# dict

Words: insistence
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (on sth / on doing sth) | ~ (that ...) an act of demanding or saying sth firmly and refusing to accept any opposition or excuses:\ntheir insistence on strict standards of behaviour * At her insistence, the matter was dropped. * No one was convinced by his insistence that he was not to blame.


Words: insistent
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (on sth / on doing sth) | ~ (that ...) demanding sth firmly and refusing to accept any opposition or excuses:\nThey were insistent on having a contract for the work. * Why are you so insistent that we leave tonight? * She didn’t want to go but her brother was insistent.\n  2  continuing for a long period of time in a way that cannot be ignored:\ninsistent demands * the insistent ringing of the telephone\n    insistently adverb


Words: insole
Meaning:
noun\na piece of material shaped like your foot that is placed inside a shoe to make it more comfortable


Words: insolent
Meaning:
adjective\nextremely rude and showing a lack of respect:\nan insolent child / smile\n    insolence  noun [U]:\nHer insolence cost her her job.\n    insolently adverb


Words: insoluble
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (especially BrE) (AmE usually insolvable ) (of a problem, MYSTERY, etc.) that cannot be solved or explained\n  2  ~ (in sth) (of a substance) that does not dissolve in a liquid\nOPP SOLUBLE


Words: insolvent
Meaning:
adjective\nnot having enough money to pay what you owe\nSYN BANKRUPT:\nThe company has been declared insolvent.\nOPP SOLVENT\n    insolvency  noun [U, C] (plural insolvencies):\nThe company is close to insolvency.


Words: insouciance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the state of not being worried about anything \nSYN NONCHALANCE:\nShe hid her worries behind an air of insouciance.\n    insouciant  adjective


Words: inspect
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sth/sb (for sth) to look closely at sth/sb, especially to check that everything is satisfactory\nSYN EXAMINE:\nThe teacher walked around inspecting their work. * The plants are regularly inspected for disease. * Make sure you inspect the goods before signing for them.\n  2  to officially visit a school, factory, etc. in order to check that rules are being obeyed and that standards are acceptable:\nPublic health officials were called in to inspect the premises. * The Tourist Board inspects all recommended hotels at least once a year.\n    inspection  noun [U, C]:\nto carry out an inspection of sth * The documents are available for public inspection. * On closer inspection, the notes proved to be forgeries. * The head went on a tour of inspection of all the classrooms.


Words: inspector
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person whose job is to visit schools, factories, etc. to check that rules are being obeyed and that standards are acceptable:\na school / health / safety inspector\nsee also TAX INSPECTOR\n  2  (abbreviation Insp) an officer of middle rank in the POLICE FORCE:\nInspector Maggie Forbes\nsee also CHIEF INSPECTOR\n  3  (in Britain) a person whose job is to check tickets on a bus or train to make sure that they are valid


Words: inspector of taxes
Meaning:
(also tax inspector) noun\n(in Britain) a person who is responsible for collecting the tax that people must pay on the money they earn\nsee also TAX COLLECTOR, TAXMAN


Words: inspectorate
Meaning:
noun\n[C+sing./pl. v.] (especially BrE) an official group of inspectors who work together on the same subject or at the same kind of institution:\nThe schools inspectorate has / have published a report on science teaching.


Words: inspiration
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (to do sth) | ~ (for sth) the process that takes place when sb sees or hears sth that causes them to have exciting new ideas or makes them want to create sth, especially in art, music or literature:\nShe had the time and the inspiration to develop her talent. * Dreams can be a rich source of inspiration for an artist. * Both poets drew their inspiration from the countryside. * Looking for inspiration for a new dessert? Try this recipe. * Her work lacks inspiration (= it does not contain any exciting new ideas).\n  2  [C, usually sing.] ~ (for sth) somebody or something that is the reason why sb creates or does sth:\nHe says my sister was the inspiration for his heroine. * Clark was the inspiration behind Saturday’s victory.\n  3  [C, usually sing.] ~ (to / for sb) somebody or something that makes you want to be better, more successful, etc:\nHer charity work is an inspiration to us all.\n  4  [C, usually sing, U] a sudden good idea:\nHe had an inspiration: he’d give her a dog for her birthday. * It came to me in a flash of inspiration.


Words: inspire
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ sb (to sth) to give sb the desire, confidence or enthusiasm to do sth well:\n[VN] The actors inspired the kids with their enthusiasm. * The actors’ enthusiasm inspired the kids. * His superb play inspired the team to a thrilling 50 win. * [VN to inf] By visiting schools, the actors hope to inspire children to put on their own productions.\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] to give sb the idea for sth, especially sth artistic or imaginative:\nThe choice of decor was inspired by a trip to India. * His paintings were clearly inspired by Monet’s work.\n  3  [VN] ~ sb (with sth) | ~ sth (in sb) to make sb have a particular feeling or emotion:\nHer work didn’t exactly inspire me with confidence. * As a general, he inspired great loyalty in his troops.


Words: inspired
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having excellent qualities or abilities; produced with the help of INSPIRATION:\nan inspired performance / poet * an inspired choice / guess (= one that is right but based on feelings rather than knowledge)\nOPP UNINSPIRED\n  2  (-inspired) used with nouns, adjectives and adverbs to form adjectives that show how sth has been influenced:\npolitically-inspired killings


Words: inspiring
Meaning:
adjective\nexciting and encouraging you to do or feel sth:\nan inspiring teacher * (informal) The book is less than inspiring.\nOPP UNINSPIRING\nsee also AWE-INSPIRING


Words: instability
Meaning:
noun [U, C, usually pl.] (plural instabilities)\n  1  the quality of a situation in which things are likely to change or fail suddenly:\npolitical and economic instability\n  2  a mental condition in which sb’s behaviour is likely to change suddenly:\nmental / emotional instability\nOPP STABILITY\nsee also UNSTABLE


Words: install
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to fix equipment or furniture into position so that it can be used:\nHe’s getting a phone installed tomorrow. * The hotel chain has recently installed a new booking system. * I’ll need some help installing the software.\n  2  ~ sb (as sth) to put sb in a new position of authority, often with an official ceremony:\nHe was installed as President last May.\n  3  to make sb/yourself comfortable in a particular place or position:\nWe installed ourselves in the front row.


Words: installation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] the act of fixing equipment or furniture in position so that it can be used:\ninstallation costs * Installation of the new system will take several days.\n  2  [C] a piece of equipment or machinery that has been fixed in position so that it can be used:\na heating installation\n  3  [C] a place where specialist equipment is kept and used:\na military / nuclear installation\n  4  [U] the act of placing sb in a new position of authority, often with a ceremony:\nthe installation of the new vice-chancellor\n  5  [C] (art) a piece of modern SCULPTURE that is made using sound, light, etc. as well as objects


Words: instalment
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually installment)  noun\n  1  one of a number of payments that are made regularly over a period of time until sth has been paid for:\nWe paid for the car by / in instalments. * The final instalment on the loan is due next week. * The loan can be repaid in 24 monthly instalments. * They were unable to keep up (= continue to pay regularly) the instalments.\n  2  one of the parts of a story that appears regularly over a period of time in a newspaper, on television, etc.\nSYN EPISODE


Words: instance
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a particular example or case of sth:\nThe report highlights a number of instances of injustice. * In most instances, there will be no need for further treatment. * I would normally suggest taking time off work, but in this instance I’m not sure that would do any good.\n IDIOMS \n  for instance for example:\nWhat would you do, for instance, if you found a member of staff stealing?\n  in the first instance (formal) as the first part of a series of actions:\nIn the first instance, notify the police and then contact your insurance company.\n    verb [VN] (formal) to give sth as an example:\nI refer to the situation instanced above.


Words: instant
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n\n \n  1  [usually before noun] happening immediately:\nShe took an instant dislike to me. * This account gives you instant access to your money. * The show was an instant success.\n \n  2  [only before noun] (of food) that can be made quickly and easily, usually by adding hot water:\ninstant coffee\n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  a very short period of time; a moment:\nI’ll be back in an instant. * Just for an instant I thought he was going to refuse.\n  2  a particular point in time:\nAt that (very) instant, the door opened. * I recognized her the instant (that) (= as soon as) I saw her. * Come here this instant (= immediately)!


Words: instantaneous
Meaning:
adjective\nhappening immediately:\nan instantaneous response * Death was almost instantaneous.\n    instantaneously adverb


Words: instantly
Meaning:
adverb\nimmediately:\nHer voice is instantly recognizable. * The driver of the car was killed instantly.


Words: instead
Meaning:
adverb\nin the place of sb/sth:\nLee was ill so I went instead. * He didn’t reply. Instead, he turned on his heel and left the room. * (written) She said nothing, preferring instead to save her comments till later.


Words: instead of
Meaning:
preposition\nin the place of sb/sth:\nWe just had soup instead of a full meal. * Now I can walk to work instead of going by car.


Words: instep
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the top part of the foot that forms an arch between the ankle and toes\n  2  the part of a shoe that covers the instep


Words: instigate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  (especially BrE) to make sth start or happen, usually sth official\nSYN BRING STH ABOUT:\nThe government has instigated a programme of economic reform.\n  2  to cause sth bad to happen:\nThey were accused of instigating racial violence.


Words: instigation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the act of causing sth to begin or happen:\nAn appeal fund was launched at the instigation of the President. * It was done at his instigation.


Words: instigator
Meaning:
noun\n~ (of sth) a person who causes sth to happen, especially sth bad:\nthe instigators of the riots


Words: instil
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE instill)  verb\n(-ll-) [VN] ~ sth (in / into sb) to gradually make sb feel, think or behave in a particular way over a period of time:\nto instil confidence / discipline / fear into sb


Words: instinct
Meaning:
noun [U, C]\n  1  ~ (for sth / for doing sth) | ~ (to do sth) a natural tendency for people and animals to behave in a particular way using the knowledge and abilities that they were born with rather than thought or training:\nmaternal instincts * Children do not know by instinct the difference between right and wrong. * His first instinct was to run away. * Horses have a well-developed instinct for fear. * Even at school, he showed he had an instinct for (= was naturally good at) business.\n  2  ~ (that ...) a feeling that makes you do sth or believe that sth is true, even though it is not based on facts or reason \nSYN INTUITION:\nHer instincts had been right.


Words: instinctive
Meaning:
adjective\nbased on instinct, not thought or training:\ninstinctive knowledge * She’s an instinctive player. * My instinctive reaction was to deny everything.\n    instinctively adverb:\nHe knew instinctively that something was wrong.


Words: institute
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun an organization that has a particular purpose, especially one that is connected with education or a particular profession; the building used by this organization:\na research institute * the Institute of Chartered Accountants * institutes of higher education\n    verb [VN] (formal) to introduce a system, policy, etc. or start a process:\nto institute criminal proceedings against sb * The new management intends to institute a number of changes.


Words: institution
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a large important organization that has a particular purpose, for example, a university or bank:\nan educational / financial institution * the Smithsonian Institution\n  2  [C] (usually disapproving) a building where people with special needs are taken care of, for example because they are old or mentally ill:\na mental / penal institution * We want this to be like a home, not an institution.\n  3  [C] a custom or system that has existed for a long time among a particular group of people:\nthe institution of marriage * Fish and chips have become a British institution.\n  4  [U] the act of starting or introducing sth such as a system or a law:\nthe institution of new safety procedures\n  5  [C] (informal, humorous) a person who is well known because they have been in a particular place or job for a long time:\nYou must know him-he’s an institution around here!


Words: institutional
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] connected with an institution:\ninstitutional investors * institutional care / food\n    institutionally  adverb


Words: institutionalize
Meaning:
(BrE also institutionalise)  verb [VN] \n  1  to send sb who is not capable of living independently to live in a special house (= an institution) especially when it is for a long period of time\n  2  to make sth become part of an organized system, society or culture, so that it is considered normal\n    institutionalization, institutionalisation  noun [U]


Words: institutionalized
Meaning:
(BrE also institutionalised)  adjective\n  1  (usually disapproving) that has happened or been done for so long that it is considered normal:\ninstitutionalized racism\n  2  (of people) lacking the ability to live and think independently because they have spent so long in an institution:\ninstitutionalized patients


Words: instruct
Meaning:
verb\n  1  (formal) to tell sb to do sth, especially in a formal or official way:\n[VN to inf] The letter instructed him to report to headquarters immediately. * [VN wh-] You will be instructed where to go as soon as the plane is ready. * [VN] She arrived at 10 o’clock as instructed. * [V that] He instructed that a wall be built around the city. * (BrE also) He instructed that a wall should be built around the city. [also V speech, VN speech] -> ORDER\n  2  [VN] ~ sb (in sth) (formal) to teach sb sth, especially a practical skill:\nAll our staff have been instructed in sign language.\n  3  [VN that] [usually passive] (formal) to give sb information about sth:\nWe have been instructed that a decision will not be made before the end of the week.\n  4  [VN, VN to inf] (law) to employ sb to represent you in a legal situation, especially as a lawyer


Words: instruction
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (instructions) [pl.] detailed information on how to do or use sth \nSYN DIRECTIONS:\nFollow the instructions on the packet carefully.\n \n  2  [C, usually pl.] ~ (to do sth) | ~ (that ...) something that sb tells you to do \nSYN ORDER:\nto ignore / carry out sb’s instructions * I’m under instructions to keep my speech short. * He phoned you on my instructions. * He left strict instructions that the box should only be opened after his death.\n \n  3  [C] a piece of information that tells a computer to perform a particular operation.\n  4  [U] ~ (in sth) (formal) the act of teaching sth to sb:\nreligious instruction * (written) driver under instruction (= being taught how to drive)\n    adjective [only before noun] giving detailed information on how to do or use sth (= giving instructions):\nan instruction book / manual


Words: instructive
Meaning:
adjective\ngiving a lot of useful information:\na most instructive experience * It is instructive to see how other countries are tackling the problem.


Words: instructor
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a person whose job is to teach sb a practical skill or sport:\na driving instructor\n \n  2  (AmE) a teacher below the rank of ASSISTANT PROFESSOR at a college or university


Words: instrument
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a tool or device used for a particular task, especially for delicate or scientific work:\nsurgical / optical / precision instruments * instruments of torture\n \n  2  = MUSICAL INSTRUMENT:\nIs he learning an instrument?\n \n  3  a device used for measuring speed, distance, temperature, etc. in a vehicle or on a piece of machinery:\nthe flight instruments * the instrument panel\n \n  4  ~ of / for sth (formal) something that is used by sb in order to achieve sth; a person or thing that makes sth happen:\nThe law is not the best instrument for dealing with family matters. * an instrument of change / oppression\n  5  ~ of sb/sth (formal) a person who is used and controlled by sb/sth that is more powerful:\nan instrument of God / fate


Words: instrumental
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  ~ (in sth / in doing sth) important in making sth happen:\nHe was instrumental in bringing about an end to the conflict.\n  2  made by or for musical instruments:\ninstrumental music\n    instrumentally adverb \n    noun a piece of music (usually popular music) in which only musical instruments are used with no singing


Words: instrumentation
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a set of INSTRUMENTS used in operating a vehicle or a piece of machinery:\nthe aircraft’s instrumentation\n  2  the way in which a piece of music is written for a particular group of instruments:\nthe standard pop instrumentation of two guitars, bass and drums


Words: insubordination
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the refusal to obey orders or show respect for sb who has a higher rank \nSYN DISOBEDIENCE:\nTwo officers were reported for insubordination.\n    insubordinate  adjective


Words: insubstantial
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not very large, strong or important:\nan insubstantial construction of wood and glue * an insubstantial argument * an insubstantial meal\n  2  (literary) not real or solid:\nas insubstantial as a shadow


Words: insufferable
Meaning:
adjective\nextremely annoying, unpleasant and difficult to bear \nSYN UNBEARABLE:\ninsufferable pride * He’s insufferable!\n    insufferably  adverb:\ninsufferably hot


Words: insufficient
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to do sth) | ~ (for sth) not large, strong or important enough for a particular purpose\nSYN INADEQUATE:\ninsufficient evidence / time * His salary is insufficient to meet his needs.\nOPP SUFFICIENT:\nThe management paid insufficient attention to working conditions. * There are fears that the existing flood barrier may prove insufficient.\n    insufficiently adverb\n    insufficiency  noun [U, sing.] (usually technical):\ncardiac insufficiency


Words: insular
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) only interested in your own country, ideas, etc. and not in those from outside:\nThe British are often accused of being insular.\n    insularity  noun [U]


Words: insulate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sth (from / against sth) to protect sth with a material that prevents heat, sound, electricity, etc. from passing through:\nHome owners are being encouraged to insulate their homes to save energy.\n  2  ~ sb/sth from / against sth (written) to protect sb/sth from unpleasant experiences or influences\nSYN SHIELD:\nUntil now the industry has been insulated from economic realities.


Words: insulated
Meaning:
adjective\nprotected with a material that prevents heat, sound, electricity, etc. from passing through:\ninsulated wires * a well-insulated house


Words: insulating
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] preventing heat, sound, electricity, etc. from passing through:\ninsulating materials / properties


Words: insulating tape
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a strip of sticky material used for covering bare electrical wires to prevent the possibility of an electric shock


Words: insulation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the act of protecting sth with a material that prevents heat, sound, electricity, etc. from passing through; the materials used for this:\nBetter insulation of your home will help to reduce heating bills. * foam insulation


Words: insulin
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a chemical substance produced in the body that controls the amount of sugar absorbed by the blood; a similar artificial substance given to people whose bodies do not produce enough naturally:\ninsulin-dependent diabetes


Words: insult
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  [VN] to say or do sth that offends sb:\nI have never been so insulted in my life! * She felt insulted by the low offer. * You insult my intelligence (= you are treating me as if I am stupid)!\n    noun sth) a remark or an action that is said or done in order to offend sb:\nThe crowd were shouting insults at the police. * His comments were seen as an insult to the president. * The questions were an insult to our intelligence (= too easy).\n IDIOMS  see ADD


Words: insulting
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sb/sth) causing or intending to cause sb to feel offended:\ninsulting behaviour / remarks * She was really insulting to me.


Words: insuperable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) (of difficulties, problems, etc.) that cannot be dealt with successfully \nSYN INSURMOUNTABLE


Words: insupportable
Meaning:
adjective\nso bad or difficult that you cannot accept it or deal with it\nSYN INTOLERABLE:\nTheir debt had become an insupportable burden.


Words: insurance
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] ~ (against sth) an arrangement with a company in which you pay them regular amounts of money and they agree to pay the costs, for example, if you die or are ill, or if you lose or damage sth:\nlife / car / travel / household insurance * to have adequate insurance cover * to take out insurance against fire and theft * insurance premiums (= the regular payments made for insurance) * Can you claim for the loss on your insurance?\nsee also NATIONAL INSURANCE\n  2  [U] the business of providing people with insurance:\nan insurance broker / company * He works in insurance.\n  3  [U] money paid by or to an insurance company:\nto pay insurance on your house * When her husband died, she received ｣50 000 in insurance.\n  4  [U, C] ~ (against sth) something you do to protect yourself against sth bad happening in the future:\nAt that time people had large families as an insurance against some children dying.


Words: insurance policy
Meaning:
noun\na written contract between a person and an insurance company:\na travel insurance policy * (figurative) Always make a back-up disk as an insurance policy.


Words: insure
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (yourself / sth) (against / for sth) to buy insurance so that you will receive money if your property, car, health, etc. gets damaged, stolen, etc:\n[VN] The painting is insured for $1 million. * The car is insured against fire and theft. * Luckily he had insured himself against long-term illness. * (figurative) Having a lot of children is a way of insuring themselves against loneliness in old age. * [V] We strongly recommend insuring against sickness or injury.\n  2  [VN] to sell insurance to sb for sth:\nThe company can refuse to insure a property that does not have window locks.\n  3  (especially AmE) = ENSURE


Words: insured
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (to do sth) | ~ (against sth) having insurance:\nWas the vehicle insured? * You’re not insured to drive our car. * It isn’t insured against theft.\n  2  (the insured) noun (plural the insured) (law) the person who has made an agreement with an insurance company and who receives money if, for example, they are ill or if they lose or damage sth


Words: insurgency
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (plural insurgencies) an attempt to take control of a country by force\nSYN REBELLION\nsee also COUNTER-INSURGENCY


Words: insurgent
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] (formal) a person fighting against the government or armed forces of their own country \nSYN REBEL:\nan attack by armed insurgents * insurgent groups\n    insurgent adjective


Words: insurmountable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) (of difficulties, problems, etc.) that cannot be dealt with successfully \nSYN INSUPERABLE


Words: insurrection
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a situation in which a large group of people try to take political control of their own country with violence \nSYN UPRISING:\nan armed insurrection against the regime\n    insurrectionary  adjective


Words: intact
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] complete and not damaged:\nMost of the house remains intact even after two hundred years. * He emerged from the trial with his reputation intact.


Words: intake
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] the amount of food, drink, etc. that you take into your body:\nhigh fluid intake * to reduce your daily intake of salt\n  2  [C, U] the number of people who are allowed to enter a school, college, profession, etc. during a particular period:\nthe annual student intake * Intake in universities is down by 10%.\n  3  [C] a place where liquid, air, etc. enters a machine:\nthe air / fuel intake\n  4  [C, usually sing.] an act of taking sth in, especially breath:\na sharp intake of breath


Words: intangible
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  that exists but that is difficult to describe, understand or measure:\nThe old building had an intangible air of sadness about it. * The benefits are intangible.\n  2  (business) that does not exist as a physical thing but is still valuable to a company:\nintangible assets / property\nOPP TANGIBLE\n    intangible noun [usually pl.]:\nintangibles such as staff morale and goodwill


Words: integral
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (to sth) being an essential part of sth:\nMusic is an integral part of the school’s curriculum. * Practical experience is integral to the course.\n  2  [usually before noun] included as part of sth, rather than supplied separately:\nAll models have an integral CD player.\n  3  [usually before noun] having all the parts that are necessary for sth to be complete:\nan integral system\n    integrally  adverb


Words: integrate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (A) (into / with B) | ~ A and B to combine two or more things so that they work together; to combine with sth else in this way:\n[V] These programs will integrate with your existing software. * [VN] These programs can be integrated with your existing software.\n  2  ~ (sb) (into / with sth) to become or make sb become accepted as a member of a social group, especially when they come from a different culture:\n[V] They have not made any effort to integrate with the local community. [also VN] \nOPP SEGREGATE


Words: integrated
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] in which many different parts are closely connected and work successfully together:\nan integrated programme of patient care * an integrated transport system (= including buses, trains, taxis, etc.) * an integrated school (= attended by students of all races and religions)


Words: integrated circuit
Meaning:
noun\n(physics) a small MICROCHIP that contains a large number of electrical connections and performs the same function as a larger CIRCUIT made from separate parts


Words: integration
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the act or process of combining two or more things so that they work together (= of integrating them):\nThe aim is to promote closer economic integration.\n  2  the act or process of mixing people who have previously been separated, usually because of colour, race, religion, etc:\nracial integration in schools


Words: integrity
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles:\npersonal / professional / artistic integrity * to behave with integrity * a man of great integrity\n  2  (formal) the state of being whole and not divided:\nto respect the territorial integrity of the nation


Words: intellect
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] the ability to think in a logical way and understand things, especially at an advanced level; your mind:\na man of considerable intellect\n  2  [C] a very intelligent person:\nShe was one of the most formidable intellects of her time.


Words: intellectual
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] connected with or using a person’s ability to think in a logical way and understand things \nSYN MENTAL:\nintellectual development / curiosity * an intellectual novel\n  2  (of a person) well educated and enjoying activities in which you have to think seriously about things:\nShe’s very intellectual.\n    intellectually adverb:\nintellectually challenging / gifted\n    intellectualism  noun [U] (usually disapproving) \n    noun a person who is well educated and enjoys activities in which they have to think seriously about things


Words: intellectual property
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (law) an idea, a design, etc. that sb has created and that the law prevents other people from copying:\nintellectual property rights


Words: intelligence
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the ability to learn, understand and think in a logical way about things; the ability to do this well:\na person of high / average / low intelligence * He didn’t even have the intelligence to call for an ambulance.\nsee also ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE\n  2  secret information that is collected about a foreign country, especially one that is an enemy; the people that collect this information:\nintelligence reports / operations * the US Central Intelligence Agency * intelligence sources (= people who give this information) * the head of military intelligence


Words: intelligence test
Meaning:
noun\na test to measure how well a person is able to understand and think in a logical way about things


Words: intelligent
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  good at learning, understanding and thinking in a logical way about things; showing this ability:\na highly intelligent child * to ask an intelligent question\nOPP UNINTELLIGENT\n  2  (of an animal, a being, etc.) able to understand and learn things:\na search for intelligent life on other planets\n  3  (computing) (of a computer, program, etc.) able to store information and use it in new situations:\nintelligent software / systems\n    intelligently adverb


Words: intelligentsia
Meaning:
(usually the intelligentsia) noun\n[sing.+sing./pl. v.] the people in a country or society who are well educated and are interested in culture, politics, literature, etc.


Words: intelligible
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sb) that can be easily understood:\nHis lecture was readily intelligible to all the students. * The child’s speech was barely intelligible.\nOPP UNINTELLIGIBLE\n    intelligibility  noun [U]\n    intelligibly adverb


Words: intemperate
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  showing a lack of control over yourself:\nintemperate language\nOPP TEMPERATE\n  2  (especially AmE) regularly drinking too much alcohol\n    intemperance  noun [U]


Words: intend
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to have a plan, result or purpose in your mind when you do sth:\n[V] We finished later than intended. * [V to inf] I fully intended (= definitely intended) to pay for the damage. * [VN to inf] The writer clearly intends his readers to identify with the main character. * [V -ing] (BrE) I don’t intend staying long. * [VN] The company intends a slow-down in expansion. * [VNN] He intended her no harm (= it was not his plan to harm her). * [VN that] It is intended that production will start at the end of the month. [also V that]\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (by sth) | ~ sth (as sth) to plan that sth should have a particular meaning\nSYN MEAN:\nWhat exactly did you intend by that remark? * He intended it as a joke.\n______________________________\n WORD FAMILY \nintend v.\nintended adj. (=/= unintended)\nintention n.\nintentional adj. (=/= unintentional)\n______________________________


Words: intended
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  that you are trying to achieve or reach:\nthe intended purpose * his intended victims / audience * The bullet missed its intended target.\n  2  ~ for sb/sth | ~ as sth | ~ to be / do sth planned or designed for sb/sth:\nThe book is intended for children. * The notes are intended as an introduction to the course.\nsee also UNINTENDED


Words: intense
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  very great; very strong; extreme:\nintense heat / cold / pain * The President is under intense pressure to resign. * the intense blue of her eyes * intense interest / pleasure / desire / anger\n  2  serious and often involving a lot of action in a short period of time:\nintense competition / activity / speculation\n  3  (of a person) having or showing very strong feelings, opinions or thoughts about sb/sth:\nan intense gaze / look * He’s very intense about everything.\ncompare INTENSIVE\n    intensely adverb:\nShe disliked him intensely.


Words: intensifier
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) a word, especially an adjective or an adverb, for example so or very, that strengthens the meaning of another word


Words: intensify
Meaning:
verb\n(intensifies, intensifying, intensified, intensified) to increase in degree or strength; to make sth increase in degree or strength\nSYN HEIGHTEN:\n[V] Violence intensified during the night. * [VN] The opposition leader has intensified his attacks on the government.\n    intensification  [U, sing.]


Words: intensity
Meaning:
noun (plural intensities)\n  1  [U, sing.] the state or quality of being intense:\nintensity of light / sound / colour * intensity of feeling / concentration / relief * He was watching her with an intensity that was unnerving. * The storm resumed with even greater intensity. * The discussions reached a new level of intensity and by lunchtime the exchanges were becoming very heated.\n  2  [U, C] (usually technical) The strength of sth, for example light, that can be measured:\ncontinuously varying intensities of natural light


Words: intensive
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  involving a lot of work or activity done in a short time:\nan intensive language course * two weeks of intensive training * intensive diplomatic negotiations\n  2  extremely thorough; done with a lot of care:\nHis disappearance has been the subject of intensive investigation.\n  3  (of methods of farming) aimed at producing as much food as possible using as little land or as little money as possible:\nTraditionally reared animals grow more slowly than those reared under intensive farming conditions. * intensive agriculture\nsee also CAPITAL-INTENSIVE, LABOUR-INTENSIVE\n    intensively adverb:\nThis case has been intensively studied. * intensively farmed land


Words: intensive care
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  continuous care and attention, often using special equipment, for people in hospital who are very seriously ill or injured:\nShe needed intensive care for several days. * intensive care patients / beds\n  2  (also intensive care unit [C]) (abbreviation ICU) the part of a hospital that provides intensive care:\nThe baby was in intensive care for 48 hours. * She’s still critically ill in intensive care. * He was taken in a coma to the intensive care unit of Glasgow Royal Infirmary.


Words: intent
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  showing strong interest and attention:\nan intent gaze / look * His eyes were suddenly intent. * His face filled with an intent curiosity.\n  2  ~ on / upon sth | ~ on / upon doing sth (formal) determined to do sth, especially sth that will harm other people:\nThey were intent on murder. * Are you intent upon destroying my reputation?\n  3  ~ on / upon sth giving all your attention to sth:\nI was so intent on my work that I didn’t notice the time. * The bright brown eyes were intent on Marie.\n    intently adverb:\nShe looked at him intently. * I listened intently to what she had to say.\n    noun [U] ~ (to do sth) (formal or law) what you intend to do \nSYN INTENTION:\nShe denies possessing the drug with intent to supply. * He was charged with wounding with intent. * a letter / statement of intent * His intent is clearly not to placate his critics.\n IDIOMS \n  to all intents and purposes (BrE) (AmE for all intents and purposes) in the effects that sth has, if not in reality; almost completely:\nBy 1981 the docks had, to all intents and purposes, closed. * The two items are, to all intents and purposes, identical.


Words: intention
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] ~ (of doing sth) | ~ (to do sth) | ~ (that ...) what you intend or plan to do; your aim:\nI have no intention of going to the wedding. * He has announced his intention to retire. * It was not my intention that she should suffer. * He left England with the intention of travelling in Africa. * I have every intention of paying her back what I owe her. * The original intention was to devote three months to the project. * She’s full of good intentions but they rarely work out. * I did it with the best (of) intentions (= meaning to help), but I only succeeded in annoying them.\nsee also WELL INTENTIONED


Words: intentional
Meaning:
adjective\ndone deliberately; intended:\nI’m sorry I left you off the list-it wasn’t intentional. * an intentional act of cruelty\nOPP UNINTENTIONAL\n    intentionally  adverb:\nShe would never intentionally hurt anyone. * I kept my statement intentionally vague.


Words: inter
Meaning:
verb\n(-rr-) [VN] [usually passive] (formal) to bury a dead person:\nThe princess was interred on an island in the middle of a lake.\nOPP DISINTER\nsee also INTERMENT


Words: inter alia
Meaning:
adverb\n(from Latin, formal) among other things:\nThe report is concerned, inter alia, with the reform of the tax system.


Words: inter-
Meaning:
prefix\n(in verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs) between; from one to another:\ninterface * interaction * international\ncompare INTRA-


Words: interact
Meaning:
verb [V] ~ (with sb)\n  1  to communicate with sb, especially while you work, play or spend time with them:\nTeachers have a limited amount of time to interact with each child. * The only thing he interacts with is his computer!\n  2  if one thing interacts with another, or if two things interact, the two things have an effect on each other:\nPerfume interacts with the skin’s natural chemicals.\n    interaction sth):\nthe interaction between performers and their audience * the interaction of bacteria with the body’s natural chemistry


Words: interactive
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  that involves people working together and having an influence on each other:\nThe school believes in interactive teaching methods.\n  2  (computing) that allows information to be passed continuously and in both directions between a computer and the person who uses it:\ninteractive systems / video\n    interactively adverb\n    interactivity  noun [U]


Words: interbreed
Meaning:
verb\n[V, VN] if animals from different SPECIES interbreed, or sb interbreeds them, they produce young together


Words: intercede
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (with sb) (for / on behalf of sb) (formal) to speak to sb in order to persuade them to show pity on sb else or to help settle an argument:\nThey interceded with the authorities on behalf of the detainees.\n    intercession  noun [U]:\nthe intercession of a priest


Words: intercept
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to stop sb/sth that is going from one place to another from arriving:\nReporters intercepted him as he tried to leave the hotel. * The letter was intercepted.\n    interception  noun [U, C]:\nthe interception of enemy radio signals


Words: interchange
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun \n  1  [C, U] the act of sharing or exchanging sth, especially ideas or information:\na continuous interchange of ideas * electronic data interchange\n  2  [C] a place where a main road joins a motorway/freeway, designed so that vehicles leaving or joining the road do not have to cross other lines of traffic\n    verb \n  1  [VN] to share or exchange ideas, information, etc:\nCable technology will make it possible for people to interchange information on a rapid two-way basis.\n  2  ~ (A) (with B) | ~ A and B to put each of two things or people in the other’s place; to move or be moved from one place to another in this way:\n[VN] to interchange the front and rear tyres of a car * to interchange the front tyres with the rear ones * [V] The front and rear tyres interchange (= can be exchanged).


Words: interchangeable
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (with sth) that can be exchanged, especially without affecting the way in which sth works:\nThe two words are virtually interchangeable (= have almost the same meaning). * The V8 engines are all interchangeable with each other.\n    interchangeability  noun [U]\n    interchangeably adverb:\nThese terms are used interchangeably.


Words: intercity
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (of transport) travelling between cities, usually with not many stops on the way:\nan intercity rail service * intercity travel


Words: intercollegiate
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially AmE) involving competition between colleges:\nintercollegiate football / athletics


Words: intercom
Meaning:
noun\na system of communication by telephone or radio inside an office, plane, etc.; the device you press or switch on to start using this system:\nto announce sth over the intercom * They called him on the intercom.


Words: interconnect
Meaning:
verb\n~ (A) (with B) | ~ A and B (written) to connect similar things; to be connected to or with similar things:\n[VN] Bad housing is interconnected with debt and poverty. * Bad housing, debt and poverty are interconnected. * electronic networks which interconnect thousands of computers around the world * [V] separate bedrooms that interconnect\n    interconnection  noun [C, U]:\ninterconnections from one part of the brain to another * interconnections between different parts of the brain


Words: intercontinental
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] between continents:\nintercontinental flights / missiles / travel / trade


Words: intercourse
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (formal) = SEXUAL INTERCOURSE:\nThe prosecution stated that intercourse had occurred on several occasions. * anal intercourse\n  2  (old-fashioned) communication and exchange between people, countries, etc:\nthe importance of social intercourse between different age groups


Words: interdenominational
Meaning:
adjective\nshared by different religious groups (= different DENOMINATIONS):\nan interdenominational school


Words: interdepartmental
Meaning:
adjective\nbetween departments; involving more than one department:\ninterdepartmental committees / meetings / rivalry


Words: interdependent
Meaning:
adjective\nthat depend on each other; consisting of parts that depend on each other:\ninterdependent economies / organizations / relationships * The world is becoming increasingly interdependent.\n    interdependence  (also less frequent interdependency plural interdependencies) noun [U, C]


Words: interdict
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (law) an official order from a court of law that orders you not to do sth:\nThey are trying to get an interim interdict to stop construction of the road.\n  2  (technical) (in the Roman Catholic Church) an order forbidding sb to take part in church services, etc.


Words: interdiction
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal, especially AmE) the act of stopping sth that is being transported from one place from reaching another place, especially by using force:\nthe Customs Service’s drug interdiction programs


Words: interdisciplinary
Meaning:
adjective\ninvolving different areas of knowledge or study:\ninterdisciplinary research * an interdisciplinary approach


Words: interest
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  wanting to know more\n  1  [sing., U] ~ (in sb/sth) the feeling that you have when you want to know or learn more about sb/sth:\nto feel / have / show / express (an) interest in sth * Do your parents take an interest in your friends? * By that time I had lost (all) interest in the idea. * I watched with interest. * As a matter of interest, (= I’d like to know) what time did the party finish? * Just out of interest, how much did it cost?\ncompare DISINTEREST\n  attraction\n  2  [U] the quality that sth has when it attracts sb’s attention or makes them want to know more about it:\nThere are many places of interest around Oxford. * The subject is of no interest to me at all. * These plants will add interest to your garden in winter. * This museum holds particular interest for geologists.\nsee also HUMAN INTEREST\n  hobby\n  3  [C] an activity or a subject that you enjoy and that you spend your free time doing or studying:\nHer main interests are music and tennis. * He was a man of wide interests outside his work.\ncompare HOBBY\n  money\n  4  [U] ~ (on sth) (finance) the extra money that you pay back when you borrow money or that you receive when you invest money:\nto pay interest on a loan * The money was repaid with interest. * interest charges / payments * Interest rates have risen by 1%. * high rates of interest\nsee also COMPOUND INTEREST, SIMPLE INTEREST\n  advantage\n  5  [C, usually pl., U] a good result or an advantage for sb/sth:\nto promote / protect / safeguard sb’s interests * She was acting entirely in her own interests. * These reforms were in the best interests of local government. * It is in the public interest that these facts are made known.\nsee also SELF-INTEREST\n  share in business\n  6  [C, usually pl.] ~ (in sth) a share in a business or company and its profits:\nShe has business interests in France. * American interests in Europe (= money invested in European countries)\nsee also CONTROLLING INTEREST\n  connection\n  7  [C, U] ~ (in sth) a connection with sth which affects your attitude to it, especially because you may benefit from it in some way:\nI should, at this point, declare my interest. * Organizations have an interest in ensuring that employee motivation is high.\ncompare DISINTEREST\nsee also VESTED INTEREST\n  group of people\n  8  [C, usually pl.] a group of people who are in the same business or who share the same aims which they want to protect:\npowerful farming interests * relationships between local government and business interests * the activities of special interest groups\n IDIOMS \n  have sb’s interests at heart to want sb to be happy and successful even though your actions may not show this\n  in the interest(s) of sth in order to help or achieve sth:\nIn the interest(s) of safety, smoking is forbidden.\n  to do sth (back) with interest to do the same thing to sb as they have done to you, but with more force, enthusiasm, etc.\nmore at CONFLICT n.\n    verb ~ sb / yourself (in sth) to attract your attention and make you feel interested; to make yourself give your attention to sth:\n[VN] Politics doesn’t interest me. * She has always interested herself in charity work. * The museum has something to interest everyone, young and old. * [VN to inf] It may interest you to know that Andy didn’t accept the job.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  interest sb in sth to persuade sb to buy, do or eat sth:\nCould I interest you in this model, Sir?


Words: interest group
Meaning:
noun\na group of people who work together to achieve sth that they are particularly interested in, especially by putting pressure on the government, etc.


Words: interest-free
Meaning:
adjective\nwith no interest charged on money borrowed:\nan interest-free loan * interest-free credit


Words: interested
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (in sth/sb) | ~ (in doing sth) | ~ (to do sth) giving your attention to sth because you enjoy finding out about it or doing it; showing interest in sth and finding it exciting:\nI’m very interested in history. * Anyone interested in joining the club should contact us at the address below. * We would be interested to hear your views on this subject. * an interested audience / reader * She was watching with a politely interested expression on her face. * There’s a talk on Italian art-are you interested (= would you like to go)? * He sounded genuinely interested.\n  2  in a position to gain from a situation or be affected by it:\nAs an interested party, I was not allowed to vote. * Interested groups will be given three months to give their views on the new development. * There were representatives of all the interested parties at the public meeting.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \ninterested / interesting / uninterested / disinterested / uninteresting\nThe opposite of interested is uninterested or not interested: He is completely uninterested in politics. * I am not really interested in politics.\nDisinterested means that you can be fair in judging a situation because you do not feel personally involved in it: A solicitor can give you disinterested advice. However, in speech it is sometimes used instead of uninterested, although this is thought to be incorrect.\nThe opposite of interesting can be uninteresting: The food was dull and uninteresting. It is more common to use a different word such as dull or boring.\n______________________________


Words: interesting
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to do sth) | ~ (that ...) attracting your attention because it is special, exciting or unusual:\nan interesting question / point / example * interesting people / places / work * It would be interesting to know what he really believed. * I find it interesting that she claims not to know him. * Can’t we do something more interesting? * Her account makes interesting reading. * It is particularly interesting to compare the two versions. * Our survey produced some interesting results.\n    interestingly adverb:\nInterestingly, there are very few recorded cases of such attacks.


Words: interface
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (computing) the way a computer program presents information to a user or receives information from a user, in particular the LAYOUT of the screen and the MENUS:\nthe user interface\n  2  (computing) an electrical CIRCUIT, connection or program that joins one device or system to another:\nthe interface between computer and printer\n  3  ~ (between A and B) (written) the point where two subjects, systems, etc. meet and affect each other:\nthe interface between manufacturing and sales\n    verb ~ (sth) (with sth) | ~ A and B (computing) to be connected with sth using an interface; to connect sth in this way: [V] The new system interfaces with existing telephone equipment. [also VN]


Words: interfere
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ (in sth) to get involved in and try to influence a situation that does not concern you, in a way that annoys other people:\nI wish my mother would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. * The police are very unwilling to interfere in family problems.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  interfere with sb (BrE) to touch a child in a sexual way\n  interfere with sth\n1 to prevent sth from succeeding or from being done or happening as planned:\nShe never allows her personal feelings to interfere with her work.\n2 to touch, use or change sth, especially a piece of equipment, so that it is damaged or no longer works correctly:\nI’d get fired if he found out I’d been interfering with his records.


Words: interference
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  ~ (in sth) the act of interfering:\nThey resent foreign interference in the internal affairs of their country. * political interference in legal proceedings\n  2  interruption of a radio signal by another signal on a similar WAVELENGTH, causing extra noise that is not wanted


Words: interfering
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (disapproving) involving yourself in an annoying way in other people’s private lives:\nShe’s an interfering busybody!


Words: interferon
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (biology) a substance produced by the body to prevent harmful VIRUSES from causing disease


Words: intergalactic
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] existing or happening between GALAXIES of stars:\nintergalactic space / travel


Words: intergovernmental
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] concerning the governments of two or more countries:\nan intergovernmental conference


Words: interim
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  intended to last for only a short time until sb/sth more permanent is found:\nan interim government / measure / report * The vice-president took power in the interim period before the election. * He only holds the post on an interim basis.\n  2  (finance) calculated before the final results of sth are known \nSYN PROVISIONAL:\ninterim figures / profits / results\n    noun\n IDIOMS \n  in the interim during the period of time between two events; until a particular event happens:\nDespite everything that had happened in the interim, they had remained good friends. * Her new job does not start until May and she will continue in the old job in the interim.


Words: interior
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] the inside part of sth:\nthe interior of a building / a car\nOPP EXTERIOR\n  2  (the interior) [sing.] the central part of a country or continent that is a long way from the coast:\nan expedition into the interior of Australia\n  3  (the Interior) [sing.] a country’s own affairs rather than those that involve other countries:\nthe Department / Minister of the Interior\n    adjective [only before noun] connected with the inside part of sth:\ninterior walls / doors\nOPP EXTERIOR


Words: interior decorator
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job is to design and/or decorate a room or the inside of a house, etc. with paint, paper, fabrics and carpets\n    interior decoration noun [U]:\nan interior decoration scheme * We did all the interior decoration ourselves.


Words: interior design
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the art or job of choosing the paint, carpets, furniture, etc. to decorate the inside of a house\n    interior designer noun


Words: interject
Meaning:
verb\n(written) to interrupt what sb is saying with your opinion or a remark:\n[V speech] ’You’re wrong,’ interjected Susan. [also VN, V]


Words: interjection
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) a short sound, word or phrase spoken suddenly to express an emotion. Oh!, Look out! and Ow! are interjections.\nSYN EXCLAMATION


Words: interlace
Meaning:
verb\n~ (sth) (with sth) (written) to weave things together by twisting them over and under each other; to be woven together in this way:\n[V] interlacing branches * [VN] Her hair was interlaced with ribbons and flowers.


Words: interlink
Meaning:
verb\n~ (sth) (with sth) to connect things; to be connected with other things: [VN] [usually passive] The two processes are interlinked. * [V] a series of short interlinking stories


Words: interlock
Meaning:
verb\n~ (sth) (with sth) to fit or be fastened firmly together:\n[V] interlocking shapes / systems / pieces * The US space shuttle will interlock with the Russian space station later today. [also VN]


Words: interlocutor
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  a person taking part in a conversation with you\n  2  a person or an organization that talks to another person or organization on behalf of sb else


Words: interloper
Meaning:
noun\na person who is present in a place or a situation where they do not belong \nSYN INTRUDER:\nShe felt like an interloper in her own family.


Words: interlude
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a period of time between two events during which sth different happens:\na romantic interlude (= a short romantic relationship) * Apart from a brief interlude of peace, the war lasted nine years.\n  2  a short period of time between the parts of a play, film/movie, etc:\nThere will now be a short interlude.\n  3  a short piece of music or a talk, etc. that fills this period of time:\na musical interlude -> BREAK


Words: intermarry
Meaning:
verb (intermarries, intermarrying, intermarried, intermarried) [V] \n  1  to marry sb of a different race or from a different country or a different religious group:\nBlacks and whites often intermarried (= married each other). * They were not forbidden to intermarry with the local people.\n  2  to marry sb within your own family or group:\ncousins who intermarry\n    intermarriage  noun [U, C]:\nintermarriage between blacks and whites


Words: intermediary
Meaning:
noun\n(plural intermediaries) ~ (between A and B) a person or an organization that helps other people or organizations to make an agreement by being a means of communication between them \nSYN MEDIATOR, GO-BETWEEN:\nFinancial institutions act as intermediaries between lenders and borrowers. * All talks have so far been conducted through an intermediary.\n    intermediary adjective [only before noun]:\nto play an intermediary role in the dispute


Words: intermediate
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] ~ (between A and B) situated between two places, things, states, etc:\nan intermediate stage / step in a process * Liquid crystals are considered to be intermediate between liquid and solid.\n  2  having more than a basic knowledge of sth but not yet advanced; suitable for sb who is at this level:\nan intermediate skier / student * an intermediate coursebook * pre- / upper-intermediate classes\n    noun a person who is learning sth and who has more than a basic knowledge of it but is not yet advanced


Words: intermediate technology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] technology that is suitable for use in developing countries as it is cheap and simple and can use local materials


Words: interminable
Meaning:
adjective\nlasting a very long time and therefore boring or annoying \nSYN ENDLESS:\nan interminable speech / wait / discussion * The drive seemed interminable.\n    interminably  adverb:\nThe meeting dragged on interminably.


Words: intermingle
Meaning:
verb\n~ (A) (with B) | ~ A and B (written) to mix people, ideas, colours, etc. together; to be mixed in this way:\n[VN] The book intermingles fact with fiction. * The book intermingles fact and fiction. * [V] tourists and local people intermingling in the market square


Words: intermission
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  (especially AmE) a short period of time between the parts of a play, film/movie, etc:\nWine was served during the intermission. * (AmE) After intermission, the second band played.\n HELP NOTE  This meaning is only [U] in AmE. -> BREAK\n  2  a period of time during which sth stops before continuing again:\nThis state of affairs lasted without intermission for a hundred years.


Words: intermittent
Meaning:
adjective\nstopping and starting often over a period of time, but not regularly\nSYN SPORADIC:\nintermittent bursts of applause * intermittent rain / showers\n    intermittently adverb:\nProtests continued intermittently throughout November.


Words: intermix
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ (sth) (with sth) to mix things together; to be mixed together:\nGrass fields were intermixed with areas of woodland. [also V]


Words: intern
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  [VN] [often passive] ~ sb (in sth) to put sb in prison during a war or for political reasons, although they have not been charged with a crime\nsee also INTERNEE\n    internment  noun [U]:\nthe internment of suspected terrorists * internment camps\n    noun (also interne)  (AmE)\n  1  an advanced student of medicine, whose training is nearly finished and who is working in a hospital to get further practical experience:\nInterns and residents at the hospital are working 12-hour shifts.\ncompare HOUSE OFFICER\n  2  a student or new GRADUATE who is getting practical experience in a job, for example during the summer holiday/vacation:\na summer intern at a law firm\n    internship noun:\nan internship at a television station\ncompare WORK EXPERIENCE


Words: internal
Meaning:
adjective\n \n  1  [only before noun] connected with the inside of sth:\nthe internal structure of a building * internal doors / fittings\nOPP EXTERNAL\n \n  2  [only before noun] connected with the inside of your body:\ninternal organs / injuries * The medicine is not for internal use.\nOPP EXTERNAL\n \n  3  [usually before noun] involving or concerning only the people who are part of a particular organization rather than people from outside it:\nan internal audit / inquiry * the internal workings of government * internal divisions within the company\nOPP EXTERNAL\n  4  [only before noun] connected with a country’s own affairs rather than those that involve other countries \nSYN DOMESTIC:\ninternal affairs / trade / markets * an internal flight (= within a country)\nOPP EXTERNAL\n  5  coming from within a thing itself rather than from outside it:\na theory which lacks internal consistency (= whose parts are not consistent) * Some photos contain internal evidence (= fashions, transport, etc.) that may help to date them.\n  6  happening or existing in your mind \nSYN INNER:\ninternal rage\n    internally  adverb:\ninternally connected rooms * The new posts were only advertised internally.


Words: internalize
Meaning:
(BrE also internalise)  verb\n[VN] (technical) to make a feeling, an attitude, or a belief part of the way you think and behave:\nMinority groups tend to internalize the values of the dominant society.\ncompare EXTERNALIZE\n    internalization, internalisation  noun [U]


Words: international
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [usually before noun] connected with or involving two or more countries:\ninternational trade / law / sport * an international airport / school / company * international relations * a pianist with an international reputation\n    internationally  adverb:\ninternationally famous\n    noun (BrE)\n  1  a sports competition involving teams from two countries:\nthe France-Scotland rugby international\n  2  a player who takes part in a sports competition against another country:\na former swimming international


Words: internationalism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the belief that countries should work together in a friendly way\n    internationalist  noun, adjective


Words: internationalize
Meaning:
(BrE also internationalise)  verb\n[VN] to bring sth under the control or protection of many nations; to make sth international:\nLarger manufacturers have been encouraged to internationalize their operations.\n    internationalization, internationalisation  noun [U]


Words: internecine
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (formal) happening between members of the same group, country or organization:\ninternecine struggles / warfare / feuds


Words: internee
Meaning:
noun\na person who is put in prison for political reasons, usually without a trial (= who is INTERNED)


Words: Internet
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the Internet) (also informal the Net) [sing.] an international computer NETWORK connecting other NETWORKS and computers from companies, universities, etc:\nI got the information from the Internet. * Internet service providers\nsee also INTRANET, WWW


Words: internist
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) a doctor who is a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the organs inside the body and who does not usually do medical operations


Words: interpenetrate
Meaning:
verb\n[V, VN] (formal) to spread completely through sth or from one thing to another in each direction\n    interpenetration  noun [U, C]:\nthe increasing interpenetration of the public and private sectors


Words: interplay
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] ~ (of / between A and B) (formal) the way in which two or more things or people affect each other \nSYN INTERACTION:\nthe interplay between politics and the environment * the subtle interplay of colours


Words: Interpol
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.+sing./pl. v.] an international organization that enables the police forces of different countries to help each other to solve crimes


Words: interpolate
Meaning:
verb (formal)\n  1  to make a remark that interrupts a conversation:\n[V speech] ’But why?’ he interpolated. [also VN]\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (into sth) to add sth to a piece of writing:\nThe lines were interpolated into the manuscript at a later date.\n    interpolation  noun [U, C]


Words: interpose
Meaning:
verb (formal)\n  1  to add a question or remark into a conversation:\n[V speech] ’Just a minute,’ Charles interposed. ’How do you know?’ [also VN]\n  2  [VN] ~ sb/sth (between A and B) to place sth between two people or things:\nHe quickly interposed himself between Mel and the doorway.


Words: interpret
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to explain the meaning of sth:\nThe students were asked to interpret the poem.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (as sth) to decide that sth has a particular meaning and to understand it in this way:\nI didn’t know whether to interpret her silence as acceptance or refusal. * The data can be interpreted in many different ways.\ncompare MISINTERPRET\n  3  [V] ~ (for sb) to translate one language into another as you hear it:\nShe couldn’t speak much English so her children had to interpret for her.\n  4  [VN] to perform a piece of music, a role in a play, etc. in a way that shows your feelings about its meaning:\nHe interpreted the role with a lot of humour.\n    interpretable  adjective:\ninterpretable data


Words: interpretation
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  the particular way in which sth is understood or explained:\nHer evidence suggests a different interpretation of the events leading to his death. * It is not possible for everyone to put their own interpretation on the law. * Dreams are open to interpretation (= they can be explained in different ways).\n  2  the particular way in which sb chooses to perform a piece of music, a role in a play, etc:\na modern interpretation of ’King Lear’


Words: interpretative
Meaning:
especially in AmE) adjective\n[usually before noun] connected with the particular way in which sth is understood, explained or performed; providing an interpretation:\nan interpretative problem * an interpretative exhibition


Words: interpreter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person whose job is to translate what sb is saying into another language:\nSpeaking through an interpreter, the President said that the talks were going well. * a sign language interpreter (= a person who translates what sb is saying into sign language for deaf people)\ncompare TRANSLATOR\n  2  a person who performs a piece of music or a role in a play in a way that clearly shows their ideas about its meaning:\nShe was considered one of the finest interpreters of Debussy’s music.\n  3  (computing) a computer program that changes the instructions of another program into a form that the computer can understand and use


Words: interregnum
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (plural interregnums) (formal) a period of time during which a country, an organization, etc. does not have a leader and is waiting for a new one


Words: interrelate
Meaning:
verb\n(written) if two or more things interrelate, or if they are interrelated, they are closely connected and they affect each other:\n[V] a discussion of how the mind and body interrelate * a discussion of how the mind interrelates with the body [also VN]\n    interrelated adjective:\na number of interrelated problems * the belief that the mind is closely interrelated with the body


Words: interrelationship
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] ~ (of / between A and B) the way in which two or more things or people are connected and affect each other


Words: interrogate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to ask sb a lot of questions over a long period of time, especially in an aggressive way:\nHe was interrogated by the police for over 12 hours.\n  2  (technical) to obtain information from a computer or other machine\n    interrogation  noun [U, C]:\nHe confessed after four days under interrogation. * She hated her parents’ endless interrogations about where she’d been.\n    interrogator noun:\nHis interrogators finally forced him to confess.


Words: interrogative
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  (formal) asking a question; in the form of a question:\nan interrogative gesture / remark / sentence\n  2  (grammar) used in questions:\ninterrogative pronouns / determiners / adverbs (for example, who, which and why)\n    interrogatively adverb \n    noun (grammar) a question word, especially a pronoun or a DETERMINER such as who or which


Words: interrupt
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (sb/sth) (with sth) to say or do sth that makes sb stop what they are saying or doing:\n[V] Sorry to interrupt, but there’s someone to see you. * Would you mind not interrupting all the time? * [VN] I hope I’m not interrupting you. * They were interrupted by a knock at the door. [also V speech, VN speech]\n  2  [VN] to stop the continuous progress of sth for a short time:\nThe game was interrupted several times by rain. * We interrupt this programme to bring you an important news bulletin.\n  3  [VN] to stop a line, surface, view, etc. from being even or continuous


Words: interruption
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  something that temporarily stops an activity or a situation; a time when an activity is stopped:\nThe birth of her son was a minor interruption to her career. * an interruption to the power supply * I managed to work for two hours without interruption.\n  2  the act of interrupting sb/sth and of stopping them from speaking:\nHe ignored her interruptions. * She spoke for 20 minutes without interruption.


Words: intersect
Meaning:
verb\n  1  (of lines, roads, etc.) to meet or cross each other:\n[V] a pattern of intersecting streets * The lines intersect at right angles. * The path intersected with a busy road. [also VN]\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (with sth) to divide an area by crossing it:\nThe landscape is intersected with spectacular gorges.


Words: intersection
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a place where two or more roads, lines, etc. meet or cross each other:\nTraffic lights have been placed at all major intersections.\n  2  [U] the act of intersecting sth


Words: intersperse
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (written) to put sth in sth else or among or between other things:\nLectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations.


Words: interstate
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] between states, especially in the US:\ninterstate commerce\n    noun (also interstate highway) (in the US) a large road between states:\nGet on the interstate leading toward Miami.


Words: interstellar
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] between the stars in the sky:\ninterstellar space / matter\ncompare STELLAR


Words: intertwine
Meaning:
verb [usually passive]\n  1  if two or more things intertwine or are intertwined, they are twisted together so that they are very difficult to separate:\n[VN] a necklace of rubies intertwined with pearls * [V] intertwining branches\n  2  to be or become very closely connected with sth/sb else: [VN] [usually passive] Their political careers had become closely intertwined. [also V]


Words: interval
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a period of time between two events:\nThe interval between major earthquakes might be 200 years. * He knocked on the door and after a brief interval it was opened.\n  2  (BrE) (also intermission AmE, BrE) a short period of time separating parts of a play, film/movie or concert:\nThere will be an interval of 20 minutes after the second act. -> BREAK\n  3  [usually pl.] a short period during which sth different happens from what is happening the rest of the time:\nShe’s delirious, but has lucid intervals. * (BrE) The day should be mainly dry with sunny intervals.\n  4  (music) a difference in PITCH (= how high or low a note sounds) between two notes:\nan interval of one octave\n IDIOMS \n  at ( ...) intervals\n1 with time between:\nBuses to the city leave at regular intervals. * The runners started at 5-minute intervals.\n2 with spaces between:\nFlaming torches were positioned at intervals along the terrace.


Words: intervene
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V] ~ (in sth) to become involved in a situation in order to improve or help it:\nThe President intervened personally in the crisis. * She might have been killed if the neighbours hadn’t intervened.\n  2  to interrupt sb when they are speaking in order to say sth:\n[V speech] ’But,’ she intervened, ’what about the others?’ [also V]\n  3  [V] to happen in a way that delays sth or prevents it from happening:\nThey were planning to get married and then the war intervened.\n  4  [V] (formal) to exist between two events or places:\nI saw nothing of her during the years that intervened.\n    intervention  noun [U, C] ~ (in sth):\ncalls for government intervention to save the steel industry * armed / military intervention * People resented his repeated interventions in the debate.


Words: interventionism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the policy or practice of a government influencing the economy of its own country, or of becoming involved in the affairs of other countries\n    interventionist  adjective, noun:\ninterventionist policies


Words: interview
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  ~ (for a job, etc.) a formal meeting at which sb is asked questions to see if they are suitable for a particular job, or for a course of study at a college, university, etc:\na job interview * to be called for (an) interview * He has an interview next week for the manager’s job.\n  2  ~ (with sb) a meeting (often a public one) at which a journalist asks sb questions in order to find out their opinions:\na television / radio / newspaper interview * an interview with the new Governor * to give an interview (= to agree to answer questions) * Yesterday, in an interview on German television, the minister denied the reports. * to conduct an interview (= to ask sb questions in public) * The interview was published in all the papers.\n  3  ~ (with sb) a private meeting between people when questions are asked and answered:\nan interview with the careers adviser * Interviews and questionnaires are the most important tools in market research.\n    verb\n  1  ~ sb (for a job, etc.) to talk to sb and ask them questions at a formal meeting to find out if they are suitable for a job, course of study, etc:\n[VN] Which post are you being interviewed for? * We interviewed ten people for the job. [also V]\n  2  [VN] ~ sb (about sth) to ask sb questions about their life, opinions, etc., especially on the radio or television or for a newspaper or magazine:\nNext week, I will be interviewing Spielberg about his latest movie. * The Prime Minister declined to be interviewed.\n  3  [VN] ~ sb (about sth) to ask sb questions at a private meeting:\nThe police are waiting to interview the injured man.\n    interviewing noun [U]:\nThe research involves in-depth interviewing. * interviewing skills / techniques


Words: interviewer
Meaning:
noun\nthe person who asks the questions in an interview:\nThe interviewer made the candidates feel relaxed.


Words: interwar
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] happening or existing between the First and the Second World Wars:\nthe interwar years / period


Words: interweave
Meaning:
verb\n(interwove ) [usually passive] to weave together two or more pieces of thread, wool, etc:\n[VN] The blue fabric was interwoven with red and gold thread. * (figurative) The problems are inextricably interwoven (= very closely connected). [also V]


Words: intestate
Meaning:
adjective\n(law) not having made a WILL (= a legal document that says what is to happen to a person’s property when they die)\n    intestacy  noun [U]:\nthe law of intestacy


Words: intestine
Meaning:
noun\n[often pl.] a long tube in the body between the stomach and the ANUS. Food passes from the stomach to the small intestine and from there to the large intestine.\n \n    intestinal  adjective [usually before noun]


Words: intimacy
Meaning:
noun (plural intimacies)\n  1  [U] the state of having a close personal relationship with sb:\nThe old intimacy between them had gone for ever.\n  2  [C, usually pl.] a thing that a person says or does to sb that they know very well\n  3  [U] (formal or law) sexual activity, especially an act of SEXUAL INTERCOURSE


Words: intimate
Meaning:
adjective, verb, noun \n    adjective \n  1  (of people) having a close and friendly relationship:\nintimate friends * We’re not on intimate terms with our neighbours.\n  2  private and personal, often in a sexual way:\nThe article revealed intimate details about his family life. * the most intimate parts of her body\n  3  (of a place or situation) encouraging close, friendly relationships, sometimes of a sexual nature:\nan intimate restaurant / dinner / conversation * He knew an intimate little bar where they would not be disturbed.\n  4  (of knowledge) very detailed and thorough:\nan intimate knowledge of the English countryside\n  5  (of a link between things) very close:\nan intimate connection between class and educational success\n  6  ~ (with sb) (formal or law) having a sexual relationship with sb\n    intimately adverb:\nintimately connected / linked / related * an area of the country that he knew intimately * She was intimately involved in the project. * They touched each other intimately (= in a sexual way).\n    verb  ~ sth (to sb) (formal) to let sb know what you think or mean in an indirect way: [VN] He has already intimated to us his intention to retire. * [V (that)] He has already intimated (that) he intends to retire.\n    noun  (formal) a close personal friend:\nHe was a wartime minister and intimate of Churchill.


Words: intimation
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (formal) the act of stating sth or of making it known, especially in an indirect way:\nThere was no intimation from his doctor that his condition was serious.


Words: intimidate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sb (into sth / into doing sth) to frighten or threaten sb so that they will do what you want:\nThey were accused of intimidating people into voting for them. * She refused to be intimidated by their threats.\n    intimidation  noun [U]:\nthe intimidation of witnesses


Words: intimidated
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] feeling frightened and not confident in a particular situation:\nWe try to make sure children don’t feel intimidated on their first day at school.


Words: intimidating
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (for / to sb) frightening in a way which makes a person feel less confident:\nan intimidating manner * This kind of questioning can be very intimidating to children.


Words: intimidatory
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) intended to frighten or threaten sb:\nintimidatory tactics * intimidatory interrogation techniques


Words: into
Meaning:
preposition\n HELP NOTE  For the special uses of into in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example lay into sb/sth is in the phrasal verb section at lay.\n  1  to a position in or inside sth:\nCome into the house. * She dived into the water. * He threw the letter into the fire. * (figurative) She turned and walked off into the night.\n  2  in the direction of sth:\nSpeak clearly into the microphone. * Driving into the sun, we had to shade our eyes.\n  3  to a point at which you hit sb/sth:\nThe truck crashed into a parked car.\n  4  to a point during a period of time:\nShe carried on working late into the night. * He didn’t get married until he was well into his forties.\n  5  used to show a change in state:\nThe fruit can be made into jam. * Can you translate this passage into German? * They came into power in 1997. * She was sliding into depression.\n  6  used to show the result of an action:\nHe was shocked into a confession of guilt.\n  7  about or concerning sth:\nan inquiry into safety procedures\n  8  used when you are dividing numbers:\n3 into 24 is 8.\n IDIOMS \n  be into sth (informal) to be interested in sth in an active way:\nHe’s into surfing in a big way.


Words: intolerable
Meaning:
adjective\nso bad or difficult that you cannot TOLERATE it; completely unacceptable\nSYN UNBEARABLE:\nan intolerable burden / situation * The heat was intolerable. * Her behaviour has become intolerable.\n    intolerably  adverb:\nintolerably hot


Words: intolerant
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (of sb/sth) (disapproving) not willing to accept ideas or ways of behaving that are different from your own\nOPP TOLERANT:\nShe was intolerant of others who were less efficient than her.\n  2  ~ (of sth) (technical) not able to eat particular foods, use particular medicines, etc.\n    intolerance  noun [U]:\nreligious intolerance * food allergy and intolerance


Words: intonation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] (phonetics) the rise and fall of the voice in speaking, especially as this affects the meaning of what is being said:\nintonation patterns * In English, some questions have a rising intonation. * Her voice was low with a faint regional intonation.\ncompare STRESS\n  2  [U] (music) the quality of playing or singing exactly in tune:\nThe violin’s intonation was poor.


Words: intone
Meaning:
verb\n(formal) to say sth in a slow and serious voice without much expression:\n[VN] The priest intoned the final prayer. [also V speech]


Words: intoxicant
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a substance such as alcohol that produces false feelings of pleasure and a lack of control


Words: intoxicated
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  under the influence of alcohol or drugs: (AmE) He was arrested for DWI (= driving while intoxicated).\n  2  ~ (by / with sth) very excited by sth, so that you cannot think clearly:\nintoxicated with power / success\n    intoxicate verb [VN]


Words: intoxicating
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of drink) containing alcohol\n  2  making you feel excited so that you cannot think clearly:\nPower can be intoxicating.\n    intoxication  noun [U]


Words: intra-
Meaning:
prefix\n(in adjectives and adverbs) inside; within:\nintravenous * intra-departmental (= within a department)\ncompare INTER-


Words: intractable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) (of a problem or a person) very difficult to deal with:\nUnemployment was proving to be an intractable problem.\nOPP TRACTABLE\n    intractability  noun [U]


Words: intramural
Meaning:
adjective\ntaking place within a single institution, especially a school or college:\nJeff played intramural basketball in high school.


Words: Intranet
Meaning:
noun\n(computing) a computer NETWORK that is private to a company, university, etc. but is connected to and uses the same SOFTWARE as the Internet


Words: intransigent
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, disapproving) (of people) unwilling to change their opinions or behaviour in a way that would be helpful to others \nSYN STUBBORN:\nan intransigent attitude\n    intransigence  noun [U]


Words: intransitive
Meaning:
adjective\n(grammar) (of verbs) used without a DIRECT OBJECT; not TRANSITIVE:\nThe verb ’die’ as in ’He died suddenly’, is intransitive.\n    intransitively adverb:\nThe verb is being used intransitively.


Words: intravenous
Meaning:
adjective\n(abbreviation IV) (medical) (of drugs or food) going into a VEIN:\nintravenous fluids * an intravenous injection * an intravenous drug user\n    intravenously adverb:\ndrugs injected intravenously * to feed sb intravenously


Words: intrepid
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, often humorous) very brave; not afraid of danger or difficulties:\nan intrepid explorer


Words: intricacy
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (intricacies) [pl.] the ~ of sth the complicated parts or details of sth:\nthe intricacies of economic policy\n  2  [U] the fact of having complicated parts, details or patterns:\nthe intricacy of the design * a filigree bracelet of wonderful intricacy


Words: intricate
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving a lot of different parts and small details that fit together:\nintricate patterns / designs / structures * an intricate network of loyalties and relationships\n    intricately  adverb:\nintricately carved / decorated / patterned


Words: intrigue
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb \n  1  [often passive] to make sb very interested and want to know more about sth:\n[VN] The idea intrigued her. * You’ve really intrigued me-tell me more! [also VN that]\n  2  [V] ~ (with sb) (against sb) (formal) to secretly plan with other people to harm sb\n    noun \n  1  [U] the activity of making secret plans in order to achieve an aim, often by deceiving people:\npolitical intrigue * The young heroine steps into a web of intrigue in the academic world.\n  2  [C] a secret plan or relationship, especially one which involves sb else being deceived:\nI soon learnt about all the intrigues and scandals that went on in the little town. * Sexual intrigues were almost part of the culture of high politics.\n  3  [U] the atmosphere of interest and excitement that surrounds sth secret or important:\nNorth was a man who added to the intrigue of meetings.


Words: intrigued
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] ~ (to do sth) very interested in sth/sb and wanting to know more about it/them:\nHe was intrigued by her story. * I’m intrigued to know what you thought of the movie.


Words: intriguing
Meaning:
adjective\nvery interesting because of being unusual or not having an obvious answer:\nThese discoveries raise intriguing questions. * an intriguing story / possibility * He found her intriguing.\n    intriguingly adverb:\nThe book is intriguingly titled, ’The Revenge of the Goldfish’.


Words: intrinsic
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sth) belonging to or part of the real nature of sth/sb:\nthe intrinsic value of education * These tasks were repetitive, lengthy and lacking any intrinsic interest. * Small local shops are intrinsic to the town’s character.\ncompare EXTRINSIC\n    intrinsically  adverb:\nThere is nothing intrinsically wrong with the idea (= it is good in itself but there may be outside circumstances which mean it is not suitable).


Words: introduce
Meaning:
verb [VN]\n  people\n  1  ~ A (to B) | ~ A and B | ~ yourself (to sb) to tell two or more people who have not met before what each others’ names are; to tell sb what your name is:\nCan I introduce my wife? * He introduced me to a Greek girl at the party. * We’ve already been introduced. * She was introduced to me as a well-known novelist. * Can I introduce myself? I’m Helen Robins. * ’Kay, this is Steve.’ ’Yes, I know-we’ve already introduced ourselves.’\n  tv / radio show\n  2  to be the main speaker in a television or radio show, who gives details about the show and who presents the people who are in it; to tell the audience the name of the person who is going to speak or perform:\nThe next programme will be introduced by Mary David. * May I introduce my first guest on the show tonight ...\n  new experience\n  3  ~ sb to sth | ~ sth (to sb) to make sb learn about sth or do sth for the first time:\nThe first lecture introduces students to the main topics of the course. * It was she who first introduced the pleasures of sailing to me. * He was first introduced to drugs by his elder brother.\n  new product / law\n  4  ~ sth (into / to sth) to make sth available for use, discussion, etc. for the first time\nSYN BRING IN:\nThe company is introducing a new range of products this year. * The new law was introduced in 1991. * We want to introduce the latest technology into schools.\n  plant / animal / disease\n  5  ~ sth (to / into sth) to bring a plant, an animal or a disease to a place for the first time:\nVegetation patterns changed when goats were introduced to the island.\n  start\n  6  to be the start of sth new:\nBands like ’James’ introduced the craze for indie music. * A slow theme introduces the first movement.\n  in parliament\n  7  to formally present a new law so that it can be discussed:\nto introduce a bill (before Parliament)\n  add\n  8  ~ sth (into sth) (formal) to put sth into sth:\nParticles of glass had been introduced into the baby food.


Words: introduction
Meaning:
noun\n  bringing into use / to a place\n  1  [U] the act of bringing sth into use or existence for the first time, or of bringing sth to a place for the first time:\nthe introduction of new manufacturing methods * the introduction of compulsory military service * the 1 000th anniversary of the introduction of Christianity to Russia\n  2  [C] a thing that is brought into use or introduced to a place for the first time:\nThe book lists plants suitable for the British flower garden, among them many new introductions.\n  of people\n  3  [C] ~ (to sb) the act of making one person formally known to another, in which you tell each the other’s name:\nIntroductions were made and the conversation started to flow. * Our speaker today needs no introduction (= is already well known). * a letter of introduction (= a letter which tells sb who you are, written by sb who knows both you and the person reading the letter)\n  first experience\n  4  [sing.] ~ (to sth) a person’s first experience of sth:\nThis album was my first introduction to modern jazz.\n  of book / speech\n  5  [C, U] ~ (to sth) the first part of a book or speech that gives a general idea of what is to follow:\na brief / general introduction * a book with an excellent introduction and notes * By way of introduction, let me give you the background to the story.\ncompare PREFACE\n  to subject\n  6  [C] ~ (to sth) a book or course for people beginning to study a subject:\n’An Introduction to Astronomy’ * It’s a useful introduction to an extremely complex subject.\n  in music\n  7  [C] (music) a short section at the beginning of a piece of music:\nan eight-bar introduction


Words: introductory
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  written or said at the beginning of sth as an introduction to what follows:\nintroductory chapters / paragraphs / remarks\n  2  intended as an introduction to a subject or an activity for people who have never done it before:\nintroductory courses / lectures * The booklist at the end of the chapter contains some introductory reading on the subject.\n  3  offered for a short time only, when a product is first on sale:\na special introductory price of just ｣1.99 * This introductory offer is for three days only.


Words: introspection
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the careful examination of your own thoughts, feelings and reasons for behaving in a particular way:\nThese situations are best resolved with the minimum of introspection or self-analysis.


Words: introspective
Meaning:
adjective\ntending to think a lot about your own thoughts, feelings, etc:\nThere were a lot of family problems and Jim became increasingly introspective. * an introspective piece of writing


Words: introvert
Meaning:
noun\na quiet person who is more interested in their own thoughts and feelings than in spending time with other people:\nHe was described as an introvert, a reserved man who spoke little.\nOPP EXTROVERT\n    introversion  noun [U]:\nSome people claim that an individual’s degree of extroversion or introversion is inherited.


Words: introverted
Meaning:
(also introvert) adjective\nmore interested in your own thoughts and feelings than in spending time with other people:\nHis teachers perceived him as shy and introverted. * She was as naturally extroverted as Paul was painfully introverted.\nOPP EXTROVERT


Words: intrude
Meaning:
verb [V] \n  1  ~ (into / on / upon sb/sth) to go or be somewhere where you are not wanted or are not supposed to be:\nI’m sorry to intrude, but I need to talk to someone. * legislation to stop newspapers from intruding on people’s private lives\n  2  ~ (on / into upon sth) to disturb sth or have an unpleasant effect on it:\nThe sound of the telephone intruded into his dreams.


Words: intruder
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who enters a building or an area illegally:\nThe intruder fired at least one more shot at the guard, then fled. * Intruder alarms are being fitted in many schools as a way of improving security.\n  2  a person who is somewhere where they are not wanted:\nThe people in the room seemed to regard her as an unwelcome intruder.


Words: intrusion
Meaning:
upon sth)\n  1  something that affects a situation or people’s lives in a way that they do not want:\nThey claim the noise from the new airport is an intrusion on their lives. * This was another example of press intrusion into the affairs of the royals.\n  2  the act of entering a place which is private or where you may not be wanted:\nShe apologized for the intrusion but said she had an urgent message.


Words: intrusive
Meaning:
adjective\ntoo noticeable, direct, etc. in a way that is disturbing or annoying:\nintrusive questions / sales methods * When Alison was at home she was an intrusive presence.


Words: intuit
Meaning:
verb\n(formal) to know that sth is true based on your feelings rather than on facts, what sb tells you, etc:\n[V that] She intuited that something was badly wrong. [also VN, V wh-]


Words: intuition
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the ability to know sth by using your feelings rather than considering the facts:\nIntuition told her that he had spoken the truth. * He was guided by intuition and personal judgement. * The answer came to me in a flash of intuition.\n  2  [C] ~ (that ...) an idea or a strong feeling that sth is true although you cannot explain why:\nI had an intuition that something awful was about to happen.


Words: intuitive
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of ideas) obtained by using your feelings rather than by considering the facts:\nan intuitive judgement * He had an intuitive sense of what the reader wanted.\n  2  (of people) able to understand sth by using feelings rather than by considering the facts:\nIs the feminine nature generally more intuitive?\n    intuitively adverb:\nIntuitively, she knew that he was lying.


Words: Inuit
Meaning:
noun\n(plural Inuits or Inuit) a member of a race of people from northern Canada and parts of Greenland and Alaska. The name is sometimes also used to refer to people from Siberia.\ncompare ESKIMO


Words: inundate
Meaning:
verb [VN] [usually passive]\n  1  ~ sb (with sth) to give or send sb so many things that they cannot deal with them all\nSYN OVERWHELM, SWAMP:\nWe have been inundated with offers of help.\n  2  (formal) to cover an area of land with a large amount of water\nSYN FLOOD:\nFlood waters inundate the river plain each spring.\n    inundation  noun [U, C]


Words: inure
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  inure sb / yourself to sth (formal) to make sb/sth get used to sth unpleasant so that they are no longer strongly affected by it:\nThe prisoners quickly became inured to the harsh conditions.


Words: invade
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to enter a country, town, etc. using military force in order to take control of it:\n[V] Troops invaded on August 9th that year. * [VN] When did the Romans invade Britain?\n  2  [VN] to enter a place in large numbers, especially in a way that causes damage or confusion:\nDemonstrators invaded the government buildings. * As the final whistle blew, fans began invading the field. * The cancer cells may invade other parts of the body.\n  3  [VN] to affect sth in an unpleasant or annoying way:\nDo the press have the right to invade her privacy in this way?\nsee also INVASION, INVASIVE


Words: invader
Meaning:
noun\nan army or a country that enters another country by force in order to take control of it; a soldier fighting in such an army:\na foreign invader * They prepared to repel the invaders. * (figurative) The white blood cells attack cells infected with an invader.


Words: invalid
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective \n  1  not legally or officially acceptable:\nThe treaty was declared invalid because it had not been ratified. * People with invalid papers are deported to another country.\n  2  not based on all the facts, and therefore not correct:\nan invalid argument\n  3  (computing) of a type that the computer cannot recognize:\nAn error code will be displayed if any invalid information has been entered. * invalid characters\nOPP VALID\n    noun  a person who needs other people to take care of them, because of illness that they have had for a long time:\nShe had been a delicate child and her parents had treated her as an invalid. * his invalid wife\n    verb  [VN] ~ sb (out) | ~ sb (out of sth) (BrE) to force sb to leave the armed forces because of an illness or injury:\nHe was invalided out of the army in 1943.


Words: invalidate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to prove that an idea, a story, an argument, etc. is wrong:\nThis new piece of evidence invalidates his version of events.\n  2  if you invalidate a document, contract, election, etc., you make it no longer legally or officially valid or acceptable\nOPP VALIDATE\n    invalidation  noun [U]


Words: invalidity
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (BrE, technical) the state of being unable to look after yourself because of illness or injury\n  2  (formal) the state of not being legally or officially acceptable\ncompare VALIDITY


Words: invaluable
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to / for sb/sth) | ~ (in sth) extremely useful:\ninvaluable help / information / support * The book will be invaluable for students in higher education. * The research should prove invaluable in the study of children’s language. * an invaluable asset / tool\ncompare VALUABLE\n HELP NOTE  Invaluable = ’very valuable or useful’. The opposite of valuable is valueless or worthless.


Words: invariable
Meaning:
adjective\nalways the same; never changing:\nHer routine was invariable. * his invariable courtesy and charm * an invariable law / principle / practice\ncompare VARIABLE


Words: invariably
Meaning:
adverb\nalways:\nThis acute infection of the brain is almost invariably fatal. * This is not invariably the case. * Invariably the reply came back, ’Not now!’


Words: invasion
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  the act of an army entering another country by force in order to take control of it:\nthe Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 * the threat of invasion * an invasion force / fleet\n  2  the fact of a large number of people or things arriving somewhere, especially people or things that are disturbing or unpleasant:\nthe annual tourist invasion * Farmers are struggling to cope with an invasion of slugs.\n  3  an act or a process that affects sb/sth in a way that is not welcome:\nThe actress described the photographs of her as an invasion of privacy.\nsee also INVADE


Words: invasive
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  (especially of diseases within the body) spreading very quickly and difficult to stop:\ninvasive cancer\n  2  (of medical treatment) involving cutting into the body:\ninvasive surgery\nsee also INVADE


Words: invective
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) rude language and unpleasant remarks that sb shouts when they are very angry:\nThe gesture infuriated him and he let out a stream of invective. * a speech full of invective against the government


Words: inveigle
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sb / yourself (into sth / into doing sth) (formal) to achieve control over sb in a clever and dishonest way, especially so that they will do what you want:\nHe inveigled himself into her affections (= dishonestly made her love him).


Words: invent
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to produce or design sth that has not existed before:\nWho invented the steam engine? * I wish mobile phones had never been invented! -> DISCOVER\n  2  to say or describe sth that is not true, especially in order to deceive people:\nWhat excuse did he invent this time? * Many children invent an imaginary friend.


Words: invention
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a thing or an idea that has been invented:\nFax machines were a wonderful invention at the time. * This combination of cheese and apples is not an invention of the north of England.\n  2  [U] the act of inventing sth:\nSuch changes have not been seen since the invention of the printing press.\n  3  [C, U] the act of inventing a story or an idea and pretending that it is true; a story invented in this way:\nThis story is apparently a complete invention. * What would he tell his parents? Some invention and quick thinking-that’s what was needed.\n  4  [U] the ability to have new and interesting ideas:\nJohn was full of invention-always making up new dance steps and sequences.


Words: inventive
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (especially of people) able to think of new and interesting ideas:\nShe has a highly inventive mind.\n  2  (of ideas) new and interesting:\nThis is a courageous and inventive piece of film-making.\n    inventively adverb\n    inventiveness noun [U]:\nthe inventiveness of modern advertising


Words: inventory
Meaning:
noun (plural inventories)\n  1  [C] a written list of all the objects, furniture, etc. in a particular building:\nan inventory of the museum’s contents\n  2  [U] (AmE) all the goods in a shop \nSYN STOCK:\nThe inventory will be disposed of over the next twelve weeks. * inventory records / control\ncompare STOCKTAKING


Words: inverse
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] opposite in amount or position to sth else:\nA person’s wealth is often in inverse proportion to their happiness (= the more money they have, the less happy they are). * There is often an inverse relationship between the power of the tool and how easy it is to use.\n  2  (the inverse) noun [sing.] (technical) the exact opposite of sth\n    inversely  adverb:\nWe regard health as inversely related to social class.


Words: inversion
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (technical) the act of changing the position or order of sth to its opposite, or of turning sth upside down:\nthe inversion of normal word order * an inversion of the truth


Words: invert
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal) to change the normal position of sth, especially by turning it upside down or by arranging it in the opposite order:\nPlace a plate over the cake tin and invert it. * In questions, the subject and verb are often inverted. * The shape looked like an inverted V.


Words: inverted commas
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (BrE) = QUOTATION MARKS\n IDIOMS \n  in inverted commas (spoken) used to show that you think a particular word, description, etc. is not true or appropriate:\nThe manager showed us to our ’luxury apartment’, in inverted commas.


Words: inverted snobbery
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE, disapproving) the attitude that disapproves of everything connected with high social status and that is proud of low social status


Words: invest
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (sth) (in sth) to buy property, shares in a company, etc. in the hope of making a profit:\n[V] Now is a good time to invest in the property market. * [VN] He invested his life savings in his daughter’s business.\n  2  ~ (sth) (in / on sth) (of an organization or government, etc.) to spend money on sth in order to make it better or more successful:\n[V] The government has invested heavily in public transport. * [VN] The college has invested $2 million on a new conference hall. [also VN to inf]\n  3  ~ sth (in sth / in doing sth) to spend time, energy, effort, etc. on sth that you think is good or useful:\n[VN] She had invested all her adult life in the relationship. [also VN -ing]\n  4  [VN] ~ sb (with sth) | ~ sb (as sth) (formal) to give sb power or authority, especially as part of their job:\nThe new position invested her with a good deal of responsibility. * The interview was broadcast on the same day he was invested as President.\nsee also INVESTITURE\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  invest in sth (informal, often humorous) to buy sth that is expensive but useful:\nDon’t you think it’s about time you invested in a new coat?\n  invest sb/sth with sth (formal) to make sb/sth seem to have a particular quality:\nBeing a model invests her with a certain glamour.


Words: investigate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to carefully examine the facts of a situation, an event, a crime, etc. to find out the truth about it or how it happened:\n[V] The FBI has been called in to investigate. * (informal) ’What was that noise?’ ’I’ll go and investigate.’ * [VN] Police are investigating possible links between the murders. [also V wh-]\n  2  [VN] ~ sb (for sth) to try to find out information about sb’s character, activities, etc:\nThis is not the first time he has been investigated by the police for fraud.\n  3  to find out information and facts about a subject or problem by study or research:\n[VN] Scientists are investigating the effects of diet on fighting cancer. * [V wh-] The research investigates how foreign speakers gain fluency. [also V]


Words: investigation
Meaning:
noun [C, U] ~ (into sth)\n  1  an official examination of the facts about a situation, crime, etc:\na criminal / murder / police investigation * The police have completed their investigations into the accident. * She is still under investigation.\n  2  a scientific or academic examination of the facts of a subject or problem:\nan investigation into the spending habits of teenagers


Words: investigative
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] involving examining an event or a situation to find out the truth:\nThe article was an excellent piece of investigative journalism. * The police have full investigatory powers.


Words: investigator
Meaning:
noun\na person who examines a situation such as an accident or a crime to find out the truth:\nair safety investigators * a private investigator (= a DETECTIVE)


Words: investment
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (in sth) the act of investing money in sth:\nto encourage foreign / private investment * investment income * This country needs investment in education.\n  2  [C] the money that you invest, or the thing that you invest in:\na minimum investment of $10 000 * a high return on my investments * Our investments are not doing well. * We bought the house as an investment (= to make money).\n  3  [C] a thing that is worth buying because it will be useful or helpful:\nA microwave is a good investment.\n  4  [U, C] the act of giving time or effort to a particular task in order to make it successful:\nThe project has demanded considerable investment of time and effort.


Words: investor
Meaning:
noun\na person or an organization that invests money in sth:\nsmall investors (= private people) * institutional investors


Words: inveterate
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun] (formal, often disapproving)\n  1  (of a person) always doing sth or enjoying sth, and unlikely to stop:\nan inveterate liar / traveller\n  2  (of a bad feeling or habit) done or felt for a long time and unlikely to change:\ninveterate hostility


Words: invidious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) unpleasant and unfair; likely to offend sb or make them jealous:\nWe were in the invidious position of having to choose whether to break the law or risk lives. * It would be invidious to single out any one person to thank.


Words: invigilate
Meaning:
verb\n(BrE) (AmE proctor) to watch people while they are taking an exam to make sure that they have everything they need, that they keep to the rules, etc:\n[VN] to invigilate an exam [also V]\n    invigilation  noun [U]\n    invigilator  (BrE) (AmE proctor) noun:\nIf you have a problem, ask the invigilator.


Words: invigorate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  [often passive] to make sb feel healthy and full of energy:\nThe cold water invigorated him. * They felt refreshed and invigorated after the walk.\n  2  to make a situation, an organization, etc. efficient and successful:\nThey are looking into ways of invigorating the department.\n    invigorating adjective:\nan invigorating walk / shower / massage


Words: invincible
Meaning:
adjective\ntoo strong to be defeated or changed:\nThe team seemed invincible. * an invincible belief in his own ability\n    invincibility  noun [U]:\nHe had an aura of invincibility.


Words: inviolable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) that must be respected and not attacked or destroyed:\nthe inviolable right to life * inviolable territory * an inviolable rule\n    inviolability  noun [U]


Words: inviolate
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) that has been, or must be, respected and cannot be attacked or destroyed:\nTheir privacy remained inviolate.


Words: invisible
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (to sb/sth) that cannot be seen:\nstars invisible to the naked eye * a wizard who could make himself invisible * She felt invisible in the crowd.\nOPP VISIBLE\n  2  (economics) connected with a service that a country provides, such as BANKING or TOURISM, rather than goods:\ninvisible earnings / exports\n    invisibility  noun [U]:\nThe ink had faded to invisibility.\n    invisibly  adverb:\nHe moved away invisibly into the background.


Words: invitation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] ~ (to sth / to do sth) a spoken or written request to sb to do sth or to go somewhere:\nto issue / extend an invitation * to accept / turn down / decline an invitation * an invitation to the party * I have an open invitation (= not restricted to a particular date) to visit my friend in Japan.\n  2  [U] the act of inviting sb or of being invited:\nA concert was held at the invitation of the mayor. * Admission is by invitation only.\n  3  [C] a card or piece of paper that you use to invite sb to sth:\nHave you ordered the wedding invitations yet?\n  4  [sing.] ~ to sb (to do sth) | ~ to sth something that encourages sb to do sth, usually sth bad:\nLeaving the doors unlocked is an open invitation to burglars.


Words: invitational
Meaning:
noun\n(especially AmE) (often used in names) a sports event that you can take part in only if you are invited\n    invitational adjective


Words: invite
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb \n  1  ~ sb (to sth) to ask sb to come to a social event:\n[VN] Have you been invited to their party? * I’d have liked to have gone but I wasn’t invited. * [VN to inf] They have invited me to go to Paris with them.\n  2  ~ sb (to / for sth) | ~ sth (from sb) (formal) to ask sb formally to go somewhere or do sth:\n[VN] Successful candidates will be invited for interview next week. * He invited questions from the audience. * [VN to inf] Readers are invited to write in with their comments.\n  3  to make sth, especially sth bad or unpleasant, likely to happen\nSYN ASK FOR:\n[VN] Such comments are just inviting trouble. [also VN to inf]\nsee also UNINVITED\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  invite sb along to ask sb to go somewhere with you and other people:\nI got myself invited along.\n  invite sb back\n1 to ask sb to come to your home after you have been somewhere together:\nAfter the movie, she invited me back for a drink.\n2 to ask sb to come to your home a second time, or to ask sb to come to your house after you have been to theirs\n  invite sb in / up to ask sb to come into your home, especially after you have been somewhere together\n  invite sb over / round / around to ask sb to come to your home\n    noun  (informal) an invitation:\nThanks for your invite.


Words: inviting
Meaning:
adjective\nmaking you want to do, try, taste, etc. sth; attractive:\nan inviting smell / view * The water looks really inviting.\n    invitingly adverb


Words: invocation
Meaning:
noun [U, C]\n  1  (formal) the act of asking for help, from a god or from a person in authority; the act of referring to sth or of calling for sth to appear\n  2  (computing) the act of making a particular function start


Words: invoice
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a list of goods that have been sold, work that has been done etc., showing what you must pay\nSYN BILL:\nto send / issue / settle an invoice for the goods * an invoice for ｣250\n    verb [VN] ~ sb (for sth) | ~ sth (to sb/sth) (business) to write or send sb a bill for work you have done or goods you have provided:\nYou will be invoiced for these items at the end of the month. * Invoice the goods to my account.


Words: invoke
Meaning:
verb [VN] (formal)\n  1  ~ sth (against sb) to mention or use a law, rule, etc. as a reason for doing sth:\nIt is unlikely that libel laws will be invoked.\n  2  to mention a person, a theory, an example, etc. to support your opinions or ideas, or as a reason for sth:\nShe invoked several eminent scholars to back up her argument.\n  3  to mention sb’s name to make people feel a particular thing or act in a particular way:\nHis name was invoked as a symbol of the revolution.\n  4  to make a request (for help) to sb, especially a god\n  5  to make sb have a particular feeling or imagine a particular scene\nSYN EVOKE:\nThe opening paragraph invokes a vision of England in the early Middle Ages.\n HELP NOTE  Some people think this use is not correct.\n  6  to use or apply sth:\nHe frequently invokes animal metaphors in his poetry.\n  7  (computing) to begin to run a program, etc:\nThis command will invoke the HELP system.\n  8  to make evil appear by using magic


Words: involuntary
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  an involuntary movement, etc. is made suddenly, without you intending it or being able to control it:\nan involuntary cry of pain\nOPP VOLUNTARY\n  2  happening without you wanting it to:\nthe involuntary repatriation of immigrants * involuntary childlessness\n    involuntarily  adverb


Words: involve
Meaning:
verb\n  1  if a situation, an event or an activity involves sth, that thing is an important or necessary part or result of it\nSYN ENTAIL:\n[VN] Any investment involves an element of risk. * Many of the crimes involved drugs. * [V -ing] The test will involve answering questions about a photograph. * [VN -ing] The job involves me travelling all over the country. * (formal) The job involves my travelling all over the country.\n  2  [VN] if a situation, an event or an activity involves sb, they take part in it or are affected by it:\nThere was a serious incident involving a group of youths. * How many vehicles were involved in the crash?\n  3  [VN] ~ sb (in sth / in doing sth) to make sb take part in sth:\nWe want to involve as many people as possible in the celebrations. * Parents should involve themselves in their child’s education.\n  4  [VN] ~ sb (in sth) to say or do sth to show that sb took part in sth, especially a crime\nSYN IMPLICATE:\nHis confession involved a number of other politicians in the affair.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  involve sb in sth to make sb experience sth, especially sth unpleasant:\nYou have involved me in a great deal of extra work.


Words: involved
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not before noun] ~ (in sth) taking part in sth; being part of sth or connected with sth:\nto be / become / get involved in politics * We need to examine all the costs involved in the project first. * We’ll make our decision and contact the people involved.\n HELP NOTE  In this meaning, involved is often used after a noun.\n  2  [not usually before noun] ~ (in / with sth/sb) giving a lot of time or attention to sb/sth:\nShe was deeply involved with the local hospital. * I was so involved in my book I didn’t hear you knock. * He’s a very involved father (= he spends a lot of time with his children).\n  3  [not usually before noun] ~ (with sb/sth) having a close personal relationship with sb:\nThey’re not romantically involved. * You’re too emotionally involved with the situation.\n  4  complicated and difficult to understand\nSYN COMPLEX:\nan involved sentence / plot


Words: involvement
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (in / with sth) the act of taking part in sth:\nUS involvement in European wars\n  2  [U, C] ~ (in / with sth) the act of giving a lot of time and attention to sth you care about:\nher growing involvement with contemporary music\n  3  [C, U] ~ (with sb) a romantic or sexual relationship with sb that you are not married to:\nHe spoke openly about his involvement with the actress.


Words: invulnerable
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sth) that cannot be harmed or defeated; safe:\nto be in an invulnerable position * The submarine is invulnerable to attack while at sea. * Parents may seem invulnerable to their children.\nOPP VULNERABLE\n    invulnerability  noun [U]


Words: inward
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] inside your mind and not shown to other people:\nan inward smile * Her calm expression hid her inward panic.\n  2  towards the inside or centre of sth:\nan inward flow * an inward curve\nOPP OUTWARD\n    adverb (also inwards especially in BrE)\n  1  towards the inside or centre:\nThe door opens inwards.\n  2  towards yourself and your interests:\nHer thoughts turned inwards. * (disapproving) an inward-looking person (= one who is not interested in other people)\nOPP OUTWARDS


Words: iodine
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol I) a chemical element. Iodine is a blue-black substance found in sea water. A liquid containing iodine is sometimes used as an ANTISEPTIC (= a substance used on wounds to prevent infection).


Words: ion
Meaning:
noun\n(physics or chemistry) an atom or a MOLECULE with a positive or negative electric CHARGE caused by its losing or gaining one or more ELECTRONS


Words: Ionic
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (architecture) used to describe a style of architecture in Ancient Greece that has a curved decoration in the shape of a SCROLL on each side at the top:\nIonic columns / capitals


Words: ionize
Meaning:
(BrE also ionise)  verb\n[VN, V] (technical) to change sth or be changed into ions\n    ionization, ionisation  noun [U]


Words: ionizer
Meaning:
(BrE also ioniser)  noun\na device that is used to make air in a room fresh and healthy by producing negative IONS


Words: ionosphere
Meaning:
noun\n(the ionosphere) [sing.] a layer of the earth’s atmosphere between about 80 and 1 000 kilometres above the surface of the earth, that reflects radio waves around the earth\ncompare STRATOSPHERE


Words: iota
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (usually used in negative sentences) an extremely small amount:\nThere is not one iota of truth (= no truth at all) in the story. * I don’t think that would help one iota.


Words: IOU
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a written promise that you will pay sb the money you owe them (a way of writing ’I owe you’):\nan IOU for ｣20


Words: IPA
Meaning:
abbreviation\nInternational Phonetic Alphabet (an alphabet that is used to show the pronunciation of words in any language)


Words: ipso facto
Meaning:
adverb\n(from Latin, formal) because of the fact that has been mentioned:\nYou cannot assume that a speaker of English is ipso facto qualified to teach English.


Words: IQ
Meaning:
noun\na measurement of a person’s intelligence that is calculated from the results of special tests (abbreviation for ’intelligence quotient’):\nan IQ of 120 * to have a high / low IQ * IQ tests


Words: IRA
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the abbreviation for ’Irish Republican Army’. The IRA is an illegal organization which has fought for Northern Ireland to be united with the Republic of Ireland.


Words: ire
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal or literary) anger\nSYN WRATH:\nto arouse / raise / provoke the ire of local residents * (AmE) to draw the ire of local residents


Words: iridescent
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) showing many bright colours that seem to change in different lights:\na bird with iridescent blue feathers\n    iridescence  noun [U]


Words: iridium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol Ir) a chemical element. Iridium is a very hard yellow-white metal, used especially in making ALLOYS.


Words: iris
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  the round coloured part that surrounds the PUPIL of your eye\n \n  2  a tall plant with long pointed leaves and large purple or bright yellow flowers


Words: Irish
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  (also Irish Gaelic, Gaelic) the Celtic language of Ireland\ncompare ERSE\n  2  (the Irish) [pl.] the people of Ireland\n    adjective of or connected with Ireland, its people or its language


Words: Irish coffee
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] hot coffee mixed with whisky and sugar, with thick cream on top\n  2  [C] a cup or glass of Irish coffee


Words: irk
Meaning:
verb\n(formal or literary) to annoy or irritate sb:\n[VN] Her flippant tone irked him. [also VN that, VN to inf]


Words: iron
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n  metal\n \n  1  [U] (Symbol Fe) a chemical element. Iron is a hard strong metal that is used to make steel and is also found in small quantities in blood and food:\ncast / wrought / corrugated iron * iron gates / bars / railings * an iron and steel works * iron ore (= rock containing iron) * patients with iron deficiency (= not enough iron in their blood) * iron tablets (= containing iron prepared as a medicine) * (figurative) She had a will of iron (= it was very strong).\n \n  tool\n \n  2  [C] a tool with a flat metal base that can be heated and used to make clothes smooth:\na steam iron\n \n  3  [C] (usually in compounds) a tool made of iron\nsee also BRANDING IRON, SOLDERING IRON, TIRE IRON\n  for prisoners\n  4  (irons) [pl.] chains or other heavy objects made of iron, attached to the arms and legs of prisoners, especially in the past:\nleg irons * (old-fashioned) to clap somebody in irons\n  in golf\n  5  [C] one of the set of CLUBS (= sticks for hitting the ball with) that have a metal head:\nHe hit a magnificent shot with a nine iron.\ncompare WOOD\n IDIOMS \n  have several, etc. irons in the fire to be involved in several activities or areas of business at the same time, hoping that at least one will be successful\nmore at PUMP v., RULE v., STRIKE v.\n    verb\n to make clothes, etc. smooth by using an iron:\n[VN] I’ll need to iron that dress before I can wear it. * [V] He was ironing when I arrived.\nsee also IRONING\n \n PHRASAL VERBS \n \n  iron sth<->out to remove the CREASES (= folds that you do not want) from clothes, etc. by using an iron\n \n  iron out sth to get rid of any problems or difficulties that are affecting sth:\nThere are still a few details that need ironing out.\n    adjective [only before noun] very strong and determined:\nShe was known as the ’Iron Lady’. * a man of iron will\n IDIOMS \n  an iron fist / hand (in a velvet glove) if you use the words an iron fist/hand when describing the way that sb behaves, you mean that they treat people harshly. The harsh treatment may be hidden behind a kind appearance (the velvet glove):\nThey promised that the army would strike with an iron fist at any resistance. * The iron hand in the velvet glove approach seems to work best with this age group.


Words: iron rations
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (often humorous) a small amount of food that soldiers and people walking or climbing carry to use in an emergency


Words: ironic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  showing that you really mean the opposite of what you are saying; expressing IRONY:\nan ironic comment / smile\n  2  (of a situation) strange or amusing because it is very different from what you expect:\nIt’s ironic that she became a teacher-she used to hate school.\nsee also IRONY\n    ironically  adverb:\nIronically, the book she felt was her worst sold more copies than any of her others. * He smiled ironically.


Words: ironing
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the task of pressing clothes, etc. with an IRON to make them smooth:\nto do the ironing\n  2  the clothes, etc. that you have just IRONED or that need to be done:\na pile of ironing


Words: ironing board
Meaning:
noun\na long narrow board covered with cloth, and usually with folding legs, that you IRON clothes on


Words: ironmonger
Meaning:
(BrE, becoming old-fashioned) (AmE hardware dealer) noun\n  1  a person who owns or works in a shop/store selling tools and equipment for the house and garden/yard\n  2  (ironmonger’s) (plural ironmongers) a shop that sells tools and equipment for the house and garden/yard\n    ironmongery  noun [U] (BrE) = HARDWARE


Words: ironworks
Meaning:
noun\n(plural ironworks) [C+sing./pl. v.] a factory where iron is obtained from ORE (= rock containing metal), or where heavy iron goods are made


Words: irony
Meaning:
noun (plural ironies)\n  1  [U, C] the amusing or strange aspect of a situation that is very different from what you expect; a situation like this:\nThe irony is that when he finally got the job, he discovered he didn’t like it. * It was one of life’s little ironies.\n  2  [U] the use of words that say the opposite of what you really mean, often as a joke and with a tone of voice that shows this:\n’England is famous for its food,’ she said with heavy irony. * There was a note of irony in his voice. * a hint / trace of irony


Words: irradiate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  (technical) to treat food with RADIOACTIVE rays in order to preserve it\n  2  ~ sth (with sth) (literary) to make sth look brighter and happier:\nfaces irradiated with joy\n    irradiation  noun [U]


Words: irrational
Meaning:
adjective\nnot based on, or not using, clear logical thought:\nan irrational fear * You’re being irrational.\nOPP RATIONAL\n    irrationality  noun [U, C, usually sing.]\n    irrationally  adverb:\nto behave irrationally


Words: irreconcilable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  if differences or disagreements are irreconcilable, they are so great that it is not possible to settle them:\nirreconcilable differences / conflicts\n  2  if an idea or opinion is irreconcilable with another, it is impossible for sb to have both of them together:\nThis view is irreconcilable with common sense.\n  3  people who are irreconcilable cannot be made to agree:\nirreconcilable enemies


Words: irrecoverable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) that you cannot get back; lost:\nirrecoverable costs * irrecoverable loss of sight\nOPP RECOVERABLE\n    irrecoverably  adverb


Words: irredeemable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) too bad to be corrected, improved or saved\n    irredeemably  adverb:\nirredeemably spoilt


Words: irreducible
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) that cannot be made smaller or simpler:\nto cut staff to an irreducible minimum * an irreducible fact\n    irreducibly  adverb


Words: irrefutable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) that cannot be proved wrong and that must therefore be accepted:\nirrefutable evidence\n    irrefutably  adverb


Words: irregular
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  not arranged in an even way; not having an even, smooth pattern or shape:\nirregular teeth * an irregular outline\n  2  not happening at times that are at an equal distance from each other; not happening regularly:\nirregular meals * an irregular heartbeat * irregular attendance at school * He visited his parents at irregular intervals.\n  3  not normal; not according to the usual rules:\nan irregular practice * His behaviour is highly irregular.\n  4  (grammar) not formed in the normal way:\nan irregular verb\n  5  (of a soldier etc.) not part of a country’s official army\nOPP REGULAR\n    irregularly adverb \n    noun a soldier who is not a member of a country’s official army


Words: irregularity
Meaning:
noun (plural irregularities)\n  1  [C, U] an activity or a practice which is not according to the usual rules, or not normal:\nalleged irregularities in the election campaign * suspicion of financial irregularity\n  2  [C, U] something that does not happen at regular intervals:\na slight irregularity in his heartbeat\n  3  [U, C] something that is not smooth or regular in shape or arrangement:\nThe paint will cover any irregularity in the surface of the walls.\ncompare REGULARITY


Words: irrelevance
Meaning:
plural irrelevancies) noun\n  1  [U] lack of importance to or connection with a situation:\nthe irrelevance of the curriculum to children’s daily life\nOPP RELEVANCE\n  2  [C, usually sing.] something that is not important to or connected with a situation:\nHis idea was rejected as an irrelevance.


Words: irrelevant
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sth/sb) not important to or connected with a situation:\ntotally / completely / largely irrelevant * irrelevant remarks * That evidence is irrelevant to the case. * Many people consider politics is irrelevant to their lives. * Whether I believe you or not is irrelevant now.\nOPP RELEVANT\n    irrelevantly adverb


Words: irremediable
Meaning:
adjective\n(rare, formal) too bad to be corrected or cured:\nan irremediable situation\nOPP REMEDIABLE\n    irremediably adverb


Words: irreparable
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a loss, injury, etc.) too bad or too serious to repair or put right:\nto cause irreparable damage / harm to your health * Her death is an irreparable loss.\nOPP REPAIRABLE\n    irreparably  adverb:\nirreparably damaged


Words: irreplaceable
Meaning:
adjective\ntoo valuable or special to be replaced:\nThese pictures are irreplaceable.\nOPP REPLACEABLE


Words: irrepressible
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a person) lively, happy and full of energy:\nThe irrepressible Fowler scored two goals.\n  2  (of feelings, etc.) very strong; impossible to control or stop:\nirrepressible confidence\n    irrepressibly  adverb


Words: irresistible
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  so strong that it cannot be stopped or resisted:\nI felt an irresistible urge to laugh. * His arguments were irresistible. * The temptation proved irresistible.\nOPP RESISTIBLE\n  2  ~ (to sb) so attractive that you feel you must have it:\nan irresistible bargain * The bright colours were irresistible to the baby. * On such a hot day, the water was irresistible (= it made you want to swim in it).\n    irresistibly  adverb:\nThey were irresistibly drawn to each other.


Words: irresolute
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) not able to decide what to do\nOPP RESOLUTE\n    irresolutely adverb\n    irresolution  noun [U]


Words: irrespective of
Meaning:
preposition\n(written) without considering sth or being influenced by it:\nEveryone is treated equally, irrespective of race. * The weekly rent is the same irrespective of whether there are three or four occupants.


Words: irresponsible
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) (of a person) not thinking enough about the effects of what they do; not showing a feeling of responsibility:\nan irresponsible teenager * an irresponsible attitude * It would be irresponsible to ignore the situation.\nOPP RESPONSIBLE\n    irresponsibility  noun [U]\n    irresponsibly  adverb


Words: irretrievable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) that you can never make right or get back:\nan irretrievable situation * the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage * The money already paid is irretrievable.\nOPP RETRIEVABLE\n    irretrievably  adverb:\nSome of our old traditions are irretrievably lost.


Words: irreverent
Meaning:
adjective\n(usually approving) not showing respect to sb/sth that other people usually respect:\nirreverent wit * an irreverent attitude to tradition * The movie takes an irreverent look at the city.\n    irreverence  noun [U]\n    irreverently adverb


Words: irreversible
Meaning:
adjective\nthat cannot be changed back to what it was before:\nan irreversible change / decline / decision * irreversible brain damage\nOPP REVERSIBLE\n    irreversibly  adverb


Words: irrevocable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) that cannot be changed; final:\nan irrevocable decision / step\n    irrevocably  adverb:\nirrevocably committed


Words: irrigate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to supply water to an area of land through pipes or channels so that crops will grow:\nirrigated land / crops\n  2  (medical) to wash out a wound or part of the body with a flow of water or liquid\n    irrigation  noun [U]:\nirrigation channels * Irrigation has increased the area of cultivable land.


Words: irritable
Meaning:
adjective\ngetting annoyed easily; showing your anger:\nto be tired and irritable * an irritable gesture\n    irritability  noun [U]\n    irritably  adverb


Words: irritable bowel syndrome
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a condition of the bowels that causes pain and DIARRHOEA or CONSTIPATION, often caused by stress or anxiety


Words: irritant
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (technical) a substance that makes part of your body sore:\nchemical irritants\n  2  (written) something that makes you annoyed or causes trouble:\nThe presence of the army has been a constant irritant.\n    irritant adjective [usually before noun]:\nirritant substances


Words: irritate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to annoy sb, especially by sth you continuously do or by sth that continuously happens:\nThe way she puts on that accent really irritates me.\n  2  to make your skin or a part of your body sore or painful:\nSome painkilling drugs can irritate the lining of the stomach.\n    irritating adjective:\nI found her extremely irritating * an irritating habit * an irritating cough / rash\n    irritatingly adverb\n    irritation  noun [U, C]:\nHe noted, with some irritation, that the letter had not been sent. * a skin irritation


Words: irritated
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (at / by / with sth) annoyed or angry:\nShe was getting more and more irritated at his comments.


Words: ISBN
Meaning:
noun\nthe abbreviation for ’International Standard Book Number’ (a number that identifies an individual book and its PUBLISHER):\nCan you give me the ISBN, please?


Words: ish
Meaning:
adverb\n(spoken) used after a statement to make it less definite:\nI’ve finished preparing the food. Ish. I just need to make the sauce.


Words: Islam
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the Muslim religion, based on belief in one God and REVEALED through Muhammad as the Prophet of Allah\n  2  all Muslims and Muslim countries in the world\n    Islamic  adjective:\nIslamic law


Words: island
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (abbreviation I, I., Is.) a piece of land that is completely surrounded by water:\nWe spent a week on the Greek island of Kos. * a remote island off the coast of Scotland * (figurative) No place on the planet can remain an island of affluence in a sea of suffering.\nsee also DESERT ISLAND\n  2  (BrE) = TRAFFIC ISLAND


Words: isle
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation I, I., Is.) used especially in poetry and names to mean ’island’:\nthe Isle of Skye * the British Isles


Words: ism
Meaning:
noun\n(usually disapproving) used to refer to a set of ideas or system of beliefs or behaviour:\nYou’re always talking in isms-sexism, ageism, racism.


Words: isobar
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a line on a weather map that joins places that have the same air pressure at a particular time


Words: isolate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sb / yourself / sth (from sb/sth) to separate sb/sth physically or socially from other people or things:\nPatients with the disease should be isolated. * He was immediately isolated from the other prisoners.\n  2  ~ sth (from sth) to separate a part of a situation, problem, idea, etc. so that you can see what it is and deal with it separately:\nIt is possible to isolate a number of factors that contributed to her downfall.\n  3  ~ sth (from sth) (technical) to separate a single substance, cell, etc. from others so that you can study it:\nResearchers are still trying to isolate the gene that causes this abnormality.


Words: isolated
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of buildings and places) far away from any others:\nisolated rural areas\n  2  (of people) without much contact with other people\nSYN LONELY:\nI felt very isolated in my new job. * Elderly people easily become socially isolated.\n  3  single; happening once:\nThe police said the attack was an isolated incident.


Words: isolation sth
Meaning:
1  the act of separating sb/sth; the state of being separate:\ngeographical isolation * an isolation hospital / ward (= for people with infectious diseases) * The country has been threatened with complete isolation from the international community unless the atrocities stop. * He lives in splendid isolation (= far from, or in a superior position to, everyone else). * the isolation of the polio virus\n  2  the state of being alone or lonely:\nMany unemployed people experience feelings of isolation and depression.\n IDIOMS \n  in isolation (from sb/sth) separately; alone:\nTo make sense, these figures should not be looked at in isolation. * Words are pronounced differently in isolation from how they are pronounced in context.


Words: isolationism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the policy of not becoming involved in the affairs of other countries or groups\n    isolationist  adjective, noun:\nan isolationist foreign policy


Words: isometric
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (technical) connected with a type of physical exercise in which muscles are made to work without the whole body moving\n  2  (geometry) connected with a style of drawing in three DIMENSIONS without PERSPECTIVE:\nan isometric view of a cube


Words: isotherm
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a line on a weather map that joins places that have the same temperature at a particular time


Words: isotope
Meaning:
noun\n(physics or chemistry) one of two or more forms of a chemical element with different physical PROPERTIES (= characteristics) but the same chemical ones:\nradioactive isotopes * the many isotopes of carbon


Words: issue
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  topic of discussion\n  1  [C] an important topic that people are discussing or arguing about:\na key / sensitive / controversial issue * This is a big issue; we need more time to think about it. * She usually writes about environmental issues. * The union plans to raise the issue of overtime. * The party was divided on this issue. * You’re just avoiding the issue. * Don’t confuse the issue.\n  problem / worry\n  2  [C] (informal) a problem or worry that sb has with sth:\nMoney is not an issue. * I don’t think my private life is the issue here. * I’m not bothered about the cost-you’re the one who’s making an issue of it. * Because I grew up in a dysfunctional family, anger is a big issue for me. * (AmE) She’s always on a diet-she has issues about food.\n  magazine / newspaper\n  3  [C] one of a regular series of magazines or newspapers:\nthe July issue of ’What Car?’ * The article appeared in issue 25.\n  of stamps / coins / shares\n  4  [C] a number or set of things that are supplied and made available at the same time:\nThe company is planning a new share issue. * a special issue of stamps\n  making available / known\n  5  [U] the act of supplying or making available things for people to buy or use:\nI bought a set of the new stamps on the date of issue. * the issue of blankets to the refugees * the issue of a joint statement by the French and German foreign ministers\n  children\n  6  [U] (law) children of your own:\nHe died without issue.\n IDIOMS \n  be at issue to be the most important part of the subject that is being discussed:\nWhat is at issue is whether she was responsible for her actions.\n  take issue with sb (about / on / over sth) (formal) to start disagreeing or arguing with sb about sth:\nI must take issue with you on that point.\nmore at FORCE v.\n    verb [VN]\n  make known\n  1  ~ sth (to sb) to make sth known formally:\nThey issued a joint statement denying the charges. * The police have issued an appeal for witnesses.\n  give\n  2  [often passive] ~ sth (to sb) | ~ sb with sth to give sth to sb, especially officially:\nto issue passports / visas / tickets * New members will be issued with a temporary identity card. * Work permits were issued to only 5% of those who applied for them.\n  law\n  3  to start a legal process against sb, especially by means of an official document:\nto issue a writ against sb * A warrant has been issued for his arrest.\n  magazine\n  4  to produce sth such as a magazine, article, etc:\nWe issue a monthly newsletter.\n  stamps / coins / shares\n  5  to produce new stamps, coins, shares, etc. for sale to the public:\nThe Royal Mail issued a special set of stamps to mark the occasion.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  issue from sth (formal) to come out of sth:\nA weak trembling sound issued from his lips.


Words: IT
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the study and use of electronic processes and equipment to store and send information of all kinds, including words, pictures and numbers (abbreviation for ’information technology’)


Words: it
Meaning:
pronoun (used as the subject or object of a verb or after a preposition)\n  1  used to refer to an animal or a thing that has already been mentioned or that is being talked about now:\n’Where’s your car?’ ’It’s in the garage.’ * Did you see it? * Start a new file and put this letter in it. * Look! It’s going up that tree. * We have $500. Will it be enough for a deposit?\n  2  used to refer to a baby, especially one whose sex is not known:\nHer baby’s due next month. She hopes it will be a boy.\n  3  used to refer to a fact or situation that is already known or happening:\nWhen the factory closes, it will mean 500 people losing their jobs. * Yes, I was at home on Sunday. What about it? (= Why do you ask?) * Stop it, you’re hurting me!\n  4  used to identify a person:\nIt’s your mother on the phone. * Hello, Peter, it’s Mike here. * Hi, it’s me! * Was it you who put these books on my desk?\n  5  used in the position of the subject or object of a verb when the real subject or object is at the end of the sentence:\nDoes it matter what colour it is? * It’s impossible to get there in time. * It’s no use shouting. * She finds it boring at home. * It appears that the two leaders are holding secret talks. * I find it strange that she doesn’t want to go.\n  6  used in the position of the subject of a verb when you are talking about time, the date, distance, the weather, etc:\nIt’s ten past twelve. * It’s our anniversary. * It’s two miles to the beach. * It’s a long time since they left. * It was raining this morning. * It’s quite warm at the moment.\n  7  used when you are talking about a situation:\nIf it’s convenient I can come tomorrow. * It’s good to talk. * I like it here.\n  8  used to emphasize any part of a sentence:\nIt’s Jim who’s the clever one. * It’s Spain that they’re going to, not Portugal. * It was three weeks later that he heard the news.\n  9  exactly what is needed:\nIn this business, either you’ve got it or you haven’t.\nsee also ITS\n IDIOMS \n  that is it\n1 this/that is the important point, reason, etc:\nThat’s just it-I can’t work when you’re making so much noise.\n2 this/that is the end:\nI’m afraid that’s it-we’ve lost.\n  this is it\n1 the expected event is just going to happen:\nWell, this is it! Wish me luck.\n2 this is the main point:\n’You’re doing too much.’ ’Well, this is it. I can’t cope with any more work.’


Words: italic
Meaning:
adjective\n(of printed or written letters) leaning to the right:\nThe example sentences in this dictionary are printed in italic type. * Use an italic font.\ncompare ROMAN


Words: italicize
Meaning:
(BrE also italicise)  verb\n[VN] [often passive] to write or print sth in italics:\nAll book titles have been italicized.


Words: italics
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (also italic [sing.]) printed letters that lean to the right:\nExamples in this dictionary are in italics. * Use italics for the names of books or plays.\ncompare ROMAN


Words: ITC
Meaning:
abbreviation\nIndependent Television Commission (an organization that controls what is allowed to be shown on some television channels in Britain that are not part of the BBC)


Words: itch
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] to have an uncomfortable feeling on your skin that makes you want to scratch; to make your skin feel like this:\nI itch all over. * Does the rash itch? * This sweater really itches.\n  2  ~ for sth / to do sth (informal) (often used in the progressive tenses) to want to do sth very much:\n[V] The crowd was itching for a fight. * [V to inf] He’s itching to get back to work.\n    noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] an uncomfortable feeling on your skin that makes you want to scratch yourself:\nto get / have an itch\n  2  [sing.] ~ (to do sth) (informal) a strong desire to do sth:\nShe has an itch to travel. * the creative itch\n IDIOMS  see SEVEN


Words: itchy
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving or producing an itch on the skin:\nan itchy nose / rash * I feel itchy all over.\n    itchiness noun [U]:\nSome perfumes can irritate the skin and cause itchiness.\n IDIOMS \n  (get / have) itchy feet (informal) to want to travel or move to a different place; to want to do sth different:\nAfter a few years in one place, I get itchy feet.


Words: item
Meaning:
noun\n  1  one thing on a list of things to buy, do, talk about, etc:\nWhat’s the next item on the agenda?\n  2  a single article or object:\nCan I pay for each item separately? * The computer was my largest single item of expenditure. * A windproof jacket is an essential item of clothing for hillwalking. * This clock is a collector’s item (= because it is rare and valuable).\n  3  a single piece of news in a newspaper, on television, etc:\nan item of news / a news item * I heard an item on the radio about women engineers.\n IDIOMS \n  be an item (informal) to be involved in a romantic or sexual relationship:\nAre they an item?


Words: itemize
Meaning:
(BrE also itemise)  verb\n[VN] to produce a detailed list of things:\nThe report itemizes 23 different faults. * an itemized phone bill (= each call is shown separately)


Words: itinerant
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (formal) travelling from place to place, especially to find work:\nitinerant workers / musicians * to lead an itinerant life\n    itinerant noun:\nhomeless itinerants


Words: itinerary
Meaning:
noun\n(plural itineraries) a plan of a journey, including the route and the places that you visit:\na detailed itinerary * Visits to four different countries are included in your itinerary. -> AGENDA


Words: its
Meaning:
determiner\nbelonging to or connected with a thing, an animal or a baby:\nTurn the box on its side. * Have you any idea of its value? * The dog had hurt its paw. * The baby threw its food on the floor.


Words: itself
Meaning:
pronoun\n  1  (the reflexive form of it) used when the animal or thing that does an action is also affected by it:\nThe cat was washing itself. * Does the VCR turn itself off? * The company has got itself into difficulties. * There’s no need for the team to feel proud of itself.\n  2  (used to emphasize an animal, a thing, etc.):\nThe village itself is pretty, but the surrounding countryside is rather dull.\n IDIOMS \n  be patience, honesty, simplicity, etc. itself to be an example of complete patience, etc:\nThe manager of the hotel was courtesy itself.\n  (all) by itself\n1 automatically; without anyone doing anything:\nThe machine will start by itself in a few seconds.\n2 alone:\nThe house stands by itself in an acre of land.\n  in itself considered separately from other things; in its true nature:\nIn itself, it’s not a difficult problem to solve.\n  to itself not shared with others:\nIt doesn’t have the market to itself.


Words: itty-bitty
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (informal, especially AmE) very small:\nMy friends get upset over itty-bitty problems they have.


Words: ITV
Meaning:
abbreviation\nIndependent Television (a group of British companies that produce programmes that are paid for by advertising)


Words: IUD
Meaning:
(also coil) noun\na small plastic or metal object placed inside a woman’s UTERUS (= where a baby grows before it is born) to stop her becoming pregnant. IUD is an abbreviation for ’intrauterine device’.


Words: IVF
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical) the abbreviation for ’in vitro fertilization’ (a process which FERTILIZES an egg from a woman outside her body. The egg is then put inside her UTERUS to develop.)\nsee also TEST-TUBE BABY


Words: ivory
Meaning:
(plural ivories) noun\n  1  [U] a hard yellowish-white substance like bone that forms the TUSKS (= long teeth) of elephants and some other animals:\na ban on the ivory trade * an ivory chess set\n  2  [C] an object made of ivory:\na priceless collection of ivories * He had a good set of ivories (= teeth). * Of an evening she would entertain them by tinkling the ivories (= playing the piano).\n  3  [U] a yellowish-white colour


Words: ivory tower
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a place or situation where you are separated from the problems and practical aspects of normal life and therefore do not have to worry about or understand them:\nacademics living in ivory towers


Words: ivy
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (plural ivies) a climbing plant, especially one with dark green shiny leaves with five points:\nstone walls covered in ivy\nsee also POISON IVY


Words: J
Meaning:
(also j)  noun\n[C, U] (plural J’s, j’s ) the 10th letter of the English alphabet:\n’Jelly’ begins with (a) J / ’J’.


Words: jab
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-bb-) ~ (sth) (in sb/sth) | ~ (at sth) | ~ sb/sth (with sth) to push a pointed object into sb/sth, or in the direction of sb/sth, with a sudden strong movement:\n[VN] She jabbed him in the ribs with her finger. * She jabbed her finger in his ribs. * [V] He jabbed at the picture with his finger. * The boxer jabbed at his opponent.\n    noun\n  1  a sudden strong hit with sth pointed or with a FIST (= a tightly closed hand):\nShe gave him a jab in the stomach with her elbow. * a boxer’s left jab\n  2  (BrE, informal) an INJECTION to help prevent you from catching a disease:\na flu jab


Words: jabber
Meaning:
verb\n(disapproving) to talk quickly and in an excited way so that it is difficult to understand what you are saying:\n[V] What is he jabbering about now? [also V speech]\n    jabber noun [U]


Words: jack
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a device for raising heavy objects off the ground, especially motor vehicles so that a wheel can be changed\n \n  2  [C] an electronic connection between two pieces of electrical equipment\n \n  3  [C] (in a pack / deck of cards) a card with a picture of a young man on it, worth more than a ten and less than a queen:\nthe jack of clubs\n \n  4  [C] (in the game of BOWLS) a small white ball towards which players roll larger balls\n \n  5  (jacks) [pl.] a children’s game in which players bounce a small ball and pick up small metal objects, also called jacks before catching the ball\nsee also BLACKJACK, FLAPJACK, UNION JACK\n IDIOMS \n  a jack of all trades a person who can do many different types of work, but who perhaps does not do them very well\nmore at ALL RIGHT adj.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  jack sth<->in (BrE, informal) to decide to stop doing sth, especially your job:\nAfter five years, he decided to jack it all in.\n  jack off (!!!, slang) (of a man) to MASTURBATE\n  jack sth<->up\n1 to lift sth, especially a vehicle, off the ground using a jack:\nThieves jacked up the car and stole the wheels.\n2 (informal) to increase sth, especially prices, by a large amount


Words: Jack the Lad
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (BrE, slang) a young man who is very confident in a rude and noisy way, and enjoys going out with male friends, drinking alcohol and trying to attract women


Words: jack-in-the-box
Meaning:
noun\na toy in the shape of a box with a figure inside on a spring that jumps up when you open the lid


Words: jack-o’lantern
Meaning:
noun\na PUMPKIN (= a large orange vegetable) with a face cut into it and a candle put inside to shine through the holes


Words: jackal
Meaning:
noun\na wild animal like a dog, that eats the meat of animals that are already dead and lives in Africa and Asia


Words: jackboot
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a tall boot that reaches up to the knee, worn by soldiers, especially in the past\n  2  (the jackboot) [sing.] used to refer to cruel military rule:\nto be under the jackboot of a dictatorial regime * It was only a matter of time before the heel of the jackboot smashed down.


Words: jacket
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a piece of clothing worn on the top half of the body over a shirt, etc. that has sleeves and fastens down the front; a short, light coat:\na denim / tweed jacket * I have to wear a jacket and tie to work.\nsee also BOMBER JACKET, DINNER JACKET, DONKEY JACKET, FLAK JACKET, LIFE JACKET, SMOKING JACKET, SPORTS JACKET, STRAITJACKET\n \n  2  (also dust jacket) a loose paper cover for a book, usually with a design or picture on it\n \n  3  an outer cover around a hot water pipe, etc., for example to reduce loss of heat\n \n  4  (BrE) the skin of a baked potato:\njacket potatoes (= baked potatoes) * potatoes baked in their jackets\n  5  (especially AmE) = SLEEVE (3)


Words: jackknife
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (plural jackknives)  a large knife with a folding blade\n    verb [V] to form a V-shape. For example if a lorry/truck that is in two parts jackknifes, the driver loses control and the back part moves towards the front part.


Words: jackpot
Meaning:
noun\na large amount of money that is the most valuable prize in a game of chance:\nto win the jackpot * jackpot winners * (figurative) United hit the jackpot (= were successful) with a 5-0 win over Liverpool.


Words: Jacobean
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with the time when James I (160325) was King of England:\nJacobean houses / drama


Words: Jacuzzi
Meaning:
(also spa especially in AmE) noun\na large bath with a pump that moves the water around, giving a pleasant feeling to your body


Words: jade
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a hard stone that is usually green and is used in making ornaments and jewellery:\na jade necklace\n  2  ornaments made of jade:\na collection of Chinese jade\n  3  (also jade green) a bright green colour


Words: jaded
Meaning:
adjective\ntired and bored, usually because you have had too much of sth:\nI felt terribly jaded after working all weekend. * It was a meal to tempt even the most jaded palate.


Words: jaguar
Meaning:
noun\na large animal of the cat family, that has yellowish-brown fur with black rings and spots. Jaguars live in parts of central America.


Words: jail
Meaning:
(BrE also gaol)  noun, verb \n    noun [U, C] a prison:\nShe spent a year in jail. * He has been released from jail. * a ten-year jail sentence * Britain’s overcrowded jails -> SCHOOL\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] ~ sb (for sth) to put sb in prison:\nHe was jailed for life for murder.


Words: jalapeno
Meaning:
(also jalapeno pepper) noun\n(from Spanish) the small green fruit of a type of pepper plant, that has a very hot taste and is used in Mexican cooking


Words: jam
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  sweet food\n \n  1  [U, C] a thick sweet substance made by boiling fruit with sugar, often sold in JARS and spread on bread:\nstrawberry jam * recipes for jams and preserves * (BrE) a jam doughnut\ncompare JELLY, MARMALADE\n \n  many people / vehicles\n \n  2  [C] a situation in which it is difficult or impossible to move because there are so many people or vehicles in one particular place:\nThe bus was delayed in a five-mile jam. * As fans rushed to leave, jams formed at all the exits.\nsee also TRAFFIC JAM\n IDIOMS \n  be in a jam (informal) to be in a difficult situation\n  jam tomorrow (BrE, informal) good things that are promised for the future but never happen:\nThey refused to settle for a promise of jam tomorrow.\nmore at MONEY\n    verb (-mm-)\n  push with force\n  1  [VN +adv./prep.] to push sth somewhere with a lot of force:\nHe jammed his fingers in his ears. * A stool had been jammed against the door.\n  stop moving / working\n  2  ~ (sth) (up) to become unable to move or work; to make sth do this:\n[V] The photocopier keeps jamming up. * [VN] There’s a loose part that keeps jamming the mechanism. * [V-ADJ] The valve has jammed shut. * [VN-ADJ] He jammed the door open with a piece of wood.\n  put into small space\n  3  [+adv./prep.] to put sb/sth into a small space where there is very little room to move:\n[VN] Six of us were jammed into one small car. * We were jammed together like sardines in a can. * The cupboards were jammed full of old newspapers. * [V] Nearly 1 000 students jammed into the hall.\nsee also JAM-PACKED\n  fill with people / things\n  4  [VN] ~ sth (up) (with sb/sth) to fill sth with a large number of people or things so that it is unable to function as it should:\nViewers jammed the switchboard with complaints.\n  radio broadcast\n  5  [VN] (technical) to send out radio signals to prevent another radio broadcast from being heard\n  play music\n  6  [V, VN] to play music with other musicians in an informal way without preparing or practising first\n IDIOMS \n  jam on the brake(s) | jam the brake(s) on to operate the BRAKES on a vehicle suddenly and with force:\nThe car skidded as he jammed on the brakes.


Words: jam-packed
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] ~ (with sb/sth) (informal) very full or crowded:\nThe train was jam-packed with commuters.


Words: jamboree
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a large party or celebration:\nthe movie industry’s annual jamboree at Cannes\n  2  a large meeting of SCOUTS or GUIDES


Words: jammed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not before noun] not able to move \nSYN STUCK:\nI can’t get the door open-it’s completely jammed.\n  2  (especially AmE) very full; crowded \nSYN JAM-PACKED:\nHundreds more people were waiting outside the jammed stadium.


Words: jammy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  covered with jam:\njammy fingers\n  2  (BrE, slang) lucky, especially because sth good has happened to you without you making any effort:\n’What did you get for Maths?’ ’A.’ ’You jammy bastard.’


Words: Jane Doe
Meaning:
noun [sing.] (AmE)\n  1  used to refer to a woman whose name is not known or is kept secret, especially in a court of law\n  2  an average woman\ncompare JOHN DOE


Words: jangle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to make a harsh sound, like two pieces of metal hitting each other; to make sth do this:\n[V] The shop bell jangled loudly. * jangling pianos * [VN] He jangled the keys in his pocket.\n  2  if your nerves jangle, or if sb/sth jangles them, you feel anxious or upset:\n[V] She was suddenly wide awake, her nerves jangling. [also VN]\n    noun [usually sing.] a hard noise like that of metal hitting metal


Words: January
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (abbreviation Jan.) the 1st month of the year, between December and February.\n HELP NOTE  To see how January is used, look at the examples at April.


Words: japonica
Meaning:
noun\na Japanese bush that is often grown in gardens/yards, and that has red flowers and pale yellow fruit


Words: jar
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a round glass container, with a lid, used for storing food, especially jam, HONEY, etc:\na storage jar\nsee also JAM JAR\n \n  2  [C] a jar and what it contains:\na jar of coffee\n \n  3  [C] a tall container with a wide mouth, with or without handles, used in the past for carrying water, etc:\na water jar\n  4  [C] (BrE, informal) a glass of beer:\nDo you fancy a jar after work?\n  5  [sing.] an unpleasant shock, especially from two things being suddenly shaken or hit:\nThe fall gave him a nasty jar.\n    verb (-rr-)\n  1  ~ (sth) (on sth) to give or receive a sudden sharp painful knock:\n[VN] The jolt seemed to jar every bone in her body. * [V] The spade jarred on something metal.\n  2  ~ (on sth) to have an unpleasant or annoying effect:\n[V] His constant moaning was beginning to jar on her nerves. * There was a jarring note of triumph in his voice. [also VN]\n  3  [V] ~ (with sth) to be different from sth in a strange or unpleasant way\nSYN CLASH:\nHer brown shoes jarred with the rest of the outfit. * The only jarring note was the cheap modern furniture.


Words: jargon
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (often disapproving) words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group of people, and are difficult for others to understand:\nmedical / legal / computer jargon * Try to avoid using too much technical jargon.


Words: jasmine
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a plant with white or yellow flowers with a sweet smell, sometimes used to make PERFUME and to flavour tea


Words: jaundiced
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not expecting sb/sth to be good or useful, especially because of experiences that you have had in the past:\nHe had a jaundiced view of life. * She looked on politicians with a jaundiced eye.\n  2  suffering from jaundice:\na jaundiced patient / liver


Words: jaunty
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  showing that you are feeling confident and pleased with yourself:\na jaunty smile * a hat set at a jaunty angle\n  2  lively:\na jaunty tune\n    jauntily adverb:\nHe set off jauntily, whistling to himself.\n    jauntiness noun [U]


Words: javelin
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a light SPEAR (= a long stick with a pointed end) which is thrown in a sporting event\n  2  (the javelin) [sing.] the event or sport of throwing a javelin as far as possible


Words: jaw
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] either of the two bones at the bottom of the face that contain the teeth and move when you talk or eat:\nthe top / upper jaw * the bottom / lower jaw\n \n  2  [sing.] the lower part of the face; the lower jaw:\nHe has a strong square jaw. * The punch broke my jaw.\n \n  3  (jaws) [pl.] the mouth and teeth of a person or an animal:\nThe alligator’s jaws snapped shut.\n \n  4  (jaws) [pl.] the parts of a tool or machine that are used to hold things tightly:\nthe jaws of a vice\n IDIOMS \n  sb’s jaw dropped / fell / sagged used to say that sb suddenly looked surprised, shocked or disappointed\n  the jaws of a tunnel, etc. the narrow entrance to a tunnel, etc., especially one that looks dangerous\n  the jaws of death, defeat, etc. (literary) used to describe an unpleasant situation that almost happens:\nThe team snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. * They narrowly escaped from the jaws of death.\n    verb [V] (informal, often disapproving) to talk, especially to talk a lot or for a long time


Words: jawline
Meaning:
noun\nthe outline of the lower jaw:\nTwo deep creases ran from the corners of her mouth to her jawline.


Words: jaywalk
Meaning:
verb\n[V] to walk along or across a street illegally or without paying attention to the traffic\n    jaywalker noun\n    jaywalking noun [U]


Words: jazz
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] a type of music with strong rhythms, in which the players often IMPROVISE (= make up the music as they are playing), originally created by African American musicians:\na jazz band / club * traditional / modern jazz * jazz musicians\n IDIOMS \n  and all that jazz (spoken, informal) and things like that:\nHow’s it going? You know-love, life and all that jazz.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  jazz sth<->up (informal)\n1 to make sth more interesting, exciting or attractive:\nJazz up the room with some new furniture\n2 to make a piece of music sound more modern, or more like popular music or jazz:\nIt’s a jazzed up version of an old tune.


Words: jazzy
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  in the style of jazz:\na jazzy melody / tune\n  2  (sometimes disapproving) brightly coloured and likely to attract attention:\nThat’s a jazzy tie you’re wearing.


Words: je ne sais quoi
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from French, often humorous) a good quality that is difficult to describe:\nHe has that je ne sais quoi that distinguishes a professional from an amateur.


Words: jealous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  feeling angry or unhappy because sb you like or love is showing interest in sb else:\na jealous wife / husband * He’s only talking to her to make you jealous.\n  2  ~ (of sb/sth) feeling angry or unhappy because you wish you had sth that sb else has\nSYN ENVIOUS:\nShe’s jealous of my success. * Children often feel jealous when a new baby arrives.\n  3  ~ (of sth) wanting to keep or protect sth that you have because it makes you feel proud:\nThey are very jealous of their good reputation (= they do not want to lose it).\n    jealously adverb:\nShe eyed Natalia jealously. * a jealously guarded secret


Words: jealousy
Meaning:
noun (plural jealousies)\n  1  [U] a feeling of being jealous:\nI felt sick with jealousy. * sexual jealousy\n  2  [C] an action or a remark that shows that a person is jealous:\nI’m tired of her petty jealousies.


Words: jeans
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] trousers/pants made of strong cotton, especially DENIM:\na faded pair of blue jeans\nsee also DENIMS\n \n ORIGIN  From Janne, the Old French name for Genoa, where the heavy cotton now used for jeans was first made.


Words: jeer
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb ~ (at sb) to laugh at sb or shout rude remarks at them to show that you do not respect them:\n[V] a jeering crowd * The police were jeered at by the waiting crowd. * [VN] The players were jeered by disappointed fans. [also V speech] \n    noun [usually pl.] a rude remark that sb shouts at sb else to show that they do not respect or like them:\nHe walked on to the stage to be greeted with jeers and whistles.


Words: jeez
Meaning:
exclamation\n(informal, especially AmE) used to express anger, surprise, etc:\n’Jeez I feel tired,’ said Bean.


Words: Jehovah’s Witness
Meaning:
noun\na member of a religious organization based on Christianity, which believes that the end of the world is near and that only its members will be saved from being DAMNED


Words: Jekyll and Hyde
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] a person who is sometimes very pleasant (Jekyll) and sometimes very unpleasant (Hyde) or who leads two very separate lives:\nHe leads an almost Jekyll and Hyde existence-by day he’s an accountant, by night he’s a singer in a rock band.\n ORIGIN  From the story by Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, in which Dr Jekyll takes a drug which separates the good and bad sides of his personality into two characters. All the negative aspects go into the character of Mr Hyde.


Words: jelly
Meaning:
(plural jellies) noun\n \n  1  [U, C] (BrE) (AmE jello, Jell-O [U]) a cold sweet transparent food made from GELATIN, sugar and fruit juice, that shakes when it is moved:\njelly and ice cream * a raspberry jelly\n \n  2  [U] a substance like jelly made from GELATIN and meat juices, served around meat, fish, etc.\nSYN ASPIC:\nchicken in jelly\n \n  3  [U, C] a type of jam that does not contain any pieces of fruit:\nblackcurrant jelly\ncompare JAM\n  4  [U] any thick sticky substance, especially a type of cream used on the skin\nsee also PETROLEUM JELLY, ROYAL JELLY\n  5  (also jelly shoe) [C] a light plastic shoe designed for wearing on the beach and in the sea\n IDIOMS \n  be / feel like jelly | turn to jelly (of legs or knees) to feel weak because you are nervous


Words: jelly baby
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a small soft sweet/candy in the shape of a baby, made from GELATIN and flavoured with fruit


Words: jellyfish
Meaning:
noun\n(plural jellyfish) a sea creature with a body like jelly and long thin parts called TENTACLES that can give a sharp sting


Words: jemmy
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE jimmy) noun\n(plural jemmies) a short heavy metal bar used by thieves to force open doors and windows


Words: jeopardize
Meaning:
(BrE also jeopardise)  verb\n[VN] (written) to risk harming or destroying sth/sb:\nHe would never do anything to jeopardize his career.


Words: jeopardy
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  in jeopardy in a dangerous position or situation and likely to be lost or harmed:\nThe civil war has put thousands of lives in jeopardy. * The future of the school and 50 jobs are in jeopardy.\nsee also DOUBLE JEOPARDY


Words: jerk
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [usually +adv./prep.] to move or to make sth move with a sudden short sharp movement:\n[VN] He jerked the phone away from her. * She jerked her head up. * [V] The bus jerked to a halt. * He grabbed a handful of hair and jerked at it. [also VN-ADJ] \n PHRASAL VERBS \n  jerk sb around (informal, especially AmE) to make things difficult for sb, especially by not being honest with them:\nConsumers are often jerked around by big companies.\n  jerk off (!!!, slang) (of a man) to MASTURBATE\n  jerk out | jerk sth<->out to say sth in a quick and awkward way because you are nervous\n    noun\n  1  a sudden quick sharp movement:\nShe sat up with a jerk. * He gave a jerk of his head, indicating that we should follow him.\n  2  (informal) a stupid person who often says or does the wrong thing


Words: jerky
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective making sudden starts and stops and not moving smoothly\n    jerkily  adverb:\nThe car moved off jerkily.\n    noun [U] (AmE) meat that has been cut into long strips and smoked or dried:\nbeef jerky


Words: Jerry
Meaning:
noun\n(plural Jerries) (!!!, BrE, slang) an offensive word for a person from Germany, used especially during the First and Second World Wars


Words: jerry-built
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, disapproving) built quickly and cheaply without caring about quality or safety


Words: jerrycan
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned) a large metal or plastic container with flat sides, used for carrying petrol/gas or water


Words: jersey
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a knitted woollen or cotton piece of clothing for the upper part of the body, with long sleeves and no buttons\n \n  2  [C] a shirt worn by sb playing football, rugby, etc.\n \n  3  [U] a soft fine knitted fabric used for making clothes:\nmade from 100% cotton jersey


Words: jest
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (old-fashioned or formal) something said or done to amuse people\nSYN JOKE\n IDIOMS \n  in jest as a joke:\nThe remark was made half in jest. * ’Many a true word is spoken in jest,’ thought Rosie. (= people often say things as a joke that are actually true)\n    verb (formal or humorous) ~ (about sth) to say things that are not serious or true, especially in order to make sb laugh\nSYN JOKE [V] Would I jest about such a thing? [also V speech]


Words: jester
Meaning:
noun\na man employed in the past at the COURT of a king or queen to amuse people by telling jokes and funny stories:\nthe court jester


Words: Jesuit
Meaning:
noun\na member of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious group:\na Jesuit priest / college


Words: jet
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a plane driven by JET ENGINES:\na jet aircraft / fighter / airliner * The accident happened as the jet was about to take off.\nsee also JUMBO (JET)\n  2  [C] a strong narrow stream of gas, liquid, steam or flame that comes very quickly out of a small opening. The opening is also called a jet:\nThe pipe burst and jets of water shot across the room. * to clean the gas jets on the cooker\n  3  [U] a hard black mineral that can be polished and is used in jewellery:\njet beads\n    verb (-tt-) [V +adv./prep.] (informal) to fly somewhere in a plane:\nThey have just jetted off for a honeymoon in New York.


Words: jet lag
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the feeling of being tired and slightly confused after a long plane journey, especially when there is a big difference in the time at the place you leave and that at the place you arrive in:\nI’m still suffering from jet lag after my trip to Australia.\n    jet-lagged adjective


Words: jet stream
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (usually the jet stream) [sing.] a strong wind that blows high above the earth and that has an effect on the weather\n  2  [C] the flow of gases from a plane’s engine


Words: jet-setter
Meaning:
noun\na rich, fashionable person who travels a lot\n    jet-setting adjective [usually before noun]:\nher jet-setting millionaire boyfriend


Words: jetsam
Meaning:
noun\nthings that are thrown away, especially from a ship at sea and that float towards the shore\ncompare FLOTSAM


Words: jettison
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to throw sth out of a moving plane or ship to make it lighter:\nto jettison fuel\n  2  to get rid of sth/sb that you no longer need or want\nSYN DISCARD:\nHe was jettisoned as team coach after the defeat.\n  3  to reject an idea, belief, plan, etc. that you no longer think is useful or likely to be successful\nSYN ABANDON


Words: jetty
Meaning:
noun\n(plural jetties) (AmE also dock) a wall or platform built out into the sea, a river, etc., where boats can be tied and where people can get on and off boats


Words: Jew
Meaning:
noun\na member of the people and cultural community whose traditional religion is Judaism and who are descended from the ancient Hebrew people of Israel; a person who believes in and practises Judaism\n    Jewish  adjective:\nWe’re Jewish. * the local Jewish community


Words: jewel
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a precious stone such as a diamond, RUBY, etc.\n  2  [usually pl.] pieces of jewellery or ornaments that contain precious stones:\nThe family jewels are locked away in a safe. * a jewel box / case\nsee also CROWN JEWELS\n  3  a small precious stone or piece of special glass that is used in the machinery of a watch\n  4  (informal) a person or thing that is very important or valuable:\nAlice, you are a jewel. * Venice is the jewel of the Adriatic.\ncompare GEM\n IDIOMS \n  the jewel in the crown the most attractive or valuable part of sth:\nThe Knightsbridge branch is the jewel in the crown of a 500-strong chain of stores.


Words: jeweller
Meaning:
(AmE jeweler)  noun\n  1  a person who makes, repairs or sells jewellery and watches\n  2  (jeweller’s) (plural jewellers) a shop/store that sells jewellery and watches:\nI bought it at the jeweller’s near my office.


Words: jewellery
Meaning:
(AmE jewelry)  noun\n[U] objects such as rings and NECKLACES that people wear as decoration:\nsilver / gold jewellery\nsee also COSTUME JEWELLERY


Words: jib
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a small sail in front of the large sail on a boat\n \n  2  the arm of a CRANE that lifts things\n    verb (-bb-) [V] ~ (at sth / at doing sth) (old-fashioned, informal) to be unwilling to do or accept sth:\nShe agreed to attend but jibbed at making a speech.


Words: jibe
Meaning:
(also gibe)  noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  ~ (at sb/sth) an unkind or insulting remark about sb:\nHe made several cheap jibes at his opponent during the interview. * Jibes about mothers-in-law were kept out of the script.\n  2  (AmE) = GYBE\n    verb\n  1  to say sth that is intended to embarrass sb or make them look silly:\n[V] He jibed repeatedly at the errors they had made. [also V speech, V that]\n  2  [V] ~ (with sth) (AmE, informal) to be the same as sth or to match it:\nYour statement doesn’t jibe with the facts.\n  3  (AmE) = GYBE


Words: jig
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a quick lively dance; the music for this dance:\nan Irish jig\n  2  a device that holds sth in position and guides the tools that are working on it\n    verb (-gg-) [usually +adv./prep.] to move or to make sb/sth move up and down with short quick movements:\n[V] He jigged up and down with excitement. [also VN]


Words: jiggered
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun]\n IDIOMS \n  I’ll be jiggered! (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) used to show surprise


Words: jiggery-pokery
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal, especially BrE) dishonest behaviour:\nHe began to suspect that some jiggery-pokery had been going on.


Words: jiggle
Meaning:
verb\n(informal) to move or make sth move up and down or from side to side with short quick movements:\n[V] Stop jiggling around! * She jiggled with the lock. * [VN] He stood jiggling his car keys in his hand.


Words: jigsaw
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (also jigsaw puzzle) (both BrE) (also puzzle AmE, BrE) a picture printed on cardboard or wood, that has been cut up into a lot of small pieces of different shapes that you have to fit together again:\nto do a jigsaw\n \n  2  a mysterious situation in which it is not easy to understand all the causes of what is happening; a complicated problem:\nIf Hollis was a double agent then the Crabb affair fits neatly into the jigsaw.\n \n  3  a SAW (= a type of tool) with a fine blade for cutting designs in thin pieces of wood or metal


Words: jilt
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [often passive] to end a romantic relationship with sb in a sudden and unkind way:\nHe was jilted by his fiancee. * a jilted bride / lover


Words: jingle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [sing.] a sound like small bells ringing that is made when metal objects are shaken together:\nthe jingle of coins in his pocket\n  2  [C] a short song or tune that is easy to remember and is used in advertising on radio or television\n    verb to make a pleasant gentle sound like small bells ringing; to make sth do this:\n[V] The chimes jingled in the breeze. * [VN] She jingled the coins in her pocket.


Words: jingoism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) a strong belief that your own country is best, especially when this is expressed in support of war with another country\n    jingoistic  adjective


Words: jink
Meaning:
verb\n[V]   [usually +adv./prep.] (BrE, informal) to move quickly while changing direction suddenly and often, especially in order to avoid sb/sth


Words: jinx
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] ~ (on sb/sth) bad luck; sb/sth that is thought to bring bad luck in a mysterious way:\nI’m convinced there’s a jinx on this car.


Words: jinxed
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) having or bringing more bad luck than is normal:\nThe whole family seemed to be jinxed.


Words: jitters
Meaning:
(often the jitters) noun\n[pl.] (informal) feelings of being anxious and nervous, especially before an important event or before having to do sth difficult:\nI always get the jitters before exams. * Louise had pre-wedding jitters.


Words: jittery
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) anxious and nervous:\nI felt jittery before going on stage. * The election campaign got off to a jittery start.


Words: jive
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, sing.] a fast dance to music with a strong beat, especially popular in the 1950s\n  2  [U] (AmE, slang) nonsense:\nto talk jive\n    verb\n  1  [V] to dance to jazz or ROCK AND ROLL music\n  2  [V, VN] (AmE, informal) to try to make sb believe sth that is not true\nSYN KID


Words: job
Meaning:
noun\n  paid work\n  1  work for which you receive regular payment:\nHe’s trying to get a job. * She took a job as a waitress. * His brother’s just lost his job. * a summer / holiday / Saturday / vacation job * a temporary / permanent job * I’m thinking of applying for a new job. * The takeover of the company is bound to mean more job losses. * Many women are in part-time jobs. * Did they offer you the job? * He certainly knows his job (= is very good at his job). * I’m only doing my job (= I’m doing what I am paid to do). * He’s been out of a job (= unemployed) for six months now. * She’s never had a steady job (= a job that is not going to end suddenly).\n  task\n  2  a particular task or piece of work that you have to do:\nI’ve got various jobs around the house to do. * Sorting these papers out is going to be a long job. * The builder has a couple of jobs on at the moment.\nsee also BLOW JOB, NOSE JOB\n  duty\n  3  [usually sing.] a responsibility or duty:\nIt’s not my job to lock up!\n  crime\n  4  (informal) a crime, especially stealing:\na bank job * He got six months for that last job he did. * an inside job (= done by sb in the organization where the crime happens)\n  object\n  5  (spoken) a particular kind of thing:\nIt’s real wood-not one of those plastic jobs.\n  computing\n  6  an item of work which is PROCESSED by a computer as a single unit:\nThe job can be processed overnight.\n IDIOMS \n  do the job (informal) to be effective or successful in doing what you want:\nThis extra strong glue should do the job.\n  do a good, bad, etc. job (on sth) | make a good, bad, etc. job of sth to do sth well, badly, etc:\nThey did a very professional job. * You’ve certainly made an excellent job of the kitchen (= for example, painting it). * We haven’t done a very good job on the publicity for the show.\n  give sb/sth up as a bad job (informal) to decide to stop trying to help sb or to do sth because there is no hope of success\n  Good job! (AmE, spoken) used to tell sb that they have done well at sth\n  a good job (spoken) used to say that you are pleased about a situation or that sb is lucky that sth happened:\nIt’s a good job you were there to help.\n  have a (hard / difficult) job doing / to do sth to have difficulty doing sth:\nYou’ll have a job convincing them that you’re right. * He had a hard job to make himself heard.\n  a job of work (BrE, old-fashioned or formal) work that you are paid to do or that must be done:\nThere was a job of work waiting for him that he was not looking forward to.\n  jobs for the boys (BrE, informal, disapproving) people use the expression jobs for the boys when they are criticizing the fact that sb in power has given work to friends or relatives\n  just the job (BrE) (also just the ticket AmE, BrE) (spoken, approving) exactly what is needed in a particular situation:\nThat cup of tea was just the job.\n  more than your job’s worth (to do sth) (BrE, spoken) not worth doing because it is against the rules or because it might cause you to lose your job:\nIt’s more than my job’s worth to let you in without a ticket.\nsee also JOBSWORTH\n  on the job\n1 while doing a particular job:\nNo sleeping on the job! * on-the-job training\n2 (BrE, slang) having sex\nmore at BEST n., DEVIL, WALK v.\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \njobs and employment job [C] ’What’s his job?’ ’He’s a teacher.’ * I start my new job on Monday.\nwork [U] I’m going back to work tomorrow. * She is now looking for work.\npost/position [C] He resigned from his post as finance director. * She holds a high-level position.\noccupation [C] (formal or written) Please state your name, age and occupation.\nprofession [C] the medical profession or [U] She’s a lawyer by profession.\ntrade [C] the building trade or [U] He was a carpenter by trade.\nvocation [C] She found her true vocation as a nurse.\ncareer [C] a distinguished career as a lawyer * a career woman.\nemployment [U] a contract of employment * employment opportunities for graduates.\n-> note at WORK\n______________________________


Words: job creation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process of providing opportunities for paid work, especially for people who are unemployed


Words: job lot
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) a collection of different things, especially of poor quality, that are sold together


Words: job seeker
Meaning:
noun\noften used in official language in Britain to describe a person without a job who is trying to find one


Words: job-hunt
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (usually used in the progressive tenses) to try to find a job:\nAt that time I had been job-hunting for six months.


Words: job-sharing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] an arrangement for two people to share the hours of work and the pay of one job\n    job-share noun:\nThe company encourages job-shares and part-time working.\n    job-share verb:\n[V] She’s looking for someone to job-share with.


Words: jobber
Meaning:
(also stockjobber) noun\n(finance) (in Britain in the past) a person who worked on the STOCK EXCHANGE, buying shares, etc. from BROKERS and selling them to other brokers\ncompare BROKER-DEALER


Words: jobbing
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE) doing pieces of work for different people rather than a regular job:\na jobbing actor / builder


Words: jobcentre
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a government office where people can get advice in finding work and where jobs are advertised


Words: jobless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  unemployed; without a job:\nThe closure left 500 people jobless.\n  2  (the jobless) noun [pl.] people who are unemployed\n    joblessness noun [U]:\nJoblessness among young men is on the increase.


Words: jobsworth
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal, disapproving) a person who follows the rules of a job exactly, even when this causes problems for other people, or when the rules are not sensible:\nAvoid Mr Jobsworth! The sort of man who says when you need a door opened to save a long walk ’It’s more than my job’s worth, mate’.


Words: jockey
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a person who rides horses in races, especially as a job\n    verb ~ (for sth) to try all possible ways of gaining an advantage over other people:\n[V] The runners jockeyed for position at the start. * The bands are constantly jockeying with each other for the number one spot. [also V to inf]


Words: jockstrap
Meaning:
(also athletic supporter especially in AmE) noun\na piece of men’s underwear worn to support or protect the sexual organs while playing sports


Words: jocular
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  humorous:\na jocular comment\n  2  (of a person) enjoying making people laugh\nsee also JOKE\n    jocularity  noun [U]\n    jocularly adverb


Words: jodhpurs
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] trousers/pants that are loose above the knee and tight from the knee to the ankle, worn when riding a horse:\na pair of jodhpurs


Words: jog
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-gg-)\n  1  (also go jogging) [V] to run slowly and steadily for a long time, especially for exercise:\nI go jogging every evening.\n  2  [VN] to hit sth lightly and accidentally:\nSomeone jogged her elbow, making her spill her coffee.\n IDIOMS \n  jog sb’s memory to say or do sth that makes sb remember sth:\nMaybe these letters will help to jog your memory.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  jog along (BrE, informal) to continue as usual with little or no excitement, change or progress:\nHe seems happy to jog along until he retires.\n    noun [sing.]\n  1  a slow run, especially one done for physical exercise:\nI like to go for a jog after work.\n  2  a light push or knock


Words: joggle
Meaning:
verb\n[V, VN] (informal) to move or to make sb/sth move quickly up and down or from one side to another


Words: John Bull
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (old-fashioned) a word that is used to refer to England or the English people, or to a typical Englishman


Words: John Doe
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.] (AmE)\n  1  a name used for a person whose name is not known or is kept secret, especially in a court of law\n  2  an average man\ncompare JANE DOE


Words: join
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  connect\n  1  ~ A to B | ~ A and B (together / up) to fix or connect two or more things together:\n[VN] Join one section of pipe to the next. * Join the two sections of pipe together. * The island is joined to the mainland by a bridge. * Draw a line joining (up) all the crosses. * [V] How do these two pieces join?\n  become one\n  2  if two things or groups join, or if one thing or group joins another, they come together to form one thing or group:\n[V] the place where the two paths join * [VN] The path joins the road near the trees.\n  club / company\n  3  to become a member of an organization, a company, a club, etc:\n[VN] I’ve joined an aerobics class. * She joined the company three months ago. * (figurative) to join the ranks of the unemployed * [V] It costs ｣20 to join.\n  do sth with sb else\n  4  [VN] to take part in sth that sb else is doing or to go somewhere with them:\nWill you join us for lunch? * Do you mind if I join you? * Over 200 members of staff joined the strike. * Members of the public joined the search for the missing boy. * I’m sure you’ll all join me in wishing Ted and Laura a very happy marriage.\n  train / plane\n  5  [VN] (BrE) if you join a train, plane, etc. you get on it\n  road / path\n  6  [VN] (BrE) if you join a road or a path, you start to travel along it\n IDIOMS \n  join battle (with sb) (formal) to begin fighting sb: (figurative) Local residents have joined battle with the council over the lack of parking facilities.\n  join the club used when sth bad that has happened to sb else has also happened to you:\nSo you didn’t get a job either? Join the club!\n  join hands (with sb)\n1 if two people join hands, they hold each other’s hands\n2 to work together in doing sth:\nEducation has been reluctant to join hands with business.\nmore at BEAT v., FORCE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  join in (sth / doing sth) | join in (with sb/sth) to take part in an activity with other people:\nShe listens but she never joins in. * I wish he would join in with the other children.\n  join up (BrE) to become a member of the armed forces\nSYN ENLIST:\nHer grandfather joined up in 1914.\n  join up (with sb) to combine with sb else to do sth:\nWe’ll join up with the other groups later.\n    noun\n  connection a place where two things are fixed together:\nThe two pieces were stuck together so well that you could hardly see the join.


Words: joiner
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a person whose job is to make the wooden parts of a building, especially window frames, doors, etc.\ncompare CARPENTER


Words: joint
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective [only before noun] involving two or more people together:\na joint account (= a bank account in the name of more than one person, for example a husband and wife) * a joint venture / statement * The report was a joint effort (= we worked on it together). * They finished in joint first place. * They were joint owners of the house (= they owned it together).\n    jointly adverb:\nThe event was organized jointly by students and staff.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  a place where two bones are joined together in the body in a way that enables them to bend and move:\ninflammation of the knee joint * My joints are really stiff this morning.\n \n  2  a place where two or more parts of an object are joined together, especially to form a corner\n \n  3  (BrE) a piece of ROAST meat:\na joint of beef * the Sunday joint (= one traditionally eaten on a Sunday)\n \n  4  (informal) a place where people meet to eat, drink, dance, etc., especially one that is cheap:\na fast-food joint * The joint was jumping (= full of people and activity).\n  5  (informal) a cigarette containing MARIJUANA (= an illegal drug)\n IDIOMS \n  out of joint\n1 (of a bone) pushed out of its correct position:\nShe put her hip out of joint in the accident.\n2 not working or behaving in the normal way:\nTime is thrown completely out of joint in the opening chapters.\nmore at CASE v., NOSE n.\n    verb [VN] to cut meat into large pieces, usually each containing a bone


Words: Joint Chiefs of Staff
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (in the US) the leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines who advise the President on military matters


Words: joint degree
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain and some other countries) a university course in which you study two subjects to the same standard


Words: jointed
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] having parts that fit together and can move:\na doll with jointed arms / legs


Words: joke
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  something that you say or do to make people laugh, for example a funny story that you tell:\nI can’t tell jokes. * She’s always cracking jokes. * They often make jokes at each other’s expense. * I didn’t get the joke (= understand it). * I wish he wouldn’t tell dirty jokes (= about sex). * I only did it as a joke (= it was not meant seriously).\nsee also IN-JOKE, PRACTICAL JOKE\n  2  [sing.] (informal) a person, thing or situation that is ridiculous or annoying and cannot be taken seriously:\nThis latest pay offer is a joke.\nsee also JOCULAR\n IDIOMS \n  be / get beyond a joke to become annoying and no longer acceptable:\nHis teasing is getting beyond a joke.\n  be no joke to be difficult or unpleasant:\nIt’s no joke trying to find a job these days.\n  the joke’s on sb (informal) used to say that sb who tried to make another person look ridiculous now looks ridiculous instead\n  make a joke of sth to laugh about sth that is serious or should be taken seriously\n  take a joke to be able to laugh at a joke against yourself:\nThe trouble with Paula is she can’t take a joke.\n    verb ~ (with sb) (about sth)\n  1  to say sth to make people laugh; to tell a funny story:\n[V] She was laughing and joking with the children. * They often joked about all the things that could go wrong. * [V speech] ’I cooked it myself, so be careful!’ he joked.\n  2  to say sth that is not true because you think it is funny:\n[V] I didn’t mean that-I was only joking. * [V that] She joked that she only loved him for his money.\n IDIOMS \n  joking apart / aside (BrE) used to show that you are now being serious after you have said sth funny\n  you’re joking | you must be joking (spoken) used to show that you are very surprised at what sb has just said:\nNo way am I doing that. You must be joking! * She’s going out with Dan? You’re joking!


Words: joker
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a person who likes making jokes or doing silly things to make people laugh:\nHe’s always been a bit of a joker. * (informal) Some joker’s been using my computer.\n \n  2  an extra playing card that is used in some card games, usually as a WILD CARD\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  the joker in the pack a person or thing who could change the way that things will happen in a way that cannot be predicted


Words: jolly
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, verb \n    adjective (jollier, jolliest)\n  1  happy and cheerful:\na jolly crowd / face / mood\n  2  (old-fashioned) enjoyable:\na jolly evening / party / time\n    jollity  noun [U] (old-fashioned):\nscenes of high-spirits and jollity\n    adverb (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) very:\nThat’s a jolly good idea. * It was jolly lucky it didn’t rain.\n IDIOMS \n  jolly good! (old-fashioned, BrE, spoken) used to show that you approve of sth that sb has just said:\n’I’ll be there by ten o’clock.’ ’Jolly good!’\n  jolly well (old-fashioned, BrE) used to emphasize a statement when you are annoyed about sth:\nIf you don’t come now, you can jolly well walk home!\n    verb (jollies, jollying, jollied, jollied) (BrE)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  jolly sb along to encourage sb in a cheerful way\n  jolly sb into sth / into doing sth to persuade or encourage sb to do sth by making them feel happy about it\n  jolly sb/sth up to make sb/sth more cheerful:\nYou need jollying up!


Words: jolt
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to move or to make sb/sth move suddenly and roughly:\n[V] The truck jolted and rattled over the rough ground. * The bus jolted to a halt. * (figurative) Her heart jolted when she saw him. * [VN] He was jolted forwards as the bus moved off.\n  2  ~ sb (into sth) | ~ sb (out of sth) to give sb a sudden shock, especially so that they start to take action or deal with a situation:\n[VN] His remark jolted her into action. * The sound jolted my memory, and I suddenly remembered what had happened. * a method of jolting the economy out of recession [also VN-ADJ]\n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  a sudden rough movement\nSYN JERK:\nThe plane landed with a jolt.\n  2  a sudden strong feeling, especially of shock or surprise:\na jolt of dismay


Words: Joneses
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.]\n IDIOMS \n  keep up with the Joneses  (informal, often disapproving) to try to have all the possessions and social achievements that your friends and NEIGHBOURS have


Words: jostle
Meaning:
verb\nto push roughly against sb in a crowd:\n[VN] The visiting president was jostled by angry demonstrators. * [V] People were jostling, arguing and complaining.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  jostle for sth to compete strongly and forcefully with other people for sth:\nPeople in the crowd were jostling for the best positions.


Words: jot
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-tt-)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  jot sth<->down to write sth quickly:\nI’ll just jot down the address for you.\n    noun [sing.] (not a / one jot) used to mean ’not even a small amount’ when you are emphasizing a negative statement:\nThere’s not a jot of truth in what he says (= none at all).


Words: journal
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a newspaper or magazine that deals with a particular subject or profession:\na scientific / trade journal * the British Medical Journal\n  2  used in the title of some newspapers:\nthe Wall Street Journal\n  3  a written record of the things you do, see, etc. every day:\nHe kept a journal of his travels across Asia.\ncompare DIARY


Words: journalese
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (usually disapproving) a style of language that is thought to be typical of that used in newspapers


Words: journalism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the work of collecting and writing news stories for newspapers, magazines, radio or television


Words: journalist
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job is to collect and write news stories for newspapers, magazines, radio or television\ncompare REPORTER


Words: journalistic
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] connected with the work of a journalist:\njournalistic skills * his journalistic background


Words: journey
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun an act of travelling from one place to another, especially when they are far apart:\nThey went on a long train journey across India. * Did you have a good journey? * We broke our journey (= stopped for a short time) in Madrid. * (especially BrE) Don’t use the car for short journeys. * (especially BrE) It’s a day’s journey by car. * (especially BrE) I’m afraid you’ve had a wasted journey (= you cannot do what you have come to do). * (BrE, spoken) Bye! Safe journey! (= used when sb is beginning a journey) * (figurative) The book describes a spiritual journey from despair to happiness.\n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] (formal or literary) to travel, especially a long distance:\nThey journeyed for seven long months.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \njourney / travel / trip\nNouns\nJourney = an act of travelling from one place to another. In BrE it can be long, or short but regular: to go on a 6 000-mile journey * How long is your journey to work?\nTrip = a journey to a place and back, especially for a short visit: to go on a trip to Disneyland * a business trip.\nIn AmE trip is used instead of journey for a short distance: The trip takes about 45 minutes.\nTravel is an uncountable noun that means the general act of travelling: She loves travel. * The price includes air travel.\nTravels [pl] means several journeys to other places or countries, especially far away.\nVerbs\nTo travel puts emphasis on the journey itself: to travel abroad * I usually travel by air.\nIf you are thinking more about the place you are going to than the journey itself, use to go: I’m going to Italy on Friday. * Do you go to New York often? * _I_’_m_ _t_r_a_v_e_l_l_i_n_g_ _t_o_ _I_t_a_l_y_ _o_n_ _F_r_i_d_a_y_._ _*_ _D_o_ _y_o_u_ _t_r_a_v_e_l_ _t_o_ _N_e_w_ _Y_o_r_k_ _o_f_t_e_n_?\nsee also EXCURSION, TOUR, VOYAGE\n______________________________


Words: journeyman
Meaning:
1  (in the past) a person who was trained to do a particular job and who then worked for sb else\n  2  a person who has training and experience in a job but who is only average at it


Words: joust
Meaning:
verb [V] \n  1  to fight on horses using a long stick (= a LANCE) to try to knock the other person off their horse, especially as part of a formal contest in the past\n  2  (formal) to argue with sb, especially as part of a formal or public debate\n    joust noun


Words: Jove
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  by Jove (old-fashioned spoken, especially BrE) used to express surprise or to emphasize a statement


Words: jovial
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) very cheerful and friendly:\nHe was in a jovial mood.\n    joviality  noun [U]\n    jovially  adverb


Words: jowl
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] (written) the lower part of sb’s cheek when it is fat and hangs down below their chin:\na man with heavy jowls\n IDIOMS  see CHEEK n.


Words: joy
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a feeling of great happiness\nSYN DELIGHT:\nthe sheer joy of being with her again * to dance for / with joy * I didn’t expect them to jump for joy at the news (= to be very pleased). * To his great joy, she accepted.\n  2  [C] a person or thing that causes you to feel very happy:\nthe joys of fatherhood * The game was a joy to watch.\n  3  [U] (BrE, informal) (in questions and negative sentences) success or satisfaction:\nWe complained about our rooms but got no joy from the manager. * ’Any joy at the shops?’ ’No, they didn’t have what I wanted.’\n IDIOMS \n  full of the joys of spring very cheerful\nmore at PRIDE n.


Words: joyful
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) very happy; causing people to be happy:\nShe gave a joyful laugh. * It was a joyful reunion of all the family.\n    joyfully  adverb


Words: joyous
Meaning:
adjective\n(literary) very happy; causing people to be happy\nSYN JOYFUL:\njoyous laughter * She could now enjoy the joyous prospect of being reunited with him again.\n    joyously adverb


Words: joypad
Meaning:
noun\na device used with some computer games, with buttons that you use to move images on the screen


Words: joyriding
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the crime of stealing a car and driving it for pleasure, usually in a fast and dangerous way\n    joyride noun\n    joyrider noun


Words: joystick
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  an upright handle used with some computer games to move images on the screen\n \n  2  (informal) an upright handle in an aircraft that is used to control direction or height


Words: ju-jitsu
Meaning:
(also jiu-jitsu)  noun\n[U] a Japanese system of fighting from which the sport of JUDO was developed


Words: jubilant
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) feeling or showing great happiness because of a success:\nThe fans were in jubilant mood after the victory.\n    jubilantly adverb


Words: jubilation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a feeling of great happiness because of a success:\nThere were scenes of jubilation among her supporters.


Words: jubilee
Meaning:
noun\na special anniversary of an event, especially one that took place 25 or 50 years ago; the celebrations connected with it\nsee also DIAMOND JUBILEE, GOLDEN JUBILEE, SILVER JUBILEE


Words: Judaism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the religion of the Jewish people, based mainly on the Bible (= the Christian Old Testament) and the Talmud\n    Judaic  adjective [only before noun]:\nJudaic tradition / law


Words: judge
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  in court of law\n  1  a person in a court of law who has the authority to decide how criminals should be punished or to make legal decisions:\na High Court judge * a federal judge * The case comes before Judge Cooper next week. * The judge sentenced him to five years in prison.\ncompare JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, MAGISTRATE\n  in competition\n  2  a person who decides who has won a competition:\nthe panel of judges at the flower show * The judges’ decision is final.\n  sb who gives opinion\n  3  [usually sing.] a person who has the necessary knowledge or skills to give their opinion about the value or quality of sb/sth:\nShe’s a good judge of character. * The last singer was the best-not that I’m any judge (= I do not know much about the subject). * ’I’m not sure that’s a good way to do it.’ ’Let me be the judge of that.’\n    verb\n  form opinion\n  1  to form an opinion about sb/sth, based on the information you have:\n[V] As far as I can judge, all of them are to blame. * Judging by her last letter, they are having a wonderful time. * To judge from what he said, he was very disappointed. * [VN] Schools should not be judged only on exam results. * Each painting must be judged on its own merits. * [VN-N, VN to inf] The tour was judged a great success. * The tour was judged to have been a great success. * [VN-ADJ] They judged it wise to say nothing. [also V that, VN that, V wh-]\n  estimate\n  2  to guess the size, amount, etc. of sth:\n[V wh-] It’s difficult to judge how long the journey will take. * [VN to inf] I judged him to be about 50.\n  in competition\n  3  to decide the result of a competition; to be the judge in a competition:\n[VN] She was asked to judge the essay competition. [also V]\n  give opinion\n  4  to give your opinion about sb, especially when you disapprove of them:\n[VN] What gives you the right to judge other people? [also V]\n  in court of law\n  5  to decide whether sb is guilty or innocent in a court of law:\n[VN] to judge a case * [VN-ADJ] to judge sb guilty / not guilty\n IDIOMS \n  don’t judge a book by its cover (saying) used to say that you should not form an opinion about sb/sth from their appearance only


Words: judgement
Meaning:
(also judgment especially in AmE)  noun\n  1  [U] the ability to make sensible decisions after carefully considering the best thing to do:\ngood / poor / sound judgement * She showed a lack of judgement when she gave Mark the job. * It’s not something I can give you rules for; you’ll have to use your judgement. * He achieved his aim more by luck than judgement. * The accident was caused by an error of judgement on the part of the pilot.\n  2  [C, U] ~ (of / about / on sth) an opinion that you form about sth after thinking about it carefully; the act of making this opinion known to others:\nHe refused to make a judgement about the situation. * Who am I to pass judgement on her behaviour? (= to criticize it) * I’d like to reserve judgement until I see the report. * It was, in her judgement, the wrong thing to do. * I did it against my better judgement (= although I thought it was perhaps the wrong thing to do).\n  3  (usually judgment) [C, U] the decision of a court of law or a judge:\na judgment from the European Court of Justice * The judgment will be given tomorrow. * The court has yet to pass judgment (= say what its decision is) in this case.\n  4  [C, usually sing.] ~ (on sth) (formal) something bad that happens to sb that is thought to be a punishment from God\n IDIOMS  see SIT


Words: Judgement Day
Meaning:
(also the Day of Judgement, the Last Judgement) noun\n[sing.] the day at the end of the world when, according to some religions, God will judge everyone who has ever lived


Words: judgemental
Meaning:
(BrE) (also judgmental AmE, BrE)  adjective\n  1  (disapproving) judging people and criticizing them too quickly:\nStop always being so judgemental!\n  2  (formal) connected with the process of judging things:\nthe judgemental process


Words: judicature
Meaning:
noun (law)\n  1  [U] the system and ADMINISTRATION of justice in a country\n  2  (the judicature) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] judges when they are considered as a group


Words: judicial
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] connected with a court of law, a judge or legal judgement:\njudicial powers * the judicial process / system * Greenpeace applied for a judicial review to challenge the court’s decision. * The Supreme Court ordered a judicial inquiry into the deaths.\n    judicially  adverb


Words: judiciary
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the judiciary) [C+sing./pl. v.] (plural judiciaries) the judges of a country or a state, when they are considered as a group:\nan independent judiciary\ncompare EXECUTIVE n. (3), LEGISLATURE


Words: judicious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, approving) careful and sensible; showing good judgement:\nIt is curable with judicious use of antibiotics. * Some dishes would be very bland without the judicious use of spices and other seasonings.\nOPP INJUDICIOUS\n    judiciously adverb:\nThe letter was judiciously worded.


Words: jug
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (BrE) (AmE pitcher) a container with a handle and a LIP, for holding and pouring liquids:\na milk / water jug\n \n  2  (AmE) a large round container with a small opening and a handle, for holding liquids:\na five-gallon jug of beer\n \n  3  the amount of liquid contained in a jug:\nShe spilled a jug of water.


Words: juggernaut
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE, often disapproving) a very large lorry/truck:\njuggernauts roaring through country villages\n  2  (written) a large and powerful force or institution that cannot be controlled:\na bureaucratic juggernaut


Words: juggle
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (with sth) to throw a set of three or more objects such as balls into the air and catch and throw them again quickly, one at a time:\n[V] to juggle with balls / clubs * My uncle taught me to juggle. * [VN] (figurative) I was juggling books, shopping bags and the baby (= I was trying to hold them all without dropping them).\n  2  ~ sth (with sth) to try to deal with two or more important jobs or activities at the same time so that you can fit all of them into your life:\n[VN] Working mothers are used to juggling their jobs, their children’s needs and their housework. [also V]\n  3  [VN] to organize information, figures, the money you spend, etc. in the most useful or effective way


Words: juggler
Meaning:
noun\na person who juggles, especially an entertainer:\nAt the moment the President is like a juggler with a lot of balls in the air at once.


Words: jugular
Meaning:
(also jugular vein) noun\nany of the three large VEINS in the neck that carry blood from the head to the heart\n IDIOMS \n  go for the jugular (informal) to attack sb’s weakest point during a discussion, in an aggressive way:\nShe went straight for the jugular and asked him to explain his previous criminal record.


Words: juice
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U, C] the liquid that comes from fruit or vegetables; a drink made from this:\nAdd the juice of two lemons. * a carton of apple juice * Two orange juices, please.\n \n  2  [C, usually pl., U] the liquid that comes out of a piece of meat when it is cooked:\nUse the juices of the meat to make gravy.\n \n  3  [C, usually pl.] the liquid in the stomach that helps you to DIGEST food:\ndigestive / gastric juices\n \n  4  [U] (informal, especially BrE) petrol/gas\n  5  [U] (AmE, informal) electricity\n IDIOMS  see STEW v.


Words: juicer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a piece of electrical equipment for getting the juice out of fruit or vegetables\n  2  (AmE) = LEMON SQUEEZER


Words: juicy
Meaning:
adjective (juicier, juiciest)\n  1  (approving) containing a lot of juice and good to eat:\nsoft juicy pears * The meat was tender and juicy. * The birds come searching for juicy worms and grubs.\n  2  (informal) interesting because you find it shocking or exciting:\njuicy gossip * She told me all the juicy details.\n  3  (informal) attractive because it will bring you a lot of money or satisfaction:\na juicy prize


Words: jukebox
Meaning:
noun\na machine in a pub, bar, etc. that plays music when you put coins into it:\nTheir favourite song was playing on the jukebox.


Words: July
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (abbreviation Jul.) the 7th month of the year, between June and August\n HELP NOTE  To see how July is used, look at the examples at April.


Words: jumble
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (together / up) to mix things together in a confused or untidy way:\nBooks, shoes and clothes were jumbled together on the floor.\n    jumbled adjective:\na jumbled collection of objects * jumbled thoughts\n    noun\n  1  [sing.] ~ (of sth) an untidy or confused mixture of things:\na jumble of books and paper * The essay was a meaningless jumble of ideas.\n  2  [U] (BrE) a collection of old or used clothes, etc. that are no longer wanted and are going to be taken to a jumble sale


Words: jumble sale
Meaning:
(BrE) (also rummage sale AmE, BrE) noun\na sale of old or used clothes, etc. to make money for a church, school or other organization


Words: jumbo
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural jumbos) (also jumbo jet) a large plane that can carry several hundred passengers, especially a Boeing 747\n    adjective [only before noun] (informal) very large; larger than usual:\na jumbo pack of cornflakes


Words: jump
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  move off / to ground\n \n  1  to move quickly off the ground or away from a surface by pushing yourself with your legs and feet:\n[V] to jump into the air / over a wall / into the water * ’Quick, jump!’ he shouted. * The children were jumping up and down with excitement. * She jumped down from the chair. * The pilot jumped from the burning plane (= with a PARACHUTE). * [VN] She has jumped 2.2 metres.\n \n  pass over sth\n \n  2  [VN] to pass over sth by jumping:\nCan you jump that gate? * His horse fell as it jumped the last hurdle. * I jumped my horse over all the fences.\n \n  move quickly\n \n  3  [V +adv./prep.] to move quickly and suddenly:\nHe jumped to his feet when they called his name. * She jumped up and ran out of the room. * Do you want a ride? Jump in.\n  4  [V] to make a sudden movement because of surprise, fear or excitement:\nA loud bang made me jump. * Her heart jumped when she heard the news.\n  increase\n  5  [V] to rise suddenly by a large amount:\nPrices jumped by 60% last year. * Sales jumped from $2.7 billion to $3.5 billion.\n  change suddenly\n  6  [V] ~ (about) (from sth to sth) to change suddenly from one subject to another:\nI couldn’t follow the talk because he kept jumping about from one topic to another. * The story then jumps from her childhood in New York to her first visit to London.\n  leave out\n  7  [VN] to leave out sth and pass to a further point or stage:\nYou seem to have jumped several steps in the argument.\n  of machine / device\n  8  [V] to move suddenly and unexpectedly, especially out of the correct position:\nThe needle jumped across the dial. * The film jumped during projection.\n  attack\n  9  ~ (on) sb (informal) to attack sb suddenly:\n[VN] The thieves jumped him in a dark alleyway. [also V]\n  vehicle\n  10  [VN] (AmE) to get on a vehicle very quickly:\nto jump a bus\n  11  [VN] (AmE) = JUMP-START\n  be lively\n  12  (be jumping) (informal) to be very lively:\nThe bar’s jumping tonight.\n IDIOMS \n  jump down sb’s throat (informal) to react very angrily to sb\n  jump the gun to do sth too soon, before the right time\n  jump the lights (informal) to fail to stop at a red traffic light\n  jump out of your skin (informal) to move violently because of a sudden shock\n  jump the queue (BrE) (AmE jump the line) to go to the front of a line of people without waiting for your turn\n  jump the rails (of a train) to leave the rails suddenly\n  jump ship\n1 to leave the ship on which you are serving, without permission\n2 to leave an organization that you belong to, suddenly and unexpectedly\n  jump through hoops to do sth difficult or complicated in order to achieve sth\n  jump to it (AmE also hop to it) (informal) used to tell sb to hurry and do something quickly\nmore at BANDWAGON, CONCLUSION, DEEP adj.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  jump at sth to enthusiastically accept an opportunity, offer, etc.\n  jump in\n1 to interrupt a conversation:\nBefore she could reply Peter jumped in with an objection.\n2 to start to do sth very quickly without spending a long time thinking first\n  jump on sb (AmE also jump at sb) (informal) to criticize sb/sth\n  jump out at sb to be very obvious and easily noticed:\nThe mistake in the figures jumped out at me.\n    noun\n  movement\n  1  an act of jumping:\na jump of over six metres * The story takes a jump back in time. * Somehow he survived the jump from the third floor of the building. * to make / do a parachute jump * a ski jump champion * I sat up with a jump (= quickly and suddenly). * The negotiations took a jump forward yesterday (= they made progress).\nsee also HIGH JUMP, LONG JUMP, SKI JUMP, TRIPLE JUMP\n  barrier\n  2  a barrier like a narrow fence that a horse or a runner has to jump over in a race or competition:\nThe horse fell at the last jump.\n  increase\n  3  ~ (in sth) a sudden increase in amount, price or value:\na 20 per cent jump in pre-tax profits * unusually large price jumps\n IDIOMS \n  to keep, etc. one jump ahead (of sb) to keep your advantage over sb, especially your competitors, by taking action before they do or by making sure you know more than they do\nmore at RUNNING adj., HIGH JUMP


Words: jump lead
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE jumper cable) noun\n[usually pl.] one of two cables that are used to start a car when it has no power in its battery. The jump leads connect the battery to the battery of another car.


Words: jump-off
Meaning:
noun\n(in the sport of SHOWJUMPING) an extra part of a competition in which horses that have the same score jump again to decide the winner:\n’Liquid Gold’ had the only clear round in a nine-horse jump-off.


Words: jump-start
Meaning:
(AmE also jump) verb [VN] \n  1  to start the engine of a car by connecting the battery to the battery of another car with JUMP LEADS\n  2  to put a lot of energy into starting a process or an activity or into making it start more quickly


Words: jumped-up
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE, informal, disapproving) thinking you are more important than you really are, particularly because you have risen in social status:\nHe’s not really an accountant, just a jumped-up office clerk.


Words: jumper
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (BrE) a knitted woollen or cotton piece of clothing for the upper part of the body, with long sleeves and no buttons:\na woolly jumper\n \n  2  (AmE) = PINAFORE\n \n  3  a person, an animal or an insect that jumps:\nHe’s a good jumper.


Words: jumping-off point
Meaning:
(also jumping-off place) noun\na place from which to start a journey or new activity:\nBombay is the best jumping-off point for a trip to India.


Words: jumpsuit
Meaning:
noun\na piece of clothing that consists of trousers/pants and a jacket or shirt sewn together in one piece, worn especially by women


Words: jumpy
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) nervous and anxious, especially because you think that sth bad is going to happen


Words: junction
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (especially BrE) (AmE usually intersection) the place where two or more roads or railway/railroad lines meet:\nCome off the motorway at junction 6. * It was near the junction of City Road and Old Street. * The most complicated motorway interchange in Britain is known as Spaghetti Junction.\n  2  a place where two or more cables, etc. meet or are joined:\na telephone junction box * the junction between nerves and muscles


Words: juncture
Meaning:
noun\n(formal) a particular point or stage in an activity or a series of events:\nThe battle had reached a crucial juncture. * At this juncture, I would like to make an important announcement.


Words: June
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (abbreviation Jun.) the 6th month of the year, between May and July\n HELP NOTE  To see how June is used, look at the examples at April.


Words: jungle
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] an area of tropical forest where trees and plants grow very thickly:\nThe area was covered in dense jungle. * the jungles of South-East Asia * jungle warfare * Our garden is a complete jungle.\n  2  [sing.] an unfriendly or dangerous place or situation, especially one where it is very difficult to be successful or to trust anyone:\nIt’s a jungle out there-you’ve got to be strong to succeed.\nsee also CONCRETE JUNGLE\n  3  (also jungle music) [U] a type of popular dance music developed in Britain in the early 1990s, with fast music and spoken words about life in cities\n IDIOMS  see LAW


Words: junior
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  of low rank\n  1  [usually before noun] ~ (to sb) having a low rank in an organization or a profession:\njunior employees * She is junior to me.\n  in sport\n  2  [only before noun] connected with young people below a particular age, rather than with adults, especially in sports:\nthe world junior tennis championships\n  son\n  3  (Junior) (abbreviation Jnr, Jr.) (especially in US) used after the name of a man who has the same name as his father, to avoid confusion\ncompare the younger at YOUNG adj. (6)\n  school / college\n  4  [only before noun] (BrE) (of a school or part of a school) for children under the age of 11 or 13\n  5  [only before noun] (AmE) connected with the year before the last year in a high school or college:\nI spent my junior year in France.\ncompare SENIOR\n    noun\n  low level job\n  1  [C] (especially BrE) a person who has a job at a low level within an organization:\noffice juniors\n  in sport\n  2  [C] a young person below a particular age, rather than an adult:\nShe has coached many of our leading juniors.\n  in school / college\n  3  [C] (BrE) a child who goes to JUNIOR SCHOOL:\nSam is going to be a junior next year.\n  4  [C] (AmE) a student in the year before the last year at high school or college\ncompare SOPHOMORE\n  son\n  5  [sing.] (AmE, informal) a person’s young son:\nI leave junior with Mom when I’m at work.\n IDIOMS \n  be ...years sb’s junior | be sb’s junior (by ...) to be younger than sb, by the number of years mentioned:\nShe’s four years his junior. * She’s his junior by four years.


Words: junior college
Meaning:
noun\n(in the US) a college that offers programmes that are two years long. Some students go to a university or a college offering four-year programmes after they have finished studying at a junior college.


Words: junior doctor
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain) a doctor who has finished medical school and who is working at a hospital to get further practical experience\ncompare HOUSE OFFICER, INTERN


Words: junior high school
Meaning:
(also junior high) noun\n[C, U] (in the US) a school for young people between the ages of 12 and 14\ncompare SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


Words: junk
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] things that are considered useless or of little value:\nI’ve cleared out all that old junk in the attic. * This china came from a junk shop. * There’s nothing but junk on the TV.\n  2  [U] = JUNK FOOD\n  3  [C] a Chinese boat with a square sail and a flat bottom\n    verb [VN] (informal) to get rid of sth because it is no longer valuable or useful:\nAll their old computers had been junked. * His proposals were junked before they were even considered.


Words: junk bond
Meaning:
noun\n(business) a type of BOND that pays a high rate of interest because there is a lot of risk involved, often used to raise money quickly in order to buy the shares of another company


Words: junk food
Meaning:
(also junk) noun\n[U] (also junk foods [pl.]) (informal, disapproving) food that is quick and easy to prepare and eat but that is thought to be bad for your health


Words: junk mail
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) advertising material that is sent to people who have not asked for it\ncompare SPAM


Words: junket
Meaning:
noun\n(informal disapproving, especially AmE) a trip that is made for pleasure by sb who works for the government, etc. and that is paid for using public money


Words: jurisdiction
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [U, C] ~ (over sb/sth) | ~ (of sb/sth) (to do sth) the authority that an official organization has to make legal decisions about sb/sth:\nThe Court of Appeal exercised its jurisdiction to order a review of the case. * These matters do not fall within our jurisdiction.\n  2  [C] an area or a country in which a particular system of laws has authority:\nPractice varies between different European jurisdictions.


Words: jury
Meaning:
pl. v.]\n  1  (also panel, jury panel especially in AmE) a group of members of the public who listen to the facts of a case in a court of law and decide whether or not sb is guilty of a crime:\nmembers of the jury * to be / sit / serve on a jury * The jury has / have returned a verdict of guilty. * the right to trial by jury\nsee also GRAND JURY\n  2  a group of people who decide who is the winner of a competition\n IDIOMS \n  the jury is (still) out on sth used when you are saying that sth is still not certain:\nThe jury is still out on whether wine can be good for you.


Words: jury service
Meaning:
(BrE) (also jury duty AmE, BrE) noun\n[U] a period of time spent as a member of a jury in a court of law


Words: just
Meaning:
adverb, adjective \n    adverb\n  1  ~ (like / what / as ...) exactly:\nThis jacket is just my size. * This gadget is just the thing for getting those nails out. * Just my luck (= the sort of bad luck I usually have). The phone’s not working. * You’re just in time. * She looks just like her mother. * It’s just what I wanted! * It’s just as I thought. * (BrE) It’s just on six (= exactly six o’clock).\n  2  ~ as ... at the same moment as:\nThe clock struck six just as I arrived.\n  3  ~ as good, nice, easily, etc. no less than; equally:\nShe’s just as smart as her sister. * You can get there just as cheaply by plane.\n  4  (only) ~ | ~ after, before, under, etc. sth by a small amount:\nI got here just after nine. * I only just caught the train. * Inflation fell to just over 4 per cent.\n  5  used to say that you/sb did sth very recently:\nI’ve just heard the news. * When you arrived he had only just left. * She has just been telling us about her trip to Rome. * (especially AmE) I just saw him a moment ago. -> ALREADY\n  6  at this/that moment; now:\nI’m just finishing my book. * I was just beginning to enjoy myself when we had to leave. * I’m just off (= I am leaving now).\n  7  ~ about / going to do sth going to do sth only a few moments from now or then:\nThe water’s just about to boil. * I was just going to tell you when you interrupted.\n  8  simply:\nIt was just an ordinary day. * I can’t just drop all my commitments. * This essay is just not good enough. * I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that I had to tell somebody. * This is not just another disaster movie-it’s a masterpiece. * (spoken) Just because you’re older than me doesn’t mean you know everything.\n  9  (informal) really; completely:\nThe food was just wonderful! * I can just imagine his reaction.\n  10  ~ (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) only:\nI decided to learn Japanese just for fun. * I waited an hour just to see you. * There is just one method that might work. * ’Can I help you?’ ’No thanks, I’m just looking.’ (= in a shop / store)\n  11  used in orders to get sb’s attention, give permission, etc:\nJust listen to what I’m saying, will you! * Just help yourselves.\n  12  used to make a polite request, excuse, etc:\nCould you just help me with this box, please? * I’ve just got a few things to do first.\n  13  could / might / may ~ used to show a slight possibility that sth is true or will happen:\nTry his home number-he might just be there.\n  14  used to agree with sb:\n’He’s very pompous.’ ’Isn’t he just?’\n IDIOMS \n  could / might just as well ... used to say that you/sb would have been in the same position if you had done sth else, because you got little benefit or enjoyment from what you did do:\nThe weather was so bad we might just as well have stayed at home.\n  it is just as well (that ...) it is a good thing:\nIt is just as well that we didn’t leave any later or we’d have missed him.\n  just about (informal)\n1 almost; very nearly:\nI’ve met just about everyone. * ’Did you reach your sales target?’ ’Just about.’\n2 approximately:\nShe should be arriving just about now.\n  just a minute / moment / second (informal) used to ask sb to wait for a short time:\n’Is Mr Burns available?’ ’Just a second, please, I’ll check.’\n  just like that suddenly, without warning or explanation\n  just now\n1 at this moment:\nCome and see me later-I’m busy just now.\n2 during this present period:\nBusiness is good just now.\n3 only a short time ago:\nI saw her just now.\n  just so done or arranged very accurately or carefully:\nHe liked polishing the furniture and making everything just so.\n  just then at that moment:\nJust then, someone knocked at the front door.\n  not just yet not now but probably quite soon:\nI can’t give you the money just yet.\n  I, etc. would just as soon do sth used to say that you would equally well like to do sth, as do sth else that has been suggested:\nI’d just as soon stay at home as go out tonight.\nmore at CASE n., JOB\n    adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  that most people consider to be morally fair and reasonable:\na just decision / law / society\n  2  (the just) noun [pl.] people who are just\n  3  appropriate in a particular situation:\na just reward / punishment * I think she got her just deserts (= what she deserved).\nOPP UNJUST\n    justly adverb:\nto be treated justly * to be justly proud of sth


Words: just-in-time
Meaning:
adjective\n(business) used to describe a system in which parts or materials are only delivered to a factory just before they are neeeded


Words: justice
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the fair treatment of people:\nlaws based on the principles of justice * They are demanding equal rights and justice.\nOPP INJUSTICE\nsee also POETIC JUSTICE, ROUGH JUSTICE\n  2  [U] the quality of being fair or reasonable:\nWho can deny the justice of their cause? * He demanded, not without justice, that he should be allowed to express his views.\nOPP INJUSTICE\n  3  [U] the legal system used to punish people who have committed crimes:\nthe criminal justice system * The European Court of Justice * The two women stand charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.\nsee also MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE\n  4  (also Justice) [C] (AmE) a judge in a court of law (also used before the name of a judge):\nSupreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor\nsee also CHIEF JUSTICE\n  5  (Justice) [C] (BrE) used before the name of a judge in the HIGH COURT:\nMr Justice Davies\n IDIOMS \n  bring sb to justice to arrest sb for a crime and put them on trial in a court of law\n  do justice to sb / sth; do sb/sth justice\n1 to treat or represent sb/sth fairly, especially in a way that shows how good, attractive, etc. they are:\nThat photo doesn’t do you justice. * He didn’t play as well as he can, but to do him justice, it was his first game since his injury. * The review did not do justice to her talents.\n2 to deal with sb/sth correctly and completely:\nYou cannot do justice to such a complex situation in just a few pages. * I didn’t feel well and wasn’t able to do justice to the meal she had cooked (= I could not eat all the food).\n  do yourself justice to do sth as well as you can in order to show other people how good you are:\nShe didn’t do herself justice in the exam.\nmore at PERVERT v.


Words: Justice of the Peace
Meaning:
noun\n(plural Justices of the Peace) (abbreviation JP) an official who acts as a judge in the lowest courts of law\nSYN MAGISTRATE


Words: justifiable
Meaning:
adjective\nexisting or done for a good reason, and therefore acceptable\nSYN LEGITIMATE:\njustifiable criticism / pride * justifiable homicide\n    justifiably  adverb:\nThe university can be justifiably proud of its record.


Words: justification
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] ~ (for sth / doing sth) a good reason why sth exists or is done:\nI can see no possible justification for any further tax increases. * He was getting angry-and with some justification.\n IDIOMS \n  in justification (of sb/sth) as an explanation of why sth exists or why sb has done sth:\nAll I can say in justification of her actions is that she was under a lot of pressure at work.


Words: justified
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (in doing sth) having a good reason for doing sth:\nShe felt fully justified in asking for her money back.\n  2  existing or done for a good reason:\nHis fears proved justified.


Words: justify
Meaning:
verb (justifies, justifying, justified, justified)\n  1  to show that sb/sth is right or reasonable:\n[V -ing] How can they justify paying such huge salaries? * [VN] Her success had justified the faith her teachers had put in her. [also VN -ing]\n  2  ~ sth (to sb) to give an explanation or excuse for sth or for doing sth:\n[VN] The Prime Minister has been asked to justify the decision to Parliament. * You don’t need to justify yourself to me. [also V -ing, VN -ing]\n  3  [VN] (technical) to arrange lines of printed text so that one or both edges are straight\n IDIOMS  see END n.


Words: jut
Meaning:
verb\n(-tt-) ~ (out) (from, into, over sth) to stick out further than the surrounding surface, objects, etc.; to make sth stick out\nSYN PROJECT:\n[V] A row of small windows jutted out from the roof. * A rocky headland jutted into the sea. * a jutting chin * [VN] She jutted her chin out stubbornly.


Words: jute
Meaning:
noun\n[U] FIBRES (= thin threads) from a plant, also called jute, used for making rope and rough fabric


Words: juvenile
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] (formal or law) connected with young people who are not yet adults:\njuvenile crime / employment * juvenile offenders\n  2  (disapproving) silly and more typical of a child than an adult\nSYN CHILDISH:\njuvenile behaviour * Don’t be so juvenile!\n    noun (formal or law) a young person who is not yet an adult:\nMost of the suspects were juveniles under the age of 17.


Words: juvenile delinquent
Meaning:
noun\na young person who is not yet an adult and who is guilty of committing a crime, for example damaging property\n    juvenile delinquency noun [U]


Words: juxtapose
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] ~ A and / with B (formal) to put people or things together, especially in order to show a contrast or a new relationship between them:\nIn the exhibition, abstract paintings are juxtaposed with shocking photographs.\n    juxtaposition  noun [U, C]:\nthe juxtaposition of realistic and surreal situations in the novel


Words: K
Meaning:
noun, abbreviation \n    noun (also k) [C, U] (plural K’s, k’s ) the 11th letter of the English alphabet:\n’King’ begins with (a) K / ’K’.\n    abbreviation (plural K)\n  1  (informal) one thousand:\nShe earns 40K (= ｣40 000) a year.\n  2  kilometre(s):\na 10K race\n  3  (computing) KILOBYTE(S)\n  4  KELVIN(S)


Words: kaftan
Meaning:
(also caftan)  noun\n  1  a long loose piece of clothing, usually with a belt at the waist, worn by men in Arab countries\n  2  a woman’s long loose dress with long wide sleeves


Words: kaleidoscope
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a toy consisting of a tube that you look through with loose pieces of coloured glass and mirrors at the end. When the tube is turned, the pieces of glass move and form different patterns\n  2  [sing.] a situation, pattern, etc. containing a lot of different parts that are always changing\n    kaleidoscopic  adjective:\nkaleidoscopic patterns


Words: kamikaze
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (from Japanese) used to describe the way soldiers attack the enemy, knowing that they too will be killed:\na kamikaze pilot / attack * (figurative) He made a kamikaze run across three lanes of traffic.


Words: kangaroo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural kangaroos) a large Australian animal with a strong tail and back legs, that moves by jumping. The female carries its young in a pocket of skin (called a POUCH) on the front of its body.


Words: kanji
Meaning:
noun\n(plural kanji) (from Japanese) a Japanese system of writing based on Chinese symbols, called CHARACTERS; a symbol in this system


Words: kaolin
Meaning:
(also china clay) noun\n[U] a type of fine white clay used in some medicines and in making PORCELAIN for cups, plates, etc.


Words: karaoke
Meaning:
noun\n(from Japanese) a type of entertainment in which a machine plays only the music of popular songs so that people can sing the words themselves:\na karaoke machine / night / bar


Words: karate
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a Japanese system of fighting in which you use your hands and feet as weapons:\na karate chop (= a blow with the side of the hand)


Words: karma
Meaning:
noun\n(in Buddhism and Hinduism) the sum of sb’s good and bad actions in one of their lives, believed to decide their fate in the next


Words: KC
Meaning:
noun\nthe highest level of BARRISTER, who can speak for the government in a court of law in Britain. KC is an abbreviation for ’King’s Counsel’ and is used when there is a king in Britain.\ncompare QC


Words: kebab
Meaning:
(also shish kebab especially in AmE) noun\nsmall pieces of meat and vegetables cooked on a wooden or metal stick


Words: keel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun the long piece of wood or steel along the bottom of a ship, on which the frame is built, and which helps it to keep upright in the water\n IDIOMS  see EVEN adj.\n    verb [V, VN] if a ship or boat keels, or sth keels it, it falls over onto its side\nSYN CAPSIZE\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  keel over to fall over sideways or forwards:\nSeveral of them keeled over in the heat.


Words: keen
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (keener, keenest)\n  eager / enthusiastic\n  1  (especially BrE) ~ (to do sth) | ~ (that ...) | ~ (on doing sth) wanting to do sth or wanting sth to happen very much\nSYN EAGER:\nJohn was very keen to help. * We are keen that Britain should get involved too. * I wasn’t too keen on going to the party.\n  2  [usually before noun] enthusiastic about an activity or idea, etc:\na keen sportsman * one of the keenest supporters of the team * She was a star pupil-keen, confident and bright.\n  liking sb / sth\n  3  ~ on sb/sth / on doing sth (BrE, informal) liking sb/sth very much; very interested in sb/sth:\nTom’s very keen on Anna. * She’s not keen on being told what to do.\n  clever\n  4  [only before noun] quick to understand:\na keen mind / intellect\n  ideas / feelings\n  5  [usually before noun] strong or deep:\na keen sense of tradition * He took a keen interest in his grandson’s education.\n  senses\n  6  [only before noun] highly developed; sharp:\nDogs have a keen sense of smell. * My friend has a keen eye for (= is good at noticing) a bargain.\n  competition\n  7  involving people competing very hard with each other for sth:\nThere is keen competition for places at the college. * They were keen rivals. * It was the subject of keen debate.\n  prices\n  8  (especially BrE) kept low in order to compete with other prices:\nThe company hopes its keen pricing policy will increase sales.\n  wind\n  9  (literary) extremely cold\n  knife\n  10  [usually before noun] (literary) having a sharp edge or point\n    keenly adverb:\na keenly fought contest * We were keenly aware of the danger.\n    keenness noun [U] \n IDIOMS \n  (as) keen as mustard (BrE, informal) wanting very much to do well at sth; enthusiastic\nmore at MAD\n    verb [V] (usually used in the progressive tenses) (old-fashioned) to make a loud high sad sound, when sb has died


Words: keep
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (kept, kept )\n  stay\n  1  to stay in a particular condition or position; to make sb/sth do this:\n[V-ADJ] We huddled together to keep warm. * [V +adv./prep.] The notice said ’Keep off (= Do not walk on) the grass’. * Keep left along the wall. * [VN-ADJ] She kept the children amused for hours. * [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] He kept his coat on. * Don’t keep us in suspense-what happened next? * She had trouble keeping her balance. * [VN -ing] I’m very sorry to keep you waiting.\n  continue\n  2  [V -ing] ~ (on) doing sth to continue doing sth; to do sth repeatedly:\nKeep smiling! * I wish you wouldn’t keep on interrupting me!\n  delay\n  3  [VN] to delay sb:\nYou’re an hour late-what kept you?\n  not give back\n  4  [VN] to continue to have sth and not give it back or throw it away:\nHere’s a five dollar bill-please keep the change. * I keep all her letters.\n  save for sb\n  5  ~ sth (for sb) | ~ sb sth (especially BrE) to save sth for sb: [VN, VNN] Please keep a seat for me. * Please keep me a seat.\n  put / store\n  6  [VN +adv./prep.] to put or store sth in a particular place:\nKeep your passport in a safe place.\n  shop / restaurant\n  7  [VN] (especially BrE) to own and manage a shop/store or restaurant:\nHer father kept a grocer’s shop.\n  animals\n  8  [VN] to own and care for animals:\nto keep bees / goats / hens\n  about health\n  9  [V +adv./prep.] (spoken) used to ask or talk about sb’s health:\nHow is your mother keeping? * We’re all keeping well.\n  of food\n  10  [V] to remain in good condition:\nFinish off the pie-it won’t keep. * (spoken, figurative) ’I’d love to hear about it, but I’m late already.’ ’That’s OK-it’ll keep (= I can tell you about it later).\n  secret\n  11  ~ a secret | ~ sth secret (from sb) to know sth and not tell it to anyone:\n[VN] Can you keep a secret? * [VN-ADJ] She kept her past secret from us all.\n  promise / appointment\n  12  [VN] ~ your promise / word | ~ an appointment to do what you have promised to do; to go where you have agreed to go:\nShe kept her promise to visit them. * He failed to keep his appointment at the clinic.\n  diary / record\n  13  [VN] ~ a diary, an account, a record, etc. to write down sth as a record:\nShe kept a diary for over twenty years. * Keep a note of where each item can be found. * I kept a weekly account of my workload and activities.\n  support sb\n  14  [VN] to provide what is necessary for sb to live; to support sb financially:\nHe scarcely earns enough to keep himself and his family.\n  protect\n  15  [VN] ~ sb (from sth) (formal) to protect sb from sth:\nMay the Lord bless you and keep you (= used in prayers in the Christian Church). * His only thought was to keep the boy from harm.\n  in sport\n  16  [VN] ~ goal / wicket (BrE) (in football, hockey, cricket, etc.) to guard or protect the goal or WICKET\nsee also GOALKEEPER, WICKETKEEPER\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing keep are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example keep house is at house.\n  keep going\n1 to make an effort to live normally when you are in a difficult situation or when you have experienced great suffering:\nYou just have to keep yourself busy and keep going.\n2 (spoken) used to encourage sb to continue doing sth:\nKeep going, Sarah, you’re nearly there.\n  keep sb going (informal) to be enough for sb until they get what they are waiting for:\nHave an apple to keep you going till dinner time.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  keep sb after (AmE) = KEEP SB BACK (1)\n  keep at sth to continue working at sth:\nCome on, keep at it, you’ve nearly finished!\n  keep sb at sth to make sb continue working at sth:\nHe kept us at it all day.\n  keep away (from sb/sth) to avoid going near sb/sth:\nKeep away from the edge of the cliff.\n  keep sb/sth away (from sb/sth) to prevent sb/sth from going somewhere:\nHer illness kept her away from work for several weeks.\n  keep back (from sb/sth) to stay at a distance from sb/sth:\nKeep well back from the road.\n  keep sb<->back\n1 (BrE) (AmE keep sb after) to make a student stay at school after normal hours as a punishment\n2 (AmE) to make a student repeat a year at school because of poor marks/grades\n  keep sb<->back (from sb/sth) to make sb stay at a distance from sb/sth:\nBarricades were erected to keep back the crowds.\n  keep sth<->back\n1 to prevent a feeling, etc. from being expressed\nSYN RESTRAIN:\nShe was unable to keep back her tears.\n2 to continue to have a part of sth:\nHe kept back half the money for himself.\n  keep sth<->back (from sb) to refuse to tell sb sth:\nI’m sure she’s keeping something back from us.\n  keep down to hide yourself by not standing up straight:\nKeep down! You mustn’t let anyone see you.\n  keep sb<->down to prevent a person, group, etc. from expressing themselves freely:\nThe people have been kept down for years by a brutal regime. * You can’t keep Laura down-she’s so full of life.\n  keep sth<->down\n1 to make sth stay at a low level; to avoid increasing sth:\nto keep down wages / prices / the cost of living * Keep your voice down-I don’t want anyone else to hear. * Keep the noise down (= be quiet), will you?\n2 to not bring sth back through the mouth from the stomach; to not VOMIT:\nShe’s had some water but she can’t keep any food down.\n  keep from sth | keep yourself from sth to prevent yourself from doing sth:\n[+ -ing] She could hardly keep from laughing.:\nI just managed to keep myself from falling.\n  keep sb from sth to prevent sb from doing sth:\nI hope I’m not keeping you from your work. * [+ -ing] The church bells keep me from sleeping.\n  keep sth from sb to avoid telling sb sth:\nI think we ought to keep the truth from him until he’s better. * They don’t keep anything from each other.\n  keep sth from sth to make sth stay out of sth:\nShe could not keep the dismay from her voice.\n  keep in with sb (BrE, informal) to make sure that you stay friendly with sb, because you will get an advantage from doing so\n  keep sth<->in to avoid expressing an emotion\nSYN RESTRAIN:\nHe could scarcely keep in his indignation.\n  keep sb in to make sb stay indoors or in a particular place\n  keep sb / yourself in sth to provide sb/yourself with a regular supply of sth:\nThe money should keep him in cigarettes for a week.\n  keep off if rain, snow, etc. keeps off, it does not fall\n  keep off sth\n1 to avoid eating, drinking or smoking sth:\nI’m trying to keep off fatty foods.\n2 to avoid mentioning a particular subject:\nIt’s best to keep off politics when my father’s around.\n  keep sb/sth<->off | keep sb/sth off sb/sth to prevent sb/sth from coming near, touching, etc. sb/sth:\nThey lit a fire to keep off wild animals. * Keep your hands off (= do not touch) me!\n  keep on to continue:\nThe rain kept on all night. * Keep on until you get to the church.\n  keep sb<->on to continue to employ sb\n  keep sth on to continue to rent a house, flat/apartment, etc:\nWe’re planning to keep the house on over the summer.\n  keep on (at sb) (about sb/sth) (especially BrE) to speak to sb often and in an annoying way about sb/sth\nSYN NAG:\nHe does keep on so! * I’ll do it-just don’t keep on at me about it!\n  keep out (of sth)\n1 to not enter a place; to stay outside:\nThe sign said ’Ministry of Defence-Keep Out!’\n2 \n  keep sb/sth<->out (of sth) to prevent sb/sth from entering a place:\nKeep that dog out of my study!\n  keep out of sth | keep sb out of sth to avoid sth; to prevent sb from being involved in sth or affected by sth:\nThat child seems incapable of keeping out of mischief. * Keep the baby out of the sun.\n  keep to sth\n1 to avoid leaving a path, road, etc:\nKeep to the track-the land is very boggy around here.\n2 to talk or write only about the subject that you are supposed to talk or write about:\nNothing is more irritating than people who do not keep to the point.\n3 to do what you have promised or agreed to do:\nto keep to an agreement / an undertaking / a plan\n4 to stay in and not leave a particular place or position:\nShe’s nearly 90 and mostly keeps to her room.\n  keep yourself to yourself | keep to yourself to avoid meeting people socially or becoming involved in their affairs:\nNobody knows much about him; he keeps himself very much to himself.\n  keep sth to yourself to not tell other people about sth:\nI’d be grateful if you kept this information to yourself. * Kindly keep your opinions to yourself in future!\n  keep sb under to control or OPPRESS sb:\nThe local people are kept under by the army.\n  keep up if particular weather keeps up, it continues without stopping:\nThe rain kept up all afternoon.\n  keep up (with sb/sth) to move, make progress or increase at the same rate as sb/sth:\nSlow down-I can’t keep up! * I can’t keep up with all the changes. * Wages are not keeping up with inflation.\n  keep up with sb to continue to be in contact with sb:\nHow many of your old school friends do you keep up with?\n  keep up with sth\n1 to learn about or be aware of the news, current events, etc:\nShe likes to keep up with the latest fashions.\n2 to continue to pay or do sth regularly:\nIf you do not keep up with the payments you could lose your home.\n  keep sb up to prevent sb from going to bed:\nI hope we’re not keeping you up.\n  keep sth<->up\n1 to make sth stay at a high level:\nThe high cost of raw materials is keeping prices up.\n2 to continue sth at the same, usually high, level:\nThe enemy kept up the bombardment day and night. * We’re having difficulty keeping up our mortgage payments. * Well done! Keep up the good work / Keep it up!\n3 to make sth remain at a high level:\nThey sang songs to keep their spirits up.\n4 to continue to use or practise sth:\nto keep up old customs / traditions * Do you still keep up your Spanish?\n5 to take care of a house, garden/yard, etc. so that it stays in good condition\nSYN MAINTAIN\nrelated noun UPKEEP\n    noun\n  1  [U] food, clothes and all the other things that a person needs to live; the cost of these things:\nIt’s about time you got a job to earn your keep.\n  2  [C] a large strong tower, built as part of an old castle\n IDIOMS \n  for keeps (informal) for ever:\nIs it yours for keeps or does he want it back?\nmore at EARN


Words: keeper
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (especially in compounds) a person whose job is to look after a building, its contents or sth valuable:\nthe keeper of geology at the museum\nsee also SHOPKEEPER\n \n  2  a person whose job is to look after animals, especially in a ZOO\nsee also GAMEKEEPER, ZOOKEEPER\n \n  3  (BrE, informal) = GOALKEEPER, WICKETKEEPER


Words: keeping
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  in sb’s keeping being taken care of by sb: (figurative) Her secrets were safe in his keeping.\nsee also SAFE KEEPING\n  in keeping (with sth) appropriate or expected in a particular situation; in agreement with sth:\nThe latest results are in keeping with our earlier findings.\n  out of keeping (with sth) not appropriate or expected in a particular situation; not in agreement with sth:\nThe painting is out of keeping with the rest of the room.


Words: keepsake
Meaning:
noun\na small object that sb gives you so that you will remember them\nSYN MEMENTO:\nMy aunt gave me one of her brooches as a keepsake.


Words: keg
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a round wooden or metal container with a flat top and bottom, used especially for storing beer, like a BARREL but smaller\n \n  2  [U] (BrE) = KEG BEER


Words: kelvin
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (abbreviation K) a unit for measuring temperature. One degree kelvin is equal to one degree Celsius.


Words: ken
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n IDIOMS \n  beyond your ken (old-fashioned) if sth is beyond your ken, you do not know enough about it to be able to understand it\n    verb (-nn-) [V, VN, V (that), V wh-] (ScotE, NorthE) to know\n HELP NOTE  Kent is the usual form of the past tense used in Scotland.


Words: kennel
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (AmE doghouse) a small hut for a dog to sleep in\n  2  (usually kennels) [C+sing./pl. v.] a place where people can leave their dogs to be looked after when they go on holiday/vacation; a place where dogs are bred:\nWe put the dog in kennels when we go away.\nsee also BOARDING KENNEL


Words: kept woman
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, usually humorous) a woman who is given money and a home by a man who visits her regularly to have sex


Words: kerb
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE curb)  noun\nthe edge of the raised path at the side of a road, usually made of long pieces of stone:\nThe bus mounted the kerb (= went onto the pavement / sidewalk) and hit a tree.


Words: kerb-crawling
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) the crime of driving slowly along a road in order to find a prostitute\n    kerb-crawler noun


Words: kerbside
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE curbside)  noun\n[U] the side of the street or path near the kerb:\nto stand at the kerbside


Words: kerfuffle
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (BrE, informal) unnecessary excitement or activity\nSYN COMMOTION:\nWhat’s all the kerfuffle about?


Words: kernel
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  the inner part of a nut or seed, or of the stone/pit of a fruit\n \n  2  the central, most important part of an idea or a subject:\nthe kernel of her argument * There may be a kernel of truth (= a small amount of truth) in what she said.


Words: kettle
Meaning:
noun\na container with a lid, handle and a SPOUT, used for boiling water:\nan electric kettle * (BrE) I’ll put the kettle on (= start boiling some water) and make some tea.\n \n IDIOMS  see DIFFERENT, POT n.


Words: kettledrum
Meaning:
noun\na large metal drum with a round bottom and a thin plastic top that can be made looser or tighter to produce different musical notes. A set of kettledrums is usually called TIMPANI.


Words: key
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n  tool for lock\n \n  1  a specially shaped piece of metal used for locking a door, starting a car, etc:\nto insert / turn the key in the lock * the car keys * a bunch of keys * the spare key to the front door * We’ll have a duplicate key cut (= made). * There’s a special key for winding up this clock.\n \n  most important thing\n \n  2  [usually sing.] ~ (to sth) a thing that makes you able to understand or achieve sth:\nThe key to success is preparation. * The driver of the car probably holds the key to solving the crime. * (especially AmE) The key is, how long can the federal government control the inflation rate?\n \n  on computer\n \n  3  any of the buttons that you press to operate a computer or TYPEWRITER:\nPress the return key to enter the information.\n  on musical instrument\n  4  any of the wooden or metal parts that you press to play a piano and some other musical instruments\n  music\n  5  a set of related notes, based on a particular note. Pieces of music are usually written mainly using a particular key:\na sonata in the key of E flat major * This piece changes key many times.\ncompare SCALE n. (7)\n  answers\n  6  a set of answers to exercises or problems:\nCheck your answers in the key at the back of the book.\n  on map\n  7  an explanation of the symbols used on a map or plan\nsee also LOW-KEY\n IDIOMS  see LOCK n.\n    verb [VN] ~ sth (in) | ~ sth (into sth) to put information into a computer using a keyboard\nSYN ENTER:\nKey (in) your password.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  key sb/sth to sth [usually passive] (especially AmE) to make sb/sth suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose:\nThe classes are keyed to the needs of advanced students.\n    adjective [only before noun] most important; essential:\nthe key issue / factor / point * He was a key figure in the campaign. * She played a key role in the dispute. * ’Caution’ is the key word in this situation.


Words: key signature
Meaning:
noun\n(music) the set of marks at the beginning of a printed piece of music to show what KEY the piece is in


Words: keyboard
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  the set of keys for operating a computer or TYPEWRITER\n \n  2  the set of black and white keys on a piano or other musical instrument\n \n  3  an electronic musical instrument that has keys like a piano and can be made to play in different styles or to sound like different instruments\ncompare SYNTHESIZER\n    verb [VN, V] to type information into a computer\n    keyboarding noun [U]


Words: keyed up
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] nervous and excited, especially before an important event:\nWe were all keyed up about the big game.


Words: keynote
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the central idea of a book, a speech, etc:\nChoice is the keynote of the new education policy. * a keynote speech / speaker (= a very important one, introducing a meeting or its subject)\n    keynoter noun:\nFor the first time, a woman will be the keynoter at the convention this year.


Words: keypad
Meaning:
noun\na small set of buttons with numbers on used to operate a telephone, television, etc.; the buttons on the right of a computer keyboard


Words: keystone
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (architecture) the central stone at the top of an arch that keeps all the other stones in position\n  2  [usually sing.] (written) the most important part of a plan or argument that the other parts depend on:\nChanges to the welfare system are the keystone of the government’s reforms.


Words: khaki
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a strong greenish or yellowish brown fabric, used especially for making military uniforms\n  2  a dull greenish or yellowish brown colour\n    khaki adjective:\nkhaki uniforms


Words: kibbutz
Meaning:
noun\n(plural kibbutzim ) (in Israel) a type of farm or factory where a group of people live together and share all the work, decisions and income


Words: kick
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [often +adv./prep.] to hit sb/sth with your foot:\n[VN] She was punched and kicked by her attackers. * The boys were kicking a ball around in the yard. * Vandals had kicked the door down. * [V] Stop kicking-it hurts! [also VN-ADJ]\n  2  to move your legs as if you were kicking sth:\n[VN] The dancers kicked their legs in the air. * [V] The child was dragged away, kicking and screaming.\n  3  [VN] ~ yourself (informal) to be annoyed with yourself because you have done sth stupid, missed an opportunity, etc:\nHe’ll kick himself when he finds out he could have had the job.\n  4  [VN] (in sports such as football and rugby) to score points by kicking the ball:\nto kick a penalty / goal\n IDIOMS \n  kick (some / sb’s) ass (slang, especially AmE) to punish or defeat sb\n  kick the bucket (informal or humorous) to die\n  kick the habit, drug, booze, etc. to stop doing sth harmful that you have done for a long time\n  kick your heels (BrE) to have nothing to do while you are waiting for sb/sth:\nWe were kicking our heels, waiting for some customers.\n  kick sb in the teeth to treat sb badly or fail to give them help when they need it\n  kick over the traces (old-fashioned, BrE) to start to behave badly and refuse to accept any discipline or control\n  kick up a fuss, stink, etc. (informal) to complain loudly about sth:\nThey’ll usually give you your money back if you threaten to kick up a stink.\n  kick up your heels (informal, especially AmE) to be relaxed and enjoy yourself\n  kick sb upstairs (informal) to move sb to a job that seems to be more important but which actually has less power or influence\n  kick sb when they’re down to continue to hurt sb when they are already defeated, etc.\nmore at ALIVE, HELL\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  kick about / around (informal)\n1 (usually used in the progressive tenses) to be lying somewhere not being used:\nThere’s a pen kicking around on my desk somewhere.\n2 to go from one place to another with no particular purpose:\nThey spent the summer kicking around Europe.\n  kick sb around (informal) to treat sb in a rough or unfair way:\nShe’d had enough of being kicked around by her boss.\n  kick sth about / around (informal) to discuss an idea, a plan, etc. in an informal way:\nWe’ll kick some ideas around and make a decision tomorrow.\n  kick against sth to protest about or resist sth:\nYoung people often kick against the rules.\n  kick back (especially AmE) to relax:\nKick back and enjoy the summer.\n  kick in (informal)\n1 to begin to take effect:\nReforms will kick in later this year.\n2 (also kick in sth) (both AmE) to give your share of money or help\n  kick off when a football game or a team, etc. kicks off, the game starts\nrelated noun KICK-OFF\n  kick off (with sth) (informal) to start:\nWhat time shall we kick off? * Tom will kick off with a few comments.\nrelated noun KICK-OFF\n  kick sth<->off to remove sth by kicking:\nto kick off your shoes\n  kick off sth to start a discussion, a meeting, an event, etc.\n  kick out (at sb/sth)\n1 to try to hit sb/sth with your legs because you are angry or upset\n2 to react violently to sb/sth that makes you angry or upset\n  kick sb out (of sth) (informal) to make sb leave or go away (from somewhere)\n  kick up (especially AmE) (of wind or a storm) to become stronger\n  kick sth<->up to make sth, especially dust, rise from the ground\n    noun\n  1  a movement with the foot or the leg, usually to hit sth with the foot:\nthe first kick of the game * She gave him a kick on the shin. * He aimed a kick at the dog. * If the door won’t open, give it a kick. * (slang) She needs a kick up the backside (= she needs to be strongly encouraged to do sth or to behave better).\nsee also FREE KICK\n  2  (informal) a strong feeling of excitement and pleasure:\nI get a kick out of driving fast cars. * He gets his kicks from skiing. * What do you do for kicks?\n  3  [usually sing.] (informal) the strong effect that a drug or an alcoholic drink has:\nThis drink has quite a kick.\n IDIOMS \n  a kick in the teeth (informal) a great disappointment; sth that hurts sb/sth:\nThe job losses are a kick in the teeth for the union.


Words: kick-boxing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a form of boxing in which the people fighting each other can kick as well as PUNCH (= hit with their hands)


Words: kick-off
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] the start of a game of football:\nThe kick-off is at 3.\n  2  [sing.] (informal) the start of an activity


Words: kick-start
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  to start a motorcycle by pushing down a LEVER with your foot\n  2  to do sth to help a process or project start more quickly:\nThe government’s attempt to kick-start the economy has failed.\n    noun\n  1  (also kick-starter) the part of a motorcycle that you push down with your foot in order to start it\n  2  a quick start that you give to sth by taking some action


Words: kickback
Meaning:
noun\n[often pl.] (informal, especially AmE) money paid illegally to sb in return for work or help\nSYN BRIBE


Words: kicker
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who kicks, especially the player in a sports team who kicks the ball to try to score points, for example in rugby\n  2  (AmE, informal) a surprising end to a series of events


Words: kickstand
Meaning:
noun\na metal rod fixed to a bicycle or a motorcycle, which is kept horizontal while the bicycle is being ridden but which can be moved to a vertical position when you need to stand the bicycle somewhere


Words: kid
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [C] (informal) a child or young person:\nA bunch of kids were hanging around outside. * a kid of 15 * She’s a bright kid. * How are the kids (= your children)? * Do you have any kids?\n HELP NOTE  Kid is much more common than child in informal and spoken AmE.\n  2  [C] (spoken) used when speaking to a person who is younger than you:\nHey, kid, what’s wrong?\n  3  [C] a young goat\n  4  [U] soft leather made from the skin of a young goat:\na pair of white kid gloves\n IDIOMS \n  handle / treat, etc. sb with kid gloves to deal with sb in a very careful way so that you do not offend or upset them\n  kid’s stuff (BrE) (AmE kid stuff) something that is very easy to do or understand, especially when this means that it is boring\n    verb (-dd-) (informal)\n  1  (usually used in the progressive tenses) to tell sb sth that is not true, especially as a joke\nSYN JOKE:\n[V] I thought he was kidding when he said he was going out with a rock star. * I didn’t mean it. I was only kidding. * [VN] I’m not kidding you. It does work.\n  2  ~ sb / yourself to allow sb/yourself to believe sth that is not true\nSYN DECEIVE:\n[VN] They’re kidding themselves if they think its going to be easy. * [VN (that)] I tried to kid myself (that) everything was normal.\n IDIOMS \n  no kidding (spoken)\n1 used to emphasize that sth is true or that you agree with sth that sb has just said:\n’It’s cold!’ ’No kidding!’\n2 used to show that you mean what you are saying:\nI want the money back tomorrow. No kidding.\n  you’re kidding | you must be kidding (spoken) used to show that you are very surprised at sth that sb has just said\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  kid around (especially AmE) to behave in a silly way:\nThey were laughing and kidding around.\n    adjective ~ sister / brother (informal, especially AmE) a person’s younger sister/brother


Words: kidnap
Meaning:
verb\n(-pp-, AmE also -p-) [VN] to take sb away illegally and keep them as a prisoner, especially in order to get money or sth else for returning them:\nTwo businessmen have been kidnapped by terrorists.\n    kidnapper noun:\nThe kidnappers are demanding a ransom of $1 million.\n    kidnapping (also kidnap) noun [U, C]:\nHe admitted the charge of kidnap. * the kidnapping of 12 US citizens


Words: kidney
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] either of the two organs in the body that remove waste products from the blood and produce URINE:\na kidney infection\n  2  [U, C] the kidneys of some animals that are cooked and eaten:\nsteak and kidney pie\n\n noun\n  1  [C] either of the two organs in the body that remove waste products from the blood and produce URINE:\na kidney infection\n  2  [U, C] the kidneys of some animals that are cooked and eaten:\nsteak and kidney pie


Words: kidney machine
Meaning:
noun\na machine that does the work of a KIDNEY for sb whose kidneys are damaged or have been removed


Words: kill
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to make sb/sth die:\n[VN] Cancer kills thousands of people every year. * Three people were killed in the crash. * He tried to kill himself with sleeping pills. * I bought a spray to kill the weeds. * (informal) My mother will kill me (= be very angry with me) when she finds out what I’ve done. * Don’t kill yourself trying to get the work done by tomorrow. It can wait. * I nearly killed myself carrying that suitcase all the way here. * [V] Excessive tiredness while driving can kill.\n  2  [VN] to destroy or spoil sth or make it stop:\nto kill a rumour / story * Do you agree that television kills conversation? * The defeat last night killed the team’s chances of qualifying.\n  3  (informal) (usually used in the progressive tenses and not used in the passive) to cause sb pain or suffering:\n[VN] My feet are killing me. [also VN to inf]\n  4  [VN] to make sb laugh a lot: (BrE) He was killing himself laughing. * (AmE) Stop it! You’re killing me!\n IDIOMS \n  kill the goose that lays the golden egg / eggs (saying) to destroy sth that would make you rich, successful, etc.\n  kill or cure (BrE) used to say that what you are going to do will either be very successful or fail completely\n  kill time | kill an hour, a couple of hours, etc. to spend time doing sth that is not important while you are waiting for sth else to happen:\nWe killed time playing cards.\n  kill two birds with one stone to achieve two things at the same time with one action\n  kill sb/sth with kindness to be so kind to sb/sth that you in fact harm them\nmore at CURIOSITY, DRESSED, TIME n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  kill sb/sth<->off\n1 to make a lot of plants, animals, etc. die:\nSome drugs kill off useful bacteria in the user’s body.\n2 to stop or get rid of sth:\nHe has effectively killed off any political opposition.\n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  an act of killing, especially when an animal is hunted or killed:\nA cat often plays with a mouse before the kill. * The plane prepared to move in for the kill. * I was in at the kill when she finally lost her job (= present at the end of an unpleasant process).\n  2  an animal that has been hunted and killed:\nlions feeding on their kill


Words: killer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person, an animal or a thing that kills:\nPolice are hunting his killer. * Heart disease is the biggest killer in Scotland. * an electric insect killer * The players lacked the killer instinct.\nsee also LADYKILLER, SERIAL KILLER\n  2  (informal) something that is very difficult, very exciting or very skilful:\nThe exam was a real killer. * The new movie is a killer.


Words: killing
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun an act of killing sb deliberately; a murder:\nbrutal killings\nsee also MERCY KILLING\n IDIOMS \n  make a killing (informal) to make a lot of money quickly:\nShe made a killing on the stock market.\n    adjective making you very tired:\na killing schedule


Words: kilogram
Meaning:
(BrE also kilogramme)  (also kilo) noun\n(abbreviation kg) a unit for measuring weight; 1 000 grams:\n2 kilograms of rice * Flour is sold by the kilogram.


Words: kilowatt-hour
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation kWh) a unit for measuring electrical energy equal to the power provided by one kilowatt in one hour


Words: kilt
Meaning:
noun\na skirt made of TARTAN fabric that reaches to the knees and is traditionally worn by Scottish men; a similar skirt worn by women


Words: kimono
Meaning:
noun\n(plural kimonos) a traditional Japanese piece of clothing like a long loose dress with wide sleeves, worn on formal occasions; a DRESSING GOWN or ROBE in this style


Words: kin
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (old-fashioned or formal) your family or your relatives:\nMarriage between close kin is prohibited.\ncompare KINDRED\nsee also NEXT OF KIN\n IDIOMS  see KITH


Words: kind
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [C, U] a group of people or things that are the same in some way; a particular variety or type:\nthree kinds of cakes / cake * music of all / various / different kinds * Exercises of this kind are very popular. * What kind of house do you live in? * They sell all kinds of things. * The school is the first of its kind in Britain. * She isn’t that kind of girl. * The regions differ in size, but not in kind. * I need to buy paper and pencils, that kind of thing. * I’ll never have that kind of money (= as much money as that). * (formal) Would you like a drink of some kind?\n IDIOMS \n  in kind\n1 (of a payment) consisting of goods or services, not money:\nAs well as his salary, he gets benefits in kind.\n2 (formal) with the same thing:\nShe insulted him and he responded in kind.\n  a kind of (informal) used to show that sth you are saying is not exact:\nI had a kind of feeling this might happen.\n  kind of (informal) (also spoken kinda) slightly; in some ways:\nThat made me feel kind of stupid. * I like him, kind of.\n  nothing of the kind / sort used to emphasize that the situation is very different from what has been said:\n’I was terrible!’ ’You were nothing of the kind.’\n  of a kind\n1 (disapproving) not as good as it could be:\nYou’re making progress of a kind.\n2 very similar:\nThey’re two of a kind-both workaholics!\n  one of a kind the only one like this:\nMy father was one of a kind-I’ll never be like him.\n  something of the / that kind something like what has been said:\n’He’s resigning.’ ’I’d suspected something of the kind.’\n    adjective (kinder, kindest)\n  1  ~ (to sb/sth) | ~ (of sb) (to do sth) caring about others; gentle, friendly and generous:\na very kind and helpful person * a kind heart / face * a kind action / gesture / comment * kind to animals * You’ve been very kind. * It was really kind of you to help me. * (figurative) Soft water is kinder to your hair. * (figurative) The weather was very kind to us. * (formal) Thank you for your kind invitation. * (formal) ’Do have another.’ ’That’s very kind of you (= thank you).’ * We need a kinder, gentler society. * It would be kinder if we didn’t mention his wife. * If an animal is badly injured, often the kindest thing to do is to destroy it painlessly.\nOPP UNKIND\n  2  (formal) used to make a polite request or give an order:\nWould you be kind enough to close the window.\nsee also KINDLY, KINDNESS\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \nkind / sort\nUse the singular (kind/sort) or plural (kinds/sorts) depending on the word you use before them: each/one/every kind of animal * all/many/other sorts of animals.\nKind/sort of is followed by a singular or uncountable noun: This kind of question often appears in the exam. * That sort of behaviour is not acceptable.\nKinds/sorts of is followed by a plural or uncountable noun: These kinds of questions often appear in the exam. * These sorts of behaviour are not acceptable.\nOther variations are possible but less common: These kinds of question often appear in the exam. * These sort of things don’t happen in real life. (This example is very informal and is considered incorrect by some people.)\nNote also that these examples are possible, especially in spoken English: The shelf was full of the sort of books I like to read. * He faced the same kind of problems as his predecessor. * There are many different sorts of animal on the island. * What kind of camera is this? * What kind/kinds of cameras do you sell? * There were three kinds of cakes / cake on the plate.\n______________________________


Words: kindergarten
Meaning:
noun (from German)\n  1  (especially AmE) a school or class to prepare children aged five for school\n  2  (BrE, AustralE) a NURSERY school


Words: kindle
Meaning:
verb (written)\n  1  to start burning; to make a fire start burning:\n[V] We watched as the fire slowly kindled. * [VN] to kindle a fire / flame\n  2  to make sth such as an interest, emotion, etc. start to grow in sb; to start to be felt by sb:\n[VN] It was her teacher who kindled her interest in music. * [V] Suspicion kindled within her.


Words: kindly
Meaning:
adverb, adjective \n    adverb\n  1  in a kind way:\nShe spoke kindly to them. * He has kindly agreed to help.\n  2  (old-fashioned, formal) used to ask or tell sb to do sth, especially when you are annoyed:\nKindly leave me alone! * Visitors are kindly requested to sign the book.\n IDIOMS \n  not take kindly to sth/sb to not like sth/sb:\nShe doesn’t take kindly to sudden change.\n  look kindly on / upon sth/sb (formal) to approve of sth/sb:\nHe hoped they would look kindly on his request.\n    adjective [only before noun] (old-fashioned or literary) kind and caring\n    kindliness noun [U]


Words: kindness
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the quality of being kind:\nto treat sb with kindness and consideration\n  2  [C] a kind act:\nI can never repay your many kindnesses to me.\n IDIOMS  see KILL v., MILK n.


Words: kindred
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (old-fashioned or formal)\n  1  [pl.] your family and relatives\ncompare KIN\n  2  [U] the fact of being related to another person:\nties of kindred\n    adjective [only before noun] (formal) very similar; related:\nfood and kindred products * I knew I’d found a kindred spirit (= a person with similar ideas, opinions, etc.)


Words: king
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  the male ruler of an independent state that has a royal family:\nthe kings and queens of England * to become / be crowned king * King George V\n \n  2  ~ (of sth) a person, an animal or a thing that is thought to be the best or most important of a particular type:\nthe king of comedy * The lion is the king of the jungle.\n \n  3  used in compounds with the names of animals or plants to describe a very large type of the thing mentioned:\na king penguin\n \n  4  the most important piece used in the game of CHESS, that can move one square in any direction\n  5  a playing card with the picture of a king on it\n IDIOMS \n  a king’s ransom (literary) a very large amount of money\nmore at ENGLISH, EVIDENCE, UNCROWNED


Words: king-size
Meaning:
(also king-sized) adjective\n[usually before noun] very large; larger than normal when compared with a range of sizes:\na king-size bed * a king-sized headache


Words: kingdom
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a country ruled by a king or queen:\nthe United Kingdom * the kingdom of God (= heaven)\n  2  an area controlled by a particular person or where a particular thing or idea is important\n  3  one of the three traditional divisions of the natural world:\nthe animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms\ncompare GENUS\n IDIOMS \n  blow sb/sth to kingdom come (informal) to completely destroy sb/sth with an explosion:\nThe truck was blown to kingdom come.\n  till / until kingdom come (old-fashioned) for ever:\nHe’ll talk till kingdom come if you let him.


Words: kingfisher
Meaning:
noun\na bird with a long beak, that catches fish in rivers. The European kingfisher is small and brightly coloured and the American kingfisher is larger and blue-grey in colour.


Words: kink
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a bend or twist in sth that is usually straight:\na dog with a kink in its tail * (figurative) We need to iron out the kinks in the new system.\n  2  (informal, disapproving) an unusual feature in a person’s character or mind, especially one that does not seem normal\n  3  (AmE) = CRICK\n    verb [V, VN] to develop or make sth develop a bend or twist


Words: kinky
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal, usually disapproving) used to describe sexual behaviour that most people would consider strange or unusual


Words: kinship
Meaning:
noun (written)\n  1  [U] the fact of being related in a family:\nthe ties of kinship\n  2  [U, sing.] a feeling of being close to sb because you have similar origins or attitudes:\nWe tend to feel kinship with those who share the same values.


Words: kiosk
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small shop/store, open at the front, where newspapers, drinks, etc. are sold\n  2  (old-fashioned, BrE) a public telephone box


Words: kip
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U, C, usually sing.] (BrE, informal) sleep:\nI must get some kip. * Why don’t you have a quick kip?\n    verb (-pp-) [V] (BrE, informal) to sleep:\nYou can kip on the sofa, if you like.


Words: kirk
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] (ScotE) church:\nthe parish kirk\n  2  (the Kirk) [sing.] a name often used for the official Church of Scotland


Words: kiss
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to touch sb with your lips as a greeting or as a sign of love, affection, sexual desire, etc:\n[V] They stood in a doorway kissing (= kissing each other). * Do people in Britain kiss when they meet? * [VN] Go and kiss your mother good night. * She kissed him on both cheeks. * He lifted the trophy up and kissed it.\n  2  [VN] (literary) to gently move or touch sth:\nThe sunlight kissed the warm stones.\n IDIOMS \n  kiss and tell a way of referring to sb talking publicly, usually for money, about a past sexual relationship with sb famous\n  kiss sb’s arse (BrE) (AmE kiss sb’s ass) (!!!, slang) to be very nice to sb in order to persuade them to help you or to give you sth\n HELP NOTE  A more polite way to express this is lick sb’s boots.\n  kiss sth better (spoken) to take away the pain of an injury by kissing it:\nCome here and let me kiss it better.\n  kiss sth goodbye | kiss goodbye to sth (informal) to accept that you will lose sth or be unable to do sth:\nWell, you can kiss goodbye to your chances of promotion.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  kiss sth<->away to stop sb feeling sad or angry by kissing them:\nHe kissed away her tears.\n    noun the act of kissing sb/sth:\nCome here and give me a kiss! * a kiss on the cheek * We were greeted with hugs and kisses.\n IDIOMS \n  the kiss of death (informal, especially humorous) an event that seems good, but is certain to make sth else fail:\nAn award can be the kiss of death for a writer.\n  the kiss of life (BrE) a method of helping sb who has stopped breathing to breathe again by placing your mouth on theirs and forcing air into their lungs\nmore at STEAL v.


Words: kissogram
Meaning:
noun\na humorous greeting on your birthday, etc., delivered by sb dressed in a special COSTUME who kisses you, arranged as a surprise by your friends


Words: kit
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a set of parts ready to be made into sth:\na kit for a model plane * She built the doll’s house from a kit.\n  2  [C, U] a set of tools or equipment that you use for a particular purpose:\na first-aid kit * a drum kit * a tool kit\n  3  [U] (BrE) a set of clothes and equipment that you use for a particular activity:\nsports kit\n IDIOMS \n  get your kit off (BrE, slang) to take your clothes off\nmore at CABOODLE\n    verb (-tt-)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  kit sb out / up (in / with sth) [usually passive] (BrE) to give sb the correct clothes and/or equipment for a particular activity:\nThey were all kitted out in brand-new ski outfits.


Words: kitbag
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) a long narrow bag, usually made of CANVAS in which soldiers, etc. carry their clothes and other possessions


Words: kitchen
Meaning:
noun\na room in which meals are cooked or prepared:\nShe’s in the kitchen. * We ate at the kitchen table.\nsee also SOUP KITCHEN\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  everything but the kitchen sink (informal, humorous) a very large number of things, probably more than is necessary:\nWe seem to take everything but the kitchen sink when we go camping.\nmore at HEAT n.


Words: kitchen paper
Meaning:
(also kitchen roll, kitchen towel) (all BrE) (AmE paper towel) noun\n[U] thick paper on a roll, used for cleaning up liquid, food, etc.


Words: kitchenware
Meaning:
noun\n[U] used in shops/stores to describe objects that you use in a kitchen, such as pans, bowls, etc.


Words: kite
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a toy made of a light frame covered with paper or fabric, that you fly in the air at the end of one or more long strings:\nto fly a kite\n \n  2  a BIRD OF PREY (= a bird that kills other creatures for food) of the HAWK family\n \n IDIOMS  see FLY v., HIGH adj.\n    verb [VN] (AmE, informal) to use an illegal cheque to obtain money or to dishonestly change the amount written on a cheque:\nto kite checks * check kiting


Words: Kitemark
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] in Britain, an official mark, like a small KITE, that shows that goods reach particular standards of quality and safety


Words: kitsch
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) works of art or objects that are popular but that are considered to have no real artistic value and to be lacking in good taste, for example because they are SENTIMENTAL\n    kitsch (also kitschy) adjective


Words: kitty
Meaning:
noun (plural kitties)\n  1  (informal) if money is put in a kitty, a group of people all give an amount and the money is spent on sth they all agree on:\nWe each put ｣20 in the kitty to cover the bills.\n  2  (in card games, etc.) the sum of money that all the players bet, which is given to the winner\n  3  (informal) a way of referring to a cat


Words: kiwi
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (Kiwi) (informal) a person from New Zealand\n \n  2  a New Zealand bird with a long beak, short wings and no tail, that cannot fly\n \n  3  = KIWI FRUIT


Words: kiwi fruit
Meaning:
noun\n(plural kiwi fruit) (also kiwi) a small fruit with thin hairy brown skin, soft green flesh and black seeds, originally from New Zealand


Words: Kleenex
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (plural Kleenex) a paper HANDKERCHIEF; a tissue:\na box of Kleenex * Here, have a Kleenex to dry your eyes.


Words: kleptomania
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a mental illness in which sb has a strong desire, which they cannot control, to steal things\n    kleptomaniac  noun:\nShe’s a kleptomaniac.


Words: knack
Meaning:
noun [sing.]\n  1  ~ (of / for sth) | ~ (of / for doing sth) a special skill or ability that you have naturally or can learn:\nIt’s easy, once you’ve got the knack. * He’s got a real knack for making money.\n  2  ~ of doing sth (BrE) a habit of doing sth:\nShe has the unfortunate knack of always saying the wrong thing.


Words: knacker
Meaning:
verb [VN] (BrE, slang)\n  1  to make sb very tired\nSYN EXHAUST\n  2  to injure sb or damage sth:\nI knackered my ankle playing football.\n    knackering adjective [not usually before noun] (BrE, informal):\nI don’t do aerobics any more-it’s too knackering.


Words: knacker’s yard
Meaning:
(also the knackers) noun\n[usually sing.] (old-fashioned, BrE) a place where old and injured horses are taken to be killed


Words: knackered
Meaning:
adjective (BrE, slang)\n  1  [not usually before noun] extremely tired:\nI was knackered after the game.\n  2  too old or broken to use:\nThe car’s knackered.


Words: knave
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (old-fashioned) = JACK (3):\nthe knave of clubs\n \n  2  (old use) a dishonest man or boy


Words: knead
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to press and stretch DOUGH, wet clay, etc. with your hands to make it ready to use\n  2  to rub and squeeze muscles, etc. especially to relax them or to make them less painful


Words: knee
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  the joint between the top and bottom parts of the leg where it bends in the middle:\na knee injury * I grazed my knee when I fell. * He went down on one knee and asked her to marry him. * She was on her knees scrubbing the kitchen floor. * Everyone was down on (their) hands and knees (= crawling on the floor) looking for the ring. * My knees were knocking (= I was frightened).\n \n  2  the part of a piece of clothing that covers the knee:\nThese jeans are torn at the knee. * a knee patch\n \n  3  the top surface of the upper part of the legs when you are sitting down:\nCome and sit on Daddy’s knee.\n \n IDIOMS \n  bring sb to their knees to defeat sb, especially in a war\n  bring sth to its knees to badly affect an organization, etc. so that it can no longer function:\nThe strikes brought the industry to its knees.\n  put sb over your knee to punish sb by making them lie on top of your knee and hitting their bottom\nmore at BEE, BEND v., MOTHER n., WEAK\n    verb (kneed, kneed) [VN] to hit or push sb/sth with your knee:\nHe kneed his attacker in the groin.


Words: knee-deep
Meaning:
adjective\nup to your knees:\nThe snow was knee-deep in places. * (figurative) I was knee-deep in work.\n    knee-deep adverb:\nI waded in knee-deep.


Words: knee-high
Meaning:
adjective\nhigh enough to reach your knees\n IDIOMS \n  knee-high to a grasshopper (informal, humorous) very small; very young


Words: knee-jerk
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (disapproving) produced automatically, without any serious thought:\nIt was a knee-jerk reaction on her part.


Words: kneecap
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n the small bone that covers the front of the knee\nSYN PATELLA\n    verb (-pp-) [VN] to shoot or break sb’s kneecaps as a form of punishment that is not official and is illegal\n    kneecapping noun [C, U]


Words: kneel
Meaning:
verb\n(knelt, knelt ) (AmE also kneeled, kneeled) [V] ~ (down) to be in or move into a position where your body is supported on your knees, with the lower legs bent back:\na kneeling figure * We knelt (down) on the ground to examine the tracks. * People sometimes kneel to pray.


Words: knick-knack
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] (sometimes disapproving) a small decorative object in a house:\na collection of knick-knacks


Words: knickerbockers
Meaning:
(AmE also knickers) noun\n[pl.] short loose trousers/pants that fit tightly just below the knee, worn especially in the past


Words: knickers
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n \n  1  (BrE) (also panties AmE, BrE) a piece of women’s underwear that covers the body from the waist to the tops of the legs:\na pair of knickers\n \n  2  (AmE) = KNICKERBOCKERS\n \n    knicker adjective [only before noun]:\nknicker elastic\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  get your knickers in a twist (BrE, slang) to become angry, confused or upset\nmore at WET v.


Words: knife
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n (plural knives ) a sharp blade with a handle, used for cutting or as a weapon:\nknives and forks * a sharp knife * a bread knife (= one for cutting bread) * He had been stabbed repeatedly with a kitchen knife. * She was murdered in a frenzied knife attack.\nsee also FLICK KNIFE, JACKKNIFE, PALETTE KNIFE, PENKNIFE, STANLEY KNIFE\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  the knives are out (for sb) the situation has become so bad that people are preparing to make one person take the blame, for example by taking away their job:\nThe knives are out for the chancellor.\n \n  like a knife through butter (informal) easily; without meeting any difficulty\n \n  put / stick the knife in | put / stick the knife into sb to be very unfriendly to sb and try to harm them\n  turn / twist the knife (in the wound) to say or do sth unkind deliberately; to make sb who is unhappy feel even more unhappy:\nMarcia laughed as she twisted the knife still deeper.\n  under the knife (informal) having a medical operation\n    verb [VN] to injure or kill sb with a knife:\nShe knifed him in the back.


Words: knife-edge
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the sharp edge of a knife\n IDIOMS \n  on a knife-edge\n1 (of a situation, etc.) finely balanced between success and failure:\nThe economy is balanced on a knife-edge.\n2 (of a person) very worried or anxious about the result of sth:\nHe’s living on a knife-edge, waiting for the test results.


Words: knifepoint
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  at knifepoint while being threatened, or threatening sb, with a knife:\nShe was raped at knifepoint.


Words: knight
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (in the Middle Ages) a man of high social rank who had a duty to fight for his king. Knights are often shown in pictures riding horses and wearing ARMOUR.\n \n  2  (in Britain) a man who has been given a special honour by the king or queen and has the title Sir before his name\ncompare BARONET\n \n  3  a piece used in the game of CHESS that is shaped like a horse’s head\nsee also WHITE KNIGHT\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  a knight in shining armour (usually humorous) a man who saves sb, especially a woman, from a dangerous situation\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] to give sb the rank and title of a knight:\nHe was knighted by the Queen for his services to industry.


Words: knighthood
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain) the rank or title of a KNIGHT:\nHe received a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list. * He was given a knighthood for his services to literature.


Words: knightly
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (literary) consisting of knights; typical of a knight:\na knightly family * knightly behaviour (= brave, honest, etc.)


Words: knit
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (knitted, knitted)\n HELP NOTE  In senses 3 and 4 knit is usually used for the past tense and past participle.\n  1  to make clothes, etc. from woollen or cotton thread using two long thin KNITTING NEEDLES or a machine:\n[VN] I knitted this cardigan myself. * [VNN] She’s knitting the baby a shawl. * [V] Lucy was sitting on the sofa, knitting.\n  2  to use a basic stitch in knitting:\n[VN] Knit one row, purl one row. [also V]\n  3  ~ (sb/sth) (together) to join people or things closely together or to be joined closely together:\n[VN] a closely / tightly knit community (= one in which relationships are very close) * Society is knit together by certain commonly held beliefs. [also V]\n  4  (of broken bones) to grow together again to form one piece; to make broken bones grow together again:\n[V] The bone failed to knit correctly. [also VN]\n IDIOMS \n  knit your brow(s) to move your EYEBROWS together, to show that you are thinking hard, feeling angry, etc:\nHis brows were knitted in a permanent frown.\n    noun [usually pl.] a piece of clothing that has been knitted:\nwinter knits


Words: knitted
Meaning:
(also knit) adjective\nmade by knitting wool or thread:\nknitted gloves * a white knit dress * a hand-knitted sweater * a cotton-knit shirt


Words: knitting
Meaning:
noun [U]\n \n  1  an item that is being knitted:\nWhere’s my knitting?\n \n  2  the activity of knitting


Words: knob
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a round switch on a machine such as a television that you use to turn it on and off, etc:\nthe volume control knob\n \n  2  a round handle on a door or a drawer\n \n  3  a round lump on the surface or end of sth\n \n  4  (especially BrE) a small lump of sth such as butter\n \n  5  (BrE, !!!, slang) a PENIS\n \n IDIOMS \n  with knobs on (BrE, slang) used to say that sth is a more complicated version of what you mention:\nIt isn’t art-it’s just a horror movie with knobs on!


Words: knock
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  at door / window\n  1  [V] ~ (at / on sth) to hit a door, etc. firmly in order to attract attention:\nHe knocked three times and waited. * Somebody was knocking on the window.\n  hit\n  2  ~ (sth) (against / on sth) to hit sth, often accidentally, with a short, hard blow:\n[VN] Be careful you don’t knock your head on this low beam. * [V] Her hand knocked against the glass.\n  3  to put sb/sth into a particular state by hitting them/it:\n[VN-ADJ] The blow knocked me flat. * He was knocked senseless by the blow. * [VN -ing] She knocked my drink flying. * [VN +adv./prep.] The two rooms had been knocked into one (= the wall between them had been knocked down).\n  4  [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] to hit sth so that it moves or breaks:\nHe’d knocked over a glass of water. * I knocked the nail into the wall. * They had to knock the door down to get in. * The boys were knocking (= kicking) a ball around in the back yard. * (figurative) The criticism had knocked (= damaged) her self-esteem.\n  5  [VN +adv./prep.] to make a hole in sth by hitting it hard:\nThey managed to knock a hole in the wall.\n  of heart / knees\n  6  [V] if your heart knocks, it beats hard; if your knees knock, they shake, for example from fear:\nMy heart was knocking wildly.\n  of engine / pipes\n  7  [V] to make a regular sound of metal hitting metal, especially because there is sth wrong\n  criticize\n  8  [VN] (informal) to criticize sb/sth, especially when it happens unfairly:\nThe newspapers are always knocking the England team. * ’Plastics?’ ’Don’t knock it-there’s a great future in plastics.’\n IDIOMS \n  I’ll knock your block / head off! (BrE, spoken) used to threaten sb that you will hit them\n  knock sb dead (spoken) to impress sb very much:\nYou look fabulous-you’ll knock ’em dead tonight.\n  knock sb/sth into a cocked hat (BrE) to be very much better than sb/sth:\nShe knocks the rest of the cast into a cocked hat.\n  knock it off! (spoken) used to tell sb to stop making a noise, annoying you, etc:\nKnock it off, kids-I’m trying to work.\n  knock sb off their pedestal / perch to make sb lose their position as sb/sth successful or admired:\nA lot of teams are looking to knock us off our perch.\n  knock sth on the head (BrE, informal) to stop sth from happening: to stop doing sth:\nThe recession knocked on the head any idea of expanding the company. * By eleven o’clock we were all tired so we knocked it on the head.\n  knock on wood (AmE) = touch wood at TOUCH v.\n  knock sb sideways (informal) to surprise or shock sb so much that they are unable to react immediately\n  knock spots off sb/sth (BrE, informal) to be very much better than sb/sth:\nShe knocks spots off all the other candidates.\n  knock the stuffing out of sb (informal) to make sb lose their confidence and enthusiasm\n  you could have knocked me down with a feather (informal) used to express surprise\nmore at DAYLIGHTS, HEAD n., HELL, SENSE n., SHAPE n., SIX, SOCK n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  knock around ... (BrE also knock about ...) (informal)\n1 to travel and live in various places:\nHe spent a few years knocking around Europe.\n2 used to say that sth is in a place but you do not know exactly where:\nIt must be knocking around here somewhere.\n  knock around with sb / together (BrE also knock about with sb / together) (informal) to spend a lot of time with sb/together\n  knock sb/sth around (BrE also knock sb/sth about) (informal) to hit sb/sth repeatedly; to treat sb/sth roughly\n  knock sb back (BrE, informal)\n1 to cost sb a lot of money:\nThat house must have knocked them back a bit.\n2 to prevent sb from achieving sth or making progress, especially by rejecting them or sth that they suggest or ask\nrelated noun KNOCK-BACK\n3 to surprise or shock sb:\nHearing the news really knocked me back.\n  knock sth<->back (informal) to drink sth quickly, especially an alcoholic drink\n  knock sb<->down / over to hit sb and make them fall to the ground:\nShe was knocked down by a bus. * He knocked his opponent down three times in the first round.\n  knock sth<->down to destroy a building by breaking its walls\nSYN DEMOLISH:\nThese old houses are going to be knocked down.\n  knock sb/sth down (from sth) (to sth) (informal) to persuade sb to reduce the price of sth:\nI managed to knock him down to $400. * He knocked down the price.\nsee also KNOCK-DOWN\n  knock off | knock off sth (informal) to stop doing sth, especially work:\nDo you want to knock off early today? * What time do you knock off work? * Let’s knock off for lunch.\n  knock sb<->off (slang) to murder sb\n  knock sth<->off\n1 (informal) to complete sth quickly and without much effort:\nHe knocks off three novels a year.\n2 (BrE, slang) to steal sth; to rob a place:\nto knock off a video recorder * to knock off a bank\n  knock sth<->off | knock sth<->off sth to reduce the price or value of sth:\nThey knocked off $60 because of a scratch. * The news knocked 13% off the company’s shares.\n  knock sb<->out\n1 to make sb fall asleep or become unconscious:\nThe blow knocked her out.\n2 (in boxing) to hit an opponent so that they cannot get up within a limited time and therefore lose the fight\nrelated noun KNOCKOUT\n3 (informal) to surprise and impress sb very much:\nThe movie just knocked me out.\nrelated noun KNOCKOUT\n  knock sb / yourself out to make sb/yourself very tired\n  knock sb<->out (of sth) to defeat sb so that they cannot continue competing:\nEngland had been knocked out of the World Cup.\nsee also KNOCKOUT\n  knock sth<->out (informal) to produce sth, especially quickly and easily:\nHe knocks out five books a year.\n  knock sb<->over = KNOCK SB DOWN\n  knock sth<->together\n1 (informal) to make or complete sth quickly and often not very well:\nI knocked some bookshelves together from old planks.\n2 (BrE) to make two rooms or buildings into one by removing the wall between them:\nThe house consists of two cottages knocked together.\n  knock up (in tennis, etc.) to practise for a short time before the start of a game\n  knock sb<->up\n1 (BrE, informal) to wake sb by knocking on their door\n2 (informal, especially AmE) to make a woman pregnant\n  knock sth<->up to prepare or make sth quickly and without much effort:\nShe knocked up a fantastic meal in ten minutes.\n    noun\n  at door / window\n  1  the sound of sb hitting a door, window, etc. with their hand or with sth hard to attract attention:\nThere was a knock on / at the door.\n  hit\n  2  a sharp blow from sth hard:\nHe got a nasty knock on the head. * Knocks and scratches will lower the value of valuable furniture.\n IDIOMS \n  take a (hard, nasty, etc.) knock to have an experience that makes sb/sth less confident or successful; to be damaged:\nIndustry in the area has taken a knock with the closure of two factories. * Her confidence took a further knock when she lost her job.


Words: knock-back
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a difficulty or problem that makes you feel less confident that you will be successful in sth that you are doing, especially when sb rejects you or sth you suggest or ask:\nHe had a few knock-backs, but eventually became one of the most highly-paid footballers in England.


Words: knock-down
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun] (informal)\n  1  (of prices, etc.) much lower than usual:\nThe industry employs illegal immigrants at knock-down wages.\n  2  using a lot of force:\na knock-down punch


Words: knock-on
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially BrE) causing other events to happen one after another in a series:\nThe increase in the price of oil had a knock-on effect on the cost of many other goods.


Words: knockabout
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (BrE) knockabout entertainment involves people acting in a deliberately silly way, for example falling over or hitting other people, in order to make the audience laugh


Words: knocker
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (also door knocker) [C] a metal object attached to the outside of the door of a house, etc. which you hit against the door to attract attention:\na polished brass knocker\n \n  2  [C] (informal) a person who is always criticizing sb/sth\n \n  3  (knockers) [pl.] (!!!, slang) an offensive word for a woman’s breasts


Words: knockout
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  (abbreviation KO) (in boxing) a blow that makes an opponent fall to the ground and be unable to get up, so that he or she loses the fight:\nThe match ended in knockout in the fifth round.\n  2  (informal) a person or thing that is very attractive or impressive:\nShe’s an absolute knockout.\n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (especially BrE) a knockout competition is one in which the winning player/team at each stage competes in the next stage and the losing one no longer takes part in the competition:\nthe knockout stages of the tournament\n  2  a knockout blow is one that hits sb so hard that they can no longer get up:\na knockout punch


Words: knot
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  in string / rope\n \n  1  a join made by tying together two pieces or ends of string, rope, etc:\nto tie a knot * Tie the two ropes together with a secure knot. * Make a knot at the end of the string. * (figurative) hair full of knots and tangles (= twisted in a way that is difficult to comb) * Sailors had to know lots of different knots.\n \n  of hair\n \n  2  a way of twisting hair into a small round shape at the back of the head:\nShe had her hair in a loose knot.\n \n  in wood\n \n  3  a hard round spot in a piece of wood where there was once a branch\n  group of people\n  4  (written) a small group of people standing close together:\nLittle knots of people had gathered at the entrance.\n  of muscles\n  5  a tight, hard feeling in the stomach, throat, etc. caused by nerves, anger, etc:\nMy stomach was in knots. * I could feel a knot of fear in my throat.\n  speed of boat / plane\n  6  a unit for measuring the speed of boats and aircraft; one NAUTICAL MILE per hour\n IDIOMS  see RATE n., TIE v.\n    verb (-tt-)\n  tie with knot\n  1  [VN] to fasten sth with a knot or knots:\nHe carefully knotted his tie. * She wore a scarf loosely knotted around her neck.\n  twist\n  2  [V] to become twisted into a knot\nSYN TANGLE\n  3  [VN] to twist hair into a particular shape:\nShe wore her hair loosely knotted on top of her head.\n  muscles\n  4  if muscles, etc. knot or sth knots them, they become hard and painful because of fear, excitement, etc:\n[V] She felt her stomach knot with fear. [also VN]\n IDIOMS \n  get knotted (BrE, spoken, slang) a rude way of telling sb to go away or of telling them that you are annoyed with them


Words: knotty
Meaning:
adjective (knottier, knottiest)\n  1  complicated and difficult to solve:\na knotty problem\n  2  having parts that are hard and twisted together:\nthe knotty roots of the old oak tree


Words: know
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (knew ) (not used in the progressive tenses)\n  have information\n  1  ~ (of / about sth) to have information in your mind as a result of experience or because you have learned or been told it:\n[VN] Do you know his address? * The cause of the fire is not yet known. * All I know is that she used to work in a bank (= I have no other information about her). * [V (that)] I know (that) people’s handwriting changes as they get older. * [VN that] It is widely known that CFCs can damage the ozone layer. * [V wh-] I knew where he was hiding. * I didn’t know what he was talking about. * [V] ’You’ve got a flat tyre.’ ’I know.’ * ’What’s the answer?’ ’I don’t know.’ * ’There’s no one in.’ ’How do you know?’ * You know about Amanda’s baby, don’t you? * (spoken) I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for something to eat. * I know of at least two people who did the same thing. * (spoken) ’Is anyone else coming?’ ’Not that I know of.’ * (spoken) ’Isn’t that his car?’ ’I wouldn’t know. / How should I know?’ (= I don’t know and I am not the person you should ask). * (spoken) ’What are you two whispering about?’ ’You don’t want to know (= because you would be shocked or wouldn’t approve).’ * [V to inf] Does he know to come here (= that he should come here) first? * [VN to inf] We know her to be honest. * Two women are known to have died. -> DISCOVER\n  realize\n  2  to realize, understand or be aware of sth:\n[V (that)] As soon as I walked in the room I knew (that) something was wrong. * She knew she was dying. * [V wh-] I knew perfectly well what she meant. * I know exactly how you feel. * [VN] This case is hopeless and he knows it (= although he will not admit it). * [V] ’Martin was lying all the time.’ ’I should have known.’\n  feel certain\n  3  to feel certain about sth:\n[V (that)] He knew (that) he could trust her. * I know it’s here somewhere! * I know things will turn out all right. * I don’t know that I can finish it by next week. * I just knew that it was something I wanted to do. * [VN] (spoken) ’You were right-someone’s been spreading rumours about you.’ ’I knew it!’ * [V] (spoken) ’She’s the worst player in the team.’ ’Oh, I don’t know (= I am not sure that I agree)-she played well yesterday.’\n  be familiar\n  4  [VN] to be familiar with a person, place, thing, etc:\nI’ve known David for 20 years. * Do you two know each other (= have you met before)? * She was a secretary when I first knew her. * She’s very nice when you get to know her. * Knowing Ben, we could be waiting a long time (= it is typical of him to be late). * This man is known to the police (= as a criminal). * I don’t know anyone in Oxford. * I know Paris well. * Do you know the play (= have you seen or read it before)? * The new rules could mean the end of football as we know it (= in the form that we are familiar with).\n  reputation\n  5  ~ sb/sth as sth | ~ sb/sth for sth [usually passive] to think that sb/sth is a particular type of person or thing or has particular characteristics:\n[VN] It’s known as the most dangerous part of the city. * She is best known for her work on the human brain. * [VN to inf] He’s known to be an outstanding physicist.\n  give name\n  6  [VN] ~ sb/sth as sth [usually passive] to give sb/sth a particular name or title:\nThe drug is commonly known as Ecstasy. * Peter Wilson, also known as ’the Tiger’.\n  recognize\n  7  [VN] to be able to recognize sb/sth:\nI couldn’t see who was speaking, but I knew the voice. * She knows a bargain when she sees one.\n  distinguish\n  8  [VN] ~ sb/sth from sb/sth to be able to distinguish one person or thing from another:\nI hope we have taught our children to know right from wrong.\n  skill / language\n  9  to have learned a skill or language and be able to use it:\n[VN] Do you know any Japanese? * [V wh-] Do you know how to use spreadsheets?\n  experience\n  10  (only used in the perfect tenses) to have seen, heard or experienced sth: [VN inf, VN to inf] I’ve never known it (to) snow in July before. * [VN to inf] He has been known to spend all morning in the bathroom.\n  11  [VN] to have personal experience of sth:\nHe has known both poverty and wealth. * She may be successful now, but she has known what it is like to be poor.\n IDIOMS \n  before you know where you are very quickly or suddenly:\nWe were whisked off in a taxi before we knew where we were.\n  be not to know to have no way of realizing or being aware that you have done sth wrong:\n’I’m sorry, I called when you were in bed.’ ’Don’t worry-you weren’t to know.’\n  for all you, I, they, etc. know (spoken) used to emphasize that you do not know sth and that it is not important to you:\nShe could be dead for all I know.\n  God / goodness / Heaven knows (spoken)\n1 used to emphasize that you do not know sth:\nGod knows what else they might find. * ’Where are they?’ ’Goodness knows.’\n HELP NOTE  Some people may find the use of God knows offensive.\n2 used to emphasize the truth of what you are saying:\nShe ought to pass the exam-goodness knows she’s been working hard enough.\n  I don’t know how, why, etc. ... (spoken) used to criticize sb’s behaviour:\nI don’t know how you can speak like that to your mother. * I don’t know what you think you’re doing.\n  I know (spoken)\n1 used to agree with sb or to show sympathy:\n’What a ridiculous situation!’ ’I know.’\n2 used to introduce a new idea or suggestion:\nI know, let’s see what’s on at the theatre.\n  know sth as well as I do used to criticize sb by saying that they should realize or understand sth:\nYou know as well as I do that you’re being unreasonable.\n  know sb/sth backwards (informal, especially BrE) to know sb/sth extremely well:\nShe must know the play backwards by now.\n  know best to know what should be done, etc. better than other people:\nThe doctor told you to stay in bed, and she knows best.\n  know better (than that / than to do sth) to be sensible enough not to do sth:\nYou left the car unlocked? I thought you’d know better. * He knows better than to judge by appearances.\n  know sb by sight to recognize sb without knowing them well\n  know different / otherwise (informal) to have information or evidence that the opposite is true:\nHe says he doesn’t care about what the critics write, but I know different.\n  know full well to be very aware of a fact and unable to deny or ignore it:\nHe knew full well what she thought of it.\n  know sb/sth inside out | know sb/sth like the back of your hand (informal) to be very familiar with sth:\nThis is where I grew up. I know this area like the back of my hand.\n  know your own mind to have very firm ideas about what you want to do\n  know your stuff (informal) to know a lot about a particular subject or job\n  know your way around to be familiar with a place, subject, etc.\n  know what you’re talking about (informal) to have knowledge about sth from your own experience:\nI’ve lived in China, so I know what I’m talking about.\n  know which side your bread is buttered (informal) to know where you can get an advantage for yourself\n  let it be known / make it known that ... (formal) to make sure that people are informed about sth, especially by getting sb else to tell them:\nThe President has let it be known that he does not intend to run for election again.\n  let sb know to tell sb about sth:\nI don’t know if I can come, but I’ll let you know tomorrow. * Let me know how I can help.\n  make yourself known to sb to introduce yourself to sb:\nI made myself known to the hotel manager.\n  not know any better to behave badly, usually because you have not been taught the correct way to behave:\nDon’t blame the children-they don’t know any better.\n  not know you are born (BrE, informal, spoken) to have an easy life without realizing how easy it is:\nYou people without kids don’t know you’re born.\n  not know your arse from your elbow (BrE, !!!, slang) to be very stupid or completely lacking in skill\n  not know the first thing about sb/sth to know nothing at all about sb/sth:\nI’m afraid I don’t know the first thing about cars.\n  not know sb from Adam (informal) to not know at all who sb is\n  not know what hit you (informal) to be so surprised by sth that you do not know how to react\n  not know where to look (informal) to feel great embarrassment and not know how to react\n  not know whether you’re coming or going (informal) to be so excited or confused that you cannot behave or think in a sensible way\n  there’s no knowing used to say that it is impossible to say what might happen:\nThere’s no knowing how he’ll react.\n  what does ...know? used to say that sb knows nothing about the subject you are talking about:\nWhat does he know about football, anyway?\n  what do you know (about that)? (informal) used to express surprise:\nWell, what do you know? Look who’s here!\n  you know (spoken)\n1 used when you are thinking of what to say next:\nWell, you know, it’s difficult to explain.\n2 used to show what you are referring to is known or understood by the person you are speaking to:\nGuess who I’ve just seen? Maggie! You know-Jim’s wife. * You know that restaurant round the corner? It’s closed down.\n3 used to emphasize sth that you are saying:\nThat road is very dangerous, you know. * I’m not stupid, you know.\n  you know something / what? (spoken) used to introduce an interesting or surprising opinion, piece of news, etc:\nYou know something? I’ve never really enjoyed Christmas.\n  you know who / what (spoken) used to refer to sb/sth without mentioning a name\n  you never know (spoken) used to say that you can never be certain about what will happen in the future, especially when you are suggesting that sth good might happen\nmore at ANSWER n., COST n., DAY, DEVIL, FAR adv., LORD n., OLD, PAT adv., ROPE n., THING, TRUTH\n    noun\n IDIOMS \n  in the know (informal) having more information about sth than most people:\nSomebody in the know told me he’s going to resign.


Words: know-all
Meaning:
(BrE) (also know-it-all AmE, BrE) noun\n(informal, disapproving) a person who behaves as if they know everything


Words: know-how
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal) knowledge of how to do sth and experience in doing it:\nWe need skilled workers and technical know-how.


Words: knowing
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] showing that you know or understand about sth that is supposed to be secret:\na knowing smile * The man at reception gave her the key with a knowing look.\ncompare UNKNOWING


Words: knowingly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  while knowing the truth or likely result of what you are doing\nSYN DELIBERATELY:\nShe was accused of knowingly making a false statement to the police.\n  2  in a way that shows that you know or understand about sth that is supposed to be secret:\nHe glanced at her knowingly.


Words: knowledge
Meaning:
about sth)\n  1  [U, sing.] the information, understanding and skills that you gain through education or experience:\npractical / medical / scientific knowledge * He has a wide knowledge of painting and music. * There is a lack of knowledge about the tax system.\n  2  [U] the state of knowing about a particular fact or situation:\nShe sent the letter without my knowledge. * The film was made with the Prince’s full knowledge and approval. * She was impatient in the knowledge that time was limited. * I went to sleep secure in the knowledge that I was not alone in the house. * They could relax safe in the knowledge that they had the funding for the project. * He denied all knowledge of the affair.\n IDIOMS \n  be common / public knowledge to be sth that everyone knows, especially in a particular community or group:\nTheir relationship is common knowledge.\n  come to sb’s knowledge (formal) to become known by sb:\nIt has come to our knowledge that you have been taking time off without permission.\n  to your knowledge from the information you have, although you may not know everything:\n’Are they divorced?’ ’Not to my knowledge.’ * She never, to my knowledge, considered resigning.


Words: knowledgeable
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (about sth) knowing a lot:\nShe is very knowledgeable about plants.\n    knowledgeably  adverb


Words: known
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] known about, especially by a lot of people:\nHe’s a known thief. * The disease has no known cure.\nsee also KNOW v.


Words: knuckle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] any of the joints in the fingers, especially those connecting the fingers to the rest of the hand\n \n  2  (also hock especially in AmE) [U, C] a piece of meat from the lower part of an animal’s leg, especially a pig:\nknuckle of pork\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  near the knuckle (BrE, informal) (of a remark, joke, etc.) concerned with sex in a way that is likely to offend people or make them feel embarrassed:\nHis act is too near the knuckle for me.\nmore at RAP n., RAP v.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  knuckle down (to sth) (informal) to begin to work hard at sth:\nI’m going to have to knuckle down to some serious study.\n  knuckle under (to sb/sth) (informal) to accept sb else’s authority


Words: knucklehead
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE, informal) a person who behaves in a stupid way:\nAnybody but a complete knucklehead could do the job.


Words: koala
Meaning:
(also koala bear) noun\nan Australian animal with thick grey fur, large ears and no tail. Koalas live in trees and eat leaves.


Words: kohl
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a black powder used, especially in eastern countries, around the eyes to make them more attractive


Words: kook
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, especially AmE) a person who acts in a strange or crazy way:\nHe was dismissed as a kook for saying what he thought.\n    kooky adjective


Words: Koran
Meaning:
(also Qur’an)  noun\n(the Koran) [sing.] the holy book of the Islamic religion, written in Arabic, containing the word of Allah as REVEALED to the Prophet Muhammad\n    Koranic  adjective


Words: kosher
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of food) prepared according to the rules of Jewish law:\na kosher meal * a kosher butcher / restaurant (= one that prepares or serves this food).\n  2  (informal) honest or legal:\nTheir business deals are not always completely kosher.


Words: kowtow
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (to sb/sth) (informal, disapproving) to show sb in authority too much respect and be too willing to obey them:\nHer pride wouldn’t allow her to kowtow to anyone.


Words: krypton
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol Kr) a chemical element. Krypton is a colourless gas that does not react with anything, used in FLUORESCENT lights and LASERS.


Words: Ku Klux Klan
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.+sing./pl. v.] a secret organization of white men in the southern states of the US who use violence to oppose social change and equal rights for black people


Words: kudos
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the admiration and respect that goes with a particular achievement or position:\nthe kudos of playing for such a famous team


Words: L
Meaning:
noun, abbreviation, symbol \n    noun (also l) [C, U] (plural L’s, l’s ) the 12th letter of the English alphabet:\n’Lion’ begins with (an) L / ’L’.\nsee also L-PLATE\n    abbreviation\n  1  (L.) (especially on maps) Lake:\nL. Windermere\n  2  (especially for sizes of clothes) large:\nS M and L (= small, medium and large)\n    symbol (also l) the number 50 in ROMAN NUMERALS\nabbreviation\n  1  (plural l) (in writing) litre(s)\n  2  (also l.) (plural ll) (in writing) line (= on a page in a book)


Words: L-plate
Meaning:
noun\na white sign with a large red letter L on it, that you put on a car when you are learning to drive in Britain and some other countries


Words: la-di-da
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal disapproving, especially BrE) used to describe a way of speaking or behaving that is typical of upper-class people but that is not natural or sincere:\nI can’t stand Jane or her la-di-da friends.


Words: labia
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the four folds of skin at the entrance to a woman’s VAGINA\n\nlabial| noun\n(phonetics) a speech sound made with the lips, for example / m, p, v /  \n    labial adjective


Words: Labor Day
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a public holiday in the US and Canada on the first Monday of September, in honour of working people\ncompare MAY DAY


Words: laboratory
Meaning:
(also informal lab) noun\n(plural laboratories) a room or building used for scientific research, experiments, testing, etc:\na research laboratory * laboratory experiments / tests * to send a specimen to the laboratory for analysis\nsee also LANGUAGE LABORATORY


Words: laborious
Meaning:
adjective\ntaking a lot of time and effort:\na laborious task / process * Checking all the information will be slow and laborious.\n    laboriously adverb:\nAn agreement was laboriously worked out.


Words: labour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE labor)  noun, verb \n    noun\n  work\n  1  [U] work, especially physical work:\nmanual labour (= work using your hands) * The price will include the labour and materials. * The company wants to keep down labour costs. * The workers voted to withdraw their labour (= to stop work as a means of protest). * He was sentenced to two years in a labour camp (= a type of prison where people have to do hard physical work).\n  2  [C, usually pl.] (formal) a task or period of work:\nHe was so exhausted from the day’s labours that he went straight to bed. * People look forward to enjoying the fruits of their labours during retirement.\n  people who work\n  3  [U] the people who work or are available for work in a country or a company:\na shortage of labour * Employers are using immigrants as cheap labour. * Repairs involve skilled labour, which can be expensive. * good labour relations (= the relationship between workers and employers)\n  having baby\n  4  [U, C, usually sing.] the period of time or the process of giving birth to a baby:\nJane was in labour for ten hours. * She went into labour early. * labour pains * Older women tend to have more difficult labours.\n  politics\n  5  (Labour) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] (abbreviation Lab) the British Labour Party:\nHe always votes Labour. * Labour has / have been in power for five years.\n IDIOMS \n  a labour of love a hard task that you do because you want to, not because it is necessary:\nWriting the book was a labour of love.\n    verb\n  struggle\n  1  ~ (away) to try very hard to do sth difficult:\n[V] He was in his study labouring away over some old papers. * [V to inf] They laboured for years to clear their son’s name.\n  work hard\n  2  [V] to do hard physical work:\nWe laboured all day in the fields. * (old-fashioned) the labouring classes (= the working class)\n  move with difficulty\n  3  [V] to move with difficulty and effort:\nThe horses laboured up the steep slope. * With engine labouring, the car struggled up the hill.\n IDIOMS \n  labour the point to continue to repeat or explain sth that has already been said and understood:\nI understand what you’re saying-there’s no need to labour the point.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  labour under sth (formal) to believe sth that is not true:\nto labour under a misapprehension / delusion * He’s still labouring under the impression that he’s written a great book.


Words: labour force
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE labor force) noun\nall the people who work for a company or country:\na skilled / an unskilled labour force * An increasing percentage of the labour force is now unemployed.


Words: labour market
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE labor market) noun\nthe number of people who are available for work in relation to the number of jobs available:\nyoung people about to enter the labour market


Words: labour-intensive
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE labor-intensive) adjective\n(of work) needing a lot of people to do it:\nlabour-intensive methods\ncompare CAPITAL-INTENSIVE


Words: labour-saving
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE labor-saving) adjective\n[usually before noun] designed to reduce the amount of work or effort needed to do sth:\nmodern labour-saving devices such as washing machines and dishwashers


Words: laboured
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE labored)  adjective\n  1  (of breathing) slow and taking a lot of effort:\nHer breathing became more and more laboured.\n  2  (of writing, speaking, etc.) not natural and seeming to take a lot of effort:\nThe movie looks laboured and slow by today’s standards.


Words: labourer
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE laborer)  noun\na person whose job involves hard physical work that is not skilled, especially work that is done outdoors:\nan agricultural labourer


Words: labouring
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE laboring)  noun\n[U] hard physical work that is not skilled:\na labouring job * He prefers labouring to working as a waiter.


Words: Labrador
Meaning:
noun\na large dog that can be yellow, black or brown in colour, often used by blind people as a guide:\na black / golden Labrador


Words: labyrinth
Meaning:
noun\n(formal) a complicated series of paths, which it is difficult to find your way through:\nWe lost our way in the labyrinth of streets. * (figurative) a labyrinth of rules and regulations\ncompare MAZE\n    labyrinthine  adjective (formal):\nlabyrinthine corridors * labyrinthine legislation


Words: lace
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] a delicate fabric made from threads of cotton, silk, etc. that are woven into a pattern of holes:\na lace handkerchief * a tablecloth edged with lace\nsee also LACY\n \n  2  [C] = SHOELACE:\nYour laces are undone.\n    verb\n  1  ~ (sth) (up) to be fastened with laces; to fasten sth with laces:\n[V] She was wearing a dress that laced up at the side. * [VN] He was sitting on the bed lacing up his shoes.\nsee also LACE-UP\n  2  [V] to put a lace through the holes in a shoe, a boot, etc.\nrelated noun LACE-UP\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to add a small amount of alcohol, a drug, poison, etc. to a drink:\nHe had laced her milk with rum.\n  4  [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to add a particular quality to a book, speech, etc:\nHer conversation was laced with witty asides.\n  5  [VN] to weave or twist sth together with another thing:\nThey sat with their fingers laced.


Words: lace-up
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] (especially BrE) a shoe that is fastened with laces:\na pair of lace-ups * lace-up boots


Words: lacerate
Meaning:
verb [VN] (formal)\n  1  to cut skin or flesh with sth sharp:\nHis hand had been badly lacerated.\n  2  to criticize sb very severely\n    laceration  noun [C, U]:\nShe suffered multiple lacerations to the face.


Words: lack
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U, sing.] ~ (of sth) the state of not having sth or not having enough of sth:\na lack of food / money / skills * The trip was cancelled through lack of (= because there was not enough) interest. * There was no lack of volunteers. * She showed a distinct lack of enthusiasm for the idea of becoming a mother.\n IDIOMS  see TRY v.\n    verb [VN] [no passive] to have none or not enough of sth:\nSome houses still lack basic amenities such as bathrooms. * He lacks confidence. * She has the determination that her brother lacks.\nsee also LACKING\n IDIOMS \n  lack (for) nothing (formal) to have everything that you need:\nAs the only child of wealthy parents, he lacked for nothing.\nmore at COURAGE


Words: lackadaisical
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) not showing enough care or enthusiasm:\nHe has a lackadaisical approach to finding a job.


Words: lackey
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (old-fashioned) a servant\n  2  (disapproving) a person who is treated like a servant or who behaves like one


Words: lacking
Meaning:
adjective [not before noun]\n  1  ~ (in sth) having none or not enough of sth:\nShe’s not usually lacking in confidence. * The book is completely lacking in originality. * He was taken on as a teacher but was found lacking (= was thought not to be good enough).\n  2  not present or not available\nSYN MISSING:\nI feel there is something lacking in my life.


Words: lacklustre
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE lackluster)  adjective\nnot interesting or exciting; dull:\na lacklustre performance / campaign * lacklustre hair


Words: laconic
Meaning:
adjective\nusing only a few words to say sth:\na laconic comment / manner\n    laconically  adverb:\n’Family reasons,’ he said laconically.


Words: lacquer
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U]\n  1  a liquid that is used on wood or metal to give it a hard shiny surface\n  2  (old-fashioned) a liquid that is sprayed on the hair so that it stays in place\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to cover sth such as wood or metal with lacquer:\na lacquered Chinese table\n  2  (old-fashioned, BrE) to put lacquer on your hair:\nHer hair had been carefully backcombed and lacquered into shape.


Words: lacrosse
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a game played on a field by two teams of ten players who use sticks with curved nets on them to catch, carry, and throw the ball


Words: lacuna
Meaning:
noun\n(plural lacunae  or lacunas) (formal) a place where sth is missing in a piece of writing or in an idea, a theory, etc.\nSYN GAP


Words: lacy
Meaning:
adjective\nmade of or looking like LACE:\nlacy underwear * The frost made a lacy pattern on the bushes.


Words: lad
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] (old-fashioned or informal) a boy or young man:\nThings have changed since I was a lad. * He’s a nice lad. * Hurry up, lad.\ncompare LASS\n  2  (the lads) [pl.] (BrE, spoken) a group of friends that a man works with or spends free time with:\nto go to the pub with the lads\n  3  [C, usually sing.] (BrE, informal) a lively young man, especially one who is very interested in women:\nTony was a bit of a lad-always had an eye for the women.\nsee also LADDISH\n  4  [C] (BrE) a person who works in a STABLE\nsee also STABLE BOY


Words: ladder
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a piece of equipment for climbing up and down a wall, the side of a building, etc., consisting of two lengths of wood or metal that are joined together by steps or RUNGS:\nto climb up / fall off a ladder\nsee also STEPLADDER\n \n  2  [usually sing.] a series of stages by which you can make progress in a career or an organization:\nto move up or down the social ladder * the career ladder\n \n  3  (BrE) (AmE run) a long thin hole in TIGHTS or STOCKINGS where some threads have broken\n    verb [V, VN] (BrE) if TIGHTS or STOCKINGS ladder or you ladder them, a long thin hole appears in them


Words: laden
Meaning:
adjective ~ (with sth)\n  1  heavily loaded with sth:\npassengers laden with luggage * The trees were laden with apples. * a heavily / fully laden truck\ncompare UNLADEN\n  2  (literary) full of sth, especially sth unpleasant:\nHis voice was soft, yet laden with threat.\n  3  (-laden) used to form adjectives showing that sth is full of, or loaded with, the thing mentioned:\ncalorie-laden cream cakes


Words: ladies’ man
Meaning:
(also lady’s man) noun\na man who enjoys spending time with women and thinks he is attractive to them


Words: ladle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a large deep spoon with a long handle, used especially for serving soup\n    verb [VN] to place food on a plate with a large spoon or in large quantities\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  ladle sth<->out (sometimes disapproving) to give sb a lot of sth, especially money or advice


Words: lady
Meaning:
(plural ladies) noun\n  1  [C] a word used to mean ’woman’ that some people, especially older people, consider is more polite:\nThere’s a lady waiting to see you. * He was with an attractive young lady. * the ladies’ golf championship * (BrE) a tea lady (= a woman who serves tea in an office) * a lady doctor / golfer * (AmE, approving) She’s a tough lady.\n HELP NOTE  Some women object to the way lady is used in some of these examples and prefer it to be avoided if possible: a doctor / a woman doctor * There’s someone waiting to see you.\nsee also BAG LADY, CLEANING LADY, FIRST LADY, LEADING LADY, OLD LADY\n  2  [C] a woman who is polite and well educated, has excellent manners and always behaves well:\nHis wife was a real lady.\ncompare GENTLEMAN\n  3  [C, usually pl.] (formal) used when speaking to or about a girl or woman, especially sb you do not know:\nCan I take your coats, ladies? * Could I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen?\n HELP NOTE  Some women do not like ladies used on its own, as in the first example, and prefer it to be left out.\n  4  [sing.] (especially AmE) an informal way to talk to a woman, showing a lack of respect:\nListen, lady, don’t shout at me.\n  5  [C] (old-fashioned) (in Britain) a woman belonging to a high social class:\nthe lords and ladies of the court * a lady’s maid\n  6  (Lady) [C] (in Britain) a title used by women who are members of the NOBILITY or by the wives and daughters of some members of the NOBILITY, or by the wife of a KNIGHT:\nLady Thatcher * Lady Jane Grey\ncompare LORD, SIR\n  7  (a / the ladies) [U] (BrE) (AmE ladies’ room [C]) a toilet/bathroom for women in a public building or place:\nCould you tell me where the ladies is?\n  8  (Our Lady) a title used to refer to Mary, the mother of Christ, especially in the Roman Catholic Church:\nOur Lady of Lourdes\n IDIOMS  see LEISURE


Words: ladykiller
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned or informal) a man who is sexually attractive and successful with women, but who does not stay in a relationship with anyone for long


Words: ladylike
Meaning:
adjective\n(old-fashioned) polite and quiet; typical of what is supposed to be socially acceptable for a woman:\nladylike behaviour * Her language was not very ladylike. * In those days it was not considered ladylike to go to work once you were married.


Words: ladyship
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (Her / Your Ladyship) a title used when talking to or about a woman who is a member of the NOBILITY:\nDoes Your Ladyship require anything?\n  2  (BrE, spoken) a way of talking to or about a girl or woman that you think is trying to be too important:\nPerhaps her ladyship would like to hang up her own clothes today!\ncompare LORDSHIP


Words: lag
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-gg-)\n  1  [V] ~ (behind sb/sth) | ~ (behind) to move or develop slowly or more slowly than other people, organizations, etc:\nThe little boy lagged behind his parents. * We still lag far behind many of our competitors in using modern technology.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to cover pipes, etc. with a special material to stop the water in them from freezing, or to save heat\n    noun = TIME LAG\nsee also JET LAG, OLD LAG


Words: lager
Meaning:
noun (BrE)\n  1  [U, C] a type of light pale beer that usually has a lot of bubbles:\na pint of lager * German lagers\n  2  [C] a glass, can or bottle of this:\nTwo lagers, please.\n\nlager lout| noun\n(BrE) a young man who drinks too much alcohol and then behaves in a noisy and unpleasant way


Words: lagoon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a lake of salt water that is separated from the sea by a REEF or an area of rock or sand\n  2  (AmE) a small area of fresh water near a lake or river:\nWe loved to go swimming in the lagoon.\n  3  (technical) an artificial area built to hold waste water before it is treated at a SEWAGE WORKS


Words: laid-back
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) calm, and relaxed; seeming not to worry about anything:\na laid-back attitude to life * She’s very laid-back about her exams.


Words: lair
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.]\n  1  a place where a wild animal sleeps or hides\n  2  a place where sb goes to hide or to be alone:\nGrandad retreated to his lair in the basement.


Words: laissez-faire
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from French) the policy of allowing private businesses to develop without government control\n    laissez-faire adjective:\na laissez-faire economy * They have a laissez-faire approach to bringing up their children (= they give them a lot of freedom).


Words: laity
Meaning:
noun\n(the laity) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] all the members of a Church who are not CLERGY\nsee also LAYMAN


Words: lake
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation L.) a large area of water that is surrounded by land:\nWe swam in the lake. * Lake Ontario * (figurative) a wine lake (= a large supply of wine that is not being used)


Words: lakeside
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the area around the edge of a lake:\nWe went for a walk by the lakeside. * a lakeside hotel


Words: lam
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  on the lam (AmE, informal) escaping from sb, especially from the police:\nHe was recaptured after four months on the lam.


Words: lamb
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a young sheep\n  2  [U] meat from a young sheep:\na leg of lamb * lamb chops\ncompare MUTTON\n  3  [C] (informal) used to describe or address sb with affection or pity:\nYou poor lamb!\n IDIOMS \n  (like) a lamb / lambs to the slaughter used to describe people who are going to do sth dangerous without realizing it\nmore at MUTTON\n    verb [V] (of a sheep) to give birth to a lamb:\nShe’s due to lamb in two weeks’ time.


Words: lame
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of people or animals) unable to walk well because of an injury to the leg or foot:\nMy horse had gone lame.\n  2  (of an excuse, explanation, etc.) weak and difficult to believe:\nStephen made some lame excuse.\n    lameness noun [U]:\nThe disease has left her with permanent lameness.\n\n noun\n[U] a fabric into which gold or silver thread has been woven:\na silver lame evening gown


Words: lame duck
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person or an organization that is not very successful and that needs help:\nThe government should not spend money on helping lame ducks.\n  2  (informal, especially AmE) a politician or a government whose period of office will soon end and who will not be elected again:\na lame duck president / administration


Words: lamely
Meaning:
adverb\nin a way that does not sound very confident, or that does not persuade other people:\n’I must have made a mistake,’ she said lamely.


Words: lament
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (formal) to feel or express great sadness or disappointment about sb/sth:\n[VN] In the poem he laments the destruction of the countryside. * She sat alone weeping, lamenting her fate. [also V that, V speech] \n    noun (formal) a song, poem or other expression of great sadness for sb who has died or for sth that has ended:\na nostalgic lament for lost love


Words: lamentable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) very disappointing \nSYN REGRETTABLE:\nShe shows a lamentable lack of understanding.\n    lamentably  adverb


Words: lamentation
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (formal) an expression of great sadness or disappointment:\nlamentations from the team’s supporters about their failure


Words: lamented
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal or humorous) (of sb/sth that has died or disappeared) missed very much:\nher late lamented husband * the last edition of the much lamented newspaper


Words: laminated
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of wood, plastic, etc.) made by sticking several thin layers together:\nlaminated glass / timber * a laminated table top\n  2  covered with thin transparent plastic for protection:\nlaminated membership cards


Words: lamp
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a device that uses electricity, oil or gas to produce light:\na table / desk / bicycle lamp * to switch on / turn off a lamp * She could see the rain in the light of the street lamps.\nsee also FOG LAMP, HURRICANE LAMP, STANDARD LAMP\n \n  2  an electrical device that produces rays of heat and that is used for medical or scientific purposes:\nan infra-red / ultraviolet lamp\nsee also BLOWLAMP, SUNLAMP


Words: lamp post
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) a tall post in the street with a lamp at the top:\nThe car skidded and hit a lamp post.\ncompare STREET LIGHT


Words: lamplit
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] given light by lamps; seen by the light from lamps:\na lamplit room * a lamplit figure in the chair


Words: lampoon
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] (written) to criticize sb/sth publicly in an amusing way that makes them or it look ridiculous:\nHis cartoons mercilessly lampooned the leading politicians of his time.\n    noun (written) a piece of writing that criticizes sb/sth and makes them or it look silly:\nSuch lampoons of royalty were previously found only in the foreign press.


Words: lampshade
Meaning:
noun\na decorative cover for a lamp that is used to soften the light or to direct it:\nShe admired the wall lights and their fan-shaped lampshades.


Words: LAN
Meaning:
noun\n(computing) the abbreviation for ’local area network’ (a system for communicating by computer within a large building)\ncompare WAN


Words: lance
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a weapon with a long wooden handle and a pointed metal end that was used by people fighting on horses in the past\n    verb [VN] to cut open an infected place on sb’s body with a sharp knife in order to let out the PUS (= a yellow substance produced by infection):\nto lance an abscess


Words: land
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  surface of earth\n  1  [U] the surface of the earth that is not sea:\nIt was good to be back on land. * We made the journey by land, though flying would have been cheaper. * In the distance the crew sighted land. * The elephant is the largest living land animal.\nsee also DRY LAND -> EARTH\n  area of ground\n  2  [U] (also lands [pl.]) an area of ground, especially of a particular type or used for a particular purpose:\nfertile / arid / stony land * flat / undulating / hilly land * agricultural / arable / industrial land * The land was very dry and hard after the long, hot summer. * The land rose to the east. * a piece of waste / derelict land * Some of the country’s richest grazing lands are in these valleys.\n  3  [U] (also formal lands [pl.]) the area of ground that sb owns, especially when you think of it as property that can be bought or sold:\nThe price of land is rising rapidly. * He owns 500 acres of land in Scotland. * During the war their lands were occupied by the enemy. * conflicts over tribal lands\nsee also NO-MAN’S-LAND\n  countryside\n  4  (the land) [U] used to refer to the countryside and the way people live in the country as opposed to in cities:\nAt the beginning of the 20th century almost a third of the population lived off the land (= grew or produced their own food). * Many people leave the land to find work in towns and cities. * His family had always farmed the land.\n  country / region\n  5  [C] (literary) used to refer to a country or region in an emotional or imaginative way:\nShe longed to return to her native land. * They dreamed of travelling to foreign lands. * faraway lands beyond the sea * America is the land of freedom and opportunity. * the land of the fairies / elves / giants\nsee also CLOUD-CUCKOO-LAND, CLUBLAND, DOCKLAND, DREAMLAND, FAIRYLAND, NEVER-NEVER LAND, THE PROMISED LAND, WONDERLAND\n HELP NOTE  There are many other compounds ending in land. You will find them at their place in the alphabet.\n IDIOMS \n  (back) in the land of the living used to emphasize that sb is still living or that sb is alive and well after an illness or accident:\nI’m glad to see you’re back in the land of the living. We were worried about you. * Only two of his old school friends are still in the land of the living.\n  the land of milk and honey a place where life is pleasant and easy and people are very happy:\nHe dreamed of emigrating to Canada-the land of milk and honey.\n  see, etc. how the land lies (BrE) to find out about a situation:\nLet’s wait and see how the land lies before we do anything.\nmore at LIE n., LIVE, SPY v.\n    verb\n  of bird / plane / insect\n  1  [V] to come down through the air onto the ground or another surface:\nThe plane landed safely. * A fly landed on his nose.\nOPP TAKE OFF\n  of pilot\n  2  [VN] to bring a plane down to the ground in a controlled way:\nThe pilot landed the plane safely.\n  arrive in plane / boat\n  3  [V] to arrive somewhere in a plane or a boat:\nWe shall be landing shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts. * The troops landed at dawn. * They were the first men to land on the moon. * The ferry is due to land at 3 o’clock.\n  4  [VN] to put sb/sth on land from an aircraft, a boat, etc:\nThe troops were landed by helicopter.\n  fall to ground\n  5  [V] to come down to the ground after jumping, falling or being thrown:\nI fell and landed heavily at the bottom of the stairs. * A large stone landed right beside him.\n  difficulties\n  6  [V +adv./prep.] to arrive somewhere and cause difficulties that have to be dealt with:\nWhy do complaints always land on my desk (= why do I always have to deal with them)?\n  job\n  7  (informal) to succeed in getting a job, etc., especially one that a lot of other people want:\n[VN] He’s just landed a starring role in Spielberg’s next movie. * [VNN] She’s just landed herself a company directorship.\n  fish\n  8  [VN] to catch a fish and bring it out of the water on to the land\n IDIOMS \n  land a blow, punch, etc. to succeed in hitting sb/sth:\nShe landed a punch on his chin.\nmore at FOOT n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  land in sth | land sb / yourself in sth (informal) to get sb/yourself into a difficult situation:\nShe was arrested and landed in court. * His hot temper has landed him in trouble before. * Now you’ve really landed me in it! (= got me into trouble)\n  land up in, at ... (informal) to reach a final position or situation, sometimes after other things have happened:\nWe travelled around for a while and landed up in Seattle. * He landed up in a ditch after he lost control of his car. * Careful-you don’t want to land up in hospital.\n  land sb / yourself with sth/sb (informal) to give sb/yourself sth unpleasant to do, especially because nobody else wants to do it:\nAs usual, I got landed with all the boring jobs.


Words: land reform
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] the principle of dividing land for farming into smaller pieces so that more people can own some


Words: land registry
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE land office) noun\na government office that keeps a record of areas of land and who owns them


Words: land-based
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] situated on or living on the land:\nland-based missiles * land-based animals


Words: landau
Meaning:
noun\na carriage with four wheels and a roof that folds down in two sections, that is pulled by horses


Words: landed
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  owning a lot of land:\nthe landed gentry\n  2  including a large amount of land:\nlanded estates


Words: landfall
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] (literary) the land that you see or arrive at first after a journey by sea or by air:\nAfter three weeks crossing the Atlantic, they made landfall on the coast of Ireland.\n  2  [C] = LANDSLIDE


Words: landfill
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] an area of land where large amounts of waste material are buried under the earth:\nThe map shows the position of the new landfills. * a landfill site\n  2  [U] the process of burying large amounts of waste material:\nthe choice of landfill or incineration\n  3  [U] waste material that will be buried


Words: landholding
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (technical) a piece of land that sb owns or rents; the act of owning or renting land:\na map of tribal landholdings\n    landholder noun:\nfarmers and landholders


Words: landing
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] the area at the top of a staircase where you arrive before you go into an upstairs room or move onto another staircase:\nGo up to the first-floor landing and it’s the door on the right.\n \n  2  [C, U] an act of bringing an aircraft or a spacecraft down to the ground after a journey:\na perfect / smooth / safe landing * the first Apollo moon landing * The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing. * a landing site\nOPP TAKE-OFF\nsee also CRASH LANDING\n \n  3  [C] an act of bringing soldiers to land in an area that is controlled by the enemy\n  4  = LANDING STAGE


Words: landing craft
Meaning:
noun\n(plural landing craft) a boat with a flat bottom, carried on a ship. Landing craft open at one end so soldiers and equipment can be brought to the shore.


Words: landing stage
Meaning:
(BrE) (also landing AmE, BrE) noun\na flat wooden platform on the water where boats let people get on and off, and load and unload goods\nSYN JETTY


Words: landlady
Meaning:
noun (plural landladies)\n  1  a woman from whom you rent a room, a house, etc.\n  2  (BrE) a woman who owns or manages a pub or a GUEST HOUSE\ncompare LANDLORD


Words: landless
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] not owning land for farming; not allowed to own land:\nlandless peasants / labourers


Words: landlord
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a man from whom you rent a room, a house, etc.\n  2  (BrE) a man who owns or manages a pub or a GUEST HOUSE\ncompare LANDLADY


Words: landmark
Meaning:
noun\n  1  something, such as a large building, that you can see clearly from a distance and that will help you to know where you are:\nThe Empire State Building is a familiar landmark on the New York skyline.\n  2  ~ (in sth) an event, a discovery, an invention, etc. that marks an important stage in sth:\nThe ceasefire was seen as a major landmark in the fight against terrorism. * a landmark decision / ruling in the courts\n  3  (especially AmE) a building or a place that is very important because of its history, and that should be preserved


Words: landowner
Meaning:
noun\na person who owns land, especially a large area of land\n    landownership (also landowning) noun [U]:\nprivate landownership\n    landowning adjective [only before noun]:\nthe great landowning families


Words: landscape
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] everything you can see when you look across a large area of land, especially in the country:\nthe rugged / mountainous / dramatic landscape of Bolivia * the woods and fields that are typical features of the English landscape * an urban / industrial landscape * (figurative) We can expect changes in the political landscape.\n  2  [C, U] a painting of a view of the countryside; this style of painting:\na British artist famous for his landscapes * She specializes in landscapes.\ncompare TOWNSCAPE\n  3  [U] (technical) the way of printing a document in which the top of the page is one of the longer sides:\nSelect the landscape option when printing the file.\ncompare PORTRAIT\n IDIOMS  see BLOT n.\n    verb [VN] to improve the appearance of an area of land by changing the design and planting trees, flowers, etc:\nlandscaped gardens\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nlandscape / scenery / countryside\nThe following adjectives are frequently used with these nouns:\n~ landscape  ~ scenery  ~ countryside\nEnglish  beautiful  surrounding tab\nrural  mountain  English\nnatural  spectacular  open\nflat  dramatic  beautiful\nbleak  breathtaking  rolling\nurban  coastal  unspoilt\nThe landscape [C] of an area is the way its physical features are arranged: Mountains dominate the Welsh landscape. * an urban landscape.\nYou use scenery [U] when you are saying that these physical features are attractive to look at: We stopped to admire the scenery.\nThe country/countryside [U] describes land that is away from towns and cities: When I was a child, I spent a lot of time in the country. * a country house/park/road * the surrounding countryside. The country is more common in this sense but countryside is used especially in official language or when it would not be clear which sense of country is meant: the Wildlife and Countryside Act.\n______________________________


Words: landscape architect
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job is planning and designing the environment, especially so that roads, buildings, etc. combine with the landscape in an attractive way\n    landscape architecture noun [U]


Words: landscape gardener
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job is designing and creating attractive parks and gardens\n    landscape gardening noun [U]


Words: landslide
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also landfall) a mass of earth, rock, etc. that falls down the slope of a mountain or a cliff:\nThe house was buried beneath a landslide.\nsee also LANDSLIP\n  2  an election in which one person or party gets very many more votes than the other people or parties:\nShe was expected to win by a landslide. * Labour’s landslide victory of 1997


Words: landslip
Meaning:
noun\na mass of rock and earth that falls down a slope, usually smaller than a landslide:\nThe road was closed after another landslip.


Words: landward
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] facing the land; away from the sea:\non the landward side of the road\n    landward (also landwards) adverb:\nAfter an hour, the ship turned landward.


Words: lane
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a narrow road in the country:\nwinding country lanes * We drove along a muddy lane to reach the farmhouse.\nsee also MEMORY LANE\n \n  2  (especially in place names) a street, often a narrow one with buildings on both sides:\nThe quickest way is through the back lanes behind the bus station. * Park Lane\n \n  3  a section of a wide road, that is marked by painted white lines, to keep lines of traffic separate:\nthe inside / middle / outside lane * the northbound / southbound lane * to change lanes * She signalled and pulled over into the slow lane. * a four-lane highway\nsee also BUS LANE, CYCLE LANE, FAST LANE\n  4  a narrow marked section of a track or a swimming pool that is used by one competitor in a race:\nThe Australian in lane four is coming up fast from behind.\n  5  a route used by ships or aircraft on regular journeys:\none of the world’s busiest shipping / sea lanes\n IDIOMS  see FAST LANE


Words: language
Meaning:
noun\n  of a country\n  1  [C] the system of communication in speech and writing that is used by people of a particular country:\nthe Japanese language * How many languages do you speak? * Italian is my first language. * All the children must learn a foreign language. * She has a good command of the Spanish language. * a qualification in language teaching * They fell in love in spite of the language barrier (= the difficulty of communicating when people speak different languages). * Why study Latin? It’s a dead language (= no longer spoken by anyone).\nsee also MODERN LANGUAGE\n  communication\n  2  [U] the use by humans of a system of sounds and words to communicate:\ntheories about the origins of language * a study of language acquisition in two-year-olds\n  style of speaking / writing\n  3  [U] a particular style of speaking or writing:\nbad / foul / strong language (= words that people may consider offensive) * literary / poetic language * the language of the legal profession * Give your instructions in everyday language.\nsee also BAD LANGUAGE\n  movements / symbols / sound\n  4  [C, U] a way of expressing ideas and feelings using movements, symbols and sound:\nthe language of mime * the language of dolphins / bees\nsee also BODY LANGUAGE, SIGN LANGUAGE\n  computing\n  5  [C, U] a system of symbols and rules that is used to operate a computer:\na programming language\n IDIOMS \n  mind / watch your language to be careful about what you say in order not to upset or offend sb:\nWatch your language, young man!\n  speak / talk the same language to be able to communicate easily with another person because you share similar opinions and experience


Words: language laboratory
Meaning:
noun\na room in a school or college that contains special equipment to help students learn foreign languages by listening to tapes, watching videos, recording themselves, etc.


Words: languid
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) moving slowly in a graceful manner, not needing energy or effort:\na languid wave of the hand * a languid afternoon in the sun\n    languidly adverb:\nHe moved languidly across the room.


Words: languish
Meaning:
verb [V] (formal)\n  1  ~ (in sth) to be forced to stay somewhere or suffer sth unpleasant for a long time:\nShe continues to languish in a foreign prison.\n  2  to become weaker or fail to make progress:\nShare prices languished at 102p.


Words: languor
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] (literary) the state of feeling lazy and without energy:\nA delicious languor was stealing over him.\n    languorous  adjective:\na languorous pace of life\n    languorously adverb


Words: lank
Meaning:
adjective\n(of hair) straight, dull and not attractive:\nHer lank black hair dropped lifelessly to her shoulders.


Words: lanky
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a person) having long thin limbs and moving in an awkward way:\na tall, lanky teenager


Words: lantern
Meaning:
noun\na lamp in a container, often a metal case with glass sides, that has a handle, so that you can carry it outside:\nChinese / paper lanterns


Words: lap
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [C]\n  1  [usually sing.] the top part of your legs that forms a flat surface when you are sitting down:\nThere’s only one seat so you’ll have to sit on my lap. * She sat with her hands in her lap.\n  2  one journey from the beginning to the end of a track used for running, etc:\nthe fastest lap on record * She has completed six laps. * He was overtaken on the final lap. * to do a lap of honour (= go around the track again to celebrate winning) * (AmE) to do a victory lap\n  3  a section of a journey or trip:\nThey’re off on the first lap of their round-the-world tour.\n IDIOMS \n  drop / dump sth in sb’s lap (informal) to make sth the responsibility of another person:\nThey dropped the problem firmly back in my lap.\n  sth drops / falls into sb’s lap somebody has the opportunity to do sth pleasant without having made any effort:\nMy dream job just fell into my lap.\n  in the lap of the gods if the result of sth is in the lap of the gods, you do not know what will happen because it depends on luck or things you cannot control\n  in the lap of luxury in easy, comfortable conditions, and enjoying the advantages of being rich:\nWe spent two weeks in the hotel living in the lap of luxury.\n    verb (-pp-)\n  1  [V] (of water) to touch sth gently and regularly, often making a soft sound:\nThe waves lapped around our feet. * the sound of water lapping against the boat\n  2  [VN] (of animals) to drink sth with quick movements of the tongue\n  3  [VN] (in a race) to pass another competitor on a track who is one or more laps behind you:\nShe had already lapped most of the other runners.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lap sth<->up\n1 (informal) to accept or receive sth with great enjoyment, without thinking about whether it is good, true or sincere:\nIt’s a terrible movie but audiences everywhere are lapping it up. * She simply lapped up all the compliments.\n2 to drink all of sth with great enjoyment:\nThe calf lapped up the bucket of milk.


Words: lap dancing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] sexually exciting dancing or STRIPTEASE which is performed close to, or sitting on, a customer in a bar or club


Words: lapdog
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a pet dog that is small enough to be carried\n  2  (disapproving) a person who is under the control of another person or group


Words: lapel
Meaning:
noun\none of the two front parts of the top of a coat or jacket that are joined to the collar and are folded back:\nto wear a flower in your lapel * He grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket.


Words: lapidary
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (formal) (especially of written language) elegant and exact:\nin lapidary style\n  2  (technical) connected with stones and the work of cutting and polishing them


Words: lapse
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a small mistake, especially one that is caused by forgetting sth or by being careless:\na lapse of concentration / memory * A momentary lapse in the final set cost her the match.\n  2  a period of time between two things that happen:\nAfter a lapse of six months we met up again. * He wrote to us after a considerable lapse of time.\n  3  an example or period of bad behaviour from sb who normally behaves well:\nI forgot to thank her for the invitation but I don’t think she noticed my lapse.\n    verb [V] \n  1  (of a contract, an agreement, etc.) to be no longer valid because the period of time that it lasts has come to an end:\nShe had allowed her membership to lapse. * The treaty lapsed in 1995.\n  2  to gradually become weaker or come to an end:\nHis concentration lapsed after a few minutes. * This custom had lapsed over the years.\n  3  ~ (from sth) to stop believing in or practising your religion:\nHe lapsed from Judaism when he was a student.\n    lapsed adjective [only before noun]:\na lapsed subscription * lapsed faith * a lapsed Catholic\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lapse into sth\n1 to gradually pass into a worse or less active state or condition:\nto lapse into unconsciousness / a coma * She lapsed into silence again.\n2 to start speaking or behaving in a different way, often one that is less acceptable:\nHe soon lapsed back into his old ways.


Words: laptop
Meaning:
noun\na small computer that can work with a battery and be easily carried\ncompare DESKTOP COMPUTER, NOTEBOOK


Words: lapwing
Meaning:
(also peewit) noun\na black and white bird with a row of feathers (called a CREST) standing up on its head


Words: larceny
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (plural larcenies) (AmE or old-fashioned, BrE) (law) the crime of stealing sth from sb; an occasion when this takes place\nSYN THEFT:\nThe couple were charged with grand / petty larceny (= stealing things that are valuable / not very valuable).


Words: lard
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] a firm white substance made from the melted fat of pigs that is used in cooking\n    verb [VN] to put small pieces of fat on or into sth before cooking it\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lard sth with sth [usually passive] (often disapproving) to include a lot of a particular kind of word or expressions in a speech or in a piece of writing:\nHis conversation was larded with Russian proverbs.


Words: larder
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) a cupboard/closet or small room in a house, used for storing food, especially in the past\nSYN PANTRY


Words: large
Meaning:
adjective (larger, largest)\n  1  big in size or quantity:\na large area / family / house / car / appetite * a large number of people * very large sums of money * He’s a very large child for his age. * A large proportion of old people live alone. * Women usually do the larger share of the housework. * Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee. * Who’s the rather large (= fat) lady in the hat?\n  2  (abbreviation L) used to describe one size in a range of sizes of clothes, food, products used in the house, etc:\nsmall, medium, large * It’s better value if you buy a large box.\n  3  wide in range and involving many things:\na large and complex issue * Some drugs are being used on a much larger scale than previously. * If we look at the larger picture of the situation, the differences seem slight. -> BIG\n    largeness noun [U]\n IDIOMS \n  at large\n1 (used after a noun) as a whole; in general:\nthe opinion of the public at large\n2 (of a dangerous person or animal) not captured; free:\nHer killer is still at large.\n  by and large (informal) used when you are saying something that is generally, but not completely, true:\nBy and large, I enjoyed my time at school.\n  in large part | in large measure (formal) to a great extent:\nTheir success is due in large part to their determination.\n  (as) large as life (humorous) used to show surprise at seeing sb/sth:\nI hadn’t seen her for fifteen years and then there she was, (as) large as life.\n  larger than life looking or behaving in a way that is more interesting or exciting than other people, and so is likely to attract attention:\nHe’s a larger than life character-noisy, very friendly, and always joking.\nmore at LOOM v., WRIT v.


Words: large-scale
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  involving many people or things, especially over a wide area:\nlarge-scale development * the large-scale employment of women\n  2  (of a map, model, etc.) drawn or made to a scale that shows a small area of land or a building in great detail\nOPP SMALL-SCALE


Words: largely
Meaning:
adverb\nto a great extent; mostly or mainly:\nthe manager who is largely responsible for the team’s victory * It was largely a matter of trial and error. * He resigned largely because of the stories in the press.


Words: largesse
Meaning:
(also largess)  noun\n[U] (formal or humorous) the act or quality of being generous with money; money that you give to people who have less than you:\nShe is not noted for her largesse (= she is not generous). * to dispense largesse to the poor


Words: lark
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a small brown bird with a pleasant song\nsee also SKYLARK\n  2  [usually sing.] (informal) a thing that you do for fun or as a joke:\nThe boys didn’t mean any harm-they just did it for a lark.\n  3  (BrE, informal) (used after another noun) an activity that you think is a waste of time or that you do not take seriously:\nPerhaps this riding lark would be more fun than she’d thought.\n IDIOMS \n  be / get up with the lark (old-fashioned, BrE) to get out of bed very early in the morning\n  blow / sod that for a lark (BrE, slang) used by sb who does not want to do sth because it involves too much effort:\nSod that for a lark! I’m not doing any more tonight.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lark about / around (old-fashioned informal, especially BrE) to enjoy yourself by behaving in a silly way:\nA couple of kids were larking about outside.


Words: larva
Meaning:
noun\n(plural larvae ) an insect at the stage when it has just come out of an egg and looks like a short fat worm\n \n    larval  adjective [only before noun]:\nan insect in its larval stage


Words: lasagne
Meaning:
(also lasagna)  noun\n  1  [U] large flat pieces of PASTA\n  2  [U, C] an Italian dish made from layers of lasagne, finely chopped meat and/or vegetables and white sauce


Words: lascivious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, disapproving) feeling or showing strong sexual desire:\na lascivious person * lascivious thoughts\n    lasciviously adverb\n    lasciviousness noun [U]


Words: laser
Meaning:
noun\na device that makes a very strong beam of controlled light (= with rays that are parallel and of the same WAVELENGTH):\na laser beam * a laser navigation device * The bar codes on the products are read by lasers. * a laser show (= lasers used as entertainment)


Words: lash
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to hit sb/sth with great force: [V, +adv./prep.] The rain lashed at the windows. * Branches lashed at my face. * [VN] Huge waves lashed the shore.\n  2  [VN] to hit a person or an animal with a whip, rope, stick, etc.\n  3  [VN] to criticize sb/sth in a very angry way\n  4  [VN +adv./prep.] to fasten sth tightly to sth else with ropes:\nSeveral logs had been lashed together to make a raft. * During the storm everything on deck had to be lashed down.\n  5  to move or to move sth quickly and violently from side to side:\n[V] The crocodile’s tail was lashing furiously from side to side. [also VN]\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lash out (at sb/sth)\n1 to suddenly try to hit sb:\nShe suddenly lashed out at the boy.\n2 to criticize sb in an angry way:\nIn a bitter article he lashed out at his critics.\n    noun\n  1  = EYELASH:\nher long dark lashes\n  2  a hit with a whip, given as a form of punishment:\nThey each received 20 lashes for stealing. * (figurative) to feel the lash of sb’s tongue (= to be spoken to in an angry and critical way)\n  3  the thin leather part at the end of a whip:\nThe lash struck him across the back.


Words: lashing
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (lashings) [pl.] (BrE, informal) a large amount of sth, especially of food and drink:\na bowl of strawberries with lashings of cream\n  2  [C] an act of hitting sb with a whip as a punishment: (figurative) He was given a severe tongue lashing (= angry criticism).\n  3  [C, usually pl.] a rope used to fasten sth tightly to sth else:\nThe sail burst free of its lashings.


Words: lassitude
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) a state of feeling very tired in mind or body; lack of energy:\nI was overcome by lassitude.


Words: lasso
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (plural lassos or lassoes) a long rope with one end tied into a LOOP that is used for catching horses, cows, etc.\n    verb [VN] to catch an animal using a lasso:\nto lasso a calf


Words: last
Meaning:
determiner, adverb, noun, verb-see also LAST\n    determiner\n  1  happening or coming after all other similar things or people:\nWe caught the last bus home. * It’s the last house on the left. * She was last to arrive.\n  2  [only before noun] most recent:\nlast night / Tuesday / month / summer / year * her last book * This last point is crucial.\n  3  [only before noun] only remaining\nSYN FINAL:\nThis is our last bottle of wine. * He knew this was his last hope of winning. * I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last person on earth!\n  4  used to emphasize that sb/sth is the least likely or suitable:\nThe last thing she needed was more work. * He’s the last person I’d trust with a secret.\n IDIOMS \n  be on your / its last legs to be going to die or stop functioning very soon; to be very weak or in bad condition\n  the day, week, month, etc. before last the day, week, etc. just before the most recent one; two days, weeks, etc. ago:\nI haven’t seen him since the summer before last.\n  every last ... every person or thing in a group:\nWe spent every last penny we had on the house.\n  have the last laugh to be successful when you were not expected to be, making your opponents look stupid\n  in the last resort when there are no other possible courses of action:\nIn the last resort we can always walk home.\n  your / the last gasp the point at which you/sth can no longer continue living, fighting, existing, etc.\n  the last minute / moment the latest possible time before an important event:\nThey changed the plans at the last minute. * Don’t leave your decision to the last moment.\n  a / your last resort the person or thing you rely on when everything else has failed:\nI’ve tried everyone else and now you’re my last resort.\n  the last word (in sth) the most recent, fashionable, advanced, etc. thing:\nThese apartments are the last word in luxury.\nmore at ANALYSIS, BREATH, FAMOUS, LONG adj., MAN n., STRAW, THING, WEEK, WORD n.\n    adverb\n  1  after anyone or anything else; at the end:\nHe came last in the race. * They arrived last of all.\n  2  most recently:\nWhen did you see him last? * I saw him last / I last saw him in New York two years ago. * They last won the cup in 1995.\n IDIOMS \n  last but not least used when mentioning the last person or thing of a group, in order to say that they are not less important than the others:\nLast but not least, I’d like to thank all the catering staff.\n  last in, first out used, for example in a situation when people are losing their jobs, to say that the last people to be employed will be the first to go\nmore at FIRST adv.\n    noun (the last) (plural the last)\n  1  the person or thing that comes or happens after all other similar people or things:\nSorry I’m late-am I the last? * They were the last to arrive.\n  2  ~ of sth the only remaining part or items of sth:\nThese are the last of our apples.\n IDIOMS \n  at (long) last after much delay, effort, etc.; in the end\nSYN FINALLY:\nAt last we’re home! * At long last the cheque arrived. -> LASTLY\n  hear / see the last of sb/sth to hear/see sb/sth for the last time:\nThat was the last I ever saw of her. * Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this affair.\n  the last I heard (spoken) used to give the most recent news you have about sb/sth:\nThe last I heard he was still working at the garage.\n  to / till the last until the last possible moment, especially until death:\nHe died protesting his innocence to the last.\nmore at BREATHE, FIRST n.\n    verb\n  1  linking verb [V] (not used in the progressive tenses) to continue for a particular period of time:\nThe meeting only lasted (for) a few minutes. * Each game lasts about an hour. * How long does the play last?\n  2  to continue to exist or to function well:\n[V] This weather won’t last. * He’s making a big effort now, and I hope it lasts. * [VN] These shoes should last you till next year.\n  3  ~ (sth) (out) to survive sth or manage to stay in the same situation, in spite of difficulties:\n[V] She won’t last long in that job. * Can you last (out) until I can get help? * [VN] Doctors say that she probably won’t last out the night (= she will probably die before the morning). * He was injured early on and didn’t last the match.\n  4  ~ (sb) (out) to be enough for sb to use, especially for a particular period of time:\n[V] Will the coffee last out till next week? * We’ve got enough food to last (for) three days. * [VN] We’ve got enough food to last us (for) three days.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nlast / take\nLast and take are both used to talk about the length of time that something continues.\nLast is used to talk about the length of time that an event continues: How long do you think this storm will last? * The movie lasted over two hours. Last does not always need an expression of time: His annoyance won’t last. Last is also used to say that you have enough of something: We don’t have enough money to last until next month.\nTake is used to talk about the amount of time you need in order to go somewhere or do something. It must be used with an expression of time: It takes (me) at least an hour to get home from work. * How long will the flight take? * The water took ages to boil.\n______________________________\n\n\n noun\na block of wood or metal shaped like a foot, used in making and repairing shoes\nsee also LAST


Words: last call
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (especially AmE) = LAST ORDERS\n  2  the final request at an airport for passengers to get on their plane


Words: last orders
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (BrE) (also last call AmE, BrE) the last opportunity for people to buy drinks in a pub or a bar before it closes:\n’Last orders, please!’


Words: last-ditch
Meaning:
adjective\nused to describe a final attempt to achieve sth, when there is not much hope of succeeding:\nShe underwent a heart transplant in a last-ditch attempt to save her.


Words: lasting
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] continuing to exist or to have an effect for a long time:\nHer words left a lasting impression on me. * I formed several lasting friendships at college. * The training was of no lasting value.\nsee also LONG-LASTING\n    lastingly


Words: lastly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  used to introduce the final point that you want to make:\nLastly, I’d like to ask you about your plans.\n  2  at the end; after all the other things that you have mentioned:\nLastly, add the lemon juice.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nlastly / at last\nLastly is used to introduce the last in a list of things or the final point you are making: Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for all their support.\nAt last is used when something happens after a long time, especially when there has been some difficulty or delay: At last, after twenty hours on the boat, they arrived at their destination. You can also use finally, eventually or in the end with this meaning, but not lastly.\n______________________________


Words: latch
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a small metal bar that is used to fasten a door or a gate. You raise it to open the door, and lower it into a metal hook to fasten it:\nHe lifted the latch and opened the door.\n \n  2  (especially BrE) a type of lock on a door that can only be opened from the outside with a key:\nShe listened for his key in the latch.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  on the latch (BrE) closed but not locked:\nCan you leave the door on the latch so I can get in?\n    verb [VN] to fasten sth with a latch:\nHe closed the window and latched it.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  latch on (to sth) | latch onto sth (informal) to understand an idea or what sb is saying:\nIt was a difficult concept to grasp, but I soon latched on. * He latched on to the truth.\n  latch on (to sb/sth) | latch onto sb/sth (informal)\n1 to become attached to sb/sth:\nantibodies that latch onto germs\n2 to join sb and stay in their company, especially when they would prefer you not to be with them\n3 to develop a strong interest in sth:\nShe always latches on to the latest craze.


Words: latchkey child
Meaning:
(also latchkey kid) noun\n(usually disapproving) a child who is at home alone after school because both parents are at work


Words: late
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective (later, latest)\n  1  [only before noun] near the end of a period of time, a person’s life, etc:\nin the late afternoon * in late summer * She married in her late twenties (= when she was 28 or 29). * In later life he started playing golf. * The school was built in the late 1970s. * a late Victorian house * his late plays / work * a late goal / penalty * The concert was cancelled at a very late stage.\nOPP EARLY\n  2  [not usually before noun] arriving, happening or done after the expected, arranged or usual time:\nI’m sorry I’m late. * She’s late for work every day. * My flight was an hour late. * We apologize for the late arrival of this train. * Because of the cold weather the crops are later this year. * Interest will be charged for late payment. * Here is a late news flash. * Some children are very late developers.\nOPP EARLY\n  3  near the end of the day:\nLet’s go home-it’s getting late. * Look at the time-it’s much later than I thought. * What are you doing up at this late hour? * What is the latest time I can have an appointment? * I’ve had too many late nights recently (= when I’ve gone to bed very late).\nOPP EARLY\n  4  [only before noun] (of a person) no longer alive:\nher late husband * the late Freddie Mercury\n    lateness  noun [U]:\nThey apologized for the lateness of the train. * Despite the lateness of the hour, the children were not in bed.\nsee also LATER, LATEST\n IDIOMS \n  be too late happening after the time when it is possible to do sth:\nIt’s too late to save her now. * Buy now before it’s too late. * I’m afraid you’re too late to apply for the job. * The doctors did all they could, but it was too late.\n    adverb (comparative later, no superlative)\n  1  after the expected, arranged or usual time:\nI got up late. * Can I stay up late tonight? * She has to work late tomorrow. * The big stores are open later on Thursdays. * She married late. * The birthday card arrived three days late.\n  2  near the end of a period of time, a person’s life, etc:\nlate in March / the afternoon * It happened late last century-in 1895 to be exact. * As late as (= as recently as) the 1950s, tuberculosis was still a fatal illness. * He became an author late in life.\n  3  near the end of the day:\nThere’s a good film on late. * Late that evening, there was a knock at the door. * Share prices fell early on but rose again late in the day. * They worked late into the night to finish the report.\nsee also LATER\nOPP EARLY\n IDIOMS \n  better late than never (saying) used especially when you, or sb else, arrive late, or when sth such as success happens late, to say that this is better than not coming or happening at all\n  late in the day (disapproving) after the time when an action could be successful:\nHe started working hard much too late in the day-he couldn’t possibly catch up.\n  late of ... (formal) until recently working or living in the place mentioned:\nProfessor Jones, late of Oxford University\n  of late (formal) recently:\nI haven’t seen him of late. * The situation has become more confusing of late.\n  too late after the time when it is possible to do sth successfully:\nShe’s left it too late to apply for the job. * I realized the truth too late.\nmore at SOON\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \nlate / lately\nLate and lately are both adverbs, but late is used with similar meanings to the adjective late, whereas lately can only mean ’recently’: We arrived two hours late. * I haven’t heard from him lately. Lately is usually used with a perfect tense of the verb.\nLook also at the idioms be too late (at the adjective) and too late (at the adverb).\n______________________________


Words: late-night
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] happening late at night; available after other things finish:\na late-night movie * late-night shopping


Words: lately
Meaning:
adverb\nrecently; in the recent past:\nHave you seen her lately? * It’s only lately that she’s been well enough to go out. * (BrE) I haven’t been sleeping well just lately. * She had lately returned from India.


Words: latent
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] existing, but not yet very noticeable, active or well developed:\nlatent defects / disease * These children have a huge reserve of latent talent.\n    latency  noun [U]


Words: later
Meaning:
adverb, adjective \n    adverb\n  1  at a time in the future; after the time you are talking about:\nSee you later. * I met her again three years later. * His father died later that year. * We’re going to Rome later in the year. * She later became a doctor.\nOPP EARLIER\n  2  (Later!) (spoken) a way of saying goodbye, used by young people:\nLater, guys!\n IDIOMS \n  later on (informal) at a time in the future; after the time you are talking about:\nI’m going out later on. * Much later on, she realized what he had meant.\n  not / no later than ... by a particular time and not after it:\nEntries must arrive no later than 12 June.\n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  coming after sth else or at a time in the future:\nThis is discussed in more detail in a later chapter. * The match has been postponed to a later date.\n  2  near the end of a period of time, life, etc:\nthe later part of the seventeenth century * She found happiness in her later years.\nOPP EARLIER\n IDIOMS  see SOON


Words: lateral
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] connected with the side of sth or with movement to the side:\nthe lateral branches of a tree * lateral eye movements\n    laterally  adverb


Words: lateral thinking
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (especially BrE) a way of solving problems by using your imagination to find new ways of looking at the problem


Words: latest
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] the most recent or newest:\nthe latest unemployment figures * the latest craze / fashion / trend * her latest novel * Have you heard the latest news?\n    noun (the latest) (informal) the most recent or the newest thing or piece of news:\nThis is the latest in robot technology. * Have you heard the latest?\n IDIOMS \n  at the latest no later than the time or the date mentioned:\nApplications should be in by 31 October at the latest.


Words: latex
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a thick white liquid that is produced by some plants and trees, especially rubber trees\n  2  an artificial substance similar to this that is used to make paints, glues and fabrics:\nlatex gloves


Words: lath
Meaning:
noun\n(plural laths ) a thin narrow strip of wood that is used to support PLASTER (= material used for covering walls) on the inside walls and the ceilings of buildings


Words: lathe
Meaning:
noun\na machine that shapes pieces of wood or metal by holding and turning them against a fixed cutting tool


Words: lather
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U, sing.] a white mass of small bubbles that is produced by mixing soap with water:\nto work up a good lather\n IDIOMS \n  get into a lather | work yourself into a lather (BrE, informal) to get anxious or angry about sth, especially when it is not necessary:\nCalm down-don’t work yourself into a lather about it.\n  in a lather (BrE, informal) in a nervous, angry or excited state:\nDad was in a right lather about something.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] to cover sth with lather:\nI lathered my face and started to shave.\n  2  [V] to produce lather:\nSoap does not lather well in hard water.


Words: Latin
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [U] the language of ancient Rome and the official language of its empire\n  2  [C] a person from countries where languages that have developed from Latin, such as Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or French, are spoken\n    adjective\n  1  of or in the Latin language:\nLatin poetry\n  2  connected with or typical of the countries or peoples using languages developed from Latin, such as Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or French:\na Latin temperament


Words: Latin America
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the parts of central and S America in which Spanish or Portuguese is the main language -> AMERICAN


Words: Latino
Meaning:
noun\n(plural Latinos) a person living in the US whose family came from Central or S America where Spanish or Portuguese is spoken\ncompare CHICANO\n    Latino adjective [only before noun]


Words: latitude
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (abbreviation lat.) [U] the distance of a place north or south of the EQUATOR (= the line around the world dividing north and south), measured in degrees\ncompare LONGITUDE\n \n  2  (latitudes) [pl.] a region of the world that is a particular distance from the EQUATOR:\nthe northern latitudes\n \n  3  [U] ~ (in / for sth / to do sth) (formal) freedom to choose what you do or the way that you do it:\nThey allow their children far too much latitude.


Words: latter
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  being the second of two things, people or groups that have just been mentioned, or the last in a list:\nThe latter point is the most important.\n  2  nearer to the end of a period of time than the beginning:\nthe latter half of the year * during the latter stages of the tournament\ncompare FORMER\n    noun (the latter) (plural the latter) the second of two things, people or groups that have just been mentioned, or the last in a list:\nHe presented two solutions. The latter seems much better. * The town has a concert hall and two theatres. The latter were both built in the 1950s.


Words: latter-day
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] being a modern version of a person or thing in the past:\na latter-day Robin Hood


Words: latterly
Meaning:
adverb (formal)\n  1  most recently:\nLatterly his painting has shown a new freedom of expression.\n  2  towards the end of a period of time:\nHer health declined rapidly and latterly she never left the house.


Words: lattice
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (also latticework [U]) a structure that is made of strips of wood or metal that cross over each other with spaces shaped like a diamond between them, used as a fence or a support for climbing plants; any structure or pattern like this:\na low wall of stone lattice-work * a lattice of branches\n    latticed  adjective


Words: lattice window
Meaning:
(also latticed window) noun\na window with small pieces of glass shaped like diamonds in a FRAMEWORK of metal strips


Words: laudable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) deserving to be praised or admired, even if not really successful:\na laudable aim / attempt\n    laudably  adverb


Words: laudanum
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a drug made from OPIUM. In the past, people used to take laudanum to reduce pain and anxiety, and to help them sleep.


Words: laugh
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n\n \n  1  ~ (at / about) to make the sounds and movements of your face that show you are happy or think sth is funny:\n[V] to laugh loudly / aloud / out loud * You never laugh at my jokes! * The show was hilarious-I couldn’t stop laughing. * She always makes me laugh. * He burst out laughing (= suddenly started laughing). * She laughed to cover her nervousness. * I told him I was worried but he laughed scornfully. * [V speech] ’You’re crazy!’ she laughed.\n \n  2  [V] (be laughing) (spoken, informal) used to say that you are in a very good position, especially because you have done sth successfully:\nIf we win the next game we’ll be laughing.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  Don’t make me laugh (spoken) used to show that you think what sb has just said is impossible or stupid:\n’Will your dad lend you the money?’ ’Don’t make me laugh!’\n  laugh all the way to the bank (informal) to make a lot of money easily and feel very pleased about it\n  laugh in sb’s face to show in a very obvious way that you have no respect for sb\n  laugh like a drain (BrE) to laugh very loudly\n  laugh on the other side of your face (BrE, informal) to be forced to change from feeling pleased or satisfied to feeling disappointed or annoyed:\nHe’ll be laughing on the other side of his face when he reads my letter.\n  laugh sb/sth out of court (BrE, informal) to completely reject an idea, a story, etc. that you think is not worth taking seriously at all:\nAll his attempts at explanation were simply laughed out of court.\n  laugh till / until you cry to laugh so long and hard that there are tears in your eyes\n  laugh up your sleeve (at sb/sth) (informal) to be secretly amused about sth\n  laugh your head off to laugh very loudly and for a long time\n  not know whether to laugh or cry (informal) to be unable to decide how to react to a bad or unfortunate situation\n  you have / you’ve got to laugh (spoken) used to say that you think there is a funny side to a situation:\nWell, I’m sorry you’ve lost your shoes, but you’ve got to laugh, haven’t you?\nmore at PISS v.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  laugh at sb/sth to make sb/sth seem stupid or not serious by making jokes about them/it:\nEverybody laughs at my accent. * She is not afraid to laugh at herself (= not be too serious about herself).\n  laugh sth<->off (informal) to try to make people think that sth is not serious or important, especially by making a joke about it:\nHe laughed off suggestions that he was going to resign.\n    noun [C]\n  1  the sound you make when you are amused or happy:\nto give a laugh * a short / harsh / bitter / nervous / hearty laugh * His first joke got the biggest laugh of the night.\n  2  (a laugh) [sing.] (informal) an enjoyable and amusing occasion or thing that happens:\nCome to the karaoke night-it should be a good laugh. * And he didn’t realize it was you? What a laugh!\n  3  (a laugh) [sing.] a person who is amusing and fun to be with:\nPaula’s a good laugh, isn’t she?\n IDIOMS \n  do sth for a laugh / for laughs to do sth for fun or as a joke:\nI just did it for a laugh, but it got out of hand.\n  have a (good) laugh (about sth) to find sth amusing:\nI was angry at the time but we had a good laugh about it afterwards. * My family and friends all had a good laugh at my expense.\nmore at BARREL n., LAST det.\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \ndifferent ways of laughing\ncackle to laugh in a loud, unpleasant way, especially in a high voice\nchuckle to laugh quietly, especially because you are thinking about something funny\ngiggle to laugh in a silly way because you are amused, embarrassed or nervous\nguffaw to laugh noisily\nroar to laugh very loudly\nsnigger/snicker to laugh in a quiet unpleasant way, especially at something rude or at someone’s problems or mistakes\ntitter to laugh quietly, especially in a nervous or embarrassed way\nYou can also be convulsed with laughter or\ndissolve into laughter when you find something very funny. In BrE people also shriek with laughter or howl with laughter.\n______________________________


Words: laughable
Meaning:
adjective\nsilly or ridiculous, and not worth taking seriously:\nHe was a laughable figure. * The whole incident would be laughable if it were not so serious.\n    laughably  adverb


Words: laughing
Meaning:
adjective\nshowing amusement or happiness:\nhis laughing blue eyes * laughing faces\n IDIOMS \n  be no laughing matter to be sth serious that you should not joke about\nmore at DIE v.


Words: laughing stock
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a person that everyone laughs at because they have done sth stupid:\nI can’t wear that! I’d be a laughing stock.


Words: laughingly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in an amused way:\nHe laughingly agreed.\n  2  used to show that you think a particular word is not at all a suitable way of describing something and therefore seems ridiculous:\nI finally reached what we laughingly call civilization.


Words: laughter
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the act or sound of laughing:\nto roar with laughter * tears / gales / peals / shrieks of laughter * to burst / dissolve into laughter * a house full of laughter (= with a happy atmosphere) * He gave a snort of derisive laughter.


Words: launch
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  to start an activity, especially an organized one:\nto launch an appeal / an inquiry / an investigation / a campaign * to launch an attack / invasion\n  2  to make a product available to the public for the first time:\na party to launch his latest novel * The new model will be launched in July.\n  3  to put a ship or boat into the water, especially one that has just been built:\nThe Navy is to launch a new warship today. * The lifeboat was launched immediately.\n  4  to send sth such as a spacecraft, weapon, etc. into space, into the sky or through water:\nto launch a communications satellite * to launch a missile / rocket / torpedo\n  5  ~ yourself at, from, etc. sth | ~ yourself forwards, etc. to jump forwards with a lot of force:\nWithout warning he launched himself at me. * (figurative) She launched herself on the rock world with a brilliant album.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  launch into sth | launch yourself into sth to begin sth in an enthusiastic way, especially sth that will take a long time:\nHe launched into a lengthy account of his career.\n  launch out (into sth) to do sth new in your career, especially sth more exciting:\nIt’s time I launched out on my own.\n    noun\n  1  [usually sing.] the action of launching sth; an event at which sth is launched:\nthe successful launch of the Ariane rocket * a product launch * The official launch date is in May.\n  2  a large motor boat


Words: launch pad
Meaning:
(also launching pad) noun\na platform from which a spacecraft, etc. is sent into the sky: (figurative) She regards the job as a launch pad for her career in the media.


Words: launcher
Meaning:
noun\n(often in compounds) a device that is used to send a rocket, a MISSILE, etc. into the sky:\na rocket launcher


Words: launder
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  (formal) to wash, dry and IRON clothes, etc:\nfreshly laundered sheets\n  2  to move money that has been obtained illegally into foreign bank accounts or legal businesses so that it is difficult for people to know where the money came from:\nMost of the drugs money was laundered through Swiss bank accounts.


Words: launderette
Meaning:
(also laundrette)  (both BrE) (AmE Laundromat) noun\na place where you can wash and dry your clothes in machines that you operate by putting in coins


Words: laundry
Meaning:
noun (plural laundries)\n \n  1  [U] clothes, sheets, etc. that need washing, that are being washed, or that have been washed recently:\na pile of clean / dirty laundry * a laundry basket / room\n \n  2  [U, sing.] the process or the job of washing clothes, sheets, etc:\nto do the laundry * The hotel has a laundry service.\n \n  3  [C] a business or place where you send sheets, clothes, etc. to be washed:\nthe hospital laundry * a laundry van


Words: laureate
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who has been given an official honour or prize for sth important they have achieved:\na Nobel laureate\n  2  = POET LAUREATE


Words: laurel
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] a bush with dark smooth shiny leaves that remain on the bush and stay green through the year:\na laurel hedge\n  2  (laurels) [pl.] honour and praise given to sb because of sth that they have achieved:\nShe won laurels for her first novel.\n IDIOMS \n  look to your laurels to be careful that you do not lose the success or advantage that you have over other people:\nWith so many good new actors around the older ones are having to look to their laurels.\n  rest / sit on your laurels (usually disapproving) to feel so satisfied with what you have already achieved that you do not try to do any more


Words: lava
Meaning:
noun [U]\n \n  1  hot liquid rock that comes out of a VOLCANO:\nmolten lava\n \n  2  this type of rock when it has cooled and become hard


Words: lavatorial
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially BrE) lavatorial humour refers in a rude way to parts of the body, going to the toilet, etc.


Words: lavatory
Meaning:
noun (plural lavatories) (old-fashioned or formal)\n  1  (especially BrE) a toilet, or a room with a toilet in it:\nThere’s a bathroom and a lavatory upstairs.\n  2  (BrE) a public building or part of a building, with toilets in it:\nThe nearest public lavatory is at the station.\n  3  (AmE) a SINK in a bathroom


Words: lavender
Meaning:
noun [U]\n \n  1  a garden plant or bush with bunches of purple flowers with a sweet smell\n \n  2  the flowers of the lavender plant that have been dried, used for making sheets, clothes, etc. smell nice:\nlavender oil\n \n  3  a pale purple colour


Words: lavish
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective\n  1  large in amount, or impressive, and usually costing a lot of money\nSYN EXTRAVAGANT:\nlavish gifts / costumes / celebrations * They lived a very lavish lifestyle. * They rebuilt the house on an even more lavish scale than before. * It was one of the most lavish weddings I’ve ever been to.\n  2  ~ (with / in sth) giving or doing sth generously:\nHe was lavish in his praise for her paintings.\n    lavishly adverb:\nlavishly decorated / illustrated * She entertains her friends lavishly.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lavish sth on / upon sb/sth (written) to give a lot of sth, often too much, to sb/sth:\nShe lavishes most of her attention on her youngest son.


Words: law
Meaning:
noun\n  system of rules\n  1  (also the law) [U] the whole system of rules that everyone in a country or society must obey:\nIf they entered the building they would be breaking the law. * In Sweden it is against the law to hit a child. * Defence attorneys can use any means within the law to get their client off. * British schools are now required by law to publish their exam results. * The reforms have recently become law. * Do not think you are above the law (= think that you cannot be punished by the law). * the need for better law enforcement * (humorous) Kate’s word was law in the Brown household.\n  2  [U] a particular branch of the law:\ncompany / tax law * He specializes in international law.\nsee also CANON LAW, CASE LAW, CIVIL LAW, COMMON LAW, PRIVATE LAW, STATUTE LAW\n  one rule\n  3  [C] ~ (on sth) | ~ (against sth) a rule that deals with a particular crime, agreement, etc:\nthe 1996 law against the hiring of illegal immigrants * The government has introduced some tough new laws on food hygiene. * strict gun / licensing laws * a federal / state law * to pass a law (= officially make it part of the law) * (spoken) There ought to be a law against it!\nsee also BY-LAW, LICENSING LAWS\n  subject / profession\n  4  [U] the study of the law as a subject at university, etc.; the profession of being a lawyer:\nJane is studying law. * (AmE) He’s in law school. * (BrE) He’s at law school. * What made you go into law? * a law firm\n  police\n  5  (the law) [sing.] used to refer to the police and the legal system:\nJim is always getting into trouble with the law. * She was well known for her brushes with the law.\n  of organization / activity\n  6  [C] one of the rules which controls an organization or activity:\nthe laws of the Church * The first law of kung fu is to defend. * the laws of cricket * the laws of war\n  of good behaviour\n  7  [C] a rule for good behaviour or how you should behave in a particular place or situation:\nmoral laws * the unspoken laws of the street\n  in business / nature / science\n  8  [C] the fact that sth always happens in the same way in an activity or in nature:\nthe laws of supply and demand * the law of gravity\n  9  [C] a scientific rule that sb has stated to explain a natural process:\nthe first law of thermodynamics\nsee also MURPHY’S LAW, PARKINSON’S LAW, SOD’S LAW, LEGAL, LEGALIZE, LEGISLATE\n IDIOMS \n  be a law unto yourself to behave in an independent way and ignore rules or what other people want you to do:\nBoys of that age are a law unto themselves.\n  go to law (BrE) to ask a court of law to settle a problem or disagreement:\nThey went to law to get back their property.\n  law and order a situation in which people obey the law and behave in a peaceful way:\nThe government struggled to maintain law and order. * After the riots, the military was brought in to restore law and order. * They claim to be the party of law and order.\n  the law of averages the principle that one thing will happen as often as another if you try enough times:\nKeep applying and by the law of averages you’ll get a job sooner or later.\n  the law of the jungle a situation in which people are prepared to harm other people in order to succeed:\nThese criminal gangs only recognize the law of the jungle.\n  lay down the law to tell sb what they should or should not do, in a forceful way:\nMy dad started laying down the law about what time I should come home.\n  take the law into your own hands to do sth illegal in order to punish sb for doing sth wrong, instead of letting the police deal with them:\nAfter a series of burglaries in the area, the police are worried that residents might take the law into their own hands.\n  there’s no law against sth (spoken) used to tell sb who is criticizing you that you are not doing anything wrong:\nI’ll sing if I want to-there’s no law against it.\nmore at LETTER n., RULE n., WRONG adj.


Words: lawful
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) allowed or recognized by law; legal:\nhis lawful heir / wife * Can an act that causes death ever be lawful?\nOPP UNLAWFUL\n    lawfully  adverb:\na lawfully elected government * The jury agreed that the doctor had acted lawfully.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nlawful / legal\nLawful and legal can both mean ’allowed by law’: by lawful/legal means. Lawful tends to be used in technical or literary contexts. The same is true of the opposites, unlawful and illegal, but illegal is used especially about criminal activities. Legal also means ’connected with the law’: the US legal system.\n______________________________


Words: lawless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a country or an area) where laws do not exist or are not obeyed:\nlawless streets * the lawless days of the revolution\n  2  (of people or their actions) without respect for the law:\nlawless gangs\n    lawlessness noun [U]:\nThe climate here is one of violence and lawlessness.


Words: lawn
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] an area of ground covered in short grass in a garden/yard or park, or used for playing a game:\nIn summer we have to mow the lawn twice a week. * a croquet lawn * They served afternoon tea on the lawn (= a large area of grass, near a big house, for example).\n \n  2  [U] a fine cotton or LINEN fabric used for making clothes


Words: lawsuit
Meaning:
(also suit) noun\na claim or complaint against sb that a person or an organization can make in a court of law:\nHe filed a lawsuit against his record company.


Words: lawyer
Meaning:
noun\na person who is trained and qualified to advise people about the law and to represent them in a court of law, and to write legal documents\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nlawyer / barrister / advocate / attorney / solicitor\nLawyer is a general term for a person who is qualified to advise people about the law, to prepare legal documents for them and/or to represent them in a court of law.\nIn England and Wales, a lawyer who is qualified to speak in the higher courts of law is called a barrister. In Scotland a barrister is called an advocate.\nIn AmE attorney is a more formal word used for a lawyer and is used especially in job titles: district attorney.\nCounsel is the formal legal word used for a lawyer who is representing someone in court: counsel for the prosecution.\nSolicitor is the BrE term for a lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares documents, for example when you are buying a house, and sometimes has the right to speak in a court of law.\nIn AmE solicitor is only used in the titles of some lawyers who work for the government: Solicitor General.\n______________________________


