# dict

Words: mountain
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a very high hill, often with rocks near the top:\na chain / range of mountains * to climb a mountain * We spent a week walking in the mountains. * to enjoy the mountain air / scenery * mountain roads / streams / villages * a mountain rescue team * There is still snow on the mountain tops.\n \n  2  [often pl.] ~ of sth (informal) a very large amount or number of sth:\na mountain of work * We made mountains of sandwiches. * the problem of Europe’s butter mountain (= the large amount of butter that has to be stored because it is not needed)\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  make a mountain out of a molehill (disapproving) to make an unimportant matter seem important


Words: mountaineering
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the sport or activity of climbing mountains:\nto go mountaineering * a mountaineering expedition


Words: mountainous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having many mountains:\na mountainous region / terrain\n  2  very large in size or amount; like a mountain:\na mountainous plateful of food * mountainous waves


Words: mountainside
Meaning:
noun\nthe side or slope of a mountain:\nTracks led up the mountainside. * The helicopter crashed into the mountainside.


Words: mountaintop
Meaning:
noun\nthe top of a mountain:\nto reach the mountaintop\n    mountaintop adjective [only before noun]:\na mountaintop ranch


Words: mounted
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (of a person, especially a soldier or a police officer) riding a horse:\nmounted policemen\n  2  placed on sth or attached to sth for display or support:\na mounted photograph\n  3  (-mounted) (in compounds) attached to the thing mentioned for support:\na ceiling-mounted fan\nsee also WALL-MOUNTED


Words: mounting
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] increasing, often in a manner that causes or expresses anxiety\nSYN GROWING:\nmounting excitement / concern / tension * There is mounting evidence of serious effects on people’s health. * In the face of mounting pressure, the president decided to act.\n    noun = MOUNT:\nThe engine came loose from its mountings.


Words: mourn
Meaning:
verb\n~ (for sb/sth) to feel and show sadness because sb has died; to feel sad because sth no longer exists or is no longer the same\nSYN GRIEVE FOR:\n[VN] He was still mourning his brother’s death. * They mourn the passing of a simpler way of life. * [V] Today we mourn for all those who died in two world wars. * She mourned for her lost childhood.


Words: mournful
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) very sad:\nmournful eyes * mournful music * I couldn’t bear the mournful look on her face.\n    mournfully  adverb:\nThe dog looked mournfully after its owner.


Words: mourning
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  sadness that you show and feel because sb has died:\nThe government announced a day of national mourning for the victims. * She was still in mourning for her husband.\n  2  clothes that people wear to show their sadness at sb’s death:\nThe queen was dressed in mourning.


Words: mouse
Meaning:
1  a small animal that is covered in fur and has a long thin tail. Mice live in fields, in people’s houses or where food is stored:\na field mouse * a house mouse * The stores were overrun with rats and mice. * She crept upstairs, quiet as a mouse. * He was a weak little mouse of a man.\nsee also DORMOUSE\n  2  (plural also mouses) (computing) a small device that is moved by hand across a surface to control the movement of the CURSOR on a computer screen:\nClick the left mouse button twice to highlight the program. * Use the mouse to drag the icon to a new position.\n IDIOMS  see CAT


Words: mouse mat
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE mouse pad) noun\na small square of plastic that is the best kind of surface on which to use a computer mouse


Words: mousse
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  a cold DESSERT (= a sweet dish) made with cream and egg whites and flavoured with fruit, chocolate, etc.; a similar dish flavoured with fish, vegetables, etc:\na chocolate / strawberry mousse * salmon / mushroom mousse\n  2  a substance that is sold in AEROSOLS, for example the light white substance that is used on hair to give it a particular style or to improve its condition


Words: moustache
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a line of hair that a man allows to grow on his upper lip\n \n  2  (moustaches) [pl.] a very long moustache\ncompare BEARD


Words: mousy
Meaning:
(also mousey)  adjective (disapproving)\n  1  (of hair) of a dull brown colour\n  2  (of people) shy and quiet; without a strong personality:\nHe was accompanied by his mousy little wife.


Words: mouth
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n )\n \n  part of face\n \n  1  the opening in the face used for speaking, eating, etc.; the area inside the head behind this opening:\nShe opened her mouth to say something. * His mouth twisted into a wry smile. * Their mouths fell open (= they were surprised). * Don’t talk with your mouth full (= when eating). * The creature was foaming at the mouth.\nsee also FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE\n \n  person needing food\n \n  2  a person considered only as sb who needs to be provided with food:\nNow there would be another mouth to feed. * The world will not be able to support all these extra hungry mouths.\n  entrance / opening\n  3  ~ (of sth) the entrance or opening of sth:\nthe mouth of a cave / pit\nsee also GOALMOUTH\n  of river\n  4  the place where a river joins the sea:\nA number of industries sprang up around the mouth of the river.\n  way of speaking\n  5  a particular way of speaking:\nHe has a foul mouth on him! * Watch your mouth! (= stop saying things that are rude and / or offensive)\nsee also LOUDMOUTH\n  -mouthed\n  6  (in adjectives) having the type or shape of mouth mentioned:\na wide-mouthed old woman * a narrow-mouthed cave\nsee also OPEN-MOUTHED\n  7  (in adjectives) having a particular way of speaking:\na rather crude-mouthed individual\nsee also FOUL-MOUTHED, MEALY-MOUTHED\n IDIOMS \n  be all mouth (informal) if you say sb is all mouth, you mean that they talk a lot about doing sth, but are, in fact, not brave enough to do it\n  down in the mouth unhappy and depressed\n  keep your mouth shut (informal) to not talk about sth to sb because it is a secret or because it will upset or annoy them:\nI’ve warned them to keep their mouths shut about this. * Now she’s upset-why couldn’t you keep your mouth shut?\n  out of the mouths of babes (and sucklings) (saying) used when a small child has just said sth that seems very wise or clever\nmore at BIG adj., BORN, BREAD, BUTTER n., FOAM v., FOOT n., GIFT, HEART, HORSE n., LIVE, MELT, MONEY, SHOOT v., SHUT v., TASTE n., WATCH v., WORD n.\n    verb \n  1  to move your lips as if you were saying sth, but without making a sound:\n[VN] He mouthed a few obscenities at us and then moved off. [also V speech]\n  2  (disapproving) to say sth that you do not really feel, believe or understand:\n[VN] They’re just mouthing empty slogans. [also V speech]\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  mouth off (at / about sth) (informal) to talk or complain loudly about sth


Words: mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
Meaning:
(also mouth-to-mouth) noun\n[U] the act of breathing air into the mouth of an unconscious person to make them start breathing again\ncompare ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION


Words: mouth-watering
Meaning:
adjective\n(approving) mouth-watering food looks or smells so good that you want to eat it immediately:\na mouth-watering display of cakes * (figurative) mouth-watering travel brochures


Words: mouthful
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] an amount of food or drink that you put in your mouth at one time:\nShe took a mouthful of water. * Thank you, but I couldn’t eat another mouthful. * He talked eagerly between mouthfuls of salad.\n  2  [sing.] (informal) a word or a phrase that is long and complicated or difficult to pronounce:\nMy name’s Zacharias. You can call me Zach if it’s too much of a mouthful. * Dr Solomon’s Anti-Virus Toolkit for Windows (what a mouthful!)


Words: mouthpiece
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  the part of the telephone that is next to your mouth when you speak:\nHe put his hand over the mouthpiece and called his wife to the phone.\n \n  2  the part of a musical instrument that you place between your lips\n \n  3  ~ (of / for sb) a person, newspaper, etc. that informs the public about the opinions of a group of people or a political organization:\nThe newspaper has become the official mouthpiece of the opposition party.


Words: mouthy
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal, disapproving) used to describe a person who talks a lot, sometimes expressing their opinions strongly and in a rude way:\nmouthy teenagers


Words: movable
Meaning:
(also moveable)  adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  that can be moved from one place or position to another:\nmovable partitions * a doll with a movable head\n  2  (law) (of property) able to be taken from one house, etc. to another\n    noun [C, usually pl.] (law) a thing that can be moved from one house, etc. to another; a personal possession


Words: move
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  change position\n  1  to change position or make sb/sth change position in a way that can be seen, heard or felt:\n[V] Don’t move-stay perfectly still. * The bus was already moving when I jumped onto it. * He could hear someone moving around in the room above. * Phil moved towards the window. * You can hardly move in this pub on Saturdays (= because it is so crowded). * You can’t move for books in her room. * [VN] I can’t move my fingers. * We moved our chairs a little nearer.\n  change ideas / time\n  2  [usually +adv./prep.] to change or change sth\nSYN SHIFT:\n[V] The government has not moved on this issue. * [VN] Let’s move the meeting to Wednesday.\n  make progress\n  3  [V] ~ (on / ahead) to make progress in the way or direction mentioned:\nTime is moving on. * Share prices moved ahead today. * Things are not moving as fast as we hoped.\n  take action\n  4  [V] to take action; to do sth:\nThe police moved quickly to dispel the rumours.\n  change house / job\n  5  ~ (from ...) (to ...) to change the place where you live, have your work, etc:\n[V] We don’t like it here so we’ve decided to move. * The company’s moving to Scotland. * She’s been all on her own since her daughter moved away. * [VN] (BrE) We moved house last week.\n  6  [VN] ~ sb (from ...) (to ...) to make sb change from one job, class, etc. to another\nSYN TRANSFER:\nI’m being moved to the New York office.\n  in board games\n  7  (in CHESS and other board games) to change the position of a piece:\n[V] It’s your turn to move. * [VN] She moved her queen.\n  cause strong feelings\n  8  [VN] ~ sb (to sth) to cause sb to have strong feelings, especially of sympathy or sadness:\nWe were deeply moved by her plight. * Grown men were moved to tears at the horrific scenes.\nsee also MOVING\n  make sb do sth\n  9  (formal) to cause sb to do sth\nSYN PROMPT:\n[VN to inf] She felt moved to address the crowd. * [VN] He works when the spirit moves him (= when he wants to).\n  suggest formally\n  10  (formal) to suggest sth formally so that it can be discussed and decided\nSYN PUT FORWARD:\n[VN] The Opposition moved an amendment to the Bill. * [V that] I move that a vote be taken on this.\n IDIOMS \n  get moving (informal) to begin, leave, etc. quickly:\nIt’s late-we’d better get moving.\n  get sth moving (informal) to cause sth to make progress:\nThe new director has really got things moving.\n  move heaven and earth to do everything you possibly can in order to achieve sth\n  move with the times to change the way you think and behave according to changes in society:\nMany complained that the Royal Family had failed to move with the times.\nmore at ASS\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  move along to go to a new position, especially in order to make room for other people:\nThe bus driver asked them to move along.\n  move in | move into sth to start to live in your new home:\nOur new neighbours moved in yesterday.\nOPP MOVE OUT\n  move in sth to live, spend your time, etc. in a particular social group:\nShe only moves in the best circles.\n  move in (on sb/sth) to move towards sb/sth from all directions, especially in a threatening way:\nThe police moved in on the terrorists.\n  move off (especially of a vehicle) to start moving; to leave:\nThe signal was given and the procession moved off.\n  move on (to sth) to start doing or discussing sth new:\nI’ve been in this job long enough-it’s time I moved on. * Can we move on to the next item on the agenda?\n  move sb on (of police, etc.) to order sb to move away from the scene of an accident, etc.\n  move out to leave your old home\nOPP MOVE IN\n  move over / up to change your position in order to make room for sb:\nThere’s room for another one if you move up a bit.\n    noun\n  action\n  1  ~ (towards / to sth) | ~ (to do sth) an action that you do or need to do to achieve sth:\nThis latest move by the government has aroused fierce opposition. * The management have made no move to settle the strike. * Getting a job in marketing was a good career move.\nsee also FALSE MOVE\n  change of position\n  2  [usually sing.] a change of place or position:\nDon’t make a move! * Every move was painful. * She felt he was watching her every move.\n  change of ideas / behaviour\n  3  ~ to / away from sth a change in ideas, attitudes or behaviour:\nThere has been a move away from nuclear energy. * The effects of the move back to written examinations are not known.\n  change of house / job\n  4  an act of changing the place where you live or work:\nWhat’s the date of your move? * Their move from Italy to the US has not been a success. * Her new job is just a sideways move. * He’s performed well since his move from Manchester United to Liverpool.\n  in board games\n  5  an act of changing the position of a piece in CHESS or other games that are played on a board; the way you can do this:\nThe game was over in only six moves. * It’s your move. * There are far too many possible chess moves.\n IDIOMS \n  be on the move\n1 to be travelling between one place and another:\nI need a mobile phone as I’m always on the move.\n2 to be moving; to be going somewhere:\nThe car was already on the move. * The firm is on the move to larger offices.\n3 to become active:\nStudent power is on the move again.\n4 = BE ON THE GO\n  get a move on (spoken) you tell sb to get a move on when you want them to hurry\n  make the first move to do sth before sb else, for example in order to end an argument or to begin sth:\nIf he wants to see me, he should make the first move.\n  make a move (BrE, informal) to begin a journey or a task:\nIt’s getting late-we’d better make a move.\n  make a, your, etc. move to do the action that you intend to do or need to do in order to achieve sth:\nThe rebels waited until nightfall before they made their move.


Words: movement
Meaning:
noun\n  changing position\n  1  [C, U] an act of moving the body or part of the body:\nhand / eye movements * She observed the gentle movement of his chest as he breathed. * Loose clothing gives you greater freedom of movement. * Power comes from the forward movement of the entire body. * Troy watched her every movement. * There was a sudden movement in the undergrowth.\n  2  [C, U] an act of moving from one place to another or of moving sth from one place to another:\nenemy troop movements * laws to allow free movement of goods and services * the mass movement of herds of wildebeest\n  group of people\n  3  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of people who share the same ideas or aims:\nthe women’s / peace movement * the Romantic movement (= for example in literature) * a mass movement for change\n  person’s activities\n  4  (movements) [pl.] a person’s activities over a period of time, especially as watched by sb else:\nThe police are keeping a close watch on the suspect’s movements.\n  change of ideas / behaviour\n  5  [sing.] ~ (away from / towards sth) a gradual change in what people in society do or think:\na movement towards greater sexual equality\n  progress\n  6  [U] ~ (in sth) progress, especially in a particular task:\nIt needs cooperation from all the powers to get any movement in arms control.\n  change in amount\n  7  [U, C] ~ (in sth) a change in amount:\nThere has been no movement in oil prices.\n  music\n  8  [C] any of the main parts that a long piece of music is divided into:\nthe slow movement of the First Concerto\n  of bowels\n  9  [C] (technical) = BOWEL MOVEMENT


Words: mover
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person or a thing that moves in a particular way:\na great mover on the dance floor\n  2  a machine or a person that moves things from one place to another, especially sb who moves furniture from one house to another:\nan earth mover * professional furniture movers\nsee also REMOVER\nsee also PRIME MOVER\n IDIOMS \n  movers and shakers people with power in important organizations


Words: movie
Meaning:
noun (especially AmE)\n  1  [C] a series of moving pictures recorded with sound that tells a story, shown at the cinema/movie theater\nSYN FILM:\nto make a horror movie * Have you seen the latest Tarantino movie? * a famous movie director / star\n  2  (the movies) [pl.] = THE CINEMA (2):\nLet’s go to the movies.\n  3  (the movies) [pl.] = CINEMA (3):\nI’ve always wanted to work in the movies.


Words: moving
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  causing you to have deep feelings of sadness or sympathy:\na deeply moving experience * a moving story / speech * His performance was very moving.\n  2  [only before noun] (of things) changing from one place or position to another:\nthe moving parts of a machine * fast-moving water * a moving target\n    movingly adverb:\nShe described her experiences in Africa very movingly.


Words: mow
Meaning:
verb\n(mowed, mown  or mowed) to cut grass, etc. using a machine or tool with a special blade or blades:\n[VN] I mow the lawn every week in summer. * the smell of new-mown hay [also V] \n PHRASAL VERBS \n  mow sb<->down to kill sb using a vehicle or a gun, especially when several people are all killed at the same time:\nThe gunmen opened fire, mowing down at least seven people.


Words: mower
Meaning:
noun\n(especially in compounds) a machine that cuts grass:\nYou should clean your mower each time you use it. * a lawnmower * a motor / rotary mower


Words: MP
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the abbreviation for ’Member of Parliament’ (a person who has been elected to represent the people of a particular area in a parliament):\nPaul Lewis MP * Write to your local MP to protest. * Conservative / Labour MPs * the MP for Oxford East * a Euro-MP\n  2  a member of the military police


Words: mpg
Meaning:
abbreviation\nmiles per gallon (used for saying how much petrol/gas a vehicle uses):\nIt does 40 mpg * (AmE) It gets 40 mpg.


Words: Mr
Meaning:
(BrE) (also Mr. AmE, BrE)  abbreviation\n  1  a title that comes before a man’s family name, or before his first and family names together:\nMr Brown * Mr John Brown * Mr and Mrs Brown\n  2  a title used to address a man in some official positions:\nThank you, Mr Chairman. * Mr. President\nsee also MISTER\n IDIOMS \n  Mr Nice Guy (informal) a way of describing a man who is very honest and thinks about the wishes and feelings of other people\n  Mr Right (informal) the man who would be the right husband for a particular woman:\nI’m not getting married in a hurry-I’m waiting for Mr Right to come along.


Words: Mrs
Meaning:
(BrE) (also Mrs. AmE, BrE)  abbreviation\na title that comes before a married woman’s family name or before her first and family names together:\nMrs Hill * Mrs Susan Hill * Mr and Mrs Hill\ncompare MISS, MS


Words: Ms
Meaning:
(BrE) (also Ms. AmE, BrE)  abbreviation\na title that comes before a woman’s family name or before her first and family names together, and that can be used when you do not want to state whether she is married or not:\nMs Murphy * Ms Jean Murphy\ncompare MISS, MRS


Words: MSc
Meaning:
(also M.Sc. especially in AmE)  noun\nthe abbreviation for ’Master of Science’ (a second university degree in science):\nto be / have / do an MSc * (BrE) J Stevens MSc


Words: MSP
Meaning:
noun\nthe abbreviation for ’Member of the Scottish Parliament’:\nDonald Dewar MSP * Write to your local MSP to protest. * Labour MSPs


Words: MTV
Meaning:
abbreviation\nmusic television (a television channel that shows videos of popular music and other light entertainment programmes):\nto watch MTV * MTV viewers * the MTV generation


Words: much
Meaning:
determiner, pronoun, adverb \n    determiner, pronoun used with uncountable nouns, especially in negative sentences to mean ’a large amount of sth’, or after ’how’ to ask about the amount of sth. It is also used with ’as’, ’so’ and ’too’:\nI don’t have much money with me. * ’Got any money?’ ’Not much.’ * How much water do you need? * How much is it (= What does it cost)? * Take as much time as you like. * There was so much traffic that we were an hour late. * I’ve got far too much to do. * ’Is there any mail?’ ’Not much.’ * (formal) I lay awake for much of the night. * (formal) There was much discussion about the reasons for the failure.\n IDIOMS \n  as much the same:\nPlease help me get this job-you know I would do as much for you. * ’Roger stole the money.’ ’I thought as much.’\n  as much as sb can do:\nNo dessert for me, thanks. It was as much as I could do to finish the main course.\n  not much in it used to say that there is little difference between two things:\nI won, but there wasn’t much in it (= our scores were nearly the same).\n  not much of a ... not a good ...:\nHe’s not much of a tennis player.\n  this much used to introduce sth positive or definite:\nI’ll say this much for him-he never leaves a piece of work unfinished.\n    adverb (more, most) to a great degree:\nThank you very much for the flowers. * I would very much like to see you again. * He isn’t in the office much (= often). * You worry too much. * My new job is much the same as the old one. * Much to her surprise he came back the next day. * She’s much better today. * The other one was much too expensive. * Nikolai’s English was much the worst. * We are very much aware of the lack of food supplies. * I’m not much good at tennis. * He was much loved by all who knew him. * an appeal to raise much-needed cash\n IDIOMS \n  much as although:\nMuch as I would like to stay, I really must go home.\nmore at LESS adv.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nmuch / a lot of / lots of\nMuch is used only with uncountable nouns. It is used mainly in questions and negative sentences: Do you have much free time? * How much expe-rience have you had? * I don’t have much free time.\nIn statements a lot of or lots of (informal) is much more common: ’How much (money) does she earn?’ ’A lot!’ You can also use plenty of. These phrases can also be used in questions and negative sentences.\nA lot of/lots of is still felt to be informal, especially in BrE, so in formal writing it is better to use much, a great deal of or a large amount of.\nVery much and a lot can be used as adverbs: I miss my family very much. * _I_ _m_i_s_s_ _v_e_r_y_ _m_u_c_h_ _m_y_ _f_a_m_i_l_y. * I miss my family a lot. * Thanks a lot. In negative sentences you can use much: I didn’t enjoy the film (very) much.\n-> note at MANY\n______________________________


Words: muchness
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  much of a muchness very similar; almost the same:\nThe two candidates are much of a muchness-it’s hard to choose between them.


Words: muck
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  waste matter from farm animals\nSYN MANURE:\nto spread muck on the fields\n  2  (informal, especially BrE) dirt or mud:\nMy face and hands were covered in muck. * Can you wipe the muck off the windows?\n  3  (informal, especially BrE) something very unpleasant:\nI can’t eat this muck!\n IDIOMS \n  where there’s muck there’s brass (BrE, saying) used to say that sb has made a lot of money from an unpleasant or dirty business activity\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  muck about / around (BrE, informal) to behave in a silly way, especially when you should be working or doing sth else\nSYN MESS ABOUT / AROUND:\nI spent most of my time at school mucking about and getting into trouble.\n  muck about / around with sth (BrE, informal, disapproving) to do sth, especially to a machine, so that it does not work correctly\nSYN MESS ABOUT / AROUND:\nWho’s mucking around with my radio?\n  muck sb about / around (BrE, informal) to treat sb badly, especially by changing your mind a lot, or by not being honest\nSYN MESS SB ABOUT / AROUND:\nThey’ve really mucked us about over our car insurance.\n  muck in (BrE, informal)\n1 to work with other people in order to complete a task:\nIf we all muck in, we could have the job finished by the end of the week.\n2 to share food, accommodation etc. with other people:\nWe didn’t have much money, but everyone just mucked in together.\n  muck out | muck sth<->out to clean out the place where an animal lives:\nPart of her job was to muck out the stables.\n  muck sth<->up (informal, especially BrE)\n1 to do sth badly so that you fail to achieve what you wanted or hoped to achieve\nSYN MESS STH UP:\nHe completely mucked up his English exam.\n2 to spoil a plan or an arrangement\nSYN MESS STH UP\n3 to make sth dirty:\nI don’t want you mucking up my nice clean floor.


Words: muckraking
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal, disapproving) the activity of looking for information about people’s private lives that they do not wish to make public:\nthe sort of journalism that specializes in political muckraking


Words: mucky
Meaning:
adjective (informal, especially BrE)\n  1  dirty:\nmucky hands\n  2  sexually offensive:\nmucky books / jokes


Words: mucous membrane
Meaning:
noun\n(anatomy) a thin layer of skin that covers the inside of the nose and mouth and the outside of other organs in the body, producing mucus to prevent these parts from becoming dry


Words: mucus
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a thick liquid that is produced in parts of the body, such as the nose, by a mucous membrane:\na handkerchief stained with blood and mucus * The frog’s eggs are surrounded by a coating of jelly-like mucus.\n    mucous  adjective:\nmucous glands


Words: mud
Meaning:
noun\n[U] wet earth that is soft and sticky:\nThe car wheels got stuck in the mud. * Your boots are covered in mud. * mud bricks / huts (= made of dried mud)\n IDIOMS \n  fling, sling, etc. mud (at sb) to criticize sb or accuse sb of bad or shocking things in order to damage their reputation, especially in politics\nsee also MUD-SLINGING\nmore at CLEAR adj., NAME n.


Words: mud-slinging
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) the act of criticizing sb and accusing them of sth in order to damage their reputation:\nThis election campaign has seen all the usual mud-slinging we have come to expect.


Words: muddle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] (especially BrE)\n  1  ~ sth (up) to put things in the wrong order or mix them up:\nDon’t do that-you’re muddling my papers. * Their letters were all muddled up together in a drawer.\n  2  ~ sb (up) to confuse sb:\nSlow down a little-you’re muddling me.\n  3  ~ sb/sth (up) | ~ A (up) with B to confuse one person or thing with another:\nI muddled the dates and arrived a week early. * He got all muddled up about what went where. * They look so alike, I always get them muddled up.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  muddle along (especially BrE) to continue doing sth without any clear plan or purpose:\nWe can’t just keep muddling along like this.\n  muddle through to achieve your aims even though you do not know exactly what you are doing and do not have the correct equipment, knowledge, etc:\nWe’ll muddle through somehow.\n    noun (especially BrE)\n  1  [C, usually sing.] a state of mental confusion:\nCan you start from the beginning again-I’m in a muddle.\n  2  [C, usually sing, U] ~ (about / over sth) a situation in which there is confusion about arrangements, etc. and things get done wrong:\nThere was a muddle over the theatre tickets. * There followed a long period of confusion and muddle.\n  3  [C, usually sing, U] a state of disorder in which things are untidy:\nMy papers are all in a muddle.


Words: muddled
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially BrE) confused:\nHe gets muddled when the teacher starts shouting. * muddled thinking * a muddled (= badly organized) attempt to rescue the situation


Words: muddling
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially BrE) causing confusion; difficult to understand:\nThese tax forms are very muddling.


Words: muddy
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (muddier, muddiest)\n  1  full of or covered in mud:\na muddy field / track * muddy boots / knees * Look, you’ve made the floor all muddy!\n  2  (of a liquid) containing mud; not clear:\nmuddy water * a muddy pond\n  3  (of colours) not clear or bright:\nmuddy green / brown\n    verb (muddies, muddying, muddied, muddied) [VN] to make sth muddy:\nShe had muddied her white dress.\n IDIOMS \n  muddy the waters, issue, etc. (disapproving) to make a simple situation confused and more complicated than it really is:\nShe deliberately muddied the waters by constantly referring to other irrelevant cases.


Words: mudflat
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] an area of flat muddy land that is covered by the sea when it comes in at HIGH TIDE


Words: mudslide
Meaning:
noun\n(especially AmE) a large amount of mud sliding down a mountain, often destroying buildings and injuring or killing people below:\nThe heavy rains could cause flash floods and mudslides.


Words: muesli
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) a mixture of grains, nuts, dried fruit, etc. served with milk and eaten for breakfast


Words: muff
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a short tube of fur or other warm material that you put your hands into to keep them warm in cold weather\nsee also EARMUFF\n    verb [VN] (informal, disapproving) to miss an opportunity to do sth well:\nHe muffed his lines (= he forgot them or said them wrongly). * It was a really simple shot, and I muffed it.


Words: muffin
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (BrE) (AmE English muffin) a type of round flat bread roll, usually TOASTED and eaten hot with butter\n \n  2  a small cake in the shape of a cup, often containing small pieces of fruit, etc:\na blueberry muffin


Words: muffle
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to make a sound quieter or less clear:\nHe tried to muffle the alarm clock by putting it under his pillow.\n  2  ~ sb/sth (up) (in sth) to wrap or cover sb/sth in order to keep them/it warm:\nShe muffled the child up in a blanket.


Words: muffled
Meaning:
adjective\n(of sounds) not heard clearly because sth is in the way that stops the sound from travelling easily:\nmuffled voices from the next room


Words: muffler
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (old-fashioned) a thick piece of fabric worn around the neck for warmth\nSYN SCARF\n  2  (AmE) = SILENCER (1)


Words: mufti
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] (also Mufti) a Muslim who is an expert in legal matters connected with Islam\n  2  [U] (old-fashioned) ordinary clothes worn by people such as soldiers who wear uniform in their job:\nofficers in mufti


Words: mug
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a tall cup for drinking from, usually with straight sides and a handle, used without a SAUCER:\na coffee mug * a beer mug (= a large glass with a handle)\n \n  2  a mug and what it contains:\na mug of coffee\n \n  3  (slang) a person’s face:\nI never want to see his ugly mug again.\n \n  4  (informal) a person who is stupid and easy to trick:\nThey made me look a complete mug. * He’s no mug.\n IDIOMS \n  a mug’s game (disapproving, especially BrE) an activity that is unlikely to be successful or make a profit\n    verb (-gg-)\n  1  [VN] to attack sb violently in order to steal their money, especially in a public place:\nShe had been mugged in the street in broad daylight.\n  2  [V] ~ (for sb/sth) (informal, especially AmE) to make silly expressions with your face or behave in a silly, exaggerated way, especially on the stage or before a camera:\nto mug for the cameras\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  mug sth<->up | mug up on sth (BrE, informal) to learn sth, especially in a short time for a particular purpose, for example an exam:\nYou just need to mug up a few details. * He’s frantically mugging up on Japanese before his trip to Tokyo.


Words: mug shot
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a photograph of sb’s face kept by the police in their records to identify criminals


Words: mugger
Meaning:
noun\na person who threatens or attacks sb in order to steal their money, especially in a public place


Words: mugging
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] the crime of attacking sb violently, or threatening to do so, in order to steal their money, especially in a public place:\nMugging is on the increase. * There have been several muggings here recently.


Words: muggins
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (BrE, informal, humorous) used without ’a’ or ’the’ to refer to yourself when you feel stupid because you have let yourself be treated unfairly:\nAnd muggins here had to clean up all the mess.


Words: mujahedin
Meaning:
(also mujahidin, mujaheddin, mujahideen)  noun\n[pl.] (in some Muslim countries) soldiers fighting in support of their strong Muslim beliefs


Words: mulatto
Meaning:
noun\n(plural mulattos or mulattoes) (offensive) a person with one black parent and one white parent


Words: mulberry
Meaning:
noun (plural mulberries)\n  1  (also mulberry tree) [C] a tree with broad dark green leaves and berries that can be eaten. SILKWORMS (that make silk) eat the leaves of the white mulberry.\n  2  [C] the small purple or white berries of the mulberry tree\n  3  [U] a deep reddish-purple colour


Words: mulch
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [C, U] material, for example, decaying leaves, that you put around a plant to protect its base and its roots, to improve the quality of the soil or to stop WEEDS growing\n    verb [VN] to cover the soil or the roots of a plant with a mulch


Words: mule
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an animal that has a horse and a DONKEY as parents, used especially for carrying loads:\nHe’s as stubborn as a mule.\n  2  (slang) a person who is paid to take drugs illegally from one country to another:\nThe authorities believe these men are important figures in the drug trade, not merely mules.\n  3  a woman’s SLIPPER (= a soft shoe for wearing indoors) that is open around the heel


Words: mulish
Meaning:
adjective\nunwilling to change your mind or attitude or to do what other people want you to do\nSYN STUBBORN


Words: mull
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  mull sth<->over to spend time thinking carefully about a plan or proposal:\nI need some time to mull it over before making a decision.


Words: mullet
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural mullet) a sea fish that is used for food. The two main types are red mullet and grey mullet.


Words: mullion
Meaning:
noun\n(architecture) a solid upright piece of stone, wood or metal between two parts of a window\n \n    mullioned  adjective [only before noun]:\nmullioned windows


Words: multi-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in nouns and adjectives) more than one; many:\nmulticoloured * a multimillionaire * a multi-ethnic society


Words: multi-purpose
Meaning:
adjective\nable to be used for several different purposes:\na multi-purpose tool / machine\nsee also MPV


Words: multi-skilling
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (business) the fact of a person being trained in several different jobs which require different skills:\nIn the future there will be more flexible working and multi-skilling.


Words: multi-storey car park
Meaning:
(also multi-storey) (both BrE) (AmE parking garage) noun\na large building with several floors for parking cars in


Words: multicultural
Meaning:
adjective\nfor or including people of several different races, religions, languages and traditions:\nWe live in a multicultural society. * a multicultural approach to education\n    multiculturalism  noun [U]


Words: multifaceted
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) having many different aspects to be considered:\na complex and multifaceted problem


Words: multifarious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) of many different kinds; having great variety:\nthe multifarious life forms in the coral reef * a vast and multifarious organization


Words: multilateral
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  in which three or more groups, nations, etc. take part:\nmultilateral negotiations * The peace talks are to be conducted on a multilateral basis. * multilateral nuclear disarmament\n  2  having many sides or parts\ncompare BILATERAL, UNILATERAL


Words: multilateralism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (politics) the policy of trying to make multilateral agreements in order to achieve nuclear DISARMAMENT


Words: multilingual
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  speaking or using several different languages:\nmultilingual translators / communities / societies * a multilingual classroom\n  2  written or printed in several different languages:\na multilingual phrase book\ncompare BILINGUAL, MONOLINGUAL


Words: multimedia
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (in computing) using sound, pictures and film in addition to text on a screen:\nmultimedia systems / products * the multimedia industry (= producing CD-ROMS etc.)\n  2  (in teaching) using several different ways of giving information:\na multimedia approach to learning


Words: multinational
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective existing in or involving many countries:\nmultinational companies / corporations * A multinational force is being sent to the trouble spot.\n    noun a company that operates in several different countries, especially a large and powerful company:\nThe country’s industry is largely controlled by the multinationals.


Words: multiparty
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] involving several different political parties:\nThese are the country’s first multiparty elections.


Words: multiple
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] many in number; involving many different people or things:\nmultiple copies of documents * a multiple entry visa * to suffer multiple injuries (= in many different places in the body) * a multiple birth (= several babies born to a mother at one time) * a multiple pile-up (= a crash involving many vehicles) * a house in multiple ownership / occupancy (= owned / occupied by several different people or families)\n    noun\n  1  (mathematics) a quantity that contains another quantity an exact number of times:\n14, 21 and 28 are all multiples of 7. * 16 is the lowest common multiple of 8 and 4. * Traveller’s cheques are available in multiples of ｣10 (= to the value of ｣10, ｣20, ｣30, etc.).\n  2  (also multiple store) (both BrE) = CHAIN STORE


Words: multiple sclerosis
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (abbreviation MS) a disease of the nervous system that gets worse over a period of time with loss of feeling and loss of control of movement and speech


Words: multiple-choice
Meaning:
adjective\n(of questions in an exam) showing several possible answers from which you must choose the correct one


Words: multiplication
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the act or process of multiplying:\nthe multiplication sign (ﾗ) * Multiplication of cells leads to rapid growth of the organism.\ncompare DIVISION


Words: multiplication table
Meaning:
(also table) noun\na list showing the results when a number is multiplied by a set of other numbers, especially 1 to 12, in turn


Words: multiplicity
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] (formal) a great number and variety of sth:\nThis situation can be influenced by a multiplicity of different factors.


Words: multiply
Meaning:
verb (multiplies, multiplying, multiplied, multiplied)\n  1  ~ (A by B) | ~ A and B (together) to add a number to itself a particular number of times:\n[V] The children are already learning to multiply and divide. * [VN] 2 multiplied by 4 is / equals / makes 8 (= 2ﾗ4 = 8) * Multiply 2 and 6 together and you get 12.\n  2  to increase or make sth increase very much in number or amount:\n[V] Our problems have multiplied since last year. * [VN] Cigarette smoking multiplies the risk of cancer.\n  3  (biology) to reproduce in large numbers; to make sth do this:\n[V] Rabbits multiply rapidly. * [VN] It is possible to multiply these bacteria in the laboratory.


Words: multiracial
Meaning:
adjective\nincluding or involving several different races of people:\nWe live in a multiracial society.


Words: multitude
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [C] ~ (of sth/sb) an extremely large number of things or people:\na multitude of problems / possibilities / reasons * a multitude of birds / people / pedestrians * These elements can be combined in a multitude of different ways. * The region attracts tourists in their multitudes.\n  2  (the multitude) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] (also the multitudes [pl.]) (sometimes disapproving) the mass of ordinary people:\nIt was an elite that believed its task was to enlighten the multitude. * to feed the starving multitudes\n  3  [C] (literary) a large crowd of people:\nHe preached to the assembled multitude.\n IDIOMS \n  cover / hide a multitude of sins (often humorous) to hide the real situation or facts when these are not good or pleasant:\nShe was dressed in loose comfortable clothes that hid a multitude of sins.


Words: mum
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (BrE) (AmE mom) (informal) a mother:\nMy mum says I can’t go. * Happy Birthday, Mum. * A lot of mums and dads have the same worries.\n    adjective\n IDIOMS \n  keep mum (informal) to say nothing about sth; to stay silent:\nHe kept mum about what he’d seen.\n  mum’s the word! (informal) used to tell sb to say nothing about sth and keep it secret


Words: mumble
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb to speak or say sth in a quiet voice in a way that is not clear\nSYN MUTTER:\n[V] I could hear him mumbling to himself. * [VN] She mumbled an apology and left. * [V speech] ’Sorry,’ she mumbled. [also V that] \n    noun [usually sing.] (also mumbling [C, usually pl., U]) speech or words that are spoken in a quiet voice in a way that is not clear:\nHe spoke in a low mumble, as if to himself. * They tried to make sense of her mumblings.


Words: mumbo-jumbo
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal, disapproving) language or a ceremony that seems complicated and important but is actually without real sense or meaning; nonsense:\nreligious / medical / bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo * I won’t have anything to do with spiritualism, ghosts and all that mumbo-jumbo.


Words: mummify
Meaning:
verb\n(mummifies, mummifying, mummified, mummified) [VN] [usually passive] to preserve a dead body by treating it with special oils and wrapping it in cloth\nSYN EMBALM


Words: mummy
Meaning:
noun (plural mummies)\n  1  (BrE) (AmE mommy, momma) (informal) a child’s word for a mother:\n’I want my mummy!’ he wailed. * It hurts, Mummy! * Mummy and Daddy will be back soon.\n  2  a body of a human being or an animal that has been mummified:\nan Egyptian mummy


Words: munch
Meaning:
verb\n~ (on / at) sth to eat sth steadily and often noisily, especially sth crisp:\n[V] She munched on an apple. * [VN] He sat in a chair munching his toast. * I munched my way through a huge bowl of cereal.


Words: munchies
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (AmE, informal) small pieces of food for eating with drinks at a party\n IDIOMS \n  have the munchies (informal) to feel hungry


Words: mundane
Meaning:
adjective\n(often disapproving) not interesting or exciting:\na mundane task / job * I lead a pretty mundane existence. * On a more mundane level, can we talk about the timetable for next week?


Words: municipal
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] connected with or belonging to a town, city or district that has its own local government:\nmunicipal elections / councils * municipal workers * the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery


Words: municipality
Meaning:
noun\n(plural municipalities) a town, city or district with its own local government; the group of officials who govern it


Words: munificent
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) extremely generous:\na munificent patron / gift / gesture * He enjoys being munificent on a princely scale.\n    munificence  noun [U]


Words: munitions
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] military weapons, AMMUNITION, and equipment:\na shortage of munitions * a munitions factory\n    munition adjective [only before noun]:\na munition store


Words: mural
Meaning:
noun\na painting, usually a large one, done on a wall, sometimes on an outside wall of a building\n    mural adjective:\nmural paintings


Words: murder
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, C] the crime of killing sb deliberately\nSYN HOMICIDE:\nHe was found guilty of murder. * She has been charged with the attempted murder of her husband. * to commit (a) murder * a murder case / investigation / trial * The rebels were responsible for the mass murder of 400 civilians. * What was the murder weapon? * The play is a murder mystery.\ncompare MANSLAUGHTER\n  2  [U] (spoken) used to describe sth that is difficult or unpleasant:\nIt’s murder trying to get to the airport at this time of day. * It was murder (= very busy and unpleasant) in the office today.\n IDIOMS \n  get away with murder (informal, often humorous) to do whatever you want without being stopped or punished\nmore at SCREAM v.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to kill sb deliberately and illegally:\nHe denies murdering his wife’s lover. * The murdered woman was well known in the area.\n  2  to spoil sth because you do not do it very well:\nCritics accused him of murdering the English language (= writing or speaking it very badly).\n  3  (BrE, informal) to defeat sb completely, especially in a team sport\nSYN THRASH\n IDIOMS \n  I could murder a ... (spoken) used to say that you very much want to eat or drink sth:\nI could murder a beer.\n  sb will murder you (spoken) used to warn sb that another person will be very angry with them


Words: murderer
Meaning:
noun\na person who has killed sb deliberately and illegally:\na convicted murderer * a mass murderer (= who has killed a lot of people)


Words: murderous
Meaning:
adjective\nintending or likely to murder:\na murderous villain / tyrant * a murderous attack * She gave him a murderous look (= a very angry one).\n    murderously adverb


Words: murk
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the murk) [U] (literary) darkness caused by smoke, FOG, etc.\nSYN GLOOM:\nThe figure disappeared into the murk. * Through the murk there was a faint glimmer of light.


Words: murky
Meaning:
adjective (murkier, murkiest)\n  1  (of a liquid) not clear; dark or dirty with mud or another substance:\nShe gazed into the murky depths of the water.\n  2  (of air, light, etc.) dark and unpleasant because of smoke, FOG, etc:\na murky night\n  3  (disapproving or humorous) (of people’s actions or character) not clearly known and suspected of not being honest:\nHe had a somewhat murky past. * the murky world of arms dealing\n IDIOMS  see WATER n.


Words: murmur
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to say sth in a soft quiet voice that is difficult to hear or understand:\n[VN] She murmured her agreement. * He murmured something in his sleep. * [V] She was murmuring in his ear. [also V speech, V that]\n  2  [V] to make a quiet continuous sound:\nThe wind murmured in the trees.\n  3  [V] ~ (against sb/sth) (literary) to complain about sb/sth, but not openly:\nThe people murmured against the new regime.\n    noun\n  1  [C] a quietly spoken word or words:\nShe answered in a faint murmur. * Murmurs of ’Praise God’ went around the circle.\n  2  [C] (also murmurings [pl.]) a quiet expression of feeling:\na murmur of agreement / approval / complaint * He paid the extra cost without a murmur (= without complaining at all). * polite murmurings of gratitude\n  3  (also murmuring) [sing.] a low continuous sound in the background:\nthe distant murmur of traffic\n  4  [C] (medical) a faint sound in the chest, usually a sign of damage or disease in the heart:\na heart murmur


Words: muscle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] a piece of body tissue that you tighten and relax in order to move a particular part of the body; the tissue that forms the muscles of the body:\na calf / neck / thigh muscle * to pull / tear / strain a muscle * This exercise will work the muscles of the lower back. * She tried to relax her tense muscles. * He felt every muscle in his body tighten. * He didn’t move a muscle (= stood completely still).\n  2  [U] physical strength:\nHe’s an intelligent player but lacks the muscle of older competitors.\n  3  [U] the power and influence to make others do what you want:\nto exercise political / industrial / financial muscle\n    muscled adjective:\nheavily muscled shoulders\n IDIOMS  see FLEX v.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  muscle in (on sb/sth) (informal, disapproving) to involve yourself in a situation when you have no right to do so, in order to get sth for yourself


Words: muscular
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with the muscles:\nmuscular tension / power / tissue\n  2  (also informal muscly ) having large strong muscles:\na muscular body / build / chest * He was tall, lean and muscular.


Words: muscular dystrophy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a medical condition that some people are born with in which the muscles gradually become weaker


Words: muse
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a person or spirit that gives a writer, painter, musician, etc. ideas and the desire to create things:\nHe felt that his muse had deserted him (= that he could no longer write, paint, etc.).\n  2  (Muse) (in ancient Greek and Roman stories) one of the nine GODDESSES who encouraged poetry, music and other branches of art and literature\n    verb (written)\n  1  [V] ~ (about / on / over / upon sth) to think carefully about sth for a time, ignoring what is happening around you:\nI sat quietly, musing on the events of the day.\n  2  to say sth to yourself in a way that shows you are thinking carefully about it:\n[V speech] ’I wonder why?’ she mused. [also V that]


Words: museum
Meaning:
noun\na building in which objects of artistic, cultural, historical or scientific interest are kept and shown to the public:\na museum of modern art * a science museum


Words: museum piece
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an object that is of enough historical or artistic value to have in a museum:\nThe vase is a stunning museum piece from the 18th century.\n  2  (humorous) a thing or person that is old-fashioned, or old and no longer useful:\nThat car of his is a real museum piece.


Words: mush
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] (usually disapproving) a soft thick mass or mixture:\nThe vegetables had turned to mush. * The ground was a mush of wet leaves. * His insides suddenly felt like mush.\n  2  [U] (AmE) a type of thick PORRIDGE made from corn


Words: mushroom
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a FUNGUS with a round flat head and short stem. Many mushrooms can be eaten:\na field mushroom (= the most common type that is eaten, often just called a ’mushroom’, and often grown to be sold) * fried mushrooms * cream of mushroom soup\nsee also BUTTON MUSHROOM, TOADSTOOL\n    verb [V] \n  1  to rapidly grow or increase in number:\nWe expect the market to mushroom in the next two years.\n  2  (usually go mushrooming) to gather mushrooms in a field or wood


Words: mushy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  soft and thick, like mush:\nCook until the fruit is soft but not mushy.\n  2  (informal, disapproving) too emotional in a way that is embarrassing\nSYN SENTIMENTAL:\nmushy romantic novels


Words: music
Meaning:
noun [U]\n \n  1  sounds that are arranged in a way that is pleasant or exciting to listen to. People sing music or play it on instruments:\npop / dance / classical / church music * to listen to music * She could hear music playing somewhere. * It was a charming piece of music. * the popularity of Mozart’s music * He wrote the music but I don’t know who wrote the words. * The poem has been set to music. * Every week they get together to make music (= to play music or sing).\nsee also CHAMBER MUSIC, COUNTRY MUSIC, ROCK MUSIC, SOUL MUSIC\n \n  2  the art of writing or playing music:\nto study music * a career in music * music lessons * the music business / industry\n \n  3  the written or printed signs that represent the sounds to be played or sung in a piece of music:\nCan you read music (= understand the signs in order to play or sing a piece of music)? * I had to play it without the music.\nsee also SHEET MUSIC\n IDIOMS \n  music to your ears news or information that you are very pleased to hear\nmore at FACE v.


Words: music box
Meaning:
(also musical box especially in BrE) noun\na box containing a device that plays a tune when the box is opened


Words: music hall
Meaning:
noun (BrE)\n  1  (also vaudeville AmE, BrE) [U] a type of entertainment popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including singing, dancing and COMEDY:\nan old music hall song\n  2  (AmE vaudeville theater) [C] a theatre used for popular entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries


Words: music stand
Meaning:
noun\na metal frame, especially one that you can fold, that is used for holding sheets of music while you play a musical instrument


Words: musical
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] connected with music; containing music:\nthe musical director of the show * musical talent / ability / skill * musical styles / tastes * a musical production / entertainment\n  2  (of a person) with a natural skill or interest in music:\nShe’s very musical.\nOPP UNMUSICAL\n  3  (of a sound) pleasant to listen to, like music:\na musical voice\nOPP UNMUSICAL\n    noun (also old-fashioned musical comedy) a play or a film/movie in which part or all of the story is told using songs and often dancing:\nthe latest Andrew Lloyd Webber musical * a Broadway / Hollywood musical


Words: musical chairs
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a children’s game in which players run round a row of chairs while music is playing. Each time the music stops, players try to sit down on one of the chairs, but there are always more players than chairs.\n  2  (often disapproving) a situation in which people frequently exchange jobs or positions


Words: musical instrument
Meaning:
(also instrument) noun\nan object used for producing musical sounds, for example a piano or a drum:\nMost pupils learn (to play) a musical instrument. * the instruments of the orchestra


Words: musically
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a way that is connected with music:\nmusically gifted * Musically speaking, their latest album is nothing special.\n  2  with musical skill:\nHe plays really musically.\n  3  in a way that is pleasant to listen to, like music:\nto laugh / speak musically


Words: musician
Meaning:
noun\na person who plays a musical instrument or writes music, especially as a job:\na jazz / rock musician


Words: musk
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a substance with a strong smell that is used in making some PERFUMES. It is produced naturally by a type of male deer:\na musk rose (= a type of rose that smells like musk)\n    musky adjective:\na musky perfume (= smelling of or like musk)


Words: muslin
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a fine cotton fabric that is almost transparent, used, especially in the past, for making clothes and curtains


Words: must modal
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    modal verb )\n  1  used to say that sth is necessary or very important (sometimes involving a rule or a law):\nAll visitors must report to reception. * Cars must not park in front of the entrance (= it is not allowed). * I must ask you not to do that again. * You mustn’t say things like that. * I must go to the bank and get some money. * I must admit (= I feel that I should admit) I was surprised it cost so little. * Must you always question everything I say? (= it is annoying) * ’Do we have to finish this today?’ ’Yes, you must.’\n HELP NOTE  Note that the negative for the last example is ’No, you don’t have to.\n  2  used to say that sth is likely or logical:\nYou must be hungry after all that walking. * He must have known (= surely he knew) what she wanted. * I’m sorry she’s not here. She must have left already (= that must be the explanation).\n  3  used to recommend that sb does sth because you think it is a good idea:\nYou simply must read this book. * We must get together soon for lunch. -> MODAL\n IDIOMS \n  if you must (do sth) used to say that sb may do sth but you do not really want them to:\n’Can I smoke?’ ’If you must.’ * It’s from my boyfriend, if you must know.\n    noun  [usually sing.] (informal) something that you must do, see, buy, etc:\nHis new novel is a must for all lovers of crime fiction. * Trips to Pompeii and Naples are absolute musts.\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \nmust / have (got) to / must not / don’t have to\nNecessity and Obligation\nMust and have (got) to are used in the present to say that something is necessary or should be done. Have to is more common in AmE, especially in speech: You must be home by 11 o’clock. * I must wash the car tomorrow. * I have to collect the children from school at 3 o’clock. * Nurses have to wear a uniform.\nIn BrE there is a difference between them. Must is used to talk about what the speaker or listener wants, and have (got) to about rules, laws and other people’s wishes: I’d love to stay, but I must go now - I’ve got to write an assignment for my tutor this evening.\nThere are no past or future forms of must. To talk about the past you use had to and has had to: I had to wait half an hour for a bus. Will have to is used to talk about the future, or have to if an arrangement has already been made: We’ll have to borrow the money we need. * I have to go to the dentist tomorrow.\nQuestions with have to are formed using do: Do the children have to wear a uniform? In negative sentences both must not and don’t have to are used, but with different meanings. Must not is used to tell somebody not to do something: Passengers must not smoke until the signs have been switched off. The short form mustn’t is used especially in BrE: You mustn’t leave the gate open. Don’t have to is used when it is not necessary to do something: You don’t have to pay for the tickets in advance. * She doesn’t have to work at weekends.\n-> note at NEED\nCertainty\nBoth must and have to are used to say that you are certain about something. Have to is the usual verb used in AmE and this is becoming more frequent in BrE in this meaning: He has (got) to be the worst actor on TV! * This must be the most boring party I’ve ever been to (BrE). If you are talking about the past, use must have: Your trip must have been fun!\n______________________________


Words: mustard
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a thick cold yellow or brown sauce that tastes hot and spicy and is usually eaten with meat:\na jar of mustard * mustard powder * French / English mustard\n  2  a small plant with yellow flowers, grown for its seeds that are crushed to make mustard\n  3  a brownish-yellow colour\n    mustard adjective:\na mustard sweater\n IDIOMS \n  (not) cut the mustard to (not) be as good as expected or required:\nI didn’t cut the mustard as a hockey player.\nmore at KEEN adj.


Words: mustard gas
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a poisonous gas that burns the skin, used in chemical weapons, for example during the First World War


Words: muster
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (up) to find as much support, courage, etc. as you can\nSYN SUMMON:\nWe mustered what support we could for the plan. * She left the room with all the dignity she could muster. * He could muster only 154 votes at the election.\n  2  to come together, or bring people, especially soldiers, together for example for military action\nSYN GATHER:\n[V] The troops mustered. * The force mustered 1000 strong. * [VN] to muster an army * The navy could muster 44 warships.\n    noun a group of people, especially soldiers, that have been brought together:\nmuster stations / areas (= parts of a building, a ship, etc. that people must go to if there is an emergency)\n IDIOMS  see PASS v.


Words: musty
Meaning:
adjective\nsmelling damp and unpleasant because of a lack of fresh air:\na musty room * a musty smell of old books * These clothes smell musty.


Words: mutant
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (biology) (of a living thing) different in some way from others of the same kind because of a change in its GENETIC structure:\na mutant gene * a mutant strain of the virus\n    noun\n  1  (biology) a living thing with qualities that are different from its parents’ qualities because of a change in its GENETIC structure\n  2  (informal) (in stories about space, the future, etc.) a living thing with an unusual and frightening appearance because of a change in its GENETIC structure


Words: mutate
Meaning:
verb ~ (into sth)\n  1  to develop or make sth develop a new form or structure, because of a GENETIC change:\n[V] the ability of the virus to mutate into new forms * [VN] mutated genes\n  2  [V] to change into a new form:\nRhythm and blues mutated into rock and roll.\nsee also MUTATION


Words: mutation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] (biology) a process in which the GENETIC material of a person, a plant or an animal changes in structure when it is passed on to children, etc., causing different physical characteristics to develop; a change of this kind:\ncells affected by mutation * genetic / colour mutations\n  2  [U, C] a change in the form or structure of sth: (linguistics) vowel mutation * In Celtic languages such as Welsh, there is a process of mutation affecting the beginning sound of a word, according to the word which comes before it. * the mutation of ethnic politics into nationalist politics


Words: mute
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective\n  1  (written) not speaking\nSYN SILENT:\na look of mute appeal * The child sat mute in the corner of the room.\n  2  (old-fashioned) (of a person) unable to speak\nSYN DUMB\n    noun\n  1  (music) a device made of metal, rubber or plastic that you use to make the sound of a musical instrument softer\n  2  (old-fashioned) a person who is not able to speak\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to make the sound of sth, especially a musical instrument, quieter or softer, sometimes using a mute:\nHe muted the strings with his palm. * The traffic noise was muted by the heavy drapes.\n  2  to make sth weaker or less severe:\nShe thought it better to mute her criticism.


Words: muted
Meaning:
adjective (written)\n  1  (of sounds) quiet; not as loud as usual:\nthe muted sound of traffic outside * They spoke in muted voices.\n  2  (of emotions, opinions, etc.) not strongly expressed:\nThe proposals received only a muted response.\n  3  (of colours, light, etc.) not bright:\na dress in muted shades of blue\n  4  (of musical instruments) used with a mute:\nmuted trumpets


Words: mutilate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to damage sb’s body very severely, especially by cutting or tearing off part of it:\nThe body had been badly mutilated.\n  2  to damage sth very badly:\nIntruders slashed and mutilated several paintings.\n    mutilation  noun [U, C]:\nThousands suffered death or mutilation in the bomb blast.


Words: mutinous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  refusing to obey the orders of sb in authority; wanting to do this\nSYN REBELLIOUS:\nmutinous workers * a mutinous expression * She was beginning to feel mutinous.\n  2  taking part in a mutiny\n    mutinously adverb


Words: mutiny
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (plural mutinies) [U, C] the act of refusing to obey the orders of sb in authority, especially by soldiers or sailors:\nDiscontent among the ship’s crew finally led to the outbreak of mutiny. * the famous movie ’Mutiny on the Bounty’ * We have a family mutiny on our hands!\n    verb (mutinies, mutinying, mutinied, mutinied) [V] (especially of soldiers or sailors) to refuse to obey the orders of sb in authority:\nThere was a real chance the crew would mutiny.


Words: mutt
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, especially AmE) a dog, especially one that is not of a particular breed\nSYN MONGREL


Words: mutter
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (sth) (to sb / yourself) (about sth) to speak or say sth in a quiet voice that is difficult to hear, especially because you are annoyed about sth:\n[V speech] ’How dare she,’ he muttered under his breath. * [V] She just sat there muttering to herself. * [VN] I muttered something about needing to get back to work. [also V that]\n  2  ~ (about sth) to complain about sth, without saying publicly what you think:\n[V] Workers continued to mutter about the management. [also V that]\n    noun [usually sing.] a quiet sound or words that are difficult to hear:\nthe soft mutter of voices


Words: muttering
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (also mutterings [pl.]) complaints that you express privately rather than openly:\nThere have been mutterings about his leadership.\n  2  words that you speak very quietly to yourself


Words: mutton
Meaning:
noun\n[U] meat from a fully grown sheep\ncompare LAMB\n IDIOMS \n  mutton dressed as lamb (BrE, informal, disapproving) used to describe a woman who is trying to look younger than she really is, especially by wearing clothes that are designed for young people


Words: mutual
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  used to describe feelings that two or more people have for each other equally, or actions that affect two or more people equally:\nmutual respect / understanding * mutual support / aid * They parted by mutual consent. * I don’t like her, and I think the feeling is mutual (= she doesn’t like me either).\n  2  [only before noun] shared by two or more people:\nWe met at the home of a mutual friend. * They soon discovered a mutual interest in music.\n    mutuality  noun [U, C] (formal):\nmutuality of respect / feeling


Words: mutually
Meaning:
adverb\nfelt or done equally by two or more people:\na mutually beneficial / supportive relationship * Can we find a mutually convenient time to meet? * The two views are not mutually exclusive (= both can be true at the same time).


Words: Muzak
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (often disapproving) continuous recorded music that is played in shops, restaurants, airports, etc.\ncompare PIPE v.


Words: muzzle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  the nose and mouth of an animal, especially a dog or a horse\ncompare SNOUT\n \n  2  a device made of leather or plastic that you put over the nose and mouth of an animal, especially a dog, to prevent it from biting people\n \n  3  the open end of a gun, where the bullets come out\n    verb [VN] \n  1  [usually passive] to put a muzzle over a dog’s head to prevent it from biting people:\nDogs must be kept muzzled.\n  2  to prevent sb from expressing their opinions in public as they want to\nSYN GAG:\nThey accused the government of muzzling the press.


Words: muzzy
Meaning:
adjective (BrE, informal)\n  1  unable to think in a clear way:\na muzzy head * Those drugs made me feel muzzy.\n  2  not clear:\na muzzy voice * muzzy plans


Words: MVP
Meaning:
abbreviation\n(AmE) most valuable player (the best player in a team):\nHe has just earned his fourth MVP award this season.


Words: my
Meaning:
determiner (the possessive form of I)\n  1  of or belonging to the speaker or writer:\nWhere’s my passport? * My feet are cold.\n  2  used in exclamations to express surprise, etc:\nMy goodness! Look at the time!\n  3  used when addressing sb, to show affection:\nmy dear / darling / love\n  4  used when addressing sb that you consider to have a lower status than you:\nMy dear girl, you’re wrong.


Words: myopia
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (technical) the inability to see things clearly when they are far away\nSYN SHORT SIGHT, SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS\n  2  (written, disapproving) the inability to see what the results of a particular action or decision will be; the inability to think about anything outside your own situation\nSYN SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS:\nThe cancellation of the popular show was a result of managerial myopia. * cultural myopia\n    myopic  adjective (technical):\na myopic child / eye * (disapproving) a myopic strategy * myopic voters\nsee also SHORT-SIGHTED\n    myopically  adverb


Words: myriad
Meaning:
noun\n(literary) an extremely large number of sth:\nDesigns are available in a myriad of colours.\n    myriad adjective:\nthe myriad problems of modern life


Words: myrrh
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a sticky substance with a sweet smell that comes from trees and is used to make PERFUME and INCENSE


Words: myself
Meaning:
pronoun\n  1  (the reflexive form of I) used when the speaker or writer is also the person affected by an action:\nI cut myself on a knife. * I wrote a message to myself. * I found myself unable to speak. * I haven’t been feeling myself recently (= I have not felt well). * I needed space to be myself (= not influenced by other people).\n  2  used to emphasize the fact that the speaker is doing sth:\nI’ll speak to her myself. * I myself do not agree.\n IDIOMS \n  (all) by myself\n1 alone; without anyone else:\nI live by myself\n2 without help:\nI painted the room all by myself.\n  (all) to myself for the speaker or writer alone; not shared:\nI had a whole pizza to myself.


Words: mysterious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  difficult to understand or explain; strange:\nHe died in mysterious circumstances. * A mysterious illness is affecting all the animals.\n  2  (especially of people) strange and interesting because you do not know much about them:\nA mysterious young woman is living next door.\n  3  (of people) not saying much about sth, especially when other people want to know more:\nHe was being very mysterious about where he was going.\n    mysteriously adverb:\nMy watch had mysteriously disappeared. * Mysteriously, the streets were deserted. * She was silent, smiling mysteriously.


Words: mystery
Meaning:
noun (plural mysteries)\n  1  [C] something that is difficult to understand or to explain:\nIt is one of the great unsolved mysteries of this century. * Their motives remain a mystery. * It’s a complete mystery to me why they chose him.\n  2  [C] (often used as an adjective) a person or a thing that is strange and interesting because you do not know much about them or it:\nHe’s a bit of a mystery. * There was a mystery guest on the programme. * The band was financed by a mystery backer. * (BrE) a mystery tour (= when you do not know where you are going)\n  3  [U] the quality of being difficult to understand or to explain, especially when this makes sb/sth seem interesting and exciting:\nMystery surrounds her disappearance. * His past is shrouded in mystery (= not much is known about it). * The dark glasses give her an air of mystery. * She’s a woman of mystery.\n  4  [C] a story, a film/movie or a play in which crimes and strange events are only explained at the end:\nI enjoy murder mysteries.\n  5  (mysteries) [pl.] secret religious ceremonies; secret knowledge: (figurative) the teacher who initiated me into the mysteries of mathematics\n  6  [C] a religious belief that cannot be explained or proved in a scientific way:\nthe mystery of creation


Words: mystery play
Meaning:
noun\na type of play that was popular between the 11th and 14th centuries and was based on events in the Bible or the lives of the Christian saints


Words: mystic
Meaning:
noun\na person who tries to become united with God through prayer and MEDITATION and so understand important things that are beyond normal human understanding


Words: mystical
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having spiritual powers or qualities that are difficult to understand or to explain:\nmystical forces / powers * mystic beauty * Watching the sun rise over the mountain was an almost mystical experience.\n  2  connected with mysticism:\nthe mystical life\n    mystically  adverb


Words: mysticism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the belief that knowledge of God and of real truth can be found through prayer and MEDITATION rather than through reason and the senses:\nEastern mysticism * There is a strong element of mysticism in his poetry.


Words: mystify
Meaning:
verb\n(mystifies, mystifying, mystified, mystified) [VN] to make sb confused because they do not understand sth\nSYN BAFFLE:\nThey were totally mystified by the girl’s disappearance.\n    mystification  noun [U]:\nHe looked at her in mystification.\n    mystifying adjective


Words: mystique
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] the quality of being mysterious or secret that makes sb/sth seem interesting or attractive:\nThe mystique surrounding the monarchy has gone for ever. * There is a certain mystique about the tiger.


Words: myth
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  a story from ancient times, especially one that was told to explain natural events or to describe the early history of a people; this type of story:\nancient Greek myths * a creation myth (= that explains how the world began) * the heroes of myth and legend\n  2  something that many people believe but that does not exist or is false\nSYN FALLACY:\nIt is time to dispel the myth of a classless society (= to show that it does not exist). * Contrary to popular myth women are not worse drivers than men.


Words: mythic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (rare) = MYTHICAL (1,2)\n  2  (also mythical) that has become very famous, like sb/sth in a myth:\nScott of the Antarctic was a national hero of mythic proportions.


Words: mythical
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  (also less frequent mythic) existing only in ancient myths:\nmythical beasts / heroes\n  2  (also less frequent mythic) that does not exist or is not true\nSYN FICTITIOUS:\nthe mythical ’rich uncle’ that he boasts about * a mythical golden age when children always did what they were told\n  3  = MYTHIC (2)


Words: mythological
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] connected with ancient MYTHS:\nmythological subjects / figures / stories


Words: mythology
Meaning:
noun (plural mythologies) [U, C]\n  1  ancient MYTHS in general; the ancient MYTHS of a particular culture, society, etc:\nGreek mythology * a study of the religions and mythologies of ancient Rome\n  2  ideas or facts that many people think are true but that do not exist or are false:\nthe popular mythology that life begins at forty


Words: N
Meaning:
noun, abbreviation \n    noun (also n) (plural N’s, n’s )\n  1  [C, U] the 14th letter of the English alphabet:\n’Night’ begins with (an) N / ’N’.\n  2  [U] (mathematics) used to represent a number whose value is not mentioned:\nThe equation is impossible for any value of n greater than 2.\nsee also NTH\n    abbreviation (AmE also No.) north; northern:\nN Ireland


Words: NAACP
Meaning:
abbreviation\nNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People (an organization in the US that works for the rights of African Americans)


Words: NAAFI
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the abbreviation for ’Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes’ (an organization which provides shops and places to eat for British soldiers)


Words: nab
Meaning:
verb (-bb-) [VN] (informal)\n  1  to catch or arrest sb who is doing sth wrong\nSYN COLLAR:\nHe was nabbed by the police for speeding.\n  2  to take or get sth:\nWho’s nabbed my drink?


Words: nachos
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (from Spanish) a Mexican dish of crisp pieces of TORTILLA served with beans, cheese, spices, etc.


Words: nadir
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (written) the worst moment of a particular situation:\nthe nadir of his career * Company losses reached their nadir in 1992.\nOPP ZENITH


Words: nag
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-gg-) ~ (at sb)\n  1  to keep complaining to sb about their behaviour or keep asking them to do sth:\n[V] Stop nagging-I’ll do it as soon as I can. * [VN to inf] She had been nagging him to paint the fence. [also VN]\n  2  to worry or irritate you continuously:\n[V] A feeling of unease nagged at her. * [VN] Doubts nagged me all evening.\n    noun (old-fashioned, informal) a horse


Words: nagging
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  continuing for a long time and difficult to cure or remove:\na nagging pain / doubt\n  2  complaining:\na nagging voice


Words: nail
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a thin hard layer covering the outer tip of the fingers or toes:\nStop biting your nails! * nail clippers\nsee also FINGERNAIL, TOENAIL\n \n  2  a small thin pointed piece of metal with a flat head, used for hanging things on a wall or for joining pieces of wood together:\nShe hammered the nail in.\ncompare SCREW (1), TACK (3)\n \n IDIOMS \n  a nail in sb’s / sth’s coffin something that makes the end or failure of an organization, sb’s plans, etc. more likely to happen:\nThis latest defeat is another nail in the government’s coffin.\n  on the nail (informal) (of payment) without delay:\nThey’re good customers who always pay on the nail.\nmore at FIGHT v., HARD adj., HIT v., TOUGH adj.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to fasten sth to sth with a nail or nails:\nI nailed the sign to a tree. * Wooden boards had been nailed across the windows. * The shutters had been nailed shut.\n  2  (informal) to catch sb and prove they are guilty of a crime or of doing sth bad:\nThe police haven’t been able to nail the killer.\n  3  (informal) to prove that sth is not true:\nWe must nail this lie.\n IDIOMS \n  nail your colours to the mast (especially BrE) to say publicly and firmly what you believe or who you support\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  nail sth<->down\n1 to fasten sth down with a nail or nails\n2 to reach an agreement or a decision, usually after a lot of discussion:\nAll the parties seem anxious to nail down a ceasefire.\n  nail sb<->down (to sth) to force sb to give you a definite promise or tell you exactly what they intend to do:\nShe says she’ll come, but I can’t nail her down to a specific time.\n  nail sth<->up\n1 to fasten sth to a wall, post, etc. with a nail or nails:\nWe spent the morning nailing up signposts.\n2 to put nails into a door or window so that it cannot be opened:\nThe door had been nailed up from the outside.


Words: nail scissors
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] small scissors that are usually curved, used for cutting the nails on your fingers and toes:\na pair of nail scissors


Words: nail varnish
Meaning:
(BrE) (also nail polish AmE, BrE) noun\n[U] clear or coloured liquid that you paint on your nails to make them look attractive:\nnail varnish / polish remover


Words: nail-biting
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] making you feel very excited or anxious because you do not know what is going to happen:\na nail-biting finish * It’s been a nail-biting couple of weeks waiting for my results.


Words: naive
Meaning:
(also naive)  adjective\n  1  (disapproving) lacking experience of life, knowledge or good judgement and willing to believe that people always tell you the truth:\na naive question / remark * to be politically naive * I can’t believe you were so naive as to trust him! * It would be naive of us to think that football is only a game.\n  2  (approving) (of people and their behaviour) innocent and simple:\nTheir approach to life is refreshingly naive.\ncompare SOPHISTICATED\n    naively (also naively) adverb:\nI naively assumed that I would be paid for the work.\n    naivety (also naivety)  noun [U]:\nThey laughed at the naivety of his suggestion. * She has lost none of her naivety. * His work is a curious blend of sophistication and naivety.


Words: naked
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not wearing any clothes\nSYN BARE:\na naked body * naked shoulders * They often wandered around the house stark naked (= completely naked). * They found him half naked and bleeding to death. * The prisoners were stripped naked.\nsee also BUCK NAKED\n  2  [usually before noun] without the usual covering\nSYN BARE:\na naked bulb / light * a naked flame * a naked sword * Mice are born naked (= without fur).\n  3  [only before noun] (of emotions, attitudes, etc.) expressed strongly and not hidden:\nnaked aggression / ambition * the naked truth\n  4  [not usually before noun] unable to protect yourself from being harmed, criticized, etc.\nSYN HELPLESS:\nHe still felt naked and drained after his ordeal.\n    nakedly adverb:\nnakedly aggressive\n    nakedness noun [U]:\nShe pulled the sheet higher to cover her nakedness.\n IDIOMS \n  the naked eye the normal power of your eyes without the help of an instrument:\nThe planet should be visible with / to the naked eye.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nnaked / bare\nBoth these words can be used to mean ’not covered with clothes’ and are frequently used with the following nouns:\nnaked ~  bare ~\nbody  feet\nman  arms\nfear  walls\naggression  branches\nflame  essentials\nNaked is more often used to describe a person or their body and bare usually describes a part of the body.\nBare can also describe other things with nothing on them: bare walls * a bare hillside. Naked can mean ’without a protective covering’: a naked sword.\nBare can also mean ’just enough’: the bare minimum. Naked can be used to talk about strong feelings that are not hidden: naked fear. Note also the idiom: (visible) to/with the naked eye.\n______________________________


Words: namby-pamby
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal, disapproving) weak and too emotional:\nHe rejected any affection as namby-pamby nonsense.


Words: name
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a word or words that a particular person, animal, place or thing is known by:\nWhat’s your name? * What is / was the name, please? (= a polite way of asking sb’s name) * Please write your full name and address below. * Do you know the name of this flower? * Rubella is just another name for German measles. * (computing) a user / file name * Are you changing your name when you get married?\nsee also ASSUMED NAME, BRAND NAME, CODE NAME, FAMILY NAME, FIRST NAME, FORENAME, MAIDEN NAME, MIDDLE NAME, NICKNAME, PEN-NAME, PET NAME, PLACE NAME, SURNAME, TRADE NAME\n \n  2  [usually sing.] a reputation that sb/sth has; the opinion that people have about sb/sth:\nShe first made her name as a writer of children’s books. * He’s made quite a name for himself (= become famous). * The college has a good name for languages. * This kind of behaviour gives students a bad name.\n \n  3  (in compound adjectives) having a name or a reputation of the kind mentioned, especially one that is known by a lot of people:\na big-name company / celebrity * brand-name goods\nsee also HOUSEHOLD NAME\n  4  a famous person:\nSome of the biggest names in the art world were at the party. * The event attracted many famous names from the past. * The movie needs some names in it, if it’s going to be successful.\n IDIOMS \n  by name using the name of sb/sth:\nShe asked for you by name. * The principal knows all the students by name. * I only know her by name (= I have heard about her but I have not met her).\n  by the name of ... (written) who is called:\na young actor by the name of Tom Rees\n  enter sb’s / your name (for sth) | put sb’s / your name down (for sth) to apply for a place at a school, in a competition, etc. for sb or yourself:\nHave you entered your name for the quiz yet? * They’ve already put his name down for Eton College.\n  give your name to sth to invent sth which then becomes known by your name:\nCharles Macintosh gave his name to a type of raincoat.\n  go by the name of ... to use a name that may not be your real one:\na thief who goes by the name of ’The Cat’\n  in all but name used to describe a situation which exists in reality but that is not officially recognized:\nHe runs the company in all but name.\n  in God’s / Heaven’s name | in the name of God / Heaven used especially in questions to show that you are angry, surprised or shocked:\nWhat in God’s name was that noise? * Where in the name of Heaven have you been?\n  in the name of sb / sth | in sb’s / sth’s name\n1 for sb; showing that sth officially belongs to sb:\nWe reserved two tickets in the name of Brown. * The car is registered in my name.\n2 using the authority of sb/sth; as a representative of sb/sth:\nI arrest you in the name of the law.\n3 used to give a reason or an excuse for doing sth, often when what you are doing is wrong:\ncrimes committed in the name of religion\n  in name only officially recognized but not existing in reality:\nHe’s party leader in name only.\n  sb’s name is mud (informal, usually humorous) used to say that sb is not liked or popular because of sth they have done:\nYour name’s mud around here at the moment!\n  the name of the game (informal) the most important aspect of an activity; the most important quality needed for an activity:\nHard work is the name of the game if you want to succeed in business.\n  put a name to sb/sth to know or remember what sb/sth is called:\nI recognize the tune but I can’t put a name to it.\n  take sb’s name in vain to show a lack of respect when using sb’s name: (humorous) Have you been taking my name in vain again?\n  (have sth) to your name to have or own sth:\nan Olympic athlete with five gold medals to his name * She doesn’t have a penny / cent to her name (= she is very poor).\n  under the name (of) ... using a name that may not be your real name\nmore at ANSWER v., BIG adj., CALL v., DROP v., LEND, MIDDLE NAME, NAME v., REJOICE\n    verb\n  1  ~ sb/sth (after sb)| (AmE also) ~ sb/sth (for sb) to give a name to sb/sth:\n[VN] He was named after his father (= given his father’s first name). * the diesel engine, named after its inventor Rudolf Diesel * [VN-N] They named their son John.\n  2  [VN] to say the name of sb/sth\nSYN IDENTIFY:\nThe victim has not yet been named. * The missing man has been named as James Kelly. * Can you name all the American states? * The manager has named his side for the semi-final.\n  3  [VN] to state sth exactly\nSYN SPECIFY:\nName your price. * They’re engaged, but they haven’t yet named the day (= chosen the date for their wedding). * Activities available include squash, archery and swimming to name but a few. * Chairs, tables, cabinets-you name it, she makes it (= she makes anything you can imagine).\n  4  ~ sb (as) sth | ~ sb (to sth) to choose sb for a job or position:\n[VN-N] I had no hesitation in naming him (as) captain. * [VN] When she resigned, he was named to the committee in her place.\n IDIOMS \n  name names to give the names of the people involved in sth, especially sth wrong or illegal:\nHe has accused the government of corruption and claims he is prepared to name names.\n______________________________\n MORE ABOUT \nnames and titles\nNames\nYour name is either your whole name or one part of your name: My name is Maria. * His name is Tom Smith. * The name’s Bond.\nYour last name or family name, (also called surname in BrE)\n= the name that all members of your family share.\nYour first name/names (formal forename)\n= the name(s) your parents gave you when you were born.\nIn BrE some people use the expression Christian name(s) to refer to a person’s first name(s).\nYour middle name(s)\n= any name your parents gave you other than the one that is placed first. The initial of this name is often used as part of your name, especially in America: John T. Harvey\nYour full name\n= all your names usually in the order: first + middle + last name\nA woman’s maiden name\n= the family name she had before she got married. Some women keep this name after they are married, and do not use their husband’s name. In America, married women often use their maiden name followed by their husband’s family name: Hillary Rodham Clinton.\nTitles\nMr (for both married and unmarried men)\nMrs (for married women)\nMiss (for unmarried women)\nMs (a title that some women prefer to use as it does not distinguish between married and unmarried women)\nDoctor, Professor, President, Vice-President,\nReverend (or Rev), etc.\nThe correct way to talk to someone is:\nfirst name, if you know them well: Hello, Maria.\nor title + surname: Hello, Mr Brown.\nor Doctor (medical), Professor, etc. on its own:\nThank you, Doctor. This is only used for a very limited number of titles.\nFor information on ways of addressing people in writing see Study Page B14.\n______________________________


Words: name tape
Meaning:
noun\na small piece of fabric that is sewn or stuck onto a piece of clothing and that has the name of the owner on it


Words: name-calling
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the act of using rude or insulting words about sb:\nThey were subjected to name-calling and jokes at their expense.


Words: name-dropping
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) the act of mentioning the names of famous people you know or have met in order to impress other people\n    name-drop verb [V] \nsee also DROP NAMES


Words: nameless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] having no name; whose name you do not know:\na nameless grave * thousands of nameless and faceless workers\n  2  whose name is kept secret\nSYN ANONYMOUS:\na nameless source in the government * a well-known public figure who shall remain nameless\n  3  [usually before noun] (literary) difficult or too unpleasant to describe:\nnameless horrors / fears * a nameless longing


Words: namely
Meaning:
adverb\nused to introduce more exact and detailed information about sth that you have just mentioned:\nWe need to concentrate on our target audience, namely women aged between 20 and 30.


Words: nameplate
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a sign on the door or the wall of a building showing the name of a company or the name of a person who is living or working there\n  2  a piece of metal or plastic on an object showing the name of the person who owns it, made it or presented it


Words: namesake
Meaning:
noun\na person or a thing that has the same name as sb/sth else:\nUnlike his more famous namesake, this Bill Clinton has little interest in politics.


Words: nan
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) = NANNY\n\n(also naan)  noun\n(also nan bread, naan bread) [U] a type of soft flat Indian bread


Words: nanny
Meaning:
noun (plural nannies)\n  1  a woman whose job is to take care of young children in the children’s own home\n  2  (also nan) (both BrE) (used by children, especially as a form of address) a grandmother:\nWhen is Nanny coming to stay? * my nan and grandad\nsee also GRANNY\n IDIOMS \n  the nanny state (BrE) a disapproving way of talking about the fact that government seems to get too much involved in people’s lives and to protect them too much, in a way that limits their freedom


Words: nannying
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the job of being a child’s NANNY\n  2  (BrE, disapproving) the fact of helping and protecting sb too much


Words: nano-
Meaning:
combining form\n(technical) (in nouns and adjectives; used especially in units of measurement) one BILLIONTH:\nnanosecond * nanometre


Words: nap
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a short sleep, especially during the day:\nto take / have a nap\nsee also CATNAP\ncompare SIESTA\n  2  [sing.] the short fine threads on the surface of some fabrics, usually lying in the same direction\n  3  [C] (BrE) advice given by an expert on which horse is most likely to win a race\n    verb (-pp-) [V] to sleep for a short time, especially during the day:\nI tried to nap on the plane.\n IDIOMS  see CATCH v.


Words: nape
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] ~ (of sb’s neck) the back of the neck:\nHer hair was cut short at the nape of her neck.


Words: napkin
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (also table napkin) a piece of fabric or paper used at meals for protecting your clothes and cleaning your lips and fingers\nSYN SERVIETTE\n \n  2  (AmE) = SANITARY NAPKIN\n \n  3  (BrE, old-fashioned or formal) = NAPPY


Words: nappy
Meaning:
noun\n(plural nappies) (BrE) (AmE diaper) a piece of soft fabric or paper that is folded around a baby’s bottom and between its legs to absorb and hold its body waste:\nI’ll change her nappy. * a disposable nappy (= one that is made to be used once only) * nappy rash


Words: narcissism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal, disapproving) the habit of admiring yourself too much, especially your appearance\n    narcissistic  adjective \n ORIGIN  From the Greek myth in which Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in a pool.


Words: narcissus
Meaning:
noun\n(plural narcissi ) a plant with white or yellow flowers that appear in spring. There are many types of narcissus, including the DAFFODIL.


Words: narcolepsy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (medical) a condition in which sb falls into a deep sleep when they are in relaxing surroundings


Words: narcotic
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  a powerful illegal drug that affects the mind in a harmful way. HEROIN and COCAINE are narcotics:\na narcotics agent (= a police officer investigating the illegal trade in drugs)\n  2  (medical) a substance that relaxes you, reduces pain or makes you sleep:\na mild narcotic\n    adjective\n  1  (of a drug) that affects your mind in a harmful way\n  2  (of a substance) making you sleep:\na mild narcotic effect


Words: nark
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, slang) a person who is friendly with criminals and who gives the police information about them


Words: narked
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) annoyed about sth:\nI could see he was getting narked with me.


Words: narrate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  (formal) to tell a story\nSYN RELATE:\nShe entertained them by narrating her adventures in Africa. * The story is narrated in flashback.\n  2  to speak the words that form the text of a DOCUMENTARY film or programme:\nThe film was narrated by Andrew Sachs.


Words: narration
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [U, C] the act or process of telling a story, especially in a novel, a film/movie or a play:\nThe novel constantly switches between first-person and third-person narration.\n  2  [C] a description of events that is spoken during a film/movie, a play, etc. or with music:\nHe has recorded the narration for the production.


Words: narrative
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [C] a description of events, especially in a novel \nSYN STORY:\na gripping narrative of their journey up the Amazon\n  2  [U] the act, process or skill of telling a story:\na master of narrative * The novel contains too much dialogue and not enough narrative.\n    narrative adjective [only before noun]:\nnarrative fiction / structure * a narrative poem


Words: narrator
Meaning:
noun\na person who tells a story, especially in a book, play or film/movie; the person who speaks the words in a television programme but who does not appear in it:\na first-person narrator


Words: narrow
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (narrower, narrowest)\n  1  measuring a short distance from one side to the other, especially in relation to length:\nnarrow streets * a narrow bed / doorway / shelf * narrow shoulders / hips * There was only a narrow gap between the bed and the wall. * (figurative) the narrow confines of prison life * The road soon became narrower and steeper.\nOPP BROAD, WIDE\n  2  [usually before noun] only just achieved or avoided:\na narrow victory * He lost the race by the narrowest of margins. * She was elected by a narrow majority. * He had a narrow escape when his car skidded on the ice.\n  3  limited in a way that ignores important issues or the opinions of other people:\nnarrow interests * She has a very narrow view of the world.\nOPP BROAD\n  4  limited in variety or numbers\nSYN RESTRICTED:\nThe shop sells only a narrow range of goods. * a narrow circle of friends\nOPP WIDE\n  5  limited in meaning; exact:\nI am using the word ’education’ in the narrower sense.\nOPP BROAD\n    narrowness noun [U]:\nThe narrowness of the streets caused many traffic problems. * We were surprised by the narrowness of our victory. * His attitudes show a certain narrowness of mind.\n IDIOMS  see STRAIGHT n.\n    verb to become or make sth narrower: [V] This is where the river narrows. * The gap between the two teams has narrowed to three points. * Her eyes narrowed (= almost closed) menacingly. * His eyes narrowed to slits. * [VN] He narrowed his eyes at her. * We need to narrow the health divide between rich and poor.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  narrow sth<->down (to sth) to reduce the number of possibilities or choices:\nWe have narrowed down the list to four candidates.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nnarrow / thin\nThese adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns:\nnarrow ~  thin ~\nroad  man\nentrance  legs\nbed  ice\nstairs  line\nmajority  layer\nvictory  material\nrange  cream\nNarrow describes something that is a short distance from side to side. Thin describes people, or something that has a short distance through it from one side to the other.\nThin is also used of things that are not as thick as you expect. Narrow can be used with the meanings ’only just achieved’ and ’limited’.\n______________________________


Words: narrow gauge
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a size of railway/railroad track that is not as wide as the standard track that is used in Britain and the US:\na narrow-gauge railway


Words: narrow-minded
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) not willing to listen to new ideas or to the opinions of others:\na narrow-minded attitude * a narrow-minded nationalist\nOPP BROAD-MINDED, OPEN-MINDED\n    narrow-mindedness noun [U]


Words: narrowly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  only by a small amount:\nThe car narrowly missed a cyclist. * She narrowly escaped injury. * The team lost narrowly.\n  2  (sometimes disapproving) in a way that is limited:\na narrowly defined task * a narrowly specialized education\n  3  closely; carefully:\nShe looked at him narrowly.


Words: NASA
Meaning:
abbreviation\nNational Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA is a US government organization that carries out research into space and organizes space travel.


Words: nasal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with the nose:\nthe nasal passages * a nasal spray\n  2  produced partly through the nose:\na nasal voice * (phonetics) nasal consonants


Words: nascent
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) beginning to exist; not yet fully developed:\na nascent industry / ability * a nascent democracy / revolt


Words: nasturtium
Meaning:
noun\na garden plant with round flat leaves and red, orange or yellow flowers that are sometimes eaten in salads


Words: nasty
Meaning:
adjective (nastier, nastiest)\n  1  very bad or unpleasant:\na nasty accident * The news gave me a nasty shock. * I had a nasty feeling that he would follow me. * He had a nasty moment when he thought he’d lost his passport. * This coffee has a nasty taste. * Don’t buy that coat-it looks cheap and nasty.\n  2  unkind; unpleasant:\nto make nasty remarks about sb * the nastier side of her character * to have a nasty temper * Don’t be so nasty to your brother. * That was a nasty little trick. * Life has a nasty habit of repeating itself.\n  3  dangerous or serious:\na nasty bend (= dangerous for cars going fast) * He had a nasty look in his eye. * a nasty injury / cough\n  4  offensive; in bad taste:\nto have a nasty mind * nasty jokes\nsee also VIDEO NASTY\n    nastily adverb:\n’I hate you,’ she said nastily.\n    nastiness noun [U]\n IDIOMS \n  to get / turn nasty\n1 to become threatening and violent:\nYou’d better do what he says or he’ll turn nasty. * After the game, things turned nasty and there were fights in the streets.\n2 to become bad or unpleasant:\nIt looks as though the weather is going to turn nasty again.\n  a nasty piece of work (BrE, informal) a person who is unpleasant, unkind or dishonest:\nDon’t trust him; he’s a nasty piece of work.\nmore at TASTE n.


Words: natch
Meaning:
adverb\n(slang) used to say that sth is obvious or exactly as you would expect\nSYN NATURALLY:\nHe was wearing the latest T-shirt, natch.


Words: nation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a country considered as a group of people with the same language, culture and history, who live in a particular area under one government:\nan independent nation * the African nations\n  2  [sing.] all the people in a country:\nThe entire nation, it seemed, was watching TV.\n    nationhood  noun [U]:\nCitizenship is about the sense of nationhood.


Words: nation state
Meaning:
noun\na group of people with the same culture, language, etc. who have formed an independent country


Words: national
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  connected with a particular nation; shared by a whole nation:\nnational and local newspapers * national and international news * national and regional politics * a national debate / campaign / election * These buildings are part of our national heritage. * They are afraid of losing their national identity.\n  2  owned, controlled or financially supported by the government:\na national airline / museum / theatre\n    noun (technical) a citizen of a particular country:\nPolish nationals living in Germany -> CITIZEN


Words: national convention
Meaning:
noun\na meeting held by a political party, especially in the US, to choose a candidate to take part in the election for President


Words: national grid
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (BrE) the system of power lines that joins the places where electricity is produced, and takes electricity to all parts of the country


Words: National Insurance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (abbreviation NI) (in Britain) a system of payments that have to be made by employers and employees to provide help for people who are sick, old or unemployed:\nto pay National Insurance (contributions)


Words: national park
Meaning:
noun\nan area of land that is protected by the government for people to visit because of its natural beauty and historical or scientific interest:\nYellowstone National Park * The area was designated a national park.


Words: national service
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the system in some countries in which young people have to do military training for a period of time\nSYN MILITARY SERVICE:\nto do your national service


Words: nationalism
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the desire by a group of people who share the same race, culture, language, etc. to form an independent country:\nScottish nationalism\n  2  (sometimes disapproving) a feeling of love for and pride in your country; a feeling that your country is better than any other


Words: nationalist
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who wants their country to become independent:\nScottish nationalists\n  2  (sometimes disapproving) a person who has a great love for and pride in their country; a person who has a feeling that their country is better than any other\n    nationalist adjective:\nnationalist demands / sentiments


Words: nationalistic
Meaning:
adjective\n(usually disapproving) having very strong feelings of love for and pride in your country, so that you think that it is better than any other


Words: nationality
Meaning:
noun (plural nationalities)\n  1  [U, C] the legal right of belonging to a particular nation:\nto take / have / hold French nationality * All applicants will be considered regardless of age, sex, religion or nationality. * The college attracts students of all nationalities. * She has dual nationality (= is a citizen of two countries).\n  2  [C] a group of people with the same language, culture and history who form part of a political nation:\nKazakhstan alone contains more than a hundred nationalities.


Words: nationalize
Meaning:
(BrE also nationalise)  verb\n[VN] to put an industry or a company under the control of the government, which becomes its owner:\nThe government announced plans to nationalize the public transport system. * nationalized industries\nOPP DENATIONALIZE, PRIVATIZE\n    nationalization, nationalisation  noun [U, C]


Words: nationally
Meaning:
adverb\nrelating to a country as a whole; relating to a particular country:\nThe programme was broadcast nationally. * Meetings were held locally and nationally. * He’s a talented athlete who competes nationally and internationally. * Unemployment in Scotland has only risen by 11.4% compared with 15.8% nationally.


Words: nationwide
Meaning:
adjective\nhappening or existing in all parts of a particular country:\na nationwide campaign * The police conducted a nationwide hunt for the missing prisoners.\n    nationwide adverb:\nThe company has over 500 stores nationwide.


Words: native
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] connected with the place where you were born and lived for the first years of your life:\nyour native land / country / city * It is a long time since he has visited his native Poland. * Her native language is German.\nsee also NATIVE SPEAKER\n  2  [only before noun] connected with the place where you have always lived or have lived for a long time:\nnative Berliners / Texans\n  3  [only before noun] (sometimes offensive) connected with the people who originally lived in a country before other people, especially white people, came there:\nnative peoples / traditions * native art / dance\n  4  ~ (to ...) (of animals and plants) existing naturally in a place:\nthe native plants of America * The tiger is native to India. * When planting trees, stick to native species. * Some animals are in danger because their native habitat is being destroyed.\n  5  [only before noun] that you have naturally without having to learn it\nSYN INNATE:\nnative cunning / wit / intelligence\n IDIOMS \n  go native (often humorous) (of a person staying in another country) to try to live and behave like the local people:\nYou will be able to meet local people, eat local food and ’go native’.\n    noun\n  1  a person who was born in a particular country or area:\na native of New York / Greece\n  2  a person who lives in a particular place, especially sb who has lived there a long time\nSYN LOCAL:\nYou can always tell the difference between the tourists and the natives. * She speaks Italian like a native.\n  3  (old-fashioned, offensive) a word used in the past by Europeans to describe a person who lived in a place originally, before white people arrived there:\ndisputes between early settlers and natives\n  4  an animal or a plant that lives or grows naturally in a particular area:\nThe kangaroo is a native of Australia.


Words: Native American
Meaning:
(also American Indian) noun\na member of any of the races of people who were the original people living in America\n    Native American adjective:\nNative American culture / languages


Words: native speaker
Meaning:
noun\na person who speaks a language as their first language and has not learned it as a foreign language


Words: nativity
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (the Nativity) [sing.] the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated by Christians at Christmas\n  2  a picture or a model of the baby Jesus Christ and the place where he was born


Words: NATO
Meaning:
(also Nato)  abbreviation\nNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO is an organization to which many European countries and the US and Canada belong. They agree to give each other military help if necessary.


Words: natter
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (away / on) (about sth) (BrE, informal) to talk for a long time, especially about unimportant things\nSYN CHAT:\nWe nattered away for hours. * I can’t stand here nattering-I’ve got work to do.\n    natter noun [sing.] (BrE, informal):\nto have a good natter


Words: natty
Meaning:
adjective (old-fashioned, informal)\n  1  neat and fashionable:\na natty suit\n  2  well designed; clever:\na natty little briefcase\n    nattily adverb


Words: natural
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  in nature\n  1  [only before noun] existing in nature; not made or caused by human beings:\nnatural phenomena / disasters * the natural world (= of trees, rivers, animals and birds) * a country’s natural resources (= its coal, oil, forests, etc.) * wildlife in its natural habitat * natural yogurt (= with no flavour added) * My hair soon grew back to its natural colour (= after being dyed). * The clothes are available in warm natural colours.\ncompare SUPERNATURAL\n  expected\n  2  normal; as you would expect:\nto die of natural causes (= not by violence, but normally, of old age) * He thought social inequality was all part of the natural order of things. * She was the natural choice for the job.\ncompare UNNATURAL\n  behaviour\n  3  used to describe behaviour that is part of the character that a person or an animal was born with:\nthe natural agility of a cat * the natural processes of language learning * It’s only natural to worry about your children. * When body temperature is beginning to fall there is a natural tendency to fall asleep. * It was my natural instinct to defend myself.\n  ability\n  4  [only before noun] having an ability that you were born with:\nHe’s a natural leader.\n  relaxed\n  5  relaxed and not pretending to be sb/sth different:\nIt’s difficult to look natural when you’re feeling nervous.\n  parents / children\n  6  [only before noun] (of parents or their children) related by blood:\nHis natural mother was unable to care for him so he was raised by an aunt.\n  7  [only before noun] (old use or formal) (of a son or daughter) born to parents who are not married\nSYN ILLEGITIMATE:\nShe was a natural daughter of King James II.\n  based on human reason\n  8  [only before noun] based on human reason alone:\nnatural justice / law\n  in music\n  9  used after the name of a note to show that the note is neither SHARP nor FLAT. The written symbol is ({natural}):\nB natural\n    noun\n  person\n  1  ~ (for sth) a person who is very good at sth without having to learn how to do it, or who is perfectly suited for a particular job:\nShe took to flying like a natural. * He’s a natural for the role.\n  in music\n  2  a normal musical note, not its SHARP or FLAT form. The written symbol is ({natural}).


Words: natural childbirth
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a method of giving birth to a baby in which a woman chooses not to take drugs and does special exercises to make her relaxed


Words: natural gas
Meaning:
noun\n[U] gas that is found under the ground or the sea, and that is used as a fuel:\npower stations running on natural gas * natural gas reserves / pipelines


Words: natural history
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] the study of plants and animals; an account of the plant and animal life of a particular place:\nthe Natural History Museum * He has written a natural history of Scotland.


Words: natural science
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a science concerned with studying the physical world. Chemistry, biology and physics are all natural sciences.\ncompare EARTH SCIENCE, LIFE SCIENCES


Words: natural selection
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process by which plants, animals, etc. that can adapt to their environment survive and reproduce, while the others disappear


Words: natural wastage
Meaning:
(BrE) (also attrition AmE, BrE) noun\n[U] the process of reducing the number of people who are employed by an organization by, for example, not replacing people who leave their jobs:\nSavings will be made through natural wastage. There will be no job losses.


Words: natural-born
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] having a natural ability or skill that you have not had to learn:\na natural-born performer


Words: naturalism
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a style of art or writing that shows people, things and experiences as they really are\n  2  (philosophy) the theory that everything in the world and life is based on natural causes and laws, and not on spiritual or SUPERNATURAL ones


Words: naturalistic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of artists, writers, etc. or their work) showing things as they appear in the natural world:\na naturalistic painter / style\n  2  copying the way things are in the natural world:\nto study behaviour in laboratory and naturalistic settings


Words: naturalize
Meaning:
(BrE also naturalise)  verb [usually passive]\n  1  [VN] to make sb who was not born in a particular country a citizen of that country:\na naturalized American who was born in Poland * He was naturalized as a British citizen in 1940.\n  2  [VN] to introduce a plant or an animal to a country where it is not native:\nThe grey squirrel is now naturalized in Britain.\n  3  [V] (of a plant or an animal) to start growing or living naturally in a country where is it not native\n    naturalization, naturalisation  noun [U]:\nnaturalization papers (= documents that prove a person has been made a citizen of a country)


Words: naturally
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a way that you would expect\nSYN OF COURSE:\nNaturally, I get upset when things go wrong. * After a while, we naturally started talking about the children. * ’Did you complain about the noise?’ ’Naturally.’\n  2  without special help, treatment or action by sb:\nnaturally occurring chemicals * plants that grow naturally in poor soils * The topic arose naturally in the conversation.\n  3  as a normal, logical result of sth:\nThis leads naturally to my next point.\n  4  in a way that shows or uses abilities or qualities that a person or an animal is born with:\nto be naturally shy / artistic * a naturally gifted athlete * Most birds are naturally timid.\n  5  in a relaxed and normal way:\nJust act naturally.\n IDIOMS \n  come naturally (to sb/sth) if sth comes naturally to you, you are able to do it very easily and very well:\nMaking money came naturally to him.


Words: naturalness
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the state or quality of being like real life:\nThe naturalness of the dialogue made the book so true to life.\n  2  the quality of behaving in a normal, relaxed or innocent way:\nTeenagers lose their childhood simplicity and naturalness.\n  3  the style or quality of happening in a normal way that you would expect:\nthe naturalness of her reaction


Words: nature
Meaning:
noun\n  plants, animals\n  1  (often Nature) [U] all the plants, animals and things that exist in the universe that are not made by people:\nthe beauties of nature * man-made substances not found in nature * nature conservation\n HELP NOTE  You cannot use ’the nature’ in this meaning: _t_h_e_ _b_e_a_u_t_i_e_s_ _o_f_ _t_h_e_ _n_a_t_u_r_e_._ _I_t_ _i_s_ _o_f_t_e_n_ _b_e_t_t_e_r_ _t_o_ _u_s_e_ _a_n_o_t_h_e_r_ _a_p_p_r_o_p_r_i_a_t_e_ _w_o_r_d_,_ _f_o_r_ _e_x_a_m_p_l_e_ the countryside, the scenery or wildlife: We stopped to admire the scenery. * _W_e_ _s_t_o_p_p_e_d_ _t_o_ _a_d_m_i_r_e_ _t_h_e_ _n_a_t_u_r_e_.\n  2  (often Nature) [U] the way that things happen in the physical world when it is not controlled by people:\nthe forces / laws of nature * Just let nature take its course. * Her illness was Nature’s way of telling her to do less.\nsee also MOTHER NATURE\n  character\n  3  [C, U] the usual way that a person or an animal behaves that is part of their character:\nIt’s not in his nature to be unkind. * She is very sensitive by nature. * We appealed to his better nature (= his kindness).\nsee also GOOD NATURE, HUMAN NATURE, SECOND NATURE\n  basic qualities\n  4  [sing.] the basic qualities of a thing:\nthe changing nature of society * It’s difficult to define the exact nature of the problem. * My work is very specialized in nature. * The future by its very nature is uncertain.\n  type / kind\n  5  [sing.] a type or kind of sth:\nbooks of a scientific nature * Don’t worry about things of that nature.\n  -natured\n  6  (in adjectives) having the type of character or quality mentioned:\na good-natured man\n IDIOMS \n  against nature not natural; not moral:\nMurder is a crime against nature.\n  (get, go, etc.) back to nature to return to a simple kind of life in the country, away from cities:\nWhen you’re camping, you can get back to nature.\n  in the nature of sth similar to sth; a type of sth; in the style of sth:\nHis speech was in the nature of an apology.\n  in the nature of things in the way that things usually happen:\nIn the nature of things, young people often rebel against their parents.\nmore at CALL n., FORCE n.


Words: nature reserve
Meaning:
noun\nan area of land where the animals and plants are protected:\nThe area has been declared / designated a nature reserve.


Words: nature trail
Meaning:
noun\na path through countryside which you can follow in order to see the interesting plants and animals that are found there


Words: naughty
Meaning:
adjective (naughtier, naughtiest)\n  1  (especially BrE) (especially of children) behaving badly; not willing to obey:\na naughty boy / girl * (humorous) I’m being very naughty-I’ve ordered champagne!\n  2  (informal, often humorous) slightly rude; connected with sex:\na naughty joke / word\n    naughtily adverb\n    naughtiness noun [U]


Words: nausea
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the feeling that you have when you want to VOMIT, for example because you are ill/sick or are disgusted by sth:\nA wave of nausea swept over her. * Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms.\nsee also AD NAUSEAM


Words: nauseate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to make sb feel that they want to VOMIT:\nThe smell of meat nauseates me.\n  2  to make sb feel disgusted:\nI was nauseated by the violence in the movie.\n    nauseating adjective:\na nauseating smell * his nauseating behaviour\n    nauseatingly adverb


Words: nauseous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  feeling as if you want to VOMIT:\nShe felt dizzy and nauseous.\n  2  making you feel as if you want to VOMIT:\na nauseous smell


Words: naval
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with the navy of a country:\na naval base / officer / battle * the country’s naval forces


Words: navel
Meaning:
(also informal belly button) noun\nthe small hollow part or lump in the middle of the stomach where the UMBILICAL CORD was cut at birth


Words: navigable
Meaning:
adjective\n(of rivers, etc.) wide and deep enough for ships and boats to sail on\n    navigability  noun [U]


Words: navigate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to find your position or the position of your ship, plane, car etc. and the direction you need to go in, for example by using a map:\n[V] to navigate by the stars * I’ll drive, and you can navigate. * [VN] How do you navigate your way through a forest?\n  2  [VN] (written) to sail along, over or through a sea, river etc:\nThe river became too narrow and shallow to navigate.\n  3  [VN] to find the right way to deal with a difficult or complicated situation:\nWe next had to navigate a complex network of committees.


Words: navigation
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the skill or the process of planning a route for a ship or other vehicle and taking it there:\nnavigation aids / lights / systems * an expert in navigation\n  2  the movement of ships or aircraft:\nthe right of navigation through international waters\n    navigational adjective:\nnavigational aids


Words: navvy
Meaning:
noun\n(plural navvies) (BrE) a person employed to do hard physical work, especially building roads, etc.


Words: navy
Meaning:
noun (plural navies)\n  1  [C+sing./pl. v.] the part of a country’s armed forces that fights at sea, and the ships that it uses:\nthe British and German navies * He’s joined the navy / the Navy. * an officer in the navy / the Navy * The navy is / are considering buying six new warships.\nsee also NAVAL (2)\n  2  [U] = NAVY BLUE


Words: navy blue
Meaning:
(also navy) adjective\nvery dark blue in colour:\na navy blue suit\n    navy blue (also navy) noun [U]:\nShe was dressed in navy blue.


Words: nay
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  (old-fashioned) used to emphasize sth you have just said by introducing a stronger word or phrase:\nSuch a policy is difficult, nay impossible.\n  2  (old use or dialect) no\ncompare YEA


Words: Nazi
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a member of the National Socialist party which controlled Germany from 1933 to 1945\n  2  (disapproving) a person who uses their power in a cruel way; a person with extreme and unreasonable views about race\n    Nazi adjective\n    Nazism  noun [U]


Words: NB
Meaning:
(BrE) (also N.B. AmE, BrE)  abbreviation\nused in writing to make sb take notice of a particular piece of information that is important (from Latin ’nota bene’):\nNB The office will be closed from 1 July.


Words: NBC
Meaning:
abbreviation\nNational Broadcasting Company (an American company that produces television and radio programmes):\nNBC News


Words: Neanderthal
Meaning:
(also neanderthal)  adjective\n  1  used to describe a type of human being who used stone tools and lived in Europe during the early period of human history:\nNeanderthal man * a Neanderthal axe\n  2  (disapproving) very old-fashioned and not wanting any change:\nneanderthal attitudes\n  3  (disapproving) (of a man) unpleasant, rude and not behaving in a socially acceptable way\n    Neanderthal noun


Words: neap tide
Meaning:
(also neap) noun\na TIDE in the sea in which there is only a very small difference between the level of the water at HIGH TIDE and that at LOW TIDE


Words: near
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, preposition, verb \n    adjective (nearer, nearest)\n HELP NOTE  In senses 1 to 4 near and nearer do not usually go before a noun; nearest can go either before or after a noun.\n  1  a short distance away\nSYN CLOSE:\nHis house is very near. * Where’s the nearest bank? -> NEXT\n  2  a short time away in the future:\nThe conflict is unlikely to be resolved in the near future (= very soon).\n  3  coming next after sb/sth:\nShe has a 12-point lead over her nearest rival.\n  4  (usually nearest) similar; most similar:\nHe was the nearest thing to (= the person most like) a father she had ever had.\nsee also O.N.O.\n  5  [only before noun] (no comparative or superlative) close to being sb/sth:\nThe election proved to be a near disaster for the party. * a near impossibility / certainty\n  6  ~ relative / relation used to describe a close family connection:\nOnly the nearest relatives were present at the funeral.\n    nearness noun [U]:\nthe nearness of death\n IDIOMS \n  your nearest and dearest (informal) your close family and friends\n  a near thing a situation in which you are successful, but which could also have ended badly:\nPhew! That was a near thing! It could have been a disaster. * We won in the end but it was a near thing.\n  to the nearest ... followed by a number when counting or measuring approximately:\nWe calculated the cost to the nearest 50 dollars.\n    adverb (nearer, nearest)\n  1  at a short distance away:\nA bomb exploded somewhere near. * She took a step nearer.\n  2  a short time away in the future:\nThe exams are drawing near.\n  3  (especially in compounds) almost:\na near-perfect performance * I’m as near certain as can be.\n IDIOMS \n  as near as as accurately as:\nThere were about 3 000 people there, as near as I could judge.\n  as near as damn it / dammit (BrE, spoken) used to say that an amount is so nearly correct that the difference does not matter:\nIt will cost ｣350, or as near as dammit.\n  near enough (BrE, spoken) used to say that sth is so nearly true that the difference does not matter:\nWe’ve been here twenty years, near enough.\n  not anywhere near / nowhere near far from; not at all:\nThe job doesn’t pay anywhere near enough for me.\n  so near and yet so far used to comment on sth that was almost successful but in fact failed\nmore at PRETTY adv.\n    preposition (also near to, nearer (to), nearest (to))\n HELP NOTE  Near to is not usually used before the name of a place, person, festival, etc.\n  1  at a short distance away from sb/sth:\nDo you live near here? * Go and sit nearer (to) the fire. -> NEXT\n  2  a short period of time from sth:\nMy birthday is very near Christmas. * I’ll think about it nearer (to) the time (= when it is just going to happen).\n  3  used before a number to mean ’approximately’, ’just below or above’:\nShare prices are near their record high of last year. * Profits fell from $11 million to nearer $8 million.\n  4  similar to sb/sth in quality, size, etc:\nNobody else comes near her in intellect. * He’s nearer 70 than 60. * This colour is nearest (to) the original.\n  5  ~ (doing) sth close to a particular state:\na state near (to) death * She was near to tears (= almost crying). * We came near to being killed.\n IDIOMS  see HAND n., HEART, MARK n.\n    verb (rather formal) to come close to sth in time or space\nSYN APPROACH [VN] The project is nearing completion. * She was nearing the end of her life. * He must be nearing 40. * We neared the top of the hill. * [V] As Christmas neared, the children became more and more excited.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nnear / close\nThe adjectives near and close are often the same in meaning, but in some phrases only one of them may be used: the near future * a near neighbour * a near miss * a close contest * a close encounter * a close call. Close is more often used to describe a relationship between people: a close friend * close family * close links. You do not usually use near in this way.\n______________________________


Words: near miss
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a situation when a serious accident or a disaster very nearly happens\n  2  a bomb or a shot that nearly hits what it is aimed at but misses it: (figurative) He should have won the match-it was a near miss.\nsee also close / near thing at THING


Words: nearby
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective [usually before noun] near in position; not far away:\nHer mother lived in a nearby town. * There were complaints from nearby residents.\n    adverb a short distance from sb/sth; not far away:\nThey live nearby. * The car is parked nearby.


Words: nearly
Meaning:
adverb\nalmost; not quite; not completely:\nThe bottle’s nearly empty. * I’ve worked here for nearly two years. * It’s nearly time to leave. * The audience was nearly all men. * He’s nearly as tall as you are. * They’re nearly always late. * She very nearly died. -> ALMOST\n IDIOMS \n  not nearly much less than; not at all:\nIt’s not nearly as hot as last year. * There isn’t nearly enough time to get there now.\nmore at PRETTY adv.


Words: nearside
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE) (for a driver) on the side that is nearest the edge of the road:\nthe car’s nearside doors * Keep to the nearside lane.\n    the nearside noun [sing.]:\nThe driver lost control and veered to the nearside.\ncompare OFFSIDE


Words: neat
Meaning:
adjective (neater, neatest)\n  1  tidy and in order; carefully done or arranged:\na neat desk * neat handwriting * neat rows of books * She was wearing a neat black suit. * They sat in her neat and tidy kitchen.\n  2  (of people) liking to keep things tidy and in order; looking tidy or doing things in a tidy way:\nTry and be neater! * He had a neat methodical mind.\n  3  small, with a pleasing shape or appearance:\nher neat figure * The puppies’ ears should be neat and in proportion to the head.\n  4  simple but clever:\na neat explanation / idea / trick * a neat solution to the problem * People don’t often fit into neat categories.\n  5  (AmE, informal) good; excellent:\nIt’s a really neat movie. * We had a great time-it was pretty neat.\n  6  (BrE) (AmE straight) (especially of alcoholic drinks) not mixed with water or anything else:\nneat whisky * The weedkiller was applied to the lawn neat.\n    neatly adverb:\nneatly folded clothes * The box fitted neatly into the drawer. * She summarized her plan very neatly.\n    neatness noun [U]


Words: nebula
Meaning:
noun\n(plural nebulae ) (astronomy) a mass of dust or gas that can be seen in the night sky, often appearing very bright; a bright area in the night sky caused by a large cloud of stars that are far away


Words: necessarily
Meaning:
adverb\nused to say that sth cannot be avoided:\nThe number of places available is necessarily limited.\n IDIOMS \n  not necessarily used to say that sth is possibly true but not definitely or always true:\nThe more expensive articles are not necessarily better. * Biggest doesn’t necessarily mean best. * (spoken) ’We’re going to lose.’ ’Not necessarily.’


Words: necessary
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (for sb/sth) (to do sth) that is needed for a purpose or a reason\nSYN ESSENTIAL:\nIt may be necessary to buy a new one. * It doesn’t seem necessary for us to meet. * Only use your car when absolutely necessary. * If necessary, you can contact me at home. * I’ll make the necessary arrangements. * Changes can easily be made where necessary. * She has the qualities necessary to be a successful teacher.\n  2  [only before noun] (written) that must exist or happen and cannot be avoided:\nThis is a necessary consequence of progress.\n IDIOMS \n  a necessary evil a thing that is bad or that you do not like but which you must accept for a particular reason:\nThe loss of jobs is regarded as a necessary evil in the fight against inflation.


Words: necessitate
Meaning:
verb\n(formal) to make sth necessary:\n[VN] Recent financial scandals have necessitated changes in parliamentary procedures. * [V -ing] Increased traffic necessitated widening the road. * [VN -ing] His new job necessitated him / his getting up at six.


Words: necessity
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (for sth) | ~ (of sth / of doing sth) | ~ (to do sth) the fact that sth must happen or be done; the need for sth:\nWe recognize the necessity for a written agreement. * We were discussing the necessity of employing more staff. * There had never been any necessity for her to go out to work. * There is absolutely no necessity for you to be involved. * This is, of necessity, a brief and incomplete account.\n  2  [C] a thing that you must have and cannot manage without:\nMany people cannot even afford basic necessities such as food and clothing. * Air-conditioning is an absolute necessity in this climate.\n  3  [C, usually sing.] a situation that must happen and that cannot be avoided:\nLiving in London he felt, was an unfortunate necessity.\n IDIOMS  see VIRTUE


Words: neck
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] the part of the body between the head and the shoulders:\nHe tied a scarf around his neck. * I woke up with a stiff neck. * Giraffes have very long necks. * She craned (= stretched) her neck to get a better view. * He broke his neck in the fall. * Somebody’s going to break their neck (= injure themselves) on these steps.\n \n  2  [C] the part of a piece of clothing that fits around the neck:\nWhat neck size do you take?\nsee also CREW NECK, POLO NECK, TURTLENECK, V-NECK\n \n  3  -necked (in adjectives) having the type of neck mentioned:\na round-necked sweater\nsee also OPEN-NECKED, STIFF-NECKED\n  4  [C] ~ (of sth) a long narrow part of sth:\nthe neck of a bottle * a neck of land\n  5  [U] ~ (of sth) the neck of an animal, cooked and eaten:\nneck of lamb\nsee also BOTTLENECK, REDNECK, ROUGHNECK\n IDIOMS \n  be up to your neck in sth to have a lot of sth to deal with:\nWe’re up to our neck in debt. * He’s in it (= trouble) up to his neck.\n  by a neck if a person or an animal wins a race by a neck, they win it by a short distance\n  get it in the neck (BrE, informal) to be shouted at or punished because of sth that you have done\n  neck and neck (with sb/sth) (also nip and tuck (with sb) especially in AmE) level with sb in a race or competition:\nThe cyclists were neck and neck as they approached the final lap.\n  neck of the woods (informal) a particular place or area:\nHe’s from your neck of the woods (= the area where you live). * What are you doing in this neck of the woods?\nmore at BLOCK n., BRASS, BREATHE, MILLSTONE, PAIN n., RISK v., SAVE v., SCRUFF, STICK v., WRING\n    verb [V] (usually be necking) (old-fashioned, informal) when two people are necking, they are kissing each other in a sexual way


Words: necklace
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a piece of jewellery consisting of a chain, string of BEADS, etc. worn around the neck:\na diamond necklace\n    verb [VN] to kill sb by putting a burning car tyre around their neck\n    necklacing noun [U]


Words: neckline
Meaning:
noun\nthe edge of a piece of clothing, especially a woman’s, which fits around or below the neck:\na dress with a low / round / plunging neckline


Words: necromancy
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the practice of claiming to communicate by magic with the dead in order to learn about the future\n  2  the use of magic powers, especially evil ones


Words: nectar
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a sweet liquid that is produced by flowers and collected by bees for making HONEY: (figurative) On such a hot day, even water was nectar (= very good).\n  2  the thick juice of some fruits as a drink:\napricot / peach nectar


Words: nee
Meaning:
adjective\n(from French) a word used after a married woman’s name to introduce the family name that she had when she was born:\nJane Smith, nee Brown


Words: need
Meaning:
verb, modal verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to require sth/sb because they are essential or very important, not just because you would like to have them:\n[VN] Do you need any help? * It’s here if you need it. * Don’t go-I might need you. * They badly needed a change. * Food aid is urgently needed. * What do you need your own computer for? You can use ours. * (spoken) I don’t need your comments, thank you. * [V to inf] I need to get some sleep. * He needs to win this game to stay in the match. * You don’t need to leave yet, do you? * [V -ing, V to inf] This shirt needs washing. * This shirt needs to be washed.\n  2  [V to inf] used to show what you should or have to do:\nAll you need to do is complete this form. * I didn’t need to go to the bank after all-Mary lent me the money. -> MODAL\n IDIOMS \n  need (to have) your head examined (informal) to be crazy\n    modal verb (negative need not, short form needn’t was necessary:\nYou needn’t finish that work today. * You needn’t have hurried (= it was not necessary for you to hurry, but you did). * I need hardly tell you (= you must already know) that the work is dangerous. * If she wants anything, she need only ask. * All you need bring are sheets. * Need you have paid so much?\n    noun\n  1  [sing., U] ~ (for sth) | ~ (for sb/sth) to do sth a situation when sth is necessary or must be done:\nto satisfy / meet / identify a need * There is an urgent need for qualified teachers. * There is no need for you to get up early tomorrow. * I had no need to open the letter-I knew what it would say. * The house is in need of a thorough clean. * We will contact you again if the need arises. * (spoken) There’s no need to cry (= stop crying).\n  2  [C, U] a strong feeling that you want sb/sth or must have sth:\nto fulfil an emotional need * She felt the need to talk to someone. * I’m in need of some fresh air. * She had no more need of me. * It’s difficult to express our needs and desires.\n  3  [C, usually pl.] the things that sb requires in order to live in a comfortable way or achieve what they want:\nfinancial / physical needs * a programme to suit your individual needs * to meet children’s special educational needs\n  4  [U] the state of not having enough food, money or support:\nThe charity aims to provide assistance to people in need. * He helped me in my hour of need.\nsee also NEEDY\n IDIOMS \n  if need be if necessary:\nThere’s always food in the freezer if need be.\nmore at CRYING adj., FRIEND\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \nneed\nIn BrE there are two separate verbs need.\nNeed as a main verb has the question form do you need?, the negative you don’t need and the past forms needed, did you need? and didn’t need. It has two meanings: 1. to require something or to think that something is necessary: Do you need any help? * I needed to get some sleep. 2. to have to or to be obliged to do sth: Will we need to show our passports?\nNeed as a modal verb has need for all forms of the present tense, need you? as the question form and need not (needn’t) as the negative. The past is need have, needn’t have. It is used to say that something is or is not necessary: Need I pay the whole amount now?\nIn AmE only the main verb is used. This leads to some important differences in the use and meaning of need in British and American English.\nIn AmE it is more common for need to be used to speak about what is necessary, rather than about what you must do: I don’t need to go home yet - it’s still early. (BrE and AmE = it isn’t necessary) * You don’t need to go home yet - we never go to bed before midnight. (BrE = you don’t have to.)\nThe difference is even more noticeable in the past tenses: He didn’t need to go to hospital, but he went just to reassure himself. (AmE) * He needn’t have gone to hospital, but he went just to reassure himself. (BrE = he did something that wasn’t necessary.) * He didn’t need to go to hospital after all - he only had a few bruises. (BrE= he didn’t go.)\n______________________________


Words: needle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [C]\n \n  for sewing\n \n  1  a small thin piece of steel that you use for sewing, with a point at one end and a hole for the thread at the other:\na needle and thread * the eye (= hole) of a needle\nsee also PINS AND NEEDLES\n \n  for knitting\n \n  2  a long thin piece of plastic or metal with a point at one end that you use for knitting. You usually use two together:\nknitting needles\n  for drugs\n  3  a very thin, pointed piece of steel used on the end of a SYRINGE for putting a drug into sb’s body, or for taking blood out of it:\na hypodermic needle\n  on instrument\n  4  a thin piece of metal on a scientific instrument that moves to point to the correct measurement or direction:\nThe compass needle was pointing north.\n  on pine tree\n  5  [usually pl.] the thin, hard pointed leaf of a PINE tree\n  on record player\n  6  the very small pointed piece of metal that touches a record that is being played in order to produce the sound \nSYN STYLUS\n IDIOMS \n  a needle in a haystack a thing that is almost impossible to find:\nSearching for one man in this city is like looking for a needle in a haystack.\n    verb [VN] (informal) to deliberately annoy sb, especially by criticizing them continuously:\nDon’t let her needle you. * He knew Jo was trying to needle him into losing his temper.


Words: needless
Meaning:
adjective\nneedless death or suffering is not necessary because it could have been avoided:\nneedless anxiety / suffering * Banning smoking would save needless deaths.\n    needlessly adverb:\nMany soldiers died needlessly. * The process was needlessly slow.\n IDIOMS \n  needless to say used to emphasize that the information you are giving is obvious:\nThe problem, needless to say, is the cost involved.


Words: needlework
Meaning:
noun\n[U] things that are sewn by hand, especially for decoration; the activity of making things by sewing:\ncrafts such as flower arranging, needlework and tapestry


Words: needy
Meaning:
adjective (needier, neediest)\n  1  (of people) not having enough money, food, clothes, etc.\n  2  (the needy) noun [pl.] people who do not have enough money, food, etc:\nhelp for the homeless and the needy


Words: negate
Meaning:
verb [VN] (formal)\n  1  to stop sth from having any effect\nSYN NULLIFY:\nAlcohol negates the effects of the drug.\n  2  to state that sth does not exist


Words: negation
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [C, usually sing, U] the exact opposite of sth; the act of causing sth not to exist or to become its opposite:\nThis political system was the negation of democracy.\n  2  [U] disagreement or refusal:\nShe shook her head in negation.


Words: negative
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective\n  bad\n  1  bad or harmful:\nThe crisis had a negative effect on trade. * The whole experience was definitely more positive than negative.\nOPP POSITIVE\n  not hopeful\n  2  considering only the bad side of sth/sb; lacking enthusiasm or hope:\nScientists have a fairly negative attitude to the theory. * ’He probably won’t show up.’ ’Don’t be so negative.’\nOPP POSITIVE\n  no\n  3  expressing the answer ’no’:\nHis response was negative. * They received a negative reply.\nOPP AFFIRMATIVE\n  grammar\n  4  containing a word such as ’no’, ’not’, ’never’, etc:\na negative form / sentence\n  scientific test\n  5  (abbreviation neg.) not showing any evidence of a particular substance or medical condition:\nHer pregnancy test was negative.\nOPP POSITIVE\n  electricity\n  6  (technical) containing or producing the type of electricity that is carried by an ELECTRON:\na negative charge / current * the negative terminal of a battery\nOPP POSITIVE\n  number / quantity\n  7  less than zero:\na negative trade balance\nOPP POSITIVE\n    negatively adverb:\nto react negatively to stress * to answer / respond negatively * negatively charged electrons\n    noun\n  no\n \n  1  a word or statement that means ’no’; a refusal or DENIAL: (formal) She answered in the negative (= said ’no’).\nOPP AFFIRMATIVE\n \n  photographic film\n \n  2  a developed photographic film showing the dark areas of an actual scene as light and light areas as dark:\nKeep the negatives in case you want more prints later.\ncompare POSITIVE\n \n  in scientific test\n  3  the result of a test or an experiment that shows that a substance or condition is not present:\nThe percentage of false negatives generated by the cancer test is of great concern.\nOPP POSITIVE\n    verb [VN] (formal)\n  1  to refuse to agree to a proposal or a request\n  2  to prove that sth is not true


Words: negative equity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the situation in which the value of sb’s house is less than the amount of money that is still owed to a MORTGAGE company, such as a bank


Words: negativity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) a tendency to consider only the bad side of sth/sb; a lack of enthusiasm or hope:\nfeelings of negativity


Words: neglect
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] to fail to take care of sb/sth:\nShe denies neglecting her baby. * The buildings had been neglected for years. * Don’t neglect your health.\n  2  [VN] to not give enough attention to sth:\nDance has been neglected by television. * She has neglected her studies.\n  3  [V to inf] (formal) to fail or forget to do sth that you ought to do:\nYou neglected to mention the name of your previous employer.\nsee also NEGLIGENCE\n    noun [U] ~ (of sth/sb) the fact of not giving enough care or attention to sth/sb; the state of not receiving enough care or attention:\nThe law imposed penalties for the neglect of children. * The buildings are crumbling from years of neglect. * The place smelled of decay and neglect.


Words: neglected
Meaning:
adjective\nnot receiving enough care or attention:\nneglected children * a neglected area of research


Words: neglectful
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (of sth/sb) (formal) not giving enough care or attention to sb/sth:\nneglectful parents * She became neglectful of her appearance.


Words: negligence
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal or law) the failure to give sb/sth enough care or attention:\nThe accident was caused by negligence on the part of the driver. * The doctor was sued for medical negligence.


Words: negligent
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (formal or law) failing to give sb/sth enough care or attention, especially when this has serious results:\nThe school had been negligent in not informing the child’s parents about the incident. * grossly negligent\n  2  (literary) (of a person or their manner) relaxed; not formal or awkward \nSYN NONCHALANT:\nHe waved his hand in a negligent gesture. * her negligent grace\n    negligently adverb:\nThe defendant drove negligently and hit a lamp post. * She was leaning negligently against the wall.


Words: negligible
Meaning:
adjective\nof very little importance or size and not worth considering \nSYN INSIGNIFICANT:\nThe cost was negligible. * a negligible amount


Words: negotiable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  that you can discuss or change before you make an agreement or a decision:\nThe terms of employment are negotiable. * The price was not negotiable.\n  2  (business) that you can exchange for money or give to another person in exchange for money\nOPP NON-NEGOTIABLE


Words: negotiate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V] ~ (with sb) (for / about sth) to try to reach an agreement by formal discussion:\nThe government will not negotiate with terrorists. * We have been negotiating for more pay. * a strong negotiating position * negotiating skills\n  2  [VN] to arrange or agree sth by formal discussion:\nto negotiate a deal / contract / treaty / settlement * We successfully negotiated the release of the hostages.\n  3  [VN] to successfully get over or past a difficult part on a path or route:\nThe climbers had to negotiate a steep rock face.


Words: negotiation
Meaning:
noun\n[C, often pl., U] formal discussion between people who are trying to reach an agreement:\npeace / trade / wage negotiations * They begin another round of negotiations today. * to enter into / open / conduct negotiations with sb * The rent is a matter for negotiation between the landlord and the tenant. * A contract is prepared in negotiation with our clients * The issue is still under negotiation. * The price is generally open to negotiation.


Words: negotiator
Meaning:
noun\na person who is involved in formal political or financial discussions, especially because it is their job:\nthe union’s chief negotiator * a skilled negotiator


Words: Negro
Meaning:
noun\n(plural Negroes) (old-fashioned, often offensive) a member of a race of people with dark skin who originally came from Africa


Words: neighbour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE neighbor)  noun\n  1  a person who lives next to you or near you:\nWe’ve had a lot of support from all our friends and neighbours. * Our next-door neighbours are very noisy.\n  2  a country that is next to or near another country:\nBritain’s nearest neighbour is France. * peace treaties between Israel and its neighbours\n  3  a person or thing that is standing or situated next to another person or thing:\nStand quietly, children, and try not to talk to your neighbour. * The tree fell slowly, its branches caught in those of its neighbours.\n  4  (literary) any other human being:\nWe should all love our neighbours.


Words: neighbourhood
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE neighborhood)  noun\n  1  a district or an area of a town; the people who live there:\nWe grew up in the same neighbourhood. * a poor / quiet / residential neighbourhood * Manhattan is divided into distinct neighborhoods. * the neighbourhood police / residents / services * He shouted so loudly that the whole neighbourhood could hear him.\n  2  the area that you are in or the area near a particular place:\nWe searched the surrounding neighbourhood for the missing boy. * Houses in the neighbourhood of Paris are extremely expensive.\n IDIOMS \n  in the neighbourhood of (of a number or an amount) approximately; not exactly:\nIt cost in the neighbourhood of ｣500.


Words: neighbourhood watch
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE neighborhood watch) noun\n[U] an arrangement by which a group of people in an area watch each other’s houses regularly as a way of preventing crime


Words: neighbouring
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE neighboring)  adjective\n[only before noun] situated or living near or next to a place or person:\na neighbouring house * neighbouring towns * a neighbouring farmer


Words: neighbourly
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE neighborly)  adjective\n  1  involving people, countries, etc. that live or are situated near each other:\nthe importance of good neighbourly relations between the two states * neighbourly help / support / cooperation * a neighbourly dispute\n  2  friendly and helpful:\nIt was a neighbourly gesture of theirs.\n    neighbourliness (BrE) (AmE neighborliness) noun [U]:\ngood neighbourliness * a sense of community and neighbourliness


Words: neither
Meaning:
determiner, pronoun, adverb \n    determiner, pronoun not one nor the other of two things or people:\nNeither answer is correct. * Neither of them has / have a car. * They produced two reports, neither of which contained any useful suggestions. * ’Which do you like?’ ’Neither. I think they’re both ugly.’\n    adverb\n  1  used to show that a negative statement is also true of sb/sth else:\nHe didn’t remember and neither did I. * I hadn’t been to New York before and neither had Jane. * ’I can’t understand a word of it.’ ’Neither can I.’ * (informal) ’I don’t know.’ ’Me neither.’\n  2  (neither ...nor ...) used to show that a negative statement is true of two things:\nI neither knew nor cared what had happened to him. * Their house is neither big nor small. * Neither the TV nor the video actually work / works.\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \nneither / either\nAfter neither and either you use a singular verb: Neither candidate was selected for the job.\nNeither of and either of are followed by a plural noun or pronoun and a singular or plural verb. A plural verb is more informal: Neither of my parents speaks/speak a foreign language.\nWhen neither... nor... or either... or... are used with two singular nouns, the verb can be singular or plural. A plural verb is more informal.\n______________________________


Words: neoclassical
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] used to describe art and architecture that is based on the style of Ancient Greece or Rome, or music, literature, etc. that uses traditional ideas or styles


Words: neocolonialism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) the use of economic or political pressure by powerful countries to control or influence other countries


Words: neon
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol Ne) a chemical element. Neon is a colourless gas that does not react with anything and that shines with a bright light when electricity is passed through it:\nneon lights / signs


Words: neonatal
Meaning:
adjective\n(technical) connected with a child that has just been born:\nthe hospital’s neonatal unit * neonatal care / screening / mortality


Words: nephew
Meaning:
noun\nthe son of your brother or sister; the son of your husband’s or wife’s brother or sister\ncompare NIECE


Words: nepotism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) giving unfair advantages to your own family if you are in a position of power, especially by giving them jobs


Words: nerd
Meaning:
noun (informal, disapproving)\n  1  a person who is boring, stupid and not fashionable:\nI feel like a nerd in these shoes.\n  2  a person who is very interested in computers\n    nerdy adjective:\nHe looked kind of nerdy.


Words: nerve
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] any of the long thin threads that carry messages between the brain and parts of the body, enabling you to move, feel pain, etc:\nthe optic nerve * He’s off work with a trapped nerve in his neck. * nerve cells * nerve endings * Every nerve in her body was tense.\n  2  (nerves) [pl.] feelings of worry or anxiety:\nEven after years as a singer, he still suffers from nerves before a performance. * I need something to calm / steady my nerves. * Everyone’s nerves were on edge (= everyone felt tense). * He lives on his nerves (= is always worried). * By the end of the meal her nerves were completely frayed.\n  3  [U] the courage to do sth difficult or dangerous:\nIt took a lot of nerve to take the company to court. * I was going to have a go at parachuting but lost my nerve at the last minute. * He kept his nerve to win the final set 64.\n  4  [sing., U] (informal) a way of behaving that other people think is rude or not appropriate:\nI don’t know how you have the nerve to show your face after what you said! * He’s got a nerve asking us for money! * ’Then she demanded to see the manager!’ ’What a nerve!’\n IDIOMS \n  be a bag / bundle of nerves (informal) to be very nervous\n  get on sb’s nerves (informal) to annoy sb:\nThat music is starting to get on my nerves. * It really gets on my nerves when people hang up without leaving a message.\n  have nerves of steel to be able to remain calm in a difficult or dangerous situation\n  hit / touch a (raw / sensitive) nerve to mention a subject that makes sb feel angry, upset, embarrassed, etc:\nYou touched a raw nerve when you mentioned his first wife.\nmore at BRASS, STRAIN v., WAR n.\n    verb ~ yourself for sth / to do sth (written) to give yourself the courage or strength to do sth: [VN to inf] He nerved himself to ask her out. [also VN]


Words: nerve centre
Meaning:
(AmE nerve center) noun\nthe place from which an activity or organization is controlled and instructions are sent out:\nFrankfurt is the economic nerve centre of Germany.


Words: nerve-racking
Meaning:
(also nerve-wracking) adjective\nmaking you feel very nervous and worried:\nIt was a nerve-racking drive up the mountain.


Words: nerveless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having no strength or feeling:\nThe knife fell from her nerveless fingers.\n  2  having no fear:\nShe is a nerveless rider.\nOPP NERVOUS


Words: nervous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (about / of sth) anxious about sth or afraid of sth:\nConsumers are very nervous about the future. * He had been nervous about inviting us. * The horse may be nervous of cars. * I felt really nervous before the interview. * a nervous glance / smile / voice (= one that shows that you feel anxious) * By the time the police arrived, I was a nervous wreck.\nOPP CONFIDENT\n  2  easily worried or frightened:\nShe was a thin, nervous girl. * He’s not the nervous type. * She was of a nervous disposition.\nOPP NERVELESS\n  3  connected with the body’s nerves and often affecting you mentally or emotionally:\na nervous condition / disorder / disease * She was in a state of nervous exhaustion. -> WORRIED\n IDIOMS  see SHADOW n.\n    nervously adverb:\nShe smiled nervously.\n    nervousness noun [U]:\nHe tried to hide his nervousness.


Words: nervous breakdown
Meaning:
(also breakdown) noun\na period of mental illness in which sb becomes very depressed, anxious and tired, and cannot deal with normal life:\nto have a nervous breakdown


Words: nervy
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  (BrE) anxious and nervous:\nYou seem quite nervy this morning.\n  2  (AmE) rude in a way that shows a lack of respect:\na nervy kid


Words: nest
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a hollow place or structure that a bird makes or chooses for laying its eggs and sheltering its young:\nsparrows building a nest of twigs and dry grass\n \n  2  [C] a place where insects or other small creatures live and produce their young:\nan ants’ / wasps’ nest * a nest of mice\n \n  3  [sing.] a secret place which is full of bad people and their activities:\na nest of thieves\n \n  4  [sing.] the home, thought of as the safe place where parents bring up their children:\nto leave the nest (= leave your parents’ home)\n  5  [C, usually sing.] a group or set of similar things that are made to fit inside each other:\na nest of tables\n IDIOMS  see EMPTY adj., FEATHER v., FLY v., HORNET, MARE\n    verb [V] to make and use a nest:\nThousands of seabirds are nesting on the cliffs.


Words: nestle
Meaning:
prep.] \n  1  [V] to sit or lie down in a warm or soft place:\nHe hugged her and she nestled against his chest.\n  2  [VN] to put or hold sb/sth in a comfortable position in a warm or soft place:\nHe nestled the baby in his arms. * She nestled her head against his shoulder.\n  3  [V] to be situated in a position that is protected, sheltered or partly hidden:\nThe little town nestles snugly at the foot of the hill.


Words: net
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] a type of material that is made of string, thread or wire woven or tied together, with small spaces in between:\nnet curtains\nsee also FISHNET, NETTING\n \n  2  [C] (especially in compounds) a piece of net used for a particular purpose, such as catching fish or covering sth:\nfishing nets * a mosquito net (= used to protect you from mosquitoes)\nsee also HAIRNET, SAFETY NET\n \n  3  (the net) [sing.] (in football, etc.) the frame covered in net that forms the goal:\nto kick / hit the ball into the back of the net\n  4  (the net) [sing.] (in tennis, etc.) the piece of net between the two players that the ball goes over:\nShe hit her second serve straight into the net.\n  5  (the Net) (informal) = THE INTERNET\n IDIOMS  see CAST v., SLIP v., SPREAD v.\n    adjective (BrE also nett)\n  1  [usually before noun] a net amount of money is the amount that remains when nothing more is to be taken away:\na net profit of ｣500 * net income / earnings (= after tax has been paid) * What do you earn net of tax?\ncompare GROSS\n  2  [only before noun] the net weight of sth is the weight without its container or the material it is wrapped in:\n450 gms net weight\ncompare GROSS\n  3  [only before noun] final, after all the important facts have been included:\nThe net result is that small shopkeepers are being forced out of business. * Canada is now a substantial net importer of medicines (= it imports more than it exports). * a net gain\n    net adverb:\na salary of $50 000 net * Interest on the investment will be paid net (= tax will already have been taken away).\ncompare GROSS\n    verb (-tt-) [VN] \n  1  to earn an amount of money as a profit after you have paid tax on it:\nThe sale of paintings netted ｣17 000.\n  2  to catch sth, especially fish, in a net\n  3  to catch sb or obtain sth in a skilful way:\nA swoop by customs officers netted a large quantity of drugs.\n  4  (especially BrE) to kick or hit a ball into the goal \nSYN SCORE:\nHe has netted 21 goals so far this season.\n  5  to cover sth with a net or nets:\nIt is a good idea to net the strawberry plants.


Words: net curtain
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE curtain) noun\na very thin piece of fabric that you hang at a window, and that stops people outside from being able to see inside


Words: netball
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a game played by two teams of seven players, especially women or girls. Players score by throwing a ball through a high net hanging from a ring on a post.


Words: nether
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (literary or humorous) lower:\nthe nether world (= the world of the dead; hell) * a person’s nether regions (= their GENITALS)


Words: netting
Meaning:
noun\n[U] material that is made of string, thread or wire woven or tied together, with spaces in between:\nwire netting


Words: nettle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (also stinging nettle) a wild plant with leaves that have pointed edges, are covered in fine hairs and sting if you touch them\n IDIOMS  see GRASP v.\n    verb [usually passive] (informal, especially BrE) to make sb slightly angry\nSYN ANNOY:\n[VN] My remarks clearly nettled her. [also VN that]


Words: network
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a complicated system of roads, lines, tubes, nerves, etc. that cross each other and are connected to each other:\na rail / road / canal network * a network of veins\n  2  a closely connected group of people, companies, etc. that exchange information, etc:\na communications / distribution network * a network of friends\n  3  (computing) a number of computers and other devices that are connected together so that equipment and information can be shared:\nThe office network allows users to share files and software, and to use a central printer.\nsee also LAN, WAN\n  4  a group of radio or television stations in different places that are connected and that broadcast the same programmes at the same time:\nthe four big US television networks\n IDIOMS  see OLD BOY\n    verb\n  1  [VN] (computing) to connect a number of computers and other devices together so that equipment and information can be shared:\nnetworked computer systems\n  2  [VN] to broadcast a television or radio programme on stations in several different areas at the same time:\nnationally networked TV\n  3  [V] to try to meet and talk to people who may be useful to you in your work:\nConferences are a good place to network.


Words: neuralgia
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (medical) a sharp pain felt along a nerve, especially in the head or face\n    neuralgic  adjective


Words: neuro-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) connected with the nerves:\nneuroscience * a neurosurgeon


Words: neuron
Meaning:
noun\n(biology) a cell that carries information between the brain and the other parts of the body; a nerve cell\nsee also MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE


Words: neurosis
Meaning:
1  (medical) a mental illness in which a person suffers strong feelings of fear and worry\n  2  any strong worry or fear


Words: neurotic
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  caused by or suffering from neurosis:\nneurotic fears / obsessions\n  2  not behaving in a reasonable, calm way, because you are worried about sth:\nShe became neurotic about keeping the house clean. * a brilliant but neurotic actor\n    neurotically  adverb \n    noun a neurotic person


Words: neuter
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (grammar) (in some languages) belonging to a class of nouns, pronouns or adjectives whose GENDER is not FEMININE or MASCULINE:\nThe Polish word for ’window’ is neuter.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to remove part of the sex organs of an animal so that it cannot produce young:\nHas your cat been neutered?\n  2  (written, disapproving) to prevent sth from having the effect that it ought to have


Words: neutral
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  in disagreement / contest\n  1  not supporting or helping either side in a disagreement, competition, etc:\nJournalists are supposed to be politically neutral. * I didn’t take my father’s or my mother’s side; I tried to remain neutral.\n  in war\n  2  not belonging to any of the countries that are involved in a war; not supporting any of the countries involved in a war:\nneutral territory / waters * Switzerland was neutral during the war.\n  without strong feeling\n  3  deliberately not expressing any strong feeling:\n’So you told her?’ he said in a neutral tone of voice. * Is there a neutral word for ’terrorist’?\n  colour\n  4  not very bright or strong, such as grey or light brown:\na neutral colour scheme * neutral tones\n  chemistry\n  5  neither acid nor ALKALINE\n  electrical\n  6  (abbreviation N) having neither a positive nor a negative electrical CHARGE:\nthe neutral wire in a plug\n    neutrally  adverb \n IDIOMS \n  on neutral ground / territory in a place that has no connection with either of the people or sides who are meeting and so does not give an advantage to either of them:\nWe decided to meet on neutral ground.\n    noun\n  in vehicle\n  1  [U] the position of the GEARS of a vehicle in which no power is carried from the engine to the wheels:\nto leave / put the car in neutral\n  in disagreement / war\n  2  [C] a person or country that does not support either side in a disagreement, competition or war\n  colour\n  3  [C] a colour that is not bright or strong, such as grey or light brown:\nThe room was decorated in pale neutrals.


Words: neutralist
Meaning:
noun\n(especially AmE) a person who does not support either side in a war\n    neutralist adjective:\na neutralist state / policy


Words: neutrality
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the state of not supporting either side in a disagreement, competition or war:\npolitical neutrality * a position of neutrality


Words: neutralize
Meaning:
(BrE also neutralise)  verb [VN] \n  1  to stop sth from having any effect:\nThe latest figures should neutralize the fears of inflation.\n  2  (chemistry) to make a substance NEUTRAL (5):\nLime was used to neutralize the acidity of the soil.\n  3  to make a country or an area NEUTRAL (2):\nThe treaty neutralized the Black Sea.\n    neutralization, neutralisation  noun [U]


Words: neutron
Meaning:
noun\n(physics) a very small piece of MATTER (= a substance) that carries no electric CHARGE and that forms part of the NUCLEUS (= central part) of an ATOM\nsee also ELECTRON, PROTON


Words: never
Meaning:
adverb, exclamation \n    adverb\n  1  not at any time; not on any occasion:\nYou never help me. * He has never been abroad. * ’Would you vote for him?’ ’Never.’ * ’I work for a company called Orion Technology.’ ’Never heard of them.’ * Never in all my life have I seen such a horrible thing. * Never ever tell anyone your password.\n  2  used to emphasize a negative statement instead of ’not’:\nI never knew (= didn’t know until now) you had a twin sister. * I never realized just how easy it is. * (especially BrE) Someone might find out and that would never do (= that is not acceptable). * He never so much as smiled (= did not smile even once). * (especially BrE) ’I told my boss exactly what I thought of her.’ ’You never did!’ (= ’Surely you didn’t!’) * (BrE, slang) ’You took my bike.’ ’No, I never.’ (old-fashioned or humorous) Never fear (= Do not worry), everything will be all right.\n IDIOMS \n  on the never-never (BrE, informal) on HIRE PURCHASE (= by making payments over a long period):\nto buy a new car on the never-never\n  Well, I never (did)! (old-fashioned) used to express surprise or disapproval:\nWell, I never! Fancy getting married and not telling us!\n    exclamation (spoken) used to show that you are very surprised about sth because you do not believe it is possible:\n’I got the job.’ ’Never!’


Words: never-never land
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] an imaginary place where everything is wonderful:\na never-never land of low prices and widespread subsidies


Words: nevertheless
Meaning:
adverb\nin spite of sth that you have just mentioned:\nThere is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless, it is important that we try. * Our defeat was expected but it is disappointing nevertheless. * The old system had its flaws, but nevertheless it was preferable to the new one.


Words: new
Meaning:
adjective (newer, newest)\n \n  not existing before\n \n  1  not existing before; recently made, invented, introduced, etc:\nHave you read her new novel? * new ways of doing things * This idea isn’t new. * The latest model has over 100 new features.\nsee also BRAND-NEW\nOPP OLD\n \n  2  (the new) noun [U] something that is new:\nIt was a good mix of the old and the new.\n  recently bought\n  3  recently bought:\nLet me show you my new dress.\n  not used before\n  4  not used or owned by anyone before:\nA second-hand car costs a fraction of a new one.\n  different\n  5  different from the previous one:\nI like your new hairstyle. * When do you start your new job? * He’s made a lot of new friends. * Do you have her new phone number?\nOPP OLD\n  not familiar\n  6  ~ (to sb) already existing but not seen, experienced, etc. before; not familiar:\nThis is a new experience for me. * I’d like to learn a new language. * Our system is probably new to you. * the discovery of a new star\n  recently arrived\n  7  ~ (to sth) not yet familiar with sth because you have only just started, arrived, etc:\nI should tell you, I’m completely new to this kind of work. * I am new to the town. * a new arrival / recruit * You’re new here, aren’t you?\n  new-\n  8  used in compounds to describe sth that has recently happened:\nHe was enjoying his new-found freedom.\n  modern\n  9  (usually with the) modern; of the latest type:\nthe new morality * the new breed of civil servant * Comedy is the new rock and roll. * They called themselves the New Romantics.\n  just beginning\n  10  [usually before noun] just beginning or beginning again:\na new day * It was a new era in the history of our country. * She went to Australia to start a new life.\n  with fresh energy\n  11  having fresh energy, courage or health:\nSince he changed jobs he’s looked like a new man.\n  recently produced\n  12  only recently produced or developed:\nThe new buds are appearing on the trees now. * new potatoes (= ones dug from the soil early in the season)\n    newness noun [U] \nsee also NEWLY\n IDIOMS \n  break new ground to make a new discovery or do sth that has not been done before\nsee also GROUNDBREAKING\n  (as) good as new | like new in very good condition, as it was when it was new:\nI’ve had your coat cleaned-it’s as good as new now.\n  a new one on me used to say that you have not heard a particular idea, piece of information, joke, etc. before:\n’Have you come across this before?’ ’No, it’s a new one on me.’\n  turn over a new leaf to change your way of life to become a better, more responsible person\n  what’s new? (spoken) used as a friendly greeting:\nHi! What’s new?\nmore at COMPLEXION, BLOOD, BRAVE adj., BREATHE, TEACH


Words: New Age
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with a way of life that rejects modern Western values and is based on spiritual ideas and beliefs, ASTROLOGY, etc:\na New Age festival * New Age travellers (= people in Britain who reject the values of modern society and travel from place to place, living in their vehicles)\n    New Age noun [U]


Words: new broom
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a person who has just started to work for an organization, especially in a senior job, and who is likely to make a lot of changes


Words: new man
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a man who shares the work in the home that is traditionally done by women, such as cleaning, cooking and taking care of children. New Men are considered sensitive and not aggressive.


Words: new moon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the moon when it looks like a thin curved shape (= a CRESCENT)\n  2  the time of the month when the moon has this shape\ncompare FULL MOON, HALF-MOON


Words: new town
Meaning:
noun\none of the complete towns that were planned and built in Britain after 1946:\nThe British new towns, such as Milton Keynes, are looked on as one of the major achievements of post-war planning.


Words: new wave
Meaning:
noun [U, sing.]\n  1  a group of people who together introduce new styles and ideas in art, music, cinema, etc:\none of the most exciting directors of the Australian new wave * new wave films\n  2  a style of ROCK music popular in the 1970s


Words: new year
Meaning:
(also New Year) noun\n[U, sing.] the beginning of the year:\nHappy New Year! * We’re going to Germany for Christmas and New Year. * I’ll see you in the new year.\nsee also RESOLUTION


Words: newcomer
Meaning:
noun\n~ (to sth) a person who has only recently arrived in a place or started an activity:\nIt’s a friendly place where older residents and newcomers mix well. * a newcomer to opera


Words: newfangled
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (disapproving) used to describe sth that has recently been invented or introduced, but that you do not like because it is not what you are used to, or is too complicated:\nnewfangled ideas about child-rearing


Words: newly
Meaning:
adverb\n(usually before a past participle) recently:\na newly qualified doctor * a newly created job * a newly independent republic


Words: newly-wed
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] a person who has recently got married:\nThe newly-weds spent their honeymoon in Venice.\n    newly-wed adjective:\nthe newly-wed couple


Words: news
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] new information about sth that has happened recently:\nWhat’s the latest news? * Have you heard the news? Pat’s leaving! * That’s great news. * Tell me all your news. * Have you had any news of Patrick? * Any news on the deal? * Messengers brought news that the battle had been lost. * Do you want the good news or the bad news first? * a piece / bit of news * (spoken) It’s news to me (= I haven’t heard it before).\n  2  [U] reports of recent events that appear in newspapers or on television or radio:\nnational / international news * a news story / item / report * News of a serious road accident is just coming in. * She is always in the news. * The wedding was front-page news.\n  3  (the news) [sing.] a regular television or radio broadcast of the latest news:\nto listen to / watch the news * Can you put the news on? * I saw it on the news. * the nine o’clock news\n  4  [U] a person, thing or event that is considered to be interesting enough to be reported as news:\nPop stars are always news.\nsee also NEWSY\n IDIOMS \n  be bad news (for sb/sth) to be likely to cause problems:\nCentral heating is bad news for indoor plants.\n  break the news (to sb) to be the first to tell sb some bad news\n  be good news (for sb/sth) to be likely to be helpful or give an advantage:\nThe cut in interest rates is good news for homeowners.\n  no news is good news (saying) if there were bad news we would hear it, so as we have heard nothing, it is likely that nothing bad has happened


Words: news agency
Meaning:
(also press agency) noun\nan organization that collects news and supplies it to newspapers and television and radio companies


Words: news room
Meaning:
noun\nthe room at a newspaper office or a radio or television station where news is received and prepared for printing or broadcasting


Words: news-stand
Meaning:
noun\na place on the street, at a station, etc. where you can buy newspapers and magazines:\nThe first issue of the magazine hit the news-stands (= went on sale) today.


Words: newsagent
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE newsdealer) noun\n  1  a person who owns or works in a shop selling newspapers and magazines, and often sweets/candy and cigarettes\n  2  (newsagent’s) (plural newsagents) (BrE also paper shop) a shop/store that sells newspapers, magazines, sweets/candy, etc:\nI’ll go to the newsagent’s on my way home.


Words: newsflash
Meaning:
(also flash) noun\n(especially BrE) a short item of important news that is broadcast on radio or television, often interrupting a programme:\nWe interrupt this programme to bring you a newsflash.


Words: newsletter
Meaning:
noun\na printed report containing news of the activities of a club or organization that is sent regularly to all its members:\nOur sailing club produces a monthly newsletter. * a church newsletter


Words: newspaper
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a set of large printed sheets of paper containing news, articles, advertisements, etc. and published every day or every week:\na daily / weekly newspaper * a local / national newspaper * a newspaper article * I read about it in the newspaper. * a newspaper cutting * She works for the local newspaper (= the company that produces it). * newspaper proprietors\nsee also PAPER\n \n  2  [U] paper taken from old newspapers:\nWrap all your glasses in newspaper.


Words: newsreel
Meaning:
noun\na short film of news that was shown in the past in cinemas/movie theaters:\nold newsreel footage of the 1936 Olympics


Words: newsworthy
Meaning:
adjective\ninteresting and important enough to be reported as news:\nNothing very newsworthy happened last week. * a newsworthy event


Words: newt
Meaning:
noun\na small animal with short legs, a long tail and cold blood, that lives both in water and on land (= is an AMPHIBIAN)\n IDIOMS  see PISSED


Words: next
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (usually with the) coming straight after sb/sth in time, order or space:\nThe next train to Baltimore is at ten. * The next six months will be the hardest. * the next chapter * Who’s next? * the woman in the next room * I fainted and the next thing I knew I was in the hospital. * (informal) Round here, you leave school at sixteen and next thing you know, you’re married with three kids.\n  2  (used without the) ~ Monday, week, summer, year, etc. the Monday, week, etc. immediately following:\nNext Thursday is 12 April. * Next time I’ll bring a book.\n IDIOMS \n  the next man the average person:\nI can enjoy a joke as well as the next man, but this is going too far.\nmore at DAY, LUCK n.\n    adverb\n  1  after sth else; then; afterwards:\nWhat happened next? * Next, I heard the sound of voices.\n  2  ~ best, biggest, most important, etc. ...(after / to sb/sth) following in the order mentioned:\nJo was the next oldest after Martin. * The next best thing to flying is gliding.\n  3  used in questions to express surprise or confusion:\nYou’re going bungee jumping? Whatever next?\n    noun (usually the next) [sing.] a person or thing that is next:\nOne moment he wasn’t there, the next he was. * the week after next\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nnext / nearest\n(The) next means ’after this/that one’ in time or in a series of events, places or people: When is your next appointment? * Turn left at the next traffic lights. * Who’s next? (The) nearest means ’closest’ in space: Where’s the nearest supermarket?\nNotice the difference between the prepositions nearest to and next to: Janet’s sitting nearest to the window (= of all the people in the room). Sarah’s sitting next to the window (= right beside it). In informal BrE nearest can be used instead of nearest to: Who’s sitting nearest the door?\n______________________________


Words: next door
Meaning:
adverb, adjective, noun \n    adverb in the next room, house or building:\nThe cat is from the house next door. * The manager’s office is just next door. * We live next door to the pub.\n    next-door adjective [only before noun]:\nour next-door neighbours * the next-door house\n    noun [U+sing./pl. v.] (BrE, spoken) the people who live in the house or flat/apartment next to yours:\nIs that next door’s dog? * The Volvo belongs to next door.


Words: next of kin
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural next of kin) your closest living relative or relatives:\nI’m her next of kin. * Her next of kin have been informed. * The form must be signed by next of kin.


Words: next to
Meaning:
preposition\n  1  in or into a position right beside sb/sth:\nWe sat next to each other. -> NEXT\n  2  following in order or importance after sb/sth:\nNext to skiing my favourite sport is skating.\n  3  almost:\nCharles knew next to nothing about farming. * The horse came next to last (= the one before the last one) in the race.\n  4  in comparison with sb/sth:\nNext to her I felt like a fraud.


Words: nexus
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (formal) a complicated series of connections between different things:\nthe nexus between industry and political power * a nexus of interests


Words: NGO
Meaning:
abbreviation\nnon-governmental organization (a CHARITY, association, etc. that is independent of government and business)


Words: NHS
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] The NHS is the public health service in Britain that provides medical treatment and is paid for by taxes (abbreviation for ’National Health Service’):\nan NHS hospital * I had the operation done on the NHS (= paid for by the NHS).


Words: nibble
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (at sth) to take small bites of sth, especially food:\n[VN] We sat drinking wine and nibbling olives. * He nibbled her ear playfully. * [V] She took some cake from the tray and nibbled at it.\n  2  [V] ~ (at sth) to show a slight interest in an offer, idea, etc:\nHe nibbled at the idea, but would not make a definite decision.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  nibble away at sth to take away small amounts of sth, so that the total amount is gradually reduced:\nInflation is nibbling away at spending power.\n    noun\n  1  [C] a small bite of sth:\nI took a nibble from the biscuit.\n  2  (nibbles) [pl.] small things to eat with a drink before a meal or at a party:\nwine and nibbles


Words: nibs
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  his nibs (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) used to refer to a man who is, or thinks he is, more important than other people:\nWhat time did his nibs get up?


Words: nice
Meaning:
adjective (nicer, nicest)\n  pleasant / attractive\n  1  ~ (to do sth) | ~ (doing sth) | ~ (that ...) pleasant, enjoyable or attractive:\na nice day / smile / place * nice weather * Did you have a nice time? * You look very nice. * ’Do you want to come, too?’ ’Yes, that would be nice.’ * The nicest thing about her is that she never criticizes us. * Nice to meet you! (= a friendly greeting) * It’s been nice meeting you. * It’s nice that you can come with us. * It would be nice if he moved to London. * It’s nice to know that somebody appreciates what I do. * We all had the flu last week-it wasn’t very nice.\n  2  used before adjectives or adverbs to emphasize how pleasant sth is:\na nice hot bath * a nice long walk * It was nice and warm yesterday. * Everyone arrived nice and early.\n HELP NOTE  Nice and with another adjective cannot be used before a noun: _a_ _n_i_c_e_ _a_n_d_ _q_u_i_e_t_ _p_l_a_c_e_.\n  kind / friendly\n  3  ~ (to sb) | ~ of sb (to do sth) | ~ (about sth) kind; friendly:\nOur new neighbours are very nice. * He’s a really nice guy. * Be nice to me. I’m not feeling well. * It was nice of them to invite us. * I complained to the manager and he was very nice about it. * I asked him in the nicest possible way to put his cigarette out.\nOPP NASTY\n  not nice\n  4  (ironic) bad or unpleasant:\nThat’s a nice thing to say! * That’s a nice way to speak to your mother!\n  small details\n  5  (formal) involving a very small detail or difference\nSYN SUBTLE:\na nice point of law (= one that is difficult to decide)\n    niceness noun [U]:\nIn some professions, niceness does not get you very far.\n IDIOMS \n  as nice as pie (informal) very kind and friendly, especially when you are not expecting it\n  Have a nice day! (spoken, especially AmE) a friendly way of saying goodbye, especially to customers\n  Nice one! (BrE, spoken) used to show you are pleased when sth good has happened or sb has said sth amusing:\nYou got the job? Nice one!\n  Nice work! (spoken, especially BrE) used to show you are pleased when sb has done sth well:\nYou did a good job today. Nice work, James!\n  nice work if you can get it (informal) used when you wish that you had sb’s success or good luck and think they have achieved it with little effort:\nHe was paid ｣200 for a ten-minute speech? Nice work if you can get it.\nmore at MR\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \nnice and very nice\nInstead of saying that something is nice or very nice, try to use more precise and interesting adjectives to describe things:\npleasant/perfect/beautiful weather\na cosy/a comfortable/an attractive room\na pleasant/an interesting/an enjoyable experience\nexpensive/fashionable/smart clothes\na kind/ a charming/ an interesting man\nThe party was fun.\nIn conversation you can also use great, wonderful, lovely and (in BrE) brilliant: The party was great. * We had a brilliant weekend.\n-> note at GOOD\n______________________________


Words: nicely
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in an attractive or satisfactory way; well:\nThe room was nicely furnished. * The plants are coming along nicely (= growing well).\n  2  in a kind, friendly or polite way:\nIf you ask her nicely she might say yes.\n  3  (formal) carefully; exactly:\nHis novels nicely describe life in Britain between the wars.\n IDIOMS \n  do nicely\n1 (usually be doing nicely) to be making good progress:\nHer new business is doing very nicely.\n2 to be satisfactory:\nTomorrow at ten will do nicely (= will be a good time).


Words: nicety
Meaning:
noun (plural niceties) (written)\n  1  [C, usually pl.] the small details or points of difference, especially concerning the correct way of behaving or of doing things:\nlegal niceties * He has no time for social niceties.\n  2  [U] (formal) the quality of being very detailed or careful about sth:\nThe nicety of his argument.


Words: niche
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a comfortable or suitable role, job, way of life, etc:\nHe eventually found his niche in sports journalism.\n  2  (business) an opportunity to sell a particular product to a particular group of people:\nThey spotted a niche in the market, with no serious competition. * a niche market * the development of niche marketing (= aiming products at particular groups)\n  3  a small hollow place, especially in a wall to contain a statue, etc., or in the side of a hill:\nThe niche was just big enough to hold two small candles. * I found a niche in the rock and sat and watched while the sun rose and filled the valley with light.\n  4  (biology) the conditions in which a type of living thing can live successfully:\nWithin each niche, similar animals avoid competing with each other.


Words: nick
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (the nick) [sing.] (BrE, slang) a prison or a police station:\nHe’ll end up in the nick. * She was questioned at the local nick.\n  2  a small cut in the edge or surface of sth:\nHe had several nicks and scars on his cheeks.\n IDIOMS \n  in good, etc. nick (BrE, informal) in good, etc. condition or health:\nShe’s in pretty good nick for her age.\n  in the nick of time (informal) at the very last moment; just in time before sth bad happens:\nThey escaped from the smoke-filled house just in the nick of time.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to make a small cut in sth:\nHe nicked himself while shaving.\n  2  ~ sth (from sb/sth) (BrE, informal) to steal sth \nSYN PINCH:\nWho nicked my pen?\n  3  ~ sb (for sth) (BrE, informal) to arrest sb for committing a crime:\nYou’re nicked!


Words: nickel
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] (Symbol Ni) a chemical element. Nickel is a hard silver-white metal used in making some types of steel and other ALLOYS.\n \n  2  [C] a coin of the US and Canada worth 5 cents


Words: nickel-and-dime
Meaning:
adjective\n(AmE, informal) involving only a small amount of money; not important:\na nickel-and-dime job


Words: nickname
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun an informal, often humorous, name for a person that is connected with their real name, their personality or appearance, or with sth they have done\n    verb [VN-N] [often passive] to give a nickname to sb/sth:\nShe was nicknamed ’The Ice Queen’.


Words: nicotine
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a poisonous substance in tobacco that people become ADDICTED to, so that it is difficult to stop smoking:\nfingers stained with nicotine


Words: niece
Meaning:
noun\nthe daughter of your brother or sister; the daughter of your husband’s or wife’s brother or sister\ncompare NEPHEW


Words: nifty
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  skilful and accurate:\nThere’s some nifty guitar work on his latest CD.\n  2  practical; working well:\na nifty little gadget for slicing cucumbers


Words: niggardly
Meaning:
adjective (written, disapproving)\n  1  unwilling to be generous with money, time, etc:\na niggardly attitude\n  2  (of a gift or an amount of money) not worth much and given unwillingly:\na niggardly allowance


Words: niggle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a small criticism or complaint:\nMy only niggle is that they should have told me sooner.\n  2  a slight feeling such as worry, doubt, etc. that does not go away:\na niggle of doubt / jealousy * In his mind there was that same old niggle-had he done the right thing?\n  3  a slight pain:\nHe gets the occasional niggle in his right shoulder.\n    verb\n  1  ~ (at sb) to irritate or annoy sb slightly; to make sb slightly worried\nSYN BOTHER:\n[V] A doubt niggled at her. * [VN that] It niggled him that she had not phoned back. * [VN] Something was niggling her.\n  2  [V] ~ (about / over sth) | ~ (at sb) (for sth) to argue about sth unimportant; to criticize sb for sth that is not important


Words: niggling
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  used to describe a slight feeling of worry or pain that does not go away:\nShe had niggling doubts about their relationship. * As a player he suffered from a series of niggling injuries.\n  2  not important:\nniggling details


Words: nigh
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  ~ on (old-fashioned) almost; nearly:\nThey’ve lived in that house for nigh on 30 years.\nsee also WELL-NIGH\n  2  (old use or literary) near:\nWinter was drawing nigh.


Words: night
Meaning:
noun [U, C]\n  1  the time of darkness between one day and the next, usually when people sleep:\nThese animals only come out at night. * They sleep by day and hunt by night. * The accident happened on Friday night. * on the night of 10 January / January 10 * Did you hear the storm last night? * I lay awake all night. * Where did you spend the night? * You’re welcome to stay the night here. * What is he doing calling at this time of night? * You’ll feel better after you’ve had a good night’s sleep. * The trip was for ten nights. * The hotel costs ｣65 per person per night. * the night train / boat / flight * (written) Night fell (= it became dark).\n  2  the evening until you go to bed:\nLet’s go out on Saturday night. * Bill’s parents came for dinner last night. * She doesn’t like to walk home late at night. * I saw her in town the other night (= a few nights ago). * I’m working late tomorrow night.\n  3  an evening when a special event happens:\nthe first / opening night (= of a play, film / movie, etc.) * a karaoke night * an Irish / Scottish night (= with Irish / Scottish music, entertainment, etc.)\nsee also STAG NIGHT\n    nights adverb (especially AmE):\nHe can’t get used to working nights (= at night).\n IDIOMS \n  Good night (also Goodnight) used when you are saying goodbye to sb late in the evening, or when they or you are going to bed; in informal use people often just say Night:\nGood night. See you in the morning. * Night! Sleep well.\n  have an early / a late night to go to bed earlier or later than usual:\nI’ve had a lot of late nights recently.\n  have a good / bad night to sleep well/badly during the night\n  have a night on the tiles (BrE, informal) to stay out late enjoying yourself\n  night and day | day and night all the time; continuously:\nThe machines are kept running night and day. * The store is open day and night.\n  night night used by children or to children, to mean ’Good night’:\n’Night night, sleep tight!’\n  a night out an evening that you spend enjoying yourself away from home:\nThey enjoy a night out occasionally.\nmore at ALL RIGHT adj., DANCE v., DEAD n., MORNING, SPEND v., STILL n., THING


Words: night owl
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person who enjoys staying up late at night:\nThe resort is a paradise both for sun worshippers and night owls with its fantastic weather and abundance of night life.


Words: night safe
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE night depository) noun\na SAFE in the outside wall of a bank where money, etc. can be left when the bank is closed


Words: nightcap
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a drink, usually containing alcohol, taken before going to bed\n  2  (in the past) a soft cap worn in bed


Words: nightclothes
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] clothes that you wear in bed:\nThey ran out of the blazing house wearing only their nightclothes.


Words: nightclub
Meaning:
noun\na place that is open late in the evening where people can go to dance, drink, etc:\nThe hotel had a swimming pool, two restaurants and a nightclub.


Words: nightdress
Meaning:
, BrE, AmE) noun\na long loose piece of clothing like a thin dress, worn by a woman or girl in bed:\nI prefer pyjamas to nightdresses.


Words: nightfall
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal or literary) the time in the evening when it becomes dark\nSYN DUSK:\nHe wanted to be home before nightfall.


Words: nightlife
Meaning:
noun\n[U] entertainment that is available in the evening and at night:\nOur hotel was a short walk from the beach and the local nightlife.


Words: nightly
Meaning:
adjective\nhappening every night:\na nightly news bulletin\n    nightly adverb:\nThe programme is broadcast nightly.


Words: nightmare
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a dream that is very frightening or unpleasant:\nHe still has nightmares about the accident. * She has a recurring nightmare about being stuck in a lift.\n  2  ~ (for sb) an experience that is very frightening and unpleasant, or very difficult to deal with:\nThe trip turned into a nightmare when they both got sick. * (informal) Nobody knows what’s going on-it’s a nightmare! * (informal) Filling in all those forms was a nightmare. * Losing a child is most people’s worst nightmare. * If it goes ahead it will be the nightmare scenario (= the worst thing that could happen). * a nightmare situation / ordeal\n    nightmarish  adjective:\nnightmarish living conditions


Words: nightspot
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a place people go to for entertainment at night\nSYN NIGHTCLUB:\ntop London nightspots


Words: nihilism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (philosophy) the belief that nothing has any value, especially that religious and moral principles have no value\n    nihilistic  adjective:\nHer latest play is a nihilistic vision of the world of the future.


Words: nil
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (especially BrE) the number 0, especially as the score in some games\nSYN ZERO:\nNewcastle beat Leeds four nil / by four goals to nil.\n  2  nothing:\nThe doctors rated her chances as nil (= they did not exist).


Words: nimble
Meaning:
1  able to move quickly and easily:\nYou need nimble fingers for that job. * She was extremely nimble on her feet.\n  2  (of the mind) able to think and understand quickly\n    nimbly  adverb


Words: nimbus
Meaning:
noun (technical)\n  1  [C, usually sing, U] a large grey rain cloud\n  2  [C, usually sing.] a circle of light


Words: nimby
Meaning:
noun\n(plural nimbies) (humorous, disapproving) a person who claims to be in favour of a new development or project, but objects if it is too near their home and will disturb them in some way:\nThe nimbies were out in force against proposals for a high-speed rail link.\n ORIGIN  Formed from the first letters of ’not in my back yard’.


Words: nine
Meaning:
number\n9\n HELP NOTE  There are examples of how to use numbers at the entry for five.\n IDIOMS \n  have nine lives (especially of a cat) to be very lucky in dangerous situations\n  a nine days’ wonder a person or thing that makes people excited for a short time but does not last very long\n  nine to five the normal working hours in an office:\nI work nine to five. * a nine-to-five job\nmore at DRESSED


Words: ninepins
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  go down, drop, etc. like ninepins (BrE, informal) to fall down or become ill in great numbers:\nMen and horses went down like ninepins before them, in a tangle of waving limbs. * There’s a lot of flu about and people are going down like ninepins.


Words: nineteen
Meaning:
number\n19\n    nineteenth  ordinal number\n IDIOMS \n  talk, etc. nineteen to the dozen (BrE, informal) to talk, etc. without stopping:\nShe was chatting away, nineteen to the dozen.


Words: ninety
Meaning:
1  number 90\n  2  noun (the nineties) [pl.] numbers, years or temperatures from 90 to 99:\nThe temperature must be in the nineties today.\n    ninetieth  ordinal number:\nher ninetieth birthday\n IDIOMS \n  in your nineties between the ages of 90 and 99\n  ninety-nine times out of a hundred almost always


Words: ninth
Meaning:
ordinal number, noun \n    ordinal number 9th\n HELP NOTE  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.\n    noun each of nine equal parts of sth


Words: nip
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-pp-)\n  1  ~ (at sth) to give sb/sth a quick painful bite or PINCH:\n[VN] He winced as the dog nipped his ankle. * [V] She nipped at my arm.\n  2  ~ (at sth) (of cold, wind, etc.) to harm or damage sth:\n[V] The icy wind nipped at our faces. * [VN] growing shoots nipped by frost\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] (BrE, informal) to go somewhere quickly and/or for only a short time:\nHe’s just nipped out to the bank. * A car nipped in (= got in quickly) ahead of me.\n IDIOMS \n  nip sth in the bud to stop sth when it has just begun because you can see that problems will come from it\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  nip sth<->off to remove a part of sth with your finger or with scissors, etc.\n    noun\n  1  the act of giving sb a small bite or PINCH (= squeezing their skin between your finger and thumb):\nThe dog gave her a painful nip on the leg.\n  2  (informal) a feeling of cold:\nThere was a real nip in the air.\nsee also NIPPY\n  3  (informal) a small drink of strong alcohol:\na nip of brandy\n IDIOMS \n  nip and tuck (especially AmE) = neck and neck at NECK


Words: nipple
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  either of the two small round dark parts on a person’s chest. Babies can suck milk from their mother’s breasts through the nipples.\n \n  2  (AmE) = TEAT (1)\n \n  3  a small metal, plastic or rubber object that is shaped like a nipple with a small hole in the end, especially one that is used as part of a machine to direct oil, etc. into a particular place:\na grease nipple


Words: nippy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (BrE) able to move quickly and easily:\na nippy little sports car * His nippy footwork and ball control won him the match.\n  2  (informal) (of the weather) cold


Words: nirvana
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (in the religion of Buddhism) the state of peace and happiness that a person achieves after giving up all personal desires


Words: nit
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the egg or young form of a LOUSE (= a small insect that lives in human hair)\n  2  (BrE, informal) a stupid person


Words: nit-picking
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal, disapproving) the habit of finding small mistakes in sb’s work or paying too much attention to small details that are not important\n    nit-picker noun\n    nit-picking adjective


Words: nitrate
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (chemistry) a compound containing NITROGEN. There are several different nitrates and they are used especially to make soil better for growing crops:\nWe need to cut nitrate levels in water.


Words: nitric acid
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (chemistry) (Symbol HNO3) a powerful colourless acid that can destroy most substances and is used to make explosives and other chemical products


Words: nitrogen
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol N) a chemical element. Nitrogen is a colourless gas that is found in large quantities in the earth’s atmosphere.\n    nitrogenous  adjective


Words: nitrous oxide
Meaning:
(also informal laughing gas) noun\n[U] a gas used especially in the past by dentists to prevent you from feeling pain


Words: nix
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (AmE, informal) to prevent sth from happening by saying ’no’ to it:\nWe quickly nixed the idea of going to the museum.


Words: no
Meaning:
exclamation, determiner, adverb, noun \n    exclamation\n  1  used to give a negative reply or statement:\nJust say yes or no. * ’Are you ready?’ ’No, I’m not.’ * Sorry, the answer’s no. * ’Another drink?’ ’No, thanks.’ * It’s about 70-no, I’m wrong-80 kilometres from Rome. * No! Don’t touch it! It’s hot. * ’It was Tony.’ ’No, you’re wrong. It was Ted.’ * ’It’s not very good, is it?’ ’No, you’re right, it isn’t (= I agree).’\n  2  used to express shock or surprise at what sb has said:\n’I’m leaving!’ ’No!’ * ’She’s had an accident.’ ’Oh, no!’\n IDIOMS \n  not take no for an answer to refuse to accept that sb does not want sth, will not do sth, etc:\nYou’re coming and I won’t take no for an answer!\nmore at YES exclam.\n    determiner\n  1  not one; not any; not a:\nNo student is to leave the room. * There were no letters this morning. * There’s no bread left. * No two days are the same.\nsee also NO ONE\n  2  used, for example on notices, to say that sth is not allowed:\nNo smoking!\n  3  there’s ~ doing sth used to say that it is impossible to do sth:\nThere’s no telling what will happen next.\n  4  used to express the opposite of what is mentioned:\nShe’s no fool (= she’s intelligent). * It was no easy matter (= it was difficult).\n    adverb used before adjectives and adverbs to mean ’not’:\nShe’s feeling no better this morning. * Reply by no later than 21 July.\n    noun (plural noes )\n  1  an answer that shows you do not agree with an idea, a statement, etc.; a person who says ’no’:\nCan’t you give me a straight yes or no? * When we took a vote there were nine yesses and 3 noes. * I’ll put you down as a no.\n  2  (the noes) [pl.] the total number of people voting ’no’ in a formal debate, for example in a parliament:\nThe noes have it (= more people have voted against sth than for it).\nOPP AYES


Words: no one
Meaning:
(also nobody) pronoun\nnot anyone; no person:\nNo one was at home. * There was no one else around. * We were told to speak to no one.\n HELP NOTE  No one is much more common than nobody in written English.


Words: no-ball
Meaning:
noun\n(in cricket) a ball that is BOWLED (= thrown) in a way that is not allowed and which means that a RUN (= a point) is given to the other team


Words: no-claims bonus
Meaning:
(also no-claim bonus, no-claim(s) discount) noun\n(all BrE) a reduction in the cost of your insurance because you made no claims in the previous year:\na five-year no-claims bonus * to lose your no-claims bonus


Words: no-fault
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (especially AmE, law) not involving a decision as to who is to blame for sth:\nno-fault insurance (= in which the insurance company pays for damage, etc. without asking whose fault it was)


Words: no-go area
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) an area, especially in a city, which is dangerous for people to enter, or that the police or army do not enter, often because it is controlled by a violent group: (figurative) Some clubs are no-go areas for people over 30. * (figurative) This subject is definitely a no-go area (= we must not discuss it).


Words: no-hoper
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person or an animal that is considered useless or very unlikely to be successful:\na team of complete no-hopers * An apparent no-hoper won the race at 331.


Words: no-man’s-land
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] an area of land between the borders of two countries or between two armies, that is not controlled by either


Words: no-no
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (informal) a thing or a way of behaving that is not acceptable in a particular situation:\nEarrings for men were once a definite no-no.


Words: no-nonsense
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] simple and direct; only paying attention to important and necessary things:\na no-nonsense approach / style * She was a tough, no-nonsense leader.


Words: no-show
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person who is expected to be somewhere and does not come; a situation where this happens:\nNo-shows are a great problem in the hotel trade. * Fans were disappointed by his no-show at the festival.


Words: no-win
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a situation, policy, etc.) that will end badly whatever you decide to do:\nWe are considering the options available to us in this no-win situation.


Words: nob
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, BrE, informal) a person who has a high social position; a member of the upper class


Words: nobble
Meaning:
verb [VN] (BrE, informal)\n  1  to prevent a horse from winning a race, for example by giving it drugs:\nThe horse was nobbled by a doping gang.\n  2  to persuade sb to do what you want, especially illegally, by offering them money:\nhis attempts to nobble the jury\n  3  to prevent sb from achieving what they want \nSYN THWART\n  4  to catch sb or get their attention, especially when they are unwilling:\nHe was nobbled by the press who wanted details of the affair.\n    nobbling noun [U]


Words: nobility
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (the nobility) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] people of high social position who have titles such as that of DUKE or DUCHESS\nSYN THE ARISTOCRACY\n  2  [U] (formal) the quality of being noble in character:\nThe bravery and nobility of these men who died for their country.


Words: noble
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (nobler )\n  1  having fine personal qualities that people admire, such as courage, HONESTY and care for others:\na noble leader * noble ideals / actions * He died for a noble cause. * It was very noble of you to go so far to take him home.\ncompare IGNOBLE\n  2  very impressive in size or quality\nSYN SPLENDID:\na noble building\n  3  belonging to a family of high social rank (= belonging to the nobility):\na man of noble birth * one of the noblest families in Portugal\n    nobly  adverb:\nShe bore the disappointment nobly. * to be nobly born\n    noun a person who comes from a family of high social rank; a member of the nobility


Words: noblesse oblige
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from French) the idea that people who have special advantages of wealth, etc. should help other people who do not have these advantages


Words: nobody
Meaning:
pronoun, noun \n    pronoun = NO ONE:\nNobody knew what to say.\n HELP NOTE  Nobody is more common than no one in spoken English.\nOPP SOMEBODY\n    noun (plural nobodies) a person who has no importance or influence\nSYN NONENTITY:\nShe rose from being a nobody to become a superstar.\ncompare SOMEONE


Words: nocturnal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of animals) active at night\nOPP DIURNAL\n  2  (written) happening during the night:\na nocturnal visit


Words: nod
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-dd-)\n  1  if you nod, nod your head or your head nods, you move your head up and down to show agreement, understanding, etc:\n[V] I asked him if he would help me and he nodded. * ’Ready?’ She nodded at me and we set off. * Her head nodded in agreement. * [VN] He nodded his head sympathetically. * She nodded approval.\n  2  ~ (sth) (at / to sb) to move your head down and up once to greet sb or to give them a sign to do sth:\n[V] The president nodded to the crowd as he passed in the motorcade. * She nodded at him to begin speaking * [VN] to nod a greeting\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] to move your head in the direction of sb/sth to show that you are talking about them/it:\nI asked where Steve was and she nodded in the direction of the kitchen. * She nodded towards his suitcase. ’Going somewhere?’ she asked.\n  4  [V] to let your head fall forward when you are sleeping in a chair:\nHe sat nodding in front of the fire.\n IDIOMS \n  have a nodding acquaintance with sb/sth to only know sb/sth slightly\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  nod off (informal) to fall asleep for a short time while you are sitting in a chair:\nI was practically nodding off in that meeting.\n    noun a small quick movement of the head down and up again:\nto give a nod of approval / agreement / encouragement\n IDIOMS \n  get the nod (informal) to be chosen for sth; to be given permission or approval to do sth:\nHe got the nod from the team manager (= he was chosen for the team). * The proposal should get the nod.\n  give sb/sth the nod (informal)\n1 to give permission for sth; to agree to sth:\nWe’ve been given the nod to expand the business. * I hope he’ll give the nod to the plan.\n2 to choose sb for sth\n  a nod and a wink | a nod is as good as a wink used to say that a suggestion or a HINT will be understood, without anything more being said:\nEverything could be done by a nod and a wink.\n  on the nod (BrE, informal) if a proposal is accepted on the nod, it is accepted without any discussion


Words: node
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (biology) a place on the stem of a plant from which a branch or leaf grows\n  2  (biology) a small swelling on a root or branch\n  3  (technical, especially computing) a point at which two lines or systems meet or cross:\na data / network node\n  4  (anatomy) a small hard mass of tissue, especially near a joint in the human body:\na lymph / sinus node\n    nodal adjective


Words: noise
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a sound, especially when it is loud, unpleasant or disturbing:\na rattling noise * What’s that noise? * Don’t make so much noise. * I was woken by the noise of a car starting up. * We had to shout above the noise of the traffic. * to monitor / reduce noise levels\n  2  [U] (technical) extra electrical or electronic signals that are not part of the signal that is being broadcast or TRANSMITTED and which may damage it\n IDIOMS \n  make a noise (about sth) (informal) to complain loudly\n  make noises (about sth) (informal)\n1 to talk in an indirect way about sth that you think you might do:\nThe company has been making noises about closing several factories.\n2 to complain about sth\n  make soothing, encouraging, reassuring, etc. noises to make remarks of the kind mentioned, even when that is not what you really think:\nHe made all the right noises at the meeting yesterday (= said what people wanted to hear).\nmore at BIG adj.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nnoise / sound\nSound is a general word for anything you hear: strange sounds and smells * She could hear the sound of children laughing. Do not use words like much or a lot of with sound.\nNoise is usually loud and unpleasant: What a terrible noise! It can be uncountable: Try not to make so much noise.\nRacket and din (especially BrE) are informal words for a loud unpleasant noise that continues for a time: Who’s making all that racket? * What a terrible din!\n______________________________


Words: noiseless
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) making little or no noise:\nHe moved with noiseless steps.\n    noiselessly adverb:\nShe slipped noiselessly out of the room.


Words: noisy
Meaning:
adjective (noisier, noisiest)\n  1  making a lot of noise:\nnoisy children / traffic / crowds * a noisy protest (= when people shout) * The engine is very noisy at high speed. * They are a small but noisy pressure group (= they try to attract attention to their ideas by frequent discussion and argument).\n  2  full of noise:\na noisy classroom * The streets were very noisy throughout the night.\n    noisily  adverb:\nThe children were playing noisily upstairs.


Words: nom de guerre
Meaning:
noun\n(plural noms de guerre ) (from French, formal) a false name that is used, for example, by sb who belongs to a military organization that is not official


Words: nom de plume
Meaning:
noun\n(plural noms de plume ) (from French) a name used by a writer instead of their real name\nSYN PEN-NAME, PSEUDONYM


Words: nomad
Meaning:
noun\na member of a tribe that moves with its animals from place to place\n    nomadic  adjective:\nnomadic tribes * the nomadic life of a foreign correspondent


Words: nomenclature
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (formal) a system of naming things, especially in a branch of science:\nchemical / zoological nomenclature


Words: nominal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  being sth in name only, and not in reality:\nthe nominal leader of the party * He remained in nominal control of the business for another ten years. * The shares were sold for well below their nominal value.\n  2  (of a sum of money) very small and much less than the normal cost or change:\nWe only pay a nominal rent. * We make a nominal charge for use of the tennis courts.\n  3  (grammar) connected with a noun or nouns\n    nominally  adverb:\nHe was nominally in charge of the company.


Words: nominate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ sb (for / as sth) to formally suggest that sb should be chosen for an important role, prize, position, etc:\n[VN] She has been nominated for the presidency. * [VN-N] He was nominated (as) best actor. [also VN to inf]\n  2  ~ sb (to / as sth) to choose sb to do a particular job\nSYN APPOINT:\n[VN] I have been nominated to the committee. * [VN to inf] She was nominated to speak on our behalf.\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (as sth) to choose a time, date or title for sth:\n1 December has been nominated as the day of the election.


Words: nomination
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] the act of suggesting or choosing sb as a candidate in an election, or for a job or an award; the fact of being suggested for this:\nMembership of the club is by nomination only. * He won the nomination as Democratic candidate for the presidency. * They opposed her nomination to the post of Deputy Director. * Meryl Streep has had nine Oscar nominations.


Words: nominative
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) (in some languages) the form of a noun, a pronoun or an adjective when it is the subject of a verb\ncompare ACCUSATIVE, DATIVE, GENITIVE, VOCATIVE\n    nominative adjective:\nnominative pronouns


Words: nominee
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who has been formally suggested for a job, a prize, etc:\na presidential nominee * an Oscar nominee\n  2  (business) a person in whose name money is invested in a company, etc.


Words: non sequitur
Meaning:
noun\n(from Latin, formal) a statement that does not seem to follow what has just been said in any natural or logical way


Words: non-
Meaning:
prefix\n(in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) not:\nnonsense * non-fiction * non-alcoholic * non-profit-making * non-committally\n HELP NOTE  Most compounds with non are written with a hyphen in BrE but are written as one word with no hyphen in AmE.


Words: non-aggression
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (often used as an adjective) a relationship between two countries that have agreed not to attack each other:\na policy of non-aggression * a non-aggression pact / treaty


Words: non-alcoholic
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a drink) not containing any alcohol:\na non-alcoholic drink * Can I have something non-alcoholic?


Words: non-aligned
Meaning:
adjective\nnot providing support for or receiving support from any of the powerful countries in the world:\nthe non-aligned countries / states\n    non-alignment noun [U]:\na policy of non-alignment


Words: non-appearance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) failure to be in a place where people expect to see you:\nThe non-appearance of the band at the concert was a big disappointment.


Words: non-attendance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] failure to go to a place at a time or for an event where you are expected:\nthe problems of children’s non-attendance at school


Words: non-combatant
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a member of the armed forces who does not actually fight in a war, for example an army doctor\n  2  in a war, a person who is not a member of the armed forces\nSYN CIVILIAN\ncompare COMBATANT


Words: non-commissioned officer
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation NCO) a soldier in the army, etc. who has a rank such as SERGEANT or CORPORAL, but not a high rank\ncompare COMMISSIONED OFFICER


Words: non-committal
Meaning:
adjective\nnot giving an opinion; not showing which side of an argument you agree with:\na non-committal reply / tone * The doctor was non-committal about when I could drive again.\nsee also COMMIT (5)\n    non-committally adverb:\nHe grunted non-committally in reply.


Words: non-compliance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (with sth) the fact of failing or refusing to obey a rule:\nThere are penalties for non-compliance with the fire regulations.\nOPP COMPLIANCE


Words: non-contributory
Meaning:
adjective\n(of an insurance or pension plan) paid for by the employer and not the employee:\nnon-contributory benefits\nOPP CONTRIBUTORY


Words: non-controversial
Meaning:
adjective\nnot causing, or not likely to cause, any disagreement\nOPP CONTROVERSIAL\n HELP NOTE  This is not as strong as uncontroversial, which is more common.


Words: non-cooperation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] refusal to help a person in authority by doing what they have asked you to do, especially as a form of protest:\nA strike is unlikely, but some forms of non-cooperation are being considered.


Words: non-custodial
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun] (law)\n  1  (of a punishment) that does not involve a period of time in prison:\na non-custodial sentence / penalty\n  2  (of a parent) not having CUSTODY of a child\nOPP CUSTODIAL


Words: non-essential
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] not completely necessary\ncompare ESSENTIAL\n HELP NOTE  This is not as strong as inessential and is more common. Inessential can suggest disapproval.\n    non-essential noun [usually pl.]:\nI have no money for non-essentials.


Words: non-event
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) an event that was expected to be interesting, exciting and popular but is in fact very disappointing:\nThe party turned out to be a non-event-hardly anyone came!


Words: non-executive
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE, business) a non-executive DIRECTOR of a company can give advice at a high level but does not have the power to make decisions about the company


Words: non-existent
Meaning:
adjective\nnot existing; not real:\na non-existent danger / problem * ’How’s your social life?’ ’Non-existent, I’m afraid.’ * Hospital beds were scarce and medicines were practically non-existent.\ncompare EXISTENT\n    non-existence noun [U]:\nThey refused to comment on the existence or non-existence of a waiting list.


Words: non-fiction
Meaning:
noun\n[U] books, articles or texts about real facts, people and events:\nI prefer reading non-fiction. * the non-fiction section of the library\nOPP FICTION


Words: non-finite
Meaning:
adjective\n(grammar) a non-finite verb form or CLAUSE does not show a particular tense, PERSON or NUMBER\nOPP FINITE


Words: non-intervention
Meaning:
(also non-interference) noun\n[U] the policy or practice of not becoming involved in other people’s disputes, especially those of foreign countries:\na policy of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries\n    non-interventionism noun [U]\n    non-interventionist adjective:\na non-interventionist approach / policy


Words: non-linear
Meaning:
adjective\n(technical) that does not develop from one thing to another in a single smooth series of stages\nOPP LINEAR


Words: non-negotiable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  that cannot be discussed or changed:\nnon-negotiable demands\n  2  (of a cheque, etc.) that cannot be changed for money by anyone except the person whose name is on it\nOPP NEGOTIABLE


Words: non-observance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the failure to keep or to obey a rule, custom, etc:\nThey were accused of non-observance of the terms of the contract.\nOPP OBSERVANCE


Words: non-partisan
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] not supporting the ideas of one particular political party or group of people strongly


Words: non-payment
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) failure to pay a debt, a tax, rent, etc:\nHe was taken to court for non-payment of the fine.


Words: non-prescription
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of drugs) that you can buy directly without a special form from a doctor


Words: non-professional
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having a job that does not need a high level of education or special training; connected with a job of this kind:\ntraining for non-professional staff\n  2  doing sth as a hobby rather than as a paid job:\nnon-professional actors / drivers\ncompare PROFESSIONAL, UNPROFESSIONAL\nsee also AMATEUR


Words: non-profit
Meaning:
(BrE also non-profit-making) adjective\n(of an organization) without the aim of making a profit:\nan independent non-profit organization / body * The centre is run on a non-profit basis. * The charity is non-profit-making.


Words: non-proliferation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a limit to the increase in the number of nuclear and chemical weapons that are produced:\na nuclear non-proliferation agreement / treaty * The government seeks to promote non-proliferation and disarmament.


Words: non-refundable
Meaning:
(also non-returnable) adjective\n(of a sum of money) that cannot be returned:\na non-refundable deposit * a non-refundable ticket (= you cannot return it and get your money back)


Words: non-renewable
Meaning:
adjective (of natural RESOURCES such as gas or oil)\n  1  that cannot be replaced after use:\nthe need to protect non-renewable resources * non-renewable energy sources * Fossil fuels are non-renewable and rapidly running out.\n  2  that cannot be continued or repeated for a further period of time after it has ended:\na non-renewable contract / lease * The post is a fixed-term non-renewable appointment.\nOPP RENEWABLE


Words: non-resident
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (formal)\n  1  (of a person or company) not living or situated permanently in a particular place or country:\nnon-resident employees * Tax exemption only applies to those with non-resident status.\n  2  not living in the place where you work or in a house that you own:\na non-resident nurse / caretaker / janitor * run-down properties belonging to non-resident landlords\n  3  not staying at a particular hotel:\nNon-resident guests are welcome to use the hotel swimming pool.\n    noun\n  1  a person who does not live permanently in a particular country:\nStudent fees are higher for non-residents.\n  2  a person not staying at a particular hotel:\nThe bar is open to non-residents.


Words: non-residential
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  that is not used for people to live in:\nThe new buildings will be non-residential. * It’s a quiet, non-residential area.\n  2  that does not require you to live in the place where you work or study:\na non-residential course


Words: non-returnable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  = NON-REFUNDABLE\n  2  that you cannot give back, for example to a shop/store, to be used again; that will not be given back to you:\nnon-returnable bottles * a non-returnable deposit\nOPP RETURNABLE


Words: non-scientific
Meaning:
adjective\nnot involving or connected with science or scientific methods:\nscientific and non-scientific subjects\ncompare SCIENTIFIC, UNSCIENTIFIC


Words: non-smoking
Meaning:
(also no-smoking) adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  (of a place) where people are not allowed to smoke:\na non-smoking area in a restaurant\n  2  (of a person) who does not smoke:\nShe’s a non-smoking, non-drinking fitness fanatic. * The study aims to assess the effects of passive smoking on the non-smoking population.\n    non-smoking (also no-smoking) noun [U]:\nNon-smoking is now the norm in most workplaces.


Words: non-specific
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  not definite or clearly defined; general:\nThe candidate’s speech was non-specific.\n  2  (medical) (of pain, a disease, etc.) with more than one possible cause


Words: non-standard
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of language) not considered correct by most educated people:\nnon-standard dialects * non-standard English\ncompare STANDARD\n  2  not the usual size, type, etc:\nThe paper was of non-standard size.


Words: non-starter
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a thing or a person that has no chance of success:\nAs a business proposition, it’s a non-starter.


Words: non-stick
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (of a pan or a surface) covered with a substance that prevents food from sticking to it


Words: non-stop
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a train, a journey, etc.) without any stops\nSYN DIRECT:\na non-stop flight to Tokyo * a non-stop train / service\n  2  without any pauses or stops\nSYN CONTINUOUS:\nnon-stop entertainment / work\n    non-stop adverb:\nWe flew non-stop from Paris to Chicago. * It rained non-stop all week. * They talked non-stop about the play.


Words: non-union
Meaning:
(also less frequent non-unionized, non-unionised) adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  not belonging to a trade union:\nnon-union labour / workers\n  2  (of a business, company, etc.) not accepting trade unions or employing trade union members:\nMany newly established firms are non-union.


Words: non-verbal
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] not involving words or speech:\nnon-verbal communication / behaviour


Words: non-violence
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the policy of using peaceful methods, not force, to bring about political or social change:\na commitment to a policy of non-violence * Gandhi’s policy of non-violence


Words: non-violent
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  using peaceful methods, not force, to bring about political or social change:\nnon-violent action / opposition / resistance * a non-violent protest\n  2  not involving force, or injury to sb:\nnon-violent crimes


Words: nonchalant
Meaning:
adjective\nbehaving in a calm and relaxed way; giving the impression that you are not feeling any anxiety:\nto appear / look / sound nonchalant * ’It’ll be fine,’ she replied, with a nonchalant shrug.\n    nonchalance  noun [U]:\nan air of nonchalance\n    nonchalantly adverb:\nHe was leaning nonchalantly against the wall. * ’I already know,’ she replied nonchalantly.


Words: nonconformist
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (Nonconformist) a member of a Protestant Church that does not follow the beliefs and practices of the Anglican Church\ncompare DISSENTER\n  2  a person who does not follow normal ways of thinking or behaving\n    nonconformist, Nonconformist adjective


Words: nonconformity
Meaning:
(also nonconformism) noun [U]\n  1  the fact of not following normal ways of thinking and behaving\n  2  (Nonconformity) the beliefs and practices of Nonconformist Churches


Words: nondescript
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) having no interesting or unusual features or qualities\nSYN DULL:\na nondescript person / building / town


Words: none
Meaning:
pronoun, adverb \n    pronoun ~ (of sb/sth) not one of a group of people or things; not any:\nNone of these pens works / work. * We have three sons but none of them lives / live nearby. * We saw several houses but none we really liked. * Tickets for Friday? Sorry we’ve got none left. * He told me all the news but none of it was very exciting. * ’Is there any more milk?’ ’No, none at all.’ * (formal) Everybody liked him but none (= nobody) more than I.\n IDIOMS \n  none but (literary) only:\nNone but he knew the truth.\n  none other than used to emphasize who or what sb/sth is, when this is surprising:\nHer first customer was none other than Mrs Blair.\n  have / want none of sth to refuse to accept sth:\nI offered to pay but he was having none of it.\n  none the less = NONETHELESS\n    adverb\n  1  used with the and a comparative to mean ’not at all’:\nShe told me what it meant at great length but I’m afraid I’m none the wiser. * He seems none the worse for the experience.\n  2  used with too and an adjective or adverb to mean ’not at all’ or ’not very’:\nShe was looking none too pleased.\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \nnone of\nWhen you use none of with an uncountable noun, the verb is in the singular: None of the work was done.\nWhen you use none of with a plural noun or pronoun, or a singular noun referring to a group of people or things, you can use either a singular or a plural verb. The singular form is used in a formal style in BrE: None of the trains is/are going to London. * None of her family has/have been to college.\n______________________________


Words: nonentity
Meaning:
noun\n(plural nonentities) (disapproving) a person without any special qualities, who has not achieved anything important\nSYN NOBODY


Words: nonetheless
Meaning:
(also none the less) adverb\n(written) in spite of this fact\nSYN NEVERTHELESS:\nThe book is too long but, nonetheless, informative and entertaining. * The problems are not serious. Nonetheless, we shall need to tackle them soon.


Words: nonpareil
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (formal) a person or a thing that is better than others in a particular area:\nHe was a great player, Britain’s nonpareil of the 1990s.


Words: nonsense
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] ideas, statements or beliefs that you think are ridiculous or not true\nSYN RUBBISH:\nReports that he has resigned are nonsense. * You’re talking nonsense! * ’I won’t go.’ ’Nonsense! You must go!’ * It’s nonsense to say they don’t care. * The idea is an economic nonsense. * Ministers have dismissed the rumours of a bribery scandal as nonsense.\n  2  [U] silly or unacceptable behaviour:\nThe new teacher won’t stand for any nonsense. * I can’t wait for this nonsense to end so that we can all be friends again.\nsee also NO-NONSENSE\n  3  [U] spoken or written words that have no meaning or make no sense:\na book of children’s nonsense poems * Most of the translation he did for me was complete nonsense.\n IDIOMS \n  make (a) nonsense of sth to reduce the value of sth by a lot; to make sth seem ridiculous:\nIf people can bribe police officers, it makes a complete nonsense of the legal system. * The unemployment figures make nonsense of talk of an economic recovery.\nmore at STUFF n.


Words: noodle
Meaning:
noun [usually pl.] a long thin strip of PASTA, used especially in Chinese and Italian cooking:\nchicken noodle soup * Would you prefer rice or noodles?\n  2  [C] (old-fashioned, AmE, slang) = NODDLE


Words: nook
Meaning:
noun\na small quiet place or corner that is sheltered or hidden from other people:\na cosy little nook by the fire * a shady nook in the garden * dark woods full of secret nooks and crannies\n IDIOMS \n  every nook and cranny (informal) every part of a place; every aspect of a situation:\nThe wind blew into every nook and cranny. * She always explored every nook and cranny of a business deal.


Words: noon
Meaning:
noun\n[U] 12 o’clock in the middle of the day\nSYN MIDDAY:\nWe should be there by noon. * The conference opens at 12 noon on Saturday. * the noon deadline for the end of hostilities * I’m leaving on the noon train. * the glaring light of high noon\n IDIOMS  see MORNING


Words: noonday
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (old-fashioned or literary) happening or appearing at noon:\nthe noonday sun


Words: noose
Meaning:
noun\na circle that is tied in one end of a rope with a knot that allows the circle to get smaller as the other end of the rope is pulled:\na hangman’s noose * (figurative) His debts were a noose around his neck.


Words: nor
Meaning:
conjunction, adverb\n  1  neither ...nor ... | not ...nor ... and not:\nShe seemed neither surprised nor worried. * He wasn’t there on Monday. Nor on Tuesday, for that matter. * (formal) Not a building nor a tree was left standing.\n  2  used before a positive verb to agree with sth negative that has just been said:\nShe doesn’t like them and nor does Jeff. * ’I’m not going.’ ’Nor am I.’


Words: Nordic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  of or connected with the countries of Scandinavia, Finland and Iceland\n  2  typical of a member of a European race of people who are tall and have blue eyes and BLONDE hair:\nNordic features


Words: norm
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (often the norm) [sing.] a situation or a pattern of behaviour that is usual or expected:\na deviation / departure from the norm * Single parents seem to be the norm rather than the exception nowadays.\n  2  (norms) [pl.] standards of behaviour that are typical of or accepted within a particular group or society:\nsocial / cultural norms * She considered people to be products of the values and norms of the society they lived in.\n  3  [C] a required or agreed standard, amount, etc:\ndetailed education norms for children of particular ages * The government claims that background radioactivity is well below international norms.


Words: normal
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  typical, usual or ordinary; what you would expect:\nquite / perfectly (= completely) normal * Her temperature is normal. * It’s normal to feel tired after such a long trip. * Divorce is complicated enough in normal circumstances, but this situation is even worse. * Under normal circumstances, I would say ’yes’. * He should be able to lead a perfectly normal life. * In the normal course of events I wouldn’t go to that part of town. * We are open during normal office hours. * It is normal practice to inform somebody if you want to leave early. * My day began in the normal way, and then I received a very strange phone call.\n  2  not suffering from any mental disorder:\nPeople who commit such crimes aren’t normal.\nOPP ABNORMAL\n IDIOMS  see PER\n    noun [U] the usual or average state, level or standard:\nabove / below normal * Things soon returned to normal.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nnormal / usual / ordinary\nNormal is used to describe something that is what you would expect and is the same as others of the same type: We are open during normal working hours. * Your temperature is back to normal.\nUsual has a similar meaning and is used especially to talk about something that happens or is done most of the time or in most cases: I’ll see you at the usual time. * She had all the usual teenage problems.\nWith ordinary you are often making a contrast with something else that is unusual or special in some way: It began as just an ordinary Saturday, but soon became a day I would never forget. * He was clearly no ordinary student.\n______________________________


Words: normality
Meaning:
especially in AmE) noun\n[U] a situation where everything is normal or as you would expect it to be:\nThey are hoping for a return to normality now that the war is over.


Words: normalize
Meaning:
(BrE also normalise)  verb\n(written) to fit or make sth fit a normal pattern or condition:\n[VN] a lotion to normalize oily skin * The two countries agreed to normalize relations (= return to a normal, friendly relationship, for example after a disagreement or war). * [V] It took time until the political situation had normalized.\n    normalization, normalisation  noun [U]:\nthe normalization of relations


Words: normally
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  usually; in normal circumstances:\nI’m not normally allowed to stay out late. * It’s normally much warmer than this in July. * It normally takes 20 minutes to get there.\n  2  in the usual or ordinary way:\nHer heart is beating normally. * Just try to behave normally.


Words: Norman
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  used to describe the style of architecture in Britain in the 11th and 12th centuries that developed from the ROMANESQUE style:\na Norman church / castle\n  2  connected with the Normans (= the people from northern Europe who defeated the English in 1066 and then ruled the country):\nthe Norman Conquest


Words: north
Meaning:
noun, adjective, adverb \n    noun [U, sing.] (abbreviation N, No.)\n  1  (usually the north) the direction that is on your left when you watch the sun rise; one of the four main points of the COMPASS:\nWhich way is north? * cold winds coming from the north. * Mount Kenya is to the north of (= further north than) Nairobi.\ncompare EAST, SOUTH, WEST\nsee also MAGNETIC NORTH, TRUE NORTH\n  2  (the north, the North) the northern part of a country, a region or the world:\nbirds migrating from the north * Houses are less expensive in the North (= of England) than in the South.\n  3  (the North) the NE states of the US which fought against the South in the American Civil War\n  4  (the North) the richer and more developed countries of the world, especially in Europe and N America\n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (abbreviation N, No.) in or towards the north:\nNorth London * the north bank of the river\n  2  a north wind blows from the north\ncompare NORTHERLY\n    adverb towards the north:\nThe house faces north.\n IDIOMS \n  up north (informal) to or in the north of a country, especially England:\nThey’ve gone to live up north.


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


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


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


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


Words: northbound
Meaning:
adjective\ntravelling or leading towards the north:\nnorthbound traffic * the northbound carriageway of the motorway


Words: northerly
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] in or towards the north:\ntravelling in a northerly direction\n  2  [usually before noun] (of winds) blowing from the north:\na northerly breeze\ncompare NORTH\n    noun (plural northerlies) a wind that blows from the north


Words: northern
Meaning:
adjective\n(also Northern) [usually before noun] (abbreviation N, No.) situated in the north or facing north; connected with or typical of the north part of the world or a region:\nthe northern slopes of the mountains * northern Scotland * a northern accent / climate


Words: northwards
Meaning:
(also northward) adverb\ntowards the north:\nto go / look / turn northwards\n    northward adjective:\nin a northward direction


Words: nose
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] the part of the face that sticks out above the mouth, used for breathing and smelling things:\nHe broke his nose in the fight. * She wrinkled her nose in disgust. * He pressed his nose up against the window. * He blew his nose (= cleared it by blowing strongly into a HANDKERCHIEF). * a blocked / runny nose * Stop picking your nose! (= removing dirt from it with your finger)\nsee also NASAL, ROMAN NOSE\n \n  2  (-nosed) (in adjectives) having the type of nose mentioned:\nred-nosed * large-nosed\nsee also HARD-NOSED, TOFFEE-NOSED\n \n  3  [C] the front part of a plane, spacecraft, etc:\nHeat detectors are fitted in the nose of the missile.\n  4  [sing.] a ~ for sth a special ability for finding or recognizing sth:\nAs a journalist, she has always had a nose for a good story.\n  5  [sing.] a sense of smell:\na dog with a good nose\n  6  [sing.] (of wine) a characteristic smell\nSYN BOUQUET\nsee also PARSON’S NOSE\n IDIOMS \n  cut off your nose to spite your face (informal) to do sth when you are angry that is meant to harm sb else but which also harms you\n  get up sb’s nose (BrE, informal) to annoy sb\n  have your nose in sth (informal) to be reading sth and giving it all your attention:\nPeter always has his nose in a book.\n  have a nose round (BrE, informal) to look around a place; to look for sth in a place:\nI’ll have a nose round and see what I can find.\n  keep your nose clean (informal) to avoid doing anything wrong or illegal:\nSince leaving prison, he’s managed to keep his nose clean.\n  keep your nose out of sth to try not to become involved in things that do not concern you\n  keep your nose to the grindstone (informal) to work hard for a long period of time without stopping\n  look down your nose at sb/sth (informal, especially BrE) to behave in a way that suggests that you think that you are better than sb or that sth is not good enough for you\n  nose to tail (BrE) if cars, etc. are nose to tail, they are moving slowly in a long line with little space between them\n  on the nose (informal, especially AmE) exactly:\nThe budget should hit the $136 billion target on the nose.\n  poke / stick your nose into sth (informal) to try to become involved in sth that does not concern you:\nHe’s always poking his nose into other people’s business.\n  put sb’s nose out of joint (informal) to upset or annoy sb, especially by not giving them enough attention\n  turn your nose up at sth (informal) to refuse sth, especially because you do not think that it is good enough for you\n  under sb’s nose (informal)\n1 if sth is under sb’s nose, it is very close to them but they cannot see it:\nI searched everywhere for the letter and it was under my nose all the time!\n2 if sth happens under sb’s nose, they do not notice it even though it is not being done secretly:\nThe police didn’t know the drugs ring was operating right under their noses.\n  with your nose in the air (informal) in a way that is unfriendly and suggests that you think that you are better than other people\nmore at FOLLOW, LEAD٠v., PAY v., PLAIN adj., POWDER v., RUB v., SKIN n., THUMB v.\n    verb\n  1  [+adv./prep.] to move forward slowly and carefully:\n[V] The plane nosed down through the thick clouds. * [VN] The taxi nosed its way back into the traffic.\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] (of an animal) to search for sth or push sth with its nose:\nDogs nosed around in piles of refuse.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  nose about / around (for sth) to look for sth, especially information about sb:\nWe found a man nosing around in our backyard.\n  nose sth<->out (informal) to discover information about sb/sth by searching for it:\nReporters nosed out all the details of the affair.


Words: nose ring
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a ring that is put in an animal’s nose for leading it\n \n  2  a ring worn in the nose as a piece of jewellery


Words: nosedive
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a sudden steep fall or drop; a situation where sth suddenly becomes worse or begins to fail:\nOil prices took a nosedive in the crisis. * These policies have sent the construction industry into an abrupt nosedive. * (figurative) Her spirits took a sudden nosedive after her husband’s death. * Stock markets have crashed in the biggest nosedive this century.\n  2  the sudden sharp fall of an aircraft towards the ground with its front part pointing down:\nThe pilot put the plane into a nosedive.\n    verb [V] \n  1  (of prices, costs, etc.) to fall suddenly\nSYN PLUMMET:\nBuilding costs have nosedived. * During that period the quality of British film-making nosedived.\n  2  (of an aircraft) to fall suddenly with the front part pointing towards the ground


Words: nosh
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, sing.] (old-fashioned, BrE, slang) food; a meal:\nShe likes her nosh. * Did you have a good nosh?\n  2  (especially AmE) a small meal that you eat quickly between main meals\n    verb [V, VN] (informal) to eat


Words: nosh-up
Meaning:
noun\n(slang, especially BrE) a very large meal:\nWe went for a nosh-up at that new restaurant in town.


Words: nostalgia
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a feeling of sadness mixed with pleasure and affection when you think of happy times in the past:\na sense / wave / pang of nostalgia * She is filled with nostalgia for her own college days.\n    nostalgic  adjective:\nnostalgic memories * I feel quite nostalgic for the place where I grew up.\n    nostalgically  adverb:\nto look back nostalgically to your childhood


Words: nostril
Meaning:
noun\neither of the two openings at the end of the nose that you breathe through:\nThe horse flared its nostrils.


Words: nostrum
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (formal, disapproving) an idea that is intended to solve a problem but that will probably not succeed:\nHe criticized such right-wing nostrums as wage freezes or cuts in public spending.\n  2  (old-fashioned) a medicine that is not made in a scientific way, and that is not effective


Words: nosy
Meaning:
(also nosey)  adjective\n(informal, disapproving) too interested in things that do not concern you, especially other people’s affairs\nSYN INQUISITIVE:\nnosy neighbours * Don’t be so nosy-it’s none of your business.\n    nosiness noun [U]


Words: nosy parker
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal, becoming old-fashioned) a person who is too interested in other people’s affairs


Words: not
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  used to form the negative of the verbs be, do and have and modal verbs like can or must and often shortened to n’t:\nShe did not / didn’t see him. * It’s not / it isn’t raining. * I can’t see from here. * He must not go. * Don’t you eat meat? * It’s cold, isn’t it?\n  2  used to give the following word or phrase a negative meaning, or to reply in the negative:\nHe warned me not to be late. * I was sorry not to have seen them. * Not everybody agrees. * ’Who’s next?’ ’Not me.’ * ’What did you do at school?’ ’Not a lot.’ * It’s not easy being a parent (= it’s difficult).\n  3  used after hope, expect, believe, etc. to give a negative reply:\n’Will she be there?’ ’I hope not.’ * ’Is it ready?’ ’I’m afraid not.’ * (formal) ’Does he know?’ ’I believe not.’\n  4  or ~ used to show a negative possibility:\nI don’t know if he’s telling the truth or not.\n  5  used to say that you do not want sth or will not allow sth:\n’Some more?’ ’Not for me, thanks.’ * ’Can I throw this out?’ ’Certainly not.’\n IDIOMS \n  not a ... | not one ... used for emphasis to mean ’no thing or person’:\nHe didn’t speak to me-not one word.\n  not at all used to politely accept thanks or to agree to sth:\n’Thanks a lot.’ ’Not at all.’ * ’Will it bother you if I smoke?’ ’Not at all.’\n  not only ...(but) also ... used to emphasize that sth else is also true:\nShe not only wrote the text but also selected the illustrations.\n  not that used to state that you are not suggesting sth:\nShe hasn’t written-not that she said she would.


Words: notable
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective ~ (for sth) deserving to be noticed or to receive attention; important:\na notable success / achievement / example * His eyes are his most notable feature. * The town is notable for its ancient harbour. * With a few notable exceptions, everyone gave something.\n    noun [usually pl.] (written) a famous or important person:\nAll the usual local notables were there.


Words: notably
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  used for giving a good or the most important example of sth\nSYN ESPECIALLY:\nThe house had many drawbacks, most notably its location and price. * This argument has been put forward by many politicians, most notably by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.\n  2  to a great degree\nSYN REMARKABLY:\nThis has not been a notably successful project.


Words: notary
Meaning:
noun\n(plural notaries) (also technical notary public plural notaries public) a person, especially a lawyer, with official authority to be a WITNESS when sb signs a document and to make this document valid in law


Words: notation
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a system of signs or symbols used to represent information, especially in mathematics, science and music:\nscientific / musical notation


Words: notch
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a level on a scale, often marking quality or achievement:\nThe quality of the food here has dropped a notch recently. * My spirits lifted a few notches when I heard the news.\nsee also TOP-NOTCH\n \n  2  a V-shaped or circular cut in an edge or a surface, sometimes used to keep a record of sth:\nFor each day he spent on the island, he cut a new notch in his stick. * She tightened her belt an extra notch.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  (informal) ~ sth (up) to achieve sth such as a win or a high score:\nThe team has notched up 20 goals already this season.\n  2  to make a small V-shaped cut in an edge or a surface


Words: note
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  to remind you\n \n  1  [C] a short piece of writing to help you remember sth:\nPlease make a note of the dates. * He sat taking notes of everything that was said. * She made a mental note (= decided that she must remember) to ask Alan about it. * Can I borrow your lecture notes?\n \n  short letter\n \n  2  [C] a short informal letter:\nJust a quick note to say thank you for a wonderful evening. * She left a note for Ben on the kitchen table. * a suicide note\n \n  in book\n \n  3  [C] a short comment on a word or passage in a book:\na new edition of ’Hamlet’, with explanatory notes * See note 3, page 259.\nsee also FOOTNOTE\n  information\n  4  [C, usually pl.] information about a performance, an actor’s career, a piece of music, etc. printed in a special book or on a record cover, CD case, etc:\nThe sleeve notes include a short biography of the performers on this recording. * The catalogue contains detailed notes on each painting.\n  money\n  5  (also banknote) (both especially BrE) (AmE usually bill) [C] a piece of paper money:\na ｣5 note * We only exchange notes and traveller’s cheques.\n  in music\n  6  [C] a single sound of a particular length and PITCH (= how high or low a sound is), made by the voice or a musical instrument; the written or printed sign for a musical note:\nHe played the first few notes of the tune. * high / low notes\n  quality\n  7  [sing.] ~ (of sth) a particular quality in sth, for example in sb’s voice or the atmosphere at an event:\nThere was a note of amusement in his voice. * The year ended on an optimistic note. * On a more serious note (= speaking more seriously) ... * On a slightly different note (= changing the subject slightly) let’s talk about ...\n  official document\n  8  [C] an official document with a particular purpose:\na sick note from your doctor * The buyer has to sign a delivery note as proof of receipt. * Students returning to school after absence must bring a note from their parents.\nsee also CREDIT NOTE, PROMISSORY NOTE\n  9  [C] (technical) an official letter from the representative of one government to another:\nan exchange of diplomatic notes\n IDIOMS \n  of note of importance or of great interest:\na scientist / composer of note * The museum contains nothing of great note.\n  hit / strike the right / wrong note (especially BrE) to do, say or write sth that is suitable/not suitable for a particular occasion:\nIt is a bizarre tale and the author hits just the right note of horror and disbelief.\n  sound / strike a note (of sth) to express feelings or opinions of a particular kind:\nShe sounded a note of warning in her speech. * The touch of cynicism struck a slightly sour note.\n  take note (of sth) to pay attention to sth and be sure to remember it:\nTake note of what he says. * Under the new rules the penalty for illegal play is increased. Players take note.\nmore at COMPARE v.\n    verb (rather formal)\n  1  to notice or pay careful attention to sth:\n[VN] Note the fine early Baroque altar inside the chapel. * [V (that)] Please note (that) the office will be closed on Monday. * [V wh-] Note how these animals sometimes walk with their tails up in the air. * [VN that] It should be noted that dissertations submitted late will not be accepted.\n  2  to mention sth because it is important or interesting:\n[V that] It is worth noting that the most successful companies had the lowest prices. [also VN, also V wh-, VN that]\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  note sth<->down to write down sth important so that you will not forget it:\nThe police officer noted down details of the burglary.


Words: notebook
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a small book of plain paper for writing notes in:\nThe police officer wrote the details down in his notebook.\n \n  2  (AmE) = EXERCISE BOOK\n \n  3  (also notebook computer) a very small computer that you can carry with you and use anywhere\ncompare DESKTOP COMPUTER, LAPTOP


Words: notecard
Meaning:
noun\na small folded card, sometimes with a picture on the front, that you use for writing a short letter on\nsee also NOTELET


Words: noted
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (for / as sth) well known because of a special skill or feature\nSYN FAMOUS:\na noted dancer * He is not noted for his sense of humour. * The lake is noted as a home to many birds.


Words: notelet
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a small folded sheet of paper or card with a picture on the front that you use for writing a short letter on


Words: notepad
Meaning:
noun\nsheets of paper that are held together at the top and used for writing notes on:\na notepad by the phone for messages


Words: notepaper
Meaning:
(also writing paper) noun\n[U] paper for writing letters on:\nheaded notepaper (= with your address, etc. printed on it)


Words: noteworthy
Meaning:
adjective\ndeserving to be noticed or to receive attention because it is unusual, important or interesting:\na noteworthy feature / aspect * It is noteworthy that only 15% of senior managers are women.


Words: nothing
Meaning:
pronoun\n  1  not anything; no single thing:\nThere was nothing in her bag. * There’s nothing you can do to help. * The doctor said there was nothing wrong with me. * Nothing else matters to him apart from his job. * It cost us nothing to go in. * (BrE) He’s five foot nothing (= exactly five feet tall).\n  2  something that is not at all important or interesting:\n’What’s that in your pocket?’ ’Oh, nothing.’ * We did nothing at the weekend.\n IDIOMS \n  be nothing to sb to be a person for whom sb has no feelings:\nI used to love her but she’s nothing to me any more.\n  be / have nothing to do with sb/sth to have no connection with sb/sth:\nGet out! It’s nothing to do with you (= you have no right to know about it). * That has nothing to do with what we’re discussing.\n  for nothing\n1 without payment\nSYN FREE:\nWe could have got in for nothing-nobody was collecting tickets.\n2 with no reward or result:\nAll that preparation was for nothing because the visit was cancelled.\n  have nothing on sb (informal)\n1 to have much less of a particular quality than sth/sb:\nI’m quite a fast worker, but I’ve got nothing on her!\n2 (of the police, etc.) to have no information that could show sb to be guilty of sth\n  not for nothing for a very good reason:\nNot for nothing was he called the king of rock and roll.\n  nothing but only; no more/less than:\nNothing but a miracle can save her now. * I want nothing but the best for my children.\n  nothing if not extremely; very:\nThe trip was nothing if not varied.\n  nothing less than used to emphasize how great or extreme sth is:\nIt was nothing less than a disaster.\n  nothing like (informal)\n1 not at all like:\nIt looks nothing like a horse.\n2 not nearly; not at all:\nI had nothing like enough time to answer all the questions.\n  nothing much not a great amount of sth; nothing of great value or importance:\nThere’s nothing much in the fridge. * I got up late and did nothing much all day.\n  (there’s) nothing to it (it’s) very easy:\nYou’ll soon learn. There’s nothing to it really.\n  there is / was nothing (else) for it (but to do sth) there is no other action to take except the one mentioned:\nThere was nothing else for it but to resign.\n  there is / was nothing in sth something is/was not true:\nThere was a rumour she was going to resign, but there was nothing in it.\n  there’s nothing like sth used to say that you enjoy sth very much:\nThere’s nothing like a brisk walk on a cold day!\nmore at ALL det., STOP v., SWEET adj.


Words: nothingness
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a situation where nothing exists; the state of not existing:\nthe desert’s endless expanse of nothingness


Words: notice
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  paying attention\n \n  1  [U] the fact of sb paying attention to sb/sth or knowing about sth:\nDon’t take any notice of what you read in the papers. * Take no notice of what he says. * These protests have really made the government sit up and take notice (= realize the importance of the situation). * It was Susan who brought the problem to my notice (= told me about it). * Normally, the letter would not have come to my notice (= I would not have known about it). * (formal) It will not have escaped your notice that there have been some major changes in the company.\n \n  giving information\n \n  2  [C] a sheet of paper giving written or printed information, usually put in a public place:\nThere was a notice on the board saying the class had been cancelled. * A public notice about the planned development was pinned to the wall.\n \n  3  [C] a board or sign giving information, an instruction or a warning:\na notice saying ’Keep off the Grass’\n  announcing sth\n  4  [C] a small advertisement or ANNOUNCEMENT in a newspaper or magazine:\nnotices of births, marriages and deaths\n  5  [C] a short ANNOUNCEMENT made at the beginning or end of a church service, a meeting, etc:\nThere are just two notices this week.\n  warning\n  6  [U] information or a warning given in advance of sth that is going to happen:\nYou must give one month’s notice. * Prices may be altered without notice. * The bar is closed until further notice (= until you are told that it is open again). * You are welcome to come and stay as long as you give us plenty of notice.\n  when leaving job / house\n  7  [U] a formal letter or statement saying that you will or must leave your job or house at the end of a particular period of time:\nHe has handed in his notice. * They gave her two weeks’ notice. * Tenants must give written notice to the landlord of their intention to move out of the property. * Dozens of families on the estate have been give notice to quit (= told to leave their homes). * 500 workers have been issued with redundancy notices. * We received an eviction notice today.\n  review of book / play\n  8  [C] a short article in a newspaper or magazine, giving an opinion about a book, play, etc:\nThe play got good notices in the national press.\n IDIOMS \n  at short notice | at a moment’s notice not long in advance; without warning or time for preparation:\nThis was the best room we could get at such short notice. * You must be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.\n  on short notice (AmE) = AT SHORT NOTICE\n    verb (not usually used in the progressive tenses)\n  see / hear\n  1  to see or hear sb/sth; to become aware of sb/sth:\n[VN] The first thing I noticed about the room was the smell. * [V] People were making fun of him but he didn’t seem to notice. * [V (that)] I couldn’t help noticing (that) she was wearing a wig. * [V wh-] Did you notice how Rachel kept looking at her watch? * [VN inf] I noticed them come in. * [VN -ing] I didn’t notice him leaving.\n  pay attention\n  2  [VN] to pay attention to sb/sth:\nShe wears those strange clothes just to get herself noticed. * My husband hardly seems to notice me any more.


Words: noticeable
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (in sb/sth) | ~ (that ...) easy to see or notice; clear or definite:\na noticeable feature / improvement / difference * This effect is particularly noticeable in younger patients. * It was noticeable that none of the family were present. * Her scars are hardly noticeable now.\n    noticeably  adverb:\nHer hand was shaking noticeably. * Marks were noticeably higher for girls than for boys.


Words: notifiable
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (formal) (of a disease or a crime) so dangerous or serious that it must by law be reported officially to the authorities:\nIs meningitis a notifiable disease? * notifiable offences


Words: notification
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (formal) the act of giving or receiving official information about sth:\nadvance / prior notification (= telling sb in advance about sth) * written notification * You should receive (a) notification of our decision in the next week.


Words: notify
Meaning:
verb\n(notifies, notifying, notified, notified) ~ sb (of sth) | ~ sth to sb to formally or officially tell sb about sth\nSYN INFORM:\n[VN] Competition winners will be notified by post. * The police must be notified of the date of the demonstration. * The date of the demonstration must be notified to the police. * You must notify us in writing if you wish to cancel your subscription. [also VN that]


Words: notion
Meaning:
noun\n~ (that ...) | ~ (of sth) an idea, a belief or an understanding of sth:\na political system based on the notions of equality and liberty * I have to reject the notion that greed can be a good thing. * She had only a vague notion of what might happen. * He has no notion of the difficulty of the problem.


Words: notional
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) based on a guess, estimate or theory; not existing in reality:\nMy calculation is based on notional figures, since the actual figures are not yet available.\n    notionally  adverb


Words: notoriety
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] ~ (for / as sth) fame for being bad in some way:\nShe achieved notoriety for her affair with the senator. * He gained a certain notoriety as a gambler.


Words: notorious
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (for sth / for doing sth) | ~ (as sth) well known for being bad:\na notorious criminal * The country is notorious for its appalling prison conditions. * The bar has become notorious as a meeting-place for drug dealers.\n    notoriously adverb:\nMountain weather is notoriously difficult to predict. * She is notoriously bad at writing letters. * The local bus service is notoriously unreliable.


Words: notwithstanding
Meaning:
preposition, adverb \n    preposition (formal) (also used following the noun it refers to) without being affected by sth; in spite of sth:\nNotwithstanding some major financial problems, the school has had a successful year. * The bad weather notwithstanding, the event was a great success.\n    adverb (formal) in spite of this\nSYN HOWEVER, NEVERTHELESS:\nNotwithstanding, the problem is a significant one.


Words: nougat
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a hard sweet/candy that has to be chewed a lot, often containing nuts, CHERRIES, etc. and pink or white in colour


Words: nought
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] (BrE) (also zero especially in AmE) the figure 0:\nA million is written with six noughts. * nought point one (= written 0.1) * I give the programme nought out of ten for humour. * This car can accelerate from nought to sixty in ten seconds.\n  2  (also naught) [U] (literary) used in particular phrases to mean ’nothing’:\nAll our efforts have come to nought (= have not been successful).


Words: noughts and crosses
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE tic-tac-toe) noun\n[U] a simple game in which two players take turns to write Os or Xs in a set of nine squares. The first player to complete a row of three Os or three Xs is the winner.


Words: noun
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) (abbreviation n.) a word that refers to a person, (such as Ann or doctor), a place (such as Paris or city) or a thing, a quality or an activity (such as plant, sorrow or tennis)\nsee also ABSTRACT NOUN, COMMON NOUN, PROPER NOUN


Words: noun phrase
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) a group of words in a sentence that behaves in the same way as a noun, that is as a subject, an object, a COMPLEMENT, or as the object of a preposition:\nIn the sentence ’I spoke to the driver of the car’, ’the driver of the car’ is a noun phrase.


Words: nourish
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to keep a person, an animal or a plant alive and healthy with food, etc:\nAll the children were well nourished and in good physical condition. * Most plants are nourished by water drawn up through their roots. * a lotion containing almond extract to nourish and revitalize the skin\n  2  (formal) to allow a feeling, an idea, etc. to develop or grow stronger:\nBy investing in education, we nourish the talents of our children. * There were hopes that the talks would nourish the fragile growth of good relations between the two countries.\n    nourishing adjective:\nnourishing food


Words: nourishment
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal or technical) food that is needed to stay alive, grow and stay healthy:\nCan plants obtain adequate nourishment from such poor soil? * (figurative) As a child, she was starved of intellectual nourishment. * These seeds can be a great source of nourishment to birds in winter.


Words: nous
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE, informal) intelligence and the ability to think and act in a practical way\nSYN COMMON SENSE:\nNone of them had the nous to shut the door when the fire started.


Words: nouveau riche
Meaning:
noun\n(plural nouveaux riches  or the nouveau riche) (from French, disapproving) a person who has recently become rich and likes to show how rich they are in a very obvious way\n    nouveau riche adjective


Words: nouvelle cuisine
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from French) a modern style of cooking that avoids heavy foods and serves small amounts of different dishes arranged in an attractive way on the plate


Words: nova
Meaning:
noun\n(plural novae  or novas) (astronomy) a star that suddenly becomes much brighter for a short period\ncompare SUPERNOVA


Words: novel
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun a story long enough to fill a complete book, in which the characters and events are usually imaginary:\nto write / publish / read a novel * detective / historical / romantic novels * the novels of Jane Austen\n    adjective (often approving) different from anything known before; new, interesting and often seeming slightly strange:\na novel idea / feature / design * Job-sharing is still a novel concept and it will take a while for employers to get used to it.


Words: novelty
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural novelties)\n  1  [U] the quality of being new, different and interesting:\nIt was fun working there at first but the novelty soon wore off (= it became boring). * There’s a certain novelty value in this approach. * We must not mistake novelty for originality and quality.\n  2  [C] a thing, person or situation that is interesting because it is new, unusual, or has not been known before:\nElectric-powered cars are still something of a novelty.\n  3  [C] a small cheap object sold as a toy or an ornament:\nchocolate novelties sold at Easter\n    adjective [only before noun] different and unusual; intended to be amusing and to catch people’s attention:\na novelty teapot


Words: November
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (abbreviation Nov.) the 11th month of the year, between October and December\n HELP NOTE  To see how November is used, look at the examples at April.


Words: novice
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who is new and has little experience in a skill, job or situation:\nI’m a complete novice at skiing. * computer software for novices / the novice user\n  2  a person who has joined a religious group and is preparing to become a MONK or a NUN\n  3  a horse that has not yet won an important race


Words: now
Meaning:
adverb, conjunction \n    adverb\n  1  (at) the present time:\nWhere are you living now? * It’s been two weeks now since she called. * It’s too late now. * From now on I’ll be more careful. * He’ll be home by now. * I’ve lived at home up till now. * That’s all for now.\n  2  at or from this moment, but not before:\nStart writing now. * I am now ready to answer your questions.\n  3  (spoken) used to show that you are annoyed about sth:\nNow they want to tax food! * What do you want now? * It’s broken. Now I’ll have to get a new one.\n  4  (spoken) used to get sb’s attention before changing the subject or asking them to do sth:\nNow, listen to what she’s saying. * Now, the next point is quite complex. * Now come and sit down. * Now let me think ...\n IDIOMS \n  (every) now and again / then from time to time; occasionally:\nEvery now and again she checked to see if he was still asleep.\n  now for sb / sth used when turning to a fresh activity or subject:\nAnd now for some travel news.\n  now, now (also now then) used to show in a mild way that you do not approve of sth:\nNow then, that’s enough noise.\n  now ...now ... at one time ...at another time ...:\nHer moods kept changing-now happy, now sad.\n  (it’s) now or never this is the only opportunity sb will have to do sth\n  now then\n1 = NOW, NOW\n2 used when making a suggestion or an offer:\nNow then, who wants to come for a walk?\n  Now what? (spoken)\n1 (also What is it now?) used when you are annoyed because sb is always asking questions or interrupting you:\n’Yes, but Dad ...’ ’Now what?’\n2 used to say that you do not know what to do next in a particular situation\n    conjunction ~ (that) ... because the thing mentioned is happening or has just happened:\nNow that the kids have left home we’ve got a lot of extra space.


Words: nowadays
Meaning:
adverb\nat the present time, in contrast with the past:\nNowadays most kids prefer watching TV to reading.


Words: nowhere
Meaning:
(also no place especially in AmE) adverb\nnot in or to any place:\nThis animal is found in Australia, and nowhere else. * There was nowhere for me to sit. * ’Where are you going this weekend?’ ’Nowhere special.’ * (written) Nowhere is the effect of government policy more apparent than in agriculture.\n IDIOMS \n  get / go nowhere | get sb nowhere to make no progress or have no success; to allow sb to do this:\nWe discussed it all morning but got nowhere. * Talking to him will get you nowhere.\n  nowhere to be found / seen | nowhere in sight impossible for anyone to find or see:\nThe children were nowhere to be seen. * A peace settlement is nowhere in sight (= is not likely in the near future).\nmore at LEAD v., MIDDLE n., NEAR adv.


Words: noxious
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  poisonous or harmful:\nnoxious gases / chemicals / fumes\n  2  very unpleasant:\na noxious problem


Words: nozzle
Meaning:
noun\na narrow piece that is attached to the end of a pipe or tube to direct the stream of liquid, air or gas passing through


Words: nth
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) [only before noun] used when you are stating that sth is the last in a long series and emphasizing how often sth has happened:\nIt’s the nth time I’ve explained it to you.\n IDIOMS \n  to the nth degree extremely; to an extreme degree


Words: nuance
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a very slight difference in meaning, sound, colour or sb’s feelings that is not usually very obvious:\nHe watched her face intently to catch every nuance of expression. * Her singing has both warmth of sound and delicacy of nuance. * You need to be able to convey the subtle nuances of meaning of each word.\n    nuanced  adjective (rare):\nsubtle and finely nuanced


Words: nub
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the ~ (of sth) the central or essential point of a situation, problem, etc:\nThe nub of the matter is that business is declining. * She’s too selfish to help. That’s the nub.


Words: nuclear
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  using, producing or resulting from nuclear energy:\na nuclear power station * the nuclear industry * nuclear-powered submarines\n  2  connected with weapons that use nuclear energy:\na nuclear weapon / bomb / missile * a nuclear explosion / attack / war * the country’s nuclear capability (= the fact that it has nuclear weapons) * nuclear capacity (= the number of nuclear weapons a country has)\n  3  (physics) of the NUCLEUS (= central part) of an atom:\nnuclear particles / physics * a nuclear reaction


Words: nuclear energy
Meaning:
(also nuclear power) noun\n[U] a powerful form of energy produced by splitting the NUCLEI (= central parts) of atoms and used to produce electricity


Words: nuclear family
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a family that consists of father, mother and children, when it is thought of as a unit in society:\nNot everybody nowadays lives in the conventional nuclear family.\ncompare EXTENDED FAMILY


Words: nuclear fuel
Meaning:
noun\na substance that can be used as a source of NUCLEAR ENERGY because it is capable of NUCLEAR FISSION


Words: nuclear-free
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (of a country or a region) not having or allowing nuclear energy, weapons or materials:\na nuclear-free zone


Words: nucleus
Meaning:
1  (physics) the central part of an atom, that contains most of its MASS (= weight) and that carries a positive electric CHARGE\nsee also PROTON, NEUTRON\n  2  (biology) the central part of some cells, containing the GENETIC material\n  3  the central part of sth around which other parts are situated or collected:\nThese paintings will form the nucleus of a new collection.


Words: nude
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  (especially of a human figure in art) not wearing any clothes\nSYN NAKED:\na nude model * He asked me to pose nude for him.\n  2  involving people who are naked:\na nude photograph * Are there any nude scenes in the movie?\n  3  (AmE) (of TIGHTS / PANTYHOSE, etc.) skin-coloured\n    noun a work of art consisting of a naked human figure; a naked human figure in art:\na bronze nude by Rodin * a reclining nude\n IDIOMS \n  in the nude not wearing any clothes\nSYN NAKED:\nShe refuses to be photographed in the nude.


Words: nudge
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] to push sb gently, especially with your elbow, in order to get their attention:\nHe nudged me and whispered, ’Look who’s just come in.’\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to push sb/sth gently or gradually in a particular direction:\nHe nudged the ball past the goalie and into the net. * She nudged me out of the way. * (figurative) He nudged the conversation towards the subject of money. * (figurative) She tried to nudge him into changing his mind (= persuade him to do it).\n  3  [+adv./prep.] to move forward by pushing with your elbow:\n[VN] He nudged his way through the crowd. [also V]\n  4  [VN] to reach or make sth reach a particular level:\nInflation is nudging 20%. * This afternoon’s sunshine could nudge the temperature above freezing.\n    noun a slight push, usually with the elbow:\nShe gave me a gentle nudge in the ribs to tell me to shut up. * (figurative) He can work hard but he needs a nudge now and then.\n IDIOMS \n  nudge nudge, wink wink | a nudge and a wink used to suggest sth to do with sex without actually saying it:\nThey’ve been spending a lot of time together, nudge nudge, wink wink.


Words: nudism
Meaning:
(also naturism especially in BrE) noun\n[U] the practice of not wearing any clothes because you believe this is more natural and healthy


Words: nudist
Meaning:
(also naturist especially in BrE) noun\na person who does not wear any clothes because they believe this is more natural and healthy:\na nudist beach / camp


Words: nudity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the state of being naked:\nThe committee claimed that there was too much nudity on television.


Words: nugget
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small lump of a valuable metal or mineral, especially gold, that is found in the earth\n  2  a small round piece of some types of food:\nchicken nuggets\n  3  a small thing such as an idea or a fact that people think of as valuable:\na useful nugget of information


Words: nuisance
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] a thing, person or situation that is annoying or causes trouble or problems:\nI don’t want to be a nuisance so tell me if you want to be alone. * I hope you’re not making a nuisance of yourself. * It’s a nuisance having to go back tomorrow. * What a nuisance!\n  2  [C, U] (law) behaviour by sb that annoys other people and that a court of law can order the person to stop:\nHe was charged with causing a public nuisance.


Words: nuke
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] (informal) to attack a place with nuclear weapons\n    noun (informal) a nuclear weapon


Words: null
Meaning:
adjective\n(technical) having the value zero:\na null result / output\n IDIOMS \n  null and void (law) (of an election, agreement, etc.) having no legal force; not valid:\nThe contract was declared null and void.


Words: nullify
Meaning:
verb (nullifies, nullifying, nullified, nullified) [VN] (formal)\n  1  to make sth such as an agreement or order lose its legal force\nSYN INVALIDATE:\nJudges were unwilling to nullify government decisions.\n  2  to make sth lose its effect or power\nSYN NEGATE:\nAn unhealthy diet will nullify the effects of training.


Words: nullity
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (formal or law) the fact of sth, for example a marriage, having no legal force or no longer being valid; something which is no longer valid:\na decree of nullity (= a statement saying that a marriage is no longer legally valid) * The decision of the committee can now be regarded as a nullity.


Words: numb
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective\n  1  if a part of your body is numb, you cannot feel anything in it, for example because of cold:\nto be / go numb * numb with cold * I’ve just been to the dentist and my face is still numb.\n  2  unable to feel, think or react in the normal way:\nHe felt numb with shock.\nsee also NUMBING\n    numbly adverb:\nHer life would never be the same again, she realized numbly.\n    numbness noun [U]:\npain and numbness in my fingers * He was still in a state of numbness and shock from the accident.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] to make a part of your body unable to feel anything, for example because of cold:\nHis fingers were numbed with the cold.\n  2  [VN] to make sb unable to feel, think or react in a normal way, for example because of an emotional shock\nSYN STUN:\nWe sat there in silence, numbed by the shock of her death.


Words: number
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  word / symbol\n \n  1  [C] a word or symbol that represents an amount or a quantity:\nThink of a number and multiply it by two. * a high / low number * even numbers (= 2, 4, 6, etc.) * odd numbers (= 1, 3, 5, etc.) * You owe me 27 dollars? Make it 30, that’s a good round number.\nsee also CARDINAL NUMBER, ORDINAL, PRIME NUMBER, WHOLE NUMBER\n \n  position in series\n \n  2  [C] (abbreviation No.) (Symbol #) used before a figure to show the position of sth in a series:\nThey live at number 26. * The song reached number 5 in the charts.\n \n  telephone, etc.\n  3  [C] (often in compounds) a number used to identify sth or communicate by telephone, FAX, etc:\nMy phone number is 266998 * I’m sorry, I think you have the wrong number (= wrong telephone number). * He dialled the number, then changed his mind and hung up. * What is your account number, please?\nsee also BOX NUMBER, E-NUMBER, PIN, REGISTRATION NUMBER, SERIAL NUMBER\n  quantity\n  4  [C] ~ (of sb/sth) a quantity of people or things:\nA large number of people have applied for the job. * The number of homeless people has increased dramatically. * Huge numbers of (= very many) animals have died. * A number of (= some) problems have arisen. * I could give you any number of (= a lot of) reasons for not going. * We were eight in number (= there were eight of us). * Nurses are leaving the profession in increasing numbers. * Sheer weight of numbers (= the large number of soldiers) secured them the victory. * The course will have to be repeated owing to pressure of numbers (= too many students). * staff / student numbers\n HELP NOTE  A plural verb is needed after a / an (large, small, etc.) number of ....\n  group of people\n  5  [sing.] (formal) a group or quantity of people:\none of our number (= one of us) * The prime minister is elected by MPs from among their number.\n  magazine\n  6  [C] (BrE) the version of a magazine, etc. published on a particular day, in a particular month, etc.\nSYN ISSUE:\nthe October number of ’Vogue’\nsee also BACK NUMBER\n  song / dance\n  7  [C] a song or dance, especially one of several in a performance:\nThey sang a slow romantic number.\n  thing admired\n  8  [sing.] (informal) (following one or more adjectives) a thing, such as a dress or a car, that is admired:\nShe was wearing a black velvet number.\n  grammar\n  9  [U] the form of a word, showing whether one or more than one person or thing is being talked about:\nThe word ’men’ is plural in number. * The subject of a sentence and its verb must agree in number.\n IDIOMS \n  by numbers following a set of simple instructions identified by numbers:\npainting by numbers\n  have (got) sb’s number (informal) to know what sb is really like and what they plan to do:\nHe thinks he can fool me but I’ve got his number.\n  your number is up (informal) the time has come when you will die or lose everything\n  number one (informal)\n1 the most important or best person or thing:\nWe’re number one in the used car business. * the world’s number one athlete * the number one priority\n2 yourself:\nLooking after number one is all she thinks about.\n  numbers game a way of considering an activity, etc. that is concerned only with the number of people doing sth, things achieved, etc., not with who or what they are:\nMPs were playing the numbers game as the crucial vote drew closer.\nmore at CUSHY, OPPOSITE adj., SAFETY, WEIGHT n.\n    verb\n  make a series\n  1  to give a number to sth as part of a series or list:\n[VN] All the seats in the stadium are numbered. * Number the car’s features from 1 to 10 according to importance. * [V] I couldn’t work out the numbering system for the hotel rooms. [also VN-N]\n  make sth as total\n  2  [V-N] to make a particular number when added together\nSYN ADD UP TO STH:\nThe crowd numbered more than a thousand. * We numbered 20 (= there were 20 of us in the group).\n  include\n  3  ~ (sb/sth) among sth (formal) to include sb/sth in a particular group; to be included in a particular group:\n[VN] I number her among my closest friends. * [V] He numbers among the best classical actors in Britain.\n IDIOMS  see DAY


Words: number crunching
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal) the process of calculating numbers, especially when a large amount of data is involved and the data is processed in a short space of time


Words: number plate
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE license plate) noun\na metal or plastic plate on the front and back of a vehicle that shows its REGISTRATION NUMBER:\nShe could just about read the number plate of the car speeding away from the accident.


Words: Number Ten
Meaning:
noun\n[U+sing./pl. v.] (No 10) number 10 Downing Street, London, the official home of the British PRIME MINISTER, often used to refer to the government:\nNumber Ten had nothing to say on the matter.


Words: numberless
Meaning:
adjective\n(literary) too many to be counted \nSYN INNUMERABLE:\nShe felt that her suffering, and that of numberless others was going to be forgotten.


Words: numbing
Meaning:
adjective\n(of an experience or a situation) making you unable to feel anything:\nnumbing cold / fear * Watching television had a numbing effect on his mind.


Words: numeracy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a good basic knowledge of mathematics; the ability to understand and work with numbers:\nstandards of literacy and numeracy\n    numerate  adjective:\nAll students should be numerate and literate when they leave school.\nOPP INNUMERATE


Words: numerator
Meaning:
noun\n(mathematics) the number above the line in a FRACTION, for example 3 in the FRACTION ｾ\ncompare DENOMINATOR


Words: numerical
Meaning:
adjective\nrelating to numbers; expressed in numbers:\nnumerical data * The results are expressed in descending numerical order.\n    numerically  adverb:\nto express the results numerically * Their fleet was numerically small (= there were not many ships) but it was more powerful than ours.


Words: numerous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) existing in large numbers \nSYN MANY:\nHe has been late on numerous occasions. * The advantages of this system are too numerous to mention. * Numerous studies have shown this to be true.


Words: numinous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) having a strong religious and spiritual quality that makes you feel that God is present


Words: nun
Meaning:
noun\na member of a religious community of women who promise to serve God all their lives and often live together in a CONVENT\ncompare MONK


Words: nuncio
Meaning:
noun\n(plural nuncios) a representative of the POPE (= the leader of the Roman Catholic Church) in a foreign country


Words: nuptial
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (formal) connected with marriage or a wedding:\nnuptial bliss * a nuptial mass


Words: nurse
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a person whose job is to take care of sick or injured people, usually in a hospital:\na qualified / registered nurse * student nurses * a male nurse * a dental nurse (= one who helps a dentist) * a psychiatric nurse (= one who works in a hospital for people with mental illnesses) * Nurse Bennett * Nurse, come quickly!\nsee also CHARGE NURSE, DISTRICT NURSE, PRACTICAL NURSE, REGISTERED NURSE, STAFF NURSE -> GENDER\n \n  2  (also nursemaid) (old-fashioned) (in the past) a woman or girl whose job was to take care of babies or small children in their own homes\nsee also NURSERY NURSE, WET NURSE\n    verb\n  1  [VN] to care for sb who is ill/sick or injured:\nHe worked in a hospital for ten years nursing cancer patients. * She nursed her daughter back to health. * She nursed her husband devotedly through his last illness.\n  2  [VN] to take care of an injury or illness:\nSeveral weeks after the match, he was still nursing a shoulder injury. * You’d better go to bed and nurse that cold. * (figurative) She was nursing her hurt pride.\n  3  [VN] (formal) to have a strong feeling or idea in your mind for a long time\nSYN HARBOUR:\nto nurse an ambition / a grievance / a grudge * She had been nursing a secret desire to see him again.\n  4  [VN] to give special care or attention to sb/sth:\nto nurse tender young plants * He nursed the car up the steep hill.\n  5  [VN] to hold sb/sth carefully in your arms or close to your body:\nHe sat nursing his cup of coffee.\n  6  (of a woman or female animal) to feed a baby with milk from the breast\nSYN SUCKLE:\n[V] a nursing mother * [VN] The lioness is still nursing her cubs.\ncompare BREASTFEED\n  7  [V] (of a baby) to suck milk from its mother’s breast\nSYN SUCKLE


Words: nursery
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural nurseries)\n  1  = DAY NURSERY\n  2  = NURSERY SCHOOL:\nHer youngest child is at nursery now.\n  3  (AmE or old-fashioned) a room in a house where a baby sleeps\n  4  (old-fashioned) a room in a house where young children can play\n  5  a place where young plants and trees are grown for sale or for planting somewhere else\n    adjective [only before noun] (BrE) connected with the education of children from 2 to 5 years old:\nnursery education * a nursery teacher


Words: nursery slope
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE bunny slope) noun\n[usually pl.] a slope that is not very steep and is used by people who are learning to ski


Words: nursing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the job or skill of caring for people who are sick or injured:\na career in nursing * nursing care * the nursing profession


Words: nursing home
Meaning:
noun\na small private hospital, especially one where old people live and are cared for:\nEventually she had to give up her house and go into a nursing home.


Words: nurture
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] (formal)\n  1  to care for and protect sb/sth while they are growing and developing:\nThese delicate plants need careful nurturing. * children nurtured by loving parents\n  2  to help sb/sth to develop and be successful:\nIt’s important to nurture a good working relationship. * My father nurtured a love of art in me. * Her teacher recognized and nurtured her musical talent from an early age.\n  3  to have a feeling, an idea, a plan, etc. for a long time and encourage it to develop:\nShe secretly nurtured a hope of becoming famous. * He had long nurtured a deep hatred of his brother.\n    noun [U] (formal) care, encouragement and support given to sb/sth while they are growing:\nThe study seems to show that nurture is more important than nature in shaping a child’s character and future prospects. * These plants will need careful nurture.


Words: nut
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (often in compounds) a small hard fruit with a very hard shell that grows on some trees:\nto crack a nut (= open it) * a Brazil nut * a hazelnut * nuts and raisins\n \n  2  a small piece of metal with a hole through the centre that is screwed onto a BOLT to hold pieces of wood, machinery, etc. together:\nto tighten a nut * a wheel nut\n \n  3  (BrE, slang) a person’s head or brain\n \n  4  (informal) (BrE also nutter) a strange or crazy person:\nHe’s a complete nut, if you ask me.\nsee also NUTS, NUTTY\n  5  (informal) (in compounds) a person who is extremely interested in a particular subject, activity, etc:\na fitness / tennis / computer nut\n  6  (nuts) [pl.] (slang) a man’s TESTICLES\n IDIOMS \n  do your nut (BrE, informal, spoken) to become very angry:\nShe’ll do her nut when she finds out!\n  a hard / tough nut (informal) a person who is difficult to deal with or to influence\n  a hard / tough nut (to crack) a difficult problem or situation to deal with\n  the nuts and bolts (of sth) (informal) the basic practical details of a subject or an activity\n  off your nut (BrE, informal, spoken) crazy\nmore at SLEDGEHAMMER\n    verb [VN] (-tt-) (BrE, informal) to deliberately hit sb hard with your head:\nHe grabbed my tie and I thought he was going to nut me in the face.


Words: nuthatch
Meaning:
noun\na small bird that climbs up and down trees looking for insects and nuts and has a musical call


Words: nutmeg
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] the hard seed of an E Indian tree, used in cooking as a spice, especially to give flavour to cakes and sauces:\nfreshly grated nutmeg


Words: nutrient
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a substance that is needed to keep a living thing alive and to help it to grow:\na lack / supply of essential nutrients * Plants draw minerals and other nutrients from the soil. * children suffering from a serious nutrient deficiency


Words: nutrition
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process by which living things receive the food necessary for them to grow and be healthy:\nadvice on diet and nutrition * to study food science and nutrition * Nutrition information is now provided on the back of most food products.\ncompare MALNUTRITION\n    nutritional  (also less frequent nutritive) adjective:\nthe nutritional value of milk\n    nutritionally  adverb:\na nutritionally balanced menu


Words: nutritious
Meaning:
adjective\n(approving) (of food) very good for you; containing many of the substances which help the body to grow\nSYN NOURISHING:\ntasty and nutritious meals


Words: nuts
Meaning:
adjective [not before noun] (informal)\n  1  crazy:\nMy friends think I’m nuts for saying yes. * That phone ringing all the time is driving me nuts!\n  2  ~ about sb/sth very much in love with sb; very enthusiastic about sth:\nHe’s absolutely nuts about her.


Words: nutshell
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  (put sth) in a nutshell (to say or express sth) in a very clear way, using few words:\nTo put it in a nutshell, we’re bankrupt.


Words: nutty
Meaning:
1  tasting of or containing nuts:\na nutty taste\n  2  (informal) slightly crazy:\nShe’s got some nutty friends. * They had some nutty idea about eating only raw food. * He’s as nutty as a fruitcake (= completely crazy).


Words: nuzzle
Meaning:
verb\nto touch or rub sb/sth with the nose or mouth, especially to show affection:\n[VN] She nuzzled his ear. * [V +adv./prep.] The child nuzzled up against his mother.


Words: NVQ
Meaning:
noun\na British qualification that shows that you have reached a particular standard in the work that you do (the abbreviation for ’National Vocational Qualification’):\nNVQ Level 3 in Catering


Words: nylon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a very strong artificial material, used for making clothes, rope, brushes, etc:\na nylon fishing line * This material is 45% nylon.\n  2  (nylons) [pl.] (old-fashioned) women’s STOCKINGS or TIGHTS/PANTYHOSE made of nylon


Words: nymph
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in ancient Greek and Roman stories) a spirit of nature in the form of a young woman, that lives in rivers, woods, etc.\n  2  (biology) a young insect that has a similar form to the adult:\na dragonfly nymph


Words: O
Meaning:
noun, exclamation \n    noun (also o) (plural O’s, o’s )\n  1  [C, U] the 15th letter of the English alphabet:\n’Orange’ begins with (an) O / ’O’.\n  2  (spoken) used to mean ’zero’ when saying telephone numbers, etc:\nMy number is six o double three (= 6033).\nsee also O GRADE, O LEVEL\n    exclamation (rare, especially literary) = OH


Words: O grade
Meaning:
(also ordinary grade) noun\n[C, U] (in Scotland in the past) an exam in a particular subject, at a lower level than HIGHERS, usually taken at the age of 16. In 1988 it was replaced by the STANDARD GRADE.


Words: O level
Meaning:
(also ordinary level) noun\n[C, U] (in England and Wales in the past) an exam in a particular subject, at a lower level than A LEVEL, usually taken at the age of 16. In 1988 it was replaced by the GCSE:\nO level French / chemistry * She took six subjects at O level. * He’s got an O level in Russian.\ncompare GCE


Words: o’
Meaning:
preposition\nused in written English to represent an informal way of saying of:\na couple o’ times\nsee also CAT-O’NINE-TAILS, O’CLOCK, WILL-O’THE-WISP


Words: o’clock
Meaning:
adverb\nused with the numbers 1 to 12 when telling the time, to mean an exact hour:\nHe left between five and six o’clock. * at / after / before eleven o’clock


Words: o.n.o.
Meaning:
abbreviation\n(BrE, written) (used in small advertisements to show that sth may be sold at a lower price than the price that has been asked) or near/nearest offer:\nGuitar ｣200 o.n.o.


Words: oaf
Meaning:
noun\na stupid, unpleasant or awkward person, especially a man:\nMind that cup, you clumsy oaf! * He stood there grinning like an oaf.\n    oafish adjective


Words: oak
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C, U] (also oak tree) a large tree that produces small nuts called ACORNS, often eaten by animals. Oaks are common in northern countries and can live to be hundreds of years old:\na gnarled old oak tree * forests of oak and pine\nsee also POISON OAK\n \n  2  [U] the hard wood of the oak tree:\noak beams * a carved oak door * This table is made of solid oak.


Words: OAP
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, becoming old-fashioned) the abbreviation for OLD-AGE PENSIONER:\nadults ｣4.50, children and OAPs ｣3


Words: oar
Meaning:
noun\na long pole with a flat blade at one end that is used to move a boat through water:\nHe pulled as hard as he could on the oars. * We took one oar each and rowed quickly to the shore.\ncompare PADDLE\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  put / stick your oar in (BrE, informal) to give your opinion, advice, etc. without being asked and when it is probably not wanted\nSYN INTERFERE:\nI was getting along very nicely until Patrick stuck his oar in.


Words: oasis
Meaning:
1  an area in the desert where there is water and where plants grow\n  2  a pleasant place or period of time in the middle of sth unpleasant or difficult:\nan oasis of calm * a green oasis in the heart of the city


Words: oath
Meaning:
1  a formal promise to do sth or a formal statement that sth is true:\nto take / swear an oath of allegiance * Before giving evidence, witnesses in court have to take the oath (= promise to tell the truth). * All members had to swear a solemn oath never to reveal the secrets of the organization. * You are bound by oath to tell the truth.\n  2  (old-fashioned) an offensive word or phrase used to express anger, surprise, etc.; a swear word:\nShe heard the sound of breaking glass, followed by a muttered oath.\n IDIOMS \n  on / under oath (law) having made a formal promise to tell the truth in a court of law:\nIs she prepared to give evidence on oath? * The judge reminded the witness that he was still under oath. * You have sworn under oath that you never met this man.


Words: oatmeal
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  flour made from crushed oats, used to make biscuits/cookies, PORRIDGE, etc.\n  2  (AmE) = PORRIDGE\n  3  a pale brown colour\n    oatmeal adjective:\nan oatmeal carpet


Words: oats
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] grain grown in cool countries as food for animals and for making flour, PORRIDGE/OATMEAL, etc.\nsee also OAT\n IDIOMS  see SOW v.


Words: ob-gyn
Meaning:
noun (AmE, informal)\n  1  [U] the branches of medicine concerned with the birth of children (= OBSTETRICS) and the diseases of women (= GYNAECOLOGY)\n  2  [C] a doctor who is trained in this type of medicine


Words: obdurate
Meaning:
adjective\n(rare, formal) (usually disapproving) refusing to change your mind or your actions in any way\nSYN STUBBORN:\nan obdurate attitude * to remain obdurate * Some members of the committee are likely to prove obdurate on this matter.\n    obduracy  noun [U]\n    obdurately adverb


Words: OBE
Meaning:
noun\nthe abbreviation for ’Officer of the Order of the British Empire’ (an award given in Britain for a special achievement):\nShe was made an OBE. * Matthew Silk OBE


Words: obedient
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sb/sth) doing what you are told to do; willing to obey:\nan obedient child * He was always obedient to his father’s wishes.\nOPP DISOBEDIENT\n    obedience sth):\nblind / complete / unquestioning / total obedience * He has acted in obedience to the law.\n    obediently adverb:\nShe walked out of the room and the dog followed obediently at her heels.\n IDIOMS \n  your obedient servant (old use) used to end a formal letter


Words: obeisance
Meaning:
noun (rare, formal)\n  1  [U] respect for sb/sth or willingness to obey sb:\nto make / pay obeisance to sb * The general commands absolute obeisance.\n  2  [C] the act of bending your head or the upper part of your body in order to show respect for sb/sth:\nto make a deep / low obeisance


Words: obese
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal or medical) (of people) very fat, in a way that is not healthy:\nObese patients are given dietary advice. * She is grossly obese.\n    obesity  noun [U]:\nObesity can increase the risk of heart disease.


Words: obey
Meaning:
verb\nto do what you are told or expected to do:\n[VN] to obey a command / an order / rules / the law * He had always obeyed his parents without question. * (figurative) I tried to run but my legs just wouldn’t obey me. * [V] ’Sit down!’ Meekly, she obeyed.\nOPP DISOBEY


Words: obfuscate
Meaning:
verb\n(rare, formal) to make sth less clear and more difficult to understand, usually deliberately:\n[VN] He accused the government of obfuscating the issue. [also V]\n    obfuscation noun [U, C]


Words: obituary
Meaning:
noun\n(plural obituaries) an article about sb’s life and achievements, that is printed in a newspaper soon after they have died:\nan obituary column / notice


Words: object
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun \n  1  a thing that can be seen and touched, but is not alive:\neveryday / household objects * Glass and plastic objects lined the shelves.\nsee also UFO\n  2  ~ of desire, study, attention, etc. a person or thing that sb DESIRES, studies, pays attention to, etc:\nthe urge to possess the objects of our desire\nsee also SEX OBJECT\n  3  an aim or a purpose:\nHer sole object in life is to become a travel writer. * The object is to educate people about road safety. * If you’re late, you’ll defeat the whole object of the exercise.\n  4  (grammar) a noun, noun phrase or pronoun that refers to a person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb (called the DIRECT OBJECT), or that the action is done to or for (called the INDIRECT OBJECT)\ncompare SUBJECT (5)\n IDIOMS \n  expense, money, etc. is no object used to say that you are willing to spend a lot of money:\nHe always travels first class-expense is no object.\n    verb \n  1  [V] ~ (to sb/sth) | ~ (to doing sth / to sb doing sth) to say that you disagree with, disapprove of or oppose sth:\nMany local people object to the building of the new airport. * If nobody objects, we’ll postpone the meeting till next week. * I really object to being charged for parking.\n  2  to give sth as a reason for opposing sth:\n[V that] He objected that the police had arrested him without sufficient evidence. [also V speech]\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \nobjects you can use\nIt is useful to know some general words to help you describe objects, especially if you do not know the name of a particular object.\nA device is something that has been designed to do a particular job: There is a new device for cars that warns drivers of traffic jams ahead.\nA gadget is a small object that does something useful, but is not really necessary: His kitchen is full of gadgets he never uses.\nAn instrument is used especially for delicate or scientific work: ’What do you call the instrument that measures temperature?’ ’A thermometer.’\nA tool is something that you use for making and repairing things: ’Have you got one of those tools for turning screws?’ ’Do you mean a screwdriver?’\nA machine has moving parts and is used for a particular job. It usually stands on its own: ’What’s a blender?’ ’It’s an electric machine for mixing soft food or liquid.’\nAn appliance is a large machine that you use in the house, such as a washing machine.\nEquipment means all the things you need for a particular activity: climbing equipment.\nApparatus means all the tools, machines or equipment that you need for something: firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.\n______________________________


Words: object lesson
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a practical example of what you should or should not do in a particular situation:\nHer calm handling of the emergency was an object lesson to us all.


Words: objectification
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the act of treating people as if they are objects, without rights or feelings of their own


Words: objection
Meaning:
noun\n~ (to sth / to doing sth) | ~ (that ...) a reason why you do not like or are opposed to sth; a statement about this:\nI have no objection to him coming to stay. * I’d like to come too, if you have no objection. * The main objection to the plan was that it would cost too much. * to raise an objection to sth * No objections were raised at the time. * The proposal will go ahead despite strong objections from the public.


Words: objectionable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) unpleasant or offensive:\nobjectionable people / odours * Why are you being so objectionable today? * I myself didn’t find his behaviour objectionable.


Words: objective
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  something that you are trying to achieve:\nthe main / primary / principal objective * to meet / achieve your objectives * You must set realistic aims and objectives for yourself. * The main objective of this meeting is to give more information on our plans.\n  2  (also objective lens) (technical) the LENS in a TELESCOPE or MICROSCOPE that is nearest to the object being looked at\n    adjective\n  1  not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; considering only facts:\nan objective analysis / assessment / report * objective criteria * I find it difficult to be objective where he’s concerned. * These figures give a reliable and objective indicator of changing trends in people’s lifestyles.\n  2  (philosophy) existing outside the mind; based on facts that can be proved:\nobjective reality\nOPP SUBJECTIVE\n    objectively adverb:\nLooked at objectively, the situation is not too bad. * Can these effects be objectively measured? * I was too upset to see things objectively.\n    objectivity  noun [U]:\nThere was a lack of objectivity in the way the candidates were judged. * scientific objectivity


Words: objector
Meaning:
noun\n~ (to sth) a person who objects to sth:\nThere were no objectors to the plan.\nsee also CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR


Words: obligated
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to do sth) (AmE or formal, BrE) having a moral or legal duty to do sth \nSYN OBLIGED:\nHe felt obligated to help.


Words: obligation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C, usually sing.] the state of being forced to do sth because it is your duty, or because of a law, etc:\nYou are under no obligation to buy anything. * She did not feel under any obligation to tell him the truth. * I don’t want people coming to see me out of a sense of obligation. * We have a moral obligation to protect the environment. * We will send you an estimate for the work without obligation (= you do not have to accept it).\n  2  [C] something which you must do because you have promised, because of a law, etc:\nto fulfil your legal / professional / financial obligations * They reminded him of his contractual obligations.


Words: obligatory
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (for sb) (to do sth) (formal) that you must do because of the law, rules, etc.\nSYN COMPULSORY:\nIt is obligatory for all employees to wear protective clothing.\n  2  (often humorous) that you do because you always do it, or other people in the same situation always do it:\nIn the mid 60s he took the almost obligatory trip to India.


Words: oblige
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN to inf] [usually passive] to force sb to do sth, by law, because it is a duty, etc:\nParents are obliged by law to send their children to school. * I felt obliged to ask them to dinner. * He suffered a serious injury that obliged him to give up work.\n  2  ~ sb (by doing sth) | ~ sb (with sth) to help sb by doing what they ask or what you know they want:\n[V] Call me if you need any help-I’d be happy to oblige. * [VN] (formal) Would you oblige me with some information? * Oblige me by keeping your suspicions to yourself.


Words: obliged
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] ~ (to sb) (for sth / for doing sth) (formal) used when you are expressing thanks or asking politely for sth, to show that you are grateful to sb:\nI’m much obliged to you for helping us. * I’d be obliged if you would keep this to yourself.


Words: obliging
Meaning:
adjective\nvery willing to help:\nThey were very obliging and offered to wait for us.\n    obligingly adverb:\n’I’ll go for you,’ she said, obligingly. * They had obligingly reserved a room for me.


Words: oblique
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  not expressed or done in a direct way \nSYN INDIRECT:\nan oblique reference / approach / comment\n  2  (of a line) sloping at an angle\n  3  ~ angle an angle that is not an angle of 90ｰ:\nThe extension was built at an oblique angle to the house.\n    obliquely adverb:\nHe referred only obliquely to their recent problems. * Always cut stems obliquely to enable flowers to absorb more water.\n    noun (BrE) = SLASH (3)


Words: obliterate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [often passive] to remove all signs of sth, either by destroying or covering it completely:\nThe building was completely obliterated by the bomb. * The snow had obliterated their footprints. * Everything that happened that night was obliterated from his memory.\n    obliteration  noun [U]


Words: oblivion
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a state in which you are not aware of what is happening around you, usually because you are unconscious or asleep:\nHe often drinks himself into oblivion. * Sam longed for the oblivion of sleep.\n  2  the state in which sb/sth has been forgotten and is no longer famous or important:\nAn unexpected victory saved him from political oblivion. * Most of his inventions have been consigned to oblivion.\n  3  a state in which sth has been completely destroyed:\nHundreds of homes were bombed into oblivion during the first weeks of the war.


Words: oblivious
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] ~ (of / to sth) not aware of sth:\nHe drove off, oblivious of the damage he had caused. * The couple seemed oblivious to what was going on around them. * You eventually become oblivious to the noise.\n    obliviously adverb


Words: oblong
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  an oblong shape has four straight sides, two of which are longer than the other two, and four angles of 90ｰ:\nan oblong patch of grass\n  2  (AmE) used to describe any shape that is longer than it is wide:\nan oblong melon\n    oblong noun:\na tiny oblong of glass in the roof\nsee also RECTANGLE


Words: obnoxious
Meaning:
adjective\nextremely unpleasant, especially in a way that offends people:\nobnoxious behaviour * a thoroughly obnoxious little man * obnoxious odours\n    obnoxiously adverb


Words: oboe
Meaning:
noun\na musical instrument of the WOODWIND group. It is shaped like a pipe and has a double REED at the top that you blow into.


Words: obscene
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with sex in a way that most people find offensive:\nobscene gestures / language / books * an obscene phone call (= made by sb saying obscene things)\n  2  extremely large in size or amount in a way that most people find unacceptable and offensive:\nHe earns an obscene amount of money. * It’s obscene to spend so much on food when millions are starving.\n    obscenely adverb:\nto behave obscenely * obscenely fat / rich


Words: obscenity
Meaning:
noun (plural obscenities)\n  1  [U] obscene language or behaviour:\nThe editors are being prosecuted for obscenity. * the laws on obscenity\n  2  [C, usually pl.] an obscene word or act:\nShe screamed a string of obscenities at the judge.


Words: obscurantism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the practice of deliberately preventing sb from understanding or discovering sth:\nReligious prejudice and scientific obscurantism have been closely entangled throughout the whole history of this debate.\n    obscurantist adjective


Words: obscure
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective\n  1  not well known:\nan obscure German poet * We went to see one of Shakespeare’s more obscure plays. * He was born around 1650 but his origins remain obscure.\n  2  difficult to understand:\nI found her lecture very obscure. * For some obscure reason, he failed to turn up. * The meaning of his comment was obscure to everyone but himself.\n    obscurely adverb:\nThey were making her feel obscurely worried (= for reasons that were difficult to understand).\n    verb [VN] to make it difficult to see, hear or understand sth:\nThe view was obscured by fog. * Symptoms of the disease can easily be obscured. * We mustn’t let these minor details obscure the main issue. * A shadow fell across her face, obscuring her expression.


Words: obscurity
Meaning:
noun (plural obscurities)\n  1  [U] the state in which sb/sth is not well known or has been forgotten:\nThe actress was only 17 when she was plucked from obscurity and made a star. * He spent most of his life working in obscurity.\n  2  [U, C, usually pl.] the quality of being difficult to understand; something that is difficult to understand:\nThe course teaches students to avoid ambiguity and obscurity of expression. * a speech full of obscurities\n  3  [U] (literary) darkness


Words: obsequious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, disapproving) trying too hard to please sb, especially sb who is important:\nan obsequious manner / smile\n    obsequiously adverb:\nsmiling obsequiously\n    obsequiousness noun [U]


Words: observable
Meaning:
adjective\nthat can be seen or noticed:\nobservable differences / effects * Similar trends are observable in mainland Europe.\n    observably  adverb


Words: observance
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] the practice of obeying a law, celebrating a festival or behaving according to a particular custom:\nobservance of the law * a strict observance of the Sabbath\nOPP NON-OBSERVANCE\n  2  [C, usually pl.] an act performed as part of a religious or traditional ceremony:\nreligious / ritual observances


Words: observant
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  good at noticing things around you:\nObservant walkers may see red deer along this stretch of the road. * How very observant of you! * She keeps an observant eye on developments in education. * He was acutely observant of the poverty around him.\n  2  (formal) careful to obey religious laws and customs


Words: observation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] the act of watching sb/sth carefully for a period of time, especially to learn sth:\nMost information was collected by direct observation of the animals’ behaviour. * results based on scientific observations * We managed to escape observation (= we were not seen). * The suspect is being kept under observation (= watched closely by the police). * She has outstanding powers of observation (= the ability to notice things around her). * an observation post / tower (= a place from where sb, especially an enemy, can be watched)\n  2  [C] ~ (about / on sth) a comment, especially based on sth you have seen, heard or read:\nHe began by making a few general observations about the report. * She has some interesting observations on possible future developments.


Words: observatory
Meaning:
noun\n(plural observatories) a special building from which scientists watch the stars, the weather, etc.


Words: observe
Meaning:
verb (not used in the progressive tenses) (formal)\n  1  to see or notice sb/sth:\n[VN] Have you observed any changes lately? * All the characters in the novel are closely observed (= seem like people in real life). * I want you to observe all the details. * [VN inf] The police observed a man enter the bank. * [VN -ing] They observed him entering the bank. * [V that] She observed that all the chairs were already occupied. * [VN to inf] He was observed to follow her closely.\n HELP NOTE  This pattern is only used in the passive.\n  2  to watch sb/sth carefully, especially to learn more about them:\n[VN] I felt he was observing everything I did. * The patients were observed over a period of several months. * [V wh-] They observed how the parts of the machine fitted together. * [V] He observes keenly, but says little.\n  3  (formal) to make a remark:\n[V that] She observed that it was getting late. [also V speech]\n  4  [VN] to obey rules, laws, etc:\nWill the rebels observe the ceasefire?\n  5  [VN] (formal) to celebrate festivals, birthdays, etc:\nDo they observe Christmas?


Words: observer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who watches sb/sth:\nTo the casual observer, the system appears confusing. * According to observers, the plane exploded shortly after take-off. * Most art forms require a contribution from the observer.\n  2  a person who attends a meeting, lesson, etc. to listen and watch but not to take part:\nA team of British officials were sent as observers to the conference.\n  3  a person who watches and studies particular events, situations, etc. and is therefore considered to be an expert on them:\na royal / political observer * Observers noted an absence of the violence which had been a feature of previous elections.


Words: obsess
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] [usually passive] to completely fill your mind so that you cannot think of anything else:\nHe’s obsessed by computers. * She’s completely obsessed with him. * The need to produce the most exciting newspaper story obsesses most journalists.\n  2  be obsessing (about sth) [V] to be always talking or worrying about a particular thing, especially when this annoys other people:\nI think you should try to stop obsessing about food.


Words: obsession sb
Meaning:
1  [U] the state in which a person’s mind is completely filled with thoughts of one particular thing or person so that they cannot think of anything else:\nHer fear of flying is bordering on obsession. * The media’s obsession with the young prince continues.\n  2  [C] a person or thing that sb thinks about too much:\nFitness has become an obsession with him.


Words: obsessional
Meaning:
adjective\nthinking too much about one particular person or thing; showing this:\nShe is obsessional about cleanliness. * obsessional behaviour\n    obsessionally adverb


Words: obsessive
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective thinking too much about one particular person or thing; showing this:\nHe’s becoming more and more obsessive about punctuality. * an obsessive attention to detail * obsessive behaviour / love\n    obsessively adverb:\nobsessively jealous * He worries obsessively about his appearance.\n    noun (psychology) a person whose mind is filled with thoughts of one particular thing or person so that they cannot think of anything else


Words: obsolescence
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the state of becoming old-fashioned and no longer useful (= becoming OBSOLETE):\nproducts with built-in / planned obsolescence (= designed not to last long so that people will have to buy new ones)\n    obsolescent  adjective


Words: obsolete
Meaning:
adjective\nno longer used because sth new has been invented \nSYN OUT OF DATE:\nobsolete technology * With technological changes many traditional skills have become obsolete.


Words: obstacle
Meaning:
noun\n  1  ~ (to sth / to doing sth) a situation, an event, etc. that makes it difficult for you to do or achieve sth:\nA lack of qualifications can be a major obstacle to finding a job. * So far, we have managed to overcome all the obstacles that have been placed in our path. * The MP claims that there is now no obstacle to him standing at the next general election.\n  2  an object that is in your way and that makes it difficult for you to move forward:\nThe area was full of streams and bogs and other natural obstacles.\n  3  (in SHOWJUMPING) a fence, etc. for a horse to jump over


Words: obstacle course
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a series of objects that competitors in a race have to climb over, under, through, etc.\n  2  a series of difficulties that people have to deal with in order to achieve a particular aim:\nWe assume that competent doctors emerge at the end of an obstacle course of traditional examinations based on facts.\n  3  (AmE) = ASSAULT COURSE


Words: obstetrics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the branch of medicine concerned with the birth of children\n    obstetric  adjective:\nobstetric medicine


Words: obstinate
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (often disapproving) refusing to change your opinions, way of behaving, etc. when other people try to persuade you to; showing this\nSYN STUBBORN:\nHe can be very obstinate when he wants to be! * her obstinate refusal to comply with their request\n  2  [usually before noun] difficult to get rid of or deal with\nSYN STUBBORN:\nthe obstinate problem of unemployment * an obstinate stain\n    obstinacy  noun [U]:\nan act of sheer obstinacy\n    obstinately adverb:\nHe obstinately refused to consider the future.


Words: obstruct
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to block a road, an entrance, a passage, etc. so that people cannot get through, see past, etc:\nYou can’t park here, you’re obstructing my driveway. * First check that the accident victim doesn’t have an obstructed airway. * The pillar obstructed our view of the stage.\n  2  to prevent sb/sth from doing sth or making progress, especially when this is done deliberately:\nThey were charged with obstructing the police in the course of their duty. * terrorists attempting to obstruct the peace process


Words: obstruction
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] the fact of trying to prevent sth/sb from making progress:\nthe obstruction of justice * He was arrested for obstruction of a police officer in the execution of his duty.\n  2  [U, C] the fact of blocking a road, an entrance, a passage, etc:\nobstruction of the factory gates * The abandoned car was causing an obstruction.\n  3  [C] something that blocks a road, an entrance, etc:\nIt is my job to make sure that all pathways are clear of obstructions.\n  4  [C, U] something that blocks a passage or tube in your body; a medical condition resulting from this:\nHe had an operation to remove an obstruction in his throat. * bowel / intestinal obstruction\n  5  [U] (sport) the offence of unfairly preventing a player of the other team from moving to get the ball


Words: obstructionism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the practice of trying to prevent a parliament or committee from making progress, passing laws, etc.\n    obstructionist  noun, adjective


Words: obstructive
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  trying to prevent sb/sth from making progress:\nOf course she can do it. She’s just being deliberately obstructive.\ncompare CONSTRUCTIVE\n  2  [only before noun] (medical) connected with a passage, tube, etc. in your body that has become blocked:\nobstructive lung disease


Words: obtain
Meaning:
verb (formal)\n  1  [VN] (rather formal) to get sth, especially by making an effort:\nto obtain advice / information / permission * I finally managed to obtain a copy of the report. * Further details can be obtained by writing to the above address. * To obtain the overall score, add up the totals in each column.\n  2  [V] (not used in the progressive tenses) (formal) (of rules, systems, customs, etc.) to exist:\nThese conditions no longer obtain.


Words: obtainable
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] that can be obtained:\nFull details are obtainable from any post office.


Words: obtrude
Meaning:
verb\n~ (sth / yourself) (on / upon sb) (formal) to become or make sth/yourself noticed, especially in a way that is not wanted:\n[V] Music from the next room obtruded upon his thoughts. [also VN]


Words: obtrusive
Meaning:
adjective\nnoticeable in an unpleasant way:\nThe sofa would be less obtrusive in a paler colour. * They tried to ensure that their presence was not too obtrusive.\n    obtrusively adverb


Words: obtuse
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, disapproving) slow or unwilling to understand sth:\nAre you being deliberately obtuse? * Perhaps I’m being obtuse, but what has all this got to do with me?\n    obtuseness noun [U]


Words: obverse
Meaning:
noun (usually the obverse) [sing.]\n  1  (formal) the opposite of sth:\nThe obverse of love is hate. * Nobody liked his conclusions but the obverse was equally unattractive.\n  2  (technical) the side of a coin or medal that has the head or main design on it


Words: obviate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal) to remove a problem or the need for sth:\nThis new evidence obviates the need for any further enquiries. * Disaster was obviated by the opening of the reserve parachute.


Words: obvious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (to sb) (that ...) easy to see or understand:\nIt was obvious to everyone that the child had been badly treated. * It’s obvious from what she said that something is wrong. * I know you don’t like her but try not to make it so obvious. * with obvious annoyance / distress / pleasure * For obvious reasons, I’d prefer not to give my name. * The reasons for this decision were not immediately obvious.\n  2  that most people would think of or agree to:\nShe was the obvious choice for the job. * There’s no obvious solution to the problem. * This seemed the most obvious thing to do.\n  3  (disapproving) not interesting, new or imaginative; unnecessary because it is clear to everyone:\nan obvious comment / statement * The ending was pretty obvious. * I may be stating the obvious but without more money the project cannot survive.\n    obviousness noun [U]


Words: obviously
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  used when giving information that you expect other people to know already or agree with:\nObviously, we don’t want to spend too much money. * Diet and exercise are obviously important.\n  2  used to say that a particular situation or fact is easy to see or understand:\nHe was obviously drunk. * They’re obviously not coming. * ’I didn’t realise it was a formal occasion.’ ’Obviously!’ (= I can see by the way you are dressed)


Words: occasion
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a particular time when sth happens:\non this / that occasion * I’ve met him on several occasions. * I can remember very few occasions when he had to cancel because of ill health. * They have been seen together on two separate occasions. * On one occasion, she called me in the middle of the night. * He used the occasion to announce further tax cuts.\n  2  [C] a special event, ceremony or celebration:\na great / memorable / happy occasion * Turn every meal into a special occasion. * They marked the occasion (= celebrated it) with an open-air concert. * Their wedding turned out to be quite an occasion. * He was presented with the watch on the occasion of his retirement.\n  3  [sing.] ~ (for sth / doing sth) a suitable time for sth:\nIt should have been an occasion for rejoicing, but she could not feel any real joy. * I’ll speak to him about it if the occasion arises (= if I get a chance). -> POSSIBILITY\n  4  [U, sing.] ~ (to do sth) | ~ (of / for sth) (formal) a reason or cause:\nI’ve had no occasion to visit him recently. * She doesn’t have much occasion to speak French in her new job. * Her death was the occasion of mass riots. * I’m willing to go to court over this if the occasion arises (= if it becomes necessary).\n IDIOMS \n  on occasion(s) sometimes but not often:\nHe has been known on occasion to lose his temper. * On occasions Mr Parry was seen to wring his hands as he struggled with his emotions.\nmore at SENSE n.\n    verb (formal) to cause sth: [VN] The flight delay was occasioned by the need for a further security check. * The injury was believed to have occasioned his death. * [VNN] The decision occasioned us much anxiety.


Words: occasional
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] happening or done sometimes but not often:\nHe works for us on an occasional basis. * I enjoy the occasional glass of wine. * He spent five years in Paris, with occasional visits to Italy. * an occasional smoker (= a person who smokes, but not often)


Words: occasionally
Meaning:
adverb\nsometimes but not often:\nWe occasionally meet for a drink after work. * This type of allergy can very occasionally be fatal. * Only occasionally was there any doubt that they would succeed.


Words: Occident
Meaning:
noun\n(the Occident) [sing.] (formal) the western part of the world, especially Europe and America\ncompare ORIENT\n    occidental  adjective


Words: occult
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] connected with magic powers and things that cannot be explained by reason or science:\noccult powers / practices\n  2  (the occult) noun [sing.] everything connected with occult practices, etc:\nHe’s interested in witchcraft and the occult.


Words: occupancy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal, written) the act of living in or using a building, room, piece of land, etc:\nPrices are based on full occupancy of an apartment. * to be in sole occupancy * Hotel occupancy rates dropped dramatically when war threatened.


Words: occupant
Meaning:
noun (especially written)\n  1  a person who lives or works in a particular house, room, building, etc:\nAll outstanding bills will be paid by the previous occupants.\n  2  a person who is in a vehicle, seat, etc. at a particular time:\nThe car was badly damaged but the occupants were unhurt.


Words: occupation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] (especially written) a job or profession:\nPlease state your name, age and occupation below.\n  2  [C] the way in which you spend your time, especially when you are not working:\nHer main occupation seems to be shopping.\n  3  [U] the act of moving into a country, town, etc. and taking control of it using military force; the period of time during which a country, town, etc. is controlled in this way:\nthe Roman occupation of Britain * The areas under occupation contained major industrial areas. * occupation forces\n  4  [U] (written) the act of living in or using a building, room, piece of land, etc:\nThe offices will be ready for occupation in June. * The following applies only to tenants in occupation after January 1 1997. * The level of owner occupation (= people owning their homes) has increased rapidly in the last 30 years.


Words: occupational
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] connected with a person’s job or profession:\noccupational health * an occupational risk / hazard * an occupational pension scheme\n    occupationally adverb:\noccupationally induced disease


Words: occupational therapist
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job is to help people get better after illness or injury by giving them special activities to do


Words: occupied
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not before noun] being used by sb:\nOnly half of the rooms are occupied at the moment.\nsee also OWNER-OCCUPIED\n  2  [not before noun] ~ (doing sth / in doing sth / in sth) | ~ (with sth / with doing sth) busy:\nHe’s fully occupied looking after three small children. * Only half her time is occupied with politics. * The most important thing is to keep yourself occupied.\n  3  (of a country, etc.) controlled by people from another country, etc., using military force:\nHe spent his childhood in occupied Europe.\nOPP UNOCCUPIED


Words: occupier
Meaning:
noun\n  1  ~ (of sth) (formal) a person who lives in or uses a building, room, piece of land, etc.\nSYN OCCUPANT:\nThe letter was addressed to the occupier of the house.\nsee also OWNER-OCCUPIER\n  2  [usually pl.] a member of an army that is occupying a foreign country, etc:\nthe Nazi occupiers of Poland


Words: occupy
Meaning:
verb (occupies, occupying, occupied, occupied)\n  1  [VN] to fill or use a space, an area or an amount of time\nSYN TAKE UP:\nThe bed seemed to occupy most of the room. * How much memory does the program occupy? * Administrative work occupies half of my time.\n  2  [VN] (formal) to live or work in a room, house or building:\nHe occupies an office on the 12th floor.\n  3  [VN] to enter a place in a large group and take control of it, especially by military force:\nThe capital has been occupied by the rebel army. * Protesting students occupied the TV station.\n  4  ~ sb / yourself (in doing sth / with sb/sth) to fill your time or keep you busy doing sth:\n[VN] a game that will occupy the kids for hours * She occupied herself with routine office tasks. * Problems at work continued to occupy his mind for some time. [also VN -ing]\n  5  [VN] to have an official job or position\nSYN HOLD:\nThe president occupies the position for four years. * jobs that have traditionally been occupied by men


Words: occur
Meaning:
verb (-rr-)\n  1  [V] (formal) to happen:\nWhen exactly did the incident occur? * Something unexpected occurred. -> HAPPEN\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] to exist or be found somewhere:\nSugar occurs naturally in fruit.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  occur to sb (of an idea or a thought) to come into your mind:\nThe idea occurred to him in a dream. * [+ that] It didn’t occur to him that his wife was having an affair. * [+ to inf] It didn’t occur to her to ask for help.


Words: occurrence
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] something that happens or exists:\na common / everyday / frequent / regular occurrence * Vandalism used to be a rare occurrence here. * The program counts the number of occurrences of any word, or group of words, within the text. -> EVENT\n  2  [U] ~ (of sth) the fact of sth happening or existing:\na link between the occurrence of skin cancer and the use of computer monitors


Words: ocean
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (usually the ocean) [sing.] (especially AmE) the mass of salt water that covers most of the earth’s surface:\nthe depths of the ocean * People were swimming in the ocean despite the hurricane warning. * The plane hit the ocean several miles offshore. * Our beach house is just a couple of miles from the ocean. * an ocean liner / voyage * Ocean levels are rising.\n \n  2  (usually Ocean) [C] one of the five large areas that the ocean is divided into:\nthe Antarctic / Arctic / Atlantic / Indian / Pacific Ocean -> SEA\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  an ocean of sth (BrE also oceans of sth) (informal) a large amount of sth:\noceans of food\nmore at DROP n.


Words: ocean-going
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of ships) made for crossing the sea or ocean, not for journeys along the coast or up rivers


Words: oceanic
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (technical) connected with the ocean:\noceanic islands / birds / fish


Words: ocelot
Meaning:
noun\na wild animal of the cat family, that has yellow fur with black lines and spots, found in Central and S America


Words: och
Meaning:
exclamation\n(ScotE, IrishE) used to express the fact that you are surprised, sorry, etc:\nOch, aye (= Oh, yes).


Words: ochre
Meaning:
(AmE also ocher)  noun [U]\n  1  a type of red or yellow earth used in some paints and DYES\n  2  the red or yellow colour of ochre


Words: octagon
Meaning:
noun\n(geometry) a flat shape with eight straight sides and eight angles\n    octagonal  adjective:\nan octagonal tower / coin


Words: octave
Meaning:
noun\n(music) the difference (called the INTERVAL) between the first and last notes in a series of eight notes on a musical SCALE:\nto play an octave higher * Orbison’s vocal range spanned three octaves.


Words: octet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of eight singers or musicians, playing classical music\n  2  [C] a piece of music for eight singers or musicians


Words: October
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (abbreviation Oct.) the 10th month of the year, between September and November\n HELP NOTE  To see how October is used, look at the examples at April.


Words: octopus
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural octopuses) a sea creature with a soft round body and eight long TENTACLES (= long thin parts like arms), that is sometimes used for food


Words: ocular
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (technical) connected with the eyes:\nocular muscles\n  2  (formal) that can be seen:\nocular proof


Words: odd
Meaning:
adjective (odder, oddest)\n  strange\n  1  strange or unusual:\nThey’re very odd people. * There’s something odd about that man. * It’s most odd that (= very odd that) she hasn’t written. * The odd thing was that he didn’t recognize me. * She had the oddest feeling that he was avoiding her.\ncompare PECULIAR\n  odd-\n  2  (in compounds) strange or unusual in the way mentioned:\nan odd-looking house * an odd-sounding name\n  not regular / often\n  3  (the odd) [only before noun] (no comparative or superlative) happening or appearing occasionally; not very regular or frequent\nSYN OCCASIONAL:\nHe makes the odd mistake-nothing too serious.\n  various\n  4  [only before noun] (no comparative or superlative) of no particular type or size; various:\ndecorations made of odd scraps of paper\n  not matching\n  5  [usually before noun] (no comparative or superlative) not with the pair or set that it belongs to; not matching:\nYou’re wearing odd socks!\n  numbers\n  6  (no comparative or superlative) (of numbers) that cannot be divided exactly by the number two:\n1, 3, 5 and 7 are odd numbers.\nOPP EVEN\n  available\n  7  [only before noun] available; that sb can use:\nCould I see you when you’ve got an odd moment? * Have you got an odd 20p?\n  approximately\n  8  (no comparative or superlative; usually placed immediately after a number) approximately or a little more than the number mentioned:\nHow old is she-seventy odd? * He’s worked there for twenty-odd years.\n    oddness noun [U]:\nthe oddness of her appearance * His oddness frightened her.\n IDIOMS \n  the odd man / one out a person or thing that is different from others or does not fit easily into a group or set:\nAt school he was always the odd man out. * Dog, cat, horse, shoe-which is the odd one out?\nmore at FISH n.


Words: oddball
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person who behaves in a strange or unusual way:\nHe has always been an oddball.\n    oddball adjective:\noddball characters


Words: oddity
Meaning:
noun (plural oddities)\n  1  [C] a person or thing that is strange or unusual:\nThe book deals with some of the oddities of grammar and spelling.\n  2  [U] the quality of being strange or unusual:\nShe suddenly realized the oddity of her remark and blushed.


Words: oddly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a strange or unusual way:\nShe’s been behaving very oddly lately. * oddly coloured clothes * He looked at her in a way she found oddly disturbing.\n  2  used to show that sth is surprising:\nShe felt, oddly, that they had been happier when they had no money. * Oddly enough, the most expensive tickets sold fastest.


Words: oddments
Meaning:
noun [pl.] (especially BrE)\n  1  small pieces of fabric, wood, etc. that are left after a larger piece has been used to make sth\n  2  small items that are not valuable or are not part of a larger set


Words: odds
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n  1  (usually the odds) the degree to which sth is likely to happen:\nThe odds are very much in our favour (= we are likely to succeed). * The odds are heavily against him (= he is not likely to succeed). * The odds are that (= it is likely that) she’ll win. * What are the odds (= how likely is it) he won’t turn up?\n  2  something that makes it seem impossible to do or achieve sth:\nThey secured a victory in the face of overwhelming odds. * Against all (the) odds, he made a full recovery.\n  3  (in betting) the connection between two numbers that shows how much money sb will receive if they win a bet:\nodds of ten to one (= ten times the amount of money that has been bet by sb will be paid to them if they win) * They are offering long / short odds (= the winnings will be high / low because there is a high / low risk of losing) on the defending champion. * (figurative) I’ll lay odds on him getting the job (= I’m sure he will get it).\n IDIOMS \n  be at odds (with sth) to be different from sth, when the two things should be the same:\nThese findings are at odds with what is going on in the rest of the country.\n  be at odds (with sb) (over / on sth) to disagree with sb about sth:\nHe’s always at odds with his father over politics.\n  it makes no odds (spoken, especially BrE) used to say that sth is not important:\nIt makes no odds to me whether you go or stay.\n  over the odds (BrE, informal) more money than you would normally expect:\nMany collectors are willing to pay over the odds for early examples of his work.\nmore at STACKED


Words: odds and ends
Meaning:
(BrE also odds and sods) noun\n[pl.] (informal) small items that are not valuable or are not part of a larger set:\nShe spent the day sorting through a box full of odds and ends. * I’ve got a few odds and ends (= small jobs) to do before leaving.


Words: odds-on
Meaning:
adjective\nvery likely to happen, win, etc:\nthe odds-on favourite (= the person, horse, etc. that is most likely to succeed, to win a race, etc.) * It’s odds-on that he’ll be late. * Arazi is odds-on to win the Kentucky Derby.


Words: ode
Meaning:
noun\na poem that speaks to a person or thing or celebrates a special event:\nKeats’s ’Ode to a Nightingale’


Words: odium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (rare, formal) a feeling of hatred that a lot of people have towards sb, because of sth they have done


Words: odour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE odor)  noun\n[C, U] (formal) a smell, especially one that is unpleasant:\na fishy / musty / pungent odour * the stale odour of cigarette smoke * (figurative) the odour of suspicion\nsee also BODY ODOUR\n IDIOMS \n  be in good / bad odour (with sb) (formal) to have/not have sb’s approval and support


Words: odyssey
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (literary) a long journey full of experiences\n ORIGIN  From the Odyssey, a Greek poem that is said to have been written by Homer, about the adventures of Odysseus. After a battle in Troy Odysseus had to spend ten years travelling before he could return home.


Words: OECD
Meaning:
abbreviation\nOrganization for Economic Cooperation and Development (an organization of industrial countries that encourages trade and economic growth)


Words: Oedipal
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] connected with an Oedipus complex:\nAn Oedipal situation between one child and its parent may disrupt the whole complex of relationships within the family.


Words: Oedipus complex
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (psychology) feelings of sexual desire that a boy has for his mother and the jealous feelings towards his father that this causes\n ORIGIN  From the Greek story of Oedipus, whose father Laius had been told by the oracle that his son would kill him. Laius left Oedipus on a mountain to die, but a shepherd rescued him. Oedipus returned home many years later but did not recognize his parents. He killed his father and married his mother Jocasta.


Words: oesophagus
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE esophagus)  noun\n(plural oesophaguses or oesophagi ) (anatomy) the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach\nSYN GULLET


Words: oestrogen
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a HORMONE produced in women’s OVARIES that causes them to develop the physical and sexual features that are characteristic of females and that causes them to prepare their body to have babies\ncompare PROGESTERONE, TESTOSTERONE


Words: of
Meaning:
preposition\n  1  belonging to sb; relating to sb:\na friend of mine * the love of a mother for her child * the role of the teacher * Can’t you throw out that old bike of Tommy’s? * the paintings of Monet\n HELP NOTE  When you are talking about everything someone has painted, written, etc. use of. When you are referring to one or more examples of somebody’s work, use by: a painting by Monet\n  2  belonging to sth; being part of sth; relating to sth:\nthe lid of the box * the director of the company * a member of the team * the result of the debate\n  3  coming from a particular background or living in a place:\na woman of Italian descent * the people of Wales\n  4  concerning or showing sb/sth:\na story of passion * a photo of my dog * a map of India\n  5  used to say what sb/sth is, consists of, or contains:\nthe city of Dublin * the issue of housing * a crowd of people * a glass of milk\n  6  used with measurements and expressions of time, age, etc:\n2 kilos of potatoes * an increase of 2% * a girl of 12 * the fourth of July * the year of his birth * (old-fashioned) We would often have a walk of an evening.\n  7  used to show sb/sth belongs to a group, often after some, a few, etc:\nsome of his friends * a few of the problems * the most famous of all the stars\n  8  used to show the position of sth/sb in space or time:\njust north of Detroit * at the time of the revolution * (AmE) at a quarter of eleven tonight (= 10.45 p.m.)\n  9  used after nouns formed from verbs. The noun after ’of’ can be either the object or the subject of the action:\nthe arrival of the police (= they arrive) * criticism of the police (= they are criticized) * fear of the dark * the howling of the wind\n  10  used after some verbs before mentioning sb/sth involved in the action:\nto rob / deprive sb of sth * He was cleared of all blame. * Think of a number, any number.\n  11  used after some adjectives before mentioning sb/sth that a feeling relates to:\nto be ashamed / proud of sth\n  12  used to give your opinion of sb’s behaviour:\nIt was kind of you to offer.\n  13  used when one noun describes a second one:\nWhere’s that idiot of a boy? (= the boy that you think is an idiot)\n IDIOMS \n  of all used before a noun to say that sth is very surprising:\nI’m surprised that you of all people should say that.\n  of all the ... used to express anger:\nOf all the nerve!


Words: off
Meaning:
adverb, preposition, adjective, noun \n    adverb\n HELP NOTE  For the special uses of off in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example come off is in the phrasal verb section at come.\n  1  away from a place; at a distance in space or time:\nI called him but he ran off. * Sarah’s off in India somewhere. * I must be off soon (= leave). * Off you go! * Summer’s not far off now. * A solution is still some way off.\n  2  used to say that sth has been removed:\nHe’s had his beard shaved off. * Take your coat off. * Don’t leave the toothpaste with the top off.\n  3  starting a race:\nThey’re off (= the race has begun).\n  4  no longer going to happen; cancelled:\nThe wedding is off.\n  5  not connected or functioning:\nThe water is off. * Make sure the TV is off.\n  6  (especially BrE) (of an item on a menu) no longer available or being served:\nSorry, the duck is off.\n  7  away from work or duty:\nShe’s off today. * I’ve got three days off next week. * How many days did you take off? * I need some time off.\n  8  taken from the price:\nshoes with ｣5 off * All shirts have / are 10% off.\n  9  behind or at the sides of the stage in a theatre\nSYN OFFSTAGE\n IDIOMS \n  be better off to have more money:\nFamilies will be better off under the new law. * Her promotion means she’s $100 a week better off.\n  be better off (doing sth) used to say that sb is/would be happier or more satisfied if they were in a particular position or took a particular action:\nShe’s better off without him. * The weather was so bad we’d have been better off staying at home.\n  be off for sth (informal) to have a particular amount of sth:\nHow are we off for coffee (= how much have we got)?\nsee also BADLY OFF\n  off and on / on and off from time to time; now and again:\nIt rained on and off all day.\n    preposition\n HELP NOTE  For the special uses of off in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example take sth off sth is in the phrasal verb section at take.\n  1  down or away from a place or at a distance in space or time:\nI fell off the ladder. * Keep off the grass! * an island off the coast of Spain * They were still 100 metres off the summit. * Scientists are still a long way off finding a cure. * We’re getting right off the subject.\n  2  leading away from sth, for example a road or room:\nWe live off Main Street. * There’s a bathroom off the main bedroom.\n  3  used to say that sth has been removed:\nYou need to take the top off the bottle first! * I want about an inch off the back of my hair.\n  4  away from work or duty:\nHe’s had ten days off school.\n  5  away from a price:\nThey knocked ｣500 off the car.\n  6  (off of) (non-standard or AmE, informal) off; from:\nI got it off of my brother.\n  7  not wanting or liking sth that you usually eat or use:\nI’m off (= not drinking) alcohol for a week. * He’s finally off drugs (= he no longer takes them).\n    adjective [not before noun]\n  1  (of food) no longer fresh enough to eat or drink:\nThis fish has gone off. * The milk smells off. * It’s off.\n  2  ~ (with sb) (informal, especially BrE) not polite or friendly:\nHe was a bit off with me this morning.\n  3  (informal, especially BrE) not acceptable:\nIt’s a bit off expecting us to work on Sunday.\n    noun [sing.] (the off) the start of a race:\nThey’re ready for the off.


Words: off chance
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  do sth on the off chance to do sth even though you think that there is only a small possibility of it being successful:\nShe scanned the crowd on the off chance of seeing someone she knew. * I called in at the office on the off chance that you would still be there.


Words: off day
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a day when you do not do things as well as usual:\nEven the best players sometimes have an off day.


Words: off season
Meaning:
noun [sing.]\n  1  the time of the year that is less busy in business and travel\nSYN LOW SEASON:\nWe don’t get many tourists in the off season.\n  2  (AmE, sport) = CLOSE SEASON\n    off-season adjective [only before noun]:\noff-season prices\n    off-season adverb:\nWe prefer to travel off-season.


Words: off-air
Meaning:
adjective\n(in radio and television) not being broadcast:\noff-air recording\nOPP ON-AIR\n    off-air adverb:\nto record off-air


Words: off-Broadway
Meaning:
adjective (AmE)\n  1  (of a theatre) not on Broadway, New York’s main theatre district\n  2  (of a play) unusual in some way and often by new writers\ncompare FRINGE THEATRE


Words: off-centre
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE off-center) adverb, adjective\nnot exactly in the centre of sth:\nShe wore a beret, set slightly off-centre.


Words: off-key
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a voice or a musical instrument) not in tune\n  2  not suitable or correct in a particular situation:\nSome of his remarks were very off-key.\n    off-key adverb:\nto sing off-key


Words: off-line
Meaning:
adjective\n(computing) not directly controlled by or connected to a computer or to the Internet\nsee also ONLINE


Words: off-peak
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] happening or used at a time that is less popular or busy, and therefore cheaper:\noff-peak electricity / travel\n    off-peak adverb:\nPhone calls cost 20p per unit off-peak.\ncompare PEAK


Words: off-putting
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal, especially BrE) not pleasant, in a way that prevents you from liking sb/sth:\nI find his manner very off-putting.


Words: off-road
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] not on the public road:\nan off-road vehicle (= one for driving on rough ground)


Words: off-screen
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] in real life, not in a film/movie:\nThey were off-screen lovers.\n    off-screen adverb:\nShe looks totally different off-screen.\ncompare ON-SCREEN


Words: off-the-cuff
Meaning:
-> CUFF n.\n HELP NOTE  You will also find other compounds beginning off-the- at the entry for the last word in the compound.


Words: off-white
Meaning:
adjective\nvery pale yellowish-white in colour:\nThe walls were painted off-white.\n    off-white noun [U]


Words: offbeat
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (informal) different from what most people expect:\noffbeat humour * an offbeat approach to interviewing


Words: offence
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE offense)  noun\n  1  [C] ~ (against sb/sth) an illegal act \nSYN CRIME:\na criminal / serious / minor / sexual offence * a first offence (= the first time that sb has been found guilty of a crime) * a capital offence (= one for which sb may be punished by death) * He was not aware that he had committed an offence. * an offence against society / humanity / the state * New legislation makes it an offence to carry guns.\n  2  [U] the act of upsetting or insulting sb:\nI’m sure he meant no offence when he said that. * The photo on the cover of the book may cause offence to some people. * No one will take offence (= feel upset or insulted) if you leave early. * Don’t be so quick to take offence.\n IDIOMS \n  no offence (spoken) used to say that you do not mean to upset or insult sb by sth you say or do:\nNo offence, but I’d really like to be on my own.


Words: offend
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [often passive] to make sb feel upset because of sth you say or do that is rude or embarrassing:\n[VN] They’ll be offended if you don’t go to their wedding. * Neil did not mean to offend anybody with his joke. * She managed to offend her boyfriend’s parents as soon as she opened her mouth. * [V] A TV interviewer must be careful not to offend.\n  2  [VN] to seem unpleasant to sb:\nThe smell from the farm offended some people. * an ugly building that offends the eye\n  3  [V] (formal) to commit a crime or crimes:\n[V] He started offending at the age of 16. * What is the best way to stop someone who has offended from repeating the offence?\n  4  [V] ~ (against sb/sth) (formal) to be against what people believe is morally right:\ncomments that offend against people’s religious beliefs\n    offended adjective:\nAlice looked rather offended.


Words: offender
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who commits a crime:\na persistent / serious / violent offender * a young offender institution\nsee also FIRST OFFENDER, SEX OFFENDER\n  2  a person or thing that does sth wrong:\nThe report on sexual discrimination at work shows that some of the worst offenders are women. * When it comes to pollution, the chemical industry is a major offender.


Words: offending
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  causing you to feel annoyed or upset; causing problems:\nThe offending paragraph was deleted. * The traffic jam soon cleared once the offending vehicle had been removed.\n  2  guilty of a crime:\nThe offending driver received a large fine.


Words: offense
Meaning:
noun (AmE)\n  1  [C, U] = OFFENCE\n  2  (usually the offense) [sing., U] (BrE attack [sing.]) (sport) the members of a team whose main aim is to score points against the other team; a method of attack:\nThe Redskins’ offense is stronger than their defense. * He played offense for the Chicago Bulls.\ncompare DEFENCE


Words: offensive
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  ~ (to sb) rude in a way that causes you to feel upset, insulted or annoyed:\noffensive behaviour / remarks * His comments were deeply offensive to a large number of single mothers. * The programme contains language which some viewers may find offensive.\nOPP INOFFENSIVE\n  2  (formal) extremely unpleasant:\nan offensive smell\n  3  [only before noun] connected with the act of attacking sb/sth:\nan offensive war * offensive action * He was charged with carrying an offensive weapon.\ncompare DEFENSIVE\n  4  (AmE, sport) connected with the team that has control of the ball; connected with the act of scoring points:\noffensive play\ncompare DEFENSIVE\n    offensively adverb:\nHe later apologized for speaking offensively about the Queen. * (AmE) The team needs to be encouraged to play more offensively.\n    offensiveness noun [U] \n    noun\n  1  a military operation in which large numbers of soldiers, etc. attack another country:\nan air / a bombing offensive * The final offensive was launched on January 10.\n  2  a series of actions aimed at achieving sth in a way that attracts a lot of attention:\nThe government has launched a new offensive against crime. * a sales offensive * The public seems unconvinced by their latest charm offensive (= their attempt to make people like them).\n IDIOMS \n  be on the offensive to be attacking sb/sth rather than waiting for them to attack you:\nThe Scots were on the offensive for most of the game. * The government is very much on the offensive in the fight against drugs.\n  go on (to) the offensive | take the offensive to start attacking sb/sth before they start attacking you


Words: offer
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ sth (to sb) (for sth) | ~ sb sth to say that you are willing to do sth for sb or give sth to sb:\n[VN] He offered ｣4 000 for the car. * Josie had offered her services as a guide * He offered some useful advice. * They are offering a reward for the return of their cat. * [VN, VNN] They decided to offer the job to Jo. * They decided to offer Jo the job. * [VNN] I gratefully took the cup of coffee she offered me. * Taylor offered him 500 dollars to do the work. * [V to inf] The kids offered to do the dishes. * [V speech] ’I’ll do it,’ she offered.\n  2  [VN] to make sth available or to provide the opportunity for sth:\nThe hotel offers excellent facilities for families. * The job didn’t offer any prospects for promotion. * He did not offer any explanation for his behaviour.\n  3  [VN] ~ sth/sb (up) (to sb) (formal) to give sth to God:\nWe offered up our prayers for the men’s safe return.\n IDIOMS \n  have sth to offer to have sth available that sb wants:\nOxford has a lot to offer its visitors in the way of entertainment. * a young man with a great deal to offer (= who is intelligent, has many skills, etc.)\n  offer your hand (formal) to hold out your hand for sb to shake\n    noun\n  1  ~ (of sth / to do sth) an act of saying that you are willing to do sth for sb or give sth to sb:\nThank you for your kind offer of help. * I accepted her offer to pay. * to accept / refuse / decline an offer * I took him up on his offer of a loan. * You can’t just turn down offers of work like that. * an offer of marriage\n  2  ~ (for sth) an amount of money that sb is willing to pay for sth:\nI’ve had an offer of ｣2 500 for the car. * They’ve decided to accept our original offer. * The offer has been withdrawn. * They made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. * The original price was ｣3 000, but I’m open to offers (= willing to consider offers that are less than that).\nsee also O.N.O.\n  3  a reduction in the normal price of sth, usually for a short period of time:\nThis special offer is valid until the end of the month. * See next week’s issue for details of more free offers. * They have an offer on beer at the moment.\n IDIOMS \n  on offer\n1 that can be bought, used, etc:\nThe following is a list of courses currently on offer. * Prizes worth more than ｣20 000 are on offer to the winner.\n2 (especially BrE) on sale at a lower price than normal for a short period of time:\nItalian wines are on (special) offer this week.\n  under offer (BrE) if a house or other building is under offer, sb has agreed to buy it at a particular price


Words: offering
Meaning:
noun\n  1  something that is produced for other people to use, watch, enjoy etc:\nThis is the latest offering from the Canadian-born writer.\n  2  something that is given to a god as part of religious worship:\nAll these sacrifices are essentially offerings to the gods.\nsee also BURNT OFFERING, PEACE OFFERING


Words: offertory
Meaning:
noun (plural offertories)\n  1  the offering of bread and wine to God at a church service\n  2  an offering or a collection of money during a church service


Words: offhand
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective (disapproving) not showing much interest in sb/sth:\nan offhand manner / voice * He was very offhand with me. * She seemed offhand about the danger involved.\n    offhandedly  adverb:\nHe spoke offhandedly, making it clear I had no say in the matter.\n    adverb without being able to check sth or think about it:\nI don’t know offhand how much we made last year.


Words: office
Meaning:
noun\n \n  room / building\n \n  1  [C] a room, set of rooms or building where people work, usually sitting at desks:\nThe company is moving to new offices on the other side of town. * Are you going to the office today? * We ought to inform head office. * an office job * office workers\n \n  2  [C] a room in which a particular person works, usually at a desk:\nSome people have to share an office. * Come into my office.\n \n  3  (AmE) = SURGERY:\na doctor’s / dentist’s office\n  4  [C] (often in compounds) a room or building used for a particular purpose, especially to provide information or a service:\nthe local tourist office * a ticket office\nsee also BOX OFFICE, REGISTRY OFFICE\n  government department\n  5  (Office) [C] used in the names of some British government departments:\nthe Foreign Office * the Home Office * the Office of Fair Trading\n  important position\n  6  [U, C] an important position of authority, especially in government; the work and duties connected with this:\nShe held office as a cabinet minister for ten years. * How long has he been in office? * The party has been out of office (= has not formed a government) for many years. * The present government took office in 1997. * to seek / run for office * (BrE) to stand for office * the office of treasurer\n IDIOMS \n  through sb’s good offices (formal) with sb’s help


Words: office block
Meaning:
(BrE) (also office building AmE, BrE) noun\na large building that contains offices, usually belonging to more than one company:\nhigh-rise office blocks


Words: office hours
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the time when people in offices are normally working:\nOur telephone lines are open during normal office hours.


Words: office-holder
Meaning:
(also office-bearer) noun\na person who is in a position of authority, especially in the government or a government organization


Words: officer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who is in a position of authority in the armed forces:\narmy / airforce / naval officers * a commissioned / non-commissioned officer * The matter was passed on to me, as your commanding officer.\nsee also FLYING OFFICER, PETTY OFFICER, PILOT OFFICER, WARRANT OFFICER\n  2  (often in compounds) a person who is in a position of authority in the government or a large organization:\nan environmental health officer * a customs / prison / welfare officer * officers of state (= ministers in the government)\nsee also CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MEDICAL OFFICER, PRESS OFFICER, PROBATION OFFICER, RETURNING OFFICER\n  3  (often used as a form of address) = POLICE OFFICER:\nthe officer in charge of the case * the investigating officer * Yes, officer, I saw what happened.\n  4  (AmE) a title for a police officer:\nOfficer Dibble


Words: official
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] connected with the job of sb who is in a position of authority:\nofficial responsibilities * the Prime Minister’s official residence * He attended in his official capacity as mayor. * This was her first official engagement. * He made an official visit to Tokyo in March.\n  2  [usually before noun] agreed to, said, done, etc. by sb who is in a position of authority:\nan official announcement / decision / statement * according to official statistics / figures * the official biography of the President * An official inquiry has been launched into the cause of the accident. * The country’s official language is Spanish. * I intend to lodge an official complaint (= to complain to sb in authority). * The news is not yet official.\n  3  [only before noun] that is told to the public but may not be true:\nI only knew the official version of events. * The official story has always been that they are just good friends.\n  4  [only before noun] formal and attended by people in authority:\nan official function / reception * The official opening is planned for October.\nOPP UNOFFICIAL\n    noun (often in compounds) a person who is in a position of authority in a large organization:\na bank / company / court / government official * a senior official in the State Department * Palace officials are refusing to comment on the royal divorce.


Words: official secret
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain) a piece of information known only to the government and its employees, which it is illegal for them to tell anyone under the Official Secrets Act


Words: officialdom
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) people who are in positions of authority in large organizations when they seem to be more interested in following rules than in being helpful:\nThe report is critical of attempts by officialdom to deal with the problem of homelessness.


Words: officialese
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) language used in official documents that is thought by many people to be too complicated and difficult to understand


Words: officially
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  publicly and by sb who is in a position of authority:\nThe library will be officially opened by the local MP. * We haven’t yet been told officially about the closure. * The college is not an officially recognized English language school.\n  2  according to a particular set of rules, laws, etc:\nMany of those living on the streets are not officially homeless. * I’m not officially supposed to be here.\n  3  according to information that has been told to the public but that may not be true:\nOfficially, he resigned because of bad health.\nOPP UNOFFICIALLY


Words: officiate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (at sth) (formal) to do the official duties at a public or religious ceremony:\nA referee from a neutral country will officiate at the competition.


Words: officious
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) too ready to tell people what to do or to use the power you have to give orders:\na nasty officious little man\n    officiously adverb:\n’You can’t park here,’ he said officiously.\n    officiousness noun [U]


Words: offing
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  in the offing (informal) likely to appear or happen soon:\nI hear there are more staff changes in the offing.


Words: offload
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sth/sb (on / onto sb) to get rid of sth/sb that you do not need or want by passing it/them to sb else:\nThey should stop offloading waste from oil tankers into the sea. * They were desperate to offload the kids for a few hours. * It’s nice to have someone you can offload your problems onto.


Words: offset
Meaning:
verb, adjective \n    verb (offsetting, offset, offset) [VN] ~ sth (against sth) to use one cost, payment or situation in order to cancel or reduce the effect of another:\nPrices have risen in order to offset the increased cost of materials. * (BrE) What expenses can you offset against tax?\n    adjective [only before noun] used to describe a method of printing in which ink is put onto a metal plate, then onto a rubber surface and only then onto the paper


Words: offshoot
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a thing that develops from sth, especially a small organization that develops from a larger one\n  2  (technical) a new stem that grows on a plant


Words: offshore
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  happening or existing in the sea, not far from the land:\noffshore drilling * an offshore island\n  2  (of winds) blowing from the land towards the sea:\noffshore breezes\n  3  (business) (of money, companies, etc.) kept or situated in a country that has more generous tax laws than other places:\noffshore investments\n    offshore adverb:\na ship anchored offshore * profits earned offshore\ncompare INSHORE, ONSHORE


Words: offside
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective \n  1  (AmE also offsides) in some sports, for example football or hockey, a player is offside if he or she is in a position, usually ahead of the ball, that is not allowed:\nHe was offside when he scored. * the offside rule\ncompare ONSIDE\n  2  (BrE) on the side of a vehicle that is furthest from the edge of the road:\nthe offside mirror\ncompare NEARSIDE\n    noun [U]\n  1   (AmE also offsides) the fact of being offside in a game such as football or hockey:\nThe goal was disallowed for offside.\n  2   (BrE) the side of a vehicle that is furthest from the edge of the road:\nThe offside was damaged.\ncompare NEARSIDE


Words: offspring
Meaning:
noun (plural offspring) (formal or humorous)\n \n  1  a child of a particular person or couple:\nthe problems parents have with their teenage offspring * to produce / raise offspring\n \n  2  the young of an animal or plant:\nFemale badgers may give birth to as many as five offspring.


Words: offstage
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not on the stage in a theatre; not where the audience can see:\noffstage sound effects\n  2  happening to an actor in real life, not on the stage:\nThe stars were having an offstage relationship.\n    offstage adverb:\nThe hero dies offstage.\ncompare ONSTAGE


Words: often
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  many times\nSYN FREQUENTLY:\nWe often go there. * I’ve often wondered what happened to him. * How often do you go to the theatre? * I see her quite often. * Try to exercise as often as possible. * We should meet for lunch more often. * It is not often that you get such an opportunity.\n  2  in many cases\nSYN COMMONLY:\nOld houses are often damp. * People are often afraid of things they don’t understand. * (written) All too often the animals die through neglect. * His success depended, as so often happens, on things entirely outside his control.\n IDIOMS \n  as often as not | more often than not usually; in a way that is typical of sb/sth:\nAs often as not, he’s late for work.\n  every so often occasionally; sometimes:\nEvery so often I heard a strange noise outside.\nmore at ONCE adv.


Words: ogle
Meaning:
verb\nto look hard at sb in an offensive way, usually showing sexual interest:\n[VN] He was not in the habit of ogling women. [also V]


Words: ogre
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in stories) a cruel and frightening GIANT (= a very large strong person) who eats people\n  2  a very frightening person:\nMy boss is a real ogre.


Words: oh
Meaning:
(also less frequent O)  exclamation\n  1  used when you are reacting to sth that has been said, especially if you did not know it before:\n’I saw Ben yesterday.’ ’Oh yes, how is he?’ * Oh dear! What’s happened now? * You can’t come tonight? Oh well, see you next week then. * ’Emma has a new job.’ ’Oh, has she?’\n  2  used to express surprise, fear, joy, etc:\nOh, how wonderful! * Oh no, I’ve broken it!\n  3  used to attract sb’s attention:\nOh, Sue! Could you help me a moment?\n  4  used when you are thinking of what to say next:\nI’ve been in this job for, oh, about six years.


Words: oi
Meaning:
exclamation\n(BrE, informal) used to attract sb’s attention, especially in an angry way:\nOi, you! What do you think you’re doing?


Words: oik
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, slang) an offensive way of referring to a person that you consider rude or stupid, especially a person of a lower social class


Words: oil
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] a thick liquid that is found in rock underground \nSYN PETROLEUM:\ndrilling for oil\n  2  [U] a form of PETROLEUM that is used as fuel and to make parts of machines move smoothly:\nengine oil * an oil lamp / heater * Put some oil in the car.\n  3  [U, C] a smooth thick liquid that is made from plants or animals and is used in cooking:\nolive oil * vegetable oils\n  4  [U, C] a smooth thick liquid that is made from plants, minerals, etc. and is used on the skin or hair:\nlavender bath oil * suntan oil\nsee also ESSENTIAL OIL\n  5  [U] (also oils [pl.]) coloured paint containing oil used by artists:\na painting done in oils * landscapes in oil\nsee also OIL PAINT\n  6  [C] = OIL PAINTING:\nAmong the more important Turner oils was ’Venus and Adonis’.\nsee also OILY, CASTOR OIL, COD LIVER OIL, LINSEED OIL\n IDIOMS  see BURN v., POUR\n    verb [VN] to put oil onto or into sth, for example a machine, in order to protect it or make it work smoothly:\nHe oiled his bike and pumped up the tyres.\n IDIOMS \n  oil the wheels (BrE) (AmE grease the wheels) to help sth to happen easily and without problems, especially in business or politics


Words: oil painting
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also oil) [C] a picture painted in OIL PAINT\n  2  [U] the art of painting in OIL PAINT\n IDIOMS \n  be no oil painting (BrE, humorous) used when you are saying that a person is not attractive to look at


Words: oil rig
Meaning:
(also oil platform especially in AmE) noun\na large structure with equipment for getting oil from under the ground or under the sea


Words: oil-fired
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a heating system, etc.) burning oil as fuel:\noil-fired central heating * an oil-fired power station


Words: oilcan
Meaning:
noun\na metal container for oil, especially one with a long thin SPOUT, used for putting oil onto machine parts


Words: oilcloth
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a cotton fabric that has been COATED (= covered) on one side with a layer of oil so that water cannot pass through it, used especially in the past for covering tables


Words: oilskin
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a cotton fabric that has had oil put on it in a special process so that water cannot pass through it, used for making WATERPROOF clothing:\nan oilskin coat\n  2  [C] a coat or jacket made of oilskin\n  3  (oilskins) [pl.] a set of clothes made of oilskin, worn especially by sailors


Words: oily
Meaning:
adjective (oilier, oiliest)\n  1  containing or covered with oil:\noily fish * an oily rag\n  2  feeling, tasting, smelling or looking like oil:\nan oily substance\n  3  (disapproving) (of a person or their behaviour) trying to be too polite, in a way that is annoying:\nan oily smile\n    oiliness noun [U]


Words: ointment
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a smooth substance that you rub on the skin to heal a wound or sore place:\nantiseptic ointment\n \n IDIOMS  see FLY n.


Words: OK
Meaning:
(also okay)  exclamation, adjective, adverb, noun, verb \n    exclamation (informal)\n  1  yes; all right:\n’Shall we go for a walk?’ ’OK.’\n  2  used to attract sb’s attention or to introduce a comment:\nOkay, let’s go.\n  3  used to check that sb agrees with you or understands you:\nThe meeting’s at 2, OK? * I’ll do it my way, OK?\n  4  used to stop people arguing with you or criticizing you:\nOK, so I was wrong. I’m sorry.\n    adjective, adverb (spoken)\n  1  safe and well; in a calm or happy state:\nAre you OK?\n  2  ~ (for sb) (to do sth) all right; satisfactory; in a satisfactory way:\nIs it OK if I leave now? * Is it OK for me to come too? * Does my hair look okay? * I think I did OK in the exam. * Whatever you decide, it’s okay by me. * an okay movie\n    noun [sing.] (informal) permission:\nI’m still waiting for the boss to give me the OK.\n    verb (OK’s, OK’ing, OK’d, OK’d) [VN] (informal) to officially agree to sth or allow it to happen:\nShe filled in an expenses claim and her manager OK’d it.


Words: old
Meaning:
adjective (older, oldest)\n \n  age\n \n  1  be ...years, months, etc. ~ of a particular age:\nThe baby was only a few hours old. * In those days most people left school when they were only fifteen years old. * At thirty years old, he was already earning ｣40 000 a year. * two fourteen-year-old boys * a class for five-year-olds (= children who are five) * I didn’t think she was old enough for the responsibility. * How old is this building?\n \n  not young\n \n  2  having lived for a long time; no longer young:\nto get / grow old * The old man lay propped up on cushions. * She was a woman grown old before her time (= who looked older than she was).\nOPP YOUNG\n  3  (the old) noun [pl.] old people:\nThe old feel the cold more than the young.\n  not new\n  4  having existed or been used for a long time:\nold customs / beliefs / habits * He always gives the same old excuses. * This carpet’s getting pretty old now.\nOPP NEW\n  5  [only before noun] former; belonging to past times or a past time in your life:\nThings were different in the old days. * I went back to visit my old school. * Old and Middle English\n  6  [only before noun] used to refer to sth that has been replaced by sth else:\nWe had more room in our old house.\nOPP NEW\n  7  [only before noun] known for a long time:\nShe’s an old friend of mine (= I have known her for a long time). * We’re old rivals.\ncompare RECENT\n  good old / poor old\n  8  [only before noun] (spoken) used to show affection or a lack of respect:\nGood old Dad! * You poor old thing! * I hate her, the silly old cow!\n IDIOMS \n  any old how (spoken) in a careless or untidy way:\nThe books were piled up all over the floor any old how.\n  as old as the hills very old; ancient\n  any old ... (spoken) any item of the type mentioned (used when it is not important which particular item is chosen):\nAny old room would have done.\n  for old times’ sake if you do sth for old times’ sake, you do it because it is connected with sth good that happened to you in the past\n  the good / bad old days an earlier period of time in your life or in history that is seen as better/worse than the present:\nThat was in the bad old days of rampant inflation.\n  of old (formal or literary) in or since past times:\nin days of old * We know him of old (= we have known him for a long time).\n  old boy, chap, man, etc. (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) used by older men of the middle and upper classes as a friendly way of addressing another man\n  old enough to be sb’s father / mother (disapproving) very much older than sb (especially used to suggest that a romantic or sexual relationship between the two people is not appropriate)\n  old enough to know better old enough to behave in a more sensible way than you actually did\n  (have) an old head on young shoulders used to describe a young person who acts in a more sensible way than you would expect for a person of their age\n  the (same) old story what usually happens:\nIt’s the same old story of a badly managed project with inadequate funding.\n  an old wives’ tale (disapproving) an old idea or belief that has been proved not to be scientific:\nthe old wives’ tale that make-up ruins the skin\n  one of the old school an old-fashioned person who likes to do things as they were done in the past\nmore at CHIP n., GRAND adj., HEAVE-HO, HIGH adj., MONEY, RIPE, SETTLE v., TEACH, TOUGH adj., TRICK n.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nolder / elder\nThe usual comparative and superlative forms of old are older and oldest: My brother is older than me. * The palace is the oldest building in the city. In BrE you can also use elder and eldest when comparing the ages of people, especially members of the same family, although these words are not common in speech now. As adjectives they are only used before a noun and you cannot say ’elder than’: my older/elder sister * the elder/older of their two children * I’m the eldest/oldest in the family.\n______________________________


Words: old age
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the time of your life when you are old:\nOld age can bring many problems. * He lived alone in his old age.


Words: old bat
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal, disapproving) a silly or annoying old person:\nDaft old bat. What’s she keeping all that cash in the house for?


Words: old boy
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (old boy) (BrE) a man who used to be a student at a particular school, usually a private one:\nThey’re having an old boys’ reunion next month.\n  2  (old boy) (spoken, especially BrE) an old man:\nThe old boy next door has died.\nsee also OLD GIRL\n IDIOMS \n  the old boy network (BrE, informal) the practice of men who went to the same school using their influence to help each other at work or socially:\nRecruiting staff used to be done by means of the old boy network.


Words: Old English
Meaning:
(also Anglo-Saxon) noun\n[U] the English language before about 1150, very different from modern English


Words: old girl
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (old girl) (BrE) a woman who used to be a student at a particular school, usually a private one:\nThere’s going to be an old girls’ reunion next month.\n  2  (old girl) (spoken, especially BrE) an old woman:\nThe old girl next door has died.


Words: old hand
Meaning:
noun\n~ (at sth / at doing sth) a person with a lot of experience and skill in a particular activity:\nShe’s an old hand at dealing with the press.


Words: old hat
Meaning:
noun\n[U] something that is old-fashioned and no longer interesting:\nToday’s hits rapidly become old hat.


Words: old master
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a famous painter, especially of the 13th17th centuries in Europe\n  2  a picture painted by an old master:\nThey have a collection of priceless old masters.


Words: old school tie
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a tie worn by former students of a particular school, especially a private one; the respect for the school and traditional attitudes that this represents:\nSystems based on social class and the old school tie are more common in Britain than in the US.


Words: old stager
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person who has great experience in a particular activity:\nTom Jones sang at the concert, along with other old stagers.


Words: old woman
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (informal, especially BrE) a person’s wife or mother\n  2  (BrE, disapproving) a man who worries too much about things that are not important


Words: old-age pensioner
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation OAP) (BrE, becoming old-fashioned) a person who receives an old-age pension\nsee also SENIOR CITIZEN


Words: old-established
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] that has existed for a long time:\nold-established customs / industries / families


Words: old-fashioned
Meaning:
adjective (sometimes disapproving)\n  1  not modern; no longer fashionable:\nold-fashioned clothes / styles / methods / equipment\ncompare FASHIONABLE\n  2  (of a person) believing in old or traditional ways; having traditional ideas:\nMy parents are old-fashioned about relationships and marriage. * She wants to be an old-fashioned mother, staying at home and looking after the children.


Words: old-style
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] typical of past fashions or times:\nan old-style dress shop * old-style socialism


Words: old-timer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who has been connected with a club or an organization, or who has lived in a place, for a long time:\nThe jazz club always has a good mixture of old-timers and new faces.\n  2  (AmE) an old man


Words: old-world
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (approving) belonging to past times; not modern:\nan old-world hotel with character and charm


Words: olde
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (old use) a way of spelling ’old’ that was used in the past and is now sometimes used in names and advertisements to give the impression that sth is traditional:\na pub that tries to recreate the flavour of olde England


Words: olde worlde
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (BrE, humorous) (of a place or its atmosphere) trying deliberately to seem old-fashioned:\nthe olde worlde atmosphere of the tea room with its log fire


Words: olden
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] existing a long time ago in the past:\nWhat was life like in the olden days, Gran?


Words: ole
Meaning:
adjective\nused in written English to represent how some people say the word ’old’:\nMy ole man used to work there.


Words: oleander
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a Mediterranean bush or tree with purple, white or pink flowers and long pointed thick leaves


Words: olfactory
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (technical) connected with the sense of smell:\nolfactory cells / nerves / organs


Words: oligarchy
Meaning:
noun (plural oligarchies)\n  1  [U] a form of government in which only a small group of people hold all the power\n  2  [C+sing./pl. v.] the people who hold power in an oligarchy\n  3  [C] a country governed by an oligarchy


Words: olive
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a small green or black fruit with a strong taste, used in cooking and for its oil:\nolive oil\nsee also VIRGIN OLIVE OIL\n \n  2  (also olive tree) [C] a tree on which olives grow:\nolive groves\n \n  3  (also olive green) [U] a yellowish-green colour\n    adjective\n  1  (also olive-green) yellowish-green in colour\n  2  (of skin) yellowish-brown in colour:\nan olive complexion


Words: olive branch
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a symbol of peace; sth you say or do to show that you wish to make peace with sb:\nManagement is holding out an olive branch to the strikers.


Words: Olympiad
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an occasion when the modern Olympic games are held:\nThe 26th Olympiad took place in Atlanta, Georgia.\n  2  an international competition in a particular subject, especially a science:\nthe 14th International Physics Olympiad


Words: Olympian
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) like a god; powerful and impressive:\nHe viewed the problem with Olympian detachment.


Words: Olympic
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] connected with the Olympic Games:\nan Olympic athlete / medallist * the British Olympic team


Words: ombudsman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural ombudsmen ) a government official whose job is to examine and report on complaints made by ordinary people about the government or public authorities


Words: omelette
Meaning:
(AmE also omelet)  noun\na hot dish of eggs mixed together and fried, often with cheese, meat, vegetables, etc. added:\na cheese and mushroom omelette\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs (saying) you cannot achieve sth important without causing a few small problems


Words: omen
Meaning:
noun\n~ (for sth) a sign of what is going to happen in the future:\na good / bad omen * an omen of death / disaster * The omens for their future success are not good.


Words: ominous
Meaning:
adjective\nsuggesting that sth bad is going to happen in the future:\nThere were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead. * She picked up the phone but there was an ominous silence at the other end.\n    ominously adverb


Words: omission
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (from sth) the act of not including sb/sth or not doing sth; the fact of not being included/done:\nEveryone was surprised at her omission from the squad. * The play was shortened by the omission of two scenes. * (formal) sins of omission (= not doing things that should be done)\n  2  [C] a thing that has not been included or done:\nThere were a number of errors and omissions in the article.


Words: omit
Meaning:
verb (-tt-) [VN] (formal)\n  1  ~ sth/sb (from sth) to not include sth/sb either deliberately or because you have forgotten it/them\nSYN LEAVE OUT:\nIf you are a student, you can omit questions 1618. * People were surprised that Smith was omitted from the team.\n  2  [V to inf] to not do or fail to do sth:\nShe omitted to mention that they were staying the night.


Words: omni-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) of all things; in all ways or places:\nomnivore * omnipresent


Words: omnibus
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  (BrE) a television or radio programme that combines several recent programmes in a series:\nthe 90-minute Sunday omnibus edition\n  2  a large book that contains a number of books, for example novels by the same author\n  3  (old-fashioned) a bus\n    adjective (AmE) including many things or different types of thing:\nan omnibus law


Words: omnipotent
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) having total power; able to do anything:\nan omnipotent God\n    omnipotence  noun [U]:\nthe omnipotence of God


Words: omnipresent
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) present everywhere:\nThese days the media are omnipresent.\n    omnipresence  noun [U]


Words: omniscient
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) knowing everything:\nThe novel has an omniscient narrator.\n    omniscience  noun [U]


Words: omnivore
Meaning:
noun\nan animal or a person that eats all types of food, especially both plants and meat\ncompare CARNIVORE, HERBIVORE, INSECTIVORE


Words: omnivorous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (technical) eating all types of food, especially both plants and meat:\nan omnivorous diet / animal\ncompare CARNIVOROUS, HERBIVOROUS\n  2  (formal) having wide interests in a particular area or activity:\nShe has always been an omnivorous reader.


Words: on
Meaning:
preposition, adverb \n    preposition\n HELP NOTE  For the special uses of on in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example turn on sb is in the phrasal verb section at turn.\n  1  in or into a position covering, touching or forming part of a surface:\na picture on a wall * There’s a mark on your skirt. * the diagram on page 5 * Put it down on the table. * He had been hit on the head. * She climbed on to the bed.\n HELP NOTE  This could also be written: onto the bed\n  2  supported by sb/sth:\nShe was standing on one foot. * Try lying on your back. * Hang your coat on that hook.\n  3  used to show a means of transport:\nHe was on the plane from New York. * to travel on the bus / tube / coach * I came on my bike. * a woman on horseback\n  4  used to show a day or date:\nHe came on Sunday. * We meet on Tuesdays. * on May the first / the first of May * on the evening of May the first * on one occasion * on your birthday\n  5  immediately after sth:\nOn arriving home I discovered they had gone. * Please report to reception on arrival. * There was a letter waiting for him on his return.\n  6  about sth/sb:\na book on South Africa * She tested us on irregular verbs.\n  7  being carried by sb; in the possession of sb:\nHave you got any money on you?\n  8  used to show that sb belongs to a group or an organization:\nto be on the committee / staff / jury / panel * Whose side are you on (= which of two or more different views do you support)?\n  9  eating or drinking sth; using a drug or a medicine regularly:\nHe lived on a diet of junk food. * The doctor put me on antibiotics.\n  10  used to show direction:\non the left / right * He turned his back on us.\n  11  at or near a place:\na town on the coast * a house on the Thames * We lived on an estate.\n  12  used to show the basis or reason for sth:\na story based on fact * On their advice I applied for the job.\n  13  supported financially by sth:\nto live on a pension / a student grant * to be on a low wage * You can’t feed a family on ｣50 a week. * Drinks are on me (= I am paying).\n  14  by means of sth; using sth:\nShe played a tune on her guitar. * The information is available on the Internet. * We spoke on the phone. * What’s on TV? * The programme’s on Channel 4.\n  15  used with some nouns or adjectives to say who or what is affected by sth:\na ban on smoking * He’s hard on his kids. * Go easy on the mayo! (= do not give me too much)\n  16  compared with sb/sth:\nSales are up on last year.\n  17  used to describe an activity or a state:\nto be on business / holiday / vacation * The book is currently on loan.\n  18  used when giving a telephone number:\nYou can get me on 0181 530 3906. * She’s on extension 2401.\n    adverb\n HELP NOTE  For the special uses of on in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example get on is in the phrasal verb section at get.\n  1  used to show that sth continues:\nHe worked on without a break. * If you like a good story, read on.\n  2  used to show that sb/sth moves or is sent forward:\nShe stopped for a moment, then walked on. * Keep straight on for the beach. * From then on he never trusted her again. * Please send the letter on to my new address.\n HELP NOTE  This cannot be written: _o_n_t_o_ _m_y_ _n_e_w_ _a_d_d_r_e_s_s\n  3  on sb’s body; being worn:\nPut your coat on. * I didn’t have my glasses on. * What did she have on (= what was she wearing)?\n  4  covering, touching or forming part of sth:\nMake sure the lid is on.\n  5  connected or operating; being used:\nThe lights were all on. * The TV is always on in their house. * We were without electricity for three hours but it’s on again now.\n  6  happening:\nThere was a war on at the time. * What’s on at the movies? * The band are on (= performing) in ten minutes.\n  7  planned to take place in the future:\nThe game is still on (= it has not been cancelled). * I don’t think we’ve got anything on this weekend. * I’m sorry we can’t come-we’ve got a lot on.\n  8  on duty; working:\nI’m on now till 8 tomorrow morning.\n  9  in or into a vehicle:\nThe bus stopped and four people got on. * They hurried on to the plane.\nsee also ONTO\n IDIOMS \n  be on about sth (informal) to talk about sth; to mean sth:\nI didn’t know what he was on about. It didn’t make sense.\n  be / go / keep on about sth (informal, disapproving) to talk in a boring or complaining way about sth:\nStop keeping on about it!\n  be / go / keep on at sb (to do sth) (informal, disapproving) to keep asking or telling sb sth so that they become annoyed or tired:\nHe was on at me again to lend him money.\n  it isn’t on (informal) used to say that sth is not acceptable\n  on and on without stopping; continuously:\nShe went on and on about her trip.\n  What are you on? (informal) used when you are very surprised at sb’s behaviour and are suggesting that they are acting in a similar way to sb using drugs\n  you’re on (informal) used when you are accepting a bet\nmore at OFF adv.


Words: on-air
Meaning:
adjective\n(in radio and television) being broadcast:\nShe explains how she deals with on-air technical problems.\nOPP OFF-AIR\n    on-air adverb


Words: on-screen
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  appearing or written on the screen of a computer, television or cinema/movie theater:\non-screen courtroom dramas * on-screen instructions / messages\n  2  connected with the imaginary story of a film/movie and not with real life:\nHis on-screen father is also his father in real life.\ncompare OFF-SCREEN\n    on-screen adverb:\nI prefer to edit text on-screen.


Words: once
Meaning:
adverb, conjunction \n    adverb\n  1  on one occasion only; one time:\nI’ve only been there once. * He cleans his car once a week. * She only sees her parents once every six months. * (informal) He only did it the once.\n  2  at some time in the past:\nI once met your mother. * He once lived in Zambia. * This book was famous once, but nobody reads it today.\n  3  used in negative sentences and questions, and after if to mean ’ever’ or ’at all’:\nHe never once offered to help. * If she once decides to do something, you won’t change her mind.\n IDIOMS \n  all at once\n1 suddenly:\nAll at once she lost her temper.\n2 all together; at the same time:\nI can’t do everything all at once-you’ll have to be patient.\n  at once\n1 immediately; without delay:\nCome here at once!\n2 at the same time:\nDon’t all speak at once! * I can’t do two things at once.\n  (just) for once | just this once (spoken) on this occasion (which is in contrast to what happens usually):\nJust for once he arrived on time. * Can’t you be nice to each other just this once?\n  going once, going twice, sold (especially AmE) = GOING, GOING, GONE\n  once again | once more one more time; another time:\nOnce again the train was late. * Let me hear it just once more.\n  once a ..., always a ... used to say that sb cannot change:\nOnce an actor, always an actor.\n  once and for all now and for the last time; finally or completely:\nWe need to settle this once and for all.\n  once bitten, twice shy (saying) after an unpleasant experience you are careful to avoid sth similar\n  once in a blue moon (informal) very rarely\n  (every) once in a while occasionally\n  once or twice a few times:\nI don’t know her well, I’ve only met her once or twice.\n  once too often used to say that sb has done sth wrong or stupid again, and this time they will suffer because of it:\nYou’ve tried that trick once too often.\n  once upon a time used, especially at the beginning of stories, to mean ’a long time in the past’:\nOnce upon a time there was a beautiful princess.\n    conjunction as soon as; when:\nWe didn’t know how we would cope once the money had gone. * The water is fine once you’re in!


Words: once-over
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  give sb/sth a / the once-over (informal)\n1 to look at sb/sth quickly to see what they or it are like\n2 to clean sth quickly:\nShe gave the room a quick once-over before the guests arrived.


Words: oncoming
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] coming towards you \nSYN APPROACHING:\nAlways walk facing the oncoming traffic.


Words: one
Meaning:
number, determiner, pronoun \n    number, determiner\n  1  the number 1:\nDo you want one or two? * There’s only room for one person. * One more, please! * a one-bedroomed apartment * I’ll see you at one (= one o’clock).\n  2  used in formal language or for emphasis before hundred, thousand, etc., or before a unit of measurement:\nIt cost one hundred and fifty pounds. * He lost by less than one second.\n  3  used for emphasis to mean ’a single’ or ’just one’:\nThere’s only one thing we can do.\n  4  a person or thing, especially when they are part of a group:\nOne of my friends lives in Brighton. * One place I’d really like to visit is Bali.\n  5  used for emphasis to mean ’the only one’ or ’the most important one’:\nHe’s the one person I can trust. * Her one concern was for the health of her baby. * It’s the one thing I can’t stand about him.\n  6  used when you are talking about a time in the past or the future, without actually saying which one:\nI saw her one afternoon last week. * One day (= at some time in the future) you’ll understand.\n  7  the same:\nThey all went off in one direction.\n  8  (spoken, especially AmE) used for emphasis instead of a or an:\nThat was one hell of a game! * She’s one snappy dresser.\n  9  used with a person’s name to show that the speaker does not know the person\nSYN A CERTAIN:\nHe worked as an assistant to one Mr Ming.\n IDIOMS \n  as one (formal) in agreement; all together:\nWe spoke as one on this matter.\n  (be) at one (with sb/sth) (formal) to feel that you completely agree with sb/sth, or that you are part of sth:\na place where you can feel at one with nature\n  for one used to emphasize that a particular person does sth and that you believe other people do too:\nI, for one, would prefer to postpone the meeting.\n  get sth in one to understand or guess sth immediately:\n’Oh, so she’s his sister!’ ’Got it in one!’\n  get one over (on) sb/sth (informal) to get an advantage over sb/sth:\nI’m not going to let them get one over on me!\n  go one better (than sb/sth) to do sth better than sb else or than you have done before\nSYN OUTDO:\nShe did well this year and next year she hopes to go one better.\n  in one used to say that sb/sth has different roles, contains different things or is used for different purposes:\nShe’s a mother and company director in one. * It’s a public relations office, a press office and a private office all in one.\nsee also ALL-IN-ONE\n  one after another / the other first one person or thing, and then another, and then another, up to any number or amount:\nThe bills kept coming in, one after another.\n  one and all (old-fashioned, informal) everyone:\nHappy New Year to one and all!\n  one and only used to emphasize that sb is famous:\nHere he is, the one and only Van Morrison!\n  one and the same used for emphasis to mean ’the same’:\nI never realized Ruth Rendell and Barbara Vine were one and the same (= the same person).\n  one by one separately and in order:\nI went through the items on the list one by one.\n  one or two a few:\nWe’ve had one or two problems-nothing serious.\n  one up (on sb) having an advantage over sb\nmore at ALL pron., MINORITY, NUMBER n., SQUARE n.\n    pronoun\n  1  used to avoid repeating a noun, when you are referring to sb/sth that has already been mentioned, or that the person you are speaking to knows about:\nI’d like an ice cream. Are you having one, too? * Our car’s always breaking down. But we’re getting a new one soon. * She was wearing her new dress, the red one. * My favourite band? Oh, that’s a hard one (= a hard question). * What made you choose the one rather than the other? * (BrE) How about those ones over there?\n  2  used when you are identifying the person or thing you are talking about:\nOur house is the one next to the school. * The students who are most successful are usually the ones who come to all the classes.\n  3  ~ of a person or thing belonging to a particular group:\nIt’s a present for one of my children. * We think of you as one of the family.\n  4  ~ (to do sth) a person of the type mentioned:\n10 o’clock is too late for the little ones. * He ached to be home with his loved ones. * She was never one to criticize.\n  5  (formal) used to mean ’people in general’ or ’I’, when the speaker is referring to himself or herself:\nOne should never criticize if one is not sure of one’s facts. * One gets the impression that they disapprove.\n HELP NOTE  This use of one is very formal and now sounds old-fashioned. It is much more usual to use you for ’people in general’ and I when you are talking about yourself.\n  6  (a one) (old-fashioned, especially BrE) a person whose behaviour is amusing or surprising:\nOh, you are a one!\n  7  the ~ about sth the joke:\nHave you heard the one about the Englishman, the Irishman and the Scotsman?\n IDIOMS \n  be (a) one for (doing) sth to be a person who enjoys sth, or who does sth often or well:\nI’ve never been a great one for fish and chips.\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \none\nOne/ones is used to avoid repeating a countable noun, but there are some times when you should not use it, especially in formal speech or writing:\n1 After a possessive (my, your, Mary’s, etc.), some, any, both or a number, unless it is used with an adjective: We’d like to exchange our home with a British family’s (home). * We’d like to exchange our home with that of a British family. * _..._w_i_t_h_ _a_ _B_r_i_t_i_s_h_ _f_a_m_i_l_y_’_s_ _o_n_e. * My cheap camera takes better pictures than his expensive one. * ’Did you get any postcards?’ ’Yes, I bought four/four nice ones.’ * _I_ _b_o_u_g_h_t_ _f_o_u_r_ _o_n_e_s.\n2 It can be left out after superlatives, this, that, these, those, either, neither, another, which, etc.: ’Here are the designs. Which (one) do you prefer?’ ’I think that (one) looks the most original.’\n3 These ones and those ones are not used in AmE, and are unusual in BrE: Do you prefer these designs or those?\n4 It is never used to replace uncountable nouns and is unusual with abstract countable nouns: The Scottish legal system is not the same as the English system, is better than ...as the English one.\n______________________________


Words: one another
Meaning:
pronoun\none another is used when you are saying that each member of a group does sth to or for the other people in the group:\nWe all try and help one another. * I think we’ve learned a lot about one another in this session.


Words: one-man
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] done or controlled by one person only; suitable for one person:\na one-man show / business * a one-man tent\nsee also ONE-WOMAN


Words: one-man band
Meaning:
noun\na street musician who plays several instruments at the same time: (figurative) He runs the business as a one-man band (= one person does everything).


Words: one-night stand
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a sexual relationship that lasts for a single night; a person that sb has this relationship with:\nI wanted it to be more than a one-night stand. * For her I was just a one-night stand.


Words: one-off
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (BrE) (AmE one-shot) [only before noun] made or happening only once and not regularly:\na one-off payment\n    noun [sing.] (BrE) a thing that is made or that happens only once and not regularly:\nIt was just a one-off; it won’t happen again.


Words: one-parent family
Meaning:
(also lone-parent family) noun\na family in which the children live with one parent rather than two\nsee also SINGLE PARENT


Words: one-piece
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (especially of clothes) consisting of one piece, not separate parts:\na one-piece swimsuit


Words: one-shot
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (AmE) = ONE-OFF:\nIt was supposed to be a one-shot deal but it was so successful the band signed up for a tour.


Words: one-sided
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (disapproving) (of an argument, opinion, etc.) showing only one point of view; not balanced:\nThe press were accused of presenting a very one-sided picture of the issue.\n  2  (of a competition or a relationship) involving people who have different abilities; involving one person more than another:\na totally one-sided match * a one-sided conversation (= in which one person talks most of the time)


Words: one-stop
Meaning:
adjective\nin which you can buy or do everything you want in one place:\nOur agency is a one-stop shop for all your travel needs.


Words: one-time
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  former:\nher one-time best friend, Anna * a one-time mayor of New York\n  2  not to be repeated\nSYN ONE-OFF:\na one-time fee of $500


Words: one-to-one
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually one-on-one) adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  between two people only:\na one-to-one meeting * Teachers do not have much time for one-to-one contact with their students.\n  2  matching sth else in an exact way:\nThere is no one-to-one correspondence between sounds and letters.\n    one-to-one adverb:\nHe teaches one-to-one.


Words: one-track mind
Meaning:
noun\nif sb has a one-track mind, they can only think about one subject:\nAll he ever talks about is football. He’s got a one-track mind.


Words: one-way
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  moving or allowing movement in only one direction:\none-way traffic * a one-way street * a one-way valve\n  2  (especially AmE) = SINGLE (5):\na one-way trip * I took the car on a one-way trip to the wrecker’s yard (= it did not come back because it was not worth fixing).\n  3  operating in only one direction:\nTheirs was a one-way relationship (= one person made all the effort). * They observed the prisoners through a one-way mirror (= a mirror that allows a person standing behind it to see through it).


