con|sume /kənsjuː m, [AM ] -suː m/ (consumes , consuming , consumed )


1 VERB If you consume something, you eat or drink it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Many people experienced a drop in their cholesterol levels when they consumed oat bran.


2 VERB To consume an amount of fuel, energy, or time means to use it up. □ [V n] New refrigerators consume 70 percent less electricity than older models.


3 VERB If a feeling or idea consumes you, it affects you very strongly indeed. □ [V n] The memories consumed him.


4 → see also consumed , consuming

con|sumed /kənsjuː md, [AM ] -suː md/ ADJ If you are consumed with a feeling or idea, it affects you very strongly indeed. [LITERARY ] □ [+ with/by ] They are consumed with jealousy at her success.

con|sum|er ◆◆◇ /kənsjuː mə r , [AM ] -suː -/ (consumers ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A consumer is a person who buys things or uses services. □ …improving public services and consumer rights. SYNONYMS consumer NOUN 1


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


customer: Our customers have very tight budgets.

con|su m|er cre d|it N‑UNCOUNT Consumer credit is money that is lent to people by organizations such as banks, building societies, and shops so that they can buy things. □ New consumer credit fell to $3.7 billion in August.

con|su m|er du |rable (consumer durables ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Consumer durables are goods which are expected to last a long time, and are bought infrequently. [BRIT ] in AM, use durable goods

con|su m|er goods N‑PLURAL Consumer goods are items bought by people for their own use, rather than by businesses. Compare capital goods .

con|sum|er|ism /kənsjuː mər I zəm, [AM ] -suː -/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Consumerism is the belief that it is good to buy and use a lot of goods. □ They have clearly embraced Western consumerism.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Consumerism is the protection of the rights and interests of consumers.

con|sum|er|ist /kənsjuː mər I st, [AM ] -suː -/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Consumerist economies are ones which encourage people to consume a lot of goods. [BUSINESS , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …our consumerist society.

co n|sum|er so|ci |ety (consumer societies ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can use consumer society to refer to a society where people think that spending money on goods and services is very important.

con|sum|ing /kənsjuː m I ŋ, [AM ] -suː -/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A consuming passion or interest is more important to you than anything else. □ He has developed a consuming passion for chess.


2 → see also consume , time-consuming

con|sum|mate /kɒ nsəme I t/ (consummates , consummating , consummated ) The adjective is pronounced /kɒ nsʌmət/. The verb is pronounced /kɒ nsəme I t/. 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use consummate to describe someone who is extremely skilful. [FORMAL ] □ He acted the part with consummate skill. □ Those familiar with Sanders call him a consummate politician.


2 VERB If two people consummate a marriage or relationship, they make it complete by having sex. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They consummated their passion only after many hesitations and delays.

con|sump|tion /kənsʌ mpʃ ə n/


1 N‑UNCOUNT The consumption of fuel or natural resources is the amount of them that is used or the act of using them. □ The laws have led to a reduction in fuel consumption in the U.S. □ [+ of ] …a tax on the consumption of non-renewable energy resources.


2 N‑UNCOUNT The consumption of food or drink is the act of eating or drinking something, or the amount that is eaten or drunk. [FORMAL ] □ Most of the wine was unfit for human consumption. □ [+ of ] The average daily consumption of fruit and vegetables is around 200 grams.


3 N‑UNCOUNT Consumption is the act of buying and using things. □ Recycling the waste from our increased consumption is better than burning it.


4 → see also conspicuous consumption

con|sump|tive /kənsʌ mpt I v/ ADJ A consumptive person suffers from tuberculosis . [OLD-FASHIONED ]

cont. Cont. is an abbreviation for 'continued', which is used at the bottom of a page to indicate that a letter or text continues on another page.

con|tact ◆◆◇ /kɒ ntækt/ (contacts , contacting , contacted )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Contact involves meeting or communicating with someone, especially regularly. □ [+ with ] Opposition leaders are denying any contact with the rebels. □ [+ between ] He forbade contacts between directors and executives outside his presence.


2 PHRASE If you are in contact with someone, you regularly meet them or communicate with them. □ [+ with ] He was in direct contact with the kidnappers. □ We do keep in contact.


3 VERB If you contact someone, you telephone them, write to them, or go to see them in order to tell or ask them something. □ [V n] Contact the Tourist Information Bureau for further details. □ [V n] When she first contacted me, Frances was upset.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] Your contact details or number are information such as a telephone number where you can be contacted. □ You must leave your full name and contact details when you phone.


5 N‑UNCOUNT If you come into contact with someone or something, you meet that person or thing in the course of your work or other activities. □ The college has brought me into contact with western ideas.


6 PHRASE If you make contact with someone, you find out where they are and talk or write to them. □ Then, after she had become famous, he tried to make contact with her.


7 PHRASE If you lose contact with someone who you have been friendly with, you no longer see them, speak to them, or write to them. □ Though they all live nearby, I lost contact with them really quickly. □ Mother and son lost contact when Nicholas was in his early twenties.


8 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in/into N with n] When people or things are in contact , they are touching each other. □ They compared how these organisms behaved when left in contact with different materials. □ The cry occurs when air is brought into contact with the baby's larynx. □ There was no physical contact, nor did I want any.


9 N‑UNCOUNT Radio contact is communication by means of radio. □ [+ with ] The plane lost contact with the control tower shortly after take-off.


10 N‑COUNT A contact is someone you know in an organization or profession who helps you or gives you information. □ Their contact in the United States Embassy was called Phil.


11 to make eye contact → see eye

co n|tact lens (contact lenses ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Contact lenses are small plastic lenses that you put on the surface of your eyes to help you see better, instead of wearing glasses.

con|tact|less /kɒ ntæktl I s/ ADJ A contactless credit card or payment system uses technology that recognizes electronic data, and does not require the customer's signature or personal identification number. □ The new system is designed to provide contactless travel cards for use on trains and buses.

con|ta|gion /kənte I dʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Contagion is the spreading of a particular disease by someone touching another person who is already affected by the disease. □ They have been reluctant to admit AIDS patients, in part because of unfounded fears of contagion.

con|ta|gious /kənte I dʒəs/


1 ADJ A disease that is contagious can be caught by touching people or things that are infected with it. Compare infectious . □ …a highly contagious disease of the lungs.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] A feeling or attitude that is contagious spreads quickly among a group of people. □ Antonio has a contagious enthusiasm for the beautiful aspect of food.

con|tain ◆◆◇ /kənte I n/ (contains , containing , contained )


1 VERB [no cont] If something such as a box, bag, room, or place contains things, those things are inside it. □ [V n] The bag contained a Christmas card. □ [V n] Factory shops contain a wide range of cheap furnishings. □ [V n] The 77,000-acre estate contains five of the highest peaks in Scotland.


2 VERB [no cont] If a substance contains something, that thing is a part of it. □ [V n] Most of that old paint contains lead, which is hazardous if ingested.


3 VERB [no cont] If writing, speech, or film contains particular information, ideas, or images, it includes them. □ [V n] This sheet contained a list of problems a patient might like to raise with the doctor. □ [V n] The two discs also contain two of Britten's lesser-known song-cycles.


4 VERB [no cont] If a group or organization contains a certain number of people, those are the people that are in it. □ [V n] The committee contains 11 Democrats and nine Republicans.


5 VERB If you contain something, you control it and prevent it from spreading or increasing. □ [V n] More than a hundred firefighters are still trying to contain the fire at the plant.


6 VERB If you cannot contain a feeling such as excitement or anger, or if you cannot contain yourself , you cannot prevent yourself from showing your feelings. □ [V pron-refl] He was bursting with curiosity and just couldn't contain himself. □ [V n] Evans could barely contain his delight: 'I'm so proud of her,' he said.


7 → see also self-contained SYNONYMS contain VERB 1


hold: The small bottles don't seem to hold much.


include: The list includes many British internationals.


accommodate: The school was not big enough to accommodate all the children.


enclose: Enclose the pot in a clear polythene bag.

con|tain|er /kənte I nə r / (containers )


1 N‑COUNT A container is something such as a box or bottle that is used to hold or store things in. □ …the plastic containers in which fish are stored and sold.


2 N‑COUNT A container is a very large metal or wooden box used for transporting goods so that they can be loaded easily onto ships and lorries.

con|tai n|er ship (container ships ) N‑COUNT A container ship is a ship that is designed for carrying goods that are packed in large metal or wooden boxes.

con|tain|ment /kənte I nmənt/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Containment is the action or policy of keeping another country's power or area of control within acceptable limits or boundaries.


2 N‑UNCOUNT The containment of something dangerous or unpleasant is the act or process of keeping it under control within a particular area or place. □ [+ of ] Fire crews are hoping they can achieve full containment of the fire before the winds pick up.

con|tami|nant /kəntæ m I nənt/ (contaminants ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A contaminant is something that contaminates a substance such as water or food. [FORMAL ] □ Contaminants found in poultry will also be found in their eggs.

con|tami|nate /kəntæ m I ne I t/ (contaminates , contaminating , contaminated ) VERB If something is contaminated by waste, dirt, chemicals, or radiation, it is made dirty or harmful. □ [be V -ed] Have any fish been contaminated in the Arctic Ocean? □ [V -ed] …vast tracts of empty land, much of it contaminated by years of army activity. [Also V n] ● con|tami|nat|ed ADJ □ [+ with ] Nuclear weapons plants across the country are heavily contaminated with toxic wastes. □ More than 100,000 people could fall ill after drinking contaminated water. ● con|tami|na|tion /kəntæ m I ne I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the contamination of the ocean by plastic.

con|tem|plate /kɒ ntəmple I t/ (contemplates , contemplating , contemplated )


1 VERB If you contemplate an action, you think about whether to do it or not. □ [V n] For a time he contemplated a career as an army medical doctor. □ [V v-ing] She contemplates leaving for the sake of the kids.


2 VERB If you contemplate an idea or subject, you think about it carefully for a long time. □ [V n] As he lay in his hospital bed that night, he cried as he contemplated his future. ● con|tem|pla|tion /kɒ ntəmple I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ It is a place of quiet contemplation.


3 VERB If you contemplate something or someone, you look at them for a long time. □ [V n] He contemplated his hands, still frowning. ● con|tem|pla|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] He was lost in the contemplation of the landscape for a while.

con|tem|pla|tive /kənte mplət I v/ ADJ Someone who is contemplative thinks deeply, or is thinking in a serious and calm way. □ Martin is a quiet, contemplative sort of chap.

con|tem|po|ra|neous /kənte mpəre I niəs/ ADJ If two events or situations are contemporaneous , they happen or exist during the same period of time. [FORMAL ] □ No recording or contemporaneous note was made of the conversation with Mr Diamond.

con|tem|po|rary ◆◇◇ /kənte mpərəri, [AM ] -pəreri/ (contemporaries )


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Contemporary things are modern and relate to the present time. □ They wanted traditional music; he felt more contemporary music would aid outreach. □ Only the names are ancient; the characters are modern and contemporary.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Contemporary people or things were alive or happened at the same time as something else you are talking about. □ …drawing upon official records and the reports of contemporary witnesses.


3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Someone's contemporary is a person who is or was alive at the same time as them. □ Like most of my contemporaries, I grew up in a vastly different world. SYNONYMS contemporary ADJ 1


modern: …the problem of materialism in modern society.


current: Current thinking suggests that toxins only have a small part to play.


up-to-date: …Germany's most up-to-date electric power station.


recent: Sales have fallen by more than 75 percent in recent years.


present-day: Even by present-day standards these were large aircraft.

con|tempt /kənte mpt/


1 N‑UNCOUNT If you have contempt for someone or something, you have no respect for them or think that they are unimportant. □ [+ for ] He has contempt for those beyond his immediate family circle. □ I hope voters will treat his advice with the contempt it deserves.


2 PHRASE If you hold someone or something in contempt , you feel contempt for them. □ Small wonder that many voters hold their politicians in contempt.


3 familiarity breeds contempt → see familiarity

con|tempt|ible /kənte mpt I b ə l/ ADJ If you feel that someone or something is contemptible , you feel strong dislike and disrespect for them. [FORMAL ] □ …this contemptible act of violence.

con|te mpt of cou rt N‑UNCOUNT Contempt of court is the criminal offence of disobeying an instruction from a judge or a court of law. [LEGAL ] □ He faced imprisonment for contempt of court.

con|temp|tu|ous /kənte mptʃuəs/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are contemptuous of someone or something, you do not like or respect them at all. □ [+ of ] He's openly contemptuous of all the major political parties. □ She gave a contemptuous little laugh.

con|tend /kənte nd/ (contends , contending , contended )


1 VERB If you have to contend with a problem or difficulty, you have to deal with it or overcome it. □ [V + with ] It is time, once again, to contend with racism. □ [V + with ] American businesses could soon have a new kind of lawsuit to contend with.


2 VERB If you contend that something is true, you state or argue that it is true. [FORMAL ] □ [V that] The government contends that he is fundamentalist.


3 VERB If you contend with someone for something such as power, you compete with them to try to get it. □ [V + for ] …the two main groups contending for power. □ [V + with ] …with 10 U.K. construction yards contending with rivals from Norway, Holland, Italy and Spain. □ [V -ing] …a binding political settlement between the contending parties.

con|tend|er /kənte ndə r / (contenders ) N‑COUNT A contender is someone who takes part in a competition. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ for ] Her trainer said yesterday that she would be a strong contender for a place in Britain's Commonwealth squad. [Also + in ]


content


➊ NOUN USES


➋ ADJECTIVE AND VERB USES


➊ con|tent ◆◇◇ /kɒ ntent/ (contents )


1 N‑PLURAL The contents of a container such as a bottle, box, or room are the things that are inside it. □ [+ of ] Empty the contents of the pan into the sieve. □ Sandon Hall and its contents will be auctioned by Sotheby's on October 6.


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to the content or contents of something such as a book, speech, or television programme, you are referring to the subject that it deals with, the story that it tells, or the ideas that it expresses. □ [+ of ] She is reluctant to discuss the content of the play. □ The letter's contents were not disclosed.


3 N‑PLURAL The contents of a book are its different chapters and sections, usually shown in a list at the beginning of the book. □ There is no initial list of contents.


4 N‑UNCOUNT The content of something such as an educational course or a programme of action is the elements that it consists of. □ Previous students have had nothing but praise for the course content and staff.


5 N‑SING [n N ] You can use content to refer to the amount or proportion of something that a substance contains. □ Sunflower margarine has the same fat content as butter.

➋ con|tent /kənte nt/ (contents , contenting , contented )


→ Please look at category 4 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.


1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf] If you are content with something, you are willing to accept it, rather than wanting something more or something better. □ [+ with ] I'm perfectly content with the way the campaign has gone. □ [+ with ] Not content with rescuing one theatre, Sally Green has taken on another.


2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are content , you are fairly happy or satisfied. □ He says his daughter is quite content.


3 VERB If you content yourself with something, you accept it and do not try to do or have other things. □ [V pron-refl + with ] He wisely contented himself with his family and his love of nature. □ [V pron-refl + with/by ] Most manufacturers content themselves with updating existing models.


4 to your heart's content → see heart

con|tent|ed /kənte nt I d/ ADJ If you are contented , you are satisfied with your life or the situation you are in. □ Whenever he returns to this place he is happy and contented. □ She was gazing at him with a soft, contented smile on her face.

con|ten|tion /kənte nʃ ə n/ (contentions )


1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Someone's contention is the idea or opinion that they are expressing in an argument or discussion. □ This evidence supports their contention that the outbreak of violence was prearranged.


2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu n of N ] If something is a cause of contention , it is a cause of disagreement or argument. □ A particular source of contention is plans to privatise state-run companies.


3 → see also bone of contention


4 PHRASE If you are in contention in a contest, you have a chance of winning it. □ [+ for ] He was in contention for a place in the European championship squad.

con|ten|tious /kənte nʃəs/ ADJ A contentious issue causes a lot of disagreement or arguments. [FORMAL ] □ Sanctions are expected to be among the most contentious issues. □ …a country where land prices are politically contentious.

con|tent|ment /kənte ntmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT Contentment is a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction. □ I cannot describe the feeling of contentment that was with me at that time.

co n|tent pro|vi d|er (content providers ) N‑COUNT A content provider is a company that supplies material such as text, music, or images for use on websites. [COMPUTING ] □ …content providers such as CNN and MTV.

con|test ◆◇◇ (contests , contesting , contested ) The noun is pronounced /kɒ ntest/. The verb is pronounced /kənte st/. 1 N‑COUNT A contest is a competition or game in which people try to win. □ Few contests in the recent history of British boxing have been as thrilling. □ …a writing contest.


2 → see also beauty contest


3 N‑COUNT A contest is a struggle to win power or control. □ The state election due in November will be the last such ballot before next year's presidential contest. □ [+ between ] …a clear contest between church and state.


4 VERB If someone contests an election or competition, they take part in it and try to win it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] He quickly won his party's nomination to contest the elections. □ [V -ed] …a closely contested regional flower show.


5 VERB If you contest a statement or decision, you object to it formally because you think it is wrong or unreasonable. □ [V n] Your former employer has to reply within 14 days in order to contest the case. □ [V -ed] Gender discrimination is a hotly-contested issue.

con|test|ant /kənte stənt/ (contestants ) N‑COUNT A contestant in a competition or quiz is a person who takes part in it.

con|text ◆◇◇ /kɒ ntekst/ (contexts )


1 N‑VAR [oft adj N ] The context of an idea or event is the general situation that relates to it, and which helps it to be understood. □ [+ of ] We are doing this work in the context of reforms in the economic, social and cultural spheres. □ …the historical context in which Chaucer wrote.


2 N‑VAR The context of a word, sentence, or text consists of the words, sentences, or text before and after it which help to make its meaning clear. □ Without a context, I would have assumed it was written by a man.


3 PHRASE If something is seen in context or if it is put into context , it is considered together with all the factors that relate to it. □ Taxation is not popular in principle, merely acceptable in context. □ It is important that we put Jesus into the context of history.


4 PHRASE If a statement or remark is quoted out of context , the circumstances in which it was said are not correctly reported, so that it seems to mean something different from the meaning that was intended. □ Thomas says that he has been taken out of context on the issue. SYNONYMS context NOUN 1


circumstances: The strategy was too dangerous in the explosive circumstances of the times.


times: We are in one of the most severe recessions in modern times.


conditions: The conditions are ripe for the spread of disease.


situation: Army officers said the situation was under control.

con|tex|tual /kənte kstʃuəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A contextual issue or account relates to the context of something. [FORMAL ] □ The writer builds up a clever contextual picture of upper-class life.

con|tigu|ous /kənt I gjuəs/ ADJ Things that are contiguous are next to each other or touch each other. [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] Its vineyards are virtually contiguous with those of Ausone. □ [+ to ] …two years of travel throughout the 48 contiguous states.

con|ti|nent ◆◇◇ /kɒ nt I nənt/ (continents )


1 N‑COUNT A continent is a very large area of land, such as Africa or Asia, that consists of several countries. □ She loved the African continent. □ Dinosaurs evolved when most continents were joined in a single land mass.


2 N‑PROPER People sometimes use the Continent to refer to the continent of Europe except for Britain. [mainly BRIT ] □ Its shops are among the most stylish on the Continent.

con|ti|nen|tal /kɒ nt I ne nt ə l/ (continentals )


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Continental means situated on or belonging to the continent of Europe except for Britain. [mainly BRIT ] □ He sees no signs of improvement in the U.K. and continental economy.


2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A continental is someone who comes from the continent of Europe. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]


3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe someone or something as continental , you think that they are typical of the continent of Europe. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]


4 ADJ [ADJ n] Continental is used to refer to something that belongs to or relates to a continent. □ The most ancient parts of the continental crust are 4000 million years old.


5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] The continental United States consists of all the states which are situated on the continent of North America, as opposed to Hawaii and territories such as the Virgin Islands. [mainly AM ] □ Shipping is included on orders sent within the continental U.S.


6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Continental means existing or happening in the American colonies during the American Revolution. [AM ] □ …George Washington, Commander of the Continental Army.


7 N‑COUNT Continentals were soldiers who fought in the Continental Army against the British in the American Revolution. [AM ]

co n|ti|nen|tal brea k|fast (continental breakfasts ) N‑COUNT A continental breakfast is breakfast that consists of food such as bread, butter, jam, and a hot drink. There is no cooked food.

co n|ti|nen|tal dri ft N‑UNCOUNT Continental drift is the slow movement of the Earth's continents towards and away from each other.

co n|ti|nen|tal she lf N‑UNCOUNT The continental shelf is the area which forms the edge of a continent, ending in a steep slope to the depths of the ocean. □ …the deep water off the Continental Shelf.

con|tin|gen|cy /kənt I ndʒ ə nsi/ (contingencies )


1 N‑VAR A contingency is something that might happen in the future. [FORMAL ] □ I need to examine all possible contingencies.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] A contingency plan or measure is one that is intended to be used if a possible situation actually occurs. [FORMAL ] □ We have contingency plans.

con|tin|gent /kənt I ndʒ ə nt/ (contingents )


1 N‑COUNT A contingent of police, soldiers, or military vehicles is a group of them. [FORMAL ] □ There were contingents from the navies of virtually all E.U. countries.


2 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] A contingent is a group of people representing a country or organization at a meeting or other event. [FORMAL ] □ The strong British contingent suffered mixed fortunes.


3 ADJ If something is contingent on something else, the first thing depends on the second in order to happen or exist. [FORMAL ] □ [+ on/upon ] In effect, growth is contingent on improved incomes for the mass of the low-income population.

con|tin|ual /kənt I njuəl/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A continual process or situation happens or exists without stopping. □ The school has been in continual use since 1883. □ Despite continual pain, he refused all drugs. ● con|tinu|al|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ She cried almost continually and threw temper tantrums.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Continual events happen again and again. □ …the government's continual demands for cash to finance its chronic deficit. □ She suffered continual police harassment. ● con|tinu|al|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Malcolm was continually changing his mind.

con|tinu|ance /kənt I njuəns/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The continuance of something is its continuation. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …thus ensuring the continuance of the human species.

con|tinu|ation /kənt I njue I ʃ ə n/ (continuations )


1 N‑VAR [usu with poss] The continuation of something is the fact that it continues, rather than stopping. □ [+ of ] It's the coalition forces who are to blame for the continuation of the war.


2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Something that is a continuation of something else is closely connected with it or forms part of it. □ [+ of ] It would just be a continuation of previous visits he has made to Israel.

con|tinue ◆◆◆ /kənt I njuː/ (continues , continuing , continued )


1 VERB If someone or something continues to do something, they keep doing it and do not stop. □ [V to-inf] I hope they continue to fight for equal justice after I'm gone. □ [V to-inf] Interest rates continue to fall. □ [V v-ing] They are determined to continue working when they reach retirement age. □ [V + with ] There is no reason why you should not continue with any sport or activity you already enjoy.


2 VERB If something continues or if you continue it, it does not stop happening. □ [V ] He insisted that the conflict would continue until conditions were met for a ceasefire. □ [V n] Outside the building people continue their vigil, huddling around bonfires. □ [V -ed] …the continued existence of a species.


3 VERB If you continue with something, you start doing it again after a break or interruption. □ [V + with ] I went up to my room to continue with my packing. □ [V v-ing] She looked up for a moment, then continued drawing.


4 VERB If something continues or if you continue it, it starts again after a break or interruption. □ [V ] He denies 18 charges. The trial continues today. □ [V n] Once, he did dive for cover but he soon reappeared and continued his activities.


5 VERB If you continue , you begin speaking again after a pause or interruption. □ [V with quote] 'You have no right to intimidate this man,' Alison continued. □ [V ] Tony drank some coffee before he continued. □ [V ] Please continue.


6 VERB If you continue as something or continue in a particular state, you remain in a particular job or state. □ [V + as ] He had hoped to continue as a full-time career officer. □ [V prep] For ten days I continued in this state.


7 VERB If you continue in a particular direction, you keep walking or travelling in that direction. □ [V prep/adv] He continued rapidly up the path, not pausing until he neared the house.

con|ti nu|ing edu|ca |tion N‑UNCOUNT Continuing education is education for adults in a variety of subjects, most of which are practical, not academic.

con|ti|nu|ity /kɒ nt I njuː I ti, [AM ] -nuː -/ (continuities )


1 N‑VAR Continuity is the fact that something continues to happen or exist, with no great changes or interruptions. □ An historical awareness also imparts a sense of continuity. □ [+ of ] …a tank designed to ensure continuity of fuel supply during aerobatics.


2 N‑UNCOUNT In film making, continuity is the way that things filmed at different times are made to look as if they were filmed at the same time or in the right sequence. [TECHNICAL ] □ Walt and I referred to the original footage to check continuity and lighting.

con|ti|nu |ity an|nounc|er (continuity announcers ) N‑COUNT A continuity announcer is someone who introduces the next programme on a radio or television station.

con|tinu|ous /kənt I njuəs/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A continuous process or event continues for a period of time without stopping. □ Residents report that they heard continuous gunfire. □ …all employees who had a record of five years' continuous employment with the firm. ● con|tinu|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ The civil war has raged almost continuously for ten years. □ It is the oldest continuously-inhabited city in America.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A continuous line or surface has no gaps or holes in it. □ …a continuous line of boats.


3 ADJ In English grammar, continuous verb groups are formed using the auxiliary 'be' and the present participle of a verb, as in 'I'm feeling a bit tired' and 'She had been watching them for some time'. Continuous verb groups are used especially when you are focusing on a particular moment. Compare simple .

con|ti nu|ous as|se ss|ment N‑UNCOUNT If pupils or students undergo continuous assessment , they get qualifications partly or entirely based on the work they do during the year, rather than on exam results. [BRIT ]

con|tin|uum /kənt I njuəm/ (continua /kənt I njuə/ or continuums ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A continuum is a set of things on a scale, which have a particular characteristic to different degrees. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] These various complaints are part of a continuum of ill-health.

con|tort /kəntɔː r t/ (contorts , contorting , contorted ) VERB If someone's face or body contorts or is contorted , it moves into an unnatural and unattractive shape or position. □ [V ] His face contorts as he screams out the lyrics. □ [V n] The gentlest of her caresses would contort his already tense body. □ [V -ed] Brenner was breathing hard, his face contorted with pain.

con|tor|tion /kəntɔː r ʃ ə n/ (contortions ) N‑COUNT Contortions are movements of your body or face into unusual shapes or positions. □ [+ of ] I had to admire the contortions of the gymnasts.

con|tor|tion|ist /kəntɔː r ʃən I st/ (contortionists ) N‑COUNT A contortionist is someone who twists their body into strange and unnatural shapes and positions in order to entertain other people, for example in a circus.

con|tour /kɒ ntʊə r / (contours )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can refer to the general shape or outline of an object as its contours . [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the texture and colour of the skin, the contours of the body.


2 N‑COUNT A contour on a map is a line joining points of equal height and indicating hills, valleys, and the steepness of slopes. □ …a contour map showing two hills and this large mountain in the middle.

con|toured /kɒ ntʊə r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] A contoured surface has curves and slopes on it, rather than being flat. □ …the lush fairways and contoured greens of the course. □ Sophia settled into her comfortably-contoured seat.

contra|band /kɒ ntrəbænd/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Contraband refers to goods that are taken into or out of a country illegally. □ Most of the city markets were flooded with contraband goods.

contra|cep|tion /kɒ ntrəse pʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Contraception refers to methods of preventing pregnancy. □ Use a reliable method of contraception.

contra|cep|tive /kɒ ntrəse pt I v/ (contraceptives )


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A contraceptive method or device is a method or a device which a woman uses to prevent herself from becoming pregnant. □ It was at that time she started taking the contraceptive pill.


2 N‑COUNT A contraceptive is a device or drug that prevents a woman from becoming pregnant. □ …oral contraceptives.

con|tract ◆◆◇ (contracts , contracting , contracted ) The noun is pronounced /kɒ ntrækt/. The verb is pronounced /kəntræ kt/. 1 N‑COUNT A contract is a legal agreement, usually between two companies or between an employer and employee, which involves doing work for a stated sum of money. □ The company won a prestigious contract for work on Europe's tallest building. □ He was given a seven-year contract with an annual salary of $150,000.


2 VERB If you contract with someone to do something, you legally agree to do it for them or for them to do it for you. [FORMAL ] □ [V + with ] You can contract with us to deliver your cargo. □ [V to-inf] The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has already contracted to lease part of its collection to a museum in Japan.


3 VERB When something contracts or when something contracts it, it becomes smaller or shorter. □ [V ] Blood is only expelled from the heart when it contracts. □ [V n] New research shows that an excess of meat and salt can contract muscles. ● con|trac|tion /kəntræ kʃ ə n/ (contractions ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the contraction and expansion of blood vessels. □ Foods and fluids are mixed in the stomach by its muscular contractions.


4 VERB When something such as an economy or market contracts , it becomes smaller. □ [V ] The manufacturing economy contracted in October for the sixth consecutive month.


5 VERB [no cont] If you contract a serious illness, you become ill with it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He contracted the disease from a blood transfusion. □ [V -ed] Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer contracted by women.


6 VERB If you contract a marriage, alliance, or other relationship with someone, you arrange to have that relationship with them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] She contracted a formal marriage to a British ex-serviceman.


7 N‑COUNT If there is a contract on a person or on their life, someone has made an arrangement to have them killed. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ on ] The convictions resulted in the local crime bosses putting a contract on him.


8 PHRASE If you are under contract to someone, you have signed a contract agreeing to work for them, and for no-one else, during a fixed period of time. □ By now she was under contract to MGM and on her way to Hollywood.


▸ contract out


1 PHRASAL VERB If a company contracts out work, they employ other companies to do it. [BUSINESS ] □ [V P n + to ] Firms can contract out work to one another. □ [V P n] When Barclays Bank contracted out its cleaning, the new company was cheaper. □ [V n P ] …the trend of contracting services out rather than performing them in-house. [Also V n P + to , V P ]


2 PHRASAL VERB If a person or group contracts out of a system or scheme, they formally say that they do not want to take part in it. [BRIT ] □ [V P + of ] Employees can contract out of their employer's occupational pension scheme. □ [V P ] …a deal which converts into a pay-as-you-go service unless you contract out. SYNONYMS contract NOUN 1


agreement: It looks as though a compromise agreement has now been reached.


deal: The two sides tried and failed to come to a deal.


pact: Last month the two countries signed a new non-aggression pact.


settlement: They are not optimistic about a settlement of the eleven-year conflict. VERB 3


constrict: Severe migraine can be treated with a drug which constricts the blood vessels.


tighten: Sofia's throat had tightened and she couldn't speak.


shorten: As they shorten, cells become more prone to disease and death.

con|trac|tion /kəntræ kʃ ə n/ (contractions )


1 N‑COUNT When a woman who is about to give birth has contractions , she experiences a very strong, painful tightening of the muscles of her womb.


2 N‑COUNT A contraction is a shortened form of a word or words. □ [+ for ] 'It's' (with an apostrophe) should be used only as a contraction for 'it is'.


3 → see also contract

con|trac|tor /kɒ ntræktə r , kəntræ k-/ (contractors ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A contractor is a person or company that does work for other people or organizations. [BUSINESS ] □ …a major U.S. defense contractor.

con|trac|tual /kəntræ ktʃuəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A contractual arrangement or relationship involves a legal agreement between people. [FORMAL ] □ The company has not fulfilled certain contractual obligations. ● con|trac|tu|al|ly ADV [usu ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj] □ Rank was contractually obliged to hand him a cheque for $30 million.

contra|dict /kɒ ntrəd I kt/ (contradicts , contradicting , contradicted )


1 VERB If you contradict someone, you say that what they have just said is wrong, or suggest that it is wrong by saying something different. □ [V n] She dared not contradict him. □ [V n] His comments appeared to contradict remarks made earlier in the day by the chairman. □ [V pron-refl] He often talks in circles, frequently contradicting himself and often ends up saying nothing.


2 VERB If one statement or piece of evidence contradicts another, the first one makes the second one appear to be wrong. □ [V n] The result seems to contradict a major U.S. study reported last November.

contra|dic|tion /kɒ ntrəd I kʃ ə n/ (contradictions ) N‑COUNT If you describe an aspect of a situation as a contradiction , you mean that it is completely different from other aspects, and so makes the situation confused or difficult to understand. □ [+ of ] The performance seemed to me unpardonable, a contradiction of all that the competition is supposed to be. □ The militants see no contradiction in using violence to bring about a religious state.

contra|dic|tory /kɒ ntrəd I ktəri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ If two or more facts, ideas, or statements are contradictory , they state or imply that opposite things are true. □ Customs officials have made a series of contradictory statements about the equipment. □ …advice that sometimes is contradictory and confusing.

contra|flow /kɒ ntrəfloʊ/ (contraflows ) N‑COUNT A contraflow is a situation in which vehicles travelling on a main road in one direction have to use lanes that are normally used by traffic travelling in the opposite direction, because the road is being repaired. [BRIT ] □ …a contraflow between Junctions Eleven and Twelve of the M5.

contra|in|di|ca|tion /kɒ ntrə I nd I ke I ʃ ə n/ (contraindications ) also contra-indication N‑COUNT [usu pl] Contraindications are specific medical reasons for not using a particular treatment for a medical condition in the usual way. [MEDICAL ] □ [+ for ] Contraindications for this drug include liver or kidney impairment.

con|tral|to /kəntræ ltoʊ/ (contraltos ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A contralto is a woman with a low singing voice. □ The score calls for a contralto. □ I had a very low contralto voice.

con|trap|tion /kəntræ pʃ ə n/ (contraptions ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a device or machine as a contraption , especially when it looks strange or you do not know what it is used for. □ Wearers use the strange contraption for facial exercises.

con|trar|ian /kəntreə riən/ (contrarians ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A contrarian is a person who deliberately behaves in a way that is different from the people around them. [FORMAL ] □ He is by nature a contrarian. □ …the young contrarian intellectual.

con|tra|ry /kɒ ntrəri, [AM ] -treri/


1 ADJ Ideas, attitudes, or reactions that are contrary to each other are completely different from each other. □ [+ to ] This view is contrary to the aims of critical social research for a number of reasons. □ Several of those present, including Weinberger, had contrary information.


2 PHRASE If you say that something is true contrary to other people's beliefs or opinions, you are emphasizing that it is true and that they are wrong. [EMPHASIS ] □ Contrary to popular belief, moderate exercise actually decreases your appetite.


3 PHRASE You use on the contrary when you have just said or implied that something is not true and are going to say that the opposite is true. □ It is not an idea around which the Community can unite. On the contrary, I see it as one that will divide us.


4 PHRASE You can use on the contrary when you are disagreeing strongly with something that has just been said or implied, or are making a strong negative reply. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'People just don't do things like that.'—'On the contrary, they do them all the time.'


5 PHRASE You can use quite the contrary to emphasize a previous negative statement, or when you are making a strong negative reply. [EMPHASIS ] □ I'm not a feminist, quite the contrary.


6 PHRASE When a particular idea is being considered, evidence or statements to the contrary suggest that this idea is not true or that the opposite is true. □ He stuck to his assumption despite growing evidence to the contrary. USAGE contrary


Don’t say ‘on the contrary’ when you are going to mention something that gives a different opinion from something you have just said. Don’t say, for example, ‘ I don’t like living in the centre of the town. On the contrary, it’s useful when you want to buy something '. Say ‘I don’t like living in the centre of the town. On the other hand , it’s useful when you want to buy something’. □ It’s a difficult job. But, on the other hand , the salary is good.

con|trast ◆◇◇ (contrasts , contrasting , contrasted ) The noun is pronounced /kɒ ntrɑːst, -træst/. The verb is pronounced /kəntrɑː st, -træ st/. 1 N‑VAR A contrast is a great difference between two or more things which is clear when you compare them. □ [+ between ] …the contrast between town and country. □ The two visitors provided a startling contrast in appearance. □ Silk was used with wool for contrast.


2 PHRASE You say by contrast or in contrast , or in contrast to something, to show that you are mentioning a very different situation from the one you have just mentioned. □ The private sector, by contrast, has plenty of money to spend. □ In contrast, the lives of girls in well-to-do families were often very sheltered. □ In contrast to similar services in France and Germany, Intercity rolling stock is very rarely idle.


3 PHRASE If one thing is in contrast to another, it is very different from it. □ His public statements have always been in marked contrast to those of his son.


4 N‑COUNT If one thing is a contrast to another, it is very different from it. □ [+ to ] The boy's room is a complete contrast to the guest room. □ …a country of great contrasts.


5 VERB If you contrast one thing with another, you point out or consider the differences between those things. □ [V n + with ] She contrasted the situation then with the present crisis. □ [V n] In this section we contrast four possible broad approaches.


6 VERB If one thing contrasts with another, it is very different from it. □ [V + with ] Johnson's easy charm contrasted sharply with the prickliness of his boss. □ [V -ing] Paint the wall in a contrasting colour. [Also V ]


7 N‑UNCOUNT Contrast is the degree of difference between the darker and lighter parts of a photograph, television picture, or painting. COLLOCATIONS contrast NOUN


1


adjective + contrast : marked, sharp, stark, startling; dynamic


verb + contrast : offer, provide, show


4


adjective + contrast : complete, total; interesting, refreshing VERB 6


contrast + adverb : markedly, sharply, starkly, strikingly; unfavourably SYNONYMS contrast NOUN 1


difference: …the vast difference in size.


disparity: …the great disparity of wealth between rich and poor countries. VERB 5


differentiate: A child may not differentiate between his imagination and the real world.


distinguish: It is necessary to distinguish the policies of two successive governments.

contra|vene /kɒ ntrəviː n/ (contravenes , contravening , contravened ) VERB To contravene a law or rule means to do something that is forbidden by the law or rule. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The Board has banned the film on the grounds that it contravenes criminal libel laws. ● contra|ven|tion /kɒ ntrəve nʃ ə n/ (contraventions ) N‑VAR [oft in N of n] □ [+ of ] The government has lent millions of pounds to banks in contravention of the laws.

con|tre|temps /kɒ ntrətɒm/ (contretemps ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A contretemps is a small disagreement that is rather embarrassing. [LITERARY ] □ [+ with ] He was briefly arrested in Rome after a contretemps with Italian police.

con|trib|ute ◆◇◇ /kəntr I bjuːt/ (contributes , contributing , contributed )


1 VERB If you contribute to something, you say or do things to help to make it successful. □ [V + to ] The three sons also contribute to the family business. □ [V n + to ] He believes he has something to contribute to a discussion concerning the uprising. [Also V ]


2 VERB To contribute money or resources to something means to give money or resources to help pay for something or to help achieve a particular purpose. □ [V n] The U.S. is contributing $4 billion in loans, credits and grants. □ [V n + to/towards ] NATO officials agreed to contribute troops and equipment to such an operation if the U.N. Security Council asked for it. [Also V ] ● con|tribu|tor /kəntr I bjʊtə r / (contributors ) N‑COUNT □ [+ to ] …the largest net contributors to E.U. funds.


3 VERB If something contributes to an event or situation, it is one of the causes of it. □ [V + to ] The report says design faults in both the vessels contributed to the tragedy. □ [V -ing] Stress, both human and mechanical, may also be a contributing factor.


4 VERB If you contribute to a magazine, newspaper, or book, you write things that are published in it. □ [V + to ] I was asked to contribute to a newspaper article making predictions for the new year. □ [V -ing] He is a contributing editor for Vanity Fair magazine. ● con|tribu|tor N‑COUNT □ [+ to ] He covers Central America and is a regular contributor to The New Yorker.

con|tri|bu|tion ◆◇◇ /kɒ ntr I bjuː ʃ ə n/ (contributions )


1 N‑COUNT If you make a contribution to something, you do something to help make it successful or to produce it. □ [+ to ] He was awarded a prize for his contribution to world peace.


2 N‑COUNT A contribution is a sum of money that you give in order to help pay for something. □ [+ of ] …charitable contributions of a half million dollars or more.


3 N‑COUNT A contribution to a magazine, newspaper, or book is something that you write to be published in it. COLLOCATIONS contribution NOUN


1


adjective + contribution : important, major, outstanding, significant; positive, solid, valuable


verb + contribution : make; acknowledge, recognize, value


2


noun + contribution : employer, pension


adjective + contribution : charitable, parental, tax-deductible, voluntary


verb + contribution : increase, pay

con|tribu|tor /kəntr I bjʊtə r / (contributors )


1 N‑COUNT You can use contributor to refer to one of the causes of an event or situation, especially if that event or situation is an unpleasant one. □ [+ to ] Old buses are major contributors to pollution in British cities.


2 → see also contribute

con|tribu|tory /kəntr I bjʊtəri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A contributory factor of a problem or accident is one of the things which caused it to exist or happen. [FORMAL ] □ We now know that repressing anger is a contributory factor in many physical illnesses.

con|trite /kəntra I t, kɒ ntra I t/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are contrite , you are very sorry because you have done something wrong. [FORMAL ]

con|triv|ance /kəntra I v ə ns/ (contrivances )


1 N‑VAR If you describe something as a contrivance , you disapprove of it because it is unnecessary and artificial. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ They wear simple clothes and shun modern contrivances. □ Music with a tendency towards contrivance and lack of substance.


2 N‑COUNT A contrivance is an unfair or dishonest scheme or trick to gain an advantage for yourself. □ …some contrivance to raise prices.

con|trive /kəntra I v/ (contrives , contriving , contrived )


1 VERB If you contrive an event or situation, you succeed in making it happen, often by tricking someone. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The oil companies were accused of contriving a shortage of gasoline to justify price increases.


2 VERB If you contrive to do something difficult, you succeed in doing it. [FORMAL ] □ [V to-inf] The orchestra contrived to produce some of its best playing for years.

con|trived /kəntra I vd/


1 ADJ If you say that something someone says or does is contrived , you think it is false and deliberate, rather than natural and not planned. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ There was nothing contrived or calculated about what he said. □ It mustn't sound like a contrived compliment.


2 ADJ If you say that the plot of a play, film, or novel is contrived , you mean that it is unlikely and unconvincing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The plot seems contrived.

con|trol ◆◆◆ /kəntroʊ l/ (controls , controlling , controlled )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Control of an organization, place, or system is the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run. □ [+ of ] The restructuring involves Mr Ronson giving up control of the company. □ [+ over ] The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory. ● PHRASE If you are in control of something, you have the power to make all the important decisions about the way it is run. □ Nobody knows who is in control of the club. □ In the West, people feel more in control of their own lives. ● PHRASE If something is under your control , you have the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run. □ All the newspapers were taken under government control.


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you have control of something or someone, you are able to make them do what you want them to do. □ [+ of ] He lost control of his car. □ [+ over ] Some teachers have more control over pupils than their parents have.


3 N‑UNCOUNT If you show control , you prevent yourself behaving in an angry or emotional way. □ He had a terrible temper, and sometimes he would completely lose control. □ He was working hard to keep control of himself.


4 VERB The people who control an organization or place have the power to take all the important decisions about the way that it is run. □ [V n] He now controls the largest retail development empire in southern California. □ [V -ing] Minebea ended up selling its controlling interest in both firms. ● -controlled COMB □ AGA Gas is Swedish-controlled. □ …the state-controlled media.


5 VERB To control a piece of equipment, process, or system means to make it work in the way that you want it to work. □ [V n] …a computerised system to control the gates. □ [V -ed] …the controlled production of energy from sugar by a cell. ● -controlled COMB □ …computer-controlled traffic lights.


6 VERB When a government controls prices, wages, or the activity of a particular group, it uses its power to restrict them. □ [V n] The federal government tried to control rising health-care costs. ● N‑UNCOUNT Control is also a noun. □ [+ of ] Control of inflation remains the government's absolute priority.


7 VERB If you control yourself , or if you control your feelings, voice, or expression, you make yourself behave calmly even though you are feeling angry, excited, or upset. □ [V pron-refl] Jo was advised to learn to control herself. □ [V n] I just couldn't control my temper. ● con|trolled ADJ □ Her manner was quiet and very controlled.


8 VERB To control something dangerous means to prevent it from becoming worse or from spreading. □ [V n] One of the biggest tasks will be to control the spread of malaria.


9 N‑COUNT A control is a device such as a switch or lever which you use in order to operate a machine or other piece of equipment. □ I practised operating the controls. □ …the control box. ● PHRASE If someone is at the controls of a machine or other piece of equipment, they are operating it. □ He died of a heart attack while at the controls of the plane.


10 N‑VAR Controls are the methods that a government uses to restrict increases, for example in prices, wages, or weapons. □ Critics question whether price controls would do any good. □ They have very strict gun control in Sweden.


11 N‑VAR [n N ] Control is used to refer to a place where your documents or luggage are officially checked when you enter a foreign country. □ He went straight through Passport Control without incident.


12 → see also air traffic control , birth control , quality control , remote control , stock control


13 PHRASE If something is out of control , no-one has any power over it. □ The fire is burning out of control.


14 PHRASE If something harmful is under control , it is being dealt with successfully and is unlikely to cause any more harm. □ If the current violence is to be brought under control, the government needs to act.

con|tro l freak (control freaks ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a control freak , you mean that they want to be in control of every situation they find themselves in. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

con|trol|lable /kəntroʊ ləb ə l/ ADJ If something is controllable you are able to control or influence it. □ This makes the surfboards more controllable. □ …controllable aspects of life.

con|trol|ler /kəntroʊ lə r / (controllers )


1 N‑COUNT A controller is a person who has responsibility for a particular organization or for a particular part of an organization. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] …the job of controller of BBC 1. □ [+ of ] …the financial controller of W H Smith.


2 → see also air traffic controller


3 N‑COUNT A controller is the same as a comptroller .

con|tro l tow|er (control towers ) N‑COUNT A control tower is a building at an airport from which instructions are given to aircraft when they are taking off or landing. You can also refer to the people who work in a control tower as the control tower . □ The pilot told the control tower that he'd run into technical trouble.

con|tro|ver|sial ◆◇◇ /kɒ ntrəvɜː r ʃ ə l/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as controversial , you mean that they are the subject of intense public argument, disagreement, or disapproval. □ Immigration is a controversial issue in many countries. □ The changes are bound to be controversial. ● con|tro|ver|sial|ly ADV [oft ADV with v] □ More controversially, he claims that these higher profits cover the cost of finding fresh talent.

con|tro|ver|sy ◆◇◇ /kɒ ntrəvɜː r si, kəntrɒ və r si/ (controversies ) N‑VAR Controversy is a lot of discussion and argument about something, often involving strong feelings of anger or disapproval. □ The proposed cuts have caused considerable controversy. [Also + over/about ] SYNONYMS controversy NOUN


argument: The issue has caused heated political argument.


contention: They generally tried to avoid subjects of contention between them.


debate: There has been a lot of debate among scholars about this.


disagreement: Congress and the President are still locked in disagreement over the proposals.

con|tu|sion /kəntjuː ʒ ə n, [AM ] -tuː -/ (contusions ) N‑COUNT A contusion is a bruise . [MEDICAL ]

co|nun|drum /kənʌ ndrəm/ (conundrums ) N‑COUNT A conundrum is a problem or puzzle which is difficult or impossible to solve. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …this theological conundrum of the existence of evil and suffering in a world created by a good God.

con|ur|ba|tion /kɒ nə r be I ʃ ə n/ (conurbations ) N‑COUNT A conurbation consists of a large city together with the smaller towns around it. [mainly BRIT , FORMAL ] □ …London and all the other major conurbations.

con|va|lesce /kɒ nvəle s/ (convalesces , convalescing , convalesced ) VERB If you are convalescing , you are resting and getting your health back after an illness or operation. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] After two weeks, I was allowed home, where I convalesced for three months. □ [V + from ] …those convalescing from illness or surgery.

con|va|les|cence /kɒ nvəle s ə ns/ N‑UNCOUNT Convalescence is the period or process of becoming healthy and well again after an illness or operation. [FORMAL ]

con|va|les|cent /kɒ nvəle s ə nt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Convalescent means relating to convalescence. [FORMAL ] □ …an officers' convalescent home.

con|vec|tion /kənve kʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Convection is the process by which heat travels through air, water, and other gases and liquids. [TECHNICAL ] □ …clouds which lift warm, moist air by convection high into the atmosphere.

con|ve c|tor heat|er (convector heaters ) N‑COUNT A convector heater is a heater that heats a room by means of hot air.

con|vene /kənviː n/ (convenes , convening , convened ) VERB If someone convenes a meeting or conference, they arrange for it to take place. You can also say that people convene or that a meeting convenes . [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Last August he convened a meeting of his closest advisers at Camp David. □ [V ] Senior officials convened in October in London.

con|ven|er /kənviː nə r / → see convenor

con|veni|ence /kənviː niəns/ (conveniences )


1 N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] If something is done for your convenience , it is done in a way that is useful or suitable for you. □ He was happy to make a detour for her convenience. □ [+ of ] …the need to put the rights of citizens above the convenience of elected officials. ● PHRASE If something is arranged to happen at your convenience , it happens at a time which is most suitable for you. [FORMAL ] □ Delivery times are arranged at your convenience.


2 N‑COUNT If you describe something as a convenience , you mean that it is very useful. □ Mail order is a convenience for buyers who are too busy to shop.


3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Conveniences are pieces of equipment designed to make your life easier. □ …an apartment with all the modern conveniences.


4 N‑COUNT A public convenience is a building containing toilets which is provided in a public place for anyone to use. [BRIT , FORMAL ] □ …the cubicles of a public convenience.


5 → see also convenient

con|ve ni|ence food N‑UNCOUNT Convenience food is frozen, dried, or canned food that can be heated and prepared very quickly and easily. □ I rely too much on convenience food.

con|ve ni|ence store (convenience stores ) N‑COUNT A convenience store is a shop which sells mainly food and which is usually open until late at night.

con|veni|ent /kənviː niənt/


1 ADJ If a way of doing something is convenient , it is easy, or very useful or suitable for a particular purpose. □ …a flexible and convenient way of paying for business expenses. □ The family thought it was more convenient to eat in the kitchen. ● con|veni|ence N‑UNCOUNT □ They may use a credit card for convenience. ● con|veni|ent|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ The body spray slips conveniently into your sports bag for freshening up after a game.


2 ADJ If you describe a place as convenient , you are pleased because it is near to where you are, or because you can reach another place from there quickly and easily. [APPROVAL ] □ [+ for ] The town is well placed for easy access to London and convenient for Heathrow Airport. □ Martin drove along until he found a convenient parking place. ● con|veni|ent|ly ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed, oft ADV after v] □ It was very conveniently situated just across the road from the City Reference Library.


3 ADJ A convenient time to do something, for example to meet someone, is a time when you are free to do it or would like to do it. □ [+ for ] Would this evening be convenient for you?


4 ADJ If you describe someone's attitudes or actions as convenient , you think they are only adopting those attitudes or performing those actions in order to avoid something difficult or unpleasant. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ We cannot make this minority a convenient excuse to turn our backs. □ It does seem a bit convenient, doesn't it? ● con|veni|ent|ly ADV □ They've conveniently forgotten the risk of heart disease. □ Conveniently, he had developed amnesia about that part of his life.

con|ven|or /kənviː nə r / (convenors ) also convener


1 N‑COUNT A convenor is a trade union official who organizes the union representatives at a particular factory. [BRIT ]


2 N‑COUNT A convenor is someone who convenes a meeting.

con|vent /kɒ nv ə nt/ (convents ) N‑COUNT A convent is a building in which a community of nuns live.

con|ven|tion ◆◇◇ /kənve nʃ ə n/ (conventions )


1 N‑VAR A convention is a way of behaving that is considered to be correct or polite by most people in a society. □ It's just a social convention that men don't wear skirts. □ Despite her wish to defy convention, she had become pregnant and married at 21.


2 N‑COUNT In art, literature, or the theatre, a convention is a traditional method or style. □ [+ of ] …the stylistic conventions of Egyptian art.


3 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A convention is an official agreement between countries or groups of people. □ [+ on ] …the U.N. convention on climate change. □ …the Geneva convention.


4 N‑COUNT A convention is a large meeting of an organization or political group. □ [+ of ] …the annual convention of the Society of Professional Journalists. □ …the Republican convention.

con|ven|tion|al ◆◇◇ /kənve nʃən ə l/


1 ADJ Someone who is conventional has behaviour or opinions that are ordinary and normal. □ …a respectable married woman with conventional opinions. ● con|ven|tion|al|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ People still wore their hair short and dressed conventionally.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A conventional method or product is one that is usually used or that has been in use for a long time. □ …the risks and drawbacks of conventional family planning methods. □ This new memory stick holds twice as much information as a conventional pen drive. ● con|ven|tion|al|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The farmer was fined for passing off conventionally-produced food as organic.


3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Conventional weapons and wars do not involve nuclear explosives. □ We must reduce the danger of war by controlling nuclear, chemical and conventional arms.


4 conventional wisdom → see wisdom SYNONYMS conventional ADJ 1


traditional: …traditional parents, who believed in laying down the law for their children.


conservative: People tend to be more conservative as they get older.


respectable: He came from a perfectly respectable middle-class family.

con|ven|tion|eer /kənve nʃən I ə r / (conventioneers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Conventioneers are people who are attending a convention. [AM ]

co n|vent school (convent schools ) N‑COUNT A convent school is a school where many of the teachers are nuns.

con|verge /kənvɜː r dʒ/ (converges , converging , converged )


1 VERB If people or vehicles converge on a place, they move towards it from different directions. □ [V + on ] Competitors from more than a hundred countries have converged on Sheffield for the Games.


2 VERB If roads or lines converge , they meet or join at a particular place. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] As they flow south, the five rivers converge.


3 VERB If different ideas or societies converge , they stop being different and become similar to each other. □ [V ] Film tastes on the two sides of the Atlantic seem to have converged. □ [V + with ] The views of householders converged and created a new consensus.

con|ver|gence /kənvɜː r dʒ ə ns/ (convergences ) N‑VAR The convergence of different ideas, groups, or societies is the process by which they stop being different and become more similar. [FORMAL ] □ …the need to move towards greater economic convergence.

con|ver|sant /kənvɜː r s ə nt/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are conversant with something, you are familiar with it and able to deal with it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] Those in business are not, on the whole, conversant with basic scientific principles.

con|ver|sa|tion ◆◇◇ /kɒ nvə r se I ʃ ə n/ (conversations )


1 N‑COUNT If you have a conversation with someone, you talk with them, usually in an informal situation. □ [+ with ] He's a talkative guy, and I struck up a conversation with him. □ I waited for her to finish a telephone conversation.


2 PHRASE If you say that people are in conversation , you mean that they are talking together. □ [+ with ] When I arrived I found her in conversation with Mrs Williams.


3 PHRASE If you make conversation , you talk to someone in order to be polite and not because you really want to. □ He had been trying to make conversation.

con|ver|sa|tion|al /kɒ nvə r se I ʃən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Conversational means relating to, or similar to, casual and informal talk. □ His father wanted him to learn conversational German.

con|ver|sa|tion|al|ist /kɒ nvə r se I ʃənəl I st/ (conversationalists ) N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] A good conversationalist is someone who talks about interesting things when they have conversations. □ Joan is a brilliant conversationalist.

con|verse (converses , conversing , conversed ) The verb is pronounced /kənvɜː r s/. The noun is pronounced /kɒ nvɜː r s/. 1 VERB If you converse with someone, you talk to them. You can also say that two people converse . [FORMAL ] □ [V + with ] Luke sat directly behind the pilot and conversed with him. □ [V ] They were conversing in German, their only common language.


2 N‑SING The converse of a statement is its opposite or reverse. [FORMAL ] □ Your job is critical to where and how you live – and the converse is also true.

con|verse|ly /kɒ nvɜː r sli, kənvɜː r sli/ ADV You say conversely to indicate that the situation you are about to describe is the opposite or reverse of the one you have just described. [FORMAL ] □ In real life, nobody was all bad, nor, conversely, all good.

con|ver|sion /kənvɜː r ʃ ə n/ (conversions )


1 N‑VAR Conversion is the act or process of changing something into a different state or form. □ [+ of ] …the conversion of disused rail lines into cycle routes. □ A loft conversion can add considerably to the value of a house.


2 N‑VAR [oft with poss] If someone changes their religion or beliefs, you can refer to their conversion to their new religion or beliefs. □ [+ to ] …his conversion to Christianity. □ It's hard to trust the President's conversion.

con|vert ◆◇◇ (converts , converting , converted ) The verb is pronounced /kənvɜː r t/. The noun is pronounced /kɒ nvɜː r t/. 1 VERB If one thing is converted or converts into another, it is changed into a different form. □ [be V -ed + into/to ] The signal will be converted into digital code. □ [V n + into/to ] …naturally occurring substances which the body can convert into vitamins. □ [V + into/to ] …a table that converts into an ironing board.


2 VERB If someone converts a room or building, they alter it in order to use it for a different purpose. □ [V n] By converting the loft, they were able to have two extra bedrooms. □ [V n + into ] …the entrepreneur who wants to convert County Hall into an hotel. □ [V -ed] He is living in a converted barn.


3 VERB If you convert a vehicle or piece of equipment, you change it so that it can use a different fuel. □ [V n + to ] Save money by converting your car to unleaded. □ [V n] The programme to convert every gas burner in Britain took 10 years. [Also V n + into ]


4 VERB If you convert a quantity from one system of measurement to another, you calculate what the quantity is in the second system. □ [V n prep] Converting metric measurements to U.S. equivalents is easy. [Also V n]


5 VERB If someone converts you, they persuade you to change your religious or political beliefs. You can also say that someone converts to a different religion. □ [V n] If you try to convert him, you could find he just walks away. □ [V n + to ] He was a major influence in converting Godwin to political radicalism. □ [V + to ] He converted to Catholicism in 1917.


6 N‑COUNT A convert is someone who has changed their religious or political beliefs. □ [+ to ] She, too, was a convert to Roman Catholicism. □ I took to these new pursuits with the enthusiasm of a convert who has just found religion.


7 VERB If someone converts you to something, they make you very enthusiastic about it. □ [V n + to ] He quickly converted me to the joys of cross-country skiing. [Also V n]


8 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a convert to something, you mean that they have recently become very enthusiastic about it. □ [+ to ] …recent converts to vegetarianism.


9 to preach to the converted → see preach SYNONYMS convert VERB 1


turn into: A prince turns into a frog in this cartoon fairytale.


transform: Your body transforms food into energy.


adapt: Shelves were built to adapt the library for use as an office.


modify: The club members did agree to modify their recruitment policy.


alter: They have never altered their programmes by a single day.

con|vert|er /kənvɜː r tə r / (converters )


1 N‑COUNT A converter is a device that changes something into a different form.


2 → see also catalytic converter

con|vert|ible /kənvɜː r t I b ə l/ (convertibles )


1 N‑COUNT A convertible is a car with a soft roof that can be folded down or removed. □ Her own car is a convertible Golf.


2 ADJ In finance, convertible investments or money can be easily exchanged for other forms of investments or money. [BUSINESS ] □ …the introduction of a convertible currency. ● con|vert|ibil|ity /kənvɜː r t I b I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the convertibility of the rouble. □ …rapid export growth based on currency convertibility.

con|vex /kɒ nveks/ ADJ Convex is used to describe something that curves outwards in the middle. □ …the large convex mirror above the fireplace.

con|vey /kənve I / (conveys , conveying , conveyed )


1 VERB To convey information or feelings means to cause them to be known or understood by someone. □ [V n] In every one of her pictures she conveys a sense of immediacy. □ [V n] He also conveyed his views and the views of the bureaucracy.


2 VERB To convey someone or something to a place means to carry or transport them there. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The railway company extended a branch line to Brightlingsea to convey fish direct to Billingsgate.

con|vey|ance /kənve I əns/ (conveyances )


1 N‑COUNT A conveyance is a vehicle. [LITERARY ] □ Mahoney had never seen such a conveyance before.


2 N‑UNCOUNT The conveyance of something is the process of carrying or transporting it from one place to another. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the conveyance of bicycles on Regional Railways trains.

con|vey|anc|ing /kənve I əns I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Conveyancing is the process of transferring the legal ownership of property. [mainly BRIT , LEGAL ]

con|vey|or belt /kənve I ə r belt/ (conveyor belts )


1 N‑COUNT A conveyor belt or a conveyor is a continuously-moving strip of rubber or metal which is used in factories for moving objects along so that they can be dealt with as quickly as possible. □ The damp bricks went along a conveyor belt into another shed to dry.


2 N‑COUNT If you describe a situation as a conveyor belt , you dislike it because it produces things or people which are all the same or always deals with things or people in the same way. [DISAPPROVAL ]

con|vict ◆◇◇ (convicts , convicting , convicted ) The verb is pronounced /kənv I kt/. The noun is pronounced /kɒ nv I kt/. 1 VERB If someone is convicted of a crime, they are found guilty of that crime in a law court. □ [be V -ed of n/v-ing] In 1977 he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. □ [V n] There was insufficient evidence to convict him. □ [V -ed] …a convicted drug dealer. [Also V n of n]


2 N‑COUNT A convict is someone who is in prison. [JOURNALISM ] COLLOCATIONS convict VERB 1


convict + adverb : wrongfully, wrongly; unanimously NOUN 2


adjective + convict : escaped; former

con|vic|tion ◆◇◇ /kənv I kʃ ə n/ (convictions )


1 N‑COUNT [usu N that] A conviction is a strong belief or opinion. □ It is our firm conviction that a step forward has been taken. □ Their religious convictions prevented them from taking up arms.


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you have conviction , you have great confidence in your beliefs or opinions. □ 'We shall, sir,' said Thorne, with conviction.


3 PHRASE If something carries conviction , it is likely to be true or likely to be believed. □ Nor did his denial carry conviction.


4 N‑COUNT If someone has a conviction , they have been found guilty of a crime in a court of law. □ He will appeal against his conviction. COLLOCATIONS conviction NOUN


1


adjective + conviction : deep, firm; ideological, moral, religious


2


adjective + conviction : absolute, utter


verb + conviction : express, have; lack


4


verb + conviction : obtain, secure, uphold; overturn, quash

con|vince ◆◇◇ /kənv I ns/ (convinces , convincing , convinced )


1 VERB If someone or something convinces you of something, they make you believe that it is true or that it exists. □ [V n + of ] I soon convinced the jury of my innocence. □ [V n that] It is difficult to convince the public of the need for change. [Also V n]


2 VERB If someone or something convinces you to do something, they persuade you to do it. [mainly AM ] □ [V n to-inf] In January, he convinced her to join him in the Pyrenees. [Also V n]

con|vinced ◆◇◇ /kənv I nst/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , usu ADJ that] If you are convinced that something is true, you feel sure that it is true. □ He was convinced that I was part of the problem. □ [+ of ] He became convinced of the need for cheap editions of good quality writing. USAGE convinced


You do not use a ‘to ’-infinitive after convinced . You do not say, for example, ‘ He is convinced to have failed ’. You say ‘He is convinced that he has failed’. □ He was convinced that her mother was innocent.

con|vinc|ing /kənv I ns I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as convincing , you mean that they make you believe that a particular thing is true, correct, or genuine. □ This is the first convincing evidence that the ageing process can be slowed. □ He sounded very convincing. ● con|vinc|ing|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ He argued forcefully and convincingly that they were likely to bankrupt the budget.

con|viv|ial /kənv I viəl/ ADJ Convivial people or occasions are pleasant, friendly, and relaxed. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ …looking forward to a convivial evening. □ The atmosphere was quite convivial.

con|vo|ca|tion /kɒ nvəke I ʃ ə n/ (convocations ) N‑COUNT A convocation is a meeting or ceremony attended by a large number of people. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a convocation of the American Youth Congress.

con|vo|lut|ed /kɒ nvəluːt I d/ ADJ If you describe a sentence, idea, or system as convoluted , you mean that it is complicated and difficult to understand. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Despite its length and convoluted plot, this is a rich and rewarding read.

con|vo|lu|tion /kɒ nvəluː ʃ ə n/ (convolutions )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Convolutions are curves on an object or design that has a lot of curves. [LITERARY ]


2 N‑VAR You can use convolutions to refer to a situation that is very complicated. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the thorny convolutions of love.

con|voy /kɒ nvɔ I / (convoys ) N‑COUNT [oft in N ] A convoy is a group of vehicles or ships travelling together. □ …a U.N. convoy carrying food and medical supplies. □ They travel in convoy with armed guards.

con|vulse /kənvʌ ls/ (convulses , convulsing , convulsed ) VERB If someone convulses or if they are convulsed by or with something, their body moves suddenly in an uncontrolled way. □ [V ] Olivia's face convulsed in a series of twitches. □ [V n] He let out a cry that convulsed his bulky frame and jerked his arm. □ [be V -ed + with ] The opposing team were so convulsed with laughter that they almost forgot to hit the ball.

con|vul|sion /kənvʌ lʃ ə n/ (convulsions )


1 N‑COUNT If someone has convulsions , they suffer uncontrollable movements of their muscles.


2 N‑COUNT If there are convulsions in a country, system, or organization, there are major unexpected changes in it. □ …the political convulsions that led to de Gaulle's return to power in May 1958.

con|vul|sive /kənvʌ ls I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A convulsive movement or action is sudden and cannot be controlled. [FORMAL ] □ She thought she could never stop until convulsive sobs racked her even more.

coo /kuː / (coos , cooing , cooed )


1 VERB When a dove or pigeon coos , it makes the soft sounds that doves and pigeons typically make. □ [V ] Pigeons fluttered in and out, cooing gently.


2 VERB When someone coos , they speak in a very soft, quiet voice which is intended to sound attractive. □ [V + at/over ] She paused to coo at the baby. □ [V with quote] 'Isn't this marvellous?' she cooed.

cook ◆◆◇ /kʊ k/ (cooks , cooking , cooked )


1 VERB When you cook a meal, you prepare food for eating by heating it. □ [V n] I have to go and cook the dinner. □ [V ] Chefs at the St James Court restaurant have cooked for the Queen. □ [V n n] We'll cook them a nice Italian meal. ● cook|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Her hobbies include music, dancing, sport and cooking.


2 VERB When you cook food, or when food cooks , it is heated until it is ready to be eaten. □ [V n] …some basic instructions on how to cook a turkey. □ [V ] Let the vegetables cook gently for about 10 minutes. □ [V -ed] Drain the pasta as soon as it is cooked.


3 N‑COUNT A cook is a person whose job is to prepare and cook food, especially in someone's home or in an institution. □ They had a butler, a cook, and a maid.


4 N‑COUNT [adj N ] If you say that someone is a good cook , you mean they are good at preparing and cooking food.


5 PHRASE If you say that someone has cooked the books , you mean that they have changed figures or a written record in order to deceive people. [INFORMAL ]


6 → see also cooking


▸ cook up


1 PHRASAL VERB If someone cooks up a dishonest scheme, they plan it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] He must have cooked up his scheme on the spur of the moment. [Also V n P ]


2 PHRASAL VERB If someone cooks up an explanation or a story, they make it up. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] She'll cook up a convincing explanation. [Also V n P ]

cook|book /kʊ kbʊk/ (cookbooks ) also cook-book N‑COUNT A cookbook is a book that contains recipes for preparing food.

cook|er /kʊ kə r / (cookers )


1 N‑COUNT A cooker is a large metal device for cooking food using gas or electricity. A cooker usually consists of a grill, an oven, and some gas or electric rings. [BRIT ] □ …a gas cooker.


2 → see also pressure cooker

cook|ery /kʊ kəri/ N‑UNCOUNT Cookery is the activity of preparing and cooking food.

coo k|ery book (cookery books ) N‑COUNT A cookery book is the same as a cookbook . [BRIT ]

cookie /kʊ ki/ (cookies )


1 N‑COUNT A cookie is a sweet biscuit. [mainly AM ]


2 PHRASE If you say that someone is a tough cookie , you mean that they have a strong and determined character. [INFORMAL ]


3 N‑COUNT A cookie is data sent from a website and stored on your computer which allows websites to record your browsing activity and remember information. [COMPUTING ]

cook|ing ◆◇◇ /kʊ k I ŋ/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Cooking is food which has been cooked. □ The menu is based on classic French cooking.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Cooking ingredients or equipment are used in cookery. □ Finely slice the cooking apples. □ …cooking pots.


3 → see also cook

cook|out /kʊ kaʊt/ (cookouts ) N‑COUNT A cookout is the same as a barbecue . [AM ]

cook|top /kʊ ktɒp/ (cooktops ) N‑COUNT A cooktop is a surface on top of a cooker or set into a work surface, which can be heated in order to cook things on it. [mainly AM ]

cook|ware /kʊ kweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Cookware is the range of pans and pots which are used in cooking. □ …several lines of popular cookware and utensils.

cool ◆◆◇ /kuː l/ (cooler , coolest , cools , cooling , cooled )


1 ADJ Something that is cool has a temperature which is low but not very low. □ I felt a current of cool air. □ The vaccines were kept cool in refrigerators.


2 ADJ If it is cool , or if a place is cool , the temperature of the air is low but not very low. □ Thank goodness it's cool in here. □ Store grains and cereals in a cool, dry place. □ …a cool November evening. ● N‑SING Cool is also a noun. □ [+ of ] She walked into the cool of the hallway.


3 ADJ Clothing that is cool is made of thin material so that you do not become too hot in hot weather. □ In warm weather, you should wear clothing that is cool and comfortable.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] Cool colours are light colours which give an impression of coolness. □ Choose a cool colour such as cream.


5 VERB When something cools or when you cool it, it becomes lower in temperature. □ [V ] Drain the meat and allow it to cool. □ [V n] Huge fans will have to cool the concrete floor to keep it below 150 degrees. □ [V -ing] …a cooling breeze. ● PHRASAL VERB To cool down means the same as to cool . □ [V P ] Avoid putting your car away until the engine has cooled down. □ [V n P ] The other main way the body cools itself down is by panting. [Also V P n (not pron)]


6 VERB When a feeling or emotion cools , or when you cool it, it becomes less powerful. □ [V ] Within a few minutes tempers had cooled. □ [V n] His weird behaviour had cooled her passion.


7 ADJ If you say that a person or their behaviour is cool , you mean that they are calm and unemotional, especially in a difficult situation. [APPROVAL ] □ He was marvellously cool again, smiling as if nothing had happened. ● cool|ly ADV □ Everyone must think this situation through calmly and coolly. □ …coolly 'objective' professionals.


8 ADJ If you say that a person or their behaviour is cool , you mean that they are unfriendly or not enthusiastic. □ I didn't like him at all. I thought he was cool, aloof, and arrogant. □ The idea met with a cool response. ● cool|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ 'It's your choice, Nina,' David said coolly.


9 ADJ If you say that a person or their behaviour is cool , you mean that they are fashionable and attractive. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ He was trying to be really cool and trendy.


10 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is cool about something, you mean that they accept it and are not angry or upset about it. [mainly AM , INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] Bev was really cool about it all.


11 ADJ If you say that something is cool , you think it is very good. [INFORMAL ] □ Kathleen gave me a really cool dress.


12 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use cool to emphasize that an amount or figure is very large, especially when it has been obtained easily. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ Columbia recently re-signed the band for a cool $30 million.


13 PHRASE If you keep your cool in a difficult situation, you manage to remain calm. If you lose your cool , you get angry or upset. [INFORMAL ] □ She kept her cool and managed to get herself out of the ordeal.


14 PHRASE If you play it cool , you deliberately behave in a calm, unemotional way because you do not want people to know you are enthusiastic or angry about something. [INFORMAL ] □ It's ridiculous to play it cool if someone you're mad about is mad about you too.


15 as cool as a cucumber → see cucumber


▸ cool down


1 → see cool 5


2 PHRASAL VERB If someone cools down or if you cool them down , they become less angry than they were. □ [V P ] He has had time to cool down and look at what happened more objectively. □ [V P n] First McNeil had to cool down the volatile Australian 20-year old.


▸ cool off PHRASAL VERB If someone or something cools off , or if you cool them off , they become cooler after having been hot. □ [V P ] Maybe he's trying to cool off out there in the rain. □ [V n P ] She made a fanning motion, pretending to cool herself off. □ [V P n] Cool off the carrots quickly.

cool|ant /kuː lənt/ (coolants ) N‑VAR Coolant is a liquid used to keep a machine or engine cool while it is operating.

cool|er /kuː lə r / (coolers )


1 N‑COUNT A cooler is a container for keeping things cool, especially drinks.


2 → see also cool

coo l-hea ded ADJ If you describe someone as cool-headed , you mean that they stay calm in difficult situations. [APPROVAL ] □ She has a reputation for being calm and cool-headed. □ …a cool-headed, responsible statesman.

coo ling-o ff period (cooling-off periods ) N‑COUNT A cooling-off period is an agreed period of time during which two sides with opposing views try to resolve a dispute before taking any serious action. □ There should be a seven-day cooling-off period between a strike ballot and industrial action.

coo l|ing tow|er (cooling towers ) N‑COUNT A cooling tower is a very large, round, high building which is used to cool water from factories or power stations. □ …landscapes dominated by cooling towers and factory chimneys.

coon /kuː n/ (coons )


1 N‑COUNT A coon is a raccoon . [AM , INFORMAL ]


2 N‑COUNT Coon is an extremely offensive word for a black person. [INFORMAL , VERY OFFENSIVE ]

coop /kuː p/ (coops ) N‑COUNT A coop is a cage where you keep small animals or birds such as chickens and rabbits.

co -op (co-ops ) N‑COUNT A co-op is a co-operative. [INFORMAL ] □ The co-op sells the art work at exhibitions.

cooped up /kuː pt ʌ p/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is cooped up , you mean that they live or are kept in a place which is too small, or which does not allow them much freedom. □ He is cooped up in a cramped cell with 10 other inmates.

coop|er /kuː pə r / (coopers ) N‑COUNT A cooper is a person who makes barrels. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

co-o perate ◆◇◇ (co-operates , co-operating , co-operated ) also cooperate


1 VERB If you co-operate with someone, you work with them or help them for a particular purpose. You can also say that two people co-operate . □ [V + with ] The U.N. had been co-operating with the State Department on a plan to find countries willing to take the refugees. □ [V ] The couple spoke about how they would co-operate in the raising of their child. [Also V (non-recip)] ● co-operation N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ with ] A deal with Japan could indeed open the door to economic co-operation with East Asia.


2 VERB If you co-operate , you do what someone has asked or told you to do. □ [V + with ] He agreed to co-operate with the police investigation. □ [V ] The plan failed because the soldiers refused to co-operate. ● co-operation N‑UNCOUNT □ The police underlined the importance of the public's co-operation in the hunt for the bombers.

co-o perative (co-operatives ) also cooperative


1 N‑COUNT A co-operative is a business or organization run by the people who work for it, or owned by the people who use it. These people share its benefits and profits. [BUSINESS ] □ Most of the fresh produce in her kitchen is delivered by a farming co-operative. □ The restaurant is run as a co-operative.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A co-operative activity is done by people working together. □ He was transferred to FBI custody in a smooth co-operative effort between Egyptian and U.S. authorities. ● co-operatively ADV [ADV after v] □ They agreed to work co-operatively to ease tensions wherever possible.


3 ADJ If you say that someone is co-operative , you mean that they do what you ask them to without complaining or arguing. □ I made every effort to be co-operative.

co-o perative so|ci|ety (co-operative societies ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a co-operative society is a commercial organization with several shops in a particular district. Customers can join this organization and get a share of its profits.

co-o pt (co-opts , co-opting , co-opted )


1 VERB If you co-opt someone, you persuade them to help or support you. □ [V n] Mr Wallace tries to co-opt rather than defeat his critics.


2 VERB If someone is co-opted into a group, they are asked by that group to become a member, rather than joining or being elected in the normal way. □ [be V -ed + into/onto ] He was posted to Malta, where he was co-opted into MI5. □ [V n] He's been authorised to co-opt anyone he wants to join him.


3 VERB If a group or political party co-opts a slogan or policy, they take it, often from another group or political party, and use it themselves. □ [V n] He co-opted many nationalist slogans and cultivated a populist image.

co-ordinate (co-ordinates , co-ordinating , co-ordinated ) also coordinate The verb is pronounced /koʊɔː r d I ne I t/. The noun is pronounced /koʊɔː r d I nət/. 1 VERB If you co-ordinate an activity, you organize the various people and things involved in it. □ [V n] Government officials visited the earthquake zone to co-ordinate the relief effort. ● co-ordinated ADJ □ …a rapid and well-co-ordinated international rescue operation. ● co-ordinator (co-ordinators ) N‑COUNT □ …the party's campaign co-ordinator.


2 VERB If you co-ordinate clothes or furnishings that are used together, or if they co-ordinate , they are similar in some way and look nice together. □ [V n] She'll show you how to co-ordinate pattern and colours. □ [V + with ] Tie it with fabric bows that co-ordinate with other furnishings. □ [V ] Colours and looks must fit the themes of the seasons so that the shops co-ordinate well. □ [V -ing] …curtains and co-ordinating bed covers.


3 N‑PLURAL Co-ordinates are pieces of clothing or soft furnishings which are similar and which are intended to be worn or used together. □ …new lingerie co-ordinates.


4 VERB If you co-ordinate the different parts of your body, you make them work together efficiently to perform particular movements. □ [V n] They undergo intensive treatment to help them to coordinate their limbs better.


5 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The co-ordinates of a point on a map or graph are the two sets of numbers or letters that you need in order to find that point. [TECHNICAL ] □ Can you give me your co-ordinates?

co-o rdinating con|ju nc|tion (co-ordinating conjunctions ) N‑COUNT A co-ordinating conjunction is a word such as 'and', 'or', or 'but' which joins two or more words, groups, or clauses of equal status, for example two main clauses. Compare subordinating conjunction . [TECHNICAL ]

co -ordina tion


1 N‑UNCOUNT Co-ordination means organizing the activities of two or more groups so that they work together efficiently and know what the others are doing. □ [+ between/of ] …the lack of co-ordination between the civilian and military authorities. ● PHRASE If you do something in co-ordination with someone else, you both organize your activities so that you work together efficiently. □ …operating either in coordination with federal troops or alone.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Co-ordination is the ability to use the different parts of your body together efficiently. □ To improve hand-eye co-ordination, practise throwing and catching balls.

coot /kuː t/ (coots ) N‑COUNT A coot is a water bird with black feathers and a white patch on its forehead.

cop /kɒ p/ (cops )


1 N‑COUNT A cop is a police officer. [INFORMAL ] □ Frank didn't like having the cops know where to find him.


2 PHRASE If you say that something is not much cop , you mean that it is not very good, and is disappointing. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Today's top managers weren't much cop as footballers originally.

cope ◆◇◇ /koʊ p/ (copes , coping , coped )


1 VERB If you cope with a problem or task, you deal with it successfully. □ [V + with ] It was amazing how my mother coped with bringing up eight children. □ [V ] The problems were an annoyance, but we managed to cope.


2 VERB If you have to cope with an unpleasant situation, you have to accept it or bear it. □ [V + with ] She has had to cope with losing all her previous status and money.


3 VERB If a machine or a system can cope with something, it is large enough or complex enough to deal with it satisfactorily. □ [V + with ] New blades have been designed to cope with the effects of dead insects. □ [V ] The banks were swamped by compensation claims and were unable to cope . SYNONYMS cope VERB 1


manage: She had managed perfectly well without medication for three years.


get by: I'm a survivor. I'll get by.


deal with: She saw a psychiatrist who used hypnotism to help her deal with her fear. COLLOCATIONS cope VERB 1


cope + adverb : admirably, brilliantly, comfortably, magnificently, well; emotionally, financially, psychologically

copi|er /kɒ piə r / (copiers )


1 N‑COUNT A copier is a machine which makes exact copies of writing or pictures on paper, usually by a photographic process.


2 N‑COUNT A copier is someone who copies what someone else has done. □ [+ of ] …their reputation as a copier of other countries' designs, patents, and inventions.

co -pilot (co-pilots ) N‑COUNT The co-pilot of an aircraft is a pilot who assists the chief pilot.

co|pi|ous /koʊ piəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A copious amount of something is a large amount of it. □ He had worked until the early hours of the morning, helped by copious amounts of coffee. □ He attended his lectures and took copious notes. ● co|pi|ous|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] □ The victims were bleeding copiously.

co p-out (cop-outs ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you refer to something as a cop-out , you think that it is a way for someone to avoid doing something that they should do. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ To decline to vote is a cop-out. □ The film's ending is an unsatisfactory cop-out.

cop|per /kɒ pə r / (coppers )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Copper is reddish-brown metal that is used to make things such as coins and electrical wires. □ Chile is the world's largest producer of copper. □ …a copper mine.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Copper is sometimes used to describe things that are reddish-brown in colour. [LITERARY ] □ His hair has reverted back to its original copper hue.


3 N‑COUNT A copper is a police officer. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …your friendly neighbourhood copper.

co pper-bo ttomed ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as copper-bottomed , you believe that it is certain to be successful. [BRIT ] □ Their copper-bottomed scheme went badly wrong.

cop|pery /kɒ pəri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A coppery colour is reddish-brown like copper. □ …pale coppery leaves.

cop|pice /kɒ p I s/ (coppices , coppicing , coppiced )


1 N‑COUNT A coppice is a small group of trees growing very close to each other. [BRIT ] □ …coppices of willow. in AM, use copse 2 VERB To coppice trees or bushes means to cut off parts of them, in order to make them look more attractive or to make it easier to obtain wood from them. [mainly BRIT , TECHNICAL ] □ [V n] It is best to coppice the trees in the winter before the sap rises. □ [V -ed] …extensive oak woods with coppiced hazel and sweet chestnut. □ [V -ing] …areas where coppicing of hawthorn and hazel occurs.

co ps-and-ro bbers ADJ [ADJ n] A cops-and-robbers film, television programme, or book is one whose story involves the police trying to catch criminals.

copse /kɒ ps/ (copses ) N‑COUNT A copse is a small group of trees growing very close to each other. □ [+ of ] …a little copse of fir trees.

cop|ter /kɒ ptə r / (copters ) N‑COUNT A copter is a helicopter. [INFORMAL ]

Cop|tic /kɒ pt I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Coptic means belonging or relating to a part of the Christian Church which was started in Egypt. □ The Coptic Church is among the oldest churches of Christianity.

copu|la /kɒ pjʊlə/ (copulas ) N‑COUNT A copula is the same as a linking verb .

copu|late /kɒ pjʊle I t/ (copulates , copulating , copulated ) VERB If one animal or person copulates with another, they have sex. You can also say that two animals or people copulate. [TECHNICAL ] □ [V + with ] During the time she is paired to a male, the female allows no other males to copulate with her. □ [V ] Whales take twenty-four hours to copulate. ● copu|la|tion /kɒ pjʊle I ʃ ə n/ (copulations ) N‑VAR □ …acts of copulation.

copy ◆◆◇ /kɒ pi/ (copies , copying , copied )


1 N‑COUNT If you make a copy of something, you produce something that looks like the original thing. □ [+ of ] The reporter apparently obtained a copy of Steve's resignation letter.


2 VERB If you copy something, you produce something that looks like the original thing. □ [V n] She never participated in obtaining or copying any classified documents for anyone. □ [be V -ed] …top designers, whose work has been widely copied. □ [V n + from ] He copied the chart from a book.


3 VERB If you copy a piece of writing, you write it again exactly. □ [V n] He would allow John to copy his answers to difficult algebra questions. □ [V n + into ] He copied the data into a notebook. □ [V + from ] We're copying from textbooks because we don't have enough to go round. ● PHRASAL VERB Copy out means the same as copy . □ [V P n] He wrote the title on the blackboard, then copied out the text sentence by sentence. □ [V n P ] 'Did he leave a phone number?'—'Oh, yes.' She copied it out for him.


4 VERB If you copy a person or what they do, you try to do what they do or try to be like them, usually because you admire them or what they have done. □ [V n] Children can be seen to copy the behaviour of others whom they admire or identify with. □ [V n + from ] …the coquettish gestures she had copied from actresses in soap operas. ● copy|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Children learn by copying.


5 N‑COUNT A copy of a book, newspaper, or CD is one of many that are exactly the same. □ [+ of ] I bought a copy of 'U.S.A. Today' from a street-corner machine. □ You can obtain a copy for $2 from New York Central Art Supply.


6 N‑UNCOUNT In journalism, copy is written material that is ready to be printed or read in a broadcast. [TECHNICAL ] □ …his ability to write the most lyrical copy in the history of sports television. □ …advertising copy.


7 N‑UNCOUNT In journalism, copy is news or information that can be used in an article in a newspaper. [TECHNICAL ] □ …journalists looking for good copy.


8 → see also back copy , carbon copy , hard copy COLLOCATIONS copy NOUN


1


adjective + copy : duplicate, exact, identical


verb + copy : keep, obtain, receive; enclose, send


5


noun + copy : hardback, paperback


adjective + copy : advance, autographed, bound, free; dog-eared, well-thumbed


verb + copy : buy, distribute, sell, sign VERB


2


copy + noun : document, file, software


copy + adverb : illegally; widely


3


copy + noun : drawing, text


copy + adverb : painstakingly, verbatim


4


copy + noun : behaviour


copy + adverb : slavishly

copy|book /kɒ pibʊk/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A copybook action is done perfectly, according to established rules. [mainly BRIT ] □ Yuri gave a copybook display.


2 PHRASE If you blot your copybook , you spoil your good reputation by doing something wrong. [mainly BRIT ] □ Alec blotted his copybook–got sent home for bad behaviour.

copy|cat /kɒ pikæt/ (copycats ) also copy-cat


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A copycat crime is committed by someone who is copying someone else. □ …a series of copycat attacks by hooligan gangs.


2 N‑COUNT If you call someone a copycat , you are accusing them of copying your behaviour, dress, or ideas. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is said that Coco Chanel herself didn't mind copycats.

copy|ist /kɒ pi I st/ (copyists ) N‑COUNT A copyist copies other people's music or paintings or, in the past, made written copies of documents. □ She copies the true artist's signature as part of a painting, as do most copyists.

copy|right /kɒ pira I t/ (copyrights ) N‑VAR If someone has copyright on a piece of writing or music, it is illegal to reproduce or perform it without their permission. □ To order a book one first had to get permission from the monastery that held the copyright. □ She threatened legal action for breach of copyright.

copy|right|ed /kɒ pira I t I d/ ADJ Copyrighted material is protected by a copyright. □ They used copyrighted music without permission.

copy|writer /kɒ pira I tə r / (copywriters ) N‑COUNT A copywriter is a person whose job is to write the words for advertisements.

co|quette /kɒke t, [AM ] koʊ-/ (coquettes ) N‑COUNT A coquette is a woman who behaves in a coquettish way.

co|quet|tish /kɒke t I ʃ, [AM ] koʊ-/ ADJ If you describe a woman as coquettish , you mean she acts in a playful way that is intended to make men find her attractive. □ …a coquettish glance.

cor /kɔː r / EXCLAM You can say cor when you are surprised or impressed. [BRIT , INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ Cor, look, Annie.

cora|cle /kɒ rək ə l, [AM ] kɔː -/ (coracles ) N‑COUNT In former times, a coracle was a simple round rowing boat made of woven sticks covered with animal skins.

cor|al /kɒ rəl, [AM ] kɔː -/ (corals )


1 N‑VAR Coral is a hard substance formed from the bones of very small sea animals. It is often used to make jewellery. □ The women have elaborate necklaces of turquoise and pink coral.


2 N‑COUNT Corals are very small sea animals.


3 COLOUR Something that is coral is dark orangey-pink in colour. □ …coral lipstick. □ …the coral-coloured flower buds.

co r|al ree f (coral reefs ) N‑COUNT A coral reef is a long narrow mass of coral and other substances, the top of which is usually just above or just below the surface of the sea. □ An unspoilt coral reef encloses the bay.

cord /kɔː r d/ (cords )


1 N‑VAR Cord is strong, thick string. □ The door had been tied shut with a length of nylon cord. □ …gilded cords and tassels.


2 N‑VAR Cord is wire covered in rubber or plastic which connects electrical equipment to an electricity supply. □ …electrical cord. □ We used so many lights that we needed four extension cords.


3 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Cords are trousers made of corduroy . □ He had bare feet, a T-shirt and cords on.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] Cord means made of corduroy . □ …a pair of cord trousers.


5 → see also spinal cord , umbilical cord , vocal cords

cor|dial /kɔː r diəl, [AM ] -dʒəl/ (cordials )


1 ADJ Cordial means friendly. [FORMAL ] □ He had never known him to be so chatty and cordial. ● cor|di|al|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ They all greeted me very cordially and were eager to talk about the new project.


2 N‑VAR Cordial is a sweet non-alcoholic drink made from fruit juice. [BRIT ]

cord|ite /kɔː r da I t/ N‑UNCOUNT Cordite is an explosive substance used in guns and bombs.

cord|less /kɔː r dləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A cordless telephone or piece of electric equipment is operated by a battery fitted inside it and is not connected to the electricity mains. □ The waitress approached Picone with a cordless phone.

cor|don /kɔː r d ə n/ (cordons , cordoning , cordoned ) N‑COUNT A cordon is a line or ring of police, soldiers, or vehicles preventing people from entering or leaving an area. □ Police formed a cordon between the two crowds.


▸ cordon off PHRASAL VERB If police or soldiers cordon off an area, they prevent people from entering or leaving it, usually by forming a line or ring. □ [V P n] Police cordoned off part of the city centre. □ [V n P ] The police cordoned everything off.

cor|don bleu /kɔː r dɒn blɜː / ADJ [ADJ n] Cordon bleu is used to describe cookery or cooks of the highest standard. □ I took a cordon bleu cookery course.

cor|du|roy /kɔː r dərɔ I / (corduroys )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Corduroy is thick cotton cloth with parallel raised lines on the outside. □ …a corduroy jacket.


2 N‑PLURAL Corduroys are trousers made out of corduroy.

core ◆◇◇ /kɔː r / (cores , coring , cored )


1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] The core of a fruit is the central part of it. It contains seeds or pips. □ Peel the pears and remove the cores.


2 VERB If you core a fruit, you remove its core. □ [V n] …machines for peeling and coring apples.


3 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The core of an object, building, or city is the central part of it. □ …the earth's core. □ [+ of ] The core of the city is a series of ancient squares.


4 N‑SING The core of something such as a problem or an issue is the part of it that has to be understood or accepted before the whole thing can be understood or dealt with. □ [+ of ] …the ability to get straight to the core of a problem.


5 N‑SING [N n] A core team or a core group is a group of people who do the main part of a job or piece of work. Other people may also help, but only for limited periods of time. □ We already have our core team in place. □ [+ of ] A core of about six staff would continue with the project.


6 N‑SING [usu N n] In a school or college, core subjects are a group of subjects that have to be studied. □ The core subjects are English, mathematics and science. □ [+ of ] …a core of nine academic subjects.


7 N‑SING [usu N n] The core businesses or the core activities of a company or organization are their most important ones. □ The group plans to concentrate on six core businesses. □ [+ of ] However, the main core of the company performed outstandingly.


8 → see also hard core , hard-core , soft-core


9 PHRASE You can use to the core to describe someone who is a very strong supporter of someone or something and will never change their views. For example, you can say that someone is Republican to the core . □ The villagers are royalist to the core.


10 PHRASE If someone is shaken to the core or shocked to the core , they are extremely shaken or shocked. □ Leonard was shaken to the core; he'd never seen or read anything like it. SYNONYMS core NOUN 4


essence: Others claim that Ireland's very essence is expressed through the language.


nub: That, I think, is the nub of the problem.


heart: The heart of the problem is supply and demand.


substance: The substance of his discussions doesn't really matter.


crux: He said the crux of the matter was economic policy.

co -reli gionist (co-religionists ) in AM, usually use coreligionist N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft poss N ] A person's co-religionists are people who have the same religion. [FORMAL ] □ They will turn for help to their co-religionists in the Middle East.

cor|gi /kɔː r gi/ (corgis ) N‑COUNT A corgi is a type of small dog with short legs and a pointed nose.

co|ri|an|der /kɒ riæ ndə r , [AM ] kɔː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Coriander is a plant with seeds that are used as a spice and leaves that are used as a herb.

cork /kɔː r k/ (corks )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Cork is a soft, light substance which forms the bark of a type of Mediterranean tree. □ …cork floors. □ …cork-soled clogs.


2 N‑COUNT A cork is a piece of cork or plastic that is pushed into the opening of a bottle to close it.

cork|er /kɔː r kə r / (corkers ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone or something is a corker , you mean that they are very good. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]

cork|screw /kɔː r kskruː/ (corkscrews ) N‑COUNT A corkscrew is a device for pulling corks out of bottles.

cor|mo|rant /kɔː r mərənt/ (cormorants ) N‑COUNT A cormorant is a type of dark-coloured bird with a long neck. Cormorants usually live near the sea and eat fish.

corn /kɔː r n/ (corns )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Corn is used to refer to crops such as wheat and barley. It can also be used to refer to the seeds from these plants. [BRIT ] □ …fields of corn. □ He filled the barn to the roof with corn. in AM, use grain 2 N‑UNCOUNT Corn is the same as maize . □ …rows of corn in an Iowa field.


3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Corns are small, painful areas of hard skin which can form on your foot, especially near your toes.


4 → see also popcorn , sweetcorn

corn|bread /kɔː r nbred/ also corn bread N‑UNCOUNT Cornbread is bread made from ground maize or corn. It is popular in the United States.

co rn cob (corn cobs ) also corncob N‑COUNT [usu pl] Corn cobs are the long rounded parts of the maize or corn plant on which small yellow seeds grow, and which is eaten as a vegetable.

cor|nea /kɔː r niə/ (corneas ) N‑COUNT The cornea is the transparent skin covering the outside of your eye.

cor|neal /kɔː r niəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Corneal means relating to the cornea. □ …corneal scars.

corned beef /kɔː r nd biː f/ N‑UNCOUNT Corned beef is beef which has been cooked and preserved in salt water.

cor|ner ◆◆◇ /kɔː r nə r / (corners , cornering , cornered )


1 N‑COUNT A corner is a point or an area where two or more edges, sides, or surfaces of something join. □ [+ of ] He saw the corner of a magazine sticking out from under the blanket. □ Write 'By Airmail' in the top left-hand corner.


2 N‑COUNT The corner of a room, box, or similar space is the area inside it where its edges or walls meet. □ [+ of ] …a card table in the corner of the living room. □ [+ of ] The ball hurtled into the far corner of the net. □ Finally I spotted it, in a dark corner over by the piano.


3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The corner of your mouth or eye is the side of it. □ [+ of ] Out of the corner of her eye she saw that a car had stopped.


4 N‑COUNT The corner of a street is the place where one of its sides ends as it joins another street. □ We can't have police officers on every corner. □ He waited until the man had turned a corner.


5 N‑COUNT A corner is a bend in a road. □ …a sharp corner.


6 N‑COUNT In football, hockey, and some other sports, a corner is a free shot or kick taken from the corner of the pitch.


7 VERB If you corner a person or animal, you force them into a place they cannot escape from. □ [V n] A police motor-cycle chased his car twelve miles, and cornered him near Rome. □ [V -ed] He was still sitting huddled like a cornered animal.


8 VERB If you corner someone, you force them to speak to you when they have been trying to avoid you. □ [V n] Golan managed to corner the young producer-director for an interview.


9 VERB If a company or place corners an area of trade, they gain control over it so that no one else can have any success in that area. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] This restaurant has cornered the Madrid market for specialist paellas.


10 VERB If a car, or the person driving it, corners in a particular way, the car goes round bends in roads in this way. □ [V adv/prep] Peter drove jerkily, cornering too fast and fumbling the gears.


11 PHRASE If you say that something is around the corner , you mean that it will happen very soon. In British English, you can also say that something is round the corner . □ The Chancellor of the Exchequer says that economic recovery is just around the corner.


12 PHRASE If you say that something is around the corner , you mean that it is very near. In British English, you can also say that something is round the corner . □ My new place is just around the corner.


13 PHRASE If you cut corners , you do something quickly by doing it in a less thorough way than you should. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Take your time, don't cut corners and follow instructions to the letter.


14 PHRASE You can use expressions such as the four corners of the world to refer to places that are a long way from each other. [WRITTEN ] □ They've combed the four corners of the world for the best accessories.


15 PHRASE If you are in a corner or in a tight corner , you are in a situation which is difficult to deal with and get out of. □ The government is in a corner on interest rates. □ He appears to have backed himself into a tight corner. COLLOCATIONS corner NOUN 1


adjective + corner : far, remote; dark, quiet, shady, sheltered

co r|ner shop (corner shops ) also corner-shop N‑COUNT A corner shop is a small shop, usually on the corner of a street, that sells mainly food and household goods. [BRIT ] in AM, use corner store

corner|stone /kɔː r nə r stoʊn/ (cornerstones ) also corner-stone N‑COUNT The cornerstone of something is the basic part of it on which its existence, success, or truth depends. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Research is the cornerstone of the profession.

co r|ner store (corner stores ) N‑COUNT A corner store is the same as a corner shop . [AM ]

cor|net /kɔː r n I t, [AM ] kɔː r ne t/ (cornets )


1 N‑VAR A cornet is a musical instrument of the brass family that looks like a small trumpet.


2 N‑COUNT An ice cream cornet is a soft thin biscuit shaped like a cone with ice cream in it. [BRIT ]

co rn ex|change (corn exchanges ) also Corn Exchange N‑COUNT A corn exchange is a large building where, in former times, grain was bought and sold. [BRIT ]

corn|field /kɔː r nfiːld/ (cornfields ) also corn field N‑COUNT A cornfield is a field in which corn is being grown.

corn|flake /kɔː r nfle I k/ (cornflakes ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Cornflakes are small flat pieces of maize that are eaten with milk as a breakfast cereal. They are popular in Britain and the United States.

corn|flour /kɔː r nflaʊə r / also corn flour N‑UNCOUNT Cornflour is a fine white powder made from maize and is used to make sauces thicker. [BRIT ] in AM, use cornstarch

corn|flower /kɔː r nflaʊə r / (cornflowers ) N‑VAR Cornflowers are small plants with flowers that are usually blue. □ Her eyes were a bright, cornflower blue.

cor|nice /kɔː r n I s/ (cornices ) N‑COUNT A cornice is a strip of plaster, wood, or stone which goes along the top of a wall or building.

Cor|nish /kɔː r n I ʃ/


1 ADJ Cornish means belonging or relating to the English county of Cornwall. □ …the rugged Cornish coast. □ …Cornish fishermen.


2 N‑PLURAL The Cornish are the people of Cornwall.

Co r|nish pa sty (Cornish pasties ) also cornish pasty N‑COUNT A Cornish pasty is a small pie with meat and vegetables inside. [BRIT ]

corn|meal /kɔː r nmiːl/ also corn meal N‑UNCOUNT Cornmeal is a powder made from maize. It is used in cooking.

co rn on the co b (corn on the cobs ) also corn-on-the-cob N‑VAR Corn on the cob is the long rounded part of the maize or corn plant on which small yellow seeds grow, and which is eaten as a vegetable.

corn|starch /kɔː r nstɑː r tʃ/ also corn starch N‑UNCOUNT Cornstarch is the same as cornflour . [AM ]

cor|nu|co|pia /kɔː r njʊkoʊ piə/ N‑SING A cornucopia of things is a large number of different things. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …a table festooned with a cornucopia of fruit.

corny /kɔː r ni/ (cornier , corniest ) ADJ If you describe something as corny , you mean that it is obvious or sentimental and not at all original. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I know it sounds corny, but I'm really not motivated by money.

cor|ol|lary /kərɒ ləri, [AM ] kɔː rəleri/ (corollaries ) N‑COUNT [oft with poss] A corollary of something is an idea, argument, or fact that results directly from it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The number of prisoners increased as a corollary of the government's determination to combat violent crime.

co|ro|na /kəroʊ nə/ N‑SING The sun's corona is its outer atmosphere. [TECHNICAL ]

coro|nary /kɒ rənri, [AM ] kɔː rəneri/ (coronaries )


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Coronary means belonging or relating to the heart. [MEDICAL ] □ If the coronary arteries are free of obstructions, the heart will receive sufficient oxygen.


2 N‑COUNT If someone has a coronary , they collapse because the flow of blood to their heart is blocked by a large lump of blood called a clot.

co ro|nary throm|bo |sis (coronary thromboses ) N‑VAR A coronary thrombosis is the same as a coronary . [MEDICAL ]

coro|na|tion /kɒ rəne I ʃ ə n, [AM ] kɔː r-/ (coronations ) N‑COUNT A coronation is the ceremony at which a king or queen is crowned. □ [+ of ] …the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

coro|ner /kɒ rənə r , [AM ] kɔː r-/ (coroners ) N‑COUNT A coroner is an official who is responsible for investigating the deaths of people who have died in a sudden, violent, or unusual way. □ The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.

coro|net /kɒ rənət, [AM ] kɔː rəne t/ (coronets ) N‑COUNT A coronet is a small crown.

Corp. Corp. is a written abbreviation for corporation . [BUSINESS ] □ …Sony Corp. of Japan.

cor|po|ra /kɔː r pərə/ Corpora is a plural of corpus .

cor|po|ral /kɔː r prəl/ (corporals ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A corporal is a non-commissioned officer in the army or United States Marines. □ The corporal shouted an order at the men. □ …Corporal Devereux.

co r|po|ral pu n|ish|ment N‑UNCOUNT Corporal punishment is the punishment of people by hitting them.

cor|po|rate ◆◇◇ /kɔː r prət/ ADJ [ADJ n] Corporate means relating to business corporations or to a particular business corporation. [BUSINESS ] □ …the U.K. corporate sector. □ …a corporate lawyer. □ This established a strong corporate image.

cor|po|rate ho s|pi|ta l|ity N‑UNCOUNT Corporate hospitality is the entertainment that a company offers to its most valued clients, for example by inviting them to sporting events and providing them with food and drink. [BUSINESS ] □ …corporate hospitality at football grounds. □ …executives in a corporate hospitality tent.

cor|po|rate rai d|er (corporate raiders ) N‑COUNT A corporate raider is a person or organization that tries to take control of a company by buying a large number of its shares. [BUSINESS ]

cor|po|ra|tion ◆◇◇ /kɔː r pəre I ʃ ə n/ (corporations )


1 N‑COUNT A corporation is a large business or company. [BUSINESS ] □ …multi-national corporations. □ …the Seiko Corporation.


2 N‑COUNT In some large British cities, the corporation is the local authority that is responsible for providing public services. □ …the corporation's task of regenerating 900 acres of the inner city. SYNONYMS corporation NOUN 1


multinational: …multinationals such as Ford and IBM.


firm: The firm's employees were expecting large bonuses.


company: …the Ford Motor Company.


concern: If not a large concern, Queensbury Nursery was at least a successful one.


business: The company was a family business.

cor|po|ra |tion tax N‑UNCOUNT Corporation tax is a tax that companies have to pay on the profits they make. [BUSINESS ]

cor|po|rat|ism /kɔː r prət I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Corporatism is the organization and control of a country by groups who share a common interest or profession. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ 'The age of corporatism must be put firmly behind us,' he proclaimed.

cor|po|rat|ist /kɔː r prət I st/ (corporatists )


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use corporatist to describe organizations, ideas, or systems which follow the principles of corporatism. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ … a corporatist political system.


2 N‑COUNT A corporatist is someone who believes in the principles of corporatism. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The defeat of the corporatists is easy to understand.

cor|po|real /kɔː r pɔː riəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Corporeal means involving or relating to the physical world rather than the spiritual world. [FORMAL ] □ …man's corporeal existence.

corps /kɔː r / (corps )


1 N‑COUNT A Corps is a part of the army which has special duties. □ …the Army Medical Corps. □ …the Russian Officer Corps.


2 N‑COUNT The Corps is the United States Marine Corps. [AM ] □ …seventy-five men, all combat veterans, all members of The Corps' most exclusive unit.


3 N‑COUNT A corps is a small group of people who do a special job. □ …the diplomatic corps. □ …the foreign press corps.

corps de bal|let /kɔː r də bæ le I , [AM ] - bæle I / N‑SING In ballet, the corps de ballet is the group of dancers who dance together, in contrast to the main dancers, who dance by themselves.

corpse /kɔː r ps/ (corpses ) N‑COUNT A corpse is a dead body, especially the body of a human being.

cor|pu|lent /kɔː r pjʊlənt/ ADJ If you describe someone as corpulent , you mean they are fat. [LITERARY ] □ …a rather corpulent farmer.

cor|pus /kɔː r pəs/ (corpora /kɔː r pərə/ or corpuses ) N‑COUNT A corpus is a large collection of written or spoken texts that is used for language research. [TECHNICAL ]

cor|pus|cle /kɔː r pʌs ə l, [AM ] -pəs ə l/ (corpuscles ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Corpuscles are red or white blood cells. □ Deficiency of red corpuscles is caused by a lack of iron.

cor|ral /kərɑː l, [AM ] -ræ l/ (corrals , corralling , corralled )


1 N‑COUNT In North America, a corral is a space surrounded by a fence where cattle or horses are kept.


2 VERB To corral a person or animal means to capture or confine them. [mainly AM ] □ [V n] Within hours, police corralled the three men Lewis had named.

cor|rect ◆◆◇ /kəre kt/ (corrects , correcting , corrected )


1 ADJ If something is correct , it is in accordance with the facts and has no mistakes. [FORMAL ] □ The correct answers can be found at the bottom of page 8. □ The following information was correct at time of going to press. ● cor|rect|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Did I pronounce your name correctly? ● cor|rect|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Ask the investor to check the correctness of what he has written.


2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is correct , what they have said or thought is true. [FORMAL ] □ You are absolutely correct. The leaves are from a bay tree. □ If Casey is correct, the total cost of the cleanup would come to $110 billion.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] The correct thing or method is the thing or method that is required or is most suitable in a particular situation. □ The use of the correct materials was crucial. □ …the correct way to produce a crop of tomato plants. ● cor|rect|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ If correctly executed, this shot will get the ball close to the hole.


4 ADJ If you say that someone is correct in doing something, you approve of their action. □ [+ in ] You are perfectly correct in trying to steer your mother towards increased independence. □ I think the president was correct to reject the offer. ● cor|rect|ly ADV □ When an accident happens, quite correctly questions are asked.


5 VERB If you correct a problem, mistake, or fault, you do something which puts it right. □ [V n] He has criticised the government for inefficiency and delays in correcting past mistakes. ● cor|rec|tion /kəre kʃ ə n/ (corrections ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …legislation to require the correction of factual errors. □ We will then make the necessary corrections.


6 VERB If you correct someone, you say something which you think is more accurate or appropriate than what they have just said. □ [V n with quote] 'Actually, that isn't what happened,' George corrects me. □ [V n] I must correct him on a minor point. [Also V with quote]


7 VERB When someone corrects a piece of writing, they look at it and mark the mistakes in it. □ [V n] He focused on preparing his classes and correcting his students' work.


8 ADJ If a person or their behaviour is correct , their behaviour is in accordance with social or other rules. □ I think English men are very polite and very correct. ● cor|rect|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She behaved correctly but not affectionately towards her father. ● cor|rect|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …his stiff-legged gait and formal correctness.

cor|rec|tion /kəre kʃ ə n/ (corrections )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Corrections are marks or comments made on a piece of work, especially school work, which indicate where there are mistakes and what are the right answers.


2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Correction is the punishment of criminals. [mainly AM ] □ …jails and other parts of the correction system.


3 → see also correct

cor|rec|tion|al /kəre kʃənəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Correctional means related to prisons. [mainly AM ] □ He is currently being held in a metropolitan correctional center.

cor|rec|tive /kəre kt I v/ (correctives )


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Corrective measures or techniques are intended to put right something that is wrong. □ Scientific institutions have been reluctant to take corrective action. □ He has received extensive corrective surgery to his skull.


2 N‑COUNT If something is a corrective to a particular view or account, it gives a more accurate or fairer picture than there would have been without it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] …a useful corrective to the mistaken view that all psychologists are behaviourists.

cor|re|late /kɒ rəle I t, [AM ] kɔː r-/ (correlates , correlating , correlated )


1 VERB If one thing correlates with another, there is a close similarity or connection between them, often because one thing causes the other. You can also say that two things correlate . [FORMAL ] □ [V + with ] Obesity correlates with increased risk for hypertension and stroke. □ [V ] The political opinions of spouses correlate more closely than their heights. □ [be V -ed + with/to ] The loss of respect for British science is correlated to reduced funding. □ [be V -ed] At the highest executive levels, earnings and performance aren't always correlated. [Also V + to ]


2 VERB If you correlate things, you work out the way in which they are connected or the way they influence each other. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + with ] The report correlated the stock market values of the companies with their losses. □ [V n] Lieutenant Ryan closed his eyes, first mentally viewing the different crime scenes, then correlating the data.

cor|re|la|tion /kɒ rəle I ʃ ə n, [AM ] kɔː r-/ (correlations ) N‑COUNT A correlation between things is a connection or link between them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ between ] …the correlation between smoking and disease.

cor|rela|tive /kɒre lət I v/ (correlatives ) N‑COUNT If one thing is a correlative of another, the first thing is caused by the second thing, or occurs together with it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Man has rights only in so far as they are a correlative of duty.

cor|re|spond /kɒ r I spɒ nd, [AM ] kɔː r-/ (corresponds , corresponding , corresponded )


1 VERB If one thing corresponds to another, there is a close similarity or connection between them. You can also say that two things correspond . □ [V + to/with ] Racegoers will be given a number which will correspond to a horse running in a race. □ [V ] The two maps of London correspond closely. □ [V ] Her expression is concerned but her body language does not correspond. ● cor|re|spond|ing ADJ [ADJ n] □ March and April sales were up 8 per cent on the corresponding period last year.


2 VERB If you correspond with someone, you write letters to them. You can also say that two people correspond . □ [V + with ] She still corresponds with American friends she met in Majorca nine years ago. □ [V ] We corresponded regularly.

cor|re|spond|ence /kɒ r I spɒ ndəns, [AM ] kɔː r-/ (correspondences )


1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Correspondence is the act of writing letters to someone. □ The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. □ [+ with ] His interest in writing came from a long correspondence with a close college friend.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Someone's correspondence is the letters that they receive or send. □ He always replied to his correspondence.


3 N‑COUNT If there is a correspondence between two things, there is a close similarity or connection between them. □ [+ between ] In African languages there is a close correspondence between sounds and letters.

co r|re|spo nd|ence course (correspondence courses ) N‑COUNT A correspondence course is a course in which you study at home, receiving your work by post and sending it back by post. □ I took a correspondence course in computing.

cor|re|spond|ent ◆◆◇ /kɒ r I spɒ ndənt, [AM ] kɔː r-/ (correspondents ) N‑COUNT A correspondent is a newspaper or television journalist, especially one who specializes in a particular type of news. □ …The Times Diplomatic Correspondent.

cor|re|spond|ing|ly /kɒ r I spɒ nd I ŋli, [AM ] kɔː r-/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] You use correspondingly when describing a situation which is closely connected with one you have just mentioned or is similar to it. □ As his political stature has shrunk, he has grown correspondingly more dependent on the army.

cor|ri|dor /kɒ r I dɔː r , [AM ] kɔː r I dər/ (corridors )


1 N‑COUNT A corridor is a long passage in a building, with doors and rooms on one or both sides.


2 N‑COUNT A corridor is a strip of land that connects one country to another or gives it a route to the sea through another country. □ The republic lay in a narrow corridor of disputed land.

cor|robo|rate /kərɒ bəre I t/ (corroborates , corroborating , corroborated ) VERB To corroborate something that has been said or reported means to provide evidence or information that supports it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] I had access to a wide range of documents which corroborated the story. ● cor|robo|ra|tion /kərɒ bəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] He needed independent corroboration of his version of the accident.

cor|robo|ra|tive /kərɒ bərət I v, [AM ] -re I t I v/ ADJ [ADJ n] Corroborative evidence or information supports an idea, account, or argument. [FORMAL ] □ …a written statement supported by other corroborative evidence.

cor|rode /kəroʊ d/ (corrodes , corroding , corroded )


1 VERB If metal or stone corrodes , or is corroded , it is gradually destroyed by a chemical or by rust. □ [V ] He has devised a process for making gold wires which neither corrode nor oxidise. □ [be V -ed] Engineers found the structure had been corroded by moisture. □ [V n] Acid rain destroys trees and corrodes buildings. ● cor|rod|ed ADJ □ The investigators found that the underground pipes were badly corroded.


2 VERB To corrode something means to gradually make it worse or weaker. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] Suffering was easier to bear than the bitterness he felt corroding his spirit.

cor|ro|sion /kəroʊ ʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Corrosion is the damage that is caused when something is corroded. □ Zinc is used to protect other metals from corrosion.

cor|ro|sive /kəroʊ s I v/


1 ADJ A corrosive substance is able to destroy solid materials by a chemical reaction. □ Sodium and sulphur are highly corrosive.


2 ADJ If you say that something has a corrosive effect, you mean that it gradually causes serious harm. [FORMAL ] □ …the corrosive effects of inflation.

cor|ru|gat|ed /kɒ rəge I t I d, [AM ] kɔː r-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Corrugated metal or cardboard has been folded into a series of small parallel folds to make it stronger. □ …a hut with a corrugated iron roof.

cor|rupt /kərʌ pt/ (corrupts , corrupting , corrupted )


1 ADJ Someone who is corrupt behaves in a way that is morally wrong, especially by doing dishonest or illegal things in return for money or power. □ …to save the nation from corrupt politicians of both parties. □ He had accused three opposition members of corrupt practices. ● cor|rupt|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …several government officials charged with acting corruptly.


2 VERB [usu passive] If someone is corrupted by something, it causes them to become dishonest and unjust and unable to be trusted. □ [be V -ed] It is sad to see a man so corrupted by the desire for money and power.


3 VERB To corrupt someone means to cause them to stop caring about moral standards. □ [V n] …warning that television will corrupt us all. □ [V ] Cruelty depraves and corrupts.


4 VERB [usu passive] If something is corrupted , it becomes damaged or spoiled in some way. □ [be V -ed] Some of the finer type-faces are corrupted by cheap, popular computer printers. □ [V -ed] …corrupted data.

cor|rup|tion ◆◇◇ /kərʌ pʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Corruption is dishonesty and illegal behaviour by people in positions of authority or power. □ Distribution of food throughout the country is being hampered by inefficiency and corruption.

cor|sage /kɔː r sɑː ʒ/ (corsages ) N‑COUNT A corsage is a very small bunch of flowers that is fastened to a woman's dress below the shoulder.

cor|set /kɔː r s I t/ (corsets ) N‑COUNT A corset is a stiff piece of underwear worn by some women, especially in the past. It fits tightly around their hips and waist and makes them thinner around the waist when they wear it.

cor|set|ed /kɔː r s I t I d/ ADJ A woman who is corseted is wearing a corset.

cor|tege /kɔː r te I ʒ, [AM ] -te ʒ/ (corteges ) also cortège N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A cortege is a procession of people who are walking or riding in cars to a funeral.

cor|tex /kɔː r teks/ (cortices /kɔː r t I siːz/) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The cortex of the brain or of another organ is its outer layer. [MEDICAL ] □ …the cerebral cortex.

cor|ti|sone /kɔː r t I zoʊn/ N‑UNCOUNT Cortisone is a hormone used in the treatment of arthritis, allergies, and some skin diseases.

co|rus|cat|ing /kɒ rəske I t I ŋ, [AM ] kɔː r-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A coruscating speech or performance is lively, intelligent, and impressive. [LITERARY , APPROVAL ] □ …coruscating humour.

cor|vette /kɔː r ve t/ (corvettes ) N‑COUNT A corvette is a small fast warship that is used to protect other ships from attack.

'cos ◆◆◇ /kəz/ also cos CONJ 'Cos is an informal way of saying because . [BRIT , SPOKEN ] □ It was absolutely horrible going up the hills 'cos they were really, really steep. in AM, use 'cause

cosh /kɒ ʃ/ (coshes , coshing , coshed )


1 N‑COUNT A cosh is a heavy piece of rubber or metal which is used as a weapon. [BRIT ]


2 VERB To cosh someone means to hit them hard on the head with a cosh or a similar weapon. [BRIT ] □ [V n] …robbers who punched Tom and coshed Helen.

cos|met|ic /kɒzme t I k/ (cosmetics )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Cosmetics are substances such as lipstick or powder, which people put on their face to make themselves look more attractive.


2 ADJ If you describe measures or changes as cosmetic , you mean they improve the appearance of a situation or thing but do not change its basic nature, and you are usually implying that they are inadequate. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is a cosmetic measure which will do nothing to help the situation long term.

cos|me t|ic su r|gery N‑UNCOUNT Cosmetic surgery is surgery done to make a person look more attractive.

cos|mic /kɒ zm I k/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Cosmic means occurring in, or coming from, the part of space that lies outside Earth and its atmosphere. □ …cosmic radiation. □ …cosmic debris.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Cosmic means belonging or relating to the universe. □ …the cosmic laws governing our world.

cos|mic ra ys N‑PLURAL Cosmic rays are rays that reach Earth from outer space and consist of atomic nuclei.

cos|mol|ogy /kɒzmɒ lədʒi/ (cosmologies )


1 N‑VAR A cosmology is a theory about the origin and nature of the universe. □ …the ideas implicit in Big Bang cosmology.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Cosmology is the study of the origin and nature of the universe. ● cos|molo|gist (cosmologists ) N‑COUNT □ …astronomers and cosmologists. ● cos|mo|logi|cal /kɒ zməlɒ dʒ I k ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] □ …cosmological sciences.

cos|mo|naut /kɒ zmənɔːt/ (cosmonauts ) N‑COUNT A cosmonaut is an astronaut from the former Soviet Union.

cos|mo|poli|tan /kɒ zməpɒ l I tən/


1 ADJ A cosmopolitan place or society is full of people from many different countries and cultures. [APPROVAL ] □ London has always been a cosmopolitan city.


2 ADJ Someone who is cosmopolitan has had a lot of contact with people and things from many different countries and as a result is very open to different ideas and ways of doing things. [APPROVAL ] □ The family are rich, and extremely sophisticated and cosmopolitan.

cos|mos /kɒ zmɒs, [AM ] -məs/ N‑SING The cosmos is the universe. [LITERARY ] □ …the natural laws of the cosmos.

cos|set /kɒ s I t/ (cossets , cosseting or cossetting , cosseted or cossetted ) VERB [usu passive] If someone is cosseted , everything possible is done for them and they are protected from anything unpleasant. □ [be V -ed] Our kind of travel is definitely not suitable for people who expect to be cosseted.

cost ◆◆◆ /kɒ st, [AM ] kɔː st/ (costs , costing ) The form cost is used in the present tense, and is also the past tense and past participle, except for meaning 4 , where the form costed is used. 1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The cost of something is the amount of money that is needed in order to buy, do, or make it. □ [+ of ] The cost of a loaf of bread has increased five-fold. □ [+ of ] In 1989 the price of coffee fell so low that in many countries it did not even cover the cost of production. □ [+ of ] Badges are also available at a cost of £2.50.


2 VERB If something costs a particular amount of money, you can buy, do, or make it for that amount. □ [V amount] This course is limited to 12 people and costs £50. □ [V n amount] It's going to cost me over $100,000 to buy new trucks.


3 N‑PLURAL Your costs are the total amount of money that you must spend on running your home or business. □ Costs have been cut by 30 to 50 per cent.


4 VERB [usu passive] When something that you plan to do or make is costed , the amount of money you need is calculated in advance. □ [be V -ed] Everything that goes into making a programme, staff, rent, lighting, is now costed. □ [V -ed] …apartments, a restaurant and a hotel, costed at around 10 million pounds. ● PHRASAL VERB Cost out means the same as cost . □ [V P n] …training days for charity staff on how to draw up contracts and cost out proposals. □ [have n V -ed P ] It is always worth having a loft conversion costed out. [Also V n P ]


5 N‑PLURAL If someone is ordered by a court of law to pay costs , they have to pay a sum of money towards the expenses of a court case they are involved in. □ He was jailed for 18 months and ordered to pay £550 costs.


6 N‑UNCOUNT If something is sold at cost , it is sold for the same price as it cost the seller to buy it. □ …a store that provided soft drinks and candy bars at cost.


7 N‑SING The cost of something is the loss, damage, or injury that is involved in trying to achieve it. □ [+ of ] In March Mr Salinas shut down the city's oil refinery at a cost of $500 million and 5,000 jobs. □ [+ to ] He had to protect his family, whatever the cost to himself.


8 VERB If an event or mistake costs you something, you lose that thing as the result of it. □ [V n n] …a six-year-old boy whose life was saved by an operation that cost him his sight. □ [V n] The increase will hurt small business and cost many thousands of jobs.


9 PHRASE If you say that something must be avoided at all costs , you are emphasizing that it must not be allowed to happen under any circumstances. [EMPHASIS ] □ They told him a disastrous world trade war must be avoided at all costs.


10 PHRASE If you say that something must be done at any cost , you are emphasizing that it must be done, even if this requires a lot of effort or money. [EMPHASIS ] □ This book is of such importance that it must be published at any cost.


11 PHRASE If you say that something costs money , you mean that it has to be paid for, and perhaps cannot be afforded. □ Well-designed clothes cost money.


12 PHRASE If you know something to your cost , you know it because of an unpleasant experience that you have had. □ Kathryn knows to her cost the effect of having served a jail sentence.


13 to cost someone dear → see dear


▸ cost out → see cost 4 SYNONYMS cost NOUN 1


price: …a sharp increase in the price of petrol.


worth: I went and bought about six dollars' worth of potato chips.


expense: He's bought a specially big TV at vast expense.


charge: We can arrange this for a small charge.


rate: …specially reduced rates for travellers using Gatwick Airport.

co st ac|count|ing N‑UNCOUNT Cost accounting is the recording and analysis of all the various costs of running a business. [BUSINESS ]

co -star (co-stars , co-starring , co-starred ) in AM, also use costar 1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] An actor's or actress's co-stars are the other actors or actresses who also have one of the main parts in a particular film. □ He now lives in Berlin with his co-star from the film.


2 VERB If an actor or actress co-stars with another actor or actress, the two of them have the main parts in a particular film. □ [V + with ] This fall she co-stars in a film with the acclaimed British actor Kenneth Branagh. □ [V + in ] They co-starred in a television version of EM Forster's A Room with a View. □ [V + in ] She revealed the pair were to co-star in an action movie.


3 VERB If a film co-stars particular actors, they have the main parts in it. □ [V n] The film co-stars Dame Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

co st-effe ctive ADJ Something that is cost-effective saves or makes a lot of money in comparison with the costs involved. □ The bank must be run in a cost-effective way. ● cost-effectively ADV [ADV after v] □ The management tries to produce the magazine as cost-effectively as possible. ● cost-effectiveness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] A Home Office report has raised doubts about the cost-effectiveness of the proposals.

cost|ing /kɒ st I ŋ, [AM ] kɔː st-/ (costings ) N‑VAR A costing is an estimate of all the costs involved in a project or a business venture. [mainly BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ We'll put together a proposal, including detailed costings, free of charge. in AM, use costs

cost|ly /kɒ stli, [AM ] kɔː st-/ (costlier , costliest )


1 ADJ If you say that something is costly , you mean that it costs a lot of money, often more than you would want to pay. □ Having professionally-made curtains can be costly, so why not make your own?


2 ADJ If you describe someone's action or mistake as costly , you mean that it results in a serious disadvantage for them, for example the loss of a large amount of money or the loss of their reputation. □ Psychometric tests can save organizations from grim and costly mistakes.

co st of li v|ing N‑SING The cost of living is the average amount of money that people in a particular place need in order to be able to afford basic food, housing, and clothing. □ Companies are moving jobs to towns with a lower cost of living.

co st-plu s ADJ [ADJ n] A cost-plus basis for a contract about work to be done is one in which the buyer agrees to pay the seller or contractor all the cost plus a profit. □ All vessels were to be built on a cost-plus basis.

co st pri ce (cost prices ) N‑VAR [oft at N ] If something is sold at cost price , it is sold for the same price as it cost the seller to buy it. [BRIT ] □ …a factory shop where you can buy very fashionable shoes at cost price.

cos|tume /kɒ stjuːm, [AM ] -tuːm/ (costumes )


1 N‑VAR An actor's or performer's costume is the set of clothes they wear while they are performing. □ Even from a distance the effect of his fox costume was stunning. □ The performers, in costume and make-up, were walking up and down backstage. □ In all, she has eight costume changes.


2 N‑UNCOUNT The clothes worn by people at a particular time in history, or in a particular country, are referred to as a particular type of costume . □ …men and women in eighteenth-century costume.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] A costume play or drama is one which is set in the past and in which the actors wear the type of clothes that were worn in that period. □ …a lavish costume drama set in Ireland and the U.S. in the 1890s.

co s|tume jew|el|lery in AM, use costume jewelry N‑UNCOUNT Costume jewellery is jewellery made from cheap materials.

cos|tum|er /kɒ stjuːmə r / (costumers ) N‑COUNT A costumer is the same as a costumier . [AM ]

cos|tumi|er /kɒstjuː miə r , [AM ] -tuː -/ (costumiers ) N‑COUNT A costumier is a person or company that makes or supplies costumes. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a theatrical costumier. in AM, use costumer

cosy /koʊ zi/ (cosier , cosiest ) in AM, use cozy 1 ADJ A house or room that is cosy is comfortable and warm. □ Downstairs there's a breakfast room and guests can relax in the cosy bar. ● co|si|ly /koʊ z I li/ ADV □ We took time to relax in the cosily-decorated drawing room.


2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are cosy , you are comfortable and warm. □ They like to make sure their guests are comfortable and cosy. ● co|si|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He was settled cosily in the corner with an arm round Lynda.


3 ADJ You use cosy to describe activities that are pleasant and friendly, and involve people who know each other well. □ …a cosy chat between friends. ● co|si|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …chatting cosily with friends over coffee.

cot /kɒ t/ (cots )


1 N‑COUNT A cot is a bed for a baby, with bars or panels round it so that the baby cannot fall out. [BRIT ] in AM, use crib 2 N‑COUNT A cot is a narrow bed, usually made of canvas fitted over a frame which can be folded up. [AM ] in BRIT, use camp bed

co t death (cot deaths ) N‑VAR Cot death is the sudden death of a baby while it is asleep, although the baby had not previously been ill. [BRIT ] in AM, use crib death

co|terie /koʊ təri/ (coteries ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A coterie of a particular kind is a small group of people who are close friends or have a common interest, and who do not want other people to join them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The songs he recorded were written by a small coterie of dedicated writers.

cot|tage ◆◇◇ /kɒ t I dʒ/ (cottages ) N‑COUNT A cottage is a small house, usually in the country. □ They used to have a cottage in N.W. Scotland. □ My sister Yvonne also came to live at Ockenden Cottage with me. COLLOCATIONS cottage NOUN 1


noun + cottage : country, holiday; three-bedroom, two-bedroom


adjective + cottage : stone, terraced, thatched; charming, cosy, pretty, quaint

co t|tage chee se N‑UNCOUNT Cottage cheese is a soft, white, lumpy cheese made from sour milk.

co t|tage i n|dus|try (cottage industries ) N‑COUNT A cottage industry is a small business that is run from someone's home, especially one that involves a craft such as knitting or pottery. [BUSINESS ] □ Bookbinding is largely a cottage industry.

co t|tage loaf (cottage loaves ) N‑COUNT A cottage loaf is a loaf of bread which has a smaller round part on top of a larger round part. [BRIT ]

co t|tage pie (cottage pies ) N‑VAR Cottage pie is a dish which consists of minced meat in gravy with mashed potato on top. [BRIT ]

cot|tag|ing /kɒ t I dʒ I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Cottaging is homosexual activity between men in public toilets. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

cot|ton ◆◇◇ /kɒ t ə n/ (cottons , cottoning , cottoned )


1 N‑VAR [oft N n] Cotton is a type of cloth made from soft fibres from a particular plant. □ …a cotton shirt.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Cotton is a plant which is grown in warm countries and which produces soft fibres used in making cotton cloth. □ …a large cotton plantation in Tennessee.


3 N‑VAR Cotton is thread that is used for sewing, especially thread that is made from cotton. [mainly BRIT ] □ There's a needle and cotton there. in AM, use thread 4 N‑UNCOUNT Cotton or absorbent cotton is a soft mass of cotton, used especially for applying liquids or creams to your skin. [AM ] in BRIT, use cotton wool


▸ cotton on PHRASAL VERB If you cotton on to something, you understand it or realize it, especially without people telling you about it. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P + to ] She had already cottoned on to the fact that the nanny was not all she appeared. □ [V P ] It wasn't until he started laughing that they cottoned on!


▸ cotton to PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If you cotton to someone or something, you start to like them. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] His style of humor was very human, and that's why people cotton to him. □ [V P n] I was being shut out and that's something I just don't cotton to.

co t|ton bud (cotton buds ) N‑COUNT A cotton bud is a small stick with a ball of cotton wool at each end, which people use, for example, for applying make-up. [BRIT ] in AM, use Q-tip

co t|ton ca n|dy N‑UNCOUNT Cotton candy is a large pink or white mass of sugar threads that is eaten from a stick. It is sold at fairs or other outdoor events. [AM ] in BRIT, use candyfloss

cotton|wood /kɒ t ə nwʊd/ (cottonwoods ) N‑COUNT A cottonwood or a cottonwood tree is a kind of tree that grows in North America and has seeds that are covered with hairs that look like cotton.

co t|ton woo l N‑UNCOUNT Cotton wool is a soft mass of cotton, used especially for applying liquids or creams to your skin. [BRIT ] in AM, use cotton

couch /kaʊ tʃ/ (couches , couching , couched )


1 N‑COUNT A couch is a long, comfortable seat for two or three people.


2 N‑COUNT A couch is a narrow bed which patients lie on while they are being examined or treated by a doctor.


3 VERB [usu passive] If a statement is couched in a particular style of language, it is expressed in that style of language. [WRITTEN ] □ [be V -ed + in/as ] The new centre-right government's radical objectives are often couched in moderate terms.

cou|chette /kuːʃe t/ (couchettes ) N‑COUNT A couchette is a bed on a train or a boat which is folded against the wall or used as a seat during the day. [mainly BRIT ]

cou ch po|ta|to (couch potatoes ) N‑COUNT A couch potato is someone who spends most of their time watching television and does not exercise or have any interesting hobbies. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …couch potatoes flicking through endless satellite TV channels.

couch|surf|ing /kaʊ tʃsɜː r f I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Couchsurfing is the practice of sleeping at the houses of several different people for a period of time without paying. □ He spent a few months couchsurfing.

cou|gar /kuː gə r / (cougars ) N‑COUNT A cougar is a wild member of the cat family. Cougars have brownish-grey fur and live in mountain regions of North and South America. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use puma

cough ◆◇◇ /kɒ f, [AM ] kɔː f/ (coughs , coughing , coughed )


1 VERB When you cough , you force air out of your throat with a sudden, harsh noise. You often cough when you are ill, or when you are nervous or want to attract someone's attention. □ [V ] Graham began to cough violently. □ [V ] He coughed. 'Excuse me, Mrs Allsworthy, could I have a word?' ● N‑COUNT Cough is also a noun. □ They were interrupted by an apologetic cough. ● cough|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ He was then overcome by a terrible fit of coughing.


2 N‑COUNT A cough is an illness in which you cough often and your chest or throat hurts. □ …if you have a persistent cough for over a month.


3 VERB If you cough blood or mucus, it comes up out of your throat or mouth when you cough. □ [V n] I started coughing blood so they transferred me to a hospital. ● PHRASAL VERB Cough up means the same as cough . □ [V P n] Keats became feverish, continually coughing up blood. [Also V n P ]


▸ cough up


1 PHRASAL VERB If you cough up an amount of money, you pay or spend that amount, usually when you would prefer not to. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P + for ] I'll have to cough up $10,000 a year for tuition. □ [V P ] Will this be enough to persuade Congress to cough up? [Also V P n + for ]


2 → see also cough 3

cou gh medi|cine (cough medicines ) N‑VAR Cough medicine is liquid medicine that you take when you have a cough.

cou gh mix|ture (cough mixtures ) N‑VAR Cough mixture is the same as cough medicine . [BRIT ]

could ◆◆◆ /kəd, STRONG kʊd/ Could is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. Could is sometimes considered to be the past form of can , but in this dictionary the two words are dealt with separately. 1 MODAL You use could to indicate that someone had the ability to do something. You use could not or couldn't to say that someone was unable to do something. □ For my return journey, I felt I could afford the extra and travel first class. □ I could see that something was terribly wrong. □ When I left school at 16, I couldn't read or write. □ There was no way she could have coped with a baby around.

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