# dict

Words: lax
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) not strict, severe or careful enough about work, rules or standards of behaviour:\nlax security / discipline * a lax attitude to health and safety regulations\n    laxity  noun [U]:\nthe moral laxity of today’s society


Words: lay
Meaning:
verb, adjective, noun-see also LIE v.\n    verb (laid, laid )\n  put down / spread\n  1  [usually +adv./prep.] to put sb/sth in a particular position, especially when it is done gently or carefully:\n[VN] She laid the baby down gently on the bed. * He laid a hand on my arm. * The horse laid back its ears. * Relatives laid wreaths on the grave. * [VN-ADJ] The cloth should be laid flat.\n HELP NOTE  Some speakers confuse this sense of lay with lie, especially in the present and progressive tenses. However, lay has an object and lie does not: She was lying on the beach. * _S_h_e_ _w_a_s_ _l_a_y_i_n_g_ _o_n_ _t_h_e_ _b_e_a_c_h_. * Why don’t you lie on the bed? * _W_h_y_ _d_o_n_’_t_ _y_o_u_ _l_a_y_ _o_n_ _t_h_e_ _b_e_d_?_ _I_n_ _t_h_e_ _p_a_s_t_ _t_e_n_s_e_s_ laid (from lay) is often wrongly used for lay or lain (from lie): She had lain there all night. * _S_h_e_ _h_a_d_ _l_a_i_d_ _t_h_e_r_e_ _a_l_l_ _n_i_g_h_t_.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (down) to put sth down, especially on the floor, ready to be used:\nto lay a carpet / cable / pipe * The foundations of the house are being laid today. * (figurative) They had laid the groundwork for future development.\n  3  [VN] ~ A (on / over B) | ~ B with A to spread sth on sth; to cover sth with a layer of sth:\nBefore they started they laid newspaper on the floor. * The floor was laid with newspaper. * The grapes were laid to dry on racks.\n  eggs\n  4  if a bird, an insect, a fish, etc. lays eggs, it produces them from its body:\n[VN] The cuckoo lays its eggs in other birds’ nests. * new-laid eggs * [V] The hens are not laying well (= not producing many eggs).\n  table\n  5  [VN] (BrE) to arrange knives, forks, plates, etc. on a table ready for a meal\nSYN SET:\nto lay the table\n  present proposal\n  6  [VN] to present a proposal, some information, etc. to sb for them to think about and decide on:\nThe bill was laid before Parliament.\n  difficult situation\n  7  [VN] (formal) to put sb/sth in a particular position or state, especially a difficult or unpleasant one:\nto lay a responsibility / burden on sb * to lay sb under an obligation to do sth\n  with nouns\n  8  [VN] used with a noun to form a phrase that has the same meaning as the verb related to the noun:\nto lay the blame on sb (= to blame sb) * Our teacher lays great stress on good spelling (= stresses it strongly).\n  plan / trap\n  9  [VN] to prepare sth in detail:\nto lay a trap for sb * She began to lay her plans for her escape. * Bad weather can upset even the best-laid plans.\n  have sex\n  10  [VN] [often passive] (!!!, slang) to have sex with sb:\nHe went out hoping to get laid that night.\n  fire\n  11  [VN] to prepare a fire by arranging wood, sticks or coal\n  bet\n  12  to bet money on sth; to place a bet:\n[VN] to lay a bet * She had laid $100 on the favourite. * I think he’ll come, but I wouldn’t lay money on it. * [VNN, VN (that)] [no passive] I’ll lay you any money you like (that) he won’t come.\n IDIOMS \n  Idioms containing lay are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example lay sth bare is at bare.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lay about sb (with sth) (BrE) to attack sb violently:\nThe gang laid about him with sticks.\n  lay about you / yourself (with sth) (BrE) to hit sb/sth without control or move your arms or legs violently in all directions:\nShe laid about herself with her stick to keep the dogs off.\n  lay sth<->aside (formal)\n1 to put sth on one side and not use it or think about it:\nHe laid aside his book and stood up. * (figurative) Doctors have to lay their personal feelings aside.\n2 (also lay sth by) to keep sth to use, or deal with later:\nThey had laid money aside for their old age.\n  lay sth<->down to put sth down or stop using it:\nShe laid the book down on the table. * Both sides were urged to lay down their arms (= stop fighting).\n  lay sth down\n1 (formal) to stop doing a job, etc:\nto lay down your office / duties\n2 if you lay down a rule or a principle, you state officially that people must obey it or use it:\nYou can’t lay down hard and fast rules. * [+ that] It is laid down that all candidates must submit three copies of their dissertation.\n3 [usually passive] to produce sth that is stored and gradually increases:\nIf you eat too much, the surplus is laid down as fat.\n  lay sth<->in / up to collect and store sth to use in the future:\nto lay in food supplies\n  lay into sb/sth (informal) to attack sb violently with blows or words:\nHis parents really laid into him for wasting so much money.\n  lay off | lay off sb/sth (informal, spoken) used to tell sb to stop doing sth:\nLay off me will you-it’s nothing to do with me. * [+ -ing] Lay off bullying Jack.\n  lay off sth (informal) to stop using sth:\nI think you’d better lay off fatty foods for a while.\n  lay sb<->off to stop employing sb because there is not enough work for them to do \nSYN MAKE SB REDUNDANT:\n200 workers at the factory have been laid off.\nrelated noun LAY-OFF\n  lay sth<->on (BrE, informal) to provide sth for sb, especially food or entertainment:\nto lay on food and drink * A bus has been laid on to take guests to the airport.\n  lay sth on sb to make sb have to deal with sth unpleasant or difficult:\nStop laying a guilt trip on me (= making me feel guilty).\n  lay sb<->out\n1 to knock sb unconscious\n2 to prepare a dead body to be buried\n  lay sth<->out\n1 to spread sth out so that it can be seen easily or is ready to use:\nHe laid the map out on the table. * [+ADJ] Lay the material out flat.\n2 [often passive] to plan how sth should look and arrange it in this way:\nThe gardens were laid out with lawns, flower beds and fountains. * a well laid out magazine\nrelated noun LAYOUT\n3 to present a plan, an argument, etc. clearly and carefully\nSYN SET OUT:\nAll the terms and conditions are laid out in the contract.\n4 (informal) to spend money:\nI had to lay out a fortune on a new car.\nrelated noun OUTLAY\n  lay over (at / in ...) (AmE) to stay somewhere for a short time during a long journey\nrelated noun LAYOVER\nsee also STOP OVER\n  lay sb up [usually passive] if sb is laid up, they are unable to work, etc. because of an illness or injury:\nShe’s laid up with a broken leg.\n  lay sth <-> up\n1 = LAY STH IN\n2 if you lay up problems or trouble for yourself, you do sth that will cause you problems later\n3 to stop using a ship or other vehicle while it is being repaired\n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  not having expert knowledge or professional qualifications in a particular subject:\nHis book explains the theory for the lay public.\n  2  not in an official position in the Church:\na lay preacher\nsee also LAYMAN, LAYWOMAN, LAYPERSON\n    noun\n  1  (!!!, slang) a partner in sex, especially a woman:\nan easy lay (= a person who is ready and willing to have sex) * to be a great lay\n  2  (old use) a poem that was written to be sung, usually telling a story\n IDIOMS \n  the lay of the land (AmE) = THE LIE OF THE LAND


Words: lay-by
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) an area at the side of a road where vehicles may stop for a short time:\nHe pulled into the lay-by and got out to see what was wrong with the car.\ncompare REST AREA


Words: lay-off
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an act of making people unemployed because there is no more work left for them to do:\nlay-offs in the factory\n  2  a period of time when sb is not working or not doing sth that they normally do regularly:\nan eight-week lay-off with a broken leg


Words: layaway
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (AmE) a system of buying goods in a store, where the customer pays a small amount of the price for an article and the store keeps the goods until the full price has been paid:\nI’ll put it on layaway.


Words: layer
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a quantity or thickness of sth that lies over a surface or between surfaces:\nA thin layer of dust covered everything. * How many layers of clothing are you wearing?\n \n  2  a level or part within a system or set of ideas:\nThere were too many layers of management in the company. * the layers of meaning in the poem\n    verb [VN] [often passive] to arrange sth in layers:\nLayer the potatoes and onions in a dish. * Her hair had been layered (= cut to several different lengths).


Words: layman
Meaning:
(also layperson)\n  1  a person who does not have expert knowledge of a particular subject:\na book written for professionals and laymen alike * to explain sth in layman’s terms (= in simple language)\n  2  a person who is a member of a Church but is not a priest or member of the CLERGY\nsee also LAYWOMAN


Words: layout
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the way in which the parts of sth such as the page of a book, a garden or a building are arranged:\nthe layout of streets * the magazine’s attractive new page layout * There is no single correct layout for business letters. * Are you familiar with the general layout of the hospital?


Words: layperson
Meaning:
noun\n(also lay person) (plural lay people or laypersons) a LAYMAN or LAYWOMAN:\nThe layperson cannot really understand mental illness.


Words: laywoman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural laywomen ) (rare) a woman who is a member of a Church but is not a priest or a member of the CLERGY\nsee also LAYMAN, LAYPERSON


Words: laze
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (about / around) to relax and do very little:\nWe lazed by the pool all day. * I’ve spent the afternoon just lazing around.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  laze sth<->away to spend time relaxing and doing very little:\nThey lazed away the long summer days.


Words: lazy
Meaning:
adjective (lazier, laziest)\n  1  (disapproving) unwilling to work or be active; doing as little as possible:\nHe was not stupid, just lazy. * I was feeling too lazy to go out.\n  2  not involving much energy or activity; slow and relaxed:\nWe spent a lazy day on the beach.\n  3  (disapproving) showing a lack of effort or care:\na lazy piece of work\n  4  (literary) moving slowly:\nthe lazy river\n    lazily adverb:\nShe woke up and stretched lazily. * The birds circled lazily above our heads.\n    laziness noun [U]


Words: lazybones
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (old-fashioned, informal) used to refer to a lazy person:\nCome on, lazybones, get up!


Words: lb
Meaning:
(AmE lb.) abbreviation\n(plural lb or lbs) a pound in weight, equal to about 454 grams (from Latin ’libra’).


Words: lbw
Meaning:
abbreviation\n(in cricket) leg before wicket (a reason for a BATSMAN being out (= having to stop BATTING), because the ball has hit his or her leg instead of hitting the bat, and would have hit the WICKET if the leg had not stopped it)


Words: LCD
Meaning:
abbreviation\n  1  liquid crystal display (a way of showing information in electronic equipment. An electric current is passed through a special liquid and numbers and letters can be seen on a small screen.):\na pocket calculator with LCD\n  2  LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR


Words: LEA
Meaning:
abbreviation\nLocal Education Authority (a department responsible for education in British local government)


Words: leach
Meaning:
verb (technical)\n  1  [V] ~ (from sth) (into sth) | ~ out / away (of chemicals, minerals, etc.) to be removed from soil, etc. by water passing through it:\nNitrates leach from the soil into rivers.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (from sth) (into sth) | ~ sth out / away (of a liquid) to remove chemicals, minerals, etc. from soil:\nThe nutrient is quickly leached away.


Words: lead
Meaning:
verb, noun-see also LEAD\n    verb (led, led )\n  show the way\n  1  to go with or in front of a person or an animal to show the way or to make them go in the right direction: [VN, +adv./prep.] He led us out into the grounds. * The receptionist led the way to the boardroom. * She led the horse back into the stable. * (figurative) I tried to lead the discussion back to the main issue. * [V] If you lead, I’ll follow.\n  connect two things\n  2  [V] ~ from / to sth (to / from sth) to connect one object or place to another:\nthe pipe leading from the top of the water tank * The wire led to a speaker.\n  of road / path / door\n  3  [+adv./prep.] to go in a particular direction or to a particular place:\n[V] A path led up the hill. * Which door leads to the yard? * [VN] The track led us through a wood.\n  cause\n  4  [V] ~ to sth to have sth as a result:\nEating too much sugar can lead to health problems. * A reward was offered for information leading to an arrest.\n  5  ~ sb (to sth) to be the reason why sb does or thinks sth:\n[VN] What led you to this conclusion? * He’s too easily led (= easily persuaded to do or think sth). * [VN to inf] This has led scientists to speculate on the existence of other galaxies. * The situation is far worse than we had been led to believe.\n  life\n  6  [VN] to have a particular type of life:\nto lead a quiet life / a life of luxury / a miserable existence\n  be best / first\n  7  ~ (sb/sth) (in sth) to be the best at sth; to be in first place:\n[VN] The department led the world in cancer research. * We lead the way in space technology. * [V, VN] The champion is leading (her nearest rival) by 18 seconds.\n  be in control\n  8  to be in control of sth; to be the leader of sth:\n[VN] to lead an army / an expedition * to lead a discussion * Who will lead the party in the next election? [also V]\n  in card games\n  9  to play first; to play sth as your first card:\n[V] It’s your turn to lead. * [VN] to lead trumps / the ten of clubs\n IDIOMS \n  lead sb by the nose to make sb do everything you want; to control sb completely\n  lead (sb) nowhere to have no successful result for sb:\nThis discussion is leading us nowhere.\n  lead sb a (merry) dance (BrE) to cause sb a lot of trouble or worry\n  lead from the front to take an active part in what you are telling or persuading others to do\n  lead sb up / down the garden path to deceive sb\nmore at BLIND adj., THING\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lead off (from) sth to start at a place and go away from it:\nnarrow streets leading off from the main square\n  lead off | lead sth<->off to start sth:\nWho would like to lead off the debate?\n  lead sb on (informal) to deceive sb and make them believe sth, especially that you love them or find them attractive\n  lead up to sth to be an introduction to or the cause of sth:\nthe weeks leading up to the exam * the events leading up to the strike\n  lead with sth\n1 (of a newspaper) to have sth as the main item of news\n2 (in boxing) to use a particular hand to begin an attack:\nto lead with your right / left\n    noun\n  first place\n \n  1  (the lead) [sing.] the position ahead of everyone else in a race or competition:\nShe took the lead in the second lap. * He has gone into the lead. * The Democrats now appear to be in the lead. * to hold / lose the lead * The lead car is now three minutes ahead of the rest of the field.\n \n  2  [sing.] ~ (over sb/sth) the amount or distance that sb/sth is in front of sb/sth else:\nHe managed to hold a lead of two seconds over his closest rival. * The polls have given Labour a five-point lead. * a commanding / comfortable lead * to increase / widen your lead * Manchester lost their early two-goal lead.\n \n  example\n \n  3  [sing.] an example or action for people to copy:\nIf one bank raises interest rates, all the others will follow their lead. * If we take the lead in this (= start to act), others may follow. * You go first, I’ll take my lead from you.\n  information\n  4  [C] a piece of information that may help to find out the truth or facts about a situation, especially a crime:\nThe police will follow up all possible leads.\n  actor / musician\n  5  [C] the main part in a play, film/movie, etc.; the person who plays this part:\nWho is playing the lead? * the male / female lead * a lead role * the lead singer in a band\n  for dog\n  6  (BrE) (also leash AmE, BrE) [C] a long piece of leather, chain or rope used for holding and controlling a dog:\nDogs must be kept on a lead in the park.\n  for electricity\n  7  [C] (BrE) a long piece of wire, usually covered in plastic, that is used to connect a piece of electrical equipment to a source of electricity\nsee also EXTENSION LEAD, JUMP LEAD\n\n noun-see also LEAD\n \n  1  [U] (Symbol Pb) a chemical element. Lead is a heavy soft grey metal, used especially in the past for water pipes or to cover roofs.\n \n  2  [C, U] the thin black part of a pencil that marks paper\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  go down like a lead balloon (informal) to be very unsuccessful; to not be accepted by people:\nMy suggestion went down like a lead balloon.


Words: lead-in
Meaning:
noun\nan introduction to a subject, story, show, etc:\nHe told an amusing story as a lead-in to his speech.


Words: leaded
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  (of petrol, metal, etc.) with lead added to it\nOPP UNLEADED\n  2  with a cover or a frame of lead:\na leaded door / roof


Words: leaded light
Meaning:
(also leaded window) noun\n[usually pl.] (BrE) a window made from small pieces of glass that are arranged in diamond shapes and are separated by strips of LEAD


Words: leaden
Meaning:
adjective (literary)\n  1  dull grey in colour, like LEAD:\nleaden skies\n  2  dull, heavy or slow:\na leaden heart (= because you are sad) * On leaden feet he made his way down the stairs.


Words: leader
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who leads a group of people, especially the head of a country, an organization, etc:\na political / spiritual leader * the leader of the Conservative party * union leaders * He was not a natural leader. * She’s a born leader.\n  2  a person or thing that is the best, or in first place in a race, business, etc:\nShe was among the leaders of the race from the start. * The company is a world leader in electrical goods.\nsee also MARKET LEADER\n  3  (BrE) (also concertmaster AmE, BrE) the most important violin player in an orchestra\n  4  (BrE) = EDITORIAL


Words: leadership
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the state or position of being a leader:\na leadership contest * The party thrived under his leadership. * Who will take over the leadership of the club?\n  2  [U] the ability to be a leader or the qualities a good leader should have:\nleadership qualities / skills * Strong leadership is needed to captain the team. * Many in the party have criticized his lack of leadership.\n  3  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of leaders of a particular organization, etc:\nThe party leadership is / are divided.


Words: leading
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] most important or most successful\nSYN MAIN:\nleading politicians / experts * She was offered the leading role in the new TV series.


Words: leading edge
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing.] the most important and advanced position in an area of activity, especially technology:\nat the leading edge of scientific research * The company has had the leading edge in electronics for ten years.\n  2  [C] (technical) the front or forward edge of sth, especially an aircraft\n    leading-edge adjective [only before noun]:\nleading-edge technology


Words: leading lady
Meaning:
, leading man noun\nthe actor with the main female or male part in a play or film/movie:\nA lot of leading ladies end up falling in love with their leading men simply because they are working together so intensely.


Words: leading light
Meaning:
noun\nan important, active or respected person in a particular area of activity:\nShe’s one of the leading lights in the opera world.


Words: leaf
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n (plural leaves )\n \n  1  [C] a flat green part of a plant, growing from a stem or branch or from the root:\nlettuce / cabbage / oak leaves * The trees are just coming into leaf. * the dead leaves of autumn / the fall\nsee also BAY LEAF, FIG LEAF\n \n  2  (-leaf, -leafed, -leaved) (in adjectives) having leaves of the type or number mentioned:\na four-leaf clover * a broad-leaved plant\n \n  3  [C] a sheet of paper, especially a page in a book:\nShe carefully turned the leaves of the precious volume.\nsee also FLYLEAF, LOOSE-LEAF, OVERLEAF\n  4  [U] metal, especially gold or silver, in the form of very thin sheets:\ngold leaf\n  5  [C] a part of a table that can be lifted up or pulled into position in order to make the table bigger\n IDIOMS \n  take a leaf from / out of sb’s book to copy sb’s behaviour and do things in the same way that they do, because they are successful\nmore at NEW\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  leaf through sth to quickly turn over the pages of a book, etc. without reading them or looking at them carefully:\nWhile I was waiting I leafed through a magazine.


Words: leaflet
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a printed sheet of paper or a few printed pages that are given free of charge to advertise or give information about sth:\na leaflet on local places of interest * Pick up a free leaflet from your local post office.\n    verb to give out leaflets to people: [V] We did a lot of leafleting in the area. [also VN]


Words: leafy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having a lot of leaves:\nEat plenty of leafy green vegetables.\n  2  (approving) (of a place) having a lot of trees and plants:\nleafy suburbs\n  3  made by a lot of leaves or trees:\nWe sat in the leafy shade of an oak tree.


Words: league
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a group of people, or nations who have combined for a particular purpose:\nthe League of Nations * a meeting of the Women’s League for Peace\nsee also IVY LEAGUE\n  2  a group of sports teams who all play each other to earn points and find which team is best:\nmajor league baseball * United were league champions last season. * If we look at the the league table we can see Bolton are bottom with 21 points.\n  3  (informal) a level of quality, ability, etc:\nAs a painter, he is in a league of his own (= much better than others). * They’re in a different league from us. * When it comes to cooking, I’m not in her league (= she is much better than me). * A house like that is out of our league (= too expensive for us).\n  4  (old use) a unit for measuring distance, equal to about 3 miles or 4 000 metres\n IDIOMS \n  in league (with sb) making secret plans with sb


Words: leak
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to allow liquid or gas to get in or out through a small hole or crack:\n[V] a leaking pipe * The roof was leaking. * [VN] The tank had leaked a small amount of water.\n  2  [V] (of a liquid or gas) to get in or out through a small hole or crack in sth:\nWater had started to leak into the cellar.\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (to sb) to give secret information to the public, for example by telling a newspaper:\nThe contents of the report were leaked to the press. * a leaked document\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  leak out (of secret information) to become known to the public:\nDetails of the plan soon leaked out.\n    noun\n  1  a small hole or crack that lets liquid or gas flow in or out of sth by accident:\na leak in the roof * a leak in the gas pipe\n  2  liquid or gas that escapes through a hole in sth:\na gas / radiation leak * oil leaks / leaks of oil\n  3  a deliberate act of giving secret information to the newspapers, etc:\na leak to the press about the government plans on tax * There will be an inquiry into the alleged security leaks.\n  4  (slang) an act of passing URINE from the body:\nto have / take a leak\n IDIOMS  see SPRING v.


Words: leakage
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] an amount of liquid or gas escaping through a hole in sth; an occasion when there is a leak:\na leakage of toxic waste into the sea * Check bottles for leakage before use.


Words: lean
Meaning:
verb, adjective, noun \n    verb (leaned, leaned) (BrE also leant, leant )\n  1  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to bend or move from an upright position:\nI leaned back in my chair. * The tower is leaning dangerously. * A man was leaning out of the window.\n  2  [V] ~ against / on sth to rest on or against sth for support:\nA shovel was leaning against the wall. * She walked slowly, leaning on her son’s arm.\n  3  [VN] ~ sth against / on sth to make sth rest against sth in a sloping position:\nCan I lean my bike against the wall?\n IDIOMS  see BACKWARDS\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lean on sb/sth\n1 to depend on sb/sth for help and support:\nHe leans heavily on his family.\n2 to try to influence sb by threatening them:\nThe government has been leaning on the TV company not to broadcast the show.\n  lean to / towards / toward sth to have a tendency to prefer sth, especially a particular opinion or interest:\nThe UK leant towards the US proposal.\n    adjective (leaner, leanest)\n  1  (usually approving) (of people, especially men, or animals) without much flesh; thin and fit:\na lean, muscular body * He was tall, lean and handsome.\n  2  (of meat) containing little or no fat:\na lean, tender piece of beef\n  3  [usually before noun] (of a period of time) difficult and not producing much money, food, etc:\na lean period / spell * The company recovered well after going through several lean years. * This is the leanest time of the year for the tourist industry. * Many animals have a lean time of it in winter.\n  4  (of organizations, etc.) strong and efficient because the number of employees has been reduced:\nThe changes made the company leaner and more competitive.\n    leanness  noun [U]:\nThe dark clothes emphasized the leanness of her body.\n    noun [U] the part of meat that has little or no fat


Words: lean-to
Meaning:
noun\n(plural lean-tos ) a small building with its roof leaning against the side of a large building, wall or fence:\na lean-to garage * We keep hens in a lean-to at the back of the house.


Words: leaning
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] ~ (toward(s) sth) a tendency to prefer sth or to believe in particular ideas, opinions, etc.\nSYN INCLINATION:\na leaning towards comedy rather than tragedy * a person with socialist leanings


Words: leap
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n (leapt, leapt ) or (leaped, leaped)\n \n  1  to jump high or a long way: [V, +adv./prep.] A dolphin leapt out of the water. * We leapt over the stream. * [VN] The horse leapt a five-foot wall.\n \n  2  [V +adv./prep.] to move or do sth suddenly and quickly:\nShe leapt out of bed. * He leapt across the room to answer the door. * I leapt to my feet (= stood up quickly). * They leapt into action immediately. * (figurative) She was quick to leap to my defence (= speak in support of me). * The photo seemed to leap off the page (= it got your attention immediately). * His name leapt out at me (= I saw it immediately).\n \n  3  [V] to increase suddenly and by a large amount:\nShares leapt in value from 476p to close at 536p.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  look before you leap (saying) used to advise sb to think about the possible results or dangers of sth before doing it\nmore at CONCLUSION, HEART\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  leap at sth to accept a chance or an opportunity quickly and with enthusiasm:\nI leapt at the chance to go to France.\n    noun\n  1  a long or high jump:\na leap of six metres * She took a flying leap and landed on the other side of the stream. * (figurative) His heart gave a sudden leap when he saw her. * (figurative) Few people successfully make the leap from television to the movies.\n  2  a sudden large change or increase in sth:\na leap in profits / productivity\nsee also QUANTUM LEAP\n IDIOMS \n  by / in leaps and bounds very quickly; in large amounts:\nHer health has improved in leaps and bounds.\n  a leap in the dark an action or a risk that you take without knowing anything about the activity or what the result will be:\nI didn’t know what the new job would be like-I just took a leap in the dark.


Words: leapfrog
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [U] a children’s game in which players take turns to jump over the backs of other players who are bending down\n    verb (-gg-) to get to a higher position or rank by going past sb else or by missing out some stages:\n[VN] The win allowed Newcastle to leapfrog three teams to gain second place. [also V]


Words: learn
Meaning:
or (learned, learned)\n  1  ~ (sth) (from sb/sth) to gain knowledge or skill by studying, from experience, from being taught, etc:\n[VN] to learn a language / a musical instrument / a skill * I learned a lot from my father. * You can learn a great deal just from watching other players. * [V] She’s very keen to learn about Japanese culture. * The book is about how children learn. * [V to inf, V wh-] He’s learning to dance. * He’s still learning how to dance. * [V wh-] Today we learnt how to use the new software. -> DISCOVER\n  2  ~ (of / about) sth to become aware of sth by hearing about it from sb else:\n[V] I learnt of her arrival from a close friend. * [V (that)] We were very surprised to learn (that) she had got married again. * [V wh-] We only learned who the new teacher was a few days ago. * [VN] How did they react when they learned the news? [also VN that]\n  3  [VN] to study and repeat sth in order to be able to remember it\nSYN MEMORIZE:\nWe have to learn one of Hamlet’s speeches for school tomorrow.\n  4  ~ (from sth) to gradually change your attitudes about sth so that you behave in a different way:\n[V] I’m sure she’ll learn from her mistakes. * [V (that)] He’ll just have to learn (that) he can’t always have his own way. * [V to inf] I soon learned not to ask too many questions.\n IDIOMS \n  learn (sth) the hard way to find out how to behave by learning from your mistakes or from unpleasant experiences, rather than from being told\n  learn your lesson to learn what to do or not to do in the future because you have had a bad experience in the past\nmore at COST n., LIVE, ROPE n.\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \nlearning\nlearn He’s learning Spanish / to swim / how to drive.\nstudy She studied chemistry for three years.\ncram I can’t go out tonight - I’m cramming for the exam.\nrevise (BrE) (AmE review) In this class we’ll revise/review what we did last week.\npractise (BrE) (AmE practice) If you practise speaking English, you’ll soon improve.\nrehearse We only had two weeks to rehearse the play.\n______________________________


Words: learned
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  (formal) having a lot of knowledge because you have studied and read a lot:\na learned professor\nsee also FRIEND (5)\n  2  (formal) connected with or for learned people; showing and expressing deep knowledge\nSYN SCHOLARLY:\na learned journal\n  3   developed by training or experience; not existing at birth:\na learned skill * We all have different learned responses to anger.


Words: learner
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who is finding out about a subject or how to do sth:\na slow / quick learner * a dictionary for learners of English * learner-centred teaching methods * young / adult learners * a language learner\n  2  (also learner driver) a person who is learning to drive a car:\nLearners are not allowed on the motorway.


Words: learning
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the process of learning sth:\ncomputer-assisted learning * student-centred learning * new methods of language learning\n  2  knowledge that you get from reading and studying:\na woman of great learning


Words: learning curve
Meaning:
noun\nthe rate at which you learn a new subject or a new skill; the process of learning from the mistakes you make:\nWe have all been through a steep learning curve to master the new procedures. * We expect a learning curve as we develop the project.


Words: learning difficulties
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] mental problems that people may have from birth, or that may be caused by illness or injury, that affect their ability to learn things


Words: lease
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a legal agreement that allows you to use a building, a piece of equipment or some land for a period of time, usually in return for rent:\nto take out a lease on a flat * The lease expires / runs out next year. * Under the terms of the lease, you have to pay maintenance charges.\n IDIOMS \n  a (new) lease of life (BrE) (AmE a (new) lease on life) the chance to live or last longer, or with a better quality of life:\nSince her hip operation she’s had a new lease of life.\n    verb ~ sth (from sb) | ~ sth (out) (to sb) to use or let sb use sth, especially property or equipment, in exchange for rent or a regular payment: [VN] They lease the land from a local farmer. * We lease all our photocopy equipment. * Parts of the building are leased out to tenants. [also VNN]\n    leasing noun [U]:\ncar leasing * a leasing company


Words: leaseback
Meaning:
(AmE also reversion) noun\n[U] (law) the process of allowing the former owner of a property to continue to use it if they pay rent to the new owner; a legal agreement where this happens:\na leaseback arrangement


Words: leasehold
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (especially BrE) (of property or land) that can be used for a limited period of time, according to the arrangements in a LEASE:\na leasehold property\n    leasehold adverb:\nto purchase land leasehold\ncompare FREEHOLD\n    noun [U] (especially BrE) the right to use a building or a piece of land according to the arrangements in a LEASE:\nto obtain / own the leasehold of a flat\ncompare FREEHOLD


Words: leaseholder
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) a person who is allowed to use a building or a piece of land according to the arrangements in a LEASE\ncompare FREEHOLDER


Words: leash
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (especially AmE) = LEAD (6):\nAll dogs must be kept on a leash in public places.\n IDIOMS  see STRAIN v.\n    verb [VN] to control an animal, especially a dog, with a LEAD/LEASH


Words: least
Meaning:
determiner, pronoun, adverb \n    determiner, pronoun (usually the least) smallest in size, amount, degree, etc:\nHe’s the best teacher, even though he has the least experience. * She never had the least idea what to do about it. * He gave (the) least of all towards the wedding present. * How others see me is the least of my worries (= I have more important things to worry about). * It’s the least I can do to help (= I feel I should do more).\n IDIOMS \n  at the (very) least used after amounts to show that the amount is the lowest possible:\nIt’ll take a year, at the very least.\n  not in the least not at all:\nReally, I’m not in the least tired. * ’Do you mind if I put the television on?’ ’No, not in the least.’\nmore at SAY v.\n    adverb to the smallest degree:\nHe always turns up just when you least expect him. * She chose the least expensive of the hotels. * I never hid the truth, least of all from you.\n IDIOMS \n  at least\n1 not less than:\nIt’ll cost at least 500 dollars. * She must be at least 40. * Cut the grass at least once a week in summer. * I’ve known her at least as long as you have.\n2 used to add a positive comment about a negative situation:\nShe may be slow but at least she’s reliable.\n3 even if nothing else is true or you do nothing else:\nYou could at least listen to what he says. * Well, at least they weren’t bored.\n4 used to limit or make what you have just said less definite\nSYN ANYWAY:\nThey seldom complained-officially at least. * It works, at least I think it does.\n  not least (written) especially:\nThe documentary caused a lot of bad feeling, not least among the workers whose lives it described.\nmore at LAST adv., LINE n., SAY v.


Words: leather
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] material made by removing the hair or fur from animal skins and preserving the skins using special processes:\na leather jacket / briefcase * The soles are made of leather. * a leather-bound book\n  2  (leathers) [pl.] clothes made from leather, especially those worn by people riding motorcycles\nsee also CHAMOIS LEATHER, PATENT LEATHER\n IDIOMS  see HELL


Words: leave
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (left, left )\n  place / person\n  1  to go away from a person or a place:\n[V] Come on, it’s time we left. * The plane leaves for Dallas at 12.35. * [VN] I hate leaving home. * The plane leaves Heathrow at 12.35.\n  home / job / school\n  2  to stop living at a place, belonging to a group, working for an employer, etc:\n[V] My secretary has threatened to leave. * [VN] Some children leave school at 16.\n  wife / husband\n  3  [VN] ~ sb (for sb) to leave your wife, husband or partner permanently:\nShe’s leaving him for another man.\n  sth to do later\n  4  [VN] to not do sth or deal with sth immediately:\nLeave the dishes-I’ll wash them up later. * Why do you always leave everything until the last moment?\n  sb / sth in condition / place\n  5  to make or allow sb/sth to remain in a particular condition, place, etc:\n[VN-ADJ] Leave the door open, please. * The bomb blast left 25 people dead. * [VN -ing] Don’t leave her waiting outside in the rain. * [VN to inf] Leave the rice to cook for 20 minutes. [also VN]\n  6  to make sth happen or remain as a result:\n[VN] Red wine leaves a stain. * The puppy left a trail of destruction behind it. * She left me with the impression that she was unhappy with her job. * [VNN] I’m afraid you leave me no choice.\n  7  (be left) [VN] to remain to be used, sold, etc:\nIs there any coffee left? * How many tickets do you have left? * (figurative) They are fighting to save what is left of their business. * The only course of action left to me was to notify her employer.\n  8  [VN] ~ sth/sb (behind) to go away from a place without taking sb/sth with you:\nI’ve left my bag on the bus. * Don’t leave any of your belongings behind. * He wasn’t well, so we had to leave him behind.\n  mathematics\n  9  [VN] to have a particular amount remaining:\nSeven from ten leaves three.\n  after death\n  10  [VN] to have family remaining after your death:\nHe leaves a wife and two children.\n  11  to give sth to sb when you die: [VN, VNN] She left ｣1 million to her daughter. * She left her daughter ｣1 million.\n  responsibility to sb\n  12  to allow sb to take care of sth: [VN, +adv./prep.] You can leave the cooking to me. * She left her assistant in charge. * Leave it with me-I’m sure I can sort it out. * ’Where shall we eat?’ ’I’ll leave it entirely (up) to you (= you can decide).’ * They left me with all the clearing up. * [VN to inf] I was left to cope on my own.\n  deliver\n  13  ~ sth (for sb) | ~ (sb) sth to deliver sth and then go away: [VN, VNN] Someone left this note for you. * Someone left you this note.\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing leave are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example leave sb in the lurch is at lurch.\n  leave go (of sth) (BrE, informal) to stop holding on to sth:\nLeave go of my arm-you’re hurting me!\n  leave it at that (informal) to say or do nothing more about sth:\nWe’ll never agree, so let’s just leave it at that.\n  leave it out (BrE, spoken) used to tell sb to stop doing sth\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  leave sth<->aside to not consider sth:\nLeaving the expense aside, do we actually need a second car?\n  leave sb/sth behind\n1 [usually passive] to make much better progress than sb:\nBritain is being left behind in the race for new markets.\n2 to leave a person, place or state permanently:\nShe knew that she had left childhood behind.\nsee also LEAVE (8)\n  leave off (informal) to stop doing sth:\nStart reading from where you left off last time. * [+ -ing] He left off playing the piano to answer the door.\n  leave sb/sth<->off (sth) to not include sb/sth on a list, etc:\nYou’ve left off a zero. * We left him off the list.\n  leave sb/sth out (of sth) to not include or mention sb/sth in sth:\nLeave me out of this quarrel, please. * He hadn’t been asked to the party and was feeling very left out. * She left out an ’m’ in ’accommodation’.\n  be left over (from sth) to remain when all that is needed has been used:\nThere was lots of food left over.\nrelated noun LEFTOVER\n    noun [U]\n  1  a period of time when you are allowed to be away from work for a holiday/vacation or for a special reason:\nto take a month’s paid / unpaid leave * soldiers home on leave * to be on maternity / study leave * How much annual leave do you get?\nsee also COMPASSIONATE LEAVE, SICK LEAVE\n  2  ~ (to do sth) (formal) official permission to do sth:\nto be absent without leave * The court granted him leave to appeal against the sentence. * She asked for leave of absence (= permission to be away from work) to attend a funeral.\n IDIOMS \n  by / with your leave (formal) with your permission\n  take (your) leave (of sb) (formal) to say goodbye:\nWith a nod and a smile, she took leave of her friends.\n  without a by your leave; without so much as a by your leave (old-fashioned) without asking permission; rudely:\nHe walked straight in, without so much as a by your leave.\nmore at BEG, FRENCH


Words: leaven
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] a substance, especially YEAST, that is added to bread before it is cooked to make it rise: (figurative) A few jokes add leaven to a boring speech.\n    verb [VN] [often passive] ~ sth (with sth) (formal) to make sth more interesting or cheerful by adding sth to it:\nHer speech was leavened with a touch of humour.


Words: lecher
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a man who is always thinking about sex and looking for sexual pleasure\n    lechery noun [U]


Words: lectern
Meaning:
(AmE also podium) noun\na stand for holding a book, notes, etc. when you are reading in church, giving a talk, etc.


Words: lecture
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun ~ (to sb) (on / about sth)\n  1  a talk that is given to a group of people to teach them about a particular subject, often as part of a university or college course:\nto deliver / give a lecture to first-year students * to attend a series of lectures on Jane Austen * a lecture room / hall\n  2  a long angry talk that sb gives to one person or a group of people because they have done sth wrong:\nI know I should stop smoking-don’t give me a lecture about it.\n    verb\n  1  ~ (in / on sth) [V] to give a talk or a series of talks to a group of people on a subject, especially as a way of teaching in a university or college:\nShe lectures in Russian literature.\n  2  [VN] ~ sb (about / on sth) | ~ sb (about doing sth) to criticize sb or tell them how you think they should behave, especially when it is done in an annoying way:\nDon’t start lecturing me! * He’s always lecturing me about the way I dress.


Words: lecture theatre
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE lecture theater) noun\na large room with rows of seats on a slope, where lectures are given


Words: lecturer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who gives a lecture:\nShe’s a superb lecturer.\n  2  (especially in Britain) a person who teaches at a university or college:\nHe’s a lecturer in French at Oxford.


Words: lectureship
Meaning:
noun\nthe position of lecturer at a British university or college:\nto take up a three-year lectureship in media studies


Words: LED
Meaning:
abbreviation\nlight emitting diode (a device that produces a light on electrical and electronic equipment):\nA single red LED shows that the power is switched on.


Words: led
Meaning:
1  past tense, past participle of LEAD\n  2  (-led) (in adjectives) influenced or organized by:\na consumer-led society * student-led activities


Words: ledge
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a narrow flat piece of rock that sticks out from a cliff:\nseabirds nesting on rocky ledges\n  2  a narrow flat shelf fixed to a wall, especially one below a window:\nShe put the vase of flowers on the window ledge.\nsee also SILL


Words: ledger
Meaning:
noun\na book in which a bank, a business, etc. records the money it has paid and received:\nto enter figures in the purchase / sales ledger


Words: lee
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing.] the side or part of sth that provides shelter against the wind:\nWe built the house in the lee of the hill. * a lee slope / shore\ncompare LEEWARD, WINDWARD\n  2  (lees) [pl.] the substance that is left at the bottom of a bottle of wine, a container of beer, etc.


Words: leech
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small worm that usually lives in water and that attaches itself to other creatures and sucks their blood. Leeches were used in the past by doctors to remove blood from sick people.\n  2  (disapproving) a person who depends on sb else for money, or takes the profit from sb else’s work


Words: leek
Meaning:
noun\na vegetable like a long onion with many layers of wide flat leaves that are white at the bottom and green at the top. Leeks are eaten cooked.


Words: leer
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] ~ (at sb) to look or smile at sb in an unpleasant way that shows an evil or a sexual interest in them\n    noun an unpleasant look or smile that shows sb is interested in a person in an evil or a sexual way:\nHe looked at her with an evil leer.


Words: leeward
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective on the side of sth that is sheltered from the wind:\na harbour on the leeward side of the island\n    leeward adverb \ncompare WINDWARD\n    noun [U] the side or direction that is sheltered from the wind:\nto steer leeward\ncompare WINDWARD


Words: leeway
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the amount of freedom that you have to change sth or to do sth in the way you want to:\nHow much leeway should parents give their children?\n IDIOMS \n  make up leeway (BrE) to get out of a bad position that you are in, especially because you have lost a lot of time:\nHe’s unlikely to make up the leeway at this stage of the race.


Words: left
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun-see also LEAVE v.\n    adjective [only before noun] on the side of your body which is towards the west when you are facing north:\nFewer people write with their left hand than with their right. * I broke my left leg. * There is a path along the left side of the field. * The university is on the left bank of the river. * Take a left turn at the intersection. * (sport) a left back / wing * a left hook\nOPP RIGHT\n    left adverb:\nTurn left at the intersection. * Look left and right before you cross the road.\n IDIOMS \n  have two left feet (informal) to be very awkward in your movements, especially when you are dancing or playing a sport\n  left, right and centre (also right, left and centre) (informal) in all directions; everywhere:\nHe’s giving away money left, right and centre.\nmore at RIGHT adv.\n    noun\n  1  (the / sb’s left) [sing.] the left side or direction:\nShe was sitting on my left. * Twist your body to the left, then to the right. * Take the next road on the left. * To the left of the library is the bank.\n  2  [sing.] (the first, second, etc. left) the first, second, etc. road on the left side:\nTake the first left.\n  3  (a left) [sing.] a turn to the left: (BrE) to take a left * (AmE) to hang / make a left\n  4  (the left, the Left) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] political groups who support the ideas and beliefs of SOCIALISM:\nThe Left only has / have a small chance of winning power. * a left-leaning newspaper\n  5  (the left) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] the part of a political party whose members are most in favour of social change:\nShe is on the far left of the party.\n  6  [C] (in boxing) a blow that is made with your left hand:\nHe hit him with two sharp lefts.\nOPP RIGHT


Words: left field
Meaning:
noun [sing.]\n  1  (in baseball) the left part of the field, or the position played by the person who is there\n  2  (AmE, informal) an opinion or a position that is strange or unusual and a long way from the normal position:\nThe governor is way out / over in left field.


Words: left wing
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing.+sing./pl. v.] the part of a political party whose members are most in favour of social change:\nHe’s on the left wing of the Conservative Party.\n  2  [C, U] an attacking player or position on the left side of the field in a game of football, etc.


Words: left-hand
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  on the left side of sth:\nthe left-hand side of the street * the top left-hand corner of the page\n  2  connected with a person’s left hand:\na tennis player with a left-hand grip * a left-hand glove\nOPP RIGHT-HAND


Words: left-handed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a person) finding it easier to use the left hand to write, hit a ball, etc. than the right:\na left-handed golfer * I’m left-handed.\n  2  (of tools, etc.) designed to be used by sb who finds it easier to use their left hand:\nleft-handed scissors * a left-handed guitar\n  3  (of actions, etc.) done with your left hand:\na left-handed serve * a left-handed catch\n    left-handed adverb:\nShe writes left-handed.\n    left-handedness noun [U]\n IDIOMS \n  left-handed compliment (AmE) = BACKHANDED COMPLIMENT


Words: left-hander
Meaning:
noun\na person who finds it easier to use their left hand to write, hit a ball, etc. than their right\nOPP RIGHT-HANDER


Words: left-luggage office
Meaning:
(also left luggage) noun\n(both BrE) a place where you can pay to leave bags or suitcases for a short time, for example at a station


Words: left-winger
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person on the LEFT WING of a political party:\na Labour left-winger\n  2  a person who plays on the left side of the field in a game of football, etc.\nOPP RIGHT-WINGER


Words: leftist
Meaning:
noun\na person who supports LEFT-WING political parties and their ideas\nOPP RIGHTIST\n    leftism noun [U]\n    leftist adjective:\nleftist groups / views


Words: leftover
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [usually pl.] food that has not been eaten at the end of a meal:\nEveryone was hungry so there were no leftovers.\n  2  an object, a custom or a way of behaving that remains from an earlier time:\nHe’s a leftover from the hippies in the 1960s.\n    leftover adjective [only before noun]:\nUse any leftover meat to make a curry.


Words: leftward
Meaning:
(BrE also leftwards) adjective\n[only before noun] towards the left:\na leftward swing in public opinion * to move your eyes in a leftward direction\n    leftward (BrE also leftwards) adverb:\nI climbed carefully leftwards to reach the rock.


Words: lefty
Meaning:
(also leftie)  noun (plural lefties) (informal)\n  1  (disapproving, especially BrE) a person who has SOCIALIST views\n  2  (especially AmE) a person who uses their left hand to write, hit a ball, etc.\n    lefty adjective:\na lefty feminist lecturer


Words: leg
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  part of body\n \n  1  [C] one of the long parts that connect the feet to the rest of the body:\nSit on the floor, stretching your legs out in front of you. * I broke my leg playing football. * How many legs does a centipede have? * front / back legs * forelegs / hind legs * a wooden leg\nsee also BOW LEGS, DADDY-LONG-LEGS, LEGGY, LEGROOM, PEG LEG, SEA LEGS\n \n  meat\n \n  2  [C, U] ~ (of sth) the leg of an animal, especially the top part, cooked and eaten:\nfrogs’ legs * chicken legs * roast leg of lamb\n \n  of trousers / pants\n  3  [C] the part of a pair of trousers/pants that covers the leg:\na trouser / pant leg * These jeans are too long in the leg.\n  of table / chair\n  4  [C] one of the long thin parts on the bottom of a table, chair, etc. that support it:\na chair / table leg\n  -legged\n  5   (in adjectives) having the number or type of legs mentioned:\na three-legged stool * a long-legged insect\n HELP NOTE  When -legged is used with numbers, it is nearly always pronounced  .\nsee also CROSS-LEGGED\n  of journey / race\n  6  [C] ~ (of sth) one part of a journey or race:\nThe final leg of the trip was by donkey. * The Spanish team won the third leg.\n  sports game\n  7  [C] one of a series of matches played between the same opponents in a sports competition\n IDIOMS \n  break a leg! (spoken) used to wish sb good luck\n  get your leg over (BrE, informal) to have sex\n  not have a leg to stand on (informal) to be in a position where you are unable to prove sth or explain why sth is reasonable:\nWithout written evidence, we don’t have a leg to stand on.\nmore at ARM n., FAST adv., LAST adj., PULL v., SHAKE v., STRETCH v., TAIL n., TALK v.\nsee also LEG-UP\n    verb\n (-gg-)\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  leg it (informal, especially BrE) to run, especially in order to escape from sb:\nWe saw the police coming and legged it down the road.


Words: leg-up
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  give sb a leg-up (BrE, informal)\n1 to help sb to get on a horse, over a wall, etc. by allowing them to put their foot in your hands and lifting them up\n2 to help sb to improve their situation:\nThe loan from his father gave him a leg-up when he needed it.


Words: legacy
Meaning:
noun (plural legacies)\n  1  money or property that is given to you by sb when they die:\nThey each received a legacy of ｣5 000.\n  2  a situation that exists now because of events, actions, etc. that took place in the past:\nThe problems were made worse by the legacy of centuries of neglect. * Future generations will be left with a legacy of pollution and destruction.


Words: legal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] connected with the law:\nthe legal profession / system * to take / seek legal advice * a legal adviser * legal costs / expenses * They are currently facing a long legal battle in the US courts.\n  2  allowed or required by law:\nThe driver was more than three times over the legal limit (= the amount of alcohol you are allowed to have in your body when you are driving). * Should euthanasia be made legal?\nOPP ILLEGAL -> LAWFUL\n    legally  adverb:\na legally binding agreement * to be legally responsible for sb/sth * You are legally entitled to a full refund. * Legally, there is not a lot we can do.


Words: legal action
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (also legal proceedings [pl.]) the act of using the legal system to settle a disagreement, etc:\nto take / begin legal action against sb * They have threatened us with legal action.


Words: legal aid
Meaning:
noun\n[U] money that is given by the government or another organization to sb who needs help to pay for legal advice or a lawyer


Words: legal tender
Meaning:
noun\n[U] money that can be legally used to pay for things in a particular country:\nThese coins are no longer legal tender.


Words: legalistic
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) obeying the law very strictly:\na legalistic approach to family disputes * American institutions tend to be more legalistic than their British counterparts.


Words: legality
Meaning:
noun (plural legalities)\n  1  [U] the fact of being legal:\nThey intended to challenge the legality of his claim in the courts. * The arrangement is of doubtful legality.\n  2  [C, usually pl.] the legal aspect of an action or a situation:\nYou need a lawyer to explain all the legalities of the contracts.\ncompare ILLEGALITY


Words: legalize
Meaning:
(BrE also legalise)  verb\n[VN] to make sth legal:\nthe campaign to legalize marijuana\n    legalization, legalisation noun [U]


Words: legation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a group of DIPLOMATS representing their government in a foreign country in an office that is below the rank of an EMBASSY\n  2  the building where these people work


Words: legend
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a story from ancient times about people and events, that may or may not be true; this type of story:\nthe legend of Robin Hood * the heroes of Greek legend * Legend has it that the lake was formed by the tears of a god.\n  2  [C] a very famous person, especially in a particular field, who is admired by other people:\na jazz / tennis legend * She was a legend in her own lifetime. * Many of golf’s living legends were playing. * a legend in the world of music\n  3  [C] (technical) the explanation of a map or a diagram in a book\n  4  [C] (formal) a piece of writing on a sign, a label, a coin, etc.


Words: legendary
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  very famous and talked about a lot by people, especially in a way that shows admiration:\na legendary figure * the legendary Orson Welles * Her patience and tact are legendary.\n  2  [only before noun] mentioned in stories from ancient times:\nlegendary heroes\ncompare FABLED


Words: leggings
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n \n  1  trousers/pants for women that fit tightly over the legs, made of fabric that stretches easily:\na pair of leggings\n \n  2  protective outer coverings for the legs


Words: legible
Meaning:
adjective\n(of written or printed words) clear enough to read:\nlegible handwriting * The signature was still legible.\nOPP ILLEGIBLE\n    legibility  noun [U]:\nThis typeface has been chosen for maximum legibility.\n    legibly  adverb


Words: legion
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  a large group of soldiers that forms part of an army, especially the one that existed in ancient Rome:\nthe French Foreign Legion * Caesar’s legions\n  2  (formal) a large number of people of one particular type:\nlegions of photographers\n    adjective [not before noun] (formal) very many:\nThe medical uses of herbs are legion.


Words: legionary
Meaning:
noun\n(plural legionaries) a soldier who is part of a legion\n    legionary adjective [only before noun]:\na legionary fortress


Words: legionnaires’ disease
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a serious lung disease caused by bacteria, especially spread by AIR CONDITIONING and similar systems


Words: legislate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (for / against / on sth) (formal) to make a law affecting sth:\nThe government has been urged to legislate against discrimination in the workplace. * (figurative) You can’t legislate against bad luck! * They promised to legislate to protect people’s right to privacy.


Words: legislation
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a law or a set of laws passed by a parliament:\nan important piece of legislation * New legislation on the sale of drugs will be introduced next year. * a call for legislation to ban smoking in public places\n  2  the process of making and passing laws:\nLegislation will be difficult and will take time.


Words: legislative
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (formal) connected with the act of making and passing laws:\na legislative assembly / body / council * legislative powers / changes


Words: legislature
Meaning:
noun\n(formal) a group of people who have the power to make and change laws:\na democratically elected legislature * the national / state legislature\ncompare EXECUTIVE, JUDICIARY


Words: legit
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) legal, or acting according to the law or the rules:\nThe business seems legit.


Words: legitimate
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  for which there is a fair and acceptable reason\nSYN VALID:\na legitimate expectation / concern / grievance / excuse * It seemed a perfectly legitimate question. * Politicians are legitimate targets for satire.\n  2  allowed and acceptable according to the law\nSYN LEGAL:\nthe legitimate government of the country * Is his business strictly legitimate?\nOPP ILLEGITIMATE\n  3  (of a child) born when its parents are legally married to each other\nOPP ILLEGITIMATE\n    legitimacy  noun [U]:\nthe dubious legitimacy of his argument * I intend to challenge the legitimacy of his claim.\n    legitimately adverb:\nShe can now legitimately claim to be the best in the world.


Words: legitimize
Meaning:
(BrE also legitimise)  verb [VN] (formal)\n  1  to make sth that is wrong or unfair seem acceptable:\nThe movie has been criticized for apparently legitimizing violence.\n  2  to make sth legal\n  3  to give a child whose parents are not married to each other the same rights as those whose parents are


Words: legroom
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the amount of space available for your legs when you are sitting in a vehicle, theatre, etc:\nThere’s not much legroom in the front of the car.


Words: legwork
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal) difficult or boring work that takes a lot of time and effort, but that is thought to be less important


Words: leisure
Meaning:
noun\n[U] time that is spent doing what you enjoy when you are not working or studying:\nThese days we have more money and more leisure to enjoy it. * leisure activities / interests / pursuits * Make the most of your leisure time! * the leisure industry\n IDIOMS \n  at leisure\n1 with no particular activities; free:\nSpend the afternoon at leisure in the town centre.\n2 without hurrying:\nLet’s have lunch so we can talk at leisure.\n  at your leisure (formal) when you have the time to do sth without hurrying:\nI suggest you take the forms away and read them at your leisure.\n  a gentleman / lady of leisure (humorous) a man/woman who does not have to work


Words: leisure centre
Meaning:
(BrE) noun\na public building where people can go to do sports and other activities in their free time


Words: leisure suit
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) an informal suit consisting of a shirt and trousers/pants made of the same fabric, popular in the 1970s


Words: leisured
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] not having to work and therefore having a lot of time to do what you enjoy:\nthe leisured classes\n  2  = LEISURELY


Words: leisurely
Meaning:
(also leisured) adjective\n[usually before noun] done without hurrying:\na leisurely bath / meal / stroll * They set off at a leisurely pace.\n    leisurely adverb:\nCouples strolled leisurely along the beach.


Words: leisurewear
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (used especially by shops / stores and clothes companies) informal clothes worn for relaxing or playing sports in


Words: leitmotif
Meaning:
(also leitmotiv)  noun (from German)\n  1  (music) a short tune in a piece of music that is often repeated and is connected with a particular person, thing or idea\n  2  an idea or a phrase that is repeated often in a book or work of art, or is typical of a particular person or group


Words: lemming
Meaning:
noun\na small animal like a mouse, that lives in cold northern countries. Sometimes large groups of lemmings MIGRATE (= move from one place to another) in search of food. Many of them die on these journeys and there is a popular belief that lemmings kill themselves by jumping off cliffs:\nLemming-like we rushed into certain disaster.


Words: lemon
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C, U] a yellow CITRUS fruit with a lot of sour juice. Slices of lemon and lemon juice are used in cooking and drinks:\nlemon tea * A gin and tonic with ice and lemon, please. * Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the fish. * a lemon tree\n \n  2  [U] lemon juice or a drink made from lemon\nsee also BITTER LEMON\n \n  3  (also lemon yellow) [U] a pale yellow colour\n \n  4  [C] (informal, especially AmE) a thing that is useless because it does not work as it should\n \n  5  [C] (BrE) a stupid person\n    adjective (also lemon yellow) pale yellow in colour


Words: lemon curd
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) a thick sweet yellow substance made from lemon, sugar, eggs and butter, spread on bread, etc. or used to fill cakes


Words: lemon grass
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of grass with a lemon flavour that grows in hot countries and is used especially in SE Asian cooking


Words: lemonade
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (BrE) a sweet FIZZY drink (= with bubbles) with a lemon flavour\n  2  [U] a drink made from lemon juice, sugar and water\n  3  [C] a glass or bottle of lemonade\ncompare ORANGEADE


Words: lend
Meaning:
1  ~ (out) sth (to sb) | ~ (sb) sth to give sth to sb or allow them to use sth that belongs to you, which they have to return to you later: [VN, VNN] I’ve lent the car to a friend. * Can you lend me your car this evening? * [VNN] Has he returned that book you lent him? -> BORROW\n  2  ~ sth (to sb) | ~ (sb) sth (of a bank or financial institution) to give money to sb on condition that they pay it back over a period of time and pay interest on it: [VN, VNN] The bank refused to lend the money to us. * They refused to lend us the money. [also V] \ncompare BORROW\n  3  ~ sth (to sb/sth) | ~ (sb/sth) sth (written) to give a particular quality to a person or a situation:\n[VN] The setting sun lent an air of melancholy to the scene. * [VNN] Her presence lent the occasion a certain dignity.\n  4  ~ sth (to sb/sth) | ~ (sb/sth) sth to give or provide help, support, etc:\n[VN] I was more than happy to lend my support to such a good cause. * [VNN] He came along to lend me moral support.\n IDIOMS \n  lend an ear (to sb/sth) to listen in a patient and sympathetic way to sb\n  lend (sb) a (helping) hand (with sth) (informal) to help sb with sth:\nI went over to see if I could lend a hand.\n  lend your name to sth (formal)\n1 to let it be known in public that you support or agree with sth:\nI am more than happy to lend my name to this campaign.\n2 to have a place named after you\n  lend support, weight, credence, etc. to sth to make sth seem more likely to be true or genuine:\nThis latest evidence lends support to her theory.\nmore at HELP v.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lend itself to sth to be suitable for sth:\nHer voice doesn’t really lend itself well to blues singing.


Words: lender
Meaning:
noun\n(finance) a person or an organization that lends money\ncompare BORROWER\nsee also MONEYLENDER


Words: lending
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (finance) the act of lending money:\nLending by banks and building societies rose to ｣4.9 billion last year.


Words: lending library
Meaning:
noun\na public library from which you can borrow books and take them away to read at home\ncompare REFERENCE LIBRARY


Words: lending rate
Meaning:
noun\n(finance) the rate of interest that you must pay when you borrow money from a bank or another financial organization


Words: length
Meaning:
noun\n  size / measurement\n  1  [U, C] the size or measurement of sth from one end to the other:\nThis room is twice the length of the kitchen. * The river is 300 miles in length. * The snake usually reaches a length of 100 cm. * He ran the entire length of the beach (= from one end to the other). * Did you see the length of his hair?\ncompare BREADTH, WIDTH\n  time\n  2  [U, C] the amount of time that sth lasts:\nWe discussed shortening the length of the course. * He was disgusted at the length of time he had to wait. * She got a headache if she had to read for any length of time (= for a long time). * Size of pension depends partly on length of service with the company. * Each class is 45 minutes in length.\n  of book / movie\n  3  [U, C] the amount of writing in a book, or a document, etc.; the amount of time that a film/movie lasts:\nHer novels vary in length.\n  -length\n  4  (in adjectives) having the length mentioned:\nshoulder-length hair\nsee also FULL-LENGTH, KNEE-LENGTH\n  of swimming pool\n  5  [C] the distance from one end of a swimming pool to the other:\nHe swims 50 lengths a day.\ncompare WIDTH\n  in race\n  6  [C] the size of a horse or boat from one end to the other, when it is used to measure the distance between two competitors in a race:\nThe horse won by two clear lengths.\n  long thin piece\n  7  [C] a long thin piece of sth:\na length of rope / string / wire * timber sold in lengths of 2, 5 or 10 metres\nsee also LONG adj.\n IDIOMS \n  at length | at ...length\n1 for a long time and in detail:\nHe quoted at length from the report. * We have already discussed this matter at great length.\n2 (literary) after a long time:\n’I’m still not sure,’ he said at length.\n  go to any, some, great, etc. lengths (to do sth) to put a lot of effort into doing sth, especially when this seems extreme:\nShe goes to extraordinary lengths to keep her private life private.\n  the length and breadth of ... in or to all parts of a place:\nThey have travelled the length and breadth of Europe giving concerts.\nmore at ARM n.


Words: lengthen
Meaning:
verb\nto become longer; to make sth longer:\n[V] The afternoon shadows lengthened. * [VN] I need to lengthen this skirt.\nOPP SHORTEN


Words: lengthways
Meaning:
adverb\nin the same direction as the longest side of sth:\nCut the banana in half lengthways.\ncompare WIDTHWAYS


Words: lengthy
Meaning:
adjective\n(lengthier, lengthiest) very long, and often too long, in time or size:\nlengthy delays / discussions * the lengthy process of obtaining a visa * a lengthy report / explanation


Words: lenient
Meaning:
adjective\nnot as strict as expected when punishing sb or when making sure that rules are obeyed:\na lenient sentence / fine * The judge was far too lenient with him.\n    leniency  noun [U]:\nShe appealed to the judge for leniency.\n    leniently adverb:\nto treat sb leniently


Words: lens
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a curved piece of glass or plastic that makes things look larger, smaller or clearer when you look through it:\na pair of glasses with tinted lenses * a camera with an adjustable lens * a lens cap / cover\nsee also FISHEYE LENS, TELEPHOTO LENS, WIDE-ANGLE LENS, ZOOM LENS\n \n  2  (informal) = CONTACT LENS:\nHave you got your lenses in?\n \n  3  (anatomy) the transparent part of the eye, behind the PUPIL, that FOCUSES light so that you can see clearly


Words: Lent
Meaning:
noun\n[U] in the Christian Church, the period of 40 days from Ash Wednesday to the day before Easter, during which some Christians give up food or activities that they enjoy in memory of Christ’s suffering


Words: lentil
Meaning:
noun\na small green, orange or brown seed that is usually dried and used in cooking, for example in soup or STEW


Words: Leo
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] the fifth sign of the ZODIAC, the Lion\n \n  2  [C] (plural Leos) a person born under the influence of this sign, that is between 23 July and 22 August, approximately


Words: leopard
Meaning:
noun\na large animal of the cat family, that has yellowish-brown fur with black spots. Leopards live in Africa and southern Asia.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  a leopard cannot change its spots (saying) a person cannot change their character, especially if they have a bad character:\nYou didn’t really expect her to be on time, did you? A leopard can’t change its spots.


Words: leotard
Meaning:
noun\na piece of clothing that fits tightly over the body from the neck down to the tops of the legs, usually covering the arms, worn by dancers, women doing physical exercises, etc.


Words: leper
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person suffering from LEPROSY\n  2  a person that other people avoid because they have done sth that these people do not approve of:\nHis outspoken views have made him a social leper.


Words: leprosy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] an infectious disease that causes painful white areas on the skin and can destroy nerves and flesh\nsee also LEPER


Words: lesbian
Meaning:
noun\na woman who is sexually attracted to other women:\nlesbians and gays\ncompare GAY, HOMOSEXUAL\n    lesbian adjective:\nthe lesbian and gay community * a lesbian relationship\n    lesbianism noun [U]


Words: lesion
Meaning:
noun\n(medical) damage to the skin or part of the body caused by injury or by illness:\nskin / brain lesions


Words: less
Meaning:
determiner, pronoun, adverb, preposition \n    determiner, pronoun used with uncountable nouns to mean ’a smaller amount of’:\nless butter / time / importance * He was advised to smoke fewer cigarettes and drink less beer. * We have less to worry about now. * It is less of a problem than I’d expected. * We’ll be there in less than no time (= very soon). * The victory was nothing less than a miracle.\n IDIOMS \n  less and less smaller and smaller amounts:\nAs time passed, she saw less and less of all her old friends at home.\n  no less (often ironic) used to suggest that sth is surprising or impressive:\nShe’s having lunch with the Director, no less.\n  no less than ... used to emphasize a large amount:\nThe guide contains details of no less than 115 hiking routes.\n    adverb to a smaller degree; not so much:\nless expensive / likely / intelligent * less often / enthusiastically * I read much less now than I used to. * The receptionist was less than (= not at all) helpful. * She wasn’t any the less happy for (= she was perfectly happy) being on her own. * That this is a positive stereotype makes it no less a stereotype, and therefore unacceptable.\n IDIOMS \n  even / much / still less and certainly not:\nNo explanation was offered, still less an apology. * He’s too shy to ask a stranger the time, much less speak to a room full of people.\n  less and less continuing to become smaller in amount:\nShe found the job less and less attractive.\nmore at MORE adv.\n    preposition used before a particular amount that must be taken away from the amount just mentioned\nSYN MINUS:\na monthly salary of ｣1 200 less tax and insurance * Send a cheque for the catalogue price, less 10% discount.\n\n suffix (in adjectives)\n  1  without:\ntreeless * meaningless\n  2  not doing; not affected by:\ntireless * selfless\n    -lessly (in adverbs):\nhopelessly\n    -lessness (in nouns):\nhelplessness


Words: lessen
Meaning:
verb\nto become or make sth become smaller, weaker, less important, etc. (written):\n[V] The noise began to lessen. * [VN] to lessen the risk / impact / effect of sth * They gave her an injection to lessen the pain.\n    lessening noun [sing., U]:\na lessening of tension


Words: lesser
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  not as great in size, amount or importance as sth/sb else:\npeople of lesser importance * They were all involved to a greater or lesser degree (= some were more involved than others). * The law was designed to protect wives, and, to a lesser extent, children. * He was encouraged to plead guilty to the lesser offence. * (humorous) He doesn’t even acknowledge us lesser mortals (= people who are not as important or powerful). * A lesser woman would have given up.\n  2  used in the names of some types of animals, birds and plants which are smaller than similar kinds:\na lesser black-backed gull\nOPP GREATER\n    lesser adverb:\none of the lesser-known Caribbean islands\n IDIOMS \n  the lesser of two evils | the lesser evil the less unpleasant of two unpleasant choices


Words: lesson
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a period of time in which sb is taught sth:\nShe gives piano lessons. * All new students are given lessons in / on how to use the library. * I’m having / taking driving lessons. * (especially BrE) Our first lesson on Tuesdays is French. * (especially BrE) What did we do last lesson?\ncompare CLASS\n  2  something that is intended to be learned:\nThe course book is divided into 30 lessons. * Other EU members can teach us a lesson or two on industrial policy.\n  3  ~ (to sb) an experience, especially an unpleasant one, that sb can learn from so that it does not happen again in the future:\na salutary / valuable lesson * Let that be a lesson to you! * The accident taught me a lesson I’ll never forget. * Their openness was a terrific lesson to me. * We are still absorbing the harsh lessons of this disaster. * It was a lesson not lost on (= learned well by) the team manager.\nsee also OBJECT LESSON\n  4  a passage from the Bible that is read aloud during a church service:\nThe first lesson is taken from St John’s Gospel.\n IDIOMS  see LEARN


Words: lest
Meaning:
conjunction (formal or literary)\n  1  in order to prevent sth from happening:\nHe gripped his brother’s arm lest he be trampled by the mob. * Lest anyone should doubt my story, I have brought documents to attest to its truth.\n  2  used to introduce the reason for the particular emotion mentioned\nSYN IN CASE:\nShe was afraid lest she had revealed too much.


Words: let
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (letting, let, let)\n  allow\n  1  [no passive] to allow sb to do sth or sth to happen without trying to stop it:\n[VN inf] Let them splash around in the pool for a while. * Don’t let her upset you. * Let your body relax. * [VN] He’d eat chocolate all day long if I let him.\n  2  to give sb permission to do sth:\n[VN inf] They won’t let him leave the country. * [VN] She wanted to lend me some money but I wouldn’t let her.\n  3  [VN +adv./prep.] to allow sb/sth to go somewhere:\nto let sb into the house * I’ll give you a key so that you can let yourself in. * Please let me past. * The cat wants to be let out. -> ALLOW\n  making suggestions\n  4  (let’s) [no passive] used for making suggestions:\n[VN inf] Let’s go to the beach. * Let’s not tell her what we did. * (BrE) Don’t let’s tell her what we did. * I don’t think we’ll make it, but let’s try anyway. * [VN] ’Shall we check it again?’ ’Yes, let’s.’\n  offering help\n  5  [VN inf] [no passive] used for offering help to sb:\nHere, let me do it. * Let us get those boxes down for you.\n  making requests\n  6  [VN inf] [no passive] used for making requests or giving instructions:\nLet me have your report by Friday.\n  challenging\n  7  [VN inf] [no passive] used to show that you are not afraid or worried about sb doing sth:\nIf he thinks he can cheat me, just let him try!\n  wishing\n  8  [VN inf] [no passive] (literary) used to express a strong wish for sth to happen:\nLet her come home safely!\n  introducing sth\n  9  [VN inf] [no passive] used to introduce what you are going to say or do:\nLet me give you an example. * Let me just finish this and then I’ll come.\n  in calculating\n  10  [VN inf] [no passive] (technical) used to say that you are supposing sth to be true when you calculate sth:\nLet line AB be equal to line CD.\n  house / room\n  11  [VN] ~ sth (out) (to sb) (especially BrE) to allow sb to use a house, room, etc. in return for regular payments:\nI let the spare room. * They decided to let out the smaller offices at low rents. -> RENT\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing let are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example let alone is at alone.\n  let fall sth to mention sth in a conversation, by accident or as if by accident:\nShe let fall a further heavy hint.\n  let sb go\n1 to allow sb to be free:\nWill they let the hostages go?\n2 to make sb have to leave their job:\nThey’re having to let 100 employees go because of falling profits.\n  let sb/sth go | let go (of sb/sth)\n1 to stop holding sb/sth:\nDon’t let the rope go. * Don’t let go of the rope. * Let go! You’re hurting me!\n2 to give up an idea or an attitude, or control of sth:\nIt’s time to let the past go. * It’s time to let go of the past.\n  let yourself go\n1 to behave in a relaxed way without worrying about what people think of your behaviour:\nCome on, enjoy yourself, let yourself go!\n2 to stop being careful about how you look and dress, etc:\nHe has let himself go since he lost his job.\n  let sb have it (spoken, informal) to attack sb physically or with words\n  let it go (at that) to say or do no more about sth:\nI don’t entirely agree, but I’ll let it go at that. * I thought she was hinting at something, but I let it go.\n  let me see / think used when you are thinking or trying to remember sth:\nNow let me see-where did he say he lived?\n  let us say used when making a suggestion or giving an example:\nI can let you have it for, well let’s say ｣100.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  let sb<->down to fail to help or support sb as they had hoped or expected:\nI’m afraid she let us down badly. * This machine won’t let you down. * He trudged home feeling lonely and let down.\nrelated noun LET-DOWN\n  let sb/sth<->down to make sb/sth less successful than they/it should be:\nShe speaks French very fluently, but her pronunciation lets her down.\n  let sth<->down\n1 to lower sth:\nWe let the bucket down by a rope.\n2 to make a dress, skirt, coat, etc. longer, by lowering the bottom edge:\nThis skirt needs letting down.\nOPP TAKE UP\n3 (BrE) to allow the air to escape from sth deliberately:\nSome kids had let my tyres down.\n  let sb / yourself in for sth (informal) to involve sb/yourself in sth that is likely to be unpleasant or difficult:\nI volunteered to help, and then I thought ’Oh no, what have I let myself in for!’\n  let sb in on sth | let sb into sth (informal) to allow sb to share a secret:\nAre you going to let them in on your plans?\n  let sth into sth to put sth into the surface of sth so that it does not stick out from it:\na window let into a wall\n  let sb off (with sth) to not punish sb for sth they have done wrong, or to give them only a light punishment:\nThey let us off lightly. * She was let off with a warning.\n  let sb off sth to allow sb not to do sth or not to go somewhere:\nHe let us off homework today.\n  let sth off to fire a gun or make a bomb, etc. explode:\nThe boys were letting off fireworks.\n  let on (to sb) (informal) to tell a secret:\nI’m getting married next week, but please don’t let on to anyone. * [+ that] She let on that she was leaving.\n  let sb out to make sb stop feeling that they are involved in sth or have to do sth:\nThey think the attacker was very tall-so that lets you out.\nrelated noun LET-OUT\n  let sth out\n1 to give a cry, etc:\nto let out a scream of terror / a gasp of delight\nOPP HOLD IN\n2 to make a shirt, coat, etc. looser or larger\nOPP TAKE IN\n  let up (informal)\n1 to become less strong:\nThe pain finally let up.\n2 to make less effort:\nWe mustn’t let up now.\nrelated noun LET-UP\n    noun\n  in tennis\n  1  a SERVE that lands in the correct part of the court but must be taken again because it has touched the top of the net\n  house / room\n  2  (BrE) an act of renting a home, etc:\na long-term / short-term let\n IDIOMS \n  without let or hindrance (formal or law) without being prevented from doing sth; freely:\nNew regulations will allow residents to travel between member states without let or hindrance.


Words: let-down
Meaning:
noun\n[C, usually sing, U] something that is disappointing because it is not as good as you expected it to be\nSYN DISAPPOINTMENT


Words: let-out
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (BrE) an event or a statement that allows sb to avoid having to do sth:\nGood-we have a let-out now. * a let-out clause (= in a contract)


Words: let-up
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] ~ (in sth) a period of time during which sth stops or becomes less strong, difficult, etc.; a reduction in the strength of sth\nSYN LULL:\nThere is no sign of a let-up in the recession.


Words: lethal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  causing or able to cause death\nSYN DEADLY:\na lethal dose of poison * a lethal weapon * (figurative) The closure of the factory dealt a lethal blow to the town. * The snake’s venom is rarely lethal to humans.\n  2  (informal) causing or able to cause a lot of harm or damage:\nYou and that car-it’s a lethal combination! * This wine’s pretty lethal! (= very strong)\n    lethally  adverb


Words: lethargy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the state of not having any energy or enthusiasm for doing things:\nbouts of lethargy and depression * The report criticizes the lethargy shown by employers when it comes to job creation.\n    lethargic  adjective:\nThe weather made her listless and lethargic.


Words: letter
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a message that is written down or printed on paper and usually put in an envelope and sent to sb:\na business / thank-you letter * a letter of complaint / sympathy * (BrE) to post a letter * (AmE) to mail a letter * There’s a letter for you from your mother. * You will be notified by letter.\n \n HELP NOTE  You will find compounds ending in letter at their place in the alphabet.\n \n  2  a written or printed sign representing a sound used in speech:\n’B’ is the second letter of the alphabet. * Write your name in capital / block letters.\n \n  3  (AmE) a sign in the shape of a letter that is sewn onto clothes to show that a person plays in a school or college sports team\n \n IDIOMS \n  the letter of the law (often disapproving) the exact words of a law or rule rather than its general meaning:\nThey insist on sticking to the letter of the law. * We might be guilty of slightly bending the letter of the law.\n  to the letter exactly what sb/sth says, paying attention to every detail:\nI followed your instructions to the letter.\n    verb\n  1  [usually passive] to give a letter to sth as part of a series or list:\n[VN-N] Curiously, the stars lettered Alpha and Beta are relatively faint. [also VN]\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (in sth) to print, paint, sew, etc. letters onto sth:\na black banner lettered in white\n  3  [V] (AmE) to receive a letter made of cloth that you sew onto your clothes for playing in a school or college sports team


Words: letter bomb
Meaning:
noun\na small bomb that is sent to sb hidden in a letter that explodes when the envelope is opened\nsee also PARCEL BOMB


Words: letter box
Meaning:
noun (BrE)\n \n  1  (AmE mail slot) a narrow opening in a door or wall through which mail is delivered\n \n  2  (AmE mailbox) a small box near the main door of a building or by the road, which mail is delivered to\n \n  3  = POSTBOX\ncompare PILLAR BOX


Words: letter of credit
Meaning:
noun\n(plural letters of credit) (finance) a letter from a bank that allows you to get a particular amount of money from another bank


Words: letterhead
Meaning:
noun\nthe name and address of a person, company or organization printed at the top of their writing paper


Words: lettering
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  letters or words that are written or printed in a particular style:\nbold / Gothic lettering\n  2  the process of writing, drawing or printing letters or words


Words: lettuce
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a plant with large green leaves that are eaten raw, especially in salad. There are many types of lettuce:\na bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich * Buy a lettuce and some tomatoes.


Words: leukaemia
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE leukemia)  noun\n[U] a serious disease in which too many white blood cells are produced, causing weakness and sometimes death


Words: levee
Meaning:
noun (AmE)\n  1  a low wall built at the side of a river to prevent it from flooding\n  2  a place on a river where boats can let passengers on or off, etc.


Words: level
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun\n  amount\n \n  1  [C] the amount of sth that exists in a particular situation at a particular time:\nrelatively low levels of unemployment / crime * a test that checks the level of alcohol in the blood * high stress / pollution levels\n \n  standard\n \n  2  [C, U] a particular standard or quality:\na high level of achievement / intelligence * a computer game with 15 levels * What is the level of this course? * He studied French to degree level. * Both players are on a level (= of the same standard). * I refuse to sink to their level (= behave as badly as them).\nsee also A LEVEL\n \n  rank in scale\n  3  [U, C] a position or rank in a scale of size or importance:\na decision taken at board / cabinet level * Discussions are currently being held at national level.\n  point of view\n  4  [C] a particular way of looking at, reacting to or understanding sth:\nOn a more personal level, I would like to thank Jean for all the help she has given me. * Fables can be understood on various levels.\n  height\n  5  [C, U] the height of sth in relation to the ground or to what it used to be:\nthe level of water in the bottle * The cables are buried one metre below ground level. * The flood water nearly reached roof level. * The tables are not on a level (= the same height).\nsee also EYE LEVEL, SEA LEVEL\n  floor / layer\n  6  [C] a floor of a building; a layer of ground:\nThe library is all on one level. * Archaeologists found pottery in the lowest level of the site. * a multi-level parking lot\nsee also SPLIT-LEVEL\n  tool\n  7  [C] = SPIRIT LEVEL\n IDIOMS \n  on the level (AmE also on the up and up) (informal) honest; legal:\nI’m not convinced he’s on the level. * Are you sure this deal is on the level?\n    adjective\n  flat\n  1  having a flat surface that does not slope:\nPitch the tent on level ground. * Add a level tablespoon of flour (= enough to fill the spoon but not so much that there is a round heap on the spoon).\ncompare HEAPED\n  equal\n  2  ~ (with sth) having the same height, position, value, etc. as sth:\nAre these pictures level? * This latest rise is intended to keep wages level with inflation. * She drew level with (= came beside) the police car.\n  3  ~ (with sb) (especially BrE, sport) having the same score as sb:\nA good second round brought him level with the tournament leader. * France took an early lead but Wales soon drew level (= scored the same number of points).\n  voice / look\n  4  not showing any emotion; steady\nSYN EVEN:\na level gaze\nsee also LEVELLY\n IDIOMS \n  be level pegging (BrE) having the same score:\nThe contestants were level pegging after round 3.\n  do / try your level best (to do sth) to do as much as you can to try to achieve sth\n  a level playing field a situation in which everyone has the same opportunities\n    verb (-ll-, AmE -l-)\n  make flat\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (off / out) to make sth flat or smooth:\nIf you’re laying tiles, the floor will need to be levelled first.\n  destroy\n  2  [VN] to destroy a building or a group of trees completely by knocking it down:\nThe blast levelled several buildings in the area.\n  make equal\n  3  to make sth equal or similar:\n[VN] (BrE) Davies levelled the score at 2 all. [also V]\n  point\n  4  [VN] ~ sth (at sb) to point sth, especially a gun, at sb:\nI had a gun levelled at my head.\n IDIOMS \n  level the playing field to create a situation where everyone has the same opportunities\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  level sth against / at sb to say publicly that sb is to blame for sth, especially a crime or a mistake:\nThe speech was intended to answer the charges levelled against him by his opponents.\n  level sth<->down to make standards, amounts, etc. be of the same low or lower level:\nTeachers are accused of levelling standards down to suit the needs of less able students.\n  level off / out\n1 to stop rising or falling and remain horizontal:\nThe plane levelled off at 1 500 feet. * After the long hill, the road levelled out.\n2 to stay at a steady level of development or progress after a period of sharp rises or falls:\nSales have levelled off after a period of rapid growth.\n  level sth<->up to make standards, amounts, etc. be of the same high or higher level\n  level with sb (informal) to tell sb the truth and not hide any unpleasant facts from them


Words: level-headed
Meaning:
adjective\ncalm and sensible; able to make good decisions even in difficult situations:\na very level-headed person / approach


Words: leveller
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE leveler)  noun\n[usually sing.] an event or a situation that makes everyone equal whatever their age, importance, etc:\ndeath, the great leveller


Words: lever
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a handle used to operate a vehicle or piece of machinery:\nPull the lever towards you to adjust the speed.\nsee also GEAR LEVER\n \n  2  a long piece of wood, metal, etc. used for lifting or opening sth by sb placing one end of it under an object and pushing down on the other end:\nWe had to use a lever to prise open the window.\n \n  3  ~ (for / against sth) an action that is used to put pressure on sb to do sth they do not want to do:\nThe threat of sanctions is our most powerful lever for peace.\n    verb to move sth with a lever: [VN +adv./prep.] I levered the lid off the pot with a knife. * [VN-ADJ] They managed to lever the door open.


Words: leverage
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (formal) the ability to influence what people do:\ndiplomatic / political leverage * Retailers can exert leverage over producers by threatening to take their business elsewhere.\n  2  (technical) the act of using a lever to open or lift sth; the force used to do this:\nA longer piece of wood would give you greater leverage.\n  3  (AmE, finance) = GEARING (1)


Words: leveraged buyout
Meaning:
noun\n(business) (especially AmE) the act of a small company buying a larger company using money that is borrowed based on the value of this larger company


Words: leviathan
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in the Bible) a very large sea MONSTER\n  2  (literary) a very large and powerful thing:\nthe leviathan of government bureaucracy


Words: levitate
Meaning:
verb\n[V, VN] to rise and float in the air with no physical support, especially by means of magic or by using special mental powers; to make sth rise in this way\n    levitation  noun [U]


Words: levity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (written) behaviour that shows a lack of respect for sth serious and that treats it in an amusing way\nSYN FRIVOLITY:\nThe joke provided a moment of levity in an otherwise dreary meeting.


Words: levy
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (plural levies) ~ (on sth) an extra amount of money that has to be paid, especially as a tax to the government:\nto put / impose a levy on oil imports\n    verb (levies, levying, levied, levied) [VN] ~ sth (on sb/sth) to use official authority to demand and collect a payment, tax, etc:\na tax levied by the government on excess company profits


Words: lewd
Meaning:
adjective\nreferring to sex in a rude and offensive way\nSYN OBSCENE:\nlewd behaviour / jokes / suggestions\n    lewdly adverb\n    lewdness noun [U]


Words: lexical
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (linguistics) connected with the words of a language:\nlexical items / units (= words and phrases)\n    lexically  adverb


Words: lexicon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also the lexicon) [sing.] (linguistics) all the words and phrases used in a particular language or subject; all the words and phrases used and known by a particular person or group of people:\nthe lexicon of finance and economics\n  2  [C] a list of words on a particular subject or in a language in alphabetical order:\na lexicon of technical scientific terms\n  3  [C] a dictionary, especially one of an ancient language, such as Greek or Hebrew


Words: ley
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also ley line) an imaginary line that is believed to follow the route of an ancient track and to have special powers\n  2  (technical) an area of land where grass is grown temporarily instead of crops


Words: liability
Meaning:
noun (plural liabilities)\n  1  [U] ~ (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) the state of being legally responsible for sth:\nThe company cannot accept liability for any damage caused by natural disasters.\n  2  [C, usually sing.] (informal) a person or thing that causes you a lot of problems:\nSince his injury, Jones has become more of a liability than an asset to the team. * The debate on Europe is proving to be something of a liability for the Prime Minister.\n  3  [C, usually pl.] the amount of money that a person or company owes:\nThe company is reported to have liabilities of nearly $90 000. * Our financial advisers will concentrate on minimizing your tax liabilities and maximizing your income.\ncompare ASSET


Words: liable
Meaning:
adjective [not before noun]\n  1  ~ (for sth) legally responsible for paying the cost of sth:\nYou will be liable for any damage caused. * The court ruled he could not be held personally liable for his wife’s debts.\n  2  ~ to do sth likely to do sth:\nWe’re all liable to make mistakes when we’re tired. * The bridge is liable to collapse at any moment.\n  3  ~ to sth likely to be affected by sth\nSYN PRONE:\nYou are more liable to injury if you exercise infrequently.\n  4  ~ to sth likely to be punished by law for sth:\nOffenders are liable to fines of up to ｣500. * Advertisers pretending to be private individuals will be liable to prosecution.\n  5  ~ for / to sth | ~ to do sth having to do sth by law:\nPeople who earn under a certain amount are not liable to pay tax. * At 60, he was no longer liable for conscription.


Words: liaise
Meaning:
verb [V] \n  1  ~ (with sb) (especially BrE) to work closely with sb and exchange information with them:\nHe had to liaise directly with the police while writing the report.\n  2  ~ (between A and B) to act as a link between two or more people or groups:\nHer job is to liaise between students and teachers.


Words: liaison
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] ~ (between A and B) a relationship between two organizations or different departments in an organization, involving the exchange of information or ideas:\nOur role is to ensure liaison between schools and parents. * We work in close liaison with the police.\n  2  [C] ~ (to / with sb/sth) a person whose job is to make sure there is a good relationship between two groups or organizations:\nthe White House liaison to organized labor\n  3  [C] ~ (with sb) a secret sexual relationship, especially if one or both partners are married


Words: liaison officer
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job is to make sure that there is a good relationship between two groups of people, organizations, etc.\nsee also LIAISON (2)


Words: liar
Meaning:
noun\na person who tells lies:\nShelley wasn’t a very good liar (= did not find it easy to tell lies).


Words: lib
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) (used in the names of organizations demanding greater freedom, equal rights, etc.) the abbreviation for LIBERATION:\nwomen’s / gay lib


Words: libel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U, C] the act of printing a statement about sb that is not true and that gives people a bad opinion of them; a printed statement about sb that is not true:\nHe sued the newspaper for libel. * a libel action (= a case in a court of law)\ncompare SLANDER\n    verb (-ll-, AmE -l-) [VN] to publish a written statement about sb that is not true:\nHe claimed he had been libelled in an article the magazine had published.\ncompare SLANDER


Words: liberal
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  respecting other opinions\n  1  willing to understand and respect other people’s behaviour, opinions, etc., especially when they are different from your own; believing people should be able to choose how they behave:\nliberal attitudes towards religion / sex * Her parents are very liberal and allow her a lot of freedom. * liberal views / opinions\n  politics\n  2  wanting or allowing a lot of political and economic freedom and supporting gradual social, political or religious change:\nSome politicians want more liberal trade relations with Europe. * the spread of liberal democracy following the Cold War * liberal theories / reform * a liberal politician / policy\n  3  (Liberal) connected with the British Liberal Party in the past, or of a Liberal Party in another country\n  generous\n  4  ~ (with sth) generous; given in large amounts:\nShe is very liberal with her money. * I think Sam is too liberal with his criticism (= he criticizes people too much). * Divorced fathers should have liberal access to their children. * We ate cake with liberal amounts of whipped cream.\n  education\n  5  concerned with increasing sb’s general knowledge and experience rather than particular skills:\nliberal arts * a liberal education\n  not exact\n  6  not completely accurate or exact\nSYN FREE:\na liberal translation of the text * a liberal interpretation of history / the law\n    liberally  adverb:\nApply the cream liberally. * The word ’original’ is liberally interpreted in copyright law.\n    noun\n  sb who respects others\n  1  a person who understands and respects other people’s opinions and behaviour, especially when they are different from their own:\nHe liked to think of himself as a liberal.\n  politics\n  2  a person who supports political, social and religious change:\nReform is popular with middle-class liberals.\n  3  (Liberal) (politics) a member of the British Liberal Party in the past, or of a Liberal Party in another country


Words: liberal arts
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (especially AmE) subjects of study that develop students’ general knowledge and ability to think, rather than their technical skills:\na liberal arts college


Words: liberality
Meaning:
noun [U] (formal)\n  1  respect for political, religious or moral views, even if you do not agree with them:\nShe is known for the liberality of her views.\n  2  the quality of being generous


Words: liberalize
Meaning:
(BrE also liberalise)  verb\n[VN] (written) to make sth such as a law or a political or religious system less strict\n    liberalization, liberalisation  noun [U]


Words: liberate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sb/sth (from sb/sth) to free a country or a person from the control of sb else:\nThe city was liberated by the advancing army.\n  2  ~ sb (from sth) to free sb from sth that restricts their enjoyment of life:\nWriting poetry liberated her from the routine of everyday life.\n    liberation  noun [U, sing.]:\na war of liberation * liberation from poverty * women’s liberation\n    liberator noun


Words: liberated
Meaning:
adjective\nfree from the restrictions of traditional ideas about social and sexual behaviour:\na liberated woman


Words: libertarian
Meaning:
noun\na person who strongly believes that people should have the freedom to do and think as they like


Words: libertine
Meaning:
noun\n(formal, disapproving) a person, usually a man, who leads an immoral life and is interested in pleasure, especially sexual pleasure


Words: liberty
Meaning:
noun (plural liberties)\n  1  [U] freedom to live as you choose without too many restrictions from government or authority:\nthe fight for justice and liberty * The concept of individual liberty is enshrined in the constitution.\n  2  [U] the state of not being a prisoner or a slave:\nHe had to endure six months’ loss of liberty.\n  3  [C] the legal right and freedom to do sth:\nThe right to vote should be a liberty enjoyed by all. * People fear that security cameras could infringe personal liberties.\nsee also CIVIL LIBERTY\n  4  [sing.] an act or statement that may offend or annoy sb, especially because it is done without permission or does not show respect:\nHe took the liberty of reading my files while I was away. * They’ve got a liberty, not even sending me a reply.\n IDIOMS \n  at liberty (formal) (of a prisoner or an animal) no longer in prison or in a cage\n  at liberty to do sth (formal) having the right or freedom to do sth:\nYou are at liberty to say what you like. * I am not at liberty to discuss my client’s case.\n  take liberties with sb/sth\n1 to make important and unreasonable changes to sth, especially a book:\nThe movie takes considerable liberties with the novel that it is based on.\n2 (old-fashioned) to be too friendly with sb, especially in a sexual way:\nHe’s always taking liberties with the secretaries.


Words: Libra
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] the 7th sign of the ZODIAC, the SCALES\n \n  2  [C] a person born under the influence of this sign, that is between 23 September and 22 October, approximately\n \n    Libran noun, adjective


Words: librarian
Meaning:
noun\na person who is in charge of or works in a library\n    librarianship noun [U]:\na degree in librarianship


Words: library
Meaning:
noun (plural libraries)\n  1  a building in which collections of books, tapes, newspapers, etc. are kept for people to read, study or borrow:\na public / reference / university library * library books * a toy library (= for borrowing toys)\n  2  a room in a large house where most of the books are kept\n  3  (formal) a personal collection of books, CDs, etc:\na new edition to add to your library\n  4  a series of books, recordings, etc. produced by the same company and similar in appearance:\na library of children’s classics


Words: libretto
Meaning:
noun\n(plural librettos or libretti ) (music) the words that are sung or spoken in an opera or a MUSICAL


Words: licence
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE license)  noun\n  1  [C] ~ (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) an official document that shows that permission has been given to do, own or use sth: (BrE) a driving licence * (AmE) a driver’s license * a licence for the software * Is there a licence fee? * James lost his licence for six months (= had his licence taken away by the police as a punishment). * You need a licence to fish in this river. * a licence holder (= a person who has been given a licence) * a site licence for the new software\n  2  [U, sing.] ~ (to do sth) (formal) freedom to do or say whatever you want, often sth bad or unacceptable:\nLack of punishment seems to give youngsters licence to break the law.\n  3  [U] (formal) freedom to behave in a way that is considered sexually immoral\n IDIOMS \n  artistic / poetic licence the freedom of artists or writers to change facts in order to make a story, painting, etc. more interesting or beautiful\n  a licence to print money (disapproving) used to describe a business which makes a lot of money with little effort\n  under licence (of a product) made with the permission of a company or an organization


Words: license
Meaning:
(BrE also less frequent licence)  verb\nto give sb official permission to do, own, or use sth:\n[VN] The new drug has not yet been licensed in the UK. * (BrE) licensing hours (= the times when alcohol can be sold at a pub, etc.) * [VN to inf] They had licensed the firm to produce the drug.


Words: licensed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (BrE) having official permission to sell alcoholic drinks:\na licensed restaurant\n  2  that you have official permission to own:\nIs that gun licensed?\n  3  having official permission to do sth:\nShe is licensed to fly solo.


Words: licensee
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) a person who has a licence to sell alcoholic drinks\n  2  a person or company that has a licence to make sth or to use sth


Words: licentious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, disapproving) behaving in a way that is considered sexually immoral\n    licentiousness noun [U]


Words: lichen
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a very small grey or yellow plant that spreads over the surface of rocks, walls and trees and does not have any flowers\ncompare MOSS


Words: lick
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to move your tongue over the surface of sth in order to eat it, make it wet or clean it:\n[VN] He licked his fingers. * I’m tired of licking envelopes. * The cat sat licking its paws. * [VN-ADJ] She licked the spoon clean.\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to eat or drink sth by licking it:\nThe cat licked up the milk. * She licked the honey off the spoon.\n  3  (of flames) to touch sth lightly:\n[VN] Flames were soon licking the curtains. * [V] The flames were now licking at their feet.\n  4  [VN] (informal) to easily defeat sb or deal with sth:\nWe thought we had them licked. * It was a tricky problem but I think we’ve licked it.\n IDIOMS \n  lick sb’s boots (also !!!, slang lick sb’s arse) (disapproving) to show too much respect for sb in authority because you want to please them\n  lick your wounds to spend time trying to get your strength or confidence back after a defeat or disappointment:\nLeeds are still licking their wounds after their humiliating defeat by Grimsby.\nmore at LIP, SHAPE n.\n    noun\n  1  [C] an act of licking sth with the tongue:\nCan I have a lick of your ice cream?\n  2  [sing.] a ~ of paint (informal) a small amount of paint, used to make a place look better:\nWhat this room needs is a lick of paint.\n  3  [C] (informal) a short piece of music which is part of a song and is played on a guitar:\na guitar / blues lick\n IDIOMS \n  at a (fair) lick (informal) fast; at a high speed


Words: lid
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a cover over a container that can be removed or opened by turning it or lifting it:\na dustbin lid * I can’t get the lid off this jar.\n \n  2  = EYELID\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  keep a / the lid on sth\n1 to keep sth secret or hidden\n2 to keep sth under control:\nThe government is keeping the lid on inflation. * He struggled to keep the lid on his anger.\n  lift the lid on sth | take / blow the lid off sth to tell people unpleasant or shocking facts about sth:\nHer article lifts the lid on child prostitution.\n  put the (tin) lid on sth / things (BrE, informal) to be the final act or event that spoils your plans or hopes\nmore at FLIP v.


Words: lidded
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  (of containers) having a lid\n  2  (literary) used to describe a person’s expression when their EYELIDS appear large or their eyes are almost closed:\nheavily-lidded eyes * his lidded gaze


Words: lido
Meaning:
noun\n(plural lidos) (BrE) a public outdoor swimming pool or part of a beach used by the public for swimming, water sports, etc.


Words: lie
Meaning:
verb, noun-see also LIE\n    verb (lies, lying, lay )\n  1  (of a person or an animal) to be or put yourself in a flat or horizontal position so that you are not standing or sitting: [V, +adv./prep.] to lie on your back / side / front * [V-ADJ] The cat was lying fast asleep by the fire.\n  2  (of a thing) to be or remain in a flat position on a surface: [V, +adv./prep.] Clothes were lying all over the floor. * [V-ADJ] The book lay open on his desk.\n  3  to be, remain or be kept in a particular state:\n[V-ADJ] Snow was lying thick on the ground. * These machines have lain idle since the factory closed. * [V +adv./prep.] a ship lying at anchor * I’d rather use my money than leave it lying in the bank.\n  4  [V +adv./prep.] (of a town, natural feature, etc.) to be situated in a particular place:\nThe town lies on the coast.\n  5  [V +adv./prep.] to be spread out in a particular place:\nThe valley lay below us.\n  6  [V] ~ (in sth) (of ideas, qualities, problems, etc.) to exist or be found:\nThe problem lies in deciding when to intervene.\n  7  (BrE) to be in a particular position during a competition: [V, +adv./prep.] Thompson is lying in fourth place. * [V-ADJ] After five games the German team are lying second.\ncompare LAY\n IDIOMS \n  lie in state (of the dead body of an important person) to be placed on view in a public place before being buried\n  lie in wait (for sb) to hide, waiting to surprise, attack or catch sb:\nHe was surrounded by reporters who had been lying in wait for him.\n  lie low (informal) to try not to attract attention to yourself\n  take sth lying down to accept an insult or offensive act without protesting or reacting\nmore at BED n., BOTTOM n., HEAVY adv., LAND n., SLEEP v.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lie around / about\n1 (of a number of things) to be spread in an untidy way somewhere:\nDon’t leave toys lying around-someone might trip over them.\n2 (of a person) to spend time doing nothing and being lazy\nrelated noun LAYABOUT\n  lie back to do nothing except relax:\nYou don’t have to do anything-just lie back and enjoy the ride.\n  lie behind sth to be the real reason for sth, often hidden:\nWhat lay behind this strange outburst?\n  lie down to be or get into a flat position, especially in bed, in order to sleep or rest:\nGo and lie down for a while. * He lay down on the sofa and soon fell asleep.\nrelated noun LIE-DOWN\n  lie in (BrE) (also sleep in AmE, BrE) (informal) to stay in bed after the time you usually get up:\nIt’s a holiday tomorrow, so you can lie in.\nrelated noun LIE-IN\n  lie with sb (to do sth) (formal) to be sb’s duty or responsibility:\nIt lies with you to accept or reject the proposals.\n    noun\n IDIOMS \n  the lie of the land (BrE) (AmE the lay of the land)\n1 the way the land in an area is formed and what physical characteristics it has:\nThe castle was hidden by the lie of the land.\n2 the way a situation is now and how it is likely to develop:\nCheck out the lie of the land before you make a decision.\n\n verb, noun-see also LIE\n    verb (lies, lying, lied, lied) [V] ~ (to sb) (about sth) to say or write sth that you know is not true:\nYou could see from his face that he was lying. * Don’t lie to me! * She lies about her age. * The camera cannot lie (= give a false impression).\nsee also LIAR\n IDIOMS \n  lie through your teeth (informal) to say sth that is not true at all:\nThe witness was clearly lying through his teeth.\n  lie your way into / out of sth to get yourself into or out of a situation by lying\n    noun a statement made by sb knowing that it is not true:\nto tell a lie * The whole story is nothing but a pack of lies. * a barefaced lie (= a lie that is deliberate and shocking)\nsee also WHITE LIE\n IDIOMS \n  give the lie to sth (formal) to show that sth is not true:\nThese new figures give the lie to the belief that unemployment is going down.\n  I tell a lie (BrE, spoken) used to say that sth you have just said is not true or correct:\nWe first met in 1982, no, I tell a lie, it was 1983.\nmore at LIVE, TISSUE


Words: lie detector
Meaning:
(also formal polygraph) noun\na piece of equipment that is used, for example by the police, to find out if sb is telling the truth


Words: lie-down
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (BrE, informal) a short rest, especially on a bed:\nI’m going to have a lie-down before dinner.


Words: lie-in
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) a time when you stay in bed longer than normal in the morning:\na Sunday morning lie-in


Words: lieu
Meaning:
noun\n(formal)\n IDIOMS \n  in lieu (of sth) instead of:\nThey took cash in lieu of the prize they had won. * We work on Saturdays and have a day off in lieu during the week.


Words: lieutenant
Meaning:
noun (abbreviation Lieut., Lt)\n  1  an officer of middle rank in the army, navy, or air force:\nLieutenant Paul Fisher\nsee also FLIGHT LIEUTENANT, SECOND LIEUTENANT, SUB LIEUTENANT\n  2  (in compounds) an officer just below the rank mentioned:\na lieutenant colonel * Lieutenant Commander Browning\n  3  (in the US) a police officer of fairly high rank\n  4  a person who helps sb who is above them in rank or who carries out their duties when that person is unable to


Words: life
Meaning:
state of living\n  1  [U] the ability to breathe, grow, reproduce, etc. which people, animals and plants have before they die and which objects do not have:\nlife and death * The body was cold and showed no signs of life. * My father died last year-I wish I could bring him back to life. * In spring the countryside bursts into life.\n  2  [U, C] the state of being alive as a human being; an individual person’s existence:\nThe floods caused a massive loss of life (= many people were killed). * He risked his life to save his daughter from the fire. * Hundreds of lives were threatened when the building collapsed. * The operation saved her life. * My grandfather lost his life (= was killed) in the Second World War. * Several attempts have been made on the President’s life (= several people have tried to kill him).\n  living things\n  3  [U] living things:\nplant / animal life * marine / pond life * Is there intelligent life on other planets?\n  period of time\n  4  [C, U] the period between sb’s birth and their death; a part of this period:\nHe’s lived here all his life. * I’ve lived in England for most of my life. * to have a long / short life * He became very weak towards the end of his life. * Brenda took up tennis late in life. * He will spend the rest of his life (= until he dies) in a wheelchair. * There’s no such thing as a job for life any longer. * She is a life member of the club. * in early / adult life\n  5  [C] (used with an adjective) a period of sb’s life when they are in a particular situation or job:\nShe has been an accountant all her working life. * He met a lot of interesting people during his life as a student. * They were very happy throughout their married life.\n  6  [C] the period of time when sth exists or functions:\nThe International Stock Exchange started life as a London coffee shop. * They could see that the company had a limited life (= it was going to close). * In Italy the average life of a government is eleven months.\nsee also SHELF LIFE\n  punishment\n  7  [U] the punishment of being sent to prison for life; life IMPRISONMENT:\nThe judge gave him life. * She is doing life for murder.\n  experience / activities\n  8  [U] the experience and activities that are typical of all people’s existences:\nthe worries of everyday life * He is young and has little experience of life. * Commuting is a part of daily life for many people. * Jill wants to travel and see life for herself. * We bought a dishwasher to make life easier. * In Africa life can be hard. * In real life (= when she met him) he wasn’t how she had imagined him at all. * Life can be difficult when you move to a new town. * Life isn’t like in the movies, you know.\n  9  [U, C] the activities and experiences that are typical of a particular way of living:\ncountry / city life * She enjoyed political life. * family / married life * How do you find life in America?\n  10  [C] a person’s experiences during their life, the activities that form a particular part of a person’s life:\nHe has had a good life. * a hard / an easy life * My day-to-day life is not very exciting. * a life of luxury / crime * Her daily life involved meeting lots of people. * She lived a quiet life in the countryside. * Many of these children have led very sheltered lives (= they have not had many different experiences). * They emigrated to start a new life in America. * He doesn’t like to talk about his private life. * She has a full social life. * articles about the love lives of the stars\nsee also SEX LIFE\n  energy / excitement\n  11  [U] the quality of being active and exciting:\nThis is a great holiday resort that is full of life. * We need to inject some new life into this project.\n  in art\n  12  [U] a living model or a real object or scene that people draw or paint:\nShe had lessons in drawing from life. * a life class (= one in which art students draw a naked man or woman)\nsee also STILL LIFE\n  story of life\n  13  [C] a story of sb’s life\nSYN BIOGRAPHY:\nShe wrote a life of Mozart.\n  in children’s games\n  14  [C] one of a set number of chances before a player is out of a game:\nHe’s lost two lives, so he’s only got one left.\n IDIOMS \n  be sb’s life be the most important person or thing to sb:\nMy children are my life. * Writing is his life.\n  bring sb/sth to life to make sb/sth more interesting or exciting:\nThe new teacher really brought French to life for us. * Flowers can bring a dull room back to life.\n  come to life\n1 to become more interesting, exciting or full of activity:\nThe match finally came to life in the second half.\n2 to start to act or move as if alive:\nIn my dream all my toys came to life.\n  for dear life | for your life as hard or as fast as possible:\nShe was holding on to the rope for dear life. * Run for your life!\n  for the life of you (informal) however hard you try:\nI cannot for the life of me imagine why they want to leave.\n  frighten / scare the life out of sb to frighten sb very much:\nYou scared the life out of me coming in so suddenly like that.\n  full of beans / life having a lot of energy\n  get a life (spoken) used to tell sb to stop being boring and to do sth more interesting:\nDo us all a favour ...get a life!\n  lay down your life (for sb/sth) (literary) to die in order to save sb/sth:\nThey were prepared to lay down their lives for their country.\n  life after death the possibility or belief that people continue to exist in some form after they die:\nDo you believe in life after death?\n  the life and soul of the party, etc. (BrE) the most amusing and interesting person at a party, etc.\n  life is cheap (disapproving) used to say that there is a situation in which it is not thought to be important if people somewhere die or are treated badly\n  (have) a life of its own (of an object) seeming to move or function by itself without a person touching or working it\n  make life difficult (for sb) to cause problems for sb:\nShe does everything she can to make life difficult for him.\n  the man / woman in your life (informal) the man or woman that you are having a sexual or romantic relationship with:\nAnna has a new man in her life.\n  not on your life (spoken) used to refuse very firmly to do sth\n  take sb’s life to kill sb\n  take your (own) life to kill yourself\n  take your life in your hands to risk being killed:\nYou take your life in your hands just crossing the road here.\n  that’s life (spoken) used when you are disappointed about sth but know that you must accept it:\nIt’s a shame I can’t go on the trip to France, but that’s life.\nmore at BET v., BREATH, BREATHE, CHANGE n., DEPART, DOG n., END v., FACT, FEAR n., FIGHT v., INCH n., KISS n., LARGE, LEASE, LIGHT n., MATTER n., MISERY, NINE, RISK v., SAVE v., SLICE n., SPRING v., STAFF n., STORY, TIME n., TRUE adj., VARIETY, WALK n., WAY n.


Words: life cycle
Meaning:
noun\n(biology) the series of forms into which a living thing changes as it develops:\nthe life cycle of the butterfly


Words: life expectancy
Meaning:
(also expectation of life) noun\n[U, C] the number of years that a person is likely to live; the length of time that sth is likely to exist or continue for:\nLife expectancy for both men and women has improved greatly in the past 20 years. * Women have a longer life expectancy than men. * The life expectancy of a large bus is about 15 years.


Words: life form
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a living thing such as a plant or an animal:\nintelligent life forms in other solar systems


Words: life history
Meaning:
noun\nall the events that happen in the life of a person, animal or plant:\nthe life history of an insect


Words: life insurance
Meaning:
(BrE also life assurance) noun\n[U] a type of insurance in which you make regular payments so that you receive a sum of money when you are a particular age, or so that your family will receive a sum of money when you die:\na life insurance policy


Words: life jacket
Meaning:
(AmE also life vest) noun\na jacket without sleeves, that can be filled with air, designed to help you float if you fall in water


Words: life peer
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain) a person who is given the title of PEER (= ’Lord’ or ’Lady’) but who cannot pass it on to their son or daughter


Words: life preserver
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) a piece of material that floats well, or a jacket made of such material, used to rescue a person who has fallen into water, by keeping them above water


Words: life sciences
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the sciences concerned with studying humans, animals or plants\ncompare EARTH SCIENCE, NATURAL SCIENCE, PHYSICAL SCIENCE\n    life science adjective:\nlife science experiments / research


Words: life sentence
Meaning:
noun\nthe punishment by which sb spends the rest of their life in prison:\nHe’s currently serving a life sentence for murder.


Words: life story
Meaning:
noun\nthe story that sb tells you about their whole life:\nThe guy I was sitting next to on the plane insisted on telling me his life story. * Newspapers have offered big money to publish her life story.


Words: life support
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the fact of sb being on a life-support machine:\nFamilies want the right to refuse life support. * She’s critically ill, on life support.


Words: life’s work
Meaning:
(AmE lifework ) noun\n[sing.] the main purpose or activity in a person’s life, or their greatest achievement


Words: life-and-death
Meaning:
(also life-or-death) adjective\n[only before noun] extremely serious, especially when there is a situation in which people might die:\na life-and-death decision / struggle


Words: life-saving
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [usually before noun] that is going to save sb’s life:\na life-saving heart operation * life-saving equipment / drugs\n    noun [U] the skills needed to save sb who is in water and is DROWNING:\na life-saving qualification


Words: life-support machine
Meaning:
(also life-support system) noun\na piece of equipment that keeps sb alive when they are extremely ill and cannot breathe without help:\nHe was put on a life-support machine in intensive care.


Words: life-threatening
Meaning:
adjective\nthat is likely to kill sb:\nHis heart condition is not life-threatening. * Aid workers are having to deal with very difficult, sometimes life-threatening situations.


Words: lifebelt
Meaning:
noun\na large ring made of material that floats well, that is used to rescue sb who has fallen into water, to prevent them from DROWNING


Words: lifeblood
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  ~ (of sth) the thing that keeps sth strong and healthy and is necessary for successful development:\nTourism is the lifeblood of the city.\n  2  (literary) a person’s blood, when it is thought of as the thing that is necessary for life:\nThe wound was draining the lifeblood from him.


Words: lifeboat
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a special boat that is sent out to rescue people who are in danger at sea:\na lifeboat crew / station\n \n  2  a small boat carried on a ship in order to save the people on board if the ship sinks


Words: lifebuoy
Meaning:
noun\na piece of material that floats well, used to rescue sb who has fallen into water, by keeping them above water


Words: lifeguard
Meaning:
(also lifesaver) noun\na person who is employed at a beach or a swimming pool to rescue people who are in danger in the water


Words: lifeless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (formal) dead or appearing to be dead:\nHe knelt beside her lifeless body.\n  2  not living; not having living things growing on or in it:\nlifeless machines * a lifeless planet\n  3  dull; lacking the qualities that make sth or sb interesting and full of life:\nhis lifeless performance on stage * Her hair was lifeless and uncombed.


Words: lifeline
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a line or rope thrown to rescue sb who is in difficulty in the water\n  2  a line attached to sb who goes deep under the sea\n  3  something that is very important for sb and that they depend on:\nThe extra payments are a lifeline for most single mothers.


Words: lifelong
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] lasting or existing all through your life:\nHer lifelong ambition had been to learn how to fly. * He has been a lifelong supporter of the club.


Words: lifesaver
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a thing that helps sb in a difficult situation; sth that saves sb’s life:\nThe new drug is a potential lifesaver.\n  2  = LIFEGUARD


Words: lifespan
Meaning:
noun\nthe length of time that sth is likely to live, continue or function:\nWorms have a lifespan of a few months.


Words: lifestyle
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] the way in which a person or a group of people lives and works:\na comfortable / healthy / lavish lifestyle * It was a big change in lifestyle when we moved to the country. * the lifestyle section of the newspaper (= the part which deals with clothes, furniture, hobbies, etc.)


Words: lifetime
Meaning:
noun\nthe length of time that sb lives or that sth lasts:\nHis diary was not published during his lifetime. * a lifetime of experience * in the lifetime of the present government * He had spent a lifetime trying to please his father.\n IDIOMS \n  the chance, etc. of a lifetime a wonderful opportunity, etc. that you are not likely to get again:\nthe experience / holiday / vacation / trip of a lifetime * When she was offered the job she knew it was the chance of a lifetime.


Words: lift
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  raise\n \n  1  ~ sb/sth (up) to raise sb/sth or be raised to a higher position or level: [VN, usually +adv./prep.] He stood there with his arms lifted above his head. * I lifted the lid of the box and peered in. * (figurative) John lifted his eyes (= looked up) from his book. * [V] Her eyebrows lifted. ’Apologize? Why?’\n \n  move sb / sth\n \n  2  [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] to take hold of sb/sth and move them/it to a different position:\nI lifted the baby out of the chair. * He lifted the suitcase down from the rack.\n \n  3  [VN] to transport people or things by air:\nThe survivors were lifted to safety by helicopter.\nsee also AIRLIFT\n  remove law / rule\n  4  [VN] to remove or end restrictions:\nto lift a ban / curfew / blockade * Martial law has now been lifted.\n  heart / spirits\n  5  to become or make sb more cheerful:\n[V] His heart lifted at the sight of her. * [VN] The news lifted our spirits.\n  of mist / clouds\n  6  [V] to rise and disappear:\nThe fog began to lift. * (figurative) Gradually my depression started to lift.\n  steal\n  7  ~ sth (from sb/sth) [VN] (informal) to steal sth:\nHe had been lifting electrical goods from the store where he worked.\nsee also SHOPLIFT\n  copy ideas / words\n  8  [VN] to use sb’s ideas or words without asking permission or without saying where they come from:\nShe lifted most of the ideas from a book she had been reading.\n  vegetables\n  9  [VN] to dig up vegetables or plants from the ground:\nto lift potatoes / turnips\n  increase\n  10  to make the amount or level of sth greater; to become greater in amount or level:\n[VN] Interest rates were lifted yesterday. [also V]\n IDIOMS \n  not lift / raise a finger / hand (to do sth) (informal) to do nothing to help sb:\nThe children never lift a finger to help around the house.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lift off (of a rocket or, less frequently, an aircraft) to leave the ground and rise into the air\nrelated noun LIFT-OFF\n    noun\n  machine\n \n  1  (BrE) (AmE elevator) [C] a machine that carries people or goods up and down to different levels in a building or a mine:\nIt’s on the sixth floor-let’s take the lift.\nsee also CHAIRLIFT, SKI LIFT\n \n  free ride\n \n  2  (BrE) (AmE ride) [C] a free ride in a car, etc. to a place you want to get to:\nI’ll give you a lift to the station. * Could I have a lift into town? * She hitched a lift on a truck.\n \n  happier feeling\n  3  [sing.] a feeling of being happier or more confident than before:\nPassing the exam gave him a real lift.\n  rising movement\n  4  [sing.] a movement in which sth rises or is lifted up:\nthe puzzled lift of his eyebrows\n  on aircraft\n  5  [U] the upward pressure of air on an aircraft when flying\ncompare DRAG


Words: lift-off
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] the act of a spacecraft leaving the ground and rising into the air:\nTen minutes to lift-off.


Words: ligament
Meaning:
noun\na strong band of tissue in the body that connects bones, supports muscles, etc:\nI’ve torn a ligament.


Words: light
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb, adverb \n    noun\n  from sun / lamps\n \n  1  [U] the energy from the sun, a lamp, etc. that makes it possible to see things:\nbright / dim light * a room with good / poor natural light * in the fading light of a summer’s evening * The light was beginning to fail (= it was beginning to get dark). * She could just see by the light of the candle. * Bring it into the light so I can see it. * a beam / ray of light\nsee also FIRST LIGHT\n \n  2  [C] a particular type of light with its own colour and qualities:\nA cold grey light crept under the curtains.\nsee also THE NORTHERN LIGHTS\n \n  lamp\n  3  [C] a thing that produces light, especially an electric light:\nto turn / switch the lights on / off * to turn out the lights * Suddenly all the lights went out. * to turn down / dim the lights * A light was still burning in the bedroom. * ceiling / wall lights * Keep going-the lights (= traffic lights) are green. * Check your car before you drive to make sure that your lights are working. * It was dark by now, except for strips of coloured lights.\nsee also BRAKE LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT, HEADLIGHT, LEADING LIGHT, RED LIGHT\n  for cigarette\n  4  [sing.] a match or device with which you can light a cigarette: (BrE) Have you got a light? * (AmE, BrE) Do you have a light?\n  expression in eyes\n  5  [sing.] an expression in sb’s eyes which shows what they are thinking or feeling:\nThere was a soft light in her eyes as she looked at him.\n  in picture\n  6  [U] light colours in a picture, which contrast with darker ones:\nthe artist’s use of light and shade\n  window\n  7  [C] (architecture) a window or an opening to allow light in:\nleaded lights\nsee also SKYLIGHT\n IDIOMS \n  according to sb’s / sth’s lights (formal) according to the standards which sb sets for him or herself:\nThe police were left to do the job according to their lights.\n  be / go out like a light (informal) to go to sleep very quickly:\nShe returned to bed and went out like a light.\n  be in sb’s light to be between sb and a source of light:\nCould you move-you’re in my light.\n  bring sth to light to make new information known to people:\nThese facts have only just been brought to light.\n  cast / shed / throw light on sth to make a problem, etc. easier to understand:\nRecent research has thrown new light on the causes of the disease.\n  come to light to become known to people:\nNew evidence has recently come to light.\n  in a good, bad, favourable, etc. light if you see sth or put sth in a good, bad, etc. light, it seems good, bad, etc:\nYou must not view what happened in a negative light. * They want to present their policies in the best possible light.\n  in the light of sth (BrE) (AmE in light of sth) after considering sth:\nHe rewrote the book in the light of further research.\n  light at the end of the tunnel something that shows you are nearly at the end of a long and difficult time or situation\n  (the) light dawned (on sb) somebody suddenly understood or began to understand sth:\nI puzzled over the problem for ages before the light suddenly dawned.\n  the light of sb’s life the person sb loves more than any other\n  see the light\n1 to finally understand or accept sth, especially sth obvious:\nHe thinks she’s wonderful but he’ll soon see the light (= realize that she’s not)!\n2 to begin to believe in a religion\n  see the light (of day) to begin to exist or to become publicly known about:\nHe’s written a lot of good material that has never seen the light of day.\n  set light to sth (especially BrE) to make sth start burning:\nA spark from the fire had set light to a rug.\nmore at BRIGHT adj., COLD adj., HIDE v., JUMP v., SWEETNESS\n    adjective\n (lighter, lightest)\n \n  with natural light\n \n  1  full of light; having the natural light of day:\nWe’ll leave in the morning as soon as it’s light. * It gets light at about 5 o’clock. * It was a light spacious apartment at the top of the building.\nOPP DARK\n \n  colours\n \n  2  pale in colour:\nlight blue eyes * Lighter shades suit you best. * People with pale complexions should avoid wearing light colours.\nOPP DARK\n  weight\n  3  easy to lift or move; not weighing very much:\nModern video cameras are light and easy to carry. * Carry this bag-it’s the lightest. * He’s lost a lot of weight-he’s three kilos lighter than he was. * The little girl was as light as a feather. * The aluminium body is 12% lighter than if built with steel.\nOPP HEAVY\n  4  [usually before noun] of less than average or usual weight:\nlight summer clothes * Only light vehicles are allowed over the old bridge.\nOPP HEAVY\n  5  used with a unit of weight to say that sth weighs less than it should do:\nThe delivery of potatoes was several kilos light.\n  gentle\n  6  [usually before noun] gentle or delicate; not using much force:\nShe felt a light tap on her shoulder. * the sound of quick light footsteps * You only need to apply light pressure. * As a boxer, he was always light on his feet (= quick and graceful in the way he moved).\nOPP HEAVY\n  work / exercise\n  7  [usually before noun] easy to do; not making you tired:\nAfter his accident he was moved to lighter work. * some light housework * You are probably well enough to take a little light exercise.\n  not great\n  8  not great in amount, degree, etc:\nlight traffic * The forecast is for light showers. * light winds * Trading on the stock exchange was light today.\nOPP HEAVY\n  not severe / serious\n  9  not severe:\nHe was convicted of assaulting a police officer but he got off with a light sentence.\n  10  entertaining rather than serious and not needing much mental effort:\nlight reading for the beach * a concert of light classical music * We were just making light conversation.\n  11  not serious:\nShe kept her tone light. * This programme looks at the lighter side of politics. * We all needed a little light relief at the end of a long day (= something amusing or entertaining that comes after sth serious or boring). * The job does have its lighter moments. * Let’s talk about lighter things, shall we? * On a lighter note, we end the news today with a story about a duck called Quackers.\n  cheerful\n  12  [usually before noun] free from worry; cheerful:\nI left the island with a light heart.\n  food\n  13  (of a meal) small in quantity:\na light supper / snack. * I just want something light for lunch.\nOPP HEAVY\n  14  (also lite) not containing much fat or not having a strong flavour and therefore easy for the stomach to DIGEST:\nStick to a light diet.\n  15  containing a lot of air:\nThis pastry is so light.\n  drink\n  16  low in alcohol:\na light beer\n  sleep\n  17  [only before noun] a person in a light sleep is easy to wake:\nShe drifted into a light sleep. * I’ve always been a light sleeper.\nOPP DEEP\n    lightness noun [U] \nsee also LIGHTLY\n IDIOMS \n  be light on (BrE) to not have enough of sth:\nWe seem to be light on fuel.\n  a light touch the ability to deal with sth in a delicate and relaxed way:\nShe handles this difficult subject with a light touch.\n  make light of sth to treat sth as not being important and not serious:\nI didn’t mean to make light of your injuries.\n  make light work of sth to do sth quickly and with little effort\nmore at HAND n.\n    verb (lit, lit  )\n HELP NOTE  Lighted is also used for the past tense and past participle, especially in front of nouns.)\n  start to burn\n  1  [VN] to make sth start to burn:\nShe lit a candle. * The candles were lit. * I put a lighted match to the letter and watched it burn. * Steve took out a cigarette and lit it.\n  2  [V] to start to burn:\nThe fire wouldn’t light.\n  give light\n  3  [VN] [usually passive] to give light to sth or to a place:\nThe stage was lit by bright spotlights. * well / badly lit streets * the lighted windows of the house\n  4  [VN] (literary) to guide sb with a light:\nOur way was lit by a full moon.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  light on / upon sth (literary) to see or find sth by accident:\nHis eye lit upon a small boat on the horizon.\n  light up | light sth<->up\n1 (informal) to begin to smoke a cigarette:\nThey all lit up as soon as he left the room. * He sat back and lit up a cigarette.\n2 to become or to make sth become bright with light or colour:\nThere was an explosion and the whole sky lit up. * The night sky was lit up with fireworks.\n3 if sb’s eyes or face light up, or sth lights them up, they show happiness or excitement:\nHis eyes lit up when she walked into the room. * A smile lit up her face.\n    adverb\n IDIOMS  see TRAVEL v.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nlight / lighting\nThe noun light has several different meanings and is used in many phrases. Lighting can only be used to talk about the type of light in a place or how lights are used to achieve a particular effect: the lighting system * the movie’s interesting lighting effects * The lighting at the disco was fantastic.\n______________________________


Words: light heavyweight
Meaning:
noun\na boxer weighing between 72.5 and 79.5 kilograms, between a MIDDLEWEIGHT and a HEAVYWEIGHT:\na light heavyweight champion


Words: light industry
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] industry that produces small or light objects such as things used in the house:\nLight industry continued to exceed heavy industry in value of output.\ncompare HEAVY INDUSTRY


Words: light pen
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a piece of equipment, shaped like a pen, that is sensitive to light and that can be used to pass information to a computer when it touches the screen\n  2  a similar piece of equipment that is used for reading BAR CODES


Words: light year
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (astronomy) the distance that light travels in one year, 9.4607 ﾗ 10ٲ kilometres:\nThe nearest star to earth is about 4 light years away.\n  2  (light years) [pl.] a very long time:\nFull employment still seems light years away.


Words: light-coloured
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE light-colored) adjective\npale in colour; not dark:\nI think some light-coloured curtains would look best in here.


Words: light-fingered
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) likely to steal things:\nThere are some light-fingered people around at the racetrack.


Words: light-headed
Meaning:
adjective\nnot completely in control of your thoughts or movements; slightly FAINT:\nAfter four glasses of wine he began to feel light-headed.


Words: light-hearted
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  intended to be amusing or easily enjoyable rather than too serious:\na light-hearted speech\n  2  cheerful and without problems:\nShe felt light-hearted and optimistic.\n    light-heartedly adverb


Words: lighted
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  a lighted candle, cigarette, match, etc. is burning\n  2  a lighted window is bright because there are lights on inside the room:\nscenes glimpsed through other people’s lighted windows\nOPP UNLIT


Words: lighten
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to reduce the amount of work, debt, worry, etc. that sb has:\nequipment to lighten the load of domestic work * The measures will lighten the tax burden on small businesses.\n  2  to become or make sth become brighter or lighter in colour:\n[V] The sky began to lighten in the east. * [VN] Use bleach to lighten the wood.\n  3  ~ (sth) (up) to feel or make sb feel less sad, worried or serious:\n[V] My mood gradually lightened. * [VN] She told a joke to lighten the atmosphere.\n  4  [VN] to make sth lighter in weight\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lighten up (spoken) used to tell sb to become less serious or worried about sth:\nCome on, John. Lighten up!


Words: lighter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also cigarette lighter) a small device that produces a flame for lighting cigarettes, etc.\n  2  a boat with a flat bottom used for carrying goods to and from ships in harbour


Words: lighting
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the arrangement or type of light in a place:\nelectric / natural lighting * good / poor lighting * The play had excellent sound and lighting effects. * The building needs improved security and lighting.\n  2  the use of electric lights in a place:\nthe cost of heating and lighting * street lighting -> LIGHT


Words: lighting engineer
Meaning:
noun\na person who works in television, the theatre, etc. and whose job is to control and take care of the lights


Words: lightly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  gently; with very little force or effort:\nHe kissed her lightly on the cheek. * She ran lightly up the stairs.\n  2  to a small degree; not much:\nIt began to snow lightly. * She tended to sleep lightly nowadays (= it was easy to disturb her). * I try to eat lightly (= not to eat heavy or greasy food).\n  3  in a way that sounds as though you are not particularly worried or interested:\n’I’ll be all right,’ he said lightly.\n  4  without being seriously considered:\nThis is not a problem we should take lightly. * Such fears should not be dismissed lightly.\n IDIOMS \n  get off / be let off lightly (informal) to be punished or treated in a way that is less harsh than you deserve or may have expected:\nHe got off lightly with a small fine. * The children were let off lightly.


Words: lightning
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [U] a flash, or several flashes, of very bright light in the sky caused by electricity:\na flash of lightning * a violent storm with thunder and lightning * He was struck by lightning and killed. * (AmE) Lightning strikes caused scores of fires across the state.\n IDIOMS \n  lightning never strikes (in the same place) twice (saying) an unusual or unpleasant event is not likely to happen in the same place or to the same people twice\n  like (greased) lightning very fast:\nHe leapt out of the car like lightning.\n    adjective very fast or sudden:\nto move at / with lightning speed * Police made a lightning raid on the house.


Words: lightning conductor
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE lightning rod) noun\na metal rod or wire leading from the highest part of a building to the ground, put there to prevent lightning damaging the building


Words: lightning rod
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (AmE) = LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR\n  2  (especially AmE) a person or thing that attracts criticism, especially if the criticism is then not directed at sb/sth else


Words: lightship
Meaning:
noun\na small ship that stays at a particular place at sea and that has a powerful light on it to warn and guide other ships


Words: lightweight
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  made of thinner material and less heavy than usual:\nlightweight jackets / boots * a lightweight aluminium engine\n  2  (disapproving) not very serious or impressive:\na lightweight book * He was considered too lightweight for the job.\n    noun\n  1  a boxer weighing between 57 and 61 kilograms, heavier than a FEATHERWEIGHT:\na lightweight champion\n  2  a person or thing that weighs less than is usual\n  3  (informal, disapproving) a person or thing of little importance or influence:\na political lightweight * He’s an intellectual lightweight (= he does not think very deeply or seriously).


Words: like
Meaning:
preposition, verb, conjunction, noun, adjective, adverb \n    preposition\n  1  similar to sb/sth:\nShe’s wearing a dress like mine. * He’s very like his father. * She looks nothing like (= not at all like) her mother. * That sounds like (= I think I can hear) him coming now.\n  2  used to ask sb’s opinion of sb/sth:\nWhat’s it like studying in Spain? * This new girlfriend of his-what’s she like?\n  3  used to show what is usual or typical for sb:\nIt’s just like her to tell everyone about it.\n  4  in the same way as sb/sth:\nStudents were angry at being treated like children. * He ran like the wind (= very fast). * You do it like this. * I, like everyone else, have read these stories in the press. * Don’t look at me like that. * (spoken) The candles are arranged like so (= in this way).\n  5  for example:\nUtopian novels like ’Animal Farm’ and ’1984’ -> AS\n IDIOMS \n  more like ... used to give a number or an amount that is more accurate than one previously mentioned:\nHe believes the figure should be more like $10 million.\n  more like (it) (informal)\n1 better; more satisfactory:\nThis is more like it! Real food-not that canned muck.\n2 used to give what you think is a better description of sth:\nJust talking? Arguing more like it.\n    verb (not usually used in the progressive tenses)\n  1  to find sb/sth pleasant, attractive or satisfactory; to enjoy sth:\n[VN] She’s nice. I like her. * Do you like their new house? * Which tie do you like best? * How did you like Japan (= did you find it pleasant)? * I don’t like the way he’s looking at me. * You’ve got to go to school, whether you like it or not. * [V -ing] She’s never liked swimming. * [VN -ing] I didn’t like him taking all the credit. * (formal) I didn’t like his taking all the credit. * [V to inf] I like to see them enjoying themselves. * [VN wh-] I like it when you do that.\n  2  [no passive] to prefer to do sth; to prefer sth to be made or to happen in a particular way:\n[V to inf] At weekends I like to sleep late. * [VN-ADJ] I like my coffee strong.\n  3  [VN] [no passive] to want:\nDo what you like-I don’t care. * You can dye your hair whatever colour you like.\n  4  used in negative sentences to mean ’to be unwilling to do sth’:\n[V to inf] I didn’t like to disturb you. * [V -ing] He doesn’t like asking his parents for help.\n  5  used with would or should as a polite way to say what you want or to ask what sb wants:\n[VN] Would you like a drink? * [V to inf] I’d like to think it over. * Would you like to come with us? * (formal) We would like to apologize for the delay. * How can they afford it? That’s what I’d like to know. * [VN to inf] We’d like you to come and visit us. * [V] (AmE) I’d like for us to work together. -> WANT\n IDIOMS \n  how would you like it? used to emphasize that sth bad has happened to you and you want some sympathy:\nHow would you like it if someone called you a liar?\n  if you like (spoken)\n1 used to politely agree to sth or to suggest sth:\n’Shall we stop now?’ ’If you like.’ * If you like, we could go out this evening.\n2 used when you express sth in a new way or when you are not confident about sth:\nIt was, if you like, the dawn of a new era.\n  I like that! (old-fashioned, spoken) used to protest that sth that has been said is not true or fair:\n’She called you a cheat.’ ’Well, I like that!’\n  I / I’d like to think used to say that you hope or believe that sth is true:\nI like to think I’m broad-minded. * I’d like to think that you were helping me because you wanted to, not because you felt you had to.\n    conjunction (informal)\n  1  in the same way as:\nNo one sings the blues like she did. * It didn’t turn out like I intended. * Like I said (= as I said before), you’re always welcome to stay.\n  2  as if:\nShe acts like she owns the place.\n HELP NOTE  You will find more information about this use of like at the entries for the verbs act, behave, feel, look and sound and in the note at as.\n    noun\n  1  (likes) [pl.] the things that you like:\nWe all have different likes and dislikes.\n  2  [sing.] a person or thing that is similar to another:\njazz, rock and the like (= similar types of music) * a man whose like we shall not see again * You’re not comparing like with like.\n  3  (the likes of sb/sth) (informal) used to refer to sb/sth that is considered as a type, especially one that is considered as good as sb/sth else:\nShe didn’t want to associate with the likes of me.\n    adjective [only before noun] (formal) having similar qualities to another person or thing:\na chance to meet people of like mind (= with similar interests and opinions) * She responded in like manner.\n    adverb\n  1  used in very informal speech, for example when you are thinking what to say next, explaining sth, or giving an example of sth:\nIt was, like, weird. * It was kind of scary, like. * It’s really hard. Like I have no time for my own work.\n  2  I’m, he’s, she’s, etc. ~ (AmE) used in very informal speech, to mean ’I say’, ’he/she says’, etc:\nAnd then I’m like ’No Way!’\n  3  used in informal speech instead of as to say that sth happens in the same way:\nThere was silence, but not like before. -> AS\n IDIOMS \n  (as) like as not | like enough | most / very like (old-fashioned) quite probably:\nShe would be in bed by now, as like as not.\n\n combining form\n(in adjectives) similar to; typical of:\nchildlike * shell-like


Words: like-minded
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving similar ideas and interests:\nThe club offers an opportunity for like-minded people to get together.


Words: likeable
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (also likable AmE, BrE)  adjective\npleasant and easy to like:\na very likeable man * She’s warm, friendly and likeable.


Words: likelihood
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] the chance of sth happening; how likely sth is to happen:\nThere is very little likelihood of that happening. * In all likelihood (= very probably) the meeting will be cancelled. * The likelihood is that (= it is likely that) unemployment figures will continue to fall. * This reduces the likelihood that the treatment will be successful.


Words: likely
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective (likelier, likeliest)\n HELP NOTE  more likely and most likely are the usual forms\n  1  ~ (to do sth) | ~ (that ...) probable or expected:\nthe most likely cause / outcome * Tickets are likely to be expensive. * It’s more than likely that the thieves don’t know how much it is worth. * They might refuse to let us do it, but it’s hardly likely.\n  2  seeming suitable for a purpose:\nShe seems the most likely candidate for the job.\n IDIOMS \n  a likely story (spoken, ironic) used to show that you do not believe what sb has said:\nYou just found it lying in the street? A likely story!\n    adverb\n IDIOMS \n  as likely as not | most / very likely very probably:\nAs likely as not she’s forgotten all about it. * The illness was caused, most likely, by a virus.\n  not likely! (spoken, especially BrE) used to disagree strongly with a statement or suggestion:\nMe? Join the army? Not likely!\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \nlikely\nIn standard BrE the adverb likely must be used with a word such as most, more or very: We will most likely see him later. In informal AmE likely is often used on its own: We will likely see him later. * He said that he would likely run for President.\n______________________________


Words: liken
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  liken sth/sb to sth/sb (formal) to compare one person or thing to another and say they are similar:\nLife is often likened to a journey.


Words: likeness
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] the fact of being similar to another person or thing, especially in appearance; an example of this\nSYN RESEMBLANCE:\nJoanna bears a strong likeness to her father. * Do you notice any family likeness between them?\n  2  [C, usually sing.] a painting, drawing, etc. of a person, especially one that looks very like them:\nThe drawing is said to be a good likeness of the girl’s attacker. * As a painter, he had the ability to produce a likeness in a single one-hour sitting.


Words: likewise
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  (formal) the same; in a similar way:\nHe voted for the change and he expected his colleagues to do likewise.\n  2  (formal) also:\nHer second marriage was likewise unhappy.\n  3  (spoken) used to show that you feel the same towards sb or about sth:\n’Let me know if you ever need any help.’ ’Likewise.’


Words: liking
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] ~ (for sb/sth) the feeling that you like sb or sth; the enjoyment of sth:\nHe had a liking for fast cars. * She had taken a liking to him on their first meeting.\n IDIOMS \n  for your liking if you say, for example, that sth is too hot for your liking, you mean that you would prefer it to be less hot:\nThe town was too crowded for my liking.\n  to sb’s liking (formal) suitable, and how sb likes sth:\nThe coffee was just to his liking. * The agreement we have is to my liking.


Words: lilac
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] a bush or small tree with purple or white flowers with a sweet smell that grow closely together in the shape of a CONE\n  2  [U] a pale purple colour\n    lilac adjective:\na lilac dress


Words: Lilliputian
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) extremely small\n ORIGIN  From the land of Lilliput, in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, where the people are only 15 cm high.


Words: lilo
Meaning:
(also Li-Lo)  noun\n(plural lilos) (BrE) a plastic or rubber bed that is filled with air and used when camping or for floating on water


Words: lilt
Meaning:
noun [sing.]\n  1  the pleasant way in which a person’s voice rises and falls:\nHer voice had a soft Welsh lilt to it.\n  2  a regular rising and falling pattern in music, with a strong rhythm:\nMany of his patriotic songs have a stirring lilt.\n    lilting adjective:\na lilting voice / song


Words: lily
Meaning:
noun\n(plural lilies) a large white or brightly coloured flower with PETALS that curl back from the centre. There are many types of lily:\ntiger lilies\nsee also WATER LILY\n \n IDIOMS  see GILD


Words: lily-white
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  almost pure white in colour:\nlily-white skin\n  2  morally perfect:\nThey want me to conform, to be lily-white.


Words: limb
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an arm or a leg; a similar part of an animal, such as a wing:\nan artificial limb * For a while, she lost the use of her limbs.\n  2  (-limbed) (in adjectives) having the type of limbs mentioned:\nlong-limbed * loose-limbed\n  3  a large branch of a tree\n IDIOMS \n  out on a limb (informal) not supported by other people:\nAre you prepared to go out on a limb (= risk doing sth that other people are not prepared to do) and make your suspicions public? * His controversial stance has left him out on a limb.\n  tear / rip sb limb from limb (often humorous) to attack sb very violently\nmore at RISK v.


Words: limber
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  limber up to do physical exercises in order to stretch and prepare your muscles before taking part in a race, sporting activity, etc.


Words: limbo
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing.] a West Indian dance in which you lean backwards and go under a bar which is made lower each time you go under it\n  2  [U, sing.] a situation in which you are not certain what to do next, cannot take action, etc., especially because you are waiting for sb else to make a decision:\nthe limbo of the stateless person * His life seemed stuck in limbo; he could not go forward and he could not go back.


Words: lime
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (also quicklime) [U] a white substance obtained by heating LIMESTONE, used in building materials and to help plants grow\n \n  2  [C, U] a small green fruit, like a lemon, with a lot of sour juice, used in cooking and in drinks; the juice of this fruit:\nlime juice * slices of lime\n \n  3  (also lime tree) [C] a tree on which limes grow\n \n  4  (also lime tree, linden tree, linden) [C] a large tree with light green heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers:\nan avenue of limes\n    verb [VN] to add the substance lime to soil, especially in order to control the acid in it


Words: lime green
Meaning:
adjective\n(also lime) bright pale green in colour\n    lime green (also lime) noun [U]:\nThe contrast between the lime green and the rose pink was striking.


Words: limelight
Meaning:
(usually the limelight) noun\n[U] the centre of public attention:\nto be in the limelight * to stay out of the limelight * to steal / hog the limelight (= take attention away from other people) * to be brought / pushed / thrust into the limelight


Words: limerick
Meaning:
noun\na humorous short poem, with two long lines that RHYME with each other, followed by two short lines that RHYME with each other and ending with a long line that RHYMES with the first two


Words: limit
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  ~ (to sth) a point at which sth stops being possible or existing:\nThere is a limit to the amount of pain we can bear. * The team performed to the limit of its capabilities. * She knew the limits of her power. * to push / stretch / test sb/sth to the limit * His arrogance knew (= had) no limits.\n  2  ~ (on sth) the greatest or smallest amount of sth that is allowed:\na time / speed / age limit * The EU has set strict limits on levels of pollution. * They were travelling at a speed that was double the legal limit. * You can’t drive-you’re over the limit (= you have drunk more alcohol than is legal when driving). * to keep government spending within acceptable limits\n  3  the furthest edge of an area or a place:\nWe were reaching the limits of civilization. * the city limits (= the official boundary of the city)\n IDIOMS \n  be the limit (old-fashioned, spoken) to be extremely annoying\n  off limits (especially AmE) = OUT OF BOUNDS\n  within limits to some extent; with some restrictions:\nI’m willing to help, within limits.\nmore at SKY\n    verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sth (to sth) to stop sth from increasing beyond a particular amount or level:\nmeasures to limit carbon dioxide emissions from cars * The amount of money you have to spend will limit your choice.\n  2  ~ yourself / sb (to sth) to restrict or reduce the amount of sth that you or sb can have or use:\nFamilies are limited to four free tickets each. * I’ve limited myself to 1 000 calories a day to try and lose weight.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  limit sth to sb/sth [usually passive] to make sth exist or happen only in a particular place or within a particular group:\nViolent crime is not limited to big cities. * The teaching of history should not be limited to dates and figures.


Words: limitation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the act or process of limiting or controlling sb/sth:\nThey would resist any limitation of their powers.\nsee also DAMAGE LIMITATION\n  2  [C] ~ (on sth) a rule, fact or condition that limits sth:\nto impose limitations on imports * Disability is a physical limitation on your life.\nsee also STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS\n  3  [C, usually pl.] a limit on what sb/sth can do or how good they or it can be:\nThis technique is useful but it has its limitations. * She has serious limitations as a poet. * He was well aware of his own limitations.


Words: limited
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not very great in amount or extent:\nWe are doing our best with the limited resources available. * This animal’s intelligence is very limited.\n  2  ~ (to sth) restricted to a particular limit of time, numbers, etc:\nThis offer is for a limited period only.


Words: limited company
Meaning:
(also limited liability company) noun\n(in Britain) a company whose owners only have to pay a limited amount of its debts\nsee also LTD


Words: limited liability
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (law) the legal position of having to pay only a limited amount of your or your company’s debts


Words: limitless
Meaning:
adverb\n(written) without a limit; very great:\nthe limitless variety of consumer products * The possibilities were almost limitless.


Words: limousine
Meaning:
(also informal limo) noun\n  1  a large expensive comfortable car:\na long black chauffeur-driven limousine\nsee also STRETCH LIMO\n  2  (especially AmE) a van or small bus that takes people to and from an airport


Words: limp
Meaning:
adjective, verb, noun \n    adjective\n  1  lacking strength or energy:\nHis hand went limp and the knife clattered to the ground. * She felt limp and exhausted.\n  2  not stiff or firm:\nThe hat had become limp and shapeless.\n    limply adverb:\nHer hair hung limply over her forehead.\n    verb [V] \n  1  to walk slowly or with difficulty because one leg is injured:\nShe had twisted her ankle and was limping. * Matt limped painfully off the field.\n  2  [+adv./prep.] to move slowly or with difficulty after being damaged:\nThe plane limped back to the airport. * (figurative) The government was limping along in its usual way.\n    noun [usually sing.] a way of walking in which one leg is used less than normal because it is injured or stiff:\nto walk with a slight / pronounced limp


Words: limpet
Meaning:
noun\na small shellfish that sticks very tightly to rocks:\nThe Prime Minister clung to his job like a limpet, despite calls for him to resign.


Words: limpid
Meaning:
adjective\n(literary) (of liquids, etc.) clear\nSYN TRANSPARENT:\nlimpid eyes / water * She gave him a look of limpid honesty.


Words: linchpin
Meaning:
(also lynchpin)  noun\na person or thing that is the most important part of an organization, a plan, etc., because everything else depends on them or it:\nNurses are the linchpin of the health service.


Words: line
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  long thin mark\n \n  1  [C] a long thin mark on a surface:\na straight / wavy / dotted / diagonal line * parallel / vertical / horizontal lines * Draw a thick black line across the page.\n \n  2  [C] a long thin mark on the ground to show the limit or border of sth, especially of a playing area in some sports:\nThe ball went over the line. * Be careful not to cross the line (= the broken line painted down the middle of the road). * Your feet must be behind the line when you serve (= in tennis). * They were all waiting on the starting line.\nsee also FINISHING LINE, GOAL LINE, SIDELINE, TOUCHLINE\n \n  3  [C] a mark like a line on sb’s skin that people usually get as they get older\nSYN WRINKLE:\nHe has fine lines around his eyes.\n  division\n  4  [C] an imaginary limit or border between one place or thing and another:\nHe was convicted of illegally importing weapons across state lines. * a district / county line * lines of longitude and latitude\nsee also COASTLINE, DATE LINE, DIVIDING LINE, PICKET LINE, TREELINE, WATERLINE\n  5  [C] the division between one area of thought or behaviour and another:\nWe want to cut across lines of race, sex and religion. * There is a fine line between showing interest in what someone is doing and interfering in it.\n  shape\n  6  [C] the edge, outline or shape of sb/sth:\nI prefer simple lines in skirts and trousers. * He traced the line of her jaw with his finger. * a beautiful sports car with sleek lines\n  row\n  7  [C] a row of people or things next to each other or behind each other:\na long line of trees * The children all stood in a line. * They were stuck in a line of traffic. * to stand / wait in line for sth * A line formed at each teller window.\n  in factory\n  8  [C] a system of making sth, in which the product moves from one worker to the next until it is finished\nsee also ASSEMBLY LINE, PRODUCTION LINE\n  series\n  9  [C, usually sing.] a series of people, things or events that follow one another in time:\nShe came from a long line of doctors. * to pass sth down through the male / female line * This novel is the latest of a long line of thrillers that he has written. * That was the first in a whole line of mistakes and bad decisions.\n  10  [C, usually sing.] a series of people in order of importance:\nOrders came down the line from the very top. * a line of command * He is second in line to the chairman. * to be next in line to the throne\nsee also LINE MANAGER\n  words\n  11  [C] (abbreviation l) a row of words on a page or the empty space where they can be written; the words of a song or poem:\nLook at line 5 of the text. * Write the title of your essay on the top line. * I can only remember the first two lines of that song.\nsee also BOTTOM LINE\n  12  [C] the words spoken by an actor in a play or film/movie:\nto study / learn your lines * a line from the film ’Casablanca’\n  13  (lines) [pl.] (BrE) (in some schools) a punishment in which a child has to write out a particular sentence a number of times:\nThe teacher gave me 100 lines.\n  14  [C] (informal) a remark, especially when sb says it to achieve a particular purpose:\nDon’t give me that line about having to work late again. * (BrE) That’s the worst chat-up line I’ve ever heard.\n  rope / wire / pipe\n  15  [C] a long piece of rope, thread, etc., especially when it is used for a particular purpose:\na fishing line * He hung the towels out on the line (= clothes line). * They dropped the sails and threw a line to a man on the dock.\nsee also LIFELINE\n  16  [C] a pipe or thick wire that carries water, gas or electricity from one place to another\nsee also POWER LINE\n  telephone\n  17  [C] a telephone connection; a particular telephone number:\nYour bill includes line rental. * The company’s lines have been jammed (= busy) all day with people making complaints. * I was talking to John when the line suddenly went dead. * If you hold the line (= stay on the telephone and wait), I’ll see if she is available.\nsee also HELPLINE, HOTLINE, PARTY LINE, OFF-LINE, ONLINE\n  railway / railroad\n  18  [C] a railway/railroad track; a section of a railway/railroad system:\nThe train was delayed because a tree had fallen across the line. * a branch line * the East Coast line to Edinburgh\nsee also MAIN LINE\n  route / direction\n  19  [C, usually sing.] the direction that sb/sth is moving or situated in:\nJust keep going in a straight line; you can’t miss it. * The town is in a direct line between London and the coast. * Please move; you’re right in my line of vision (= the direction I am looking in). * They followed the line of the river for three miles. * Be careful to stay out of the line of fire (= the direction sb is shooting in).\n  20  [C] a route from one place to another especially when it is used for a particular purpose:\nTheir aim was to block guerrilla supply lines.\n  attitude / argument\n  21  [C, usually sing.] an attitude or a belief, especially one that sb states publicly:\nThe government is taking a firm line on terrorism. * The MP supported the official line on education.\nsee also HARD LINE, PARTY LINE\n  22  [C] a method or way of doing or thinking about sth:\nI don’t follow your line of reasoning. * She decided to try a different line of argument (= way of persuading sb of sth). * sb’s first line of attack / defence * The police are pursuing a new line of enquiry / inquiry (= way of finding out information).\n  activity\n  23  [sing.] a type or area of business, activity or interest:\nMy line of work pays pretty well. * You can’t do much in the art line without training.\nsee also SIDELINE\n  product\n  24  [C] a type of product:\nWe are starting a new line in casual clothes. * Some lines sell better than others.\n  transport\n  25  [C] (often used in names) a company that provides transport for people or goods:\na shipping / bus line\nsee also AIRLINE\n  soldiers\n  26  [C] a row or series of military defences where the soldiers are fighting during a war:\nThe regiment was sent to fight in the front line (= the position nearest the enemy). * They were trapped behind enemy lines (= in the area controlled by the enemy).\n  drugs\n  27  [C] (slang) an amount of COCAINE that is spread out in a thin line, ready to take\n IDIOMS \n  along / down the line (informal) at some point during an activity or a process:\nSomewhere along the line a large amount of money went missing. * We’ll make a decision on that further down the line.\n  along / on (the) ...lines\n1 (informal) in the way that is mentioned:\nThe new system will operate along the same lines as the old one. * They voted along class lines.\n2 (informal) similar to the way or thing that is mentioned:\nThose aren’t his exact words, but he said something along those lines. * The hotel was built along the lines of a French chateau.\n  be on line\n1 to be working or functioning:\nThe new working methods will come on line in June. * It took five hours to get all the computer terminals back on line.\n2 using a computer; communicating with other people by computer:\nMost schools will be on line by the year 2000.\nsee also ONLINE\n  bring sb/sth, come, get, fall, etc. into line (with sb/sth) to behave or make sb/sth behave in the same way as other people or how they should behave:\nBritain must be brought into line with the rest of Europe on taxes.\n  in (a) line (with sth) in a position that forms a straight line with sth:\nAn eclipse happens when the earth and moon are in line with the sun.\n  in line for sth likely to get sth:\nShe is in line for promotion.\n  in the line of duty while doing a job:\nA policeman was injured in the line of duty yesterday.\n  in line with sth similar to sth or so that one thing is closely connected with another:\nAnnual pay increases will be in line with inflation.\n  lay it on the line (informal) to tell sb clearly what you think, especially when they will not like what you say:\nThe manager laid it on the line-some people would have to lose their jobs.\n  (choose, follow, take, etc.) the line of least resistance (to choose, etc.) the easiest way doing sth\n  (put sth) on the line (informal) at risk:\nIf we don’t make a profit, my job is on the line.\n  out of line (with sb/sth)\n1 not forming a straight line\n2 different from sth:\nLondon prices are way out of line with the rest of the country.\n3 (AmE) = OUT OF ORDER\n  walk / tread a fine / thin line to be in a difficult or dangerous situation where you could easily make a mistake:\nHe was walking a fine line between being funny and being rude.\nmore at BATTLE n., DRAW v., END n., FIRING LINE, FRONT LINE, HARD adj., HOOK n., JUMP v., OVERSTEP, PITCH v., READ v., SIGN v., STEP v., TOE v.\n    verb [VN]\n  cover inside\n  1  [often passive] ~ sth (with sth) to cover the inside of sth with a layer of another material to keep it clean, make it stronger, etc:\nLine the pan with greaseproof paper.\n  2  to form a layer on the inside of sth:\nthe membranes that line the nose\n  form rows\n  3  [often passive] ~ sth (with sth) to form lines or rows along sth:\nCrowds of people lined the streets to watch the race. * The walls were lined with books.\nsee also LINED\n IDIOMS \n  line your (own) / sb’s pockets to get richer or make sb richer, especially by taking unfair advantage of a situation or by being dishonest:\nHealth services are lining the drug companies’ pockets, according to the report.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  line up to stand in a line or row; to form a QUEUE/LINE:\nLine up, children! * Cars lined up waiting to board the ship.\n  line sb/sth<->up\n1 to arrange people or things in a straight line or row:\nThe suspects were lined up against the wall. * He lined the bottles up along the shelf.\n2 to arrange for an event or activity to happen, or arrange for sb to be available to do sth:\nMark had a job lined up when he left college. * I’ve got a lot lined up this week (= I’m very busy). * She’s lined up a live band for the party.\n  line sth<->up (with sth) to move one thing into a correct position in relation to another thing:\nTo get good TV reception, the dish must be accurately lined up with the satellite.


Words: line dancing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of dancing originally from the US, in which people dance in lines, all doing a complicated series of steps at the same time


Words: line management
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) the system of organizing a company, etc. in which information and instructions are passed from each employee and manager to the person one rank above or below them\n    line manager noun:\nReview your training needs with your line manager.


Words: line-up
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.]\n  1  the people who are going to take part in a particular event:\nan impressive line-up of speakers * Jones has not been included in the quarter-final line-up. * the starting line-up (= the players who will begin the game)\n  2  a set of items, events etc. arranged to follow one another:\nA horror movie completes this evening’s TV line-up.\n  3  (especially AmE) = IDENTIFICATION PARADE:\nHe was identified in an April 21 police line-up.


Words: lineage
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (formal) the series of families that sb is descended from:\na French nobleman of ancient lineage


Words: lineal
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (rare, formal) descended directly from sb:\na lineal descendant of the company’s founder


Words: lineaments
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (rare, formal) the typical features of sth:\nHer actions were marked with the lineaments of her character.


Words: linear
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  of or in lines:\nIn his art he broke the laws of scientific linear perspective.\n  2  going from one thing to another in a single series of stages:\nStudents do not always progress in a linear fashion. * The author abandons the conventions of linear narrative and normal chronology.\nOPP NON-LINEAR\n  3  of length:\nlinear measurement (= for example metres, feet, etc.)\n    linearity  noun [U]:\nShe abandoned the linearity of the conventional novel.\n    linearly adverb


Words: lined
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of skin, especially on the face) having folds or lines because of age, worry, etc:\na deeply lined face\n  2  (of paper) having lines printed or drawn across it:\nLined paper helps keep handwriting neat.\n  3  (of clothes) having a LINING inside them:\na lined skirt\n  4  (-lined) having the object mentioned along an edge or edges, or as a LINING:\na tree-lined road


Words: linen
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a fabric made from FLAX, used to make high quality clothes, sheets, etc:\na linen shirt / tablecloth\n  2  sheets, TABLECLOTHS, PILLOWCASES, etc. made of linen or cotton: (BrE) a linen cupboard * (AmE) a linen closet\nsee also BEDLINEN\n IDIOMS  see WASH v.


Words: liner
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a large ship that carries passengers:\nan ocean liner * a luxury cruise liner\n  2  (especially in compounds) a piece of material used to cover the inside surface of sth:\nbin / nappy liners\n  3  = EYELINER\nsee also HARDLINER


Words: liner note
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] information about the music or the performers that comes with a CD or is printed on the cover of a record


Words: linesman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural linesmen ) an official who helps the REFEREE in some games, for example football, especially in deciding whether or where a ball crosses one of the lines (now officially called referee’s assistant in football)


Words: ling
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a low plant that is a type of HEATHER and that grows on areas of wild open land (= MOORLAND)\n\n suffix\n(in nouns) (sometimes disapproving) small; not important:\nduckling * princeling


Words: linger
Meaning:
verb [V] \n  1  ~ (on) to continue to exist for longer than expected:\nThe faint smell of her perfume lingered in the room. * The civil war lingered on well into the 1930s.\n  2  [usually +adv./prep.] to stay somewhere for longer because you do not want to leave; to spend a long time doing sth:\nShe lingered for a few minutes to talk to Nick. * We lingered over breakfast on the terrace.\n  3  ~ (on sb/sth) to continue to look at sb/sth or think about sth for longer than usual:\nHis eyes lingered on the diamond ring on her finger.\n  4  ~ (on) to stay alive but become weaker:\nHe lingered on for several months after the heart attack.


Words: lingering
Meaning:
adjective\nslow to end or disappear:\na painful and lingering death * a last lingering look * lingering doubts / hopes * a lingering smell of machine oil\n    lingeringly adverb:\nHe kissed her again, lingeringly.


Words: lingo
Meaning:
noun [sing.] (informal)\n  1  a language, especially a foreign language:\nHe doesn’t speak the lingo.\n  2  (especially AmE) expressions used by a particular group of people\nSYN JARGON:\nbaseball / aviation lingo


Words: lingua franca
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (technical) a shared language of communication used by people whose main languages are different:\nEnglish has become a lingua franca in many parts of the world.


Words: linguist
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who knows several foreign languages well:\nShe’s an excellent linguist. * I’m afraid I’m no linguist (= I find foreign languages difficult).\n  2  a person who studies languages or LINGUISTICS:\na computational linguist


Words: linguistic
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with language or the scientific study of language:\nlinguistic and cultural barriers * a child’s innate linguistic ability * new developments in linguistic theory\n    linguistically adverb:\na linguistically divided country


Words: linguistics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of language or of particular languages:\na course in applied linguistics


Words: liniment
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a liquid, especially one made with oil, that you rub on a painful part of your body to reduce the pain


Words: lining
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a layer of material used to cover the inside surface of sth:\na pair of leather gloves with fur linings * Pin the lining to the outer fabric.\n \n  2  [U] the covering of the inner surface of a part of the body:\nthe stomach lining * the lining of the womb\n \n IDIOMS  see CLOUD n.


Words: link
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  ~ (between A and B) a connection between two or more people or things:\nPolice suspect there may be a link between the two murders. * evidence for a strong causal link between exposure to sun and skin cancer\nsee also MISSING LINK\n \n  2  ~ (between A and B) | ~ (with sth) a relationship between two or more people, countries or organizations:\nto establish / maintain trade links with Asia * Social customs provide a vital link between generations. * The department is interested in developing closer links with industry.\n \n  3  a means of travelling or communicating between two places:\na high-speed rail link * a link road * a telephone / video link * The speech was broadcast via a satellite link.\n  4  each ring of a chain\nsee also CUFFLINK\n IDIOMS \n  a link in the chain one of the stages in a process or a line of argument:\nFood production, processing and marketing are different links in the chain from farmer to consumer. * Death is the last link in the chain.\nmore at WEAK\n    verb [VN] [often passive] ~ A to / with B | ~ A and B (together)\n  1  to make a physical connection between one object, machine, place, etc. and another:\nThe video cameras are linked to a powerful computer. * The Channel Tunnel links Britain with the rest of Europe. * When computers are networked, they are linked together so that information can be transferred between them.\n  2  if sth links two things, facts or situations, or they are linked, they are connected in some way:\nExposure to ultraviolet light is closely linked to skin cancer. * The two factors are directly linked. * The personal and social development of the child are inextricably linked (= they depend on each other).\n  3  to state that there is a connection or relationship between two things or people:\nDetectives have linked the break-in to a similar crime in the area last year. * Newspapers have linked his name with the singer.\n  4  to join two things by putting one through the other:\nThe two girls linked arms as they strolled down the street.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  link up (with sb/sth) to join or become joined with sb/sth:\nThe two spacecraft will link up in orbit. * The bands have linked up for a charity concert.\nrelated noun LINK-UP


Words: link-up
Meaning:
noun\na connection formed between two things, for example two companies or two broadcasting systems:\na live satellite link-up with the conference


Words: linkage
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] ~ (between A and B) the act of linking things; a link or system of links:\nThis chapter explores the linkage between economic development and the environment.\n  2  [C] a device that links two or more things


Words: linking verb
Meaning:
(also copula) noun\n(grammar) a verb such as be or become that connects a subject with the adjective or noun (called the COMPLEMENT) that describes it:\nIn ’She became angry’, the verb ’became’ is a linking verb.


Words: linkman
Meaning:
(BrE)\n  1  a person who helps two people or groups of people to communicate with each other\n  2  a person who works on the radio or television introducing the programmes or telling people about future programmes


Words: linoleum
Meaning:
(also BrE informal lino) noun\n[U] a type of strong material with a hard shiny surface, used for covering floors


Words: lint
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (especially BrE) a soft cotton fabric used for covering and protecting wounds\n  2  (technical) short fine FIBRES that come off the surface of fabric when it is being made\n  3  (especially AmE) (BrE usually fluff) small soft pieces of wool, cotton, etc. that stick on the surface of fabric


Words: lion
Meaning:
noun\na large powerful animal of the cat family, that hunts in groups and lives in parts of Africa and southern Asia. Lions have yellowish-brown fur and the male has a MANE (= long thick hair round its neck).\nsee also MOUNTAIN LION\ncompare LIONESS\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  the lion’s den a difficult situation in which you have to face a person or people who are unfriendly or aggressive towards you\n \n  the lion’s share (of sth) (BrE) the largest or best part of sth when it is divided\nmore at BEARD v.


Words: lip
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] either of the two soft edges at the opening to the mouth:\nThe assistant pursed her lips. * your upper / lower / top / bottom lip * She kissed him on the lips. * Not a drop of alcohol passed my lips (= I didn’t drink any).\n \n  2  (-lipped) (in adjectives) having the type of lips mentioned:\nthin-lipped * thick-lipped\nsee also TIGHT-LIPPED\n \n  3  [C] ~ (of sth) the edge of a container or a hollow place in the ground:\nHe ran his finger around the lip of the cup. * Lava bubbled a few feet below the lip of the crater.\n  4  [U] (informal) words spoken to sb that are rude and show a lack of respect for that person\nSYN CHEEK:\nDon’t let him give you any lip! * I’ve just about had enough of your lip!\n IDIOMS \n  lick / smack your lips\n1 to move your tongue over your lips, especially before eating sth good\n2 (informal) to show that you are excited about sth and want it to happen soon:\nThey were licking their lips at the thought of clinching the deal.\n  my lips are sealed used to say that you will not repeat sb’s secret to other people\n  on everyone’s lips if sth is on everyone’s lips, they are all talking about it\nmore at BITE v., PASS v., READ v., STIFF adj.


Words: lip-read
Meaning:
verb\n[V, VN] to understand what sb is saying by watching the way their lips move\n    lip-reading noun [U]


Words: lip-service
Meaning:
noun\nif sb pays lip-service to sth, they say that they approve of it or support it, without proving their support by what they actually do:\nAll the parties pay lip-service to environmental issues.


Words: lip-sync
Meaning:
(also lip-synch)  verb\nto move your mouth, without speaking or singing, so that its movements match the sound on a recorded song, etc:\n[V] She lip-synced to a Beatles song. * [VN] He lip-synced ’Return to Sender’.


Words: lipstick
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a substance made into a small stick, used for colouring the lips; a small stick of this substance:\nShe was wearing bright red lipstick.


Words: liquefy
Meaning:
verb\n(liquefies, liquefying, liquefied, liquefied) [V, VN] (formal) to become liquid; to make sth liquid


Words: liqueur
Meaning:
(AmE also cordial) noun\n  1  [U, C] a strong sweet alcoholic drink, sometimes flavoured with fruit. It is usually drunk in very small glasses after a meal.\n  2  [C] a glass of liqueur


Words: liquid
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n [U, C] a substance that flows freely and is not a solid or a gas, for example water or oil:\nShe poured the dark brown liquid down the sink. * the transition from liquid to vapour\nsee also WASHING-UP LIQUID\n    adjective\n  1  in the form of a liquid; not a solid or a gas:\nliquid fertilizer / soap * liquid nitrogen * The detergent comes in powder or liquid form. * a bar selling snacks and liquid refreshment (= drinks) * a liquid lunch (= alcoholic drinks, rather than food)\n  2  (finance) that can easily be changed into cash:\nliquid assets\n  3  (literary) clear, like water:\nliquid blue eyes\n  4  (literary) (of sounds) clear, pure and flowing:\nthe liquid song of a blackbird * Italian is rich in broad open vowels and liquid consonants.


Words: liquidate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V, VN] to close a business and sell everything it owns in order to pay debts\n  2  [VN] (finance) to sell sth in order to get money:\nto liquidate assets\n  3  [VN] (finance) to pay a debt\n  4  [VN] to destroy or remove sb/sth that causes problems:\nThe government tried to liquidate the rebel movement and failed.


Words: liquidator
Meaning:
noun\na person responsible for closing down a business and using any profits from the sale to pay its debts


Words: liquidity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (finance) the state of owning things of value that can easily be exchanged for cash:\nFinancial institutions must maintain sufficient liquidity to meet the demands of depositors.


Words: liquidize
Meaning:
(BrE also liquidise)  verb\n[VN] (especially BrE) to crush fruit, vegetables, etc. into a thick liquid


Words: liquor
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (especially AmE) strong alcoholic drink\nSYN SPIRITS:\nhard liquor * She drinks wine and beer but no liquor.\n  2  (BrE, technical) any alcoholic drink:\nintoxicating liquor * The sale of liquor to persons under 18 is prohibited.


Words: liquorice
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually licorice)  noun\n[U, C] a firm black substance with a strong flavour, obtained from the root of a plant, used in medicine and to make sweets/candy; a sweet/candy made from this substance


Words: lira
Meaning:
noun\n(plural lire ) (abbreviation l.) the unit of money in Italy and Turkey (to be replaced in Italy by the euro)


Words: lisp
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [usually sing.] a speech fault in which the sound ’s’ is pronounced ’th’:\nShe spoke with a slight lisp.\n    verb [V, V speech] to speak with a lisp


Words: list
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a series of names, items, figures, etc., especially when they are written or printed:\na shopping / wine / price list * to make a list of things to do * (formal) to draw up a list * Is your name on the list? * Having to wait hours came high on the list of complaints. * Her novel shot to the top of the best-seller list.\nsee also HIT LIST, MAILING LIST, SHORTLIST, WAITING LIST\n  2  [sing.] the fact of a ship leaning to one side\n IDIOMS  see DANGER\n    verb\n  1  [VN] to write a list of things in a particular order:\nWe were asked to list our ten favourite songs. * Towns in the guide are listed alphabetically.\n  2  [VN] to mention or include sth in a list:\nThe koala is listed among Australia’s endangered animals. * soldiers listed as missing\n  3  (AmE) to be put or put sth in a list of things for sale:\n[V] This CD player lists at $200. [also VN]\n  4  [V] (of a ship) to lean to one side


Words: list price
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (business) the price at which goods are advertised for sale, for example in a CATALOGUE:\n8% off the manufacturer’s list price


Words: listed building
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a building that is officially protected because it has artistic or historical value\nsee also LANDMARK


Words: listen
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n [V] \n \n  1  ~ (to sb/sth) to pay attention to sb/sth that you can hear:\nto listen to music / the radio * Listen! What’s that noise? Can you hear it? * Sorry, I wasn’t really listening. * I listened carefully to her story. * You haven’t been listening to a word I’ve said! * He had been listening at the door.\n \n HELP NOTE  You cannot ’listen sth’ (without ’to’): I’m fond of listening to classical music. * _I_’_m_ _f_o_n_d_ _o_f_ _l_i_s_t_e_n_i_n_g_ _c_l_a_s_s_i_c_a_l_ _m_u_s_i_c_._\n \n  2  ~ (to sb/sth) to take notice of what sb says to you so that you follow their advice or believe them:\nNone of this would have happened if you’d listened to me. * Why won’t you listen to reason?\n \n  3  (spoken) used to tell sb to take notice of what you are going to say:\nListen, there’s something I have to tell you.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  listen (out) for sth to be prepared to hear a particular sound:\nCan you listen out for the doorbell?\n  listen in (on / to sth)\n1 to listen to a conversation that you are not supposed to hear:\nYou shouldn’t listen in on other people’s conversations. * They did not know that the police were secretly listening in.\n2 to listen to a radio broadcast\n  listen up (spoken, especially AmE) used to tell people to listen carefully because you are going to say sth important\n    noun [usually sing.] an act of listening:\nHave a listen to this.


Words: listener
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who listens:\na good listener (= sb who you can rely on to listen with attention or sympathy)\n  2  a person listening to a radio programme


Words: listing
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a list, especially an official or published list of people or things, often arranged in alphabetical order:\na comprehensive listing of all airlines\n  2  (listings) [pl.] information in a newspaper or magazine about what films/movies, plays, etc. are being shown in a particular town or city:\na London listings magazine\n  3  [C] a position or an item on a list: (business) The company is seeking a stock exchange listing (= for trading shares).


Words: listless
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving no energy or enthusiasm:\nThe illness left her feeling listless and depressed.\n    listlessly adverb:\nHe sat listlessly in the armchair.\n    listlessness noun [U]


Words: litany
Meaning:
noun (plural litanies)\n  1  a series of prayers to God for use in church services, spoken by a priest, etc., with set responses by the people\n  2  ~ (of sth) (written) a long boring account of a series of events, reasons, etc:\na litany of complaints


Words: lite
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (informal, especially AmE) (of food or drink) containing fewer CALORIES than other types of food, so less likely to make you fat (a way of spelling ’light’):\nlite ice cream * lite beer


Words: literacy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the ability to read and write:\na campaign to promote adult literacy * basic literacy skills\nOPP ILLITERACY\nsee also COMPUTER LITERACY


Words: literal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] being the basic or usual meaning of a word or phrase:\nHis story is incredible in the literal sense of the word (= it is impossible to believe it). * What is the literal meaning of this word?\ncompare FIGURATIVE, METAPHORICAL\n  2  [usually before noun] that follows the original words exactly:\na literal translation * a literal transcript of a speech\ncompare FREE\n  3  (disapproving) lacking imagination:\nHer interpretation of the music was too literal.\n    literalness noun [U]


Words: literally
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a literal way\nSYN EXACTLY:\nThe word ’planet’ literally means ’wandering body’. * When I told you to ’get lost’ I didn’t expect to be taken literally. * Idioms usually cannot be translated literally into another language.\n  2  used to emphasize the truth of sth that may seem surprising:\nThere are literally hundreds of prizes to win.\n  3  (informal) used to emphasize a word or phrase that is being used in a FIGURATIVE way:\nI literally jumped out of my skin.


Words: literary
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with literature:\nliterary criticism / theory\n  2  (of a language or style of writing) suitable for or typical of a work of literature:\nIt was Chaucer who really turned English into a literary language.\n  3  liking literature very much; studying or writing literature:\na literary man


Words: literate
Meaning:
adjective\nable to read and write:\nThough nearly twenty he was barely literate.\nOPP ILLITERATE\nsee also NUMERATE, COMPUTER-LITERATE


Words: literati
Meaning:
(the literati) noun [pl.] (formal) educated and intelligent people who enjoy literature:\nHe was underrated as a writer by the literati.


Words: literature
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novels, plays and poems (in contrast to technical books and newspapers, magazines, etc.):\nto read / study French literature * great works of literature\n  2  ~ (on sth) pieces of writing or printed information on a particular subject:\nI’ve read all the available literature on keeping rabbits. * sales / promotional literature


Words: lithe
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a person or their body) moving or bending easily, in a way that is graceful:\na tall lithe figure\n    lithely adverb:\nShe moved lithely to the music.


Words: lithium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol Li) a chemical element. Lithium is a soft, very light, silver-white metal used in batteries and ALLOYS.


Words: lithography
Meaning:
noun\n(also informal litho ) [U] the process of printing from a smooth surface, for example a metal plate, that has been specially prepared so that ink only sticks to the design to be printed\n    lithographic  adjective


Words: litigation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (law) the process of making or defending a claim in a court of law:\nlitigation costs / procedures * The company has been in litigation with its previous auditors for a full year. * to run the risk of litigation


Words: litigious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, disapproving) too ready to take disputes to a court of law\n    litigiousness noun [U]


Words: litmus
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a substance that turns red when it touches an acid and blue when it touches an ALKALI:\nlitmus paper


Words: litmus test
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (especially AmE) = ACID TEST:\nThe outcome will be seen as a litmus test of government concern for conservation issues.\n  2  a test using litmus


Words: litre
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE liter)  noun\n(abbreviation l) a unit for measuring volume, equal to 1.76 British PINTS or 2.11 American pints:\n3 litres of water * a litre bottle of wine * a car with a 3.5 litre engine


Words: litter
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] small pieces of rubbish/garbage such as paper, cans and bottles, that people have left lying in a public place:\nThere will be fines for people who drop litter.\n \n  2  [sing.] ~ of sth a number of things that are lying in an untidy way:\nThe floor was covered with a litter of newspapers, clothes and empty cups.\n \n  3  [U] a dry substance that is put in a shallow open box for pets, especially cats, to use as a toilet when they are indoors:\ncat litter * (BrE) a litter tray * (AmE) a litter box\n \n  4  [C] a number of baby animals that one mother gives birth to at the same time:\na litter of puppies / kittens * the runt (= the smallest and weakest baby) of the litter\n  5  [U] the substance, especially STRAW, that is used for farm animals to sleep on\n  6  [C] a kind of chair or bed that was used in the past for carrying important people\n    verb\n  1  [VN] to be spread around a place, making it look untidy:\nPiles of books and newspapers littered the floor. * Broken glass littered the streets.\n  2  ~ (sth) (with sth) [usually passive] to leave things in a place, making it look untidy:\n[VN] The floor was littered with papers. * [V] (AmE) He was arrested for littering.\n  3  [VN] (be littered with sth) to contain or involve a lot of a particular type of thing usually sth bad:\nYour essay is littered with spelling mistakes.


Words: litter bin
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE trash can) noun\na container for people to put rubbish/garbage in, in the street or in a public building


Words: litter lout
Meaning:
(BrE) (also litterbug AmE, BrE) noun\n(informal, disapproving) a person who leaves LITTER in public places


Words: little
Meaning:
adjective, determiner, pronoun, adverb \n    adjective [usually before noun]\n HELP NOTE  The forms littler  are rare. It is more common to use smaller and smallest.\n  1  not big; small; smaller than others:\na little house * a little group of tourists * a little old lady * the classic little black dress * ’Which do you want?’ ’I’ll take the little one.’ * She gave a little laugh. * (BrE) We should manage, with a little bit of luck. * Here’s a little something (= a small present) for your birthday.\n  2  used after an adjective to show affection or dislike, especially in a PATRONIZING way (= one that suggests that you think you are better than sb):\nThe poor little thing! It’s lost its mother. * What a nasty little man! * She’s a good little worker. * He’d become quite the little gentleman.\n  3  young:\na little boy / girl * My little sister (= younger sister) is 21 today. * I lived in America when I was little.\n  4  (of distance or time) short:\nA little while later the phone rang. * Shall we walk a little way?\n  5  not important; not serious:\nI can’t remember every little detail. * You soon get used to the little difficulties. -> SMALL\n    littleness noun [U] (rare)\n IDIOMS \n  a little bird told me (spoken) used to say that sb told you sth but you do not want to say who it was\nmore at WONDER n.\n    determiner, pronoun\n  1  used with uncountable nouns to mean ’not much’:\nThere was little doubt in my mind. * Students have little or no choice in the matter. * I understood little of what he said. * She said little or nothing (= hardly anything) about her experience. * Tell him as little as possible.\n  2  (a little) used with uncountable nouns to mean ’a small amount’, ’some’:\na little milk / sugar / tea * If you have any spare milk, could you give me a little? * I’ve only read a little of the book so far. * (formal) It caused not a little / no little (= a lot of) confusion. * After a little (= a short time) he got up and left.\n IDIOMS \n  little by little slowly; gradually:\nLittle by little the snow disappeared. * His English is improving little by little.\n    adverb (less, least)\n  1  not much; only slightly:\nHe is little known as an artist. * I slept very little last night. * (written) Little did I know that this spelled the end of my career.\n  2  a little (bit) to a small degree:\nShe seemed a little afraid of going inside. * These shoes are a little (bit) too big for me. * (informal) Everything has become just that little bit harder. * (formal) She felt tired and more than a little worried. -> BIT


Words: little finger
Meaning:
noun\nthe smallest finger of the hand\nSYN PINKIE\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  twist / wrap / wind sb around your little finger (informal) to persuade sb to do anything that you want:\nShe has always been able to twist her parents around her little finger.


Words: little people
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n  1  all the people in a country who have no power:\nthe helplessness of little people facing vast political forces\n  2  (the little people) (BrE) small imaginary people with magic powers\nSYN FAIRIES


Words: littoral
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) the part of a country that is near the coast:\nthe pine forests of the Baltic littoral\n    littoral adjective [only before noun]:\nlittoral states


Words: liturgy
Meaning:
noun\n(plural liturgies) a fixed form of public worship used in churches\n    liturgical  adjective\n    liturgically  adverb


Words: live
Meaning:
verb-see also LIVE\n  in a place\n  1  [V +adv./prep.] to have your home in a particular place:\nto live in a house / an apartment * Where do you live? * She needs to find somewhere to live. * We used to live in London. * Both her children still live at home. * (BrE, informal) Where do these plates live (= where are they usually kept)?\n  be alive\n  2  to remain alive:\n[V] The doctors said he only had six months to live. * Spiders can live for several days without food. * [V to inf] She lived to see her first grandchild.\n  3  [V] to be alive, especially at a particular time:\nWhen did Handel live? * He’s the greatest player who ever lived.\n  type of life\n  4  to spend your life in a particular way:\n[VN] She lived a very peaceful life. * They lived their lives to the full. * [V] He lived in poverty most of his life. * [V-N] She lived and died a single woman.\n  be remembered\n  5  [V] to continue to exist or be remembered:\nThis moment will live in our memory for many years to come. * Her words have lived with me all my life.\n  have excitement\n  6  [V] to have a full and exciting life:\nI don’t want to be stuck in an office all my life-I want to live!\n IDIOMS \n  live and breathe sth to be very enthusiastic about sth:\nHe just lives and breathes football.\n  live and let live (saying) used to say that you should accept other people’s opinions and behaviour even though they are different from your own\n  live by your wits to earn money by clever or sometimes dishonest means\n  live (from) hand to mouth to spend all the money you earn on basic needs such as food without being able to save any money\n  live in the past to behave as though society, etc. has not changed, when in fact it has\n  live in sin (old-fashioned or humorous) to live together and have a sexual relationship without being married\n  live it up (informal) to enjoy yourself in an exciting way, usually spending a lot of money\n  live a lie to keep sth important about yourself a secret from other people, so that they do not know what you really think, what you are really like, etc.\n  live off the fat of the land to have enough money to be able to afford expensive things, food, drink, etc.\n  live off the land to eat whatever food you can grow, kill or find yourself\n  live to fight another day (saying) used to say that although you have failed or had a bad experience, you will continue\n  you haven’t lived used to tell sb that if they have not had a particular experience their life is not complete:\nYou’ve never been to New York? You haven’t lived!\n  you live and learn used to express surprise at sth new or unexpected you have been told\nmore at BORROW, CLOVER, HALF n., PEOPLE n., POCKET n., ROUGH adv.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  live by sth to follow a particular belief or set of principles:\nThat’s a philosophy I could live by.\n  live by doing sth to earn money or to get the things you need by doing a particular thing:\na community that lives by fishing\n  live sth<->down to be able to make people forget about sth embarrassing you have done:\nShe felt so stupid. She’d never be able to live it down.\n  live for sb/sth to think that sb/sth is the main purpose of or the most important thing in your life:\nShe lives for her work. * After his wife died, he had nothing to live for.\n  live in to live at the place where you work or study:\nThey have an au pair living in.\nsee also LIVE-IN\n  live off sb/sth (often disapproving) to receive the money you need to live from sb/sth because you do not have any yourself:\nShe’s still living off her parents. * to live off welfare\n  live off sth to have one particular type of food as the main thing you eat in order to live:\nHe seems to live off junk food.\n  live on to continue to live or exist:\nShe died ten years ago but her memory lives on. * He lived on for fifteen years after his wife died.\n  live on sth\n1 to eat a particular type of food to live:\nSmall birds live mainly on insects.\n2 (often disapproving) to eat only or a lot of a particular type of food:\nShe lives on burgers.\n3 to have enough money for the basic things you need to live:\nYou can’t live on forty pounds a week. * My salary isn’t enough for us to live on.\n  live out to live away from the place where you work or study:\nSome college students will have to live out.\n  live out sth\n1 to actually do what you have only thought about doing before:\nto live out your dreams / fantasies\n2 to spend the rest of your life in a particular way:\nHe lived out his days alone.\n  live through sth to experience a disaster or other unpleasant situation and survive it:\nHe has lived through two world wars.\n  live together (also live with sb)\n1 to live in the same house\n2 to share a home and have a sexual relationship without being married\n  live up to sth to do as well as or be as good as other people expect you to:\nHe failed to live up to his parents’ expectations. * The team called ’The No-Hopers’ certainly lived up to its name.\n  live with sb = LIVE TOGETHER\n  live with sth to accept sth unpleasant:\nI just had to learn to live with the pain.\n\n adjective, adverb-see also LIVE\n    adjective [usually before noun]\n  not dead\n  1  living; not dead:\nlive animals * the number of live births (= babies born alive) * We saw a real live rattlesnake!\n  not recorded\n  2  (of a broadcast) sent out while the event is actually happening, not recorded first and broadcast later:\nlive coverage of the World Cup\ncompare PRE-RECORDED\n  3  (of a performance) given or made when people are watching, not recorded:\nThe club has live music most nights. * a live recording made at Wembley Arena in 1999 * the band’s new live album * It was the first interview I’d done in front of a live audience (= with people watching).\ncompare PRE-RECORDED\n  electricity\n  4  (of a wire or device) connected to a source of electrical power:\nThat terminal is live.\n  bullets / matches\n  5  still able to explode or light; ready for use:\nlive ammunition\n  coals\n  6  live coals are burning or are still hot and red\n  yogurt\n  7  live YOGURT still contains the bacteria needed to turn milk into YOGURT\n  question / subject\n  8  (of a question or subject) of interest or importance at the present time:\nPollution is still very much a live issue.\n IDIOMS \n  a live wire a person who is lively and full of energy\n    adverb broadcast at the time of an actual event; played or recorded at an actual performance:\nThe show is going out live.\n IDIOMS \n  go live (computing) (of a computer system) to become OPERATIONAL (= ready to be used)


Words: live-in
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of an employee) living in the house where they work:\na live-in nanny\n  2  ~ lover, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc. a person who lives with their sexual partner but is not married to them


Words: liveable
Meaning:
(also livable)  adjective\n  1  (BrE also liveable in [not before noun]) (of a house, etc.) fit to live in\nSYN HABITABLE:\nsafer and more liveable residential areas * The place looks liveable in.\n  2  (of life) worth living\nSYN ENDURABLE:\nIt’s not the best kind of life, but it’s liveable.\n  3  [not before noun] ~ with that can be dealt with:\nThe problem is paying the mortgage-everything else is liveable with.\n  4  [only before noun] (of a wage, etc.) enough to live on:\na liveable salary / pension


Words: lived-in
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a place) that has been used so continuously for so long that it does not look new: (approving) The room had a comfortable, lived-in feel about it.


Words: livelihood
Meaning:
noun\n[C, usually sing, U] a means of earning money in order to live:\nCommunities on the island depended on whaling for their livelihood. * a means / source of livelihood


Words: lively
Meaning:
adjective (livelier, liveliest)\n  1  full of life and energy; active and enthusiastic:\nan intelligent and lively young woman * a lively and enquiring mind * He showed a lively interest in politics. * Her eyes were bright and lively.\n  2  (of a place, an event, etc.) full of interest or excitement:\na lively bar / resort / atmosphere * a lively debate / discussion\n  3  (of colours) strong and definite:\na lively shade of pink\n  4  (especially BrE) busy and active:\nThey do a lively trade in souvenirs and gifts.\n    liveliness noun [U]:\nHer liveliness and wit impressed him.


Words: liven
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  liven up | liven sb/sth up to become or to make sb/sth more interesting or exciting:\nThe game didn’t liven up till the second half. * Let’s put some music on to liven things up. * You look as if you need livening up!


Words: liver
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a large organ in the body that produces BILE and cleans the blood\n \n  2  [U, C] the liver of some animals that is cooked and eaten:\nliver and onions * chicken livers


Words: liver sausage
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE liverwurst ) noun\n[U] a type of soft sausage made from finely chopped LIVER, usually spread cold on bread


Words: liveried
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (BrE) painted in a LIVERY:\nliveried aircraft\n  2  wearing LIVERY:\nliveried servants


Words: livery
Meaning:
noun [U, C] (plural liveries)\n  1  (BrE) the colours in which the vehicles, aircraft, etc. of a particular company are painted:\naircraft painted in the new British Airways livery\n  2  a special uniform worn by servants or officials, especially in the past:\ncoachmen wearing their distinctive livery of red and gold


Words: livid
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  extremely angry\nSYN FURIOUS:\nDad will be livid when he finds out.\n  2  dark bluish-grey in colour:\na livid bruise


Words: living
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  alive now:\nall living things * living creatures / organisms / cells * the finest living pianist\n  2  [only before noun] used or practised now:\nliving languages (= those still spoken) * a living faith\n IDIOMS \n  be living proof of sth / that ... to show by your actions or qualities that a particular fact is true:\nThese figures are living proof of the government’s incompetence. * He is living proof that not all engineers are boring.\n  within / in living memory at a time, or during the time, that is remembered by people still alive:\nthe coldest winter in living memory\nmore at DAYLIGHTS, IMAGE\n    noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] money to buy the things that you need in life:\nShe earns her living as a freelance journalist. * to make a good / decent / meagre living * What do you do for a living? * to scrape / scratch a living from part-time tutoring * He refuses to say exactly how he makes his living.\n  2  [U] a way or style of life:\ndaily / everyday living * communal / family living * healthy / plain living * Their standard of living is very low. * The cost of living has risen sharply. * poor living conditions / standards\n  3  (the living) [pl.] people who are alive now:\nthe living and the dead\n  4  [C] (BrE) (especially in the past) a position in the Church as a priest and the income and house that go with this\nSYN BENEFICE\n IDIOMS  see LAND n.


Words: living will
Meaning:
noun\na document stating your wishes concerning medical treatment in the case that you become so ill that you can no longer make decisions about it, in particular asking doctors to stop treating you and let you die


Words: lo
Meaning:
exclamation\n(old use or humorous) used for calling attention to a surprising thing:\nAn extra skittle was added and, lo, tenpin bowling was born.\n IDIOMS \n  lo and behold (humorous) used for calling attention to a surprising or an annoying thing:\nAs soon as we went out, lo and behold, it began to rain.


Words: load
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  sth carried\n \n  1  [C] something that is being carried (usually in large amounts) by a person, vehicle, etc:\nThe trucks waited at the warehouse to pick up their loads. * The women came down the hill with their loads of firewood. * These backpacks are designed to carry a heavy load. * A lorry shed its load (= accidentally dropped its load) on the motorway.\n \n  2  [C] (often in compounds) the total amount of sth that sth can carry or contain:\na busload of tourists * They ordered three truckloads of sand. * He put half a load of washing in the machine. * The plane took off with a full load.\n \n  weight\n \n  3  [C, usually sing.] the amount of weight that is pressing down on sth:\na load-bearing wall * Modern backpacks spread the load over a wider area.\n  large amount\n  4  [sing.] (BrE also loads [pl.]) ~ (of sth) (informal) a large number or amount of sb/sth; plenty:\nShe’s got loads of friends. * There’s loads to do today. * He wrote loads and loads of letters to people. * Uncle Jim brought a whole load of presents for the kids. * We saw a load of houses before we bought this one.\n  rubbish / nonsense\n  5  [sing.] ~ of rubbish, garbage, nonsense, etc. (spoken, especially BrE) used to emphasize that sth is wrong, stupid, bad, etc:\nYou’re talking a load of rubbish.\n  work\n  6  [C] an amount of work that a person or machine has to do:\nTeaching loads have increased in all types of school. * Extra warmth from sunlight can put an additional load on the air-conditioning system.\nsee also CASELOAD, WORKLOAD\n  responsibility / worry\n  7  [C, usually sing.] a feeling of responsibility or worry that is difficult to deal with:\nShe thought she would not be able to bear the load of bringing up her family alone. * Knowing that they had arrived safely took a load off my mind.\n  electrical power\n  8  [C] the amount of electrical power that is being supplied at a particular time\n IDIOMS \n  get a load of sb/sth (spoken) used to tell sb to look at or listen to sb/sth:\nGet a load of that dress!\n    verb\n  give / receive load\n  1  ~ (up) | ~ (up with sth) | ~ (up) (with sth) | ~ sth/sb (into / onto sth) to put a large quantity of sth onto or into sth:\n[VN] We loaded the car in ten minutes. * Can you help me load the dishwasher? * Men were loading up a truck with timber. * Sacks were being loaded onto the truck. * [V] We finished loading and set off.\nOPP UNLOAD\n  2  [V] to receive a load:\nThe ship was still loading.\nOPP UNLOAD\n  3  [VN] to give sb a lot of things, especially things they have to carry:\nThey loaded her with gifts.\n  gun / camera\n  4  ~ sth (into sth) | ~ sth (with sth) to put sth into a weapon, camera or other piece of equipment so that it can be used:\n[VN] She loaded film into the camera. * She loaded the camera with film. * Is the gun loaded? [also V] \nOPP UNLOAD\n  computing\n  5  to put data or a program into the memory of a computer:\n[VN] Have you loaded the software? * [V] Wait for the game to load.\ncompare DOWNLOAD\n IDIOMS \n  load the dice (against sb) [usually passive] to put sb at a disadvantage:\nHe has always felt that the dice were loaded against him in life.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  load sb/sth down (with sth) [usually passive] to give sb/sth a lot of heavy things to carry:\nShe was loaded down with bags of groceries.


Words: loaded
Meaning:
adjective\n  full\n  1  ~ (with sth) carrying a load; full and heavy:\na fully loaded truck * a truck loaded with supplies * She came into the room carrying a loaded tray.\n  2  ~ with sth (informal) full of a particular thing, quality or meaning:\ncakes loaded with calories\n  rich\n  3  [not before noun] (informal) very rich:\nLet her pay-she’s loaded.\n  advantage / disadvantage\n  4  ~ in favour of sb/sth | ~ against sb/sth acting either as an advantage or a disadvantage to sb/sth in a way that is unfair:\na system that is loaded in favour of the young (= gives them an advantage)\n  word / statement\n  5  having more meaning than you realize at first and intended to make you think in a particular way:\nIt was a loaded question and I preferred not to comment.\n  gun / camera\n  6  containing bullets, film, etc:\na loaded shotgun\n  drunk\n  7  (informal, especially AmE) very drunk


Words: loaf
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n (plural loaves ) an amount of bread that has been shaped and baked in one piece:\na loaf of bread * Two white loaves, please. * a sliced loaf\nsee also COTTAGE LOAF, FRENCH LOAF, MEAT LOAF\n \n IDIOMS  see USE v.\n    verb [V] ~ (about / around) (informal) to spend your time not doing anything, especially when you should be working:\nA group of kids were loafing around outside.


Words: loafer
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a person who wastes their time rather than working\n \n  2  (Loafer) a flat leather shoe that you can put on your foot without fastening it


Words: loam
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical) good quality soil containing sand, clay and decayed vegetable matter\n    loamy adjective


Words: loan
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] money that an organization such as a bank lends and sb borrows:\nto take out / repay a loan (= to borrow money / pay it back) * bank loans with low interest rates * It took three years to repay my student loan (= money lent to a student). * a car loan (= a loan to buy a car)\n  2  [sing.] ~ (of sth) the act of lending sth; the state of being lent:\nI even gave her the loan of my car. * an exhibition of paintings on loan (= borrowed) from private collections\n    verb\n  1  ~ sth (to sb) | ~ (sb) sth (especially AmE) to lend sth to sb, especially money:\n[VN] The bank is happy to loan money to small businesses. * [VNN] A friend loaned me $1 000.\n  2  ~ sth (out) (to sb/sth) | ~ (sb) sth (especially BrE) to lend a valuable object to a museum, etc:\n[VN] This exhibit was kindly loaned by the artist’s family. * [VNN] He loaned the museum his entire collection.


Words: loath
Meaning:
(also less frequent loth)  adjective\n~ to do sth (formal) not willing to do sth:\nHe was loath to admit his mistake.


Words: loathe
Meaning:
verb\n(not used in the progressive tenses) to dislike sb/sth very much:\n[VN] I loathe modern art. * They loathe each other. [also V -ing]


Words: loathing
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] ~ (for / of sb/sth) (formal) a strong feeling of hatred:\nShe looked at her attacker with fear and loathing. * Many soldiers returned with a deep loathing of war.


Words: loathsome
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) extremely unpleasant; disgusting:\nThe police described it as one of the most loathsome crimes of recent years.


Words: lob
Meaning:
verb (-bb-) [VN] \n  1  [+adv./prep.] (informal) to throw sth so that it goes quite high through the air:\nStones were lobbed over the wall.\n  2  (sport) to hit or kick a ball in a high curve through the air, especially so that it lands behind the person you are playing against:\nHe lobbed the ball over the defender’s head.\n    lob noun:\nto play a lob


Words: lobby
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (plural lobbies)\n  1  [C] a large area inside the entrance of a public building where people can meet and wait\nSYN FOYER:\na hotel lobby\n  2  [C] (in the British Parliament) a large hall that is open to the public and used for people to meet and talk to Members of Parliament\n  3  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of people who try to influence politicians on a particular issue:\nThe gun lobby is / are against any change in the law.\n    verb (lobbies, lobbying, lobbied, lobbied) ~ (sb) (for / against sth) to try to influence a politician or the government and, for example, persuade them to support or oppose a change in the law: [VN] Farmers will lobby Congress for higher subsidies. * [V] Women’s groups are lobbying to get more public money for children.\n    lobbyist  noun:\npolitical lobbyists


Words: lobotomy
Meaning:
noun\n(plural lobotomies) a rare medical operation that cuts into part of a person’s brain in order to treat mental illness


Words: lobster
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a sea creature with a hard shell, a long body divided into sections, eight legs and two large CLAWS (= curved and pointed limbs for catching and holding things). Its shell is black but turns bright red when it is boiled.\n \n  2  [U] meat from a lobster, used for food


Words: local
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  belonging to or connected with the particular place or area that you are talking about or with the place where you live:\na local farmer / hairdresser * A local man was accused of the murder. * Our children go to the local school. * a local newspaper (= one that gives local news) * local radio (= a radio station that broadcasts to one area only) * decisions made at local rather than national level * It was difficult to understand the local dialect.\n  2  affecting only one part of the body:\nHer tooth was extracted under local anaesthetic.\n    locally  adverb:\nto advertise / shop / work locally * Do you live locally (= in this area)? * locally grown fruit\n    noun\n  1  [usually pl.] a person who lives in a particular place or district:\nThe locals are very friendly. * She’s beginning to sound like one of the locals.\n  2  (BrE, informal) a pub near where you live:\nI called in at my local on the way home.\n  3  (AmE) a branch of a trade union\n  4  (AmE) a bus or train that stops at all places on the route


Words: local authority
Meaning:
noun\n(plural local authorities) (BrE) the group of people which is responsible for the government of an area in Britain


Words: local colour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE local color) noun\n[U] the typical things, customs, etc. in a place that make it interesting, and that are used in a picture, story or film/movie to make it seem real


Words: local government
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (especially BrE) the system of government of a town or an area by elected representatives of the people who live there\n  2  [C] (AmE) the organization that is responsible for the government of a local area and for providing services, etc:\nstate and local governments


Words: local time
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the time of day in the particular part of the world that you are talking about:\nWe reach Delhi at 2 o’clock local time.


Words: locality
Meaning:
noun (plural localities) (formal)\n  1  the area that surrounds the place you are in or are talking about:\npeople living in the locality of the power station * There is no airport in the locality.\n  2  the place where sb/sth exists:\nWe talk of the brain as the locality of thought. * The birds are found in over 70 different localities.


Words: localize
Meaning:
(BrE also localise)  verb [VN] \n  1  to limit sth or its effects to a particular area:\nThey hope to localize the war.\n  2  (formal) to find out where sth is:\nanimals’ ability to localize sounds\n    localization, localisation  noun [U]


Words: localized
Meaning:
(BrE also localised)  adjective\n(formal) happening within one small area:\na localized infection (= in one part of the body) * localized fighting


Words: locate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to find the exact position of sb/sth:\nThe mechanic located the fault immediately. * Rescue planes are trying to locate the missing sailors.\n  2  [VN] to put or build sth in a particular place:\nThey located their headquarters in Swindon.\ncompare RELOCATE\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] (especially AmE) to start a business in a particular place:\nThere are tax breaks for businesses that locate in rural areas.


Words: located
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] (written) if sth is located in a particular place, it exists there or has been put there\nSYN SITUATED:\na small town located 30 miles south of Chicago * The offices are conveniently located just a few minutes from the main station.


Words: location
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a place where sth happens or exists; the position of sth:\na honeymoon to a secret location * What is the exact location of the ship?\n  2  [C, U] a place outside a film STUDIO where scenes of a film/movie are made:\nA mountain in the Rockies became the location for a film about Everest. * The movie was shot entirely on location in Italy.\n  3  [U] the act of finding the position of sb/sth:\nLocation of a suitable site may take some time.


Words: lock
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to fasten sth with a lock; to be fastened with a lock:\n[VN] Did you lock the door? * The gates are locked at 6 o’clock. * [V] This suitcase doesn’t lock.\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to put sth in a safe place and lock it:\nShe locked her passport and money in the safe.\n  3  ~ (sth) (in / into / around, etc. sth) | ~ (sth) (together) to become or make sth become fixed in one position and unable to move:\n[V] The brakes locked and the car skidded. * [VN] He locked his helmet into position with a click.\n  4  [VN] (be locked in / into sth) to be involved in a difficult situation, an argument, a disagreement, etc:\nThe two sides are locked into a bitter dispute. * She felt locked in a loveless marriage.\n  5  [VN] (be locked together / in sth) to be held very tightly by sb:\nThey were locked in a passionate embrace.\n IDIOMS \n  lock horns (with sb) (over sth) to get involved in an argument or a dispute with sb:\nThe company has locked horns with the unions over proposed pay cuts.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lock sb/sth away = LOCK SB/STH UP\n  lock sb / yourself in ( ...) to prevent sb from leaving a place by locking the door:\nAt 9 p.m. the prisoners are locked in for the night.\nrelated noun LOCK-IN\n  lock onto sth (of a MISSILE, etc.) to find the thing that is being attacked and follow it\n  lock sb / yourself out (of sth) to prevent sb from entering a place by locking the door:\nI’d locked myself out of the house and had to break a window to get in.\n  lock sb out (of an employer) to refuse to allow workers into their place of work until they agree to particular conditions\nrelated noun LOCKOUT\n  lock up | lock sth<->up to make a building safe by locking the doors and windows:\nDon’t forget to lock up at night. * He locked up the shop and went home.\n  lock sth<->up / away\n1 to put sth in a safe place that can be locked\n2 to put money into an INVESTMENT that you cannot easily turn into cash:\nTheir capital is all locked up in property.\n  lock sb<->up / away (informal) to put sb in prison\nrelated noun LOCK-UP\n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a device that keeps a door window, lid, etc. shut, usually needing a key to open it:\nShe turned the key in the lock. * It’s a good idea to have locks fitted on all your windows.\nsee also COMBINATION LOCK\n \n  2  [C] a device with a key that prevents a vehicle or machine from being used:\na bicycle lock * a steering lock\n \n  3  [U] a state in which the parts of a machine, etc. do not move\n \n  4  [U, sing.] (BrE) (on a car, etc.) the amount that the front wheels can be turned in one direction or the other in order to turn the vehicle:\nI had the steering wheel on full lock (= I had turned it as far as it would turn).\n  5  [C] a section of canal or river with a gate at either end, in which the water level can be raised or lowered so that boats can move from one level of the canal or river to another\n  6  [C] a few hairs that hang or lie together on your head:\nJohn brushed a lock of hair from his eyes. * She kept a lock of her mother’s hair.\n  7  (locks) [pl.] (literary) a person’s hair:\nShe shook her long, flowing locks.\n  8  [C] (in rugby) a player in the second row of the SCRUM\n  9  [sing.] a ~ (on sth) (AmE) total control of sth:\nOne company had a virtual lock on all orange juice sales in the state.\nsee also ARMLOCK, HEADLOCK\n IDIOMS \n  lock, stock and barrel including everything:\nHe sold the business lock, stock and barrel.\n  (keep sth / put sth / be) under lock and key locked up safely somewhere; in prison:\nWe keep our valuables under lock and key. * I will not rest until the murderer is under lock and key.\nmore at PICK v.


Words: lock-in
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) an occasion when customers are locked in a bar or club after it has closed so that they can continue drinking privately


Words: lock-up
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small prison where prisoners are kept for a short time\n  2  (BrE) a small shop that the owner does not live in; a GARAGE that is usually separate from other buildings and that is rented to sb\n    lock-up adjective [only before noun]:\na lock-up garage / shop / warehouse


Words: locker
Meaning:
noun\na small cupboard that can be locked, where you can leave your clothes, bags, etc. while you play a sport or go somewhere


Words: locker room
Meaning:
noun\n(especially AmE) a room with lockers in it, at a school, GYM, etc., where people can change their clothes\ncompare CHANGING ROOM


Words: locket
Meaning:
noun\na piece of jewellery in the form of a small case that you wear on a chain around your neck and in which you can put a picture, piece of hair, etc.


Words: lockjaw
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (old-fashioned, informal) a form of the disease TETANUS in which the jaws become stiff and closed


Words: lockout
Meaning:
noun\na situation when an employer refuses to allow workers into their place of work until they agree to various conditions


Words: loco
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural locos) (informal) = LOCOMOTIVE\nsee also IN LOCO PARENTIS\n    adjective [not before noun] (slang, especially AmE) crazy


Words: locomotive
Meaning:
(also informal loco) noun, adjective \n    noun\n a railway engine that pulls a train:\nsteam / diesel / electric locomotives * the last engines to be constructed at the Derby Locomotive works = ENGINE\n    adjective (formal) connected with movement


Words: locum
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a doctor or priest who does the work of another doctor or priest while they are ill, on holiday, etc.


Words: locus
Meaning:
noun\n(plural loci ) (formal or technical) the exact place where sth happens or which is thought to be the centre of sth:\nthe external locus of control


Words: locust
Meaning:
noun\na large insect that lives in hot countries and flies in large groups, destroying all the plants and crops of an area:\na swarm of locusts


Words: locution
Meaning:
noun (technical)\n  1  [U] a style of speaking\n  2  [C] a particular phrase, especially one used by a particular group of people


Words: lodestar
Meaning:
(also loadstar)  noun\n  1  the POLE STAR (= a star that is used by sailors to guide a ship)\n  2  (formal) a principle that guides sb’s behaviour or actions


Words: lodge
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a small house in the country where people stay when they want to take part in some types of outdoor sport:\na hunting / shooting / ski lodge\n  2  [C] a small house at the gates of a park or in the land belonging to a large house:\nHe turned in between the lodge gates and guided the Porsche down the winding drive.\n  3  [C] a room at the main entrance to a building for the person whose job is to see who enters and leaves the building:\nAll visitors should report to the porter’s lodge.\n  4  [C+sing./pl. v.] the members of a branch of a society such as the Freemasons; the building where they meet:\na masonic lodge\n  5  [C] the home of a BEAVER or an OTTER\n  6  [C] a Native American’s tent or home built of LOGS\n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ (sth) (with sb) (against sb/sth) to make a formal statement about sth to a public organization or authority:\nThey lodged a compensation claim against the factory. * Portugal has lodged a complaint with the International Court of Justice.\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] (old-fashioned) to pay to live in a room in sb’s house:\nHe lodged with Mrs Brown when he arrived in the city.\n  3  [VN] to provide sb with a place to sleep or live:\nThe refugees are being lodged at an old army base.\n  4  ~ (sth) in sth to become fixed or stuck somewhere; to make sth become fixed or stuck somewhere:\n[V] One of the bullets lodged in his chest. * [VN] She lodged the number firmly in her mind.\n  5  [VN] ~ sth with sb / in sth to leave money or sth valuable in a safe place:\nYour will should be lodged with your lawyer.


Words: lodging
Meaning:
noun (especially BrE)\n  1  [U] temporary accommodation:\nfull board and lodging (= a room to stay in and all meals provided)\n  2  [C, usually pl.] (old-fashioned) a room or rooms in sb else’s house that you rent to live in:\nIt was cheaper to live in lodgings than in a hotel.


Words: loft
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (especially BrE) a space just below the roof of a house, often used for storing things and sometimes made into a room:\na loft conversion (= one that has been made into a room or rooms for living in)\ncompare ATTIC, GARRET\n  2  an upper level in a church, or a farm or factory building:\nthe organ loft\n  3  a flat/apartment in a former factory, etc., that has been made suitable for living in:\nThey lived in a SoHo loft.\n  4  (AmE) a part of a room that is on a higher level than the rest:\nThe children slept in a loft in the upstairs bedroom.\n    verb [VN] (sport) to hit, kick or throw a ball very high into the air


Words: lofty
Meaning:
adjective (loftier, loftiest) (formal)\n  1  (of buildings, mountains, etc.) very high and impressive:\nlofty ceilings / rooms / towers\n  2  [usually before noun] (approving) (of a thought, an aim, etc.) deserving praise because of its high moral quality:\nlofty ambitions / ideals / principles\n  3  (disapproving) showing a belief that you are worth more than other people:\nher lofty disdain for other people\n    loftily  adverb\n    loftiness noun [U]


Words: log
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a thick piece of wood that is cut from or has fallen from a tree:\nlogs for the fire\n \n  2  (also logbook) an official record of events during a particular period of time, especially a journey on a ship or plane:\nThe captain keeps a log. * (computing) to open a log file\n \n  3  (informal) = LOGARITHM\n \n IDIOMS  see EASY adj., SLEEP v.\n    verb (-gg-) [VN] \n  1  to put information in an official record or write a record of events\nSYN RECORD:\nThe police log all phone calls.\n  2  to travel a particular distance or for a particular length of time:\nThe pilot has logged 1 000 hours in the air.\n  3  to cut down trees in a forest for their wood\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  log in / on (computing) to perform the actions that allow you to begin using a computer system:\nYou need a password to log on.\n  log off / out (computing) to perform the actions that allow you to finish using a computer system:\nLog out before switching the computer off.\n\n (AmE) = -LOGUE


Words: logarithm
Meaning:
(also informal log) noun\n(mathematics) any of a series of numbers set out in lists which make it possible to work out problems by adding and SUBTRACTING instead of multiplying and dividing\n    logarithmic  adjective


Words: logbook
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE, becoming old-fashioned) a document that records official details about a vehicle, especially a car, and its owner\ncompare REGISTRATION\n  2  = LOG (2):\nSixteen complaints were recorded in the logbook on the same day.


Words: loggerheads
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  at loggerheads (with sb) (over sth) in strong disagreement:\nThe two governments are still at loggerheads over the island.


Words: loggia
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a room or GALLERY with one or more open sides, especially one that forms part of a house and has one side open to the garden


Words: logic
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a way of thinking or explaining sth:\nI fail to see the logic behind his argument. * The two parts of the plan were governed by the same logic.\n  2  [U, sing.] sensible reasons for doing sth:\nLinking the proposals in a single package did have a certain logic. * a strategy based on sound commercial logic * There is no logic to / in any of their claims.\n  3  [U] (philosophy) the science of thinking about or explaining the reason for sth using formal methods:\nthe rules of logic\n  4  [U] (computing) a system or set of principles used in preparing a computer to perform a particular task


Words: logical
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of an action, event, etc.) seeming natural, reasonable or sensible:\na logical thing to do in the circumstances * It was a logical conclusion from the child’s point of view. * Each of them having their own room was the logical solution.\n  2  following or able to follow the rules of logic in which ideas or facts are based on other true ideas or facts:\na logical argument * Computer programming needs someone with a logical mind.\nOPP ILLOGICAL\n    logically  adverb:\nto argue / think logically\n\n(BrE also -logic\n) -> -OLOGY


Words: logistics
Meaning:
noun\n[U+sing./pl. v.] ~ (of sth) the practical organization that is needed to make a complicated plan successful when a lot of people and equipment is involved:\nthe logistics of moving the company to a new building\n    logistic (also logistical ) adjective:\nlogistic support * Organizing famine relief presents huge logistical problems.\n    logistically  adverb


Words: logjam
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a mass of LOGS floating on a river, that are blocking it\n  2  a difficult situation in which you cannot make progress easily because there are too many things to do


Words: logo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural logos) a printed design or symbol that a company or an organization uses as its special sign:\nAll over the world there are red and white paper cups bearing the company logo.


Words: loin
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] a piece of meat from the back or sides of an animal, near the tail:\nloin of pork\n  2  (loins) [pl.] (old-fashioned) the part of the body around the hips between the waist and the tops of the legs\n  3  (loins) [pl.] (literary) a person’s sex organs\n IDIOMS  see GIRD


Words: loincloth
Meaning:
noun\na piece of fabric worn around the body at the hips by men in some hot countries, sometimes as the only piece of clothing worn


Words: loiter
Meaning:
verb\n[V] to stand or wait somewhere especially with no obvious reason\nSYN HANG AROUND:\nTeenagers were loitering in the street outside.


Words: loll
Meaning:
prep.] \n  1  to lie, sit or stand in a lazy, relaxed way:\nHe lolled back in his chair by the fire.\n  2  (of your head, tongue, etc.) to move or hang in a relaxed way:\nMy head lolled against his shoulder.


Words: lollipop
Meaning:
(also BrE informal lolly) (also AmE informal sucker) noun\na hard round or flat sweet/candy made of boiled sugar on a small stick


Words: lollipop man
Meaning:
, lollipop lady noun\n(BrE, informal) a person whose job is to help children cross a busy road on their way to and from school by holding up a sign on a stick telling traffic to stop


Words: lollop
Meaning:
verb\n[V]   [usually +adv./prep.] (informal, especially BrE) to walk or run with long awkward steps:\nThe dog came lolloping towards them.


Words: lolly
Meaning:
noun (plural lollies) (BrE, informal)\n  1  [C] = LOLLIPOP\n  2  [C] = ICE LOLLY\n  3  [U] (old-fashioned) money


Words: lone
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  without any other people or things\nSYN SOLITARY:\na lone sailor crossing the Atlantic * The attack was carried out by a lone gunman in a crowded shopping centre.\n  2  (especially BrE) without a husband, wife or partner to share the care of children:\na lone mother / parent / father * Most lone parent families are headed by women. -> ALONE\n IDIOMS \n  a lone wolf a person who prefers to be alone


Words: lonely
Meaning:
adjective (lonelier, loneliest)\n  1  unhappy because you have no friends or people to talk to:\nShe lives alone and often feels lonely. * As I didn’t speak the language I grew lonelier and lonelier.\n  2  (of a situation or period of time) sad and spent alone:\nall those lonely nights at home watching TV\n  3  [only before noun] (of places) where only a few people ever come or visit:\na lonely beach / farmhouse / road -> ALONE\n    loneliness noun [U]:\na period of loneliness in his life


Words: lonely hearts
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] a lonely hearts column in a newspaper is where people can advertise for a new lover or friend:\nHe placed a lonely hearts ad in a magazine.


Words: lonesome
Meaning:
adjective (especially AmE)\n  1  unhappy because you are alone and do not want to be or because you have no friends:\nI felt so lonesome after he left.\n  2  (of a place) where not many people go; a long way from where people live:\na lonesome road -> ALONE


Words: long
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, verb \n    adjective (longer )\n  distance\n  1  measuring or covering a great length or distance, or a greater length or distance than usual:\nShe had long dark hair. * He walked down the long corridor. * It was the world’s longest bridge. * a long journey / walk / drive / flight * We’re a long way from anywhere here. * It’s a long way away.\nOPP SHORT\n  2  used for asking or talking about particular lengths or distances:\nHow long is the River Nile? * The table is six feet long. * The report is only three pages long.\n  time\n  3  lasting or taking a great amount of time or more time than usual:\nHe’s been ill (for) a long time. * There was a long silence before she spoke. * I like it now the days are getting longer (= it stays light for more time each day). * a long book / film / list (= taking a lot of time to read / watch / deal with) * Nurses have to work long hours (= for more hours in the day than is usual). * (AmE) He stared at them for the longest time (= for a very long time) before answering.\nOPP SHORT\n  4  used for asking or talking about particular periods of time:\nHow long is the course? * I think it’s only three weeks long. * How long a stay did you have in mind?\n  5  seeming to last or take more time than it really does because, for example, you are very busy or not happy:\nI’m tired. It’s been a long day. * We were married for ten long years.\nOPP SHORT\n  clothes\n  6  covering all or most of your legs or arms:\nShe usually wears long skirts. * a long-sleeved shirt\n  vowel sounds\n  7  (phonetics) taking more time to make than a short vowel sound in the same position\nOPP SHORT\nsee also LENGTH\n IDIOMS \n  as long as your arm (informal) very long:\nThere’s a list of repairs as long as your arm.\n  at long last after a long time\nSYN FINALLY:\nAt long last his prayers had been answered.\n  at the longest not longer than the particular time given:\nIt will take an hour at the longest.\n  by a long way by a great amount:\nHe was the best by a long way.\n  go back a long way (of two or more people) to have known each other for a long time:\nWe go back a long way, he and I.\n  go a long way (of money, food, etc.) to last a long time:\nShe seems to make her money go a long way. * A small amount of this paint goes a long way (= covers a large area). * (ironic) I find that a little of Jerry’s company can go a long way (= I quickly get tired of being with him).\n  have come a long way to have made a lot of progress:\nWe’ve come a long way since the early days of the project.\n  have a long way to go to need to make a lot of progress before you can achieve sth:\nShe still has a long way to go before she’s fully fit.\n  How long is a piece of string? (BrE, spoken) used to say that there is no definite answer to a question:\n’How long will it take?’ ’How long’s a piece of string?’\n  in the long run concerning a longer period in the future:\nThis measure inevitably means higher taxes in the long run.\n  It’s a long story. (informal) used to say that the reasons for sth are complicated and you would prefer not to give all the details\n  the long arm of sth the power and/or authority of sth:\nThere is no escape from the long arm of the law.\n  the long and (the) short of it used when you are telling sb the essential facts about sth or what effect it will have, without explaining all the details\n  (pull, wear, etc.) a long face (to have) an unhappy or disappointed expression:\nHe took one look at her long face and said ’What’s wrong?’\n  long in the tooth (humorous, especially BrE) old or too old\n  a long shot an attempt or a guess that is not likely to be successful but is worth trying:\nIt’s a long shot, but it just might work.\n  long time no see (spoken) used to greet sb you have not seen for a long time\n  not by a long chalk (BrE) (also not by a long shot AmE, BrE) not nearly; not at all:\nIt’s not over yet-not by a long chalk.\n  take a long (cool / hard) look at sth to consider a problem or possibility very carefully and without hurrying:\nWe need to take a long hard look at all the options.\n  take the long view (of sth) to consider what is likely to happen or be important over a long period of time rather than only considering the present situation:\nAs pension funds are investing for members’ retirements, they can take the long view.\n  to cut a long story short (BrE) (AmE to make a long story short) (spoken) used when you are saying that you will get to the point of what you are saying quickly, without including all the details:\nTo cut a long story short, we didn’t get home until 3 in the morning!\nmore at BROAD adj., TERM n., WAY n.\n    adverb (longer )\n  1  for a long time:\nHave you been here long? * Stay as long as you like. * The party went on long into the night. * This may take longer than we thought. * I won’t be long (= I’ll return, be ready, etc. soon). * How long have you been waiting? * These reforms are long overdue. * Long live the king! (= you hope he will live or last for a long time).\n  2  a long time before or after a particular time or event:\nHe retired long before the war. * It wasn’t long before she had persuaded him (= it only took a short time). * We’ll be home before long (= soon). * The house was pulled down long ago. * They had long since (= a long time before the present time) moved away.\n  3  used after a noun to emphasize that sth happens for the whole of a particular period of time:\nWe had to wait all day long. * They stayed up the whole night long.\n IDIOMS \n  as / so long as\n1 only if:\nWe’ll go as long as the weather is good.\n2 since; to the extent that:\nSo long as there is a demand for these drugs, the financial incentive for drug dealers will be there.\n  for (so) long for (such) a long time:\nWill you be away for long? * I’m sorry I haven’t written to you for so long.\n  no / any longer used to say that sth which was possible or true before, is not now:\nI can’t wait any longer. * He no longer lives here.\n  so long (informal) goodbye\n    verb ~ for sb/sth | ~ (for sb) to do sth to want sth very much especially if it does not seem likely to happen soon:\n[V] Lucy had always longed for a brother. * He longed for Pat to phone. * [V to inf] I’m longing to see you again.\nsee also LONGED-FOR\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \n(for) long / (for) a long time\nBoth (for) long and (for) a long time are used as expressions of time. In positive sentences (for) a long time is used: We’ve been friends a long time. (For) long is not used in positive sentences unless it is used with too, enough, as, so, seldom, etc.: I stayed out in the sun for too long. * You’ve been waiting long enough. Both (for) long and (for) a long time can be used in questions, but (for) long is usually preferred: Have you been waiting long?\nIn negative sentences (for) a long time some-times has a different meaning from (for) long: Compare: I haven’t been here for a long time (= It is a long time since the last time I was here) and I haven’t been here long (= I arrived here only a short time ago).\n______________________________


Words: long division
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (mathematics) a method of dividing one number by another in which all the stages involved are written down:\nWe still do long division at school.


Words: long wave
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (abbreviation LW) a radio wave with a length of more than 1 000 metres:\nto broadcast on long wave\ncompare SHORT WAVE


Words: long weekend
Meaning:
noun\na holiday/vacation of three or four days from Friday or Saturday to Sunday or Monday:\nto have a long weekend in Amsterdam


Words: long-distance
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  travelling or involving travel between places that are far apart:\na long-distance commuter * long-distance flights\n  2  operating between people and places that are far apart:\na long-distance phone call\n    long distance adverb:\nIt’s a relaxing car to drive long distance. * to call long distance


Words: long-drawn-out
Meaning:
(also less frequent long-drawn) adjective\nlasting a very long time, often too long:\nlong-drawn-out negotiations * The trail was a long-drawn-out affair.


Words: long-haul
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] involving the transport of goods or passengers over long distances:\nlong-haul flights / routes\nOPP SHORT-HAUL


Words: long-lasting
Meaning:
adjective\nthat can or does last for a long time:\nlong-lasting effects * a long-lasting relationship


Words: long-life
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially of milk or batteries) made to remain fresh or to last longer than the ordinary type


Words: long-lived
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving a long life; lasting for a long time:\nThis type of tree can be exceptionally long-lived.


Words: long-lost
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] that you have not seen or received any news of for a long time:\na long-lost friend


Words: long-range
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  travelling a long distance:\nlong-range missiles\n  2  made for a period of time that will last a long way into the future:\na long-range weather forecast * long-range plans\ncompare SHORT-RANGE


Words: long-running
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] that has been continuing for a long time:\na long-running campaign / debate / dispute * a long-running TV series


Words: long-serving
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] having had the job or position mentioned for a long time:\nlong-serving employees


Words: long-sighted
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (also far-sighted especially in AmE) adjective\n[not usually before noun] not able to see things that are close to you clearly:\nShe’s long-sighted and needs glasses to read.\nOPP SHORT-SIGHTED


Words: long-standing
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] that has existed or lasted for a long time:\na long-standing relationship


Words: long-stay
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  likely to need treatment or care for a long time:\nlong-stay patients * long-stay hospitals / institutions / wards (= for long-stay patients)\n  2  for people who wish to park their cars for a long period:\nlong-stay parking


Words: long-suffering
Meaning:
adjective\nbearing problems or another person’s unpleasant behaviour with patience:\nhis long-suffering wife


Words: long-term
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  that will last or have an effect over a long period of time:\na long-term strategy / solution * the long-term effects of fertilizers * a long-term aim / investment\n  2  that is not likely to change or be solved quickly:\nlong-term debt / injury / unemployment\ncompare SHORT-TERM


Words: long-time
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] having been the particular thing mentioned for a long time:\nhis long-time colleague / friend / rival


Words: long-winded
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) (especially of talking or writing) continuing for too long and therefore boring:\na long-winded speaker * a long-winded process


Words: longbow
Meaning:
noun\na large BOW made of a long thin curved piece of wood that was used in the past for shooting arrows


Words: longed-for
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] that sb has been wanting or hoping for very much:\nthe birth of a longed-for baby


Words: longevity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) long life; the fact of lasting a long time:\nWe wish you both health and longevity. * He prides himself on the longevity of the company.


Words: longhand
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ordinary writing, not typed or written in SHORTHAND:\nI prefer to write my work down in longhand first.


Words: longhouse
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in Britain) an old type of house in which people and animals lived together\n  2  (in the US) a traditional house used by some NATIVE AMERICANS


Words: longing
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [C, U] ~ (for sb/sth) | ~ (to do sth) a strong feeling of wanting sth/sb:\na longing for home / peace * She was filled with longing to hear his voice again. * romantic longings * His voice was husky with longing (= sexual desire).\n    adjective [only before noun] feeling or showing that you want sth very much:\nHe gave a longing look at the ice cream.\n    longingly adverb:\nWe looked longingly towards the hills.


Words: longitude
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (abbreviation long.) the distance of a place east or west of the Greenwich MERIDIAN, measured in degrees:\nthe longitude of the island\ncompare LATITUDE


Words: longitudinal
Meaning:
adjective (technical)\n  1  going downwards rather than across:\nThe plant’s stem is marked with thin green longitudinal stripes.\n  2  concerning the development of sth over a period of time:\na longitudinal study of aging\n  3  connected with longitude:\nthe town’s longitudinal position\n    longitudinally  adverb


Words: look
Meaning:
verb, noun, exclamation \n    verb\n  use eyes\n  1  [V] ~ (at sb/sth) to turn your eyes in a particular direction:\nIf you look carefully you can just see our house from here. * She looked at me and smiled. * ’Has the mail come yet?’ ’I’ll look and see. * Look! I’m sure that’s Brad Pitt! * Don’t look now, but there’s someone staring at you!\nsee also FORWARD-LOOKING\n  search\n  2  [V] ~ (for sb/sth) to try to find sb/sth:\nI can’t find my book-I’ve looked everywhere. * Where have you been? We’ve been looking for you. * Are you still looking for a job? * We’re looking for someone with experience for this post.\n  pay attention\n  3  ~ (at sth) to pay attention to sth:\n[V] Look at the time! We’re going to be late. * [V wh-] Can’t you look where you’re going?\n  appear / seem\n  4  linking verb ~ (to sb) like sb/sth to seem; to appear:\n[V-ADJ] to look pale / puzzled / sad / tired * That book looks interesting. * [V] That looks like an interesting book. * [V-N] That looks an interesting book. * You made me look a complete fool!\nsee also GOOD-LOOKING\n  5  [V] ~ (to sb) like sb/sth | ~ (to sb) as if ... / as though ... (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to have a similar appearance to sb/sth; to have an appearance that suggests that sth is true or will happen:\nThat photograph doesn’t look like her at all. * It looks like rain (= it looks as if it’s going to rain). * You look as though you slept badly. * They don’t look like they’re trying to win.\n HELP NOTE  In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though in this meaning, especially in AmE: You look like you slept badly. This is considered incorrect in written BrE.\n  6  [V] ~ (to sb) as if ... / as though ... | ~ (to sb) like ... to seem likely:\nIt doesn’t look as if we’ll be moving after all. * (informal) It doesn’t look like we’ll be moving after all.\n HELP NOTE  This use of like instead of as if or as though is considered incorrect in written BrE.\n  face\n  7  [V +adv./prep.] to face a particular direction:\nThe house looks east. * The hotel looks out over the harbour.\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing look are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example look daggers at sb is at dagger.\n  be just looking used in a shop/store to say that you are not ready to buy sth:\n’Can I help you?’ ’I’m just looking, thank you.’\n  be looking to do sth to try to find ways of doing sth:\nThe government is looking to reduce inflation.\n  look bad | not look good to be considered bad behaviour or bad manners:\nIt looks bad not going to your own brother’s wedding.\n  look bad (for sb) to show that sth bad might happen:\nHe’s had another heart attack; things are looking bad for him, I’m afraid.\n  look good to show success or that sth good might happen:\nThis year’s sales figures are looking good.\n  look here (old-fashioned) used to protest about sth:\nNow look here, it wasn’t my fault.\n  look sb up and down to look at sb in a careful or critical way\n  (not) look yourself to not have your normal healthy appearance:\nYou’re not looking yourself today (= you look tired or ill / sick).\n  never / not look back (informal) to become more and more successful:\nHer first novel was published in 1998 and since then she hasn’t looked back.\n  not much to look at (informal) not attractive\n  to look at sb/sth judging by the appearance of sb/sth:\nTo look at him you’d never think he was nearly fifty.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  look after yourself / sb/sth (especially BrE)\n1 to be responsible for or to take care of sb/sth:\nWho’s going to look after the children while you’re away? * I’m looking after his affairs while he’s in hospital. * Don’t worry about me-I can look after myself (= I don’t need any help). -> CARE\n2 to make sure that things happen to sb’s advantage:\nHe’s good at looking after his own interests.\n  look ahead (to sth) to think about what is going to happen in the future\n  look around / round to turn your head so that you can see sth:\nPeople came out of their houses and looked around.\n  look around / round for sth to search for sth in a number of different places:\nWe’re looking around for a house in this area.\n  look around / round (sth) to visit a place or building, walking around it to see what is there:\nLet’s look round the town this afternoon.\n  look at sth\n1 to examine sth closely:\nYour ankle’s swollen-I think the doctor ought to look at it. * I haven’t had time to look at (= read) the papers yet.\n2 to think about, consider or study sth:\nThe implications of the new law will need to be looked at.\n3 to view or consider sth in a particular way:\nLooked at from that point of view, his decision is easier to understand.\n  look back (on sth) to think about sth in your past:\nto look back on your childhood\n  look down on sb/sth to think that you are better than sb/sth:\nShe looks down on people who haven’t been to college.\n  look for sth to hope for sth; to expect sth:\nWe shall be looking for an improvement in your work this term.\n  look forward to sth to be thinking with pleasure about sth that is going to happen (because you expect to enjoy it):\nI’m looking forward to the weekend. * [+ -ing] We’re really looking forward to seeing you again. -> EXPECT\n  look in (on sb) (BrE) to make a short visit to a place, especially sb’s house:\nWhy don’t you look in on me next time you’re in town?\n  look into sth to examine sth:\nA working party has been set up to look into the problem.\n  look on to watch sth without becoming involved in it yourself:\nPassers-by simply looked on as he was attacked.\nrelated noun ONLOOKER\n  look on sb/sth as sb/sth to consider sb/sth to be sb/sth:\nShe’s looked on as the leading authority on the subject.\n  look on sb/sth with sth to consider sb/sth in a particular way:\nThey looked on his behaviour with contempt.\n  look out used to warn sb to be careful, especially when there is danger:\nLook out! There’s a car coming.\n  look out for sb/sth\n1 to try to avoid sth bad happening or doing sth bad:\nYou should look out for pickpockets. * Do look out for spelling mistakes in your work.\n2 to keep trying to find sth or meet sb:\nI’ll look out for you at the conference.\nrelated noun LOOKOUT\n  look out for sb / yourself to think of sb’s/your own advantage:\nWe should look out for each other.\n  look sth<->out (for sb/sth) (BrE) to search for sth from among your possessions:\nI’ll look out those old photographs you wanted to see.\n  look sth<->over to examine sth to see how good, big, etc. it is:\nWe looked over the house again before we decided to rent it.\n  look round (BrE) to turn your head to see sb/sth behind you:\nShe looked round when she heard the noise.\n  look through sb [no passive] to ignore sb by pretending not to see them:\nShe just looked straight through me.\n  look through sth [no passive] to examine or read sth quickly:\nShe looked through her notes before the exam.\n  look to sb for sth | look to sb to do sth (formal) to rely on or expect sb to provide sth or do sth:\nWe are looking to you for help.\n  look to sth (formal) to consider sth and think about how to make it better:\nWe need to look to ways of improving our marketing.\n  look up (informal) (of business, sb’s situation, etc.) to become better:\nAt last things were beginning to look up.\n  look up (from sth) to raise your eyes when you are looking down at sth:\nShe looked up from her book as I entered the room.\n  look sb<->up [no passive] (informal) to visit or make contact with sb, especially when you have not seen them for a long time:\nDo look me up the next time you’re in London.\n  look sth<->up to look for information in a dictionary or REFERENCE BOOK:\nCan you look up the time of the next train? * I looked it up in the dictionary.\n  look up to sb to admire or respect sb\n    noun\n  using eyes\n  1  [C, usually sing.] ~ (at sb/sth) an act of looking at sb/sth:\nHere, have a look at this. * Take a look at these figures! * Make sure you get a good look at their faces. * One look at his face and Jenny stopped laughing. * A look passed between them (= they looked at each other). * It’s an interesting place. Do you want to take a look around? * We’ll be taking a close look at these proposals (= examining them carefully).\n  search\n  2  [C, usually sing.] ~ (for sth/sb) an act of trying to find sth/sb:\nI’ve had a good look for it, but I can’t find it.\n  expression\n  3  [C] an expression in your eyes or face:\na look of surprise / alarm * He didn’t like the look in her eyes. * A doubtful look crossed his face. * We got a number of curious looks from passers-by.\n  appearance\n  4  [C, usually sing.] the way sb/sth looks; the appearance of sb/sth:\nIt’s going to rain today by the look of it (= judging by appearances). * Looks can be deceptive. * I don’t like the look of that guy (= I don’t trust him, judging by his appearance).\n  5  (looks) [pl.] a person’s appearance, especially when the person is attractive:\nShe has her father’s good looks. * He lost his looks (= became less attractive) in later life.\nsee also GOOD-LOOKING\n  fashion\n  6  [sing.] a fashion; a style:\nThe punk look is back in fashion this year. * They’ve given the place a completely new look.\n IDIOMS  see DIRTY adj., LONG adj.\n    exclamation used to interrupt sb or make them listen to sth you are saying:\nLook, I have to go now. * Look, there are other points to consider.\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \ndifferent ways of looking\ngaze  He gazed dreamily out of the window.\nstare  She stared at him in disbelief.\nglare  They glared angrily at each other.\npeer  I peered into the dark room.\nsquint  I squinted at the target and took aim.\nglance  She glanced quickly at her watch.\neye  They eyed each other suspiciously.\nscan  He scanned the crowd anxiously but couldn’t see her.\nexamine  Scientists are examining the wreckage.\nstudy  I spent a few minutes studying the map.\ninspect  New buildings have to be inspected by the Fire Department.\n-> note at SEE\n______________________________


Words: look-in
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  (not) get / have a look-in (BrE, informal) (not) to get a chance to take part or succeed in sth:\nShe talks so much that nobody else can get a look-in. * The issue of freedom of information did not get a look-in (= it was not even discussed).


Words: lookalike
Meaning:
noun\n(often used after a person’s name) a person who looks very similar to the person mentioned:\nan Elvis lookalike


Words: lookout
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a place for watching from, especially for danger or an enemy coming towards you:\na lookout point / tower\n  2  a person who has the responsibility of watching for sth, especially danger, etc:\nOne of the men stood at the door to act as a lookout.\n IDIOMS \n  be your (own) lookout (BrE, informal) used to say that you do not think sb’s actions are sensible, but that it is their own problem or responsibility:\nIf he wants to waste his money, that’s his lookout.\n  be on the lookout (for sb/sth) | keep a lookout (for sb/sth) (informal) to watch carefully for sb/sth in order to avoid danger, etc. or in order to find sth you want:\nThe public should be on the lookout for symptoms of the disease.


Words: loom
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] \n  1  [usually +adv./prep.] to appear as a large shape that is not clear, especially in a frightening or threatening way:\nA dark shape loomed up ahead of us.\n  2  to appear important or threatening and likely to happen soon:\nFood shortages loom in some parts of Africa.\n IDIOMS \n  loom large to be worrying or frightening and seem hard to avoid:\nThe prospect of war loomed large.\n    noun a machine for weaving fabric


Words: loon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a large N American bird that eats fish and has a cry like a laugh\n  2  = LOONY:\nThat guy’s a real loon.


Words: loony
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (informal) crazy or strange:\nHe does have some pretty loony ideas.\n    noun (plural loonies) (also loon) (informal) a person who has strange ideas or who behaves in a strange way


Words: loony bin
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, slang) a humorous and sometimes offensive way of referring to a hospital for people who are mentally ill


Words: loop
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a shape like a curve or circle made by a line curving right round and crossing itself:\nThe road went in a huge loop around the lake. * Duclair is a small town on a loop of the River Seine.\n \n  2  a piece of rope, wire, etc. in the shape of a curve or circle:\nHe tied a loop of rope around his arm. * Make a loop in the string. * a belt loop (= on trousers / pants, etc. for holding a belt in place)\n \n  3  a strip of film or tape on which the pictures and sound are repeated continuously:\nThe film is on a loop. * (figurative) His mind kept turning in an endless loop.\n \n  4  (computing) a set of instructions that is repeated again and again until a particular condition is satisfied\n  5  a complete CIRCUIT for electrical current\n  6  (BrE) a railway line or road that leaves the main track or road and then joins it again\n IDIOMS \n  be in the loop | be out of the loop (both AmE, informal) to be part of a group of people that is dealing with sth important; to not be part of this group:\nA lot of people want to be in the loop on this operation. * Lawton had gradually been cut out of the loop on legal reviews.\n  knock / throw sb for a loop (AmE, informal) to shock or surprise sb:\nThe result of the election knocked most people for a loop.\n    verb [+adv./prep.] \n  1  [VN] to form or bend sth into a loop:\nHe looped the strap over his shoulder. * The horse’s reins were looped around its neck.\n  2  [V] to move in a way that makes the shape of a loop:\nThe river loops around the valley. * The ball looped high up in the air.\n IDIOMS \n  loop the loop to fly or make a plane fly in a circle going up and down


Words: loophole
Meaning:
noun\n~ (in sth) a mistake in the way a law, contract, etc. has been written which enables people to legally avoid doing sth that the law, contract, etc. had intended them to do:\na legal / tax loophole * to close / plug existing loopholes


Words: loopy
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  not sensible; strange\nSYN CRAZY\n  2  (BrE) very angry:\nHe’ll go loopy when he sees that!


Words: loose
Meaning:
adjective, verb, noun \n \n    adjective (looser, loosest)\n \n  not fixed / tied\n \n  1  not firmly fixed where it should be; able to become separated from sth:\na loose button / tooth * Check that the plug has not come loose.\n \n  2  not tied together; not held in position by anything or contained in anything:\nShe usually wears her hair loose. * The potatoes were sold loose, not in bags.\n \n  3  [not usually before noun] free to move around without control; not tied up or shut in somewhere:\nThe sheep had got out and were loose on the road. * The horse had broken loose (= escaped) from its tether. * During the night, somebody had cut the boat loose from its moorings.\n  clothes\n  4  not fitting closely:\na loose jacket / shirt * The jeans are a little on the loose side.\nOPP TIGHT\n  not solid / hard\n  5  not tightly packed together; not solid or hard:\nloose soil * a fabric with a loose weave\n  not strict / exact\n  6  not strictly organized or controlled:\na loose alliance / coalition / federation * a loose association of artists, writers and composers\n  7  not exact; not very careful:\na loose translation * loose thinking\n  immoral\n  8  [usually before noun] (old-fashioned) having or involving an attitude to sexual relationships that people consider to be immoral:\na young man of loose morals\n  ball\n  9  (sport) not in any player’s control:\nHe pounced on a loose ball.\n  body waste\n  10  having too much liquid in it:\na baby with loose bowel movements\n    looseness noun [U] \n IDIOMS \n  break / cut / tear (sth) loose from sb/sth to separate yourself or sb/sth from a group of people or their influence, etc:\nThe organization broke loose from its sponsors. * He cut himself loose from his family.\n  hang / stay loose (informal, especially AmE) to remain calm; to not worry:\nIt’s OK-hang loose and stay cool.\n  have a loose tongue to talk too much, especially about things that are private\n  let loose (BrE) (AmE cut loose) (informal) to do sth or to happen in a way that is not controlled:\nTeenagers need a place to let loose.\n  let loose sth to make a noise or remark, especially in a loud or sudden way:\nShe let loose a stream of abuse.\n  let sb/sth loose\n1 to free sb/sth from whatever holds them/it in place:\nShe let her hair loose and it fell around her shoulders. * Who’s let the dog loose?\n2 to give sb complete freedom to do what they want in a place or situation:\nHe was at last let loose in the kitchen. * A team of professionals were let loose on the project.\nmore at FAST adv., HELL, SCREW n.\n    verb [VN] (formal)\n  release\n  1  ~ sth (on / upon sb/sth) to release sth or let it happen or be expressed in an uncontrolled way:\nHis speech loosed a tide of nationalist sentiment.\n  make sth loose\n  2  to make sth loose, especially sth that is tied or held tightly:\nHe loosed the straps that bound her arms.\n  fire bullets\n  3  ~ sth (off) (at sb/sth) to fire bullets, arrows, etc.\n HELP NOTE  Do not confuse this verb with to lose = ’to be unable to find sth’.\n    noun\n IDIOMS \n  on the loose (of a person or an animal) having escaped from somewhere; free:\nThree prisoners are still on the loose.


Words: loose cover
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE slip cover) noun\n[usually pl.] a cover for a chair, etc. that you can take off, for example to wash it


Words: loose end
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] a part of sth such as a story that has not been completely finished or explained:\nThe play has too many loose ends. * There are still a few loose ends to tie up (= a few things to finish).\n IDIOMS \n  at a loose end (BrE) (AmE at loose ends) having nothing to do and not knowing what you want to do:\nCome and see us, if you’re at a loose end.


Words: loose-leaf
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (of a book, file, etc.) having pages that can be taken out and put in separately:\na loose-leaf binder


Words: loosely
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a way that is not firm or tight:\nShe fastened the belt loosely around her waist. * Hold the rope loosely between your finger and thumb.\n  2  in a way that is not exact:\nto use a term loosely * The play is loosely based on his childhood in Russia. * Economic growth can be loosely defined as an increase in GDP. * The two problems are only loosely related.


Words: loosen
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to make sth less tight or firmly fixed; to become less tight or firmly fixed:\n[VN] First loosen the nuts, then take off the wheel. * [V] The rope holding the boat loosened.\n  2  [VN] to make a piece of clothing, hair, etc. loose, when it has been tied or fastened\n  3  [VN] ~ your hands, hold, etc. to hold sb/sth less tightly:\nHe loosened his grip and let her go. * (figurative) The military regime has not loosened its hold on power.\n  4  [VN] to make sth weaker or less controlled than before:\nThe party has loosened its links with trade unions.\nOPP TIGHTEN\n IDIOMS \n  loosen sb’s tongue to make sb talk more freely than usual:\nA bottle of wine had loosened Harry’s tongue.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  loosen up to relax and stop worrying:\nCome on, Jo. Loosen up.\n  loosen up | loosen sb/sth<->up to relax your muscles or parts of the body or to make them relax, before taking exercise, etc:\nDancers were loosening up before going on stage.


Words: loot
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb to steal things from shops/stores or buildings after a RIOT, fire, etc:\n[VN] More than 20 shops were looted. [also V]\n    looter  noun\n    looting noun [U] \n    noun [U]\n  1  money and valuable objects taken by soldiers from the enemy after winning a battle\n  2  (informal) money and valuable objects that have been stolen by thieves\n  3  (informal) money


Words: lop
Meaning:
verb\n(-pp-) [VN] to cut down a tree, or cut some large branches off it\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lop sth<->off (sth)\n1 to remove part of sth by cutting it, especially to remove branches from a tree\n2 to make sth smaller or less by a particular amount:\nThey lopped 20p off the price of each unit.


Words: lope
Meaning:
verb\n[V +adv./prep.] to run taking long relaxed steps:\nThe dog loped along beside her. * He set off with a loping stride.\n    lope noun [usually sing.]


Words: lopsided
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving one side lower, smaller, etc. than the other:\na lopsided grin / mouth * (figurative) The article presents a somewhat lopsided view of events.


Words: lord
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] (in Britain) a NOBLEMAN:\nShe’s married to a lord.\ncompare LADY\n  2  (Lord) (in Britain) the title used by some high ranks of NOBLEMEN (= men of high social class):\nLord Beaverbrook\n  3  (Lord) a title used for some high official positions in Britain:\nthe Lord Chancellor * the Lord Mayor * Lord Justice Slade\n  4  (My Lord) (in Britain) a title of respect used when speaking to a judge, BISHOP or some male members of the NOBILITY (= people of high social class)\ncompare LADY\n  5  a powerful man in MEDIEVAL Europe, who owned a lot of land and property:\na feudal lord * the lord of the manor\nsee also OVERLORD, WARLORD\n  6  (usually the Lord) [sing.] a title used to refer to God or Christ:\nLove the Lord with all your heart.\n  7  (Our Lord) [sing.] a title used to refer to Christ\n  8  (the Lords) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] = HOUSE OF LORDS:\nThe Lords has / have not yet reached a decision.\ncompare COMMONS\nsee also LAW LORD\n IDIOMS \n  (good) Lord! | oh Lord! exclamation used to show that you are surprised, annoyed or worried about sth:\nGood Lord, what have you done to your hair!\n  Lord knows ... used to emphasize what you are saying:\nLord knows, I tried to teach her.\n  Lord (only) knows (what, where, why, etc.) ... (spoken) used to say that you do not know the answer to sth:\n’Why did she say that?’ ’Lord knows!’\n HELP NOTE  Some people may find the use of Lord in these expressions offensive.\n IDIOMS  see DRUNK adj., YEAR\n    verb\n IDIOMS \n  lord it over sb (disapproving) to act as if you are better or more important than sb:\nA good manager does not try to lord it over his or her team.


Words: lordly
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  behaving in a way that suggests that you think you are better than other people\nSYN HAUGHTY:\nHe dismissed us with a lordly gesture.\n  2  large and impressive; suitable for a LORD:\na lordly mansion


Words: lordship
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (His / Your Lordship) a title of respect used when speaking to or about a judge, a BISHOP or a NOBLEMAN:\nHis Lordship is away on business.\ncompare LADYSHIP\n  2  (BrE, spoken) a humorous way of talking to or about a boy or man that you think is trying to be too important:\nCan his lordship manage to switch off the TV?\n  3  [U] the power or position of a LORD


Words: lore
Meaning:
noun\n[U] knowledge and information related to a particular subject, especially when this is not written down; the stories and traditions of a particular group of people:\nweather lore * Celtic lore\nsee also FOLKLORE


Words: lorry
Meaning:
(BrE) (also truck AmE, BrE) noun\n(plural lorries) a large motor vehicle for carrying heavy loads by road:\na lorry driver * Emergency food supplies were brought in by lorry. * a lorry load of frozen fish\n \n IDIOMS  see BACK n.


Words: lose
Meaning:
not find\n  1  [VN] to be unable to find sth/sb:\nI’ve lost my keys. * The tickets seem to have got lost. * She lost her husband in the crowd.\n  have sth taken away\n  2  [VN] to have sth/sb taken away from you by accident, old age, death, etc:\nShe lost a leg in a car crash. * to lose your hair / teeth (= as a result of getting old) * He’s lost his job. * Some families lost everything (= all they owned) in the flood. * They lost both their sons (= they were killed) in the war. * The ship was lost at sea. * Many people lost their lives (= were killed).\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (to sb) to have sth taken away by sb/sth:\nThe company has lost a lot of business to its competitors.\n  4  [VN] to have to give up sth; to fail to keep sth:\nYou will lose your deposit if you cancel the order. * Sit down or you’ll lose your seat.\n  have less\n  5  [VN] to have less and less of sth, especially until you no longer have any of it:\nto lose your confidence * He lost his nerve at the last minute. * She seemed to have lost interest in food. * At that moment he lost his balance and fell. * I’ve lost ten pounds since I started this diet. * The train was losing speed.\n  not understand / hear\n  6  [VN] to fail to get, hear or understand sth:\nHis words were lost (= could not be heard) in the applause.\n  7  [VN] (informal) to be no longer understood by sb:\nI’m afraid you’ve lost me there.\n  escape\n  8  [VN] to escape from sb/sth:\nWe managed to lose our pursuers in the darkness.\n  not win\n  9  ~ (sth) (to sb) | ~ (sth) (by sth) to be defeated; to fail to win a competition, a court case, an argument, etc:\n[VN] to lose a game / a race / an election / a battle * [V] We lost to a stronger team. * He lost by less than 100 votes.\n  not keep\n  10  ~ (sth) (on sth / by doing sth) | ~ sb sth to fail to keep sth you want or need, especially money; to cause sb to fail to keep sth:\n[VN] The business is losing money. * Poetry always loses something in translation. * You have nothing to lose by telling the truth. * [V] We lost on that deal. * [VNN] His carelessness lost him the job.\n  time\n  11  [VN] to waste time or an opportunity:\nWe lost twenty minutes changing a tyre. * Hurry-there’s no time to lose! * He lost no time in setting out for London.\n  12  if a watch or clock loses or loses time, it goes too slowly or becomes a particular amount of time behind the correct time:\n[VN] This clock loses two minutes a day. [also V] \nOPP GAIN\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing lose are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example lose your bearings is at bearing.\n  lose it (spoken) to be unable to stop yourself from crying, laughing, etc.; to become crazy:\nThen she just lost it and started screaming.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lose yourself in sth to become so interested in sth that it takes all your attention\n  lose out (on sth) (informal) to not get sth you wanted or feel you should have:\nWhile the stores make big profits, it’s the customer who loses out.\n  lose out to sb/sth (informal) to not get business, etc. that you expected or used to get because sb/sth else has taken it:\nSmall businesses are losing out to the large chains.


Words: loser
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who is defeated in a competition:\nwinners and losers * He’s a good / bad loser (= he accepts defeat well / badly).\n  2  a person who is regularly unsuccessful, especially when you have a low opinion of them:\nShe’s one of life’s losers. * He’s a born loser.\n  3  a person who suffers because of a particular action, decision, etc:\nThe real losers in all of this are the students.


Words: loss
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C, usually sing.] the state of no longer having sth or as much of sth; the process that leads to this:\nloss of blood / sleep / self-control * hair / weight loss * I want to report the loss of a package. * The closure of the factory will lead to a number of job losses. * When she died I was filled with a sense of loss. * loss of earnings (= the money you do not earn because you are prevented from working)\n  2  [C] money that has been lost by a business or an organization:\nThe company has announced net losses of $1.5 million. * We made a loss on (= lost money on) the deal. * We are now operating at a loss.\nOPP PROFIT\n  3  [C, U] the death of a person:\nThe loss of his wife was a great blow to him. * Enemy troops suffered heavy losses. * The drought has led to widespread loss of life.\n  4  [sing.] the disadvantage that is caused when sb leaves or when a useful or valuable object is taken away; a person who causes a disadvantage by leaving:\nHer departure is a big loss to the school. * She will be a great loss to the school. * If he isn’t prepared to accept this money, then that’s his loss.\nsee also DEAD LOSS\n IDIOMS \n  at a loss not knowing what to say or do:\nHis comments left me at a loss for words. * I’m at a loss what to do next.\n  cut your losses to stop doing sth that is not successful before the situation becomes even worse:\nI decided to cut my losses and move back to England.


Words: loss adjuster
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE insurance adjuster) noun\na person who works for an insurance company and whose job is to calculate how much money sb should receive after they have lost sth or had sth damaged


Words: lost
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  unable to find your way; not knowing where you are:\nWe always get lost in London. * We’re completely lost.\n  2  that cannot be found or brought back:\nI’m still looking for that lost file. * Your cheque must have got lost in the post.\n  3  [usually before noun] that cannot be obtained; that cannot be found or created again:\nThe strike cost them thousands of pounds in lost business. * She’s trying to recapture her lost youth. * He regretted the lost (= wasted) opportunity to apologize to her. * the lost art of letter-writing\n  4  [not before noun] unable to deal successfully with a particular situation; unable to understand sb/sth:\nWe would be lost without your help. * I felt so lost after my mother died. * He’s a lost soul (= a person who does not seem to know what to do, and seems unhappy). * They spoke so quickly I just got lost. * Hang on a minute-I’m lost.\nsee also LOSE v.\n IDIOMS \n  all is not lost there is still some hope of making a bad situation better:\nAll is not lost-we still haven’t tried the banks for a loan.\n  be lost for words to be so surprised, confused, etc. that you do not know what to say\n  be lost in sth to be giving all your attention to sth so that you do not notice what is happening around you:\nto be lost in thought / admiration\n  be lost on sb not understood or noticed by sb:\nHis jokes were completely lost on most of the students.\n  be lost to the world to be giving all your attention to sth so that you do not notice what is happening around you:\nWhen he’s listening to music he’s lost to the world.\n  get lost (informal) a rude way of telling sb to go away, or of refusing sth:\nTell him to get lost. * ’Lend us the car, won’t you?’ ’Get lost!’\n  give sb up for lost (formal) to stop expecting to find sb alive\n  make up for lost time to do sth quickly or very often because you wish you had started doing it sooner:\nI’ll have to work hard now to make up for lost time.\nmore at LOVE n.


Words: lost cause
Meaning:
noun\nsomething that has failed or that cannot succeed:\nThe game looked a lost cause when the score reached 60.


Words: lost property
Meaning:
noun [U] (BrE)\n  1  items that have been found in public places and are waiting to be collected by the people who lost them:\na lost-property office\n  2  (AmE lost and found) the place where items that have been found are kept until they are collected


Words: lot
Meaning:
pronoun, determiner, adverb, noun \n    pronoun (a lot) (also informal lots) ~ (to do) a large number or amount:\n’How many do you need?’ ’A lot.’ * Have some more cake. There’s lots left. * She still has an awful lot (= a very large amount) to learn. * He has invited nearly a hundred people but a lot aren’t able to come. -> MANY, MUCH\n    determiner (a lot of) (also informal lots of) a large number or amount of sb/sth:\nWhat a lot of presents! * A lot of people are coming to the meeting. * black coffee with lots of sugar * I saw a lot of her (= I saw her often) last summer. -> MANY, MUCH\n    adverb (informal)\n  1  (a lot) (also informal lots) used with adjectives and adverbs to mean ’much’:\nI’m feeling a lot better today. * I eat lots less than I used to.\n  2  (a lot) used with verbs to mean ’a great amount’:\nI care a lot about you. * Thanks a lot for your help. * I play tennis quite a lot (= often) in the summer. -> MUCH\n    noun\n  whole amount / number\n  1  (the lot, the whole lot) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] (informal) the whole number or amount of people or things:\nShe’s got a PC, colour printer, scanner-the lot. * Get out of my house, the lot of you! * That’s the lot! (= that includes everything) * That’s your lot! (= that’s all you’re getting)\n  group / set\n  2  [C+sing./pl. v.] (especially BrE) a group or set of people or things:\nThe first lot of visitors has / have arrived. * I have several lots of essays to mark this weekend. * (informal) What do you lot want?\n  items sold\n  3  [C] an item or a number of items sold, especially at an AUCTION:\nLot 46: six chairs\n  area of land\n  4  [C] an area of land used for a particular purpose:\na parking lot * a vacant lot (= one available to be built on or used for sth)\n  luck / situation\n  5  [sing.] a person’s luck or situation in life:\nShe was feeling very dissatisfied with her lot.\n IDIOMS \n  all over the lot (AmE) = ALL OVER THE PLACE\n  a bad lot (old-fashioned, BrE) a person who is dishonest\n  by lot using a method of choosing sb to do sth in which each person takes a piece of paper, etc. from a container and the one whose paper has a special mark is chosen\n  draw / cast lots (for sth / to do sth) to choose sb/sth by lot:\nThey drew lots for the right to go first.\n  fall to sb’s lot (to do sth) (formal) to become sb’s task or responsibility\n  throw in your lot with sb to decide to join sb and share their successes and problems


Words: lotion
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a liquid used for cleaning, protecting or treating the skin:\na body / hand lotion * suntan lotion


Words: lottery
Meaning:
noun (plural lotteries)\n  1  [C] a way of raising money for a government, charity, etc. by selling tickets that have different numbers on them that people have chosen. Numbers are then chosen by chance and the people who have those numbers on their tickets win prizes:\nthe national / state lottery * a lottery ticket\ncompare DRAW, RAFFLE\n  2  [sing.] (often disapproving) a situation whose success or result is based on luck rather than on effort or careful organization:\nSome people think that marriage is a lottery.


Words: lotto
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a game of chance similar to BINGO but with the numbers drawn from a container by the players instead of being called out\n  2  [C] (informal, especially AmE) a lottery


Words: lotus
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a tropical plant with white or pink flowers that grows on the surface of lakes in Africa and Asia:\na lotus flower\n  2  a picture in the shape of the lotus plant, used in art and architecture, especially in ancient Egypt\n  3  (in ancient Greek stories) a fruit that is supposed to make you feel happy and relaxed when you have eaten it, as if in a dream


Words: loud
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective (louder, loudest)\n  1  making a lot of noise:\na deafeningly loud bang / explosion * loud applause / laughter * She spoke in a very loud voice. * That music’s too loud-please turn it down.\n  2  (of a person or their behaviour) talking very loudly, too much and in a way that is annoying\n  3  (of colours, patterns, etc.) too bright and lacking good taste\nSYN GAUDY\n    loudly adverb:\nShe screamed as loudly as she could.\n    loudness noun [U] \n    adverb (louder, loudest) (informal) in a way that makes a lot of noise or can be easily heard\nSYN LOUDLY:\nDo you have to play that music so loud? * You’ll have to speak louder-I can’t hear you. * She screamed loud enough to wake the dead.\n IDIOMS \n  loud and clear in a way that is very easy to understand:\nThe message is coming through loud and clear.\n  out loud in a voice that can be heard by other people:\nI almost laughed out loud. * Please read the letter out loud.\ncompare ALOUD\nmore at ACTION, CRY v.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nloud / loudly / aloud\nLoudly is the usual adverb from the adjective loud: The audience laughed loudly at the joke.\nLoud is very common as an adverb in informal language. It is nearly always used in phrases such as loud enough, as loud as or with too, very, so, etc.: Don’t play your music too loud. * I shouted as loud as I could.\nLouder is also used in informal styles to mean ’more loudly’: Can you speak louder?\nOut loud is a common adverb meaning ’so that people can hear’: Can you read the letter out loud? * He laughed out loud at his own joke. Aloud has the same meaning but is fairly formal. It can also mean ’in a loud voice’.\n______________________________


Words: loudhailer
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE bullhorn) noun\nan electronic device, shaped like a horn, with a MICROPHONE at one end, that you speak into in order to make your voice louder so that it can be heard at a distance\ncompare MEGAPHONE


Words: loudmouth
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person who is annoying because they talk too loudly or too much in an offensive or stupid way\n    loud-mouthed adjective


Words: loudspeaker
Meaning:
(also speaker) noun\na piece of equipment, especially part of a radio, cassette player, etc., that changes electrical signals into sound; a similar piece of equipment used in public places for announcing things, playing music, etc:\nTheir names were called over the loudspeaker. * a loudspeaker announcement / van\nsee also PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, TANNOY


Words: lough
Meaning:
noun\n(in Ireland) a lake or a long strip of sea that is almost surrounded by land:\nLough Corrib\nsee also LOCH


Words: lounge
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a room for waiting in at an airport, etc:\nthe departure lounge\n \n  2  a public room in a hotel, club, etc. for waiting or relaxing in:\nthe television lounge\n \n  3  (BrE) a room in a private house for sitting and relaxing in\n \n  4  (AmE) = LOUNGE BAR\nsee also SUN LOUNGE\n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to stand, sit or lie in a lazy way:\nSeveral students were lounging around, reading newspapers.


Words: lounge bar
Meaning:
(also saloon) (both BrE) (AmE lounge) noun\na bar in a pub, hotel, etc. which is more comfortable than the other bars and where the drinks are usually more expensive\ncompare PUBLIC BAR


Words: lounge lizard
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, informal) a person who does no work and who likes to be with rich, fashionable people


Words: lounge suit
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a man’s suit of matching jacket and trousers/pants, worn especially in offices and on fairly formal occasions


Words: louse
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (plural lice ) a small insect that lives on the bodies of humans and animals:\nhead lice\nsee also WOODLOUSE\n  2  (plural louses) (informal, disapproving) a very unpleasant person:\nSteve had let her down; she should never have trusted the louse.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  louse sth<->up (slang) to spoil sth or do it very badly:\nDon’t louse up our chance of winning!


Words: lousy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (informal) very bad\nSYN AWFUL:\nWhat lousy weather! * I’ve had a lousy day. * She felt lousy (= ill).\n  2  [only before noun] (informal) used to show that you feel annoyed or insulted because you do not think that sth is worth very much:\nAll she bought me was this lousy T-shirt. * He offered me a lousy ｣100 for it.\n  3  ~ with sth/sb (informal) having too much of sth or too many people:\nThis place is lousy with tourists in August.


Words: lout
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a man or boy who behaves in a rude and aggressive way\nsee also LAGER LOUT, LITTER LOUT\n    loutish adjective:\nloutish behaviour


Words: louvre
Meaning:
(also louver)  noun\none of a set of narrow strips of wood, plastic, etc. in a door or a window that are designed to let air and some light in, but to keep out strong sunlight or rain; a door or a window that has these strips across it\n    louvred adjective


Words: lovable
Meaning:
(also loveable)  adjective\nhaving qualities that people find attractive and easy to love, often in spite of any faults:\na lovable child * a lovable rogue


Words: love
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  affection\n  1  [U] a strong feeling of deep affection for sb/sth, especially a member of your family or a friend:\na mother’s love for her children * love of your country * He seems incapable of love.\n  romantic\n  2  [U] a strong feeling of affection for sb that you are sexually attracted to:\na love song / story * We’re in love! * She was in love with him. * They fell in love with each other. * It was love at first sight (= they were attracted to each other the first time they met). * They’re madly in love. * Their love grew with the years.\n  enjoyment\n  3  [U, sing.] the strong feeling of enjoyment that sth gives you:\na love of learning / nature / music * He’s in love with his work. * I fell in love with the house.\n  sb / sth you like\n  4  [C] a person, a thing or an activity that you like very much:\nTake care, my love. * He was the love of my life (= the person I loved most). * I like most sports but tennis is my first love.\n  friendly name\n  5  [C] (BrE, spoken, informal) a word used as a friendly way of addressing sb:\nCan I help you, love?\ncompare DUCK\n  in tennis\n  6  [U] a score of zero (points or games):\n40love! * She won the first set sixlove / six games to love.\n IDIOMS \n  (just) for love | (just) for the love of sth without receiving payment or any other reward:\nThey’re all volunteers, working for the love of it.\n  for the love of God (old-fashioned, spoken) used when you are expressing anger and the fact that you are impatient:\nFor the love of God, tell me what he said!\n  give / send my love to sb (informal) used to send friendly greetings to sb:\nGive my love to Mary when you see her. * Bob sends his love.\n  love from | lots of love (from) (written, informal) used at the end of a letter to a friend or to sb you love, followed by your name:\nLots of love, Jenny\n  make love (to sb) to have sex:\nIt was the first time they had made love.\n  not for love or / nor money if you say you cannot do sth for love nor money, you mean it is completely impossible to do it:\nWe couldn’t find a taxi for love nor money.\n  there’s little / no love lost between A and B they do not like each other:\nThere’s no love lost between her and her in-laws.\nmore at CUPBOARD, FAIR adj., HEAD n., LABOUR n.\n    verb\n  feel affection\n  1  [VN] (not used in the progressive tenses) to have very strong feelings of affection for sb:\nI love you. * If you love each other, why not get married? * Her much-loved brother lay dying of Aids. * He had become a well-loved and respected member of staff. * Relatives need time to grieve over loved ones they have lost. * to love your country\n  like / enjoy\n  2  to like or enjoy sth very much:\n[VN] I really love summer evenings. * I just love it when you bring me presents! * He loved the way she smiled. * I love it in Spain (= I like the life there). * It was one of his best-loved songs. * (ironic) You’re going to love this. They’ve changed their minds again. * [V -ing] (especially in BrE) My dad loves going to football games. * [V to inf] (especially AmE) I love to go out dancing. * [VN to inf] He loved her to sing to him.\n  3  (would love) used to say that you would very much like sth:\n[V to inf] Come on Rory, the kids would love to hear you sing. * I haven’t been to Brazil, but I’d love to. * [VN to inf] I’d love her to come and live with us. * [VN] ’Cigarette?’ ’I’d love one, but I’ve just given up.’\n IDIOMS \n  love you and leave you (spoken, humorous) used to say that you must go, although you would like to stay longer:\nWell, time to love you and leave you.


Words: love affair
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a romantic and/or sexual relationship between two people who are in love and not married to each other\n  2  great enthusiasm for sth:\nthe English love affair with gardening


Words: love bite
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE hickey) noun\na red mark on the skin that is caused by sb biting their partner’s skin when they are kissing


Words: love child
Meaning:
noun\n(used especially in newspapers, etc.) a child born to parents who are not married to each other


Words: love nest
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (informal) a house or an apartment where two people who are not married but are having a sexual relationship can meet


Words: love triangle
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a situation that involves three people, each of whom loves at least one of the others, for example a married woman, her husband, and another man that she loves


Words: love-hate relationship
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a relationship in which your feelings for sb/sth are a mixture of love and hatred:\nShe has a love-hate relationship with her job.


Words: lovebird
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a small African PARROT (= a bird with brightly-coloured feathers)\n  2  (lovebirds) [pl.] (humorous) two people who love each other very much and show this in their behaviour


Words: lovely
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (lovelier, loveliest)\n HELP NOTE  You can also use more lovely and most lovely. (especially BrE)\n  1  beautiful; attractive:\nlovely countryside / eyes / flowers * She looked particularly lovely that night. * He has a lovely voice.\n  2  (informal) very enjoyable and pleasant; wonderful:\n’Can I get you anything?’ ’A cup of tea would be lovely’ * What a lovely surprise! * How lovely to see you! * Isn’t it a lovely day? * We’ve had a lovely time. * It’s a lovely old farm. * It’s been lovely having you here. * (ironic) You’ve got yourself into a lovely mess, haven’t you?\n  3  (informal) (of a person) very kind, generous and friendly:\nHer mother was a lovely woman.\n HELP NOTE  Very lovely is not very common and is only used about the physical appearance of a person or thing.\n IDIOMS \n  lovely and warm, cold, quiet, etc. (BrE, spoken) used when you are emphasizing that sth is good because of the quality mentioned:\nIt’s lovely and warm in here.\n    noun (plural lovelies) (old-fashioned) a beautiful woman


Words: lover
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a partner in a sexual relationship outside marriage:\nHe denied that he was her lover. * We were lovers for several years. * The park was full of young lovers holding hands.\n  2  (often in compounds) somebody who likes or enjoys a particular thing:\na lover of music * an art-lover * a nature-lover


Words: lovesick
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) unable to think clearly or behave in a sensible way because you are in love with sb, especially sb who is not in love with you:\nHe’s been wandering around all week like a lovesick teenager.


Words: lovey
Meaning:
(also luvvy)  noun\n(BrE, spoken) used as a friendly way of addressing sb:\nRuth, lovey, are you there?


Words: loving
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  feeling or showing love and affection for sb/sth:\na warm and loving family * She chose the present with loving care.\n  2  (-loving) (in adjectives) enjoying the object or activity mentioned:\nfun-loving young people\n    lovingly adverb:\nHe gazed lovingly at his children. * The house has been lovingly restored.


Words: low
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun, verb \n    adjective (lower, lowest)\n  not high / tall\n  1  not high or tall; not far above the ground:\na low wall / building / table * a low range of hills * low clouds * flying at low altitude * The sun was low in the sky.\nOPP HIGH\n  near bottom\n  2  at or near the bottom of sth:\nlow back pain * the lower slopes of the mountain * temperatures in the low 20s (= no higher than 2123ｰ)\nOPP HIGH\n  clothing\n  3  not high at the neck:\na dress with a low neckline\nsee also LOW-CUT\n  level / value\n  4  (often in compounds) below the usual or average amount, level or value:\nlow prices / wages * low-income families * the lowest temperature ever recorded * a low level of unemployment * Yogurt is usually very low in fat. * low-fat yogurt\nOPP HIGH\n  5  having a reduced amount or not enough of sth:\nThe reservoir was low after the long drought. * Our supplies are running low (= we only have a little left). * They were low on fuel.\n  sound\n  6  not high; not loud:\nThe cello is lower than the violin. * They were speaking in low voices.\nOPP HIGH\n  standard\n  7  below the usual or expected standard:\nstudents with low marks / grades in their exams * a low standard of living\nOPP HIGH\n  status\n  8  below other people or things in importance or status:\nlow forms of life (= creatures with a very simple structure) * jobs with low status * Training was given a very low priority. * the lower classes of society\nOPP HIGH\n  depressed\n  9  weak or depressed; with very little energy:\nI’m feeling really low. * They were in low spirits.\n  opinion\n  10  [usually before noun] not very good\nSYN POOR:\nShe has a very low opinion of her own abilities.\nOPP HIGH\n  not honest\n  11  (of a person) not honest:\nHe mixes with some pretty low types. * low cunning\n  light\n  12  not bright\nSYN DIM:\nThe lights were low and romance was in the air.\n  in vehicle\n  13  if a vehicle is in low gear, it travels at a slower speed in relation to the speed of the engine\n IDIOMS \n  at a low ebb a poor state; worse than usual:\nMorale among teachers is at a low ebb.\n  be brought low (old-fashioned) to lose your wealth or your high position in society\n  lay sb low if sb is laid low by/with an injury or illness, they feel very weak and are unable to do much\n  the lowest of the low people who are not respected at all because they are dishonest, immoral or not at all important\nmore at PROFILE n.\n    adverb (lower, lowest)\n  not high\n  1  in or into a low position, not far above the ground:\nto crouch / bend low * a plane flying low over the town * low-flying aircraft * The sun sank lower towards the horizon.\n  near bottom\n  2  in or into a position near the bottom of sth:\na window set low in the wall * The candles were burning low.\n  level\n  3  (especially in compounds) at a level below what is usual or expected:\nlow-priced goods * a low-powered PC * a very low-scoring game\n  sound\n  4  not high; not loudly:\nHe’s singing an octave lower than the rest of us. * Can you turn the music lower-you’ll wake the baby.\n IDIOMS  see HIGH adv., LIE v., SINK v., STOOP v.\n    noun\n  level / value\n  1  a low level or point; a low figure:\nThe yen has fallen to an all-time low against the dollar. * The temperature reached a record low in London last night. * The government’s popularity has hit a new low.\n  difficult time\n  2  a very difficult time in sb’s life or career:\nThe break-up of her marriage marked an all-time low in her life. * We all experience highs and lows in life.\n  weather\n  3  an area of low pressure in the atmosphere:\nAnother low is moving in from the Atlantic.\n    verb [V] (literary) when a cow lows, it makes a deep sound


Words: Low Church
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with the part of the Anglican Church that is least similar to the Roman Catholic Church in its beliefs and practices


Words: low life
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the life and behaviour of people who are outside normal society, especially criminals\n    low-life adjective:\na low-life bar


Words: low point
Meaning:
noun\nthe least interesting, enjoyable or worst part of sth:\nIt was one of the real low points in my life.\nOPP HIGH POINT


Words: low pressure
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the condition of air, gas or liquid that is kept in a container with little force:\nWater supplies to the house are at low pressure.\n  2  a condition of the air which affects the weather when the pressure is lower than average\ncompare HIGH PRESSURE


Words: low season
Meaning:
(also off season) noun\n[U, sing.] (especially BrE) the time of year when a hotel or tourist area receives fewest visitors:\nThere is nothing more depressing than a seaside town in (the) low season.\nOPP HIGH SEASON


Words: low tide
Meaning:
(also low water) noun\n[U, C] the time when the sea is at its lowest level; the sea at this time:\nThe island can only be reached at low tide.\nOPP HIGH TIDE


Words: low-cut
Meaning:
adjective\n(of dresses etc.) with the top very low so that you can see the neck and the top of the chest


Words: low-down
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] (informal) not fair or honest:\nWhat a dirty, low-down trick!\n    noun (the low-down) [sing.] ~ on (sb/sth) (informal) the true facts about sb/sth, especially those considered most important to know:\nJane gave me the low-down on the other guests at the party.


Words: low-fat
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] containing only a very small amount of fat:\nlow-fat cheese * a low-fat diet


Words: low-level
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  close to the ground:\nlow-level bombing attacks\n  2  of low rank; involving people of junior rank:\na low-level job * low-level negotiations\n  3  not containing much of a particular substance especially RADIOACTIVITY:\nlow-level radioactive waste\n  4  (computing) (of a computer language) similar to MACHINE CODE in form\nOPP HIGH-LEVEL


Words: low-paid
Meaning:
adjective\nearning or providing very little money:\nlow-paid workers * It is one of the lowest-paid jobs.


Words: low-profile
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] receiving or involving very little attention:\na low-profile campaign\nsee also PROFILE


Words: low-rise
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a building) low, with only a few floors:\nlow-rise housing\n    low-rise noun \ncompare HIGH-RISE


Words: low-risk
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] involving only a small amount of danger and little risk of injury, death, damage, etc:\na low-risk investment * low-risk patients (= who are very unlikely to get a particular illness)\nOPP HIGH-RISK


Words: lowbrow
Meaning:
adjective\n(usually disapproving) having no connection with or interest in serious artistic or cultural ideas:\nlowbrow newspapers / readers * He has very lowbrow tastes.\nOPP HIGHBROW\ncompare MIDDLEBROW


Words: lower
Meaning:
adjective, verb-see also LOWER\n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  situated below sth else, especially sth of the same type, or the other of a pair:\nthe lower deck of a ship * His lower lip trembled.\n  2  at or near the bottom of sth:\nthe mountain’s lower slopes * I have problems with my lower back.\n  3  (of a place) situated towards the coast, on low ground or towards the south of an area:\nthe lower reaches of the Nile\nOPP UPPER\n    verb\n  1  to let or make sth/sb go down:\n[VN] He had to lower his head to get through the door. * She lowered her newspaper and looked around. * They lowered him down the cliff on a rope.\nOPP RAISE\n  2  to reduce sth or to become less in value, quality, etc:\n[VN] He lowered his voice to a whisper. * This drug is used to lower blood pressure. * [V] Her voice lowered as she spoke.\n IDIOMS \n  lower yourself (by doing sth) (usually used in negative sentences) to behave in a way that makes other people respect you less:\nI wouldn’t lower myself by working for him.\nmore at SIGHT n., TEMPERATURE\n\n(also lour)  verb\n[V] (literary) (of the sky or clouds) to be dark and threatening:\nHuge clouds lowered over the bay.\nsee also LOWER


Words: lower case
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (in printing and writing) small letters:\nThe text is all in lower case. * lower-case letters\ncompare CAPITAL adj., UPPER CASE


Words: lower house
Meaning:
(also lower chamber) noun\n[sing.] the larger group of people who make laws in a country, usually consisting of elected representatives, such as the House of Commons in Britain or the House of Representatives in the US\ncompare UPPER HOUSE


Words: lower school
Meaning:
noun\na school, or the classes in a school, for younger students, usually between the ages of 11 and 14\ncompare UPPER SCHOOL


Words: lowest common denominator
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (mathematics) (abbreviation LCD) the smallest number that the bottom numbers of a group of FRACTIONS can be divided into exactly\n  2  (disapproving) something that is simple enough to seem interesting to, or to be understood by, the highest number of people in a particular group; the sort of people who are least intelligent or accept sth that is of low quality:\nThe school syllabus seems aimed at the lowest common denominator.


Words: lowland
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] connected with an area of land that is fairly flat and not very high above sea level:\nlowland areas / farmers\ncompare HIGHLAND\n    noun [usually pl.] an area of land that is fairly flat and not very high above sea level:\nthe lowlands of Scotland * Much of the region is lowland.\ncompare HIGHLAND


Words: lowlights
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] areas of hair that are darker than the the rest, usually because a chemical substance has been put on them\ncompare HIGHLIGHTS


Words: lowly
Meaning:
adjective\n(lowlier, lowliest) (often humorous) low in status or importance\nSYN HUMBLE:\na lowly government clerk * How should I know? I’m just a lowly employee.


Words: loyal
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sb/sth) remaining faithful to sb/sth and supporting them or it:\na loyal friend / supporter * She has always remained loyal to her political principles.\n    loyally  adverb


Words: loyalist
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who is loyal to the ruler or government, or to a political party, especially during a time of change:\nparty loyalists\n  2  (Loyalist) a person who supports the union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland\ncompare REPUBLICAN


Words: loyalty
Meaning:
noun (plural loyalties)\n  1  ~ (to / towards sb/sth) [U] the quality of being faithful in your support of sb/sth:\nThey swore their loyalty to the king. * Can I count on your loyalty?\n  2  [C, often pl.] a strong feeling that you want to be loyal to sb/sth:\na case of divided loyalties (= with strong feelings of support for two different causes, people, etc.)


Words: lozenge
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (geometry) a figure with four sides in the shape of a diamond that has two opposite angles more then 90ｰ and the other two less than 90ｰ\n  2  a small sweet/candy, often in a lozenge shape, especially one that contains medicine and that you dissolve in your mouth:\nthroat / cough lozenges


Words: LP
Meaning:
noun\nthe abbreviation for ’long-playing record’ (a record that plays for about 25 minutes each side and turns 33 times per minute)


Words: LSD
Meaning:
(also slang acid) noun\n[U] a powerful illegal drug that affects people’s minds and makes them see and hear things that are not really there


Words: lubricant
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a substance, for example oil, that you put on surfaces or parts of a machine so that they move easily and smoothly


Words: lubricate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to put a lubricant on sth such as the parts of a machine, to help them move smoothly\n    lubrication  noun [U]


Words: lubricious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) showing a great interest in sex in a way that is considered unpleasant or unacceptable


Words: lucid
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  clearly expressed; easy to understand\nSYN CLEAR:\na lucid style / explanation\n  2  able to think clearly, especially during or after a period of illness or confusion:\nIn a rare lucid moment, she looked at me and smiled.\n    lucidity  noun [U]:\nto write with clarity and lucidity * a rare moment of lucidity\n    lucidly adverb


Words: luck
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U]\n  1  good things that happen to you by chance, not because of your own efforts or abilities:\nWith (any) luck, we’ll be home before dark. * (BrE) With a bit of luck, we’ll finish on time. * So far I have had no luck with finding a job. * I could hardly believe my luck when he said yes. * It was a stroke of luck that we found you. * By sheer luck nobody was hurt in the explosion. * We wish her luck in her new career. * You’re in luck (= lucky)-there’s one ticket left. * You’re out of luck. She’s not here. * What a piece of luck! * The only goal of the match came more by luck than judgement. * Finally my luck ran out and they caught me trying to climb the outer wall. * She dared not trust to luck that nobody would see her.\n  2  chance; the force that causes good or bad things to happen to people:\nto have good / bad luck * I put the loss of the money down to pure bad luck.\nsee also HARD-LUCK STORY\n IDIOMS \n  Any luck? (spoken) used to ask sb if they have been successful with sth:\n’Any luck?’ ’No, they’re all too busy to help.’\n  as luck would have it in the way that chance decides what will happen:\nAs luck would have it, the train was late.\n  bad, hard, etc. luck (on sb) used to express sympathy for sb:\nBad luck, Helen, you played very well. * It’s hard luck on him that he wasn’t chosen. * What rotten luck it had to happen now!\n  be down on your luck (informal) to have no money because of a period of bad luck\n  the best of luck (with sth) | good luck (with sth) (spoken) used to wish sb success with sth:\nThe best of luck with your exams. * Good luck! I hope it goes well.\n  better luck next time (spoken) used to encourage sb who has not been successful at sth\n  do sth for luck\n1 to do sth because you believe it will bring you good luck, or because this is a traditional belief:\nTake something blue. It’s for luck.\n2 to do sth for no particular reason:\nI hit him once more for luck.\n  good luck to sb (spoken) used to say that you do not mind what sb does as it does not affect you, but you hope they will be successful:\nIt’s not something I would care to try myself but if she wants to, good luck to her.\n  just my / sb’s luck (informal) used to show you are not surprised sth bad has happened to you, because you are not often lucky:\nJust my luck to arrive after they had left.\n  your / sb’s luck is in used to say that sb has been lucky or successful:\nOn a Sunday I didn’t expect to find him at his desk but my luck was in.\n  the luck of the draw the fact that chance decides sth, in a way that you cannot control:\nTo a large extent the life you have depends on who your parents were; it’s just the luck of the biological draw.\n  no such luck used to show disappointment that sth you were hoping for did not happen:\n’Were you chosen for the team?’ ’No such luck!’\nmore at BEGINNER, POT n., PUSH v., TOUGH adj., TRY v., WORSE adj.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  luck out (AmE, informal) to be lucky


Words: lucky
Meaning:
adjective (luckier, luckiest)\n  1  ~ (to do sth) | ~ (that ...) having good luck\nSYN FORTUNATE:\nHis friend was killed and he knows he is lucky to be alive. * She was lucky enough to be chosen for the team. * You were lucky (that) you spotted the danger in time. * Mark is one of the lucky ones-he at least has somewhere to sleep. * the lucky winners * You can think yourself lucky you didn’t get mugged. * She counted herself lucky that she still had a job.\n  2  ~ (for sb) (that ...) being the result of good luck:\nIt was lucky for us that we were able to go. * That was the luckiest escape of my life. * a lucky guess\n  3  bringing good luck:\na lucky charm\n    luckily  adverb ~ (for sb):\nLuckily for us, the train was late. * Luckily, I am a good swimmer.\n IDIOMS \n  lucky you, me, etc. (spoken) used to show that you think sb is lucky to have sth, be able to do sth, etc:\n’I’m off to Paris.’ ’Lucky you!’\n  you’ll be lucky (spoken) used to tell sb that sth that they are expecting probably will not happen:\n’I was hoping to get a ticket for Saturday.’ ’You’ll be lucky.’\n  you, etc. should be so lucky (spoken) used to tell sb that they will probably not get what they are hoping for, and may not deserve it\nmore at STRIKE v., THANK, THIRD


Words: lucky dip
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE grab bag) noun\n[usually sing.] a game in which people choose a present from a container of presents without knowing what it is going to be


Words: lucrative
Meaning:
adjective\nproducing a large amount of money; making a large profit:\na lucrative business / contract / market * Had the plan worked it would have proved highly lucrative.\n    lucratively adverb


Words: lucre
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) money, especially when it has been obtained in a way that is dishonest or immoral:\nthe lure of filthy lucre


Words: Luddite
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, disapproving) a person who is opposed to new technology or working methods\n ORIGIN  Named after Ned Lud, one of the workers who destroyed machinery in the cotton and woollen mills in the early 19th century, because they believed it would take away their jobs.


Words: ludicrous
Meaning:
adjective\nridiculous and unreasonable; that you cannot take seriously:\na ludicrous idea / suggestion / situation * It was ludicrous to think that the plan could succeed. * He is paid a ludicrous amount of money.\n    ludicrously adverb:\nludicrously expensive\n    ludicrousness noun [U]


Words: lug
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-gg-) [VN +adv./prep.] (informal) to carry or drag sth heavy with a lot of effort:\nI had to lug my bags up to the fourth floor.\n    noun\n  1  (technical) a part of sth that sticks out, used as a handle or support\n  2  (also lughole) (both BrE, humorous) an ear


Words: luggage
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (also baggage especially in AmE) noun [U] bags, cases, etc. that contain sb’s clothes and things when they are travelling:\nThere’s room for one more piece of luggage. * You stay there with the luggage while I find a cab.\nsee also HAND LUGGAGE, LEFT-LUGGAGE OFFICE -> BAGGAGE


Words: lugworm
Meaning:
noun\na large worm that lives in the sand by the sea. Lugworms are often used as BAIT on a hook to catch fish.


Words: lukewarm
Meaning:
adjective (often disapproving)\n  1  slightly warm\nSYN TEPID:\nOur food was only lukewarm. * Heat the milk until it is just lukewarm.\n  2  ~ (about sb/sth) not interested or enthusiastic:\na lukewarm response * She was lukewarm about the plan.


Words: lull
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [usually sing.] ~ (in sth) a quiet period between times of activity:\na lull in the conversation / fighting * Just before an attack everything would go quiet but we knew it was just the lull before the storm (= before a time of noise or trouble).\n    verb (written)\n  1  [VN] to make sb relaxed and calm:\nThe vibration of the engine lulled the children to sleep. * He was lulled by the peaceful sound of the rain.\n  2  to make sth, or to become, less strong:\n[VN] His father’s arrival lulled the boy’s anxiety. [also V]\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lull sb into sth to make sb feel confident and relaxed, especially so that they do not expect it when sb does sth bad or dishonest:\nHis friendly manner lulled her into a false sense of security (= made her feel safe with him when she should not have).


Words: lumbar
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (medical) relating to the lower part of the back:\npain in the lumbar region


Words: lumbar puncture
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE spinal tap) noun\nthe removal of liquid from the lower part of the SPINE with a hollow needle


Words: lumber
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U]\n  1  (especially AmE) = TIMBER:\na lumber company / mill\n  2  (BrE) pieces of furniture, and other large objects that you do not use any more:\na lumber room (= for storing lumber in)\n    verb\n  1  [V +adv./prep.] to move in a slow, heavy and awkward way:\nA family of elephants lumbered by. * The huge convoy of trucks lumbered out of the city.\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sb (with sb/sth) (informal) to give sb a responsibility, etc., that they do not want and that they cannot get rid of:\nWhen our parents went out, my sister got lumbered with me for the evening. * She might say ’Yes’. Then you’d be lumbered.


Words: lumberjack
Meaning:
(also logger) noun\n(especially in the US and Canada) a person whose job is cutting down trees or cutting or transporting wood


Words: luminary
Meaning:
(plural luminaries) noun\na person who is an expert or a great influence in a special area or activity:\nleading luminaries of the arts * He has played with all the great jazz luminaries.


Words: luminescence
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical or literary) a quality in sth that produces light:\nthe fading luminescence of the sky\n    luminescent adjective


Words: luminous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  shining in the dark; giving out light:\nluminous paint * luminous hands on a clock * staring with huge luminous eyes * (figurative) the luminous quality of the music\n  2  very bright in colour:\nThey painted the door a luminous green.\n    luminously adverb:\nHer eyes were large and luminously black.\n    luminosity  noun [sing., U]:\nThe moon was shining enough to give a ghostly luminosity to the buildings that crowded both sides of the narrow street.


Words: lump
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a piece of sth hard or solid, usually without a particular shape:\na lump of coal / cheese / wood * This sauce has lumps in it.\n  2  (BrE) = SUGAR LUMP:\nOne lump or two?\n  3  a swelling under the skin, sometimes a sign of serious illness:\nHe was unhurt apart from a lump on his head. * Check your breasts for lumps every month.\n  4  (informal, especially BrE) a heavy, lazy or stupid person:\nHe’s a big fat lump.\n IDIOMS \n  have, etc. a lump in your throat to feel pressure in the throat because you are very angry or emotional\n  take your lumps (AmE, informal) to accept bad things that happen to you without complaining:\nWe made mistakes but we took our lumps.\n    verb [VN] ~ A and B together | ~ A (in) with B to put or consider different things together in the same group:\nYou can’t lump all Asian languages together.\n IDIOMS \n  lump it (informal) to accept sth unpleasant because there’s no other choice:\nI’m sorry you’re not happy about it but you’ll just have to lump it. * That’s the situation-like it or lump it!


Words: lump sum
Meaning:
(also lump sum payment) noun\nan amount of money that is paid at one time and not on separate occasions:\nShe was given a lump sum when she retired.


Words: lumpectomy
Meaning:
noun\n(plural lumpectomies) an operation to remove a TUMOUR from sb’s body, especially a woman’s breast


Words: lunacy
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  behaviour that is stupid or crazy:\nIt’s sheer lunacy driving in such weather.\n  2  (old-fashioned) mental illness\nSYN MADNESS


Words: lunatic
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  a person who does crazy things that are often dangerous:\nThis lunatic in a white van pulled out right in front of me!\n  2  (old-fashioned) a person who is severely mentally ill (the use of this word is now offensive):\na dangerous / homicidal lunatic\n ORIGIN  Originally from the Latin lunaticus (luna = moon), because people believed that the changes in the moon caused temporary madness.\n    adjective crazy, ridiculous or extremely stupid:\nlunatic ideas * a lunatic smile\n IDIOMS \n  the lunatic fringe noun [sing.+sing./pl. v.] (disapproving) those members of a political or other group whose views are considered to be very extreme and crazy:\nThey stressed that only the lunatic fringe of the movement was involved in the incident.


Words: lunatic asylum
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, especially BrE) an institution where mentally ill people live:\nThis great composer ended his days in a lunatic asylum.


Words: lunch
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U, C] a meal eaten in the middle of the day:\nShe’s gone to lunch. * I’m ready for some lunch. * What shall we have for lunch? * We serve hot and cold lunches. * a one-hour lunch break * Let’s do lunch (= have lunch together).\nsee also PACKED LUNCH, PLOUGHMAN’S LUNCH -> MEAL\n IDIOMS  see FREE adj.\n    verb [V] (formal) to have lunch, especially at a restaurant:\nHe lunched with a client at the Ritz.


Words: lunch hour
Meaning:
noun\nthe time around the middle of the day when you stop work or school to eat lunch:\nI usually go to the gym during my lunch hour.


Words: luncheon
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a formal lunch or a formal word for lunch:\na charity luncheon * Luncheon will be served at one, Madam.


Words: luncheon meat
Meaning:
noun\n[U] finely chopped cooked meat that has been pressed together in a container, usually sold in cans and served cold in slices


Words: luncheon voucher
Meaning:
noun\na ticket given by some employers in Britain that sb can exchange for food at some restaurants and shops/stores


Words: lunchtime
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] the time around the middle of the day when people usually eat lunch:\nThe package still hadn’t arrived by lunchtime. * a lunchtime concert * The sandwich bar is generally packed at lunchtimes.


Words: lung
Meaning:
noun\neither of the two organs in the chest that you use when breathing:\nlung cancer * (humorous) She has a fine pair of lungs! (= she can sing or shout loudly)


Words: lunge
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] ~ (at / towards / for sb/sth) | ~ (forward) to make a sudden powerful forward movement in order to attack sb:\nHe took out a knife and lunged at her. * She lunged forward and snatched the letter from me.\n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  ~ (at sb) | ~ (for sb/sth) a sudden powerful forward movement of the body and arm that a person makes towards another person or thing, especially when attacking them:\nHe made a lunge for the phone.\n  2  (in the sport of FENCING) a THRUST made by putting the right foot forward and making the back leg straight


Words: lungful
Meaning:
noun\nthe amount of sth such as air or smoke that is breathed in at one time:\nShe gulped in lungfuls of cool fresh air.


Words: lurch
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] \n  1  to make a sudden, unsteady movement forward or sideways:\nSuddenly the horse lurched to one side and the child fell off. * The man lurched drunkenly out of the pub. * (figurative) Their relationship seems to lurch from one crisis to the next.\n  2  if your heart or stomach lurches, you have a sudden feeling of fear or excitement\n    noun [usually sing.] a sudden strong movement that moves you forward or sideways and nearly makes you lose your balance:\nThe train gave a violent lurch. * His heart gave a lurch when he saw her. * With a lurch the party found itself heading for a major crisis.\n IDIOMS \n  leave sb in the lurch (informal) to fail to help sb when they are relying on you to do so:\nI’m sorry to leave you in the lurch but I can’t do the presentation with you this afternoon. * She felt she had been left in the lurch by all her colleagues.


Words: lurcher
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a dog that is a mixture of two different breeds of dog, one of which is usually a GREYHOUND


Words: lure
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] (disapproving) to persuade or trick sb to go somewhere or to do sth by promising them a reward:\nThe child was lured into a car but managed to escape. * Young people are lured to the city by the prospect of a job and money.\n    noun\n  1  [usually sing.] the attractive qualities of sth:\nFew can resist the lure of adventure.\n  2  a thing that is used to attract fish or animals, so that they can be caught


Words: lurid
Meaning:
adjective (disapproving)\n  1  too bright in colour, in a way that is not attractive:\nShe was wearing a lurid orange and green blouse.\n  2  (especially of a story or piece of writing) shocking and violent in a way that is deliberate:\nlurid headlines * The paper gave all the lurid details of the murder.\n    luridly adverb


Words: lurk
Meaning:
verb [V] \n  1  [usually +adv./prep.] to wait somewhere secretly, especially because you are going to do sth bad or illegal:\nWhy are you lurking around outside my house? * A crocodile was lurking just below the surface.\n  2  when sth unpleasant or dangerous lurks, it is present but not in an obvious way:\nAt night, danger lurks in these streets. * a lurking doubt / suspicion


Words: luscious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having a strong pleasant taste\nSYN DELICIOUS:\nluscious fruit\n  2  (of fabric, colours or music) soft and deep or heavy in a way that is pleasing to feel, look at or hear:\nluscious silks and velvets * luscious harmonies / colours\n  3  (especially of a woman) sexually attractive:\na luscious young girl * her luscious body


Words: lush
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  (of plants, gardens, etc.) growing thickly and strongly in a way that is attractive; covered in healthy grass and plants:\nlush vegetation * the lush green countryside\n  2  beautiful and making you feel pleasure; seeming expensive:\na lush apartment\n    noun (AmE, informal) = ALCOHOLIC


Words: lust
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (often disapproving) [U, C]\n  1  ~ (for sb) very strong sexual desire, especially when love is not involved:\nTheir affair was driven by pure lust.\n  2  ~ (for sth) very strong desire for sth or enjoyment of sth:\nto satisfy his lust for power / revenge * She has a real lust for life (= she really enjoys life).\nsee also BLOODLUST\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  lust after / for sb/sth (often disapproving) to feel an extremely strong, especially sexual, desire for sb/sth


Words: lustre
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE luster)  noun [U]\n  1  the shining quality of a surface:\nHer hair had lost its lustre. * The shell had a beautiful pearly lustre.\n  2  the quality of being special in a way that is exciting:\nThe presence of the prince added lustre to the occasion.\ncompare LACKLUSTRE


Words: lustrous
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) soft and shining:\nthick lustrous hair * the smooth lustrous surface of the fabric


Words: lusty
Meaning:
adjective\nhealthy and strong:\na lusty young man * lusty singing * a lusty yell\n    lustily  adverb:\nsinging / cheering lustily


Words: luv
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) a way of spelling ’love’, when used as an informal way of addressing sb:\nNever mind, luv.\n  2  an informal way of spelling ’love’, for example when ending a letter:\nSee you soon, lots of luv, Sue.


Words: luvvy
Meaning:
(also luvvie)  noun (BrE, informal)\n  1  (disapproving) an actor, especially when they behave in a way that seems exaggerated and not sincere\n  2  = LOVEY


Words: luxuriant
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of plants or hair) growing thickly and strongly in a way that is attractive:\nluxuriant vegetation / foliage * thick, luxuriant hair\n  2  (especially of art or the atmosphere of a place) rich in sth that is pleasant or beautiful:\nthe poet’s luxuriant imagery\n    luxuriance  noun [U]:\nthe luxuriance of the tropical forest * the luxuriance of his language


Words: luxuriantly
Meaning:
adverb (written)\n  1  in a way that is thick and attractive:\na tall, luxuriantly bearded man\n  2  (especially of a way of moving your body) in a way that is comfortable and enjoyable:\nShe turned luxuriantly on her side, yawning.


Words: luxuriate
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  luxuriate in sth (written) to relax while enjoying sth very pleasant:\nShe luxuriated in all the attention she received.


Words: luxurious
Meaning:
adjective\nvery comfortable; containing expensive and enjoyable things:\na luxurious hotel * luxurious surroundings\nOPP SPARTAN\n    luxuriously adverb:\nluxuriously comfortable * a luxuriously furnished apartment * She stretched luxuriously on the bed.


Words: luxury
Meaning:
noun (plural luxuries)\n  1  [U] the enjoyment of special and expensive things, particularly food and drink, clothes and surroundings:\nNow we’ll be able to live in luxury for the rest of our lives. * to lead / live a life of luxury * a luxury hotel / cruise * luxury goods / items\n  2  [C] a thing that is expensive and enjoyable but not essential:\nsmall luxuries like chocolate and cigarettes * There’s no brandy. I can’t afford such luxuries. * I love having a long, hot bath-it’s one of life’s little luxuries. * It was a luxury if you had a washing machine in those days. * A comfortable bed to sleep in is a luxury that we take for granted.\n  3  [U, sing.] a pleasure or an advantage that you do not often have:\nI allow myself the luxury of a sauna once a week. * We had the luxury of being able to choose from four good candidates for the job.\n IDIOMS  see LAP n.


Words: ly suffix
Meaning:
1  (in adverbs) in the way mentioned:\nhappily * stupidly\n  2  (in adjectives) having the qualities of:\ncowardly * scholarly\n  3  (in adjectives and adverbs) at intervals of:\nhourly * daily


Words: Lycra
Meaning:
(also Spandex) noun\n[U] an artificial fabric that stretches, used for making clothes that fit close to the body:\nAll our swimwear contains Lycra.


Words: lying-in
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (old-fashioned) the period of time during which a woman in the past stayed in bed before and after giving birth to a child


Words: Lyme disease
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a serious disease that causes fever and pain in the joints of the body, caused by bacteria carried by TICKS (= small insects)


Words: lymph
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a colourless liquid containing white blood cells that cleans the tissues of the body and helps to prevent infections from spreading:\nlymph glands / nodes\n    lymphatic  adjective [only before noun]:\nthe lymphatic system


Words: lynch
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] if a crowd of people lynch sb whom they consider guilty of a crime, they capture them, do not allow them to have a trial in a court of law, and kill them illegally, usually by hanging\n    lynching noun [C, U]


Words: lynx
Meaning:
noun\n(plural lynx or lynxes) a wild animal of the cat family, with spots on its fur and a very short tail


Words: lyre
Meaning:
noun\nan ancient musical instrument with strings fastened in a frame shaped like a U. It was played with the fingers.


Words: lyric
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  (of poetry) expressing a person’s personal feelings and thoughts\ncompare EPIC\n  2  connected with, or written for, singing\n    noun\n  1  [C] a lyric poem\ncompare EPIC\n  2  (lyrics) [pl.] the words of a song:\nmusic and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart


Words: lyrical
Meaning:
adjective\nexpressing strong emotion in an imaginative way:\na lyrical melody * He began to wax lyrical (= talk enthusiastically) about his new car.


Words: lyrically
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a way that expresses strong emotion\n  2  connected with the words of a song:\nBoth musically and lyrically it is very effective.


Words: lyricism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the expression of strong emotion in poetry, art, music, etc:\nShe played the concerto with passionate lyricism. * the lyricism of his early poetry


Words: M
Meaning:
noun, abbreviation, symbol \n    noun (also m) [C, U] (plural M’s, m’s ) the 13th letter of the English alphabet:\n’Milk’ begins with (an) M / ’M’.\n    abbreviation\n  1  (also med.) (especially for sizes of clothes) medium:\nS M and L (= small, medium and large)\n  2  (used with a number to show the name of a British motorway):\nheavy traffic on the M25\n    symbol (also m) the number 1 000 in ROMAN NUMERALS


Words: m
Meaning:
(BrE) (also m. AmE, BrE) abbreviation\n  1  male\n  2  married\n  3  metre(s):\n800m medium wave\n  4  million(s):\npopulation: 10m


Words: MA
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE M.A.)  noun\nthe abbreviation for ’Master of Arts’ (a second university degree in an ARTS subject, or, in Scotland, a first university degree in an arts subject):\nto be / have / do an MA * (BrE) Julie Bell MA


Words: ma’am
Meaning:
noun [sing.]\n  1  (AmE) used as a polite way of addressing a woman:\n’Can I help you, ma’am?’\ncompare SIR\n  2  (BrE) used when addressing the Queen or senior women officers in the police or army = MADAM


Words: macabre
Meaning:
adjective\nunpleasant and strange because connected with death and frightening things:\na macabre tale / joke / ritual


Words: macaw
Meaning:
noun\na large South and Central American tropical bird of the PARROT family, with bright feathers and a long tail


Words: Mace
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a chemical that makes your eyes and skin sting, that some people, including police officers, carry in spray cans so that they can defend themselves against people attacking them


Words: mace
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a decorative stick, carried as a sign of authority by an official such as a MAYOR\ncompare SCEPTRE\n  2  [C] a large heavy stick that has a head with metal points on it, used in the past as a weapon\n  3  [U] the dried outer covering of NUTMEGS (= the hard nuts of an E Indian tree), used in cooking as a spice


Words: macerate
Meaning:
verb\n[V, VN] (technical) to make sth (especially food) soft by soaking it in a liquid; to become soft in this way


Words: Mach
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (often followed by a number) a measurement of speed, used especially for aircraft. Mach 1 is the speed of sound:\na fighter plane with a top speed of Mach 3 (= 3 times the speed of sound)


Words: Machiavellian
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, disapproving) using clever plans to achieve what you want, without people realizing what you are doing:\nMachiavellian manipulation / motives / manoeuvres\n ORIGIN  Named after Niccolo Machiavelli, an Italian statesman (1469-1527), who explained in his book The Prince, that it was often necessary for rulers to use immoral methods in order to achieve power and success.


Words: machination
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] (disapproving) a secret and complicated plan:\npolitical machinations * I don’t want to get involved in all his machinations.


Words: machine
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (often in compounds) a piece of equipment with moving parts that is designed to do a particular job. The power used to work a machine may be electricity, steam, gas, etc. or human power:\nMachines have replaced human labour in many industries. * to operate / run a machine * How does this machine work? * a washing / sewing machine * a machine for making plastic toys * I left a message on her answering machine. * The potatoes are planted by machine.\n  2  (informal) a particular machine, for example in the home, when you do not refer to it by its full name:\nJust put those clothes in the machine (= the washing machine). * The new machines (= computers) will be shipped next month.\n  3  a group of people that control an organization or part of an organization:\nthe president’s propaganda machine * Hollywood’s slick public relations machine has produced a new improved model of a young movie star.\n  4  (often disapproving) a person who acts automatically, without allowing their feelings to show or to affect their work:\nHe was the perfect fighting machine with a total disregard for his own personal safety.\nsee also MECHANICAL, FRUIT MACHINE, SLOT MACHINE, TIME MACHINE\n HELP NOTE  You will find other compounds ending in machine at their place in the alphabet.\n IDIOMS  see COG\n    verb (technical) to make or shape sth with a machine: [VN] This material can be cut and machined easily. [also V]


Words: machine code
Meaning:
(also machine language) noun\n(computing) a CODE in which instructions are written in the form of numbers so that a computer can understand and act on them


Words: machine gun
Meaning:
noun\na gun that automatically fires many bullets one after the other very quickly:\na burst / hail of machine-gun fire


Words: machine-gun
Meaning:
verb\n(-nn-) [VN] to shoot at sb/sth with a machine gun:\nA group of prisoners was taken into the forest and machine-gunned.


Words: machinery
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] machines as a group, especially large ones:\nagricultural / industrial machinery * a piece of machinery\n  2  [U] the parts of a machine that make it work:\na clock with all its machinery hanging out\n  3  [U, sing.] ~ (of sth) | ~ (for doing sth) the organization or structure of sth; the system for doing sth:\nthe machinery of government * There is no machinery for resolving disputes. * They are faced with the task of dismantling the state machinery in order to create more democratic structures. * The bumblebee has developed complex machinery for collecting pollen.


Words: machinist
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person whose job is operating a machine, especially machines used in industry for cutting and shaping things, or a sewing machine\n  2  a person whose job is to make or repair machines


Words: machismo
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from Spanish, usually disapproving) aggressive male behaviour that emphasizes the importance of being strong rather than being intelligent and sensitive:\nThe culture of machismo is strong in some countries.


Words: macho
Meaning:
adjective\n(usually disapproving) male in an aggressive way:\nHe’s too macho to ever admit he was wrong. * macho pride / posturing


Words: mackerel
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural mackerel) a sea fish with greenish-blue bands on its body, that is used for food:\nsmoked mackerel


Words: macro-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) large; on a large scale:\nmacroeconomics\nOPP MICRO-


Words: macrobiotic
Meaning:
adjective\nconsisting of whole grains and vegetables grown without chemical treatment:\na macrobiotic diet


Words: macrocosm
Meaning:
noun\nany large complete structure that contains smaller structures, for example the universe\ncompare MICROCOSM


Words: macroeconomics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the study of large economic systems, such as those of whole countries or areas of the world\n    macroeconomic adjective:\nmacroeconomic policy


Words: mad
Meaning:
adjective (madder, maddest)\n  1  (especially BrE) (also crazy AmE, BrE) having a mind that does not work normally; mentally ill:\nThey realized that he had gone mad. * Inventors are not mad scientists. * She seemed to have gone stark raving mad. * A revolver is the only way to stop a mad dog.\nsee also BARKING MAD\n  2  (informal, especially BrE) (also crazy AmE, BrE) very stupid; not at all sensible:\nYou must be mad to risk it. * It was a mad idea. * ’I’m going to buy some new clothes.’ ’Well, don’t go mad (= spend more than is sensible).’\n  3  [not before noun] ~ (at / with sb) | ~ (about sth) (informal, especially AmE) very angry:\nHe got mad and walked out. * She’s mad at me for being late. * That noise is driving me mad.\n  4  [not usually before noun] ~ (about / on sth/sb) (informal) liking sth/sb very much; very interested in sth:\nto be mad on tennis * He’s always been mad about kids. * football-mad boys * She’s completely power-mad.\n  5  ~ (with sth) done without thought or control; wild and excited:\nThe crowd made a mad rush for the exit. * Only a mad dash got them to the meeting on time. * to be mad with anger / excitement / grief / love * The team won and the fans went mad.\n IDIOMS \n  like crazy / mad (informal) very fast, hard, much, etc:\nI had to run like mad to catch the bus.\n  (as) mad as a hatter / a March hare (informal) (of a person) mentally ill; very silly\n ORIGIN  From the Mad Hatter, a character in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Because of the chemicals used in hat-making, workers often suffered from mercury poisoning, which can cause loss of memory and damage to the nervous system. A March hare was called mad because of the strange behaviour of hares during the mating season.\n  mad keen (on sth/sb) (BrE, informal) liking sth/sb very much; very interested in sth:\nHe’s mad keen on planes.\nmore at HOP v.


Words: madam
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing.] (formal) used when speaking or writing to a woman in a formal or business situation:\nCan I help you, madam? * Dear Madam (= used like Dear Sir in a letter)\nsee also MA’AM\n  2  [C] (informal disapproving, especially BrE) a girl or young woman who expects other people to do what she wants:\nShe’s a proper little madam.\n  3  [C] a woman who is in charge of the prostitutes in a BROTHEL


Words: madcap
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (informal) (of people, plans etc.) crazy and not caring about danger; not sensible\nSYN RECKLESS:\nmadcap schemes / escapades * Stories began circulating about her madcap lifestyle.


Words: madden
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] to make sb very angry or crazy:\nMaddened with pain, the wounded bull ran at them.\n    maddening  adjective:\nmaddening delays\n    maddeningly adverb:\nProgress is maddeningly slow.


Words: made
Meaning:
1  past tense, past participle of MAKE\n  2  (-made) (in adjectives) made in the way, place, etc. mentioned:\nwell-made * home-made\nsee also SELF-MADE\n IDIOMS \n  have (got) it made (informal) to be sure of success; to have everything that you want\n  (be) made for sb / each other to be completely suited to sb/each other:\nPeter and Judy seem made for each other, don’t they?


Words: made-to-measure
Meaning:
adjective\n(of clothes, curtains / drapes, etc.) made specially to fit a particular person, window, etc.


Words: made-up
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  wearing MAKE-UP:\na heavily made-up face / woman\n  2  not true or real; invented:\na made-up story / word / name


Words: Madeira
Meaning:
(also Madeira wine) noun\n  1  [U, C] a strong sweet white wine from the island of Madeira\n  2  [C] a glass of Madeira


Words: madhouse
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [usually sing.] (informal) a place where there is confusion and noise:\nDon’t work in that department; it’s a madhouse.\n  2  (old use) a hospital for people who are mentally ill


Words: madly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  (only used after a verb) in a way that shows a lack of control:\nShe was rushing around madly trying to put out the fire. * His heart thudded madly against his ribs. * He saw the weathervane spinning madly in the powerful breeze.\n  2  (informal) very, extremely:\nmadly excited / jealous * She’s madly in love with him.


Words: madman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural madmen ) a man who has a serious mental illness:\nThe killing was the act of a madman. * He drove like a madman. * Some madman (= stupid person) deleted all the files.\nsee also MADWOMAN


Words: madness
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (old-fashioned) the state of having a serious mental illness\nSYN INSANITY:\nThere may be a link between madness and creativity.\n  2  crazy or stupid behaviour that could be dangerous:\nIt would be sheer madness to trust a man like that. * In a moment of madness she had agreed to go out with him.\n IDIOMS  see METHOD


Words: madonna
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (the Madonna) [sing.] the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ\n  2  [C] a statue or picture of the Virgin Mary:\na madonna and child


Words: madwoman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural madwomen ) a woman who has a serious mental illness:\nHer words sounded like the ravings of a madwoman.\nsee also MADMAN


Words: maelstrom
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.]\n  1  (literary) a situation full of strong emotions or confusing events, that is hard to control and makes you feel frightened:\na maelstrom of conflicting emotions * They were being sucked into the maelstrom of war.\n  2  a very strong current of water that moves in circles\nSYN WHIRLPOOL


Words: maestro
Meaning:
noun\n(plural maestros) (often used as a way of addressing sb, showing respect) a great performer, especially a musician:\nMaestro Giulini * The winning goal was scored by the maestro himself.


Words: Mafia
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (the Mafia) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] a secret organization of criminals, that is active especially in Sicily, Italy and the US:\na Mafia boss * Large areas of the city were controlled by the Mafia.\n  2  (mafia) [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of people within an organization or a community who use their power to get advantages for themselves:\na member of the local mafia * Politics is still dominated by the middle-class mafia.


Words: magazine
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (also informal mag ) a type of large thin book with a paper cover that you can buy every week or month, containing articles, photographs, etc., often on a particular topic:\na weekly / monthly magazine * a magazine article / interview * Her designer clothes were from the pages of a glossy fashion magazine.\n \n  2  a radio or television programme that is about a particular topic:\na regional news magazine on TV * a magazine programme / program\n \n  3  the part of a gun that holds the bullets before they are fired\n \n  4  a room or building where weapons, explosives and bullets are stored


Words: maggot
Meaning:
noun\na creature like a small short worm, that is the young form of a fly and is found in decaying meat and other food. Maggots are often used as BAIT on a hook to catch fish.


Words: Magi
Meaning:
(the Magi) noun [pl.] (in the Bible) the three wise men from the East who are said to have brought presents to the baby Jesus


Words: magic
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun [U]\n  1  the secret power of appearing to make impossible things happen by saying special words or doing special things:\nDo you believe in magic? * a place of secret shadows and ancient magic * He suddenly appeared as if by magic. * A passage was cleared through the crowd like magic.\nsee also BLACK MAGIC\n  2  the art of doing tricks that seem impossible in order to entertain people\nSYN CONJURING\n  3  a special quality or ability that sb/sth has, that seems too wonderful to be real:\ndance and music which capture the magic of India * He loved the magic and mystery of the place. * Like all truly charismatic people he can work his magic on both men and women. * Our year in Italy was pure / sheer magic. * He’s returning to the team this season, hoping that the old magic can be made to work once more.\n IDIOMS  see WEAVE v.\n    adjective\n  1  having or using special powers to make impossible things happen or seem to happen:\na magic spell / charm / potion / trick * There is no magic formula for passing exams-only hard work.\n  2  (informal) having a special quality that makes sth seem wonderful:\nIt was a magic moment when the two sisters were reunited after 30 years. * She has a magic touch with the children and they do everything she asks. * Trust is the magic ingredient in our relationship.\n  3  [not before noun] (BrE, informal) very good or enjoyable:\n’What was the trip like?’ ’Magic!’\n    verb (-ck-) [VN +adv./prep.] to make sb/sth appear somewhere, disappear or turn into sth, by magic, or as if by magic:\nThree goal scoring chances were conjured up by Swindon, only to be magicked away by Leicester. * He played an early little sonata of Mozart’s, which he magicked into a masterpiece with his deft touch.


Words: magic mushroom
Meaning:
noun\na type of MUSHROOM that has an effect like some drugs and that may make people who eat it HALLUCINATE (= see things that are not there)


Words: magical
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  containing magic; used in magic:\nmagical powers * Her words had a magical effect on us. * Mercury was believed to possess magical properties.\n  2  (informal) wonderful; very enjoyable:\na truly magical feeling * We spent a magical week in Paris. * There is something magical about the pure exchange of love between parent and child.\n    magically  adverb:\nShe looked about in the faint hope that Simon might magically appear from nowhere.


Words: magician
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who can do magic tricks\nSYN CONJUROR\n  2  (in stories) a person who has magic powers\nSYN SORCERER


Words: magisterial
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  (especially of a person or their behaviour) having or showing power or authority:\nHe talked with the magisterial authority of the head of the family. * a magisterial forehead\n  2  (of a book or piece of writing) showing great knowledge or understanding:\nhis magisterial work ’The Roman Wall in Scotland’\n  3  [only before noun] connected with a magistrate\n    magisterially  adverb


Words: magistrate
Meaning:
noun\nan official who acts as a judge in the lowest courts of law\nSYN JUSTICE OF THE PEACE:\na magistrate’s court * to come up before the magistrates


Words: magna cum laude
Meaning:
adverb, adjective\n(from Latin) (in the US) at the second of the three highest levels of achievement that students can reach when they finish their studies at college:\nShe graduated magna cum laude from UCLA.\ncompare CUM LAUDE, SUMMA CUM LAUDE


Words: magnanimous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) kind, generous and forgiving, especially towards an enemy or a RIVAL:\na magnanimous gesture * He was magnanimous in defeat and praised his opponent’s skill.\n    magnanimity  noun [U]:\nShe accepted the criticism with magnanimity.\n    magnanimously adverb


Words: magnate
Meaning:
noun\na person who is rich, powerful and successful, especially in business:\na media / property / shipping magnate


Words: magnesium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol Mg) a chemical element. Magnesium is a light, silver-white metal that burns with a bright white flame.


Words: magnet
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a piece of iron that attracts objects made of iron towards it, either naturally or because of an electric current that is passed through it\n \n  2  [usually sing.] ~ (for sb/sth) a person, place or thing that sb/sth is attracted to:\nIn the 1980s the area became a magnet for new investment.\n \n  3  an object with a magnetic surface that you can stick onto a metal surface:\nfridge magnets of your favourite cartoon characters


Words: magnet school
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) a school in a large city that offers extra courses in some subjects in order to attract students from other areas of the city


Words: magnetic
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  behaving like a magnet (1):\nmagnetic materials * The block becomes magnetic when the current is switched on.\n  2  connected with or produced by magnetism:\nmagnetic properties / forces * a magnetic disk (= one containing magnetic tape that stores information to be used by a computer)\n  3  that people find very powerful and attractive:\na magnetic smile / personality\n    magnetically  adverb


Words: magnetic field
Meaning:
noun\nan area around a MAGNET or MAGNETIC materials, where there is a force that will attract some metals towards it


Words: magnetic media
Meaning:
noun\n[pl., U] the different methods, for example MAGNETIC TAPE, that are used to store information for computers


Words: magnetic north
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the direction that is approximately north as it is shown on a magnetic compass\ncompare TRUE NORTH


Words: magnetism
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a physical PROPERTY (= characteristic) of some metals such as iron, produced by electric currents, that causes forces between objects, either pulling them towards each other or pushing them apart\n  2  the qualities of sth, especially a person’s character, that people find powerful and attractive:\nShe exudes sexual magnetism.


Words: magnetize
Meaning:
(BrE also magnetise)  verb [VN] \n  1  [usually passive] (technical) to make sth metal behave like a MAGNET\n  2  (written) to strongly attract sb:\nCities have a powerful magnetizing effect on young people.


Words: magneto
Meaning:
noun\n(plural magnetos) a small piece of equipment that uses MAGNETS (1) to produce the electricity that lights the fuel in the engine of a car, etc.


Words: magnification
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the act of making sth look larger:\nThe insects were examined under magnification.\n  2  [C, U] the degree to which sth is made to look larger; the degree to which sth is able to make things look larger:\na magnification of 10 times the actual size * high / low magnification * The telescope has a magnification of 50.


Words: magnificent
Meaning:
adjective\nextremely attractive and impressive; deserving praise:\nThe Taj Mahal is a magnificent building. * She looked magnificent in her wedding dress. * You’ve all done a magnificent job.\n    magnificence  noun [U]:\nthe magnificence of the scenery\n    magnificently adverb:\nThe public have responded magnificently to our appeal. * The city boasts a wealth of magnificently preserved temples and palaces.


Words: magnify
Meaning:
verb (magnifies, magnifying, magnified, magnified) [VN] \n  1  to make sth look bigger than it really is, for example by using a LENS or MICROSCOPE:\nbacteria magnified to 1 000 times their actual size * an image magnified by a factor of 4\n  2  to make sth bigger, louder or stronger:\nThe sound was magnified by the high roof. * The dry summer has magnified the problem of water shortages.\n  3  to make sth seem more important or serious than it really is\nSYN EXAGGERATE


Words: magnifying glass
Meaning:
noun\na round piece of glass, usually with a handle, that you look through and that makes things look bigger than they really are


Words: magnitude
Meaning:
noun ~ (of sth)\n  1  [U] (formal) the great size or importance of sth; the degree to which sth is large or important:\nWe did not realize the magnitude of the problem. * a discovery of the first magnitude\n  2  [C, U] (astronomy) the degree to which a star is bright:\nThe star varies in brightness by about three magnitudes. * a star of the second / third magnitude\n  3  [C, U] (geology) the size of an earthquake:\nThe quake reached a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale.


Words: magnolia
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a tree with large white, pink or purple flowers that smell sweet\n  2  [U] a very pale cream colour


Words: magnum opus
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (from Latin) a work of art, music or literature that people think is the best that the artist, etc. has ever produced


Words: magpie
Meaning:
noun\na black and white bird with a long tail and a noisy cry. There is a popular belief that magpies like to steal small bright objects.


Words: maharaja
Meaning:
(also maharajah)  noun\nan Indian prince, especially one who ruled over one of the states of India in the past


Words: mahogany
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the hard reddish-brown wood of a tropical tree, used for making furniture:\na mahogany table\n  2  a reddish-brown colour:\nskin tanned to a deep mahogany


Words: maid
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (often in compounds) a female servant in a house or hotel:\nThere is a maid to do the housework. * The maid was changing the sheets when we got back to our room.\nsee also BARMAID, CHAMBERMAID, DAIRYMAID, HOUSEMAID, MILKMAID, NURSEMAID\n  2  (old use) a young woman who is not married\nsee also OLD MAID


Words: maid of honour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE maid of honor) noun\n(plural maids of honour / honor) (especially in the US) a young woman or girl who is not married and who is the main BRIDESMAID at a wedding\ncompare MATRON OF HONOUR


Words: maiden
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  (literary) a young girl or woman who is not married:\nstories of knights and fair maidens\n  2  (also maiden over) (in cricket) an OVER in which no points are scored\n    adjective [only before noun] being the first of its kind:\na maiden flight / voyage (= the first journey made by a plane / ship) * a maiden speech (= the first speech made by an MP in the British Parliament)


Words: maiden name
Meaning:
noun\na woman’s family name before marriage:\nKate kept her maiden name when she got married (= did not change her SURNAME to that of her husband).


Words: maidenhair fern
Meaning:
noun\n(also maidenhair [U]) a type of FERN with long thin stems and delicate pale green leaves that are shaped like FANS


Words: mail
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [U]\n \n  1  (BrE also post) the official system used for sending and delivering letters, packages, etc:\na mail service / train / van * the Royal Mail * Your cheque is in the mail. * We do our business by mail.\nsee also AIRMAIL, SNAIL MAIL, VOICEMAIL\n \n  2  (BrE also post) letters, packages, etc. that are sent and delivered:\nThere isn’t much mail today. * I sat down to open the mail. * Is there a letter from them in the mail? * hate mail (= letters containing insults and threats)\nsee also JUNK MAIL, SURFACE MAIL\n \n  3  messages that are sent or received on a computer:\nCheck regularly for new mail.\nsee also ELECTRONIC MAIL, E-MAIL\n  4  used in the title of some newspapers:\nthe Mail on Sunday\n  5  = CHAIN MAIL:\na coat of mail -> POST\n    verb ~ sth (to sb/sth) | ~ (sb) sth (especially AmE) to send sth to sb using the POSTAL system: [VN, VNN] Don’t forget to mail that letter to your mother. * Don’t forget to mail your mother that letter. * [VN] The company intends to mail 50 000 households in the area. -> POST\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  mail sth<->out to send out a large number of letters, etc. at the same time:\nThe brochures were mailed out last week.


Words: mail order
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a system of buying and selling goods through the mail:\nAll our products are available by mail order. * a mail-order company * a mail-order catalogue


Words: mailbag
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (BrE also postbag) a large strong bag that is used for carrying letters and parcels/packages\n \n  2  (BrE) = POSTBAG (1)


Words: mailbox
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (AmE) = LETTER BOX (2)\n \n  2  (AmE) = POSTBOX\n \n  3  the area of a computer’s memory where electronic mail messages are stored


Words: mailing
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the act of sending items by mail:\nThe strike has delayed the mailing of tax reminders. * a mailing address\n  2  (AmE also mailer) [C] a letter or parcel/package that is sent by mail, especially one that is sent to a large number of people:\nAn order form is included in the mailing.


Words: mailing list
Meaning:
noun\na list of the names and addresses of people who are regularly sent information, advertising material, etc. by an organization:\nI am already on your mailing list.


Words: mailman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural mailmen ) (also mail carrier, letter carrier) (all AmE) a person whose job is to collect and deliver letters, etc.\nsee also POSTMAN


Words: maim
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to injure sb seriously, causing permanent damage to their body:\nHundreds of people are killed or maimed in car accidents every week.


Words: main
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] being the largest or most important of its kind:\nBe careful crossing the main road. * the main course (= of a meal) * We have our main meal at lunchtime. * Reception is in the main building. * Poor housing and unemployment are the main problems. * (spoken) The main thing is to stay calm.\n IDIOMS  see EYE n.\n    noun\n  1  [C] a large pipe that carries water or gas to a building; a large cable that carries electricity to a building:\na leaking gas main\nsee also WATER MAIN\n  2  a large pipe that carries waste/water and SEWAGE (= human waste, etc.) away from a building\n  3  (the mains) [pl.] (BrE) the place where the supply of water, gas or electricity to a building or an area starts; the system of providing gas, water and electricity to a building or of carrying it away from a building:\nThe house is not yet connected to the mains. * The electricity supply has been cut off at the mains. * Plug the transformer into the mains (= the place on a wall where electricity is brought into a room). * mains gas / water / electricity * The shaver will run off batteries or mains. * mains drainage\n IDIOMS \n  in the main used to say that a statement is true in most cases:\nThe service here is, in the main, reliable. * In the main, the money raised goes to children’s charities.


Words: main clause
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) a group of words that includes a subject and a verb and can form a sentence\ncompare SUBORDINATE CLAUSE


Words: main line
Meaning:
noun\nan important railway/railroad line between two cities:\nthe main line from London to Edinburgh\n    main-line adjective:\na main-line station


Words: main street
Meaning:
noun (AmE)\n  1  [C] = HIGH STREET\n  2  (Main Street) [U] typical middle-class Americans:\nMain Street won’t be happy with this new program.


Words: mainframe
Meaning:
(also mainframe computer) noun\na large powerful computer, usually the centre of a NETWORK and shared by many users\ncompare MICROCOMPUTER, MINICOMPUTER, PERSONAL COMPUTER


Words: mainland
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (the mainland) the main area of land of a country, not including any islands near to it:\na boat to / from the mainland * The Hebrides are to the west of the Scottish mainland.\n    mainland adjective [only before noun]:\nmainland Greece


Words: mainline
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (especially AmE) belonging to the system, or connected with the ideas that most people accept or believe in\nSYN MAINSTREAM:\nmainline churches / faiths\n    verb (slang) to take an illegal drug by INJECTING it into a VEIN: [VN] At 18 he was mainlining heroin. [also V]


Words: mainly
Meaning:
adverb\nused to show that a statement is true to a large degree:\nThe people in the hotel were mainly foreign tourists. * an advertising campaign aimed mainly at teenagers * The population almost doubles in summer, mainly because of the jazz festival. * ’Where do you export to?’ ’France, mainly.’ * During the day it’ll become mainly dry with clear skies.


Words: mainspring
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [usually sing.] ~ (of sth) (written) the most important part of sth; the most important influence on sth:\nSmall companies are the mainspring of the British economy. * Her Christian faith was the mainspring of her life.\n  2  the most important spring in a watch, clock, etc.


Words: mainstay
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] ~ (of sth) a person or thing that is the most important part of sth and enables it to exist or be successful:\nHe is the mainstay of our theatre group. * Cocoa is the country’s economic mainstay. * Love songs form the mainstay of his act.


Words: mainstream
Meaning:
noun\n(the mainstream) [sing.] the ideas and opinions that are thought to be normal because they are shared by most people; the people whose ideas and opinions are most accepted:\nHis radical views place him outside the mainstream of American politics. * He was never part of the literary mainstream as a writer.\n    mainstream adjective [usually before noun]:\nmainstream education


Words: maintain
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to make sth continue at the same level, standard, etc.\nSYN PRESERVE:\nto maintain law and order / standards / a balance * The two countries have always maintained close relations. * (formal) She maintained a dignified silence. * to maintain prices (= prevent them falling or rising)\n  2  [VN] to keep a building, a machine, etc. in good condition by checking or repairing it regularly:\nThe house is large and difficult to maintain.\n  3  to keep stating that sth is true, even though other people do not agree or do not believe it:\n[V (that)] The men maintained (that) they were out of the country when the crime was committed. * [VN] She has always maintained her innocence. [also V speech]\n  4  [VN] to support sb/sth financially over a long period of time\nSYN KEEP:\nHer income was barely enough to maintain one child, let alone three.


Words: maintenance
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  ~ (of sth) the act of keeping sth in good condition by checking or repairing it regularly:\nThe school pays for heating and the maintenance of the buildings. * car maintenance\n  2  ~ (of sth) the act of making a state or situation continue:\nthe maintenance of international peace\n  3  (BrE, law) money that sb must pay regularly to their former wife, husband or partner, especially when they have had children together:\nHe has to pay maintenance to his ex-wife. * child maintenance * a maintenance order (= given by a court of law)\nsee also ALIMONY


Words: maisonette
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a flat/apartment with rooms on two floors within a building, usually with a separate entrance


Words: maitre d’
Meaning:
(also formal maitre d’hotel) (from French, informal)\n  1  a head WAITER\n  2  a man who manages a hotel


Words: maize
Meaning:
noun [U]\n \n  1  (BrE) (AmE corn) a tall plant grown for its large yellow grains that are used for making flour or eaten as a vegetable; the grains of this plant\nsee also CORN ON THE COB, SWEETCORN\n \n  2  (especially AmE) = INDIAN CORN


Words: majestic
Meaning:
adjective\nimpressive because of size or beauty:\na majestic castle / river / view * The Rockies are majestic in size.\n    majestically  adverb:\nThe cliffs rise majestically from the ocean.


Words: majesty
Meaning:
noun (plural majesties)\n  1  [U] (written) the impressive and attractive quality that sth has:\nthe sheer majesty of St Peter’s in Rome * the majesty of the music\n  2  [C] (His / Her / Your Majesty) a title of respect used when speaking about or to a king or queen:\nTheir Majesties, the King and Queen of Spain * The Prime Minister is here to see you, Your Majesty.\n  3  [U] royal power


Words: major
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] very large or important:\na major road * major international companies * to play a major role in sth * We have encountered major problems. * There were calls for major changes to the welfare system.\nOPP MINOR\n  2  [not before noun] (AmE, spoken) serious:\nNever mind-it’s not major.\n  3  (music) based on a SCALE (= a series of eight notes) in which the third note is two whole TONES/STEPS higher than the first note:\nthe key of D major\ncompare MINOR\n  4  (AmE) related to sb’s main subject of study in college\n    noun\n  1  [C] (abbreviation Maj.) an officer of fairly high rank in the army or the US air force:\nMajor Smith * He’s a major in the US army.\nsee also DRUM MAJOR, SERGEANT MAJOR\n  2  [C] (AmE) the main subject or course of a student at college or university:\nHer major is French.\ncompare MINOR\n  3  [C] (AmE) a student studying a particular subject as the main part of their course:\nShe’s a French major.\n  4  [U] (music) a major key or scale:\nto change from major to minor\n  5  (the majors) [pl.] (AmE, sport) the MAJOR LEAGUES\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  major in sth (AmE) to study sth as your main subject at a university or college:\nShe majored in History at Stanford.\n  major on sth (BrE) to pay particular attention to one subject, issue, etc.


Words: major league
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun] (AmE)\n  1  (sport) connected with baseball teams in the Major Leagues (= the most important groups of teams that compete against each other):\na major league team / game / player\n  2  very important and having a lot of influence:\na major league business


Words: majority
Meaning:
noun (plural majorities)\n  1  [sing.+sing./pl. v.] ~ (of sb/sth) the largest part of a group of people or things:\nThe majority of people interviewed prefer TV to radio. * The majority was / were in favour of banning smoking. * This treatment is not available in the vast majority of hospitals. * a majority decision (= one that is decided by what most people want) * In the nursing profession, women are in a / the majority.\nOPP MINORITY\nsee also MORAL MAJORITY, THE SILENT MAJORITY\n  2  [C] ~ (over sb) the number of votes by which one political party wins an election; the number of votes by which one side in a discussion, etc. wins:\nShe was elected by / with a majority of 749. * They had a large majority over their nearest rivals. * a clear (= large) majority * The government does not have an overall majority (= more members than all the other parties added together). * The resolution was carried by a huge majority.\nsee also ABSOLUTE MAJORITY\n  3  [C] (AmE) the difference between the number of votes given to the candidate who wins the election and the total number of votes of all the other candidates\nsee also PLURALITY\n  4  [U] (law) the age at which you are legally considered to be an adult:\nThe age of majority in Britain was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1970.


Words: majority leader
Meaning:
noun\nthe leader of the political party that has the majority in either the House of Representatives or the Senate in the US


Words: majority rule
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a system in which power is held by the group that has the largest number of members:\nBlack majority rule in South Africa took many years to achieve.


Words: majorly
Meaning:
adverb\n(used before an adjective) (informal, especially AmE) very; extremely:\nmajorly disappointed


Words: make
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (made, made )\n  create\n  1  ~ sth (from / (out) of sth) | ~ sth into sth | ~ sth (for sb) | ~ sb sth to create or prepare sth by combining materials or putting parts together:\n[VN] to make a table / dress / cake * to make bread / cement / paper * She makes her own clothes. * Wine is made from grapes. * The grapes are made into wine. * What’s your shirt made of? * made in France (= on a label) * [VN, VNN] She made coffee for us all. * She made us all coffee. -> DO\n  2  [VN] to write, create or prepare sth:\nThese regulations were made to protect children. * My lawyer has been urging me to make a will. * She has made (= directed or acted in) several movies.\n  a bed\n  3  [VN] to arrange a bed so that it is neat and ready for use\n  cause to appear / happen / become / do\n  4  [VN] to cause sth to appear as a result of breaking, tearing, hitting or removing material:\nThe stone made a dent in the roof of the car. * The holes in the cloth were made by moths.\n  5  [VN] to cause sth to exist, happen or be done:\nto make a noise / mess / fuss * She tried to make a good impression on the interviewer. * I keep making the same mistakes.\n  6  [VN-ADJ] to cause sb/sth to be or become sth:\nThe news made him very happy. * She made her objections clear. * He made it clear that he objected. * The full story was never made public. * Can you make yourself understood in Russian? * She couldn’t make herself heard above the noise of the traffic. * The terrorists made it known that tourists would be targeted.\n  7  [VN inf] to cause sb/sth to do sth:\nShe always makes me laugh. * This dress makes me look fat. * What makes you say that (= why do you think so)? * Nothing will make me change my mind.\n  8  ~ sth of sb/sth | ~ sth sth to cause sb/sth to be or become sth:\n[VN] This isn’t very important-I don’t want to make an issue of it. * Don’t make a habit of it. * You’ve made a terrible mess of this job. * It’s important to try and make something of (= achieve sth in) your life. * We’ll make a tennis player of you yet. * [VN-N] I made painting the house my project for the summer. * She made it her business to find out who was responsible.\n  a decision / guess / comment, etc.\n  9  [VN] ~ a decision, guess, comment, etc. to decide, guess, etc. sth:\nCome on! It’s time we made a start.\n HELP NOTE  Make can be used in this way with a number of different nouns. These expressions are included at the entry for each noun.\n  force\n  10  to force sb to do sth:\n[VN inf] They made me repeat the whole story. * [VN to inf] She must be made to comply with the rules.\n HELP NOTE  This pattern is only used in the passive. [VN] He never cleans his room and his mother never tries to make him.\n  represent\n  11  to represent sb/sth as being or doing sth:\n[VN-ADJ] You’ve made my nose too big (for example in a drawing). * [VN-N] He makes King Lear a truly tragic figure.\n  appoint\n  12  [VN-N] to elect or choose sb as sth:\nShe made him her assistant.\n  be suitable\n  13  linking verb [V-N] to become or develop into sth; to be suitable for sth:\nShe would have made an excellent teacher. * This room would make a nice office.\n  equal\n  14  linking verb [V-N] to add up to or equal sth:\n5 and 7 make 12. * A hundred cents make one euro.\n  15  linking verb [V-N] to be a total of sth:\nThat makes the third time he’s failed his driving test!\n  money\n  16  [VN] to earn or gain money:\nShe makes $100 000 a year. * to make a profit / loss * We need to think of ways to make money. * He made a fortune on the stock market. * He makes a living as a stand-up comic.\n  calculate\n  17  [VN-N] [no passive] to think or calculate sth to be sth:\nWhat time do you make it? * I make that exactly $50.\n  reach\n  18  [VN] [no passive] to manage to reach or go to a place or position:\nDo you think we’ll make Dover by 12? * I’m sorry I couldn’t make your party last night. * He’ll never make (= get a place in) the team. * The story made (= appeared on) the front pages of the national newspapers. * We just managed to make the deadline (= to finish sth in time).\n  sth successful\n  19  [VN] to cause sth to be a success:\nGood wine can make a meal. * The news really made my day.\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing make are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example make merry is at merry.\n  make as if to do sth (written) to make a movement that makes it seem as if you are just going to do sth:\nHe made as if to speak.\n  make do (with sth) to manage with sth that is not really satisfactory:\nWe were in a hurry so we had to make do with a quick snack.\n  make good to become rich and successful\n  make sth good\n1 to pay for, replace or repair sth that has been lost or damaged:\nShe promised to make good the damage.\n2 to carry out a promise, threat, etc.\nSYN FULFIL\n  make it\n1 to be successful in your career:\nHe never really made it as an actor.\n2 to succeed in reaching a place in time, especially when this is difficult:\nThe flight leaves in twenty minutes-we’ll never make it.\n3 to be able to be present at a place:\nI’m sorry I won’t be able to make it (for example, to a party) on Saturday.\n4 to survive after a serious illness or accident; to deal successfully with a difficult experience:\nThe doctors think he’s going to make it. * I don’t know how I made it through the week.\n  make it with sb (AmE, slang) to have sex with sb\n  make like ... (AmE, informal) to pretend to be, know or have sth in order to impress people:\nHe makes like he’s the greatest actor of all time.\n  make the most of sth/sb / yourself to gain as much advantage, enjoyment, etc. as you can from sb/sth:\nIt’s my first trip abroad so I’m going to make the most of it. * She doesn’t know how to make the most of herself (= make herself appear in the best possible way).\n  make much of sth/sb (written) to treat sth/sb as very important:\nHe always makes much of his humble origins.\n  make or break sth to be the thing that makes sb/sth either a success or a failure:\nThis movie will make or break him as a director. * It’s make-or-break time for the company.\n  make something of yourself to be successful in your life\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  make for sth\n1 to move towards sth\n2 to help to make sth possible:\nConstant arguing doesn’t make for a happy marriage.\nsee also be made for sb / each other at MADE\n  make sb/sth into sb/sth to change sb/sth into sb/sth:\nWe’re making our attic into an extra bedroom.\n  make sth of sb/sth to understand the meaning or character of sb/sth:\nWhat do you make of it all? * I can’t make anything of this note. * I don’t know what to make of (= think of) the new manager.\n  make off to hurry away, especially in order to escape\n  make off with sth to steal sth and hurry away with it\n  make out (informal)\n1 used to ask if sb managed well or was successful in a particular situation:\nHow did he make out while his wife was away?\n2 (AmE) ~ (with sb) to kiss and touch sb in a sexual way; to have sex with sb\n  make sb out to understand sb’s character\n  make sb/sth<->out\n1 to manage to see sb/sth or read or hear sth:\nI could just make out a figure in the darkness. * [+ wh-] I could hear voices but I couldn’t make out what they were saying.\n2 to say that sth is true when it may not be\nSYN CLAIM:\nShe’s not as rich as people make out. * [+ that] He made out that he had been robbed. * [+ to inf] She makes herself out to be smarter than she really is.\n  make sth<->out\n1 to write out or complete a form or document:\nHe made out a cheque for ｣100. * The doctor made out a prescription for me. * Applications must be made out in triplicate.\n2 (used in negative sentences and questions) to understand sth; to see the reasons for sth:\nHow do you make that out (= what are your reasons for thinking that)? * [+ wh-] I can’t make out what she wants.\n  make sth<->over (to sb/sth)\n1 to legally give sth to sb:\nHe made over the property to his eldest son.\n2 to change sth in order to make it look different or use it for a different purpose; to give sb a different appearance by changing their clothes, hair, etc.\nrelated noun MAKEOVER\n  make towards sth to start moving towards sth:\nHe made towards the door.\n  make up | make yourself / sb<->up to put powder, LIPSTICK, etc. on your/sb’s face to make it more attractive or to prepare for an appearance in the theatre, on television, etc.\nrelated noun MAKE-UP (1)\n  make sth<->up\n1 to form sth\nSYN CONSTITUTE:\nWomen make up 56% of the student numbers.\nrelated noun MAKE-UP -> COMPRISE\n2 to put sth together from several different things\nrelated noun MAKE-UP\n3 to invent a story, etc., especially in order to deceive or entertain sb:\nHe made up some excuse about his daughter being sick. * I told the kids a story, making it up as I went along. * You made that up!\n4 to complete a number or an amount required:\nWe need one more person to make up a team.\n5 to replace sth that has been lost; to COMPENSATE for sth:\nCan I leave early this afternoon and make up the time tomorrow?\n6 to prepare a medicine by mixing different things together\n7 to prepare a bed for use; to create a temporary bed:\nWe made up the bed in the spare room. * They made up a bed for me on the sofa.\n  make up for sth to do sth that corrects a bad situation:\nNothing can make up for the loss of a child. * After all the delays, we were anxious to make up for lost time. * Her enthusiasm makes up for her lack of experience. * A warm and sunny September made up for a miserable wet August.\n  make up (to sb) for sth to to do sth for sb or give them sth because you have caused them trouble, suffering or disappointment and wish to show that you are sorry\nSYN COMPENSATE:\nHow can I make up for the way I’ve treated you? * (informal) I’ll make it up to you, I promise.\n  make up to sb (BrE, informal, disapproving) to be pleasant to sb, praise them, etc. especially in order to get an advantage for yourself\n  make up (with sb) (BrE also make it up) to end a quarrel with sb and become friends again:\nWhy don’t you two kiss and make up? * Has he made it up with her yet? * Have they made it up yet?\n    noun ~ (of sth) the name or type of a machine, piece of equipment, etc. that is made by a particular company:\nWhat make of car does he drive? * There are so many different makes to choose from. * a Swiss make of watch\n IDIOMS \n  on the make (informal, disapproving) trying to get money or an advantage for yourself


Words: make-believe
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (disapproving) imagining or pretending things to be different or more exciting than they really are:\nThey live in a world of make-believe.\n  2  imagining that sth is real, or that you are sb else, for example in a child’s game:\n’Let’s play make-believe,’ said Sam.


Words: make-up
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] substances used especially by women to make their faces look more attractive, or used by actors to change their appearance:\neye make-up * to put on your make-up * She never wears make-up. * a make-up artist (= a person whose job is to put make-up on the faces of actors and models)\n \n  2  [sing.] the different qualities that combine to form sb’s character:\nJealousy is not part of his make-up. * The final act exposes the fatal flaws in his make-up. * a person’s genetic make-up * The report studies the psychological make-up of a serial killer.\n \n  3  [sing.] ~ (of sth) the different things, people, etc. that combine to form sth; the way in which they combine:\nthe make-up of a TV audience * (technical) the page make-up of a text (= the way in which the words and pictures are arranged on a page)\n \n  4  [C] (AmE) a special exam taken by students who missed or failed an earlier one


Words: makeover
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] the process of improving the appearance of a person or a place:\nShe won a complete makeover in a magazine competition.


Words: maker
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] ~ (of sth) (often in compounds) a person, company, or piece of equipment that makes or produces sth:\na decision / law / policy maker * programme makers * a new film / movie from the makers of ’Terminator’ * If it doesn’t work, send it back to the maker. * an electric coffee-maker * one of the best winemakers is France\nsee also HOLIDAYMAKER, PEACEMAKER, TROUBLEMAKER\n  2  (the, his, your, etc. Maker) [sing.] God\n IDIOMS  see MEET v.


Words: makeshift
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] used temporarily for a particular purpose because the real thing is not available:\nA few cushions formed a makeshift bed. * The hall had been turned into a makeshift hospital.


Words: makeweight
Meaning:
noun\nan unimportant person or thing that is only added or included in sth in order to make it the correct number, quantity, size, etc.


Words: making
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (of sth) (often in compounds) the act or process of making or producing sth:\nstrategic decision making * film-making * dressmaking * tea and coffee making facilities * the making of social policy\nsee also HAYMAKING, NON-PROFIT\n IDIOMS \n  be the making of sb to make sb become a better or more successful person:\nUniversity was the making of Joe.\n  have the makings of sth to have the qualities that are necessary to become sth:\nHer first novel has all the makings of a classic. * He has the makings of a first-rate lawyer.\n  in the making in the process of becoming sth or of being made:\nThis model was two years in the making. * These events are history in the making.\n  of your own making (of a problem, difficulty, etc.) created by you rather than by sb/sth else


Words: mal-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in nouns, verbs and adjectives) bad or badly; not correct or correctly:\nmalpractice * malodorous * malfunction


Words: maladjusted
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially of children) having mental and emotional problems that lead to unacceptable behaviour\ncompare WELL ADJUSTED\n    maladjustment  noun [U]


Words: maladroit
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) done without skill, especially in a way that annoys or offends people:\nBoth parties are unhappy about the maladroit handling of the whole affair.


Words: malady
Meaning:
noun (plural maladies)\n  1  (formal) a serious problem:\nViolent crime is only one of the maladies afflicting modern society.\n  2  (old use) an illness


Words: malaise
Meaning:
noun [U, sing.] (formal)\n  1  the problems affecting a particular situation or group of people that are difficult to explain or identify:\neconomic / financial / social malaise * The latest crime figures are merely symptomatic of a wider malaise in society.\n  2  a general feeling of being ill, unhappy or not satisfied, without signs of any particular problem:\na serious malaise among the staff


Words: malapropism
Meaning:
noun\nan amusing mistake sb makes when they use a word which sounds similar to the word they wanted to use, but means sth different


Words: malaria
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a disease that causes fever and SHIVERING (= shaking of the body) caused by the bite of some types of MOSQUITO\n    malarial  adjective:\nmalarial insects / patients / regions


Words: malarkey
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal, disapproving) behaviour or an idea that you think is nonsense or has no meaning


Words: malcontent
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] (formal, disapproving) a person who is not satisfied with a situation and who complains about it, or causes trouble in order to change it:\nThe strike was engineered by a handful of malcontents.


Words: male
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  (abbreviation m) belonging to the sex that does not give birth to babies; connected with this sex:\na male bird * All the attackers were male, aged between 25 and 30. * a male nurse / model / colleague * male attitudes to women * male bonding (= the act of forming close friendships between men) * the male menopause (= emotional and physical problems that affect some men at about the age of 50)\ncompare MASCULINE\n  2  (biology) (of a plant) producing POLLEN rather than seeds and fruit:\na male flower\n  3  (technical) (of electrical PLUGS, parts of tools, etc.) having a part that sticks out which is designed to fit into a hole, SOCKET, etc.\n    maleness noun [U]:\nthe chromosome that determines maleness\n    noun a male person, animal or plant:\nThe body is that of a white male aged about 40. * The male of the species has a white tail. * a male-dominated profession * Haemophilia is a condition that affects mostly males.


Words: male chauvinism
Meaning:
(also chauvinism) noun\n[U] (disapproving) the belief held by some men that men are more important, intelligent, etc. than women:\nThe profession remains a bastion of male chauvinism.


Words: male chauvinist
Meaning:
(also chauvinist) noun\n(disapproving) a man who believes men are more important, intelligent, etc. than women:\nHe’s just another male chauvinist who is jealous of his wife’s success. * I hate working for that male chauvinist pig Steve.


Words: malevolent
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] having or showing a desire to harm other people:\nmalevolent intentions / thoughts * his dark malevolent eyes\nOPP BENEVOLENT\n    malevolence  noun [U]:\nan act of pure malevolence\n    malevolently adverb


Words: malformation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a part of the body that is not formed correctly:\nSome foetal malformations cannot be diagnosed until late in pregnancy.\n  2  [U] the state of not being correctly formed:\nIn earlier times, disfigurement and malformation were associated with evil.


Words: malfunction
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (of a machine, etc.) to fail to work correctly:\nHe was killed when his parachute malfunctioned. * malfunctioning body cells\n    malfunction noun [C, U]:\nThe drug caused a malfunction in the brain.


Words: malice
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a feeling of hatred for sb that causes a desire to harm them:\nHe sent the letter out of malice. * She is entirely without malice. * He certainly bears you no malice (= does not want to harm you). * The ghosts are described as if they bear actual malice towards humans.\n IDIOMS \n  with malice aforethought (law) with the deliberate intention of committing a crime or harming sb


Words: malicious
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving or showing hatred and a desire to harm sb or hurt their feelings:\nmalicious gossip / lies / rumours * He took malicious pleasure in telling me what she had said.\n    maliciously adverb


Words: malign
Meaning:
verb, adjective \n    verb [VN] (written) to say bad things about sb/sth publicly:\nShe feels she has been much maligned by the press.\n    adjective [usually before noun] (formal) causing harm:\na malign force / influence / effect\ncompare BENIGN


Words: malignancy
Meaning:
noun (plural malignancies) (formal)\n  1  [C] a malignant mass of tissue in the body\nSYN TUMOUR:\nHeavy alcohol consumption causes increased blood pressure and malignancies.\n  2  [U] the state of being malignant


Words: malignant
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a TUMOUR or disease) that cannot be controlled and is likely to cause death:\nmalignant cells\ncompare BENIGN\n  2  (formal) having or showing a strong desire to harm sb


Words: malinger
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (usually be malingering) (disapproving) to pretend to be ill/sick, especially in order to avoid work\n    malingerer noun


Words: malleable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (technical) (of metal, etc.) that can be hit or pressed into different shapes easily without breaking or cracking\n  2  (of people, ideas, etc.) easily influenced or changed\n    malleability  noun [U]:\nThe softness and malleability of gold makes it perfect for making jewellery.


Words: mallet
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a hammer with a large wooden head\n \n  2  a hammer with a long handle and a wooden head, used for hitting the ball in the games of CROQUET and POLO


Words: malnourished
Meaning:
adjective\nin bad health because of a lack of food or a lack of the right type of food:\nTired, malnourished people are prone to infection.


Words: malnutrition
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a poor condition of health caused by a lack of food or a lack of the right type of food\ncompare NUTRITION


Words: malpractice
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (law) careless, wrong or illegal behaviour while in a professional job:\nmedical malpractice * a malpractice suit * He is currently standing trial for alleged malpractices.


Words: malt
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] grain, usually BARLEY, that has been soaked in water for a period of time and then dried, used for making beer, whisky, etc.\n  2  [U, C] = MALT WHISKY\n  3  [U, C] (AmE) = MALTED MILK


Words: malted
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  having been made into malt:\nmalted barley\n  2  having had malt added to it


Words: malted milk
Meaning:
(AmE also malt) noun\n[U, C] a hot or cold drink made from MALT and dried milk mixed with water or milk and usually sugar, sometimes with ice cream and/or chocolate added


Words: maltreat
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (written) to be very cruel to a person or an animal:\nOfficers were accused of maltreating prisoners.\n    maltreatment noun [U]


Words: mammal
Meaning:
noun\nany animal that gives birth to live babies, not eggs, and feeds its young on milk. Cows, humans and WHALES are all mammals.\n \n    mammalian  adjective:\nmammalian species


Words: mammary
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (biology) connected with the breasts:\nmammary glands (= parts of the breast that produce milk)


Words: mammogram
Meaning:
noun\nan examination of a woman’s breasts using X-RAYS to check for CANCER\n    mammography  noun [U]


Words: Mammon
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal, disapproving) a way of talking about money and wealth when it has become the most important thing in sb’s life and as important as a god:\ngamblers worshipping at the temple of Mammon


Words: mammoth
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun an animal like a large hairy elephant, that lived thousands of years ago and is now EXTINCT\n    adjective [usually before noun] extremely large:\na mammoth task * a financial crisis of mammoth proportions


Words: man
Meaning:
noun, verb, exclamation \n    noun\n (plural men )\n \n  male person\n \n  1  [C] an adult male human being:\na good-looking young man * the relationships between men and women\nsee also DIRTY OLD MAN, LADIES’MAN, MEN’S ROOM\n \n  human beings\n \n  2  [U] human beings as a group or from a particular period of history:\nthe damage caused by man to the environment * early / modern / Prehistoric man -> GENDER\n  3  [C] (literary or old-fashioned) a person, either male or female:\nAll men must die.\n  particular type of man\n  4  [C] (in compounds) a man who comes from the place mentioned or whose job or interest is connected with the thing mentioned:\na Frenchman * a businessman * a medical man * a sportsman -> GENDER\n  5  [C] a man who likes or who does the thing mentioned:\na betting / drinking / fighting man * I think he’s a beer man (= he drinks beer).\nsee also FAMILY MAN\n  6  [C] a man who works for or supports a particular organization, comes from a particular town, etc:\nthe BBC’s man in Moscow (= the man who reports on news from Moscow) * a loyal Republican Party man\nsee also RIGHT-HAND MAN, YES-MAN\n  soldier / worker\n  7  [C, usually pl.] a soldier or a male worker who obeys the instructions of a person of higher rank:\nThe officer refused to let his men take part in the operation. * The conditions in which the men were working were terrible.\n  8  [C] a man who comes to your house to do a job:\nthe gas man * The man’s coming to repair the TV today.\n  form of address\n  9  [sing.] (informal spoken, especially AmE) used for addressing a male person:\nNice shirt, man! * Hey man. Back off!\n  10  [sing.] (old-fashioned, spoken) used for addressing a male person in an angry or impatient way:\nDon’t just stand there, man-get a doctor!\n  husband / boyfriend\n  11  [C] (sometimes disapproving) a husband or sexual partner:\nWhat’s her new man like? * I now pronounce you man and wife (= you are now officially married).\nsee also OLD MAN\n  strong / brave person\n  12  [C] a person who is strong and brave or has other qualities that some people think are particularly male:\nCome on, now-be a man. * She’s more of a man than he is.\nsee also HE-MAN, MUSCLEMAN, SUPERMAN\n  servant\n  13  [sing.] (old-fashioned, formal) a male servant:\nMy man will drive you home.\n  in chess\n  14  [C] one of the figures or objects that you play with in a game such as CHESS\nsee also CHESSMAN\n IDIOMS \n  as one man with everyone doing or thinking the same thing at the same time; in agreement:\nThe crowd rose to their feet as one man. * The staff speak as one man on this issue.\n  be sb’s man to be the best or most suitable person to do a particular job, etc:\nFor a superb haircut, David’s your man.\n  be man enough (to do sth / for sth) to be strong or brave enough:\nHe was not man enough to face up to his responsibility.\n  every man for himself (saying) people must look after themselves and not give or expect any help:\nIn business, it’s every man for himself.\n  make a man (out) of sb to make a young man develop and become more adult:\nThey thought the army would make a man of him.\n  a / the man about town a man who frequently goes to fashionable parties, clubs, theatres, etc:\nIn his new suit, he looked quite the man about town.\n  man and boy from when sb was young to when they were old or older:\nHe’s been doing the same job for 50 years-man and boy.\n  the man (and / or woman) in the street an average or ordinary person, either male or female:\nPoliticians often don’t understand the views of the man in the street.\n  a man of God / the cloth (old-fashioned, formal) a religious man, especially a priest or a CLERGYMAN\n  the man of the match (BrE, sport) the member of a team who plays the best in a particular game:\nCole was named man of the match.\n  a man of the people (especially of a politician) a man who understands and is sympathetic to ordinary people:\nHe is not only a statesman, but also a man of the people.\n  man’s best friend a way of describing a dog\n  a man’s home is his castle (AmE) = an Englishman’s home is his castle at ENGLISHMAN\n  a man’s man a man who is more popular with men than with women\n  be your own man / woman to act or think independently, not following others or being ordered:\nWorking for himself meant that he could be his own man.\n  man to man between two men who are treating each other honestly and equally:\nI’m telling you all this man to man. * a man-to-man talk\n  separate / sort out the men from the boys to show or prove who is brave, skilful, etc. and who is not\n  to a man | to the last man (written) used to emphasize that sth is true of all the people being described:\nThey answered ’Yes,’ to a man. * They were all destroyed, to the last man.\nmore at GRAND adj., HEART, MARKED, NEXT adj., ODD adj., PART n., POOR, POSSESSED, SUBSTANCE, THING, WORD n., WORLD\n    verb (-nn-) [VN] to work at a place or be in charge of a place or a machine; to supply people to work somewhere:\nSoldiers manned barricades around the city. * The telephones are manned 24 hours a day by volunteers. * a manned space flight\n    exclamation (informal, especially AmE) used to express surprise, anger, etc.:\nMan, that was great!


