShe had the unenviable task of making the first few phone calls...\nIt put me in the unenviable position of having to lie.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=enviable


Words: unequal
Meaning:
un.equal\n   unequal\n1. An unequal system or situation is unfair because it gives more power or privileges to one person or group of people than to others.\nThis country still had a deeply oppressive, unequal and divisive political system.\n...the unequal power relationships between men and women.\n...unequal pay.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  un.equal.ly\n...unequally distributed assets...\nThe victims were treated unequally.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If someone is unequal to a task they have to do, they do not have the abilities needed to do it well. (FORMAL)\nHe felt unequal to the job and wished there were someone he could go to for advice.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n\n\n3. Unequal means being different in size, strength, or amount.\nThe Egyptians probably measured their day in twenty-four hours of unequal length.\n  ADJ


Words: unequalled
Meaning:
un.equalled\n   unequalled\nin AM, use unequaled\n  If you describe something as unequalled, you mean that it is greater, better, or more extreme than anything else of the same kind.\nThis record figure was unequalled for 13 years...\n...an unequalled level of service.\n...a feat unequaled in the history of polar exploration.\n  ADJ\n  = unparalleled


Words: unequivocal
Meaning:
un.equivo.cal\n   unequivocal\n  If you describe someone’s attitude as unequivocal, you mean that it is completely clear and very firm. (FORMAL)\n...Richardson’s unequivocal commitment to fair play...\nYesterday, the message to him was unequivocal: `Get out.’\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.equivo.cal.ly\nTemperature records have unequivocally confirmed the existence of global warming.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj


Words: unerring
Meaning:
un.err.ing\n   unerring\n  If you describe someone’s judgment or ability as unerring, you mean that they are always correct and never mistaken.\nShe has an unerring instinct for people’s weak spots.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = infallible\n=>  un.err.ing.ly\nIt was wonderful to watch her fingers moving deftly and unerringly...\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj


Words: unescorted
Meaning:
un.escort.ed\n   unescorted\n  If someone or something is unescorted, they are not protected or supervised.\nUnescorted children are not allowed beyond this point...\nThey advise against foreign delegates wandering unescorted in various parts of town.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ\n  = unaccompanied


Words: unethical
Meaning:
un.ethi.cal\n   unethical\n  If you describe someone’s behaviour as unethical, you think it is wrong and unacceptable according to a society’s rules or people’s beliefs.\nIt’s simply unethical to promote and advertise such a dangerous product...\n  ADJ\n  !=ethical


Words: uneven
Meaning:
un.even\n   uneven\n1. An uneven surface or edge is not smooth, flat, or straight.\nHe staggered on the uneven surface of the car park...\n...uneven teeth.\n  ADJ\n  !=even\n=>  un.even.ly\n...wearing dresses that pinched at the armholes, that hung as unevenly as flags...\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. Something that is uneven is not regular or consistent.\nHe could hear that her breathing was uneven...\n  ADJ\n  !=even\n=>  un.even.ly\nThe steaks were unevenly cooked.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n3. If you describe something as uneven, you think it is not very good because it is not consistent in quality.\nThis was, for him, an oddly uneven performance...\n  ADJ\n  = patchy\n4. An uneven system or situation is unfairly arranged or organized.\nSome of the victims are complaining loudly about the uneven distribution of emergency aid...\nIt was an uneven contest.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = unequal\n=>  un.even.ly\nWithin a free enterprise capitalist society, resources are very unevenly distributed.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: uneventful
Meaning:
un.event.ful\n   uneventful\n  If you describe a period of time as uneventful, you mean that nothing interesting, exciting, or important happened during it.\nThe return journey was uneventful, the car running perfectly...\nIt was rare for her to have an opportunity to discuss her dull, uneventful life.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.event.ful.ly\nThe five years at that school passed fairly uneventfully.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: unexceptionable
Meaning:
un.ex.cep.tion.able\n   unexceptionable\n  If you describe someone or something as unexceptionable, you mean that they are unlikely to be criticized or objected to, but are not new or exciting, and may have some hidden bad qualities. (FORMAL)\nThe candidate was quite unexceptionable, a well-known travel writer and TV personality...\nThe school’s unexceptionable purpose is to involve parents more closely in the education of their children.\n  ADJ


Words: unexceptional
Meaning:
un.ex.cep.tion.al\n   unexceptional\n  If you describe something as unexceptional, you mean that it is ordinary, not very interesting, and often disappointing.\nSince then, Michael has lived an unexceptional life...\nThe rest of the summer was unexceptional.\n  ADJ\n  = unremarkable  !=exceptional


Words: unexciting
Meaning:
un.ex.cit.ing\n   unexciting\n  If you describe someone or something as unexciting, you think they are rather boring, and not likely to shock or surprise you in any way.\nHe is regarded as very capable but unexciting...\nIt was a methodical, unexciting chore.\n  ADJ\n  = dull  !=exciting


Words: unexpected
Meaning:
un.ex.pec.ted\n   unexpected\n  If an event or someone’s behaviour is unexpected, it surprises you because you did not think that it was likely to happen.\nHis death was totally unexpected...\nHe made a brief, unexpected appearance at the office...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.ex.pect.ed.ly\nMoss had clamped an unexpectedly strong grip on his arm...\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v


Words: unexplained
Meaning:
un.ex.plained\n   unexplained\n  If you describe something as unexplained, you mean that the reason for it or cause of it is unclear or is not known.\nThe demonstrations were provoked by the unexplained death of an opposition leader...\nSoon after leaving Margate, for some unexplained reason, the train was brought to a standstill...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: unfailing
Meaning:
un.fail.ing\n   unfailing\n  If you describe someone’s good qualities or behaviour as unfailing, you mean that they never change.\nHe had the unfailing care and support of Erica, his wife...\nHe continued to appear in the office with unfailing regularity thereafter.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  un.fail.ing.ly\nHe was unfailingly polite to customers...\nForeigners unfailingly fall in love with the place.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV with v


Words: unfair
Meaning:
un.fair\n   unfair\n1. An unfair action or situation is not right or fair.\nShe was awarded .5,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal...\nAmerica decided that imported steel had an unfair advantage over steel made at home...\nIt was unfair that he should suffer so much...\nThe union said it was unfair to ask workers to adopt a policy of wage restraint.\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ that/to-inf\n\n=>  un.fair.ly\nAn industrial tribunal has no jurisdiction to decide whether an employee was fairly or unfairly dismissed...\nHe unfairly blamed Frances for the failure.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v\n\n2. An unfair system or situation does not give equal treatment or equal opportunities to everyone involved.\nThe American plane makers continue to accuse Airbus of unfair competition...\nSome have been sentenced to long prison terms after unfair trials.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  un.fair.ness\nWhat about the unfairness of life? Why do bad things happen to good people?\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unfair dismissal
Meaning:
un.fair dis.mis.sal\n\n  If an employee claims unfair dismissal, they begin a legal action against their employer in which they claim that they were dismissed from their job unfairly. (BUSINESS)\nHis former chauffeur is claiming unfair dismissal on the grounds of racial discrimination.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: unfaithful
Meaning:
un.faith.ful\n   unfaithful\n  If someone is unfaithful to their lover or to the person they are married to, they have a sexual relationship with someone else.\nJames had been unfaithful to Christine for the entire four years they’d been together.\n...her unfaithful husband.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n


Words: unfamiliar
Meaning:
un.fa.mil.iar\n   unfamiliar\n1. If something is unfamiliar to you, you know nothing or very little about it, because you have not seen or experienced it before.\nShe grew many wonderful plants that were unfamiliar to me...\nI was alone in an unfamiliar city.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n  !=familiar\n=>  un.fa.mili.ar.ity\n...problems which arise from the newness of the approach and its unfamiliarity to prisoners.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft with poss\n  !=familiarity\n2. If you are unfamiliar with something, it is unfamiliar to you.\nShe speaks no Japanese and is unfamiliar with Japanese culture.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ with n\n\n=>  un.fa.mili.ar.ity\n...her unfamiliarity with the politics of the region.\n  N-UNCOUNT: N with n


Words: unfashionable
Meaning:
un.fash.ion.able\n   unfashionable\n  If something is unfashionable, it is not approved of or done by most people.\nWearing fur has become deeply unfashionable...\nThe couple hold the unfashionable view that marriage is a sacred union.\n  ADJ\n  !=fashionable\n=>  un.fash.ion.ably\nHe wears his blonde hair unfashionably long.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj


Words: unfasten
Meaning:
un.fas.ten\n   unfasten  unfastens  unfastening  unfastened\n  If you unfasten something that is closed, tied, or held together, or if you unfasten the thing holding it, you loosen or remove the thing holding it.\nWhen Ted was six we decided that he needed to know how to fasten and unfasten his seat belt...\nReaching down, he unfastened the latch on the gate...\nHe once emerged from the toilets with his flies unfastened.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V-ed\n  = undo  !=fasten


Words: unfathomable
Meaning:
un.fath.om.able\n   unfathomable\n1. If you describe something as unfathomable, you mean that it cannot be understood or explained, usually because it is very strange or complicated.\nFor some unfathomable reason, there are no stairs where there should be...\nHow odd life was, how unfathomable, how profoundly unjust.\n  ADJ\n  = inexplicable\n2. If you use unfathomable to describe a person or the expression on their face, you mean that you cannot tell what they are thinking or what they intend to do. (LITERARY)\n...a strange, unfathomable and unpredictable individual.\n...the dark eyes that right now seemed opaque and unfathomable.\n  ADJ\n  = inscrutable


Words: unfavourable
Meaning:
un.fa.vour.able\n   unfavourable\nin AM, use unfavorable\n1. Unfavourable conditions or circumstances cause problems for you and reduce your chances of success.\nUnfavourable economic conditions were blocking a recovery of the American insurance market...\nUnfavourable weather has had damaging effects on this year’s harvest...\nThe whole international economic situation is very unfavourable for the countries in the south.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=favourable\n2. If you have an unfavourable reaction to something, you do not like it.\nA more unfavourable response was given today by the Prime Minister...\nFirst reactions have been distinctly unfavourable.\n  ADJ\n  !=favourable\n=>  un.fa.vour.ably\nWhen the body reacts unfavourably to food, the pulse rate will go up.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n3. If you make an unfavourable comparison between two things, you say that one thing seems worse than the other.\nHe makes unfavourable comparisons between British and French cooking...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=favourable\n=>  un.fa.vour.ably\nChildcare facilities in Britain compare unfavourably with other European countries.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: unfeasible
Meaning:
un.fea.sible\n   unfeasible\n  If you say that something is unfeasible, you mean that you do not think it can be done, made, or achieved.\nThe weather made it unfeasible to be outdoors...\nThe board said the idea was unfeasible.\n  ADJ\n  = impractical  !=feasible


Words: unfeeling
Meaning:
un.feel.ing\n   unfeeling\n  If you describe someone as unfeeling, you are criticizing them for their lack of kindness or sympathy for other people. (WRITTEN)\nHe was branded an unfeeling bully...\nThere’s no way anyone could accuse this woman of being cold and unfeeling...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = insensitive


Words: unfettered
Meaning:
un.fet.tered\n   unfettered\n  If you describe something as unfettered, you mean that it is not controlled or limited by anyone or anything. (FORMAL)\n...unfettered free trade...\nUnfettered by the bounds of reality, my imagination flourished.\n...city slums, where drug traffickers reign virtually unfettered.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v


Words: unfinished
Meaning:
un.fin.ished\n   unfinished\n  If you describe something such as a work of art or a piece of work as unfinished, you mean that it is not complete, for example because it was abandoned or there was no time to complete it.\n...Jane Austen’s unfinished novel...\nThe cathedral was eventually completed in 1490, though the Gothic facade remains unfinished...\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v\n  = incomplete


Words: unfit
Meaning:
un.fit\n   unfit\n1. If you are unfit, your body is not in good condition because you have not been taking regular exercise.\nMany children are so unfit they are unable to do even basic exercises.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  !=fit\n2. If someone is unfit for something, he or she is unable to do it because of injury or illness.\nHe had a third examination and was declared unfit for duty...\nMr Abel’s doctor has said he is unfit to travel.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf\n\n3. If you say that someone or something is unfit for a particular purpose or job, you are criticizing them because they are not good enough for that purpose or job.\nExisting houses are becoming totally unfit for human habitation...\nThey were utterly unfit to govern America...\nShe is an unfit mother.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf  disapproval\n  !=fit


Words: unflagging
Meaning:
un.flag.ging\n   unflagging\n  If you describe something such as support, effort, or enthusiasm as unflagging, you mean that it does not stop or get less as time passes.\nHe was sustained by the unflagging support of his family...\nThe book is not one word too long and its narrative pace is unflagging.\n  ADJ  approval


Words: unflappable
Meaning:
un.flap.pable\n   unflappable\n  Someone who is unflappable is always calm and never panics or gets upset or angry.\n  ADJ


Words: unflattering
Meaning:
un.flat.ter.ing\n   unflattering\n  If you describe something as unflattering, you mean that it makes a person or thing seem less attractive than they really are.\nHe depicted the town’s respectable families in an unflattering light...\nThe knee-length dresses were unflattering and ugly.\n  ADJ\n  !=flattering


Words: unflinching
Meaning:
un.flinch.ing\n   unflinching\n  You can use unflinching in expressions such as unflinching honesty and unflinching support to indicate that a good quality which someone has is strong and steady, and never weakens.\n...the armed forces, all of whom had pledged their unflinching support and loyalty to the government.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.flinch.ing.ly\nThey were unflinchingly loyal to their friends.\n  ADV


Words: unfocused
Meaning:
un.fo.cused\n   unfocused   also unfocussed\n1. If someone’s eyes are unfocused, they are open, but not looking at anything.\nHer eyes were unfocused, as if she were staring inside at her memories of the day.\n...his unfocused gaze.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe someone’s feelings or plans as unfocused, you are criticizing them because they do not seem to be clearly formed or have any clear purpose.\nBut for now, she is in the grip of a blind, unfocused anger...\nIt is not perhaps surprising that the administration now appears so indecisive and unfocused.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: unfold
Meaning:
un.fold\n   unfold  unfolds  unfolding  unfolded\n1. If a situation unfolds, it develops and becomes known or understood.\nThe outcome depends on conditions as well as how events unfold...\n  VERB: V\n\n2. If a story unfolds or if someone unfolds it, it is told to someone else.\nDon’s story unfolded as the cruise got under way...\nMr Wills unfolds his story with evident enjoyment.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n3. If someone unfolds something which has been folded or if it unfolds, it is opened out and becomes flat.\nHe quickly unfolded the blankets and spread them on the mattress...\nWhen the bird lifts off into flight, its wings unfold to an impressive six-foot span.\n  VERB: V n, V\n  !=fold


Words: unforeseeable
Meaning:
un.fore.see.able\n   unforeseeable\n  An unforeseeable problem or unpleasant event is one which you did not expect and could not have predicted.\nThis is such an unforeseeable situation that anything could happen.\n  ADJ


Words: unforeseen
Meaning:
un.fore.seen\n   unforeseen\n  If something that has happened was unforeseen, it was not expected to happen or known about beforehand.\nRadiation may damage cells in a way that was previously unforeseen...\nUnfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, this year’s show has been cancelled...\n  ADJ


Words: unforgettable
Meaning:
un.for.get.table\n   unforgettable\n  If you describe something as unforgettable, you mean that it is, for example, extremely beautiful, enjoyable, or unusual, so that you remember it for a long time. You can also refer to extremely unpleasant things as unforgettable.\nA visit to the Museum is an unforgettable experience...\n...the leisure activities that will make your holiday unforgettable.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  un.for.get.tably\n...an unforgettably unique performer.\n  ADV: usu ADV cl/group


Words: unforgivable
Meaning:
un.for.giv.able\n   unforgivable\n  If you say that something is unforgivable, you mean that it is very bad, cruel, or socially unacceptable.\nThese people are animals and what they did was unforgivable...\n  ADJ\n  = inexcusable


Words: unforgiving
Meaning:
un.for.giv.ing\n   unforgiving\n1. If you describe someone as unforgiving, you mean that they are unwilling to forgive other people. (FORMAL)\nHe was an unforgiving man who never forgot a slight...\nHe finds human foibles endearing, but is unforgiving of pretension.\n  ADJ\n  !=forgiving\n2. If you describe a situation or activity as unforgiving, you mean that it causes a lot of people to experience great difficulty or failure, even people who deserve to succeed.\nBusiness is a competitive activity. It is very fierce and very unforgiving.\n  ADJ


Words: unformed
Meaning:
un.formed\n   unformed\n  If you describe someone or something as unformed, you mean that they are in an early stage of development and not fully formed or matured. (FORMAL)\nThe market for which they are competing is still unformed.\n...the unformed minds of children.\n  ADJ\n  = undeveloped


Words: unfortunate
Meaning:
un.for.tu.nate\n   unfortunate  unfortunates\n1. If you describe someone as unfortunate, you mean that something unpleasant or unlucky has happened to them. You can also describe the unpleasant things that happen to them as unfortunate.\nSome unfortunate person passing below could all too easily be seriously injured...\nApparently he had been unfortunate enough to fall victim to a gang of thugs...\nThrough some unfortunate accident, the information reached me a day late...\nIt was unfortunate for Davey that his teacher did not take kindly to him.\n  ADJ\n  = unlucky\n2. If you describe something that has happened as unfortunate, you think that it is inappropriate, embarrassing, awkward, or undesirable.\nIt really is desperately unfortunate that this should have happened just now.\n...the unfortunate incident of the upside-down Canadian flag...\n  ADJ\n\n3. You can describe someone as unfortunate when they are poor or have a difficult life.\nEvery year we have charity days to raise money for unfortunate people.\n  ADJ\n\n  An unfortunate is someone who is unfortunate.\nDorothy was another of life’s unfortunates.\n  N-COUNT


Words: unfortunately
Meaning:
un.for.tu.nate.ly\n   unfortunately\n  You can use unfortunately to introduce or refer to a statement when you consider that it is sad or disappointing, or when you want to express regret.\nUnfortunately, my time is limited...\nUnfortunately for the Prince, his title brought obligations as well as privileges...\n  ADV: ADV with cl, oft ADV for n  feelings\n  = regrettably


Words: unfounded
Meaning:
un.found.ed\n   unfounded\n  If you describe a rumour, belief, or feeling as unfounded, you mean that it is wrong and is not based on facts or evidence.\nThere were unfounded rumours of alcohol abuse...\nThe allegations were totally unfounded...\n  ADJ\n  = groundless


Words: unfriendly
Meaning:
un.friend.ly\n   unfriendly\n  If you describe a person, organization, or their behaviour as unfriendly, you mean that they behave towards you in an unkind or rather hostile way.\nIt is not fair for him to be permanently unfriendly to someone who has hurt him...\nPeople always complain that the big banks and big companies are unfriendly and unhelpful...\nJudy spoke in a loud, rather unfriendly voice.\n  ADJ\n  !=friendly


Words: unfulfilled
Meaning:
un.ful.filled\n   unfulfilled\n1. If you use unfulfilled to describe something such as a promise, ambition, or need, you mean that what was promised, hoped for, or needed has not happened.\n...angry at unfulfilled promises of jobs and decent housing...\nThe election had raised hopes that remain unfulfilled.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=fulfilled\n2. If you describe someone as unfulfilled, you mean that they feel dissatisfied with life or with what they have done.\nYou must let go of the idea that to be single is to be unhappy and unfulfilled...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  !=fulfilled


Words: unfunny
Meaning:
un.fun.ny\n   unfunny\n  If you describe something or someone as unfunny, you mean that they do not make you laugh, although this was their intention or purpose.\nWe became increasingly fed up with his increasingly unfunny and unintelligent comments.\n  ADJ\n  !=funny


Words: unfurl
Meaning:
un.furl\n   unfurl  unfurls  unfurling  unfurled\n1. If you unfurl something rolled or folded such as an umbrella, sail, or flag, you open it, so that it is spread out. You can also say that it unfurls.\nOnce outside the inner breakwater, we began to unfurl all the sails.\n...two weeks later when the leaves unfurl.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n2. If you say that events, stories, or scenes unfurl before you, you mean that you are aware of them or can see them as they happen or develop.\n...as the dramatic changes in Europe continue to unfurl.\n  VERB: V\n  = unfold


Words: unfurnished
Meaning:
un.fur.nished\n   unfurnished\n  If you rent an unfurnished house, flat, or apartment, no furniture is provided by the owner.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n, also ADJ after v, v-link ADJ


Words: ungainly
Meaning:
un.gain.ly\n   ungainly\n  If you describe a person, animal, or vehicle as ungainly, you mean that they look awkward or clumsy, often because they are big.\nThe dog, an ungainly mongrel pup, was loping about the road...\nPaul swam in his ungainly way to the side of the pool.\n  ADJ\n  = clumsy


Words: ungenerous
Meaning:
un.gen.er.ous\n   ungenerous\n1. If you describe someone’s remarks, thoughts, or actions as ungenerous, you mean that they are unfair or unkind. (FORMAL)\nThis was a typically ungenerous response.\n  ADJ\n  !=generous\n2. You can use ungenerous when you are describing a person or organization that is unwilling to give much money to other people. (FORMAL)\nThe company had a good pension scheme for the salaried employees and an ungenerous scheme for the hourly paid.\n  ADJ\n  !=generous


Words: unglued
Meaning:
un.glued\n   unglued\n1. If something comes unglued, it becomes separated from the thing that it was attached to.\nI wear my old shoes every day. One sole has come unglued.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n2. To come unglued means to fail. (mainly AM INFORMAL; in BRIT, usually use come unstuck)\nTheir marriage finally came unglued.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  = fail\n3. If someone comes unglued, they become very upset and emotional, and perhaps confused or mentally ill. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nIf she hears what you’re saying, she’s going to come unglued.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


