2 VERB If a wound weeps , liquid or blood comes from it because it is not healing properly. □ [V ] In severe cases, the skin can crack and weep. □ [V -ing] …little blisters which develop into weeping sores.
wee p|ing wi l|low (weeping willows ) N‑VAR A weeping willow is a type of willow tree. It has long thin branches that hang down to the ground.
weepy /wiː pi/ (weepies )
1 ADJ Someone who is weepy is sad and likely to cry easily. □ I suddenly felt very weepy. □ …weepy moods.
2 N‑COUNT A weepy is a film or a story which is sentimental and makes you cry. [INFORMAL ]
wee|vil /wiː v I l/ (weevils ) N‑COUNT A weevil is a small insect which feeds on grain and seeds, and destroys crops.
weft /we ft/ N‑SING In weaving, the weft of a piece of cloth is the threads which are passed sideways across the other threads. Compare warp .
weigh ◆◇◇ /we I / (weighs , weighing , weighed )
1 VERB [no cont] If someone or something weighs a particular amount, this amount is how heavy they are. □ [V amount] It weighs nearly 27 kilos (about 65 pounds).
2 VERB If you weigh something or someone, you measure how heavy they are. □ [V n] The scales can be used to weigh other items such as parcels.
3 VERB If you weigh the facts about a situation, you consider them very carefully before you make a decision, especially by comparing the various facts involved. □ [V n] He is weighing the possibility of filing criminal charges against the doctor. □ [V wh] She spoke very slowly, weighing what she would say. ● PHRASAL VERB Weigh up means the same as weigh . [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n] The company will be able to weigh up the environmental pros and cons of each site. □ [V P wh] You have to weigh up whether a human life is more important than an animal's life. [Also V n P ]
▸ weigh down PHRASAL VERB If something that you are wearing or carrying weighs you down , it stops you moving easily by making you heavier. □ [V n P ] He took off his shoes. If they had to swim, he didn't want anything weighing him down. □ [V P n] These nests increase in size each year, and can eventually weigh down the branch.
▸ weigh up
1 → see weigh 3
2 PHRASAL VERB If you weigh someone up , you try and find out what they are like and form an opinion of them, especially when you are suspicious of them. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n P ] My recruiting sergeant weighed me up when I first walked into his office. [Also V P n] SYNONYMS weigh VERB 3
consider: You do have to consider the feelings of those around you.
study: I invite every citizen to carefully study the document.
examine: I have given the matter much thought, examining all the possible alternatives.
contemplate: For a time he contemplated a career as an army medical doctor.
wei gh-in (weigh-ins ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] When there is a weigh-in on the day of a boxing match, each competitor is weighed to check their weight before the match.
weight ◆◆◇ /we I t/ (weights , weighting , weighted )
1 N‑VAR [oft with poss] The weight of a person or thing is how heavy they are, measured in units such as kilograms, pounds, or tons. □ What is your height and weight? □ This reduced the weight of the load. □ [+ of ] Turkeys can reach enormous weights of up to 50 pounds. ● PHRASE If someone loses weight , they become lighter. If they gain weight or put on weight , they become heavier. □ I'm lucky really as I never put on weight. □ He lost two stone in weight during his time there.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] A person's or thing's weight is the fact that they are very heavy. □ Despite the vehicle's size and weight, it is not difficult to drive.
3 N‑SING If you move your weight , you change position so that most of the pressure of your body is on a particular part of your body. □ He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. □ He kept the weight from his left leg.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Weights are objects which weigh a known amount and which people lift as a form of exercise. □ I was in the gym lifting weights.
5 N‑COUNT Weights are metal objects which weigh a known amount and which are used on a set of scales to weigh other things.
6 N‑COUNT You can refer to a heavy object as a weight , especially when you have to lift it. □ Straining to lift heavy weights can lead to a rise in blood pressure.
7 VERB If you weight something, you make it heavier by adding something to it, for example in order to stop it from moving easily. □ [V n] It can be sewn into curtain hems to weight the curtain and so allow it to hang better.
8 VERB If you weight things, you give them different values according to how important or significant they are. □ [V n] …a computer program which weights the different transitions according to their likelihood. □ [V -ed] Responses were weighted by region to more accurately reflect the population. .
9 N‑VAR If something is given a particular weight , it is given a particular value according to how important or significant it is. □ [+ on ] The scientists involved put different weight on the conclusions of different models.
10 N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something gives weight to what a person says, thinks, or does, they emphasize its significance. □ The fact that he is gone has given more weight to fears that he may try to launch a civil war.
11 N‑UNCOUNT If you give something or someone weight , you consider them to be very important or influential in a particular situation. □ [+ on ] This might have been avoided had ministers placed more weight on scientific advice.
12 → see also dead weight , weighting
13 PHRASE If a person or their opinion carries weight , they are respected and are able to influence people. □ That argument no longer carries as much weight. □ He still carries considerable weight in medical circles.
14 PHRASE If you say that someone or something is worth their weight in gold , you are emphasizing that they are so useful, helpful, or valuable that you feel you could not manage without them. [EMPHASIS ] □ Any successful manager is worth his weight in gold.
15 PHRASE If you pull your weight , you work as hard as everyone else who is involved in the same task or activity. □ He accused the team of not pulling their weight.
16 a weight off your mind → see mind ➊
▸ weight down PHRASAL VERB If you weight something down , you put something heavy on it or in it in order to prevent it from moving easily. □ [V n P ] Put some tins on top to weight it down. COLLOCATIONS weight NOUN 1
noun + weight : body, birth; target
adjective + weight : healthy, ideal, normal; considerable, excess, extra
verb + weight : bear, carry; gain, lose, reduce, shed; maintain
weight|ed /we I t I d/ ADJ A system that is weighted in favour of a particular person or group is organized so that this person or group has an advantage. □ The current electoral law is still heavily weighted in favour of the ruling party.
weight|ing /we I t I ŋ/ (weightings )
1 N‑COUNT A weighting is a value which is given to something according to how important or significant it is. □ The tests and teacher assessments have equal weighting.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A weighting is an advantage that a particular group of people receives in a system, especially an extra sum of money that people receive if they work in a city where the cost of living is very high. □ I get an extra £2,700-a-year London weighting.
3 → see also weight
weight|less /we I tləs/
1 ADJ Something that is weightless weighs nothing or seems to weigh nothing. □ Photons have no mass–they are weightless. □ …weightless silk curtains.
2 ADJ A person or object is weightless when they are in space and the earth's gravity does not affect them, so that they float around. □ Helen described life in a weightless environment during her period in space. ● weight|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT
weight|lifter /we I tl I ftə r / (weightlifters ) N‑COUNT A weightlifter is a person who does weightlifting.
weight|lifting /we I tl I ft I ŋ/ also weight-lifting N‑UNCOUNT Weightlifting is a sport in which the competitor who can lift the heaviest weight wins.
wei ght train|ing N‑UNCOUNT Weight training is a kind of physical exercise in which people lift or push heavy weights with their arms and legs in order to strengthen their muscles.
weighty /we I ti/ (weightier , weightiest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something such as an issue or a decision as weighty , you mean that it is serious or important. [FORMAL ] □ Surely such weighty matters merit a higher level of debate?
2 ADJ You use weighty to describe something, especially a book, that is heavy or heavier than you would expect. [LITERARY ] □ Simon lifted a weighty volume from the shelf.
weir /w I ə r / (weirs )
1 N‑COUNT A weir is a low barrier which is built across a river in order to control or direct the flow of water.
2 N‑COUNT A weir is a wooden fence which is built across a stream in order to create a pool for catching fish.
weird /w I ə r d/ (weirder , weirdest ) ADJ If you describe something or someone as weird , you mean that they are strange. [INFORMAL ] □ He's different. He's weird. □ In the 70s, we did a lot of creative things but also some weird things. □ It must be really weird to be rich.
weir|do /w I ə r doʊ/ (weirdos ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a weirdo , you disapprove of them because they behave in an unusual way which you find difficult to understand or accept. [INFORMAL , mainly SPOKEN , DISAPPROVAL ]
welch /we lʃ/ (welches , welching , welched ) also welsh VERB If someone welches on a deal or an agreement, they do not do the things they promised to do as part of that deal or agreement. [INFORMAL ] □ [V + on ] He welched on his agreement with the club that he would play for them in February.
wel|come ◆◆◇ /we lkəm/ (welcomes , welcoming , welcomed )
1 VERB If you welcome someone, you greet them in a friendly way when they arrive somewhere. □ [V n] Several people came by to welcome me. □ [V n adv/prep] She was there to welcome him home from war. □ [V -ing] The delegates received a welcoming speech by the President. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Welcome is also a noun. □ There would be a fantastic welcome awaiting him back here.
2 CONVENTION You use welcome in expressions such as welcome home , welcome to London , and welcome back when you are greeting someone who has just arrived somewhere. [FORMULAE ] □ Welcome to Washington. □ Welcome back, Deborah–It's good to have you here.
3 VERB If you welcome an action, decision, or situation, you approve of it and are pleased that it has occurred. □ [V n] She welcomed this move but said that overall the changes didn't go far enough. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Welcome is also a noun. □ Environmental groups have given a guarded welcome to the Prime Minister's proposal.
4 ADJ If you describe something as welcome , you mean that people wanted it and are happy that it has occurred. □ This was certainly a welcome change of fortune.
5 VERB If you say that you welcome certain people or actions, you are inviting and encouraging people to do something, for example to come to a particular place. □ [V n] We would welcome your views about the survey.
6 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is welcome in a particular place, you are encouraging them to go there by telling them that they will be liked and accepted. □ New members are always welcome. □ [+ in ] I told him he wasn't welcome in my home.
7 ADJ [v-link ADJ , usu ADJ to-inf] If you tell someone that they are welcome to do something, you are encouraging them to do it by telling them that they are allowed to do it. □ You are welcome to visit the hospital at any time.
8 ADJ If you say that someone is welcome to something, you mean that you do not want it yourself because you do not like it and you are very willing for them to have it. □ [+ to ] If women want to take on the business world, they are welcome to it as far as I'm concerned.
9 → see also welcoming
10 PHRASE If you make someone welcome or make them feel welcome, you make them feel happy and accepted in a new place.
11 PHRASE If you say that someone outstays their welcome or overstays their welcome , you mean that they stay somewhere longer than they are wanted or expected to. □ After the kindness that had been shown to him, he didn't want to outstay his welcome.
12 CONVENTION You say ' You're welcome ' to someone who has thanked you for something in order to acknowledge their thanks in a polite way. [FORMULAE ] □ 'Thank you for the information.'—'You're welcome.'
wel|com|ing /we lkəm I ŋ/ ADJ If someone is welcoming or if they behave in a welcoming way, they are friendly to you when you arrive somewhere, so that you feel happy and accepted. □ When we arrived at her house Susan was very welcoming.
weld /we ld/ (welds , welding , welded ) VERB To weld one piece of metal to another means to join them by heating the edges and putting them together so that they cool and harden into one piece. □ [V n + to ] It's possible to weld stainless steel to ordinary steel. □ [V n with together ] They will also be used on factory floors to weld things together. □ [V ] Where did you learn to weld? [Also V n] ● weld|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ All the welding had been done from inside the car. □ …welding equipment.
weld|er /we ldə r / (welders ) N‑COUNT A welder is a person whose job is welding metal.
wel|fare ◆◇◇ /we lfeə r /
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The welfare of a person or group is their health, comfort, and happiness. □ I do not think he is considering Emma's welfare. □ [+ of ] He was the head of a charity for the welfare of children.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Welfare services are provided to help with people's living conditions and financial problems. □ Child welfare services are well established and comprehensive. □ He has urged complete reform of the welfare system.
3 N‑UNCOUNT In the United States, welfare is money that is paid by the government to people who are unemployed, poor, or sick. □ States are making deep cuts in welfare. SYNONYMS welfare NOUN 1
wellbeing: I'm concerned for her wellbeing.
good: Furlaud urged him to resign for the good of the country.
interests: Did those directors act in the best interests of their club?
health: Caffeine is bad for your health.
happiness: I think mostly she was looking for happiness.
we l|fare sta te N‑SING In Britain and some other countries, the welfare state is a system in which the government provides free social services such as health and education and gives money to people when they are unable to work, for example because they are old, unemployed, or sick.
well
➊ DISCOURSE USES
➋ ADVERB USES
➌ PHRASES
➍ ADJECTIVE USE
➎ NOUN USES
➏ VERB USES
➊ well ◆◆◆ /we l/ Well is used mainly in spoken English. → Please look at category 13 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 ADV You say well to indicate that you are about to say something. □ Well, I don't like the look of that.
2 ADV You say well to indicate that you intend or want to carry on speaking. □ The trouble with City is that they do not have enough quality players. Well, that can easily be rectified.
3 ADV You say well to indicate that you are changing the topic, and are either going back to something that was being discussed earlier or are going on to something new. □ Well, let's press on.
4 ADV You say well to indicate that you have reached the end of a conversation. □ 'I'm sure you will be an asset,' she added. 'Well, I see it's time for lunch.'
5 ADV You say well to make a suggestion, criticism, or correction seem less definite or rude. □ Well, maybe it would be easier to start with a smaller problem. □ Well, let's wait and see.
6 ADV You say well just before or after you pause, especially to give yourself time to think about what you are going to say. □ Look, I'm really sorry I woke you, and, well, I just wanted to tell you I was all right.
7 ADV You say well when you are correcting something that you have just said. □ The comet is going to come back in 2061 and we are all going to be able to see it. Well, our offspring are, anyway.
8 ADV You say well to express your doubt about something that someone has said. [FEELINGS ] □ 'But finance is far more serious.'—'Well, I don't know really.'
9 EXCLAM You say well to express your surprise or anger at something that someone has just said or done. [FEELINGS ] □ Well, honestly! They're like an old married couple at times.
10 CONVENTION You say well to indicate that you are waiting for someone to say something and often to express your irritation with them. [FEELINGS ] □ 'Well?' asked Barry, 'what does it tell us?'. □ 'Well, why don't you ask me?' he said finally.
11 CONVENTION You use well to indicate that you are amused by something you have heard or seen, and often to introduce a comment on it. [FEELINGS ] □ Well, well, well, look at you.
12 CONVENTION You say oh well to indicate that you accept a situation or that someone else should accept it, even though you or they are not very happy about it, because it is not too bad and cannot be changed. [FEELINGS ] □ Oh well, it could be worse. □ 'I called her and she said no.'—'Oh well.'
13 very well → see very
➋ well ◆◆◆ /we l/ (better , best )
1 ADV [ADV after v] If you do something well , you do it to a high standard or to a great extent. □ All the Indian batsmen played well. □ He speaks English better than I do. □ It is a formula that worked very well indeed. □ I don't really know her very well.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If you do something well , you do it thoroughly and completely. □ Mix all the ingredients well. □ Wash your hands well with soap.
3 ADV [ADV after v] If you speak or think well of someone, you say or think favourable things about them. □ [+ of ] 'He speaks well of you.'—'I'm glad to hear that.'. □ [+ of ] It might help people think better of him.
4 COMB Well is used in front of past participles to indicate that something is done to a high standard or to a great extent. □ Helen is a very well-known novelist in Australia. □ People live longer nowadays, and they are better educated. □ British nurses were among the best trained in Europe.
5 ADV You use well to ask or talk about the extent or standard of something. □ How well do you remember your mother, Franzi? □ This new career doesn't pay nearly as well as the old one. □ He wasn't dressed any better than me.
6 ADV You use well in front of a prepositional phrase to emphasize it. For example, if you say that one thing happened well before another, you mean that it happened a long time before it. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ after ] Franklin did not turn up until well after midnight. □ [+ over ] He stands well over six feet tall.
7 ADV [ADV adj] You use well before certain adjectives to emphasize them. [EMPHASIS ] □ She has a close group of friends who are very well aware of what she has suffered. □ The show is well worth a visit.
8 ADV [adv ADV , ADV with v] You use well after adverbs such as 'perfectly', 'jolly', or 'damn' in order to emphasize an opinion or the truth of what you are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ You know perfectly well I can't be blamed for the failure of that mission. □ I'd got myself into this situation and I jolly well had to get myself out of it.
9 ADV You use well after verbs such as 'may' and 'could' when you are saying what you think is likely to happen. [EMPHASIS ] □ The murderer may well come from the estate. □ Ours could well be the last generation for which moviegoing has a sense of magic.
➌ well ◆◆◆ /we l/
→ Please look at categories 14 to 18 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 PHRASE You use as well when mentioning something which happens in the same way as something else already mentioned, or which should be considered at the same time as that thing. □ If the university invites one candidate to speak, all others will be invited as well. □ I prefer to paint landscapes. I like to paint butterflies and gardens as well.
2 PHRASE You use as well as when you want to mention another item connected with the subject you are discussing. □ It is in his best interests as well as yours. □ As well as running my organics company, I am Ronnie's PA.
3 PHRASE If you say that something that has happened is just as well , you mean that it is fortunate that it happened in the way it did. □ Judging from everything you've said, it was just as well she wasn't there.
4 PHRASE You say it is as well to think or do something when you are advising someone to think in a particular way or to take a particular action. □ It is as well to bear in mind that laughter is a great releaser of tension.
5 PHRASE If you say that someone would do well to do something, you mean that you advise or recommend that they do it. □ He would do well to remember that, sooner or later, everyone's luck runs out. □ Investors would do well to take a look at the Swiss economy.
6 PHRASE If you say that something, usually something bad, might as well be true or may as well be true, you mean that the situation is the same or almost the same as if it were true. □ The couple might as well have been strangers. □ We might just as well be in prison for all the quality our lives have at present.
7 PHRASE If you say that you might as well do something, or that you may as well do it, you mean that you will do it although you do not have a strong desire to do it and may even feel slightly unwilling to do it. □ If I've got to go somewhere I may as well go to Birmingham. □ Anyway, you're here; you might as well stay. □ I'll come with you if you like. I might as well.
8 PHRASE If you say that something is all well and good , you are suggesting that it has faults or disadvantages, although it may appear to be correct or reasonable. □ [+ for ] It's all well and good for him to say he's sorry, but has he told you why he did it?
9 PHRASE You say well and good or all well and good to indicate that you would be pleased if something happens but you are aware that it has some disadvantages. □ If they arrive before I leave, well and good. If not, the responsibility will be mine. □ This is all well and good, but we have to look at the situation in the long term.
10 PHRASE If you say that something is well and truly finished, gone, or done, you are emphasizing that it is completely finished or gone, or thoroughly done. [mainly BRIT , EMPHASIS ] □ The war is well and truly over.
11 all very well → see all
12 to know full well → see full
13 to mean well → see mean ➊
14 pretty well → see pretty
➍ well ◆◆◆ /we l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are well , you are healthy and not ill. □ I'm not very well today, I can't come in. □ I hope you're well.
➎ well /we l/ (wells )
1 N‑COUNT A well is a hole in the ground from which a supply of water is extracted. □ I had to fetch water from the well.
2 N‑COUNT A well is an oil well. □ About 650 wells are on fire.
➏ well /we l/ (wells , welling , welled )
1 VERB If liquids, for example tears, well , they come to the surface and form a pool. □ [V ] Tears welled in her eyes. □ [V + from ] He fell back, blood welling from a gash in his thigh. ● PHRASAL VERB Well up means the same as well . □ [V P ] Tears welled up in Anni's eyes.
2 VERB If an emotion wells in you, it suddenly becomes stronger, to the point where you have to express it. □ [V + in/inside ] Gratitude welled in Chryssa. □ [V ] Her love for him welled stronger than ever. ● PHRASAL VERB Well up means the same as well . □ [V P + in/inside ] He could feel the anger welling up inside him. □ [V P ] Hope welled up.
we'll /w I l, STRONG wiːl/ We'll is the usual spoken form of 'we shall' or 'we will'. □ Whatever you want to chat about, we'll do it tonight. □ Will there be anything else?—If there is, we'll let you know.
we ll-adju sted also well adjusted ADJ A well-adjusted person has a mature personality and can control their emotions and deal with problems without becoming anxious. □ …a happy, loving and well adjusted family.
we ll ad|vi sed also well-advised ADJ If someone says that you would be well advised to do a particular thing, they are advising you to do it. □ Moderates believe the party would be well advised to talk to the government.
we ll-appoi nted ADJ A well-appointed room or building has furniture or equipment of a high standard. [FORMAL ]
we ll-ba lanced also well balanced
1 ADJ If you describe someone as well-balanced , you mean that they are sensible and do not have many emotional problems. □ …a fun-loving, well-balanced individual.
2 ADJ If you describe something that is made up of several parts as well-balanced , you mean that the way that the different parts are put together is good, because there is not too much or too little of any one part. □ …a well-balanced diet.
we ll-beha ved also well behaved ADJ If you describe someone, especially a child, as well-behaved , you mean that they behave in a way that adults generally like and think is correct. □ …well-behaved little boys.
we ll-being also wellbeing N‑UNCOUNT Someone's well-being is their health and happiness. □ Singing can create a sense of wellbeing. □ [+ of ] His work emphasised the emotional as well as the physical well-being of children.
we ll-bo rn ADJ Someone who is well-born belongs to an upper-class family.
we ll-bre d also well bred ADJ A well-bred person is very polite and has good manners. □ She was too well-bred to want to hurt the little boy's feelings.
we ll-brought-u p also well brought up ADJ If you say that someone, especially a child, is well-brought-up , you mean that they are very polite because they have been taught good manners.
we ll-bui lt also well built ADJ A well-built person, especially a man, has quite a big body and quite large muscles. □ Mitchell is well-built, of medium height, with a dark complexion.
we ll-conne cted also well connected ADJ Someone who is well-connected has important or influential relatives or friends.
we ll-defi ned also well defined ADJ Something that is well-defined is clear and precise and therefore easy to recognize or understand. □ Today's pawnbrokers operate within well-defined financial regulations.
we ll dis|po sed also well-disposed ADJ If you are well disposed to a person, plan, or activity, you are likely to agree with them or support them. □ [+ to ] They are likely to be well disposed to an offer of a separate peace deal. □ [+ towards ] He felt well disposed towards her.
we ll do ne
1 CONVENTION You say ' Well done ' to indicate that you are pleased that someone has done something good. [FEELINGS ] □ 'Daddy! I came second in history'—'Well done, sweetheart!'
2 ADJ If something that you have cooked, especially meat, is well done , it has been cooked thoroughly. □ Allow an extra 10-15 min if you prefer lamb well done.
we ll-dre ssed also well dressed ADJ Someone who is well-dressed is wearing smart or elegant clothes. □ She's always well-dressed.
we ll-ea rned also well earned ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use well-earned to indicate that you think something is deserved, usually because the person who gets it has been working very hard. □ Take a well-earned rest and go out and enjoy yourself. □ …his well-earned win in Sunday's race.
we ll-endo wed
1 ADJ If someone says that a woman is well-endowed , they mean that she has large breasts. If someone says that a man is well-endowed , they mean that he has a large penis. People often use this expression if they are trying to be polite. □ I spotted a well-endowed girl in the audience wearing a tight white T-shirt. □ …the chalk figure of a well-endowed warrior.
2 ADJ A well-endowed organization has a lot of money or resources. □ Our village was blessed with a well-endowed school.
we ll-esta blished also well established ADJ If you say that something is well-established , you mean that it has been in existence for quite a long time and is successful. □ The University has a well-established tradition of welcoming postgraduate students from overseas. □ …well-established companies in this specific sector.
we ll-fe d also well fed ADJ If you say that someone is well-fed , you mean that they get good food regularly. □ …his well-fed children.
we ll-fou nded also well founded ADJ If you say that a report, opinion, or feeling is well-founded , you mean that it is based on facts and can therefore be justified. □ These fears seem well-founded.
we ll-groo med also well groomed ADJ A well-groomed person is very neat and tidy, and looks as if they have taken care over their appearance.
we ll-hee led ADJ Someone who is well-heeled is wealthy.
we ll-hu ng ADJ If someone says that a man is well-hung , they are saying in a polite or humorous way that he has a large penis.
we ll-info rmed (better-informed ) also well informed ADJ If you say that someone is well-informed , you mean that they know a lot about many different subjects or about one particular subject. □ …a lending library to encourage members to become as well-informed as possible.
wel|ling|ton /we l I ŋtən/ (wellingtons ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Wellingtons or wellington boots are long rubber boots which you wear to keep your feet dry. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use rubber boots
we ll-inte ntioned also well intentioned ADJ If you say that a person or their actions are well-intentioned , you mean that they intend to be helpful or kind but they are unsuccessful or cause problems. □ He is well-intentioned but a poor administrator. □ …rules that, however well-intentioned, are often hopelessly impractical.
we ll-ke pt also well kept
1 ADJ A well-kept building, street, garden, or other place is always neat and tidy because it is carefully looked after. □ …two idyllic thatched cottages with well-kept gardens.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A well-kept secret has not been told or made known to anyone, or has been told or made known to only a small number of people.
we ll-kno wn ◆◇◇ also well known
1 ADJ A well-known person or thing is known about by a lot of people and is therefore famous or familiar. If someone is well-known for a particular activity, a lot of people know about them because of their involvement with that activity. □ He surrounds himself with attractive, intelligent, or well-known people. □ [+ for ] Budapest is well-known for its food and its spa baths.
2 ADJ A well-known fact is a fact that is known by people in general. □ It is well-known that bamboo shoots are a panda's staple diet. SYNONYMS well-known ADJ 1
famous: …England's most famous landscape artist, John Constable.
celebrated: He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.
renowned: …Sir William Crookes, the renowned chemist.
we ll-ma nnered ADJ Someone who is well-mannered is polite and has good manners.
we ll-mea ning also well meaning ADJ If you say that a person or their actions are well-meaning , you mean that they intend to be helpful or kind but they are unsuccessful or cause problems. □ He is a well-meaning but ineffectual leader. □ Even well-meaning attempts at conservation can bring problems.
we ll-mea nt also well meant ADJ A well-meant decision, action, or comment is intended to be helpful or kind but is unsuccessful or causes problems. □ Any decision taken by them now, however well-meant, could complicate the peace process. □ …a well-meant experiment gone wrong.
well|ness /we lnəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Your wellness is how healthy you are, and how well and happy you feel.
we ll-ni gh also well nigh ADV [ADV adj] Well-nigh means almost, but not completely or exactly. □ Finding a rug that's just the colour, size and price you want can be well-nigh impossible.
we ll-o ff also well off ADJ Someone who is well-off is rich enough to be able to do and buy most of the things that they want. [INFORMAL ] □ My grandparents were quite well-off. ● N‑PLURAL The well-off are people who are well-off. □ …higher tax rates on the well-off.
we ll-oi led ADJ [ADJ n] Journalists sometimes refer to a system or organization that is operating very efficiently as a well-oiled machine. □ …a well-oiled publicity machine.
we ll-pai d also well paid ADJ If you say that a person or their job is well-paid , you mean that they receive a lot of money for the work that they do. □ Kate was well paid and enjoyed her job. □ I have an interesting, well-paid job, with opportunities to travel.
we ll-prese rved also well preserved
1 ADJ If you describe a middle-aged or old person as well-preserved , you mean that they look good for their age. □ Annie is a well-preserved 50-year-old.
2 ADJ A well-preserved object or building does not show any signs of its age. □ …well-preserved fossils.
well-read /we l re d/ also well read ADJ A well-read person has read a lot of books and has learned a lot from them. □ He was clever, well-read and interested in the arts.
we ll-rou nded → see rounded
we ll-spo ken also well spoken ADJ A well-spoken person speaks in a polite correct way and with an accent which is considered socially acceptable. □ I remember her as a quiet, hard-working and well-spoken girl.
we ll-thu mbed ADJ A book or magazine that is well-thumbed is creased and marked because it has been read so often.
we ll-ti med also well timed ADJ A well-timed action or comment is done or made at the most appropriate or suitable time. □ He built the company through a string of well-timed acquisitions. □ One well-timed word from you will be all it needs.
we ll-to-do ADJ A well-to-do person is rich enough to be able to do and buy most of the things that they want. □ …a rather well-to-do family of diamond cutters. □ …two well-educated girls from well-to-do homes. ● N‑PLURAL The well-to-do are people who are well-to-do. □ …a firm that installed stereo equipment in homes of the well-to-do.
we ll-tra velled in AM, use well-traveled ADJ A well-travelled person has travelled a lot in foreign countries.
we ll-trie d also well tried ADJ A well-tried treatment, product, or method is one that has been used many times before and so is known to work well or to be successful. □ There are a number of well-tried remedies which are perfectly safe to take.
we ll-tro dden
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A well-trodden path is used regularly by a large number of people, and therefore looks worn and is easy to see. □ He made his way along a well-trodden path towards the shed.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use well-trodden , especially in expressions such as a well-trodden path and well-trodden ground , to indicate that a plan or course of action has been tried by a lot of people and so the result of it is easy to predict. □ Political power has long been a well-trodden path to personal wealth. □ These working parties will be going over well-trodden ground.
we ll ve rsed also well-versed ADJ If someone is well versed in a particular subject, they know a lot about it. □ [+ in ] Page is well versed in many styles of jazz.
we ll-wisher (well-wishers ) also wellwisher N‑COUNT [usu pl] Well-wishers are people who hope that a particular person or thing will be successful, and who show this by their behaviour. □ The main street was lined with well-wishers.
we ll-wo rn also well worn
1 ADJ A well-worn expression, remark, or idea has been used so often that it no longer seems to have much meaning or to be interesting. □ To use a well-worn cliche, it is packed with information.
2 ADJ A well-worn object or piece of clothing has been worn or used so frequently that it looks rather old and untidy. □ …well-worn brown shoes.
wel|ly /we li/ (wellies ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Wellies are long rubber boots which you wear to keep your feet dry. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
welsh /we lʃ/ → see welch
Welsh
1 ADJ Welsh means belonging or relating to Wales, or to its people, language, or culture. ● N‑PLURAL The Welsh are the people of Wales.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Welsh is the language that is spoken in some parts of Wales.
Welsh|man /we lʃmən/ (Welshmen ) N‑COUNT A Welshman is a man who was born in Wales and considers himself to be Welsh.
welt /we lt/ (welts ) N‑COUNT A welt is a mark which is made on someone's skin, usually by a blow from something such as a whip or sword.
wel|ter /we ltə r / QUANT A welter of something is a large quantity of it which occurs suddenly or in a confusing way. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] …patients with a welter of confusing symptoms. □ [+ of ] …the welter of publicity that followed his engagement.
wench /we ntʃ/ (wenches ) N‑COUNT A wench was a girl or young woman who worked as a servant or served people food or drink. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
wend /we nd/ (wends , wending , wended ) PHRASE If you wend your way in a particular direction, you walk, especially slowly, casually, or carefully, in that direction. [LITERARY ] □ Sleepy-eyed commuters were wending their way to work.
We ndy house (Wendy houses ) N‑COUNT A Wendy house is a small toy house for a child to play in. [BRIT ] in AM, use playhouse
went /we nt/ Went is the past tense of go .
wept /we pt/ Wept is the past tense and past participle of weep .
were /wə r , STRONG wɜː r /
1 Were is the plural and the second person singular of the past tense of be .
2 Were is sometimes used instead of 'was' in certain structures, for example in conditional clauses or after the verb 'wish'. [FORMAL ] □ He might withdraw if he were allowed to keep part of a disputed oil field.
3 as it were → see as ➊
we're /wiːə r / We're is the usual spoken form of 'we are'. □ I'm married, but we're separated.
weren't /wɜː r nt/ Weren't is the usual spoken form of 'were not'.
were|wolf /weə r wʊlf/ (werewolves ) N‑COUNT In stories and films, a werewolf is a person who changes into a wolf.
west ◆◆◆ /we st/ also West
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] The west is the direction which you look towards in the evening in order to see the sun set. □ I pushed on towards Flagstaff, a hundred miles to the west. □ The sun crosses the sky from east to west.
2 N‑SING The west of a place, country, or region is the part of it which is in the west. □ [+ of ] …physicists working at Bristol University in the west of England.
3 ADV [ADV after v] If you go west , you travel towards the west. □ [+ to ] We are going west to California.
4 ADV Something that is west of a place is positioned to the west of it. □ [+ of ] …their home town of Paisley, several miles west of Glasgow.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] The west part of a place, country, or region is the part which is towards the west. □ …a small island off the west coast of South Korea.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] West is used in the names of some countries, states, and regions in the west of a larger area. □ Mark has been working in West Africa for about six months. □ …his West London home. □ …Charleston, West Virginia.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] A west wind is a wind that blows from the west.
8 N‑SING The West is used to refer to the United States, Canada, and the countries of Western, Northern, and Southern Europe. □ …relations between Iran and the West.
west|bound /we stbaʊnd/ ADJ [ADJ n] Westbound roads or vehicles lead to or are travelling towards the west. □ Traffic is slow on the westbound carriageway of the M4. □ …the last westbound train to leave Chicago.
west|er|ly /we stə r li/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A westerly point, area, or direction is to the west or towards the west. □ …Finisterre, Spain's most westerly point.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A westerly wind blows from the west. □ …a prevailing westerly wind.
west|ern ◆◆◇ /we stə r n/ (westerns ) also Western
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Western means in or from the west of a region, state, or country. □ …hand-made rugs from Western and Central Asia. □ …Moi University, in western Kenya.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Western is used to describe things, people, ideas, or ways of life that come from or are associated with the United States, Canada, and the countries of Western, Northern, and Southern Europe. □ Mexico had the support of the big western governments. □ Those statements have never been reported in the Western media.
3 N‑COUNT A western is a book or film about life in the west of America in the nineteenth century, especially the lives of cowboys.
west|ern|er /we stə r nə r / (westerners ) also Westerner N‑COUNT A westerner is a person who was born in or lives in the United States, Canada, or Western, Northern, or Southern Europe. □ No westerner could fly in without a visa.
west|erni|za|tion /we stə r na I ze I ʃ ə n/ in BRIT, also use westernisation N‑UNCOUNT The westernization of a country, place, or person is the process of them adopting ideas and behaviour that are typical of Europe and North America, rather than preserving the ideas and behaviour traditional in their culture. □ [+ of ] This 18th century cartoon shows the westernization of Russian hair styles. □ The explosive growth in casinos is one of the most conspicuous signs of Westernisation.
west|ern|ized /we stə r na I zd/ in BRIT, also use westernised ADJ A westernized country, place, or person has adopted ideas and behaviour typical of Europe and North America, rather than preserving the ideas and behaviour that are traditional in their culture. □ …the influence of westernized forms of Hinduism.
west|ern|most /we stə r nmoʊst/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] The westernmost part of an area or the westernmost place is the one that is farthest towards the west. □ …the westernmost province of North Sudan.
We st Ge r|man (West Germans )
1 ADJ West German means belonging or relating to the part of Germany that was known as the Federal Republic of Germany before the two parts of Germany were united in 1990. West German also means belonging or relating to the people or culture of this part of Germany.
2 N‑COUNT A West German is someone who was a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany, or a person of West German origin.
We st I n|dian (West Indians )
1 ADJ West Indian means belonging or relating to the West Indies, or to its people or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A West Indian is a person who comes from the West Indies.
west|ward /we stwə r d/ also westwards ADV [usu ADV after v, oft n ADV ] Westward or westwards means towards the west. □ [+ from ] He sailed westward from Palos de la Frontera. □ Within hours, she was free to resume her journey westward. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Westward is also an adjective. □ …the one-hour westward flight over the Andes to Lima.
wet ◆◇◇ /we t/ (wetter , wettest , wets , wetting , wetted ) The forms wet and wetted are both used as the past tense and past participle of the verb. 1 ADJ If something is wet , it is covered in water, rain, sweat, tears, or another liquid. □ He towelled his wet hair. □ I lowered myself to the water's edge, getting my feet wet. □ My gloves were soaking wet. □ [+ with ] I saw his face was wet with tears. ● wet|ly ADV [usu ADV after v] □ Her hair clung wetly to her head. ● wet|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Anti-perspirants stop wetness, deodorants stop odour.
2 VERB To wet something means to get water or some other liquid over it. □ [V n] When assembling the pie, wet the edges where the two crusts join. □ [V n] Fielding nervously wet his lips and tried to smile.
3 ADJ If the weather is wet , it is raining. □ If the weather is wet or cold, choose an indoor activity. □ It was a miserable wet day. ● N‑SING The wet is used to mean wet weather. □ They had come in from the cold and the wet.
4 ADJ If something such as paint, ink, or cement is wet , it is not yet dry or solid. □ I lay the painting flat to stop the wet paint running.
5 VERB If people, especially children, wet their beds or clothes or wet themselves , they urinate in their beds or in their clothes because they cannot stop themselves. □ [V n] A quarter of 4-year-olds frequently wet the bed. □ [V pron-refl] To put it plainly, they wet themselves.
6 PHRASE If you say that someone is still wet behind the ears , you mean that they have only recently arrived in a new place or job, and are therefore still not experienced. SYNONYMS wet ADJ 1
damp: Her hair was still damp.
moist: The soil is reasonably moist after the September rain.
soaked: My tent got soaked last night in the storm.
wet|back /we tbæk/ (wetbacks ) N‑COUNT Wetback is sometimes used to refer to a Mexican or a Mexican-American who has entered the United States illegally in order to work or live there. [AM , INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE ]
we t bla n|ket (wet blankets ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a wet blanket , you are criticizing them because they refuse to join other people in an enjoyable activity or because they want to stop other people enjoying themselves. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
we t drea m (wet dreams )
1 N‑COUNT If a man has a wet dream , he has a dream about sex which causes him to have an orgasm while he is asleep.
2 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] If someone says that a person or thing is a particular person's wet dream , they are saying in an unkind and mocking way that this person or thing would give that person a lot of pleasure. [INFORMAL , RUDE ]
wet|land /we tlænd/ (wetlands ) N‑VAR [oft N n] A wetland is an area of very wet, muddy land with wild plants growing in it. You can also refer to an area like this as wetlands . □ …a scheme that aims to protect the wilderness of the wetlands. □ There are some areas of wetland which are of ancient origin.
we t nurse (wet nurses ) also wet-nurse N‑COUNT In former times, a wet nurse was a woman who was paid to breast-feed another woman's baby.
we t suit (wet suits ) also wetsuit N‑COUNT A wet suit is a close-fitting rubber suit which an underwater swimmer wears in order to keep their body warm.
we've /w I v, STRONG wiːv/ We've is the usual spoken form of 'we have', especially when 'have' is an auxiliary verb. □ It's the first time we've been to the cinema together as a family.
whack / h wæ k/ (whacks , whacking , whacked )
1 VERB If you whack someone or something, you hit them hard. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] You really have to whack the ball. □ [V n prep] Someone whacked him on the head. ● N‑COUNT Whack is also a noun. □ [+ across ] He gave the donkey a whack across the back with his stick.
2 N‑SING [oft poss N ] Your whack of something is your share of it. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ The majority of people in this country pay their whack. □ [+ of ] We need to win a fair whack of the contracts.
whack|ing / h wæ k I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] You can use whacking to emphasize how big something is. [BRIT , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The supermarkets may be making whacking profits. ● ADV [ADV adj] Whacking is also an adverb. □ …a whacking great hole.
whacky / h wæ ki/ → see wacky
whale / h we I l/ (whales )
1 N‑COUNT Whales are very large mammals that live in the sea.
2 → see also killer whale , sperm whale
3 PHRASE If you say that someone is having a whale of a time , you mean that they are enjoying themselves very much. [INFORMAL ] □ I had a whale of a time in Birmingham.
whal|er / h we I lə r / (whalers )
1 N‑COUNT A whaler is a ship which is used in hunting whales.
2 N‑COUNT A whaler is someone who works on a ship which is used in hunting whales.
whal|ing / h we I l I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Whaling is the activity of hunting and killing whales. □ …a ban on commercial whaling. □ …the whaling industry.
wham / h wæ m/ EXCLAM You use wham to indicate that something happens suddenly or forcefully. [INFORMAL ] □ Then I met someone and wham, bam, I was completely in love.
wham|my / h wæ mi/ N‑SING [adj N ] Whammy is used in expressions such as double whammy and triple whammy to indicate that two or three unpleasant or difficult situations occur at the same time, or occur one after the other. [mainly JOURNALISM ] □ [+ for ] This is a double whammy for public sector workers.
wharf / h wɔː r f/ (wharves or wharfs ) N‑COUNT A wharf is a platform by a river or the sea where ships can be tied up.
what ◆◆◆ / h wɒ t/
1 PRON You use what in questions when you ask for specific information about something that you do not know. □ What do you want? □ 'Has something happened?'—'Indeed it has.'—'What?' □ Hey! What are you doing? ● DET What is also a determiner. □ What time is it? □ 'The heater works.'—'What heater?' □ What kind of poetry does he like?
2 CONJ You use what after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, when you are referring to a situation that is unknown or has not been specified. □ You can imagine what it would be like driving a car into a brick wall at 30 miles an hour. □ I want to know what happened to Norman. □ Do you know what those idiots have done? □ We had never seen anything like it before and could not see what to do next. □ She turned scarlet from embarrassment, once she realized what she had done. ● DET What is also a determiner. □ I didn't know what college I wanted to go to. □ I didn't know what else to say. □ …an inspection to ascertain to what extent colleges are responding to the needs of industry.
3 CONJ You use what at the beginning of a clause in structures where you are changing the order of the information to give special emphasis to something. [EMPHASIS ] □ What precisely triggered off yesterday's riot is still unclear. □ What I wanted, more than anything, was a few days' rest.
4 CONJ You use what in expressions such as what is called and what amounts to when you are giving a description of something. □ She had been in what doctors described as an irreversible vegetative state for five years.
5 CONJ You use what to indicate that you are talking about the whole of an amount that is available to you. □ He drinks what is left in his glass as if it were water. ● DET What is also a determiner. □ They had to use what money they had.
6 CONVENTION You say ' What? ' to tell someone who has indicated that they want to speak to you that you have heard them and are inviting them to continue. [SPOKEN , FORMULAE ] □ 'Dad?'—'What?'—'Can I have the car tonight?'
7 CONVENTION You say ' What? ' when you ask someone to repeat the thing that they have just said because you did not hear or understand it properly. 'What?' is more informal and less polite than expressions such as 'Pardon?' and 'Excuse me?'. [SPOKEN , FORMULAE ] □ 'They could paint this place,' she said. 'What?' he asked.
8 CONVENTION You say ' What ' to express surprise. [FEELINGS ] □ What! You want Saturday off as well?
9 PREDET You use what in exclamations to emphasize an opinion or reaction. [EMPHASIS ] □ What a horrible thing to do. □ What a busy day. ● DET What is also a determiner. □ What ugly things; throw them away! □ What great news, Jakki.
10 ADV [ADV n] You use what to indicate that you are making a guess about something such as an amount or value. □ It's, what, eleven years or more since he's seen him.
11 CONVENTION You say guess what or do you know what to introduce a piece of information which is surprising, which is not generally known, or which you want to emphasize. □ Guess what? I'm going to dinner at Mrs. Combley's tonight.
12 PHRASE In conversation, you say or what? after a question as a way of stating an opinion forcefully and showing that you expect other people to agree. [EMPHASIS ] □ Look at that moon. Is that beautiful or what? □ Am I wasting my time here, or what?
13 CONVENTION You say so what? or what of it? to indicate that the previous remark seems unimportant, uninteresting, or irrelevant to you. [FEELINGS ] □ 'I skipped off school today,'—'So what? What's so special about that?' □ 'You're talking to yourself.'—'Well, what of it?'
14 PHRASE You say ' Tell you what ' to introduce a suggestion or offer. □ Tell you what, let's stay here another day.
15 PHRASE You use what about at the beginning of a question when you make a suggestion, offer, or request. □ What about going out with me tomorrow?
16 PHRASE You use what about or what of when you introduce a new topic or a point which seems relevant to a previous remark. □ Now you've talked about daffodils, what about other flowers, like roses?
17 PHRASE You say what about a particular person or thing when you ask someone to explain why they have asked you about that person or thing. □ 'This thing with the Corbett woman.'—'Oh, yeah. What about her?'
18 PHRASE You say what have you at the end of a list in order to refer generally to other things of the same kind. [VAGUENESS ] □ So many things are unsafe these days–milk, cranberry sauce, what have you. □ My great-grandfather made horseshoes and nails and what have you.
19 PHRASE You say what if at the beginning of a question when you ask about the consequences of something happening, especially something undesirable. □ What if this doesn't work out?
20 PHRASE If you know what's what , you know the important things that need to be known about a situation. □ You have to know what's what and when to draw the line. □ You should come across the river with us. Then you will really see what's what.
21 what's more → see more USAGE what
Don’t use ‘what’ when you are asking about one of a small number of people or things. For example, if someone has hurt their finger, don’t say to them ‘
What finger have you hurt
?’ Say ‘Which
finger have you hurt?’ □
Go down that road.’ – ‘Which
one?’
what|ev|er ◆◆◇ / h wɒte və r /
1 CONJ You use whatever to refer to anything or everything of a particular type. □ Franklin was free to do pretty much whatever he pleased. □ When you're older I think you're better equipped mentally to cope with whatever happens. □ He's good at whatever he does. ● DET Whatever is also a determiner. □ Whatever doubts he might have had about Ingrid were all over now.
2 CONJ You use whatever to say that something is the case in all circumstances. □ We shall love you whatever happens, Diana. □ People will judge you whatever you do. □ She runs about 15 miles a day every day, whatever the weather.
3 ADV [n ADV ] You use whatever after a noun group in order to emphasize a negative statement. [EMPHASIS ] □ There is no evidence whatever that competition in broadcasting has ever reduced costs. □ I have nothing whatever to say.
4 PRON You use whatever to ask in an emphatic way about something which you are very surprised about. [EMPHASIS ] □ Whatever can you mean?
5 CONJ You use whatever when you are indicating that you do not know the precise identity, meaning, or value of the thing just mentioned. [VAGUENESS ] □ I thought that my upbringing was 'normal', whatever that is.
6 PHRASE You say or whatever to refer generally to something else of the same kind as the thing or things that you have just mentioned. [INFORMAL ] □ They tried to get me to play piano, clarinet or whatever, but agreed to buy me the guitar.
7 CONVENTION You say ' whatever you say ' to indicate that you accept what someone has said, even though you do not really believe them or do not think it is a good idea. [FEELINGS ] □ 'We'll go in your car, Billy.'—'Whatever you say.'
8 PHRASE You say whatever you do when giving advice or warning someone about something. [EMPHASIS ] □ Whatever you do, don't lose your sense of humour.
what|evs / h wɒte vz/ ADV Whatevs is a rude way of saying 'whatever', and shows that the speaker does not respect what someone has just said to them. [INFORMAL ] □ 'If you don't hurry, we'll go without you.'—'Yeah, whatevs.'
what|not / h wɒ tnɒt/ PHRASE People sometimes say ' and whatnot ' or ' or whatnot ' after mentioning one or more things, to refer in a vague way to other things which are similar. [INFORMAL , SPOKEN , VAGUENESS ] □ The women were there in their jeans and T-shirts and overalls and whatnot. □ The council can send messages or letters or whatnot in Spanish.
what's / h wɒ ts/ What's is the usual spoken form of 'what is' or 'what has', especially when 'has' is an auxiliary verb.
whats|her|name / h wɒ tsə r ne I m/ also whatsername PRON You say whatshername instead of a woman's name when you cannot remember it or are trying to remember it. [SPOKEN ] □ That's the thing that whatshername gave me.
whats|his|name / h wɒ ts I zne I m/ also whatsisname PRON You say whatshisname instead of a man's name when you cannot remember it or are trying to remember it. [SPOKEN ] □ …the new junior minister, whatshisname, Donald Sinclair.
whats|it / h wɒ ts I t/ (whatsits ) N‑VAR You use whatsit instead of a noun or name which you cannot remember or which you do not want to say because it is rude. [SPOKEN ] □ We wanted to be here early in case the whatsit, maintenance supervisor had forgotten.
what|so|ev|er / h wɒ tsoʊe və r / ADV [n ADV ] You use whatsoever after a noun group in order to emphasize a negative statement. [EMPHASIS ] □ My school did nothing whatsoever in the way of athletics. □ I don't think they'll have any idea how I'm feeling. None whatsoever.
wheat / h wiː t/ (wheats )
1 N‑VAR Wheat is a cereal crop grown for food. Wheat is also used to refer to the grain of this crop, which is usually ground into flour and used to make bread. □ …farmers growing wheat, corn, or other crops. □ …wheat flour.
2 to separate the wheat from the chaff → see chaff
wheat|germ / h wiː tdʒɜː r m/ also wheat germ N‑UNCOUNT Wheatgerm is the middle part of a grain of wheat which is rich in vitamins and is often added to other food.
whee|dle / h wiː d ə l/ (wheedles , wheedling , wheedled ) VERB If you say that someone wheedles , you mean that they try to persuade someone to do or give them what they want, for example by saying nice things that they do not mean. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] Cross decided to beg and wheedle a bit. □ He managed to wheedle his way into the offices. □ [V n + out of/from ] …an opportunity to wheedle more money out of Wilson. [Also V n]
wheel ◆◇◇ / h wiː l/ (wheels , wheeling , wheeled )
1 N‑COUNT The wheels of a vehicle are the circular objects which are fixed underneath it and which enable it to move along the ground. □ The car wheels spun and slipped on some oil on the road. ● PHRASE Something on wheels has wheels attached to the bottom, so that it can be moved easily. □ …a trolley on wheels. □ The stove is on wheels so it can be shuffled around easily.
2 N‑COUNT A wheel is a circular object which forms a part of a machine, usually a moving part. □ …an eighteenth century mill with a water wheel.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The wheel of a car or other vehicle is the circular object that is used to steer it. The wheel is used in expressions to talk about who is driving a vehicle. For example, if someone is at the wheel of a car, they are driving it. □ My co-pilot suddenly grabbed the wheel. □ Curtis got behind the wheel and they started back toward the cottage. □ Roberto handed Flynn the keys and let him take the wheel.
4 VERB If you wheel an object that has wheels somewhere, you push it along. □ [V n prep/adv] He wheeled his bike into the alley at the side of the house. □ [V n prep/adv] They wheeled her out on the stretcher.
5 VERB If something such as a group of animals or birds wheels , it moves in a circle. [LITERARY ] □ [V ] A flock of crows wheeled overhead.
6 VERB If you wheel around, you turn around suddenly where you are standing, often because you are surprised, shocked, or angry. □ [V adv] He wheeled around to face her.
7 N‑PLURAL People talk about the wheels of an organization or system to mean the way in which it operates. □ [+ of ] He knows the wheels of administration turn slowly.
8 to oil the wheels → see oil
9 → see also Catherine wheel , meals on wheels , potter's wheel , spare wheel , spinning wheel , steering wheel , water wheel
whee l and dea l (wheels and deals , wheeling and dealing , wheeled and dealed ) VERB If you say that someone wheels and deals , you mean that they use a lot of different methods and contacts to achieve what they want in business or politics, often in a way which you consider dishonest. □ [V ] He still wheels and deals around the globe. ● wheel|ing and deal|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ He hates the wheeling and dealing associated with conventional political life.
wheel|barrow / h wiː lbæroʊ/ (wheelbarrows ) N‑COUNT A wheelbarrow is a small open cart with one wheel and handles that is used for carrying things, for example in the garden.
wheel|base / h wiː lbe I s/ (wheelbases ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The wheelbase of a car or other vehicle is the distance between its front and back wheels.
wheel|chair / h wiː ltʃeə r / (wheelchairs ) N‑COUNT A wheelchair is a chair with wheels that you use in order to move about in if you cannot walk properly, for example because you have a disability or are sick.
whee l clamp (wheel clamps , wheel clamping , wheel clamped )
1 N‑COUNT A wheel clamp is a large metal device which is fitted to the wheel of an illegally parked car or other vehicle in order to prevent it from being driven away. The motorist has to pay to have the clamp removed. [BRIT ] in AM, use Denver boot 2 VERB If a car is wheel clamped , a wheel clamp is fixed to one of its wheels so that it cannot be driven away. [BRIT ] □ [be V -ed] Unauthorized vehicles will be wheel clamped or towed away. in AM, use boot ● wheel-clamping N‑UNCOUNT □ …drivers forced to pay wheel-clamping charges.
whee ler-dea ler (wheeler-dealers ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone, especially in business or politics, as a wheeler-dealer , you disapprove of the way that they try to succeed or to get what they want, often by dishonest or unfair methods. [DISAPPROVAL ]
wheel|house / h wiː lhaʊs/ (wheelhouses ) N‑COUNT A wheelhouse is a small room or shelter on a ship or boat, where the wheel used for steering the boat is situated.
wheelie bin / h wiː lib I n/ (wheelie bins ) N‑COUNT A wheelie bin is a large, rectangular dustbin with a hinged lid and wheels on two of the corners. [BRIT , AUSTRALIAN ]
wheel|wright / h wiː lra I t/ (wheelwrights ) N‑COUNT A wheelwright is someone who makes and repairs wooden wheels and other wooden things such as carts, carriages, and gates.
wheeze / h wiː z/ (wheezes , wheezing , wheezed ) VERB If someone wheezes , they breathe with difficulty and make a whistling sound. □ [V ] He had quite serious problems with his chest and wheezed and coughed all the time. □ [V with quote] 'Boy,' wheezed old Pop Ryan.
wheezy / h wiː zi/ ADJ A wheezy cough or laugh comes from someone who has difficulty breathing, so it makes a whistling sound.
whelk / h we lk/ (whelks ) N‑COUNT A whelk is a creature like a snail that is found in the sea near the shore. Whelks have hard shells, and soft bodies which can be eaten.
whelp / h we lp/ (whelps ) N‑COUNT A whelp is a young animal, especially a young dog or wolf. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
when ◆◆◆ / h we n/
1 ADV You use when to ask questions about the time at which things happen. □ When are you going home? □ When is the press conference? □ When were you in this house last? □ 'I'll be there this afternoon.'—'When?'
2 CONJ If something happens when something else is happening, the two things are happening at the same time. □ You can even track how many calories you burn when sleeping. □ Mustard is grown in the field when weeds are there.
3 CONJ You use when to introduce a clause in which you mention something which happens at some point during an activity, event, or situation. □ When I met the Gills, I had been gardening for nearly ten years.
4 CONJ You use when to introduce a clause where you mention the circumstances under which the event in the main clause happened or will happen. □ When he brought Imelda her drink she gave him a genuine, sweet smile of thanks. □ I'll start to think about it when I have to write my report.
5 CONJ You use when after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause where you mention the time at which something happens. □ I asked him when he'd be back to pick me up. □ I don't know when the decision was made.
6 PRON You use when to introduce a clause which specifies or refers to the time at which something happens. □ He could remember a time when he had worked like that himself. □ In 1973, when he lived in Rome, his sixteen-year-old son was kidnapped.
7 CONJ You use when to introduce the reason for an opinion, comment, or question. □ How can I love myself when I look like this?
8 CONJ You use when in order to introduce a fact or comment which makes the other part of the sentence rather surprising or unlikely. □ Our mothers sat us down to read and paint, when all we really wanted to do was to make a mess.
whence / h we ns/ ADV Whence means from where. [LITERARY or OLD-FASHIONED ] □ No one ordered him back whence he came.
when|ever ◆◇◇ / h wene və r /
1 CONJ You use whenever to refer to any time or every time that something happens or is true. □ She always called at the house whenever she was in the area. □ You can have my cottage whenever you like. □ I recommend that you avoid processed foods whenever possible.
2 CONJ You use whenever to refer to a time that you do not know or are not sure about. □ He married Miss Vancouver in 1963, or whenever it was.
where ◆◆◆ / h weə r /
1 ADV You use where to ask questions about the place something is in, or is coming from or going to. □ Where did you meet him? □ Where's Anna? □ Where are we going? □ 'You'll never believe where Julie and I are going.'—'Where?'
2 CONJ You use where after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause in which you mention the place in which something is situated or happens. □ He knew where Henry Carter had gone. □ If he's got something on his mind he knows where to find me. □ Ernest Brown lives about a dozen blocks from where the riots began. ● PRON Where is also a relative pronoun. □ …available at the travel agency where you book your holiday. □ Wanchai boasts the Academy of Performing Arts, where everything from Chinese Opera to Shakespeare is performed.
3 ADV You use where to ask questions about a situation, a stage in something, or an aspect of something. □ If they get their way, where will it stop? □ It's not so simple. They'll have to let the draft board know, and then where will we be?
4 CONJ You use where after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause in which you mention a situation, a stage in something, or an aspect of something. □ It's not hard to see where she got her feelings about herself. □ She had a feeling she already knew where this conversation was going to lead. □ I didn't know where to start. ● PRON Where is also a relative pronoun. □ …that delicate situation where a friend's confidence can easily be betrayed. □ The government is at a stage where it is willing to talk to almost anyone.
5 CONJ You use where to introduce a clause that contrasts with the other parts of the sentence. □ Sometimes a teacher will be listened to, where a parent might not.
where|abouts Pronounced / h weə rəbaʊts/ for meaning 1 , and / h weə rəbaʊ ts/ for meaning 2 . 1 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb, with poss] If you refer to the whereabouts of a particular person or thing, you mean the place where that person or thing may be found. □ [+ of ] The police are anxious to hear from anyone who may know the whereabouts of the firearms.
2 ADV You use whereabouts , usually in questions, when you are asking or talking about where something or someone is exactly. □ [+ in ] Whereabouts in Liverpool are you from? □ 'I actually live near Chester.'—'Whereabouts?' □ I spoke with him three days ago but I don't know whereabouts he is.
where|as ◆◇◇ / h weəræ z/ CONJ You use whereas to introduce a comment which contrasts with what is said in the main clause. □ Pensions are linked to inflation, whereas they should be linked to the cost of living.
where|by / h weə r ba I / PRON A system or action whereby something happens is one that makes that thing happen. [FORMAL ] □ …the system whereby Britons choose their family doctors and the government pays those doctors. □ They voted to accept a deal whereby the union will receive nearly three-quarters of a million pounds from the International Miners Organisation.
where|fores / h weə r fɔː r z/ PHRASE The whys and wherefores of something are the reasons for it. □ Even successful bosses need to be queried about the whys and wherefores of their actions.
where|in / h weər I n/
1 PRON Wherein means in which place or thing. [FORMAL , LITERARY or OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …a riding school wherein we could learn the art of horsemanship.
2 ADV Wherein means in which part or respect. [FORMAL ] □ Wherein lies the truth?
where|upon / h weə rəpɒ n/ CONJ You use whereupon to say that one thing happens immediately after another thing, and usually as a result of it. [FORMAL ] □ Mr Muite refused to talk to them except in the company of his legal colleagues, whereupon the police officers departed.
wher|ever / h weəre və r /
1 CONJ You use wherever to indicate that something happens or is true in any place or situation. □ Some people enjoy themselves wherever they are. □ Jack believed in finding happiness wherever possible.
2 CONJ You use wherever when you indicate that you do not know where a person or place is. □ I'd like to leave as soon as possible and join my children, wherever they are.
3 ADV You use wherever in questions as an emphatic form of 'where', usually when you are surprised about something. [EMPHASIS ] □ Wherever did you get that idea? □ Wherever have you been?
where|with|al / h we ə r w I ðɔːl/ N‑SING [oft N to-inf] If you have the wherewithal for something, you have the means, especially the money, that you need for it. □ She didn't have the financial wherewithal to do it. [Also + for ]
whet / h we t/ (whets , whetting , whetted ) PHRASE If someone or something whets your appetite for a particular thing, they increase your desire to have it or know about it, especially by giving you an idea of what it is like. □ [+ for ] A really good catalogue can also whet customers' appetites for merchandise.
wheth|er ◆◆◆ / h we ðə r /
1 CONJ You use whether when you are talking about a choice or doubt between two or more alternatives. □ To this day, it's unclear whether he shot himself or was murdered. □ They now have two weeks to decide whether or not to buy. □ I don't know whether they've found anybody yet.
2 CONJ You use whether to say that something is true in any of the circumstances that you mention. □ The more muscle you have, the more fat you'll burn, whether you're working out or fast asleep. □ Babies, whether breast-fed or bottle-fed, should receive additional vitamin D.
whet|stone / h we tstoʊn/ (whetstones ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A whetstone is a stone which is used for sharpening knives or other tools that have a blade.
whew EXCLAM Whew is used in writing to represent a sound that you make when you breathe out quickly, for example because you are very hot, very relieved, or very surprised. [FEELINGS ] □ 'Whew,' he said. 'It's hot.'
whey / h we I / N‑UNCOUNT Whey is the watery part of sour milk that is separated from the thick part called curds, for example when you are making cheese.
which ◆◆◆ / h w I tʃ/
1 PRON ; DET You use which in questions when there are two or more possible answers or alternatives. □ Which do they want me to do, declare war or surrender? □ Which are the ones you really like? □ 'You go down that passageway over there.'—'Which one?' □ Which vitamin supplements are good value?
2 DET You use which to refer to a choice between two or more possible answers or alternatives. □ I wanted to know which school it was you went to. □ Scientists have long wondered which parts of the brain are involved in musical tasks. ● CONJ Which is also a conjunction. □ In her panic she couldn't remember which was Mr Grainger's cabin. □ There are so many diets on the market, how do you know which to choose?
3 PRON You use which at the beginning of a relative clause when specifying the thing that you are talking about or when giving more information about it. □ Soldiers opened fire on a car which failed to stop at an army checkpoint. □ He's based in Banja Luka, which is the largest city in northern Bosnia. □ Colic describes a whole variety of conditions in which a horse suffers abdominal pain.
4 PRON You use which to refer back to an idea or situation expressed in a previous sentence or sentences, especially when you want to give your opinion about it. □ Since we started in September we have raised fifty thousand pounds, which is pretty good going. ● DET Which is also a determiner. □ Some people are allergic to the gelatine in the capsule, in which case you can get drops.
5 PHRASE If you cannot tell the difference between two things, you can say that you do not know which is which . □ They all look so alike to me that I'm never sure which is which.
6 any which way → see way
7 every which way → see way
which|ever / h w I tʃe və r /
1 DET You use whichever in order to indicate that it does not matter which of the possible alternatives happens or is chosen. □ Israel offers automatic citizenship to all Jews who want it, whatever colour they are and whichever language they speak. ● CONJ Whichever is also a conjunction. □ We will gladly exchange your goods, or refund your money, whichever you prefer.
2 DET You use whichever to specify which of a number of possibilities is the right one or the one you mean. □ …learning to relax by whichever method suits you best. ● CONJ Whichever is also a conjunction. □ Fishing is from 6 am to dusk or 10.30pm, whichever is sooner.
whiff / h w I f/ (whiffs )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If there is a whiff of a particular smell, you smell it only slightly or only for a brief period of time, for example as you walk past someone or something. □ [+ of ] He caught a whiff of her perfume.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A whiff of something bad or harmful is a slight sign of it. □ [+ of ] Not a whiff of scandal has ever tainted his private life.
Whig / h w I g/ (Whigs )
1 N‑COUNT A Whig was a member of a British political party in the 18th and 19th centuries that was in favour of political and social changes. [BRIT ]
2 N‑COUNT In the American Revolution, a Whig was an American who supported the revolution against the British. [AM ]
3 N‑COUNT A Whig was a member of an American political party in the 19th century that wanted to limit the powers of the President. [AM ]
while
➊ CONJUNCTION USES
➋ NOUN AND VERB USES
➊ while ◆◆◆ / h wa I l/ The form whilst is also used in formal or literary English, especially British English. 1 CONJ If something happens while something else is happening, the two things are happening at the same time. □ Racing was halted for an hour while the track was repaired. □ Her parents could help with child care while she works.
2 CONJ If something happens while something else happens, the first thing happens at some point during the time that the second thing is happening. □ The two ministers have yet to meet, but may do so while in New York. □ Never apply water to a burn while the casualty is still in contact with electric current.
3 CONJ You use while at the beginning of a clause to introduce information which contrasts with information in the main clause. □ The first two services are free, while the third costs £35.00.
4 CONJ You use while , before making a statement, in order to introduce information that partly conflicts with your statement. □ While the numbers of such developments are relatively small, the potential market is large. □ While the news, so far, has been good, there may be days ahead when it is bad.
➋ while ◆◆◇ / h wa I l/ (whiles , whiling , whiled )
→ Please look at categories 3 and 4 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 N‑SING A while is a period of time. □ They walked on in silence for a while. □ He was married a little while ago. □ Working at low intensity means that you can continue to perform the activity for a long while.
2 PHRASE You use all the while in order to say that something happens continually or that it happens throughout the time when something else is happening. □ All the while the people at the next table watched me eat.
3 once in a while → see once
4 worth your while → see worth
▸ while away PHRASAL VERB If you while away the time in a particular way, you spend time in that way, because you are waiting for something else to happen, or because you have nothing else to do. □ [V P n] Miss Bennett whiled away the hours watching old films. [Also V n P ] SYNONYMS while CONJ ➊3
though: He's very attractive, though certainly not a ladykiller.
although: Although the shooting has stopped for now, the destruction left behind is enormous.
despite the fact that: She criticized the film despite the fact that she hadn't seen it.
whilst ◆◇◇ / h wa I lst/ CONJ Whilst means the same as the conjunction while . [mainly BRIT , FORMAL or LITERARY ]
whim / h w I m/ (whims ) N‑VAR [oft on/at N ] A whim is a wish to do or have something which seems to have no serious reason or purpose behind it, and often occurs suddenly. □ We decided, more or less on a whim, to sail to Morocco. □ [+ of ] The premium can increase at the whim of the insurers.
whim|per / h w I mpə r / (whimpers , whimpering , whimpered )
1 VERB If someone whimpers , they make quiet unhappy or frightened sounds, as if they are about to start crying. □ [V ] She lay at the bottom of the stairs, whimpering in pain. □ [V -ing] He made another pathetic whimpering sound. ● N‑COUNT Whimper is also a noun. □ David's crying subsided to a whimper.
2 VERB If someone whimpers something, they say it in an unhappy or frightened way. □ [V with quote] 'Let me go,' she whimpered. 'You're hurting me.' □ [V n] She whimpered something inaudible.
whim|si|cal / h w I mz I k ə l/ ADJ A whimsical person or idea is unusual, playful, and unpredictable, rather than serious and practical. □ McGrath remembers his offbeat sense of humor, his whimsical side.
whim|sy / h w I mzi/ also whimsey N‑UNCOUNT Whimsy is behaviour which is unusual, playful, and unpredictable, rather than having any serious reason or purpose behind it.
whine / h wa I n/ (whines , whining , whined )
1 VERB If something or someone whines , they make a long, high-pitched noise, especially one which sounds sad or unpleasant. □ [V ] He could hear her dog barking and whining in the background. □ [V ] The engines whined. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Whine is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the whine of air-raid sirens.
2 VERB If you say that someone is whining , you mean that they are complaining in an annoying way about something unimportant. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + about ] They come to me to whine about their troubles. □ [V that] …children who whine that they are bored. □ [V with quote] 'Why can't you tell me?' I whined.
whinge / h w I ndʒ/ (whinges , whingeing or whinging , whinged ) VERB If you say that someone is whingeing , you mean that they are complaining in an annoying way about something unimportant. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] All she ever does is whinge and complain. [Also V with quote]
whing|er / h w I ndʒə r / (whingers ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a whinger , you are critical of them because they complain about unimportant things all the time. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
whin|ny / h w I ni/ (whinnies , whinnying , whinnied ) VERB When a horse whinnies , it makes a series of high-pitched sounds, usually not very loudly. □ [V ] The girl's horse whinnied. ● N‑COUNT Whinny is also a noun. □ With a terrified whinny, the horse shied.
whip ◆◇◇ / h w I p/ (whips , whipping , whipped )
1 N‑COUNT A whip is a long thin piece of material such as leather or rope, fastened to a stiff handle. It is used for hitting people or animals.
2 VERB If someone whips a person or animal, they beat them or hit them with a whip or something like a whip. □ [V n] Eye-witnesses claimed Mr Melton whipped the horse up to 16 times. ● whip|ping (whippings ) N‑COUNT □ He threatened to give her a whipping.
3 VERB If something, for example the wind, whips something, it strikes it sharply. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] A terrible wind whipped our faces.
4 VERB If someone whips something out or whips it off, they take it out or take it off very quickly and suddenly. □ [V n with adv] Bob whipped out his notebook. □ [V n with adv] Players were whipping their shirts off.
5 VERB When you whip something liquid such as cream or an egg, you stir it very fast until it is thick or stiff. □ [V n] Whip the cream until thick. □ [V n adv/prep] Whip the eggs, oils and honey together. □ [V -ed] …strawberries and whipped cream.
6 VERB If you whip people into an emotional state, you deliberately cause and encourage them to be in that state. □ [V n + into ] He could whip a crowd into hysteria.
7 N‑COUNT A whip is a member of a political party in a parliament or legislature who is responsible for making sure that party members are present to vote on important issues and that they vote in the appropriate way. □ The whips have the job of making sure MPs toe the line.
8 PHRASE If you have the whip hand , you have power over someone else in a particular situation. □ These days the shopper has the whip hand, and will not buy at high prices.
▸ whip up PHRASAL VERB If someone whips up an emotion, especially a dangerous one such as hatred, or if they whip people up into an emotional state, they deliberately cause and encourage people to feel that emotion. □ [V P n] He accused politicians of whipping up anti-foreign sentiments in order to win right-wing votes. [Also V n P + into ]
whip|lash / h w I plæʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the head suddenly moving forwards and then back again, for example in a car accident. □ His daughter suffered whiplash and shock.
whip|per|snap|per / h w I pə r snæpə r / (whippersnappers ) N‑COUNT If you refer to a young person as a whippersnapper , you disapprove of them because you think that they are behaving more confidently than they should. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]
whip|pet / h w I p I t/ (whippets ) N‑COUNT A whippet is a small thin dog with long legs. Some whippets are used for racing.
whi p|ping boy (whipping boys ) N‑COUNT If someone or something is a whipping boy for a particular situation, they get all the blame for it. □ [+ for ] He has become a convenient whipping boy for the failures of the old regime.
whi p|ping cream N‑UNCOUNT Whipping cream is cream that becomes stiff when it is stirred very fast.
whip|poor|will /w I pʊə r w I l/ (whippoorwills ) N‑COUNT A whippoorwill is a North American bird that is active at night and has a call that sounds like 'whip poor will'.
whi ^p-round N‑SING When a group of people have a whip-round , money is collected from each person so that it can be used to buy something for all of them or for someone they all know. [INFORMAL ]
whir / h wɜː r / → see whirr
whirl / h wɜː r l/ (whirls , whirling , whirled )
1 VERB If something or someone whirls around or if you whirl them around, they move around or turn around very quickly. □ [V adv/prep] Not receiving an answer, she whirled round. □ [V n adv/prep] He was whirling Anne around the floor. □ [V ] The smoke began to whirl and grew into a monstrous column. [Also V n] ● N‑COUNT Whirl is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the barely audible whirl of wheels.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can refer to a lot of intense activity as a whirl of activity. □ [+ of ] In half an hour's whirl of activity, she does it all. □ Your life is such a social whirl.
3 PHRASE If you decide to give an activity a whirl , you do it even though it is something that you have never tried before. [INFORMAL ] □ Why not give acupuncture a whirl? □ We decided to give it a whirl.
whirl|pool / h wɜː r lpuːl/ (whirlpools ) N‑COUNT A whirlpool is a small area in a river or the sea where the water is moving quickly round and round, so that objects floating near it are pulled into its centre.
whirl|wind / h wɜː r lw I nd/ (whirlwinds )
1 N‑COUNT A whirlwind is a tall column of air which spins round and round very fast and moves across the land or sea.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can describe a situation in which a lot of things happen very quickly and are very difficult for someone to control as a whirlwind . □ [+ of ] I had been running around southern England in a whirlwind of activity.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A whirlwind event or action happens or is done much more quickly than normal. □ He got married after a whirlwind romance. □ … a whirlwind tour of France.
whirr / h wɜː r / (whirrs , whirring , whirred ) also whir VERB When something such as a machine or an insect's wing whirrs , it makes a series of low sounds so quickly that they seem like one continuous sound. □ [V ] The camera whirred and clicked. □ [V -ing] …the whirring sound of the film projector. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Whirr is also a noun. □ [+ of ] He could hear the whirr of a vacuum cleaner.
whisk / h w I sk/ (whisks , whisking , whisked )
1 VERB If you whisk someone or something somewhere, you take them or move them there quickly. □ [V n prep/adv] He whisked her across the dance floor. □ [V n prep/adv] I was whisked away in a police car.
2 VERB If you whisk something such as eggs or cream, you stir it very fast, often with an electric device, so that it becomes full of small bubbles. □ [V n] Just before serving, whisk the cream. □ [V n with together ] In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining sugar and the yolks.
3 N‑COUNT A whisk is a kitchen tool used for whisking eggs or cream. □ …an electric whisk.
whisk|er / h w I skə r / (whiskers )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The whiskers of an animal such as a cat or a mouse are the long stiff hairs that grow near its mouth.
2 N‑PLURAL You can refer to the hair on a man's face, especially on the sides of his face, as his whiskers . □ …wild, savage-looking fellows, with large whiskers, unshaven beards, and dirty faces.
3 N‑SING You can use whisker in expressions such as by a whisker or within a whisker of to indicate that something happened or is true, but only by a very small amount or degree. □ A new pet census showed that cats now outnumber dogs by a whisker (7 million to 6.9 million). □ [+ of ] She came within a whisker of taking a gold medal. □ Unemployment is now a whisker away from three million.
whisk|ery / h w I skəri/ ADJ If you describe someone as whiskery , you mean that they have lots of stiff little hairs on their face. □ …a whiskery old man.
whis|key / h w I ski/ (whiskeys ) N‑VAR Whiskey is whisky that is made in Ireland or the United States. □ …a tumbler with about an inch of whiskey in it. ● N‑COUNT A whiskey is a glass of whiskey.
whis|ky / h w I ski/ (whiskies ) N‑VAR Whisky is a strong alcoholic drink made, especially in Scotland, from grain such as barley or rye. □ …a bottle of whisky. □ …expensive whiskies and brandies. ● N‑COUNT A whisky is a glass of whisky. □ She handed him a whisky. WORD HISTORY whisky
The word whisky comes from Scottish Gaelic uisge beatha , meaning 'water of life'.
whis|per ◆◇◇ / h w I spə r / (whispers , whispering , whispered )
1 VERB When you whisper , you say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your throat, so that only one person can hear you. □ [V with quote] 'Keep your voice down,' I whispered. □ [V prep] She sat on Rossi's knee as he whispered in her ear. □ [V n prep] He whispered the message to David. □ [V that] Somebody whispered that films like that were illegal. □ [V n] She whispered his name. ● N‑COUNT Whisper is also a noun. □ Men were talking in whispers in every office.
2 VERB If people whisper about a piece of information, they talk about it, although it might not be true or accurate, or might be a secret. □ [V + about ] We hit it off so well that everyone started whispering about us. □ [be V -ed that] It is whispered that he intended to resign. □ [V n] But don't whisper a word of that. ● N‑COUNT Whisper is also a noun. □ I've heard a whisper that the Bishop intends to leave.
whist / h w I st/ N‑UNCOUNT Whist is a card game in which people play in pairs against each other.
whis|tle / h w I s ə l/ (whistles , whistling , whistled )
1 VERB When you whistle or when you whistle a tune, you make a series of musical notes by forcing your breath out between your lips, or your teeth. □ [V ] He was whistling softly to himself. □ [V n] As he washed, he whistled a tune.
2 VERB When someone whistles , they make a sound by forcing their breath out between their lips or their teeth. People sometimes whistle when they are surprised or shocked, or to call a dog, or to show that they are impressed. □ [V ] He whistled, surprised but not shocked. □ [V prep] Jenkins whistled through his teeth, impressed at last. ● N‑COUNT Whistle is also a noun. □ Jackson gave a low whistle.
3 → see also wolf-whistle
4 VERB If something such as a train or a kettle whistles , it makes a loud, high sound. □ [V ] Somewhere a train whistled. □ [V -ing] …the whistling car radio. ● whis|tling N‑SING □ …the whistling of the wind.
5 VERB If something such as the wind or a bullet whistles somewhere, it moves there, making a loud, high sound. □ [V prep] The wind was whistling through the building. □ [V prep] As I stood up a bullet whistled past my back.
6 N‑COUNT A whistle is a loud sound produced by air or steam being forced through a small opening, or by something moving quickly through the air. □ [+ of ] Hugh listened to the whistle of a train. □ [+ of ] …the whistle of the wind.
7 N‑COUNT A whistle is a small metal tube which you blow in order to produce a loud sound and attract someone's attention. □ On the platform, the guard blew his whistle.
8 N‑COUNT A whistle is a simple musical instrument in the shape of a metal pipe with holes. You play the whistle by blowing into it.
9 → see also tin whistle
10 PHRASE If you blow the whistle on someone, or on something secret or illegal, you tell another person, especially a person in authority, what is happening. □ Companies should protect employees who blow the whistle on dishonest workmates.
11 → see also whistle-blower
12 PHRASE If you describe something as clean as a whistle , you mean that it is completely clean.
whi stle-blower (whistle-blowers ) also whistleblower N‑COUNT A whistle-blower is someone who finds out that the organization they are working for is doing something immoral or illegal and tells the authorities or the public about it. [JOURNALISM ] □ If the government is serious about reducing medical risk, then it must change the law to protect whistle-blowers.
whi stle-blowing also whistleblowing N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Whistle-blowing is the act of telling the authorities or the public that the organization you are working for is doing something immoral or illegal. □ It took internal whistle-blowing and investigative journalism to uncover the rot.
whi stle-stop ADJ [ADJ n] If someone, especially a politician, goes on a whistle-stop tour, they visit a lot of different places in a short time.
whit / h w I t/
1 PHRASE [with neg] You say not a whit or not one whit to emphasize that something is not the case at all. [mainly FORMAL or OLD-FASHIONED , EMPHASIS ] □ He cared not a whit for the social, political or moral aspects of literature.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Whit means the same as Whitsun . □ The orchestra gave its first performance on Whit Monday.
white ◆◆◆ / h wa I t/ (whiter , whitest , whites )
1 COLOUR Something that is white is the colour of snow or milk. □ He had nice square white teeth. □ He was dressed in white from head to toe. ● white|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Her scarlet lipstick emphasized the whiteness of her teeth.
2 ADJ A white person has a pale skin and belongs to a race which is of European origin. □ He was white, with brown shoulder-length hair and a moustache. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] Whites are white people. □ It's a school that's brought blacks and whites and Hispanics together.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone goes white , the skin on their face becomes very pale, for example because of fear, shock, anger, or illness. □ Richard had gone very white, but he stood his ground. □ [+ with ] His face was white with fury. ● PHRASE If someone looks white as a sheet or as white as a sheet , they look very frightened, shocked, or ill. □ He appeared in the doorway, white as a sheet, eyes wide with horror.
4 ADJ White wine is pale yellow in colour. □ Gregory poured another glass of white wine and went back to his bedroom. ● N‑VAR You can refer to white wine as white . □ I bought a bottle of Californian white.
5 ADJ White coffee has had milk or cream added to it. [BRIT ] □ Wayne has a large white coffee in front of him.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] White blood cells are the cells in your blood which your body uses to fight infection.
7 N‑VAR The white of an egg is the transparent liquid that surrounds the yellow part called the yolk.
8 N‑COUNT The white of someone's eye is the white part that surrounds the coloured part called the iris.
white|board / h wa I tbɔː r d/ (whiteboards ) N‑COUNT A whiteboard is a shiny white board on which people draw or write using special pens. Whiteboards are often used for teaching or giving talks.
whi te Chri st|mas (white Christmases ) N‑COUNT A white Christmas is a Christmas when it snows.
whi te-co llar also white collar
1 ADJ [ADJ n] White-collar workers work in offices rather than doing physical work such as making things in factories or building things. □ White-collar workers now work longer hours.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] White-collar crime is committed by people who work in offices, and involves stealing money secretly from companies or the government, or getting money in an illegal way.
whi te e l|ephant (white elephants ) N‑COUNT If you describe something as a white elephant , you mean that it is a waste of money because it is completely useless. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The pavilion has become a £14 million steel and glass white elephant.
whi te goods N‑PLURAL People in business sometimes refer to fridges, washing machines, and other large pieces of electrical household equipment as white goods . Compare brown goods .
whi te-hai red ADJ Someone who is white-haired has white hair, usually because they are old.
White|hall ◆◇◇ / h wa I thɔːl/ N‑PROPER Whitehall is the name of a street in London in which there are many government offices. You can also use Whitehall to mean the British Government itself. □ …people with banners marching down Whitehall. □ Whitehall said that it hoped to get the change through by the end of June.
whi te-ho t ADJ If something is white-hot , it is extremely hot. □ It is important to get the coals white-hot before you start.
Whi te House ◆◇◇ N‑PROPER [N n] The White House is the official home in Washington DC of the President of the United States. You can also use the White House to refer to the President of the United States and his or her officials. □ He drove to the White House. □ The White House has not participated in any talks.
whi te kni ght (white knights ) N‑COUNT A white knight is a person or an organization that rescues a company from difficulties such as financial problems or an unwelcome takeover bid. [BUSINESS ] □ …a white-knight bid.
whi te-knu ckle
1 ADJ [ADJ n] In a fairground, a white-knuckle ride is any large machine that people ride on which is very exciting but also frightening. □ …white-knuckle rides such as the rollercoaster.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A white-knuckle experience is something that you find very exciting but also very frightening. □ …a hellish white-knuckle ride through the heavy London traffic.
whi te lie (white lies ) N‑COUNT If you refer to an untrue statement as a white lie , you mean that it is made to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to avoid trouble, and not for an evil purpose.
whi te mea t (white meats ) N‑UNCOUNT White meat is meat such as chicken and pork, which is pale in colour after it has been cooked.
whit|en / h wa I t ə n/ (whitens , whitening , whitened ) VERB When something whitens or when you whiten it, it becomes whiter or paler in colour. □ [V ] Her knuckles whiten as she clenches her hands harder. □ [V n] …toothpastes that whiten teeth.
whi te noi se N‑UNCOUNT White noise is sound, especially of a continuous kind, that seems to have no pattern or rhythm. □ The hiss of an empty radio channel will give white noise.
Whi te Pa ges N‑PLURAL White Pages is used to refer to the section of a telephone directory which lists names and telephone numbers in alphabetical order. Compare Yellow Pages . [AM ]
Whi te Pa |per (White Papers ) N‑COUNT In Britain, Australia, Canada, and some other countries, a White Paper is an official report which describes the policy of the Government on a particular subject.
whi te pe p|per N‑UNCOUNT White pepper is pepper which has been made from the dried insides of the fruits of the pepper plant.
whi te sau ce (white sauces ) N‑VAR White sauce is a thick white sauce made from milk, flour, and butter. Meat, fish, or vegetables are often cooked in or served in white sauce.
whi te spi r|it N‑UNCOUNT White spirit is a colourless liquid that is made from petrol and is used, for example, to make paint thinner or to clean surfaces. [BRIT ] in AM, use turpentine
whi te trash N‑UNCOUNT [with sing or pl verb] Some people use white trash to refer to poor white people who they think are worthless. [AM , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a place peopled by illiterate poor white trash.
white|wash / h wa I twɒʃ/ (whitewashes , whitewashing , whitewashed )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Whitewash is a mixture of lime or chalk and water that is used for painting walls white.
2 VERB If a wall or building has been whitewashed , it has been painted white with whitewash. □ [be V -ed] The walls had been whitewashed. □ [V -ed] …a town of picturesque whitewashed cottages.
3 VERB If you say that people whitewash something, you are accusing them of hiding the unpleasant facts or truth about it in order to make it acceptable. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] The administration is whitewashing the regime's actions.
4 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Whitewash is an attempt to hide the unpleasant facts or truth about someone or something. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He pledged that there would be no whitewash and a full investigation.
whi te-wa ter ra ft|ing N‑UNCOUNT White-water rafting is the activity of riding on a raft over rough, dangerous parts of a fast-flowing river.
whi te we d|ding (white weddings ) N‑COUNT A white wedding is a wedding where the bride wears white and the ceremony takes place in a church. [mainly BRIT ]
whith|er / h w I ðə r / ADV Whither means to where. [LITERARY or OLD-FASHIONED ] □ They knew not whither they went.
whit|ing / h wa I t I ŋ/ (whitings or whiting ) N‑VAR A whiting is a black and silver fish that lives in the sea. ● N‑UNCOUNT Whiting is this fish eaten as food. □ He ordered stuffed whiting.
whit|ish / h wa I t I ʃ/ COLOUR Whitish means very pale and almost white in colour. □ …a whitish dust.
Whit|sun / h w I ts ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Whitsun is the seventh Sunday after Easter, and the week that follows that Sunday. [mainly BRIT ]
Whi t Su n|day N‑UNCOUNT Whit Sunday is the seventh Sunday after Easter, when Christians celebrate the sending of the Holy Spirit to the first followers of Christ.
whit|tle / h w I t ə l/ (whittles , whittling , whittled ) VERB If you whittle something from a piece of wood, you carve it by cutting pieces off the wood with a knife. □ [V n] He whittled a new handle for his ax.
▸ whittle away PHRASAL VERB To whittle away something or whittle away at it means to gradually make it smaller, weaker, or less effective. □ [V P n] They have slowly whittled away the opposition. □ [V P + at ] Their approach is to whittle away at the evidence to show reasonable doubt.
▸ whittle down PHRASAL VERB To whittle down a group or thing means to gradually make it smaller. □ [V n P + to ] He had whittled eight interviewees down to two. □ [V P n] The president has agreed to whittle down his proposal. [Also V n P , V n P + from ]
whizz / h w I z/ (whizzes , whizzing , whizzed ) VERB If something whizzes somewhere, it moves there very fast. [INFORMAL ] □ [V prep/adv] Stewart felt a bottle whizz past his head. □ [V prep/adv] A car whizzed past.
whi zz-kid (whizz-kids ) also whizzkid , whizz kid N‑COUNT If you refer to a young person as a whizz-kid , you mean that they have achieved success at a young age because they are very clever and very good at something, especially making money. [INFORMAL ] □ …a financial whizz kid. □ …a whizz-kid physics student.
whizzy / h w I zi/ (whizzier , whizziest ) ADJ Whizzy is used to describe products and activities that are new, exciting, and based on the latest technology. [INFORMAL ] □ Japanese camera makers continually introduce whizzy new electronic models.
who ◆◆◆ /huː / Who is used as the subject or object of a verb. See entries at whom and whose . 1 PRON You use who in questions when you ask about the name or identity of a person or group of people. □ Who's there? □ Who is the least popular man around here? □ Who do you work for? □ Who do you suppose will replace her on the show? □ 'You reminded me of somebody.'—'Who?'
2 CONJ You use who after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause where you talk about the identity of a person or a group of people. □ Police have not been able to find out who was responsible for the forgeries. □ I went over to start up a conversation, asking her who she knew at the party. □ You know who these people are.
3 PRON You use who at the beginning of a relative clause when specifying the person or group of people you are talking about or when giving more information about them. □ There are those who eat out for a special occasion, or treat themselves. □ The woman, who needs constant attention, is cared for by relatives.
whoa / h woʊ /
1 EXCLAM Whoa is a command that you give to a horse to slow down or stop.
2 EXCLAM You can say whoa to someone who is talking to you, to indicate that you think they are talking too fast or assuming things that may not be true. [INFORMAL ] □ Slow down! Whoa!
who'd /huː d, huːd/
1 Who'd is the usual spoken form of 'who had', especially when 'had' is an auxiliary verb.
2 Who'd is a spoken form of 'who would'.
who|dun|nit /huːdʌ n I t/ (whodunnits ) also whodunit N‑COUNT A whodunnit is a novel, film, or play which is about a murder and which does not tell you who the murderer is until the end. [INFORMAL ]
who|ever /huːe və r /
1 CONJ You use whoever to refer to someone when their identity is not yet known. □ Whoever wins the election is going to have a tough job getting the economy back on its feet. □ Ben, I want whoever's responsible to come forward.
2 CONJ You use whoever to indicate that the actual identity of the person who does something will not affect a situation. □ You can have whoever you like to visit you. □ Everybody who goes into this region, whoever they are, is at risk of being taken hostage.
3 ADV You use whoever in questions as an emphatic way of saying 'who', usually when you are surprised about something. [EMPHASIS ] □ Ridiculous! Whoever suggested such a thing?
whole ◆◆◆ /hoʊ l/ (wholes )
1 QUANT If you refer to the whole of something, you mean all of it. □ [+ of ] Early in the eleventh century the whole of England was conquered by the Vikings. □ [+ of ] I was cold throughout the whole of my body. □ [+ of ] …the whole of August. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Whole is also an adjective. □ He'd been observing her the whole trip. □ We spent the whole summer in Italy that year.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A whole is a single thing which contains several different parts. □ An atom itself is a complete whole, with its electrons, protons and neutrons.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is whole , it is in one piece and is not broken or damaged. □ I struck the glass with my fist with all my might; yet it remained whole. □ Small bones should be avoided as the dog may swallow them whole and risk internal injury.
4 ADV [ADV adj] You use whole to emphasize what you are saying. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ It was like seeing a whole different side of somebody. □ His father had helped invent a whole new way of doing business. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Whole is also an adjective. □ That saved me a whole bunch of money.
5 PHRASE If you refer to something as a whole , you are referring to it generally and as a single unit. □ He described the move as a victory for the people of South Africa as a whole. □ As a whole we do not eat enough fibre in Britain.
6 PHRASE You use on the whole to indicate that what you are saying is true in general but may not be true in every case, or that you are giving a general opinion or summary of something. □ On the whole, people miss the opportunity to enjoy leisure. SYNONYMS whole ADJ 1
entire: He had spent his entire life in China as a doctor.
total: The total cost of the project would be more than $240 million.
complete: A complete tenement block was burnt to the ground.
full: …a full tank of petrol.
whole|food /hoʊ lfuːd/ (wholefoods ) N‑VAR Wholefoods are foods which have not been processed much and which have not had artificial ingredients added. [mainly BRIT ] □ It pays to avoid food additives and eat only wholefoods.
whole|grains /hoʊ lgre I nz/ also whole grains The forms wholegrain and whole-grain are used as modifiers. N‑PLURAL Wholegrains are the grains of cereals such as wheat and maize that have not been processed. □ Fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains are rich in potassium. □ …crusty wholegrain bread.
whole|hearted /hoʊ lhɑː r t I d/ also whole-hearted ADJ If you support or agree to something in a wholehearted way, you support or agree to it enthusiastically and completely. [EMPHASIS ] □ The Government deserves our wholehearted support for having taken a step in this direction. ● whole|hearted|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ That's exactly right. I agree wholeheartedly with you.
whole|meal /hoʊ lmiːl/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Wholemeal flour is made from the complete grain of the wheat plant, including the outer part. Wholemeal bread or pasta is made from wholemeal flour. [BRIT ] □ …a slice of wholemeal toast. in AM, use wholewheat 2 N‑UNCOUNT Wholemeal means wholemeal bread or wholemeal flour. [BRIT ] □ …one slice of white and one of wholemeal. in AM, use wholewheat
whole|ness /hoʊ lnəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Wholeness is the quality of being complete or a single unit and not broken or divided into parts. □ …the need for wholeness and harmony in mind, body and spirit.
who le note (whole notes ) N‑COUNT A whole note is a musical note that has a time value equal to two half notes. [AM ] in BRIT, use semibreve
who le nu m|ber (whole numbers ) N‑COUNT A whole number is an exact number such as 1, 7, and 24, as opposed to a number with fractions or decimals.
whole|sale /hoʊ lse I l/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Wholesale is the activity of buying and selling goods in large quantities and therefore at cheaper prices, usually to shopkeepers who then sell them to the public. Compare retail . [BUSINESS ] □ Warehouse clubs allow members to buy goods at wholesale prices. □ I am in the wholesale trade.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If something is sold wholesale , it is sold in large quantities and at cheaper prices, usually to shopkeepers. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ to ] The fabrics are sold wholesale to retailers, fashion houses, and other manufacturers.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use wholesale to describe the destruction, removal, or changing of something when it affects a very large number of things or people. [EMPHASIS ] □ They are only doing what is necessary to prevent wholesale destruction of vegetation.
whole|sal|er /hoʊ lse I lə r / (wholesalers ) N‑COUNT A wholesaler is a person whose business is buying large quantities of goods and selling them in smaller amounts, for example to shops. [BUSINESS ]
whole|sal|ing /hoʊ lse I l I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Wholesaling is the activity of buying or selling goods in large amounts, especially in order to sell them in shops or supermarkets. Compare retailing . [BUSINESS ]
whole|some /hoʊ lsəm/
1 ADJ If you describe something as wholesome , you approve of it because you think it is likely to have a positive influence on people's behaviour or mental state, especially because it does not involve anything sexually immoral. [APPROVAL ] □ …good, wholesome fun.
2 ADJ If you describe food as wholesome , you approve of it because you think it is good for your health. [APPROVAL ] □ …fresh, wholesome ingredients. □ The food is filling and wholesome.
whole|wheat /hoʊ l h wiːt/ also whole wheat
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Wholewheat flour is made from the complete grain of the wheat plant, including the outer part. Wholewheat bread or pasta is made from wholewheat flour. □ …vegetables with wholewheat noodles.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Wholewheat means wholewheat bread or wholewheat flour. □ …a chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat.
who'll /huː l, huːl/ Who'll is a spoken form of 'who will' or 'who shall'.
whol|ly /hoʊ lli/ ADV [ADV adj] You use wholly to emphasize the extent or degree to which something is the case. [EMPHASIS ] □ While the two are only days apart in age they seem to belong to wholly different generations. □ For urban areas this approach was wholly inadequate.
who lly-o wned sub|si di|ary (wholly-owned subsidiaries ) N‑COUNT A wholly-owned subsidiary is a company whose shares are all owned by another company. [BUSINESS ] □ The Locomotive Construction Company Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust.
whom ◆◆◇ /huː m/ Whom is used in formal or written English instead of 'who' when it is the object of a verb or preposition. 1 PRON You use whom in questions when you ask about the name or identity of a person or group of people. □ 'I want to send a telegram.'—'Fine, to whom?' □ Whom did he expect to answer his phone?
2 CONJ You use whom after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause where you talk about the name or identity of a person or a group of people. □ He asked whom I'd told about his having been away.
3 PRON You use whom at the beginning of a relative clause when specifying the person or group of people you are talking about or when giving more information about them. □ One writer in whom I had taken an interest was Immanuel Velikovsky.
whom|ever /huːme və r / CONJ Whomever is a formal word for whoever when it is the object of a verb or preposition.
whoop / h wuː p, [AM ] huː p/ (whoops , whooping , whooped )
1 VERB If you whoop , you shout loudly in a very happy or excited way. [WRITTEN ] □ [V ] She whoops with delight at a promise of money. ● N‑COUNT Whoop is also a noun. □ Scattered groans and whoops broke out in the crowd.
2 → see also whoops
whoo|pee / h wʊpiː / EXCLAM People sometimes shout ' whoopee ' when they are very happy or excited. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ I can have a lie in tomorrow. Whoopee!
whoop|ing cough /huː p I ŋ kɒf, [AM ] - kɔːf/ N‑UNCOUNT Whooping cough is a serious infectious disease which causes people to cough and make a loud noise when they breathe in.
whoops / h wʊ ps/ EXCLAM You say ' whoops ' to indicate that there has been a slight accident or mistake, or to apologize to someone for it. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ Whoops, that was a mistake. □ Whoops, it's past 11, I'd better be off home.
whoosh / h wʊ ʃ, [AM ] hwuː ʃ/ (whooshes , whooshing , whooshed )
1 EXCLAM People sometimes say ' whoosh ' when they are emphasizing the fact that something happens very suddenly or very fast. [EMPHASIS ] □ Then came the riders amid even louder cheers and whoosh! It was all over.
2 VERB If something whooshes somewhere, it moves there quickly or suddenly. [INFORMAL ] □ [V adv/prep] Kites whooshed above the beach at intervals.
whop|per / h wɒ pə r / (whoppers )
1 N‑COUNT If you describe a lie as a whopper , you mean that it is very far from the truth. [INFORMAL ] □ …the biggest whopper the president told.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to something as a whopper , you mean that it is an unusually large example of the thing mentioned. [INFORMAL ] □ As comets go, it is a whopper.
whop|ping / h wɒ p I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe an amount as whopping , you are emphasizing that it is large. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The Russian leader won a whopping 89.9 percent 'yes' vote.
whore /hɔː r / (whores ) N‑COUNT A whore is the same as a prostitute .
who're /huː ə r , huːə r / Who're is a spoken form of 'who are'. □ I've got loads of friends who're unemployed. □ Who're you going to the pictures with?
whore|house /hɔː r haʊs/ (whorehouses ) N‑COUNT A whorehouse is the same as a brothel .
whorl / h wɜː r l, [AM ] h wɔː r l/ (whorls ) N‑COUNT A whorl is a spiral shape, for example the pattern on the tips of your fingers. [LITERARY ] □ He stared at the whorls and lines of her fingertips. □ …dense whorls of red-purple flowers.
who's /huː z, huːz/ Who's is the usual spoken form of 'who is' or 'who has', especially when 'has' is an auxiliary verb. USAGE who's
Who is and who has are sometimes contracted and pronounced /hu:z/. When you write down what someone says, you can write ‘who is’ or ‘who has’ as who’s . Don’t write them as ‘whose’. □ ‘Edward drove me here.’—‘Who’s Edward?’ □ …an American author who’s moved to London.
whose ◆◆◆ /huːz/
1 PRON You use whose at the beginning of a relative clause where you mention something that belongs to or is associated with the person or thing mentioned in the previous clause. □ I saw a man shouting at a driver whose car was blocking the street. □ …a speedboat, whose fifteen-strong crew claimed to belong to the Italian navy. □ …tourists whose vacations included an unexpected adventure.
2 PRON ; DET You use whose in questions to ask about the person or thing that something belongs to or is associated with. □ Whose was the better performance? □ 'Whose is this?'—'It's mine.' □ 'It wasn't your fault, John.'—'Whose, then?' □ Whose car were they in?
3 DET You use whose after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause where you talk about the person or thing that something belongs to or is associated with. □ I'm wondering whose mother she is then. □ I can't remember whose idea it was for us to meet again. ● CONJ Whose is also a conjunction. □ I wondered whose the coat was. □ That kind of person likes to spend money, it doesn't matter whose it is.
who|so|ever /huː soʊe və r / CONJ Whosoever means the same as whoever . [LITERARY , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ They can transfer or share the contract with whosoever they choose.
who've /huː v/ Who've is the usual spoken form of 'who have,' especially when 'have' is an auxiliary verb.
why ◆◆◆ / h wa I /
1 ADV You use why in questions when you ask about the reasons for something. □ Why hasn't he brought the bill? □ Why didn't he stop me? □ 'I just want to see him.'—'Why?' □ Why should I leave?
2 CONJ You use why at the beginning of a clause in which you talk about the reasons for something. □ He still could not throw any further light on why the elevator could have become jammed. □ Experts wonder why the U.S. government is not taking similarly strong actions against AIDS in this country. □ I can't understand why they don't want us. ● ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] Why is also an adverb. □ I don't know why. □ It's obvious why. □ Here's why.
3 PRON You use why to introduce a relative clause after the word 'reason'. □ There's a reason why women don't read this stuff; it's not funny. □ Unless you're ill, there's no reason why you can't get those 15 minutes of walking in daily. ● ADV [n ADV ] Why is also an adverb. □ He confirmed that the city had been closed to foreigners, but gave no reason why.
4 ADV You use why with 'not' in questions in order to introduce a suggestion. □ Why not give Claire a call? □ Why don't we talk it through?
5 ADV You use why with 'not' in questions in order to express your annoyance or anger. [FEELINGS ] □ Why don't you look where you're going? □ Why don't they just leave it alone?
6 CONVENTION You say why not in order to agree with what someone has suggested. [FORMULAE ] □ 'Want to spend the afternoon with me?'—'Why not?'
7 EXCLAM People say ' Why! ' at the beginning of a sentence when they are surprised, shocked, or angry. [mainly AM , FEELINGS ] □ Why hello, Tom.
8 the whys and wherefores → see wherefores
Wic|ca /w I kə/ N‑PROPER Wicca is a pagan religion that practises witchcraft.
wick /w I k/ (wicks )
1 N‑COUNT The wick of a candle is the piece of string in it which burns when it is lit.
2 N‑COUNT The wick of a paraffin lamp or cigarette lighter is the part which supplies the fuel to the flame when it is lit.
wick|ed /w I k I d/
1 ADJ You use wicked to describe someone or something that is very bad and deliberately harmful to people. □ She described the shooting as a wicked attack. □ She flew at me, shouting how wicked and evil I was.
2 ADJ If you describe someone or something as wicked , you mean that they are rather naughty, but in a way that you find attractive or enjoyable. □ She had a wicked sense of humour.
wick|er /w I kə r / N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Wicker is long thin sticks, stems, or reeds that have been woven together to make things such as baskets and furniture. □ …a wicker basket.
wicker|work /w I kə r wɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Wickerwork is the same as wicker .
wick|et ◆◇◇ /w I k I t/ (wickets )
1 N‑COUNT In cricket, a wicket is a set of three upright sticks with two small sticks on top of them at which the ball is bowled. There are two wickets on a cricket pitch.
2 N‑COUNT In cricket, a wicket is the area of grass in between the two wickets on the pitch.
3 N‑COUNT In cricket, when a wicket falls or is taken, a batsman is out.
wicket|keeper /w I k I tkiːpə r / (wicketkeepers ) also wicket-keeper N‑COUNT A wicketkeeper is the player in a cricket team who stands behind the wicket in order to stop balls that the batsman misses or to catch balls that the batsman hits.
wide ◆◆◆ /wa I d/ (wider , widest )
1 ADJ Something that is wide measures a large distance from one side or edge to the other. □ All worktops should be wide enough to allow plenty of space for food preparation. □ …a wide-brimmed sunhat.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A wide smile is one in which your mouth is stretched because you are very pleased or amused. □ It brought a wide smile to his face and laughter to his eyes. ● wide|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He was grinning widely, waving to her as he ran.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ , oft ADJ n] If you open or spread something wide , you open or spread it as far as possible or to the fullest extent. □ 'It was huge,' he announced, spreading his arms wide. □ His eyes were wide in disbelief.
4 ADJ [as ADJ as ] You use wide to talk or ask about how much something measures from one side or edge to the other. □ …a corridor of land 10 kilometres wide. □ The road is only one track wide. □ …a desk that was almost as wide as the room.
5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use wide to describe something that includes a large number of different things or people. □ The brochure offers a wide choice of hotels, apartments and holiday homes. □ The proposed constitution gives him much wider powers than his predecessor. ● wide|ly ADV [usu ADV after v] □ He published widely in scientific journals. □ He was widely travelled.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use wide to say that something is found, believed, known, or supported by many people or throughout a large area. □ The case has attracted wide publicity. □ I suspect this book will have the widest appeal of all. ● wide|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ At present, no widely approved vaccine exists for malaria.
7 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A wide difference or gap between two things, ideas, or qualities is a large difference or gap. □ Research shows a wide difference in tastes around the country. ● wide|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj] □ The treatment regime may vary widely depending on the type of injury.
8 ADJ [ADJ n] Wider is used to describe something which relates to the most important or general parts of a situation, rather than to the smaller parts or to details. □ He emphasised the wider issue of superpower cooperation.
9 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something such as a shot or punch is wide , it does not hit its target but lands to the right or left of it. □ Nearly half the missiles landed wide.
10 wide awake
11 far and wide → see far
12 wide of the mark → see mark
13 wide open → see open
-wide /-wa I d/ COMB -wide combines with nouns to form adjectives which indicate that something exists or happens throughout the place or area that the noun refers to. □ …a Europe-wide conference on security and cooperation. □ Is the problem one that's industry-wide? ● COMB [n ADV , ADV after v] -wide also combines to form adverbs. □ Employers want to be sure recruits understand business Europe-wide.
wi de-angle le ns (wide-angle lenses ) N‑COUNT A wide-angle lens is a lens which allows you to photograph a wider view than a normal lens.
wi de awa ke ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are wide awake , you are completely awake. □ I could not relax and still felt wide awake.
wi de boy (wide boys ) N‑COUNT A wide boy is a man, especially a young man, who has a lot of money but who earns it in a dishonest or illegal way. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
wi de-eyed ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as wide-eyed , you mean that they are inexperienced and innocent, and may be easily impressed. □ Her wide-eyed innocence soon exposes the pretensions of the art world.
wid|en /wa I d ə n/ (widens , widening , widened )
1 VERB If you widen something or if it widens , it becomes greater in measurement from one side or edge to the other. □ [V n] He had an operation last year to widen a heart artery. □ [V ] The river widens considerably as it begins to turn east.
2 VERB If you widen something or if it widens , it becomes greater in range or it affects a larger number of people or things. □ [V n] U.S. prosecutors have widened a securities-fraud investigation. □ [V ] The search for my brother widened.
3 VERB If your eyes widen , they open more. □ [V ] His eyes widened as he spoke the words.
4 VERB If a difference or gap widens or if something widens it, it becomes greater. □ [V ] Wage differences in the two areas are widening. □ [V n] …policies that widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
wi de-ra nging ADJ If you describe something as wide-ranging , you mean it deals with or affects a great variety of different things. □ …a package of wide-ranging economic reforms.
wide|screen /wa I dskriːn/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A widescreen television has a screen that is wide in relation to its height.
wide|spread ◆◇◇ /wa I dspred/ ADJ Something that is widespread exists or happens over a large area, or to a great extent. □ There is widespread support for the new proposals.
widg|et /w I dʒ I t/ (widgets )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to any small device as a widget when you do not know exactly what it is or how it works. [INFORMAL ] □ The secret is a little widget in the can.
2 N‑COUNT A widget is a small computer program that you can use on a personal computer or mobile phone. [COMPUTING ] □ If you want to follow all the videos, you can do so by adding this widget to your blog.
wid|ow /w I doʊ/ (widows ) N‑COUNT A widow is a woman whose spouse has died and who has not married again.
wid|owed /w I doʊd/ V-PASSIVE If someone is widowed , their husband or wife dies. □ [be V -ed] More and more young men are widowed by cancer. □ [V -ed] Imogen stayed with her widowed sister.
wid|ow|er /w I doʊə r / (widowers ) N‑COUNT A widower is a man whose spouse has died and who has not married again.
wid|ow|hood /w I doʊhʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT Widowhood is the state of being a widow or widower, or the period of time during which someone is a widow or widower. □ Nothing can prepare you for the shock and grief of widowhood.
width /w I dθ/ (widths )
1 N‑VAR The width of something is the distance it measures from one side or edge to the other. □ [+ of ] Measure the full width of the window. □ The road was reduced to 18ft in width by adding parking bays. □ Saddles are made in a wide range of different widths.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The width of something is its quality of being wide. □ The best utensil for steaming is a wok because its width easily accommodates a whole fish.
3 N‑COUNT A width is the distance from one side of a swimming pool to the other. □ We swam several widths.
wield /wiː ld/ (wields , wielding , wielded )
1 VERB If you wield a weapon, tool, or piece of equipment, you carry and use it. □ [V n] …a lone assailant wielding a kitchen knife.
2 VERB If someone wields power, they have it and are able to use it. □ [V n] He remains chairman, but wields little power at the company.
wie|nie /wiː ni/ (wienies ) also weenie N‑COUNT Wienies are sausages made from smoked beef or pork. [AM ]
wife ◆◆◆ /wa I f/ (wives )
1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] Someone's wife is the woman they are married to. □ He married his wife Jane 37 years ago. □ [+ of ] The woman was the wife of a film director.
2 → see also old wives' tale COLLOCATIONS wife NOUN 1
adjective + wife : beloved, dear, loving; first, former, future, second; estranged
verb + wife : marry, meet; leave
wife|ly /wa I fli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Wifely is used to describe things that are supposed to be typical of a good wife. □ She strove to perform all her wifely functions perfectly.
Wi-Fi also wi-fi /wa I fa I / N‑UNCOUNT Wi-Fi is a system of using the internet without being connected with a wire. [COMPUTING ] □ There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. □ You can send data to the printer wirelessly over your wi-fi network.
wig /w I g/ (wigs ) N‑COUNT A wig is a covering of false hair which you wear on your head, for example because you have little hair of your own or because you want to cover up your own hair.
wig|gle /w I g ə l/ (wiggles , wiggling , wiggled ) VERB If you wiggle something or if it wiggles , it moves up and down or from side to side in small quick movements. □ [V n] She wiggled her finger. □ [V prep/adv] Your baby will try to shuffle or wiggle along the floor. ● N‑COUNT Wiggle is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …a wiggle of the hips.
wig|wam /w I gwæm, [AM ] -wɑːm/ (wigwams ) N‑COUNT A wigwam is the same as a tepee .
wi|ki /w I k I , -i ː-/ (wikis ) N‑COUNT A wiki is a website that allows anyone visiting it to change or add to the material in it. □ …wiki technology. □ Most wikis are collaborative websites.
wild ◆◆◇ /wa I ld/ (wilds , wilder , wildest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Wild animals or plants live or grow in natural surroundings and are not looked after by people. □ We saw two more wild cats creeping towards us in the darkness. □ The lane was lined with wild flowers.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Wild land is natural and is not used by people. □ Elmley is one of the few wild areas remaining in the South East. ● wild|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the wildness of the mountains.
3 N‑PLURAL The wilds of a place are the natural areas that are far away from towns. □ [+ of ] They went canoeing in the wilds of Canada.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Wild is used to describe the weather or the sea when it is stormy. □ The wild weather did not deter some people from swimming in the sea.
5 ADJ Wild behaviour is uncontrolled, excited, or energetic. □ [+ with ] The children are wild with joy. □ As George himself came on stage they went wild. □ They marched into town to the wild cheers of the inhabitants. ● wild|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ As she finished each song, the crowd clapped wildly.
6 ADJ If you describe someone or their behaviour as wild , you mean that they behave in a very uncontrolled way. □ The house is in a mess after a wild party. ● wild|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Five people were injured as Reynolds slashed out wildly with a kitchen knife. ● wild|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ He had come to love the danger and the wildness of his life.
7 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is wild , they are very angry. [INFORMAL ] □ For a long time I daren't tell him I knew, and when I did he went wild.
8 ADJ [ADJ n] A wild idea is unusual or extreme. A wild guess is one that you make without much thought. □ Browning's prediction is no better than a wild guess. ● wild|ly ADV □ 'Thirteen?' he guessed wildly.
9 → see also wild child , wildly
10 PHRASE If you are wild about someone or something, you like them very much. [INFORMAL ] □ I'm just wild about Peter, and he's just wild about me.
11 PHRASE Animals that live in the wild live in a free and natural state and are not looked after by people. □ Fewer than a thousand giant pandas still live in the wild.
12 PHRASE If something or someone, especially a child, runs wild , they behave in a natural, free, or uncontrolled way.
13 beyond your wildest dreams → see dream
14 in your wildest dreams → see dream
15 to sow your wild oats → see oats SYNONYMS wild ADJ 1
savage: …a savage dog lunging at the end of a chain.
untamed: …the wild, untamed undergrowth.
feral: …feral cats.
wi ld boa r (wild boar or wild boars ) N‑COUNT A wild boar is a large fierce pig which has two long curved teeth and a hairy body, and lives in forests.
wi ld card (wild cards ) also wildcard
1 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone or something as a wild card in a particular situation, you mean that they cause uncertainty because you do not know how they will behave. □ [+ in ] The wild card in the election was the radical party.
2 N‑COUNT If a sports player is given a wild card for a particular competition, they are allowed to play in it, although they have not qualified for it in the usual way. You can also use wild card to refer to a player who enters a competition in this way.
3 N‑COUNT A wildcard is a symbol such as * or ? which is used in some computing commands or searches in order to represent any character or range of characters. [COMPUTING ]
wild|cat /wa I ldkæt/ (wildcats )
1 N‑COUNT A wildcat is a cat which is very fierce and lives especially in mountains and forests.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A wildcat strike happens suddenly, as a result of a decision by a group of workers, and is not officially approved by a trade union. □ Frustration, anger and desperation have led to a series of wildcat strikes.
wi ld chi ld N‑SING Journalists sometimes use wild child to refer to a teenage girl who enjoys herself in an uncontrolled way, for example by going to a lot of parties. [BRIT ]
wil|de|beest /w I ld I biːst, v I l-/ (wildebeest ) N‑COUNT A wildebeest is a large African antelope which has a hairy tail, short curved horns, and long hair under its neck. Wildebeest usually live in large groups.
wil|der|ness /w I ldə r nes/ (wildernesses ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A wilderness is a desert or other area of natural land which is not used by people. □ …the icy Canadian wilderness.
wild|fire /wa I ldfa I ə r / (wildfires )
1 N‑COUNT A wildfire is a fire that starts, usually by itself, in a wild area such as a forest, and spreads rapidly, causing great damage. □ …a wildfire in Montana that's already burned thousands of acres of rich grassland.
2 PHRASE If something, especially news or a rumour, spreads like wildfire , it spreads extremely quickly. □ These stories are spreading like wildfire through the city.
wi ld flow|er (wild flowers ) also wildflower N‑COUNT Wild flowers are flowers which grow naturally in the countryside, rather than being grown by people in gardens.
wild|fowl /wa I ldfaʊl/ also wild fowl N‑PLURAL Wildfowl are birds such as ducks, swans, and geese that live close to lakes or rivers.
wi ld goo se chase (wild goose chases ) also wild-goose chase N‑COUNT [usu on N ] If you are on a wild goose chase , you waste a lot of time searching for something that you have little chance of finding, because you have been given incorrect information. □ Harry wondered if Potts had deliberately sent him on a wild goose chase.
wild|life /wa I ldla I f/ N‑UNCOUNT You can use wildlife to refer to the animals and other living things that live in the wild. □ People were concerned that pets or wildlife could be affected by the pesticides.
wild|ly /wa I ldli/
1 ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV after v] You use wildly to emphasize the degree, amount, or intensity of something. [EMPHASIS ] □ Reports of his drinking have been wildly exaggerated. □ The island's hotels vary wildly.
2 → see also wild
Wi ld We st N‑SING The Wild West is used to refer to the western part of the United States during the time when Europeans were first settling there.
wiles /wa I lz/ N‑PLURAL Wiles are clever tricks that people, especially women, use to persuade other people to do something. □ She claimed that women 'use their feminine wiles to get on.'
wil|ful /w I lfʊl/ in AM, use willful 1 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe actions or attitudes as wilful , you are critical of them because they are done or expressed deliberately, especially with the intention of causing someone harm. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Wilful neglect of our manufacturing industry has caused this problem.
2 ADJ If you describe someone as wilful , you mean that they are determined to do what they want to do, even if it is not sensible. □ Francesca was a lively child, quite wilful and demanding.
will
➊ MODAL VERB USES
➋ WANTING SOMETHING TO HAPPEN
➊ will ◆◆◆ /w I l/ Will is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. In spoken English and informal written English, the form won't is often used in negative statements. 1 MODAL You use will to indicate that you hope, think, or have evidence that something is going to happen or be the case in the future. □ You will find a wide variety of choices available in school cafeterias. □ Representatives from across the horse industry will attend the meeting. □ 70 per cent of airports will have to be upgraded. □ Will you ever feel at home here? □ The ship will not be ready for a month.
2 MODAL You use will in order to make statements about official arrangements in the future. □ The show will be open to the public at 2pm; admission will be 50p. □ When will I be released, sir?
3 MODAL You use will in order to make promises and threats about what is going to happen or be the case in the future. □ I'll call you tonight. □ Price quotes on selected product categories will be sent on request. □ If she refuses to follow rules about car safety, she won't be allowed to use the car.
4 MODAL You use will to indicate someone's intention to do something. □ I will say no more on these matters, important though they are. □ We will describe these techniques in Chapters 20 and 21. □ 'Dinner's ready.'—'Thanks, Carrie, but we'll have a drink first.' □ What will you do next? □ Will you be remaining in the city?
5 MODAL You use will in questions in order to make polite invitations or offers. [POLITENESS ] □ Will you stay for supper? □ Will you join me for a drink? □ Won't you sit down?
6 MODAL You use will in questions in order to ask or tell someone to do something. □ Will you drive me home? □ Wipe the jam off my mouth, will you?
7 MODAL You can use will in statements to give an order to someone. [FORMAL ] □ You will now maintain radio silence. □ You will not discuss this matter with anyone.
8 MODAL You use will to say that someone is willing to do something. You use will not or won't to indicate that someone refuses to do something. □ All right, I'll forgive you. □ He has insisted that his organisation will not negotiate with the government.
9 → see also willing
10 MODAL You use will to say that a person or thing is able to do something in the future. □ How the country will defend itself in the future has become increasingly important. □ How will I recognize you?
11 MODAL You use will to indicate that an action usually happens in the particular way mentioned. □ The thicker the material, the less susceptible the garment will be to wet conditions. □ There's no snake that will habitually attack human beings unless threatened.
12 MODAL You use will in the main clause of some 'if' and 'unless' sentences to indicate something that you consider to be fairly likely to happen. □ If you overcook the pancakes they will be difficult to roll.
13 MODAL You use will to say that someone insists on behaving or doing something in a particular way and you cannot change them. You emphasize will when you use it in this way. □ He will leave his socks lying all over the place and it drives me mad.
14 MODAL You use will have with a past participle when you are saying that you are fairly certain that something will be true by a particular time in the future. □ As many as ten million children will have been infected by the end of the decade.
15 MODAL You use will have with a past participle to indicate that you are fairly sure that something is the case. □ The holiday will have done him the world of good.
➋ will ◆◆◇ /w I l/ (wills , willing , willed )
1 N‑VAR [oft N to-inf] Will is the determination to do something. □ He was said to have lost his will to live. □ …the inevitable battle of wills as your child realises that he can't have everything he wants.
2 → see also free will
3 N‑SING [with poss] If something is the will of a person or group of people with authority, they want it to happen. □ [+ of ] Democracy responds and adjusts to the will of the people.
4 VERB If you will something to happen, you try to make it happen by using mental effort rather than physical effort. □ [V n to-inf] I looked at the phone, willing it to ring.
5 N‑COUNT A will is a document in which you declare what you want to happen to your money and property when you die. □ Attached to his will was a letter he had written just days before his death.
6 PHRASE If something is done against your will , it is done even though you do not want it to be done. □ No doubt he was forced to leave his family against his will.
7 PHRASE If you can do something at will , you can do it when you want and as much as you want. □ …scientists who can adjust their experiments at will.
will|ful /w I lfʊl/ → see wilful
wil|lie /w I li/ → see willy
will|ing ◆◆◇ /w I l I ŋ/
1 ADJ If someone is willing to do something, they are fairly happy about doing it and will do it if they are asked or required to do it. □ The military now say they're willing to hold talks with the political parties. □ There are, of course, questions which she will not be willing to answer.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Willing is used to describe someone who does something fairly enthusiastically and because they want to do it rather than because they are forced to do it. □ Have the party on a Saturday, when you can get your partner and other willing adults to help.
3 God willing → see god
will-o'-the-wisp /w I l ə ðə w I sp/ (will-o'-the-wisps ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can refer to someone or something that keeps disappearing or that is impossible to catch or reach as a will-o'-the-wisp .
wil|low /w I loʊ/ (willows ) N‑VAR A willow or a willow tree is a type of tree with long branches and long narrow leaves that grows near water. ● N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Willow is the wood of this tree. □ …willow furniture.
wil|lowy /w I loʊi/ ADJ A person who is willowy is tall, thin, and graceful.
will|power /w I lpaʊə r / also will-power , will power N‑UNCOUNT Willpower is a very strong determination to do something. □ His attempts to stop smoking by willpower alone failed.
wil|ly /w I li/ (willies ) also willie N‑COUNT A boy's or man's willy is his penis. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
willy-nilly /w I li n I li/ also willy nilly
1 ADV [usu ADV with v] If something happens to you willy-nilly , it happens whether you like it or not. □ The government were dragged willy-nilly into the confrontation.
2 ADV [usu ADV after v] If someone does something willy-nilly , they do it in a careless and disorganized way, without planning it in advance. □ Clerks bundled papers into files willy-nilly.
wilt /w I lt/ (wilts , wilting , wilted )
1 VERB If a plant wilts , it gradually bends downwards and becomes weak because it needs more water or is dying. □ [V ] The roses wilted the day after she bought them.
2 VERB If someone wilts , they become weak or tired, or lose confidence. □ [V ] She soon wilted in the morning heat. □ [V ] The government wilted in the face of such powerful pressure.
wily /wa I li/ (wilier , wiliest ) ADJ If you describe someone or their behaviour as wily , you mean that they are clever at achieving what they want, especially by tricking people. □ His appointment as prime minister owed much to the wily manoeuvring of the President.
wimp /w I mp/ (wimps ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a wimp , you disapprove of them because they lack confidence or determination, or because they are often afraid of things. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
wimp|ish /w I mp I ʃ/ ADJ Wimpish means the same as wimpy . [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
wimpy /w I mpi/ ADJ If you describe a person or their behaviour as wimpy , you disapprove of them because they are weak and seem to lack confidence or determination. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a wimpy unpopular schoolboy. □ This portrays her as wimpy, but she has a very strong character.
win ◆◆◆ /w I n/ (wins , winning , won )
1 VERB If you win something such as a competition, battle, or argument, you defeat those people you are competing or fighting against, or you do better than everyone else involved. □ [V n] He does not have any realistic chance of winning the election. □ [V ] The top four teams all won. □ [V amount] Konta won 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. ● N‑COUNT Win is also a noun. □ …Arsenal's dismal league run of eight games without a win.
2 VERB If something wins you something such as an election, competition, battle, or argument, it causes you to defeat the people competing with you or fighting you, or to do better than everyone else involved. □ [V n n] That sort of gain for Labour is nothing like good enough to win them the general election.
3 VERB If you win something such as a prize or medal, you get it because you have defeated everyone else in something such as an election, competition, battle, or argument, or have done very well in it. □ [V n] The first correct entry wins the prize. □ [V n] She won bronze for Great Britain in the European Championships.
4 VERB If you win something that you want or need, you succeed in getting it. □ [V n] …moves to win the support of the poor. □ [V n] British Aerospace has won an order worth 340 million dollars.
5 VERB If something wins you a prize or wins you something else that you want, it causes you to get it. □ [V n n] The feat won them a prize of £85,000.
6 → see also winning
7 to lose the battle but win the war → see battle
8 to win the day → see day
9 to win hands down → see hand ➊
▸ win back PHRASAL VERB If you win back something that you have lost, you get it again, especially as a result of a great effort. □ [V P n] The Government will have to work hard to win back the confidence of the people. □ [V n P ] So he went and filed a suit and won his job back.
▸ win out or win through PHRASAL VERB If something or someone wins out or wins through , they are successful after a competition or struggle. □ [V P ] Sometimes perseverance does win out.
▸ win over in BRIT, also use win round PHRASAL VERB If you win someone over or win them round , you persuade them to support you or agree with you. □ [V P n] He has won over a significant number of the left-wing deputies. □ [V n P ] They still hope to win him round.
▸ win round → see win over
▸ win through → see win out
wince /w I ns/ (winces , wincing , winced ) VERB If you wince , the muscles of your face tighten suddenly because you have felt a pain or because you have just seen, heard, or remembered something unpleasant. □ [V ] Every time he put any weight on his left leg, he winced in pain. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Wince is also a noun. □ He suppressed a wince as motion renewed the pain.
winch /w I ntʃ/ (winches , winching , winched )
1 N‑COUNT A winch is a machine which is used to lift heavy objects or people who need to be rescued. It consists of a drum around which a rope or chain is wound.
2 VERB If you winch an object or person somewhere, you lift or lower them using a winch. □ [V n with adv/prep] He would attach a cable around the chassis of the car and winch it up on to the canal bank.
wind
➊ AIR
➋ TURNING OR WRAPPING
➊ wind ◆◆◇ /w I nd/ (winds , winding , winded )
→ Please look at category 14 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 N‑VAR A wind is a current of air that is moving across the earth's surface. □ There was a strong wind blowing. □ The leaves rustled in the wind.
2 N‑COUNT Journalists often refer to a trend or factor that influences events as a wind of a particular kind. □ [+ of ] The winds of change are blowing across the country.
3 VERB If you are winded by something such as a blow, the air is suddenly knocked out of your lungs so that you have difficulty breathing for a short time. □ [be V -ed] He was winded and shaken. □ [V n] The cow stamped on his side, winding him.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Wind is the air that you sometimes swallow with food or drink, or gas that is produced in your intestines, which causes an uncomfortable feeling.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] The wind section of an orchestra or band is the group of people who produce musical sounds by blowing into their instruments.
6 PHRASE If someone breaks wind , they release gas from their intestines through their anus.
7 PHRASE If you get wind of something, you hear about it, especially when someone else did not want you to know about it. [INFORMAL ] □ I don't want the public, and especially not the press, to get wind of it at this stage.
8 PHRASE If you sail close to the wind , you take a risk by doing or saying something that may get you into trouble. □ Max warned her she was sailing dangerously close to the wind and risked prosecution.
9 to throw caution to the wind → see caution
➋ wind ◆◆◇ /wa I nd/ (winds , winding , wound )
1 VERB If a road, river, or line of people winds in a particular direction, it goes in that direction with a lot of bends or twists in it. □ [V prep/adv] The Moselle winds through some 160 miles of tranquil countryside. □ [V n prep/adv] The procession wound its way downhill. □ [V -ing] …a narrow winding road.
2 VERB When you wind something flexible around something else, you wrap it around it several times. □ [V n prep/adv] The horse jumped forwards and round her, winding the rope round her waist.
3 VERB When you wind a mechanical device, for example a watch or a clock, you turn a knob, key, or handle on it several times in order to make it operate. □ [V n] I still hadn't wound my watch so I didn't know the time. ● PHRASAL VERB Wind up means the same as wind . □ [V P n] I wound up the watch and listened to it tick. □ [V n P ] Frances took the tiny music box from her trunk and wound it up.
4 VERB To wind a tape or film back or forward means to make it move towards its starting or ending position. □ [V n adv] Now wind the film forward to what will happen if the next government doesn't solve the problem.
▸ wind down
1 PHRASAL VERB When you wind down something such as the window of a car, you make it move downwards by turning a handle. □ [V P n] Glass motioned to him to wind down the window. □ [V n P ] If a stranger stops you, just wind the window down a fraction.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you wind down , you relax after doing something that has made you feel tired or tense. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] I regularly have a drink to wind down.
3 PHRASAL VERB If someone winds down a business or activity, they gradually reduce the amount of work that is done or the number of people that are involved, usually before closing or stopping it completely. □ [V P n] Foreign aid workers have already begun winding down their operation. □ [V P ] In 1991 the Ada plant began to wind down. [Also V n P ]
▸ wind up
1 PHRASAL VERB When you wind up an activity, you finish it or stop doing it. □ [V P n] The President is about to wind up his visit to Somalia. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB When someone winds up a business or other organization, they stop running it and close it down completely. [BUSINESS ] □ [V P n] There was no alternative but to wind up the business. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you wind up in a particular place, situation, or state, you are in it at the end of a series of actions, events, or experiences, even though you did not originally intend to be. □ [V P prep/adv] He could wind up in gaol. □ [V P v-ing] Little did I know that I would actually wind up being on the staff. □ [V P adj/n] Both partners of the marriage wound up unhappy.
4 PHRASAL VERB When you wind up something such as the window of a car, you make it move upwards by turning a handle. □ [V n P ] He started winding the window up but I grabbed the door and opened it.
5 PHRASAL VERB If you wind someone up , you deliberately say things which annoy them. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] This woman really wound me up. She kept talking over me. [Also V P n]
6 PHRASAL VERB If you wind someone up , you say untrue things in order to trick them. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] You're joking. Come on, you're winding me up. [Also V P n]
7 → see also wind ➋ 3 , wind-up , wound up SYNONYMS wind NOUN ➊1
breeze: …a cool summer breeze.
gust: A gust of wind drove down the valley.
draught: On a cold day there can be quite a draught from the letterbox.
wind|bag /w I ndbæg/ (windbags ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a windbag , you are saying in a fairly rude way that you think they talk a great deal in a boring way. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
wind-blown /w I nd bloʊn/ also windblown
1 ADJ You can use wind-blown to indicate that something has been blown from one place to another by the wind. □ …the wind-blown sand which forms the 60 ft dunes.
2 ADJ If something such as someone's hair is wind-blown , it is untidy because it has been blown about by the wind.
wind|break /w I ndbre I k/ (windbreaks ) N‑COUNT A windbreak is something such as a line of trees or a fence which gives protection against the wind.
Wind|breaker /w I ndbre I kə r / (Windbreakers ) N‑COUNT A Windbreaker is a warm casual jacket. [mainly AM , TRADEMARK ]
wind|fall /w I ndfɔːl/ (windfalls )
1 N‑COUNT A windfall is a sum of money that you receive unexpectedly or by luck, for example if you win a lottery.
2 N‑COUNT A windfall is a fruit, especially an apple, that has fallen from a tree.
wind farm /w I nd fɑː r m/ (wind farms ) N‑COUNT A wind farm is a place where windmills are used to convert the power of the wind into electricity.
wind in|stru|ment /w I nd I nstrʊmənts/ (wind instruments ) N‑COUNT A wind instrument is a musical instrument that you blow into in order to produce sounds, such as a flute, a clarinet, or a recorder.
wind|lass /w I ndləs/ (windlasses ) N‑COUNT A windlass is a mechanical device for lifting heavy objects, which uses a motor to pull a rope or chain around a cylinder.
wind|less /w I ndləs/ ADJ If the air is windless , or if it is a windless day, it is very calm and still.
wind|mill /w I ndm I l/ (windmills ) N‑COUNT A windmill is a building with long pieces of wood on the outside which turn around as the wind blows and provide energy for a machine that crushes grain. A windmill is also a similar structure that is used to convert the power of the wind into electricity.
win|dow ◆◆◇ /w I ndoʊ/ (windows )
1 N‑COUNT A window is a space in the wall of a building or in the side of a vehicle, which has glass in it so that light can come in and you can see out. □ He stood at the window, moodily staring out. □ The room felt very hot and she wondered why someone did not open a window. □ …my car window.
2 N‑COUNT A window is a large piece of glass along the front of a shop, behind which some of the goods that the shop sells are displayed. □ I stood for a few moments in front of the nearest shop window.
3 N‑COUNT A window is a glass-covered opening above a counter, for example in a bank, post office, railway station, or museum, which the person serving you sits behind. □ The woman at the ticket window told me that the admission fee was $17.50.
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