5 N‑VAR Class refers to the division of people in a society into groups according to their social status. □ …the relationship between social classes. □ …the characteristics of the British class structure.


6 → see also chattering classes , middle class , upper class , working class


7 N‑COUNT A class of things is a group of them with similar characteristics. □ [+ of ] …the division of the stars into six classes of brightness.


8 VERB If someone or something is classed as a particular thing, they are regarded as belonging to that group of things. □ [be V -ed + as ] Since the birds inter-breed they cannot be classed as different species. □ [V pron-refl + as ] I class myself as an ordinary working person. □ [V n + as ] I would class my garden as medium in size. □ [V -ed + as ] He was not an explorer but can certainly be classed as a pioneer.


9 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone or something has class , you mean that they are elegant and sophisticated. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ He's got the same style off the pitch as he has on it–sheer class.


10 → see also business class , first-class , second-class , third-class , top-class , world-class


11 PHRASE If someone is in a class of their own , they have more of a particular skill or quality than anyone else. If something is in a class of its own , it is better than any other similar thing. □ As a player, he was in a class of his own. COLLOCATIONS class NOUN


2


noun + class : cookery, dance, exercise, yoga; evening, night


verb + class : run, teach; attend, go to, take


5


adjective + class : lower, middle, ruling, upper; privileged, professional, wealthy

cla ss a c|tion (class actions ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A class action is a legal case brought by a group of people rather than an individual.

cla ss-conscious ADJ Someone who is class-conscious is very aware of the differences between the various classes of people in society, and often has a strong feeling of belonging to a particular class. □ Nineteenth-century Britain was a class-conscious society. ● class-consciousness N‑UNCOUNT □ There was very little snobbery or class-consciousness in the wartime navy.

clas|sic ◆◆◇ /klæ s I k/ (classics )


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A classic example of a thing or situation has all the features which you expect such a thing or situation to have. □ The debate in the mainstream press has been a classic example of British hypocrisy. □ His first two goals were classic cases of being in the right place at the right time. ● N‑COUNT Classic is also a noun. □ [+ of ] It was a classic of interrogation: first the bully, then the kind one who offers sympathy.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] A classic film, piece of writing, or piece of music is of very high quality and has become a standard against which similar things are judged. □ …the classic children's film Huckleberry Finn. □ …a classic study of the American penal system. ● N‑COUNT Classic is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The record won a gold award and remains one of the classics of modern popular music. □ …a film classic.


3 N‑COUNT A classic is a book which is well-known and considered to be of a high literary standard. You can refer to such books generally as the classics . □ As I grow older, I like to reread the classics regularly.


4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Classic style is simple and traditional and is not affected by changes in fashion. □ Wear classic clothes which feel good and look good. □ These are classic designs which will fit in well anywhere.


5 N‑UNCOUNT Classics is the study of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, especially their languages, literature, and philosophy. □ …a Classics degree.

clas|si|cal ◆◇◇ /klæ s I k ə l/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use classical to describe something that is traditional in form, style, or content. □ Fokine did not change the steps of classical ballet; instead he found new ways of using them. □ …the scientific attitude of Smith and earlier classical economists.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Classical music is music that is considered to be serious and of lasting value.


3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Classical is used to describe things which relate to the ancient Greek or Roman civilizations. □ …the healers of ancient Egypt and classical Greece.

clas|si|cal|ly /klæ s I kli/


1 ADV [ADV -ed] Someone who has been classically trained in something such as art, music, or ballet has learned the traditional skills and methods of that subject. □ Peter is a classically-trained pianist.


2 ADV [ADV adj/-ed] Classically is used to indicate that something is based on or reminds people of the culture of ancient Greece and Rome. □ …the classically-inspired church of S. Francesco.

clas|si|cism /klæ s I s I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Classicism is a style of art practised especially in the 18th century in Europe. It has simple regular forms and the artist does not attempt to express strong emotions.

clas|si|cist /klæ s I s I st/ (classicists )


1 N‑COUNT A classicist is someone who studies the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, especially their languages, literature, and philosophy.


2 N‑COUNT In the arts, especially in architecture, a classicist is someone who follows the principles of classicism in their work.

clas|si|fi|ca|tion /klæ s I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ (classifications )


1 N‑COUNT A classification is a division or category in a system which divides things into groups or types. □ [+ of ] Its tariffs cater for four basic classifications of customer.


2 → see also classify

clas|si|fied /klæ s I fa I d/ ADJ Classified information or documents are officially secret. □ He has a security clearance that allows him access to classified information.

cla s|si|fied a d (classified ads ) N‑COUNT Classified ads or classified advertisements are small advertisements in a newspaper or magazine. They are usually from a person or small company.

clas|si|fieds /klæ s I fa I dz/ N‑PLURAL The classifieds are the same as classified ad .

clas|si|fy /klæ s I fa I / (classifies , classifying , classified ) VERB To classify things means to divide them into groups or types so that things with similar characteristics are in the same group. □ [V n] It is necessary initially to classify the headaches into certain types. □ [V n + as ] The coroner immediately classified his death as a suicide. ● clas|si|fi|ca|tion /klæ s I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ (classifications ) N‑VAR □ …the British Board of Film Classification. □ …the arbitrary classification of knowledge into fields of study.

class|less /klɑː sləs, klæ s-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] When politicians talk about a classless society, they mean a society in which people are not affected by social status. [APPROVAL ] □ …the new Prime Minister's vision of a classless society.

class|mate /klɑː sme I t, klæ s-/ (classmates ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your classmates are students who are in the same class as you at school or college.

class|room /klɑː sruːm, klæ s-/ (classrooms ) N‑COUNT A classroom is a room in a school where lessons take place.

classy /klɑː si, klæ si/ (classier , classiest ) ADJ If you describe someone or something as classy , you mean they are stylish and sophisticated. [INFORMAL ] □ The German star put in a classy performance.

clat|ter /klæ tə r / (clatters , clattering , clattered )


1 VERB If you say that people or things clatter somewhere, you mean that they move there noisily. □ [V prep/adv] He turned and clattered down the stairs.


2 VERB If something hard clatters , it makes repeated short noises as it hits against another hard thing. [LITERARY ] □ [V prep] She set her cup down, and it clattered against the saucer. ● N‑SING Clatter is also a noun. □ [+ of ] From somewhere distant he heard the clatter of a typewriter.

clause /klɔː z/ (clauses )


1 N‑COUNT A clause is a section of a legal document. □ He has a clause in his contract which entitles him to a percentage of the profits. □ …a complaint alleging a breach of clause 4 of the code.


2 N‑COUNT In grammar, a clause is a group of words containing a verb. Sentences contain one or more clauses. There are finite clauses and non-finite clauses.


3 → see also main clause , relative clause , subordinate clause

claus|tro|pho|bia /klɔː strəfoʊ biə/ N‑UNCOUNT Someone who suffers from claustrophobia feels very uncomfortable or anxious when they are in small or enclosed places.

claus|tro|pho|bic /klɔː strəfoʊ b I k/


1 ADJ You describe a place or situation as claustrophobic when it makes you feel uncomfortable and unhappy because you are enclosed or restricted. □ They lived in an unhealthily claustrophobic atmosphere. □ The house felt too claustrophobic.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you feel claustrophobic , you feel very uncomfortable or anxious when you are in a small, crowded, or enclosed place. □ The churning, pressing crowds made her feel claustrophobic.

clavi|chord /klæ v I kɔː r d/ (clavichords ) N‑VAR A clavichord is a musical instrument rather like a small piano. When you press the keys, small pieces of metal come up and hit the strings. Clavichords were especially popular during the eighteenth century.

clavi|cle /klæ v I k ə l/ (clavicles ) N‑COUNT Your clavicles are your collar bones. [MEDICAL ]

claw /klɔː / (claws , clawing , clawed )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The claws of a bird or animal are the thin, hard, curved nails at the end of its feet. □ The cat tried to cling to the edge by its claws.


2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The claws of a lobster, crab, or scorpion are the two pointed parts at the end of its legs which are used for holding things.


3 VERB If an animal claws at something, it scratches or damages it with its claws. □ [V + at ] The wolf clawed at the tree and howled the whole night. [Also V n]


4 VERB To claw at something means to try very hard to get hold of it. □ [V + at ] His fingers clawed at Blake's wrist. [Also V n]


5 VERB If you claw your way somewhere, you move there with great difficulty, trying desperately to find things to hold on to. □ [V way prep/adv] Some did manage to claw their way up iron ladders to the safety of the upper deck.


▸ claw back


1 PHRASAL VERB If someone claws back some of the money or power they had lost, they get some of it back again. [BRIT ] □ [V P n] They will eventually be able to claw back all or most of the debt. [Also V n P ]


2 PHRASAL VERB If a government claws back money, it finds a way of taking money back from people that it gave money to in another way. [BRIT ] □ [V P n] The Chancellor will try to claw back £3.5 billion in next year's Budget. [Also V n P ]

clay /kle I / (clays )


1 N‑VAR [oft N n] Clay is a kind of earth that is soft when it is wet and hard when it is dry. Clay is shaped and baked to make things such as pots and bricks. □ …the heavy clay soils of Cambridgeshire. □ As the wheel turned, the potter shaped and squeezed the lump of clay into a graceful shape. □ …a little clay pot.


2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft on N , N n] In tennis, matches played on clay are played on courts whose surface is covered with finely crushed stones or brick. □ He was a clay-court specialist who won Wimbledon five times.

cla y pi |geon (clay pigeons ) N‑COUNT [usu N n] Clay pigeons are discs of baked clay which are thrown into the air by a machine as targets for gun shooting practice. □ …hunting and clay-pigeon shooting.

clean ◆◆◇ /kliː n/ (cleaner , cleanest , cleans , cleaning , cleaned )


1 ADJ Something that is clean is free from dirt or unwanted marks. □ He wore his cleanest slacks, a clean shirt and a navy blazer. □ Disease has not been a problem because clean water is available. □ The metro is efficient and spotlessly clean.


2 ADJ You say that people or animals are clean when they keep themselves or their surroundings clean.


3 ADJ A clean fuel or chemical process does not create many harmful or polluting substances. □ Fans of electric cars say they are clean, quiet and economical. ● clean|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Manufacturers are working with new fuels to find one that burns more cleanly than petrol.


4 VERB If you clean something or clean dirt off it, you make it free from dirt and unwanted marks, for example by washing or wiping it. If something cleans easily, it is easy to clean. □ [V n] Her father cleaned his glasses with a paper napkin. □ [V n prep/adv] It took half an hour to clean the orange powder off the bath. □ [V adv] Wood flooring not only cleans easily, but it's environmentally friendly into the bargain. ● N‑SING Clean is also a noun. □ Give the cooker a good clean.


5 VERB If you clean a room or house, you make the inside of it and the furniture in it free from dirt and dust. □ [V ] My parents cooked and cleaned. □ [V n] She got up early and cleaned the flat. ● clean|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ I do the cleaning myself.


6 ADJ If you describe something such as a book, joke, or lifestyle as clean , you think that they are not sexually immoral or offensive. [APPROVAL ] □ They're trying to show clean, wholesome, decent movies. □ Flirting is good clean fun.


7 ADJ If someone has a clean reputation or record, they have never done anything illegal or wrong. □ Accusations of tax evasion have tarnished his clean image. □ You can hire these from most car hire firms, provided you have a clean driving licence.


8 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A clean game or fight is carried out fairly, according to the rules. □ He called for a clean fight in the election and an end to 'negative campaigning'. ● clean|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] □ The game had been cleanly fought.


9 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A clean sheet of paper has no writing or drawing on it. □ Take a clean sheet of paper and down the left-hand side make a list.


10 ADJ [ADJ n] If you make a clean break or start, you end a situation completely and start again in a different way. □ She wanted to make a clean break from her mother and father.


11 ADV [oft ADV before v] Clean is used to emphasize that something was done completely. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ It burned clean through the seat of my overalls. □ I clean forgot everything I had prepared.


12 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe an action as clean to indicate that it is carried out simply and quickly without mistakes. □ They were more concerned about the dogs' welfare than a clean getaway. ● clean|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] □ I struck the ball cleanly and my shot was on target.


13 PHRASE If you come clean about something that you have been keeping secret, you admit it or tell people about it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ about ] It would be better if you come clean about it and let her know what kind of man she is seeing. [Also + on ]


14 to clean up your act → see act


15 to keep your nose clean → see nose


16 a clean slate → see slate


17 to wipe the slate clean → see slate


18 a clean sweep → see sweep


19 clean as a whistle → see whistle


▸ clean out


1 PHRASAL VERB If you clean out something such as a cupboard, room, or container, you take everything out of it and clean the inside of it thoroughly. □ [V P n] Mr. Wall asked if I would help him clean out the bins. □ [V n P ] If you are using the same pan, clean it out.


2 PHRASAL VERB If someone cleans you out , they take all the money and valuables you have. If they clean out a place, they take everything of value that is in it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] They cleaned me out. I need to go to a cashpoint. □ [V P n] When they first captured the port, they virtually cleaned out its warehouses.


▸ clean up


1 PHRASAL VERB If you clean up a mess or clean up a place where there is a mess, you make things tidy and free of dirt again. □ [V P n] Police in the city have been cleaning up the debris left by a day of violent confrontation. □ [V P ] Nina and Mary were in the kitchen, cleaning up after dinner. [Also V n P ]


2 PHRASAL VERB To clean up something such as the environment or an industrial process means to make it free from substances or processes that cause pollution. □ [V P n] Under pressure from the public, many regional governments cleaned up their beaches. [Also V n P ]


3 PHRASAL VERB If the police or authorities clean up a place or area of activity, they make it free from crime, corruption, and other unacceptable forms of behaviour. □ [V pron-refl P ] After years of neglect and decline the city was cleaning itself up. □ [V P n] Since then, the authorities have tried to clean up the sport.


4 PHRASAL VERB If you go and clean up , you make yourself clean and tidy, especially after doing something that has made you dirty. □ [get V -ed P ] Johnny, go inside and get cleaned up. □ [V n P ] I cleaned myself up a bit, and got the baby ready.


5 PHRASAL VERB If someone cleans up , they make a large profit or get a lot of money. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] It has cleaned up at the box office.


▸ clean up after PHRASAL VERB If you clean up after someone, you clean or tidy a place that they have made dirty or untidy. □ [V P P n] You can use the kitchen, but please clean up after yourself. SYNONYMS clean ADJ 1


spotless: Each morning cleaners make sure everything is spotless.


immaculate: Her front room was kept immaculate.


pristine: Now the house is in pristine condition.

clea n-cu t ADJ Someone, especially a boy or man, who is clean-cut has a neat, tidy appearance. □ …his clean-cut good looks.

clea n ea t|ing N‑UNCOUNT Clean eating is the practice of eating only certain foods that are thought to be healthy and natural. □ This craze for clean eating was responsible for a 30% growth in demand for avocados last year.

clean|er /kliː nə r / (cleaners )


1 N‑COUNT A cleaner is someone who is employed to clean the rooms and furniture inside a building.


2 N‑COUNT [n N ] A cleaner is someone whose job is to clean a particular type of thing. □ He was a window cleaner.


3 N‑VAR [usu n N ] A cleaner is a substance used for cleaning things. □ …oven cleaner. □ …abrasive cleaners.


4 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A cleaner is a device used for cleaning things. □ …an air cleaner.


5 → see also pipe cleaner , vacuum cleaner


6 N‑COUNT A cleaner or a cleaner's is a shop where things such as clothes are dry-cleaned.

clea n|ing lady (cleaning ladies ) N‑COUNT A cleaning lady is a woman who is employed to clean the rooms and furniture inside a building.

clea n|ing wom|an (cleaning women ) N‑COUNT A cleaning woman is the same as a cleaning lady .

clean|li|ness /kle nl I nəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Cleanliness is the degree to which people keep themselves and their surroundings clean. □ Many of Britain's beaches fail to meet minimum standards of cleanliness. □ …the importance of personal cleanliness.

cleanse /kle nz/ (cleanses , cleansing , cleansed )


1 VERB To cleanse a place, person, or organization of something dirty, unpleasant, or evil means to make them free from it. □ [V pron-refl + of ] Straight after your last cigarette your body will begin to cleanse itself of tobacco toxins. □ [V n] Confession cleanses the soul.


2 VERB If you cleanse your skin or a wound, you clean it. □ [V n] Catherine demonstrated the proper way to cleanse the face. □ [V -ing] …cleansing lotions.

cleans|er /kle nzə r / (cleansers )


1 N‑VAR A cleanser is a liquid or cream that you use for cleaning your skin.


2 N‑VAR A cleanser is a liquid or powder that you use in cleaning kitchens and bathrooms. [mainly AM ]

clea n-sha ven ADJ If a man is clean-shaven , he does not have a beard or a moustache.

clea n-up (clean-ups ) in AM, use cleanup N‑COUNT A clean-up is the removing of dirt, pollution, crime, or corruption from somewhere. □ [+ of ] …the need for a clean-up of Italian institutions. □ The Governor has now called in the National Guard to assist the cleanup operation.

clear ◆◆◆ /kl I ə r / (clearer , clearest , clears , clearing , cleared )


1 ADJ Something that is clear is easy to understand, see, or hear. □ The book is clear, readable and adequately illustrated. □ The space telescope has taken the clearest pictures ever of Pluto. □ He repeated his answer, this time in a clear, firm tone of voice. ● clear|ly ADV [usu ADV -ed/adj, oft ADV after v] □ Whales journey up the coast of Africa, clearly visible from the beach. □ It was important for children to learn to express themselves clearly.


2 ADJ Something that is clear is obvious and impossible to be mistaken about. □ It was a clear case of homicide. □ The clear message of the scientific reports is that there should be a drastic cut in car use. □ A spokesman said the British government's position is perfectly clear. □ It's not clear whether the incident was an accident or deliberate. ● clear|ly ADV □ Clearly, the police cannot break the law in order to enforce it.


3 ADJ If you are clear about something, you understand it completely. □ [+ about ] It is important to be clear about what Chomsky is doing here. □ People use scientific terms with no clear idea of their meaning. [Also + on ]


4 ADJ If your mind or your way of thinking is clear , you are able to think sensibly and reasonably, and you are not affected by confusion or by a drug such as alcohol. □ She needed a clear head to carry out her instructions. ● clear|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ The only time I can think clearly is when I'm alone.


5 VERB To clear your mind or your head means to free it from confused thoughts or from the effects of a drug such as alcohol. □ [V n] He walked up Fifth Avenue to clear his head. □ [V n + of ] Our therapists will show you how to clear your mind of worries.


6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A clear substance is one which you can see through and which has no colour, like clean water. □ …a clear glass panel. □ The water is clear and plenty of fish are visible.


7 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a surface, place, or view is clear , it is free of unwanted objects or obstacles. □ The runway is clear–go ahead and land. □ [+ of ] Caroline prefers her worktops to be clear of clutter. □ The windows will allow a clear view of the beach.


8 VERB When you clear an area or place or clear something from it, you remove things from it that you do not want to be there. □ [V n] To clear the land and harvest the bananas they decided they needed a male workforce. □ [V n + of ] Workers could not clear the tunnels of smoke. □ [V n + from ] Firefighters were still clearing rubble from apartments damaged at the scene of the attack. [Also V n with adv] [Also V n + off ]


9 VERB If something or someone clears the way or the path for something to happen, they make it possible. □ [V n + for ] The Prime Minister resigned today, clearing the way for the formation of a new government.


10 ADJ If it is a clear day or if the sky is clear , there is no mist, rain, or cloud. □ On a clear day you can see the French coast. □ The winter sky was clear.


11 VERB When fog or mist clears , it gradually disappears. □ [V ] The early morning mist had cleared.


12 ADJ Clear eyes look healthy, attractive, and shining. □ …clear blue eyes. □ Her eyes were clear and steady.


13 ADJ If your skin is clear , it is healthy and free from spots.


14 ADJ If you say that your conscience is clear , you mean you do not think you have done anything wrong. □ Mr Garcia said his conscience was clear over the jail incidents.


15 ADJ If something or someone is clear of something else, it is not touching it or is a safe distance away from it. □ [+ of ] As soon as he was clear of the terminal building he looked round.


16 VERB If an animal or person clears an object or clears a certain height, they jump over the object, or over something that height, without touching it. □ [V n] He was the first vaulter to clear 6.00 metres.


17 VERB When a bank clears a cheque or when a cheque clears , the bank agrees to pay the sum of money mentioned on it. □ [V n] Polish banks can still take two or three weeks to clear a cheque. □ [V ] Allow time for the cheque to clear.


18 VERB [usu passive] If a course of action is cleared , people in authority give permission for it to happen. □ [be V -ed] Linda Gradstein has this report from Jerusalem, which was cleared by an Israeli censor. □ [be V -ed + for ] Within an hour, the helicopter was cleared for take-off. [Also be V -ed to-inf]


19 VERB If someone is cleared , they are proved to be not guilty of a crime or mistake. □ [be V -ed of n/v-ing] She was cleared of murder and jailed for just five years for manslaughter. □ [V n] In a final effort to clear her name, Eunice has written a book.


20 → see also clearing , crystal clear


21 CONVENTION You can say ' Is that clear? ' or ' Do I make myself clear? ' after you have told someone your wishes or instructions, to make sure that they have understood you, and to emphasize your authority. □ We're only going for half an hour, and you're not going to buy anything. Is that clear?


22 PHRASE If someone is in the clear , they are not in danger, or are not blamed or suspected of anything. □ The Audit Commission said that the ministry was in the clear.


23 PHRASE If you make something clear , you say something in a way that makes it impossible for there to be any doubt about your meaning, wishes, or intentions. □ [PHR that] Mr O'Friel made it clear that further insults of this kind would not be tolerated. □ The far-right has now made its intentions clear.


24 PHRASE If something or someone is a certain amount clear of a competitor, they are that amount ahead of them in a competition or race. [BRIT ] □ [+ of ] The team are now seven points clear of West Ham. □ [+ of ] He crossed the line three seconds clear of Tom Snape.


25 PHRASE If you steer clear or stay clear of someone or something, you avoid them. □ [+ of ] The rabbis try to steer clear of political questions.


26 to clear the air → see air


27 the coast is clear → see coast


28 to clear the decks → see deck


29 loud and clear → see loud


30 to clear your throat → see throat


▸ clear away PHRASAL VERB When you clear things away or clear away , you put away the things that you have been using, especially for eating or cooking. □ [V P n] The waitress had cleared away the plates and brought coffee. □ [V P ] Tania cooked, served, and cleared away. [Also V n P ]


▸ clear off PHRASAL VERB If you tell someone to clear off , you are telling them rather rudely to go away. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P ] The boys told me to clear off.


▸ clear out


1 PHRASAL VERB If you tell someone to clear out of a place or to clear out , you are telling them rather rudely to leave the place. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P + of ] She turned to the others in the room. 'The rest of you clear out of here.'. □ [V P ] 'Clear out!' he bawled. 'Private property!'


2 PHRASAL VERB If you clear out a container, room, or house, you tidy it and throw away the things in it that you no longer want. □ [V P n] I took the precaution of clearing out my desk before I left. [Also V n P ]


3 → see also clear-out


▸ clear up


1 PHRASAL VERB When you clear up or clear a place up , you tidy things and put them away. □ [V P ] After breakfast they played while I cleared up. □ [V P n] I cleared up my room. [Also V n P ]


2 PHRASAL VERB To clear up a problem, misunderstanding, or mystery means to settle it or find a satisfactory explanation for it. □ [be V -ed P ] During dinner the confusion was cleared up: they had mistaken me for Kenny. [Also V n P , V P n]


3 → see also clear-up


4 PHRASAL VERB To clear up a medical problem, infection, or disease means to cure it or get rid of it. If a medical problem clears up , it goes away. □ [V P n] Antibiotics should be used to clear up the infection. □ [V P ] Acne often clears up after the first three months of pregnancy. [Also V n P ]


5 PHRASAL VERB When the weather clears up , it stops raining or being cloudy. □ [V P ] It all depends on the weather clearing up.

clear|ance /kl I ə rəns/ (clearances )


1 N‑VAR Clearance is the removal of old buildings, trees, or other things that are not wanted from an area. □ …a slum clearance operation in Nairobi. □ [+ of ] The U.N. pledged to help supervise the clearance of mines.


2 N‑VAR If you get clearance to do or have something, you get official approval or permission to do or have it. □ [+ to ] Thai Airways said the plane had been given clearance to land.


3 N‑VAR The clearance of a bridge is the distance between the lowest point of the bridge and the road or the water under the bridge. □ The lowest fixed bridge has 12.8m clearance.

clea r|ance sale (clearance sales ) N‑COUNT A clearance sale is a sale in which the goods in a shop are sold at reduced prices, because the shopkeeper wants to get rid of them quickly or because the shop is closing down.

cle ar-cu t ADJ Something that is clear-cut is easy to recognize and quite distinct. □ This was a clear-cut case of the original landowner being in the right. □ The issue is not so clear cut.

clea r-hea ded ADJ If you describe someone as clear-headed , you mean that they are sensible and think clearly, especially in difficult situations. [APPROVAL ] □ …his clear-headed grasp of the laws of economics.

clear|ing /kl I ə r I ŋ/ (clearings ) N‑COUNT A clearing is a small area in a forest where there are no trees or bushes. □ [+ in ] A helicopter landed in a clearing in the dense jungle.

clea r|ing bank (clearing banks ) N‑COUNT The clearing banks are the main banks in Britain. Clearing banks use the central clearing house in London to deal with other banks. [BUSINESS ]

clea r|ing house (clearing houses ) also clearing-house


1 N‑COUNT If an organization acts as a clearing house , it collects, sorts, and distributes specialized information. □ [+ for ] The centre will act as a clearing house for research projects for former nuclear scientists.


2 N‑COUNT A clearing house is a central bank which deals with all the business between the banks that use its services. [BUSINESS ]

clea r-out (clear-outs ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] When you have a clear-out , you collect together all the things that you do not want and throw them away. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

clea r-si ghted ADJ If you describe someone as clear-sighted , you admire them because they are able to understand situations well and to make sensible judgments and decisions about them. [APPROVAL ] □ Try to keep a clear-sighted view of your objective.

clea r-up ADJ [ADJ n] The clear-up rate for a crime or in an area is the percentage of criminals caught by the police, compared to the total number of crimes reported. [BRIT ] □ The clear-up rate for murders remains high.

cleat /kliː t/ (cleats ) N‑COUNT A cleat is a kind of hook with two ends which is used to hold ropes, especially on sailing boats.

cleav|age /kliː v I dʒ/ (cleavages ) N‑COUNT A woman's cleavage is the space between her breasts, especially the top part which you see if she is wearing a dress with a low neck.

cleave /kliː v/ (cleaves , cleaving ) The past tense can be either cleaved or clove ; the past participle can be cleaved , cloven , or cleft for meaning 1 , and is cleaved for meaning 2 . 1 VERB To cleave something means to split or divide it into two separate parts, often violently. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] They just cleave the stone along the cracks.


2 VERB If someone cleaves to something or to someone else, they begin or continue to have strong feelings of loyalty towards them. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to ] She has cleaved to these principles all her life.

cleav|er /kliː və r / (cleavers ) N‑COUNT A cleaver is a knife with a large square blade, used for chopping meat or vegetables. □ …a meat cleaver.

clef /kle f/ (clefs ) N‑COUNT A clef is a symbol at the beginning of a line of music that indicates the pitch of the written notes.

cleft /kle ft/ (clefts )


1 N‑COUNT A cleft in a rock or in the ground is a narrow opening in it. □ [+ in ] …a narrow cleft in the rocks too small for humans to enter.


2 N‑COUNT A cleft in someone's chin is a line down the middle of it.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has a cleft chin, they have a cleft in their chin.

cle ft pa l|ate (cleft palates ) N‑VAR If someone has a cleft palate , they were born with a narrow opening along the roof of their mouth which makes it difficult for them to speak properly.

clema|tis /kle mət I s/ (clematises or clematis ) N‑VAR A clematis is a type of flowering shrub which can be grown to climb up walls or fences. There are many different varieties of clematis.

clem|en|cy /kle mənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone is granted clemency , they are punished less severely than they could be. [FORMAL ] □ He avoided a stay in jail after a plea for clemency by his lawyer.

clem|ent /kle mənt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Clement weather is pleasantly mild and dry. [FORMAL ]

clem|en|tine /kle mənta I n/ (clementines ) N‑COUNT A clementine is a fruit that looks like a small orange.

clench /kle ntʃ/ (clenches , clenching , clenched )


1 VERB When you clench your fist or your fist clenches , you curl your fingers up tightly, usually because you are very angry. □ [V n] Alex clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. □ [V ] She pulled at his sleeve and he turned on her, fists clenching again before he saw who it was. □ [V -ed] …angry protestors with clenched fists.


2 VERB When you clench your teeth or they clench , you squeeze your teeth together firmly, usually because you are angry or upset. □ [V n] Patsy had to clench her jaw to suppress her anger. □ [V -ed] Slowly, he released his breath through clenched teeth. [Also V ]


3 VERB If you clench something in your hand or in your teeth, you hold it tightly with your hand or your teeth. □ [V n] I clenched the arms of my chair.

cler|gy /klɜː r dʒi/ N‑PLURAL The clergy are the official leaders of the religious activities of a particular group of believers. □ These proposals met opposition from the clergy.

clergy|man /klɜː r dʒimən/ (clergymen ) N‑COUNT A clergyman is a male member of the clergy.

cler|ic /kle r I k/ (clerics ) N‑COUNT A cleric is a member of the clergy. □ His grandfather was a Muslim cleric.

cleri|cal /kle r I k ə l/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Clerical jobs, skills, and workers are concerned with work that is done in an office. □ …a strike by clerical staff in all government departments. □ The hospital blamed the mix-up on a clerical error.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Clerical means relating to the clergy. □ …Iran's clerical leadership.

clerk /klɑː r k, [AM ] klɜː rk/ (clerks , clerking , clerked )


1 N‑COUNT A clerk is a person who works in an office, bank, or law court and whose job is to look after the records or accounts. □ She was offered a job as an accounts clerk with a travel firm.


2 N‑COUNT In a hotel, office, or hospital, a clerk is the person whose job is to answer the telephone and deal with people when they arrive. [mainly AM ] □ …a hotel clerk.


3 N‑COUNT A clerk is someone who works in a store. [AM ]


4 VERB To clerk means to work as a clerk. [mainly AM ] □ [V ] Gene clerked at the auction.

clev|er ◆◇◇ /kle və r / (cleverer , cleverest )


1 ADJ Someone who is clever is intelligent and able to understand things easily or plan things well. □ He's a very clever man. □ My sister was always a lot cleverer than I was. ● clev|er|ly ADV □ She would cleverly pick up on what I said. ● clev|er|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Her cleverness seems to get in the way of her emotions.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A clever idea, book, or invention is extremely effective and shows the skill of the people involved. □ …a clever and gripping novel. □ …this clever new gadget. ● clev|er|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ …a cleverly-designed swimsuit.

cli|ché /kliː ʃe I , [AM ] kliːʃe I / (clichés ) in BRIT, also use cliche N‑COUNT A cliché is an idea or phrase which has been used so much that it is no longer interesting or effective or no longer has much meaning. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] I've learned that the cliche about life not being fair is true.

cli|chéd /kliː ʃe I d, [AM ] kliːʃe I d/ in BRIT, also use cliched ADJ If you describe something as clichéd , you mean that it has been said, done, or used many times before, and is boring or untrue. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The dialogue and acting in the play are tired, cliched and corny.

click ◆◇◇ /kl I k/ (clicks , clicking , clicked )


1 VERB If something clicks or if you click it, it makes a short, sharp sound. □ [V ] The applause rose to a crescendo and cameras clicked. □ [V P + off ] He clicked off the radio. □ [V n] Blake clicked his fingers at a passing waiter, who hurried across to them. ● N‑COUNT Click is also a noun. □ The telephone rang three times before I heard a click and then her recorded voice. [Also V P + on ]


2 VERB [no passive] If you click on an area of a computer screen, you point the cursor at that area and press one of the buttons on the mouse in order to make something happen. [COMPUTING ] □ [V + on ] I clicked on a link and recent reviews of the production came up. [Also V , V n] ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Click is also a noun. □ [+ of ] You can check your email with a click of your mouse.


3 VERB When you suddenly understand something, you can say that it clicks . [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] When I saw the television report, it all clicked. □ [V that] It suddenly clicked that this was fantastic fun.


4 to click into place → see place

click|able /kl I kəb ə l/ ADJ A clickable image on a computer screen is one that you can point the cursor at and click on, in order to make something happen. [COMPUTING ] □ …a Web site with clickable maps showing hotel locations.

cli ck bait N‑UNCOUNT Click bait is something on a website that encourages people to click on a link. [INFORMAL ] □ The images of animals serve as click bait.

cli|ent ◆◇◇ /kla I ənt/ (clients ) N‑COUNT A client of a professional person or organization is a person or company that receives a service from them in return for payment. [BUSINESS ] □ …a solicitor and his client. □ The company required clients to pay substantial fees in advance. SYNONYMS client NOUN


customer: Our customers have very tight budgets.


consumer: …improving public services and consumer rights.


buyer: Car buyers are more interested in safety and reliability than speed.


patron: Like so many of the hotel’s patrons, he adored the food.


shopper: Better protection is available for shoppers who use a credit card.

cli |ent base (client bases ) N‑COUNT A business's client base is the same as its customer base . [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] Enviros Consulting has a client base of more than 2,000 organisations.

cli|en|tele /kliː ɒnte l, kla I ən-/ N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] The clientele of a place or organization are its customers or clients. □ This pub had a mixed clientele.

cli |ent sta te (client states ) N‑COUNT A client state is a country which is controlled or influenced by another larger and more powerful state, or which depends on this state for support and protection. □ …France and its African client states.

cliff /kl I f/ (cliffs ) N‑COUNT A cliff is a high area of land with a very steep side, especially one next to the sea. □ The car rolled over the edge of a cliff.

cliff|hanger /kl I fhæŋə r / (cliffhangers ) also cliff-hanger N‑COUNT A cliffhanger is a situation or part of a play or film that is very exciting or frightening because you are left for a long time not knowing what will happen next. □ The election is likely to be a cliff-hanger. □ …cliffhanger endings to keep you in suspense.

cliff|top /kl I ftɒp/ (clifftops ) N‑COUNT A clifftop is the area of land around the top of a cliff. □ …a house on the clifftop. □ …25 acres of spectacular clifftop scenery.

cli|mac|tic /kla I mæ kt I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] A climactic moment in a story or a series of events is one in which a very exciting or important event occurs. [FORMAL ] □ …the film's climactic scene.

cli|mate ◆◇◇ /kla I mət/ (climates )


1 N‑VAR The climate of a place is the general weather conditions that are typical of it. □ [+ of ] …the hot and humid climate of Cyprus.


2 N‑COUNT You can use climate to refer to the general atmosphere or situation somewhere. □ The economic climate remains uncertain. □ [+ of ] …the existing climate of violence and intimidation. SYNONYMS climate NOUN 1


weather: …the weather conditions.


temperature: Coping with severe drops in temperature can be very difficult.


climes: He left Britain for the sunnier climes of Southern France.

cli |mate change N‑UNCOUNT Climate change refers to changes in the earth’s climate, especially the gradual rise in temperature caused by high levels of carbon dioxide and other gases. □ Human activity has led to deforestation, species becoming extinct, rising sea levels and climate change.

cli|mat|ic /kla I mæ t I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Climatic conditions, changes, and effects relate to the general weather conditions of a place. □ …the threat of rising sea levels and climatic change from overheating of the atmosphere.

cli|ma|tolo|gist /kla I mətɒ lədʒ I st/ (climatologists ) N‑COUNT A climatologist is someone who studies climates.

cli|max /kla I mæks/ (climaxes , climaxing , climaxed )


1 N‑COUNT The climax of something is the most exciting or important moment in it, usually near the end. □ [+ of/to ] For Pritchard, getting a medal was the climax of her career. □ [+ to ] It was the climax to 24 hours of growing anxiety. □ The last golf tournament of the European season is building up to a dramatic climax.


2 VERB The event that climaxes a sequence of events is an exciting or important event that comes at the end. You can also say that a sequence of events climaxes with a particular event. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] The demonstration climaxed two weeks of strikes. □ [V + with ] They've just finished a sell-out U.K. tour that climaxed with a three-night stint at Brixton Academy. [Also V ]


3 N‑VAR A climax is an orgasm .


4 VERB When someone climaxes , they have an orgasm. □ [V ] Often, a man can enjoy making love but may not be sufficiently aroused to climax.

climb ◆◇◇ /kla I m/ (climbs , climbing , climbed )


1 VERB If you climb something such as a tree, mountain, or ladder, or climb up it, you move towards the top of it. If you climb down it, you move towards the bottom of it. □ [V n] He picked up his suitcase and climbed the stairs. □ [V + up ] I told her about him climbing up the drainpipe. □ [V + down ] Kelly climbed down the ladder into the water. □ [V ] Children love to climb. ● N‑COUNT Climb is also a noun. □ …an hour's leisurely climb through olive groves and vineyards.


2 VERB If you climb somewhere, you move there carefully, for example because you are moving into a small space or trying to avoid falling. □ [V prep/adv] The girls hurried outside, climbed into the car, and drove off. □ [V prep/adv] He must have climbed out of his cot.


3 VERB When something such as an aeroplane climbs , it moves upwards to a higher position. When the sun climbs , it moves higher in the sky. □ [V ] The plane continued to climb until it reached its cruising altitude. [Also V prep]


4 VERB When something climbs , it increases in value or amount. □ [V ] The nation's unemployment rate has been climbing steadily since last June. □ [V + by ] Prices have climbed by 21% since the beginning of the year. □ [V + to/from ] The FA Cup Final's audience climbed to 12.3 million. □ [V amount] Jaguar shares climbed 43 pence to 510 pence.


5 → see also climbing


6 a mountain to climb → see mountain


▸ climb down PHRASAL VERB If you climb down in an argument or dispute, you admit that you are wrong, or change your intentions or demands. □ [V P ] If Lafontaine is forced to climb down, he may wish to reconsider his position. □ [V P + on/over ] He has climbed down on pledges to reduce capital gains tax. SYNONYMS climb VERB


1


ascend: Then we ascend steeply through forests of rhododendron.


scale: …Rebecca Stephens, the first British woman to scale Everest.


mount: Llewelyn was mounting the stairs up into the keep.


clamber: They clambered up the stone walls of a steeply terraced olive grove.


4


increase: The population continues to increase.


mount: The decibel level was mounting.


go up: Interest rates went up.


rise: Pre-tax profits rose from £842,000 to £1.82m. COLLOCATIONS climb VERB


1


climb + noun : ladder, stairs, steps; hill, mountain; fence, wall


4


climb + adverb : rapidly, sharply, steeply; gradually, slowly; steadily NOUN 1


adjective + climb : steep, stiff; arduous, strenuous; slow, steady; uphill, upward

cli mb-down (climb-downs ) also climbdown N‑COUNT A climb-down in an argument or dispute is the act of admitting that you are wrong or of changing your intentions or demands. □ The government was forced into a humiliating climb-down.

climb|er /kla I mə r / (climbers )


1 N‑COUNT A climber is someone who climbs rocks or mountains as a sport or a hobby.


2 N‑COUNT A climber is a plant that grows upwards by attaching itself to other plants or objects.

climb|ing /kla I m I ŋ/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Climbing is the activity of climbing rocks or mountains.


2 → see also climb , rock climbing , social climbing

cli mb|ing frame (climbing frames ) N‑COUNT A climbing frame is a structure that has been made for children to climb and play on. It consists of metal or wooden bars joined together. [BRIT ] in AM, use jungle gym

clime /kla I m/ (climes ) N‑COUNT [usu pl, usu adj N ] You use clime in expressions such as warmer climes and foreign climes to refer to a place that has a particular kind of climate. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] He left Britain for the sunnier climes of Southern France.

clinch /kl I ntʃ/ (clinches , clinching , clinched )


1 VERB If you clinch something you are trying to achieve, such as a business deal or victory in a contest, you succeed in obtaining it. □ [V n] Hibernian clinched the First Division title when they beat Hamilton 2–0. □ [V n + with ] This has fuelled speculation that he is about to clinch a deal with an American engine manufacturer.


2 VERB The thing that clinches an uncertain matter settles it or provides a definite answer. □ [V n] Evidently this information clinched the matter. □ [V it ] That was the clue which clinched it for us.

clinch|er /kl I ntʃə r / (clinchers ) N‑COUNT A clincher is a fact or argument that finally proves something, settles a dispute, or helps someone achieve a victory. [INFORMAL ] □ DNA fingerprinting has proved the clincher in this investigation. □ The clincher was City's second goal, scored minutes from the end.

cling /kl I ŋ/ (clings , clinging , clung )


1 VERB If you cling to someone or something, you hold onto them tightly. □ [V + to/onto ] Another man was rescued as he clung to the riverbank. □ [V + together ] They hugged each other, clinging together under the lights.


2 VERB If someone clings to a position or a possession they have, they do everything they can to keep it even though this may be very difficult. □ [V + to/onto ] He appears determined to cling to power. □ [V + on ] Another minister clung on with a majority of only 18. □ [V + on to ] Japan's productivity has overtaken America in some industries, but elsewhere the United States has clung on to its lead.

cling|film /kl I ŋf I lm/ also cling film N‑UNCOUNT Clingfilm is a thin, clear, stretchy plastic that you use to cover food in order to keep it fresh. [BRIT ] in AM, use plastic wrap , Saran wrap

clingy /kl I ŋi/ (clingier , clingiest )


1 ADJ If you describe someone as clingy , you mean that they become very attached to people and depend on them too much. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ A very clingy child can drive a parent to distraction.


2 ADJ Clingy clothes fit tightly round your body. □ …long clingy skirts.

clin|ic ◆◇◇ /kl I n I k/ (clinics ) N‑COUNT A clinic is a building where people go to receive medical advice or treatment. □ …a family planning clinic. COLLOCATIONS clinic NOUN


noun + clinic : abortion, family planning, fertility; GP, health, hospital, pain; addiction, rehab


adjective + clinic : antenatal, dental, medical, psychiatric; veterinary; private, walk-in


verb + clinic : attend, visit; hold, open, run

clini|cal /kl I n I k ə l/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Clinical means involving or relating to the direct medical treatment or testing of patients. [MEDICAL ] □ The first clinical trials were expected to begin next year. □ …a clinical psychologist. ● clini|cal|ly /kl I n I kli/ ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed] □ It has been clinically proved that it is better to stretch the tight muscles first.


2 ADJ You use clinical to describe thought or behaviour which is very logical and does not involve any emotion. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ All this questioning is so analytical and clinical–it kills romance.

cli ni|cal tri |al (clinical trials ) N‑COUNT When a new type of drug or medical treatment undergoes clinical trials , it is tested directly on patients to see if it is effective. □ Two rival laser surgery systems are undergoing clinical trials in the U.S.

cli|ni|cian /kl I n I ʃ ə n/ (clinicians ) N‑COUNT A clinician is a doctor who specializes in clinical work.

clink /kl I ŋk/ (clinks , clinking , clinked ) VERB If objects made of glass, pottery, or metal clink or if you clink them, they touch each other and make a short, light sound. □ [V n + against/with ] She clinked her glass against his. □ [V n] They clinked glasses. □ [V + against ] The empty bottle clinked against the seat. □ [V ] Their glasses clinked, their eyes met. ● N‑COUNT Clink is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the clink of a spoon in a cup.

clip /kl I p/ (clips , clipping , clipped )


1 N‑COUNT A clip is a small device, usually made of metal or plastic, that is specially shaped for holding things together. □ She took the clip out of her hair.


2 VERB When you clip things together or when things clip together, you fasten them together using a clip or clips. □ [V n + to/on ] He clipped his safety belt to a fitting on the deck. □ [V n prep/adv] He clipped his cufflinks neatly in place. □ [V + to ] …an electronic pen which clips to the casing. □ [V -ed] His flashlight was still clipped to his belt.


3 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A clip from a film or a radio or television programme is a short piece of it that is broadcast separately. □ [+ from ] …a clip from the movie 'Shane'.


4 VERB If you clip something, you cut small pieces from it, especially in order to shape it. □ [V n] I saw an old man out clipping his hedge.


5 VERB If you clip something out of a newspaper or magazine, you cut it out. □ [V n + from/out of ] Kids in his neighborhood clipped his picture from the newspaper and carried it around.


6 VERB If something clips something else, it hits it accidentally at an angle before moving off in a different direction. □ [V n] The lorry clipped the rear of a tanker and then crashed into a second truck.


7 → see also bulldog clip , clipped , clipping , paper clip

clip|board /kl I pbɔː r d/ (clipboards )


1 N‑COUNT A clipboard is a board with a clip at the top. It is used to hold together pieces of paper that you need to carry around, and provides a firm base for writing.


2 N‑COUNT In computing, a clipboard is a file where you can temporarily store text or images from one document until you are ready to use them again. [COMPUTING ]

cli p-on ADJ [ADJ n] A clip-on object is designed to be fastened to something by means of a clip. □ …a clip-on tie. □ …a clip-on light.

clipped /kl I pt/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Clipped means neatly cut. □ …a quiet street of clipped hedges and flowering gardens.


2 ADJ If you say that someone has a clipped way of speaking, you mean they speak with quick, short sounds, and usually that they sound upper-class. □ The Chief Constable's clipped tones crackled over the telephone line.

clip|per /kl I pə r / (clippers ) N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Clippers are a tool used for cutting small amounts from something, especially from someone's hair or nails.

clip|ping /kl I p I ŋ/ (clippings )


1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A clipping is an article, picture, or advertisement that has been cut from a newspaper or magazine. □ …bulletin boards crowded with newspaper clippings.


2 N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft n N ] Clippings are small pieces of something that have been cut from something larger. □ Having mown the lawn, there are all those grass clippings to get rid of. □ …nail clippings.

clique /kliː k/ (cliques ) N‑COUNT If you describe a group of people as a clique , you mean that they spend a lot of time together and seem unfriendly towards people who are not in the group. [DISAPPROVAL ]

cli|quey /kliː ki/ in AM, usually use cliquish ADJ If you describe a group of people or their behaviour as cliquey , you mean they spend their time only with other members of the group and seem unfriendly towards people who are not in the group. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …cliquey gossip.

clito|ral /kl I tərəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Clitoral means concerned with or relating to the clitoris. □ …clitoral stimulation.

clito|ris /kl I tər I s/ (clitorises ) N‑COUNT The clitoris is a part at the front of a woman's sexual organs where she can feel sexual pleasure.

Cllr. N‑TITLE Cllr. is a written abbreviation for councillor . [BRIT ] □ …Cllr. Ned Dewitt.

cloak /kloʊ k/ (cloaks , cloaking , cloaked )


1 N‑COUNT A cloak is a long, loose, sleeveless piece of clothing which people used to wear over their other clothes when they went out.


2 N‑SING A cloak of something such as mist or snow completely covers and hides something. □ [+ of ] Today most of England will be under a cloak of thick mist.


3 N‑SING If you refer to something as a cloak , you mean that it is intended to hide the truth about something. □ [+ of ] Preparations for the wedding were made under a cloak of secrecy.


4 VERB To cloak something means to cover it or hide it. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n + in ] …the decision to cloak major tourist attractions in unsightly hoardings. □ [V -ed + in ] The beautiful sweeping coastline was cloaked in mist.

cloa k-and-da gger also cloak and dagger ADJ [usu ADJ n] A cloak-and-dagger activity is one which involves mystery and secrecy. □ She was released from prison in a cloak-and-dagger operation yesterday.

cloak|room /kloʊ kruːm/ (cloakrooms )


1 N‑COUNT In a public building, the cloakroom is the place where people can leave their coats, umbrellas, and so on. □ …a cloakroom attendant.


2 N‑COUNT A cloakroom is a room containing toilets in a public building or a room containing a toilet on the ground floor of someone's house. [BRIT ]

clob|ber /klɒ bə r / (clobbers , clobbering , clobbered )


1 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to someone's possessions, especially their clothes, as their clobber . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]


2 VERB If you clobber someone, you hit them. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Hillary clobbered him with a vase.

cloche /klɒ ʃ/ (cloches ) N‑COUNT A cloche is a long, low cover made of glass or clear plastic that is put over young plants to protect them from the cold.

clock ◆◇◇ /klɒ k/ (clocks , clocking , clocked )


1 N‑COUNT A clock is an instrument, for example in a room or on the outside of a building, that shows what time of day it is. □ He was conscious of a clock ticking. □ He also repairs clocks and watches. □ …a digital clock.


2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A time clock in a factory or office is a device that is used to record the hours that people work. Each worker puts a special card into the device when they arrive and leave, and the times are recorded on the card. □ Government workers were made to punch time clocks morning, noon and night.


3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] In a car, the clock is the instrument that shows the speed of the car or the distance it has travelled. [mainly BRIT ] □ The car had 160,000 miles on the clock.


4 VERB To clock a particular time or speed in a race means to reach that time or speed. □ [V n] Elliott clocked the fastest time this year for the 800 metres.


5 VERB [usu passive] If something or someone is clocked at a particular time or speed, their time or speed is measured at that level. □ [be V -ed + at ] He has been clocked at 11 seconds for 100 metres.


6 → see also alarm clock , biological clock , body clock , cuckoo clock , grandfather clock , o'clock


7 PHRASE If you are doing something against the clock , you are doing it in a great hurry, because there is very little time. □ The emergency services were working against the clock as the tide began to rise. □ It's now become a race against the clock.


8 PHRASE If something is done round the clock or around the clock , it is done all day and all night without stopping. □ Rescue services have been working round the clock to free stranded motorists.


9 PHRASE If you want to turn the clock back or put the clock back , you want to return to a situation that used to exist, usually because the present situation is unpleasant. □ In some ways we wish we could turn the clock back. □ We cannot put back the clock.


▸ clock in PHRASAL VERB When you clock in at work, you arrive there or put a special card into a device to show what time you arrived. □ [V P ] I have to clock in by eight.


▸ clock off PHRASAL VERB When you clock off at work, you leave work or put a special card into a device to show what time you left. □ [V P ] The Night Duty Officer was ready to clock off. □ [V P n] They clocked off duty and left at ten to three.


▸ clock on PHRASAL VERB When workers clock on at a factory or office, they put a special card into a device to show what time they arrived. □ [V P ] They arrived to clock on and found the factory gates locked.


▸ clock out PHRASAL VERB Clock out means the same as clock off . □ [V P + of ] She had clocked out of her bank at 5.02pm using her plastic card. [Also V P ]


▸ clock up PHRASAL VERB If you clock up a large number or total of things, you reach that number or total. □ [V P n] In two years, he clocked up over 100 victories.

clo ck tow|er (clock towers ) N‑COUNT A clock tower is a tall, narrow building with a clock at the top.

clock|wise /klɒ kwa I z/ ADV [ADV after v] When something is moving clockwise , it is moving in a circle in the same direction as the hands on a clock. □ He told the children to start moving clockwise around the room. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Clockwise is also an adjective. □ Gently swing your right arm in a clockwise direction.

clock|work /klɒ kwɜː r k/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A clockwork toy or device has machinery inside it which makes it move or operate when it is wound up with a key. □ …a clockwork train-set.


2 PHRASE If you say that something happens like clockwork , you mean that it happens without any problems or delays, or happens regularly. □ The Queen's holiday is arranged to go like clockwork, everything pre-planned to the minute.

clod /klɒ d/ (clods ) N‑COUNT A clod of earth is a large lump of earth.

clog /klɒ g/ (clogs , clogging , clogged )


1 VERB When something clogs a hole or place, it blocks it so that nothing can pass through. □ [V n] Dirt clogs the pores, causing spots. □ [V n] The traffic clogged the Thames bridges.


2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Clogs are heavy leather or wooden shoes with thick wooden soles.


▸ clog up PHRASAL VERB When something clogs up a place, or when it clogs up , it becomes blocked so that little or nothing can pass through. □ [V P n] 22,000 tourists were clogging up the pavements. □ [V P ] The result is that the lungs clog up with a thick mucus.

clois|ter /klɔ I stə r / (cloisters ) N‑COUNT A cloister is a covered area round a square in a monastery or a cathedral.

clois|tered /klɔ I stə r d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you have a cloistered way of life, you live quietly and are not involved in the normal busy life of the world around you. □ …the cloistered world of royalty.

clone /kloʊ n/ (clones , cloning , cloned )


1 N‑COUNT If someone or something is a clone of another person or thing, they are so similar to this person or thing that they seem to be exactly the same as them. □ Designers are mistaken if they believe we all want to be supermodel clones.


2 N‑COUNT A clone is an animal or plant that has been produced artificially, for example in a laboratory, from the cells of another animal or plant. A clone is exactly the same as the original animal or plant.


3 VERB To clone an animal or plant means to produce it as a clone. □ [V n] The idea of cloning extinct life forms still belongs to science fiction.


close


➊ SHUTTING OR COMPLETING


➋ NEARNESS; ADJECTIVE USES


➌ NEARNESS; VERB USES


➍ USED AS A ROAD NAME


➊ close ◆◆◆ /kloʊ z/ (closes , closing , closed )


→ Please look at categories 12- 15 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.


1 VERB When you close something such as a door or lid or when it closes , it moves so that a hole, gap, or opening is covered. □ [V n] If you are cold, close the window. □ [V ] Zacharias heard the door close. □ [V -ed] Keep the curtains closed.


2 VERB When you close something such as an open book or umbrella, you move the different parts of it together. □ [V n] Slowly he closed the book.


3 VERB If you close something such as a computer file or window, you give the computer an instruction to remove it from the screen. [COMPUTING ] □ [V n] To close your document, press CTRL+W on your keyboard.


4 VERB When you close your eyes or your eyes close , your eyelids move downwards, so that you can no longer see. □ [V n] Bess closed her eyes and fell asleep. □ [V ] When we sneeze, our eyes close.


5 VERB When a place closes or is closed , work or activity stops there for a short period. □ [V ] Shops close only on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. □ [V n] It was Saturday; they could close the office early. □ [V n] Government troops closed the airport. □ [V -ed] The restaurant was closed for the night.


6 VERB If a place such as a factory, shop, or school closes , or if it is closed , all work or activity stops there permanently. □ [V ] Many enterprises will be forced to close. □ [V n] If they do close the local college I'll have to go to Worcester. ● PHRASAL VERB Close down means the same as close . □ [V P n] Minford closed down the business and went into politics. □ [V P ] Many of the smaller stores have closed down. [Also V n P ] ● clos|ing N‑SING □ [+ of ] …the closing of the steelworks.


7 VERB To close a road or border means to block it in order to prevent people from using it. □ [V n] The police had to close the road to traffic.


8 VERB To close a conversation, event, or matter means to bring it to an end or to complete it. □ [V n] DNA tests could close the case. □ [V -ed] The Prime Minister is said to now consider the matter closed. □ [V -ing] …the closing ceremony of the National Political Conference.


9 VERB If you close a bank account, you take all your money out of it and inform the bank that you will no longer be using the account. □ [V n] He had closed his account with the bank five years earlier.


10 VERB On the stock market or the currency markets, if a share price or a currency closes at a particular value, that is its value at the end of the day's business. [BUSINESS ] □ [V prep/adv] Dawson shares closed at 219p, up 5p. □ [V adj] The U.S. dollar closed higher in Tokyo today.


11 N‑SING The close of a period of time or an activity is the end of it. To bring or draw something to a close means to end it. □ [+ of ] By the close of business, they knew the campaign was a success. □ Brian's retirement brings to a close a glorious chapter in British football history.


12 → see also closed , closing


13 to close the door on something → see door


14 to close your eyes to something → see eye


15 to close ranks → see rank


▸ close down → see close ➊ 6


▸ close off PHRASAL VERB To close something off means to separate it from other things or people so that they cannot go there. □ [V P n] Police closed off about 12 blocks of a major San Francisco thoroughfare for today's march.


▸ close up


1 PHRASAL VERB If someone closes up a building, they shut it completely and securely, often because they are going away. □ [V P n] Just close up the shop. □ [V -ed P ] The summer house had been closed up all year.


2 PHRASAL VERB If an opening, gap, or something hollow closes up , or if you close it up , it becomes closed or covered. □ [V P ] Don't use cold water as it shocks the blood vessels into closing up. [Also V n P ]

➋ close ◆◆◆ /kloʊ s/ (closer , closest )


→ Please look at categories 19 and 20 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.


1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ after v] If one thing or person is close to another, there is only a very small distance between them. □ [+ to ] Her lips were close to his head and her breath tickled his ear. □ The man moved closer, lowering his voice. □ The tables were pushed close together so diners could talk across the aisles. ● close|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] □ Wherever they went they were closely followed by security men.


2 ADJ You say that people are close to each other when they like each other very much and know each other very well. □ She and Linda became very close. □ [+ to ] As a little girl, Karan was closest to her sister Gail. □ I shared a house with a close friend from school. ● close|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ to ] I asked whether her closeness to her mother ever posed any problems.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] Your close relatives are the members of your family who are most directly related to you, for example your parents and your brothers or sisters. □ …large changes such as the birth of a child or death of a close relative.


4 ADJ [usu ADJ n, Also v-link ADJ to n] A close ally or partner of someone knows them well and is very involved in their work. □ He was once regarded as one of Mr Brown's closest political advisers. □ [+ to ] A senior source close to the Prime Minister told us: 'Our position has not changed.'


5 ADJ [ADJ n] Close contact or co-operation involves seeing or communicating with someone often. □ Both nations are seeking closer links with the West. □ He lived alone, keeping close contact with his three grown-up sons. ● close|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ [+ with ] We work closely with the careers officers in schools.


6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If there is a close connection or resemblance between two things, they are strongly connected or are very similar. □ There is a close connection between pain and tension. □ Clare's close resemblance to his elder sister invoked a deep dislike in him. ● close|ly ADV [ADV before v, ADV -ed] □ …a pattern closely resembling a cross. □ …fruits closely related to the orange.


7 ADJ Close inspection or observation of something is careful and thorough. □ He discovered, on closer inspection, that the rocks contained gold. □ Let's have a closer look. ● close|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ If you look closely at the problems in society, you'll see evidence of discrimination.


8 ADJ A close competition or election is won or seems likely to be won by only a small amount. □ It is still a close contest between two leading opposition parties. □ It's going to be very close. ● close|ly ADV [usu ADV -ed] □ This will be a closely fought race.


9 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are close to something or if it is close , it is likely to happen or come soon. If you are close to doing something, you are likely to do it soon. □ [+ to ] She sounded close to tears. □ A senior White House official said the agreement is close. □ [+ to ] He's close to signing a contract.


10 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is close or comes close to something else, it almost is, does, or experiences that thing. □ [+ to ] An airliner came close to disaster while approaching Heathrow Airport.


11 ADJ If the atmosphere somewhere is close , it is unpleasantly warm with not enough air.


12 PHRASE Something that is close by or close at hand is near to you. □ Did a new hairdressing shop open close by? □ Lake and mountain scenery is also close at hand: it's a 90-minute drive to the Mont-Tremblant ski resort.


13 PHRASE If you describe an event as a close shave , a close thing , or a close call , you mean that an accident or a disaster very nearly happened. □ You had a close shave, but you knew when you accepted this job that there would be risks.


14 PHRASE If you keep a close eye on someone or something or keep a close watch on them, you observe them carefully to make sure they are progressing as you want them to. □ The President's foreign policy team are keeping a close eye on events.


15 PHRASE Close to a particular amount or distance means slightly less than that amount or distance. In British English, you can also say close on a particular amount or distance. □ [+ to ] Sisulu spent close to 30 years in prison. □ [+ on ] Catering may now account for close on a quarter of pub turnover.


16 PHRASE If you look at something close up or close to , you look at it when you are very near to it. □ [+ up ] They always look smaller close up.


17 → see also close-up


18 PHRASE If something such as a competition or an election is too close to call , it is not possible to predict who will win because it seems likely to be won by only a very small margin. [JOURNALISM ] □ In the Senate, the count is too close to call at this point.


19 at close quarters → see quarter


20 at close range → see range

➌ close ◆◇◇ /kloʊ z/ (closes , closing , closed ) VERB If you are closing on someone or something that you are following, you are getting nearer and nearer to them. □ [V + on ] I was within 15 seconds of the guy in second place and closing on him. [Also V ]


▸ close in


1 PHRASAL VERB If a group of people close in on a person or place, they come nearer and nearer to them and gradually surround them. □ [V P + on ] Eight thousand soldiers were closing in on him. □ [V P ] As Parretti walked across the tarmac, fraud officers closed in.


2 PHRASAL VERB When winter or darkness closes in , it arrives. □ [V P ] The dark nights and cold weather are closing in.

➍ Close /kloʊ s/ (Closes ) N‑COUNT [n N ] Close is used in the names of some streets in Britain. □ …116 Dendridge Close.

close-cropped /kloʊ s krɒ pt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Close-cropped hair or grass is cut very short.

closed /kloʊ zd/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A closed group of people does not welcome new people or ideas from outside. □ It was to be a closed circle of no more than twelve women. □ It is a closed society in the sense that they've not been exposed to many things.


2 → see also close ➊


3 a closed book → see book


4 behind closed doors → see door

clo sed-ci rcuit also closed circuit ADJ [ADJ n] A closed-circuit television or video system is one that operates within a limited area such as a building. □ There's a closed-circuit television camera in the reception area.

clo sed sho p (closed shops ) N‑COUNT If a factory, shop, or other business is a closed shop , the employees must be members of a particular trade union. [BUSINESS ] □ …the trade union which they are required to join under the closed shop agreement.

close-fitting /kloʊ s f I t I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Close-fitting clothes fit tightly and show the shape of your body.

close-knit /kloʊ s n I t/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A close-knit group of people are closely linked, do things together, and take an interest in each other. □ Events over the last year have created a close-knit community.

close-run /kloʊ s rʌ n/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something such as a race or contest as a close-run thing, you mean that it was only won by a very small amount. □ In such a close-run race as this election, the campaign becomes all important.

close sea|son /kloʊ s siːzən/ in AM, use closed season N‑SING In football and some other sports, the close season is the period of the year when the sport is not played professionally. [BRIT ] □ Football clubs have been busy in the close season transfer market.

clos|et /klɒ z I t/ (closets )


1 N‑COUNT A closet is a piece of furniture with doors at the front and shelves inside, which is used for storing things. [AM ] in BRIT, use cupboard 2 N‑COUNT A closet is a very small room for storing things, especially one without windows. [AM , also BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]


3 ADJ [ADJ n] Closet is used to describe a person who has beliefs, habits, or feelings which they keep secret, often because they are embarrassed about them. Closet is also used of their beliefs, habits, or feelings. □ He is a closet Fascist.


4 → see also closeted


5 a skeleton in the closet → see skeleton

clos|et|ed /klɒ z I t I d/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are closeted with someone, you are talking privately to them. [FORMAL or LITERARY ] □ Charles and I were closeted in his study for the briefing session.

close-up /kloʊ s ʌp/ (close-ups ) N‑COUNT A close-up is a photograph or a picture in a film that shows a lot of detail because it is taken very near to the subject. □ [+ of ] …a close-up of Harvey's face. ● PHRASE If you see something in close-up , you see it in great detail in a photograph or piece of film which has been taken very near to the subject. □ Hughes stared up at him in close-up from the photograph.

clos|ing /kloʊ z I ŋ/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] The closing part of an activity or period of time is the final part of it. □ He entered RAF service in the closing stages of the war.


2 → see also close ➊

clo s|ing price (closing prices ) N‑COUNT On the stock exchange, the closing price of a share is its price at the end of a day's business. [BUSINESS ] □ The price is slightly above yesterday's closing price.

clo s|ing time (closing times ) N‑VAR Closing time is the time when something such as a shop, library, or pub closes and people have to leave. □ We were in the pub until closing time.

Clos|trid|ium diffi|cile /klɒstr I diəm d I f I s I li, - d I f I siː l/ N‑UNCOUNT Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that causes severe diarrhoea. It is commonly found in hospitals. C.diff is also used. [MEDICAL ]

clo|sure /kloʊ ʒə r / (closures )


1 N‑VAR The closure of a place such as a business or factory is the permanent ending of the work or activity there. □ [+ of ] …the closure of the Ravenscraig steelworks. □ Almost three in four clinics say they face closure by the end of the year.


2 N‑COUNT The closure of a road or border is the blocking of it in order to prevent people from using it.


3 N‑UNCOUNT If someone achieves closure , they succeed in accepting something bad that has happened to them. [mainly AM ] □ I asked McKeown if the reunion was meant to achieve closure.

clot /klɒ t/ (clots , clotting , clotted )


1 N‑COUNT A clot is a sticky lump that forms when blood dries up or becomes thick. □ He needed emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain.


2 VERB When blood clots , it becomes thick and forms a lump. □ [V ] The patient's blood refused to clot. □ [V -ing] Aspirin apparently thins the blood and inhibits clotting.

cloth /klɒ θ, [AM ] klɔː θ/ (cloths )


1 N‑VAR Cloth is fabric which is made by weaving or knitting a substance such as cotton, wool, silk, or nylon. Cloth is used especially for making clothes. □ She began cleaning the wound with a piece of cloth.


2 N‑COUNT A cloth is a piece of cloth which you use for a particular purpose, such as cleaning something or covering something. □ Clean the surface with a damp cloth. □ …a tray covered with a cloth.


3 N‑SING The cloth is sometimes used to refer to Christian priests and ministers. □ …a man of the cloth.

clo th ca p (cloth caps ) N‑COUNT A cloth cap is a soft flat cap with a stiff, curved part at the front called a peak. Cloth caps are usually worn by men.

clothe /kloʊ ð/ (clothes , clothing , clothed )


1 VERB To clothe someone means to provide them with clothes to wear. □ [V n] She was on her own with two kids to feed and clothe.


2 → see also clothed , clothes , clothing

clothed /kloʊ ðd/ ADJ [adv ADJ ] If you are clothed in a certain way, you are dressed in that way. □ He lay down on the bed fully clothed. □ [+ in ] …women clothed in black.

clothes ◆◆◇ /kloʊ ðz/


1 N‑PLURAL Clothes are the things that people wear, such as shirts, coats, trousers, and dresses. □ Moira walked upstairs to change her clothes. □ He dressed quickly in casual clothes.


2 → see also plain-clothes

clo thes horse (clothes horses )


1 N‑COUNT A clothes horse is a folding frame used inside someone's house to hang washing on while it dries.


2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone, especially a woman, as a clothes horse , you mean that they are fashionable and think a lot about their clothes, but have little intelligence or no other abilities. [DISAPPROVAL ]

clothes|line /kloʊ ðzla I n/ (clotheslines ) also clothes line N‑COUNT A clothesline is a thin rope on which you hang washing so that it can dry.

clo thes peg (clothes pegs ) N‑COUNT A clothes peg is a small device which you use to fasten clothes to a washing line. [BRIT ] in AM, use clothespin

clothes|pin /kloʊ ðzp I n/ (clothespins ) N‑COUNT A clothespin is the same as a clothes peg . [AM ]

cloth|ing ◆◇◇ /kloʊ ð I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Clothing is the things that people wear. □ Some locals offered food and clothing to the refugees. □ What is your favourite item of clothing? □ Wear protective clothing.

clo t|ted crea m N‑UNCOUNT Clotted cream is very thick cream made by heating milk gently and taking the cream off the top. It is made mainly in the southwest of England.

cloud ◆◇◇ /klaʊ d/ (clouds , clouding , clouded )


1 N‑VAR A cloud is a mass of water vapour that floats in the sky. Clouds are usually white or grey in colour. □ …the varied shapes of the clouds. □ The sky was almost entirely obscured by cloud. □ …the risks involved in flying through cloud.


2 N‑COUNT A cloud of something such as smoke or dust is a mass of it floating in the air. □ [+ of ] The hens darted away on all sides, raising a cloud of dust.


3 VERB If you say that something clouds your view of a situation, you mean that it makes you unable to understand the situation or judge it properly. □ [V n] Perhaps anger had clouded his vision, perhaps his judgment had been faulty. □ [V n] In his latter years religious mania clouded his mind.


4 VERB If you say that something clouds a situation, you mean that it makes it unpleasant. □ [be V -ed + by ] His last years were clouded by financial difficulties.


5 VERB If glass clouds or if moisture clouds it, tiny drops of water cover the glass, making it difficult to see through. □ [V ] The mirror clouded beside her cheek. □ [V n] I run the water very hot, clouding the mirror.


6 ADJ Cloud-based technology allows you to use programs and information that are stored on the internet rather than on your own computer. □ We use a cloud-based communication system.


7 PHRASE If you say that someone is on cloud nine , you are emphasizing that they are very happy. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ When Michael was born I was on cloud nine.


8 every cloud has a silver lining → see silver lining


▸ cloud over PHRASAL VERB If the sky clouds over , it becomes covered with clouds. □ [V P ] After a fine day, the sky had clouded over and suddenly rain lashed against the windows. COLLOCATIONS cloud NOUN


1


noun + cloud : rain, storm


adjective + cloud : black, dark, grey, white; billowing, fluffy, thick


2


noun + cloud : ash, dust

cloud|burst /klaʊ dbɜː r st/ (cloudbursts ) N‑COUNT A cloudburst is a sudden, very heavy fall of rain.

cloud com|pu |ting N‑UNCOUNT Cloud computing is a model of computer use in which services that are available on the internet are provided to users on a temporary basis. [COMPUTING ]

clou d-cu ckoo-land N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] If you say that someone is living in cloud-cuckoo-land , you are criticizing them because they think there are no problems and that things will happen exactly as they want them to, when this is obviously not the case. [mainly BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ I was living in cloud-cuckoo-land about my salary expectations.

cloud|less /klaʊ dləs/ ADJ If the sky is cloudless , there are no clouds in it.

cloudy /klaʊ di/ (cloudier , cloudiest )


1 ADJ If it is cloudy , there are a lot of clouds in the sky. □ …a windy, cloudy day.


2 ADJ A cloudy liquid is less clear than it should be.

clout /klaʊ t/ (clouts , clouting , clouted )


1 VERB If you clout someone, you hit them. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Rachel clouted him. □ [V n + on ] The officer clouted her on the head. ● N‑COUNT Clout is also a noun. □ I was half tempted to give one of them a clout myself.


2 N‑UNCOUNT A person or institution that has clout has influence and power. [INFORMAL ] □ This former TV actress already has the clout to alter movie screenplays.

clove /kloʊ v/ (cloves )


1 N‑VAR Cloves are small dried flower buds used as a spice. □ …chicken soup with cloves.


2 N‑COUNT A clove of garlic is one of the sections of a garlic bulb.

clo|ven hoof /kloʊ v ə n huː f/ (cloven hooves or cloven hoofs ) N‑COUNT Animals that have cloven hooves have feet that are divided into two parts. Cows, sheep, and goats have cloven hooves.

clo|ver /kloʊ və r / (clovers ) N‑VAR Clover is a small plant with pink or white ball-shaped flowers. □ …a four-leaf clover.

clown /klaʊ n/ (clowns , clowning , clowned )


1 N‑COUNT A clown is a performer in a circus who wears funny clothes and bright make-up, and does silly things in order to make people laugh.


2 VERB If you clown , you do silly things in order to make people laugh. □ [V ] Bruno clowned and won affection everywhere. ● PHRASAL VERB Clown around and clown about mean the same as clown . □ [V P ] Bev made her laugh, the way she was always clowning around. ● clown|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ She senses that behind the clowning there is a terrible sense of anguish.


3 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a clown , you mean that they say funny things or do silly things to amuse people. □ He was laughing, the clown of the twosome.


4 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a clown , you disapprove of them and have no respect for them. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ I still think I could do a better job than those clowns in Washington.

clown|fish /klaʊ nf I ʃ/ (clownfish ) N‑COUNT A clownfish is a small, brightly-coloured sea fish.

clown|ish /klaʊ n I ʃ/ ADJ If you describe a person's appearance or behaviour as clownish , you mean that they look or behave rather like a clown, and often that they appear rather foolish. □ He had a clownish sense of humour.

cloy|ing /klɔ I I ŋ/ ADJ You use cloying to describe something that you find unpleasant because it is much too sweet, or too sentimental. □ Her cheap, cloying scent enveloped him.

cloze /kloʊ z/ (clozes ) N‑COUNT [usu N n] In language teaching, a cloze test is a test in which words are removed from a text and replaced with spaces. The learner has to fill each space with a suitable word. [TECHNICAL ]

club ◆◆◆ /klʌ b/ (clubs , clubbing , clubbed )


1 N‑COUNT A club is an organization of people interested in a particular activity or subject who usually meet on a regular basis. □ …the Chorlton Conservative Club. □ …a youth club. □ He was club secretary.


2 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] A club is a place where the members of a club meet. □ I stopped in at the club for a drink.


3 N‑COUNT A club is a team which competes in sporting competitions. □ …Liverpool football club.


4 N‑COUNT A club is the same as a nightclub . □ It's a big dance hit in the clubs. □ …the London club scene.


5 N‑COUNT A club is a long, thin, metal stick with a piece of wood or metal at one end that you use to hit the ball in golf. □ …a six-iron club.


6 N‑COUNT A club is a thick heavy stick that can be used as a weapon. □ Men armed with knives and clubs attacked his home.


7 VERB To club a person or animal means to hit them hard with a thick heavy stick or a similar weapon. □ [V n] Two thugs clubbed him with baseball bats. □ [V n + to ] Clubbing baby seals to death for their pelts is wrong.


8 N‑UNCOUNT [with sing or pl verb] Clubs is one of the four suits in a pack of playing cards. Each card in the suit is marked with one or more black symbols: ♣. □ …the ace of clubs. ● N‑COUNT A club is a playing card of this suit. □ The next player discarded a club.


▸ club together PHRASAL VERB If people club together to do something, they all give money towards the cost of it. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] For my thirtieth birthday, my friends clubbed together and bought me a watch. COLLOCATIONS club NOUN


1


noun + club : golf; youth


verb + club : join, leave; form, found


3


noun + club : baseball, football, rugby


adjective + club : bottom, top; former, old

club|bable /klʌ bəb ə l/ ADJ A clubbable person is friendly and likes being with other people, which makes them good members of social clubs. □ He is a clubbable chap.

club|ber /klʌ bə r / (clubbers ) N‑COUNT A clubber is someone who regularly goes to nightclubs.

club|bing /klʌ b I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Clubbing is the activity of going to nightclubs.

club|by /klʌ bi/ ADJ If you describe an institution or a group of people as clubby , you mean that all the people in it are friendly with each other and do not welcome other people in. [INFORMAL ] □ Politics is clubby, careerist, and cynical.

clu b foo t (club feet ) in AM, usually use clubfoot N‑COUNT If someone has a club foot , they are born with a badly twisted foot.

club|house /klʌ bhaʊs/ (clubhouses ) also club-house N‑COUNT A clubhouse is a place where the members of a club, especially a sports club, meet.

club|land /klʌ blænd/


1 N‑UNCOUNT A city's clubland is the area that contains all the best nightclubs. [BRIT ] □ …London's clubland.


2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Clubland refers to the most popular nightclubs and the people that go to them. [BRIT ] □ …a contemporary clubland sound.

clu b so da N‑UNCOUNT Club soda is fizzy water used for mixing with alcoholic drinks and fruit juice. [mainly AM ]

cluck /klʌ k/ (clucks , clucking , clucked ) VERB When a hen clucks , it makes short, low noises. □ [V ] Chickens clucked in the garden.

clue /kluː / (clues )


1 N‑COUNT A clue to a problem or mystery is something that helps you to find the answer to it. □ [+ to ] Geneticists in Canada have discovered a clue to the puzzle of why our cells get old and die.


2 N‑COUNT A clue is an object or piece of information that helps someone solve a crime. □ [+ to ] The vital clue to the killer's identity was his nickname, Peanuts.


3 N‑COUNT A clue in a crossword or game is information which is given to help you to find the answer to a question.


4 PHRASE If you haven't a clue about something, you do not know anything about it or you have no idea what to do about it. [INFORMAL ] □ I haven't a clue what I'll give Carl for his birthday next year. WORD HISTORY clue


The word clue comes from the old word clew , meaning a ball of wool. In Greek mythology, Ariadne gives Theseus a ball of wool to help him find his way out of the Minotaur’s labyrinth. As a result, the word clew started to mean something that shows the way.

clu ed-u p also clued up ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is clued-up on a particular subject, you are showing your approval of the fact that they have a great deal of detailed knowledge and information about it. [BRIT , INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ [+ on ] I've always found him clued-up on whatever he was talking about.

clue|less /kluː ləs/ ADJ If you describe someone as clueless , you are showing your disapproval of the fact that they do not know anything about a particular subject or that they are incapable of doing a particular thing properly. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] I came into adult life clueless about a lot of things that most people take for granted.

clump /klʌ mp/ (clumps , clumping , clumped )


1 N‑COUNT A clump of things such as trees or plants is a small group of them growing together. □ [+ of ] …a clump of trees bordering a side road.


2 N‑COUNT A clump of things such as wires or hair is a group of them collected together in one place. □ I was combing my hair and it was just falling out in clumps. [Also + of ]


3 VERB If things clump together , they gather together and form small groups or lumps. □ [V + together ] Brown rice takes longer to cook but it doesn't clump together as easily as white rice.

clumpy /klʌ mpi/ (clumpier , clumpiest ) ADJ Clumpy means big and clumsy. □ …clumpy shoes.

clum|sy /klʌ mzi/ (clumsier , clumsiest )


1 ADJ A clumsy person moves or handles things in a careless, awkward way, often so that things are knocked over or broken. □ Unfortunately, I was still very clumsy behind the wheel of the jeep. ● clum|si|ly /klʌ mz I li/ ADV [ADV with v] □ The rooks flew clumsily towards their nests. ● clum|si|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Ben's biggest problem is clumsiness.


2 ADJ A clumsy action or statement is not skilful or is likely to upset people. □ The action seemed a clumsy attempt to topple the Janata Dal government. □ He denied the announcement was clumsy and insensitive. ● clum|si|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ If the matter were handled clumsily, it could cost Miriam her life. ● clum|si|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I was ashamed at my clumsiness and insensitivity.

clung /klʌ ŋ/ Clung is the past tense and past participle of cling .

clunk /klʌ ŋk/ (clunks ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A clunk is a sound made by a heavy object hitting something hard. □ Something fell to the floor with a clunk.

clunk|er /klʌ ŋkə r / (clunkers ) N‑COUNT If you describe a machine, especially a car, as a clunker , you mean that it is very old and almost falling apart. [AM ]

clunky /klʌ ŋki/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as clunky , you mean that it is solid, heavy, and rather awkward. □ …a clunky piece of architecture.

clus|ter /klʌ stə r / (clusters , clustering , clustered )


1 N‑COUNT A cluster of people or things is a small group of them close together. □ [+ of ] There's no town here, just a cluster of shops, cabins and motels at the side of the highway.


2 VERB If people cluster together , they gather together in a small group. □ [V + together ] The passengers clustered together in small groups. □ [V + around/round ] The children clustered around me. [Also V prep]


3 → see also clustered

clu s|ter bomb (cluster bombs ) N‑COUNT A cluster bomb is a type of bomb which is dropped from an aircraft. It contains a large number of smaller bombs that spread out before they hit the ground.

clus|tered /klʌ stə r d/ ADJ If people or things are clustered somewhere, there is a group of them close together there. □ Officials were clustered at every open office door, talking excitedly.

clutch /klʌ tʃ/ (clutches , clutching , clutched )


1 VERB If you clutch at something or clutch something, you hold it tightly, usually because you are afraid or anxious. □ [V + at ] I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support. □ [V n] She was clutching a photograph.


2 N‑PLURAL [usu with poss] If someone is in another person's clutches , that person has captured them or has power over them. □ Stojanovic escaped their clutches by jumping from a moving vehicle.


3 N‑COUNT In a vehicle, the clutch is the pedal that you press before you change gear. □ Laura let out the clutch and pulled slowly away down the drive.


4 to clutch at straws → see straw

clut|ter /klʌ tə r / (clutters , cluttering , cluttered )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Clutter is a lot of things in an untidy state, especially things that are not useful or necessary. □ Caroline prefers her worktops to be clear of clutter.


2 VERB If things or people clutter a place, they fill it in an untidy way. □ [V n] Empty soft-drink cans clutter the desks. □ [be V -ed + with ] The roads were cluttered with cars and vans. ● PHRASAL VERB Clutter up means the same as clutter . □ [V P n] The vehicles cluttered up the car park. □ [V n P ] This room is so impressive it would be a shame to clutter it up. [Also V n P + with ]

cm cm is the written abbreviation for centimetre or centimetres . □ His height had increased by 2.5 cm.

Cmdr Cmdr is a written abbreviation for commander . □ …Cmdr Richard Mason.

Co. ◆◆◇


1 Co. is used as an abbreviation for company when it is part of the name of an organization. [BUSINESS ] □ …the Blue Star Amusement Co.


2 Co. is used as a written abbreviation for county before the names of some counties, especially in Ireland. □ …Co. Waterford.


3 PHRASE You use and co. after someone's name to mean the group of people associated with that person. [INFORMAL ] □ Wayne Hussey and Co. will be playing two live sets each evening.

PREFIX co-


forms verbs and nouns that refer to people sharing things or doing things together. For example, if two people co-write a book, they write it together. The co-author of a book is one of the people who have written it.

C.O. /siː oʊ / (C.O.s ) N‑COUNT A soldier's C.O. is his or her commanding officer .

c/o You write c/o before an address on an envelope when you are sending it to someone who is staying or working at that address, often for only a short time. c/o is an abbreviation for 'care of'. □ …Mr A D Bright, c/o Sherman Ltd, 62 Burton Road, Bristol 8.

coach ◆◆◇ /koʊ tʃ/ (coaches , coaching , coached )


1 N‑COUNT A coach is someone who trains a person or team of people in a particular sport. □ Tony Woodcock has joined German amateur team SC Brueck as coach.


2 VERB When someone coaches a person or a team, they help them to become better at a particular sport. □ [V n + to ] He coached the team to success in La Liga. □ [V n] I had coached the Alliance team for some time.


3 N‑COUNT A coach is a person who is in charge of a sports team. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use manager 4 N‑COUNT In baseball, a coach is a member of a team who stands near the first or third base, and gives signals to other members of the team who are on bases and are trying to score. [AM ]


5 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A coach is someone who gives people special teaching in a particular subject, especially in order to prepare them for an examination. □ What you need is a drama coach.


6 VERB If you coach someone, you give them special teaching in a particular subject, especially in order to prepare them for an examination. □ [V n] He gently coached me in French.


7 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A coach is a large, comfortable bus that carries passengers on long journeys. [BRIT ] □ As we headed back to Calais, the coach was badly delayed by roadworks. □ I hate travelling by coach. in AM, use bus 8 N‑COUNT A coach is one of the separate sections of a train that carries passengers. [BRIT ] □ The train was an elaborate affair of sixteen coaches. in AM, use car 9 N‑COUNT A coach is an enclosed vehicle with four wheels which is pulled by horses, and in which people used to travel. Coaches are still used for ceremonial events in some countries, such as Britain.

coach|load /koʊ tʃloʊd/ (coachloads ) also coach-load N‑COUNT A coachload of people is a group of people who are travelling somewhere together in a coach. [BRIT ] □ [+ of ] Dorset is as yet unspoilt by coachloads of tourists.

coach|man /koʊ tʃmən/ (coachmen ) N‑COUNT A coachman was a man who drove a coach that was pulled by horses. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

coa ch sta|tion (coach stations ) N‑COUNT A coach station is an area or a building which coaches leave from or arrive at on regular journeys. [BRIT ] in AM, use bus station

co|agu|late /koʊæ gjʊle I t/ (coagulates , coagulating , coagulated ) VERB When a liquid coagulates , it becomes very thick. □ [V ] The blood coagulates to stop wounds bleeding. ● co|agu|la|tion /koʊæ gjʊle I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Blood becomes stickier to help coagulation in case of a cut.

coal ◆◇◇ /koʊ l/ (coals )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Coal is a hard black substance that is extracted from the ground and burned as fuel. □ Gas-fired electricity is cheaper than coal.


2 N‑PLURAL Coals are burning pieces of coal. □ It is important to get the coals white-hot before you start cooking.

coa|lesce /koʊ əle s/ (coalesces , coalescing , coalesced ) VERB If two or more things coalesce , they come together and form a larger group or system. [FORMAL ] □ [V prep] Cities, if unrestricted, tend to coalesce into bigger and bigger conurbations. □ [V ] His sporting and political interests coalesced admirably in his writing about climbing.

coal|face /koʊ lfe I s/ (coalfaces ) N‑COUNT In a coal mine, the coalface is the part where the coal is being cut out of the rock.

coal|field /koʊ lfiːld/ (coalfields ) N‑COUNT A coalfield is a region where there is coal under the ground. □ The park lies on top of a coalfield.

coa|li|tion ◆◇◇ /koʊ əl I ʃ ə n/ (coalitions )


1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A coalition is a government consisting of people from two or more political parties. □ Since June the country has had a coalition government.


2 N‑COUNT A coalition is a group consisting of people from different political or social groups who are co-operating to achieve a particular aim. □ [+ of ] He had been opposed by a coalition of about 50 civil rights, women's and Latino organizations.

coa l mine (coal mines ) also coalmine N‑COUNT A coal mine is a place where coal is dug out of the ground.

coa l min|er (coal miners ) also coalminer N‑COUNT A coal miner is a person whose job is mining coal.

coa l scut|tle (coal scuttles ) N‑COUNT A coal scuttle is a container for keeping coal in. [mainly BRIT ]

coa l tar also coal-tar N‑UNCOUNT Coal tar is a thick black liquid made from coal which is used for making drugs and chemical products. □ …coal tar dyes.

coarse /kɔː r s/ (coarser , coarsest )


1 ADJ Coarse things have a rough texture because they consist of thick threads or large pieces. □ …a jacket made of very coarse cloth. □ …a beach of coarse sand. ● coarse|ly ADV □ …coarsely-ground black pepper.


2 ADJ If you describe someone as coarse , you mean that he or she talks and behaves in a rude and offensive way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The soldiers did not bother to moderate their coarse humour in her presence. ● coarse|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The women laughed coarsely at some vulgar joke.

coars|en /kɔː r s ə n/ (coarsens , coarsening , coarsened )


1 VERB If something coarsens or is coarsened , it becomes thicker or rougher in texture. □ [V ] Skin thickens, dries and coarsens after sun exposure. □ [V -ed] …his gnarled, coarsened features. [Also V n]


2 VERB If someone's behaviour or speech coarsens or if they coarsen it, they become less polite or they begin to speak in a less pleasant way. □ [V ] Her voice has deepened and coarsened with the years. □ [V n] He had coarsened his voice to an approximation of Cockney.

coast ◆◆◇ /koʊ st/ (coasts , coasting , coasted )


1 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] The coast is an area of land that is next to the sea. □ Campsites are usually situated along the coast, close to beaches. □ [+ of ] …the west coast of Scotland.


2 VERB If a vehicle coasts somewhere, it continues to move there with the motor switched off, or without being pushed or pedalled. □ [V prep/adv] I switched off the engine and coasted round the corner. [Also V ]


3 PHRASE If you say that the coast is clear , you mean that there is nobody around to see you or catch you. □ 'You can come out now,' he called. 'The coast is clear. She's gone.'

coast|al /koʊ st ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Coastal is used to refer to things that are in the sea or on the land near a coast. □ Local radio stations serving coastal areas often broadcast forecasts for yachtsmen. □ The fish are on sale from our own coastal waters.

coast|er /koʊ stə r / (coasters )


1 N‑COUNT A coaster is a small mat that you put underneath a glass or cup to protect the surface of a table.


2 N‑COUNT A coaster is a ship that sails along the coast taking goods to ports. [BRIT ]


3 → see also roller-coaster

coast|guard /koʊ stgɑː r d/ (coastguards ) in AM, usually use Coast Guard 1 N‑COUNT A coastguard is an official who watches the sea near a coast in order to get help for sailors when they need it and to stop illegal activities. [mainly BRIT ] ● N‑SING The coastguard is the organization to which coastguards belong. [BRIT ] □ The survivors were lifted off by two helicopters from the Coastguard.


2 N‑COUNT The Coast Guard is a part of a country's military forces and is responsible for protecting the coast, carrying out rescues, and doing police work along the coast. [AM ] □ The U.S. Coast Guard says it rescued more than 100 Haitian refugees. ● N‑COUNT A Coast Guard is a member of the coastguard. [AM ] □ The boat was intercepted by U.S. Coast Guards.

coast|line /koʊ stla I n/ (coastlines ) N‑VAR A country's coastline is the outline of its coast. □ Thousands of volunteers gave up part of their weekend to clean up the California coastline.

coat ◆◇◇ /koʊ t/ (coats , coating , coated )


1 N‑COUNT A coat is a piece of clothing with long sleeves which you wear over your other clothes when you go outside. □ He turned off the television, put on his coat and walked out.


2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] An animal's coat is the fur or hair on its body. □ Vitamin B6 is great for improving the condition of dogs' and horses' coats.


3 VERB If you coat something with a substance or in a substance, you cover it with a thin layer of the substance. □ [V n + with/in ] Coat the fish with seasoned flour. ● coat|ed ADJ [v-link ADJ , adv ADJ ] □ [+ with/in ] TV pictures showed a dying bird coated with oil. □ Dip the pieces so they are completely coated.


4 N‑COUNT A coat of paint or varnish is a thin layer of it on a surface. □ [+ of ] The front door needs a new coat of paint.

-coated /koʊ t I d/


1 COMB [ADJ n] -coated combines with colour adjectives such as 'white' and 'red', or words for types of coat like 'fur', to form adjectives that describe someone as wearing a certain sort of coat. □ At the top of the stairs stood the white-coated doctors.


2 COMB -coated combines with names of substances such as 'sugar' and 'plastic' to form adjectives that describe something as being covered with a thin layer of that substance. □ …chocolate-coated sweets. □ …plastic-coated wire.

coa t hang|er (coat hangers ) also coathanger N‑COUNT A coat hanger is a curved piece of wood, metal, or plastic that you hang a piece of clothing on.

coat|ing /koʊ t I ŋ/ (coatings ) N‑COUNT A coating of a substance is a thin layer of it spread over a surface. □ [+ of ] Under the coating of dust and cobwebs, he discovered a fine French Louis XVI clock.

coa t of a rms (coats of arms ) N‑COUNT The coat of arms of a family, town, or organization is a special design in the form of a shield that they use as a symbol of their identity. [mainly BRIT ]

coa t-tails also coattails


1 N‑PLURAL [oft poss N ] Coat-tails are the two long pieces at the back of a tailcoat .


2 PHRASE If you do something on the coat-tails of someone else, you are able to do it because of the other person's success, and not because of your own efforts. □ They accused him of riding on the coat-tails of the president.

co -au thor (co-authors , co-authoring , co-authored ) also coauthor


1 N‑COUNT The co-authors of a book, play, or report are the people who have written it together. □ [+ of ] He is the co-author of a forthcoming book on the refugee crisis.


2 VERB If two or more people co-author a book, play, or report, they write it together. □ [V n] He's co-authored a book on policy for tourism. □ [V n + with ] Karen Matthews co-authored the study with Lewis Kullers.

coax /koʊ ks/ (coaxes , coaxing , coaxed )


1 VERB If you coax someone into doing something, you gently try to persuade them to do it. □ [V n prep] Start trying to coax the rabbit out of its hutch. □ [V n to-inf] The government coaxed them to give up their strike. [Also V n]


2 VERB If you coax something such as information out of someone, you gently persuade them to give it to you. □ [V n + out of/from ] The police officer talked yesterday of her role in trying to coax vital information from the young victim.

cob /kɒ b/ (cobs )


1 N‑COUNT A cob is a round loaf of bread. [BRIT ]


2 N‑COUNT A cob is a type of short strong horse.


3 → see also corn on the cob

co|balt /koʊ bɔːlt/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Cobalt is a hard silvery-white metal which is used to harden steel and for producing a blue dye. □ …a country rich in copper, cobalt and diamonds.


2 COLOUR Cobalt or cobalt blue is a deep-blue colour. □ …a woman in a soft cobalt blue dress.

cob|ble /kɒ b ə l/ (cobbles , cobbling , cobbled ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Cobbles are the same as cobblestones . □ They found Trish sitting on the cobbles of the stable yard.


▸ cobble together PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone has cobbled something together , you mean that they have made or produced it roughly or quickly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P n] The group had cobbled together a few decent songs. □ [V n P ] You can cobble it together from any old combination of garments.

cob|bled /kɒ b ə ld/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A cobbled street has a surface made of cobblestones. □ Cottrell strode out across the cobbled courtyard.

cob|bler /kɒ blə r / (cobblers )


1 N‑COUNT A cobbler is a person whose job is to make or mend shoes. [OLD-FASHIONED ]


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you describe something that someone has just said as cobblers , you mean that you think it is nonsense. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ These guys talk an awful load of old cobblers.

cobble|stone /kɒ b ə lstoʊn/ (cobblestones ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Cobblestones are stones with a rounded upper surface which used to be used for making streets. □ …the narrow, cobblestone streets of the Left Bank.

co|bra /koʊ brə/ (cobras ) N‑COUNT A cobra is a kind of poisonous snake that can make the skin on the back of its neck into a hood.

cob|web /kɒ bweb/ (cobwebs )


1 N‑COUNT A cobweb is the net which a spider makes for catching insects.


2 PHRASE If something blows or clears away the cobwebs , it makes you feel more mentally alert and lively when you had previously been feeling tired. □ …a walk on the South Downs to blow away the cobwebs.

cob|webbed /kɒ bwebd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A cobwebbed surface is covered with cobwebs. □ …cobwebbed racks of wine bottles.

co|caine /koʊke I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Cocaine is a powerful drug which some people take for pleasure, but which they can become addicted to.

coc|cyx /kɒ ks I ks/ (coccyxes ) The plural coccyges is used in American English. N‑COUNT The coccyx is the small triangular bone at the lower end of the spine in human beings and some apes.

cochi|neal /kɒ tʃ I niː l/ N‑UNCOUNT Cochineal is a red substance that is used for colouring food.

coch|lea /kɒ kliə/ (cochleae /kɒ kliiː/) N‑COUNT The cochlea is the spiral-shaped part of the inner ear.

cock /kɒ k/ (cocks , cocking , cocked )


1 N‑COUNT A cock is an adult male chicken. [mainly BRIT ] □ The cock was announcing the start of a new day. in AM, use rooster 2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] You refer to a male bird, especially a male game bird, as a cock when you want to distinguish it from a female bird. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a cock pheasant.


3 N‑COUNT A man's cock is his penis. [INFORMAL , VERY RUDE ]


4 → see also stopcock


5 to cock a snook at someone → see snook


▸ cock up


1 PHRASAL VERB If you cock something up , you ruin it by doing something wrong. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ] □ [V n P ] 'Seems like I've cocked it up,' Egan said. □ [V P n] They've cocked up the address.


2 → see also cock-up

co ck-a-hoo p ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are cock-a-hoop , you are extremely pleased about something that you have done. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]

co ck-and-bu ll sto|ry (cock-and-bull stories ) N‑COUNT If you describe something that someone tells you as a cock-and-bull story , you mean that you do not believe it is true. [INFORMAL ]

cocka|poo /kɒ kəpuː / (cockapoos ) N‑COUNT A cockapoo is a kind of dog that is a cross between the cocker spaniel breed and the poodle breed.

cocka|tiel /kɒ kətiː əl/ (cockatiels ) N‑COUNT A cockatiel is a bird similar to a cockatoo that is often kept as a pet.

cocka|too /kɒ kətuː , [AM ] -tuː/ (cockatoos ) N‑COUNT A cockatoo is a kind of parrot from Australia or New Guinea which has a bunch of feathers called a crest on its head.

co cked ha t (cocked hats )


1 N‑COUNT A cocked hat is a hat with three corners that used to be worn with some uniforms.


2 PHRASE If you say that one thing knocks another thing into a cocked hat , you mean that it is much better or much more significant than the other thing. □ This design knocks everything else into a cocked hat.

cock|er|el /kɒ kərəl/ (cockerels ) N‑COUNT A cockerel is a young male chicken. [mainly BRIT ]

cock|er span|iel /kɒ kə r spæ njəl/ (cocker spaniels ) N‑COUNT A cocker spaniel is a breed of small dog with silky hair and long ears.

cock|eyed /kɒ ka I d, [AM ] -a I d/ also cock-eyed


1 ADJ If you say that an idea or scheme is cockeyed , you mean that you think it is very unlikely to succeed. □ She has some cockeyed delusions about becoming a pop star.


2 ADJ If something is cockeyed , it looks wrong because it is not in a level or straight position. □ …dusty photographs hanging at cockeyed angles on the walls.

cock|le /kɒ k ə l/ (cockles ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Cockles are small edible shellfish.

cock|ney /kɒ kni/ (cockneys )


1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A cockney is a person who was born in the East End of London. □ …a Cockney cab driver.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Cockney is the dialect and accent of the East End of London. □ The man spoke with a Cockney accent.

cock|pit /kɒ kp I t/ (cockpits ) N‑COUNT In an aeroplane or racing car, the cockpit is the part where the pilot or driver sits.

cock|roach /kɒ kroʊtʃ/ (cockroaches ) N‑COUNT A cockroach is a large brown insect that is sometimes found in warm places or where food is kept.

cock|sure /kɒ kʃʊə r / ADJ Someone who is cocksure is so confident and sure of their abilities that they annoy other people. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]

cock|tail /kɒ kte I l/ (cocktails )


1 N‑COUNT A cocktail is an alcoholic drink which contains several ingredients. □ On arrival, guests are offered wine or a champagne cocktail.


2 N‑COUNT A cocktail is a mixture of a number of different things, especially ones that do not go together well. □ [+ of ] The court was told she had taken a cocktail of drugs and alcohol.


3 → see also fruit cocktail , Molotov cocktail , prawn cocktail

co ck|tail dress (cocktail dresses ) N‑COUNT A cocktail dress is a dress that is suitable for formal social occasions.

co ck|tail lounge (cocktail lounges ) N‑COUNT A cocktail lounge is a room in a hotel, restaurant, or club where you can buy alcoholic drinks. □ Let's meet in the cocktail lounge at the Hilton.

co ck|tail par|ty (cocktail parties ) N‑COUNT A cocktail party is a party, usually held in the early evening, where cocktails or other alcoholic drinks are served. People often dress quite formally for them.

co ck-up (cock-ups ) N‑COUNT If you make a cock-up of something, you ruin it by doing something wrong. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ] □ [+ of ] He was in danger of making a real cock-up of this.

cocky /kɒ ki/ (cockier , cockiest ) ADJ Someone who is cocky is so confident and sure of their abilities that they annoy other people. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was a little bit cocky when he was about 11 because he was winning everything.

co|coa /koʊ koʊ/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Cocoa is a brown powder made from the seeds of a tropical tree. It is used in making chocolate. □ The Ivory Coast became the world's leading cocoa producer. □ …cocoa beans.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Cocoa is a hot drink made from cocoa powder and milk or water.

coco|nut /koʊ kənʌt/ (coconuts )


1 N‑COUNT A coconut is a very large nut with a hairy shell, which has white flesh and milky juice inside it. □ …the smell of roasted meats mingled with spices, coconut oil and ripe tropical fruits.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Coconut is the white flesh of a coconut. □ …desiccated coconut.

co co|nut milk N‑UNCOUNT Coconut milk is the milky juice inside coconuts.

co co|nut palm (coconut palms ) N‑COUNT A coconut palm is a tall tree on which coconuts grow.

co|coon /kəkuː n/ (cocoons , cocooning , cocooned )


1 N‑COUNT A cocoon is a covering of silky threads that the larvae of moths and other insects make for themselves before they grow into adults.


2 N‑COUNT If you are in a cocoon of something, you are wrapped up in it or surrounded by it. □ [+ of ] He stood there in a cocoon of golden light.


3 N‑COUNT If you are living in a cocoon , you are in an environment in which you feel protected and safe, and sometimes isolated from everyday life. □ You cannot live in a cocoon and overlook these facts.


4 VERB If something cocoons you from something, it protects you or isolates you from it. □ [V n + from ] There is nowhere to hide when things go wrong, no organisation to cocoon you from blame. □ [V pron-refl + in ] The playwright cocooned himself in a world of pretence. [Also V n + in ]

co|cooned /kəkuː nd/


1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is cocooned in blankets or clothes, they are completely wrapped in them. □ [+ in ] She is comfortably cocooned in pillows. □ …my snugly-cocooned baby sleeping in his pram.


2 ADJ If you say that someone is cocooned , you mean that they are isolated and protected from everyday life and problems. □ [+ in ] She was cocooned in a private world of privilege. □ [+ from ] They were cocooned from the experience of poverty.

cod /kɒ d/ (cods or cod )


1 N‑VAR Cod are a type of large edible fish. ● N‑UNCOUNT Cod is this fish eaten as food. □ A Catalan speciality is to serve salt cod cold.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use cod to describe something which is not genuine and which is intended to deceive or amuse people by looking or sounding like the real thing. [BRIT ] □ …a cod documentary on what animals think of living in a zoo.

coda /koʊ də/ (codas )


1 N‑COUNT A coda is a separate passage at the end of something such as a book or a speech that finishes it off.


2 N‑COUNT In music, a coda is the final part of a fairly long piece of music which is added in order to finish it off in a pleasing way.

cod|dle /kɒ d ə l/ (coddles , coddling , coddled ) VERB To coddle someone means to treat them too kindly or protect them too much. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] She coddled her youngest son madly.

code ◆◇◇ /koʊ d/ (codes , coding , coded )


1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A code is a set of rules about how people should behave or about how something must be done. □ …Article 159 of the Turkish penal code. □ [+ of ] …the code of the Samurai. □ …local building codes.


2 N‑COUNT [oft in N ] A code is a system of replacing the words in a message with other words or symbols, so that nobody can understand it unless they know the system. □ They used elaborate secret codes, as when the names of trees stood for letters. □ If you can't remember your number, write it in code in a diary.


3 N‑COUNT A code is a group of numbers or letters which is used to identify something, such as a postal address or part of a telephone system. □ Callers dialling the wrong area code will not get through.


4 N‑COUNT A code is any system of signs or symbols that has a meaning. □ Only one voucher or promotional code can be used per transaction.


5 N‑COUNT The genetic code of a person, animal or plant is the information contained in DNA which determines the structure and function of cells, and the inherited characteristics of all living things. □ …the genetic code that determines every bodily feature.


6 VERB If a gene codes for something such as a substance or characteristic, it creates or determines it. □ [V for ] These genes code for proteins that appear to play a role in appetite control. □ [V for ] …the genes that code for facial appearance.


7 VERB To code something means to give it a code or to mark it with its code. □ [V n] He devised a way of coding every statement uniquely.


8 N‑UNCOUNT Computer code is a system or language for expressing information and instructions in a form which can be understood by a computer. [COMPUTING ]


9 VERB To code means to write programs and instructions for a computer using computer code. □ [V ] Learning to code may be the fastest way into employment for young people. □ [V n] The course teaches you to code a multi-platform web app in just one day.


10 → see also bar code , Highway Code , machine code , morse code , postcode , zip code SYNONYMS code NOUN 1


principle: …moral principles.


rule: Strictly speaking, this was against the rules.


ethic: It is common to distinguish between personal and social ethics.


etiquette: …the rules of diplomatic etiquette.


convention: It's just a social convention that men don't wear skirts.


maxim: I believe in the maxim 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

cod|ed /koʊ d I d/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Coded messages have words or symbols which represent other words, so that the message is secret unless you know the system behind the code. □ She was fascinated with coded messages, secrets and plots.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone is using coded language, they are expressing their opinion in an indirect way, usually because that opinion is likely to offend people. □ It's widely assumed that his lyrics were coded references to homosexuality.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] Coded electronic signals use a binary system of digits which can be decoded by an appropriate machine. [TECHNICAL ] □ The coded signal is received by satellite dish aerials.

co|deine /koʊ diːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Codeine is a drug which is used to relieve pain, especially headaches, and the symptoms of a cold.

co de name (code names , code naming , code named ) also codename , code-name


1 N‑COUNT [usu N n] A code name is a name used for someone or something in order to keep their identity secret. □ One of their informers was working under the code name Czerny.


2 VERB [usu passive] If a military or police operation is code-named something, it is given a name which only the people involved in it know. □ [be V -ed n] The operation was code-named Moonlight Sonata. □ [V -ed] …a military contingent, code-named Sparrowhawk.

co de of co n|duct (codes of conduct ) N‑COUNT The code of conduct for a group or organization is an agreement on rules of behaviour for the members of that group or organization. □ Doctors in Britain say a new code of conduct is urgently needed to protect the doctor-patient relationship.

co de of pra c|tice (codes of practice ) N‑COUNT A code of practice is a set of written rules which explains how people working in a particular profession should behave. □ The auctioneers are violating a code of practice by dealing in stolen goods.

co -depe ndent (co-dependents ) ADJ A co-dependent person is in an unsatisfactory relationship with someone who is ill or an addict, but does not want the relationship to end. [TECHNICAL ] □ Guys can be co-dependent, too. ● N‑COUNT Co-dependent is also a noun. □ The program is geared around the problems of being a co-dependent. ● co-dependency N‑UNCOUNT □ …the dangers of co-dependency.

co de word (code words ) also codeword , code-word N‑COUNT A code word is a word or phrase that has a special meaning, different from its normal meaning, for the people who have agreed to use it in this way. □ [+ for ] …magnum, the code word for launching a radar attack.

co|dex /koʊ deks/ (codices ) N‑COUNT A codex is an ancient type of book which was written by hand, not printed.

codg|er /kɒ dʒə r / (codgers ) N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] Old codger is a disrespectful way of referring to an old man. [DISAPPROVAL ]

co|di|ces /koʊ d I siː z/ Codices is the plural of codex .

codi|cil /koʊ d I s I l, [AM ] kɑː d-/ (codicils ) N‑COUNT A codicil is an instruction that is added to a will after the main part of it has been written. [LEGAL ]

codi|fy /koʊ d I fa I , [AM ] kɑː d-/ (codifies , codifying , codified ) VERB If you codify a set of rules, you define them or present them in a clear and ordered way. □ [V n] The latest draft of the agreement codifies the panel's decision. ● codi|fi|ca|tion /koʊ d I f I ke I ʃ ə n, [AM ] kɑː d-/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The codification of the laws began in the 1840s.

cod|ing /koʊ d I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu adj N ] Coding is a method of making something easy to recognize or distinct, for example by colouring it. □ …a colour coding that will ensure easy reference for potential users.

co d-liver oi l also cod liver oil N‑UNCOUNT Cod liver oil is a thick yellow oil which is given as a medicine, especially to children, because it is full of vitamins A and D.

cod|piece /kɒ dpiːs/ (codpieces ) N‑COUNT A codpiece was a piece of material worn by men in the 15th and 16th centuries to cover their genitals.

cods|wallop /kɒ dzwɒləp/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe something that someone has just said as codswallop , you mean that you think it is nonsense. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ This is a load of codswallop.

co -ed (co-eds ) in AM, usually use coed 1 ADJ A co-ed school or college is the same as a co-educational school or college. □ He was educated at a co-ed comprehensive school.


2 N‑COUNT A co-ed is a female student at a co-educational college or university. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ …two University of Florida coeds.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] A co-ed sports facility or sporting activity is one that both males and females use or take part in at the same time. [AM ] □ You have a choice of co-ed or single-sex swimming exercise classes. in BRIT, usually use mixed

co -educa tional also coeducational ADJ A co-educational school, college, or university is attended by both boys and girls. □ The college has been co-educational since 1971.

co|ef|fi|cient /koʊ I f I ʃənt/ (coefficients ) N‑COUNT A coefficient is a number that expresses a measurement of a particular quality of a substance or object under specified conditions. [TECHNICAL ] □ …production coefficients.

co|erce /koʊɜː r s/ (coerces , coercing , coerced ) VERB If you coerce someone into doing something, you make them do it, although they do not want to. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + into ] Potter claimed he was coerced into pleading guilty. [Also V n to-inf]

co|er|cion /koʊɜː r ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Coercion is the act or process of persuading someone forcefully to do something that they do not want to do. □ It was vital that the elections should be free of coercion or intimidation.

co|er|cive /koʊɜː r s I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Coercive measures are intended to force people to do something that they do not want to do. □ The eighteenth-century Admiralty had few coercive powers over its officers.

co|ex|ist /koʊ I gz I st/ (coexists , coexisting , coexisted ) also co-exist VERB If one thing coexists with another, they exist together at the same time or in the same place. You can also say that two things coexist . □ [V + with ] Pockets of affluence coexist with poverty. □ [V ] Bankers and clockmakers have coexisted in the City for hundreds of years.

co|ex|ist|ence /koʊ I gz I st ə ns/ also co-existence N‑UNCOUNT The coexistence of one thing with another is the fact that they exist together at the same time or in the same place. □ [+ with ] He also believed in coexistence with the West.

C of E C of E is an abbreviation for Church of England . □ Mrs Steele was head of Didcot's C of E primary school.

cof|fee ◆◇◇ /kɒ fi, [AM ] kɔː fi/ (coffees )


1 N‑VAR Coffee is a hot drink made with water and ground or powdered coffee beans. □ Would you like some coffee? ● N‑COUNT A coffee is a cup of coffee. □ I made a coffee.


2 N‑VAR Coffee is the roasted beans or powder from which the drink is made. □ Brazil harvested 28m bags of coffee in 1991. □ …superior quality coffee.

co f|fee bar (coffee bars ) N‑COUNT A coffee bar is a small café where non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are sold.

co f|fee bean (coffee beans ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Coffee beans are small dark-brown beans that are roasted and ground to make coffee. They are the seeds of the coffee plant.

co f|fee break (coffee breaks ) N‑COUNT A coffee break is a short period of time, usually in the morning or afternoon, when you stop working and have a cup of coffee. □ It looks like she'll be too busy to stop for a coffee break.

co f|fee cup (coffee cups ) also coffee-cup N‑COUNT A coffee cup is a cup in which coffee is served. Coffee cups are usually smaller than tea cups.

co f|fee grind|er (coffee grinders ) N‑COUNT A coffee grinder is a machine for grinding coffee beans.

co f|fee house (coffee houses ) also coffee-house N‑COUNT A coffee house is a kind of bar where people sit to drink coffee and talk. Coffee houses were especially popular in Britain in the 18th century.

co f|fee morn|ing (coffee mornings ) N‑COUNT A coffee morning is a social event at which coffee and tea are served. It takes place in the morning, and is usually intended to raise money for charity. [BRIT ]

co f|fee name (coffee names ) N‑COUNT Your coffee name is a name that you give in some situations because it is simpler than your real name. [INFORMAL ] □ I gave the woman my coffee name.

co f|fee pot (coffee pots ) also coffeepot N‑COUNT A coffee pot is a tall narrow pot with a spout and a lid, in which coffee is made or served.

co f|fee shop (coffee shops ) also coffee-shop N‑COUNT A coffee shop is a kind of restaurant that sells coffee, tea, cakes, and sometimes sandwiches and light meals.

co f|fee ta|ble (coffee tables ) also coffee-table N‑COUNT A coffee table is a small low table in a living room.

co ffee-table book (coffee-table books ) N‑COUNT A coffee-table book is a large expensive book with a lot of pictures, which is designed to be looked at rather than to be read properly, and is usually placed where people can see it easily.

cof|fer /kɒ fə r / (coffers )


1 N‑COUNT A coffer is a large strong chest used for storing valuable objects such as money or gold and silver. [OLD-FASHIONED ]


2 N‑PLURAL [n N ] The coffers of an organization consist of the money that it has to spend, imagined as being collected together in one place. □ [+ of ] The money goes towards sports, as well as swelling the coffers of the government.

cof|fin /kɒ f I n, [AM ] kɔː f I n/ (coffins )


1 N‑COUNT A coffin is a box in which a dead body is buried or cremated.


2 PHRASE If you say that one thing is a nail in the coffin of another thing, you mean that it will help bring about its end or failure. □ [+ of ] A fine would be the final nail in the coffin of the airline.

cog /kɒ g/ (cogs )


1 N‑COUNT A cog is a wheel with square or triangular teeth around the edge, which is used in a machine to turn another wheel or part.


2 PHRASE If you describe someone as a cog in a machine or wheel , you mean that they are a small part of a large organization or group. □ Mr Lake was an important cog in the Republican campaign machine.

co|gent /koʊ dʒ ə nt/ ADJ A cogent reason, argument, or example is strong and convincing. [FORMAL ] □ There were perfectly cogent reasons why Julian Cavendish should be told of the Major's impending return. ● co|gen|cy N‑UNCOUNT □ The film makes its points with cogency and force.

cogi|tate /kɒ dʒ I te I t/ (cogitates , cogitating , cogitated ) VERB If you are cogitating , you are thinking deeply about something. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] He sat silently cogitating. □ [V + on/about ] …to cogitate on the meaning of life. ● cogi|ta|tion /kɒ dʒ I te I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ After much cogitation, we decided to move to the Isle of Wight.

cog|nac /kɒ njæk, [AM ] koʊ n-/ (cognacs ) also Cognac N‑VAR Cognac is a type of brandy made in the south west of France. □ …a bottle of Cognac. □ …one of the world's finest cognacs. ● N‑COUNT A cognac is a glass of cognac. □ Phillips ordered a cognac.

cog|nate /kɒ gne I t/ ADJ Cognate things are related to each other. [FORMAL ] □ …cognate words. [Also + with ]

cog|ni|sance /kɒ gn I z ə ns/ → see cognizance

cog|ni|sant /kɒ gn I z ə nt/ → see cognizant

cog|ni|tion /kɒgn I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Cognition is the mental process involved in knowing, learning, and understanding things. [FORMAL ] □ …processes of perception and cognition.

cog|ni|tive /kɒ gn I t I v/ ADJ [ADJ n] Cognitive means relating to the mental process involved in knowing, learning, and understanding things. [TECHNICAL , FORMAL ] □ As children grow older, their cognitive processes become sharper.

cog|ni|zance /kɒ gn I z ə ns/ in BRIT, also use cognisance


1 PHRASE If you take cognizance of something, you take notice of it or acknowledge it. [FORMAL ] □ The government failed to take cognisance of their protest.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Cognizance is knowledge or understanding. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the teacher's developing cognizance of the child's intellectual activity.

cog|ni|zant /kɒ gn I z ə nt/ in BRIT, also use cognisant ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is cognizant of something, they are aware of it or understand it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] We are cognizant of the problem.

co|gno|scen|ti /kɒ njəʃe nti/ N‑PLURAL [oft n N ] The cognoscenti are the people who know a lot about a particular subject. [FORMAL ] □ She has an international reputation among film cognoscenti.

co|hab|it /koʊhæ b I t/ (cohabits , cohabiting , cohabited ) VERB If two people are cohabiting , they are living together and have a sexual relationship, but are not married. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] In Italy people hardly ever cohabit. □ [V + with ] …a study of 616 adults who have cohabited with a partner during the past ten years. □ [V ] The number of couples who cohabit is rising dramatically. ● co|habi|ta|tion /koʊhæ b I te I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ The decline in marriage has been offset by a rise in cohabitation.

co|here /koʊh I ə r / (coheres , cohering , cohered ) VERB If the different elements of a piece of writing, a piece of music, or a set of ideas cohere , they fit together well so that they form a united whole. □ [V ] The various elements of the novel fail to cohere. □ [V + with ] This coheres with Peel's championing of alternative music. □ [V ] The empire could not cohere as a legitimate whole.

co|her|ence /koʊh I ə rəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Coherence is a state or situation in which all the parts or ideas fit together well so that they form a united whole. □ The anthology has a surprising sense of coherence.

co|her|ent /koʊh I ə rənt/


1 ADJ If something is coherent , it is well planned, so that it is clear and sensible and all its parts go well with each other. □ He has failed to work out a coherent strategy for modernising the service. □ The President's policy is perfectly coherent. ● co|her|ence N‑UNCOUNT □ The campaign was widely criticised for making tactical mistakes and for a lack of coherence.


2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is coherent , they express their thoughts in a clear and calm way, so that other people can understand what they are saying. □ He's so calm when he answers questions in interviews. I wish I could be that coherent. ● co|her|ence N‑UNCOUNT □ She lost consciousness and when she came round she still lacked coherence and focus.

co|he|sion /koʊhiː ʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT If there is cohesion within a society, organization, or group, the different members fit together well and form a united whole. □ [+ of ] The cohesion of the armed forces was rapidly breaking down.

co|he|sive /koʊhiː s I v/ ADJ Something that is cohesive consists of parts that fit together well and form a united whole. □ Huston had assembled a remarkably cohesive and sympathetic cast.

co|hort /koʊ hɔː r t/ (cohorts ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] A person's cohorts are their friends, supporters, or associates. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Drake and his cohorts were not pleased with my appointment.

coiffed /kwɑː ft/ ADJ [usu adv ADJ ] If someone has neatly coiffed hair, their hair is very carefully arranged. [FORMAL ] □ Her hair was perfectly coiffed.

coif|fure /kwɑːfjʊə r / (coiffures ) N‑COUNT A person's coiffure is their hairstyle. [FORMAL ] □ …her immaculate golden coiffure.

coif|fured /kwɑːfjʊə r d/ ADJ [usu adv ADJ ] Coiffured means the same as coiffed . [FORMAL ]

coil /kɔ I l/ (coils , coiling , coiled )


1 N‑COUNT A coil of rope or wire is a length of it that has been wound into a series of loops. □ [+ of ] Tod shook his head angrily and slung the coil of rope over his shoulder. □ The steel arrives at the factory in coils.


2 N‑COUNT A coil is one loop in a series of loops. □ Pythons kill by tightening their coils so that their victim cannot breathe.


3 N‑COUNT A coil is a thick spiral of wire through which an electrical current passes.


4 N‑COUNT The coil is a contraceptive device used by women. It is fitted inside a woman's womb, usually for several months or years.


5 VERB If you coil something, you wind it into a series of loops or into the shape of a ring. If it coils around something, it forms loops or a ring. □ [V n] He turned off the water and began to coil the hose. □ [V -ed] A huge rattlesnake lay coiled on the blanket. ● PHRASAL VERB Coil up means the same as coil . □ [V n P ] Once we have the wire, we can coil it up into the shape of a spring. □ [V -ed P ] Her hair was coiled up on top of her head. [Also V P n]

coiled /kɔ I ld/ ADJ [ADJ n] Coiled means in the form of a series of loops. □ …a heavy coiled spring. □ …special coiled kettle flexes.

coin /kɔ I n/ (coins , coining , coined )


1 N‑COUNT A coin is a small piece of metal which is used as money. □ …50 pence coins. □ …Frederick's gold coin collection.


2 VERB If you coin a word or a phrase, you are the first person to say it. □ [V n] Jaron Lanier coined the term 'virtual reality' and pioneered its early development.


3 PHRASE You say ' to coin a phrase ' to show that you realize you are making a pun or using a cliché. □ Fifty local musicians have, to coin a phrase, banded together to form the Jazz Umbrella.


4 PHRASE You use the other side of the coin to mention a different aspect of a situation. □ Low pay is the other side of the coin of falling unemployment.

coin|age /kɔ I n I dʒ/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Coinage is the coins which are used in a country. □ …the world's finest collection of medieval European coinage.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Coinage is the system of money used in a country. □ It took four years for Britain just to decimalise its own coinage.

co|in|cide /koʊ I nsa I d/ (coincides , coinciding , coincided )


1 VERB If one event coincides with another, they happen at the same time. □ [V + with ] The exhibition coincides with the 50th anniversary of his death. □ [V ] The beginning of the solar and lunar years coincided every 13 years.


2 VERB If the ideas or interests of two or more people coincide , they are the same. □ [V ] Our views don't always coincide, but we always voice our opinions. □ [V + with ] Our father was delighted when our opinions coincided with his own.

co|in|ci|dence /koʊ I ns I dəns/ (coincidences ) N‑VAR A coincidence is when two or more similar or related events occur at the same time by chance and without any planning. □ Mr. Berry said the timing was a coincidence and that his decision was unrelated to Mr. Roman's departure. □ The premises of Chabert and Sons were situated by the river and, by coincidence, not too far away from where Eric Talbot had met his death.

co|in|ci|dent /koʊ I ns I dənt/


1 ADJ Coincident events happen at the same time. [FORMAL ] □ …coincident birth times. □ [+ with ] Coincident with the talks, the bank was permitted to open a New York branch.


2 ADJ Coincident opinions, ideas, or policies are the same or are very similar to each other. [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] Their aims are coincident with ours. □ Coincident interests with the corporate rich and political directorate are pointed out.

co|in|ci|dent|al /koʊ I ns I de nt ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Something that is coincidental is the result of a coincidence and has not been deliberately arranged. □ Any resemblance to actual persons, places or events is purely coincidental.

co|in|ci|dent|al|ly /koʊ I ns I de ntli/ ADV [usu ADV with cl/group, oft ADV before v] You use coincidentally when you want to draw attention to a coincidence. □ Coincidentally, I had once found myself in a similar situation.

coir /kɔ I ə r / N‑UNCOUNT Coir is a rough material made from coconut shells which is used to make ropes and mats.

coi|tal /koʊ I t ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Coital means connected with or relating to sexual intercourse. [TECHNICAL ] □ …coital techniques.

coi|tus /koʊ I təs/ N‑UNCOUNT Coitus is sexual intercourse. [TECHNICAL ]

coke /koʊ k/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Coke is a solid black substance that is produced from coal and is burned as a fuel. □ …a coke-burning stove.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Coke is the same as cocaine . [INFORMAL ]

col. (cols ) col. is a written abbreviation for column and colour .

Col. N‑TITLE Col. is a written abbreviation for colonel when it is being used as a title in front of someone's name. □ …Col. Frank Weldon.

cola /koʊ lə/ (colas ) N‑VAR Cola is a sweet brown non-alcoholic fizzy drink. □ …a can of cola. ● N‑COUNT A glass of cola can be referred to as a cola .

co|la|da /kɒlɑː də/ (coladas ) → see pina colada

col|an|der /kɒ ləndə, kʌ l-/ (colanders ) N‑COUNT A colander is a container in the shape of a bowl with holes in it which you wash or drain food in.

cold ◆◆◇ /koʊ ld/ (colder , coldest , colds )


1 ADJ Something that is cold has a very low temperature or a lower temperature than is normal or acceptable. □ Rinse the vegetables under cold running water. □ He likes his tea neither too hot nor too cold. □ Your dinner's getting cold. ● cold|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] She complained about the coldness of his hands.


2 ADJ If it is cold , or if a place is cold , the temperature of the air is very low. □ It was bitterly cold. □ The house is cold because I can't afford to turn the heat on. □ This is the coldest winter I can remember. ● cold|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Within quarter of an hour the coldness of the night had gone.


3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Cold weather or low temperatures can be referred to as the cold . □ He must have come inside to get out of the cold. □ His feet were blue with cold.


4 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are cold , your body is at an unpleasantly low temperature. □ I was freezing cold. □ I'm hungry, I'm cold and I've nowhere to sleep.


5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Cold food, such as salad or meat that has been cooked and cooled, is not intended to be eaten hot. □ A wide variety of hot and cold snacks will be available. □ …cold meats.


6 ADJ Cold colours or cold light give an impression of coldness. □ Generally, warm colours advance in painting and cold colours recede. □ …the cold blue light from a streetlamp.


7 ADJ A cold person does not show much emotion, especially affection, and therefore seems unfriendly and unsympathetic. If someone's voice is cold , they speak in an unfriendly unsympathetic way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ What a cold, unfeeling woman she was. □ 'Send her away,' Eve said in a cold, hard voice. ● cold|ly ADV □ 'I'll see you in the morning,' Hugh said coldly. ● cold|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ His coldness angered her.


8 ADJ A cold trail or scent is one which is old and therefore difficult to follow. □ He could follow a cold trail over hard ground and even over stones.


9 N‑COUNT If you have a cold , you have a mild, very common illness which makes you sneeze a lot and gives you a sore throat or a cough.


10 → see also common cold


11 PHRASE If you catch cold , or catch a cold , you become ill with a cold. □ Let's dry our hair so we don't catch cold.


12 PHRASE If something leaves you cold , it fails to excite or interest you. □ Lawrence is one of those writers who either excite you enormously or leave you cold.


13 PHRASE If someone is out cold , they are unconscious or sleeping very heavily. □ She was out cold but still breathing.


14 in cold blood → see blood


15 to get cold feet → see foot


16 to blow hot and cold → see hot


17 to pour cold water on something → see water SYNONYMS cold ADJ 1


chilly: It was a chilly afternoon.


biting: …a raw, biting northerly wind.


freezing: The cinema was freezing.


icy: An icy wind blew hard across the open spaces.


cool: I felt a current of cool air.

co ld-bloo ded


1 ADJ Someone who is cold-blooded does not show any pity or emotion. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a cold-blooded murderer. □ This was a brutal and cold-blooded killing.


2 ADJ Cold-blooded animals have a body temperature that changes according to the surrounding temperature. Reptiles, for example, are cold-blooded.

co ld ca ll (cold calls , cold calling , cold called )


1 N‑COUNT If someone makes a cold call , they telephone or visit someone they have never contacted, without making an appointment, in order to try and sell something. □ She had worked as a call centre operator making cold calls for time-share holidays.


2 VERB To cold call means to make a cold call. □ [V ] You should refuse to meet anyone who cold calls with an offer of financial advice. [Also V n] ● cold calling N‑UNCOUNT □ Cold calling has given the industry a bad name.

co ld co m|fort N‑UNCOUNT If you say that a slightly encouraging fact or event is cold comfort to someone, you mean that it gives them little or no comfort because their situation is so difficult or unpleasant. □ [+ to/for ] These figures may look good on paper but are cold comfort to the islanders themselves.

co ld cuts N‑PLURAL Cold cuts are thin slices of cooked meat which are served cold. [AM ]

co ld fi sh N‑SING If you say that someone is a cold fish , you think that they are unfriendly and unemotional. [DISAPPROVAL ]

co ld frame (cold frames ) N‑COUNT A cold frame is a wooden frame with a glass top in which you grow small plants to protect them from cold weather.

co ld-hea rted ADJ [usu ADJ n] A cold-hearted person does not feel any affection or sympathy towards other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a cold-hearted killer.

co ld shou l|der (cold-shoulders , cold-shouldering , cold-shouldered ) The form cold-shoulder is used for the verb. 1 N‑SING If one person gives another the cold shoulder , they behave towards them in an unfriendly way, to show them that they do not care about them or that they want them to go away. □ But when Gough looked to Haig for support, he was given the cold shoulder.


2 VERB If one person cold-shoulders another, they give them the cold-shoulder. □ [V n] He was cold-shouldered by his team-mates for bringing shame on the club.

co ld snap (cold snaps ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A cold snap is a short period of cold and icy weather.

co ld sore (cold sores ) N‑COUNT Cold sores are small sore spots that sometimes appear on or near someone's lips and nose when they have a cold. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use fever blister

co ld sto r|age N‑UNCOUNT If something such as food is put in cold storage , it is kept in an artificially-cooled place in order to preserve it. □ The strawberries are kept in cold storage to prevent them spoiling during transportation.

co ld store (cold stores ) N‑COUNT A cold store is a building or room which is artificially cooled so that food can be preserved in it. [BRIT ]

co ld swea t (cold sweats ) N‑COUNT [usu sing, usu in/into N ] If you are in a cold sweat , you are sweating and feel cold, usually because you are very afraid or nervous. □ He awoke from his sleep in a cold sweat.

co ld tu r|key N‑UNCOUNT Cold turkey is the unpleasant physical reaction that people experience when they suddenly stop taking a drug that they have become addicted to. [INFORMAL ] □ The quickest way to get her off the drug was to let her go cold turkey.

Co ld Wa r also cold war N‑PROPER The Cold War was the period of hostility and tension between the Soviet bloc and the Western powers that followed the Second World War. □ …the first major crisis of the post-Cold War era.

cole|slaw /koʊ lslɔː/ N‑UNCOUNT Coleslaw is a salad of chopped raw cabbage, carrots, onions, and sometimes other vegetables, usually with mayonnaise.

col|ic /kɒ l I k/ N‑UNCOUNT Colic is an illness in which you get severe pains in your stomach and bowels. Babies especially suffer from colic.

col|icky /kɒ l I ki/ ADJ If someone, especially a baby, is colicky , they are suffering from colic.

co|li|tis /kəla I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Colitis is an illness in which your colon becomes inflamed. [TECHNICAL ]

col|labo|rate /kəlæ bəre I t/ (collaborates , collaborating , collaborated )


1 VERB When one person or group collaborates with another, they work together, especially on a book or on some research. □ [V + with ] He collaborated with his son Michael on the English translation of the text. □ [V + with ] A hospital will collaborate with a retail developer to improve retail and catering services. □ [V + on/in ] …a place where professionals and amateurs collaborated in the making of music. □ [V ] The two men met and agreed to collaborate. [Also pl-n V to-inf, V with n to-inf]


2 VERB If someone collaborates with an enemy that is occupying their country during a war, they help them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + with ] He was accused of having collaborated with the secret police. [Also V ]

col|labo|ra|tion /kəlæ bəre I ʃ ə n/ (collaborations )


1 N‑VAR [in N ] Collaboration is the act of working together to produce a piece of work, especially a book or some research. □ [+ between ] This arose as a result of close collaboration between the two museums. □ …scientific collaborations. □ [+ with ] Drummond was working on a book in collaboration with Zodiac Mindwarp.


2 N‑COUNT A collaboration is a piece of work that has been produced as the result of people or groups working together. □ [+ with ] He was also a writer of beautiful stories, some of which are collaborations with his fiancee. [Also + between ]


3 N‑UNCOUNT Collaboration is the act of helping an enemy who is occupying your country during a war. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She faced charges of collaboration. [Also + with ]

col|labo|ra|tion|ist /kəlæ bəre I ʃən I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A collaborationist government or individual is one that helps or gives support to the enemy during the war. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Quinn headed the collaborationist government throughout the war.

col|labo|ra|tive /kəlæ bərət I v, [AM ] -re I t-/ ADJ [ADJ n] A collaborative piece of work is done by two or more people or groups working together. [FORMAL ] □ …a collaborative research project. □ 'The First Day' is their first collaborative album.

col|labo|ra|tor /kəlæ bəre I tə r / (collaborators )


1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] A collaborator is someone that you work with to produce a piece of work, especially a book or some research. □ The Irvine group and their collaborators are testing whether lasers do the job better.


2 N‑COUNT A collaborator is someone who helps an enemy who is occupying their country during a war. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Two alleged collaborators were shot dead by masked activists.

col|lage /kɒ lɑːʒ, [AM ] kəlɑː ʒ/ (collages )


1 N‑COUNT A collage is a picture that has been made by sticking pieces of coloured paper and cloth onto paper.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Collage is the method of making pictures by sticking pieces of coloured paper and cloth onto paper.

col|la|gen /kɒ lədʒən/ N‑UNCOUNT Collagen is a protein that is found in the bodies of people and animals. It is often used as an ingredient in cosmetics or is injected into the face in cosmetic surgery, in order to make the skin look younger. □ The collagen that is included in face creams comes from animal skin. □ …collagen injections.

col|lapse ◆◆◇ /kəlæ ps/ (collapses , collapsing , collapsed )


1 VERB If a building or other structure collapses , it falls down very suddenly. □ [V ] A section of the Bay Bridge had collapsed. □ [V -ing] Most of the deaths were caused by landslides and collapsing buildings. ● N‑UNCOUNT Collapse is also a noun. □ Governor Deukmejian called for an inquiry into the freeway's collapse.


2 VERB If something, for example a system or institution, collapses , it fails or comes to an end completely and suddenly. □ [V ] His business empire collapsed under a massive burden of debt. □ [V -ing] The rural people have been impoverished by a collapsing economy. ● N‑UNCOUNT Collapse is also a noun. □ The coup's collapse has speeded up the drive to independence. □ Their economy is teetering on the brink of collapse.


3 VERB If you collapse , you suddenly faint or fall down because you are very ill or weak. □ [V ] He collapsed following a vigorous exercise session at his home. ● N‑UNCOUNT Collapse is also a noun. □ A few days after his collapse he was sitting up in bed.


4 VERB If you collapse onto something, you sit or lie down suddenly because you are very tired. □ [V prep] She arrived home exhausted and barely capable of showering before collapsing on her bed. [Also V ] SYNONYMS collapse VERB


1


fall down: Children jumped from upper floors as the building fell down around them.


give: My knees gave under me.


give way: The hook in the ceiling had given way.


cave in: Part of the roof has caved in.


2


fail: He was afraid the revolution they had started would fail.


fold: 2,500 small businesses were folding each week.


founder: The talks have foundered.


break down: Talks with business leaders broke down last night.


fall through: The deal fell through.


3


faint: She suddenly fell forward on to the table and fainted.


crumple: He immediately crumpled to the floor.


pass out: He felt sick and dizzy and then passed out.


keel over: He then keeled over and fell flat on his back.


black out: Samadov said that he felt so ill that he blacked out.

col|laps|ible /kəlæ ps I b ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A collapsible object is designed to be folded flat when it is not being used. □ …a collapsible chair.

col|lar /kɒ lə r / (collars , collaring , collared )


1 N‑COUNT The collar of a shirt or coat is the part which fits round the neck and is usually folded over. □ His tie was pulled loose and his collar hung open. □ …a coat with a huge fake fur collar.


2 → see also blue-collar , dog-collar , white-collar


3 N‑COUNT A collar is a band of leather or plastic which is put round the neck of a dog or cat.


4 VERB If you collar someone who has done something wrong or who is running away, you catch them and hold them so that they cannot escape. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] As Kerr fled towards the exit, Boycott collared him at the ticket barrier.

collar|bone /kɒ lə r boʊn/ (collarbones ) in BRIT, also use collar bone N‑COUNT Your collarbones are the two long bones which run from throat to your shoulders. □ Harold had a broken collarbone.

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