# dict

Words: womanizing
Meaning:
(BrE also womanising)  noun\n[U] (disapproving) the fact of having sexual relationships with many different women\nSYN PHILANDERING\n    womanizer, womaniser noun:\nHe has a reputation for being a womanizer.


Words: womanly
Meaning:
adjective\n(approving) behaving, dressing, etc. in a way that people think is typical of or very suitable for a woman\nSYN FEMININE:\nwomanly qualities / wiles * She has a soft womanly figure.\n    womanliness noun [U]


Words: womb
Meaning:
noun\nthe organ in women and female animals in which babies develop before they are born\nSYN UTERUS


Words: wombat
Meaning:
noun\nan Australian animal like a small bear, that carries its young in a POUCH (= a pocket of skin) on the front of the mother’s body


Words: women’s liberation
Meaning:
noun [U] (old-fashioned)\n  1  (also informal women’s lib ) the freedom of women to have the same social and economic rights as men\n  2  (Women’s Liberation) (also informal Women’s Lib) the movement that aimed to achieve equal social and economic rights for women


Words: women’s studies
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the study of women and their role in history, literature and society:\nto major in women’s studies.


Words: womenfolk
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (formal or humorous) all the women in a community or family, especially one that is led by men:\nThe male hunters brought back the food for their womenfolk to cook.\ncompare MENFOLK


Words: wonder
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (about sth) to think about sth and try to decide what is true, what will happen, what you should do, etc:\n[V wh-] I wonder who she is. * I wonder why he left his job. * I was just beginning to wonder where you were. * [V] ’Why do you want to know?’ ’No particular reason. I was just wondering.’ * We were wondering about next April for the wedding. * [V speech] ’What should I do now?’ she wondered.\n  2  [V wh-] used as a polite way of asking a question or asking sb to do sth:\nI wonder if you can help me. * I was wondering whether you’d like to come to a party.\n  3  ~ (at sth) to be very surprised by sth:\n[V] She wondered at her own stupidity. * (BrE, spoken) He’s gone and left us to do all the work, I shouldn’t wonder (= I wouldn’t be surprised if he had). * [V (that)] I wonder (that) he didn’t hurt himself jumping over that wall. * I don’t wonder you’re tired. You’ve had a busy day.\n    noun\n  1  [U] a feeling of surprise and admiration that you have when you see or experience sth beautiful, unusual or unexpected\nSYN AWE:\nHe retained a childlike sense of wonder. * She gazed down in wonder at the city spread below her.\n  2  [C] something or a quality in sth that fills you with surprise and admiration:\nThe Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world. * the wonders of modern technology * That’s the wonder of poetry-you’re always discovering something new. * the Seven Wonders of the ancient world\n  3  [sing.] (informal) a person who is very clever at doing sth; a person or thing that seems very good or effective:\nGeoff, you’re a wonder! I would never have thought of doing that. * Have you seen the boy wonder play yet? * a new wonder drug\n IDIOMS \n  do wonders (for sb/sth) to have a very good effect on sb/sth:\nThe news has done wonders for our morale.\n  (it’s) no / little / small wonder (that) ... it is not surprising:\nIt is little wonder (that) she was so upset. * (informal) No wonder you’re tired, you’ve been walking for hours.\n  it’s a wonder (that) ... (especially spoken) it is surprising or strange:\nIt’s a wonder (that) more people weren’t hurt.\n  wonders will never cease (spoken, usually ironic) a phrase used to express surprise and pleasure at sth:\n’I’ve cleaned my room.’ ’Wonders will never cease!’\n  work wonders to achieve very good results:\nHer new diet and exercise programme has worked wonders for her.\nmore at CHINLESS, NINE


Words: wonderful
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  very good, pleasant or enjoyable:\na wonderful view / opportunity / person / surprise / day * We had a wonderful time last night. * You’ve all been absolutely wonderful! * It’s wonderful to see you!\n  2  making you feel surprise or admiration\nSYN REMARKABLE:\nIt’s wonderful what you can do when you have to.


Words: wonderfully
Meaning:
adverb (formal)\n  1  very; very well:\nThe hotel is wonderfully comfortable. * Things have worked out wonderfully (well).\n  2  unusually; in a surprising way:\nHe’s wonderfully fit for his age.


Words: wonderland
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.]\n  1  an imaginary place in children’s stories\n  2  a place that is exciting and full of beautiful and interesting things


Words: wonderment
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) a feeling of pleasant surprise or WONDER:\nShe looked at her daughter in wonderment.


Words: wondrous
Meaning:
adjective\n(literary) strange, beautiful and impressive:\nIt was a wondrous thing to see the sea for the first time.\n    wondrously adverb


Words: wonk
Meaning:
noun (AmE, informal, disapproving)\n  1  a person who works too hard and is considered boring\n  2  a person who takes too much interest in the less important details of political policy:\nthe President’s chief economic policy wonk


Words: wont
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [not before noun] ~ (to do sth) (old-fashioned, formal) in the habit of doing sth:\nHe was wont to fall asleep after supper.\n    noun [sing.] (old-fashioned, formal) something a person often does\nSYN HABIT:\nShe got up early, as was her wont.


Words: woo
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to try to get the support of sb:\nVoters are being wooed with promises of lower taxes. * Selected items are being sold at half price to woo customers into the store.\n  2  (old-fashioned) (of a man) to try to persuade a woman to love him and marry him\nSYN COURT


Words: wood
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U, C] the hard material that the TRUNK and branches of a tree are made of; this material when it is used to build or make things with, or as a fuel:\nHe chopped some wood for the fire. * a plank of wood * All the furniture was made of wood. * a wood floor * furniture made of a variety of different woods * In the spring, cut out the old wood and shorten the young stems (= of bushes, etc.).\nsee also DEAD WOOD, HARDWOOD, SOFTWOOD, WOODEN, WOODY\n \n  2  [C] (also woods [pl.]) an area of trees, smaller than a forest:\na large wood * a walk in the woods\nsee also WOODED\n \n  3  [C] a heavy wooden ball used in the game of BOWLS\n  4  [C] a GOLF CLUB with a large head, that was usually made of wood in the past\ncompare IRON\n IDIOMS \n  not see the wood for the trees (BrE) (AmE not see the forest for the trees) to not see or understand the main point about sth, because you are paying too much attention to small details\n  not out of the woods (informal) not yet free from difficulties or problems:\nWe’re not out of the woods yet, you know.\nmore at KNOCK v., NECK n., TOUCH v.


Words: wood pulp
Meaning:
noun\n[U] wood that has been broken into small pieces and crushed until it is soft. It is used for making paper.


Words: woodblock
Meaning:
noun\n  1  each of the small flat pieces of wood that are fitted together to cover a floor:\na woodblock floor\ncompare PARQUET\n  2  a piece of wood with a pattern cut into it, used for printing


Words: woodcarving
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] the process of shaping a piece of wood with a sharp tool; a decorative object made in this way\n    woodcarver noun


Words: woodcock
Meaning:
noun\n(plural woodcock or woodcocks) a brown bird with a long straight beak, short legs and a short tail, hunted for food or sport


Words: wooden
Meaning:
adjective\n \n  1  [usually before noun] made of wood:\na wooden box\n \n  2  not showing enough natural expression, emotion or movement:\nThe actor playing the father was too wooden. * Her voice sounded wooden and lifeless as she struggled to control her feelings.\n \n    woodenly adverb:\nShe speaks her lines very woodenly.\n \n    woodenness noun [U]


Words: wooden spoon
Meaning:
noun\na spoon made of wood, used in cooking for stirring and mixing\n IDIOMS \n  get, win, take, etc. the wooden spoon (BrE, informal) to come last in a race or competition


Words: woodland
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (also woodlands [pl.]) an area of land that is covered with trees:\nancient / dense / mixed woodland * The house is fringed by fields and woodlands. * woodland walks / scenery


Words: woodlouse
Meaning:
noun\n(plural woodlice ) a small grey creature like an insect, with a hard shell, that lives in decaying wood or damp soil


Words: woodman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural woodmen ) (also woodsman) a person who works or lives in a forest, taking care of and sometimes cutting down trees, etc.


Words: woodpecker
Meaning:
noun\na bird with a long beak that it uses to make holes in trees when it is looking for insects to eat


Words: woodturning
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process of shaping a piece of wood by turning it against a sharp tool on a machine (called a LATHE)\n    woodturner noun


Words: woodwind
Meaning:
noun\n[C+sing./pl. v.] (also woodwinds [pl.] especially in AmE) the group of musical instruments in an orchestra that are mostly made of wood or metal and are played by blowing. FLUTES, CLARINETS and BASSOONS are all woodwind instruments:\nthe woodwind section of the orchestra\ncompare BRASS, PERCUSSION, STRINGS, WIND n. (4), WIND INSTRUMENT


Words: woodwork
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  things made of wood in a building or room, such as doors and stairs:\nThe woodwork needs painting. * He hit the woodwork (= the wooden frame of the goal) twice before scoring.\n  2  (BrE) (also woodworking AmE, BrE) the activity or skill of making things from wood\n IDIOMS \n  blend / fade into the woodwork to behave in a way that does not attract any attention; to disappear or hide\n  come / crawl out of the woodwork (informal, disapproving) if you say that sb comes/crawls out of the woodwork, you mean that they have suddenly appeared in order to express an opinion or to take advantage of a situation:\nWhen he won the lottery, all sorts of distant relatives came out of the woodwork.


Words: woodworm
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a small worm that eats wood, making a lot of small holes in it\n  2  [U] the damage caused by woodworms:\nThe beams are riddled with woodworm.


Words: woody
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of plants) having a thick, hard stem like wood\n  2  covered with trees:\na woody valley\n  3  having a smell like wood:\nThis new fragrance has woody notes.


Words: woof
Meaning:
exclamation, verb, noun \n    exclamation (informal) a word used to describe the loud noise that a dog makes:\n’Woof! Woof!’ he barked.\n    woof verb [V] \n    noun = WEFT


Words: wool
Meaning:
noun [U]\n \n  1  the soft fine hair that covers the body of sheep, goats and some other animals\n \n  2  long thick thread made from animal’s wool, used for knitting:\na ball of wool\n \n  3  fabric made from animal’s wool, used for making clothes, etc:\nThis scarf is 100% wool. * pure new wool * a wool coat / blanket\nsee also COTTON WOOL, DYED IN THE WOOL, LAMBSWOOL, STEEL WOOL, WIRE WOOL\n \n IDIOMS  see PULL v.


Words: woollen
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE woolen)  adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] made of wool:\na woollen blanket / coat * woollen cloth / gloves\n  2  [only before noun] involved in making fabric from wool:\na woollen mill * the woollen industry


Words: woolly
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (AmE also wooly)\n  1  covered with wool or with hair like wool:\nwoolly monkeys\n  2  (informal, especially BrE) made of wool; like wool\nSYN WOOLLEN:\na woolly hat / jumper\n  3  (of people or their ideas, etc.) not thinking clearly; confused; not clearly expressed:\nwoolly arguments / concepts\n    woolliness noun [U] \n    noun (plural woollies) (BrE, informal, becoming old-fashioned) a piece of clothing made of wool, especially one that has been knitted


Words: woozy
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  feeling unsteady, confused and unable to think clearly\n  2  (especially AmE) feeling as though you might VOMIT


Words: word
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  unit of language\n  1  [C] a single unit of language which means sth and can be spoken or written:\nDo not write more than 200 words. * Do you know the words to this song? * What’s the Spanish word for ’table’? * He was a true friend in all senses of the word. * Tell me what happened in your own words. * I could hear every word they were saying. * He couldn’t find the words to thank her enough. * Words fail me (= I cannot express how I feel). * There are no words to say how sorry we are. * I can’t remember her exact words. * Angry is not the word for it-I was furious. * I can never put my feelings into words.\nsee also BUZZWORD, FOUR-LETTER WORD, HOUSEHOLD WORD, PORTMANTEAU WORD, SWEAR WORD\n  sth you say\n  2  [C] a thing that you say; a remark or statement:\nHave a word with Pat and see what she thinks. * Could I have a quick word with you (= speak to you quickly)? * A word of warning: read the instructions very carefully. * words of love * She left without a word (= without saying anything). * I don’t believe a word of his story (= I don’t believe any of it). * a man / woman of few words (= who doesn’t talk very much) * I’d like to say a few words about future plans. * Remember-not a word to (= don’t tell) Peter about any of this. * He never breathed a word of this to me.\n  promise\n  3  [sing.] a promise or GUARANTEE that you will do sth or that sth will happen or is true:\nI give you my word that this won’t happen again. * I give you my word of honour (= my sincere promise) ... * We never doubted her word. * We only have his word for it that the cheque is in the post. * to keep your word (= do what you promised) * He promised to help and was as good as his word (= did what he promised). * He’s a man of his word (= he does what he promises). * I trusted her not to go back on her word (= break her promise). * I can’t prove it-you’ll have to take my word for it (= believe me).\n  information / news\n  4  [sing.] a piece of information or news:\nThere’s been no word from them since before Christmas. * She sent word that she would be late. * If word gets out about the affair, he will have to resign. * Word has it that she’s leaving. * The word is they’ve split up. * He likes to spread the word about the importance of healthy eating.\n  bible\n  5  (the Word) (also the Word of God) [sing.] the Bible and its teachings\n IDIOMS \n  by word of mouth because people tell each other and not because they read about it:\nThe news spread by word of mouth.\n  (right) from the word go (informal) from the very beginning\n  (not) get a word in edgeways (BrE) (AmE (not) get a word in edgewise) (not) to be able to say anything because sb else is speaking too much:\nWhen Mary starts talking, no one else can get a word in edgeways.\n  have a word in sb’s ear (BrE) to speak to sb privately about sth\n  have / exchange words (with sb) (about sth) (especially BrE) to argue or quarrel with sb:\nWe’ve had words. * Words were exchanged.\n  in other words used to introduce an explanation of sth:\nThey asked him to leave-in other words he was fired.\n  (not) in so / as many words (not) in exactly the same words as sb says were used:\n’Did she say she was sorry?’ ’Not in so many words.’ * He didn’t approve of the plan and said so in as many words.\n  in a word (spoken) used for giving a very short, usually negative, answer or comment:\n’Would you like to help us?’ ’In a word, no.’\n  in words of one syllable using very simple language:\nCould you say that again in words of one syllable?\n  the last / final word (on sth) the last comment or decision about sth:\nHe always has to have the last word in any argument. * I’m willing to wait one more week, and that’s my final word on the subject.\n  (upon) my word (old-fashioned) used to show that you are surprised about sth\n  not have a good word to say for sb/sth (informal) to never say anything good about sb/sth:\nNobody had a good word to say about him.\n  put in a (good) word for sb to praise sb to sb else in order to help them get a job, etc.\n  put words into sb’s mouth to suggest that sb has said sth when in fact they have not\n  say / give the word to give an order; to make a request:\nJust say the word, and I’ll go.\n  take sb at their word to believe exactly what sb says or promises\n  take the words right out of sb’s mouth to say what sb else was going to say\n  too funny, silly, ridiculous, etc. for words extremely funny, silly, ridiculous, etc.\n  word for word in exactly the same words or (when translated) exactly EQUIVALENT words:\nShe repeated their conversation word for word to me. * a word-for-word translation\n  sb’s word is their bond sb’s promise can be relied on completely\nmore at ACTION n., BANDY v., DIRTY adj., EAT, FAMOUS, HANG v., LAST det., LOST adj., MINCE v., MUM adj., OPERATIVE adj., PLAY n., PRINT v., WAR n., WEIGH, WRITTEN\n    verb [VN] [often passive] to write or say sth using particular words:\nHow was the letter worded (= what did it say exactly)?\n    worded adjective:\na carefully worded speech * a strongly worded letter of protest


Words: word processing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the use of a computer to create, store and print a piece of text, usually typed in from a keyboard:\nWe’ve got a computer but I only use it for word processing.


Words: word processor
Meaning:
noun\na computer that runs a WORD PROCESSING program and is usually used for writing letters, reports, etc.


Words: word-perfect
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE letter-perfect) adjective\nable to remember and repeat sth exactly without making any mistakes:\nBy the evening of the performance, she was word-perfect.


Words: wording
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C, usually sing.] the words that are used in a piece of writing or speech, especially when they have been carefully chosen:\nThe wording was deliberately ambiguous. * It was the standard form of wording for a consent letter. * What was the exact wording of the message?


Words: wordless
Meaning:
adjective (formal or literary)\n  1  [usually before noun] without any words; silent:\na wordless cry / prayer\n  2  (of people) not saying anything\n    wordlessly adverb


Words: wordplay
Meaning:
noun\n[U] making jokes by using words in a clever or amusing way, especially by using a word that has two meanings, or different words that sound the same\ncompare PUN


Words: wordy
Meaning:
adjective\n(usually disapproving) using too many words, especially formal ones\nSYN VERBOSE:\na wordy and repetitive essay\n    wordiness noun [U]


Words: work
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  do job / task\n  1  ~ (at / on sth) to do sth that involves physical or mental effort, especially as part of a job:\n[V] I can’t work if I’m cold. * I’ve been working at my assignment all day. * He is working on a new novel. * She’s outside, working on the car. * [VN] Doctors often work very long hours.\n  2  [V] ~ (for sb/sth) | ~ (as sth) to have a job:\nBoth my parents work. * She works for an engineering company. * I’ve always worked in education. * Do you enjoy working with children? * My son is working as a science teacher.\n  make effort\n  3  [VN] to make yourself/sb work, especially very hard:\nShe works herself too hard.\n  4  ~ (for sth) to make efforts to achieve sth:\n[V] She dedicated her life to working for peace. * [V to inf] The committee is working to get the prisoners freed. * The police and the public need to work together to combat crime.\n  manage\n  5  [VN] to manage or operate sth to gain benefit from it:\nto work the land (= grow crops on it, etc.) * He works a large area (= selling a company’s goods, etc.). * (figurative) She was a skilful speaker who knew how to work a crowd (= to excite them or make them feel sth strongly).\n  machine / device\n  6  [V] to function; to operate:\nThe phone isn’t working. * It works by electricity. * Are they any closer to understanding how the brain works?\n  7  [VN] to make a machine, device, etc. operate:\nDo you know how to work the coffee machine? * The machine is worked by wind power.\n  have result / effect\n  8  [V] ~ (on sb/sth) to have the result or effect that you want:\nThe pills the doctor gave me aren’t working. * My plan worked, and I got them to agree. * His charm doesn’t work on me (= does not affect or impress me).\n  9  [V +adv./prep.] to have a particular effect:\nYour age can work against you in this job. * Speaking Italian should work in his favour.\n  10  [VN] to cause or produce sth as a result of effort:\nYou can work miracles with very little money if you follow our home decoration tips.\n  use material\n  11  [VN] ~ sth (into sth) to make a material into a particular shape or form by pressing, stretching, hitting it, etc:\nto work clay / dough * to work gold / iron * to work the mixture into a paste\n  12  [V] ~ (in / with sth) (of an artist, etc.) to use a particular material to produce a picture or other item:\nan artist working in oils * a craftsman working with wool\n  of part of face / body\n  13  [V] (written) to move violently:\nHe stared at me in horror, his mouth working.\n  move gradually\n  14  to move or pass to a particular place or state, usually gradually:\n[V] It will take a while for the drug to work out of your system. * [VN] (figurative) He worked his way to the top of his profession. * [VN-ADJ] I was tied up, but managed to work myself free. * [V-ADJ] The screw had worked loose.\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing work are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example work your fingers to the bone is at finger.\n  work it / things (informal) to arrange sth in a particular way, especially by being clever:\nCan you work it so that we get free tickets?\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  work around / round to sth/sb to gradually turn a conversation towards a particular topic, subject, etc:\nIt was some time before he worked around to what he really wanted to say.\n  work sth in | work sth into sth\n1 to try to include sth:\nCan’t you work a few more jokes into your speech?\n2 to add one substance to another and mix them together:\nGradually work in the butter.\n  work sth<->off\n1 to get rid of sth, especially a strong feeling, by using physical effort:\nShe worked off her anger by going for a walk.\n2 to earn money in order to be able to pay a debt:\nThey had a large bank loan to work off.\n  work out\n1 to train the body by physical exercise:\nI work out regularly to keep fit.\nrelated noun WORKOUT\n2 to develop in a successful way:\nMy first job didn’t work out. * Things have worked out quite well for us.\n  work out (at sth) if sth works out at sth, you calculate that it will be a particular amount:\n[+ADJ] It’ll work out cheaper to travel by bus.\n  work sb<->out to understand sb’s character:\nI’ve never been able to work her out.\n  work sth<->out\n1 to calculate sth:\nto work out the answer\n2 to find the answer to sth; to solve sth:\nto work out a problem / puzzle / code * [+ wh-] Can you work out what these squiggles mean? * I couldn’t work out where the music was coming from.\n3 to plan or think of sth:\nI’ve worked out a new way of doing it.\n4 [usually passive] to remove all the coal, minerals, etc. from a mine over a period of time:\na worked-out silver mine\n  work sb<->over (slang) to attack sb and hit them, for example to make them give you information\n  work to sth to follow a plan, TIMETABLE, etc:\nto work to a budget * We’re working to a very tight deadline (= we have little time in which to do the work).\n  work towards sth to try to reach or achieve a goal\n  work sth<->up to develop or improve sth with some effort:\nI can’t work up any enthusiasm for his idea. * She went for a long walk to work up an appetite.\n  work sb / yourself up (into sth) to make sb/yourself reach a state of great excitement, anger, etc:\nDon’t work yourself up into a state about it. It isn’t worth it. * I can’t get worked up about cars. * What are you so worked up about?\n  work sth up into sth to bring sth to a more complete or more satisfactory state:\nI’m working my notes up into a dissertation.\n  work up to sth to develop or move gradually towards sth, usually sth more exciting or extreme:\nThe music worked up to a rousing finale. * I began by jogging in the park and worked up to running 5 miles a day.\n    noun\n  job / task\n  1  [U] the job that a person does especially in order to earn money\nSYN EMPLOYMENT: (BrE) They are in work (= have a job). * (BrE, AmE) She had been out of work (= without a job) for a year. * He started work as a security guard. * It is difficult to find work in the present economic climate. * I’m still looking for work. * She’s planning to return to work once the children start school. * What line of work are you in (= what type of work do you do)? * before / after work (= in the morning / evening each day) * full-time / part-time / unpaid / voluntary work\n  2  [U] the duties that you have and the activities that you do as part of your job:\nPolice work is mainly routine. * The accountant described his work to the sales staff. * Students do work experience in local firms.\nsee also PIECEWORK, SOCIAL WORK\n  3  [U] tasks that need to be done:\nThere is plenty of work to be done in the garden. * I have some work for you to do. * Stop talking and get on with your work.\nsee also HOMEWORK\n  4  [U] materials needed or used for doing work, especially books, papers, etc:\nShe often brings work (= for example, files and documents) home with her from the office. * His work was spread all over the floor.\nsee also PAPERWORK\n  place of job\n  5  [U] (used without the) the place where you do your job:\nI go to work at 8 o’clock. * When do you leave for work? * The new legislation concerns health and safety at work. * I have to leave work early today. * Her friends from work came to see her in the hospital.\n  effort\n  6  [U] the use of physical strength or mental power in order to do or make sth:\nShe earned her grades through sheer hard work. * We started work on the project in 1998. * Work continues on renovating the hotel. * The work of building the bridge took six months. * The art collection was his life’s work. * She set them to work painting the fence. * They carried out pioneering work on the treatment of cancer.\nsee also DONKEY WORK, FIELDWORK\n  product of work\n  7  [U] a thing or things that are produced as a result of work:\nShe’s an artist whose work I really admire. * Is this all your own work (= did you do it without help from others)? * The book is a detailed and thorough piece of work covering all aspects of the subject.\n  result of action\n  8  [U] the result of an action; what is done by sb:\nThe damage is clearly the work of vandals.\n  book / music / art\n  9  [C] a book, piece of music, painting, etc:\nthe collected / complete works of Tolstoy * works of fiction / literature * Beethoven’s piano works * He recognized the sketch as an early work by Degas.\nsee also WORK OF ART\ncompare OPUS\n  building / repairing\n  10  (works) [pl.] (often in compounds) activities involving building or repairing sth:\nroadworks * They expanded the shipyards and started engineering works. * A contract can ensure that landlords carry out the works for which they are legally responsible.\nsee also PUBLIC WORKS\n  factory\n  11  (works) [C+sing./pl. v.] (often in compounds) a place where things are made or industrial processes are carried out:\nan engineering works * a brickworks * Raw materials were carried to the works by barge.\n  parts of machine\n  12  (the works) [pl.] the moving parts of a machine, etc.\nSYN MECHANISM\n  everything\n  13  (the works) [pl.] (informal) everything:\nWe went to the chip shop and had the works: fish, chips, gherkins, mushy peas.\n  physics\n  14  [U] the use of force to produce movement\nsee also JOULE\n IDIOMS \n  at work\n1 having an effect on sth:\nShe suspected that secret influences were at work.\n2 ~ (on sth) busy doing sth:\nHe is still at work on the painting. * Danger-men at work.\n  get (down) to / set to work to begin; to make a start:\nWe set to work on the outside of the house (= for example, painting it).\n  give sb the works (informal) to give or tell sb everything\n  good works kind acts to help others\n  go / set about your work to do/start to do your work:\nShe went cheerfully about her work.\n  have your work cut out (informal) to be likely to have difficulty doing sth:\nYou’ll have your work cut out to get there by nine o’clock.\n  in the works something that is in the works is being discussed, planned or prepared and will happen or exist soon\n  the work of a moment, second, etc. (written) a thing that takes a very short time to do:\nIt was the work of a few minutes to hide the damage.\nmore at DAY, DIRTY adj., HAND n., HARD adj., JOB, LIGHT adj., NASTY, NICE, SHORT adj., SPANNER\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \na day’s work\nwork [U] Looking after children all day is hard work.\njob [C] I have a few jobs to do in the house this morning. * Writing this report is going to be a long job. * I’ve been given the enjoyable job of presenting the prizes.\ntask [C] We’ll soon have robots performing simple everyday tasks. * The police face a very difficult task dealing with the increase in violent crime.\nchore [C] the household chores * Don’t turn reading into a chore for your kids.\nassignment [C] I have three assignments to do by the end of term.\nproject [C] My next project is painting the living room.\nlabour [U] I was trained as a builder so I’m used to manual labour.\ntoil [U] (formal or literary) A lifetime of hard toil on the farm had made him look old and tired.\n-> note at JOB\n______________________________


Words: work experience
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the work or jobs that you have done in your life so far:\nThe opportunities available will depend on your previous work experience and qualifications.\n  2  (BrE) a period of time that a young person, especially a student, spends working in a company as a form of training\ncompare INTERNSHIP


Words: work of art
Meaning:
noun (plural works of art)\n  1  a painting, statue, etc:\nA number of priceless works of art were stolen from the gallery.\n  2  something that is attractive and skilfully made:\nThe bride’s dress was a work of art.


Words: work-to-rule
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a situation in which workers refuse to do any work that is not in their contracts, in order to protest about sth\ncompare GO-SLOW


Words: workable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a system, an idea, etc.) that can be used successfully and effectively\nSYN PRACTICAL:\na workable plan / solution * I’m sure we can come to some workable arrangement.\n  2  that you can shape, spread, dig, etc:\nAdd more water until the dough is workable. * Plant the shrubs when the soil is soft and workable.\n  3  (of a mine, etc.) that can still be used and will make a profit


Words: workaday
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (written) ordinary; not very interesting\nSYN EVERYDAY:\nThis was a far cry from her normal workaday world.


Words: workaholic
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, usually disapproving) a person who works very hard and finds it difficult to stop working and do other things


Words: workbook
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE exercise book) noun\na book with exercises in it, often with spaces for students to write answers in, to help them practise what they have learnt


Words: worked up
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] ~ (about sth) (informal) very excited or upset about sth:\nThere’s no point in getting worked up about it.


Words: worker
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (often in compounds) a person who works, especially one who does a particular kind of work:\nfarm / factory / office workers * rescue / aid / research workers * temporary / part-time / casual workers * manual / skilled / unskilled workers\nsee also GUEST WORKER, SOCIAL WORKER\n \n  2  a person who is employed to do physical work rather than organizing things or managing people:\nConflict between employers and workers intensified and the number of strikes rose. * talks between workers and management * profit-sharing and worker participation in decision-making\n \n  3  (usually after an adjective) a person who works hard or who works in a particular way:\na hard / fast / quick worker\n  4  a female bee that helps do the work of the group of bees but does not reproduce\ncompare DRONE, QUEEN BEE\n IDIOMS  see FAST adj.


Words: workfare
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a system in which unemployed people have to work in order to get money for food, rent, etc. from the government


Words: workforce
Meaning:
pl. v.]\n  1  all the people who work for a particular company, organization, etc.\nSYN STAFF:\nThe factory will have to lose half of its 1000-strong workforce. * Two thirds of the workforce is / are women.\n  2  all the people in a country or an area who are available for work:\nA quarter of the local workforce is / are unemployed. * the male / female workforce * an educated workforce


Words: workhouse
Meaning:
(BrE) (also poorhouse AmE, BrE) noun\n(in Britain in the past) a building where very poor people were sent to live and given work to do


Words: working
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  having a job for which you are paid\nSYN EMPLOYED:\nthe working population * a working wife / mother\nsee also HARD-WORKING\n  2  having a job that involves hard physical work rather than office work, studying, etc:\na working man * a working men’s club\n  3  connected with your job and the time you spend doing it:\nlong working hours * poor working conditions * I have a good working relationship with my boss. * She spent most of her working life as a teacher. * recent changes in working practices\n  4  a working breakfast or lunch is one at which you discuss business\n  5  used as a basis for work, discussion, etc. but likely to be changed or improved in the future:\na working hypothesis / theory * Have you decided on a working title for your thesis yet?\n  6  if you have a working knowledge of sth, you can use it at a basic level\n  7  the working parts of a machine are the parts that move in order to make it function\n  8  a working MAJORITY is a small MAJORITY that is enough to enable a government to win votes in parliament and make new laws\n IDIOMS  see ORDER n.\n    noun [usually pl.]\n  1  ~ (of sth) the way in which a machine, a system, an organization, etc. works:\nan introduction to the workings of Congress * the workings of the human mind * the machine’s inner workings\n  2  the parts of a mine or QUARRY where coal, metal, stone, etc. is or has been dug from the ground:\nA pump was used to remove water from the old workings.


Words: working capital
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (business) the money that is needed to run a business rather than the money that is used to buy buildings and equipment when starting the business\ncompare VENTURE CAPITAL


Words: working day
Meaning:
noun (BrE)\n  1  (AmE workday) the part of a day during which you work:\nI spend most of my working day sitting at a desk. * Their working day can last anything up to 15 hours.\n  2  (also less frequent workday) a day on which you usually work or on which most people usually work:\nSunday is a normal working day for me. * Thousands of working days were lost through strikes last year. * Allow two working days (= not Saturday or Sunday) for delivery.


Words: working girl
Meaning:
noun (informal)\n  1  (becoming old-fashioned) a prostitute. People say ’working girl’ to avoid saying ’prostitute’.\n  2  (sometimes offensive) a woman who has a paid job


Words: working paper
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a report written by a group of people chosen to study an aspect of law, education, health, etc.\n  2  (working papers) [pl.] (in the US) an official document that enables sb under 16 years old or born outside the US to have a job


Words: working party
Meaning:
(BrE) (also working group AmE, BrE) noun\n[C+sing./pl. v.] ~ (on sth) a group of people chosen to study a particular problem or situation in order to suggest ways of dealing with it:\nThe government has set up a working party on prison overcrowding.


Words: working week
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE workweek) noun\nthe total amount of time that you spend at work during the week:\na 40-hour working week


Words: workload
Meaning:
noun\nthe amount of work that has to be done by a particular person or organization:\na heavy workload * We have taken on extra staff to cope with the increased workload. * Management is looking at ways of spreading the workload between departments.


Words: workman
Meaning:
1  a man who is employed to do physical work\n \n  2  (with an adjective) a person who works in the way mentioned:\na good / bad workman


Words: workmanlike
Meaning:
adjective\ndone, made, etc. in a skilful and thorough way but not usually very original or exciting:\nThey’ve done a workmanlike job. * It was a workmanlike performance from the local team.


Words: workmanship
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the skill with which sb makes sth, especially when this affects the way it looks or works:\nOur buyers insist on high standards of workmanship and materials. * The sword is a fine example of Celtic workmanship.


Words: workmate
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) a person that you work with, often doing the same job, in an office, a factory, etc.


Words: workout
Meaning:
noun\na period of physical exercise that you do to keep fit:\nShe does a 20-minute workout every morning.


Words: workplace
Meaning:
noun\n(often the workplace) [sing.] the office, factory, etc. where people work:\nthe introduction of new technology into the workplace * These safety standards apply to all workplaces.


Words: workroom
Meaning:
noun\na room in which work is done, especially work that involves making things:\nThe jeweller has a workroom at the back of his shop.


Words: works council
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) a group of employees who represent all the employees at a factory, etc. in discussion with their employers over conditions of work


Words: worksheet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a piece of paper on which there is a series of questions and exercises to be done by a student\n  2  a piece of paper on which work that has been done or has to be done is recorded


Words: workshop
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a room or building in which things are made or repaired using tools or machinery\n \n  2  a period of discussion and practical work on a particular subject, in which a group of people share their knowledge and experience:\na drama workshop * a poetry workshop


Words: workstation
Meaning:
noun\nthe desk and computer at which a person works; one computer that is part of a NETWORKED computer system


Words: worktop
Meaning:
(BrE) (also work surface especially in BrE) (also counter AmE, BrE) noun\na flat surface in a kitchen for preparing food on


Words: world
Meaning:
noun\n  the earth / its people\n  1  (the world) [sing.] the earth, with all its countries, peoples and natural features:\nto sail around the world * travelling (all over) the world * a map of the world * French is spoken in many parts of the world. * Which is the largest city in the world? * He’s the world’s highest paid entertainer. * a meeting of world leaders * campaigning for world peace\n  2  [C, usually sing.] a particular part of the earth; a particular group of countries or people; a particular period of history and the people of that period:\nthe Arab world * the English-speaking world * the industrialized and developing worlds * the ancient / modern world\nsee also THE FIRST WORLD, THE NEW WORLD, THE OLD WORLD, THE THIRD WORLD\n  another planet\n  3  [C] a planet like the earth:\nThere may be other worlds out there.\n  type of life\n  4  [C] the people or things belonging to a particular group or connected with a particular interest, job, etc:\nthe animal / plant / insect world * the world of fashion * stars from the sporting and artistic worlds\n  5  [usually sing.] (usually used with an adjective) everything that exists of a particular kind; a particular kind of life or existence:\nthe natural world (= animals, plants, minerals, etc.) * the dream world of travel brochures * They are a couple in the real world as well as in the movie. * The island is a world of brilliant colours and dramatic sunsets. * They had little contact with the outside world (= people and places that were not part of their normal life).\n  person’s life\n  6  [sing.] a person’s environment, experiences, friends and family, etc:\nParents are the most important people in a child’s world. * When his wife died, his entire world was turned upside down.\n  society\n  7  [sing.] our society and the way people live and behave; the people in the world:\nWe live in a rapidly changing world. * He’s too young to understand the ways of the world. * The whole world was waiting for news of the astronauts. * She felt that the world was against her. * The eyes of the world are on the President.\n  8  (the world) [sing.] a way of life where possessions and physical pleasures are important, rather than spiritual values:\nmonks and nuns renouncing the world\nsee also OLDE WORLDE, OLD-WORLD\n  human existence\n  9  [sing.] the state of human existence:\nthis world and the next (= life on earth and existence after death)\n IDIOMS \n  be all the world to sb to be loved by and very important to sb\n  the best of both / all possible worlds the benefits of two or more completely different situations that you can enjoy at the same time:\nIf you enjoy the coast and the country, you’ll get the best of both worlds on this walk.\n  be worlds apart to be completely different in attitudes, opinions, etc.\n  come / go down / up in the world to become less/more important or successful in society\n  come into the world (literary) to be born\n  do sb/sth the world of good to make sb feel much better; to improve sth:\nA change of job would do you the world of good.\n  for all the world as if / though ... | for all the world like sb/sth (written) exactly as if ...; exactly like sb/sth:\nShe behaved for all the world as if nothing unusual had happened. * He looked for all the world like a schoolboy caught stealing apples.\n  have the world at your feet to be very successful and admired\n  how, why, etc. in the world (informal) used to emphasize sth and to show that you are surprised or annoyed:\nWhat in the world did they think they were doing?\n  in an ideal / a perfect world used to say that sth is what you would like to happen or what should happen, but you know it cannot:\nIn an ideal world we would be recycling and reusing everything.\n  in the world used to emphasize what you are saying:\nThere’s nothing in the world I’d like more than to visit New York. * Don’t rush-we’ve got all the time in the world. * You look as if you haven’t got a care in the world!\n  (be / live) in a world of your own if you are in a world of your own, you are so concerned with your own thoughts that you do not notice what is happening around you\n  a man / woman of the world a person with a lot of experience of life, who is not easily surprised or shocked\n  not for (all) the world used to say that you would never do sth:\nI wouldn’t hurt you for the world.\n  the ...of this world (informal) used to refer to people of a particular type:\nWe all envy the Bill Gateses of this world (= the people who are as rich and successful as Bill Gates).\n  out of this world (informal) used to emphasize how good, beautiful, etc. sth is:\nThe meal was out of this world.\n  see the world to travel widely and gain wide experience\n  set / put the world to rights to talk about how the world could be changed to be a better place:\nWe stayed up all night, setting the world to rights.\n  set the world on fire (BrE also set the world alight) (informal) (usually used in negative sentences) to be very successful and gain the admiration of other people:\nHe’s never going to set the world on fire with his paintings.\n  what is the world coming to? used to express disapproval, surprise or shock, especially at changes in people’s attitudes or behaviour:\nWhen I listen to the news these days, I sometimes wonder what the world is coming to.\n  (all) the world and his wife (BrE, informal, humorous) everyone; a large number of people\n  a world away (from sth) used to emphasize how different two things are:\nHis new luxury mansion was a world away from the tiny house where he was born.\n  the world is your oyster there is no limit to the opportunities open to you:\nWith talent like that, the world is her oyster.\n  a / the world of difference (informal) used to emphasize how much difference there is between two things:\nThere’s a world of difference between liking someone and loving them.\n  the (whole) world over everywhere in the world:\nPeople are basically the same the world over.\nmore at BRAVE adj., DEAD adj., END n., LOST, PROMISE v., SMALL adj., TOP n., WATCH v., WAY n., WILL n., WORST n.


Words: world music
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of pop music that includes influences from different parts of the world, especially Africa and Asia


Words: world-beater
Meaning:
noun\na person or thing that is better than all others\n    world-beating adjective:\nworld-beating achievements


Words: world-weary
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) no longer excited by life; showing this\nSYN JADED:\na world-weary look / smile / voice\n    world-weariness noun [U]


Words: worldly
Meaning:
adjective (written)\n  1  [only before noun] connected with the world in which we live rather than with spiritual things:\nworldly concerns / interests / success * your worldly goods (= the things that you own)\n  2  having a lot of experience of life and therefore not easily shocked:\nAt 15, he was more worldly than his older cousins who lived in the country.\nOPP UNWORLDLY\n    worldliness noun [U]


Words: worldly-wise
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving a lot of experience of life and therefore not easily shocked:\nShe’s not as worldly-wise as she would have you believe.


Words: worldwide
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] affecting all parts of the world:\nan increase in worldwide sales * The story has attracted worldwide attention. * a worldwide shortage of qualified engineers\n    worldwide adverb:\nWe have 2 000 members worldwide. * In her new job she travels worldwide as a consultant. * The band is famous worldwide.


Words: worm
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a long thin creature with no bones or legs, that lives in soil:\nbirds looking for worms\nsee also EARTHWORM, LUGWORM\n \n  2  (worms) [pl.] long thin creatures that live inside the bodies of humans or animals and can cause illness:\nThe dog has worms.\nsee also HOOKWORM, TAPEWORM\n \n  3  [C] the young form of an insect when it looks like a short worm:\nThis apple is full of worms.\nsee also GLOW-WORM, SILKWORM, WOODWORM\n  4  [C, usually sing.] (informal, disapproving) a person you do not like or respect, especially because they have a weak character and do not behave well towards other people\n IDIOMS \n  the worm will turn a person who is normally quiet and does not complain will protest when the situation becomes too hard to bear\nmore at CANҠn.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  [+adv./prep.] ~ your way ... to use a twisting and turning movement, especially to move through a narrow or crowded place:\nShe wormed her way through the crowd to the reception desk.\n  2  to give an animal medicine that makes worms pass out of its body in the FAECES\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  worm your way / yourself into sth (disapproving) to make sb like you or trust you, in order to gain some advantage for yourself:\nHe managed to worm his way into her life.\n  worm sth out of sb (informal) to make sb tell you sth, by asking them questions in a clever way for a long period of time:\nWe eventually wormed the secret out of her.


Words: worn
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] (of a thing) damaged or thinner than normal because it is old and has been used a lot:\nan old pair of worn jeans * The stone steps were worn and broken. * The tapestry is still valuable in spite of its worn condition.\nsee also WELL WORN\n  2  (of a person) looking very tired:\nShe came out of the ordeal looking thin and worn.\nsee also WEAR v.


Words: worn out
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a thing) badly damaged and/or no longer useful because it has been used a lot:\nThese shoes are worn out. * the gradual replacement of worn-out equipment * a speech full of worn-out old cliches\n  2  [not usually before noun] (of a person) looking or feeling very tired, especially as a result of hard work or physical exercise:\nCan we sit down? I’m worn out.\ncompare OUTWORN


Words: worried
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (about sb/sth) | ~ (by sth) | ~ (that ...) thinking about unpleasant things that have happened or that might happen and therefore feeling unhappy and afraid:\nDon’t look so worried! * I’m not worried about her-she can take care of herself. * Doctors are worried about the possible spread of the disease. * We’re not too worried by these results. * The police are worried that the man may be armed. * Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick (= extremely worried). * I was worried you wouldn’t come. * Try not to get worried. * She gave me a worried look.\n \n    worriedly adverb:\nHe glanced worriedly at his father.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  you had me worried (spoken) used to tell sb that you were worried because you had not understood what they had said correctly:\nYou had me worried for a moment-I thought you were going to resign!\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nworried / concerned / anxious / nervous / excited\nWorried is a common word that describes how you feel when you are thinking about a problem or something bad that might happen: Where have you been? I was worried about you.\nConcerned is usually used when you are talking about a problem that affects another person, society, the world, etc: She’s very concerned about the environment. * Police are concerned for the boy’s safety.\nAnxious describes a stronger feeling and is more formal: We were anxious about the children’s safety. It can also describe a person who always worries a lot: a very anxious parent. You can say that you are anxious to do sth when you want something very much, but do not use it when you are talking about something pleasant that you are looking forward to: I am anxious to find out what’s happened. * _I_’_m_ _v_e_r_y_ _a_n_x_i_o_u_s_ _a_b_o_u_t_ _y_o_u_r_ _a_r_r_i_v_a_l.\nNervous suggests that you are also frightened and it is used to describe how you feel before you do something very important such as a concert performance, an interview, etc., or something unpleasant. It can describe a person who is often worried and frightened: a thin, nervous girl.\nExcited is nearly always used to describe a positive, happy feeling, especially when you are looking forward to something pleasant: I’m getting very excited about my trip to Australia.\nIf you want to talk about a person who quickly gets too enthusiastic and excited about things, you can use the word excitable, not ’nervous’: She is very kind and friendly, but a bit excitable.\n______________________________


Words: worrier
Meaning:
noun\na person who worries a lot about unpleasant things that have happened or that might happen:\nHe’s such a worrier.


Words: worry
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (worries, worrying, worried, worried)\n  1  ~ (about / over sb/sth) to keep thinking about unpleasant things that might happen or about problems that you have:\n[V] Don’t worry. We have plenty of time. * Don’t worry about me. I’ll be all right. * He’s always worrying about his weight. * There’s no point in worrying over things you can’t change. * [V (that)] I worry that I won’t get into college.\n  2  ~ sb / yourself (about sb/sth) to make sb/yourself anxious about sb/sth:\n[VN] What worries me is how I am going to get another job. * [VN-ADJ] He’s worried himself sick (= become extremely anxious) about his daughter. * [VN that] It worries me that he hasn’t come home yet. [also VN to inf]\n  3  [VN] ~ sb (with sth) to annoy or disturb sb:\nThe noise never seems to worry her. * Don’t keep worrying him with a lot of silly questions.\n  4  [VN] (of a dog) to attack animals, especially sheep, by chasing and/or biting them\n IDIOMS \n  not to worry (informal, especially BrE) it is not important; it does not matter:\nNot to worry-I can soon fix it. * Not to worry-no harm done.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  worry at sth\n1 to bite sth and shake or pull it:\nRebecca worried at her lip. * He began to worry at the knot in the cord.\n2 to think about a problem a lot and try and find a solution\n    noun (plural worries)\n  1  [U] the state of worrying about sth\nSYN ANXIETY:\nThe threat of losing their jobs is a constant source of worry to them. * A heart attack can be brought on by stress and worry. * to be frantic / sick with worry\n  2  [C] ~ (about / over sth) | ~ (for / to sb) something that worries you:\nfamily / financial worries * Mugging is a real worry for many old people. * My only worry is that ... * The news of his release from prison added further to her worries. * Students should discuss any problems or worries they have with their course tutors.


Words: worrying
Meaning:
adjective\nthat makes you worry:\na worrying development / trend / sign * It must be worrying for you not to know where he is. * It is particularly worrying that nobody seems to be in charge. * It’s been a worrying time for us all. * The most worrying thing is that she won’t let us help.\n    worryingly adverb:\nworryingly high levels of radiation * Worryingly, the plan contains few details on how spending will be cut.


Words: worse
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun \n    adjective (comparative of bad) ~ (than sth / doing sth)\n  1  of poorer quality or lower standard; less good or more unpleasant:\nThe rooms were awful and the food was worse. * The weather got worse during the day. * The interview was much worse than he had expected. * I’ve been to far worse places. * There’s nothing worse than going out in the cold with wet hair.\n  2  more serious or severe:\nThey were trying to prevent an even worse tragedy. * The crisis was getting worse and worse. * Don’t tell her that-you’ll only make things worse. * Never mind-it could be worse (= although the situation is bad, it is not as bad as it might have been).\n  3  [not before noun] more ill/sick or unhappy:\nIf he gets any worse we’ll call the doctor. * He told her she’d let them down and she felt worse than ever.\n IDIOMS \n  come off worse to lose a fight, competition, etc. or suffer more compared with others\n  go from bad to worse (of a bad condition, situation, etc.) to get even worse\n  worse luck! (BrE, spoken) used to show that you are disappointed about sth:\nI shall have to miss the party, worse luck!\nmore at BARK n., FATE n.\n    adverb (comparative of badly) ~ (than sth)\n  1  less well:\nI didn’t do it very well, but, if anything, he did it worse than I did.\n  2  more seriously or severely:\nIt’s raining worse than ever.\n  3  used to introduce a statement about sth that is more serious or unpleasant than things already mentioned:\nShe’d lost her job. Even worse, she’d lost her house and her children, too.\n IDIOMS \n  be worse off to be poorer, unhappier, etc. than before or than sb else:\nThe increase in taxes means that we’ll be ｣30 a month worse off than before. * I’ve only broken my arm; other people are far worse off than me.\n  you can / could do worse than do sth used to say that you think sth is a good idea:\nIf you want a safe investment, you could do a lot worse than put your money in a building society.\n    noun [U] more problems or bad news:\nI’m afraid there is worse to come.\n IDIOMS \n  be none the worse (for sth) to not be harmed by sth:\nThe kids were none the worse for their adventure.\n  the worse for wear (informal)\n1 in a poor condition because of being used a lot\n2 drunk:\nHe arrived home at two in the morning, much the worse for wear.\nmore at BETTER n., CHANGE n.


Words: worsen
Meaning:
verb\nto become or make sth worse than it was before:\n[V] The political situation is steadily worsening. * Her health has worsened considerably since we last saw her. * [VN] Staff shortages were worsened by the flu epidemic.\n    worsening noun [sing.]:\nThe result could be a worsening of the international debt crisis.\n    worsening adjective:\nworsening weather conditions


Words: worship
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] the practice of showing respect for God or a god, by saying prayers, singing with others, etc.; a ceremony for this:\nan act / a place of worship * devil / ancestor worship * morning / evening worship (= a church service in the morning / evening)\n  2  [U] a strong feeling of love and respect for sb/sth:\nWhat she feels for him is akin to worship.\nsee also HERO WORSHIP\n  3  (His, Your, etc. Worship) [C] (BrE, formal) a polite way of addressing or referring to a MAGISTRATE or MAYOR\n    verb (-pp-, AmE also -p-)\n  1  [VN] to show respect for God or a god, especially by saying prayers, singing, etc. with other people in a church, etc.\n  2  [V] to go to a church service:\nWe worship at St Mary’s.\n  3  [VN] to love and admire sb very much, especially so much that you cannot see their faults:\nShe worships her children. * He worshipped her from afar (= he loved her but did not tell her his feelings). * She worships the ground he walks on.


Words: worshipful
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (formal) showing or feeling respect and admiration for sb/sth\n  2  (Worshipful) (in Britain), used in the titles of some MAYORS and some groups of CRAFTSMEN:\nthe Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths


Words: worshipper
Meaning:
(AmE also worshiper)  noun\na person who worships God or a god:\nregular worshippers at St Andrew’s Church * (figurative) sun worshippers lying on the beach


Words: worst
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun, verb \n    adjective (superlative of bad) of the poorest quality or lowest standard; worse than any other person or thing of a similar kind:\nIt was by far the worst speech he had ever made. * What’s the worst thing that could happen? * What she said confirmed my worst fears (= proved they were right).\n IDIOMS \n  be your own worst enemy to be the cause of your own problems:\nHer indecisiveness makes her her own worst enemy.\n  come off worst to lose a fight, competition, etc. or suffer more compared with others\n    adverb (superlative of badly) most badly or seriously:\nHe was voted the worst dressed celebrity. * Manufacturing industry was worst affected by the fuel shortage. * Worst of all, I lost the watch my father had given me.\n    noun (the worst) [sing.] the most serious or unpleasant thing that could happen; the part, situation, possibility, etc. that is worse than any other:\nThe worst of the storm was over. * When they did not hear from her, they feared the worst. * The worst of it is that I can’t even be sure if they received my letter. * He was always optimistic, even when things were at their worst.\n IDIOMS \n  at (the) worst used for saying what is the worst thing that can happen:\nAt the very worst, he’ll have to pay a fine. * At worst this may mean the end of her playing career.\n  bring out the worst in sb to make sb show their worst qualities:\nPressure can bring out the worst in people.\n  do your worst (of a person) to do as much damage or be as unpleasant as possible:\nLet them do their worst-we’ll fight them every inch of the way.\n  get the worst of it to be defeated:\nHe’d been in a fight and had obviously got the worst of it.\n  if the worst comes to the worst (AmE also if worst comes to worst) if the situation becomes too difficult or dangerous:\nIf the worst comes to the worst, we’ll just have to sell the house.\n  the worst of all (possible) worlds all the disadvantages of every situation\n    verb [VN] (old-fashioned or formal) [usually passive] to defeat sb in a fight, a contest or an argument


Words: worst-case
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] involving the worst situation that could happen:\nIn the worst-case scenario more than ten thousand people might be affected.


Words: worsted
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a tightly woven woollen fabric with a smooth surface, used for making clothes:\na grey worsted suit


Words: worth
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [not before noun] (usually used like a preposition)\n  1  having a value in money, etc:\nOur house is worth about ｣100 000. * How much is this painting worth? * to be worth a bomb / packet / fortune (= a lot of money) * It isn’t worth much. * If you answer this question correctly, it’s worth five points.\n  2  ~ sth / doing sth used to recommend the action mentioned because you think it may be useful, enjoyable, etc:\nThe museum is certainly worth a visit. * This idea is well worth considering. * It’s worth making an appointment before you go.\n  3  ~ sth / doing sth important, good or enjoyable enough to make sb feel satisfied. especially when difficulty or effort is involved:\nto be worth the effort / expense / fuss * The new house really wasn’t worth all the expense involved. * The job involves a lot of hard work but it’s worth it. * The trip was expensive but it was worth every penny.\nsee also WORTHWHILE\n  4  (of a person) having money and possessions of a particular value:\nHe’s worth about ｣10 million.\n IDIOMS \n  for all sb / it is worth\n1 with great energy, effort and determination:\nHe was rowing for all he was worth.\n2 in order to get as much as you can from sb/sth:\nShe is milking her success for all it’s worth.\n  for what it’s worth (spoken) used to emphasize that what you are saying is only your own opinion or suggestion and may not be very helpful:\nI prefer this colour, for what it’s worth.\n  (the game is) not worth the candle (old-fashioned, saying) the advantages to be gained from doing sth are not great enough, considering the effort or cost involved:\nIf the price goes up again, he may decide that the game’s not worth the candle.\n  not worth the paper it’s written / printed on (of an agreement or official document) having no value, especially legally, or because one of the people involved has no intention of doing what they said they would\n  worth your / its salt deserving respect, especially because you do your job well:\nAny teacher worth her salt knows that.\n  worth your / its weight in gold very useful or valuable:\nA good mechanic is worth his weight in gold.\n  worth your while interesting or useful for sb to do:\nIt will be worth your while to come to the meeting. * He’ll do the job if you make it worth his while (= pay him well).\nmore at BIRD, JOB\n    noun [U]\n  1  ten dollars’, ｣40, etc. ~ of sth an amount of sth that has the value mentioned:\nThe winner will receive ten pounds’ worth of books. * a dollar’s worth of change\n  2  a week’s, month’s, etc. ~ of sth an amount of sth that lasts a week, etc.\n  3  the financial, practical or moral value of sb/sth:\nTheir contribution was of great worth. * The activities help children to develop a sense of their own worth. * A good interview enables candidates to prove their worth (= show how good they are). * a personal net worth of $10 million\n IDIOMS  see MONEY


Words: worthless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having no practical or financial value:\nCritics say his paintings are worthless.\nOPP VALUABLE\n  2  (of a person) having no good qualities or useful skills:\na worthless individual * Constant rejections made him feel worthless.\n    worthlessness noun [U]:\na sense / feeling of worthlessness


Words: worthwhile
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to do sth) | ~ (doing sth) important, enjoyable, interesting, etc.; worth spending time, money or effort on:\na worthwhile cause / discussion / job * The smile on her face made it all worthwhile. * High prices in the UK make it worthwhile for buyers to look abroad. * It is worthwhile to include really high-quality illustrations. * It didn’t seem worthwhile writing it all out again. * We all felt we had done something worthwhile for the local community.\n HELP NOTE  This word can be written worth while, except when it is used before a noun: Did you feel the meeting was worth while?


Words: worthy
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (worthier, worthiest)\n  1  ~ (of sb/sth) (formal) having the qualities that deserve sb/sth:\nto be worthy of attention / consideration / mention * A number of the report’s findings are worthy of note. * No composer was considered worthy of the name until he had written an opera. * a worthy champion / winner (= one who deserved to win) * He felt he was not worthy of her.\n  2  [usually before noun] having qualities that deserve your respect, attention or admiration:\nThe money we raise will be going to a very worthy cause. * a worthy member of the team * He’s a very worthy man, I suppose, but he’s very dull.\n  3  ~ (of sb/sth) typical of what a particular person or thing might do, give, etc:\nHe gave a speech that was worthy of Martin Luther King.\n  4  (-worthy) (in compounds) deserving, or suitable for, the thing mentioned:\ntrustworthy * roadworthy\nOPP UNWORTHY\n    worthily  adverb\n    worthiness noun [U] \n    noun (plural worthies) (often humorous) an important person:\na meeting attended by local worthies


Words: wot pronoun
Meaning:
, determiner\n(BrE, non-standard, often humorous) a way of writing ’what’, used to show that sb is speaking very informal English:\n’’Ere, wot’s going on?’ he shouted.


Words: wotcha
Meaning:
exclamation\n(BrE, informal) used as a friendly greeting to a person:\nWotcha Dave-thanks for coming.


Words: would
Meaning:
modal verb (short form ’d )\n  1  used as the past form of will when reporting what sb has said or thought:\nHe said he would be here at eight o’clock (= He said: ’I will be there at 8 o’clock.’). * She asked if I would help. * They told me that they probably wouldn’t come.\n  2  used for talking about the result of an event that you imagine:\nShe’d look better with shorter hair. * If you went to see him, he would be delighted. * Hurry up! It would be a shame to miss the beginning of the play. * She’d be a fool to accept it (= if she accepted).\n  3  used for describing an action or event that would have happened if sth else had happened first:\nIf I had seen the advertisement in time I would have applied for the job. * They would never have met if she hadn’t gone to Emma’s party.\n  4  so that / in order that sb/sth ~ used for saying why sb does sth:\nShe burned the letters so that her husband would never read them.\n  5  wish (that) sb/sth ~ used for saying what you want to happen:\nI wish you’d be quiet for a minute.\n  6  used to show that sb/sth was not willing or refused to do sth:\nShe wouldn’t change it, even though she knew it was wrong. * My car wouldn’t start this morning.\n  7  used to ask sb politely to do sth:\nWould you mind leaving us alone for a few minutes? * Would you open the door for me, please?\n  8  used in polite offers or invitations:\nWould you like a sandwich? * Would you have dinner with me on Friday?\n  9  ~ like, love, hate, prefer, etc. sth / (sb) to do sth | ~ rather do sth/sb did sth used to say what you like, love, hate, etc:\nI’d love a coffee. * I’d be only too glad to help. * I’d hate you to think I was criticizing you. * I’d rather come with you. * I’d rather you came with us.\n  10  ~ imagine, say, think, etc. (that) ... used to give opinions that you are not certain about:\nI would imagine the job will take about two days. * I’d say he was about fifty.\n  11  (I would ...) used to give advice:\nI wouldn’t have any more to drink, if I were you.\n  12  used for talking about things that often happened in the past\nSYN USED TO:\nWhen my parents were away, my grandmother would take care of me. * He’d always be the first to offer to help.\n  13  (usually disapproving) used for talking about behaviour that you think is typical:\n’She said it was your fault.’ ’Well, she would say that, wouldn’t she? She’s never liked me.’\n  14  ~ that ... (literary) used to express a strong wish:\nWould that he had lived to see it. -> MODAL, SHOULD


Words: would-be
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] used to describe sb who is hoping to become the type of person mentioned:\na would-be actor * advice for would-be parents


Words: wound
Meaning:
noun, verb-see also WOUND\n    noun\n  1  an injury to part of the body, especially one in which a hole is made in the skin using a weapon:\na leg / head wound * a knife / bullet wound * a stab / gunshot wound * an old war wound * The nurse cleaned the wound. * The wound healed slowly. * He died from the wounds he had received to his chest.\nsee also FLESH WOUND\n  2  (written) mental or emotional pain caused by sth unpleasant that has been said or done to you:\nAfter a serious argument, it can take some time for the wounds to heal. * Seeing him again opened up old wounds.\n IDIOMS  see LICK v., REOPEN, RUB v.\n    verb [VN] [often passive]\n  1  to injure part of the body, especially by making a hole in the skin using a weapon:\nHe was wounded in the arm. * About 50 people were seriously wounded in the attack.\n  2  to hurt sb’s feelings:\nShe felt deeply wounded by his cruel remarks.\n\n past tense, past participle of WIND\nsee also WOUND


Words: wounded
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  injured by a weapon, for example in a war:\nwounded soldiers * There were 79 killed and 230 wounded.\n  2  feeling emotional pain because of sth unpleasant that sb has said or done:\nwounded pride\n  3  (the wounded) noun [pl.] people who are wounded, for example in a war


Words: wow
Meaning:
exclamation, verb, noun \n    exclamation (also wowee ) (informal) used to express great surprise or admiration:\nWow! You look terrific!\n    verb [VN] ~ sb (with sth) (informal) to impress sb very much, especially with a performance:\nHe wowed audiences around the country with his new show.\n    noun\n  1  [sing.] (informal) a great success:\nDon’t worry. You’ll be a wow.\n  2  [U] (technical) changes in the PITCH of sound played on a record or tape


Words: WPC
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) the abbreviation for ’woman police constable’ (a woman police officer of the lowest rank):\nWPC (Linda) Green


Words: wraith
Meaning:
noun\nthe ghost of a person that is seen a short time before or after that person dies:\na wraith-like figure (= a very thin, pale person)


Words: wrangle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun ~ (with sb)(over sth) | ~ (between A and B) an argument that is complicated and continues over a long period of time:\na legal wrangle between the company and their suppliers * He is currently locked in a bitter wrangle with his wife over custody of the children.\n    wrangling noun [U, C] \n    verb [V] ~ (with sb) (over / about sth) to argue angrily and usually for a long time about sth:\nThey’re still wrangling over the financial details.


Words: wrap
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-pp-) [VN] \n  1  ~ sth (up) (in sth) to cover sth completely in paper or other material, for example when you are giving it as a present:\nHe spent the evening wrapping up the Christmas presents. * individually wrapped chocolates\nsee also GIFT-WRAP\n  2  ~ A (up) in B | ~ B round / around A to cover sth/sb in material, for example in order to protect it/them:\nI wrapped the baby (up) in a blanket. * I wrapped a blanket around the baby. * Wrap the meat in foil before you cook it. * He tossed her a towel. ’Wrap yourself in that.’\nsee also SHRINK-WRAPPED\n  3  ~ sth around / round sth/sb to put sth firmly around sth/sb:\nA scarf was wrapped around his neck. * His arms were wrapped around her waist. * The nurse wrapped a bandage tightly around my ankle.\ncompare UNWRAP\n IDIOMS \n  be wrapped up in sb/sth to be so involved with sb/sth that you do not pay enough attention to other people or things:\nThey are completely wrapped up in their children. * She was so wrapped up in her work that she didn’t realize how late it was.\nmore at LITTLE FINGER\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  wrap up | wrap it up (slang) usually used as an order to tell sb to stop talking or causing trouble, etc.\n  wrap up | wrap sb / yourself up to put warm clothes on sb/yourself:\nShe told them to wrap up warm / warmly.\n  wrap sth<->up (informal) to complete sth such as an agreement or a meeting in a satisfactory way:\nThat just about wraps it up for today.\n    noun\n  1  [C] a piece of fabric that a woman wears around her shoulders for decoration or to keep warm:\na cotton / silk wrap\n  2  [U] paper, plastic, etc. that is used for wrapping things in:\nWe stock a wide range of cards and gift wrap. * Use bubble wrap (= a sheet of plastic full of small bubbles of air) to pack things which might get broken.\nsee also PLASTIC WRAP\n  3  [sing.] used when making a film/movie to say that filming has finished:\nCut! That’s a wrap.\n IDIOMS \n  under wraps (informal) being kept secret until some time in the future:\nNext year’s collection is still being kept under wraps.


Words: wrapper
Meaning:
noun\na piece of paper, plastic, etc. that is wrapped around sth, especially food, when you buy it in order to protect it and keep it clean: (BrE) sweet wrappers * (AmE) candy wrappers


Words: wrapping
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (also wrappings [pl.]) paper, plastic, etc. used for covering sth in order to protect it:\nShe tore the cellophane wrapping off the box. * shrink wrapping (= plastic designed to SHRINK around objects so that it fits them tightly) * The painting was still in its wrappings.


Words: wrath
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (old-fashioned or formal) extreme anger:\nthe wrath of God\n    wrathful  adjective\n    wrathfully adverb:\n’Where have you been?’ she demanded wrathfully.


Words: wreak
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sth (on sb) (formal) to do great damage or harm to sb/sth:\nTheir policies would wreak havoc on the economy. * He was determined to wreak vengeance on those who had betrayed him.\nsee also WROUGHT


Words: wreath
Meaning:
1  an arrangement of flowers and leaves, especially in the shape of a circle, placed on graves, etc. as a sign of respect for sb who has died:\nThe Queen laid a wreath at the war memorial.\n  2  an arrangement of flowers and/or leaves in the shape of a circle, traditionally hung on doors as a decoration at Christmas:\na holly wreath\n  3  a circle of flowers or leaves worn on the head, and used in the past as a sign of honour:\na laurel wreath\n  4  (literary) a circle of smoke, cloud, etc:\nwreaths of mist


Words: wreathe
Meaning:
verb (written)\n  1  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (in / with sth) to surround or cover sth:\nThe mountain tops were wreathed in mist. * The plant grew everywhere, its stems wreathed with soft blue flowers. * (figurative) Her face was wreathed in smiles (= she was smiling a lot).\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] to move slowly and lightly, especially in circles:\nsmoke wreathing upwards into the sky


Words: wreck
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a ship that has sunk or that has been very badly damaged\nsee also SHIPWRECK\n  2  a car, plane, etc. that has been very badly damaged in an accident:\nTwo passengers are still trapped in the wreck. * She was pulled from the burning wreck by firefighters.\n  3  [usually sing.] (informal) a person who is in a bad physical or mental condition:\nPhysically, I was a total wreck. * The experience left her an emotional wreck. * The interview reduced him to a nervous wreck.\n  4  (informal) a vehicle, building, etc. that is in very bad condition:\nThe house was a wreck when we bought it. * (figurative) They still hoped to salvage something from the wreck of their marriage.\n  5  (AmE) = CRASH:\na car / train wreck\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to damage or destroy sth:\nThe building had been wrecked by the explosion. * The road was littered with wrecked cars.\n  2  ~ sth (for sb) to spoil sth completely:\nThe weather wrecked all our plans. * A serious injury nearly wrecked his career.\n  3  [usually passive] to damage a ship so much that it sinks or can no longer sail:\nThe ship was wrecked off the coast of France.\nsee also SHIPWRECK


Words: wreckage
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the parts of a vehicle, building, etc. that remain after it has been badly damaged or destroyed:\nA few survivors were pulled from the wreckage. * Pieces of wreckage were found ten miles away from the scene of the explosion. * (figurative) Could nothing be rescued from the wreckage of her dreams?


Words: wrecked
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] having been wrecked:\na wrecked ship / marriage\n  2  [not before noun] (BrE, slang) very drunk


Words: wrecker
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who ruins another person’s plans, relationship, etc:\nShe saw him as the wrecker of all her dreams.\n  2  (AmE) a vehicle used for moving other vehicles that have been damaged in an accident:\nthe wrecker’s yard


Words: wrench
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to pull or twist sth/sb/yourself suddenly and violently: [VN, usually +adv./prep.] The bag was wrenched from her grasp. * He grabbed Ben, wrenching him away from his mother. * (figurative) Guy wrenched his mind back to the present. * [VN-ADJ] They wrenched the door open. * She managed to wrench herself free. [also V]\n  2  [VN] to twist and injure a part of your body, especially your ankle or shoulder:\nShe wrenched her knee when she fell.\n  3  ~ sth (from sb) | ~ (at) sth (formal) to make sb feel great pain or unhappiness, especially so that they make a sound or cry:\n[VN] His words wrenched a sob from her. * [V] Her words wrenched at my heart. * a wrenching experience\n    noun\n\n \n  1  (especially AmE) (BrE usually spanner) [C] a metal tool with a specially shaped end for holding and turning things, including one which can be adjusted to fit objects of different sizes, also called a MONKEY WRENCH or an ADJUSTABLE SPANNER\n \n  2  [sing.] pain or unhappiness that you feel when you have to leave a person or place that you love:\nLeaving home was a terrible wrench for me.\n \n  3  [C, usually sing.] a sudden and violent twist or pull:\nShe stumbled and gave her ankle a painful wrench.


Words: wrest
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  wrest sth from sb/sth (formal)\n1 to take sth such as power or control from sb/sth with great effort:\nThey attempted to wrest control of the town from government forces.\n2 to take sth from sb that they do not want to give, suddenly or violently:\nHe wrested the gun from my grasp.


Words: wrestle
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (with sb) to fight sb by holding them and trying to throw or force them to the ground, sometimes as a sport:\n[V] As a boy he had boxed and wrestled. * Armed guards wrestled with the intruder. * [VN] Shoppers wrestled the raider to the ground.\n  2  ~ (with sth) to struggle to deal with sth that is difficult:\n[V] She had spent the whole weekend wrestling with the problem. * He wrestled with the controls as the plane plunged. * [V to inf] She wrestled to look serious. [also VN]


Words: wrestling
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a sport in which two people fight by holding each other and trying to throw or force the other one to the ground


Words: wretch
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person that you feel sympathy or pity for:\na poor / a miserable / an unfortunate wretch\n  2  (often humorous) an evil, unpleasant or annoying person


Words: wretched
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a person) feeling ill/sick or unhappy:\nYou look wretched-what’s wrong? * I felt wretched about the way things had turned out.\n  2  extremely bad or unpleasant:\nShe had a wretched time of it at school. * The animals are kept in the most wretched conditions.\n  3  making you feel sympathy or pity:\nShe finally agreed to have the wretched animal put down.\n  4  [only before noun] used to show that you think that sb/sth is extremely annoying:\nIs it that wretched woman again?\n    wretchedly adverb:\n’I’m so sorry,’ she said wretchedly.\n    wretchedness noun [U]


Words: wriggle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (about / around) to twist and turn your body or part of it with quick short movements:\n[V] The baby was wriggling around on my lap. * [VN] She wriggled her toes.\n  2  [usually +adv./prep.] to move somewhere by twisting and turning your body or part of it:\n[V] The fish wriggled out of my fingers. * [V-ADJ] She managed to wriggle free. * [VN] They wriggled their way through the tunnel. * He wriggled himself into a comfortable position.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  wriggle out of sth / out of doing sth (informal, disapproving) to avoid doing sth that you should do, especially by thinking of clever excuses:\nHe tried desperately to wriggle out of giving a clear answer.\n    noun [usually sing.] an act of wriggling


Words: wring
Meaning:
[VN] \n \n  1  ~ sth (out) to twist and squeeze clothes, etc. in order to get the water out of them\n \n  2  if you wring a bird’s neck, you twist it in order to kill the bird\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  wring sb’s hand to squeeze sb’s hand very tightly when you shake hands\n \n  wring your hands to hold your hands together, and twist and squeeze them in a way that shows you are anxious or upset, especially when you cannot change the situation\n \n  wring sb’s neck (spoken, informal) when you say that you will wring sb’s neck, you mean that you are very angry or annoyed with them\n \n PHRASAL VERBS \n  wring sth from / out of sb to obtain sth from sb with difficulty, especially by putting pressure on them:\nA few concessions were wrung from the government. * They managed to wring the truth out of him.


Words: wringer
Meaning:
noun\n= MANGLE\n IDIOMS \n  go through the wringer (informal) to have a difficult or unpleasant experience, or a series of them


Words: wrinkle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a line or small fold in your skin, especially on your face, that forms as you get older:\nThere were fine wrinkles around her eyes.\n \n  2  [usually pl.] a small fold that you do not want in a piece of fabric or paper\n    verb\n  1  ~ (sth) (up) to make the skin on your face tighten into lines or folds; to form lines or folds in this way:\n[VN] She wrinkled up her nose in distaste. * He wrinkled his brow in concentration. * [V] His face wrinkled in a grin.\n  2  to form raised folds or lines in an untidy way; to make sth do this:\n[V] Her stockings were wrinkling at the knees. [also VN]


Words: wrinkled
Meaning:
adjective\n(of skin, clothing, etc.) having wrinkles:\nShe kissed his wrinkled face. * a wrinkled piece of brown paper


Words: wrinkling
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process by which WRINKLES form in the skin:\na cream designed to reduce premature facial wrinkling


Words: wrinkly
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n (informal) (of skin, clothing, etc.) having WRINKLES\n    noun (plural wrinklies) (BrE, informal) an offensive word for an old person, used by younger people


Words: wrist
Meaning:
noun\nthe joint between the hand and the arm:\nShe’s broken her wrist. * He wore a copper bracelet on his wrist.\n \n IDIOMS  see SLAP n.


Words: writ
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun ~ (for sth) (against sb) a legal document from a court of law telling sb to do or not to do sth:\nThe company has been served with a writ for breach of contract. * We fully intend to issue a writ against the newspaper.\nsee also HOLY WRIT\n    verb (old use) past participle of WRITE\n IDIOMS \n  writ large (literary)\n1 easy to see or understand:\nMistrust was writ large on her face.\n2 (used after a noun) being a larger or more obvious example of the thing mentioned:\nThe party’s new philosophies are little more than their old beliefs writ large.


Words: write
Meaning:
letters / numbers\n \n  1  ~ (in / on / with sth) to make letters or numbers on a surface, especially using a pen or a pencil:\n[V] In some countries children don’t start learning to read and write until they are six. * Please write in pen on both sides of the paper. * I haven’t got anything to write with. * [VN] Write your name at the top of the paper. * The teacher wrote the answers on the board. * The ’b’ had been wrongly written as a ’d’.\n \n  book / music / program\n \n  2  ~ (sth) (about / on sth) to produce sth in written form so that people can read, perform or use it, etc:\n[VN] to write a novel / a song / an essay / a computer program * He hopes to write a book about his experiences one day. * She had to write a report on the project. * Who was ’London Fields’ written by? * Which opera did Verdi write first? * [V] I wanted to travel and then write about it. * He writes for the ’New Yorker’ (= works as a writer). * No decision has been made at the time of writing. * [VNN] She wrote him several poems.\n \n  a letter\n  3  ~ (sth) (to sb) to put information, greetings, etc. in a letter and send it to sb:\n[V] Bye! Don’t forget to write. * She wrote to him in France. * Can you write and confirm your booking? * I’m writing to enquire about language courses. * [VN, VNN] I wrote a letter to the Publicity Department. * I wrote the Publicity Department a letter. * [V that] She wrote that they were all fine. * [VN] (AmE) Write me while you’re away. * [VN that] (AmE) He wrote me that he would be arriving Monday. * [V -ing] They wrote thanking us for the present.\n  state in writing\n  4  to state the information or the words mentioned:\n[V that] In his latest book he writes that the theory has since been disproved. * [V] Ancient historians wrote of a lost continent beneath the ocean. [also V speech]\n  cheque / form\n  5  ~ sth (out) to put information in the appropriate places on a cheque or other form:\n[VN] to write out a cheque * [VNN] I’ll write you a receipt. * The doctor wrote her a prescription for more antibiotics.\n  computing\n  6  ~ (sth) to / onto sth to record data in the memory of a computer:\n[VN] An error was reported when he tried to write data to the file for the first time. [also V]\n  of pen / pencil\n  7  [V] to work correctly or in the way mentioned:\nThis pen won’t write.\n IDIOMS \n  be written all over sb’s face (of a feeling) to be very obvious to other people from the expression on sb’s face:\nGuilt was written all over his face.\n  have sth/sb written all over it / sb (informal) to show clearly the quality mentioned or the influence of the person mentioned:\nIt was performance with star quality written all over it. * This essay has got Mike written all over it.\n  nothing (much) to write home about (informal) not especially good; ordinary:\nThe team’s performance was nothing to write home about.\nmore at WORTH adj.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  write away = WRITE OFF / AWAY\n  write back (to sb) to write sb a letter replying to their letter:\nI’m afraid I never wrote back. * She wrote back saying that she couldn’t come.\n  write sth<->down\n1 to write sth on paper, especially in order to remember or record it:\nWrite down the address before you forget it.\n2 (business) to reduce the value of ASSETS when stating it in a company’s accounts:\nAll stock over six months old was written down to 50%. * the written-down value of the stock\nrelated noun WRITE-DOWN\n  write in (to sb/sth) (for sth) to write a letter to an organization or a company, for example to ask about sth or to express an opinion:\nI’ll write in for more information. * She wrote in to the BBC to complain.\n  write sb/sth<->in (AmE, politics) to add an extra name to your voting paper in an election in order to be able to vote for them\nrelated noun WRITE-IN\n  write sth into sth to include a rule or condition in a contract or an agreement when it is made:\nA penalty clause was written into the contract.\n  write off / away (to sb/sth) (for sth) to write to an organization or a company, usually in order to ask them to send you sth:\nI’ve written off for the catalogue.\n  write sth<->off\n1 (business) to cancel a debt; to recognize that sth is a failure, has no value, etc:\nto write off a debt / an investment\n2 (BrE) to damage sth, especially a vehicle, so badly that it cannot be repaired:\nHe’s written off two cars this year.\nrelated noun WRITE-OFF\nsee also TOTAL\n  write sb/sth<->off (as sth) to decide that sb/sth is a failure or not worth paying any attention to\n  write sth<->out to write sth on paper, including all the details, especially a piece of work or an account of sth\nsee also WRITE (5)\n  write sb<->out (of sth) to remove a character from a regular series on television or radio:\nShe was written out after 20 years in the role.\n  write sth<->up to record sth in writing in a full and complete form, often using notes that you made earlier:\nto write up your notes / the minutes of a meeting * They had to do a survey of the island and write up their findings.\nrelated noun WRITE-UP


Words: write-down
Meaning:
noun\n(business) a reduction in the value of ASSETS, etc:\na ｣100 000 write-down in the value of the property


Words: write-in
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) a vote for sb who is not an official candidate in an election, in which you write their name on your BALLOT PAPER


Words: write-off
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) a vehicle that has been so badly damaged in an accident that it is not worth spending money to repair it\n  2  [sing.] (informal) a period of time during which you do not achieve anything:\nWith meetings and phone calls, yesterday was a complete write-off.\n  3  ~ (of sth) (business) an act of cancelling a debt and accepting that it will never be paid


Words: write-protect
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (computing) to protect the information on a disk from being DELETED (= destroyed):\nOnce write-protected a disk can’t be infected by a virus.


Words: write-up
Meaning:
noun\nan article in a newspaper or magazine in which sb writes what they think about a new book, play, product, etc:\nThe performance got a good write-up in the local press.


Words: writer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person whose job is writing books, stories, articles, etc:\nwriters of poetry * a travel / science / cookery writer\n  2  a person who has written a particular thing:\nthe writer of this letter / article / computer program\n  3  (with an adjective) a person who forms letters in a particular way when they are writing:\na neat / messy writer


Words: writhe
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (about / around) (in / with sth) to twist or move your body without stopping, often because you are in great pain:\nShe was writhing around on the floor in agony. * The snake writhed and hissed. * (figurative) He was writhing (= suffering a lot) with embarrassment.


Words: writing
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] the activity of writing, in contrast to reading, speaking, etc:\nOur son’s having problems with his reading and writing (= at school) * a writing case / desk\n \n  2  [U] the activity of writing books, articles, etc., especially as a job:\nOnly later did she discover a talent for writing. * He is leaving the band to concentrate on his writing. * creative / essay / letter writing\nsee also SONGWRITING\n \n  3  [U] books, articles, etc. in general:\nThe review is a brilliant piece of writing. * feminist / travel writing\n  4  (writings) [pl.] a group of pieces of writing, especially by a particular person or on a particular subject:\nHis experiences in India influenced his later writings. * the writings of Hegel\n  5  [U] words that have been written or painted on sth:\nThere was writing all over the desk.\n  6  [U] the particular way in which sb forms letters when they write\nSYN HANDWRITING:\nWho’s this from? I don’t recognize the writing.\n IDIOMS \n  in writing in the form of a letter, document, etc. (that gives proof of sth):\nAll telephone reservations must be confirmed in writing. * You must get his agreement in writing.\n  the writing is on the wall | see the writing on the wall (AmE the handwriting on the wall) (saying) used when you are describing a situation in which there are signs that sth is going to have problems or that it is going to be a failure:\nIt is amazing that not one of them saw the writing on the wall.\n ORIGIN  From the Bible story in which strange writing appeared on a wall during a feast given by King Belshazzar, foretelling Belshazzar’s death and the end of his kingdom.


Words: written
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] expressed in writing rather than in speech:\nwritten instructions / language\n  2  [usually before noun] (of an exam, a piece of work, etc.) involving writing rather than speaking or practical skills:\na written test * written communication skills\n  3  [only before noun] in the form of a letter, document, etc. and therefore official:\na written apology / statement * a written contract\nsee also WRITE v.\n IDIOMS \n  the written word language expressed in writing rather than in speech:\nthe permanence of the written word


Words: wrong
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun, verb \n    adjective\n  not correct\n  1  not right or correct:\nI got all the answers wrong. * He was driving on the wrong side of the road. * Sorry, I must have dialled the wrong number. * You’re holding the camera the wrong way up! * That picture is the wrong way round.\n  2  [not before noun] ~ (about sth/sb) | ~ (to do sth) (of a person) not right about sth/sb \nSYN MISTAKEN:\nI think she lives at number 44, but I could be wrong. * You were wrong about Tom; he’s not married after all. * We were wrong to assume that she’d agree. * She would prove him wrong (= prove that he was wrong) whatever happened. * (spoken) You think you’ve beaten me but that’s where you’re wrong. * (spoken) Correct me if I’m wrong (= I may be wrong) but didn’t you say you two knew each other?\n  causing problems\n  3  [not before noun] ~ (with sb/sth) causing problems or difficulties; not as it should be:\nIs anything wrong? You look worried. * ’What’s wrong?’ ’Oh, nothing.’ * There’s something wrong with the printer. * The doctor could find nothing wrong with him. * I have something wrong with my foot.\n  not suitable\n  4  [usually before noun] ~ (sth) (for sth) | ~ (sth to do) not suitable, right or what you need:\nHe’s the wrong person for the job. * I realized that it was the wrong thing to say. * We don’t want this document falling into the wrong hands. * It was his bad luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (= so that he got involved in trouble without intending to).\n  not morally right\n  5  [not usually before noun] ~ (of / for sb) (to do sth) not morally right or honest:\nThis man has done nothing wrong. * She acknowledged that she’d done wrong. * It is wrong to tell lies. * It was wrong of me to get so angry. * What’s wrong with eating meat? * It is wrong that he should not be punished for what he did.\n    wrongness noun [U] (rare, formal) \n IDIOMS \n  from / on the wrong side of the tracks from or living in a poor area or part of town\n  get (hold of) the wrong end of the stick (BrE, informal) to understand sth in the wrong way\n  on the wrong side of the law in trouble with the police\n  take sth the wrong way to be offended by a remark that was not intended to be offensive:\nShe always takes things the wrong way.\nmore at BACK v., BARK v., BED n., FAR adv., FOOT n., NOTE n., RUB v., SIDE n., TRACK n.\n    adverb (used after verbs) in a way that produces a result that is not correct or that you do not want:\nMy name is spelt wrong. * The program won’t load. What am I doing wrong? * I was trying to apologize but it came out wrong (= what I said sounded wrong). * ’I thought you were going out.’ ’Well you must have thought wrong, then!’\nOPP RIGHT\n IDIOMS \n  get sb wrong (spoken) to not understand correctly what sb means:\nDon’t get me wrong (= do not be offended by what I am going to say), I think he’s doing a good job, but ...\n  get sth wrong (spoken)\n1 to not understand a situation correctly:\nNo, you’ve got it all wrong. She’s his wife.\n2 to make a mistake with sth:\nI must have got the figures wrong. * It looks like they got their predictions wrong again.\n  go wrong\n1 to make a mistake:\nIf you do what she tells you, you won’t go far wrong. * Where did we go wrong with those kids (= what mistakes did we make for them to behave so badly)?\n2 (of a machine) to stop working correctly:\nMy watch keeps going wrong.\n3 to experience problems or difficulties:\nThe relationship started to go wrong when they moved abroad. * What else can go wrong (= what other problems are we going to have)?\n  you can’t go wrong (with sth) (spoken) used to say that sth will always be acceptable in a particular situation:\nFor a quick lunch you can’t go wrong with pasta.\nmore at FOOT n.\n    noun\n  1  [U] behaviour that is not honest or morally acceptable:\nChildren must be taught the difference between right and wrong. * Her son can do no wrong in her eyes.\n  2  [C] (formal) an act that is not legal, honest or morally acceptable:\nIt is time to forgive past wrongs if progress is to be made.\nOPP RIGHT\n IDIOMS \n  in the wrong responsible for an accident, a mistake, an argument, etc:\nThe motorcyclist was clearly in the wrong. * It took a lot of courage to admit that she was in the wrong.\n  two wrongs don’t make a right (saying) used to say that if sb does sth bad to you, the situation will not be improved by doing sth bad to them\nmore at RIGHT v.\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] (formal) to treat sb badly or in an unfair way:\nHe felt deeply wronged by the allegations.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nwrong / wrongly / wrongfully\nIn informal language wrong can be used as an adverb instead of wrongly, when it means ’incorrectly’ and comes after a verb or its object: My name was spelled wrong. * I’m afraid you guessed wrong. Wrongly is used before a past participle or a that clause: My name was wrongly spelt. * She guessed wrongly that he was a teacher.\nWrongfully is usually used in a formal legal situation with words like convicted, dismissed and imprisoned.\n______________________________


Words: wrong-foot
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (BrE) to put sb in a difficult or embarrassing situation by doing sth that they do not expect:\nIt was an attempt to wrong-foot the opposition. * His low pass wrong-footed the other team’s defence.


Words: wrongful
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (especially law) not fair, morally right or legal:\nShe decided to sue her employer for wrongful dismissal.\n    wrongfully  adverb:\nto be wrongfully convicted / dismissed -> WRONG


Words: wrongly
Meaning:
adverb\nin a way that is unfair, immoral or not correct:\nShe was wrongly accused of stealing. * He assumed, wrongly, that she did not care. * The sentence had been wrongly translated. * They knew they had acted wrongly. * Rightly or wrongly, they felt they should have been better informed (= I do not know whether they were right to feel this way). * She was wrongly diagnosed as having skin cancer. -> WRONG


Words: wrought
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal or literary) (used only in the past tense) caused sth to happen, especially a change:\nThis century wrought major changes in our society. * The storm wrought havoc in the south.\nsee also WREAK\n HELP NOTE  Wrought is an old form of the past tense of work.


Words: wrought iron
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a form of iron used to make decorative fences, gates, etc:\nThe gates were made of wrought iron. * wrought-iron gates\ncompare CAST IRON


Words: wry
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun] (written)\n  1  showing that you are both amused and disappointed or annoyed:\n’At least we got one vote,’ she said with a wry smile. * He pulled a wry face when I asked him how it had gone.\n  2  amusing in an IRONIC way:\na wry comedy about family life * a wry comment * wry humour\n    wryly adverb:\nto grin / smile wryly\n    wryness noun [U]


Words: WTO
Meaning:
abbreviation\nWorld Trade Organization (an international organization that encourages international trade and economic development, especially by reducing restrictions on trade)


Words: wunderkind
Meaning:
noun\n(plural wunderkinder ) (from German, sometimes disapproving) a person who is very successful at a young age


Words: WYSIWYG
Meaning:
abbreviation\n(computing) what you see is what you get (what you see on the computer screen is exactly the same as will be printed)


Words: X
Meaning:
(also x)  noun, symbol \n    noun (plural X’s, x’s )\n  1  [C, U] the 24th letter of the English alphabet:\n’Xylophone’ begins with (an) X / ’X’.\n  2  [U] (mathematics) used to represent a number whose value is not mentioned:\nThe equation is impossible for any value of x greater than 2.\n  3  [U] a person, a number, an influence, etc. that is not known or not named:\nLet’s suppose X knows what Y is doing.\nsee also X CHROMOSOME, X-RATED, X-RAY\n    symbol\n  1  the number 10 in ROMAN NUMERALS\n  2  used to represent a kiss at the end of a letter, etc:\nLove from Kathy XXX.\n  3  used to show a vote for sb in an election:\nWrite X beside the candidate of your choice.\n  4  used to show that a written answer is wrong\ncompare TICK n. (1)\n  5  used to show position, for example on a map:\nX marks the spot.


Words: X chromosome
Meaning:
noun\n(biology) a SEX CHROMOSOME that exists in pairs in female cells and that exists by itself in male cells\ncompare Y CHROMOSOME


Words: X-rated
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially of a film / movie) that people under 18 are not allowed to see because it contains sex and/or violence


Words: X-ray
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [usually pl.] a type of RADIATION that can pass through objects that are not transparent and make it possible to see inside them:\nan X-ray machine (= one that produces X-rays)\n \n  2  a photograph made by X-rays, especially one showing bones or organs in the body:\na chest X-ray * The doctor studied the X-rays of her lungs. * to take an X-ray\n \n  3  a medical examination using X-rays:\nI had to go for an X-ray.\n    verb [VN] to photograph and examine bones and organs inside the body, using X-rays:\nHe had to have his chest X-rayed.


Words: xenophobia
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) a strong feeling of dislike or fear of people from other countries\n    xenophobic  adjective


Words: Xerox
Meaning:
noun\na process for producing copies of letters, documents, etc. using a special machine; a copy made using this process:\na Xerox machine


Words: xerox
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to make a copy of a letter, document, etc. by using Xerox or a similar process\nSYN PHOTOCOPY:\nCould you xerox this letter, please?


Words: Xmas
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (informal, written) used as a short way of writing ’Christmas’:\nA merry Xmas to all our readers!


Words: xylophone
Meaning:
noun\na musical instrument made of two rows of wooden bars of different lengths that you hit with two small sticks\ncompare GLOCKENSPIEL


Words: Y
Meaning:
noun, abbreviation \n    noun (also y) (plural Y’s, y’s )\n  1  [C, U] the 25th letter of the English alphabet:\n’Year’ begins with (a) Y / ’Y’.\n  2  [U] (mathematics) used to represent a number whose value is not mentioned:\nCan the value of y be predicted from the value of x?\n  3  [U] a person, a number, an influence, etc. that is not known or not named:\nLet’s suppose X knows what Y is doing.\nsee also Y CHROMOSOME, Y-FRONTS\n    abbreviation  (the Y) (AmE, informal) YMCA, YWCA


Words: Y-fronts
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (BrE) men’s UNDERPANTS, with an opening in the front sewn in the shape of a Y upside-down:\na pair of Y-fronts


Words: yacht
Meaning:
(AmE also sailboat) noun\na large sailing boat, often also with an engine and a place to sleep on board, used for pleasure trips and racing:\na yacht club / race * a motor yacht * a luxury yacht\ncompare DINGHY


Words: yachtsman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural yachtsmen ) a person who sails a yacht for pleasure or as a sport:\na round-the-world yachtsman


Words: yak
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun an animal of the cow family, with long horns and long hair, that lives in central Asia\n    verb (also yack) (-kk-) [V] (informal, often disapproving) to talk continuously about things that are not very serious or important:\nShe just kept yakking on.


Words: yank
Meaning:
verb\n\n[usually +adv./prep.] (informal) to pull sth/sb hard, quickly and suddenly:\n[VN] He yanked her to her feet. * [VN-ADJ] I yanked the door open / yanked open the door. * [V] Liz yanked at my arm.\n \n    yank noun:\nShe gave the rope a yank.


Words: Yankee
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (AmE) a person who comes from or lives in any of the northern states of the US, especially New England\n  2  a soldier who fought for the Union (= the northern states) in the American Civil War\n  3  (BrE, informal) = YANK


Words: yap
Meaning:
verb (-pp-) [V] \n  1  ~ (at sb/sth) (especially of small dogs) to BARK a lot, making a high, sharp and usually irritating sound:\nThe dogs yapped at his heels. * yapping dogs\n  2  (informal) to talk in a silly, noisy and usually irritating way\n    yap noun


Words: yard
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) an area outside a building, usually with a hard surface and a surrounding wall:\nthe prison yard * The children were playing in the yard at the front of the school.\nsee also BACKYARD\n  2  (AmE) = GARDEN n. (1)\nsee also BACKYARD\n  3  (usually in compounds) an area of land used for a special purpose or business:\na boat yard\n HELP NOTE  You will find other compounds ending in yard at their place in the alphabet.\n  4  (abbreviation yd) a unit for measuring length, equal to 3 feet (36 INCHES) or 0.9144 of a metre\n  5  (technical) a long piece of wood fastened to a MAST that supports a sail on a boat or ship\n IDIOMS  see INCH n.


Words: yardage
Meaning:
noun [C, U] (technical)\n  1  size measured in yards or square yards:\na large yardage of canvas\n  2  (in American football) the number of yards that a team or player has moved forward


Words: yardarm
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) either end of the long piece of wood fastened to a ship’s MAST that supports a sail


Words: yardstick
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (especially AmE) a RULER for measuring one YARD\n  2  a standard used for judging how good or successful sth is:\na yardstick by / against which to measure sth * Exam results are not the only yardstick of a school’s performance.


Words: yarn
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] thread that has been spun, used for knitting, weaving, etc.\n  2  [C] (informal) a long story, especially one that is exaggerated or invented:\nHe used to spin yarns (= tell stories) about his time in the Army.\n IDIOMS  see PITCH v.


Words: yarrow
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a plant with flat groups of many small white or pinkish flowers that have a strong smell


Words: yaw
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (technical) (of a ship or plane) to turn to one side, away from a straight course, in an unsteady way\n    yaw noun [C, U]


Words: yawn
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n [V] \n \n  1  to open your mouth wide and breathe in deeply through it, usually because you are tired or bored:\nHe stood up, stretched and yawned. * We couldn’t help yawning during the speech.\n \n  2  (of a large hole or an empty space) to be very wide and often frightening and difficult to get across:\nA crevasse yawned at their feet. * (figurative) There’s a yawning gap between rich and poor.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  an act of yawning:\nShe stifled another yawn and tried hard to look interested.\n \n  2  [usually sing.] (informal) a boring event, idea, etc:\nThe meeting was one big yawn from start to finish.


Words: ye
Meaning:
pronoun, determiner \n    pronoun  (old use or dialect) a word meaning ’you’, used when talking to more than one person:\nGather ye rosebuds while ye may.\n    determiner  a word meaning ’the’, used in the names of pubs, shops, etc. to make them seem old:\nYe Olde Starre Inn


Words: yeah
Meaning:
adverb\nused in writing to show the way ’yes’ is pronounced in informal speech\n IDIOMS \n  oh yeah? used when you are commenting on what sb has just said:\n’We’re off to France soon.’ ’Oh yeah? When’s that?’ * ’I’m going to be rich one day.’ ’Oh yeah?’ (= I don’t believe you.)


Words: year
Meaning:
noun (abbreviation yr)\n  1  (also calendar year) [C] the period from 1 January to 31 December, that is 365 or 366 days, divided into 12 months:\nin the year 1865 * I lost my job earlier this year. * Elections take place every year. * The museum is open all (the) year round (= during the whole year).\nsee also LEAP YEAR, NEW YEAR\n  2  [C] a period of 12 months, measured from any particular time:\nIt’s exactly a year since I started working here. * She gave up teaching three years ago. * in the first year of their marriage * the pre-war / war / post-war years (= the period before / during / after the war) * I have happy memories of my years in Poland (= the time I spent there).\nsee also LIGHT YEAR\n  3  [C] a period of 12 months connected with a particular activity:\nthe academic / school year * the tax year\nsee also FINANCIAL YEAR\n  4  [C] (especially BrE) (at a school, etc.) a level that you stay in for one year; a student at a particular level:\nWe started German in year seven. * a year-seven pupil * The first years do French. * She was in my year at school.\n  5  [C, usually pl.] age; time of life:\nHe was 14 years old when it happened. * She looks young for her years. * They were both only 20 years of age. * a twenty-year-old man * He died in his sixtieth year. * She’s getting on in years (= is no longer young).\n  6  (years) [pl.] (informal) a long time:\nIt’s years since we last met. * They haven’t seen each other for years. * That’s the best movie I’ve seen in years.\n IDIOMS \n  man, woman, car, etc. of the year a person or thing that people decide is the best in a particular field in a particular year:\nHe was chosen as TV personality of the year.\n  not / never in a hundred, etc. years (spoken) used to emphasize that you will/would never do sth:\nI’d never have thought of that in a million years.\n  put years on sb to make sb feel or look older:\nThe illness put years on him.\n  take years off sb to make sb feel or look younger:\nThat haircut takes years off her.\n  year after year every year for many years:\nPeople return year after year.\n  year by year as the years pass; each year:\nYear by year their affection for each other grew stronger.\n  the year dot (BrE) (AmE the year one) (informal) a very long time ago:\nI’ve been going there every summer since the year dot.\n  year in, year out every year\n  year of grace | year of our Lord (formal) any particular year after the birth of Christ\n  year on year (used especially when talking about figures, prices, etc.) each year, compared with the last year:\nSpending has increased year on year. * a year-on-year increase in spending\nmore at ADVANCED, DECLINE v., DONKEY, TURN n.


Words: yearbook
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a book published once a year, giving details of events, etc. of the previous year, especially those connected with a particular area of activity:\nThe Artists’ and Writers’ Yearbook\n  2  (especially AmE) a book that is produced by the senior class in a school or college, containing photographs of students and details of school activities


Words: yearly
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  happening once a year or every year:\nPay is reviewed on a yearly basis.\n  2  paid, valid or calculated for one year:\nyearly income / interest\n    yearly adverb:\nThe magazine is issued twice yearly (= twice every year).


Words: yearn
Meaning:
verb\n~ (for sth/sb) (literary) to want sth very much, especially when it is very difficult to get:\n[V] The people yearned for peace. * There was a yearning look in his eyes. * [V to inf] She yearned to escape from her office job.


Words: yearning
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] ~ (for sb/sth) | ~ (to do sth) (written) a strong and emotional desire:\na yearning for a quiet life * She had no great yearning to go back.\n    yearningly adverb


Words: yeast
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a FUNGUS used in making beer and wine, or to make bread rise\n    yeasty adjective:\na yeasty smell


Words: yell
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb ~ (out) (sth) | ~ (sth) (at sb/sth) to shout loudly, for example because you are angry, excited, frightened or in pain:\n[V] He yelled at the other driver. * They yelled with excitement. * She yelled out in pain. * She yelled at the child to get down from the wall. * [V speech] ’Be careful!’ he yelled. * [VN] The crowd yelled encouragement at the players. -> SHOUT\n    noun a loud cry of pain, excitement, etc:\nto let out / give a yell * a yell of delight / surprise


Words: yellow
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective (yellower, yellowest)\n  1  having the colour of lemons or butter:\npale yellow flowers * a bright yellow waterproof jacket\n  2  an offensive word used to describe the light brown skin of people from some E Asian countries\n  3  (informal, disapproving) easily frightened \nSYN COWARDLY\n    yellowness noun [U, sing.] \n    noun [U, C] the colour of lemons or butter:\nShe was dressed in yellow. * the reds and yellows of the trees\n    verb [V, VN] to become yellow; to make sth become yellow


Words: yellow card
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) (in football) a card shown by the REFEREE to a player as a warning about bad behaviour\ncompare RED CARD


Words: yellow flag
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a type of yellow IRIS (= a flower) that grows near water\n  2  a yellow flag on a ship showing that sb has or may have an infectious disease


Words: yellow line
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain) a yellow line painted at the side of a road to show that you can only park your car there at particular times or for a short time:\ndouble yellow lines (= two lines that mean you cannot park there at all)


Words: Yellow Pages
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE yellow pages) noun\n[pl.] a book with yellow pages that gives a list of companies and organizations and their telephone numbers, arranged according to the type of services they offer:\nIf you need a plumber look in the Yellow Pages.


Words: yen
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (plural yen) [C] the unit of money in Japan\n  2  (the yen) [sing.] (finance) the value of the yen compared with the value of the money of other countries\n  3  [C, usually sing.] ~ (for sth / to do sth) a strong desire:\nI’ve always had a yen to travel around the world.


Words: yeoman
Meaning:
1  (in Britain in the past) a farmer who owned and worked on his land\n  2  an officer in the US Navy who does mainly office work


Words: yeomanry
Meaning:
pl. v.]\n  1  (in Britain in the past) the social class of farmers who owned their land\n  2  (in Britain in the past) farmers who became soldiers and provided their own horses


Words: yer
Meaning:
pronoun, determiner\n(informal, non-standard) used in writing as a way of showing the way people sometimes pronounce the word ’you’ or ’your’:\nSee yer when I get back. * What’s yer name?


Words: yes
Meaning:
exclamation, noun \n    exclamation\n  1  used to answer a question and say that sth is correct or true:\n’Is this your car?’ ’Yes, it is.’ * ’Are you coming? Yes or no?’\n  2  used to show that you agree with what has been said:\n’I enjoyed her latest novel.’ ’Yes, me too.’ * ’It’s an excellent hotel.’ ’Yes, but (= I don’t completely agree) it’s too expensive.’\n  3  used to disagree with sth negative that sb has just said:\n’I’ve never met her before.’ ’Yes, you have.’\n  4  used to agree to a request or to give permission:\n’Dad, can I borrow the car?’ ’Yes, but be careful.’ * We’re hoping that they will say yes to our proposals.\n  5  used to accept an offer or invitation:\n’Would you like a drink?’ ’Yes, please / thanks.’\n  6  used for asking sb what they want:\nYes? How can I help you?\n  7  used for replying politely when sb calls you:\n’Waiter!’ ’Yes, sir?’\n  8  used to show that you have just remembered sth:\nWhere did I put the keys? Oh, yes-in my pocket!\n  9  used to encourage sb to continue speaking:\n’I’m going to Paris this weekend.’ ’Yes ...’\n  10  used to show that you do not believe what sb has said:\n’Sorry I’m late-the bus didn’t come.’ ’Oh yes?’\n  11  used to emphasize what you have just said:\nMrs Smith has just won ｣2 million-yes!-｣2 million!\n  12  used to show that you are excited or extremely pleased about sth that you have done or sth that has happened:\n’They’ve scored another goal.’ ’Yes!!’\n  13  (yes, yes) used to show that you are impatient or irritated about sth:\n’Hurry up-it’s late.’ ’Yes, yes-I’m coming.’\n IDIOMS \n  yes and no used when you cannot give a clear answer to a question:\n’Are you enjoying it?’ ’Yes and no.’\n    noun (plural yesses or yeses ) an answer that shows that you agree with an idea, a statement, etc.; a person who says ’yes’:\nI need a simple yes or no to my questions. * There will be two ballot boxes-one for yesses and one for noes. * I’ll put you down as a yes.


Words: yes-man
Meaning:
noun\n(plural yes-men ) (disapproving) a person who always agrees with people in authority in order to gain their approval


Words: yesterday
Meaning:
adverb, noun \n    adverb on the day before today:\nThey arrived yesterday. * I can remember our wedding as if it were yesterday. * Where were you yesterday morning? * To think I was lying on a beach only the day before yesterday.\n IDIOMS  see BORN v.\n    noun [U]\n  1  the day before today:\nYesterday was Sunday. * What happened at yesterday’s meeting?\n  2  (also yesterdays [pl.]) the recent past:\nYesterday’s students are today’s employees. * All her yesterdays had vanished without a trace.


Words: yesteryear
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (old-fashioned or literary) the past, especially a time when attitudes and ideas were different


Words: yet
Meaning:
adverb, conjunction \n    adverb\n  1  used in negative sentences and questions to talk about sth that has not happened but that you expect to happen: (BrE) I haven’t received a letter from him yet. * (AmE) I didn’t receive a letter from him yet. * ’Are you ready?’ ’No, not yet.’ * We have yet to decide what action to take (= We have not decided what action to take). -> ALREADY\n  2  (used in negative sentences) now; as soon as this:\nDon’t go yet. * We don’t need to start yet.\n  3  from now until the period of time mentioned has passed:\nHe’ll be busy for ages yet. * They won’t arrive for at least two hours yet.\n  4  could, might, may, etc. do sth ~ used to say that sth could, might, etc. happen in the future, even though it seems unlikely:\nWe may win yet. * (formal) She could yet surprise us all.\n  5  the best, longest, etc. sth ~ (done) the best, longest, etc. thing of its kind made, produced, written, etc. until now/then:\nthe most comprehensive study yet of his music * It was the highest building yet constructed.\n  6  ~ another / more ... | ~ again used to emphasize an increase in number or amount or the number of times sth happens:\nsnow, snow and yet more snow * yet another diet book * Prices were cut yet again (= once more, after many other times).\n  7  ~ worse, more importantly, etc. used to emphasize an increase in the degree of sth (= how bad, important, etc. it is)\nSYN EVEN, STILL:\na recent and yet more improbable theory\n IDIOMS \n  as yet until now or until a particular time in the past:\nan as yet unpublished report * As yet little was known of the causes of the disease.\n    conjunction in spite of what has just been said\nSYN NEVERTHELESS:\nIt’s a small car, yet it’s surprisingly spacious. * He has a good job, and yet he never seems to have any money.


Words: yeti
Meaning:
(also Abominable Snowman) noun\na large hairy creature like a man or a bear, that some people believe lives in the Himalayan mountains


Words: yew
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] (also yew tree) a small tree with dark green leaves and small red berries. Yews are often planted near churches.\n  2  [U] the wood of the yew tree


Words: YHA
Meaning:
abbreviation\nYouth Hostels Association (an organization that exists in many countries and provides cheap simple accommodation)


Words: Yiddish
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a Jewish language, originally used in central and eastern Europe, based on a form of German with words from Hebrew and several modern languages\ncompare HEBREW\n    Yiddish adjective


Words: yield
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] to produce or provide sth, for example a profit, result or crop:\nHigher-rate deposit accounts yield good returns. * The research has yielded useful information. * trees that no longer yield fruit\n  2  [V] ~ (to sth/sb) to stop resisting sth/sb; to agree to do sth that you do not want to do:\nAfter a long siege, the town was forced to yield. * He reluctantly yielded to their demands. * I yielded to temptation and had a chocolate bar.\n  3  [VN] ~ sth/sb (up) (to sb) (formal) to allow sb to win, have or take control of sth that has been yours until now:\nHe refused to yield up his gun. * (figurative) The universe is slowly yielding up its secrets.\n  4  [V] to move, bend or break because of pressure:\nDespite our attempts to break it, the lock would not yield.\n  5  [V] ~ (to sb/sth) (AmE, IrishE) to allow vehicles on a bigger road to go first\nSYN GIVE WAY:\nYield to oncoming traffic. * a yield sign\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  yield to sth (formal) to be replaced by sth:\nBarges yielded to road vehicles for transporting goods.\n    noun [C, U] the total amount of crops, profits, etc. that are produced:\na high crop yield * a reduction in milk yield * This will give a yield of 10% on your investment.


Words: yielding
Meaning:
adjective (written)\n  1  (of a substance) soft and easy to bend or move when you press it:\nShe sank onto the yielding cushions of the couch.\n  2  (of a person) willing to do what other people want\n  3  (used with an adverb) giving the amount of crops, profits, etc. mentioned:\nhigh / low yielding crops


Words: yin
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (in Chinese philosophy) the dark, not active, female principle of the universe\ncompare YANG


Words: YMCA
Meaning:
(also AmE informal the Y) abbreviation\nYoung Men’s Christian Association (an organization that exists in many countries and provides accommodation and social and sports activities):\nWe stayed at the YMCA.


Words: Yo Yo
Meaning:
(also yo-yo) noun\n(plural Yo Yos, yo-yos) a toy that consists of two round pieces of plastic or wood joined together, with a piece of string wound between them. You put the string around your finger and make the yo-yo go up and down it:\nHe kept bouncing up and down like a yo-yo.


Words: yob
Meaning:
plural yobbos) noun\n(BrE, informal) a rude, noisy and sometimes aggressive and violent boy or young man\nSYN LOUT:\na group of drunken yobs


Words: yodel
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-ll-, AmE -l-) [V, VN] to sing or call in the traditional Swiss way, changing your voice frequently between its normal level and a very high level\n    noun a song or musical call in which sb yodels


Words: yoga
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a Hindu philosophy that teaches you how to control your body and mind in the belief that you can become united with the spirit of the universe in this way\n  2  a system of exercises for your body and for controlling your breathing, used by people who want to become fitter or to relax\n    yogic  adjective:\nyogic teachings / techniques


Words: yogurt
Meaning:
(also yoghurt, yoghourt)  noun\n[U, C] a thick white liquid food, made by adding bacteria to milk, served cold and often flavoured with fruit; an amount of this sold in a small pot:\nGreek / natural yogurt * There’s a yogurt left if you’re still hungry. * a lemon yogurt


Words: yoke
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a long piece of wood that is fastened across the necks of two animals, especially OXEN, so that they can pull heavy loads\n \n  2  [sing.] (literary or formal) harsh treatment or sth that restricts your freedom and makes your life very difficult to bear:\nthe yoke of imperialism * Young people often chafe under the yoke of parental control.\n \n  3  [C] a piece of wood that is shaped to fit across a person’s shoulders so that they can carry two equal loads\n \n  4  [C] a part of a dress, skirt, etc. that fits around the shoulders or hips and from which the rest of the fabric hangs\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to join two animals together with a yoke:\nA pair of oxen, yoked together, was used. * an ox yoked to a plough\n  2  [usually passive] (formal) to bring two people, countries, ideas, etc. together so that they are forced into a close relationship:\nThe Hong Kong dollar was yoked to the American dollar for many years.


Words: yokel
Meaning:
noun\n(often humorous) if you call a person a yokel, you are saying that they do not have much education or understanding of modern life, because they come from the countryside


Words: Yom Kippur
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a Jewish religious holiday in September or October when people eat nothing all day and say prayers of PENITENCE in the SYNAGOGUE, also known as the Day of Atonement


Words: yon
Meaning:
determiner, adverb \n    determiner (old use or dialect) that:\nThere’s an old farm over yon hill.\n    adverb\n IDIOMS  see HITHER


Words: yonder
Meaning:
determiner\n(old use or dialect) that is over there; that you can see over there:\nLet’s rest under yonder tree.\n    yonder adverb:\nWhose is that farm over yonder?


Words: yoo-hoo
Meaning:
exclamation\n(informal, becoming old-fashioned) used to attract sb’s attention, especially when they are some distance away


Words: Yorkshire pudding
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a type of British food made from BATTER that is baked until it rises, traditionally eaten with ROAST beef


Words: you
Meaning:
pronoun\n  1  used as the subject or object of a verb or after a preposition to refer to the person or people being spoken or written to:\nYou said you knew the way. * I thought she told you. * Can I sit next to you? * I don’t think that hairstyle is you (= it doesn’t suit your appearance or personality).\n  2  used with nouns and adjectives to speak to sb directly:\nYou girls, stop talking! * You stupid idiot!\n  3  used for referring to people in general:\nYou learn a language better if you visit the country where it is spoken. * It’s a friendly place-people come up to you in the street and start talking.


Words: you-all
Meaning:
(also y’all) pronoun\n(informal) used especially in the southern US to mean you when talking to more than one person:\nHave you-all brought swimsuits?


Words: young
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (younger )\n  1  having lived or existed for only a short time; not fully developed:\nyoung babies / children / animals * a young country / company * Caterpillars eat the young leaves of this plant. * a young wine * (humorous) The night is still young (= it has only just started).\nOPP OLD\n  2  not yet old; not as old as others:\nyoung people * talented young football players * I am the youngest of four sisters. * In his younger days he played rugby for Wales. * I met the young Bill Clinton at Oxford. * Her grandchildren keep her young. * My son’s thirteen but he’s young for his age (= not as developed as other boys of the same age). * They married young (= at an early age). * My mother died young.\nOPP OLD\n  3  suitable or appropriate for young people:\nyoung fashion / ideas * The clothes she wears are much too young for her.\n  4  consisting of young people or young children; with a low average age:\nThey have a young family. * a young audience\n  5  ~ man / lady / woman used to show that you are angry or annoyed with a particular young person:\nI think you owe me an apology, young lady!\n  6  (the younger) used before or after a person’s name to distinguish them from an older relative:\nthe younger Kennedy * (BrE, formal) William Pitt the younger\ncompare the elder at ELDER adj., JUNIOR adj. (3)\n IDIOMS \n  be getting younger (spoken) used to say that people seem to be doing sth at a younger age than they used to, or that they seem younger because you are now older:\nThe band’s fans are getting younger. * Why do police officers seem to be getting younger?\n  not be getting any younger (spoken) used when you are commenting that time is passing and that you, or sb else, is growing older\n  young at heart thinking and behaving like a young person even when you are old:\nMy father is 76 but he’s still young at heart.\nmore at OLD, ONLY adv.\n    noun [pl.]\n  1  (the young) young people considered as a group:\nIt’s a movie that will appeal to the young. * It’s a book for young and old alike.\n  2  young animals of a particular type or that belong to a particular mother:\na mother bird feeding her young


Words: young offender
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a criminal who, according to the law, is not yet an adult but no longer a child:\na young offenders’ institution


Words: your
Meaning:
determiner (the possessive form of you)\n  1  of or belonging to the person or people being spoken or written to:\nI like your dress. * Excuse me, is this your seat? * The bank is on your right.\n  2  of or belonging to people in general:\nDentists advise you to have your teeth checked every six months. * In Japan you are taught great respect for your elders.\n  3  (informal) used to show that sb/sth is well known or often talked about:\nThis is your typical English pub. * (ironic, disapproving) You and your bright ideas!\n  4  (Your) used in some titles, especially those of royal people:\nYour Majesty * Your Excellency


Words: yours
Meaning:
pronoun\n  1  of or belonging to you:\nIs that book yours? * Is she a friend of yours? * My hair is very fine. Yours is much thicker.\n  2  (usually Yours) used at the end of a letter before signing your name: (BrE) Yours sincerely / faithfully * (AmE) Sincerely Yours * (AmE) Yours Truly


Words: yourself
Meaning:
pronoun\n  1  (the reflexive form of you) used when the person or people being spoken to both cause and are affected by an action:\nHave you hurt yourself? * You don’t seem quite yourself today (= you do not seem well or do not seem as happy as usual). * Enjoy yourselves!\n  2  used to emphasize the fact that the person who is being spoken to is doing sth:\nDo it yourself-I don’t have time. * You can try it out for yourselves. * You yourself are one of the chief offenders.\n  3  you:\nWe sell a lot of these to people like yourself. * ’And yourself,’ he replied, ’How are you?’\n IDIOMS \n  (all) by yourself / yourselves\n1 alone; without anyone else:\nHow long were you by yourself in the house?\n2 without help:\nAre you sure you did this exercise by yourself?\n  (all) to yourself / yourselves for only you to have, use, etc:\nI’m going to be away next week so you’ll have the office to yourself.\n  be yourself to act naturally:\nDon’t act sophisticated-just be yourself.


Words: youth
Meaning:
1  [U] the time of life when a person is young, especially the time before a child becomes an adult:\nHe had been a talented musician in his youth. * She regrets that she spent her youth travelling and not studying.\n  2  [U] the quality or state of being young:\nShe brings to the job a rare combination of youth and experience. * His youth gives him an advantage over the other runners.\n  3  [C] (often disapproving) a young man:\nThe fight was started by a gang of youths.\n  4  (also the youth) [pl.] young people considered as a group:\nthe nation’s youth * the youth of today * youth culture * youth unemployment


Words: youth club
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain) a club where young people can meet each other and take part in various activities


Words: youth custody
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) a period of time when a young criminal is kept in a type of prison as a punishment:\nHe was sentenced to two years’ youth custody. * a youth custody centre


Words: youth hostel
Meaning:
noun\na building that provides cheap and simple accommodation and meals, especially to young people who are travelling


Words: youth hostelling
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) the activity of staying in different youth hostels and walking, etc. between them:\nto go youth hostelling


Words: youthful
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  typical of young people:\nyouthful enthusiasm / energy / inexperience\n  2  young or seeming younger than you are:\nShe’s a very youthful 65.\n    youthfully  adverb:\nto act / behave youthfully\n    youthfulness noun [U]


Words: yowl
Meaning:
verb\n[V] to make a long loud cry that sounds unhappy:\nOutside in the road, a cat yowled.\n    yowl noun


Words: yr
Meaning:
(also yr. especially in AmE) abbreviation\n  1  (plural yrs) year(s):\nchildren aged 411 yrs\n  2  your


Words: yuck
Meaning:
(BrE also yuk)  exclamation\n(informal) used to show that you think sth is disgusting or unpleasant:\nIt’s filthy! Yuck!


Words: yule log
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a large LOG of wood traditionally burnt on Christmas Eve\n  2  a chocolate cake in the shape of a LOG, traditionally eaten at Christmas


Words: yuppie
Meaning:
(also yuppy)  noun\n(plural yuppies) (informal, often disapproving) a young professional person who lives in a city and earns a lot of money that they spend on expensive and fashionable things\n ORIGIN  Formed from the first letters of the words ’young urban professional’.


Words: YWCA
Meaning:
(also AmE informal the Y) abbreviation\nYoung Women’s Christian Association (an organization that exists in many countries and provides accommodation and social and sports activities):\nmembers of the YWCA


Words: Z
Meaning:
(also z) )\n  1  [C, U] the 26th and last letter of the English alphabet:\n’Zebra’ begins with (a) Z / ’Z’.\n  2  (Z’s) [pl.] (AmE, informal, humorous) sleep:\nI need to catch some Z’s.\n IDIOMS  see A n.


Words: zap
Meaning:
verb (-pp-) (informal)\n  1  [VN] ~ sb/sth (with sth) to destroy, kill or hit sb/sth suddenly and with force:\nThe monster got zapped by a flying saucer (= in a computer game). * It’s vital to zap stress fast. * He jumped like a man who’d been zapped with 1 000 volts.\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] to do sth very fast:\nI’m zapping through (= reading very fast) some modern novels at the moment.\n  3  [V, VN] to use the REMOTE CONTROL to change television channels quickly\n  4  [+adv./prep.] to move, or make sb/sth move, very fast in the direction mentioned\nSYN ZIP:\n[V] The racing cars zapped past us. [also VN]


Words: zapper
Meaning:
noun (informal)\n  1  = REMOTE CONTROL\n  2  a device or weapon that attacks or destroys sth quickly:\na bug zapper


Words: zeal
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] ~ (for / in sth) (written) great energy or enthusiasm connected with sth that you feel strongly about:\nher missionary / reforming / religious / political zeal


Words: zealot
Meaning:
noun\n(often disapproving) a person who is extremely enthusiastic about sth, especially religion or politics


Words: zealous
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) showing great energy and enthusiasm for sth, especially because you feel strongly about it:\na zealous reformer / preacher\n    zealously adverb


Words: zebra
Meaning:
noun\n(plural zebra or zebras) an African wild animal like a horse with black and white lines (= STRIPES) on its body


Words: zebra crossing
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) an area of road marked with broad black and white lines where vehicles must stop for people to walk across\nsee also PEDESTRIAN CROSSING, PELICAN CROSSING


Words: Zeitgeist
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (from German, formal) the general mood or quality of a particular period of history, as shown by the ideas, beliefs, etc. common at the time


Words: zenith
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the highest point that the sun or moon reaches in the sky, directly above you:\nThe sun rose towards its zenith.\n  2  (formal) the time when sth is strongest and most successful\nSYN PEAK:\nThe rock band was at the zenith of its creative powers.\nOPP NADIR


Words: zero
Meaning:
number, verb \n    number\n  1  (especially AmE) (BrE also nought) 0:\nFive, four, three, two, zero ...We have lift-off.\n  2  a temperature, pressure, etc. that is equal to zero on a scale:\nIt was ten degrees below zero last night (= -10ｰC or -10ｰF). * The thermometer had fallen to zero.\n  3  the lowest possible amount or level; nothing at all:\nI rated my chances as zero. * zero inflation / growth / profit\n    verb (zeroes, zeroing, zeroed, zeroed) [VN] to turn an instrument, control, etc. to zero\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  zero in on sb/sth\n1 to fix all your attention on the person or thing mentioned:\nThey zeroed in on the key issues.\n2 to aim guns, etc. at the person or thing mentioned


Words: zero hour
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the time when an important event, an attack, etc. is planned to start:\nIt’s five minutes to zero hour.


Words: zero tolerance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the policy of applying laws very strictly so that people are punished even for offences that are not very serious:\nHoward County has a zero tolerance policy on alcohol use by teenagers.


Words: zero-rated
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE, technical) (of goods, services, etc.) that you do not need to pay VAT (= value added tax) on


Words: zest
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing., U] ~ (for sth) enjoyment and enthusiasm:\nHe had a great zest for life. * She danced with the zest of a twenty-year-old.\n  2  [U, sing.] the quality of being exciting, interesting and enjoyable:\nThe slight risk added zest to the experience.\n  3  [U] the outer skin of an orange, a lemon, etc., when it is used to give flavour in cooking:\nAdd the zest of half a lemon.\ncompare PEEL, RIND, SKIN\n    zestful  adjective


Words: zigzag
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a line or pattern that looks like a series of letter W’s as it bends to the left and then to the right again:\nThe path descended the hill in a series of zigzags.\n    zigzag adjective [only before noun]:\na zigzag line / path / pattern\n    verb (-gg-) [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to move forward by making sharp sudden turns first to the left and then to the right:\nThe narrow path zigzags up the cliff.


Words: zillion
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, especially AmE) a very large number:\nThere was a bunch of kids waiting and zillions of reporters. * This movie is a zillion times better than her last one.


Words: Zimmer frame
Meaning:
(both BrE) (AmE walker) noun\na metal frame that people use to help them to walk, for example people who are old or who have sth wrong with their legs


Words: zinc
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol Zn) a chemical element. Zinc is a bluish-white metal that is mixed with COPPER to produce BRASS and is often used to cover other metals to prevent them from RUSTING.


Words: zing
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (informal)\n  1  to move or to make sth move very quickly, often with a high whistling sound:\n[V] electrical pulses zinging down a wire [also VN]\n  2  [VN] ~ sb/sth (for / on sth) (AmE) to criticize sb strongly\n    noun [U] (informal) interest or excitement:\nThe juice adds zing to drinks.


Words: Zionism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a political movement that was originally concerned with establishing an independent state for Jewish people, and is now concerned with developing the state of Israel\n    Zionist  noun, adjective


Words: zip
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (also zip fastener) (both BrE) (also zipper AmE, BrE) [C] a thing that you use to fasten clothes, bags, etc. It consists of two rows of metal or plastic teeth that you can pull together to close sth or pull apart to open it:\nto do up / undo / open / close a zip * My zip’s stuck.\n \n  2  [U] (informal) energy or speed\n \n  3  [sing.] (informal, especially AmE) nothing:\nWe won four zip (= 40). * He said zip all evening.\n    verb (-pp-)\n  1  to fasten clothes, bags, etc. with a zip/zipper:\n[VN] I zipped and buttoned my jacket. * The children were safely zipped into their sleeping bags. * She zipped herself into a black evening gown. * [VN-ADJ] He zipped his case shut.\ncompare UNZIP\n  2  [V] to be fastened with a zip/zipper:\nThe sleeping bags can zip together.\n  3  [+adv./prep.] (informal) to move very quickly or to make sth move very quickly in the direction mentioned:\n[V] I’m just zipping into town to buy some food. * A sports car zipped past us. [also VN]\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  zip up | zip sb/sth up to be fastened with a zip/zipper; to fasten sth with a zip/zipper:\nThis jacket zips up right to the neck. * Shall I zip you up (= fasten your dress, etc.)?


Words: zither
Meaning:
noun\na musical instrument with a lot of metal strings stretched over a flat wooden box, that you play with your fingers or a PLECTRUM/PICK


Words: zodiac
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (the zodiac) [sing.] the imaginary area in the sky in which the sun, moon and planets appear to lie, and which has been divided into twelve equal parts each with a special name and symbol:\nthe signs of the zodiac\n \n  2  [C] a diagram of these twelve parts, and signs that some people believe can be used to predict how the planets will influence our lives\n \n    zodiacal  adjective


Words: zombie
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (informal) a person who seems only partly alive, without any feeling or interest in what is happening\n  2  (in some African and Caribbean religions and in horror stories) a dead body that has been made alive again by magic


Words: zone
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  an area or a region with a particular feature or use:\na war / security / demilitarized zone * an earthquake / danger zone * a pedestrian zone (= where vehicles may not go)\nsee also NO-FLY ZONE, TIME ZONE, TWILIGHT\n  2  one of the areas that a larger area is divided into for the purpose of organization:\npostal charges to countries in zone 2\n  3  an area or a part of an object, especially one that is different from its surroundings:\nWhen the needle enters the red zone the engine is too hot. * the erogenous zones of the body\n  4  one of the five parts that the earth’s surface is divided into by imaginary lines that are parallel to the EQUATOR:\nthe northern / southern temperate zone\n    verb [VN] [usually passive]\n  1  ~ sth (for sth) to keep an area of land to be used for a particular purpose:\nThe town centre was zoned for office development.\n  2  to divide an area of land into smaller areas\n    zoning noun [U]


Words: zonked
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] ~ (out) (slang) extremely tired or suffering from the effects of alcohol or drugs


Words: zoo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural zoos) (also formal zoological garden(s)) a place where many kinds of wild animals are kept for the public to see and where they are studied, bred and protected


Words: zoom
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V +adv./prep.] to move or go somewhere very fast:\nTraffic zoomed past us. * For five weeks they zoomed around Europe.\n  2  [V] ~ (up) (to ...) (of prices, costs, etc.) to increase a lot quickly and suddenly:\nHouse prices have zoomed up this year. * Shares zoomed from 1567p to 1700p.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  zoom in / out (of a camera) to show the object that is being photographed from closer/further away, with the use of a ZOOM LENS:\nThe camera zoomed in on the actor’s face. * In the last shot he zoomed out to a wide view of the garden.\n    noun\n  1  [C] = ZOOM LENS:\na zoom shot\n  2  [sing.] the sound of a vehicle moving very fast


Words: zoom lens
Meaning:
(also zoom) noun\na camera LENS that you use to make the thing that you are photographing appear nearer to you or further away from you than it really is


Words: zoot suit
Meaning:
noun\na man’s suit with wide trousers/pants and a long loose jacket with wide shoulders that was popular in the 1940s


Words: Zoroastrianism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a religion started in ancient Persia by Zoroaster, that teaches that there is one God and a continuing struggle in the world between forces of light and darkness\n    Zoroastrian noun-see also PARSEE\n    Zoroastrian adjective


Words: Zulu
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a member of a race of black people who live in S Africa\n  2  [U] the language spoken by Zulus and many other black south Africans\n    Zulu adjective


