# dict

Words: black market
Meaning:
black mar.ket\n   black market  black markets\n  If something is bought or sold on the black market, it is bought or sold illegally.\nThere is a plentiful supply of arms on the black market.\n  N-COUNT


Words: black marketeer
Meaning:
black mar.ket.eer\n   black marketeer  black marketeers\n  A black marketeer is someone who sells goods on the black market. (JOURNALISM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: black out
Meaning:
black out\n1. If you black out, you lose consciousness for a short time.\nSamadov said that he felt so ill that he blacked out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  = pass out\n2. If a place is blacked out, it is in darkness, usually because it has no electricity supply.\nLarge parts of the capital were blacked out after electricity pylons were blown up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P\n\n3. If a film or a piece of writing is blacked out, it is prevented from being broadcast or published, usually because it contains information which is secret or offensive.\nTV pictures of the demonstration were blacked out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: usu passive, be V-ed P\n  = censor\n4. If you black out a piece of writing, you colour over it in black so that it cannot be seen.\nU.S. government specialists went through each page, blacking out any information a foreign intelligence expert could use...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = censor\n5. If you black out the memory of something, you try not to remember it because it upsets you.\nI tried not to think about it. I blacked it out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n  = blot out\n  see also blackout


Words: black pepper
Meaning:
black pep.per\n   black pepper\n  Black pepper is pepper which is dark in colour and has been made from the dried berries of the pepper plant, including their black outer cases.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: black pudding
Meaning:
black pud.ding\n   black pudding  black puddings\n  Black pudding is a thick sausage which has a black skin and is made from pork fat and pig’s blood. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-VAR


Words: black sheep
Meaning:
black sheep\n  If you describe someone as the black sheep of their family or of a group that they are a member of, you mean that they are considered bad or worthless by other people in that family or group.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft the N of n  disapproval


Words: black spot
Meaning:
black spot  black spots   also blackspot\n1. If you describe a place, time, or part of a situation as a black spot, you mean that it is particularly bad or likely to cause problems. (BRIT)\nThere are recognised black spots in marriages which can lead to trouble...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A black spot is a place on a road where accidents often happen. (BRIT)\nThe accident happened on a notorious black spot on the A43.\n  N-COUNT


Words: black tie
Meaning:
black tie   also black-tie\n1. A black tie event is a formal social event such as a party at which people wear formal clothes called evening dress.\n...a black-tie dinner for former students.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If a man is dressed in black tie, he is wearing formal evening dress, which includes a dinner jacket or tuxedo and a bow tie.\nMost of the guests will be wearing black tie.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blackball
Meaning:
black.ball\n   blackball  blackballs  blackballing  blackballed\n  If the members of a club blackball someone, they vote against that person being allowed to join their club.\nMembers can blackball candidates in secret ballots.\n  VERB: V n


Words: blackberry
Meaning:
black.berry\n   blackberry  blackberries\n  A blackberry is a small, soft black or dark purple fruit.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blackbird
Meaning:
black.bird\n   blackbird  blackbirds\n1. A blackbird is a common European bird. The male has black feathers and a yellow beak, and the female has brown feathers.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A blackbird is a common North American bird. The male has black feathers and often a red patch on its wings.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blackboard
Meaning:
black.board\n   blackboard  blackboards\n  A blackboard is a dark-coloured board that you can write on with chalk. Blackboards are often used by teachers in the classroom. (BRIT; in AM, use chalkboard)\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing


Words: blackcurrant
Meaning:
black.cur.rant\n   blackcurrant  blackcurrants\n  In Europe, blackcurrants are a type of very small, dark purple fruits that grow in bunches on bushes. (BRIT)\n...a carton of blackcurrant drink.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blacken
Meaning:
black.en\n   blacken  blackens  blackening  blackened\n1. To blacken something means to make it black or very dark in colour. Something that blackens becomes black or very dark in colour.\nThe married women of Shitamachi maintained the custom of blackening their teeth...\nYou need to grill the tomatoes until the skins blacken.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n2. If someone blackens your character, they make other people believe that you are a bad person.\nThey’re trying to blacken our name.\n  VERB: V n


Words: blackhead
Meaning:
black.head\n   blackhead  blackheads\n  Blackheads are small, dark spots on someone’s skin caused by blocked pores.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: blackish
Meaning:
black.ish\n   blackish\n  Something that is blackish is very dark in colour.\nThe water was blackish...\nKaty has long blackish hair.\n  COLOUR


Words: blacklist
Meaning:
black.list\n   blacklist  blacklists  blacklisting  blacklisted\n1. If someone is on a blacklist, they are seen by a government or other organization as being one of a number of people who cannot be trusted or who have done something wrong.\nA government official disclosed that they were on a secret blacklist...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If someone is blacklisted by a government or organization, they are put on a blacklist.\nHe has been blacklisted since being convicted of possessing marijuana in 1969.\n...the full list of blacklisted airports.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed\n\n=>  black.list.ing\n...a victim of Hollywood’s notorious blacklisting.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blackmail
Meaning:
black.mail\n   blackmail  blackmails  blackmailing  blackmailed\n1. Blackmail is the action of threatening to reveal a secret about someone, unless they do something you tell them to do, such as giving you money.\nIt looks like the pictures were being used for blackmail...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you describe an action as emotional or moral blackmail, you disapprove of it because someone is using a person’s emotions or moral values to persuade them to do something against their will.\nThe tactics employed can range from overt bullying to subtle emotional blackmail.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval\n\n3. If one person blackmails another person, they use blackmail against them.\nThe government insisted that it would not be blackmailed by violence...\nI thought he was trying to blackmail me into saying whatever he wanted.\n  VERB: V n, V n into -ing, also V n with n\n\n=>  black.mail.er      blackmailers\nThe nasty thing about a blackmailer is that his starting point is usually the truth.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blackness
Meaning:
black.ness\n   blackness\n  Blackness is the state of being very dark. (LITERARY)\nThe twilight had turned to a deep blackness.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blackout
Meaning:
black.out\n   blackout  blackouts   also black-out\n1. A blackout is a period of time during a war in which towns and buildings are made dark so that they cannot be seen by enemy planes.\n...blackout curtains.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. If a blackout is imposed on a particular piece of news, journalists are prevented from broadcasting or publishing it.\n...a media blackout imposed by the Imperial Palace...\nJournalists said there was a virtual news blackout about the rally.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu n N\n\n3. If there is a power blackout, the electricity supply to a place is temporarily cut off.\nThere was an electricity black-out in a large area in the north of the country.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu n N\n  = power cut\n4. If you have a blackout, you temporarily lose consciousness.\nI suffered a black-out which lasted for several minutes.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blacksmith
Meaning:
black.smith\n   blacksmith  blacksmiths\n  A blacksmith is a person whose job is making things by hand out of metal that has been heated to a high temperature.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blacktop
Meaning:
black.top\n   blacktop\n  Blacktop is a hard black substance which is used as a surface for roads. (AM; in BRIT, use tarmac)\n...waves of heat rising from the blacktop.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bladder
Meaning:
blad.der\n   bladder  bladders\n  Your bladder is the part of your body where urine is stored until it leaves your body. See also gall bladder.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blade
Meaning:
blade  blades\n1. The blade of a knife, axe, or saw is the edge, which is used for cutting.\nMany of these tools have sharp blades, so be careful.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The blades of a propeller are the long, flat parts that turn round.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n3. The blade of an oar is the thin flat part that you put into the water.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A blade of grass is a single piece of grass.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5.\nrotor blade: see rotor\n  see also razor blade, shoulder blade


Words: blag
Meaning:
blag  blags  blagging  blagged\n  To blag something such as a concert ticket means to persuade someone to give it to you free. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nShe’d heard he was a musician and blagged a tape off a friend of his.\n  VERB: V n, also V way prep/adv


Words: blah
Meaning:
blah\n  You use blah, blah, blah to refer to something that is said or written without giving the actual words, because you think that they are boring or unimportant. (INFORMAL)\n...the different challenges of their career, their need to change, to evolve, blah blah blah.\n  CONVENTION


Words: blame
Meaning:
blame  blames  blaming  blamed\n1. If you blame a person or thing for something bad, you believe or say that they are responsible for it or that they caused it.\nThe commission is expected to blame the army for many of the atrocities...\nMs Carey appeared to blame her breakdown on EMI’s punishing work schedule...\nIf it wasn’t Sam’s fault, why was I blaming him?\n  VERB: V n for n, V n on n, V n\n\n  Blame is also a noun.\nNothing could relieve my terrible sense of blame.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. The blame for something bad that has happened is the responsibility for causing it or letting it happen.\nSome of the blame for the miscarriage of justice must be borne by the solicitors...\nThe president put the blame squarely on his opponent.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N for n/-ing\n\n3. If you say that you do not blame someone for doing something, you mean that you consider it was a reasonable thing to do in the circumstances.\nI do not blame them for trying to make some money...\nHe slammed the door and stormed off. I could hardly blame him.\n  VERB: usu with brd-neg, V n for -ing, V n\n\n4. If someone is to blame for something bad that has happened, they are responsible for causing it.\nIf their forces were not involved, then who is to blame?...\nThe policy is partly to blame for causing the worst unemployment in Europe.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n5. If you say that someone has only themselves to blame or has no-one but themselves to blame, you mean that they are responsible for something bad that has happened to them and that you have no sympathy for them.\nMy life is ruined and I suppose I only have myself to blame.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: blameless
Meaning:
blame.less\n   blameless\n  Someone who is blameless has not done anything wrong.\nHe feels he is blameless...\nThe US itself, of course, is not entirely blameless in trading matters.\n  ADJ


Words: blanch
Meaning:
blanch  blanches  blanching  blanched\n1. If you blanch, you suddenly become very pale.\nHis face blanched as he looked at Sharpe’s blood-drenched uniform...\nShe felt herself blanch at the unpleasant memories.\n  VERB: V, V at n\n\n2. If you say that someone blanches at something, you mean that they find it unpleasant and do not want to be involved with it.\nEverything he had said had been a mistake. He blanched at his miscalculations...\n  VERB: V at n\n\n3. If you blanch vegetables, fruit, or nuts, you put them into boiling water for a short time, usually in order to remove their skins, or to prepare them for freezing.\nSkin the peaches by blanching them.\n  VERB: V n


Words: blancmange
Meaning:
blanc.mange\n   blancmange  blancmanges\n  Blancmange is a cold dessert that is made from milk, sugar, cornflour or corn starch, and flavouring and looks rather like jelly.\n  N-VAR


Words: bland
Meaning:
bland  blander  blandest\n1. If you describe someone or something as bland, you mean that they are rather dull and unexciting.\nSerle has a blander personality than Howard...\n...a bland, 12-storey office block.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  bland.ness\n...the blandness of television.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Food that is bland has very little flavour.\nIt tasted bland and insipid, like warmed cardboard.\n  ADJ


Words: blandishments
Meaning:
blan.dish.ments\n   blandishments\n  Blandishments are pleasant things that someone says to another person in order to persuade them to do something. (FORMAL)\nAt first Lewis resisted their blandishments.\n  N-PLURAL: oft with poss\n  = flattery


Words: blandly
Meaning:
bland.ly\n   blandly\n  If you do something blandly, you do it in a calm and quiet way.\n`It’s not important,’ he said blandly...\nThe nurse smiled blandly.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: blank
Meaning:
blank  blanks  blanking  blanked\n1. Something that is blank has nothing on it.\nWe could put some of the pictures over on that blank wall over there...\nHe tore a blank page from his notebook.\n...blank cassettes.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A blank is a space which is left in a piece of writing or on a printed form for you to fill in particular information.\nPut a word in each blank to complete the sentence.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you look blank, your face shows no feeling, understanding, or interest.\nAbbot looked blank. `I don’t quite follow, sir.’...\nHis daughter gave him a blank look.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  blank.ly\nShe stared at him blankly.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  blank.ness\nHis eyes have the blankness of someone half-asleep.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. If your mind or memory is a blank, you cannot think of anything or remember anything.\nI’m sorry, but my mind is a blank...\nI came round in hospital and did not know where I was. Everything was a complete blank.\n  N-SING: a N\n\n5. Blanks are gun cartridges which contain explosive but do not contain a bullet, so that they cause no harm when the gun is fired.\n...a starter pistol which only fires blanks.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n6.\n  see also point-blank\n7. If you draw a blank when you are looking for someone or something, you do not succeed in finding them. (INFORMAL)\nThey drew a blank in their search for the driver.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n8. If your mind goes blank, you are suddenly unable to think of anything appropriate to say, for example in reply to a question.\nMy mind went totally blank.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: blank cheque
Meaning:
blank cheque  blank cheques\nin AM, use blank check\n1. If someone is given a blank cheque, they are given the authority to spend as much money as they need or want. (JOURNALISM)\nWe are not prepared to write a blank cheque for companies that have run into trouble.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If someone is given a blank cheque, they are given the authority to do what they think is best in a particular situation. (JOURNALISM)\nHe was, in a sense, given a blank cheque to negotiate the new South Africa.\n  N-COUNT\n  = carte blanche


Words: blank out
Meaning:
blank out\n  If you blank out a particular feeling or thought, you do not allow yourself to experience that feeling or to have that thought.\nI learned to blank those feelings out...\nI was trying to blank out previous situations from my mind.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = block out


Words: blank verse
Meaning:
blank verse\n  Blank verse is poetry that does not rhyme. In English literature it usually consists of lines with five stressed syllables.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blanket
Meaning:
blan.ket\n   blanket  blankets  blanketing  blanketed\n1. A blanket is a large square or rectangular piece of thick cloth, especially one which you put on a bed to keep you warm.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A blanket of something such as snow is a continuous layer of it which hides what is below or beyond it.\nThe mud disappeared under a blanket of snow...\nCold damp air brought in the new year under a blanket of fog.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, N of n\n\n3. If something such as snow blankets an area, it covers it.\nMore than a foot of snow blanketed parts of Michigan...\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. You use blanket to describe something when you want to emphasize that it affects or refers to every person or thing in a group, without any exceptions.\nThere’s already a blanket ban on foreign unskilled labour in Japan.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis\n  = comprehensive\n5.\n  see also electric blanket, security blanket, wet blanket


Words: blare
Meaning:
blare  blares  blaring  blared\n  If something such as a siren or radio blares or if you blare it, it makes a loud, unpleasant noise.\nThe fire engines were just pulling up, sirens blaring...\nI blared my horn.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n  Blare is also a noun.\n...the blare of a radio through a thin wall.\n  N-SING: N of n\n\n  Blare out means the same as blare.\nMusic blares out from every cafe.\n...giant loudspeakers which blare out patriotic music and the speeches of their leader.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: blarney
Meaning:
blar.ney\n   blarney\n  Blarney is things someone says that are flattering and amusing but probably untrue, and which you think they are only saying in order to please you or to persuade you to do something.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: blase
Meaning:
bla.se\n   blase   also blase\n  If you describe someone as blase, you mean that they are not easily impressed, excited, or worried by things, usually because they have seen or experienced them before.\nFar too many people are blase about their driving skills.\n...his seemingly blase attitude.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ about n  disapproval


Words: blaspheme
Meaning:
blas.pheme\n   blaspheme  blasphemes  blaspheming  blasphemed\n  If someone blasphemes, they say rude or disrespectful things about God or religion, or they use God’s name as a swear word.\n`Don’t blaspheme,’ my mother said...\nThe spiritual leader charged that the book blasphemed against Islam.\n  VERB: V, V against n\n\n=>  blas.phem.er      blasphemers\nSuch a figure is liable to be attacked as a blasphemer.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blasphemous
Meaning:
blas.phe.mous\n   blasphemous\n  You can describe someone who shows disrespect for God or a religion as blasphemous. You can also describe what they are saying or doing as blasphemous.\nShe was accused of being blasphemous...\nCritics attacked the film as blasphemous.\n  ADJ


Words: blasphemy
Meaning:
blas.phe.my\n   blasphemy  blasphemies\n  You can describe something that shows disrespect for God or a religion as blasphemy.\nHe was found guilty of blasphemy and sentenced to three years in jail...\n  N-VAR


Words: blast
Meaning:
blast  blasts  blasting  blasted\n1. A blast is a big explosion, especially one caused by a bomb.\n250 people were killed in the blast.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If something is blasted into a particular place or state, an explosion causes it to be in that place or state. If a hole is blasted in something, it is created by an explosion.\n...a terrible accident in which his left arm was blasted off by some kind of a bomb...\nThe explosion which followed blasted out the external supporting wall of her flat.\n  VERB: be V-ed prep/adv, V n with adv, also V n adj, V n prep\n\n3. If workers are blasting rock, they are using explosives to make holes in it or destroy it, for example so that a road or tunnel can be built.\nTheir work was taken up with boring and blasting rock with gelignite...\nThey’re using dynamite to blast away rocks to put a road in.\n  VERB: V n, V n with adv, also V\n\n=>  blast.ing\nThree miles away there was a salvo of blasting in the quarry.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. To blast someone means to shoot them with a gun. (JOURNALISM)\n...a son who blasted his father to death after a life-time of bullying...\nAlan Barnett, 28, was blasted with a sawn-off shotgun in Oldham on Thursday.\n  VERB: V n to n, be V-ed with n\n\n  Blast is also a noun.\n...the man who killed Nigel Davies with a shotgun blast.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If someone blasts their way somewhere, they get there by shooting at people or causing an explosion.\nThe police were reported to have blasted their way into the house using explosives...\nOne armoured column attempted to blast a path through a barricade of buses and trucks.\n  VERB: V way prep/adv, V n prep/adv\n\n6. If something blasts water or air somewhere, it sends out a sudden, powerful stream of it.\nA blizzard was blasting great drifts of snow across the lake.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv\n\n  Blast is also a noun.\nBlasts of cold air swept down from the mountains.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n7. If you blast something such as a car horn, or if it blasts, it makes a sudden, loud sound. If something blasts music, or music blasts, the music is very loud.\n...drivers who do not blast their horns...\nThe sound of western music blasted as she entered.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n  Blast is also a noun.\nThe buzzer suddenly responded in a long blast of sound.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n8. If something such as a radio or a heater is on full blast, or on at full blast, it is producing as much sound or power as it is able to.\nIn many of those homes the television is on full blast 24 hours a day...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR


Words: blast away
Meaning:
blast away\n1. If a gun, or a person firing a gun, blasts away, the gun is fired continuously for a period of time.\nSuddenly all the men pull out pistols and begin blasting away.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n2. If something such as a radio or a pop group is blasting away, it is producing a loud noise.\nClock-radios blast away until you get up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  = blare out


Words: blast furnace
Meaning:
blast fur.nace\n   blast furnace  blast furnaces\n  A blast furnace is a large structure in which iron ore is heated under pressure so that it melts and the pure iron metal separates out and can be collected.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blast off
Meaning:
blast off\n  When a space rocket blasts off, it leaves the ground at the start of its journey.\n  PHRASAL VERB\n\n  see also blast-off


Words: blast out
Meaning:
blast out\n  If music or noise is blasting out, loud music or noise is being produced.\n...loudspeakers blasting out essential tourist facts in every language known to man...\nPop music can be heard 10 miles away blasting out from the huge tented shanty-town.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P\n  = blare out


Words: blast-off
Meaning:
blast-off\n  Blast-off is the moment when a rocket leaves the ground and rises into the air to begin a journey into space.\nThe original planned launch was called off four minutes before blast-off.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blasted
Meaning:
blast.ed\n   blasted\n1. Some people use blasted to express anger or annoyance at something or someone. (INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED)\n  ADJ: ADJ n  feelings\n\n2. A blasted landscape has very few plants or trees, and makes you feel sad or depressed when you look at it. (LITERARY)\n...the blasted landscape where the battle was fought.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = bleak


Words: blatant
Meaning:
bla.tant\n   blatant\n  You use blatant to describe something bad that is done in an open or very obvious way.\nOutsiders will continue to suffer the most blatant discrimination.\n...a blatant attempt to spread the blame for the fiasco...\nThe elitism was blatant.\n  ADJ  emphasis\n\n=>  bla.tant.ly\n...a blatantly sexist question...\nThey said the song blatantly encouraged the killing of policemen.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v


Words: blatantly
Meaning:
bla.tant.ly\n   blatantly\n  Blatantly is used to add emphasis when you are describing states or situations which you think are bad.\nIt became blatantly obvious to me that the band wasn’t going to last...\nFor years, blatantly false assertions have gone unchallenged...\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV with v, ADV with cl  emphasis


Words: blather
Meaning:
blath.er\n   blather  blathers  blathering  blathered\n  If someone is blathering on about something, they are talking for a long time about something that you consider boring or unimportant.\nThe old men blather on and on...\nStop blathering...\nHe kept on blathering about police incompetence.\n  VERB: V on, V, V about n\n\n  Blather is also a noun.\nAnyone knows that all this is blather.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blaze
Meaning:
blaze  blazes  blazing  blazed\n1. When a fire blazes, it burns strongly and brightly.\nThree people died as wreckage blazed, and rescuers fought to release trapped drivers...\n...a blazing fire.\n  VERB: V, V-ing\n\n2. A blaze is a large fire which is difficult to control and which destroys a lot of things. (JOURNALISM)\nTwo firemen were hurt in a blaze which swept through a tower block last night.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n3. If something blazes with light or colour, it is extremely bright. (LITERARY)\nThe gardens blazed with colour.\n  VERB: V with n\n\n  Blaze is also a noun.\nI wanted the front garden to be a blaze of colour.\n  N-COUNT: usu a N of n\n\n4. A blaze of publicity or attention is a great amount of it.\nHe was arrested in a blaze of publicity.\n...the sporting career that began in a blaze of glory.\n  N-SING: a N of n\n\n5. If guns blaze, or blaze away, they fire continuously, making a lot of noise.\nGuns were blazing, flares going up and the sky was lit up all around...\nShe took the gun and blazed away with calm and deadly accuracy.\n  VERB: V, V away\n\n6.\nwith all guns blazing: see gun\n7. If someone blazes a trail, they discover or develop something new.\nThese surgeons have blazed the trail in the treatment of bomb victims.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  = lead the way


Words: blazer
Meaning:
blaz.er\n   blazer  blazers\n  A blazer is a kind of jacket which is often worn by members of a particular group, especially schoolchildren and members of a sports team.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blazing
Meaning:
blaz.ing\n   blazing\n  Blazing sun or blazing hot weather is very hot.\nQuite a few people were eating outside in the blazing sun.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: bldg
Meaning:
bldg bldgs\nin AM, use bldg.\n  Bldg is a written abbreviation for building, and is used especially in the names of buildings.\n...Old National Bank Bldg.


Words: bleach
Meaning:
bleach  bleaches  bleaching  bleached\n1. If you bleach something, you use a chemical to make it white or pale in colour.\nThese products don’t bleach the hair.\n...bleached pine tables.\n...a bleaching agent.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed, V-ing\n\n2. If the sun bleaches something, or something bleaches, its colour gets paler until it is almost white.\nThe tree’s roots are stripped and hung to season and bleach...\nThe sun will bleach the hairs on your face...\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n3. Bleach is a chemical that is used to make cloth white, or to clean things thoroughly and kill germs.\n  N-MASS


Words: bleachers
Meaning:
bleach.ers\n   bleachers\n  The bleachers are a part of an outdoor sports stadium, or the seats in that area, which are usually uncovered and are the least expensive place where people can sit. (AM)\n  N-PLURAL: usu the N


Words: bleak
Meaning:
bleak  bleaker  bleakest\n1. If a situation is bleak, it is bad, and seems unlikely to improve.\nThe immediate outlook remains bleak...\nMany predicted a bleak future.\n  ADJ\n  = gloomy  !=bright\n=>  bleak.ness\nThe continued bleakness of the American job market was blamed.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n\n\n2. If you describe a place as bleak, you mean that it looks cold, empty, and unattractive.\nThe island’s pretty bleak.\n...bleak inner-city streets.\n  ADJ\n\n3. When the weather is bleak, it is cold, dull, and unpleasant.\nThe weather can be quite bleak on the coast.\n  ADJ\n\n4. If someone looks or sounds bleak, they look or sound depressed, as if they have no hope or energy.\nAlberg gave him a bleak stare.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  bleak.ly\n`There is nothing left,’ she says bleakly.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: bleary
Meaning:
bleary\n  If your eyes are bleary, they look dull or tired, as if you have not had enough sleep or have drunk too much alcohol.\nI arrived bleary-eyed and rumpled...\nHe stared at Leo with great bleary eyes.\n  ADJ


Words: bleat
Meaning:
bleat  bleats  bleating  bleated\n1. When a sheep or goat bleats, it makes the sound that sheep and goats typically make.\nFrom the slope below, the wild goats bleated faintly.\n...a small flock of bleating ewes and lambs.\n  VERB: V, V-ing\n\n  Bleat is also a noun.\n...the faint bleat of a distressed animal.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that someone bleats about something, you mean that they complain about it in a way which makes them sound weak and irritating.\nThey are always bleating about `unfair’ foreign competition...\nDon’t come bleating to me every time something goes wrong.\n  VERB: V about n, V prep/adv, also V that  disapproval\n  = whinge, whine


Words: bleed
Meaning:
bleed  bleeds  bleeding  bled\n1. When you bleed, you lose blood from your body as a result of injury or illness.\nHis head had struck the sink and was bleeding...\nShe’s going to bleed to death!\n  VERB: V, V to n\n\n=>  bleed.ing\nThis results in internal bleeding.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If the colour of one substance bleeds into the colour of another substance that it is touching, it goes into the other thing so that its colour changes in an undesirable way.\nThe colouring pigments from the skins are not allowed to bleed into the grape juice.\n  VERB: V prep\n\n3. If someone is being bled, money or other resources are gradually being taken away from them.\nWe have been gradually bled for twelve years...\nThey mean to bleed the British to the utmost.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n  disapproval\n\n4.\n  see also nosebleed


Words: bleeding
Meaning:
bleed.ing\n   bleeding\n  Bleeding is used by some people to emphasize what they are saying, especially when they feel strongly about something or dislike something. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis


Words: bleeding edge
Meaning:
bleed.ing edge\n\n  The spelling bleeding-edge is used for meaning 2.\n\n1. If you are at the bleeding edge of a particular field of activity, you are involved in its most advanced or most exciting developments.\nMcNally has spent 17 years at the bleeding edge of computing.\n  N-SING\n\n2. Bleeding-edge equipment or technology is the most advanced that there is in a particular field.\n...an RAF facility with bleeding-edge electronics and communications systems.\n  ADJ


Words: bleeding heart
Meaning:
bleed.ing heart\n   bleeding heart  bleeding hearts   also bleeding-heart\n  If you describe someone as a bleeding heart, you are criticizing them for being sympathetic towards people who are poor and suffering, without doing anything practical to help.\nI’m not a bleeding heart liberal.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n  disapproval


Words: bleep
Meaning:
bleep  bleeps  bleeping  bleeped\n1. A bleep is a short, high-pitched sound, usually one of a series, that is made by an electrical device. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT\n  = beep\n2. If something electronic bleeps, it makes a short, high-pitched sound. (mainly BRIT)\nWhen we turned the boat about, the signal began to bleep again constantly.\n  VERB: V\n  = beep


Words: blemish
Meaning:
blem.ish\n   blemish  blemishes  blemishing  blemished\n1. A blemish is a small mark on something that spoils its appearance.\nEvery piece is closely scrutinised, and if there is the slightest blemish on it, it is rejected.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A blemish on something is a small fault in it.\nThis is the one blemish on an otherwise resounding success.\n  N-COUNT: oft N on n\n  = imperfection\n3. If something blemishes someone’s character or reputation, it spoils it or makes it seem less good than it was in the past.\nHe wasn’t about to blemish that pristine record.\n  VERB: V n\n  = tarnish


Words: blemished
Meaning:
blem.ished\n   blemished\n  You use blemished to describe something such as someone’s skin or a piece of fruit when its appearance is spoiled by small marks.\n...a skin tonic for oily, blemished complexions.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: blend
Meaning:
blend  blends  blending  blended\n1. If you blend substances together or if they blend, you mix them together so that they become one substance.\nBlend the butter with the sugar and beat until light and creamy...\nBlend the ingredients until you have a smooth cream...\nPut the soap and water in a pan and leave to stand until they have blended...\n  V-RECIP: V n with n, V pl-n, pl-n V, also V\n\n2. A blend of things is a mixture or combination of them that is useful or pleasant.\nThe public areas offer a subtle blend of traditional charm with modern amenities.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n\n\n3. When colours, sounds, or styles blend, they come together or are combined in a pleasing way.\nYou could paint the walls and ceilings the same colour so they blend together.\n...the picture, furniture and porcelain collections that blend so well with the house itself.\n  V-RECIP: pl-n V, V with n\n\n4. If you blend ideas, policies, or styles, you use them together in order to achieve something.\nHis `cosmic vision’ is to blend Christianity with `the wisdom of all world religions’.\n...a band that blended jazz, folk and classical music.\n  VERB: V n with n, V n


Words: blend in
Meaning:
blend in   or blend into\n1. If something blends into the background, it is so similar to the background that it is difficult to see or hear it separately.\nThe toad had changed its colour to blend in with its new environment.\n...a continuous pale neutral grey, almost blending into the sky...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n, V P n\n\n2. If someone blends into a particular group or situation, they seem to belong there, because their appearance or behaviour is similar to that of the other people involved.\nIt must have reinforced my determination to blend into my surroundings...\nShe felt she would blend in nicely...\nHe blended in with the crowd at the art sale.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V P, V P with n


Words: blender
Meaning:
blend.er\n   blender  blenders\n  A blender is an electrical kitchen appliance used for mixing liquids and soft foods together or turning fruit or vegetables into liquid.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bless
Meaning:
bless  blesses  blessing  blessed\n1. When someone such as a priest blesses people or things, he asks for God’s favour and protection for them.\n...asking for all present to bless this couple and their loving commitment to one another.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. Bless is used in expressions such as `God bless’ or `bless you’ to express affection, thanks, or good wishes. (INFORMAL, SPOKEN)\n`Bless you, Eva,’ he whispered...\nGod bless and thank you all so much.\n  CONVENTION  feelings\n\n3. You can say `bless you’ to someone who has just sneezed. (SPOKEN)\n  CONVENTION  formulae\n\n4.\n  see also blessed, blessing


Words: blessed
Meaning:
bless.ed\n\nPronounced   for meaning 1, and   for meaning 2.\n1. If someone is blessed with a particular good quality or skill, they have that good quality or skill.\nBoth are blessed with uncommon ability to fix things.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ with n\n\n2. You use blessed to describe something that you think is wonderful, and that you are grateful for or relieved about.\nRainy weather brings blessed relief to hay fever victims.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  approval\n\n=>  bless.ed.ly\nMost British election campaigns are blessedly brief.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV with cl\n\n3.\n  see also bless


Words: blessing
Meaning:
bless.ing\n   blessing  blessings\n1. A blessing is something good that you are grateful for.\nRivers are a blessing for an agricultural country.\n...the blessings of prosperity.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If something is done with someone’s blessing, it is done with their approval and support.\nWith the blessing of the White House, a group of Democrats in Congress is meeting to find additional budget cuts...\nIn April Thai and Indonesian leaders gave their formal blessing to the idea.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with poss\n  = approval\n3. A blessing is a prayer asking God to look kindly upon the people who are present or the event that is taking place.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4.\n  see also bless\n5. If you tell someone to count their blessings, you are saying that they should think about how lucky they are instead of complaining.\nSome would argue this was no burden in fact, and that she should count her blessings.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n6. If you say that something is a blessing in disguise, you mean that it causes problems and difficulties at first but later you realize that it was the best thing that could have happened.\nThe failure to conclude the trade talks last December could prove a blessing in disguise.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n7. If you say that a situation is a mixed blessing, you mean that it has disadvantages as well as advantages.\nFor ordinary Italians, Sunday’s news probably amounts to a mixed blessing.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR


Words: blight
Meaning:
blight  blights  blighting  blighted\n1. You can refer to something as a blight when it causes great difficulties, and damages or spoils other things.\nThis discriminatory policy has really been a blight on America...\nManchester still suffers from urban blight and unacceptable poverty.\n  N-VAR: usu with supp\n\n2. If something blights your life or your hopes, it damages and spoils them. If something blights an area, it spoils it and makes it unattractive.\nAn embarrassing blunder nearly blighted his career before it got off the ground.\n...a strategy to redevelop blighted inner-city areas.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n3. Blight is a disease which makes plants dry up and die.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl


Words: blighter
Meaning:
blight.er\n   blighter  blighters\n1. You can refer to someone you do not like as a blighter. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHe was a nasty little blighter.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n\n2. You can use blighter as an informal way of referring to someone. (BRIT)\nLucky blighter, thought King.\n  N-COUNT\n  = fellow


Words: Blighty
Meaning:
Blighty\n  Blighty is a way of referring to England. (BRIT HUMOROUS, OLD-FASHIONED)\nSee you back in Blighty!\n  N-PROPER


Words: blimey
Meaning:
bli.mey\n   blimey\n  You say blimey when you are surprised by something or feel strongly about it. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n`We walked all the way to Moseley.’.`Blimey!’\n  EXCLAM  feelings


Words: blind
Meaning:
blind  blinds  blinding  blinded\n1. Someone who is blind is unable to see because their eyes are damaged.\nI started helping him run the business when he went blind...\n  ADJ\n\n  The blind are people who are blind.\nHe was a teacher of the blind.\n  N-PLURAL: the N\n\n=>  blind.ness\nEarly diagnosis and treatment can usually prevent blindness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If something blinds you, it makes you unable to see, either for a short time or permanently.\nThe sun hit the windscreen, momentarily blinding him.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If you are blind with something such as tears or a bright light, you are unable to see for a short time because of the tears or light.\nHer mother groped for the back of the chair, her eyes blind with tears.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ with n\n\n=>  blind.ly\nLettie groped blindly for the glass.\n  ADV\n\n4. If you say that someone is blind to a fact or a situation, you mean that they ignore it or are unaware of it, although you think that they should take notice of it or be aware of it.\nAll the time I was blind to your suffering.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n  disapproval\n\n=>  blind.ness\n...blindness in government policy to the very existence of the unemployed.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n5. If something blinds you to the real situation, it prevents you from realizing that it exists or from understanding it properly.\nHe never allowed his love of Australia to blind him to his countrymen’s faults.\n  VERB: V n to n\n\n6. You can describe someone’s beliefs or actions as blind when you think that they seem to take no notice of important facts or behave in an unreasonable way.\n...her blind faith in the wisdom of the Church...\nLesley yelled at him with blind, hating rage.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval\n\n7. A blind corner is one that you cannot see round because something is blocking your view.\nHe tried to overtake three cars on a blind corner and crashed head-on into a lorry.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n8. A blind is a roll of cloth or paper which you can pull down over a window as a covering.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also Venetian blind\n9.\n  see also blinding, blindly, colour-blind\n10. If you say that someone is turning a blind eye to something bad or illegal that is happening, you mean that you think they are pretending not to notice that it is happening so that they will not have to do anything about it.\nTeachers are turning a blind eye to pupils smoking at school, a report reveals today...\n  PHRASE: V inflects  disapproval


Words: blind alley
Meaning:
blind al.ley\n   blind alley  blind alleys\n  If you describe a situation as a blind alley, you mean that progress is not possible or that the situation can have no useful results.\nThe Internet has proved a blind alley for many firms.\n  N-COUNT\n  = dead end


Words: blind date
Meaning:
blind date  blind dates\n  A blind date is an arrangement made for you to spend a romantic evening with someone you have never met before.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blind spot
Meaning:
blind spot  blind spots\n1. If you say that someone has a blind spot about something, you mean that they seem to be unable to understand it or to see how important it is.\nThe prime minister has a blind spot on ethical issues...\nWhen I was single I never worried about money.it was a bit of a blind spot.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A blind spot is an area in your range of vision that you cannot see properly but which you really should be able to see. For example, when you are driving a car, the area just behind your shoulders is often a blind spot.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blind trust
Meaning:
blind trust blind trusts\n  A blind trust is a financial arrangement in which someone’s investments are managed without the person knowing where the money is invested. Blind trusts are used especially by people such as members of parliament, so that they cannot be accused of using their position to make money unfairly. (BUSINESS)\nHis shares were placed in a blind trust when he became a government minister.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blindfold
Meaning:
blind.fold\n   blindfold  blindfolds  blindfolding  blindfolded\n1. A blindfold is a strip of cloth that is tied over someone’s eyes so that they cannot see.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you blindfold someone, you tie a blindfold over their eyes.\nHis abductors blindfolded him and drove him to a flat in southern Beirut...\nThe report says prisoners were often kept blindfolded.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n3. If someone does something blindfold, they do it while wearing a blindfold.\nThe Australian chess grandmaster Ian Rogers took on six opponents blindfold and beat five.\n  ADJ: ADJ after v\n\n4. If you say that you can do something blindfold, you are emphasizing that you can do it easily, for example because you have done it many times before.\nHe read the letter again although already he could have recited its contents blindfold.\n  PHRASE  emphasis


Words: blinding
Meaning:
blind.ing\n   blinding\n1. A blinding light is extremely bright.\nThe doctor worked busily beneath the blinding lights of the delivery room.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = dazzling\n2. You use blinding to emphasize that something is very obvious.\nThe miseries I went through made me suddenly realise with a blinding flash what life was all about.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n=>  blind.ing.ly\nIt is so blindingly obvious that defence must be the responsibility of the state.\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv\n\n3. Blinding pain is very strong pain.\nThere was a pain then, a quick, blinding agony that jumped along Danlo’s spine.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: blindly
Meaning:
blind.ly\n   blindly\n  If you say that someone does something blindly, you mean that they do it without having enough information, or without thinking about it.\nDon’t just blindly follow what the banker says...\nWithout adequate information, many students choose a college almost blindly.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj, ADV with cl  disapproval\n\n  see also blind


Words: blink
Meaning:
blink  blinks  blinking  blinked\n1. When you blink or when you blink your eyes, you shut your eyes and very quickly open them again.\nKathryn blinked and forced a smile...\nShe was blinking her eyes rapidly...\nHe blinked at her.\n  VERB: V, V n, V at n\n\n  Blink is also a noun.\nHe kept giving quick blinks.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. When a light blinks, it flashes on and off.\nGreen and yellow lights blinked on the surface of the harbour...\nA warning light blinked on.\n  VERB: V, V on/out/off\n\n3. If a machine goes on the blink, it stops working properly. (INFORMAL)\n...an old TV that’s on the blink.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR


Words: blinkered
Meaning:
blink.ered\n   blinkered\n  A blinkered view, attitude, or approach is narrow and does not take into account other people’s opinions. A blinkered person has this kind of attitude. (BRIT)\nThey’ve got a very blinkered view of life...\nHaig was limited by his blinkered approach to strategy and tactics...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = narrow-minded


Words: blinkers
Meaning:
blink.ers\n   blinkers\n  Blinkers are two pieces of leather which are placed at the side of a horse’s eyes so that it can only see straight ahead. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use blinders)\n  N-PLURAL


Words: blip
Meaning:
blip  blips\n1. A blip is a small spot of light, sometimes occurring with a short, high-pitched sound, which flashes on and off regularly on a piece of equipment such as a radar screen.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A blip in a straight line, such as the line on a graph, is a point at which the line suddenly makes a sharp change of direction before returning to its original direction.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A blip in a situation is a sudden but temporary change or interruption in it.\nInterest rates generally have been declining since last spring, despite a few upward blips in recent weeks.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bliss
Meaning:
bliss\n  Bliss is a state of complete happiness.\nIt was a scene of such domestic bliss.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blissful
Meaning:
bliss.ful\n   blissful\n1. A blissful situation or period of time is one in which you are extremely happy.\nWe spent a blissful week together...\nThere’s just nothing more blissful than lying by that pool.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  bliss.ful.ly\nWe’re blissfully happy...\nThe summer passed blissfully.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV after v\n\n2. If someone is in blissful ignorance of something unpleasant or serious, they are totally unaware of it.\nMany country parishes were still living in blissful ignorance of the post-war crime wave.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  bliss.ful.ly\nAt first, he was blissfully unaware of the conspiracy against him.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV before v


Words: blister
Meaning:
blis.ter\n   blister  blisters  blistering  blistered\n1. A blister is a painful swelling on the surface of your skin. Blisters contain a clear liquid and are usually caused by heat or by something repeatedly rubbing your skin.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. When your skin blisters or when something blisters it, blisters appear on it.\nThe affected skin turns red and may blister...\nThe sap of this plant blisters the skin.\n...pausing to bathe their blistered feet.\n  VERB: V, V n, V-ed


Words: blistering
Meaning:
blis.ter.ing\n   blistering\n1. Blistering heat is very great heat.\n...a blistering summer day.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. A blistering remark expresses great anger or dislike.\nThe president responded to this with a blistering attack on his critics.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. Blistering is used to describe actions in sport to emphasize that they are done with great speed or force. (JOURNALISM)\nSharon Wild set a blistering pace to take the lead.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis


Words: blithe
Meaning:
blithe\n  You use blithe to indicate that something is done casually, without serious or careful thought.\nIt does so with blithe disregard for best scientific practice.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval\n\n=>  blithe.ly\nYour editorial blithely ignores the hard facts...\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj


Words: blitz
Meaning:
blitz  blitzes  blitzing  blitzed\n1. If a city or building is blitzed during a war, it is attacked by bombs dropped by enemy aircraft.\nIn the autumn of 1940 London was blitzed by an average of two hundred aircraft a night...\nThey blitzed the capital with tanks, artillery, anti-aircraft weapons and machine guns.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n\n\n2. The heavy bombing of British cities by German aircraft in 1940 and 1941 is referred to as the Blitz.\n  N-PROPER: the N\n\n3. If you have a blitz on something, you make a big effort to deal with it or to improve it. (INFORMAL)\nRegional accents are still acceptable but there is to be a blitz on incorrect grammar.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, oft N on n\n\n4. An advertising or publicity blitz is a major effort to make the public aware of something.\nOn December 8 the media blitz began in earnest.\n  N-COUNT: with supp


Words: blitzkrieg
Meaning:
blitz.krieg\n   blitzkrieg  blitzkriegs\n1. A blitzkrieg is a fast and intense military attack that takes the enemy by surprise and is intended to achieve a very quick victory.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Journalists sometimes refer to a rapid and powerful attack or campaign in, for example, sport, politics, or advertising as a blitzkrieg. (INFORMAL)\n...a blitzkrieg of media hype.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blizzard
Meaning:
bliz.zard\n   blizzard  blizzards\n  A blizzard is a very bad snowstorm with strong winds.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bloated
Meaning:
bloat.ed\n   bloated\n1. If someone’s body or a part of their body is bloated, it is much larger than normal, usually because it has a lot of liquid or gas inside it.\n...the bloated body of a dead bullock...\nHis face was bloated.\n  ADJ\n  = swollen\n2. If you feel bloated after eating a large meal, you feel very full and uncomfortable.\nDiners do not want to leave the table feeling bloated.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n3. If you describe an organization as bloated, you mean that it is larger and less efficient than it should be.\n...its massive state apparatus and bloated bureaucracy.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: bloating
Meaning:
bloat.ing\n   bloating\n  Bloating is the swelling of a body or part of a body, usually because it has a lot of gas or liquid in it.\n...abdominal bloating and pain.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = swelling


Words: blob
Meaning:
blob  blobs\n1. A blob of thick or sticky liquid is a small, often round, amount of it. (INFORMAL)\n...a blob of chocolate mousse...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. You can use blob to refer to something that you cannot see very clearly, for example because it is in the distance. (INFORMAL)\nYou could just see vague blobs of faces.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bloc
Meaning:
bloc  blocs\n  A bloc is a group of countries which have similar political aims and interests and that act together over some issues.\n...the former Soviet bloc.\n...the world’s largest trading bloc.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also en bloc


Words: block
Meaning:
block  blocks  blocking  blocked\n1. A block of flats or offices is a large building containing them.\n...blocks of council flats.\n...a white-painted apartment block.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n\n\n2. A block in a town is an area of land with streets on all its sides.\nShe walked four blocks down High Street...\nHe walked around the block three times.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A block of a substance is a large rectangular piece of it.\n...a block of ice.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n4. To block a road, channel, or pipe means to put an object across it or in it so that nothing can pass through it or along it.\nSome students today blocked a highway that cuts through the center of the city...\nHe can clear blocked drains.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n5. If something blocks your view, it prevents you from seeing something because it is between you and that thing.\n...a row of spruce trees that blocked his view of the long north slope of the mountain.\n  VERB: V n\n  = obstruct\n6. If you block someone’s way, you prevent them from going somewhere or entering a place by standing in front of them.\nI started to move round him, but he blocked my way...\n  VERB: V n\n\n7. If you block something that is being arranged, you prevent it from being done.\nFor years the country has tried to block imports of various cheap foreign products...\n  VERB: V n\n\n8. A block of something such as tickets or shares is a large quantity of them, especially when they are all sold at the same time and are in a particular sequence or order.\nThose booking a block of seats get them at reduced rates.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n9. If you have a mental block or a block, you are temporarily unable to do something that you can normally do which involves using, thinking about, or remembering something.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n10.\n  see also breeze-block, building block, roadblock, starting block, stumbling block, tower block\n11.\na chip off the old block: see chip


Words: block capitals
Meaning:
block capi.tals\n   block capitals\n  Block capitals are simple capital letters that are not decorated in any way.\n  N-PLURAL: usu in N


Words: block in
Meaning:
block in\n  If you are blocked in, someone has parked their car in such a way that you cannot drive yours away.\nOur cars get blocked in and we can’t leave for ages...\nOh, is that your car outside? I may have blocked you in.\n  PHRASAL VERB: get V-ed P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)


Words: block letters
Meaning:
block let.ters\n   block letters\n  Block letters are the same as block capitals.\n  N-PLURAL: usu in N


Words: block off
Meaning:
block off\n  When you block off a door, window, or passage, you put something across it so that nothing can pass through it.\nThey had blocked off the fireplaces to stop draughts.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: block out
Meaning:
block out\n1. If someone blocks out a thought, they try not to think about it.\nShe accuses me of having blocked out the past...\nI had to block the thought out of my mind.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P of n\n\n2. Something that blocks out light prevents it from reaching a place.\nThick chipboard across the window frames blocked out the daylight...\nThose clouds would have cast shadows that would have blocked some sunlight out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P


Words: block vote
Meaning:
block vote  block votes\n  A block vote is a large number of votes that are all cast in the same way by one person on behalf of a group of people.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blockade
Meaning:
block.ade\n   blockade  blockades  blockading  blockaded\n1. A blockade of a place is an action that is taken to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving it.\nStriking lorry drivers agreed to lift their blockades of main roads...\n...the economic blockade of Lithuania.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. If a group of people blockade a place, they stop goods or people from reaching that place. If they blockade a road or a port, they stop people using that road or port.\nTruck drivers have blockaded roads to show their anger over new driving regulations...\n  VERB: V n, also V-ed


Words: blockage
Meaning:
block.age\n   blockage  blockages\n  A blockage in a pipe, tube, or tunnel is an object which blocks it, or the state of being blocked.\n...a total blockage in one of the coronary arteries.\n  N-COUNT: oft N in/of n


Words: blockbuster
Meaning:
block.bust.er\n   blockbuster  blockbusters\n  A blockbuster is a film or book that is very popular and successful, usually because it is very exciting. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: blockbusting
Meaning:
block.bust.ing\n   blockbusting\n  A blockbusting film or book is one that is very successful, usually because it is very exciting. (JOURNALISM INFORMAL)\n...the blockbusting sci-fi movie `Suburban Commando’.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: blonde
Meaning:
blonde  blondes  blonder  blondest\n\n  The form blonde is usually used to refer to women, and blond to refer to men.\n\n1. A woman who has blonde hair has pale-coloured hair. Blonde hair can be very light brown or light yellow. The form blond is used when describing men.\nThere were two little girls, one Asian and one with blonde hair...\nThe baby had blond curls.\n  COLOUR\n\n2. Someone who is blonde has blonde hair.\nHe was blonder than his brother.\n...the striking blond actor.\n  ADJ\n\n3. A blonde is a woman who has blonde hair.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blonde bombshell
Meaning:
blonde bomb.shell\n   blonde bombshell  blonde bombshells\n  Journalists sometimes use blonde bombshell to refer to a woman with blonde hair who is very attractive. (JOURNALISM INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: blood
Meaning:
blood\n1. Blood is the red liquid that flows inside your body, which you can see if you cut yourself.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You can use blood to refer to the race or social class of someone’s parents or ancestors.\nThere was Greek blood in his veins...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N\n\n3. If you say that there is bad blood between people, you mean that they have argued about something and dislike each other.\nThere is, it seems, some bad blood between Mills and the Baldwins.\n  PHRASE: oft PHR between pl-n\n\n4. If you say that something makes your blood boil, you are emphasizing that it makes you very angry.\nIt makes my blood boil to think two thugs decided to pick on an innocent young girl.\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis\n\n5. If something violent and cruel is done in cold blood, it is done deliberately and in an unemotional way.\nThe crime had been committed in cold blood.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  disapproval\n\n  see also cold-blooded\n6. If you say that something makes your blood run cold or makes your blood freeze, you mean that it makes you feel very frightened.\nThe rage in his eyes made her blood run cold...\nHe could hear a sudden roaring. His blood froze.\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis\n\n7. If you say that someone has a person’s blood on their hands, you mean that they are responsible for that person’s death.\nHe has my son’s blood on his hands. I hope it haunts him for the rest of his days.\n  PHRASE\n\n8. If a quality or talent is in your blood, it is part of your nature, and other members of your family have it too.\nDiplomacy was in his blood: his ancestors had been feudal lords...\nHe has adventure in his blood.\n  PHRASE: oft v-link PHR\n\n9. You can use the expressions new blood, fresh blood, or young blood to refer to people who are brought into an organization to improve it by thinking of new ideas or new ways of doing things.\nThere’s been a major reshuffle of the cabinet to bring in new blood...\n  PHRASE\n\n10. If you say that someone sweats blood trying to do something, you are emphasizing that they try very hard to do it.\nI had to sweat blood for an M.A.\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis\n\n11.\nflesh and blood: see flesh\nown flesh and blood: see flesh


Words: blood and thunder
Meaning:
blood and thun.der\n   blood and thunder   also blood-and-thunder\n  A blood and thunder performer or performance is very loud and emotional.\nHe was a blood-and-thunder preacher.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: blood bank
Meaning:
blood bank  blood banks\n  A blood bank is a place where blood which has been taken from blood donors is stored until it is needed for people in hospital.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blood brother
Meaning:
blood broth.er\n   blood brother  blood brothers   also blood-brother\n  A man’s blood brother is a man he has sworn to treat as a brother, often in a ceremony which involves mixing a small amount of their blood.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blood count
Meaning:
blood count  blood counts\n  Your blood count is the number of red and white cells in your blood. A blood count can also refer to a medical examination which determines the number of red and white cells in your blood.\nHer blood count was normal...\nWe do a blood count to ensure that all is well.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blood donor
Meaning:
blood do.nor\n   blood donor  blood donors\n  A blood donor is someone who gives some of their blood so that it can be used in operations.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blood feud
Meaning:
blood feud  blood feuds\n  A blood feud is a long-lasting, bitter disagreement between two or more groups of people, particularly family groups. Blood feuds often involve members of each group murdering or fighting with members of the other.\n  N-COUNT\n  = vendetta


Words: blood group
Meaning:
blood group  blood groups\n  Someone’s blood group is the type of blood that they have in their body. There are four main types: A, B, AB, and O.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N\n  = blood type


Words: blood heat
Meaning:
blood heat\n  Blood heat is a temperature of 37.C, which is about the same as the normal temperature of the human body.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blood lust
Meaning:
blood lust   also blood-lust\n  If you say that someone is driven by a blood lust, you mean that they are acting in an extremely violent way because their emotions have been aroused by the events around them.\nThe mobs became driven by a crazed blood-lust to take the city.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N


Words: blood money
Meaning:
blood mon.ey\n   blood money\n1. If someone makes a payment of blood money to the family of someone who has been killed, they pay that person’s family a sum of money as compensation.\nDefence lawyers have still not agreed to terms for payment of blood money to the victims’ families.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Blood money is money that is paid to someone for murdering someone.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blood poisoning
Meaning:
blood poi.son.ing\n   blood poisoning\n  Blood poisoning is a serious illness resulting from an infection in your blood.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blood pressure
Meaning:
blood pres.sure\n   blood pressure\n  Your blood pressure is the amount of force with which your blood flows around your body.\nYour doctor will monitor your blood pressure...\nPrime Minister Pavlov had been taken ill with high blood pressure.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blood pudding
Meaning:
blood pud.ding\n   blood pudding  blood puddings\n  Blood pudding is another word for black pudding.\n  N-VAR


Words: blood relation
Meaning:
blood re.la.tion\n   blood relation  blood relations   also blood relative\n  A blood relation or blood relative is someone who is related to you by birth rather than by marriage.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blood sport
Meaning:
blood sport  blood sports   also bloodsport\n  Blood sports are sports such as hunting in which animals are killed.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blood test
Meaning:
blood test  blood tests\n  A blood test is a medical examination of a small amount of your blood.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blood transfusion
Meaning:
blood trans.fu.sion\n   blood transfusion  blood transfusions\n  A blood transfusion is a process in which blood is injected into the body of a person who is badly injured or ill.\n  N-VAR\n  = transfusion


Words: blood vessel
Meaning:
blood ves.sel\n   blood vessel  blood vessels\n  Blood vessels are the narrow tubes through which your blood flows.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: blood-curdling
Meaning:
blood-curdling   also bloodcurdling\n  A blood-curdling sound or story is very frightening and horrible.\n...blood-curdling tales.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: blood-letting
Meaning:
blood-letting\n1. Blood-letting is violence or killing between groups of people, especially between rival armies.\nOnce again there’s been ferocious blood-letting in the township.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Journalists sometimes refer to a bitter quarrel between two groups of people from within the same organization as blood-letting.\nHopefully a satisfactory solution can be reached without much blood letting.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blood-red
Meaning:
blood-red   also blood red\n  Something that is blood-red is bright red in colour.\n...blood-red cherries.\n  COLOUR


Words: bloodbath
Meaning:
blood.bath\n   bloodbath  bloodbaths   also blood bath\n  If you describe an event as a bloodbath, you are emphasizing that a lot of people were killed very violently.\nThe war degenerated into a bloodbath of tribal killings.\n  N-COUNT  emphasis


Words: bloodhound
Meaning:
blood.hound\n   bloodhound  bloodhounds\n  A bloodhound is a large dog with a very good sense of smell. Bloodhounds are often used to find people or other animals by following their scent.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bloodless
Meaning:
blood.less\n   bloodless\n1. A bloodless coup or victory is one in which nobody is killed.\nReports from the area indicate that it was a bloodless coup...\nThe campaign would be short and relatively bloodless.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  blood.less.ly\nThis war had to be fought fast and relatively bloodlessly.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If you describe someone’s face or skin as bloodless, you mean that it is very pale.\n...her face grey and bloodless.\n  ADJ\n  = ashen


Words: bloodline
Meaning:
blood.line\n   bloodline  bloodlines\n  A person’s bloodline is their ancestors over many generations, and the characteristics they are believed to have inherited from these ancestors.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp


Words: bloodshed
Meaning:
blood.shed\n   bloodshed\n  Bloodshed is violence in which people are killed or wounded.\nThe government must increase the pace of reforms to avoid further bloodshed.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bloodshot
Meaning:
blood.shot\n   bloodshot\n  If your eyes are bloodshot, the parts that are usually white are red or pink. Your eyes can be bloodshot for a variety of reasons, for example because you are tired or you have drunk too much alcohol.\nJohn’s eyes were bloodshot and puffy.\n  ADJ


Words: bloodstain
Meaning:
blood.stain\n   bloodstain  bloodstains\n  A bloodstain is a mark on a surface caused by blood.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bloodstained
Meaning:
blood.stained\n   bloodstained\n  Someone or something that is bloodstained is covered with blood.\nThe killer must have been heavily bloodstained.\n...bloodstained clothing.\n  ADJ


Words: bloodstock
Meaning:
blood.stock\n   bloodstock\n  Horses that are bred for racing are referred to as bloodstock.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: bloodstream
Meaning:
blood.stream\n   bloodstream  bloodstreams\n  Your bloodstream is the blood that flows around your body.\nThe disease releases toxins into the bloodstream.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, the N, poss N


Words: bloodsucker
Meaning:
blood.sucker\n   bloodsucker  bloodsuckers\n1. A bloodsucker is any creature that sucks blood from a wound that it has made in an animal or person.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you call someone a bloodsucker, you disapprove of them because you think they do not do anything worthwhile but live off the efforts of other people.\nAt last he was free from the financial bloodsuckers.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: bloodthirsty
Meaning:
blood.thirsty\n   bloodthirsty\n  Bloodthirsty people are eager to use violence or display a strong interest in violent things. You can also use bloodthirsty to refer to very violent situations.\nThey were savage and bloodthirsty.\n...some of the most tragic scenes witnessed even in this bloodthirsty war.\n  ADJ


Words: bloody
Meaning:
bloody  bloodier  bloodiest  bloodies  bloodying  bloodied\n1. Bloody is used by some people to emphasize what they are saying, especially when they are angry. (BRIT RUDE)\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis\n\n2. If you describe a situation or event as bloody, you mean that it is very violent and a lot of people are killed.\nForty-three demonstrators were killed in bloody clashes...\nThey came to power in 1975 after a bloody civil war.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  bloodi.ly\nRebellions in the area were bloodily repressed by pro-government forces.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n3. You can describe someone or something as bloody if they are covered in a lot of blood.\nHe was arrested last October still carrying a bloody knife...\nYulka’s fingers were bloody and cracked.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  bloodi.ly\nThe soldier reeled bloodily away.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n4. If you have bloodied part of your body, there is blood on it, usually because you have had an accident or you have been attacked.\nOne of our children fell and bloodied his knee...\nShe stared at her own bloodied hands, unable to think or move.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: Bloody Mary
Meaning:
Bloody Mary  Bloody Marys   also bloody mary\n  A Bloody Mary is a drink made from vodka and tomato juice.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bloody-minded
Meaning:
bloody-minded\n  If you say that someone is being bloody-minded, you are showing that you disapprove of their behaviour because you think they are being deliberately difficult instead of being helpful. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHe had a reputation for being bloody-minded and difficult.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  bloody-mindedness\nThis is sheer bloody-mindedness.\n...a rare mixture of courage and bloody-mindedness.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bloom
Meaning:
bloom  blooms  blooming  bloomed\n1. A bloom is the flower on a plant. (LITERARY or TECHNICAL)\n...the sweet fragrance of the white blooms...\nHarry carefully picked the bloom.\n  N-COUNT\n  = flower\n2. A plant or tree that is in bloom has flowers on it.\n...a pink climbing rose in full bloom.\n...the sweet smell of the blackberry in bloom.\n  PHRASE\n\n3. When a plant or tree blooms, it produces flowers. When a flower blooms, it opens.\nThis plant blooms between May and June.\n  VERB: V\n\n=>  -blooming\n...the scent of night-blooming flowers.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n4. If someone or something blooms, they develop good, attractive, or successful qualities.\nNot many economies bloomed in 1990, least of all gold exporters like Australia...\nShe bloomed into an utterly beautiful creature.\n  VERB: V, V into n\n  = blossom\n5. If something such as someone’s skin has a bloom, it has a fresh and healthy appearance.\nThe skin loses its youthful bloom.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N\n  = glow\n6.\n  see also blooming


Words: bloomers
Meaning:
bloom.ers\n   bloomers\n  Bloomers are an old-fashioned kind of women’s underwear which consists of wide, loose trousers gathered at the knees.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N


Words: blooming
Meaning:
bloom.ing\n   blooming\n  Someone who is blooming looks attractively healthy and full of energy.\nIf they were blooming with confidence they wouldn’t need me...\nShe’s in blooming health.\n  ADJ


Words: blooper
Meaning:
bloop.er\n   blooper  bloopers\n  A blooper is a silly mistake. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\n...the overwhelming appeal of television bloopers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blossom
Meaning:
blos.som\n   blossom  blossoms  blossoming  blossomed\n1. Blossom is the flowers that appear on a tree before the fruit.\nThe cherry blossom came out early in Washington this year.\n...the blossoms of plants, shrubs and trees.\n  N-VAR: oft supp N\n\n2. If someone or something blossoms, they develop good, attractive, or successful qualities.\nWhy do some people take longer than others to blossom?...\nWhat began as a local festival has blossomed into an international event.\n...the blossoming relationship between Israel and Eastern Europe.\n  VERB: V, V into n, V-ing\n  = bloom\n=>  blos.som.ing\n...the blossoming of British art, pop and fashion.\n  N-UNCOUNT: N of n\n\n3. When a tree blossoms, it produces blossom.\nRain begins to fall and peach trees blossom.\n  VERB: V


Words: blot
Meaning:
blot  blots  blotting  blotted\n1. If something is a blot on a person’s or thing’s reputation, it spoils their reputation.\n...a blot on the reputation of the architectural profession...\nThis drugs scandal is another blot on the Olympics.\n  N-COUNT: N on n\n\n2. A blot is a drop of liquid that has fallen on to a surface and has dried.\n...an ink blot.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you blot a surface, you remove liquid from it by pressing a piece of soft paper or cloth onto it.\nBefore applying make-up, blot the face with a tissue to remove any excess oils..\n  VERB: V n, also V n adj\n\n4. If you describe something such as a building as a blot on the landscape, you mean that you think it is very ugly and spoils an otherwise attractive place.\nThe developers insist the .80m village will not leave a blot on the landscape.\n  PHRASE: blot inflects


Words: blot out
Meaning:
blot out\n1. If one thing blots out another thing, it is in front of the other thing and prevents it from being seen.\nAbout the time the three climbers were halfway down, clouds blotted out the sun.\n...with mist blotting everything out except the endless black of the spruce on either side.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n2. If you try to blot out a memory, you try to forget it. If one thought or memory blots out other thoughts or memories, it becomes the only one that you can think about.\nAre you saying that she’s trying to blot out all memory of the incident?...\nThe boy has gaps in his mind about it. He is blotting certain things out...\nShe has suffered an extremely unhappy childhood, but simply blotted it out of her memory.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P, V n P of n\n  = block out


Words: blotch
Meaning:
blotch  blotches\n  A blotch is a small unpleasant-looking area of colour, for example on someone’s skin.\n  N-COUNT\n  = mark


Words: blotched
Meaning:
blotched\n  Something that is blotched has blotches on it.\nHer face is blotched and swollen.\n...a dozen cargo planes blotched with camouflage colors.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with n\n  = marked


Words: blotchy
Meaning:
blotchy\n  Something that is blotchy has blotches on it.\nMy skin goes red and blotchy.\n...blotchy marks on the leaves.\n  ADJ


Words: blotter
Meaning:
blot.ter\n   blotter  blotters\n  A blotter is a large sheet of blotting paper kept in a special holder on a desk.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blotting paper
Meaning:
blot.ting pa.per\n   blotting paper\n  Blotting paper is thick soft paper that you use for soaking up and drying ink on a piece of paper.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blow
Meaning:
VERB USES\n   blow  blows  blowing  blew  blown\n\nPlease look at category 12 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. When a wind or breeze blows, the air moves.\nWe woke to find a gale blowing outside.\n  VERB: V\n\n2. If the wind blows something somewhere or if it blows there, the wind moves it there.\nStrong winds blew away most of the dust...\nHer cap fell off in the street and blew away...\nThe bushes and trees were blowing in the wind.\n  VERB: V n with adv, V adv/prep, V, also V n prep\n\n3. If you blow, you send out a stream of air from your mouth.\nDanny rubbed his arms and blew on his fingers to warm them...\nTake a deep breath and blow.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V\n\n4. If you blow something somewhere, you move it by sending out a stream of air from your mouth.\nHe picked up his mug and blew off the steam.\n  VERB: V n with adv, also V n prep\n\n5. If you blow bubbles or smoke rings, you make them by blowing air out of your mouth through liquid or smoke.\nHe blew a ring of blue smoke.\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. When a whistle or horn blows or someone blows it, they make a sound by blowing into it.\nThe whistle blew and the train slid forward...\nA guard was blowing his whistle.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n7. When you blow your nose, you force air out of it through your nostrils in order to clear it.\nHe took out a handkerchief and blew his nose.\n  VERB: V n\n\n8. To blow something out, off, or away means to remove or destroy it violently with an explosion.\nThe can exploded, wrecking the kitchen and bathroom and blowing out windows...\nRival gunmen blew the city to bits.\n  VERB: V n with adv, V n prep\n\n9. If you say that something blows an event, situation, or argument into a particular extreme state, especially an uncertain or unpleasant state, you mean that it causes it to be in that state.\nSomeone took an inappropriate use of words on my part and tried to blow it into a major controversy.\n  VERB: V n prep\n\n10. If you blow a large amount of money, you spend it quickly on luxuries. (INFORMAL)\nMy brother lent me some money and I went and blew the lot.\n  VERB: V n\n\n11. If you blow a chance or attempt to do something, you make a mistake which wastes the chance or causes the attempt to fail. (INFORMAL)\nHe has almost certainly blown his chance of touring India this winter.\n...the high-risk world of real estate, where one careless word could blow a whole deal...\nOh you fool! You’ve blown it!\n  VERB: V n, V n, V it\n\n12.\nto blow away the cobwebs: see cobweb\nto blow someone’s cover: see cover\nto blow hot and cold: see hot\nto blow a kiss: see kiss\nto blow your top: see top\nto blow the whistle: see whistle\n  see also full-blown, overblown\n\nNOUN USES\n   blow  blows\n1. If someone receives a blow, they are hit with a fist or weapon.\nHe went off to hospital after a blow to the face.\n  N-COUNT: oft N to/on n\n\n2. If something that happens is a blow to someone or something, it is very upsetting, disappointing, or damaging to them.\nThat ruling comes as a blow to environmentalists...\nHis death dealt a severe blow to the army’s morale.\n  N-COUNT: oft N to n\n\n3. If two people or groups come to blows, they start fighting.\nThe representatives almost came to blows at a meeting.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: blow out
Meaning:
blow out\n1. If you blow out a flame or a candle, you blow at it so that it stops burning.\nI blew out the candle.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n2.\n  see also blowout


Words: blow over
Meaning:
blow over\n  If something such as trouble or an argument blows over, it ends without any serious consequences.\nWait, and it’ll all blow over.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: blow up
Meaning:
blow up\n1. If someone blows something up or if it blows up, it is destroyed by an explosion.\nHe was jailed for 45 years for trying to blow up a plane...\nTheir boat blew up as they slept.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P\n\n2. If you blow up something such as a balloon or a tyre, you fill it with air.\nOther than blowing up a tyre I hadn’t done any car maintenance.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n3. If a wind or a storm blows up, the weather becomes very windy or stormy.\nA storm blew up over the mountains.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n4. If you blow up at someone, you lose your temper and shout at them. (INFORMAL)\nI’m sorry I blew up at you...\nWhen Myra told Karp she’d expose his past, he blew up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P at n, V P\n  = explode\n5. If someone blows an incident up or if it blows up, it is made to seem more serious or important than it really is.\nNewspapers blew up the story...\nThe media may be blowing it up out of proportion...\nThe scandal blew up into a major political furore.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P, V P prep/adv, also V P\n\n6. If a photographic image is blown up, a large copy is made of it.\nThe image is blown up on a large screen.\n...two blown up photos of Paddy.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P, V-ed P, also V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n7.\n  see also blow-up


Words: blow-by-blow
Meaning:
blow-by-blow\n  A blow-by-blow account of an event describes every stage of it in great detail. (INFORMAL)\nShe wanted a blow-by-blow account of what happened.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: blow-dry
Meaning:
blow-dry  blow-dries  blow-drying  blow-dried\n  If you blow-dry your hair, you dry it with a hairdryer, often to give it a particular style.\nI find it hard to blow-dry my hair...\nHe has blow-dried blonde hair.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n  Blow-dry is also a noun.\nThe price of a cut and blow-dry varies widely.\n  N-SING


Words: blow-up
Meaning:
blow-up  blow-ups   also blowup\n1. A blow-up is a photograph or picture that has been made bigger. (INFORMAL)\n...yellowing blow-ups of James Dean.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A blow-up is a sudden fierce argument. (INFORMAL)\nHe and Cohen appeared headed for a major blowup.\n  N-COUNT: oft N with


Words: blowlamp
Meaning:
blow.lamp\n   blowlamp  blowlamps   also blow lamp\n  A blowlamp is a device which produces a hot flame, and is used to heat metal or remove old paint. (BRIT; in AM, use blowtorch)\n  N-COUNT\n  = blowtorch


Words: blowout
Meaning:
blow.out\n   blowout blowouts  also blow-out\n1. A blowout is a large meal, often a celebration with family or friends, at which people may eat too much. (INFORMAL)\nOnce in a while we had a major blowout.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you have a blowout while you are driving a car, one of the tyres suddenly bursts.\nA lorry travelling south had a blow-out and crashed.\n  N-COUNT\n  = puncture\n3. A blowout in an amount or a price is a sudden increase in it. (AUSTRALIAN JOURNALISM)\n...a blowout in surgery costs.\n  N-COUNT: oft N in n


Words: blub
Meaning:
blub  blubs  blubbing  blubbed\n  If someone blubs, they cry because they are unhappy or frightened. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nDon’t blub.\n  VERB: V\n  = cry, blubber


Words: blubber
Meaning:
blub.ber\n   blubber  blubbers  blubbering  blubbered\n1. Blubber is the fat of whales, seals, and similar sea animals.\nThe baby whale develops a thick layer of blubber to protect it from the cold sea.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If someone blubbers, they cry noisily and in an unattractive way. (INFORMAL)\nShe started to blubber like a child.\n  VERB: V


Words: bludgeon
Meaning:
bludg.eon\n   bludgeon  bludgeons  bludgeoning  bludgeoned\n1. To bludgeon someone means to hit them several times with a heavy object.\nHe broke into the old man’s house and bludgeoned him with a hammer...\nA wealthy businessman has been found bludgeoned to death.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed to n\n\n2. If someone bludgeons you into doing something, they make you do it by behaving aggressively.\nTheir approach simply bludgeons you into submission...\n  VERB: V n into n/-ing\n  = bulldoze


Words: blue
Meaning:
blue  bluer  bluest  blues\n1. Something that is blue is the colour of the sky on a sunny day.\nThere were swallows in the cloudless blue sky...\nShe fixed her pale blue eyes on her father’s.\n...colourful blues and reds.\n  COLOUR\n\n2. The blues is a type of music which was developed by African American musicians in the southern United States. It is characterized by a slow tempo and a strong rhythm.\n  N-PLURAL: the N\n\n3. If you have got the blues, you feel sad and depressed. (INFORMAL)\nInterfering in-laws are the prime sources of the blues.\n  N-PLURAL: the N\n\n4. If you are feeling blue, you are feeling sad or depressed, often when there is no particular reason. (INFORMAL)\nThere’s no earthly reason for me to feel so blue.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = down\n5. Blue films, stories, or jokes are about sex.\n...a secret stash of porn mags and blue movies.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n6. If something happens out of the blue, it happens unexpectedly.\nOne of them wrote to us out of the blue several years later.\n  PHRASE\n\n7.\nblue moon: see moon


Words: blue baby
Meaning:
blue baby  blue babies\n  A blue baby is a baby whose skin is slightly blue because it has been born with something wrong with its heart.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blue book
Meaning:
blue book  blue books   also Blue Book\n  A blue book is an official government report or register of statistics. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: blue chip
Meaning:
blue chip  blue chips\n  Blue chip stocks and shares are an investment which are considered fairly safe to invest in while also being profitable. (BUSINESS)\nBlue chip issues were sharply higher, but the rest of the market actually declined slightly by the end of the day.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: blue riband
Meaning:
blue rib.and\n   blue riband  blue ribands   also blue ribband\n  If someone or something wins the blue riband in a competition, they win first prize. The prize is sometimes in the shape of a blue ribbon. (BRIT; in AM, use blue ribbon)\nOlga did not win the all-round championship, the blue riband event.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blue ribbon
Meaning:
blue rib.bon\n   blue ribbon  blue ribbons\n  A blue ribbon is the same as a blue riband. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: blue tit
Meaning:
blue tit  blue tits\n  A blue tit is a small European bird with a blue head, wings, and tail, and a yellow front.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blue-black
Meaning:
blue-black\n  Something that is blue-black is bluish black in colour.\n...blue-black feathers.\n  COLOUR


Words: blue-blooded
Meaning:
blue-blooded\n  A blue-blooded person is from a royal or noble family.\n...blue-blooded aristocrats.\n  ADJ


Words: blue-collar
Meaning:
blue-collar\n  Blue-collar workers work in industry, doing physical work, rather than in offices.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=white-collar


Words: blue-eyed boy
Meaning:
blue-eyed boy  blue-eyed boys\n  Someone’s blue-eyed boy is a young man who they like better than anyone else and who therefore receives better treatment than other people. (BRIT; in AM, use fair-haired boy)\nHe was the media’s blue-eyed boy.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N  disapproval\n  = darling, favourite


Words: bluebell
Meaning:
blue.bell\n   bluebell  bluebells\n  Bluebells are plants that have blue bell-shaped flowers on thin upright stems. Bluebells flower in the spring.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blueberry
Meaning:
blue.berry\n   blueberry  blueberries\n  A blueberry is a small dark blue fruit that is found in North America. Blueberries are usually cooked before they are eaten.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bluebottle
Meaning:
blue.bottle\n   bluebottle  bluebottles\n  A bluebottle is a large fly with a shiny dark-blue body.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bluegrass
Meaning:
blue.grass\n   bluegrass\n  Bluegrass is a style of fast folk music that began in the Southern United States.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blueprint
Meaning:
blue.print\n   blueprint  blueprints\n1. A blueprint for something is a plan or set of proposals that shows how it is expected to work.\nThe country’s president will offer delegates his blueprint for the country’s future.\n...the blueprint of a new plan of economic reform.\n  N-COUNT: usu N for n\n\n2. A blueprint of an architect’s building plans or a designer’s pattern is a photographic print consisting of white lines on a blue background. Blueprints contain all of the information that is needed to build or make something.\n...a blueprint of the whole place, complete with heating ducts and wiring...\nThe documents contain a blueprint for a nuclear device.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = design\n3. A genetic blueprint is a pattern which is contained within all living cells. This pattern decides how the organism develops and what it looks like.\nThe offspring contain a mixture of the genetic blueprint of each parent...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp


Words: bluestocking
Meaning:
blue.stocking\n   bluestocking  bluestockings   also blue-stocking\n  A bluestocking is an intellectual woman. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: bluesy
Meaning:
bluesy\n  If you describe a song or the way it is performed as bluesy, you mean that it is performed in a way that is characteristic of the blues.\n...bluesy sax-and-strings theme music.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: bluff
Meaning:
bluff  bluffs  bluffing  bluffed\n1. A bluff is an attempt to make someone believe that you will do something when you do not really intend to do it.\nIt is essential to build up the military option and show that this is not a bluff...\nWhat we’re at here is a game of bluff.\n  N-VAR\n\n  see also double bluff\n2. If you call someone’s bluff, you tell them to do what they have been threatening to do, because you are sure that they will not really do it.\nThe Socialists have decided to call the opposition’s bluff.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n3. If you bluff, you make someone believe that you will do something when you do not really intend to do it, or that you know something when you do not really know it.\nEither side, or both, could be bluffing...\nIn each case the hijackers bluffed the crew using fake grenades...\n  VERB: V, V n


Words: bluish
Meaning:
blu.ish\n   bluish   also blueish\n  Something that is bluish is slightly blue in colour.\n...bluish-grey eyes.\n  COLOUR


Words: blunder
Meaning:
blun.der\n   blunder  blunders  blundering  blundered\n1. A blunder is a stupid or careless mistake.\nI think he made a tactical blunder by announcing it so far ahead of time.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you blunder, you make a stupid or careless mistake.\nNo doubt I had blundered again...\n  VERB: V\n\n3. If you blunder into a dangerous or difficult situation, you get involved in it by mistake.\nPeople wanted to know how they had blundered into war, and how to avoid it in future.\n  VERB: V into n\n\n4. If you blunder somewhere, you move there in a clumsy and careless way.\nHe had blundered into the table, upsetting the flowers.\n  VERB: V prep/adv


Words: blunt
Meaning:
blunt  blunter  bluntest  blunts  blunting  blunted\n1. If you are blunt, you say exactly what you think without trying to be polite.\nShe is blunt about her personal life...\nShe told the industry in blunt terms that such discrimination is totally unacceptable.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  blunt.ly\n`I don’t believe you!’ Jeanne said bluntly...\nTo put it bluntly, he became a pain.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  blunt.ness\nHis bluntness got him into trouble.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft poss N\n\n2. A blunt object has a rounded or flat end rather than a sharp one.\nOne of them had been struck 13 times over the head with a blunt object.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=pointed\n3. A blunt knife or blade is no longer sharp and does not cut well.\n  ADJ\n  !=sharp\n4. If something blunts an emotion, a feeling or a need, it weakens it.\nThe constant repetition of violence has blunted the human response to it...\n  VERB: V n


Words: blur
Meaning:
blur  blurs  blurring  blurred\n1. A blur is a shape or area which you cannot see clearly because it has no distinct outline or because it is moving very fast.\nOut of the corner of my eye I saw a blur of movement on the other side of the glass...\nHer face is a blur.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. When a thing blurs or when something blurs it, you cannot see it clearly because its edges are no longer distinct.\nThis creates a spectrum of colours at the edges of objects which blurs the image...\nIf you move your eyes and your head, the picture will blur.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n=>  blurred\n...blurred black and white photographs.\n  ADJ\n\n3. If something blurs an idea or a distinction between things, that idea or distinction no longer seems clear.\n...her belief that scientists are trying to blur the distinction between `how’ and `why’ questions...\n  VERB: V n\n  = obscure\n=>  blurred\nThe line between fact and fiction is becoming blurred.\n  ADJ\n\n4. If your vision blurs, or if something blurs it, you cannot see things clearly.\nHer eyes, behind her glasses, began to blur...\nSweat ran from his forehead into his eyes, blurring his vision.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n=>  blurred\n...visual disturbances like eye-strain and blurred vision.\n  ADJ


Words: blurb
Meaning:
blurb  blurbs\n  The blurb about a new book, film, or exhibition is information about it that is written in order to attract people’s interest. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft the N


Words: blurry
Meaning:
blur.ry\n   blurry\n  A blurry shape is one that has an unclear outline.\n...a blurry picture of a man.\n  ADJ\n  = blurred


Words: blurt
Meaning:
blurt  blurts  blurting  blurted\n  If someone blurts something, they say it suddenly, after trying hard to keep quiet or to keep it secret.\n`I was looking for Sally’, he blurted, and his eyes filled with tears.\n  VERB: V with quote, also V that


Words: blurt out
Meaning:
blurt out\n  If someone blurts something out, they blurt it. (INFORMAL)\n`You’re mad,’ the driver blurted out...\nOver the food, Richard blurted out what was on his mind.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with quote, V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: blush
Meaning:
blush  blushes  blushing  blushed\n  When you blush, your face becomes redder than usual because you are ashamed or embarrassed.\n`Hello, Maria,’ he said, and she blushed again...\nI blushed scarlet at my stupidity.\n  VERB: V, V colour\n\n  Blush is also a noun.\n`The most important thing is to be honest,’ she says, without the trace of a blush.\n  N-COUNT


Words: blusher
Meaning:
blush.er\n   blusher  blushers\n  Blusher is a coloured substance that women put on their cheeks.\n  N-MASS


Words: bluster
Meaning:
blus.ter\n   bluster  blusters  blustering  blustered\n  If you say that someone is blustering, you mean that they are speaking aggressively but without authority, often because they are angry or offended.\n`That’s lunacy,’ he blustered...\nHe was still blustering, but there was panic in his eyes.\n  VERB: V with quote, V\n\n  Bluster is also a noun.\n...the bluster of the Conservatives’ campaign.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: blustery
Meaning:
blus.tery\n   blustery\n  Blustery weather is rough, windy, and often rainy, with the wind often changing in strength or direction.\nIt’s a cold night here, with intermittent rain showers and a blustery wind.\n...a cool, blustery day.\n  ADJ


Words: Blvd
Meaning:
in AM, use Blvd.\n  Blvd is a written abbreviation for boulevard. It is used especially in addresses and on maps or signs.\n...1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209.


Words: boa
Meaning:
boa  boas\n1. A boa or a feather boa is a long soft scarf made of feathers or of short pieces of very light fabric.\nShe wore a large pink boa around her neck.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A boa is the same as a boa constrictor.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boa constrictor
Meaning:
boa con.stric.tor\n   boa constrictor  boa constrictors\n  A boa constrictor is a large snake that kills animals by wrapping itself round their bodies and squeezing them to death. Boa constrictors are found mainly in South and Central America and the West Indies.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boar
Meaning:
boar  boars\n\n  The plural boar can also be used for meaning 1.\n\n1. A boar or a wild boar is a wild pig.\nWild boar are numerous in the valleys.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A boar is a male pig.\n  N-COUNT


Words: board
Meaning:
board  boards  boarding  boarded\n1. A board is a flat, thin, rectangular piece of wood or plastic which is used for a particular purpose.\n...a chopping board.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N\n\n2. A board is a square piece of wood or stiff cardboard that you use for playing games such as chess.\n...a draughts board...\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. You can refer to a blackboard or a noticeboard as a board.\nHe wrote a few more notes on the board.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. Boards are long flat pieces of wood which are used, for example, to make floors or walls.\nThe floor was draughty bare boards.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. The board of a company or organization is the group of people who control it and direct it. (BUSINESS)\nArthur wants to put his recommendation before the board at a meeting tomorrow.\n...the agenda for the September 12 board meeting.\n  N-COUNT: oft the N in sing\n  = management\n  see also board of directors\n6. Board is used in the names of various organizations which are involved in dealing with a particular kind of activity.\nThe Scottish Tourist Board said 33,000 Japanese visited Scotland last year.\n...the US National Transportation Safety Board.\n  N-COUNT: usu the n N\n\n7. When you board a train, ship, or aircraft, you get on it in order to travel somewhere. (FORMAL)\nI boarded the plane bound for England.\n  VERB: V n, also V\n  = get on\n8. Board is the food which is provided when you stay somewhere, for example in a hotel.\nFree room and board are provided for all hotel staff.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n9.\n  see also bulletin board\n10. An arrangement or deal that is above board is legal and is being carried out honestly and openly.\nAll I knew about were Antony’s own financial dealings, which were always above board.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n11. If a policy or a situation applies across the board, it affects everything or everyone in a particular group.\nThere are hefty charges across the board for one-way rental...\nThe President promised across-the-board tax cuts if re-elected.\n  PHRASE: usu PHR after v, PHR n\n\n12. If something goes by the board, it is rejected or ignored, or is no longer possible.\nIt’s a case of not what you know but who you know in this world today and qualifications quite go by the board.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n13. When you are on board a train, ship, or aircraft, you are on it or in it.\nThey arrived at Gatwick airport on board a plane chartered by the Italian government...\n...a naval task force with two thousand marines on board.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR, oft PHR n\n\n14. If someone sweeps the board in a competition or election, they win nearly everything that it is possible to win.\nSpain swept the board in boys’ team competitions.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n15. If you take on board an idea or a problem, you begin to accept it or understand it.\nI hope that they will take on board some of what you have said.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: board and lodging
Meaning:
board and lodg.ing\n   board and lodging\n  If you are provided with board and lodging, you are provided with food and a place to sleep, especially as part of the conditions of a job.\nYou get a big salary incentive and free board and lodging too.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: board game
Meaning:
board game  board games   also board-game\n  A board game is a game such as chess or backgammon, which people play by moving small objects around on a board.\n...a new board game played with dice.\n  N-COUNT


Words: board of directors
Meaning:
board of di.rec.tors\n   board of directors boards of directors\n  A company’s board of directors is the group of people elected by its shareholders to manage the company. (BUSINESS)\nThe Board of Directors has approved the decision unanimously.\n  N-COUNT


Words: board up
Meaning:
board up\n  If you board up a door or window, you fix pieces of wood over it so that it is covered up.\nShopkeepers have boarded up their windows.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n=>  board.ed up\nHalf the shops are boarded up on the estate’s small shopping street.\n  ADJ


Words: boarder
Meaning:
board.er\n   boarder  boarders\n  A boarder is a pupil who lives at school during the term. (BRIT)\nSue was a boarder at Benenden.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boarding
Meaning:
board.ing\n   boarding\n1. Boarding is an arrangement by which children live at school during the school term.\n...the master in charge of boarding...\nAnnual boarding fees are .10,350.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Boarding is long, flat pieces of wood which can be used to make walls, doors, and fences.\n...the white-painted boarding in the sitting room.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: boarding card
Meaning:
board.ing card\n   boarding card  boarding cards\n  A boarding card is a card which a passenger must have when boarding a plane or a boat.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boarding house
Meaning:
board.ing house\n   boarding house  boarding houses\n  A boarding house is a house which people pay to stay in for a short time.\n  N-COUNT\n  The spellings boardinghouse in American English, and boarding-house in British English are also used.\n  = guest house


Words: boarding school
Meaning:
board.ing school\n   boarding school  boarding schools   also boarding-school\n  A boarding school is a school which some or all of the pupils live in during the school term. Compare day school.\n  N-VAR


Words: boardroom
Meaning:
board.room\n   boardroom  boardrooms   also board room\n  The boardroom is a room where the board of a company meets. (BUSINESS)\nEveryone had already assembled in the boardroom for the 9:00 a.m. session.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boardwalk
Meaning:
board.walk\n   boardwalk  boardwalks\n  A boardwalk is a path made of wooden boards, especially one along a beach. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: boast
Meaning:
boast  boasts  boasting  boasted\n1. If someone boasts about something that they have done or that they own, they talk about it very proudly, in a way that other people may find irritating or offensive.\nWitnesses said Furci boasted that he took part in killing them...\nCarol boasted about her costume...\nHe’s boasted of being involved in the arms theft...\nWe remember our mother’s stern instructions not to boast.\n  VERB: V that, V about/of n/-ing, V about/of n/-ing, V, also V with quote  disapproval\n\n  Boast is also a noun.\nIt is the charity’s proud boast that it has never yet turned anyone away...\n  N-COUNT: oft N that, N prep\n\n2. If someone or something can boast a particular achievement or possession, they have achieved or possess that thing.\nThe houses will boast the latest energy-saving technology...\n  VERB: V n


Words: boastful
Meaning:
boast.ful\n   boastful\n  If someone is boastful, they talk too proudly about something that they have done or that they own.\nI’m not being boastful.\n...boastful predictions.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: boat
Meaning:
boat  boats\n1. A boat is something in which people can travel across water.\nOne of the best ways to see the area is in a small boat...\nThe island may be reached by boat from the mainland.\n  N-COUNT: also by N\n\n2. You can refer to a passenger ship as a boat.\nWhen the boat reached Cape Town, we said a temporary goodbye.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3.\n  see also gravy boat, rowing boat\n4. If you say that someone has missed the boat, you mean that they have missed an opportunity and may not get another.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n5. If you push the boat out, you spend a lot of money on something, especially in order to celebrate. (BRIT)\nI earn enough to push the boat out now and again.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n6. If you say that someone is rocking the boat, you mean that they are upsetting a calm situation and causing trouble.\nI said I didn’t want to rock the boat in any way.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7. If two or more people are in the same boat, they are in the same unpleasant situation.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR


Words: boat people
Meaning:
boat peo.ple\n   boat people\n  Boat people are people who escape from their country in small boats to travel to another country in the hope that they will be able to live there..\n...50,000 Vietnamese boat people.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: boatbuilder
Meaning:
boat.builder\n   boatbuilder  boatbuilders   also boat builder\n  A boatbuilder is a person or company that makes boats.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boatbuilding
Meaning:
boat.building\n   boatbuilding   also boat-building\n  Boatbuilding is the craft or industry of making boats.\nSunbeam Yachts started boatbuilding in 1870.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: boater
Meaning:
boat.er\n   boater  boaters\n  A boater or a straw boater is a hard straw hat with a flat top and brim which is often worn for certain social occasions in the summer.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boathouse
Meaning:
boat.house\n   boathouse  boathouses   also boat house\n  A boathouse is a building at the edge of a lake, in which boats are kept.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boating
Meaning:
boat.ing\n   boating\n  Boating is travelling on a lake or river in a small boat for pleasure.\nYou can go boating or play tennis...\nThey were killed in a boating accident.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: boatload
Meaning:
boat.load\n   boatload  boatloads   also boat load\n  A boatload of people or things is a lot of people or things that are, or were, in a boat.\n...a boatload of rice.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: boatman
Meaning:
boat.man\n   boatman  boatmen\n  A boatman is a man who is paid by people to take them across an area of water in a small boat, or a man who hires boats out to them for a short time.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boatyard
Meaning:
boat.yard\n   boatyard  boatyards\n  A boatyard is a place where boats are built and repaired or kept.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bob
Meaning:
bob  bobs  bobbing  bobbed\n1. If something bobs, it moves up and down, like something does when it is floating on water.\nHuge balloons bobbed about in the sky above...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n2. If you bob somewhere, you move there quickly so that you disappear from view or come into view.\nShe handed over a form, then bobbed down again behind a typewriter.\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n3. When you bob your head, you move it quickly up and down once, for example when you greet someone.\nA hostess stood at the top of the steps and bobbed her head at each passenger.\n  VERB: V n\n  = nod\n  Bob is also a noun.\nThe young man smiled with a bob of his head.\n  N-COUNT\n  = nod\n4. A bob is a fairly short hair style for women in which the hair is the same length all the way round, except for the front.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. Bits and bobs are small objects or parts of something. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nThe microscope contains a few hundred dollars-worth of electronic bits and bobs.\n  PHRASE


Words: bobbin
Meaning:
bob.bin\n   bobbin  bobbins\n  A bobbin is a small round object on which thread or wool is wound to hold it, for example on a sewing machine.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bobble
Meaning:
bob.ble\n   bobble  bobbles\n  A bobble is a small ball of material, usually made of wool, which is used for decorating clothes. (BRIT; in AM, usually use tassel)\n...the bobble on his nightcap.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bobble hat
Meaning:
bob.ble hat\n   bobble hat  bobble hats\n  A bobble hat is a woollen hat with a bobble on it. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bobby
Meaning:
bob.by\n   bobby  bobbies\n  A bobby is a British policeman, usually of the lowest rank. (BRIT INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED)\nThese days, the bobby on the beat is a rare sight.\n  N-COUNT\n  = cop


Words: bobby pin
Meaning:
bob.by pin\n   bobby pin  bobby pins\n  A bobby pin is a small piece of metal or plastic bent back on itself, which someone uses to hold their hair in position. (AM; in BRIT, use hairgrip)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bobcat
Meaning:
bob.cat\n   bobcat  bobcats\n  A bobcat is an animal in the cat family which has reddish-brown fur with dark spots or stripes and a short tail. Bobcats live in North America.\nBobcats roam wild in the mountains.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bobsleigh
Meaning:
bob.sleigh\n   bobsleigh  bobsleighs\n  A bobsleigh is a vehicle with long thin strips of metal fixed to the bottom, which is used for racing downhill on ice. (BRIT; in AM, use bobsled)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bod
Meaning:
bod  bods\n  A bod is a person. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHe was definitely a bit of an odd bod.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n  = chap


Words: bode
Meaning:
bode  bodes  boding  boded\n  If something bodes ill, it makes you think that something bad will happen in the future. If something bodes well, it makes you think that something good will happen. (FORMAL)\nShe says the way the bill was passed bodes ill for democracy...\nGrace had dried her eyes. That boded well.\n  VERB: V adv for n, V adv


Words: bodge
Meaning:
bodge  bodges  bodging  bodged\n  If you bodge something, you make it or mend it in a way that is not as good as it should be. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nI thought he had bodged the repair.\n  VERB: V n\n  = botch


Words: bodice
Meaning:
bod.ice\n   bodice  bodices\n  The bodice of a dress is the part above the waist.\n...dress with a fitted bodice and circle skirt.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bodice ripper
Meaning:
bod.ice rip.per\n   bodice ripper  bodice rippers\n  You can refer to a film or novel which is set in the past and which includes a lot of sex scenes as a bodice ripper, especially if you do not think it is very good and is just intended to entertain people.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: bodice-ripping
Meaning:
bodice-ripping\n  A bodice-ripping film or novel is one which is set in the past and which includes a lot of sex scenes. You use this word especially if you do not think it is very good and is just intended to entertain people.\n...bodice-ripping yarns on TV.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  disapproval


Words: bodily
Meaning:
bodi.ly\n   bodily\n1. Your bodily needs and functions are the needs and functions of your body.\nThere’s more to eating than just bodily needs.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  see also grievous bodily harm\n2. You use bodily to indicate that an action involves the whole of someone’s body.\nI was hurled bodily to the deck.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: bodily function
Meaning:
bodi.ly func.tion\n   bodily function  bodily functions\n  A person’s bodily functions are the normal physical processes that regularly occur in their body, particularly the ability to urinate and defecate.\nThe child was not able to speak, walk properly or control bodily functions.\n  N-COUNT


Words: body
Meaning:
body  bodies\n1. Your body is all your physical parts, including your head, arms, and legs.\nThe largest organ in the body is the liver.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can also refer to the main part of your body, except for your arms, head, and legs, as your body.\nLying flat on the floor, twist your body on to one hip and cross your upper leg over your body.\n  N-COUNT\n  = torso, trunk\n3. You can refer to a person’s dead body as a body.\nOfficials said they had found no traces of violence on the body of the politician.\n  N-COUNT\n  = corpse\n4. A body is an organized group of people who deal with something officially.\n...the Chairman of the policemen’s representative body, the Police Federation.\n...the main trade union body, COSATU, Congress of South African Trade Unions.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = organization\n5. A body of people is a group of people who are together or who are connected in some way.\n...that large body of people which teaches other people how to teach.\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n  = group\n6. The body of something such as a building or a document is the main part of it or the largest part of it.\nThe main body of the church had been turned into a massive television studio...\n  N-SING: the N of n\n  = bulk\n7. The body of a car or aeroplane is the main part of it, not including its engine, wheels, or wings.\nThe only shade was under the body of the plane.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = shell\n8. A body of water is a large area of water, such as a lake or a sea.\nIt is probably the most polluted body of water in the world.\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n\n9. A body of information is a large amount of it.\nAn increasing body of evidence suggests that all of us have cancer cells in our bodies at times during our lives.\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n  = quantity\n10. If you say that an alcoholic drink has body, you mean that it has a full and strong flavour.\n...a dry wine with good body.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n11.\n  see also foreign body, heavenly body


Words: body armour
Meaning:
body ar.mour\n   body armour\nin AM, use body armor\n  Body armour is special protective clothing which people such as soldiers and police officers sometimes wear when they are in danger of being attacked with guns or other weapons.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: body bag
Meaning:
body bag  body bags\n  A body bag is a specially designed large plastic bag which is used to carry a dead body away, for example when someone has been killed in a battle or an accident.\n...the prospect of young soldiers coming home in body bags.\n  N-COUNT


Words: body blow
Meaning:
body blow  body blows   also body-blow\n  A body blow is something that causes great disappointment and difficulty to someone who is trying to achieve something.\nHis resignation was a body blow to the team.\n  N-COUNT\n  = setback


Words: body clock
Meaning:
body clock  body clocks\n  Your body clock is the internal biological mechanism which causes your body to automatically behave in particular ways at particular times of the day.\nJet lag is caused because the body clock does not readjust immediately to the time change.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: body language
Meaning:
body lan.guage\n   body language   also body-language\n  Your body language is the way in which you show your feelings or thoughts to other people by means of the position or movements of your body, rather than with words.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: body odour
Meaning:
body odour\nin AM, use body odor\n  Body odour is an unpleasant smell caused by sweat on a person’s body.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = B.O.


Words: body politic
Meaning:
body poli.tic\n   body politic\n  The body politic is all the people of a nation when they are considered as a complete political group. (FORMAL)\n...the king was the head of the body politic.\n  N-SING: usu the N


Words: body search
Meaning:
body search  body searches  body searching  body searched   also body-search\n  If a person is body searched, someone such as a police officer searches them while they remain clothed. Compare strip-search.\nForeign journalists were body-searched by airport police.\n  VERB: be V-ed, also V n\n\n  Body search is also a noun.\nFans may undergo body searches by security guards.\n  N-COUNT


Words: body stocking
Meaning:
body stock.ing\n   body stocking  body stockings\n  A body stocking is a piece of clothing that covers the whole of someone’s body and fits tightly. Body stockings are often worn by dancers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bodybuilder
Meaning:
body.builder\n   bodybuilder  bodybuilders   also body builder\n  A bodybuilder is a person who does special exercises regularly in order to make his or her muscles grow bigger.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bodybuilding
Meaning:
body.building\n   bodybuilding   also body building\n  Bodybuilding is the activity of doing special exercises regularly in order to make your muscles grow bigger.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bodyguard
Meaning:
body.guard\n   bodyguard  bodyguards\n  A bodyguard is a person or a group of people employed to protect someone.\nThree of his bodyguards were injured in the attack...\nThe King had brought his own bodyguard of twenty armed men.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bodysuit
Meaning:
body.suit\n   bodysuit  bodysuits\n  A bodysuit is a piece of women’s clothing that fits tightly over the top part of the body and fastens between the legs.\n  N-COUNT\n  = body


Words: bodywork
Meaning:
body.work\n   bodywork\n  The bodywork of a motor vehicle is the outside part of it.\nA second hand car dealer will always look at the bodywork rather than the engine.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Boer
Meaning:
Boer   Boers\n  The Boers are the descendants of the Dutch people who went to live in South Africa.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boffin
Meaning:
bof.fin\n   boffin  boffins\n1. A boffin is a scientist, especially one who is doing research. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nThe boffins of Imperial College in London think they may have found a solution.\n  N-COUNT\n  = egghead\n2. Very clever people are sometimes called boffins. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nA computer boffin is set to make .5million from his revolutionary photo technology.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bog down
Meaning:
bog down\n  If a plan or process bogs down or if something bogs it down, it is delayed and no progress is made.\nWe intended from the very beginning to bog the prosecution down over who did this...\nThe talks have bogged down over the issue of military reform.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P\n\n  see also bogged down


Words: bog-standard
Meaning:
bog-standard\n  If you describe something as bog-standard you mean that is an ordinary example of its kind, with no exciting or interesting features. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n`The Bodyguard’ is a fairly bog-standard thriller.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval\n  = common or garden


Words: bogey
Meaning:
bo.gey\n   bogey  bogeys\n  A bogey is something or someone that people are worried about, perhaps without much cause or reason.\nAge is another bogey for actresses.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  The spelling bogy and the plural form bogies are also used.\n\n  Bogey is also an adjective.\nDid people still tell their kids imbecilic scare stories about bogey policewomen?\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: bogeyman
Meaning:
bogey.man\n   bogeyman  bogeymen\n\n  The spellings bogey man, and in American English boogeyman are also used.\n\n1. A bogeyman is someone whose ideas or actions are disapproved of by some people, and who is described by them as evil or unpleasant in order to make other people afraid. (mainly BRIT)\nThe media depict him as a left-wing bogeyman.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp  disapproval\n  = monster\n2. A bogeyman is an imaginary evil spirit. Some parents tell their children that the bogeyman will catch them if they behave badly.\n  N-COUNT: oft the N


Words: bogged down
Meaning:
bogged down\n  If you get bogged down in something, it prevents you from making progress or getting something done.\nBut why get bogged down in legal details?...\nSometimes this fact is obscured because churches get so bogged down by unimportant rules.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ in n


Words: boggle
Meaning:
bog.gle\n   boggle  boggles  boggling  boggled\n  If you say that the mind boggles at something or that something boggles the mind, you mean that it is so strange or amazing that it is difficult to imagine or understand.\nThe mind boggles at the possibilities that could be in store for us...\nThe good grace with which they face the latest privations makes the mind boggle...\nThe management group’s decision still boggled his mind.\n  VERB: V at n, V, V n\n\n  see also mind-boggling


Words: bogus
Meaning:
bo.gus\n   bogus\n  If you describe something as bogus, you mean that it is not genuine.\n...their bogus insurance claim...\nHe said these figures were bogus and totally inaccurate.\n  ADJ\n  = phoney


Words: bohemian
Meaning:
bo.he.mian\n   bohemian  bohemians\n  You can use bohemian to describe artistic people who live in an unconventional way.\n...a bohemian writer.\n...the bohemian lifestyle of the French capital.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  A bohemian is someone who lives in a bohemian way.\nI am a bohemian. I have no roots.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boil
Meaning:
boil  boils  boiling  boiled\n1. When a hot liquid boils or when you boil it, bubbles appear in it and it starts to change into steam or vapour.\nI stood in the kitchen, waiting for the water to boil...\nBoil the water in the saucepan and add the sage...\n...a saucepan of boiling water.\n  VERB: V, V n, V-ing\n\n2. When you boil a kettle or pan, or put it on to boil, you heat the water inside it until it boils.\nHe had nothing to do but boil the kettle and make the tea...\nMarianne put the kettle on to boil.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n3. When a kettle or pan is boiling, the water inside it has reached boiling point.\nIs the kettle boiling?\n  VERB: only cont, V\n\n4. When you boil food, or when it boils, it is cooked in boiling water.\nBoil the chick peas, add garlic and lemon juice...\nI’d peel potatoes and put them on to boil.\n...boiled eggs and toast.\n  VERB: V n, V, V-ed\n\n5. If you are boiling with anger, you are very angry.\nI used to be all sweetness and light on the outside, but inside I would be boiling with rage.\n  VERB: usu cont, V with n\n\n6. A boil is a red, painful swelling on your skin, which contains a thick yellow liquid called pus.\n  N-COUNT\n  = cyst\n7.\n  see also boiling\n8. When you bring a liquid to the boil, you heat it until it boils. When it comes to the boil, it begins to boil.\nPut water, butter and lard into a saucepan and bring slowly to the boil.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9.\nto make someone’s blood boil: see blood


Words: boil down
Meaning:
boil down\n  When you boil down a liquid or food, or when it boils down, it is boiled until there is less of it because some of the water in it has changed into steam or vapour.\nHe boils down red wine and uses what’s left...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n  = reduce


Words: boil down to
Meaning:
boil down to\n  If you say that a situation or problem boils down to a particular thing or can be boiled down to a particular thing, you mean that this is the most important or the most basic aspect of it.\nWhat they want boils down to just one thing. It is land...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P P n\n  = amount to


Words: boil over
Meaning:
boil over\n1. When a liquid that is being heated boils over, it rises and flows over the edge of the container.\nHeat the liquid in a large, wide container rather than a high narrow one, or it can boil over.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n2. When someone’s feelings boil over, they lose their temper or become violent.\nSometimes frustration and anger can boil over into direct and violent action.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  = erupt


Words: boiled sweet
Meaning:
boiled sweet  boiled sweets\n  Boiled sweets are hard sweets that are made from boiled sugar. (BRIT; in AM, use hard candy)\n  N-COUNT


Words: boiler
Meaning:
boil.er\n   boiler  boilers\n  A boiler is a device which burns gas, oil, electricity, or coal in order to provide hot water, especially for the central heating in a building.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boiler suit
Meaning:
boil.er suit\n   boiler suit  boiler suits\n  A boiler suit consists of a single piece of clothing that combines trousers and a jacket. You wear it over your clothes in order to protect them from dirt while you are working. (BRIT; in AM, use overalls)\n  N-COUNT\n  = overalls


Words: boiling
Meaning:
boil.ing\n   boiling\n1. Something that is boiling or boiling hot is very hot.\n`It’s boiling in here,’ complained Miriam...\nOften the food may be bubbling and boiling hot on the top, but the inside may still be cold.\n  ADJ\n  = baking\n2. If you say that you are boiling or boiling hot, you mean that you feel very hot, usually unpleasantly hot.\nWhen everybody else is boiling hot, I’m freezing!\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = sweltering


Words: boiling point
Meaning:
boil.ing point\n   boiling point   also boiling-point\n1. The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which it starts to change into steam or vapour. For example, the boiling point of water is 100. centigrade.\nThe boiling point of water is 373 K...\nHeat the cream to boiling point and pour three quarters of it over the chocolate.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If a situation reaches boiling point, the people involved have become so angry that they can no longer remain calm and in control of themselves.\nThe situation is rapidly reaching boiling point, and the army has been put on stand-by...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: boisterous
Meaning:
bois.ter.ous\n   boisterous\n  Someone who is boisterous is noisy, lively, and full of energy.\n...a boisterous but good-natured crowd...\nMost of the children were noisy and boisterous.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  bois.ter.ous.ly\nHer friends laughed boisterously, too.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj


Words: bold
Meaning:
bold  bolder  boldest\n1. Someone who is bold is not afraid to do things which involve risk or danger.\nAmrita becomes a bold, daring rebel...\nIn 1960 this was a bold move...\nPoland was already making bold economic reforms.\n  ADJ\n  = brave  !=cautious\n=>  bold.ly\nYou can and must act boldly and confidently.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  bold.ness\nDon’t forget the boldness of his economic programme.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Someone who is bold is not shy or embarrassed in the company of other people.\nI don’t feel I’m being bold, because it’s always been natural for me to just speak out about whatever disturbs me.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = brave  !=timid\n=>  bold.ly\n`You should do it,’ the girl said, boldly.\n  ADV\n\n3. A bold colour or pattern is very bright and noticeable.\n...bold flowers in various shades of red, blue or white.\n...bold, dramatic colours.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  bold.ly\nThe design is pretty startling and very boldly coloured.\n  ADV\n\n4. Bold lines or designs are drawn in a clear, strong way.\nEach picture is shown in colour on one page and as a bold outline on the opposite page.\n  ADJ\n  = vivid\n5. Bold is print which is thicker and looks blacker than ordinary printed letters. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: bolero
Meaning:
bo.lero\n   bolero boleros\nPronounced   for meaning 1, and   for meaning 2.\n1. A bolero is a very short jacket, sometimes without sleeves. Boleros are worn mainly by women.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The bolero is a traditional Spanish dance.\nThey danced a romantic bolero together.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Bolivian
Meaning:
Bo.liv.ian\n   Bolivian  Bolivians\n  Bolivian means belonging or relating to Bolivia or its people.\n  ADJ\n\n  A Bolivian is a person who comes from Bolivia.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bollard
Meaning:
bol.lard\n   bollard  bollards\n1. Bollards are short thick concrete posts that are used to prevent cars from going on to someone’s land or on to part of a road. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Bollards are strong wooden or metal posts on the side of a river or harbour. Boats are tied to them.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bollocks
Meaning:
bol.locks\n   bollocks\n1. Bollocks is used by some people to express disagreement, dislike, or annoyance. (BRIT INFORMAL, VERY RUDE)\n  EXCLAM; N-UNCOUNT  feelings\n\n2. A man’s bollocks are his testicles. (BRIT INFORMAL, VERY RUDE)\n  N-PLURAL


Words: Bolshevik
Meaning:
Bol.she.vik\n   Bolshevik  Bolsheviks\n1. Bolshevik is used to describe the political system and ideas that Lenin and his supporters introduced in Russia after the Russian Revolution of 1917.\nSeventy-four years after the Bolshevik Revolution, the Soviet era ended.\n...anti-Bolshevik forces.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Bolshevik was a person who supported Lenin and his political ideas.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Bolshevism
Meaning:
Bol.she.vism\n   Bolshevism\n  Bolshevism is the political system and ideas that Lenin and his supporters introduced in Russia after the Russian Revolution of 1917.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bolshy
Meaning:
bol.shy\n   bolshy   also bolshie\n  If you say that someone is bolshy, you mean that they easily get angry and often do not do what other people want them to do. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nCarol is bolshy at not getting promotion.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = stroppy


Words: bolster
Meaning:
bol.ster\n   bolster  bolsters  bolstering  bolstered\n1. If you bolster something such as someone’s confidence or courage, you increase it.\nHopes of an early cut in interest rates bolstered confidence.\n  VERB: V n\n  = boost\n2. If someone tries to bolster their position in a situation, they try to strengthen it.\nBritain is free to adopt policies to bolster its economy.\n  VERB: V n\n  = boost\n  Bolster up means the same as bolster.\n...an aid programme to bolster up their troubled economy.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n3. A bolster is a firm pillow shaped like a long tube which is sometimes put across a bed under the ordinary pillows.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bolt
Meaning:
bolt  bolts  bolting  bolted\n1. A bolt is a long metal object which screws into a nut and is used to fasten things together.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. When you bolt one thing to another, you fasten them firmly together, using a bolt.\nThe safety belt is easy to fit as there’s no need to bolt it to seat belt anchorage points...\nBolt the components together...\n...a wooden bench which was bolted to the floor.\n  VERB: V n to n, V n with together/on, V-ed\n\n3. A bolt on a door or window is a metal bar that you can slide across in order to fasten the door or window.\nI heard the sound of a bolt being slowly and reluctantly slid open.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. When you bolt a door or window, you slide the bolt across to fasten it.\nHe reminded her that he would have to lock and bolt the kitchen door after her.\n...the heavy bolted doors .\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n5. If a person or animal bolts, they suddenly start to run very fast, often because something has frightened them.\nThe pig rose squealing and bolted...\nI made some excuse and bolted for the exit.\n  VERB: V, V prep/adv\n\n6. If you bolt your food, you eat it so quickly that you hardly chew it or taste it.\nBeing under stress can cause you to miss meals, eat on the move, or bolt your food.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Bolt down means the same as bolt.\nBack then I could bolt down three or four burgers and a pile of French fries.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n7. A bolt of lightning is a flash of lightning that is seen as a white line in the sky.\nSuddenly a bolt of lightning crackled through the sky.\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n\n8. If someone is sitting or standing bolt upright, they are sitting or standing very straight.\nWhen I pushed his door open, Trevor was sitting bolt upright in bed.\n  PHRASE: usu v PHR\n\n9.\nnuts and bolts: see nut


Words: bolt-hole
Meaning:
bolt-hole  bolt-holes   also bolthole\n  If you say that someone has a bolt-hole to go to, you mean that there is somewhere that they can go when they want to get away from people that they know. (BRIT)\nThe hotel is an ideal bolt-hole for Londoners.\n  N-COUNT\n  = refuge


Words: bomb
Meaning:
bomb  bombs  bombing  bombed\n1. A bomb is a device which explodes and damages or destroys a large area.\nBombs went off at two London train stations...\nIt’s not known who planted the bomb...\nMost of the bombs fell in the south...\nThere were two bomb explosions in the city overnight.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Nuclear weapons are sometimes referred to as the bomb.\nThey are generally thought to have the bomb.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n3. When people bomb a place, they attack it with bombs.\nAirforce jets bombed the airport.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  bomb.ing      bombings\nAerial bombing of rebel positions is continuing...\nThere has been a series of car bombings.\n  N-VAR\n\n4.\n  see also petrol bomb, pipe bomb


Words: bomb disposal
Meaning:
bomb dis.pos.al\n   bomb disposal\n  Bomb disposal is the job of dealing with bombs which have not exploded, by taking out the fuse or by blowing them up in a controlled explosion.\n...an Army bomb disposal squad.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: bomb out
Meaning:
bomb out\n  If a building or area is bombed out, it is destroyed by bombs. If people are bombed out, their houses are destroyed by bombs.\nLondon had been bombed out...\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P\n\n  see also bombed-out


Words: bomb site
Meaning:
bomb site  bomb sites   also bombsite\n  A bomb site is an empty area where a bomb has destroyed all the buildings.\nIn London, where I grew up, we were surrounded by bomb sites.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bombard
Meaning:
bom.bard\n   bombard  bombards  bombarding  bombarded\n1. If you bombard someone with something, you make them face a great deal of it. For example, if you bombard them with questions or criticism, you keep asking them a lot of questions or you keep criticizing them.\nHe bombarded Catherine with questions to which he should have known the answers...\nI’ve been bombarded by the press and television since I came back from Norway.\n  VERB: V n with n, be V-ed by n\n\n2. When soldiers bombard a place, they attack it with continuous heavy gunfire or bombs.\nRebel artillery units have regularly bombarded the airport...\n  VERB: V n


Words: bombardment
Meaning:
bom.bard.ment\n   bombardment  bombardments\n1. A bombardment is a strong and continuous attack of gunfire or bombing.\nThe city has been flattened by heavy artillery bombardments...\nThe capital is still under constant bombardment by the rebel forces.\n  N-VAR: usu with supp\n  = attack\n2. A bombardment of ideas, demands, questions, or criticisms is an aggressive and exhausting stream of them.\n...the constant bombardment of images urging that work was important.\n  N-VAR: oft N of n\n  = onslaught


Words: bombast
Meaning:
bom.bast\n   bombast\n  Bombast is trying to impress people by saying things that sound impressive but have little meaning.\nThere was no bombast or conceit in his speech.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval\n  = pomposity


Words: bombastic
Meaning:
bom.bas.tic\n   bombastic\n  If you describe someone as bombastic, you are criticizing them for trying to impress other people by saying things that sound impressive but have little meaning.\nHe was vain and bombastic.\n...the bombastic style adopted by his predecessor.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = pompous


Words: bombed-out
Meaning:
bombed-out\n  A bombed-out building has been damaged or destroyed by a bomb.\n...a bombed-out hospital.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: bomber
Meaning:
bomb.er\n   bomber  bombers\n1. A bomber is a military aircraft which drops bombs.\n...a high speed bomber with twin engines.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Bombers are people who cause bombs to explode in public places.\nDetectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bomber jacket
Meaning:
bomb.er jack.et\n   bomber jacket  bomber jackets\n  A bomber jacket is a short jacket which is gathered into a band at the waist or hips.\n...a black leather bomber jacket.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bombshell
Meaning:
bomb.shell\n   bombshell  bombshells\n  A bombshell is a sudden piece of bad or unexpected news.\nHis resignation after thirteen years is a political bombshell...\n  N-COUNT\n\n  If someone drops a bombshell, they give you a sudden piece of bad or unexpected news.\nHe dropped the bombshell. He told me he was dying.\n  PHRASE: V and N inflect\n\n  see also blonde bombshell


Words: bon mot
Meaning:
bon mot  bons mots  or bon mots\n  A bon mot is a clever, witty remark. (WRITTEN)\n...a cheeky bon mot.\n  N-COUNT\n  = witticism


Words: bon voyage
Meaning:
bon voy.age\n   bon voyage\n  You say `bon voyage’ to someone who is going on a journey, as a way of saying goodbye and wishing them good luck.\nGoodbye! Bon voyage!\n  CONVENTION  formulae


Words: bona fide
Meaning:
bona fide\n  If something or someone is bona fide, they are genuine or real. (FORMAL)\nWe are happy to donate to bona fide charitable causes...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = genuine  !=bogus


Words: bona fides
Meaning:
bona fi.des\n   bona fides\n  Someone’s bona fides are their good or sincere intentions. (LEGAL or FORMAL)\nMr Perks questioned them at length to establish their bona fides.\n  N-PLURAL: usu with poss


Words: bonanza
Meaning:
bo.nan.za\n   bonanza  bonanzas\n  You can refer to a sudden great increase in wealth, success, or luck as a bonanza.\nThe expected sales bonanza hadn’t materialised.\n  N-COUNT\n  = windfall


Words: bond
Meaning:
bond  bonds  bonding  bonded\n1. A bond between people is a strong feeling of friendship, love, or shared beliefs and experiences that unites them.\nThe experience created a very special bond between us.\n...the bond that linked them.\n  N-COUNT: oft N between pl-n\n\n2. When people bond with each other, they form a relationship based on love or shared beliefs and experiences. You can also say that people bond or that something bonds them.\nBelinda was having difficulty bonding with the baby...\nThey all bonded while writing graffiti together...\nWhat had bonded them instantly and so completely was their similar background...\nThe players are bonded by a spirit that is rarely seen in an English team.\n  V-RECIP: V with n, pl-n V, V pl-n, V-ed, also V n with n\n\n=>  bond.ing\nThey expect bonding to occur naturally.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. A bond between people or groups is a close connection that they have with each other, for example because they have a special agreement.\n...the strong bond between church and nation...\nThere are tangible signs that the republic’s successfully breaking its bonds with Moscow.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n  = link\n4. A bond between two things is the way in which they stick to one another or are joined in some way.\nThe superglue may not create a bond with some plastics...\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. When one thing bonds with another, it sticks to it or becomes joined to it in some way. You can also say that two things bond together, or that something bonds them together.\nDiamond may be strong in itself, but it does not bond well with other materials...\nIn graphite sheets, carbon atoms bond together in rings...\nStrips of wood are bonded together and moulded by machine.\n  V-RECIP: V with n, pl-n V together, be V-ed together, also V n with n, V pl-n together\n\n6. When a government or company issues a bond, it borrows money from investors. The certificate which is issued to investors who lend money is also called a bond. (BUSINESS)\nMost of it will be financed by government bonds.\n...the recent sharp decline in bond prices.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also junk bond, premium bond


Words: bondage
Meaning:
bond.age\n   bondage\n1. Bondage is the condition of being someone’s property and having to work for them.\nMasters sometimes allowed their slaves to buy their way out of bondage.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = slavery\n2. Bondage is the condition of not being free because you are strongly influenced by something or someone. (FORMAL)\nAll people, she said, lived their lives in bondage to hunger, pain and lust.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N to n\n\n3. Bondage is the practice of being tied up or tying your partner up in order to gain sexual pleasure.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bonded
Meaning:
bond.ed\n   bonded\n  A bonded company has entered into a legal agreement which offers its customers some protection if the company does not fulfil its contract with them. (BUSINESS)\nThe company is a fully bonded member of the Association of British Travel Agents...\n  ADJ


Words: bondholder
Meaning:
bond.holder\n   bondholder  bondholders   also bond holder\n  A bondholder is a person who owns one or more investment bonds. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bone
Meaning:
bone  bones  boning  boned\n1. Your bones are the hard parts inside your body which together form your skeleton.\nMany passengers suffered broken bones...\nStephen fractured a thigh bone...\nThe body is made up primarily of bone, muscle, and fat...\nShe scooped the chicken bones back into the stewpot.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If you bone a piece of meat or fish, you remove the bones from it before cooking it.\nMake sure that you do not pierce the skin when boning the chicken thighs...\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. A bone tool or ornament is made of bone.\n...a small, expensive pocketknife with a bone handle.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n4.\n  see also marrow bone, T-bone steak\n5. The bare bones of something are its most basic parts or details.\nThere are not even the bare bones of a garden here.I’ve got nothing.\n  PHRASE\n\n6. If something is too close to the bone, it makes you feel uncomfortable because it is very close to the truth or to the real nature of something.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n7. If you make no bones about something, you talk openly about it, rather than trying to keep it a secret.\nSome of them make no bones about their political views.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR about n\n\n8. If you make no bones about doing something that is unpleasant or difficult or that might upset someone else, you do it without hesitating.\nStafford-Clark made no bones about reapplying for the job when Daldry was standing for it.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR about -ing\n\n9. If something such as costs are cut to the bone, they are reduced to the minimum possible.\nIt has survived by cutting its costs to the bone...\nProfit margins have been slashed to the bone in an attempt to keep turnover moving.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n10. You use to the bone to indicate that you are very deeply affected by something. For example, if you feel chilled to the bone, your whole body feels extremely cold, often because you have had a shock.\nWhat I saw chilled me to the bone.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: bone china
Meaning:
bone chi.na\n   bone china\n  Bone china is a kind of thin china that contains powdered bone.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bone dry
Meaning:
bone dry   also bone-dry\n  If you say that something is bone dry, you are emphasizing that it is very dry indeed.\nNow the river bed is bone dry.\n  ADJ  emphasis


Words: bone marrow
Meaning:
bone mar.row\n   bone marrow\n  Bone marrow is the soft fatty substance inside human or animal bones.\nThere are 2,000 children worldwide who need a bone marrow transplant.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = marrow


Words: bone meal
Meaning:
bone meal   also bonemeal\n  Bone meal is a substance made from animal bones which is used as a fertilizer.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bone of contention
Meaning:
bone of con.ten.tion\n   bone of contention  bones of contention\n  If a particular matter or issue is a bone of contention, it is the subject of a disagreement or argument.\nThe main bone of contention is the temperature level of the air-conditioners.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bonfire
Meaning:
bon.fire\n   bonfire  bonfires\n  A bonfire is a fire that is made outdoors, usually to burn rubbish. Bonfires are also sometimes lit as part of a celebration.\nWith bonfires outlawed in urban areas, gardeners must cart their refuse to a dump...\n  N-COUNT


Words: Bonfire Night
Meaning:
Bon.fire Night\n   Bonfire Night   also bonfire night\n  Bonfire Night is the popular name for Guy Fawkes Night.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = Guy Fawkes Night


Words: bonhomie
Meaning:
bon.ho.mie\n   bonhomie\n  Bonhomie is happy, good-natured friendliness. (FORMAL)\nHe was full of bonhomie.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bonk
Meaning:
bonk  bonks  bonking  bonked\n  If two people bonk, they have sexual intercourse. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  V-RECIP


Words: bonkers
Meaning:
bonk.ers\n   bonkers\n  If you say that someone is bonkers, you mean that they are silly or act in a crazy way. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nThe man must be bonkers to take such a risk...\nI nearly went bonkers with frustration.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ  disapproval\n  = barmy, crazy


Words: bonnet
Meaning:
bon.net\n   bonnet  bonnets\n1. The bonnet of a car is the metal cover over the engine at the front. (BRIT; in AM, use hood)\nWhen I eventually stopped and lifted the bonnet, the noise seemed to be coming from the alternator.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A bonnet is a hat with ribbons that are tied under the chin. Bonnets are now worn by babies. In the past, they were also worn by women.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bonny
Meaning:
bon.ny\n   bonny  bonnier  bonniest\n  Someone or something that is bonny is attractive and nice to look at. (mainly SCOTTISH or NORTHERN ENGLISH)\nJemima was a bonny Highland lassie of 15.\n  ADJ\n  = lovely


Words: bonsai
Meaning:
bon.sai\n   bonsai  bonsai\n1. A bonsai is a tree or shrub that has been kept very small by growing it in a little pot and cutting it in a special way.\n...a beautiful Japanese bonsai tree.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n\n2. Bonsai is the art of growing very small shrubs and trees.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bonus
Meaning:
bo.nus\n   bonus  bonuses\n1. A bonus is an extra amount of money that is added to someone’s pay, usually because they have worked very hard.\nWorkers in big firms receive a substantial part of their pay in the form of bonuses and overtime.\n...a .15 bonus.\n...a special bonus payment.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A bonus is something good that you get in addition to something else, and which you would not usually expect.\nWe felt we might finish third. Any better would be a bonus...\nIt’s made from natural ingredients, but with the added bonus of containing 30 per cent less fat than ordinary cheese.\n  N-COUNT\n  = plus\n3. A bonus is a sum of money that an insurance company pays to its policyholders, for example a percentage of the company’s profits.\nThese returns will not be enough to meet the payment of annual bonuses to policyholders.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bony
Meaning:
bony\n1. Someone who has a bony face or bony hands, for example, has a very thin face or very thin hands, with very little flesh covering their bones.\n...an old man with a bony face and white hair...\nHe poked a long bony finger in Billy’s chest.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. The bony parts of a person’s or animal’s body are the parts made of bone.\n...the bony ridge of the eye socket.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: boo
Meaning:
boo  boos  booing  booed\n1. If you boo a speaker or performer, you shout `boo’ or make other loud sounds to indicate that you do not like them, their opinions, or their performance.\nPeople were booing and throwing things at them...\nDemonstrators booed and jeered him...\nHe was booed off the stage.\n  VERB: V, V n, be V-ed\n\n  Boo is also a noun.\nShe was greeted with boos and hisses.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n=>  boo.ing\nThe fans are entitled to their opinion but booing doesn’t help anyone.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You say `Boo!’ loudly and suddenly when you want to surprise someone who does not know that you are there.\n  EXCLAM\n\n3.\n  see also peekaboo


Words: boob
Meaning:
boob  boobs  boobing  boobed\n1. A woman’s boobs are her breasts. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n  = breast\n2. If you boob, you make a mistake. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nIs their timing right, or have they boobed again?\n  VERB: V\n\n  Boob is also a noun.\nThe government once again has made a big boob.\n  N-COUNT\n  = blunder


Words: boob tube
Meaning:
boob tube  boob tubes\n1. The boob tube is the television. (mainly AM INFORMAL; in BRIT, use idiot box)\n...hours spent in front of the boob tube.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n2. A boob tube is a piece of women’s clothing made of stretchy material that covers only her chest. (BRIT INFORMAL; in AM, use tube top)\n  N-COUNT


Words: booby prize
Meaning:
boo.by prize\n   booby prize  booby prizes\n  The booby prize is a prize given as a joke to the person who comes last in a competition.\n  N-COUNT


Words: booby-trap
Meaning:
booby-trap  booby-traps  booby-trapping  booby-trapped   also booby trap\n1. A booby-trap is something such as a bomb which is hidden or disguised and which causes death or injury when it is touched.\nPolice were checking the area for booby traps.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n\n2. If something is booby-trapped, a booby-trap is placed in it or on it.\n...fears that the area may have been booby trapped...\nHis booby-trapped car exploded.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed


Words: boogie
Meaning:
boo.gie\n   boogie  boogies  boogying  or boogieing  boogied\n  When you boogie, you dance to fast pop music. (INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED)\nAt night, a good place to boogie through till sunrise is the Pink Panther Bar.\n  VERB: V


Words: book
Meaning:
book  books  booking  booked\n1. A book is a number of pieces of paper, usually with words printed on them, which are fastened together and fixed inside a cover of stronger paper or cardboard. Books contain information, stories, or poetry, for example.\nHis eighth book came out earlier this year and was an instant best-seller...\n...the author of a book on politics.\n...reference books.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A book of something such as stamps, matches, or tickets is a small number of them fastened together between thin cardboard covers.\nCan I have a book of first class stamps please?\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n3. When you book something such as a hotel room or a ticket, you arrange to have it or use it at a particular time.\nBritish officials have booked hotel rooms for the women and children...\nLaurie revealed she had booked herself a flight home last night.\n...three-star restaurants that are normally booked for months in advance.\n  VERB: V n, V n n, V-ed\n  = reserve\n4. A company’s or organization’s books are its records of money that has been spent and earned or of the names of people who belong to it. (BUSINESS)\nFor the most part he left the books to his managers and accountants...\nAround 12 per cent of the people on our books are in the computing industry.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n5. When a referee books a football player who has seriously broken the rules of the game, he or she officially writes down the player’s name.\nLeague referee Keith Cooper booked him in the first half for a tussle with the goalie.\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. When a police officer books someone, he or she officially records their name and the offence that they may be charged with.\nThey took him to the station and booked him for assault with a deadly weapon.\n  VERB: V n\n  = charge\n7. In a very long written work such as the Bible, a book is one of the sections into which it is divided.\n  N-COUNT\n\n8.\n  see also booking, cheque book, phone book\n9. If you bring someone to book, you punish them for an offence or make them explain their behaviour officially.\nPolice should be asked to investigate so that the guilty can be brought to book soon.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n10. If you say that someone or something is a closed book, you mean that you do not know anything about them.\nFrank Spriggs was a very able man but something of a closed book...\nEconomics was a closed book to him.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n11. If a hotel, restaurant, theatre, or transport service is fully booked, or booked solid, it is booked up.\nThe car ferries from the mainland are often fully booked by February.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n12. In my book means `in my opinion’ or `according to my beliefs’.\nThe greatest manager there has ever been, or ever will be in my book, is retiring.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n  = to my mind\n13.\nto cook the books: see cook\nto take a leaf from someone’s book: see leaf


Words: book club
Meaning:
book club  book clubs\n  A book club is an organization that offers books at reduced prices to its members.\n  N-COUNT


Words: book in
Meaning:
book in   or book into\n  When you book into a hotel or when you book in, you officially state that you have arrived to stay there, usually by signing your name in a register. (BRIT; in AM, use check into, check in)\nHe was happy to book into the Royal Pavilion Hotel...\nToday Mahoney booked himself into one of the best hotels in Sydney...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V n P n, also V p, V n P\n  = check in, check into  !=check out, check out of


Words: book value
Meaning:
book value  book values\n  In business, the book value of an asset is the value it is given in the account books of the company that owns it. (BUSINESS)\nThe insured value of the airplane was greater than its book value.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bookable
Meaning:
book.able\n   bookable\n1. If something such as a theatre seat or plane ticket is bookable, it can be booked in advance. (mainly BRIT)\nTours leave from Palma and are bookable at some hotels or any travel agency.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n2. In sports such as football, a bookable offence is an action for which a player can be officially warned by the referee.\nBoth men were dismissed for a second bookable offence.\n  ADJ


Words: bookbinder
Meaning:
book.binder\n   bookbinder  bookbinders   also book-binder\n  A bookbinder is a person whose job is fastening books together and putting covers on them.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bookbinding
Meaning:
book.bind.ing\n   bookbinding   also book-binding\n  Bookbinding is the work of fastening books together and putting covers on them.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bookcase
Meaning:
book.case\n   bookcase  bookcases\n  A bookcase is a piece of furniture with shelves that you keep books on.\n  N-COUNT


Words: booked up
Meaning:
booked up\n1. If a hotel, restaurant, theatre, or transport service is booked up, it has no rooms, tables, or tickets left for a time or date. (mainly BRIT)\nSt Just seemed pretty booked up, but we managed to find a room at the George.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = full\n2. If someone is booked up, they have made so many arrangements that they have no more time to do things. (mainly BRIT)\nMr Wilson’s diary is booked up for months ahead...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ


Words: bookend
Meaning:
book.end\n   bookend  bookends   also book-end\n  Bookends are a pair of supports used to hold a row of books in an upright position by placing one at each end of the row.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: booking
Meaning:
book.ing\n   booking  bookings\n  A booking is the arrangement that you make when you book something such as a hotel room, a table at a restaurant, a theatre seat, or a place on public transport.\nI suggest you tell him there was a mistake over his late booking.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = reservation


Words: booking clerk
Meaning:
book.ing clerk\n   booking clerk  booking clerks\n  A booking clerk is a person who sells tickets, especially in a railway station. (BRIT)\n...a railway booking clerk.\n  N-COUNT


Words: booking office
Meaning:
book.ing of.fice\n   booking office  booking offices\n  A booking office is a room where tickets are sold and booked, especially in a theatre or station. (BRIT; in AM, use ticket office)\n  N-COUNT\n  = ticket office


Words: bookish
Meaning:
book.ish\n   bookish\n  Someone who is bookish spends a lot of time reading serious books.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = studious


Words: bookkeeper
Meaning:
book.keeper\n   bookkeeper  bookkeepers   also book-keeper\n  A bookkeeper is a person whose job is to keep an accurate record of the money that is spent and received by a business or other organization. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bookkeeping
Meaning:
book.keeping\n   bookkeeping   also book-keeping\n  Bookkeeping is the job or activity of keeping an accurate record of the money that is spent and received by a business or other organization. (BUSINESS)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: booklet
Meaning:
book.let\n   booklet  booklets\n  A booklet is a small book that has a paper cover and that gives you information about something.\n  N-COUNT\n  = pamphlet


Words: bookmaker
Meaning:
book.maker\n   bookmaker  bookmakers\n  A bookmaker is a person whose job is to take your money when you bet and to pay you money if you win.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bookmaking
Meaning:
book.making\n   bookmaking\n  Bookmaking is the activity of taking people’s money when they bet and paying them money if they win.\n...an Internet bookmaking business.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: bookmark
Meaning:
book.mark\n   bookmark  bookmarks\n1. A bookmark is a narrow piece of card or leather that you put between the pages of a book so that you can find a particular page easily.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. In computing, a bookmark is the address of an Internet site that you put into a list on your computer so that you can return to it easily. (COMPUTING)\nThis makes it extremely simple to save what you find with an electronic bookmark so you can return to it later.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bookplate
Meaning:
book.plate\n   bookplate bookplates\n  A bookplate is a piece of decorated paper which is stuck in the front of a book and on which the owner’s name is printed or written.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bookshop
Meaning:
book.shop\n   bookshop  bookshops\n  A bookshop is a shop where books are sold. (BRIT; in AM, use bookstore)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bookstall
Meaning:
book.stall\n   bookstall  bookstalls\n1. A bookstall is a long table from which books and magazines are sold, for example at a conference or in a street market.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A bookstall is a small shop with an open front where books and magazines are sold. Bookstalls are usually found in railway stations and airports. (BRIT; in AM, usually use newsstand)\n  N-COUNT\n  = kiosk


Words: bookstore
Meaning:
book.store\n   bookstore  bookstores\n  A bookstore is a shop where books are sold. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use bookshop)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bookworm
Meaning:
book.worm\n   bookworm  bookworms\n  If you describe someone as a bookworm, you mean they are very fond of reading. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: boom
Meaning:
boom  booms  booming  boomed\n1. If there is a boom in the economy, there is an increase in economic activity, for example in the amount of things that are being bought and sold.\nAn economic boom followed, especially in housing and construction...\nThe 1980s were indeed boom years.\n...the cycle of boom and bust which has damaged us for 40 years.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n  !=slump\n2. A boom in something is an increase in its amount, frequency, or success.\nThe boom in the sport’s popularity has meant more calls for stricter safety regulations...\nPublic transport has not been able to cope adequately with the travel boom.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp, oft N in n\n  !=slump\n3. If the economy or a business is booming, the amount of things being bought or sold is increasing.\nBy 1988 the economy was booming...\nIt has a booming tourist industry.\n  VERB: V, V-ing\n\n4. On a boat, the boom is the long pole which is attached to the bottom of the sail and to the mast and which you move when you want to alter the direction in which you are sailing.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, the N\n\n5. When something such as someone’s voice, a cannon, or a big drum booms, it makes a loud, deep sound that lasts for several seconds.\n`Ladies,’ boomed Helena, without a microphone, `we all know why we’re here tonight.’...\nThunder boomed like battlefield cannons over Crooked Mountain.\n  VERB: V with quote, V prep/adv, also V\n\n  Boom out means the same as boom.\nMusic boomed out from loudspeakers...\nA megaphone boomed out, `This is the police.’...\nHe turned his sightless eyes their way and boomed out a greeting.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P prep/adv, V P with quote, V P n (not pron), also V P\n\n  Boom is also a noun.\nThe stillness of night was broken by the boom of a cannon.\n  N-COUNT; SOUND\n\n6.\n  see also baby boom


Words: boom box
Meaning:
boom box  boom boxes\n  A boom box is a large portable machine for playing music, especially one that is played loudly in public by young people. (mainly AM INFORMAL; in BRIT, use ghetto-blaster)\n  N-COUNT


Words: boom town
Meaning:
boom town  boom towns\n  A boom town is a town which has rapidly become very rich and full of people, usually because industry or business has developed there.\nBrisbane has become the boom town for Australian film and television.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boom-bust cycle
Meaning:
boom-bust cy.cle\n   boom-bust cycle boom-bust cycles\n  A boom-bust cycle is a series of events in which a rapid increase in business activity in the economy is followed by a rapid decrease in business activity, and this process is repeated again and again. (BUSINESS)\nWe must avoid the damaging boom-bust cycles which characterised the 1980s.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boomerang
Meaning:
boom.er.ang\n   boomerang  boomerangs  boomeranging  boomeranged\n1. A boomerang is a curved piece of wood which comes back to you if you throw it in the correct way. Boomerangs were first used by the people who were living in Australia when Europeans arrived there.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If a plan boomerangs, its result is not the one that was intended and is harmful to the person who made the plan.\nThe trick boomeranged, though...\nHe risks defeat in the referendum which he called, but which threatens to boomerang against him.\n  VERB: V, V on/against n\n  = backfire


Words: boon
Meaning:
boon  boons\n  You can describe something as a boon when it makes life better or easier for someone.\nThis battery booster is a boon for photographers.\n  N-COUNT: usu a N to/for n


Words: boondoggle
Meaning:
boon.dog.gle\n   boondoggle  boondoggles\n  People sometimes refer to an official organization or activity as a boondoggle when they think it wastes a lot of time and money and does not achieve much. (AM INFORMAL)\nThe new runway is a billion-dollar boondoggle.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: boor
Meaning:
boor  boors\n  If you refer to someone as a boor, you think their behaviour and attitudes are rough, uneducated, and rude.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = oaf


Words: boorish
Meaning:
boor.ish\n   boorish\n  Boorish behaviour is rough, uneducated, and rude.\n...their boorish rejection of the ageing movie star.\n  ADJ\n  = oafish


Words: boost
Meaning:
boost  boosts  boosting  boosted\n1. If one thing boosts another, it causes it to increase, improve, or be more successful.\nIt wants the government to take action to boost the economy...\nThe move is designed to boost sales during the peak booking months of January and February.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n  Boost is also a noun.\nIt would get the economy going and give us the boost that we need...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. If something boosts your confidence or morale, it improves it.\nWe need a big win to boost our confidence...\n  VERB: V n\n  = bolster\n  Boost is also a noun.\nIt did give me a boost to win such a big event.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: booster
Meaning:
boost.er\n   booster  boosters\n1. A booster is something that increases a positive or desirable quality.\nIt was amazing what a morale booster her visits proved...\nPraise is a great confidence booster.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N\n\n2. A booster is an extra engine in a machine such as a space rocket, which provides an extra amount of power at certain times.\nGround controllers will then fire the booster, sending the satellite into its proper orbit.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A booster is a small injection of a drug that you have some time after a larger injection, in order to make sure that the first injection will remain effective.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A booster is someone who supports a sports team, organization, person, or place very enthusiastically. (AM)\nA former associate of Mr. Pierce’s was among the project’s boosters.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N, N n\n  = supporter


Words: booster seat
Meaning:
boost.er seat\n   booster seat  booster seats   also booster cushion\n  A booster seat or a booster cushion is a special seat which allows a small child to sit in a higher position, for example at a table or in a car.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boot
Meaning:
boot  boots  booting  booted\n1. Boots are shoes that cover your whole foot and the lower part of your leg.\nHe sat in a kitchen chair, reached down and pulled off his boots...\nHe was wearing riding pants, high boots, and spurs.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also wellington\n2. Boots are strong, heavy shoes which cover your ankle and which have thick soles. You wear them to protect your feet, for example when you are walking or taking part in sport.\nThe soldiers’ boots resounded in the street...\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you boot something such as a ball, you kick it hard. (INFORMAL)\nHe booted the ball 40 yards back up field...\n  VERB: V n adv/prep\n\n4. The boot of a car is a covered space at the back or front, in which you carry things such as luggage and shopping. (BRIT; in AM, use trunk)\nHe opened the boot to put my bags in...\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If you get the boot or are given the boot, you are told that you are not wanted any more, either in your job or by someone you are having a relationship with. (INFORMAL)\nShe was a disruptive influence, and after a year or two she got the boot...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n6. If someone puts the boot in, they attack another person by saying something cruel, often when the person is already feeling weak or upset. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7. You can say to boot to emphasize that you have added something else to something or to a list of things that you have just said. (FORMAL)\nHe is making money and receiving free advertising to boot!\n  PHRASE: cl/group PHR  emphasis\n  = into the bargain


Words: boot camp
Meaning:
boot camp  boot camps\n  In the United States, a boot camp is a camp where people who have just joined the army, navy, or marines are trained. (AM)\n  N-VAR


Words: boot out
Meaning:
boot out\n  If someone boots you out of a job, organization, or place, you are forced to leave it. (INFORMAL)\nSchools are booting out record numbers of unruly pupils.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = kick out


Words: boot up
Meaning:
boot up\n  When you boot up a computer, you make it ready to use by putting in the instructions which it needs in order to start working.\nI can boot up from a floppy disk, but that’s all...\nGo over to your PC and boot it up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P from/with n, V n P


Words: bootee
Meaning:
bootee  bootees  or booties\n1. Bootees are short woollen socks that babies wear instead of shoes.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n2. Bootees are short boots which come to just above the ankle. They are worn especially by women and girls.\n  N-COUNT


Words: booth
Meaning:
booth  booths\n1. A booth is a small area separated from a larger public area by screens or thin walls where, for example, people can make a telephone call or vote in private.\nI called her from a public phone booth near the entrance to the bar...\n  N-COUNT: usu n N\n  = cubicle\n2. A booth in a restaurant or cafe consists of a table with long fixed seats on two or sometimes three sides of it.\nThey sat in a corner booth, away from other diners.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bootlace
Meaning:
boot.lace\n   bootlace  bootlaces\n  A bootlace is a long thin cord which is used to fasten a boot.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: bootleg
Meaning:
boot.leg\n   bootleg  bootlegs  bootlegging  bootlegged\n1. Bootleg is used to describe something that is made secretly and sold illegally.\n...a bootleg recording of the band’s 1977 tour of Scandinavia.\n...bootleg liquor.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = illegal  !=legal\n2. To bootleg something such as a recording means to make and sell it illegally.\nHe has sued a fan for bootlegging his concerts...\nAvid Bob Dylan fans treasure bootlegged recordings.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n  Bootleg is also a noun.\nThe record was a bootleg.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  boot.leg.ger      bootleggers\nBootleggers sold 75 million dollars-worth of copies.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bootstraps
Meaning:
boot.straps\n   bootstraps\n  If you have pulled yourself up by your bootstraps, you have achieved success by your own efforts, starting from very difficult circumstances and without help from anyone.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: booty
Meaning:
boo.ty\n   booty\n  Booty is a collection of valuable things stolen from a place, especially by soldiers after a battle.\nTroops destroyed the capital and confiscated many works of art as war booty.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = spoils


Words: booze
Meaning:
booze  boozes  boozing  boozed\n1. Booze is alcoholic drink. (INFORMAL)\n...booze and cigarettes.\n...empty bottles of booze.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N\n\n2. If people booze, they drink alcohol. (INFORMAL)\n...a load of drunken businessmen who had been boozing all afternoon.\n  VERB: V\n\n=>  booz.ing\nShe had to contend with the boozing and girl-chasing of her husband.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: booze-up
Meaning:
booze-up  booze-ups\n  In Britain, a booze-up is a party or other social gathering where people drink a lot of alcohol. (INFORMAL)\n...a booze-up at the rugby club.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boozed
Meaning:
boozed\n  If someone is boozed or boozed up, they are drunk. (INFORMAL)\nHe’s half asleep and a bit boozed.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: boozer
Meaning:
booz.er\n   boozer  boozers\n1. A boozer is a pub. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nThey’re in the boozer most nights.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A boozer is a person who drinks a lot of alcohol. (INFORMAL)\nI thought he was a bit of a boozer.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boozy
Meaning:
boozy\n  A boozy person is someone who drinks a lot of alcohol. (INFORMAL)\n...a cheerful, boozy chain-smoker.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: bop
Meaning:
bop  bops  bopping  bopped\n1. A bop is a dance. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nPeople just want a good tune and a good bop.\n  N-COUNT\n  = dance\n2. If you bop, you dance. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHe was bopping around, snapping his fingers...\nGuests bopped and jigged the night away to the disco beat.\n  VERB: V adv/prep, V\n  = dance\n3.\n  see also bebop


Words: borax
Meaning:
bo.rax\n   borax\n  Borax is a white powder used, for example, in the making of glass and as a cleaning chemical.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: border
Meaning:
bor.der\n   border  borders  bordering  bordered\n1. The border between two countries or regions is the dividing line between them. Sometimes the border also refers to the land close to this line.\nThey fled across the border.\n...the isolated jungle area near the Panamanian border...\nClifford is enjoying life north of the border.\n...the Mexican border town of Tijuana...\n  N-COUNT\n  = frontier\n2. A country that borders another country, a sea, or a river is next to it.\n...the European and Arab countries bordering the Mediterranean.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Border on means the same as border.\nBoth republics border on the Black Sea.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n\n3. A border is a strip or band around the edge of something.\n...pillowcases trimmed with a hand-crocheted border.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. In a garden, a border is a long strip of ground along the edge planted with flowers.\n...a lawn flanked by wide herbaceous borders.\n...border plants.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If something is bordered by another thing, the other thing forms a line along the edge of it.\n...the mile of white sand beach bordered by palm trees and tropical flowers...\nCaesar marched north into the forests that border the Danube River.\n  VERB: V-ed, V n\n  = flank


Words: border on
Meaning:
border on\n  If you talk about a characteristic or situation bordering on something, usually something that you consider bad, you mean that it is almost that thing.\nThe atmosphere borders on the surreal.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n  = verge on\n  see also border 2


Words: borderland
Meaning:
border.land\n   borderland  borderlands\n1. The borderland between two things is an area which contains features from both of these things so that it is not possible to say that it belongs to one or the other.\n...on the borderland between sleep and waking.\n  N-SING: usu with supp\n\n2. The area of land close to the border between two countries or major areas can be called the borderlands.\n...Lebanon’s southern borderlands.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: borderline
Meaning:
border.line\n   borderline  borderlines\n1. The borderline between two different or opposite things is the division between them.\n...a task which involves exploring the borderline between painting and photography.\n  N-COUNT: usu N between/of n\n\n2. Something that is borderline is only just acceptable as a member of a class or group.\nSome were obviously unsuitable and could be ruled out at once. Others were borderline cases.\n  ADJ


Words: bore
Meaning:
bore  bores  boring  bored\n1. If someone or something bores you, you find them dull and uninteresting.\nDickie bored him all through the meal with stories of the Navy...\nLife in the country bores me.\n  VERB: V n with n, V n\n\n2. If someone or something bores you to tears, bores you to death, or bores you stiff, they bore you very much indeed. (INFORMAL)\n...a handsome engineer who bored me to tears with his tales of motorway maintenance...\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis\n\n3. You describe someone as a bore when you think that they talk in a very uninteresting way.\nThere is every reason why I shouldn’t enjoy his company.he’s a bore and a fool.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. You can describe a situation as a bore when you find it annoying.\nIt’s a bore to be sick, and the novelty of lying in bed all day wears off quickly.\n  N-SING: a N\n  = drag\n5. If you bore a hole in something, you make a deep round hole in it using a special tool.\nGet the special drill bit to bore the correct-size hole for the job.\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. Bore is the past tense of bear.\n\n7.\n  see also bored, boring


Words: bored
Meaning:
bored\n  If you are bored, you feel tired and impatient because you have lost interest in something or because you have nothing to do.\nI am getting very bored with this entire business.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n/-ing


Words: boredom
Meaning:
bore.dom\n   boredom\n  Boredom is the state of being bored.\nHe had given up attending lectures out of sheer boredom...\nThey often find they begin to chat to relieve the boredom of the flight.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: borehole
Meaning:
bore.hole\n   borehole  boreholes\n  A borehole is a deep round hole made by a special tool or machine, especially one that is made in the ground when searching for oil or water.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boring
Meaning:
bor.ing\n   boring\n  Someone or something boring is so dull and uninteresting that they make people tired and impatient.\nNot only are mothers not paid but also most of their boring or difficult work is unnoticed.\n...boring television programmes.\n  ADJ\n  = dull, tedious  !=interesting\n=>  bor.ing.ly\nThe meal itself was not so good.everything was boringly brown including the vegetables.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj


Words: born
Meaning:
born\n1. When a baby is born, it comes out of its mother’s body at the beginning of its life. In formal English, if you say that someone is born of someone or to someone, you mean that person is their parent.\nMy mother was 40 when I was born...\nHe was born of German parents and lived most of his life abroad...\nWillie Smith was the second son born to Jean and Stephen.\n  V-PASSIVE: be V-ed, be V-ed of/to n, V-ed of/to n\n\n2. If someone is born with a particular disease, problem, or characteristic, they have it from the time they are born.\nHe was born with only one lung...\nSome people are born brainy...\nI think he was born to be editor of a tabloid newspaper...\nWe are all born leaders; we just need the right circumstances in which to flourish.\n  V-PASSIVE: no cont, be V-ed with n, be V-ed adj, be V-ed to-inf, be V-ed n\n\n3. You can use be born in front of a particular name to show that a person was given this name at birth, although they may be better known by another name. (FORMAL)\nShe was born Jenny Harvey on June 11, 1946.\n  V-PASSIVE: no cont, be V-ed n\n\n4. You use born to describe someone who has a natural ability to do a particular activity or job. For example, if you are a born cook, you have a natural ability to cook well.\nJack was a born teacher.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n5. When an idea or organization is born, it comes into existence. If something is born of a particular emotion or activity, it exists as a result of that emotion or activity. (FORMAL)\nCongress passed the National Security Act, and the CIA was born...\nEnergy conservation as a philosophy was born out of the 1973 oil crisis.\n  V-PASSIVE: be V-ed, be V-ed out of/of n\n\n6.\n  see also -born, first born, newborn\n7.\nto be born and bred: see breed\nto be born with a silver spoon in your mouth: see spoon


Words: born-again
Meaning:
born-again\n1. A born-again Christian is a person who has become an evangelical Christian as a result of a religious experience.\n  ADJ\n\n2. You can use born-again to describe someone who has adopted a new set of beliefs or a new way of life and is very enthusiastic about it.\nAs a `born-again’ cyclist I had decided that this season I would ride in a few races.\n  ADJ


Words: borough
Meaning:
bor.ough\n   borough  boroughs\n  A borough is a town, or a district within a large town, which has its own council.\n...the New York City borough of Brooklyn.\n  N-COUNT: oft the N of n, N n


Words: borrow
Meaning:
bor.row\n   borrow  borrows  borrowing  borrowed\n1. If you borrow something that belongs to someone else, you take it or use it for a period of time, usually with their permission.\nCan I borrow a pen please?...\nHe wouldn’t let me borrow his clothes.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  !=lend\n2. If you borrow money from someone or from a bank, they give it to you and you agree to pay it back at some time in the future.\nMorgan borrowed .5,000 from his father to form the company 20 years ago...\nIt’s so expensive to borrow from finance companies...\nHe borrowed heavily to get the money together.\n  VERB: V n from n, V from n, V, also V n\n\n3. If you borrow a book from a library, you take it away for a fixed period of time.\nI couldn’t afford to buy any, so I borrowed them from the library.\n  VERB: V n from n\n\n4. If you borrow something such as a word or an idea from another language or from another person’s work, you use it in your own language or work.\nI borrowed his words for my book’s title...\nTheir engineers are happier borrowing other people’s ideas than developing their own.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n5. Someone who is living on borrowed time or who is on borrowed time has continued to live or to do something for longer than was expected, and is likely to die or be stopped from doing it soon.\nPerhaps that illness, diagnosed as fatal, gave him a sense of living on borrowed time.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: borrower
Meaning:
bor.row.er\n   borrower  borrowers\n  A borrower is a person or organization that borrows money.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=lender


Words: borrowing
Meaning:
bor.row.ing\n   borrowing  borrowings\n  Borrowing is the activity of borrowing money.\nWe have allowed spending and borrowing to rise in this recession.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl


Words: borstal
Meaning:
bor.stal\n   borstal  borstals\n  In Britain in the past, a borstal was a kind of prison for young criminals, who were not old enough to be sent to ordinary prisons.\n  N-VAR\n  = reform school


Words: bosom
Meaning:
bos.om\n   bosom  bosoms\n1. A woman’s breasts are sometimes referred to as her bosom or her bosoms. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n...a large young mother with a baby resting against her ample bosom.\n  N-COUNT\n  = bust\n2. A bosom friend is a friend who you know very well and like very much indeed.\nThey were bosom friends...\nSakota was her cousin and bosom pal.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: boss
Meaning:
boss  bosses  bossing  bossed\n1. Your boss is the person in charge of the organization or department where you work.\nHe cannot stand his boss...\nOccasionally I have to go and ask the boss for a rise.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft poss N\n\n2. If you are the boss in a group or relationship, you are the person who makes all the decisions. (INFORMAL)\nHe thinks he’s the boss.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing\n\n3. If you say that someone bosses you, you mean that they keep telling you what to do in a way that is irritating.\nWe cannot boss them into doing more...\n`You are not to boss me!’ she shouted.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n\n  = order around\n  Boss around, or in British English boss about, means the same as boss.\nHe started bossing people around and I didn’t like what was happening.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n\n4. If you are your own boss, you work for yourself or make your own decisions and do not have anyone telling you what to do.\nI’m very much my own boss and no one interferes with what I do.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: bossy
Meaning:
bossy\n  If you describe someone as bossy, you mean that they enjoy telling people what to do.\nShe remembers being a rather bossy little girl.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  bossi.ness\nThey resent what they see as bossiness.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bosun
Meaning:
bo.sun\n   bosun  bosuns\n  The bosun on a ship is the officer whose job it is to look after the ship and its equipment.\n  N-COUNT: oft the N


Words: bot
Meaning:
bot bots\n  A bot is a computer program that carries out tasks for other programs or users, especially on the Internet. (COMPUTING)\n  N-COUNT


Words: botanical
Meaning:
bo.tani.cal\n   botanical  botanicals\n1. Botanical books, research, and activities relate to the scientific study of plants.\nThe area is of great botanical interest.\n...botanical gardens.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Botanicals are drugs which are made from plants.\nThe most effective new botanicals are extracts from cola nut and marine algae.\n  N-COUNT


Words: botch
Meaning:
botch  botches  botching  botched\n1. If you botch something that you are doing, you do it badly or clumsily. (INFORMAL)\nIt is a silly idea and he has botched it.\n...a botched job.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n  = bungle\n  Botch up means the same as botch.\nI hate having builders botch up repairs on my house...\nHemingway complained that Nichols had `botched everything up’.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n  = mess up\n2. If you make a botch of something that you are doing, you botch it. (INFORMAL)\nI rather made a botch of that whole thing.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n  = mess


Words: botch-up
Meaning:
botch-up  botch-ups\n  A botch-up is the same as a botch. (INFORMAL)\nThey were victims of a computer botch-up.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: both
Meaning:
both\n1. You use both when you are referring to two people or things and saying that something is true about each of them.\nShe cried out in fear and flung both arms up to protect her face...\nPut both vegetables into a bowl and crush with a potato masher.\n  DET: DET pl-n\n\n  Both is also a quantifier.\nBoth of these women have strong memories of the Vietnam War...\nWe’re going to Andreas’s Boutique to pick out something original for both of us.\n  QUANT: QUANT of pl-n\n\n  Both is also a pronoun.\nMiss Brown and her friend, both from Stoke, were arrested on the 8th of June...\nWill there be public-works programmes, or community service, or both?\n  PRON\n\n  Both is also an emphasizing pronoun.\nHe visited the Institute of Neurology in Havana where they both worked...\n`Well, I’ll leave you both, then,’ said Gregory.\n  PRON: n PRON\n\n  Both is also a predeterminer.\nBoth the band’s writers are fascinating lyricists...\nBoth the horses were out, tacked up and ready to ride.\n  PREDET: PREDET det pl-n  emphasis\n\n2. You use the structure both...and when you are giving two facts or alternatives and emphasizing that each of them is true or possible.\nNow women work both before and after having their children...\nAny such action would have to be approved by both American and Saudi leaders.\n  CONJ


Words: bother
Meaning:
both.er\n   bother  bothers  bothering  bothered\n1. If you do not bother to do something or if you do not bother with it, you do not do it, consider it, or use it because you think it is unnecessary or because you are too lazy.\nLots of people don’t bother to go through a marriage ceremony these days...\nMost of the papers didn’t even bother reporting it...\nNothing I do makes any difference anyway, so why bother?\n...and he does not bother with a helmet either.\n  VERB: with brd-neg, V to-inf, V -ing, V, V with/about n\n\n2. Bother means trouble or difficulty. You can also use bother to refer to an activity which causes this, especially when you would prefer not to do it or get involved with it.\nI usually buy sliced bread.it’s less bother...\nMost men hate the bother of shaving.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N\n  = trouble\n3. If something bothers you, or if you bother about it, it worries, annoys, or upsets you.\nIs something bothering you?...\nThat kind of jealousy doesn’t bother me...\nIt bothered me that boys weren’t interested in me...\nNever bother about people’s opinions.\n  VERB: V n, V n, it V n that/wh, V about n, also it V n to-inf\n\n=>  both.ered\nI was bothered about the blister on my hand...\nI’m not bothered if he has another child.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about n\n\n4. If someone bothers you, they talk to you when you want to be left alone or interrupt you when you are busy.\nWe are playing a trick on a man who keeps bothering me...\nI don’t know why he bothers me with this kind of rubbish.\n  VERB: V n, V n with/about n\n\n5. If you say that you can’t be bothered to do something, you mean that you are not going to do it because you think it is unnecessary or because you are too lazy.\nI just can’t be bothered to look after the house...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR to-inf\n\n6.\nhot and bothered: see hot


Words: bothersome
Meaning:
both.er.some\n   bothersome\n  Someone or something that is bothersome is annoying or irritating. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  ADJ\n  = troublesome


Words: Botox
Meaning:
Bo.tox\n\n  Botox is a substance that is injected into the face in order to make the skin look smoother. (TRADEMARK)\n...Botox injections.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: bottle
Meaning:
bot.tle\n   bottle  bottles  bottling  bottled\n1. A bottle is a glass or plastic container in which drinks and other liquids are kept. Bottles are usually round with straight sides and a narrow top.\nThere were two empty beer bottles on the table...\nHe was pulling the cork from a bottle of wine.\n...Victorian scent bottles.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  A bottle of something is an amount of it contained in a bottle.\nHe had drunk half a bottle of whisky.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. To bottle a drink or other liquid means to put it into bottles after it has been made.\nThis is a large truck which has equipment to automatically bottle the wine.\n...bottled water.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n3. A bottle is a drinking container used by babies. It has a special rubber part at the top through which they can suck their drink.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n4.\n  see also bottled, feeding bottle, hot-water bottle, water bottle


Words: bottle bank
Meaning:
bot.tle bank\n   bottle bank  bottle banks\n  A bottle bank is a large container into which people can put empty bottles so that the glass can be used again. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bottle up
Meaning:
bottle up\n  If you bottle up strong feelings, you do not express them or show them, especially when this makes you tense or angry.\nTension in the home increases if you bottle things up...\nBe assertive rather than bottle up your anger.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)


Words: bottle-feed
Meaning:
bottle-feed  bottle-feeds  bottle-feeding  bottle-fed\n  If you bottle-feed a baby, you give it milk or a liquid like milk in a bottle rather than the baby sucking milk from its mother’s breasts.\nNew fathers love bottle feeding their babies.\n...a bottle-fed baby.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n  !=breast feed


Words: bottle-green
Meaning:
bottle-green   also bottle green\n  Something that is bottle-green is dark green in colour.\n  COLOUR


Words: bottle-opener
Meaning:
bottle-opener  bottle-openers\n  A bottle-opener is a metal device for removing caps or tops from bottles.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bottled
Meaning:
bot.tled\n   bottled\n  Bottled gas is kept under pressure in special metal cylinders which can be moved from one place to another.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  see also bottle


Words: bottleneck
Meaning:
bottle.neck\n   bottleneck  bottlenecks\n1. A bottleneck is a place where a road becomes narrow or where it meets another road so that the traffic slows down or stops, often causing traffic jams.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A bottleneck is a situation that stops a process or activity from progressing.\nHe pushed everyone full speed ahead until production hit a bottleneck.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bottler
Meaning:
bot.tler\n   bottler  bottlers\n  A bottler is a person or company that puts drinks into bottles.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bottom
Meaning:
bot.tom\n   bottom  bottoms  bottoming  bottomed\n1. The bottom of something is the lowest or deepest part of it.\nHe sat at the bottom of the stairs...\nAnswers can be found at the bottom of page 8.\n...the bottom of the sea.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing, oft N of n\n  !=top\n2. The bottom thing or layer in a series of things or layers is the lowest one.\nThere’s an extra duvet in the bottom drawer of the cupboard.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=top\n3. The bottom of an object is the flat surface at its lowest point. You can also refer to the inside or outside of this surface as the bottom.\nSpread the onion slices on the bottom of the dish.\n...the bottom of their shoes.\n...a suitcase with a false bottom.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing, usu with supp\n  = base\n4. If you say that the bottom has dropped or fallen out of a market or industry, you mean that people have stopped buying the products it sells. (BUSINESS, JOURNALISM)\nThe bottom had fallen out of the city’s property market.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n5. The bottom of a street or garden is the end farthest away from you or from your house. (BRIT; in AM, usually use end)\n...the Cathedral at the bottom of the street.\n  N-SING: the N, usu N of n\n  = end\n6. The bottom of a table is the end farthest away from where you are sitting. The bottom of a bed is the end where you usually rest your feet. (BRIT; in AM, usually use end)\nMalone sat down on the bottom of the bed.\n  N-SING: the N, usu N of n\n  = end\n7. The bottom of an organization or career structure is the lowest level in it, where new employees often start.\nHe had worked in the theatre for many years, starting at the bottom.\n...a contract researcher at the bottom of the pay scale.\n  N-SING: the N, oft N of n\n  !=top\n8. If someone is bottom or at the bottom in a survey, test, or league their performance is worse than that of all the other people involved.\nHe was always bottom of the class...\nThe team is close to bottom of the League.\n  N-SING: the N, also no det\n  !=top\n9. Your bottom is the part of your body that you sit on.\nIf there was one thing she could change about her body it would be her bottom.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N\n\n10. The lower part of a bikini, tracksuit, or pair of pyjamas can be referred to as the bottoms or the bottom.\nShe wore blue tracksuit bottoms.\n...a skimpy bikini bottom.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, oft n N\n  !=top\n11.\n  see also -bottomed, rock bottom\n12. You use at bottom to emphasize that you are stating what you think is the real nature of something or the real truth about a situation.\nThe two systems are, at bottom, conceptual models...\nAt bottom, such an attitude is born not of concern for your welfare, but out of fear of losing you.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl  emphasis\n\n13. If something is at the bottom of a problem or unpleasant situation, it is the real cause of it.\nOften I find that anger and resentment are at the bottom of the problem.\n  PHRASE: PHR n\n\n14. You can say that you mean something from the bottom of your heart to emphasize that you mean it very sincerely.\nI’m happy, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart...\nI want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.\n  PHRASE: heart inflects, PHR after v, PHR with cl  emphasis\n\n15. If you want to get to the bottom of a problem, you want to solve it by finding out its real cause.\nI have to get to the bottom of this mess.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n\n\n16.\nto scrape the bottom of the barrel: see barrel


Words: bottom line
Meaning:
bot.tom line\n   bottom line  bottom lines\n1. The bottom line in a decision or situation is the most important factor that you have to consider.\nThe bottom line is that it’s not profitable...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu the N\n\n2. The bottom line in a business deal is the least a person is willing to accept.\nShe says .95,000 is her bottom line.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu poss N\n\n3. The bottom line is the total amount of money that a company has made or lost over a particular period of time. (BUSINESS)\n...to force chief executives to look beyond the next quarter’s bottom line.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N


Words: bottom out
Meaning:
bottom out\n  If a trend such as a fall in prices bottoms out, it stops getting worse or decreasing, and remains at a particular level or amount. (JOURNALISM)\nHe expects the recession to bottom out...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  = level out


Words: bottomless
Meaning:
bot.tom.less\n   bottomless\n1. If you describe a supply of something as bottomless, you mean that it seems so large that it will never run out.\nPrincess Anne does not have a bottomless purse.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe something as bottomless, you mean that it is so deep that it seems to have no bottom.\nHis eyes were like bottomless brown pools.\n  ADJ\n\n3. If you describe something as a bottomless pit, you mean that it seems as if you can take things from it and it will never be empty or put things in it and it will never be full.\nA gold mine is not a bottomless pit, the gold runs out...\nThe problem is we don’t have a bottomless pit of resources...\n  PHRASE


Words: boudoir
Meaning:
bou.doir\n   boudoir  boudoirs\n  A boudoir is a woman’s bedroom or private sitting room. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bouffant
Meaning:
bouf.fant\n   bouffant\n  A bouffant hairstyle is one in which your hair is high and full.\n...blonde bouffant hairdos.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: bougainvillea
Meaning:
bou.gain.vil.lea\n   bougainvillea  bougainvilleas\nin BRIT, also use bougainvillaea\n  Bougainvillea is a climbing plant that has thin, red or purple flowers and grows mainly in hot countries.\n  N-VAR


Words: bough
Meaning:
bough  boughs\n  A bough is a large branch of a tree. (LITERARY)\nI rested my fishing rod against a pine bough.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bouillabaisse
Meaning:
bouil.la.baisse\n   bouillabaisse\n  Bouillabaisse is a rich stew or soup of fish and vegetables.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N


Words: bouillon
Meaning:
bouil.lon\n   bouillon  bouillons\n  Bouillon is a liquid made by boiling meat and bones or vegetables in water and used to make soups and sauces.\n  N-VAR\n  = stock


Words: boules
Meaning:
boules\n  Boules is a game in which a small ball is thrown and then the players try to throw other balls as close to the first ball as possible.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: boulevard
Meaning:
boule.vard\n   boulevard  boulevards\n  A boulevard is a wide street in a city, usually with trees along each side.\n...Lenton Boulevard.\n  N-COUNT: oft in names\n  = avenue


Words: bounce
Meaning:
bounce  bounces  bouncing  bounced\n1. When an object such as a ball bounces or when you bounce it, it moves upwards from a surface or away from it immediately after hitting it.\nI bounced a ball against the house...\nMy father would burst into the kitchen bouncing a football.\n...a falling pebble, bouncing down the eroded cliff...\nThey watched the dodgem cars bang and bounce.\n  VERB: V n prep, V n, V prep/adv, V, also V n with adv\n\n  Bounce is also a noun.\nThe wheelchair tennis player is allowed two bounces of the ball.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If sound or light bounces off a surface or is bounced off it, it reaches the surface and is reflected back.\nYour arms and legs need protection from light bouncing off glass...\nThey work by bouncing microwaves off solid objects.\n  VERB: V off n, V n off n\n\n3. If something bounces or if something bounces it, it swings or moves up and down.\nHer long black hair bounced as she walked...\nThen I noticed the car was bouncing up and down as if someone were jumping on it...\nThe wind was bouncing the branches of the big oak trees.\n  VERB: V, V adv, V n\n  = bob\n4. If you bounce on a soft surface, you jump up and down on it repeatedly.\nShe lets us do anything, even bounce on our beds.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, also V\n\n5. If someone bounces somewhere, they move there in an energetic way, because they are feeling happy.\nMoira bounced into the office.\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n6. If you bounce your ideas off someone, you tell them to that person, in order to find out what they think about them.\nIt was good to bounce ideas off another mind...\nLet’s bounce a few ideas around.\n  VERB: V n off n, V n around\n\n7. If a cheque bounces or if a bank bounces it, the bank refuses to accept it and pay out the money, because the person who wrote it does not have enough money in their account.\nOur only complaint would be if the cheque bounced...\nHis bank wrongly bounced cheques worth .75,000.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n8. If an e-mail or other electronic message bounces, it is returned to the person who sent it because the address was wrong or because of a problem with one of the computers involved in sending it. (COMPUTING)\n  VERB: V


Words: bounce back
Meaning:
bounce back\n  If you bounce back after a bad experience, you return very quickly to your previous level of success, enthusiasm, or activity.\nWe lost two or three early games in the World Cup, but we bounced back...\nHe is young enough to bounce back from this disappointment.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P prep/adv\n  = recover


Words: bouncer
Meaning:
bounc.er\n   bouncer  bouncers\n  A bouncer is a man who stands at the door of a club, prevents unwanted people from coming in, and makes people leave if they cause trouble.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bouncing
Meaning:
bounc.ing\n   bouncing\n  If you say that someone is bouncing with health, you mean that they are very healthy. You can also refer to a bouncing baby.\nThey are bouncing with health in the good weather...\nDerek is now the proud father of a bouncing baby girl.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ with n, ADJ n\n\n  see also bounce


Words: bouncy
Meaning:
bouncy\n1. Someone or something that is bouncy is very lively.\nShe was bouncy and full of energy.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A bouncy thing can bounce very well or makes other things bounce well.\n...a children’s paradise filled with bouncy toys.\n...a bouncy chair.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: bouncy castle
Meaning:
bouncy cas.tle\n   bouncy castle  bouncy castles\n  A bouncy castle is a large object filled with air, often in the shape of a castle, which children play on at a fairground or other outdoor event.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bound
Meaning:
OTHER USES\n   bound  bounds  bounding  bounded\n1. Bounds are limits which normally restrict what can happen or what people can do.\nChanges in temperature occur slowly and are constrained within relatively tight bounds.\n...a forceful personality willing to go beyond the bounds of convention.\n...the bounds of good taste.\n  N-PLURAL: usu within/beyond N\n\n2. If an area of land is bounded by something, that thing is situated around its edge.\nKirgizia is bounded by Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.\n...the trees that bounded the car park.\n...the park, bounded by two busy main roads and a huge housing estate.\n  VERB: be V-ed by n, V n, V-ed\n\n3. If someone’s life or situation is bounded by certain things, those are its most important aspects and it is limited or restricted by them.\nOur lives are bounded by work, family and television.\n  V-PASSIVE: be V-ed by n\n\n4. If a person or animal bounds in a particular direction, they move quickly with large steps or jumps.\nHe bounded up the steps and pushed the bell of the door...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n  = leap\n5. A bound is a long or high jump. (LITERARY)\nWith one bound Jack was free.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n6. If the quantity or performance of something bounds ahead, it increases or improves quickly and suddenly.\nThe shares bounded ahead a further 11p to 311p...\n  VERB: V adv\n\n7. If you say that a feeling or quality knows no bounds, you are emphasizing that it is very strong or intense.\nThe passion of Argentinian football fans knows no bounds.\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis\n\n8. If a place is out of bounds, people are not allowed to go there.\nFor the last few days the area has been out of bounds to foreign journalists.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v, oft PHR to n\n\n9. If something is out of bounds, people are not allowed to do it, use it, see it, or know about it.\nAmerican parents may soon be able to rule violent TV programmes out of bounds.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n10.\nleaps and bounds: see leap\n\nBE BOUND\n   bound\n1. Bound is the past tense and past participle of bind.\n\n2. If you say that something is bound to happen, you mean that you are sure it will happen, because it is a natural consequence of something that is already known or exists.\nThere are bound to be price increases next year...\nIf you are topless in a public place, this sort of thing is bound to happen.\n  PHRASE\n\n3. If you say that something is bound to happen or be true, you feel confident and certain of it, although you have no definite knowledge or evidence. (SPOKEN)\nI’ll show it to Benjamin. He’s bound to know...\nWe’ll have more than one child, and one of them’s bound to be a boy.\n  PHRASE\n\n4. If one person, thing, or situation is bound to another, they are closely associated with each other, and it is difficult for them to be separated or to escape from each other.\nWe are as tightly bound to the people we dislike as to the people we love...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n\n\n5. If a vehicle or person is bound for a particular place, they are travelling towards it.\nThe ship was bound for Italy.\n...a Russian plane bound for Berlin.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ for n\n\n  Bound is also a combining form.\n...a Texas-bound oil freighter.\n...homeward-bound commuters.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n6. If something is bound up in a particular form or place, it is fixed in that form or contained in that place.\nThe manager of a company does not like having a large chunk of his wealth bound up in its shares...\n  PHRASE: PHR n\n  = tied up in\n7. If one thing is bound up with or in another, they are closely connected with each other, and it is difficult to consider the two things separately.\nMy fate was bound up with hers...\nTheir interests were completely bound up in their careers.\n  PHRASE: PHR n, usu v-link PHR\n  = tied up with\n8.\n  see also bind over


Words: boundary
Meaning:
bounda.ry\n   boundary  boundaries\n1. The boundary of an area of land is an imaginary line that separates it from other areas.\n...the Bow Brook which forms the western boundary of the wood...\nDrug traffickers operate across national boundaries.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of/between n\n  = border, frontier\n2. The boundaries of something such as a subject or activity are the limits that people think that it has.\nThe boundaries between history and storytelling are always being blurred and muddled.\n...extending the boundaries of press freedom.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, oft N of/between n


Words: bounder
Meaning:
bound.er\n   bounder  bounders\n  If you call a man a bounder, you mean he behaves in an unkind, deceitful, or selfish way. (BRIT OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT\n  = cad


Words: boundless
Meaning:
bound.less\n   boundless\n  If you describe something as boundless, you mean that there seems to be no end or limit to it.\nHis reforming zeal was boundless.\n  ADJ\n  = infinite, limitless


Words: bountiful
Meaning:
boun.ti.ful\n   bountiful\n1. A bountiful supply or amount of something pleasant is a large one.\nState aid is less bountiful than it was before.\n...a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables.\n  ADJ\n  = plentiful\n2. A bountiful area or period of time produces or provides large amounts of something, especially food.\nThe land is bountiful and no one starves.\n  ADJ\n  = rich


Words: bounty
Meaning:
boun.ty\n   bounty  bounties\n1. You can refer to something that is provided in large amounts as bounty. (LITERARY)\n...autumn’s bounty of fruits, seeds and berries.\n  N-VAR: with supp\n\n2. A bounty is money that is offered as a reward for doing something, especially for finding or killing a particular person.\nThey paid bounties for people to give up their weapons.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bounty hunter
Meaning:
boun.ty hunt.er\n   bounty hunter  bounty hunters\n  A bounty hunter is someone who tries to find or kill someone in order to get the reward that has been offered.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bouquet
Meaning:
bou.quet\n   bouquet   bouquets\n1. A bouquet is a bunch of flowers which is attractively arranged.\nThe woman carried a bouquet of dried violets.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. The bouquet of something, especially wine, is the pleasant smell that it has.\n...a Sicilian wine with a light red colour and a bouquet of cloves.\n  N-VAR\n  = fragrance


Words: bouquet garni
Meaning:
bou.quet gar.ni\n   bouquet garni\n  A bouquet garni is a bunch of herbs that are tied together and used in cooking to add flavour to the food.\n  N-SING: also no det


Words: bourbon
Meaning:
bour.bon\n   bourbon  bourbons\n  Bourbon is a type of whisky that is made mainly in America.\nI poured a little more bourbon into my glass.\n  N-MASS\n\n  A bourbon is a small glass of bourbon.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bourgeois
Meaning:
bour.geois\n   bourgeois\n  If you describe people, their way of life, or their attitudes as bourgeois, you disapprove of them because you consider them typical of conventional middle-class people.\nHe’s accusing them of having a bourgeois and limited vision.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n  see also petit bourgeois


Words: bourgeoisie
Meaning:
bour.geoi.sie\n   bourgeoisie\n  In Marxist theory, the bourgeoisie are the middle-class people who own most of the wealth in a capitalist system. (TECHNICAL)\n...the suppression of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie.\n  N-SING-COLL: the N\n\n  see also petit bourgeoisie


Words: bout
Meaning:
bout  bouts\n1. If you have a bout of an illness or of an unpleasant feeling, you have it for a short period.\nHe was recovering from a severe bout of flu...\nI was suffering with a bout of nerves.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. A bout of something that is unpleasant is a short time during which it occurs a great deal.\nThe latest bout of violence has claimed twenty four lives...\nA half-hour daily walk can be more beneficial than one hard bout of exercise a week.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n  = spell\n3. A bout is a boxing or wrestling match.\nThis will be his eighth title bout in 19 months.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boutique
Meaning:
bou.tique\n   boutique  boutiques\n  A boutique is a small shop that sells fashionable clothes, shoes, or jewellery.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bovine
Meaning:
bo.vine\n   bovine\n1. Bovine means relating to cattle. (TECHNICAL)\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If you describe someone’s behaviour or appearance as bovine, you think that they are stupid or slow.\nI’m depressed by the bovine enthusiasm of the crowd’s response.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval


Words: bow
Meaning:
PART OF A SHIP\n   bow  bows\n  The front part of a ship is called the bow or the bows. The plural bows can be used to refer either to one or to more than one of these parts.\nThe waves were about five feet now, and the bow of the boat was leaping up and down.\n  N-COUNT\n\nOBJECTS\n   bow  bows\n1. A bow is a knot with two loops and two loose ends that is used in tying shoelaces and ribbons.\nAdd a length of ribbon tied in a bow.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A bow is a weapon for shooting arrows which consists of a long piece of curved wood with a string attached to both its ends.\nSome of the raiders were armed with bows and arrows.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. The bow of a violin or other stringed instrument is a long thin piece of wood with fibres stretched along it, which you move across the strings of the instrument in order to play it.\n  N-COUNT\n\nBENDING OR SUBMITTING\n   bow  bows  bowing  bowed\n1. When you bow to someone, you briefly bend your body towards them as a formal way of greeting them or showing respect.\nThey bowed low to Louis and hastened out of his way...\nHe bowed slightly before taking her bag.\n  VERB: V to n, V\n\n  Bow is also a noun.\nI gave a theatrical bow and waved.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. If you bow your head, you bend it downwards so that you are looking towards the ground, for example because you want to show respect or because you are thinking deeply about something.\nThe Colonel bowed his head and whispered a prayer of thanksgiving...\nShe stood still, head bowed, hands clasped in front of her.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n  = lower\n3. If you bow to pressure or to someone’s wishes, you agree to do what they want you to do.\nSome shops are bowing to consumer pressure and stocking organically grown vegetables...\n  VERB: V to n\n  = yield\n4. If you are bowed by something, you are made unhappy and anxious by it, and lose hope.\n...their determination not to be bowed in the face of the allied attacks.\n  V-PASSIVE: be V-ed\n\n  To be bowed down means the same as to be bowed.\nI am bowed down by my sins.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P


Words: bow down
Meaning:
bow down\n1. If you refuse to bow down to another person, you refuse to show them respect or to behave in a way which you think would make you seem weaker or less important than them.\nWe should not have to bow down to anyone.\n  PHRASAL VERB: oft with brd-neg, V P to n\n  = kow-tow\n2.\n  see also bow 4


Words: bow out
Meaning:
bow out\n  If you bow out of something, you stop taking part in it. (WRITTEN)\nHe had bowed out gracefully when his successor had been appointed.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, also V P of n\n  = step down


Words: bow tie
Meaning:
bow tie  bow ties   also bow-tie\n  A bow tie is a tie in the form of a bow. Bow ties are worn by men, especially for formal occasions.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bowdlerize
Meaning:
bowd.ler.ize\n   bowdlerize  bowdlerizes  bowdlerizing  bowdlerized\nin BRIT, also use bowdlerise\n  To bowdlerize a book or film means to take parts of it out before publishing it or showing it.\nI’m bowdlerizing it.just slightly changing one or two words so listeners won’t be upset.\n...a bowdlerised version of the song.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed  disapproval


Words: bowed
Meaning:
Pronounced   for meaning 1, and   for meaning 2.\n1. Something that is bowed is curved.\n...an old lady with bowed legs.\n  ADJ\n  = curved  !=straight\n2. If a person’s body is bowed, it is bent forward.\nHe walked aimlessly along street after street, head down and shoulders bowed.\n  ADJ\n  !=erect\n3.\n  see also bow


Words: bowel
Meaning:
bow.el\n   bowel  bowels\n1. Your bowels are the tubes in your body through which digested food passes from your stomach to your anus.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can refer in a polite way to someone getting rid of the waste from their body by saying that they move, open, or empty their bowels.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n3. You can refer to the parts deep inside something such as the earth, a building, or a machine as the bowels of that thing. (HUMOROUS or LITERARY)\n...deep in the bowels of the earth...\nLyn went off into the dark bowels of the building.\n  N-PLURAL: the N of n\n  = recesses


Words: bower
Meaning:
bow.er\n   bower  bowers\n  A bower is a shady, leafy shelter in a garden or wood. (LITERARY)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bowl
Meaning:
bowl  bowls  bowling  bowled\n1. A bowl is a round container with a wide uncovered top. Some kinds of bowl are used, for example, for serving or eating food from, or in cooking, while other larger kinds are used for washing or cleaning.\nPut all the ingredients into a large bowl...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The contents of a bowl can be referred to as a bowl of something.\n...a bowl of soup.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n3. You can refer to the hollow rounded part of an object as its bowl.\nHe smacked the bowl of his pipe into his hand.\n...the toilet bowl.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n4. Bowls is a game in which players try to roll large wooden balls as near as possible to a small wooden ball. Bowls is usually played outdoors on grass. (BRIT; in AM, use lawn bowling)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n5. A set of bowls is a set of round wooden balls that you play bowls with.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n6. In a sport such as cricket, when a bowler bowls a ball, he or she sends it down the pitch towards a batsman.\nI can’t see the point of bowling a ball like that...\nHe bowled so well that we won two matches.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n7. If you bowl along in a car or on a boat, you move along very quickly, especially when you are enjoying yourself.\nVeronica looked at him, smiling, as they bowled along...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n8. A large stadium where sports or concerts take place is sometimes called a Bowl.\n...the Crystal Palace Bowl.\n...the Rose Bowl.\n  N-IN-NAMES: the n N\n\n9.\n  see also bowling, begging bowl, fruit bowl, mixing bowl, punch bowl, salad bowl, sugar bowl


Words: bowl over
Meaning:
bowl over\n1. To bowl someone over means to push into them and make them fall to the ground.\nThe only physical risk I ran was being bowled over by one of the many joggers...\nSome people had to cling to trees as the flash flood bowled them over.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P, V n P (not pron), also V P n\n  = knock over\n2. If you are bowled over by something, you are very impressed or surprised by it.\nLike any tourist, I was bowled over by India.\n...a man who bowled her over with his humour and charm.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)


Words: bowler
Meaning:
bow.ler\n   bowler  bowlers\n  The bowler in a sport such as cricket is the player who is bowling the ball.\nHe’s a rather good fast bowler.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bowler hat
Meaning:
bow.ler hat\n   bowler hat  bowler hats\n  A bowler hat is a round, hard, black hat with a narrow brim which is worn by men, especially British businessmen. Bowler hats are no longer very common. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use derby)\n  N-COUNT\n  = bowler


Words: bowlful
Meaning:
bowl.ful\n   bowlful  bowlfuls\n  The contents of a bowl can be referred to as a bowlful of something.\nThey ate a large bowlful of cereal...\nI had a mixed salad.a huge bowlful for .3.20.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: bowling
Meaning:
bowl.ing\n   bowling\n1. Bowling is a game in which you roll a heavy ball down a narrow track towards a group of wooden objects and try to knock down as many of them as possible.\nI go bowling for relaxation.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. In a sport such as cricket, bowling is the action or activity of bowling the ball towards the batsman.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bowling alley
Meaning:
bowl.ing al.ley\n   bowling alley  bowling alleys\n  A bowling alley is a building which contains several tracks for bowling.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bowling green
Meaning:
bowl.ing green\n   bowling green  bowling greens\n  A bowling green is an area of very smooth, short grass on which the game of bowls or lawn bowling is played.\n  N-COUNT


Words: box
Meaning:
box  boxes  boxing  boxed\n1. A box is a square or rectangular container with hard or stiff sides. Boxes often have lids.\nHe reached into the cardboard box beside him...\nThey sat on wooden boxes.\n...the box of tissues on her desk.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  A box of something is an amount of it contained in a box.\nShe ate two boxes of liqueurs.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. A box is a square or rectangle that is printed or drawn on a piece of paper, a road, or on some other surface.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. In football, the box is the penalty area of the field.\nHe scored from the penalty spot after being brought down in the box.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n4. A box is a small separate area in a theatre or at a sports ground or stadium, where a small number of people can sit to watch the performance or game.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. Television is sometimes referred to as the box. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nDo you watch it live at all or do you watch it on the box?\n  N-SING: the N\n  = telly\n6. Box is used before a number as a postal address by organizations that receive a lot of mail.\n...Country Crafts, Box 111, Landisville.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu N num\n\n7. Box is a small evergreen tree with dark leaves which is often used to form hedges.\n...box hedges.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n\n8. To box means to fight someone according to the rules of boxing.\nAt school I boxed and played rugby...\nThe two fighters had previously boxed a 12-round match.\n  VERB: V, V n, also V as n\n\n9.\n  see also boxed, boxing, black box, chocolate-box, lunch box, phone box, post office box, postbox, sentry box, signal box, telephone box


Words: box in
Meaning:
box in\n1. If you are boxed in, you are unable to move from a particular place because you are surrounded by other people or cars.\nArmstrong was boxed in with 300 metres to go...\nThe black cabs cut in front of them, trying to box them in.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V-ed P, V n P\n  = hem in\n2. If something boxes you in, it puts you in a situation where you have very little choice about what you can do.\nPart of winning a mandate is having clear goals and not boxing yourself in...\nWe are not trying to box anybody in, we are trying to find a satisfactory way forward.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n\n=>  boxed in\nThe Chancellor is boxed in by inflation targets and sterling.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: box lunch
Meaning:
box lunch  box lunches\n  A box lunch is food, for example sandwiches, which you take to work, to school, or on a trip and eat as your lunch. (AM; in BRIT, use packed lunch)\n  N-COUNT


Words: box number
Meaning:
box num.ber\n   box number  box numbers\n  A box number is a number used as an address, for example one given by a newspaper for replies to a private advertisement, or one used by an organization for the letters sent to it.\n  N-COUNT


Words: box office
Meaning:
box of.fice\n   box office  box offices   also box-office\n1. The box office in a theatre, cinema, or concert hall is the place where the tickets are sold.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. When people talk about the box office, they are referring to the degree of success of a film or play in terms of the number of people who go to watch it or the amount of money it makes.\nThe film has taken .180 million at the box office...\nThe film was a huge box-office success.\n  N-SING: usu the N, N n


Words: boxcar
Meaning:
box.car\n   boxcar  boxcars\n  A boxcar is a railway carriage, often without windows, which is used to carry luggage, goods, or mail. (AM; in BRIT, use van)\n  N-COUNT


Words: boxed
Meaning:
boxed\n  A boxed set or collection of things is sold in a box.\n... a boxed set of six cups and saucers...\nThis boxed collection captures 64 of the greatest modern love songs.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  see also box


Words: boxer shorts
Meaning:
box.er shorts\n   boxer shorts\n  Boxer shorts are loose-fitting men’s underpants that are shaped like the shorts worn by boxers.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N


Words: boxing
Meaning:
box.ing\n   boxing\n  Boxing is a sport in which two people wearing large padded gloves fight according to special rules.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Boxing Day
Meaning:
Box.ing Day\n   Boxing Day\n  Boxing Day is the 26th of December, the day after Christmas Day. (BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: boxing glove
Meaning:
box.ing glove\n   boxing glove  boxing gloves\n  Boxing gloves are big padded gloves worn for boxing.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boxing ring
Meaning:
box.ing ring\n   boxing ring  boxing rings\n  A boxing ring is a raised square platform with ropes around it in which boxers fight.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boxy
Meaning:
boxy\n  Something that is boxy is similar to a square in shape and usually plain.\n...short boxy jackets.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: boy
Meaning:
boy  boys\n1. A boy is a child who will grow up to be a man.\nI knew him when he was a little boy...\nHe was still just a boy.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can refer to a young man as a boy, especially when talking about relationships between boys and girls.\n...the age when girls get interested in boys.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Someone’s boy is their son. (INFORMAL)\nEric was my cousin Edward’s boy...\nI have two boys.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n\n4. You can refer to a man as a boy, especially when you are talking about him in an affectionate way. (INFORMAL)\n...the local boy who made President...\n`Come on boys’, he shouted to the sailors.\n  N-COUNT: with supp  feelings\n  = lad\n5.\n  see also backroom boy, blue-eyed boy, bully-boy, head boy, messenger boy, office boy, old boy, stable boy, Teddy boy\n6. Some people say `boy’ or `oh boy’ in order to express feelings of excitement or admiration. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nOh Boy! Just think what I could tell him.\n  EXCLAM  feelings


Words: boy band
Meaning:
boy band  boy bands\n  A boy band is a band consisting of young men who sing pop music and dance. Boy bands are especially popular with teenage girls.\n  N-COUNT


Words: boy racer
Meaning:
boy rac.er\n   boy racer  boy racers\n  British journalists sometimes refer to young men who drive very fast, especially in expensive and powerful cars, as boy racers.\nBad driving is not just the preserve of boy racers...\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: Boy Scout
Meaning:
Boy Scout  Boy Scouts   also boy scout\n1. The Boy Scouts is an organization for boys which teaches them discipline and practical skills.\nHe’s in the Boy Scouts.\n  N-PROPER-COLL: the N\n  = Scouts\n2. A Boy Scout is a boy who is a member of the Boy Scouts.\n  N-COUNT\n  = Scout


Words: boycott
Meaning:
boy.cott\n   boycott  boycotts  boycotting  boycotted\n  If a country, group, or person boycotts a country, organization, or activity, they refuse to be involved with it in any way because they disapprove of it.\nThe main opposition parties are boycotting the elections.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Boycott is also a noun.\nOpposition leaders had called for a boycott of the vote.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of/against/on n


Words: boyfriend
Meaning:
boy.friend\n   boyfriend  boyfriends\n  Someone’s boyfriend is a man or boy with whom they are having a romantic or sexual relationship.\nI don’t know if she’s got a boyfriend or not.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N


Words: boyhood
Meaning:
boy.hood\n   boyhood\n  Boyhood is the period of a male person’s life during which he is a boy.\nHe has been a Derby County supporter since boyhood.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: boyish
Meaning:
boy.ish\n   boyish\n1. If you describe a man as boyish, you mean that he is like a boy in his appearance or behaviour, and you find this characteristic quite attractive.\nShe was relieved to see his face light up with a boyish grin...\nHe loves to learn, and has a boyish enthusiasm for life.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  approval\n\n=>  boy.ish.ly\nJohn grinned boyishly.\n  ADV\n\n2. If you describe a girl or woman as boyish, you mean that she looks like a boy, for example because she has short hair or small breasts.\n...her tall, boyish figure.\n  ADJ


Words: bozo
Meaning:
bozo  bozos\n  If you say that someone is a bozo, you mean that you think they are stupid. (INFORMAL)\nHe makes `em look like bozos.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = idiot


Words: bps
Meaning:
bps is a measurement of the speed at which computer data is transferred, for example by a modem. bps is an abbreviation for `bits per second’. (COMPUTING)\nA minimum 28,800 bps modem is probably the slowest you’ll want to put up with.


Words: brace
Meaning:
brace  braces  bracing  braced\n1. If you brace yourself for something unpleasant or difficult, you prepare yourself for it.\nHe braced himself for the icy plunge into the black water...\nShe braced herself, as if to meet a blow.\n  VERB: V pron-refl for n, V pron-refl\n\n2. If you brace yourself against something or brace part of your body against it, you press against something in order to steady your body or to avoid falling.\nElaine braced herself against the dresser and looked in the mirror...\nHe braced his back against the wall.\n  VERB: V pron-refl against n, V n against n\n\n3. If you brace your shoulders or knees, you keep them stiffly in a particular position.\nHe braced his shoulders as the snow slashed across his face.\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. To brace something means to strengthen or support it with something else.\nOverhead, the lights showed the old timbers, used to brace the roof.\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. You can refer to two things of the same kind as a brace of that thing. The plural form is also brace.\n...a brace of bottles of Mercier Rose champagne.\n...a few brace of grouse.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n6. A brace is a device attached to a part of a person’s body, for example to a weak leg, in order to strengthen or support it.\nShe wears a neck brace.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n  = support\n7. A brace is a metal device that can be fastened to a child’s teeth in order to help them grow straight.\n  N-COUNT\n\n8. Braces are a pair of straps that pass over your shoulders and fasten to your trousers at the front and back in order to stop them from falling down. (BRIT; in AM, use suspenders)\n  N-PLURAL\n\n9. Braces or curly braces are a pair of written marks that you place around words, numbers, or parts of a computer code, for example to indicate that they are connected in some way or are separate from other parts of the writing or code. (AM; in BRIT, usually use curly brackets)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bracelet
Meaning:
brace.let\n   bracelet  bracelets\n  A bracelet is a chain or band, usually made of metal, which you wear around your wrist as jewellery.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bracing
Meaning:
brac.ing\n   bracing\n  If you describe something, especially a place, climate, or activity as bracing, you mean that it makes you feel fresh and full of energy.\n...a bracing walk.\n  ADJ\n  = invigorating


Words: bracken
Meaning:
brack.en\n   bracken\n  Bracken is a large plant with leaves that are divided into many thin sections. It grows on hills and in woods.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bracket
Meaning:
brack.et\n   bracket  brackets  bracketing  bracketed\n1. If you say that someone or something is in a particular bracket, you mean that they come within a particular range, for example a range of incomes, ages, or prices.\n...a 33% top tax rate on everyone in these high-income brackets...\nDo you fall outside that age bracket?\n  N-COUNT: usu n N\n\n2. Brackets are pieces of metal, wood, or plastic that are fastened to a wall in order to support something such as a shelf.\nFix the beam with the brackets and screws.\n...adjustable wall brackets.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If two or more people or things are bracketed together, they are considered to be similar or related in some way.\nThe Magi, Bramins, and Druids were bracketed together as men of wisdom...\nAustrian wine styles are often bracketed with those of northern Germany.\n  VERB: pl-n be V-ed together, be V-ed with n\n  = categorize\n4. Brackets are a pair of written marks that you place round a word, expression, or sentence in order to indicate that you are giving extra information. In British English, curved marks like these are also called brackets, but in American English, they are called parentheses.\nThe prices in brackets are special rates for the under 18s...\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, oft in N\n  = parenthesis\n5. Brackets are pair of marks that are placed around a series of symbols in a mathematical expression to indicate that those symbols function as one item within the expression.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: brackish
Meaning:
brack.ish\n   brackish\n  Brackish water is slightly salty and unpleasant.\n...shallow pools of brackish water.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: brag
Meaning:
brag  brags  bragging  bragged\n  If you brag, you say in a very proud way that you have something or have done something.\nHe’s always bragging about his prowess as a cricketer...\nHe’ll probably go around bragging to his friends...\nThe chairman never tires of bragging that he and Mr. McCormack are old friends.\n  VERB: V about n, V to n, V that, also V with quote, V  disapproval\n  = boast


Words: Brahmin
Meaning:
Brah.min\n   Brahmin  Brahmins\nin AM and sometimes in BRIT, use Brahman\n  A Brahmin is a Hindu of the highest social rank.\n  N-COUNT


Words: braid
Meaning:
braid  braids  braiding  braided\n1. Braid is a narrow piece of decorated cloth or twisted threads, which is used to decorate clothes or curtains.\n...a plum-coloured uniform with lots of gold braid.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you braid hair or a group of threads, you twist three or more lengths of the hair or threads over and under each other to make one thick length. (AM; in BRIT, use plait)\nShe had almost finished braiding Louisa’s hair...\nHe pictured her with long black braided hair.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n3. A braid is a length of hair which has been divided into three or more lengths and then braided. (AM; in BRIT, use plait)\n  N-COUNT


Words: Braille
Meaning:
Braille\n  Braille is a system of printing for blind people. The letters are printed as groups of raised dots that you can feel with your fingers.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brain
Meaning:
brain  brains\n1. Your brain is the organ inside your head that controls your body’s activities and enables you to think and to feel things such as heat and pain.\nHer father died of a brain tumour.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Your brain is your mind and the way that you think.\nOnce you stop using your brain you soon go stale...\nStretch your brain with this puzzle.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n  = mind, intellect\n3. If someone has brains or a good brain, they have the ability to learn and understand things quickly, to solve problems, and to make good decisions.\nI had a good brain and the teachers liked me.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If someone is the brains behind an idea or an organization, he or she had that idea or makes the important decisions about how that organization is managed. (INFORMAL)\nMr White was the brains behind the scheme...\nSome investigators regarded her as the brains of the gang.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, the N behind/of n\n\n5. If you pick someone’s brains, you ask them to help you with a problem because they know more about the subject than you. (INFORMAL)\nWhy should a successful company allow another firm to pick its brains?\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n6.\nto rack your brains: see rack


Words: brain damage
Meaning:
brain dam.age\n   brain damage\n  If someone suffers brain damage, their brain is damaged by an illness or injury so that they cannot function normally.\nHe suffered severe brain damage after a motorbike accident.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brain death
Meaning:
brain death\n  Brain death occurs when someone’s brain stops functioning, even though their heart may be kept beating using a machine.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brain drain
Meaning:
brain drain\n  When people talk about a brain drain, they are referring to the movement of a large number of scientists or academics away from their own country to other countries where the conditions and salaries are better.\n  N-SING


Words: brain teaser
Meaning:
brain teas.er\n   brain teaser  brain teasers   also brain-teaser\n  A brain teaser is a question, problem, or puzzle that is difficult to answer or solve, but is not serious or important.\n  N-COUNT\n  = puzzle


Words: brain-damaged
Meaning:
brain-damaged\n  Someone who is brain-damaged has suffered brain damage.\nThe accident left the boy severely brain-damaged and almost totally reliant on others.\n  ADJ


Words: brain-dead
Meaning:
brain-dead   also brain dead; braindead\n1. If someone is declared brain-dead, they have suffered brain death.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you say that someone is brain-dead, you are saying in a cruel way that you think they are very stupid.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: brainchild
Meaning:
brain.child\n   brainchild   also brain-child\n  Someone’s brainchild is an idea or invention that they have thought up or created.\nThe record was the brainchild of rock star Bob Geldof.\n  N-SING: with poss


Words: brainless
Meaning:
brain.less\n   brainless\n  If you describe someone or something as brainless, you mean that you think they are stupid.\nI got treated as if I was a bit brainless.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = stupid


Words: brainpower
Meaning:
brain.power\n   brainpower\n1. Brainpower is intelligence or the ability to think. (JOURNALISM)\nShe admired Robert’s brainpower.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You can refer to the intelligent people in an organization or country as its brainpower. (JOURNALISM)\nA country’s principal resource is its brainpower.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brainstorm
Meaning:
brain.storm\n   brainstorm  brainstorms  brainstorming  brainstormed\n1. If you have a brainstorm, you suddenly become unable to think clearly. (BRIT)\nI can have a brainstorm and be very extravagant.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you have a brainstorm, you suddenly have a clever idea. (AM; in BRIT, usually use brainwave)\n`Look,’ she said, getting a brainstorm, `Why don’t you invite them here?’\n  N-COUNT\n  = brainwave\n3. If a group of people brainstorm, they have a meeting in which they all put forward as many ideas and suggestions as they can think of.\nThe women meet twice a month to brainstorm and set business goals for each other...\nWe can brainstorm a list of the most influential individuals in the company.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n=>  brain.storming\nHundreds of ideas had been tried and discarded during two years of brainstorming.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brainwash
Meaning:
brain.wash\n   brainwash  brainwashes  brainwashing  brainwashed\n  If you brainwash someone, you force them to believe something by continually telling them that it is true, and preventing them from thinking about it properly.\nThey brainwash people into giving up all their money...\nWe were brainwashed to believe we were all equal.\n  VERB: V n into -ing, be V-ed to-inf, also V n


Words: brainwave
Meaning:
brain.wave\n   brainwave  brainwaves\n1. If you have a brainwave, you suddenly have a clever idea. (BRIT; in AM, usually use brainstorm)\nIn 1980 she had a brainwave that changed her life.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Brainwaves are electrical signals produced by the brain which can be recorded and measured.\nHis brainwaves were constantly monitored.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: brainy
Meaning:
brainy  brainier  brainiest\n  Someone who is brainy is clever and good at learning. (INFORMAL)\nI don’t class myself as being very intelligent or brainy.\n  ADJ\n  = smart


Words: braise
Meaning:
braise  braises  braising  braised\n  When you braise meat or a vegetable, you fry it quickly and then cook it slowly in a covered dish with a small amount of liquid.\nI braised some beans to accompany a shoulder of lamb.\n...braised cabbage.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: brake
Meaning:
brake  brakes  braking  braked\n1. Brakes are devices in a vehicle that make it go slower or stop.\nThe brakes began locking...\nA seagull swooped down in front of her car, causing her to slam on the brakes.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. When a vehicle or its driver brakes, or when a driver brakes a vehicle, the driver makes it slow down or stop by using the brakes.\nShe braked sharply to avoid another car...\nHe lit a cigarette and braked the car slightly...\nShe braked to a halt and switched off.\n  VERB: V, V n, V to n, also V n to n\n\n3. You can use brake in a number of expressions to indicate that something has slowed down or stopped.\nIllness had put a brake on his progress...\n  N-COUNT


Words: bramble
Meaning:
bram.ble\n   bramble  brambles\n  Brambles are wild prickly bushes that produce blackberries.\nI became caught in the brambles.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: bran
Meaning:
bran\n  Bran is the outer skin of grain that is left when the grain has been used to make flour.\n...oat bran...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: branch
Meaning:
branch  branches  branching  branched\n1. The branches of a tree are the parts that grow out from its trunk and have leaves, flowers, or fruit growing on them.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A branch of a business or other organization is one of the offices, shops, or groups which belong to it and which are located in different places.\nThe local branch of Bank of America is handling the accounts...\nNational is Britain’s leading autocare service with over 400 branches nationwide.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n3. A branch of an organization such as the government or the police force is a department that has a particular function.\nSenate employees could take their employment grievances to another branch of government...\nHe had a fascination for submarines and joined this branch of the service.\n...the Metropolitan Police Special Branch.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, oft N of n, adj N\n\n4. A branch of a subject is a part or type of it.\nOncology is the branch of medicine dealing with tumors.\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n\n5. A branch of your family is a group of its members who are descended from one particular person.\nThis is one of the branches of the Roosevelt family.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: branch line
Meaning:
branch line  branch lines\n  A branch line is a railway line that goes to small towns rather than one that goes between large cities.\n  N-COUNT


Words: branch off
Meaning:
branch off\n  A road or path that branches off from another one starts from it and goes in a slightly different direction. If you branch off somewhere, you change the direction in which you are going.\nAfter a few miles, a small road branched off to the right...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P prep/adv, also V P, V P n


Words: branch out
Meaning:
branch out\n  If a person or an organization branches out, they do something that is different from their normal activities or work.\nI continued studying moths, and branched out to other insects...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P prep/adv, also V P


Words: brand
Meaning:
brand  brands  branding  branded\n1. A brand of a product is the version of it that is made by one particular manufacturer.\nWinston is a brand of cigarette...\nI bought one of the leading brands.\n...a supermarket’s own brand.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n, adj N\n  = make\n2. A brand of something such as a way of thinking or behaving is a particular kind of it.\nThe British brand of socialism was more interested in reform than revolution.\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n  = strain\n3. If someone is branded as something bad, people think they are that thing.\nI was instantly branded as a rebel...\nThe company has been branded racist by some of its own staff...\nThe US administration recently branded him a war criminal.\n  VERB: be V-ed as n, be V-ed adj, V n n, also V n as n, V n adj\n  = label\n4. When you brand an animal, you put a permanent mark on its skin in order to show who it belongs to, usually by burning a mark onto its skin.\nThe owner couldn’t be bothered to brand the cattle.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Brand is also a noun.\nA brand was a mark of ownership burned into the hide of an animal with a hot iron.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. A brand is a permanent mark on the skin of an animal, which shows who it belongs to.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brand image
Meaning:
brand im.age\n   brand image brand images\n  The brand image of a particular brand of product is the image or impression that people have of it, usually created by advertising. (BUSINESS)\nFew products have brand images anywhere near as strong as Levi’s.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brand leader
Meaning:
brand lead.er\n   brand leader brand leaders\n  The brand leader of a particular product is the brand of it that most people choose to buy. (BUSINESS)\nIn office supplies, we’re the brand leader.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brand name
Meaning:
brand name  brand names\n  The brand name of a product is the name the manufacturer gives it and under which it is sold. (BUSINESS)\nWhen it comes to soft drinks Coca-Cola is the biggest selling brand name in Britain.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brand-new
Meaning:
brand-new\n  A brand-new object is completely new.\nYesterday he went off to buy himself a brand-new car.\n  ADJ


Words: branded
Meaning:
brand.ed\n   branded\n  A branded product is one which is made by a well-known manufacturer and has the manufacturer’s label on it. (BRIT BUSINESS; in AM, use brand-name product)\nSupermarket lines are often cheaper than branded goods.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: branding
Meaning:
brand.ing\n   branding\n  The branding of a product is the presentation of it to the public in a way that makes it easy for people to recognize or identify. (BUSINESS)\nLocal companies find the sites and build the theme parks, while we will look after the branding.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brandish
Meaning:
bran.dish\n   brandish  brandishes  brandishing  brandished\n  If you brandish something, especially a weapon, you hold it in a threatening way.\nHe appeared in the lounge brandishing a knife.\n  VERB: V n


Words: brandy
Meaning:
bran.dy\n   brandy  brandies\n1. Brandy is a strong alcoholic drink. It is often drunk after a meal.\n  N-MASS\n\n2. A brandy is a glass of brandy.\nAfter a couple of brandies Michael started telling me his life story.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brandy snap
Meaning:
bran.dy snap\n   brandy snap  brandy snaps\n  Brandy snaps are very thin crisp biscuits in the shape of hollow cylinders. They are flavoured with ginger and are often filled with cream.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brash
Meaning:
brash  brasher  brashest\n  If you describe someone or their behaviour as brash, you disapprove of them because you think that they are too confident and aggressive.\nOn stage she seems hard, brash and uncompromising.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  brash.ly\nI brashly announced to the group that NATO needed to be turned around.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n\n=>  brash.ness\nHe was a typical showman with a brashness bordering on arrogance.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brass
Meaning:
brass\n1. Brass is a yellow-coloured metal made from copper and zinc. It is used especially for making ornaments and musical instruments.\nThe instrument is beautifully made in brass.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. The brass is the section of an orchestra which consists of brass wind instruments such as trumpets and horns.\n  N-SING\n\n3. If you get down to brass tacks, you discuss the basic, most important facts of a situation.\nAngola’s ruling party was due to get down to brass tacks today with a debate on the party’s record.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: brass band
Meaning:
brass band  brass bands\n  A brass band is a band that is made up of brass and percussion instruments.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brass rubbing
Meaning:
brass rub.bing\n   brass rubbing  brass rubbings\n  A brass rubbing is a picture made by placing a piece of paper over a brass plate that has writing or a picture on it, and rubbing it with a wax crayon.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brasserie
Meaning:
bras.se.rie\n   brasserie  brasseries\n  A brasserie is a small and usually cheap restaurant or bar.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brassica
Meaning:
bras.si.ca\n   brassica  brassicas\n  Brassicas are vegetables such as cabbages, broccoli and turnips.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: brassiere
Meaning:
bras.siere\n   brassiere  brassieres\n  A brassiere is the same as a bra. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: brassy
Meaning:
brassy  brassier  brassiest\n1. Brassy music is bold, harsh, and loud.\nMusicians blast their brassy jazz from street corners.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe a woman’s appearance or her behaviour as brassy, you think that she does not have good taste, and that she dresses or behaves in a way that is too loud or vulgar.\n...Alec and his brassy blonde wife...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n3. Something that is brassy has a yellow metallic colour and sometimes looks cheap.\nA woman with big brassy ear-rings.\n  ADJ


Words: brat
Meaning:
brat  brats\n  If you call someone, especially a child, a brat, you mean that he or she behaves badly or annoys you. (INFORMAL)\nHe’s a spoilt brat.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: brat pack
Meaning:
brat pack  brat packs\n  A brat pack is a group of young people, especially actors or writers, who are popular or successful at the moment. (JOURNALISM)\n...the Hollywood Brat Pack.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bravado
Meaning:
bra.va.do\n   bravado\n  Bravado is an appearance of courage or confidence that someone shows in order to impress other people.\n`You won’t get away with this,’ he said with unexpected bravado.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brave
Meaning:
brave  braver  bravest  braves  braving  braved\n1. Someone who is brave is willing to do things which are dangerous, and does not show fear in difficult or dangerous situations.\nHe was not brave enough to report the loss of the documents.\n...those brave people who dared to challenge the Stalinist regimes.\n  ADJ\n  = courageous  !=cowardly\n=>  brave.ly\nMr Kim bravely stood up to authority.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n2. If you brave unpleasant or dangerous conditions, you deliberately expose yourself to them, usually in order to achieve something. (WRITTEN)\nThousands have braved icy rain to demonstrate their support.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If someone is putting on a brave face or is putting a brave face on a difficult situation, they are pretending that they are happy or satisfied when they are not.\nHe felt disappointed but he tried to put on a brave face...\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: brave new world
Meaning:
brave new world\n  If someone refers to a brave new world, they are talking about a situation or system that has recently been created and that people think will be successful and fair.\n...the brave new world of internet banking.\n  N-SING: usu N of n


Words: bravery
Meaning:
brav.ery\n   bravery\n  Bravery is brave behaviour or the quality of being brave.\nHe deserves the highest praise for his bravery.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = courage  !=cowardice


Words: bravo
Meaning:
bra.vo\n   bravo\n  Some people say `bravo’ to express appreciation when someone has done something well. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n`Bravo, Rena! You’re right,’ the students said.\n  EXCLAM\n  = well done


Words: bravura
Meaning:
bra.vu.ra\n   bravura\n1. If you say that someone is doing something with bravura, you mean that they are using unnecessary extra actions that emphasize their skill or importance. (LITERARY)\nThe film is directed with a technical bravura and visual splendour.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A bravura performance or piece of work is done with bravura. (LITERARY)\n...a bravura performance from Durham’s scorer, Brian Hunt.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: brawl
Meaning:
brawl  brawls  brawling  brawled\n1. A brawl is a rough or violent fight.\nHe had been in a drunken street brawl.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If someone brawls, they fight in a very rough or violent way.\nHe was suspended for a year from University after brawling with police over a speeding ticket...\nTwo gangs of youths brawled on the dance floor of the ferry.\n  V-RECIP: V with n, pl-n V\n\n=>  brawl.ing\nThe brawling between the England fans and locals last night went on for several hours.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brawn
Meaning:
brawn\n  Brawn is physical strength.\nHe’s got plenty of brains as well as brawn.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = muscle


Words: brawny
Meaning:
brawny\n  Someone who is brawny is strong and has big muscles.\n...a brawny young man.\n  ADJ\n  = strapping


Words: bray
Meaning:
bray  brays  braying  brayed\n  When a donkey brays, it makes a loud harsh sound.\nThe donkey brayed and tried to bolt.\n  VERB: V


Words: brazen
Meaning:
bra.zen\n   brazen\n  If you describe a person or their behaviour as brazen, you mean that they are very bold and do not care what other people think about them or their behaviour.\nThey’re quite brazen about their bisexuality, it doesn’t worry them.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  bra.zen.ly\nHe was brazenly running a $400,000-a-month drug operation from the prison.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: brazen out
Meaning:
brazen out\n  If you have done something wrong and you brazen it out, you behave confidently in order not to appear ashamed, even though you probably do feel ashamed.\nIf you are caught simply argue that `everyone does it’ and brazen it out...\nThe president brazened out his misdeeds...\nStung by recent publicity, the Home Office now seems to be trying to brazen this issue out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V it P, V P n (not pron), V n P


Words: brazier
Meaning:
bra.zi.er\n   brazier  braziers\n1. A brazier is a large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned to keep people warm when they are outside in cold weather, for example because of their work.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A brazier is a grill that you use for cooking, usually with charcoal. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: Brazilian
Meaning:
Bra.zil.ian\n   Brazilian  Brazilians\n  Brazilian means belonging or relating to Brazil, or to its people or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n  A Brazilian is a person who comes from Brazil.\n  N-COUNT


Words: breach
Meaning:
breach  breaches  breaching  breached\n1. If you breach an agreement, a law, or a promise, you break it.\nThe newspaper breached the code of conduct on privacy...\n  VERB: V n\n  = violate\n2. A breach of an agreement, a law, or a promise is an act of breaking it.\nThe congressman was accused of a breach of secrecy rules.\n...a $1 billion breach of contract suit.\n  N-VAR\n  = violation\n3. A breach in a relationship is a serious disagreement which often results in the relationship ending. (FORMAL)\nTheir actions threatened a serious breach in relations between the two countries.\n...the breach between Tito and Stalin.\n  N-COUNT: usu N in/between n\n  = rift, rupture\n4. If someone or something breaches a barrier, they make an opening in it, usually leaving it weakened or destroyed. (FORMAL)\nFire may have breached the cargo tanks and set the oil ablaze.\n  VERB: V n\n  = rupture\n5. If you breach someone’s security or their defences, you manage to get through and attack an area that is heavily guarded and protected.\nThe bomber had breached security by hurling his dynamite from a roof overlooking the building.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Breach is also a noun.\n...widespread breaches of security at Ministry of Defence bases.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. If you step into the breach, you do a job or task which someone else was supposed to do or has done in the past, because they are suddenly unable to do it.\nI was persuaded to step into the breach temporarily when they became too ill to continue.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: breach of the peace
Meaning:
breach of the peace  breaches of the peace\n  A breach of the peace is noisy or violent behaviour in a public place which is illegal because it disturbs other people. (LEGAL)\nHe admitted causing a breach of the peace...\nFour men were found guilty of breach of the peace.\n  N-VAR


Words: bread
Meaning:
bread  breads  breading  breaded\n1. Bread is a very common food made from flour, water, and yeast.\n...a loaf of bread...\nThere is more fibre in wholemeal bread than in white bread.\n  N-MASS\n\n2. If food such as fish or meat is breaded, it is covered in tiny pieces of dry bread called breadcrumbs. It can then be fried or grilled.\nIt is important that food be breaded just minutes before frying.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n=>  bread.ed\n...breaded fish.\n  ADJ


Words: bread and butter
Meaning:
bread and but.ter\n   bread and butter   also bread-and-butter\n1. Something that is the bread and butter of a person or organization is the activity or work that provides the main part of their income.\nThe mobile phone business was actually his bread and butter.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss\n\n2. Bread and butter issues or matters are ones which are important to most people, because they affect them personally.\nThe opposition gained support by concentrating on bread-and-butter matters.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: bread basket
Meaning:
bread bas.ket\n   bread basket  bread baskets   also breadbasket\n  If an area or region is described as the bread basket of a country, it provides a lot of the food for that country because crops grow very easily there. It therefore produces wealth for the country.\nThe north-west became the country’s bread-basket.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss


Words: bread bin
Meaning:
bread bin  bread bins\n  A bread bin is a wooden, metal, or plastic container for storing bread. (BRIT; in AM, use breadbox)\n  N-COUNT


Words: breadboard
Meaning:
bread.board\n   breadboard  breadboards   also bread board\n  A breadboard is a flat piece of wood used for cutting bread on.\n  N-COUNT


Words: breadbox
Meaning:
bread.box\n   breadbox  breadboxes   also bread box\n  A breadbox is the same as a bread bin. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: breadcrumb
Meaning:
bread.crumb\n   breadcrumb  breadcrumbs\n  Breadcrumbs are tiny pieces of dry bread. They are used in cooking.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: breadfruit
Meaning:
bread.fruit\n   breadfruit  breadfruit\n  Breadfruit are large round fruit that grow on trees in the Pacific Islands and in tropical parts of America and that, when baked, look and feel like bread.\n  N-VAR


Words: breadline
Meaning:
bread.line\n   breadline\n  Someone who is on the breadline is very poor indeed.\nWe lived on the breadline to get our son through college...\nThey’re not exactly on the breadline.\n  N-SING: usu on the N


Words: breadth
Meaning:
breadth\n1. The breadth of something is the distance between its two sides.\nThe breadth of the whole camp was 400 paces.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n  = width\n2. The breadth of something is its quality of consisting of or involving many different things.\nOlder people have a tremendous breadth of experience...\nHis breadth of knowledge filled me with admiration.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n  = range\n3. If you say that someone does something or something happens throughout or across the length and breadth of a place, you are emphasizing that it happens everywhere in that place.\nThe group built their reputation by playing across the length and breadth of North America...\nShe has travelled the length and breadth of Britain.\n  PHRASE: PHR n  emphasis\n\n4.\n  see also hair’s breadth


Words: breadwinner
Meaning:
bread.winner\n   breadwinner  breadwinners   also bread-winner\n  The breadwinner in a family is the person in it who earns the money that the family needs for essential things.\nI’ve always paid the bills and been the breadwinner.\n  N-COUNT


Words: break
Meaning:
break  breaks  breaking  broke  broken\n1. When an object breaks or when you break it, it suddenly separates into two or more pieces, often because it has been hit or dropped.\nHe fell through the window, breaking the glass...\nThe plate broke...\nBreak the cauliflower into florets...\nThe plane broke into three pieces.\n...bombed-out buildings, surrounded by broken glass and rubble...\nThe only sound was the crackle of breaking ice.\n  VERB: V n, V, V n into pl-n, V into pl-n, V-ed, V-ing\n\n2. If you break a part of your body such as your leg, your arm, or your nose, or if a bone breaks, you are injured because a bone cracks or splits.\nShe broke a leg in a skiing accident...\nOld bones break easily...\nSeveral people were treated for broken bones.\n  VERB: V n, V, V-ed\n\n  Break is also a noun.\nIt has caused a bad break to Gabriella’s leg.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If a surface, cover, or seal breaks or if something breaks it, a hole or tear is made in it, so that a substance can pass through.\nOnce you’ve broken the seal of a bottle there’s no way you can put it back together again...\nThe bandage must be put on when the blister breaks...\nDo not use the cream on broken skin.\n  VERB: V n, V, V-ed\n\n4. When a tool or piece of machinery breaks or when you break it, it is damaged and no longer works.\nWhen the clutch broke, the car was locked into second gear...\nThe lead biker broke his bike chain.\n  VERB: V, V n, also V-ed\n\n5. If you break a rule, promise, or agreement, you do something that you should not do according to that rule, promise, or agreement.\nWe didn’t know we were breaking the law.\n...broken promises.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n6. If you break free or loose, you free yourself from something or escape from it.\nShe broke free by thrusting her elbow into his chest.\n  VERB: V adj\n\n7. If someone breaks something, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation that has existed for some time, they end it or change it.\nNew proposals have been put forward to break the deadlock among rival factions...\nThe country is heading towards elections which may break the party’s long hold on power.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n  Break is also a noun.\nNothing that might lead to a break in the deadlock has been discussed yet.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n8. If someone or something breaks a silence, they say something or make a noise after a long period of silence.\nHugh broke the silence. `Is she always late?’ he asked...\n  VERB: V n\n\n9. If there is a break in the cloud or weather, it changes and there is a short period of sunshine or fine weather.\nA sudden break in the cloud allowed rescuers to spot Michael Benson.\n  N-COUNT\n\n10. If you break with a group of people or a traditional way of doing things, or you break your connection with them, you stop being involved with that group or stop doing things in that way.\nIn 1959, Akihito broke with imperial tradition by marrying a commoner...\nThey were determined to break from precedent...\nThey have yet to break the link with the trade unions.\n  VERB: V with n, V from n, V n with n, also V n\n\n  Break is also a noun.\nMaking a completely clean break with the past, the couple got rid of all their old furniture.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n11. If you break a habit or if someone breaks you of it, you no longer have that habit.\nIf you continue to smoke, keep trying to break the habit...\nThe professor hoped to break the students of the habit of looking for easy answers.\n  VERB: V n, V n of n\n\n12. To break someone means to destroy their determination and courage, their success, or their career.\nHe never let his jailers break him...\nKen’s wife, Vicki, said: `He’s a broken man.’\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n  = destroy\n13. If someone breaks for a short period of time, they rest or change from what they are doing for a short period.\nThey broke for lunch.\n  VERB: V\n\n14. A break is a short period of time when you have a rest or a change from what you are doing, especially if you are working or if you are in a boring or unpleasant situation.\n(next)


Words: break .1
Meaning:
They may be able to help with childcare so that you can have a break...\nI thought a 15 min break from his work would do him good...\nShe rang Moira during a coffee break.\n  N-COUNT: oft N from/in n\n\n  see also lunch break, tea break\n15. A break is a short holiday.\nThey are currently taking a short break in Spain.\n  N-COUNT\n\n16. If you break your journey somewhere, you stop there for a short time so that you can have a rest.\nBecause of the heat we broke our journey at a small country hotel.\n  VERB: V n\n\n17. To break the force of something such as a blow or fall means to weaken its effect, for example by getting in the way of it.\nHe sustained serious neck injuries after he broke someone’s fall.\n  VERB: V n\n\n18. When a piece of news breaks, people hear about it from the newspapers, television, or radio.\nThe news broke that the Prime Minister had resigned...\nHe resigned from his post as Bishop when the scandal broke.\n  VERB: V, V\n\n19. When you break a piece of bad news to someone, you tell it to them, usually in a kind way.\nThen Louise broke the news that she was leaving me...\nI worried for ages and decided that I had better break it to her.\n  VERB: V n, V n to n\n\n20. A break is a lucky opportunity that someone gets to achieve something. (INFORMAL)\nHe went into TV and got his first break playing opposite Sid James in the series `Citizen James’.\n  N-COUNT\n\n21. If you break a record, you beat the previous record for a particular achievement.\nJurassic Park had broken all box office records.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  see also record-breaking\n22. When day or dawn breaks, it starts to grow light after the night has ended.\nThey continued the search as dawn broke.\n  VERB: V\n\n  see also daybreak\n23. When a wave breaks, it passes its highest point and turns downwards, for example when it reaches the shore.\nDanny listened to the waves breaking against the shore.\n  VERB: V\n\n24. If you break a secret code, you work out how to understand it.\nIt was feared they could break the Allies’ codes.\n  VERB: V n\n  = crack\n25. If someone’s voice breaks when they are speaking, it changes its sound, for example because they are sad or afraid.\nGodfrey’s voice broke, and halted.\n  VERB: V\n\n26. When a boy’s voice breaks, it becomes deeper and sounds more like a man’s voice.\nHe sings with the strained discomfort of someone whose voice hasn’t quite broken.\n  VERB: V\n\n27. If the weather breaks or a storm breaks, it suddenly becomes rainy or stormy after a period of sunshine.\nI’ve been waiting for the weather to break...\n  VERB: V\n\n28. In tennis, if you break your opponent’s serve, you win a game in which your opponent is serving.\nHe broke McEnroe’s serve.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Break is also a noun.\nA single break of serve settled the first two sets.\n  N-COUNT\n\n29.\n  see also broke, broken, heartbreak, heartbreaking, heartbroken, outbreak\n30. The break of day or the break of dawn is the time when it begins to grow light after the night. (LITERARY)\n`I,’ he finished poetically, `will watch over you to the break of day.’\n  PHRASE: prep PHR\n\n31. You can say `give me a break’ to show that you are annoyed by what someone has said or done. (INFORMAL)\n`I’m a real intellectual-type guy, Tracy,’ James joked. `Oh, give me a break,’ Tracy moaned.\n  CONVENTION  feelings\n\n32. If you make a break or make a break for it, you run to escape from something.\nThe moment had come to make a break or die...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n33.\nto break cover: see cover\nto break even: see even\nto break new ground: see ground\nto break someone’s heart: see heart\nall hell breaks loose: see hell\nto break the ice: see ice\nto break ranks: see rank\nto break wind: see wind


Words: break away
Meaning:
break away\n1. If you break away from someone who is trying to hold you or catch you, you free yourself and run away.\nI broke away from him and rushed out into the hall...\nWillie Hamilton broke away early in the race.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P from n, V P\n  = cut loose\n2. If you break away from something or someone that restricts you or controls you, you succeed in freeing yourself from them.\nAboriginal art has finally gained recognition and broken away from being labelled as `primitive’ or `exotic’...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P from n/-ing


Words: break down
Meaning:
break down\n1. If a machine or a vehicle breaks down, it stops working.\nTheir car broke down.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n2. If a discussion, relationship, or system breaks down, it fails because of a problem or disagreement.\nTalks with business leaders broke down last night...\nPaola’s marriage broke down.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P\n\n3. To break down something such as an idea or statement means to separate it into smaller parts in order to make it easier to understand or deal with.\nThe report breaks down the results region by region...\nThese rules tell us how a sentence is broken down into phrases.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), be V-ed P into n, also V n P into n\n\n4. When a substance breaks down or when something breaks it down, a biological or chemical process causes it to separate into the substances which make it up.\nOver time, the protein in the eggshell breaks down into its constituent amino acids...\nThe oil is attacked by naturally occurring microbes which break it down.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n\n5. If someone breaks down, they lose control of themselves and start crying.\nBecause he was being so kind and concerned, I broke down and cried...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n6. If you break down a door or barrier, you hit it so hard that it falls to the ground.\nAn unruly mob broke down police barricades and stormed the courtroom...\nFiremen were called after his father failed to break the door down.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n7. To break down barriers or prejudices that separate people or restrict their freedom means to change people’s attitudes so that the barriers or prejudices no longer exist.\nHis early experience enabled him to break down barriers between Scottish Catholics and Protestants.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P  approval\n\n8.\n  see also breakdown, broken-down


Words: break in
Meaning:
break in\n1. If someone, usually a thief, breaks in, they get into a building by force.\nMasked robbers broke in and made off with $8,000...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n  see also break-in\n2. If you break in on someone’s conversation or activity, you interrupt them.\nO’Leary broke in on his thoughts...\nMrs Southern listened keenly, occasionally breaking in with pertinent questions...\n`She told you to stay here,’ Mike broke in.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P on n, V P, V P with quote\n  = butt in\n3. If you break someone in, you get them used to a new job or situation.\nThe band are breaking in a new backing vocalist.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n4. If you break in something new, you gradually use or wear it for longer and longer periods until it is ready to be used or worn all the time.\nWhen breaking in an engine, you probably should refrain from high speed for the first thousand miles...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: break into
Meaning:
break into\n1. If someone breaks into a building, they get into it by force.\nThere was no one nearby who might see him trying to break into the house...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n\n2. If someone breaks into something they suddenly start doing it. For example if someone breaks into a run they suddenly start running, and if they break into song they suddenly start singing.\nThe moment she was out of sight she broke into a run...\nThen, breaking into a smile, he said, `I brought you something.’\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V P n\n\n3. If you break into a profession or area of business, especially one that is difficult to succeed in, you manage to have some success in it.\nShe finally broke into films after an acclaimed stage career.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: break off
Meaning:
break off\n1. If part of something breaks off or if you break it off, it comes off or is removed by force.\nThe two wings of the aircraft broke off on impact...\nGrace broke off a large piece of the clay...\nThey’ve torn down wooden fences and broken branches off trees.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron), V n P n, also V n P\n\n2. If you break off when you are doing or saying something, you suddenly stop doing it or saying it.\nLlewelyn broke off in mid-sentence...\nThe commander of the German task force radioed that he was breaking off the action.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n3. If someone breaks off a relationship, they end it.\nThe two West African states had broken off relations two years ago...\nHe doesn’t seem to have the courage to break it off with her.\n  PHRASAL VERB: pl-n V P n (not pron), V it P with n (non-recip)


Words: break out
Meaning:
break out\n1. If something such as war, fighting, or disease breaks out, it begins suddenly.\nHe was 29 when war broke out...\nI was in a nightclub in Brixton and a fight broke out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P\n\n2. If a prisoner breaks out of a prison, they escape from it.\nThe two men broke out of their cells and cut through a perimeter fence.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P of n, also V P\n\n  see also breakout\n3. If you break out of a dull situation or routine, you manage to change it or escape from it.\nIt’s taken a long time to break out of my own conventional training...\nIf her marriage becomes too restrictive, she will break out and seek new horizons.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P of n, V P\n\n4. If you break out in a rash or a sweat, a rash or sweat appears on your skin.\nA person who is allergic to cashews may break out in a rash when he consumes these nuts...\nA line of sweat broke out on her forehead and she thought she might faint.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P in n, V P


Words: break through
Meaning:
break through\n1. If you break through a barrier, you succeed in forcing your way through it.\nProtesters tried to break through a police cordon...\nAbout fifteen inmates broke through onto the roof.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V P\n\n2. If you break through, you achieve success even though there are difficulties and obstacles.\nThere is still scope for new writers to break through...\nI broke through the poverty barrier and it was education that did it.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n\n\n3.\n  see also breakthrough


Words: break up
Meaning:
break up\n1. When something breaks up or when you break it up, it separates or is divided into several smaller parts.\nThere was a danger of the ship breaking up completely...\nBreak up the chocolate and melt it...\nHe broke the bread up into chunks and gave Meer a big one...\nTanks are strongly built. It is a complicated and difficult process to break them up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron), V n P into n, V n P\n\n2. If you break up with your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife, your relationship with that person ends.\nMy girlfriend had broken up with me...\nHe felt appalled by the whole idea of marriage so we broke up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n, pl-n V P\n  = split up\n3. If a marriage breaks up or if someone breaks it up, the marriage ends and the partners separate.\nMPs say they work too hard and that is why so many of their marriages break up...\nFred has given me no good reason for wanting to break up our marriage.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron)\n\n4. When a meeting or gathering breaks up or when someone breaks it up, it is brought to an end and the people involved in it leave.\nA neighbour asked for the music to be turned down and the party broke up...\nPolice used tear gas to break up a demonstration...\nHe charged into the crowd. `Break it up,’ he shouted.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron), V n P\n  = disperse\n5. When a school or the pupils in it break up, the school term ends and the pupils start their holidays. (BRIT)\nIt’s the last week before they break up, and they’re doing all kinds of Christmas things.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  !=go back\n6. If you say that someone is breaking up when you are speaking to them on a mobile telephone, you mean that you can only hear parts of what they are saying because the signal is interrupted.\nThe line’s gone; I think you’re breaking up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n7.\n  see also break-up


Words: break-even point
Meaning:
When a company reaches break-even point, the money it makes from the sale of goods or services is just enough to cover the cost of supplying those goods or services, but not enough to make a profit. (BUSINESS)\n`Terminator 2’ finally made $200 million, which was considered to be the break-even point for the picture.\n  N-SING


Words: break-in
Meaning:
break-in  break-ins\n  If there has been a break-in, someone has got into a building by force.\nThe break-in had occurred just before midnight.\n  N-COUNT\n  = burglary


Words: break-up
Meaning:
break-up  break-ups   also breakup\n1. The break-up of a marriage, relationship, or association is the act of it finishing or coming to an end because the people involved decide that it is not working successfully.\n...the acrimonious break-up of the meeting’s first session.\n...a marital break-up.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n, n N\n  = collapse\n2. The break-up of an organization or a country is the act of it separating or dividing into several parts.\n...the break-up of British Rail for privatisation...\nAt no time did a majority of Czechoslavakia’s citizens support the country’s break-up.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: breakable
Meaning:
break.able\n   breakable  breakables\n  Breakable objects are easy to break by accident.\nPut away any valuable or breakable objects.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  Breakables are breakable objects.\nKeep breakables out of reach of very young children.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: breakage
Meaning:
break.age\n   breakage  breakages\n1. Breakage is the act of breaking something.\nBrushing wet hair can cause stretching and breakage...\nCheck that your insurance policy covers breakages and damage during removals.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. A breakage is something that has been broken.\nCheck that everything is in good repair before moving in, as you have to replace breakages.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: breakaway
Meaning:
break.away\n   breakaway\n  A breakaway group is a group of people who have separated from a larger group, for example because of a disagreement.\nSixteen members of Parliament have formed a breakaway group.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = splinter


Words: breakdown
Meaning:
break.down\n   breakdown  breakdowns\n1. The breakdown of something such as a relationship, plan, or discussion is its failure or ending.\n...the breakdown of talks between the US and EU officials.\n...the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of/in n\n  = collapse\n2. If you have a breakdown, you become very depressed, so that you are unable to cope with your life.\nMy personal life was terrible. My mother had died, and a couple of years later I had a breakdown...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft adj N\n\n  see also nervous breakdown\n3. If a car or a piece of machinery has a breakdown, it stops working.\nHer old car was unreliable, so the trip was plagued by breakdowns...\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A breakdown of something is a list of its separate parts.\nThe organisers were given a breakdown of the costs.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n  = analysis


Words: breaker
Meaning:
break.er\n   breaker  breakers\n  Breakers are big sea waves, especially at the point when they just reach the shore.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also ice-breaker, law-breaker, record-breaker, strike-breaker


Words: breakfast
Meaning:
break.fast\n   breakfast  breakfasts  breakfasting  breakfasted\n1. Breakfast is the first meal of the day. It is usually eaten in the early part of the morning.\nWhat’s for breakfast?\n...breakfast cereal.\n  N-VAR\n\n  see also bed and breakfast, continental breakfast, English breakfast\n2. When you breakfast, you have breakfast. (FORMAL)\nAll the ladies breakfasted in their rooms.\n  VERB: V adv/prep


Words: breakfast table
Meaning:
break.fast ta.ble\n   breakfast table  breakfast tables\n  You refer to a table as the breakfast table when it is being used for breakfast.\n...reading the morning papers at the breakfast table.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, the N


Words: breakfast television
Meaning:
break.fast tele.vi.sion\n   breakfast television\n  Breakfast television refers to television programmes which are broadcast in the morning at the time when most people are having breakfast. (BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: breakfast time
Meaning:
break.fast time\n   breakfast time   also breakfast-time\n  Breakfast time is the period of the morning when most people have their breakfast.\nBy breakfast-time he was already at his desk.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft prep N


Words: breaking point
Meaning:
break.ing point\n   breaking point\n  If something or someone has reached breaking point, they have so many problems or difficulties that they can no longer cope with them, and may soon collapse or be unable to continue.\nThe report on the riot exposed a prison system stretched to breaking point...\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the/a N


Words: breakneck
Meaning:
break.neck\n   breakneck\n  If you say that something happens or travels at breakneck speed, you mean that it happens or travels very fast.\nJack drove to Mayfair at breakneck speed.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: breakout
Meaning:
break.out\n   breakout  breakouts   also break-out\n  If there has been a break-out, someone has escaped from prison.\nHigh Point prison had the highest number of breakouts of any jail in Britain.\n  N-COUNT\n  = escape


Words: breakthrough
Meaning:
break.through\n   breakthrough  breakthroughs\n  A breakthrough is an important development or achievement.\nThe company looks poised to make a significant breakthrough in China...\n  N-COUNT: oft N in n


Words: breakwater
Meaning:
break.water\n   breakwater  breakwaters\n  A breakwater is a wooden or stone wall that extends from the shore into the sea and is built in order to protect a harbour or beach from the force of the waves.\n  N-COUNT


Words: breast
Meaning:
breast  breasts\n1. A woman’s breasts are the two soft, round parts on her chest that can produce milk to feed a baby.\nShe wears a low-cut dress which reveals her breasts...\nAs my newborn cuddled at my breast, her tiny fingers stroked my skin.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N\n\n=>  -breasted\nShe was slim and muscular and full-breasted.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n2. A person’s breast is the upper part of his or her chest. (LITERARY)\nHe struck his breast in a dramatic gesture.\n  N-COUNT: poss N\n\n3. A bird’s breast is the front part of its body.\nThe cock’s breast is tinged with chestnut.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  -breasted\n...flocks of red-breasted parrots.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n4. The breast of a shirt, jacket, or coat is the part which covers the top part of the chest.\nHe reached into his breast pocket for his cigar case.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n5. You can refer to piece of meat that is cut from the front of a bird or lamb as breast.\n...a chicken breast with vegetables.\n...breast of lamb.\n  N-VAR\n\n6.\n  see also double-breasted, single-breasted


Words: breast milk
Meaning:
breast milk   also breast-milk\n  Breast milk is the white liquid produced by women to breast-feed their babies.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: breast pocket
Meaning:
breast pock.et\n   breast pocket  breast pockets\n  The breast pocket of a man’s coat or jacket is a pocket, usually on the inside, next to his chest.\nI kept the list in my breast pocket.\n  N-COUNT: with poss


Words: breast-feed
Meaning:
breast-feed  breast-feeds  breast-feeding  breast-fed   also breastfeed, breast feed\n  When a woman breast-feeds her baby, she feeds it with milk from her breasts, rather than from a bottle.\nNot all women have the choice whether or not to breast feed their babies...\nLeading scientists claim breast-fed babies are intellectually brighter.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed, also V\n  = suckle\n=>  breast-feeding\nThere are many advantages to breast feeding.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: breastbone
Meaning:
breast.bone\n   breastbone  breastbones   also breast bone\n  Your breastbone is the long, flat bone which goes from your throat to the bottom of your ribs and to which your ribs are attached.\n  N-COUNT\n  = sternum


Words: breastplate
Meaning:
breast.plate\n   breastplate  breastplates\n  A breastplate is a piece of armour that covers and protects the chest.\n  N-COUNT


Words: breaststroke
Meaning:
breast.stroke\n   breaststroke\n  Breaststroke is a swimming stroke which you do lying on your front, moving your arms and legs horizontally in a circular motion.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N


Words: breath
Meaning:
breath  breaths\n1. Your breath is the air that you let out through your mouth when you breathe. If someone has bad breath, their breath smells unpleasant.\nI could smell the whisky on his breath...\nSmoking causes bad breath.\n  N-VAR: oft poss N\n\n2. When you take a breath, you breathe in once.\nHe took a deep breath, and began to climb the stairs...\nGasping for breath, she leaned against the door...\nHe spoke for one and a half hours and barely paused for breath.\n  N-VAR\n\n3. If you go outside for a breath of fresh air or for a breath of air, you go outside because it is unpleasantly warm indoors.\n  PHRASE: breath inflects\n\n4. If you describe something new or different as a breath of fresh air, you mean that it makes a situation or subject more interesting or exciting.\nHer brisk treatment of an almost taboo subject was a breath of fresh air.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR  approval\n\n5. When you get your breath back after doing something energetic, you start breathing normally again. (BRIT)\nI reached out a hand to steady myself against the house while I got my breath back.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n6. When you catch your breath while you are doing something energetic, you stop for a short time so that you can start breathing normally again.\nHe had stopped to catch his breath and make sure of his directions.\n  PHRASE: V and N inflect\n\n7. If something makes you catch your breath, it makes you take a short breath of air, usually because it shocks you.\nKenny caught his breath as Nikko nearly dropped the bottle.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  = gasp\n8. If you hold your breath, you make yourself stop breathing for a few moments, for example because you are under water.\nI held my breath and sank under the water.\n  PHRASE: V and N inflect\n\n9. If you say that someone is holding their breath, you mean that they are waiting anxiously or excitedly for something to happen. (WRITTEN)\nThe whole world holds its breath for this speech.\n  PHRASE: V and N inflect, oft PHR for n\n\n10. If you are out of breath, you are breathing very quickly and with difficulty because you have been doing something energetic.\nThere she was, slightly out of breath from running.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n11. You can use in the same breath or in the next breath to indicate that someone says two very different or contradictory things, especially when you are criticizing them.\nHe hailed this week’s arms agreement but in the same breath expressed suspicion about the motivations of the United States.\n  PHRASE: PHR cl  disapproval\n\n12. If you are short of breath, you find it difficult to breathe properly, for example because you are ill. You can also say that someone suffers from shortness of breath.\nShe felt short of breath and flushed...\nAny exercise that causes undue shortness of breath should be stopped.\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR\n\n13. If you say that something takes your breath away, you are emphasizing that it is extremely beautiful or surprising.\nI heard this song on the radio and it just took my breath away.\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis\n  = astound\n14. If you say something under your breath, you say it in a very quiet voice, often because you do not want other people to hear what you are saying.\nWalsh muttered something under his breath.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n15.\nwith bated breath: see bated


Words: breath test
Meaning:
breath test  breath tests\n  A breath test is a test carried out by police in which a driver blows into a piece of equipment to show how much alcohol he or she has drunk.\nPolice will conduct random breath tests.\n  N-COUNT


Words: breathable
Meaning:
breath.able\n   breathable\n  A breathable fabric allows air to pass through it easily, so that clothing made from it does not become too warm or uncomfortable.\n  ADJ


Words: breathalyze
Meaning:
breatha.lyze\n   breathalyze  breathalyzes  breathalyzing  breathalyzed\nin BRIT, also use breathalyse\n  If the driver of a car is breathalyzed by the police, they ask him or her to breathe into a special bag or device in order to test whether he or she has drunk too much alcohol. (mainly BRIT)\nShe was breathalysed and found to be over the limit.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed


Words: Breathalyzer
Meaning:
Breatha.lyz.er\n   Breathalyzer  Breathalyzers\nin BRIT, also use Breathalyser\n  A Breathalyzer is a bag or electronic device that the police use to test whether a driver has drunk too much alcohol. (TRADEMARK)\n  N-COUNT


Words: breathe
Meaning:
breathe  breathes  breathing  breathed\n1. When people or animals breathe, they take air into their lungs and let it out again. When they breathe smoke or a particular kind of air, they take it into their lungs and let it out again as they breathe.\nHe stood there breathing deeply and evenly...\nNo American should have to drive out of town to breathe clean air...\nA thirteen year old girl is being treated after breathing in smoke.\n  VERB: V, V n, V n with in/out\n\n=>  breath.ing\nHer breathing became slow and heavy...\nHe heard only deep breathing.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. If someone breathes something, they say it very quietly. (LITERARY)\n`You don’t understand,’ he breathed.\n  VERB: V with quote, also V n\n\n3. If you do not breathe a word about something, you say nothing about it, because it is a secret.\nHe never breathed a word about our conversation.\n  VERB: with brd-neg, no cont, V n\n\n4. If someone breathes life, confidence, or excitement into something, they improve it by adding this quality. (WRITTEN)\nIt is the readers who breathe life into a newspaper with their letters.\n  VERB: V n into n\n  = instil\n5.\nto be breathing down someone’s neck: see neck\nto breathe a sigh of relief: see sigh


Words: breathe in
Meaning:
breathe in\n  When you breathe in, you take some air into your lungs.\nShe breathed in deeply.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: breathe out
Meaning:
breathe out\n  When you breathe out, you send air out of your lungs through your nose or mouth.\nBreathe out and ease your knees in toward your chest.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: breather
Meaning:
breath.er\n   breather  breathers\n  If you take a breather, you stop what you are doing for a short time and have a rest. (INFORMAL)\nRelax and take a breather whenever you feel that you need one.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: breathing space
Meaning:
breath.ing space\n   breathing space  breathing spaces\n  A breathing space is a short period of time between two activities in which you can recover from the first activity and prepare for the second one.\nFirms need a breathing space if they are to recover...\n  N-VAR\n  = respite


Words: breathless
Meaning:
breath.less\n   breathless\n1. If you are breathless, you have difficulty in breathing properly, for example because you have been running or because you are afraid or excited.\nI was a little breathless and my heartbeat was bumpy and fast...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n=>  breath.less.ly\n`I’ll go in,’ he said breathlessly.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n=>  breath.less.ness\nAsthma causes wheezing and breathlessness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You use breathless for emphasis when you are describing feelings of excitement or exciting situations.\nTechnology has advanced at a breathless pace.\n...the breathless excitement of early 1988, when hundreds and thousands of citizens gathered nightly for political meetings.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n=>  breath.less.ly\nNancy waited breathlessly for him to go on.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: breathtaking
Meaning:
breath.taking\n   breathtaking   also breath-taking\n  If you say that something is breathtaking, you are emphasizing that it is extremely beautiful or amazing.\nThe house has breathtaking views from every room...\nSome of their football was breathtaking, a delight to watch...\n  ADJ  emphasis\n\n=>  breath.taking.ly\n...the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery in Germany.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV after v


Words: breathy
Meaning:
breathy\n  If someone has a breathy voice, you can hear their breath when they speak or sing.\nHer voice was suddenly breathy.\n  ADJ


Words: bred
Meaning:
bred\n  Bred is the past tense and past participle of breed.\n\n  see also ill-bred, pure-bred, well-bred


Words: breech
Meaning:
breech  breeches\n  The breech of a gun is the part of the barrel at the back into which you load the bullets.\n  N-COUNT


Words: breeches
Meaning:
Breeches are trousers which reach as far as your knees. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n...riding breeches.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N


Words: breed
Meaning:
breed  breeds  breeding  bred\n1. A breed of a pet animal or farm animal is a particular type of it. For example, terriers are a breed of dog.\n...rare breeds of cattle...\nCertain breeds are more dangerous than others.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you breed animals or plants, you keep them for the purpose of producing more animals or plants with particular qualities, in a controlled way.\nHe lived alone, breeding horses and dogs...\nThese dogs are bred to fight.\n  VERB: V n, be V-ed to-inf\n\n  see also cross-breed\n=>  breed.ing\nThere is potential for selective breeding for better yields.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. When animals breed, they have babies.\nFrogs will usually breed in any convenient pond...\nThe area now attracts over 60 species of breeding birds.\n  VERB: V, V-ing\n\n=>  breed.ing\nDuring the breeding season the birds come ashore.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n\n4. If you say that something breeds bad feeling or bad behaviour, you mean that it causes bad feeling or bad behaviour to develop.\nIf they are unemployed it’s bound to breed resentment...\nViolence breeds violence.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = create\n5. You can refer to someone or something as one of a particular breed of person or thing when you want to talk about what they are like.\nSue is one of the new breed of British women squash players who are making a real impact...\nThe new breed of walking holidays puts the emphasis on enjoyment, not endurance...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp\n  = strain\n6.\n  see also breeding, ill-bred, pure-bred, well-bred\n7. Someone who was born and bred in a place was born there and grew up there.\nI was born and bred in the highlands...\n  PHRASE\n\n8.\nfamiliarity breeds contempt: see familiarity


Words: breeder
Meaning:
breed.er\n   breeder  breeders\n  Breeders are people who breed animals or plants.\nHer father was a well-known racehorse breeder.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n  see also fast-breeder reactor


Words: breeding
Meaning:
breed.ing\n   breeding\n  If someone says that a person has breeding, they mean that they think the person is from a good social background and has good manners.\nIt’s a sign of good breeding to know the names of all your staff.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  see also breed


Words: breeding ground
Meaning:
breed.ing ground\n   breeding ground  breeding grounds\n1. If you refer to a situation or place as a breeding ground for something bad such as crime, you mean that this thing can easily develop in that situation or place.\nFlaws in the system have created a breeding ground for financial scandals...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp, usu N for n\n\n2. The breeding ground for a particular type of creature is the place where this creature breeds easily.\nWarm milk is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria.\n  N-COUNT: with supp


Words: breeze
Meaning:
breeze  breezes  breezing  breezed\n1. A breeze is a gentle wind.\n...a cool summer breeze.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you breeze into a place or a position, you enter it in a very casual or relaxed manner.\nLopez breezed into the quarter-finals of the tournament...\n`Are you all right?’ Francine asked as she breezed in with the mail.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv\n\n3. If you breeze through something such as a game or test, you cope with it easily.\nJohn seems to breeze effortlessly through his many commitments at work.\n  VERB: V through n, also V through


Words: breeze-block
Meaning:
breeze-block  breeze-blocks   also breeze block\n  A breeze-block is a large, grey brick made from ashes and cement. (BRIT; in AM, use cinder block)\n  N-COUNT


Words: breezy
Meaning:
breezy\n1. If you describe someone as breezy, you mean that they behave in a casual, cheerful, and confident manner.\n...his bright and breezy personality...\nMona tried to sound breezy.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  breezi.ly\n`Hi,’ he said breezily.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n2. When the weather is breezy, there is a fairly strong but pleasant wind blowing.\nThe day was breezy and warm.\n  ADJ


Words: brethren
Meaning:
breth.ren\n   brethren\n  You can refer to the members of a particular organization or group, especially a religious group, as brethren. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nSri Lankans share a common ancestry with their Indian brethren.\n  N-PLURAL: oft with poss


Words: brevity
Meaning:
brev.ity\n   brevity\n  The brevity of something is the fact that it is short or lasts for only a short time. (FORMAL)\nThe bonus of this homely soup is the brevity of its cooking time.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n


Words: brew
Meaning:
brew  brews  brewing  brewed\n1. If you brew tea or coffee, you make it by pouring hot water over tea leaves or ground coffee.\nI’ll get Venner to brew some tea...\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. A brew is a particular kind of tea or coffee. It can also be a particular pot of tea or coffee.\n...a mild herbal brew.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. If a person or company brews beer, they make it.\nI brew my own beer...\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  brew.ing\n...the brewing of home-made alcohol.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. If a storm is brewing, large clouds are beginning to form and the sky is becoming dark because there is going to be a storm.\nWe’d seen the storm brewing when we were out in the boat.\n  VERB: usu cont, V\n\n5. If an unpleasant or difficult situation is brewing, it is starting to develop.\nAt home a crisis was brewing...\nThere’s trouble brewing.\n  VERB: usu cont, V, V\n\n6. A brew of several things is a mixture of those things.\nMost cities generate a complex brew of pollutants.\n...a potent brew of smooth salesmanship and amateur psychiatry.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, N of n


Words: bribe
Meaning:
bribe  bribes  bribing  bribed\n1. A bribe is a sum of money or something valuable that one person offers or gives to another in order to persuade him or her to do something.\nHe was being investigated for receiving bribes.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If one person bribes another, they give them a bribe.\nHe was accused of bribing a senior bank official...\nThe government bribed the workers to be quiet.\n  VERB: V n, V n to-inf


Words: bribery
Meaning:
brib.ery\n   bribery\n  Bribery is the act of offering someone money or something valuable in order to persuade them to do something for you.\nHe was jailed on charges of bribery.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bric-a-brac
Meaning:
bric-a-brac\n  Bric-a-brac is a number of small ornamental objects of no great value.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = knick-knacks


Words: brick
Meaning:
brick  bricks\n1. Bricks are rectangular blocks of baked clay used for building walls, which are usually red or brown. Brick is the material made up of these blocks.\nShe built bookshelves out of bricks and planks.\n...a tiny garden surrounded by high brick walls.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If you are banging your head against a brick wall, what you are saying or doing is not having any effect although you keep saying or doing it. (INFORMAL)\nI wanted to sort out this problem with him, but it was like banging my head against a brick wall.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu cont\n\n3. If you hit a brick wall or come up against a brick wall, you are unable to continue or make progress because something stops you. (INFORMAL)\nAfter that my career just seemed to hit a brick wall...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n4. You can use bricks and mortar to refer to houses and other buildings, especially when they are considered as an investment.\nAs an investment, bricks and mortar are not what they were.\n  PHRASE\n\n5.\nto come down on somebody like a ton of bricks: see ton


Words: brickbat
Meaning:
brick.bat\n   brickbat  brickbats\n  Brickbats are very critical or insulting remarks which are made in public about someone or something.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: brickie
Meaning:
brickie  brickies\n  A brickie is the same as a bricklayer. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n  = bricklayer


Words: bricklayer
Meaning:
brick.layer\n   bricklayer  bricklayers\n  A bricklayer is a person whose job is to build walls using bricks.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brickwork
Meaning:
brick.work\n   brickwork\n  You can refer to the bricks in the walls of a building as the brickwork.\nThere were cracks in the brickwork.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = masonry


Words: bridal
Meaning:
brid.al\n   bridal\n  Bridal is used to describe something that belongs or relates to a bride, or to both a bride and her bridegroom.\nShe wore a floor length bridal gown.\n...the bridal party.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = wedding


Words: bridegroom
Meaning:
bride.groom\n   bridegroom  bridegrooms\n  A bridegroom is a man who is getting married.\n  N-COUNT\n  = groom


Words: bridesmaid
Meaning:
brides.maid\n   bridesmaid  bridesmaids\n  A bridesmaid is a woman or a girl who helps and accompanies a bride on her wedding day.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bridge
Meaning:
bridge  bridges  bridging  bridged\n1. A bridge is a structure that is built over a railway, river, or road so that people or vehicles can cross from one side to the other.\nHe walked back over the railway bridge.\n...the Golden Gate Bridge.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A bridge between two places is a piece of land that joins or connects them.\n...a land bridge linking Serbian territories.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. To bridge the gap between two people or things means to reduce it or get rid of it.\nIt is unlikely that the two sides will be able to bridge their differences.\n  VERB: V n\n  = overcome\n4. Something that bridges the gap between two very different things has some of the qualities of each of these things.\n...the singer who bridged the gap between pop music and opera.\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. If something or someone acts as a bridge between two people, groups, or things, they connect them.\nWe hope this book will act as a bridge between doctor and patient...\nThey saw themselves as a bridge to peace.\n  N-COUNT: usu N prep\n\n6. The bridge is the place on a ship from which it is steered.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n7. The bridge of your nose is the thin top part of it, between your eyes.\nOn the bridge of his hooked nose was a pair of gold rimless spectacles.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n\n\n8. The bridge of a pair of glasses is the part that rests on your nose.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n9. The bridge of a violin, guitar, or other stringed instrument is the small piece of wood under the strings that holds them up.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n10. Bridge is a card game for four players in which the players begin by declaring how many tricks they expect to win.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n11.\n  see also suspension bridge\n12.\nwater under the bridge: see water


Words: bridgehead
Meaning:
bridge.head\n   bridgehead  bridgeheads\n  A bridgehead is a good position which an army has taken in the enemy’s territory and from which it can advance or attack.\nA bridgehead was established.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bridging loan
Meaning:
bridg.ing loan\n   bridging loan  bridging loans\n  A bridging loan is money that a bank lends you for a short time, for example so that you can buy a new house before you have sold the one you already own. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bridle
Meaning:
bri.dle\n   bridle  bridles  bridling  bridled\n1. A bridle is a set of straps that is put around a horse’s head and mouth so that the person riding or driving the horse can control it.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you bridle, you show that you are angry or offended by moving your head and body upwards in a proud way. (LITERARY)\nShe bridled, then simply shook her head...\nAlex bridled at the shortness of Pamela’s tone.\n  VERB: V, V at n\n  = bristle


Words: bridle path
Meaning:
bri.dle path\n   bridle path  bridle paths   also bridlepath\n  A bridle path is a path intended for people riding horses.\n  N-COUNT\n  = bridleway


Words: Brie
Meaning:
Brie   also brie\n  Brie is a type of cheese that comes from France. It is soft and creamy with a white skin.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brief
Meaning:
brief  briefer  briefest  briefs  briefing  briefed\n1. Something that is brief lasts for only a short time.\nShe once made a brief appearance on television...\nThis time their visit is brief.\n  ADJ\n  = fleeting  !=lengthy\n2. A brief speech or piece of writing does not contain too many words or details.\nIn a brief statement, he concentrated entirely on international affairs...\nWrite a very brief description of a typical problem.\n  ADJ\n  = short\n3. If you are brief, you say what you want to say in as few words as possible.\nNow please be brief.my time is valuable...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = succinct\n4. You can describe a period of time as brief if you want to emphasize that it is very short.\nFor a few brief minutes we forgot the anxiety and anguish.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis\n  !=long\n5. Men’s or women’s underpants can be referred to as briefs.\nA bra and a pair of briefs lay on the floor.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N\n\n6. If someone briefs you, especially about a piece of work or a serious matter, they give you information that you need before you do it or consider it.\nA Defense Department spokesman briefed reporters...\nThe Prime Minister has been briefed by her parliamentary aides.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = fill in\n7. If someone gives you a brief, they officially give you responsibility for dealing with a particular thing. (mainly BRIT FORMAL)\n...customs officials with a brief to stop foreign porn coming into Britain.\n  N-COUNT: oft N to-inf\n  = responsibility\n8.\n  see also briefer, briefing\n9. You can say in brief to indicate that you are about to say something in as few words as possible or to give a summary of what you have just said.\nIn brief, take no risks.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl


Words: brief against
Meaning:
If someone, especially a politician, briefs against another person, he or she tries to harm the other person’s reputation by saying something unfavourable about them. (BRIT)\nMinisterial colleagues were briefing against him.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: briefcase
Meaning:
brief.case\n   briefcase  briefcases\n  A briefcase is a case used for carrying documents in.\n  N-COUNT


Words: briefer
Meaning:
brief.er\n   briefer  briefers\n  A briefer is an official who has the job of giving information about something, for example a war.\nMilitary briefers say no planes were shot down today.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N


Words: briefing
Meaning:
brief.ing\n   briefing  briefings\n  A briefing is a meeting at which information or instructions are given to people, especially before they do something.\nThey’re holding a press briefing tomorrow...\nSecurity staff did not then receive any briefing before they started each shift.\n  N-VAR\n\n  see also brief


Words: briefly
Meaning:
brief.ly\n   briefly\n1. Something that happens or is done briefly happens or is done for a very short period of time.\nHe smiled briefly...\nGuerillas captured and briefly held an important provincial capital.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If you say or write something briefly, you use very few words or give very few details.\nThere are four basic alternatives; they are described briefly below.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n3. You can say briefly to indicate that you are about to say something in as few words as possible.\nBriefly, no less than nine of our agents have passed information to us.\n  ADV: ADV with cl


Words: brig
Meaning:
brig  brigs\n1. A brig is a type of ship with two masts and square sails.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A brig is a prison on a ship, especially a warship. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: brigade
Meaning:
bri.gade\n   brigade  brigades\n  A brigade is one of the groups which an army is divided into.\n...the men of the Seventh Armoured Brigade.\n  N-COUNT-COLL\n\n  see also fire brigade


Words: brigadier
Meaning:
briga.dier\n   brigadier  brigadiers\n  A brigadier is a senior officer in the British armed forces who is in charge of a brigade and has the rank above colonel and below major general.\n  N-COUNT; N-TITLE


Words: brigadier general
Meaning:
briga.dier gen.er.al\n   brigadier general  brigadier generals   also brigadier-general\n  In the United States, a brigadier general is a senior officer in the armed forces who is often in charge of a brigade and has a rank above colonel and below major general.\n...Brigadier General Gary Whipple of the Louisiana National Guard.\n  N-COUNT; N-TITLE


Words: brigand
Meaning:
brig.and\n   brigand  brigands\n  A brigand is someone who attacks people and robs them, especially in mountains or forests. (LITERARY)\n...a notorious brigand who hijacked trains.\n  N-COUNT\n  = bandit


Words: bright
Meaning:
bright  brighter  brightest\n1. A bright colour is strong and noticeable, and not dark.\n...a bright red dress.\n...the bright uniforms of the guards parading at Buckingham Palace.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n, ADJ colour\n\n=>  bright.ly\n...a display of brightly coloured flowers.\n  ADV\n\n=>  bright.ness\nYou’ll be impressed with the brightness and the beauty of the colors.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft the N of n\n\n2. A bright light, object, or place is shining strongly or is full of light.\n...a bright October day...\nShe leaned forward, her eyes bright with excitement.\n  ADJ\n  !=dull\n=>  bright.ly\n...a warm, brightly lit room...\nThe sun shone brightly.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  bright.ness\nAn astronomer can determine the brightness of each star.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft the N of n\n\n3. If you describe someone as bright, you mean that they are quick at learning things.\nI was convinced that he was brighter than average.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = clever\n4. A bright idea is clever and original.\nFord had the bright idea of paying workers enough to buy cars.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = clever\n5. If someone looks or sounds bright, they look or sound cheerful and lively.\nThe boy was so bright and animated...\n`May I help you?’ said a bright American voice over the telephone.\n  ADJ\n  = cheerful, lively\n=>  bright.ly\nHe smiled brightly as Ben approached.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n6. If the future is bright, it is likely to be pleasant or successful.\nBoth had successful careers and the future looked bright...\nThere are much brighter prospects for a comprehensive settlement than before.\n  ADJ\n  = promising  !=bleak\n7. If you look on the bright side, you try to be cheerful about a bad situation by thinking of some advantages that could result from it, or thinking that it is not as bad as it could have been.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: bright lights
Meaning:
bright lights\n  If someone talks about the bright lights, they are referring to life in a big city where you can do a lot of enjoyable and exciting things and be successful.\nThe bright lights of Hollywood beckon many.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: bright spark
Meaning:
bright spark  bright sparks\n  If you say that some bright spark had a particular idea or did something, you mean that their idea or action was clever, or that it seemed clever but was silly in some way. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n`Why not give out one of the cybercafe’s e-mail addresses?’ suggested one bright spark...\nSome bright spark turned the heating off last night!\n  N-COUNT


Words: brighten
Meaning:
bright.en\n   brighten  brightens  brightening  brightened\n1. If someone brightens or their face brightens, they suddenly look happier.\nSeeing him, she seemed to brighten a little...\n  VERB: V\n\n  Brighten up means the same as brighten.\nHe brightened up a bit.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n2. If your eyes brighten, you suddenly look interested or excited.\nHis eyes brightened and he laughed...\nHer tearful eyes brightened with interest.\n  VERB: V, V with n\n\n3. If someone or something brightens a place, they make it more colourful and attractive.\nTubs planted with wallflowers brightened the area outside the door.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Brighten up means the same as brighten.\nDavid spotted the pink silk lampshade in a shop and thought it would brighten up the room.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n4. If someone or something brightens a situation or the situation brightens, it becomes more pleasant, enjoyable, or favourable.\nThat does not do much to brighten the prospects of kids in the city...\nIt is undeniable that the economic picture is brightening.\n  VERB: V n, V\n  = improve\n  Brighten up means the same as brighten.\nHis cheerful face brightens up the dullest of days.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V P\n\n5. When a light brightens a place or when a place brightens, it becomes brighter or lighter.\nThe sky above the ridge of mountains brightened...\nThe late afternoon sun brightened the interior of the church.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n6. If the weather brightens, it becomes less cloudy or rainy, and the sun starts to shine.\nBy early afternoon the weather had brightened.\n  VERB: V\n\n  Brighten up means the same as brighten.\nHopefully it will brighten up, or we’ll be coming back early.\n  PHRASAL VERB: it V P


Words: brill
Meaning:
brill\n  If you say that something is brill, you are very pleased about it or think that it is very good. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nWhat a brill idea!\n  ADJ\n  = wonderful, great


Words: brilliant
Meaning:
bril.liant\n   brilliant\n1. A brilliant person, idea, or performance is extremely clever or skilful.\nShe had a brilliant mind...\nIt was his brilliant performance in `My Left Foot’ that established his reputation.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  bril.liant.ly\nIt is a very high quality production, brilliantly written and acted.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n=>  bril.liance\nHe was a deeply serious musician who had shown his brilliance very early.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft with poss\n\n2. You can say that something is brilliant when you are very pleased about it or think that it is very good. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL, SPOKEN)\nIf you get a chance to see the show, do go.it’s brilliant...\nMy sister’s given me this brilliant book.\n  ADJ\n  = great  !=awful\n=>  bril.liant.ly\nIt’s extremely hard working together but on the whole it works brilliantly and we’re still good friends.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj/adv\n\n3. A brilliant career or success is very successful.\nHe served four years in prison, emerging to find his brilliant career in ruins...\nThe raid was a brilliant success.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  bril.liant.ly\nThe strategy worked brilliantly.\n  ADV\n\n4. A brilliant colour is extremely bright.\n...a brilliant white open-necked shirt.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  bril.liant.ly\nMany of the patterns show brilliantly coloured flowers.\n  ADV: ADV adj/-ed\n\n=>  bril.liance\n...an iridescent blue butterfly in all its brilliance.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n5. You describe light, or something that reflects light, as brilliant when it shines very brightly.\nThe event was held in brilliant sunshine...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  bril.liant.ly\nIt’s a brilliantly sunny morning.\n  ADV: ADV adj/-ed, ADV after v\n\n=>  bril.liance\nHis eyes became accustomed to the dark after the brilliance of the sun outside.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brim
Meaning:
brim  brims  brimming  brimmed\n1. The brim of a hat is the wide part that sticks outwards at the bottom.\nRain dripped from the brim of his baseball cap.\n...a flat black hat with a wide brim.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n, adj N\n\n=>  -brimmed\n...a floppy-brimmed hat.\n  COMB in ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If someone or something is brimming with a particular quality, they are full of that quality.\nEngland are brimming with confidence after two straight wins in the tournament.\n  VERB: usu cont, V with n\n\n  Brim over means the same as brim.\nHer heart brimmed over with love and adoration for Charles.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n, also V P\n\n3. When your eyes are brimming with tears, they are full of fluid because you are upset, although you are not actually crying.\nMichael looked at him imploringly, eyes brimming with tears.\n  VERB: V with n\n\n  Brim over means the same as brim.\nWhen she saw me, her eyes brimmed over with tears and she could not speak.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n, also V P\n\n4. If something brims with particular things, it is packed full of them.\nThe flowerbeds brim with a mixture of lilies and roses.\n  VERB: V with n\n\n5. If something, especially a container, is filled to the brim or full to the brim with something, it is filled right up to the top.\nRichard filled her glass right up to the brim...\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: brimful
Meaning:
brim.ful\n   brimful\n  Someone who is brimful of an emotion or quality feels or seems full of it. An object or place that is brimful of something is full of it.\nShe was brimful of energy and enthusiasm...\nThe United States is brimful with highly paid doctors.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ of/with n\n  = full


Words: brimstone
Meaning:
brim.stone\n   brimstone\n1. Brimstone is the same as sulphur. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. When people talk about fire and brimstone, they are referring to hell and how they think people are punished there after death. (LITERARY)\n  PHRASE


Words: brine
Meaning:
brine  brines\n  Brine is salty water, especially salty water that is used for preserving food.\nSoak the walnuts in brine for four or five days.\n  N-MASS


Words: bring
Meaning:
bring  brings  bringing  brought\n1. If you bring someone or something with you when you come to a place, they come with you or you have them with you.\nRemember to bring an apron or an old shirt to protect your clothes...\nCome to my party and bring a girl with you...\nSomeone went upstairs and brought down a huge kettle...\nMy father brought home a book for me.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V n with adv, V n for n with adv, also V n n with adv, V n prep\n\n2. If you bring something somewhere, you move it there.\nReaching into her pocket, she brought out a cigarette...\nHer mother brought her hands up to her face.\n  VERB: V n with adv, V n with adv, also V n prep\n\n3. If you bring something that someone wants or needs, you get it for them or carry it to them.\nHe went and poured a brandy for Dena and brought it to her...\nThe stewardess kindly brought me a blanket.\n  VERB: V n to/for n, V n n, also V n\n\n4. To bring something or someone to a place or position means to cause them to come to the place or move into that position.\nI told you about what brought me here...\nEdna Leitch survived a gas blast which brought her home crashing down on top of her.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n -ing\n\n5. If you bring something new to a place or group of people, you introduce it to that place or cause those people to hear or know about it.\n...the drive to bring art to the public.\n  VERB: V n to n\n\n6. To bring someone or something into a particular state or condition means to cause them to be in that state or condition.\nHe brought the car to a stop in front of the square...\nHis work as a historian brought him into conflict with the political establishment...\nThey have brought down income taxes.\n  VERB: V n prep, V n prep, V n with adv\n\n7. If something brings a particular feeling, situation, or quality, it makes people experience it or have it.\nHe called on the United States to play a more effective role in bringing peace to the region...\nBanks have brought trouble on themselves by lending rashly...\nHe brought to the job not just considerable experience but passionate enthusiasm...\nHer three children brought her joy.\n  VERB: V n to/on/from n, V n to/on/from n, V to n n, V n n\n\n8. If a period of time brings a particular thing, it happens during that time.\nFor Sandro, the new year brought disaster...\nWe don’t know what the future will bring.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n9. If you bring a legal action against someone or bring them to trial, you officially accuse them of doing something illegal.\nHe campaigned relentlessly to bring charges of corruption against former members of the government...\nThe ship’s captain and crew may be brought to trial and even sent to prison.\n  VERB: V n against n, be V-ed to n\n\n10. If a television or radio programme is brought to you by an organization, they make it, broadcast it, or pay for it to be made or broadcast. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use sponsor)\nYou’re listening to Science in Action, brought to you by the BBC World Service...\nWe’ll be bringing you all the details of the day’s events.\n  VERB: be V-ed to n by n, V n n\n\n11. When you are talking, you can say that something brings you to a particular point in order to indicate that you have now reached that point and are going to talk about a new subject.\nAnd that brings us to the end of this special report from Germany.\n  VERB: V n to n\n\n12. If you cannot bring yourself to do something, you cannot do it because you find it too upsetting, embarrassing, or disgusting.\nIt is all very tragic and I am afraid I just cannot bring myself to talk about it at the moment.\n  VERB: with brd-neg, V pron-refl to-inf\n\n13.\nto bring something alive: see alive\nto bring something to bear: see bear\nto bring the house down: see house\nto bring up the rear: see rear


Words: bring about
Meaning:
bring about\n  To bring something about means to cause it to happen.\nThe only way they can bring about political change is by putting pressure on the country.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = cause


Words: bring along
Meaning:
bring along\n  If you bring someone or something along, you bring them with you when you come to a place.\nThey brought along Laura Jane in a pram...\nDad brought a notebook along to the beach, in case he was seized by sudden inspiration.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P


Words: bring back
Meaning:
bring back\n1. Something that brings back a memory makes you think about it.\nYour article brought back sad memories for me...\nTalking about it brought it all back.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n2. When people bring back a practice or fashion that existed at an earlier time, they introduce it again.\nThe House of Commons is to debate once again whether to bring back the death penalty.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = revive


Words: bring down
Meaning:
bring down\n1. When people or events bring down a government or ruler, they cause the government or ruler to lose power.\nThey were threatening to bring down the government by withdrawing from the ruling coalition...\nHis challenge to Mrs Thatcher brought her down.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n  = topple\n2. If someone or something brings down a person or aeroplane, they cause them to fall, usually by shooting them.\nMilitary historians may never know what brought down the jet.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: bring forward
Meaning:
bring forward\n1. If you bring forward a meeting or event, you arrange for it to take place at an earlier date or time than had been planned.\nHe had to bring forward an 11 o’clock meeting so that he could get to the funeral on time...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = put forward  !=put back\n2. If you bring forward an argument or proposal, you state it so that people can consider it.\nThe Government will bring forward several proposals for legislation.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = put forward


Words: bring in
Meaning:
bring in\n1. When a government or organization brings in a new law or system, they introduce it.\nThe government brought in a controversial law under which it could take any land it wanted.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = introduce\n2. Someone or something that brings in money makes it or earns it.\nI have three part-time jobs, which bring in about .14,000 a year.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n3. If you bring in someone from outside a team or organization, you invite them to do a job or join in an activity or discussion.\nThe firm decided to bring in a new management team.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = call in


Words: bring off
Meaning:
bring off\n  If you bring off something difficult, you do it successfully.\nThey were about to bring off an even bigger coup...\nHe thought his book would change society. But he didn’t bring it off.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n  = pull off


Words: bring on
Meaning:
bring on\n  If something brings on an illness, pain, or feeling, especially one that you often suffer from, it causes you to have it.\nSevere shock can bring on an attack of acne...\nBob died of a heart attack, brought on by his lifestyle.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V-ed P, also V n P


Words: bring out
Meaning:
bring out\n1. When a person or company brings out a new product, especially a new book or CD, they produce it and put it on sale.\nA journalist all his life, he’s now brought out a book.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n2. Something that brings out a particular kind of behaviour or feeling in you causes you to show it, especially when it is something you do not normally show.\nHe is totally dedicated and brings out the best in his pupils.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: bring up
Meaning:
bring up\n1. When someone brings up a child, they look after it until it is an adult. If someone has been brought up in a certain place or with certain attitudes, they grew up in that place or were taught those attitudes when they were growing up.\nShe brought up four children...\nHis grandmother and his father brought him up...\nWe’d been brought up to think that borrowing money was bad...\nI was brought up a Methodist.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P, be V-ed P to-inf, be V-ed P n\n  = raise\n2. If you bring up a particular subject, you introduce it into a discussion or conversation.\nHe brought up a subject rarely raised during the course of this campaign...\nWhy are you bringing it up now?\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n  = raise\n3. If someone brings up food or wind, food or air is forced up from their stomach through their mouth.\nIt’s hard for the baby to bring up wind.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)


Words: bring-and-buy sale
Meaning:
bring-and-buy sale  bring-and-buy sales\n  A bring-and-buy sale is an informal sale to raise money for a charity or other organization. People who come to the sale bring things to be sold and buy things that other people have brought. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bringer
Meaning:
bring.er\n   bringer  bringers\n  A bringer of something is someone who brings or provides it. (LITERARY)\nHe was the bringer of good news.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu N of n


Words: brink
Meaning:
brink\n  If you are on the brink of something, usually something important, terrible, or exciting, you are just about to do it or experience it.\nTheir economy is teetering on the brink of collapse...\nFailure to communicate had brought the two nations to the brink of war.\n  N-SING: usu on/to/from the N of n\n  = verge


Words: brinkmanship
Meaning:
brink.man.ship\n   brinkmanship\n  Brinkmanship is a method of behaviour, especially in politics, in which you deliberately get into dangerous situations which could result in disaster but which could also bring success. (JOURNALISM)\nThere is a lot of political brinkmanship involved in this latest development.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brioche
Meaning:
bri.oche\n   brioche  brioches\n  Brioche is a kind of sweet bread.\nI’ll have coffee and a brioche.\n  N-VAR


Words: brisk
Meaning:
brisk  brisker  briskest\n1. A brisk activity or action is done quickly and in an energetic way.\nTaking a brisk walk can often induce a feeling of well-being...\nThe horse broke into a brisk trot.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  brisk.ly\nEve walked briskly down the corridor to her son’s room.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n=>  brisk.ness\nWith determined briskness, Amy stood up and put their cups back on the tray.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If trade or business is brisk, things are being sold very quickly and a lot of money is being made. (BUSINESS)\nVendors were doing a brisk trade in souvenirs...\n  ADJ\n  = good\n=>  brisk.ly\nA trader said gold sold briskly on the local market.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n3. If the weather is brisk, it is cold and fresh.\nThe breeze was cool, brisk and invigorating.\n  ADJ\n  = bracing\n4. Someone who is brisk behaves in a busy, confident way which shows that they want to get things done quickly.\nThe Chief summoned me downstairs. He was brisk and businesslike...\n  ADJ\n  = businesslike\n=>  brisk.ly\n`Anyhow,’ she added briskly, `it’s none of my business.’\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: brisket
Meaning:
bris.ket\n   brisket\n  Brisket is a cut of beef that comes from the breast of the cow.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bristle
Meaning:
bris.tle\n   bristle  bristles\n1. Bristles are the short hairs that grow on a man’s chin after he has shaved. The hairs on the top of a man’s head can also be called bristles when they are cut very short.\n...two days’ growth of bristles...\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n  = stubble\n2. The bristles of a brush are the thick hairs or hair-like pieces of plastic which are attached to it.\nAs soon as the bristles on your toothbrush begin to wear, throw it out.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Bristles are thick, strong animal hairs that feel hard and rough.\nIt has a short stumpy tail covered with bristles.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bristling
Meaning:
bris.tling\n   bristling\n1. Bristling means thick, hairy, and rough. It is used to describe things such as moustaches, beards, or eyebrows.\n...a bristling white moustache.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. If you describe someone’s attitude as bristling, you are emphasizing that it is full of energy and enthusiasm.\n...bristling, exuberant, rock’n’roll.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis


Words: bristly
Meaning:
bris.tly\n   bristly\n1. Bristly hair is thick and rough.\nHis bristly red hair was standing on end.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = stubbly\n2. If a man’s chin is bristly, it is covered with bristles because he has not shaved recently.\n...the giant’s bristly cheek.\n  ADJ


Words: Brit
Meaning:
Brit  Brits\n  British people are sometimes referred to as Brits. (INFORMAL)\nHoliday mad Brits are packing their buckets and spades and heading for the sun.\n  N-COUNT


Words: British
Meaning:
Brit.ish\n   British\n1. British means belonging or relating to the United Kingdom, or to its people or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. The British are the people of Great Britain.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: British Asian
Meaning:
Brit.ish Asian\n   British Asian  British Asians\n  A British Asian person is someone of Indian, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi origin who has grown up in Britain.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = Anglo-Asian\n  A British Asian is someone who is British Asian.\n  N-COUNT\n  = Anglo-Asian


Words: British Summer Time
Meaning:
Brit.ish Sum.mer Time\n\n  British Summer Time is a period in the spring and summer during which the clocks are put forward, so that people can have an extra hour of daylight in the evening. (BRIT; in AM, use daylight saving time)\nWhen we put the clocks forward in March we go into British Summer Time.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Britisher
Meaning:
Brit.ish.er\n   Britisher  Britishers\n  In American English or old-fashioned British English, British people are sometimes informally referred to as Britishers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Briton
Meaning:
Brit.on\n   Briton  Britons\n  A Briton is a British citizen, or a person of British origin. (FORMAL)\nThe role is played by seventeen-year-old Briton Jane March.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Britpop
Meaning:
Brit.pop\n   Britpop\n  Britpop is a type of pop music made by British bands. It was especially popular in the mid-1990s.\n...Oasis and other Britpop bands.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brittle
Meaning:
brit.tle\n   brittle\n1. An object or substance that is brittle is hard but easily broken.\nPine is brittle and breaks.\n...the dry, brittle ends of the hair.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe a situation, relationship, or someone’s mood as brittle, you mean that it is unstable, and may easily change.\nThese incidents suggest the peace in Northern Ireland is still brittle...\n  ADJ\n  = fragile


Words: broach
Meaning:
broach  broaches  broaching  broached\n  When you broach a subject, especially a sensitive one, you mention it in order to start a discussion on it.\nEventually I broached the subject of her early life.\n  VERB: V n


Words: broad
Meaning:
broad  broader  broadest\n1. Something that is broad is wide.\nHis shoulders were broad and his waist narrow...\nThe hills rise green and sheer above the broad river.\n...a broad expanse of green lawn.\n  ADJ\n  !=narrow\n2. A broad smile is one in which your mouth is stretched very wide because you are very pleased or amused.\nHe greeted them with a wave and a broad smile.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  broad.ly\nCharles grinned broadly.\n  ADV\n\n3. You use broad to describe something that includes a large number of different things or people.\nA broad range of issues was discussed.\n...a broad coalition of workers, peasants, students and middle class professionals.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = wide  !=narrow\n=>  broad.ly\nThis gives children a more broadly based education.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n4. You use broad to describe a word or meaning which covers or refers to a wide range of different things.\nThe term Wissenschaft has a much broader meaning than the English word `science’.\n...restructuring in the broad sense of the word.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = general  !=narrow\n=>  broad.ly\nWe define education very broadly and students can study any aspect of its consequences for society.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n5. You use broad to describe a feeling or opinion that is shared by many people, or by people of many different kinds.\nThe agreement won broad support in the US Congress.\n...a film with broad appeal.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = widespread  !=limited\n=>  broad.ly\nThe new law has been broadly welcomed by road safety organisations.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n6. A broad description or idea is general rather than detailed.\nThese documents provided a broad outline of the Society’s development...\nIn broad terms, this means that the closer you live to a school, the more likely it is that your child will get a place there.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = general\n=>  broad.ly\nThere are, broadly speaking, three ways in which this is done...\nBroadly, it makes connections between ideas about healing and how they link to plants.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV with cl/group\n\n7. A broad hint is a very obvious hint.\nThey’ve been giving broad hints about what to expect.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=subtle\n=>  broad.ly\nHe hinted broadly that he would like to come.\n  ADV\n\n8. A broad accent is strong and noticeable.\n...a Briton who spoke in a broad Yorkshire accent.\n  ADJ\n\n9.\n  see also broadly\n10.\nin broad daylight: see daylight


Words: broad bean
Meaning:
broad bean  broad beans\n  Broad beans are flat round beans that are light green in colour and are eaten as a vegetable. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use fava beans)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: broad-brush
Meaning:
broad-brush   also broad brush\n  A broad-brush approach, strategy, or solution deals with a problem in a general way rather than concentrating on details.\nHe’s giving a broad brush approach to the subject.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: broad-minded
Meaning:
broad-minded   also broadminded\n  If you describe someone as broad-minded, you approve of them because they are willing to accept types of behaviour which other people consider immoral.\n...a fair and broad-minded man.\n  ADJ  approval\n  !=narrow-minded


Words: broadband
Meaning:
broad.band\n\n  Broadband is a method of sending many electronic messages at the same time, using a wide range of frequencies. (COMPUTING)\nThe two companies said they planned to develop new broadband services for customers in the UK...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: broadcast
Meaning:
broad.cast\n   broadcast  broadcasts  broadcasting\n\n  The form broadcast is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle of the verb.\n\n1. A broadcast is a programme, performance, or speech on the radio or on television.\nIn a broadcast on state radio the government also announced that it was willing to resume peace negotiations.\n  N-COUNT\n  = programme\n2. To broadcast a programme means to send it out by radio waves, so that it can be heard on the radio or seen on television.\nThe concert will be broadcast live on television and radio...\nCNN also broadcasts in Europe.\n  VERB: be V-ed adv/prep, V, also V n\n  = transmit


Words: broadcaster
Meaning:
broad.cast.er\n   broadcaster  broadcasters\n  A broadcaster is someone who gives talks or takes part in interviews and discussions on radio or television programmes.\n  N-COUNT


Words: broadcasting
Meaning:
broad.cast.ing\n   broadcasting\n  Broadcasting is the making and sending out of television and radio programmes.\nIf this happens it will change the face of religious broadcasting.\n...the state broadcasting organisation.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: broaden
Meaning:
broad.en\n   broaden  broadens  broadening  broadened\n1. When something broadens, it becomes wider.\nThe trails broadened into roads...\nThe smile broadened to a grin.\n  VERB: V into/to n, V into/to n, also V\n  = widen\n2. When you broaden something such as your experience or popularity or when it broadens, the number of things or people that it includes becomes greater.\nWe must broaden our appeal...\nThe political spectrum has broadened.\n  VERB: V n, V


Words: broadly
Meaning:
broad.ly\n   broadly\n  You can use broadly to indicate that something is generally true.\nThe President broadly got what he wanted out of his meeting...\nThe idea that software is capable of any task is broadly true in theory.\n  ADV: ADV with cl\n  = largely\n  see also broad


Words: broadly based
Meaning:
broad.ly based\n   broadly based\nin BRIT, also use broadly-based\n  Something that is broadly based involves many different kinds of things or people.\n... a broadly-based political movement for democracy.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: broadsheet
Meaning:
broad.sheet\n   broadsheet  broadsheets\n  A broadsheet is a newspaper that is printed on large sheets of paper. Broadsheets are generally considered to be more serious than other newspapers. Compare tabloid.\n  N-COUNT


Words: broadside
Meaning:
broad.side\n   broadside  broadsides\n1. A broadside is a strong written or spoken attack on a person or institution.\nThe Social Democratic leader launched a broadside against both monetary and political union.\n  N-COUNT: oft N against n\n\n2. If a ship is broadside to something, it has its longest side facing in the direction of that thing. (TECHNICAL)\nThe ship was moored broadside to the pier.\n  ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, oft ADV on, ADV to n


Words: brocade
Meaning:
bro.cade\n   brocade  brocades\n  Brocade is a thick, expensive material, often made of silk, with a raised pattern on it.\n...a cream brocade waistcoat.\n  N-MASS


Words: broccoli
Meaning:
broc.co.li\n   broccoli\n  Broccoli is a vegetable with green stalks and green or purple tops.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brochure
Meaning:
bro.chure\n   brochure  brochures\n  A brochure is a magazine or thin book with pictures that gives you information about a product or service.\n...travel brochures.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brogue
Meaning:
brogue  brogues\n1. If someone has a brogue, they speak English with a strong accent, especially Irish or Scots.\nGill speaks in a quiet Irish brogue.\n  N-SING\n\n2. Brogues are thick leather shoes which have an elaborate pattern punched into the leather.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: broil
Meaning:
broil  broils  broiling  broiled\n  When you broil food, you cook it using very strong heat directly above or below it. (AM; in BRIT, use grill)\nI’ll broil the lobster.\n...broiled chicken.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: broiler
Meaning:
broil.er\n   broiler  broilers\n  A broiler is a part of a stove which produces strong heat and cooks food placed underneath it. (AM; in BRIT, use grill)\n  N-COUNT


Words: broiling
Meaning:
broil.ing\n   broiling\n  If the weather is broiling, it is very hot. (AM INFORMAL)\n...the broiling midday sun.\n  ADJ\n  = sweltering  !=freezing


Words: broke
Meaning:
broke\n1. Broke is the past tense of break.\n\n2. If you are broke, you have no money. (INFORMAL)\nWhat do you mean, I’ve got enough money? I’m as broke as you are.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n3. If a company or person goes broke, they lose money and are unable to continue in business or to pay their debts. (INFORMAL BUSINESS)\nBalton went broke twice in his career.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n4. If you go for broke, you take the most extreme or risky of the possible courses of action in order to try and achieve success. (INFORMAL)\nIt was a sharp disagreement about whether to go for broke or whether to compromise.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  !=play safe


Words: broken
Meaning:
bro.ken\n   broken\n1. Broken is the past participle of break.\n\n2. A broken line is not continuous but has gaps or spaces in it.\nA broken blue line means the course of a waterless valley.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = dotted\n3. You can use broken to describe a marriage that has ended in divorce, or a home in which the parents of the family are divorced, when you think this is a sad or bad thing.\nShe spoke for the first time about the traumas of a broken marriage...\nChildren from broken homes are more likely to leave home before the age of 18.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  disapproval\n\n4. If someone talks in broken English, for example, or in broken French, they speak slowly and make a lot of mistakes because they do not know the language very well.\nEric could only respond in broken English.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=fluent, perfect


Words: broken-down
Meaning:
broken-down\n  A broken-down vehicle or machine no longer works because it has something wrong with it.\n...a broken-down car.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: broken-hearted
Meaning:
broken-hearted\n  Someone who is broken-hearted is very sad and upset because they have had a serious disappointment.\n  ADJ


Words: broker
Meaning:
bro.ker\n   broker  brokers  brokering  brokered\n1. A broker is a person whose job is to buy and sell shares, foreign money, or goods for other people. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If a country or government brokers an agreement, a ceasefire, or a round of talks, they try to negotiate or arrange it.\nThe United Nations brokered a peace in Mogadishu at the end of March.\n  VERB: V n\n  = negotiate


Words: brokerage
Meaning:
bro.ker.age\n   brokerage  brokerages\n  A brokerage or a brokerage firm is a company of brokers. (BUSINESS)\n...Japan’s four biggest brokerages.\n  N-COUNT: usu N n


Words: bromide
Meaning:
bro.mide\n   bromide  bromides\n1. Bromide is a drug which used to be given to people to calm their nerves when they were worried or upset.\n...a dose of bromide.\n  N-MASS\n\n2. A bromide is a comment which is intended to calm someone down when they are angry, but which has been expressed so often that it has become boring and meaningless. (FORMAL)\nThe meeting produced the usual bromides about macroeconomic policy, third-world debt and the environment.\n  N-COUNT\n  = platitude


Words: bronchial
Meaning:
bron.chial\n   bronchial\n  Bronchial means affecting or concerned with the bronchial tubes. (MEDICAL)\nShe suffers from bronchial asthma.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: bronchial tube
Meaning:
bron.chial tube\n   bronchial tube  bronchial tubes\n  Your bronchial tubes are the two tubes which connect your windpipe to your lungs. (MEDICAL)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: bronchitis
Meaning:
bron.chi.tis\n   bronchitis\n  Bronchitis is an illness like a very bad cough, in which your bronchial tubes become sore and infected.\nHe was in bed with bronchitis.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bronco
Meaning:
bron.co\n   bronco  broncos\n  In the western United States, especially in the 19th century, a wild horse was sometimes referred to as a bronco.\n...two cowboys riding bucking broncos.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bronze
Meaning:
bronze\n1. Bronze is a yellowish-brown metal which is a mixture of copper and tin.\n...a bronze statue of Giorgi Dimitrov.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A bronze is a bronze medal.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Something that is bronze is yellowish-brown in colour.\n...huge bronze chrysanthemums.\n  COLOUR


Words: Bronze Age
Meaning:
Bronze Age\n  The Bronze Age was a period of time which began when people started making things from bronze about 4,000.6,000 years ago.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: bronze medal
Meaning:
bronze med.al\n   bronze medal  bronze medals\n  A bronze medal is a medal made of bronze or bronze-coloured metal that is given as a prize to the person who comes third in a competition, especially a sports contest.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bronzed
Meaning:
bronzed\n  Someone who is bronzed is attractively brown because they have been in the sun.\nHe’s bronzed from a short holiday in California.\n  ADJ\n  = tanned


Words: brooch
Meaning:
brooch  brooches\n  A brooch is a small piece of jewellery which has a pin at the back so it can be fastened on a dress, blouse, or coat.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brood
Meaning:
brood  broods  brooding  brooded\n1. A brood is a group of baby birds that were born at the same time to the same mother.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. You can refer to someone’s young children as their brood when you want to emphasize that there are a lot of them.\n...a large brood of children.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing  emphasis\n\n3. If someone broods over something, they think about it a lot, seriously and often unhappily.\nShe constantly broods about her family...\nI continued to brood. Would he always be like this?\n  VERB: V over/on/about n, V


Words: brooding
Meaning:
brood.ing\n   brooding\n1. Brooding is used to describe an atmosphere or feeling that makes you feel anxious or slightly afraid. (LITERARY)\nThe same heavy, brooding silence descended on them.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. If someone’s expression or appearance is brooding, they look as if they are thinking deeply and seriously about something, especially something that is making them unhappy. (LITERARY)\nShe kissed him and gazed into his dark, brooding eyes.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: broody
Meaning:
broody\n1. You say that someone is broody when they are thinking a lot about something in an unhappy way.\nHe became very withdrawn and broody.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A broody hen is ready to lay or sit on eggs.\n  ADJ\n\n3. If you describe a young woman as broody, you mean that she wants to have a baby and she keeps thinking about it. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: brook
Meaning:
brook  brooks  brooking  brooked\n1. A brook is a small stream.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If someone in a position of authority will brook no interference or opposition, they will not accept any interference or opposition from others.\nFrom childhood on, she’d had a plan of action, one that would brook no interference...\n  VERB: V n\n  = tolerate, allow


Words: broom
Meaning:
broom  brooms\n1. A broom is a kind of brush with a long handle. You use a broom for sweeping the floor.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Broom is a wild bush with a lot of tiny yellow flowers.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: broomstick
Meaning:
broom.stick\n   broomstick  broomsticks\n1. A broomstick is an old-fashioned broom which has a bunch of small sticks at the end.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A broomstick is the handle of a broom.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Bros.
Meaning:
Bros. is an abbreviation for brothers. It is usually used as part of the name of a company. (BUSINESS)\n...Lazard Bros. of New York.


Words: brothel
Meaning:
broth.el\n   brothel  brothels\n  A brothel is a building where men can go to pay to have sex with prostitutes.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brother
Meaning:
broth.er\n   brother  brothers\n\n  The old-fashioned form brethren is still sometimes used as the plural for meanings 2 and 3.\n\n1. Your brother is a boy or a man who has the same parents as you.\nOh, so you’re Peter’s younger brother...\nHave you got any brothers and sisters?\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N\n\n  see also half-brother, stepbrother\n2. You can describe a man as your brother if he belongs to the same race, religion, country, profession, or trade union as you, or if he has similar ideas to you.\nHe told reporters he’d come to be with his Latvian brothers.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n\n3. Brother is a title given to a man who belongs to a religious community such as a monastery.\n...Brother Otto.\n...the Christian Brothers community which owns the castle.\n  N-TITLE; N-COUNT; N-VOC\n\n4. Brothers is used in the names of some companies and shops.\n...the film company Warner Brothers...\n  N-IN-NAMES


Words: brother-in-law
Meaning:
brother-in-law  brothers-in-law\n  Someone’s brother-in-law is the brother of their husband or wife, or the man who is married to their sister.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N


Words: brotherhood
Meaning:
brother.hood\n   brotherhood  brotherhoods\n1. Brotherhood is the affection and loyalty that you feel for people who you have something in common with.\nPeople threw flowers into the river between the two countries as a symbolic act of brotherhood...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A brotherhood is an organization whose members all have the same political aims and beliefs or the same job or profession.\n...a secret international brotherhood.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp


Words: brotherly
Meaning:
broth.er.ly\n   brotherly\n  A man’s brotherly feelings are feelings of love and loyalty which you expect a brother to show.\n...family loyalty and brotherly love...\nHe gave her a brief, brotherly kiss.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: brouhaha
Meaning:
brou.ha.ha\n   brouhaha\n  A brouhaha is an excited and critical fuss or reaction to something. (mainly JOURNALISM)\n...the recent brouhaha over a congressional pay raise.\n  N-SING: also no det  disapproval


Words: brow
Meaning:
brow  brows\n1. Your brow is your forehead.\nHe wiped his brow with the back of his hand...\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n  = forehead\nto knit your brow: see knit\n2. Your brows are your eyebrows.\nHe had thick brown hair and shaggy brows.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n3. The brow of a hill is the top part of it.\nHe was on the look-out just below the brow of the hill.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: browbeat
Meaning:
brow.beat\n   browbeat  browbeats  browbeating  browbeaten\n  If someone tries to browbeat you, they try to force you to do what they want.\n...attempts to deceive, con, or browbeat the voters...\nWhen I backed out of the 100 metres, an older kid tried to browbeat me into it.\n  VERB: V n, V n into n\n  The form browbeat is used in the present tense and is also the past tense.\n\n=>  brow.beat.en\n...the browbeaten employees.\n  ADJ


Words: brown
Meaning:
brown  browner  brownest  browns  browning  browned\n1. Something that is brown is the colour of earth or of wood.\n...her deep brown eyes...\nThe stairs are decorated in golds and earthy browns.\n  COLOUR\n\n2. You can describe a white-skinned person as brown when they have been sitting in the sun until their skin has become darker than usual.\nI don’t want to be really really brown, just have a nice light golden colour.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = tanned\n3. A brown person is someone who belongs to a race of people who have brown-coloured skins.\n...a slim brown man with a speckled turban.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n4. Brown is used to describe grains that have not had their outer layers removed, and foods made from these grains.\n...brown bread.\n...spicy tomato sauce served over a bed of brown rice.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=white\n5. When food browns or when you brown food, you cook it, usually for a short time on a high flame.\nCook for ten minutes until the sugar browns...\nHe browned the chicken in a frying pan.\n  VERB: V, V n


Words: brown goods
Meaning:
Brown goods are electrical appliances such as televisions and audio equipment. Compare white goods.\nRevenue from brown goods, including televisions and hi-fis, rose nearly 12 per cent.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: brown-nosing
Meaning:
brown-nosing\n  If you accuse someone of brown-nosing, you are saying in a rather offensive way that they are agreeing with someone important in order to get their support. (RUDE)\nBrown-nosing the power brokers won’t save you.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: browned off
Meaning:
browned off\n  If you say that you are browned off, you mean that you are annoyed and depressed. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nSorry, I’m just thoroughly browned off.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = fed up


Words: brownfield
Meaning:
brown.field\n   brownfield\n  Brownfield land is land in a town or city where houses or factories have been built in the past, but which is not being used at the present time.\nBy 2005 he wants half of all new houses to be built on previously developed land: so-called brownfield sites.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, ADJ n


Words: brownie
Meaning:
brownie  brownies\n\n  The spelling Brownie is also used for meaning 2.\n\n1. Brownies are small flat biscuits or cakes. They are usually chocolate flavoured and have nuts in them.\n...chocolate brownies.\n...a tray of brownies.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n2. The Brownies is a junior version of the Girl Guides in Britain for girls between the ages of seven and ten, or of the Girl Scouts in the United States for girls between the ages of six and eight.\n  N-PROPER-COLL: the N\n\n  A Brownie is a girl who is a member of the Brownies.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brownie point
Meaning:
brownie point  brownie points\n  If someone does something to score brownie points, they do it because they think they will be praised for it.\nThey’re just trying to score brownie points with politicians.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl  disapproval


Words: brownstone
Meaning:
brown.stone\n   brownstone  brownstones\n  In the United States, a brownstone is a type of house which was built during the 19th century. Brownstones have a front that is made from a reddish-brown stone.\n  N-COUNT


Words: browse
Meaning:
browse  browses  browsing  browsed\n1. If you browse in a shop, you look at things in a fairly casual way, in the hope that you might find something you like.\nI stopped in several bookstores to browse...\nI’m just browsing around.\n  VERB: V, V prep/adv\n\n  Browse is also a noun.\n...a browse around the shops.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n2. If you browse through a book or magazine, you look through it in a fairly casual way.\n...sitting on the sofa browsing through the TV pages of the paper...\n  VERB: V prep\n\n3. If you browse on a computer, you search for information in computer files or on the Internet, especially on the World Wide Web. (COMPUTING)\nTry browsing around in the network bulletin boards.\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n4. When animals browse, they feed on plants.\n...the three red deer stags browsing 50 yards from my lodge on the fringes of the forest.\n  VERB: V, also V on n, V n


Words: browser
Meaning:
brows.er\n   browser  browsers\n1. A browser is a piece of computer software that you use to search for information on the Internet, especially on the World Wide Web. (COMPUTING)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A browser is someone who browses in a shop.\n...a casual browser.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bruise
Meaning:
bruise  bruises  bruising  bruised\n1. A bruise is an injury which appears as a purple mark on your body, although the skin is not broken.\nHow did you get that bruise on your cheek?...\nShe was treated for cuts and bruises.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you bruise a part of your body, a bruise appears on it, for example because something hits you. If you bruise easily, bruises appear when something hits you only slightly.\nI had only bruised my knee...\nSome people bruise more easily than others.\n  VERB: V n, V adv\n\n=>  bruised\nI escaped with severely bruised legs.\n  ADJ\n\n3. If a fruit, vegetable, or plant bruises or is bruised, it is damaged by being handled roughly, making a mark on the skin.\nChoose a warm, dry day to cut them off the plants, being careful not to bruise them.\n...bruised tomatoes and cucumbers...\nBe sure to store them carefully as they bruise easily.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed, V adv, also V\n\n  Bruise is also a noun.\n...bruises on the fruit’s skin.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If you are bruised by an unpleasant experience, it makes you feel unhappy or upset.\nThe government will be severely bruised by yesterday’s events...\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n=>  bruis.ing\n...the bruising experience of near-bankruptcy.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: bruiser
Meaning:
bruis.er\n   bruiser  bruisers\n  A bruiser is someone who is tough, strong, and aggressive, and enjoys a fight or argument. (INFORMAL)\nHe has a reputation as a political bruiser.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: bruising
Meaning:
bruis.ing\n   bruising\n1. If someone has bruising on their body, they have bruises on it. (FORMAL)\nShe had quite severe bruising and a cut lip.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = bruises\n2. In a bruising battle or encounter, people fight or compete with each other in a very aggressive or determined way. (JOURNALISM)\nThe administration hopes to avoid another bruising battle over civil rights.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: Brummie
Meaning:
Brum.mie\n   Brummie  Brummies\n  Brummie means belonging to or coming from Birmingham in England. (INFORMAL)\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  A Brummie is someone who comes from Birmingham.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brunch
Meaning:
brunch  brunches\n  Brunch is a meal that is eaten in the late morning. It is a combination of breakfast and lunch.\n  N-VAR


Words: brunette
Meaning:
bru.nette\n   brunette  brunettes\n  A brunette is a white-skinned woman or girl with dark brown hair.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brunt
Meaning:
brunt\n  To bear the brunt or take the brunt of something unpleasant means to suffer the main part or force of it.\nYoung people are bearing the brunt of unemployment...\nA child’s head tends to take the brunt of any fall.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR of n


Words: bruschetta
Meaning:
bru.schet.ta\n   bruschetta  bruschettas\n  Bruschetta is a slice of toasted bread which is brushed with olive oil and usually covered with chopped tomatoes.\n  N-VAR


Words: brush
Meaning:
brush  brushes  brushing  brushed\n1. A brush is an object which has a large number of bristles or hairs fixed to it. You use brushes for painting, for cleaning things, and for tidying your hair.\nWe gave him paint and brushes...\nStains are removed with buckets of soapy water and scrubbing brushes.\n...a hair brush.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you brush something or brush something such as dirt off it, you clean it or tidy it using a brush.\nHave you brushed your teeth?...\nShe brushed the powder out of her hair...\nUsing a small brush, he brushed away the fine sawdust.\n  VERB: V n, V n prep, V n with adv\n\n  Brush is also a noun.\nI gave it a quick brush with my hairbrush.\n  N-SING: a N\n\n3. If you brush something with a liquid, you apply a layer of that liquid using a brush.\nTake a sheet of filo pastry and brush it with melted butter.\n  VERB: V n with n\n\n4. If you brush something somewhere, you remove it with quick light movements of your hands.\nHe brushed his hair back with both hands...\nHe brushed the snow off the windshield.\n  VERB: V n with adv, V n prep\n\n5. If one thing brushes against another or if you brush one thing against another, the first thing touches the second thing lightly while passing it.\nSomething brushed against her leg...\nI felt her dark brown hair brushing the back of my shoulder...\nShe knelt and brushed her lips softly across Michael’s cheek.\n  VERB: V prep, V n, V n prep\n\n6. If you brush past someone or brush by them, you almost touch them as you go past them. (WRITTEN)\nMy father would burst into the kitchen, brushing past my mother...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n7. If you have a brush with someone, you have an argument or disagreement with them. You use brush when you want to make an argument or disagreement sound less serious than it really is.\nMy first brush with a headmaster came six years ago...\nIt is his third brush with the law in less than a year.\n  N-COUNT: usu N with n  vagueness\n\n8. If you have a brush with a particular situation, usually an unpleasant one, you almost experience it.\n...the trauma of a brush with death...\nThe corporation is fighting to survive its second brush with bankruptcy.\n  N-COUNT: N with n\n  = encounter\n9. Brush is an area of rough open land covered with small bushes and trees. You also use brush to refer to the bushes and trees on this land.\n...the brush fire that destroyed nearly 500 acres.\n...a meadow of low brush and grass.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = bush\n10.\n  see also broad-brush, nail brush\n11.\ntarred with the same brush: see tar


Words: brush aside
Meaning:
brush aside   or brush away\n  If you brush aside or brush away an idea, remark, or feeling, you refuse to consider it because you think it is not important or useful, even though it may be.\nPerhaps you shouldn’t brush the idea aside too hastily...\nHe brushed away my views on politics.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = dismiss


Words: brush up
Meaning:
brush up   or brush up on\n  If you brush up something or brush up on it, you practise it or improve your knowledge of it.\nI had hoped to brush up my Spanish...\nEleanor spent much of the summer brushing up on her driving.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P P n


Words: brush-off
Meaning:
brush-off\n  If someone gives you the brush-off when you speak to them, they refuse to talk to you or be nice to you. (INFORMAL)\nI wanted to keep in touch, but when I called him he gave me the brush-off.\n  N-SING


Words: brushstroke
Meaning:
brush.stroke\n   brushstroke  brushstrokes\n  Brushstrokes are the marks made on a surface by a painter’s brush.\nHe paints with harsh, slashing brushstrokes.\n  N-COUNT


Words: brushwood
Meaning:
brush.wood\n   brushwood\n  Brushwood consists of small pieces of wood that have broken off trees and bushes.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brushwork
Meaning:
brush.work\n   brushwork\n  An artist’s brushwork is their way of using their brush to put paint on a canvas and the effect that this has in the picture.\n... the texture of the artist’s brushwork.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: brusque
Meaning:
brusque\n  If you describe a person or their behaviour as brusque, you mean that they deal with things, or say things, quickly and shortly, so that they seem to be rude.\nThe doctors are brusque and busy...\nThey received a characteristically brusque reply from him.\n  ADJ\n  = abrupt\n=>  brusque.ly\n`It’s only a sprain,’ Paula said brusquely.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: brussels sprout
Meaning:
brus.sels sprout\n   brussels sprout  brussels sprouts   also Brussels sprout\n  Brussels sprouts are vegetables that look like tiny cabbages.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n  = sprout


Words: brutal
Meaning:
bru.tal\n   brutal\n1. A brutal act or person is cruel and violent.\nHe was the victim of a very brutal murder.\n...the brutal suppression of anti-government protests...\nJensen is a dangerous man, and can be very brutal and reckless.\n  ADJ\n  = vicious, savage\n=>  bru.tal.ly\nHer real parents had been brutally murdered.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v\n\n2. If someone expresses something unpleasant with brutal honesty or frankness, they express it in a clear and accurate way, without attempting to disguise its unpleasantness.\nIt was refreshing to talk about themselves and their feelings with brutal honesty...\nHe took an anguished breath. He had to be brutal and say it.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  bru.tal.ly\nThe talks had been brutally frank...\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v\n\n3. Brutal is used to describe things that have an unpleasant effect on people, especially when there is no attempt by anyone to reduce their effect.\nThe dip in prices this summer will be brutal...\nThe 20th century brought brutal change to some countries.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  bru.tal.ly\nThe early-morning New York air can be brutally cold.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: brutality
Meaning:
bru.tal.ity\n   brutality  brutalities\n  Brutality is cruel and violent treatment or behaviour. A brutality is an instance of cruel and violent treatment or behaviour.\n...police brutality.\n...the atrocities and brutalities committed by a former regime.\n  N-VAR


Words: brutalize
Meaning:
bru.tal.ize\n   brutalize  brutalizes  brutalizing  brutalized\nin BRIT, also use brutalise\n1. If an unpleasant experience brutalizes someone, it makes them cruel or violent.\nHere’s a man who has brutalized his own people...\nHe was brutalized by the experience of being in prison.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n2. If one person brutalizes another, they treat them in a cruel or violent way.\n... a 15th century explorer who brutalized people and enslaved them.\n  VERB: V n


Words: brute
Meaning:
brute  brutes\n1. If you call someone, usually a man, a brute, you mean that they are rough, violent, and insensitive.\n...a drunken brute.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n\n2. When you refer to brute strength or force, you are contrasting it with gentler methods or qualities.\nHe used brute force to take control...\nBoxing is a test of skill and technique, rather than brute strength.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: brutish
Meaning:
brut.ish\n   brutish\n  If you describe a person or their behaviour as brutish, you think that they are brutal and uncivilised.\nThe man was brutish and coarse.\n...brutish bullying.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: BS
Meaning:
BS\n1. BS is an abbreviation for `British Standard’, which is a standard that something sold in Britain must reach in a test to prove that it is satisfactory or safe. Each standard has a number for reference.\nDoes your electric blanket conform to BS 3456?\n\n2. A BS is the same as a BSc. (AM)


Words: BSc
Meaning:
BSc  BScs   also B.Sc.\n1. A BSc is a first degree in a science subject. BSc is an abbreviation for `Bachelor of Science’.\nHe completed his BSc in chemistry in 1934.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. BSc is written after someone’s name to indicate that they have a BSc.\n...J. Hodgkison BSc.


Words: BSE
Meaning:
BSE\n  BSE is a disease which affects the nervous system of cattle and kills them. BSE is an abbreviation for `bovine spongiform encephalopathy’.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bubble
Meaning:
bub.ble\n   bubble  bubbles  bubbling  bubbled\n1. Bubbles are small balls of air or gas in a liquid.\nInk particles attach themselves to air bubbles and rise to the surface.\n...a bubble of gas trapped under the surface.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A bubble is a hollow ball of soapy liquid that is floating in the air or standing on a surface.\nWith soap and water, bubbles and boats, children love bathtime.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A bubble is a situation in which large numbers of people want to buy shares in a company that is new or not yet financially successful, and pay more than the shares are worth. When it becomes clear that the shares are worth less than people paid for them, you can say that the bubble has burst. (BUSINESS)\nEveryone is hoping that these hi-tech companies will turn out to be the Microsofts of the future. At the moment they look more like the focus of a speculative bubble...\nWhen the development bubble burst, federal regulators started probing the balance sheets of the biggest banks.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. In a cartoon, a speech bubble is the shape which surrounds the words which a character is thinking or saying.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. When a liquid bubbles, bubbles move in it, for example because it is boiling or moving quickly.\nHeat the seasoned stock until it is bubbling...\nThe fermenting wine has bubbled up and over the top...\n  VERB: V, V adv/prep\n\n6. A feeling, influence, or activity that is bubbling away continues to occur.\n...political tensions that have been bubbling away for years...\n  VERB: usu cont, V adv/prep\n\n7. Someone who is bubbling with a good feeling is so full of it that they keep expressing the way they feel to everyone around them.\nShe came to the phone bubbling with excitement...\n  VERB: usu cont, V with n\n\n  Bubble over means the same as bubble.\nHe was quite tireless, bubbling over with vitality.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with n\n\n  Bubble is also a noun.\nAs she spoke she felt a bubble of optimism rising inside her.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: bubble and squeak
Meaning:
bub.ble and squeak\n   bubble and squeak\n  Bubble and squeak is a dish made from a mixture of cold cooked cabbage, potato, and sometimes meat. It can be grilled or fried.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bubble bath
Meaning:
bub.ble bath\n   bubble bath  bubble baths\n1. Bubble bath is a liquid that smells nice and makes a lot of bubbles when you add it to your bath water.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. When you have a bubble bath, you lie in a bath of water with bubble bath in it.\n...a long, relaxing bubble bath.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bubble gum
Meaning:
bub.ble gum\n   bubble gum   also bubblegum\n  Bubble gum is a sweet substance similar to chewing gum. You can blow it out of your mouth so it makes the shape of a bubble.\nI got bubblegum on the seat of Nanna’s car.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bubbly
Meaning:
bub.bly\n   bubbly\n1. Someone who is bubbly is very lively and cheerful and talks a lot.\n...a bubbly girl who loves to laugh...\nShe had a bright and bubbly personality.\n  ADJ  approval\n  = bouncy\n2. Champagne is sometimes called bubbly. (INFORMAL)\nGuests were presented with glasses of bubbly on arrival.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If something is bubbly, it has a lot of bubbles in it.\nMelt the butter over a medium-low heat. When it is melted and bubbly, put in the flour.\n  ADJ


Words: bubonic plague
Meaning:
bu.bon.ic plague\n   bubonic plague\n  Bubonic plague is a serious infectious disease spread by rats. It killed many people during the Middle Ages.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = plague


Words: buccaneer
Meaning:
buc.ca.neer\n   buccaneer  buccaneers\n1. A buccaneer was a pirate, especially one who attacked and stole from Spanish ships in the 17th and 18th centuries.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you describe someone as a buccaneer, you mean that they are clever and successful, especially in business, but you do not completely trust them. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: buccaneering
Meaning:
buc.ca.neer.ing\n   buccaneering\n  If you describe someone as buccaneering, you mean that they enjoy being involved in risky or even dishonest activities, especially in order to make money. (BRIT)\n...a buccaneering British businessman.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: buck
Meaning:
buck  bucks  bucking  bucked\n1. A buck is a US or Australian dollar. (INFORMAL)\nThat would probably cost you about fifty bucks...\nWhy can’t you spend a few bucks on a coat?...\n  N-COUNT\n  = dollar\n2. A buck is the male of various animals, including the deer, antelope, rabbit and kangaroo.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If someone has buck teeth, their upper front teeth stick forward out of their mouth.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. If a horse bucks, it kicks both of its back legs wildly into the air, or jumps into the air wildly with all four feet off the ground.\nThe stallion bucked as he fought against the reins holding him tightly in.\n  VERB: V\n\n5. If you buck the trend, you obtain different results from others in the same area. If you buck the system, you get what you want by breaking or ignoring the rules.\nWhile other newspapers are losing circulation, we are bucking the trend...\nHe wants to be the tough rebel who bucks the system...\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n6. If you get more bang for the buck, you spend your money wisely and get more for your money than if you were to spend it in a different way. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nI think it’s very important for those governments to do whatever they can to get a bigger bang for the buck.\n  PHRASE: usu v compar PHR\n  = value for money\n7. When someone makes a fast buck or makes a quick buck, they earn a lot of money quickly and easily, often by doing something which is considered to be dishonest. (INFORMAL)\nHis life isn’t ruled by looking for a fast buck...\nThey were just in it to make a quick buck.\n  PHRASE: usu v PHR\n\n8. If you are trying to make a buck, you are trying to earn some money. (INFORMAL)\nThe owners don’t want to overlook any opportunity to make a buck.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9. If you pass the buck, you refuse to accept responsibility for something, and say that someone else is responsible. (INFORMAL)\nDavid says the responsibility is Mr Smith’s and it’s no good trying to pass the buck.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n10. If you say `The buck stops here’ or `The buck stops with me’, you mean that you have to take responsibility for something and will not try to pass the responsibility on to someone else. (INFORMAL)\nThe buck stops with him. He is ultimately responsible for every aspect of the broadcast.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: buck for
Meaning:
buck for\n  If you are bucking for something, you are working very hard to get it. (AM)\nShe is bucking for a promotion.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: buck up
Meaning:
buck up\n1. If you buck someone up or buck up their spirits, you say or do something to make them more cheerful. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nAnything anybody said to him to try and buck him up wouldn’t sink in...\nThe aim, it seemed, was to buck up their spirits in the face of the recession.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = cheer up\n2. If you tell someone to buck up or to buck up their ideas, you are telling them to start behaving in a more positive and efficient manner. (INFORMAL)\nPeople are saying if we don’t buck up we’ll be in trouble...\nBuck up your ideas or you’ll get more of the same treatment.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron)\n  = pull one’s socks up


Words: Buck’s Fizz
Meaning:
also Bucks Fizz\n  Buck’s Fizz is a drink made by mixing champagne or another fizzy white wine with orange juice. (BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bucket
Meaning:
buck.et\n   bucket  buckets\n  A bucket is a round metal or plastic container with a handle attached to its sides. Buckets are often used for holding and carrying water.\nWe drew water in a bucket from the well outside the door...\n  N-COUNT\n\n  A bucket of water is the amount of water contained in a bucket.\nShe threw a bucket of water over them.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: bucket seat
Meaning:
buck.et seat\n   bucket seat  bucket seats\n  A bucket seat is a seat for one person in a car or aeroplane which has rounded sides that partly enclose and support the body.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bucketful
Meaning:
buck.et.ful\n   bucketful  bucketfuls\n1. A bucketful of something is the amount contained in a bucket.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n  = bucket\n2. If someone produces or gets something by the bucketful, they produce or get something in large quantities. (INFORMAL)\nOver the years they have sold records by the bucketful.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: buckle
Meaning:
buck.le\n   buckle  buckles  buckling  buckled\n1. A buckle is a piece of metal or plastic attached to one end of a belt or strap, which is used to fasten it.\nHe wore a belt with a large brass buckle.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. When you buckle a belt or strap, you fasten it.\nA door slammed in the house and a man came out buckling his belt.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If an object buckles or if something buckles it, it becomes bent as a result of very great heat or force.\nThe door was beginning to buckle from the intense heat...\nA freak wave had buckled the deck.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n4. If your legs or knees buckle, they bend because they have become very weak or tired.\nMcanally’s knees buckled and he crumpled down onto the floor...\n  VERB: V


Words: buckled
Meaning:
buck.led\n   buckled\n  Buckled shoes have buckles on them, either to fasten them or as decoration.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: buckshot
Meaning:
buck.shot\n   buckshot\n  Buckshot consists of pieces of lead fired from a gun when hunting animals.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: buckskin
Meaning:
buck.skin\n   buckskin\n  Buckskin is soft, strong leather made from the skin of a deer or a goat.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: buckwheat
Meaning:
buck.wheat\n   buckwheat\n  Buckwheat is a type of small black grain used for feeding animals and making flour. Buckwheat also refers to the flour itself.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bucolic
Meaning:
bu.col.ic\n   bucolic\n  Bucolic means relating to the countryside. (LITERARY)\n...the bucolic surroundings of Chantilly.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = rustic


Words: bud
Meaning:
bud  buds  budding  budded\n1. A bud is a small pointed lump that appears on a tree or plant and develops into a leaf or flower.\nRosanna’s favourite time is early summer, just before the buds open.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. When a tree or plant is budding, buds are appearing on it or are beginning to open.\nThe leaves were budding on the trees below.\n  VERB: usu cont, V\n\n3.\n  see also budding, cotton bud, taste bud\n4. When a tree or plant is in bud or has come into bud, it has buds on it.\nThe flowers are bronzy in bud and bright yellow when open.\n...almond trees that should come into bud soon.\n  PHRASE\n\n5. If you nip something such as bad behaviour in the bud, you stop it before it can develop very far. (INFORMAL)\nIt is important to recognize jealousy and to nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: Buddha
Meaning:
Buddha  Buddhas\n1. Buddha is the title given to Gautama Siddhartha, the religious teacher and founder of Buddhism.\n  N-PROPER: oft the N\n\n2. A Buddha is a statue or picture of the Buddha.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Buddhism
Meaning:
Bud.dhism\n   Buddhism\n  Buddhism is a religion which teaches that the way to end suffering is by overcoming your desires.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Buddhist
Meaning:
Bud.dhist\n   Buddhist  Buddhists\n1. A Buddhist is a person whose religion is Buddhism.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Buddhist means relating or referring to Buddhism.\n...Buddhist monks.\n...Buddhist philosophy.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: budding
Meaning:
bud.ding\n   budding\n1. If you describe someone as, for example, a budding businessman or a budding artist, you mean that they are starting to succeed or become interested in business or art.\nThe forum is now open to all budding entrepreneurs...\nBudding linguists can tune in to the activity cassettes in French, German, Spanish and Italian.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. You use budding to describe a situation that is just beginning.\nOur budding romance was over.\n...Russia’s budding democracy.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: buddy
Meaning:
bud.dy\n   buddy  buddies\n  A buddy is a close friend, usually a male friend of a man. (mainly AM)\nWe became great buddies.\n  N-COUNT\n  = pal


Words: budge
Meaning:
budge  budges  budging  budged\n1. If someone will not budge on a matter, or if nothing budges them, they refuse to change their mind or to come to an agreement.\nThe Americans are adamant that they will not budge on this point...\nNo amount of prodding will budge him.\n  VERB: with brd-neg, V, V n\n\n2. If someone or something will not budge, they will not move. If you cannot budge them, you cannot make them move.\nHer mother refused to budge from London...\nI got a grip on the boat and pulled but I couldn’t budge it.\n  VERB: with brd-neg, V, V n


Words: budgerigar
Meaning:
budg.eri.gar\n   budgerigar  budgerigars\n  Budgerigars are small, brightly-coloured birds from Australia that people often keep as pets.\n  N-COUNT


Words: budget
Meaning:
budg.et\n   budget  budgets  budgeting  budgeted\n1. Your budget is the amount of money that you have available to spend. The budget for something is the amount of money that a person, organization, or country has available to spend on it. (BUSINESS)\nShe will design a fantastic new kitchen for you.and all within your budget...\nSomeone had furnished the place on a tight budget...\nThis year’s budget for AIDS prevention probably won’t be much higher.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n2. The budget of an organization or country is its financial situation, considered as the difference between the money it receives and the money it spends. (BUSINESS)\nThe hospital obviously needs to balance the budget each year.\n...his readiness to raise taxes as part of an effort to cut the budget deficit.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. In Britain, the Budget is the financial plan in which the government states how much money it intends to raise through taxes and how it intends to spend it. The Budget is also the speech in which this plan is announced.\n...other indirect tax changes announced in the Budget.\n  N-PROPER\n\n4. If you budget certain amounts of money for particular things, you decide that you can afford to spend those amounts on those things.\nThe company has budgeted $10 million for advertising...\nThe movie is only budgeted at $10 million...\nI’m learning how to budget.\n  VERB: V amount for n, be V-ed at amount, V, also V amount to-inf\n\n=>  budg.et.ing\nWe have continued to exercise caution in our budgeting for the current year.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n5. Budget is used in advertising to suggest that something is being sold cheaply.\nCheap flights are available from budget travel agents from .240.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = economy


Words: budget for
Meaning:
budget for\n  If you budget for something, you take account of it when you are deciding how much you can afford to spend on different things.\nThe authorities had budgeted for some non-payment...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n  = allow for


Words: budgetary
Meaning:
budg.et.ary\n   budgetary\n  A budgetary matter or policy is concerned with the amount of money that is available to a country or organization, and how it is to be spent. (FORMAL)\nThere are huge budgetary pressures on all governments in Europe to reduce their armed forces.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: buff
Meaning:
buff  buffs  buffing  buffed\n1. Something that is buff is pale brown in colour.\nHe took a largish buff envelope from his pocket.\n  COLOUR\n\n2. You use buff to describe someone who knows a lot about a particular subject. For example, if you describe someone as a film buff, you mean that they know a lot about films. (INFORMAL)\nJudge Lanier is a real film buff...\n  N-COUNT: supp N\n  = enthusiast\n3. If you buff the surface of something, for example your car or your shoes, you rub it with a piece of soft material in order to make it shine.\nHe was already buffing the car’s hubs.\n  VERB: V n\n  = polish\n=>  buff.ing\nRegular buffing helps prevent nails from splitting.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: buffalo
Meaning:
buf.fa.lo\n   buffalo  buffaloes  or buffalo\n  A buffalo is a wild animal like a large cow with horns that curve upwards. Buffalo are usually found in southern and eastern Africa.\n  N-COUNT


Words: buffer
Meaning:
buff.er\n   buffer  buffers  buffering  buffered\n1. A buffer is something that prevents something else from being harmed or that prevents two things from harming each other.\nKeep savings as a buffer against unexpected cash needs...\nThe Prison Service acts as a buffer between the minister and his critics.\n  N-COUNT: oft N against/between n, N n\n\n2. If something is buffered, it is protected from harm.\nThe company is buffered by long-term contracts with growers.\n  VERB: be V-ed, also V n\n\n3. The buffers on a train or at the end of a railway line are two metal discs on springs that reduce the shock when a train hits them. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n4. A buffer is an area in a computer’s memory where information can be stored for a short time. (COMPUTING)\n  N-COUNT


Words: buffer state
Meaning:
buff.er state\n   buffer state  buffer states\n  A buffer state is a peaceful country situated between two or more larger hostile countries.\nTurkey and Greece were buffer states against the former Soviet Union.\n  N-COUNT


Words: buffer zone
Meaning:
buff.er zone\n   buffer zone  buffer zones\n  A buffer zone is an area created to separate opposing forces or groups which belongs to neither of them.\n  N-COUNT


Words: buffet
Meaning:
buf.fet\n   buffet buffets buffeting  buffeted\nPronounced   for meanings 1 to 3, and   for meanings 4 and 5.\n1. A buffet is a meal of cold food that is displayed on a long table at a party or public occasion. Guests usually serve themselves from the table.\n...a buffet lunch...\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n\n2. A buffet is a cafe, usually in a hotel or station.\nWe sat in the station buffet sipping tea.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n3. On a train, the buffet or the buffet car is the carriage or car where meals and snacks are sold. (BRIT; in AM, use dining car)\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n4. If something is buffeted by strong winds or by stormy seas, it is repeatedly struck or blown around by them.\nTheir plane had been severely buffeted by storms...\nStorms swept the country, closing roads, buffeting ferries and killing as many as 30 people.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n\n\n=>  buf.fet.ing      buffetings\n...the buffetings of the winds.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If an economy or government is buffeted by difficult or unpleasant situations, it experiences many of them.\nThe whole of Africa had been buffeted by social and political upheavals.\n  VERB: be V-ed


Words: buffoon
Meaning:
buf.foon\n   buffoon  buffoons\n  If you call someone a buffoon, you mean that they often do foolish things. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = clown


Words: buffoonery
Meaning:
buf.foon.ery\n   buffoonery\n  Buffoonery is foolish behaviour that makes you laugh. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bug
Meaning:
bug  bugs  bugging  bugged\n1. A bug is an insect or similar small creature. (INFORMAL)\nWe noticed tiny bugs that were all over the walls.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n2. A bug is an illness which is caused by small organisms such as bacteria. (INFORMAL)\nI think I’ve got a bit of a stomach bug...\n...the killer brain bug meningitis.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If there is a bug in a computer program, there is a mistake in it. (COMPUTING)\nThere is a bug in the software.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A bug is a tiny hidden microphone which transmits what people are saying.\nThere was a bug on the phone.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If someone bugs a place, they hide tiny microphones in it which transmit what people are saying.\nHe heard that they were planning to bug his office...\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  bug.ging\n...an electronic bugging device.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n6. You can say that someone has been bitten by a particular bug when they suddenly become very enthusiastic about something. (INFORMAL)\nI’ve definitely been bitten by the gardening bug...\nRoundhay Park in Leeds was the place I first got the fishing bug.\n  N-SING: oft n N\n\n7. If someone or something bugs you, they worry or annoy you. (INFORMAL)\nI only did it to bug my parents.\n  VERB: V n


Words: bug-eyed
Meaning:
bug-eyed\n  A bug-eyed person or animal has eyes that stick out. (INFORMAL)\n...bug-eyed monsters...\nWe were bug-eyed in wonderment.\n  ADJ


Words: bugbear
Meaning:
bug.bear\n   bugbear  bugbears\n  Something or someone that is your bugbear worries or upsets you.\nMoney is my biggest bugbear.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bugger
Meaning:
bug.ger\n   bugger  buggers  buggering  buggered\n1. Some people use bugger to describe a person who has done something annoying or stupid. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  N-COUNT: oft adj N  disapproval\n\n2. Some people say that a job or task is a bugger when it is difficult to do. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  N-SING: a N\n\n3. Some people use bugger in expressions such as bugger him or bugger the cost in order to emphasize that they do not care about the person or thing that the word or phrase refers to. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  VERB: only imper, V n  feelings\n  = sod\n4. To bugger someone means to have anal intercourse with them.\n  VERB\n\n5. Some people say bugger it or bugger when they are angry that something has gone wrong. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  EXCLAM  feelings


Words: bugger about
Meaning:
bugger about   or bugger around\n  If someone buggers about or buggers around, they waste time doing unnecessary things. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  = arse around


Words: bugger all
Meaning:
bug.ger all\n   bugger all   also bugger-all\n  Bugger all is a rude way of saying `nothing’. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  PRON


Words: bugger off
Meaning:
bugger off\n  If someone buggers off, they go away quickly and suddenly. People often say bugger off as a rude way of telling someone to go away. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  = sod off


Words: bugger up
Meaning:
bugger up\n  If someone buggers something up, they ruin it or spoil it. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P


Words: buggered
Meaning:
bug.gered\n   buggered\n1. If someone says that they will be buggered if they will do something, they mean that they do not want to do it and they will definitely not do it. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ  emphasis\n\n2. If someone says that they are buggered, they mean that they are very tired. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\n3. If someone says that something is buggered, they mean that it is completely ruined or broken. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: buggy
Meaning:
bug.gy\n   buggy  buggies\n1. A buggy is the same as a baby buggy.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A buggy is a small lightweight carriage pulled by one horse.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bugle
Meaning:
bu.gle\n   bugle  bugles\n  A bugle is a simple brass musical instrument that looks like a small trumpet. Bugles are often used in the army to announce when activities such as meals are about to begin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: build
Meaning:
build  builds  building  built\n1. If you build something, you make it by joining things together.\nDevelopers are now proposing to build a hotel on the site...\nThe house was built in the early 19th century...\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = construct\n=>  build.ing\nIn Japan, the building of Kansai airport continues.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  built\nEven newly built houses can need repairs...\nIt’s a product built for safety.\n...structures that are built to last.\n  ADJ: adv ADJ, ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf\n\n2. If you build something into a wall or object, you make it in such a way that it is in the wall or object, or is part of it.\nIf the TV was built into the ceiling, you could lie there while watching your favourite programme.\n  VERB: be V-ed into n\n\n3. If people build an organization, a society, or a relationship, they gradually form it.\nHe and a partner set up on their own and built a successful fashion company...\nTheir purpose is to build a fair society and a strong economy...\nI wanted to build a relationship with my team.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V n\n\n=>  build.ing\n...the building of the great civilisations of the ancient world.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu the N of n\n\n4. If you build an organization, system, or product on something, you base it on it.\nWe will then have a firmer foundation of fact on which to build theories...\n  VERB: V n prep\n\n5. If you build something into a policy, system, or product, you make it part of it.\nWe have to build computers into the school curriculum...\nHow much delay should we build into the plan?\n  VERB: V n into n, V n into n\n  = incorporate\n6. To build someone’s confidence or trust means to increase it gradually. If someone’s confidence or trust builds, it increases gradually.\nDiplomats hope the meetings will build mutual trust...\nUsually when we’re six months or so into a recovery, confidence begins to build.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n  Build up means the same as build.\nThe delegations had begun to build up some trust in one another...\nWe will start to see the confidence in the housing market building up again.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P, also V P to n\n\n7. If you build on the success of something, you take advantage of this success in order to make further progress.\nThe new regime has no successful economic reforms on which to build.\n  VERB: V on/upon n\n\n8. If pressure, speed, sound, or excitement builds, it gradually becomes greater.\nPressure built yesterday for postponement of the ceremony...\nThe last chords of the suite build to a crescendo.\n  VERB: V, V to/into n\n\n  Build up means the same as build.\nWe can build up the speed gradually and safely...\nEconomists warn that enormous pressures could build up, forcing people to emigrate westwards.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P, also V P to n\n\n9. Someone’s build is the shape that their bones and muscles give to their body.\nHe’s described as around thirty years old, six feet tall and of medium build...\n  N-VAR\n\n10.\n  see also building, built


Words: build up
Meaning:
build up\n1. If you build up something or if it builds up, it gradually becomes bigger, for example because more is added to it.\nThe regime built up the largest army in Africa...\nSlowly a thick layer of fat builds up on the pan’s surface.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P, V P to n\n\n2. If you build someone up, you help them to feel stronger or more confident, especially when they have had a bad experience or have been ill.\nBuild her up with kindness and a sympathetic ear...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P\n\n3. If you build someone or something up, you make them seem important or exciting, for example by talking about them a lot.\nThe media will report on it and the tabloids will build it up...\nHistorians built him up as the champion of parliament...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V n P as n/-ing\n\n4.\n  see also build 6, 8, build-up, built-up


Words: build up to
Meaning:
build up to\n  If you build up to something you want to do or say, you try to prepare people for it by starting to do it or introducing the subject gradually.\nOther actions we need to take may be more difficult, and we may have to build up to them gradually...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P P n


Words: build-up
Meaning:
build-up  build-ups   also buildup, build up\n1. A build-up is a gradual increase in something.\nThere has been a build-up of troops on both sides of the border...\nThe disease can also cause a build up of pressure in the inner ear leading to severe earache.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n\n\n2. The build-up to an event is the way that journalists, advertisers, or other people talk about it a lot in the period of time immediately before it, and try to make it seem important and exciting.\nThe exams came, almost an anti-climax after the build-up that the students had given them.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N to n


Words: builder
Meaning:
build.er\n   builder  builders\n  A builder is a person whose job is to build or repair houses and other buildings.\nThe builders have finished the roof.\n  N-COUNT


Words: building
Meaning:
build.ing\n   building  buildings\n  A building is a structure that has a roof and walls, for example a house or a factory.\nThey were on the upper floor of the building...\nCrowds gathered around the Parliament building.\n  N-COUNT


Words: building block
Meaning:
build.ing block\n   building block  building blocks\n  If you describe something as a building block of something, you mean it is one of the separate parts that combine to make that thing.\n...molecules that are the building blocks of all life on earth.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp


Words: building site
Meaning:
build.ing site\n   building site  building sites\n  A building site is an area of land on which a building or a group of buildings is in the process of being built or altered.\n  N-COUNT\n  = construction site


Words: building society
Meaning:
build.ing so.ci.ety\n   building society  building societies\n  In Britain, a building society is a business which will lend you money when you want to buy a house. You can also invest money in a building society, where it will earn interest. Compare savings and loan association.\n  N-COUNT


Words: built
Meaning:
built\n1. Built is the past tense and past participle of build.\n\n2. If you say that someone is built in a particular way, you are describing the kind of body they have.\n...a strong, powerfully-built man of 60...\nHe was a huge man, built like an oak tree.\n  ADJ: adv ADJ, ADJ like n, ADJ for n/-ing\n\n  see also well-built


Words: built-in
Meaning:
built-in\n  Built-in devices or features are included in something as a part of it, rather than being separate.\n...modern cameras with built-in flash units...\nWe’re going to have built-in cupboards in the bedrooms.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = fitted


Words: built-up
Meaning:
built-up\n  A built-up area is an area such as a town or city which has a lot of buildings in it.\nA speed limit of 30 mph was introduced in built-up areas.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: bulb
Meaning:
bulb  bulbs\n1. A bulb is the glass part of an electric lamp, which gives out light when electricity passes through it.\nThe stairwell was lit by a single bulb.\n  N-COUNT\n  = light bulb\n2. A bulb is a root shaped like an onion that grows into a flower or plant.\n...tulip bulbs.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bulbous
Meaning:
bulb.ous\n   bulbous\n  Something that is bulbous is round and fat in a rather ugly way.\n...his bulbous purple nose.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: Bulgarian
Meaning:
Bul.gar.ian\n   Bulgarian  Bulgarians\n1. Bulgarian means belonging or relating to Bulgaria, or to its people, language, or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Bulgarian is a Bulgarian citizen, or a person of Bulgarian origin.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Bulgarian is the main language spoken by people who live in Bulgaria.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bulge
Meaning:
bulge  bulges  bulging  bulged\n1. If something such as a person’s stomach bulges, it sticks out.\nJiro waddled closer, his belly bulging and distended...\nHe bulges out of his black T-shirt...\nHe is 6ft 3ins with bulging muscles.\n  VERB: V, V adv/prep, V-ing\n\n2. If someone’s eyes or veins are bulging, they seem to stick out a lot, often because the person is making a strong physical effort or is experiencing a strong emotion.\nHe shouted at his brother, his neck veins bulging.\n...bulging eyes.\n  VERB: V, V-ing\n  = protrude\n3. If you say that something is bulging with things, you are emphasizing that it is full of them.\nThey returned home with the car bulging with boxes.\n...a bulging briefcase.\n  VERB: oft cont, V with n, V-ing, also V  emphasis\n\n4. Bulges are lumps that stick out from a surface which is otherwise flat or smooth.\nWhy won’t those bulges on your hips and thighs go?\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If there is a bulge in something, there is a sudden large increase in it.\n...a bulge in aircraft sales.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp, oft N in/of n


Words: bulimia
Meaning:
bu.limia\n   bulimia\n  Bulimia or bulimia nervosa is an illness in which a person has a very great fear of becoming fat, and so they make themselves vomit after eating.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bulimic
Meaning:
bu.limic\n   bulimic  bulimics\n  If someone is bulimic, they are suffering from bulimia.\n...bulimic patients...\nI was anorexic and bulimic.\n  ADJ\n\n  A bulimic is someone who is bulimic.\n...a former bulimic.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bulk
Meaning:
bulk\n1. You can refer to something’s bulk when you want to emphasize that it is very large. (WRITTEN)\n...the shadowy bulk of an ancient barn.\n  N-SING: with supp  emphasis\n\n2. You can refer to a large person’s body or to their weight or size as their bulk.\nBannol lowered his bulk carefully into the chair...\nDespite his bulk he moved lightly on his feet.\n  N-SING: usu poss N\n\n3. The bulk of something is most of it.\nThe bulk of the text is essentially a review of these original documents...\nThe vast bulk of imports and exports are carried by sea.\n  QUANT: QUANT of def-n\n  = majority\n  Bulk is also a pronoun.\nThey come from all over the world, though the bulk is from the Indian subcontinent.\n  PRON\n\n4. If you buy or sell something in bulk, you buy or sell it in large quantities.\nBuying in bulk is more economical than shopping for small quantities.\n...bulk purchasing.\n  N-UNCOUNT: in N, N n


Words: bulkhead
Meaning:
bulk.head\n   bulkhead  bulkheads\n  A bulkhead is a wall which divides the inside of a ship or aeroplane into separate sections. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-COUNT\n  = partition


Words: bulky
Meaning:
bulky  bulkier  bulkiest\n  Something that is bulky is large and heavy. Bulky things are often difficult to move or deal with.\n...bulky items like lawn mowers.\n  ADJ


Words: bull
Meaning:
bull  bulls\n1. A bull is a male animal of the cow family.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Some other male animals, including elephants and whales, are called bulls.\n...a massive bull elephant with huge tusks.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. On the stock market, bulls are people who buy shares in expectation of a price rise, in order to make a profit by selling the shares again after a short time. Compare bear. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If you say that something is bull or a load of bull, you mean that it is complete nonsense or absolutely untrue. (INFORMAL)\nI think it’s a load of bull...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n5.\n  see also cock-and-bull story, pit bull terrier\n6. If you take the bull by the horns, you do something that you feel you ought to do even though it is difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant.\nNow is the time for the Chancellor to take the bull by the horns and announce a two per cent cut in interest rates.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7.\nlike a red rag to a bull: see rag


Words: bull bar
Meaning:
bull bar  bull bars\n  On some motor vehicles, bull bars are metal bars fixed to the front that are designed to protect it if it crashes.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: bull market
Meaning:
bull mar.ket\n   bull market  bull markets\n  A bull market is a situation on the stock market when people are buying a lot of shares because they expect that the shares will increase in value and that they will be able to make a profit by selling them again after a short time. Compare bear market. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bull terrier
Meaning:
bull ter.ri.er\n   bull terrier  bull terriers\n  A bull terrier is a breed of strong dog with a short, whitish coat and a thick neck.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also pit bull terrier


Words: bull’s-eye
Meaning:
bull’s-eye  bull’s-eyes\n1. The bull’s-eye is the small circular area at the centre of a target.\nFive of his bullets had hit the bull’s-eye.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing\n\n2. In shooting or the game of darts, a bull’s-eye is a shot or throw of a dart that hits the bull’s-eye.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If something that you do or say hits the bull’s eye, it has exactly the effect that you intended it to have. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bulldog
Meaning:
bull.dog\n   bulldog  bulldogs\n  A bulldog is a small dog with a large square head and short hair.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bulldog clip
Meaning:
bull.dog clip\n   bulldog clip  bulldog clips\n  A bulldog clip is a metal clip with a spring lever that opens and closes two flat pieces of metal. It is used for holding papers together. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bulldoze
Meaning:
bull.doze\n   bulldoze  bulldozes  bulldozing  bulldozed\n1. If people bulldoze something such as a building, they knock it down using a bulldozer.\nShe defeated developers who wanted to bulldoze her home to build a supermarket.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If people bulldoze earth, stone, or other heavy material, they move it using a bulldozer.\nLast week, the department’s road builders began to bulldoze a water meadow on Twyford Down.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If someone bulldozes a plan through or bulldozes another person into doing something, they get what they want in an unpleasantly forceful way.\nThe party in power planned to bulldoze through a full socialist programme...\nThe coalition bulldozed the resolution through the plenary session...\nMy parents tried to bulldoze me into going to college.\n  VERB: V n with through, V n through n, V n into n/-ing, also V n  disapproval


Words: bulldozer
Meaning:
bull.doz.er\n   bulldozer  bulldozers\n  A bulldozer is a large vehicle with a broad metal blade at the front, which is used for knocking down buildings or moving large amounts of earth.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bullet
Meaning:
bul.let\n   bullet  bullets\n1. A bullet is a small piece of metal with a pointed or rounded end, which is fired out of a gun.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also plastic bullet, rubber bullet\n2. If someone bites the bullet, they accept that they have to do something unpleasant but necessary. (JOURNALISM)\nTour operators may be forced to bite the bullet and cut prices.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: bullet point
Meaning:
bul.let point\n   bullet point bullet points\n  A bullet point is one of a series of important items for discussion or action in a document, usually marked by a square or round symbol.\nUse bold type for headings and bullet points for noteworthy achievements.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bullet-proof
Meaning:
bullet-proof\nin AM and sometimes in BRIT, use bulletproof\n  Something that is bullet-proof is made of a strong material that bullets cannot pass through.\n...bullet-proof glass.\n...a bullet-proof vest.\n  ADJ


Words: bulletin
Meaning:
bul.letin\n   bulletin  bulletins\n1. A bulletin is a short news report on the radio or television.\n...the early morning news bulletin.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A bulletin is a short official announcement made publicly to inform people about an important matter.\nAt 3.30 p.m. a bulletin was released announcing that the president was out of immediate danger.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A bulletin is a regular newspaper or leaflet that is produced by an organization or group such as a school or church.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bulletin board
Meaning:
bul.letin board\n   bulletin board  bulletin boards\n1. A bulletin board is a board which is usually attached to a wall in order to display notices giving information about something. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use noticeboard)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. In computing, a bulletin board is a system that enables users to send and receive messages of general interest.\nThe Internet is the largest computer bulletin board in the world.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bullfight
Meaning:
bull.fight\n   bullfight  bullfights\n  A bullfight is a public entertainment in which people fight and kill bulls. Bullfights take place in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bullfighter
Meaning:
bull.fighter\n   bullfighter  bullfighters\n  A bullfighter is the person who tries to injure or kill the bull in a bullfight.\n  N-COUNT\n  = matador


Words: bullfighting
Meaning:
bull.fighting\n   bullfighting\n  Bullfighting is the public entertainment in which people try to kill bulls in bullfights.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: bullfinch
Meaning:
bull.finch\n   bullfinch  bullfinches\n  A bullfinch is a type of small European bird. The male has a black head and a pinkish-red breast.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bullfrog
Meaning:
bull.frog\n   bullfrog  bullfrogs\n  A bullfrog is a type of large frog which makes a very loud noise.\n  N-COUNT


Words: bullhorn
Meaning:
bull.horn\n   bullhorn  bullhorns\n  A bullhorn is a device for making your voice sound louder in the open air. (AM; in BRIT, use loudhailer, megaphone)\n  N-COUNT


Words: bullish
Meaning:
bull.ish\n   bullish\n1. On the stock market, if there is a bullish mood, prices are expected to rise. Compare bearish. (BUSINESS)\nThe market opened in a bullish mood.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If someone is bullish about something, they are cheerful and optimistic about it.\nFaldo was bullish about his chances of winning a third British Open.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ about/on n\n  = optimistic


Words: bullring
Meaning:
bull.ring\n   bullring  bullrings\n  A bullring is a circular area of ground surrounded by rows of seats where bullfights take place.\n  N-COUNT


