# dict

Words: gripe
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (informal) a complaint about sth:\nMy only gripe about the hotel was the food.\n    verb [V] ~ (about sb/sth) (informal) to complain about sb/sth in an annoying way:\nHe’s always griping about the people at work.


Words: gripping
Meaning:
adjective\nexciting or interesting in a way that keeps your attention:\na gripping drama / story * His books are always so gripping.


Words: grisly
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] extremely unpleasant and frightening and usually connected with death and violence:\na grisly crime


Words: grist
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  (all) grist to the / sb’s mill (BrE) (AmE (all) grist for the / sb’s mill) something that is useful to sb for a particular purpose:\nPolitical sex scandals are all grist to the mill of the tabloid newspapers.


Words: grit
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U]\n  1  very small pieces of stone or sand:\nI had a piece of grit in my eye. * They were spreading grit and salt on the icy roads.\n  2  the courage and determination that makes it possible for sb to continue doing sth difficult or unpleasant\n    verb (-tt-) [VN] to spread grit, salt or sand on a road that is covered with ice\n IDIOMS \n  grit your teeth\n1 to bite your teeth tightly together:\nShe gritted her teeth against the pain. * ’Stop it!’ he said through gritted teeth.\n2 to be determined to continue to do sth in a difficult or unpleasant situation:\nIt started to rain harder, but we gritted our teeth and carried on.


Words: grits
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] corn that is partly crushed before cooking, often eaten for breakfast or as part of a meal in the southern US


Words: gritter
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE salt truck) noun\na large vehicle used for putting salt, sand, or GRIT on the roads in winter when there is ice on them


Words: gritty
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  containing or like GRIT:\na layer of gritty dust\n  2  showing the courage and determination to continue doing sth difficult or unpleasant:\ngritty determination * a gritty performance from the British player * Tottenham’s gritty fightback was rewarded by a goal in the closing minutes.\n  3  showing sth unpleasant as it really is:\na gritty description of urban violence * gritty realism\nsee also NITTY-GRITTY\n    grittily adverb\n    grittiness noun [U]


Words: grizzle
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (BrE, informal) (especially of a baby or child) to cry or complain continuously in a way that is annoying


Words: grizzled
Meaning:
adjective\n(literary) having hair that is grey or partly grey:\nHe looked old and grizzled. * a grizzled beard


Words: groan
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (at / with sth) to make a long deep sound because you are annoyed, upset or in pain, or with pleasure:\n[V] to groan with pain / pleasure * He lay on the floor groaning. * We all groaned at his terrible jokes. * They were all moaning and groaning (= complaining) about the amount of work they had. * [V speech] ’It’s a complete mess!’ she groaned. * ’Don’t move me,’ he groaned.\n  2  [V] to make a sound like a person groaning:\nThe trees creaked and groaned in the wind.\n IDIOMS \n  groan under the weight of sth (written) used to say that there is too much of sth\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  groan with sth (written) to be full of sth:\ntables groaning with food\n    noun a long deep sound made when sb/sth groans:\nShe let out a groan of dismay. * He fell to the floor with a groan. * The house was filled with the cello’s dismal squeaks and groans.


Words: grocer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who owns, manages or works in a shop/store selling food and other things used in the home\n  2  (grocer’s) (plural grocers) a shop/store that sells these things


Words: grocery
Meaning:
noun (plural groceries)\n  1  (especially BrE) (AmE usually grocery store) [C] a shop/store that sells food and other things used in the home. In American English ’grocery store’ is often used to mean ’supermarket’.\n  2  (groceries) [pl.] food and other goods sold by a grocer or at a supermarket\n    grocery adjective [only before noun]:\na grocery bag * the grocery bill / business


Words: grog
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a strong alcoholic drink, originally RUM, mixed with water\n  2  (informal, especially AustralE) any alcoholic drink, especially beer


Words: groggy
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] (informal) weak and unable to think or move well because you are ill/sick or very tired:\nThe sleeping pills left her feeling very groggy. * He’s still groggy from the anaesthetic.


Words: groin
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the part of the body where the legs join at the top including the area around the GENITALS (= sex organs):\nShe kicked her attacker in the groin. * He’s been off all season with a groin injury.\n  2  (especially AmE) = GROYNE


Words: grommet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small metal ring placed around a hole in fabric or leather, to make it stronger\n  2  (BrE) (AmE tube) a small tube placed in a child’s ear in order to DRAIN liquid from it


Words: groom
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] to clean or brush an animal:\nto groom a horse / dog / cat * The horses are all well fed and groomed.\n  2  [VN] (of an animal) to clean the fur or skin of another animal or itself:\na female ape grooming her mate\n  3  ~ sb (for / as sth) to prepare or train sb for an important job or position:\n[VN] Our junior employees are being groomed for more senior roles. * [VN to inf] The eldest son is being groomed to take over when his father dies.\n    noun\n  1  a person whose job is to feed and take care of horses, especially by brushing and cleaning them\n  2  = BRIDEGROOM


Words: groomed
Meaning:
adjective\n(usually following an adverb) used to describe the way in which a person cares for their clothes and hair:\nShe is always perfectly groomed.\nsee also WELL-GROOMED


Words: grooming
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the things that you do to keep your clothes and hair clean and neat, or to keep an animal’s fur or hair clean:\nYou should always pay attention to personal grooming. * a range of hair grooming products * Grooming is a vital part of caring for your dog.


Words: groove
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a long narrow cut in the surface of sth hard:\nCut a groove 3 cm from the top of the piece of wood. * If the stylus jumps, this may be due to dust collecting in the grooves of the record.\n \n  2  (informal) a particular type of musical rhythm:\na jazz / Latin groove\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  be (stuck) in a groove (BrE) to be unable to change sth that you have been doing the same way for a long time and that has become boring


Words: grope
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] ~ (around / for sth) to try and find sth that you cannot see, by feeling with your hands:\nI groped for the light switch. * He groped around in the dark for his other sock. * She groped for the railing to steady her as she fell. * (figurative) ’It’s so ..., so ...’ I was groping for the right word to describe it.\n  2  [+adv./prep.] to try and reach a place by feeling with your hands because you cannot see clearly:\n[VN] He groped his way up the staircase in the dark. * [V] She groped through the darkness towards the doors.\n  3  [VN] (informal) to touch sb sexually, especially when they do not want you to\n    noun (informal) an act of groping sb (= touching them sexually)


Words: gross
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, verb, noun \n    adjective (grosser, grossest)\n  1  [only before noun] being the total amount of sth before anything is taken away:\ngross weight (= including the container or wrapping) * gross income / wage (= before taxes, etc. are taken away) * Investments showed a gross profit of 26%.\ncompare NET\n  2  [only before noun] (formal or law) (of a crime, etc.) very obvious and unacceptable:\ngross indecency / negligence / misconduct * a gross violation of human rights\n  3  (spoken) very unpleasant:\n’He ate it with mustard.’ ’Oh, gross!’\n  4  very rude:\ngross behaviour / language / manners\n  5  very fat and ugly:\nShe’s not just fat, she’s positively gross!\n    grossness noun [U] \n    adverb in total, before anything is taken away:\nShe earns ｣25 000 a year gross.\ncompare NET adj.\n    verb [VN] to earn a particular amount of money before tax has been taken off it:\nIt is one of the biggest grossing movies of all time. * The concert grossed a massive ｣2 million at the box office.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gross sb out (AmE, informal) to be very unpleasant and make sb feel disgusted:\nHis bad breath really grossed me out.\n    noun\n  1  (plural gross) a group of 144 things:\ntwo gross of apples * to sell sth by the gross\n  2  (plural grosses) (especially AmE) a total amount of money earned by sth, especially a film/movie, before any costs are taken away


Words: grossly
Meaning:
adverb\n(disapproving) (used to describe unpleasant qualities) extremely:\ngrossly overweight / unfair / inadequate * Press reports have been grossly exaggerated.


Words: grotesque
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  strange in a way that is unpleasant or offensive:\na grotesque distortion of the truth * The story was too grotesque to believe. * It’s grotesque to expect a person of her experience to work for so little money.\n  2  extremely ugly in a strange way, often causing fear or laughter:\na grotesque building / figure * tribal dancers wearing grotesque masks\n    grotesquely adverb:\nHe was a grotesquely inappropriate choice of speaker.\n    noun\n  1  [C] a person who is extremely ugly in a strange way, especially in a book or painting\n  2  (the grotesque) [sing.] a style of art using grotesque figures and designs


Words: grotto
Meaning:
noun\n(plural grottoes or grottos) a small CAVE especially one that has been made artificially, for example in a garden


Words: grotty
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE, informal) unpleasant or of poor quality:\na grotty little hotel * I’m feeling pretty grotty (= ill).


Words: grouch
Meaning:
noun  (informal)\n  1  a person who complains a lot\n  2  a complaint about sth unimportant\n    grouch verb [V]


Words: ground
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective-see also GRIND v.\n    noun\n  surface of earth\n \n  1  (often the ground) [U] the solid surface of the earth:\nI found her lying on the ground. * He lost his balance and fell to the ground. * 2 metres above / below ground * Most of the monkeys’ food is found at ground level. * ground forces (= soldiers that fight on land, not in the air or at sea) -> EARTH\n \n  soil\n \n  2  [U] soil on the surface of the earth:\nfertile ground for planting crops\n \n  area of land\n \n  3  [U] an area of open land:\nThe kids were playing on waste ground behind the school.\n  4  [C] (often in compounds) (BrE) an area of land that is used for a particular purpose, activity or sport:\na football / recreation / sports ground * ancient burial grounds\nsee also BREEDING GROUND, DUMPING GROUND, PARADE GROUND, STAMPING GROUND, TESTING GROUND\n  5  (grounds) [pl.] a large area of land or sea that is used for a particular purpose:\nfishing / hunting grounds * feeding grounds for birds\n  gardens\n  6  (grounds) [pl.] the land or gardens around a large building:\nthe school / hospital grounds * The house has extensive grounds.\n  area of knowledge / ideas\n  7  [U] an area of interest, knowledge or ideas:\nHe managed to cover a lot of ground in a short talk. * We had to go over the same ground (= talk about the same things again) in class the next day. * You’re on dangerous ground (= talking about ideas that are likely to offend sb or make people angry) if you criticize his family. * I thought I was on safe ground (= talking about a suitable subject) discussing music with her. * He was back on familiar ground, dealing with the customers. * They are fighting the Conservatives on their own ground.\nsee also COMMON GROUND, MIDDLE GROUND\n  good reason\n  8  [C, usually pl.] ~ for sth / for doing sth a good or true reason for saying, doing or believing sth:\nYou have no grounds for complaint. * What were his grounds for wanting a divorce? * The case was dismissed on the grounds that there was not enough evidence. * He retired from the job on health grounds. * Employers cannot discriminate on grounds of age. -> REASON\n  in liquid\n  9  (grounds) [pl.] the small pieces of solid matter in a liquid that have fallen to the bottom:\ncoffee grounds\n  electrical wire\n  10  [C, usually sing.] (AmE) = EARTH (5)\n  background\n  11  [C] a background that a design is painted or printed on:\npink roses on a white ground\n IDIOMS \n  cut the ground from under sb’s feet to suddenly spoil sb’s idea or plan by doing sth to stop them from continuing with it\n  gain / make up ground (on sb/sth) to gradually get closer to sb/sth that is moving or making progress in an activity:\nThe police car was gaining ground on the suspects. * They needed to make up ground on their competitors.\n  get (sth) off the ground to start happening successfully; to make sth start happening successfully:\nWithout more money, the movie is unlikely to get off the ground. * to get a new company off the ground\n  give / lose ground (to sb/sth) to allow sb to have an advantage; to lose an advantage for yourself:\nThey are not prepared to give ground on tax cuts. * The Conservatives lost a lot of ground to the Liberal Democrats at the election.\n  go to ground (BrE) to hide, especially to escape sb who is chasing you\n  hold / stand your ground\n1 to continue with your opinions or intentions when sb is opposing you and wants you to change:\nDon’t let him persuade you-stand your ground.\n2 to face a situation and refuse to run away:\nIt is not easy to hold your ground in front of someone with a gun.\n  on the ground in the place where sth is happening and among the people who are in the situation, especially a war:\nOn the ground, there are hopes that the fighting will soon stop. * There’s a lot of support for the policy on the ground.\n  run / drive / work yourself into the ground to work so hard that you become extremely tired\n  run sb/sth into the ground to use sth so much that it is broken; to make sb work so hard that they are no longer able to work\n  thick / thin on the ground (BrE) if people or things are thick/thin on the ground, there are a lot/not many of them in a place:\nCustomers are thin on the ground at this time of year. * Security officers were thick on the ground during the King’s visit.\nmore at EAR, FIRM adj., FOOT n., GAIN v., HIT v., MORAL adj., NEUTRAL adv., NEW, PREPARE, RIVET v., SHIFT v., STONY, SUIT v.\n    verb\n  boat\n  1  when a boat grounds or sth grounds it, it touches the bottom of the sea and is unable to move:\n[VN] The fishing boat had been grounded on rocks off the coast of Cornwall. [also V]\n  aircraft\n  2  [VN] [often passive] to prevent an aircraft from taking off:\nThe balloon was grounded by strong winds. * All planes out of Heathrow have been grounded by the strikes.\n  child\n  3  [VN] [usually passive] to punish a child by not allowing them to go out with their friends for a period of time:\nYou’re grounded for a week!\n  electricity\n  4  [VN] (AmE) = EARTH\n IDIOMS \n  (be) grounded in / on sth (to be) based on sth:\nHis views are grounded on the assumption that all people are equal. * These explanations are not sufficiently grounded in fact.\nsee also GROUNDING\n    adjective [only before noun] (of food) cut or crushed into very small pieces or powder:\nground coffee


Words: ground control
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the people and equipment on the ground that make sure that planes or spacecraft take off and land safely


Words: ground crew
Meaning:
(also ground staff) noun\n[C+sing./pl. v.] the people at an airport whose job is to look after aircraft while they are on the ground


Words: ground floor
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE first floor) noun\nthe floor of a building that is at the same level as the ground outside:\na ground-floor flat / window * I live on the ground floor. -> FLOOR\n IDIOMS \n  be / get in on the ground floor to become involved in a plan, project, etc. at the beginning


Words: ground plan
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a plan of the ground floor of a building\ncompare PLAN n. (4)\n  2  a plan for future action:\nYou need a flexible approach in devising your ground plan for bargaining.


Words: ground rent
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (in Britain) rent paid by the owner of a building to the owner of the land on which it is built


Words: ground rule
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (ground rules) [pl.] the basic rules on which sth is based:\nThe new code of conduct lays down the ground rules for management-union relations.\n  2  [C] (AmE, sport) a rule for the playing of a game on a particular field, etc.


Words: ground staff
Meaning:
noun [C+sing./pl. v.]\n  1  (BrE) the people at a sports ground whose job it is to look after the grass, equipment, etc.\n  2  = GROUND CREW


Words: ground-breaking
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] making new discoveries; using new methods:\na ground-breaking report / style


Words: grounding
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing.] ~ (in sth) the teaching of the basic parts of a subject:\na good grounding in grammar\n  2  [U, C] the act of keeping a plane on the ground or a ship in a port, especially because it is not in a good enough condition to travel


Words: groundless
Meaning:
adjective\nnot based on reason or evidence:\ngroundless allegations * Our fears proved groundless. * Their suspicions were dismissed as groundless.


Words: groundsheet
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE ground cloth) noun\na large piece of material that does not let water through that is placed on the ground inside a tent


Words: groundsman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural groundsmen ) (especially BrE) a man whose job is to take care of a sports ground or large garden


Words: groundswell
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] ~ (of sth) (written) the sudden increase of a particular feeling among a group of people:\na groundswell of support * There was a groundswell of opinion that he should resign.


Words: groundwork
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (for sth) work that is done as preparation for other work that will be done later:\nOfficials are laying the groundwork for a summit conference of world leaders.


Words: group
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [C+sing./pl. v.]\n  1  a number of people or things that are together in the same place or that are connected in some way:\na group of girls / trees / houses * A group of us are going to the theatre this evening. * Students stood around in groups waiting for their results. * a discussion / study / support group * the Germanic group of languages * The proportion of single parent families varies between different income groups. * a group activity (= done by a number of people working together)\nsee also SUBGROUP\n HELP NOTE  There are many other compounds ending in group. You will find them at their place in the alphabet.\n  2  (business) a number of companies that are owned by the same person or organization:\na newspaper group * the Burton group * the group sales director\n  3  (rather old-fashioned) a number of musicians who perform together, especially to play pop music:\nShe sings in a rock group.\n    verb\n  1  ~ (sb/sth) (round / around sb/sth) | ~ (sb/sth) (together) to gather into a group; to make sb/sth form a group:\n[VN] The children grouped themselves around their teacher. * Most of the houses were grouped around the church. * [V] We all grouped around the tree for a photograph. * The colleges grouped together to offer a wider range of courses.\n  2  [VN] to divide people or things into groups of people or things that are similar in some way:\nThe books are grouped together by subject. * Contestants were grouped according to age and ability.


Words: group captain
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation Gp Capt) an officer of high rank in the British air force:\nGroup Captain (Jonathan) Sutton


Words: group practice
Meaning:
noun\na group of several doctors or other medical workers who work together in the community and use the same building to see patients


Words: group therapy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of PSYCHIATRIC treatment in which people with similar personal problems meet together to discuss them


Words: grouping
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a number of people or organizations that have the same interests, aims or characteristics and are often part of a larger group:\nThese small nations constitute an important grouping within the EU.\n  2  [U] the act of forming sth into a group


Words: grouse
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] (plural grouse) a bird with a fat body and feathers on its legs, which people shoot for sport and food; the meat of this bird:\ngrouse shooting * grouse moors * roast grouse\n  2  [C] (informal) a complaint\n    verb [V, V speech] ~ (about sb/sth) (informal) to complain about sb/sth in a way that other people find annoying\nSYN GRUMBLE


Words: grout
Meaning:
(also grouting) noun\n[U] a substance that is used between the TILES on the walls of kitchens, bathrooms, etc.\n    grout verb [VN]


Words: grove
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (literary) a small group of trees:\na grove of birch trees\n  2  a small area of land with fruit trees of particular types on it:\nan olive grove\n  3  used in the names of streets:\nElm Grove


Words: grovel
Meaning:
verb (-ll-, AmE -l-) [V] \n  1  ~ (to sb) (for sth) (disapproving) to behave in a very HUMBLE way towards sb who is more important than you or who can give you sth you want\nSYN CRAWL:\nHe went grovelling to her for forgiveness.\n  2  [+adv./prep.] to move along the ground on your hands and knees, especially because you are looking for sth:\nShe was grovelling around on the floor, looking for her contact lens.\n    grovelling (BrE) (AmE groveling) adjective [only before noun]:\na grovelling letter of apology


Words: grow
Meaning:
increase\n  1  ~ (in sth) to increase in size, number, strength or quality:\n[V] The company profits grew by 5% last year. * The family has grown in size recently. * She is growing in confidence all the time. * A growing number of people are going vegetarian. * There is growing opposition to the latest proposals. * Shortage of water is a growing problem. * The performance improved as their confidence grew. * [V-ADJ] The company is growing bigger all the time.\n  of person / animal\n  2  to become bigger or taller and develop into an adult:\n[V] You’ve grown since the last time I saw you! * Nick’s grown almost an inch in the last month. * The puppies grow quickly during the first six months. * A growing child needs plenty of sleep. * [V-ADJ] to grow bigger / taller\n  of plant\n  3  to exist and develop in a particular place; to make plants grow:\n[V] The region is too dry for plants to grow. * These roses grow to a height of 6 feet. * Tomatoes grow best in direct sunlight. * [VN] I didn’t know they grew rice in France. * I grew all these flowers from one packet of seeds.\nsee also HOME-GROWN\n  of hair / nails\n  4  to become longer; to allow sth to become longer by not cutting it:\n[V] I’ve decided to let my hair grow. * [VN] I’ve decided to grow my hair. * I didn’t recognize him-he’s grown a beard.\n  become / begin\n  5  linking verb [V-ADJ] to begin to have a particular quality or feeling over a period of time:\nto grow old / bored / calm * As time went on he grew more and more impatient. * The skies grew dark and it began to rain.\n  6  [V to inf] to gradually begin to do sth:\nI’m sure you’ll grow to like her in time. * He grew to understand her reasons for leaving.\n  develop skills\n  7  [V] ~ (as sth) (of a person) to develop and improve particular qualities or skills:\nShe continues to grow as an artist. * A secure background will help a child to grow emotionally.\n  business\n  8  [VN] to increase the size, quality or number of sth:\nWe are trying to grow the business.\n IDIOMS \n  it / money doesn’t grow on trees (spoken) used to tell sb not to use sth or spend money carelessly because you do not have a lot of it\nmore at GRASS n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  grow apart (from sb) to stop having a close relationship with sb over a period of time:\nAs we got older we just grew apart. * Since moving to London, he’s grown apart from many of his friends.\n  grow away from sb [no passive] to become less close to sb; to depend on sb or care for sb less:\nWhen she left school she grew away from her mother.\n  grow back to begin growing again after being cut off or damaged:\nHis eyebrows never grew back after the accident.\n  grow into sth [no passive]\n1 to gradually develop into a particular type of person over a period of time:\nHe’s grown into a handsome young man.\n2 (of a child) to grow big enough to fit into a piece of clothing that used to be too big:\nThe dress is too long for her now but she’ll grow into it.\n3 to become more confident in a new job, etc. and learn to do it better:\nShe’s still growing into her new role as a mother.\n  grow on sb [no passive] if sb/sth grows on you, you start to like them or it more and more:\nThe neighbourhood was beginning to grow on me. * This song is really growing on me.\n  grow out (of a hairstyle, etc.) to disappear as your hair grows:\nI had a perm a year ago and it still hasn’t grown out.\n  grow sth<->out to allow your hair to grow in order to change the style:\nI’ve decided to grow my layers out.\n  grow out of sth [no passive]\n1 (of a child) to become too big to fit into a piece of clothing\nSYN OUTGROW:\nHe’s already grown out of his school uniform.\n2 to stop doing sth as you become older\nSYN OUTGROW:\nMost children suck their thumbs but they grow out of it.\n3 to develop from sth:\nThe idea for the book grew out of a visit to India. * The decision to introduce job sharing grew out of a general desire for flexible working hours.\n  grow up\n1 (of a person) to develop into an adult:\nShe grew up (= spent her childhood) in Boston. * Their children have all grown up and left home now. * [+ to inf] He grew up to become a famous pianist.\nrelated noun GROWN-UP\n2 used to tell sb to stop behaving in a silly way:\nWhy don’t you grow up? * It’s time you grew up.\n3 to develop gradually:\nA closeness grew up between the two girls.


Words: grower
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person or company that grows plants, fruit or vegetables to sell:\na tobacco grower * All our vegetables are supplied by local growers.\n  2  a plant that grows in the way mentioned:\na fast / slow grower


Words: growing
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] increasing in size, amount or degree:\nA growing number of people are returning to full-time education. * one of the country’s fastest growing industries * There is growing concern over the safety of the missing teenager.


Words: growing pains
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n  1  pains that some children feel in their arms and legs when they are growing\n  2  emotional anxieties felt by young people as they grow up\n  3  problems or difficulties that are experienced by a company when it begins operating but that are not likely to last:\nEvery business experiences its share of growing pains.


Words: growing season
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the period of the year during which the weather conditions are right for plants to grow:\na part of the world with a long growing season


Words: growl
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] ~ (at sb/sth) (of animals, especially dogs) to make a low sound in the throat, usually as a sign of anger:\nThe dog growled at them.\n  2  ~ (at sb) to say sth in a low angry voice:\n[V speech] ’Who are you?’ he growled at the stranger. * [VN] She growled a sarcastic reply.\n    noun a deep angry sound made when sb/sth growls


Words: grown
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a person) mentally and physically an adult:\nIt’s pathetic that grown men have to resort to violence like this.\nsee also FULL-GROWN, HOME-GROWN, GROW v.


Words: grown-up
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a person) mentally and physically an adult:\nWhat do you want to be when you’re grown-up? * She has a grown-up son.\n  2  suitable for or typical of an adult:\nThe child was clearly puzzled at being addressed in such a grown-up way.\n\n noun\n(used especially by and to children) an adult person:\nIf you’re good you can eat with the grown-ups.


Words: growth
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (of people, animals or plants) the process of growing physically, mentally or emotionally:\nLack of water will stunt the plant’s growth. * Remove dead leaves to encourage new growth. * a concern with personal (= mental and emotional) growth and development * growth hormones (= designed to make sb/sth grow faster)\n  2  [U] ~ (in / of sth) an increase in the size, amount or degree of sth:\npopulation growth * the rapid growth in violent crime * His book describes the growth of nationalism in Germany before the Second World War.\n  3  [U] an increase in economic activity:\na disappointing year of little growth in Britain and America * policies aimed at sustaining economic growth * an annual growth rate of 10% * a growth area / industry\n  4  [C] a lump caused by a disease that forms on or inside a person, an animal or a plant:\na malignant / cancerous growth\n  5  [U, C] something that has grown:\nThe forest’s dense growth provides nesting places for a wide variety of birds. * several days’ growth of beard * Prune the shrub heavily now and fresh green growths should appear in March and April.


Words: groyne
Meaning:
(BrE) (also groin AmE, BrE)  noun\na low wall built out into the sea to prevent it from washing away sand and stones from the beach


Words: grub
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] the young form of an insect, that looks like a small fat worm\n  2  [U] (informal) food:\nGrub’s up (= the meal is ready)! * They serve good pub grub there.\n    verb (-bb-) [V] ~ (around / about) (for sth) to look for sth, especially by digging or by looking through or under other things:\nbirds grubbing for worms\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  grub sth<->up / out to dig sth out of the ground:\nThe trees were grubbed up to make way for a new road.


Words: grubby
Meaning:
adjective (grubbier, grubbiest)\n  1  rather dirty, usually because it has not been washed or cleaned:\ngrubby hands / clothes\n  2  unpleasant because it involves activities that are dishonest or immoral\nSYN SORDID:\na grubby affair / scandal\n    grubbiness noun [U]


Words: grudge
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun ~ (against sb) a feeling of anger or dislike towards sb because of sth bad they have done to you in the past:\nI bear him no grudge. * He has a grudge against the world. * She has harboured a grudge against me for years. * I don’t hold any grudges now. * He’s a man with a grudge. * England beat New Zealand in a grudge match (= a match where there is strong dislike between the teams).\n    verb\n  1  to do or give sth unwillingly\nSYN BEGRUDGE:\n[V -ing] I grudge having to pay so much tax. * [VN] He grudges the time he spends travelling to work.\n  2  [VNN] to think that sb does not deserve to have sth\nSYN BEGRUDGE:\nYou surely don’t grudge her her success?


Words: grudging
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] given or done unwillingly\nSYN RELUCTANT:\nHe could not help feeling a grudging admiration for the old lady.\n    grudgingly (also less frequent begrudgingly) adverb:\nShe grudgingly admitted that I was right.


Words: gruel
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a simple dish made by boiling OATS in milk or water, eaten especially in the past by poor people


Words: gruelling
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually grueling)  adjective\nvery difficult and tiring, needing great effort for a long time:\na gruelling journey / schedule * I’ve had a gruelling day.


Words: gruesome
Meaning:
adjective\nvery unpleasant and filling you with horror, usually because it is connected with death or injury:\na gruesome murder * gruesome pictures of dead bodies * (humorous) We spent a week in a gruesome apartment in Miami.\n    gruesomely adverb


Words: gruff
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a voice) deep and harsh, and often sounding unfriendly\n  2  (of a person’s behaviour) unfriendly and impatient:\nBeneath his gruff exterior, he’s really very kind-hearted.\n    gruffly adverb


Words: grumble
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (at / to sb) (about / at sb/sth) to complain about sb/sth in a bad-tempered way:\n[V] She’s always grumbling to me about how badly she’s treated at work. * [V speech] ’I’ll just have to do it myself,’ he grumbled. * [V that] They kept grumbling that they were cold.\n  2  [V] to make a deep continuous sound\nSYN RUMBLE:\nThunder grumbled in the distance.\n    grumbler  noun \n    noun\n  1  ~ (about sth) | ~ (that ...) something that you complain about because you are not satisfied:\nMy main grumble is about the lack of privacy.\n  2  a long low sound\nSYN RUMBLE:\na distant grumble of thunder


Words: grumbling
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the act of complaining about sth:\nWe didn’t hear any grumbling about the food.\n  2  (grumblings) [pl.] protests about sth that come from a number of people but that are not expressed very clearly


Words: grunge
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (informal) dirt of any kind\nSYN GRIME\n  2  (also grunge rock) a type of loud rock music, which was popular in the early 1990s\n  3  a style of fashion worn by people who like grunge music, usually involving clothes that look untidy


Words: grunt
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] (of animals, especially pigs) to make a short low sound in the throat\n  2  (of people) to make a short low sound in your throat, especially to show that you are in pain, annoyed or not interested; to say sth using this sound:\n[V] He pulled harder on the rope, grunting with the effort. * When I told her what had happened she just grunted and turned back to her book. * [VN] He grunted something about being late and rushed out. [also V speech]\n    noun\n  1  a short, low sound made by a person or an animal (especially a pig):\nto give a grunt of effort / pain\n  2  (AmE, slang) a worker who does boring tasks for low pay\n  3  (AmE, slang) a soldier of low rank


Words: guacamole
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from Spanish) a Mexican dish of crushed AVOCADO mixed with onion, tomatoes, CHILLIES, etc.


Words: guano
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the waste substance passed from the bodies of seabirds, that is used to make plants and crops grow well


Words: guarantee
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a firm promise that you will do sth or that sth will happen:\nto give a guarantee of good behaviour * He gave me a guarantee that it would never happen again. * They are demanding certain guarantees before they sign the treaty.\n  2  a written promise given by a company that sth you buy will be replaced or repaired without payment if it goes wrong within a particular period:\nWe provide a 5-year guarantee against rust. * The watch is still under guarantee. * The television comes with a year’s guarantee. * a money-back guarantee\n  3  ~ (of sth) | ~ (that ...) something that makes sth else certain to happen:\nCareer success is no guarantee of happiness. * There’s no guarantee that she’ll come (= she may not come).\n  4  money or sth valuable that you give or promise to a bank, for example, to make sure that you will do what you have promised:\nWe had to offer our house as a guarantee when getting the loan.\n    verb\n  1  to promise to do sth; to promise sth will happen:\n[VN] Basic human rights, including freedom of speech, are now guaranteed. * [V (that)] We cannot guarantee (that) our flights will never be delayed. * [VNN] The ticket will guarantee you free entry. * [V to inf] We guarantee to deliver your goods within a week.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (against sth) to give a written promise to replace or repair a product free of charge if it goes wrong:\nThis iron is guaranteed for a year against faulty workmanship.\n  3  to make sth certain to happen:\n[VN] Tonight’s victory guarantees the team’s place in the final. * [VNN] These days getting a degree doesn’t guarantee you a job.\n  4  [V (that)] to be certain that sth will happen:\nYou can guarantee (that) the children will start being naughty as soon as they have to go to bed.\n  5  to agree to be legally responsible for sth or for doing sth:\n[VN] to guarantee a bank loan * [V to inf] to guarantee to pay sb’s debts * [V that] I guarantee that he will appear in court.\n IDIOMS \n  be guaranteed to do sth to be certain to have a particular result:\nIf we try to keep it a secret, she’s guaranteed to find out. * That kind of behaviour is guaranteed to make him angry.


Words: guarantor
Meaning:
noun\n(formal or law) a person who agrees to be responsible for sb or for making sure that sth happens or is done:\nThe United Nations will act as guarantor of the peace settlement.


Words: guard
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  people who protect\n \n  1  [C] a person, such as a soldier, a police officer or a prison officer, who protects a place or people, or prevents prisoners from escaping:\na security guard * border guards * The prisoner slipped past the guards on the gate and escaped. * A guard was posted outside the building.\ncompare WARDER\nsee also BODYGUARD, COASTGUARD, LIFEGUARD\n \n  2  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of people, such as soldiers or police officers, who protect sb/sth:\nthe captain of the guard * the changing of the guard (= when one group replaces another) * The guard is / are being inspected today. * Fellow airmen provided a guard of honour at his wedding. * The President always travels with an armed guard.\nsee also NATIONAL GUARD, OLD GUARD, REARGUARD\n  3  [U] the act or duty of protecting property, places or people from attack or danger; the act or duty of preventing prisoners from escaping:\na sentry on guard (= at his or her post, on duty) * to do guard duty * The escaped prisoner was brought back under armed guard. * The terrorist was kept under police guard. * One of the men kept guard, while the other broke into the house.\n  soldiers\n  4  (the Guards) [pl.] (in Britain and some other countries) special REGIMENTS of soldiers whose original duty was to protect the king or queen:\nthe Scots Guards * a Guards officer\n  against injury\n  5  [C] (often in compounds) something that covers a part of a person’s body or a dangerous part of a machine to prevent injury:\na mouth guard * Ensure the guard is in place before operating the machine.\nsee also FIREGUARD, MUDGUARD, SAFEGUARD, SHIN GUARD\n  on train\n  6  [C] (BrE, becoming old-fashioned) = CONDUCTOR (2)\n  in boxing / fencing\n  7  [U] a position you take to defend yourself, especially in a sport such as boxing or FENCING:\nto drop / keep up your guard * (figurative) In spite of the awkward questions the minister never let his guard fall for a moment.\n IDIOMS \n  be on your guard to be very careful and prepared for sth difficult or dangerous\n  mount / stand / keep guard (over sb/sth) to watch or protect sb/sth:\nFour soldiers stood guard over the coffin.\n  off (your) guard not careful or prepared for sth difficult or dangerous:\nThe lawyer’s apparently innocent question was designed to catch the witness off (his) guard.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to protect property, places or people from attack or danger:\nThe dog was guarding its owner’s luggage. * political leaders guarded by the police * You can’t get in; the whole place is guarded. * (figurative) a closely guarded secret\n  2  to prevent prisoners from escaping:\nThe prisoners were guarded by soldiers.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  guard against sth to take care to prevent sth or to protect yourself from sth:\nto guard against accidents / error / loss / disease


Words: guard rail
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a rail placed on the edge of a path, a cliff or a boat to protect people and prevent them falling over the edge\n  2  (AmE) = CRASH BARRIER


Words: guarded
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a person or a remark they make) careful; not showing feelings or giving much information:\na guarded reply * You should be more guarded in what you say to reporters. * They gave the news a guarded welcome (= did not show great enthusiasm about it).\nOPP UNGUARDED\n    guardedly adverb


Words: guardhouse
Meaning:
noun\na building for soldiers who are guarding the entrance to a military camp or for keeping military prisoners in


Words: guardian
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who protects sth:\nFarmers should be guardians of the countryside. * The police are guardians of law and order.\n  2  a person who is legally responsible for the care of another person, especially a child whose parents have died


Words: guardian angel
Meaning:
noun\na spirit that some people believe protects and guides them, especially when they are in danger: (figurative) A delightful guide was my guardian angel for the first week of the tour.


Words: guardianship
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal or law) the state or position of being responsible for sb/sth:\nto grant sb guardianship of the children * The land is under the guardianship of the people who use it.


Words: guardroom
Meaning:
noun\na room for soldiers who are guarding the entrance to a building or for keeping military prisoners in


Words: gubernatorial
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) connected with the job of state GOVERNOR in the US:\na gubernatorial candidate * gubernatorial duties


Words: guerrilla
Meaning:
(also guerilla)  noun\na member of a small group of soldiers who are not part of an official army and who fight against official soldiers, usually to try to change the government:\nurban guerrillas (= those who fight in towns) * guerrilla war / warfare (= fought by guerrillas on one or both sides) * a guerrilla group / movement / leader\ncompare FREEDOM FIGHTER


Words: guess
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (at sth) to try and give an answer or make a judgement about sth without being sure of all the facts:\n[V] I don’t really know. I’m just guessing. * We can only guess at her reasons for leaving. * He guessed right / wrong. * [V (that)] I’d guess that she’s about 30. * [V wh-] Can you guess where I’ve been? * [VN] Can you guess his age?\n  2  to find the right answer to a question or the truth without knowing all the facts:\n[VN] She guessed the answer straight away. * [V wh-] You’ll never guess what she told me. * [V (that)] You would never guess (that) she had problems. She’s always so cheerful.\nsee also SECOND-GUESS\n  3  (I guess) (informal, especially AmE) to suppose that sth is true or likely:\n[V (that)] I guess (that) you’ll be looking for a new job now. * ’He didn’t see me, I guess.’ * I guess I’m just lucky.\n  4  (guess ...!) used to show that you are going to say sth surprising or exciting:\n[VN] Guess what! He’s asked me out! * [V wh-] Guess who I’ve just seen!\n IDIOMS \n  keep sb guessing (informal) to not tell sb about your plans or what is going to happen next:\nIt’s the kind of book that keeps you guessing right to the end.\n    noun ~ (about sth) | ~ (at sth) | ~ (that ...) an attempt to give an answer or an opinion when you cannot be certain if you are right: (BrE) to have / make a guess (at sth) * (AmE) to take a guess * Go on! Have a guess! * The article is based on guesses about what might happen in the future. * They might be here by 3-but that’s just a rough guess (= not exact). * My guess is that we won’t hear from him again. * At a guess, there were forty people at the party. * If I might hazard a guess, I’d say she was about thirty. * Who do you think I saw yesterday? I’ll give you three guesses.\n IDIOMS \n  anybody’s / anyone’s guess (informal) something that nobody can be certain about:\nWhat will happen next is anybody’s guess.\n  your guess is as good as mine (informal) used to tell sb that you do not know any more about a subject than the person that you are talking to does:\n’Who’s going to win?’ ’Your guess is as good as mine.’\nmore at EDUCATED


Words: guesswork
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process of trying to find an answer by guessing when you do not have enough information to be sure:\nIt was pure guesswork on our part.


Words: guest
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a person that you have invited to your house or to a particular event that you are paying for:\nWe have guests staying this weekend. * more than 100 wedding guests * I went to the theatre club as Helen’s guest. * He was the guest of honour (= the most important person invited to an event). * Liz was not on the guest list.\n \n  2  a person who is staying at a hotel, etc:\nWe have accommodation for 500 guests. * a paying guest (= a person who is living in a private house, but paying as if they were in a hotel) * Guests should vacate their rooms by 10.30 a.m.\n \n  3  a famous person or performer who takes part in a television show or concert:\na guest artist / star / singer * Our special guest tonight is ... * He made a guest appearance on the show.\n \n  4  a person who is invited to a particular place or organization, or to speak at a meeting:\nThe scientists are here as guests of our government. * a guest speaker\n IDIOMS \n  be my guest (informal) used to give sb permission to do sth that they have asked to do:\n’Do you mind if I use the phone?’ ’Be my guest.’\n    verb [V] ~ (on sth) to take part in a television or radio show, a concert, a game, etc. as a visiting or temporary performer or player:\nShe guested on several chat shows while visiting Britain. * He guested for Leeds United on Saturday.


Words: guest beer
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (BrE) a beer that is not usually available in a particular pub, but which is served there for a limited period, often at a specially reduced price


Words: guest house
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) a small hotel\n  2  (AmE) a small house built near a large house, for guests to stay in


Words: guest worker
Meaning:
noun\na person, usually from a poor country, who comes to another richer country in order to work there


Words: guff
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal) ideas or talk that you think are stupid:\nHe gave me a load of guff about how his wife didn’t understand him.


Words: guffaw
Meaning:
verb\nto laugh noisily:\n[V] They all guffawed at his jokes. [also V speech]\n    guffaw noun:\nShe let out a loud guffaw. * He tried to ask her between guffaws what had happened.


Words: guidance
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  ~ (on sth) help or advice that is given to sb, especially by sb older or with more experience:\nguidance for teachers on how to use video in the classroom * Activities all take place under the guidance of an experienced tutor. * (AmE) a guidance counselor (= sb who advises students) * The helpline was set up for young people in need of guidance and support.\nsee also MARRIAGE GUIDANCE\n  2  the process of controlling the direction of a rocket, etc., using electronic equipment:\na missile guidance system


Words: guide
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  book / magazine\n  1  ~ (to sth) a book, magazine, etc. that gives you information, help or instructions about sth:\na Guide to Family Health * Let’s have a look at the TV guide and see what’s on.\n  2  (also guidebook) ~ (to sth) a book that gives information about a place for travellers or tourists:\na guide to Italy * travel guides\n  person\n  3  a person who shows other people the way to a place, especially sb employed to show tourists around interesting places:\na tour guide * We hired a local guide to get us across the mountains.\n  4  a person who advises you on how to live and behave:\na spiritual guide * His elder sister had been his guide, counsellor and friend.\n  sth that helps you decide\n  5  something that gives you enough information to be able to make a decision about sth or form an opinion:\nAs a rough guide, allow half a cup of rice per person. * I let my feelings be my guide.\n  girl\n  6  (Guide) (also old-fashioned Girl Guide) (both BrE) (AmE Girl Scout) a member of an organization (called the Guides or the Girl Scouts) which is similar to THE SCOUTS and which trains girls in practical skills and does a lot of activities with them, for example camping\ncompare BROWNIE\n    verb [VN]\n  show the way\n  1  ~ sb (to / through / around sth) to show sb the way to a place, often by going with them; to show sb a place that you know well:\nShe guided us through the busy streets to the cathedral. * We were guided around the museums.\n  influence behaviour\n  2  to direct or influence sb’s behaviour:\nHe was always guided by his religious beliefs.\n  explain\n  3  ~ sb (through sth) to explain to sb how to do sth, especially sth complicated or difficult:\nThe health and safety officer will guide you through the safety procedures.\n  help sb move\n  4  to help sb to move in a particular direction; to move sth in a particular direction:\nShe took her arm and guided her across the busy road. * He guided her hand to his face.\nsee also GUIDING


Words: guideline
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (guidelines) [pl.] rules or instructions that are given by an official organization telling you how to do sth, especially sth difficult:\nThe government has drawn up guidelines on the treatment of the mentally ill.\n  2  [C] something that can be used to help you make a decision or form an opinion:\nThe figures are a useful guideline when buying a house.


Words: guiding
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] giving advice and help; having a strong influence on people:\nShe was inexperienced and needed a guiding hand. * a guiding force * Eddie was his hero, his guiding light.


Words: guild
Meaning:
pl. v.]\n  1  an organization of people who do the same job or who have the same interests or aims:\nthe Screen Actors’ Guild\n  2  an association of skilled workers in the Middle Ages:\nthe guild of clockmakers


Words: guildhall
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a building in which the members of a GUILD used to meet, now often used for meetings and performances:\nThe new council will be meeting in the guildhall from next month onwards.


Words: guile
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the use of clever but dishonest behaviour in order to deceive people:\nGeorge was a man completely lacking in guile.


Words: guileless
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) behaving in a very honest way; not knowing how to deceive people:\nShe had the guileless innocence of a child.\n    guilelessly adverb


Words: guillotine
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [sing.] a machine, originally from France, for cutting people’s heads off. It has a heavy blade that slides down a wooden frame:\nHe was sent to the guillotine in January 1793.\n  2  (BrE) (AmE paper cutter) [C] a device with a long blade for cutting paper\n  3  [sing.] (BrE, politics) the setting of a time limit on a debate in Parliament\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to kill sb by cutting off their head with a guillotine:\nThousands of aristocrats were guillotined during the French Revolution.\n  2  (BrE) to cut paper using a guillotine\n  3  (BrE, politics) to limit the amount of time spent discussing a new law in Parliament:\nto guillotine a bill / motion


Words: guilt
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  ~ (about sth) the unhappy feelings caused by knowing or thinking that you have done sth wrong:\nShe had feelings of guilt about leaving her children and going to work. * Many survivors were left with a sense of guilt. * a guilt complex (= an exaggerated sense of guilt)\n  2  the fact that sb has done sth illegal:\nHis guilt was proved beyond all doubt by the prosecution. * an admission of guilt\nOPP INNOCENCE\n  3  blame or responsibility for doing sth wrong or for sth bad that has happened:\nThe investigation will try to find out where the guilt for the disaster really lies.\n    guiltless adjective\n IDIOMS \n  a guilt trip (informal) things you say to sb in order to make them feel guilty about sth:\nDon’t lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.


Words: guilty
Meaning:
adjective (guiltier, guiltiest)\n HELP NOTE  more guilty and most guilty are more common\n  1  ~ (about sth) feeling ashamed because you have done sth that you know is wrong or have not done sth that you should have done:\nI felt guilty about not visiting my parents more often. * John had a guilty look on his face. * I had a guilty conscience and could not sleep.\n  2  ~ (of sth) having done sth illegal; being responsible for sth bad that has happened:\nThe jury found the defendant not guilty of the offence. * He pleaded guilty to murder. * the guilty party (= the person responsible for sth bad happening) * We’ve all been guilty of selfishness at some time in our lives.\nOPP INNOCENT\n    guiltily  adverb


Words: guinea
Meaning:
noun\nan old British gold coin or unit of money worth 21 SHILLINGS (= now ｣1.05). Prices are sometimes still given in guineas, for example when buying or selling horses.


Words: guinea pig
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small animal with short ears and no tail, often kept as a pet\n  2  a person used in medical or other experiments:\nStudents in fifty schools are to act as guinea pigs for these new teaching methods.


Words: guineafowl
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural guineafowl) a bird of the PHEASANT family, that has dark grey feathers with white spots, and is often used for food; the meat of this bird:\nroast guineafowl


Words: guise
Meaning:
noun\na way in which sb/sth appears, often in a way that is different from usual or that hides the truth about them/it:\nHis speech presented racist ideas under the guise of nationalism. * The story appears in different guises in different cultures. * She had been invited to the conference in her guise as a professional counsellor.


Words: guitar
Meaning:
noun\na musical instrument that usually has six strings, that you play with your fingers or with a PLECTRUM/PICK:\nan acoustic / an electric / a classical guitar * a guitar player * As he sang, he strummed his guitar.\nsee also BASS


Words: Gujarati
Meaning:
(also Gujerati)  noun\n  1  [C] a person from the state of Gujarat in western India\n  2  [U] the language of Gujarat\n    Gujarati (also Gujerati) adjective


Words: gulch
Meaning:
noun\n(especially AmE) a narrow valley with steep sides, that was formed by a fast stream flowing through it


Words: gulf
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a large area of sea that is partly surrounded by land:\nthe Gulf of Mexico\n  2  (the Gulf) [sing.] the Persian Gulf, the area of sea between the Arabian PENINSULA and Iran:\nthe Gulf States (= the countries with coasts on the Gulf)\n  3  [C, usually sing.] ~ (between A and B) a large difference between two people or groups in the way that they think, live or feel:\nThe gulf between rich and poor is enormous. * It felt as if a gulf had opened up between his life and mine.\n  4  [C] a wide deep crack in the ground\n IDIOMS  see BRIDGE v.


Words: gull
Meaning:
(also seagull) noun\na seabird with long wings and usually with white and grey or black feathers. There are several types of gull:\na black-headed gull * Hundreds of gulls were circling overhead.\nsee also HERRING GULL


Words: gullible
Meaning:
adjective\ntoo willing to believe or accept what other people tell you and therefore easily tricked:\nThe advertisement is aimed at gullible young women worried about their weight.\n    gullibility  noun [U]:\nThe newspaper relies on the gullibility of its readers.


Words: gully
Meaning:
(also gulley)  noun (plural gullies, gulleys)\n  1  a small, narrow channel, usually formed by a stream or by rain\n  2  a deep DITCH


Words: gulp
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ sth (down) to swallow large amounts of food or drink quickly:\n[VN] He gulped down the rest of his tea and went out. [also V]\n  2  to swallow, but without eating or drinking anything, especially because of a strong emotion such as fear or surprise:\nShe gulped nervously before trying to answer. [also V speech]\n  3  ~ (for sth) | ~ sth (in) to breathe quickly and deeply, because you need more air:\n[V] She came up gulping for air. * [VN] He leant against the car, gulping in the cold air.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gulp sth<->back to stop yourself showing your emotions by swallowing hard:\nShe gulped back her tears and forced a smile.\n    noun\n  1  ~ (of sth) an amount of sth that you swallow or drink quickly:\nHe took a gulp of coffee. * gulps of sea air\n  2  an act of breathing in or of swallowing sth:\n’Can you start on Monday?’ Amy gave a gulp. ’Of course,’ she said. * He drank the glass of whisky in one gulp.


Words: gum
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C, usually pl.] either of the firm areas of flesh in the mouth to which the teeth are attached:\ngum disease\n \n  2  [U] a sticky substance produced by some types of tree\n \n  3  [U] a type of glue used for sticking light things together, such as paper\n \n  4  [U] = CHEWING GUM\n \n  5  [C] a firm transparent fruit-flavoured sweet/candy that you chew:\nfruit gums\n IDIOMS \n  by gum! (old-fashioned, BrE, spoken) used to show surprise\n    verb (-mm-) [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] ~ A to B | ~ sth (down) (rather old-fashioned) to spread glue on the surface of sth; to stick two things together with glue:\nA large address label was gummed to the package. * gummed labels (= with glue on one side)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gum sth<->up [usually passive] (BrE, informal) to cover or fill sth with a sticky substance so that it stops moving or working as it should:\nOpen and close the valves occasionally so they don’t get gummed up.


Words: gum tree
Meaning:
noun\na EUCALYPTUS tree\n IDIOMS \n  be up a gum tree (BrE, informal) to be in a very difficult situation


Words: gummed
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (of stamps, paper, etc.) covered with a type of glue that will become sticky when water is put on it:\ngummed labels


Words: gummy
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  sticky or covered in gum (2)\n  2  a gummy smile shows your teeth and gums


Words: gumption
Meaning:
noun [U] (old-fashioned, informal)\n  1  the intelligence needed to know what to do in a particular situation:\nHe didn’t have the gumption to keep his mouth shut.\n  2  courage and determination:\nShe won’t tell him because she hasn’t got the gumption.


Words: gun
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a weapon that is used for firing bullets or SHELLS:\nto fire a gun at sb * a toy gun * anti-aircraft guns * Look out, he’s got a gun! * The attacker held a gun to the hostage’s head. * a gun battle between rival gangs\nsee also AIR GUN, HANDGUN, MACHINE GUN, SHOTGUN, STUN GUN, SUB-MACHINE GUN, TOMMY GUN\n \n  2  [C] a tool that uses pressure to send out a substance or an object:\na staple gun\nsee also SPRAY GUN\n \n  3  (the gun) [sing.] the signal to begin a race, that is made by firing a special gun, called a starting pistol, into the air\n  4  [C] (informal, especially AmE) a person who is paid to shoot sb:\na hired gun\nsee also FLASHGUN, SON OF A GUN\n IDIOMS \n  hold / put a gun to sb’s head to force sb to do sth that they do not want to do, by making threats\nmore at GREAT adj., JUMP v., SPIKE v., STICK v.\n    verb (-nn-)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  be gunning for sb (informal) to be looking for an opportunity to blame or attack sb:\nI don’t want your father gunning for me if we’re back late.\n  be gunning for sth to be competing for or trying hard to get sth:\nShe’s gunning for the top job.\n  gun sb<->down [usually passive] to shoot sb, especially killing or seriously injuring them:\nThe policeman was gunned down while on duty.


Words: gun dog
Meaning:
noun\na dog trained to help in the sport of shooting, for example by finding birds that have been shot


Words: gunfire
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the repeated firing of guns; the sound of guns firing:\nan exchange of gunfire with the police * I could hear gunfire.


Words: gung-ho
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal, disapproving) too enthusiastic about sth, without thinking seriously about it, especially about fighting and war:\nMany people found her gung-ho attitude to the war deeply offensive.


Words: gunge
Meaning:
(BrE) (also gunk AmE, BrE) noun\n[U] (informal) any unpleasant, sticky or dirty substance\n    gungy adjective


Words: gunman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural gunmen ) a man who uses a gun to rob or kill people:\nTwo gunmen opened fire on the car.


Words: gunner
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a member of the armed forces who is trained to use large guns\n  2  a soldier in the British ARTILLERY (= the part of the army that uses large guns)


Words: gunpoint
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  at gunpoint while threatening sb or being threatened with a gun:\nThe driver was robbed at gunpoint.


Words: gunshot
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the bullets that are fired from a gun:\ngunshot wounds\n  2  [C] the firing of a gun; the sound of it being fired:\nI heard the sound of gunshots out in the street. * We heard a loud bang; it sounded like a gunshot.\n  3  [U] the distance that a bullet from a gun can travel:\nHe was out of / within gunshot.


Words: gunslinger
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) a person who is paid to kill people, especially in films/movies about the American Wild West


Words: gurgle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] \n  1  to make a sound like water flowing quickly through a narrow space:\nWater gurgled through the pipes. * The water made a gurgling noise as it ran down the drain. * a gurgling stream\n  2  if a baby gurgles, it makes a noise in its throat when it is happy:\nThe baby gurgled happily. * She gurgled with laughter.\n    noun\n  1  a sound like water flowing quickly through a narrow space\n  2  the sound that babies make in the throat, especially when they are happy:\nThe baby gave a little gurgle of laughter.


Words: guru
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a Hindu or Sikh religious teacher or leader\n  2  (informal) a person who is an expert on a particular subject or who is very good at doing sth:\na management / health / fashion guru * Jean-Paul Sartre was the guru of post-war French philosophy.


Words: gush
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] ~ out of / from / into sth | ~ out / in to flow or pour suddenly and quickly out of a hole in large amounts:\nblood gushing from a wound * Water gushed out of the pipe.\n  2  [VN] (of a container / vehicle etc.) to suddenly let out large amounts of a liquid:\nThe tanker was gushing oil. * (figurative) She absolutely gushed enthusiasm.\n  3  (disapproving) to express so much praise or emotion about sb/sth that it does not seem sincere:\n[V speech] ’You are clever,’ she gushed. [also V]\n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  ~ (of sth) a large amount of liquid suddenly and quickly flowing or pouring out of sth:\na gush of blood\n  2  ~ (of sth) a sudden strong expression of feeling:\na gush of emotion


Words: gusher
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (AmE) an OIL WELL where the oil comes out quickly and in large quantities\n  2  a person who gushes (3)


Words: gushing
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) expressing so much enthusiasm, praise or emotion that it does not seem sincere:\nShe gave an embarrassingly gushing acceptance speech.\n    gushingly adverb:\nHe spoke gushingly of all those who had helped make the film possible.


Words: gusset
Meaning:
noun\nan extra piece of fabric sewn into a piece of clothing to make it wider, stronger or more comfortable


Words: gussy
Meaning:
verb\n(gussies, gussying, gussied, gussied)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  gussy up (AmE, informal) to dress yourself in an attractive way\nSYN DRESS UP:\nEven the stars get tired of gussying up for the awards.


Words: gust
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a sudden strong increase in the amount and speed of wind that is blowing:\nA gust of wind blew his hat off. * The wind was blowing in gusts.\n  2  a sudden strong expression of emotion:\na gust of laughter / despair\n    verb [V] (of the wind) to suddenly blow very hard:\nwinds gusting up to 60 mph * The wind gusted through the branches.


Words: gut
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [C] the tube in the body through which food passes when it leaves the stomach\nSYN INTESTINE\n  2  (guts) [pl.] the organs in and around the stomach, especially in an animal:\nI’ll only cook fish if the guts have been removed.\n  3  [C] (informal) a person’s stomach, especially when it is large\nSYN BELLY:\nHave you seen the gut on him! * a beer gut (= caused by drinking beer)\n  4  (guts) [pl.] (informal) the courage and determination that it takes to do sth difficult or unpleasant:\nHe doesn’t have the guts to walk away from a well-paid job.\n  5  [C, usually pl.] the place where your natural feelings that make you react in a particular way are thought to be:\nI had a feeling in my guts that something was wrong.\n  6  (guts) [pl.] the most important part of sth:\nthe guts of the problem / argument\n  7  [U] = CATGUT\n IDIOMS \n  have sb’s guts for garters (BrE, informal) to be very angry with sb and punish them severely for sth they have done:\nShe’ll have your guts for garters if she ever finds out.\n  slog / sweat / work your guts out (informal) to work very hard to achieve sth:\nI slogged my guts out for those exams.\nmore at BUST v., HATE v., SPILL v.\n    verb (-tt-) [VN] \n  1  [usually passive] to destroy the inside or contents of a building or room:\na factory gutted by fire * The house was completely gutted.\n  2  to remove the organs from inside a fish or an animal to prepare it for cooking:\nThe fish was already cleaned and gutted.\n    adjective [only before noun] based on feelings and emotions rather than thought and reason:\na gut feeling / reaction


Words: gutsy
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  showing courage and determination:\na gutsy fighter / win\n  2  having strong and unusual qualities:\na gutsy red wine * a gutsy song


Words: gutted
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] (BrE, informal) extremely sad or disappointed:\nDisappointed? I was gutted!


Words: gutter
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a long curved channel made of metal or plastic that is fixed under the edge of a roof to carry away the water when it rains:\na blocked / leaking gutter\n \n  2  [C] a channel at the edge of a road where water collects and is carried away to DRAINS\n \n  3  (the gutter) [sing.] the bad social conditions or lack of morals sometimes connected with the lowest level of society:\nShe rose from the gutter to become a great star. * the language of the gutter (= used when swearing)\n    verb [V] (literary) (of a flame or candle) to burn in an unsteady way:\nThe candle guttered in the wind.


Words: guttering
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the system of gutters on a building; the material used to make gutters:\na length / piece of guttering


Words: guttural
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a sound) made or seeming to be made at the back of the throat:\nguttural consonants * a low guttural growl


Words: guv
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal, spoken) used by a man to address another man who is a customer, etc., meaning ’sir’


Words: guv’nor
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal, spoken) (often used as a way of addressing sb) a man who is in a position of authority, for example your employer:\nDo you want me to ask the guv’nor about it?\nsee also GOVERNOR


Words: guy
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] (informal) a man:\na big / nice / tough guy * a Dutch guy * At the end of the film the bad guy gets shot.\nsee also FALL GUY, WISE GUY\n  2  (guys) [pl.] (spoken, especially AmE) a group of people of either sex:\nCome on, you guys, let’s get going!\n  3  [C] (in Britain) a model of a man dressed in old clothes that is burned on a BONFIRE on 5 November during the celebrations for BONFIRE NIGHT\n  4  (also guy rope) [C] a rope used to keep a pole or tent in an upright position


Words: guzzle
Meaning:
verb\n(informal, usually disapproving) to drink sth quickly and in large amounts. In British English it also means to eat food quickly and in large amounts:\n[VN] The kids seem to be guzzling soft drinks all day. * (figurative) My car guzzles fuel. [also V]


Words: gybe
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually jibe)  verb, noun \n    verb [V] to change direction when sailing with the wind behind you, by swinging the sail from one side of the boat to the other\n    noun an act of gybing


Words: gym
Meaning:
noun (informal)\n \n  1  (also formal gymnasium) [C] a room or hall with equipment for doing physical exercise, for example in a school:\nto play basketball in the gym * The school has recently built a new gym.\n \n  2  [U] physical exercises done in a gym, especially at school:\nI don’t enjoy gym. * gym shoes\n \n  3  [C] (especially AmE) = HEALTH CLUB:\nI just joined a gym. * I work out at the gym most days.


Words: gymnastics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] physical exercises that develop and show the body’s strength and ability to move and bend easily, often done as a sport in competitions:\na gymnastics competition * (figurative) mental / verbal gymnastics (= quick or clever thinking or use of words)\n    gymnastic adjective [only before noun]


Words: gymslip
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a dress without sleeves worn over a shirt as a school uniform for girls, especially in the past


Words: gynaecologist
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE gynecologist)  noun\na doctor who studies and treats the medical conditions and diseases of women


Words: gynaecology
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE gynecology)  noun\n[U] the scientific study and treatment of the medical conditions and diseases of women, especially those connected with sexual REPRODUCTION\n    gynaecological (BrE) (AmE gynecological)  adjective:\na gynaecological examination


Words: gyp
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [sing.] (AmE, informal) an act of charging too much money for sth:\nThat meal was a real gyp.\n IDIOMS \n  give sb gyp (BrE, informal) to cause sb a lot of pain:\nMy back’s been giving me gyp lately.\n    verb (-pp-) [VN] (especially AmE) to cheat or trick sb, especially by taking their money


Words: gypsum
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a soft white mineral like chalk that is found naturally and is used in making PLASTER OF PARIS


Words: gypsy
Meaning:
(also gipsy)  noun\n(plural gypsies) (sometimes offensive) a member of a race of people, originally from Asia, who travel around and traditionally live in CARAVANS. Many people prefer to use the name Romany.\nsee also ROMANY\ncompare TRAVELLER


Words: gyrate
Meaning:
verb\nto move around in circles; to make sth, especially a part of your body, move around:\n[V] They began gyrating to the music. * The leaves gyrated slowly to the ground. * [VN] As the lead singer gyrated his hips, the crowd screamed wildly.\n    gyration  noun [C, usually pl., U]:\nThe butterflies were performing aerial gyrations. * the gyration of the earth on its axis


Words: gyroscope
Meaning:
noun\na device consisting of a wheel that spins rapidly inside a frame and does not change position when the frame is moved. Gyroscopes are often used to keep ships and aircraft steady.\n    gyroscopic  adjective


Words: H
Meaning:
(also h)  noun\n[C, U] (plural H’s, h’s ) the 8th letter of the English alphabet:\n’Hat’ begins with (an) H / ’H’.\ncompare AITCH\nsee also H-BOMB


Words: ha
Meaning:
exclamation\n  1  (also hah) the sound that people make when they are surprised or pleased or when they have discovered sth:\nHa! It serves you right! * Ha! I knew he was hiding something.\n  2  (also ha! ha!) (written) the word for the sound that people make when they laugh\n  3  (also ha! ha!) (spoken, ironic) used to show that you do not think that sth is funny:\nHa! Ha! Very funny! Now give me back my shoes.\n\n abbreviation\n(in writing) HECTARE


Words: habeas corpus
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from Latin, law) a law that states that a person who has been arrested should not be kept in prison longer than a particular period of time unless a judge in a court of law has decided that it is right:\nto apply for a writ of habeas corpus


Words: haberdasher
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (old-fashioned, BrE) a person who owns or works in a shop/store selling small articles for sewing, for example, needles, pins, cotton and buttons\n  2  (haberdasher’s) (plural haberdashers) a shop/store that sells these things\n  3  (AmE) a person who owns, manages or works in a shop/store that makes and sells men’s clothes


Words: haberdashery
Meaning:
noun (plural haberdasheries)\n  1  [U] (old-fashioned, BrE) small articles for sewing, for example needles, pins, cotton and buttons\n  2  [U] (old-fashioned, AmE) men’s clothes\n  3  [C] a shop/store or part of a shop/store where haberdashery is sold


Words: habit
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a thing that you do often and almost without thinking, especially sth that is hard to stop doing:\nYou need to change your eating habits. * good / bad habits * He has the irritating habit of biting his nails. * It’s all right to borrow money occasionally, but don’t let it become a habit. * I’d prefer you not to make a habit of it. * I’m not in the habit of letting strangers into my apartment. * I’ve got into the habit of turning on the TV as soon as I get home. * I’m trying to break the habit of staying up too late. * These things have a habit of coming back to haunt you.\n  2  [U] usual behaviour:\nI only do it out of habit. * I’m a creature of habit (= I have a fixed and regular way of doing things).\n  3  [C] (informal) a strong need to keep using drugs, alcohol or cigarettes regularly:\nHe began to finance his habit through burglary. * She’s tried to give up smoking but just can’t kick the habit. * a 50-a-day habit\n  4  [C] a long piece of clothing worn by a MONK or NUN\n IDIOMS  see FORCE n.


Words: habit-forming
Meaning:
adjective\na habit-forming activity or drug is one that makes you want to continue doing it or taking it


Words: habitable
Meaning:
adjective\nsuitable for people to live in:\nThe house should be habitable by the new year.\nOPP UNINHABITABLE


Words: habitat
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] the place where a particular type of animal or plant is normally found:\nThe panda’s natural habitat is the bamboo forest. * The marshes provide a rich habitat for water plants. * the destruction of wildlife habitat


Words: habitation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the act of living in a place:\nThey looked around for any signs of habitation. * The houses were unfit for human habitation (= not clean or safe enough for people to live in).\n  2  [C] (formal) a place where people live:\nThe road serves the scattered habitations along the coast.


Words: habitual
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] usual or typical of sb/sth:\nThey waited for his habitual response. * (formal) a person’s place of habitual residence * She sat smoking her habitual cigarette.\n  2  (of an action) done, often in a way that is annoying or difficult to stop:\nhabitual complaining / interruptions * the habitual use of heroin\n  3  [only before noun] (of a person) doing sth that has become a habit and is therefore difficult to stop:\na habitual criminal / drinker / liar\n HELP NOTE  Some people use an instead of a before habitual and then usually do not pronounce the ’h’. This now sounds old-fashioned.\n    habitually  adverb:\nthe dark glasses he habitually wore


Words: habituated
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sth) (formal) familiar with sth because you have done it or experienced it often:\nWe have all become habituated to thinking and reacting in certain ways.


Words: habitue
Meaning:
noun\n(from French, formal) a person who goes regularly to a particular place or event:\na(n) habitue of upmarket clubs


Words: hack
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [+adv./prep.] to cut sb/sth with rough, heavy blows:\n[VN] I hacked the dead branches off. * They were hacked to death as they tried to escape. * We had to hack our way through the jungle. * [V] We hacked away at the bushes.\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to kick sth roughly or without control:\nHe hacked the ball away.\n  3  (computing) ~ (into) (sth) to secretly find a way of looking at and/or changing information on sb else’s computer system without permission:\n[V] He hacked into the bank’s computer. * [VN] They had hacked secret data.\n  4  [VN] can / can’t ~ it (informal) to be able/not able to manage in a particular situation:\nLots of people leave this job because they can’t hack it.\n  5  [V] (usually go hacking) (especially BrE) to ride a horse for pleasure\n  6  [V] (AmE, informal) to drive a taxi\n    noun\n  1  (disapproving) a writer, especially of newspaper articles, who does a lot of low quality work and does not get paid much\n  2  (disapproving) a person who does the hard and often boring work for an organization, especially a politician:\na party hack\n  3  a horse for ordinary riding or one that can be hired\n  4  (AmE, informal) a taxi\n  5  an act of hitting sth, especially with a cutting tool:\nI was sure he was going to take a hack at us.


Words: hacker
Meaning:
noun\na person who spends a lot of time using computers for a hobby, especially to look at data without permission


Words: hackles
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the hairs on the back of the neck of a dog, cat, etc. that rise when the animal is afraid or angry\n IDIOMS \n  make sb’s hackles rise | raise sb’s hackles to make sb angry:\nHer controversial article is bound to raise hackles.\n  sb’s hackles rise to become angry:\nBen felt his hackles rise as the speaker continued.


Words: hackney carriage
Meaning:
(also hackney cab) noun\n(BrE) a word used in official language for a taxi. In the past hackney carriages were carriages pulled by horses that were used as taxis.


Words: haddock
Meaning:
noun\n(plural haddock) [C, U] a sea fish like a COD but smaller, with white flesh that is used for food:\nsmoked haddock


Words: haematology
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE hematology)  noun\n[U] the scientific study of the blood and its diseases\n    haematological (BrE) (AmE hematological)  adjective\n    haematologist (BrE) (AmE hematologist)  noun


Words: haemoglobin
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE hemoglobin)  noun\n[U] a red substance in the blood that carries OXYGEN and contains iron


Words: haemophilia
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE hemophilia)  noun\n[U] a medical condition that causes severe bleeding from even a slight injury because the blood fails to CLOT normally. It usually affects only men although it can be passed on by women.


Words: haemorrhage
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE hemorrhage)  noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] a medical condition in which there is severe bleeding inside a person’s body:\na massive brain / cerebral haemorrhage * The injured were checked for any signs of haemorrhage or shock.\n  2  [C, usually sing.] ~ (of sb/sth) a serious loss of people, money, etc. from a country, a group or an organization:\nPoor working conditions have led to a steady haemorrhage of qualified teachers from our schools.\n    verb [V] to bleed heavily, especially from the inside of the body; to have a haemorrhage:\nAfter the operation she started to haemorrhage.


Words: hag
Meaning:
noun\n(offensive) an ugly and/or unpleasant old woman:\nI’m going to tell that old hag what I think of her!


Words: haggard
Meaning:
adjective\nlooking very tired because of illness, worry or lack of sleep:\nHe looked pale and haggard. * a haggard face


Words: haggis
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a Scottish dish that looks like a large round sausage made from the heart, lungs and LIVER of a sheep that are finely chopped, mixed with OATS, herbs, etc. and boiled in a bag that is usually made from part of a sheep’s stomach


Words: haggle
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (with sb) (over sth) to argue with sb in order to reach an agreement, especially about the price of sth:\nI left him in the market haggling over the price of a shirt. * We spent a long time haggling with the authorities over our visas.


Words: hagiography
Meaning:
noun\n(plural hagiographies) [C, U] (formal) a book about the life of a person that praises them too much; this style of writing


Words: haiku
Meaning:
noun\n(plural haiku or haikus) (from Japanese) a Japanese poem with three lines and usually 17 syllables


Words: hail
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [usually passive] ~ sb/sth (as) sth to describe sb/sth as being very good or special, especially in newspapers, etc:\n[VN] The conference was hailed as a great success. * [VN-N] Teenager Matt Brown is being hailed a hero for saving a young child from drowning.\n  2  [VN] to signal to a taxi or a bus, in order to get the driver to stop:\nto hail a taxi / cab\n  3  [VN] (literary) to call to sb in order to greet them or attract their attention:\nA voice hailed us from the other side of the street. * We soon came within hailing distance of (= fairly close to) the others.\nsee also LOUDHAILER\n  4  [V] when it hails, small balls of ice fall like rain from the sky:\nIt’s hailing!\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hail from ... (formal) to come from or have been born in a particular place:\nHis father hailed from Italy.\n    noun\n  1  [U] small balls of ice that fall like rain:\nWe drove through hail and snow.\n  2  [sing.] a ~ of sth a large number or amount of sth that is aimed at sb in order to harm them:\na hail of arrows / bullets * a hail of abuse


Words: hair
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U, C] the substance that looks like a mass of fine threads growing especially on the head; one of these threads growing on the body of people and some animals:\nfair / dark hair * straight / curly / wavy hair * to comb / brush your hair * She often wears her hair loose. * (spoken) I’ll be down in a minute. I’m doing (= brushing, arranging, etc.) my hair. * I’m having my hair cut this afternoon. * He’s losing his hair (= becoming bald). * body / facial / pubic hair * There’s a hair in my soup. * The rug was covered with cat hairs.\nsee also CAMEL HAIR, HORSEHAIR\n \n  2  (-haired) (in adjectives) having the type of hair mentioned:\ndark-haired * long-haired\n \n  3  [C] a thing that looks like a fine thread growing on the leaves and stems of some plants\n \n IDIOMS \n  get in sb’s hair (informal) to annoy sb by always being near them, asking them questions, etc.\n  the hair of the dog (that bit you) (informal) alcohol that you drink in order to make you feel better when you have drunk too much alcohol the night before\n  keep your hair on (BrE, spoken) used to tell sb to stop shouting and become calm when they are angry\n  let your hair down (informal) to relax and enjoy yourself, especially in a lively way:\nIt’s about time you let your hair down and had some fun!\n  make sb’s hair stand on end to shock or frighten sb:\na chilling tale that will make your hair stand on end\n  not harm / touch a hair of sb’s head to not hurt sb physically in any way\n  not have a hair out of place (of a person) to look extremely clean and neat\n  not turn a hair to show no emotion when sth surprising, shocking, etc. happens:\nShe listened to his confession without turning a hair.\nmore at HANG v., HIDE n., SPLIT v., TEAR v.


Words: hair shirt
Meaning:
noun\na shirt made of rough fabric containing hair, worn in the past by people who wished to punish themselves for religious reasons


Words: hair’s breadth
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] a very small amount or distance:\nWe won by a hair’s breadth. * They were within a hair’s breadth of being killed.


Words: hair-splitting
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) the act of giving too much importance to small and unimportant differences in an argument\n IDIOMS  see SPLIT v.


Words: hairband
Meaning:
noun\na strip of fabric or curved plastic worn by women in their hair, that fits closely over the top of the head and behind the ears


Words: haircut
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the act of sb cutting your hair:\nYou need a haircut. * I see you’ve had a haircut.\n  2  the style in which sb’s hair is cut:\nWhat do you think of my new haircut? * a short / trendy haircut


Words: hairdresser
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a person whose job is to cut, wash and shape hair\n \n  2  (hairdresser’s) (plural hairdressers) a place where you can get your hair cut, washed and shaped\ncompare BARBER\n \n    hairdressing noun [U]


Words: hairgrip
Meaning:
(also grip) (both BrE) (AmE bobby pin) noun\na small thin piece of metal or plastic folded in the middle, used by women for holding their hair in place\ncompare HAIRPIN


Words: hairline
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the place on a person’s forehead where their hair starts growing:\na receding hairline\n  2  (often used as an adjective) a very thin crack or line:\na hairline crack / fracture


Words: hairpin
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small thin piece of wire that is folded in the middle, used by women for holding their hair in place\ncompare HAIRGRIP\n  2  = HAIRPIN BEND


Words: hairpin bend
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE hairpin curve, hairpin turn) (also hairpin BrE, AmE) noun\na very sharp bend in a road, especially a mountain road


Words: hairslide
Meaning:
(also slide) (both BrE) (AmE barrette) noun\na small decorative piece of metal or plastic used by women for holding their hair in place


Words: hairy
Meaning:
adjective (hairier, hairiest)\n  1  covered with a lot of hair:\na hairy chest / monster * plants with hairy stems\n  2  (informal) dangerous or frightening but often exciting:\nDriving on icy roads can be pretty hairy. * a hairy experience\n    hairiness noun [U]


Words: hajj
Meaning:
(also haj)  noun\n(usually the Hajj) [sing.] a religious journey to Mecca that all Muslims try to make at least once in their lives


Words: halal
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of meat) from an animal that has been killed according to Muslim law:\nhalal meat / food * a halal butcher (= one who sells halal meat)


Words: half
Meaning:
noun, determiner, pronoun, adverb \n    noun\n (plural halves )\n \n  1  either of two equal parts into which sth is or can be divided:\ntwo and a half kilos (2ｽ) * One and a half hours is / are allowed for the exam. * An hour and a half is allowed for the exam. * The second half of the book is more exciting. * I’ve divided the money in half. * We’ll need to reduce the weight by half.\nsee also HALVE\n \n  2  either of two periods of time into which a sports game, concert, etc. is divided:\nNo goals were scored in the first half.\n \n  3  = HALFBACK\nsee also CENTRE HALF, SCRUM HALF\n  4  (BrE, informal) half a PINT of beer or a similar drink:\nTwo halves of bitter, please.\n IDIOMS \n  and a half (informal) bigger, better, more important, etc. than usual:\nThat was a game and a half!\n  do nothing / not do anything by halves to do whatever you do completely and thoroughly:\nYou’re expecting twins? Well, you never did do anything by halves.\n  go half and half | go halves (with sb) to share the cost of sth equally with sb:\nWe go halves on all the bills.\n  the half of it used in negative sentences to say that a situation is worse or more complicated than sb thinks:\n’It sounds very difficult.’ ’You don’t know the half of it.’\n  how the other half lives the way of life of a different social group, especially one much richer than you\n  too clever, etc. by half (BrE, informal, disapproving) clever, etc. in a way that annoys you or makes you suspicious\nmore at MIND n., SIX, TIME n.\n    determiner, pronoun\n  1  an amount equal to half of sth/sb:\nhalf an hour * Half (of) the fruit was bad. * Half of the money was mine. * He has a half share in the company. * Out of 36 candidates, half passed.\n  2  ~ the time, fun, trouble, etc. the largest part of sth:\nHalf the fun of gardening is never knowing exactly what’s going to come up. * Half the time you don’t even listen to what I say.\n IDIOMS \n  half a minute, second, etc. (informal) a short time:\nHang on. I’ll be ready in half a minute.\n  half past one, two, etc. (AmE also half after one, two, etc.) (also BrE informal half one, two, etc.) 30 minutes after any hour on the clock\n    adverb\n  1  to the extent of half:\nThe glass was half full.\n  2  partly:\nThe chicken was only half cooked. * half-closed eyes * I’m half inclined to agree.\n IDIOMS \n  half as many, much, etc. again (AmE half again as much) an increase of 50% of the existing number or amount:\nSpending on health is half as much again as it was in 1998.\n  not half (BrE, informal) used to emphasize a statement or an opinion:\nIt wasn’t half good (= it was very good). * ’Was she annoyed?’ ’Not half!’ (= she was extremely annoyed).\n  not half as | not half such a not nearly:\nHe is not half such a fool as they think.\n  not half bad (informal) (used to show surprise) not bad at all; good:\nIt really isn’t half bad, is it?\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \nhalf / whole / quarter\nQuarter, half and whole can all be nouns: Cut the apple into quarters. * Two halves make a whole.\nWhole is also an adjective: I’ve been waiting here for a whole hour.\nHalf is also a determiner: Half (of) the work is already finished. * They spent half the time looking for a parking space. * Her house is half a mile down the road. Note that you do not put a or the in front of half when it is used in this way: I waited for half an hour. * _I_ _w_a_i_t_e_d_ _f_o_r_ _a_ _h_a_l_f_ _a_n_ _h_o_u_r.\nHalf can also be used as an adverb: This meal is only half cooked.\n______________________________


Words: half board
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) a type of accommodation at a hotel, etc. that includes breakfast and an evening meal\ncompare BED AND BREAKFAST, FULL BOARD


Words: half mast
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  at half mast (of a flag) flown at the middle of the MAST as a sign of respect for a person who has just died:\nFlags were flown at half mast on the day of his funeral.


Words: half measures
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (disapproving) a policy or plan of action that is weak and does not do enough:\nThere are no half measures with this company.


Words: half-and-half
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun \n    adjective being half one thing and half another:\nI was in that half-and-half land where you are not completely asleep nor completely awake.\n    half-and-half adverb \n    noun [U] (AmE) a mixture of milk and cream that is used in tea and coffee


Words: half-assed
Meaning:
adjective (AmE, slang)\n  1  done without care or effort; not well planned\n  2  stupid\n    half-assed adverb


Words: half-breed
Meaning:
noun\n(!!!, offensive) a person whose parents are from different races, especially when one is white and the other is a Native American\n    half-breed adjective (!!!, offensive) \n HELP NOTE  It is more acceptable to talk about ’a person of mixed race’.


Words: half-brother
Meaning:
noun\na person’s half-brother is a boy or man with either the same mother or the same father as they have\ncompare STEPBROTHER


Words: half-caste
Meaning:
noun\n(!!!, offensive) a person whose parents are from different races\n    half-caste adjective (!!!, offensive) \n HELP NOTE  It is more acceptable to talk about ’a person of mixed race’.


Words: half-cock
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  go off at half-cock (BrE, informal) to start before preparations are complete, so that the effect or result is not satisfactory


Words: half-hearted
Meaning:
adjective\ndone without enthusiasm or effort:\nHe made a half-hearted attempt to justify himself. * a half-hearted protest / suggestion\n    half-heartedly adverb


Words: half-hour
Meaning:
(also half an hour) noun\na period of 30 minutes:\nHe should arrive within the next half-hour. * a half-hour drive


Words: half-hourly
Meaning:
adjective\nhappening every 30 minutes:\na half-hourly bus service\n    half-hourly adverb:\nThe buses run half-hourly.


Words: half-life
Meaning:
noun\n[C] (physics) the time taken for the RADIOACTIVITY of a substance to fall to half its original value


Words: half-light
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] a dull light in which it is difficult to see things:\nin the grey half-light of dawn


Words: half-moon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the moon when only half of it can be seen from the earth; the time when this happens\ncompare FULL MOON, HARVEST MOON, NEW MOON\n  2  a thing that is shaped like a half-moon


Words: half-price
Meaning:
adjective\ncosting half the usual price:\na half-price ticket / offer / sale\n    half-price adverb:\nChildren aged under four go half-price.\n    half price noun [U]:\nWe have many items at half price or less.


Words: half-sister
Meaning:
noun\na person’s half-sister is a girl or woman who has either the same mother or the same father as them\ncompare STEPSISTER


Words: half-term
Meaning:
noun\n(in British schools) a short holiday/vacation in the middle of each TERM:\nthe half-term break / holiday * What are you doing at half term?


Words: half-timbered
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (of a building) having walls that are made from a wooden frame filled with brick, stone, etc. so that the FRAMEWORK can still be seen


Words: half-time
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a short period between the two halves of a game of football, hockey, etc. during which the players rest:\nThe score at half-time was two all. * the half-time score\ncompare FULL TIME


Words: half-tone
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (technical) a print of a black and white photograph in which the different shades of grey are produced from small and large black dots\n  2  (AmE, music) = SEMITONE


Words: half-truth
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a statement that gives only part of the truth, especially when it is intended to deceive sb:\nThe newspaper reports are a mixture of gossip, lies and half-truths.


Words: half-yearly
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] happening every six months; happening after the first six months of the year:\na half-yearly meeting * the half-yearly sales figures * payments made at half-yearly intervals\n    half-yearly adverb:\nInterest will be paid half-yearly in June and December.


Words: halfback
Meaning:
(also half) noun\n  1  [C] one of the defending players in football/soccer, hockey or rugby whose position is between those who play at the front of a team and those who play at the back\n  2  [C] one of the two attacking players in American football whose position is behind the QUARTERBACK and beside the FULLBACKS\n  3  [U] the position a halfback plays at:\nSammer is at halfback.


Words: halfway
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  at an equal distance between two points; in the middle of a period of time:\nIt’s about halfway between London and Bristol. * He left halfway through the ceremony. * I’m afraid we’re not even halfway there yet.\n  2  ~ to / towards sth | ~ to / towards doing sth part of the way towards doing or achieving sth:\nThis only goes halfway to explaining what really happened.\n  3  ~ decent (informal) fairly, but not very, good:\nAny halfway decent map will give you that information.\n    halfway adjective:\nThe halfway point / stage.\n IDIOMS  see MEET v.


Words: halfway house
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing.] (BrE) something that combines the features of two very different things\n  2  [C] a place where prisoners, mental patients, etc. can stay for a short time after leaving a prison or hospital, before they start to live on their own again


Words: hall
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also hallway) (AmE also entry) a space or passage inside the entrance or front door of a building:\nShe ran into the hall and up the stairs.\nsee also ENTRANCE HALL\n  2  (AmE also hallway) a passage in a building with rooms down either side \nSYN CORRIDOR:\nI headed for Scott’s office down the hall.\n  3  a building or large room for public meetings, meals, concerts, etc:\na concert / banqueting / sports / exhibition hall * There are three dining halls on campus. * The Royal Albert Hall * (BrE) A jumble sale will be held in the village hall on Saturday.\nsee also CITY HALL, DANCE HALL, GUILDHALL, MUSIC HALL, TOWN HALL\n  4  = HALL OF RESIDENCE:\nShe’s living in hall.\n  5  (BrE) (often as part of a name) a large country house:\nHaddon Hall


Words: Hall of Fame
Meaning:
noun (plural Halls of Fame) (especially AmE) [C]\n  1  a place for people to visit, like a museum, with things connected with famous people from a particular sport or activity:\nthe Country Music Hall of Fame\n  2  [sing.] the group of people who have done a particular activity or sport particularly well


Words: hall of residence
Meaning:
(also hall) noun\n(plural halls of residence, halls) (both BrE) (AmE dormitory) a building for university or college students to live in


Words: hallmark
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a feature or quality that is typical of sb/sth:\nPolice said the explosion bore all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.\n  2  a mark put on gold, silver and PLATINUM objects that shows the quality of the metal and gives information about when and where the object was made\n    verb [VN] to put a hallmark on metal goods


Words: hallowed
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (especially of old things) respected and important:\none of the theatre’s most hallowed traditions\n  2  that has been made holy:\nto be buried in hallowed ground


Words: Halloween
Meaning:
(also Hallowe’en)  noun\n[C, U] the night of 31st October when it was believed in the past that dead people appeared from their graves, and which is now celebrated in the US, Canada and Britain by children who dress as GHOSTS, WITCHES, etc.\nsee also TRICK OR TREAT


Words: hallucinate
Meaning:
verb\nto see or hear things that are not really there because of illness or drugs:\n[V] Some of these drugs can make you hallucinate. [also VN, V that]


Words: hallucination
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] the fact of seeming to see or hear sb/sth that is not really there, especially because of illness or drugs:\nto suffer from / have hallucinations * High temperatures can cause hallucination.\n  2  [C] something that is seen or heard when it is not really there:\nWas the figure real or just a hallucination?\n HELP NOTE  Some people use an instead of a before hallucination and then usually do not pronounce the ’h’. This now sounds old-fashioned.


Words: hallucinatory
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] connected with or causing hallucinations:\na hallucinatory experience * hallucinatory drugs


Words: hallucinogen
Meaning:
noun\na drug, such as LSD, that affects people’s minds and makes them see and hear things that are not really there\n    hallucinogenic  adjective:\nhallucinogenic drugs / effects\n HELP NOTE  Some people use an instead of a before these words, and then usually do not pronounce the ’h’. This now sounds old-fashioned.


Words: halo
Meaning:
noun (plural haloes or halos)\n  1  (in paintings, etc.) a circle of light shown around or above the head of a holy person:\nShe played the part of an angel, complete with wings and a halo. * (figurative) a halo of white frizzy hair\n  2  (informal) = CORONA


Words: halogen
Meaning:
noun\n(chemistry) any of a set of five chemical elements, including FLUORINE, CHLORINE and IODINE, that react with HYDROGEN to form strong acids from which simple salts can be made. Halogens, in the form of gas, are used in lamps and cookers/stoves.


Words: halon
Meaning:
noun\n(chemistry) a gas that is a compound of CARBON and one or more halogens, used especially to stop fires


Words: halt
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb to stop; to make sb/sth stop:\n[V] She walked towards him and then halted. * ’Halt!’ the Major ordered (= used as a command to soldiers). * [VN] The police were halting traffic on the parade route. * The trial was halted after the first week.\n IDIOMS  see TRACK n.\n    noun\n  1  [sing.] an act of stopping the movement or progress of sb/sth:\nWork came to a halt when the machine broke down. * The thought brought her to an abrupt halt. * The car skidded to a halt. * Strikes have led to a halt in production. * They decided it was time to call a halt to the project (= stop it officially).\n  2  [C] (BrE) a small railway station in the country that has a platform but no buildings\n IDIOMS  see GRIND v.


Words: halter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a rope or leather strap put around the head of a horse for leading it with\n  2  (usually used as an adjective) a strap around the neck that holds a woman’s dress or shirt in position, leaving the back and shoulders bare:\nShe was dressed in a halter top and shorts.


Words: halting
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (especially of speech or movement) stopping and starting often, especially because you are not certain or are not very confident:\na halting conversation * a toddler’s first few halting steps * Europe’s halting progress towards greater unity\n    haltingly adverb:\n’Well ...’ she began haltingly.


Words: halve
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to reduce by a half; to make sth reduce by a half:\n[V] The shares have halved in value. * [VN] The company is halving its prices.\n  2  [VN] to divide sth into two equal parts


Words: ham
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C, U] the top part of a pig’s leg that has been CURED (= preserved using salt or smoke) and is eaten as food; the meat from this:\nThe hams were cooked whole. * a slice of ham * a ham sandwich\ncompare BACON, GAMMON, PORK\n \n  2  [C] a person who sends and receives radio messages as a hobby rather than as a job:\na radio ham\n \n  3  [C] (informal) (often used as an adjective) an actor who performs badly, especially by exaggerating emotions:\na ham actor / performance\n  4  [C, usually pl.] (informal) the back part of a person’s leg above the knee\nsee also HAMSTRING\n    verb (-mm-)\n IDIOMS \n  ham it up (informal) (especially of actors) when people ham it up, they deliberately exaggerate their emotions or movements


Words: ham-fisted
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE ham-handed) adjective\n(informal) lacking skill when using your hands or when dealing with people:\nhis ham-fisted efforts to assist her


Words: hamburger
Meaning:
(also burger) noun\n \n  1  (BrE also beefburger) finely chopped beef made into a flat round shape that is then fried, often served in a bread roll\n \n  2  (also hamburger meat) (both AmE) = MINCE


Words: hammer
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  tool\n \n  1  [C] a tool with a handle and a heavy metal head, used for breaking things or hitting nails: (figurative) The decision is a hammer blow for the steel industry. * a gentle tap with a hammer * He struck her on the head with a hammer.\nsee also SLEDGEHAMMER\n \n  2  [C] a tool with a handle and a wooden head, used by a person in charge of an AUCTION (= a sale at which things are sold to the person who offers the most money) in order to get people’s attention:\nto come / go under the hammer (= to be sold at auction) * Forty modern Russian paintings went under the hammer at Christie’s today.\n \n  in piano\n \n  3  [C] a small wooden part inside a piano, that hits the strings to produce a sound\n \n  in gun\n  4  [C] a part inside a gun that makes the gun fire\n  sport\n  5  [C] a metal ball attached to a wire, thrown as a sport\n  6  (the hammer) [sing.] the event or sport of throwing the hammer\n IDIOMS \n  hammer and tongs if two people are at it hammer and tongs or go at it hammer and tongs, they argue or fight with a lot of energy and noise:\nWe could hear the neighbours going at it hammer and tongs.\n    verb\n  hit with tool\n  1  ~ sth (in / into / onto sth) to hit sth with a hammer:\n[V] I could hear somebody hammering next door. * [VN] She hammered the nail into the wall. * [VN-ADJ] He was hammering the sheet of copper flat.\n  hit many times\n  2  to hit sth hard many times, especially so that it makes a loud noise:\n[V] Someone was hammering at the door. * Hail was hammering down onto the roof. * (figurative) I was so scared my heart was hammering (= beating very fast) in my chest. * [VN] He hammered the door with his fists.\n  kick / hit ball\n  3  [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] (informal) to kick or hit a ball very hard:\nHe hammered the ball into the net.\n  defeat easily\n  4  [VN] (informal) to defeat sb very easily:\nOur team was hammered 5-1.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hammer away at sth to work hard in order to finish or achieve sth; to keep repeating sth in order to get the result that you want:\nShe kept hammering away at that point all through the meeting.\n  hammer sth<->home\n1 to emphasize a point, an idea, etc. so that people fully understand it:\nThe school tries to hammer home the importance of homework.\n2 to kick a ball hard and score a goal:\nBeckham crossed the ball and Shearer hammered it home.\n  hammer sth into sb to make sb learn or remember sth by repeating it many times\n  hammer out sth\n1 to discuss a plan, an idea, etc. until everyone agrees or a decision is made:\nto hammer out a compromise / deal\n2 to play a tune, especially on a piano, loudly and not very well


Words: hammer and sickle
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] tools representing the people who work in industry and farming, used on the flag of the former Soviet Union and as a symbol of Communism


Words: hammering
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] the sound of sb hitting sth with a hammer or with their FISTS:\nthe sound of hammering from the next room * They were interrupted by a hammering at the door.\n  2  [C, usually sing.] (BrE, informal) an act of defeating or criticizing sb severely:\nOur team took a real hammering in the first half. * The sales team will be in for a hammering when these figures come out.


Words: hammock
Meaning:
noun\na type of bed made from a net or from a piece of strong fabric, with ropes at each end that are used to hang it between two trees, posts, etc.


Words: hammy
Meaning:
adjective\n(hammier, hammiest) (informal) (of a style of acting) artificial or exaggerated:\nIn the television ads, he cheerfully delivered some hammy lines before falling backwards into a swimming pool.


Words: hamper
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] [often passive] (written) to prevent sb from easily doing or achieving sth\nSYN HINDER:\nOur efforts were severely hampered by a lack of money.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  a large basket with a lid, especially one used to carry food in:\na picnic hamper\n \n  2  (especially BrE) a box or parcel containing food, sent as a gift:\na Christmas hamper\n \n  3  (AmE) a large basket that you keep your dirty clothes in until they are washed


Words: hamster
Meaning:
noun\nan animal like a large mouse, with large cheeks for storing food. Hamsters are often kept as pets.


Words: hamstring
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  one of the five TENDONS behind the knee that connect the muscles of the upper leg to the bones of the lower leg:\na hamstring injury * She’s pulled a hamstring.\n  2  a TENDON behind the middle joint (= HOCK) of the back leg of a horse and some other animals\n    verb (hamstrung, hamstrung sth from working or taking action in the way that is needed


Words: hand
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  part of body\n \n  1  [C] the part of the body at the end of the arm, including the fingers and thumb:\nIan placed a hand on her shoulder. * Put your hand up if you know the answer. * Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times. * She was on (her) hands and knees (= crawling on the floor) looking for an earring. * Couples strolled past holding hands. * Give me your hand (= hold my hand) while we cross the road. * The crowd threw up their hands (= lifted them into the air) in dismay. * He killed the snake with his bare hands (= using only his hands). * a hand towel (= a small towel for drying your hands on) * a hand drill (= one that is used by turning a handle rather than powered by electricity)\nsee also LEFT-HAND, RIGHT-HAND\n \n  -handed\n \n  2  (in adjectives) using the hand or number of hands mentioned:\na one-handed catch * left-handed scissors (= intended to be held in your left hand)\n \n  help\n  3  (a hand) [sing.] (informal) help in doing sth:\nLet me give you a hand with those bags (= help you to carry them). * Do you need a hand with those invoices? * The neighbours are always willing to lend a hand.\n  role in situation\n  4  [sing.] ~ in sth the part or role that sb/sth plays in a particular situation; sb’s influence in a situation:\nEarly reports suggest the hand of rebel forces in the bombings. * Several of his colleagues had a hand in his downfall. * This appointment was an attempt to strengthen her hand in policy discussions.\n  on clock / watch\n  5  [C] (usually in compounds) a part of a clock or watch that points to the numbers\nsee also HOUR HAND, MINUTE HAND, SECOND HAND\n  worker\n  6  [C] a person who does physical work on a farm or in a factory\nsee also CHARGEHAND, FARMHAND, HIRED HAND, STAGEHAND\n  sailor\n  7  [C] a sailor on a ship:\nAll hands on deck!\nsee also DECKHAND\n  hand-\n  8  (in compounds) by a person rather than a machine:\nhand-painted pottery * hand-knitted\nsee also HANDMADE\n  in card games\n  9  [C] a set of playing cards given to one player in a game:\nto be dealt a good / bad hand\n  10  [C] one stage of a game of cards:\nI’ll have to leave after this hand.\n  writing\n  11  [sing.] (old use) a particular style of writing\nsee also FREEHAND\n  measurement for horse\n  12  [C] a unit for measuring the height of a horse, equal to 4 INCHES or 10.16 CENTIMETRES\nsee also DAB HAND, OLD HAND, SECOND-HAND, UNDERHAND\n IDIOMS \n  (close / near) at hand close to you in time or distance:\nHelp was at hand. * The property is ideally located with all local amenities close at hand.\n  at the hands of sb | at sb’s hands (written) if you experience sth at the hands of sb, they are the cause of it:\nThey suffered years of repression at the hands of the old regime.\n  be good with your hands to be skilful at making or doing things with your hands\n  bind / tie sb hand and foot\n1 to tie sb’s hands and feet together so that they cannot move or escape\n2 to prevent sb from doing what they want by creating rules, restrictions, etc.\n  by hand\n1 by a person rather than a machine:\nThe fabric was painted by hand.\n2 if a letter is delivered by hand, it is delivered by a messenger or by the person who wrote it, rather than by post/mail\n  fall into sb’s hands / the hands of sb (written) to become controlled by sb:\nThe town fell into enemy hands. * We don’t want this document falling into the wrong hands. * After the war, the hotel fell into the hands of an American consortium.\n  (at) first hand by experiencing, seeing, etc. sth yourself rather than being told about it by sb else:\nThe President visited the area to see the devastation at first hand.\n  get your hands dirty to do physical work:\nHe’s not frightened of getting his hands dirty.\n  sb’s hand (in marriage) (old-fashioned) permission to marry sb, especially a woman:\nHe asked the general for his daughter’s hand in marriage.\n  hand in glove (with sb) working closely with sb, especially in a secret and/or illegal way\n  hand in hand\n1 if two people are hand in hand, they are holding each other’s hand:\nThey walked through the park hand in hand.\n2 if two things go hand in hand, they are closely connected and one thing causes the other:\nPoverty and poor health often go hand in hand.\n  (get / take your) hands off (sth/sb) (spoken) used to tell sb not to touch sth/sb:\nGet your hands off my wife! * Hey, hands off! That’s my drink!\n  hands up! (spoken)\n1 used to tell a group of people to raise one hand in the air if they know the answer to a question, etc:\nHands up all those who want to go swimming.\n2 used by sb who is threatening people with a gun to tell them to raise both hands in the air\n  have your hands full to be very busy or too busy to do sth else:\nShe certainly has her hands full with four kids in the house.\n  have your hands tied to be unable to do what you want to do because of rules, promises, etc:\nI really wish I could help but my hands are tied.\n  hold sb’s hand to give sb support in a difficult situation:\nDo you want me to come along and hold your hand?\n  in sb’s capable, safe, etc. hands being taken care of or dealt with by sb that you think you can rely on:\nCan I leave these queries in your capable hands?\n  in hand\n1 if you have time or money in hand, it is left and available to be used:\nWe managed to redecorate the house and still have some savings in hand. * She completed the first part of the exam with over an hour in hand.\n2 if you have a particular situation in hand, you are in control of it:\nDon’t worry about the travel arrangements-everything is in hand.\n3 the job, question, etc. in hand is the one that you are dealing with:\nPlease confine your comments to the topic in hand.\n4 if sb works a week, month, etc. in hand, they are paid for the work a week, etc. after they have completed it\n  in the hands of sb | in sb’s hands being looked after or controlled by sb:\nThe matter is now in the hands of my lawyer. * At that time, the castle was in enemy hands.\n  keep your hand in to occasionally do sth that you used to do a lot so that you do not lose your skill at it:\nShe retired last year but still teaches the odd class to keep her hand in.\n  lay / get your hands on sb to catch sb that you are annoyed with:\nWait till I get my hands on him!\n  lay / get your hands on sth to find or get sth:\nI know their address is here somewhere, but I can’t lay my hands on it right now. * Do you know where I can get my hands on a second-hand television?\n  many hands make light work (saying) used to say that a job is made easier if a lot of people help\n  not do a hand’s turn (old-fashioned) to do no work:\nShe hasn’t done a hand’s turn all week.\n  off your hands no longer your responsibility\n  on either / every hand (literary) on both/all sides; in both/all directions:\nMist curled from the water on either hand.\n  on hand available, especially to help:\nThe emergency services were on hand with medical advice.\n  on your hands if you have sb/sth on your hands, you are responsible for them or it:\nLet me take care of the invitations-you’ve enough on your hands with the caterers. * They’ll have a fight on their hands if they want to close down the school.\n  on the one hand ...on the other (hand) ... used to introduce different points of view, ideas, etc., especially when they are opposites:\nOn the one hand they’d love to have kids, but on the other, they don’t want to give up their freedom.\n  out of hand\n1 difficult or impossible to control:\nUnemployment is getting out of hand.\n2 if you reject sth out of hand, you do so immediately without thinking about it fully or listening to other people’s arguments:\nAll our suggestions were dismissed out of hand.\n  out of your hands no longer your responsibility:\nI’m afraid the matter is now out of my hands.\n  play into sb’s hands to do exactly what an enemy, opponent, etc. wants so that they gain the advantage in a particular situation:\nIf we get the police involved, we’ll be playing right into the protesters’ hands.\n  put your hand in your pocket (BrE) to spend money or give it to sb:\nI’ve heard he doesn’t like putting his hand in his pocket.\n  (at) second, third, etc. hand by being told about sth by sb else who has seen it or heard about it, not by experiencing, seeing, etc. it yourself:\nI’m fed up of hearing about these decisions third hand!\n  take sb in hand to deal with sb in a strict way in order to improve their behaviour\n  take sth into your own hands to deal with a particular situation yourself because you are not happy with the way that others are dealing with it\n  throw your hand in (informal) to stop doing sth or taking part in sth, especially because you are not successful\n  to hand that you can reach or get easily:\nI’m afraid I don’t have the latest figures to hand. * Keep a pen and paper to hand for details of this week’s competition.\n  turn your hand to sth to start doing sth or be able to do sth, especially when you do it well:\nJim can turn his hand to most jobs around the house.\nmore at BIG adj., BIRD, BITE v., BLOOD n., CAP n., CASH n., CHANGE v., CLOSE adv., COURAGE, DEAD adj., EAT, FIRM adj., FOLD v., FORCE v., FREE adj., HAT, HEAVY, HELP v., IRON adj., JOIN v., KNOW v., LAW, LIFE, LIFT v., LIVE, MONEY, OFFER v., OVERPLAY, PAIR n., PALM n., PUTTY, RAISE v., SAFE adj., SHOW n., SHOW v., SLEIGHT, STAY v., TIME n., TRY v., UPPER adj., WAIT v., WASH v., WHIP n., WIN v., WRING\n    verb ~ sth to sb | ~ sb sth to pass or give sth to sb: [VN, VNN] She handed the letter to me. * She handed me the letter.\n IDIOMS \n  hand sth to sb on a plate (informal) to give sth to sb without the person concerned making any effort:\nNobody’s going to hand you success on a plate.\n  have (got) to hand it to sb (informal) used to say that sb deserves praise for sth:\nYou’ve got to hand it to her-she’s a great cook.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hand sth<->around / round to offer or pass sth, especially food or drinks, to all the people in a group\n  hand sth back (to sb) to give or return sth to the person who owns it or to where it belongs:\nShe picked up the wallet and handed it back to him. * Control of the territory was handed back to China.\n  hand sth<->down (to sb)\n1 [usually passive] to give or leave sth to sb who is younger than you\nSYN PASS DOWN:\nThese skills used to be handed down from father to son. * Most of his clothes were handed down to him by his older brother.\nrelated noun HAND-ME-DOWN\n2 (especially AmE) to officially give a decision/statement, etc.\nSYN ANNOUNCE:\nThe judge has handed down his verdict.\n  hand sth<->in (to sb) to give sth to a person in authority, especially a piece of work or sth that is lost\nSYN GIVE IN:\nYou must all hand in your projects by the end of next week. * I handed the watch in to the police. * to hand in your notice / resignation (= formally tell your employer that you want to stop working for them)\n  hand sth<->on (to sb) to give or leave sth for another person to use or deal with\nSYN PASS ON\n  hand sth<->out (to sb)\n1 to give a number of things to the members of a group\nSYN DISTRIBUTE:\nCould you hand these books out, please? * She handed out medals and certificates to the winners.\nrelated noun HANDOUT\n2 to give advice, a punishment, etc:\nHe’s always handing out advice to people.\n  hand sth<->over (to sb) | hand over (to sb) | hand sth over (to sb) to give sb else your position of power or the responsibility for sth:\nShe resigned and handed over to one of her younger colleagues. * He finally handed over his responsibility for the company last year.\nrelated noun HANDOVER\n  hand sb over to sb to let sb listen or speak to another person, especially on the telephone or in a news broadcast:\nI’ll hand you over to my boss.\n  hand sb/sth<->over (to sb) to give sth/sb officially or formally to another person:\nHe handed over a cheque for $200 000. * They handed the weapons over to the police.\nrelated noun HANDOVER\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \nusing your hands\ntouch\nThese verbs describe different ways of touching things:\nfeel  I felt the bag to see what was in it.\nfinger  She fingered the silk delicately.\nhandle  Handle the fruit with care.\nrub  She rubbed her eyes wearily.\nstroke  The cat loves being stroked.\npat  He patted my arm and told me not to worry.\ntap  Someone was tapping lightly at the door.\nsqueeze  I took his hand and squeezed it.\nhold\nYou can use these verbs to describe taking something quickly:\ngrab  I grabbed his arm to stop myself from falling.\nsnatch  She snatched the letter out of my hand.\nThese verbs describe holding things tightly:\nclasp  Her hands were clasped behind her head.\nclutch  The child was clutching a doll in her hand.\ngrasp  Grasp the rope with both hands and pull.\ngrip  He gripped his bag tightly and wouldn’t let go.\n______________________________


Words: hand luggage
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (also hand baggage, carry-on baggage especially in AmE) noun\n[U] small bags that you can keep with you on an aircraft


Words: hand-held
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] small enough to be held in the hand while being used:\na hand-held camera / computer\n    hand-held noun:\nAre hand-helds just fashion items?


Words: hand-me-down
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] (especially AmE) = CAST-OFF:\nShe hated having to wear her sister’s hand-me-downs.\n    hand-me-down adjective (especially AmE) = CAST-OFF:\nhand-me-down clothes


Words: hand-to-mouth
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] if you have a hand-to-mouth life, you spend all the money you earn on basic needs such as food and do not have anything left\n IDIOMS  see LIVE


Words: handball
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (AmE also team handball) a team game for two teams of seven players, usually played indoors, in which players try to score goals by throwing a ball with their hand\n  2  [U] (AmE) a game in which players hit a small ball against a wall with their hand\n  3  [C, U] (in football) the offence of touching the ball with your hands:\na penalty for handball


Words: handbasin
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a small bowl that has taps/faucets and is fixed to the wall, used for washing your hands in


Words: handbook
Meaning:
noun\na book giving instructions on how to use sth or information about a particular subject\ncompare MANUAL


Words: handbrake
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually emergency brake, parking brake) noun a BRAKE in a motor vehicle that is operated by hand, used especially when the vehicle is not moving:\nto put the handbrake on * to take the handbrake off * Is the handbrake on?


Words: handcuff
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] to put handcuffs on sb or to fasten sb to sth/sb with handcuffs:\nHer hands were handcuffed behind her back. * He was handcuffed to a policeman.


Words: handcuffs
Meaning:
(also informal cuffs) noun\n[pl.] a pair of metal rings joined by a chain, used for holding the wrists of a prisoner together:\na pair of handcuffs * She was led away in handcuffs. * The prisoners wore handcuffs and iron chains on their legs.


Words: handful
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] ~ (of sth) the amount of sth that can be held in one hand:\na handful of rice * She scooped up handfuls of loose earth.\n  2  [sing.] ~ (of sb/sth) a small number of people or things:\nOnly a handful of people came. * They cannot hope to win more than a handful of seats at the next election.\n  3  a ~ [sing.] (informal) a person or an animal that is difficult to control:\nHer children can be a real handful.


Words: handhold
Meaning:
noun\nsomething on the surface of a steep slope, wall, etc. that a person can hold when climbing up it


Words: handicap
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] (becoming old-fashioned, sometimes offensive) a permanent physical or mental condition that makes it difficult or impossible to use a particular part of your body or mind:\nDespite her handicap, Jane is able to hold down a full-time job. * mental / physical / visual handicap -> DISABLED\n  2  [C] something that makes it difficult for sb to do sth:\nNot speaking the language proved to be a bigger handicap than I’d imagined. * In a job like this, lack of experience is no real handicap.\n  3  [C] (sport) a race or competition in which the most skilful competitors must run further, carry extra weight, etc. in order to give all the competitors an equal chance of winning; the disadvantage that is given to a competitor in such a race or competition\n  4  [C] (in golf) an advantage given to a weaker player so that competition is more equal when they play against a stronger player. It is expressed as a number related to the number of times a player hits the ball and gets lower as he/she improves:\nHe plays off a handicap of 5.\n    verb (-pp-) [VN] [usually passive] to make sth more difficult for sb to do:\nBritish exports have been handicapped by the strong pound.


Words: handicapped
Meaning:
adjective (becoming old-fashioned, sometimes offensive)\n  1  suffering from a mental or physical handicap:\na mentally / visually handicapped child * The accident left him physically handicapped.\n  2  (the handicapped) noun [pl.] people who are handicapped:\na school for the physically handicapped -> DISABLED


Words: handicraft
Meaning:
(AmE also handcraft) noun [C, usually pl., U]\n  1  activities such as sewing and weaving that use skill with your hands and artistic ability to make things:\nto teach handicrafts * Her hobbies are music, reading and handicraft.\n  2  things made in this way:\ntraditional handicrafts bought by tourists


Words: handily
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a way that is HANDY (= convenient):\nWe’re handily placed for the train station.\n  2  (especially AmE) easily:\nHe handily defeated his challengers.


Words: handiwork
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  work that you do, or sth that you have made, especially using your artistic skill:\nWe admired her exquisite handiwork.\n  2  a thing done by a particular person or group, especially sth bad:\nThis looks like the handiwork of an arsonist.


Words: handkerchief
Meaning:
noun\n(plural handkerchiefs or handkerchieves ) (also informal hanky, hankie) a small piece of material or paper that you use for blowing your nose, etc.


Words: handle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  deal with\n  1  [VN] to deal with or control a situation, a person, an area of work or a strong emotion:\nA new man was appointed to handle the crisis. * She’s very good at handling her patients. * The sale was handled by Adams Commercial. * We can handle up to 500 calls an hour at our new offices. * We all have to learn to handle stress. * This matter has been handled very badly. * (informal) You have to know how to handle yourself in this business (= know the right way to behave). * (informal) ’Any problems?’ ’Nothing I can’t handle.’ * (informal) I’ve got to go. I can’t handle it any more (= deal with a difficult situation).\n  touch with hands\n  2  [VN] to touch, hold or move sth with your hands:\nOur cat hates being handled. * The label on the box said: ’Fragile. Handle with care.’\n  control\n  3  [VN] to control a vehicle, an animal, a tool, etc:\nI wasn’t sure if I could handle such a powerful car. * She’s a difficult horse to handle.\n  of vehicle\n  4  [V] ~ well / badly to be easy/difficult to drive or control:\nThe car handles well in any weather.\n  buy / sell\n  5  [VN] to buy or sell sth\nSYN DEAL IN:\nThey were arrested for handling stolen goods.\n    noun\n  of door / drawer / window\n \n  1  the part of a door, drawer, window, etc. that you use to open it:\nShe turned the handle and opened the door.\n \n  of cup / bag / tool\n \n  2  the part of an object, such as a cup, a bag, or a tool that you use to hold it, or carry it:\nthe handle of a knife * a broom handle * The handle’s broken off this jug.\n \n  -handled\n \n  3  (in adjectives) having the number or type of handle mentioned:\na long-handled spoon\n IDIOMS \n  get / have a handle on sb/sth (informal) to understand or know about sb/sth, especially so that you can deal with it or them later:\nI can’t get a handle on these sales figures.\n  give sb a handle (on sth) (informal) to give sb enough facts or knowledge for them to be able to deal with sth:\nVisiting the country should give us a better handle on understanding the problems.\nmore at FLY v.


Words: handlebar
Meaning:
noun\n[C] (also handlebars [pl.]) a metal bar, with a handle at each end, that you use for steering a bicycle or motorcycle:\nto hold onto the handlebars


Words: handler
Meaning:
noun (especially in compounds)\n  1  a person who trains and controls animals, especially dogs:\nThe police brought in dog handlers to join the hunt for the attacker.\n  2  a person who carries or touches sth as part of their job:\nairport baggage handlers * food handlers\n  3  (especially AmE) sb who organizes sth or advises sb:\nthe President’s campaign handlers


Words: handling
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the way that sb deals with or treats a situation, a person, an animal, etc:\nI was impressed by his handling of the affair. * This horse needs firm handling. * Why is he being so polite, as if I need tactful handling?\n  2  the action of organizing or controlling sth:\ndata handling on computer\n  3  the action of touching, feeling or holding sth with your hands:\ntoys that can stand up to rough handling * In the manufacturing industries heavy materials handling is often done by robots.\n  4  the cost of dealing with an order, delivering goods, booking tickets, etc:\na small handling charge\n  5  the way in which a motor vehicle can be controlled by the driver:\na car designed for easy and stable handling\n  6  = CARRIAGE


Words: handmade
Meaning:
adjective\nmade by a person using their hands rather than by machines:\nhandmade furniture\ncompare MACHINE-MADE


Words: handmaiden
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (old-fashioned) a female servant\n  2  (formal) something that supports and helps sth else:\nMathematics was once dubbed the handmaiden of the sciences.


Words: handout
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (sometimes disapproving) food, money or clothes that are given to a person who is poor:\nto be dependent on handouts\n  2  (often disapproving) money that is given to a person or an organization by the government, etc., for example to encourage commercial activity\n  3  a free document that gives information about an event or a matter of public interest, or that states the views of a political party, etc.\nsee also PRESS RELEASE\n  4  a document that is given to students in class and that contains a summary of the lesson, a set of exercises, etc.


Words: handover
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  the act of moving power or responsibility from one person or group to another; the period during which this is done:\nthe smooth handover of power from a military to a civilian government\n  2  the act of giving a person or thing to sb in authority:\nthe handover of the hostages


Words: handrail
Meaning:
noun\na long narrow bar that you can hold onto for support, for example when you are going up or down stairs


Words: hands-off
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] dealing with people or a situation by not becoming involved and by allowing people to do what they want to:\na hands-off approach to staff management\ncompare HANDS-ON


Words: hands-on
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] doing sth rather than just talking about it:\nhands-on computer training * to gain hands-on experience of industry * a hands-on style of management\ncompare HANDS-OFF


Words: handsaw
Meaning:
noun\na SAW (= a tool with a long blade with sharp teeth along one edge) that is used with one hand only


Words: handset
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the part of a telephone that you hold close to your mouth and ear to speak into and listen\ncompare RECEIVER\n  2  a device that you hold in your hand to operate a television, etc.\nsee also REMOTE CONTROL


Words: handshake
Meaning:
noun\nan act of shaking sb’s hand with your own, used especially as a greeting or when you have made an agreement\nsee also GOLDEN HANDSHAKE


Words: handsome
Meaning:
adjective (handsomer, handsomest)\n HELP NOTE  more handsome and most handsome are more common\n  1  (of men) attractive\nSYN GOOD-LOOKING:\na handsome face * He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever met. * He was aptly described as ’tall, dark, and handsome’.\n  2  (of women) attractive, with large strong features rather than small delicate ones:\na tall, handsome woman * The bride and groom made a handsome couple.\n  3  beautiful to look at:\na handsome horse / house / city * The two of them made a handsome couple.\n  4  large in amount or quantity:\na handsome profit * He was elected by a handsome majority (= a lot of people voted for him). * a handsome cheque / salary\n  5  generous:\nShe paid him a handsome compliment. * It was very handsome of him to pay for the meal.\n    handsomely adverb:\na handsomely dressed man * a handsomely produced book * to be paid / rewarded handsomely\n    handsomeness noun [U]


Words: handstand
Meaning:
noun\na movement in which you balance on your hands and put your legs straight up in the air:\nCan you do handstands?


Words: handwriting
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  writing that is done with a pen or pencil, not printed or typed\n  2  a person’s particular style of writing in this way:\nI can’t read his handwriting. * neat handwriting\n IDIOMS \n  the handwriting on the wall (AmE) = THE WRITING ON THE WALL


Words: handy
Meaning:
adjective (handier, handiest) (informal)\n  1  useful; easy to use or to do:\na handy little tool * handy hints / tips for removing carpet stains * a handy-sized dictionary\n  2  [not before noun] ~ (for sth / for doing sth) situated near to sb/sth; situated or stored in a convenient place:\nAlways keep a first-aid kit handy. * Have you got a pen handy? * (BrE) Our house is very handy for the station.\n  3  [usually before noun] skilful in using your hands or tools to make or repair things:\nto be handy around the house * to be handy with a sewing machine\nsee also HANDILY\n IDIOMS \n  come in handy (informal) to be useful:\nThe extra money came in very handy. * Don’t throw that away-it might come in handy.


Words: handyman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural handymen ) a man who is good at doing practical jobs inside and outside the house, either as a hobby or as a job


Words: hang
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (hung, hung  )\n HELP NOTE  In sense 4, hanged is used for the past tense and past participle.)\n  attach from top\n  1  ~ (sth) (up) [+adv./prep.] to attach sth, or to be attached, at the top so that the lower part is free or loose:\n[VN] Hang your coat up on the hook. * Where are we supposed to hang our washing up to dry? * [V] There were several expensive suits hanging in the wardrobe.\n  fall loosely\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] when sth hangs in a particular way, it falls in that way:\nHer hair hung down to her waist. * He had lost weight and the suit hung loosely on him.\n  bend downwards\n  3  to bend or let sth bend downwards:\n[V] The dog’s tongue was hanging out. * Children hung (= were leaning) over the gate. * A cigarette hung from her lips. * [VN] She hung her head in shame.\n  kill sb\n  4  (hanged, hanged) to kill sb, usually as a punishment, by tying a rope around their neck and allowing them to drop; to be killed in this way:\n[VN] He was the last man to be hanged for murder in this country. * She had committed suicide by hanging herself from a beam. * [V] At that time you could hang for stealing.\n  pictures\n  5  to attach sth, especially a picture, to a hook on a wall; to be attached in this way:\n[VN] We hung her portrait above the fireplace. * [V] Several of his paintings hang in the Tate Gallery.\n  6  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth with sth to decorate a place by placing paintings, etc. on a wall:\nThe rooms were hung with tapestries.\n  wallpaper\n  7  [VN] to stick WALLPAPER to a wall\n  door / gate\n  8  [VN] to attach a door or gate to a post so that it moves freely\n  stay in the air\n  9  [V +adv./prep.] to stay in the air:\nSmoke hung in the air above the city.\n IDIOMS \n  hang sth (BrE, spoken) used to say that you are not going to worry about sth:\nOh, let’s get two and hang the expense!\n  hang a left / right (AmE) to take a left/right turn\n  hang by a hair / thread (of a person’s life) to be in great danger\n  hang (on) in there (informal) to remain determined to succeed even when a situation is difficult\n  hang on sb’s words / on sb’s every word to listen with great attention to sb you admire\n  hang tough (AmE) to be determined and refuse to change your attitude or ideas\n  let it all hang out (informal) to express your feelings freely\nmore at BALANCE n., FIRE n., GRIM, HEAVY adv., LOOSE adj., PEG n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hang about (BrE, informal)\n1 to wait or stay near a place, not doing very much:\nkids hanging about in the streets\n2 to be very slow doing sth:\nI can’t hang about-the boss wants to see me.\n3 (spoken) used to tell sb to stop what they are doing or saying for a short time:\nHang about! There’s something not quite right here.\n  hang about with sb (informal) to spend a lot of time with sb\n  hang around ( ...) (informal) to wait or stay near a place, not doing very much:\nYou hang around here in case he comes, and I’ll go on ahead.\n  hang around with sb (informal) to spend a lot of time with sb\n  hang back to remain in a place after all the other people have left\n  hang back (from sth) to hesitate because you are nervous about doing or saying sth:\nI was sure she knew the answer but for some reason she hung back.\n  hang on\n1 to hold sth tightly:\nHang on tight-we’re off!\n2 (spoken) used to ask sb to wait for a short time or to stop what they are doing:\nHang on-I’m not quite ready. * Now hang on a minute-you can’t really believe what you just said!\n3 to wait for sth to happen:\nI haven’t heard if I’ve got the job yet-they’ve kept me hanging on for days.\n4 (spoken) used on the telephone to ask sb who is calling to wait until they can talk to the person they want:\nHang on-I’ll just see if he’s here.\n5 to continue doing sth in difficult circumstances:\nThe team hung on for victory.\n  hang on sth to depend on sth:\nA lot hangs on this decision.\n  hang on to sth\n1 to hold sth tightly:\nHang on to that rope and don’t let go.\n2 (informal) to keep sth, not sell it or give it away:\nLet’s hang on to those old photographs-they may be valuable.\n  hang out (informal) to spend a lot of time in a place:\nThe local kids hang out at the mall.\nrelated noun HANG-OUT\n  hang over sb if sth bad or unpleasant is hanging over you, you think about it and worry about it a lot because it is happening or might happen:\nThe possibility of a court case is still hanging over her.\n  hang together\n1 to fit together well; to be the same as or CONSISTENT with each other:\nTheir accounts of what happened don’t hang together.\n2 (of people) to support or help one another\n  hang up to end a telephone conversation by putting the telephone RECEIVER down or switching the telephone off:\nAfter I hung up I remembered what I’d wanted to say.\n  hang sth<->up (informal) to finish using sth for the last time:\nRuth has hung up her dancing shoes.\n  hang up on sb (informal) to end a telephone call by suddenly and unexpectedly putting the telephone down:\nDon’t hang up on me-we must talk!\nsee also HUNG UP\n    noun [sing.] the way in which a dress, piece of fabric, etc. falls or moves:\nSmall weights sewn into the hems will improve the hang of your curtains.\n IDIOMS \n  get the hang of sth (informal) to learn how to do or to use sth; to understand sth:\nIt’s not difficult once you get the hang of it. * I can’t seem to get the hang of this game. * I never got the hang of negative numbers.


Words: hang-gliding
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a sport in which you fly while hanging from a frame like a large KITE which you control with your body movements:\nto go hang-gliding


Words: hang-out
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a place where sb lives or likes to go often\nSYN HAUNT:\nThis cafe is a popular hang-out for tourists.


Words: hang-up
Meaning:
noun\n~ (about sth) (informal) an emotional problem about sth that makes you embarrassed or worried:\nHe’s got a real hang-up about his height. * sexual hang-ups


Words: hangdog
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] if a person has a hangdog look, they look sad or ashamed:\nhis hangdog expression


Words: hanger
Meaning:
(also coat hanger, clothes hanger) noun\na curved piece of wood, plastic or wire, with a hook at the top, that you use to hang clothes up on:\nThere are some spare hangers in the wardrobe if you want to hang your dress up.


Words: hanger-on
Meaning:
noun\n(plural hangers-on) (often disapproving) a person who tries to be friendly with a famous person or who goes to important events, in order to get some advantage:\na famous artist surrounded by crowds of hangers-on


Words: hanging
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] the practice of killing sb as a punishment by putting a rope around their neck and hanging them from a high place; an occasion when this happens:\nto sentence sb to death by hanging * public hangings\n  2  [C, usually pl.] a large piece of material that is hung on a wall for decoration:\nwall hangings


Words: hanging basket
Meaning:
noun\na basket or similar container with flowers growing in it, that is hung from a building by a short chain or rope


Words: hangover
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the HEADACHE and sick feeling that you have the day after drinking too much alcohol:\nShe woke up with a terrible hangover.\n  2  [usually sing.] ~ (from sth) a feeling, custom, habit, etc. that remains from the past, although it is no longer practical or suitable:\nthe insecure feeling that was a hangover from her childhood * hangover laws from the previous administration\nsee also HOLDOVER


Words: hank
Meaning:
noun\na long piece of wool, thread, rope, etc. that is wound into a large loose ball:\nto wind a hank of wool into balls


Words: hanker
Meaning:
verb\n~ after / for sth to have a strong desire for sth:\n[V] He had hankered after fame all his life. * She still hankered for her homeland. * [V to inf] She hankered to go back to Australia.


Words: hankering
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] ~ (for / after sth) | ~ (to do sth) a strong desire:\na hankering for a wealthy lifestyle * I’ve always had a hankering to go to China.


Words: hanky-panky
Meaning:
noun [U] (old-fashioned, informal)\n  1  sexual activity that is not considered acceptable:\nThere was all sorts of hanky-panky going on at the party.\n  2  dishonest behaviour


Words: hansom
Meaning:
(also hansom cab) noun\na carriage with two wheels, pulled by one horse, used in the past to carry two passengers


Words: Hanukkah
Meaning:
(also Chanukkah, Chanukah)  noun\nan eight-day Jewish festival and holiday in November or December when Jews remember the occasion when the TEMPLE in Jerusalem was DEDICATED again in 165 BC


Words: haphazard
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) with no particular order or plan; not organized well:\nThe books had been piled on the shelves in a haphazard fashion. * The government’s approach to the problem was haphazard.\n    haphazardly adverb


Words: happen
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V] to take place, especially without being planned:\nYou’ll never guess what’s happened! * Accidents like this happen all the time. * Let’s see what happens next week. * I’ll be there whatever happens. * Is this really happening or is it a dream? * I don’t know how this happened.\n  2  [V] to take place as the result of sth:\nShe pressed the button but nothing happened. * What happens if nobody comes to the party? * Just plug it in and see what happens.\n  3  to do or be sth by chance:\n[V to inf] She happened to be out when we called. * You don’t happen to know his name, do you? * This happens to be my favourite restaurant. * The door happened to be unlocked. * [V that] It happened that she was out when we called.\n  4  [V to inf] used to tell sb sth, especially when you are disagreeing with them or annoyed by what they have said:\nThat happens to be my mother you’re talking about!\n IDIOMS \n  anything can / might happen used to say that it is not possible to know what the result of sth will be\n  as it happens / happened used when you say sth that is surprising, or sth connected with what sb else has just said:\nI agree with you, as it happens. * As it happens, I have a spare set of keys in my office.\n  it (just) so happens that ... by chance:\nIt just so happened they’d been invited too.\n  these things happen used to tell sb not to worry about sth they have done:\n’Sorry-I’ve spilt some wine.’ ’Never mind. These things happen.’\nmore at ACCIDENT, EVENT, WAIT v.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  happen on sth (old-fashioned) to find sth by chance\n  happen to sb/sth to have an effect on sb/sth:\nI hope nothing (= nothing unpleasant) has happened to them. * It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. * What’s happened to your car? * Do you know what happened to Gill Lovecy (= have you any news about her)?\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nhappen / occur / take place\nHappen is the usual word that you use to refer to events that are not planned or expected: You look terrible - what’s happened? The word is also used to talk about one event resulting from another: What happened when you told him the news?\nOccur meaning ’happen’ is used only in formal situations: Police report that the accident occurred at about 9.30 p.m.\nTake place is also quite formal and is usually used to talk about an event that has been planned or arranged or when people take an active part in sth: The festival takes place in July every year. * Filming took place in Ireland. In informal language you would probably say: The festival is in July every year. * The movie was filmed in Ireland.\n______________________________


Words: happening
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [usually pl.] an event; something that happens, often sth unusual:\nThere have been strange happenings here lately. * The momentous happenings of the past few weeks had left her feeling exhausted. -> EVENT\n  2  an artistic performance or event that is not planned\n    adjective [only before noun] (informal) where there is a lot of exciting activity; fashionable:\na happening place


Words: happenstance
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (literary) chance, especially when it results in sth good:\nI found this delightful hotel by happenstance.


Words: happily
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a cheerful way; with feelings of pleasure or satisfaction:\nto chat / laugh happily * children playing happily on the beach * to be happily married * I think we can manage quite happily on our own. * And they all lived happily ever after (= used as the end of a fairy story).\n  2  by good luck\nSYN FORTUNATELY:\nHappily, the damage was only slight.\n  3  willingly:\nI’ll happily help, if I can.\n  4  (formal) in a way that is suitable or appropriate:\nThis suggestion did not fit very happily with our existing plans.


Words: happy
Meaning:
adjective (happier, happiest)\n  feeling / giving pleasure\n  1  ~ (to do sth) | ~ (for sb) | ~ (that ...) feeling or showing pleasure; pleased:\na happy smile / face * You don’t look very happy today. * We are happy to announce the engagement of our daughter. * I’m very happy for you.\n  2  giving or causing pleasure:\na happy marriage / memory / childhood * The story has a happy ending. * Those were the happiest days of my life.\n  at celebration\n  3  if you wish sb a Happy Birthday, Happy New Year, etc. you mean that you hope they have a pleasant celebration\n  satisfied\n  4  ~ (with / about sb/sth) satisfied that sth is good or right; not anxious:\nAre you happy with that arrangement? * If there’s anything you’re not happy about, come and ask. * I’m not happy with his work this term. * She was happy enough with her performance. * I’m not too happy about her living alone. * I said I’d go just to keep him happy.\n  willing\n  5  ~ to do sth (formal) willing or pleased to do sth:\nI’m happy to leave it till tomorrow. * He will be more than happy to come with us.\n  lucky\n  6  lucky; successful:\nBy a happy coincidence, we arrived at exactly the same time. * He is in the happy position of never having to worry about money.\n  suitable\n  7  (formal) (of words, ideas or behaviour) suitable and appropriate for a particular situation:\nThat wasn’t the happiest choice of words.\n    happiness noun [U]:\nto find / achieve true happiness * Her eyes shone with happiness. * Their grandchildren are a constant source of happiness.\n IDIOMS \n  a happy event the birth of a baby\n  a / the happy medium something that is in the middle between two choices or two ways of doing sth:\nShe tried to strike a happy medium between making the questions too hard and making them too easy.\n  many happy returns (of the day) used to wish sb a happy and pleasant birthday\nmore at MEAN n.


Words: happy hour
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (informal) a time, usually in the early evening, when a pub or a bar sells alcoholic drinks at lower prices than usual


Words: hara-kiri
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from Japanese) an act of killing yourself by cutting open your stomach with a SWORD, performed especially by the SAMURAI in Japan in the past, to avoid losing honour


Words: harangue
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] to speak loudly and angrily in a way that criticizes sb/sth or tries to persuade people to do sth:\nHe walked to the front of the stage and began to harangue the audience.\n    noun a long loud angry speech that criticizes sb/sth or tries to persuade people to do sth


Words: harass
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  [often passive] to annoy or worry sb by putting pressure on them or saying or doing unpleasant things to them:\nHe has complained of being harassed by the police. * She claims she has been sexually harassed at work.\n  2  to make repeated attacks on an enemy\nSYN HARRY:\nOur convoys are being continually harassed by enemy submarines. * Greenpeace has been harassing whaling operations at sea.\n    harassment noun [U]:\nracial / sexual / police harassment


Words: harassed
Meaning:
adjective\ntired and anxious because you have too much to do:\na harassed-looking waiter * harassed mothers with their children


Words: harbinger
Meaning:
noun\n~ (of sth) (formal or literary) a sign that shows that sth is going to happen soon, often sth bad


Words: harbour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE harbor)  noun, verb \n    noun [C, U] an area of water on the coast, protected from the open sea by strong walls, where ships can shelter:\nSeveral boats lay at anchor in the harbour. * to enter / leave harbour\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to hide and protect sb who is hiding from the police:\nPolice believe someone must be harbouring the killer.\n  2  (written) to keep feelings or thoughts, especially negative ones, in your mind for a long time:\nThe arsonist may harbour a grudge against the company. * She began to harbour doubts about the decision. * to harbour thoughts of revenge * He still harbours ambitions of playing professional soccer.\n  3  (written) to contain sth and allow it to develop:\nYour dishcloth can harbour many germs. * These woodlands once harboured a colony of red deer. * The Fife coast harbours many insects which are rare elsewhere in Britain.


Words: hard
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective (harder, hardest)\n  solid / stiff\n  1  solid, firm or stiff and difficult to bend or break:\nWait for the concrete to go hard. * a hard mattress * Diamonds are the hardest known mineral.\nOPP SOFT\n  difficult\n  2  ~ (for sb) (to do sth) difficult to do, understand or answer:\na hard choice / question * It is hard to believe that she’s only nine. * It’s hard to see how they can lose. * ’When will the job be finished?’ ’It’s hard to say.’ (= it is difficult to be certain) * I find his attitude very hard to take (= difficult to accept). * You are hard to please, aren’t you? * It’s hard for old people to change their ways. * It must be hard for her, bringing up four children on her own. * We’re finding reliable staff hard to come by (= difficult to get).\nOPP EASY\n  3  full of difficulty and problems, especially because of a lack of money\nSYN TOUGH:\nTimes were hard at the end of the war. * She’s had a hard life.\nOPP EASY\n  needing / using effort\n  4  needing or using a lot of physical strength or mental effort:\nIt’s hard work shovelling snow. * I’ve had a long hard day. * This season has been a hard slog. * They had put in hours of hard graft.\n  5  (of people) putting a lot of effort or energy into an activity:\nShe’s a very hard worker. * He’s hard at work on a new novel. * When I left they were all still hard at it (= working hard).\n  6  done with a lot of strength or force:\nHe gave the door a good hard kick. * a hard punch\n  without sympathy\n  7  showing no sympathy or affection:\nMy father was a hard man. * She gave me a hard stare. * His voice was hard. * He said some very hard things to me.\n  not afraid\n  8  (informal) (of people) ready to fight and showing no signs of fear or weakness:\nCome and get me if you think you’re hard enough. * You think you’re really hard, don’t you?\n  facts / evidence\n  9  [only before noun] definitely true and based on information that can be proved:\nIs there any hard evidence either way? * The newspaper story is based on hard facts.\n  weather\n  10  very cold and severe:\nIt had been a hard winter. * There was a hard frost that night.\ncompare MILD\n  drink\n  11  [only before noun] strongly alcoholic:\nhard liquor * (informal) a drop of the hard stuff (= a strong alcoholic drink)\ncompare SOFT DRINK\n  water\n  12  containing CALCIUM and other mineral salts that make mixing with soap difficult:\na hard water area * Our water is very hard.\nOPP SOFT\n  consonants\n  13  (phonetics) used to describe a letter c or g when pronounced as in ’cat’ or ’go’, rather than as in ’city’ or ’giant’\nOPP SOFT\n    hardness noun [U]:\nwater hardness * hardness of heart\n IDIOMS \n  be hard on sb/sth\n1 to treat or criticize sb in a very severe or strict way:\nDon’t be too hard on him-he’s very young.\n2 to be difficult for or unfair to sb/sth:\nIt’s hard on people who don’t have a car.\n3 to be likely to hurt or damage sth:\nLooking at a computer screen all day can be very hard on the eyes.\n  drive / strike a hard bargain to argue in an aggressive way and force sb to agree on the best possible price or arrangement\n  give sb a hard time to deliberately make a situation difficult and unpleasant for sb:\nThey really gave me a hard time at the interview.\n  hard and fast (especially after a negative) that cannot be changed in any circumstances:\nThere are no hard and fast rules about this. * This situation isn’t hard and fast.\n  (as) hard as nails showing no sympathy, kindness or fear\n  hard cheese (BrE, informal) used as a way of saying that you are sorry about sth, usually in an IRONIC way (= you really mean the opposite)\n  hard going difficult to understand or needing a lot of effort:\nI’m finding his latest novel very hard going.\n  hard luck / lines (BrE) used to tell sb that you feel sorry for them:\n’Failed again, I’m afraid.’ ’Oh, hard luck.’\n  the hard way by having an unpleasant experience or by making mistakes:\nShe won’t listen to my advice so she’ll just have to learn the hard way.\n  make hard work of sth to use more time or energy on a task than is necessary\n  no hard feelings used to tell sb that you no longer feel any anger towards them:\nSomeone’s got to lose. No hard feelings, Dave, eh?\n  play hard to get (informal) to make yourself seem more attractive or interesting by not immediately accepting an invitation to do sth\n  too much like hard work needing too much effort:\nI can’t be bothered making a hot meal-it’s too much like hard work.\nmore at JOB, NUT n., ROCK n.\n    adverb (harder, hardest)\n  with effort\n  1  with great effort; with difficulty:\nto work hard * to fight / struggle hard * You must try harder. * She tried her hardest not to show how disappointed she was. * Don’t hit it so hard! * He was still breathing hard after his run. * Our victory was hard won (= won with great difficulty).\n  with force\n  2  with great force: (figurative) Small businesses have been hit hard / hard hit by the recession.\n  carefully\n  3  very carefully and thoroughly:\nto think / look / listen hard * We thought long and hard before deciding to move house.\n  a lot\n  4  heavily; a lot or for a long time:\nIt was raining hard when we set off. * to laugh / cry hard\n  left / right\n  5  at a sharp angle to the left/right:\nTurn hard right at the next junction.\n IDIOMS \n  be / feel hard done by (informal) to be or feel unfairly treated:\nShe has every right to feel hard done by-her parents have given her nothing.\n  be hard pressed / pushed to do sth | be hard put (to it) to do sth to find it very difficult to do sth:\nHe was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.\n  be hard up for sth to have too few or too little of sth:\nWe’re hard up for ideas.\nsee also HARD UP\n  hard on sth (written) very soon after:\nHis death followed hard on hers.\n  take sth hard to be very upset by sth:\nHe took his wife’s death very hard.\nmore at DIE v., HEEL n.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nhard / hardly\nThe adverb from the adjective hard is hard: I have to work hard today. * She has thought very hard about her future plans. * It was raining hard outside.\nHardly is an adverb meaning ’almost not’: I hardly ever go to concerts. * I can hardly wait for my birthday. It cannot be used instead of hard: _I_’_v_e_ _b_e_e_n_ _w_o_r_k_i_n_g_ _h_a_r_d_l_y_ _t_o_d_a_y_._ _*_ _S_h_e_ _h_a_s_ _t_h_o_u_g_h_t_ _v_e_r_y_ _h_a_r_d_l_y_ _a_b_o_u_t_ _h_e_r_ _f_u_t_u_r_e_ _p_l_a_n_s_._ _*_ _I_t_ _w_a_s_ _r_a_i_n_i_n_g_ _h_a_r_d_l_y_ _o_u_t_s_i_d_e_.\n-> note at HARDLY\n______________________________


Words: hard cash
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE cold cash) noun\n[U] money, especially in the form of coins and notes, that you can spend


Words: hard core
Meaning:
noun (BrE)\n  1  [sing.+sing./pl. v.] the small central group in an organization, or in a particular group of people, who are the most active or who will not change their beliefs or behaviour:\nIt’s really only the hard core that bother(s) to go to meetings. * A hard core of drivers ignore the law.\n  2  [U] (usually hardcore) small pieces of stone, brick, etc. used as a base for building roads on


Words: hard currency
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] money that is easy to exchange for money from another country, because it is not likely to lose its value:\nThe hotel insisted that we pay in hard currency. * Trade was halted because of a hard currency shortage on the island.


Words: hard drug
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] a powerful illegal drug, such as HEROIN, that some people take for pleasure and can become ADDICTED to\ncompare SOFT DRUG


Words: hard labour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE hard labor) noun\n[U] punishment in prison that involves a lot of very hard physical work:\nHe was sentenced to ten years’ hard labour.


Words: hard left
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.+sing./pl. v.] (especially BrE) the members of a LEFT-WING political party who have the most extreme opinions:\nhard-left policies


Words: hard line
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] a strict policy or attitude:\nthe judge’s hard line against drug dealers * The government took a hard line on the strike.


Words: hard of hearing
Meaning:
adjective [not before noun]\n  1  unable to hear very well\n  2  (the hard of hearing) noun [pl.] people who are unable to hear very well:\nsubtitles for the deaf and the hard of hearing


Words: hard porn
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal) films/movies, pictures, books, etc. that show sexual activity in a very detailed and sometimes violent way\ncompare SOFT PORN


Words: hard right
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.+sing./pl. v.] (especially BrE) the members of a RIGHT-WING political party who have the most extreme opinions:\nhard-right opinions


Words: hard sell
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] a method of selling sth that puts a lot of pressure on the customer to buy it:\nTheir salesmen are trained to go for the hard sell.\ncompare SOFT SELL


Words: hard shoulder
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE breakdown lane) noun\n[sing.] a strip of ground with a hard surface beside a motorway/freeway where vehicles can stop in an emergency:\nto pull over onto the hard shoulder / into the breakdown lane


Words: hard up
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  having very little money, especially for a short period of time:\nhard up students * They’re not really as hard up as they say they are.\n  2  ~ (for sth) lacking in sth interesting to do, talk about, etc:\n’You could always go out with Steve.’ ’I’m not that hard up!’ * The newspapers must be hard up for news if they’ve got to publish stories like that (= they must have very little real news).


Words: hard-boiled
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of an egg) boiled until the inside is hard\ncompare SOFT-BOILED\n  2  (of people) not showing much emotion


Words: hard-core
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  having a belief or a way of behaving that will not change:\nhard-core party members\n  2  showing or describing sexual activity in a detailed or violent way:\nThey sell hard-core pornography.


Words: hard-earned
Meaning:
adjective\nthat you get only after a lot of work and effort:\nhard-earned cash * We finally managed a hard-earned draw.


Words: hard-faced
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) (of a person) showing no feeling or sympathy for other people:\nThe bar was full of sullen men and hard-faced young women.


Words: hard-headed
Meaning:
adjective\ndetermined and not allowing your emotions to affect your decisions:\na hard-headed businessman


Words: hard-hitting
Meaning:
adjective\nnot afraid to talk about or criticize sb/sth in an honest and very direct way:\na hard-hitting campaign / report / speech


Words: hard-line
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  (of a person) having very fixed beliefs and being unlikely or unwilling to change them:\na hard-line Communist\n  2  (of ideas) very fixed and unlikely to change:\na hard-line attitude\n    hardliner noun:\na Republican hardliner


Words: hard-pressed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having a lot of problems, especially too much work, and too little time or money:\nHard-pressed junior doctors want shorter working hours.\n  2  ~ to do sth finding sth very difficult to do:\nYou would be hard-pressed to find a better secretary.


Words: hard-wearing
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE) that lasts a long time and remains in good condition:\na hard-wearing carpet * I want shoes that are practical and hard-wearing.


Words: hard-wired
Meaning:
adjective\n(technical) (of computer functions) built into the permanent system and not provided by SOFTWARE


Words: hard-won
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] that you only get after fighting or working hard for it:\nShe was not going to give up her hard-won freedom so easily.


Words: hardback
Meaning:
(also hardcover especially in AmE) noun\n[C, U] a book that has a stiff cover:\nWhat’s the price of the hardback? * It was published in hardback last year. * hardback books / editions\ncompare PAPERBACK


Words: hardball
Meaning:
noun (AmE)\n  1  the game of baseball\n  2  used to refer to a way of behaving, especially in politics, that shows that a person is determined to get what they want:\nI want us to play hardball on this issue. * hardball politics


Words: hardbitten
Meaning:
adjective\nnot easily shocked and not showing emotion, because you have experienced many unpleasant things:\na hardbitten war journalist


Words: hardboard
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of stiff board made by crushing very small pieces of wood together into thin sheets


Words: harden
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to become or make sth become firm, stiff or solid:\n[V] The varnish takes a few hours to harden. * (figurative) Their suspicions hardened into certainty. * [VN] a method for hardening and preserving wood\n  2  if your voice, face, etc. hardens, or you harden it, it becomes more serious or severe:\n[V] Her face hardened into an expression of hatred. * [VN] He hardened his voice when he saw she wasn’t listening.\n  3  if sb’s feelings or attitudes harden or sb/sth hardens them, they become more fixed and determined:\n[V] Public attitudes to the strike have hardened. * Opinion seems to be hardening against the invasion. * [VN] The incident hardened her resolve to leave the company.\n  4  [VN] [usually passive] to make sb less kind or less affected by extreme situations:\nJoe sounded different, hardened by the war. * They were hardened criminals (= they showed no regret for their crimes). * In this job you have to harden your heart to pain and suffering. * Life has hardened me. * I need to harden myself against disappointment.\n    hardening noun [U, sing.]:\nhardening of the arteries * a hardening of attitudes towards one-parent families


Words: hardly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  almost no; almost not; almost none:\nThere’s hardly any tea left. * Hardly anyone has bothered to reply. * She hardly ever calls me (= almost never). * We hardly know each other. * Hardly a day goes by without my thinking of her (= I think of her almost every day). * At the time, I hardly spoke any French. * There was hardly a cloud in the sky.\n  2  used especially after ’can’ or ’could’ and before the main verb, to emphasize that it is difficult to do sth:\nI can hardly keep my eyes open (= I’m almost falling asleep). * I could hardly believe it when I read the letter.\n  3  used to say that sth has just begun, happened, etc:\nWe can’t stop for coffee now, we’ve hardly started. * We had hardly sat down to supper when the phone rang. * (written) Hardly had she spoken than she regretted it bitterly.\n  4  used to suggest that sth is unlikely or unreasonable or that sb is silly for saying or doing sth:\nHe is hardly likely to admit he was wrong. * It’s hardly surprising she was fired; she never did any work. * It’s hardly the time to discuss it now. * You can hardly expect her to do it for free. * ’Couldn’t you have just said no?’ ’Well, hardly, (= of course not) she’s my wife’s sister.’ * He’s 24-hardly a baby. -> HARD\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nhardly / scarcely / barely / no sooner\nHardly, scarcely and barely can all be used to say that something is only just true or possible. They are used with words like any and anyone, with adjectives and verbs, and are placed between can, could, have, be, etc. and the main part of the verb: They have sold scarcely any copies of the book. * I barely recognized her. * His words were barely audible. * I can hardly believe it. * _I_ _h_a_r_d_l_y_ _c_a_n_ _b_e_l_i_e_v_e_ _i_t.\nHardly, scarcely and barely are negative words and should not be used with not or other negatives: _I_ _c_a_n_’_t_ _h_a_r_d_l_y_ _b_e_l_i_e_v_e_ _i_t.\nYou can also use hardly, scarcely and barely to say that one thing happens immediately after another: We had hardly/scarcely/barely sat down at the table, when the phone rang. In formal, written English, especially in a literary style, these words can be placed at the beginning of the sentence and then the subject and verb are turned around: Hardly/Scarcely had we sat down at the table, when the phone rang. Note that you usually use when in these sentences, not than. You can also use before: I scarcely had time to ring the bell before the door opened. No sooner can be used in the same way, but is always used with than: No sooner had we sat down at the table than the phone rang.\nHardly and scarcely can be used to mean ’almost never’, but barely is not used in this way: She hardly (ever) sees her parents these days. * _S_h_e_ _b_a_r_e_l_y_ _s_e_e_s_ _h_e_r_ _p_a_r_e_n_t_s_ _t_h_e_s_e_ _d_a_y_s.\n______________________________


Words: hardscrabble
Meaning:
adjective\n(AmE) not having enough of the basic things you need to live:\na hardscrabble life / upbringing


Words: hardship
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a situation that is difficult and unpleasant because you do not have enough money, food, clothes, etc:\neconomic / financial hardship * People suffered many hardships during that long winter. * The two men endured great hardship during their trek across Antarctica. * It was no hardship to walk home on such a lovely evening.


Words: hardware
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (computing) the machinery and electronic parts of a computer system\ncompare SOFTWARE\n  2  (BrE also ironmongery) tools and equipment that are used in the house and garden/yard:\na hardware shop


Words: hardwood
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] hard heavy wood from a DECIDUOUS tree (= one that loses its leaves in winter):\nhardwood doors / floors * Environmentalists called for an end to the trade in tropical hardwoods.\ncompare SOFTWOOD


Words: hardy
Meaning:
adjective (hardier, hardiest)\n  1  strong and able to survive difficult conditions and bad weather:\na hardy breed of sheep * These hardy mountain folk seem to thrive on the cold. * A few hardy souls had turned out to watch the hockey game.\n  2  (of a plant) that can live outside through the winter:\na hardy annual / perennial * Parsley is hardy and can be grown outdoors from the spring.\n    hardiness noun [U]:\nThe people here are known for their hardiness and courage.


Words: hare
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun an animal like a large rabbit with very strong back legs, that can run very fast\ncompare RABBIT\n IDIOMS  see MAD\n    verb [V +adv./prep.] (BrE) to run or go somewhere very fast:\nHe hared away down the street. * She’s always haring off to France on business. * to go haring around the country


Words: harem
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the women or wives belonging to a rich man, especially in some Muslim societies\n  2  the separate part of a traditional Muslim house where the women live\n  3  (technical) a group of female animals that share the same male for MATING


Words: haricot
Meaning:
(also haricot bean) (both BrE) (AmE navy bean) noun\na type of small white bean that is usually dried before it is sold and then soaked before cooking


Words: hark
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (old use) used only as an order to tell sb to listen:\nHark! I hear a step on the stair!\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hark at sb (BrE, spoken) used only as an order to draw attention to sb who has just said sth stupid or who is showing too much pride:\nJust hark at him! Who does he think he is?\n  hark back (to sth)\n1 to remember or talk about sth that happened in the past:\nShe’s always harking back to how things used to be.\n2 to remind you of, or to be like, sth in the past:\nThe newest styles hark back to the clothes of the Seventies.


Words: harlequin
Meaning:
noun\nan amusing character in some traditional plays, who wears special brightly coloured clothes with a diamond pattern


Words: harm
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] damage or injury that is caused by a person or an event:\nHe would never frighten anyone or cause them any harm. * He may look fierce, but he means no harm. * The court case will do serious harm to my business. * The accident could have been much worse; luckily no harm was done. * Don’t worry, we’ll see that the children come to no harm. * I can’t say I like Mark very much, but I don’t wish him any harm. * Hard work never did anyone any harm. * Look, we’re just going out for a few drinks, where’s the harm in that? * The treatment they gave him did him more harm than good.\n IDIOMS \n  no harm done (spoken) used to tell sb not to worry because they have caused no serious damage or injury:\nForget it, Dave, no harm done.\n  out of harm’s way in a safe place where sb/sth cannot be hurt or injured or do any damage to sb/sth:\nShe put the knife in a drawer, out of harm’s way. * I prefer the children to play in the garden where they’re out of harm’s way.\n  there is no harm in (sb’s) doing sth | it does no harm (for sb) to do sth used to tell sb that sth is a good idea and will not cause any problems:\nHe may say no, but there’s no harm in asking. * It does no harm to ask.\n    verb [VN] to hurt or injure sb or to damage sth:\nHe would never harm anyone. * Pollution can harm marine life. * These revelations will harm her chances of winning the election.\n IDIOMS  see FLY n., HAIR


Words: harmful
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sb/sth) causing damage or injury to sb/sth, especially to a person’s health or to the environment:\nthe harmful effects of alcohol * Fruit juices can be harmful to children’s teeth. * the sun’s harmful ultra-violet rays * Many household products are potentially harmful.


Words: harmless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (to sb/sth) unable or unlikely to cause damage or harm:\nThe bacteria is harmless to humans.\n  2  unlikely to upset or offend anyone:\nIt’s just a bit of harmless fun.\n    harmlessly adverb:\nThe missile fell harmlessly into the sea. * His interest in guns started harmlessly enough, but later it became an obsession.\n    harmlessness noun [U]


Words: harmonic
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [usually before noun] (music) relating to the way notes are played or sung together to make a pleasing sound:\nthe harmonic and rhythmic interest of the music\n    noun [usually pl.] (music) a note that can be played on some musical instruments, that is higher and quieter than the main note being played


Words: harmonica
Meaning:
(BrE also mouth organ) noun\na small musical instrument that you hold near your mouth and play by blowing or sucking air through it


Words: harmonious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of relationships, etc.) friendly, peaceful and without any disagreement:\na harmonious alliance between management and workers\n  2  arranged together in a pleasing way so that each part goes well with the others:\na harmonious combination of colours\n  3  (of sounds) very pleasant when played or sung together\n    harmoniously adverb:\nThey worked very harmoniously together.


Words: harmonium
Meaning:
noun\na musical instrument like a small ORGAN. Air is pumped through metal pipes to produce the sound and the different notes are played on the keyboard.


Words: harmonize
Meaning:
(BrE also harmonise)  verb\n  1  [V] ~ (with sth) (written) if two or more things harmonize with each other or one thing harmonizes with the other, the things go well together and produce an attractive result:\nThe new building does not harmonize with its surroundings.\n  2  [VN] (written) to make systems or rules similar in different countries or organizations:\nthe need to harmonize tax levels across the European Union\n  3  [V] ~ (with sb/sth) to play or sing music that combines with the main tune to make a pleasing sound:\nSally sang the melody while I harmonized. * The singers harmonize well. * to harmonize with the lead singer\n    harmonization, harmonisation  noun [U, C]


Words: harmony
Meaning:
noun (plural harmonies)\n  1  [U] a state of peaceful existence and agreement:\nthe need to be in harmony with our environment * to live together in perfect harmony * social / racial harmony\ncompare DISCORD\n  2  [U, C] (music) the way in which different notes that are played or sung together combine to make a pleasing sound:\nto sing in harmony * to study four-part harmony * passionate lyrics and stunning vocal harmonies\ncompare DISCORD\n  3  [C, U] a pleasing combination of related things:\nthe harmony of colour in nature * The designer’s aim is to produce a harmony of shape and texture.


Words: harness
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a set of leather straps and metal pieces that is put around a horse’s head and body so that the horse can be controlled and fastened to a carriage, etc.\n  2  a set of straps for fastening sth to a person’s body or to keep them from moving off or falling:\na safety harness\n IDIOMS \n  in harness (BrE) doing your normal work, especially after a rest or a holiday\n  in harness (with sb) (BrE) working closely with sb in order to achieve sth:\nThey’ll be working in harness with other doctors to compile the report.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sth (to sth) to put a harness on a horse or other animal; to attach a horse or other animal to sth with a harness:\nto harness a horse * We harnessed two ponies to the cart. * (figurative) In some areas, the poor feel harnessed to their jobs.\n  2  to control and use the force or strength of sth to produce power or to achieve sth:\nattempts to harness the sun’s rays as a source of energy * We must harness the skill and creativity of our workforce.


Words: harp
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a large musical instrument with strings stretched on an upright frame, played with the fingers\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  harp on (about sth) | harp on sth to keep talking about sth in a boring or annoying way


Words: harpoon
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a weapon like a SPEAR that you can throw or fire from a gun and is used for catching large fish, WHALES, etc.\n    verb [VN] to hit sth with a harpoon:\nThousands of whales have been harpooned in these waters.


Words: harpsichord
Meaning:
noun\nan early type of musical instrument similar to a piano, but with strings that are PLUCKED (= pulled), not hit


Words: harpy
Meaning:
noun (plural harpies)\n  1  (in ancient Greek and Roman stories) a cruel creature with a woman’s head and body and a bird’s wings and feet\n  2  a cruel woman


Words: harrow
Meaning:
noun\na piece of farming equipment that is pulled over land that has been PLOUGHED to break up the earth before planting\n    harrow verb [VN]


Words: harrowing
Meaning:
adjective\nvery shocking or frightening and making you feel very upset:\na harrowing experience / film * The book makes harrowing reading.


Words: harry
Meaning:
verb (harries, harrying, harried, harried) [VN] (written)\n  1  to annoy or upset sb by continuously asking them questions or for sth:\nShe has been harried by the press all week.\n  2  to make repeated attacks on an enemy\nSYN HARASS:\nThey harried the retreating army.


Words: harsh
Meaning:
adjective (harsher, harshest)\n  1  cruel, severe and unkind:\nThe punishment was harsh and unfair. * The minister received some harsh criticism. * the harsh treatment of slaves * He regretted his harsh words. * We had to face up to the harsh realities of life sooner or later.\n  2  (of weather or living conditions) very difficult and unpleasant to live in:\na harsh winter / wind / climate * the harsh conditions of poverty which existed for most people at that time\n  3  too strong and bright; ugly or unpleasant to look at:\nharsh colours * She was caught in the harsh glare of the headlights. * the harsh lines of concrete buildings\n  4  unpleasant to listen to:\na harsh voice\n  5  too strong and rough and likely to damage sth:\nharsh detergents * Ordinary soap can be too harsh for delicate skin.\n    harshly adverb:\nShe was treated very harshly. * Alec laughed harshly. * His findings have been harshly criticized by fellow scientists.\n    harshness noun [U]


Words: harvest
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C, U] the time of year when the crops are gathered in on a farm, etc.; the act of cutting and gathering crops:\nharvest time * Farmers are extremely busy during the harvest.\n \n  2  [C] the crops, or the amount of crops, cut and gathered:\nthe grain harvest * a good / bad harvest (= a lot of crops or few crops) * Plum growers say they are expecting a bumper harvest (= a large amount of produce) this year.\n \n IDIOMS  see REAP\n    verb [V, VN] to cut and gather a crop; to catch a number of animals or fish to eat


Words: harvest festival
Meaning:
noun\na service held in Christian churches when people thank God for the crops that have been gathered\ncompare THANKSGIVING


Words: harvest moon
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] a full moon in the autumn/fall nearest the time when day and night are of equal length\ncompare FULL MOON, HALF-MOON


Words: harvester
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a machine that cuts and gathers grain\nsee also COMBINE HARVESTER\n  2  (old-fashioned) a person who helps to gather in the crops


Words: has-been
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, disapproving) a person who is no longer as famous, successful or important as they used to be


Words: hash
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] a hot dish of cooked meat and potatoes that are cut into small pieces and mixed together:\ncorned beef hash\n  2  [U] (informal) = HASHISH\n  3  (also hash sign) (both BrE) (AmE pound sign) [C] the symbol ( # ), especially one on a telephone\n IDIOMS \n  make a hash of sth (informal) to do sth badly:\nI made a real hash of the interview.


Words: hashish
Meaning:
(also informal hash) noun\n[U] a drug made from the RESIN of the HEMP plant, which gives a feeling of being relaxed when it is smoked or chewed. Use of the drug is illegal in many countries.\nSYN CANNABIS


Words: hasp
Meaning:
noun\na flat piece of metal with a long narrow hole in it, used with a PADLOCK to fasten doors, boxes, etc.


Words: hassle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [C, U] (informal)\n  1  a situation that is annoying because it involves doing sth difficult or complicated that needs a lot of effort:\nIt’s a hassle having to travel with so many bags. * Send them a fax-it’s a lot less hassle than phoning. * legal hassles\n  2  a situation in which people disagree, argue or annoy you:\nDo as you’re told and don’t give me any hassle! * Try not to get into a hassle with this guy.\n    verb (informal) [VN] to annoy sb or cause them trouble, especially by asking them to do sth many times:\nDon’t keep hassling me! I’ll do it later. * Your brother’s been hassling me for cash.


Words: haste
Meaning:
noun\n[U] speed in doing sth, especially because you do not have enough time:\nIn her haste to complete the work on time, she made a number of mistakes. * The letter had clearly been written in haste. * After his first wife died, he married again with almost indecent haste. * Why all the haste? * (old-fashioned) She made haste to open the door.\n IDIOMS \n  more haste, less speed (BrE, saying) you will finish doing sth sooner if you do not try to do it too quickly because you will make fewer mistakes


Words: hasten
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V to inf] to say or do sth without delay:\nShe saw his frown and hastened to explain. * He has been described as a ’charmless bore’-not by me, I hasten to add.\n  2  [VN] (written) to make sth happen sooner or more quickly:\nThe treatment she received may, in fact, have hastened her death. * News of the scandal certainly hastened his departure from office.\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] (literary) to go or move somewhere quickly\nSYN HURRY:\nWe hastened back to Rome.


Words: hasty
Meaning:
adjective (hastier, hastiest)\n  1  said, made or done very quickly, especially when this has bad results:\na hasty departure / meal / farewell * The army beat a hasty retreat. * Let’s not make any hasty decisions. * She regretted her hasty words the moment she’d spoken.\n  2  ~ in doing sth (of a person) acting or deciding too quickly, without enough thought:\nPerhaps I was too hasty in rejecting his offer.\n IDIOMS  see BEAT v.\n    hastily  adverb:\nPerhaps I spoke too hastily. * She hastily changed the subject.


Words: hat
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a covering made to fit the head, often with a BRIM, (= a flat edge that sticks out) and worn out of doors:\na straw / woolly hat * to put on / take off a hat\n \n  2  (informal) a position or role, especially an official or professional role, when you have more than one such role:\nI’m wearing two hats tonight-parent and teacher. * I’m telling you this with my lawyer’s hat on, you understand.\nsee also OLD HAT\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  go hat in hand (to sb) (AmE) = GO CAP IN HAND\n  keep sth under your hat (informal) to keep sth secret and not tell anyone else\n  my hat (old-fashioned, BrE) used to express surprise\n  out of a / the hat if sth such as a name is picked out of a/the hat, it is picked at RANDOM from a container into which all the names are put, so that each name has an equal chance of being picked, in a competition, etc.\n  I take my hat off to sb | hats off to sb (both especially BrE) (AmE usually I tip my hat to sb) (informal) used to say that you admire sb very much for sth they have done\n  throw your hat into the ring to announce officially that you are going to compete in an election, a competition, etc.\nmore at DROP n., EAT, KNOCK v., PASS v., PULL v., TALK v.


Words: hat-trick
Meaning:
noun\nthree points, goals, etc. scored by the same player in a particular match or game; three successes achieved by one person:\nto score a hat-trick * a hat-trick of wins


Words: hatch
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] ~ (out) (of a young bird, fish, insect, etc.) to come out of an egg:\nTen chicks hatched (out) this morning.\n  2  [V] ~ (out) (of an egg) to break open so that a young bird, fish, insect, etc. can come out:\nThe eggs are about to hatch. * How long do the eggs take to hatch?\n  3  [VN] to make a young bird, fish, insect, etc. come out of an egg:\nThe female must find a warm place to hatch her eggs.\n  4  [VN] ~ sth (up) to create a plan or idea, especially in secret:\nHave you been hatching up a deal with her?\n IDIOMS  see COUNT v.\n    noun\n  1  (also hatchway) an opening or a door in the DECK of a ship or the bottom of an aircraft, through which goods to be carried are lowered\n  2  an opening in a wall between two rooms, especially a kitchen and a DINING ROOM, through which food can be passed:\na serving hatch\n  3  a door in an aircraft or a spacecraft:\nan escape hatch\n  4  an opening or a door in a floor or ceiling:\na hatch to the attic\n IDIOMS \n  down the hatch (informal, saying) used before drinking sth, especially to express good wishes before drinking alcohol\nmore at BATTEN


Words: hatchet
Meaning:
noun\na small AXE (= a tool with a heavy blade for chopping things) with a short handle\n \n IDIOMS  see BURY


Words: hatchet job
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] ~ (on sb/sth) (informal) strong criticism that is often unfair and is intended to harm sb/sth:\nThe press did a very effective hatchet job on her last movie.


Words: hatchet man
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person employed by an organization to make changes that are not popular with the other people who work there


Words: hate
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (not used in the progressive tenses)\n  1  to dislike sth very much:\n[VN] I hate spinach. * I hate Monday mornings. * I hate it when people cry. * He hated it in France (= did not like the life there). * I hate the way she always criticizes me. * [V -ing] She hates making mistakes. * I hate coming home late. * [V to inf] He hated to be away from his family. * She’s a person who hates to make mistakes. * I hate to think what would have happened if you hadn’t been there. * [VN -ing] He hates anyone parking in his space. * [VN to inf] She would have hated him to see how her hands shook. * I’d hate anything to happen to him.\n  2  [VN] ~ sb (for sth) to dislike sb very much:\nThe two boys hated each other. * I hated myself for feeling jealous. * He was her most hated enemy. * Sometimes I really hate him.\n  3  [no passive] [V to inf] used when saying sth that you would prefer not to have to say, or when politely asking to do sth:\nI hate to say it, but I don’t think their marriage will last. * I hate to trouble you, but could I use your phone?\n    hater noun:\nI’m not a woman hater, I just don’t like Joan.\n IDIOMS \n  hate sb’s guts (informal) to dislike sb very much\n    noun\n  1  [U] a very strong feeling of dislike for sb \nSYN HATRED:\nShe spoke of her hate for the killers. * a look of hate * a hate campaign (= cruel comments made about sb over a period of time in order to damage their reputation) * hate mail (= letters containing cruel comments) * a strange relationship built on love and hate\n  2  [C] (informal) a person or thing that you hate:\nPlastic flowers have always been a particular hate of mine.\n IDIOMS  see PET adj.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nhate / hatred\nThese two words have a similar meaning. Hatred is more often used to describe a very strong feeling of dislike for a particular person or thing: Her deep hatred of her sister was obvious. * a cat’s hatred of water. Hate is more often used when you are talking about this feeling in a general way: a look of pure hate * people filled with hate.\n______________________________


Words: hateful
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sb) very unkind or unpleasant:\na hateful person / place / face * The idea of fighting against men of their own race was hateful to them.


Words: hatred
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] ~ (for / of sb/sth) | ~ (towards sb) a very strong feeling of dislike for sb/sth:\nHe looked at me with intense hatred. * There was fear and hatred in his voice. * She felt nothing but hatred for her attacker. * feelings of hatred towards the bombers * a profound hatred of war * racial hatred (= between people from different races) * The debate simply revived old hatreds.


Words: haughty
Meaning:
adjective\nbehaving in an unfriendly way towards other people because you think that you are better than them:\na haughty face / look / manner * He replied with haughty disdain.\n    haughtily  adverb\n    haughtiness noun [U]


Words: haul
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] to pull sth/sb with a lot of effort:\nThe wagons were hauled by horses. * He reached down and hauled Liz up onto the wall. * The car was hauled out of the river. * fishermen hauling in their nets\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] ~ yourself up / out of etc. to move yourself somewhere slowly and with a lot of effort:\nShe hauled herself out of bed. * He hauled himself up.\n  3  [VN +adv./prep.] to force sb to go somewhere they do not want to go:\nA number of suspects have been hauled in for questioning. * He was hauled off to jail.\n  4  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sb (up) before sb/sth to make sb appear in a court of law in order to be judged:\nHe was hauled up before the local magistrates for dangerous driving.\n IDIOMS \n  haul sb over the coals (BrE) (AmE rake sb over the coals) to criticize sb severely because they have done sth wrong:\nI was hauled over the coals by my boss for being late.\n    noun\n  1  a large amount of sth that has been stolen or that is illegal:\na haul of jewellery / weapons * a drugs haul\n  2  (especially in sport) a large number of points, goals, etc:\nHis haul of 40 goals in a season is a record.\n  3  [usually sing.] the distance covered in a particular journey:\nThey began the long slow haul to the summit. * Our camp is only a short haul from here. * Take the coast road-it’ll be less of a haul (= an easier journey). * (figurative) It’s going to be a long haul till you’re fit again (= it will take a long time).\nsee also LONG-HAUL, SHORT-HAUL\n  4  a quantity of fish caught at one time:\nThe fishermen had a good haul.


Words: haulage
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) the business of transporting goods by road or railway; money charged for this:\nthe road haulage industry * a haulage firm / contractor * How much is haulage?


Words: haunch
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (haunches) [pl.] the tops of the legs and BUTTOCKS; the similar parts at the back of the body of an animal that has four legs:\nto crouch / squat on your haunches\n  2  [C] a back leg and LOIN of an animal that has four legs, eaten as food:\na haunch of venison


Words: haunt
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  if the ghost of a dead person haunts a place, people say that they have seen it there:\nA headless rider haunts the country lanes. * I’ll come back to haunt you!\n  2  if sth unpleasant haunts you, it keeps coming to your mind so that you cannot forget it:\nThe memory of that day still haunts me. * For years she was haunted by guilt.\n  3  to continue to cause problems for sb for a long time:\nThat decision came back to haunt him in later life. * She has been haunted by her past during her career.\n    noun a place that sb visits often or where they spend a lot of time:\nIs this one of your usual haunts? * The pub is a favourite haunt of artists.


Words: haunted
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a building) believed to be visited by ghosts:\na haunted house\n  2  (of an expression on sb’s face) showing that sb is very worried:\nThere was a haunted look in his eyes.


Words: haunting
Meaning:
adjective\nbeautiful, sad or frightening in a way that cannot be forgotten:\na haunting melody / experience / image\n    hauntingly adverb:\na hauntingly beautiful landscape


Words: haute couture
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from French) the business of making fashionable and expensive clothes for women; the clothes made in this business:\nthe world of haute couture


Words: hauteur
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) an unfriendly way of behaving towards other people suggesting that you think that you are better than they are


Words: have
Meaning:
verb, auxiliary verb\n    verb (has, having, had, had) (In some senses have got is also used, especially in British English.)\n  own / hold\n  1  (also have got) [VN] (not used in the progressive tenses) to own, hold or POSSESS sth:\nHe had a new car and a boat. * Have you got a job yet? * I don’t have that much money on me. * She’s got a BA in English.\n  consist of\n  2  (also have got) [VN] (not used in the progressive tenses) be made up of:\nIn 1999 the party had 10 000 members.\n  quality / feature\n  3  (also have got) (not used in the progressive tenses) to show a quality or feature:\n[VN] The ham had a smoky flavour. * The house has gas-fired central heating. * They have a lot of courage. * [VN-ADJ] He’s got a front tooth missing.\n  4  (also have got) [VN to inf] (not used in the progressive tenses) to show a particular quality by your actions:\nSurely she didn’t have the nerve to say that to him?\n  relationship\n  5  (also have got) [VN] (not used in the progressive tenses) used to show a particular relationship:\nHe’s got three children. * Do you have a client named Peters?\n  sth available\n  6  (also have got) [VN] (not used in the progressive tenses) to be able to make use of sth because it is available:\nHave you got time to call him? * We have no choice in the matter.\n  should / must\n  7  (also have got) [VN] (not used in the progressive tenses) to be in a position where you ought to do sth:\nWe have a duty to care for the refugees.\n  8  (also have got) (not used in the progressive tenses) to be in a position of needing to do sth:\n[VN] I’ve got a lot of homework tonight. * [VN to inf] I must go-I have a bus to catch.\n  hold\n  9  (also have got) [VN +adv./prep.] (not used in the progressive tenses) to hold sb/sth in the way mentioned:\nShe’d got him by the collar. * He had his head in his hands.\n  put / keep in a position\n  10  (also have got) [VN +adv./prep.] (not used in the progressive tenses) to place or keep sth in a particular position:\nMary had her back to me. * I soon had the fish in a net.\n  feeling / thought\n  11  (also have got) [VN] (not used in the progressive tenses) to let a feeling or thought come into your mind:\nHe had the strong impression that someone was watching him. * We’ve got a few ideas for the title. * (spoken) I’ve got it! We’ll call it ’Word Magic’.\n  illness\n  12  (also have got) [VN] (not used in the progressive tenses) to suffer from an illness or a disease:\nI’ve got a headache.\n  experience\n  13  [VN] to experience sth:\nI went to a few parties and had a good time. * I was having difficulty in staying awake. * She’ll have an accident one day.\n  event\n  14  [VN] to organize or hold an event:\nLet’s have a party.\n  eat / drink / smoke\n  15  [VN] to eat, drink or smoke sth:\nto have breakfast / lunch / dinner * I’ll have the salmon (for example, in a restaurant). * I had a cigarette while I was waiting.\n  do sth\n  16  [VN] to perform a particular action:\nI had a swim to cool down. * (BrE) to have a wash / shower / bath\n  give birth\n  17  [VN] to give birth to sb/sth:\nShe’s going to have a baby.\n  effect\n  18  [VN] to produce a particular effect:\nHis paintings had a strong influence on me as a student. * The colour green has a restful effect.\n  receive\n  19  [VN] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to receive sth from sb:\nI had a letter from my brother this morning. * Can I have the bill, please?\n  20  [VN] to be given sth; to have sth done to you:\nI’m having treatment for my back problem. * How many driving lessons have you had so far?\n  21  (also have got) [VN -ing] (not used in the progressive tenses) to experience the effects of sb’s actions:\nWe have orders coming in from all over the world.\n  have sth done\n  22  [VN] (used with a past participle) ~ sth done to suffer the effects of what sb else does to you:\nShe had her bag stolen.\n  23  [VN] (used with a past participle) ~ sth done to cause sth to be done for you by sb else:\nYou’ve had your hair cut! * We’re having our car repaired.\n  24  to tell or arrange for sb to do sth for you:\n[VN inf] He had the bouncers throw them out of the club. * (informal) I’ll have you know (= I’m telling you) I’m a black belt in judo. * [VN +adv./prep.] She’s always having the builders in to do something or other.\n  allow\n  25  (used in negative sentences, especially after will not, cannot, etc.) to allow sth; to accept sth without complaining:\n[VN] I’m sick of your rudeness-I won’t have it any longer! * [VN -ing] We can’t have people arriving late all the time.\n  put sb / sth in a condition\n  26  to cause sb/sth to be in a particular state; to make sb react in a particular way:\n[VN-ADJ] I want to have everything ready in good time. * [VN -ing] He had his audience listening attentively.\n  in argument\n  27  (also have got) [VN] (informal) (not used in the progressive tenses) to put sb at a disadvantage in an argument:\nYou’ve got me there. I hadn’t thought of that.\n  sex\n  28  [VN] (slang) to have sex with sb:\nHe had her in his office.\n  trick\n  29  [VN] [usually passive] (informal) to trick or deceive sb:\nI’m afraid you’ve been had.\n  guests\n  30  [VN] [no passive] to take care of sb/sth in your home, especially for a limited period:\nWe’re having the kids for the weekend.\n  31  [VN +adv./prep.] [no passive] to entertain sb in your home:\nWe had some friends to dinner last night.\n  be with\n  32  (also have got) [VN] ~ sb with you (not used in the progressive tenses) to be with sb:\nShe had some friends with her.\n  for a job\n  33  [VN] [no passive] ~ sb as sth to take or accept sb for a particular role:\nWho can we have as treasurer?\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing have are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example have your eye on sb is at eyen.\n  have done with sth (especially BrE) to finish sth unpleasant so that it does not continue:\nLet’s have done with this silly argument.\n  have had it (informal)\n1 to be in a very bad condition; to be unable to be repaired:\nThe car had had it.\n2 to be extremely tired:\nI’ve had it! I’m going to bed.\n3 to have lost all chance of surviving sth:\nWhen the truck smashed into me, I thought I’d had it.\n4 to be going to experience sth unpleasant:\nDad saw you scratch the car-you’ve had it now!\n5 to be unable to accept a situation any longer:\nI’ve had it (up to here) with him-he’s done it once too often.\n  have it off / away (with sb) (BrE, slang) to have sex with sb\n  have it (that ...) to claim that it is a fact that ...:\nRumour has it that we’ll have a new manager soon.\n  have (got) it / that coming (to you) to be likely to suffer the unpleasant effects of your actions and to deserve to do so:\nIt was no surprise when she left him-everyone knew he had it coming to him.\n  have it in for sb (informal) to not like sb and be unpleasant to them\n  have it in you (to do sth) (informal) to be capable of doing sth:\nEveryone thinks he has it in him to produce a literary classic. * You were great. I didn’t know you had it in you. * You spoke really well at that meeting, standing up for us all. I never knew you had it in you.\n  have (got) nothing on sb/sth (informal) to be not nearly as good as sb/sth\nsee also HAVE STH ON SB\n  not having any (informal) not willing to listen to or believe sth:\nI tried to persuade her to wait but she wasn’t having any.\n  what have you other things, people, etc. of the same kind:\nThere’s room in the cellar to store old furniture and what have you.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  have (got) sth against sb/sth (not used in the progressive tenses) to dislike sb/sth for a particular reason:\nWhat have you got against Ruth? She’s always been good to you.\n  have sb<->back to allow a husband, wife or partner that you are separated from to return\n  have sth back to receive sth that sb has borrowed or taken from you:\nYou can have your files back after we’ve checked them.\n  have (got) sth in (not used in the progressive tenses) to have a supply of sth in your home, etc:\nHave we got enough food in?\n  have sb on (informal) to try to make sb believe sth that is not true, usually as a joke:\nYou didn’t really, did you? You’re not having me on, are you?\n  have (got) sth on (not used in the progressive tenses)\n1 to be wearing sth:\nShe had a red jacket on. * He had nothing (= no clothes) on. -> WEAR\n2 to leave a piece of equipment working:\nShe has her TV on all day.\n3 to have arranged to do sth:\nI can’t see you this week-I’ve got a lot on.\n  have (got) sth on sb [no passive] (informal) (not used in the progressive tenses) to know sth bad about sb, especially sth that connects them with a crime:\nI’m not worried-they’ve got nothing on me.\n  have sth out to cause sth, especially a part of your body, to be removed:\nI had to have my appendix out.\n  have sth out (with sb) to try to settle a dispute by discussing or arguing about it openly:\nI need to have it out with her once and for all.\n  have sb up (for sth) (BrE, informal) [usually passive] to cause sb to be accused of sth in a court of law:\nHe was had up for manslaughter.\n    auxiliary verb used with the past participle to form perfect tenses:\nI’ve finished my work. * He’s gone home, hasn’t he? * ’Have you seen it?’ ’Yes, I have / No, I haven’t.’ * She’ll have had the results by now. * Had they left before you got there? * If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it. * (formal) Had I known that (= if I had known that) I would never have come.\n______________________________\n BRITISH / AMERICAN \nhave you got / do you have\nHave got is the usual verb in BrE to show possession, etc. in positive statements in the present tense, in negative statements and in questions: They’ve got a wonderful house. * We haven’t got a television. * Have you got a meeting today? Questions and negative statements formed with do are also common: Do you have any brothers and sisters? * We don’t have a car.\nHave is also used but is more formal: I have no objection to your request. * Have you an appointment? Some expressions with have are common even in informal language: I’m sorry, I haven’t a clue.\nIn the past tense had is used in positive statements. In negatives and questions, forms with did have are usually used: They had a wonderful house. * We didn’t have much time. * Did she have her husband with her?\nIn AmE have and forms with do/does/did are the usual way to show possession, etc. in positive statements, negatives and questions: They have a wonderful house. * We don’t have a television. * Do you have a meeting today? Have got is not used in questions, but is used in positive statements, especially to emphasize that somebody has one thing rather than another: ’Does your brother have brown hair?’ ’No, he’s got blond hair.’\nIn both BrE and AmE have and forms with do/does and did are used when you are referring to a habit or routine: In my country people usually have large families. * We don’t often have time to talk. * Do you ever have headaches?\n______________________________


Words: have to
Meaning:
1  (also have got to) used to show that you must do sth:\nSorry, I’ve got to go. * Did she have to pay a fine? * You don’t have to knock-just walk in. * I haven’t got to leave till seven. * First, you have to think logically about your fears. * (spoken) I have to admit, the idea of marriage scares me. * Do you have to go? * (especially BrE) Have you got to go?\n  2  (also have got to especially in BrE) used to give advice or recommend sth:\nYou simply have to get a new job. * You’ve got to try this recipe-it’s delicious.\n  3  (also have got to especially in BrE) used to say that sth must be true or must happen:\nThere has to be a reason for his strange behaviour. * This war has got to end soon.\n  4  (spoken) used to suggest that an annoying event happens in order to annoy you, or that sb does sth in order to annoy you:\nOf course, it had to start raining as soon as we got to the beach. * Do you have to hum so loudly? (= it is annoying) -> MODAL, MUST


Words: haven
Meaning:
noun\na place that is safe and peaceful where people go to rest or to be protected from sth:\nThe hotel is a haven of peace and tranquility. * The river banks are a haven for wildlife. * The camp offers a haven to refugees.\nsee also SAFE HAVEN, TAX HAVEN


Words: haversack
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, BrE) a bag that is carried on the back or over the shoulder, especially when walking in the country


Words: havoc
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a situation in which there is a lot of damage, destruction or disorder:\nThe floods caused havoc throughout the area. * Continuing strikes are beginning to play havoc with the national economy. * These insects can wreak havoc on crops.


Words: hawk
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a strong fast BIRD OF PREY (= a bird that kills other creatures for food):\nHe waited, watching her like a hawk (= watching her very closely).\nsee also SPARROWHAWK\n \n  2  a person, especially a politician, who supports the use of military force to solve problems\ncompare DOVE\n    verb\n  1  [VN] to try to sell things by going from place to place asking people to buy them\nSYN PEDDLE:\nHe made a living hawking cleaning products from door to door.\n  2  [V, VN] to get PHLEGM in your mouth when you cough


Words: hawkish
Meaning:
adjective\n(politics) preferring to use military action rather than peaceful discussion in order to solve a problem:\na hawkish general / position / response


Words: hawthorn
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a prickly bush or small tree with white or pink flowers and small dark red berries called haws:\na hawthorn hedge


Words: hay
Meaning:
noun [U]\n \n  1  grass that has been cut and dried and is used as food for animals:\na bale of hay\ncompare STRAW\n \n  2  (AmE, informal) a small amount of money:\nI get $50 for each of these and that’s not hay!\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  make hay while the sun shines (saying) to make good use of opportunities, good conditions, etc. while they last\nmore at HIT v., ROLL n.


Words: hay fever
Meaning:
noun\nan illness that affects the nose, eyes and throat and is caused by POLLEN from plants that is breathed in from the air


Words: haywire
Meaning:
adjective\n IDIOMS \n  go haywire (informal) to stop working correctly or become out of control:\nAfter that, things started to go haywire.


Words: hazard
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun ~ (to sb/sth) | ~ (of sth / of doing sth) a thing that can be dangerous or cause damage:\na fire / safety hazard * Growing levels of pollution represent a serious health hazard to the local population. * Everybody is aware of the hazards of smoking. * hazard lights (= flashing lights on a car that warn other drivers of possible danger)\n    verb\n  1  to make a suggestion or guess which you know may be wrong:\n[VN] Would you like to hazard a guess? * [V speech] ’Is it Tom you’re going with?’ she hazarded. [also V that]\n  2  [VN] (formal) to risk sth or put it in danger\nSYN ENDANGER:\nCareless drivers hazard other people’s lives as well as their own.


Words: hazardous
Meaning:
adjective\ninvolving risk or danger, especially to sb’s health or safety:\nhazardous waste / chemicals * a hazardous journey * It would be hazardous to invest so much. * a list of products that are potentially hazardous to health


Words: haze
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] air that is difficult to see through because it contains very small drops of water, especially caused by hot weather:\na heat haze\n  2  [sing.] air containing sth that makes it difficult to see through it:\na haze of smoke / dust / steam\n  3  [sing.] a mental state in which your thoughts, feelings, etc. are not clear:\nan alcoholic haze * a haze of pain\n    verb\n  1  [VN, V] to become covered or to cover sth in a HAZE\n  2  [VN] (AmE) to play tricks on sb, especially a new student, or to give them very unpleasant things to do, sometimes as a condition for entering a FRATERNITY or SORORITY:\nSeveral students were hospitalized for injuries caused by hazing.


Words: hazel
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [C, U] a small tree that produces small nuts (called hazelnuts) that can be eaten\n    adjective (of eyes) greenish-brown or reddish-brown in colour


Words: hazy
Meaning:
adjective (hazier, haziest)\n  1  not clear because of HAZE:\na hazy afternoon / sky * hazy light / sunshine * The mountains were hazy in the distance. * The room was hazy with smoke.\n  2  not clear because of a lack of memory, understanding or detail:\na hazy memory / idea * The dividing line is somewhat hazy. * What happened next is all very hazy.\n  3  (of a person) uncertain or confused about sth:\nI’m a little hazy about what to do next.\n    hazily adverb:\n’Why now?’ she wondered hazily.


Words: HE
Meaning:
(BrE) (also H.E. AmE, BrE) abbreviation\n  1  Her/His EXCELLENCY:\nHE the Australian Ambassador\n  2  HIGHER EDUCATION


Words: he
Meaning:
pronoun, noun \n    pronoun (used as the subject of a verb)\n  1  a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified:\nEveryone liked my father-he was the perfect gentleman. * He (= the man we are watching) went through that door.\n  2  (becoming old-fashioned) a person, male or female, whose sex is not stated or known, especially when referring to sb mentioned earlier or to a group in general:\nEvery child needs to know that he is loved. * (saying) He who (= anyone who) hesitates is lost.\ncompare HIM\n    noun \n  1  [sing.] (informal) a male:\nWhat a nice dog-is it a he or a she?\n  2  (he-) (in compound nouns) a male animal:\na he-goat


Words: he Labour Party
Meaning:
(also Labour) noun\n[sing.+sing./pl. v.] one of the main British political parties, on the political left, that has traditionally represented the interests of working people:\nthe Labour Party leader


Words: he last post
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (BrE) a tune played on a BUGLE at military funerals and at the end of the day in military camps:\nWhen they sound the last post, the flag is lowered.


Words: he last rites
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] a Christian religious ceremony that a priest performs for and in the presence of a dying person:\nto administer the last rites to sb * to receive the last rites


Words: he Liberal Democrats
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (abbreviation Lib Dems) one of the main British political parties, in favour of some political and social change, but not extreme\ncompare THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY, THE LABOUR PARTY


Words: he long jump
Meaning:
(AmE also the broad jump) noun\n[sing.] a sporting event in which people try to jump as far forward as possible after running up to a line


Words: he Lord’s Prayer
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the prayer that Jesus Christ taught the people who followed him, that begins ’Our Father ...’


Words: he lower classes
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (also the lower class [sing.]) the groups of people who are considered to have the lowest social status and who have less money and/or power than other people in society\n    lower class adjective:\nThe new bosses were condemned as ’too lower-class’. * a lower-class accent\ncompare UPPER CLASS


Words: he lower orders
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (old-fashioned) people who are considered to be less important because they belong to groups with a lower social status


Words: he mass media
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] sources of information and news such as newspapers, magazines, radio and television, that reach and influence large numbers of people:\nthe relationship between politics and the mass media


Words: he-man
Meaning:
noun\n(plural he-men ) (often humorous) a strong man with big muscles, especially one who likes to show other people how strong he is


Words: head
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  part of body\n \n  1  [C] the part of the body on top of the neck containing the eyes, nose, mouth and brain:\nShe nodded her head in agreement. * He shook his head in disbelief. * The boys hung their heads in shame. * The driver suffered head injuries. * She always has her head in a book (= is always reading). * He still has a good head of hair (= a lot of hair).\nsee also DEATH’S HEAD\n \n  mind\n \n  2  [C] the mind or brain:\nI sometimes wonder what goes on in that head of yours. * I wish you’d use your head (= think carefully before doing or saying sth). * The thought never entered my head. * I can’t work it out in my head-I need a calculator. * I can’t get that tune out of my head. * When will you get it into your head (= understand) that I don’t want to discuss this any more! * For some reason, she’s got it into her head (= believes) that the others don’t like her. * Who’s been putting such weird ideas into your head (= making you believe that)? * Try to put the exams out of your head (= stop thinking about them) for tonight.\nsee also HOTHEAD\n  measurement\n  3  (a head) [sing.] the size of a person’s or animal’s head, used as a measurement of distance or height:\nShe’s a good head taller than her sister. * The favourite won by a short head (= a distance slightly less than the length of a horse’s head).\n  pain\n  4  [C, usually sing.] (informal) a continuous pain in your head\nSYN HEADACHE:\nI woke up with a really bad head this morning.\n  side of coin\n  5  (heads) [U] the side of a coin that has a picture of the head of a person on it, used as one choice when a coin is TOSSED to decide sth\ncompare TAILS n. (7)\n  end of object\n  6  [C, usually sing.] ~ (of sth) the end of a long narrow object that is larger or wider than the rest of it:\nthe head of a nail\nsee also BEDHEAD\n  top\n  7  [sing.] ~ of sth the top or highest part of sth:\nat the head of the page / stairs * They finished the season at the head of their league.\n  of river\n  8  [sing.] the ~ of the river the place where a river begins\nSYN SOURCE\n  of table\n  9  [sing.] the ~ of the table the most important seat at a table:\nThe President sat at the head of the table.\n  of line of people\n  10  [sing.] the ~ of sth the position at the front of a line of people:\nThe prince rode at the head of his regiment.\n  of plant\n  11  [C] ~ (of sth) the mass of leaves or flowers at the end of a stem:\nRemove the dead heads to encourage new growth.\n  of group / organization\n  12  [C, U] the person in charge of a group of people or an organization:\nthe heads of government / state * She resigned as head of department. * the crowned heads (= the kings and queens) of Europe * the head gardener / waiter * (BrE) the head boy / girl (= a student who is chosen to represent the school)\n  of school / college\n  13  [C] (often Head) (BrE) the person in charge of a school or college\nSYN HEADMASTER, HEADMISTRESS, HEAD TEACHER:\nI’ve been called in to see the Head. * the deputy head\n  on beer\n  14  [sing.] the mass of small bubbles on the top of a glass of beer\n  of spot\n  15  [C] the part of a spot on your skin that contains a thick yellowish liquid (= PUS)\nsee also BLACKHEAD\n  in tape / video recorder\n  16  [C] the part of a TAPE RECORDER or VIDEO RECORDER that touches the tape and changes the electrical signals into sounds and/or pictures\n  number of animals\n  17  ~ of sth [pl.] used to say how many animals of a particular type are on a farm, in a HERD, etc:\n200 head of sheep\n  of steam\n  18  a ~ of steam [sing.] the pressure produced by steam in an enclosed space:\nThe old engine still manages to build up a good head of steam.\n  sex\n  19  [U] (!!!, slang) ORAL sex (= using the mouth to stimulate sb’s sex organs):\nto give head\n IDIOMS \n  a / per head for each person:\nThe meal worked out at $20 a head.\n  bang / knock your / their heads together (informal) to force people to stop arguing and behave in a sensible way\n  be banging, etc. your head against a brick wall (informal) to keep trying to do sth that will never be successful:\nTrying to reason with them was like banging my head against a brick wall.\n  be / stand head and shoulders above sb/sth to be much better than other people or things:\nHis performance stood head and shoulders above the rest.\n  bite / snap sb’s head off (informal) to shout at sb in an angry way, especially without reason\n  bring sth to a head | come to a head if you bring a situation to a head or if a situation comes to a head, you are forced to deal with it quickly because it suddenly becomes very bad\n  bury / hide your head in the sand to refuse to admit that a problem exists or refuse to deal with it\n  can’t get your head round sth (BrE, informal) to understand sth:\nShe’s dead. I can’t get my head round it yet.\n  can’t make head nor tail of sth to be unable to understand sth:\nI couldn’t make head nor tail of what he was saying.\n  do sb’s head in (BrE, informal) to make you feel confused, upset and/or annoyed:\nShut up! You’re doing my head in.\n  do sth standing on your head (informal) to be able to do sth very easily and without having to think too much\n  from head to foot / toe covering your whole body:\nWe were covered from head to foot in mud. * She was dressed from head to toe in red.\n  get your head down (informal)\n1 (BrE) to sleep:\nI managed to get my head down for an hour.\n2 = keep / get your head down\n  give sb their head to allow sb to do what they want without trying to stop them\n  go head to head (with sb) to deal with sb in a very direct and determined way:\nThe company will be going head to head with the giant of the pharmaceuticals market.\n  go to your head\n1 (of alcohol) to make you feel drunk:\nThat glass of wine has gone straight to my head.\n2 (of success, praise, etc.) to make you feel too proud of yourself in a way that other people find annoying\n  have a good head on your shoulders to be a sensible person\n  have your head in the clouds\n1 to be thinking about sth that is not connected with what you are doing\n2 to have ideas, plans, etc. that are not realistic\n  have a head for sth\n1 to be good at sth:\nto have a head for figures / business\n2 if sb does not have a head for heights, they feel nervous and think they are going to fall when they look down from a high place\n  have your head screwed on (the right way) (informal) to be a sensible person\n  head first\n1 moving forwards or downwards with your head in front of the rest of your body:\nHe fell head first down the stairs.\n2 without thinking carefully about sth before acting:\nShe got divorced and rushed head first into another marriage.\n  head over heels in love loving sb very much:\nHe’s fallen head over heels in love with his boss.\n  heads or tails? (spoken) used to ask sb which side of a coin they think will be facing upwards when it is TOSSED in order to decide sth by chance\n  heads will roll (for sth) (spoken, usually humorous) used to say that some people will be punished because of sth that has happened\n  hold your head high | hold up your head to be proud of or not feel ashamed about sth that you have done:\nShe managed to hold her head high and ignore what people were saying.\n  in over your head involved in sth that is too difficult for you to deal with:\nAfter a week in the new job, I soon realized that I was in over my head.\n  keep / get your head down to avoid attracting attention to yourself:\nIf I were you, I’d keep your head down for a couple of weeks.\n  keep your head | keep a clear / cool head to remain calm in a difficult situation\n  keep your head above water to deal with a difficult situation, especially one in which you have financial problems, and just manage to survive:\nI’m not sure how much longer we’ll be able to keep our heads above water.\n  laugh, scream, etc. your head off (informal) to laugh, etc. a lot and very loudly\n  lose your head to become unable to act in a calm or sensible way\n  on your (own) head be it used to tell sb that they will have to accept any unpleasant results of sth that they decide to do:\nTell him the truth if you want to, but on your own head be it!\n  out of / off your head (BrE, informal)\n1 crazy\n2 not knowing what you are saying or doing because of the effects of alcohol or drugs\n  over sb’s head\n1 too difficult or complicated for sb to understand:\nA lot of the jokes went (= were) right over my head.\n2 to a higher position of authority than sb:\nI couldn’t help feeling jealous when she was promoted over my head. * I’m not happy that you went over my head to ask for this time off.\n  put our / your / their heads together to think about or discuss sth as a group\n  stand / turn sth on its head to make people think about sth in a completely different way\n  take it into your head to do sth to suddenly decide to do sth, especially sth that other people think is stupid\n  take it into your head that ... to suddenly start thinking sth, especially sth that other people think is stupid\n  turn sb’s head (of success, praise, etc.) to make a person feel too proud in a way that other people find annoying\n  two heads are better than one (saying) used to say that two people can achieve more than one person working alone\nmore at BEAR n., BLOCK n., BOTHER v., DRUM v., EYE n., GUN n., HAIR, HEART, HIT v., IDEA, KNOCK v., LAUGH v., NEED v., OLD, PRICE n., REAR v., RING v., ROOF n., SCRATCH v., THICK adj., TOP n.\n    verb\n  move towards\n  1  [V +adv./prep.] to move in a particular direction:\nWhere are we heading? * Let’s head back home. * She headed for the door. * We headed north. * Head towards the mall. * The boat was heading out to sea. * (figurative) Can you forecast where the economy is heading?\n  group / organization\n  2  [VN] (also head sth<->up) to lead or be in charge of sth:\nShe has been appointed to head the research team.\n  list / line of people\n  3  [VN] to be at the top of a list of names or at the front of a line of people:\nItaly heads the table after two games. * to head a march / procession\n  be at top\n  4  [VN] [usually passive] to put a word or words at the top of a page or section of a book as a title:\nThe chapter was headed ’My Early Life’.\n  football\n  5  [VN] to hit a football with your head:\nWalsh headed the ball into an empty goal.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  be heading for sth (also be headed for sth especially in AmE)\n1 to be going in a particular direction or to a particular place:\nWhere are you two headed?\n2 to be likely to experience sth bad:\nThey look as though they’re heading for divorce.\n  head sb<->off to get in front of sb in order to make them turn back or change direction\nSYN INTERCEPT:\nWe’ll head them off at the bridge!\n  head sth<->off to take action in order to prevent sth from happening:\nHe headed off efforts to replace him as leader.\n  head sth<->up to lead or be in charge of a department, part of an organization, etc.\nsee also HEAD v. (2)


Words: head of state
Meaning:
noun\n(plural heads of state) the official leader of a country who is sometimes also the leader of the government:\nThe Queen was joined by the US President and other heads of state from around the world.


Words: head office
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U+sing./pl. v.] the main office of a company; the managers who work there:\nTheir head office is in New York. * I don’t know what head office will think about this proposal.


Words: head start
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] ~ (on / over sb) an advantage that sb already has before they start doing sth:\nBeing able to speak French gave her a head start over the other candidates.


Words: head-on
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  in which the front part of one vehicle hits the front part of another vehicle:\na head-on crash / collision\n  2  in which people express strong views and deal with sth in a direct way:\nThere was a head-on confrontation between management and unions. * The President is eager to avoid a head-on clash with Congress over his health policies.\n    head-on adverb:\nThe cars crashed head-on. * We hit the tree head-on. * to tackle a problem head-on (= without trying to avoid it)


Words: head-to-head
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] in which two people or groups face each other directly in order to decide the result of a dispute or competition:\na head-to-head battle / clash / contest\n    head-to-head adverb:\nThey are set to meet head-to-head in next week’s final. * The product will go head-to-head (= compete directly) with the current brand leader.


Words: headache
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a continuous pain in the head:\nto suffer from headaches * Red wine gives me a headache. * I have a splitting headache (= a very bad one). * a tension headache\n  2  a person or thing that causes worry or trouble:\nThe real headache will be getting the bank to lend you the money.


Words: headband
Meaning:
noun\na strip of fabric worn around the head, especially to keep hair or sweat out of your eyes when playing sports


Words: headbanger
Meaning:
noun (informal)\n  1  a person who likes to shake their head violently up and down while listening to rock music\n  2  a stupid or crazy person\n    headbanging noun [U]


Words: headbutt
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (especially BrE) to deliberately hit sb hard with your head:\nHe was sent off for headbutting the goalkeeper.\n    headbutt noun


Words: headcount
Meaning:
noun\nan act of counting the number of people who are at an event, employed by an organization, etc.; the number of people that have been counted in this way:\nto do a headcount * What’s the latest headcount?


Words: headed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of writing paper) having the name and address of a person, an organization, etc. printed at the top:\nheaded notepaper\n  2  (-headed) (in adjectives) having the type of head or number of heads mentioned:\na bald-headed man * a three-headed monster\nsee also BIG-HEADED, CLEAR-HEADED, COOL-HEADED, EMPTY-HEADED, HARD-HEADED, LEVEL-HEADED, LIGHT-HEADED, PIG-HEADED, WRONG-HEADED


Words: header
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in football) an act of hitting the ball with your head\n  2  a line or block of text that is automatically added to the top of every page that is printed from a computer:\nThe header gives the page number and date of the document.\ncompare FOOTER


Words: headhunt
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to find sb who is suitable for a senior job and persuade them to leave their present job:\nI was headhunted by a marketing agency. * A successor is being headhunted.\n    headhunting noun [U]


Words: headhunter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person whose job is to find people with the necessary skills to work for a particular company and to persuade them to join this company\n  2  a member of a tribe that collects the heads of the people they kill


Words: heading
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a title printed at the top of a page or at the beginning of a section of a book:\nchapter headings\n  2  the subject of each section of a speech or piece of writing:\nThe company’s aims can be grouped under three main headings.


Words: headless
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] without a head:\na headless body / corpse\n IDIOMS \n  run around like a headless chicken to be very busy and active trying to do sth, but not very organized, with the result that you do not succeed


Words: headlight
Meaning:
noun\n(also headlamp especially in BrE) a large light, usually one of two, at the front of a motor vehicle; the beam from this light:\nHe dipped his headlights (= lowered the beam of light) for the oncoming traffic.


Words: headline
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] the title of a newspaper article printed in large letters, especially at the top of the front page:\nThey ran the story under the headline ’Home at last!’. * The scandal was in the headlines for several days. * headline news\nsee also BANNER HEADLINE\n  2  (the headlines) [pl.] a short summary of the most important items of news, read at the beginning of a news programme on the radio or television:\nDo you mind if I listen to the headlines before we leave?\n IDIOMS \n  grab / hit / make the headlines to be an important item of news in newspapers or on the radio or television\n    verb\n  1  [VN-N] [usually passive] to give a story or article a particular headline:\nThe story was headlined ’Back to the future.’\n  2  (especially AmE) to be the main performer in a concert or show:\n[VN] The concert is to be headlined by Elton John. [also V]


Words: headlock
Meaning:
noun\n(in WRESTLING) a way of holding an opponent’s head so that they cannot move:\nHe had him in a headlock.


Words: headlong
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  with the head first and the rest of the body following:\nShe fell headlong into the icy pool.\n  2  without thinking carefully before doing sth:\nThe government is taking care not to rush headlong into another controversy.\n  3  quickly and without looking where you are going:\nHe ran headlong into a police car.\n    headlong adjective [only before noun]:\na headlong dive / rush


Words: headphones
Meaning:
(also earphones) noun\n[pl.] a piece of equipment worn over the ears that makes it possible to listen to music, the radio, etc. without other people hearing it:\na pair / set of headphones


Words: headquartered
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] having headquarters in a particular place:\nNews Corporation is headquartered in Sydney.


Words: headquarters
Meaning:
noun\n[U+sing./pl. v., C] (plural headquarters) (abbreviation HQ) a place from which an organization or a military operation is controlled; the people who work there:\nThe firm’s headquarters is / are in London. * Several companies have their headquarters in the area. * I’m now based at headquarters. * police headquarters * Headquarters in Dublin has / have agreed. * There seems to be a rift between party headquarters and Downing Street.


Words: headrest
Meaning:
noun\nthe part of a seat or chair that supports a person’s head, especially on the front seat of a car


Words: headroom
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the amount of space between the top of a vehicle and an object it drives under\n  2  the amount of space between the top of your head and the roof of a vehicle:\nThere’s a lot of headroom for such a small car.


Words: headscarf
Meaning:
noun\n(plural headscarves) a square piece of fabric tied around the head, usually with a knot under the chin, worn by women instead of a hat


Words: headship
Meaning:
noun ~ (of sth)\n  1  the position of being in charge of an organization:\nthe headship of the department\n  2  (BrE) the position of being in charge of a school


Words: headstone
Meaning:
noun\na piece of stone placed at one end of a grave, showing the name, etc. of the person buried there\nSYN GRAVESTONE\ncompare TOMBSTONE


Words: headstrong
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) a headstrong person is determined to do things their own way and refuses to listen to advice


Words: headway
Meaning:
noun\n[U]\n IDIOMS \n  make headway to make progress, especially when this is slow or difficult:\nWe are making little headway with the negotiations. * The boat was unable to make much headway against the tide. * Some headway has been made towards restoring the balance of power.


Words: headwind
Meaning:
noun\na wind that is blowing towards a person or vehicle, so that it is blowing from the direction in which the person or vehicle is moving\ncompare TAILWIND


Words: heady
Meaning:
adjective (headier, headiest)\n  1  [usually before noun] having a strong effect on your senses; making you feel excited and hopeful:\nthe heady days of youth * the heady scent of hot spices * a heady mixture of desire and fear * House-buying is like drinking wine-it can be heady stuff. * Profits grew last year by a heady 5.7%. * the heady atmosphere of independence\n  2  [not before noun] (of a person) excited in a way that makes you do things without worrying about the possible results:\nShe felt heady with success.


Words: heal
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (up) to become healthy again; to make sth healthy again:\n[V] It took a long time for the wounds to heal. * The cut healed up without leaving a scar. * [VN] This will help to heal your cuts and scratches. * (figurative) It was a chance to heal the wounds in the party (= to repair the damage that had been done).\n  2  [VN] ~ sb (of sth) (old use or formal) to cure sb who is ill; to make sb feel happy again:\nthe story of Jesus healing ten lepers of their disease * I felt healed by his love.\n  3  to put an end to sth or make sth easier to bear; to end or become easier to bear:\n[VN] She was never able to heal the rift between herself and her father. * [V] The breach between them never really healed.


Words: healer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who cures people of illnesses and disease using natural powers rather than medicine:\na faith / spiritual healer\n  2  something that makes a bad situation easier to deal with:\nTime is a great healer.


Words: healing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process of becoming or making sb/sth healthy again; the process of getting better after an emotional shock:\nthe healing process * emotional healing\nsee also FAITH HEALING


Words: health
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the condition of a person’s body or mind:\nExhaust fumes are bad for your health. * to be in poor / good / excellent / the best of health * Smoking can seriously damage your health. * mental health * She was forced to resign because of ill health. * Your (very) good health! (= said before drinking alcohol to express good wishes for sb’s health and happiness)\n  2  the state of being physically and mentally healthy:\nHe was nursed back to health by his wife. * She was glowing with health and clearly enjoying life. * As long as you have your health, nothing else matters.\n  3  the work of providing medical services:\nAll parties are promising to increase spending on health. * the Health Minister * the Department of Health * health insurance * health and safety regulations (= laws that protect the health of people at work)\n  4  how successful sth is:\nthe health of your marriage / finances\n IDIOMS  see CLEAN adj., DRINK v., PROPOSE, RUDE


Words: health care
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the service of providing medical care:\nthe costs of health care for the elderly * health care workers / professionals


Words: health centre
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a building where a group of doctors see their patients and where some local medical services have their offices


Words: health club
Meaning:
noun\n(also gym especially in AmE) a private club where people go to do physical exercises in order to stay or become healthy and fit


Words: health farm
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE health spa) noun\na place where people can stay for short periods of time in order to try to improve their health by eating special food, doing physical exercises, etc.


Words: health food
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C, usually pl.] food that does not contain any artificial substances and is therefore thought to be good for your health


Words: health visitor
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain) a trained nurse whose job is to visit people in their homes, for example new mothers, and give them advice on some areas of medical care


Words: healthy
Meaning:
adjective (healthier, healthiest)\n  1  having good health and not likely to become ill:\na healthy child / animal / tree * Keep healthy by eating well and exercising regularly.\nOPP UNHEALTHY\n  2  [usually before noun] good for your health:\na healthy diet / climate / lifestyle\nOPP UNHEALTHY\n  3  [usually before noun] showing that you are in good health:\nto have a healthy appetite * a shampoo that keeps hair looking healthy\n  4  normal and sensible:\nThe child showed a healthy curiosity. * She has a healthy respect for her rival’s talents. * It’s not healthy the way she clings to the past.\nOPP UNHEALTHY\n  5  successful and working well:\na healthy economy * Your car doesn’t sound very healthy.\n  6  [usually before noun] large and showing success:\na healthy bank balance * a healthy profit\n    healthily adverb:\nto eat healthily\n    healthiness noun [U]\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nhealthy / well\nHealthy describes a person who is rarely ill or things that are good for your health: a healthy child / diet / lifestyle.\nWell describes your health on a particular occasion: I’m sorry to hear you were not well yesterday. * You’re looking well. * I hope you’ll feel better soon.\n______________________________


Words: heap
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  ~ (of sth) an untidy pile of sth:\nThe building was reduced to a heap of rubble. * a compost heap * His clothes lay in a heap on the floor. * Worn-out car tyres were stacked in heaps.\nsee also SCRAP HEAP, SLAG HEAP\n  2  [usually pl.] (informal) a lot of sth:\nThere’s heaps of time before the plane leaves. * I’ve got heaps to tell you.\n  3  (informal, humorous) a car that is old and in bad condition\n IDIOMS \n  at the top / bottom of the heap high up/low down in the structure of an organization or a society:\nThese workers are at the bottom of the economic heap.\n  collapse, fall, etc. in a heap to fall down heavily and not move:\nHe collapsed in a heap on the floor.\n  heaps better, more, older, etc. (BrE, informal) a lot better, etc:\nHelp yourself-there’s heaps more. * He looks heaps better than when I last saw him.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sth (up) to put things in an untidy pile:\nRocks were heaped up on the side of the road. * She looked at the vegetables heaped on the table.\n  2  ~ A on B | ~ B with A to put a lot of sth in a pile on sth:\nShe heaped food on my plate. * She heaped my plate with food.\n  3  ~ A on B | ~ B with A to give a lot of sth such as praise or criticism to sb:\nHe heaped praise on his team. * He heaped his team with praise.\n IDIOMS  see SCORN n.


Words: heaped
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually heaping) adjective used to describe a spoon, etc. that has as much in it or on it as it can hold:\na heaped teaspoon of sugar * heaping plates of scrambled eggs\ncompare LEVEL adj. (1)


Words: hear
Meaning:
1  (not used in the progressive tenses) to be aware of sounds with your ears:\n[V] I can’t hear very well. * [VN] She heard footsteps behind her. * I couldn’t hear anything. * [VN -ing] He could hear a dog barking. * [VN inf] Did you hear him go out? * I heard a car drive off. * [V wh-] Didn’t you hear what I said? * [VN to inf] She has been heard to make threats to her former lover.\n HELP NOTE  This pattern is only used in the passive.\n  2  (not used in the progressive tenses) to listen or pay attention to sb/sth:\n[VN] Did you hear that play on the radio last night? * a chance to hear the first movement again * to hear both sides of the argument * [VN inf] Be quiet-I can’t hear myself think! (= it is so noisy that I can’t think clearly) * Have you ever heard him lecture? * [V wh-] We’d better hear what they have to say. * I hear what you’re saying (= I have listened to your opinion), but you’re wrong.\n  3  (not usually used in the progressive tenses) ~ (about sb/sth) to be told about sth:\n[V] Haven’t you heard? She resigned. * ’I’m getting married.’ ’So I’ve heard.’ * I was sorry to hear about your accident. * Wait till he hears about this. * [VN] We had heard nothing for weeks. * I was delighted to hear your good news. * [V (that)] I was surprised to hear (that) he was married. * [VN (that)] I’ve heard it said (that) they met in Italy. [also V wh-]\n  4  [VN] to listen to and judge a case in a court of law:\nThe appeal was heard in private. * Today the jury began to hear the evidence.\n IDIOMS \n  Have you heard the one about ...? used to ask sb if they have heard a particular joke before\n  hear! hear! used to show that you agree with or approve of what sb has just said, especially during a speech\n  hear tell (of sth) (old-fashioned or formal) to hear people talking about sth:\nI’ve often heard tell of such things.\n  not / never hear the end of it to keep being reminded of sth because sb is always talking to you about it:\nIf we don’t get her a dog we’ll never hear the end of it.\n  you could hear a pin drop it was extremely quiet:\nThe audience was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.\n  (Do) you hear me? (spoken) used to tell sb in an angry way to pay attention and obey you:\nYou can’t go-do you hear me?\nmore at LAST n., THING, VOICE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hear from sb | hear sth from sb to receive a letter, telephone call, etc. from sb: (written) I look forward to hearing from you. * I haven’t heard anything from her for months. * It was good to hear from him again.\n  hear of sb/sth | hear sth of sb/sth to know about sb/sth because you have been told about them:\nI’ve never heard of the place. * I was so sorry to hear of your father’s death. * She disappeared and was never heard of again. * The last I heard of him he was living in Glasgow. * This is the first I’ve heard of it!\n  not hear of sth to refuse to let sb do sth, especially because you want to help them:\nShe wanted to walk home but I wouldn’t hear of it. * [+ -ing] He wouldn’t hear of my walking home alone\nsee also UNHEARD-OF\n  hear sb out to listen until sb has finished saying what they want to say:\nI know you’re furious with me, but please hear me out.


Words: hearing
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the ability to hear:\nHer hearing is poor. * He’s hearing-impaired (= not able to hear well). * I see there’s nothing wrong with your hearing! * The explosion damaged his hearing.\nsee also HARD OF HEARING\n  2  [C] an official meeting at which the facts about a crime, complaint, etc. are presented to the person or group of people who will have to decide what action to take:\na court / disciplinary hearing\n  3  [sing.] an opportunity to explain your actions, ideas or opinions:\nto get / give sb a fair hearing * His views may be unfashionable but he deserves a hearing.\n IDIOMS \n  in / within (sb’s) hearing near enough to sb so that they can hear what is said:\nShe shouldn’t have said such things in your hearing * Edging to within hearing, he called softly, ’Hello Anna’.\nmore at FAIR adj.


Words: hearing aid
Meaning:
noun\na small device that fits inside the ear and makes sounds louder, used by people who cannot hear well:\nto have / wear a hearing aid


Words: hearsay
Meaning:
noun\n[U] things that you have heard from another person but do not (definitely) know to be true \nSYN RUMOUR:\nWe can’t make a decision based on hearsay and guesswork. * hearsay evidence


Words: heart
Meaning:
noun\n  part of body\n  1  [C] the organ in the left side of the chest that pumps blood around the body:\nheart trouble / failure * to have a weak heart * The patient’s heart stopped beating for a few seconds. * I could feel my heart pounding in my chest (= because of excitement etc.).\nsee also CORONARY HEART DISEASE, OPEN-HEART SURGERY\n  2  [C] (literary) the outside part of the chest where the heart is:\nShe clasped the photo to her heart.\n  feelings / emotions\n  3  [C] the part of the body where the feelings and emotions are thought to be, especially those connected with love:\nShe has a kind heart. * Have you no heart? * He returned with a heavy heart (= sad). * Her novels tend to deal with affairs of the heart. * The story captured the hearts and minds of a generation.\nsee also BROKEN HEART\n  -hearted\n  4  (in adjectives) having the type of character or personality mentioned:\ncold-hearted * kind-hearted\n  important part\n  5  [sing.] ~ (of sth) the most important part of sth:\nthe heart of the matter / problem * The committee’s report went to the heart of the government’s dilemma. * The distinction between right and wrong lies at the heart of all questions of morality.\n  centre\n  6  [C, usually sing.] ~ (of sth) the part that is in the centre of sth:\na quiet hotel in the very heart of the city\n  of cabbage\n  7  [C] the smaller leaves in the middle of a CABBAGE, LETTUCE, etc.\n  shape\n  8  [C] a thing shaped like a heart, often red and used as a symbol of love:\nThe words ’I love you’ were written inside a big red heart.\n  in card games\n  9  (hearts) [pl., U] one of the four sets of cards (called SUITS) in a pack/deck of cards, with red heart symbols on them:\nthe queen of hearts * Hearts is / are trumps.\n  10  [C] one card from the set of hearts:\nWho played that heart?\n IDIOMS \n  at heart used to say what sb is really like even though they may seem to be sth different:\nHe’s still a socialist at heart.\n  break sb’s heart to make sb feel very unhappy:\nShe broke his heart when she called off the engagement. * It breaks my heart to see you like this.\n  by heart (BrE also off by heart) using only your memory:\nI’ve dialled the number so many times I know it by heart. * She’s learnt the whole speech off by heart.\n  close / dear / near to sb’s heart having a lot of importance and interest for sb\n  from the (bottom of your) heart in a way that is sincere:\nI beg you, from the bottom of my heart, to spare his life. * It was clearly an offer that came from the heart.\n  give sb (fresh) heart to make sb feel positive, especially when they thought that they had no chance of achieving sth\n  give your heart to sb to give your love to one person\n  have a heart! (spoken) used to ask sb to be kind and/or reasonable:\nHave a heart! I’ve nowhere else to stay!\n  have your heart in your mouth to feel nervous or frightened about sth:\nMy heart was in my mouth as she opened the envelope.\n  have a heart of gold to be a very kind person\n  have a heart of stone to be a person who does not show others sympathy or pity\n  heart and soul with a lot of energy and enthusiasm:\nThey threw themselves heart and soul into the project.\n  your heart goes out to sb used to say that you feel a lot of sympathy for sb:\nOur hearts go out to the families of the victims.\n  sb’s heart is in the right place used to say that sb’s intentions are kind and sincere even though they sometimes do the wrong thing\n  your heart is not in sth used to say that you are not very interested in or enthusiastic about sth\n  your heart leaps used to say that you have a sudden feeling of happiness or excitement:\nMy heart leapt at the news.\n  your heart misses a beat used to say that you have a sudden feeling of fear, excitement, etc:\nMy heart missed a beat when I saw who it was.\n  your heart sinks used to say that you suddenly feel sad or depressed about sth:\nMy heart sank when I saw how much work there was left. * She watched him go with a sinking heart.\n  in good heart (BrE) happy and cheerful\n  in your heart (of hearts) if you know sth in your heart, you have a strong feeling that it is true:\nShe knew in her heart of hearts that she was making the wrong decision.\n  it does your heart good (to do sth) it makes you feel happy when you see or hear sth:\nIt does my heart good to see the old place being taken care of so well.\n  let your heart rule your head to act according to what you feel rather than to what you think is sensible\n  lose heart to stop hoping for sth or trying to do sth because you no longer feel confident\n  lose your heart (to sb/sth) (written) to fall in love with sb/sth\n  a man / woman after your own heart a man/woman who likes the same things or has the same opinions as you\n  my heart bleeds (for sb) (ironic) used to say that you do not feel sympathy or pity for sb:\n’I have to go to Brazil on business.’ ’My heart bleeds for you!’\n  not have the heart (to do sth) to be unable to do sth because you know that it will make sb sad or upset\n  pour out / open your heart to sb to tell sb all your problems, feelings, etc.\n  set your heart on sth | have your heart set on sth to want sth very much:\nThey’ve set their heart on a house in the country.\n  take heart (from sth) to feel more positive about sth, especially when you thought that you had no chance of achieving sth:\nThe government can take heart from the latest opinion polls.\n  take sth to heart to be very upset by sth that sb says or does:\nYou shouldn’t take everything he says to heart.\n  tear / rip the heart out of sth to destroy the most important part or aspect of sth:\nClosing the factory tore the heart out of the community.\n  to your heart’s content as much as you want:\na supervised play area where children can run around to their heart’s content\n  with all your heart / your whole heart completely:\nI hope with all my heart that things work out for you.\nmore at CHANGE n., CROSS v., EAT, ETCH, FIND v., GOODNESS, INTEREST n., SICK adj., SOB v., STEAL v., STRIKE v., TEAR v., WARM v., WAY n., WEAR v., WIN v., YOUNG adj.


Words: heart attack
Meaning:
noun\na sudden serious medical condition in which the heart stops working normally, sometimes causing death\ncompare CORONARY THROMBOSIS


Words: heart-searching
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process of examining carefully your feelings or reasons for doing sth:\nThis decision came after a great deal of heart-searching.


Words: heart-stopping
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] causing feelings of great excitement or worry:\nFor one heart-stopping moment she thought they were too late.


Words: heart-throb
Meaning:
noun\na famous man, usually an actor or a singer, that a lot of women find attractive:\na Hollywood heart-throb


Words: heart-to-heart
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a conversation in which two people talk honestly about their feelings and personal problems:\nto have a heart-to-heart with sb\n    heart-to-heart adjective:\na heart-to-heart talk


Words: heart-warming
Meaning:
adjective\ncausing feelings of happiness and pleasure:\na heart-warming experience / story * It’s heart-warming to hear of the success you’ve had with the appeal.


Words: heartache
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a strong feeling of sadness or worry:\nThe relationship caused her a great deal of heartache. * the heartaches of being a parent


Words: heartbeat
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] the movement or sound of the heart as it pumps blood around the body:\na rapid / regular heartbeat\n  2  [sing.] the ~ of sth (AmE) an important feature of sth, that is responsible for making it what it is:\nThe candidate said that he understood the heartbeat of the Hispanic community in California.


Words: heartbreak
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a strong feeling of sadness:\nThey suffered the heartbreak of losing a child through cancer.\n    heartbreaking adjective:\na heartbreaking story * It’s heartbreaking to see him wasting his life like this.


Words: heartbroken
Meaning:
adjective\nextremely sad because of sth that has happened:\nHe was heartbroken when she left him. * Friends are tonight trying to comfort the heartbroken teenager.\ncompare BROKEN-HEARTED


Words: hearten
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] to make sb feel encouraged and more hopeful\n    heartening adjective:\nIt is heartening to see the determination of these young people.


Words: heartfelt
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] showing strong feelings that are sincere:\na heartfelt apology / plea / sigh * heartfelt sympathy / thanks


Words: hearth
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  the floor at the bottom of a FIREPLACE (= the space for a fire in the wall of a room); the area in front of this:\nA log fire roared in the open hearth. * The cat dozed in its favourite spot on the hearth.\n \n  2  (literary) home and family life:\na longing for hearth and home


Words: heartily
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  with obvious enjoyment and enthusiasm:\nto laugh / sing / eat heartily\n  2  in a way that shows that you feel strongly about sth:\nI heartily agree with her on this. * The school heartily approves of parental involvement. * His latest book is heartily recommended to all those who enjoy historical mysteries.\n  3  (written) extremely:\nheartily glad / relieved


Words: heartland
Meaning:
noun (also heartlands [pl.])\n  1  the central part of a country or an area:\nthe great Russian heartlands\n  2  an area that is important for a particular activity or political party:\nthe industrial heartland of Germany * the traditional Tory heartland of Britain’s boardrooms


Words: heartless
Meaning:
adjective\nfeeling no pity for other people:\nThe decision does seem a little heartless. * What a heartless thing to say! * Police were quick to condemn this heartless theft.\n    heartlessly adverb\n    heartlessness noun [U]


Words: heartstrings
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] strong feelings of love or pity:\nto tug / pull at sb’s heartstrings (= to cause such feelings in sb)


Words: hearty
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (heartier, heartiest)\n  1  [usually before noun] showing friendly feelings for sb:\na hearty greeting / reception / welcome\n  2  (sometimes disapproving) loud, cheerful and full of energy:\na hearty and boisterous fellow * a hearty voice / handshake * Her laugh was far too hearty to be genuine.\n  3  [only before noun] (of a meal or sb’s APPETITE) large; making you feel full:\na hearty breakfast * to have a hearty appetite\n  4  [usually before noun] showing that you feel strongly about sth:\nHe nodded his head in hearty agreement. * Hearty congratulations to everyone involved. * a hearty dislike of sth\n IDIOMS  see HALE\n    heartiness noun [U] \n    noun (plural hearties) (BrE, sometimes disapproving) a person who is loud, cheerful and full of energy, especially one who plays a lot of sport


Words: heat
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  being hot / temperature\n  1  [U, sing.] the quality of being hot:\nHe could feel the heat of the sun on his back. * Heat rises. * The fire gave out a fierce heat.\nsee also WHITE HEAT\n  2  [U, C, usually sing.] the level of temperature:\nto increase / reduce the heat * Test the heat of the water before getting in. * Set the oven to a low / high / moderate heat.\nsee also BLOOD HEAT\n  3  [U] hot weather; the hot conditions in a building/vehicle, etc:\nYou should not go out in the heat of the day (= at the hottest time). * to suffer from the heat * the afternoon / midday heat * The heat in the factory was unbearable.\n  for cooking\n  4  [U] a source of heat, especially one that you cook food on:\nReturn the pan to the heat and stir. * Simmer the soup for 10 minutes then remove from the heat.\n  in building / room\n  5  [U] (especially AmE) = HEATING:\nThe heat wasn’t on and the house was freezing.\n  strong feelings\n  6  [U] strong feelings, especially of anger or excitement:\n’No, I won’t,’ he said with heat in his voice. * The chairman tried to take the heat out of the situation (= to make people calmer). * In the heat of the moment she forgot what she wanted to say (= because she was so angry or excited). * In the heat of the argument he said a lot of things he regretted later.\n  pressure\n  7  [U] pressure on sb to do or achieve sth:\nThe heat is on now that the election is only a week away. * Leeds United turned up the heat on their opponents with a second goal. * Can she take the heat of this level of competition?\n  race\n  8  [C] one of a series of races or competitions, the winners of which then compete against each other in the next part of the competition:\na qualifying heat * She won her heat. * He did well in the heats; hopefully he’ll do as well in the final.\nsee also DEAD HEAT\n IDIOMS \n  if you can’t stand the heat (get out of the kitchen) (informal) used to tell sb to stop trying to do sth if they find it too difficult, especially in order to suggest that they are less able than other people\n  be on heat (BrE) (AmE be in heat) (of a female mammal) to be in a sexual condition ready for MATING\n    verb to make sth hot or warm; to become hot or warm:\n[VN] Heat the oil and add the onions. * The system produced enough energy to heat several thousand homes. [also V] \n PHRASAL VERBS \n  heat up\n1 to become hot or warm:\nThe oven takes a while to heat up.\n2 (especially AmE) = HOT UP:\nThe election contest is heating up.\n  heat sth<->up to make sth hot or warm:\nJust heat up the food in the microwave.


Words: heat-seeking
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a weapon) that moves towards the heat coming from the aircraft, etc. that it is intended to hit and destroy:\nheat-seeking missiles


Words: heated
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a person or discussion) full of anger and excitement:\na heated argument / debate * She became very heated.\n  2  (of a room, building, etc.) made warmer using a heater:\na heated swimming pool\nOPP UNHEATED\n    heatedly adverb:\n’You had no right!’ she said heatedly.


Words: heater
Meaning:
noun\na machine used for making air or water warmer:\na gas heater * a water heater\nsee also IMMERSION HEATER, STORAGE HEATER


Words: heath
Meaning:
noun\na large area of open land that is not used for farming and is covered with rough grass and other small wild plants


Words: Heath Robinson
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE Rube Goldberg) adjective\n[only before noun] (humorous) (of machines and devices) having a very complicated design, especially when used to perform a very simple task; not practical:\na Heath Robinson contraption


Words: heathen
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (old-fashioned, offensive)\n  1  used by people who have a strong religious belief as a way of referring to a person who has no religion or who believes in a religion that is not one of the world’s main religions\n  2  used to refer to a person who shows lack of education\n    adjective (old-fashioned, offensive) connected with heathens:\nheathen gods * He set out to convert the heathen (= people who are heathens).


Words: heather
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a low wild plant with small purple, pink or white flowers, that grows on hills and areas of wild open land (= MOORLAND)


Words: heating
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (especially BrE) (also heat especially in AmE) the process of supplying heat to a room or building; a system used to do this:\nWho turned the heating off? * What type of heating do you have? * a gas heating system * heating bills\nsee also CENTRAL HEATING


Words: heatstroke
Meaning:
noun\n[U] an illness with fever and often loss of consciousness, caused by being in too great a heat for too long


Words: heave
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [+adv./prep.] to lift, pull or throw sb/sth very heavy with one great effort:\n[VN] I managed to heave the trunk down the stairs. * They heaved the body overboard. * He heaved himself out of his armchair. * [V] We all heaved on the rope. * Heave away lads!\n  2  [V] ~ (with sth) to rise up and down with strong, regular movements:\nThe boat heaved beneath them. * Her shoulders heaved with laughter.\n  3  [VN] ~ a sigh, etc. to make a sound slowly and often with effort:\nWe all heaved a sigh of relief. * She heaved a long sigh.\n  4  [V] to experience the tight feeling in your stomach that you get before you VOMIT:\nThe thought of it makes me heave. * His stomach heaved.\n IDIOMS \n  heave into sight / view\n HELP NOTE  Hove is usually used for the past tense and past participle in this idiom. (written) (especially of ships) to appear, especially when moving gradually closer from a long way off:\nA ship hove into sight. * Like a galleon in full sail, Cara hove into view.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  heave to\n HELP NOTE  Hove is usually used for the past tense and past participle in this phrasal verb. (technical) if a ship or its CREW (= the people sailing it) heave to, the ship stops moving\n    noun [C, U]\n  1  an act of lifting, pulling or throwing:\nWith a mighty heave he lifted the sack onto the truck.\n  2  (especially literary) a rising and falling movement:\nthe steady heave of the sea


Words: heave-ho
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.]\n IDIOMS \n  give sb the (old) heave-ho (informal) to dismiss sb from their job; to end a relationship with sb


Words: heaven
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also Heaven) [U] (in some religions) the place believed to be the home of God where good people go when they die:\nthe kingdom of heaven * I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.\n  2  [U, C] (informal) a place or situation in which you are very happy:\nThis isn’t exactly my idea of heaven! * It was heaven being away from the phone for a week. * The island is truly a heaven on earth. * It was very kind of you to let us come. Miranda was in heaven.\n  3  (Heaven) [U] (formal) God:\nIt was the will of Heaven.\n  4  (the heavens) [pl.] (literary) the sky:\nFour tall trees stretched up to the heavens.\n IDIOMS \n  (Good) Heavens! | Heavens above! (spoken) used to show that you are surprised or annoyed:\nGood heavens, what are you doing?\n  the heavens opened it began to rain heavily\nmore at FORBID, GOD, HELP v., HIGH adj., KNOW v., MOVE v., NAME n., SEVENTH, THANK


Words: heaven-sent
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] happening unexpectedly and at exactly the right time:\na heaven-sent opportunity


Words: heavenly
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] connected with heaven:\nour heavenly Father (= God) * the heavenly kingdom\n  2  [only before noun] connected with the sky:\nheavenly bodies (= the sun, moon, stars and planets)\n  3  (informal) very pleasant:\na heavenly morning / feeling * This place is heavenly.


Words: heavenward
Meaning:
(also heavenwards) adverb\n(literary) towards heaven or the sky:\nto cast / raise your eyes heavenward (= to show you are annoyed or impatient)


Words: heaving
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] ~ (with sb/sth) full of sb/sth:\nThe place was heaving with journalists.


Words: heavy
Meaning:
adjective, noun, adverb \n    adjective (heavier, heaviest)\n  weighing a lot\n  1  weighing a lot; difficult to lift or move:\nShe was struggling with a heavy suitcase. * My brother is much heavier than me. * He tried to push the heavy door open. * How heavy is it (= how much does it weigh)? * (figurative) Her father carried a heavy burden of responsibility.\nOPP LIGHT\n  worse than usual\n  2  more or worse than usual in amount, degree, etc:\nthe noise of heavy traffic * heavy frost / rain / snow * the effects of heavy drinking * There was heavy fighting in the capital last night. * The penalty for speeding can be a heavy fine. * She spoke with heavy irony.\nOPP LIGHT\n  not delicate\n  3  (of sb/sth’s appearance or structure) large and solid; not delicate:\nbig, dark rooms full of heavy furniture * He was tall and strong, with heavy features.\nOPP LIGHT\n  material\n  4  (of the material or substance that sth is made of) thick:\nheavy curtains * a heavy coat\nOPP LIGHT\n  full of sth\n  5  ~ with sth (literary) full of or loaded with sth:\ntrees heavy with apples * The air was heavy with the scent of flowers. * His voice was heavy with sarcasm. * She was heavy with child (= pregnant).\n  machines\n  6  [usually before noun] (of machines, vehicles or weapons) large and powerful:\na wide range of engines and heavy machinery * heavy lorries / trucks * heavy goods vehicles\n  busy\n  7  [usually before noun] involving a lot of work or activity; very busy:\na heavy schedule * She’d had a heavy day.\n  work\n  8  hard, especially because it requires a lot of physical strength:\nheavy digging / lifting\n  fall / hit\n  9  falling or hitting sth with a lot of force:\na heavy fall / blow\n  meal / food\n  10  large in amount or very solid:\na heavy lunch / dinner * a heavy cake * Avoid heavy foods that are difficult to digest.\nOPP LIGHT\n  using a lot\n  11  ~ on sth (informal) using a lot of sth:\nOlder cars are heavy on gas. * Don’t go so heavy on the garlic.\n  drinker / smoker / sleeper\n  12  [only before noun] (of a person) doing the thing mentioned more, or more deeply, than usual:\na heavy drinker / eater / smoker * a heavy breather / sleeper\n  sound\n  13  (of a sound that sb makes) loud and deep:\nheavy breathing / snoring * a heavy groan / sigh\n  serious / difficult\n  14  (usually disapproving) (of a book, programme, style, etc.) serious; difficult to understand or enjoy:\nWe found the play very heavy. * The discussion got a little heavy.\n  sea / ocean\n  15  dangerous because of big waves, etc:\nstrong winds and heavy seas\n  air / weather\n  16  hot and lacking fresh air, in a way that is unpleasant:\nIt’s very heavy-I think there’ll be a storm.\n  soil\n  17  wet, sticky and difficult to dig or to move over\n  strict\n  18  (of a person) very strict and harsh:\nDon’t be so heavy on her-it wasn’t her fault.\n    heavily adverb:\na heavily loaded van * to drink heavily * to be heavily taxed * to rely heavily on sb/sth * He fell heavily. * It was raining heavily.\n    heaviness noun [U] \n IDIOMS \n  get heavy (informal) to become very serious, because strong feelings are involved:\nThey started shouting at me. It got very heavy. * Then he got heavy and tried to kiss me.\n  heavy going used to describe sb/sth that is difficult to deal with or understand:\nShe’s a bit heavy going. * I found the course rather heavy going.\n  heavy hand a way of doing sth or of treating people that is much stronger and less sensitive than it needs to be:\nthe heavy hand of management\n  a heavy heart a feeling of great sadness:\nShe left her children behind with a heavy heart.\n  the heavy mob / brigade (BrE, informal) a group of strong, often violent people employed to do sth such as protect sb\n  a heavy silence / atmosphere a situation when people do not say anything, but feel embarrassed or uncomfortable\n  make heavy weather of sth to seem to find sth more difficult or complicated than it needs to be:\nPeople in this country make such heavy weather of learning languages.\nmore at CROSS n., TOLL n.\n    noun (plural heavies)\n  1  [C] (informal) a large strong man whose job is to protect a person or place, often using violence\n  2  [U] (ScotE) strong beer, especially BITTER:\na pint of heavy\n    adverb\n IDIOMS \n  hang / lie heavy\n1 ~ (on / in sth) (of a feeling or sth in the air) to be very noticeable in a particular place in a way that is unpleasant:\nSmoke lay heavy on the far side of the water. * Despair hangs heavy in the stifling air.\n2 ~ on sb/sth to cause sb/sth to feel uncomfortable or anxious:\nThe crime lay heavy on her conscience.


Words: heavy breather
Meaning:
noun\na person who gets sexual pleasure from calling sb on the telephone and not speaking to them\n    heavy breathing noun [U]


Words: heavy industry
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] industry that uses large machinery to produce metal, coal, vehicles, etc.\ncompare LIGHT INDUSTRY


Words: heavy metal
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a type of ROCK MUSIC (= loud modern music) with a very strong beat played very loud on electric guitars and often with words that are shouted loudly\n  2  [C] (technical) a metal that has a very high DENSITY (= the relation of its weight to its volume), such as gold or LEAD


Words: heavy-duty
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] not easily damaged and therefore suitable for hard physical work or to be used all the time:\na heavy-duty carpet / tyre * heavy-duty plastic


Words: heavy-handed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not showing a sympathetic understanding of the feelings of other people:\na heavy-handed approach / manner\n  2  using unnecessary force:\nheavy-handed police methods\n  3  (of a person) using too much of sth in a way that can cause damage:\nDon’t be too heavy-handed with the salt.


Words: heavyweight
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a boxer of the heaviest class, weighing 79.5 kilograms or more:\na heavyweight champion\n  2  a person or thing that weighs more than is usual\n  3  a very important person, organization or thing that influences others:\na political heavyweight * a heavyweight journal


Words: Hebrew
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a member of an ancient race of people living in what is now Israel and Palestine. Their writings and traditions form the basis of the Jewish religion.\n  2  the language traditionally used by the Hebrew people\n  3  a modern form of the Hebrew language which is the official language of modern Israel\ncompare YIDDISH\n    Hebrew adjective


Words: heck
Meaning:
exclamation, noun\n(informal) used to show that you are slightly annoyed or surprised:\nOh heck, I’m going to be late! * Heck! You’re here early! * We had to wait a heck of a long time! * Who the heck are you?\n IDIOMS \n  for the heck of it (informal) just for pleasure rather than for a reason\n  what the heck! (informal) used to say that you are going to do sth that you know you should not do:\nIt means I’ll be late for work but what the heck!


Words: heckle
Meaning:
verb\nto interrupt a speaker at a public meeting by shouting out questions or rude remarks\nSYN BARRACK:\n[VN] He was booed and heckled throughout his speech. [also V]\n    heckler  noun\n    heckling noun [U]


Words: hectare
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation ha) a unit for measuring an area of land; 10 000 square metres or about 2.5 ACRES


Words: hectic
Meaning:
adjective\nvery busy; full of activity:\nto lead a hectic life * a hectic schedule * hectic last-minute preparations * Today was too hectic for me.


Words: hector
Meaning:
verb\n[VN, V speech] (written) to try to make sb do sth by talking or behaving in an aggressive way\nSYN BULLY\n    hectoring adjective:\na hectoring tone of voice


Words: hedge
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a row of bushes or small trees planted close together, usually along the edge of a field, garden/yard or road:\na privet hedge\n \n  2  ~ against sth a way of protecting yourself against the loss of sth, especially money:\nto buy gold as a hedge against inflation\n    verb\n  1  [V] to avoid giving a direct answer to a question or promising to support a particular idea, etc:\nJust answer ’yes’ or ’no’-and stop hedging.\n  2  [VN] to put a hedge around a field, etc.\n  3  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sb/sth (about / around) (with sth) (formal) to surround or limit sb/sth:\nHis religious belief was always hedged with doubt. * Their offer was hedged around with all sorts of conditions.\n IDIOMS \n  hedge your bets to reduce the risk of losing or making a mistake by supporting more than one side in a competition, an argument, etc., or by having several choices available to you:\nShe hedged her bets by applying for various other jobs as well.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hedge against sth to do sth to protect yourself against problems, especially against losing money:\na way of hedging against currency risks\n  hedge sb/sth<->in to surround sb/sth with sth\nSYN HEM SB/STH IN:\nThe cathedral is now hedged in by other buildings. * (figurative) Married life made him feel hedged in and restless.


Words: hedgehog
Meaning:
noun\na small brown European animal with stiff parts like needles, (called SPINES), covering its back. Hedgehogs are NOCTURNAL (= active mostly at night) and can roll into a ball to defend themselves when they are attacked.


Words: hedonism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the belief that pleasure is the most important thing in life\n    hedonistic  adjective:\nthe hedonistic philosophy of ’eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die!’


Words: heed
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] to pay careful attention to sb’s advice or warning:\nThey failed to heed the lessons of history. * If only they had heeded his warnings! * Calls for more legislation to protect tenants were not heeded.\n    noun [U]\n IDIOMS \n  give / pay heed (to sb/sth) | take heed (of sb/sth) (formal) to pay careful attention to sb/sth:\nThey gave little heed to the rumours. * I paid no heed at the time but later I had cause to remember what he’d said. * Small businesses would be wise to take heed of the warnings contained in the Chancellor’s speech.


Words: heedless
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] ~ (of sb/sth) (formal) not paying careful attention to sb/sth:\nheedless bravery\n    heedlessly adverb


Words: heel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  part of foot\n \n  1  [C] the back part of the foot below the ankle\n \n  part of sock / shoe\n \n  2  [C] the part of a sock, etc. that covers the heel\n \n  3  [C] the raised part on the bottom of a shoe, boot, etc. that makes the shoe, etc. higher at the back:\nshoes with a low / high heel * a stiletto heel * The sergeant clicked his heels and walked out.\ncompare SOLE n. (2)\n \n  -heeled\n  4  (in adjectives) having the type of heel mentioned:\nhigh-heeled shoes\nsee also WELL HEELED\n  shoes\n  5  (heels) [pl.] a pair of women’s shoes that have high heels:\nShe doesn’t often wear heels.\n  part of hand\n  6  [C] ~ of your hand / palm the raised part of the inside of the hand where it joins the wrist\n  unpleasant man\n  7  [C] (old-fashioned, informal) a man who is unpleasant to other people and cannot be trusted\nsee also ACHILLES’HEEL, DOWN AT HEEL\n IDIOMS \n  at / on sb’s heels following closely behind sb:\nHe fled from the stadium with the police at his heels.\n  bring sb/sth to heel\n1 to force sb to obey you and accept discipline:\na non-violent means of bringing the rebels to heel\n2 to make a dog come close to you\n  come to heel\n1 (of a person) to agree to obey sb and accept their discipline\n2 (of a dog) to come close to the person who has called it\n  (hard / hot) on sb’s / sth’s heels very close behind sb/sth; very soon after sth:\nNews of rising unemployment followed hard on the heels of falling export figures. * He ran ahead, with the others hot on his heels\n  take to your heels to run away from sb/sth\n  turn / spin on your heel to turn around suddenly so that you are facing in the opposite direction\n  under the heel of sb (literary) completely controlled by sb:\nThe island spent several centuries under the heel of the British Empire.\nmore at COOL v., DIG v., DRAG v., HEAD n., KICK v., TREAD v.\n    verb\n  repair shoe\n  1  [VN] to repair the heel of a shoe, etc.\n  of boat\n  2  [V] ~ (over) to lean over to one side:\nThe boat heeled over in the strong wind.


Words: hefty
Meaning:
adjective (heftier, heftiest)\n  1  (of a person or an object) big and heavy:\nHer brothers were both hefty men in their forties.\n  2  (of an amount of money) large; larger than usual or expected:\nThey sold it easily and made a hefty profit. * Interest rates have gone up to a hefty 12%.\n  3  using a lot of force:\nHe gave the door a hefty kick.\n    heftily adverb


Words: hegemony
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (plural hegemonies) (formal) control by one country, organization, etc. over other countries, etc. within a particular group:\nthe country’s continuing desire for political and military hegemony * the long-time hegemony of French cuisine\n    hegemonic  adjective:\nhegemonic power / control


Words: height
Meaning:
noun\n \n  measurement\n \n  1  [U, C] the measurement of how tall a person or thing is:\nHeight: 210 mm. Width: 57 mm. Length: 170 mm. * Please state your height and weight. * It is almost 2 metres in height. * She is the same height as her sister. * to be of medium / average height * You can adjust the height of the chair. * The table is available in several different heights.\n \n  being tall\n \n  2  [U] the quality of being tall or high:\nShe worries about her height (= that she is too tall). * The height of the mountain did not discourage them.\n \n  distance above ground\n  3  [C, U] a particular distance above the ground:\nThe plane flew at a height of 3 000 metres. * The aircraft was gaining height. * to be at shoulder / chest / waist height * The stone was dropped from a great height.\n  high place\n  4  [C, usually pl.] (often used in names) a high place or position:\nBrooklyn Heights * He doesn’t have a head for heights (= is afraid of high places). * a fear of heights * We looked out over the city from the heights of Edinburgh Castle. * The pattern of the ancient fields is clearly visible from a height.\n  strongest point / level\n  5  [sing.] the point when sth is at its best or strongest:\nHe is at the height of his career. * She is still at the height of her powers. * I wouldn’t go there in the height of summer. * The fire reached its height around 2 a.m. * The housing market was at its height in the eighties.\n  6  (heights) [pl.] a better or greater level of sth; a situation where sth is very good:\nTheir success had reached new heights. * She dreamed of reaching the dizzy heights of stardom. * He didn’t know it was possible to reach such heights of happiness.\n  extreme example\n  7  [sing.] ~ of sth an extreme example of a particular quality:\nIt would be the height of folly (= very stupid) to change course now. * She was dressed in the height of fashion.\n IDIOMS \n  draw yourself up / rise to your full height to stand straight and tall in order to show your determination or high status\nmore at DIZZY


Words: heighten
Meaning:
verb\nif a feeling or an effect heightens, or sth heightens it, it becomes stronger or increases\nSYN INTENSIFY:\n[V] Tension has heightened after the recent bomb attack. * [VN] The campaign is intended to heighten public awareness of the disease. * His breakdown was followed by a period of heightened activity. * Fears of further racial conflict were heightened by news of the riots. * The drug is said to give users a heightened sense of well-being.


Words: heinous
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (formal) morally very bad:\na heinous crime\n    heinousness noun [U]


Words: heir
Meaning:
noun ~ (to sth) | ~ (of sb)\n  1  a person who has the legal right to receive sb’s property, money or title when that person dies:\nto be heir to a large fortune * the heir to the throne (= the person who will be the next king or queen) * the son and heir of the Earl of Lancaster\n  2  a person who is thought to continue the work or a tradition started by sb else:\nthe president’s political heirs\n HELP NOTE  Use an, not a, before heir.


Words: heir apparent
Meaning:
noun (plural heirs apparent) ~ (to sth)\n  1  an HEIR whose legal right to receive sb’s property, money or title cannot be taken away because it is impossible for sb with a stronger claim to be born\n  2  a person who is expected to take the job of sb when that person leaves


Words: heir presumptive
Meaning:
noun\n(plural heirs presumptive) an HEIR who may lose his or her legal right to receive sb’s property, money or title if sb with a stronger claim is born


Words: heiress
Meaning:
noun\n~ (to sth) a female heir, especially one who has received or will receive a large amount of money\n HELP NOTE  Use an, not a, before heiress.


Words: heirloom
Meaning:
noun\na valuable object that has belonged to the same family for many years:\na family heirloom\n HELP NOTE  Use an, not a, before heirloom.


Words: heist
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (informal, especially AmE) an act of stealing sth valuable from a shop/store or bank:\na bank heist\n    verb [VN] (especially AmE) to steal sth valuable from a shop/store or bank


Words: helicopter
Meaning:
(also informal copter, chopper) noun\nan aircraft without wings that has large blades on top that go round. It can fly straight up from the ground and can also stay in one position in the air:\nHe was rushed to the hospital by helicopter. * a police helicopter * a helicopter pilot


Words: heliotrope
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a garden plant with pale purple flowers with a sweet smell\n  2  [U] a pale purple colour


Words: helium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol He) a chemical element. Helium is a very light colourless gas that does not burn, often used to fill BALLOONS and to freeze food.


Words: hell
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing.] (usually Hell) (used without a or the) in some religions, the place believed to be the home of devils and where bad people go after death\n  2  [U, sing.] a very unpleasant experience or situation in which people suffer very much:\nThe last three months have been hell. * He went through hell during the trial. * Her parents made her life hell. * Being totally alone is my idea of hell on earth.\n  3  a swear word that some people use when they are annoyed or surprised or to emphasize sth. Its use is offensive to some people:\nOh hell, I’ve burned the pan. * What the hell do you think you are doing? * Go to hell! * I can’t really afford it, but, what the hell (= it doesn’t matter), I’ll get it anyway. * He’s as guilty as hell. * (AmE) ’Do you understand?’ ’Hell, no. I don’t.’\n IDIOMS \n  all hell broke loose (informal) suddenly there was a lot of noise, arguing, fighting or confusion:\nThere was a loud bang and then all hell broke loose.\n  beat / kick (the) hell out of sb/sth | knock hell out of sb/sth (informal) to hit sb/sth very hard:\nHe was a dirty player and loved to kick hell out of the opposition.\n  (just) for the hell of it (informal) just for fun; for no real reason:\nThey stole the car just for the hell of it.\n  from hell (informal) used to describe a very unpleasant person or thing; the worst that you can imagine:\nThey are the neighbours from hell.\n  get the hell out (of ...) (spoken) to leave a place very quickly:\nLet’s get the hell out of here.\n  give sb hell (informal)\n1 to make life unpleasant for sb:\nHe used to give his mother hell when he was a teenager. * My new shoes are giving me hell (= are hurting me).\n2 to shout at or speak angrily to sb:\nDad will give us hell when he sees that mess.\n  go to hell in a handbasket (AmE, informal) = go to the dogs at DOG n.\n  hell for leather (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) as quickly as possible:\nto ride hell for leather\n  hell hath no fury (like a woman scorned) (BrE) used to refer to sb, usually a woman, who has reacted very angrily to sth, especially the fact that her husband or lover has been UNFAITHFUL\n  (come) hell or high water in spite of any difficulties:\nI was determined to go, come hell or high water.\n  Hell’s teeth (old-fashioned, BrE, spoken) used to express anger or surprise:\nHell’s teeth, I promised I’d be back by two.\n  like hell\n1 (informal) used for emphasis:\nShe worked like hell for her exams. * My broken finger hurt like hell.\n2 (spoken) used when you are refusing permission or saying that sth is not true:\n’I’m coming with you.’ ’Like hell you are’ (= you certainly are not).\n  a / one hell of a ... | a / one helluva  (spoken, slang) used to give emphasis to what a person is saying:\nThe firm was in a hell of a mess when he took over. * This holiday is going to cost a hell of a lot of money. * It must have been one hell of a party. * It’s taken him a hell of a long time to get here. * That’s one helluva big house you’ve got.\n  play (merry) hell with sth/sb (BrE, informal) to affect sth badly:\nDriving on these rough roads has played hell with my tyres.\n  scare, annoy, etc. the hell out of sb (informal) to scare, annoy, etc. sb very much\n  to hell and back (informal) used to say that sb has been through a difficult situation:\nWe’d been to hell and back together and we were still good friends.\n  to hell with sb/sth (spoken) used to express anger or dislike and to say that you no longer care about sb/sth and will take no notice of them:\n’To hell with him,’ she thought, ’I’m leaving.’\nmore at BAT n., CAT, CATCH v., HOPE n., PAY v., RAISE v., SNOWBALL n.\n HELP NOTE  Some people find the use of the spoken idiom offensive.


Words: hell-bent
Meaning:
adjective\n~ on sth / on doing sth determined to do sth even though the results may be bad:\nHe seems hell-bent on drinking himself to death.


Words: hellish
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal, especially BrE) extremely unpleasant:\nHis school days were hellish. * We’ve had a hellish time lately.


Words: hello
Meaning:
(also hullo especially in BrE) (BrE also hallo)  exclamation, noun\n  1  used as a greeting when you meet sb, when you answer the telephone or when you want to attract sb’s attention:\nHello John, how are you? * Hello, is there anybody there? * Say hello to Liz for me. * They exchanged hellos (= said hello to each other) and forced smiles.\n  2  (BrE) used to show that you are surprised by sth:\nHello, hello, what’s going on here?\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \ngreetings\nHello is the most usual word and is used in all situations, including answering the telephone.\nHi is more informal and is now very common.\nHow are you? or How are you doing? (very informal) often follow Hello and Hi: ’Hello, Mark.’ ’Oh, hi, Kathy! How are you?’\nGood morning is often used by members of a family or people who work together when they see each other for the first time in the day. It can also be used in formal situations and on the telephone. In informal speech, people may just say Morning.\nGood afternoon and Good evening are much less common. Good night is not used to greet somebody, but only to say goodbye late in the evening or when you are going to bed.\nIf you are meeting someone for the first time, you can say Pleased to meet you or Nice to meet you (less formal). Some people use How do you do? in formal situations. The correct reply to this is How do you do?\n______________________________


Words: helm
Meaning:
noun\na handle or wheel used for steering a boat or ship\ncompare TILLER\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  at the helm\n1 in charge of an organization, project, etc.\n2 steering a boat or ship\n \n  take the helm\n1 to take charge of an organization, project, etc.\n2 to begin steering a boat or ship


Words: helmet
Meaning:
noun\na type of hard hat that protects the head, worn, for example, by a police officer, a soldier or a person playing some sports\nsee also CRASH HELMET


Words: help
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  make easier / better\n  1  ~ (sb) (with sth) | ~ (sb) (in doing sth) to make it easier or possible for sb to do sth by doing sth for them or by giving them sth that they need:\n[V] Help, I’m stuck! * He always helps with the housework. * I need contacts that could help in finding a job. * [VN] We must all try and help each other. * Jo will help us with some of the organization. * [VN to inf] The college’s aim is to help students (to) achieve their aspirations. * This charity aims to help people (to) help themselves. * [VN inf] Come and help me lift this box. * [V to inf] She helped (to) organize the party.\n HELP NOTE  In verb patterns with a to infinitive, the ’to’ is often left out, especially in informal or spoken English.\n  2  to improve a situation; to make it easier for sth to happen:\n[V] It helped being able to talk about it. * The money raised will help towards (= partly provide) the cost of organizing the championships. * [VN] It doesn’t really help matters knowing that everyone is talking about us. * [V to inf] This should help (to) reduce the pain. * We need new measures to help (to) fight terrorism.\n  sb to move\n  3  [VN +adv./prep.] to help sb move by letting them lean on you, guiding them, etc:\nShe helped him to his feet. * We were helped ashore by local people.\n  give food / drink\n  4  [VN] ~ yourself / sb (to sth) to give yourself/sb food, drinks, etc:\nIf you want another drink, just help yourself. * Can I help you to some more salad?\n  steal\n  5  [VN] ~ yourself to sth (informal, disapproving) to take sth without permission\nSYN STEAL:\nHe’d been helping himself to the money in the cash register.\n IDIOMS \n  sb can (not) help (doing) sth | sb can not help but do sth used to say that it is impossible to prevent or avoid sth:\nI can’t help thinking he knows more than he has told us. * He can’t help being ugly. * She couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking. * It couldn’t be helped (= there was no way of avoiding it and we must accept it). * He never does more work than he can help (= he does as little as possible). * I always end up having an argument with her, I don’t know why, I just can’t help it. * I couldn’t help it if the bus was late (= it wasn’t my fault). * She burst out laughing-she couldn’t help herself (= couldn’t stop herself). * She won’t be invited again, not if I can help it (= if I can do anything to prevent it).\n  give / lend a helping hand to help sb\n  God / Heaven help sb (spoken) used to say that you are afraid sb will be in danger or that sth bad will happen to them:\nGod help us if this doesn’t work.\n HELP NOTE  Some people find this use offensive.\n  so help me (God) used to swear that what you are saying is true, especially in a court of law\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  help sb off / on with sth to help sb put on/take off a piece of clothing:\nLet me help you off with your coat.\n  help out | help sb<->out to help sb, especially in a difficult situation:\nHe’s always willing to help out. * When I bought the house, my sister helped me out with a loan.\n    noun\n  making easier / better\n  1  [U] ~ (with sth) the act of helping sb to do sth:\nThank you for all your help. * Do you need any help with that? * Can I be of any help to you? * None of this would have been possible without their help. * She stopped smoking with the help of her family and friends. * They have at last decided to enlist the help of experts. * The offer of help came too late. * The college will no longer have to close, thanks to the help of private investment.\n  advice / money\n  2  [U] ~ (with sth) advice, money, etc. that is given to sb in order to solve their problems:\nto seek financial / legal / medical help * The organization offers practical help in dealing with paperwork. * You should qualify for help with the costs of running a car. * a help key / screen (= a function on a computer that provides information on how to use the computer)\n  being useful\n  3  [U] the fact of being useful:\nThe map wasn’t much help. * With the help of a ladder, neighbours were able to rescue the children from the blaze. * Was the information I gave you any help? * The course they sent me on was of no help whatsoever! * Just shouting at him isn’t going to be a lot of help.\n  for sb in danger\n  4  [U] the act of helping sb who is in danger:\nQuick, get help! * She screamed for help.\n  person / thing\n  5  [sing.] a ~ (to sb) a person or thing that helps sb:\nShe was more of a hindrance than a help. * Your advice was a big help. * (ironic) You’re a great help, I must say!\n  cleaner\n  6  [C] (old-fashioned) a person who is employed by sb to clean their house, etc:\nThe help hasn’t come this morning.\nsee also HOME HELP\n IDIOMS \n  there is no help for it (especially BrE) it is not possible to avoid doing sth that may harm sb in some way:\nThere’s no help for it. We shall have to call the police.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nhelp / aid / assist / attend be present / participate help / aid / assist / attend\nHelp, aid and assist have similar meanings. Help is much more common than the other two: How can I help you? * Could you help me move this table? * She’s been helping Rick with his homework.\nAid is used in formal writing: Three men have been charged with aiding his escape. It is also often used in the context of giving money: The project has been greatly aided by the generosity of local businesses.\nAssist is used more in written or formal contexts. It often suggests that someone is doing some of the simpler parts of the job to make it easier for the person who is doing the more difficult things: She had to be assisted off the plane. * The successful applicant will assist the publicity manager.\nDo not use assist to mean ’attend’ or ’go to’: I want to attend / go to your school next July. * I want to assist to / at / your school next July. We assisted at the concert last Saturday means ’We helped to organize the concert.’ Use: We went to the concert last Saturday.\nattend / be present / participate\nThese words are all formal and are not often used in conversation.\nIf you attend a concert, you go to it. If you attend a school or class, you regularly go there.\nIf you are present at an event, you are there when it happens: The manager was not present at the meeting.\nTo participate in an event means to take an active part in it, not just to be there: I hope everyone will participate in this discussion.\n______________________________


Words: help desk
Meaning:
noun\na service, usually in a business company, that gives people information and help, especially if they are having problems with a computer


Words: helpful
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (for sb) (to do sth) | ~ (in doing sth) | ~ (to sb) useful and able to improve a particular situation:\nhelpful advice / information / suggestions * Sorry I can’t be more helpful. * It would be helpful for me to see the damage for myself. * You may find it helpful to read this before making any decisions. * Role-play is helpful in developing communication skills. * The booklet should be very helpful to parents of disabled children.\n  2  (of a person) willing to help sb:\nI called the police but they weren’t very helpful. * The staff couldn’t have been more helpful. * She’s one of the most helpful people I know.\nOPP UNHELPFUL\n    helpfully  adverb:\nShe helpfully suggested that I try the local library.\n    helpfulness noun [U]


Words: helping
Meaning:
noun\n~ (of sth) an amount of food given to sb at a meal:\na small / generous helping * We all had a second helping of pie.


Words: helpless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  unable to take care of yourself or do things without the help of other people:\nthe helpless victims of war * a helpless gesture / look * He lay helpless on the floor. * It’s natural to feel helpless against such abuse. * The worst part is being helpless to change anything.\n  2  ~ (with sth) unable to control a strong feeling:\nhelpless panic / rage * The audience was helpless with laughter.\n    helplessly adverb:\nThey watched helplessly as their home went up in flames.\n    helplessness noun [U]:\na feeling / sense of helplessness


Words: helpline
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a telephone service that provides advice and information about particular problems:\nto set up / run a helpline * an Aids helpline


Words: helter-skelter
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n (BrE) a tall tower at a FAIRGROUND that has a path twisting around the outside of it from the top to the bottom for people to slide down\n    adjective [only before noun] done in a hurry and in a way that lacks organization:\na helter-skelter dash to meet the deadline\n    helter-skelter adverb:\nPeople ran helter-skelter. There were bodies on the ground and the injured were crying.


Words: hem
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun the edge of a piece of fabric that has been folded over and sewn, especially on a piece of clothing:\nto take up the hem of a dress (= to make the dress shorter)\n    verb (-mm-) [VN] to make a hem on sth:\nto hem a skirt\n IDIOMS \n  hem and haw (AmE) = HUM AND HAW\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hem sb/sth<->in to surround sb/sth so that they cannot move or grow easily\nSYN HEDGE SB/STH IN:\nThe village is hemmed in on all sides by mountains. * (figurative) She felt hemmed in by all their petty rules and regulations.


Words: hemisphere
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  one half of the earth, especially the half above or below the EQUATOR:\nthe northern / southern hemisphere\n \n  2  (anatomy) either half of the brain:\nthe left / right cerebral hemisphere\n \n  3  one half of a SPHERE (= a round solid object)


Words: hemline
Meaning:
noun\nthe bottom edge of a dress or skirt; the length of a dress or skirt:\nShorter hemlines are back in this season. * School rules state that hemlines must be below the knee.


Words: hemlock
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] a poisonous plant with a mass of small white flowers growing at the end of a stem that is covered in spots\n  2  [U] poison made from hemlock


Words: hen
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a female chicken, often kept for its eggs or meat:\na small flock of laying hens * battery hens\n \n  2  (especially in compounds) any female bird:\na hen pheasant\ncompare COCK\nsee also MOORHEN


Words: hen party
Meaning:
(also hen night) noun\n(BrE, informal) a party for women only, especially one held for a woman who will soon get married\ncompare STAG NIGHT


Words: hence
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal) for this reason:\nWe suspect they are trying to hide something, hence the need for an independent inquiry.\n IDIOMS \n  six days, weeks, etc. hence (formal) six days, etc. from now:\nThe true consequences will only be known several years hence.


Words: henceforth
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal) starting from a particular time and at all times in the future:\nFriday 31 July 1925 henceforth became known as ’Red Friday’. * Henceforth, all staff will need to provide proof of identity before entering the building.


Words: henchman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural henchmen ) a faithful supporter of a powerful person, for example a political leader or criminal, who is prepared to use violence or become involved in illegal activities to help that person:\nhis ruthless henchmen


Words: henna
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a reddish-brown DYE (= a substance used to change the colour of sth), used especially on the hair and skin


Words: henpecked
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) a man who people say is henpecked has a wife who is always telling him what to do, and is too weak to disagree with her


Words: hepatitis
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a serious disease of the LIVER. There are three main forms: hepatitis A (the least serious, caused by infected food), hepatitis B and hepatitis C (both very serious and caused by infected blood).


Words: heptathlon
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] a sporting event, especially one for women, in which people compete in seven different sports\ncompare BIATHLON, DECATHLON, PENTATHLON, TRIATHLON


Words: her
Meaning:
pronoun, determiner \n    pronoun used as the object of a verb or after a preposition to refer to a woman or girl who has already been mentioned or is easily identified:\nWe’re going to call her Sophie. * Please give her my regards. * The manager will be free soon-you can wait for her here. * That must be her now.\ncompare SHE\n    determiner (the possessive form of she) of or belonging to a woman or girl who has already been mentioned or is easily identified:\nMeg loves her job. * She broke her leg skiing.\nsee also HERS


Words: herald
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] (written)\n  1  to be a sign that sth is going to happen:\nThese talks could herald a new era of peace * She felt a dull ache in her right temple, heralding a migraine.\n  2  ~ sb/sth (as sth) [often passive] to say in public that sb/sth is good or important:\nThe report is being heralded as a blueprint for the future of transport.\n    noun\n  1  something that shows that sth else is going to happen soon:\nThe government claims that the fall in unemployment is the herald of economic recovery. * I think of primroses as the heralds of spring.\n  2  (in the past) a person who carried messages from a ruler


Words: herb
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a plant whose leaves, flowers or seeds are used to flavour food, in medicines or for their pleasant smell. PARSLEY, MINT and OREGANO are all herbs:\na herb garden * (AmE) an herb garden\n  2  (technical) a plant with a soft stem that dies down after flowering\n    herbal  adjective:\nherbal medicine / remedies * herbal tea


Words: herbaceous border
Meaning:
noun\na piece of ground in a garden/yard containing plants that produce flowers every year without being replaced


Words: herbicide
Meaning:
noun\na chemical that is poisonous to plants, used to kill plants that are growing where they are not wanted\nsee also INSECTICIDE, PESTICIDE


Words: herbivore
Meaning:
noun\nany animal that eats only plants\ncompare CARNIVORE, INSECTIVORE, OMNIVORE, VEGETARIAN\n    herbivorous  adjective:\nherbivorous dinosaurs


Words: Herculean
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] needing a lot of strength, determination or effort:\na Herculean task\n ORIGIN  From the Greek myth in which Hercules proved his courage and strength by completing twelve very difficult tasks (’the Labours of Hercules’).


Words: herd
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a group of animals of the same type that live and feed together:\na herd of cows / deer / elephants * a beef / dairy herd\ncompare FLOCK\n \n  2  (usually disapproving) a large group of people of the same type:\nShe pushed her way through a herd of lunchtime drinkers. * the common herd (= ordinary people) * If you feel so strongly, why follow the herd (= do and think the same as everyone else)?\n \n IDIOMS  see RIDE v.\n    verb\n  1  [+adv./prep.] to move or make sb/sth move in a particular direction:\n[V] We all herded on to the bus. * [VN] They were herded together into trucks and driven away.\n  2  [VN] to make animals move together as a group:\na shepherd herding his flock


Words: herd instinct
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the natural tendency in people or animals to behave or think like other people or animals


Words: here
Meaning:
adverb, exclamation \n    adverb\n  1  used after a verb or preposition to mean ’in, at or to this position or place’:\nI live here. * Put the box here. * Let’s get out of here. * Come over here.\n  2  now; at this point:\nThe countdown to Christmas starts here. * Here the speaker paused to have a drink.\n  3  (especially spoken) used when you are giving or showing sth to sb:\nHere’s the money I promised you. * Here’s a dish that is simple and quick to make. * Here is your opportunity. * Here comes the bus. * I can’t find my keys. Oh, here they are. * Here we are (= we’ve arrived).\n  4  ~ to do sth used to show your role in a situation:\nI’m here to help you.\n  5  (used after a noun, for emphasis):\nMy friend here saw it happen.\n IDIOMS \n  here and there in various places:\nPapers were scattered here and there on the floor.\n  here goes (spoken) used when you are telling people that you are just going to do sth exciting, dangerous, etc:\n’Here goes,’ said Grace and took a deep breath.\n  here’s to sb/sth used to wish sb health or success, as you lift a glass and drink a TOAST:\nHere’s to your future happiness!\n  here, there and everywhere in many different places; all around\n  here we go (spoken) said when sth is starting to happen:\n’Here we go,’ thought Fred, ’she’s sure to say something.’\n  here we go again (spoken) said when sth is starting to happen again, especially sth bad\n  here you are (spoken) used when you are giving sth to sb:\nHere you are. This is what you were asking for.\n  here you go (spoken) used when you are giving sth to sb:\nHere you go. Four copies, is that right?\n  neither here nor there not important\nSYN IRRELEVANT:\nWhat might have happened is neither here nor there.\n    exclamation\n  1  (BrE) used to attract sb’s attention:\nHere, where are you going with that ladder?\n  2  used when offering sth to sb:\nHere, let me carry that for you. * Here, have another piece of cake.


Words: hereafter
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  (also hereinafter) (in legal documents, etc.) in the rest of this document:\nThis contract is between Mrs Green (hereafter referred to as the vendor) and Mr Quain (hereafter referred to as the purchaser).\n  2  (formal) from this time; in future\ncompare THEREAFTER\n  3  (formal) after death:\nDo you believe in a life hereafter?


Words: hereditary
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (especially of illnesses) given to a child by its parents before it is born:\na hereditary disease / condition / problem * Epilepsy is hereditary in her family.\n  2  that is legally given to sb’s child, when that person dies:\na hereditary title / monarchy\n  3  holding a rank or title that is hereditary:\nhereditary peers / rulers


Words: heredity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process by which mental and physical characteristics are passed by parents to their children; these characteristics in a particular person:\nthe debate over the effects of heredity and environment


Words: herein
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal or law) in this place, document, statement or fact:\nNeither party is willing to compromise and herein lies the problem.


Words: heresy
Meaning:
noun [U, C] (plural heresies)\n  1  a belief or an opinion that is against the principles of a particular religion; the fact of holding such beliefs:\nHe was burned at the stake for heresy. * the heresies of the early Protestants\n  2  a belief or an opinion that disagrees strongly with what most people believe:\nThe idea is heresy to most employees of the firm.


Words: heritage
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the history, traditions and qualities that a country or society has had for many years and that are considered an important part of its character:\nSpain’s rich cultural heritage * The building is part of our national heritage.


Words: hermaphrodite
Meaning:
noun\na person, an animal or a flower that has both male and female sexual organs or characteristics\n    hermaphrodite adjective


Words: hermetic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (technical) tightly closed so that no air can escape or enter\nSYN AIRTIGHT\n  2  (formal, disapproving) closed and difficult to become a part of:\nthe strange, hermetic world of the theatre\n    hermetically  adverb:\na hermetically sealed container


Words: hermit
Meaning:
noun\na person who, usually for religious reasons, lives a very simple life alone and does not meet or talk to other people.


Words: hermit crab
Meaning:
noun\na CRAB (= a sea creature with eight legs and, usually, a hard shell) that has no shell of its own and has to use the empty shells of other sea creatures


Words: hernia
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a medical condition in which part of an organ is pushed through a weak part of the body wall


Words: hero
Meaning:
noun (plural heroes)\n  1  a person, especially a man, who is admired by many people for doing sth brave or good:\na war hero (= sb who was very brave during a war) * The Olympic team were given a hero’s welcome on their return home. * one of the country’s national heroes\n  2  the main male character in a story, novel, film/movie etc:\nThe hero of the novel is a ten-year old boy.\n  3  a person, especially a man, that you admire because of a particular quality or skill that they have:\nmy childhood hero\n  4  (AmE) = SUBMARINE (2)\nsee also HEROINE


Words: hero-worship
Meaning:
verb\n(-pp-) [VN] to admire sb very much because you think they are extremely beautiful, intelligent, etc:\nHe hero-worships his elder brother.


Words: heroic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  showing extreme courage and admired by many people:\na heroic figure * Rescuers made heroic efforts to save the crew.\n  2  showing great determination to succeed or to achieve sth, especially sth difficult:\nWe watched our team’s heroic struggle to win back the cup.\n  3  that is about or involves a hero:\na heroic story / poem * heroic deeds / myths\n  4  very large or great:\nThis was foolishness on a heroic scale.\n    heroically  adverb:\nShe worked heroically to help others escape.


Words: heroic couplet
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) two lines of poetry one after the other that RHYME and usually contain ten syllables and five stresses


Words: heroics
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n  1  (disapproving) talk or behaviour that is too brave or dramatic for a particular situation:\nRemember, no heroics, we just go in there and do our job.\n  2  actions that are brave and determined:\nThanks to Bateman’s heroics in the second half, the team won 20.


Words: heroin
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a powerful illegal drug made from MORPHINE, that some people take for pleasure and can become ADDICTED to:\na heroin addict


Words: heroine
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a girl or woman who is admired by many for doing sth brave or good:\nthe heroines of the revolution\n  2  the main female character in a story, novel, film/movie, etc:\nThe heroine is played by Demi Moore. * Shakespeare’s heroines\n  3  a woman that you admire because of a particular quality or skill that she has:\nMadonna was her teenage heroine.


Words: herpes
Meaning:
noun\n[U] an infectious disease that causes painful spots on the skin, especially on the face and sexual organs


Words: herring
Meaning:
noun\n(plural herring or herrings) [U, C] a N Atlantic fish that swims in very large groups and is used for food:\nshoals of herring * fresh herring fillets * pickled herrings\nsee also RED HERRING


Words: herringbone
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a pattern used, for example, in fabric consisting of lines of V shapes that are parallel to each other:\na herringbone tweed suit


Words: herself
Meaning:
pronoun\n  1  (the reflexive form of she) used when the woman or girl who performs an action is also affected by it:\nShe hurt herself. * She must be very proud of herself.\n  2  used to emphasize the female subject or object of a sentence:\nShe told me the news herself. * Jane herself was at the meeting.\n IDIOMS \n  be, seem, etc. herself (of a woman or girl) to be in a normal state of health or happiness; not influenced by other people:\nShe didn’t seem quite herself this morning. * She needed space to be herself.\n  (all) by herself\n1 alone; with anyone else:\nShe lives by herself.\n2 without help:\nShe runs the business by herself.\n  (all) to herself for only her to have or use:\nShe wants a room all to herself.


Words: hesitancy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the state or quality of being slow or uncertain in doing or saying sth:\nI noticed a certain hesitancy in his voice.


Words: hesitant
Meaning:
adjective\nslow to speak or act because you feel uncertain, embarrassed or unwilling:\na hesitant smile / reply * She’s hesitant about signing the contract. * the baby’s first few hesitant steps * Doctors are hesitant to comment on the new treatment.\n    hesitantly adverb:\nHe smiled hesitantly.


Words: hesitate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (about / over sth) to be slow to speak or act because you feel uncertain or nervous:\n[V] She hesitated before replying. * I didn’t hesitate for a moment about taking the job. * He seemed to hesitate a second. * She stood there, hesitating over whether or not to tell him the truth. [also V speech]\n  2  [V to inf] to be worried about doing sth, especially because you are not sure that it is right or appropriate:\nPlease do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries. * If you’d like me to send you the book, then please don’t hesitate to ask.\n    hesitation  noun [U, C]:\nShe agreed without the slightest hesitation. * We were trained to speak fluently and without unnecessary hesitations.


Words: hessian
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually burlap) noun [U] a strong rough brown fabric, used especially for making SACKS


Words: het up
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] ~ (about / over sth) (BrE, informal) anxious, excited or slightly angry:\nWhat are you getting so het up about?


Words: hetero-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) other; different:\nheterogeneous * heterosexual\ncompare HOMO-


Words: heterodox
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) not following the usual or accepted beliefs and opinions\ncompare ORTHODOX, UNORTHODOX\n    heterodoxy noun [U, C] (plural heterodoxies)


Words: heterogeneous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) consisting of many different kinds of people or things:\nthe heterogeneous population of the United States\nOPP HOMOGENEOUS\n    heterogeneity  noun [U]


Words: heterosexual
Meaning:
noun\na person who is sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex\ncompare BISEXUAL, HOMOSEXUAL\n    heterosexual adjective:\na heterosexual relationship\n    heterosexuality  noun [U]


Words: heuristic
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) heuristic teaching or education encourages you to learn by discovering things for yourself


Words: heuristics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) a method of solving problems by finding practical ways of dealing with them, learning from past experience


Words: hew
Meaning:
[VN] \n  1  (old-fashioned) to cut sth large with a tool:\nto hew wood / rocks\n  2  (written) to make or shape sth large by cutting:\nroughly hewn timber frames * The statues were hewn out of solid rock. * They hewed a path through the forest.


Words: hex
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (AmE) to use magic powers in order to harm sb\n    hex noun:\nto put a hex on sb\ncompare CURSE


Words: hexa-
Meaning:
(also hex-) combining form\n(in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) six; having six:\nhexagon * hexameter


Words: hey
Meaning:
exclamation (informal)\n  1  used to attract sb’s attention or to express interest, surprise or anger:\nHey, can I just ask you something? * Hey, leave my things alone!\n  2  used to show that you do not really care about sth or that you think it is not important:\nThat’s the third time I’ve been late this week - but hey! - who’s counting?\n IDIOMS \n  hey presto (BrE) (AmE presto) people sometimes say hey presto when they have just done sth so quickly and easily that it seems to have been done by magic:\nYou just press the button and, hey presto, a perfect cup of coffee!


Words: heyday
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the time when sb/sth had most power or success, or was most popular:\nIn its heyday, the company ran trains every fifteen minutes. * a fine example from the heyday of Italian cinema * a picture of Brigitte Bardot in her heyday


Words: HGV
Meaning:
abbreviation\n(BrE) heavy goods vehicle (a large vehicle such as a lorry/truck):\nYou need an HGV licence for this job.


Words: hi-fi
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] equipment for playing recorded music that produces high quality STEREO sound\n    hi-fi adjective [usually before noun]:\na hi-fi system


Words: hiatus
Meaning:
noun [sing.] (formal)\n  1  a pause in activity when nothing happens:\nAfter a five-month hiatus, the talks resumed.\n  2  a space, especially in a piece of writing or in a speech, where sth is missing


Words: hibernate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (of animals) to spend the winter in a state like deep sleep\n    hibernation  noun [U]:\nto go into / come out of hibernation


Words: hiccup
Meaning:
(also hiccough)  noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a sharp, usually repeated, sound made in the throat, that is caused by a sudden movement of the DIAPHRAGM and that you cannot control:\nShe gave a loud hiccup.\n  2  (the) hiccups [pl.] a series of hiccups:\nI ate too quickly and got hiccups. * He had the hiccups.\n  3  (informal) a small problem or temporary delay:\nThere was a slight hiccup in the timetable. * We’ve planned it down to the last detail-we don’t want any unexpected hiccups.\n    verb [V] to have hiccups or a single hiccup


Words: hick
Meaning:
noun\n(informal disapproving, especially AmE) a person from the country who is considered to be stupid and to have little experience of life:\nI was just a hick from Texas then.\n    hick adjective:\na hick town


Words: hidden agenda
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) the secret intention behind what sb says or does:\nThere are fears of a hidden agenda behind this new proposal.


Words: hide
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (hid )\n  1  [VN] to put or keep sb/sth in a place where they/it cannot be seen or found:\nHe hid the letter in a drawer. * I keep my private papers hidden. * They hid me from the police in their attic.\n  2  to go somewhere where you hope you will not be seen or found:\n[V] Quick, hide! * I hid under the bed. * We hid from our pursuers in an empty house. * (figurative) He hid behind a false identity. * [VN] She hides herself away in her office all day.\n  3  [VN] to cover sth so that it cannot be seen:\nHe hid his face in his hands. * The house was hidden by trees. * The brim of his hat hid half his face. * No amount of make-up could hide her age. * Hidden dangers lurk in the ocean depths.\n  4  [VN] to keep sth secret, especially your feelings:\nShe struggled to hide her disappointment. * I have never tried to hide the truth about my past. * They claim that they have nothing to hide (= there was nothing wrong or illegal about what they did). * She felt sure the letter had some hidden meaning. * His brusque manner hides a shy and sensitive nature. * I could not hide my joy at seeing him again.\n IDIOMS \n  hide your light under a bushel (BrE) to not let people know that you are good at sth\nmore at MULTITUDE, HEAD n.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] (BrE) a place from which people can watch wild animals or birds, without being seen by them\n \n  2  [C, U] an animal’s skin, especially when it is bought or sold or used for leather:\nboots made from buffalo hide * a black hide belt\n \n  3  (informal, especially AmE) used to refer to sb’s life or safety when they are in a difficult situation:\nAll he’s worried about is his own hide (= himself). * She’d do anything to save her own hide.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  have / tan sb’s hide (old-fashioned, informal or humorous) to punish sb severely\n  not see hide nor hair of sb/sth (spoken) not to see sb/sth for some time:\nI haven’t seen hide nor hair of her for a month.


Words: hide-and-seek
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a children’s game in which one player covers his or her eyes while the other players hide, and then tries to find them


Words: hideaway
Meaning:
noun\na place where you can go to hide or to be alone:\nHe escaped to his hideaway in the country at weekends.


Words: hidebound
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) having old-fashioned ideas, rather than accepting new ways of thinking\nSYN NARROW-MINDED:\nShe wanted a life that was less hidebound by rules and conventions.


Words: hideous
Meaning:
adjective\nvery ugly or unpleasant:\na hideous face / building / dress * Their new colour scheme is hideous! * a hideous crime * The whole experience had been like some hideous nightmare. * When they refused to let me leave my hotel, I thought, at first, it was all some hideous mistake.\n    hideously adverb:\nHis face was hideously deformed.


Words: hideout
Meaning:
noun\na place where sb goes when they do not want anyone to find them:\nThe guerrillas had a hideout in the mountains.


Words: hiding
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the state of being hidden:\nAfter the trial, she had to go into hiding for several weeks. * He only came out of hiding ten years after the war was over. * We spent months in hiding.\n  2  [sing.] (informal, especially BrE) a physical punishment, usually involving being hit hard many times\nSYN BEATING:\nto give sb / get a (good) hiding * (figurative) The team got a hiding in their last game.\n IDIOMS \n  on a hiding to nothing (BrE, informal) having no chance of success


Words: hierarchy
Meaning:
noun (plural hierarchies)\n  1  [C, U] a system, especially in a society or an organization, in which people are organized into different levels of importance from highest to lowest:\nthe social / political hierarchy * She’s high up in the management hierarchy.\n  2  [C+sing./pl. v.] the group of people in control of a large organization or institution\n  3  [C] (formal) a system that ideas or beliefs can be arranged into:\na hierarchy of needs


Words: hieroglyph
Meaning:
noun\na picture or symbol of an object, representing a word, syllable or sound, especially as used in ancient Egyptian and other writing systems\n    hieroglyphic  adjective


Words: higgledy-piggledy
Meaning:
adverb\n(informal) in an untidy way that lacks any order:\nFiles were strewn higgledy-piggledy over the floor.\n    higgledy-piggledy adjective:\na higgledy-piggledy collection of houses


Words: high
Meaning:
adjective, noun, adverb \n    adjective (higher, highest)\n  from bottom to top\n  1  measuring a long distance from the bottom to the top:\nWhat’s the highest mountain in the US? * The house has a high wall all the way round it. * shoes with high heels * He has a round face with a high forehead.\nOPP LOW\n  2  used to talk about the distance that sth measures from the bottom to the top:\nHow high is Everest? * It’s only a low wall-about a metre high. * The grass was waist-high. * knee-high boots\n  far above ground\n  3  at a level which is a long way above the ground or above the level of the sea:\na high branch / shelf / window * The rooms had high ceilings. * streaks of high cloud * They were flying at high altitude. * the grasslands of the high prairies\nOPP LOW\n  greater than normal\n  4  greater than normal in quantity, size or degree:\na high temperature / speed / price * a high rate of inflation * Demand is high at this time of year. * a high level of pollution * a high standard of craftsmanship * a high risk of injury * A high degree of accuracy is needed. * We had high hopes for the business (= we believed it would be successful). * A high proportion of our staff are female. * The cost in terms of human life was high. * high (= strong) winds\ncompare LOW (4)\n  containing a lot\n  5  ~ (in sth) containing a lot of a particular substance\nOPP LOW:\nfoods which are high in fat * a high potassium content\n  rank / status\n  6  (usually before noun) near the top in rank or status:\nShe has held high office under three prime ministers. * The case was referred to a higher court. * He has friends in high places (= among people of power and influence).\nOPP LOW\n  valuable\n  7  of great value:\nto play for high stakes * My highest card is ten.\n  ideals / principles\n  8  (usually before noun) morally good:\na man of high ideals / principles\n  approving\n  9  (usually before noun) showing a lot of approval or respect for sb:\nShe is held in very high regard by her colleagues. * You seem to have a high opinion of yourself!\nOPP LOW\n  sound\n  10  at or near the top of a musical scale; not deep or low:\nShe has a high voice. * That note is definitely too high for me.\nOPP LOW\n  of period of time\n  11  [only before noun] used to describe the middle or the most attractive part of a period of time:\nhigh noon * high summer\n  food\n  12  (of meat, cheese, etc.) beginning to go bad and having a strong smell\n  on alcohol / drugs\n  13  [not before noun] ~ (on sth) (informal) behaving in an excited way because of the effects of alcohol or drugs\nsee also HEIGHT\n IDIOMS \n  be / get on your high horse (informal) to behave in a way that shows you think you are better than other people\n  have a high old time (old-fashioned, informal) to enjoy yourself very much\n  high and dry\n1 (of a boat, etc.) in a position out of the water:\nTheir yacht was left high and dry on a sandbank.\n2 in a difficult situation, without help or money\n  high and mighty (informal) behaving as though you think you are more important than other people\n  high as a kite (informal) behaving in a very excited way because of being strongly affected by alcohol or drugs\n  high days and holidays festivals and special occasions\n  in high dudgeon (old-fashioned, written) in an angry or offended mood, and showing other people that you are angry:\nHe stomped out of the room in high dudgeon. * She stormed out in high dudgeon.\n  smell, stink, etc. to high heaven (informal)\n1 to have a strong unpleasant smell\n2 to seem to be very dishonest or morally unacceptable\nmore at HELL, MORAL adj., ORDER n., PROFILE n., TIME n.\n    noun\n  level / number\n  1  the highest level or number:\nProfits reached an all-time high last year.\n  weather\n  2  an area of high air pressure; an ANTICYCLONE:\nA high over southern Europe is bringing fine, sunny weather to all parts.\n  3  the highest temperature reached during a particular day, week, etc:\nHighs today will be in the region of 25ｰC.\n  from drugs\n  4  (informal) the feeling of extreme pleasure and excitement that sb gets after taking some types of drugs:\nThe high lasted all night.\n  from success / enjoyment\n  5  (informal) the feeling of extreme pleasure and excitement that sb gets from doing sth enjoyable or being successful at sth:\nHe was on a real high after winning the competition. * the highs and lows of her acting career\n  school\n  6  used in the name of a high school:\nHe graduated from Little Rock High in 1982.\n IDIOMS \n  on high\n1 (formal) in a high place:\nWe gazed down into the valley from on high.\n2 (humorous) the people in senior positions in an organization:\nAn order came down from on high that lunchbreaks were to be half an hour and no longer.\n3 in heaven:\nThe disaster was seen as a judgement from on high.\n    adverb (higher, highest)\n  far from ground / bottom\n  1  at or to a position or level that is a long way up from the ground or from the bottom:\nAn eagle circled high overhead. * I can’t jump any higher. * She never got very high in the company. * His desk was piled high with papers. * She’s aiming high (= hoping to be very successful) in her exams.\n  value / amount\n  2  at or to a large cost, value or amount:\nPrices are expected to rise even higher this year.\n  sound\n  3  at a high PITCH:\nI can’t sing that high.\n IDIOMS \n  high and low everywhere:\nI’ve searched high and low for my purse.\n  run high (especially of feelings) to be strong and angry or excited:\nFeelings ran high as the election approached.\nmore at FLY v., HEAD n., RIDE v.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nhigh / tall\nHigh is used to talk about the measurement from the bottom to the top of something: The fence is over five metres high. * He has climbed some of the world’s highest mountains. You also use high to describe the distance of something from the ground: How high was the plane when the engine failed?\nTall is used instead of high to talk about people: My brother’s much taller than me. Tall is also used for things that are high and narrow such as trees: She ordered cold beer in a tall glass. * tall factory chimneys. Buildings can be high or tall.\n______________________________


Words: high beams
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (AmE) the lights on a car when they are pointing a long way ahead, not down at the road:\nTurn on your high beams.


Words: high chair
Meaning:
noun\na special chair with long legs and a little seat and table, for a small child to sit in when eating


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


Words: high commission
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the office and the staff of an EMBASSY that represents the interests of one Commonwealth country in another\n  2  a group of people who are working for a government or an international organization on an important project:\nthe United Nations High Commission for / on Refugees


Words: High Commissioner
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who is sent by one Commonwealth country to live in another, to protect the interests of their own country\n  2  a person who is head of an important international project:\nthe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees


Words: High Court
Meaning:
(also High Court of Justice) noun\n  1  a court of law in England and Wales that deals with the most serious CIVIL cases but not criminal ones:\na High Court judge / decision / ruling\n  2  = THE SUPREME COURT


Words: high five
Meaning:
noun\n(especially AmE) an action to celebrate victory or to express happiness in which two people raise one arm each and hit their open hands together:\nWay to go! High five!


Words: high ground
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the high ground) [sing.] the advantage in a discussion or an argument, etc:\nThe government is claiming the high ground in the education debate.\n IDIOMS  see MORAL


Words: high heels
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] shoes that have very high heels, usually worn by women\n    high-heeled adjective [only before noun]:\nhigh-heeled shoes / boots


Words: high jinks
Meaning:
(AmE also hijinks) noun\n[pl.] (old-fashioned, informal) lively and excited behaviour\nSYN FUN:\nWe used to get up to all sorts of high jinks at school.


Words: high life
Meaning:
noun\n(also the high life) [sing., U] (also high living [U]) (sometimes disapproving) a way of life that involves going to parties and spending a lot of money on food, clothes, etc.


Words: high noon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  exactly twelve o’clock in the middle of the day\n  2  (written) the most important stage of sth, when sth that will decide the future happens


Words: high performance
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] that can go very fast or do complicated things:\na high performance car / computer


Words: high point
Meaning:
noun\nthe most interesting, enjoyable or best part of sth:\nIt was the high point of the evening. * He had reached the high point of his career.\nOPP LOW POINT


Words: high pressure
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the condition of air, gas, or liquid that is kept in a small space by force:\nWater is forced through the pipes at high pressure.\n  2  a condition of the air which affects the weather, when the pressure is higher than average:\nThe rain will be followed by warmer, drier weather as areas of high pressure move in.\ncompare LOW PRESSURE


Words: high priest
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the most important priest in the Jewish religion in the past\n  2  (feminine high priestess) an important priest in some other non-Christian religions: (figurative) Janis Joplin was known as the High Priestess of Rock.


Words: high road
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.]\n  1  (old-fashioned, BrE) a main or important road\ncompare HIGHWAY\n  2  ~ (to sth) the most direct way:\nThis is the high road to democracy.\n IDIOMS \n  take the high road (in sth) (AmE) to take the most positive course of action:\nHe took the high road in his campaign.


Words: high school
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  (in the US and some other countries) a school for young people between the ages of 14 and 18\n  2  often used in Britain in the names of schools for young people between the ages of 11 and 18:\nOxford High School\ncompare SECONDARY SCHOOL


Words: high season
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] (especially BrE) the time of year when a hotel or tourist area receives most visitors:\nHotels usually raise their prices in (the) high season.\ncompare LOW SEASON


Words: high spot
Meaning:
noun\nthe most enjoyable or important part of sth:\nLunch in an expensive restaurant was the high spot of the day.


Words: high street
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE main street) noun\n(especially in names) the main street of a town, where most shops/stores, banks, etc. are:\nPeckham High Street * 106 High Street, Peckham * high-street banks / shops


Words: high table
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (BrE) a table on a raised platform, where the most important people at a formal dinner sit to eat


Words: high tea
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a meal consisting of cooked food, bread and butter and cakes, usually with tea to drink, eaten in the late afternoon or early evening instead of dinner


Words: high technology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the most modern methods and machines, especially electronic ones; the use of these in industry, etc:\nadvances in high technology * high-technology industries / systems


Words: high tide
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] the time when the sea has risen to its highest level; the sea at this time:\nYou can’t walk along this beach at high tide. * (figurative) the high tide of Victorian prosperity (= the time when sth is most popular or successful)\ncompare FLOOD TIDE, HIGH WATER\nOPP LOW TIDE


Words: high water
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the time when the sea or the water in a river has risen to its highest level:\nFishing is good at high water.\ncompare HIGH TIDE\n IDIOMS  see HELL


Words: high wire
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a rope or wire that is stretched high above the ground, and used by CIRCUS performers


Words: high-born
Meaning:
adjective\n(old-fashioned or formal) having parents who are members of the highest social class\nSYN ARISTOCRATIC


Words: high-class
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  excellent; of good quality:\na high-class restaurant * to stay in high-class accommodation * The musicians gave a high-class performance.\n  2  connected with a high social class:\nto come from a high-class background\nOPP LOW-CLASS


Words: high-definition
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (technical) using or produced by a system that gives very clear detailed images:\nhigh-definition television * high-definition displays


Words: high-flown
Meaning:
adjective\n(usually disapproving) (of language and ideas) very grand and complicated:\nHis high-flown style just sounds absurd today.


Words: high-flyer
Meaning:
(also high-flier) noun\na person who has the desire and the ability to be very successful in their job or their studies:\nacademic high-flyers


Words: high-flying
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  very successful:\na high-flying career woman\n  2  that flies very high in the air:\nhigh-flying aircraft


Words: high-handed
Meaning:
adjective\n(of people or their behaviour) using authority in an unreasonable way, without considering the opinions of other people:\na high-handed attitude / manner * She’s always so arrogant and high-handed in her dealings with people.


Words: high-level
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  involving senior people:\nhigh-level talks / negotiations * high-level staff * high-level corruption\n  2  in a high position or place:\na high-level walk in the hills\n  3  advanced:\na high-level course\n  4  (computing) (of a computer language) similar to an existing language such as English, making it fairly simple to use\nOPP LOW-LEVEL


Words: high-octane
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (of fuel used in engines) of very good quality and very efficient\n  2  (slang) full of energy; powerful:\na high-octane actor / athlete


Words: high-powered
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of people) having a lot of power and influence; full of energy:\nhigh-powered executives\n  2  (of activities) important; with a lot of responsibility:\na high-powered job\n  3  (also high-power) (of machines) very powerful:\na high-powered car / computer


Words: high-pressure
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  that involves aggressive ways of persuading sb to do sth or to buy sth:\nhigh-pressure sales techniques\n  2  that involves a lot of worry and anxiety\nSYN STRESSFUL:\na high-pressure job\n  3  using or containing a great force of a gas or a liquid:\na high-pressure water-jet


Words: high-profile
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] receiving or involving a lot of attention and discussion on television, in newspapers, etc:\na high-profile performer / campaign\nsee also PROFILE


Words: high-rise
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a building) very tall and having a lot of floors:\nhigh-rise housing\n    high-rise noun:\nto live in a high-rise\ncompare LOW-RISE


Words: high-risk
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] involving a lot of danger and the risk of injury, death, damage, etc:\na high-risk sport * high-risk patients (= who are very likely to get a particular illness)\ncompare LOW-RISK


Words: high-security
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (of buildings and places) very carefully locked and guarded:\na high-security prison\n  2  (of prisoners) kept in a prison that is very carefully locked and guarded


Words: high-sounding
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially BrE, often disapproving) (of language or ideas) complicated and intended to sound important\nSYN PRETENTIOUS


Words: high-speed
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] that travels, works or happens very fast:\na high-speed train / computer * a high-speed car chase


Words: high-spirited
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of people) very lively and active:\na high-spirited child * high-spirited behaviour\n  2  (of animals, especially horses) lively and difficult to control\nOPP PLACID\nsee also SPIRIT


Words: high-tech
Meaning:
(also hi-tech) adjective (informal)\n  1  using the most modern methods and machines, especially electronic ones:\nhigh-tech industries * These new computers are all very high-tech.\n  2  (of designs, objects, etc.) very modern in appearance; using modern materials:\na high-tech table made of glass and steel\ncompare LOW-TECH


Words: high-tension
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] carrying a very powerful electric current:\nhigh-tension wires / cables


Words: high-tops
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (especially AmE) sports shoes that cover the ankle, worn especially for playing basketball


Words: high-water mark
Meaning:
noun\na line or mark showing the highest point that the sea or flood water has reached:\nWe pulled the boat up the beach above the high-water mark. * (figurative) the high-water mark of Parisian fashion (= the most successful time)\ncompare LOW-WATER MARK


Words: highball
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) a strong alcoholic drink, such as whisky or GIN, mixed with FIZZY water (= with bubbles) or GINGER ALE, etc. and served with ice


Words: highbrow
Meaning:
adjective\n(sometimes disapproving) concerned with or interested in serious artistic or cultural ideas\nSYN INTELLECTUAL:\nhighbrow newspapers / television programmes * highbrow readers\nOPP LOWBROW\ncompare MIDDLEBROW


Words: higher education
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (abbreviation HE) education and training at college and university, especially to degree level\ncompare FURTHER EDUCATION


Words: highfalutin
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal, disapproving) trying to be serious or important, but in a way that often appears silly and unnecessary\nSYN PRETENTIOUS:\nhighfalutin language / ideas


Words: highland
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  connected with an area of land that has hills or mountains:\nhighland regions * highland roads\n  2  (Highland) connected with the Highlands of Scotland:\nHighland cattle * Highland dress\ncompare LOWLAND\n    noun\n  1  [C, usually pl.] an area of land with hills or mountains\n  2  (the Highlands) [pl.] the high mountain region of Scotland\ncompare LOWLAND


Words: highlander
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who comes from an area where there are a lot of mountains\n  2  (Highlander) a person who comes from the Scottish Highlands\ncompare LOWLANDER


Words: highlight
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  to emphasize sth, especially so that people give it more attention:\nThe report highlights the major problems facing society today.\n  2  to mark part of a text with a special coloured pen, or to mark an area on a computer screen, to emphasize it or make it easier to see:\nI’ve highlighted the important passages in yellow. * Highlight the section that you want to delete.\n  3  to make some parts of your hair a lighter colour than the rest by using a chemical substance on them:\nI’m having my hair highlighted. * The shampoo is ideal for permed or highlighted hair.\n    noun\n  1  the best, most interesting or most exciting part of sth:\nOne of the highlights of the trip was seeing the Taj Mahal. * The highlights of the match will be shown later this evening. * My dance class is the highlight of my week.\n  2  (highlights) [pl.] areas of hair that are lighter than the rest, usually because a chemical substance has been put on them:\nShe’s had blonde highlights put into her hair.\n  3  (highlights) [pl.] (technical) the light or bright part of a picture or photograph


Words: highlighter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also highlighter pen) a special pen used for marking words in a text in bright colours\n  2  a coloured substance that you put above your eyes or on your cheeks to make yourself more attractive


Words: highly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  very:\nhighly successful / skilled / intelligent * highly competitive / critical / sensitive * It is highly unlikely that she’ll be late.\n  2  at or to a high standard, level or amount:\nhighly trained / educated * a highly developed economy * a highly paid job\n  3  with admiration or praise:\nHis teachers think very highly of him (= have a very good opinion of him). * She speaks highly of you. * Her novels are very highly regarded.


Words: highly strung
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE high-strung) adjective\n(of a person or an animal) nervous and easily upset:\na sensitive and highly-strung child * Their new horse is very highly strung.


Words: Highness
Meaning:
noun\n(His / Her / Your Highness) a title of respect used when talking to or about a member of the royal family:\nYes, Your Highness.\nsee also ROYAL HIGHNESS


Words: hightail
Meaning:
verb\n IDIOMS \n  hightail it (informal, especially AmE) to leave somewhere very quickly:\nThey ran out of the gates and hightailed it up the road.


Words: highway
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (especially AmE) a main road, usually connecting large towns:\nan interstate highway * Highway patrol officers closed the road.\n  2  (BrE, formal) a public road:\nA parked car was obstructing the highway.\ncompare HIGH ROAD


Words: highwayman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural highwaymen ) a man, usually on a horse and carrying a gun, who robbed travellers on public roads in the past


Words: hijack
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to use violence or threats to take control of a vehicle, especially a plane, in order to force it to travel to a different place or to demand sth from a government:\nThe plane was hijacked by two armed men on a flight from London to Cairo.\n  2  (disapproving) to use or take control of sth, especially a meeting, in order to advertise your own aims and interests:\nDemonstrators fear that the march could be hijacked by extremists.\n    hijacking (also hijack) noun [C, U]:\nThere have been a series of hijackings recently in the area. * an unsuccessful hijack\ncompare CARJACKING


Words: hike
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a long walk in the country:\nThey went on a ten-mile hike through the forest. * We could go into town but it’s a real hike (= a long way) from here.\n  2  ~ (in sth) (informal, especially AmE) a large or sudden increase in prices, costs, etc:\na tax / price hike * the latest hike in interest rates\n IDIOMS \n  take a hike (AmE, informal) a rude way of telling sb to go away\n    verb\n  1  to go for a long walk in the country, especially for pleasure:\n[V] strong boots for hiking over rough country * [VN] (AmE) to hike the Rockies\n  2  [V] (go hiking) to spend time hiking for pleasure:\nIf the weather’s fine, we’ll go hiking this weekend.\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (up) to increase prices, taxes, etc. suddenly by large amounts:\nThe government hiked up the price of milk by over 40%.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hike sth<->up (informal) to pull or lift sth up, especially your clothing\nSYN HITCH:\nShe hiked up her skirt and waded into the river.


Words: hiking
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the activity of going for long walks in the country for pleasure:\nto go hiking * hiking boots


Words: hilarious
Meaning:
adjective\nextremely funny:\na hilarious joke / story * Lynn found the whole situation hilarious. * Do you know Pete? He’s hilarious.\n    hilariously adverb:\nhilariously funny


Words: hilarity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a state of great amusement causing loud laughter:\nThe announcement was greeted with great hilarity. * Their appearance caused a great deal of hilarity. * There was much hilarity when Geoffrey steamed in ten minutes late.


Words: hill
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an area of land that is higher than the land around it, but not as high as a mountain:\na region of gently rolling hills * a hill farm / town / fort * The house is built on the side of a hill overlooking the river. * I love walking in the hills (= in the area where there are hills).\nsee also ANTHILL, FOOTHILL, MOLEHILL\n  2  a slope on a road:\nAlways take care when driving down steep hills. * a hill start (= the act of starting a vehicle on a slope)\nsee also DOWNHILL, UPHILL\n IDIOMS \n  a hill of beans (old-fashioned, AmE, informal) something that is not worth much\n  over the hill (informal) (of a person) old and therefore no longer useful or attractive:\nYoungsters seem to think you’re over the hill at 40!\nmore at OLD


Words: hill station
Meaning:
noun\na small town in the hills, especially in India, where people go to find cooler weather in summer


Words: hillbilly
Meaning:
noun (plural hillbillies)\n  1  [C] (AmE, disapproving) a person who lives in the mountains and is thought to be stupid by people who live in the towns\n  2  [U] = COUNTRY AND WESTERN


Words: hillside
Meaning:
noun\nthe side of a hill:\nThe crops will not grow on exposed hillsides. * Our hotel was on the hillside overlooking the lake.


Words: hilt
Meaning:
noun\nthe handle of a SWORD, knife, etc.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  (up) to the hilt as much as possible:\nWe’re mortgaged up to the hilt. * They have promised to back us to the hilt.


Words: him
Meaning:
pronoun\nused as the object of a verb or after a preposition to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified:\nWhen did you see him? * He took the children with him. * I’m taller than him.\ncompare HE


Words: himself
Meaning:
pronoun\n  1  (the reflexive form of he) used when the man or boy who performs an action is also affected by it:\nHe introduced himself. * Peter ought to be ashamed of himself.\n  2  used to emphasize the male subject or object of a sentence:\nThe doctor said so himself. * Did you see the manager himself?\n IDIOMS \n  be, seem, etc. himself (of a man or boy) to be in a normal state of health or happiness; not influenced by other people:\nHe didn’t seem quite himself this morning. * He needed space to be himself.\n  (all) by himself\n1 alone; without anyone else:\nHe lives all by himself.\n2 without help:\nHe managed to repair the car by himself.\n  (all) to himself for only him to have or use:\nHe has the house to himself during the week.


Words: hind
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] the hind legs or feet of an animal with four legs are those situated at the back:\nThe horse reared up on its hind legs.\nOPP FORE, FRONT\n IDIOMS  see TALK v.\n    noun a female deer, especially a red deer; a DOE\ncompare HART


Words: hinder
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sb/sth (from sth / from doing sth) to make it difficult for sb to do sth or sth to happen:\na political situation that hinders economic growth * Some teachers felt hindered by a lack of resources. * A former injury was hindering him from playing his best.\nsee also HINDRANCE


Words: hindrance
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] ~ (to sth/sb) a person or thing that makes it more difficult for sb to do sth or for sth to happen:\nTo be honest, she was more of a hindrance than a help. * The high price is a major hindrance to potential buyers.\n  2  [U] (formal) the act of making it more difficult for sb to do sth or for sth to happen:\nThey were able to complete their journey without further hindrance.\nsee also HINDER\n IDIOMS  see LET n.


Words: hindsight
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the understanding that you have of a situation only after it has happened and that means you would have done things differently:\nWith hindsight it is easy to say they should not have released him. * What looks obvious in hindsight was not at all obvious at the time. * It’s easy to criticise with the benefit of hindsight.\ncompare FORESIGHT


Words: Hinduism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the main religion of India which includes the worship of several gods and belief in REINCARNATION


Words: hinge
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a piece of metal, plastic, etc. on which a door, lid or gate moves freely as it opens or closes:\nThe door had been pulled off its hinges.\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] to attach sth with a hinge\n    hinged adjective:\na hinged door / lid\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hinge on / upon sth (of an action, a result, etc.) to depend on sth completely:\nEverything hinges on the outcome of these talks. * [+ wh-] His success hinges on how well he does at the interview.


Words: hint
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  something that you say or do in an indirect way in order to show sb what you are thinking:\nHe gave a broad hint (= one that was obvious) that he was thinking of retiring. * Should I drop a hint (= give a hint) to Matt? * He resented any hint that he might be to blame.\n  2  something that suggests what will happen in the future:\nAt the first hint of trouble, they left. * The opening scene gives us a hint of things to come.\n  3  [usually sing.] ~ (of sth) a small amount of sth\nSYN TRACE:\na hint of a smile * There was more than a hint of sadness in his voice. * The walls were painted white with a hint of peach. * Gail searched his face for the slightest hint of regret.\n  4  [usually pl.] ~ (on sth) a small piece of practical information or advice\nSYN TIP:\nhandy hints on saving money * The teacher’s book gives useful hints on how to develop reading skills.\n IDIOMS \n  take a / the hint to understand what sb wants you to do even though they tell you in an indirect way:\nI thought they’d never go-some people just can’t take a hint. * Sarah hoped he’d take the hint and leave her alone.\n    verb ~ (at sth) to suggest sth in an indirect way: [V] What are you hinting at? * [V (that)] They hinted (that) there might be more job losses. [also V speech]


Words: hinterland
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the areas of a country that are away from the coast, from the banks of a large river or from the main cities:\nthe rural / agricultural hinterland


Words: hip
Meaning:
noun, adjective, exclamation \n    noun\n  1  the area at either side of the body between the top of the leg and the waist; the joint at the top of the leg:\nShe stood with her hands on her hips. * These jeans are too tight around the hips. * a hip replacement operation * the hip bone * She broke her hip in the fall.\n  2  (-hipped) (in adjectives) having hips of the size or shape mentioned:\nlarge-hipped * slim-hipped\n  3  (also rose hip) the red fruit that grows on some types of wild rose bush\n IDIOMS  see SHOOT v.\n    adjective (hipper, hippest) (informal) following or knowing what is fashionable in clothes, music, etc:\nHe’s just trying to be hip! * the hippest club in town\n    exclamation\n IDIOMS \n  hip, hip, hooray! (also less frequent hip, hip, hurrah / hurray!) used by a group of people to show their approval of sb. One person in the group says ’hip, hip’ and the others then shout ’hooray’ or ’hurrah’:\n’Three cheers for the bride and groom: Hip, hip ...’ ’Hooray!’


Words: hip flask
Meaning:
(BrE) (also flask AmE, BrE) noun\na small flat bottle made of metal or glass and often covered with leather, used for carrying alcohol


Words: hip hop
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a type of modern dance music with spoken words and a steady beat played on electronic instruments, originally played by young African Americans\n  2  the culture of the young African Americans and others who enjoy this type of music, including special styles of art, dancing, dress, etc.


Words: hippie
Meaning:
(also hippy)  noun\n(plural hippies) a person who rejects the way that most people live in western society, often having long hair, wearing brightly-coloured clothes and taking illegal drugs. The hippie movement was most popular in the 1960s.


Words: hippopotamus
Meaning:
(also informal hippo) noun\n(plural hippopotamuses ) a large heavy African animal with thick dark skin and short legs, that lives in rivers and lakes


Words: hipsters
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE hip-huggers) noun\n[pl.] trousers/pants that cover the hips but not the waist:\na pair of hipsters


Words: hire
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] (especially BrE) to pay money to borrow sth for a short time:\nto hire a car / room / video -> RENT\n  2  (especially AmE) to give sb a job:\n[VN] She was hired three years ago. * [V] He does the hiring and firing in our company. * We’re not hiring right now.\n  3  [VN] to employ sb for a short time to do a particular job:\nto hire a lawyer * They hired a firm of consultants to design the new system.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hire sth<->out to let sb use sth for a short time, in return for payment\n  hire yourself out (to sb) to arrange to work for sb:\nHe hired himself out to whoever needed his services.\n    noun [U] (especially BrE) the act of paying to use sth for a short time:\nbicycles for hire, ｣2 an hour * a hire car * a car hire firm * The price includes the hire of the hall. * The costumes are on hire from the local theatre. -> RENT\n IDIOMS  see PLY v.


Words: hire purchase
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) (abbreviation hp) (AmE installment plan [U, C]) a method of buying an article by making regular payments for it over several months or years. The article only belongs to the person who is buying it when all the payments have been made:\na hire purchase agreement * We’re buying a new cooker on hire purchase.\ncompare CREDIT


Words: hireling
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a person who is willing to do anything or work for anyone as long as they are paid


Words: his
Meaning:
determiner, pronoun \n    determiner (the possessive form of he) of or belonging to a man or boy who has already been mentioned or is easily identified:\nJames has sold his car. * He broke his leg skiing.\n    pronoun of or belonging to him:\nHe took my hand in his. * The choice was his. * a friend of his


Words: Hispanic
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective of or connected with Spain or Spanish-speaking countries, especially those of Latin America\n    noun a person whose first language is Spanish, especially one from a Latin American country living in the US


Words: hiss
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] ~ (at sb/sth) to make a sound like a long ’s’:\nThe steam escaped with a loud hissing noise. * The snake lifted its head and hissed.\n  2  to make a sound like a long ’s’ to show disapproval of sb/sth, especially an actor or a speaker:\n[VN] He was booed and hissed off the stage. [also V]\n  3  ~ (at sb) to say sth in a quiet angry voice:\n[V] He hissed at them to be quiet. * [V speech] ’Leave me alone!’ she hissed.\n    noun a sound like a long ’s’; this sound used to show disapproval of sb:\nthe hiss of the air brakes * the snake’s hiss * The performance was met with boos and hisses.


Words: histamine
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (medical) a chemical substance that is given out by the body in response to an injury or an ALLERGY\nsee also ANTIHISTAMINE


Words: historian
Meaning:
noun\na person who studies or writes about history; an expert in history\n HELP NOTE  Some speakers do not pronounce the ’h’ at the beginning of historian and use:\nan instead of a before it. This now sounds old-fashioned.


Words: historic
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  important in history; likely to be thought of as important at some time in the future:\na historic building / monument * The area is of special historic interest. * Visit historic Chester. * a(n) historic occasion / decision / day / visit / victory\n  2  of a period during which history was recorded:\nin historic times\ncompare PREHISTORIC\n HELP NOTE  Some speakers do not pronounce the ’h’ at the beginning of historic and use an instead of a before it. This now sounds old-fashioned.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nhistoric / historical\nHistoric is usually used to describe something that is so important that it is likely to be remembered: Today is a historic occasion for our country. Historical usually describes something that is connected with the past or with the study of history, or something that really happened in the past: I have been doing some historical research. * Was Robin Hood a historical figure?\n______________________________


Words: historical
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  connected with the past:\nthe historical background to the war * You must place these events in their historical context. * an essay on the historical development of the novel * Women are not allowed to enter the monastery for historical reasons.\n  2  connected with the study of history:\nhistorical documents / records / research * The building is of historical importance.\n  3  (of a book, film / movie, etc.) about people and events in the past:\na historical novel / setting\n HELP NOTE  Some speakers do not pronounce the ’h’ at the beginning of historical and use an instead of a before it. This now sounds old-fashioned.\n    historically  adverb:\nThe book is historically inaccurate. * Historically, there has always been a great deal of rivalry between the two families.


Words: history
Meaning:
noun (plural)\n  1  [U] all the events that happened in the past:\na turning point in human history * one of the worst disasters in recent history * a people with no sense of history * Many people throughout history have dreamt of a world without war. * The area was inhabited long before the dawn of recorded history (= before people wrote about events). * These events changed the course of history.\n  2  [sing., U] the past events concerned in the development of a particular place, subject, etc:\nthe history of Ireland / democracy / popular music * The local history of the area is fascinating. * The school traces its history back to 1865.\n  3  [U] the study of past events as a subject at school or university:\na history teacher * a degree in History * social / economic / political history * ancient / medieval / modern history * She’s studying art history.\nsee also NATURAL HISTORY\n  4  [C] a written or spoken account of past events:\nShe’s writing a new history of Europe. * She went on to catalogue a long history of disasters.\n  5  [sing.] a record of sth happening frequently in the past life of a person, family or place; the set of facts that are known about sb’s past life:\nHe has a history of violent crime. * There is a history of heart disease in my family. * a patient’s medical history\nsee also CASE HISTORY, LIFE HISTORY\n  6  [U] (informal) something that happened in the past that is no longer important:\nWe won’t talk about that-that’s history. * They had an affair once but that’s past history now.\n IDIOMS \n  the history books the record of great achievements in history:\nShe has earned her place in the history books.\n  history repeats itself used to say that things often happen later in the same way as before:\nYears later family history repeated itself with Eve’s daughters.\n  make history | go down in history to be or do sth so important that it will be recorded in history:\na discovery that made medical history\nmore at REST n.


Words: histrionic
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (formal, disapproving) histrionic behaviour is very emotional and is intended to attract attention in a way that does not seem sincere:\nhistrionic gestures\n    histrionically  adverb


Words: histrionics
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (formal, disapproving) behaviour that is very emotional and is intended to attract attention in a way that does not seem sincere:\nShe was used to her mother’s histrionics.


Words: hit
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (hitting, hit, hit)\n  touch sb / sth with force\n  1  [VN] ~ sb/sth (with sth) to bring your hand, or an object you are holding, against sb/sth quickly and with force:\nMy parents never used to hit me. * He hit the nail squarely on the head with the hammer. * She hit him on the head with her umbrella.\n  2  [VN] to come against sth/sb with force, especially causing damage or injury:\nThe bus hit the bridge. * I was hit by a falling stone.\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (on / against sth) to knock a part of your body against sth:\nHe hit his head on the low ceiling.\n  4  [VN] [often passive] (of a bullet, bomb, etc. or a person using them) to reach and touch a person or thing suddenly and with force:\nThe town was hit by bombs again last night. * He was hit by a sniper.\n  ball\n  5  [VN] to bring a bat, etc. against a ball and push it away with force:\nShe hit the ball too hard and it went out of the court. * We’ve hit our ball over the fence!\n  6  [VN] (sport) to score points by hitting a ball:\nto hit a home run\n  have bad effect\n  7  to have a bad effect on sb/sth:\n[VN] The tax increases will certainly hit the poor. * His death didn’t really hit me at first. * Rural areas have been worst hit by the strike. * Spain was one of the hardest hit countries. * [V] A tornado hit on Tuesday night.\n  attack\n  8  to attack sb/sth:\n[VN] We hit the enemy when they least expected it. [also V]\n  reach\n  9  [VN] to reach a place:\nFollow this footpath and you’ll eventually hit the road. * The President hits town tomorrow.\n  10  [VN] to reach a particular level:\nTemperatures hit 40ｰ yesterday. * The euro hit a record low in trading today. * (BrE) We hit top form (= played our best) in yesterday’s match.\n  problem / difficulty\n  11  [VN] (informal) to experience sth difficult or unpleasant:\nWe seem to have hit a problem. * Everything was going well but then we hit trouble.\n  suddenly realize\n  12  [VN] (informal) to come suddenly into your mind:\nI couldn’t remember where I’d seen him before, and then it suddenly hit me.\n  press button\n  13  [VN] (informal) to press sth such as a button to operate a machine, etc:\nHit the brakes!\n IDIOMS \n  hit (it) big (informal) to be very successful:\nThe band has hit big in the US.\n  hit the ceiling / roof (informal) to suddenly become very angry\n  hit the buffers (informal) if a plan, sb’s career, etc. hits the buffers, it suddenly stops being successful:\nThe former tennis star’s comeback trail hit the buffers yesterday when she lost in straight sets.\n  hit the deck (informal) to fall to the ground\n  hit the ground running (informal) to start doing sth and continue very quickly and successfully\n  hit the hay / sack (informal) to go to bed\n  hit sb (straight / right) in the eye to be very obvious to sb\n  hit it (spoken) used to tell sb to start doing sth, such as playing music:\nHit it, Louis!\n  hit it off (with sb) (informal) to have a good friendly relationship with sb:\nWe hit it off straight away.\n  hit the jackpot to make or win a lot of money quickly and unexpectedly\n  hit the nail on the head to say sth that is exactly right\n  hit the road / trail (informal) to start a journey/trip\n  hit the roof = go through the roof at ROOF\n  hit the spot (informal) if sth hits the spot it does exactly what it should do\n  hit the streets | hit the shops / stores (informal) to become widely available for sale:\nThe new magazine hits the streets tomorrow.\n  hit sb when they’re down to continue to hurt sb when they are already defeated\n  hit sb where it hurts to affect sb where they will feel it most\nmore at HEADLINE, HOME adv., KNOW v., MARK n., NERVE n., NOTE n., PAY DIRT, SHIT n., SIX, STRIDE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hit back (at sb/sth) to reply to attacks or criticism:\nIn a TV interview she hit back at her critics.\n  hit on sb (AmE, slang) to start talking to sb to show them that you are sexually attracted to them\n  hit on / upon sth [no passive] to think of a good idea suddenly or by chance:\nShe hit upon the perfect title for her new novel.\n  hit out (at sb/sth) to attack sb/sth violently by fighting them or criticizing them:\nI just hit out blindly in all directions. * In a rousing speech the minister hit out at racism in the armed forces.\n  hit sb (up) for sth (AmE, slang) to ask sb for money:\nDoes he always hit you for cash when he wants new clothes?\n  hit sb with sth (informal) to tell sb sth, especially sth that surprises or shocks them:\nHow much is it going to cost, then? Come on, hit me with it!\n    noun\n  act of hitting\n  1  an act of hitting sb/sth with your hand or with an object held in your hand:\nGive it a good hit. * He made the winning hit.\n  2  an occasion when sth that has been thrown, fired, etc. at an object reaches that object:\nThe bomber scored a direct hit on the bridge. * The aircraft suffered seven hits in the raid. * We finished the first round with a score of two hits and six misses.\n  sth popular\n  3  a person or thing that is very popular:\nThe duo were a real hit in last year’s show. * a hit record / single / musical * The film was a hit for him in 1996. * They are about to release an album of their greatest hits. * Her new series is a smash hit.\n  of drug\n  4  (slang) an amount of an illegal drug that is taken at one time:\na hit of cocaine / heroin\n  murder\n  5  (slang, especially AmE) a violent crime or murder\nsee also HIT MAN\n  computing\n  6  a result of a search on a computer, especially on the Internet\n IDIOMS \n  be / make a hit (with sb) to be liked very much by sb when they first meet you:\nYou’ve made a big hit with Bill.


Words: hit list
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a list of people, organizations, etc. against whom some unpleasant action is being planned:\nWhich services are on the government’s hit list? * She was at the top of the terrorists’ hit list for over two years.


Words: hit-and-miss
Meaning:
(also hit-or-miss) adjective\nnot done in a careful or planned way and therefore not likely to be successful:\nThe procedure is far too clumsy and hit-and-miss. * The professor’s deafness made conversation a hit-and-miss affair.


Words: hit-and-run
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (of a road accident) caused by a driver who does not stop to help:\na hit-and-run accident / death * a hit-and-run driver (= one who causes an accident but drives away without helping)\n  2  (of a military attack) happening suddenly and unexpectedly so that the people attacking can leave quickly without being hurt:\nhit-and-run raids\n    hit-and-run noun:\nA boy was killed this morning in a hit-and-run outside his school.


Words: hitch
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to get a free ride in a person’s car; to travel around in this way, by standing at the side of the road and trying to get passing cars to stop:\n[VN] They hitched a ride in a truck. * (BrE also) They hitched a lift. * [V] We spent the summer hitching around Europe. * They hitched across the States. * We didn’t take the bus-we hitched.\nsee also HITCH-HIKE\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (up) to pull up a piece of your clothing\nSYN HIKE:\nShe hitched up her skirt and waded into the river.\n  3  [VN +adv./prep.] ~ yourself (up, etc.) to lift yourself into a higher position, or the position mentioned:\nShe hitched herself up. * He hitched himself onto the bar stool. * She hitched herself into a sitting position.\n  4  [VN] ~ sth (to sth) to fix sth to sth else with a rope, a hook, etc:\nShe hitched the pony to the gate.\n IDIOMS \n  get hitched (informal) to get married\n    noun\n  1  a problem or difficulty that causes a short delay:\nThe ceremony went off without a hitch. * a legal / last-minute / technical hitch\n  2  a type of knot:\na clove hitch


Words: hitch-hike
Meaning:
verb\n[V] to travel by asking for free rides in other people’s cars, by standing at the side of the road and trying to get passing cars to stop:\nThey hitch-hiked around Europe.\nsee also HITCH\n    hitch-hiker noun:\nHe picked up two hitch-hikers on the road to Salisbury.


Words: hither
Meaning:
adverb\n(old use) to this place\n IDIOMS \n  hither and thither | hither and yon (especially literary) in many different directions:\nPeople began rushing hither and thither.


Words: hitherto
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal) until now; until the particular time you are talking about:\na hitherto unknown species of moth * Her life hitherto had been devoid of adventure.


Words: hitter
Meaning:
noun (often in compounds)\n  1  (in sports) a person who hits the ball in the way mentioned:\na big / long / hard hitter\n  2  (in politics or business) a person who is powerful:\nthe heavy hitters of Japanese industry


Words: HIV
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the VIRUS (= simple living thing that causes infections/illnesses) that can cause AIDS (abbreviation for ’human immunodeficiency virus’):\nto be infected with HIV * to be HIV positive


Words: hive
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (also beehive) [C] a structure made for bees to live in\n  2  [C] the bees living in a hive\n  3  [C, usually sing.] a ~ of activity / industry a place full of people who are busy\n  4  (hives) [U] a skin disease that causes the skin to become red and painful\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hive sth<->off (to / into sth) [often passive] (especially BrE) to separate one part of a group from the rest; to sell part of a business:\nThe IT department is being hived off into a new company. * The company decided to hive off some of its less profitable concerns.


Words: hmm
Meaning:
(also hm, h’m) exclamation\nused in writing to show the sound that you make to express doubt or when you are hesitating


Words: HMS
Meaning:
abbreviation\nHer/His Majesty’s Ship (used before the name of a ship in the British navy):\nHMS Apollo


Words: HNC
Meaning:
noun\nthe abbreviation for ’Higher National Certificate’ (a British university or college qualification, especially in a technical or scientific subject):\nto do an HNC in electrical engineering


Words: HND
Meaning:
noun\nthe abbreviation for ’Higher National Diploma’ (a British university or college qualification, especially in a technical or scientific subject):\nto do an HND in fashion design


Words: ho ho
Meaning:
exclamation\n  1  used to show the sound of a deep laugh\n  2  used to show surprise:\nHo, ho! What have we here?


Words: hoar frost
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a layer of small pieces of ice that look like white needles and that form on surfaces outside when temperatures are very low


Words: hoard
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun ~ (of sth) a collection of money, food, valuable objects, etc., especially one that sb keeps in a secret place so that other people will not find or steal it:\nThey dug up a hoard of Roman coins.\n    verb [V, VN] to collect and keep large amounts of food, money, etc., especially secretly\n    hoarder noun:\nI’m a terrible hoarder of junk. I hate throwing things away.


Words: hoarding
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) (also billboard AmE, BrE) [C] a large board on the outside of a building or at the side of the road, used for putting advertisements on:\nadvertising hoardings\n  2  [C] (BrE) a temporary fence made of boards that is placed around an area of land until a building has been built\n  3  [U] the act of hoarding things:\nConsumer hoarding of limited goods, such as gasoline and paper, is creating shortages in stores.


Words: hoarse
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a person or voice) sounding harsh, especially because of a sore throat:\nHe shouted himself hoarse. * a hoarse cough / cry / scream * His voice was hoarse with exhaustion.\n    hoarsely adverb\n    hoarseness noun [U]


Words: hoary
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  (old-fashioned) very old and well known and therefore no longer interesting:\na hoary old joke\n  2  (literary) (especially of hair) grey or white because a person is old:\nHis hair was a hoary white.


Words: hoax
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun an act intended to make sb believe sth that is not true, especially sth unpleasant:\na bomb hoax * hoax calls * The emergency call turned out to be a hoax.\n    verb [VN] to trick sb by making them believe sth that is not true, especially sth unpleasant\n    hoaxer noun:\nBomb hoaxers brought chaos to the city yesterday.


Words: hob
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (BrE) the top part of a cooker where food is cooked in pans; a similar surface that is built into a kitchen unit and is separate from the oven:\nan electric / a gas hob * a ceramic hob\n \n  2  a metal shelf at the side of a fire, used in the past for heating pans, etc. on


Words: hobble
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to walk with difficulty, especially because your feet or legs hurt:\nThe old man hobbled across the road. * She was hobbling around on crutches.\n  2  [VN] to tie together two legs of a horse or other animal in order to stop it from running away:\nThe horse’s hind legs had been hobbled.\n  3  [VN] to make it more difficult for sb to do sth or sth to happen:\nOur work is hobbled by the amount of bureaucracy involved.


Words: hobby
Meaning:
noun\n(plural hobbies) an activity that you do for pleasure when you are not working:\nHer hobbies include swimming and gardening. * I only play jazz as a hobby.


Words: hobby horse
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (sometimes disapproving) a subject that sb feels strongly about and likes to talk about:\nto get on / ride your hobby horse (= talk about your favourite subject)\n  2  a toy made from a long stick that has a horse’s head at one end and on which children pretend to ride


Words: hobnob
Meaning:
verb\n(-bb-) [V] ~ (with sb) (informal) to spend a lot of time with sb, especially sb who is rich and/or famous:\nHe was often seen hobnobbing with influential business people.


Words: hobo
Meaning:
noun (plural hobos) (old-fashioned, especially AmE)\n  1  a person who travels from place to place looking for work, especially on farms\n  2  = TRAMP


Words: Hobson’s choice
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a situation in which sb has no choice because if they do not accept what is offered, they will get nothing


Words: hock
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] the middle joint of an animal’s back leg\n \n  2  [U, C] (BrE) a German white wine\n \n  3  [U, C] (especially AmE) = KNUCKLE (2)\n \n  4  (informal) if sth that you own is in hock, you have exchanged it for money but hope to buy it back later\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  be in hock (to sb) to owe sb sth:\nI’m in hock to the bank for ｣6 000.\n    verb [VN] (informal) to leave a valuable object with sb in exchange for money that you borrow\nSYN PAWN


Words: hockey
Meaning:
noun [U]\n \n  1  (BrE) (AmE field hockey) a game played on a field by two teams of 11 players, with curved sticks and a small hard ball. Teams try to hit the ball into the other team’s goal:\nto play hockey * a hockey stick / player / team\n \n  2  (AmE) = ICE HOCKEY


Words: hocus-pocus
Meaning:
noun\n[U] language or behaviour that is nonsense and is intended to hide the truth from people:\nI still think that horoscopes are a load of hocus-pocus.


Words: hoe
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a garden tool with a long handle and a blade, used for breaking up soil and removing WEEDS (= plants growing where they are not wanted)\n    verb (hoeing, hoed, hoed) to break up soil, remove plants, etc. with a hoe:\n[VN] to hoe the flowerbeds [also V]


Words: hog
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (especially AmE) a pig, especially one that is kept and made fat for eating\n  2  (BrE) a male pig that has been CASTRATED (= had part of its sex organs removed) and is kept for its meat\ncompare BOAR, SOW\nsee also ROAD HOG, WARTHOG\n IDIOMS \n  go the whole hog to do sth thoroughly or completely:\nWe painted the kitchen and then decided to go the whole hog do the other rooms as well.\n    verb (-gg-) [VN] to use or keep most of sth yourself and stop others from using or having it:\nto hog the road (= to drive so that other vehicles cannot pass) * to hog the bathroom (= to spend a long time in it so that others cannot use it)


Words: hogwash
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal, especially AmE) an idea, argument, etc. that you think is stupid:\nHe denounced his opponent’s speech as ’pure political hogwash’.


Words: hoick
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (BrE, informal) to lift or pull sth in a particular direction, especially with a quick sudden movement


Words: hoist
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] to raise or pull sth up to a higher position, often using ropes or special equipment:\nHe hoisted himself onto a high stool. * The cargo was hoisted aboard by crane. * to hoist a flag / sail\n IDIOMS \n  be hoist / hoisted by / with your own petard (BrE) to be hurt or to have problems as a result of your own plans to hurt or trick others\n    noun a piece of equipment used for lifting heavy things, or for lifting people who cannot stand or walk


Words: hoity-toity
Meaning:
adjective\n(old-fashioned, informal) behaving in a way that suggests that you think you are more important than other people:\na hoity-toity attitude


Words: hokey
Meaning:
adjective\n(AmE, informal) expressing emotions in a way that seems exaggerated or silly:\nThey made us all sing some hokey song at the party.


Words: hokum
Meaning:
noun [U] (informal, especially AmE)\n  1  a film/movie, play, etc. that is not realistic and has no artistic qualities\n  2  an idea, argument, etc. that you think is stupid:\nWhat a bunch of hokum!


Words: hold
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (held, held )\n  in hand / arms\n  1  [VN] to carry sth; to have sb/sth in your hand, arms, etc:\nShe was holding a large box. * I held the mouse by its tail. * The girl held her father’s hand tightly. * He was holding the baby in his arms. * The winning captain held the trophy in the air. * We were holding hands (= holding each other’s hands). * The lovers held each other close.\n  2  [VN] to put your hand on part of your body, usually because it hurts:\nShe groaned and held her head.\n  in position\n  3  [usually +adv./prep.] to keep sb/sth in a particular position:\n[VN] Hold your head up. * Hold this position for a count of 10. * The wood is held in position by a clamp. * [VN-ADJ] I’ll hold the door open for you.\n  support\n  4  [VN] to support the weight of sb/sth:\nI don’t think that branch will hold your weight.\n  contain\n  5  [VN] to have enough space for sth/sb; to contain sth/sb:\nThis barrel holds 25 litres. * The plane holds about 300 passengers.\n  sb prisoner\n  6  to keep sb and not allow them to leave:\n[VN] Police are holding two men in connection with last Thursday’s bank raid. * [VN-N] He was held prisoner for two years.\n  control\n  7  [VN] to defend sth against attack; to have control of sth:\nThe rebels held the radio station.\n  remain\n  8  [V] to remain strong and safe or in position:\nThey were afraid the dam wouldn’t hold.\n  9  [V] to remain the same:\nHow long will the fine weather hold? * If their luck holds, they could still win the championship.\n  keep\n  10  [VN] to keep sb’s attention or interest:\nThere wasn’t much in the museum to hold my attention.\n  11  [VN] to keep sth at the same level, rate, speed, etc:\nHold your speed at 70. * Interest rates have been held at 8% for a year now.\n  12  [VN] to keep sth so that it can be used later:\nrecords held on computer * Our solicitor holds our wills. * We can hold your reservation for three days.\n  own\n  13  [VN] to own or have sth:\nEmployees hold 30% of the shares.\n  job\n  14  [VN] to have a particular job or position:\nHow long has he held office? * Mrs Thatcher held the post of Prime Minister longer than anyone else last century.\n  record / title\n  15  [VN] to have sth you have gained or achieved:\nWho holds the world record for the long jump? * She held the title of world champion for three years.\n  opinion\n  16  [VN] to have a belief or an opinion about sb/sth:\nHe holds strange views on education. * She is held in high regard by her students (= they have a high opinion of her). * firmly-held beliefs\n  17  (formal) to consider that sth is true:\n[V that] I still hold that the government’s economic policies are mistaken. * [VN-ADJ] Parents will be held responsible for their children’s behaviour. * [VN to inf] These vases are held to be the finest examples of Greek art.\n HELP NOTE  This pattern is usually used in the passive.\n  meeting\n  18  [VN] [usually passive] to organize and have a meeting, competition, conversation, etc:\nThe meeting will be held in the community centre. * It’s impossible to hold a conversation with all this noise. * The country is holding its first free elections for 20 years.\n  road / course\n  19  [VN] if a vehicle holds the road, it is in close contact with the road and easy to control, especially when driven fast\n  20  [VN] if a ship or an aircraft holds a course, it continues to move in a particular direction\n  in music\n  21  [VN] to make a note continue for a particular time\n  on telephone\n  22  to wait until you can speak to the person you have telephoned:\n[V] That extension is busy right now. Can you hold? * [VN] She asked me to hold the line.\n  stop\n  23  [VN] used to tell sb to stop doing sth or not to do sth:\nHold your fire! (= don’t shoot) * Hold the front page! (= don’t print it until a particular piece of news is available) * (AmE, informal) Give me a hot dog, but hold the (= don’t give me any) mustard.\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing hold are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example hold the fort is at fort.\n  hold good to be true:\nThe same argument does not hold good in every case.\n  hold it (spoken) used to ask sb to wait, or not to move:\nHold it a second-I don’t think everyone’s arrived yet.\n  there is no holding sb a person cannot be prevented from doing sth:\nOnce she gets onto the subject of politics there’s no holding her.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hold sth against sb to allow sth that sb has done to make you have a lower opinion of them:\nI admit I made a mistake-but don’t hold it against me.\n  hold sb/sth<->back\n1 to prevent sb/sth from moving forward or crossing sth:\nThe police were unable to hold back the crowd. * The dam was not strong enough to hold back the flood waters.\n2 to prevent the progress or development of sb/sth:\nDo you think that mixed ability classes hold back the better students? * We are determined that nothing should hold back the peace talks.\n  hold sth<->back\n1 to not tell sb sth they want or need to know:\nto hold back information * I think he’s holding something back. I’m sure he knows more than he admits.\n2 to stop yourself from expressing how you really feel:\nShe just managed to hold back her anger. * He bravely held back his tears.\n  hold back (from doing sth) | hold sb back (from doing sth) to hesitate or to make sb hesitate to act or speak:\nShe held back, not knowing how to break the terrible news. * I wanted to tell him the truth, but something held me back.\n  hold sb<->down\n1 to prevent sb from moving, using force:\nIt took three men to hold him down.\n2 to prevent sb from having their freedom or rights:\nThe people are held down by a repressive regime.\n  hold sth<->down\n1 to keep sth at a low level:\nThe rate of inflation must be held down.\n2 [no passive] to keep a job for some time:\nHe was unable to hold down a job after his breakdown.\n3 [no passive] (AmE, informal) to limit sth, especially a noise:\nHold it down, will you? I’m trying to sleep!\n  hold forth to speak for a long time about sth in a way that other people might find boring\n  hold sth<->in to not express how you really feel:\nto hold in your feelings / anger\nOPP LET STH OUT\n  hold off\n1 (of rain or a storm) to not start:\nThe rain held off just long enough for us to have our picnic.\n2 to not do sth immediately:\nWe could get a new computer now or hold off until prices are lower. * [+ -ing] Could you hold off making your decision for a few days?\n  hold sb/sth<->off to stop sb/sth defeating you:\nShe held off all the last-minute challengers and won the race in a new record time.\n  hold on\n1 (spoken) used to tell sb to wait or stop:\nHold on a minute while I get my breath back. * Hold on! This isn’t the right road.\n2 to survive in a difficult or dangerous situation:\nThey managed to hold on until help arrived.\n3 (spoken) used on the telephone to ask sb to wait until they can talk to the person they want:\nCan you hold on? I’ll see if he’s here.\n  hold sth<->on to keep sth in position:\nThese nuts and bolts hold the wheels on. * The knob is only held on by sticky tape.\n  hold on (to sth/sb) | hold onto sth/sb [no passive] to keep holding sth/sb:\nHold on and don’t let go until I say so. * He held onto the back of the chair to stop himself from falling. * It’s very windy-you’d better hold onto your hat.\n  hold on to sth | hold onto sth\n1 to keep sth that is an advantage for you; to not give or sell sth to sb else:\nYou should hold on to your oil shares. * She took an early lead in the race and held onto it for nine laps.\n2 to keep sth for sb else or for longer than usual:\nI’ll hold onto your mail for you until you get back.\n  hold out\n1 to last, especially in a difficult situation:\nWe can stay here for as long as our supplies hold out.\n2 to resist or survive in a dangerous or difficult situation:\nThe rebels held out in the mountains for several years.\n  hold out sth to offer a chance, hope or possibility of sth:\nDoctors hold out little hope of her recovering.\n  hold sth<->out to put your hand or arms, or sth in your hand, towards sb, especially to give or offer sth:\nI held out my hand to steady her. * He held out the keys and I took them.\n  hold out for sth [no passive] to cause a delay in reaching an agreement because you hope you will gain sth:\nThe union negotiators are holding out for a more generous pay settlement.\n  hold out on sb (informal) to refuse to tell or give sb sth\n  hold sth<->over [usually passive]\n1 to not deal with sth immediately; to leave sth to be dealt with later:\nThe matter was held over until the next meeting.\n2 to show a film/movie, play, etc. for longer than planned:\nThe movie proved so popular it was held over for another week.\n  hold sth over sb to use knowledge that you have about sb to threaten them or make them do what you want\n  hold sb to sth\n1 to make sb keep a promise\n2 to stop an opposing team scoring more points than you:\nThe league leaders were held to a 00 draw.\n  hold together | hold sth <-> together\n1 to remain, or to keep sth, united:\nA political party should hold together. * It’s the mother who usually holds the family together.\n2 (of an argument, a theory or a story) to be logical or CONSISTENT:\nTheir case doesn’t hold together when you look at the evidence.\ncompare hang together at HANG\n3 if a machine or an object holds together or sth holds it together, the different parts stay together so that it does not break\n  hold up to remain strong and working effectively:\nShe’s holding up well under the pressure.\n  hold sb/sth<->up [often passive]\n1 to support sb/sth and stop them from falling\n2 to delay or block the movement or progress of sb/sth:\nAn accident is holding up traffic. * My application was held up by the postal strike.\nrelated noun HOLD-UP\n3 to use or present sb/sth as an example:\nShe’s always holding up her children as models of good behaviour. * His ideas were held up to ridicule.\n  hold up sth to rob a bank, shop/store, etc. using a gun:\nMasked men held up a security van in South London yesterday.\nrelated noun HOLD-UP\n  hold with sth [no passive] (used in negative sentences or in questions) to agree with or approve of sth:\nI don’t hold with the use of force. * [+ -ing] They don’t hold with letting children watch as much TV as they want.\n    noun\n  with hand\n  1  [sing., U] the action of holding sb/sth; the way you are holding sb/sth\nSYN GRIP:\nHis hold on her arm tightened. * She tried to keep hold of the child’s hand as they walked along. * Make sure you’ve got a steady hold on the camera.\n  in sport\n  2  [C] a particular way of holding sb, especially in a sport such as WRESTLING or in a fight:\nThe wrestler put his opponent into a head hold. * The exercise called for the recruits to get out of various holds.\n  power / control\n  3  [sing.] ~ (on / over sb/sth) influence, power or control over sb/sth:\nWhat she knew about his past gave her a hold over him. * He struggled to get a hold of his anger.\nsee also STRANGLEHOLD\n  in climbing\n  4  [C] a place where you can put your hands or feet when climbing:\nShe put her foot firmly in the hold and pulled herself up.\nsee also FOOTHOLD, HANDHOLD, TOEHOLD\n  on ship / plane\n  5  [C] the part of a ship or plane where the goods being carried are stored\n IDIOMS \n  catch / get / grab / take, etc. (a) hold of sb/sth to have or take sb/sth in your hands:\nHe caught hold of her wrists so she couldn’t get away. * Lee got hold of the dog by its collar. * Quick, grab a hold of that rope. * Gently, she took hold of the door handle and turned it.\n  get hold of sb to contact or find sb:\nWhere have you been? I’ve been trying to get hold of you all day. * Eventually, we got hold of Dan in New York. * Do you know where I can get hold of a good plumber?\n  get hold of sth\n1 to find sth that you want or need:\nI need to get hold of Tom’s address. * It’s almost impossible to get hold of tickets for the final. * The police do not know how the boy got hold of the knife. * How did the press get hold of the story?\n2 to learn or understand sth\n  no holds barred with no rules or limits on what sb is allowed to do:\nThere will be no holds barred in his interview with the president this evening.\n  on hold\n1 delayed until a later time or date:\nShe put her career on hold to have a baby. * The project is on hold until more money is available. * The department has placed its plans on hold pending the results of the elections.\n2 if a person on the telephone is put on hold, they have to wait until the person that they want to talk to is free\n  take (a) hold to begin to have complete control over sb/sth; to become very strong:\nPanic took hold of him and he couldn’t move. * They managed to get out of the house just before the flames took hold. * It is best to treat the disease early before it takes a hold.\nmore at WRONG adj.


Words: hold-up
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a situation in which sth is prevented from happening for a short time:\nWhat’s the hold-up? * We should finish by tonight, barring hold-ups. * (BrE) Sorry I’m late. There was a hold-up on the motorway.\n  2  an act of robbing a bank, etc. using a gun:\na hold-up at the local supermarket


Words: holdall
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a large bag made of strong fabric or soft leather, used when you are travelling for carrying clothes, etc.\ncompare DUFFEL BAG


Words: holder
Meaning:
noun (often in compounds)\n \n  1  a person who has or owns the thing mentioned:\na licence holder * a season ticket holder * an account holder * a job holder * the current holder of the world record * holders of high office * the holder of a French passport\nsee also RECORD HOLDER, TITLE-HOLDER\n \n  2  a thing that holds the object mentioned:\na pen holder\nsee also CIGARETTE HOLDER


Words: holding
Meaning:
noun\n  1  ~ (in sth) a number of shares that sb has in a company:\nShe has a 40% holding in the company.\nsee also FUNDHOLDING\n  2  [often pl.] an amount of property that is owned by a person, museum, library, etc:\none of the most important private holdings of Indian art * The Lehman holding has been housed in the museum since 1975.\n  3  a piece of land that is rented by sb and used for farming\nsee also SMALLHOLDING


Words: holding operation
Meaning:
noun\na course of action that is taken so that a particular situation stays the same or does not become any worse


Words: holding pattern
Meaning:
noun\nthe route a plane travels in while it is flying above the landing place, waiting for permission to land


Words: holdover
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) a person who keeps a position of power, for example sb who had a particular position in one ADMINISTRATION and who still has it in the next


Words: hole
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  hollow space\n \n  1  [C] a hollow space in sth solid or in the surface of sth:\nHe dug a deep hole in the garden. * The bomb blew a huge hole in the ground. * Water had collected in the holes in the road.\n \n  opening\n \n  2  [C] a space or opening that goes all the way through sth\nSYN GAP:\nto drill / bore / punch / kick a hole in sth * There were holes in the knees of his trousers. * The children climbed through a hole in the fence. * a bullet hole * the hole in the ozone layer\nsee also OZONE HOLE\n  animal’s home\n  3  [C] the home of a small animal:\na rabbit / mouse hole\nsee also BOLT-HOLE\ncompare FOXHOLE, PIGEON-HOLE\n  unpleasant place\n  4  [C, usually sing.] (informal, disapproving) an unpleasant place to live or be in:\nI am not going to bring up my child in this hole.\nsee also HELLHOLE\n  in golf\n  5  [C] a hollow in the ground that you must get the ball into; one of the sections of a GOLF COURSE with the TEE at the beginning and the hole at the end:\nThe ball rolled into the hole and she had won. * an eighteen-hole golf course * He liked to play a few holes after work. * She won the first hole.\n  fault / weakness\n  6  [C, usually pl.] a fault or weakness in sth such as a plan, law or story:\nHe was found not guilty because of holes in the prosecution case. * I don’t believe what she says-her story is full of holes.\nsee also LOOPHOLE\n  empty place / position\n  7  [sing.] a place or position that needs to be filled because sb/sth is no longer there:\nAfter his wife left, there was a gaping hole in his life. * Buying the new equipment left a big hole in the company’s finances.\n HELP NOTE  There are many other compounds ending in hole. You will find them at their place in the alphabet.\n IDIOMS \n  in a hole (informal) in a difficult situation:\nHe had got himself into a hole and it was going to be difficult to get out of it.\n  in the hole (AmE, informal) in debt; owing money:\nWe start the current fiscal year $30 million in the hole.\n  make a hole in sth to use up a large amount of sth that you have, especially money:\nSchool fees can make a big hole in your savings.\nmore at ACE n., BURN v., DIG v., PICK v.\n    verb\n  make a hole\n  1  [VN] [usually passive] to make a hole or holes in sth, especially a boat or ship:\nThe ship had been holed by a missile. * The hull was holed in several places.\n  in golf\n  2  ~ (out) to hit a golf ball into the hole:\n[VN] She holed a 25 foot putt. * [V] She holed out from 25 feet.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hole up | be holed up (informal) to hide in a place:\nHe’ll hole up now and move again tomorrow, after dark. * We believe the gang are holed up in the mountains.


Words: hole-in-one
Meaning:
noun\n(plural holes-in-one) an occasion in golf when a player hits the ball from the TEE into the hole using only one shot:\nto get a hole-in-one


Words: hole-in-the-wall
Meaning:
noun [sing.] (informal)\n  1  (BrE) = CASH MACHINE\n  2  (AmE) a small dark shop/store or restaurant\n    hole-in-the-wall adjective [only before noun]:\nhole-in-the-wall cash machines / restaurants


Words: holiday
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] (also holidays [pl.]) (both BrE) (AmE vacation) a period of time when you are not at work or school:\nthe school / summer / Christmas holidays * I’m afraid Mr Walsh is away on holiday this week. * The package includes 20 days’ paid holiday a year. * holiday pay * a holiday job (= done by students during the school holidays)\n  2  [C] (BrE) (AmE vacation) a period of time spent travelling or resting away from home:\na camping / skiing / walking holiday * an adventure holiday * a family / foreign holiday * a holiday cottage / home / resort * the holiday industry * a holiday atmosphere / romance * Where are you going for your holidays this year? * a two-week holiday in the sun * They met while on holiday in Greece. * I haven’t had a decent holiday for years.\nsee also BUSMAN’S HOLIDAY, PACKAGE TOUR\n  3  [C] a day when most people do not go to work or school, especially because of a religious or national celebration:\na national holiday * Today is a holiday in Wales.\nsee also BANK HOLIDAY, PUBLIC HOLIDAY\n  4  (holidays) [pl.] (AmE) the time in December and early January that includes Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year:\nHappy Holidays!\n IDIOMS  see HIGH adj.\n    verb (BrE) (AmE vacation) [V] to spend a holiday somewhere:\nShe was holidaying with her family in Ireland. * We often holidayed together.\n______________________________\n BRITISH / AMERICAN \nholiday / vacation\nYou use holiday (or holidays) in BrE and vacation in AmE to describe the regular periods of time when you are not at work or school, or time that you spend travelling or resting away from home: I get four weeks’ holiday/vacation a year. * He’s on holiday/vacation this week. * I like to take my holiday/vacation in the winter. * the summer holidays/vacation.\nIn AmE a holiday (or a public holiday) is a single day when government offices, schools, banks and businesses are closed: The school will be closed Monday because it’s a holiday. This is called a bank holiday in BrE.\nThe holidays is used in AmE to refer to the time in late December and early January that includes Christmas, Hanukkah and the New Year.\nVacation in BrE is used mainly to mean one of the periods when universities are officially closed for the students.\n______________________________


Words: holiday camp
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a place that provides accommodation and entertainment for large numbers of people who are on holiday/vacation


Words: holidaymaker
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) (AmE vacationer) a person who is visiting a place on holiday/vacation:\nThe plane was packed with Dutch holidaymakers.


Words: holier-than-thou
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) showing that you think that you are morally better than other people:\nI can’t stand his holier-than-thou attitude.


Words: holiness
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the quality of being holy\n  2  (His / Your Holiness) [C] a title of respect used when talking to or about the Pope and some other religious leaders:\nHis Holiness Pope John Paul II


Words: holistic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (informal) considering a whole thing or being to be more than a collection of parts:\na holistic approach to life\n  2  (medical) treating the whole person rather than just the SYMPTOMS (= effects) of a disease:\nholistic medicine\n    holistically  adverb


Words: holler
Meaning:
verb\n(informal, especially AmE) to shout loudly\nSYN YELL:\n[V] Don’t holler at me! * [V speech] ’Look out!’ I hollered. [also VN]


Words: hollow
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n \n    adjective\n \n  1  having a hole or empty space inside:\na hollow ball / centre / tube * The tree trunk was hollow inside. * Her stomach felt hollow with fear.\n \n  2  (of parts of the face) sinking deeply into the face:\nhollow eyes / cheeks * hollow-eyed from lack of sleep\n \n  3  [usually before noun] (of sounds) making a low sound like that made by an empty object when it is hit:\na hollow groan / echo\n  4  [usually before noun] not sincere:\nhollow promises / threats * a hollow laugh / voice * Their appeals for an end to the violence had a hollow ring. * His promise rang hollow.\n  5  [usually before noun] without real value:\nto win a hollow victory * The statistics show that it was no hollow warning.\n    hollowly adverb:\nto laugh / echo hollowly\n    hollowness noun [U]:\nthe hollowness of success / victory\n IDIOMS  see RING v.\n    noun\n  1  an area that is lower than the surface around it, especially on the ground:\nmuddy hollows * The wheelbarrow got stuck in a hollow. * The village lay secluded in a hollow of the hills (= a small valley). * She noticed the slight hollows under his cheekbones.\n  2  a hole or an enclosed space in sth:\nThe squirrel disappeared into a hollow at the base of the tree.\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] to make a flat surface curve inwards:\nThe stairs have been hollowed by centuries of use.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  hollow sth<->out\n1 to make a hole in sth by removing part of it:\nHollow out the cake and fill it with cream. * a gun concealed in a hollowed-out book\n2 to form sth by making a hole in sth else:\nThe cave has been hollowed out of the mountainside.


Words: holly
Meaning:
noun\n(plural hollies) [U, C] a bush or small tree with hard shiny prickly leaves and bright red berries in winter, often used as a decoration at Christmas:\na sprig of holly


Words: holocaust
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a situation in which many things are destroyed and many people killed, especially because of a war or a fire:\na nuclear holocaust\n  2  (the Holocaust) [sing.] the killing of millions of Jews by the Nazis in the 1930s and 1940s


Words: hologram
Meaning:
noun\na special type of picture in which the objects seem to be THREE-DIMENSIONAL (= solid rather than flat)


Words: hols
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) holidays:\nthe school / summer hols * He’s away on his hols at the moment.


Words: holy
Meaning:
adjective (holier, holiest)\n  1  [usually before noun] connected with God or a particular religion:\nthe Holy Bible / Scriptures * holy ground * a holy war (= one fought to defend the beliefs of a particular religion) * the holy city of Mecca * Islam’s holiest shrine\nOPP UNHOLY\nsee also HOLY ORDERS\n  2  good in a moral and religious way:\na holy life / man\nOPP UNHOLY\n  3  [only before noun] (informal) used to emphasize that you are surprised, afraid, etc:\nHoly cow! What was that?\nsee also HOLIER-THAN-THOU, HOLINESS


Words: holy orders
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the official position of being a priest, BISHOP, etc:\nto take holy orders (= to become a priest)


Words: Holy Writ
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the Bible: (figurative) You shouldn’t take what he says as Holy Writ (= accept that it is true without questioning it).


Words: homage
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C, usually sing.] ~ (to sb/sth) (formal) something that is said or done to show respect for sb:\nThe kings of France paid homage to no one. * He describes his book as ’a homage to my father’. * They stood in silent homage around the grave.


Words: home
Meaning:
noun, adjective, adverb, verb \n    noun\n  house, etc.\n  1  [C, U] the house or flat/apartment that you live in, especially with your family:\nWe are not far from my home now. * Old people prefer to stay in their own homes. * She leaves home at 7 every day. * the family home * While travelling she missed the comforts of home. * He left home (= left his parents and began an independent life) at sixteen. * Nowadays a lot of people work from home. * I’ll call you from home later. * (figurative) We haven’t found a home for all my father’s books yet (= a place where they can be kept). * stray dogs needing new homes\nsee also STAY-AT-HOME\n  2  [C] a house or flat/apartment, etc., when you think of it as property that can be bought and sold:\na holiday / summer home * A lot of new homes are being built on the edge of town. * Private home ownership is increasing faster than ever. * They applied for a home improvement loan.\nsee also MOBILE HOME, SECOND HOME, STATELY HOME\n  town / country\n  3  [C, U] the town, district, country, etc. that you come from, or where you are living and that you feel you belong to:\nI often think about my friends back home. * Jane left England and made Greece her home. * Jamaica is home to over two million people.\n  family\n  4  [C] used to refer to a family living together, and the way it behaves:\nShe came from a violent home. * They wanted to give the boy a secure and loving home. * He had always wanted a real home with a wife and children.\nsee also BROKEN HOME\n  for old people / children\n  5  [C] a place where people who cannot care for themselves live and are cared for by others:\na children’s home * an old people’s home * a retirement home * a home for the mentally ill * She has lived in a home since she was six.\nsee also NURSING HOME, REST HOME\n  for pets\n  6  [C] a place where pets with no owner are looked after:\na dogs’ / cats’ home\n  of plant / animal\n  7  [sing., U] the place where a plant or animal usually lives; the place where sb/sth can be found:\nThis region is the home of many species of wild flower. * The tiger’s home is in the jungle. * The Rockies are home to bears and mountain lions. * Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon and the Petrified Forest. * Beverly Hills is the home of the stars.\n  where sth first done\n  8  [sing.] the ~ of sth the place where sth was first discovered, made or invented:\nNew Orleans, the home of jazz * Greece, the home of democracy\n IDIOMS \n  at home\n1 in a person’s own house, flat/apartment, etc:\nI phoned you last night, but you weren’t at home. * Oh no, I left my purse at home. * He lived at home (= with his parents) until he was thirty.\n2 comfortable and relaxed:\nSit down and make yourself at home. * Simon feels very at home on a horse.\n3 (used especially in journalism) in sb’s own country, not in a foreign country:\nThe president is not as popular at home as he is abroad.\n4 if a sports team plays at home, it plays in the town, etc. that it comes from:\nLeeds are playing at home this weekend. * Is the match on Saturday at home or away?\n  away from home\n1 away from a person’s own house, flat/apartment, etc:\nHe works away from home during the week. * I don’t want to be away from home for too long.\n2 (BrE) if a sports team plays away from home, it plays in the town, etc. that its opponent comes from:\nThe side has scored 24 goals away from home this season.\n  a home from home (BrE) (AmE a home away from home) a place where you feel relaxed and comfortable as if you were in your own home:\nThe guests are made to feel that the hotel is a home from home.\n  home sweet home (often ironic) used to say how pleasant your home is (especially when you really mean that it is not pleasant at all)\n  set up home (BrE) (used especially about a couple) to start living in a new place:\nThey got married and set up home together in Hull.\n  when he’s, it’s, etc. at home (BrE, humorous) used to emphasize a question about sb/sth:\nWho’s she when she’s at home? (= I don’t know her)\nmore at CHARITY, CLOSE adj., EAT, ENGLISHMAN, SPIRITUAL\n    adjective [only before noun]\n  where you live\n  1  connected with the place where you live:\nhome life (= with your family) * a person’s home address / town * We offer customers a free home delivery service.\n  made / used at home\n  2  made or used at home:\nhome movies * home cooking * a home computer * home brew (= beer that is made at home)\n  own country\n  3  (especially BrE) connected with your own country rather than foreign countries\nSYN DOMESTIC:\nproducts for the home market * home news / affairs\nOPP FOREIGN, OVERSEAS\n  in sport\n  4  connected with a team’s own sports ground:\na home match / win * the home team * Rangers were playing in front of their home crowd.\ncompare AWAY\n    adverb\n  where you live\n  1  to or at the place where you live:\nCome on, it’s time to go home. * What time did you get home last night? * The trip has been exhausting and I’ll be glad to be home. * After a month, they went back home to America. * It was a lovely day so I walked home. * Anna will drive me home after work. * Hopefully the doctors will allow her home tomorrow. * (AmE) I like to stay home in the evenings.\n  into correct position\n  2  into the correct position:\nShe leaned on the door and pushed the bolt home. * He drove the ball home (= scored a goal) from 15 metres. * The torpedo struck home on the hull of the ship.\n IDIOMS \n  be home and dry (BrE) (AmE be home free) to have done sth successfully, especially when it was difficult:\nI could see the finish line and thought I was home and dry.\n  bring home the bacon (informal) to be successful at sth; to earn money for your family to live on:\nHis friends had all gone to college or were bringing home the bacon.\n  bring sth home to sb to make sb realize how important, difficult or serious sth is:\nThe sight of his pale face brought home to me how ill he really was. * The television pictures brought home to us all the full horror of the attack.\n  come home to sb to become completely clear to sb, often in a way that is painful:\nIt suddenly came home to him that he was never going to see Julie again.\n  sth comes home to roost (also the chickens come home to roost) used to say that if sb says or does sth bad or wrong, it will affect them badly in the future\n  hit / strike home if a remark, etc. hits/ strikes home, it has a strong effect on sb, in a way that makes them realize what the true facts of a situation are:\nHer face went pale as his words hit home.\nmore at COW n., DRIVE v., PRESS v., RAM v., ROMP n., WRITE\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  home in on sth\n1 to aim at sth and move straight towards it:\nThe missile homed in on the target. * a shark homing in on its victim\n2 to direct your thoughts or attention towards sth:\nI began to feel I was really homing in on the answer. * The investigation homed in on the town of Carlton.


