4 N‑COUNT On a computer screen, a window is one of the work areas that the screen can be divided into. [COMPUTING ]
5 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you have a window in your diary for something, or if you can make a window for it, you are free at a particular time and can do it then. □ [+ in ] Tell her I've got a window in my diary later on this week.
6 → see also French window , picture window , rose window
7 PHRASE If you say that something such as a plan or a particular way of thinking or behaving has gone out of the window or has flown out of the window , you mean that it has disappeared completely. □ By now all logic had gone out of the window.
8 PHRASE If you say that there is a window of opportunity for something, you mean that there is an opportunity to do something but that this opportunity will only last for a short time and so it needs to be taken advantage of quickly. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ for ] The king said there was now a window of opportunity for peace.
wi n|dow box (window boxes ) N‑COUNT A window box is a long narrow container on a shelf at the bottom of a window and is used for growing plants.
wi ndow-dressing also window dressing
1 N‑UNCOUNT Window-dressing is the skill of arranging objects attractively in a window, especially a shop window, or the way in which they are arranged.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to something as window-dressing , you are critical of it because it is done in order to create a good impression and to prevent people from realizing the real or more unpleasant nature of someone's activities. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The measures are little more than window dressing.
wi n|dow frame (window frames ) N‑COUNT A window frame is a frame around the edges of a window, which glass is fixed into.
window|pane /w I ndoʊpe I n/ (windowpanes ) also window pane N‑COUNT A windowpane is a piece of glass in the window of a building.
wi n|dow seat (window seats )
1 N‑COUNT A window seat is a seat which is fixed to the wall underneath a window in a room.
2 N‑COUNT On a train, bus, or aeroplane, a window seat is a seat next to a window.
wi n|dow shade (window shades ) N‑COUNT A window shade is a piece of stiff cloth or heavy paper that you can pull down over a window as a covering. [AM ] in BRIT, use blind
wi n|dow shop|ping also window-shopping N‑UNCOUNT If you do some window shopping , you spend time looking at the goods in the windows of shops without intending to buy anything.
window|sill /w I ndoʊs I l/ (windowsills ) also window sill N‑COUNT A windowsill is a shelf along the bottom of a window, either inside or outside a building.
wind|pipe /w I ndpa I p/ (windpipes ) N‑COUNT Your windpipe is the tube in your body that carries air into your lungs when you breathe.
wind|screen /w I ndskriːn/ (windscreens ) N‑COUNT The windscreen of a car or other vehicle is the glass window at the front through which the driver looks. [BRIT ] in AM, use windshield
wi nd|screen wip|er (windscreen wipers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A windscreen wiper is a device that wipes rain from a vehicle's windscreen. [BRIT ] in AM, use windshield wiper
wind|shield /w I ndʃiːld/ (windshields ) N‑COUNT The windshield of a car or other vehicle is the glass window at the front through which the driver looks. [AM ] in BRIT, use windscreen
wi nd|shield wip|er (windshield wipers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A windshield wiper is the same as a windscreen wiper . [AM ] in BRIT, use windscreen wiper
wind|surf|er /w I ndsɜː r fə r / (windsurfers )
1 N‑COUNT A windsurfer is a long narrow board with a sail attached to it. You stand on a windsurfer in the sea or on a lake and are blown along by the wind.
2 N‑COUNT A windsurfer is a person who rides on a windsurfer.
wind|surf|ing /w I ndsɜː r f I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Windsurfing is a sport in which you move along the surface of the sea or a lake on a long narrow board with a sail on it.
wind|swept /w I ndswept/ ADJ A windswept place has no shelter and is not protected against strong winds. □ …the remote and windswept hillside.
wind tun|nel /w I nd tʌn ə l/ (wind tunnels ) N‑COUNT A wind tunnel is a room or passage through which air can be made to flow at controlled speeds. Wind tunnels are used to test new equipment or machinery, especially cars and aeroplanes.
wind-up /wa I nd ʌp/ (wind-ups )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A wind-up device is a mechanical device with a handle or key that you turn several times before you use it in order to make it work. □ …an old-fashioned wind-up gramophone.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A wind-up is a joke or trick in which someone deliberately tells you something untrue in order to annoy you. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [+ by ] At first I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a wind-up by one of my mates.
wind|ward /w I ndwə r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] Windward is used to describe the side of something, especially a ship, which is facing the wind. □ …the windward side of the quarterdeck.
windy /w I ndi/ (windier , windiest ) ADJ If it is windy , the wind is blowing a lot. □ It was windy and Jake felt cold.
wine ◆◆◇ /wa I n/ (wines , wining , wined )
1 N‑VAR Wine is an alcoholic drink which is made from grapes. You can also refer to alcoholic drinks made from other fruits or vegetables as wine . □ …a bottle of white wine. □ This is a nice wine. ● N‑COUNT A glass of wine can be referred to as a wine .
2 COLOUR Wine is used to describe things that are very dark red in colour. □ She wore her wine-coloured gaberdine raincoat.
3 PHRASE If you wine and dine , or if someone wines and dines you, you go out, for example to expensive restaurants, and spend a lot of money. □ Colleagues were furious at doing her work while she wined and dined. □ A lot of money went on wining and dining prospective clients.
wi ne bar (wine bars ) N‑COUNT A wine bar is a place where people can buy and drink wine, and sometimes eat food as well.
wi ne glass (wine glasses ) N‑COUNT A wine glass is a glass, usually with a narrow stem, which you use for drinking wine.
win|ery /wa I nəri/ (wineries ) N‑COUNT A winery is a place where wine is made. [AM ]
wing ◆◆◇ /w I ŋ/ (wings )
1 N‑COUNT The wings of a bird or insect are the two parts of its body that it uses for flying. □ The bird flapped its wings furiously. ● -winged COMB □ …black-winged birds.
2 N‑COUNT The wings of an aeroplane are the long flat parts sticking out of its side which support it while it is flying. ● -winged COMB □ …a wide-winged plane.
3 N‑COUNT A wing of a building is a part of it which sticks out from the main part. □ We were given an office in the empty west wing.
4 N‑COUNT A wing of an organization, especially a political organization, is a group within it which has a particular function or particular beliefs. □ The military wing of the organisation was banned.
5 → see also left-wing , right-wing
6 N‑PLURAL In a theatre, the wings are the sides of the stage which are hidden from the audience by curtains or scenery. □ Most nights I watched the start of the play from the wings.
7 N‑COUNT In a game such as football or hockey, the left wing and the right wing are the areas on the far left and the far right of the pitch. You can also refer to the players who play in these positions as the left wing and the right wing .
8 N‑COUNT A wing of a car is a part of it on the outside which is over one of the wheels. [BRIT ] in AM, use fender 9 VERB If you say that something or someone wings their way somewhere or wings somewhere, you mean that they go there quickly, especially by plane. □ [V n adv/prep] A few moments later they were airborne and winging their way south. □ [V n adv/prep] A cash bonanza will be winging its way to the 600,000 members of the scheme. □ [V adv/prep] The first of the airliners winged westwards and home.
10 PHRASE If you say that someone is waiting in the wings , you mean that they are ready and waiting for an opportunity to take action. □ There are big companies waiting in the wings to take over its business.
11 PHRASE If you spread your wings , you do something new and rather difficult or move to a new place, because you feel more confident in your abilities than you used to and you want to gain wider experience. □ I led a very confined life in my village so I suppose that I wanted to spread my wings.
12 PHRASE If you take someone under your wing , you look after them, help them, and protect them. □ Her boss took her under his wing after fully realising her potential.
wi ng back (wing backs ) also wing-back N‑COUNT In football, a wing back is a defender who also takes part in attacking play.
wi ng com|ma nd|er (wing commanders ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A wing commander is a senior officer in the British air force. □ …Wing Commander Christopher Moran.
winged /w I ŋd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A winged insect or other creature has wings. □ Flycatchers feed primarily on winged insects.
wing|er /w I ŋə r / (wingers ) N‑COUNT In a game such as football or hockey, a winger is an attacking player who plays mainly on the far left or the far right side of the pitch.
wi ng mir|ror (wing mirrors ) N‑COUNT The wing mirrors on a car are the mirrors on each side of the car on the outside.
wing|span /w I ŋspæn/ (wingspans ) also wing span N‑COUNT [usu sing] The wingspan of a bird, insect, or aeroplane is the distance from the end of one wing to the end of the other wing. □ …a glider with an 18-foot wingspan.
wink /w I ŋk/ (winks , winking , winked )
1 VERB When you wink at someone, you look towards them and close one eye very briefly, usually as a signal that something is a joke or a secret. □ [V + at ] Brian winked at his bride-to-be. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Wink is also a noun. □ I gave her a wink.
2 PHRASE If you say that you did not sleep a wink or did not get a wink of sleep , you mean that you tried to go to sleep but could not. [INFORMAL ] □ I didn't get a wink of sleep on the aeroplane.
win|kle /w I ŋk ə l/ (winkles , winkling , winkled ) N‑COUNT Winkles are small sea snails that can be eaten. [BRIT ] in AM, use periwinkles
▸ winkle out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you winkle information out of someone, you get it from them when they do not want to give it to you, often by tricking them. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] The security services will pretty well go to any lengths to winkle out information. □ [V n P + of ] The detective was trying to winkle information out of her. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you winkle someone out of a place where they are hiding or which they do not want to leave, you make them leave it. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n P + of ] He somehow managed to winkle Picard out of his room. □ [V n P ] Political pressure finally winkled him out and on to a plane bound for Berlin. □ [V P n] It will not be easy to winkle out the old guard and train younger replacements.
win|ner ◆◆◇ /w I nə r / (winners )
1 N‑COUNT The winner of a prize, race, or competition is the person, animal, or thing that wins it. □ She will present the trophies to the award winners. □ The winner was a horse called Last Town.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that something or someone is a winner , you mean that they are popular and successful, or that they are likely to be popular and successful. [INFORMAL ] □ They think the appeal is a winner. □ Selling was my game and I intended to be a winner.
win|ning ◆◇◇ /w I n I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use winning to describe a person or thing that wins something such as a competition, game, or election. □ …the leader of the winning party. □ Donovan scored the winning goal.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use winning to describe actions or qualities that please other people and make them feel friendly towards you. □ She gave him another of her winning smiles.
3 → see also win SYNONYMS winning ADJ 1
victorious: In 1978 he played for the victorious Argentinian side in the World Cup.
triumphant: Duncan and his triumphant soldiers celebrate their military victory.
successful: I am looking forward to a long and successful partnership with him.
win|nings /w I n I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL [oft poss N ] You can use winnings to refer to the money that someone wins in a competition or by gambling. □ I have come to collect my winnings.
win|now /w I noʊ/ (winnows , winnowing , winnowed ) VERB If you winnow a group of things or people, you reduce its size by separating the ones that are useful or relevant from the ones that are not. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] Administration officials have winnowed the list of candidates to three.
▸ winnow out PHRASAL VERB If you winnow out part of a group of things or people, you identify the part that is not useful or relevant and the part that is. [WRITTEN ] □ [V P n] The committee needs to winnow out the nonsense and produce more practical proposals. □ [V P n] Time has winnowed out certain of the essays as superior.
wino /wa I noʊ/ (winos ) N‑COUNT Some people refer to alcoholics, especially homeless ones, as winos . [INFORMAL ]
win|some /w I nsəm/ ADJ If you describe a person or their actions or behaviour as winsome , you mean that they are attractive and charming. □ She gave him her best winsome smile.
win|ter ◆◇◇ /w I ntə r / (winters , wintering , wintered )
1 N‑VAR Winter is the season between autumn and spring when the weather is usually cold. □ In winter the nights are long and cold. □ Last winter's snowfall was heavier than usual. □ …the winter months. □ [+ of ] …the late winter of 1941.
2 VERB If an animal or plant winters somewhere or is wintered there, it spends the winter there. □ [V adv/prep] The birds will winter outside in an aviary. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] The young seedlings are usually wintered in a cold frame. □ [V -ing] …one of the most important sites for wintering wildfowl. [Also V n prep/adv]
3 VERB If you winter somewhere, you spend the winter there. [FORMAL ] □ [V prep/adv] The family decided to winter in Nice again.
wi n|ter sports N‑PLURAL Winter sports are sports that take place on ice or snow, for example skating and skiing.
winter|time /w I ntə r ta I m/ also winter time N‑UNCOUNT Wintertime is the period of time during which winter lasts.
win|try /w I ntri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Wintry weather is cold and has features that are typical of winter. □ Wintry weather continues to sweep across Britain. □ …a dark wintry day.
wi n-wi n ADJ [ADJ n] A win-win situation is one where you are certain to do well or be successful. □ This is a win-win scenario. ● N‑COUNT Win-win is also a noun. □ When meetings are more effective, we can have fewer of them. That's what I call a win-win.
wipe ◆◇◇ /wa I p/ (wipes , wiping , wiped )
1 VERB If you wipe something, you rub its surface to remove dirt or liquid from it. □ [V n] I'll just wipe the table. □ [V n with adj] When he had finished washing he began to wipe the basin clean. □ [V n + on ] Lainey wiped her hands on the towel. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Wipe is also a noun. □ She gave the table a quick wipe and disappeared behind the counter.
2 VERB If you wipe dirt or liquid from something, you remove it, for example by using a cloth or your hand. □ [V n prep] Gleb wiped the sweat from his face. □ [V n] He shook his head and wiped his tears with a tissue.
3 N‑COUNT A wipe is a small moist cloth for cleaning things and is designed to be used only once. □ …antiseptic wipes.
4 to wipe the floor with someone → see floor
5 to wipe the slate clean → see slate
▸ wipe away or wipe off PHRASAL VERB If you wipe away or wipe off dirt or liquid from something, you remove it, for example by using a cloth or your hand. □ [V P n] He wiped away the blood with a paper napkin.
▸ wipe off → see wipe away
▸ wipe out PHRASAL VERB To wipe out something such as a place or a group of people or animals means to destroy them completely. □ [V P n] The oil spill could wipe out the area's turtle population. □ [V P n] The man is a fanatic who is determined to wipe out any opposition. [Also V n P ]
▸ wipe up PHRASAL VERB If you wipe up dirt or liquid from something, you remove it using a cloth. □ [V n P ] I spilled my coffee all over the table and Mom leaned across me to wipe it up. □ [V P n] Wipe up spills immediately.
wip|er /wa I pə r / (wipers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A wiper is a device that wipes rain from a vehicle's windscreen.
wire ◆◇◇ /wa I ə r / (wires , wiring , wired )
1 N‑VAR A wire is a long thin piece of metal that is used to fasten things or to carry electric current. □ …fine copper wire. □ …gadgets which detect electrical wires, pipes and timbers in walls.
2 N‑COUNT A wire is a cable which carries power or signals from one place to another. □ I ripped out the phone wire that ran through to his office. □ …the voltage of the overhead wires.
3 VERB If you wire something such as a building or piece of equipment, you put wires inside it so that electricity or signals can pass into or through it. □ [V n] …learning to wire and plumb the house herself. □ [be V -ed + for ] Each of the homes has a security system and is wired for cable television. □ [V -ed] …a badly wired appliance. ● PHRASAL VERB Wire up means the same as wire . □ [V P n] He was helping wire up the Channel Tunnel last season. □ [V n P ] Wire the thermometers up to trigger off an alarm bell if the temperature drops. [Also V n P to/into n]
4 N‑COUNT A wire is the same as a telegram . [mainly AM ]
5 VERB If you wire an amount of money to a person or place, you tell a bank to send it to the person or place using a telegram message. [mainly AM ] □ [V n n] I'm wiring you some money. □ [V n prep] They arranged to wire the money from the United States. [Also V n]
6 PHRASE If something goes to the wire , it continues until the last possible moment. [mainly JOURNALISM ] □ Negotiators again worked right down to the wire to reach an agreement.
7 → see also barbed wire , high wire , hot-wire , live wire
wired /wa I ə r d/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is wired , they are tense, nervous, and unable to relax. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ Tonight he is manic, wired and uptight.
2 ADJ A computer, organization, or person that is wired has the equipment that is necessary to use the internet. [INFORMAL ] □ Once more people are wired, the potential to change the mainstream media will be huge.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Wired is used to describe material or clothing that has wires sewn into it in order to keep it stiff. □ …a length of wired ribbon.
wire|less /wa I ə r ləs/ (wirelesses )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Wireless technology uses radio waves rather than electricity and therefore does not require any wires. □ …the fast-growing wireless communication market.
2 N‑COUNT A wireless or wireless set is a radio. [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]
Wi re|less Ap|pli|ca|tion Pro to|col → see WAP
wire|tap /wa I ə r tæp/ (wiretaps , wiretapping , wiretapped ) also wire-tap VERB If someone wiretaps your phone, they attach a special device to the line so that they can secretly listen to your conversations. [AM ] □ [V n] The coach said his club had wire-tapped the hotel room of a player during a road trip. ● N‑COUNT Wiretap is also a noun. □ …recordings of phone conversations that can have been obtained only by illegal wiretaps. ● wire|tapping N‑UNCOUNT □ …allegations of wiretapping. [in BRIT, use tap ]
wi re woo l N‑UNCOUNT Wire wool consists of very thin pieces of wire twisted together, often in the form of small pads. These are used to clean wooden and metal objects. [BRIT ] in AM, use steel wool
wir|ing /wa I ə r I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT The wiring in a building or machine is the system of wires that supply electricity to the different parts of it.
wiry /wa I ə ri/
1 ADJ Someone who is wiry is rather thin but is also strong. □ His body is wiry and athletic.
2 ADJ Something such as hair or grass that is wiry is stiff and rough to touch. □ Her wiry hair was pushed up on top of her head in an untidy bun.
wis|dom /w I zdəm/ (wisdoms )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Wisdom is the ability to use your experience and knowledge in order to make sensible decisions or judgments. □ …the patience and wisdom that comes from old age. □ …a great man, who spoke words of great wisdom.
2 N‑VAR Wisdom is the store of knowledge that a society or culture has collected over a long period of time. □ …this church's original Semitic wisdom, religion and faith.
3 N‑SING If you talk about the wisdom of a particular decision or action, you are talking about how sensible it is. □ [+ of ] Many Lithuanians have expressed doubts about the wisdom of the decision.
4 N‑VAR You can use wisdom to refer to ideas that are accepted by a large number of people. □ Health education wisdom in the U.K. differs from that of the United States. □ Unchallenged wisdoms flow swiftly among the middle classes. ● PHRASE The conventional wisdom about something is the generally accepted view of it. □ …the conventional wisdom that soccer is a minor sport in America.
wi s|dom tooth (wisdom teeth ) N‑COUNT Your wisdom teeth are the four large teeth at the back of your mouth which usually grow much later than your other teeth.
wise ◆◇◇ /wa I z/ (wises , wising , wised , wiser , wisest )
1 ADJ A wise person is able to use their experience and knowledge in order to make sensible decisions and judgments. □ She has the air of a wise woman. ● wise|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The three of us stood around the machine nodding wisely.
2 ADJ A wise action or decision is sensible. □ She had made a very wise decision. □ It is wise to seek help and counsel as soon as possible. ● wise|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ They've invested their money wisely. □ Our man had wisely decided to be picked up at the farm.
3 PHRASE If you get wise to something, you find out about it, especially when someone has been trying to keep it secret. [INFORMAL ] □ Dealers have already got wise to the trend and increased their prices accordingly.
▸ wise up PHRASAL VERB If someone wises up to a situation or state of affairs, they become aware of it and take appropriate action. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P + to ] Some insurers have wised up to the fact that their clients were getting very cheap insurance. □ [V P ] It's time to wise up and tell those around you that enough is enough.
-wise /-wa I z/
1 COMB -wise is added to nouns to form adverbs indicating that something is the case when considering the particular thing mentioned. □ Career-wise, this illness couldn't have come at a worse time. □ It was a much better day weather-wise.
2 COMB [ADV after v] -wise is added to nouns to form adverbs indicating that someone behaves in the same way as the person or thing that is mentioned. □ We were housed student-wise in dormitory rooms.
wise|crack /wa I zkræk/ (wisecracks ) N‑COUNT A wisecrack is a clever remark that is intended to be amusing, but is often rather unkind.
wise|crack|ing /wa I zkræk I ŋ/ also wise-cracking ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use wisecracking to describe someone who keeps making wisecracks. □ …a wisecracking private eye.
wi se guy (wise guys ) also wiseguy
1 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a wise guy , you dislike the fact that they think they are very clever and always have an answer for everything. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
2 N‑COUNT A wise guy is a member of the Mafia. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
wish ◆◆◇ /w I ʃ/ (wishes , wishing , wished )
1 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] A wish is a desire or strong feeling that you want to have something or do something. □ [+ for ] Clearly she had no wish for conversation. □ She wanted to go everywhere in the world. She soon got her wish. □ [+ of ] The decision was made against the wishes of the party leader.
2 → see also death wish
3 VERB If you wish to do something or to have it done for you, you want to do it or have it done. [FORMAL ] □ [V to-inf] Older children may not wish to spend all their time in adult company. □ [V ] We can dress as we wish now. □ [V + for ] There were the collaborators, who wished for a German victory.
4 VERB [no cont] If you wish something were true, you would like it to be true, even though you know that it is impossible or unlikely. □ [V that] I wish that I could do that. □ [V n to-inf] The world is not always what we wish it to be.
5 VERB If you wish for something, you express the desire for that thing silently to yourself. In fairy stories, when a person wishes for something, the thing they wish for often happens by magic. □ [V + for ] We have all wished for men who are more considerate. ● N‑COUNT Wish is also a noun. □ Blow out the candles and make a wish.
6 VERB [no cont] If you say that you would not wish a particular thing on someone, you mean that the thing is so unpleasant that you would not want them to be forced to experience it. □ [V n + on ] It's a horrid experience and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
7 VERB If you wish someone something such as luck or happiness, you express the hope that they will be lucky or happy. □ [V n n] I wish you both a very good journey. □ [V n adv] Goodbye, Hanu. I wish you well.
8 N‑PLURAL [adj N ] If you express your good wishes towards someone, you are politely expressing your friendly feelings towards them and your hope that they will be successful or happy. [POLITENESS ] □ I found George's story very sad. Please give him my best wishes. SYNONYMS wish NOUN 1
desire: I had a strong desire to help and care for people.
longing: Imelda spoke of her longing to return home.
aspiration: …the needs and aspirations of our pupils.
urge: He had an urge to open a shop of his own.
need: Charles has never felt the need to compete with anyone. USAGE wish
Don’t use ‘wish’ with a clause to say that you hope something good will happen to someone. Don’t say, for example, ‘
I wish you’ll have a nice time in Finland
’. Say ‘I hope you’ll have
a nice time in Finland’ or ‘I hope you have
a nice time in Finland’. □
I hope you like
this village.
wish|bone /w I ʃboʊn/ (wishbones ) N‑COUNT A wishbone is a V-shaped bone in chickens, turkeys, and other birds.
wi sh|ful thi nk|ing N‑UNCOUNT If you say that an idea, wish, or hope is wishful thinking , you mean that it has failed to come true or is unlikely to come true. □ It is wishful thinking to expect deeper change under his leadership.
wi sh list (wish lists ) N‑COUNT [oft with poss] If you refer to someone's wish list , you mean all the things which they would like to happen or be given, although these things may be unlikely. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …one special toy that tops the wish list of every child.
wishy-washy /w I ʃi wɒʃi/ ADJ If you say that someone is wishy-washy , you are critical of them because their ideas are not firm or clear. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ If there's anything I can't stand, it's an indecisive, wishy-washy customer.
wisp /w I sp/ (wisps )
1 N‑COUNT A wisp of hair is a small, thin, untidy bunch of it. □ [+ of ] She smoothed away a wisp of hair from her eyes.
2 N‑COUNT A wisp of something such as smoke or cloud is an amount of it in a long thin shape. □ [+ of ] A thin wisp of smoke straggled up through the trees.
wispy /w I spi/
1 ADJ If someone has wispy hair, their hair does not grow thickly on their head.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A wispy cloud is thin or faint.
wis|te|ria /w I st I ə riə/ N‑UNCOUNT Wisteria is a type of climbing plant which has pale purple or white flowers.
wist|ful /w I stfʊl/ ADJ Someone who is wistful is rather sad because they want something and know that they cannot have it. □ [+ about ] I can't help feeling slightly wistful about the perks I'm giving up.
wit /w I t/ (wits )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Wit is the ability to use words or ideas in an amusing, clever, and imaginative way. □ Boulding was known for his biting wit.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a wit , you mean that they have the ability to use words or ideas in an amusing, clever, and imaginative way. □ Holmes was gregarious, a great wit, a man of wide interests.
3 N‑SING If you say that someone has the wit to do something, you mean that they have the intelligence and understanding to make the right decision or take the right action in a particular situation. □ The information is there and waiting to be accessed by anyone with the wit to use it.
4 N‑PLURAL [usu poss N ] You can refer to your ability to think quickly and cleverly in a difficult situation as your wits . □ She has used her wits to progress to the position she holds today.
5 N‑PLURAL You can use wits in expressions such as frighten someone out of their wits and scare the wits out of someone to emphasize that a person or thing worries or frightens someone very much. [EMPHASIS ] □ You scared us out of our wits. We heard you had an accident.
6 PHRASE If you have your wits about you or keep your wits about you, you are alert and ready to act in a difficult situation. □ Travellers need to keep their wits about them.
7 PHRASE If you say that you are at your wits' end , you are emphasizing that you are so worried and exhausted by problems or difficulties that you do not know what to do next. [EMPHASIS ] □ We row a lot and we never have time on our own. I'm at my wits' end.
8 PHRASE If you pit your wits against someone, you compete against them in a test of knowledge or intelligence. □ He has to pit his wits against an adversary who is cool, clever and cunning.
9 PHRASE To wit is used to indicate that you are about to state or describe something more precisely. [LITERARY ] □ The Oracle's advice was sound, to wit: 'Nothing in excess.'
witch /w I tʃ/ (witches )
1 N‑COUNT In fairy stories, a witch is a woman, usually an old woman, who has evil magic powers. Witches often wear a pointed black hat, and have a pet black cat.
2 N‑COUNT A witch is a man or woman who claims to have magic powers and to be able to use them for good or bad purposes.
witch|craft /w I tʃkrɑːft, -kræft/ N‑UNCOUNT Witchcraft is the use of magic powers, especially evil ones.
wi tch doc|tor (witch doctors ) also witch-doctor N‑COUNT A witch doctor is a person in some societies, for example in Africa, who is thought to have magic powers which can be used to heal people.
wi tch ha|zel N‑UNCOUNT Witch hazel is a liquid that you put on your skin if it is sore or damaged, in order to help it to heal.
wi tch-hunt (witch-hunts ) N‑COUNT A witch-hunt is an attempt to find and punish a particular group of people who are being blamed for something, often simply because of their opinions and not because they have actually done anything wrong. [DISAPPROVAL ]
witchy /w I tʃi/ or witch-like ADJ A witchy person looks or behaves like a witch. Witchy things are associated with witches. □ My great-grandmother was old and witchy looking.
with ◆◆◆ /w I ð, w I θ/ In addition to the uses shown below, with is used after some verbs, nouns and adjectives in order to introduce extra information. With is also used in most reciprocal verbs, such as 'agree' or 'fight', and in some phrasal verbs, such as 'deal with' and 'dispense with'. 1 PREP If one person is with another, they are together in one place. □ With her were her son and daughter-in-law. □ She is currently staying with her father at his home.
2 PREP If something is put with or is with something else, they are used at the same time. □ Serve hot, with pasta or rice and French beans. □ Cookies are just the thing to serve with tall glasses of real lemonade.
3 PREP If you do something with someone else, you both do it together or are both involved in it. □ Parents will be able to discuss their child's progress with their teacher. □ He walked with her to the front door.
4 PREP If you fight, argue, or compete with someone, you oppose them. □ About a thousand students fought with riot police in the capital. □ He was in an argument with his landlord downstairs.
5 PREP If you do something with a particular tool, object, or substance, you do it using that tool, object, or substance. □ Remove the meat with a fork and divide it among four plates. □ Doctors are treating him with the drug AZT.
6 PREP If someone stands or goes somewhere with something, they are carrying it. □ A man came round with a tray of chocolates.
7 PREP Someone or something with a particular feature or possession has that feature or possession. □ He was in his early forties, tall and blond with bright blue eyes. □ Someone with an income of $34,895 can afford this loan.
8 PREP Someone with an illness has that illness. □ I spent a week in bed with flu.
9 PREP If something is filled or covered with a substance or with things, it has that substance or those things in it or on it. □ His legs were caked with dried mud. □ They sat at a Formica table cluttered with dirty tea cups.
10 PREP If you are, for example, pleased or annoyed with someone or something, you have that feeling towards them. □ He was still a little angry with her. □ I am happy with that decision.
11 PREP You use with to indicate what a state, quality, or action relates to, involves, or affects. □ Our aim is to allow student teachers to become familiar with the classroom. □ He still has a serious problem with money. □ Depression lowers the human ability to cope with disease.
12 PREP You use with when indicating the way that something is done or the feeling that a person has when they do something. □ …teaching her to read music with skill and sensitivity. □ He agreed, but with reluctance.
13 PREP You use with when indicating a sound or gesture that is made when something is done, or an expression that a person has on their face when they do something. □ With a sigh, she leant back and closed her eyes. □ The front door closed with a crash behind him.
14 PREP You use with to indicate the feeling that makes someone have a particular appearance or type of behaviour. □ Gil was white and trembling with anger. □ I felt sick to my stomach with sadness for them.
15 PREP You use with when mentioning the position or appearance of a person or thing at the time that they do something, or what someone else is doing at that time. □ Joanne stood with her hands on the sink, staring out the window. □ Michelle had fallen asleep with her head against his shoulder.
16 PREP You use with to introduce a current situation that is a factor affecting another situation. □ With all the courses available, there is no excuse for not getting some training. □ With the win, the U.S. reclaimed the cup for the first time since 1985.
17 PREP You use with when making a comparison or contrast between the situations of different people or things. □ We're not like them. It's different with us. □ Sometimes I'm busy and sometimes I'm not. It's the same with most jobs.
18 PREP If something increases or decreases with a particular factor, it changes as that factor changes. □ The reason your heart rate increases with exercise is to meet the demands for more oxygen. □ Blood pressure decreases with exercise.
19 PREP If something moves with a wind or current, it moves in the same direction as the wind or current. □ …a piece of driftwood carried down with the current.
20 PREP If someone says that they are with you, they mean that they understand what you are saying. [INFORMAL ] □ Yes, I know who you mean. Yes, now I'm with you. □ I'm not with you. Tell me what you mean.
21 PREP If someone says that they are with you, they mean that they support or approve of what you are doing. □ 'I'm with you all the way.'—'Thank you.'
with|draw ◆◆◇ /w I ðdrɔː / (withdraws , withdrawing , withdrew , withdrawn )
1 VERB If you withdraw something from a place, you remove it or take it away. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He reached into his pocket and withdrew a sheet of notepaper. □ [V n + from ] Cassandra withdrew her hand from Roger's.
2 VERB When groups of people such as troops withdraw or when someone withdraws them, they leave the place where they are fighting or where they are based and return nearer home. □ [V ] He stated that all foreign forces would withdraw as soon as the crisis ended. □ [V n + from ] Unless Hitler withdrew his troops from Poland by 11 o'clock that morning, a state of war would exist between Great Britain and Germany. □ [V + from ] Troops withdrew from the north east of the country last March. [Also V + to ]
3 VERB If you withdraw money from a bank account, you take it out of that account. □ [V n] Open a savings account that does not charge ridiculous fees to withdraw money. □ [V n + from ] They withdrew 100 dollars from a bank account after checking out of their hotel.
4 VERB If you withdraw from an activity or organization, you stop taking part in it. □ [V + from ] The African National Congress threatened to withdraw from the talks. [Also V ]
5 VERB If you withdraw a remark or statement that you have made, you say that you want people to ignore it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He withdrew his remarks and explained what he had meant to say. SYNONYMS withdraw VERB 1
remove: He went to the refrigerator and removed a bottle of juice.
take away: They're going to take my citizenship away.
extract: He extracted a small notebook from his hip pocket.
pull out: They have pulled out patients' teeth unnecessarily.
with|draw|al ◆◇◇ /w I ðdrɔː əl/ (withdrawals )
1 N‑VAR The withdrawal of something is the act or process of removing it, or ending it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Sometimes the withdrawal of a particular stress can bring on anxiety.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Someone's withdrawal from an activity or an organization is their decision to stop taking part in it. □ [+ from ] …his withdrawal from government in 1946.
3 N‑COUNT A withdrawal is an amount of money that you take from your bank account.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Withdrawal is the period during which someone feels ill after they have stopped taking a drug which they were addicted to. □ [+ from ] Withdrawal from heroin is actually like a severe attack of gastric flu. SYNONYMS withdrawal NOUN 1
removal: Parliament had decided that his removal from power was illegal.
termination: …a dispute which led to the abrupt termination of trade.
cancellation: …a march by groups calling for cancellation of Third World debt.
with|dra w|al symp|toms N‑PLURAL When someone has withdrawal symptoms , they feel ill after they have stopped taking a drug which they were addicted to.
with|drawn /w I ðdrɔː n/
1 Withdrawn is the past participle of withdraw .
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Someone who is withdrawn is very quiet, and does not want to talk to other people. □ He had become withdrawn and moody.
with|drew /w I ðdruː / Withdrew is the past tense of withdraw .
with|er /w I ðə r / (withers , withering , withered )
1 VERB If someone or something withers , they become very weak. □ [V ] When he went into retirement, he visibly withered. □ [V ] Industries unable to modernise have been left to wither. ● PHRASAL VERB Wither away means the same as wither . □ [V P ] To see my body literally wither away before my eyes was exasperating.
2 VERB If a flower or plant withers , it dries up and dies. □ [V ] The flowers in Isabel's room had withered.
▸ wither away → see wither 1
with|ered /w I ðə r d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person or a part of their body as withered , you mean that they are thin and their skin looks old. □ …her withered hands.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Withered is used to describe someone's leg or arm when it is thin and weak because of disease or injury. □ She has one slightly withered leg, noticeably thinner than the other.
with|er|ing /w I ðər I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A withering look or remark is very critical, and is intended to make someone feel ashamed or stupid. □ Deborah Jane's mother gave her a withering look.
with|hold /w I ðhoʊ ld/ (withholds , withholding , withheld /w I ðhe ld/) VERB If you withhold something that someone wants, you do not let them have it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Police withheld the dead boy's name yesterday until relatives could be told. □ [V n] Financial aid for Britain has been withheld. [Also V from n/-ing]
with|ho ld|ing tax (withholding taxes ) N‑VAR A withholding tax is an amount of money that is taken in advance from someone's income, in order to pay some of the tax they will owe. [mainly AM , BUSINESS ]
with|in ◆◆◆ /w I ð I n/
1 PREP If something is within a place, area, or object, it is inside it or surrounded by it. [FORMAL ] □ Clients are entertained within private dining rooms. □ Land-use can vary enormously even within a small country. ● ADV [usu from ADV , oft ADV after v] Within is also an adverb. □ A small voice called from within. 'Yes, just coming.'
2 PREP Something that happens or exists within a society, organization, or system, happens or exists inside it. □ …the spirit of self-sacrifice within an army. □ Within criminal law almost anything could be defined as 'crime'. ● ADV [usu from ADV , oft ADV after v] Within is also an adverb. □ The Church of England, with threats of split from within, has still to make up its mind.
3 PREP If you experience a particular feeling, you can say that it is within you. [LITERARY ] □ He's coping much better within himself.
4 PREP If something is within a particular limit or set of rules, it does not go beyond it or is not more than what is allowed. □ Troops have agreed to stay within specific boundaries to avoid confrontations. □ Exercise within your comfortable limit.
5 PREP If you are within a particular distance of a place, you are less than that distance from it. □ The man was within a few feet of him. □ It was within easy walking distance of the hotel.
6 PREP Within a particular length of time means before that length of time has passed. □ About 40% of all students entering as freshmen graduate within 4 years. □ Within 24 hours the deal was completed.
7 PREP If something is within sight , within earshot , or within reach , you can see it, hear it, or reach it. □ His boat was moored within sight of West Church. □ The people at every table within earshot fell silent instantly.
8 within reason → see reason
wi th it also with-it
1 ADJ If you say that someone is with it , you mean that they are fashionable or know about new things, especially in culture. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is not with it , they do not feel alert and therefore fail to understand things. [INFORMAL ] □ She wasn't really with it. She hadn't taken in the practical consequences.
with|out ◆◆◆ /w I ðaʊ t/ In addition to the uses shown below, without is used in the phrasal verbs 'do without', 'go without', and 'reckon without'. 1 PREP You use without to indicate that someone or something does not have or use the thing mentioned. □ I don't like myself without a beard. □ She wore a brown shirt pressed without a wrinkle.
2 PREP If one thing happens without another thing, or if you do something without doing something else, the second thing does not happen or occur. □ He was offered a generous pension provided he left without a fuss. □ They worked without a break until about eight in the evening. □ Alex had done this without consulting her.
3 PREP If you do something without a particular feeling, you do not have that feeling when you do it. □ Janet Magnusson watched his approach without enthusiasm. □ 'Hello, Swanson,' he said without surprise.
4 PREP If you do something without someone else, they are not in the same place as you are or are not involved in the same action as you. □ I told Franklin he would have to start dinner without me. □ How can I rebuild my life without you?
wi th-pro fits ADJ [ADJ n] A with-profits savings scheme or financial plan is one in which the people who put money into the scheme receive extra money each year based on how successful the investment has been. [BUSINESS ] □ Returns on with-profits bonds have improved.
with|stand /w I ðstæ nd/ (withstands , withstanding , withstood /w I ðstʊ d/) VERB If something or someone withstands a force or action, they survive it or do not give in to it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …armoured vehicles designed to withstand chemical attack.
wit|less /w I tləs/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as witless , you mean that they are very foolish or stupid. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a witless, nasty piece of journalism.
wit|ness ◆◇◇ /w I tnəs/ (witnesses , witnessing , witnessed )
1 N‑COUNT A witness to an event such as an accident or crime is a person who saw it. □ [+ to ] Witnesses to the crash say they saw an explosion just before the disaster. □ No witnesses have come forward.
2 VERB If you witness something, you see it happen. □ [V n] Anyone who witnessed the attack should call the police.
3 N‑COUNT A witness is someone who appears in a court of law to say what they know about a crime or other event. □ In the next three or four days, eleven witnesses will be called to testify. [Also + for ]
4 N‑COUNT A witness is someone who writes their name on a document that you have signed, to confirm that it really is your signature.
5 VERB If someone witnesses your signature on a document, they write their name after it, to confirm that it really is your signature. □ [V n] Ask a friend to witness your signature.
6 VERB If you say that a place, period of time, or person witnessed a particular event or change, you mean that it happened in that place, during that period of time, or while that person was alive. □ [V n] India has witnessed many political changes in recent years.
7 PHRASE If a person or thing bears witness to something, they show or say that it exists or happened. [FORMAL ] □ Many of these poems bear witness to his years spent in India and China. COLLOCATIONS witness NOUN 3
noun + witness : defence, prosecution
adjective + witness : credible, reliable, unreliable; expert, key
verb + witness : call, summon; cross-examine, interview, question VERB 2
witness + noun : accident, event, incident
witness + adverb : first-hand
wi t|ness box N‑SING The witness box in a court of law is the place where people stand or sit when they are giving evidence. [BRIT ] in AM, use witness stand
wi t|ness stand N‑SING The witness stand is the same as witness box . [AM ]
wit|ter /w I tə r / (witters , wittering , wittered ) VERB If you say that someone is wittering about something, you mean that they are talking a lot about things that you think are silly and boring. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + about ] They just sat there wittering about what lectures they had tomorrow. [Also V ] ● PHRASAL VERB Witter on means the same as witter . □ [V P + about ] They started wittering on about their last trip to Provence. [Also V P ]
wit|ti|cism /w I t I s I zəm/ (witticisms ) N‑COUNT A witticism is a witty remark or joke. [FORMAL ]
wit|ting|ly /w I t I ŋli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] If you do something wittingly , you are fully aware of what you are doing and what its consequences will be. [FORMAL ] □ The private sector would never wittingly expose itself to substantial risk.
wit|ty /w I ti/ (wittier , wittiest ) ADJ Someone or something that is witty is amusing in a clever way. □ His plays were very good, very witty. □ He is a very witty speaker.
wives /wa I vz/ Wives is the plural of wife .
wiz|ard /w I zə r d/ (wizards )
1 N‑COUNT In legends and fairy stories, a wizard is a man who has magic powers.
2 N‑COUNT If you admire someone because they are very good at doing a particular thing, you can say that they are a wizard . [APPROVAL ] □ …a financial wizard.
3 N‑COUNT A wizard is a computer program that guides you through the stages of a particular task. [COMPUTING ] □ Wizards and templates can help you create brochures, calendars, and Web pages.
wiz|ard|ry /w I zə r dri/ N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to a very clever achievement or piece of work as wizardry , especially when you do not understand how it is done. □ …a piece of technical wizardry.
wiz|ened /w I z ə nd/ ADJ A wizened person is old and has a lot of lines on their skin. □ …a little wizened old fellow with no teeth.
wk (wks ) wk is a written abbreviation for week . □ …6 wks holiday.
WMD /dʌ b ə ljuː em diː / N‑PLURAL WMD is an abbreviation for weapons of mass destruction .
wob|ble /wɒ b ə l/ (wobbles , wobbling , wobbled ) VERB If something or someone wobbles , they make small movements from side to side, for example because they are unsteady. □ [V ] The table wobbled when I leaned on it. □ [V prep/adv] I narrowly missed a cyclist who wobbled into my path. ● N‑VAR Wobble is also a noun. □ [+ in ] We might look for a tiny wobble in the position of a star.
wob|bly /wɒ bli/
1 ADJ Something that is wobbly moves unsteadily from side to side. □ I was sitting on a wobbly plastic chair. □ …a wobbly green jelly. □ …wobbly teeth.
2 ADJ If you feel wobbly or if your legs feel wobbly , you feel weak and have difficulty standing up, especially because you are afraid, ill, or exhausted. □ She could not maintain her balance and moved in a wobbly fashion.
wodge /wɒ dʒ/ (wodges ) also wadge N‑COUNT A wodge of something is a large amount of it or a large piece of it. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a wodge of syrupy sponge.
woe /woʊ / (woes )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Woe is very great sadness. [LITERARY ] □ He listened to my tale of woe.
2 N‑PLURAL [usu with poss] You can refer to someone's problems as their woes . [WRITTEN ] □ He did not tell his relatives and friends about his woes.
3 woe betide → see betide
woe|be|gone /woʊ b I gɒn/ ADJ Someone who is woebegone is very sad. [WRITTEN ] □ She sniffed and looked woebegone.
woe|ful /woʊ fʊl/
1 ADJ If someone or something is woeful , they are very sad. □ …a woeful ballad. ● woe|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He said woefully: 'I love my country, but it does not give a damn about me.'
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use woeful to emphasize that something is very bad or undesirable. [EMPHASIS ] □ …the woeful state of the economy. ● woe|ful|ly ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV before v] □ Public expenditure on the arts is woefully inadequate.
wog /wɒ g/ (wogs ) N‑COUNT Wog is an extremely offensive word for anyone whose skin is not white. [BRIT , VERY OFFENSIVE ]
wok /wɒ k/ (woks ) N‑COUNT A wok is a large bowl-shaped pan which is used for Chinese-style cooking.
woke /woʊ k/ Woke is the past tense of wake .
wok|en /woʊ kən/ Woken is the past participle of wake .
wolf /wʊ lf/ (wolves , wolfs , wolfing , wolfed )
1 N‑COUNT A wolf is a wild animal that looks like a large dog.
2 VERB If someone wolfs their food, they eat it all very quickly and greedily. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] I was back in the changing-room wolfing tea and sandwiches. ● PHRASAL VERB Wolf down means the same as wolf . □ [V P n] He wolfed down the rest of the biscuit and cheese. □ [V n P ] She bought a hot dog from a stand on a street corner and wolfed it down.
3 PHRASE If someone cries wolf , they say that there is a problem when there is not, with the result that people do not believe them when there really is a problem.
▸ wolf down → see wolf 2
wolf|hound /wʊ lfhaʊnd/ (wolfhounds ) N‑COUNT A wolfhound is a type of very large dog.
wo lf-whistle (wolf-whistles , wolf-whistling , wolf-whistled ) also wolf whistle VERB If someone wolf-whistles , they make a whistling sound with a short rising note and a longer falling note. Some men wolf-whistle at a woman to show that they think she is attractive, and some women find this offensive. □ [V + at ] They wolf-whistled at me, and I was so embarrassed I tripped up. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT Wolf whistle is also a noun. □ Her dancing brought loud cheers, wolf whistles and applause.
wolves /wʊ lvz/ Wolves is the plural of wolf .
wom|an ◆◆◆ /wʊ mən/ (women )
1 N‑COUNT A woman is an adult female human being. □ …a young Lithuanian woman named Dayva. □ …men and women over 75 years old. □ …a woman doctor.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to women in general as woman . □ …the oppression of woman.
3 → see also career woman
4 woman of the world → see world USAGE woman
It is more polite to call someone an old lady or an elderly lady , rather than an ‘old woman’. □ There’s an old lady who rides a bike around town.
-woman /-wʊmən/ COMB [ADJ n] -woman combines with numbers to indicate that something involves the number of women mentioned. □ …a seven-woman team.
wom|an|hood /wʊ mənhʊd/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Womanhood is the state of being a woman rather than a girl, or the period of a woman's adult life. □ Pregnancy is a natural part of womanhood.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to women in general or the women of a particular country or community as womanhood . □ She symbolised for me the best of Indian womanhood.
wom|an|iz|er /wʊ məna I zə r / (womanizers ) in BRIT, also use womaniser N‑COUNT If you describe a man as a womanizer , you disapprove of him because he likes to have many short sexual relationships with women. [DISAPPROVAL ]
wom|an|iz|ing /wʊ məna I z I ŋ/ in BRIT, also use womanising 1 N‑UNCOUNT If you talk about a man's womanizing , you disapprove of him because he likes to have many short sexual relationships with women. [DISAPPROVAL ]
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A womanizing man likes to have many short sexual relationships with women. [DISAPPROVAL ]
wom|an|kind /wʊ mənka I nd/ N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to all women as womankind when considering them as a group. [FORMAL ]
wom|an|ly /wʊ mənli/ ADJ People describe a woman's behaviour, character, or appearance as womanly when they like it because they think it is typical of, or suitable for, a woman rather than a man or girl. [APPROVAL ] □ She had a classical, womanly shape. □ …womanly tenderness.
wo man-to-wo man also woman to woman ADJ [ADJ n] If you talk about a woman-to-woman conversation, you are talking about an honest and open discussion between two women. ● ADV [ADV after v] Woman to woman is also an adverb. □ Maybe she would talk to her mother one day, woman to woman.
womb /wuː m/ (wombs ) N‑COUNT A woman's womb is the part inside her body where a baby grows before it is born.
wom|bat /wɒ mbæt/ (wombats ) N‑COUNT A wombat is a type of furry animal which has very short legs and eats plants. Wombats are found in Australia.
wom|en /w I m I n/ Women is the plural of woman .
women|folk /w I m I nfoʊk/ N‑PLURAL [oft poss N ] Some people refer to the women of a particular community as its womenfolk , especially when the community is ruled or organized by men. □ Men never notice anything in a house run by their womenfolk.
wo m|en's group (women's groups ) N‑COUNT A women's group is a group of women who meet regularly, usually in order to organize campaigns.
Wo m|en's Li b N‑UNCOUNT Women's Lib is the same as Women's Liberation . [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]
Wo m|en's Lib|era |tion N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Women's Liberation is the belief and aim that women should have the same rights and opportunities in society as men. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
wo m|en's move|ment N‑SING You use the women's movement to refer to groups of people and organizations that believe that women should have the same rights and opportunities in society as men.
wo m|en's room (women's rooms ) N‑COUNT The women's room is a toilet for women in a public building. [mainly AM ]
won /wʌ n/ Won is the past tense and past participle of win .
won|der ◆◆◇ /wʌ ndə r / (wonders , wondering , wondered )
1 VERB If you wonder about something, you think about it, either because it interests you and you want to know more about it, or because you are worried or suspicious about it. □ [V wh] I wondered what that noise was. □ [V + about ] 'He claims to be her father,' said Max. 'We've been wondering about him.' □ [V ] But there was something else, too. Not hard evidence, but it made me wonder.
2 VERB If you wonder at something, you are very surprised about it or think about it in a very surprised way. □ [V + at ] Walk down Castle Street, admire our little jewel of a cathedral, then wonder at the castle. □ [V that] We all wonder that you're still alive.
3 N‑SING If you say that it is a wonder that something happened, you mean that it is very surprising and unexpected. □ It's a wonder that it took almost ten years. □ The wonder is that Olivier was not seriously hurt.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Wonder is a feeling of great surprise and pleasure that you have, for example when you see something that is very beautiful, or when something happens that you thought was impossible. □ 'That's right!' Bobby exclaimed in wonder. 'How did you remember that?'
5 N‑COUNT A wonder is something that causes people to feel great surprise or admiration. □ [+ of ] …a lecture on the wonders of space and space exploration. □ [+ of ] …the wonder of seeing his name in print.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer, for example, to a young man as a wonder boy, or to a new product as a wonder drug, you mean that they are believed by many people to be very good or very effective. □ He was hailed as the wonder boy of American golf.
7 PHRASE You can say ' I wonder ' if you want to be very polite when you are asking someone to do something, or when you are asking them for their opinion or for information. [POLITENESS ] □ I was just wondering if you could help me.
8 PHRASE If you say ' no wonder ', ' little wonder ', or ' small wonder ', you mean that something is not surprising. □ No wonder my brother wasn't feeling well. □ Under such circumstances, it is little wonder that they experience difficulties.
9 PHRASE You can say ' No wonder ' when you find out the reason for something that has been puzzling you for some time. □ Brad was Jane's brother! No wonder he reminded me so much of her!
10 PHRASE If you say that a person or thing works wonders or does wonders , you mean that they have a very good effect on something. □ A few moments of relaxation can work wonders. COLLOCATIONS wonder NOUN 5
adjective + wonder : architectural, natural; one-hit
verb + wonder : discover, experience, explore; perform
won|der|ful ◆◆◇ /wʌ ndə r fʊl/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as wonderful , you think they are extremely good. □ The cold, misty air felt wonderful on his face. □ It's wonderful to see you. □ I've always thought he was a wonderful actor. ● won|der|ful|ly ADV □ It's a system that works wonderfully well.
wonder|land /wʌ ndə r lænd/ N‑UNCOUNT Wonderland is an imaginary world that exists in fairy stories.
won|der|ment /wʌ ndə r mənt/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] Wonderment is a feeling of great surprise and pleasure. [LITERARY ] □ His big blue eyes opened wide in wonderment.
won|drous /wʌ ndrəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as wondrous , you mean it is strange and beautiful or impressive. [LITERARY ] □ We were driven across this wondrous vast land of lakes and forests.
won|ky /wɒ ŋki/ ADJ If something is wonky , it is not straight or level. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ The wheels keep going wonky.
wont /woʊ nt, [AM ] wɔː nt/
1 ADJ If someone is wont to do something, they often or regularly do it. [WRITTEN ] □ Both have committed their indiscretions, as human beings are wont to do.
2 PHRASE If someone does a particular thing as is their wont , they do that thing often or regularly. [WRITTEN ] □ Paul woke early, as was his wont.
won't /woʊ nt/ Won't is the usual spoken form of 'will not'. □ His parents won't let him come.
woo /wuː / (woos , wooing , wooed )
1 VERB If you woo people, you try to encourage them to help you, support you, or vote for you, for example by promising them things which they would like. □ [V n] They wooed customers by offering low interest rates. □ [V n with adv] They are trying to woo back electoral support. ● woo|ing N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] □ [+ of ] …the candidates' wooing of each other's traditional political bases.
2 VERB If a man woos a woman, he spends time with her and tries to persuade her to marry him. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V n] The penniless author successfully wooed and married Fanny. ● woo|ing N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] □ [+ of ] …the hero's wooing of his beautiful cousin Roxanne.
wood ◆◆◇ /wʊ d/ (woods )
1 N‑VAR Wood is the material which forms the trunks and branches of trees. □ Their dishes were made of wood. □ There was a smell of damp wood and machine oil. □ …a short piece of wood.
2 N‑COUNT A wood is a fairly large area of trees growing near each other. You can refer to one or several of these areas as woods , and this is the usual form in American English. □ After dinner Alice slipped away for a walk in the woods with Artie. □ About a mile to the west of town he came upon a large wood.
3 → see also dead wood
4 PHRASE If something or someone is not out of the woods yet, they are still having difficulties or problems. [INFORMAL ] □ The nation's economy is not out of the woods yet.
5 CONVENTION You can say ' touch wood ' in British English, or ' knock on wood ' in American English, to indicate that you hope to have good luck in something you are doing, usually after saying that you have been lucky with it so far. □ She's never even been to the doctor's, touch wood. □ Touch wood, I've been lucky enough to avoid any other serious injuries.
6 your neck of the woods → see neck
7 can't see the wood for the trees → see tree
woo d-burning sto ve (wood-burning stoves ) N‑COUNT A wood-burning stove is the same as a wood stove .
woo d carv|ing (wood carvings ) N‑VAR A wood carving is a decorative piece of wood that has been carved in an artistic way.
wood|chip /wʊ dtʃ I p/ (woodchips )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Woodchip is a type of wallpaper which has lots of small lumps on its surface that are formed by tiny pieces of wood glued to the underneath.
2 N‑VAR Woodchips are very small pieces of wood, usually made from waste wood, which are used in processes such as making paper. □ …the domestic market for woodchips. □ …the Government's decision to cut woodchip exports by 20%.
wood|cock /wʊ dkɒk/ (woodcocks or woodcock ) N‑COUNT A woodcock is a small brown bird with a long beak. Woodcock are sometimes shot for sport or food.
wood|cutter /wʊ dkʌtə r / (woodcutters ) N‑COUNT A woodcutter is someone who cuts down trees or who chops wood as their job. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
wood|ed /wʊ d I d/ ADJ A wooded area is covered in trees. □ …a wooded valley.
wood|en ◆◇◇ /wʊ d ə n/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Wooden objects are made of wood. □ …the shop's bare brick walls and faded wooden floorboards.
2 ADJ If you describe an actor as wooden , you are critical of them because their performance is not at all lively or natural. [DISAPPROVAL ]
woo d|en spoo n (wooden spoons )
1 N‑COUNT A wooden spoon is a spoon that is used for stirring sauces and for mixing ingredients in cooking. It is made of wood and has a long handle.
2 N‑COUNT If someone gets the wooden spoon , they come last in a race or competition. [BRIT ] □ [+ in ] Jarvis took the wooden spoon in the first tournament.
wood|land /wʊ dlənd/ (woodlands ) N‑VAR Woodland is land with a lot of trees.
wood|louse /wʊ dlaʊs/ (woodlice /wʊ dla I s/) N‑COUNT A woodlouse is a very small grey creature with a hard body and fourteen legs. Woodlice live in damp places.
wood|pecker /wʊ dpekə r / (woodpeckers ) N‑COUNT A woodpecker is a type of bird with a long sharp beak. Woodpeckers use their beaks to make holes in tree trunks.
wood|pile /wʊ dpa I l/ (woodpiles ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A woodpile is a pile of wood that is intended to be burnt on a fire as fuel.
woo d pulp N‑UNCOUNT Wood pulp is wood that has been cut up into small pieces and crushed. Wood pulp is used to make paper.
wood|shed /wʊ dʃed/ (woodsheds ) N‑COUNT A woodshed is a small building which is used for storing wood for a fire.
woo d stove (wood stoves ) in AM, also use woodstove N‑COUNT A wood stove is a device that burns wood in order to heat a room.
wood|wind /wʊ dw I nd/ (woodwinds )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Woodwind instruments are musical instruments such as flutes, clarinets, and recorders that you play by blowing into them.
2 N‑SING The woodwind is the section of an orchestra which consists of woodwind instruments such as flutes and clarinets.
wood|work /wʊ dwɜː r k/
1 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to the doors and other wooden parts of a house as the woodwork . □ I love the living room, with its dark woodwork, oriental rugs, and chunky furniture. □ He could see the glimmer of fresh paint on the woodwork.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Woodwork is the activity or skill of making things out of wood. □ I have done woodwork for many years.
3 PHRASE If you say that people are coming out of the woodwork , you are criticizing them for suddenly appearing in public or revealing their opinions when previously they did not make themselves known. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Since I've had this column, several people from my past have come out of the woodwork.
wood|worm /wʊ dwɜː r m/ (woodworms or woodworm )
1 N‑COUNT Woodworm are very small creatures which make holes in wood by eating it.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Woodworm is damage caused to wood, especially to the wooden parts of a house or to furniture, by woodworm making holes in the wood. □ …treating the ground floor of a house for woodworm.
woody /wʊ di/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Woody plants have very hard stems. □ Care must be taken when trimming around woody plants like shrubs and trees.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A woody area has a lot of trees in it. □ …the wet and woody Vosges mountains.
woof /wʊ f/ N‑SING ; N‑COUNT Woof is the sound that a dog makes when it barks. [INFORMAL ] □ She started going 'woof woof'.
wool /wʊ l/ (wools )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Wool is the hair that grows on sheep and on some other animals.
2 N‑VAR Wool is a material made from animal's wool that is used to make things such as clothes, blankets, and carpets. □ …a wool overcoat. □ The carpets are made in wool and nylon.
3 → see also cotton wool , steel wool , wire wool
4 PHRASE If you say that someone is pulling the wool over your eyes , you mean that they are trying to deceive you, in order to have an advantage over you. □ Stop trying to pull the wool over my eyes! What were you two fighting about just now?
wool|len /wʊ lən/ (woollens ) in AM, use woolen 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Woollen clothes or materials are made from wool or from a mixture of wool and artificial fibres. □ …thick woollen socks.
2 N‑PLURAL Woollens are clothes, especially sweaters, that are made of wool. □ …winter woollens.
wool|ly /wʊ li/ (woollies ) in AM, also use wooly 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is woolly is made of wool or looks like wool. □ She wore this woolly hat with pompoms.
2 N‑COUNT A woolly is a woollen piece of clothing, especially a sweater. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
3 ADJ If you describe a person or their ideas as woolly , you are criticizing them for being confused or vague. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a weak and woolly Government.
woozy /wuː zi/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you feel woozy , you feel rather weak and unsteady and cannot think clearly. [INFORMAL ] □ The fumes made them woozy.
word ◆◆◆ /wɜː r d/ (words , wording , worded )
1 N‑COUNT A word is a single unit of language that can be represented in writing or speech. In English, a word has a space on either side of it when it is written. □ The words stood out clearly on the page. □ The word 'ginseng' comes from the Chinese word 'Shen-seng'. □ …swear words.
2 N‑PLURAL [oft with poss] Someone's words are what they say or write. □ I was devastated when her words came true. □ [+ of ] The words of the young woman doctor echoed in his ears.
3 N‑PLURAL The words of a song consist of the text that is sung, in contrast to the music that is played. □ Can you hear the words on the album?
4 N‑SING If you have a word with someone, you have a short conversation with them. [SPOKEN ] □ [+ with ] I think it's time you had a word with him. □ James, could I have a quiet word?
5 N‑COUNT If you offer someone a word of something such as warning, advice, or praise, you warn, advise, or praise them. □ [+ of ] A word of warning. Don't stick too precisely to what it says in the book.
6 N‑SING If you say that someone does not hear, understand, or say a word , you are emphasizing that they hear, understand, or say nothing at all. [EMPHASIS ] □ I can't understand a word she says. □ Not a word was spoken.
7 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] If there is word of something, people receive news or information about it. □ [+ from ] There is no word from the authorities on the reported attack. □ Word has been spreading fast of the incidents on the streets.
8 N‑SING If you give your word , you make a sincere promise to someone. □ …an adult who gave his word the boy would be supervised. □ He simply cannot be trusted to keep his word.
9 N‑SING If someone gives the word to do something, they give an order to do it. □ I want nothing said about this until I give the word.
10 VERB To word something in a particular way means to choose or use particular words to express it. □ [V n adv/prep] If I had written the letter, I might have worded it differently. ● -worded COMB □ …a strongly-worded statement. □ …a carefully-worded speech.
11 → see also code word , four-letter word , play on words , printed word , spoken word , wording , written word
12 PHRASE If you say that people consider something to be a dirty word , you mean that they disapprove of it. □ So many people think feminism is a dirty word.
13 PHRASE If you do something from the word go , you do it from the very beginning of a period of time or situation. □ It's essential you make the right decisions from the word go.
14 PHRASE You can use in their words or in their own words to indicate that you are reporting what someone said using the exact words that they used. □ Even the Assistant Secretary of State had to admit that previous policy did not, in his words, produce results.
15 PHRASE You use in a word to indicate that you are giving a summary of what you have just been saying, or are giving a reply, in as brief a way as possible. □ 'Shouldn't he be given the leading role?'—'In a word–No.'
16 PHRASE If someone has the last word or the final word in a discussion, argument, or disagreement, they are the one who wins it or who makes the final decision. □ She does like to have the last word in any discussion. □ The final word will still come from the Secretary of State.
17 PHRASE If you say that something is the last word in luxury, comfort, or some other quality, you are emphasizing that it has a great deal of this quality. [EMPHASIS ] □ The spa is the last word in luxury and efficiency.
18 PHRASE If you say that someone has said something, but not in so many words , you mean that they said it or expressed it, but in a very indirect way. □ 'And has she agreed to go with you?'—'Not in so many words. But I read her thoughts.'
19 PHRASE If news or information passes by word of mouth , people tell it to each other rather than it being printed in written form. □ The story has been passed down by word of mouth.
20 PHRASE You say in other words in order to introduce a different, and usually simpler, explanation or interpretation of something that has just been said. □ The mobile library services have been reorganised–in other words, they visit fewer places.
21 PHRASE If you say something in your own words , you express it in your own way, without copying or repeating someone else's description. □ Now tell us in your own words about the events of Saturday.
22 PHRASE If you say to someone ' take my word for it ', you mean that they should believe you because you are telling the truth. □ You'll buy nothing but trouble if you buy that house, take my word for it.
23 PHRASE If you repeat something word for word , you repeat it exactly as it was originally said or written. □ I don't try to memorize speeches word for word.
24 not get a word in edgeways → see edgeways
25 not mince your words → see mince
26 the operative word → see operative
27 war of words → see war
-word /-wɜː r d/ (-words ) COMB You can use -word after a letter of the alphabet to refer politely or humorously to a word beginning with that letter which people find offensive or are embarrassed to use. □ It was the first show to use the F-word and show nudity on stage. □ Politicians began to use the dreaded R-word: recession.
wo rd class (word classes ) N‑COUNT A word class is a group of words that have the same basic behaviour, for example nouns, adjectives, or verbs.
word|ing /wɜː r d I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] The wording of a piece of writing or a speech are the words used in it, especially when these are chosen to have a particular effect. □ [+ of ] The two sides failed to agree on the wording of a final report. □ The wording is so vague that no one actually knows what it means.
word|less /wɜː r dləs/
1 ADJ You say that someone is wordless when they do not say anything, especially at a time when they are expected to say something. [LITERARY ] □ She stared back, now wordless. □ The two women live in wordless isolation. ● word|less|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Gil downed his food wordlessly, his attention far away.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone makes a wordless sound, they make a sound that does not seem to contain any words. [LITERARY ] □ …a wordless chant. □ He shrieked a long, wordless cry.
word|play /wɜː r dple I / also word play N‑UNCOUNT Wordplay involves making jokes by using the meanings of words in an amusing or clever way.
wo rd pro |cess|ing also word-processing N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Word processing is the work or skill of producing printed documents using a computer. [COMPUTING ]
wo rd pro |ces|sor (word processors ) N‑COUNT A word processor is a computer program or a computer which is used to produce printed documents. [COMPUTING ]
wo rd wra p|ping N‑UNCOUNT In computing, word wrapping is a process by which a word which comes at the end of a line is automatically moved onto a new line in order to keep the text within the margins. [COMPUTING ]
wordy /wɜː r di/ ADJ If you describe a person's speech or something that they write as wordy , you disapprove of the fact that they use too many words, especially words which are very long, formal, or literary. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The chapter is mostly wordy rhetoric.
wore /wɔː r / Wore is the past tense of wear .
work ◆◆◆ /wɜː r k/ (works , working , worked )
1 VERB People who work have a job, usually one which they are paid to do. □ [V prep/adv] He works for the U.S. Department of Transport. □ [V prep/adv] I started working in a recording studio. □ [V ] Where do you work? □ [V + as ] He worked as a bricklayer's mate. □ [V ] I want to work, I don't want to be on welfare.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in/out of N ] People who have work or who are in work have a job, usually one which they are paid to do. □ Fewer and fewer people are in work. □ I was out of work at the time. □ She'd have enough money to provide for her children until she could find work.
3 VERB When you work , you do the things that you are paid or required to do in your job. □ [V ] I can't talk to you right now–I'm working. □ [V prep/adv] He was working at his desk. □ [V n] Some firms expect the guards to work twelve hours a day.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Your work consists of the things you are paid or required to do in your job. □ We're supposed to be running a business here. I've got work to do. □ I used to take work home, but I don't do it any more. □ There have been days when I have finished work at 2pm.
5 VERB When you work , you spend time and effort doing a task that needs to be done or trying to achieve something. □ [V prep] Linda spends all her time working on the garden. □ [V prep] The most important reason for coming to university is to work for a degree. □ [V prep] The government expressed hope that all the sides will work towards a political solution. ● N‑UNCOUNT Work is also a noun. □ There was a lot of work to do on their house. □ We hadn't appreciated how much work was involved in organizing a wedding.
6 N‑UNCOUNT [usu to/at N ] Work is the place where you do your job. □ Many people travel to work by car. □ She told her friends at work that she was trying to lose weight.
7 N‑UNCOUNT Work is something which you produce as a result of an activity or as a result of doing your job. □ It can help to have an impartial third party look over your work. □ Tidiness in the workshop is really essential for producing good work.
8 N‑COUNT A work is something such as a painting, book, or piece of music produced by an artist, writer, or composer. □ In my opinion, this is Rembrandt's greatest work.
9 VERB If someone is working on a particular subject or question, they are studying or researching it. □ [V + on ] Professor Bonnet has been working for many years on molecules of this type. ● N‑UNCOUNT Work is also a noun. □ Our work shows that 10 per cent of families were behind on their rent or mortgage.
10 VERB If you work with a person or a group of people, you spend time and effort trying to help them in some way. □ [V + with/among ] She spent a period of time working with people dying of cancer. ● N‑UNCOUNT [usu poss N ] Work is also a noun. □ [+ among ] She became involved in social and relief work among the refugees.
11 VERB If a machine or piece of equipment works , it operates and performs a particular function. □ [V ] The pump doesn't work and we have no running water.
12 VERB If an idea, system, or way of doing something works , it is successful, effective, or satisfactory. □ [V ] 95 per cent of these diets do not work. □ [V adv] A methodical approach works best.
13 VERB If a drug or medicine works , it produces a particular physical effect. □ [V ] I wake at 6am as the sleeping pill doesn't work for more than nine hours. □ [V prep/adv] The drug works by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.
14 VERB If something works in your favour, it helps you in some way. If something works to your disadvantage, it causes problems for you in some way. □ [V prep] One factor thought to have worked in his favour is his working class image.
15 VERB If something or someone works their magic or works their charms on a person, they have a powerful positive effect on them. □ [V n + on ] As Foreign Secretary, he had to work his charm on leaders from Stalin to Truman.
16 VERB If your mind or brain is working , you are thinking about something or trying to solve a problem. □ [V ] My mind was working frantically, running over the events of the evening.
17 VERB If you work on an assumption or idea, you act as if it were true or base other ideas on it, until you have more information. □ [V + on ] We are working on the assumption that it was a gas explosion.
18 VERB If you work a particular area or type of place, you travel around that area or work in those places as part of your job, for example trying to sell something there. □ [V n] Brand has been working the clubs and the pubs since 1986, developing her comedy act.
19 VERB If you work someone, you make them spend time and effort doing a particular activity or job. □ [V n adv/prep] They're working me too hard. I'm too old for this. [Also V n]
20 VERB If someone, often a politician or entertainer, works a crowd, they create a good relationship with the people in the crowd and get their support or interest. □ [V n] The Prime Minister has an ability to work a crowd–some might even suggest it is a kind of charm.
21 VERB When people work the land, they do all the tasks involved in growing crops. □ [V n] Farmers worked the fertile valleys.
22 VERB When a mine is worked , minerals such as coal or gold are removed from it. □ [be V -ed] The mines had first been worked in 1849, when gold was discovered in California.
23 VERB If you work a machine or piece of equipment, you use or control it. □ [V n] Many adults still depend on their children to work the computer.
24 VERB If something works into a particular state or condition, it gradually moves so that it is in that state or condition. □ [V adj] A screw had worked loose from my glasses.
25 VERB If you work a substance such as dough or clay, you keep pressing it to make it have a particular texture. □ [V n] Work the dough with the palm of your hand until it is very smooth.
26 VERB If you work a material such as metal, leather, or stone, you cut, sew, or shape it in order to make something or to create a design. □ [V n] …the machines needed to extract and work the raw stone.
27 VERB If you work a part of your body, or if it works , you move it. □ [V n] Each position will work the muscles in a different way. □ [V ] Her mouth was working in her sleep.
28 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb, usu n N , N n] A works is a place where something is manufactured or where an industrial process is carried out. Works is used to refer to one or to more than one of these places. □ The steel works could be seen for miles.
29 N‑PLURAL Works are activities such as digging the ground or building on a large scale. □ …six years of disruptive building works, road construction and urban development.
30 → see also working
31 PHRASE If someone is at work they are doing their job or are busy doing a particular activity. □ The salvage teams are already hard at work trying to deal with the spilled oil. □ Television cameras were invited in to film him at work.
32 PHRASE If a force or process is at work , it is having a particular influence or effect. □ It's worth being aware of the psychological forces at work during the evening.
33 PHRASE If you say that you will have your work cut out to do something, you mean that it will be a very difficult task. □ [+ for ] The new administration has its work cut out for it. □ He will have his work cut out to get into the team.
34 PHRASE If something is in the works , it has already been planned or begun. [mainly AM ] □ He said there were dozens of economic plans in the works. in BRIT, usually use in the pipeline
35 PHRASE You can use work to talk about how easily or quickly a particular task is done. For example, if a person or thing makes short work of doing something or makes light work of it, they do it quickly and easily. □ An aerosol spray will make short work of painting awkward objects. □ This horse made light work of the cross-country course.
36 PHRASE If you put someone to work or set them to work , you give them a job or task to do. □ By stimulating the economy, we're going to put people to work. □ Instead of sending them to prison, we have set them to work helping the lemon growers.
37 PHRASE If you get to work , go to work , or set to work on a job, task, or problem, you start doing it or dealing with it. □ He promised to get to work on the state's massive deficit. □ He returned to America where he set to work on a new novel.
38 PHRASE If you work your way somewhere, you move or progress there slowly, and with a lot of effort or work. □ Rescuers were still working their way towards the trapped men. □ Many personnel managers started as secretaries or personnel assistants and worked their way up.
39 to throw a spanner in the works → see spanner
▸ work in or work into PHRASAL VERB If you work one substance into another or work it in , you add it to the other substance and mix the two together thoroughly. □ [V n P ] Gradually pour the liquid into the flour, working it in carefully with a wooden spoon. □ [V P n] Work in the potato and milk until the mixture comes together. □ [V n P n] Work the oil gradually into the yolks with a wooden spoon.
▸ work off
1 PHRASAL VERB If you work off energy, stress, or anger, you get rid of it by doing something that requires a lot of physical effort. □ [V P n] She went for a brisk walk to work off her frustration. □ [V n P ] If I've had a bad day I'll work it off by cooking.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you work off a debt, you repay it by working. □ [V P n] The report proposes that students be allowed to work off their debt through community service. □ [V n P ] There were heavy debts. It would take half Edward's lifetime to work them off.
▸ work out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you work out a solution to a problem or mystery, you manage to find the solution by thinking or talking about it. □ [V P n] Negotiators are due to meet later today to work out a compromise. □ [V P wh] It took me some time to work out what was causing this. □ [V n P ] 'How will you contact me?'—'We haven't worked that out yet.' ● PHRASE If you have something all worked out , you have thought about it carefully, and know exactly what you are going to do or exactly what you want. □ I had the ideal man all worked out in my mind.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you work out the answer to a mathematical problem, you calculate it. □ [V P n] It is proving hard to work out the value of bankrupt firms' assets. □ [V n P ] If you asked me to add 2 and 2, I would not have the brain power to work it out.
3 PHRASAL VERB If something works out at a particular amount, it is calculated to be that amount after all the facts and figures have been considered. □ [V P + at ] The price per pound works out at £3.20. □ [V P adj] It will probably work out cheaper to hire a van and move your own things.
4 PHRASAL VERB If a situation works out well or works out , it happens or progresses in a satisfactory way. □ [V P prep/adv] Things just didn't work out as planned. □ [V P ] One of the ways people experience loss is when relationships don't work out.
5 PHRASAL VERB If a process works itself out , it reaches a conclusion or satisfactory end. □ [V pron-refl P ] People involved in it think it's a nightmare, but I'm sure it will work itself out.
6 PHRASAL VERB If you work out your service or your notice, you continue to work at your job until you have completed a specified period of time. □ [V P n] There was an interim before her successor actually came because she had to work out her notice. [Also V n P ]
7 PHRASAL VERB If you work out , you do physical exercises in order to make your body fit and strong. □ [V P ] Work out at a gym or swim twice a week.
8 → see also workout
▸ work up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you work yourself up , you make yourself feel very upset or angry about something. □ [V pron-refl P + into/to ] She worked herself up into a bit of a state. □ [V pron-refl P ] Don't just lie there working yourself up, do something about it.
2 → see also worked up
3 PHRASAL VERB If you work up the enthusiasm or courage to do something, you succeed in making yourself feel it. □ [V P n] Your creative talents can also be put to good use, if you can work up the energy.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you work up a sweat or an appetite, you make yourself sweaty or hungry by doing exercise or hard work. □ [V P n] You can really work up a sweat doing housework.
5 PHRASAL VERB If you work up something such as a piece of writing, you spend time and effort preparing it. □ [V P n] I sketched the layout of a prototype store and worked up a business plan.
work|able /wɜː r kəb ə l/ ADJ A workable idea or system is realistic and practical, and likely to be effective. □ Investors can simply pay cash, but this isn't a workable solution in most cases.
worka|day /wɜː r kəde I / ADJ [usu ADJ n] Workaday means ordinary and not especially interesting or unusual. □ Enough of fantasy, the workaday world awaited him.
worka|hol|ic /wɜː kəhɒ l I k, [AM ] -hɔː l-/ (workaholics ) N‑COUNT A workaholic is a person who works most of the time and finds it difficult to stop working in order to do other things. [INFORMAL ]
work|bench /wɜː r kbentʃ/ (workbenches ) N‑COUNT A workbench is a heavy wooden table on which people use tools such as a hammer and nails to make or repair things.
work|book /wɜː r kbʊk/ (workbooks ) N‑COUNT A workbook is a book to help you learn a particular subject which has questions in it with spaces for the answers.
work|day /wɜː r kde I / (workdays ) also work day
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A workday is the amount of time during a day which you spend doing your job. [mainly AM ] □ His workday starts at 3.30 a.m. and lasts 12 hours. in BRIT, usually use working day 2 N‑COUNT A workday is a day on which people go to work. □ What's he doing home on a workday?
wo rked u p ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is worked up , they are angry or upset. □ Steve shouted at her. He was really worked up now.
work|er ◆◆◆ /wɜː r kə r / (workers )
1 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A particular kind of worker does the kind of work mentioned. □ …office workers. □ The society was looking for a capable research worker.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Workers are people who are employed in industry or business and who are not managers. □ Wages have been frozen and workers laid off.
3 N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] You can use worker to say how well or badly someone works. □ He is a hard worker and a skilled gardener.
4 → see also care worker , caseworker , dock worker , social worker , teleworker , youth worker SYNONYMS worker NOUN 2
employee: He is an employee of Fuji Bank.
hand: He now works as a farm hand.
labourer: Her husband had been a farm labourer.
workman: Millson saw the workman, Terry, descending the ladder.
work|fare /wɜː r kfeə r / N‑UNCOUNT Workfare is a government scheme in which unemployed people have to do community work or learn new skills in order to receive welfare benefits.
work|force /wɜː r kfɔː r s/ (workforces )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The workforce is the total number of people in a country or region who are physically able to do a job and are available for work. □ …a country where half the workforce is unemployed.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The workforce is the total number of people who are employed by a particular company. □ …an employer of a very large workforce.
work|horse /wɜː r khɔː r s/ (workhorses )
1 N‑COUNT A workhorse is a horse which is used to do a job, for example to pull a plough.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe a person or a machine as a workhorse , you mean that they can be relied upon to do a large amount of work, especially work that is dull or routine. □ [+ of ] …the Wellington bomber, the great workhorse of the war. □ She was never late, a real workhorse, who never complained.
work|house /wɜː r khaʊs/ (workhouses ) N‑COUNT In Britain, in the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries, a workhouse was a place where very poor people could live and do unpleasant jobs in return for food. People use the workhouse to refer to these places in general. □ …a struggling Shropshire family which lived in fear of the workhouse.
work|ing ◆◆◆ /wɜː r k I ŋ/ (workings )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Working people have jobs which they are paid to do. □ Like working women anywhere, Asian women are buying convenience foods.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Working people are ordinary people who do not have professional or very highly paid jobs. □ The needs and opinions of ordinary working people were ignored.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A working day or week is the amount of time during a normal day or week which you spend doing your job. [mainly BRIT ] □ For doctors, the working day often has no end. □ Automation would bring a shorter, more flexible working week. in AM, usually use workday , work week 4 ADJ [ADJ n] A working day is a day on which people go to work. [mainly BRIT ] □ Tuesday is the first working day after the three day holiday weekend. in AM, usually use workday 5 ADJ [ADJ n] Your working life is the period of your life in which you have a job or are of a suitable age to have a job. □ He started his working life as a truck driver.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] The working population of an area consists of all the people in that area who have a job or who are of a suitable age to have a job. □ Almost 13 per cent of the working population is already unemployed.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] Working conditions or practices are ones which you have in your job. □ The strikers are demanding higher pay and better working conditions.
8 ADJ [ADJ n] Working clothes are designed for doing work in, and are intended to be practical rather than attractive.
9 ADJ [ADJ n] A working relationship is the relationship you have with someone when you work with them. □ The vice-president seems to have a good working relationship with the president.
10 ADJ [ADJ n] A working farm or business exists to do normal work and make a profit, and not only for tourists or as someone's hobby.
11 ADJ [ADJ n] The working parts of a machine are the parts which move and operate the machine, in contrast to the outer case or container in which they are enclosed.
12 ADJ [ADJ n] A working model is one that has parts that move.
13 ADJ [ADJ n] A working knowledge or majority is not very great, but is enough to be useful. □ This book was designed in order to provide a working knowledge of finance and accounts.
14 ADJ [ADJ n] A working title or definition is one which you use when starting to make or do something, but which you are likely to change or improve. □ His working title for the script was 'Trust the People'.
15 N‑PLURAL The workings of a piece of equipment, an organization, or a system are the ways in which it operates and the processes which are involved in it. □ [+ of ] Neural networks are computer systems which mimic the workings of the brain.
16 in working order → see order ➌
wo rk|ing ca pi|tal N‑UNCOUNT Working capital is money which is available for use immediately, rather than money which is invested in land or equipment. [BUSINESS ]
wo rk|ing cla ss (working classes ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The working class or the working classes are the group of people in a society who do not own much property, who have low social status, and who do jobs which involve using physical skills rather than intellectual skills. □ …increased levels of home ownership among the working classes. ● ADJ [usu ADJ n] Working class is also an adjective. □ …a self-educated man from a working class background. □ The group is mainly black, mainly working-class.
wo rk|ing group (working groups ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A working group is the same as a working party . □ [+ on ] There will be a working group on international issues.
wo rk|ing me n's clu b (working men's clubs ) N‑COUNT A working men's club is a place where working people, especially men, can go to relax, drink alcoholic drinks, and sometimes watch live entertainment.
wo rk|ing par|ty (working parties ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A working party is a committee which is formed to investigate a particular situation or problem and to produce a report containing its opinions and suggestions. [mainly BRIT ] □ They set up a working party to look into the issue. in AM, usually use working group
wo rk-in-pro |gress N‑UNCOUNT In book-keeping, work-in-progress refers to the monetary value of work that has not yet been paid for because it has not yet been completed. [BUSINESS ] □ …two million pounds' worth of work-in-progress.
wo rk-li fe ba l|ance N‑UNCOUNT Your work-life balance is how you organize your days, for example how many hours you spend at work, and how much time you spend with friends or doing things you enjoy. □ Senior managers stipulated work-life balance as their main criterion when choosing jobs.
work|load /wɜː r kloʊd/ (workloads ) also work load N‑COUNT The workload of a person or organization is the amount of work that has to be done by them. □ The sudden cancellation of the President's trip was due to his heavy workload.
work|man /wɜː r kmən/ (workmen ) N‑COUNT A workman is a man who works with his hands, for example building or repairing houses or roads. □ In University Square workmen are building a steel fence.
work|man|like /wɜː r kmənla I k/ ADJ If you describe something as workmanlike , you mean that it has been done quite well and sensibly, but not in a particularly imaginative or original way. □ Really it's a workmanlike conference rather than a dramatic one. □ The script was workmanlike at best.
work|man|ship /wɜː r kmənʃ I p/ N‑UNCOUNT Workmanship is the skill with which something is made and which affects the appearance and quality of the finished object. □ The problem may be due to poor workmanship. □ The standard of workmanship is very high.
work|mate /wɜː r kme I t/ (workmates ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your workmates are the people you work with. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ My workmates, and, even more, the management, didn't want me to leave.
wo rk of a rt (works of art )
1 N‑COUNT A work of art is a painting or piece of sculpture which is of high quality. □ …a collection of works of art of international significance.
2 N‑COUNT A work of art is something which is very complex or which has been skilfully made or produced. □ The actual nest is a work of art.
work|out /wɜː r kaʊt/ (workouts ) N‑COUNT A workout is a period of physical exercise or training. □ Give your upper body a workout by using handweights. □ …a 35-minute aerobic workout.
work|place /wɜː r kple I s/ (workplaces ) also work place N‑COUNT Your workplace is the place where you work. □ …the difficulties facing women in the workplace.
work|room /wɜː r kruːm/ (workrooms ) N‑COUNT A person's workroom is a room where they work, especially when their work involves making things.
work|sheet /wɜː r kʃiːt/ (worksheets ) N‑COUNT A worksheet is a specially prepared page of exercises designed to improve your knowledge or understanding of a particular subject.
work|shop /wɜː r kʃɒp/ (workshops )
1 N‑COUNT A workshop is a period of discussion or practical work on a particular subject in which a group of people share their knowledge or experience. □ [+ for ] Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave ran a jazz workshop for young artists.
2 N‑COUNT A workshop is a building which contains tools or machinery for making or repairing things, especially using wood or metal. □ …a modestly equipped workshop.
wo rk-shy also workshy ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as work-shy , you disapprove of them because you think they are lazy and do not want to work. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ]
work|station /wɜː r kste I ʃ ə n/ (workstations ) also work station N‑COUNT A workstation is a screen and keyboard that are part of an office computer system.
wo rk sur|face (work surfaces ) also worksurface N‑COUNT A work surface is a flat surface, usually in a kitchen, which is easy to clean and on which you can do things such as prepare food.
work|top /wɜː r ktɒp/ (worktops ) N‑COUNT A worktop is a flat surface in a kitchen which is easy to clean and on which you can prepare food. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use countertop , counter
wo rk week (work weeks ) N‑COUNT A work week is the amount of time during a normal week which you spend doing your job. [mainly AM ] □ The union had sought a wage increase and a shorter work week. in BRIT, usually use working week
world ◆◆◆ /wɜː r ld/ (worlds )
1 N‑SING The world is the planet that we live on. □ It's a beautiful part of the world. □ The satellite enables us to calculate their precise location anywhere in the world.
2 N‑SING [N n] The world refers to all the people who live on this planet, and our societies, institutions, and ways of life. □ The world was, and remains, shocked. □ He wants to show the world that anyone can learn to be an ambassador. □ …his personal contribution to world history.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use world to describe someone or something that is one of the most important or significant of its kind on earth. □ He was regarded as a leading world statesman. □ China has once again emerged as a world power.
4 N‑SING You can use world in expressions such as the Arab world , the western world , and the ancient world to refer to a particular group of countries or a particular period in history. □ Athens had strong ties to the Arab world. □ …the developing world.
5 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's world is the life they lead, the people they have contact with, and the things they experience. □ His world seemed so different from mine. □ I lost my job and it was like my world collapsed.
6 N‑SING You can use world to refer to a particular field of activity, and the people involved in it. □ The publishing world had certainly never seen an event quite like this. [Also + of ]
7 N‑SING You can use world to refer to a particular group of living things, for example the animal world , the plant world , and the insect world .
8 N‑COUNT A world is a planet. □ He looked like something from another world.
9 → see also brave new world , New World , real world , Third World
10 PHRASE If you say that two people or things are worlds apart , you are emphasizing that they are very different from each other. [EMPHASIS ] □ Intellectually, this man and I are worlds apart.
11 PHRASE If you say that someone has the best of both worlds , you mean that they have only the benefits of two things and none of the disadvantages. □ They want the best of both worlds - sport and luxury in one car.
12 PHRASE If you say that something has done someone the world of good or a world of good , you mean that it has made them feel better or improved their life. [INFORMAL ] □ A sleep will do you the world of good.
13 PHRASE You use in the world to emphasize a statement that you are making. [EMPHASIS ] □ The saddest thing in the world is a little baby nobody wants. □ He had no one in the world but her.
14 PHRASE You can use in the world in expressions such as what in the world and who in the world to emphasize a question, especially when expressing surprise or anger. [EMPHASIS ] □ What in the world is he doing?
15 PHRASE You can use in an ideal world or in a perfect world when you are talking about things that you would like to happen, although you realize that they are not likely to happen. □ In a perfect world, there would be the facilities and money to treat every sick person.
16 PHRASE If you say that someone is a man of the world or a woman of the world , you mean that they are experienced and know about the practical or social aspects of life, and are not easily shocked by immoral or dishonest actions. □ Look, we are both men of the world, would anyone really mind? □ …an elegant, clever and tough woman of the world.
17 PHRASE If you say that something is out of this world , you are emphasizing that it is extremely good or impressive. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ These new trains are out of this world.
18 PHRASE You can use the outside world to refer to all the people who do not live in a particular place or who are not involved in a particular situation. □ For many, the post office is the only link with the outside world.
19 PHRASE If you think the world of someone, you like them or care about them very much. □ I think the world of him, but something tells me it's not love. □ We were really close. We thought the world of each other.
20 not be the end of the world → see end
21 the world is your oyster → see oyster
22 on top of the world → see top
wo rld beat|er (world beaters ) also world-beater N‑COUNT If you describe a person or thing as a world beater , you mean that they are better than most other people or things of their kind. [BRIT ]
wo rld-cla ss ADJ [usu ADJ n] A world-class sports player, performer, or organization is one of the best in the world. [JOURNALISM ] □ He was determined to become a world-class player.
wo rld-fa mous ADJ Someone or something that is world-famous is known about by people all over the world. □ …the world-famous Hollywood Bowl.
wo rld lea d|er (world leaders )
1 N‑COUNT A world leader is someone who is the leader of a country, especially an economically powerful country.
2 N‑COUNT A product, company, organization, or person that is a world leader is the most successful or advanced one in a particular area of activity. [JOURNALISM ] □ London has established itself as a world leader in hosting major cultural and sporting events.
world|ly /wɜː r ldli/
1 ADJ Worldly is used to describe things relating to the ordinary activities of life, rather than to spiritual things. [LITERARY ] □ I think it is time you woke up and focused your thoughts on more worldly matters.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is worldly is experienced and knows about the practical or social aspects of life. □ He was different from anyone I had known, very worldly, everything that Dermot was not.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Worldly is used to describe things relating to success, wealth, and possessions. [mainly LITERARY ] □ Today the media drive athletes to the view that the important thing is to gain worldly success.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] You can refer to someone's possessions as their worldly goods or possessions. [LITERARY ] □ …a man who had given up all his worldly goods.
wo rldly-wi se ADJ If you describe someone as worldly-wise , you mean they are experienced and know about the practical or social aspects of life, and are not easily shocked or impressed.
Wo rld Tra de Or|gani|za|tion N‑PROPER The World Trade Organization is an international organization that encourages and regulates trade between its member states. The abbreviation WTO is also used.
wo rld view (world views ) also world-view N‑COUNT A person's world view is the way they see and understand the world, especially regarding issues such as politics, philosophy, and religion. □ Many artists express their world view in their work.
wo rld wa r ◆◇◇ (world wars ) N‑VAR A world war is a war that involves countries all over the world. □ Many senior citizens have been though two world wars. □ At the end of the Second World War, he was working as a docker.
wo rld-wea ry ADJ A world-weary person no longer feels excited or enthusiastic about anything.
world|wide ◆◇◇ /wɜː r ldwa I d/ also world-wide ADV [ADV after v, n ADV ] If something exists or happens worldwide , it exists or happens throughout the world. □ His books have sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. □ Worldwide, an enormous amount of research effort goes into military technology. ● ADJ [usu ADJ n] Worldwide is also an adjective. □ Today, doctors are fearing a worldwide epidemic. SYNONYMS worldwide ADV
global: …a global ban on nuclear testing.
international: …emergency aid from the international community.
universal: The desire to look attractive is universal.
Wo rld Wide We b N‑PROPER The World Wide Web is a computer system which links documents and pictures into a database that is stored in computers in many different parts of the world and that people everywhere can use. The abbreviations WWW and the Web are often used. [COMPUTING ]
worm /wɜː r m/ (worms , worming , wormed )
1 N‑COUNT A worm is a small animal with a long thin body, no bones and no legs.
2 N‑PLURAL If animals or people have worms , worms are living in their intestines.
3 VERB If you worm an animal, you give it medicine in order to kill the worms that are living in its intestines. □ [V n] I worm all my birds in early spring. □ [be V -ed] All adult dogs are routinely wormed at least every six months.
4 VERB If you say that someone is worming their way to success, or is worming their way into someone else's affection, you disapprove of the way that they are gradually making someone trust them or like them, often in order to deceive them or gain some advantage. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n prep/adv] She never misses a chance to worm her way into the public's hearts.
5 N‑COUNT A worm is a computer program that contains a virus which duplicates itself many times in a network. [COMPUTING ]
6 PHRASE If you say that someone is opening a can of worms , you are warning them that they are planning to do or talk about something which is much more complicated, unpleasant, or difficult than they realize and which might be better left alone. □ You've opened up a whole new can of worms here I think.
worm|wood /wɜː r mwʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT Wormwood is a plant that has a very bitter taste and is used in making medicines and alcoholic drinks.
worn /wɔː r n/
1 Worn is the past participle of wear .
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Worn is used to describe something that is damaged or thin because it is old and has been used a lot. □ Worn rugs increase the danger of tripping.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone looks worn , they look tired and old. □ She was looking very haggard and worn.
4 → see also well-worn
wo rn ou t also worn-out
1 ADJ Something that is worn out is so old, damaged, or thin from use that it cannot be used any more. □ …the car's worn out tyres. □ …faded bits of worn-out clothing.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is worn out is extremely tired after hard work or a difficult or unpleasant experience. □ Before the race, he is fine. But afterwards he is worn out.
wor|ried ◆◇◇ /wʌ rid, [AM ] wɜː rid/ ADJ [ADJ that] When you are worried , you are unhappy because you keep thinking about problems that you have or about unpleasant things that might happen in the future. □ He seemed very worried. □ [+ about ] If you're at all worried about his progress, do discuss it with one of his teachers. ● wor|ried|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ 'You don't have to go, you know,' she said worriedly.
wor|ri|er /wʌ riə r , [AM ] wɜː riər/ (worriers ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a worrier , you mean that they spend a lot of time thinking about problems that they have or unpleasant things that might happen.
wor|ri|some /wʌ r I səm, [AM ] wɜː r-/ ADJ Something that is worrisome causes people to worry. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use worrying
wor|ry ◆◆◇ /wʌ ri, [AM ] wɜː ri/ (worries , worrying , worried )
1 VERB If you worry , you keep thinking about problems that you have or about unpleasant things that might happen. □ [V ] Don't worry, your luggage will come on afterwards by taxi. □ [V + about ] I worry about her constantly. □ [V that] They worry that extremists might gain control.
2 VERB If someone or something worries you, they make you anxious because you keep thinking about problems or unpleasant things that might be connected with them. □ [V n] I'm still in the early days of my recovery and that worries me. □ [V n] 'Why didn't you tell us?'—'I didn't want to worry you.'
3 VERB [oft with neg] If someone or something does not worry you, you do not dislike them or you are not annoyed by them. [SPOKEN ] □ [V n] The cold doesn't worry me.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Worry is the state or feeling of anxiety and unhappiness caused by the problems that you have or by thinking about unpleasant things that might happen. □ His last years were overshadowed by financial worry.
5 N‑COUNT A worry is a problem that you keep thinking about and that makes you unhappy. □ My main worry was that Madeleine Johnson would still be there. □ [+ about ] His wife Cheryl said she had no worries about his health.
wor|ry|ing /wʌ ri I ŋ, [AM ] wɜː ri I ŋ/ in AM, usually use worrisome ADJ If something is worrying , it causes people to worry. [mainly BRIT ] □ It's worrying that they're doing things without training. □ …a new and worrying report about smoking. ● wor|ry|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ The rate of assaults was worryingly high.
worse ◆◇◇ /wɜː r s/
1 Worse is the comparative of bad .
2 Worse is the comparative of badly .
3 Worse is used to form the comparative of compound adjectives beginning with 'bad' and 'badly.' For example, the comparative of 'badly off' is 'worse off'.
4 PHRASE If a situation goes from bad to worse , it becomes even more unpleasant or unsatisfactory. □ For the past couple of years my life has gone from bad to worse.
5 PHRASE If a situation changes for the worse , it becomes more unpleasant or more difficult. □ The grandparents sigh and say how things have changed for the worse.
6 PHRASE If a person or thing is the worse for something, they have been harmed or badly affected by it. If they are none the worse for it, they have not been harmed or badly affected by it. □ Father came home from the pub very much the worse for drink. □ They are all apparently fit and well and none the worse for the fifteen hour journey.
7 for better or worse → see better
wors|en /wɜː r sən/ (worsens , worsening , worsened ) VERB If a bad situation worsens or if something worsens it, it becomes more difficult, unpleasant, or unacceptable. □ [V ] The security forces had to intervene to prevent the situation worsening. □ [V n] These options would actually worsen the economy and add to the deficit. □ [V -ing] They remain stranded in freezing weather and rapidly worsening conditions.
wor|ship /wɜː r ʃ I p/ (worships , worshipping , worshipped ) in AM, use worshiping , worshiped 1 VERB If you worship a god, you show your respect to the god, for example by saying prayers. □ [V n] I enjoy going to church and worshipping God. □ [V ] …Jews worshipping at the Wailing Wall. ● N‑UNCOUNT Worship is also a noun. □ St Jude's church is a public place of worship. ● wor|ship|per (worshippers ) N‑COUNT □ At the end of the service, scores of worshippers streamed down to the altar.
2 VERB If you worship someone or something, you love them or admire them very much. □ [V n] She had worshipped him for years.
wor|ship|ful /wɜː r ʃ I pfʊl/ ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has a worshipful attitude to a person or thing, they show great respect and admiration for them. □ …Franklin's almost worshipful imitation of his cousin.
worst ◆◇◇ /wɜː r st/
1 Worst is the superlative of bad .
2 Worst is the superlative of badly .
3 N‑SING The worst is the most unpleasant or unfavourable thing that could happen or does happen. □ Though mine safety has much improved, miners' families still fear the worst. □ [+ of ] The country had come through the worst of the recession.
4 Worst is used to form the superlative of compound adjectives beginning with 'bad' and 'badly'. For example, the superlative of 'badly-affected' is 'worst-affected'.
5 PHRASE You say worst of all to indicate that what you are about to mention is the most unpleasant or has the most disadvantages out of all the things you are mentioning. □ I felt tired and depleted, but worst of all I felt all my confidence drop away.
6 PHRASE You use at worst or at the worst to indicate that you are mentioning the worst thing that might happen in a situation. □ At best Nella would be an invalid; at worst she would die.
7 PHRASE When someone is at their worst , they are as unpleasant, bad, or unsuccessful as it is possible for them to be. □ This was their mother at her worst. She was ready to be angry at anyone.
8 PHRASE You use if the worst comes to the worst to say what you might do if a situation develops in the most unfavourable way possible. The form if worst comes to worst is also used, mainly in American English. □ If the worst comes to the worst I guess I can always ring Jean. □ He was asked whether he would walk out if the worst came to the worst.
wor|sted /wʊ st I d/ (worsteds ) N‑VAR Worsted is a kind of woollen cloth.
worth ◆◆◇ /wɜː r θ/
1 ADJ If something is worth a particular amount of money, it can be sold for that amount or is considered to have that value. □ These books might be worth £80 or £90 or more to a collector. □ The contract was worth £25 million a year.
2 N‑COUNT Worth combines with amounts of money, so that when you talk about a particular amount of money's worth of something, you mean the quantity of it that you can buy for that amount of money. □ [+ of ] I went and bought about six dollars' worth of potato chips. ● PRON Worth is also a pronoun. □ 'How many do you want?'—'I'll have a pound's worth.'
3 N‑COUNT Worth combines with time expressions, so you can use worth when you are saying how long an amount of something will last. For example, a week's worth of food is the amount of food that will last you for a week. □ [+ of ] You've got three years' worth of research money to do what you want with. ● PRON Worth is also a pronoun. □ There's really not very much food down there. About two weeks' worth.
4 ADJ If you say that something is worth having, you mean that it is pleasant or useful, and therefore a good thing to have. □ He's decided to get a look at the house and see if it might be worth buying. □ Most things worth having never come easy.
5 ADJ If something is worth a particular action, or if an action is worth doing, it is considered to be important enough for that action. □ I am spending a lot of money and time on this boat, but it is worth it. □ This restaurant is well worth a visit. □ It is worth pausing to consider these statements from Mr Davies.
6 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] Someone's worth is the value, usefulness, or importance that they are considered to have. [FORMAL ] □ He had never had a woman of her worth as a friend.
7 PHRASE If you do something for all you are worth , you do it with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. □ We both began waving to the crowd for all we were worth. □ Push for all you're worth!
8 PHRASE If you add for what it's worth to something that you say, you are suggesting that what you are saying or referring to may not be very valuable or helpful, especially because you do not want to appear arrogant. □ I've brought my notes, for what it's worth.
9 PHRASE If an action or activity is worth someone's while , it will be helpful, useful, or enjoyable for them if they do it, even though it requires some effort. □ It might be worth your while to go to court and ask for the agreement to be changed.
10 worth your weight in gold → see weight
worth|less /wɜː r θləs/
1 ADJ Something that is worthless is of no real value or use. □ The guarantee could be worthless if the firm goes out of business. □ Training is worthless unless there is proof that it works. □ …a worthless piece of old junk.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is described as worthless is considered to have no good qualities or skills. □ You feel you really are completely worthless and unlovable.
worth|while /wɜː r θ h wa I l/ ADJ If something is worthwhile , it is enjoyable or useful, and worth the time, money, or effort that is spent on it. □ The President's trip to Washington this week seems to have been worthwhile. □ It might be worthwhile to consider your attitude to an insurance policy.
wor|thy /wɜː r ði/ (worthier , worthiest )
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a person or thing is worthy of something, they deserve it because they have the qualities or abilities required. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The bank might think you're worthy of a loan. □ [+ of ] The Minister says the idea is worthy of consideration.
2 ADJ A worthy person or thing is approved of by most people in society and considered to be morally respectable or correct. [FORMAL ] □ …worthy members of the community.
-worthy /-wɜː r ði/
1 COMB -worthy can be added to words to form adjectives which indicate that someone or something deserves a particular thing or action. For example, if a remark or person is quote-worthy , they are worth quoting. □ …a few newsworthy events. □ You may see yourself as useless, incompetent and blameworthy.
2 → see also airworthy , creditworthy , newsworthy , noteworthy , praiseworthy , seaworthy , trustworthy
wot Wot is sometimes used in writing to represent what , to show that someone is speaking very informally or that they are being humorous. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ 'Cor, wot brilliant prizes!'
would ◆◆◆ /wəd, STRONG wʊd/ Would is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. In spoken English, would is often abbreviated to 'd . 1 MODAL You use would when you are saying what someone believed, hoped, or expected to happen or be the case. □ No one believed he would actually kill himself. □ Would he always be like this? □ He expressed the hope that on Monday elementary schools would be reopened. □ A report yesterday that said unemployment would continue to rise.
2 MODAL You use would when saying what someone intended to do. □ The statement added that these views would be discussed by both sides. □ George decided it was such a rare car that he would only use it for a few shows.
3 MODAL You use would when you are referring to the result or effect of a possible situation. □ Ordinarily it would be fun to be taken to fabulous restaurants. □ It would be wrong to suggest that police officers were not annoyed by acts of indecency. □ It would cost very much more for the four of us to go from Italy.
4 MODAL You use would , or would have with a past participle, to indicate that you are assuming or guessing that something is true, because you have good reasons for thinking it. □ You wouldn't know him. □ His fans would already be familiar with Caroline. □ It was half seven; her mother would be annoyed because he was so late.
5 MODAL You use would in the main clause of some 'if' and 'unless' sentences to indicate something you consider to be fairly unlikely to happen. □ If only I could get some sleep, I would be able to cope. □ A policeman would not live one year if he obeyed these regulations.
6 MODAL You use would to say that someone was willing to do something. You use would not to indicate that they refused to do something. □ They said they would give the police their full cooperation. □ She indicated that she would help her boss. □ He wouldn't say where he had picked up the information.
7 MODAL You use would not to indicate that something did not happen, often in spite of a lot of effort. □ He kicked, pushed, and hurled his shoulder at the door. It wouldn't open. □ The battery got flatter and flatter, until it wouldn't turn the engine at all.
8 MODAL You use would , especially with 'like', 'love', and 'wish', when saying that someone wants to do or have a particular thing or wants a particular thing to happen. □ Right now, your mom would like a cup of coffee. □ Ideally, she would love to become pregnant again. □ He wished it would end.
9 would rather → see rather
10 MODAL You use would with 'if' clauses in questions when you are asking for permission to do something. □ Do you think it would be all right if I opened a window? □ Mr. Cutler, would you mind if I asked a question?
11 MODAL You use would , usually in questions with 'like', when you are making a polite offer or invitation. [POLITENESS ] □ Would you like a drink? □ Perhaps you would like to pay a visit to London.
12 MODAL You use would , usually in questions, when you are politely asking someone to do something. [POLITENESS ] □ Would you come in here a moment, please? □ Oh dear, there's the doorbell. See who it is, would you, darling.
13 MODAL You say that someone would do something when it is typical of them and you are critical of it. You emphasize the word would when you use it in this way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Well, you would say that: you're a man.
14 MODAL You use would , or sometimes would have with a past participle, when you are expressing your opinion about something or seeing if people agree with you, especially when you are uncertain about what you are saying. [VAGUENESS ] □ I think you'd agree he's a very respected columnist. □ I would have thought it a proper job for the Army to fight rebellion. □ I would imagine she's quite lonely living on her own.
15 MODAL You use I would when you are giving someone advice in an informal way. □ If I were you I would simply ring your friend's bell and ask for your bike back. □ There could be more unrest, but I wouldn't exaggerate the problems.
16 MODAL You use you would in negative sentences with verbs such as 'guess' and 'know' when you want to say that something is not obvious, especially something surprising. □ Chris is so full of artistic temperament you'd never think she was the daughter of a banker.
17 MODAL You use would to talk about something which happened regularly in the past but which no longer happens. □ Sunday mornings my mother would bake. I'd stand by the fridge and help.
18 MODAL You use would have with a past participle when you are saying what was likely to have happened by a particular time. □ Within ten weeks, 34 million people would have been reached by our commercials.
19 MODAL You use would have with a past participle when you are referring to the result or effect of a possible event in the past. □ My daughter would have been 17 this week if she had lived. □ If I had known how he felt, I would never have let him adopt those children.
20 MODAL If you say that someone would have liked or preferred something, you mean that they wanted to do it or have it but were unable to. □ I would have liked a life in politics. □ She would have liked to ask questions, but he had moved on to another topic.
wou ld-be ADJ [ADJ n] You can use would-be to describe someone who wants or attempts to do a particular thing. For example, a would-be writer is someone who wants to be a writer. □ …a book that provides encouragement for would-be writers.
wouldn't /wʊ d ə nt/ Wouldn't is the usual spoken form of 'would not'. □ They wouldn't allow me to leave the room.
would've /wʊdəv/ Would've is a spoken form of 'would have', when 'have' is an auxiliary verb. □ My mum would've loved one of us to go to college.
wound
➊ VERB FORM OF 'WIND'
➋ INJURY
➊ wound /waʊ nd/ Wound is the past tense and past participle of wind 2.
➋ wound ◆◆◇ /wuː nd/ (wounds , wounding , wounded )
→ Please look at category 7 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 N‑COUNT A wound is damage to part of your body, especially a cut or a hole in your flesh, which is caused by a gun, knife, or other weapon. □ The wound is healing nicely. □ Six soldiers are reported to have died from their wounds.
2 VERB If a weapon or something sharp wounds you, it damages your body. □ [V n] A bomb exploded in a hotel, killing six people and wounding another five. □ [V -ed] The two wounded men were taken to a nearby hospital. ● N‑PLURAL The wounded are people who are wounded. □ Hospitals said they could not cope with the wounded.
3 N‑COUNT A wound is a lasting bad effect on someone's mind or feelings caused by a very upsetting experience. [LITERARY ] □ She has been so deeply hurt it may take forever for the wounds to heal.
4 VERB If you are wounded by what someone says or does, your feelings are deeply hurt. □ [be V -ed] He was deeply wounded by the treachery of close aides.
5 to rub salt into the wound → see salt
wound up /waʊ nd ʌ p/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is wound up , they are very tense and nervous or angry.
wove /woʊ v/ Wove is the past tense of weave .
wo|ven /woʊ v ə n/ Woven is a past participle of weave .
wow /waʊ / (wows , wowing , wowed )
1 EXCLAM You can say ' wow ' when you are very impressed, surprised, or pleased. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ I thought, 'Wow, what a good idea'.
2 VERB You say that someone wows people when they give an impressive performance and fill people with enthusiasm and admiration. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Ben Tankard wowed the crowd with his jazz.
WPC /dʌ b ə ljuː piː siː / (WPCs ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In Britain, a WPC is a female police officer of the lowest rank. WPC is an abbreviation for 'woman police constable'.
wraith /re I θ/ (wraiths ) N‑COUNT A wraith is a ghost. [LITERARY ] □ That child flits about like a wraith.
wran|gle /ræ ŋg ə l/ (wrangles , wrangling , wrangled ) VERB If you say that someone is wrangling with someone over a question or issue, you mean that they have been arguing angrily for quite a long time about it. □ [V + over ] The two sides have spent most of their time wrangling over procedural problems. □ [V + with/over ] A group of MPs is still wrangling with the government over the timing of elections. [Also V ]
wran|gler /ræ ŋglə r / (wranglers ) N‑COUNT A wrangler is a cowboy who works with cattle and horses. [AM ]
wrap ◆◇◇ /ræ p/ (wraps , wrapping , wrapped )
1 VERB When you wrap something, you fold paper or cloth tightly round it to cover it completely, for example in order to protect it or so that you can give it to someone as a present. □ [V n] Harry had carefully bought and wrapped presents for Mark to give them. □ [V n + in ] Mexican Indians used to wrap tough meat in leaves from the papaya tree. ● PHRASAL VERB Wrap up means the same as wrap . □ [V P n] Diana is taking the opportunity to wrap up the family presents. [Also V n P ]
2 N‑UNCOUNT Wrap is the material that something is wrapped in. □ [+ around ] I tucked some plastic wrap around the sandwiches to keep them from getting stale. □ …gift wrap.
3 VERB When you wrap something such as a piece of paper or cloth round another thing, you put it around it. □ [V n + around/over ] She wrapped a handkerchief around her bleeding palm.
4 VERB If someone wraps their arms, fingers, or legs around something, they put them firmly around it. □ [V n + around ] He wrapped his arms around her.
5 → see also wrapping
6 PHRASE If you keep something under wraps , you keep it secret, often until you are ready to announce it at some time in the future. □ The bids were submitted in May and were meant to have been kept under wraps until October.
▸ wrap up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you wrap up , you put warm clothes on. □ [V P adv/adj/prep] Markus has wrapped up warmly in a woolly hat. [Also V P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you wrap up something such as a job or an agreement, you complete it in a satisfactory way. □ [V P n] Defense ministers wrap up their meeting in Brussels today. □ [V n P ] Seeing Sticht was keeping him from his golf game, and he hoped they could wrap it up quickly.
3 → see also wrap 1 , wrapped up
wra pped u p ADJ If someone is wrapped up in a particular person or thing, they spend nearly all their time thinking about them, so that they forget about other things which may be important. □ [+ in ] He's too serious and dedicated, wrapped up in his career. [Also + with ]
wrap|per /ræ pə r / (wrappers ) N‑COUNT A wrapper is a piece of paper, plastic, or thin metal which covers and protects something that you buy, especially food. □ I emptied the sweet wrappers from the ashtray.
wrap|ping /ræ p I ŋ/ (wrappings ) N‑VAR Wrapping is something such as paper or plastic which is used to cover and protect something. □ …food wrapping.
wra p|ping pa|per (wrapping papers ) N‑VAR Wrapping paper is special paper which is used for wrapping presents.
wrath /rɒ θ, [AM ] ræ θ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] Wrath means the same as anger. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] He incurred the wrath of the authorities in speaking out against government injustices.
wreak /riː k/ (wreaks , wreaking , wreaked ) The form wrought can also be used as the past participle. 1 VERB Something or someone that wreaks havoc or destruction causes a great amount of disorder or damage. [JOURNALISM , LITERARY ] □ [V n] Violent storms wreaked havoc on the French Riviera, leaving three dead and dozens injured.
2 VERB If you wreak revenge or vengeance on someone, you do something that will harm them very much to punish them for the harm they have done to you. [JOURNALISM , LITERARY ] □ [V n] He threatened to wreak vengeance on the men who toppled him a year ago.
3 → see also wrought
wreath /riː θ/ (wreaths )
1 N‑COUNT A wreath is an arrangement of flowers and leaves, usually in the shape of a circle, which you put on a grave or by a statue to show that you remember a person who has died or people who have died. □ [+ of ] The coffin lying before the altar was bare, except for a single wreath of white roses.
2 N‑COUNT A wreath is a circle of leaves or flowers which someone wears around their head.
3 N‑COUNT A wreath is a circle of leaves which some people hang on the front door of their house at Christmas.
wreathe /riː ð/ (wreathes , wreathing , wreathed )
1 VERB If something is wreathed in smoke or mist, it is surrounded by it. [LITERARY ] □ [be V -ed + in ] The ship was wreathed in smoke. □ [V n] Fog wreathes the temples.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something is wreathed with flowers or leaves, it has a circle or chain of flowers or leaves put round it. □ [be V -ed + with/in ] Its huge columns were wreathed with laurel and magnolia.
wreck /re k/ (wrecks , wrecking , wrecked )
1 VERB To wreck something means to completely destroy or ruin it. □ [V n] A coalition could have defeated the government and wrecked the treaty. □ [V n] His life has been wrecked by the tragedy. □ [V -ed] …missed promotions, lost jobs, wrecked marriages.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a ship is wrecked , it is damaged so much that it sinks or can no longer sail. □ [be V -ed] The ship was wrecked by an explosion. □ [V -ed] …a wrecked cargo ship.
3 N‑COUNT A wreck is something such as a ship, car, plane, or building which has been destroyed, usually in an accident. □ [+ of ] …the wreck of a sailing ship. □ The car was a total wreck. □ We thought of buying the house as a wreck, doing it up, then selling it.
4 N‑COUNT A wreck is an accident in which a moving vehicle hits something and is damaged or destroyed. [mainly AM ] □ He was killed in a car wreck. in BRIT, usually use crash 5 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that someone is a wreck , you mean that they are very exhausted or unhealthy. [INFORMAL ] □ You look a wreck.
6 → see also nervous wreck
wreck|age /re k I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] When something such as a plane, car, or building has been destroyed, you can refer to what remains as wreckage or the wreckage . □ [+ of ] Mark was dragged from the burning wreckage of his car.
wreck|er /re kə r / (wreckers )
1 N‑COUNT A wrecker is a motor vehicle which is used to pull broken or damaged vehicles to a place where they can be repaired or broken up, for example after an accident. [mainly AM ]
2 N‑COUNT Wreckers are people whose job involves destroying old, unwanted, or damaged buildings. [mainly AM ]
wren /re n/ (wrens ) N‑COUNT A wren is a very small brown bird. There are several kinds of wren.
wrench /re ntʃ/ (wrenches , wrenching , wrenched )
1 VERB If you wrench something that is fixed in a particular position, you pull or twist it violently, in order to move or remove it. □ [V n prep] He felt two men wrench the suitcase from his hand. □ [V adj n] They wrenched open the passenger doors and jumped into her car.
2 VERB If you wrench yourself free from someone who is holding you, you get away from them by suddenly twisting the part of your body that is being held. □ [V pron-refl prep] She wrenched herself from his grasp. □ [V n adj] He wrenched his arm free. □ [V adj] She tore at one man's face as she tried to wrench free.
3 VERB If you wrench one of your joints, you twist it and injure it. □ [V n] He had wrenched his ankle badly from the force of the fall.
4 N‑SING If you say that leaving someone or something is a wrench , you feel very sad about it. [BRIT ] □ I always knew it would be a wrench to leave Essex after all these years. □ Although it would be a wrench, we would all accept the challenge of moving abroad.
5 N‑COUNT A wrench or a monkey wrench is an adjustable metal tool used for tightening or loosening metal nuts of different sizes.
6 PHRASE If someone throws a wrench or throws a monkey wrench into a process, they prevent something happening smoothly by deliberately causing a problem. [AM ] □ [+ into ] They threw a giant monkey wrench into the process by raising all sorts of petty objections. [Also + in ] in BRIT, use throw a spanner in the works
wrest /re st/ (wrests , wresting , wrested )
1 VERB If you wrest something from someone else, you take it from them, especially when this is difficult or illegal. [JOURNALISM , LITERARY ] □ [V n + from ] For the past year he has been trying to wrest control from the central government. □ [V n with back ] The men had returned to wrest back power. [Also V n with away ]
2 VERB If you wrest something from someone who is holding it, you take it from them by pulling or twisting it violently. [LITERARY ] □ [V n + from ] He wrested the suitcase from the chauffeur. □ [V n with away ] He was attacked by a security man who tried to wrest away a gas cartridge.
wres|tle /re s ə l/ (wrestles , wrestling , wrestled )
1 VERB When you wrestle with a difficult problem, you try to deal with it. □ [V + with ] Delegates wrestled with the problems of violence and sanctions.
2 VERB If you wrestle with someone, you fight them by forcing them into painful positions or throwing them to the ground, rather than by hitting them. Some people wrestle as a sport. □ [V ] They taught me to wrestle. [Also V n]
3 VERB If you wrestle a person or thing somewhere, you move them there using a lot of force, for example by twisting a part of someone's body into a painful position. □ [V n prep] We had to physically wrestle the child from the man's arms.
4 → see also wrestling
wres|tler /re slə r / (wrestlers ) N‑COUNT A wrestler is someone who wrestles as a sport, usually for money.
wres|tling /re sl I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Wrestling is a sport in which two people wrestle and try to throw each other to the ground. □ …a championship wrestling match.
wretch /re tʃ/ (wretches )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to someone as a wretch when you feel sorry for them because they are unhappy or unfortunate. [LITERARY ] □ Before the poor wretch had time to speak, he was shot.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to someone as a wretch when you think that they are wicked or if they have done something you are angry about. [LITERARY , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Oh, what have you done, you wretch!
wretch|ed /re tʃ I d/
1 ADJ You describe someone as wretched when you feel sorry for them because they are in an unpleasant situation or have suffered unpleasant experiences. [FORMAL ] □ These wretched people had seen their homes going up in flames.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use wretched to describe someone or something that you dislike or feel angry with. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ Of course this wretched woman was unforgivably irresponsible.
3 ADJ Someone who feels wretched feels very unhappy. [FORMAL ] □ I feel really confused and wretched.
wrig|gle /r I g ə l/ (wriggles , wriggling , wriggled )
1 VERB If you wriggle or wriggle part of your body, you twist and turn with quick movements, for example because you are uncomfortable. □ [V ] The babies are wriggling on their tummies. □ [V n] She pulled off her shoes and stockings and wriggled her toes.
2 VERB If you wriggle somewhere, for example through a small gap, you move there by twisting and turning your body. □ [V adv/prep] He clutched the child tightly as she again tried to wriggle free. □ [V adv/prep] Bauman wriggled into the damp coverall.
▸ wriggle out of PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone has wriggled out of doing something, you disapprove of the fact that they have managed to avoid doing it, although they should have done it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P P n] The Government has tried to wriggle out of any responsibility for providing childcare for working parents. [Also V P P v-ing]
wring /r I ŋ/ (wrings , wringing , wrung )
1 VERB If you wring something out of someone, you manage to make them give it to you even though they do not want to. □ [V n + out of/from ] Buyers use different ruses to wring free credit out of their suppliers.
2 PHRASE If someone wrings their hands , they hold them together and twist and turn them, usually because they are very worried or upset about something. You can also say that someone is wringing their hands when they are expressing sorrow that a situation is so bad but are saying that they are unable to change it. □ The Government has got to get a grip. Wringing its hands and saying it is a world problem just isn't good enough.
▸ wring out PHRASAL VERB When you wring out a wet cloth or a wet piece of clothing, you squeeze the water out of it by twisting it strongly. □ [V P n] He turned away to wring out the wet shirt. □ [V n P ] Soak a small towel in the liquid, wring it out, then apply to the abdomen.
wring|er /r I ŋə r / PHRASE If you say that someone has been put through the wringer or has gone through the wringer , you mean that they have suffered a very difficult or unpleasant experience. [INFORMAL ]
wrin|kle /r I ŋk ə l/ (wrinkles , wrinkling , wrinkled )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Wrinkles are lines which form on someone's face as they grow old. □ His face was covered with wrinkles.
2 VERB When someone's skin wrinkles or when something wrinkles it, lines start to form in it because the skin is getting old or damaged. □ [V ] The skin on her cheeks and around her eyes was beginning to wrinkle. □ [V n] …protection against the sun's rays that age and wrinkle the skin. ● wrin|kled ADJ □ I did indeed look older and more wrinkled than ever.
3 N‑COUNT A wrinkle is a raised fold in a piece of cloth or paper that spoils its appearance. □ [+ in ] He noticed a wrinkle in her stocking.
4 VERB If cloth wrinkles , or if someone or something wrinkles it, it gets folds or lines in it. □ [V ] Her stockings wrinkled at the ankles. □ [V n] I wrinkled the velvet. ● wrin|kled ADJ □ His suit was wrinkled and he looked very tired.
5 VERB When you wrinkle your nose or forehead, or when it wrinkles , you tighten the muscles in your face so that the skin folds. □ [V n] Frannie wrinkled her nose at her daughter. □ [V ] Ellen's face wrinkles as if she is about to sneeze.
wrin|kly /r I ŋkli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A wrinkly surface has a lot of wrinkles on it. □ …wrinkly cotton and wool stockings.
wrist /r I st/ (wrists ) N‑COUNT Your wrist is the part of your body between your hand and your arm which bends when you move your hand.
wrist|watch /r I stwɒtʃ/ (wristwatches ) N‑COUNT A wristwatch is a watch with a strap which you wear round your wrist.
writ /r I t/ (writs ) N‑COUNT A writ is a legal document that orders a person to do a particular thing. □ [+ against ] He issued a writ against one of his accusers. [Also + for ]
write ◆◆◆ /ra I t/ (writes , writing , wrote , written )
1 VERB When you write something on a surface, you use something such as a pen or pencil to produce words, letters, or numbers on the surface. □ [V n adv/prep] If you'd like one, simply write your name and address on a postcard and send it to us. □ [V ] They were still trying to teach her to read and write. □ [V n] He wrote the word 'pride' in huge letters on the blackboard.
2 VERB If you write something such as a book, a poem, or a piece of music, you create it and record it on paper or perhaps on a computer. □ [V n] I had written quite a lot of orchestral music in my student days. □ [V n] Finding a volunteer to write the computer program isn't a problem. □ [V n + for ] Thereafter she wrote articles for papers and magazines in Paris. □ [V n n] Jung Lu wrote me a poem once.
3 VERB Someone who writes creates books, stories, or articles, usually for publication. □ [V ] Jay wanted to write. □ [V + for ] She writes for many papers, including the Sunday Times.
4 VERB When you write to someone or write them an email or a letter, you give them information, ask them something, or express your feelings in an email or letter. In American English, you can also write someone. □ [V + to ] Many people have written to me on this subject. □ [V n n] She had written him a note a couple of weeks earlier. □ [V n + to ] I wrote a letter to the car rental agency, explaining what had happened. □ [V ] Why didn't you write, call, anything? □ [V n] He had written her in Italy but received no reply.
5 nothing to write home about → see home ➊
6 VERB When someone writes something such as a receipt or a prescription, they put the necessary information on it and usually sign it. □ [V n] Snape wrote a receipt with a gold fountain pen. □ [V n n] He wrote me a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication. [Also V n + for ] ● PHRASAL VERB Write out means the same as write . □ [V P n] We went straight to the estate agent and wrote out a cheque. □ [V n P n] Get my assistant to write you out a receipt before you leave. [Also V n P ]
7 VERB If you write to a computer or a disk, you record data on it. [COMPUTING ] □ [V + to/onto ] You should write-protect all disks that you do not usually need to write to. [Also V , V n + to/onto ]
8 → see also writing , written
▸ write back PHRASAL VERB If you write back to someone who has sent you a letter, you write them a letter in reply. □ [V P ] Macmillan wrote back saying that he could certainly help. □ [V P + to ] I wrote back to Meudon at once to fix up a meeting.
▸ write down PHRASAL VERB When you write something down , you record it on a piece of paper using a pen or pencil. □ [V P n] On the morning before starting the fast, write down your starting weight. □ [V n P ] Only by writing things down could I bring some sort of order to the confusion.
▸ write in
1 PHRASAL VERB If you write in to an organization, you send them a letter. □ [V P ] What's the point in writing in when you only print half the letter anyway? □ [V P + to ] So there's another thing that you might like to write in to this programme about.
2 PHRASAL VERB In the United States, if someone who is voting in an election writes in a person whose name is not on the list of candidates, they write that person's name on the voting paper and vote for him or her. □ [V P n] I think I'll write in Pat Wilson. □ [V n P ] I'm going to write him in on my ballot next year.
3 → see also write-in
▸ write into PHRASAL VERB If a rule or detail is written into a contract, law, or agreement, it is included in it when the contract, law, or agreement is made. □ [be V -ed P n] They insisted that a guaranteed supply of Chinese food was written into their contracts. □ [V n P n] I didn't write that into the rules but I don't think it's a bad idea.
▸ write off
1 PHRASAL VERB If you write off to a company or organization, you send them a letter, usually asking for something. □ [V P + to ] He wrote off to the New Zealand Government for these pamphlets about life in New Zealand. [Also V P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone writes off a debt or an amount of money that has been spent on a project, they accept that they are never going to get the money back. [BUSINESS ] □ [V P n] The committee decided to write off this debt. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you write someone or something off , you decide that they are unimportant or useless and that they are not worth further serious attention. □ [V n P ] He is fed up with people writing him off because of his age. □ [V n P + as ] His critics write him off as too cautious to succeed. □ [V P n + as ] These people are difficult to write off as malingering employees.
4 PHRASAL VERB If someone writes off a vehicle, they have a crash in it and it is so badly damaged that it is not worth repairing. [BRIT ] □ [V P n] John's written off four cars. Now he sticks to public transport. □ [V n P ] One of Pete's friends wrote his car off there.
5 PHRASAL VERB If you write off a plan or project, you accept that it is not going to be successful and do not continue with it. □ [V P n] We decided to write off the rest of the day and go shopping. □ [V n P ] The prices were much higher. So we decided to write that off.
6 → see also write-off
▸ write out
1 PHRASAL VERB When you write out something fairly long such as a report or a list, you write it on paper. □ [V P n] We had to write out a list of ten jobs we'd like to do. □ [V n P ] The application form is important. Sit down and write it out properly.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a character in a drama series is written out , he or she is taken out of the series. □ [be V -ed P + of ] After twice being arrested for drugs offences, he was written out of the show. [Also V n P ]
3 → see write 7
▸ write up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you write up something that has been done or said, you record it on paper in a neat and complete form, usually using notes that you have made. □ [V P n] He wrote up his visit in a report of over 600 pages. □ [V n P ] Mr Sadler conducted interviews, and his girlfriend wrote them up.
2 → see also write-up
wri te-in (write-ins ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] In the US, a write-in is a vote that you make by writing the candidate's name on the ballot paper. □ When Republican write-ins were included, Johnson's margin of victory was only 330 votes.
wri te-off (write-offs )
1 N‑COUNT Something such as a vehicle that is a write-off has been so badly damaged in an accident that it is not worth repairing. [BRIT ] □ The car was a write-off, but everyone escaped unharmed.
2 N‑COUNT A write-off is the decision by a company or government to accept that they will never recover a debt or an amount of money that has been spent on something. □ [+ of ] Mr James persuaded the banks to accept a large write-off of debt.
3 N‑SING If you describe a plan or period of time as a write-off , you mean that it has been a failure and you have achieved nothing. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ for ] Today was really a bit of a write-off for me.
writ|er ◆◆◇ /ra I tə r / (writers )
1 N‑COUNT A writer is a person who writes books, stories, or articles as a job. □ Turner is a writer and critic. □ …detective stories by American writers. □ …novelist and travel writer Paul Theroux.
2 N‑COUNT The writer of a particular article, report, letter, or story is the person who wrote it. □ [+ of ] No-one is to see the document without the permission of the writer of the report. SYNONYMS writer NOUN 1
author: …Jill Phillips, author of the book 'Give Your Child Music'.
novelist: …a romantic novelist.
columnist: …the gossip columnists' favourite target.
hack: …tabloid hacks, always eager to find victims in order to sell newspapers. COLLOCATIONS writer NOUN 1
noun + writer : comedy, crime, food, travel; woman
adjective + writer : aspiring, prolific; freelance
wri te-up (write-ups ) N‑COUNT A write-up is an article in a newspaper or magazine, in which someone gives their opinion of something such as a film, restaurant, or new product. □ The show received a good write-up. □ [+ of ] The guide book contains a short write-up of each hotel.
writhe /ra I ð/ (writhes , writhing , writhed ) VERB If you writhe , your body twists and turns violently backwards and forwards, usually because you are in great pain or discomfort. □ [V ] He was writhing in agony. □ [V adv/prep] The shark was writhing around wildly, trying to get free.
writ|ing ◆◆◇ /ra I t I ŋ/ (writings )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Writing is something that has been written or printed. □ [+ on ] 'It's from a notebook,' the sheriff said, 'And there's writing on it.' □ If you have a complaint about your holiday, please inform us in writing.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to any piece of written work as writing , especially when you are considering the style of language used in it. □ The writing is brutally tough and savagely humorous. □ It was such a brilliant piece of writing.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Writing is the activity of writing, especially of writing books for money. □ She had begun to be a little bored with novel writing. □ …activities to help prepare children for writing.
4 N‑UNCOUNT [usu poss N ] Your writing is the way that you write with a pen or pencil, which can usually be recognized as belonging to you. □ It was a little difficult to read your writing. □ I think it's due to being left handed that he's got terrible writing.
5 N‑PLURAL [usu with poss] An author's writings are all the things that he or she has written, especially on a particular subject. □ Althusser's writings are focused mainly on France. □ [+ of ] The pieces he is reading are adapted from the writings of Michael Frayn.
6 PHRASE If you say that the writing is on the wall , you mean that there are clear signs that a situation is going to become very difficult or unpleasant. □ After two defeats, the writing is on the wall for the manager.
wri t|ing desk (writing desks ) N‑COUNT A writing desk is a piece of furniture with drawers, an area for keeping writing materials, and a surface on which you can rest your paper while writing.
wri t|ing pa|per (writing papers ) N‑VAR Writing paper is paper for writing letters on. It is usually of good, smooth quality.
writ|ten ◆◇◇ /r I t ə n/
1 Written is the past participle of write .
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A written test or piece of work is one which involves writing rather than doing something practical or giving spoken answers. □ Learners may have to take a written exam before they pass their driving test.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A written agreement, rule, or law has been officially written down. □ The newspaper broke a written agreement not to sell certain photographs.
4 to be written all over someone's face → see face ➊
wri t|ten wo rd N‑SING You use the written word to refer to language expressed in writing, especially when contrasted with speech or with other forms of expression such as painting or film. □ Even in the 18th century, scholars continued to give primacy to the written word.
wrong ◆◆◇ /rɒ ŋ, [AM ] rɔː ŋ/ (wrongs , wronging , wronged )
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say there is something wrong , you mean there is something unsatisfactory about the situation, person, or thing you are talking about. □ Pain is the body's way of telling us that something is wrong. □ Nobody seemed to notice anything wrong. □ [+ with ] What's wrong with him?
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