brea ch of the pea ce (breaches of the peace ) N‑VAR A breach of the peace is noisy or violent behaviour in a public place which is illegal because it disturbs other people. [LEGAL ] □ He admitted causing a breach of the peace. □ Four men were found guilty of breach of the peace.
bread ◆◇◇ /bre d/ (breads , breading , breaded )
1 N‑VAR Bread is a very common food made from flour, water, and yeast. □ …a loaf of bread. □ There is more fibre in wholemeal bread than in white bread.
2 VERB [usu passive] If food such as fish or meat is breaded , it is covered in tiny pieces of dry bread called breadcrumbs. It can then be fried or grilled. □ [be V -ed] It is important that food be breaded just minutes before frying. ● bread|ed ADJ □ …breaded fish.
brea d and bu t|ter also bread-and-butter
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] Something that is the bread and butter of a person or organization is the activity or work that provides the main part of their income. □ The mobile phone business was actually his bread and butter.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Bread and butter issues or matters are ones which are important to most people, because they affect them personally. □ The opposition gained support by concentrating on bread-and-butter matters.
brea d bas|ket (bread baskets ) also breadbasket N‑COUNT [usu with poss] If an area or region is described as the bread basket of a country, it provides a lot of the food for that country because crops grow very easily there. It therefore produces wealth for the country. □ The north-west became the country's bread basket.
brea d bin (bread bins ) N‑COUNT A bread bin is a wooden, metal, or plastic container for storing bread. [BRIT ] in AM, use breadbox
bread|board /bre dbɔː r d/ (breadboards ) also bread board N‑COUNT A breadboard is a flat piece of wood used for cutting bread on.
bread|box /bre dbɒks/ (breadboxes ) also bread box N‑COUNT A breadbox is the same as a bread bin . [AM ]
bread|crumb /bre dkrʌm/ (breadcrumbs ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Breadcrumbs are tiny pieces of dry bread. They are used in cooking.
bread|fruit /bre dfruːt/ (breadfruit ) N‑VAR Breadfruit are large round fruit that grow on trees in the Pacific Islands and in tropical parts of America and that, when baked, look and feel like bread.
bread|line /bre dla I n/ N‑SING [usu on the N ] Someone who is on the breadline is very poor indeed. □ We lived on the breadline to get our son through college. □ They're not exactly on the breadline.
breadth /bre tθ, [AM ] bre dθ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The breadth of something is the distance between its two sides. □ [+ of ] The breadth of the whole camp was 400 paces.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The breadth of something is its quality of consisting of or involving many different things. □ [+ of ] Older people have a tremendous breadth of experience. □ [+ of ] His breadth of knowledge filled me with admiration.
3 PHRASE If you say that someone does something or something happens throughout or across the length and breadth of a place, you are emphasizing that it happens everywhere in that place. [EMPHASIS ] □ The group built their reputation by playing across the length and breadth of North America. □ She has travelled the length and breadth of Britain.
4 → see also hair's breadth
bread|winner /bre dw I nə r / (breadwinners ) also bread-winner N‑COUNT The breadwinner in a family is the person in it who earns the money that the family needs for essential things. □ I've always paid the bills and been the breadwinner.
break ◆◆◆ /bre I k/ (breaks , breaking , broke , broken )
1 VERB When an object breaks or when you break it, it suddenly separates into two or more pieces, often because it has been hit or dropped. □ [V n] He fell through the window, breaking the glass. □ [V ] The plate broke. □ [V n + into ] Break the cauliflower into florets. □ [V + into ] The plane broke into three pieces. □ [V -ed] …bombed-out buildings, surrounded by broken glass and rubble. □ [V -ing] The only sound was the crackle of breaking ice.
2 VERB If you break a part of your body such as your leg, your arm, or your nose, or if a bone breaks , you are injured because a bone cracks or splits. □ [V n] She broke a leg in a skiing accident. □ [V ] Old bones break easily. □ [V -ed] Several people were treated for broken bones. ● N‑COUNT Break is also a noun. □ It has caused a bad break to Gabriella's leg.
3 VERB If a surface, cover, or seal breaks or if something breaks it, a hole or tear is made in it, so that a substance can pass through. □ [V n] Once you've broken the seal of a bottle there's no way you can put it back together again. □ [V ] The bandage must be put on when the blister breaks. □ [V -ed] Do not use the cream on broken skin.
4 VERB When a tool or piece of machinery breaks or when you break it, it is damaged and no longer works. □ [V ] When the clutch broke, the car was locked into second gear. □ [V n] The lead biker broke his bike chain. [Also V -ed]
5 VERB If you break a rule, promise, or agreement, you do something that you should not do according to that rule, promise, or agreement. □ [V n] We didn't know we were breaking the law. □ [V -ed] …broken promises.
6 VERB If you break free or loose, you free yourself from something or escape from it. □ [V adj] She broke free by thrusting her elbow into his chest.
7 VERB If someone breaks something, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation that has existed for some time, they end it or change it. □ [V n] New proposals have been put forward to break the deadlock among rival factions. □ [V n] The country is heading towards elections which may break the party's long hold on power. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Break is also a noun. □ Nothing that might lead to a break in the deadlock has been discussed yet.
8 VERB If someone or something breaks a silence, they say something or make a noise after a long period of silence. □ [V n] Hugh broke the silence. 'Is she always late?' he asked.
9 N‑COUNT If there is a break in the cloud or weather, it changes and there is a short period of sunshine or fine weather. □ [+ in ] A sudden break in the cloud allowed rescuers to spot Michael Benson.
10 VERB If you break with a group of people or a traditional way of doing things, or you break your connection with them, you stop being involved with that group or stop doing things in that way. □ [V + with ] In 1959, Akihito broke with imperial tradition by marrying a commoner. □ [V + from ] They were determined to break from precedent. □ [V n + with ] They have yet to break the link with the trade unions. [Also V n] ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Break is also a noun. □ Making a completely clean break with the past, the couple got rid of all their old furniture.
11 VERB If you break a habit or if someone breaks you of it, you no longer have that habit. □ [V n] We don't like breaking habits when it comes to food. □ [V n + of ] The professor hoped to break the students of the habit of looking for easy answers.
12 VERB To break someone means to destroy their determination and courage, their success, or their career. □ [V n] He never let his jailers break him. □ [V -ed] Ken's wife, Vicki, said: 'He's a broken man.'
13 VERB If someone breaks for a short period of time, they rest or change from what they are doing for a short period. □ [V ] They broke for lunch.
14 N‑COUNT A break is a short period of time when you have a rest or a change from what you are doing, especially if you are working or if you are in a boring or unpleasant situation. □ They may be able to help with childcare so that you can have a break. □ [+ from ] I thought a 15 min break from his work would do him good. □ She rang Moira during a coffee break.
15 → see also lunch break , tea break
16 N‑COUNT A break is a short holiday. □ [+ in ] They are currently taking a short break in Spain.
17 VERB If you break your journey somewhere, you stop there for a short time so that you can have a rest. □ [V n] Because of the heat we broke our journey at a small country hotel.
18 VERB To break the force of something such as a blow or fall means to weaken its effect, for example by getting in the way of it. □ [V n] He sustained serious neck injuries after he broke someone's fall.
19 VERB When a piece of news breaks , people hear about it online, or from the newspapers, television, or radio. □ [V ] The news broke that the Prime Minister had resigned. □ [V ] He resigned from his post as Bishop when the scandal broke.
20 VERB When you break a piece of bad news to someone, you tell it to them, usually in a kind way. □ [V n] Then Louise broke the news that she was leaving me. □ [V n + to ] I worried for ages and decided that I had better break it to her.
21 N‑COUNT A break is a lucky opportunity that someone gets to achieve something. [INFORMAL ] □ He got his first break appearing in a variety show.
22 VERB If you break a record, you beat the previous record for a particular achievement. □ [V n] The film had broken all box office records.
23 → see also record-breaking
24 VERB When day or dawn breaks , it starts to grow light after the night has ended. □ [V ] They continued the search as dawn broke.
25 → see also daybreak
26 VERB When a wave breaks , it passes its highest point and turns downwards, for example when it reaches the shore. □ [V ] Danny listened to the waves breaking against the shore.
27 VERB If you break a secret code, you work out how to understand it. □ [V n] It was feared they could break the Allies' codes.
28 VERB If someone's voice breaks when they are speaking, it changes its sound, for example because they are sad or afraid. □ [V ] Godfrey's voice broke, and halted.
29 VERB When a boy's voice breaks , it becomes deeper and sounds more like a man's voice. □ [V ] He sings with the strained discomfort of someone whose voice hasn't quite broken.
30 VERB If the weather breaks or a storm breaks , it suddenly becomes rainy or stormy after a period of sunshine. □ [V ] I've been waiting for the weather to break.
31 VERB In tennis, if you break your opponent's serve, you win a game in which your opponent is serving. □ [V n] The world No 5 broke the 25-year-old Cypriot's serve twice. ● N‑COUNT Break is also a noun. □ A single break of serve settled the first two sets.
32 → see also broke , broken , heartbreak , heartbreaking , heartbroken , outbreak
33 PHRASE The break of day or the break of dawn is the time when it begins to grow light after the night. [LITERARY ] □ 'I,' he finished poetically, 'will watch over you to the break of day.'
34 CONVENTION You can say ' give me a break ' to show that you are annoyed by what someone has said or done. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ 'I'm a real intellectual-type guy' James joked. 'Oh, give me a break,' Tracy moaned.
35 PHRASE If you make a break or make a break for it , you run to escape from something. □ The moment had come to make a break or die.
36 to break cover → see cover
37 to break even → see even ➋
38 to break new ground → see ground
39 to break someone's heart → see heart
40 all hell breaks loose → see hell
41 to break the ice → see ice
42 to break ranks → see rank
43 to break wind → see wind ➊
▸ break away
1 PHRASAL VERB If you break away from someone who is trying to hold you or catch you, you free yourself and run away. □ [V P + from ] I broke away from him and rushed out into the hall. □ [V P ] Willie Hamilton broke away early in the race.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you break away from something or someone that restricts you or controls you, you succeed in freeing yourself from them. □ [V P + from ] Many contemporary designers have tried to break away from classical formal patterns.
▸ break down
1 PHRASAL VERB If a machine or a vehicle breaks down , it stops working. □ [V P ] Their car broke down.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a discussion, relationship, or system breaks down , it fails because of a problem or disagreement. □ [V P ] Talks with business leaders broke down last night. □ [V P ] Paola's marriage broke down.
3 PHRASAL VERB To break down something such as an idea or statement means to separate it into smaller parts in order to make it easier to understand or deal with. □ [V P n] The report breaks down the results region by region. □ [be V -ed P + into ] These rules tell us how a sentence is broken down into phrases. [Also V n P + into ]
4 PHRASAL VERB When a substance breaks down or when something breaks it down , a biological or chemical process causes it to separate into the substances which make it up. □ [V P ] Over time, the protein in the eggshell breaks down into its constituent amino acids. □ [V n P ] The oil is attacked by naturally occurring microbes which break it down. [Also V P n]
5 PHRASAL VERB If someone breaks down , they lose control of themselves and start crying. □ [V P ] Because he was being so kind and concerned, I broke down and cried.
6 PHRASAL VERB If you break down a door or barrier, you hit it so hard that it falls to the ground. □ [V P n] An unruly mob broke down police barricades and stormed the courtroom. □ [V n P ] Firefighters were called after his father failed to break the door down.
7 PHRASAL VERB To break down barriers or prejudices that separate people or restrict their freedom means to change people's attitudes so that the barriers or prejudices no longer exist. [APPROVAL ] □ [V P n] His early experience enabled him to break down barriers between Scottish Catholics and Protestants. [Also V n P ]
8 → see also breakdown , broken-down
▸ break in
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone, usually a thief, breaks in , they get into a building by force. □ [V P ] Masked robbers broke in and made off with $8,000.
2 → see also break-in
3 PHRASAL VERB If you break in on someone's conversation or activity, you interrupt them. □ [V P + on ] O'Leary broke in on his thoughts. □ [V P ] Mrs Southern listened keenly, occasionally breaking in with pertinent questions. □ [V P with quote] 'She told you to stay here,' Mike broke in.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you break someone in , you get them used to a new job or situation. □ [V P n] The band are breaking in a new backing vocalist. [Also V n P ]
5 PHRASAL VERB If you break in something new, you gradually use or wear it for longer and longer periods until it is ready to be used or worn all the time. □ [V P n] When breaking in an engine, you should refrain from high speed for the first thousand miles. [Also V n P ]
▸ break into
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone breaks into a building, they get into it by force. □ [V P n] There was no one nearby who might see him trying to break into the house.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone breaks into something they suddenly start doing it. For example if someone breaks into a run they suddenly start running, and if they break into song they suddenly start singing. □ [V P n] The moment she was out of sight she broke into a run. □ [V P n] Then, breaking into a smile, he said, 'I brought you something.'
3 PHRASAL VERB If you break into a profession or area of business, especially one that is difficult to succeed in, you manage to have some success in it. □ [V P n] She finally broke into films after an acclaimed stage career.
▸ break off
1 PHRASAL VERB If part of something breaks off or if you break it off , it comes off or is removed by force. □ [V P ] The two wings of the aircraft broke off on impact. □ [V P n] Grace broke off a large piece of the clay. □ [V n P n] They've torn down wooden fences and broken branches off trees. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you break off when you are doing or saying something, you suddenly stop doing it or saying it. □ [V P ] Llewelyn broke off in mid-sentence. □ [V P n] He broke off the summit meeting before it had got properly started. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB If someone breaks off a relationship, they end it. □ [V P n] The two West African states had broken off relations two years ago. □ [V n P + with ] He doesn't seem to have the courage to break it off with her.
▸ break out
1 PHRASAL VERB If something such as war, fighting, or disease breaks out , it begins suddenly. □ [V P ] He was 29 when war broke out. □ [V P ] I was in a nightclub in Brixton and a fight broke out.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a prisoner breaks out of a prison, they escape from it. □ [V P + of ] The two men broke out of their cells and cut through a perimeter fence. [Also V P ]
3 → see also breakout
4 PHRASAL VERB If you break out of a dull situation or routine, you manage to change it or escape from it. □ [V P + of ] It's taken a long time to break out of my own conventional training. □ [V P ] I'm afraid to break out and do anything dramatic.
5 PHRASAL VERB If you break out in a rash or a sweat, a rash or sweat appears on your skin. □ [V P + in ] A person who is allergic to cashews may break out in a rash when he consumes these nuts. □ [V P + on ] A line of sweat broke out on her forehead and she thought she might faint.
▸ break through
1 PHRASAL VERB If you break through a barrier, you succeed in forcing your way through it. □ [V P n] Protesters tried to break through a police cordon. □ [V P + onto ] About fifteen inmates broke through onto the roof.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you break through , you achieve success even though there are difficulties and obstacles. □ [V P ] There is still scope for new writers to break through. □ [V P n] I broke through the poverty barrier and it was education that did it.
3 → see also breakthrough
▸ break up
1 PHRASAL VERB When something breaks up or when you break it up , it separates or is divided into several smaller parts. □ [V P ] There was a danger of the ship breaking up completely. □ [V P n] Break up the chocolate and melt it. □ [V n P + into ] He broke the bread up into chunks and gave Meer a big one. □ [V n P ] Tanks are strongly built. It is a complicated and difficult process to break them up.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you break up with your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife, your relationship with that person ends. □ [V P + with ] My girlfriend had broken up with me. □ [V P ] He felt appalled by the whole idea of marriage so we broke up.
3 PHRASAL VERB If a marriage breaks up or if someone breaks it up , the marriage ends and the partners separate. □ [V P ] MPs say they work too hard and that is why so many of their marriages break up. □ [V P n] Fred has given me no good reason for wanting to break up our marriage.
4 PHRASAL VERB When a meeting or gathering breaks up or when someone breaks it up , it is brought to an end and the people involved in it leave. □ [V P ] A neighbour asked for the music to be turned down and the party broke up. □ [V P n] Police used tear gas to break up a demonstration. □ [V n P ] He charged into the crowd. 'Break it up,' he shouted.
5 PHRASAL VERB When a school or the pupils in it break up , the school term ends and the pupils start their holidays. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] It's the last week before they break up, and they're doing all kinds of Christmas things.
6 PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone is breaking up when you are speaking to them on a mobile phone, you mean that you can only hear parts of what they are saying because the signal is interrupted. □ [V P ] The line's gone; I think you're breaking up.
7 → see also break-up
break|able /bre I kəb ə l/ (breakables ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] Breakable objects are easy to break by accident. □ Put away any valuable or breakable objects. ● N‑PLURAL Breakables are breakable objects. □ Keep breakables out of reach of very young children.
break|age /bre I k I dʒ/ (breakages )
1 N‑VAR Breakage is the act of breaking something. □ Brushing wet hair can cause stretching and breakage. □ Check that your insurance policy covers breakages and damage during removals.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A breakage is something that has been broken. □ Check that everything is in good repair before moving in, as you have to replace breakages.
break|away /bre I kəwe I / ADJ [ADJ n] A breakaway group is a group of people who have separated from a larger group, for example because of a disagreement. □ Sixteen members of Parliament have formed a breakaway group.
break|down /bre I kdaʊn/ (breakdowns )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The breakdown of something such as a relationship, plan, or discussion is its failure or ending. □ [+ of ] …the breakdown of talks between the U.S. and E.U. officials. □ [+ of ] …the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage. [Also + in ]
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft adj N ] If you have a breakdown , you become very depressed, so that you are unable to cope with your life. □ Obviously we were under a lot of stress. And I basically had a breakdown.
3 → see also nervous breakdown
4 N‑COUNT If a car or a piece of machinery has a breakdown , it stops working. □ Her old car was unreliable, so the trip was plagued by breakdowns.
5 N‑COUNT A breakdown of something is a list of its separate parts. □ [+ of ] The organisers were given a breakdown of the costs.
break|er /bre I kə r / (breakers )
1 N‑COUNT Breakers are big sea waves, especially at the point when they just reach the shore.
2 → see also ice-breaker , law-breaker , record-breaker , strike-breaker
break-e ven poi nt N‑SING When a company reaches break-even point , the money it makes from the sale of goods or services is just enough to cover the cost of supplying those goods or services, but not enough to make a profit. [BUSINESS ] □ $200 million was considered to be the break-even point for the film.
break|fast ◆◇◇ /bre kfəst/ (breakfasts , breakfasting , breakfasted )
1 N‑VAR Breakfast is the first meal of the day. It is usually eaten in the early part of the morning. □ What's for breakfast? □ …breakfast cereal.
2 → see also bed and breakfast , continental breakfast , English breakfast
3 VERB When you breakfast , you have breakfast. [FORMAL ] □ [V adv/prep] All the ladies breakfasted in their rooms. USAGE breakfast
You don’t usually use ‘a’ with breakfast
. Don’t say, for example, '
She made a breakfast for everyone
’. Say ‘She made breakfast
for everyone’. □
They had eggs and toast for breakfast
.
brea k|fast ta|ble (breakfast tables ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] You refer to a table as the breakfast table when it is being used for breakfast. □ …reading the morning papers at the breakfast table.
brea k|fast te le|vi|sion N‑UNCOUNT Breakfast television refers to television programmes which are broadcast in the morning at the time when most people are having breakfast. [BRIT ]
brea k|fast time also breakfast-time N‑UNCOUNT [oft prep N ] Breakfast time is the period of the morning when most people have their breakfast. □ By breakfast-time he was already at his desk.
brea k-in (break-ins ) N‑COUNT If there has been a break-in , someone has got into a building by force. □ The break-in had occurred just before midnight.
brea k|ing point N‑UNCOUNT [oft the/a N ] If something or someone has reached breaking point , they have so many problems or difficulties that they can no longer cope with them, and may soon collapse or be unable to continue. □ The report on the riot exposed a prison system stretched to breaking point.
break|neck /bre I knek/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that something happens or travels at breakneck speed, you mean that it happens or travels very fast. □ Jack drove to Mayfair at breakneck speed.
break|out /bre I kaʊt/ (breakouts ) also break-out N‑COUNT If there has been a breakout , someone has escaped from prison. □ High Point prison had the highest number of breakouts of any jail in Britain.
break|through /bre I kθruː/ (breakthroughs ) N‑COUNT A breakthrough is an important development or achievement. □ [+ in ] The company looks poised to make a significant breakthrough in China.
brea k-up (break-ups ) also breakup
1 N‑COUNT [n N ] The break-up of a marriage, relationship, or association is the act of it finishing or coming to an end because the people involved decide that it is not working successfully. □ [+ of ] …the acrimonious break-up of the meeting's first session. □ …a marital break-up.
2 N‑COUNT The break-up of an organization or a country is the act of it separating or dividing into several parts. □ [+ of ] The struggling music group is considering a break-up of its three divisions in an attempt to speed up recovery. □ One in five people believes that a break-up would be favourable.
break|water /bre I kwɔːtə r / (breakwaters ) N‑COUNT A breakwater is a wooden or stone wall that extends from the shore into the sea and is built in order to protect a harbour or beach from the force of the waves.
breast ◆◇◇ /bre st/ (breasts )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] A woman's breasts are the two soft, round parts on her chest that can produce milk to feed a baby. □ She wears a low-cut dress which reveals her breasts. □ As my newborn cuddled at my breast, her tiny fingers stroked my skin. ● -breasted COMB □ She was slim and muscular and full-breasted.
2 N‑COUNT A person's breast is the upper part of his or her chest. [LITERARY ] □ He struck his breast in a dramatic gesture.
3 N‑COUNT A bird's breast is the front part of its body. □ The cock's breast is tinged with chestnut. ● -breasted COMB □ …flocks of red-breasted parrots.
4 N‑SING The breast of a shirt, jacket, or coat is the part which covers the top part of the chest. □ He reached into his breast pocket for his cigar case.
5 N‑VAR You can refer to piece of meat that is cut from the front of a bird or lamb as breast . □ …a chicken breast with vegetables. □ [+ of ] …breast of lamb.
6 → see also double-breasted , single-breasted
breast|bone /bre stboʊn/ (breastbones ) also breast bone N‑COUNT Your breastbone is the long, flat bone which goes from your throat to the bottom of your ribs and to which your ribs are attached.
brea st-feed (breast-feeds , breast-feeding , breast-fed ) also breastfeed , breast feed VERB When a woman breast-feeds her baby, she feeds it with milk from her breasts, rather than from a bottle. □ [V n] Not all women have the choice whether or not to breast feed their babies. □ [V -ed] Leading scientists claim breast-fed babies are intellectually brighter. [Also V ] ● breast-feeding N‑UNCOUNT □ There are many advantages to breast feeding.
brea st milk also breast-milk N‑UNCOUNT Breast milk is the white liquid produced by women to breast-feed their babies.
breast|plate /bre stple I t/ (breastplates ) N‑COUNT A breastplate is a piece of armour that covers and protects the chest.
brea st po ck|et (breast pockets ) N‑COUNT [with poss] The breast pocket of a man's coat or jacket is a pocket, usually on the inside, next to his chest. □ I kept the list in my breast pocket.
breast|stroke /bre stroʊk/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Breaststroke is a swimming stroke which you do on your front, moving your arms and legs horizontally in a circular motion.
breath ◆◇◇ /bre θ/ (breaths )
1 N‑VAR [oft poss N ] Your breath is the air that you let out through your mouth when you breathe. If someone has bad breath , their breath smells unpleasant. □ I could smell the whisky on his breath. □ Smoking causes bad breath.
2 N‑VAR When you take a breath , you breathe in once. □ He took a deep breath, and began to climb the stairs. □ Gasping for breath, she leaned against the door. □ He spoke for one and a half hours and barely paused for breath.
3 PHRASE If you go outside for a breath of fresh air or for a breath of air , you go outside because it is unpleasantly warm indoors.
4 PHRASE If you describe something new or different as a breath of fresh air , you mean that it makes a situation or subject more interesting or exciting. [APPROVAL ] □ Her brisk treatment of an almost taboo subject was a breath of fresh air.
5 PHRASE When you get your breath back after doing something energetic, you start breathing normally again. [BRIT ] □ I reached out a hand to steady myself against the house while I got my breath back.
6 PHRASE When you catch your breath while you are doing something energetic, you stop for a short time so that you can start breathing normally again. □ He had stopped to catch his breath and make sure of his directions.
7 PHRASE If something makes you catch your breath , it makes you take a short breath of air, usually because it shocks you. □ Kenny caught his breath as Nikko nearly dropped the bottle.
8 PHRASE If you hold your breath , you make yourself stop breathing for a few moments, for example because you are under water. □ I held my breath and sank under the water.
9 PHRASE If you say that someone is holding their breath , you mean that they are waiting anxiously or excitedly for something to happen. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ for ] The whole world holds its breath for this speech.
10 PHRASE If you are out of breath , you are breathing very quickly and with difficulty because you have been doing something energetic. □ There she was, slightly out of breath from running.
11 PHRASE You can use in the same breath or in the next breath to indicate that someone says two very different or contradictory things, especially when you are criticizing them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He hailed this week's arms agreement but in the same breath expressed suspicion about the motivations of the United States.
12 PHRASE If you are short of breath , you find it difficult to breathe properly, for example because you are ill. You can also say that someone suffers from shortness of breath . □ She felt short of breath and flushed. □ Any exercise that causes undue shortness of breath should be stopped.
13 PHRASE If you say that something takes your breath away , you are emphasizing that it is extremely beautiful or surprising. [EMPHASIS ] □ I heard this song on the radio and it just took my breath away.
14 PHRASE If you say something under your breath , you say it in a very quiet voice, often because you do not want other people to hear what you are saying. □ Walsh muttered something under his breath.
15 with bated breath → see bated
breath|able /briː ðəb ə l/ ADJ A breathable fabric allows air to pass through it easily, so that clothing made from it does not become too warm or uncomfortable.
breatha|lyze /bre θəla I z/ (breathalyzes , breathalyzing , breathalyzed ) in BRIT, also use breathalyse VERB [usu passive] If the driver of a car is breathalyzed by the police, they ask him or her to breathe into a special bag or electronic device in order to test whether he or she has drunk too much alcohol. [mainly BRIT ] □ [be V -ed] She was breathalysed and found to be over the limit.
Breatha|lyz|er /bre θəla I zə r / (Breathalyzers ) in BRIT, also use Breathalyser N‑COUNT A Breathalyzer is a special bag or electronic device that the police use to test whether a driver has drunk too much alcohol. [TRADEMARK ]
breathe ◆◇◇ /briː ð/ (breathes , breathing , breathed )
1 VERB When people or animals breathe , they take air into their lungs and let it out again. When they breathe smoke or a particular kind of air, they take it into their lungs and let it out again as they breathe. □ [V ] He stood there breathing deeply and evenly. □ [V n] No American should have to drive out of town to breathe clean air. □ [V in n] A thirteen year old girl is being treated after breathing in smoke. [Also V out n] ● breath|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Her breathing became slow and heavy. □ He heard only deep breathing.
2 VERB If someone breathes something, they say it very quietly. [LITERARY ] □ [V with quote] 'You don't understand,' he breathed. [Also V n]
3 VERB [no cont] If you do not breathe a word about something, you say nothing about it, because it is a secret. □ [V n] He never breathed a word about our conversation.
4 VERB If someone breathes life, confidence, or excitement into something, they improve it by adding this quality. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n + into ] It is the readers who breathe life into a newspaper with their letters.
5 to be breathing down someone's neck → see neck
6 to breathe a sigh of relief → see sigh
▸ breathe in PHRASAL VERB When you breathe in , you take some air into your lungs. □ [V P ] She breathed in deeply.
▸ breathe out PHRASAL VERB When you breathe out , you send air out of your lungs through your nose or mouth. □ [V P ] Breathe out and ease your knees in toward your chest. SYNONYMS breathe VERB 1
inhale: He took a long slow breath, inhaling deeply.
exhale: Hold your breath for a moment and exhale.
pant: She climbed rapidly until she was panting with the effort.
gasp: She gasped for air and drew in a lungful of water.
breath|er /briː ðə r / (breathers ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you take a breather , you stop what you are doing for a short time and have a rest. [INFORMAL ] □ Relax and take a breather whenever you feel that you need one.
brea th|ing space (breathing spaces ) N‑VAR A breathing space is a short period of time between two activities in which you can recover from the first activity and prepare for the second one. □ Firms need a breathing space if they are to recover.
breath|less /bre θləs/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are breathless , you have difficulty in breathing properly, for example because you have been running or because you are afraid or excited. □ I was a little breathless and my heartbeat was bumpy and fast. ● breath|less|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ 'I'll go in,' he said breathlessly. ● breath|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Asthma causes wheezing and breathlessness.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use breathless for emphasis when you are describing feelings of excitement or exciting situations. [EMPHASIS ] □ Technology has advanced at a breathless pace. □ …the breathless excitement of early 1988, when hundreds and thousands of citizens gathered nightly for political meetings. ● breath|less|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Nancy waited breathlessly for him to go on.
breath|taking /bre θte I k I ŋ/ also breath-taking ADJ If you say that something is breathtaking , you are emphasizing that it is extremely beautiful or amazing. [EMPHASIS ] □ The house has breathtaking views from every room. □ Some of their football was breathtaking, a delight to watch. ● breath|taking|ly ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV after v] □ …the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery in Germany.
brea th test (breath tests ) N‑COUNT A breath test is a test carried out by police in which a driver blows into a special bag or electronic device to show how much alcohol he or she has drunk. □ Police will conduct random breath tests.
breathy /bre θi/ ADJ If someone has a breathy voice, you can hear their breath when they speak or sing. □ Her voice was suddenly breathy.
bred /bre d/
1 Bred is the past tense and past participle of breed .
2 → see also ill-bred , pure-bred , well-bred
breech /briː tʃ/ (breeches /briː tʃ I z/) N‑COUNT The breech of a gun is the part of the barrel at the back into which you load the bullets.
breeches /br I tʃ I z/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Breeches are trousers which reach as far as your knees. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …riding breeches.
breed ◆◇◇ /briː d/ (breeds , breeding , bred )
1 N‑COUNT A breed of a pet animal or farm animal is a particular type of it. For example, terriers are a breed of dog. □ [+ of ] …rare breeds of cattle. □ Certain breeds are more dangerous than others.
2 VERB If you breed animals or plants, you keep them for the purpose of producing more animals or plants with particular qualities, in a controlled way. □ [V n] He lived alone, breeding horses and dogs. □ [be V -ed to-inf] These dogs are bred to fight. ● breed|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ for ] There is potential for selective breeding for better yields.
3 → see also cross-breed
4 VERB When animals breed , they have babies. □ [V ] Frogs will usually breed in any convenient pond. □ [V -ing] The area now attracts over 60 species of breeding birds. ● breed|ing N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] □ During the breeding season the birds come ashore.
5 VERB If you say that something breeds bad feeling or bad behaviour, you mean that it causes bad feeling or bad behaviour to develop. □ [V n] If they are unemployed it's bound to breed resentment. □ [V n] Violence breeds violence.
6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can refer to someone or something as one of a particular breed of person or thing when you want to talk about what they are like. □ [+ of ] Sue is one of the new breed of British women squash players who are making a real impact. □ [+ of ] The new breed of walking holidays puts the emphasis on enjoyment, not endurance.
7 → see also breeding , ill-bred , pure-bred , well-bred
8 PHRASE Someone who was born and bred in a place was born there and grew up there. □ I was born and bred in the highlands.
9 familiarity breeds contempt → see familiarity COLLOCATIONS breed NOUN
1
noun + breed : beef, cattle, dog, sheep
adjective + breed : exotic, pedigree, rare; dangerous, hardy
6
adjective + breed : dying, vanishing; different, new
verb + breed : attract, spawn VERB
2
breed + noun : cattle, horses, pigs
5
breed + noun : contempt, success, violence
breed|er /briː də r / (breeders )
1 N‑COUNT Breeders are people who breed animals or plants. □ Her father was a well-known racehorse breeder.
2 → see also fast-breeder reactor
breed|ing /briː d I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone says that a person has breeding , they mean that they think the person is from a good social background and has good manners. □ It's a sign of good breeding to know the names of all your staff.
2 → see also breed
bree d|ing ground (breeding grounds )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you refer to a situation or place as a breeding ground for something bad such as crime, you mean that this thing can easily develop in that situation or place. □ [+ for ] Flaws in the system have created a breeding ground for financial scandals.
2 N‑COUNT The breeding ground for a particular type of creature is the place where this creature breeds easily. □ Warm milk is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
breeze /briː z/ (breezes , breezing , breezed )
1 N‑COUNT A breeze is a gentle wind. □ …a cool summer breeze.
2 VERB If you breeze into a place or a position, you enter it in a very casual or relaxed manner. □ [V prep/adv] Lopez breezed into the quarter-finals of the tournament. □ [V prep/adv] 'Are you all right?' Francine asked as she breezed in with the mail.
3 VERB If you breeze through something such as a game or test, you cope with it easily. □ [V + through ] John seems to breeze effortlessly through his many commitments at work.
bree ze-block (breeze-blocks ) also breeze block N‑COUNT A breeze-block is a large, grey brick made from ashes and cement. [BRIT ] in AM, use cinder block
breezy /briː zi/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as breezy , you mean that they behave in a casual, cheerful, and confident manner. □ …his bright and breezy personality. □ Mona tried to sound breezy. ● breezi|ly /briː z I li/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ 'Hi,' he said breezily.
2 ADJ When the weather is breezy , there is a fairly strong but pleasant wind blowing. □ The day was breezy and warm.
breth|ren /bre ðr I n/ N‑PLURAL [oft with poss] You can refer to the members of a particular organization or group, especially a religious group, as brethren . [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ They prayed for their brethren still living under persecution.
brev|ity /bre v I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT The brevity of something is the fact that it is short or lasts for only a short time. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The bonus of this homely soup is the brevity of its cooking time.
brew /bruː / (brews , brewing , brewed )
1 VERB If you brew tea or coffee, you make it by pouring hot water over tea leaves or ground coffee. □ [V n] I'll get Venner to brew some tea.
2 N‑COUNT A brew is a particular kind of tea or coffee. It can also be a particular pot of tea or coffee. □ …a mild herbal brew.
3 VERB If a person or company brews beer, they make it. □ [V n] I brew my own beer. ● brew|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the brewing of home-made alcohol.
4 VERB [usu cont] If a storm is brewing , large clouds are beginning to form and the sky is becoming dark because there is going to be a storm. □ [V ] We'd seen the storm brewing when we were out in the boat.
5 VERB [usu cont] If an unpleasant or difficult situation is brewing , it is starting to develop. □ [V ] At home a crisis was brewing. □ [V ] There's trouble brewing.
6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A brew of several things is a mixture of those things. □ [+ of ] Most cities generate a complex brew of pollutants. □ [+ of ] …a potent brew of smooth salesmanship and amateur psychiatry.
brew|er /bruː ə r / (brewers ) N‑COUNT Brewers are people or companies who make beer.
brew|ery /bruː əri/ (breweries ) N‑COUNT A brewery is a place where beer is made.
bri|ar /bra I ə r / (briars ) N‑COUNT A briar is a wild rose with long, prickly stems.
bribe /bra I b/ (bribes , bribing , bribed )
1 N‑COUNT A bribe is a sum of money or something valuable that one person offers or gives to another in order to persuade him or her to do something. □ He was being investigated for receiving bribes.
2 VERB If one person bribes another, they give them a bribe. □ [V n] He was accused of bribing a senior bank official. □ [V n to-inf] The government bribed the workers to be quiet.
brib|ery /bra I bəri/ N‑UNCOUNT Bribery is the act of offering someone money or something valuable in order to persuade them to do something for you. □ He was jailed on charges of bribery.
bric-a-brac /br I kəbræk/ N‑UNCOUNT Bric-a-brac is a number of small ornamental objects of no great value.
brick /br I k/ (bricks )
1 N‑VAR Bricks are rectangular blocks of baked clay used for building walls, which are usually red or brown. Brick is the material made up of these blocks. □ She built bookshelves out of bricks and planks. □ …a tiny garden surrounded by high brick walls.
2 PHRASE [usu cont] If you are banging your head against a brick wall , what you are saying or doing is not having any effect although you keep saying or doing it. [INFORMAL ] □ I wanted to sort out this problem, but it was like banging my head against a brick wall.
3 PHRASE If you hit a brick wall or come up against a brick wall , you are unable to continue or make progress because something stops you. [INFORMAL ] □ After that my career just seemed to hit a brick wall.
4 PHRASE You can use bricks and mortar to refer to houses and other buildings, especially when they are considered as an investment. □ As an investment, bricks and mortar are not what they were.
5 to come down on somebody like a ton of bricks → see ton
brick|bat /br I kbæt/ (brickbats ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Brickbats are very critical or insulting remarks which are made in public about someone or something.
brickie /br I ki/ (brickies ) N‑COUNT A brickie is the same as a bricklayer . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
brick|layer /br I kle I ə r / (bricklayers ) N‑COUNT A bricklayer is a person whose job is to build walls using bricks.
brick|work /br I kwɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to the bricks in the walls of a building as the brickwork . □ There were cracks in the brickwork.
brid|al /bra I d ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Bridal is used to describe something that belongs or relates to a bride, or to both a bride and the person she is marrying. □ She wore a floor-length bridal gown. □ …the bridal party.
bride /bra I d/ (brides ) N‑COUNT A bride is a woman who is getting married or who has just got married.
bride|groom /bra I dgruːm/ (bridegrooms ) N‑COUNT A bridegroom is a man who is getting married or who has just got married.
brides|maid /bra I dzme I d/ (bridesmaids ) N‑COUNT A bridesmaid is a woman or a girl who helps and accompanies a bride on her wedding day.
bri de-to-be (brides-to-be ) N‑COUNT A bride-to-be is a woman who is soon going to be married.
bridge ◆◆◇ /br I dʒ/ (bridges , bridging , bridged )
1 N‑COUNT A bridge is a structure that is built over a railway, river, or road so that people or vehicles can cross from one side to the other. □ He walked back over the railway bridge. □ …the Golden Gate Bridge.
2 N‑COUNT A bridge between two places is a piece of land that joins or connects them. □ …a land bridge linking Serbian territories.
3 VERB To bridge the gap between two people or things means to reduce it or get rid of it. □ [V n] It is unlikely that the two sides will be able to bridge their differences.
4 VERB Something that bridges the gap between two very different things has some of the qualities of each of these things. □ [V n] …the singer who bridged the gap between pop music and opera.
5 N‑COUNT If something or someone acts as a bridge between two people, groups, or things, they connect them. □ [+ between ] We hope this book will act as a bridge between doctor and patient. □ [+ to ] They saw themselves as a bridge to peace.
6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The bridge is the place on a ship from which it is steered.
7 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The bridge of your nose is the thin top part of it, between your eyes. □ [+ of ] On the bridge of his hooked nose was a pair of gold rimless spectacles.
8 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The bridge of a pair of glasses is the part that rests on your nose.
9 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The bridge of a violin, guitar, or other stringed instrument is the small piece of wood under the strings that holds them up.
10 N‑UNCOUNT Bridge is a card game for four players in which the players begin by declaring how many tricks they expect to win.
11 → see also suspension bridge
12 water under the bridge → see water COLLOCATIONS bridge NOUN
1
noun + bridge : pedestrian, railway
adjective + bridge : concrete, wooden; historic; low, narrow, rickety
verb + bridge : build, repair; close, open; cross, span
11
verb + bridge : play VERB 4
bridge + noun : divide, gap, gulf
bridge|head /br I dʒhed/ (bridgeheads ) N‑COUNT A bridgehead is a good position which an army has taken in the enemy's territory and from which it can advance or attack. □ A bridgehead was established.
bri dg|ing loan (bridging loans ) N‑COUNT A bridging loan is money that a bank lends you for a short time, for example so that you can buy a new house before you have sold the one you already own. [BRIT ]
bri|dle /bra I d ə l/ (bridles , bridling , bridled )
1 N‑COUNT A bridle is a set of straps that is put around a horse's head and mouth so that the person riding or driving the horse can control it.
2 VERB If you bridle , you show that you are angry or offended by moving your head and body upwards in a proud way. [LITERARY ] □ [V ] She bridled, then simply shook her head. □ [V + at ] Alex bridled at the shortness of Pamela's tone.
bri |dle path (bridle paths ) also bridlepath N‑COUNT A bridle path is a path intended for people riding horses.
bridle|way /bra I d ə lwe I / (bridleways ) N‑COUNT A bridleway is the same as a bridle path . [BRIT ]
Brie /briː / also brie N‑UNCOUNT Brie is a type of cheese that comes from France. It is soft and creamy with a white skin.
brief ◆◆◇ /briː f/ (briefer , briefest , briefs , briefing , briefed )
1 ADJ Something that is brief lasts for only a short time. □ She once made a brief appearance on television. □ This time their visit is brief.
2 ADJ A brief speech or piece of writing does not contain too many words or details. □ In a brief statement, he concentrated entirely on international affairs. □ Write a very brief description of a typical problem.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are brief , you say what you want to say in as few words as possible. □ Now please be brief–my time is valuable.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe a period of time as brief if you want to emphasize that it is very short. [EMPHASIS ] □ For a few brief minutes we forgot the anxiety and anguish.
5 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Men's or women's underpants can be referred to as briefs . □ A bra and a pair of briefs lay on the floor.
6 VERB If someone briefs you, especially about a piece of work or a serious matter, they give you information that you need before you do it or consider it. □ [V n] A Defense Department spokesman briefed reporters. □ [be V -ed + by ] The Prime Minister has been briefed by her parliamentary aides.
7 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] If someone gives you a brief , they officially give you responsibility for dealing with a particular thing. [mainly BRIT , FORMAL ] □ She joined the company less than two years ago with a brief to turn the studio around.
8 → see also briefer , briefing
9 PHRASE You can say in brief to indicate that you are about to say something in as few words as possible or to give a summary of what you have just said. □ In brief, take no risks.
▸ brief against PHRASAL VERB If someone, especially a politician, briefs against another person, he or she tries to harm the other person's reputation by saying something unfavourable about them. [BRIT ] □ [V P n] Ministerial colleagues were briefing against him.
brief|case /briː fke I s/ (briefcases ) N‑COUNT A briefcase is a case used for carrying documents in.
brief|er /briː fə r / (briefers ) N‑COUNT A briefer is an official who has the job of giving information about something, for example a war. □ Military briefers say no planes were shot down today.
brief|ing /briː f I ŋ/ (briefings )
1 N‑VAR A briefing is a meeting at which information or instructions are given to people, especially before they do something. □ They're holding a press briefing tomorrow. □ Security staff did not then receive any briefing before they started each shift.
2 → see also brief
brief|ly /briː fli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] Something that happens or is done briefly happens or is done for a very short period of time. □ He smiled briefly. □ Guerillas captured and briefly held an important provincial capital.
2 ADV [ADV with v] If you say or write something briefly , you use very few words or give very few details. □ There are four basic alternatives; they are described briefly below.
3 ADV You can say briefly to indicate that you are about to say something in as few words as possible. □ Briefly, no less than nine of our agents have passed information to us.
brig /br I g/ (brigs )
1 N‑COUNT A brig is a type of ship with two masts and square sails.
2 N‑COUNT A brig is a prison on a ship, especially a warship. [AM ]
Brig. Brig. is a written abbreviation for brigadier . [BRIT ] □ …Brig. Douglas Erskin Crum.
bri|gade /br I ge I d/ (brigades )
1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A brigade is one of the groups which an army is divided into. □ …the men of the Seventh Armoured Brigade.
2 → see also fire brigade
briga|dier /br I gəd I ə r / (brigadiers ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A brigadier is a senior officer who is in charge of a brigade in the British armed forces.
bri ga|dier ge n|er|al (brigadier generals ) also brigadier-general N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In the United States, a brigadier general is a senior officer in the armed forces who is often in charge of a brigade and has a rank above colonel and below major general. □ …Brigadier General Gary Whipple of the Louisiana National Guard.
brig|and /br I gənd/ (brigands ) N‑COUNT A brigand is someone who attacks people and robs them, especially in mountains or forests. [LITERARY ] □ …a notorious brigand who hijacked trains.
bright ◆◆◇ /bra I t/ (brighter , brightest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A bright colour is strong and noticeable, and not dark. □ …a bright red dress. □ …the bright uniforms of the guards parading at Buckingham Palace. ● bright|ly ADV □ …a display of brightly coloured flowers. ● bright|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ You'll be impressed with the brightness and the beauty of the colours.
2 ADJ A bright light, object, or place is shining strongly or is full of light. □ …a bright October day. □ She leaned forward, her eyes bright with excitement. ● bright|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …a warm, brightly lit room. □ The sun shone brightly. ● bright|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] An astronomer can determine the brightness of each star.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe someone as bright , you mean that they are quick at learning things. □ I was convinced that he was brighter than average.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A bright idea is clever and original. □ Ford had the bright idea of paying workers enough to buy cars.
5 ADJ If someone looks or sounds bright , they look or sound cheerful and lively. □ The boy was so bright and animated. □ 'May I help you?' said a bright American voice over the telephone. ● bright|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He smiled brightly as Ben approached.
6 ADJ If the future is bright , it is likely to be pleasant or successful. □ Both had successful careers and the future looked bright. □ There are much brighter prospects for a comprehensive settlement than before.
7 PHRASE If you look on the bright side , you try to be cheerful about a bad situation by thinking of some advantages that could result from it, or thinking that it is not as bad as it could have been.
bright|en /bra I t ə n/ (brightens , brightening , brightened )
1 VERB If someone brightens or their face brightens , they suddenly look happier. □ [V ] Seeing him, she seemed to brighten a little. ● PHRASAL VERB Brighten up means the same as brighten . □ [V P ] He brightened up a bit.
2 VERB If your eyes brighten , you suddenly look interested or excited. □ [V ] His eyes brightened and he laughed. □ [V + with ] Her tearful eyes brightened with interest.
3 VERB If someone or something brightens a place, they make it more colourful and attractive. □ [V n] Tubs planted with wallflowers brightened the area outside the door. ● PHRASAL VERB Brighten up means the same as brighten . □ [V P n] David spotted the pink silk lampshade in a shop and thought it would brighten up the room. [Also V n P ]
4 VERB If someone or something brightens a situation or the situation brightens , it becomes more pleasant, enjoyable, or favourable. □ [V n] That does not do much to brighten the prospects of kids in the city. □ [V ] It is undeniable that the economic picture is brightening. ● PHRASAL VERB Brighten up means the same as brighten . □ [V P n] His cheerful face brightens up the dullest of days. [Also V P ]
5 VERB When a light brightens a place or when a place brightens , it becomes brighter or lighter. □ [V ] The sky above the ridge of mountains brightened. □ [V n] The late afternoon sun brightened the interior of the church.
6 VERB If the weather brightens , it becomes less cloudy or rainy, and the sun starts to shine. □ [V ] By early afternoon the weather had brightened. ● PHRASAL VERB Brighten up means the same as brighten . □ [V P ] Hopefully it will brighten up, or we'll be coming back early.
▸ brighten up → see brighten 3 , brighten 4 , brighten 6
bri ght li ghts N‑PLURAL If someone talks about the bright lights , they are referring to life in a big city where you can do a lot of enjoyable and exciting things and be successful. □ [+ of ] The bright lights of Hollywood beckon many.
bri ght spark (bright sparks ) N‑COUNT If you say that some bright spark had a particular idea or did something, you mean that their idea or action was clever, or that it seemed clever but was silly in some way. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ 'Why not give out one of the cybercafe's email addresses?' suggested one bright spark. □ Some bright spark turned the heating off last night!
brill /br I l/ ADJ If you say that something is brill , you are very pleased about it or think that it is very good. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ What a brill idea!
bril|liant ◆◇◇ /br I liənt/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A brilliant person, idea, or performance is extremely clever or skilful. □ She had a brilliant mind. □ Her brilliant performance had earned her two Golden Globes. ● bril|liant|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ It is a very high quality production, brilliantly written and acted. ● bril|liance N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] □ He was a deeply serious musician who had shown his brilliance very early.
2 ADJ You can say that something is brilliant when you are very pleased about it or think that it is very good. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , SPOKEN ] □ If you get a chance to see the show, do go–it's brilliant. □ My sister's given me this brilliant book. ● bril|liant|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ It's extremely hard working together but on the whole it works brilliantly.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A brilliant career or success is very successful. □ He served four years in prison, emerging to find his brilliant career in ruins. □ The raid was a brilliant success. ● bril|liant|ly ADV □ The strategy worked brilliantly.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] A brilliant colour is extremely bright. □ …a brilliant white open-necked shirt. ● bril|liant|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ Many of the patterns show brilliantly coloured flowers. ● bril|liance N‑UNCOUNT □ …an iridescent blue butterfly in all its brilliance.
5 ADJ You describe light, or something that reflects light, as brilliant when it shines very brightly. □ The event was held in brilliant sunshine. ● bril|liant|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed, ADV after v] □ It's a brilliantly sunny morning. ● bril|liance N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] His eyes became accustomed to the dark after the brilliance of the sun outside. SYNONYMS brilliant ADJ
1
intelligent: …lively and intelligent conversation.
sharp: He is very sharp, a quick thinker and swift with repartee.
intellectual: They were very intellectual and witty.
clever: He's a very clever man.
2
excellent: The recording quality is excellent.
wonderful: It's wonderful to see you.
marvellous: He certainly is a marvellous actor.
superb: There is a superb 18-hole golf course 6 miles away.
brim /br I m/ (brims , brimming , brimmed )
1 N‑COUNT [adj N ] The brim of a hat is the wide part that sticks outwards at the bottom. □ [+ of ] Rain dripped from the brim of his baseball cap. □ …a flat black hat with a wide brim. ● -brimmed COMB [usu ADJ n] □ …a floppy-brimmed hat.
2 VERB [usu cont] If someone or something is brimming with a particular quality, they are full of that quality. □ [V + with ] England are brimming with confidence after two straight wins in the tournament. ● PHRASAL VERB Brim over means the same as brim . □ [V P + with ] Her heart brimmed over with love and adoration for Charles. [Also V P ]
3 VERB When your eyes are brimming with tears, they are full of fluid because you are upset, although you are not actually crying. □ [V + with ] Michael looked at him imploringly, eyes brimming with tears. ● PHRASAL VERB Brim over means the same as brim . □ [V P + with ] When she saw me, her eyes brimmed over with tears and she could not speak. [Also V P ]
4 VERB If something brims with particular things, it is packed full of them. □ [V + with ] The flowerbeds brim with a mixture of lilies and roses.
5 PHRASE If something, especially a container, is filled to the brim or full to the brim with something, it is filled right up to the top. □ Richard filled her glass right up to the brim.
▸ brim over → see brim 2 , brim 3
brim|ful /br I mfʊ l/ ADJ Someone who is brimful of an emotion or quality feels or seems full of it. An object or place that is brimful of something is full of it. □ [+ of ] She was brimful of energy and enthusiasm. □ [+ with ] The United States is brimful with highly paid doctors.
brim|stone /br I mstoʊn/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Brimstone is the same as sulphur . [OLD-FASHIONED ]
2 PHRASE When people talk about fire and brimstone , they are referring to hell and how they think people are punished there after death. [LITERARY ]
brine /bra I n/ (brines ) N‑VAR Brine is salty water, especially salty water that is used for preserving food. □ Soak the walnuts in brine for four or five days.
bring ◆◆◆ /br I ŋ/ (brings , bringing , brought )
1 VERB If you bring someone or something with you when you come to a place, they come with you or you have them with you. □ [V n] Remember to bring an apron or an old shirt to protect your clothes. □ [V n] Come to my party and bring a friend with you. □ [V n with adv] Someone went upstairs and brought down a huge kettle. □ [V n + for ] My father brought home a book for me. [V n prep]
2 VERB If you bring something somewhere, you move it there. □ [V n with adv] Reaching into her pocket, she brought out a key. □ [V n with adv] Her mother brought her hands up to her face. [Also V n prep]
3 VERB If you bring something that someone wants or needs, you get it for them or carry it to them. □ [V n + for ] He went and poured a brandy for Dena and brought it to her. □ [V n n] The stewardess kindly brought me a blanket. [Also V n, Also V n + to ]
4 VERB To bring something or someone to a place or position means to cause them to come to the place or move into that position. □ [V n prep/adv] I told you about what brought me here. □ [V n v-ing] She survived a gas blast which brought her home crashing down on top of her.
5 VERB If you bring something new to a place or group of people, you introduce it to that place or cause those people to hear or know about it. □ [V n + to ] …the drive to bring art to the public.
6 VERB To bring someone or something into a particular state or condition means to cause them to be in that state or condition. □ [V n prep] He brought the car to a stop in front of the square. □ [V n prep] His work as a historian brought him into conflict with the political establishment. □ [V n with adv] They have brought down income taxes.
7 VERB If something brings a particular feeling, situation, or quality, it makes people experience it or have it. □ [V n + to ] We should be deeply proud of their efforts to bring peace to these warzones. □ [V n + on ] Banks have brought trouble on themselves by lending rashly. □ [V + to ] He brought to the job not just considerable experience but passionate enthusiasm. □ [V n n] Her three children brought her joy. [Also V n + from ]
8 VERB If a period of time brings a particular thing, it happens during that time. □ [V n] For Sandro, the new year brought disaster. □ [V n] We don't know what the future will bring.
9 VERB If you bring a legal action against someone or bring them to trial, you officially accuse them of doing something illegal. □ [V n + against ] He campaigned relentlessly to bring charges of corruption against members of the party. □ [be V -ed + to ] The ship's captain and crew may be brought to trial and even sent to prison.
10 VERB If a television or radio programme is brought to you by an organization, they make it, broadcast it, or pay for it to be made or broadcast. [mainly BRIT ] □ [be V -ed + to ] You're listening to Science in Action, brought to you by the BBC World Service. □ [V n n] We'll be bringing you all the details of the day's events.
11 VERB When you are talking, you can say that something brings you to a particular point in order to indicate that you have now reached that point and are going to talk about a new subject. □ [V n + to ] And that brings us to the end of this special report from Germany.
12 VERB If you cannot bring yourself to do something, you cannot do it because you find it too upsetting, embarrassing, or disgusting. □ [V pron-refl to-inf] It is very tragic and I am afraid I just cannot bring myself to talk about it.
13 to bring something alive → see alive
14 to bring something to bear → see bear ➊
15 to bring the house down → see house
16 to bring up the rear → see rear
▸ bring about PHRASAL VERB To bring something about means to cause it to happen. □ [V P n] One way they can bring about political change is by putting pressure on the country. [Also V n P ]
▸ bring along PHRASAL VERB If you bring someone or something along , you bring them with you when you come to a place. □ [V P n] They brought along Laura Jane in a pram. □ [V n P ] Dad brought a notebook along to the beach, in case he was seized by sudden inspiration.
▸ bring back
1 PHRASAL VERB Something that brings back a memory makes you think about it. □ [V P n] Your article brought back sad memories for me. □ [V n P ] Talking about it brought it all back.
2 PHRASAL VERB When people bring back a practice or fashion that existed at an earlier time, they introduce it again. □ [V P n] An e-petition to bring back the death penalty in Britain was swiftly overtaken by a petition to continue the ban. [Also V n P ]
▸ bring down
1 PHRASAL VERB When people or events bring down a government or ruler, they cause the government or ruler to lose power. □ [V P n] They were threatening to bring down the government by withdrawing from the ruling coalition. □ [V n P ] …a petition backing the Prime Minister against a minority of MPs who want to bring him down.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone or something brings down a person or aeroplane, they cause them to fall, usually by shooting them. □ [V P n] Military historians may never know what brought down the jet. [Also V n P ]
▸ bring forward
1 PHRASAL VERB If you bring forward a meeting or event, you arrange for it to take place at an earlier date or time than had been planned. □ [V P n] He had to bring forward an 11 o'clock meeting so that he could get to the funeral on time. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you bring forward an argument or proposal, you state it so that people can consider it. □ [V P n] The Government will bring forward several proposals for legislation. [Also V n P ]
▸ bring in
1 PHRASAL VERB When a government or organization brings in a new law or system, they introduce it. □ [V P n] The government brought in a controversial law under which it could take any land it wanted. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB Someone or something that brings in money makes it or earns it. □ [V P n] I have three part-time jobs, which bring in about £14,000 a year. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you bring in someone from outside a team or organization, you invite them to do a job or join in an activity or discussion. □ [V P n] The firm decided to bring in a new management team. [Also V n P ]
▸ bring off PHRASAL VERB If you bring off something difficult, you do it successfully. □ [V P n] They were about to bring off an even bigger coup. □ [V n P ] He thought his book would change society. But he didn't bring it off.
▸ bring on
1 PHRASAL VERB If something brings on an illness, pain, or feeling, especially one that you often suffer from, it causes you to have it. □ [V P n] Severe shock can bring on an attack of acne. □ [V -ed P ] Bob died of a heart attack, brought on by his lifestyle. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASE You can say ` Bring it on! ' to show that you are ready and eager to face a challenge, a fight, or a difficult situation. [INFORMAL ] □ 'Are you sure about this trip?' David asked. 'Yeah,' said Julie, 'Bring it on!'
▸ bring out
1 PHRASAL VERB When a person or company brings out a new product, especially a new book or CD, they produce it and put it on sale. □ [V P n] A journalist all his life, he's now brought out a book. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB Something that brings out a particular kind of behaviour or feeling in you causes you to show it, especially when it is something you do not normally show. □ [V P n] He is totally dedicated and brings out the best in his pupils. [Also V n P ]
▸ bring up
1 PHRASAL VERB When someone brings up a child, they look after it until it is an adult. If someone has been brought up in a certain place or with certain attitudes, they grew up in that place or were taught those attitudes when they were growing up. □ [V P n] She brought up four children. □ [V n P ] His grandmother and his father brought him up. □ [be V -ed P to-inf] We'd been brought up to think that borrowing money was bad. □ [be V -ed P n] I was brought up a Methodist.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you bring up a particular subject, you introduce it into a discussion or conversation. □ [V P n] He brought up a subject rarely raised during the course of this campaign. □ [V n P ] Why are you bringing it up now?
3 PHRASAL VERB If someone brings up food or wind, food or air is forced up from their stomach through their mouth. □ [V P n] It's hard for the baby to bring up wind.
bri ng-and-bu y sale (bring-and-buy sales ) N‑COUNT A bring-and-buy sale is an informal sale to raise money for a charity or other organization. People who come to the sale bring things to be sold and buy things that other people have brought. [BRIT ]
bring|er /br I ŋə r / (bringers ) N‑COUNT A bringer of something is someone who brings or provides it. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] He was the bringer of good news.
brink /br I ŋk/ N‑SING If you are on the brink of something, usually something important, terrible, or exciting, you are just about to do it or experience it. □ [+ of ] Their economy is teetering on the brink of collapse. □ [+ of ] Failure to communicate had brought the two nations to the brink of war.
brink|man|ship /br I ŋkmənʃ I p/ N‑UNCOUNT Brinkmanship is a method of behaviour, especially in politics, in which you deliberately get into dangerous situations which could result in disaster but which could also bring success. [JOURNALISM ] □ There is a lot of political brinkmanship involved in this latest development.
bri|oche /briɒ ʃ/ (brioches ) N‑VAR Brioche is a kind of sweet bread. □ I'll have coffee and a brioche.
brisk /br I sk/ (brisker , briskest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A brisk activity or action is done quickly and in an energetic way. □ Taking a brisk walk can often induce a feeling of well-being. □ The horse broke into a brisk trot. ● brisk|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Eve walked briskly down the corridor to her son's room. ● brisk|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ With determined briskness, Amy stood up and put their cups back on the tray.
2 ADJ If trade or business is brisk , things are being sold very quickly and a lot of money is being made. [BUSINESS ] □ Vendors were doing a brisk trade in souvenirs. ● brisk|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ A trader said gold sold briskly on the local market.
3 ADJ If the weather is brisk , it is cold and fresh. □ The breeze was cool, brisk and invigorating.
4 ADJ Someone who is brisk behaves in a busy, confident way which shows that they want to get things done quickly. □ The Chief summoned me downstairs. He was brisk and businesslike. ● brisk|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Anyhow,' she added briskly, 'it's none of my business.'
bris|ket /br I sk I t/ N‑UNCOUNT Brisket is a cut of beef that comes from the breast of the cow.
bris|tle /br I s ə l/ (bristles )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Bristles are the short hairs that grow on a man's chin after he has shaved. The hairs on the top of a man's head can also be called bristles when they are cut very short. □ …two days' growth of bristles.
2 N‑COUNT The bristles of a brush are the thick hairs or hair-like pieces of plastic which are attached to it. □ [+ on ] As soon as the bristles on your toothbrush begin to wear, throw it out.
3 N‑COUNT Bristles are thick, strong animal hairs that feel hard and rough. □ It has a short stumpy tail covered with bristles.
bris|tling /br I sl I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Bristling means thick, hairy, and rough. It is used to describe things such as moustaches, beards, or eyebrows. □ …a bristling white moustache.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone's attitude as bristling , you are emphasizing that it is full of energy and enthusiasm. [EMPHASIS ] □ There's a bristling attitude not too far beneath the surface of most New York folk.
bris|tly /br I sli/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Bristly hair is thick and rough. □ His bristly red hair was standing on end.
2 ADJ If a man's chin is bristly , it is covered with bristles because he has not shaved recently. □ …the giant's bristly cheek.
Brit /br I t/ (Brits ) N‑COUNT British people are sometimes referred to as Brits . [INFORMAL ] □ Holiday-mad Brits are packing their buckets and spades and heading for the sun.
Brit|ish /br I t I ʃ/
1 ADJ British means belonging or relating to the United Kingdom, or to its people or culture.
2 N‑PLURAL The British are the people of Great Britain.
Bri t|ish A sian (British Asians )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A British Asian person is someone of Indian, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi origin who has grown up in Britain.
2 N‑COUNT A British Asian is a person who is British Asian.
Brit|ish|er /br I t I ʃə/ (Britishers ) N‑COUNT In American English or old-fashioned British English, British people are sometimes informally referred to as Britishers .
Bri t|ish Su m|mer Time N‑UNCOUNT British Summer Time is a period in the spring and summer during which the clocks are put forward, so that people can have an extra hour of daylight in the evening. [BRIT ] □ When we put the clocks forward in March we go into British Summer Time. in AM, use daylight saving time
Brit|on /br I t ə n/ (Britons ) N‑COUNT A Briton is a person who comes from Great Britain. [FORMAL ] □ The role is played by seventeen-year-old Briton Jane March.
Brit|pop /br I tpɒp/ N‑UNCOUNT Britpop is a type of pop music made by British bands. It was especially popular in the mid-1990s. □ …the supposed rivalry between the two leading Britpop bands.
brit|tle /br I t ə l/
1 ADJ An object or substance that is brittle is hard but easily broken. □ Pine is brittle and breaks. □ …the dry, brittle ends of the hair.
2 ADJ If you describe a situation, relationship, or someone's mood as brittle , you mean that it is unstable, and may easily change. □ They are nurturing a diplomatic relationship that is dangerously brittle but cannot be allowed to fail.
broach /broʊ tʃ/ (broaches , broaching , broached ) VERB When you broach a subject, especially a sensitive one, you mention it in order to start a discussion on it. □ [V n] Eventually I broached the subject of her early life.
broad ◆◆◇ /brɔː d/ (broader , broadest )
1 ADJ Something that is broad is wide. □ His shoulders were broad and his waist narrow. □ The hills rise green and sheer above the broad river. □ …a broad expanse of green lawn.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A broad smile is one in which your mouth is stretched very wide because you are very pleased or amused. □ He greeted them with a wave and a broad smile. ● broad|ly ADV □ Charles grinned broadly.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use broad to describe something that includes a large number of different things or people. □ A broad range of issues was discussed. □ …a broad coalition of workers, peasants, students and middle class professionals. ● broad|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ This gives children a more broadly based education.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use broad to describe a word or meaning which covers or refers to a wide range of different things. □ The term Wissenschaft has a much broader meaning than the English word 'science'. □ …restructuring in the broad sense of the word. ● broad|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ We define education very broadly.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] You use broad to describe a feeling or opinion that is shared by many people, or by people of many different kinds. □ The agreement won broad support in the U.S. Congress. □ …a film with broad appeal. ● broad|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The new law has been broadly welcomed by road safety organisations.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A broad description or idea is general rather than detailed. □ These documents provided a broad outline of the Society's development. □ We have discussed in broad terms the course of action appropriate at each stage. ● broad|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ There are, broadly speaking, three ways in which this is done. □ Broadly, it makes connections between ideas about healing and how they link to plants.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] A broad hint is a very obvious hint. □ They've been giving broad hints about what to expect. ● broad|ly ADV □ He hinted broadly that he would like to come.
8 ADJ A broad accent is strong and noticeable. □ …a Briton who spoke in a broad Yorkshire accent.
9 → see also broadly
10 in broad daylight → see daylight SYNONYMS broad ADJ 1
wide: …a wide-brimmed sunhat.
large: The pike lives mainly in large rivers and lakes.
spacious: The house has a spacious kitchen and dining area.
expansive: …an expansive grassy play area.
B -road (B-roads ) also B road N‑COUNT A B-road is a minor road. [BRIT ]
broad|band /brɔː dbænd/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Broadband is a method of sending many electronic messages at the same time, using a wide range of frequencies. [COMPUTING ] □ They planned to develop new broadband services.
broa d bea n (broad beans ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Broad beans are flat round beans that are light green in colour and are eaten as a vegetable. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use fava beans
broa d-bru sh also broad brush ADJ [usu ADJ n] A broad-brush approach, strategy, or solution deals with a problem in a general way rather than concentrating on details. □ He's giving a broad brush approach to the subject.
broad|cast ◆◇◇ /brɔː dkɑːst, -kæst/ (broadcasts , broadcasting ) The form broadcast is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle of the verb. 1 N‑COUNT A broadcast is a programme, performance, or speech on the radio or on television. □ [+ on ] In a broadcast on state radio the government announced that it was willing to resume peace talks.
2 VERB To broadcast a programme means to send it out by radio waves, so that it can be heard on the radio or seen on television. □ [be V -ed adv/prep] The concert will be broadcast live on television and radio. □ [V ] CNN also broadcasts in Europe. [Also V n] COLLOCATIONS broadcast NOUN 1
noun + broadcast : radio, satellite, television; election, news
adjective + broadcast : commercial, live, outside; political
verb + broadcast : watch VERB 2
broadcast + adverb : live, nationally, nightly SYNONYMS broadcast VERB 2
transmit: The game was transmitted live in Spain and Italy.
show: The drama will be shown on American TV next year.
air: Tonight PBS will air a documentary called 'Democracy In Action'.
televise: The Grand Prix will be televised by the BBC.
broad|cast|er /brɔː dkɑːstə r , -kæst-/ (broadcasters ) N‑COUNT A broadcaster is someone who gives talks or takes part in interviews and discussions on radio or television programmes.
broad|cast|ing ◆◇◇ /brɔː dkɑːst I ŋ, -kæst-/ N‑UNCOUNT Broadcasting is the making and sending out of television and radio programmes. □ If this happens, it will change the face of religious broadcasting. □ …the state broadcasting organisation.
broad|en /brɔː d ə n/ (broadens , broadening , broadened )
1 VERB When something broadens , it becomes wider. □ [V + into ] The trails broadened into roads. □ [V + to ] The smile broadened to a grin. [Also V ]
2 VERB When you broaden something such as your experience or popularity or when it broadens , the number of things or people that it includes becomes greater. □ [V n] We must broaden our appeal. □ [V ] The political spectrum has broadened.
broad|ly /brɔː dli/
1 ADV You can use broadly to indicate that something is generally true. □ The President broadly got what he wanted out of his meeting. □ The idea that software is capable of any task is broadly true in theory.
2 → see also broad
broa d|ly ba sed in BRIT, also use broadly-based ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is broadly based involves many different kinds of things or people. □ … a broadly-based political movement for democracy.
broa d-mi nded also broadminded ADJ If you describe someone as broad-minded , you approve of them because they are willing to accept types of behaviour which other people consider immoral. [APPROVAL ] □ …a fair and broad-minded man.
broad|sheet /brɔː dʃiːt/ (broadsheets ) N‑COUNT A broadsheet is a newspaper that is printed on large sheets of paper. Broadsheets are generally considered to be more serious than other newspapers. Compare tabloid .
broad|side /brɔː dsa I d/ (broadsides )
1 N‑COUNT A broadside is a strong written or spoken attack on a person or institution. □ [+ against ] He launched a broadside against the young British kitchen staff who are not prepared to dedicate themselves to their chosen career.
2 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV , oft ADV on ] If a ship is broadside to something, it has its longest side facing in the direction of that thing. [TECHNICAL ] □ [+ to ] The ship was moored broadside to the pier.
bro|cade /brəke I d/ (brocades ) N‑VAR Brocade is a thick, expensive material, often made of silk, with a raised pattern on it. □ …a cream brocade waistcoat.
broc|co|li /brɒ kəli/ N‑UNCOUNT Broccoli is a vegetable with green stalks and green or purple tops.
bro|chure /broʊ ʃə r , [AM ] broʊʃʊ r/ (brochures ) N‑COUNT A brochure is a magazine or thin book with pictures that gives you information about a product or service. □ …travel brochures.
brogue /broʊ g/ (brogues )
1 N‑SING If someone has a brogue , they speak English with a strong accent, especially Irish or Scots. □ Gill speaks in a quiet Irish brogue.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Brogues are thick leather shoes which have an elaborate pattern punched into the leather.
broil /brɔ I l/ (broils , broiling , broiled ) VERB When you broil food, you cook it using very strong heat directly above or below it. [AM ] □ [V n] I'll broil the lobster. □ [V -ed] …broiled chicken. in BRIT, use grill
broil|er /brɔ I lə r / (broilers ) N‑COUNT A broiler is a part of a stove which produces strong heat and cooks food placed underneath it. [AM ] in BRIT, use grill
broil|ing /brɔ I l I ŋ/ ADJ If the weather is broiling , it is very hot. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ …the broiling midday sun.
broke /broʊ k/
1 Broke is the past tense of break .
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are broke , you have no money. [INFORMAL ] □ What do you mean, I've got enough money? I'm as broke as you are.
3 PHRASE If a company or person goes broke , they lose money and are unable to continue in business or to pay their debts. [INFORMAL , BUSINESS ] □ Balton went broke twice in his career.
4 PHRASE If you go for broke , you take the most extreme or risky of the possible courses of action in order to try and achieve success. [INFORMAL ] □ It was a sharp disagreement about whether to go for broke or whether to compromise.
bro|ken /broʊ kən/
1 Broken is the past participle of break .
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A broken line is not continuous but has gaps or spaces in it. □ A broken blue line means the course of a waterless valley.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use broken to describe a marriage that has ended in divorce, or a home in which the parents of the family are divorced, when you think this is a sad or bad thing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She spoke for the first time about the traumas of a broken marriage. □ Children from broken homes are more likely to leave home before the age of 18.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone talks in broken English, for example, or in broken French, they speak slowly and make a lot of mistakes because they do not know the language very well. □ Eric could only respond in broken English.
bro ken-do wn ADJ [usu ADJ n] A broken-down vehicle or machine no longer works because it has something wrong with it. □ …a broken-down car.
bro ken-hea rted ADJ Someone who is broken-hearted is very sad and upset because they have had a serious disappointment.
bro|ker ◆◇◇ /broʊ kə r / (brokers , brokering , brokered )
1 N‑COUNT A broker is a person whose job is to buy and sell shares, foreign money, or goods for other people. [BUSINESS ]
2 VERB If a country or government brokers an agreement, a ceasefire, or a round of talks, they try to negotiate or arrange it. □ [V n] He has already brokered a peace treaty that will come into force on Friday.
bro|ker|age /broʊ kər I dʒ/ (brokerages ) N‑COUNT [usu N n] A brokerage or a brokerage firm is a company of brokers. [BUSINESS ] □ …Japan's four biggest brokerages.
brol|ly /brɒ li/ (brollies ) N‑COUNT A brolly is the same as an umbrella . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
bro|mance /broʊ mæns/ (bromances ) N‑COUNT A bromance is a close but not sexual relationship between two men. [INFORMAL ] □ The two men continued their bromance with a trip to the theatre.
bro|mide /broʊ ma I d/ (bromides )
1 N‑VAR Bromide is a drug which used to be given to people to calm their nerves when they were worried or upset. □ …a dose of bromide.
2 N‑COUNT A bromide is a comment which is intended to calm someone down when they are angry, but which has been expressed so often that it has become boring and meaningless. [FORMAL ] □ The meeting produced the usual bromides about the environment.
bron|chial /brɒ ŋkiəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Bronchial means affecting or concerned with the bronchial tubes. [MEDICAL ] □ She suffers from bronchial asthma.
bro n|chial tu be (bronchial tubes ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your bronchial tubes are the two tubes which connect your windpipe to your lungs. [MEDICAL ]
bron|chi|tis /brɒŋka I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Bronchitis is an illness like a very bad cough in which your bronchial tubes become sore and infected. □ He was in bed with bronchitis.
bron|co /brɒ ŋkoʊ/ (broncos ) N‑COUNT In the western United States, especially in the 19th century, a wild horse was sometimes referred to as a bronco . □ …two cowboys riding bucking broncos.
bronze /brɒ nz/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Bronze is a yellowish-brown metal which is a mixture of copper and tin. □ The bronze statue of Mars is a copy of a famous statue found just outside Todi in 1837.
2 N‑COUNT A bronze is a bronze medal .
3 COLOUR Something that is bronze is yellowish-brown in colour. □ …huge bronze chrysanthemums.
Bro nze Age N‑PROPER The Bronze Age was a period of time which began when people started making things from bronze about 4,000–6,000 years ago.
bronzed /brɒ nzd/ ADJ Someone who is bronzed is attractively brown because they have been in the sun. □ He's bronzed from a short holiday in California.
bro nze me d|al (bronze medals ) N‑COUNT A bronze medal is a medal made of bronze or bronze-coloured metal that is given as a prize to the person who comes third in a competition, especially a sports contest.
brooch /broʊ tʃ/ (brooches ) N‑COUNT A brooch is a small piece of jewellery which has a pin at the back so it can be fastened on a dress, blouse, or coat.
brood /bruː d/ (broods , brooding , brooded )
1 N‑COUNT A brood is a group of baby birds that were born at the same time to the same mother.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can refer to someone's young children as their brood when you want to emphasize that there are a lot of them. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] …a large brood of children.
3 VERB If someone broods over something, they think about it a lot, seriously and often unhappily. □ [V + over/on/about ] She constantly broods about her family. □ [V ] I continued to brood. Would he always be like this?
brood|ing /bruː d I ŋ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Brooding is used to describe an atmosphere or feeling that makes you feel anxious or slightly afraid. [LITERARY ] □ The same heavy, brooding silence descended on them.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone's expression or appearance is brooding , they look as if they are thinking deeply and seriously about something, especially something that is making them unhappy. [LITERARY ] □ She kissed him and gazed into his dark, brooding eyes.
broody /bruː di/
1 ADJ You say that someone is broody when they are thinking a lot about something in an unhappy way. □ He became very withdrawn and broody.
2 ADJ A broody hen is ready to lay or sit on eggs.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe a woman as broody , you mean that she wants to have a baby and she keeps thinking about it. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
brook /brʊ k/ (brooks , brooking , brooked )
1 N‑COUNT A brook is a small stream.
2 VERB If someone in a position of authority will brook no interference or opposition, they will not accept any interference or opposition from others. □ [V n] She'd had a plan of action, one that would brook no interference.
broom /bru ːm/ (brooms )
1 N‑COUNT A broom is a kind of brush with a long handle. You use a broom for sweeping the floor.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Broom is a wild bush with a lot of tiny yellow flowers.
broom|stick /bruː mst I k/ (broomsticks )
1 N‑COUNT A broomstick is an old-fashioned broom which has a bunch of small sticks at the end.
2 N‑COUNT A broomstick is the handle of a broom.
Bros. Bros. is an abbreviation for brothers . It is usually used as part of the name of a company. [BUSINESS ] □ …Lazard Bros. of New York.
broth /brɒ θ, [AM ] brɔː θ/ (broths ) N‑VAR Broth is a kind of soup. It usually has vegetables or rice in it.
broth|el /brɒ θ ə l/ (brothels ) N‑COUNT A brothel is a building where men can go to pay to have sex with prostitutes.
broth|er ◆◆◆ /brʌ ðə r / (brothers ) The old-fashioned form brethren is still sometimes used as the plural for meanings 3 and 4 . 1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your brother is a boy or a man who has the same parents as you. □ Oh, so you're Peter's younger brother. □ Have you got any brothers and sisters?
2 → see also half-brother , stepbrother
3 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] You can describe a man as your brother if he belongs to the same race, religion, country, profession, or trade union as you, or if he has similar ideas to you. □ He told reporters he'd come to be with his Latvian brothers.
4 N‑TITLE ; N‑COUNT Brother is a title given to a man who belongs to a religious community such as a monastery. □ …Brother Otto. □ …the Christian Brothers community which owns the castle.
5 N‑COUNT Brothers is used in the names of some companies and shops. □ …the film company Warner Brothers.
brother|hood /brʌ ðə r hʊd/ (brotherhoods )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Brotherhood is the affection and loyalty that you feel for people with whom you have something in common. □ People threw flowers into the river between the two countries as a symbolic act of brotherhood.
2 N‑COUNT A brotherhood is an organization whose members all have the same political aims and beliefs or the same job or profession. □ …a secret international brotherhood.
bro ther-in-law (brothers-in-law ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Someone's brother-in-law is the brother of their husband or wife, or the man who is married to one of their siblings.
broth|er|ly /brʌ ðə r li/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A man's brotherly feelings are feelings of love and loyalty which you expect a brother to show. □ …family loyalty and brotherly love. □ He gave her a brief, brotherly kiss.
brought /brɔː t/ Brought is the past tense and past participle of bring .
brou|ha|ha /bruː hɑːhɑː/ N‑SING A brouhaha is an excited and critical fuss or reaction to something. [mainly JOURNALISM , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ over ] …the recent brouhaha over a congressional pay raise.
brow /braʊ / (brows )
1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your brow is your forehead. □ He wiped his brow with the back of his hand.
2 to knit your brow → see knit
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your brows are your eyebrows. □ He had thick brown hair and shaggy brows.
4 N‑COUNT The brow of a hill is the top part of it. □ [+ of ] He was on the look-out just below the brow of the hill.
brow|beat /braʊ biːt/ (browbeats , browbeating , browbeaten ) The form browbeat is used in the present tense and is also the past tense. VERB If someone tries to browbeat you, they try to force you to do what they want. □ [V n] …attempts to deceive, con, or browbeat the voters. □ [V n + into ] When I backed out of the 100 metres, an older kid tried to browbeat me into it. ● brow|beat|en ADJ □ …the browbeaten employees.
brown ◆◆◆ /braʊ n/ (browner , brownest , browns , browning , browned )
1 COLOUR Something that is brown is the colour of earth or of wood. □ …her deep brown eyes. □ The stairs are decorated in golds and earthy browns.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] You can describe a white-skinned person as brown when they have been sitting in the sun until their skin has become darker than usual. □ I don't want to be really really brown, just have a nice light golden colour.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Brown is used to describe grains that have not had their outer layers removed, and foods made from these grains. □ …brown bread. □ …spicy tomato sauce served over a bed of brown rice.
4 VERB When food browns or when you brown food, you cook it, usually for a short time on a high flame. □ [V ] Cook for ten minutes until the sugar browns. □ [V n] He browned the chicken in a frying pan.
bro wned o ff ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that you are browned off , you mean that you are annoyed and depressed. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Sorry, I'm just thoroughly browned off.
brown|field /braʊ nfiːld/ ADJ [ADJ n] Brownfield land is land in a town or city where houses or factories have been built in the past, but which is not being used at the present time. □ By 2005 he wanted half of all new houses to be built on previously developed land: so-called brownfield sites.
bro wn goods N‑PLURAL Brown goods are electrical appliances such as televisions and audio equipment. Compare white goods . □ Revenue from brown goods, including televisions and hi-fis, rose nearly 12 per cent.
brownie /braʊ ni/ (brownies ) The spelling Brownie is also used for meaning 2 . 1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] Brownies are small flat biscuits or cakes. They are usually chocolate flavoured and have nuts in them. □ …chocolate brownies. □ …a tray of brownies.
2 N‑PROPER [with sing or pl verb] The Brownies is a junior version of the Girl Guides in Britain for girls between the ages of seven and ten, or of the Girl Scouts in the United States for girls between the ages of six and eight. ● N‑COUNT A Brownie is a girl who is a member of the Brownies.
bro wnie point (brownie points ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] If someone does something to score brownie points , they do it because they think they will be praised for it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ with ] They're just trying to score brownie points with politicians.
brown|ish /braʊ n I ʃ/ COLOUR Something that is brownish is slightly brown in colour.
bro wn-no sing N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse someone of brown-nosing , you are saying in a rather offensive way that they are agreeing with someone important in order to get their support. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Brown-nosing of the power brokers won't save you.
brown|stone /braʊ nstoʊn/ (brownstones ) N‑COUNT In the United States, a brownstone is a type of house which was built during the 19th century. Brownstones have a front that is made from a reddish-brown stone.
browse /braʊ z/ (browses , browsing , browsed )
1 VERB If you browse in a shop, you look at things in a fairly casual way, in the hope that you might find something you like. □ [V ] I stopped in several bookstores to browse. □ [V prep/adv] I'm just browsing around. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Browse is also a noun. □ [+ around ] …a browse around the shops.
2 VERB If you browse through a book or magazine, you look through it in a fairly casual way. □ [V prep] …sitting on the sofa browsing through the TV pages of the paper.
3 VERB If you browse on a computer, you search for information in computer files or on the internet. [COMPUTING ] □ [V adv/prep] Try browsing around in the network bulletin boards.
4 VERB When animals browse , they feed on plants. □ [V ] …the three red deer stags browsing 50 yards from my lodge on the fringes of the forest. [Also V + on , V n]
brows|er /braʊ zə r / (browsers )
1 N‑COUNT A browser is a piece of computer software that you use to search for information on the internet. [COMPUTING ]
2 N‑COUNT A browser is someone who browses in a shop. □ …a casual browser.
bruise /bruː z/ (bruises , bruising , bruised )
1 N‑COUNT A bruise is an injury which appears as a purple mark on your body, although the skin is not broken. □ How did you get that bruise on your cheek? □ She was treated for cuts and bruises.
2 VERB If you bruise a part of your body, a bruise appears on it, for example because something hits you. If you bruise easily, bruises appear when something hits you only slightly. □ [V n] I had only bruised my knee. □ [V adv] Some people bruise more easily than others. ● bruised ADJ □ I escaped with severely bruised legs.
3 VERB If a fruit, vegetable, or plant bruises or is bruised , it is damaged by being handled roughly, making a mark on the skin. □ [V n] Choose a warm, dry day to cut them off the plants, being careful not to bruise them. □ [V -ed] …bruised tomatoes and cucumbers. □ [V adv] Be sure to store them carefully as they bruise easily. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT Bruise is also a noun. □ …bruises on the fruit's skin.
4 VERB [usu passive] If you are bruised by an unpleasant experience, it makes you feel unhappy or upset. □ [be V -ed] The government will be severely bruised by yesterday's events. ● bruis|ing ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ …the bruising experience of near-bankruptcy.
bruis|er /bruː zə r / (bruisers ) N‑COUNT A bruiser is someone who is tough, strong, and aggressive, and enjoys a fight or argument. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He has a reputation as a political bruiser.
bruis|ing /bruː z I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone has bruising on their body, they have bruises on it. [FORMAL ] □ She had quite severe bruising and a cut lip.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] In a bruising battle or encounter, people fight or compete with each other in a very aggressive or determined way. [JOURNALISM ] □ The administration hopes to avoid another bruising battle over civil rights.
Brum|mie /brʌ mi/ (Brummies ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] Brummie means belonging to or coming from Birmingham in England. [INFORMAL ] ● N‑COUNT A Brummie is someone who comes from Birmingham.
brunch /brʌ ntʃ/ (brunches ) N‑VAR Brunch is a meal that is eaten in the late morning. It is a combination of breakfast and lunch.
bru|nette /bruːne t/ (brunettes ) N‑COUNT A brunette is a white-skinned woman or girl with dark brown hair.
brunt /brʌ nt/ PHRASE To bear the brunt or take the brunt of something unpleasant means to suffer the main part or force of it. □ Young people are bearing the brunt of unemployment. □ A child's head tends to take the brunt of any fall.
bru|schet|ta /bruːʃe tə/ (bruschettas ) N‑VAR Bruschetta is a slice of toasted bread which is brushed with olive oil and usually covered with chopped tomatoes.
brush ◆◇◇ /brʌ ʃ/ (brushes , brushing , brushed )
1 N‑COUNT A brush is an object which has a large number of bristles or hairs fixed to it. You use brushes for painting, for cleaning things, and for tidying your hair. □ We gave him paint and brushes. □ Stains are removed with buckets of soapy water and scrubbing brushes. □ …a hair brush.
2 VERB If you brush something or brush something such as dirt off it, you clean it or tidy it using a brush. □ [V n] Have you brushed your teeth? □ [V n prep] She brushed the powder out of her hair. □ [V n with adv] Using a small brush, he brushed away the fine sawdust. ● N‑SING Brush is also a noun. □ I gave it a quick brush with my hairbrush.
3 VERB If you brush something with a liquid, you apply a layer of that liquid using a brush. □ [V n + with ] Take a sheet of filo pastry and brush it with melted butter.
4 VERB If you brush something somewhere, you remove it with quick light movements of your hands. □ [V n with adv] He brushed his hair back with both hands. □ [V n prep] He brushed the snow off the windshield.
5 VERB If one thing brushes against another or if you brush one thing against another, the first thing touches the second thing lightly while passing it. □ [V prep] Something brushed against her leg. □ [V n] I felt her dark brown hair brushing the back of my shoulder. □ [V n prep] She knelt and brushed her lips softly across Michael's cheek.
6 VERB If you brush past someone or brush by them, you almost touch them as you go past them. [WRITTEN ] □ [V prep/adv] My father would burst into the kitchen, brushing past my mother.
7 N‑COUNT If you have a brush with someone, you have an argument or disagreement with them. You use brush when you want to make an argument or disagreement sound less serious than it really is. [VAGUENESS ] □ [+ with ] My first brush with a headmaster came six years ago. □ [+ with ] It is his third brush with the law in less than a year.
8 N‑COUNT If you have a brush with a particular situation, usually an unpleasant one, you almost experience it. □ [+ with ] …the trauma of a brush with death. □ [+ with ] The corporation is fighting to survive its second brush with bankruptcy.
9 N‑UNCOUNT Brush is an area of rough open land covered with small bushes and trees. You also use brush to refer to the bushes and trees on this land. □ …the brush fire that destroyed nearly 500 acres. □ …a meadow of low brush and grass.
10 → see also broad-brush , nail brush
11 tarred with the same brush → see tar
▸ brush aside or brush away PHRASAL VERB If you brush aside or brush away an idea, remark, or feeling, you refuse to consider it because you think it is not important or useful, even though it may be. □ [V n P ] Perhaps you shouldn't brush the idea aside too hastily. □ [V P n] He brushed away my views on politics.
▸ brush up or brush up on PHRASAL VERB If you brush up something or brush up on it, you practise it or improve your knowledge of it. □ [V P n] I had hoped to brush up my Spanish. □ [V P P n] Eleanor spent much of the summer brushing up on her driving.
brushed /brʌ ʃt/ ADJ [ADJ n] Brushed cotton, nylon, or other fabric feels soft and furry.
bru sh-off N‑SING If someone gives you the brush-off when you speak to them, they refuse to talk to you or be nice to you. [INFORMAL ] □ I wanted to keep in touch, but when I called him he gave me the brush-off.
brush|stroke /brʌ ʃstroʊk/ (brushstrokes ) N‑COUNT Brushstrokes are the marks made on a surface by a painter's brush. □ He paints with harsh, slashing brushstrokes.
brush|wood /brʌ ʃwʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT Brushwood consists of small pieces of wood that have broken off trees and bushes.
brush|work /brʌ ʃwɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT An artist's brushwork is their way of using their brush to put paint on a canvas and the effect that this has in the picture. □ … the texture of the artist's brushwork.
brusque /brʌ sk/ ADJ If you describe a person or their behaviour as brusque , you mean that they deal with things, or say things, quickly and shortly, so that they seem to be rude. □ The doctors are brusque and busy. □ They received a characteristically brusque reply from him. ● brusque|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'It's only a sprain,' Paula said brusquely.
brus|sels sprout /brʌ səlz spraʊ t/ (brussels sprouts ) also Brussels sprout N‑COUNT [usu pl] Brussels sprouts are vegetables that look like tiny cabbages.
bru|tal /bruː t ə l/
1 ADJ A brutal act or person is cruel and violent. □ He was the victim of a very brutal murder. □ …the brutal suppression of anti-government protests. □ Jensen is a dangerous man, and can be very brutal and reckless. ● bru|tal|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Her real parents had been brutally murdered.
2 ADJ If someone expresses something unpleasant with brutal honesty or frankness, they express it in a clear and accurate way, without attempting to disguise its unpleasantness. □ It was refreshing to talk about themselves and their feelings with brutal honesty. □ He took an anguished breath. He had to be brutal and say it. ● bru|tal|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ The talks had been brutally frank.
3 ADJ Brutal is used to describe things that have an unpleasant effect on people, especially when there is no attempt by anyone to reduce their effect. □ The dip in prices this summer will be brutal. □ The 20th century brought brutal change to some countries. ● bru|tal|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ The early-morning New York air can be brutally cold.
bru|tal|ise /bruː təla I z/ → see brutalize
bru|tal|ity /bruːtæ l I ti/ (brutalities ) N‑VAR Brutality is cruel and violent treatment or behaviour. A brutality is an instance of cruel and violent treatment or behaviour. □ …police brutality. □ …the atrocities and brutalities committed by a former regime.
bru|tal|ize /bruː təla I z/ (brutalizes , brutalizing , brutalized ) in BRIT, also use brutalise 1 VERB If an unpleasant experience brutalizes someone, it makes them cruel or violent. □ [V n] Here's a man who has brutalized his own people. □ [be V -ed] He was brutalized by the experience of being in prison.
2 VERB If one person brutalizes another, they treat them in a cruel or violent way. □ [V n] …a 15th century explorer who brutalized people and enslaved them.
brute /bruː t/ (brutes )
1 N‑COUNT If you call someone, usually a man, a brute , you mean that they are rough, violent, and insensitive. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a drunken brute.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] When you refer to brute strength or force, you are contrasting it with gentler methods or qualities. □ He used brute force to take control. □ Boxing is a test of skill and technique, rather than brute strength.
brut|ish /bruː t I ʃ/ ADJ If you describe a person or their behaviour as brutish , you think that they are brutal and uncivilized. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The man was brutish and coarse. □ …brutish bullying.
BS /biː e s/
1 BS is an abbreviation for 'British Standard', which is a standard that something sold in Britain must reach in a test to prove that it is satisfactory or safe. Each standard has a number for reference. □ Does your electric blanket conform to BS 3456?
2 A BS is the same as a BSc . [AM ]
BSc /biː es siː / (BScs ) also B.Sc.
1 N‑COUNT A BSc is a first degree in a science subject. BSc is an abbreviation for 'Bachelor of Science'. □ He completed his BSc in chemistry in 1934.
2 BSc is written after someone's name to indicate that they have a BSc. □ …J. Hodgkison BSc.
BSE /biː es iː / N‑UNCOUNT BSE is a disease which affects the nervous system of cattle and kills them. BSE is an abbreviation for 'bovine spongiform encephalopathy'.
B -side (B-sides ) N‑COUNT The B-side of a pop record had the less important or less popular song on it. Compare A-side . □ …a compilation of the band's A and B-sides.
BTW BTW is the written abbreviation for 'by the way', often used in email.
bub|ble /bʌ b ə l/ (bubbles , bubbling , bubbled )
1 N‑COUNT Bubbles are small balls of air or gas in a liquid. □ Ink particles attach themselves to air bubbles and rise to the surface. □ [+ of ] …a bubble of gas trapped under the surface.
2 N‑COUNT A bubble is a hollow ball of soapy liquid that is floating in the air or standing on a surface. □ With soap and water, bubbles and boats, children love bathtime.
3 N‑COUNT A bubble is a situation in which large numbers of people want to buy shares in a company that is new or not yet financially successful, and pay more than the shares are worth. When it becomes clear that the shares are worth less than people paid for them, you can say that the bubble has burst. [BUSINESS ] □ This is the point when a rising market turns into a speculative bubble. □ They vie to cash in before the bubble bursts.
4 N‑COUNT In a cartoon, a speech bubble is the shape which surrounds the words that a character is thinking or saying.
5 VERB When a liquid bubbles , bubbles move in it, for example because it is boiling or moving quickly. □ [V ] Heat the seasoned stock until it is bubbling. □ [V adv/prep] The fermenting wine has bubbled up and over the top.
6 VERB [usu cont] A feeling, influence, or activity that is bubbling away continues to occur. □ [V adv/prep] …political tensions that have been bubbling away for years.
7 VERB [usu cont] Someone who is bubbling with a good feeling is so full of it that they keep expressing the way they feel to everyone around them. □ [V + with ] She came to the phone bubbling with excitement. ● PHRASAL VERB Bubble over means the same as bubble . □ [V P + with ] He was quite tireless, bubbling over with vitality. ● N‑COUNT Bubble is also a noun. □ [+ of ] As she spoke she felt a bubble of optimism rising inside her.
▸ bubble over → see bubble 7
bu b|ble and sque a k N‑UNCOUNT Bubble and squeak is a dish made from a mixture of cold cooked cabbage, potato, and sometimes meat. It can be grilled or fried.
bu b|ble bath (bubble baths )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Bubble bath is a liquid that smells nice and makes a lot of bubbles when you add it to your bath water.
2 N‑COUNT When you have a bubble bath , you lie in a bath of water with bubble bath in it. □ …a long, relaxing bubble bath.
bu b|ble gum also bubblegum N‑UNCOUNT Bubble gum is a sweet substance similar to chewing gum. You can blow it out of your mouth so it makes the shape of a bubble. □ [+ on ] I got bubblegum on the seat of Nanna's car.
bu b|ble tea (bubble teas ) N‑VAR Bubble tea is a sweet drink based on tea mixed with milk or fruit flavourings, with chewy balls made of tapioca or jelly floating in it.
bub|bly /bʌ bli/
1 ADJ Someone who is bubbly is very lively and cheerful and talks a lot. [APPROVAL ] □ …a bubbly girl who loves to laugh. □ She had a bright and bubbly personality.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Champagne is sometimes called bubbly . [INFORMAL ] □ Guests were presented with glasses of bubbly on arrival.
3 ADJ If something is bubbly , it has a lot of bubbles in it. □ Melt the butter over a medium-low heat. When it is melted and bubbly, put in the flour.
bu|bon|ic plague /bjuːbɒ n I k ple I g, [AM ] buː-/ N‑UNCOUNT Bubonic plague is a serious infectious disease spread by rats. It killed many people during the Middle Ages.
buc|ca|neer /bʌ kən I ə r / (buccaneers )
1 N‑COUNT A buccaneer was a pirate . Buccaneers often attacked and stole from Spanish ships in the 17th and 18th centuries.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a buccaneer , you mean that they are clever and successful, especially in business, but you do not completely trust them. [BRIT ]
buc|ca|neer|ing /bʌ kən I ə r I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as buccaneering , you mean that they enjoy being involved in risky or even dishonest activities, especially in order to make money. [BRIT ] □ …a buccaneering British businessman.
buck /bʌ k/ (bucks , bucking , bucked )
1 N‑COUNT A buck is a US or Australian dollar. [INFORMAL ] □ That would probably cost you about fifty bucks. □ [+ on ] Why can't you spend a few bucks on a coat?
2 N‑COUNT A buck is the male of various animals, including the deer, antelope, rabbit and kangaroo.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has buck teeth, their upper front teeth stick forward out of their mouth.
4 VERB If a horse bucks , it kicks both of its back legs wildly into the air, or jumps into the air wildly with all four feet off the ground. □ [V ] The stallion bucked as he fought against the reins holding him tightly in.
5 VERB If you buck the trend, you obtain different results from others in the same area. If you buck the system, you get what you want by breaking or ignoring the rules. □ [V n] While other newspapers are losing circulation, we are bucking the trend. □ [V n] He wants to be the tough rebel who bucks the system.
6 PHRASE If you get more bang for the buck , you spend your money wisely and get more for your money than if you were to spend it in a different way. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ Put simply, the company will get more bang for its buck.
7 PHRASE When someone makes a fast buck or makes a quick buck , they earn a lot of money quickly and easily, often by doing something which is considered to be dishonest. [INFORMAL ] □ His life isn't ruled by looking for a fast buck. □ They were just in it to make a quick buck.
8 PHRASE If you are trying to make a buck , you are trying to earn some money. [INFORMAL ] □ The owners don't want to overlook any opportunity to make a buck.
9 PHRASE If you pass the buck , you refuse to accept responsibility for something, and say that someone else is responsible. [INFORMAL ] □ David says the responsibility is Mr Smith's and it's no good trying to pass the buck.
10 PHRASE If you say ' The buck stops here ' or ' The buck stops with me', you mean that you have to take responsibility for something and will not try to pass the responsibility on to someone else. [INFORMAL ] □ The buck stops with him. He is ultimately responsible for every aspect of the broadcast.
▸ buck for PHRASAL VERB If you are bucking for something, you are working very hard to get it. [AM ] □ [V P n] She is bucking for a promotion.
▸ buck up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you buck someone up or buck up their spirits, you say or do something to make them more cheerful. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] Anything anybody said to him to try and buck him up wouldn't sink in. □ [V P n] The aim, it seemed, was to buck up their spirits in the face of the recession.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you tell someone to buck up or to buck up their ideas, you are telling them to start behaving in a more positive and efficient manner. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] People are saying if we don't buck up we'll be in trouble. □ [V P n] Buck up your ideas or you'll get more of the same treatment.
buck|et /bʌ k I t/ (buckets ) N‑COUNT A bucket is a round metal or plastic container with a handle attached to its sides. Buckets are often used for holding and carrying water. □ We drew water in a bucket from the well outside the door. ● N‑COUNT A bucket of water is the amount of water contained in a bucket. □ [+ of ] She threw a bucket of water over them.
buck|et|ful /bʌ k I tfʊl/ (bucketfuls )
1 N‑COUNT A bucketful of something is the amount contained in a bucket.
2 PHRASE If someone produces or gets something by the bucketful , they produce or get something in large quantities. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Over the years they have sold radios by the bucketful.
bu ck|et list (bucket lists ) N‑COUNT Your bucket list consists of all the things you would really like to do or see in your life. [INFORMAL ] □ He made a quick visit to the Taj Mahal just to cross it off his bucket list. □ The singer said that performing a James Bond theme tune was definitely on her bucket list.
bu ck|et seat (bucket seats ) N‑COUNT A bucket seat is a seat for one person in a car or an aeroplane which has rounded sides that partly enclose and support the body.
buck|le /bʌ k ə l/ (buckles , buckling , buckled )
1 N‑COUNT A buckle is a piece of metal or plastic attached to one end of a belt or strap, which is used to fasten it. □ He wore a belt with a large brass buckle.
2 VERB When you buckle a belt or strap, you fasten it. □ [V n] A door slammed in the house and a man came out buckling his belt.
3 VERB If an object buckles or if something buckles it, it becomes bent as a result of very great heat or force. □ [V ] The door was beginning to buckle from the intense heat. □ [V n] A freak wave had buckled the deck.
4 VERB If your legs or knees buckle , they bend because they have become very weak or tired. □ [V ] Mcanally's knees buckled and he crumpled down onto the floor.
buck|led /bʌ k ə ld/ ADJ [ADJ n] Buckled shoes have buckles on them, either to fasten them or as decoration.
Bu ck's Fi zz also Bucks Fizz N‑UNCOUNT Buck's Fizz is a drink made by mixing champagne or another fizzy white wine with orange juice. [BRIT ]
buck|shot /bʌ kʃɒt/ N‑UNCOUNT Buckshot consists of pieces of lead fired from a gun when hunting animals.
buck|skin /bʌ ksk I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Buckskin is soft, strong leather made from the skin of a deer or a goat.
buck|wheat /bʌ k h wiːt/ N‑UNCOUNT Buckwheat is a type of small black grain used for feeding animals and making flour. Buckwheat also refers to the flour itself.
bu|col|ic /bjuːkɒ l I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Bucolic means relating to the countryside. [LITERARY ] □ …the bucolic surroundings of Chantilly.
bud /bʌ d/ (buds , budding , budded )
1 N‑COUNT A bud is a small pointed lump that appears on a tree or plant and develops into a leaf or flower. □ Rosanna's favourite time is early summer, just before the buds open.
2 VERB [usu cont] When a tree or plant is budding , buds are appearing on it or are beginning to open. □ [V ] The leaves were budding on the trees below.
3 → see also budding , cotton bud , taste bud
4 PHRASE When a tree or plant is in bud or has come into bud , it has buds on it. □ The flowers are bronzy in bud and bright yellow when open. □ …almond trees that should come into bud soon.
5 PHRASE If you nip something such as bad behaviour in the bud , you stop it before it can develop very far. [INFORMAL ] □ It is important to recognize jealousy and to nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand.
Buddha /bʊ də/ (Buddhas )
1 N‑PROPER Buddha is the title given to Gautama Siddhartha, the religious teacher and founder of Buddhism.
2 N‑COUNT A Buddha is a statue or picture of the Buddha.
Bud|dhism /bʊ d I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Buddhism is a religion which teaches that the way to end suffering is by overcoming your desires.
Bud|dhist /bʊ d I st/ (Buddhists )
1 N‑COUNT A Buddhist is a person whose religion is Buddhism.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Buddhist means relating or referring to Buddhism. □ …Buddhist monks. □ …Buddhist philosophy.
bud|ding /bʌ d I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as, for example, a budding businessman or a budding artist, you mean that they are starting to succeed or become interested in business or art. □ The forum is now open to all budding entrepreneurs. □ Budding writers are told to write about what they know.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use budding to describe a situation that is just beginning. □ Our budding romance was over. □ …Russia's budding democracy.
bud|dy /bʌ di/ (buddies ) N‑COUNT A buddy is a close friend, usually a male friend of a man. [mainly AM ] □ We became great buddies.
budge /bʌ dʒ/ (budges , budging , budged )
1 VERB If someone will not budge on a matter, or if nothing budges them, they refuse to change their mind or to come to an agreement. □ [V ] The Americans are adamant that they will not budge on this point. □ [V n] No amount of prodding will budge him.
2 VERB If someone or something will not budge , they will not move. If you cannot budge them, you cannot make them move. □ [V ] Her mother refused to budge from London. □ [V n] I got a grip on the boat and pulled but I couldn't budge it.
budg|eri|gar /bʌ dʒərigɑː r / (budgerigars ) N‑COUNT Budgerigars are small, brightly-coloured birds from Australia that people often keep as pets.
budg|et ◆◆◇ /bʌ dʒ I t/ (budgets , budgeting , budgeted )
1 N‑COUNT Your budget is the amount of money that you have available to spend. The budget for something is the amount of money that a person, organization, or country has available to spend on it. □ She will design a fantastic new kitchen for you–and all within your budget. □ Someone had furnished the place on a tight budget. □ There can be more room in the budget for better foods if meat is kept to a minimum.
2 N‑COUNT The budget of an organization or country is its financial situation, considered as the difference between the money it receives and the money it spends. [BUSINESS ] □ The hospital obviously needs to balance the budget each year. □ …his readiness to raise taxes as part of an effort to cut the budget deficit.
3 N‑PROPER In Britain, the Budget is the financial plan in which the government states how much money it intends to raise through taxes and how it intends to spend it. The Budget is also the speech in which this plan is announced. □ …other indirect tax changes announced in the Budget.
4 VERB If you budget certain amounts of money for particular things, you decide that you can afford to spend those amounts on those things. □ [V amount + for ] The company has budgeted $10 million for advertising. □ [be V -ed + at ] The movie is only budgeted at $10 million. □ [V ] I'm learning how to budget. ● budg|et|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ We have continued to exercise caution in our budgeting for the current year.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] Budget is used in advertising to suggest that something is being sold cheaply. □ Cheap flights are available from budget travel agents from £240.
▸ budget for PHRASAL VERB If you budget for something, you take account of it when you are deciding how much you can afford to spend on different things. □ [V P n] The authorities had budgeted for some non-payment. COLLOCATIONS budget NOUN
1
noun + budget : family, household; aid, defence, education, welfare; advertising, marketing
adjective + budget : limited, tight; ringfenced
verb + budget : draw up, set; cut, slash
2
adjective + budget : balanced
verb + budget : balance
-budget /-bʌdʒ I t/ COMB -budget combines with adjectives such as 'low' and 'big' to form adjectives which indicate how much money is spent on something, especially the making of a film. □ They were small, low-budget films, shot on location. □ …a big-budget adventure movie starring Mel Gibson.
budg|et|ary /bʌ dʒ I təri, [AM ] -teri/ ADJ [ADJ n] A budgetary matter or policy is concerned with the amount of money that is available to a country or organization, and how it is to be spent. [FORMAL ] □ Local authorities are reining in costs because of severe budgetary constraints.
budgie /bʌ dʒi/ (budgies ) N‑COUNT A budgie is the same as a budgerigar . [INFORMAL ]
buff /bʌ f/ (buffs , buffing , buffed )
1 COLOUR Something that is buff is pale brown in colour. □ He took a largish buff envelope from his pocket.
2 N‑COUNT You use buff to describe someone who knows a lot about a particular subject. For example, if you describe someone as a film buff , you mean that they know a lot about films. [INFORMAL ] □ Judge Lanier is a real film buff.
3 ADJ-GRADED You can describe someone, especially a man, as buff if they are in good physical shape with large muscles. [INFORMAL ] □ We all want to get a buff athlete's body.
4 VERB If you buff the surface of something, for example your car or your shoes, you rub it with a piece of soft material in order to make it shine. □ [V n] He was already buffing the car's hubs. ● buff|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Regular buffing helps prevent nails from splitting.
buf|fa|lo /bʌ fəloʊ/ (buffaloes or buffalo ) N‑COUNT A buffalo is a wild animal like a large cow with horns that curve upwards. Buffalo are usually found in southern and eastern Africa.
buff|er /bʌ fə r / (buffers , buffering , buffered )
1 N‑COUNT [N n] A buffer is something that prevents something else from being harmed or that prevents two things from harming each other. □ [+ against ] Keep savings as a buffer against unexpected cash needs. □ The Prison Service acts as a buffer between the minister and his critics. [Also + between ]
2 VERB If something is buffered , it is protected from harm. □ [be V -ed] The company is buffered by long-term contracts with growers. [Also V n]
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The buffers on a train or at the end of a railway line are two metal discs on springs that reduce the shock when a train hits them. [mainly BRIT ]
4 N‑COUNT A buffer is an area in a computer's memory where information can be stored for a short time. [COMPUTING ]
bu ff|er state (buffer states ) N‑COUNT A buffer state is a peaceful country situated between two or more larger hostile countries. □ Poland before WWII acted as a buffer state between Germany and the USSR.
bu ff|er zone (buffer zones ) N‑COUNT A buffer zone is an area created to separate opposing forces or groups which belongs to neither of them.
buf|fet (buffets , buffeting , buffeted ) Pronounced /bʌ fe I , [AM ] bʊfe I / for meanings 1 to 3 , and /bʌ f I t/ for meanings 4 and 5 . 1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A buffet is a meal of cold food that is displayed on a long table at a party or public occasion. Guests usually serve themselves from the table. □ …a buffet lunch.
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A buffet is a café, usually in a hotel or station. □ We sat in the station buffet sipping tea.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] On a train, the buffet or the buffet car is the carriage or car where meals and snacks are sold. [BRIT ] in AM, use dining car 4 VERB If something is buffeted by strong winds or by stormy seas, it is repeatedly struck or blown around by them. □ [be V -ed] Their plane had been severely buffeted by storms. □ [V n] Storms swept the country, closing roads, buffeting ferries and killing as many as 30 people. ● buf|fet|ing (buffetings ) N‑COUNT □ [+ of ] …the buffetings of the winds.
5 VERB If an economy or government is buffeted by difficult or unpleasant situations, it experiences many of them. □ [be V -ed] The whole of Africa had been buffeted by social and political upheavals.
buf|foon /bʌfuː n/ (buffoons ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a buffoon , you mean that they often do foolish things. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]
buf|foon|ery /bʌfuː nəri/ N‑UNCOUNT Buffoonery is foolish behaviour that makes you laugh. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
bug /bʌ g/ (bugs , bugging , bugged )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A bug is an insect or similar small creature. [INFORMAL ] □ We noticed tiny bugs that were all over the walls.
2 N‑COUNT A bug is an illness which is caused by small organisms such as bacteria. [INFORMAL ] □ I think I've got a bit of a stomach bug. □ …the killer brain bug meningitis.
3 N‑COUNT If there is a bug in a computer program, there is a mistake in it. [COMPUTING ] □ There is a bug in the software.
4 N‑COUNT A bug is a tiny hidden microphone which transmits what people are saying. □ There was a bug on the phone.
5 VERB If someone bugs a place, they hide tiny microphones in it which transmit what people are saying. □ [V n] He heard that they were planning to bug his office. ● bug|ging N‑UNCOUNT □ …an electronic bugging device.
6 N‑SING [oft n N ] You can say that someone has been bitten by a particular bug when they suddenly become very enthusiastic about something. [INFORMAL ] □ I've definitely been bitten by the gardening bug. □ Roundhay Park in Leeds was the place I first got the fishing bug.
7 VERB If someone or something bugs you, they worry or annoy you. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] I only did it to bug my parents.
bug|bear /bʌ gbeə r / (bugbears ) N‑COUNT Something or someone that is your bugbear worries or upsets you. □ Money is my biggest bugbear.
bu g-eyed ADJ A bug-eyed person or animal has eyes that stick out. [INFORMAL ] □ …bug-eyed monsters. □ We were bug-eyed in wonderment.
bug|ger /bʌ gə r / (buggers , buggering , buggered )
1 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] Some people use bugger to describe a person who has done something annoying or stupid. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ]
2 N‑SING Some people say that a job or task is a bugger when it is difficult to do. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ]
3 VERB Some people use bugger in expressions such as bugger him or bugger the cost in order to emphasize that they do not care about the person or thing that the word or phrase refers to. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , FEELINGS ]
4 VERB To bugger someone means to have anal intercourse with them.
5 EXCLAM Some people say bugger it or bugger when they are angry that something has gone wrong. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , FEELINGS ]
▸ bugger about or bugger around PHRASAL VERB If someone buggers about or buggers around , they waste time doing unnecessary things. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ]
▸ bugger off PHRASAL VERB If someone buggers off , they go away quickly and suddenly. People often say bugger off as a rude way of telling someone to go away. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ]
▸ bugger up PHRASAL VERB If someone buggers something up , they ruin it or spoil it. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ]
bu g|ger a ll also bugger-all PRON Bugger all is a rude way of saying 'nothing'. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ]
bug|gered /bʌ gə r d/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone says that they will be buggered if they do something, they mean that they do not want to do it and they will definitely not do it. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , EMPHASIS ]
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone says that they are buggered , they mean that they are very tired. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ]
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone says that something is buggered , they mean that it is completely ruined or broken. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ]
bug|gery /bʌ gəri/ N‑UNCOUNT Buggery is anal intercourse.
bug|gy /bʌ gi/ (buggies )
1 N‑COUNT A buggy is the same as a baby buggy .
2 N‑COUNT A buggy is a small lightweight carriage pulled by one horse.
bu|gle /bjuː g ə l/ (bugles ) N‑COUNT A bugle is a simple brass musical instrument that looks like a small trumpet. Bugles are often used in the army to announce when activities such as meals are about to begin.
bu|gler /bjuː glə r / (buglers ) N‑COUNT A bugler is someone who plays the bugle.
build ◆◆◆ /b I ld/ (builds , building , built )
1 VERB If you build something, you make it by joining things together. □ [V n] Developers are now proposing to build a hotel on the site. □ [be V -ed + in ] The house was built in the early 19th century. ● build|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ In Japan, the building of Kansai airport continues. ● built ADJ [adv ADJ , ADJ to-inf] □ Even newly built houses can need repairs. □ [+ for ] It's a product built for safety. □ …structures that are built to last.
2 VERB If you build something into a wall or object, you make it in such a way that it is in the wall or object, or is part of it. □ [be V -ed + into ] If the TV was built into the ceiling, you could lie there while watching your favourite programme.
3 VERB If people build an organization, a society, or a relationship, they gradually form it. □ [V n] He and a partner set up on their own and built a successful fashion company. □ [V n] Their purpose is to build a fair society and a strong economy. □ [V n] I wanted to build a relationship with my team. ● build|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the building of the great civilisations of the ancient world.
4 VERB If you build an organization, system, or product on something, you base it on it. □ [V n prep] We will then have a firmer foundation of fact on which to build theories.
5 VERB If you build something into a policy, system, or product, you make it part of it. □ [V n into n] We have to build computers into the school curriculum. □ [V n into n] How much delay should we build into the plan?
6 VERB To build someone's confidence or trust means to increase it gradually. If someone's confidence or trust builds , it increases gradually. □ [V n] Diplomats hope the meetings will build mutual trust. □ [V ] Usually when we're six months or so into a recovery, confidence begins to build. ● PHRASAL VERB Build up means the same as build . □ [V P n] The delegations had begun to build up some trust in one another. □ [V P ] We will start to see the confidence in the housing market building up again. [Also + V P to ]
7 VERB If you build on the success of something, you take advantage of this success in order to make further progress. □ [V + on/upon ] The new regime has no successful economic reforms on which to build.
8 VERB If pressure, speed, sound, or excitement builds , it gradually becomes greater. □ [V ] Pressure built yesterday for postponement of the ceremony. □ [V + to/into ] The last chords of the suite build to a crescendo. ● PHRASAL VERB Build up means the same as build . □ [V P n] We can build up the speed gradually and safely. □ [V P ] Economists warn that enormous pressures could build up, forcing people to emigrate westwards. [Also + V P to ]
9 N‑VAR Someone's build is the shape that their bones and muscles give to their body. □ He's described as around thirty years old, six feet tall and of medium build.
10 → see also building , built
▸ build up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you build up something or if it builds up , it gradually becomes bigger, for example because more is added to it. □ [V P n] The regime built up the largest army in Africa. □ [V P ] Slowly a thick layer of fat builds up on the pan's surface. [Also V n P , V P + to ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you build someone up , you help them to feel stronger or more confident, especially when they have had a bad experience or have been ill. □ [V n P ] Build her up with kindness and a sympathetic ear.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you build someone or something up , you make them seem important or exciting, for example by talking about them a lot. □ [V n P ] The media will report on it and the tabloids will build it up. □ [V n P + as ] Historians built him up as the champion of parliament.
4 → see also build 6 , build 8 , build-up , built-up
▸ build up to PHRASAL VERB If you build up to something you want to do or say, you try to prepare people for it by starting to do it or introducing the subject gradually. □ [V P P n] We had been building up to this point for many months.
build|er /b I ldə r / (builders ) N‑COUNT A builder is a person whose job is to build or repair houses and other buildings. □ The builders have finished the roof.
build|ing ◆◆◆ /b I ld I ŋ/ (buildings ) N‑COUNT A building is a structure that has a roof and walls, for example a house or a factory. □ They were on the upper floor of the building. □ Crowds gathered around the Parliament building. COLLOCATIONS building NOUN
noun + building : farm, government, office, school
adjective + building : derelict, historic, listed, Victorian; high-rise, public, residential, tall; brick, stone
verb + building : construct, erect, renovate; demolish, destroy; evacuate, occupy
bui ld|ing block (building blocks ) N‑COUNT If you describe something as a building block of something, you mean it is one of the separate parts that combine to make that thing. □ [+ of ] …molecules that are the building blocks of all life on earth.
bui ld|ing site (building sites ) N‑COUNT A building site is an area of land on which a building or a group of buildings is in the process of being built or altered.
bui ld|ing so|ci|ety (building societies ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a building society is a business which will lend you money when you want to buy a house. You can also invest money in a building society, where it will earn interest. Compare savings and loan association.
bui ld-up (build-ups ) also buildup , build up
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A build-up is a gradual increase in something. □ [+ of ] There has been a build-up of troops on both sides of the border. □ [+ of ] The disease can also cause a build up of pressure in the inner ear leading to severe earache.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The build-up to an event is the way that journalists, advertisers, or other people talk about it a lot in the period of time immediately before it, and try to make it seem important and exciting. □ The exams came, almost an anti-climax after the build-up that the students had given them.
built /b I lt/
1 Built is the past tense and past participle of build .
2 ADJ [adv ADJ ] If you say that someone is built in a particular way, you are describing the kind of body they have. □ …a strong, powerfully-built man of 60. □ He was a huge man, built like an oak tree.
3 → see also well-built
bui lt-i n ADJ [ADJ n] Built-in devices or features are included in something as a part of it, rather than being separate. □ …a built-in double oven. □ We're going to have built-in cupboards in the bedrooms.
bui lt-u p ADJ [usu ADJ n] A built-up area is an area such as a town or city which has a lot of buildings in it. □ A speed limit of 30 mph was introduced in built-up areas.
bulb /bʌ lb/ (bulbs )
1 N‑COUNT A bulb is the glass part of an electric lamp, which gives out light when electricity passes through it. □ The stairwell was lit by a single bulb.
2 N‑COUNT A bulb is a root shaped like an onion that grows into a flower or plant. □ …tulip bulbs.
bulb|ous /bʌ lbəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is bulbous is round and fat in a rather ugly way. □ …his bulbous purple nose.
Bul|gar|ian /bʌlgeə riən/ (Bulgarians )
1 ADJ Bulgarian means belonging or relating to Bulgaria, or to its people, language, or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Bulgarian is a person who comes from Bulgaria.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Bulgarian is the main language spoken by people who live in Bulgaria.
bulge /bʌ ldʒ/ (bulges , bulging , bulged )
1 VERB If something such as a person's stomach bulges , it sticks out. □ [V ] Jiro waddled closer, his belly bulging and distended. □ [V adv/prep] He bulges out of his black T-shirt. □ [V -ing] He is 6ft 3ins with bulging muscles.
2 VERB If someone's eyes or veins are bulging , they seem to stick out a lot, often because the person is making a strong physical effort or is experiencing a strong emotion. □ [V ] He shouted at his brother, his neck veins bulging. □ [V -ing] …bulging eyes.
3 VERB [oft cont] If you say that something is bulging with things, you are emphasizing that it is full of them. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V + with ] They returned home with the car bulging with boxes. □ [V -ing] …a bulging briefcase. [Also V ]
4 N‑COUNT Bulges are lumps that stick out from a surface which is otherwise flat or smooth. □ Why won't those bulges on your hips and thighs go?
5 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If there is a bulge in something, there is a sudden large increase in it. □ [+ in ] …a bulge in aircraft sales. [Also + of ]
bu|limia /buːl I miə/ N‑UNCOUNT Bulimia or bulimia nervosa is an illness in which a person has a very great fear of becoming fat, and so they make themselves vomit after eating.
bu|limic /buːl I m I k/ (bulimics ) ADJ If someone is bulimic , they are suffering from bulimia. □ …bulimic patients. □ I was anorexic and bulimic. ● N‑COUNT A bulimic is someone who is bulimic. □ …a former bulimic.
bulk /bʌ lk/
1 N‑SING You can refer to something's bulk when you want to emphasize that it is very large. [WRITTEN , EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] …the shadowy bulk of an ancient barn.
2 N‑SING [usu poss N ] You can refer to a large person's body or to their weight or size as their bulk . □ Bannol lowered his bulk carefully into the chair. □ Despite his bulk, he moved lightly on his feet.
3 QUANT The bulk of something is most of it. □ [+ of ] The bulk of the text is essentially a review of these original documents. □ [+ of ] The vast bulk of imports and exports are carried by sea. ● PRON Bulk is also a pronoun. □ They come from all over the world, though the bulk is from the Indian subcontinent.
4 N‑UNCOUNT [in N , N n] If you buy or sell something in bulk , you buy or sell it in large quantities. □ Buying in bulk is more economical than shopping for small quantities. □ …bulk purchasing.
▸ bulk up or bulk out PHRASAL VERB If someone or something bulks up or bulks out , they become bigger or heavier. □ [V P n] Use extra vegetables to bulk up the omelette. □ [V P ] Holyfield had bulked up to 210 pounds using weights. [Also V n P ]
bulk|head /bʌ lkhed/ (bulkheads ) N‑COUNT A bulkhead is a wall which divides the inside of a ship or aeroplane into separate sections. [TECHNICAL ]
bulky /bʌ lki/ (bulkier , bulkiest ) ADJ Something that is bulky is large and heavy. Bulky things are often difficult to move or deal with. □ …bulky items like lawn mowers.
bull /bʊ l/ (bulls )
1 N‑COUNT A bull is a male animal of the cow family.
2 N‑COUNT Some other male animals, including elephants and whales, are called bulls . □ …a massive bull elephant with huge tusks.
3 N‑COUNT On the stock market, bulls are people who buy shares in expectation of a price rise, in order to make a profit by selling the shares again after a short time. Compare bear . [BUSINESS ]
4 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that something is bull or a load of bull , you mean that it is complete nonsense or absolutely untrue. [INFORMAL ] □ I think it's a load of bull.
5 → see also cock-and-bull story , pit bull terrier
6 PHRASE If you take the bull by the horns , you do something that you feel you ought to do even though it is difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant. □ Now is the time for the Chancellor to take the bull by the horns and announce a two per cent cut in interest rates.
7 like a red rag to a bull → see rag
bu ll bar (bull bars ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] On some motor vehicles, bull bars are metal bars fixed to the front that are designed to protect it if it crashes.
bull|dog /bʊ ldɒg, [AM ] -dɔːg/ (bulldogs ) N‑COUNT A bulldog is a small dog with a large square head and short hair.
bu ll|dog clip (bulldog clips ) N‑COUNT A bulldog clip is a metal clip with a spring lever that opens and closes two flat pieces of metal. It is used for holding papers together. [BRIT ]
bull|doze /bʊ ldoʊz/ (bulldozes , bulldozing , bulldozed )
1 VERB If people bulldoze something such as a building, they knock it down using a bulldozer. □ [V n] She defeated developers who wanted to bulldoze her home to build a supermarket.
2 VERB If people bulldoze earth, stone, or other heavy material, they move it using a bulldozer. □ [V n] He bulldozed 450 acres of woodland for his vineyard.
3 VERB If someone bulldozes a plan through or bulldozes another person into doing something, they get what they want in an unpleasantly forceful way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n with through ] The party in power planned to bulldoze through a full socialist programme. □ [V n + through ] The coalition bulldozed the resolution through the plenary session. □ [V n + into ] My parents tried to bulldoze me into going to college. [Also V n]
bull|doz|er /bʊ ldoʊzə r / (bulldozers ) N‑COUNT A bulldozer is a large vehicle with a broad metal blade at the front, which is used for knocking down buildings or moving large amounts of earth.
bul|let /bʊ l I t/ (bullets )
1 N‑COUNT A bullet is a small piece of metal with a pointed or rounded end, which is fired out of a gun.
2 → see also plastic bullet , rubber bullet
3 PHRASE If someone bites the bullet , they accept that they have to do something unpleasant but necessary. [JOURNALISM ] □ Tour operators may be forced to bite the bullet and cut prices.
bul|letin ◆◇◇ /bʊ l I t I n/ (bulletins )
1 N‑COUNT A bulletin is a short news report on the radio or television. □ …the early morning news bulletin.
2 N‑COUNT A bulletin is a short official announcement made publicly to inform people about an important matter. □ At 3.30 p.m. a bulletin was released announcing that the president was out of immediate danger.
3 N‑COUNT A bulletin is a regular newspaper or leaflet that is produced by an organization or group such as a school or church.
bu l|letin board (bulletin boards )
1 N‑COUNT A bulletin board is a board which is usually attached to a wall in order to display notices giving information about something. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use noticeboard 2 N‑COUNT In computing, a bulletin board is a system that enables users to send and receive messages of general interest. [COMPUTING ] □ The bulletin board provided a forum for investors to exchange news.
bu l|let point (bullet points ) N‑COUNT A bullet point is one of a series of important items for discussion or action in a document, usually marked by a square or round symbol. □ [+ for ] Use bold type for headings and bullet points for noteworthy achievements.
bu llet-proof also bulletproof ADJ Something that is bullet-proof is made of a strong material that bullets cannot pass through. □ …bullet-proof glass. □ …a bullet-proof vest.
bull|fight /bʊ lfa I t/ (bullfights ) N‑COUNT A bullfight is a form of public entertainment in which people fight and kill bulls. Bullfights take place in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.
bull|fighter /bʊ lfa I tə r / (bullfighters ) N‑COUNT A bullfighter is the person who tries to injure or kill the bull in a bullfight.
bull|fighting /bʊ lfa I t I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Bullfighting is the form of public entertainment in which people try to kill bulls in bullfights.
bull|finch /bʊ lf I ntʃ/ (bullfinches ) N‑COUNT A bullfinch is a type of small European bird. The male has a black head and a pinkish-red breast.
bull|frog /bʊ lfrɒg, [AM ] -frɔːg/ (bullfrogs ) N‑COUNT A bullfrog is a type of large frog which makes a very loud noise.
bull|horn /bʊ lhɔː r n/ (bullhorns ) N‑COUNT A bullhorn is a device for making your voice sound louder in the open air. [AM ] in BRIT, use loudhailer , megaphone
bul|lion /bʊ liən/ N‑UNCOUNT Bullion is gold or silver, usually in the form of bars.
bull|ish /bʊ l I ʃ/
1 ADJ On the stock market, if there is a bullish mood, prices are expected to rise. Compare bearish . [BUSINESS ] □ The market opened in a bullish mood.
2 ADJ If someone is bullish about something, they are cheerful and optimistic about it. □ [+ about ] Even now, he is bullish about the company's future. [Also + on ]
bu ll mar|ket (bull markets ) N‑COUNT A bull market is a situation on the stock market when people are buying a lot of shares because they expect that the shares will increase in value and that they will be able to make a profit by selling them again after a short time. Compare bear market . [BUSINESS ]
bull|ock /bʊ lək/ (bullocks ) N‑COUNT A bullock is a young bull that has been castrated.
bull|ring /bʊ lr I ŋ/ (bullrings ) N‑COUNT A bullring is a circular area of ground surrounded by rows of seats where bullfights take place.
bu ll's-eye (bull's-eyes )
1 N‑COUNT The bull's-eye is the small circular area at the centre of a target. □ Five of his bullets had hit the bull's-eye.
2 N‑COUNT In shooting or the game of darts, a bull's-eye is a shot or throw of a dart that hits the bull's-eye.
3 N‑COUNT If something that you do or say hits the bull's-eye , it has exactly the effect that you intended it to have. [INFORMAL ]
bull|shit /bʊ lʃ I t/ (bullshits , bullshitting , bullshitted )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that something is bullshit , you are saying that it is nonsense or completely untrue. [INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ] □ All the rest I said, all that was bullshit.
2 VERB If you say that someone is bullshitting you, you mean that what they are telling you is nonsense or completely untrue. [INFORMAL , RUDE ] □ [V n] Don't bullshit me, Brian! □ [V ] He's basically bullshitting.
bu ll te r|ri|er (bull terriers )
1 N‑COUNT A bull terrier is a breed of strong dog with a short, whitish coat and a thick neck.
2 → see also pit bull terrier
bull|whip /bʊ l h w I p/ (bullwhips ) N‑COUNT A bullwhip is a very long, heavy whip.
bul|ly /bʊ li/ (bullies , bullying , bullied )
1 N‑COUNT A bully is someone who often hurts or frightens other people. □ I fell victim to the office bully.
2 VERB If someone bullies you, they often do or say things to hurt or frighten you. □ [V n] I wasn't going to let him bully me. ● bul|ly|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …schoolchildren who were victims of bullying.
3 VERB If someone bullies you into something, they make you do it by using force or threats. □ [V n + into ] We think an attempt to bully them into submission would be counterproductive. □ [V n + into ] She used to bully me into doing my schoolwork. □ [be V -ed] The government says it will not be bullied by the press. [Also V n]
bu lly-boy (bully-boys ) also bully boy
1 N‑COUNT If you describe a man as a bully-boy , you disapprove of him because he is rough and aggressive. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …bully-boys and murderers.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that someone uses bully-boy tactics, you disapprove of them because they use rough and aggressive methods. [JOURNALISM , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Some people accuse the tax inspectors of bully-boy tactics.
bul|wark /bʊ lwə r k/ (bulwarks ) N‑COUNT A bulwark against something protects you against it. A bulwark of something protects it. □ [+ against ] The abbeys were founded in the 12th century by King David as a bulwark against the English. [Also + of ]
bum /bʌ m/ (bums , bumming , bummed )
1 N‑COUNT Someone's bum is the part of their body which they sit on. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
2 N‑COUNT A bum is a person who has no permanent home or job and who gets money by working occasionally or by asking people for money. [AM , INFORMAL ]
3 N‑COUNT If someone refers to another person as a bum , they think that person is worthless or irresponsible. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ You're all a bunch of bums.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Some people use bum to describe a situation that they find unpleasant or annoying. [INFORMAL ] □ He knows you're getting a bum deal.
5 VERB If you bum something off someone, you ask them for it and they give it to you. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Mind if I bum a cigarette?
6 → see also beach bum
▸ bum around PHRASAL VERB If you bum around , you go from place to place without any particular destination, either for enjoyment or because you have nothing else to do. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] I think they're just bumming around at the moment, not doing a lot. □ [V P ] She went off to bum around the world with a boyfriend.
bu m bag (bum bags ) N‑COUNT A bum bag consists of a small bag attached to a belt which you wear round your waist. You use it to carry things such as money and keys. [BRIT ] in AM, use fanny pack
bum|ble /bʌ mb ə l/ (bumbles , bumbling , bumbled )
▸ bumble around in BRIT, also use bumble about PHRASAL VERB When someone bumbles around or bumbles about , they behave in a confused, disorganized way, making mistakes and usually not achieving anything. □ [V P ] Most of us are novices on the computer–just bumbling about on them.
bumble|bee /bʌ mb ə lbiː/ (bumblebees ) also bumble bee N‑COUNT A bumblebee is a large hairy bee.
bum|bling /bʌ mbl I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe a person or their behaviour as bumbling , you mean that they behave in a confused, disorganized way, making mistakes and usually not achieving anything. □ …a clumsy, bumbling, inarticulate figure.
bumf /bʌ mf/ also bumph N‑UNCOUNT Bumf consists of documents containing information which you may not need or find interesting. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ These days, we are bombarded with endless junk mail, fliers, and general bumf.
bum|mer /bʌ mə r / (bummers ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that something is a bummer , you mean that it is unpleasant or annoying. [INFORMAL ] □ I had a bummer of a day. □ What a bummer!
bump /bʌ mp/ (bumps , bumping , bumped )
1 VERB If you bump into something or someone, you accidentally hit them while you are moving. □ [V + into/against ] They stopped walking and he almost bumped into them. □ [V n] He bumped his head on the low beams of the house. ● N‑COUNT Bump is also a noun. □ Small children often cry after a minor bump.
2 N‑COUNT A bump is the action or the dull sound of two heavy objects hitting each other. □ I felt a little bump and I knew instantly what had happened. □ The child took five steps, and then sat down with a bump.
3 N‑COUNT A bump is a minor injury or swelling that you get if you bump into something or if something hits you. □ [+ on ] She fell against our coffee table and got a large bump on her forehead.
4 N‑COUNT If you have a bump while you are driving a car, you have a minor accident in which you hit something. [INFORMAL ]
5 N‑COUNT A bump on a road is a raised, uneven part. □ The truck hit a bump and bounced.
6 VERB If a vehicle bumps over a surface, it travels in a rough, bouncing way because the surface is very uneven. □ [V prep/adv] We left the road, and again bumped over the mountainside.
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