# dict

Words: shouting
Meaning:
noun\n[U] loud cries from a number of people:\nDidn’t you hear all the shouting?\n IDIOMS \n  be all over bar the shouting (BrE) (of an activity or a competition) to be almost finished or decided, so that there is no doubt about the final result:\nThe game is all over bar the shouting.\n  within shouting distance (especially AmE) = within spitting distance at SPIT v.


Words: shouting match
Meaning:
noun\nan argument or a quarrel when people shout loudly at each other:\nThe meeting turned into a shouting match between the tenants and the landlord.


Words: shove
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n\n \n  1  to push sb/sth in a rough way:\n[V] The crowd was pushing and shoving to get a better view. * The door wouldn’t open no matter how hard she shoved. * [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] He shoved her down the stairs.\n \n  2  [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] (informal) to put sth somewhere roughly or carelessly:\nShe shoved the book into her bag and hurried off. * He came over and shoved a piece of paper into my hand. * Shove your suitcase under the bed. * (figurative) Could he be lying? She shoved the thought to the back of her mind.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  shove it (informal, especially AmE) used to say rudely that you will not accept or do sth:\n’The boss wants that report now.’ ’Yeah? Tell him he can shove it.’\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  shove off (BrE, spoken) used to tell sb rudely to go away:\nShove off and leave me alone!\n  shove up (BrE, spoken) to move in order to make a space for sb to sit down beside you:\nShove up! Jan wants to sit down.\n    noun [usually sing.] a strong push:\nto give sb/sth a shove * You have to give the door a good shove, or it won’t close.\n IDIOMS  see PUSH n.


Words: shovel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a tool with a long handle and a broad blade with curved edges, used for moving earth, snow, sand, etc:\nworkmen with picks and shovels\ncompare SPADE\n  2  the part of a large machine or vehicle that digs or moves earth\n    verb (-ll-, AmE -l-) [VN] to lift and move earth, stones, coal, etc. with a shovel:\nA gang of workmen were shovelling rubble onto a truck. * They went out in freezing conditions to shovel snow. * (AmE) to shovel the sidewalk / driveway (= to remove snow) * (figurative) He sat at the table, shovelling food into his mouth.


Words: show
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (showed, shown  or, rarely, showed)\n  make clear\n  1  to make sth clear; to prove sth:\n[V (that)] The figures clearly show that her claims are false. * The government’s popularity is declining rapidly, as the opinion polls show. * [VN that] Market research has shown us that people want quality, not just low prices. * [VN] a report showing the company’s current situation * [VN to inf] His new book shows him to be a first-rate storyteller. * [V wh-] This shows how people are influenced by TV advertisements. [also VN wh-]\n  let sb see sth\n  2  ~ sth (to sb) | ~ (sb) sth to let sb see sth:\n[VN] If there’s a letter from France please show it to me. * You have to show your ticket as you go in. * [VN, VNN] Have you shown your work to anyone? * Have you shown anyone your work?\n  teach\n  3  ~ sth to sb | ~ sb sth to help sb to do sth by letting them watch you do it or by explaining it: [VN, VNN] She showed the technique to her students. * She showed her students the technique. * [VN wh-] Can you show me how to do it?\n  point\n  4  to point to sth so that sb can see where or what it is:\n[VNN] He showed me our location on the map. * [VN wh-] Show me which picture you drew.\n  guide\n  5  to lead or guide sb to a place: [VN, +adv./prep.] The attendant showed us to our seats. * We were shown into the waiting room. * [VNN] I’ll go first and show you the way.\n  quality / behaviour / feeling\n  6  to make it clear that you have a particular quality:\n[VN] to show great courage / determination * [VN-ADJ] She had shown herself unable to deal with money. * [VN to inf] He has shown himself to be ready to make compromises. [also V that]\n  7  ~ sth (for / to sb) | ~ (sb) sth to behave in a particular way towards sb: [VN, VNN] They showed no respect for their parents. * They showed their parents no respect.\n  8  if a feeling or quality shows, or if you show it, people can see it:\n[V] Fear showed in his eyes. * She tried not to let her disappointment show. * [VN] Her expression showed her disappointment. * James began to show signs of impatience. * [V wh-] She tried not to show how disappointed she was.\n  be visible\n  9  if sth shows, people can see it. If sth shows a mark, dirt, etc., the mark can be seen:\n[V] She had a warm woollen hat on that left only her eyes and nose showing. * [VN] Their new white carpet showed every mark.\n  information\n  10  [VN] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to give particular information, or a time or measurement:\nThe map shows the principal towns and rivers. * The clock showed midnight. * The end-of-year accounts show a loss.\n  of picture / photograph\n  11  ~ sth | ~ sb (as sth) to be of sb/sth; to represent sb/sth:\n[VN] She had objected to a photo showing her in a bikini. [also VN -ing]\n  for public to see\n  12  to be or make sth available for the public to see:\n[V] The movie is now showing at all major movie theaters. * [VN] The movie is being shown now. * She plans to show her paintings early next year.\n  prove\n  13  [no passive] (informal) to prove that you can do sth or are sth:\n[VN] They think I can’t do it, but I’ll show them! * [VN to inf] He has shown himself to be a caring father. [also VNN]\n  arrive\n  14  [V] (informal, especially AmE) to arrive where you have arranged to meet sb or do sth:\nI waited an hour but he didn’t show.\nsee also SHOW UP\n  animal\n  15  [VN] to enter an animal in a competition\n IDIOMS \n  it goes to show used to say that sth proves sth:\nIt just goes to show what you can do when you really try.\n  show sb the door to ask sb to leave, because they are no longer welcome\n  show your face to appear among your friends or in public:\nShe stayed at home, afraid to show her face.\n  show your hand / cards (BrE) (AmE tip your hand) to make your plans or intentions known\n  show sb who’s boss to make it clear to sb that you have more power and authority than they have\n  show the way to do sth first so that other people can follow\n  show willing (BrE) to show that you are ready to help, work hard, etc. if necessary\n  (have) something, nothing, etc. to show for sth (to have) something, nothing, etc. as a result of sth:\nAll those years of hard work, and nothing to show for it!\nmore at FLAG n., PACE n., ROPE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  show sb around / round (sth) to be a guide for sb when they visit a place for the first time to show them what is interesting:\nWe were shown around the school by one of the students. * Has anyone shown you round yet?\n  show off (informal, disapproving) to try to impress others by talking about your abilities, possessions, etc:\nHe’s just showing off because that girl he likes is here.\nrelated noun SHOW-OFF\n  show sb/sth<->off\n1 to show people sb/sth that you are proud of:\nShe wanted to show off her new husband at the party. * [+ wh-] He likes to show off how well he speaks French.\n2 (of clothing) to make sb look attractive, by showing their best features:\na dress that shows off her figure\n  show through | show through sth to be able to be seen behind or under sth else:\nThe writing on the other side of the page shows through. * (figurative) When he spoke, his bitterness showed through. * Veins showed through her pale skin.\n  show up (informal) to arrive where you have arranged to meet sb or do sth:\nIt was getting late when she finally showed up.\n  show up | show sth<->up to become visible; to make sth become visible:\na broken bone showed up on the X-ray * The harsh light showed up the lines on her face.\n  show sb<->up\n1 (BrE, informal) to make sb feel embarrassed by behaving badly:\nHe showed me up by snoring during the concert.\n2 to make sb feel embarrassed by doing sth better than them:\nDon’t worry about being shown up by the kids-they’ve always used computers.\n    noun\n  entertainment\n  1  [C] a theatre performance, especially one that includes singing and dancing:\nto see / watch / go to a show * a one-woman / -man show * to put on / stage a show * She’s the star of the show!\nsee also FLOOR SHOW, ROADSHOW\n  2  [C] a programme on television or the radio:\nto host a TV / radio show * a comedy / quiz show\nsee also CHAT SHOW, GAME SHOW, ROADSHOW, TALK SHOW\n  of collection of things\n  3  [C, U] an occasion when a collection of things are brought together for people to look at\nSYN EXHIBITION:\nan agricultural show * the Paris fashion shows * The latest computers will be on show at the exhibition. * A local artist is holding a show of her recent work.\nsee also PEEP SHOW\n  of feeling\n  4  [C] an action or a way of behaving that shows how you feel\nSYN DISPLAY:\na show of emotion / gratitude / temper * a show of support / unity * A show of force by 4 000 soldiers led to an agreement being reached quickly.\n  insincere act\n  5  [U, sing.] something that is done only to give a good impression, but is not sincere:\nHe may seem charming, but it’s all show! * She pretends to be interested in opera, but it’s only for show. * He made a great show of affection, but I knew he didn’t mean it.\n  colourful sight\n  6  [C, U] a colourful or pleasing sight\nSYN DISPLAY:\na lovely show of spring flowers\n  event / situation\n  7  [sing.] (informal) an event, a business or a situation where sth is being done or organized:\nShe runs the whole show. * I won’t interfere-it’s your show.\n  good / poor show\n  8  [C, usually sing.] (informal, especially BrE) something that is done in a particular way:\nThe team put on a good show in the competition. * It’s a poor show if he forgets your birthday.\n IDIOMS \n  for show intended to be seen but not used:\nThese items are just for show-they’re not for sale.\n  get the show on the road (spoken) to start an activity or a journey:\nLet’s get this show on the road!\n  (jolly) good show! (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) used to show you like sth or to say that sb has done sth well\n  a show of hands a group of people each raising a hand to vote for or against sth:\nThe vote was passed by a show of hands. * Let’s have a show of hands. Who’s in favour of the proposal?\nmore at STEAL


Words: show business
Meaning:
(also informal showbiz ) noun\n[U] the business of providing public entertainment, for example in the theatre, in films/movies or in television:\nto be / work in show business * show-business people / stars * That’s showbiz!


Words: show house
Meaning:
(also show home) (both BrE) (AmE model home) noun\na house in a group of new houses that has been painted and filled with furniture, so that people who might want to buy one of the houses can see what they will be like


Words: show trial
Meaning:
noun\nan unfair trial of sb in a court of law, organized by a government for political reasons, not in order to find out the truth


Words: show-off
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, disapproving) a person who tries to impress other people by showing how good he or she is at doing sth:\nShe’s always been a real show-off.


Words: show-stopper
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a performance that is very impressive and receives a lot of APPLAUSE from the audience\n    show-stopping adjective [only before noun]:\na show-stopping performance


Words: showcase
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [usually sing.] ~ (for sb/sth) an event that presents sb’s abilities or the good qualities of sth in an attractive way:\nThe festival was a showcase for young British musicians.\n  2  a box with a glass top or sides that is used for showing objects in a shop/store, museum, etc.\n    showcase verb:\n[VN] Jack was looking for a film role that would showcase all his talents.


Words: showdown
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] an argument, a fight or a test that will settle a disagreement that has lasted for a long time:\nManagement are facing a showdown with union members today. * Fans gathered outside the stadium for the final showdown (= the game that will decide the winner of the competition).


Words: shower
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a piece of equipment producing a spray of water that you stand under to wash yourself; the small room or part of a room that contains a shower:\na hotel room with bath and shower * He’s in the shower. * a shower cubicle * a shower curtain\n \n  2  the act of washing yourself with a shower: (especially BrE) to have a shower * (especially AmE) to take a shower * shower gel\n \n  3  a short period of rain or snow:\nwintry / scattered snow showers * April showers * We were caught in a heavy shower.\n \n  4  a large number of things that arrive or fall together:\na shower of glass / leaves * a shower of sparks from the fire * a shower of kisses / insults\n  5  (AmE) a party at which you give presents to a woman who is getting married or having a baby:\na bridal / baby shower\n    verb\n  1  [V] to wash yourself under a shower:\nShe showered and dressed and went downstairs.\n  2  [V] ~ (down) on sb/sth | ~ down to fall onto sb/sth, especially in a lot of small pieces:\nVolcanic ash showered down on the town after the eruption.\n  3  [VN] ~ sb with sth to drop a lot of small things onto sb:\nThe bride and groom were showered with rice as they left the church. * The roof collapsed, showering us with dust and debris.\n  4  [VN] ~ sb with sth | ~ sth on sb to give sb a lot of sth:\nHe showered her with gifts. * He showered gifts on her.


Words: showing
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an act of showing a film/movie:\nThere are three showings a day.\n  2  [usually sing.] evidence of how well or how badly sb/sth is performing:\nthe strong / poor showing of the Green Party in the election * On (= judging by) last week’s showing, the team is unlikely to win today.


Words: showman
Meaning:
1  a person who does things in an entertaining way and is good at getting people’s attention\n  2  a person who organizes public entertainments, especially at FAIRGROUNDS:\ntravelling showmen


Words: showmanship
Meaning:
noun\n[U] skill in doing things in an entertaining way and getting a lot of attention:\na golfer with a real sense of showmanship


Words: showpiece
Meaning:
noun\nan excellent example of sth that people are meant to see and admire:\nThe new factory is a showpiece of British industry. * a brilliant showpiece sonata by the American, Paul Creston


Words: showroom
Meaning:
noun\na large shop/store in which goods for sale, especially cars and electrical goods, are displayed:\na car showroom


Words: showtime
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the time that a theatre performance will begin:\nIt’s five minutes to showtime and the theatre is packed. * (figurative, AmE) Everybody ready? It’s showtime!


Words: showy
Meaning:
adjective\n(often disapproving) so bright, colourful, large or exaggerated that it attracts a lot of attention:\nshowy flowers\n    showily  adverb\n    showiness noun [U]


Words: shrapnel
Meaning:
noun\n[U] small pieces of metal that are thrown outwards from an exploding bomb:\nTwo people were hit by shrapnel. * a piece of shrapnel * a shrapnel wound


Words: shred
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-dd-) [VN] to cut or tear sth into small pieces:\nServe the fish on a bed of shredded lettuce. * He was accused of shredding documents relating to the case (= putting them in a SHREDDER).\n    noun\n  1  [usually pl.] a small thin piece that has been torn or cut from sth:\nshreds of fabric / paper * His jacket had been torn to shreds by the barbed wire. * Cut the orange peel into thin shreds.\n  2  [usually sing.] ~ of sth (used especially in negative sentences) a very small amount of sth:\nThere is not a shred of evidence to support his claim. * Couldn’t he leave her some shred of dignity?\n IDIOMS \n  in shreds\n1 very badly damaged:\nHer nerves were in shreds. * The country’s economy is in shreds.\n2 torn in many places:\nThe document was in shreds on the floor.\n  pick / pull / tear sb/sth to pieces / shreds (informal) to criticize sb, or their work or ideas, very severely


Words: shredder
Meaning:
noun\na machine that tears sth into small pieces, especially paper, so that nobody can read what was printed on it


Words: shrew
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small animal like a mouse with a long nose\n  2  (old-fashioned) a bad-tempered unpleasant woman


Words: shrewd
Meaning:
adjective (shrewder, shrewdest)\n  1  clever at understanding and making judgements about a situation\nSYN ASTUTE:\na shrewd businessman * She is a shrewd judge of character.\n  2  showing good judgement and likely to be right:\na shrewd guess / move * I have a shrewd idea who the mystery caller was.\n    shrewdly adverb:\nLinda looked at him shrewdly.\n    shrewdness noun [U]:\nThe coach showed considerable tactical shrewdness.


Words: shriek
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] ~ (with sth) | ~ (at sb) to give a loud high shout, for example when you are excited, frightened or in pain\nSYN SCREAM:\nShe shrieked in fright. * The audience was shrieking with laughter. * (figurative) The answer shrieked at her (= was very obvious).\n  2  ~ (sth) (at sb) to say sth in a loud, high voice\nSYN SCREAM:\n[VN] He shrieked her name as he fell. * She was shrieking abuse at them as they carried her off. * [V speech] ’Look out!’ he shrieked.\n    noun a loud high shout, for example one that you make when you are excited, frightened or in pain:\nShe let out a piercing shriek. * a shriek of pain / delight / surprise


Words: shrike
Meaning:
noun\na bird with a strong beak, that catches small birds and insects and sticks them on thorn bushes


Words: shrill
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (shriller, shrillest)\n  1  (of sounds or voices) very high and loud, in an unpleasant way:\na shrill voice / whistle / laugh\n  2  loud and determined but often unreasonable:\nshrill demands / protests / threats\n    shrilly  adverb:\nShe laughed shrilly.\n    shrillness noun [U] \n    verb (written)\n  1  [V] to make an unpleasant high loud sound:\nBehind him, the telephone shrilled.\n  2  [V speech] to say sth in a loud, high voice:\n’Wait for me!’ she shrilled.


Words: shrimp
Meaning:
noun (plural shrimps or shrimp)\n \n  1  a small shellfish that can be eaten, like a PRAWN but smaller. Shrimps turn pink when cooked.\n \n  2  (AmE) = PRAWN:\ngrilled shrimp


Words: shrimping
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the activity of catching shrimps:\na shrimping net\n    shrimper noun (especially AmE):\nshrimpers and fishermen in the gulf of Mexico


Words: shrine
Meaning:
noun\n  1  ~ (to sb/sth) | ~ (of sb/sth) a place where people come to worship because it is connected with a holy person or event:\na shrine to the Virgin Mary * to visit the shrine of Mecca\n  2  ~ (to sb/sth) | ~ (for sb) a place that people visit because it is connected with sb/sth that is important to them:\nWimbledon is a shrine for all lovers of tennis. * The singer’s grave in Paris has become a shrine. * They have turned the room into a shrine to their dead son.


Words: shrink
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (shrank  or, shrunk, shrunk)\n  1  to become smaller, especially when washed in water that is too hot; to make clothes, fabric, etc. smaller in this way:\n[V] My sweater shrank in the wash. [also VN]\n  2  to become or to make sth smaller in size or amount:\n[V] The tumour had shrunk to the size of a pea. * The market for their products is shrinking. * There was a movie called ’Honey I shrunk the kids!’. * [VN] Television in a sense has shrunk the world.\nsee also SHRUNKEN\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] to move back or away from sth because you are frightened or shocked:\nHe shrank back against the wall as he heard them approaching.\n IDIOMS \n  a shrinking violet (humorous) a way of describing a very shy person\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  shrink from sth (written) to be unwilling to do sth that is difficult or unpleasant:\nWe made it clear to them that we would not shrink from confrontation. * [+ -ing] They did not shrink from doing what was right.\n    noun (slang, humorous) a PSYCHIATRIST or PSYCHOLOGIST:\nShe sees her shrink once a week.


Words: shrink-wrapped
Meaning:
adjective\nwrapped tightly in a thin plastic covering:\ncheese in a shrink-wrapped pack * shrink-wrapped software


Words: shrinkage
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process of becoming smaller in size; the amount by which sth becomes smaller:\nthe shrinkage of heavy industry * She bought a slightly larger size to allow for shrinkage.


Words: shrivel
Meaning:
verb\n(-ll-, AmE -l-) ~ (sth) (up) to become or make sth dry and WRINKLED from heat, cold or old age:\n[V] The leaves on the plant had shrivelled up from lack of water. * [VN] The prolonged hot weather had shrivelled the grapes in every vineyard.\n    shrivelled adjective:\nHe had become a shrivelled old man.


Words: shroud
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a piece of fabric that a dead person’s body is wrapped in before it is buried:\na burial shroud\n  2  ~ of sth (written) a thing that covers, surrounds or hides sth:\nThe organization is cloaked in a shroud of secrecy. * a shroud of smoke\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth in sth\n  1  (of darkness, clouds, fabric, etc.) to cover or hide sth:\nThe city was shrouded in mist. * furniture shrouded in dust sheets\n  2  to hide information or keep it secret and mysterious:\nHis family background is shrouded in mystery.


Words: Shrove Tuesday
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (in the Christian Church) the day before the beginning of Lent \ncompare MARDI GRAS, PANCAKE DAY\nsee also ASH WEDNESDAY


Words: shrub
Meaning:
noun\na large plant that is smaller than a tree and that has several stems of wood coming from the ground:\nevergreen shrubs * shrub roses


Words: shrug
Meaning:
verb\n\n(-gg-) [no passive] to raise your shoulders and then lower them to show that you do not know or care about sth:\n[V] Sam shrugged and said nothing. * [VN] ’I don’t know,’ Anna replied, shrugging her shoulders.\n \n    shrug noun [usually sing.]:\nAndy gave a shrug. ’It doesn’t matter.’\n \n PHRASAL VERBS \n \n  shrug sth off / aside to treat sth as if it is not important\nSYN DISMISS:\nShrugging off her injury, she played on. * He shrugged aside suggestions that he resign.\n  shrug sb/sth off / away to push sb/sth back or away with your shoulders:\nKevin shrugged off his jacket * She shrugged him away angrily.


Words: shrunken
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] that has become smaller (and less attractive):\na shrunken old woman * His cheeks looked shrunken, like withered apples.


Words: shtick
Meaning:
(also schtick)  noun [U, sing.] (especially AmE)\n  1  a style of humour that is typical of a particular performer\n  2  a particular ability that sb has:\nThat’s not my shtick.


Words: shuck
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (AmE) the outer covering of a nut, plant, etc. or an OYSTER or a CLAM\n    verb [VN] (AmE) to remove the shell or covering of nuts, shellfish, etc.


Words: shucks
Meaning:
exclamation\n(old-fashioned, AmE, informal) used to express embarrassment or disappointment:\n’You’re real cute.’ ’Aw shucks, do you think so?’


Words: shudder
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (with sth) | ~ (at sth) to shake because you are cold or frightened, or because of a strong feeling:\n[V] Just thinking about the accident makes me shudder. * Alone in the car, she shuddered with fear. * I shuddered at the thought of all the trouble I’d caused. * [V to inf] I shudder to think how much this is all going to cost (= I don’t want to think about it because it is too unpleasant).\n  2  [V] (of a vehicle, machine, etc.) to shake very hard:\nThe bus shuddered to a halt. * The floor was shuddering beneath us.\n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  a shaking movement you make because you are cold, frightened or disgusted:\na shudder of fear * She gave an involuntary shudder. * A cold shudder ran through him.\n  2  a strong shaking movement:\nThe elevator rose with a shudder.


Words: shuffle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V +adv./prep.] to walk slowly without lifting your feet completely off the ground:\nHe shuffled across the room to the window. * The line shuffled forward a little.\n  2  to move from one foot to another; to move your feet in an awkward or embarrassed way:\n[VN] Jenny shuffled her feet and blushed with shame. [also V]\n  3  to mix cards up in a pack/deck of playing cards before playing a game:\n[VN] Shuffle the cards and deal out seven to each player. [also V]\n  4  [VN] to move paper or things into different positions or a different order:\nI shuffled the documents on my desk.\n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  a slow walk in which you take small steps and do not lift your feet completely off the ground:\nThe old man walked with a shuffle. * There was a shuffle of feet as the room emptied.\n  2  the act of mixing cards before a card game:\nGive the cards a good shuffle.\n  3  (rare) = RESHUFFLE


Words: shuffleboard
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a game in which players use long sticks to push discs towards spaces with numbers on a board


Words: shun
Meaning:
verb\n(-nn-) [VN] (written) to avoid sb/sth:\nShe was shunned by her family when she remarried. * an actor who shuns publicity


Words: shunt
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to move a train or a railway carriage/train car from one track to another\n  2  [+adv./prep.] (usually disapproving) to move sb/sth to a different place, especially a less important one:\nJohn was shunted sideways to a job in sales.


Words: shush
Meaning:
exclamation, verb \n    exclamation used to tell sb to be quiet:\nShush! Do you want to wake everyone?\n    verb [VN] to tell sb to be quiet, especially by saying ’shush’, or by putting your finger against your lips:\nLyn shushed the children.


Words: shut
Meaning:
verb, adjective \n    verb (shutting, shut, shut)\n  1  to make sth close; to become closed:\n[VN] Philip went into his room and shut the door behind him. * I can’t shut my suitcase-it’s too full. * She shut her eyes and fell asleep immediately. * He shut his book and looked up. * [V] The window won’t shut * The doors open and shut automatically.\n  2  (BrE) when a shop/store, restaurant, etc. shuts or when sb shuts it, it stops being open for business and you cannot go into it:\n[V] The bank shuts at 4. * We left the hotel only to discover that the whole city shuts at 10.30. [also VN] -> CLOSE\n IDIOMS \n  shut your mouth / face! (slang) a rude way of telling sb to be quiet or stop talking\n  shut up shop (BrE, informal) to close a business permanently or to stop working for the day\nmore at DOOR, EAR, EYE n., MOUTH n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  shut sb/sth<->away to put sb/sth in a place where other people cannot see or find them\n  shut yourself away to go somewhere where you will be completely alone:\nMary always shuts herself away in her room while she’s working.\n  shut down (of a factory, shop / store, etc. or a machine) to stop opening for business; to stop working:\nThe theatre shut down after more than half a century.\nrelated noun SHUTDOWN\n  shut sth<->down to stop a factory, shop/store, etc. from opening for business; to stop a machine from working:\nThe computer system will be shut down over the weekend.\nrelated noun SHUTDOWN\n  shut sb / yourself in (sth) to put sb in a room and keep them there; to go to a room and stay there:\nShe shut the dog in the shed while she prepared the barbecue.\n  shut sth in sth to trap sth by closing a door, lid, etc. on it:\nSam shut his finger in the car door.\n  shut off (of a machine, tool, etc.) to stop working:\nThe engines shut off automatically in an emergency.\n  shut sth<->off\n1 to stop a machine, tool, etc. from working:\nI wish someone would shut off that car alarm.\n2 to stop a supply of gas, water, etc. from flowing or reaching a place:\nA valve immediately shuts off the gas when the lid is closed.\n  shut yourself off (from sth) to avoid seeing people or having contact with anyone:\nMartin shut himself off from the world to write his book.\n  shut sb/sth off from sth to separate sb/sth from sth:\nBosnia is shut off from the Adriatic by the mountains.\n  shut sb/sth<->out (of sth)\n1 to prevent sb/sth from entering a place:\nMum, Ben keeps shutting me out of the bedroom! * sunglasses that shut out 99% of the sun’s harmful rays\n2 to not allow a person to share or be part of your thoughts; to stop yourself from having particular feelings:\nI wanted to shut John out of my life for ever. * She learned to shut out her angry feelings. * If you shut me out, how can I help you?\n  shut up (informal) to stop talking (often used as an order as a rude way of telling sb to stop talking):\nJust shut up and listen! * Will you tell Mike to shut up? * When they’d finally shut up, I started again.\n  shut sb up to make sb stop talking:\nShe kicked Anne under the table to shut her up.\n  shut sth<->up to close a room, house, etc:\nThe summer house was shut up for another year and we went back to the city.\n  shut sb/sth up (in sth) to keep sb/sth in a place and prevent them from going anywhere:\nHe shuts himself up with that computer for hours.\n    adjective [not before noun]\n  1  not open\nSYN CLOSED:\nThe door was shut. * She slammed the door shut. * Keep your eyes shut.\n  2  (BrE) not open for business\nSYN CLOSED:\nUnfortunately the bank is shut now.


Words: shut-in
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) a person who cannot leave their home very easily because they are ill/sick or DISABLED:\nHe worked as a volunteer, delivering hot meals to shut-ins.


Words: shutdown
Meaning:
noun\nthe act of closing a factory or business or stopping a large machine from working, either temporarily or permanently:\nfactory shutdowns * the nuclear reactor’s emergency shutdown procedures


Words: shutter
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [usually pl.] one of a pair of wooden or metal covers that can be closed over the outside of a window to keep out light or protect the windows from damage:\nto open / close the shutters * They explored, throwing open the shutters in each of the big rooms. * (BrE, figurative) More than 70 000 shopkeepers have been forced to put up the shutters (= close down their businesses) in the past year.\n \n  2  the part of a camera that opens to allow light to pass through the LENS when you take a photograph:\nthe quiet click of the shutter * a fast shutter speed\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  bring / put down the shutters to stop letting sb know what your thoughts or feelings are; to stop letting yourself think about sth:\nHe brought down the shutters on the image of the dying girl.


Words: shuttered
Meaning:
adjective\nwith the shutters closed; with shutters fitted:\nThe house was empty and shuttered. * shuttered windows


Words: shuttle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a plane, bus or train that travels regularly between two places:\na shuttle service between London and Edinburgh * I’m flying to Boston on the shuttle.\n  2  = SPACE SHUTTLE\n  3  a pointed tool used in weaving to pull a thread backwards and forwards over the other threads that pass along the length of the fabric\n    verb [+adv./prep.] \n  1  [V] ~ (between A and B) to travel between two places frequently:\nHer childhood was spent shuttling between her mother and father.\n  2  [VN] to carry people between two places that are close, making regular journeys between the two places:\nA bus shuttles passengers back and forth from the station to the terminal.


Words: shuttle diplomacy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] international talks carried out by sb who travels between two or more countries to talk to the different governments involved


Words: shy
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (shyer, shyest)\n  1  (of people) nervous or embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people:\na quiet, shy man * Don’t be shy-come and say hello. * She was too shy to ask anyone for help. * As a teenager I was painfully shy. * She’s very shy with adults.\n  2  showing that sb is nervous or embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people:\na shy smile / glance\n  3  (of animals) easily frightened and not willing to come near people:\nThe panda is a shy creature.\n  4  [not before noun] ~ of / about (doing) sth afraid of doing sth or being involved in sth:\nThe band has never been shy of publicity. * He disliked her and had never been shy of saying so.\n  5  [not before noun] ~ (of sth) (informal, especially AmE) lacking the amount that is needed:\nHe died before Christmas, only a month shy of his 90th birthday. * We are still two players shy (of a full team). * Jaguar sold 21 000 cars in the US last year, well shy of the 82 000 sold by Mercedes.\n  6  (-shy) (in compounds) avoiding or not liking the thing mentioned:\ncamera-shy (= not liking to be photographed) * He’s always been work-shy.\n    shyly adverb:\nShe smiled shyly.\n    shyness noun [U]:\nHe tried to overcome his shyness.\n IDIOMS  see FIGHT v., ONCE adv.\n    verb (shies, shying, shied, shied ) [V] ~ (at sth) (especially of a horse) to turn away suddenly because of fear or surprise:\nMy horse shied at the unfamiliar noise.\nsee also COCONUT SHY\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  shy away (from sth) to avoid doing sth because you are nervous or frightened:\nHugh never shied away from his responsibilities. * The newspapers have shied away from investigating the story.


Words: SI
Meaning:
abbreviation\nInternational System (used to describe units of measurement; from French ’Systeme International’):\nSI units


Words: Siamese twin
Meaning:
(also technical conjoined twin) noun\none of two people who are born with their bodies joined together in some way, sometimes sharing the same organs


Words: sibilant
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (formal or literary) making an ’s’ or ’sh’ sound:\nthe sibilant sound of whispering\n    noun (phonetics) a sibilant sound made in speech, such as / s, z, {sh} / or / {zh} /


Words: sibling
Meaning:
noun\n(formal or technical) a brother or sister:\nsquabbles between siblings * sibling rivalry (= competition between brothers and sisters)


Words: sic
Meaning:
adverb, verb \n    adverb (from Latin) written after a word that you have copied from somewhere, to show that you know that the word is wrongly spelled or wrong in some other way:\nIn the letter to parents it said: ’The school is proud of it’s [sic] record of excellence’.\n    verb (-cc-) [VN] (AmE, informal) to attack sb:\nSic him, Duke! (= said to a dog)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sic sth on sb (informal) to tell a dog to attack sb


Words: sick
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective\n  ill\n  1  physically or mentally ill:\na sick child / relative / bird * Her mother’s very sick. * Peter has been off sick (= away from work because he is ill) for two weeks. * Emma has just called in sick (= telephoned to say she will not be coming to work because she is ill). * Britain’s workers went sick (= did not go to work because they were ill) for a record number of days last year. * (AmE) I can’t afford to get sick (= become ill).\n  wanting to vomit\n  2  [not usually before noun] (especially BrE) feeling that you want to VOMIT:\nIf you eat any more cake you’ll make yourself sick. * a sick feeling in your stomach\n  -sick\n  3  (in compounds) feeling sick as a result of travelling on a ship, plane, etc:\nseasick * airsick * carsick * travel-sick\n  bored\n  4  ~ of sb/sth | ~ of doing sth (informal) bored with or annoyed about sth that has been happening for a long time, and wanting it to stop:\nI’m sick of the way you’ve treated me. * We’re sick of waiting around like this. * I’m sick and tired of your moaning. * I’m sick to death of all of you! * We are getting heartily sick of your attitude.\n  cruel / strange\n  5  (informal) (especially of humour) dealing with suffering, disease or death in a cruel way that some people think is offensive:\na sick joke * That’s really sick.\n  6  (informal) getting enjoyment from doing strange or cruel things:\na sick mind * People think I’m sick for having a rat as a pet. * We live in a sick society.\nsee also HOMESICK, LOVESICK\n IDIOMS \n  be sick (BrE) to bring food from your stomach back out through your mouth\nSYN VOMIT:\nI was sick three times in the night. * She had been violently sick.\n  be worried sick; be sick with worry to be extremely worried:\nWhere have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you. * She was worrying herself sick about the exams.\n  fall sick (also old-fashioned take sick) (formal) to become ill:\nA week later he fell sick and died.\n  make sb sick to make sb angry or disgusted:\nHis hyprocrisy makes me sick.\n  (as) sick as a dog (informal) feeling very ill; VOMITING a lot\n  (as) sick as a parrot (BrE, humorous) very disappointed\n  sick at heart (formal) very unhappy or disappointed\n  sick to your stomach\n1 feeling very angry or worried:\nNora turned sick to her stomach on hearing this news.\n2 (AmE) = SICK (2)\n    noun\n  vomit\n  1  [U] (BrE, informal) food that you bring back up from your stomach through your mouth\nSYN VOMIT:\nThere was a pool of sick on the carpet.\n  ill people\n  2  (the sick) [pl.] people who are ill:\nto visit / heal the sick * All the sick and wounded were evacuated.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sick sth<->up (BrE, informal) to bring sth up from the stomach back out through your mouth\nSYN VOMIT:\nShe’d sicked up her milk.


Words: sick leave
Meaning:
noun\n[U] permission to be away from work because of illness; the period of time spent away from work:\nto be on sick leave


Words: sick pay
Meaning:
noun\n[U] pay given to an employee who is away from work because of illness\ncompare SICKNESS BENEFIT


Words: sickbed
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the bed on which a person who is ill/sick is lying:\nThe President left his sickbed to attend the ceremony.


Words: sicken
Meaning:
verb (BrE)\n  1  [VN] to make sb feel very shocked and angry\nSYN DISGUST:\nThe public is becoming sickened by these pictures of violence and death.\n  2  [V] to become ill: (old-fashioned) The baby sickened and died before his first birthday. * (BrE) Faye hasn’t eaten all day-she must be sickening for something.


Words: sickening
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  making you feel disgusted or shocked:\nShe was the victim of a sickening attack. * the sickening stench of burnt flesh * He described what had happened in sickening detail.\n  2  making you afraid that sb has been badly hurt or that sth has been broken:\nHer head hit the ground with a sickening thud. * The truck hit a gully and gave a sickening lurch.\n  3  (informal, spoken) making you feel jealous or annoyed:\n’She’s off to the Bahamas for a month.’ ’How sickening!’\n    sickeningly adverb


Words: sickie
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) a day when you say that you are ill/sick and cannot go to work when it is not really true


Words: sickle
Meaning:
noun\na tool with a curved blade and a short handle, used for cutting grass or corn\nsee also HAMMER AND SICKLE


Words: sickly
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  often ill/sick:\nHe was a sickly child.\n  2  not looking healthy and strong:\nShe looked pale and sickly. * sickly plants\n  3  that makes you feel sick, especially because it is too sweet or full of false emotion:\na sickly sweet smell * She gave me a sickly smile.\n  4  (of colours) unpleasant to look at:\nThe walls were painted a sickly green colour.


Words: sickness
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] illness; bad health:\nShe’s been off work because of sickness. * insurance against sickness and unemployment\n  2  [U, C, usually sing.] a particular type of illness or disease:\naltitude / travel / radiation sickness * a sickness common in the tropics\nsee also SLEEPING SICKNESS\n  3  [U] (especially BrE) the feeling that you are likely to VOMIT (= bring food back up from the stomach to the mouth); the fact of VOMITING:\nsymptoms include sickness and diarrhoea * The sickness passed off after a while.\nsee also MORNING SICKNESS\n  4  [sing.] a feeling of great sadness, disappointment or disgust:\nHe felt a sickness rise in him at the thought of leaving.


Words: sickness benefit
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) money paid by the government to people who are away from work because of illness\ncompare SICK PAY


Words: sicko
Meaning:
noun\n(plural sickos) (informal, especially AmE) a person who gets enjoyment from doing strange and cruel things:\nchild molesters and other sickos


Words: side
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  left / right\n \n  1  [C, usually sing.] either of the two halves of a surface, an object or an area that is divided by an imaginary central line:\nWe drive on the left-hand side of the road in this country. * the right side of the brain * satellite links to the other side of the world * She was on the far side of the room. * They crossed from one side of London to the other. * Keep on your side of the bed!\n \n  2  [C, usually sing.] a position or an area to the left or right of sth:\nThere is a large window on either side of the front door. * He crossed the bridge to the other side of the river. * people on both sides of the Atlantic * She tilted her head to one side.\n \n  not top or bottom\n \n  3  [C] one of the flat surfaces of sth that is not the top or bottom, front or back:\nWrite your name on the side of the box. * There’s a scratch on the side of my car. * The kitchen door is at the side of the house. * a side door / entrance / window * Now lay the jar on its side. * A notice was stuck to the side of the filing cabinet.\n  4  [C] the upright or sloping surface around sth, but not the top or bottom of it:\nA path went up the side of the hill. * Brush the sides of the tin with butter.\nsee also HILLSIDE, MOUNTAINSIDE\n  edge\n  5  [C] a part or an area of sth near the edge and away from the middle:\nShe sat on the side of the bed. * A van was parked at the side of the road. * the south side of the lake * The player received treatment on the side of the pitch. * We planted tulips along the side of the lawn.\nsee also BEDSIDE, FIRESIDE, RINGSIDE, RIVERSIDE, ROADSIDE, SEASIDE\n  of body\n  6  [C, usually sing.] either the right or left part of a person’s body, from the ARMPIT (= where the arm joins the body) to the hip:\nShe has a pain down her right side. * He was lying on his side.\n  near to sb / sth\n  7  [sing.] a place or position very near to sb/sth:\nKeep close to my side. * Her husband stood at her side.\n  of sth flat and thin\n  8  [C] either of two surfaces of sth flat and thin, such as paper or fabric:\nWrite on one side of the paper only. * Fry the steaks for two minutes on each side. * Let’s listen to side A of the tape.\n  page\n  9  [C] the amount of writing needed to fill one side of a sheet of paper:\nHe told us not to write more than three sides.\n  mathematics\n  10  [C] any of the flat surfaces of a solid object:\nA cube has six sides.\n  11  [C] any of the lines that form a flat shape such as a square or triangle:\na shape with five sides * The farm buildings form three sides of a square.\n  -sided\n  12  used in adjectives to state the number or type of sides:\na six-sided object * a glass-sided container\n  in war / argument\n  13  [C] one of the two or more people or groups taking part in a dispute, war, etc:\nEach side is capable of destroying the other in a nuclear war. * We have finally reached an agreement acceptable to all sides. * At some point during the war he seems to have changed sides. * There are faults on both sides. * The two sides announced a deal yesterday.\n  14  [C] one of the opinions, attitudes or positions held by sb in an argument, a business arrangement, etc:\nWe heard both sides of the argument. * I just want you to hear my side of the story first. * There are, of course, arguments on both sides. * Will you keep your side of the bargain?\n  aspect\n  15  [C] a particular aspect of sth, especially a situation or a person’s character:\nThese poems reveal her gentle side. * This is a side of Alan that I never knew existed. * the darker side of human nature * It’s good you can see the funny side of the situation. * I’ll take care of that side of things.\n  16  [U] (BrE, informal) a part of sb’s character that makes them think they are better than other people:\nThere was no side to him at all.\n  sports team\n  17  [C] (BrE) a sports team:\nAs captain, Pryce is confident of leading his side to victory. * The French have a very strong side. * five-a-side football\n  of family\n  18  [C] the part of your family that people belong to who are related either to your mother or to your father:\na cousin on my father’s side (= a child of my father’s brother or sister)\n  meat\n  19  [C] a ~ of beef / bacon, etc. one of the two halves of an animal that has been killed for meat\n  tv channel\n  20  [C] (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) a television channel:\nWhat’s on the other side?\n IDIOMS \n  come down on one side of the fence or the other to choose between two possible choices\n  from side to side moving to the left and then to the right:\nHe shook his head slowly from side to side. * The ship rolled from side to side.\n  get on the right / wrong side of sb to make sb pleased with you/annoyed with you\n  have sth on your side to have sth as an advantage that will make it more likely that you will achieve sth:\nShe may not win this year, but she does have youth on her side.\n  let the side down (especially BrE) to fail to give your friends, family, etc. the help and support they expect, or to behave in a way that makes them disappointed:\nYou can always rely on Maggie-she’d never let the side down.\n  not leave sb’s side to stay with sb, especially in order to take care of them\n  on / from all sides | on / from every side in or from all directions; everywhere:\nWe realized we were surrounded on all sides. * Disaster threatens on every side. * She was bombarded with questions from all sides.\n  on the big, small, high, etc. side (informal) slightly too big, small, high, etc:\nThese shoes are a little on the tight side. * Don’t you think you’re a bit on the short side to play basketball?\n  on the other side of the fence in a situation that is different from the one that you are in\n  on the right / wrong side of 40, 50, etc. (informal) younger or older than 40, 50, etc. years of age\n  on the side (informal)\n1 in addition to your main job:\na mechanic who buys and sells cars on the side\n2 secretly or illegally:\nHe’s married but he has a girlfriend on the side.\n3 (especially AmE) (of food in a restaurant) served at the same time as the main part of the meal, but on a separate plate\n  on / to one side\n1 out of your way:\nI left my bags on one side.\n2 to be dealt with later:\nI put his complaint to one side until I had more time. * Leaving that to one side for a moment, are there any other questions?\n  be on sb’s side to support and agree with sb:\nI’m definitely on your side in this. * Whose side are you on anyway?\n  the other side of the coin the aspect of a situation that is the opposite of or contrasts with the one you have been talking about\n  side by side\n1 close together and facing in the same direction:\nThere were two children ahead, walking side by side. * They sat on the desk, side by side.\n2 together, without any difficulties:\nWe have been using both systems, side by side, for two years. * The two communities exist happily side by side.\n  take sides to express support for sb in a dispute:\nShe didn’t think it was wise to take sides in their argument.\n  take / draw sb to one side to speak to sb in private, especially in order to warn or tell them about sth\n  this side of ... before a particular time, event, age, etc:\nThey aren’t likely to arrive this side of midnight.\nmore at BED n., BIT, BRIGHT adj., CREDIT n., DISTAFF, ERR, GRASS n., KNOW v., LAUGH v., RIGHT adj., SAFE adj., SPLIT v., THORN, TIME n., TWO, WRONG adj.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  side with sb (against sb/sth) to support one person or group in an argument against sb else:\nThe kids always sided with their mother against me.


Words: side dish
Meaning:
noun\na small amount of food, for example a salad, served with the main course of a meal:\na side dish of fresh vegetables


Words: side effect
Meaning:
noun [usually pl.]\n  1  an extra and usually bad effect that a drug has on you, as well as curing illness or pain:\nThe drug has few side effects. * Side effects include skin rashes and nausea.\n  2  an unexpected result of a situation or course of action that happens as well as the result you were aiming for:\nOpponents of the policy fear that it could have unfortunate side effects on the economy.


Words: side issue
Meaning:
noun\nan issue that is less important than the main issue, and may take attention away from it:\nWe don’t want to get diverted by side issues.


Words: side order
Meaning:
noun\na small amount of food ordered in a restaurant to go with the main dish, but served separately:\na side order of fries


Words: sideboard
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (AmE also buffet) [C] a piece of furniture in a DINING ROOM for putting food on before it is served, with drawers for storing knives, forks, etc.\n \n  2  (sideboards) (also sideburns ) [pl.] hair that grows down the sides of a man’s face in front of his ears


Words: sidekick
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person who helps another more important or more intelligent person:\nBatman and his young sidekick Robin * Inspector Morse and his trusted sidekick Sergeant Lewis


Words: sidelight
Meaning:
noun\n  1  ~ (on sb/sth) a piece of information, usually given accidentally or in connection with another subject, that helps you to understand sb/sth:\nThe article gives us a few interesting sidelights on life in Japan in general.\n  2  (BrE) either of a pair of small lights at the front of a vehicle


Words: sideline
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] an activity that you do as well as your main job in order to earn extra money:\nHis hobby of winemaking was fast becoming a profitable sideline.\n \n  2  (sidelines) [pl.] the lines along the two long sides of a sports field, tennis court, etc. that mark the outer edges; the area just outside these:\nThe coach stood on the sidelines yelling instructions to the players.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  on / from the sidelines watching sth but not actually involved in it:\nHe was content to watch from the sidelines as his wife built up a successful business empire. * She has chosen to remain on the sidelines of public debate.\n    verb [VN] [usually passive]\n  1  to prevent sb from playing in a team, especially because of an injury:\nThe player has been sidelined by a knee injury.\n  2  to prevent sb from having an important part in sth that other people are doing:\nThe vice-president is increasingly being sidelined.


Words: sidelong
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a look) out of the corner of your eye, especially in a way that is secret or disapproving:\nShe cast a sidelong glance at Eric to see if he had noticed her blunder.\n    sidelong adverb:\nShe looked sidelong at him.


Words: sideshow
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a separate small show or attraction at a FAIR or CIRCUS where you pay to see a performance or take part in a game\n  2  an activity or event that is much less important than the main activity or event


Words: sidestep
Meaning:
verb (-pp-)\n  1  [VN] to avoid answering a question or dealing with a problem:\nDid you notice how she neatly sidestepped the question? * He sidestepped the issue by saying it was not his responsibility.\n  2  to avoid sth, for example being hit, by stepping to one side:\n[VN] He cleverly sidestepped the tackle. [also V]


Words: sideswipe
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (AmE) a hit from the side:\na sideswipe by a truck\n  2  ~ (at sb/sth) (informal) a critical comment made about sb/sth while you are talking about sb/sth completely different:\nIt was a good speech, but he couldn’t resist taking a sideswipe at his opponent.\n    sideswipe verb:\n[VN] (AmE) The bus sideswiped two parked cars.


Words: sidetrack
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] to make sb start to talk about or do sth that is different from the main thing that they are supposed to be talking about or doing:\nI was supposed to be writing a letter but I’m afraid I got sidetracked. * Don’t be sidetracked into discussing individual cases.


Words: sideways
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  to, towards or from the side:\nHe looked sideways at her. * The truck skidded sideways across the road. * He has been moved sideways (= moved to another job at the same level as before, not higher or lower).\n  2  with one side facing forwards:\nShe sat sideways on the chair. * The sofa will only go through the door sideways.\n    sideways adjective:\nShe slid him a sideways glance. * a sideways move\n IDIOMS  see KNOCK v.


Words: siding
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a short track beside a main railway/railroad line, where trains can stand when they are not being used\n  2  (AmE) protective material used to cover the outside walls of buildings:\naluminium siding


Words: sidle
Meaning:
verb\n[V +adv./prep.] to walk somewhere in a shy or uncertain way as if you do not want to be noticed:\nShe sidled up to me and whispered something in my ear. * He sidled into the room.


Words: SIDS
Meaning:
abbreviation\n[U] the abbreviation for ’sudden infant death syndrome’ (the sudden death while sleeping of a baby which appears to be healthy)\nSYN COT DEATH


Words: siege
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a military operation in which an army tries to capture a town by surrounding it and stopping the supply of food, etc. to the people inside:\nthe siege of Troy * The siege was finally lifted (= ended) after six months. * The police placed the city centre under a virtual state of siege (= it was hard to get in or out).\n  2  a situation in which the police surround a building where people are living or hiding, in order to make them come out:\nThe siege was finally brought to an end when the terrorists surrendered.\nsee also BESIEGE\n IDIOMS \n  under siege\n1 surrounded by an army or the police in a siege:\nThe city was under siege for six months.\n2 being criticized all the time or put under pressure by problems, questions, etc:\nThe government is already under siege for its economic policy.\n  lay siege to sth\n1 to begin a siege of a town, building, etc:\nThe crusaders laid siege to Lisbon.\n2 to surround a building, especially in order to speak to or question the person or people living or working there:\nCrowds of journalists laid siege to the star’s apartment.


Words: sienna
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of dark yellow or red clay used for giving colour to paints, etc:\nBurnt sienna, with its rich luminous red, makes an ideal colour for adding warmth to natural brick.


Words: sierra
Meaning:
noun\n(especially in place names) a long range of steep mountains with sharp points, especially in Spain and America:\nthe Sierra Nevada


Words: siesta
Meaning:
noun\na rest or sleep taken in the early afternoon, especially in hot countries:\nto have / take a siesta\ncompare NAP


Words: sieve
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a tool for separating solids from liquids or larger solids from smaller solids, made of a wire or plastic net attached to a ring. The liquid or small pieces pass through the net but the larger pieces do not:\nPress the apricot jam through a sieve and stir in one tablespoon of cold water.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  have a memory / mind like a sieve (informal) to have a very bad memory; to forget things easily\n    verb [VN] to put sth through a sieve


Words: sift
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to put flour or some other fine substance through a SIEVE/SIFTER:\nSift the flour into a bowl.\n  2  ~ (through) sth to examine sth very carefully in order to decide what is important or useful or to find sth important:\n[VN] We will sift every scrap of evidence. * Computers are being used to sift the information. * [V] Crash investigators have been sifting through the wreckage of the aircraft.\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (out) from sth to separate sth from a group of things:\nHe sifted the relevant data from the rest. * She looked quickly through the papers, sifting out from the pile anything that looked interesting.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sift sth<->out\n1 to remove sth that you do not want from a substance by putting it through a SIEVE:\nPut the flour through a sieve to sift out the lumps.\n2 to separate sth, usually sth you do not want, from a group of things:\nWe need to sift out the applications that have no chance of succeeding.


Words: sifter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (AmE) a small SIEVE used for sifting flour\n  2  a container with a lot of small holes in the top, used for shaking flour or sugar onto things:\na sugar sifter


Words: sigh
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] ~ (with sth) to take and then let out a long deep breath that can be heard, to show that you are disappointed, sad, tired, etc:\nHe sighed deeply at the thought. * She sighed with relief that it was all over.\n  2  [V speech] to say sth with a sigh:\n’Oh well, better luck next time,’ she sighed.\n  3  [V] (literary) (especially of the wind) to make a long sound like a sigh:\nthe sighing of the wind through the trees * branches sighing in the wind\n    noun an act or the sound of sighing:\nto give / heave / let out a sigh * a deep / long sigh * ’I’ll wait,’ he said with a sigh. * We all breathed a sigh of relief when it was over.


Words: sight
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  ability to see\n \n  1  [U] the ability to see:\nto lose your sight (= to become blind) * She has very good sight. * The disease has affected her sight. * He has very little sight in his right eye.\nsee also EYESIGHT\n \n  act of seeing\n \n  2  [U] ~ of sb/sth the act of seeing sb/sth:\nAfter ten days at sea, we had our first sight of land. * I have been known to faint at the sight of blood. * The soldiers were given orders to shoot on sight (= as soon as they saw sb). * She caught sight of a car in the distance. * The mere sight of him makes me want to scream.\n \n  how far you can see\n  3  [U] the area or distance within which sb can see or sth can be seen:\nThere was no one in sight. * They stole everything in sight. * At last we came in sight of a few houses. * A bicycle came into sight on the main road. * The end is in sight (= will happen soon). * Leave any valuables in your car out of sight. * Keep out of sight (= stay where you cannot be seen). * She never lets her daughter out of her sight (= always keeps her where she can see her). * Get out of my sight! (= Go away!) * The boat disappeared from sight. * The house was hidden from sight behind some trees. * He had placed himself directly in my line of sight.\n  what you can see\n  4  [C] a thing that you see or can see:\nIt’s a spectacular sight as the flamingos lift into the air. * The museum attempts to recreate the sights and sounds of wartime Britain. * He was a sorry sight, soaked to the skin and shivering. * The bird is now a rare sight in this country. * He became a familiar sight on the streets of Oxford.\n  interesting places\n  5  (sights) [pl.] the interesting places, especially in a town or city, that are often visited by tourists:\nWe’re going to Paris for the weekend to see the sights. * It’s best if you can get someone local to show you the sights.\n  ridiculous / untidy person\n  6  (a sight) [sing.] (informal, especially BrE) a person or thing that looks ridiculous, untidy, unpleasant, etc:\nShe looks a sight in that hat!\n  on gun / telescope\n  7  [C, usually pl.] a device that you look through to aim a gun, etc. or to look at sth through a TELESCOPE, etc:\nHe had the deer in his sights now. * (figurative) Even as a young actress, she always had Hollywood firmly in her sights (= as her final goal).\n IDIOMS \n  at first sight\n1 when you first begin to consider sth:\nAt first sight, it may look like a generous offer, but always read the small print.\n2 when you see sb/sth for the first time:\nIt was love at first sight (= we fell in love the first time we saw each other). * We fell in love with the house at first sight.\n  hate, be sick of, etc. the sight of sb/sth (informal) to hate, etc. sb/sth very much:\nI can’t stand the sight of him!\n  in the sight of sb / in sb’s sight (formal) in sb’s opinion:\nWe are all equal in the sight of God.\n  lose sight of sb/sth\n1 to become no longer able to see sb/sth:\nThey finally lost sight of land.\n2 to stop considering sth; to forget sth:\nWe must not lose sight of our original aim.\n  out of sight, out of mind (saying) used to say sb will quickly be forgotten when they are no longer with you\n  raise / lower your sights to expect more/less from a situation:\nIf they can’t afford such a big house, they’ll just have to lower their sights a little.\n  set your sights on sth / on doing sth to decide that you want sth and to try very hard to get it:\nShe’s set her sights on getting into Harvard. * I had set my sights on a career in journalism.\n  a (damn, etc.) sight better, etc. | a (damn, etc.) sight too good, etc. (informal) very much better; much too good, etc:\nShe’s done a darn sight better than I have. * It’s worth a damn sight more than I thought.\n  a sight for sore eyes (spoken) a person or thing that you are pleased to see; something that is very pleasant to look at\n  sight unseen if you buy sth sight unseen, you do not have an opportunity to see it before you buy it\nmore at HEAVE v., KNOW v., NOWHERE, PRETTY adj.\n    verb [VN] (written) to suddenly see sth, especially sth you have been looking for:\nAfter twelve days at sea, they sighted land.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nsight / eyesight\nSight is a general word for the ability that people have to see: to lose your sight * She only has a little sight in one eye.\nYou use eyesight to talk about how well somebody is able to see: I’ve always had poor eyesight. Sight can also be used like this: a sight/an eyesight test * My grandmother’s sight/eyesight is still good.\n______________________________\n\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nsight / view\nBoth sight and view can be used when you are saying whether you can see something: There was no one in sight/view.\nSight can be used to talk about the act of seeing: I had my first sight of the city from the river. You can also use sight to mean something that you can see: Sunset over the lake is a beautiful sight.\nView describes the whole area you can see from a particular place: From the top of the tower I had a wonderful view of the city.\n______________________________


Words: sight-read
Meaning:
verb\n[V, VN] to play or sing written music when you see it for the first time, without practising it first\n    sight-reader noun:\nHe’s an excellent sight-reader.\n    sight-reading noun [U]


Words: sighted
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  able to see; not blind:\nthe blind parents of sighted children\n  2  (-sighted) (in compounds) able to see in the way mentioned:\npartially sighted * short-sighted * long-sighted


Words: sighting
Meaning:
noun\nan occasion when sb sees sb/sth, especially sth unusual or sth that lasts for only a short time:\na reported sighting of the Loch Ness monster * This was the first sighting of the comet for 1 000 years.


Words: sightless
Meaning:
adjective\n(literary) unable to see\nSYN BLIND:\nThe statue stared down at them with sightless eyes.


Words: sightseeing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the activity of visiting interesting buildings and places as a tourist:\nto go sightseeing * Did you have a chance to do any sightseeing? * a sightseeing tour of the city\n    sightsee verb [V] (only used in the progressive tenses)\n    sightseer noun:\nOxford attracts large numbers of visitors and sightseers.


Words: sign
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  showing sth\n \n  1  [C, U] ~ (of sth) | ~ (that ...) an event, an action, a fact, etc. that shows that sth exists, is happening or may happen in the future\nSYN INDICATION:\nHeadaches may be a sign of stress. * There is no sign of John anywhere. * Call the police at the first sign of trouble. * The gloomy weather shows no sign of improving. * Her work is showing some signs of improvement. * The fact that he didn’t say ’no’ immediately is a good sign. * If an interview is too easy, it’s a sure sign that you haven’t got the job. * There was no sign of life in the house (= there seemed to be nobody there). * There were no outward signs that anything was wrong.\n \n  for information / warning\n \n  2  [C] a piece of paper, wood or metal that has writing or a picture on it that gives you information, instructions, a warning, etc:\na road / traffic sign * a shop / pub sign * The sign on the wall said ’Now wash your hands’. * Follow the signs for the city centre.\n \n  movement / sound\n  3  [C] a movement or sound that you make to tell sb sth:\nHe gave us a thumbs-up sign. * She nodded as a sign for us to sit down. * Three blasts on the whistle was the sign for visitors to leave. * to make the sign of the cross (= an act of moving one hand in the shape of a cross, done by Christians to show respect for God or by a priest to bless sb/sth)\nsee also V-SIGN\n  symbol\n  4  [C] a mark used to represent sth, especially in mathematics:\na plus / minus sign (+ / -) * a pound / dollar sign (｣ / $)\n  star sign\n  5  [U] (informal) = STAR SIGN:\nWhat sign are you?\n IDIOMS \n  a sign of the times something that you feel shows what things are like now, especially how bad they are:\nThe increasing number of people owning guns is an alarming sign of the times.\n    verb\n  your name\n  1  to write your name on a document, letter, etc. to show that you have written it, that you agree with what it says, or that it is genuine: [V, VN] Sign here, please. * Sign your name here, please. * [VN] You haven’t signed the letter. * to sign a deal / contract / cheque * The treaty was signed on 24 March. * The player was signing autographs for a group of fans. * [VN-N] He signed himself ’Jimmy’.\n  contract\n  2  to arrange for sb, for example a sports player or musician, to sign a contract agreeing to work for your company; to sign a contract agreeing to work for a company:\n[VN] United have just signed a new goalie. * [V] He signed for United yesterday. * The band signed with Virgin Records.\n  make movement / sound\n  3  ~ (to sb) (to do sth) to make a request or tell sb to do sth by using a sign, especially a hand movement:\n[V to inf] The hotel manager signed to the porter to pick up my case. * The police officer signed for us to stop. [also V that]\n  for deaf person\n  4  to use sign language to communicate with sb:\n[V] She learnt to sign to help her deaf child. * [VN] An increasing number of plays are now being signed.\n    signer noun:\nthe signers of the petition * signers communicating information to deaf people\n IDIOMS \n  signed and sealed | signed, sealed and delivered definite, because all the legal documents have been signed\n  sign on the dotted line (informal) to sign a document to show that you have agreed to buy sth or do sth:\nJust sign on the dotted line and the car is yours.\nmore at PLEDGE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sign sth<->away to lose your rights or property by signing a document\n  sign for sth to sign a document to show that you have received sth:\nSomeone must sign for the package when we deliver it.\n  sign in / out | sign sb<->in / out to write your/sb’s name when you arrive at or leave an office, a club, etc:\nAll visitors must sign in on arrival. * You must sign guests out when they leave the club.\n  sign off\n1 (BrE) to end a letter:\nShe signed off with ’Yours, Janet’.\n2 to end a broadcast by saying goodbye or playing a piece of music\n  sign sth<->off to give your formal approval to sth, by signing your name\n  sign off on sth (AmE, informal) to express your approval of sth formally and definitely:\nThe President hasn’t signed off on this report.\n  sign on (BrE, informal) to sign a form stating that you are an unemployed person so that you can receive payment from the government\n  sign on / up | sign sb<->on / up to sign a form or contract which says that you agree to do a job or become a soldier; to persuade sb to sign a form or contract like this:\nHe signed on for five years in the army. * The company has signed up three top models for the fashion show.\n  sign sth<->over (to sb) to give your rights or property to sb else by signing a document:\nShe has signed the house over to her daughter.\n  sign up (for sth) to arrange to do a course of study by adding your name to the list of people doing it\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nsign / signal\nSign and signal can be used with very similar meanings. Both words can mean a movement or sound made to tell someone something: Don’t move until I give the sign/signal.\nThey can also both mean something that indicates that something exists or may happen, but a sign is usually something that you can find or see, while signal is used for something that is done intentionally or that suggests you should take some action: early signs of the disease * the first signs of spring * danger/warning signals * Local people regarded the President’s visit as a clear signal of his support.\nWith other meanings, only one of these words can be used: a road sign * a dollar sign * a faint radio signal * The train waited while the signals were on red.\n______________________________


Words: sign language
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a system of communicating with people who cannot hear, by using hand movements rather than spoken words:\nThey communicate in sign language.


Words: signal
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a movement or sound that you make to give sb information, instructions, a warning, etc.\nSYN SIGN:\na danger / warning / distress signal * At an agreed signal they left the room. * The siren was a signal for everyone to leave the building. * When I give the signal, run! * (AmE) All I get is a busy signal when I dial his number (= his phone is being used). * hand signals (= movements that cyclists and drivers make with their hands to tell other people that they are going to stop, turn, etc.)\nsee also TURN SIGNAL\n \n  2  an event, an action, a fact, etc. that shows that sth exists or is likely to happen\nSYN SIGN, INDICATION:\nThe rise in inflation is a clear signal that the government’s policies are not working. * Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems. * Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signals to criminals.\n  3  a piece of equipment that uses different coloured lights to tell drivers to slow down, stop, etc., used especially on railways/railroads and roads:\ntraffic signals * a stop signal * Delays are occurring as a result of signal failure on the northbound line.\n  4  a series of electrical waves that carry sounds, pictures or messages, for example to a radio or television:\nTV signals * a high frequency signal * a sound / radio / radar signal * to detect / pick up signals * to emit a signal * The satellite is used for transmitting signals around the world.\n    verb (-ll-, AmE -l-)\n  1  ~ (to sb) to make a movement or sound to give sb a message, an order, etc:\n[V] Don’t fire until I signal. * Did you signal before you turned right? * He signalled to the waiter for the bill. * The patrolman signalled for her to stop. * [VN] The referee signalled a foul. * [V (that)] She signalled (that) it was time to leave. * [V to inf] He signalled to us to join him. * [VN to inf] She signalled him to follow. * [V wh-] You must signal which way you are going to turn.\n  2  [VN] to be a sign that sth exists or is likely to happen:\nThis announcement signalled a clear change of policy. * The scandal surely signals the end of his political career.\n  3  to do sth to make your feelings or opinions known:\n[VN] He signalled his discontent by refusing to vote. * [V (that)] She has signalled (that) she is willing to stand as a candidate.\n    adjective [only before noun] (formal) important:\na signal success / honour * a signal failure of leadership\n    signally  adverb:\nThey have signally failed to keep their election promises.


Words: signalman
Meaning:
(also signaller) (BrE)\n  1  a person whose job is operating signals on a railway\n  2  a person trained to give and receive signals in the army or navy


Words: signatory
Meaning:
noun\n(plural signatories) ~ (to / of sth) (formal) a person, a country or an organization that has signed an official agreement:\na signatory of the Declaration of Independence * Many countries are signatories to / of the Berne Convention.


Words: signature
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] your name as you usually write it, for example at the end of a letter:\nSomeone had forged her signature on the cheque. * They collected 10 000 signatures for their petition. * He was attacked for having put his signature to the deal. * Can you witness my signature on my will, please?\n \n  2  [U] (formal) the act of signing sth:\nTwo copies of the contract will be sent to you for signature.\n \n  3  [C, usually sing.] a particular quality that makes sth different from other similar things and makes it easy to recognize:\nBright colours are his signature. * The signature flavours of Thai cookery are coriander and lime.\nsee also KEY SIGNATURE, TIME SIGNATURE


Words: signature tune
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a short tune played at the beginning and end of a particular television or radio programme, or one that is connected with a particular performer\ncompare THEME MUSIC


Words: signboard
Meaning:
noun\na piece of wood that has some information on it, such as a name, and is displayed outside a shop/store, hotel, etc.


Words: significance
Meaning:
noun [U, C]\n  1  the importance of sth, especially when this has an effect on what happens in the future:\na decision of major political significance * The new drug has great significance for the treatment of the disease. * We should be fully aware of the significance of television in shaping our ideas.\nOPP INSIGNIFICANCE\n  2  the meaning of sth:\nShe couldn’t grasp the full significance of what he had said. * Do these symbols have any particular significance?


Words: significant
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  large or important enough to have an effect or to be noticed:\na highly significant discovery * The results of the experiment are not statistically significant. * There are no significant differences between the two groups of students. * Your work has shown a significant improvement. * These views are held by a significant proportion of the population. * It is significant that girls generally do better in examinations than boys. * The drug has had no significant effect on stopping the spread of the disease.\nOPP INSIGNIFICANT\n  2  having a particular meaning:\nIt is significant that he changed his will only days before his death.\n  3  [usually before noun] having a special or secret meaning that is not understood by everyone\nSYN MEANINGFUL:\na significant look / smile


Words: significantly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a way that is large or important enough to have an effect on sth or to be noticed:\nThe two sets of figures are not significantly different from each other. * Profits have increased significantly over the past few years. * Food prices are significantly lower in the US. * Your decision will significantly affect your future.\n  2  in a way that has a particular meaning:\nSignificantly, he did not deny that there might be an election.\n  3  in a way that has a special or secret meaning:\nShe paused significantly before she answered.


Words: signify
Meaning:
verb (signifies, signifying, signified, signified) (formal)\n  1  to be a sign of sth; to mean sth:\n[VN] The church bell used to be rung to signify disaster. * This decision signified a radical change in their policies. * [V that] This mark signifies that the products conform to an approved standard. * The white belt signifies that he’s an absolute beginner. * What does the term ’patrician’ signify?\n  2  to do sth to make your feelings, intentions, etc. known:\n[VN] She signified her approval with a smile. * The jury signify their verdict by a show of hands. * In 1990 Poland signified its desire to join the Council. * [V that] He nodded to signify that he agreed.\n  3  [V] (usually used in questions or negative sentences) to be important or to matter:\nHis presence no longer signified.


Words: signing
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] the act of writing your name at the end of an official document to show that you accept it:\nthe signing of the Treaty of Rome\n \n  2  [C] (BrE) a person who has just signed a contract to join a particular sports team or record or film company:\nTomorrow’s match will be the first for the team’s latest signings.\n \n  3  [U] the act of making an official contract that arranges for sb to join a sports team or a record or film company:\nthe ｣5 million signing of the star player from Liverpool\n \n  4  [U] the act of using sign language:\nthe use of signing in classrooms


Words: signpost
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a sign at the side of a road giving information about the direction and distance of places:\nFollow the signposts to the superstore. * (figurative) The chapter headings are useful signposts to the content of the book.\n    verb [VN] (BrE)\n  1  [usually passive] to mark a road, place, etc. with signposts:\nThe route is well signposted. * The lane is signposted ’To the beach’.\n  2  to show clearly the way that an argument, a speech, etc. will develop:\nYou need to signpost for the reader the various points you are going to make.\n    signposting noun [U]


Words: Sikh
Meaning:
noun\na member of a religion (called Sikhism) that developed from Hinduism in Punjab in the late 15th century and is based on a belief that there is only one God\n    Sikh adjective


Words: silage
Meaning:
noun\n[U] grass or other green crops that are stored without being dried and are used to feed farm animals in winter


Words: silence
Meaning:
noun, verb, exclamation \n    noun\n  1  [U] a complete lack of noise or sound:\nTheir footsteps echoed in the silence. * A scream broke the silence of the night.\n  2  [C, U] a situation when nobody is speaking:\nan embarrassed / awkward silence * a moment’s stunned silence * I got used to his long silences. * They finished their meal in total silence. * She lapsed into silence again. * There was a deafening silence (= one that is very noticeable). * a two-minute silence in honour of those who had died * Her accusations reduced him to silence. * He’s not one to suffer in silence (= to suffer without telling sb)!\n  3  [U, sing.] ~ (on sth) a situation in which sb refuses to talk about sth or to answer questions:\nShe broke her public silence in a TV interview. * The company’s silence on the subject has been taken as an admission of guilt. * the right to silence (= the legal right not to say anything when you are arrested) * There is a conspiracy of silence about what is happening (= everyone has agreed not to discuss it).\n  4  [U] a situation in which people do not communicate with each other by letter or telephone:\nThe phone call came after months of silence.\n IDIOMS \n  silence is golden (saying) it is often best not to say anything\nmore at PREGNANT\n    verb [VN] (written)\n  1  to make sb/sth stop speaking or making a noise:\nShe silenced him with a glare. * Our bombs silenced the enemy’s guns (= they destroyed them).\n  2  to make sb stop expressing opinions that are opposed to yours:\nAll protest had been silenced. * Her recent achievements have silenced her critics.\n IDIOMS  see HEAVY adj.\n    exclamation (formal) used to tell people to be quiet:\nSilence in court!


Words: silencer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) (AmE muffler) a device that is fixed to the EXHAUST of a vehicle in order to reduce the amount of noise that the engine makes\n  2  a device that is fixed to the end of a gun in order to reduce the amount of noise that it makes when it is fired


Words: silent
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a person) not speaking:\nto remain / stay / keep silent * They huddled together in silent groups. * As the curtain rose, the audience fell silent. * He gave me the silent treatment (= did not speak to me because he was angry).\n  2  [only before noun] (especially of a man) not talking very much\nSYN QUIET:\nHe’s the strong, silent type.\n  3  where there is little or no sound; making little or no sound\nSYN QUIET:\nAt last the traffic fell silent. * The streets were silent and deserted.\n  4  [only before noun] not expressed with words or sound:\na silent prayer / protest * They nodded in silent agreement.\n  5  ~ (on / about sth) not giving information about sth; refusing to speak about sth:\nThe report is strangely silent on this issue. * the right to remain silent (= the legal right not to say anything when you are arrested)\n  6  [only before noun] (of old films / movies) with pictures but no sound:\na silent film / movie * stars of the silent screen\n  7  (of a letter in a word) written but not pronounced:\nThe ’b’ in ’lamb’ is silent.


Words: silently
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  without speaking:\nThey marched silently through the streets.\n  2  without making any or much sound:\nShe crept silently out of the room. * The car rolled silently downhill.\n  3  without using words or sounds to express sth:\nShe prayed silently. * He silently agreed with much of what she had said.\n IDIOMS \n  sit / stand silently by to do or say nothing to help sb or deal with a difficult situation:\nWe can’t sit silently by and let them arrest him!


Words: silhouette
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] the dark outline or shape of a person or an object that you see against a light background:\nthe silhouette of chimneys and towers * The mountains stood out in silhouette. * The trees were black silhouettes against the pale sky.\n  2  [C] the shape of a person’s body or of an object:\nThe dress is fitted to give you a flattering silhouette.\n  3  [C] a picture that shows sb/sth as a black shape against a light background, especially one that shows the side view of a person’s face\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] ~ sb/sth (against sth) to make sth appear as a silhouette:\nA figure stood in the doorway, silhouetted against the light. * The castle was silhouetted against the sky.


Words: silica
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol SiO2) a chemical compound of silicon found in sand and in rocks such as QUARTZ, used in making glass and CEMENT


Words: silicate
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  (chemistry) a compound containing SILICON, OXYGEN and one or more metals:\naluminium silicate\n  2  a mineral that contains silica. There are many different silicates and they form a large part of the earth’s CRUST.


Words: silicon
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol Si) a chemical element. Silicon exists as a grey solid or as a brown powder and is found in rocks and sand. It is used in making glass and TRANSISTORS.


Words: silicone
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a chemical compound of silicon. There are several different types of silicone, used to make paint, artificial rubber, VARNISH, etc:\na silicone breast implant


Words: silk
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] fine soft thread produced by SILKWORMS\n  2  [U] a fine smooth fabric made from silk thread:\na silk blouse * silk stockings * made of pure silk * Her skin was as smooth as silk.\nsee also WATERED SILK\n  3  [U] silk thread used for sewing\n  4  (silks) [pl.] clothes made of silk, especially the coloured shirts worn by people riding horses in a race (= JOCKEYS)\n  5  [C] (BrE, law) a type of lawyer who represents the government (= a King’s/Queen’s counsel):\nto take silk (= to become this type of lawyer)\n IDIOMS \n  make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear to succeed in making sth good out of material that does not seem very good at all


Words: silk-screen
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] involving a method of printing in which ink is forced through a design cut in a piece of fine fabric:\nsilk-screen printing / prints\n    silk-screen noun:\nWarhol’s silk-screen of Marilyn Monroe\n    silk-screen verb [VN]


Words: silken
Meaning:
adjective (literary)\n  1  [usually before noun] soft, smooth and shiny like silk:\nsilken hair / skin\n  2  [usually before noun] smooth and gentle:\nher silken voice / touch\n  3  [only before noun] made of silk:\nsilken ribbons


Words: silky
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  soft, smooth and shiny like silk:\nsoft, silky hair / fur\n  2  [usually before noun] smooth and gentle:\nHe spoke in a silky tone.\n  3  made of silk or a fabric that looks like silk:\na silky dress\n    silkily adverb:\n’How have I changed?’ he asked silkily.\n    silkiness noun [U]\n    silky adverb:\nThe leaves are grey and silky smooth.


Words: sill
Meaning:
noun\n  1  = WINDOW SILL\n  2  a piece of metal that forms part of the frame of a vehicle below the doors


Words: silly
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (sillier, silliest)\n  1  showing a lack of thought, understanding or judgement\nSYN FOOLISH:\na silly idea / question * That was a silly thing to do! * Her work is full of silly mistakes. * ’I can walk home.’ ’Don’t be silly-it’s much too far!’ * You silly boy! * How silly of me to expect them to help!\n  2  stupid or embarrassing, especially in a way that is more typical of a child than an adult\nSYN RIDICULOUS:\na silly sense of humour * a silly game / joke * I feel silly in these clothes. * She had a silly grin on her face. * (especially BrE) I got it for a silly price (= very cheap).\n    silliness noun [U]:\nStop this silliness and get back to work!\n IDIOMS \n  drink, laugh, shout, etc. yourself silly (informal) to drink, laugh, shout, etc. so much that you cannot behave in a sensible way\n  play silly buggers (BrE, informal) to behave in a stupid and annoying way:\nStop playing silly buggers and give me a hand with this!\nmore at GAME n.\n    noun (also less frequent silly billy) [sing.] (spoken) often used when speaking to children to say that they are not behaving in a sensible way:\nNo, silly, those aren’t your shoes!


Words: silo
Meaning:
noun (plural silos)\n \n  1  a tall tower on a farm used for storing grain, etc.\n \n  2  an underground place where nuclear weapons or dangerous substances are kept\n \n  3  an underground place where SILAGE is made and stored


Words: silt
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] sand, mud, etc. that is carried by flowing water and is left at the mouth of a river or in a harbour\n    silty adjective:\nsilty soils * the silty bottom of the river\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  silt sth<->up | silt up to block sth with silt; to become blocked with silt:\nSand has silted up the river delta. * The harbour has now silted up.


Words: silver
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] (Symbol Ag) a chemical element. Silver is a greyish-white precious metal used for making coins, jewellery, ornaments, etc:\na silver candlestick / chain / coin * made of solid silver * a silver mine\n \n  2  [U] coins that are made of silver or a metal that looks like silver:\nI need ｣2 in silver for the parking meter.\n \n  3  [U] dishes, ornaments, etc. that are made of silver:\nThey’ve had to sell the family silver to pay the bills.\n \n  4  [U] a shiny greyish-white colour\nsee also SILVERY\n  5  [U, C] = SILVER MEDAL:\nShe won silver in last year’s championships. * The team won two silvers and a bronze.\n IDIOMS \n  (hand sb sth) on a silver platter to give sth to sb without expecting them to do or give anything in return:\nThese rich kids expect to have it all handed to them on a silver platter.\nmore at BORN, CLOUD n., CROSS v.\n    adjective shiny greyish-white in colour:\na silver car / dress * silver hair\nsee also SILVERY\n    verb [VN] \n  1  [usually passive] to cover the surface of sth with a thin layer of silver or sth that looks like silver\n  2  (especially literary) to make sth become bright like silver:\nMoonlight was silvering the countryside.


Words: silver birch
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a tree with smooth, very pale grey or white bark and thin branches, that grows in northern countries


Words: silver jubilee
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE silver anniversary) noun\n[usually sing.] the 25th anniversary of an important event; a celebration of sth that began 25 years ago:\nthe silver jubilee of the Queen’s coronation * The college celebrated its silver jubilee last year.\ncompare DIAMOND JUBILEE, GOLDEN JUBILEE


Words: silver medal
Meaning:
noun\n[C] (also silver [U, C]) a medal that is given to the person or the team that wins the second prize in a race or competition:\nan Olympic silver medal winner\ncompare BRONZE MEDAL, GOLD MEDAL\n    silver medallist (BrE) (AmE silver medalist) noun:\nHe’s an Olympic silver medallist.


Words: silver plate
Meaning:
noun\n[U] metal that is covered with a thin layer of silver; objects that are made of this metal\n    silver-plated adjective:\nsilver-plated dishes / cutlery


Words: silver tongue
Meaning:
noun\ngreat skill at persuading people to do or to believe what you say\n    silver-tongued adjective [usually before noun]


Words: silver wedding
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE silver anniversary) (also silver wedding anniversary AmE, BrE) noun\nthe 25th anniversary of a wedding:\nThey celebrated their silver wedding in May.\ncompare DIAMOND WEDDING, GOLDEN WEDDING, RUBY WEDDING


Words: silverfish
Meaning:
noun\n(plural silverfish) a small insect without wings that is silver in colour and that lives in houses


Words: silverware
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  objects that are made of or covered with silver, especially knives, forks, dishes, etc. that are used for eating and serving food:\na piece of silverware\n  2  (AmE) = CUTLERY\n  3  (BrE, informal) a silver cup that you win in a sports competition\nSYN TROPHY


Words: silvery
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  shiny like silver; having the colour of silver:\nsilvery water / light / fish * a silvery grey / blue colour * her silvery hair\n  2  (literary) (especially of a voice) having a pleasant musical sound:\nShe gave a silvery laugh.


Words: simian
Meaning:
adjective\n(technical) like a monkey, especially an APE; connected with monkeys or APES:\nsimian arms * a simian virus


Words: similar
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sb/sth) | ~ (in sth) like sb/sth but not exactly the same:\nWe have very similar interests. * My teaching style is similar to that of most other teachers. * The two houses are similar in size. * The brothers look very similar. * All our patients have broadly similar problems. * The disease attacks the immune system in a similar way to Aids. * Stir the paint with a piece of wood or something similar.\nOPP DIFFERENT, DISSIMILAR


Words: similarity
Meaning:
noun (plural similarities)\n  1  [U, sing.] ~ (between A and B) | ~ (to sb/sth) | ~ (in sth) the state of being like sb/sth but not exactly the same:\nThe report highlights the similarity between the two groups. * She bears a striking similarity to her mother. * There is some similarity in the way they sing. * They are both doctors but that is where the similarity ends.\n  2  [C] ~ (in / of sth) | ~ (to / with sb/sth) a feature that things or people have that makes them like each other:\na study of the similarities and differences between the two countries * similarities in / of style * The karate bout has many similarities to a boxing match.\nOPP DIFFERENCE, DISSIMILARITY


Words: similarly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in almost the same way:\nHusband and wife were similarly successful in their chosen careers.\n  2  used to say that two facts, actions, statements, etc. are like each other:\nThe United States won most of the track and field events. Similarly, in swimming, the top three places went to Americans.


Words: simile
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (technical) a word or phrase that compares sth to sth else, using the words like or as, for example a face like a mask or as white as snow; the use of such words and phrases\ncompare METAPHOR


Words: simmer
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to cook sth by keeping it almost at boiling point; to be cooked in this way:\n[VN] Simmer the sauce gently for 10 minutes. * [V] Leave the soup to simmer.\n  2  [V] ~ (with sth) to be filled with a strong feeling, especially anger, which you have difficulty controlling:\nShe was still simmering with resentment. * Anger simmered inside him.\n  3  [V] (of an argument, a dispute, etc.) to develop for a period of time without any real anger or violence being shown:\nThis argument has been simmering for months. * The simmering dispute finally erupted.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  simmer down (informal) to become calm after a period of anger or excitement:\nI left him alone until he simmered down. * Things have simmered down since the riots last week.\n    noun [sing.] the state when sth is almost boiling:\nBring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.


Words: simpatico
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  (of a person) pleasant; easy to like\n  2  (of a person) with similar interests and ideas to yours\nSYN COMPATIBLE


Words: simper
Meaning:
verb\n(written) to smile in a silly and annoying way:\n[V] a silly simpering girl * He just simpered at me. * [V speech] ’You’re such a darling,’ she simpered.\n    simper noun [sing.]\n    simperingly  adverb


Words: simple
Meaning:
adjective (simpler, simplest)\n HELP NOTE  You can also use more simple and most simple.\n  easy\n  1  not complicated; easy to understand or do:\na simple method / solution / task * The answer is really quite simple. * This machine is very simple to use. * (especially spoken) We lost because we played badly. It’s as simple as that. * Give the necessary information but keep it simple.\n  basic / plain\n  2  basic or plain without anything extra or unnecessary:\nsimple but elegant clothes * We had a simple meal of soup and bread. * The accommodation is simple but spacious. * simple pleasures, like reading and walking\nOPP FANCY\n  for emphasis\n  3  used before a noun to emphasize that it is exactly that and nothing else:\nNobody wanted to believe the simple truth. * It was a matter of simple survival. * It’s nothing to worry about-just a simple headache. * I had to do it for the simple reason that (= because) I couldn’t trust anyone else.\n  with few parts\n  4  [usually before noun] consisting of only a few parts; not complicated in structure:\nsimple forms of life, for example amoebas * a simple design / machine / plan * (grammar) a simple sentence (= one with only one verb)\n  ordinary\n  5  [only before noun] (of a person) ordinary; not special:\nI’m a simple country girl.\n  not intelligent\n  6  [not usually before noun] (of a person) not very intelligent; not mentally normal:\nHe’s not mad-just a bit simple.\n  grammar\n  7  used to describe the present or past tense of a verb that is formed without using an AUXILIARY verb, as in She loves him or He arrived late.:\nthe simple present / past tense\nsee also SIMPLY\n IDIOMS  see PURE


Words: simple fracture
Meaning:
noun\nan injury when a bone in your body is broken but does not come through the skin\ncompare COMPOUND FRACTURE


Words: simple interest
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (finance) interest that is paid only on the original amount of money that you invested, and not on any interest that it has earned\ncompare COMPOUND INTEREST


Words: simple-minded
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) not intelligent; not able to understand how complicated things are:\na simple-minded person * a simple-minded view / approach


Words: simplicity
Meaning:
noun (plural simplicities)\n  1  [U] the quality of being easy to understand or use:\nthe relative simplicity of the new PC * For the sake of simplicity, let’s divide the discussion into two parts.\n  2  [U] (approving) the quality of being natural and plain:\nthe simplicity of the architecture * the simplicity of country living\n  3  [C, usually pl.] an aspect of sth that is easy, natural or plain:\nthe simplicities of our old way of life\n IDIOMS \n  be simplicity itself to be very easy or plain:\nProgramming the video is simplicity itself.


Words: simplification
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] the process of making sth easier to do or understand:\nComplaints have led to (a) simplification of the rules.\n  2  [C] the thing that results when you make a problem, statement, system, etc. easier to understand or do:\nA number of simplifications have been made to the taxation system.\ncompare oversimplification at OVERSIMPLIFY


Words: simplify
Meaning:
verb\n(simplifies, simplifying, simplified, simplified) [VN] to make sth easier to do or understand:\nThe application forms have now been simplified. * I hope his appointment will simplify matters. * a simplified version of the story for young children


Words: simplistic
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) making a problem, situation, etc. seem less difficult or complicated than it really is:\na simplistic approach / view / solution * His interpretation of the figures is far too simplistic.\n    simplistically  adverb


Words: simply
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  used to emphasize how easy or basic sth is\nSYN JUST:\nSimply add hot water and stir. * The runway is simply a strip of grass. * Fame is often simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time. * You can enjoy all the water sports, or simply lie on the beach.\n  2  used to emphasize a statement\nSYN ABSOLUTELY:\nYou simply must see the play. * The view is simply wonderful! * That is simply not true! * I haven’t seen her for simply ages.\n  3  in a way that is easy to understand:\nThe book explains grammar simply and clearly. * Anyway, to put it simply, we still owe them ｣2 000.\n  4  in a way that is natural and plain:\nThe rooms are simply furnished. * They live simply (= they do not spend much money).\n  5  used to introduce a summary or an explanation of sth that you have just said or done:\nI don’t want to be rude, it’s simply that we have to be careful who we give this information to. * He was loud, vulgar and arrogant-quite simply the rudest man I’ve ever met!


Words: simulate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to pretend that you have a particular feeling:\nI tried to simulate surprise at the news.\n  2  to create particular conditions that exist in real life using computers, models, etc., usually for study or training purposes:\nComputer software can be used to simulate conditions on the sea bed. * Role-playing is a useful way of simulating real-life situations.\n  3  to be made to look like sth else:\na gas heater that simulates a coal fire


Words: simulated
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] not real, but made to look, feel, etc. like the real thing\nSYN ARTIFICIAL:\nsimulated fur / leather * ’How wonderful!’ she said with simulated enthusiasm. * The experiments were carried out under simulated examination conditions.


Words: simulation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a situation in which a particular set of conditions is created artificially in order to study or experience sth that could exist in reality:\na computer simulation of how the planet functions * a simulation model * An important part of training is role-play and the simulation of court cases.\n  2  [U] the act of pretending that sth is real when it is not:\nthe simulation of genuine concern


Words: simulator
Meaning:
noun\na piece of equipment that artificially creates a particular set of conditions in order to train sb to deal with a situation that they may experience in reality:\na flight simulator


Words: simulcast
Meaning:
verb\n(simulcast, simulcast) [VN] (especially AmE) to broadcast sth on radio and television at the same time or on both AM and FM radio\n    simulcast noun


Words: simultaneous
Meaning:
adjective\nhappening or done at the same time as sth else:\nThere were several simultaneous attacks by the rebels. * Any ceasefire would be simultaneous with the withdrawal of US forces. * simultaneous translation / interpreting\n    simultaneity  noun [U]\n    simultaneously adverb:\nThe game will be broadcast simultaneously on TV and radio.


Words: sin
Meaning:
noun, verb, abbreviation \n    noun\n  1  [C] an offence against God or against a religious or moral law:\nto commit a sin * Confess your sins to God and he will forgive you. * The Bible says that stealing is a sin.\nsee also MORTAL SIN, ORIGINAL SIN\n  2  [U] the act of breaking a religious or moral law:\na life of sin\n  3  [C, usually sing.] (informal) an action that people strongly disapprove of:\nIt’s a sin to waste taxpayers’ money like that.\nsee also SINFUL, SINNER\n IDIOMS \n  be / do sth for your sins (spoken humorous, especially BrE) used to say that sth that sb does is like a punishment:\nShe works with us in Accounts, for her sins!\n  (as) miserable / ugly as sin (spoken) used to emphasize that sb is very unhappy or ugly\nmore at MULTITUDE, LIVE\n    verb (-nn-) [V] to break a religious or moral law:\nForgive me, Lord, for I have sinned. * He was more sinned against than sinning (= although he did wrong, other people treated him even worse).\n    abbreviation (mathematics) SINE


Words: sin bin
Meaning:
noun\n(slang) (in some sports, for example ice hockey) a place away from the playing area where the REFEREE sends a player who has broken the rules


Words: since
Meaning:
preposition, conjunction, adverb \n    preposition\n  1  (used with the present, perfect or past perfect tense) from a time in the past until a later past time, or until now:\nShe’s been off work since Tuesday. * We’ve lived here since 1994. * I haven’t eaten since breakfast. * He’s been working in a bank since leaving school. * Since the party she had only spoken to him once. * ’They’ve split up.’ ’Since when?’ * That was years ago. I’ve changed jobs since then.\n HELP NOTE  Use for, not since, with a period of time: I’ve been learning English for five years. * _I_’_v_e_ _b_e_e_n_ _l_e_a_r_n_i_n_g_ _E_n_g_l_i_s_h_ _s_i_n_c_e_ _f_i_v_e_ _y_e_a_r_s_.\n  2  ~ when? used when you are showing that you are angry about sth:\nSince when did he ever listen to me?\n    conjunction\n  1  (used with the present perfect, past perfect or simple present tense in the main clause) from an event in the past until a later past event, or until now:\nCath hasn’t phoned since she went to Berlin. * It was the first time I’d had visitors since I’d moved to London. * It’s twenty years since I’ve seen her. * How long is it since we last went to the theatre? * She had been worrying ever since the letter arrived.\n  2  because; as:\nWe thought that, since we were in the area, we’d stop by and see them.\n    adverb (used with the present, perfect or past perfect tense)\n  1  from a time in the past until a later past time, or until now:\nHe left home two weeks ago and we haven’t heard from him since. * The original building has long since (= long before now) been demolished.\n  2  at a time after a particular time in the past:\nWe were divorced two years ago and she has since remarried.


Words: sincere
Meaning:
adjective (superlative sincerest, no comparative)\n  1  (of feelings, beliefs or behaviour) showing what you really think or feel\nSYN GENUINE:\na sincere attempt to resolve the problem * sincere concern / gratitude / regret * Please accept our sincere thanks. * a sincere apology\n  2  ~ (in sth) (of a person) saying only what you really think or feel\nSYN HONEST:\nHe seemed sincere enough when he said he wanted to help. * She is never completely sincere in what she says about people.\nOPP INSINCERE\n    sincerity  noun [U]:\nThe sincerity of his beliefs is unquestionable. * She spoke with total sincerity. * I can say in all sincerity that I knew nothing of these plans.


Words: sincerely
Meaning:
adverb\nin a way that shows what you really feel or think about sb/sth:\nI sincerely believe that this is the right decision. * ’I won’t let you down.’ ’I sincerely hope not.’\n IDIOMS \n  Yours sincerely (BrE) (AmE Sincerely (yours)) (formal, written) used at the end of a formal letter before you sign your name, when you have addressed sb by their name


Words: sine
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation sin) (mathematics) the RATIO of the length of the side opposite one of the angles in a RIGHT-ANGLED triangle that are less than 90ｰ to the length of the longest side\ncompare COSINE, TANGENT


Words: sine die
Meaning:
adverb\n(from Latin, formal, especially law) without a future date being arranged:\nThe case was adjourned sine die.


Words: sine qua non
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] ~ (of / for sth) (from Latin, formal) something that is essential before you can achieve sth else:\nTV coverage is the sine qua non of a sport if it is to thrive. * Trust is a sine qua non for any counselling.


Words: sinew
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a strong band of tissue in the body that joins a muscle to a bone\n  2  [usually pl.] (literary) a source of strength or power:\nthe sinews of economic life\n IDIOMS  see STRAIN v.


Words: sinewy
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a person or an animal) having a thin body and strong muscles:\nThe runner was tall and sinewy.


Words: sinful
Meaning:
adjective\nmorally wrong or wicked:\nsinful acts / thoughts * It is sinful to lie. * (informal) It’s sinful to waste good food!\n    sinfully  adverb\n    sinfulness noun [U]


Words: sing
Meaning:
1  to make musical sounds with your voice in the form of a song or tune:\n[V] She usually sings in the shower. * I just can’t sing in tune! * He was singing softly to the baby. * He was dancing around and singing at the top of his voice (= very loudly). * [VN, VNN] Will you sing a song to us? * Will you sing us a song? * [VN] Now I’d like to sing a song by the Beatles. * She sang the baby to sleep (= sang until the baby went to sleep). * We all sang ’Happy Birthday’ to her.\n  2  [V] (of birds) to make high musical sounds:\nThe birds were singing outside my window.\n  3  [V] to make a high ringing sound like a whistle:\nBullets sang past my ears. * She felt faint and the blood was singing in her head. * The kettle was singing away on the stove.\n    sing noun [sing.]:\nLet’s have a sing.\n IDIOMS \n  sing a different tune to change your opinion about sb/sth or your attitude towards sb/sth\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sing along (with sb/sth) | sing along (to sth) to sing together with sb who is already singing or while a record, radio, or musical instrument is playing:\nDo sing along if you know the words. * She loves singing along to the radio.\nrelated noun SINGALONG\n  sing of sth (old-fashioned or formal) to mention sth in a song or a poem, especially to praise it:\nPoets used to sing of such heroic deeds.\n  sing out to sing or say sth clearly and loudly:\nA voice suddenly sang out above the rest.\n  sing up (BrE) (AmE sing out) to sing more loudly:\nSing up, let’s hear you.


Words: sing-song
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [C] (BrE) = SINGALONG\n  2  [sing.] a way of speaking in which a person’s voice keeps rising and falling:\nShe spoke to the child in her soft Irish singsong.\n    adjective [only before noun] a sing-song voice keeps rising and falling


Words: singalong
Meaning:
(BrE also sing-song) noun\nan informal occasion at which people sing songs together:\na singalong in the local bar


Words: singe
Meaning:
verb\n(singeing, singed, singed) to burn the surface of sth slightly, usually by mistake; to be burnt in this way:\n[VN] He singed his hair as he tried to light his cigarette. * [V] the smell of singeing fur


Words: singer
Meaning:
noun\na person who sings, or whose job is singing, especially in public:\nShe’s a wonderful singer. * an opera singer


Words: singing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the activity of making musical sounds with your voice:\nthe beautiful singing of birds * choral / folk singing * There was singing and dancing all night. * a singing career / teacher * She has a beautiful singing voice. * The sound of singing came from the kitchen.


Words: single
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective\n  one\n \n  1  [only before noun] only one:\nHe sent her a single red rose. * a single-sex school (= for boys only or for girls only) * All these jobs can now be done by one single machine. * I couldn’t understand a single word she said! * the European single currency, the euro * (BrE) a single honours degree (= for which you study only one subject)\n \n  for emphasis\n \n  2  [only before noun] used to emphasize that you are referring to one particular person or thing on its own:\nUnemployment is the single most important factor in the growing crime rates. * We eat rice every single day!\n \n  not married\n \n  3  (of a person) not married or having a romantic relationship with sb:\nThe apartments are ideal for single people living alone. * Are you still single?\nsee also SINGLE PARENT\n  for one person\n  4  [only before noun] intended to be used by only one person:\na single bed / room * a single sheet (= large enough for a single bed)\ncompare DOUBLE adj. (3)\n  ticket\n  5  [only before noun] (BrE) (also one-way AmE, BrE) a single ticket, etc. can be used for travelling to a place but not back again:\na single ticket * How much is the single fare to Glasgow?\ncompare RETURN n. (7)\n IDIOMS  see FILE n., GLANCE n.\n    noun\n  ticket\n  1  [C] (BrE) a ticket that allows you to travel to a place but not back again:\nHow much is a single to York?\ncompare RETURN n. (7)\n  tape / cd\n  2  [C] a tape, CD, etc. with only one song on each side; the main song on this tape or CD:\nThe group releases its new single next week.\ncompare ALBUM\n  room\n  3  [C] a room in a hotel, etc. for one person:\nSingles are available from ｣50 per night.\ncompare DOUBLE n. (5)\n  unmarried people\n  4  (singles) [pl.] people who are not married and do not have a romantic relationship with sb else:\nThey organize parties for singles. * a singles bar / club\n  in sport\n  5  (singles) [U] (especially in tennis) a game when only one player plays against one other; a series of two or more of these games:\nthe women’s singles champion * the first round of the men’s singles * a singles match * She’s won three singles titles this year.\ncompare DOUBLES n. (6)\n  6  [C] (in cricket) a hit from which a player scores one RUN (= point)\n  7  (in baseball) a hit that only allows the player to run to FIRST BASE\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  single sb/sth<->out (for sth / as sb/sth) to choose sb/sth from a group for special attention:\nShe was singled out for criticism. * He was singled out as the outstanding performer of the games.


Words: single figures
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] a number that is less than ten:\nInflation is down to single figures. * The number of people who fail each year is now in single figures.


Words: single market
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (economics) a group of countries that have few or no restrictions on the movement of goods, money and people between the members of the group


Words: single parent
Meaning:
noun\na person who looks after their child or children without a husband, wife or partner:\na single-parent family


Words: single-breasted
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a jacket or coat) having only one row of buttons that fasten in the middle\ncompare DOUBLE-BREASTED


Words: single-handed
Meaning:
adverb\non your own with nobody helping you:\nto sail around the world single-handed\n    single-handed adjective:\na single-handed voyage / yachtsman\n    single-handedly adverb:\nShe single-handedly saved the town from disaster.


Words: single-minded
Meaning:
adjective\nonly thinking about one particular aim or goal because you are determined to achieve sth:\nthe single-minded pursuit of power * She is very single-minded about her career. * single-minded determination\n    single-mindedly adverb:\nThey devoted themselves single-mindedly to making money.\n    single-mindedness noun [U]


Words: singleness
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  ~ of purpose the ability to think about one particular aim or goal because you are determined to succeed\n  2  the state of not being married or having a partner


Words: singlet
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a piece of clothing without sleeves, worn under or instead of a shirt; a similar piece of clothing worn by runners, etc.\ncompare VEST


Words: singly
Meaning:
adverb\nalone; one at a time\nSYN INDIVIDUALLY:\nThe stamps are available singly or in books of ten. * Guests arrived singly or in groups. * The perfumed oils can be used singly or blended with others.


Words: singular
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (grammar) a form of a noun or verb that refers to one person or thing:\nThe singular of ’bacteria’ is ’bacterium’. * The verb should be in the singular.\ncompare PLURAL\n    adjective\n  1  (grammar) connected with or having the singular form:\na singular noun / verb / ending\n  2  (formal) very great or obvious:\nlandscape of singular beauty * He shows a singular lack of concern for other people’s feelings.\n  3  (literary) unusual; strange:\na singular style of dress / writing


Words: singularity
Meaning:
noun\n(plural singularities) [U] (formal) the quality of sth that makes it unusual or strange:\nOne cannot fail to be struck by the singularity of his sculptures.


Words: singularly
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal) very; in an unusual way:\nsingularly beautiful / foolish * He chose a singularly inappropriate moment to make his request.


Words: Sinhalese
Meaning:
noun (plural Sinhalese)\n  1  [C] a member of a race of people originally from northern India and now living in Sri Lanka\n  2  [U] the language of the Sinhalese\n    Sinhalese adjective


Words: sinister
Meaning:
adjective\nseeming evil or dangerous; making you think sth bad will happen:\nThere was something cold and sinister about him. * There is another, more sinister, possibility. * We needn’t assume that there was a sinister motive for what she did.


Words: sink
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (sank ) or (less frequent sunk, sunk)\n  in water / mud, etc.\n  1  [V] to go down below the surface or towards the bottom of a liquid or soft substance:\nThe ship sank to the bottom of the sea. * We’re sinking! * The wheels started to sink into the mud. * The little boat sank beneath the waves. * to sink like a stone\n  boat\n  2  [VN] to damage a boat or ship so that it goes below the surface of the sea, etc:\na battleship sunk by a torpedo * Bombs sank all four carriers.\n  fall / sit down\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] (of a person) to move downwards, especially by falling or sitting down:\nI sank into an armchair. * She sank back into her seat, exhausted. * The old man had sunk to his knees.\n  move downwards\n  4  [V] (of an object) to move slowly downwards:\nThe sun was sinking in the west. * The foundations of the building are starting to sink.\n  decrease\n  5  [V] to decrease in amount, volume, strength, etc:\nThe pound has sunk to its lowest recorded level against the dollar. * He is clearly sinking fast (= getting weaker quickly and will soon die).\n  of voice\n  6  [V] (written) to become quieter:\nHer voice sank to a whisper.\n  dig in ground\n  7  [VN] to make a deep hole in the ground:\nto sink a well / shaft / mine\n  8  [VN] to place sth in the ground by digging:\nto sink a post into the ground\nsee also SUNKEN\n  prevent success\n  9  [VN] (informal) to prevent sb or sb’s plans from succeeding:\nI think I’ve just sunk my chances of getting the job. * If the car breaks down, we’ll be sunk (= have serious problems).\n  ball\n  10  [VN] to hit a ball into a hole in golf or SNOOKER:\nHe sank a 12-foot putt to win the match.\n  alcohol\n  11  [VN] (BrE, informal) to drink sth quickly, especially a large amount of alcohol:\nWe sank three pints each in 10 minutes.\n IDIOMS \n  be sunk in sth to be in a state of unhappiness or deep thought:\nShe just sat there, sunk in thought.\n  (like rats) deserting / leaving a sinking ship (humorous, disapproving) used to talk about people who leave an organization, a company, etc. that is having difficulties, without caring about the people who are left:\nI might have known he’d be the first rat to desert this sinking ship!\n  sink your differences to agree to forget about your disagreements:\nWe need to sink our differences and present a united opposition to the plan.\n  a / that sinking feeling (informal) an unpleasant feeling that you get when you realize that sth bad has happened or is going to happen:\nI had a horrible sinking feeling when I saw the ambulance outside the house.\n  sink or swim to be in a situation where you will either succeed by your own efforts or fail completely:\nThe new students were just left to sink or swim.\n  sink so low | sink to sth to have such low moral standards that you do sth very bad:\nStealing from your friends? How could you sink so low? * I can’t believe that anyone would sink to such depths.\nmore at HEART\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sink in | sink into sth\n1 (of words, an event, etc.) to be fully understood or realized:\nHe paused to allow his words to sink in. * The full scale of the disaster has yet to sink in. * It took a moment for the implications of what she was saying to sink in.\n2 (of liquids) to go down into another substance through the surface:\nThe rain sank into the dry ground.\n  sink into sth to go gradually into a less active, happy or pleasant state:\nShe sank into a deep sleep. * He sank deeper into depression.\n  sink into sth | sink sth into sth to go, or to make sth sharp go, deep into sth solid:\nThe dog sank its teeth into my leg (= bit it). * I felt her nails sink into my wrist.\n  sink sth into sth to spend a lot of money on a business or an activity, for example in order to make money from it in the future:\nWe sank all our savings into the venture.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  a large open container in a kitchen that has taps/faucets to supply water and that you use for washing dishes in:\nDon’t just leave your dirty plates in the sink! * I felt chained to the kitchen sink (= I had to spend all my time doing jobs in the house).\n \n  2  (especially AmE) = WASHBASIN\n \n IDIOMS  see KITCHEN


Words: sinker
Meaning:
noun\na weight that is attached to a FISHING LINE or net to keep it under the water\n IDIOMS  see HOOK n.


Words: sinuous
Meaning:
adjective\n(literary) turning while moving, in a graceful way; having many curves:\na sinuous movement * the sinuous grace of a cat * the sinuous course of the river\n    sinuously adverb


Words: sinus
Meaning:
noun\nany of the hollow spaces in the bones of the head that are connected to the inside of the nose:\nblocked sinuses


Words: sip
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-pp-) ~ (sth) | ~ (at sth) to drink sth, taking a very small amount each time:\n[V] She sat there, sipping at her tea. * [VN] He slowly sipped his wine.\n    noun a very small amount of a drink that you take into your mouth:\nto have / take a sip of water


Words: siphon
Meaning:
(also syphon)  noun, verb \n    noun\n a tube that is used for moving liquid from one container to another, using pressure from the atmosphere\n    verb [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] \n  1  to move a liquid from one container to another, using a siphon:\nI siphoned the gasoline out of the car into a can. * The waste liquid needs to be siphoned off.\n  2  (informal) to remove money from one place and move it to another, especially dishonestly or illegally\nSYN DIVERT:\nShe has been accused of siphoning off thousands of pounds from the company into her own bank account.


Words: sir
Meaning:
noun\n  1  used as a polite way of addressing a man whose name you do not know, for example in a shop/store or restaurant, or to show respect:\nGood morning, sir. Can I help you? * Are you ready to order, sir? * ’Report to me tomorrow, corporal!’ ’Yes, sir!’ * ’Thank you very much.’ ’You’re welcome, sir. Have a nice day.’\ncompare MA’AM\nsee also MADAM\n  2  (Dear Sir / Sirs) used at the beginning of a formal business letter when you do not know the name of the man or people that you are dealing with:\nDear Sir / Sirs * Dear Sir or Madam\n  3  (Sir)  a title that is used before the first name of a man who has received one of the highest British honours (= a KNIGHT), or before the first name of a BARONET:\nSir Paul McCartney * Thank you, Sir Paul.\ncompare LADY\n  4  (BrE) used as a form of address by children in school to a male teacher:\nPlease, sir, can I open a window?\ncompare MISS\n IDIOMS \n  no sir! | no sirree!  (spoken, especially AmE) certainly not:\nWe will never allow that to happen! No sir!\n  yes sir! | yes sirree! used to emphasize that sth is true:\nThat’s a fine car you have. Yes sir!


Words: sire
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (technical) the male parent of an animal, especially a horse\ncompare DAM\n  2  (old use) a word that people used when they addressed a king\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to be the male parent of an animal, especially a horse\n  2  (old-fashioned or humorous) to become the father of a child


Words: siren
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a device that makes a long loud sound as a signal or warning:\nan air-raid siren * A police car raced past with its siren wailing.\n  2  (in ancient Greek stories) any of a group of sea creatures that were part woman, part bird, whose beautiful singing made sailors sail towards them into rocks or dangerous waters\n  3  a woman who is very attractive or beautiful but also dangerous\n  4  ~ voices / song / call (literary) the TEMPTATION to do sth that seems very attractive but that will have bad results:\nThe government must resist the siren voices calling for tax cuts.


Words: sisal
Meaning:
noun\n[U] strong FIBRES made from the leaves of a tropical plant also called sisal, used for making rope, floor coverings, etc.


Words: sissy
Meaning:
(BrE also cissy)  noun\n(plural sissies) (informal, disapproving) a boy that other men or boys laugh at because they think he is weak or frightened, or only interested in the sort of things girls like:\nThe other boys kept calling him a sissy and a wimp.\n    sissy adjective


Words: sister
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a girl or woman who has the same mother and father as another person:\nShe’s my sister. * an older / younger sister * (informal) a big / little / kid sister * We’re sisters. * Do you have any brothers or sisters? * My best friend has been like a sister to me (= very close).\nsee also HALF-SISTER, STEPSISTER\n  2  used for talking to or about other members of a women’s organization or other women who have the same ideas, purpose, etc. as yourself:\nThey supported their sisters in the dispute.\n  3  (Sister) (BrE) a senior female nurse who is in charge of a hospital WARD\nsee also CHARGE NURSE\n  4  (Sister) a female member of a religious group, especially a NUN:\nSister Mary * the Sisters of Charity\n  5  (in the US) a member of a SORORITY (= a club for a group of female students at a college or university)\n  6  (AmE, informal) used by black people as a form of address for a black woman\n  7  (usually used as an adjective) a thing that belongs to the same type or group as sth else:\nour sister company in Italy * a sister ship


Words: sister-in-law
Meaning:
noun\n(plural sisters-in-law) the sister of your husband or wife; your brother’s wife; the wife of your husband or wife’s brother\ncompare BROTHER-IN-LAW


Words: sisterhood
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the close loyal relationship between women who share ideas and aims\n  2  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of women who live in a community together, especially a religious one:\na sisterhood of nuns


Words: sit
Meaning:
on chair, etc.\n  1  to rest your weight on your bottom with your back upright, for example on/in a chair: [V, usually +adv./prep.] She sat and stared at the letter in front of her. * May I sit here? * Just sit still! * He went and sat beside her. * She was sitting at her desk. * She always sits in that chair. * It’s too cold to sit outside. * [V -ing] We sat talking for hours.\nsee also SIT DOWN\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to put sb in a sitting position:\nHe lifted the child and sat her on the wall. * She sat him down in front of the fire with a hot drink.\n  of things\n  3  to be in a particular place: [V, +adv./prep.] A large bus was sitting outside. * The pot was sitting in a pool of water. * The jacket sat beautifully on her shoulders (= fitted well). * [V-ADJ] The box sat unopened on the shelf.\n  have official position\n  4  [V] ~ in / on / for sth | ~ as sth to have an official position as sth or as a member of sth:\nHe was sitting as a temporary judge. * She sat on a number of committees. * For years he sat for Henley (= was the MP for that constituency). * They both sat as MPs in the House of Commons.\n  of parliament, etc.\n  5  [V] (of a parliament, committee, court of law, etc.) to meet in order to do official business:\nParliament sits for less than six months of the year.\n  exam\n  6  ~ (for) sth (BrE, rather formal) to do an exam:\n[VN] Candidates will sit the examinations in June. * Most of the students sit at least 5 GCSEs. * [V] He was about to sit for his entrance exam.\n  of bird\n  7  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to rest on a branch, etc. or to stay on a nest to keep the eggs warm\n  of dog\n  8  [V] to sit on its bottom with its front legs straight:\nRover! Sit!\n  take care of children\n  9  [V] ~ (for sb) = BABYSIT:\nWho’s sitting for you?\nsee also HOUSE-SIT\n IDIOMS \n  be sitting pretty (informal) to be in a good situation, especially when others are not:\nWith profits at record levels, the company’s certainly sitting pretty this year.\n  sit at sb’s feet to admire sb very much, especially a teacher or sb from whom you try to learn\n  sit comfortably / easily / well, etc. (with sth) (written) to seem right, natural, suitable, etc. in a particular place or situation:\nHis views did not sit comfortably with the management line.\n  sit in judgement (on / over / upon sb) to decide whether sb’s behaviour is right or wrong, especially when you have no right to do this:\nHow dare you sit in judgement on me?\n  sit on the fence to avoid becoming involved in deciding or influencing sth:\nHe tends to sit on the fence at meetings.\n  sit tight\n1 to stay where you are rather than moving away or changing position:\nWe sat tight and waited to be rescued.\n2 to stay in the same situation, without changing your mind or taking any action:\nShareholders are being advised to sit tight until the crisis passes.\nmore at BOLT adv., LAUREL, SILENTLY\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sit about / around (often disapproving) to spend time doing nothing very useful:\nI’m far too busy to sit around here. * [+ -ing] He just sits around watching videos.\n  sit back\n1 to sit on sth, usually a chair, in a relaxed position:\nHe sat back in his chair and started to read.\n2 to relax, especially by not getting too involved in or anxious about sth:\nShe’s not the kind of person who can sit back and let others do all the work.\n  sit by to take no action to stop sth bad or wrong from happening:\nWe cannot just sit by and watch this tragedy happen.\n  sit down | sit yourself down to move from a standing position to a sitting position:\nPlease sit down. * He sat down on the bed. * They sat down to consider the problem. * Come in and sit yourselves down.\n  sit down and do sth to give sth time and attention in order to try to solve a problem or achieve sth:\nThis is something that we should sit down and discuss as a team.\n  sit for sb/sth [no passive] to be a model for an artist or a photographer:\nto sit for your portrait * She sat for Augustus John.\n  sit in for sb to do sb’s job or perform their duties while they are away, ill, etc.\nSYN STAND IN FOR\n  sit in on sth to attend a meeting, class, etc. in order to listen to or learn from it rather than to take an active part:\nI was allowed to sit in on an executive meeting.\n  sit on sth (informal) to have received a letter, report, etc. from sb and then not replied or taken any action concerning it:\nThey have been sitting on my application for a month now.\n  sit sth<->out\n1 to stay in a place and wait for sth unpleasant or boring to finish:\nWe sat out the storm in a cafe.\n2 to not take part in a dance, game or other activity:\nI think I’ll sit this one out.\n  sit through sth to stay until the end of a performance, speech, meeting, etc. that you think is boring or too long:\nWe had to sit through nearly two hours of speeches.\n  sit up\n1 to be or move yourself into a sitting position, rather than lying down or leaning back:\nDo you feel well enough to sit up yet? * Sit up straight-don’t slouch.\n2 to not go to bed until later than usual:\nWe sat up half the night, talking.\n  sit up (and do sth) (informal) to start to pay careful attention to what is happening, being said, etc:\nThe proposal had made his clients sit up and take notice.\n  sit sb up to move sb into a sitting position after they have been lying down\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \nsit\nYou can use on, in and at with sit. You sit on a chair, a step, the edge of the table, etc. You sit in an armchair. If you are sitting at a table, desk, etc. you are sitting in a chair close to it, usually so that you can eat a meal, do some work, etc.\n______________________________


Words: sit-down
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a strike or protest in which people sit down to block a road or the entrance to a building until people listen to their demands\n  2  [sing.] (BrE, informal) a rest while sitting in a chair:\nI need a cup of tea and a sit-down.\n    sit-down adjective [only before noun]:\na sit-down protest * a sit-down meal for 50 wedding guests (= served to people sitting at tables)


Words: sit-in
Meaning:
noun\na protest in which a group of workers, students, etc. refuse to leave their factory, college, etc. until people listen to their demands:\nto hold / stage a sit-in


Words: sit-up
Meaning:
noun\nan exercise for making your stomach muscles strong, in which you lie on your back on the floor and raise the top part of your body to a sitting position:\nHe does 20 sit-ups every morning.


Words: sitcom
Meaning:
(also formal situation comedy) noun\n[C, U] a regular programme on television that shows the same characters in different amusing situations:\nIt’s America’s most popular sitcom. * He has made the difficult leap from sitcom to the theatre.


Words: site
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a place where a building, town, etc. was, is or will be situated:\nthe site of a sixteenth century abbey * to work on a building / construction site * A site has been chosen for the new school. * All the materials are on site so that work can start immediately.\n  2  a place where sth has happened or that is used for sth:\nthe site of the battle * an archaeological site * a camping / caravan site\n  3  (computing) a place on the Internet where a company, an organization, a university, etc. puts information:\na web site\n    verb [VN +adv./prep.] [often passive] to build or place sth in a particular position:\nThere was a meeting to discuss the siting of the new school. * The castle is magnificently sited high up on a cliff.


Words: sitter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who sits or stands somewhere so that sb can paint a picture of them or photograph them:\nA special relationship exists between the sitter and the artist.\n  2  (especially AmE) = BABYSITTER\n  3  (BrE, informal) (in football) an easy chance to score a goal:\nHe missed an early sitter then equalized with a goal set up by Fowler.


Words: sitting
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a period of time during which a court of law or a parliament deals with its business:\nlate-night sittings in the House of Commons\n  2  a time when a meal is served in a hotel, etc. to a number of people at the same time:\nA hundred people can be served at one sitting (= at the same time).\n  3  a period of time that a person spends sitting and doing an activity:\nI read the book in one sitting.\n  4  a period of time when sb sits or stands to have their picture painted or be photographed:\nIt took three sittings to complete the portrait.


Words: sitting tenant
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a person who is living in a rented house or flat and who has the legal right to stay there


Words: situate
Meaning:
prep.] (formal)\n  1  to build or place sth in a particular position\n  2  to consider how an idea, event, etc. is related to other things that influence your view of it:\nLet me try and situate the events in their historical context.


Words: situated
Meaning:
adjective [not before noun]\n  1  in a particular place or position:\nMy bedroom was situated on the top floor of the house. * The hotel is beautifully situated in a quiet spot near the river. * All the best theatres and restaurants are situated within a few minutes’ walk of each other.\n  2  (formal) (of a person, an organization, etc.) in a particular situation or in particular circumstances:\nSmall businesses are well situated to benefit from the single market.


Words: situation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  all the circumstances and things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place:\nto be in a difficult situation * You could get into a situation where you have to decide immediately. * We have all been in similar embarrassing situations. * the present economic / financial / political situation * He could see no way out of the situation. * In your situation, I would look for another job. * What we have here is a crisis situation. * I’m in a no-win situation (= whatever I do will be bad for me).\n  2  (written) the kind of area or surroundings that a building or town has:\nThe town is in a delightful situation in a wide green valley.\n  3  (old-fashioned or written) a job:\nSituations Vacant (= the title of the section in a newspaper where jobs are advertised)


Words: six
Meaning:
number\n6\n HELP NOTE  There are examples of how to use numbers at the entry for five.\n IDIOMS \n  at sixes and sevens (informal) in confusion; not well organized:\nI haven’t had time to clear up, so I’m all at sixes and sevens.\n  hit / knock sb for six (BrE) to affect sb very deeply:\nThe business over the lawsuit had really knocked her for six.\n  it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other used to say that there is not much real difference between two possible choices


Words: six-figure
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] used to describe a number that is 100 000 or more:\na six-figure salary


Words: six-pack
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a set of six bottles or cans sold together, especially of beer\n  2  (informal) stomach muscles that are very strong and that you can see clearly across sb’s stomach


Words: sixth
Meaning:
ordinal number, noun \n    ordinal number 6th\n HELP NOTE  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.\n    noun each of six equal parts of sth


Words: sixth form
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (BrE) the two final years at school for students between the ages of 16 and 18 who are preparing to take A-LEVELS (= advanced level exams):\nSue is in the sixth form now.


Words: sixth sense
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] a special ability to know sth without using any of the five senses that include sight, touch, etc:\nMy sixth sense told me to stay here and wait. * Often our intuition or sixth sense warns us of impending danger.


Words: sixth-former
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a student who is in the sixth form at school:\nThe conference was organized by a group of sixth-formers at the local school.


Words: sixty
Meaning:
number\n  1  60\n  2  (the sixties) [pl.] numbers, years or temperatures from 60 to 69\n    sixtieth  ordinal number\n IDIOMS \n  in your sixties between the ages of 60 and 69


Words: size
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  how large / small\n  1  [U, C] how large or small a person or thing is:\nan area the size of (= the same size as) Wales * They complained about the size of their gas bill. * Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. * The facilities are excellent for a town that size. * The kitchen is a good size (= not small). * It’s similar in size to a tomato.\n  2  [U] the large amount or extent of sth:\nYou should have seen the size of their house! * We were shocked at the size of his debts.\n  of clothes / shoes / goods\n  3  [C] one of a number of standard measurements in which clothes, shoes and other goods are made and sold:\nThe jacket was the wrong size. * It’s not my size. * They didn’t have the jacket in my size. * She’s a size 12 in clothes. * The hats are made in three sizes: small, medium and large. * I need a bigger / smaller size. * What size do you take? * She takes a size 5 in shoes. * Try this one for size (= to see if it is the correct size). * The glass can be cut to size (= cut to the exact measurements) for you.\n HELP NOTE  To ask about the size of something, you usually say How big? You use What size? to ask about something that is produced in fixed measurements.\n  -sized / -size\n  4  (in adjectives) having the size mentioned:\na medium-sized house * Cut it into bite-size pieces.\nsee also KING-SIZE, MAN-SIZED, PINT-SIZED, QUEEN-SIZE\n  sticky substance\n  5  [U] a sticky substance that is used for making material stiff or for preparing walls for WALLPAPER\n IDIOMS \n  cut sb down to size to show sb that they are not as important as they think they are\n  that’s about the size of it (spoken) that’s how the situation seems to be:\n’So they won’t pay up?’ ’That’s about the size of it.’\n    verb [VN]\n  give size\n  1  [usually passive] to mark the size of sth; to give a size to sth:\nThe screws are sized in millimetres.\n  change size\n  2  [usually passive] to change the size of sth:\nThe fonts can be sized according to what effect you want.\n  make sticky\n  3  to cover sth with a sticky substance called SIZE\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  size sb/sth<->up (informal) to form a judgement or an opinion about sb/sth\nSYN SUM UP:\nShe knew that he was looking at her, sizing her up. * He sized up the situation very quickly.


Words: sizeable
Meaning:
(also sizable)  adjective\nfairly large:\nThe town has a sizeable Sikh population. * Income from tourism accounts for a sizeable proportion of the area’s total income.


Words: sizzle
Meaning:
verb\n[V] to make the sound of food frying in hot oil:\nsizzling sausages / fat\n    sizzle noun [sing.]


Words: sizzling
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  very hot:\nsizzling summer temperatures\n  2  very exciting:\na sizzling love affair * He served 13 sizzling aces during the match.


Words: skate
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to move on skates (usually referring to ICE SKATING, if no other information is given):\n[V] Can you skate? * It was so cold that we were able to go skating on the lake. * [VN] He skated an exciting programme at the American Championships.\n  2  [V] to ride on a SKATEBOARD\n IDIOMS  see THIN adj.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  skate over sth to avoid talking about or considering a difficult subject:\nHe politely skated over the issue.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  = ICE SKATE, ROLLER SKATE:\na pair of skates\n \n  2  (plural skate or skates) a large flat sea fish that can be eaten\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  get / put your skates on (BrE, informal) used to tell sb to hurry:\nGet your skates on or you’ll miss the bus.


Words: skateboard
Meaning:
noun\n\na short narrow board with small wheels at each end, which you stand on and ride as a sport:\na skateboard park / ramp\n \n    skateboard verb [V]\n \n    skateboarding noun [U]:\na skateboarding magazine


Words: skating
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (also ice skating) the sport or activity of moving on ice on SKATES:\nto go skating\nsee also FIGURE-SKATING, SPEED SKATING\n  2  = ROLLER SKATING\n IDIOMS  see THIN adj.


Words: skating rink
Meaning:
(also rink) noun\n  1  = ICE RINK:\nThe road was like a skating rink (= very icy).\n  2  an area or a building where you can ROLLER SKATE


Words: skein
Meaning:
noun\na long piece of wool, thread, or YARN that is loosely tied together:\nSally held the skein of wool while her mother wound it into a ball.


Words: skeletal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (technical) connected with the skeleton of a person or an animal:\nSkeletal remains of the earliest dinosaurs are rare.\n  2  looking like a skeleton:\nskeletal figures dressed in rags * She stretched out a skeletal hand.\n  3  that exists only in a basic form, as an outline:\nHe has written only a skeletal plot for the book so far.


Words: skeleton
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  the structure of bones that supports the body of a person or an animal; a model of this structure:\nThe human skeleton consists of 206 bones. * a dinosaur skeleton\n \n  2  (informal) a very thin person or animal:\nThe disease has reduced her to a skeleton.\n \n  3  [C, usually sing.] the main structure that supports a building, etc:\nOnly the concrete skeleton of the factory remained.\n \n  4  [C, usually sing.] the basic outline of a plan, piece of writing, etc. to which more details can be added later:\nExamples were used to flesh out the skeleton of the argument.\n  5  ~ staff, crew, etc. the smallest number of people, etc. that you need to do sth:\nThere will only be a skeleton staff on duty over the holiday. * We managed to operate a skeleton bus service during the strike.\n IDIOMS \n  a skeleton in the cupboard (BrE) (also a skeleton in the closet AmE, BrE) (informal) something shocking, embarrassing, etc. that has happened to you or your family in the past that you want to keep secret


Words: sketch
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a simple picture that is drawn quickly and does not have many details:\nThe artist is making sketches for his next painting. * She drew a sketch map of the area to show us the way.\n  2  a short funny scene on television, in the theatre, etc:\nThe drama group did a sketch about a couple buying a new car.\n  3  a short report or story that gives only basic details about sth:\na biographical sketch of the Prime Minister\n    verb\n  1  to make a quick drawing of sb/sth:\n[VN] He quickly sketched the view from the window. [also V]\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (out) to give a general description of sth, giving only the basic facts\nSYN OUTLINE:\nShe sketched out her plan for tackling the problem.\n  3  [VN] (literary) to do sth in a quick and careless way, as if you do not really mean it:\nHe sketched a smile.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sketch sth<->in to give more information or details about sth:\nYou need to sketch in his character a little more.


Words: sketchbook
Meaning:
(also sketch pad) noun\na book of sheets of paper for drawing on:\nShe took out her sketchbook and made some drawings of Arthur’s head.


Words: sketchy
Meaning:
adjective\n(sketchier, sketchiest) not complete or detailed and therefore not very useful:\nHe gave us only a very sketchy account of his visit. * sketchy notes\n    sketchily adverb:\nSome of the secondary characters in the novel are very sketchily drawn.\n    sketchiness noun [U]


Words: skew
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to change or influence sth with the result that it is not accurate, fair, normal, etc:\nto skew the statistics\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] (BrE) to move or lie at an angle, especially in a position that is not normal:\nThe ball skewed off at a right angle.


Words: skewbald
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a horse) with patches on it of white and another colour, usually not black\ncompare PIEBALD\n    skewbald noun:\nHe was riding a skewbald.


Words: skewed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of information) not accurate or correct\nSYN DISTORTED:\nskewed statistics\n  2  ~ (towards sb/sth) directed towards a particular group, place, etc. in a way that may not be accurate or fair:\nThe book is heavily skewed towards American readers.\n  3  not straight or level\nSYN CROOKED:\nThe car had ended up skewed across the road.\nsee also ASKEW


Words: skewer
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a long thin pointed piece of metal or wood that is pushed through pieces of meat, vegetables, etc. to hold them together while they are cooking, or used to test whether sth is completely cooked\n    verb [VN] to push a skewer or other thin pointed object through sth:\nSkewer the meat and vegetables. * The murderer had skewered him to the floor.


Words: ski
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun\n (plural skis)\n \n  1  one of a pair of long narrow pieces of wood, metal or plastic that you attach to boots so that you can move smoothly over snow:\na pair of skis\n \n  2  = WATERSKI\n    adjective\n [only before noun] connected with the sport of skiing:\nski boots * the ski slopes\n    verb (skiing, skied, skied) [V] \n  1  [usually +adv./prep.] to move over snow on skis, especially as a sport:\nHow well do you ski? * We skied down the slope one by one.\n  2  (go skiing) to spend time skiing for pleasure:\nWe went skiing in France in March.\nsee also SKIING, WATERSKI


Words: ski jump
Meaning:
noun\na very steep artificial slope that ends suddenly and that is covered with snow. People ski down the slope, jump off the end and see how far they can travel through the air before landing.\n    ski-jumper noun\n    ski-jumping noun [U]:\nIs ski-jumping an Olympic sport? * the Swiss ski-jumping team


Words: ski run
Meaning:
(also run) noun\na track that is marked on a slope that you ski down:\na gentle ski run for beginners


Words: skid
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-dd-) [V] (usually of a vehicle) to slide sideways or forwards in an uncontrolled way:\nThe car skidded on the ice and went straight into the wall. * She could feel they were skidding. * The taxi skidded to a halt just in time. * Her foot skidded on the wet floor and she fell heavily.\n    noun\n  1  the movement of a vehicle when it suddenly slides sideways in an uncontrolled way:\nThe motorbike went into a skid. * The skid marks on the road showed how fast the car had been travelling.\n  2  a part that is underneath some aircraft, beside the wheels, and is used for landing:\nthe skids of a helicopter\n IDIOMS \n  put the skids under sb/sth (informal) to stop sb/sth from being successful or making progress\n  be on the skids (informal) to be in a bad situation that will get worse:\nThe government was on the skids for months before the election.


Words: skid row
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal, especially AmE) used to describe the poorest part of a town, the sort of place where people who have no home or job and who drink too much live:\nto be on skid row


Words: skidpan
Meaning:
noun\nan area with a surface that is especially prepared so that drivers can practise controlling skids


Words: skiing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the sport or activity of moving over snow on skis:\nto go downhill / cross-country skiing * a skiing holiday / instructor / lesson / vacation


Words: skilful
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE skillful)  adjective\n  1  (of a person) good at doing sth, especially sth that needs a particular ability or special training:\na skilful player / performer / teacher\n  2  made or done very well:\nThanks to her skilful handling of the affair, the problem was averted.\n    skilfully  adverb


Words: skill
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (in / at sth) | ~ (in / at doing sth) the ability to do sth well:\nThe job requires skill and an eye for detail. * What made him remarkable as a photographer was his skill in capturing the moment.\n  2  [C] a particular ability or type of ability:\nWe need people with practical skills like carpentry. * management skills


Words: skilled
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (in / at sth) | ~ (in / at doing sth) having enough ability, experience and knowledge to be able to do sth well:\na skilled engineer / negotiator / craftsman * She is highly skilled at dealing with difficult customers. * a shortage of skilled labour (= people who have had training in a skill)\n  2  (of a job) needing special abilities or training:\nFurniture-making is very skilled work.\nOPP UNSKILLED


Words: skim
Meaning:
verb (-mm-)\n  1  [VN] ~ (sth off / from) sth to remove fat, cream, etc. from the surface of a liquid:\nSkim the scum off the jam and let it cool. * Skim the jam and let it cool.\n  2  [no passive] ~ (along / over, etc.) sth to move quickly and lightly over a surface, not touching it or only touching it occasionally; to make sth do this:\n[V] We watched the birds skimming over the lake. * (figurative) His eyes skimmed over her face. * [VN] The speedboat took off, skimming the waves. * (figurative) This report has barely skimmed the surface of the subject. * (BrE) Small boys were skimming stones across the water.\nsee also SKIP\n  3  ~ (through / over) sth to read sth quickly in order to find a particular point or the main points:\n[V] He skimmed through the article trying to find his name. * [VN] I always skim the financial section of the newspaper.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  skim sth/sb<->off to take for yourself the best part of sth, often in an unfair way:\nPrivate companies should not be allowed to skim off profitable sectors of the postal service.


Words: skimmed milk
Meaning:
(BrE) (also skim milk AmE, BrE) noun\n[U] milk that contains less fat than normal because the cream has been removed from it


Words: skimp
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (on sth) to try to spend less time, money, etc. on sth than is really needed:\nOlder people should not skimp on food or heating.


Words: skimpy
Meaning:
adjective (skimpier, skimpiest)\n  1  (of clothes) very small and not covering much of your body:\na skimpy dress\n  2  (disapproving) not large enough in amount or size:\na skimpy meal * They provided only skimpy details.


Words: skin
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  on body\n \n  1  [U, C] the layer of tissue that covers the body:\nto have dark / fair / olive skin * The snake sheds its skin once a year. * cosmetics for sensitive skins * skin cancer\nsee also FORESKIN, REDSKIN\n \n  -skinned\n \n  2  (in adjectives) having the type of skin mentioned:\ndark-skinned * fair-skinned\nsee also THICK-SKINNED, THIN-SKINNED\n  of dead animal\n  3  [C, U] (often in compounds) the skin of a dead animal with or without its fur, used for making leather, etc:\nThe skins are removed and laid out to dry. * a tiger skin rug\n  of fruit / vegetables\n  4  [C, U] the outer layer of some fruit and vegetables:\nRemove the skins by soaking the tomatoes in hot water.\nsee also BANANA SKIN\ncompare PEEL, RIND, ZEST\n  of sausage\n  5  [C, U] the thin outer layer of a sausage:\nPrick the skins before grilling.\n  on liquids\n  6  [C, U] the thin layer that forms on the surface of some liquids, especially when they become cold:\nA skin had formed on the top of the milk.\n  outside layer\n  7  [C] a layer that covers the outside of sth:\nthe outer skin of the earth * the metal skin of the aircraft\nsee also OILSKIN\n IDIOMS \n  by the skin of your teeth (informal) if you do sth by the skin of your teeth, you only just manage to do it:\nHe escaped defeat by the skin of his teeth.\n  get under sb’s skin (informal) to annoy sb:\nDon’t let him get under your skin.\n  have got sb under your skin (informal) to be extremely attracted to sb\n  it’s no skin off my, your, his, etc. nose (informal) used to say that sb is not upset or annoyed about sth because it does not affect them in a bad way\n  make your skin crawl to make you feel afraid or full of disgust:\nJust the sight of him makes my skin crawl.\n  (nothing but / all / only) skin and bone (informal) extremely thin in a way that is not attractive or healthy\nmore at JUMP v., SAVE v., THICK adj., THIN adj.\n    verb (-nn-) [VN]\n  animal / fruit / vegetable\n  1  to take the skin off an animal, a fruit or a vegetable:\nYou’ll need four ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped. * We learnt how to trap and skin a rabbit.\n  part of body\n  2  to accidentally rub the skin off part of your body:\nHe skinned his knees climbing down the tree.\n IDIOMS  see EYE n.


Words: skin diving
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the sport or activity of swimming underwater with simple breathing equipment but without a special protective suit:\nto go skin diving\n    skin-diver noun


Words: skin graft
Meaning:
noun\na medical operation in which healthy skin is taken from one part of sb’s body and placed over another part to replace skin that has been burned or damaged; a piece of skin that is moved in this way


Words: skin-deep
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] (of a feeling or an attitude) not as important or strongly felt as it appears to be\nSYN SUPERFICIAL\n IDIOMS  see BEAUTY


Words: skinful
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (BrE, slang) a large quantity of alcohol to drink, enough to make you very drunk:\nI’d had a skinful the night before and was still groggy.


Words: skinny
Meaning:
adjective (skinnier, skinniest)\n  1  (informal, usually disapproving) very thin, especially in a way that you find unpleasant or ugly:\nskinny arms / legs\n  2  (of clothes) designed to fit closely to the body:\na skinny sweater


Words: skint
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] (BrE, informal) having no money:\nI can’t go out tonight-I’m skint.


Words: skip
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n (-pp-)\n \n  move with jumps\n \n  1  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to move forwards lightly and quickly making a little jump with each step:\nShe skipped happily along beside me. * Lambs were skipping about in the fields.\n \n  jump over rope\n \n  2  [V] (BrE) (AmE jump rope, skip rope) to jump over a rope which is held at both ends by yourself or by two other people and is passed again and again over your head and under your feet:\nHe skips for about 20 minutes a day. * The girls were skipping in the playground.\n \n  not do sth\n  3  [VN] to not do sth that you usually do or should do:\nI often skip breakfast altogether. * She decided to skip the afternoon’s class.\n  4  to leave out sth that would normally be the next thing that you would do, read, etc:\n[VN] You can skip the next chapter if you have covered the topic in class. * [V] I skipped over the last part of the book. * I suggest we skip to the last item on the agenda.\n  change quickly\n  5  [V +adv./prep.] to move from one place to another or from one subject to another very quickly:\nShe kept skipping from one topic of conversation to another.\n  leave secretly\n  6  [VN] to leave a place secretly or suddenly:\n[VN] The bombers skipped the country shortly after the blast.\n  stones\n  7  [VN] (BrE also skim) to make a flat stone jump across the surface of water:\nThe boys were skipping stones across the pond.\n IDIOMS \n  skip it (spoken, informal) used to tell sb rudely that you do not want to talk about sth or repeat what you have said:\n’What were you saying?’ ’Oh, skip it!’\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  skip off / out to leave secretly or suddenly\n  skip out on sb (AmE) to leave sb, especially when they need you:\nOne day he just skipped out on his wife, leaving her with four kids to take care of.\n    noun\n  movement\n  1  a skipping movement:\nShe gave a skip and a jump and was off down the street.\n  container for waste\n  2  (BrE) (AmE Dumpster) a large open container for putting old bricks, rubbish/garbage, etc. in. The skip is then loaded on a lorry/truck and taken away.


Words: skipper
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  the captain of a small ship or fishing boat\n  2  (informal, especially BrE) the captain of a sports team\n    verb [VN] to be the captain of a boat, sports team, etc:\nto skipper a yacht * (especially BrE) He skippered the team to victory. * an all-woman crew, skippered by Tracy Edwards


Words: skipping rope
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE jump rope) noun\na piece of rope, usually with a handle at each end, that you hold, turn over your head and then jump over, for fun or to keep fit


Words: skirmish
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a short fight between small groups of soldiers, etc., especially one that is not planned:\nSeveral people were killed in skirmishes during the night.\n  2  a short argument, especially between political opponents:\na skirmish between the two party leaders\n    verb [V] to take part in a short fight or argument\n    skirmisher noun\n    skirmishing noun [U]:\nThere are reports of skirmishing along the border.


Words: skirt
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a piece of clothing for a woman or girl that hangs from the waist:\na long / short / straight / pleated skirt\n \n  2  [C] (also skirts) [pl.] the part of a dress, coat, etc. that hangs below the waist\n \n  3  [C] an outer covering or protective part for the base of a vehicle or machine:\nthe rubber skirt around the bottom of a hovercraft\n    verb\n  1  to be or go around the edge of sth:\n[VN] They followed the road that skirted the lake. * They skirted the forest and emerged on to a path. * [V] I skirted around the field and crossed the bridge.\n  2  ~ (around / round sth) to avoid talking about a subject, especially because it is difficult or embarrassing:\n[VN] He carefully skirted the issue of where they would live. * [V] She tactfully skirted around the subject of money.


Words: skirting board
Meaning:
(also skirting) (both BrE) (AmE baseboard) noun\n[C, U] a narrow piece of wood that is fixed along the bottom of the walls in a house


Words: skit
Meaning:
noun\n~ (on sth) a short piece of humorous writing or a performance that makes fun of sb/sth by copying them:\na skit on daytime TV programmes


Words: skittish
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of horses) easily excited or frightened and therefore difficult to control\n  2  (of people) not very serious and with ideas and feelings that keep changing\n  3  (especially AmE, business) likely to change suddenly:\nskittish financial markets * skittish investors / traders\n    skittishly adverb\n    skittishness noun [U]


Words: skittle
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a wooden or plastic object used in the game of skittles\n  2  (skittles) [U] a game in which players try to knock over as many skittles as possible by rolling a ball at them


Words: skive
Meaning:
verb\n~ (off) (BrE, informal) to avoid work or school by staying away or leaving early\nSYN BUNK OFF:\n[V] ’Where’s Tom?’ ’Skiving as usual.’ * She always skives off early on Fridays. * [VN] I skived the last lecture.


Words: skivvy
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (plural skivvies) (BrE, informal) a servant, usually female, who does all the dirty or boring jobs in a house:\nHe treats his wife like a skivvy.\n    verb (skivvies, skivvying, skivvied, skivvied) [V] (BrE, informal) to do dirty or boring jobs:\nHer aunt kept her skivvying day and night.


Words: skulk
Meaning:
verb\n[V +adv./prep.] (disapproving) to hide or move around secretly, especially when you are planning sth bad:\nThere was someone skulking behind the bushes. * I don’t want reporters skulking around here.


Words: skull
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  the bone structure that forms the head and surrounds and protects the brain\nSYN CRANIUM:\na fractured skull\n \n  2  (informal) the head or the brain:\nHer skull was crammed with too many thoughts. * (informal) When will he get it into his thick skull that I never want to see him again!


Words: skull and crossbones
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] a picture of a human skull above two crossed bones, used in the past on the flags of PIRATE ships, and now used as a warning on containers with dangerous substances inside


Words: skullcap
Meaning:
noun\na small round cap worn on top of the head, especially by Jewish men and Catholic BISHOPS\nsee also YARMULKE


Words: skunk
Meaning:
(AmE also polecat) noun\na small black and white N American animal that can produce a strong unpleasant smell to defend itself when it is attacked\n \n IDIOMS  see DRUNK adj.


Words: sky
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural skies) the space above the earth that you can see when you look up, where clouds and the sun, moon and stars appear\n \n HELP NOTE  You usually say the sky. When sky is used with an adjective or adjectival phrase, use a ...sky. You can also use the plural form skies, especially when you are thinking about the great extent of the sky:\nWhat’s that in the sky? * The sky suddenly went dark and it started to rain. * the night sky * a cloudless sky * cloudless skies * a land of blue skies and sunshine * The skies above London were ablaze with a spectacular firework display.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  the sky’s the limit (informal, spoken) there is no limit to what sb can achieve, earn, do, etc:\nWith a talent like his, the sky’s the limit.\nmore at GREAT adj., PIE, PRAISE v.


Words: sky-high
Meaning:
adjective\nvery high; too high:\nHis confidence is still sky-high. * sky-high interest rates\n    sky-high adverb:\nAfter the election, prices went sky-high.


Words: skydiving
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a sport in which you jump from a plane and fall for as long as you safely can before opening your PARACHUTE:\nto go skydiving\n    skydiver noun


Words: skyline
Meaning:
noun\nthe outline of buildings, trees, hills, etc. seen against the sky:\nthe New York skyline * Ugly tower blocks dominate the skyline.


Words: skyrocket
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (of prices, etc.) to rise quickly to a very high level:\nWages and prices have skyrocketed. * The economic boom sent property prices skyrocketing.


Words: skywards
Meaning:
(also skyward) adverb\ntowards the sky; up into the sky:\nShe pointed skywards. * The rocket soared skywards.


Words: slab
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a thick flat piece of stone, wood or other hard material:\na slab of marble / concrete * The road was paved with smooth stone slabs. * paving slabs * a dead body on the slab (= on a table in a MORTUARY)\n \n  2  a thick, flat slice or piece of sth:\na slab of chocolate * slabs of meat


Words: slack
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective (slacker, slackest)\n  1  not stretched tight:\nShe was staring into space, her mouth slack. * The rope suddenly went slack. * slack muscles\n  2  (of business) not having many customers or sales; not busy:\na slack period * Wednesdays are always slack. * slack demand for beef\n  3  (disapproving) (of a person) not putting enough care, attention or energy into sth and so not doing it well enough:\nHe’s been very slack in his work lately. * Discipline in the classroom is very slack. * We lost because of some slack defending on our part.\n    slackly adverb:\nHer arms hung slackly by her sides.\n    slackness noun [U] \n    noun [U]-see also SLACKS\n  1  the part of a rope, etc. that is hanging loosely:\nThere’s too much slack in the tow rope.\n  2  people, money or space that is not being used fully in an organization:\nThere’s very little slack in the budget.\n  3  very small pieces of coal\n IDIOMS \n  take up the slack\n1 to improve the way money or people are used in an organization\n2 to pull on a rope, etc. until it is tight:\nWe took up the slack and then pulled as hard as we could.\n    verb [V] to work less hard than you usually do or should do\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slack off (on sth) to do sth more slowly or with less energy than before:\nHe’s gone from success to success in his movie career, and there’s no sign of him slacking off.


Words: slacken
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ sth to gradually become, or to make sth become, slower, less active, etc:\n[V] We’ve been really busy, but things are starting to slacken off now. * [VN] She slackened her pace a little (= walked a little more slowly).\n  2  to become or to make sth become less tight:\n[V] His grip slackened and she pulled away from him. * [VN] He slackened the ropes slightly.


Words: slacks
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (old-fashioned or AmE, formal) trousers/pants for men or women, that are not part of a suit:\na pair of slacks


Words: slag
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] the waste material that remains after metal has been removed from rock\n  2  [C] (BrE, slang) an offensive word for a woman, used to suggest that she has a lot of sexual partners\n    verb (-gg-)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slag sb<->off (BrE, slang) to say cruel or critical things about sb:\nI hate the way he’s always slagging off his colleagues.


Words: slake
Meaning:
verb [VN] (literary)\n  1  ~ your thirst to drink so that you no longer feel thirsty\nSYN QUENCH\n  2  to satisfy a desire


Words: slalom
Meaning:
noun\na race for people on skis or in CANOES along a winding course marked by poles:\nto win the slalom * the giant slalom


Words: slam
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-mm-)\n  1  to shut, or to make sth shut, with a lot of force, making a loud noise:\n[V] I heard the door slam behind him. * A window slammed shut in the wind. * [VN] He stormed out of the house, slamming the door as he left. * [VN-ADJ] She slammed the lid shut. * She slammed out of the room (= went out and slammed the door behind her).\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to put, push or throw sth into a particular place or position with a lot of force:\nShe slammed down the phone angrily. * He slammed on the brakes (= stopped the car very suddenly).\n  3  (used especially in newspapers) to criticize sb/sth very strongly:\nThe government has been slammed for failing to take firm action against drinking and driving.\n IDIOMS  see DOOR\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slam into / against sb/sth | slam sth into / against sb/sth to crash into sth with a lot of force; to make sth crash into sth with a lot of force:\nThe car skidded and slammed into a tree. * The force of the explosion slammed me against the wall.\n    noun [usually sing.] an act of slamming sth; the noise of sth being slammed:\nShe gave the door a good hard slam. * The front door closed with a slam.\nsee also GRAND SLAM


Words: slam-dunk
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (in basketball) to jump up and put the ball through the net with a lot of force\n    slam dunk noun


Words: slander
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [C, U] a false spoken statement intended to damage the good opinion people have of sb; the legal offence of making this kind of statement:\na vicious slander on the company’s good name * He’s suing them for slander.\ncompare LIBEL\n    slanderous  adjective:\na slanderous attack / remark / statement\n    verb [VN] to make a false spoken statement about sb that is intended to damage the good opinion that people have of them:\nHe angrily accused the investigators of slandering both him and his family.\ncompare LIBEL


Words: slang
Meaning:
noun\n[U] very informal words and expressions that are more common in spoken language, especially used by a particular group of people, for example, children, criminals, soldiers, etc:\narmy / teenage slang * a slang word / expression / term\nsee also RHYMING SLANG


Words: slant
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [+adv./prep.] to slope or to make sth slope in a particular direction or at a particular angle:\n[V] (literary) The sun slanted through the window. * [VN] Slant your skis a little more to the left.\n  2  [VN] (sometimes disapproving) to present information from a particular point of view, especially in an unfair way:\nThe findings of the report had been slanted in favour of the manufacturers.\n    noun\n  1  a sloping position:\nThe sofa faced the fire at a slant. * Cut the flower stems on the slant.\n  2  ~ (on sth/sb) a way of thinking about sth, especially one that shows support for a particular point of view:\nShe put a new slant on the play. * Her book looks at his writings from a feminist slant.


Words: slanted
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  sloping in one direction:\nShe had slanted brown eyes.\n  2  ~ (towards sb/sth) tending to be in favour of one person or thing in a way that may be unfair to others:\na biased and slanted view of events


Words: slap
Meaning:
verb, noun, adverb \n    verb (-pp-) [VN] \n  1  to hit sb/sth with the flat part of your hand:\nShe slapped his face hard. * She slapped him hard across the face. * ’Congratulations!’ he said, slapping me on the back.\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to put sth on a surface in a quick, careless and often noisy way, especially because you are angry:\nHe slapped the newspaper down on the desk. * She slapped a $10 bill into my hand.\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] to hit against sth with the noise of sb being slapped:\nThe water slapped against the side of the boat. * I could hear bare feet slapping down the corridor.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slap sb about / around (informal) to hit sb regularly or often:\nHer ex-husband used to slap her around.\n  slap sb/sth<->down (informal) to criticize sb in an unfair way, often in public, so that they feel embarrassed or less confident:\nAnyone who dared to complain was immediately slapped down.\n  slap sth on sb/sth (informal) to order, especially in a sudden or an unfair way, that sth must happen or sb must do sth:\nThe company slapped a no-smoking ban on the premises.\n  slap sth on sth (informal) to increase the price of sth suddenly:\nThey’ve slapped 50p on the price of a pack of cigarettes.\n  slap sth on sth | slap sth<->on to spread sth on a surface in a quick, careless way:\nJust slap some paint on the walls and it’ll look fine. * I’d better slap some make-up on before I go out.\n    noun\n  1  the action of hitting sb/sth with the flat part of your hand:\nShe gave him a slap across the face. * He gave me a hearty slap on the back.\n  2  the noise made by hitting sb/sth with the flat part of your hand; a similar noise made by sth else:\nthe gentle slap of water against the shore\n IDIOMS \n  slap and tickle (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) enthusiastic kissing and CUDDLING between lovers\n  a slap in the face an action that seems to be intended as a deliberate insult to sb\n  a slap on the wrist (informal) a warning or mild punishment\n    adverb (also slap bang) (informal)\n  1  straight, and with great force:\nStorming out of her room, she went slap into Luke.\n  2  exactly:\nTheir apartment is slap bang in the middle of town.


Words: slap-happy
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  cheerful, but careless about things that should be taken seriously:\na slap-happy approach to life\n  2  (especially AmE) = PUNCH-DRUNK


Words: slap-up
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE, informal) (of a meal) large and very good:\na slap-up dinner at a fancy restaurant


Words: slapdash
Meaning:
adjective\ndone, or doing sth, too quickly and carelessly:\nShe has a very slapdash approach to keeping accounts. * a slapdash piece of writing


Words: slapper
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, slang) an offensive word for a woman, used to suggest that she has a lot of sexual partners


Words: slapstick
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the type of humour that is based on simple actions, for example people hitting each other, falling down, etc:\nslapstick comedy


Words: slash
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  to make a long cut with a sharp object, especially in a violent way:\nSomeone had slashed the tyres on my car. * She tried to kill herself by slashing her wrists. * We had to slash our way through the undergrowth with sticks.\n  2  [often passive] (often used in newspapers) to reduce sth by a large amount:\nto slash costs / prices / fares * The workforce has been slashed by half.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slash at sb/sth (with sth) to attack sb violently with a knife, etc.\n    noun\n  1  [C] a sharp movement made with a knife, etc. in order to cut sb/sth\n  2  [C] a long narrow wound or cut:\na slash across his right cheek * (figurative) Her mouth was a slash of red lipstick.\n  3  [C] (BrE also oblique) the symbol (/) used to show ALTERNATIVES, as in lunch and/or dinner and 4/5 people and to write FRACTIONS, as in 3/4\nsee also BACKSLASH\n  4  (a slash) [sing.] (BrE, slang) an act of URINATING:\nHe’s just nipped out to have a slash.


Words: slat
Meaning:
noun\none of a series of thin flat pieces of wood, metal or plastic, used in furniture, fences, etc:\na gate made of wooden slats * the slats of the venetian blinds


Words: slate
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] a type of dark grey stone that splits easily into thin flat layers:\na slate quarry * The walls were mostly slate. * The sea was the colour of slate.\n \n  2  [C] a small thin piece of slate, used for covering roofs:\nA loose slate had fallen from the roof.\n \n  3  [C] (AmE) a list of the candidates in an election:\na slate of candidates * the Democratic slate\n \n  4  [C] a small sheet of slate in a wooden frame, used in the past in schools for children to write on\n IDIOMS  see CLEAN adj., WIPE v.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sb/sth (for sth) (BrE, written) to criticize sb/sth, especially in a newspaper:\nto slate a book / play / writer * The critics slated his latest production. * She was universally slated for her much-publicized views on marriage.\n  2  ~ sth (for sth) [usually passive] to plan that sth will happen at a particular time in the future:\n[VN] The next conference is slated for July. * The houses were first slated for demolition five years ago. * [VN to inf] The new store is slated to open in spring.\n  3  [usually passive] ~ sb (for sth) (informal, especially AmE) to suggest or choose sb for a job, position, etc:\n[VN] I was told that I was being slated for promotion. * [VN to inf] He is slated to play the lead in Spielberg’s next movie.


Words: slather
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slather sth on sth | slather with / in sth | slather sth<->on to cover sth with a thick layer of a substance:\nhot dogs slathered with mustard


Words: slaty
Meaning:
(also slatey)  adjective\n  1  having a dark grey colour:\na slaty sky\n  2  containing SLATE; like SLATE:\nslaty rock


Words: slaughter
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U]\n  1  the killing of animals for their meat:\ncows taken for slaughter\n  2  the cruel killing of large numbers of people at one time, especially in a war\nSYN MASSACRE:\nthe wholesale slaughter of innocent people\n IDIOMS  see LAMB n.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to kill an animal, usually for its meat:\nThe lambs are taken to the local abattoir to be slaughtered.\n  2  to kill a large number of people or animals violently:\nMen, women and children were slaughtered and villages destroyed.\n  3  (informal) to defeat sb/sth by a large number of points in a sports game, competition, etc:\nWe were slaughtered 101 by the home team.


Words: Slav
Meaning:
noun\na member of any of the races of people of central and eastern Europe who speak Slavic languages


Words: slave
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a person who is legally owned by another person and is forced to work for them:\nShe treated her daughter like a slave. * slave owners\n  2  ~ of / to sth a person who is so strongly influenced by sth that they cannot live without it, or cannot make their own decisions:\nWe are slaves of the motor car. * Sue’s a slave to fashion.\n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] ~ (away) (at sth) to work very hard:\nI’ve been slaving away all day trying to get this work finished. * I haven’t got time to spend hours slaving over a hot stove (= doing a lot of cooking).


Words: slave labour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE slave labor) noun [U]\n  1  work that is done by slaves; the slaves who do the work:\nHuge palaces were built by slave labour.\n  2  (informal) work that is very hard and very badly paid:\nI left because the job was just slave labour.


Words: slave-driver
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a person who makes people work extremely hard:\nMy boss is a real slave-driver.


Words: slaver
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (usually of an animal) to let SALIVA (= the liquid produced in the mouth) run out of the mouth, especially because of hunger or excitement:\nslavering dogs\n\n noun\n  1  (in the past) a person who bought and sold slaves\n  2  a ship that was used in the past for carrying slaves


Words: slavery
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the state of being a slave:\nto be sold / born into slavery\n  2  the practice of having slaves:\nthe abolition of slavery


Words: Slavic
Meaning:
(also Slavonic) adjective\nof or connected with Slavs or their languages, which include Russian, Polish and Czech


Words: slavish
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) following or copying sb/sth exactly without having any original thought at all:\na slavish adherence to the rules * slavish devotion / obedience * a slavish imitation of Hitchcock’s films\n    slavishly adverb:\nYou don’t need to stick slavishly to the recipe.


Words: slay
Meaning:
[VN] \n  1  (old-fashioned or literary) to kill sb/sth in a war or a fight:\nSt George slew the dragon.\n  2  (especially AmE) (used especially in newspapers) to murder sb:\nTwo passengers were slain by the hijackers.\n  3  (old-fashioned informal, especially AmE) to have a strong effect on sb:\nThose old movies still slay me!\n    slaying noun (especially AmE):\nthe drug-related slayings of five people


Words: sleaze
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (BrE) dishonest, immoral or illegal behaviour, especially by politicians:\nallegations of sleaze * The candidate was seriously damaged by the sleaze factor.\n  2  [U] behaviour or conditions that are immoral, unpleasant and not socially acceptable:\nthe sleaze of a town that was once a naval base\n  3  [C] (also sleazebag  especially in AmE) a dishonest or immoral person


Words: sleazy
Meaning:
adjective (sleazier, sleaziest) (informal)\n  1  (of a place) dirty, unpleasant and not socially acceptable:\na sleazy bar * a sleazy neighbourhood\n  2  (of people) immoral and unpleasant:\na sleazy reporter / lawyer\n    sleaziness noun [U]


Words: sledge
Meaning:
(BrE) (also sled AmE, BrE) noun, verb \n    noun a vehicle for travelling over snow and ice, with long narrow strips of wood or metal instead of wheels. Larger sledges are pulled by horses or dogs and smaller ones are used for going down hills as a sport or for pleasure.\ncompare SLEIGH, TOBOGGAN\n    verb [V] to ride on a sledge/ sled:\nWe were hoping we could go sledging.


Words: sledgehammer
Meaning:
noun\na large heavy hammer with a long handle\n IDIOMS \n  use a sledgehammer to crack a nut to use more force than is necessary


Words: sleek
Meaning:
adjective (sleeker, sleekest)\n  1  (approving) smooth and shiny:\nsleek black hair / fur * the sleek dark head of a seal\n  2  (approving) having an elegant smooth shape:\na sleek yacht * the sleek lines of the new car\n  3  (often disapproving) (of a person) looking rich, and dressed in elegant and expensive clothes:\na sleek and ambitious politician * sleek businessmen / lawyers\n    sleekly adverb:\nsleekly styled / groomed\n    sleekness noun [U]


Words: sleep
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (slept, slept )\n  1  [V]   [often +adv./prep.] to rest with your eyes closed and your mind and body not active:\nto sleep well / deeply / soundly / badly * I couldn’t sleep because of the noise. * I had to sleep on the sofa. * He slept solidly for ten hours. * I slept at my sister’s house last night (= stayed the night there). * We both slept right through (= were not woken up by) the storm. * She only sleeps for four hours a night. * We sometimes sleep late at the weekends (= until late in the morning). * I put the sleeping baby down gently. * What are our sleeping arrangements here (= where shall we sleep)?\n HELP NOTE  It is more common to say that somebody is asleep than to say that somebody is sleeping. Sleep can only be used in the passive with a preposition such as in or on: It was clear her bed hadn’t been slept in.\n  2  [VN] [no passive] to have enough beds for a particular number of people:\nThe apartment sleeps six. * The hotel sleeps 120 guests.\n IDIOMS \n  let sleeping dogs lie (saying) to avoid mentioning a subject or sth that happened in the past, in order to avoid any problems or arguments\n  sleep like a log / baby (informal) to sleep very well\n  sleep tight (informal, spoken) used especially to children before they go to bed to say that you hope they sleep well:\nGood night, sleep tight!\nmore at ROUGH adv., WINK n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sleep around (informal, disapproving) to have sex with a lot of different people\n  sleep in to sleep until after the time you usually get up in the morning\n  sleep sth<->off to get better after sth, especially drinking too much alcohol, by sleeping:\nLet’s leave him to sleep it off.\n  sleep on sth (informal) to delay making a decision about sth until the next day, so that you have time to think about it:\nCould I sleep on it and let you know tomorrow?\n  sleep over to stay the night at sb else’s home:\nIt’s very late now-why don’t you sleep over? * Can I sleep over at my friend’s house?\nrelated noun SLEEPOVER\n  sleep together | sleep with sb (informal) to have sex with sb, especially sb you are not married to:\nI know he’s going out with her, but I don’t think they’re sleeping together. * Everyone knows she sleeps with the boss.\n    noun\n  1  [U] the natural state of rest in which your eyes are closed, your body is not active, and your mind is not conscious:\nI need to get some sleep. * I didn’t get much sleep last night. * Can you give me something to help me get to sleep (= start sleeping)? * Go to sleep-it’s late. * He cried out in his sleep. * Anxiety can be caused by lack of sleep. * His talk nearly sent me to sleep (= it was boring). * Try to go back to sleep.\n  2  [sing.] a period of sleep:\nDid you have a good sleep? * Ros fell into a deep sleep. * I’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep (= a night when I sleep well).\n  3  [U] (informal) the substance that sometimes forms in the corners of your eyes after you have been sleeping:\nNed rubbed the sleep from his eyes.\n IDIOMS \n  be able to do sth in your sleep (informal) to be able to do sth very easily because you have done it many times before:\nI haven’t done many portraits, but I could paint landscapes in my sleep.\n  go to sleep (informal) if part of your body goes to sleep, you lose the sense of feeling in it, usually because it has been in the same position for too long:\nMy foot’s gone to sleep.\n  not lose sleep / lose no sleep over sth to not worry much about sth:\nIt’s not worth losing sleep over.\n  put sb to sleep (informal) to make sb unconscious before an operation by using drugs, (called an ANAESTHETIC)\n  put sth to sleep to kill a sick or injured animal by giving it drugs so that it dies without pain. People say ’put to sleep’ to avoid saying ’kill’.\nmore at WINK n.


Words: sleeper
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (used with an adjective) a person who sleeps in a particular way:\na heavy / light / sound sleeper\n  2  a person who is asleep:\nOnly the snores of the sleepers broke the silence of the house.\n  3  a night train with beds for passengers on it:\nthe LondonEdinburgh sleeper * I came up last night on the sleeper.\n  4  = SLEEPING CAR\n  5  (BrE) (AmE tie) one of the heavy beams of wood or CONCRETE on which the rails on a railway/railroad track are laid\n  6  (informal, especially AmE) a film/movie, play or book that for a long time is not very successful and then is suddenly a success


Words: sleeping partner
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE silent partner) noun\na person who has put money into a business company but who is not actually involved in running it


Words: sleeping sickness
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a tropical disease carried by the TSETSE FLY that causes a feeling of wanting to go to sleep and usually causes death


Words: sleepless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] without sleep:\nI’ve had a few sleepless nights recently.\n  2  [not before noun] not able to sleep:\nShe lay sleepless until dawn.\n    sleeplessly adverb\n    sleeplessness noun [U]:\nto suffer from sleeplessness\nsee also INSOMNIA


Words: sleepover
Meaning:
(AmE also slumber party) noun\na party for children or young people when a group of them spend the night at one house


Words: sleepy
Meaning:
adjective (sleepier, sleepiest)\n  1  needing sleep; ready to go to sleep:\na sleepy child * He had begun to feel sleepy. * The heat and the wine made her sleepy.\n  2  (of places) quiet and where nothing much happens:\na sleepy little town\n    sleepily  adverb:\nShe yawned sleepily.


Words: sleet
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] a mixture of rain and snow:\nThe rain was turning to sleet.\n    verb [V] when it sleets, a mixture of rain and snow falls from the sky:\nIt’s sleeting!


Words: sleeve
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a part of a piece of clothing that covers all or part of your arm:\na dress with short / long sleeves * Dan rolled up his sleeves and washed his hands.\nsee also SHIRTSLEEVE\n \n  2  (-sleeved) (in adjectives) having sleeves of the type mentioned:\na short-sleeved shirt\n \n  3  (also jacket especially in AmE) a stiff paper or cardboard envelope for a record:\na colourful sleeve design * sleeve notes (= information about the music or the performers on the record)\n  4  a tube that covers a part of a machine to protect it\n    sleeveless adjective:\na sleeveless dress\n IDIOMS \n  have / keep sth up your sleeve to keep a plan or an idea secret until you need to use it:\nActually I do have a few ideas up my sleeve.\nmore at ACE n., CARD n., LAUGH v., ROLL v., TRICK n., WEAR v.


Words: sleight
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  sleight of hand\n1 skilful movements of your hand that other people cannot see:\nThe trick is done simply by sleight of hand.\n2 an act of deceiving people in a clever way:\nLast year’s profits were more the result of financial sleight of hand than genuine growth.


Words: slender
Meaning:
adjective (slenderer, slenderest)\n HELP NOTE  You can also use more slender and most slender.\n  1  (approving) (of people or their bodies) thin in an attractive or graceful way\nSYN SLIM:\nher slender figure * long, slender fingers * a slender young woman\n  2  thin or narrow:\na glass with a slender stem\n  3  small in amount or size and hardly enough:\nto win by a slender margin / majority * people of slender means (= with little money) * Australia held a slender 10 lead at half-time. * These claims are based on slender evidence.\n    slenderness noun [U]


Words: sleuth
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned or humorous) a person who investigates crimes\nSYN DETECTIVE:\nan amateur sleuth * Agatha Christie’s super sleuth, Hercule Poirot


Words: slew
Meaning:
verb, noun-see also SLAY v.\n    verb [+adv./prep.] (especially of a vehicle) to turn or slide suddenly in another direction; to make a vehicle do this:\n[V] The car skidded and slewed sideways. * [VN] He slewed the motorbike over as they hit the freeway.\n    noun [sing.] ~ of sth (informal, especially AmE) a large number or amount of sth:\nThis year has seen a whole slew of novels set in Hong Kong.


Words: slice
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a thin flat piece of food that has been cut off a larger piece:\na slice of bread / ham * Cut the meat into thin slices. * a gin and tonic with a slice of lemon\n \n  2  (informal) a part or share of sth:\nOur firm is well placed to grab a large slice of the market. * The rent for my room was a large slice out of my budget. * With this win, they can claim a slice of history. * Every organization in the land has tried to claim a slice of the cash from the National Lottery.\n \n  3  a kitchen UTENSIL (= tool) that you use to lift and serve pieces of food:\na fish slice\n \n  4  (sport) (in golf, tennis, etc.) a stroke that makes the ball spin to one side rather than going straight ahead\n IDIOMS \n  a slice of life a film/movie, play or book that gives a very realistic view of ordinary life\nmore at PIE, ACTION, CAKE n.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (up) to cut sth into slices:\nto slice (up) onions / mushrooms / meat * Slice the cucumber thinly. * a sliced loaf * a loaf of sliced bread\n  2  [usually +adv./prep.] to cut sth easily with or as if with a sharp blade:\n[V] He accidentally sliced through his finger. * A piece of glass sliced into his shoulder. * (figurative) Her speech sliced through all the confusion surrounding the situation. * [VN] The knife sliced his jacket. * (figurative) The ship sliced the water. [also VN-ADJ]\n  3  [VN] (sport) to hit a ball so that it spins and does not move in the expected direction:\nHe managed to slice a shot over the net.\n  4  [VN] (in golf) to hit the ball so that it flies away in a curve, usually without meaning to\n  5  [VN] (AmE, informal) to reduce sth by a large amount:\nThe new tax has sliced annual bonuses by 30 percent.\n IDIOMS  see THING, WAY n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slice sth<->off / away | slice sth off sth to cut sth from a larger piece:\nSlice a piece off. * Slice away the corners. * (figurative) He sliced two seconds off the world record.


Words: slick
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective (slicker, slickest)\n  1  (sometimes disapproving) done or made in a way that is clever and efficient but often does not seem to be sincere or lacks important ideas:\na slick advertising campaign * a slick performance * You had to admire the slick presentation of last night’s awards ceremony.\n  2  (sometimes disapproving) speaking very easily and smoothly but in a way that does not seem sincere\nSYN GLIB:\nslick TV presenters * a slick salesman * Her reply was too fast, too slick.\n  3  done quickly and smoothly:\nThe crowd enjoyed the team’s slick passing. * a slick gear change\n  4  smooth and difficult to hold or move on:\nThe roads were slick with rain.\n    slickly adverb:\nThe magazine is slickly produced.\n    slickness noun [U] \n    noun\n  1  (also oil slick) an area of oil that is floating on the surface of the sea:\na 50 km slick from the damaged tanker\n  2  a small area of sth wet and shiny:\na slick of sweat\n    verb [VN +adv./prep.] [usually passive] to make hair very flat and smooth by putting oil, water, etc. on it:\nHis hair was slicked back / down with gel.


Words: slide
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (slid, slid )\n  move smoothly / quietly\n  1  [usually +adv./prep.] to move easily over a smooth or wet surface; to make sth move in this way:\n[V] We slid down the grassy slope. * The drawers slide in and out easily. * [VN] She slid her hand along the rail. * You can slide the front seats forward if necessary. * [V-ADJ] The automatic doors slid open. [also VN-ADJ]\n  2  [+adv./prep.] to move quickly and quietly, for example in order not to be noticed; to make sth move in this way:\n[V] He slid into bed. * She slid out while no one was looking. * [VN] The man slid the money quickly into his pocket. * He slid a shy look at Claire.\n  become lower / worse\n  3  [V] ~ (from ...) (to ...) to become gradually lower or of less value:\nShares slid to a 10-year low.\n  4  [V] ~ (down / into / towards sth) to move gradually into a worse situation:\nThe industry has slid into decline. * They were sliding towards bankruptcy. * He got depressed and began to let things slide (= failed to give things the attention they needed).\n    noun\n  becoming lower / worse\n \n  1  [C, usually sing.] a change to a lower or worse condition:\na downward slide in the price of oil * the team’s slide down the table * talks to prevent a slide into civil war * The economy is on the slide (= getting worse). * a stock market slide\n \n  on ice\n \n  2  [sing.] a long, smooth movement on ice or a smooth surface:\nHer car went into a slide. * a front wheel slide\n \n  for children\n \n  3  [C] a structure with a steep slope that children use for sliding down:\nto go down the slide\n  fall of rock\n  4  [C] a sudden fall of a large amount of rock or earth down a hill:\nI was afraid of starting a slide of loose stones.\nsee also LANDSLIDE\n  photograph\n  5  [C] a small piece of film held in a frame that can be shown on a screen when you shine a light through it\nSYN TRANSPARENCY:\na talk with colour slides * a slide show / projector\n  for microscope\n  6  [C] a small piece of glass that sth is placed on so that it can be looked at under a MICROSCOPE\n  part of musical instrument\n  7  [C] a part of a musical instrument or other device that slides backwards and forwards\n  for hair\n  8  [C] (BrE) = HAIRSLIDE


Words: slide rule
Meaning:
noun\na long narrow instrument like a ruler, with a middle part that slides backwards and forwards, used for calculating numbers


Words: sliding scale
Meaning:
noun\na system in which the rate at which sth is paid varies according to particular conditions:\nFees are calculated on a sliding scale according to income (= richer people pay more).


Words: slight
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective (slighter, slightest)\n  1  very small in degree:\na slight increase / change / delay / difference * I woke up with a slight headache. * The damage was slight. * She takes offence at the slightest thing (= is very easily offended). * There was not the slightest hint of trouble. * He is, without the slightest doubt, the greatest living novelist. * He never had the slightest intention of agreeing to it. * The picture was at a slight angle. * A slight breeze was blowing.\n  2  small and thin in size:\na slight figure / man * He was of slight build. * She was smaller and slighter than I had imagined.\n  3  (formal) not deserving serious attention:\nThis is a very slight novel.\n IDIOMS \n  not in the slightest not at all:\nHe didn’t seem to mind in the slightest. * I’m not in the slightest bit interested.\n    noun ~ (on sb/sth) an act or a remark that criticizes sth or offends sb:\nNick took her comment as a slight on his abilities as a manager.\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] to treat sb rudely or without respect; to insult sb:\nShe felt slighted because she hadn’t been invited.\n    slighting adjective [only before noun]:\nslighting remarks / references


Words: slightly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  a little:\na slightly different version * We took a slightly more direct route. * I knew her slightly. * ’Are you worried?’ ’Only slightly.’\n  2  a slightly built person is small and thin


Words: slim
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (slimmer, slimmest)\n  1  (approving) (of a person) thin, in a way that is attractive:\na slim figure / body / waist * She was tall and slim. * How do you manage to stay so slim? * (figurative) Many companies are a lot slimmer than they used to be (= have fewer workers).\n  2  thinner than usual:\na slim volume of poetry\n  3  not as big as you would like or expect; small:\na slim chance of success * The party was returned to power with a slim majority.\nsee also SLIMMER, SLIMMING\n    slimness noun [U] \n    verb (-mm-) [V] (BrE) (usually used in the progressive tenses) to try to become thinner, for example by eating less:\nYou can still eat breakfast when you are slimming.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slim down to become thinner, for example as a result of eating less:\nShe slimmed down to 60 kilos before her wedding.\n  slim down | slim sth<->down to make a company or an organization smaller, by reducing the number of jobs in it; to be made smaller in this way:\nThey’re restructuring and slimming down the workforce. * The industry may have to slim down even further. * the new, slimmed-down company\nsee also SLIMMING


Words: slime
Meaning:
noun\n[U] any unpleasant thick liquid substance:\nThe pond was full of mud and green slime. * Snails and slugs leave a trail of slime.\nsee also SLIMY


Words: slimline
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  smaller or thinner in design than usual:\na slimline phone\n  2  (BrE) (of a drink) containing very little sugar:\nslimline tonic water


Words: slimmer
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a person who is trying to lose weight:\na calorie-controlled diet for slimmers\nsee also SLIM


Words: slimy
Meaning:
adjective (slimier, slimiest)\n  1  like or covered with SLIME:\nthick slimy mud * The walls were black, cold and slimy.\n  2  (informal, disapproving) (of a person or their manner) polite and extremely friendly in a way that is not sincere or honest


Words: sling
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (slung, slung prep.] \n  1  (informal, especially BrE) to throw sth somewhere in a careless way:\n[VN] Don’t just sling your clothes on the floor. * She slung her coat into the back of the car. * [VNN] Sling me an apple, will you?\nsee also MUD-SLINGING\n  2  [VN] [often passive] to put sth somewhere where it hangs loosely:\nHer bag was slung over her shoulder. * We slung a hammock between two trees.\n  3  [VN] [often passive] (informal) to put sb somewhere by force; to make sb leave somewhere:\nThey were slung out of the club for fighting. * They were slung into prison.\n IDIOMS \n  sling your hook (BrE, informal) (used especially in orders) to go away\n    noun\n\n \n  1  a band of fabric that is tied around a person’s neck and used to support a broken or injured arm:\nHe had his arm in a sling.\n \n  2  a device consisting of a band, ropes, etc. for holding and lifting heavy objects:\nThe engine was lifted in a sling of steel rope.\n \n  3  a device like a bag for carrying a baby on your back or in front of you\n \n  4  (in the past) a simple weapon made from a band of leather, etc., used for throwing stones


Words: slink
Meaning:
verb\n(slunk, slunk prep.] to move somewhere very quietly and slowly, especially because you are ashamed or do not want to be seen:\nJohn was trying to slink into the house by the back door. * The dog howled and slunk away.


Words: slinky
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a woman’s clothes) fitting closely to the body in a sexually attractive way:\na slinky black dress\n  2  (of movement or sound) smooth and slow, often in a way that is sexually attractive:\na slinky voice


Words: slip
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-pp-)\n  slide / fall\n  1  [V] ~ (over) to slide a short distance accidentally so that you fall or nearly fall:\nShe slipped over on the ice and broke her leg. * As I ran up the stairs, my foot slipped and I fell.\n  out of position\n  2  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to slide out of position or out of your hand:\nHis hat had slipped over one eye. * The fish slipped out of my hand. * The child slipped from his grasp and ran off. * (figurative) She was careful not to let her control slip.\n  go / put quickly\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] to go somewhere quickly and quietly, especially without being noticed:\nShe slipped out of the house before the others were awake. * The ship slipped into the harbour at night. * (figurative) She knew that time was slipping away.\n  4  to put sth somewhere quickly, quietly or secretly: [VN, +adv./prep.] Anna slipped her hand into his. * He slipped the letter back into its envelope. * She slipped her head around the door. * I managed to slip a few jokes into my speech. * I managed to slip in a few jokes. * [VNN, VN] They’d slipped the guards some money. * They’d slipped some money to the guards.\n  become worse\n  5  [V] to fall to a lower level; to become worse:\nHis popularity has slipped recently. * The director never lets the tension slip. * That’s three times she’s beaten me-I must be slipping!\n  into difficult situation\n  6  [V +adv./prep.] to pass into a particular state or situation, especially a difficult or unpleasant one:\nHe began to slip into debt. * The patient had slipped into a coma. * We seem to have slipped behind schedule.\n  clothes on / off\n  7  [+adv./prep.] to put clothes on or to take them off quickly and easily:\n[V] to slip into / out of a dress * [VN] to slip your shoes on / off * He slipped a coat over his sweatshirt.\n  get free\n  8  to get free; to make sth/sb/yourself free from sth:\n[VN] The ship had slipped its moorings in the night. * The dog slipped its collar. * [V-ADJ] The animal had slipped free and escaped. [also VN-ADJ]\n IDIOMS \n  let slip sth to give sb information that is supposed to be secret:\nI happened to let it slip that he had given me ｣1 000 for the car. * She tried not to let slip what she knew.\n  let sth slip (through your fingers) to miss or fail to use an opportunity:\nDon’t let the chance to work abroad slip through your fingers.\n  slip your mind if sth slips your mind, you forget it or forget to do it:\nI’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It completely slipped my mind.\n  slip one over on sb (informal) to trick sb\n  slip through the net when sb/sth slips through the net, an organization or a system fails to find them and deal with them:\nWe tried to contact all former students, but one or two slipped through the net.\nmore at GEAR n., TONGUE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slip away to stop existing; to disappear or die:\nTheir support gradually slipped away.\n  slip out when sth slips out, you say it without really intending to:\nI’m sorry I said that. It just slipped out.\n  slip up (informal) to make a careless mistake:\nWe can’t afford to slip up. * The government slipped up badly over the scandal.\nrelated noun SLIP-UP\n    noun\n  small mistake\n \n  1  a small mistake, usually made by being careless or not paying attention:\nHe recited the whole poem without making a single slip. * There were a few slips in the translation.\nsee also FREUDIAN SLIP\n \n  piece of paper\n \n  2  a small piece of paper, especially one for writing on or with sth printed on it:\nI wrote it down on a slip of paper. * a betting slip\nsee also PAYSLIP\n  act of slipping\n  3  an act of slipping:\nOne slip and you could fall to your death.\n  clothing\n  4  a piece of women’s underwear like a thin dress or skirt, worn under a dress\n  in cricket\n  5  a player who stands behind and to one side of the BATSMAN and tries to catch the ball; the position on the field where this player stands:\nfirst / second / third slip * Who is (at) first slip? * a slip fielder / catch * fielding in the slips\n IDIOMS \n  give sb the slip (informal) to escape or get away from sb who is following or chasing you:\nI managed to give him the slip by hiding behind a wall.\n  a slip of a boy, girl, etc. (old-fashioned) a small or thin, usually young, person:\nShe’s only a slip of a thing.\n  a slip of the pen / tongue a small mistake in sth that you write or say:\nDid I call you Richard? Sorry, Robert, just a slip of the tongue.


Words: slip knot
Meaning:
noun\na knot that can slide easily along the rope, etc. on which it is tied, in order to make the LOOP or rope tighter or looser


Words: slip-on
Meaning:
noun\na shoe that you can slide your feet into without having to tie LACES:\na pair of slip-ons / slip-on shoes


Words: slippage
Meaning:
noun [U, C, usually sing.] (written)\n  1  failure to achieve an aim or complete a task by a particular date:\nThe smallest slippage could delay completion of the project.\n  2  a slight or gradual fall in the amount, value, etc. of sth:\nThere has been some slippage of support for the government’s policies.


Words: slipped disc
Meaning:
noun\na painful condition caused when one of the DISCS between the bones of the SPINE in a person’s back moves out of place


Words: slipper
Meaning:
noun\na loose soft shoe that you wear in the house:\na pair of slippers * He came to the door in his slippers.\nsee also CARPET SLIPPER


Words: slippery
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (also informal slippy) difficult to hold or to stand or move on, because it is smooth, wet or polished:\nslippery like a fish * In places the path can be wet and slippery. * His hand was slippery with sweat.\n  2  (informal) (of a person) that you cannot trust:\nDon’t believe what he says-he’s a slippery customer.\n  3  (informal) (of a situation, subject, problem, etc.) difficult to deal with and that you have to think about carefully:\nFreedom is a slippery concept (= because its meaning changes according to your point of view).\n IDIOMS \n  the / a slippery slope a course of action that is difficult to stop once it has begun, and can lead to serious problems or disaster:\nShe realized he was on the slippery slope towards a life of crime.


Words: slipshod
Meaning:
adjective\ndone without care; doing things without care\nSYN CARELESS:\nThe work was done in a slipshod manner.


Words: slipstream
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the stream of air behind a vehicle that is moving very fast:\nHe was riding in the slipstream of the cyclist in front.


Words: slipway
Meaning:
noun\na sloping track leading down to water, on which ships are built or pulled up out of the water for repairs, or from which they are LAUNCHED (= put into the water)


Words: slit
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a long narrow cut or opening:\na long skirt with a slit up the side * His eyes narrowed into slits.\n    verb (slitting, slit, slit) to make a long narrow cut or opening in sth: [VN] Slit the roll with a sharp knife. * The child’s throat had been slit. * Her skirt was slit at both sides (= designed with an opening at the bottom on each side). * [VN-ADJ] He slit op


Words: slither
Meaning:
prep.] \n  1  to move somewhere in a smooth, controlled way, often close to the ground:\nThe snake slithered away as we approached.\n  2  to move somewhere without much control, for example because the ground is steep or wet:\nWe slithered down the slope to the road. * They were slithering around on the ice.


Words: slithery
Meaning:
adjective\ndifficult to hold or stand on because it is wet or smooth; moving in a slithering way:\nWe began our slithery descent to the shore. * a slithery silver fish


Words: sliver
Meaning:
noun\na small or thin piece of sth that is cut or broken off from a larger piece:\nslivers of glass / wood * (figurative) A sliver of light showed under the door.


Words: Sloane
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal, often disapproving) a young person, especially a woman, from a rich upper-class background, especially one who lives in a fashionable area of London


Words: slob
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (informal, disapproving) a person who is lazy and dirty or untidy:\nGet out of bed, you fat slob!\n    verb (-bb-)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slob around / out (BrE, slang) to spend time being lazy and doing nothing


Words: slobber
Meaning:
verb\n[V] to let SALIVA come out of your mouth:\nThe baby was slobbering all over her bib. * great slobbering kisses\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slobber over sb/sth (informal, disapproving) to show how much you like or want sb/sth without any pride or control:\nI know he’s fond of you but does he have to slobber over you in public?


Words: slog
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-gg-) (informal)\n  1  ~ (through sth) | ~ (away) (at sth) to work hard and steadily at sth, especially sth that takes a long time and is boring or difficult:\n[V] He’s been slogging away at that piece of music for weeks. * The teacher made us slog through long lists of vocabulary. * My mother slogged all her life for us. * [VN] She slogged her way through four piles of ironing.\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] to walk or travel somewhere steadily, with great effort or difficulty:\nHe started to slog his way through the undergrowth. * I’ve been slogging around the streets of London all day.\n  3  [VN, V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to hit a ball very hard but often without skill\n IDIOMS \n  slog it out (BrE, informal) to fight or compete in order to prove who is the strongest, the best, etc:\nThe party leaders are slogging it out in a TV debate.\nmore at GUT n.\n    noun [U, C, usually sing.] a period of hard work or effort:\nWriting the book took ten months of hard slog. * It was a long slog to the top of the mountain.


Words: slogan
Meaning:
(also AmE informal tag line) noun\na word or phrase that is easy to remember, used for example by a political party or in advertising to attract people’s attention or to suggest an idea quickly:\nan advertising / a campaign slogan * The crowd began chanting anti-government slogans.


Words: slop
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-pp-)\n  1  [V +adv./prep.] (of a liquid) to move around in a container, often so that some liquid comes out over the edge:\nWater was slopping around in the bottom of the boat. * As he put the glass down the beer slopped over onto the table.\n  2  [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] to make liquid or food come out of a container in an untidy way:\nHe got out of the bath, slopping water over the sides. * She slopped some beans onto a plate.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slop about / around (BrE, informal)\n1 to spend time relaxing or being lazy:\nHe used to slop around all day in his pyjamas.\n2 to move around in water, mud. etc:\nShe was enjoying slopping about in the water.\n  slop out (BrE) when prisoners slop out, they empty the containers that they use as toilets\n    noun [U] (also slops [pl.])\n  1  waste food, sometimes fed to animals\n  2  liquid or partly liquid waste, for example URINE or dirty water from baths:\na slop bucket * She emptied the slops into the gutter.


Words: slope
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a surface or piece of land that slopes (= is higher at one end than the other):\na grassy / wooded slope * The town is built on a slope.\n \n  2  [C, usually pl.] an area of land that is part of a mountain or hill:\nthe eastern slopes of the Andes * ski slopes * He spends all winter on the slopes (= skiing).\n \n  3  [sing., U] the amount by which sth slopes:\na gentle / steep slope * a slope of 45 degrees * the angle of slope * Because of the slope of the roof, the snow cannot accumulate.\n \n IDIOMS  see SLIPPERY\n    verb [V] \n  1  [usually +adv./prep.] (of a horizontal surface) to be at an angle so that it is higher at one end than the other:\nThe garden slopes away towards the river. * The path sloped gently down. * sloping shoulders\n  2  [usually +adv./prep.] (of sth vertical) to be at an angle rather than being straight or upright:\nHis handwriting slopes backwards. * It was a very old house with sloping walls.\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] (BrE, informal) to go somewhere quietly, especially in order to avoid sth/sb:\nThey got bored waiting for him and sloped off.


Words: sloppy
Meaning:
adjective (sloppier, sloppiest)\n  1  that shows a lack of care, thought or effort:\nsloppy thinking / speech * Your work is sloppy. * a sloppy writer / worker / dresser\n  2  (of clothes) loose and without much shape:\na sloppy T-shirt\n  3  (informal, especially BrE) romantic in a silly or embarrassing way:\na sloppy, sentimental love story\n  4  containing too much liquid:\nDon’t make the mixture too sloppy. * (informal) She gave him a big sloppy kiss.\n    sloppily  adverb:\na sloppily run department\n    sloppiness noun [U]:\nThere is no excuse for sloppiness in your work.


Words: slosh
Meaning:
prep.] (informal)\n  1  [V] (of liquid) to move around making a lot of noise or coming out over the edge of sth:\nThe water was sloshing around under our feet. * Some of the paint sloshed out of the can.\n  2  [VN] to make liquid move in a noisy way; to use liquid carelessly:\nThe children were sloshing water everywhere. * She sloshed coffee into the mugs.\n  3  [V] to walk noisily in water or mud:\nWe all sloshed around in the puddles. * They sloshed through the mud in boots.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slosh about / around (BrE, informal) (especially of money) to be available or present in large quantities:\nThere’s a lot of money sloshing around in professional tennis.


Words: slot
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a long narrow opening, into which you put or fit sth:\nto put some coins in the slot\n \n  2  a position, a time or an opportunity for sb/sth, for example in a list, a programme of events or a series of broadcasts:\nHe has a regular slot on the late-night programme. * Their album has occupied the Number One slot for the past six weeks. * the airport’s take-off and landing slots\n    verb (-tt-) [+adv./prep.] to put sth into a space that is available or designed for it; to fit into such a space: [VN] He slotted a cassette into the VCR. * The bed comes in sections which can be quickly slotted together. * [V] The dishwasher slots neatly between the cupboards. * These tubes slot together like this.\n IDIOMS  see PLACE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slot sb/sth<->in to manage to find a position, a time or an opportunity for sb/sth:\nI can slot you in between 3 and 4. * We slotted in some extra lessons before the exam.


Words: slot machine
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) a machine with an opening for coins, used for selling things such as cigarettes and bars of chocolate\n  2  (especially AmE) = FRUIT MACHINE


Words: sloth
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a S American animal that lives in trees and moves very slowly\n  2  [U] (formal) the bad habit of being lazy and unwilling to work


Words: slotted
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (especially technical) having a SLOT or SLOTS in it:\na screw with a slotted head


Words: slotted spoon
Meaning:
noun\na large spoon with holes in it:\nRemove the mushrooms with a slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel.


Words: slouch
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to stand, sit or move in a lazy way, often with your shoulders and head bent forward:\nSeveral students were slouching against the wall. * Sit up straight. Don’t slouch. * He slouched across the room and collapsed in a chair.\n    noun [usually sing.] a way of standing or sitting in which your shoulders are not straight, so that you look tired or lazy\n IDIOMS \n  be no slouch (informal) to be very good at sth or quick to do sth:\nShe’s no slouch on the guitar.


Words: slough
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sth (off) to lose a layer of dead skin, etc:\na snake sloughing its skin * Slough off dead skin cells by using a facial scrub.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  slough sth<->off (formal) to get rid of sth that you no longer want:\nResponsibilities are not sloughed off so easily.\n\n noun (literary)\n  1  [sing.] ~ of misery, despair, etc. a state of sadness with no hope:\nShe slid into a slough of self-pity.\n  2  [C] a very soft wet area of land:\nThe battlefield was a slough of mud and corpses.


Words: slovenly
Meaning:
adjective\ncareless, untidy or dirty in appearance or habits:\nHe grew lazy and slovenly in his habits. * a slovenly attitude / appearance\n    slovenliness noun [U]


Words: slow
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, verb \n    adjective (slower, slowest)\n  not fast\n  1  not moving, acting or done quickly; taking a long time; not fast:\na slow driver / walker / reader * Progress was slower than expected. * The country is experiencing slow but steady economic growth. * Collecting data is a painfully slow process. * a slow, lingering death * Oh you’re so slow; come on, hurry up! * The slow movement opens with a cello solo. * She gave a slow smile. * Average earnings are rising at their slowest rate for 20 years.\n  2  not going or allowing you to go at a fast speed:\nI missed the fast train and had to get the slow one (= the one that stops at all the stations). * We drove in the slow lane.\n  with delay\n  3  ~ to do sth | ~ (in) doing sth hesitating to do sth or not doing sth immediately:\nShe wasn’t slow to realize what was going on. * His poetry was slow in achieving recognition. * They were very slow paying me.\n  not clever\n  4  not quick to learn; finding things hard to understand:\nHe’s the slowest in the class.\n  not busy\n  5  not very busy; containing little action:\nSales are slow (= not many goods are being sold). * There are slow passages in which little happens, but they help to build up the suspense.\n  watch / clock\n  6  [not before noun] showing a time earlier than the correct time:\nMy watch is five minutes slow (= it shows 1.45 when it is 1.50).\n  in photography\n  7  slow film is not very sensitive to light\n    slowness noun [U]:\nThere was impatience over the slowness of reform. * The evening passed with agonizing slowness.\n IDIOMS \n  do a slow burn (AmE, informal) to slowly get angry\nmore at MARK n., UPTAKE\n    adverb (slower, slowest) (used especially in the comparative and superlative forms, or in compounds) at a slow speed\nSYN SLOWLY:\nCould you go a little slower? * slow-drying paint * slow-moving traffic * (AmE) Drive slow!\n IDIOMS \n  go slow (on sth) to show less enthusiasm for achieving sth:\nThe government is going slow on tax reforms.\nsee also GO-SLOW\n    verb ~ (sth/sb) (down / up) to go or to make sth/sb go at a slower speed or be less active: [V] The car slowed down as it approached the junction. * The bus slowed to a halt. * Economic growth has slowed a little. * The game slowed up a little in the second half. * You must slow down a little (= work less hard) or you’ll make yourself ill. * [VN] The ice on the roads was slowing us down. * We hope to slow the spread of the disease.\nsee also SLOWDOWN\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nslow / slowly\nSlowly is the usual adverb from the adjective slow. Slow is sometimes used as an adverb in informal language, on road signs, etc. It can also be used to form compounds: Slow. Major road ahead. * a slow-acting drug * They walk very slow. In the comparative both slower and more slowly are used: Can you speak slower/more slowly?\n______________________________


Words: slow lane
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the part of a main road such as a motorway where vehicles drive slowest\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  in the slow lane not making progress as fast as other people, countries, companies, etc.


Words: slow motion
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (in a film / movie or on television) the method of showing action at a much slower speed than it happened in real life:\nSome scenes were filmed in slow motion. * a slow-motion replay


Words: slowly
Meaning:
adverb\nat a slow speed; not quickly:\nto move / walk / turn slowly * Please could you speak more slowly? * The boat chugged slowly along. * He found that life moved slowly in the countryside. * Don’t rush into a decision. Take it slowly. * Slowly things began to improve. -> SLOW\n IDIOMS \n  slowly but surely making slow but definite progress:\nWe’ll get there slowly but surely.


Words: SLR
Meaning:
abbreviation\nsingle-lens reflex (= used to describe a camera in which there is one LENS which is used both for the film, and for the photographer to look through)


Words: sludge
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  thick, soft, wet mud or a substance that looks like it:\nThere was some sludge at the bottom of the tank.\n  2  industrial or human waste that has been treated:\nindustrial / chemical sludge * the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer on farm land


Words: slug
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a small soft creature, like a SNAIL without a shell, that moves very slowly and often eats garden plants\n \n  2  (informal) a small amount of a strong alcoholic drink:\nHe took another slug of whisky.\n \n  3  (informal, especially AmE) a bullet\n \n  4  (AmE, informal) a piece of metal shaped like a coin used to get things from machines, etc., sometimes illegally\n    verb (-gg-) [VN] \n  1  (informal) to hit sb hard, especially with your closed hand\n  2  (in baseball) to hit the ball hard\n IDIOMS \n  slug it out to fight or compete until it is clear who has won


Words: sluggish
Meaning:
adjective\nmoving, reacting or working more slowly than normal and in a way that seems lazy:\nsluggish traffic * a sluggish economy * the sluggish black waters of the canal * He felt very heavy and sluggish after the meal. * The growth of the export market has helped to compensate for sluggish demand at home.\n    sluggishly adverb\n    sluggishness noun [U]


Words: sluice
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (also sluice gate) a sliding gate or other device for controlling the flow of water out of or into a canal, etc:\nWe opened the sluices and the upstream water of the river poured into the lock.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (down / out) | ~ sth (with sth) to wash sth with a stream of water:\nThe ship’s crew was sluicing down the deck. * I quickly sluiced my face with cold water.\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] (of water) to flow somewhere in large quantities:\nRain was sluicing down. * Water came sluicing out of the house.


Words: slum
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun an area of a city that is very poor and where the houses are dirty and in bad condition:\na slum area / district * city / urban slums * She was brought up in the slums of London. * slum clearance schemes * a plan to rehouse slum dwellers\n    verb (-mm-) [V] (usually be slumming) (informal) to spend time in places or conditions that are much worse than those you are used to:\nThere are plenty of ways you can cut costs on your trip without slumming.\n IDIOMS \n  slum it to accept conditions that are worse than those you are used to:\nSeveral businessmen had to slum it in economy class.


Words: slumber
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U, C, usually pl.] (also slumbers [pl.]) (literary) sleep; a time when sb is asleep:\nShe fell into a deep and peaceful slumber. * The phone suddenly roused her from slumber. * I don’t want to wake him from his slumbers.\n    verb [V] (literary) to sleep


Words: slump
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] \n  1  ~ (by sth) | ~ (from sth) (to sth) to fall in price, value, number, etc., suddenly and by a large amount:\nSales have slumped this year. * Profits slumped by over 50%. * The paper’s circulation has slumped to 90 000.\n  2  [+adv./prep.] to sit or fall down heavily:\nThe old man slumped down in his chair. * She slumped to her knees.\n    noun\n  1  ~ (in sth) a sudden fall in sales, prices, the value of sth, etc:\na slump in sales / profits * This is the worst slump in property prices since the 1980s.\n  2  a period when a country’s economy or a business is doing very badly:\nthe slump of the 1930s * Housing sales are finally coming out of a three-month slump. * The toy industry is in a slump.\ncompare BOOM n. (1)


Words: slumped
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] ~ (against / over sth) sitting with your body leaning forward, for example because you are asleep or unconscious:\nThe driver was slumped exhausted over the wheel. * There was a slumped figure in the chair.


Words: slur
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-rr-)\n  1  to pronounce words in a way that is not clear so that they run into each other, usually because you are drunk or tired:\n[VN] She had drunk too much and her speech was slurred. [also V speech]\n  2  [VN] (music) to play or sing a group of two or more musical notes so that each one runs smoothly into the next\n  3  [VN] to harm sb’s reputation by making unfair or false statements about them:\nShe accused the programme of slurring the company’s name.\n    noun\n  1  ~ (on sb/sth) an unfair remark about sb/sth that may damage other people’s opinion of them:\nShe had dared to cast a slur on his character. * (especially AmE) The crowd started throwing bottles and shouting racial slurs.\n  2  (music) a curved sign used to show that two or more notes are to be played smoothly and without a break


Words: slurp
Meaning:
verb (informal)\n  1  to make a loud noise while you are drinking sth:\n[VN] He was slurping his tea. * [V] She slurped noisily from her cup.\n  2  [V] to make a noise like this:\nThe water slurped in the tank.\n    slurp noun [usually sing.]:\nShe took a slurp from her mug.


Words: slurry
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a thick liquid consisting of water mixed with animal waste, clay, coal dust or CEMENT:\na machine for spreading silage and slurry on the fields


Words: slush
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  partly melted snow that is usually dirty:\nIn the city the clean white snow had turned to grey slush.\n  2  (informal, disapproving) stories, films/movies or feelings that are considered to be silly and without value because they are too emotional and romantic:\nHer novels are full of sentimental slush.\n    slushy adjective:\nslushy pavements * slushy romantic fiction


Words: slut
Meaning:
noun (disapproving, offensive)\n  1  a woman who has many sexual partners\n  2  a woman who is very untidy or lazy\n    sluttish adjective:\nHe described her as attractive in a sluttish kind of way.


Words: sly
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (disapproving) acting or done in a secret or dishonest way, often intending to trick people\nSYN CUNNING:\na sly political move * (humorous) You sly old devil! How long have you known?\n  2  [usually before noun] suggesting that you know sth secret that other people do not know\nSYN KNOWING:\na sly smile / grin / look / glance\n    slyly adverb:\nHe glanced at her slyly.\n    slyness noun [U]\n IDIOMS \n  on the sly secretly; not wanting other people to discover what you are doing:\nHe has to visit them on the sly.


Words: smack
Meaning:
verb, noun, adverb \n    verb\n  1  [VN] (especially BrE) to hit sb with your open hand, especially as a punishment:\nI think it’s wrong to smack children. * Do that again and you’ll get your bottom smacked.\ncompare SPANK\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to put sth somewhere with a lot of force so that it makes a loud noise:\nShe smacked her hand down on to the table. * He smacked a fist into the palm of his hand.\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] to hit against sth with a lot of force:\nTwo players accidentally smacked into each other.\n IDIOMS  see LIP\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  smack of sth to seem to contain or involve a particular unpleasant quality:\nHer behaviour smacks of hypocrisy. * Today’s announcement smacks of a government cover-up.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] (especially BrE) a sharp hit given with your open hand, especially to a child as a punishment:\nYou’ll get a smack on your backside if you’re not careful.\n \n  2  [C] (informal) a hard hit given with a closed hand:\na smack on the jaw\n \n  3  [C, usually sing.] a short loud sound:\nShe closed the ledger with a smack.\n \n  4  [C] (informal) a loud kiss:\na smack on the lips / cheek\n  5  [U] (slang) the drug HEROIN:\nsmack addicts / dealers\n  6  [C] (BrE) a small fishing boat\n    adverb (informal)\n  1  (AmE also smack-dab) exactly or directly in a place:\nIt landed smack in the middle of the carpet. * She kissed me smack on the lips.\n  2  with sudden, violent force, often making a loud noise:\nThe car drove smack into a brick wall. * He hit me smack in the mouth.


Words: smacker
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (informal) a loud kiss:\nShe gave me a smacker on the cheek.\n  2  (slang) a British pound or US dollar:\nIt cost me three hundred smackers.


Words: smacking
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] (especially BrE) an act of hitting sb, especially a child, several times with your open hand, as a punishment:\nHe gave both of the children a good smacking. * We don’t approve of smacking. * I’ll give you a good smacking when we get home!


Words: small
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun \n    adjective (smaller, smallest)\n  not large\n  1  not large in size, number, degree, amount, etc:\na small house / town / car / man * A much smaller number of students passed than I had expected. * They’re having a relatively small wedding. * a small claims court (= for legal claims for small amounts of money) * That dress is too small for you. * ’I don’t agree,’ he said in a small (= quiet) voice.\n  2  (abbreviation S) used to describe one size in a range of sizes of clothes, food, products used in the house, etc:\nsmall, medium, large * This is too big-have you got a small one?\n  3  not as big as sth else of the same kind:\nthe small intestine\n  young\n  4  young:\nThey have three small children. * We travelled around a lot when I was small. * As a small boy he had spent most of his time with his grandparents.\n  not important\n  5  slight; not important:\nI made only a few small changes to the report. * She noticed several small errors in his work. * Everything had been planned down to the smallest detail. * It was no small achievement getting her to agree to the deal. * Don’t worry. It’s only a small problem.\n  business\n  6  [usually before noun] not doing business on a very large scale:\na small farmer / shopkeeper * The government is planning to give more help to small businesses.\n  letters\n  7  [usually before noun] not written or printed as CAPITALS:\nShould I write ’god’ with a small ’g’ or a capital? * She’s a socialist with a small ’s’ (= she believes in socialist ideas but is not a member of a socialist party).\n  not much\n  8  [only before noun] (used with uncountable nouns) little; not much:\nThe government has small cause for optimism. * They have small hope of succeeding.\n    smallness noun [U] \n IDIOMS \n  be grateful / thankful for small mercies to be happy that a situation that is bad is not as bad as it could have been:\nWell, at least you weren’t hurt. I suppose we should be grateful for small mercies.\n  it’s a small world (saying) used to express your surprise when you meet sb you know in an unexpected place, or when you are talking to sb and find out that you both know the same person\n  look / feel small to look or feel stupid, weak, ashamed, etc:\nThere’s no need to make me look small in front of all these people. * I felt really small when I realized how much time he’d spent on it.\nmore at BIG adj., GREAT adj., HOUR, STILL adj., SWEAT v., WAY n., WONDER n.\n    adverb (smaller, smallest)\n  1  into small pieces:\nChop the cabbage up small.\n  2  in a small size:\nYou can fit it all in if you write very small.\n    noun\n  1  the ~ of the / sb’s back [sing.] the lower part of the back where it curves in:\nHe felt a sharp pain in the small of his back.\n  2  (smalls) [pl.] (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) small items of clothing, especially underwear\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nsmall / little\nThese adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns:\nsmall ~  little ~\nnumber  girl\ngroup  smile\nchildren  man\nbusiness  things\nhouse  boys\nSmall is the most usual opposite of big or large. It can be used in the comparative and superlative and with adverbs such as rather, quite, fairly and pretty: Our house is smaller than yours but I think the kitchen is bigger. * The town is pretty small.\nLittle is usually used to show how you feel about a person or a thing, and especially after other adjectives such as ugly, nice, cute, etc: a cute little baby * You poor little thing! It can also show that you think a person or thing is not important: You’ll just feel a little sting - it won’t hurt. * a dreadful little man (BrE). Note that it is usually only used before a noun and that it is rarely used in the comparative and superlative.\nLittle is also used with proper names: Little Italy is an area of New York where many Italians live.\n______________________________


Words: small beer
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE small potatoes) noun\n[U] (informal) a person or thing that has no great importance or value, especially when compared with sb/sth else:\nCompared to all that it had happened to him recently, this latest crisis seemed fairly small beer.


Words: small change
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  ~ (in sth) coins of low value:\nHave you got any small change for the phone? * She had about ｣2 in small change.\n  2  something that is of little value when compared with sth else


Words: small fry
Meaning:
noun\n[U+sing./pl. v.] (informal) people or things that are considered unimportant compared to sb/sth else:\nThat’s small fry to her. * People like us are small fry to such a large business.


Words: small talk
Meaning:
noun\n[U] polite conversation about ordinary or unimportant subjects, especially at social occasions:\nThey made small talk for half an hour. * He has no small talk (= is not good at talking politely about unimportant subjects).


Words: small-minded
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) having fixed opinions and ways of doing things and not willing to change them or consider other people’s opinions or feelings; interested in small problems and details and not in things which are really important\n    small-mindedness noun [U]


Words: small-scale
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of an organization, activity, etc.) not large in size or extent; limited in what it does:\nsmall-scale farming * a small-scale study of couples in second marriages\n  2  (of maps, drawings, etc.) drawn to a small SCALE so that not many details are shown\nOPP LARGE-SCALE


Words: small-time
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (informal, disapproving) (often of criminals) not very important or successful\nSYN PETTY:\na small-time crook\ncompare BIG TIME


Words: small-town
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (disapproving) not showing much interest in new ideas or what is happening outside your own environment\nSYN NARROW-MINDED:\nsmall-town values / views\n  2  connected with a small town:\nsmall-town America (= people who live in small towns in America)


Words: smallpox
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a serious infectious disease (now extremely rare) that causes fever, leaves permanent marks on the skin and often causes death


Words: smarmy
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE, informal, disapproving) too polite in a way that is not sincere:\na smarmy salesman / comment


Words: smart
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (smarter, smartest)\n  clean / neat\n  1  (especially BrE) (of people) looking clean and neat; well dressed in fashionable and/or formal clothes:\nYou look very smart in that suit. * I have to be smart for work.\n  2  (especially BrE) (of clothes, etc.) clean, neat and looking new and attractive:\nThey were wearing their smartest clothes. * a smart car\n  intelligent\n  3  (especially AmE) intelligent:\nShe’s smarter than her brother. * That was a smart career move. * OK, I admit it was not the smartest thing I ever did (= it was a stupid thing to do). * The smart money is on Liam Neeson for best actor (= smart people are betting on him).\n  fashionable\n  4  (especially BrE) connected with fashionable rich people:\nsmart hotels / restaurants * She mixes with the smart set.\n  quick\n  5  (of a movement, etc.) quick and usually done with force:\nHe was struck with a smart crack on the head. * We set off at a smart pace.\n  weapon / bomb\n  6  a very accurate weapon/bomb that is controlled by computers\n    smartly adverb (especially BrE):\nsmartly dressed * He ran off pretty smartly (= quickly and suddenly).\n    smartness noun [U] \n    verb [V] \n  1  ~ (from sth) to feel a sharp stinging pain in a part of your body:\nHis eyes were smarting from the smoke. * The wound was beginning to smart a little. * I rubbed my smarting eyes.\n  2  ~ (from / over sth) to feel upset about a criticism, failure, etc:\nThey are still smarting from the 40 defeat last week. * He is still smarting over his humiliation in the election.


Words: smart alec
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE smart aleck)  (also smarty-pants) (BrE also smart-arse) (AmE also smart-ass) noun\n(informal, disapproving) somebody who thinks they are very clever and likes to show people this in an annoying way


Words: smarten
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  smarten sb/sth<->up | smarten (yourself) up (especially BrE) to make yourself, another person or a place look neater or more attractive:\nThe hotel has been smartened up by the new owners. * You’d better smarten yourself up before you go out. * It’s time you smartened up.


Words: smash
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  break\n  1  to break sth, or to be broken, violently and noisily into many pieces:\n[VN] Several windows had been smashed. * He smashed the radio to pieces. * [V] The glass bowl smashed into a thousand pieces.\n  hit very hard\n  2  to move with a lot of force against sth solid; to make sth do this: [V, +adv./prep.] the sound of waves smashing against the rocks * The car smashed into a tree. * [VN] Mark smashed his fist down on the desk.\n  3  [+adv./prep.] to hit sth very hard and break it, in order to get through it:\n[VN] They had to smash holes in the ice. * The elephant smashed its way through the trees. * [VN-ADJ] We had to smash the door open. * [V] They had smashed through a glass door to get in.\n  4  [VN] to hit sth/sb very hard:\nHe smashed the ball into the goal.\n  destroy / defeat\n  5  [VN] to destroy, defeat or put an end to sth/sb:\nPolice say they have smashed a major drugs ring. * She has smashed the world record (= broken it by a large amount).\n  crash vehicle\n  6  [VN] ~ sth (up) to crash a vehicle:\nHe’s smashed (up) his new car.\n  in tennis, etc.\n  7  [VN] to hit a high ball downwards and very hard over the net\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  smash sth<->down to make sth fall down by hitting it hard and breaking it:\nThe police had to smash the door down.\n  smash sth<->in to make a hole in sth by hitting it with a lot of force:\nVandals had smashed the door in. * (informal) I wanted to smash his face in (= hit him hard in the face).\n  smash sth<->up to destroy sth deliberately:\nYouths had broken into the bar and smashed the place up. * The phone both had been completely smashed up.\n    noun\n  act of breaking\n  1  [sing.] an act of breaking sth noisily into pieces; the sound this makes:\nThe cup hit the floor with a smash.\n  vehicle crash\n  2  [C] (BrE) an accident in which a vehicle hits another vehicle:\na car smash\n  in tennis, etc.\n  3  [C] a way of hitting the ball downwards and very hard\n  song / movie / play\n  4  (also smash hit) [C] a song, film/movie or play that is very popular:\nher latest chart smash


Words: smash-and-grab
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE) relating to the act of stealing from a shop/store by breaking a window and taking the goods you can see or reach easily:\na smash-and-grab raid


Words: smashing
Meaning:
adjective\n(old-fashioned, BrE, informal) very good or enjoyable:\nWe had a smashing time. * You look smashing!


Words: smattering
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] ~ (of sth) a small amount of sth, especially knowledge of a language:\nHe only has a smattering of French.


Words: smear
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sth on / over sth | ~ sth with sth to spread an OILY or soft substance over a surface in a rough or careless way:\nThe children had smeared mud on the walls. * The children had smeared the walls with mud. * His face was smeared with blood.\n  2  [VN] to make sth dirty or GREASY:\nHis glasses were smeared. * smeared windows\n  3  [VN] to damage sb’s reputation by saying unpleasant things about them that are not true:\nThe story was an attempt to smear the party leader.\n  4  to rub writing, a drawing, etc. so that it is no longer clear; to become not clear in this way\nSYN SMUDGE:\n[VN] The last few words of the letter were smeared. [also V]\n    noun\n  1  an OILY or dirty mark:\na smear of jam / paint\n  2  an untrue story about sb that is intended to damage their reputation, especially in politics:\nHe was a victim of a smear campaign.\n  3  (BrE) = SMEAR TEST


Words: smear test
Meaning:
(also smear, cervical smear) (all BrE) (AmE Pap smear) noun\na medical test in which a very small amount of tissue from a woman’s CERVIX is removed and examined for CANCER cells


Words: smell
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (smelled, smelled) (BrE also smelt, smelt )\n  1  ~ (of sth) to have a particular smell:\n[V-ADJ] The room smelt damp. * Dinner smells good. * a bunch of sweet-smelling flowers * [V] His breath smelt of garlic. * What does the perfume smell like? * The house smelt of cedar wood and fresh polish.\n  2  [no passive] (not used in the progressive tenses; often with can or could) to notice or recognize a particular smell:\n[VN] He said he could smell gas when he entered the room. * The dog had smelt a rabbit. * I could smell alcohol on his breath. * [VN -ing] Can you smell something burning? [also V (that)]\n  3  [VN] (not usually used in the passive) to put your nose near sth and breathe in so that you can discover or identify its smell:\nSmell this and tell me what you think it is. * I bent down to smell the flowers.\n  4  [V] (not used in the progressive tenses) to have an unpleasant smell:\nThe drains smell. * It smells in here. * He hadn’t washed for days and was beginning to smell.\n  5  [V] (not used in the progressive tenses) to be able to smell:\nCan birds smell? * Insects smell by turning their antennae to scents in the air.\n  6  [VN] [no passive] (written) to feel that sth exists or is going to happen:\nHe smelt danger. * I can smell trouble.\n IDIOMS \n  come up / out of sth smelling of roses (informal) to still have a good reputation, even though you have been involved in sth that might have given people a bad opinion of you:\nNobody ever knew the details and he came out of the deal smelling of roses.\n  smell a rat (informal) to suspect that sth is wrong about a situation\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  smell sb/sth<->out\n1 to be aware of fear, danger, trouble, etc. in a situation:\nHe could always smell out fear.\n2 to find sth by smelling:\ndogs trained to smell out drugs\n    noun\n  1  [C, U] the quality of sth that people and animals sense through their noses:\na faint / strong smell of garlic * a sweet / fresh / musty smell * There was a smell of burning in the air. * The smells from the kitchen filled the room.\n  2  [sing.] an unpleasant smell:\nWhat’s that smell? * Yuk! What a smell!\n  3  [U] the ability to sense things with the nose:\nDogs have a very good sense of smell. * Taste and smell are closely connected.\n  4  [C] the act of smelling sth:\nHe took one smell of the liquid and his eyes began to water.\n IDIOMS  see SWEET adj.\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \nsmells\nDescribing smells\nThese adjectives describe pleasant smells:\nscented candles\naromatic oils\nfragrant perfume\nsweet-smelling flowers\nTo describe unpleasant smells you can use:\nsmelly cheese\nstinking fish\nmusty old books\nacrid smoke\nTypes of smell:\nPleasant smells:\nthe rich aroma of fresh coffee\na herb with a delicate fragrance\na rose’s sweet perfume\nthe scent of wild flowers\nUnpleasant smells:\nnasty household odours\nthe stench of rotting meat\nthe stink of stale sweat\nthe reek of beer and tobacco\n______________________________


Words: smelling salts
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] a chemical with a very strong smell, kept in a small bottle, used especially in the past for putting under the nose of a person who has lost consciousness


Words: smelt
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to heat and melt ORE (= rock that contains metal) in order to obtain the metal it contains:\na method of smelting iron\nsee also SMELL v.


Words: smidgen
Meaning:
(also smidgeon, smidgin)  noun\n[sing.] ~ (of sth) (informal) a small piece or amount of sth:\n’Sugar?’ ’Just a smidgen.’


Words: smile
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n\n \n  1  [V] ~ (at sb/sth) to make a smile appear on your face:\nto smile sweetly / faintly / broadly * She smiled at him and he smiled back. * He smiled with relief. * He never seems to smile. * I had to smile at (= was amused by) his optimism. * Her eyes smiled up at him. * He smiled to think how naive he used to be.\n \n  2  to say or express sth with a smile:\n[VN] She smiled her thanks. * [V speech] ’Perfect,’ he smiled.\n \n  3  [VN] [no passive] (written) to give a smile of a particular type:\nto smile a slow / small / grim / knowing smile * She smiled a smile of dry amusement.\n \n IDIOMS  see EAR\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  smile on sb/sth (formal) if luck, etc. smiles on you, you are lucky or successful\n    noun\n the expression that you have on your face when you are happy, amused, etc. in which the corners of your mouth turn upwards:\n’Oh, hello,’ he said, with a smile. * She gave a wry smile. * He had a big smile on his face. * I’m going to wipe that smile off your face (= make you stop thinking this is funny).\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  all smiles looking very happy, especially soon after you have been looking worried or sad:\nTwelve hours later she was all smiles again.


Words: smirk
Meaning:
verb\n[V] to smile in a silly or unpleasant way that shows that you are pleased with yourself, know sth that other people do not know, etc:\nIt was hard not to smirk. * He smirked unpleasantly when we told him the bad news.\n    smirk noun:\nShe had a self-satisfied smirk on her face.


Words: smite
Meaning:
[VN] (old use or literary)\n  1  to hit sb/sth hard; to attack or punish sb\n  2  to have a great effect on sb, especially an unpleasant or serious one:\nSuddenly my conscience smote me.\nsee also SMITTEN


Words: smithereens
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.]\n IDIOMS \n  smash, blow, etc. sth to smithereens (informal) to destroy sth completely by breaking it into small pieces:\nThe bomb blew the car to smithereens.


Words: smitten
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  ~ (with / by sb/sth) (especially humorous) suddenly feeling that you are in love with sb:\nFrom the moment they met, he was completely smitten by her.\n  2  ~ with / by sth severely affected by a feeling, disease, etc:\nShe was suddenly smitten with remorse.\nsee also SMITE


Words: smock
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a loose comfortable piece of clothing like a long shirt, worn especially by women:\na shapeless cotton smock\n  2  a long loose piece of clothing worn over other clothes to protect them from dirt, etc:\nThe artist’s smock was covered in paint. * Smocks were formerly worn by farm workers.


Words: smog
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a form of air POLLUTION that is or looks like a mixture of smoke and FOG, especially in cities:\nattempts to reduce smog caused by traffic fumes


Words: smoke
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] the grey, white or black gas that is produced by sth burning:\ncigarette smoke * Clouds of thick black smoke billowed from the car’s exhaust. * a smoke alarm / detector (= a device that makes a noise if smoke is in the air to warn you of a fire)\n \n  2  [C, usually sing.] (informal) an act of smoking a cigarette:\nAre you coming outside for a smoke?\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  go up in smoke\n1 to be completely burnt:\nThe whole house went up in smoke.\n2 if your plans, hopes, etc. go up in smoke, they fail completely:\nHopes of an early end to the dispute have gone up in smoke.\n  (there is) no smoke without fire (BrE) (AmE where there’s smoke, there’s fire) (saying) if sth bad is being said about sb/sth, it usually has some truth in it\n  a smoke-filled room (disapproving) a decision that people describe as being made in a smoke-filled room is made by a small group of people at a private meeting, rather than in an open and DEMOCRATIC way\n    verb\n  1  to suck smoke from a cigarette, pipe, etc. into your mouth and let it out again:\n[VN] He was smoking a large cigar. * How many cigarettes do you smoke a day? * [V] Do you mind if I smoke?\n  2  [V] to use cigarettes, etc. in this way as a habit:\nDo you smoke? * She smokes heavily. * I’ve never smoked. * You’re too young to smoke. * He smokes like a chimney (= a lot).\n  3  [V] to produce smoke:\nsmoking factory chimneys * the smoking remains of burnt-out cars * This fireplace smokes badly (= sends smoke into the room instead of up the chimney).\n  4  [VN] [usually passive] to preserve meat or fish by hanging it in smoke from wood fires to give it a special taste:\nsmoked salmon / mackerel / cheese\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  smoke sb/sth<->out\n1 to force sb/sth to come out of a place by filling it with smoke:\nto smoke out wasps from a nest\n2 to take action to discover where sb is hiding or to make a secret publicly known:\nThe police are determined to smoke out the leaders of the gang.


Words: smoke-free
Meaning:
adjective\nfree from cigarette smoke; where smoking is not allowed:\na smoke-free working environment


Words: smokeless
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  able to burn without producing smoke:\nsmokeless fuels\n  2  free from smoke:\na smokeless zone (= where smoke from factories or houses is not allowed)


Words: smoker
Meaning:
noun\na person who smokes tobacco regularly:\na heavy smoker (= sb who smokes a lot) * a smoker’s cough * a cigarette / cigar / pipe smoker\nOPP NON-SMOKER


Words: smokescreen
Meaning:
noun\n  1  something that you do or say in order to hide what you are really doing or intending\n  2  a cloud of smoke used to hide soldiers, ships, etc. during a battle


Words: smokestack
Meaning:
noun (especially AmE)\n \n  1  a tall chimney that takes away smoke from factories\n \n  2  = FUNNEL


Words: smoking
Meaning:
noun\nthe activity or habit of smoking cigarettes, etc:\nNo Smoking (for example, on a notice) * Smoking is not allowed in this theatre. * He’s trying to give up smoking.


Words: smoky
Meaning:
adjective (smokier, smokiest)\n  1  full of smoke:\na smoky atmosphere * a smoky pub / restaurant\n  2  producing a lot of smoke:\nsmoky chimneys / fires\n  3  tasting or smelling like smoke:\nThis wine has a slightly smoky flavour.\n  4  having the colour or appearance of smoke:\nsmoky blue glass


Words: smooth
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n \n    adjective (smoother, smoothest)\n \n  flat / even\n \n  1  completely flat and even, without any lumps, holes or rough areas:\na lotion to make your skin feel soft and smooth * The water was as smooth as glass. * a paint that gives a smooth, silky finish * Over the years, the stone steps had worn smooth.\nOPP ROUGH\n \n  without lumps\n \n  2  (of a liquid mixture) without any lumps:\nMix the flour with the milk to form a smooth paste.\n  without problems\n  3  happening or continuing without any problems:\nThey are introducing new measures to ensure the smooth running of the business. * They could not ensure a smooth transfer of political power.\n  movement\n  4  even and regular, without sudden stops and starts:\nThe car’s improved suspension gives you a smoother ride. * The plane made a smooth landing. * She swung herself over the gate in one smooth movement.\n  man\n  5  (often disapproving) (of people, especially men, and their behaviour) very polite and pleasant, but in a way that is often not very sincere:\nI don’t like him. He’s far too smooth for me. * He’s something of a smooth operator.\n  drink / taste\n  6  pleasant and not bitter:\nThis coffee has a smooth, rich taste.\n  voice / music\n  7  pleasant to hear, and without any harsh sounds:\na smooth flowing melody\n    smoothness noun [U]:\nthe smoothness of her skin * They admired the smoothness and efficiency with which the business was run.\n IDIOMS  see ROUGH n.\n    verb\n  1  ~ sth (back / down / out) to make sth smooth:\n[VN] rocks smoothed by the sea * He smoothed his hair back. * She was smoothing out the creases in her skirt. * [VN-ADJ] He took the letter and smoothed it flat on the table.\n  2  ~ sth on / into / over sth to put a layer of a soft substance over a surface:\nSmooth the icing over the top of the cake.\n IDIOMS \n  smooth the path / way to make it easier for sb/sth to develop or make progress:\nThese negotiations are intended to smooth the path to a peace treaty. * We’re trying to smooth the way for women who want to resume their careers.\n  smooth (sb’s) ruffled feathers to make sb feel less angry or offended\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  smooth sth<->away / out to make problems or difficulties disappear:\nAny differences between the groups were soon smoothed away. * We are here to smooth out any practical problems for you.\n  smooth sth<->over to make problems or difficulties seem less important or serious, especially by talking to people:\nShe spoke to both sides in the dispute in an attempt to smooth things over.


Words: smooth-talking
Meaning:
adjective\n(usually disapproving) talking very politely and confidently, especially to persuade sb to do sth, but in a way that may not be honest or sincere:\na smooth-talking lawyer


Words: smoothie
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (informal) a man who dresses well and talks very politely and confidently but who is often not honest or sincere:\nI wouldn’t trust that smoothie if I were you. * He’s a real smoothie.\n  2  (AmE, AustralE) a drink made of fruit or fruit juice mixed with milk or ice cream:\na banana smoothie


Words: smoothly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in an even way, without suddenly stopping and starting again:\nTraffic is now flowing smoothly again. * The engine was running smoothly.\n  2  without problems or difficulties:\nThe interview went smoothly. * My job is to see that everything runs smoothly and according to plan. * The rescue was carried out smoothly and efficiently.\n  3  in a calm or confident way:\n’Would you like to come this way?’ he said smoothly.\n  4  in a way that produces a smooth surface or mixture:\na smoothly polished table * The colours blend smoothly together.


Words: smorgasbord
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] (from Swedish) a meal at which you serve yourself from a large range of hot and cold dishes


Words: smother
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sb (with sth) to kill sb by covering their face so that they cannot breathe:\nHe smothered the baby with a pillow. * to be smothered to death\n  2  ~ sth/sb with / in sth to cover sth/sb thickly or with too much of sth:\na rich dessert smothered in cream * She smothered him with kisses.\n  3  to prevent sth from developing or being expressed\nSYN STIFLE:\nto smother a yawn / giggle / grin * The voices of the opposition were effectively smothered.\n  4  to give sb too much love or protection so that they feel restricted:\nHer husband was very loving, but she felt smothered.\n  5  to make a fire stop burning by covering it with sth:\nHe tried to smother the flames with a blanket.


Words: smoulder
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE smolder)  verb [V] \n  1  to burn slowly without a flame:\nThe bonfire was still smouldering the next day. * a smouldering cigarette * (figurative) The feud smouldered on for years.\n  2  (written) to be filled with a strong emotion that you do not fully express:\nHis eyes smouldered with anger. * Anger smouldered in his eyes.


Words: smudge
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a dirty mark with no clear shape:\na smudge of lipstick on a cup\n    verb\n  1  to touch or rub sth, especially wet ink or paint, so that it is no longer clear; to become not clear in this way:\n[VN] He had smudged his signature with his sleeve. * Tears had smudged her mascara. * [V] Her lipstick had smudged.\n  2  [VN] to make a dirty mark on a surface:\nThe mirror was smudged with fingerprints.


Words: smudgy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  with dirty marks on\n  2  (of a picture, writing, etc.) with edges that are not clear\nSYN BLURRED


Words: smug
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) looking or feeling too pleased about sth you have done or achieved:\na smug expression / smile / face * What are you looking so smug about?\n    smugly adverb:\nHe smiled smugly as the results were announced.\n    smugness noun [U]:\nThere was a hint of smugness in her voice.


Words: smuggle
Meaning:
verb\n[VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] to take, send or bring goods or people secretly and illegally into or out of a country, etc:\nThey were caught smuggling diamonds into the country. * He managed to smuggle a gun into the prison. * smuggled drugs * We do not yet know how the bomb was smuggled abroad.


Words: smuggling
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the crime of taking, sending or bringing goods secretly and illegally into or out of a country:\ndrug smuggling


Words: smut
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (informal) stories, pictures or comments about sex that deal with it in a way that some people find offensive:\nHe can entertain audiences without resorting to smut.\n  2  [C, U] dirt, ash, etc. that causes a black mark on sth; a black mark made by this:\nHis face was covered with smuts from the engine.


Words: smutty
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (informal) (of stories, pictures and comments) dealing with sex in a way that some people find offensive:\nsmutty jokes


Words: snack
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (informal) a small meal or amount of food, usually eaten in a hurry:\na mid-morning snack * I only have time for a snack at lunchtime. * Do you serve bar snacks? * a snack lunch\n    verb [V] ~ on sth to eat snacks between or instead of main meals:\nIt’s healthier to snack on fruit rather than chocolate.


Words: snaffle
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (BrE, informal) to take sth quickly for yourself, especially before anyone else has had the time or opportunity


Words: snafu
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (AmE, informal) a situation in which nothing happens as planned:\nIt was another bureaucratic snafu.


Words: snag
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a problem or difficulty, especially one that is small, hidden or unexpected:\nThere is just one small snag-where is the money coming from? * Let me know if you run into any snags.\n  2  an object or a part of an object that is rough or sharp and may cut sth:\nCheck all surfaces for snags and rough edges.\n  3  (AustralE, informal) a sausage\n    verb (-gg-)\n  1  ~ (sth) (on / in sth) to catch or tear sth on sth rough or sharp; to become caught or torn in this way:\n[VN] I snagged my sweater on the wire fence. * The fence snagged my sweater. * [V] The nets snagged on some rocks.\n  2  (AmE, informal) to succeed in getting sth quickly, often before other people:\nI snagged a ride from Joe.


Words: snail
Meaning:
noun\na small soft creature with a hard round shell on its back, that moves very slowly and often eats garden plants. Some types of snail can be eaten.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  at a snail’s pace very slowly


Words: snail mail
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal, humorous) used especially by people who use e-mail on computers to describe the system of sending letters by ordinary mail


Words: snake
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a reptile with a very long thin body and no legs. There are many types of snake, some of which are poisonous:\na snake coiled up in the grass * Venomous snakes spit and hiss when they are cornered.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  a snake (in the grass) (disapproving) a person who pretends to be your friend but who cannot be trusted\n    verb [+adv./prep.] (written) to move like a snake, in long twisting curves; to go in a particular direction in long twisting curves:\n[V] The road snaked away into the distance. * [VN] The procession snaked its way through narrow streets.


Words: snake charmer
Meaning:
noun\nan entertainer who seems to be able to control snakes and make them move by playing music to them


Words: snakebite
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a wound that you get when a poisonous snake bites you:\nThree people have recently died from snakebites. * remedies for snakebite


Words: snakes and ladders
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE Chutes and Ladders)  noun\n[U] a children’s game played on a special board with pictures of snakes and ladders on it. Players move their pieces up the ladders to go forward and down the snakes to go back.


Words: snap
Meaning:
verb, noun, adjective, exclamation \n    verb (-pp-)\n  break\n  1  ~ (sth) (off) to break sth suddenly with a sharp noise; to be broken in this way:\n[VN] The wind had snapped the tree in two. * He snapped a twig off a bush. * [V] Suddenly, the rope snapped. * The branch she was standing on must have snapped off.\n  open / close / move into position\n  2  [usually +adv./prep.] to move, or to move sth, into a particular position quickly, especially with a sudden sharp noise:\n[V-ADJ] The lid snapped shut. * His eyes snapped open. * [V] He snapped to attention and saluted. * [VN-ADJ] She snapped the bag shut.\n  speak impatiently\n  3  ~ (at sb) to speak or say sth in an impatient, usually angry, voice:\n[V speech] ’Don’t just stand there,’ she snapped. * [V] I was tempted to snap back angrily at him. * [VN] He snapped a reply.\n  of animal\n  4  [V] ~ (at sb/sth) to try to bite sb/sth:\nThe dogs snarled and snapped at our heels.\n  take photograph\n  5  (informal) to take a photograph:\n[VN] A passing tourist snapped the incident. * [V] She seemed oblivious to the crowds of photographers snapping away.\n  lose control\n  6  [V] to suddenly be unable to control your feelings any longer because the situation has become too difficult:\nMy patience finally snapped. * When he said that, something snapped inside her. * And that did it. I snapped.\n  fasten clothing\n  7  [V, VN] (AmE) to fasten a piece of clothing with a snap\n IDIOMS \n  snap your fingers to make a sharp noise by moving your second or third finger quickly against your thumb, to attract sb’s attention, or to mark the beat of music, for example:\nHe snapped his fingers for the waiter to bring more wine.\n  snap out of it / sth | snap sb out of it / sth [no passive] (informal) to make an effort to stop feeling unhappy or depressed; to help sb to stop feeling unhappy:\nYou’ve been depressed for weeks. It’s time you snapped out of it.\n  snap to it (informal) used, especially in orders, to tell sb to start working harder or more quickly\nmore at HEAD n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  snap sth<->out to say sth in a sharp unpleasant way:\nThe sergeant snapped out an order.\n  snap sth<->up to buy or obtain sth quickly because it is cheap or you want it very much:\nAll the best bargains were snapped up within hours. * (figurative) She’s been snapped up by Hollywood to star in two major movies.\n    noun\n  sharp noise\n \n  1  [C] a sudden sharp noise, especially one made by sth closing or breaking:\nShe closed her purse with a snap. * the snap of a twig\n \n  photograph\n \n  2  (also snapshot) [C] a photograph, especially one taken quickly:\nShe showed us her holiday snaps.\n \n  card game\n \n  3  (Snap) [U] a card game in which players take turns to put cards down and try to be the first to call out ’snap’ when two similar cards are put down together\n  fastener\n  4  (AmE) = PRESS STUD\nsee also BRANDY SNAP, COLD SNAP\n IDIOMS \n  be a snap (AmE, informal) to be very easy to do:\nThis job’s a snap.\n    adjective [only before noun] made or done quickly and without careful thought or preparation:\na snap decision / election\n    exclamation\n  1  you say snap! in the card game called ’Snap’ when two cards that are the same are put down\n  2  (BrE, spoken) people say snap! to show that they are surprised when two things are the same:\nSnap! I’ve just bought that CD too!


Words: snapdragon
Meaning:
noun\na small garden plant with red, white, yellow or pink flowers that open and shut like a mouth when squeezed


Words: snapper
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a fish that lives in warm seas and is used for food\n  2  [C] (informal) a photographer, especially one who takes pictures of famous people for newspapers and magazines


Words: snappy
Meaning:
adjective (snappier, snappiest)\n  1  (of a remark, title, etc.) clever or amusing and short:\na snappy headline / title / slogan * a snappy answer / remark\n  2  [usually before noun] (informal) attractive and fashionable:\na snappy outfit * She’s a snappy dresser.\n  3  (of people or their behaviour) tending to speak to people in a bad-tempered, impatient way:\nInterruptions make her snappy and nervous.\n  4  lively; quick:\na snappy tune * a snappy tennis player\n    snappily adverb:\nHe summarized the speech snappily. * snappily dressed * ’What?’ she asked snappily.\n    snappiness noun [U]\n IDIOMS \n  make it snappy (informal) used to tell sb to do sth quickly or to hurry:\nCome in, but make it snappy. I’ve got a meeting to go to.


Words: snapshot
Meaning:
noun\n  1  = SNAP:\nsnapshots of the children\n  2  [usually sing.] a short description or a small amount of information that gives you an idea of what sth is like:\nThe play offers a snapshot of life in Britain under the Romans.


Words: snare
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a device used for catching small animals and birds, especially one that holds their leg so that they cannot escape:\nThe rabbit’s foot was caught in a snare.\n  2  (formal) a situation which seems attractive but is unpleasant and difficult to escape from:\nCity life can be full of snares for young people.\n  3  the metal strings that are stretched across the bottom of a snare drum\n  4  = SNARE DRUM\n    verb [VN] to catch sth, especially an animal, in a snare:\nto snare a rabbit * (figurative) Her one thought was to snare a rich husband. * (figurative) He found himself snared in a web of intrigue.


Words: snare drum
Meaning:
noun\na small drum with metal strings across one side that make a continuous sound when the drum is hit


Words: snarl
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] ~ (at sb/sth) (of dogs, etc.) to show the teeth and make a deep angry noise in the throat:\nThe dog snarled at us.\n  2  ~ (sth) (at sb) to speak in an angry or bad tempered way:\n[V speech] ’Get out of here!’ he snarled. * [VN] She snarled abuse at anyone who happened to walk past.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  snarl up | snarl sth<->up to involve sb/sth in a situation that stops their movement or progress; to become involved in a situation like this:\nThe sheets kept getting snarled up. * The accident snarled up the traffic all day.\nrelated noun SNARL-UP\n    noun\n  1  [usually sing.] a deep sound that an animal makes when it is angry and shows its teeth:\nThe dog bared its teeth in a snarl.\n  2  [usually sing.] an act of speaking in an angry or bad-tempered way; the sound you make when you are angry, in pain, etc:\na snarl of pain / hate * She answered with an angry snarl.\n  3  = SNARL-UP:\nrush-hour traffic snarls\n  4  (informal) something that has become twisted in an untidy way:\nShe used conditioner to remove the snarls from her hair.


Words: snarl-up
Meaning:
(also snarl) noun\n(BrE, informal) a situation in which traffic is unable to move:\nWe were caught in the rush-hour snarl-up.


Words: snatch
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [usually +adv./prep.] to take sth quickly and often rudely or roughly:\n[VN] She managed to snatch the gun from his hand. * Gordon snatched up his jacket and left the room. * [V] Hey, you kids! Don’t all snatch!\n  2  [VN] to take sb/sth away from a person or place, especially by force; to steal sth:\nThe raiders snatched $100 from the cash register. * The baby was snatched from its parents’ car.\n  3  [VN] to take or get sth quickly, especially because you do not have much time:\nI managed to snatch an hour’s sleep. * The team snatched a dramatic victory in the last minute of the game.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  snatch at sth\n1 to try to take hold of sth with your hands:\nHe snatched at the steering wheel but I pushed him away. * (figurative) The wind snatched at our clothes.\n2 to take an opportunity to do sth:\nWe snatched at every moment we could be together.\n    noun\n  1  a very small part of a conversation or some music that you hear\nSYN SNIPPET:\na snatch of music * I only caught snatches of the conversation.\n  2  an act of moving your hand very quickly to take or steal sth:\na bag / cash snatch * to make a snatch at sth\n IDIOMS \n  in snatches for short periods rather than continuously:\nSleep came to him in brief snatches.


Words: snatcher
Meaning:
noun\n(often in compounds) a person who takes sth quickly with their hand and steals it:\na handbag / purse snatcher


Words: snazzy
Meaning:
adjective\n(snazzier, snazziest) (informal) (of clothes, cars, etc.) fashionable, bright and modern, and attracting your attention:\na snazzy suit / car * snazzy graphics for the new computer game


Words: sneak
Meaning:
verb, noun, adjective \n    verb\n HELP NOTE  The usual past form is sneaked, but snuck is now very common in informal speech in AmE and some people use it in BrE too. However, many people consider it incorrect and it should not be used in formal writing.\n  1  [V +adv./prep.] to go somewhere secretly, trying to avoid being seen:\nWhat are you doing sneaking around out there? * Did you sneak into my room while I was asleep?\n  2  to do sth or take sb/sth somewhere secretly, often without permission:\n[VN] We sneaked a look at her private diary. * I was caught sneaking my kitten into the school. * At last we were able to sneak a moment alone together. * [VN, VNN] I managed to sneak a note to him. * I managed to sneak him a note.\n  3  [VN] (informal) to secretly take sth small or unimportant:\nI sneaked a cake when they were out of the room.\n  4  [V] ~ (on sb) (to sb) (old-fashioned, BrE, disapproving) to tell an adult that another child has done sth wrong, especially in order to cause trouble\nSYN SNITCH:\nDid you sneak on me to the teacher?\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sneak up (on sb/sth) to move towards sb very quietly so that they do not see or hear you until you reach them:\nHe sneaked up on his sister and shouted ’Boo!’.\n    noun (old-fashioned, BrE, disapproving) a person, especially a child, who tells sb about sth wrong that another person has done\nSYN SNITCH\n    adjective [only before noun] done without any warning:\na sneak attack / raid


Words: sneaking
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] if you have a sneaking feeling for sb or about sth, you do not want to admit it to other people, because you feel embarrassed, or you are not sure that this feeling is right:\nShe had always had a sneaking affection for him. * I have a sneaking suspicion that she knows more than she’s telling us.


Words: sneaky
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) behaving in a secret and sometimes dishonest or unpleasant way:\nI took a sneaky glance at my watch. * That was a sneaky trick to play!\n    sneakily  adverb


Words: sneer
Meaning:
verb, noun \n \n    verb ~ (at sb/sth) to show that you have no respect for sb by the expression on your face or by the way you speak:\n[V] He sneered at people who liked pop music. * a sneering comment / smile / laugh * [V speech] ’You? A writer?’ she sneered.\n \n    sneeringly  adverb \n    noun [usually sing.] an unpleasant look, smile or comment that shows you do not respect sb/sth:\n’And who are you, then?’ he asked with a sneer in his voice. * A faint sneer of satisfaction crossed her face.


Words: sneeze
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n [V] to have air come suddenly and noisily out through your nose and mouth in a way that you cannot control, for example because you have a cold:\nI’ve been sneezing all morning.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  not to be sneezed at (informal) good enough to be accepted or considered seriously:\nIn those days, $20 was not a sum to be sneezed at.\n    noun the act of sneezing or the noise you make when you sneeze:\ncoughs and sneezes * She gave a violent sneeze.


Words: sniff
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n\n \n  1  [V] to breathe air in through your nose in a way that makes a sound, especially when you are crying, have a cold, etc:\nWe all had colds and couldn’t stop sniffing and sneezing. * She sniffed a little and dabbed at her eyes.\n \n  2  ~ (at) (sth) to breathe air in through the nose in order to discover or enjoy the smell of sth:\n[VN] sniffing the fresh morning air * to sniff glue * [V] The dog sniffed at my shoes.\nsee also GLUE-SNIFFING\n \n  3  to say sth in a complaining or disapproving way:\n[V speech] ’It’s hardly what I’d call elegant,’ she sniffed. [also V, VN]\n IDIOMS \n  not to be sniffed at (informal) good enough to be accepted or considered seriously:\nIn those days, $20 was not a sum to be sniffed at.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sniff around / round (informal) to try to find out information about sb/sth, especially secret information:\nWe don’t want journalists sniffing around.\n  sniff around / round sb [no passive] (especially BrE) to try to get sb as a lover, employee, etc:\nHollywood agents have been sniffing around him.\n  sniff at sth to show no interest in or respect for sth:\nHe sniffed at my efforts at writing.\n  sniff sb/sth<->out\n1 to discover or find sb/sth by using your sense of smell:\nThe dogs are trained to sniff out drugs.\n2 (informal) to discover or find sb/sth by looking:\nJournalists are good at sniffing out a scandal.\n    noun\n  1  [C] an act or the sound of sniffing:\nShe took a deep sniff of the perfume. * My mother gave a sniff of disapproval. * His sobs soon turned to sniffs.\n  2  [sing.] ~ of sth an idea of what sth is like or that sth is going to happen:\nThe sniff of power went to his head. * They make threats but back down at the first sniff of trouble.\n  3  [sing.] ~ of sth a small chance of sth:\nShe didn’t get even a sniff at a medal.\n IDIOMS \n  have a (good) sniff around to examine a place carefully


Words: sniffle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V, V speech] to sniff or keep sniffing, especially because you are crying or have a cold\n    noun an act or the sound of sniffling:\nAfter a while, her sniffles died away.\n IDIOMS \n  get, have, etc. the sniffles (informal) to get, have, etc. a slight cold


Words: sniffy
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (about sth) (informal) not approving of sth/sb because you think they are not good enough for you:\nThey were very sniffy about letting us in without jackets.


Words: snifter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (especially AmE) a large glass used for drinking BRANDY\n  2  (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) a small amount of a strong alcoholic drink


Words: snigger
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (BrE) (also snicker AmE, BrE) ~ (at sb/sth) to laugh in a quiet unpleasant way, especially at sth rude or at sb’s problems or mistakes:\n[V] What are you sniggering at? [also V speech] \n    noun (BrE) (also snicker AmE, BrE) a quiet unpleasant laugh, especially at sth rude or at sb’s problems or mistakes


Words: snip
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-pp-) ~ (at / through) sth to cut sth with scissors using short quick strokes:\n[VN] Snip a tiny hole in the paper. * [V] She snipped at the loose threads hanging down.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  snip sth<->off to remove sth by cutting it with scissors in short quick strokes:\nSnip off the end of the tube. * She snipped several inches off his hair.\n    noun\n  1  [C] an act of cutting sth with scissors; the sound that this makes:\nMake a series of small snips along the edge of the fabric. * Snip, snip, went the scissors.\n  2  (snips) [pl.] a tool like large scissors, used for cutting metal\n  3  (a snip) [sing.] (BrE, informal) a thing that is cheap and good value:\nIt’s a snip at only ｣25.


Words: snipe
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] ~ (at sb/sth)\n  1  to shoot at sb from a hiding place, usually from a distance:\nGunmen continued to snipe at people leaving their homes to find food.\n  2  to criticize sb in an unpleasant way\n    sniping noun [U]:\nAid workers remain in the area despite continuous sniping.\n    noun (plural snipe) a bird with a long straight beak that lives on wet ground


Words: sniper
Meaning:
noun\na person who shoots at sb from a hidden position:\nTwo soldiers were shot by snipers. * sniper fire


Words: snippet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small piece of information or news:\nHave you got any interesting snippets for me? * a snippet of information / gossip\n  2  a short piece of a conversation, piece of music, etc.\nSYN SNATCH, EXTRACT


Words: snitch
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (on sb) (to sb) (informal, disapproving) to tell a parent, teacher, etc. about sth wrong that another child has done\nSYN SNEAK:\nJohnnie snitched on me to his mom.\n    snitch noun:\nYou little snitch! I’ll never tell you anything again!


Words: snivelling
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE sniveling)  adjective\n[only before noun] (disapproving) tending to cry or complain a lot in a way that annoys people:\na snivelling little brat


Words: snob
Meaning:
noun (disapproving)\n  1  a person who admires people in the higher social classes too much and has no respect for people in the lower social classes:\nShe’s such a snob!\n  2  a person who thinks they are much better than other people because they are intelligent or like things that many people do not like:\nan intellectual snob * a food / wine snob * There is a snob value in driving the latest model.


Words: snobbery
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) the attitudes and behaviour of people who are snobs:\ncultural / intellectual snobbery\nsee also INVERTED SNOBBERY


Words: snobbish
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) thinking that having a high social class is very important; feeling that you are better than other people because you are more intelligent or like things that many people do not like\n    snobbishness noun [U]


Words: snog
Meaning:
verb\n(-gg-) (BrE, informal) (of two people) to kiss each other, especially for a long time:\n[V] They were snogging on the sofa. * [VN] I caught him snogging my friend.\n    snog noun [sing.]


Words: snooker
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] a game for two people played on a long table covered with green fabric. Players use CUES (= long sticks) to hit a white ball against other balls (15 red and 6 of other colours) in order to get the coloured balls into pockets at the edge of the table, in a particular set order:\na snooker player / table\ncompare BILLIARDS, POOL\n \n  2  [C] a position in snooker in which one player has made it very difficult for the opponent to play a shot within the rules\n    verb [VN] [usually passive]\n  1  (in the game of snooker) to have your opponent in a snooker (2)\n  2  (BrE, informal) to make it impossible for sb to do sth, especially sth they want to do:\nAny plans I’d had for the weekend were by now well and truly snookered.\n  3  (AmE, informal) to deceive or trick sb


Words: snoop
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] ~ (around / round sth) | ~ (on sb) (informal, disapproving) to find out private things about sb, especially by looking secretly around a place:\nSomeone’s been snooping around my apartment. * journalists snooping on politicians\n    snooper noun = SNOOP\n    noun\n  1  (also snooper) a person who looks around a place secretly to find out private things about sb\n  2  [sing.] a secret look around a place:\nHe had a snoop around her office.


Words: snooty
Meaning:
(also informal snotty) adjective\n(disapproving) treating people as if they are not as good or as important as you\n    snootiness noun [U]


Words: snooze
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (informal) to have a short light sleep, especially during the day and usually not in bed:\nMy brother was snoozing on the sofa.\n    snooze noun [sing.]:\nI often have a snooze after lunch.


Words: snore
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] to breathe noisily through your nose and mouth while you are asleep:\nI could hear Paul snoring in the next room.\n    snorer noun\n    snoring noun [U]:\nheavy / loud / gentle snoring\n    noun noisy breathing while you are asleep:\nShe lay awake listening to his snores.


Words: snorkel
Meaning:
noun\n\na tube that you can breathe air through when you are swimming under the surface of the water\n \n    snorkel verb [V]


Words: snorkelling
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE snorkeling)  noun\n[U] the sport or activity of swimming underwater with a snorkel:\nto go snorkelling


Words: snort
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to make a loud sound by breathing air out noisily through your nose, especially to show that you are angry or amused:\n[V] to snort with laughter / annoyance * She snorted in disgust. * The horse snorted and tossed its head. * [V speech] ’You!’ he snorted contemptuously.\n  2  [VN] (slang) to take drugs by breathing them in through the nose:\nto snort cocaine\n    noun\n  1  a loud sound that you make by breathing air out noisily through your nose, especially to show that you are angry or amused:\nto give a snort of disgust / laughter / derision * I could hear the snort and stamp of a horse.\n  2  (slang) a small amount of a drug that is breathed in through the nose; an act of taking a drug in this way:\nto take a snort of cocaine


Words: snot
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal) a word that some people find offensive, used to describe the liquid substance (= MUCUS) that is produced in the nose


Words: snotty
Meaning:
(also snotty-nosed) adjective (informal)\n  1  = SNOOTY\n  2  full of or covered in snot:\na snotty nose * snotty kids


Words: snout
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  the long nose and area around the mouth of some types of animal, such as a pig\ncompare MUZZLE\n \n  2  (informal, humorous) a person’s nose\n \n  3  a part of sth that sticks out at the front:\nthe snout of a pistol


Words: snow
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] small soft white pieces, (called FLAKES), of frozen water that fall from the sky in cold weather; this substance when it is lying on the ground:\nSnow was falling heavily. * We had snow in May this year. * The snow was beginning to melt. * Children were playing in the snow. * 20 cm of snow was / were expected today. * The snow didn’t settle (= stay on the ground). * Her skin was as white as snow.\n \n  2  (snows) [pl.] (literary) an amount of snow that falls in one particular place or at one particular time:\nthe first snows of winter * the snows of Everest\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  as clean, pure, etc. as the driven snow extremely clean, pure, etc.\n    verb\n  1  [V] when it snows, snow falls from the sky:\nIt’s been snowing heavily all day. * It snowed for three days without stopping.\n  2  [VN] (AmE, informal) to impress sb a lot by the things you say, especially if these are not true or not sincere:\nHe really snowed me with all his talk of buying a Porsche.\n IDIOMS \n  be snowed in / up to be unable to leave a place because of heavy snow:\nWe were snowed in for two days.\n  be snowed under (with sth) to have more things, especially work, than you feel able to deal with:\nI’d love to come but I’m completely snowed under at the moment.\n  be snowed up (especially of a road) to be blocked with snow


Words: snow job
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE, informal) an attempt to deceive sb or to persuade them to support sth by telling them things that are not true, or by praising them too much


Words: snow-covered
Meaning:
(also literary snow-clad) adjective\n[usually before noun] covered with snow:\nsnow-covered fields / mountains


Words: snowball
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a ball that you make out of snow to throw at sb/sth in a game:\na snowball fight * Children were throwing snowballs at the passing traffic.\n  2  [sing.] (often used as an adjective) a situation that develops more and more quickly as it continues:\nAll this publicity has had a snowball effect on the sales of their latest album.\n IDIOMS \n  not have a snowball’s chance in hell (of doing sth) (informal) to have no chance at all of doing sth\n    verb [V] if a problem, a plan, an activity, etc. snowballs, it quickly becomes much bigger, more serious, more important, etc:\nOpposition to the proposals has snowballed.


Words: snowboarding
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the sport of moving over snow on a long wide board called a snowboard:\nto go snowboarding * Snowboarding is now an Olympic sport.\n    snowboarder noun


Words: snowbound
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a person or vehicle) trapped in a particular place and unable to move because a lot of snow has fallen:\nThe skiers were snowbound in the resort for several days.\n  2  (of a road or building) that you cannot use or reach because a lot of snow has fallen:\nThey were stranded for hours on the snowbound motorway.


Words: snowdrift
Meaning:
noun\na deep pile of snow that has been blown together by the wind:\nThe car got stuck in a snowdrift.


Words: snowfall
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] an occasion when snow falls; the amount of snow that falls in a particular place in a period of time:\na heavy / light snowfall * an area of low snowfall * What is the average annual snowfall for this state?


Words: snowflake
Meaning:
noun\na small soft piece of frozen water that falls from the sky as snow:\nA single snowflake landed on her nose.


Words: snowman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural snowmen ) a figure like a man that people, especially children, make out of snow for fun:\nto make / build a snowman


Words: snowplough
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE snowplow)  noun, verb \n    noun a vehicle or machine for cleaning snow from roads or railways\n    verb [V] to bring the two points of your skis together, in order to slow down or stop


Words: snowshoe
Meaning:
noun\none of a pair of flat frames that you attach to the bottom of your shoes so that you can walk on deep snow without sinking in


Words: snowy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] covered with snow:\nsnowy fields / peaks\n  2  (of a period of time) when a lot of snow falls:\na snowy weekend * The weather in January is often cold and snowy.\n  3  (literary) very white, like new snow:\nsnowy hair


Words: SNP
Meaning:
abbreviation\nScottish National Party (a Scottish political party which believes that Scotland should be independent)


Words: snub
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-bb-) [VN] \n  1  to insult sb, especially by ignoring them when you meet:\nI tried to be friendly, but she snubbed me completely.\n  2  to refuse to attend or accept sth, for example as a protest:\nAll the country’s leading players snubbed the tournament.\n    noun ~ (to sb) an action or a comment that is deliberately rude in order to show sb that you do not like or respect them:\nHer refusal to attend the dinner is being seen as a deliberate snub to the President.\n    adjective [only before noun] (of a nose) short, flat and turned up at the end\n    snub-nosed adjective:\na snub-nosed child * a snub-nosed revolver (= with a short barrel)


Words: snuff
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sth (out) to stop a small flame from burning, especially by pressing it between your fingers or covering it with sth\n  2  (of an animal) to smell sth by breathing in noisily through the nose:\n[V] The dogs were snuffing gently at my feet. [also VN]\n IDIOMS \n  snuff it (BrE, humorous, slang) to die\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  snuff sth<->out (written) to stop or destroy sth completely:\nAn innocent child’s life has been snuffed out by this senseless shooting.\n    noun [U] tobacco in the form of a powder that people take by breathing it into their noses


Words: snuffle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to breathe noisily because you have a cold or you are crying\nSYN SNIFF:\n[V] I could hear the child snuffling in her sleep. [also V speech]\n  2  [V] ~ (about / around) if an animal snuffles, it breathes noisily through its nose, especially while it is smelling sth:\nThe dog was snuffling around in the bushes.\n    noun (also less frequent snuffling) an act or the sound of snuffling:\nThe silence was broken only by the snuffles of the dogs. * His breath came in snuffles.\n IDIOMS \n  get, have, etc. the snuffles (informal) to get/have a cold


Words: snug
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  warm, comfortable and protected, especially from the cold\nSYN COSY:\na snug little house * I spent the afternoon snug and warm in bed.\n  2  fitting sb/sth closely:\nThe elastic at the waist gives a nice snug fit. * These jeans are a bit snug (= too tight).\n    snugly adverb:\nI left the children tucked up snugly in bed. * The lid should fit snugly.\n    snugness noun [U] \n    noun (BrE) a small comfortable room in a pub, with seats for only a few people


Words: snuggle
Meaning:
verb\n~ (up to sb/sth) [+adv./prep.] to get into, or to put sb/sth into, a warm comfortable position, especially close to sb:\n[V] The child snuggled up to her mother. * He snuggled down under the bedclothes. * She snuggled closer. * [VN] He snuggled his head onto her shoulder.


Words: so
Meaning:
adverb, conjunction, noun \n    adverb\n  1  ~ ...(that) ... | ~ ...as to do sth to such a great degree:\nDon’t look so angry. * There’s no need to worry so. * She spoke so quietly (that) I could hardly hear her. * I’m not so stupid as to believe that. * (formal, especially BrE) Would you be so kind as to lock the door when you leave?\n  2  (especially spoken) very; extremely:\nThe girls looked so pretty in their summer dresses. * I’m so glad to see you. * We have so much to do. * Their attitude is so very English. * The article was just so much (= nothing but) nonsense. * (BrE) He sat there ever so quietly. * (BrE) I do love it so.\n  3  not ~ ...(as ...) (used in comparisons) not to the same degree:\nI haven’t enjoyed myself so much for a long time. * It wasn’t so good as last time. * It’s not so easy as you’d think. * He was not so quick a learner as his brother. * It’s not so much a hobby as a career (= more like a career than a hobby). * (disapproving) Off she went without so much as (= without even) a ’goodbye’.\n  4  (spoken) used to show the size, amount or number of sth:\nThe fish was about so big (= said when using your hands to show the size). * There are only so many (= only a limited number of) hours in a day.\n  5  used to refer back to sth that has already been mentioned:\n’Is he coming?’ ’I hope so.’ * ’Did they mind?’ ’I don’t think so.’ * If she notices, she never says so. * I might be away next week. If so, I won’t be able to see you. * We are very busy-so much so that we won’t be able to take time off this year. * Programs are expensive, and even more so if you have to keep altering them. * I hear that you’re a writer-is that so (= is that true)? * He thinks I dislike him but that just isn’t so. * George is going to help me, or so he says (= that is what he says). * They asked me to call them and I did so (= I called).\n  6  also:\nTimes have changed and so have I. * ’I prefer the first version.’ ’So do we.’\n HELP NOTE  You cannot use so with negative verbs. Use neither or either: ’I’m not hungry.’ ’Neither am I / I’m not very hungry either.’\n  7  (spoken) used to agree that sth is true, especially when you are surprised:\n’You were there, too.’ ’So I was-I’d forgotten.’ * ’There’s another one.’ ’So there is.’\n  8  (spoken) used, especially by children, to say that what sb says is not the case and the opposite is true:\n’You’re not telling the truth, are you?’ ’I am, so!’\n  9  used when you are showing sb how to do sth or telling them how sth happened: (spoken) Stand with you arms out, so. * (literary) So it was that he finally returned home.\n IDIOMS \n  and so forth | and so on (and so forth) used at the end of a list to show that it continues in the same way:\nWe discussed everything-when to go, what to see and so on.\n  ...or so used after a number, an amount, etc. to show that it is not exact:\nThere were twenty or so (= about twenty) people there. * We stayed for an hour or so.\n  so as to do sth with the intention of doing sth:\nWe went early so as to get good seats.\n  so be it (formal) used to show that you accept sth and will not try to change it or cannot change it:\nIf he doesn’t want to be involved, then so be it.\n  so much for sth\n1 used to show that you have finished talking about sth:\nSo much for the situation in Germany. Now we turn our attention to France.\n2 (informal) used to suggest that sth has not been successful or useful:\nSo much for that idea!\n  so ...that (formal) in such a way that:\nThe programme has been so organized that none of the talks overlap.\n    conjunction\n  1  used to show the reason for sth:\nIt was still painful so I went to see a doctor.\n  2  ~ (that ...) used to show the result of sth:\nNothing more was heard from him so that we began to wonder if he was dead.\n  3  ~ (that ...) used to show the purpose of sth:\nBut I gave you a map so you wouldn’t get lost! * She worked hard so that everything would be ready in time.\n  4  used to introduce the next part of a story:\nSo after shouting and screaming for an hour she walked out in tears.\n  5  (spoken) used to show that you think sth is not important, especially after sb has criticized you for it:\nSo I had a couple of drinks on the way home. What’s wrong with that? * ’You’ve been smoking again.’ ’So?’\n  6  (spoken) used to introduce a comment or a question:\nSo, let’s see. What do we need to take? * So, what have you been doing today?\n  7  (spoken) used when you are making a final statement:\nSo, that’s it for today.\n  8  (spoken) used in questions to refer to sth that has just been said:\nSo there’s nothing we can do about it? * ’I’ve just got back from a trip to Rome.’ ’So, how was it?’\n  9  used when stating that two events, situations, etc. are similar:\nJust as large companies are having to cut back, so small businesses are being forced to close.\n IDIOMS \n  so what? (spoken) used to show that you think sth is not important, especially after sb has criticized you for it:\n’He’s fifteen years younger than you!’ ’So what?’ * So what if nobody else agrees with me?\n    noun = SOH


Words: so-and-so
Meaning:
noun (plural so-and-sos) (informal)\n  1  [usually sing.] used to refer to a person, thing, etc. when you do not know their name or when you are talking in a general way:\nLet’s imagine Mrs So-and-so walks in. What would you say to her? * What would you say to Mrs So-and-so who has called to complain about a noisy neighbour?\n  2  an annoying or unpleasant person. People sometimes say so-and-so to avoid using an offensive word:\nHe’s an ungrateful so-and-so.


Words: so-called
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] used to show that you do not think that the word or phrase that is being used to describe sb/sth is appropriate:\nthe opinion of a so-called ’expert’ * How have these so-called improvements helped the local community?\n  2  [usually before noun] used to introduce the word that people usually use to describe sth:\nartists from the so-called ’School of London’


Words: so-so
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) not particularly good or bad; average:\n’How are you feeling today?’ ’So-so.’ * I’ve had a so-so sort of week.\n    so-so adverb:\nI only did so-so in the exam.


Words: soak
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (sth) (in sth) to put sth in liquid for a time so that it becomes completely wet; to become completely wet in this way:\n[VN] I usually soak the beans overnight. * If you soak the tablecloth before you wash it, the stains should come out. * [V] Leave the apricots to soak for 20 minutes. * I’m going to go and soak in the bath.\n  2  [VN] to make sb/sth completely wet:\nA sudden shower of rain soaked the spectators.\n  3  [VN] (informal) to obtain a lot of money from sb by making them pay very high taxes or prices:\nHe was accused of soaking his clients.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  soak into / through sth | soak in (of a liquid) to enter or pass through sth:\nBlood had soaked through the bandage.\n  soak sth<->off / out to remove sth by leaving it in water\n  soak sth<->up\n1 to take in or absorb liquid:\nUse a cloth to soak up some of the excess water.\n2 to absorb sth into your senses, your body or your mind:\nWe were just sitting soaking up the atmosphere.\n    noun (also soaking) [sing.]\n  1  an act of leaving sth in a liquid for a period of time; an act of making sb/sth wet:\nGive the shirt a good soak before you wash it.\n  2  (informal) a period of time spent in a bath:\nRelax with a nice long soak in a hot bath.


Words: soaked
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not usually before noun] ~ (with sth) very wet\nSYN DRENCHED:\nHe woke up soaked with sweat. * You’re soaked through! (= completely wet) * They were soaked to the skin. * You’ll get soaked if you go out in this rain. * Your clothes are soaked!\n  2  (-soaked) used with nouns to form adjectives describing sth that is made completely wet with the thing mentioned:\na blood-soaked cloth * rain-soaked clothing


Words: soaking
Meaning:
(also soaking wet) adjective\ncompletely wet:\nThat coat is soaking-take it off. * We arrived home soaking wet. * a soaking wet afternoon (= during which it rains a lot)


Words: soap
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U, C] a substance that you use with water for washing your body:\nsoap and water * a bar / piece of soap * soap bubbles * Avoid using perfumed soaps on sensitive skin.\n \n  2  [C] (informal) = SOAP OPERA:\nsoaps on TV * She’s a US soap star.\n    verb [VN] to rub yourself/sb/sth with soap\nsee also SOFT-SOAP


Words: soap flakes
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] very small thin pieces of soap that you buy in packets and use for washing your clothes by hand


Words: soap opera
Meaning:
(also informal soap) noun\n[C, U] a story about the lives and problems of a group of people which is broadcast every day or several times a week on television or radio:\nthe longest-running soap opera on British television


Words: soap powder
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (BrE) a powder made from soap and other substances that you use for washing your clothes, especially in a machine


Words: soapbox
Meaning:
noun\na small temporary platform that sb stands on to make a speech in a public place, usually outdoors\n IDIOMS \n  get / be on your soapbox (informal) to express the strong opinions that you have about a particular subject:\nShe’s on her soapbox about animal rights again!


Words: soapy
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  full of soap; covered with soap:\na soapy sponge * soapy hands * Wash the brushes in warm soapy water.\n  2  tasting or feeling like soap


Words: soar
Meaning:
verb [V] (written)\n  1  if the value, amount or level of sth soars, it rises very quickly:\nsoaring costs / prices / temperatures * Air pollution will soon soar above safety levels. * Unemployment has soared to 18%.\n  2  ~ (up) (into sth) to rise quickly and smoothly up into the air:\nThe rocket soared (up) into the air. * (figurative) Her spirits soared (= she became very happy and excited).\n  3  to fly very high in the air or remain high in the air:\nan eagle soaring high above the cliffs\n  4  to be very high or tall:\nsoaring hills / mountains * The building soared above us.\n  5  when music soars, it becomes higher or louder:\nsoaring strings


Words: soaraway
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE, written) (especially of success) very great; growing very quickly


Words: sob
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-bb-)\n  1  [V] to cry noisily, taking sudden, sharp breaths:\nI heard a child sobbing loudly. * He started to sob uncontrollably.\n  2  ~ sth (out) to say sth while you are crying:\n[V speech] ’I hate him,’ she sobbed. * [VN] He sobbed out his troubles.\n IDIOMS \n  sob your heart out to cry noisily for a long time because you are very sad\n    noun an act or the sound of sobbing:\nHe gave a deep sob. * Her body was racked (= shaken) with sobs. * She managed to stifle (= stop) a sob.


Words: sob story
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, disapproving) a story that sb tells you just to make you feel sorry for them, especially one that does not have that effect or is not true


Words: sober
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective\n  1  [not usually before noun] not drunk (= not affected by alcohol):\nI promised him that I’d stay sober tonight. * He was as sober as a judge (= completely sober).\n  2  (of people and their behaviour) serious and sensible:\na sober assessment of the situation * He is honest, sober and hard-working. * On sober reflection (= after some serious thought), I don’t think I really need a car after all.\n  3  (of colours or clothes) plain and not bright:\na sober grey suit\n    soberly adverb:\nHe was soberly dressed.\n IDIOMS  see STONE COLD\n    verb to make sb behave or think in a more serious and sensible way; to become more serious and sensible: [VN] The bad news sobered us for a while. * [V] He suddenly sobered.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sober up | sober sb up to become or to make sb no longer drunk:\nStay here with us until you’ve sobered up.


Words: sobering
Meaning:
adjective\nmaking you feel serious and think carefully:\na sobering effect / experience / thought * It is sobering to realize that this is not a new problem.


Words: sobriety
Meaning:
noun [U] (formal)\n  1  the state of being sober (= not being drunk)\n  2  the fact of being sensible and serious:\nShe was a model of sobriety and honesty.


Words: sobriquet
Meaning:
(also soubriquet) noun\n(written) an informal name or title that you give sb/sth\nSYN NICKNAME:\nHe was a tiny man, and so earned the sobriquet ’The Little Wonder.’


Words: sociable
Meaning:
(also less frequent social) adjective\n(of people) enjoying spending time with other people:\nShe’s a sociable child who’ll talk to anyone. * I’m not feeling very sociable this evening. * We had a very sociable weekend (= we did a lot of things with other people). * The hours are not very sociable in this job (= you have to work early, late, at the weekend, etc.).\ncompare ANTISOCIAL\nOPP UNSOCIABLE\n    sociability  noun [U]


Words: social
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  connected with society\n  1  [only before noun] connected with society and the way it is organized:\nsocial issues / problems / reforms * a call for social and economic change\n  2  [only before noun] connected with your position in society:\nsocial class / background * social advancement (= improving your position in society) * social mobility (= the movement of people from one social class to another)\n  activities with others\n  3  [only before noun] connected with activities in which people meet each other for pleasure:\na busy / hectic social life * Team sports help to develop a child’s social skills (= the ability to talk easily to other people and do things in a group). * Social events and training days are arranged for all the staff. * Join a social club to make new friends.\n  animals\n  4  [only before noun] (technical) living naturally in groups, rather than alone:\nApes are social animals.\n  friendly\n  5  = SOCIABLE\n    socially  adverb:\nThe reforms will bring benefits, socially and politically. * This type of behaviour is no longer socially acceptable. * a socially disadvantaged family (= one that is poor and from a low social class) * We meet at work, but never socially. * Carnivores are usually socially complex mammals.\n    noun\n  1  [C] (old-fashioned) a party that is organized by a group or club:\na youth club social\n  2  (the social) [U] (BrE, spoken) = SOCIAL SECURITY:\nWe’re living on the social now.


Words: social climber
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a person who tries to improve their position in society by becoming friendly with people who belong to a higher social class


Words: social conscience
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] the state of being aware of the problems that affect a lot of people in society, such as being poor or having no home, and wanting to do sth to help these people


Words: social democracy
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a political system that combines the principles of SOCIALISM with the greater personal freedom of DEMOCRACY; a country that has this political system of government\n    social democrat noun\n    social democratic adjective [only before noun]


Words: social engineering
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the attempt to change society and to deal with social problems according to particular political beliefs, for example by changing the law


Words: social fund
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a sum of money that can be used to help people who have financial, family or other social problems


Words: social housing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (in Britain) houses or flats/apartments that are provided by a local council or another organization for people to buy or rent at a low price


Words: social science
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also social studies) [U] the study of people in society\n  2  [C] a particular subject connected with the study of people in society, for example geography, ECONOMICS or SOCIOLOGY


Words: social security
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (BrE) (also welfare AmE, BrE) money that the government pays regularly to people who are poor, unemployed, sick, etc:\nto live on social security * social security payments * the Department of Social Security\n  2  (Social Security) (AmE) a system in which people pay money regularly to the government when they are working and receive payments from the government when they are unable to work, especially when they are sick or too old to work\ncompare NATIONAL INSURANCE


Words: social services
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] a system that is organized by the local government to help people who have financial or family problems; the department or the people who provide this help:\na leaflet on the range of social services available * the local social services department


Words: social work
Meaning:
noun\n[U] paid work that involves giving help and advice to people living in the community who have financial or family problems


Words: socialism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a set of political and economic theories based on the belief that everyone has an equal right to a share of a country’s wealth and that the government should own and control the main industries\ncompare CAPITALISM, COMMUNISM, SOCIAL DEMOCRACY


Words: socialist
Meaning:
noun\na person who believes in or supports socialism; a member of a political party that believes in socialism\n    socialist adjective [usually before noun]:\na socialist country / government / politician * socialist beliefs / ideals / traditions * the ruling Socialist Party


Words: socialist realism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a theory that was put into practice in some COMMUNIST countries, especially in the Soviet Union under Stalin, that art, music and literature should be used to show people the principles of a SOCIALIST society and encourage them to support it


Words: socialistic
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (often disapproving) having some of the features of socialism:\nRoosevelt’s New Deal was criticized for its socialistic tendencies.


Words: socialite
Meaning:
noun\n(sometimes disapproving) a person who goes to a lot of fashionable parties and is often written about in the newspapers, etc.


Words: socialization
Meaning:
(BrE also socialisation)  noun\n[U] (formal) the process by which sb, especially a child, learns to behave in a way that is acceptable in their society


Words: socialize
Meaning:
(BrE also socialise)  verb\n  1  [V] ~ (with sb) to meet and spend time with people in a friendly way, in order to enjoy yourself:\nI enjoy socializing with the other students. * Maybe you should socialize more.\n  2  [VN] [often passive] (formal) to teach people to behave in ways that are acceptable to their society:\nThe family has the important function of socializing children. [also VN to inf]\n  3  [VN] [usually passive] to organize sth according to the principles of SOCIALISM


Words: societal
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (technical) connected with society and the way it is organized:\nsocietal values / structure


Words: society
Meaning:
noun (plural societies)\n  1  [U] people in general, living together in communities:\npolicies that will benefit society as a whole * Racism exists at all levels of society. * They carried out research into the roles of men and women in today’s society\n  2  [C, U] a particular community of people who share the same customs, laws, etc:\nmodern industrial societies * demand created by a consumer society * Can Britain ever be a classless society? * They were discussing the problems of Western society.\n  3  [C] (abbreviation Soc.) (especially in names) a group of people who join together for a particular purpose\nSYN ASSOCIATION:\na member of the drama society * the American Society of Newspaper Editors\nsee also BUILDING SOCIETY, FRIENDLY SOCIETY\n  4  [U] the group of people in a country who are fashionable, rich and powerful:\nTheir daughter married into high society. * a society wedding\n  5  [U] (formal) the state of being with other people\nSYN COMPANY:\nHe was a solitary man who avoided the society of others.


Words: socio-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) connected with society or the study of society:\nsocio-economic * sociolinguistics


Words: sociology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of the nature and development of society and social behaviour\n    sociological  adjective:\nsociological research / theories\n    sociologically  adverb


Words: sociopath
Meaning:
noun\na person who has a mental illness and who behaves in an aggressive or dangerous way towards other people


Words: sock
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a piece of clothing that is worn over the foot, ankle and lower part of the leg, especially inside a shoe:\na pair of socks\n \n  2  (informal) a strong blow, especially with the FIST:\nto give sb a sock on the jaw\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  blow / knock sb’s socks off (informal) to surprise or impress sb very much\n \n  put a sock in it (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) used to tell sb to stop talking or making a noise:\nCan’t you put a sock in it? I’m trying to work.\nmore at PULL v.\n    verb [VN] (informal) to hit sb hard:\nShe got angry and socked him in the mouth. * (figurative) The banks are socking customers with higher charges.\n IDIOMS \n  sock it to sb (informal or humorous) to do sth or tell sb sth in a strong and effective way:\nGo in there and sock it to ’em!\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sock sth<->away (AmE) to save money:\nShe already has $500 socked away for college.


Words: socket
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (also power point) (both BrE) (AmE outlet, receptacle) a device in a wall that you put a PLUG into in order to connect electrical equipment to the power supply of a building:\na mains / wall socket\n \n  2  a device on a piece of electrical equipment that you can fix a PLUG, a light BULB, etc. into:\nan aerial socket on the television\n \n  3  a curved hollow space in the surface of sth that another part fits into or moves around in:\nHis eyes bulged in their sockets. * The dog nearly pulled my arm out of its socket.


Words: sod
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (BrE, !!!, slang) used to refer to a person, especially a man, that you are annoyed with or think is unpleasant:\nYou stupid sod!\n  2  (BrE, !!!, slang) used with an adjective to refer to a person, especially a man:\nThe poor old sod got the sack yesterday. * You lucky sod!\n HELP NOTE  You can use words like man, boy, devil or thing instead.\n  3  (BrE, !!!, slang) a thing that is difficult or causes problems:\nIt was a real sod of a job.\n  4  [sing.] (formal or literary) a layer of earth with grass growing on it; a piece of this that has been removed:\nunder the sod (= in your grave)\n    verb (-dd-) [VN] (BrE, !!!, slang) (only used in orders) a swear word that many people find offensive, used when sb is annoyed about sth or to show that they do not care about sth:\nSod this car! It’s always breaking down. * Oh, sod it! I’m not doing any more. * We’re going on holiday and sod the expense.\n IDIOMS  see LARK n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sod off (BrE, !!!, slang) (usually used in orders) to go away:\nSod off, the pair of you!


Words: sod all
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE, !!!, slang) a phrase that some people find offensive, used to mean ’none at all’ or ’nothing at all’


Words: Sod’s Law
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE, humorous) the tendency for things to happen in just the way that you do not want, and in a way that is not useful:\nWe always play better when we are not being recorded-but that’s Sod’s Law, isn’t it? * It was Sod’s Law-the only day he could manage was the day I couldn’t miss work.


Words: soda
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U, C] = SODA WATER:\nAdd some soda to the whisky, please. * a Scotch and soda\n \n  2  (also old-fashioned soda pop) (both AmE) [U, C] a sweet FIZZY drink (= a drink with bubbles) made with soda water, fruit flavour and sometimes ice cream:\nDo you have any diet soda? * He had an ice-cream soda.\n \n  3  [U] a chemical substance in common use that is a compound of SODIUM:\nbaking / washing soda\nsee also CAUSTIC SODA, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM CARBONATE


Words: soda water
Meaning:
(also soda) noun\n  1  [U] FIZZY water (= water with bubbles) used as a drink on its own or to mix with alcoholic drinks or fruit juice\n  2  [C] a glass of soda water


Words: sodden
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  extremely wet\nSYN SOAKED:\nsodden clothing / grass * We arrived home completely sodden.\n  2  (-sodden) extremely wet with the thing mentioned:\na rain-sodden jacket


Words: sodding
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE, !!!, slang) a swear word that many people find offensive, used to emphasize a comment or an angry statement:\nI couldn’t understand a sodding thing!


Words: sodium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol Na) a chemical element. Sodium is a soft silver-white metal that is found naturally only in compounds, such as salt.


Words: sodium bicarbonate
Meaning:
(also bicarbonate of soda, baking soda) (also informal bicarb) noun\n[U] (Symbol NaHCO3) a chemical compound in the form of a white powder that dissolves and is used in baking to make cakes, etc. rise and become light, and in making FIZZY drinks and some medicines


Words: sodium carbonate
Meaning:
(also washing soda) noun\n[U] (Symbol Na2CO3) a chemical compound in the form of white CRYSTALS or powder that dissolves and is used in making glass, soap and paper, and for softening water


Words: sofa
Meaning:
noun\na long comfortable seat with a back and arms, for two or more people to sit on\nSYN SETTEE, COUCH


Words: soft
Meaning:
adjective (softer, softest)\n  not hard\n  1  changing shape easily when pressed; not stiff or firm:\nsoft margarine * soft feather pillows * The grass was soft and springy.\n  2  less hard than average:\nsoft rocks such as limestone * soft cheeses\nOPP HARD\n  not rough\n  3  smooth and pleasant to touch:\nsoft skin / hair / fur * a dress made from the finest, softest silk\nOPP ROUGH\n  without angles / edges\n  4  not having sharp angles or hard edges:\nThis season’s fashions focus on warm tones and soft lines. * The moon’s pale light cast soft shadows.\n  light / colours\n  5  [usually before noun] not too bright, in a way that is pleasant and relaxing to the eyes:\na soft pink * the soft glow of candlelight\nOPP HARSH\n  rain / wind\n  6  not strong or violent:\nA soft breeze rustled the trees.\n  sounds\n  7  not loud, and usually pleasant and gentle:\nsoft background music * a soft voice\n  sympathetic\n  8  kind and sympathetic; easily affected by other people’s suffering:\nJulia’s soft heart was touched by his grief.\nOPP HARD\n  not strict\n  9  ~ (on sb/sth) | ~ (with sb) (usually disapproving) not strict or severe; not strict or severe enough:\nThe government is not becoming soft on crime. * If you’re too soft with these kids they’ll never respect you.\nOPP TOUGH\n  crazy\n  10  (informal, disapproving) stupid or crazy:\nHe must be going soft in the head.\n  not brave / tough enough\n  11  (informal, disapproving) not brave enough; wanting to be safe and comfortable:\nStay in a hotel? Don’t be so soft. I want to camp out under the stars.\n  too easy\n  12  (disapproving) not involving much work; too easy and comfortable:\nThey had got too used to the soft life at home.\nOPP HARD\n  water\n  13  not containing mineral salts and therefore good for washing:\nYou won’t need much soap-the water here is very soft.\nOPP HARD\n  consonants\n  14  (phonetics) not sounding hard, for example ’c’ in ’city’ and ’g’ in ’general’\nOPP HARD\n    softness noun [U, sing.]:\nthe softness of her skin / voice * the softness of the water\nsee also SOFTLY\n IDIOMS \n  have a soft spot for sb/sth (informal) to like sb/sth:\nShe’s always had a soft spot for you.\nmore at OPTION, TOUCH n.


Words: soft drug
Meaning:
noun\nan illegal drug, such as CANNABIS, that some people take for pleasure, that is not considered very harmful or likely to cause ADDICTION\ncompare HARD DRUG


Words: soft focus
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a method of producing a photograph so that the edges of the image are not clear, in order to make it look more romantic and attractive:\nThe scene was beautifully captured in soft focus.


Words: soft porn
Meaning:
noun\n[U] films/movies, books, pictures, etc. that show or describe sexual activity in a way that is sexually exciting but not in a very detailed or violent way\ncompare HARD PORN


Words: soft sell
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a method of selling that involves persuading sb to buy sth rather than using pressure or aggressive methods\ncompare HARD SELL


Words: soft toy
Meaning:
(BrE) (also stuffed animal AmE, BrE) noun\na toy in the shape of an animal, made of fabric and filled with a soft substance


Words: soft-boiled
Meaning:
adjective\n(of eggs) boiled for a short time so that the YOLK is still soft or liquid\ncompare HARD-BOILED


Words: soft-hearted
Meaning:
adjective\nkind, sympathetic and emotional:\nHe’s too soft-hearted for his own good.\ncompare HARD-HEARTED


Words: soft-pedal
Meaning:
verb\n~ (on) sth (informal) to treat sth as less serious or important than it really is:\n[VN] Television has been accused of soft-pedalling bad news. [also V]


Words: soft-soap
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (informal) to say nice things to sb in order to persuade them to do sth\n    soft soap noun [U]


Words: soft-spoken
Meaning:
(also less frequent softly-spoken) adjective\nhaving a gentle and quiet voice:\nHe was a pleasant, soft-spoken man.


Words: soft-top
Meaning:
noun\na type of car that has a soft roof that can be folded down or removed; the roof of such a car\nsee also CONVERTIBLE


Words: softball
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a game similar to baseball but played on a smaller field with a larger softer ball\n  2  [C] the ball used in softball


Words: soften
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to become, or to make sth softer:\n[V] Fry the onions until they soften. * [VN] a lotion to soften the skin * Linseed oil will soften stiff leather.\n  2  to become or to make sth less bright or harsh:\n[VN] Trees soften the outline of the house. [also V]\n  3  to become or to make sb/sth more sympathetic and less severe or critical:\n[V] She felt herself softening towards him. * His face softened as he looked at his son. * [VN] She softened her tone a little.\n  4  [VN] to reduce the force or the unpleasant effects of sth:\nAir bags are designed to soften the impact of a car crash.\n IDIOMS  see BLOW n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  soften sb<->up (informal)\n1 to try to persuade sb to do sth for you by being very nice to them before you ask them:\nPotential customers are softened up with free gifts before the sales talk.\n2 to make an enemy weaker and easier to attack


Words: softener
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a device that is used with chemicals to make hard water soft:\na water softener\n  2  [U, C] a substance that you add when washing clothes to make them feel soft


Words: softie
Meaning:
(also softy)  noun\n(plural softies) (informal) a kind, sympathetic or emotional person:\nThere’s no need to be afraid of him-he’s a big softie.


Words: softly
Meaning:
adverb\nin a soft way:\nShe closed the door softly behind her. * ’I missed you,’ he said softly. * She stroked his hand softly. * The room was softly lit by a lamp. * a softly tailored suit


Words: softly-softly
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE, informal) (of a way of doing sth) careful and patient, with no sudden actions:\nThe police used a softly-softly approach with him.


Words: software
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the programs, etc. used to operate a computer:\napplications / system software\ncompare HARDWARE


Words: softwood
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] wood from trees such as PINE, that is cheap to produce and can be cut easily\ncompare HARDWOOD


Words: soggy
Meaning:
adjective\n(soggier, soggiest) wet and soft, usually in a way that is unpleasant:\nWe squelched over the soggy ground. * soggy bread / cornflakes


Words: soil
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [U, C]\n \n  1  the top layer of the earth in which plants, trees, etc. grow:\npoor / dry / acid / sandy soil * the study of rocks and soils * soil erosion -> EARTH\n \n  2  (literary) a country; an area of land:\nIt was the first time I had set foot on African soil.\n    verb [VN] [often passive] (formal) to make sth dirty:\nsoiled bedding / linen * (figurative) I don’t want you soiling your hands with this sort of work (= doing sth unpleasant or wrong).\nsee also SHOP-SOILED


Words: soiree
Meaning:
noun\n(from French, formal) a formal party in the evening, especially at sb’s home:\na musical soiree


Words: solace
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] (formal) a feeling of emotional comfort when you are sad or disappointed; a person or thing that makes you feel better or happier when you are sad or disappointed:\nHe sought solace in the whisky bottle. * She turned to Rob for solace. * His grandchildren were a solace in his old age.\n    solace verb:\n[VN] (literary) She smiled, as though solaced by the memory.


Words: solar
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  of or connected with the sun:\nsolar radiation * the solar cycle\n  2  using the sun’s energy:\nsolar power / heating


Words: solar panel
Meaning:
noun\na piece of equipment on a roof that collects energy from sunlight in order to heat water and produce electricty


Words: solar plexus
Meaning:
noun [sing.]\n  1  (anatomy) a system of nerves behind the stomach\n  2  (informal) the part of the body at the top of the stomach, below the RIBS:\na painful punch in the solar plexus


Words: solar system
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (the solar system) [sing.] the sun and all the planets that move around it\n  2  [C] any group of planets that all move around the same star:\nWe don’t know how many solar systems there are in each galaxy.


Words: solarium
Meaning:
noun\na room enclosed mainly by glass or having special lamps, where people go to get a SUNTAN (= make their skin go brown) in real or artificial sunlight


Words: sold out
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  if a concert, match, etc. is sold out, there are no more tickets available for it:\nThe Opera House was sold out for the singer’s first appearance in the city.\n  2  if a shop/store is sold out of a product, it has no more of it left to sell


Words: solder
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] a mixture of metals that is heated and melted and then used to join metals, wires, etc. together\n    verb [VN] ~ sth (to / onto sth) | ~ (A and B together) to join pieces of metal or wire with solder:\nThese wires must be soldered to the pins. * Solder the two pieces together. * soldered joints


Words: soldier
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a member of an army, especially one who is not an officer:\nsoldiers in uniform * soldiers on duty / leave\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  soldier on to continue with what you are doing or trying to achieve, especially when this is difficult or unpleasant:\nHis partner left and he had to soldier on alone.


Words: soldiery
Meaning:
noun\n[U+sing./pl. v.] (old-fashioned) a group of soldiers, especially of a particular kind:\nThe town was filled with disbanded soldiery.


Words: sole
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  only; single:\nthe sole surviving member of the family * My sole reason for coming here was to see you. * This is the sole means of access to the building.\n  2  belonging to one person or group; not shared:\nShe has sole responsibility for the project. * the sole owner\n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] the bottom surface of the foot:\nThe hot sand burned the soles of their feet.\n \n  2  [C] the bottom part of a shoe or sock, not including the heel:\nleather / rubber soles\ncompare HEEL n. (3)\n \n  3  (-soled) (in adjectives) having the type of soles mentioned:\nrubber-soled shoes\n  4  [U, C] (plural sole) a flat sea fish that is used for food\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] to repair a shoe by replacing the sole


Words: solecism
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  a mistake in the use of language in speech or writing\n  2  an example of bad manners or unacceptable behaviour:\na social solecism


Words: solely
Meaning:
adverb\nonly; not involving sb/sth else:\nShe was motivated solely by self-interest. * Selection is based solely on merit. * He became solely responsible for the firm.


Words: solemn
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a person) not happy or smiling; looking very serious:\nHer face grew solemn. * a solemn expression\n  2  done, said, etc. in a very serious and sincere way:\na solemn oath / undertaking / vow * a solemn and binding promise\n  3  (of a religious ceremony or formal occasion) performed in a serious way:\na solemn festival / ceremony / ritual\n    solemnly adverb:\nHe nodded solemnly. * She solemnly promised not to say a word to anyone about it. * The choir walked solemnly past.


Words: solemnity
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the quality of being solemn:\nHe was smiling, but his eyes retained a look of solemnity. * She handed him the envelope with mock solemnity. * He was buried with great pomp and solemnity.\n  2  (solemnities) [pl.] (formal) formal things that people do at a serious event or occasion:\nto observe the solemnities of the occasion


Words: solicit
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ sth (from sb) | ~ (sb) (for sth) (formal) to ask sb for sth, such as support, money, or information; to try to get sth or persuade sb to do sth:\n[VN] They were planning to solicit funds from a number of organizations. * They send representatives abroad to solicit business. * Historians and critics are solicited for their opinions. * [V] to solicit for money [also VN to inf]\n  2  (of a prostitute) to offer to have sex with people in return for money:\n[V] Prostitutes solicited openly in the streets. * the crime of soliciting [also VN] \n    solicitation  noun [U, C] (especially AmE):\nthe solicitation of money for election funds


Words: solicitor
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a lawyer who prepares legal documents, for example for the sale of land or buildings, advises people on legal matters, and can speak for them in some courts of law -> LAWYER


Words: Solicitor General
Meaning:
noun\n(plural Solicitors General) a senior legal officer in Britain or the US, next in rank below the ATTORNEY-GENERAL


Words: solicitous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) being very concerned for sb and wanting to make sure that they are comfortable, well or happy:\nShe was very solicitous for our welfare. * a solicitous host\n    solicitously adverb (formal):\n’Are you cold?’ he asked solicitously.


Words: solicitude
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (for sb/sth) (formal) anxious care for sb’s comfort, health or happiness:\nI was touched by his solicitude for the boy.


Words: solid
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  not liquid / gas\n \n  1  hard or firm; not in the form of a liquid or gas:\nThe planet Jupiter may have no solid surface at all. * The boat bumped against a solid object. * She had refused all solid food. * It was so cold that the stream had frozen solid. * The boiler uses solid fuel.\n \n  without holes or spaces\n \n  2  having no holes or spaces inside; not hollow:\nThey were drilling through solid rock. * The stores are packed solid (= very full and crowded) at this time of year.\n \n  strong\n \n  3  strong and made well:\nThese chains seem fairly solid.\n  reliable\n  4  that you can rely on; having a strong basis:\nAs yet, they have no solid evidence. * His advice was always solid and practical. * This provided a solid foundation for their marriage. * The Irish team were solid as a rock in defence.\n  good but not special\n  5  definitely good and steady but perhaps not excellent or special:\n1999 was a year of solid achievement. * He’s a solid player.\n  material\n  6  [only before noun] made completely of the material mentioned (that is, the material is not only on the surface):\na solid gold bracelet\n  period of time\n  7  (informal) without a pause; continuous:\nThe essay represents a solid week’s work. * It rained for two hours solid this afternoon.\n  colour\n  8  of the colour mentioned and no other colour:\nOne cat is black and white, the other solid black.\n  shape\n  9  (geometry) a shape that is solid has length, width and height and is not flat:\nA cube is a solid figure.\n  in agreement\n  10  in complete agreement; agreed on by everyone:\nThe department was solid against the changes. * The strike was solid, supported by all the members.\nsee also ROCK SOLID\n    noun\n  not liquid / gas\n  1  a substance or an object that is solid, not a liquid or a gas:\nliquids and solids * The baby is not yet on solids (= eating solid food).\n  shape\n  2  (geometry) a shape which has length, width and height, such as a CUBE


Words: solidarity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (with sb) support by one person or group of people for another because they share feelings, opinions, aims, etc:\nfamily / community / social solidarity * to express / show solidarity with sb * Demonstrations were held as a gesture of solidarity with the hunger strikers.


Words: solidify
Meaning:
verb (solidifies, solidifying, solidified, solidified) ~ (into sth)\n  1  to become solid; to make sth solid:\n[V] The mixture will solidify into toffee. * The paint had solidified in the tray. * [VN] solidified lava\n  2  (written) (of ideas, etc.) to become or to make sth become more definite and less likely to change:\n[V] Vague objections to the system solidified into firm opposition. * [VN] They solidified their position as Britain’s top band.\n    solidification  noun [U]


Words: solidity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the quality or state of being solid:\nthe strength and solidity of Romanesque architecture * Her writings have extraordinary depth and solidity. * the solidity of his support for his staff * The line and shadows give the painting a sense of solidity.


Words: solidly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a firm and strong way:\na large, solidly-built house * He stood solidly in my path.\n  2  continuously; without stopping:\nIt rained solidly for three hours. * I worked solidly all morning.\n  3  agreeing with or supporting sb/sth completely:\nHer colleagues were solidly behind her. * The state is solidly Republican.


Words: soliloquy
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural soliloquies) a speech in a play in a which a character, who is alone on the stage, speaks his or her thoughts aloud; the act of speaking thoughts aloud in this way:\nHamlet’s famous soliloquy, ’To be or not to be ...’ * the playwright’s use of soliloquy\ncompare MONOLOGUE\n    soliloquize, soliloquise  verb [V]


Words: solipsism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (philosophy) the theory that only the self exists or can be known\n    solipsistic  adjective


Words: solitaire
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (BrE) a game for one person in which you remove pieces from their places on a special board after moving other pieces over them. The aim is to finish with only one piece left on the board.\n  2  [U] (AmE) = PATIENCE (3)\n  3  [C] a single jewel; a piece of jewellery with a single jewel in it:\na solitaire ring


Words: solitary
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] done alone; without other people:\nShe enjoys long solitary walks. * He led a solitary life.\n  2  (of a person or an animal) enjoying being alone; frequently spending time alone:\nHe was a solitary child. * Tigers are solitary animals.\n  3  (of a person, thing or place) alone, with no other people or things around:\na solitary farm * A solitary light burned dimly in the hall.\n  4  [usually before noun] (especially in negative sentences and questions) only one; single:\nThere was not a solitary shred of evidence (= none at all).\n    solitariness noun [U]:\nEven as a boy he was given to solitariness.\n    noun (plural solitaries)\n  1  [U] (informal) = SOLITARY CONFINEMENT\n  2  [C] (formal) a person who chooses to live alone


Words: solitary confinement
Meaning:
(also informal solitary) noun\n[U] a punishment in which a prisoner is kept alone in a separate cell:\nto be in solitary confinement


Words: solitude
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the state of being alone, especially when you find this pleasant:\nShe longed for peace and solitude. * I returned to the solitude of my room. * He shut himself away to pray in solitude.


Words: solo
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  done by one person alone, without anyone helping them:\nhis first solo flight * a solo effort\n  2  connected with or played as a musical solo:\na solo artist (= for example a singer who sings on their own, not as part of group) * a piece for solo violin\n    solo adverb:\nShe wanted to fly solo across the Atlantic. * After three years with the band he decided to go solo.\n    noun (plural solos)\n  1  a piece of music, dance or entertainment performed by only one person:\na guitar solo\ncompare DUET\n  2  a flight in which the pilot flies alone without an INSTRUCTOR (= teacher)


Words: solstice
Meaning:
noun\neither of the two times of the year at which the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at midday, marked by the longest and shortest days:\nthe summer / winter solstice


Words: soluble
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (in sth) that can be dissolved in a liquid:\nsoluble aspirin * Glucose is soluble in water. * a highly soluble gas\n  2  (formal) (of a problem) that can be solved:\nThe problem does not seem soluble.\nOPP INSOLUBLE\n    solubility  noun [U]:\nThe solubility of a gas decreases with increasing temperature.


Words: solution
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] ~ (to sth) a way of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation:\nAttempts to find a solution have failed. * There’s no simple solution to this problem. * Do you have a better solution?\n  2  [C] ~ (to sth) an answer to a PUZZLE:\nThe solution to last week’s quiz is on page 81.\n  3  [C, U] a liquid in which sth is dissolved:\nan alkaline solution * saline solution\n  4  [U] the process of dissolving a solid or gas in a liquid:\nthe solution of glucose in water


Words: solve
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to find a way of dealing with a problem or difficult situation:\nAttempts are being made to solve the problem of waste disposal. * You can’t solve anything by just running away.\n  2  to find the correct answer or explanation for sth:\nto solve an equation / puzzle / riddle * to solve a crime / mystery


Words: solvency
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (written) the state of not being in debt (= not owing money):\nThere are serious doubts as to the company’s solvency.


Words: solvent
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [U, C] a substance, especially a liquid, that can dissolve another substance:\nindustrial solvents for removing oil * solvent cleaners\n    adjective\n  1  [not usually before noun] having enough money to pay your debts; not in debt:\nThe company managed to remain solvent during the recession.\nOPP INSOLVENT\n  2  (technical) able to dissolve another substance, or be dissolved in another substance:\nLead is more solvent in acidic water.


Words: solvent abuse
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the practice of breathing in gases from glue or similar substances in order to produce a state of excitement\nsee also GLUE-SNIFFING


Words: solver
Meaning:
noun\na person who finds an answer to a problem or a difficult situation:\nShe’s a good problem solver.


Words: sombre
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE somber)  adjective\n  1  dark in colour; dull:\ndressed in sombre shades of grey and black\n  2  sad and serious:\nPaul was in a quiet and sombre mood. * The year had ended on a sombre note.\n    sombrely (BrE) (AmE somberly) adverb\n    sombreness (BrE) (AmE somberness) noun [U]


Words: sombrero
Meaning:
noun\n(plural sombreros) a Mexican hat for men that is tall with a very wide BRIM, turned up at the edges


Words: some determiner
Meaning:
, pronoun, adverb \n    determiner \n  1  used with uncountable nouns or plural countable nouns to mean ’an amount of’ or ’a number of’, when the amount or number is not given:\nThere’s still some wine in the bottle. * Have some more vegetables.\n HELP NOTE  In negative sentences and questions any is usually used instead of ’some’: I don’t want any more vegetables. * Is there any wine left? However, some is used in questions that expect a positive reply: Would you like some milk in your coffee? * Didn’t you borrow some books of mine?\n  2   used to refer to certain members of a group or certain types of a thing, but not all of them:\nSome people find this more difficult than others. * Some people never seem to put on weight while others are always on a diet. * I like some modern music (= but not all of it).\n  3   a large number or amount of sth:\nIt was with some surprise that I heard the news. * We’ve known each other for some years now. * We’re going to be working together for some time (= a long time).\n  4   a small amount or number of sth:\nThere is some hope that things will improve.\n  5  used with singular countable nouns to refer to a person, place, thing or time that is not known or not identified:\nThere must be some mistake. * He’s in some kind of trouble. * She won a competition in some newspaper or other. * I’ll see you again some time, I’m sure.\n  6  sth:\nThat was some party! * Some expert you are! You know even less than me.\n    pronoun sth)\n  1  used to refer to an amount of sth or a number of people or things when the amount or number is not given:\nSome disapprove of the idea. * You’ll find some in the drawer. * Here are some of our suggestions.\n HELP NOTE  In negative sentences and questions any is usually used instead of ’some’: I don’t want any. * Do you have any of the larger ones? However, some is used in questions that expect a positive reply: Would you like some? * Weren’t you looking for some of those?\n  2  a part of the whole number or amount being considered:\nAll these students are good, but some work harder than others. * Some of the music was weird.\n IDIOMS \n  ...and then some (informal) and a lot more than that:\nWe got our money’s worth and then some.\n    adverb \n  1  used before numbers to mean ’approximately’:\nSome thirty people attended the funeral.\n  2  (AmE, informal) to some degree:\nHe needs feeding up some. * ’Are you finding the work any easier?’ ’Some.’


Words: somebody
Meaning:
pronoun\n= SOMEONE:\nSomebody should have told me. * She thinks she’s really somebody in that car.\nOPP NOBODY


Words: somehow
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  (also AmE informal someway, someways) in a way that is not known or certain:\nWe must stop him from seeing her somehow. * Somehow or other I must get a new job.\n  2  for a reason that you do not know or understand:\nSomehow, I don’t feel I can trust him. * She looked different somehow.


Words: someone
Meaning:
(also somebody) pronoun\n  1  a person who is not known or mentioned by name:\nThere’s someone at the door. * Someone’s left their bag behind. * It’s time for someone new (= a new person) to take over. * It couldn’t have been me-it must have been someone else (= a different person). * Should we call a doctor or someone?\n HELP NOTE  The difference between someone and anyone is the same as the difference between some and any. Look at the notes there.\n  2  an important person:\nHe was a small-time lawyer keen to be someone\ncompare NOBODY


Words: someplace
Meaning:
adverb, pronoun\n(AmE) = SOMEWHERE:\nIt has to go someplace. * Can’t you do that someplace else? * We need to find someplace to live.


Words: somersault
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a movement in which sb turns over completely, with their feet over their head, on the ground or in the air:\nto do / turn a somersault * He turned back somersaults. * (figurative) Her heart did a complete somersault when she saw him.\n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to turn over completely in the air:\nThe car hit the kerb and somersaulted into the air.


Words: something
Meaning:
pronoun, adverb \n    pronoun\n  1  a thing that is not known or mentioned by name:\nWe stopped for something to eat. * Give me something to do. * There’s something wrong with the TV. * There’s something about this place that frightens me. * Don’t just stand there. Do something! * His name is Alan something (= I don’t know his other name). * She’s a professor of something or other (= I’m not sure what) at Leeds. * He’s something in (= has a job connected with) television. * The car hit a tree or something. * I could just eat a little something.\n HELP NOTE  The difference between something and anything is the same as the difference between some and any. Look at the notes there.\n  2  (informal) a thing that is thought to be important or worth taking notice of:\nThere’s something in (= some truth or some fact or opinion worth considering in) what he says. * It’s quite something (= a thing that you should feel happy about) to have a job at all these days. * ’We should finish by tomorrow.’ ’That’s something (= a good thing), anyway.’\n  3  (informal) used to show that a description or an amount, etc. is not exact:\nShe called at something after ten o’clock. * a new comedy aimed at thirty-somethings (= people between thirty and forty years old) * It tastes something like melon. * They pay six pounds an hour. Something like that. * She found herself something of a (= to some degree a) celebrity. * The programme’s something to do with (= in some way about) the environment. * He gave her a wry look, something between amusement and regret.\n IDIOMS \n  something else\n1 a different thing; another thing:\nHe said something else that I thought was interesting.\n2 (informal) a person, a thing or an event that is much better than others of a similar type:\nI’ve seen some fine players, but she’s something else.\n    adverb (non-standard) used with an adjective to emphasize a statement:\nShe was swearing something terrible.


Words: sometime
Meaning:
adverb, adjective \n    adverb (also some time) at a time that you do not know exactly or has not yet been decided:\nI saw him sometime last summer. * We must get together sometime.\n    adjective [only before noun] (formal)\n  1  used to refer to what sb used to be:\nThomas Atkins, sometime vicar of this parish\n  2  (AmE) used to refer to what sb does occasionally:\na sometime contributor to this magazine


Words: sometimes
Meaning:
adverb\noccasionally rather than all of the time:\nSometimes I go by car. * He sometimes writes to me. * I like to be on my own sometimes.


Words: somewhat
Meaning:
adverb\nto some degree; rather:\nI was somewhat surprised to see him. * The situation has changed somewhat since we last met. * What happened to them remains somewhat of a mystery.


Words: somewhere
Meaning:
(AmE also someplace) adverb\nin, at or to some place that you do not know or do not mention by name:\nI’ve seen him somewhere before. * Can we go somewhere warm? * I’ve already looked there-it must be somewhere else. * He went to school in York or somewhere (= I’m not sure where). * They live somewhere or other in France.\n HELP NOTE  The difference between somewhere and anywhere is the same as the difference between some and any. Look at the notes there.\n    somewhere (AmE also someplace) pronoun:\nWe need to find somewhere to (= a place to) live. * I know somewhere we can go.\n IDIOMS \n  get somewhere (informal) to make progress in what you are doing\n  somewhere around, between, etc. sth approximately the number or amount mentioned:\nIt cost somewhere around two thousand dollars.


Words: somnolent
Meaning:
adjective (written)\n  1  almost asleep:\na somnolent cat * (figurative) a somnolent town\n  2  making you feel tired:\na somnolent Sunday afternoon\n    somnolence noun [U]


Words: son
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a person’s male child:\nWe have two sons and a daughter. * They have three grown-up sons. * He’s the son of an Oxford professor. * Maine & Sons, Grocers (= the name of a company on a sign)\n  2  [sing.] (spoken, informal) a friendly form of address that is used by an older man to a young man or boy:\nWell, son, how can I help you?\n  3  [C] (literary) a man who belongs to a particular place or country, etc:\none of France’s most famous sons\n  4  (my son) (spoken, formal) used by a priest to address a boy or man\n  5  (the Son) [sing.] Jesus Christ as the second member of the TRINITY:\nthe Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit\n IDIOMS  see FATHER n., FAVOURITE adj., PRODIGAL


Words: son et lumiere
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from French) a performance held at night at a famous place that tells its history with special lights and sound


Words: son of a bitch
Meaning:
noun\n(plural sons of bitches) (also SOB especially in AmE) (!!!, slang) an offensive word for a person that you think is bad or very unpleasant:\nI’ll kill that son of a bitch when I get my hands on him!


Words: son of a gun
Meaning:
noun (AmE, informal, spoken)\n  1  a person or thing that you are annoyed with:\nMy car’s at the shop-the son of a gun broke down again.\n  2  used to express the the fact that you are surprised or annoyed:\nWell, son of a gun-and I thought the old guy couldn’t dance!\n  3  (old-fashioned) used by a man to address or talk about a male friend that he admires and likes:\nFrank, you old son of a gun-I haven’t seen you for months.


Words: sonata
Meaning:
noun\na piece of music for one instrument or for one instrument and piano, usually divided into three or four parts:\nBeethoven’s piano sonatas * a violin sonata


Words: song
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a short piece of music with words that you sing:\na folk / love / pop song * We sang a song together. * She taught us the words of a French song.\nsee also SWANSONG\n  2  [U] songs in general; music for singing:\nThe story is told through song and dance. * Suddenly he burst into song (= started to sing). * Their voices were raised in song.\nsee also PLAINSONG\n  3  [U, C] the musical sounds that birds make:\nthe song of the blackbird\n IDIOMS \n  for a song (informal) very cheaply; at a low price:\nShe bought the painting for a song. * The property is going for a song because they need to sell it fast.\n  a song and dance (about sth)\n1 (BrE, informal, disapproving) if you make a song and dance about sth, you complain or talk about it too much when this is not necessary:\nShe gives generously to charity without making a song and dance about it.\n2 [C] (AmE, informal) a long explanation about sth, or excuse for sth\n  on song (informal) working or performing well:\nThe whole team was on song.


Words: songstress
Meaning:
noun\na word sometimes used in newspapers to mean ’a woman singer’:\nthe Greenwich Village songstress, Suzanne Vega


Words: songwriter
Meaning:
noun\na person who writes the words and usually also the music for songs:\nsinger-songwriter Chris Rea


Words: sonnet
Meaning:
noun\na poem that has 14 lines, each containing 10 syllables, and a fixed pattern of rhyme:\nShakespeare’s sonnets


Words: sonny
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (old-fashioned) a word used by an older person to address a young man or boy:\nDon’t try and teach me my job, sonny.


Words: sonorous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) having a pleasant full deep sound:\na sonorous voice\n    sonority  noun [U, C]:\nthe rich sonority of the bass\n    sonorously adverb


Words: soon
Meaning:
adverb (sooner, soonest)\n  1  in a short time from now; a short time after sth else has happened:\nWe’ll be home soon. / We’ll soon be home. * She sold the house soon after her husband died. * I soon realized the mistake. * It soon became clear that the programme was a failure. * (spoken) See you soon!\n  2  early; quickly:\nHow soon can you get here? * We’ll deliver the goods as soon as we can. * Please send it as soon as possible. * Next Monday is the soonest we can deliver. * They arrived home sooner than expected. * The sooner we set off, the sooner we will arrive. * The note said, ’Call Bill soonest’ (= as soon as possible). * (written) All too soon the party was over.\nsee also ASAP\n IDIOMS \n  no sooner said than done used to say that sth will be done immediately\n  no sooner ...than ... (written) used to say that sth happens immediately after sth else:\nNo sooner had she said it than she burst into tears. -> HARDLY\n  the sooner the better very soon; as soon as possible:\n’When shall I tell him?’ ’The sooner the better.’\n  sooner or later at some time in the future, even if you are not sure exactly when:\nSooner or later you will have to make a decision.\n  sooner rather than later after a short time rather than after a long time:\nWe urged them to sort out the problem sooner rather than later.\n  I, etc. would sooner do sth (than sth else) to prefer to do sth (than do sth else):\nShe’d sooner share a house with other students than live at home with her parents.\nmore at ANY TIME, JUST adv., SAY v.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nsoon / early / quickly\nSoon usually means ’a short time from now’ or ’after then’: I’ll see you soon. * She soon regretted what she’d done. In the comparative or superlative or in expressions such as as soon as possible, soon emphasizes that something is done without delay: Please reply as soon as possible. * The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll finish.\nEarly means ’near the beginning of a period of time’: I’ve got to get up very early tomorrow. * I’ll see you early next week. It can also mean ’before the usual or expected time’: A few guests arrived early. Early does not mean ’a short time from now’.\nQuickly is usually used to talk about the speed with which something is done, but can also be used like soon to mean ’after a short time’ or ’without delay’: The journey passed very quickly. * Please phone back as quickly/soon as possible.\n-> note at QUICK\n______________________________


Words: soot
Meaning:
noun\n[U] black powder that is produced when wood, coal, etc. is burnt\nsee also SOOTY:\nThe fireplace was blackened with soot. * a cloud of smoke and soot


Words: soothe
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to make sb who is anxious, upset, etc. feel calmer:\nThe music soothed her for a while.\n  2  to make a tense or painful part of your body feel more comfortable:\nThis should soothe the pain. * Take a warm bath to soothe tense, tired muscles.\n    soothing adjective:\na soothing voice / lotion\n    soothingly adverb:\n’There’s no need to worry,’ he said soothingly.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  soothe sth<->away to remove a pain or an unpleasant feeling:\nThe pain can be soothed away with massage. * She quickly soothed away his fears.


Words: sop
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] ~ (to sb/sth) a small, not very important, thing that is offered to sb who is angry or disappointed in order to make them feel better


Words: sophisticate
Meaning:
noun\n(formal) a sophisticated person:\nShe wasn’t the sophisticate that Jack had imagined her to be.


Words: sophisticated
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having a lot of experience of the world and knowing about fashion, culture and other things that people think are socially important:\nthe sophisticated pleasures of city life * Mark is a smart and sophisticated young man.\ncompare NAIVE\n  2  (of a machine, system, etc.) clever and complicated in the way that it works or is presented:\nhighly sophisticated computer systems * Medical techniques are becoming more sophisticated all the time.\n  3  (of a person) able to understand difficult or complicated ideas:\na sophisticated audience\nOPP UNSOPHISTICATED


Words: sophistication
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the quality of being sophisticated:\nthe increasing power and sophistication of computers * She spoke simply and directly, without sophistication.


Words: sophistry
Meaning:
noun (plural sophistries) (formal)\n  1  [U] the use of clever arguments to persuade people that sth is true when it is really false:\nConvincing myself that I had gained in some way from my loss was just pure sophistry.\n  2  [C] a reason or an explanation that tries to show that sth is true when it is really false:\nHe was hostile to their hypocritical sophistries.


Words: sophomore
Meaning:
noun (AmE)\n  1  a student in the second year of a course of study at a college or university\n  2  a high school student in the 10th GRADE\ncompare FRESHMAN, JUNIOR, SENIOR


Words: soppy
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually sappy) adjective (informal) silly and SENTIMENTAL; full of unnecessary emotion:\nsoppy love songs * She is soppy about cats.


Words: soprano
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural sopranos ) a singing voice with the highest range for a woman or boy; a singer with a soprano voice\ncompare ALTO, MEZZO-SOPRANO, TREBLE\n    adjective [only before noun] (of a musical instrument) with the highest range of notes in its group:\na soprano saxophone\ncompare ALTO, BASS, TENOR


Words: sorbet
Meaning:
(BrE also water ice) noun\n[C, U] a sweet frozen food made from sugar, water and fruit juice, often eaten as a DESSERT


Words: sordid
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  immoral or dishonest:\nIt was a shock to discover the truth about his sordid past. * I didn’t want to hear the sordid details of their relationship.\n  2  very dirty and unpleasant:\npeople living in sordid conditions


Words: sore
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  if a part of your body is sore, it is painful, and often red, especially because of infection or because a muscle has been used too much:\nto have a sore throat * His feet were sore after the walk. * My stomach is still sore (= painful) after the operation.\n  2  [not before noun] ~ (at sb / about sth) (informal, especially AmE) upset and angry especially because you have been treated unfairly\n    soreness noun [U]:\nan ointment to reduce soreness and swelling\n IDIOMS \n  a sore point a subject that makes you feel angry or upset when it is mentioned:\nIt’s a sore point with Sue’s parents that the children have not been baptized yet.\n  stand / stick out like a sore thumb to be very noticeable in an unpleasant way:\nThe blue building stood out like a sore thumb among the whitewashed villas. * If you wear a suit to the party, you’ll stand out like a sore thumb.\nmore at BEAR n., SIGHT n.\n    noun a painful, often red, place on your body where there is a wound or an infection:\nopen sores\nsee also BEDSORE, CANKER SORE, COLD SORE


Words: sorely
Meaning:
adverb\nseriously; very much:\nI was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn’t. * If you don’t come to the reunion you’ll be sorely missed. * Their patience was sorely tested as yet another delay to the scheduled service was announced.


Words: sorority
Meaning:
noun\n(plural sororities) (AmE) a club for a group of women students at an American college or university\ncompare FRATERNITY


Words: sorrow
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] ~ (at / for / over sth) a feeling of great sadness because sth very bad has happened\nSYN GRIEF:\nHe expressed his sorrow at the news of her death. * They said that the decision was made more in sorrow than in anger.\n  2  [C] a very sad event or situation:\nthe joys and sorrows of childhood * His death was a great sorrow to everyone who knew him.\n    verb [V] ~ (over sth) (literary) to feel or express great sadness:\nthe sorrowing relatives * They had sorrowed over his death.


Words: sorry
Meaning:
adjective, exclamation \n    adjective (sorrier, sorriest)\n HELP NOTE  You can also use more sorry and most sorry.\n  1  [not before noun] ~ (that ...) | ~ (to see, hear, etc.) feeling sad and sympathetic:\nI’m sorry that your husband lost his job. * We’re sorry to hear that your father’s in hospital again. * No one is sorrier than I am about what happened.\n  2  [not before noun] ~ (for / about sth) feeling sad and ashamed about sth that has been done:\nWe’re very sorry about the damage to your car. * She was sorry that she’d lost her temper. * If you say you’re sorry we’ll forgive you. * He says he’s really sorry for taking the car without asking.\n  3  [not before noun] ~ (that ...) | ~ (to do sth) feeling disappointed about sth and wishing you had done sth different or had not done sth:\nShe was sorry that she’d lost contact with Mary. * You’ll be sorry if I catch you! * I was genuinely sorry to be leaving college.\n  4  [only before noun] very sad or bad, especially making you feel pity or disapproval:\nThe business is in a sorry state. * They were a sorry sight when they eventually got off the boat.\n IDIOMS \n  be / feel sorry for sb to feel pity or sympathy for sb:\nHe decided to help Jan as he felt sorry for her.\n  feel sorry for yourself (informal, disapproving) to feel unhappy; to pity yourself:\nStop feeling sorry for yourself and think about other people for a change.\n  I’m sorry to say used for saying that sth is disappointing:\nHe didn’t accept the job, I’m sorry to say.\n  I’m sorry (spoken)\n1 used when you are APOLOGIZING for sth:\nI’m sorry, I forgot. * Oh, I’m sorry. Have I taken the one you wanted? * I’m sorry. I can’t make it tomorrow.\n2 used for disagreeing with sb or politely saying ’no’:\nI’m sorry, I don’t agree. * I’m sorry, I’d rather you didn’t go.\n3 used for introducing bad news:\nI’m sorry to have to tell you you’ve failed.\nmore at SAFE adj.\n    exclamation\n  1  used when you are APOLOGIZING for sth:\nSorry I’m late! * Did I stand on your foot? Sorry! * Sorry to bother you, but could I speak to you for a moment? * Sorry, we don’t allow dogs in the house. * He didn’t even say sorry.\n  2  (especially BrE) used for asking sb to repeat sth that you have not heard clearly:\nSorry? Could you repeat the question?\n  3  used for correcting yourself when you have said sth wrong:\nTake the first turning, sorry, the third turning on the right.


Words: sort
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a group or type of people or things that are similar in a particular way:\n’What sort of music do you like?’ ’Oh, all sorts.’ * This sort of problem is quite common. / These sorts of problems are quite common. * He’s the sort of person who only cares about money. * There are all sorts of jobs you could do. * For dessert there’s a fruit pie of some sort (= you are not sure what kind). * (spoken) Most people went on training courses of one sort or another (= of various types) last year. * (spoken) There were snacks-peanuts, olives, that sort of thing. * (spoken) There are all sorts of activities (= many different ones) for kids at the camp site. * (spoken) What sort of price did you want to pay? (= approximately how much) * (spoken) What sort of time do you call this? (= I’m very angry that you have come so late). -> KIND\n  2  [C, usually sing.] (informal, especially BrE) a particular type of person:\nMy brother would never cheat on his wife; he’s not that sort.\n  3  (computing) [sing.] the process of putting data in a particular order:\nto do a sort\n IDIOMS \n  it takes all sorts (to make a world) used to say that you think sb’s behaviour is very strange or unusual but that everyone is different and likes different things:\n’They spent their honeymoon mountain climbing.’ ’Oh well, it takes all sorts!’\n  of sorts (informal) used when you are saying that sth is not a good example of a particular type of thing:\nHe offered us an apology of sorts and we accepted it.\n  out of sorts (especially BrE) ill/sick or upset:\nShe was tired and out of sorts by the time she arrived home. * Are you feeling all right? You look a bit out of sorts.\n  sort of (informal)\n1 to some extent but in a way that you cannot easily describe:\nShe sort of pretends that she doesn’t really care. * ’Do you understand?’ ’Sort of.’\n2 (also sort of like) (BrE, spoken) used when you cannot think of a good word to use to describe sth, or what to say next:\nWe’re sort of like doing it the wrong way.\n  a sort of sth (informal) used for describing sth in a not very exact way:\nI had a sort of feeling that he wouldn’t come. * They’re a sort of greenish-blue colour.\nmore at KIND n.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sth (into sth) to arrange things in groups or in a particular order according to their type, etc.; to separate things of one type from others:\nsorting the mail * The computer sorts the words into alphabetical order. * Rubbish can easily be separated and sorted into plastics, glass and paper. * Women and children sorted the ore from the rock.\nsee also SORT OUT\n  2  [often passive] (informal, especially BrE) to deal with a problem or organize sth/sb in a satisfactory way:\nDon’t worry. We’ll soon have this sorted. * It’s our problem. We’ll get it sorted. * It’s all sorted. * It’s time you got yourself sorted.\n IDIOMS  see MAN n., SHEEP, WHEAT\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sort itself out (of a problem) to stop being a problem without anyone having to take action:\nIt will all sort itself out in the end.\n  sort sth<->out\n1 (informal) to organize the contents of sth; to tidy sth:\nThe cupboards need sorting out.\n2 to organize sth in a satisfactory way:\nIf you’re going to the bus station, can you sort out the tickets for tomorrow?\n  sort sth<->out (from sth) to separate sth from a larger group:\nCould you sort out the toys that can be thrown away? * It was difficult to sort out the lies from the truth.\nrelated noun SORT-OUT\n  sort sth/sb / yourself out (especially BrE) to deal with sb’s/your own problems in a satisfactory way:\nIf you can wait a moment, I’ll sort it all out for you. * You load up the car and I’ll sort the kids out.\n  sort sb<->out (informal) to deal with sb who is causing trouble, etc. especially by punishing or attacking them:\nWait till I get my hands on him-I’ll soon sort him out!\n  sort through sth (for sth) to look through a number of things, either in order to find sth or to put them in order:\nI sorted through my paperwork. * She sorted through her suitcase for something to wear.


Words: sort-out
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) an act of arranging or organizing the contents of sth in a tidy or neat way and removing things you do not want


Words: sortie
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a flight that is made by an aircraft during military operations; an attack made by soldiers\nSYN RAID:\na bombing sortie * They had made several sorties against enemy troops.\n  2  a short trip away from your home or the place where you are\nSYN FORAY:\nI went on a shopping sortie with my mother.\n  3  ~ into sth an effort that you make to do or join sth new\nSYN FORAY:\nHis first sortie into politics was unsuccessful.


Words: SOS
Meaning:
noun [sing.]\n  1  a signal or message that a ship or plane sends when it needs urgent help:\nto send an SOS * an SOS message\n  2  an urgent request for help:\nWe’ve received an SOS from the area asking for food parcels.\nsee also MAYDAY


Words: sotto voce
Meaning:
adverb\n(from Italian, written) in a quiet voice so that not everyone can hear:\n’You’ll be sorry,’ he muttered sotto voce.\n    sotto voce adjective:\na sotto voce remark


Words: sou
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) if you do not have a sou, you have no money at all:\n’Sorry, I haven’t got a sou.’


Words: sou’wester
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a hat made of shiny material that keeps out the rain, with a long wide piece at the back to protect the neck\n  2  a strong wind or storm coming from the south-west


Words: souffle
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a dish made from egg whites, milk and flour mixed together to make it light, flavoured with cheese, fruit, etc. and baked until it rises:\na chocolate / cheese souffle


Words: sought after
Meaning:
adjective\nwanted by many people, because it is of very good quality or difficult to get or to find:\nThis design is the most sought after. * a much sought-after actress


Words: soul
Meaning:
noun\n  spirit of person\n  1  [C] the spiritual part of a person, believed to exist after death:\nHe believed his immortal soul was in peril. * The howling wind sounded like the wailing of lost souls (= the spirits of dead people who are not in heaven).\n  inner character\n  2  [C] a person’s inner character, containing their true thoughts and feelings:\nThere was a feeling of restlessness deep in her soul.\n  spiritual / moral / artistic qualities\n  3  [sing.] the spiritual and moral qualities of humans in general:\nthe dark side of the human soul\n  4  [U, C] strong and good human feeling, especially that gives a work of art its quality or enables sb to recognize and enjoy that quality:\nIt was a very polished performance, but it lacked soul.\n  5  [sing.] the ~ of sth a perfect example of a good quality:\nHe is the soul of discretion.\n  person\n  6  [C] (becoming old-fashioned) a person of a particular type:\nShe’s lost all her money, poor soul. * You’re a brave soul.\n  7  [C] (especially in negative sentences) a person:\nThere wasn’t a soul in sight (= nobody was in sight). * Don’t tell a soul (= do not tell anyone). * (literary) a village of 300 souls (= with 300 people living there)\n  music\n  8  (also soul music) [U] a type of music that expresses strong emotions, made popular by African American musicians:\na soul singer\n IDIOMS \n  good for the soul (humorous) good for you, even if it seems unpleasant:\n’Want a ride?’ ’No thanks. Walking is good for the soul.’\nmore at BARE v., BODY, GOD, HEART, LIFE, SELL v.


Words: soul mate
Meaning:
noun\na person that you have a special friendship with because you understand each other’s feelings and interests


Words: soul-destroying
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a job or task) very dull and boring, because it has to be repeated many times or because there will never be any improvement


Words: soul-searching
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the careful examination of your thoughts and feelings, for example in order to reach the correct decision or solution to sth:\nAfter much soul-searching she decided to leave.


Words: soulful
Meaning:
adjective\nexpressing deep feelings, especially feelings of sadness or love:\nsoulful eyes * a soulful melody\n    soulfully  adverb:\nHe looked at her soulfully.\n    soulfulness noun [U]


Words: soulless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of things and places) lacking any attractive or interesting qualities that make people feel happy\nSYN DEPRESSING:\nThey live in soulless concrete blocks.\n  2  (of a person) lacking the ability to feel emotions


Words: sound
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective, adverb \n    noun\n  sth you hear\n  1  [C] something that you can hear:\na high / low sound * a clicking / buzzing / scratching sound * the different sounds and smells of the forest * She heard the sound of footsteps outside. * He crept into the house trying not to make a sound.\n  2  [U] continuous rapid movements, (called VIBRATIONS) that travel through air or water and can be heard when they reach a person’s or an animal’s ear:\nSound travels more slowly than light. -> NOISE\n  from television / radio\n  3  [U] what you can hear coming from a television, radio, etc., or as part of a film/movie:\nCould you turn the sound down? * The sound quality of the tapes was excellent. * a sound engineer\n  of musicians\n  4  [C, U] the effect that is produced by the music of a particular singer or group of musicians:\nI like their sound.\n  impression\n  5  [sing.] the ~ of sth the idea or impression that you get of sb/sth from what sb says or what you read:\nThey had a wonderful time by the sound of it. * From the sound of things you were lucky to find him. * They’re consulting a lawyer? I don’t like the sound of that.\n  water\n  6  [C] (often in place names) a narrow passage of water that joins two larger areas of water\nSYN STRAIT:\nPlymouth Sound\n IDIOMS \n  like, etc. the sound of your own voice (disapproving) to like talking a lot or too much, usually without wanting to listen to other people:\nShe’s much too fond of the sound of her own voice.\n  within (the) sound of sth (BrE) near enough to be able to hear sth:\na house within sound of the sea\n    verb (not usually used in the progressive tenses)\n  give impression\n  1  linking verb to give a particular impression when heard or read about:\n[V-ADJ] His voice sounded strange on the phone. * She didn’t sound surprised when I told her the news. * His explanation sounds reasonable to me. * Leo made it sound so easy. But it wasn’t. * He doesn’t sound French-and he doesn’t look it. * [V-N] She sounds just the person we need for the job. * [V] You sounded just like your father when you said that. * I hope I don’t sound as if / as though I’m criticizing you.\n HELP NOTE  In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though, especially in AmE, but this is considered incorrect in written BrE.\n  -sounding\n  2  (in adjectives) giving the impression of having a particular sound:\nan Italian-sounding name * fine-sounding words\n  produce sound\n  3  to produce a sound; to make sth such as a musical instrument produce a sound:\n[V] The bell sounded for the end of the class. * [VN] Passing motorists sounded their horns in support.\n  give warning / signal\n  4  [VN] to give a signal such as a warning by making a sound:\nWhen I saw the smoke, I tried to sound the alarm. * (figurative) Scientists have sounded a note of caution on the technique. * Leaving him out of the team may sound the death knell for our chances of winning (= signal the end of our chances).\n  pronounce\n  5  [VN] (technical) to pronounce sth:\nYou don’t sound the ’b’ in the word comb.\n  measure depth\n  6  [VN, V] (technical) to measure the depth of the sea or a lake by using a line with a weight attached, or an electronic instrument\n IDIOMS  see NOTE n., SUSPICIOUSLY\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  sound off (about sth) (informal, disapproving) to express your opinions loudly or in an aggressive way:\nHe’s always sounding off about falling standards in education.\n  sound sb<->out (about / on sth) | sound sth<->out to try to find out from sb what they think about sth, often in an indirect way:\nI wanted to sound him out about a job. * They decided to sound out her interest in the project.\n    adjective (sounder, soundest)\n  reliable\n  1  sensible; that you can rely on and that will probably give good results:\na person of sound judgement * to reach a sound conclusion * He gave me some very sound advice. * This gives the design team a sound basis for their work. * The proposal makes sound commercial sense. * Their policies are environmentally sound.\nOPP UNSOUND\n  thorough\n  2  [only before noun] good and thorough:\na sound knowledge / understanding of sth * He has a sound grasp of the issues.\n  not damaged / hurt\n  3  in good condition; not damaged, hurt, etc:\nWe arrived home safe and sound. * to be of sound mind (= not mentally ill) * The house needs attention but the roof is sound.\nOPP UNSOUND\n  sleep\n  4  [usually before noun] deep and peaceful:\nto have a sound night’s sleep * to be a sound sleeper\n  good, but not excellent\n  5  good and accurate, but not excellent:\na sound piece of writing * a sound tennis player\n  physical punishment\n  6  severe:\nto give sb a sound beating\n    soundness noun [U]:\nsoundness of judgement * financial soundness * the soundness of the building’s foundations\nsee also SOUNDLY\n IDIOMS \n  (as) sound as a bell (informal) in perfect condition:\nThe doctor said I was as sound as a bell.\n    adverb ~ asleep very deeply asleep


Words: sound bite
Meaning:
noun\na very short part of a speech, usually one made by a politician, that is broadcast on a news programme on television or the radio


Words: sound card
Meaning:
noun\n(computing) a device that can be put into a computer to allow the use of sound with MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE


Words: sound check
Meaning:
noun\na process of checking that the equipment used for recording music, or for playing music at a concert, is working correctly and producing sound of a good quality


Words: sound effect
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] a sound that is made artificially, for example the sound of the wind or a battle, and used in a film/movie, play, computer game, etc. to make it more realistic


Words: sound engineer
Meaning:
noun\na person who works in a recording or broadcasting STUDIO and whose job is to control the levels and balance of sound


Words: sounding board
Meaning:
noun\n(written) a person or group of people that you discuss your ideas with before you make them known or reach a decision


Words: soundings
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n  1  careful questions that are asked in order to find out people’s opinions about sth:\nThey will take soundings among party members. * What do your soundings show?\n  2  measurements that are made to find out how deep water is:\nThey took soundings along the canal.


Words: soundless
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) without making any sound; silent:\nHer lips parted in a soundless scream.\n    soundlessly adverb:\nHe slipped soundlessly into the house.


Words: soundly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  if you sleep soundly, you sleep very well and very deeply\n  2  in a way that is sensible or can be relied on:\nYour information is soundly based. * a soundly-based conclusion\n  3  completely and thoroughly:\nThe team was soundly defeated.\n  4  strongly; firmly:\nThese houses are soundly built.\n  5  very well, but not in an excellent way:\nHe played soundly.\n  6  (of physical punishment) severely:\nHe was soundly beaten by his mother.


Words: soundproof
Meaning:
(also soundproofed) adjective\nmade so that sound cannot pass through it or into it:\na soundproof room\n    soundproof verb [VN]


Words: soundtrack
Meaning:
noun\n  1  all the music, speech and sounds that are recorded for a film/movie:\nThe soundtrack of ’Casablanca’ took weeks to edit.\n  2  some of the music, and sometimes some speech, from a film/movie or musical play that is recorded on tape or disc for people to buy:\nI’ve just bought the soundtrack of the latest Tarantino movie.


Words: soup
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [U, C] a liquid food made by boiling meat, vegetables, etc. in water, often eaten as the first course of a meal:\na bowl of tomato / chicken soup * (BrE) tinned / packet soups * (AmE) canned / packaged soups * a soup spoon / plate\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  soup sth<->up (informal) to make changes to sth such as a car or computer, so that it is more powerful or exciting than before


Words: soupcon
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (from French, sometimes humorous) a very small amount:\nThere was a soupcon of malice in her remark. * Add just a soupcon of garlic.


Words: sour
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective\n  1  having a bitter taste like the taste of a lemon or of fruit that is not ripe:\nsour apples * a sour flavour\nOPP SWEET\nsee also SWEET-AND-SOUR\n  2  (especially of milk) having an unpleasant taste or smell because it is not fresh:\nto turn / go sour * sour milk / cream * a sour smell\n  3  (of people) not cheerful; bad-tempered and unpleasant:\na sour and disillusioned woman * a sour face / smile * The meeting ended on a sour note with several people walking out.\n    sourly adverb:\n’Who asked you?’ he said sourly.\n    sourness noun [U]:\nthe sourness of the fruit * his increasing sourness\n IDIOMS \n  go / turn sour to stop being pleasant or satisfactory:\nTheir relationship soon went sour.\n  sour grapes (saying) used to show that you think sb is jealous and is pretending that sth is not important:\nHe said he didn’t want the job anyway, but that’s just sour grapes.\n    verb\n  1  (of relationships, attitudes, people, etc.) to change so that they become less pleasant or friendly than before; to make sth do this:\n[V] The atmosphere at the house soured. * [VN] The disagreement over trade tariffs has soured relations between the two countries.\n  2  [V, VN] if milk sours or if sth sours it, it becomes sour and has an unpleasant taste or smell


Words: sour cream
Meaning:
(BrE also soured cream) noun\n[U] cream that has been made sour by adding bacteria to it, used in cooking


Words: source
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a place, person or thing that you get sth from:\nrenewable energy sources * Your local library will be a useful source of information. * What is their main source of income? * The tiny window was the only source of light.\n  2  [usually pl.] a person, book or document that provides information, especially for study, a piece of written work or news:\nHe refused to name his sources. * Government sources indicated yesterday that cuts may have to be made. * source material * Historians use a wide range of primary and secondary sources for their research.\n  3  a person or thing that causes sth, especially a problem:\na source of pollution / violence * a source of anxiety / confusion\n  4  the place where a river or stream starts:\nthe source of the Nile\n IDIOMS \n  at source at the place or the point that sth comes from or begins from:\nIs your salary taxed at source (= by your employer)? * It is better to deal with such problems at source.\n    verb [VN] [often passive] ~ sth (from ...) (business) to get sth from a particular place:\nWe source all the meat sold in our stores from British farms.\nsee also OUTSOURCE


Words: source code
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (computing) a computer program written in text form that must be translated into MACHINE CODE before it can run on a computer


Words: sourdough
Meaning:
noun\n[U] DOUGH (= a mixture of flour, fat and water) that is left to FERMENT so that it has a sour taste, used for making bread; bread made with this DOUGH


Words: soused
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] (of fish) preserved in salt water and VINEGAR:\nsoused herring\n  2  (old-fashioned, informal) drunk


Words: south
Meaning:
noun, adjective, adverb \n    noun [U, sing.] (abbreviation S)\n  1  (usually the south) the direction that is on your right when you watch the sun rise; one of the four main points of the COMPASS:\nWhich way is south? * warmer weather coming from the south * He lives to the south of (= further south than) the city.\ncompare EAST, NORTH, WEST\n  2  (the south, the South) the southern part of a country, a region or the world:\nbirds flying to the south for the winter * They bought a villa in the South of France. * Houses are less expensive in the North than in the South (= of England).\n  3  (the South) the southern states of the US\nsee also THE DEEP SOUTH\n  4  (the South) the poorer countries in the southern half of the world\n    adjective (abbreviation S, So.) [only before noun]\n  1  in or towards the south:\nSouth Wales * They live on the south coast.\n  2  a south wind blows from the south\ncompare SOUTHERLY\n    adverb towards the south:\nThis room faces south.\n IDIOMS \n  down south (informal) to or in the south, especially of England:\nThey’ve gone to live down south.


Words: south-east
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the south-east) [sing.] (abbreviation SE) the direction or region halfway between south and east\n    south-east adverb, adjective


Words: south-easterly
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] in or towards the south-east\n  2  [usually before noun] (of winds) blowing from the south-east


Words: south-west
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the south-west) [sing.] (abbreviation SW) the direction or region halfway between south and west\n    south-west adverb, adjective


Words: south-westerly
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] in or towards the south-west\n  2  [usually before noun] (of winds) blowing from the south-west


Words: southbound
Meaning:
adjective\ntravelling or leading towards the south:\nsouthbound traffic * the southbound carriageway of the motorway


Words: southerly
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] in or towards the south:\ntravelling in a southerly direction\n  2  [usually before noun] (of winds) blowing from the south:\na warm southerly breeze\ncompare SOUTH\n    noun (plural southerlies) a wind that blows from the south:\nwarm southerlies


Words: southern
Meaning:
(also Southern) adjective\n(abbreviation S) [usually before noun] situated in the south or facing south; connected with or typical of the south part of the world or a region:\nthe northern slopes of the mountains * southern Spain * a southern accent / climate


Words: southpaw
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, especially AmE) a person who prefers to use their left hand rather than their right, especially in a sport such as boxing


Words: southwards
Meaning:
(also southward) adverb\ntowards the south:\nto go / look / turn southwards\n    southward adjective:\nin a southward direction


Words: souvenir
Meaning:
noun\na thing that you buy and/or keep to remind yourself of a place, an occasion, or a holiday/vacation; something that you bring back for other people when you have been on holiday/vacation:\nI bought the ring as a souvenir of Greece. * souvenir gifts / shops * a souvenir programme of the concert


Words: sovereign
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  (formal) a king or queen\n  2  an old British gold coin worth one pound\n    adjective (formal)\n  1  [only before noun] (of a country or state) free to govern itself; completely independent:\na sovereign state * to be given sovereign rights\n  2  having complete power or the greatest power in the country:\na sovereign ruler * Parliament must always remain sovereign.


Words: sovereignty
Meaning:
noun [U] (formal)\n  1  ~ (over sth) complete power to govern a country:\nThe country claimed sovereignty over the island. * the sovereignty of Parliament * (figurative) the idea of consumer sovereignty\n  2  the state of being a country with freedom to govern itself:\nThe declaration proclaimed the full sovereignty of the republic.


Words: soviet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] an elected local, district or national council in the former USSR\n  2  (the Soviets) [pl.] (especially AmE) the people of the former USSR


Words: sow
Meaning:
or (sowed, sowed)\n  1  ~ sth (in / on sth) | ~ sth (with sth) to plant or spread seeds in or on the ground:\n[VN] Sow the seeds in rows. * The fields around had been sown with wheat. * Sow rows of lettuces between other vegetables. * [V] Water well after sowing.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (in sth) to introduce or spread feelings or ideas, especially ones that cause trouble:\nto sow doubt in sb’s mind * to sow confusion / dissension\n IDIOMS \n  sow the seeds of sth to start the process that leads to a particular situation or result:\nIn this way he sowed the seeds of his own success.\n  sow (your) wild oats (of young men) to go through a period of wild behaviour while young, especially having a lot of romantic or sexual relationships:\nHe wants to leave home, sow his wild oats and learn about life.\nmore at REAP\n\n noun\na female pig\ncompare BOAR, HOG\nsee also SOW\n IDIOMS  see SILK


Words: soy sauce
Meaning:
(also soya sauce) noun\n[U] a thin dark brown sauce that is made from SOYA BEANS and has a salty taste, used in Chinese and Japanese cooking


Words: soya
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE soy) noun\n[U] the plant on which soya beans grow; the food obtained from soya beans:\na soya crop * soya flour / milk / oil


Words: soya bean
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE soybean ) noun\na type of bean, originally from SE Asia, that is used instead of meat or animal PROTEIN in some types of food:\na soya bean casserole


Words: spa
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a place where water with minerals in it, that is considered to be good for your health, comes up naturally out of the ground; the name given to a town that has such a place and where there are, or were, places where people could drink the water:\nLeamington Spa * a spa town / resort * spa waters\n  2  (especially AmE) a place where people can relax and improve their health, with, for example, a swimming pool:\na superb health spa which includes sauna, Turkish bath and fitness rooms\n  3  (especially AmE) = JACUZZI


Words: space
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  empty area\n  1  [U] an amount of an area or of a place that is empty or that is available for use\nSYN ROOM:\ndisk / floor / office / shelf space * We must make good use of the available space. * That desk takes up too much space. * There is very little storage space in the department. * Can we make space for an extra chair? -> PLACE\n  2  [C] an area or a place that is empty:\na large / small / narrow / wide space * a space two metres by three metres * a parking space * crowded together in a confined space * I’ll clear a space for your books. * Put it in the space between the table and the wall.\n  3  [U] the quality of being large and empty, allowing you to move freely\nSYN SPACIOUSNESS:\nThe room has been furnished and decorated to give a feeling of space.\n  4  [C, U] a large area of land that has no buildings on it:\nthe wide open spaces of the Canadian prairies * It’s a city with fine buildings and plenty of open space.\n  outside earth’s atmosphere\n  5  (also outer space) [U] the area outside the earth’s atmosphere where all the other planets and stars are:\nthe first woman in space * the possibility of visitors from outer space * the US space programme * a space flight / mission\n  period of time\n  6  [C, usually sing.] a period of time:\nForty-four people died in the space of five days. * They had achieved a lot in a short space of time. * Leave a space of two weeks between appointments.\n  in writing / printing\n  7  [U, C] the part of a line, page or document that is empty and is available for use:\nDon’t waste space by leaving a wide margin. * There was not enough space to print all the letters we received. * Leave a space after the comma.\n  freedom\n  8  [U] the freedom and the time to think or do what you want to:\nShe was upset and needed space. * You have to give teenagers plenty of space.\nsee also BREATHING SPACE\n  where things exist / move\n  9  [U] the whole area in which all things exist and move:\nIt is quite possible that space and time are finite.\n IDIOMS \n  look / stare / gaze into space to look straight in front of you without looking at a particular thing, usually because you are thinking about sth:\nHe sat staring into space, like a man in a trance.\nmore at WASTE n., WATCH v.\n    verb [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] [often passive] to arrange things so that they have regular spaces between them:\nevenly / widely spaced plants * a row of closely spaced dots * Space the posts about a metre apart.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  space out (informal, especially AmE) to take no notice of what is happening around you, especially as a result of taking drugs:\nI can’t remember what happened next-I was totally spacing out.\nsee also SPACED OUT\n  space sth<->out to arrange things with a wide space between them:\nThe houses are spaced out in this area of town. * Mothers were being advised to try to space out their pregnancies.


Words: space shuttle
Meaning:
(also shuttle) noun\na spacecraft designed to be used, for example, for travelling between the earth and a space station


Words: space station
Meaning:
noun\na large structure that is sent into space and remains above the earth as a base for people working and travelling in space


Words: space-age
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (informal) (especially of design or technology) very modern and advanced:\na space-age kitchen


Words: space-time
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (physics) the universe considered as a CONTINUUM with four measurements-length, width, depth and time-inside which any event or physical object is LOCATED


Words: spaced out
Meaning:
(also spacey) adjective\n(informal) not completely conscious of what is happening around you, often because of taking drugs:\nHe sat in the corner looking completely spaced out.


Words: spaceman
Meaning:
1  (informal) a man who travels into space; an ASTRONAUT\n  2  (in stories) a being that visits the earth from another planet\nSYN ALIEN\nsee also SPACEWOMAN


Words: spacesuit
Meaning:
noun\na special suit that covers the whole body and has a supply of air, allowing sb to survive and move around in space


Words: spacing
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the amount of space that is left between things, especially between the words or lines printed on a page:\nsingle / double spacing (= with one or two lines left between lines of type)\n  2  the amount of time that is left between things happening:\nIn music, the spacing of intervals is vital.


Words: spacious
Meaning:
adjective\n(approving) (of a room or building) large and with plenty of space for people to move around in:\nThe hotel rooms are spacious and comfortable.\n    spaciously adverb:\nThe accommodation is spaciously laid out.\n    spaciousness noun [U]:\nWhite walls can give a feeling of spaciousness.


Words: spade
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a garden tool with a broad metal blade and a long handle, used for digging:\nTurn the soil over with a spade. * The children took their buckets and spades to the beach.\ncompare SHOVEL\n \n  2  (spades) [pl., U] one of the four sets of cards (called SUITS) in a pack/deck of cards. The cards have a black design shaped like pointed leaves with short stems:\nthe five / queen / ace of spades\n \n  3  [C] a card from the set of spades:\nYou must play a spade if you have one.\n IDIOMS \n  in spades (informal) in large amounts or to a great degree:\nHe’d got his revenge now, and in spades.\nmore at CALL v.


Words: spadework
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the hard work that has to be done in order to prepare for sth:\nI have to do all the spadework for the monthly committee meetings.


Words: spam
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (Spam) finely chopped cooked meat that has been pressed together in a container, usually sold in cans and served cold in slices\n  2  (informal) advertising material sent by e-mail to people who have not asked for it\ncompare JUNK MAIL


Words: spamming
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal) the practice of sending mail, especially advertising material, through the Internet to a large number of people, who have not asked for it


Words: span
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n  1  the length of time that sth lasts or is able to continue:\nI worked with him over a span of six years. * The project must be completed within a specific time span. * Small children have a short attention span. * a study of the entire span of Arab history\nsee also LIFESPAN\n  2  ~ (of sth) a range or variety of sth:\nManagers have a wide span of control. * These forests cover a broad span of latitudes.\n  3  the part of a bridge or an arch between one vertical support and another:\nThe bridge crosses the river in a single span.\n  4  the width of sth from one side to the other:\nThe kite has a span of 1.5 metres.\nsee also WINGSPAN\n    verb (-nn-) [VN] \n  1  to last all through a period of time or to cover the whole of it:\nHis acting career spanned 55 years. * Family photos spanning five generations were stolen.\n  2  to include a large area or a lot of things:\nThe operation, which spanned nine countries, resulted in 200 arrests. * His experience spanned not merely politics, but also business and journalism.\n  3  to stretch right across sth, from one side to the other:\na series of bridges spanning the river * The roof was spanned by curved ribs of steel.\n    adjective\n IDIOMS  see SPICK


Words: spangle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (with sth) to cover or to decorate sth with small pieces of sth shiny\nsee also STAR-SPANGLED BANNER\n    noun a small piece of shiny metal or plastic used to decorate clothes \nSYN SEQUIN:\na dress covered with red spangles


Words: spaniel
Meaning:
noun\na dog with large soft ears that hang down. There are several types of spaniel:\na cocker spaniel * a springer spaniel


Words: spank
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to hit sb, especially a child, several times on their bottom as a punishment\ncompare SMACK\n    spank noun


Words: spanking
Meaning:
noun, adverb, adjective \n    noun [C, U] a series of hits on the bottom, given to sb, especially a child, as a punishment:\nto give sb a spanking * I don’t agree with spanking.\n    adverb (informal) when you say that sth is spanking new, etc. you are emphasizing that it is very new, etc.:\na spanking white Rolls-Royce\n    adjective [only before noun] (informal) very fast, good or impressive:\nThe horse set off at a spanking pace. * We had a spanking time last night.


Words: spanner
Meaning:
(BrE) (also wrench AmE, BrE) noun\na metal tool with a specially shaped end for holding and turning NUTS and BOLTS (= small metal rings and pins that hold things together):\nI’ll need a spanner to change the back wheel.\ncompare ADJUSTABLE SPANNER\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  (throw) a spanner in the works (BrE) (AmE (throw) a (monkey) wrench in the works) (to cause) a delay or problem with sth that sb is planning or doing


Words: spar
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-rr-) [V] ~ (with sb)\n  1  to make the movements used in boxing, either in training or to test the speed of your opponent’s reaction\n  2  to argue with sb, usually in a friendly way\n    noun\n  1  a strong pole used to support the sails, etc. on a ship\n  2  a structure that supports the wing of an aircraft


Words: spare
Meaning:
adjective, verb, noun \n    adjective\n  not used / needed\n  1  [usually before noun] that is not being used or is not needed at the present time:\nWe’ve got a spare bedroom, if you’d like to stay. * I’m afraid I haven’t got any spare cash. * Are there any tickets going spare (= are there any available, not being used by sb else)?\n  extra\n  2  [only before noun] kept in case you need to replace the one you usually use; extra:\na spare key / tyre * Take some spare clothes in case you get wet.\n  time\n  3  available to do what you want with rather than work:\nHe’s studying music in his spare time. * I haven’t had a spare moment this morning.\n  person\n  4  (written) thin, and usually quite tall\n IDIOMS \n  go spare (BrE, informal) to become very angry or upset:\nYour mum would go spare if she knew! * I’ll go spare if I don’t get out of the house soon!\n    verb\n  time / money / room / thought, etc.\n  1  ~ sth/sb (for sb/sth) | ~ (sb) sth to make sth such as time or money available to sb or for sth, especially when it requires an effort for you to do this:\n[VN] I’d love to have a break, but I can’t spare the time just now. * We can only spare one room for you. * Could you spare one of your staff to help us out? * You should spare a thought for (= think about) the person who cleans up after you. * He was late, but he spared a glance for the pretty girl at the desk. * [VNN] Surely you can spare me a few minutes?\n  save sb pain / trouble\n  2  ~ sb / yourself (from) sth to save sb/yourself from having to go through an unpleasant experience:\n[VNN] He wanted to spare his mother any anxiety. * Please spare me (= do not tell me) the gruesome details. * You could have spared yourself an unnecessary trip by phoning in advance. * [VN] She was spared from the ordeal of appearing in court.\n  not harm / damage\n  3  [usually passive] ~ sb/sth (from sth) (literary) to allow sb/sth to escape harm, damage or death, especially when others do not escape it:\n[VN] They killed the men but spared the children. * During the bombing only one house was spared (= was not hit by a bomb). [also VNN]\n  no effort / expense, etc.\n  4  [VN] to do everything possible to achieve sth or to do sth well without trying to limit the time or money involved:\nHe spared no effort to make her happy again. * No expense was spared in furnishing the new office.\n  work hard\n  5  [VN] not ~ yourself to work as hard as possible\n IDIOMS \n  spare sb’s blushes (BrE) to save sb from an embarrassing situation:\nA last minute goal spared their blushes.\n  spare sb’s feelings to be careful not to do or say anything that might upset sb\n  to spare if you have time, money, etc. to spare, you have more than you need:\nI’ve got absolutely no money to spare this month. * We arrived at the airport with five minutes to spare.\n    noun\n  1  an extra thing that you keep in case you need to replace the one you usually use (used especially about a tyre of a car):\nto get the spare out of the boot / trunk * I’ve lost my key and I haven’t got a spare.\n  2  (spares) [pl.] (especially BrE) = SPARE PARTS:\nIt can be difficult to get spares for some older makes of car.


Words: spare part
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] a new part that you buy to replace an old or broken part of car, machine, etc:\nWe have to get our spare parts from abroad.


Words: spare tyre
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE spare tire) noun\n  1  an extra wheel for a car\n  2  (BrE) a large roll of fat around sb’s waist:\nVigorous exercise will help to get rid of your spare tyre.


Words: sparing
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (with sth) careful to use or give only a little of sth:\nDoctors now advise only sparing use of such creams. * He was always sparing with his praise.\n    sparingly adverb:\nUse the cream very sparingly.


Words: spark
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a very small burning piece of material that is produced by sth that is burning or by hitting two hard substances together:\nA shower of sparks flew up the chimney. * A spark from the machinery had set fire to some material.\n  2  [C] a small flash of light produced by an electric current:\nsparks from a faulty light switch * A spark ignites the fuel in a car engine.\n  3  [C, usually sing.] ~ of sth a small amount of a particular quality or feeling:\nFor a moment, she felt a spark of hope. * The woman’s eyes still had a spark of life in them.\n  4  [U, sing.] a special quality of energy, intelligence or enthusiasm that makes sb very imaginative, amusing, etc:\nAs a writer he seemed to lack creative spark. * She was a real star. She had a certain spark-that something extra.\n  5  [C] an action or event that causes sth important to develop, especially trouble or violence:\nThese were the sparks of revolution.\n  6  [C, usually pl.] feelings of anger or excitement between people:\nSparks flew at the meeting (= there was a lot of argument). * She was suddenly aware of the romantic spark between them.\n IDIOMS  see BRIGHT adj.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (off) to cause sth to start or develop, especially suddenly:\nThe proposal would spark a storm of protest around the country. * The riots were sparked off by the arrest of a local leader. * Winds brought down power lines, sparking a fire. * The organizers are hoping to spark some interest in young people.\n  2  [V] to produce small flashes of fire or electricity:\na sparking, crackling fire * (figurative) The game suddenly sparked to life.


Words: spark plug
Meaning:
(also plug) (BrE also sparking plug) noun\na part in a car engine that produces a SPARK (= flash of electricity) which makes the fuel burn and starts the engine


Words: sparkle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] ~ (with sth)\n  1  to shine brightly with small flashes of light:\nsparkling eyes * Her jewellery sparkled in the candlelight. * The sky sparkled with brilliant stars.\n  2  to be full of life, enthusiasm or humour:\nHe always sparkles at parties. * She sparkled with cheerfulness and good humour.\n    noun [C, U]\n  1  a series of flashes of light produced by light hitting a shiny surface:\nthe sparkle of glass / crystal * the sparkles of light on water * The sky went dark and the sea lost its sparkle. * (figurative) There was a sparkle of excitement in her eyes.\n  2  the quality of being lively and original:\nThe performance lacked sparkle. * Do something to add a sparkle to your life!


Words: sparkler
Meaning:
noun\na type of small FIREWORK that you hold in your hand and light. It burns with many bright sparks.


Words: sparkling
Meaning:
1  shining and flashing with light:\nthe calm and sparkling waters of the lake * sparkling blue eyes\n \n  2  (of drinks) containing bubbles of gas:\na sparkling wine * sparkling mineral water\n \n  3  interesting and amusing:\na sparkling conversation / personality\n \n  4  excellent; of very good quality\nSYN BRILLIANT:\nThe champion was in sparkling form. * a sparkling performance * The big stores have had another year of sparkling results.


Words: sparring partner
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person that you regularly have friendly arguments or discussions with:\nHe was an old political sparring partner of mine.\n  2  (in boxing) a person that a boxer regularly practises with during training


Words: sparse
Meaning:
adjective\n(comparative sparser, no superlative) only present in small amounts or numbers and often spread over a large area:\nthe sparse population of the islands * Vegetation becomes sparse higher up the mountains. * The information available on the subject is sparse.\n    sparsely adverb:\na sparsely populated area * a sparsely furnished room\n    sparseness noun [U]


Words: spartan
Meaning:
adjective\n(of conditions) simple or harsh; lacking anything that makes life easier or more pleasant:\nthe spartan life of the training camp * The hotel room was somewhat spartan.\n ORIGIN  From Sparta, a powerful city in ancient Greece, where the people were not interested in comfort or luxury.\nOPP LUXURIOUS


Words: spasm
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a sudden and often painful tightening of a muscle, which you cannot control:\nShe felt a muscle spasm in her back. * The injection sent his leg into spasm.\n  2  [C] ~ (of sth) a sudden strong feeling or reaction that lasts for a short time:\na spasm of anxiety / anger / coughing / pain


Words: spasmodic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  happening suddenly for short periods of time; not regular or continuous:\na spasmodic interest in politics * There was spasmodic fighting in the area yesterday.\n  2  (technical) caused by your muscles becoming tight in a way that you cannot control:\nspasmodic movements\n    spasmodically  adverb:\nHer involvement with the organization continued spasmodically for fifteen years. * His hand jerked spasmodically.


