# dict

Words: French
Meaning:
adjective\nof or connected with France, its people or its language\n IDIOMS \n  take French leave (BrE) to leave work without asking permission first


Words: French horn
Meaning:
(also horn especially in BrE) noun\na BRASS musical instrument that consists of a long tube curled around in a circle with a wide opening at the end


Words: French plait
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE French braid) noun\na woman’s hairstyle in which all the hair is gathered into one large PLAIT/BRAID down the back of the head, starting from the forehead


Words: French polish
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) a type of transparent liquid (= VARNISH) that is painted onto wooden furniture to give it a hard shiny surface\n    French polish verb [VN]


Words: French window
Meaning:
(BrE) (also French door AmE, BrE) noun\n[usually pl.] a glass door, usually one of a pair, that leads to a garden/yard or BALCONY


Words: frenetic
Meaning:
adjective\ninvolving a lot of energy and activity in a way that is not organized:\na scene of frenetic activity * to live at a frenetic pace\n    frenetically  adverb


Words: frenzied
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] involving a lot of activity and strong emotions in a way that is often violent or frightening and not under control:\na frenzied attack * frenzied activity * frenzied fans / supporters\n    frenziedly adverb


Words: frenzy
Meaning:
noun\n[C, usually sing, U] (plural frenzies) ~ (of sth) a state of great activity and strong emotion that is often violent or frightening and not under control:\nin a frenzy of activity / excitement / violence * The speaker worked the crowd up into a frenzy. * an outbreak of patriotic frenzy * a killing frenzy\n IDIOMS  see FEED v.


Words: frequency
Meaning:
noun (plural frequencies)\n  1  [U, C] the rate at which sth happens or is repeated:\nFatal road accidents have decreased in frequency over recent years. * a society with a high / low frequency (= happening often / not very often) of stable marriages\n  2  [U] the fact of sth happening often:\nthe alarming frequency of computer errors * Objects like this turn up at sales with surprising frequency.\n  3  [C, U] (technical) the rate at which a sound wave VIBRATES (= moves up and down):\na high / low frequency\n  4  [C, U] (technical) the number of radio waves for every second of a radio signal:\na frequency band * There are only a limited number of broadcasting frequencies.


Words: frequent
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective  happening often:\nHe is a frequent visitor to this country. * Her calls became less frequent. * There is a frequent bus service into the centre of town.\nOPP INFREQUENT\n    verb  [VN] (formal) to visit a particular place often:\nWe met in a local bar much frequented by students. * less frequented roads


Words: frequently
Meaning:
adverb\noften:\nBuses run frequently between the city and the airport. * some of the most frequently asked questions about the Internet\nOPP INFREQUENTLY


Words: fresco
Meaning:
noun\n(plural frescoes or frescos) [C, U] a picture that is painted on a wall while the PLASTER is still wet; the method of painting in this way:\nThe church is famous for its frescoes. * The ceiling is richly decorated in marble and fresco.\nsee also ALFRESCO


Words: fresh
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n \n    adjective (fresher, freshest)\n \n  food\n \n  1  (usually of food) recently produced or picked and not frozen, dried or preserved in tins or cans:\nIs this milk fresh? * fresh bread / flowers * Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. * vegetables fresh from the garden * Our chefs use only the freshest produce available.\n \n  new\n \n  2  made or experienced recently:\nfresh tracks in the snow * Let me write it down while it’s still fresh in my mind.\n  3  [usually before noun] new or different in a way that adds to or replaces sth:\nfresh evidence * I think it’s time we tried a fresh approach. * a fresh coat of paint * The government is said to be taking a fresh look at the matter. * They will lose no time in holding fresh elections. * Fresh towels are provided every day. * Could we order some fresh coffee? * This is the opportunity he needs to make a fresh start (= to try sth new after not being successful at sth else).\n  clean / cool\n  4  [usually before noun] pleasantly clean, pure or cool:\na toothpaste that leaves a nice fresh taste in your mouth * Let’s go and get some fresh air (= go outside where the air is cooler). * Her hair smelled fresh and newly washed.\n  water\n  5  [usually before noun] containing no salt:\nThere is a shortage of fresh water on the island.\nsee also FRESHWATER\n  weather\n  6  (BrE) quite cold with some wind:\nIt’s fresh this morning, isn’t it?\n  7  (of the wind) quite strong and cold:\na fresh breeze * The winds are likely to get fresher towards the end of the day.\n  clear / bright\n  8  looking clear, bright and attractive:\nHe looked fresh and neat in a clean white shirt. * a collection of summer dresses in fresh colours * Regular facials help to keep the skin looking clean and fresh. * The yellow paint makes the kitchen look much fresher. * a fresh complexion\n  full of energy\n  9  [not usually before noun] full of energy:\nRegular exercise will help you feel fresher and fitter. * I managed to sleep on the plane and arrived feeling as fresh as a daisy.\n  just finished\n  10  ~ from sth having just come from a particular place; having just had a particular experience:\nstudents fresh from college * fresh from her success at the Olympic Games\n  rude / confident\n  11  [not before noun] ~ (with sb) (informal) rude and too confident in a way that shows a lack of respect for sb or a sexual interest in sb:\nDon’t get fresh with me!\n    freshness noun [U]:\nWe guarantee the freshness of all our produce. * This wine has a freshness and vitality that appeals to many drinkers. * the cool freshness of the water * I like the freshness of his approach to the problem.\n IDIOMS  see BLOOD, BREATH, HEART\n    adverb\n IDIOMS \n  fresh out of sth (informal, especially AmE) having recently finished a supply of sth:\nSorry, we’re fresh out of milk.


Words: freshen
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (up) to make sth cleaner, cooler, newer or more pleasant:\nThe walls need freshening up with a bit of white paint. * The rain had freshened the air. * Using a mouthwash regularly freshens the breath.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (up) (especially AmE) to add more liquid to a drink, especially an alcoholic one:\nCan I freshen your drink, sir?\nsee also TOP UP\n  3  [V] (of the wind) to become stronger and colder:\nThe wind will freshen tonight. * a freshening onshore breeze\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  freshen up | freshen yourself up to wash and make yourself look clean and tidy:\nI’ll just go and freshen up before supper. * Is there anywhere I can freshen myself up?


Words: freshener
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (often in compounds) a thing that makes sth cleaner, purer or more pleasant:\nair freshener * a breath freshener


Words: fresher
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) a student who has just started his or her first term at a university or college:\nfreshers’ fair (= an event when new students can join university societies)


Words: freshly
Meaning:
adverb\nusually followed by a past participle showing that sth has been made, prepared, etc. recently:\nfreshly brewed coffee * freshly ironed shirts * She had had her hair freshly washed and styled.


Words: freshman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural freshmen ) (especially AmE) a student who is in his or her first year at a university, college or high school:\nhigh school / college freshmen * during my freshman year\ncompare SOPHOMORE


Words: freshwater
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  living in water that is not the sea and is not salty:\nfreshwater fish\n  2  having water that is not salty:\nfreshwater lakes / pools\ncompare SALT WATER


Words: fret
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-tt-) (especially BrE) ~ (about / over sth) to be worried or unhappy and not able to relax:\n[V] Fretting about it won’t help. * Her baby starts to fret as soon as she goes out of the room. [also VN, V that] \n    noun one of the bars on the long thin part of a guitar, etc. Frets show you where to press the strings with your fingers to produce particular sounds:\na rock guitar with a 24 fret neck


Words: fretful
Meaning:
adjective\nbehaving in a way that shows you are unhappy or uncomfortable:\nBabies soon become fretful when they are tired or hungry.\n    fretfully adverb:\n’How much longer do we have to wait?’ she asked fretfully.


Words: Freudian
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with the ideas of Sigmund Freud about the way the human mind works, especially his theories of SUBCONSCIOUS sexual feelings:\nFreudian psychoanalysis * the Freudian theory of child development\n  2  (of sb’s speech or behaviour) showing your secret thoughts or feelings, especially those connected with sex


Words: friar
Meaning:
noun\na member of one of several Roman Catholic religious communities of men who in the past travelled around teaching people about Christianity and lived by asking other people for food (= by BEGGING)\ncompare MONK


Words: fricassee
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a hot dish consisting of small pieces of meat and vegetables that are cooked and served in a thick white sauce


Words: fricative
Meaning:
noun\n(phonetics) a speech sound, such as / f / /  / / {sh} / or / z /, made by forcing breath out through a narrow space in the mouth with the lips, teeth or tongue in a particular position\n    fricative adjective \ncompare PLOSIVE


Words: friction
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the action of one object or surface moving against another:\nFriction between moving parts had caused the engine to overheat.\n  2  [U] (physics) the RESISTANCE (= the force that stops sth moving) of one surface to another surface or substance moving over or through it:\nThe force of friction slows the spacecraft down as it re-enters the earth’s atmosphere.\n  3  [U, C] ~ (between A and B) disagreement or a lack of friendship among people who have different opinions about sth:\nconflicts and frictions that have still to be resolved


Words: Friday
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (abbreviation Fri.) the day of the week after Thursday and before Saturday\n HELP NOTE  To see how Friday is used, look at the examples at Monday.\n ORIGIN  Originally translated from the Latin for ’day of the planet Venus’ Veneris dies and named after the Germanic goddess Frigga.


Words: fridge
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE or formal refrigerator) noun\na piece of electrical equipment in which food is kept cold so that it stays fresh


Words: friend
Meaning:
noun\n  person you like\n  1  a person you know well and like, and who is not usually a member of your family:\nThis is my friend Tom. * Is he a friend of yours? * She’s an old friend (= I have known her a long time). * He’s one of my best friends. * a close / good friend * a childhood / family / lifelong friend * I heard about it through a friend of a friend. * She has a wide circle of friends.\nsee also BOYFRIEND, FAIR-WEATHER, FALSE FRIEND, GIRLFRIEND, PENFRIEND, SCHOOL FRIEND, BEFRIEND\n  supporter\n  2  a person who supports an organization, a charity, etc., especially by giving or raising money; a person who supports a particular idea, etc:\nthe Friends of St Martin’s Hospital * a friend of democracy * Theatre tickets are 10% cheaper for Friends.\n  not enemy\n  3  a person who has the same interests and opinions as yourself, and will help and support you:\nYou’re among friends here-you can speak freely. * His eyes were moving from face to face: friend or foe?\n  silly / annoying person\n  4  (ironic) used to talk about sb you do not know who has done sth silly or annoying:\nI wish our friend at the next table would shut up.\n  in parliament / court\n  5  (in Britain) used by a member of parliament to refer to another member of parliament or by a lawyer to refer to another lawyer in a court of law:\nmy honourable friend, the member for Henley (= in the House of Commons) * my noble friend (= in the House of Lords) * my learned friend (= in a court of law)\n  in religion\n  6  (Friend) a member of the Society of Friends\nSYN QUAKER\n IDIOMS \n  be / make friends (with sb) to be/become a friend of sb:\nThey had a quarrel, but they’re friends again now. * Simon finds it hard to make friends with other children.\n  be (just) good friends used to say that two friends are not having a romantic relationship with each other:\nThey gradually got to know each other better but they remained just good friends.\n  a friend in need (is a friend indeed) (saying) a friend who gives you help when you need it (is a true friend)\n  have friends in high places to know important people who can help you:\n’How did he get promoted so quickly?’ ’Oh, he has friends in high places.’\nmore at MAN n.


Words: friendly
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (friendlier, friendliest)\n  1  ~ to / toward(s) sb behaving in a kind and pleasant way because you like sb or want to help them:\na warm and friendly person * Everyone was very friendly towards me.\n  2  showing kindness; making you feel relaxed and as though you are among friends:\na friendly smile / welcome * a small hotel with a friendly atmosphere\n  3  ~ (with sb) treating sb as a friend:\nWe soon became friendly with the couple next door. * She was on friendly terms with most of the hospital staff. * We were not on the friendliest of terms (= we were not friendly at all).\n  4  (especially of the relationship between countries) not treating sb/sth as an enemy:\nto establish / maintain friendly relations with all countries\n  5  (often in compound adjectives) that is helpful and easy to use; that helps sb/sth or does not harm it:\nThis software is much friendlier than the previous version. * environmentally-friendly farming methods * ozone-friendly cleaning materials\nsee also USER-FRIENDLY\n  6  in which the people, teams, etc. taking part are not seriously competing against each other:\na friendly argument * friendly rivalry * (BrE) It was only a friendly match.\n    friendliness noun [U]:\nWe were greeted with warmth and friendliness.\n    noun (plural friendlies) (also friendly match) (both BrE) a game of football, etc. that is not part of an important competition:\nHe played for England in a friendly against Spain.


Words: friendly fire
Meaning:
noun\n[U] in a war, if people are killed or injured by friendly fire, they are hit by a bomb or weapon that is fired by their own side


Words: friendly society
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain) an organization that people pay regular amounts of money to, and which gives them money when they are ill or old


Words: friendship
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] ~ (with sb) | ~ (between A and B) a relationship between friends:\na close / lasting / lifelong friendship * friendships formed while she was at college * He seemed to have already struck up (= begun) a friendship with Jo. * It’s the story of an extraordinary friendship between a boy and a seal.\n  2  [U] the feeling or relationship that friends have; the state of being friends:\nYour friendship is very important to me. * a conference to promote international friendship


Words: Friesian
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE Holstein) noun\na type of black and white cow that produces a lot of milk:\na herd of Friesians


Words: frieze
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a border that goes around the top of a room or building with pictures or CARVINGS on it\n \n  2  a long narrow picture, usually put up in a school, that children have made or that teaches them sth:\nThe children made a frieze showing traders and their camels crossing the desert.


Words: frigging
Meaning:
adverb, adjective\n[only before noun] (!!!, slang) a swear word that many people find offensive, used to emphasize a comment or an angry statement to avoid saying ’fucking’:\nIt’s frigging cold outside. * Mind your own frigging business!


Words: fright
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a feeling of fear:\nto cry out in fright * He was shaking with fright.\nsee also STAGE FRIGHT\n  2  [C] an experience that makes you feel fear:\nYou gave me a fright jumping out at me like that. * I got the fright of my life.\n IDIOMS \n  look a fright (old-fashioned, BrE) to look ugly or ridiculous\n  take fright (at sth) (written) to be frightened by sth:\nThe birds took fright and flew off. * Investors took fright at the falling market.


Words: frighten
Meaning:
verb\nto make sb suddenly feel afraid:\n[VN] Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. * She’s not easily frightened. * [V] She doesn’t frighten easily (= it is not easy to make her afraid). [also VN to inf]\n IDIOMS  see DAYLIGHTS, DEATH, LIFE\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  frighten sb/sth<->away / off | frighten sb/sth away from sth\n1 to make a person or an animal go away by making them feel afraid:\nHe threatened the intruders with a gun and frightened them off.\n2 to make sb afraid or nervous so that they no longer want to do sth:\nThe high prices have frightened off many customers.\n  frighten sb into sth / into doing sth to make sb do sth by making them afraid


Words: frightened
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (of sth / of doing sth) | ~ (to do sth) | ~ (that ...) afraid; feeling fear:\na frightened child * Don’t be frightened. * What are you frightened of? * I’m frightened of walking home alone in the dark. * He sounded frightened. * I’m too frightened to ask him now. * She was frightened that the plane would crash. * I’m frightened for him (= that he will be hurt, etc.). * (spoken) I’d never do that. I’d be frightened to death. -> AFRAID\n IDIOMS  see SHADOW n., WIT


Words: frighteners
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  put the frighteners on sb (BrE, slang) to threaten sb in order to make them do what you want


Words: frightening
Meaning:
adjective\nmaking you feel afraid:\na frightening experience / prospect / thought * It’s frightening to think it could happen again. * The noise was frightening.\n    frighteningly adverb:\nThe battle scenes were frighteningly realistic.


Words: frightful
Meaning:
adjective (especially BrE)\n  1  (old-fashioned, informal) used to emphasize how bad sth is:\nIt was absolutely frightful! * This room’s in a frightful mess. * They’re making a frightful noise.\n  2  (old-fashioned) very serious or unpleasant:\na frightful accident


Words: frigid
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a woman) not able to enjoy sex\n  2  very cold:\nfrigid air\n  3  not showing any feelings of friendship or kindness:\na frigid voice * There was a frigid atmosphere in the room.\n    frigidly adverb:\n’And who,’ she asked frigidly, ’might you be?’


Words: frill
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) [C] a narrow strip of fabric with a lot of folds that is attached to the edge of a dress, curtain, etc. to decorate it:\na white blouse with frills at the cuffs * a tablecloth with a lace frill around the edge\nSYN RUFFLE\n  2  [pl.] things that are not necessary but are added to make sth more attractive or interesting:\na simple meal with no frills


Words: fringe
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C, usually sing.] (BrE) (AmE bangs [pl.]) the front part of sb’s hair that is cut so that it hangs over their forehead\n \n  2  [C] a strip of hanging threads attached to the edge of sth to decorate it\n \n  3  [C] a narrow strip of trees, buildings, etc. along the edge of sth:\na fringe of woodland * Along the coast, an industrial fringe had already developed.\n \n  4  [C] (BrE) the outer edge of an area or a group:\non the northern fringe of the city * the urban / rural fringe * the fringes of society * Nina remained on the fringe of the crowd.\n \n  5  [sing.] (usually the fringe) groups of people, events and activities that are not part of the main group or activity:\nStreet musicians have been gathering as part of the festival fringe. * fringe meetings at the party conference\n IDIOMS  see LUNATIC adj.\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] to form a border around sth:\nThe beach was fringed by coconut palms.\n    fringed (with sth) adjective:\na carpet with a fringed edge


Words: fringe benefit
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] extra things that an employer gives you as well as your wages:\nThe fringe benefits include free health insurance. * (figurative) One of the fringe benefits of having a garden is all the wildlife it attracts.


Words: fringe theatre
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (BrE) plays, often by new writers, that are unusual and question the way people think; a theatre where such plays are performed\ncompare OFF-BROADWAY


Words: frippery
Meaning:
noun\n[C, usually pl., U] (plural fripperies) (disapproving, especially BrE) objects, decorations and other items that are considered unnecessary and expensive:\nspending money on fripperies * She never wore perfume, considering it to be mere frippery.


Words: Frisbee
Meaning:
noun\na light plastic object, shaped like a plate, that is thrown from one player to another in a game


Words: frisk
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to pass your hands over sb’s body to search them for hidden weapons, drugs, etc.\n  2  [V] ~ (around) (of animals) to run and jump in a lively and happy way:\nLambs frisked in the fields.


Words: frisky
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of people or animals) full of energy; wanting to play:\na frisky puppy\n  2  (informal) wanting to enjoy yourself in a sexual way


Words: frisson
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (from French) a sudden strong feeling, especially of excitement or fear:\nA frisson of alarm ran down my spine.


Words: fritter
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  fritter sth<->away (on sth) to waste time or money on things that are not important:\nHe frittered away the millions his father had left him.\n    noun (usually in compounds) a piece of fruit, meat or vegetable that is covered with BATTER and fried


Words: frivolity
Meaning:
noun\n(plural frivolities) (often disapproving) [U, C] behaviour that is silly or amusing, especially when this is not suitable:\nIt was just a piece of harmless frivolity. * A wave of frivolity has overtaken the election campaign. * I can’t waste time on such frivolities.


Words: frivolous
Meaning:
adjective (disapproving)\n  1  (of people or their behaviour) silly or amusing, especially when such behaviour is not suitable:\nfrivolous comments / suggestions * Sorry, I was being frivolous.\n  2  having no useful or serious purpose:\nfrivolous pastimes / pleasures\n    frivolously adverb


Words: frizz
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V, VN] (informal) (of hair) to curl very tightly; to make hair do this\n    frizzy adjective:\nfrizzy hair * The rain made my hair go frizzy.\n    noun [U] (disapproving) hair that is very tightly curled


Words: frog
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a small animal with smooth skin, that lives both on land and in water (= is an AMPHIBIAN). Frogs have very long back legs for jumping, and no tail:\nthe croaking of frogs\n \n  2  (Frog) (informal) an offensive word for a French person\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  have, etc. a frog in your throat to lose your voice or be unable to speak clearly for a short time


Words: frogman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural frogmen ) (BrE) a person who works underwater, wearing a rubber suit, FLIPPERS, and special equipment to help them breathe:\nPolice frogmen searched the lake for the murder weapon.\ncompare DIVER


Words: frogmarch
Meaning:
verb\n[VN +adv./prep.] (BrE) to force sb to go somewhere by holding their arms tightly so they have to walk along with you:\nHe was grabbed by two men and frogmarched out of the hall.


Words: frolic
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-ck-) [V] to play and move around in a lively, happy way:\nchildren frolicking on the beach\n    noun [C, U] (old-fashioned) a lively and enjoyable activity during which people forget their problems and responsibilities:\nIt was just a harmless frolic. * The days of fun and frolic were gone for ever.


Words: from
Meaning:
preposition\n HELP NOTE  For the special uses of from in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example keep sth from sb is in the phrasal verb section at keep.\n  1  used to show where sb/sth starts:\nShe began to walk away from him. * Has the train from Bristol arrived?\n  2  used to show when sth starts:\nWe’re open from 8 to 7 every day. * He was blind from birth.\n  3  used to show who sent or gave sth/sb:\na letter from my brother * information from witnesses * the man from (= representing) the insurance company\n  4  used to show what the origin of sb/sth is:\nI’m from Italy. * documents from the sixteenth century * quotations from Shakespeare * heat from the sun\n  5  used to show the material that sth is made of:\nSteel is made from iron.\n  6  used to show how far apart two places are:\n100 metres from the scene of the accident\n  7  used to show sb’s position or point of view:\nYou can see the island from here. * From a financial point of view the project was a disaster.\n  8  ~ sth (to sth) used to show the range of sth:\nThe temperature varies from 30 degrees to minus 20. * The store sells everything from shoelaces to computers. * Conditions vary from school to school.\n  9  ~ sth (to sth) used to show the state or form of sth/sb before a change:\nThings have gone from bad to worse. * translating from English to Spanish * You need a break from routine.\n  10  used to show that sb/sth is separated or removed:\nThe party was ousted from power after eighteen years.\n  11  used to show that sth is prevented:\nShe saved him from drowning.\n  12  used to show the reason for sth:\nShe felt sick from tiredness.\n  13  used to show the reason for making a judgement:\nYou can tell a lot about a person from their handwriting. * From what I heard the company’s in deep trouble.\n  14  used when distinguishing between two people or things:\nIs Portuguese very different from Spanish? * I can’t tell one twin from the other.\n IDIOMS \n  from ...on starting at the time mentioned and continuously after that:\nFrom now on you can work on your own. * She never spoke to him again from that day on.


Words: frond
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a long leaf, often divided into parts along the edge, of some plants or trees, especially PALMS or FERNS\n  2  a long piece of SEAWEED that looks like one of these leaves


Words: front
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun\n  forward part / position\n \n  1  [C, usually sing.] (usually the front) the part or side of sth that faces forward; the side of sth that you look at first:\nThe front of the building was covered with ivy. * The book has a picture of Rome on the front. * The front of the car was badly damaged.\nsee also SHOPFRONT, Y-FRONTS\n \n  2  (the front) [sing.] the position that is in the direction that sb/sth is facing:\nKeep your eyes to the front and walk straight ahead. * There’s a garden at the front of the house.\n \n  3  (the front) [sing.] the part of sth that is furthest forward:\nI prefer to travel in the front of the car (= next to the driver). * The teacher made me move my seat to the front of the classroom. * Write your name in the front of the book (= the first few pages).\n  chest\n  4  (sb’s front) [sing.] the part of sb’s body that faces forwards; sb’s chest:\nShe was lying on her front. * I spilled coffee down my front.\n  side of building\n  5  [C] the west, north, south, east, etc. ~ the side of a large building, especially a church, that faces west, north, etc:\nthe west front of the cathedral\n  edge of sea / lake\n  6  (the front) [sing.] (BrE) the road or area of land along the edge of the sea, a lake or a river:\nCouples walked hand in hand along the front.\nsee also SEA FRONT\n  in war\n  7  [C, usually sing.] an area where fighting takes place during a war:\nMore British troops have been sent to the front. * to serve at the front * fighting a war on two fronts * Reports from the battle fronts became briefer and vaguer.\nsee also FRONT LINE, HOME FRONT\n  area of activity\n  8  [C] a particular area of activity:\nThings are looking unsettled on the economic front. * Progress has been made on all fronts.\n  hiding true feelings\n  9  [sing.] behaviour that is not genuine, done in order to hide your true feelings or opinions:\nRudeness is just a front for her shyness. * It’s not always easy putting on a brave front for the family. * The prime minister stressed the need to present a united front (= show people that all members of the group have the same opinion about things).\n  hiding sth illegal\n  10  [C, usually sing.] ~ (for sth) a person or an organization that is used to hide an illegal or secret activity:\nThe travel company is just a front for drug trafficking.\n  political organization\n  11  (Front) [sing.] used in the names of some political organizations:\nthe Animal Liberation Front\nsee also POPULAR FRONT\n  weather\n  12  [C] the line where a mass of cold air meets a mass of warm air:\na cold / warm front\n IDIOMS \n  front and center (AmE) in or into the most important position:\nThe issue has moved front and center in his presidential campaign.\n  in front adverb\n1 in a position that is further forward than sb/sth but not very far away:\nTheir house is the one with the big garden in front.\n2 in first place in a race or competition:\nThe blue team is currently in front with a lead of six points.\n  in front of preposition\n1 in a position that is further forward than sb/sth but not very far away:\nThe car in front of me stopped suddenly and I had to brake. * The bus stops right in front of our house. * He was standing in front of me in the line. * She spends all day sitting in front of (= working at) her computer. * She is now entitled to put ’Professor’ in front of her name.\n2 if you do sth in front of sb, you do it when they are there:\nPlease don’t talk about it in front of the children.\n3 ~ sb (of time) still to come; not yet passed:\nDon’t give up. You still have your whole life in front of you.\n  out front\n1 in the part of a theatre, restaurant, etc. where the public sits:\nThere’s only a small audience out front tonight. * He cooked while she sat out front and waited tables.\n2 (also BrE informal out the front) in the area near to the entrance to a building:\nI’ll wait for you out (the) front.\n  up front (informal)\n1 as payment in advance:\nWe’ll pay you half up front and the other half when you’ve finished the job.\n2 (in football) in a forward position:\nto play up front\nsee also UPFRONT\nmore at BACK n., CASH n., LEAD v.\n    adjective [only before noun] on or at the front of sth:\nthe front page of the newspaper * front teeth * the front wheels of the car * We had seats in the front row. * an animal’s front legs * Let’s go through to the front room (= the main room in a house where people sit and entertain guests). * a front-seat passenger\ncompare BACK, HIND adj.\n IDIOMS \n  on the front burner (informal, especially AmE) (of an issue, a plan, etc.) being given a lot of attention because it is considered important:\nAnything that keeps education on the front burner is good.\ncompare on the back burner at BACK adj.\n    verb\n  face sth\n  1  ~ (onto sth) to face sth or be in front of sth; to have the front pointing towards sth:\n[VN] The cathedral fronts the city’s main square. * [V] The line of houses fronted straight onto the road.\n  cover front\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] to have the front covered with sth:\na glass-fronted bookcase\n  lead group\n  3  [VN] to lead or represent an organization, a group, etc:\nHe fronts a multinational company. * A former art student fronted the band (= was the main singer).\n  present tv programme\n  4  [VN] (BrE) to present a television programme, a show, etc:\nThe former footballer will front a new television sports quiz.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  front for sb/sth to represent a group or an organization and try to hide its secret or illegal activities:\nHe fronted for them in several illegal property deals.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nin front of / in the front of\nIn front of can mean the same as outside but not opposite: I’ll meet you in front of/outside your hotel. * There’s a bus stop in front of the house (= on the same side of the road). * There’s a bus stop opposite the house (= on the other side of the road).\nIn/at the front (of sth) means ’in the most forward part of something’: The driver sits at the front of the bus. * Put the shortest flowers in the front (of the bunch).\n______________________________


Words: front office
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (especially AmE) the part of a business concerned with managing things or dealing with the public


Words: front runner
Meaning:
noun\na person, an animal or an organization that seems most likely to win a race or competition:\nHe is one of the front runners in the presidential election.


Words: front-of-house
Meaning:
noun [U] (BrE)\n  1  the parts of a theatre that are used by the audience:\nThere was an expectant atmosphere front-of-house.\n  2  (often used as an adjective) the business of dealing with an audience at a theatre, for example selling tickets and programmes:\na front-of-house manager


Words: front-page
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] important or interesting enough to be printed on the front page of a newspaper:\nThe divorce made front-page news.


Words: frontage
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] the front of a building, especially when this faces a road or river:\nthe baroque frontage of Milan Cathedral * a restaurant with good river frontage * The building’s street frontages are mostly of glass.\n  2  [U] (especially AmE) land that is next to a building, street or area of water:\nThey bought two miles of river frontage along the Colorado.


Words: frontal
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  connected with the front of sth:\nAir bags are designed to protect the driver in the event of a severe frontal impact. * full-frontal nudity (= showing the whole of the front of a person’s body)\n  2  (frontal attack / assault) an attack or criticism that is very strong and direct:\nThey launched a frontal attack on company directors.\n  3  connected with a weather FRONT:\na cold frontal system\n  4  (medical) connected with the front part of the head:\nthe frontal lobes of the brain\n    frontally  adverb


Words: frontbencher
Meaning:
noun\nan important member of the government or the OPPOSITION in the British parliament, who sits in the front rows of seats\ncompare BACK-BENCHER


Words: frontier
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) [C] ~ (between A and B) | ~ (with sth) a line that separates two countries, etc.; the land near this line:\nthe frontier between the land of the Saxons and that of the Danes * border guards on the frontier with Kuwait * a frontier town / zone / post\n  2  (the frontier) [sing.] the edge of land where people live and have built towns, beyond which the country is wild and unknown, especially in the Western US in the 19th century:\na remote frontier settlement\n  3  [C, usually pl.] ~ (of sth) the limit of sth, especially the limit of what is known about a particular subject or activity:\nto push back the frontiers of science (= to increase knowledge of science) * to roll back the frontiers of government (= to limit the powers of the government)


Words: frontiersman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural frontiersmen ) a man living on the frontier especially one who lived in the western US during the 19th century


Words: frontispiece
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a picture at the beginning of a book, on the page opposite the page with the title on it


Words: frontman
Meaning:
1  a person who represents an organization and tries to make its activities seem acceptable to the public, although in fact they may be illegal:\nHe acted as a frontman for a drugs cartel.\n  2  the leader of a group of musicians\n  3  (BrE) a person who presents a television programme


Words: frost
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, C] a weather condition in which the temperature drops below 0ｰC (= FREEZING POINT) so that a thin white layer of ice forms on the ground and other surfaces, especially at night:\nIt will be a clear night with some ground frost. * a sharp / hard / severe frost * There were ten degrees of frost (= the temperature dropped to -10ｰC) last night. * frost damage\n  2  [U] the thin white layer of ice that forms when the temperature drops below 0ｰC:\nThe car windows were covered with frost.\nsee also HOAR FROST\n    verb\n  1  ~ (sth) (over / up) to cover sth or to become covered with a thin white layer of ice:\n[VN] The mirror was frosted up. * [V] The windows had frosted over.\n  2  [VN] (especially AmE) to cover a cake with ICING/FROSTING


Words: frostbite
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a medical condition in which parts of the body, especially the fingers and toes, become damaged as a result of extremely cold temperatures:\nThe climbers were all suffering from frostbite.\n    frostbitten  adjective


Words: frosted
Meaning:
adjective\n \n  1  [only before noun] (of glass) that has been given a rough surface, so that it is difficult to see through:\nfrosted windows\n \n  2  (especially AmE) (of cakes, etc.) covered with ICING/FROSTING\n \n  3  covered with FROST:\nthe frosted garden / ground


Words: frosty
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of the weather) extremely cold; cold with FROST:\na frosty morning * He breathed in the frosty air. * It’s frosty outside.\n  2  covered with FROST:\nfrosty fields\n  3  unfriendly, in a way that suggests that sb does not approve of sth:\na frosty look / reply * My questions were met with a frosty silence. * The latest proposals were given a frosty reception.\n    frostily  adverb:\n’No, thank you,’ she said frostily.


Words: froth
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] a mass of small bubbles, especially on the surface of a liquid\nSYN FOAM:\na glass of beer with thick froth on top * The horse’s bit was covered with white froth.\n  2  [U] ideas, activities, etc. that seem attractive and enjoyable but have no real value\n  3  [sing.] ~ of sth something that looks like a mass of small bubbles on liquid:\na froth of black lace\n    verb\n  1  if a liquid froths, or if sb/sth froths it, a mass of small bubbles appears on the surface:\n[V] a cup of frothing coffee * The water gushed and frothed. [also VN]\n  2  [V] to produce a lot of SALIVA (= liquid in your mouth):\nThe dog was frothing at the mouth. * (figurative) He frothed at the mouth (= was very angry) when I asked for more money.


Words: frothy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of liquids) having a mass of small bubbles on the surface:\nfrothy coffee * a frothy mixture of eggs and milk * Add the eggs and beat until frothy.\n  2  seeming attractive and enjoyable but having no real value:\nfrothy romantic novels\n  3  (of clothes or fabric) light and delicate:\na frothy pink dress


Words: frown
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n ~ (at sb/sth) to make a serious, angry or worried expression by bringing your EYEBROWS closer together so that lines appear on your forehead:\n[V] What are you frowning at me for? * She frowned with concentration. [also V speech] \n \n PHRASAL VERBS \n \n  frown on / upon sb/sth to disapprove of sb/sth:\nIn her family, any expression of feeling was frowned upon.\n    noun [usually sing.] a serious, angry or worried expression on a person’s face that causes lines on their forehead:\nA small frown creased her forehead. * She looked up with a puzzled frown on her face. * a slight frown of disapproval / concentration


Words: frozen
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] (of food) kept at a very low temperature in order to preserve it:\nfrozen peas\n  2  [not usually before noun] (of people or parts of the body) extremely cold:\nI’m absolutely frozen! * You look frozen stiff.\n  3  (of rivers, lakes, etc.) with a layer of ice on the surface\n  4  (especially of ground) so cold that it has become very hard:\nThe ground was frozen solid.\n  5  ~ with / in sth unable to move because of a strong emotion such as fear or horror:\nShe stared at him, frozen with shock.\nsee also FREEZE v.


Words: frugal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  using only as much money or food as is necessary:\na frugal existence / life * He has always been hard-working and frugal. * a frugal Methodist background\n  2  (of meals) small, plain and not costing very much:\na frugal lunch of bread and cheese\n    frugality  noun [U]\n    frugally  adverb:\nto live / eat frugally


Words: fruit
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C, U] the part of a plant that consists of a stone/pit or seeds and flesh, can be eaten as food and usually tastes sweet:\ntropical fruits, such as bananas and pineapples * Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. * fruit juice * fruit trees\nsee also DRIED FRUIT, FIRST FRUIT, SOFT FRUIT\ncompare VEGETABLE\n \n  2  [C] (technical) a part of a plant or tree that is formed after the flowers have died and in which seeds develop\n \n  3  [C, usually pl.] (literary) all the natural things that the earth produces\n \n IDIOMS \n  the fruit / fruits of sth the good results of an activity or a situation:\nto enjoy the fruits of your labours (= the rewards for your hard work) * The book is the fruit of years of research.\nmore at BEAR v., FORBIDDEN\n    verb [V] (technical) (of a tree or plant) to produce fruit


Words: fruit cake
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a cake containing dried fruit\n  2  (fruitcake) [C] (informal) a person who behaves in a strange or crazy way:\nShe’s nutty as a fruitcake.


Words: fruit machine
Meaning:
(BrE) (also one-armed bandit, slot machine AmE, BrE) noun\na gambling machine that you put coins into and that gives money back if particular pictures appear together on the screen


Words: fruiterer
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, especially BrE) a person who owns or manages a shop/store selling fruit\ncompare GREENGROCER


Words: fruitful
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  producing many useful results:\na fruitful collaboration / discussion * a fruitful source of information * The research has proved extremely fruitful.\nOPP FRUITLESS\n  2  (literary) (of land or trees) producing a lot of crops\n    fruitfully  adverb:\nComputers are now widely and fruitfully used in classrooms throughout Europe.\n    fruitfulness  noun [U]:\nIt takes time for the validity or fruitfulness of any academic development to become clear.


Words: fruition
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the successful result of a plan, a process or an activity:\nAfter months of hard work, our plans finally came to fruition. * His extravagant ideas were never brought to fruition.


Words: fruitless
Meaning:
adjective\nproducing no useful results:\na fruitless attempt / search * Our efforts to persuade her proved fruitless.\nOPP FRUITFUL\n    fruitlessly adverb


Words: fruity
Meaning:
adjective (fruitier, fruitiest)\n  1  smelling or tasting strongly of fruit:\nThe wine from this region is rich and fruity. * This cheese has a slightly fruity flavour.\n  2  (of a voice or laugh) deep and pleasant in quality\n  3  (AmE, informal) (of people) slightly crazy


Words: frump
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a woman who wears clothes that are not fashionable\n    frumpy (also less frequent frumpish) adjective:\nfrumpy clothes / shoes * a frumpy housewife


Words: frustrate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to make sb feel annoyed or impatient because they cannot do or achieve what they want:\nWhat frustrates him is that there’s too little money to spend on the project.\n  2  (written) to prevent sb from doing sth; to prevent sth from happening or succeeding:\nThe rescue attempt was frustrated by bad weather. * He tried to frustrate his political opponents by denying them access to the media.


Words: frustrated
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not before noun] ~ (at / with sth) feeling annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want:\nIt’s very easy to get frustrated in this job. * They felt frustrated at the lack of progress. * His apathy just made her even more frustrated.\n  2  (of an emotion) having no effect; not being satisfied:\nHe stamped his foot in frustrated rage. * frustrated desires / passions\n  3  [only before noun] unable to be successful in a particular career:\na frustrated artist\n  4  not satisfied sexually


Words: frustrating
Meaning:
adjective\ncausing you to feel annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want:\nIt’s frustrating to have to wait so long. * The frustrating thing is, they probably won’t even be in when we get there.\n    frustratingly adverb:\nProgress was frustratingly slow.


Words: frustration
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the feeling of being frustrated:\nDave thumped the table in frustration. * She couldn’t stand the frustration of not being able to help. * sexual frustration\n  2  [C, usually pl.] something that causes you to feel frustrated:\nEvery job has its difficulties and frustrations. * Inevitably she took out her frustrations on the children.\n  3  [U] ~ of sth (formal) the fact that sth is preventing sth/sb from succeeding:\nthe frustration of all his ambitions


Words: fry
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n (fries, frying, fried, fried) to cook sth in hot fat or oil; to be cooked in hot fat or oil:\n[VN] fried fish * [V] the smell of bacon frying\nrelated noun FRY-UP\nsee also STIR-FRY\n \n IDIOMS  see FISH n.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  [pl.] very small young fish\nsee also SMALL FRY\n \n  2  [C] (usually fries) [pl.] (especially AmE) = CHIP


Words: fry-up
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) a meal of fried food, such as BACON and eggs:\nIt’s not good for your heart to eat too many fry-ups.


Words: fryer
Meaning:
(also frier)  noun\n  1  a large deep pan used for frying food in:\na deep-fat fryer\n  2  (AmE) a young chicken that is suitable for frying


Words: frying pan
Meaning:
(AmE also frypan, skillet) noun\na large shallow pan with a long handle, used for frying food in\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  out of the frying pan into the fire from a bad situation to one that is worse


Words: FT
Meaning:
(also F / T) abbreviation\n(in writing) FULL-TIME:\nThe course is 1 year FT, 2 years PT.\ncompare PT


Words: ft
Meaning:
(BrE) (also ft. AmE, BrE) abbreviation\n(in writing measurements) feet; foot:\nThe room is 12ft x 9ft.


Words: fuck
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (!!!, slang)\n  1  [V, VN] to have sex with sb\n  2  a swear word that many people find offensive that is used to express anger, disgust or surprise:\n[V] Oh, fuck! I’ve lost my keys. * [VN] Fuck it! We’ve missed the train. * Fuck you-I’m leaving.\n IDIOMS \n  fuck me used to express surprise:\nFuck me! Have you seen how much this costs?\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  fuck around (BrE also fuck about) to waste time by behaving in a silly way:\nStop fucking around and come and help.\n HELP NOTE  A more polite, informal way of saying this is mess about (BrE) or mess around (AmE,BrE).\n  fuck sb around (BrE also fuck sb about) to treat sb in a way that is deliberately not helpful to them or wastes their time:\nThis damn company keeps fucking me around.\n HELP NOTE  A more polite, informal way of saying this is mess sb about / around (BrE).\n  fuck off (usually used in orders) to go away:\nWhy don’t you just fuck off?\n  fuck up to do sth badly or make a bad mistake:\nYou’ve really fucked up this time!\n HELP NOTE  A more polite way to express this is mess up.\n  fuck sb<->up to upset or confuse sb so much that they are not able to deal with problems in their life:\nMy parents’ divorce really fucked me up.\n HELP NOTE  A more polite way to express this is mess sb up.\n  fuck sth<->up to do sth badly or spoil sth:\nI completely fucked up my exams.\n HELP NOTE  A more polite, informal way of saying this is foul sth up, cock sth up (slang), mess sth up or bungle sth.\n  fuck with sb to treat sb badly in a way that makes them annoyed:\nDon’t fuck with him.\n HELP NOTE  A more polite way to express this is mess with sb.\n    noun (!!!, slang)\n  1  [C, usually sing.] an act of sex\n  2  (the fuck) [sing.] used for emphasis, or to show that you are angry, annoyed or surprised:\nWhat the fuck are you doing? * Let’s get the fuck out of here!\n IDIOMS \n  not give a fuck (about sb/sth) to not care at all about sb/sth:\nHe doesn’t give a fuck about anyone else.\nsee also F-WORD


Words: fuck all
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE, !!!, slang) a phrase that many people find offensive, used to mean ’none at all’ or ’nothing at all’:\nYou’ve done fuck all today. * These instructions make fuck all sense to me.


Words: fucking
Meaning:
adjective, adverb\n(!!!, spoken) a swear word that many people find offensive that is used to emphasize a comment or an angry statement:\nI’m fucking sick of this fucking rain! * He’s a fucking good player.\n IDIOMS \n  fucking well (especially BrE) used to emphasize an angry statement or an order:\nYou’re fucking well coming whether you want to or not.


Words: fuddled
Meaning:
adjective\nunable to think clearly, usually as a result of old age or drinking alcohol:\nShe forced her weary fuddled brain to work.


Words: fuddy-duddy
Meaning:
noun\n(plural fuddy-duddies) (informal) a person who has old-fashioned ideas or habits:\nYou’re such an old fuddy-duddy!\n    fuddy-duddy adjective:\nfuddy-duddy ideas


Words: fudge
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] a type of soft brown sweet/candy made from sugar, butter and milk\n  2  (a fudge) [sing.] (especially BrE) a way of dealing with a situation that does not really solve the problems but is intended to appear to do so:\nThis solution is a fudge rushed in to win cheers at the party conference.\n    verb ~ (on) sth to avoid giving clear and accurate information, or a clear answer: [VN] I asked how long he was staying, but he fudged the answer. * Politicians are often very clever at fudging the issue. [also V]


Words: fuel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [U, C] any material that produces heat or power, usually when it is burnt:\nsolid fuel (= wood, coal, etc.) * nuclear fuels * a car with high fuel consumption * Domestic fuel bills are set to rise again in the autumn.\nsee also FOSSIL FUEL\n \n IDIOMS  see ADD v.\n    verb (-ll-, AmE -l-)\n  1  [VN] to supply sth with material that can be burnt to produce heat or power:\nUranium is used to fuel nuclear plants. * oil-fuelled power stations\n  2  ~ (sth) (up) to put petrol/gas into a vehicle:\n[VN] The helicopter was already fuelled (up) and ready to go. [also V]\n  3  [VN] (written) to increase sth; to make sth stronger:\nto fuel speculation / rumours / fears * Higher salaries helped to fuel inflation.


Words: fuel injection
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a system of putting fuel into the engine of a car under pressure as a way of improving its performance


Words: fug
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (BrE, informal) air in a room that is hot and smells unpleasant because there are too many people in the room or because people are smoking:\nthe fug of stale smoke and sweat


Words: fugitive
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun ~ (from sb/sth) a person who has escaped or is running away from somewhere and is trying to avoid being caught:\na fugitive from justice\n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  trying to avoid being caught:\na fugitive criminal\n  2  (literary) lasting only for a very short time:\na fugitive idea / thought


Words: fugue
Meaning:
noun\na piece of music in which one or more tunes are introduced and then repeated in a complicated pattern


Words: fulcrum
Meaning:
1  (physics) the point on which a LEVER turns or is supported\n \n  2  [usually sing.] (written) the most important part of an activity, or a situation:\nthe fulcrum of the whole debate * There was a fulcrum point when the arguments tipped decidedly in one direction.


Words: fulfil
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE fulfill)  verb (fulfilling, fulfilled, fulfilled) [VN] \n  1  to do or achieve what was hoped for or expected:\nto fulfil your dream / ambition / potential\n  2  to do or have what is required or necessary:\nto fulfil a duty / obligation / promise * to fulfil the terms / conditions of an agreement * No candidate fulfils all the criteria for this position.\n  3  to have a particular role or purpose:\nNursery schools should fulfil the function of preparing children for school.\n  4  ~ sb / yourself to make sb feel happy and satisfied with what they are doing or have done:\nI need a job that really fulfils me. * He was able to fulfil himself through his painting.\n    fulfilment (BrE) (AmE fulfillment) noun [U]:\nthe fulfilment of dreams / desires / hopes * to find emotional / personal fulfilment


Words: fulfilled
Meaning:
adjective\nfeeling happy and satisfied that you are doing sth useful with your life:\nHe doesn’t feel fulfilled in his present job.\nOPP UNFULFILLED


Words: fulfilling
Meaning:
adjective\ncausing sb to feel satisfied and useful:\na fulfilling experience * I’m finding the work much more fulfilling now.


Words: full
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective (fuller, fullest)\n  with no empty space\n  1  ~ (of sth) containing or holding as much or as many as possible; having no empty space:\na full bottle of wine * She could only nod, because her mouth was full. * My suitcase was full of books. * There were cardboard boxes stuffed full of clothes. * (BrE) Sorry, the hotel is full up tonight.\n  having a lot\n  2  ~ of sth having or containing a large number or amount of sth:\nThe sky was full of brightly coloured fireworks. * Life is full of coincidences. * Our new brochure is crammed full of inspirational ideas. * animals pumped full of antibiotics * She was full of admiration for the care she had received. * He smiled, his eyes full of laughter.\n  talking a lot\n  3  (of a person) ~ of sth thinking or talking a lot about a particular thing:\nHe was full of his new job and everything he’d been doing.\n  with food\n  4  (BrE also full up) having had enough to eat:\nNo more for me, thanks-I’m full up. * The kids still weren’t full, so I gave them an ice cream each. * You can’t run on a full stomach.\n  complete\n  5  [usually before noun] complete; with nothing missing:\nFull details are available on request. * I still don’t think we’ve heard the full story. * a full English breakfast * A full refund will be given if the item is faulty. * Fill in your full name and address. * The address must be printed in full. * The country applied for full membership of the European Union. * It is too early to assess the full extent of the damage. * They sell a full range of hair and beauty products.\n  as much as possible\n  6  [usually before noun] to the highest level or greatest amount possible:\nMany people don’t use their computers to their full potential. * measures to achieve full employment * Students should take full advantage of the university’s facilities. * I’ve always believed in living life to the full. * She came round the corner at full speed.\n  for emphasis\n  7  [only before noun] used to emphasize an amount or a quantity:\nShe is a full four inches shorter than her sister.\n  busy\n  8  busy; involving a lot of activities:\nHe’d had a very full life. * Her life was too full to find time for hobbies.\n  moon\n  9  appearing as a complete circle:\nThe moon was full, the sky clear.\nsee also FULL MOON\n  fat\n  10  (of a person or part of the body) large and round. ’Full’ is sometimes used to avoid saying ’fat’:\nHe kissed her full sensual lips. * They specialize in clothes for women with a fuller figure.\n  clothes\n  11  made with plenty of fabric; fitting loosely:\na full skirt\n  tone / voice / flavour\n  12  deep, strong and rich:\nHe draws a unique full sound from the instrument. * the full fruity flavour of the wine\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing full are at the entries for the nouns and verbs in the idioms, for example full of the joys of spring is at joy.\n  full of yourself (disapproving) very proud; thinking only of yourself\n    adverb ~ in / on sth directly:\nShe looked him full in the face.


Words: full board
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of accommodation in a hotel, etc. that includes all meals:\nDo you require full or half board?\ncompare BED AND BREAKFAST, HALF BOARD


Words: full house
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an occasion in a theatre, cinema/movie theater, etc. when there are no empty seats:\nThey played to a full house.\n  2  (in the card game of POKER) three cards of one kind and two of another kind


Words: full marks
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (BrE) the highest mark/grade in a test, etc. (when you get nothing wrong):\nShe got full marks in the exam. * (figurative) Full marks to Bill for an excellent idea! (= he deserves praise)


Words: full moon
Meaning:
noun\n[C, usually sing, U] the moon when it appears as a full circle; a time when this happens\ncompare HALF-MOON, HARVEST MOON, NEW MOON


Words: full stop
Meaning:
noun, adverb \n    noun (also less frequent stop) (both BrE) (AmE period) the mark ( . ) used at the end of a sentence and in some abbreviations, for example e.g.\n IDIOMS \n  come to a full stop to stop completely:\nThe car began to shudder and eventually came to a full stop in front of the church.\n    adverb (BrE) (also period AmE, BrE) (spoken) used at the end of a sentence to emphasize that there is nothing more to say about a subject:\nI’ve already told you-we can’t afford it, full stop!


Words: full time
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) the end of a game of football, rugby, etc:\nThe referee blew his whistle for full time. * The full-time score was 1-1.\ncompare HALF-TIME


Words: full-blooded
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  involving very strong feelings or actions; done in an enthusiastic way:\na full-blooded attack * All of these initiatives stopped well short of full-blooded state intervention.\n  2  having parents, grandparents, etc. from only one race:\na full-blooded Scotsman


Words: full-blown
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] having all the characteristics of sb/sth; fully developed:\nfull-blown Aids * The border dispute turned into a full-blown crisis.


Words: full-bodied
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving a pleasantly strong taste or sound:\na full-bodied red wine * a full-bodied string section


Words: full-colour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE full-color) adjective\n[only before noun] printed using colours rather than just black and white


Words: full-court press
Meaning:
noun [sing.] (AmE)\n  1  (in basketball) a way of attacking in which the members of a team stay close to their opponents over the whole area of play\n  2  (informal) a strong effort to influence sb or a group of people by putting pressure on them:\nPresident Clinton has been making a full-court press for Catholic voters.


Words: full-fat
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (especially BrE) (of milk, cheese, etc.) without any of the fat removed


Words: full-grown
Meaning:
adjective\n(of people, animals or plants) having reached the greatest size to which they can grow and stopped growing:\na full-grown adult / horse / oak


Words: full-length
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (of a mirror or picture) showing the whole of a person’s body:\na full-length portrait\n  2  (of a book, play, etc.) not made shorter; of the usual length:\na full-length novel\n  3  (of curtains or a window) reaching the ground\n  4  (of clothing) reaching a person’s ankles:\na full-length skirt / coat\n    adverb a person who is lying full-length is lying flat with their legs straight:\nHe was sprawled full-length across the bed.


Words: full-scale
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  that is as complete and thorough as possible:\na full-scale attack * The police made a full-scale search of the area.\n  2  that is the same size as sth that is being copied:\na full-scale model


Words: full-size
Meaning:
(also full-sized) adjective\n[only before noun] not made smaller; of the usual size:\na full-size model * a full-size snooker table


Words: full-term
Meaning:
adjective (technical)\n  1  (of a pregnancy) lasting the normal length of time\n  2  (of a baby) born after a pregnancy lasting the normal length of time


Words: full-time
Meaning:
adjective, adverb\n(abbreviation FT) for all the hours of a week during which people normally work or study, rather than just for a part of it:\nstudents in full-time education * a full-time employee * a full-time job * Looking after a child is a full-time job (= hard work that takes a lot of time). * She works full-time and still manages to run a home.\ncompare PART-TIME


Words: fullback
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] one of the defending players in football/soccer, hockey or rugby whose position is near the goal they are defending\n  2  [C] the attacking player in American football whose position is behind the QUARTERBACK and beside the HALFBACKS\n  3  [U] the position a fullback plays at:\nHunter is at fullback.


Words: fullness
Meaning:
noun [U, sing.]\n  1  (of the body or part of the body) the quality of being large and round:\nthe fullness of her lips\n  2  (of colours, sounds and flavours) the quality of being deep and rich:\nThis recording has a fullness and warmth that brings out the orchestration.\n  3  the quality of being complete and satisfying:\nthe fullness of life\n IDIOMS \n  in the fullness of time when the time is appropriate, usually after a long period:\nI have no doubt that she’ll tell us in the fullness of time.


Words: fully
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  completely:\nfully recovered / developed / equipped * We are fully aware of the dangers. * I fully understand your motives.\n  2  (formal) (used to emphasize an amount) the whole of; as much as:\nThe disease affects fully 30 per cent of the population.


Words: fully-fledged
Meaning:
(BrE) (also full-fledged AmE, BrE) adjective\n[usually before noun] completely developed; with all the qualifications necessary for sth:\nthe emergence of a fully-fledged market economy * She was now a fully-fledged member of the teaching profession.


Words: fulminate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ against (sb/sth) (formal) to criticize sb/sth angrily:\nHe was always fulminating against interference from the government.\n    fulmination  noun [C, U]


Words: fulsome
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) too generous in praising or thanking sb, or in saying sorry, so that you do not sound sincere:\na fulsome apology / tribute * He was fulsome in his praise of the Prime Minister.\n    fulsomely adverb


Words: fumble
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (at / with / in sth) (for sth) | ~ (around) to use your hands in an an awkward way when you are doing sth or looking for sth:\n[V] She fumbled in her pocket for a handkerchief. * He fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. * She was fumbling around in the dark looking for the light switch. * [VN] He fumbled the key into the ignition. [also V to inf]\n  2  to have difficulty speaking clearly or finding the right words to say:\n[V] During the interview, she fumbled helplessly for words. * [VN] to fumble an announcement\n  3  [VN] (especially in sport) to drop a ball or to fail to stop or kick it\n    noun\n  1  [sing.] (also fumbling [C, usually pl.]) an awkward action using the hands\n  2  [C] (AmE) the action of dropping the ball while it is in play in American football:\nAfter a Pittsburgh fumble, Miami scored a touchdown.


Words: fume
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (at / over / about sb/sth) to be very angry about sth:\n[V] She sat in the car, silently fuming at the traffic jam. * He was fuming with indignation. [also V speech]\n  2  [V] to produce smoke or fumes


Words: fumes
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (also less frequent fume [U]) smoke, gas, or sth similar that smells strongly or is dangerous to breathe in:\ndiesel / petrol / exhaust fumes * to be overcome by smoke and fumes * Clouds of toxic fumes escaped in a huge chemical factory blaze. * The body of a man was found in a fume filled car yesterday.


Words: fumigate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to use special chemicals, smoke or gas to destroy the harmful insects or bacteria in a place:\nto fumigate a room\n    fumigation  noun [U, C]


Words: fun
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [U]\n  1  enjoyment; pleasure; a thing that gives enjoyment or pleasure and makes you feel happy:\nWe had a lot of fun at Sarah’s party. * Sailing is good fun. * Have fun (= Enjoy yourself)! * I decided to learn Spanish, just for fun. * I didn’t do all that work just for the fun of it. * It’s not much fun going to a party on your own. * ’What fun!’ she said with a laugh. * Walking three miles in the pouring rain is not my idea of fun. * The whole family can join in the fun at Water World. * ’What do you say to a weekend in New York?’ ’Sounds like fun.’\n  2  behaviour or activities that are not serious but come from a sense of enjoyment:\nShe’s very lively and full of fun. * We didn’t mean to hurt him. It was just a bit of fun. * It wasn’t serious - it was all done in fun.\n IDIOMS \n  fun and games (informal) activities that are not serious and that other people may disapprove of\n  make fun of sb/sth to laugh at sb/sth or make other people laugh at them, usually in an unkind way:\nIt’s cruel to make fun of people who stammer.\nmore at FIGURE n., POKE v.\n    adjective amusing or enjoyable:\nShe’s really fun to be with. * This game looks fun! * There are lots of fun things for young people to do here.


Words: fun run
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) an event in which people run a long distance, for fun, and to collect money for charity


Words: function
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] a special activity or purpose of a person or thing:\nto fulfil / perform a useful function * bodily functions (= for example eating, sex, using the toilet) * The function of the heart is to pump blood through the body. * This design aims for harmony of form and function.\n  2  [C] a social event or official ceremony:\nThe hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions. * There are numerous functions in aid of charity.\n  3  [C] (mathematics) a quantity whose value depends on the varying values of others. In the statement 2x=y, y is a function of x: (figurative) Salary is a function of age and experience.\n  4  [C] (computing) a part of a program, etc. that carries out a basic operation\n    verb [often +adv./prep.] to work in the correct way\nSYN OPERATE:\nDespite the power cuts, the hospital continued to function normally. * We now have a functioning shower. * Many children can’t function effectively in large classes.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  function as sb/sth to perform the action or the job of the thing or person mentioned:\nThe sofa also functions as a bed. * I need money to be able to function as an artist.


Words: function key
Meaning:
noun\n(computing) one of several keys on a computer keyboard, each marked with ’F’ and a number, that can be used to do sth, such as save a file or get to the ’help’ function in a program


Words: functional
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  practical and useful; with little or no decoration:\nBathrooms don’t have to be purely functional. * The office was large and functional rather than welcoming.\n  2  having a special purpose; making it possible for sb to do sth or for sth to happen:\na functional disorder (= an illness caused when an organ of the body fails to perform its function) * a functional approach to language learning * These units played a key functional role in the military operation.\n  3  (especially of a machine, an organization or a system) working; able to work:\na fully functional hospital\n    functionally  adverb


Words: functionalism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the idea or belief that the most important thing about the style or design of a building or object is how it is going to be used, not how it will look\n    functionalist  noun\n    functionalist adjective [usually before noun]


Words: functionality
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the quality in sth of being very suitable for the purpose it was designed for\nSYN PRACTICALITY\n  2  [U] the purpose that sth is designed for or expected to perform:\nManufacturing processes may be affected by the functionality of the product.\n  3  [U, C] (computing) the range of functions that a computer or other electronic system can perform:\nnew software with additional functionality


Words: functionary
Meaning:
noun\n(plural functionaries) (disapproving) a person with official duties:\nparty / state / government functionaries


Words: fund
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] an amount of money that has been saved or has been made available for a particular purpose:\na disaster relief fund * the company’s pension fund * the International Monetary Fund\n  2  (funds) [pl.] money that is available to be spent:\ngovernment funds * The hospital is trying to raise funds for a new kidney machine. * The project has been cancelled because of lack of funds * I’m short of funds at the moment-can I pay you back next week?\n  3  [sing.]  of sth an amount or a supply of sth:\na fund of knowledge\n    verb [VN] to provide money for sth, usually sth official:\na dance festival funded by the Arts Council * The museum is privately funded. * a government-funded programme


Words: fund-raiser
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who collects money for a charity or an organization\n  2  a social event or entertainment held in order to collect money for a charity or an organization\n    fund-raising noun [U]:\nThe hospice is planning a major fund-raising event for June.


Words: fundamental
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  serious and very important; affecting the most central and important parts of sth:\nThere is a fundamental difference between the two points of view. * A fundamental change in the organization of health services was required. * a question of fundamental importance\n  2  ~ (to sth) central; forming the necessary basis of sth:\nHard work is fundamental to success.\n  3  [only before noun] (physics) forming the source or base from which everything else is made; not able to be divided any further:\na fundamental particle\n    noun [usually pl.] a basic rule or principle; an essential part:\nthe fundamentals of modern physics * He taught me the fundamentals of the job.


Words: fundamental force
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a force that is a PROPERTY (= characteristic) of everything in the universe. There are four fundamental forces including GRAVITY and ELECTROMAGNETISM.


Words: fundamentalism
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the practice of following very strictly the basic rules and teachings of any religion\n  2  (in Christianity) the belief that everything that is written in the Bible is completely true\n    fundamentalist  noun:\nMuslim fundamentalists\n    fundamentalist  adjective


Words: fundamentally
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in every way that is important; completely:\nThe two approaches are fundamentally different. * By the 1960s the situation had changed fundamentally. * They remained fundamentally opposed to the plan.\n  2  used when you are introducing a topic and stating sth important about it\nSYN BASICALLY:\nFundamentally, there are two different approaches to the problem.\n  3  used when you are saying what is the most important thing about sb/sth\nSYN BASICALLY:\nShe is fundamentally a nice person, but she finds it difficult to communicate.


Words: funder
Meaning:
noun\na person or an organization that provides money for a particular purpose:\nThe report is written primarily for potential funders of the project.


Words: funding
Meaning:
noun\n[U] money for a particular purpose; the act of providing money for such a purpose:\nThere have been large cuts in government funding for scientific research.


Words: funeral
Meaning:
noun\na ceremony, usually a religious one, for burying or CREMATING (= burning) a dead person:\nHundreds of people attended the funeral. * a funeral procession * a funeral march (= a sad piece of music suitable for funerals)\n IDIOMS \n  it’s your funeral (informal) used to tell sb that they, and nobody else, will have to deal with the unpleasant results of their own actions


Words: funeral parlour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE funeral parlor) (also funeral home AmE, BrE) (AmE also mortuary) noun\na place where dead people are prepared for being buried or CREMATED (= burned) and where visitors can see the body


Words: funereal
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) suitable for a funeral; sad:\na funereal atmosphere * to walk at a funereal pace (= very slowly)


Words: fungus
Meaning:
1  [C, often pl.] any plant without leaves, flowers or green colouring, usually growing on other plants or on decaying matter. MUSHROOMS and MILDEW are both fungi.\n \n  2  [U, C] a covering of MOULD or a similar fungus, for example on a plant or wall:\nfungus infections


Words: funicular
Meaning:
(also funicular railway) noun\na railway on a steep slope, with the carriages being pulled up and down by a moving cable


Words: funk
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] a type of modern dance music with a strong rhythm\n  2  (also blue funk) [sing.] (old-fashioned, informal) a state of fear or anxiety\n    verb [VN] (BrE, informal) to avoid doing sth because you are afraid to or find it difficult


Words: funky
Meaning:
adjective (funkier, funkiest) (informal)\n  1  (of pop music) with a strong rhythm that is easy to dance to:\na funky disco beat\n  2  (approving, especially AmE) fashionable and unusual:\nShe wears really funky clothes.


Words: funnel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a device that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, used for pouring liquids or powders into a small opening\n \n  2  (BrE) (also smokestack AmE, BrE) a metal chimney, for example on a ship or an engine, through which smoke comes out\n    verb (-ll-, AmE -l-) to move or make sth move through a narrow space, or as if through a funnel:\n[V] Wind was funnelling through the gorge. * [VN] Huge pipes funnel the water down the mountainside. * Barricades funnelled the crowds towards the square. * (figurative) Some $10 million in aid was funnelled into the country through government agencies.


Words: funnies
Meaning:
noun\n(the funnies) [pl.] (AmE, informal) the part of a newspaper where there are several COMIC STRIPS (= series of drawings that tell a funny story)


Words: funnily
Meaning:
adverb\nin a strange way\n IDIOMS \n  funnily enough used to show that you expect people to find a particular fact surprising:\nFunnily enough, I met her only yesterday.


Words: funny
Meaning:
adjective (funnier, funniest)\n  amusing\n  1  making you laugh; amusing:\na funny story * That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. * It’s not funny! Someone could have been hurt. * I was really embarrassed, but then I saw the funny side of it. * (ironic) Oh very funny! You expect me to believe that? * ’What’s so funny?’ she demanded.\n HELP NOTE  Note that funny does not mean ’enjoyable’: The party was great fun. * _T_h_e_ _p_a_r_t_y_ _w_a_s_ _v_e_r_y_ _f_u_n_n_y_.\n  strange\n  2  (especially spoken) difficult to explain or understand:\nA funny thing happened to me today. * It’s funny how things never happen the way you expect them to. * That’s funny-he was here a moment ago and now he’s gone. * The funny thing is it never happened again after that. * The engine’s making a very funny noise. * I’m pleased I didn’t get that job, in a funny sort of way.\n  suspicious / illegal\n  3  (informal) suspicious and probably illegal or dishonest:\nI suspect there may be something funny going on. * If there has been any funny business, we’ll soon find out.\n  without respect\n  4  (BrE, especially spoken) humorous in a way that shows a lack of respect for sb\nSYN CHEEKY:\nDon’t you get funny with me!\n  ill / sick\n  5  (informal) slightly ill/sick:\nI feel a bit funny today-I don’t think I’ll go to work.\n  crazy\n  6  (BrE, informal) slightly crazy; not like other people:\nThat Dave’s a funny chap, isn’t he? * She went a bit funny after her husband died.\n  machine\n  7  (informal) not working as it should:\nMy computer keeps going funny.


Words: funny bone
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (informal) the part of the elbow containing a very sensitive nerve that is painful if you hit it against sth


Words: fur
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] the soft thick mass of hair that grows on the body of some animals:\nThe cat carefully licked its fur.\n \n  2  [U] the skin of an animal with the fur still on it, used especially for making clothes:\na fur coat * the fur trade * a fur farm (= where animals are bred and killed for their fur) * The animal is hunted for its fur. * fur-lined gloves\n \n  3  [U] an artificial fabric that looks and feels like fur\n \n  4  [C] a piece of clothing, especially a coat or jacket, made of real or artificial fur:\nelegant ladies in furs\n  5  (BrE) = SCALE n. (9)\n  6  [U] a greyish-white layer that forms on a person’s tongue, especially when they are ill\nsee also FURRED


Words: furious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1   (with sb) |  (at sth/sb) very angry:\nShe was absolutely furious at having been deceived. * He was furious with himself for letting things get so out of control.\n  2  with great energy, speed or anger:\na furious argument / debate * She drove off at a furious pace. * A furious row broke out last night after it was revealed that hundreds of prisoners had been released early from jail.\nsee also FURY\n    furiously adverb:\nfuriously angry * ’Damn!’ he said furiously. * They worked furiously all weekend, trying to get it finished on time.\n IDIOMS  see FAST adj.


Words: furlong
Meaning:
noun\n(especially in horse racing) a unit for measuring distance, equal to 220 YARDS or 201 metres; one EIGHTH of a mile


Words: furlough
Meaning:
noun [U, C]\n  1  permission to leave your duties for a period of time, especially for soldiers working in a foreign country:\nto go home on furlough * a six-week furlough\n  2  (AmE) permission for a prisoner to leave prison for a period of time\n  3  (AmE) a period of time during which workers are told not to come to work, usually because there is not enough money to pay them\n    furlough verb [VN]


Words: furnace
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an enclosed space or room for heating metal or glass to very high temperatures:\nIt’s like a furnace (= very hot) in here!\nsee also BLAST FURNACE\n  2  (especially AmE) = BOILER


Words: furnish
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to put furniture in a house, room, etc:\nThe house was simply furnished. * The room was furnished with antiques. * furnished accommodation (= to rent complete with furniture)\n  2  ~ sb/sth with sth | ~ sth (formal) to supply or provide sb/sth with sth; to supply sth to sb:\nShe furnished him with the facts surrounding the case. * Foreign investors furnished most of the capital for the project.


Words: furnishings
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the furniture, carpets, curtains, etc. in a room or house:\nsoft furnishings * The wallpaper should match the furnishings.


Words: furniture
Meaning:
noun\n[U] objects that can be moved, such as tables, chairs and beds, that are put into a house or an office to make it suitable for living or working in:\na piece of furniture * garden / office furniture * We need to buy some new furniture.\nsee also STREET FURNITURE\n \n IDIOMS  see PART n.


Words: furore
Meaning:
especially in AmE) noun\n[sing.] ~ (about / over sth) great anger or excitement shown by a number of people, usually caused by a public event:\nHis novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. * the recent furore over the tax increases


Words: furrow
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a long narrow cut in the ground, especially one made by a PLOUGH for planting seeds in:\ndark ploughed earth, with white chalk in the furrows * Truck wheels had dug furrows in the track.\n \n  2  a deep line in the skin of the face:\nSuddenly he looked tired and there were deep furrows in his brow.\n \n IDIOMS  see PLOUGH v.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] to make a furrow in the earth:\nfurrowed fields\n  2  [V, VN] (written) if your BROWS or EYEBROWS furrow or are furrowed, you pull them together, usually because you are worried, and so produce lines on your face


Words: furry
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  covered with fur:\nsmall furry animals\n  2  like fur:\nThe moss was soft and furry to the touch.


Words: further
Meaning:
adverb, adjective, verb \n    adverb\n  1  (comparative of far) (especially BrE) at or to a greater distance\nSYN FARTHER:\nWe had walked further than I had realized. * Two miles further on we came to a small town. * The hospital is further down the road. * Can you stand a bit further away?\n  2  a longer way in the past or the future:\nThink further back into your childhood. * How will the company be doing ten years further on?\n  3  to a greater degree or extent:\nThe police decided to investigate further. * My life is further complicated by having to work such long hours. * Nothing could be further from the truth.\n  4  (formal) in addition to what has just been said\nSYN FURTHERMORE:\nFurther, it is important to consider the cost of repairs. -> FARTHER\n IDIOMS \n  further along / down the road at some time in the future:\nThere are certain to be more job losses further down the road.\n  go further\n1 to say more about sth, or make a more extreme point about it:\nI would go even further and suggest that the entire government is corrupt.\n2 to last longer; to serve more people:\nThey watered down the soup to make it go further.\n  go no further | not go any further if you tell sb that a secret will go no further, you promise not to tell it to anyone else\n  take sth further to take more serious action about sth or speak to sb at a higher level about it:\nI am not satisfied with your explanation and intend to take the matter further.\nmore at AFIELD\n    adjective (comparative of far) more; ADDITIONAL:\nCook for a further 2 minutes. * Have you any further questions? * For further details call this number. * We have decided to take no further action. * The museum is closed until further notice (= until we say that it is open again).\n    verb [VN] to help sth to develop or be successful:\nThey hoped the new venture would further the cause of cultural cooperation in Europe. * She took the new job to further her career.


Words: further education
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (abbreviation FE) (BrE) education that is provided for people after leaving school, but not at a university\ncompare HIGHER EDUCATION


Words: furtherance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the process of helping sth to develop or to be successful\nSYN ADVANCEMENT:\nHe took these actions purely in (the) furtherance of his own career.


Words: furthermore
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal) in addition to what has just been stated. Furthermore is used especially to add a point to an argument.\nSYN MOREOVER:\nHe said he had not discussed the matter with her. Furthermore, he had not even contacted her.


Words: furthermost
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) situated at the greatest distance from sth:\nat the furthermost end of the street


Words: furtive
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) behaving in a way that shows that you want to keep sth secret and do not want to be noticed:\nShe cast a furtive glance over her shoulder. * He looked sly and furtive.\n    furtively adverb\n    furtiveness noun [U]


Words: fury
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (written) extreme anger that often includes violent behaviour:\nHer eyes blazed with fury. * Fury over tax increases (= as a newspaper HEADLINE). * (figurative) There was no shelter from the fury of the storm.\n  2  [sing.] a state of being extremely angry about sth:\nHe flew into a fury when I refused.\n  3  (the Furies) [pl.] (in ancient Greek stories) three GODDESSES who punish people for their crimes\nsee also FURIOUS\n IDIOMS \n  like fury (informal) with great effort, power, speed, etc.\nmore at HELL


Words: fuse
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a small wire or device inside a piece of electrical equipment that breaks and stops the current if the flow of electricity is too strong:\nto change a fuse * Check whether a fuse has blown.\n  2  a long piece of string or paper which is lit to make a bomb or a FIREWORK explode\n  3  (AmE also fuze) a device that makes a bomb explode when it hits sth or at a particular time:\nHe set the fuse to three minutes. * The bombs inside were on a one-hour fuse.\n IDIOMS  see BLOW v., SHORT n.\n    verb\n  1  when one thing fuses with another, or two things fuse or are fused, they are joined together to form a single thing:\n[V] As they heal, the bones will fuse together. * Our different ideas fused into a plan. * The sperm fuses with the egg to begin the process of fertilization. * Their lips fused in a passionate kiss. * [VN] The two companies have been fused into a single organization. * Atoms of hydrogen are fused to make helium.\n  2  [V, VN] (technical) when a substance, especially metal, fuses, or you fuse it, it is heated until it melts\n  3  (BrE) to stop working or to make sth stop working because a fuse melts:\n[V] The lights have fused. * [VN] I’ve fused the lights.\n  4  [VN] [usually passive] to put a fuse in a CIRCUIT or in a piece of equipment:\nIs this plug fused?


Words: fusillade
Meaning:
noun\na rapid series of shots fired from one or more guns; a rapid series of objects that are thrown:\na fusillade of bullets / stones * (figurative) He faced a fusillade of questions from the waiting journalists.


Words: fusion
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] the process or result of joining two or more things together to form one:\nthe fusion of copper and zinc to produce brass * The movie displayed a perfect fusion of image and sound.\n  2  (also nuclear fusion) [U] (physics) the act or process of combining the NUCLEI (= central parts) of atoms to form a heavier NUCLEUS, with energy being released\ncompare FISSION


Words: fuss
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, sing.] unnecessary excitement, worry or activity:\nHe does what he’s told without any fuss. * All that fuss over a few pounds! * It’s a very ordinary movie-I don’t know what all the fuss is about (= why other people think it is so good). * It was all a fuss about nothing. * We’d like a quiet wedding without any fuss.\n  2  [sing.] anger or complaints about sth, especially sth that is not important:\nI’m sorry for making such a fuss about the noise. * Steve kicks up a fuss every time I even suggest seeing you.\n IDIOMS \n  make a fuss of / over sb to pay a lot of attention to sb, usually to show how much you like them:\nThey made a great fuss of the new baby. * The dog loves being made a fuss of.\n    verb [V] \n  1  ~ (around) | ~ (with / over sth) to do things, or pay too much attention to things, that are not important or necessary:\nStop fussing around and find something useful to do! * While the others fussed and worried and dashed around, Mary sat quietly reading. * Don’t fuss with your hair!\n  2  ~ (about sth) to worry about things that are not very important:\nDon’t fuss, Mum, everything is all right. * Paula’s always fussing about her figure.\n IDIOMS \n  not be fussed (about sb/sth) (BrE, informal) to not mind about sth; to not have feelings about sth:\nIt’d be good to be there, but I’m not that fussed.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  fuss over sb to pay a lot of attention to sb:\nThey love to fuss over their grandchildren.


Words: fussy
Meaning:
adjective (fussier, fussiest)\n  1  ~ (about sth) too concerned or worried about details or standards, especially unimportant ones:\nfussy parents * Our teacher is very fussy about punctuation. * She’s such a fussy eater. * ’Where do you want to go for lunch?’ ’I’m not fussy (= I don’t care).’\n  2  doing sth with small, quick, nervous movements:\na fussy manner * the quick, fussy movements of her small hands\n  3  having too much detail or decoration:\na dress covered in fussy bows * You should avoid patterned wallpaper and fussy ornaments.\n    fussily adverb\n    fussiness noun [U]


Words: fustian
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a thick strong cotton fabric with a slightly rough surface, used in the past for making clothes\n  2  (literary) language that sounds impressive but does not mean much


Words: fusty
Meaning:
adjective (disapproving)\n  1  smelling old, damp or not fresh\nSYN MUSTY:\na dark fusty room\n  2  old-fashioned:\nfusty ideas * a fusty old professor


Words: futile
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving no purpose because there is no chance of success\nSYN POINTLESS:\na futile attempt / exercise / gesture * Their efforts to revive him were futile. * It would be futile to protest. * My appeal proved futile.\n    futility  noun [U]:\na sense of futility * the futility of war


Words: futon
Meaning:
noun\na Japanese MATTRESS, often on a wooden frame, that can be used for sitting on or rolled out to make a bed


Words: future
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  (the future) [sing.] the time that will come after the present or the events that will happen then:\nWe need to plan for the future. * What will the cities of the future look like? * The movie is set in the future. * The exchange rate is likely to fall in the near future (= soon). * She will not be well enough to work in the foreseeable future (= during the period of time when you know what is going to happen). * What does the future hold?\n  2  [C] what will happen to sb/sth at a later time:\nHer future is uncertain. * This deal could safeguard the futures of the 2 000 employees. * Recent events throw doubt on the president’s political future.\n  3  [sing., U] the possibility of being successful or surviving at a later time:\nShe has a great future ahead of her. * I can’t see any future in this relationship.\n  4  (futures) [pl.] (finance) goods or SHARES that are bought at agreed prices but that will be delivered and paid for at a later time:\noil futures * the futures market\n  5  (the future) [sing.] (grammar) (also the future tense) the form of a verb that expresses what will happen after the present\n IDIOMS \n  in future (BrE) (AmE in the future) from now on:\nPlease be more careful in future. * In future, make sure the door is never left unlocked.\nmore at DISTANT, FORESEEABLE\n    adjective [only before noun] taking place or existing at a time after the present:\nfuture generations * at a future date * future developments in computer software * He met his future wife at law school.


Words: futurism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a movement in art and literature in the 1920s and 30s that did not try to show realistic figures and scenes but aimed to express confidence in the modern world, particularly in modern machines\n    futurist noun\n    futurist adjective:\nfuturist poets


Words: futuristic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  extremely modern and unusual in appearance, as if belonging to a future time:\nfuturistic design / furniture\n  2  imagining what the future will be like:\na futuristic movie / novel


Words: futurity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (rare, formal) the time that will come after the present and what will happen then:\na vision of futurity


Words: fuzz
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] short soft fine hair or fur that covers sth, especially a person’s face or arms\nSYN DOWN\n  2  [sing.] a mass of hair in tight curls:\na fuzz of blonde hair\n  3  (the fuzz) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] (old-fashioned, slang) the police\n  4  something that you cannot see clearly\nSYN BLUR:\nI saw it as a dim fuzz through the binoculars.


Words: fuzzy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  covered with short soft fine hair or fur\nSYN DOWNY\n  2  (of hair) in a mass of tight curls\n  3  not clear in shape or sound\nSYN BLURRED:\na fuzzy image * The soundtrack is fuzzy in places. * These photographs have come out fuzzy.\n  4  confused and not expressed clearly:\nfuzzy ideas / thinking * a somewhat fuzzy definition of ’in the national interest’\n    fuzzily adverb\n    fuzziness noun [U]


Words: fuzzy logic
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (computing) a type of LOGIC that is used to try to make computers behave like the human brain


Words: G
Meaning:
noun, abbreviation \n    noun (also g) [C, U] (plural G’s, g’s )\n  1  the 7th letter of the English alphabet:\n’Gold’ begins with (a) G / ’G’.\n  2  (G) (music) the fifth note in the scale of C MAJOR\nsee also G AND T, G-STRING\n    abbreviation (AmE) general audience (a label for a film/movie that is suitable for anyone, including children)


Words: g abbreviation
Meaning:
1  gram(s):\n400g flour\n  2   (technical) GRAVITY or a measurement of the force with which sth moves faster through space because of GRAVITY:\nSpacecraft re-entering the earth’s atmosphere are affected by g forces.


Words: G-string
Meaning:
noun\na narrow piece of fabric that covers the sexual organs and is held up by a string around the waist


Words: gabardine
Meaning:
(also gaberdine)  noun\n  1  [U] a strong fabric used especially for making RAINCOATS\n  2  [C] a coat, especially a RAINCOAT, made of gabardine


Words: gabble
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb ~ (on / away) (informal) to talk quickly so that people cannot hear you clearly or understand you:\n[V] They were gabbling on about the past. * She was nervous and started to gabble. * [VN] He was gabbling nonsense. [also V speech] \n    noun [sing.] fast speech that is difficult to understand, especially when a lot of people are talking at the same time


Words: gabfest
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE, informal) an informal meeting to talk and exchange news; a long conversation:\nThree old friends stopped by and we had a real gabfest.


Words: gable
Meaning:
noun\nthe upper part of the end wall of a building, between the two sloping sides of the roof, that is shaped like a triangle


Words: gad
Meaning:
verb\n(-dd-)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gad about / around (informal, especially BrE) to visit different places and have fun, especially when you should be doing sth else:\nWhile he’s gadding about around the world, she’s at home looking after the children.


Words: gadfly
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gadflies) (usually disapproving) a person who annoys or criticizes other people in order to make them do sth:\nHe was a political gadfly, turning up at city council meetings and complaining about the waste of taxpayers’ money.


Words: gadgetry
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (sometimes disapproving) a collection of modern tools and devices:\nHis desk is covered with electronic gadgetry. * Suburban schools gleam with modern gadgetry, while inner city schools lack basic textbooks.


Words: Gaelic
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1   the Celtic language of Scotland\ncompare SCOTS\n  2   (also Irish Gaelic) the Celtic language of Ireland\ncompare ERSE, IRISH\n    Gaelic adjective


Words: gaff
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a pole with a hook on the end used to pull large fish out of the water\n  2  (BrE, slang) the house, flat/apartment, etc. where sb lives\n IDIOMS  see BLOW v.


Words: gaffe
Meaning:
noun\na mistake that a person makes in public or in a social situation, especially sth embarrassing\nSYN FAUX PAS:\na social gaffe * He made some real gaffes early in his career.


Words: gaffer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE, informal) a person who is in charge of a group of people, for example, workers in a factory, a football team, etc.\nSYN BOSS:\nThe gaffer told us we’re a good team.\n  2  the person who is in charge of the electrical work and the lights when a film/movie or television programme is being made


Words: gag
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a piece of cloth that is put over or in sb’s mouth to stop them speaking\n  2  an order that prevents sth from being publicly reported or discussed:\na press gag * a gag rule / order (= one made by a court of law)\n  3  (informal) a joke or a funny story, especially one told by a professional COMEDIAN:\nto tell / crack a gag * a running gag (= one that is regularly repeated during a performance)\n  4  (especially AmE) a trick you play on sb:\nIt was just a gag-we didn’t mean to upset anyone.\n    verb (-gg-)\n  1  [VN] to put a piece of cloth in or over sb’s mouth to prevent them from speaking or shouting:\nThe hostages were bound and gagged.\n  2  [VN] to prevent sb from speaking freely or expressing their opinion:\nThe new laws are seen as an attempt to gag the press.\n  3  [V] ~ (on sth) to have the unpleasant feeling in your mouth and stomach as if you are going to VOMIT\nSYN RETCH:\nShe gagged on the blood that filled her mouth. * The stench of rotting meat made him gag.


Words: gaga
Meaning:
adjective [not usually before noun] (informal)\n  1  (offensive) confused and not able to think clearly, especially because of old age:\nHe has gone completely gaga.\n  2  slightly crazy because you are very excited about sb/sth, or very much in love:\nThe fans went totally gaga over the band.


Words: gaiety
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (old-fashioned) the state of being cheerful and full of fun:\nThe colourful flags added to the gaiety of the occasion.\nsee also GAILY, GAY\ncompare GAYNESS


Words: gaily
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a bright and attractive way:\na gaily decorated room\n  2  in a cheerful way:\ngaily laughing children * She waved gaily to the little crowd.\n  3  without thinking or caring about the effect of your actions on other people:\nShe gaily announced that she was leaving the next day.\nsee also GAIETY, GAY


Words: gain
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  obtain / win\n  1  to obtain or win sth, especially sth that you need or want:\n[VN] to gain entrance / entry / access to sth * The country gained its independence ten years ago. * The party gained over 50% of the vote. * I gained an insight into the work of a journalist. * He has gained a reputation for unpredictable behaviour. * [VNN] Her unusual talent gained her worldwide recognition.\n  2  ~ (sth) (by / from sth) to obtain an advantage or benefit from sth or from doing sth:\n[VN] There is nothing to be gained from delaying the decision. * [V] Who stands to gain from this decision?\n  get more\n  3  [VN] to gradually get more of sth:\nto gain confidence / strength / experience * I’ve gained weight recently.\n  of watch / clock\n  4  to go too fast:\n[VN] My watch gains two minutes every 24 hours. [also V] \nOPP LOSE\n  of currencies / shares\n  5  ~ against sth to increase in value:\n[VN] The shares gained 14p to 262p. * [V] The pound gained against the dollar again today.\n  reach place\n  6  [VN] (formal) to reach a place, usually after a lot of effort:\nAt last she gained the shelter of the forest.\n IDIOMS \n  gain ground to become more powerful or successful:\nSterling continues to gain ground against the dollar.\n  gain time to delay sth so that you can have more time to make a decision, deal with a problem, etc.\nmore at VENTURE v.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gain in sth to get more of a particular quality:\nto gain in confidence * Wine bars have gained in popularity in recent years.\n  gain on sb/sth to get closer to sb/sth that you are chasing:\nShe looked back and saw that the car was still gaining on her.\n    noun\n  increase\n  1  [C, U] an increase in the amount of sth, especially in wealth or weight:\na ｣3 000 gain from our investment * Regular exercise is the best way of preventing weight gain. * The party had a net gain of nine seats on the local council.\n  advantage\n  2  [C] an advantage or improvement:\nefficiency gains * These policies have resulted in great gains in public health. * Our loss is their gain.\n  profit\n  3  [U] (often disapproving) financial profit:\nHe only seems to be interested in personal gain. * It’s amazing what some people will do for gain. * They sold the company purely for short-term gain.


Words: gainful
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) used to describe useful work that you are paid for:\ngainful employment\n    gainfully  adverb:\ngainfully employed


Words: gainsay
Meaning:
verb\n(gainsays ) [VN] (formal) (often used in negative sentences) to say that sth is not true; to disagree with or deny sth:\nNobody can gainsay his claims.


Words: gaiter
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] a fabric or leather covering for the leg between the knee and the ankle. Gaiters were worn by men in the past and are now mainly worn by people who go walking or climbing:\na pair of gaiters


Words: gala
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a special public celebration or entertainment:\na charity gala * a gala dinner / night * a gala performance\n  2  (BrE) a sports competition, especially in swimming:\na swimming gala


Words: galactic
Meaning:
adjective\nrelating to a galaxy:\nA galactic year is the time the galaxy takes to rotate once completely.


Words: galaxy
Meaning:
noun (plural galaxies)\n  1  [C] any of the large systems of stars, etc. in outer space\n  2  (the Galaxy) (also the Milky Way) [sing.] the system of stars that contains our sun and its planets, seen as a bright band in the night sky\n  3  [C] (informal) a group of famous people, or people with a particular skill:\na galaxy of Hollywood stars


Words: gale
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an extremely strong wind:\nThe gale blew down hundreds of trees. * gale-force winds * (BrE) It’s blowing a gale outside (= a strong wind is blowing).\n  2  (gale(s) of laughter) the sound of very loud laughter:\nHis speech was greeted with gales of laughter.


Words: gall
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  rude behaviour showing a lack of respect that is surprising because the person doing it is not embarrassed:\nThen they had the gall to complain! * I almost admired the utter gall of the man.\n  2  (formal) a bitter feeling full of hatred\nSYN RESENTMENT:\nwords full of venom and gall\n  3  a swelling on plants and trees caused by insects, disease, etc.\n  4  (old-fashioned) = BILE\n    verb to make sb feel upset and angry, especially because sth is unfair:\n[VN to inf] It galls me to have to apologize to her. [also VN, VN that] \nsee also GALLING


Words: gallant
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective \n  1  (old-fashioned or literary) brave, especially in a very difficult situation:\ngallant soldiers / heroes * She made a gallant attempt to hide her tears.\n  2  (of a man) giving polite attention to women:\n’I left her standing in the rain.’ ’That wasn’t very gallant of you.’\n    gallantly adverb:\nShe gallantly battled on alone. * He bowed and gallantly kissed my hand.\n    noun  (old-fashioned) a fashionable young man, especially one who gives polite attention to women


Words: gallantry
Meaning:
noun [U] (formal)\n  1  courage, especially in a battle:\na medal for gallantry\n  2  polite attention given by men to women:\n’I like to think that gallantry isn’t dead,’ he said, kissing her hand.


Words: gallery
Meaning:
noun (plural galleries)\n \n  1  a room or building for showing works of art, especially to the public:\nan art / a picture gallery * the National Gallery\nsee also ART GALLERY\n \n  2  a small private shop/store where you can see and buy works of art\n \n  3  an upstairs area at the back or sides of a large hall where people can sit:\nRelatives of the victim watched from the public gallery as the murder charge was read out in court.\nsee also PRESS GALLERY\n  4  the highest level in a theatre where the cheapest seats are\n  5  a long narrow room, especially one used for a particular purpose\nsee also SHOOTING GALLERY\n  6  a level passage under the ground in a mine or CAVE\n IDIOMS \n  play to the gallery to behave in an exaggerated way to attract people’s attention


Words: galley
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a long flat ship with sails, usually rowed by slaves or criminals, especially one used by the ancient Greeks or Romans in war\n  2  the kitchen on a ship or plane


Words: Gallic
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with or considered typical of France or its people:\nGallic charm * He lifted his shoulders in a Gallic shrug.


Words: galling
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] (of a situation or fact) making you angry because it is unfair:\nIt was galling to have to apologize to a man she hated.


Words: gallivant
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (usually used in the progressive tenses) ~ (about / around) (old-fashioned, informal) to go from place to place enjoying yourself:\nYou’re too old to go gallivanting around Europe.


Words: gallon
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation gal.) a unit for measuring liquid. In the UK it is equal to about 4.5 litres; in the US it is equal to about 3.8 litres. There are four QUARTS in a gallon.


Words: gallop
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [usually +adv./prep.] \n  1  [V] when a horse or similar animal gallops, it moves very fast and each STRIDE includes a stage when all four feet are off the ground together:\nThe terrified horse galloped off. * The ponies galloped along the sand.\ncompare CANTER\n  2  to ride a horse very fast, usually at a gallop:\n[V] Jo galloped across the field towards him. * [VN] He galloped his horse home.\ncompare CANTER\n  3  [V] (informal) (of a person) to run very quickly:\nShe came galloping down the street.\n    noun\n  1  [sing.] the fastest speed at which a horse can run, with a stage in which all four feet are off the ground together:\nHe rode off at a gallop. * My horse suddenly broke into a gallop.\n  2  [C] a ride on a horse at its fastest speed:\nto go for a gallop\n  3  [sing.] an unusually fast speed:\nShe always lives life at a gallop.


Words: galloping
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] increasing or spreading rapidly:\nGalloping inflation is pushing up prices.


Words: gallows
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gallows) a structure on which people, for example criminals, are killed by hanging:\nto send a man to the gallows (= to send him to his death by hanging) * The public were waiting to see the hated hangman swing from his own gallows.


Words: galoshes
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] rubber shoes (no longer very common) that are worn over normal shoes in wet weather:\na pair of galoshes


Words: galvanic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (technical) producing an electric current by the action of a chemical on metal\n  2  (formal) making people react in a sudden and dramatic way


Words: galvanize
Meaning:
(BrE also galvanise)  verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sb (into sth / into doing sth) (written) to make sb take action by shocking them or by making them excited:\nThe urgency of his voice galvanized them into action.\n  2  (technical) to cover metal with ZINC in order to protect it from RUST:\na galvanized bucket * galvanized steel


Words: gambit
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a thing that sb does, or sth that sb says at the beginning of a situation or conversation, that is intended to give them some advantage:\nan opening gambit (= the first thing you say) * The opposition have dismissed promises of tax cuts as a pre-election gambit. * His idea of a brilliant conversational gambit is ’What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?’\n  2  a move or moves made at the beginning of a game of CHESS in order to gain an advantage later


Words: gamble
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (sth) (on sth) to risk money on a card game, horse race, etc:\n[V] to gamble at cards / on the horses * [VN] I gambled all my winnings on the last race.\n  2  ~ (sth) (on sth) to risk losing sth in the hope of being successful:\n[VN] He’s gambling his reputation on this deal. * [V] It was wrong to gamble with our children’s future.\n    gambler  noun:\nHe was a compulsive gambler (= found it difficult to stop).\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gamble sth<->away to lose sth such as money, possessions, etc. by gambling:\nEvery weekend he drinks and gambles away his earnings.\n  gamble on sth / on doing sth to take a risk with sth, hoping that you will be successful:\nHe gambled on being able to buy a ticket at the last minute.\n    noun [sing.] an action that you take when you know there is a risk but when you hope that the result will be a success:\nShe knew she was taking a gamble but decided it was worth it. * They invested money in the company right at the start and the gamble paid off (= brought them success). * It was the biggest gamble of his political career.


Words: gambling
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the activity of playing games of chance for money and of betting on horses, etc:\nheavy gambling debts


Words: gambol
Meaning:
verb\n(-ll-, AmE also -l-) [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to jump or run about in a lively way:\nlambs gambolling in the meadow


Words: game
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  activity / sport\n \n  1  [C] an activity or a sport with rules in which people or teams compete against each other:\ncard games * board games * a game of chance / skill * ball games, such as soccer or tennis * (AmE) We’re going to the ball game (= baseball match). * Discipline is the rock on which the game of golf is built.\n \n  2  [C] an occasion of playing a game:\nto play a game of football / chess * Saturday’s League game against Swansea * Let’s have a game of table tennis. * They’re in training for the big game.\n \n  3  [sing.] sb’s ~ the way in which sb plays a game:\nHendry raised his game to collect the ｣40 000 first prize. * Stretching exercises can help you avoid injury and improve your game.\n \n  sports\n  4  (games) [pl.] (old-fashioned, BrE) sport as a lesson or an activity at school:\nI always hated games at school.\n  5  (games) [pl.] a large organized sports event:\nthe Olympic Games\n  part of sports match\n  6  [C] a section of some games, such as tennis, which forms a unit in scoring:\ntwo games all (= both players have won two games)\n  children’s activity\n  7  [C] a children’s activity when they play with toys, pretend to be sb else, etc:\na game of cops and robbers\n  fun\n  8  [C] an activity that you do to have fun:\nHe was playing games with the dog.\n  business\n  9  [C] a type of activity or business:\nHow long have you been in this game? * the game of politics / life * I’m new to this game myself. * Getting dirty was all part of the game to the kids.\nsee also WAITING GAME\n  secret plan\n  10  [C] (informal) a secret and clever plan; a trick:\nSo that’s his little game (= now I know what he has been planning).\n  wild animals / birds\n  11  [U] wild animals or birds that people hunt for sport or food\nsee also BIG GAME, FAIR GAME\n IDIOMS \n  be on the game (BrE, slang) to be a prostitute\n  the game is up (BrE, informal) said to sb who has done sth wrong, when they are caught and the crime or trick has been discovered:\nMaggie knew that he had recognized her and the game was up.\n  give the game away to tell a secret, especially by accident; to show sth that should be kept hidden\n  play the game to behave in a fair and honest way:\nYou can’t do that-it’s not playing the game!\n  play sb’s game to do sth which helps sb else’s plans, especially by accident, when you did not intend to help them\n  play (silly) games (with sb) not to treat a situation seriously, especially in order to cheat or deceive sb:\nDon’t play silly games with me; I know you did it.\n  two can play at that game used to tell sb who has played a trick on you that you can do the same thing to them\n  what’s sb’s / your game? (BrE, spoken) used to ask why sb is behaving as they are\nmore at BEAT v., CAT, FUN n., MUG n., NAME n., NUMBER n., RULE n., WORTH adj.\n    adjective ~ (for sth / to do sth) ready and willing to do sth new, difficult or dangerous:\nShe’s game for anything. * We need a volunteer for this exercise. Who’s game to try?


Words: game plan
Meaning:
noun\na plan for success in the future, especially in sport, politics or business:\nShe stuck to her game plan of staying back and hitting the ball hard from the baseline.


Words: game reserve
Meaning:
(also game park) (both BrE) (AmE game preserve) noun\na large area of land where wild animals can live in safety


Words: gamekeeper
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job is to take care of and breed wild animals and birds that are kept on private land in order to be hunted\n IDIOMS  see POACHER


Words: gamely
Meaning:
adverb\nin a way that seems brave, although a lot of effort is involved:\nShe tried gamely to finish the race.


Words: gamesmanship
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the ability to win games by making your opponent less confident and using rules to your advantage


Words: gamey
Meaning:
(also gamy)  adjective\n(of meat that has been hunted) having a strong flavour or smell as a result of being kept for some time before cooking


Words: gaming
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (old-fashioned or law) = GAMBLING:\nHe spent all night at the gaming tables. * (BrE) the Betting and Gaming Act


Words: gamma radiation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (also gamma rays [pl.]) rays of very short WAVELENGTH sent out by some RADIOACTIVE substances


Words: gammon
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) meat from the back leg or side of a pig that has been CURED (= preserved using salt or smoke), usually served in thick slices:\ngammon steaks\ncompare BACON, HAM, PORK


Words: gamut
Meaning:
noun\n(the gamut) [sing.] the complete range of a particular kind of thing:\nThe network will provide the gamut of computer services to your home. * She felt she had run the (whole) gamut of human emotions from joy to despair in one day.


Words: gander
Meaning:
noun\na male GOOSE (= a bird like a large duck)\n IDIOMS \n  have / take a gander (at sth) (informal) to look at sth\nmore at SAUCE


Words: gang
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  an organized group of criminals:\ncriminal gang members and drug dealers * a gang of pickpockets * A four-man gang carried out the robbery.\n  2  a group of young people who spend a lot of time together and often cause trouble or fight against other groups:\na gang of youths * a street gang * All the local boys are members of gangs.\n  3  (informal) a group of friends who meet regularly:\nThe whole gang will be there.\n  4  an organized group of workers or prisoners doing work together\nsee also CHAIN GANG\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gang together (informal) to join together in a group in order to have more power or strength\n  gang up (on / against sb) (informal) to join together in a group to hurt, frighten or oppose sb:\nAt school the older boys ganged up on him and called him names.


Words: gang bang
Meaning:
noun (slang)\n  1  an occasion when a number of people have sex with each other in a group\n  2  the RAPE of a person by a number of people one after the other\n    gang-bang verb [VN]


Words: gangbusters
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  like gangbusters (AmE, informal) with a lot of energy and enthusiasm:\nWe went like gangbusters to get the project done on time.


Words: gangland
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the world of organized and violent crime:\ngangland killings * the victim of a gangland shooting


Words: gangrene
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the decay that takes place in a part of the body when the blood supply to it has been stopped because of an illness or injury:\nGangrene set in and he had to have his leg amputated.\n    gangrenous  adjective:\nHer toes went gangrenous.


Words: gangsta
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] (AmE, slang) a member of a street GANG\n  2  (also gangsta rap) [U] a type of modern music in which the words of a song are spoken to a steady rhythm. The words are usually aggressive and may be critical of women.


Words: gangway
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) a passage between rows of seats in a theatre, an aircraft, etc.\ncompare AISLE\n  2  a bridge placed between the side of a ship and the shore so people can get on and off


Words: gantry
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gantries) a tall metal frame that is used to support a CRANE, road signs, a spacecraft while it is still on the ground, etc.


Words: gap
Meaning:
between sth)\n  1  a space between two things or in the middle of sth, especially because there is a part missing:\na gap in a hedge / fence / wall * Leave a gap between your car and the next. * There should be a six-inch gap at the bottom.\n  2  a period of time when sth stops, or between two events:\na gap in the conversation * They met again after a gap of twenty years. * (BrE) a gap year (= a year between school and university when some students earn money, travel, etc.)\n  3  a difference that separates people, or their opinions, situation, etc:\nthe gap between rich and poor * the gap between theory and practice\nsee also CREDIBILITY, GENERATION GAP\n  4  a space where sth is missing:\nHis death left an enormous gap in my life. * There were several gaps in my education. * We think we’ve identified a gap in the market (= a business opportunity to make or sell sth that is not yet available).\n IDIOMS  see BRIDGE v.


Words: gape
Meaning:
verb [V] \n  1  ~ (at sb/sth) to stare at sb/sth with your mouth open because you are shocked or surprised:\nIsabel gaped at him, horrified. * Frank gaped. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.\n  2  ~ (open) to be or become wide open:\na gaping hole / mouth / wound * He stood yawning, his pyjama jacket gaping open. * A huge chasm gaped before them.\n    gape noun


Words: garage
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a building for keeping one or more cars or other vehicles in: (BrE) a house with a built-in garage * (AmE) a house with an attached garage * a double garage (= one for two cars) * a bus garage * an underground garage (= for example under an office building)\n \n  2  a place where vehicles are repaired and where you can buy a car or buy petrol/gas and oil:\na garage mechanic\nsee also PETROL STATION\n    verb [VN] to put or keep a vehicle in a garage:\nThey have space to garage two cars.


Words: garb
Meaning:
noun\n(formal or humorous) clothes, especially unusual clothes or those worn by a particular type of person:\nmilitary / prison garb * He was dressed in Chinese garb and sporting a pigtail.


Words: garbage
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (especially AmE) waste food, paper, etc. that you throw away:\ngarbage collection * Don’t forget to take out the garbage.\n  2  (especially AmE) a place or container where waste food, paper, etc. can be placed:\nThrow it in the garbage.\n  3  (informal) something stupid or not true\nSYN RUBBISH:\n’You mean you believe all that garbage?’ he said. -> RUBBISH


Words: garbed
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] (formal) ~ (in sth) dressed in a particular way:\nbrightly garbed * She was appropriately garbed in funereal black.


Words: garbled
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a message or story) told in a way that confuses the person listening, usually by sb who is shocked or in a hurry:\nHe gave a garbled account of what had happened. * There was a garbled message from her on my answering machine.


Words: Garda
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (the Garda) [U] the police force of the Republic of Ireland\n  2  (also garda) (plural gardai ) a police officer of the Republic of Ireland


Words: garden
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] (BrE) (AmE yard) a piece of land next to or around your house where you can grow flowers, fruit, vegetables, etc., usually with an area of grass, (called a LAWN):\na front / back garden * children playing in the garden * garden flowers / plants * out in the garden * a rose garden (= where only roses are grown)\nsee also KITCHEN GARDEN, MARKET GARDEN, ROCK GARDEN, ROOF GARDEN\n \n  2  [C] (AmE) an area in a yard where you grow flowers or plants\n \n  3  [C] (usually gardens) a public park:\nthe botanical gardens in Edinburgh * (AmE) The garden closes at 6 p.m.\nsee also ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN\n  4  (gardens) [pl.] (abbreviation Gdns) (BrE) used in the name of streets:\n39 Belvoir Gardens\n IDIOMS \n  everything in the garden is rosy (BrE, saying) everything is satisfactory\nmore at COMMON adj., LEAD v.\n    verb [V] to work in a garden\n    gardener  noun:\nMy wife’s a keen gardener. * We employ a gardener two days a week.\n    gardening  noun [U]:\norganic gardening * gardening gloves * a gardening programme on TV


Words: garden city
Meaning:
, garden suburb nouns\n(BrE) a city or part of a city that has been specially designed to have a lot of open spaces, parks and trees


Words: garden party
Meaning:
noun\na formal social event that takes place in the afternoon in a large garden:\nthe annual Royal Garden Party


Words: garden-variety
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (AmE) = common or garden at COMMON adj.:\nHe is not one of your garden-variety criminals.


Words: gardenia
Meaning:
noun\na bush with shiny leaves and large white or yellow flowers with a sweet smell, also called gardenias


Words: gargle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] ~ (with sth) to wash inside your mouth and throat by moving a liquid around at the back of your throat and then SPITTING it out:\nGargle with salt water if your throat is sore.\n    noun\n  1  [C, U] a liquid used for gargling:\nan antiseptic gargle\n  2  [sing.] an act of gargling or a sound like that made when gargling:\nto have a gargle with salt water * a bellowing gargle of pain


Words: gargoyle
Meaning:
noun\nan ugly figure of a person or an animal that is made of stone and through which water is carried away from the roof of a building, especially a church


Words: garish
Meaning:
adjective\nvery brightly coloured in an unpleasant way:\ngarish clothes / colours / lights * It’s a little too garish for my taste.\n    garishly adverb:\ngarishly decorated / lit / painted


Words: garland
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a circle of flowers and leaves that is worn on the head or around the neck or is hung in a room as decoration:\nThe office was decked with garlands for the party.\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] (literary) to decorate sb/sth with a garland or garlands


Words: garlic
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a vegetable of the onion family with a very strong taste and smell, used in cooking to give flavour to food:\na clove of garlic (= one section of it) * Fry the chopped onion and crushed garlic for 3 minutes.\n \n    garlicky adjective:\ngarlicky breath / food


Words: garment
Meaning:
noun\n(formal) a piece of clothing:\na strange shapeless garment that had once been a jacket * woollen / winter / outer garments\nsee also UNDERGARMENT


Words: garner
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal) to obtain or collect sth such as information, support, etc.\nSYN GATHER, ACQUIRE:\nAll the information that we garnered has been kept on file.


Words: garnish
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to decorate a dish of food with a small amount of another food:\nGarnish the chicken with almonds. * Soup garnished with croutons.\n    noun [C, U] a small amount of food that is used to decorate a larger dish of food:\na garnish of tomato * Keep some olives to one side for garnish.


Words: garret
Meaning:
noun\na room, often a small dark unpleasant one, at the top of a house, especially in the roof\ncompare ATTIC\nsee also LOFT


Words: garrison
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of soldiers living in a town or FORT to defend it; the buildings these soldiers live in:\na garrison of 5 000 troops * garrison duty * a garrison town * Half the garrison is / are on duty. * A number of Roman garrisons are still standing today.\n    verb [VN] to put soldiers in a place in order to defend it from attack:\nTwo regiments were sent to garrison the town. * 100 soldiers were garrisoned in the town.


Words: garrotte
Meaning:
(BrE also garotte) (AmE also garrote)  verb, noun \n    verb [VN] to kill sb by putting a piece of wire, etc. around their neck and pulling it tight\n    noun a piece of wire, etc. used for garrotting sb


Words: garrulous
Meaning:
adjective\ntalking a lot, especially about unimportant things\nSYN TALKATIVE:\nHe became positively garrulous after a few glasses of wine.\n    garrulously adverb


Words: garter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a band, usually made of elastic, that is worn around the leg to keep up a sock or STOCKING\n  2  (AmE) = SUSPENDER\n IDIOMS  see GUT n.


Words: gas
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n (plural gases or less frequent gasses)\n \n  not solid / liquid\n \n  1  [C, U] any substance like air that is neither a solid nor a liquid, for example HYDROGEN and OXYGEN are both gases:\nAir is a mixture of gases. * CFC gases * a gas bottle / cylinder (= for storing gas)\nsee also GREENHOUSE GAS\n \n  2  [U] a particular type of gas or mixture of gases used as fuel for heating and cooking:\na gas cooker / fire / furnace / oven / ring / stove * a gas explosion / leak * gas central heating * (BrE) Preheat the oven to gas mark 5 (= a particular temperature of a gas oven)\nsee also CALOR GAS, COAL GAS, NATURAL GAS\n  3  [U] a particular type of gas used during a medical operation, to make the patient sleep or to make the pain less:\nan anaesthetic gas * Did you have gas or an injection? * During the birth she was given gas and air.\nsee also LAUGHING GAS\n  4  [U] a particular type of gas used in war to kill or injure people, or used by the police to control people:\na gas attack\nsee also CS GAS, MUSTARD GAS, NERVE GAS, TEAR GAS\n  in vehicle\n  5  [U] (AmE) = PETROL:\na gas station\n  6  (the gas) [sing.] (especially AmE) = GAS PEDAL:\nStep on the gas, we’re late.\n  fun\n  7  [sing.] (especially AmE) a person or an event that is fun:\nThe party was a real gas.\n  in stomach\n  8  [U] (AmE) = WIND (2)\n IDIOMS  see COOK v.\n    verb (-ss-)\n  kill / harm with gas\n  1  [VN] to kill or harm sb by making them breathe poisonous gas:\nShe gassed herself with fumes from the car’s exhaust pipe. * He was gassed in the war.\n  talk\n  2  [V] (usually used in the progressive tenses) (old-fashioned, informal) to talk for a long time about things that are not important\nSYN CHAT:\nI thought he’d never stop gassing!


Words: gas-fired
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (BrE) using gas as a fuel:\ngas-fired central heating * a gas-fired power station


Words: gas-guzzler
Meaning:
(also guzzler) noun\n(informal, especially AmE) a car that needs a lot of petrol/gas\n    gas-guzzling adjective [only before noun]


Words: gaseous
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] like or containing gas:\na gaseous mixture / emission * in gaseous form


Words: gash
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun ~ (in / on sth) a long deep cut in the surface of sth, especially a person’s skin:\nHe needed an operation to close a nasty gash in his arm. * The explosion left a wide gash in the rock.\n    verb [VN] to make a long deep cut in sth, especially a person’s skin:\nHe gashed his hand on a sharp piece of rock. * She was gashed in the face with a broken bottle.


Words: gasket
Meaning:
noun\na flat piece of rubber, etc. placed between two metal surfaces in a pipe or an engine to prevent steam, gas or oil from escaping:\nThe engine had blown a gasket (= had allowed steam, etc. to escape). * (figurative, informal) He blew a gasket at the news (= became very angry).


Words: gaslight
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] light produced from burning gas:\nIn the gaslight she looked paler than ever. * The play carries us back to a Victorian London of slums and gaslight.\n  2  [C] = GAS LAMP


Words: gasman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gasmen ) (informal) a man whose job is to visit people’s houses to see how much gas they have used, or to fit and check gas equipment


Words: gasometer
Meaning:
(also gasholder) noun\na very large round container or building in which gas is stored and from which it is sent through pipes to other buildings


Words: gasp
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (at sth) to take a quick deep breath with your mouth open, especially because you are surprised or in pain:\n[V] She gasped at the wonderful view. * They gasped in astonishment at the news. * [V speech] ’What was that noise?’ he gasped.\n  2  ~ (sth) (out) to have difficulty breathing or speaking:\n[V] He came to the surface of the water gasping for air. * [VN] She managed to gasp out her name. [also V speech]\n  3  be gasping (for sth) [V] (BrE, spoken) to want or need sth very badly, especially a drink or a cigarette\n    noun a quick deep breath, usually caused by a strong emotion:\nto give a gasp of horror / surprise / relief * His breath came in short gasps.\n IDIOMS  see LAST det.


Words: gassy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (BrE) (of drinks) containing too much gas in the form of bubbles:\ngassy beer * UK lagers are criticized for being weak and gassy.\n  2  (AmE) (of people) having a lot of gas in your stomach, etc.


Words: gastric
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (medical) connected with the stomach:\na gastric ulcer * gastric flu * gastric juices (= the acids in your stomach that help you to digest food)


Words: gastro-enteritis
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (medical) an illness of the stomach and other food passages that causes DIARRHOEA and VOMITING


Words: gastronomic
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] connected with cooking and eating good food:\nthe gastronomic capital of France * a gastronomic delight\n    gastronomically  adverb


Words: gasworks
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gasworks) [C+sing./pl. v.] a factory where gas for lighting and heating is made from coal


Words: gate
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a barrier like a door that is used to close an opening in a fence or a wall outside a building:\nan iron gate * He pushed open the garden gate. * A crowd gathered at the factory gates. * the gates of the city\nsee also STARTING GATE\n \n  2  [C] an opening that can be closed by a gate or gates:\nWe drove through the palace gates.\n \n  3  [C] a barrier that is used to control the flow of water on a river or canal:\na lock / sluice gate\n  4  [C] a way out of an airport through which passengers go to get on their plane:\nBA flight 726 to Paris is now boarding at gate 16.\n  5  [C] the number of people who attend a sports event:\nTonight’s game has attracted the largest gate of the season.\n  6  (also gate money) [U] the amount of money made by selling tickets for a sports event:\nToday’s gate will be given to charity.\n  7  (-gate) (forming nouns from the names of people or places; used especially in newspapers) a political SCANDAL connected with the person or place mentioned:\nWhitewatergate\n ORIGIN  From Watergate, the scandal in the United States that brought about the resignation of President Nixon in 1974.


Words: gateau
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural gateaux ) a large cake filled with cream and usually decorated with fruit, nuts, etc:\na strawberry gateau * Is there any gateau left?


Words: gatecrash
Meaning:
(also informal crash) verb\n[VN, V] to go to a party or social event without being invited\n    gatecrasher noun


Words: gated
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (of a road) having gates that need to be opened and closed by drivers


Words: gatepost
Meaning:
noun\na post to which a gate is attached or against which it is closed\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  between you, me and the gatepost (BrE, informal) used to show that what you are going to say next is a secret


Words: gateway
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an opening in a wall or fence that can be closed by a gate:\nThey turned through the gateway on the left. * a fine 18th century brick gateway\n  2  [usually sing.] ~ to / into ... a place through which you can go to reach another larger place:\nPerth, the gateway to Western Australia\n  3  [usually sing.] ~ to sth a means of getting or achieving sth:\nA good education is the gateway to success. * Increasingly our role is as a gateway to information.\n  4  (computing) a device that connects two computer NETWORKS (= systems of linked computers) that cannot be connected in any other way


Words: gather
Meaning:
verb\n  come / bring together\n  1  to come together, or bring people together, in one place to form a group:\n[V] A crowd soon gathered. * Can you all gather round? I’ve got something to tell you. * The whole family gathered together at Ray’s home. * His supporters gathered in the main square. * [VN] They were all gathered round the TV. * A large crowd was gathered outside the studio. * The kids were gathered together in one room.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (together / up) to bring things together that have been spread around:\nPeople slowly gathered their belongings and left the hall. * I waited while he gathered up his papers.\n  collect\n  3  [VN] to collect information from different sources:\nDetectives have spent months gathering evidence.\n  4  [VN] to collect plants, fruit, etc. from a wide area:\nto gather wild flowers\n  crops / harvest\n  5  [VN] ~ sth (in) to pick or cut and collect crops to be stored:\nIt was late August and the harvest had been safely gathered in.\n  believe / understand\n  6  (not used in the progressive tenses) to believe or understand that sth is true because of information or evidence you have:\n[V (that)] I gather (that) you wanted to see me. * I gather from your letter that you’re not enjoying your job. * [VN] ’There’s been a delay.’ ’I gathered that.’ * [V] ’She won’t be coming.’ ’So I gather.’ * You’re self-employed, I gather. * As far as I can gather, he got involved in a fight. * From what I can gather, there’s been some kind of problem.\n  increase\n  7  [VN] to increase in speed, force, etc:\nThe truck gathered speed. * During the 1980s the green movement gathered momentum. * Thousands of these machines are gathering dust (= not being used) in stockrooms.\n  of clouds / darkness\n  8  [V] to gradually increase in number or amount:\nThe storm clouds were gathering. * the gathering gloom of a winter’s afternoon\n  clothing\n  9  [VN] ~ sth around you / sth | ~ sth up to pull a piece of clothing tighter to your body:\nHe gathered his cloak around him. * She gathered up her skirts and ran.\n  10  [VN] ~ sth (in) to pull parts of a piece of clothing together in folds and sew them in place:\nShe wore a skirt gathered (in) at the waist.\n  hold sb\n  11  [VN +adv./prep.] (written) to pull sb towards you and put your arms around them:\nShe gathered the child in her arms and held him close. * He gathered her to him.\n  prepare yourself\n  12  [VN] to prepare yourself to do sth that requires effort:\nI sat down for a moment to gather my strength. * She was still trying to gather her thoughts together when the door opened. * Fortunately the short delay gave him time to gather himself. * He paused to gather his breath.


Words: gathering
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a meeting of people for a particular purpose:\na social / family gathering * a gathering of religious leaders\n  2  [U] the process of collecting sth:\nmethods of information gathering


Words: gauche
Meaning:
adjective\nawkward when dealing with people and often saying or doing the wrong thing:\na gauche schoolgirl / manner\n    gaucheness (also gaucherie ) noun [U]:\nthe gaucheness of youth


Words: gaudy
Meaning:
adjective\n(gaudier, gaudiest) (disapproving) too brightly coloured in a way that lacks taste:\ngaudy clothes / colours\n    gaudily  adverb:\ngaudily dressed / painted\n    gaudiness  noun [U]


Words: gauge
Meaning:
(AmE also gage)  noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (often in compounds) an instrument for measuring the amount or level of sth:\na fuel / petrol / temperature gauge\n \n  2  a measurement of the width or thickness of sth:\nWhat gauge of wire do we need?\n \n  3  (also bore especially in BrE) a measurement of the width of the BARREL of a gun:\na 12-gauge shotgun\n \n  4  the distance between the rails of a railway/railroad track or the wheels of a train:\nstandard gauge (= 56ｽ inches in Britain) * a narrow gauge (= narrower than standard) railway / train\n  5  [usually sing.] ~ (of sth) (written) a fact or an event that can be used to estimate or judge sth:\nTomorrow’s game against Arsenal will be a good gauge of their promotion chances.\n    verb\n  1  to make a judgement about sth, especially people’s feelings or attitudes:\n[VN] They interviewed employees to gauge their reaction to the changes. * He tried to gauge her mood. * [V wh-] It was difficult to gauge whether she was angry or not.\n  2  [VN] to measure sth accurately using a special instrument:\nprecision instruments that can gauge the diameter to a fraction of a millimetre\n  3  to calculate sth approximately:\n[VN] We were able to gauge the strength of the wind from the movement of the trees. * It is impossible to gauge the extent of the damage. [also V wh-]


Words: gaunt
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a person) very thin, usually because of illness, hunger or worry:\na gaunt face * She looked gaunt and exhausted.\n  2  (of a building) not attractive and without any decoration:\nthe gaunt ruin of Pendragon Castle\n    gauntness noun [U]


Words: gauntlet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a metal glove worn as part of a suit of ARMOUR by soldiers in the Middle Ages\n  2  a strong glove with a wide covering for the wrist, used for example when driving:\nmotorcyclists with leather gauntlets\n IDIOMS \n  run the gauntlet to be criticized or attacked by a lot of people, especially a group of people that you have to walk through:\nSome of the witnesses had to run the gauntlet of television cameras and reporters.\n  take up the gauntlet to accept sb’s invitation to fight or compete:\nHis Republican rival may be expected to take up the gauntlet.\n  throw down the gauntlet to invite sb to fight or compete with you:\nShe has thrown down the gauntlet to the newspaper by accusing it of libel.


Words: gauze
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] a light transparent fabric, usually made of cotton or silk\n \n  2  [U] a thin cotton fabric used for covering and protecting wounds:\na gauze dressing\n \n  3  [U, C] material made of a NETWORK of wire; a piece of this:\na wire gauze\n \n    gauzy adjective [usually before noun]:\na gauzy material


Words: gavel
Meaning:
noun\na small hammer used by a person in charge of a meeting or an AUCTION, or by a judge in a court of law, in order to get people’s attention


Words: Gawd
Meaning:
noun, exclamation\n(informal) used in written English to show that the word ’God’ is being pronounced in a particular way to express surprise, anger or fear:\nFor Gawd’s sake hurry up!


Words: gawky
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially of a tall young person) awkward in the way they move or behave:\na shy gawky teenager\n    gawkily  adverb\n    gawkiness  noun [U]


Words: gawp
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (at sb/sth) (BrE, informal) to stare at sb/sth in a rude or stupid way:\nDon’t gawp at me like that! * Crowds stood gawping as the victims were brought out of the bombed building.


Words: gay
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  (of people, especially men) sexually attracted to people of the same sex\nSYN HOMOSEXUAL:\ngay men * I didn’t know he was gay. * Is she gay?\nOPP STRAIGHT\n  2  [only before noun] connected with people who are gay:\na gay club / bar * the lesbian and gay community\n  3  (gayer, gayest) (old-fashioned) happy and full of fun:\ngay laughter * She felt lighthearted and gay.\n  4  (old-fashioned) brightly coloured:\nThe garden was gay with red geraniums.\nsee also GAIETY, GAILY\n IDIOMS \n  with gay abandon without thinking about the results or effects of a particular action\n    noun a person who is HOMOSEXUAL, especially a man


Words: gaze
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V +adv./prep.] (especially written) to look steadily at sb/sth for a long time, either because you are very interested or surprised, or because you are thinking of sth else:\nShe gazed at him in amazement. * He sat for hours just gazing into space.\n    noun [usually sing.] a long steady look at sb/sth:\nHe met her gaze (= looked at her while she looked at him). * She dropped her gaze (= stopped looking). * In his last years, he lived almost entirely secluded from the public gaze (= away from public attention).


Words: gazebo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gazebos) a small building with open sides in a garden/yard, especially one with a view


Words: gazette
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an official newspaper published by a particular organization containing important information about decisions that have been made and people who have been employed\n  2  (Gazette) used in the titles of some newspapers:\nthe Evening Gazette


Words: gazump
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] (BrE) when sb who has made an offer to pay a particular price for a house and who has had this offer accepted is gazumped, their offer is no longer accepted by the person selling the house, because sb else has made a higher offer\n    gazumping  noun [U]


Words: GCE
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a British exam taken by students in England and Wales and some other countries in any of a range of subjects. GCE O levels were replaced in 1988 by GCSE exams. (abbreviation for ’General Certificate of Education’)\ncompare O LEVEL, A LEVEL


Words: GCSE
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a British exam taken by students in England and Wales and some other countries, usually around the age of 16. GCSE can be taken in any of a range of subjects (abbreviation for ’General Certificate of Secondary Education’):\nShe’s got 10 GCSEs. * He’s doing German at GCSE.\ncompare A LEVEL


Words: GDP
Meaning:
noun\nthe abbreviation for ’gross domestic product’ (the total value of all the goods and services produced by a country in one year)\ncompare GNP


Words: gear
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  in vehicle\n \n  1  [C, usually pl.] machinery in a vehicle that turns engine power (or power on a bicycle) into movement forwards or backwards:\nCareless use of the clutch may damage the gears. * The car pulled up with a screech of brakes and a grinding of gears.\n \n  2  [U, C] a particular position of the gears in a vehicle that gives a particular range of speed and power:\nfirst / second, etc. gear * reverse gear * low / high gear * (BrE) bottom / top gear * (BrE) to change gear * (AmE) to shift gear * When parking on a hill, leave the car in gear. * What gear are you in? * He drove wildly, crashing through the gears like a maniac.\n \n  equipment / clothes\n \n  3  [U] the equipment or clothing needed for a particular activity:\nclimbing / fishing / sports gear\nsee also HEADGEAR, RIOT GEAR\n  4  [U] (informal) clothes:\nwearing the latest gear\n  possessions\n  5  [U] (informal) the things that a person owns:\nI’ve left all my gear at Dave’s house.\n  machinery\n  6  [U] (often in compounds) a piece of machinery used for a particular purpose:\nlifting / towing / winding gear\nsee also LANDING GEAR\n  speed / effort\n  7  [U, C] the speed or effort involved in doing sth: (BrE) The party organization is moving into top gear as the election approaches. * (AmE) to move into high gear * Coming out of the final bend, the runner stepped up a gear to overtake the rest of the pack.\n  drugs\n  8  [U] (slang) illegal drugs\n IDIOMS \n  get into gear | get sth into gear to start working, or to start sth working, in an efficient way\n  (slip / be thrown) out of gear (of emotions or situations) (to become) out of control:\nShe said nothing in case her temper slipped out of gear.\n IDIOMS  see ASS\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gear sth to / towards sth [usually passive] to make, change or prepare sth so that it is suitable for a particular purpose:\nThe course had been geared towards the specific needs of its members.\n  gear up (for / to sth) | gear sb/sth<->up (for / to sth) to prepare yourself/sb/sth to do sth:\nCycle organizations are gearing up for National Bike Week.\nsee also GEARED


Words: gear lever
Meaning:
(also gearstick) (both BrE) (AmE gear shift, stick shift) noun\na handle used to change the GEARS of a vehicle


Words: geared
Meaning:
adjective [not before noun]\n  1  ~ to / towards sth | ~ to do sth designed or organized to achieve a particular purpose, or to be suitable for a particular group of people:\nThe programme is geared to preparing students for the world of work. * The resort is geared towards children.\n  2  ~ up (for sth) | ~ up (to do sth) prepared and ready for sth:\nWe have people on board geared up to help with any problems.


Words: gearing
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (BrE) (AmE leverage) (finance) the relationship between the amount of money that a company owes and the value of its shares\n  2  a particular set or arrangement of GEARS in a machine or vehicle


Words: gee
Meaning:
exclamation, verb \n    exclamation (especially AmE) a word that some people use to show that they are surprised, impressed or annoyed:\nGee, what a great idea!\n    verb (BrE)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gee sb<->up | gee sb<->on to encourage sb to work harder, perform better, etc:\nWright, geed up by his early goal, went on to score another.\n  gee up used to tell a horse to start moving or to go faster:\n’Gee up!’ she shouted, but it was no good, the pony stood still.


Words: geek
Meaning:
noun\n(slang, especially AmE) a person who is boring, who wears clothes that are not fashionable, etc.\n    geeky adjective


Words: geezer
Meaning:
noun (informal)\n  1  (BrE) a man:\nSome geezer called Danny did it.\n  2  (AmE) an old man, especially one who is rather strange


Words: geisha
Meaning:
(also geisha girl) noun\na Japanese woman who is trained to entertain men with conversation, dancing and singing


Words: gel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U, C] a thick substance like jelly, especially one used in products for the hair or skin:\nhair / shower gel\n    verb (-ll-)\n  1  [V] (BrE) (also jell AmE, BrE) (of two or more people) to work well together; to form a successful group:\nWe just didn’t gel as a group.\n  2  [V] (BrE) (also jell AmE, BrE) (of an idea, a thought, a plan, etc.) to become clearer and more definite; to work well:\nIdeas were beginning to gel in my mind. * That day, everything gelled.\n  3  [V] (also jell especially in AmE) (technical) (of a liquid) to become thicker and more solid; to form a gel\n  4  [VN] [usually passive] to put gel on your hair


Words: gelatin
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a clear substance without any taste that is made from boiling animal bones and is used to make jelly, photographic film, etc.


Words: gem
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also less frequent gemstone ) a precious stone that has been cut and polished and is used in jewellery:\na crown studded with gems\n  2  a person, place or thing that is especially good:\nThis picture is the gem (= the best) of the collection. * a gem of a place * She’s a real gem!\ncompare JEWEL


Words: Gemini
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] the third sign of the ZODIAC, the TWINS\n \n  2  [C] a person born under the influence of this sign, that is between 22 May and 21 June


Words: gen
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] ~ (on sth) (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) information\n    verb (-nn-)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gen up (on sth) | gen sb / yourself up (on sth) (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) to find out or give sb information about sth


Words: gender
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] the fact of being male or female:\nissues of class, race and gender * gender differences / relations / roles\n  2  [C] (grammar) (in some languages) each of the classes (MASCULINE, FEMININE and sometimes NEUTER) into which nouns, pronouns and adjectives are divided. Different genders may have different endings, etc.\n  3  [U] (grammar) (in some languages) the division of nouns, pronouns and adjectives into different genders:\nIn French the adjective must agree with the noun in number and gender.\n______________________________\n MORE ABOUT \ngender\nWays of talking about men and women\nWhen you are writing or speaking English it is important to use language that includes both men and women equally. Some people may be very offended if you do not.\nThe human race\nMan and mankind have traditionally been used to mean ’all men and women’. Many people now prefer to use humanity, the human race, human beings or people.\nJobs\nThe suffix -ess in names of occupations such as actress, hostess and waitress shows that the person doing the job is a woman. Many people now avoid these. Instead you can use actor or host,(although actress and hostess are still very common) or a neutral word, such as server for waiter and waitress.\nNeutral words like assistant, worker, person or officer are now often used instead of -man or -woman in the names of jobs. For example, you can use police officer instead of policeman or policewoman, and spokesperson instead of spokesman or spokeswoman. Neutral words are very common in newspapers, on television and radio and in official writing, in both BrE and AmE.\nWhen talking about jobs that are traditionally done by the other sex, some people say: a male secretary/nurse/model (NOT man) or a woman/female doctor/barrister/driver. However this is now not usually used unless you need to emphasize which sex the person is, or it is still unusual for the job to be done by a man/woman: My daughter prefers to see a woman doctor. * They have a male nanny for their kids. * a female racing driver.\nPronouns\nHe used to be considered to cover both men and women: Everyone needs to feel he is loved, but this is not now acceptable. Instead, after everybody, everyone, anybody, anyone, somebody, someone, etc. one of the plural pronouns they, them, and their is often used: Does everybody know what they want? * Somebody’s left their coat here. * I hope nobody’s forgotten to bring their passport with them.\nSome people prefer to use he or she, his or her, or him or her in speech and writing: Everyone knows what’s best for him or herself. He/she or (s)he can also be used in writing: If in doubt, ask your doctor. He/she can give you more information. (You may find that some writers just use ’she’.) These uses can seem awkward when they are used a lot. It is better to try to change the sentence, using a plural noun. Instead of saying: A baby cries when he or she is tired you can say Babies cry when they are tired.\n______________________________


Words: gender-specific
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with women only or with men only:\nThe report was redrafted to remove gender-specific language.


Words: gene
Meaning:
noun\n(biology) a unit inside a cell which controls a particular quality in a living thing that has been passed on from its parents:\na dominant / recessive gene * genes that code for the colour of the eyes\nsee also GENETIC


Words: gene pool
Meaning:
noun\n(biology) all of the GENES available to a particular SPECIES of animal or plant:\nThe genetic variation of some plants from their parents results in expansion of the gene pool for a particular species.


Words: genealogy
Meaning:
noun (plural genealogies)\n  1  [U] the study of family history, including the study of who the ancestors of a particular person were\n  2  [C] a particular person’s line of ancestors; a diagram that shows this\n    genealogical  adjective [only before noun]:\na genealogical chart / table / tree (= a chart with branches that shows a person’s ancestors)


Words: general
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  affecting all\n  1  affecting all or most people, places or things:\nThe general opinion is that the conference was a success. * the general belief / consensus * a general strike * books of general interest (= of interest to most people) * The bad weather has been fairly general (= has affected most areas).\n  usual\n  2  [usually before noun] normal; usual:\nThere is one exception to this general principle. * As a general rule (= usually) he did what he could to be helpful. * This opinion is common among the general population (= ordinary people).\n  not detailed\n  3  including the most important aspects of sth; not exact or detailed\nSYN OVERALL:\nI check the bookings to get a general idea of what activities to plan. * I know how it works in general terms. * They gave a general description of the man.\n  direction / area\n  4  the ~ direction / area approximately, but not exactly, the direction/area mentioned:\nThey fired in the general direction of the enemy.\n  not limited\n  5  not limited to a particular subject, use or activity:\na general hospital * general education * We shall at this stage keep the discussion fairly general.\n  6  not limited to one part or aspect of a person or thing:\na general anaesthetic * The building was in a general state of disrepair.\n  highest in rank\n  7  [only before noun] (also General [after noun]) highest in rank; CHIEF:\nthe general manager * the Inspector General of Police\nsee also ATTORNEY-GENERAL, DIRECTOR-GENERAL, GOVERNOR GENERAL, SECRETARY GENERAL, SOLICITOR GENERAL, SURGEON GENERAL\n IDIOMS \n  in general\n1 usually; mainly:\nIn general, Japanese cars are very reliable and breakdowns are rare.\n2 as a whole:\nThis is a crucial year for your relationships in general and your love life in particular.\n    noun (abbreviation Gen.) an officer of very high rank in the army and the US air force; the officer with the highest rank in the Marines:\na four-star general * General Tom Parker\nsee also BRIGADIER GENERAL, MAJOR GENERAL


Words: general election
Meaning:
noun\nan election in which all the people of a country vote to choose a government\ncompare BY-ELECTION


Words: general practice
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (BrE) the work of a doctor who treats people in the community rather than at a hospital and who is not a specialist in one particular area of medicine; a place where a doctor like this works:\nto be in general practice * She runs a general practice in Hull.


Words: general practitioner
Meaning:
(also family practitioner) (abbreviation GP) (also informal family doctor) noun\n(especially BrE) a doctor who is trained in general medicine and who treats patients in a local community rather than at a hospital


Words: general purpose
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] having a wide range of different uses:\na general purpose farm vehicle


Words: general staff
Meaning:
(often the general staff) noun\n[sing.+sing./pl. v.] officers who advise a military leader and help to plan a military operation


Words: general store
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE also general stores [pl.]) a shop/store that sells a wide variety of goods, especially one in a small town or village:\nShe runs the post office and general store.


Words: generalissimo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural generalissimos) (from Italian) a person who commands the army, navy and air force of a country, especially one who has political as well as military power


Words: generalist
Meaning:
noun\na person who has knowledge of several different subjects or activities:\ngeneralist advice / knowledge / training\ncompare SPECIALIST


Words: generality
Meaning:
noun (plural generalities)\n  1  [C, usually pl.] a statement that discusses general principles or issues rather than details or particular examples:\nto speak in broad generalities * As usual, he confined his comments to generalities.\n  2  (the generality) [pl.] (formal) most of a group of people or things:\nThis view is held by the generality of leading scholars.\n  3  [U] (formal) the quality of being general rather than detailed or exact:\nAn account of such generality is of little value.


Words: generalization
Meaning:
(BrE also generalisation)  noun\n[C, U] a general statement that is based on only a few facts or examples; the act of making such statements:\na speech full of broad / sweeping generalizations * to make generalizations about sth * Try to avoid generalization.


Words: generalize
Meaning:
(BrE also generalise)  verb\n  1  [V] ~ (from sth) to use a particular set of facts or ideas in order to form an opinion that is considered valid for a different situation:\nIt would be foolish to generalize from a single example.\n  2  [V] ~ (about sth) to make a general statement about sth and not look at the details:\nIt is dangerous to generalize about the poor.\n  3  [VN] [often passive] ~ sth (to sth) (formal) to apply a theory, idea, etc. to a wider group or situation than the original one:\nThese conclusions cannot be generalized to the whole country. * We are now in a position to generalize the lessons we have learnt.


Words: generalized
Meaning:
(BrE also generalised)  adjective\n[usually before noun] not detailed; not limited to one particular area:\na generalized discussion / statement / view * a generalized disease / rash (= affecting the whole body)


Words: generally
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  by or to most people:\nThe plan was generally welcomed. * It is now generally accepted that ... * The new drug will be generally available from January. * He was a generally unpopular choice for captain.\n  2  in most cases\nSYN USUALLY:\nI generally get up at six. * The male is generally larger with a shorter beak.\n  3  without discussing the details of sth:\nLet’s talk just about investment generally.


Words: generate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to produce or create sth:\nto generate electricity / heat / power * to generate income / profit * We need someone to generate new ideas. * The proposal has generated a lot of interest.


Words: generation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C+sing./pl. v.] all the people who were born at about the same time:\nthe younger / older generation * My generation have grown up without the experience of a world war. * I often wonder what future generations will make of our efforts.\n  2  [C] the average time in which children grow up, become adults and have children of their own, (usually considered to be about 30 years):\na generation ago * My family have lived in this house for generations.\n  3  [C, U] a single stage in the history of a family:\nstories passed down from generation to generation * a first- / second- generation American (= a person whose family has lived in America for one / two generations)\n  4  [C, usually sing.] a group of people of similar age involved in a particular activity:\nShe has inspired a whole generation of fashion school graduates.\n  5  [C, usually sing.] a stage in the development of a product, usually a technical one:\nfifth-generation computing * a new generation of vehicle\n  6  [U] the production of sth, especially electricity, heat, etc:\nthe generation of electricity * methods of income generation\n  7  [U] (biology) the development of animals, plants, etc:\nspontaneous generation


Words: Generation X
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the group of people who were born between the early 1960s and the middle of the 1970s, who seem to lack a sense of direction in life and to feel that they have no part to play in society


Words: generational
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] connected with a particular generation or with the relationship between different generations:\ngenerational conflict


Words: generator
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a machine for producing electricity:\nThe factory’s emergency generators were used during the power cut. * a wind generator (= a machine that uses the power of the wind to produce electricity)\n  2  a machine for producing a particular substance:\nThe museum uses smells and smoke generators to create atmosphere. * (figurative) The company is a major generator of jobs.\n  3  (BrE) a company that produces electricity to sell to the public:\nthe UK’s major electricity generator


Words: generic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  shared by, including or typical of a whole group of things; not SPECIFIC:\n’Vine fruit’ is the generic term for currants and raisins.\n  2  (of a product, especially a drug) not using the name of the company that made it:\ngeneric brands * The doctor offered me a choice of a branded or a generic drug.\n    generically  adverb


Words: generosity
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] ~ (to / towards sb) the fact of being generous (= willing to give sb money, gifts, time or kindness freely):\nHe treated them with generosity and thoughtfulness.


Words: generous
Meaning:
adjective (approving)\n  1  ~ (with sth) giving or willing to give freely; given freely:\na generous benefactor * to be generous with your time / money * to be generous in giving help * a generous gift / offer * It was generous of him to offer to pay for us both.\nOPP MEAN\n  2  more than is necessary; large:\na generous helping of meat * a generous increase in salary * The car has a generous amount of space.\n  3  kind in the way you treat people; willing to see what is good about sb/sth:\na generous mind / spirit * He wrote a very generous assessment of my work.\n    generously adverb:\nPlease give generously. * a dress that is generously cut (= uses plenty of fabric)


Words: genetic
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with GENES (= the units in the cells of a living thing that control its physical characteristics) or GENETICS (= the study of genes):\ngenetic and environmental factors * genetic abnormalities\n    genetically  adverb:\ngenetically engineered / determined / modified / transmitted


Words: genetic engineering
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the science of changing how a living creature or plant develops by changing the information in its GENES


Words: genetic fingerprinting
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the method of finding the particular pattern of GENES in an individual person, particularly to identify sb or find out if sb has committed a crime\n    genetic fingerprint noun [C]


Words: genetics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of the ways in which different characteristics are passed from each GENERATION of living things to the next


Words: genial
Meaning:
adjective\nfriendly and cheerful:\na genial person * a genial smile / tone\n    geniality  noun [U]:\nan atmosphere of warmth and geniality\n    genially  adverb:\nto smile genially


Words: genie
Meaning:
noun\n(plural genies or genii ) (in Arabian stories) a spirit with magic powers, especially one that lives in a bottle or a lamp\nSYN DJINN


Words: genital
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] connected with the outer sexual organs of a person or an animal:\nthe genital area * genital infections


Words: genitive
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) (in some languages) the special form of a noun, a pronoun or an adjective that is used to show possession or close connection between two things\ncompare ACCUSATIVE, DATIVE, NOMINATIVE, POSSESSIVE, VOCATIVE\n    genitive adjective


Words: genius
Meaning:
noun (plural geniuses)\n  1  [U] unusually great intelligence, skill or artistic ability:\nthe genius of Shakespeare * a statesman of genius * Her idea was a stroke of genius.\n  2  [C] a person who is unusually intelligent or artistic, or who has a very high level of skill, especially in one area:\na mathematical / comic genius * He’s a genius at organizing people. * You don’t have to be a genius to see that they are in love!\n  3  [sing.] ~ for sth / for doing sth a special skill or ability:\nHe had a genius for making people feel at home.\n IDIOMS \n  sb’s good / evil genius (especially BrE) a person or spirit who is thought to have a good/bad influence over you


Words: genre
Meaning:
noun\n(formal) a particular type or style of literature, art, film or music that you can recognize because of its special features


Words: gent
Meaning:
noun (BrE)\n  1  (old-fashioned or humorous) a man; a GENTLEMAN:\na gent’s hairdresser * This way please, ladies and gents!\n  2  (a / the gents, a / the Gents) [sing.] (informal) a public toilet for men:\nIs there a gents near here? * Where’s the gents?


Words: genteel
Meaning:
adjective (sometimes disapproving)\n  1  (of people and their way of life) quiet and polite, often in an exaggerated way; from, or pretending to be from, a high social class:\na genteel manner / upbringing * Her genteel accent irritated me. * He lived in genteel poverty (= trying to keep the style of a high social class, but with little money).\n  2  (of places) quiet and old-fashioned and perhaps slightly boring\n    genteelly  adverb


Words: gentile
Meaning:
(also Gentile) noun\na person who is not Jewish\n    gentile (also Gentile) adjective [only before noun]


Words: gentility
Meaning:
noun [U] (formal)\n  1  very good manners and behaviour; the fact of belonging to a high social class:\nHe took her hand with discreet gentility. * She thinks expensive clothes are a mark of gentility.\n  2  the fact of being quiet and old-fashioned:\nthe faded gentility of the town


Words: gentle
Meaning:
1  calm and kind; doing things in a quiet and careful way:\na quiet and gentle man * a gentle voice / laugh / touch * She was the gentlest of nurses. * He lived in a gentler age than ours. * Be gentle with her! * She agreed to come, after a little gentle persuasion. * He looks scary but he’s really a gentle giant.\n  2  (of weather, temperature, etc.) not strong or extreme:\na gentle breeze * the gentle swell of the sea * Cook over a gentle heat.\n  3  having only a small effect; not strong or violent:\nWe went for a gentle stroll. * a little gentle work / exercise * This soap is very gentle on the hands.\n  4  not steep or sharp:\na gentle slope / curve / angle\nsee also GENTLY\n    gentleness  noun [U]


Words: gentleman
Meaning:
1  [C] a man who is polite and well educated, who has excellent manners and always behaves well:\nThank you-you’re a real gentleman. * He’s no gentleman!\ncompare LADY\n  2  [C, often pl.] (formal) used to address or refer to a man, especially sb you do not know:\nLadies and gentlemen! Can I have your attention, please? * Gentlemen of the jury! * Can I help you, gentlemen? * There’s a gentleman to see you.\n HELP NOTE  In more informal speech, you could say: Can I help you? * There’s someone to see you.\n  3  (old-fashioned) a man from a high social class, especially one who does not need to work:\na country gentleman * a gentleman farmer (= one who owns a farm, but does no physical work)\n IDIOMS  see LEISURE


Words: gentleman’s agreement
Meaning:
(also gentlemen’s agreement) noun\nan agreement made between people who trust each other, which is not written down and which has no legal force


Words: gentlemanly
Meaning:
adjective\n(approving) behaving very well and showing very good manners; like a gentleman:\ngentlemanly behaviour * So far, the election campaign has been a very gentlemanly affair.


Words: gentlewoman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gentlewomen ) (old use) a woman who belongs to a high social class; a woman who is well educated and has excellent manners


Words: gently
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a gentle way:\nShe held the baby gently. * ’You miss them, don’t you?’ he asked gently. * Simmer the soup gently for 30 minutes. * Massage the area gently but firmly. * leaves moving gently in the breeze * The path ran gently down to the sea.\n  2  (Gently!) (BrE, spoken) used to tell sb to be careful:\nGently! You’ll hurt the poor thing! * Don’t go too fast-gently does it!


Words: gentrify
Meaning:
verb\n(gentrifies, gentrifying, gentrified, gentrified) [VN] [usually passive] to change an area, a person, etc. so that they are suitable for, or can mix with, people of a higher social class than before:\nOld working class areas of the city are being gentrified.\n    gentrification noun [U]


Words: gentry
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (usually the gentry) (old-fashioned) people belonging to a high social class:\nthe local gentry * the landed gentry (= those who own a lot of land)


Words: genuflect
Meaning:
verb [V] (formal)\n  1  to lower your body by bending one or both knees, as a sign of respect during worship in a church\n  2  ~ (to sth) (disapproving) to show too much respect to sb/sth\n    genuflection (BrE also genuflexion)  noun [C, U]


Words: genuine
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  real; exactly what it appears to be; not artificial:\nIs the painting a genuine Picasso? * Fake designer watches are sold at a fraction of the price of the genuine article. * Only genuine refugees can apply for asylum.\n  2  sincere and honest; that can be trusted:\nHe made a genuine attempt to improve conditions. * genuine concern for others * a very genuine person\n    genuinely adverb:\ngenuinely sorry\n    genuineness noun [U]


Words: genus
Meaning:
noun\n(plural genera ) (biology) a group into which animals, plants, etc. that have similar characteristics are divided, smaller than a family and larger than a SPECIES\ncompare CLASS, KINGDOM, ORDER, PHYLUM\nsee also GENERIC


Words: geography
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the scientific study of the earth’s surface, physical features, divisions, products, population, etc:\nhuman / physical / economic / social geography * a geography lesson / department / teacher / textbook * a degree in geography\n  2  [sing.] the way in which the physical features of a place are arranged:\nthe geography of New York City * Kim knew the geography of the building and strode along the corridor.\n  3  [sing.] the way in which a particular aspect of life or society is influenced by geography or varies according to geography:\nThe geography of poverty and the geography of voting are connected.\n    geographical  adjective:\nThe survey covers a wide geographical area. * the geographical distribution of plants / services / wealth * The importance of the town is due to its geographical location.\n    geographically  adverb:\ngeographically remote areas


Words: geology
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the scientific study of the earth, including the origin and history of the rocks and soil of which the earth is made\n  2  [sing.] the origin and history of the rocks and soil of a particular area:\nthe geology of the British Isles\n    geological  adjective:\na geological survey / map * the vast span of geological time (= the whole of time since the earth began)\n    geologically  adverb


Words: geometric
Meaning:
adjective\nof GEOMETRY; of or like the lines, shapes, etc. used in GEOMETRY, especially because of having regular shapes or lines:\na geometric design\n    geometrically  adverb


Words: geometric progression
Meaning:
noun\na series of numbers in which each is multiplied or divided by a fixed number to produce the next, for example 1, 3, 9, 27, 81\ncompare ARITHMETIC PROGRESSION


Words: geometry
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the branch of mathematics that deals with the measurements and relationships of lines, angles, surfaces and solids\n  2  [sing.] the measurements and relationships of lines, angles, etc. in a particular object or shape:\nthe geometry of a spider’s web


Words: geophysics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of the earth’s atmosphere, oceans and climate\n    geophysical  adjective:\ngeophysical data / surveys\n    geophysicist  noun


Words: geopolitics
Meaning:
noun\n[U+sing./pl. v.] the political relations between countries and groups of countries in the world; the study of these relations\n    geopolitical  adjective


Words: Geordie
Meaning:
noun (BrE, informal)\n  1  [C] a person from Tyneside in NE England\n  2  [U] a way of speaking, typical of people from Tyneside in NE England\n    Geordie adjective:\na Geordie accent


Words: Georgian
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially of architecture and furniture) from the time of the British kings George IIV (17141830):\na fine Georgian house


Words: geriatric
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (geriatrics) [U] the branch of medicine concerned with the diseases and care of old people\n  2  [C] (informal, offensive) an old person, especially one with poor physical or mental health:\nI’m not a geriatric yet, you know!\n    geriatric adjective:\nthe geriatric ward (= in a hospital) * a geriatric vehicle (= old and in bad condition)


Words: germ
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, usually pl.] a very small living thing that can cause infection and disease:\nDisinfectant kills germs. * Dirty hands can be a breeding ground for germs.\n  2  [sing.] ~ of sth an early stage of the development of sth:\nHere was the germ of a brilliant idea. * The germ of the town was a single house near the river.\n  3  [C] (biology) the part of a plant or an animal that can develop into a new one\nsee also WHEATGERM


Words: German measles
Meaning:
(also rubella) noun\n[U] a mild infectious disease that causes a sore throat and red spots all over the body. It can seriously affect babies born to women who catch it soon after they become pregnant.


Words: germane
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] ~ (to sth) (formal) (of ideas, remarks, etc.) connected with sth in an important or appropriate way:\nremarks that are germane to the discussion


Words: Germanic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with or considered typical of Germany or its people:\nShe had an almost Germanic regard for order.\n  2  connected with the language family that includes German, English, Dutch and Swedish among others


Words: germinate
Meaning:
verb\nwhen the seed of a plant germinates or is germinated, it starts to grow:\n[V] (figurative) An idea for a novel began to germinate in her mind. [also VN]\n    germination  noun [U]:\nKeep the seeds in warm, damp conditions to encourage germination.


Words: gerrymander
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (disapproving) to change the size and borders of an area for voting in order to give an unfair advantage to one party in an election:\nThe city had been gerrymandered so that the Protestant minority retained control.\n    gerrymandering noun [U]:\naccusations of gerrymandering


Words: gerund
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) a noun in the form of the present PARTICIPLE of a verb (that is, ending in -ing) for example travelling in the sentence I preferred travelling alone.


Words: gestation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] the time that the young of a person or an animal develops inside its mother’s body until it is born; the process of developing inside the mother’s body:\na baby born at 38 weeks’ gestation * The gestation period of a horse is about eleven months. * Gestation lasts about nine months.\n  2  [U] (formal) the process by which an idea or a plan develops:\nHis book was nearly twenty years in gestation.


Words: gesticulate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (usually written) to move your hands and arms about in order to attract attention or make sb understand what you are saying:\nHe gesticulated wildly at the clock. * She was shouting and gesticulating from the other side of the road.\n    gesticulation  noun [C, U]:\nwild / frantic gesticulations


Words: gesture
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] a movement that you make with your hands, your head or your face to show a particular meaning:\nHe made a rude gesture at the driver of the other car. * She finished what she had to say with a gesture of despair. * They communicated entirely by gesture.\n  2  [C] something that you do or say to show a particular feeling or intention:\nThey sent some flowers as a gesture of sympathy to the parents of the child. * It was a nice gesture (= it was kind) to invite his wife too. * We do not accept responsibility but we will refund the money as a gesture of goodwill. * His speech was at least a gesture towards improving relations between the two countries. * The government has made a gesture towards public opinion (= has tried to do sth that the public will like).\n    verb ~ (for / to sb) (to do sth) to move your hands, head, face, etc. as a way of expressing what you mean or want: [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] ’I see you read a lot,’ he said, gesturing at the wall of books. * He gestured to the guards and they withdrew. * She gestured for them to come in. * [V that] He gestured (to me) that it was time to go. * They gestured that I should follow. [also VN]


Words: get
Meaning:
HELP NOTE  In spoken AmE the past participle gotten  is almost always used.\n  receive / obtain\n  1  [VN] [no passive] to receive sth:\nI got a letter from Dave this morning. * What (= What presents) did you get for your birthday? * He gets (= earns) about $40 000 a year. * This room gets very little sunshine. * I got a shock when I saw the bill. * I get the impression that he is bored with his job.\n  2  [no passive] ~ sth (for yourself / sb) | ~ (yourself / sb) sth to obtain sth:\n[VN] Where did you get (= buy) that skirt? * Did you manage to get tickets for the concert? * She opened the door wider to get a better look. * Try to get some sleep. * He has just got a new job. * [VNN] Why don’t you get yourself a car? * [VN, VNN] Did you get a present for your mother? * Did you get your mother a present? * You can get the basic model for $100. * $100 will get you the basic model.\n  3  [VN] [no passive] ~ sth (for sth) to obtain or receive an amount of money by selling sth:\nHow much did you get for your car? * We got ｣120 000 for the house.\n  bring\n  4  to go to a place and bring sb/sth back\nSYN FETCH:\n[VN] Quick-go and get a cloth! * Somebody get a doctor! * I have to go and get my mother from the airport (= pick her up). * [VN, VNN] Get a drink for John. * Get John a drink.\n  punishment\n  5  [VN] [no passive] to receive sth as a punishment:\nHe got ten years (= was sent to prison for ten years) for armed robbery.\n  broadcasts\n  6  [VN] [no passive] to receive broadcasts from a particular television or radio station:\nWe can’t get Channel 5 in our area.\n  buy\n  7  [VN] [no passive] to buy sth, for example a newspaper or magazine, regularly\nSYN TAKE:\nWhich newspaper do you get?\n  mark / grade\n  8  [VN] [no passive] to achieve or be given a particular mark/grade in an exam:\nHe got a ’C’ in Chemistry and a ’B’ in English.\n  illness\n  9  [VN] [no passive] to become infected with an illness; to suffer from a pain, etc:\nI got this cold off (= from) you! * She gets (= often suffers from) really bad headaches.\n  contact\n  10  [VN] [no passive] to be connected with sb by telephone:\nI wanted to speak to the manager but I got his secretary instead.\n  state / condition\n  11  to reach a particular state or condition; to make sb/sth/yourself reach a particular state or condition:\n[V-ADJ] to get angry / bored / hungry / fat * You’ll soon get used to the climate here. * We ought to go; it’s getting late. * to get dressed / undressed (= to put your clothes on / take your clothes off) * They plan to get married in the summer. * She’s upstairs getting ready. * I wouldn’t go there alone; you might get (= be) mugged. * My car got (= was) stolen at the weekend. * [VN-ADJ] Don’t get your dress dirty! * He got his fingers caught in the door. * She soon got the children ready for school. -> BECOME\n  12  [V to inf] to reach the point at which you feel, know, are, etc. sth:\nAfter a time you get to realize that these things don’t matter. * You’ll like her once you get to know her. * His drinking is getting to be a problem. * She’s getting to be an old lady now.\n  make / persuade\n  13  to make, persuade, etc. sb/sth do sth:\n[VN to inf] I couldn’t get the car to start this morning. * He got his sister to help him with his homework. * You’ll never get him to understand. * [VN -ing] Can you really get that old car going again? * It’s not hard to get him talking-the problem is stopping him!\n  get sth done\n  14  [VN-ADJ] ~ sth done to cause sth to happen or be done:\nI must get my hair cut. * I’ll never get all this work finished.\n  start\n  15  [V -ing] to start doing sth:\nI got talking to her. * We need to get going soon.\n  opportunity\n  16  (informal) [V to inf] to have the opportunity to do sth:\nHe got to try out all the new software. * It’s not fair-I never get to go first.\n  arrive\n  17  [V +adv./prep.] to arrive at or reach a place or point:\nWe got to San Diego at 7 o’clock. * You got in very late last night. * What time did you get here? * I haven’t got very far with the book I’m reading.\n  move / travel\n  18  [+adv./prep.] to move to or from a particular place or in a particular direction, sometimes with difficulty; to make sb/sth do this:\n[V] The bridge was destroyed so we couldn’t get across the river. * She got into bed. * He got down from the ladder. * We didn’t get (= go) to bed until 3 a.m. * I’m getting off (= leaving the train) at the next station. * Where have they got to (= where are they)? * We must be getting home; it’s past midnight. * [VN] The general had to get his troops across the river. * We couldn’t get the piano through the door. * We’d better call a taxi and get you home. * I can’t get the lid off.\n  19  [VN] [no passive] to use a bus, taxi, plane, etc:\nWe’re going to be late-let’s get a taxi. * I usually get the bus to work.\n  meal\n  20  ~ sth (for yourself / sb) | ~ (yourself / sb) sth (especially BrE) to prepare a meal:\n[VN] Who’s getting the lunch? * [VN, VNN] I must go home and get tea for the kids. * I must go home and get the kids their tea.\n  telephone / door\n  21  [VN] (spoken) to answer the telephone or a door when sb calls, knocks, etc:\nWill you get the phone?\n  catch / hit\n  22  [VN] to catch or take hold of sb, especially in order to harm or punish them:\nHe was on the run for a week before the police got him. * to get sb by the arm / wrist / throat * She fell overboard and the sharks got her. * He thinks everybody is out to get him (= trying to harm him). * (informal) I’ll get you for that!\n  23  [VN +adv./prep.] to hit or wound sb:\nThe bullet got him in the neck.\n  understand\n  24  [VN] [no passive] (informal) to understand sb/sth:\nI don’t get you. * She didn’t get the joke. * I don’t get it-why would she do a thing like that? * I get the message-you don’t want me to come.\n  happen / exist\n  25  [VN] [no passive] (informal) used to say that sth happens or exists:\nYou get (= There are) all these kids hanging around in the street. * They still get cases of typhoid there.\n  confuse / annoy\n  26  [VN] [no passive] (spoken) to make sb feel confused because they do not understand sth\nSYN PUZZLE:\n’What’s the capital of Bulgaria?’ ’You’ve got me there!’ (= I don’t know).\n  27  [VN] [no passive] (spoken) to annoy sb:\nWhat gets me is having to do the same thing all day long.\n HELP NOTE  Get is one of the most common words in English, but some people try to avoid it in formal writing.\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing get are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example get sb’s goat is at goat.\n  be getting on (informal)\n1 (of a person) to be becoming old\n2 (of time) to be becoming late:\nThe time’s getting on-we ought to be going.\n  be getting on for ... (especially BrE) to be nearly a particular time, age or number:\nIt must be getting on for midnight. * He’s getting on for eighty.\n  can’t get over sth (spoken) used to say that you are shocked, surprised, amused, etc. by sth:\nI can’t get over how rude she was.\n  get away from it all (informal) to have a short holiday/vacation in a place where you can relax\n  get (sb) anywhere / somewhere / nowhere to achieve or cause sb to achieve something/nothing; to make or cause sb to make progress/no progress:\nAfter six months’ work on the project, at last I feel I’m getting somewhere. * This line of investigation is getting us nowhere. * Flattery will get you nowhere / anywhere you wish to go.\n  get it on (with sb) (slang, especially AmE) to have sex with sb\n  get it (AmE) = CATCH IT\n  get it up (slang) (of a man) to have an ERECTION\n  get there to achieve your aim or complete a task:\nI’m sure you’ll get there in the end. * It’s not perfect but we’re getting there (= making progress).\n  how selfish, stupid, ungrateful, etc. can you get? (spoken) used to express surprise or disapproval that sb has been so selfish, etc.\n  there’s no getting away from sth | you can’t get away from sth you have to admit that sth unpleasant is true\n  what are you, was he, etc. getting at? (spoken) used to ask, especially in an angry way, what sb is/was suggesting:\nI’m partly to blame? What exactly are you getting at?\n  what has got into sb? (spoken) used to say that sb has suddenly started to behave in a strange or different way:\nWhat’s got into Alex? He never used to worry like that. * I’m sorry for laughing like that-I don’t know what got into me.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  get about (BrE) = GET AROUND\n  get above yourself (especially BrE) to have too high an opinion of yourself\n  get across (to sb) | get sth<->across (to sb) to be communicated or understood; to succeed in communicating sth:\nYour meaning didn’t really get across. * He’s not very good at getting his ideas across.\n  get ahead (of sb) to make progress (further than others have done):\nShe wants to get ahead in her career. * He soon got ahead of the others in his class.\n  get along\n1 (usually used in the progressive tenses) to leave a place:\nIt’s time we were getting along.\n2 = GET ON\n  get around\n1 (BrE also get about) to move from place to place or from person to person:\nShe gets around with the help of a stick. * News soon got around that he had resigned.\n2 (especially AmE) = GET ROUND\n  get at sb (usually used in the progressive tenses) to keep criticizing sb:\nHe’s always getting at me. * She feels she’s being got at.\n  get at sb/sth to reach sb/sth; to gain ACCESS to sb/sth:\nThe files are locked up and I can’t get at them.\n  get at sth to learn or find out sth:\nThe truth is sometimes difficult to get at.\n  get away to have a holiday/vacation:\nWe’re hoping to get away for a few days at Easter.\nrelated noun GETAWAY\n  get away (from ...) to succeed in leaving a place:\nI won’t be able to get away from the office before 7.\n  get away (from sb / ...) to escape from sb or a place\n  get away with sth\n1 to steal sth and escape with it:\nThieves got away with computer equipment worth $30 000.\nrelated noun GETAWAY\n2 to receive a relatively light punishment:\nHe was lucky to get away with only a fine.\n3 to do sth wrong and not be punished for it:\nDon’t be tempted to cheat-you’ll never get away with it. * [+ -ing] Nobody gets away with insulting me like that.\n  get back to return, especially to your home:\nWhat time did you get back last night? * We only got back from our trip yesterday.\n  get sth<->back to obtain sth again after having lost it:\nShe’s got her old job back. * I never lend books-you never get them back.\n  get back (in) (of a political party) to win an election after having lost the previous one\n  get back at sb (informal) to do sth bad to sb who has done sth bad to you; to get REVENGE on sb:\nI’ll find a way of getting back at him!\n  get back to sb to speak or write to sb again later, especially in order to give a reply:\nI’ll find out and get back to you.\n  get back to sth to return to sth:\nCould we get back to the question of funding?\n  get behind (with sth) to fail to make enough progress or to produce sth at the right time:\nI’m getting behind with my work. * He got behind with the payments for his car.\n  get by (on / in / with sth) to manage to live or do a particular thing using the money, knowledge, equipment, etc. that you have:\nHow does she get by on such a small salary? * I can just about get by in German (= I can speak basic German).\n  get down (of children) (BrE) to leave the table after a meal\n  get sb down (informal) to make sb feel sad or depressed:\nDon’t let it get you down too much.\n  get sth<->down\n1 to swallow sth, usually with difficulty\n2 to make a note of sth\nSYN WRITE DOWN:\nDid you get his number down?\n  get down to sth to begin to do sth; to give serious attention to sth:\nLet’s get down to business. * I like to get down to work by 9. * [+ -ing] It’s time I got down to thinking about that essay.\n  get in | get into sth\n1 to arrive at a place:\nThe train got in late. * What time do you get into Heathrow?\n2 to win an election:\nThe Republican candidate stands a good chance of getting in. * She first got into Parliament (= became an MP) in 1997.\n3 to be admitted to a school, university, etc:\nShe’s got into Durham to study law.\n  get sb<->in to call sb to your house to do a job\n  get sth<->in\n1 to collect or gather sth:\nto get the crops / harvest in\n2 to buy a supply of sth:\nRemember to get in some beers for this evening.\n3 to manage to do or say sth:\nI got in an hour’s work while the baby was asleep. * She talks so much it’s impossible to get a word in.\n  get in on sth to take part in an activity:\nHe’s hoping to get in on any discussions about the new project.\n  get in with sb (informal) to become friendly with sb, especially in order to gain an advantage\n  get into sth\n1 to put on a piece of clothing, especially with difficulty:\nI can’t get into these shoes-they’re too small.\n2 to start a career in a particular profession:\nWhat’s the best way to get into journalism?\n3 to become involved in sth; to start sth:\nI got into conversation with an Italian student. * to get into a fight / an argument * Are you sure you know what you’re getting into?\n4 to develop a particular habit:\nDon’t let yourself get into bad habits. * You should get into the routine of saving the document you are working on every ten minutes. * How did she get into (= start taking) drugs?\n5 (informal) to become interested in sth:\nI’m really getting into jazz these days.\n6 to become familiar with sth; to learn sth:\nI haven’t really got into my new job yet.\n  get into sth | get yourself / sb into sth to reach a particular state or condition; to make sb reach a particular state or condition:\nHe got into trouble with the police while he was still at school. * Three people were rescued from a yacht which got into difficulties. * She got herself into a real state (= became very anxious) before the interview.\n  get off | get off sb used especially to tell sb to stop touching you or another person:\nGet off me, that hurts!\n  get off | get sb off\n1 to leave a place or start a journey; to help sb do this:\nWe got off straight after breakfast. * He got the children off to school.\n2 (BrE) to fall asleep; to make sb do this:\nI had great difficulty getting off to sleep. * They couldn’t get the baby off till midnight.\n  get off | get off sth to leave work with permission:\nCould you get off (work) early tomorrow?\n  get off sth | get sb off sth to stop discussing a particular subject; to make sb do this:\nPlease can we get off the subject of dieting? * I couldn’t get him off politics once he had started.\n  get sth off to send sth by post/mail:\nI must get these letters off first thing tomorrow.\n  get off on sth (informal) to be excited by sth, especially in a sexual way\n  get off (with sth) to have no or almost no injuries in an accident:\nShe was lucky to get off with just a few bruises.\n  get off (with sth) | get sb off (with sth) to receive no or almost no punishment; to help sb do this:\nHe was lucky to get off with a small fine. * A good lawyer might be able to get you off.\n  get off with sb (informal, especially BrE) to have a sexual or romantic experience with sb; to start a sexual relationship with sb:\nSteve got off with Tracey at the party.\n  get on\n1 (also get along) used to talk or ask about how well sb is doing in a particular situation:\nHe’s getting on very well at school.\n2 to be successful in your career:\nParents are always anxious for their children to get on.\n3 (also get along) to manage or survive:\nWe can get on perfectly well without her. * I just can’t get along without a secretary.\n  get on to sb\n1 to contact sb by telephone or letter:\nThe heating isn’t working; I’ll get on to the landlord about it.\n2 to become aware of sb’s activities, especially when they have been doing sth bad or illegal:\nHe had been stealing money from the company for years before they got on to him.\n  get on to sth to begin to talk about a new subject:\nIt’s time we got on to the question of costs.\n  get on / along with sb | get on / along (together) to have a friendly relationship with sb:\nShe’s never really got on with her sister. * She and her sister have never really got on. * We get along just fine together.\n  get on with sth\n1 (also get along with sth) used to talk or ask about how well sb is doing a task:\nI’m not getting on very fast with this job.\n2 to continue doing sth, especially after an interruption:\nBe quiet and get on with your work. * (spoken) Get on with it! We haven’t got all day.\n  get out to become known:\nIf this gets out there’ll be trouble.\n  get sth<->out\n1 to produce or publish sth:\nWill we get the book out by the end of the year?\n2 to say sth with difficulty:\nShe managed to get out a few words of thanks.\n  get out (of sth) to leave a place, especially in order to visit other places, meet people, etc:\nYou ought to get out of the house more.\n  get out of sth\n1 to avoid a responsibility or duty:\nWe promised we’d go-we can’t get out of it now. * [+ -ing] I wish I could get out of going to that meeting.\n2 to stop having a particular habit:\nI can’t get out of the habit of waking at six in the morning.\n  get sth out of sb to persuade sb to tell or give you sth, especially by force:\nThe police finally got a confession out of her.\n  get sth out of sb/sth to gain or obtain sth good from sb/sth:\nShe seems to get a lot out of life. * He always gets the best out of people.\n  get over sth to deal with or gain control of sth\nSYN OVERCOME:\nShe can’t get over her shyness. * I think the problem can be got over without too much difficulty.\n  get over sth/sb to return to your usual state of health, happiness, etc. after an illness, a shock, the end of a relationship, etc:\nHe was disappointed at not getting the job, but he’ll get over it.\n  get sth<->over (to sb) to make sth clear to sb:\nHe didn’t really get his meaning over to the audience.\n  get sth over (with) (informal) to complete sth unpleasant but necessary:\nI’ll be glad to get the exam over and done with.\n  get round / around sb to persuade sb to agree or to do what you want, usually by doing nice things for them:\nShe knows how to get round her dad.\n  get round / around sth to deal with a problem successfully\nSYN OVERCOME:\nA clever lawyer might find a way of getting round that clause.\n  get round / around to sth to find the time to do sth:\nI meant to do the ironing but I didn’t get round to it. * [+ -ing] I hope to get around to answering your letter next week.\n  get through sth\n1 to use up a large amount of sth:\nWe got through a fortune while we were in New York!\n2 to manage to do or complete sth:\nLet’s start-there’s a lot to get through.\n  get through (sth) (BrE) to be successful in an exam, etc.\n  get sb through sth to help sb to be successful in an exam:\nShe got all her students through the exam.\n  get through (sth) | get sth through (sth) to be officially accepted; to make sth be officially accepted:\nThey got the bill through Congress.\n  get through (to sb)\n1 to reach sb:\nThousands of refugees will die if these supplies don’t get through to them.\n2 to make contact with sb by telephone:\nI tried calling you several times but I couldn’t get through.\n  get through (to sth) (of a player or team) to reach the next stage of a competition:\nMoya has got through to the final.\n  get through to sb to make sb understand or accept what you say, especially when you are trying to help them:\nI find it impossible to get through to her.\n  get through with sth to finish or complete a task\n  get to sb (informal) to annoy or affect sb:\nThe pressure of work is beginning to get to him.\n  get sb/sth together to collect people or things in one place:\nI’m trying to get a team together for Saturday.\n  get together (with sb) to meet with sb socially or in order to discuss sth:\nWe must get together for a drink sometime. * Management should get together with the union.\nrelated noun GET-TOGETHER\n  get up\n1 to stand up after sitting, kneeling, etc.\nSYN RISE:\nThe class got up when the teacher came in.\n2 if the sea or wind gets up, it increases in strength and becomes violent\n  get up | get sb up to get out of bed; to make sb get out of bed:\nHe always gets up early. * Could you get me up at 6.30 tomorrow?\n  get yourself / sb up as sth [often passive] (BrE) to dress yourself/sb as sb/sth else:\nShe was got up as an Indian princess.\nrelated noun GET-UP\n  get sth<->up to arrange or organize sth:\nWe’re getting up a party for her birthday.\n  get up to sth\n1 to reach a particular point:\nWe got up to page 72 last lesson.\n2 to be busy with sth, especially sth surprising or unpleasant:\nWhat on earth will he get up to next? * She’s been getting up to her old tricks again!


Words: getaway
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.]\n  1  an escape from a difficult situation, especially after committing a crime:\nto make a quick getaway * a getaway car\n  2  a short holiday/vacation; a place that is suitable for a holiday/vacation:\na romantic weekend getaway in New York * the popular island getaway of Penang


Words: geyser
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a natural SPRING that sometimes sends hot water or steam up into the air\n  2  (BrE) a piece of equipment in a kitchen or bathroom that heats water, usually by gas


Words: ghastly
Meaning:
adjective (ghastlier, ghastliest)\n  1  (of an event) very frightening and unpleasant, because it involves pain, death, etc:\na ghastly crime / murder * She woke up in the middle of a ghastly nightmare.\n  2  (informal) (of an experience or a situation) very bad; unpleasant:\nThe weather was ghastly. * It’s all been a ghastly mistake. * When she mentioned redundancies, for one ghastly moment, I thought she meant me.\n  3  (informal) (of a person or thing) that you find unpleasant and dislike very much:\nher ghastly husband * This lipstick is a ghastly colour. * I look ghastly in red.\n  4  [not usually before noun] ill/sick or upset:\nI felt ghastly the next day. * Do I look as ghastly as I feel?\n  5  (literary) very pale in appearance, like a dead person:\nHis face was ghastly white. * She had a ghastly pallor.


Words: gherkin
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) (AmE pickle) a small CUCUMBER that has been preserved in VINEGAR before being eaten\n  2  (AmE) a small CUCUMBER


Words: ghetto
Meaning:
noun (plural ghettos or ghettoes)\n  1  an area of a city where many people of the same race or background live, separately from the rest of the population. Ghettos are often crowded, with bad living conditions:\na poor kid growing up in the ghetto * The south coast of Spain has become something of a tourist ghetto. * He tended to stick to the relative safety of San Francisco’s gay ghetto.\n  2  the area of a town where Jews were forced to live in the past:\nthe Warsaw ghetto


Words: ghetto blaster
Meaning:
(also boom box especially in AmE) noun\n(informal) a large radio and cassette player that can be carried around, especially to play loud music in public


Words: ghost
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] the spirit of a dead person that a living person believes they can see or hear:\nDo you believe in ghosts (= believe that they exist)? * the ghost of her father that had come back to haunt her * He looked as if he had seen a ghost (= looked very frightened).\n  2  [C] the memory of sth, especially sth bad:\nThe ghost of anti-Semitism still haunts Europe.\n  3  [sing.] ~ of sth a very slight amount of sth that is left behind or that you are not sure really exists:\nThere was a ghost of a smile on his face. * You don’t have a ghost of a chance (= you have no chance).\n  4  [sing.] a second image on a television screen that is not as clear as the first, caused by a fault\n IDIOMS \n  give up the ghost\n1 to die\n2 (humorous) (of a machine) to stop working:\nMy car finally gave up the ghost.\nmore at FORMER\n    verb\n  1  = GHOSTWRITE\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] (literary) to move without making a sound:\nThey ghosted up the smooth waters of the river.


Words: ghostly
Meaning:
adjective\nlooking or sounding like a ghost; full of ghosts:\na ghostly figure * ghostly footsteps * the ghostly churchyard * The airfield was bathed in the ghostly glow of a searchlight.


Words: ghostwrite
Meaning:
(also ghost) verb\nto write a book, an article, etc. for another person who publishes it as their own work: [VN] [often passive] Her memoirs were ghostwritten. [also V]


Words: ghoul
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in stories) an evil spirit that opens graves and eats the dead bodies in them\n  2  (disapproving) a person who is too interested in unpleasant things such as death and disaster\n    ghoulish  adjective:\nghoulish laughter


Words: GHQ
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the abbreviation for ’general headquarters’ (the main centre of a military organization):\nHe was posted to GHQ Cairo.


Words: giant
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  (in stories) a very large strong person who is often cruel and stupid\nsee also GIANTESS\n  2  an unusually large person, animal or plant:\nHe’s a giant of a man.\n  3  a very large and powerful organization:\nthe multinational oil giants\n  4  a person who is very good at sth:\nliterary giants\n    adjective [only before noun] very large; much larger or more important than similar things usually are:\na giant crab * a giant-size box of tissues * a giant step towards achieving independence


Words: gibber
Meaning:
verb\nto speak quickly in a way that is difficult to understand, often because of fear:\n[V] He cowered in the corner, gibbering with terror. * By this time I was a gibbering wreck. [also V speech]


Words: gibberish
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal) words that have no meaning or are impossible to understand\nSYN NONSENSE:\nYou were talking gibberish in your sleep. * After a while I stopped listening to his stream of gibberish.


Words: gibbon
Meaning:
noun\na small APE (= an animal like a large monkey without a tail) with long arms, that lives in SE Asia


Words: giblets
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the inside parts of a chicken or other bird, including the heart and LIVER, that are usually removed before it is cooked


Words: giddy
Meaning:
adjective (giddier, giddiest)\n  1  [not usually before noun] feeling that everything is moving and that you are going to fall\nSYN DIZZY:\nWhen I looked down from the top floor, I felt giddy.\n  2  [not usually before noun] ~ (with sth) so happy and excited that you cannot behave normally:\nShe was giddy with happiness.\n  3  [usually before noun] making you feel as if you were about to fall:\nThe kids were pushing the roundabout at a giddy speed. * (figurative) the giddy heights of success\n  4  (old-fashioned) (of people) not serious\nSYN SILLY:\nIsabel’s giddy young sister\n    giddily  adverb:\nShe swayed giddily across the dance floor. * His senses were swimming giddily out of control.\n    giddiness  noun [U]:\nSymptoms include nausea and giddiness.


Words: gift
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a thing that you give to sb, especially on a special occasion or to say thank you\nSYN PRESENT:\nThe watch was a gift from my mother. * Thank you for your generous gift. * a free gift for every reader * the gift of life / love * (formal) The family made a gift of his paintings to the gallery. * gifts of toys for the children * All such posts are in the gift of the managing director (= only given by the managing director).\n \n  2  ~ (for sth / for doing sth) a natural ability\nSYN TALENT:\nShe has a great gift for music. * He has the gift of making friends easily. * She can pick up a tune instantly on the piano, it’s a gift.\n \n  3  [usually sing.] (informal) a thing that is very easy to do or cheap to buy:\nTheir second goal was an absolute gift. * At ｣500 it’s a gift.\n IDIOMS \n  the gift of the gab (BrE) (AmE a gift for / of gab) (informal, sometimes disapproving) the ability to speak easily and to persuade other people with your words:\nJoe’s got the gift of the gab-he can sell anything.\n  look a gift horse in the mouth (usually with negatives) (informal) to refuse or criticize sth that is given to you for nothing:\nI’m never one to look a gift horse in the mouth.\nmore at GOD\n    verb (BrE, written) (used especially in journalism) to give sth to sb without their having to make any effort to get it: [VNN] They gifted their opponents a goal. * [VN] They gifted a goal to their opponents.


Words: gift token
Meaning:
(also gift voucher) (both BrE) (AmE gift certificate) noun\na piece of paper that is worth a particular amount of money and that can be exchanged for goods in a shop/store


Words: gift-wrap
Meaning:
verb\n(-pp-) [VN] [often passive] to wrap sth as a present for sb, especially in a shop/store:\nWould you like the chocolates gift-wrapped? * The store offers a gift-wrapping service.


Words: gifted
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having a lot of natural ability or intelligence:\na gifted musician / player * gifted children\n  2  ~ with sth having sth pleasant:\nHe was gifted with a charming smile.


Words: gig
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a performance by musicians playing pop music or jazz in front of an audience:\nto do a gig * a Verve gig in Leeds\n  2  a small light carriage with two wheels, pulled by one horse


Words: gigantic
Meaning:
adjective\nextremely large:\na gigantic house * The problem was beginning to take on gigantic proportions.


Words: giggle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb ~ (at / about sb/sth) to laugh in a silly way because you are amused, embarrassed or nervous:\n[V] The girls giggled at the joke. * They giggled nervously as they waited for their turn. * She giggled with delight. [also V speech] \n    noun\n  1  [C] a slight silly repeated laugh:\nShe gave a nervous giggle. * Matt collapsed into giggles and hung up the phone.\n  2  [sing.] (BrE, informal) a thing that you think is amusing:\nWe only did it for a giggle.\n  3  (the giggles) [pl.] (informal) continuous giggling that you cannot control or stop:\nI get the giggles when I’m nervous. * She had a fit of the giggles and had to leave the room. * It’s just something about the way he said it that gave me the giggles.


Words: gild
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (literary) to make sth look bright, as if covered with gold:\nThe golden light gilded the sea.\n IDIOMS \n  gild the lily to spoil sth that is already good or beautiful by trying to improve it:\nSome people add a little brandy to the recipe but I feel this is gilding the lily.


Words: gilded
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  covered with a thin layer of gold or gold paint:\na gilded picture frame\n  2  (literary) rich and belonging to the upper classes:\nthe gilded youth (= rich, upper-class young people) of the Edwardian era


Words: gill
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] one of the openings on the side of a fish’s head that it breathes through\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  to the gills (informal) completely full:\nI was stuffed to the gills with chocolate cake.\n\n noun\na unit for measuring liquids. There are four gills in a PINT.


Words: gillie
Meaning:
(also ghillie)  noun\n(ScotE) a man or boy who helps sb who is shooting or fishing for sport in Scotland


Words: gilt
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a thin layer of gold, or sth like gold that is used on a surface for decoration:\ngilt buttons / lettering\n  2  (gilts) [pl.] (BrE, finance) gilt-edged INVESTMENTS\n  3  [C] (especially AmE) a young female pig\n IDIOMS \n  take the gilt off the gingerbread (BrE) to do or be sth that makes a situation or ACHIEVEMENT less attractive or impressive


Words: gilt-edged
Meaning:
adjective\n(finance) very safe:\ngilt-edged securities / shares / stocks (= INVESTMENTS that are considered safe because they have been sold by the government)


Words: gimcrack
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (rare) badly made and of little value:\nThe place had a certain gimcrack theatrical glamour.


Words: gimlet
Meaning:
noun\na small tool for making holes in wood to put screws in: (figurative) eyes like gimlets (= looking very hard at things and noticing every detail)


Words: gimme
Meaning:
(informal) a way of writing the way that the words ’give me’ are sometimes spoken:\nGimme back my bike!


Words: gimmick
Meaning:
noun\n(often disapproving) an unusual trick or unnecessary device that is intended to attract attention or to persuade people to buy sth:\na promotional / publicity / sales gimmick * We don’t use gimmicks to sell our products.\n    gimmicky  adjective:\na gimmicky idea / fashion


Words: gin
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] an alcoholic drink made from grain and flavoured with JUNIPER berries. Gin is usually drunk mixed with TONIC WATER or fruit juice:\nDo you like gin?\nsee also PINK GIN\n  2  [C] a glass of gin:\nI’ll have a gin and tonic, please.\n  3  = COTTON GIN


Words: ginger
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun\n [U]\n \n  1  the root of the ginger plant used in cooking as a spice:\na teaspoon of ground ginger * (BrE) ginger biscuits\n \n  2  a light brownish-orange colour\n    adjective (BrE) light brownish-orange in colour:\nginger hair * a ginger cat\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  ginger sth/sb<->up (BrE) to make sth/sb more active or exciting


Words: ginger ale
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a clear FIZZY drink (= with bubbles) that does not contain alcohol, flavoured with ginger, and often mixed with alcoholic drinks\n  2  [C] a bottle or glass of ginger ale


Words: ginger beer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a FIZZY drink (= with bubbles) with a very small amount of alcohol in, flavoured with ginger\n  2  [C] a bottle or glass of ginger beer


Words: ginger group
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a group of people within a political party or an organization, who work to persuade other members to accept their policies or ideas


Words: gingerbread
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a sweet cake or soft biscuit/cookie flavoured with GINGER:\na gingerbread man (= a gingerbread biscuit / cookie in the shape of a person)\n IDIOMS  see GILT


Words: gingerly
Meaning:
adverb\nin a careful way, because you are afraid of being hurt, of making a noise, etc:\nHe opened the box gingerly and looked inside.


Words: gingham
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a cotton fabric with a pattern of white and coloured checks:\na blue and white gingham dress


Words: ginseng
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a medicine obtained from a plant root that some people believe helps you stay young and healthy


Words: giraffe
Meaning:
noun\n(plural giraffe or giraffes) a tall African animal with a very long neck, long legs, and dark marks on its coat


Words: gird
Meaning:
verb\n IDIOMS \n  gird (up) your loins (literary or humorous) to get ready to do sth difficult:\nThe company is girding its loins for a plunge into the overseas market.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gird yourself / sb/sth (up) for sth (literary) to prepare for sth difficult, especially a fight, contest, etc.


Words: girder
Meaning:
noun\na long strong iron or steel beam used for building bridges and the FRAMEWORK of large buildings


Words: girdle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a piece of women’s underwear that fits closely around the body from the waist to the THIGH, designed to make a woman look thinner\n  2  (literary) a thing that surrounds sth else:\ncarefully tended lawns set in a girdle of trees\n  3  (old-fashioned) a belt or thick string fastened around the waist to keep clothes in position\n    verb [VN] (literary) to surround sth:\nA chain of volcanoes girdles the Pacific.


Words: girl
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a female child:\na baby girl * a little girl of six * Hello, girls and boys!\n \n  2  [C] a daughter:\nOur youngest girl is at college.\n \n  3  [C] (sometimes offensive) a young woman:\nAlex is not interested in girls yet. * He married the girl next door.\n \n  4  [C] (usually in compounds) (old-fashioned, offensive) a female worker:\nan office girl / a shop girl\n  5  [C] (old-fashioned) a man’s girlfriend:\nHe’s taking his girl home to meet his parents.\n  6  (girls) [pl.] (used especially as a form of address by women) a woman’s female friends:\nI’m having a night out with the girls. * Good morning, girls!\n  7  [sing.] (old girl) (often offensive) an old woman, especially sb’s wife or mother:\nHow is the old girl these days? * Come along old girl, time for bed (= for example, said by an old man to his wife).


Words: girl Friday
Meaning:
noun\na girl or a woman who is employed in an office to do several different jobs, helping other people


Words: girlfriend
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a girl or a woman that sb is having a romantic relationship with\n  2  (especially AmE) a woman’s female friend:\nI had lunch with a girlfriend.


Words: girlie
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun] (informal)\n  1  containing photographs of naked or nearly naked women, that are intended to make men sexually excited:\ngirlie magazines\n  2  (disapproving) suitable for or like girls, not boys:\ngirlie games


Words: giro
Meaning:
noun (plural giros) (BrE)\n  1  [U] (finance) a system in which money can be moved from one bank or post office account to another by a central computer:\nto pay by giro * a giro credit / payment / transfer\n  2  (also giro cheque) [C] a cheque that the government pays through the giro system to people who are unemployed or sick, or who have a very small income:\nIt is easy for families to run out of money before the weekly giro arrives.


Words: girth
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U, C] the measurement around sth, especially a person’s waist:\na man of enormous girth * a tree one metre in girth / with a girth of one metre * He rested his hands on his broad girth (= his large stomach).\n \n  2  [C] a leather or cloth strap that is fastened around the middle of a horse to keep the seat, (called a SADDLE), or a load in place


Words: gist
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the gist) [sing.] ~ (of sth) the main or general meaning of a piece of writing, a speech or a conversation:\nto get (= understand) the gist of an argument * I missed the beginning of the lecture-can you give me the gist of what he said? * I’m afraid I don’t quite follow your gist (= what you really mean). * Students are taught the skills of reading and listening for gist.


Words: give
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n (gave )\n \n  hand / provide\n \n  1  ~ sth to sb | ~ sb sth to hand sth to sb so that they can look at it, use it or keep it for a time: [VN, VNN] Give the letter to your mother when you’ve read it. * Give your mother the letter. * [VNN] They were all given a box to carry. * [VN] She gave her ticket to the woman at the check-in desk.\n \n  2  ~ sth to sb | ~ sb sth to hand sth to sb as a present; to allow sb to have sth as a present:\n[VNN] What are you giving your father for his birthday? * She was given a huge bunch of flowers. * Did you give the waiter a tip? * [VN] We don’t usually give presents to people at work. * [V] They say it’s better to give than to receive.\n \n  3  ~ sth to sb | ~ sb sth to provide sb with sth:\n[VNN] They were all thirsty so I gave them a drink. * Give me your name and address. * We’ve been given a 2% pay increase. * I was hoping you would give me a job. * He was given a new heart in a five-hour operation. * She wants a job that gives her more responsibility. * Can I give you a ride to the station? * They couldn’t give me any more information. * I’ll give you (= allow you to have) ten minutes to prepare your answer. * Don’t give me any of that backchat (= don’t be rude). * [VN] He gives Italian lessons to his colleagues. * The reforms should give a better chance to the less able children.\n \n  money\n  4  ~ (sth) to sth to pay money to a charity, etc., to help people:\n[V] We need your help-please give generously. * They both gave regularly to charity. * [VN] I gave a small donation.\n  5  ~ (sb) sth for sth to pay in order to have or do sth:\n[VNN] How much will you give me for the car? * I’d give anything to see him again. * [VN] I gave ｣50 for the lot.\n  treat as important\n  6  ~ sth to sb/sth to use time, energy, etc. for sb/sth: [VNN, VN] I gave the matter a lot of thought. * I gave a lot of thought to the matter. * [VN] The government has given top priority to reforming the tax system.\n  punishment\n  7  ~ sth to sb | ~ sb sth to make sb suffer a particular punishment:\n[VNN] The judge gave him a nine-month suspended sentence. * [VN] We discussed what punishment should be given to the boys.\n  illness\n  8  ~ sth to sb | ~ sb sth to infect sb with an illness:\n[VNN] You’ve given me your cold. * [VN] She’d given the bug to all her colleagues.\n  party / event\n  9  [VN] if you give a party, you organize it and invite people\n  10  [VN] to perform sth in public:\nShe gave a reading from her latest volume of poetry. * The President will be giving a press conference this afternoon.\n  do / produce sth\n  11  used with a noun to describe a particular action, giving the same meaning as the related verb:\n[VN] She gave a shrug of her shoulders (= she shrugged). * He turned to us and gave a big smile (= smiled broadly). * She looked up from her work and gave a yawn (= yawned). * He gave a loud cry (= cried out loudly) and fell to the floor. * to give a groan / laugh / sigh * Her work has given pleasure to (= pleased) millions of readers. * [VNN] He gave her a kiss (= kissed her). * I have to admit that the news gave us a shock (= shocked us). * We’ll give you all the help we can (= help you in every way we can).\n HELP NOTE  For other similar expressions, look up the nouns in each. For example, you will find give your approval at approval.\n  12  [VNN] to produce a particular feeling in sb:\nAll that driving has given me a headache. * Go for a walk. It’ll give you an appetite.\n  telephone call\n  13  [VNN] to make a telephone call to sb:\nGive me a call tomorrow. * (BrE) I’ll give you a ring.\n  mark / grade\n  14  to judge sb/sth to be of a particular standard:\n[VNN] She had given the assignment an A. * I give it ten out of ten for originality. [also VN]\n  predict how long\n  15  [VNN] to predict that sth will last a particular length of time:\nThat marriage won’t last. I’ll give them two years, at the outside.\n  in sport\n  16  [VN-ADJ] to say that a player or the ball is in a particular position:\nThe umpire gave the ball out.\n  bend\n  17  [V] to bend or stretch under pressure:\nThe branch began to give under his weight. * (figurative) We can’t go on like this-something’s got to give.\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing give are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example, give rise to sth is at risen.\n  don’t give me that (spoken, informal) used to tell sb that you do not accept what they say:\n’I didn’t have time to do it.’ ’Oh, don’t give me that!’\n  give and take to be willing, in a relationship, to accept what sb else wants and to give up some of what you want:\nYou’re going to have to learn to give and take.\n  give as good as you get to react with equal force when sb attacks or criticizes you:\nShe can give as good as she gets.\n  give me sth/sb (any day / time) (spoken) used to say that you prefer a particular thing or person to the one that has just been mentioned:\nWe don’t go out much. Give me a quiet night in front of the TV any day!\n  give or take (sth) if sth is correct give or take a particular amount, it is approximately correct:\nIt’ll take about three weeks, give or take a day or so.\n  give sb to believe / understand (that) ... [often passive] (formal) to make sb believe/understand sth:\nI was given to understand that she had resigned.\n  I give you ... (spoken, formal) used to ask people to drink a TOAST to sb:\nLadies and gentlemen, I give you Geoff Ogilby!\n  I / I’ll give you that (spoken) used when you are admitting that sth is true\n  what gives? (spoken, informal) what is happening?; what is the news?\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  give sb away (in a marriage ceremony) to lead the BRIDE to the BRIDEGROOM and formally allow her to marry him:\nThe bride was given away by her father.\n  give sth<->away\n1 to give sth as a gift:\nHe gave away most of his money to charity. * (informal) Check out the prices of our pizzas-we’re virtually giving them away!\nrelated noun GIVEAWAY\n2 to present sth:\nThe mayor gave away the prizes at the school sports day.\n3 to carelessly allow sb to have an advantage:\nThey’ve given away two goals already.\n  give sth/sb<->away to make known sth that sb wants to keep secret\nSYN BETRAY:\nShe gave away state secrets to the enemy. * It was supposed to be a surprise but the children gave the game away. * His voice gave him away (= showed who he really was).\nrelated noun GIVEAWAY\n  give sb back sth | give sth<->back (to sb)\n1 to return sth to its owner:\nCould you give me back my pen? * Could you give me my pen back? * I picked it up and gave it back to him. * (spoken, informal) Give it me back!\n2 to allow sb to have sth again:\nThe operation gave him back the use of his legs.\n  give in (to sb/sth)\n1 to admit that you have been defeated by sb/sth:\nThe rebels were forced to give in.\n2 to agree to do sth that you do not want to do:\nThe authorities have shown no signs of giving in to the kidnappers’ demands.\n  give sth in (to sb) to hand over sth to sb in authority:\nPlease give your work in before Monday.\n  give off sth to produce sth such as a smell, heat, light, etc:\nThe flowers gave off a fragrant perfume. * The fire doesn’t seem to be giving off much heat.\n  give on to / onto sth [no passive] (BrE) to have a view of sth; to lead directly to sth:\nThe bedroom windows give on to the street. * This door gives onto the hall.\n  give out\n1 to come to an end; to be completely used up:\nAfter a month their food supplies gave out. * Her patience finally gave out.\n2 to stop working:\nOne of the plane’s engines gave out in mid-Atlantic. * Her legs gave out and she collapsed.\n  give sth<->out to give sth to a lot of people:\nThe teacher gave out the exam papers.\n  give out sth\n1 to produce sth such as heat, light, etc:\nThe radiator gives out a lot of heat.\n2 [often passive] (especially BrE) to tell people about sth or broadcast sth\n  give over (BrE, spoken, informal) used to tell sb to stop doing sth:\nGive over, Chris! You’re hurting me. * [+ -ing] Give over complaining!\n  give yourself over to sth (also give yourself up to sth) to spend all your time doing sth or thinking about sth; to allow sth to completely control your life\n  give sth<->over to sth [usually passive] to use sth for one particular purpose:\nThe gallery is given over to British art.\n  give up to stop trying to do sth:\nThey gave up without a fight. * She doesn’t give up easily. * I give up-tell me the answer.\n  give sb up\n1 (also give up on sb especially in AmE) to believe that sb is never going to arrive, get better, be found, etc:\nThere you are at last! We’d given you up. * We hadn’t heard from him for so long, we’d given him up for dead.\n2 to stop having a relationship with sb:\nWhy don’t you give him up?\n  give sth<->up\n1 [no passive] to stop doing or having sth:\nShe didn’t give up work when she had the baby. * We’d given up hope of ever having children. * [+ -ing] You ought to give up smoking.\n2 to spend time on a task that you would normally spend on sth else:\nI gave up my weekend to help him paint his apartment.\n  give sth<->up (to sb) to hand sth over to sb else:\nWe had to give our passports up to the authorities. * He gave up his seat to a pregnant woman (= stood up to allow her to sit down).\n  give yourself / sb up (to sb) to offer yourself/sb to be captured:\nAfter a week on the run he gave himself up to the police.\n  give yourself up to sth = GIVE YOURSELF OVER TO STH\n  give up on sb\n1 to stop hoping or believing that sb will change, get better, etc:\nHis teachers seem to have given up on him.\n2 (especially AmE) = GIVE SB UP\n    noun [U] the ability of sth to bend or stretch under pressure:\nThe shoes may seem tight at first, but the leather has plenty of give in it.\n IDIOMS \n  give and take\n1 willingness in a relationship to accept what sb else wants and give up some of what you want:\nIf the dispute is to be resolved there must be some give and take. * Marriage is a give-and-take relationship.\n2 an exchange of words or ideas:\nto encourage a lively give and take


Words: giveaway
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (informal)\n  1  something that a company gives free, usually with sth else that is for sale:\nThere’s a giveaway with our magazine next month-a free CD!\n  2  something that makes you guess the real truth about sth/sb:\nShe pretended she wasn’t excited but the expression on her face was a dead giveaway.\n    adjective [only before noun] (informal) (of prices) very low


Words: given
Meaning:
adjective, preposition, noun \n    adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  already arranged:\nThey were to meet at a given time and place.\n  2  that you have stated and are discussing; particular:\nWe can find out how much money is spent on food in any given period.\n IDIOMS \n  be given to sth / to doing sth (formal) to do sth often or regularly:\nShe’s much given to outbursts of temper. * He’s given to going for long walks on his own.\n    preposition when you consider sth:\nGiven his age, (= considering how old he is) he’s remarkably active. * Given her interest in children, teaching seems the right job for her.\n    given that conjunction:\nIt was surprising the government was re-elected, given that they had raised taxes so much.\n    noun something that is accepted as true, for example when you are discussing sth, or planning sth


Words: giver
Meaning:
noun\n(often in compounds) a person or an organization that gives:\nThey are very generous givers to charity.


Words: gizmo
Meaning:
(also gismo)  noun\n(informal) (plural gizmos) a general word for a small piece of equipment, often one that does sth in a new and clever way


Words: gizzard
Meaning:
noun\nthe part of a bird’s stomach in which food is broken up into smaller pieces before being DIGESTED


Words: glacial
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] (geology) connected with the Ice Age:\nthe glacial period (= the time when much of the northern half of the world was covered by ice)\n  2  (technical) caused or made by glaciers; connected with glaciers:\na glacial landscape * glacial deposits / erosion * glacial processes\n  3  (written) very cold; like ice:\nglacial winds / temperatures * the glacial waters of the Arctic * The dining room was glacial.\n  4  (written) (used about people) cold and unfriendly; not showing feelings:\nHer expression was glacial. * Relations between the two countries had always been glacial.


Words: glad
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not before noun] ~ (about sth) | ~ (to do sth) | ~ (to know, hear, see ...) | ~ (that ...) pleased; happy:\n’I passed the test!’ ’I’m so glad (for you).’ * ’He doesn’t need the pills any more.’ ’I’m glad about that.’ * I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better. * I’m glad (that) you’re feeling better. * I’m glad to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you. * He was glad he’d come. * I’ve never been so glad to see anyone in my life! * I’m so glad (that) you’re safe! * She was glad when the meeting was over. * He talked so much that they were really glad to see the back of him (= when he left).\n  2  ~ of sth | ~ if ... grateful for sth:\nShe was very glad of her warm coat in the biting wind. * I’d be glad of your help. * I’d be glad if you could help me.\n  3  ~ to do sth very willing to do sth:\nI’d be glad to lend you the money. * If you’d like me to help you, I’d be only too glad to.\n  4  [only before noun] (old-fashioned) bringing joy; full of joy:\nglad news / tidings * They greeted each other with glad cries.\n IDIOMS \n  I’m glad to say (that ...) (spoken) used when you are commenting on a situation and saying that you are happy about it:\nMost teachers, I’m glad to say, take their jobs very seriously.


Words: gladden
Meaning:
verb\n(old-fashioned) to make sb feel pleased or happy:\n[VN] The sight of the flowers gladdened her heart. * [VN to inf] It gladdened him to see them all enjoying themselves.


Words: gladiator
Meaning:
noun\n(in ancient Rome) a man trained to fight other men or animals in order to entertain the public\n    gladiatorial  adjective:\ngladiatorial combat


Words: gladiolus
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gladioli ) a tall garden plant with long thin leaves and brightly coloured flowers growing up the stem


Words: gladly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  willingly:\nI would gladly pay extra for a good seat.\n  2  happily; with thanks:\nWhen I offered her my seat, she accepted it gladly.\n IDIOMS  see SUFFER


Words: glamorize
Meaning:
(BrE also glamorise)  verb\n[VN] (usually disapproving) to make sth bad appear attractive or exciting:\nTelevision tends to glamorize violence.


Words: glamorous
Meaning:
(also informal glam) adjective\nespecially attractive and exciting, and different from ordinary things or people:\nglamorous movie stars * a glamorous job\nOPP UNGLAMOROUS\n    glamorously adverb:\nglamorously dressed


Words: glamour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE glamor)  noun [U]\n  1  the attractive and exciting quality that makes a person, a job or a place seem special, often because of wealth or status:\nhopeful young actors and actresses dazzled by the glamour of Hollywood * Now that she’s a stewardess, foreign travel has lost its glamour for her.\n  2  physical beauty that also suggests wealth or success:\nAdd a cashmere scarf under your jacket for a touch of glamour.


Words: glance
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n [V +adv./prep.] \n \n  1  to look quickly at sth/sb:\nShe glanced at her watch. * He glanced around the room. * I glanced up quickly to see who had come in.\n \n  2  ~ at / down / over through sth to read sth quickly and not thoroughly:\nI only had time to glance at the newspapers. * He glanced briefly down the list of names. * She glanced through the report.\n \n PHRASAL VERBS \n \n  glance on / off sth (of light) to flash on a surface or be reflected off it\n \n  glance off (sth) to hit sth at an angle and move off it in a different direction:\nThe ball glanced off the post into the net.\n    noun ~ (at sb/sth) a quick look:\nto take / have a glance at the newspaper headlines * a cursory / brief / casual / furtive glance * The sisters exchanged glances (= looked at each other). * She shot him a sideways glance. * He walked away without a backward glance. * She stole a glance (= looked secretly) at her watch.\n IDIOMS \n  at a (single) glance immediately; with only a quick look:\nHe could tell at a glance what was wrong.\n  at first glance when you first look at or think about sth, often rather quickly:\nAt first glance the problem seemed easy.


Words: glancing
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] hitting sth/sb at an angle, not with full force:\nto strike sb/sth a glancing blow


Words: gland
Meaning:
noun\nan organ in a person’s or an animal’s body that produces a chemical substance for the body to use. There are many different glands in the body:\na snake’s poison glands * Her glands are swollen.\nsee also PITUITARY\n    glandular  adjective [usually before noun]:\nglandular tissue


Words: glandular fever
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE or medical mononucleosis) (also AmE informal mono) noun\n[U] an infectious disease that causes swelling of the LYMPH GLANDS and makes the person feel very weak for a long time


Words: glare
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] \n  1  ~ (at sb/sth) to look at sb/sth in an angry way:\nHe didn’t shout, he just glared at me silently. * I looked at her and she glared furiously back.\n  2  to shine with a very bright unpleasant light\n    noun\n  1  [U, sing.] a very bright, unpleasant light:\nthe glare of the sun * The rabbit was caught in the glare of the car’s headlights. * These sunglasses are designed to reduce glare. * (figurative) The divorce was conducted in the full glare of publicity (= with continuous attention from newspapers and television).\n  2  [C] a long, angry look:\nto give sb a hostile glare


Words: glaring
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] (of sth bad) very easily seen\nSYN BLATANT:\na glaring omission / inconsistency / injustice * the most glaring example of this problem\n  2  (of a light) very bright and unpleasant:\na glaring white light\n  3  angry; fierce:\nglaring eyes\n    glaringly adverb:\nglaringly obvious


Words: glass
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  transparent substance\n \n  1  [U] a hard, usually transparent, substance used, for example, for making windows and bottles:\na sheet / pane of glass * frosted / toughened glass * a glass bottle / dish / roof * I cut myself on a piece of broken glass. * The vegetables are grown under glass (= in a glasshouse).\nsee also CUT GLASS, PLATE GLASS, STAINED GLASS, GLAZIER\n \n  for drinking\n \n  2  [C] (often in compounds) a container made of glass, used for drinking out of:\na sherry glass * a wine glass\n \n  3  [C] the contents of a glass:\na glass of sherry / wine / water * He drank three whole glasses.\n  glass objects\n  4  [U] objects made of glass:\nWe keep all our glass and china in this cupboard. * She has a fine collection of Bohemian glass.\n  on watch / picture\n  5  [sing.] a protecting cover made of glass on a watch, picture or photograph frame, FIRE ALARM, etc:\nIn case of emergency, break the glass and press the button.\n  for eyes\n  6  (glasses) (AmE also eyeglasses) (also old-fashioned or formal spectacles, informal specs especially in BrE) [pl.] two LENSES in a frame that rests on the nose and ears. People wear glasses in order to be able to see better or to protect their eyes from bright sunlight:\na pair of glasses * dark glasses * I wear glasses for driving.\nsee also FIELD GLASSES, MAGNIFYING GLASS, SUNGLASSES\n  mirror\n  7  [C, usually sing.] (old-fashioned) a mirror\nsee also LOOKING GLASS\n  barometer\n  8  (the glass) [sing.] a BAROMETER\n IDIOMS  see PEOPLE n., RAISE v.\n    verb [VN] (BrE, informal) to hit sb in the face with a glass\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  glass sth in / over [usually passive] to cover sth with a roof or wall made of glass:\na glassed-in pool\ncompare GLAZE


Words: glass ceiling
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the imaginary barrier that stops women, or other groups, from getting the best jobs in a company, etc. although there are no official rules to prevent them from getting these jobs


Words: glasshouse
Meaning:
noun (BrE)\n  1  a building with glass sides and a glass roof, for growing plants in; a type of large GREENHOUSE\n  2  (slang) a military prison


Words: glassware
Meaning:
noun\n[U] objects made of glass, especially drinking glasses, dishes, and containers for water or flowers


Words: glassy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  like glass; smooth and shiny:\na glassy lake * a glassy material\n  2  showing no feeling or emotion:\nglassy eyes * a glassy look / stare * He looked flushed and glassy-eyed.


Words: glaze
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] ~ (over) if a person’s eyes glaze or glaze over, the person begins to look bored or tired:\nA lot of people’s eyes glaze over if you say you are a feminist. * ’I’m feeling rather tired,’ he said, his eyes glazing.\n  2  [VN] to fit sheets of glass into sth:\nto glaze a window / house * a glazed door\nsee also DOUBLE GLAZING\ncompare GLASS\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to cover sth with a glaze to give it a shiny surface:\nGlaze the pie with beaten egg. * glazed pottery / tiles * (AmE) a glazed doughnut\n    noun [C, U]\n  1  a thin clear liquid put on clay objects such as cups and plates before they are finished, to give them a hard shiny surface\n  2  a thin liquid, made of egg, milk or sugar, for example, that is put on cake, bread, etc. to make it look shiny:\nBrush the top of the cake with the apricot glaze.


Words: gleam
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] to shine with a pale clear light:\nThe moonlight gleamed on the water. * Her eyes gleamed in the dark.\n  2  ~ (with sth) to look very clean or bright:\n[V] The house was gleaming with fresh white paint. * [V-ADJ] Her teeth gleamed white against the tanned skin of her face.\n  3  [V] ~ (with / in sth) if a person’s eyes gleam with a particular emotion, or an emotion gleams in a person’s eyes, the person shows that emotion:\nHis eyes gleamed with amusement. * Amusement gleamed in his eyes.\n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  a pale clear light, often reflected from sth:\nthe gleam of moonlight on the water * a gleam of light from a lamp * A few gleams of sunshine lit up the gloomy afternoon. * I saw the gleam of the knife as it flashed through the air.\n  2  a small amount of sth:\na faint gleam of hope * a serious book with an occasional gleam of humour\n  3  an expression of a particular feeling or emotion that shows in sb’s eyes:\na gleam of triumph in her eyes * a mischievous gleam in his eye * The gleam in his eye made her uncomfortable (= as if he was planning sth secret or unpleasant).


Words: glean
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sth (from sb/sth) to obtain information, knowledge etc., sometimes with difficulty and often from various different places:\nThese figures have been gleaned from a number of studies.


Words: glee
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a feeling of happiness, usually because sth good has happened to you, or sth bad has happened to sb else:\nHe rubbed his hands in glee as he thought of all the money he would make. * She couldn’t disguise her glee at their embarrassment.


Words: gleeful
Meaning:
adjective\nhappy because of sth good you have done or sth bad that has happened to sb else:\na gleeful laugh\n    gleefully  adverb


Words: glib
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) (of speakers and speech) using words that are clever, but are not sincere, and do not show much thought:\na glib talker / salesman * glib answers / explanations\n    glibly adverb


Words: glide
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] \n  1  to move smoothly and quietly, especially as though it takes no effort:\nSwans went gliding past. * The skaters were gliding over the ice.\n  2  (of birds or aircraft) to fly using air currents, without the birds moving their wings or the aircraft using the engine:\nAn eagle was gliding high overhead. * The plane managed to glide down to the runway.\n    noun\n  1  [sing.] a continuous smooth movement:\nthe graceful glide of a skater\n  2  [C] (phonetics) a speech sound made while moving the tongue from one position to another


Words: glimmer
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a faint unsteady light:\nWe could see a glimmer of light on the far shore.\n  2  (also glimmering) a small sign of sth:\na glimmer of hope / amusement / recognition * I caught the glimmer of a smile in his eyes. * the glimmering of an idea\n    verb [V] to shine with a faint unsteady light:\nThe candles glimmered in the corner. * (figurative) Amusement glimmered in his eyes.


Words: glimpse
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  ~ (at sb/sth) | ~ (of sb/sth) a look at sb/sth for a very short time, when you do not see the person or thing completely:\nHe caught a glimpse of her in the crowd. * I came up on deck to get my first glimpse of the island. * Fans crowded the street outside waiting for a glimpse of their hero.\n  2  ~ (into sth) | ~ (of sth) a short experience of sth that helps you to understand it:\na fascinating glimpse into life in the ocean * The programme gives us a rare glimpse of a great artist at work.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to see sb/sth for a moment, but not very clearly:\nHe’d glimpsed her through the window as he passed.\n  2  to start to understand sth:\nSuddenly she glimpsed the truth about her sister.


Words: glint
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] \n  1  to produce small bright flashes of light:\nThe sea glinted in the moonlight. * The sun glinted on the windows.\n  2  if a person’s eyes glint with a particular emotion, or an emotion glints in a person’s eyes, the person shows that emotion, which is usually a strong one:\nHer eyes glinted angrily. * Hostility glinted in his eyes.\n    noun\n  1  a sudden flash of light or colour shining from a bright surface:\nthe glint of the sun on the water * golden glints in her red hair * She saw a glint of silver in the grass.\n  2  an expression in sb’s eyes showing a particular emotion, often a negative one:\nHe had a wicked glint in his eye. * a glint of anger / mockery


Words: glisten
Meaning:
verb\n(of sth wet) to shine:\n[V] Her eyes were glistening with tears. * Sweat glistened on his forehead. * [V-ADJ] The road glistened wet after the rain.


Words: glitch
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a small problem or fault that stops sth working successfully:\nA few technical glitches forced us to postpone the demonstration.


Words: glitter
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] \n  1  to shine brightly with little flashes of light, like a diamond\nSYN SPARKLE:\nThe ceiling of the cathedral glittered with gold. * The water glittered in the sunlight.\n  2  ~ (with sth) (written) (of the eyes) to shine brightly with a particular emotion, usually a strong one:\nHis eyes glittered with greed.\n    noun\n  1  [U] bright light consisting of many little flashes:\nthe glitter of diamonds\n  2  [sing.] a bright expression in sb’s eyes showing a particular emotion\nSYN GLINT:\nThere was a triumphant glitter in his eyes.\n  3  [U] the attractive, exciting qualities that sb/sth, especially a rich and famous person or place, seems to have\nSYN GLAMOUR:\nthe superficial glitter of show business * Behind all the glitter, life in the theatre can be very hard.\n  4  [U] very small shiny pieces of thin metal or paper that are stuck to things as a decoration:\ngold / silver glitter * Jane wore pink eye glitter to the party.


Words: glitterati
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (used in newspapers) fashionable, rich and famous people:\nUp-and-coming actors mingled with the glitterati of the film world.


Words: glittering
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  very impressive and successful:\nHe has a glittering career ahead of him.\n  2  very impressive and involving rich and successful people:\na glittering occasion / ceremony * a glittering array of stars\n  3  shining brightly with many small flashes of light:\nglittering jewels


Words: glitz
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (sometimes disapproving) the quality of appearing very attractive, exciting and impressive, in a way that is not always genuine:\nthe glitz and glamour of the music scene\n    glitzy adjective:\na glitzy, Hollywood-style occasion


Words: gloaming
Meaning:
noun\n(the gloaming) [sing.] (ScotE or literary) the faint light after the sun sets\nSYN TWILIGHT, DUSK


Words: gloat
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (about / at / over sth) to show that you are happy about your own success or sb else’s failure, in an unpleasant way:\nShe was still gloating over her rival’s disappointment. * Having lost a large percentage of the vote, they were in no position to gloat. * I hope you haven’t just come here to gloat.\n    gloating adjective:\na gloating look / remark


Words: glob
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a small amount of a liquid or substance in a round shape:\nthick globs of paint on the floor


Words: global
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  covering or affecting the whole world:\nglobal issues * The commission is calling for a global ban on whaling. * the company’s domestic and global markets\n  2  considering or including all parts of sth:\nWe need to take a more global approach to the problem. * global searches on the database * They sent a global e-mail to all staff.\n    globally  adverb:\nWe need to start thinking globally.


Words: global village
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the whole world, looked at as a single community that is connected by electronic communication systems:\nTelevision has helped to create a global village.


Words: global warming
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the increase in temperature of the earth’s atmosphere, that is caused by the increase of particular gases, especially CARBON DIOXIDE\nsee also GREENHOUSE EFFECT


Words: globalize
Meaning:
(BrE also globalise)  verb\n[V, VN] (economics) if sth, for example a business company, globalizes or is globalized, it operates all around the world\n    globalization, globalisation  noun [U]:\nthe globalization of world trade


Words: globe
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] an object shaped like a ball with a map of the world on its surface, usually on a STAND so that it can be turned\n \n  2  (the globe) [sing.] the world (used especially to emphasize its size):\ntourists from every corner of the globe\n \n  3  [C] a thing shaped like a ball


Words: globetrotting
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) travelling in many countries all over the world:\na globetrotting journalist\n    globetrotter noun\n    globetrotting noun [U]:\nShe has done her fair share of globetrotting.


Words: globular
Meaning:
adjective\nshaped like a ball, GLOBE or globule; consisting of globules:\nThe plant has distinctive globular flowers.


Words: glockenspiel
Meaning:
noun\na musical instrument made of a row of metal bars of different lengths, that you hit with two small hammers\ncompare XYLOPHONE


Words: gloom
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] a feeling of being sad and without hope:\nThe gloom deepened as the election results came in. * He remained sunk in gloom for several days. * An air of gloom and despondency settled over the household.\n  2  [U] (literary) almost total darkness:\nWe watched the boats come back in the gathering gloom. * Caroline peered into the gloom of the hallway.\n IDIOMS  see DOOM n., PILE v.


Words: gloomy
Meaning:
adjective (gloomier, gloomiest)\n  1  nearly dark, or badly lit in a way that makes you feel sad:\na gloomy room / atmosphere * It was a wet and gloomy day.\n  2  sad and without hope:\na gloomy expression * We sat in gloomy silence.\n  3  without much hope of success or happiness in the future:\na gloomy picture of the country’s economic future * Suddenly, the future didn’t look so gloomy after all.\n    gloomily  adverb:\nHe stared gloomily at the phone. * Iris lay gloomily on her bed contemplating the future.


Words: glorified
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] making sb/sth seem more important or better than they are:\nThe restaurant was no more than a glorified fast-food cafe.


Words: glorify
Meaning:
verb (glorifies, glorifying, glorified, glorified) [VN] \n  1  (often disapproving) to make sth seem better or more important than it really is:\nHe denies that the movie glorifies violence.\n  2  (formal) to praise and worship God\n    glorification  noun [U]:\nthe glorification of war


Words: glorious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (formal) deserving or bringing great fame and success:\na glorious deed / victory * a glorious chapter in our country’s history * The film looks back at Spain’s glorious past.\ncompare INGLORIOUS\n  2  (formal) very beautiful and impressive:\na glorious sunset / view * Both her daughters have glorious red hair.\n  3  extremely enjoyable:\na glorious trip to Rome\n  4  (of weather) hot, with the sun shining:\nThey had three weeks of glorious sunshine.\n    gloriously adverb:\nThe show has been gloriously successful. * a gloriously sunny day


Words: glory
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] fame, praise or honour that is given to sb because they have achieved sth important:\nOlympic glory in the 100 metres * I do all the work and he gets all the glory. * She wanted to enjoy her moment of glory. * He came home a rich man, covered in glory.\n  2  [U] praise and worship of God:\n’Glory to God in the highest’\n  3  [U] great beauty:\nThe city was spread out beneath us in all its glory. * The house has now been restored to its former glory.\n  4  [C] a special cause for pride, respect or pleasure:\nThe temple is one of the glories of ancient Greece. * Her long black hair is her crowning glory (= most impressive feature).\nsee also REFLECTED GLORY\n    verb (glories, glorying, gloried, gloried)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  glory in sth (written) to get great pleasure or enjoyment from sth\nSYN REVEL:\nShe gloried in her new-found independence.


Words: glory days
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] a time in the past which people look back on as being better than the present:\nThe last time they won the Cup was back in the glory days of 1989.


Words: gloss
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, sing.] a shine on a smooth surface:\npaper with a high gloss on one side * The gel gives your hair a gloss. * You can have the photos with either a gloss or a matt finish. * Use over your favourite lipstick to add extra gloss.\n  2  [U] (often in compounds) a substance designed to make sth shiny:\nlip gloss\n  3  (also gloss paint) [U] paint which, when dry, has a hard shiny surface:\ntwo coats of gloss\n  4  [U, sing.] an attractive appearance that is only on the surface and hides what is not so attractive:\nBeneath the gloss of success was a tragic private life. * This scandal has taken the gloss off the occasion.\n  5  [C] ~ (on sth) a way of explaining sth to make it seem more attractive or acceptable:\nThe director puts a Hollywood gloss on the civil war.\n  6  [C] ~ (on sth) a note or comment added to a piece of writing to explain a difficult word or phrase\n    verb [VN] ~ sth (as sth) to add a note or comment to a piece of writing to explain a difficult word, phrase or idea\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gloss over sth to avoid talking about sth unpleasant or embarrassing by not dealing with it in detail:\nto gloss over a problem / difficulty / situation * He glossed over any splits in the party.


Words: glossary
Meaning:
noun\n(plural glossaries) a list of technical or special words, especially those in a particular text, explaining their meanings:\na glossary of financial terms


Words: glossy
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  smooth and shiny:\nglossy hair * a glossy brochure / magazine (= printed on shiny paper)\n  2  giving an appearance of being important and expensive:\nthe glossy world of fashion\n    noun (plural glossies) (BrE, informal) an expensive magazine printed on glossy paper, with a lot of colour photographs, etc.:\nShe works in one of the big fashion glossies.


Words: glottal stop
Meaning:
noun\n(phonetics) a speech sound made by closing and opening the glottis, which in English sometimes takes the place of a / t /, in butter, for example


Words: glottis
Meaning:
noun\n(anatomy) the part of the throat that contains the VOCAL CORDS and the narrow opening between them


Words: glove
Meaning:
noun\na covering for the hand, made of wool, leather, etc. with separate parts for each finger and the thumb:\na pair of gloves * rubber gloves * gardening gloves\ncompare MITTEN\nsee also BOXING, OVEN GLOVE\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  the gloves are off used to say that sb is ready for a fight or an argument\nmore at FIT v., HAND n., IRON adj., KID n.


Words: glove compartment
Meaning:
(also glove box) noun\na small enclosed space or shelf facing the front seats of a car, used for keeping small things in


Words: glove puppet
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE hand puppet) noun\na type of PUPPET that you put over your hand and move using your fingers


Words: glow
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  (especially of sth hot or warm) to produce a dull, steady light:\n[V] The embers still glowed in the hearth. * The lighted candles glowed in the darkness. * The strap has a fluorescent coating that glows in the dark. * [V-ADJ] A cigarette end glowed red in the darkness.\n  2  [V] ~ (with sth) (of a person’s body or face) to look or feel warm or pink, especially after exercise or because of excitement, embarrassment, etc:\nHer cheeks were glowing. * His face glowed with embarrassment.\n  3  [V] ~ (with sth) to look very pleased or satisfied:\nShe was positively glowing with pride. * He gave her a warm glowing smile.\n  4  ~ (with sth) to appear a strong, warm colour:\n[V] The countryside glowed with autumn colours. * [V-ADJ] The brick walls glowed red in the late afternoon sun.\n    noun [sing.]\n  1  a dull steady light, especially from a fire that has stopped producing flames:\nThe city was just a red glow on the horizon. * There was no light except for the occasional glow of a cigarette.\n  2  the pink colour in your face when you have been doing exercise or feel happy and excited:\nThe fresh air had brought a healthy glow to her cheeks.\n  3  a gold or red colour:\nthe glow of autumn leaves\n  4  a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction:\nWhen she looked at her children, she felt a glow of pride.


Words: glower
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (at sb/sth) to look in an angry, aggressive way\nSYN GLARE:\nShe glowered across the table at me. * Nicola stared at Tom, who glowered back. * He stood behind her, eyes glowering.\n    glower noun


Words: glowing
Meaning:
adjective\ngiving enthusiastic praise:\na glowing account / report / review * He spoke of her performance in the film in glowing terms (= praising her highly).\n    glowingly adverb:\nShe spoke glowingly of her brother’s life and work.


Words: glucose
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of sugar that is found in fruit and is easily changed into energy by the human body


Words: glue
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [U, C] a sticky substance that is used for joining things together:\na tube of glue * synthetic glues * He sticks to her like glue (= never leaves her).\n    verb [VN] ~ A (to / onto B) | ~ A and B (together) to join two things together using glue:\nShe glued the label onto the box. * Glue the two pieces of cardboard together. * Make sure the edges are glued down.\n IDIOMS \n  be glued to sth (informal) to give all your attention to sth; to stay very close to sth:\nHe spends every evening glued to the TV. * Her eyes were glued to the screen (= she did not stop watching it).\n  glued to the spot not able to move, for example because you are frightened or surprised


Words: glue ear
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) a medical condition in which the tubes going from the nose to the ear are blocked with MUCUS


Words: glue-sniffing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the habit of breathing in the gases from some kinds of glue in order to produce a state of excitement; a type of SOLVENT ABUSE


Words: glum
Meaning:
adjective\nsad, quiet and unhappy:\nThe players sat there with glum looks on their faces.\n    glumly adverb:\nThe three of us sat glumly looking out to sea.


Words: glut
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [usually sing.] ~ (of sth) a situation in which there is more of sth than is needed or can be used:\na glut of cheap videos on the market\n    verb (-tt-) [VN] [usually passive] to supply or provide sth with too much of sth:\nThe market has been glutted with foreign cars.


Words: gluten
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a sticky substance that is a mixture of two PROTEINS and is left when STARCH is removed from flour, especially wheat flour


Words: glutton
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (disapproving) a person who eats too much\n  2  ~ for punishment / work a person who enjoys doing difficult or unpleasant tasks\n    gluttonous  adjective


Words: glycerine
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually glycerin ) noun [U] a thick sweet colourless liquid made from fats and oils and used in medicines, beauty products and explosives


Words: GM
Meaning:
abbreviation\n  1  (BrE) genetically modified:\nGM foods or ’Frankenstein foods’ as they are popularly called\n  2  grant-maintained (used in Britain to describe schools that receive money from central, not local government)


Words: GMT
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the abbreviation for ’Greenwich Mean Time’ (the time at Greenwich in England on the line of 0ｰ LONGITUDE, used for calculating time everywhere in the world)


Words: gnarled
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of trees) twisted and rough; covered with hard lumps:\na gnarled oak / branch / trunk\n  2  (of a person or part of the body) bent and twisted because of age or illness:\ngnarled hands


Words: gnarly
Meaning:
adjective (AmE, slang)\n  1  very good; excellent:\nWow, man! That’s totally gnarly!\n  2  not very good


Words: gnash
Meaning:
verb\n IDIOMS \n  gnash your teeth to feel very angry and upset about sth, especially because you cannot get what you want:\nHe’ll be gnashing his teeth when he hears that we lost the contract. * The news caused great wailing and gnashing of teeth.


Words: gnaw
Meaning:
verb\n~ (away) (at / on sth) to keep biting sth or chewing it hard, so that it gradually disappears:\n[VN] The dog was gnawing a bone. * [V] Rats had gnawed through the cable * She gnawed at her fingernails. * (figurative) Self-doubt began to gnaw away at her confidence.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gnaw at sb to make sb feel anxious, frightened or uncomfortable over a long period of time:\nThe problem had been gnawing at him for months. * Fear gnawed at her soul.


Words: gnome
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in stories) a creature like a small man with white hair and a pointed hat who lives under the ground and guards gold and precious things: (informal) the gnomes of Zurich (= Swiss bankers who control foreign money)\n  2  a plastic or stone figure of a gnome, used as a garden ornament


Words: GNP
Meaning:
noun\nthe abbreviation for ’gross national product’ (the total value of all the goods and services produced by a country in one year, including the total income from foreign countries)\ncompare GDP


Words: GNVQ
Meaning:
noun\na course of study taken in British schools by students aged 15-18 to prepare them for university or employment (the abbreviation for ’General National Vocational Qualification’):\nShe’s doing GNVQ Business Studies at college.\ncompare A LEVEL


Words: go
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (goes )\n HELP NOTE  Been is used as the past participle of go when sb has gone somewhere and come back.\n  move / travel\n  1  to move or travel from one place to another: [V, +adv./prep.] She went into her room and shut the door behind her. * He goes to work by bus. * I have to go to Rome on business. * She has gone to China (= is now in China or is on her way there). * She has been to China (= she went to China and has now returned). * I think you should go to the doctor’s. * Are you going home for Christmas? * [V to inf] She has gone to see her sister this weekend.\n HELP NOTE  In spoken English go can be used with and plus another verb to show purpose or to tell sb what to do: I’ll go and answer the door. * Go and get me a drink! The and is sometimes left out, especially in AmE: Go ask your mom!\n  2  [V] ~ (to sth) (with sb) to move or travel, especially with sb else, to a particular place or in order to be present at an event:\nAre you going to Dave’s party? * Who else is going? * His dog goes everywhere with him.\n  3  [+adv./prep.] to move or travel in a particular way or over a particular distance:\n[V] He’s going too fast. * [VN] We had gone about fifty miles when the car broke down.\n  4  [V -ing, usually +adv./prep.] ~ flying, singing, etc. to move in a particular way or while doing sth else:\nThe car went skidding off the road into a ditch. * She went sobbing up the stairs. * She crashed into a waiter and his tray of drinks went flying.\n  leave\n  5  [V] to leave one place in order to reach another\nSYN DEPART:\nI must be going now. * They came at six and went at nine. * Has she gone yet? * He’s been gone an hour (= he left an hour ago). * When does the train go?\n  6  [V] ~ on sth to leave a place and do sth different:\nto go on a journey / a tour / a trip / a cruise * Richard has gone on leave for two weeks.\n  visit / attend\n  7  [V] ~ to sth to visit or attend a place for a particular purpose: (BrE) I have to go to hospital for an operation. * (AmE) I have to go to the hospital. * to go to prison (= to be sent there as punishment for a crime) * Do you go to church (= regularly attend church services)?\n  swimming / fishing / jogging, etc.\n  8  ~ for sth to leave a place or travel to a place in order to take part in an activity or a sport:\nto go for a walk / drive / swim / run * Shall we go for a drink (= at a pub or bar) after work? * I have to go shopping this afternoon. * We’re going sailing on Saturday.\n  be sent\n  9  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to be sent or passed somewhere:\nI want this memo to go to all managers.\n  lead\n  10  [V +adv./prep.] ~ (from ...) to ... to lead or EXTEND from one place to another:\nI want a rope that will go from the top window to the ground. * Where does this road go?\n  place / space\n  11  [V +adv./prep.] to have as a usual or correct position; to be placed:\nThis dictionary goes on the top shelf. * Where do you want the piano to go (= be put)?\n  12  [V] will / would not ~ (in / into sth) used to say that sth does/did not fit into a particular place or space:\nMy clothes won’t all go in that one suitcase. * He tried to push his hand through the gap but it wouldn’t go.\n  numbers\n  13  ~ (into sth) if a number will go into another number, it is contained in that number an exact number of times:\n[V-N] 3 into 12 goes 4. * [V] 7 into 15 won’t go. * (AmE) 7 into 15 doesn’t go. * 7 won’t go into 15.\n  progress\n  14  [V +adv./prep.] used to talk about how well or badly sth makes progress or succeeds:\n’How did your interview go?’ ’It went very well, thank you.’ * Did everything go smoothly? * How’s it going (= is your life enjoyable, successful, etc. at the moment)? * The way things are going the company will be bankrupt by the end of the year.\n  state / condition\n  15  [V] ~ to / into sth | ~ out of sth used in many expressions to show that sb/sth has reached a particular state/is no longer in a particular state:\nShe went to sleep. * That colour has gone out of fashion.\n  16  linking verb [V-ADJ] to become different in a particular way, especially a bad way:\nto go bald / blind / mad / bankrupt * Her hair is going grey. * This milk has gone sour. * The children went wild with excitement. -> BECOME\n  17  [V-ADJ] to live or move around in a particular state:\nto go naked / barefoot * She cannot bear the thought of children going hungry.\n  18  [V-ADJ] ~ unnoticed, unreported, etc. to not be noticed, reported, etc:\nPolice are worried that many crimes go unreported.\n  song / story\n  19  used to talk about what tune or words a song or poem has or what happens in a story [V, +adv./prep.] How does that song go? * I forget how the next line goes. * [V that] The story goes that she’s been married five times.\n  sound / movement\n  20  to make a particular sound or movement:\n[V-N] The gun went ’bang’. * [V +adv./prep.] She went like this with her hand.\n  21  [V] to be sounded as a signal or warning:\nThe whistle went for the end of the game.\n  say\n  22  [V speech] (informal) (used when telling a story) to say:\nI asked ’How much?’ and he goes, ’Fifty.’ and I go, ’Fifty? You must be joking!’\n  start\n  23  [V] to start an activity:\nI’ll say ’One, two, three, go!’ as a signal for you to start. * As soon as he gets here we’re ready to go.\n  machine\n  24  [V] if a machine goes, it works:\nThis clock doesn’t go.\n  disappear\n  25  [V] to stop existing; to be lost or stolen\nSYN DISAPPEAR:\nHas your headache gone yet? * I left my bike outside the library and when I came out again it had gone.\n  be thrown out\n  26  [V] sb/sth must / has to / can ~ used to talk about wanting to get rid of sb/sth:\nThe old sofa will have to go. * He’s useless-he’ll have to go.\n  not work\n  27  [V] to get worse; to become damaged or stop working correctly:\nHer sight is beginning to go. * His mind is going (= he is losing his mental powers). * I was driving home when my brakes went.\n  die\n  28  [V] to die. People say ’go’ to avoid saying ’die’:\nYou can’t take your money with you when you go.\n  money\n  29  [V] ~ (on sth) when money goes, it is spent or used for sth:\nI don’t know where the money goes! * Most of my salary goes on the rent. * The money will go to finance a new community centre.\n  30  [V] ~ (to sb) (for sth) to be sold:\nWe won’t let the house go for less than $200 000. * There was usually some bread going cheap (= being sold cheaply) at the end of the day.\n  31  [V +adv./prep.] to be willing to pay a particular amount of money for sth:\nHe’s offered ｣3 000 for the car and I don’t think he’ll go any higher. * I’ll go to $1 000 but that’s my limit.\n  help\n  32  [V to inf] to help; to play a part in doing sth:\nThis all goes to prove my theory. * It (= what has just happened) just goes to show you can’t always tell how people are going to react.\n  be available\n  33  (be going) [V] (informal) to be available:\nThere just aren’t any jobs going in this area.\n  time\n  34  [V +adv./prep.] used to talk about how quickly or slowly time seems to pass:\nHasn’t the time gone quickly?\n  use toilet\n  35  [V] (informal) to use a toilet:\nDo you need to go, Billy?\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing go are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example go it alone is at alone.\n  anything goes (informal) anything that sb says or does is accepted or allowed, however shocking or unusual it may be:\nAlmost anything goes these days.\n  as people, things, etc. go in comparison with the average person, thing, etc:\nAs teachers go, he’s not bad.\n  be going on (for) sth (BrE) to be nearly a particular age, time or number:\nIt was going on (for) midnight.\n  be going to do sth\n1 used to show what sb intends to do in the future:\nWe’re going to buy a house when we’ve saved enough money.\n2 used to show that sth is likely to happen very soon or in the future:\nI think I’m going to faint. * If the drought continues there’s going to be a famine.\n  don’t go doing sth (spoken) used to tell or warn sb not to do sth:\nDon’t go getting yourself into trouble.\n  enough / something to be going on with (BrE) something that is enough for a short time:\n｣50 should be enough to be going on with.\n  go all out for sth | go all out to do sth to make a very great effort to get sth or do sth\n  go and do sth used to show that you are angry or annoyed that sb has done sth stupid:\nTrust him to go and mess things up! * Why did you have to go and upset your mother like that? * You’ve really gone and done it (= done sth very stupid) now!\n  go down well, badly, etc. (with sb) | go off well used to talk about whether people like sth such as a speech, performance, etc:\nHer speech went down well with the audience.\n  go on (with you) (old-fashioned) used to express the fact that you do not believe sth, or that you disapprove of sth:\nGo on with you-you’re never forty. You don’t look a day over thirty.\n  (have) a lot, nothing, etc. going for you (to have) many/not many advantages:\nYou’re young, intelligent, attractive-you have a lot going for you!\n  no go (informal) not possible or allowed:\nIf the bank won’t lend us the money it’s no go, I’m afraid.\nsee also NO-GO AREA\n  to go\n1 remaining; still left:\nI only have one exam to go.\n2 (AmE, informal) if you buy cooked food to go in a restaurant or shop/store, you buy it to take away and eat somewhere else:\nTwo pizzas to go.\n  where does sb go from here? used to ask what action sb should take, especially in order to improve the difficult situation that they are in\n  who goes there? used by a soldier who is guarding a place to order sb to say who they are:\nHalt, who goes there?\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  go about (BrE) = GO AROUND\n  go about sth to continue to do sth; to keep busy with sth:\nDespite the threat of war, people went about their business as usual.\n  go about sth to start working on sth\nSYN TACKLE:\nYou’re not going about the job in the right way. * [+ -ing] How should I go about finding a job?\n  go after sb to chase or follow sb:\nHe went after the burglars. * She left the room in tears so I went after her.\n  go after sb/sth to try to get sb/sth:\nWe’re both going after the same job.\n  go against sb to not be in sb’s favour or not to their advantage:\nThe jury’s verdict went against him.\n  go against sb/sth to resist or oppose sb/sth:\nHe would not go against his parents’ wishes.\n  go against sth to be opposed to sth; to not fit or agree with sth:\nPaying for hospital treatment goes against her principles. * His thinking goes against all logic.\n  go ahead\n1 to travel in front of other people in your group and arrive before them:\nI’ll go ahead and tell them you’re on the way.\n2 to happen; to be done\nSYN PROCEED:\nThe building of the new bridge will go ahead as planned.\nrelated noun GO-AHEAD\n  go ahead (with sth) to begin to do sth, especially when sb has given permission or has expressed doubts or opposition:\n’May I start now?’ ’Yes, go ahead.’ * The government intends to go ahead with its tax cutting plans\nrelated noun GO-AHEAD\n  go along\n1 to continue with an activity:\nHe made up the story as he went along.\n2 to make progress; to develop:\nThings are going along nicely.\n  go along with sb/sth to agree with sb/sth:\nI don’t go along with her views on abortion.\n  go around / round\n1 to spin or turn:\nto go round in a circle\n2 to be enough for everyone to have one or some:\nThere aren’t enough chairs to go around.\n3 (BrE also go about) to often be in a particular state or behave in a particular way:\nShe often goes around barefoot. * [+ -ing] It’s unprofessional to go round criticizing your colleagues.\n4 to spread from person to person:\nThere’s a rumour going around that they’re having an affair.\n  go around / round (to ...) to visit sb or a place that is near:\nI went round to the post office. * I’m going around to my sister’s (= her house) later.\n  go at sb to attack sb:\nThey went at each other furiously.\n  go at sth to make great efforts to do sth; to work hard at sth:\nThey went at the job as if their lives depended on it.\n  go away\n1 to leave a person or place:\nJust go away! * Go away and think about it, then let me know.\n2 to leave home for a period of time, especially for a holiday/vacation:\nThey’ve gone away for a few days. * I’m going away on business.\n3 to disappear:\nThe smell still hasn’t gone away.\n  go back if two people go back a period of time (usually a long time), they have known each other for that time:\nDave and I go back twenty years.\n  go back (to ...) to return to a place:\nShe doesn’t want to go back to her husband (= to live with him again). * This toaster will have to go back (= be taken back to the shop / store where it was bought)-it’s faulty. * Of course we want to go back some day-it’s our country, our real home.\n  go back (to sth)\n1 to consider sth that happened or was said at an earlier time:\nCan I go back to what you said at the beginning of the meeting? * Once you have made this decision, there will be no going back (= you will not be able to change your mind).\n2 to have existed since a particular time or for a particular period:\nTheir family goes back to the time of the Pilgrim Fathers.\n  go back on sth to fail to keep a promise; to change your mind about sth:\nHe never goes back on his word (= never fails to do what he has said he will do).\n  go back to sth to start doing sth again that you had stopped doing:\nThe kids go back to school next week. * [+ -ing] She’s decided to go back to teaching.\n  go before (written) to exist or happen in an earlier time:\nThe present crisis is worse than any that have gone before.\n  go before sb/sth to be presented to sb/sth for discussion, decision or judgement:\nMy application goes before the planning committee next week.\n  go beyond sth to be more than sth\nSYN EXCEED:\nThis year’s sales figures go beyond all our expectations (= are much better than we thought they would be).\n  go by (of time) to pass:\nThings will get easier as time goes by. * The weeks went slowly by.\n  go by sth to be guided by sth; to form an opinion from sth:\nThat’s a good rule to go by. * If past experience is anything to go by, they’ll be late.\n  go down\n1 to fall to the ground:\nShe tripped and went down with a bump.\n2 if a ship, etc. goes down, it disappears below the water\nSYN SINK\n3 when the sun or moon goes down, it disappears below the HORIZON\nSYN SET\n4 if food or drink will/will not go down, it is difficult/easy to swallow:\nA glass of wine would go down very nicely (= I would very much like one).\n5 if the price of sth, the temperature, etc. goes down, it becomes lower\nSYN FALL:\nThe price of oil is going down. * Oil is going down in price.\nOPP GO UP\n6 (informal) to get worse in quality:\nThe neighbourhood has gone down a lot recently.\n7 (computing) to stop working temporarily:\nThe system is going down in ten minutes.\n  go down (from ...) (BrE, formal) to leave a university, especially Oxford or Cambridge, at the end of a TERM or after finishing your studies:\nShe went down (from Cambridge) in 1989.\nOPP GO UP (TO ...)\n  go down (in sth) to be written in sth; to be recorded or remembered in sth:\nIt all goes down (= she writes it all) in her notebook. * He will go down in history as a great statesman.\n  go down on sb (slang) to perform ORAL sex on sb (= to use the mouth to stimulate sb’s sex organs)\n  go down (to sb) to be defeated by sb, especially in a game or competition:\nItaly went down to Brazil by three goals to one.\n  go down (to ...) (from ...) to go from one place to another, especially further south or from a city or large town to a smaller place:\nThey’ve gone down to Brighton for a couple of days.\nOPP GO UP\n  go down with sth (especially BrE) to become ill/sick with sth\nSYN CATCH:\nOur youngest boy has gone down with chickenpox.\n  go for sb to attack sb:\nShe went for him with a knife.\n  go for sb/sth\n1 to apply to sb/sth:\nWhat I said about Peter goes for you, too. * They have a high level of unemployment-but the same goes for many other countries.\n2 to go to a place and bring sb/sth back:\nShe’s gone for some milk.\n3 to be attracted by sb/sth; to like or prefer sb/sth:\nShe goes for tall slim men. * I don’t really go for modern art.\n  go for sth\n1 to choose sth:\nI think I’ll go for the fruit salad.\n2 to put a lot of effort into sth, so that you get or achieve sth:\nGo for it, John! You know you can beat him. * It sounds a great idea. Go for it!\n  go in\n1 to enter a room, house, etc:\nLet’s go in, it’s getting cold.\n2 if the sun or moon goes in, it disappears behind a cloud\n  go in for sth\n1 (BrE) to take an exam or enter a competition:\nShe’s going in for the Cambridge First Certificate.\n2 to have sth as an interest or a hobby:\nShe doesn’t go in for team games.\n  go in with sb to join sb in starting a business:\nMy brothers are opening a garage and they want me to go in with them.\n  go into sth\n1 (of a vehicle) to hit sth violently:\nThe car skidded and went into a tree.\n2 (of a vehicle or driver) to start moving in a particular way:\nThe plane went into a nosedive.\n3 to join an organization, especially in order to have a career in it:\nto go into the Army / the Church / Parliament * to go into teaching\n4 to begin to do sth or behave in a particular way:\nHe went into a long explanation of the affair.\n5 to examine sth carefully:\nWe need to go into the question of costs.\n6 (of money, time, effort, etc.) to be spent on sth or used to do sth:\nMore government money needs to go into the project. * [+ -ing] Years of work went into researching the book.\n  go off\n1 to leave a place, especially in order to do sth:\nShe went off to get a drink.\n2 to be fired; to explode:\nThe gun went off by accident. * The bomb went off in a crowded street.\n3 if an ALARM, etc. goes off, it makes a sudden loud noise\n4 if a light, the electricity, etc. goes off, it stops working:\nSuddenly the lights went off. * The heating goes off at night.\nOPP GO ON\n5 (BrE, informal) to fall asleep:\nHasn’t the baby gone off yet?\n6 (BrE) if food or drink goes off, it becomes bad and not fit to eat or drink\n7 (BrE) to get worse in quality:\nHer books have gone off in recent years.\n  go off sb/sth (BrE, informal) to stop liking sb/sth or lose interest in them:\nJane seems to be going off Paul. * I’ve gone off beer.\n  go off with sb to leave your husband, wife, partner, etc. in order to have a relationship with sb else:\nHe went off with his best friend’s wife.\n  go off with sth to take away from a place sth that does not belong to you:\nHe went off with $10 000 of the company’s money.\n  go on\n1 when a performer goes on, they begin their performance:\nShe doesn’t go on until Act 2.\n2 (in sport) to join a team as a SUBSTITUTE during a game:\nCole went on in place of Beckham just before half-time.\n3 when a light, the electricity, etc. goes on, it starts to work:\nSuddenly all the lights went on.\nOPP GO OFF\n4 (of time) to pass:\nShe became more and more talkative as the evening went on.\n5 (usually be going on) to happen:\nWhat’s going on here?\n6 if a situation goes on, it continues without changing:\nThis cannot be allowed to go on. * How much longer will this hot weather go on for? * We can’t go on like this-we seem to be always arguing.\n7 to continue speaking, after a short pause:\nShe hesitated for a moment and then went on. * [+ speech] ’You know,’ he went on, ’I think my brother could help you.’\n8 used to encourage sb to do sth:\nGo on! Have another drink! * Go on-jump!\n  go on (ahead) to travel in front of sb else:\nYou go on ahead-I’ll catch you up in a few minutes.\n  go on sth (used in negative sentences and questions) to base an opinion or a judgement on sth:\nThe police don’t have much to go on.\n  go on (about sb/sth) to talk about sb/sth for a long time, especially in a boring or complaining way:\nHe went on and on about how poor he was. * She does go on sometimes!\n  go on (at sb) (especially BrE) to complain to sb about their behaviour, work, etc.\nSYN CRITICIZE:\nShe goes on at him continually.\n  go on (with sth) to continue an activity, especially after a pause or break:\nThat’s enough for now-let’s go on with it tomorrow.\n  go on doing sth to continue an activity without stopping:\nHe said nothing but just went on working.\n  go on to sth to pass from one item to the next:\nLet’s go on to the next item on the agenda.\n  go on to do sth to do sth after completing sth else:\nThe book goes on to describe his experiences in the army. * After her early teaching career she went on to become a doctor.\n  go out\n1 to leave your house to go to a social event:\nShe goes out a lot. * [+ -ing] He goes out drinking most evenings.\n2 when the TIDE goes out, it moves away from the land\nSYN EBB\nOPP COME IN\n3 to be sent:\nHave the invitations gone out yet?\n4 (BrE) when a radio or television programme goes out, it is broadcast\n5 when news or information goes out, it is announced or published:\n[+ that] Word went out that the director had resigned\n6 if a fire or light goes out, it stops burning or shining\n  go out (of sth)\n1 to fail to reach the next stage of a competition, etc:\nShe went out of the tournament in the first round.\n2 to be no longer fashionable or generally used:\nThose skirts went out years ago.\n  go out of sb/sth (of a quality or a feeling) to be no longer present in sb/sth; to disappear from sb/sth:\nAll the fight seemed to go out of him. * The heat has gone out of the argument.\n  go out with sb | go out (together) (especially of young people) to spend time with sb and have a romantic or sexual relationship with them:\nTom has been going out with Kate for six weeks. * How long have Tom and Kate been going out together?\n  go over sth\n1 to examine or check sth carefully:\nGo over your work before you hand it in.\n2 to study sth carefully, especially by repeating it:\nHe went over the events of the day in his mind (= thought about them carefully).\n  go over (to ...) to move from one place to another, especially when this means crossing sth such as a room, town or city:\nHe went over and shook hands with his guests. * Many Irish people went over to America during the famine.\n  go over to sb/sth (in broadcasting) to change to a different person or place for the next part of a broadcast:\nWe are now going over to the news desk for an important announcement.\n  go over to sth to change from one side, opinion, habit, etc. to another:\nTwo Conservative MPs have gone over to the Liberal Democrats.\n  go round = GO AROUND\n  go round (to ...) = GO AROUND (TO ...)\n  go through if a law, contract, etc. goes through, it is officially accepted or completed:\nThe deal did not go through.\n  go through sth\n1 to look at or examine sth carefully, especially in order to find sth:\nI always start the day by going through my mail. * She went through the company’s accounts, looking for evidence of fraud.\n2 to study or consider sth in detail, especially by repeating it:\nLet’s go through the arguments again. * Could we go through (= practise) Act 2 once more?\n3 to perform a series of actions; to follow a method or PROCEDURE:\nCertain formalities have to be gone through before you can emigrate.\n4 to experience or suffer sth:\nShe’s been going through a bad patch recently. * He’s amazingly cheerful considering all he’s had to go through.\n5 to use up or finish sth completely:\nThe boys went through two whole loaves of bread.\n  go through with sth to do what is necessary to complete a course of action, especially one that is difficult or unpleasant:\nShe decided not to go through with (= not to have) the operation.\n  go to sb/sth to be given to sb/sth:\nProceeds from the concert will go to charity. * All her property went to her eldest son (= when she died).\n  go together = GO WITH STH\n  go towards sth to be used as part of the payment for sth:\nThe money will go towards a new car. * [+ -ing] Part of my pay cheque went towards buying a CD player.\n  go under\n1 (of sth that floats) to sink below the surface\n2 (informal) to become BANKRUPT (= be unable to pay what you owe):\nT\n go up:  1 to be built:\nNew offices buildings are going up everywhere.\n2 when the curtain across the stage in a theatre goes up, it is raised or opened\n3 to be destroyed by fire or an explosion:\nThe whole building went up in flames.\n4 if the price of sth, the temperature, etc. goes up, it becomes higher\nSYN RISE:\nThe price of cigarettes is going up. * Cigarettes are going up in price.\nOPP GO DOWN\n  go up (to ...) (BrE, formal) to arrive at a university, especially Oxford or Cambridge, at the beginning of a TERM or in order to begin your studies:\nShe went up (to Oxford) in 1989.\nOPP GO DOWN (FROM ...)\n  go up (to ...) (from ...) to go from one place to another, especially further north or to a city or large town from a smaller place:\nWhen are you next going up to Scotland? * We went up to London last weekend.\nOPP GO DOWN\n  go with sb (old-fashioned, informal) to have a sexual or romantic relationship with sb\n  go with sth\n1 to be included with or as part of sth:\nA car goes with the job.\n2 to agree to accept sth, for example a plan or an offer:\nYou’re offering ｣500? I think we can go with that.\n3 (also go (together)) to combine well with sth\nSYN MATCH:\nDoes this jacket go with this skirt? * Those colours don’t really go (together).\n4 (also go together) to exist at the same time or in the same place as sth; to be found together:\nDisease often goes with poverty. * Disease and poverty often go together.\n  go without (sth) to manage without sth that you usually have or need:\nThere wasn’t time for breakfast, so I had to go without. * How long can a human being go (= survive) without sleep? * [+ -ing] She went without eating for three days.\n    noun (plural goes )\n  1  [C] (BrE) (also turn AmE, BrE) a person’s turn to move or play in a game or an activity:\nWhose go is it? * It’s your go. * ’How much is it to play?’ ’It’s 50p a go.’ * Can I have a go on your new bike?\n  2  [C] (BrE) (also try AmE, BrE) an attempt at doing sth:\nIt took three goes to get it right. * I doubt if he’ll listen to advice from me, but I’ll give it a go (= I’ll try but I don’t think I will succeed).\n  3  [U] (BrE) energy and enthusiasm:\nMary’s always got plenty of go.\nsee also GET-UP-AND-GO\n IDIOMS \n  at one go (BrE) in one single attempt or try:\nShe blew out the candles at one go.\n  be all go (BrE, informal) to be very busy or full of activity:\nIt was all go in the office today.\n  be on the go (also be on the move) (informal) to be very active and busy:\nI’ve been on the go all day. * Having four children keeps her on the go.\n  first, second, etc. go (BrE) at the first, second, etc. attempt:\nI passed my driving test first go.\n  have a go (at sth / at doing sth) to make an attempt to do sth:\n’I can’t start the engine.’ ’Let me have a go.’ * I’ll have a go at fixing it tonight.\n  have a go (spoken, especially BrE) to attack sb physically:\nThere were about seven of them standing round him, all waiting to have a go.\n  have a go at sb (informal) to criticize sb or complain about sb:\nThe boss had a go at me for being late for work. * The government are always having a go at teachers.\n  in one go (especially spoken) all together on one occasion:\nI’d rather do the journey in one go, and not stop on the way. * They ate the packet of biscuits all in one go.\n  make a go of sth (informal) to be successful in sth:\nWe’ve had a few problems in our marriage, but we’re both determined to make a go of it.\nmore at LEAVE v., LET v.


Words: go-ahead
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (the go-ahead) [sing.] permission for sb to start doing sth:\nThe council has given the go-ahead to start building. * Union leaders have now got the go-ahead for new talks with management.\n    adjective [usually before noun] willing to try new ideas, methods, etc. and therefore likely to succeed:\na go-ahead company / school / manager


Words: go-between
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a person who takes messages between one person or group and another:\nto act as (a) go-between


Words: go-go
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with a style of dancing to pop music in which girls dance wearing very few clothes:\na go-go dancer / club\n  2  (AmE, informal) of a period of time when businesses are growing and people are making money fast:\nthe go-go years of the 1980s


Words: go-kart
Meaning:
(BrE) (also go-cart AmE, BrE)  noun\na vehicle like a small low car with no roof or doors, used for racing


Words: go-slow
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE slowdown) noun\na protest that workers make by doing their work more slowly than usual\ncompare WORK-TO-RULE


Words: goad
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] ~ sb/sth (into sth / into doing sth) to keep irritating or annoying sb/sth until they react:\nGoaded beyond endurance, she turned on him and hit out. * He finally goaded her into answering his question.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  goad sb<->on to drive or encourage sb to do sth:\nThe boxers were goaded on by the shrieking crowd. * She was goaded on by fierce ambition.\n    noun\n  1  a pointed stick used for making cows, etc. move forwards\n  2  something that makes sb do sth, usually by annoying them:\nThe offer of economic help is intended to act as a goad to political reform.


Words: goal
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (in football, hockey, etc.) a wooden frame with a net into which players must kick or hit the ball in order to score a point:\nHe headed the ball into an open goal (= one that had nobody defending it). * Who is in goal (= is the goalkeeper) for Arsenal?\n \n  2  the act of kicking or hitting the ball into the goal; a point that is scored for this:\nThe winning goal was scored by Hill. * Liverpool won by three goals to one. * a penalty goal\nsee also OWN GOAL\n \n  3  something that you hope to achieve:\nto pursue / achieve a goal * The company has set itself some long-term organizational goals. * Their goal was to eradicate malaria.


Words: goal kick
Meaning:
noun\n(in football) a kick taken by one team after the ball has been kicked over their GOAL LINE by the other team without a goal being scored


Words: goalkeeper
Meaning:
(AmE also goaltender) (also BrE informal keeper) noun\n(in football, hockey, etc.) a player whose job is to stop the ball from going into his or her own team’s goal


Words: goalless
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] without either team scoring a goal: (BrE) The match ended in a goalless draw.


Words: goalpost
Meaning:
(also post) noun\none of the two vertical posts that form part of a goal\n IDIOMS \n  move, etc. the goalposts (BrE, informal, disapproving) to change the rules for sth, or conditions under which it is done, so that the situation becomes more difficult for sb:\nI manage to get on top of the job, and then they move the goalposts again.


Words: goat
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  an animal with horns and a hairy coat, that lives wild in mountain areas or is kept on farms for its milk or meat:\na mountain goat * goat’s milk / cheese\nsee also BILLY GOAT, NANNY GOAT\n \n  2  old ~ (informal) an unpleasant old man who is annoying in a sexual way\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  get sb’s goat (informal) to annoy sb very much\nmore at SHEEP


Words: gob
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (informal)\n  1  (BrE) a rude way of referring to a person’s mouth:\nShut your gob! (= a rude way of telling sb to be quiet)\n  2  a small amount of a thick wet substance:\nGobs of spittle ran down his chin.\n  3  [usually pl.] (AmE) a large amount of sth:\ngreat gobs of cash\n    verb (-bb-) [V] (BrE, slang) to blow SALIVA out of your mouth\nSYN SPIT


Words: gobble
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ sth (up / down) to eat sth very fast, in a way that people consider rude or GREEDY:\n[VN] Don’t gobble your food like that! * They gobbled down all the sandwiches. [also V]\n  2  [V] when a TURKEY gobbles it makes a noise in its throat\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gobble sth<->up (informal)\n1 to use sth very quickly:\nHotel costs gobbled up most of their holiday budget.\n2 if a business company, etc. gobbles up a smaller one, it takes control of it


Words: gobbledegook
Meaning:
(also gobbledygook)  noun\n[U] (informal) complicated language that is difficult to understand, especially when used in official documents:\nIt’s all gobbledegook to me.


Words: gobsmacked
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE, informal) so surprised that you do not know what to say:\nI was gobsmacked when she told me the news.


Words: god
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (God) [sing.] (not used with the) (in Christianity, Judaism and Islam) the being or spirit that is worshipped and is believed to have created the universe:\nDo you believe in God? * Good luck and God bless you. * the Son of God (= Christ) * I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give ... (= in a court of law)\n  2  [C] (in some religions) a being or spirit who is believed to have power over a particular part of nature or who is believed to represent a particular quality:\nMars was the Roman god of war. * the rain / sky god * Hindu gods\nsee also GODDESS\n  3  [C] a person who is loved or admired very much by other people:\nTo her fans she’s a god.\nsee also GODDESS\n  4  [C] something to which too much importance or attention is given:\nMoney is his god.\n  5  (the gods) [pl.] (BrE, informal) the seats that are high up at the back of a theatre:\nWe could only afford to sit in the gods.\n IDIOMS \n  by God! (spoken, old-fashioned) used to emphasize a feeling of determination or surprise\n HELP NOTE  Some people find this use offensive.\n  God | God almighty | God in heaven | good God | my God | oh God (spoken) used to emphasize what you are saying when you are surprised, shocked or annoyed:\nGod, what a stupid thing to do!\n HELP NOTE  Some people find this use offensive.\n  God bless used when you are leaving sb, to say that you hope they will be safe, etc:\nGood night, God bless.\n  God rest his / her soul | God rest him / her (spoken, old-fashioned) used to show respect when you are talking about sb who is dead\n  God’s gift (to sb/sth) (ironic) a person who thinks that they are particularly good at sth or who thinks that sb will find them particularly attractive:\nHe seems to think he’s God’s gift to women.\n  God willing (spoken) used to say that you hope that things will happen as you have planned and that there will be no problems:\nI’ll be back next week, God willing.\n  play God to behave as if you control events or other people’s lives:\nIt is unfair to ask doctors to play God and end someone’s life.\n  to God / goodness / Heaven used after a verb to emphasize a particular hope, wish, etc:\nI wish to God you’d learn to pay attention!\n HELP NOTE  Some people find this use offensive.\n  ye gods! (spoken) used to show surprise, lack of belief, etc.\nmore at ACT n., FEAR n., FORBID, GRACE n., HELP v., HONEST, KNOW v., LAP n., LOVE n., MAN n., NAME n., PLEASE v., THANK


Words: God-awful
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (informal) extremely bad:\nHe made a God-awful mess of it!\n HELP NOTE  Some people find this use offensive.


Words: God-given
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] given or created by God:\na God-given duty / talent * What gives you a God-given right to know all my business?


Words: godchild
Meaning:
noun\n(plural godchildren ) a child that a GODPARENT at a Christian BAPTISM ceremony promises to be responsible for and to teach about the Christian religion


Words: goddam
Meaning:
(also goddamn) ) adjective, adverb\n(!!!, slang) a swear word that many people find offensive, used to show that you are angry or annoyed:\nThere’s no need to be so goddam rude! * Where’s that goddamned pen?


Words: goddess
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a female god:\nDiana, the goddess of hunting\n  2  a woman who is loved or admired very much by other people:\na screen goddess (= a female film / movie star)


Words: godfather
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a male GODPARENT\n  2  (often Godfather) a very powerful man in a criminal organization, especially the Mafia\n  3  ~ of sth a person who began or developed sth:\nHe’s the godfather of punk.


Words: godforsaken
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of places) boring, depressing and ugly:\nI can’t stand living in this godforsaken hole.


Words: godhead
Meaning:
noun\n(the Godhead) [sing.] (formal) used in the Christian religion to mean God, including the Father, Son and HOLY SPIRIT


Words: godless
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] not believing in or respecting God; wicked:\na godless generation / world\n    godlessness noun [U]


Words: godly
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (old-fashioned) living a moral life based on religious principles:\na godly man / society\n    godliness noun [U]


Words: godparent
Meaning:
noun\na person who promises at a Christian BAPTISM ceremony to be responsible for a child (= his or her GODCHILD) and to teach them about the Christian religion


Words: godsend
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] ~ (for sb/sth) | ~ (to sb/sth) something good that happens unexpectedly and helps sb/sth when they need help:\nThis new benefit has come as a godsend for low-income families.


Words: goer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (-goer) (in compounds) a person who regularly goes to the place or event mentioned:\na cinema-goer * a moviegoer\n  2  (BrE, informal) a woman who enjoys having sex frequently, especially with different men


Words: gofer
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person whose job is to do small boring tasks for other people in a company\nSYN DOGSBODY:\nThey call me the gofer-go for this, go for that ...


Words: goggle
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (at sb/sth) (old-fashioned, informal) to look at sb/sth with your eyes wide open, especially because you are surprised or shocked


Words: goggles
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] a pair of glasses that fit closely to the face to protect the eyes from wind, dust, water, etc:\na pair of swimming / ski / safety goggles


Words: going
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [sing.] (formal) an act of leaving a place:\nWe were all sad at her going.\n  2  [U] (used with an adjective) the speed with which sb does sth; how difficult it is to do sth:\nWalking four miles in an hour is pretty good going for me. * She had her own company by 25-not bad going! * It was hard going getting up at five every morning. * Even with everyone working overtime, it’s still pretty slow going.\n  3  [U] the condition of the ground, especially in horse racing:\nThe going is good to firm. * The path was rough going, even in daylight.\nsee also OUTGOINGS\n IDIOMS \n  when the going gets tough (the tough get going) (saying) when conditions or progress become difficult (strong and determined people work even harder to succeed)\n  while the going is good (BrE) (AmE while the getting is good) before a situation changes and it is no longer possible to do sth:\nDon’t you think we should quit while the going is good?\nmore at COMING, HEAVY\n    adjective (-going) (in compounds) going regularly to the place or event mentioned:\nthe theatre-going public\nsee also OCEAN-GOING, ONGOING, OUTGOING\n IDIOMS \n  a going concern a business or an activity that is making a profit and is expected to continue to do well:\nHe sold the cafe as a going concern.\n  the going rate (for sth) the usual amount of money paid for goods or services at a particular time:\nThey pay slightly more than the going rate for freelance work.


Words: going-over
Meaning:
noun [sing.] (informal)\n  1  a thorough examination of sb/sth:\nThe garage gave the car a thorough going-over.\n  2  a serious physical attack on sb:\nThe gang gave him a real going-over.


Words: goings-on
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (informal) activities or events that are strange, surprising or dishonest:\nThere were some strange goings-on next door last night.


Words: gold
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [U] (Symbol Au) a chemical element. Gold is a yellow precious metal used for making coins, jewellery, ornaments, etc:\na gold bracelet / ring / watch * 18-carat gold * the country’s gold reserves * made of solid / pure gold\n  2  [U] money, jewellery, etc. that is made of gold:\nHis wife was dripping with (= wearing a lot of) gold.\n  3  [U, C] the colour of gold:\nI love the reds and golds of autumn.\n  4  [U, C] = GOLD MEDAL:\nThe team look set to win Olympic gold. * He won three golds and a bronze.\n IDIOMS \n  a crock / pot of gold a large prize or reward that sb hopes for but is unlikely to get\n  (as) good as gold (informal) behaving in a way that other people approve of:\nThe kids have been as good as gold all day.\nmore at HEART, STREET, STRIKE v., WORTH adj.\n    adjective [only before noun] bright yellow in colour, like gold:\nThe company name was spelled out in gold letters.


Words: gold card
Meaning:
noun\na type of CREDIT CARD that enables a person to buy more goods and services than a normal card does


Words: gold dust
Meaning:
noun\n[U] gold in the form of powder\n IDIOMS \n  like gold dust (BrE) difficult to find or obtain:\nTickets for the final are like gold dust.


Words: gold leaf
Meaning:
(also gold foil) noun\n[U] gold that has been made into a very thin sheet and is used for decoration


Words: gold medal
Meaning:
noun\n(also gold [U, C]) a medal made of gold that is given to the winner of a race or competition:\nan Olympic gold medal winner\ncompare BRONZE MEDAL, SILVER MEDAL\n    gold medallist (BrE) (AmE gold medalist) noun:\nan Olympic gold medallist


Words: gold mine
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a place where gold is dug out of the ground\n  2  a business or an activity that makes a large profit:\nThis restaurant is a potential gold mine.


Words: gold plate
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  dishes, etc. made of gold\n  2  a thin layer of gold used to cover another metal; objects made in this way


Words: gold rush
Meaning:
noun\na situation in which a lot of people suddenly go to a place where gold has recently been discovered


Words: gold standard
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the gold standard) [sing.] an economic system in which the value of money is based on the value of gold:\nthe ending of the gold standard in 1931


Words: gold-digger
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, disapproving) a woman who uses the fact that she is attractive to get money from men


Words: golden
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (especially literary) made of gold:\na golden crown\n  2  bright yellow in colour like gold:\ngolden hair * miles of golden beaches * Bake for ten minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden.\n  3  special; wonderful:\ngolden memories * Businesses have a golden opportunity to expand into new markets. * Hollywood’s golden boy\n IDIOMS  see KILL v., MEAN n., SILENCE n.


Words: golden age
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] ~ (of sth) a period during which sth is very successful, especially in the past:\nthe golden age of cinema


Words: golden eagle
Meaning:
noun\na large BIRD OF PREY (= a bird that kills other creatures for food) of the EAGLE family, with brownish feathers, that lives in northern parts of the world


Words: golden handshake
Meaning:
noun\na large sum of money that is given to sb when they leave their job, or to persuade them to leave their job


Words: golden jubilee
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE golden anniversary) noun\nthe 50th anniversary of an important event:\nQueen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee celebrations * a party to mark the company’s golden jubilee\ncompare DIAMOND JUBILEE, SILVER JUBILEE


Words: golden oldie
Meaning:
noun (informal)\n  1  a song or film/movie that is quite old but still well known and popular\n  2  a person who is no longer young but still successful in their particular career, sport, etc.


Words: golden parachute
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) part of an employment contract in which a business person is promised a large amount of money if they have to leave their job


Words: golden rule
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] an important principle that should be followed when doing sth in order to be successful:\nThe golden rule in tennis is to keep your eye on the ball.


Words: golden wedding
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE golden anniversary) (also golden wedding anniversary AmE, BrE) noun\nthe 50th anniversary of a wedding:\nThe couple celebrated their golden wedding in January.\ncompare DIAMOND WEDDING, RUBY WEDDING, SILVER WEDDING


Words: goldfinch
Meaning:
noun\na small brightly coloured European bird of the FINCH family, with yellow feathers on its wings


Words: goldfish bowl
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a glass bowl for keeping fish in as pets\n  2  a situation in which people can see everything that happens and nothing is private:\nLiving in this goldfish bowl of publicity would crack the strongest marriage.


Words: golf
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a game played over a large area of ground using specially shaped sticks to hit a small hard ball into a series of 9 or 18 holes, using as few strokes as possible:\nHe enjoyed a round of golf on a Sunday morning.\n \n    golfing noun [U]:\na golfing holiday


Words: golf club
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also club) a long metal stick with a piece of metal or wood at one end, used for hitting the ball in golf:\na set of golf clubs\n  2  an organization whose members play golf; the place where these people meet and play golf:\nPine Ridge Golf Club * We’re going for lunch at the golf club.


Words: Goliath
Meaning:
noun\na person or thing that is very large or powerful:\na Goliath of a man * a Goliath of the computer industry


Words: golliwog
Meaning:
plural gollies) noun\na DOLL (= a model of a person for a child to play with) made of cloth with a black face and short black hair


Words: gondola
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a long boat with a flat bottom and high parts at each end, used on canals in Venice\n \n  2  the part on a CABLE CAR or SKI LIFT where the passengers sit\n \n  3  (especially AmE) the part of a hot air BALLOON or AIRSHIP where the passengers sit


Words: gone
Meaning:
adjective, preposition-see also GO, GOES, WENT, GONE v.\n    adjective [not before noun]\n  1  (of a thing) used up:\n’Where’s the coffee?’ ’It’s all gone.’\n  2  (of a person) having left a place; away from a place:\n’Is Tom here?’ ’No, he was gone before I arrived’.\n  3  (formal) used to say that a particular situation no longer exists:\nThe days are gone when you could leave your door unlocked at night.\n  4  (BrE, informal) having been pregnant for the length of time mentioned:\nShe’s seven months gone. * How far gone are you?\n IDIOMS \n  going, going, gone (BrE) (also going once, going twice, sold AmE, BrE) said by an AUCTIONEER to show that an item has been sold\nmore at DEAD adj.\n    preposition (BrE, informal) later than the time mentioned:\nIt’s gone six o’clock already.


Words: goner
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person who is going to die soon or who cannot be saved from a dangerous situation:\nWe were frantic. We thought you were a goner.


Words: gong
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a round piece of metal that hangs in a frame and makes a loud deep sound when it is hit with a stick. Gongs are used as musical instruments or to give signals, for example that a meal is ready:\nto bang / beat / sound a gong * the breakfast / dinner gong\n  2  (BrE, informal) an award or medal given to sb for the work they have done:\nThe British Empire Medal was widely regarded as ’the gong for the working classes’.


Words: gonna
Meaning:
(informal, non-standard) a way of saying or writing ’going to’ in informal speech, when it refers to the future:\nWhat’s she gonna do now?\n HELP NOTE  You should not write this form unless you are copying somebody’s speech.


Words: gonorrhoea
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE gonorrhea)  noun\n[U] a disease of the sexual organs, caught by having sex with an infected person\nsee also VENEREAL DISEASE


Words: gonzo journalism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (AmE, informal) reporting in newspapers that tries to shock or excite readers rather than to give true information


Words: good
Meaning:
adjective, noun, adverb \n    adjective (better )\n  high quality\n  1  of high quality or an acceptable standard:\na good book * good food * The piano was in good condition. * Your work is just not good enough. * The results were pretty good. * Sorry, my English is not very good. * This is as good a place as any to spend the night. * You’ll never marry her-she’s much too good for you.\n  pleasant\n  2  pleasant; that you enjoy or want:\nDid you have a good time in London? * It’s good to see you again. * This is very good news. * Let’s hope we have good weather tomorrow. * We are still friends, though, which is good. * It’s a good thing (= it’s lucky) you’re not a vegetarian.\n  sensible / strong\n  3  sensible, logical or strongly supporting what is being discussed:\nThank you, good question. * Yes, that’s a good point. * I have good reason to be suspicious. * What a good idea! * This is a good example of what I mean.\n  favourable\n  4  showing or getting approval or respect:\nThe play had good reviews. * The hotel has a good reputation.\n  skilful\n  5  ~ (at sth / at doing sth) able to do sth well:\nto be a good actor / cook * to be good at languages / your job * Nick has always been good at finding cheap flights.\n  6  ~ with sth/sb able to use sth or deal with people well:\nShe’s good with her hands (= able to make things, etc.). * He’s very good with children.\n  morally right\n  7  morally right; behaving in a way that is morally right:\nShe has tried to lead a good life. * a good deed * Giving her that money was a good thing to do. * He is a very good man.\n  following rules\n  8  following strictly a set of rules or principles:\nIt is good practice to supply a written report to the buyer. * She was a good Catholic girl.\n  kind\n  9  ~ (to sb) | ~ (of sb) (to do sth) willing to help; showing kindness to other people:\nHe was very good to me when I was ill. * It was very good of you to come. * I had to take a week off work but my colleagues were very good about it.\n  child\n  10  behaving well or politely:\nYou can stay up late if you’re good. * Get dressed now, there’s a good girl.\n  healthy\n  11  healthy or strong:\nCan you speak into my good ear? * I don’t feel too good today.\n  useful / helpful\n  12  ~ (for sb/sth) having a useful or helpful effect on sb/sth:\nToo much sun isn’t good for you. * It’s probably good for you to get some criticism now and then. * (spoken) Shut your mouth, if you know what’s good for you (= used as a threat).\n  13  no ~ doing sth | no ~ to sb not having a useful or helpful effect:\nIt’s no good complaining-they never listen. * This book is no good to me: I need the new edition.\n  suitable\n  14  ~ (for sth / to do sth) | ~ (for sb) suitable or appropriate:\nNow is a good time to buy a house. * She would be good for the job. * Can we change our meeting-Monday isn’t good (= convenient) for me.\n  showing approval\n  15  (spoken) used to show that you approve of or are pleased about sth that has been said or done, or to show that you want to move on to a new topic of conversation:\n’Dinner’s ready.’ ’Good-I’m starving.’ * ’I got the job.’ ’Oh, good.’ * Good, I think we’ve come to a decision.\n  16  [only before noun] (spoken) used as a form of praise:\nGood old Jack! * ’I’ve ordered some drinks.’ ’Good man!’\n  in exclamations\n  17  (spoken) used in exclamations:\nGood heavens! * Good God!\n  large\n  18  [only before noun] great in number, amount or degree:\na good many people * The kitchen is a good size. * We spent a good while (= quite a long time) looking for the house. * He devoted a good deal of (= a lot of) attention to the problem. * There’s a good chance (= it is likely) that I won’t be here next year.\n  at least\n  19  not less than; rather more than:\nWe waited for a good hour. * It’s a good three miles to the station.\n  thorough\n  20  [only before noun] thorough; complete:\nWe had a good laugh about it afterwards. * You’ll feel better after a good sleep.\n  amusing\n  21  [usually before noun] amusing:\na good story / joke * (spoken) That’s a good one!\n  for particular time / distance\n  22  ~ for sth having enough energy, health, strength, etc. to last for a particular length of time or distance:\nYou’re good for (= you will live) a few years yet.\n  23  ~ for sth valid for sth:\nThe ticket is good for three months.\n  likely to provide\n  24  ~ for sth likely to provide sth:\nHe’s always good for a laugh. * Bobby should be good for a few drinks.\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing good are at the entries for the nouns and verbs in the idioms, for example (as) good as gold is at gold.\n  as good as very nearly:\nThe matter is as good as settled. * He as good as called me a coward (= suggested that I was a coward without actually using the word ’coward’). * She’s as good as won.\n  as good as it gets used when you are saying that a situation is not going to get any better\n  good and ... (informal) completely:\nI won’t go until I’m good and ready.\n  a good few several:\nThere are still a good few empty seats.\n  good for you, sb, them, etc. (especially AustralE good on you, etc.) (informal) used to praise sb for doing sth well:\n’I passed first time.’ ’Good for you!’\n    noun-see also GOODS\n  morally right\n  1  [U] behaviour that is morally right or acceptable:\nthe difference between good and evil * Is religion always a force for good?\n  2  (the good) [pl.] people who live a moral life; people who are admired for the work they do to help other people:\na gathering of the great and the good\n  sth helpful\n  3  [U] something that helps sb/sth:\nCuts have been made for the good of the company. * I’m only telling you this for your own good. * What’s the good of (= how does it help you) earning all that money if you don’t have time to enjoy it? * What good is it redecorating if you’re thinking of moving?\nsee also DO-GOODER\n IDIOMS \n  all to the good used to say that if sth happens, it will be good, even if it is not exactly what you were expecting:\nIf these measures also reduce unemployment, that is all to the good.\n  be no good | not be any / much good\n1 to not be useful; to have no useful effect:\nThis gadget isn’t much good. * It’s no good trying to talk me out of leaving. * Was his advice ever any good?\n2 to not be interesting or enjoyable:\nHis latest film isn’t much good.\n  do good | do sb good to have a useful effect; to help sb:\nDo you think these latest changes will do any good? * Don’t you think talking to her would do some good? * I’m sure a few days off would do you a power of good (= improve your health).\n  for good (BrE also for good and all) permanently:\nThis time she’s leaving for good (= she will never return). * I’d like an excuse to get rid of him for good and all.\n  to the good used to say that sb now has a particular amount of money that they did not have before:\nWe are ｣500 to the good.\n  up to no good (informal) doing sth wrong or dishonest:\nThose kids are always up to no good.\nmore at ILL adj., POWER n., WORLD\n    adverb (especially AmE, informal) well:\n’How’s it going?’ ’Pretty good.’ * (non-standard) Now, you listen to me good!\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \ngood / goodness\nThe noun good means actions and behaviour that are morally right. You can talk about a person doing good: The charity does a lot of good. * the difference between good and evil.\nGoodness is the quality of being good. You can talk about a person’s goodness: Her goodness shone through.\n______________________________\n\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \ngood and very good\nInstead of saying that something is good or very good, try to use more precise and interesting adjectives to describe things:\ndelicious/tasty food\nan exciting/entertaining/absorbing movie\nan absorbing/a fascinating/an informative book\na pleasant/an enjoyable/a fun (informal) trip\na skilful/talented/fine player\nimpressive/high-quality acting\nuseful/helpful advice\nIn conversation you can use words like great, super, wonderful, lovely and excellent (especially in BrE): That’s a super idea!\n-> note at NICE\n______________________________


Words: good faith
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the intention to be honest and helpful:\na gesture of good faith * He acted in good faith.


Words: good humour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE good humor) noun\n[U, sing.] a cheerful mood:\nEveryone admired her patience and unfailing good humour. * He was in a good humour this morning.\nOPP ILL HUMOUR\n    good-humoured (BrE) (AmE good-humored) adjective:\na good-humoured atmosphere\n    good-humouredly (BrE) (AmE good-humoredly) adverb:\nto reply good-humouredly


Words: good name
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the good opinion that people have of sb/sth:\nHe told the police he didn’t know her, to protect her good name. * My election chances are not as important as the good name of the party.


Words: good nature
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the quality of being kind, friendly and patient when dealing with people:\nPeople are always taking advantage of her good nature.


Words: good sense
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (to do sth) the ability to make the right decision about sth; good judgement:\na man of honour and good sense * Keeping to a low-fat diet makes very good sense (= is a sensible thing to do).


Words: good-for-nothing
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person who is lazy and has no skills:\nan idle good-for-nothing\n    good-for-nothing adjective [usually before noun]:\nWhere’s that good-for-nothing son of yours?


Words: good-hearted
Meaning:
adjective\nkind; willing to help other people:\nTo be fair, she was a good-hearted woman who tried to do her best.


Words: good-looking
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially of people) physically attractive:\na good-looking man / couple / face * She’s strikingly good-looking.


Words: good-natured
Meaning:
adjective\nkind, friendly and patient when dealing with people:\na good-natured person / discussion\n    good-naturedly adverb:\nto smile good-naturedly


Words: good-neighbourliness
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) good relations that exist between people who live in the same area or between countries that are near each other


Words: goodbye
Meaning:
exclamation, noun\nused when you are leaving sb or when sb else is leaving:\nShe didn’t even say goodbye to her mother. * Say goodbye to Mary for me. * We waved them goodbye. * We’ve already said our goodbyes. * Kiss me goodbye! * (figurative) Take out our service contract and say goodbye to costly repair bills.\n IDIOMS  see KISS v.


Words: goodish
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun] (BrE, informal)\n  1  quite good rather than very good:\n’Is the salary good?’ ’Goodish.’\n  2  quite large in size or amount:\nIt’ll be a goodish while yet before I’ve finished.


Words: goodly
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (old-fashioned, formal) quite large in size or amount:\na goodly number\n  2  (old use) physically attractive; of good quality


Words: goodness
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (spoken) used to express surprise:\nGoodness, what a big balloon! * My goodness! * Goodness me, no! * Goodness gracious!\n  2  the quality of being good:\nthe essential goodness of human nature * evidence of God’s goodness * (formal) At least have the goodness (= good manners) to look at me when I’m talking to you. -> GOOD\n  3  the part of sth that has a useful effect on sb/sth, especially sb’s health:\nThese vegetables have had all the goodness boiled out of them. * Branches pruned from the trees are shredded so the goodness goes back into the soil.\n IDIOMS \n  out of the goodness of your heart from feelings of kindness, without thinking about what advantage there will be for you:\nYou’re not telling me he offered to lend you the money out of the goodness of his heart?\nmore at GOD, HONEST, KNOW v., THANK


Words: goods
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n  1  things that are produced to be sold:\ncheap / expensive goods * leather / cotton / paper goods * electrical / sports goods * perishable / durable goods * increased tax on goods and services\nsee also CONSUMER GOODS\n  2  possessions that can be moved:\nstolen goods * The plastic bag contained all his worldly goods (= everything he owned).\n  3  (BrE) things (not people) that are transported by rail or road:\na goods train * a heavy goods vehicle\ncompare FREIGHT\n IDIOMS \n  be the goods (BrE, spoken) to be very good or impressive\n  deliver the goods | come up with the goods (informal) to do what you have promised to do or what people expect or want you to do:\nWe expected great things of the England team, but on the day they simply failed to deliver the goods.


Words: goodwill
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  friendly or helpful feelings towards other people or countries:\na spirit of goodwill in international relations * a goodwill gesture / a gesture of goodwill * The President is on a goodwill visit to Japan. * Given goodwill on both sides, I am sure we can reach an agreement. * Theatres increasingly have to rely on the goodwill of private sponsors to survive.\n  2  the good relationship between a business and its customers that is calculated as part of its value when it is sold


Words: goody
Meaning:
noun, exclamation \n    noun (also goodie) [usually pl.] (plural goodies) (informal)\n  1  a thing that is very nice to eat:\na basket of goodies for the children\n  2  anything that is attractive and that people want to have:\nOur magazine is giving away lots of free goodies-T-shirts, hats and videos!\n  3  a good person, especially in a book or a film/movie:\nIt’s sometimes difficult to tell who are the goodies and who are the baddies.\n    exclamation (becoming old-fashioned) a word children use when they are excited or pleased about sth


Words: goody-goody
Meaning:
noun\n(plural goody-goodies) (informal, disapproving) (used especially by and about children) a person who behaves very well to please people in authority such as parents or teachers


Words: goof
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] (informal, especially AmE) to make a stupid mistake:\nSorry, guys. I goofed.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  goof around (informal, especially AmE) to spend your time doing silly or stupid things\nSYN MESS AROUND\n  goof off (AmE, informal) to spend your time doing nothing, especially when you should be working\n    noun (informal, especially AmE)\n  1  a stupid mistake\n  2  a silly or stupid person


Words: googly
Meaning:
noun\n(plural googlies) (in cricket) a ball that is BOWLED so that it looks as if it will turn in one direction, but that actually turns the opposite way: (figurative) He bowled the prime minister a googly (= asked him a difficult question).


Words: goon
Meaning:
noun (informal)\n  1  (especially AmE) a criminal who is paid to frighten or injure people\n  2  (old-fashioned, especially BrE) a stupid or silly person


Words: goose
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n (plural geese )\n \n  1  [C] a bird like a large duck with a long neck. Geese either live wild or are kept on farms.\n \n  2  [U] meat from a goose:\nroast goose\n \n  3  [C] a female goose\ncompare GANDER\n \n  4  [C] (old-fashioned, informal) a silly person\nsee also WILD GOOSE CHASE\n IDIOMS  see COOK v., KILL v., SAUCE, SAY v.\n    verb [VN] (informal)\n  1  to touch or squeeze sb’s bottom:\nJack goosed her as she reached for a file.\n  2  ~ sth (along / up) (AmE) to make sth move or work faster:\nThe government has done everything possible to goose the economy along.


Words: goose pimples
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (also less frequent gooseflesh [U]) (especially BrE) (also goose bumps) (AmE, BrE) a condition in which there are raised spots on your skin because you feel cold, frightened or excited:\nIt gave me goose pimples just to think about it.


Words: goose-step
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (often disapproving) a way of marching, used by soldiers in some countries, in which the legs are raised high and straight\n    goose-step verb (-pp-) [V]


Words: gooseberry
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gooseberries) a small green fruit that grows on a prickly bush. Gooseberries taste sour and are usually cooked to make jam, pies, etc:\na gooseberry bush\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  play gooseberry (BrE) to be a third person with two people who have a romantic relationship and want to be alone together


Words: Gordian knot
Meaning:
noun\na very difficult or impossible task or problem:\nto cut / untie the Gordian knot (= to solve a problem with forceful action)\n ORIGIN  From the legend in which King Gordius tied a very complicated knot and said that whoever untied it would become the ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great cut through the knot with his sword.


Words: gore
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] (of an animal) to wound a person or another animal with a horn or TUSK:\nHe was gored by a bull.\n    noun [U] thick blood that has flowed from a wound, especially in a violent situation:\nThe movie is not just blood and gore (= scenes of violence); it has a thrilling story.\nsee also GORY


Words: gorge
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [C] a deep narrow valley with steep sides:\nthe Rhine Gorge\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  sb’s gorge rises (written) somebody feels so angry about sth that they feel physically sick\n    verb [VN, V] ~ (yourself) (on sth) (sometimes disapproving) to eat a lot of sth, until you are too full to eat any more


Words: gorgeous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (informal) very beautiful and attractive; giving pleasure and enjoyment:\na gorgeous girl / man * a gorgeous view * gorgeous weather (= warm and with a lot of sun) * You look gorgeous!\n  2  [usually before noun] (of colours, clothes, etc.) with very deep colours; impressive:\nexotic birds with feathers of gorgeous colours\n    gorgeously adverb:\ngorgeously dressed / decorated


Words: gorgon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in ancient Greek stories) one of three sisters with snakes on their heads instead of hair, who can change anyone that looks at them into stone\n  2  an ugly woman who behaves in a fierce and frightening way


Words: gorilla
Meaning:
noun\na very large powerful African APE (= an animal like a large monkey without a tail) with a black or brown hairy coat


Words: gormless
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE, informal) stupid:\na gormless boy / face * Don’t just stand there looking gormless-do something!


Words: gorp
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (AmE) a mixture of nuts, dried fruit, etc. eaten between meals to provide extra energy, especially by people on camping trips, etc.


Words: gorse
Meaning:
(BrE also furze) noun\n[U] a bush with thin prickly leaves and small yellow flowers. Gorse often grows on land that is not used or cared for.


Words: gory
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (informal) involving a lot of blood or violence; showing or describing blood and violence:\na gory accident / operation * the gory task of the pathologist * a gory movie / book * (humorous) He insisted on telling us all the gory details about their divorce (= the unpleasant facts).\n  2  (literary) covered with blood:\na gory figure


Words: gosh
Meaning:
exclamation\n(old-fashioned, informal) people say ’Gosh!’ when they are surprised or shocked:\nGosh, is that the time?


Words: gospel
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] (also Gospel) one of the four books in the Bible about the life and teaching of Jesus:\nthe Gospel according to St John * St Mark’s Gospel\n  2  [sing.] (also the Gospel) the life and teaching of Jesus as explained in the Bible:\npreaching / spreading the gospel\n  3  [C, usually sing.] a set of ideas that sb believes in and tries to persuade others to accept:\nHe preached a gospel of military strength. * the football gospel according to Kevin\n  4  (also gospel truth) [U] (informal) the complete truth:\nIs that gospel? * Don’t take his word as gospel.\n  5  (also gospel music) [U] a style of religious singing popular among African Americans and other black people:\na gospel choir


Words: gossamer
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the very fine thread made by spiders\n  2  (literary) any very light delicate material:\na gown of gossamer silk * the gossamer wings of a dragonfly


Words: gossip
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] (disapproving) informal talk or stories about other people’s private lives, that may be unkind or not true:\nDon’t believe all the gossip you hear. * Tell me all the latest gossip! * The gossip was that he had lost a fortune on the stock exchange. * It was common gossip (= everyone said so) that they were having an affair. * She’s a great one for idle gossip (= she enjoys spreading stories about other people that are probably not true).\n  2  [C, usually sing.] a conversation about other people and their private lives:\nI love a good gossip.\n  3  [C] (disapproving) a person who enjoys talking about other people’s private lives\n    gossipy  adjective:\na gossipy letter / neighbour\n    verb [V] to talk about other people’s private lives, often in an unkind way:\nI can’t stand here gossiping all day. * She’s been gossiping about you.


Words: gossip column
Meaning:
noun\na piece of writing in a newspaper about social events and the private and personal lives of famous people\n    gossip columnist noun:\nNo photographers or gossip columnists were allowed in.


Words: gotcha
Meaning:
exclamation\n(non-standard) the written form of the way some people pronounce ’I’ve got you’, which is not considered to be correct:\n’Gotcha!’ I yelled as I grabbed him by the arm. (= used when you have caught sb, or have beaten them at sth). * ’Don’t let go.’ ’Yeah, gotcha.’ (= Yes, I understand.)\n HELP NOTE  You should not write this form unless you are copying somebody’s speech.


Words: goth
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a style of rock music, popular in the 1980s, that developed from PUNK music. The words often expressed ideas about the end of the world, death or the devil.\n  2  [C] a member of a group of people who listen to goth music and wear black clothes and black and white MAKE-UP\n    goth (also gothic) adjective


Words: Gothic
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  connected with the Goths (= a Germanic people who fought against the Roman Empire)\n  2  (architecture) built in the style that was popular in Western Europe from the 12th to the 16th centuries, and which has pointed arches and windows and tall thin PILLARS:\na Gothic church\n  3  (of a novel, etc.) written in the style popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, which described romantic adventures in mysterious or frightening surroundings\n  4  (of type and printing) having pointed letters with thick lines and sharp angles. German books used to be printed in this style.\n  5  connected with goths\n    noun [U]\n  1  the Gothic style of architecture\n  2  Gothic printing type or printed letters


Words: gotta
Meaning:
(informal, non-standard) the written form of the word some people use to mean ’have got to’ or ’have got a’, which is not considered to be correct:\nHe’s gotta go. * Gotta cigarette?\n HELP NOTE  You should not write this form unless you are copying somebody’s speech.


Words: gouache
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a method of painting using colours that are mixed with water and made thick with a type of glue; the paints used in this method\n  2  [C] a picture painted using this method


Words: gouge
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sth (in sth) to make a hole or cut in sth with a sharp object in a rough or violent way:\nThe lion’s claws had gouged a wound in the horse’s side. * He had gouged her cheek with a screwdriver.\n  2  (AmE) to force sb to pay an unfairly high price for sth; to raise prices unfairly:\nHousing shortages permit landlords to gouge their renters. * Price gouging is widespread.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gouge sth<->out (of sth) to remove or form sth by digging into a surface:\nThe man’s eyes had been gouged out. * Glaciers gouged out valleys from the hills.\n    noun\n  1  a sharp tool for making hollow areas in wood\n  2  a deep, narrow hole or cut in a surface:\nThe massive wheels were digging great gouges in the road’s surface.


Words: gourd
Meaning:
noun\na type of large fruit, not normally eaten, with hard skin and soft flesh. Gourds are often dried and used as containers.


Words: gourmet
Meaning:
noun\na person who knows a lot about good food and wines and who enjoys choosing, eating and drinking them\n    gourmet adjective [only before noun]:\ngourmet food (= of high quality and often expensive)


Words: gout
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a disease that causes painful swelling in the joints, especially of the toes, knees and fingers\n  2  [C] (literary) a drop or mass of thick liquid, flame, etc:\ngouts of blood


Words: govern
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to legally control a country or its people and be responsible for introducing new laws, organizing public services, etc:\n[VN] The country is governed by elected representatives of the people. * [V] He accused the opposition party of being unfit to govern.\n  2  [VN] [often passive] to control or influence sb/sth or how sth happens, functions, etc:\nPrices are very much governed by market demand. * All his decisions have been entirely governed by self-interest. * We need changes in the law governing school attendance.\n  3  [VN] (grammar) if a word governs another word or phrase, it affects how that word or phrase is formed or used


Words: governance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical) the activity of governing a country or controlling a company or an organization; the way in which a country is governed or a company or institution is controlled


Words: governess
Meaning:
noun\n(especially in the past), a woman employed to teach the children of a rich family in their home and to live with them


Words: governing
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] having the right and the authority to control sth such as a country or an institution:\nThe Conservatives were then the governing party. * The school’s governing body (= the group of people who control the organization of the school) took responsibility for the decision.


Words: government
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C+sing./pl. v.] (often the Government) (abbreviation govt) the group of people who are responsible for controlling a country or a state:\nto lead / form a government * the last Conservative government * the government of the day * Foreign governments have been consulted about this decision. * She has resigned from the Government. * The Government has / have been considering further tax cuts. * government policies / officials / ministers * a government department / agency / grant * government expenditure / intervention * government-controlled industries\n  2  [U] a particular system or method of controlling a country:\ncoalition / communist / totalitarian government * Democratic government has now replaced military rule. * central / federal government\n  3  [U] the activity or the manner of controlling a country:\ncorrupt / strong government * The Democrats are now in government in the US.


Words: governmental
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with government; of a government:\ngovernmental agencies * governmental actions


Words: governor
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also Governor) a person who is the official head of a country or region that is politically controlled by another country:\nthe former governor of the colony * a provincial governor\n  2  (also Governor) a person who is chosen to be in charge of the government of a state in the US:\nthe governor of Arizona * the Arizona governor * Governor Tom Kean\n  3  (especially BrE) a member of a group of people who are responsible for controlling an institution such as a school, a college or a hospital:\na school governor * the board of governors of the college\n  4  (BrE) a person who is in charge of an institution:\na prison governor * the governor of the Bank of England * (spoken) I can’t decide. I’ll have to ask the governor (= the man in charge, who employs sb).\nsee also GUV’NOR


Words: Governor-General
Meaning:
noun\n(plural Governors-General or Governor-Generals) the official representative in a country of the country that has or had political control over it, especially the representative of the British King or Queen in a Commonwealth country


Words: gown
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a woman’s dress, especially a long one for special occasions:\nan evening / wedding gown\n \n  2  a long loose piece of clothing that is worn over other clothes by judges and (in Britain) by other lawyers, and by members of universities (at special ceremonies):\na graduation gown\n \n  3  a piece of clothing that is worn over other clothes to protect them, especially in a hospital:\na surgeon’s gown\nsee also DRESSING GOWN


Words: GP
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a doctor who is trained in general medicine and who works in the local community, not in a hospital. (abbreviation for ’general practitioner’):\nGo and see your GP as soon as possible. * There are four GPs in our local practice. * Her GP referred her to a specialist.


Words: grab
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-bb-)\n  1  ~ sth (from sb/sth) to take or hold sb/sth with your hand suddenly, firmly or roughly\nSYN SEIZE:\n[VN] She grabbed the child’s hand and ran. * He grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go. * Jim grabbed a cake from the plate. * He grabbed her around the throat and squeezed. * Someone grabbed me from behind. * [V] Don’t grab-there’s plenty for everyone.\n  2  [V] ~ at / for sth to try to take hold of sth:\nShe grabbed at the branch, missed and fell. * Kate grabbed for the robber’s gun.\n  3  ~ (at sth) to take advantage of an opportunity to do or have sth\nSYN SEIZE:\n[VN] This was my big chance and I grabbed it with both hands. * [V] He’ll grab at any excuse to avoid doing the dishes.\n  4  [VN] to have or take sth quickly, especially because you are in a hurry:\nLet’s grab a sandwich before we go. * I’ll grab a bite to eat in town. * Grab a cab and get over here. * I managed to grab a couple of hours’ sleep on the plane. * Grab a seat, I won’t keep you a moment.\n  5  [VN] to take sth for yourself, especially in a selfish or GREEDY way:\nBy the time we arrived, someone had grabbed all the good seats. * She’s always trying to grab the limelight.\n  6  [VN] to get sb’s attention:\nI’ll see if I can grab the waitress and get the bill. * Glasgow’s drugs problem has grabbed the headlines tonight (= been published as an important story in the newspapers). * The play grabs the audience’s attention from the very start.\n IDIOMS \n  how does ...grab you? (spoken) used to ask sb whether they are interested in sth or in doing sth:\nHow does the idea of a trip to Rome grab you?\n    noun [usually sing.] ~ (at / for sb/sth) a sudden attempt to take or hold sb/sth:\nHe made a grab for her bag. * As the car swung round the corner, she held on to the grab handle to steady herself.\nsee also SMASH-AND-GRAB\n IDIOMS \n  up for grabs (informal) available for anyone who is interested:\nThere are ｣25 000 worth of prizes up for grabs in our competition!


Words: grab bag
Meaning:
noun (AmE)\n  1  = LUCKY DIP\n  2  (informal) a mixed collection of things:\nHe offered a grab bag of reasons for his decision.


Words: grace
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  of movement\n  1  [U] an attractive quality of movement that is smooth, elegant and controlled:\nShe moves with the natural grace of a ballerina.\n  behaviour\n  2  [U] a quality of behaviour that is polite and pleasant and deserves respect:\nHe conducted himself with grace and dignity throughout the trial.\n  3  (graces) [pl.] (especially BrE) ways of behaving that people think are polite and acceptable:\nHe was not particularly well versed in the social graces.\n  extra time\n  4  [U] extra time that is given to sb to enable them to pay a bill, finish a piece of work, etc:\nThey’ve given me a month’s grace to get the money.\n  of god\n  5  [U] the kindness that God shows towards the human race:\nthe power of divine grace * It was only by the grace of God that they survived.\n  prayer\n  6  [U, C] a short prayer that is usually said before a meal to thank God for the food:\nLet’s say grace.\n  title\n  7  (His / Her / Your Grace) [C] used as a title of respect when talking to or about an ARCHBISHOP, a DUKE or a DUCHESS:\nGood Morning, Your Grace. * Their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Kent.\nsee also COUP DE GRaCE, SAVING GRACE\n IDIOMS \n  be in sb’s good graces (formal) to have sb’s approval and be liked by them\n  fall from grace to lose the trust or respect that people have for you, especially by doing sth wrong or immoral\n  sb’s fall from grace a situation in which sb loses the trust or respect that people have for them, especially because of sth wrong or immoral that they have done:\nThe biography explains the circumstances surrounding her fall from grace.\n  have the (good) grace to do sth to be polite enough to do sth, especially when you have done sth wrong:\nHe didn’t even have the grace to look embarrassed.\n  there but for the grace of God (go I) (saying) used to say that you could easily have been in the same difficult or unpleasant situation that sb else is in\n  with (a) bad grace in an unwilling and/or rude way:\nHe handed over the money with typical bad grace.\n  with (a) good grace in a willing and pleasant way:\nYou must learn to accept defeat with good grace.\nmore at AIR n., STATE n., YEAR\n    verb [VN] (formal)\n  1  to make sth more attractive; to decorate sth:\nThe table had once graced a duke’s drawing room. * We sat at a small table graced with a vase of fresh flowers.\n  2  ~ sb/sth (with sth) (usually ironic) to bring honour to sb/sth; to be kind enough to attend or take part in sth:\nShe is one of the finest players ever to have graced the game. * Will you be gracing us with your presence tonight? * The occasion was graced by the presence of Lord and Lady Thomson.


Words: graceful
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  moving in a controlled, attractive way or having a smooth, attractive form:\nThe dancers were all tall and graceful. * He gave a graceful bow to the audience. * the graceful curves of the hills * Dolphins are incredibly graceful and efficient swimmers.\n  2  polite and kind in your behaviour, especially in a difficult situation:\nHis father had always taught him to be graceful in defeat. * At the age of 70, she withdrew into graceful retirement.\n    gracefully  adverb:\nThe cathedral’s white towers climb gracefully into the sky. * I think we should just give in gracefully. * Deer ran gracefully between the trees.


Words: graceless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not knowing how to be polite and pleasant to other people:\na graceless, angry young man\n  2  not pleasing or attractive to look at:\nthe graceless architecture of the 1960s\n  3  moving in an awkward way:\nShe swam with a graceless stroke.\n    gracelessly adverb:\nMartha was slumped gracelessly in an armchair.


Words: gracious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of people or behaviour) kind, polite and generous, especially to sb of a lower social position:\na gracious lady / hostess * a gracious smile * Lady Caroline was gracious enough to accept our invitation. * He has not yet learned how to be gracious in defeat.\n  2  [usually before noun] showing the comfort and easy way of life that wealth can bring:\ngracious living\n  3  [only before noun] (BrE, formal) used as a very polite word for royal people or their actions:\nher gracious Majesty the Queen * The performance will take place in the gracious presence of HRH the Prince of Wales.\n  4  ~ (to sb) (of God) showing kindness and MERCY:\na gracious act of God\n  5  (becoming old-fashioned) used for expressing surprise:\nGoodness gracious! * ’I hope you didn’t mind my phoning you.’ ’Good gracious, no, of course not.’\n    graciously adverb:\nShe graciously accepted our invitation.\n    graciousness noun [U]:\nHis mother was graciousness itself during our stay. * The house retains its air of tranquillity and graciousness.


Words: gradation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] (formal) any of the small changes or levels which sth is divided into; the process or result of sth changing gradually:\ngradations of colour * gradation in size\n  2  (also graduation) [C] a mark showing a division on a scale:\nthe gradations on a thermometer


Words: grade
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  the quality of a particular product or material:\nAll the materials used were of the highest grade.\n  2  a level of ability or rank that sb has in an organization:\nsalary grades (= levels of pay) * She’s still only on a secretarial grade.\n  3  a mark given in an exam or for a piece of school work: (BrE) She got good grades in her exams. * (AmE) She got good grades on her exams. * 70% of pupils got Grade C or above.\n  4  (in the US school system) one of the levels in a school with children of similar age:\nSam is in (the) second grade.\n  5  (technical) how serious an illness is:\nlow / high grade fever\n  6  (especially AmE) = GRADIENT\n  7  (BrE) a level of exam in musical skill:\ngrade 6 piano\n IDIOMS \n  make the grade (informal) to reach the necessary standard; to succeed:\nAbout 10% of trainees fail to make the grade.\n    verb\n  1  ~ sth/sb (by / according to sth) | ~ sth (as sth) [often passive] to arrange people or things in groups according to their ability, quality, size, etc:\n[VN] The containers are graded according to size. * Eggs are graded from small to extra large * graded tests for language students * Ten beaches were graded as acceptable. * Responses were graded from 1 (very satisfied) to 5 (not at all satisfied). [also VN-ADJ]\n  2  (especially AmE) to give a mark/grade to a student or to a piece of their written work:\n[VN] I spent all weekend grading papers. * [VN-N] The best students are graded A.\ncompare MARK


Words: grade point average
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (abbreviation GPA) the average of a student’s marks/grades over a period of time in the American education system:\nThe law school required a minimum grade point average of 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale).


Words: grader
Meaning:
noun (AmE)\n  1  first, second, etc. ~ a student who is in the grade mentioned:\nThe play is open to all seventh and eighth graders.\n  2  = MARKER (4)


Words: gradient
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also grade especially in AmE) the degree to which the ground slopes, especially on a road or railway:\na steep gradient * a hill with a gradient of 1 in 4 (or 25%)\n  2  (technical) the rate at which temperature, pressure, etc. changes, or increases and decreases, between one region and another


Words: gradual
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  happening slowly over a long period; not sudden:\na gradual change in the climate * Recovery from the disease is very gradual.\n  2  (of a slope) not steep


Words: gradualism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a policy of gradual change in society rather than sudden change or revolution\n    gradualist noun


Words: gradually
Meaning:
adverb\nslowly, over a long period of time:\nThe weather gradually improved. * Gradually, the children began to understand. * Women have gradually become more involved in the decision-making process.


Words: graduate
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun  (also informal grad especially in AmE)\n  1  ~ (in sth) a person who has a university degree:\na graduate in history * a science graduate * a graduate of Yale / a Yale graduate * a graduate student / course\n  2  (AmE) a person who has completed their school studies:\na high-school graduate -> STUDENT\n    verb\n \n \n  1  [V] ~ (in sth) | ~ (from ...) to get a degree, especially your first degree, from a university or college:\nOnly thirty students graduated in Chinese last year. * She graduated from Harvard this year. * He graduated from York with a degree in Psychology.\n \n  2  [V] ~ (from ...) (AmE) to complete a course in education, especially at HIGH SCHOOL:\nMartha graduated from high school two years ago.\n \n  3  [VN] ~ sb (from sth) (AmE) to give a degree, DIPLOMA, etc. to sb:\nThe college graduated 50 students last year.\n \n  4  [V] ~ (from sth) to sth to start doing sth more difficult or important than what you were doing before:\nShe recently graduated from being a dancer to having a small role in a movie.


Words: graduate school
Meaning:
(also informal grad school) (both AmE) noun\na part of a college or university where you can study for a second or further degree


Words: graduated
Meaning:
adjective\n \n  1  divided into groups or levels on a scale:\ngraduated lessons / tests\n \n  2  (of a container or measure) marked with lines to show measurements:\na graduated jar


Words: graduation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the act of successfully completing a university degree, or studies at an American HIGH SCHOOL:\nIt was my first job after graduation.\n  2  [U, C] a ceremony at which degrees, etc. are officially given out:\ngraduation day * My whole family came to my graduation.\n  3  [C] = GRADATION:\nThe graduations are marked on the side of the flask.


Words: graffiti
Meaning:
noun\n[U, pl.] drawings or writing on a wall, etc. in a public place. They are usually rude, humorous or political:\nThe subway was covered in graffiti. * Someone had scrawled graffiti all over the school walls.


Words: graft
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a piece cut from a living plant and fixed in a cut made in another plant, so that it grows there; the process or result of doing this:\nA healthy shoot should form a strong graft.\n  2  [C] a piece of skin, bone, etc. removed from a living body and placed in another part of the body which has been damaged; the process or result of doing this:\na skin graft\n  3  [U] (BrE, informal) hard work:\nTheir success was the result of years of hard graft.\n  4  (especially AmE) the use of illegal or unfair methods, especially BRIBERY, to gain advantage in business, politics, etc.; money obtained in this way:\nHe promised an end to graft and corruption in public life.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (onto / to / into sth) | ~ sth (on) (from sth) to take a piece of skin, bone, etc. from one part of the body and attach it to a damaged part:\nnewly grafted tissue * New skin had to be grafted on from his back.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (onto sth) to cut a piece from a living plant and attach it to another plant\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (onto sth) to make one idea, system, etc. become part of another one:\nOld values are being grafted onto a new social class.\n  4  [V] (BrE, informal) to work hard:\nShe’s been grafting all day.


Words: grail
Meaning:
(also the Holy Grail) noun\n  1  [sing.] the cup or bowl believed to have been used by Jesus Christ before he died, that became a holy thing that people wanted to find\n  2  [C] a thing that you try very hard to find or achieve, but never will


Words: grain
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U, C] the small hard seeds of food plants such as wheat, rice, etc.; a single seed of such a plant:\nAmerica’s grain exports * a few grains of rice\nsee also WHOLEGRAIN\n \n  2  [C] a small hard piece of particular substances:\na grain of salt / sand / sugar\n \n  3  [C] (used especially in negative sentences) a very small amount:\nThere isn’t a grain of truth in those rumours. * If he had a grain of sensitivity he wouldn’t have asked her about her divorce.\n  4  [C] the smallest unit of weight, equal to 0.00143 of a pound or 0.0648 of a GRAM, used for example for weighing medicines:\nThe analysis showed a few grains of arsenic in the solution.\n  5  [U] the natural direction of lines in wood, fabric, etc. or of layers of rock; the pattern of lines that you can see:\nto cut a piece of wood along / across the grain\n  6  [U, C] how rough or smooth a surface feels:\nwood of coarse / fine grain\n IDIOMS \n  be / go against the grain to be or do sth different from what is normal or natural:\nIt really goes against the grain to have to work on a Sunday.


Words: grained
Meaning:
adjective (of wood, stone, etc.)\n  1  having noticeable lines or a pattern on the surface:\nThe painter uses a grained canvas that absorbs a lot of paint. * grained oak panels\n  2  (-grained) having a TEXTURE of the type mentioned:\nfine-grained stone * (figurative) coarse-grained information (= lacking detail) * a coarse-grained farmer (= lacking manners, education, etc.)


Words: grainy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (especially of photographs) not having completely clear images because they look as if they are made of a lot of small dots and marks:\nThe film is shot in grainy black and white.\n  2  having a rough surface or containing small bits, seeds, etc:\ngrainy texture


Words: gram
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE also gramme) (abbreviation g, gm) a unit for measuring weight. There are 1 000 grams in one kilogram.\n  2  (-gram) a thing that is written or drawn:\ntelegram * hologram


Words: grammar
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the rules in a language for changing the form of words and joining them into sentences:\nthe basic rules of grammar * English grammar\n  2  [U] a person’s knowledge and use of a language:\nHis grammar is appalling. * bad grammar\n  3  [C] a book containing a description of the rules of a language:\na French grammar\n  4  [C] (linguistics) a particular theory that is intended to explain the rules of a language or of language in general:\na generative grammar


Words: grammar school
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in Britain, especially in the past) a school for young people between the ages of 11 and 18 who are good at academic subjects\n  2  (old-fashioned) = ELEMENTARY SCHOOL


Words: grammatical
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with the rules of grammar:\na grammatical error\n  2  correctly following the rules of grammar:\nThat sentence is not grammatical.\n    grammatically  adverb:\na grammatically correct sentence


Words: gran
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) grandmother:\nDo you want to go to your gran’s? * Gran, can I have some more toast? * My gran lives with us.


Words: grand
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (grander, grandest)\n  1  impressive and large or important:\nIt’s not a very grand house. * The wedding was a very grand occasion.\n  2  (Grand) [only before noun] used in the names of impressive or very large buildings, etc:\nthe Grand Canyon * We stayed at the Grand Hotel.\n  3  needing a lot of effort, money or time to succeed but intended to achieve impressive results:\na grand design / plan / strategy * New Yorkers built their city on a grand scale.\n  4  (of people) behaving in a proud way because they are rich or from a high social class:\nThey’re all Lord or Lady somebody or other, but they’re not at all grand. * She put on her grandest air and waltzed into the living room to join the others.\n  5  (dialect or informal) very good or enjoyable; excellent:\nI had a grand day out at the seaside. * Thanks. That’ll be grand! * Fred did a grand job of painting the house.\n  6  (Grand) used in the titles of people of very high social rank:\nthe Grand Duchess Elena\nsee also GRANDEUR\n    grandly adverb:\nHe described himself grandly as a ’landscape architect’. * ’It is not the money,’ she replied grandly, ’it is the principle of the thing.’\n    grandness noun [U]:\nthe grandness of the surroundings\n IDIOMS \n  a / the grand old age a great age:\nShe finally learned to drive at the grand old age of 70.\n  a / the grand old man (of sth) a man who is respected in a particular profession that he has been involved in for a long time:\nArthur C. Clarke, the grand old man of science fiction\n    noun\n  1  (plural grand) (informal) $1 000; ｣1 000:\nIt’ll cost you five grand!\n  2  = GRAND PIANO\nsee also CONCERT GRAND


Words: grand duchess
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the wife of a grand duke\n  2  (in some parts of Europe, especially in the past), a female ruler of a small independent state\n  3  (in Russia in the past) a daughter of the TSAR


Words: grand duke
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in some parts of Europe, especially in the past), a male ruler of a small independent state:\nThe Grand Duke of Tuscany\n  2  (in Russia in the past), a son of the TSAR\ncompare ARCHDUKE


Words: grand jury
Meaning:
noun\n(law) (in the US) a JURY which has to decide whether there is enough evidence against an accused person for a trial in a court of law


Words: Grand Prix
Meaning:
noun\n(plural Grands Prix ) one of a series of important international races for racing cars or motorcycles


Words: grand slam
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also Grand Slam) a very important sports event, contest, etc:\na Grand Slam tournament / cup / title\n  2  the winning of every part of a sports contest or all the main contests in a year for a particular sport:\nWill France win the grand slam this year? (= in rugby)\n  3  (also grand slam home run) (in baseball) a HOME RUN that is worth four points\n  4  (in card games, especially BRIDGE) the winning of all the TRICKS in a single game


Words: grand total
Meaning:
noun\nthe final total when a number of other totals have been added together:\nThat makes a grand total of 220 dollars. * A grand total of 28 women were elected.


Words: grand tour
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (often humorous) a visit around a building or house in order to show it to sb:\nSteve took us on a grand tour of the house and gardens.\n  2  (also Grand Tour) a visit to the main cities of Europe made by rich young British or American people as part of their education in the past


Words: granddaddy
Meaning:
(also grandaddy)  noun (AmE, informal)\n  1  = GRANDFATHER\n  2  (the granddaddy) the first or greatest example of sth:\nJames Brown, the granddaddy of soul music


Words: grandee
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in the past) a Spanish or Portuguese NOBLEMAN of high rank\n  2  a person of high social rank and importance:\nIs corruption condoned by powerful grandees in government and business?


Words: grandeur
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the quality of being great and impressive in appearance:\nthe grandeur and simplicity of Roman architecture * The hotel had an air of faded grandeur.\n  2  the importance or social status sb has or thinks they have:\nHe has a sense of grandeur about him. * She is clearly suffering from delusions of grandeur (= thinks she is more important than she really is).\nsee also GRAND


Words: grandfather
Meaning:
noun\nthe father of your father or mother\nsee also GRANDAD, GRANDDADDY, GRANDPA\ncompare GRANDMOTHER


Words: grandiloquent
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, disapproving) using long or complicated words in order to impress people\nSYN POMPOUS:\na grandiloquent speaker / speech\n    grandiloquence  noun [U]


Words: grandiose
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) seeming very impressive but too large, complicated, expensive, etc. to be practical or possible:\nThe grandiose scheme for a journey across the desert came to nothing. * a grandiose opera house * He could no longer live the grandiose lifestyle to which he had become accustomed.


Words: grandmother
Meaning:
noun\nthe mother of your father or mother\nsee also GRAN, GRANDMA, GRANNY\ncompare GRANDFATHER\n IDIOMS  see TEACH


Words: grandparent
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] the father or mother of your father or mother:\nThe children are staying with their grandparents.


Words: grandstand
Meaning:
noun\na large covered structure with rows of seats for people to watch sports events:\nFrom her house, we had a grandstand view (= very good view) of the celebrations. * The game was played to a packed grandstand.


Words: grandstanding
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (AmE) (especially in business, politics, etc.) the fact of behaving or speaking in a way that is intended to make people impressed in order to gain some advantage for yourself:\nShe accused her opponent of engaging in cheap political grandstanding in front of the TV cameras.


Words: granny
Meaning:
(also less frequent grannie)  noun\n(plural grannies) (informal) grandmother:\ngranny and grandpa\nsee also GRANDMA\n    granny (also less frequent grannie) adjective:\na pair of granny glasses


Words: granola
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (especially AmE) a type of breakfast CEREAL made of grains, nuts, etc. that have been TOASTED


Words: grant
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [often passive] ~ sth (to sb/sth) | ~ (sb) sth to agree to give sb what they ask for, especially formal or legal permission to do sth: [VN, VNN] The bank finally granted a ｣500 loan to me. * The bank finally granted me a ｣500 loan. * [VN] My request was granted. * These lands had been granted to the family in perpetuity. * [VNN] I was granted permission to visit the palace. * She was granted a divorce. * He was granted a licence to mine in the area.\n  2  to admit that sth is true, although you may not like or agree with it:\n[VN] She’s a smart woman, I grant you, but she’s no genius. * [VN (that)] I grant you (that) it looks good, but it’s not exactly practical. [also V that]\n IDIOMS \n  take it for granted (that ...) to believe sth is true without first making sure that it is:\nI just took it for granted that he’d always be around. * She seemed to take it for granted that I would go with her to New York.\n  take sb/sth for granted to be so used to sb/sth that you do not recognize their true value any more and do not show that you are grateful:\nHer husband was always there and she just took him for granted. * We take having an endless supply of clean water for granted.\n    noun ~ (to do sth) a sum of money that is given by the government or by another organization to be used for a particular purpose:\nstudent grants (= to pay for their education) * He has been awarded a research grant.


Words: grant-maintained
Meaning:
adjective\n(abbreviation GM) (of a school in Britain) receiving financial support from central government rather than local government


Words: granted
Meaning:
1  adverb used to show that you accept that sth is true, often before you make another statement about it:\n’You could have done more to help.’ ’Granted.’ * Granted, it’s not the most pleasant of jobs but it has to be done.\n  2  ~ (that ...) conjunction because of the fact that:\nGranted that it is a simple test to perform, it should be easy to get results quickly.


Words: grape
Meaning:
noun\na small green or purple fruit that grows in bunches on a climbing plant (called a VINE). Wine is made from grapes:\na bunch of grapes * black / white grapes (= grapes that are actually purple / green in colour) * We picked grapes in the south of France last summer.\n \n IDIOMS  see SOUR adj.


Words: grapefruit
Meaning:
noun\n(plural grapefruit or grapefruits) [C, U] a large round yellow CITRUS fruit with a lot of slightly sour juice


Words: grapevine
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  on / through the grapevine by talking in an informal way to other people:\nI heard on the grapevine that you’re leaving.


Words: graph
Meaning:
noun\na planned drawing, consisting of a line or lines, showing how two or more sets of numbers are related to each other:\nPlot a graph of height against age. * The graph shows how house prices have risen since the 1980s.


Words: graph paper
Meaning:
noun\n[U] paper with small squares of equal size printed on it, used for drawing GRAPHS and other diagrams


Words: graphic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] connected with drawings and design, especially in the production of books, magazines, etc:\ngraphic design * a graphic artist / designer\n  2  (of descriptions, etc.) very clear and full of details, especially about sth unpleasant:\na graphic account / description of a battle * He kept telling us about his operation, in the most graphic detail.


Words: graphically
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in the form of drawings or diagrams:\nThis data is shown graphically on the opposite page.\n  2  very clearly and in great detail:\nThe murders are graphically described in the article.


Words: graphics
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] designs, drawings or pictures, that are used especially in the production of books, magazines, etc:\ncomputer graphics * Text and graphics are prepared separately and then combined.


Words: graphite
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a soft black mineral that is a form of CARBON. Graphite is used to make pencils, to LUBRICATE machinery, and in nuclear REACTORS.


Words: grapple
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (with sb/sth) to take a firm hold of sb/sth and struggle with them:\n[V] Passers-by grappled with the man after the attack. * [VN] They managed to grapple him to the ground.\n  2  ~ (with sth) to try hard to find a solution to a problem:\n[V] The new government has yet to grapple with the problem of air pollution. * [V to inf] I was grappling to find an answer to his question.


Words: grappling iron
Meaning:
(also grappling hook) noun\na tool with several hooks attached to a long rope, used for dragging sth along or holding a boat still


Words: grasp
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] to take a firm hold of sb/sth:\nHe grasped my hand and shook it warmly. * Kay grasped him by the wrist.\n  2  to understand sth completely:\n[VN] They failed to grasp the importance of his words. * [V wh-] She was unable to grasp how to do it. * [V that] It took him some time to grasp that he was now a public figure.\n  3  [VN] ~ a chance / an opportunity to take an opportunity without hesitating and use it:\nI grasped the opportunity to work abroad.\n IDIOMS \n  grasp the nettle (BrE) to deal with a difficult situation firmly and without hesitating:\nThe government now has the opportunity to grasp the nettle of prison reform.\nmore at STRAW\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  grasp at sth\n1 to try to take hold of sth in your hands:\nShe grasped at his coat as he rushed past her.\n2 to try to take an opportunity\n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  a firm hold of sb/sth or control over sb/sth:\nI grabbed him, but he slipped from my grasp. * She felt a firm grasp on her arm. * Don’t let the situation escape from your grasp. * As soon as he relaxed his grasp on the rope, it was pulled out of his hands. * As the drugs took hold, her grasp of reality began to slip slowly away.\n  2  a person’s understanding of a subject or of difficult facts:\nHe has a good grasp of German grammar. * These complex formulae are beyond the grasp of the average pupil.\n  3  the ability to get or achieve sth:\nSuccess was within her grasp.


Words: grasping
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) always trying to get money, possessions, power, etc. for yourself\nSYN GREEDY:\na grasping landlord


Words: grass
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] a common wild plant with narrow green leaves and stems that are eaten by cows, horses, sheep, etc:\na blade of grass * The dry grass caught fire.\n \n  2  [C] any type of grass:\nornamental grasses\n \n  3  [sing., U] (usually the grass) an area of ground covered with grass:\nto cut / mow the grass * Don’t walk on the grass.\n \n  4  [U] (slang) MARIJUANA\n  5  [C] (BrE, slang, usually disapproving) a person, usually a criminal, who tells the police about sb’s criminal activities and plans\ncompare SUPERGRASS\n IDIOMS \n  the grass is (always) greener on the other side (of the fence) (saying) said about people who never seem happy with what they have and always think that other people have a better situation than they have\n  not let the grass grow under your feet to not delay in getting things done\n  put sb out to grass (informal) to force sb to stop doing their job, especially because they are old\nmore at SNAKE n.\n    verb [V] ~ (on sb)(also grass sb up) (both BrE, informal) to tell the police about sb’s criminal activities:\nWho grassed on us? * You can count on Sam not to grass. * You wouldn’t grass up your mates, would you?\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  grass sth<->over to cover an area with grass


Words: grass roots
Meaning:
(BrE) noun\n[pl.] (often the grass roots) ordinary people in society or in an organization, rather than the leaders or people who make decisions:\nthe grass roots of the party\n    grass-roots adjective [only before noun]:\nWe need to win support at grass-roots level.


Words: grasshopper
Meaning:
noun\nan insect with long back legs, that can jump very high and that makes a sound with its legs\n \n IDIOMS  see KNEE-HIGH


Words: grassland
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (also grasslands) [pl.] a large area of open land covered with wild grass:\nturning grassland into farm land


Words: grate
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a metal frame for holding the wood or coal in a FIREPLACE:\nA huge log fire was burning in the grate.\n  2  (AmE) = DRAIN\n    verb\n  1  [VN] to rub food against a GRATER in order to cut it into small pieces:\ngrated apple / carrot / cheese * Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the tomatoes.\n  2  [V] ~ (on / with sb) to irritate or annoy sb:\nHer voice really grates on me. * It grated with him when people implied he wasn’t really British. * He kept staring at her and it began to grate on her nerves.\n  3  when two hard surfaces grate as they rub together, they make a sharp unpleasant sound; sb can also make one thing grate against another:\n[V] The rusty hinges grated as the gate swung back. * [VN] He grated his knife across the plate.


Words: grateful
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (to sb) (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) | ~ (that ...) feeling or showing thanks because sb has done sth kind for you or has done as you asked:\nI am extremely grateful to all the teachers for their help. * We would be grateful for any information you can give us. * She seems to think I should be grateful to have a job at all. * He was grateful that she didn’t tell his parents about the incident. * Grateful thanks are due to the following people for their help ... * Kate gave him a grateful smile.\n  2  used to make a request, especially in a letter or in a formal situation:\nI would be grateful if you could send the completed form back as soon as possible. * I would be most grateful if you would keep this matter confidential.\n    gratefully  adverb:\nHe nodded gratefully. * All donations will be gratefully received. * I gratefully acknowledge the help of many people here today.\n IDIOMS  see SMALL adj.\n______________________________\n WORD FAMILY \ngrateful adj. (=/= ungrateful)\ngratitude n. (=/= ingratitude)\n______________________________


Words: grater
Meaning:
noun\na kitchen UTENSIL (= a tool) with a rough surface, used for GRATING food:\na cheese / nutmeg grater


Words: gratification
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (formal) the state of feeling pleasure when sth goes well for you or when your desires are satisfied; sth that gives you pleasure:\nsexual gratification * A feed will usually provide instant gratification to a crying baby. * Much to my gratification, my work got a special mention in her speech.


Words: gratify
Meaning:
verb (gratifies, gratifying, gratified, gratified)\n  1  (written) to please or satisfy sb:\n[VN to inf] It gratified him to think that it was all his work. * [VN] I was gratified by their invitation.\n  2  [VN] (formal) to satisfy a wish, need, etc:\nHe only gave his consent in order to gratify her wishes.\n    gratified adjective [not usually before noun] ~ (at sth) | ~ (to find, hear, see, etc.):\nShe was gratified to find that they had followed her advice.


Words: gratifying
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) pleasing and giving satisfaction:\nIt is gratifying to see such good results. * He felt a gratifying sense of being respected and appreciated.\n    gratifyingly adverb:\nThis year, gratifyingly, we have made a small profit.


Words: grating
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n a flat frame with metal bars across it, used to cover a window, a hole in the ground, etc:\nThe entrance to the drain is covered by a heavy iron grating.\nsee also GRATE (2)\n    adjective (of a sound or sb’s voice) unpleasant and harsh to listen to:\nThe sound of his grating voice complaining all day was driving me crazy.


Words: gratis
Meaning:
adverb\ndone or given without having to be paid for\nSYN FREE OF CHARGE\n    gratis adjective:\nI knew his help wouldn’t be given gratis. * a gratis copy of a book


Words: gratitude
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (to sb) (for sth) the feeling of being grateful and wanting to express your thanks:\nHe smiled at them with gratitude. * I would like to express my gratitude to everyone for their hard work. * She was presented with the gift in gratitude for her long service. * a deep sense of gratitude * I owe you a great debt of gratitude (= feel extremely grateful).\nOPP INGRATITUDE


Words: gratuitous
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) done without any good reason or purpose and often having harmful effects\nSYN UNNECESSARY:\ngratuitous violence on television\n    gratuitously adverb:\nThe film was gratuitously offensive.


Words: gratuity
Meaning:
noun (plural gratuities)\n  1  (formal) money that you give to sb who has provided a service for you\nSYN TIP:\nOur staff may not accept gratuities.\n  2  (BrE) money that is given to employees when they leave their job:\na retirement gratuity


Words: grave
Meaning:
noun, adjective-see also GRAVE\n    noun\n  1  a place in the ground where a dead person is buried:\nWe visited Grandma’s grave. * There were flowers on the grave.\n  2  [sing.] (often the grave) (usually literary) death; a person’s death:\nIs there life beyond the grave (= life after death)? * He followed her to the grave (= died soon after her). * She smoked herself into an early grave (= died young as a result of smoking).\n IDIOMS \n  turn in his / her grave (BrE) (AmE roll in his / her grave) (of a person who is dead) likely to be very shocked or angry:\nMy father would turn in his grave if he knew.\nmore at CRADLE n., DIG v., FOOT n.\n    adjective (graver, gravest) (formal)\n  1  (of situations, feelings, etc.) very serious and important; giving you a reason to feel worried:\nThe police have expressed grave concern about the missing child’s safety. * The consequences will be very grave if nothing is done. * We were in grave danger.\n  2  (of people) serious in manner, as if sth sad, important or worrying has just happened:\nHe looked very grave as he entered the room.\nsee also GRAVITY\n    gravely adverb:\nShe is gravely ill. * Local people are gravely concerned. * He nodded gravely as I poured out my troubles.\n\n(also grave accent) noun\na mark placed over a vowel in some languages to show how it should be pronounced, as over the e in the French word pere\ncompare ACUTE ACCENT, CIRCUMFLEX, TILDE, UMLAUT\nsee also GRAVE


Words: gravel
Meaning:
noun\n[U] small stones, often used to make the surface of paths and roads:\na gravel path * A gravel drive led up to the house. * a gravel pit (= a place where gravel is taken from the ground) * Put a layer of fine gravel into the bottom of the plant pot for drainage.


Words: gravelly
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  full of or containing many small stones:\na dry gravelly soil * Silt and gravelly deposits had been left by the tide.\n  2  (of a voice) deep and with a rough sound:\nHis gravelly voice is perfect for radio.


Words: gravestone
Meaning:
noun\na stone that is put upright on a grave, showing the name, etc. of the person buried there\nSYN HEADSTONE\ncompare TOMBSTONE


Words: graveyard
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an area of land, often near a church, where people are buried\ncompare CEMETERY, CHURCHYARD\n  2  a place where things or people that are not wanted are sent or left:\na graveyard for cars * The club has become a graveyard for mediocre provincial bands.


Words: gravitate
Meaning:
verb\n(written)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gravitate to / toward(s) sb/sth to move towards sb/sth that you are attracted to:\nMany young people gravitate to the cities in search of work.


Words: gravitational
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with or caused by the force of gravity:\na gravitational field * the gravitational pull of the moon


Words: gravity
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (abbreviation g) the force that attracts objects in space towards each other, and that on the earth pulls them towards the centre of the planet, so that things fall to the ground when they are dropped:\nNewton’s law of gravity\nsee also CENTRE OF GRAVITY\n  2  (formal) extreme importance and a cause for worry\nSYN SERIOUSNESS:\nI don’t think you realise the gravity of the situation. * Punishment varies according to the gravity of the offence.\n  3  (formal) serious behaviour, speech or appearance:\nThey were asked to behave with the gravity that was appropriate in a court of law.\nsee also GRAVE


Words: gravy
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a brown sauce made by adding flour to the juices that come out of meat while it is cooking\n  2  (AmE, informal) something, especially money, that is obtained when you do not expect it:\nAnything on top of eight percent profit is just gravy for the industry.


Words: gravy train
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, especially AmE) a situation where people seem to be making a lot of money without much effort


Words: graze
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  (of cows, sheep, etc.) to eat grass that is growing in a field:\n[V] There were cows grazing beside the river. * Parents have been warned against allowing children to graze on sweets and snacks (= to keep eating them, instead of real meals). * [VN] The field had been grazed by sheep.\n  2  [VN] to put cows, sheep, etc. in a field so that they can eat the grass there:\nThe land is used by local people to graze their animals.\n  3  [VN] to break the surface of your skin by rubbing it against sth rough:\nI fell and grazed my knee. * He grazed his elbow on a sharp piece of rock.\n  4  [VN] to touch sth lightly while passing it:\nThe bullet grazed his cheek.\n    noun a small injury where the surface of the skin has been slightly broken by rubbing against sth:\nAdam walked away from the crash with just cuts and grazes.


Words: grease
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U]\n  1  any thick OILY substance, especially one that is used to make machines run smoothly:\nGrease marks can be removed with liquid detergent. * Her hands were covered with oil and grease. * the grease in his hair\nsee also ELBOW GREASE\n  2  animal fat that has been softened by cooking or heating:\nplates covered with grease * There was a film of grease on the kitchen window.\n    verb [VN] to rub grease or fat on sth:\nto grease a cake tin / pan\n IDIOMS \n  grease sb’s palm (old-fashioned, informal) to give sb money in order to persuade them to do sth dishonest\nSYN BRIBE\n  grease the wheels (AmE) = OIL THE WHEELS


Words: greaseproof paper
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE wax paper) noun\n[U] paper that does not let GREASE, oil, etc. pass through it, used in cooking and for wrapping food in


Words: greasy
Meaning:
adjective (greasier, greasiest)\n  1  covered in a lot of GREASE or oil:\ngreasy fingers / marks / overalls * The sink was piled high with greasy dishes.\n  2  (disapproving) (of food) cooked with too much oil:\ngreasy chips\n  3  (disapproving) (of hair or skin) producing too much natural oil:\nlong greasy hair\n  4  (informal, disapproving) (of people or their behaviour) friendly in a way that does not seem sincere\nSYN SMARMY:\na greasy smile * He told me how well I’d done in that greasy way of his.


Words: greasy spoon
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, often disapproving) a small cheap restaurant, usually one that is not very clean or attractive


Words: great
Meaning:
adjective, noun, adverb \n    adjective (greater, greatest)\n  large\n  1  [usually before noun] very large; much bigger than average in size or quantity:\nA great crowd had gathered. * People were arriving in great numbers. * The great majority of (= most) people seem to agree with this view. * He must have fallen from a great height. * She lived to a great age.\n  2  [only before noun] (informal) used to emphasize an adjective of size or quality:\nThere was a great big pile of books on the table. * He cut himself a great thick slice of cake.\n  3  much more than average in degree or quantity:\na matter of great importance * The concert had been a great success. * Her death was a great shock to us all. * It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here today. * Take great care of it. * You’ve been a great help. * We are all to a great extent the products of our culture. -> BIG\n  admired\n  4  extremely good in ability or quality and therefore admired by many people:\nHe has been described as the world’s greatest violinist. * Sherlock Holmes, the great detective * Great art has the power to change lives. * This represents a great achievement.\n  pleasant\n  5  (informal) very good or pleasant:\nHe’s a great bloke. * It’s great to see you again. * What a great goal! * We had a great time in Madrid. * ’I’ll pick you up at seven.’ ’That’ll be great, thanks.’ * (ironic) Oh great, they left without us. * You’ve been a great help, I must say (= no help at all).\n  important / impressive\n  6  [only before noun] important and impressive:\nThe wedding was a great occasion. * As the great day approached, she grew more and more nervous. * The great thing is to get it done quickly. * One great advantage of this metal is that it doesn’t rust.\n  with influence\n  7  having high status or a lot of influence:\nthe great powers (= important and powerful countries) * We can make this country great again. * Alexander the Great\n  in good health\n  8  in a very good state of physical or mental health:\nShe seemed in great spirits (= very cheerful). * I feel great today. * I don’t feel too great. * Everyone’s in great form.\n  skilled\n  9  [not usually before noun] ~ at (doing) sth (informal) able to do sth well:\nShe’s great at chess.\n  useful\n  10  ~ for (doing) sth (informal) very suitable or useful for sth:\nThis gadget’s great for opening jars. * Try this cream-it’s great for spots.\n  for emphasis\n  11  [only before noun] used when you are emphasizing a particular description of sb/sth:\nWe are great friends. * I’ve never been a great reader (= I do not read much). * She’s a great talker, isn’t she? * I am a great admirer of your work.\n  family\n  12  added to words for family members to show a further stage in relationship:\nmy great-aunt (= my father’s or mother’s aunt) * her great grandson (= the grandson of her son or daughter)\n  larger animals / plants\n  13  [only before noun] used in the names of animals or plants which are larger than similar kinds:\nthe great tit\n  city name\n  14  (Greater) used with the name of a city to describe an area that includes the centre of the city and a large area all round it:\nGreater London\n    greatness noun [U] \n IDIOMS \n  be going great guns (informal) to be doing sth quickly and successfully:\nWork is going great guns now.\n  be a great one for (doing) sth to do sth a lot; to enjoy sth:\nI’ve never been a great one for writing letters. * You’re a great one for quizzes, aren’t you?\n  be no great shakes (informal) to be not very good, efficient, suitable, etc.\n  great and small of all sizes or types:\nall creatures great and small\n  the great sth in the sky (humorous) used to refer to where a particular person or thing is imagined to go when they die or are no longer working, similar to the place they were connected with on earth:\nTheir pet rabbit had gone to the great rabbit hutch in the sky.\nmore at PAINS, SUM n.\n    noun [usually pl.] (informal) a very well-known and successful person or thing:\nHe was one of boxing’s all-time greats.\n    adverb (informal, non-standard) very well:\nWell done. You did great.


Words: greatly
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal) (usually before a verb or participle) very much:\nPeople’s reaction to the film has varied greatly. * a greatly increased risk * Your help would be greatly appreciated. * The reports were greatly exaggerated.


Words: greed
Meaning:
noun [U] ~ (for sth) (disapproving)\n  1  a strong desire for more wealth, possessions, power, etc. than a person needs:\nHis actions were motivated by greed. * Nothing would satisfy her greed for power.\n  2  a strong desire for more food or drink when you are no longer hungry or thirsty:\nI had another helping of ice cream out of pure greed.


Words: greedy
Meaning:
adjective\n(greedier, greediest) ~ (for sth) wanting more money, power, food, etc. than you really need:\nYou greedy pig! You’ve already had two helpings! * The shareholders are greedy for profit. * He stared at the diamonds with greedy eyes.\n    greedily adverb:\nHe ate noisily and greedily.


Words: Greek
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a person from modern or ancient Greece\n  2  [U] the language of modern or ancient Greece\n  3  [C] (AmE) a member of a FRATERNITY or a SORORITY at a college or university\n IDIOMS \n  it’s all Greek to me (informal, saying) I cannot understand it:\nShe tried to explain how the system works, but I’m afraid it’s all Greek to me.


Words: green
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective (greener, greenest)\n  colour\n  1  having the colour of grass or the leaves of most plants and trees:\ngreen beans * Wait for the light to turn green (= on traffic lights).\n  covered with grass\n  2  covered with grass or other plants:\ngreen fields / hills * After the rains, the land was green with new growth.\n  fruit\n  3  not yet ripe:\ngreen tomatoes\n  person\n  4  (informal) (of a person) young and lacking experience:\nThe new trainees are still very green.\n  5  (of a person or their skin) being a pale colour, as if the person is going to VOMIT:\nIt was a rough crossing and most of the passengers looked distinctly green.\n  politics\n  6  concerned with the protection of the environment; supporting the protection of the environment as a political principle:\ngreen politics / tourism * Try to adopt a greener lifestyle. * the Green Party\n    greenness noun [U]:\nthe greenness of the countryside * Supermarkets have started proclaiming the greenness of their products.\n IDIOMS \n  green with envy very jealous\nmore at GRASS n.\n    noun\n  colour\n \n  1  [U, C] the colour of grass and the leaves of most plants and trees:\nthe green of the countryside in spring * The room was decorated in a combination of greens and blues. * She was dressed all in green.\n \n  vegetables\n \n  2  (greens) [pl.] (especially BrE) green vegetables:\nEat up your greens.\n \n  area of grass\n \n  3  [C] (BrE) an area of grass, especially in the middle of a town or village:\nChildren were playing on the village green.\n  4  [C] (in golf) an area of grass cut short around a hole in a golf course:\nthe 18th green * Did the ball land on the green?\nsee also BOWLING GREEN, PUTTING GREEN\n  politics\n  5  (the Greens) [pl.] the Green Party (= the party whose main aim is the protection of the environment)\n    verb [VN]\n  create parks\n  1  to create parks and other areas with trees and plants in a city:\nprojects for greening the inner cities\n  politics\n  2  to make sb more aware of issues connected with the environment:\nan attempt to green industry bosses\n    greening noun [U]:\nthe greening of British politics


Words: green bean
Meaning:
(BrE also French bean) (AmE also string bean) noun\na type of bean which is a long thin green POD, cooked and eaten whole as a vegetable


Words: green belt
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C, usually sing.] (BrE) an area of open land around a city where building is strictly controlled:\nNew roads are cutting into the green belt. * Green belt development is carefully regulated.


Words: green card
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a document that legally allows sb from another country to live and work in the US\n  2  (BrE) an insurance document that you need when you drive your car in another country


Words: green fingers
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (BrE) (AmE green thumb [sing.]) if you have green fingers, you are good at making plants grow\n    green-fingered adjective (BrE)


Words: green light
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] permission for a project, etc. to start or continue:\nThe government has decided to give the green light to the plan.


Words: green manure
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] plants that are dug into the soil in order to improve its quality:\nGreen manure crops such as alfalfa and mustard are widely used in organic gardening.


Words: Green Paper
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain) a document containing government proposals on a particular subject, intended for general discussion\ncompare WHITE PAPER


Words: green room
Meaning:
noun\na room in a theatre, television STUDIO, etc. where the performers can relax when they are not performing


Words: green salad
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (BrE) a salad that is made with raw green vegetables, especially LETTUCE:\nServe with a green salad.


Words: green vegetable
Meaning:
noun\n[C, usually pl.] (BrE also greens) [pl.] a vegetable with dark green leaves, for example CABBAGE or SPINACH:\nMany people do not eat enough green vegetables.


Words: greenfield
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE) used to describe an area of land that has not yet had buildings on it, but for which building development may be planned:\na greenfield site


Words: greenfly
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (plural greenflies or greenfly) a small flying insect that is harmful to plants:\nThe roses have got greenfly.


Words: greengrocer
Meaning:
noun (especially BrE)\n  1  a person who owns, manages or works in a shop/store selling fruit and vegetables\ncompare FRUITERER\n  2  (greengrocer’s) (plural greengrocers) a shop/store that sells fruit and vegetables


Words: greenhouse gas
Meaning:
noun\nany of the gases that are thought to cause the greenhouse effect, especially CARBON DIOXIDE:\na government commitment to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases


Words: greet
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n \n  1  ~ sb (with sth) to say hello to sb or to welcome them:\nHe greeted all the guests warmly as they arrived. * She greeted us with a smile. * The winning team was greeted by cheering crowds.\n \n  2  [usually passive] ~ sb/sth (with / as sth) to react to sb/sth in a particular way:\nThe changes were greeted with suspicion. * The team’s win was greeted as a major triumph. * Loud cheers greeted the news.\n \n  3  [usually passive] (of sights, sounds or smells) to be the first thing that you see, hear or smell at a particular time:\nWhen she opened the door she was greeted by a scene of utter confusion.


Words: greeting
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] something that you say or do to greet sb:\nShe waved a friendly greeting. * They exchanged greetings and sat down to lunch. * He raised his hand in greeting.\n  2  (greetings) [pl.] a message of good wishes for sb’s health, happiness, etc:\nChristmas / birthday greetings * My mother sends her greetings to you all.\n IDIOMS  see SEASON n.


Words: greetings card
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE greeting card) noun\na card with a picture on the front and a message inside that you send to sb on a particular occasion such as their birthday


Words: gregarious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  liking to be with other people\nSYN SOCIABLE:\nShe’s very outgoing and gregarious.\n  2  (biology) (of animals or birds) living in groups\n    gregariously adverb\n    gregariousness noun [U]


Words: Gregorian calendar
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the system used since 1582 in Western countries of arranging the months in the year and the days in the months and of counting the years from the birth of Christ


Words: grenade
Meaning:
noun\na small bomb that can be thrown by hand or fired from a gun:\nrocket-propelled grenades\nsee also HAND GRENADE


Words: grey
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually gray)  adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective\n  1  having the colour of ashes or smoke:\ngrey eyes / hair * wisps of grey smoke * a grey suit\n  2  [not usually before noun] having grey hair:\nHe’s gone very grey.\n  3  (of a person’s skin colour) pale and dull, because they are ill/sick, tired or sad:\nThe next morning she looked very grey and hollow-eyed.\n  4  (of the sky or weather) dull; full of clouds:\ngrey skies * I hate these grey days.\n  5  without interest or variety; making you feel sad:\nLife seems grey and pointless without him.\n  6  (disapproving) not interesting or attractive:\nThe company was full of faceless grey men who all looked the same.\n    greyness (especially BrE) (AmE usually grayness) noun [U, sing.] \n    noun\n  1  [U, C] the colour of ashes or smoke:\nthe dull grey of the sky * dressed in grey\n  2  [C] a grey or white horse:\nShe’s riding the grey.\n    verb [V] (of hair) to become grey:\nHis hair was greying at the sides. * a tall woman with greying hair


Words: grey area
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually gray area) noun\nan area of a subject or situation that is not clear or does not fit into a particular group and is therefore difficult to define or deal with:\nExactly what can be called an offensive weapon is still a grey area. * The new rules for police procedure cleared up a lot of grey areas.


Words: grey matter
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually gray matter) noun\n[U] (informal) a person’s intelligence:\nThis should exercise the old grey matter.


Words: greyhound
Meaning:
noun\na large thin dog with smooth hair and long thin legs, that can run very fast and is used in the sport of greyhound racing


Words: grid
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a pattern of straight lines, usually crossing each other to form squares:\nNew York’s grid of streets\n  2  a frame of metal or wooden bars that are parallel or cross each other\nsee also CATTLE GRID\n  3  a pattern of squares on a map that are marked with letters or numbers to help you find the exact position of a place:\nThe grid reference is C8.\n  4  (especially BrE) a system of electric wires or pipes carrying gas, for sending power over a large area:\nthe national grid (= the electricity supply in a country) * the development of the country’s electricity grid\n  5  (in motor racing) a pattern of lines marking the starting positions for the racing cars:\nHe has been put in the front row of the starting grid.


Words: gridiron
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a frame made of metal bars that is used for cooking meat or fish on, over an open fire: (figurative) streets laid out in a gridiron pattern\n  2  (AmE) a field used for American football marked with a pattern of parallel lines


Words: gridlock
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a situation in which there are so many cars in the streets of a town that the traffic cannot move at all\n  2  (usually in politics) a situation in which people with different opinions are not able to agree with each other and so no action can be taken:\nCongress is in gridlock.\n    gridlocked adjective


Words: grief
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] ~ (over / at sth) a feeling of great sadness, especially when sb dies:\nShe was overcome with grief when her husband died. * They were able to share their common joys and griefs.\n  2  [C, usually sing.] something that causes great sadness:\nIt was a grief to them that they had no children.\n  3  [U] (informal) problems and worry:\nHe caused his parents a lot of grief.\n IDIOMS \n  come to grief (informal)\n1 to end in total failure:\nAll his schemes for making money seem to come to grief.\n2 to be harmed in an accident:\nSeveral pedestrians came to grief on the icy pavement.\n  give sb grief (about / over sth) (informal) to be annoyed with sb and criticize their behaviour\n  good grief! (informal) used to express surprise or shock:\nGood grief! What a mess!


Words: grief-stricken
Meaning:
adjective\nfeeling extremely sad because of sth that has happened, especially the death of sb:\nThere was no way of consoling her grief-stricken family.


Words: grievance
Meaning:
noun\n~ (against sb) something that you think is unfair and that you complain or protest about:\nParents were invited to air their grievances (= express them) at the meeting. * He had been nursing a grievance against his boss for months. * Does the company have a formal grievance procedure (= a way of telling sb your complaints at work)? * These interviews aim to deal with individual grievances.


Words: grieve
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (for / over sb/sth) to feel very sad, especially because sb has died:\n[V] They are still grieving for their dead child. * grieving relatives * [VN] She grieved the death of her husband.\n  2  (formal) to make you feel very sad:\n[VN that] It grieved him that he could do nothing to help her. * [VN] Their lack of interest grieved her. * [VN to inf] It grieved her to leave.


Words: grievous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) very serious and often causing great pain or suffering:\nHe had been the victim of a grievous injustice.\n    grievously adverb:\ngrievously hurt / wounded


Words: grill
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (BrE) the part of a cooker that directs heat downwards to cook food that is placed underneath it:\nPut it under a hot grill to brown for two minutes.\ncompare BROILER\n \n  2  a flat metal frame that you put food on to cook over a fire\nsee also BARBECUE\n \n  3  a dish of grilled food, especially meat\nsee also MIXED GRILL\n  4  (especially in names) a restaurant serving grilled food:\nHarry’s Bar and Grill\n  5  = GRILLE\n    verb [VN] \n  1  (BrE) to cook food under or over a very strong heat:\nGrill the sausages for ten minutes. * grilled bacon\ncompare BROIL\n  2  (AmE) to cook food over a fire, especially outdoors:\ngrilled meat and shrimp\n  3  ~ sb (about sth) to ask sb a lot of questions about their ideas, actions, etc., often in an unpleasant way:\nThey grilled her about where she had been all night. * He was grilled by detectives for several hours.\nsee also GRILLING


Words: grille
Meaning:
(also grill)  noun\na screen made of metal bars or wire that is placed in front of a window, door or piece of machinery in order to protect it:\na radiator grille (= at the front of a car) * a security grille * Ensure that the grille is in place while the machinery is in operation.


Words: grilling
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a period of being questioned closely about your ideas, actions, etc:\nThe minister faced a tough grilling at today’s press conference.


Words: grim
Meaning:
adjective (grimmer, grimmest)\n  1  looking or sounding very serious:\na grim face / look / smile * She looked grim. * with a look of grim determination on his face * He set about the task with grim concentration. * grim-faced policemen\n  2  unpleasant and depressing:\ngrim news * We face the grim prospect of still higher unemployment. * Despite the grim forecast, the number of deaths was slightly down on last year. * The outlook is pretty grim. * This latest attack is a grim reminder of how vulnerable our airports are to terrorist attack. * Booth paints a grim picture of life in the next century. * a grim struggle for survival * Things are looking grim for workers in the building industry.\n  3  (of a place or building) not attractive; depressing:\nThe house looked grim and dreary in the rain. * the grim walls of the prison\n  4  [not before noun] (BrE, informal) ill:\nI feel pretty grim this morning.\n  5  [not usually before noun] (BrE, informal) of very low quality:\nTheir performance was fairly grim, I’m afraid!\n    grimly adverb:\n’It won’t be easy,’ he said grimly. * grimly determined\n    grimness noun [U]:\nThe novel depicts the grimness of life for the unemployed in Salford.\n IDIOMS \n  hang / hold on for / like grim death (BrE) (also hang / hold on for dear life AmE, BrE) (informal) to hold sb/sth very tightly because you are afraid


Words: grimace
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] ~ (at sb/sth) to make an ugly expression with your face to show pain, disgust, etc:\nHe grimaced at the bitter taste. * She grimaced as the needle went in.\n    noun an ugly expression made by twisting your face, used to show pain, disgust, etc. or to make sb laugh:\nto make / give a grimace of pain * ’What’s that?’ she asked with a grimace.


Words: grime
Meaning:
noun\n[U] dirt that forms a layer on the surface of sth:\na face covered with grime and sweat * Keep plants healthy by regularly removing any dust and grime from their leaves.


Words: grimy
Meaning:
adjective\n(grimier, grimiest) covered with GRIME:\ngrimy hands / windows * His clothes were grimy and bloodstained.


Words: grin
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n (-nn-) ~ (at sb) to smile widely:\n[V] She grinned amiably at us. * They grinned with delight when they heard our news. * Stop grinning and tell me what happened! * He was grinning from ear to ear. * [VN] He grinned a welcome.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  grin and bear it (only used as an infinitive and in orders) to accept pain, disappointment or a difficult situation without complaining:\nThere’s nothing we can do about it. We’ll just have to grin and bear it.\n    noun\n a wide smile:\nShe gave a broad grin. * a wry / sheepish grin * ’No,’ he said with a grin. * Take that grin off your face!


Words: grind
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (ground, ground )\n  food / flour / coffee\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (down / up) | ~ sth (to / into sth) to break or crush sth into very small pieces between two hard surfaces or using a special machine:\nto grind coffee / corn * The animal has teeth that grind its food into a pulp.\nsee also GROUND (4)\n  2  [VN] to produce sth such as flour by crushing:\nThe flour is ground using traditional methods.\n  make sharp / smooth\n  3  [VN] to make sth sharp or smooth by rubbing it against a hard surface:\na special stone for grinding knives\n  press into surface\n  4  [VN] ~ sth into sth | ~ sth in to press or rub sth into a surface:\nHe ground his cigarette into the ashtray. * The dirt on her hands was ground in.\n  rub together\n  5  to rub together, or to make hard objects rub together, often producing an unpleasant noise:\n[V] Parts of the machine were grinding together noisily. * [VN] She grinds her teeth when she is asleep. * He ground the gears on the car.\n  machine\n  6  [VN] to turn the handle of a machine that grinds sth:\nto grind a pepper mill\n IDIOMS \n  bring sth to a grinding halt to make sth slow down gradually until it stops completely:\nRoadworks brought traffic to a grinding halt.\n  grind to a halt | come to a grinding halt to slow down gradually and then stop completely:\nProduction ground to a halt during the strike. * Her career ground to a halt when the twins were born.\nmore at AXE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  grind sb<->down to treat sb in a cruel or harsh way over a long period of time, so that they become very unhappy:\nDon’t let them grind you down. * Years of oppression had ground the people down.\n  grind on to continue for a long time, when this is unpleasant:\nThe argument ground on for almost two years.\n  grind sth<->out to produce sth in large quantities, often sth that is not good or interesting:\nShe grinds out romantic novels at the rate of five a year.\n    noun\n  boring activity\n  1  [sing.] (informal) an activity that is tiring or boring and takes a lot of time:\nthe daily grind of family life * It’s a long grind to the top of that particular profession.\n  of machines\n  2  [sing.] the harsh noise made by machines\n  swot\n  3  [C] (AmE, informal) = SWOT


Words: grinder
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a machine or tool for grinding a solid substance into a powder:\na coffee grinder\n  2  a person whose job is to make knives sharper; a machine which does this\nsee also ORGAN-GRINDER


Words: grinding
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a difficult situation) that never ends or improves:\ngrinding poverty


Words: grindstone
Meaning:
noun\na round stone that is turned like a wheel and is used to make knives and other tools sharp\n IDIOMS  see NOSE n.


Words: gringo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gringos) (informal, disapproving) used in Latin American countries to refer to a person from the US


Words: grip
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  holding tightly\n  1  [C, usually sing.] ~ (on sb/sth) an act of holding sb/sth tightly; a particular way of doing this:\nKeep a tight grip on the rope. * to loosen / release / relax your grip * She tried to get a grip on the icy rock. * The climber slipped and lost her grip. * She struggled from his grip. * Try adjusting your grip on the racket.\n  control / power\n  2  [sing.] ~ (on sb/sth) control or power over sb/sth:\nThe home team took a firm grip on the game in the second half. * Our main objective now is to tighten the grip we have on the market. * The Prime Minister needs to keep a tight grip on his party.\n  understanding\n  3  [sing.] ~ (on sth) an understanding of sth:\nI couldn’t get a grip on what was going on. * You need to keep a good grip on reality in this job.\n  moving without slipping\n  4  [U] the ability of sth to move over a surface without slipping:\nThese tyres give the bus better grip in slippery conditions. * This type of sole gives good grip on snow and ice.\n  stops hands slipping\n  5  [C] a part of sth that has a special surface so that it can be held without the hands slipping:\nthe grip on a golf club * a rubber / plastic grip\n  for hair\n  6  [C] (BrE) = HAIRGRIP\n  job in the movies\n  7  [C] a person who prepares and moves the cameras, and sometimes the lighting equipment, when a film/movie is being made\n  bag\n  8  [C] (old-fashioned) a large soft bag, used when travelling\n IDIOMS \n  come / get to grips with sth to begin to understand and deal with sth difficult:\nI’m slowly getting to grips with the language * They have so far failed to come to grips with the ecological problems.\n  get / take a grip (on yourself) to improve your behaviour or control your emotions after being afraid, upset or angry:\nI have to take a grip on myself, he told himself firmly. * (informal) Get a grip (= make an effort to control your emotions)!\n  in the grip of sth experiencing sth unpleasant that cannot be stopped:\na country in the grip of recession\n  lose your grip (on sth) to become unable to understand or control a situation:\nSometimes I feel I’m losing my grip.\n    verb (-pp-)\n  hold tightly\n  1  to hold sth tightly:\n[VN] ’Please don’t go,’ he said, gripping her arm. * [V] She gripped on to the railing with both hands.\n  interest / excite\n  2  [VN] to interest or excite sb; to hold sb’s attention:\nThe book grips you from start to finish. * I was totally gripped by the story.\nsee also GRIPPING\n  have powerful effect\n  3  [VN] (of an emotion or a situation) to have a powerful effect on sb/sth:\nI was gripped by a feeling of panic. * A sudden fear gripped me. * Terrorism has gripped the country for the past two years.\n  move / hold without slipping\n  4  to hold onto or to move over a surface without slipping:\n[VN] tyres that grip the road [also V]


