Aa
A , a /e I / (A's, a's )
1 N‑VAR A is the first letter of the English alphabet.
2 N‑VAR In music, A is the sixth note in the scale of C major.
3 N‑VAR If you get an A as a mark for a piece of work or in an exam, your work is extremely good.
4 A or a is used as an abbreviation for words beginning with a, such as 'acceleration', 'ampère', or 'answer'.
5 PHRASE People talk about getting from A to B when they are referring generally to journeys they need to make, without saying where the journeys will take them. □ Cars are for getting people from A to B in maximum safety.
a ◆◆◆ /ə, STRONG e I / or an /ən, STRONG æn/ A or an is the indefinite article. It is used at the beginning of noun groups which refer to only one person or thing. The form an is used in front of words that begin with vowel sounds. 1 DET You use a or an when you are referring to someone or something for the first time or when people may not know which particular person or thing you are talking about. □ A waiter entered with a tray. □ He started eating an apple. □ Today you've got a new teacher taking you. □ I manage a hotel.
2 DET You use a or an when you are referring to any person or thing of a particular type and do not want to be specific. □ I suggest you leave it to an expert. □ Bring a sleeping bag. □ I was waiting for a bus.
3 DET You use a or an in front of an uncount noun when that noun follows an adjective, or when the noun is followed by words that describe it more fully. □ There was a terrible sadness in her eyes.
4 DET You use a or an in front of a mass noun when you want to refer to a single type or make of something. □ Bollinger 'RD' is a rare, highly prized wine.
5 DET You use a in quantifiers such as a lot , a little , and a bit . □ I spend a lot on expensive jewelry and clothing. □ I've come looking for a bit of advice.
6 DET You use a or an to refer to someone or something as a typical member of a group, class, or type. □ Some parents believe a boy must learn to stand up and fight like a man.
7 DET You use a or an in front of the names of days, months, or festivals when you are referring to one particular instance of that day, month, or festival. □ The interview took place on a Friday afternoon.
8 DET You use a or an when you are saying what someone is or what job they have. □ I explained that I was an artist. □ He was now a teacher and a respectable member of the community.
9 DET You use a or an in front of the names of artists to refer to one individual painting or sculpture created by them. □ Most people have very little difficulty in seeing why a Van Gogh is a work of genius.
10 DET You use a or an instead of the number 'one', especially with words of measurement such as 'hundred', 'hour', and 'metre', and with fractions such as 'half', 'quarter', and 'third'. □ …more than a thousand acres of land. □ …a quarter of an hour.
11 DET You use a or an in expressions such as eight hours a day to express a rate or ratio. □ Prices start at £13.95 a metre for printed cotton. □ The helicopter can zip along at about 150 kilometres an hour.
PREFIX a-
is added to the beginning of some adjectives in order to form adjectives that describe someone or something that does not have the feature or quality indicated by the original word. For example, an apolitical person is someone who is not interested in politics or who does not support any political party.
aah /ɑː / → see ah
A & E /e I ən iː / N‑UNCOUNT In Britain, A & E is the part of a hospital that deals with accidents and emergencies. A & E is an abbreviation for 'accident and emergency'. [BRIT ] in AM, use ER
AB /e I biː / (ABs ) N‑COUNT In some American universities, an AB is the same as a BA .
aback /əbæ k/ PHRASE If you are taken aback by something, you are surprised or shocked by it and you cannot respond at once. □ [+ by ] Roland was taken aback by our strength of feeling.
aba|cus /æ bəkəs/ (abacuses ) N‑COUNT An abacus is a frame used for counting. It has rods with sliding beads on them.
aba|lo|ne /æbəloʊ ni/ (abalones ) N‑VAR Abalone is a shellfish that you can eat and that has a shiny substance called mother-of-pearl inside its shell.
aban|don ◆◇◇ /əbæ ndən/ (abandons , abandoning , abandoned )
1 VERB If you abandon a place, thing, or person, you leave the place, thing, or person permanently or for a long time, especially when you should not do so. □ [V n] He claimed that his parents had abandoned him. □ [V -ed] The road is strewn with abandoned vehicles.
2 VERB If you abandon an activity or piece of work, you stop doing it before it is finished. □ [V n] The authorities have abandoned any attempt to distribute food.
3 VERB If you abandon an idea or way of thinking, you stop having that idea or thinking in that way. □ [V n] Logic had prevailed and he had abandoned the idea.
4 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with N ] If you say that someone does something with abandon , you mean that they behave in a wild, uncontrolled way and do not think or care about how they should behave. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He has spent money with gay abandon.
5 → see also abandoned
6 PHRASE If people abandon ship , they get off a ship because it is sinking.
aban|doned ◆◇◇ /əbæ ndənd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An abandoned place or building is no longer used or occupied. □ All that digging had left a network of abandoned mines and tunnels.
aban|don|ment /əbæ ndənmənt/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The abandonment of a place, thing, or person is the act of leaving it permanently or for a long time, especially when you should not do so. □ [+ of ] …memories of her father's complete abandonment of her.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The abandonment of a piece of work or activity is the act of stopping doing it before it is finished. □ [+ of ] Constant rain forced the abandonment of the next day's competitions.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The abandonment of an idea or way of thinking is the act of stopping having the idea or of stopping thinking in that way.
abashed /əbæ ʃt/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are abashed , you feel embarrassed and ashamed. [WRITTEN ] □ He looked abashed, uncomfortable.
abate /əbe I t/ (abates , abating , abated ) VERB If something bad or undesirable abates , it becomes much less strong or severe. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] The storms had abated by the time they rounded Cape Horn.
abate|ment /əbe I tmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Abatement means a reduction in the strength or power of something or the reduction of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the abatement of carbon dioxide emissions. □ …noise abatement.
ab|at|toir /æ bətwɑː r / (abattoirs ) N‑COUNT An abattoir is a place where animals are killed in order to provide meat. [BRIT ] in AM, use slaughterhouse
ab|bess /æ bes/ (abbesses ) N‑COUNT An abbess is the nun who is in charge of the other nuns in a convent.
ab|bey /æ bi/ (abbeys ) N‑COUNT An abbey is a church with buildings attached to it in which monks or nuns live or used to live.
ab|bot /æ bət/ (abbots ) N‑COUNT An abbot is the monk who is in charge of the other monks in a monastery or abbey.
ab|bre|vi|ate /əbriː vie I t/ (abbreviates , abbreviating , abbreviated ) VERB If you abbreviate something, especially a word or a piece of writing, you make it shorter. □ [V n + to ] He abbreviated his first name to Alec. [Also V n]
ab|bre|via|tion /əbriː vie I ʃ ə n/ (abbreviations ) N‑COUNT An abbreviation is a short form of a word or phrase, made by leaving out some of the letters or by using only the first letter of each word. □ The postal abbreviation for Kansas is KS.
ABC /e I biː siː / (ABCs )
1 N‑SING The ABC of a subject or activity is the parts of it that you have to learn first because they are the most important and basic. □ [+ of ] …the ABC of Marxism.
2 N‑COUNT Children who have learned their ABC or their ABCs have learned to recognize, write, or say the alphabet. [INFORMAL ]
ab|di|cate /æ bd I ke I t/ (abdicates , abdicating , abdicated )
1 VERB If a king or queen abdicates , he or she gives up being king or queen. □ [V ] The last French king was Louis Philippe, who abdicated in 1848. [Also V n] ● ab|di|ca|tion /æ bd I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] □ [+ of ] …the most serious royal crisis since the abdication of Edward VIII.
2 VERB If you say that someone has abdicated responsibility for something, you disapprove of them because they have refused to accept responsibility for it any longer. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] Many parents simply abdicate all responsibility for their children. ● ab|di|ca|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] There had been a complete abdication of responsibility.
ab|do|men /æ bdəmən, [AM ] æbdoʊ -/ (abdomens ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your abdomen is the part of your body below your chest where your stomach and intestines are. [FORMAL ] □ He was suffering from pains in his abdomen.
ab|domi|nal /æbdɒ m I n ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Abdominal is used to describe something that is situated in the abdomen or forms part of it. [FORMAL ] □ …vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
ab|domi|nals /æbdɒ m I n ə lz/ N‑PLURAL You can refer to your abdominal muscles as your abdominals when you are talking about exercise.
ab|duct /æbdʌ kt/ (abducts , abducting , abducted ) VERB If someone is abducted by another person, he or she is taken away illegally, usually using force. □ [be V -ed] His car was held up and he was abducted by four gunmen. □ [V n] She was charged with abducting a six-month-old child. ● ab|duc|tion /æbdʌ kʃ ə n/ (abductions ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the abduction of four youths. ● ab|duc|tor (abductors ) N‑COUNT □ She co-operated with her abductor.
ab|er|rant /æbe rənt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Aberrant means unusual and not socially acceptable. [FORMAL ] □ Ian's rages and aberrant behavior worsened.
ab|er|ra|tion /æ bəre I ʃ ə n/ (aberrations ) N‑VAR An aberration is an incident or way of behaving that is not typical. [FORMAL ] □ It became very clear that the incident was not just an aberration.
abet /əbe t/ (abets , abetting , abetted ) VERB If one person abets another, they help or encourage them to do something criminal or wrong. Abet is often used in the legal expression 'aid and abet'. [LEGAL , FORMAL ] □ [V n] His wife was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for aiding and abetting him.
abey|ance /əbe I əns/ PHRASE If something is in abeyance , it is not operating or being used at the present time. [FORMAL ] □ The saga is not over, merely in abeyance.
ab|hor /æbhɔː r / (abhors , abhorring , abhorred ) VERB If you abhor something, you hate it very much, especially for moral reasons. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He was a man who abhorred violence and was deeply committed to reconciliation.
ab|hor|rence /æbhɒ rəns, [AM ] -hɔː r-/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's abhorrence of something is their strong hatred of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] They are anxious to show their abhorrence of racism.
ab|hor|rent /æbhɒ rənt, [AM ] -hɔː r-/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something is abhorrent to you, you hate it very much or consider it completely unacceptable. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] Racial discrimination is abhorrent to my council and our staff.
abide /əba I d/ (abides , abiding , abided )
1 PHRASE If you can't abide someone or something, you dislike them very much. □ I can't abide people who can't make up their minds.
2 → see also abiding , law-abiding
▸ abide by PHRASAL VERB If you abide by a law, agreement, or decision, you do what it says you should do. □ [V P n] They have got to abide by the rules.
abid|ing /əba I d I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] An abiding feeling, memory, or interest is one that you have for a very long time. □ He has a genuine and abiding love of the craft.
abil|ity ◆◆◇ /əb I l I ti/ (abilities )
1 N‑SING [N to-inf, oft with poss] Your ability to do something is the fact that you can do it. □ The public never had faith in his ability to handle the job. □ He has the ability to bring out the best in others.
2 N‑VAR [oft with poss] Your ability is the quality or skill that you have which makes it possible for you to do something. □ Her drama teacher spotted her ability. □ They repeatedly questioned his leadership abilities. □ Does the school cater for all abilities?
3 PHRASE If you do something to the best of your abilities or to the best of your ability , you do it as well as you can. □ I take care of them to the best of my abilities.
SUFFIX -ability
replaces -able at the end of adjectives to form nouns that refer to a particular state or quality. For example, reliability is the state or quality of being reliable.
ab|ject /æ bdʒekt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use abject to emphasize that a situation or quality is extremely bad. [EMPHASIS ] □ Both of them died in abject poverty. □ This scheme was an abject failure. ● ab|ject|ly ADV □ Both have failed abjectly.
ab|jure /æbdʒʊə r / (abjures , abjuring , abjured ) VERB If you abjure something such as a belief or way of life, you state publicly that you will give it up or that you reject it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …a formal statement abjuring military action.
ablaze /əble I z/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Something that is ablaze is burning very fiercely. □ Shops, houses, and vehicles were set ablaze.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If a place is ablaze with lights or colours, it is very bright because of them. □ [+ with ] The chamber was ablaze with light.
able ◆◆◆ /e I b ə l/ (abler /e I blə r /, ablest /e I bl I st/)
1 PHRASE If you are able to do something, you have skills or qualities which make it possible for you to do it. □ The older child should be able to prepare a simple meal. □ The company say they're able to keep pricing competitive. □ They seemed able to work together very efficiently.
2 PHRASE If you are able to do something, you have enough freedom, power, time, or money to do it. □ You'll be able to read in peace. □ It would be nice to be able to afford to retire earlier.
3 ADJ Someone who is able is very clever or very good at doing something. □ …one of the brightest and ablest members of the government. SYNONYMS able ADJ 3
capable: She's a very capable speaker.
experienced: It's a team packed with experienced and mature professionals.
skilled: New industries demanded skilled labour not available locally.
competent: He was a loyal, distinguished and very competent civil servant.
SUFFIX -able
forms adjectives that indicate what someone or something can have done to them. For example, if something is movable , it is possible to move it.
able-bodied /e I b ə l bɒ did/ ADJ An able-bodied person is physically strong and healthy, rather than being weak or having a disability. □ She was able-bodied and reasonably intelligent.
ab|lu|tions /əbluː ʃ ə nz/ N‑PLURAL [oft poss N ] Someone's ablutions are all the activities that are involved in washing himself or herself. [FORMAL or HUMOROUS ]
ably /e I bli/ ADV [ADV with v] Ably means skilfully and successfully. □ He was ably assisted by a number of other members.
ab|nor|mal /æbnɔː r m ə l/ ADJ Someone or something that is abnormal is unusual, especially in a way that is worrying. [FORMAL ] □ …abnormal heart rhythms and high anxiety levels. □ …a child with an abnormal fear of strangers. ● ab|nor|mal|ly ADV [usu ADV adj/adv, oft ADV with v] □ …abnormally high levels of glucose.
ab|nor|mal|ity /æ bnɔː r mæ l I ti/ (abnormalities ) N‑VAR An abnormality in something, especially in a person's body or behaviour, is an unusual part or feature of it that may be worrying or dangerous. [FORMAL ] □ Further scans are required to confirm the diagnosis of an abnormality.
aboard /əbɔː r d/ PREP If you are aboard a ship or plane, you are on it or in it. □ She invited 750 people aboard the luxury yacht, the Savarona. □ They said goodbye to him as he got aboard the train at Union Station. ● ADV [ADV after v] Aboard is also an adverb. □ It had taken two hours to load all the people aboard.
abode /əboʊ d/ (abodes )
1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your abode is the place where you live. [FORMAL ] □ I went round the streets and found his new abode.
2 PHRASE If someone has no fixed abode , they are homeless. [LEGAL ] □ 30 per cent of psychiatric hospital beds are occupied by people of no fixed abode.
abol|ish /əbɒ l I ʃ/ (abolishes , abolishing , abolished ) VERB If someone in authority abolishes a system or practice, they formally put an end to it. □ [V n] The following year Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for murder.
abo|li|tion /æ bəl I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] The abolition of something such as a system or practice is its formal ending. □ [+ of ] …the abolition of slavery in Brazil and the Caribbean.
abo|li|tion|ist /æ bəl I ʃ ə n I st/ (abolitionists ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] An abolitionist is someone who campaigns for the abolition of a particular system or practice. □ There is no need to abandon the abolitionist principles as such.
A-bomb /e I bɒm/ (A-bombs ) N‑COUNT An A-bomb is an atomic bomb.
abomi|nable /əbɒ m I nəb ə l/ ADJ Something that is abominable is very unpleasant or bad. □ The President described the killings as an abominable crime. ● abomi|nably /əbɒ m I nəbli/ ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj] □ Chloe has behaved abominably. □ Wallis was often abominably rude.
abom|ina|tion /əbɒ m I ne I ʃ ə n/ (abominations ) N‑COUNT If you say that something is an abomination , you think that it is completely unacceptable. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
abo|rigi|nal /æ bər I dʒ I n ə l/ (aboriginals )
1 N‑COUNT An Aboriginal is an Australian Aborigine. □ The islands are considered by the west coast Aboriginals to be 'the place where time began'.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Aboriginal means belonging or relating to the Australian Aborigines. □ …Aboriginal art.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] The aboriginal people or animals of a place are ones that have been there from the earliest known times or that were there before people or animals from other countries arrived.
Abo|rigi|ne /æ bər I dʒ I ni/ (Aborigines ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Aborigines are members of the tribes that were living in Australia when Europeans arrived there.
abort /əbɔː r t/ (aborts , aborting , aborted )
1 VERB If an unborn baby is aborted , the pregnancy is ended deliberately and the baby is not born alive. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Her lover walked out on her after she had aborted their child. □ [V -ed] …tissue from aborted fetuses. [Also V ]
2 VERB If someone aborts a process, plan, or activity, they stop it before it has been completed. □ [V n] The decision was made to abort the mission.
abor|tion ◆◇◇ /əbɔː r ʃ ə n/ (abortions ) N‑VAR If a woman has an abortion , she ends her pregnancy deliberately so that the baby is not born alive. □ His girlfriend had an abortion.
abor|tion|ist /əbɔː r ʃən I st/ (abortionists )
1 N‑COUNT An abortionist is someone who performs abortions, usually illegally.
2 → see also anti-abortionist
abor|tive /əbɔː r t I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An abortive attempt or action is unsuccessful. [FORMAL ] □ …an abortive attempt to prevent the current President from taking office.
abound /əbaʊ nd/ (abounds , abounding , abounded ) VERB If things abound , or if a place abounds with things, there are very large numbers of them. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] Stories abound about when he was in charge. □ [V + with/in ] The book abounds with close-up images from space.
about ◆◆◆ /əbaʊ t/ In addition to the uses shown below, about is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives to introduce extra information. About is also often used after verbs of movement, such as 'walk' and 'drive', and in phrasal verbs such as 'mess about' and 'set about', especially in British English. 1 PREP You use about to introduce who or what something relates to or concerns. □ She came in for a coffee, and told me about her friend Shona. □ She knew a lot about food. □ The neighbours complained about the noise.
2 PREP When you mention the things that an activity or institution is about , you are saying what it involves or what its aims are. □ Leadership is about the ability to implement change.
3 PREP You use about after some adjectives to indicate the person or thing that a feeling or state of mind relates to. □ 'I'm sorry about Patrick,' she said. □ I feel so guilty and angry about the whole issue.
4 PREP If you do something about a problem, you take action in order to solve it. □ Rachel was going to do something about Jacob.
5 PREP When you say that there is a particular quality about someone or something, you mean that they have this quality. □ I think there's something a little peculiar about the results of your test.
6 ADV About is used in front of a number to show that the number is not exact. □ In my local health centre there's about forty parking spaces. □ The rate of inflation is running at about 2.7 percent.
7 ADV [ADV after v] If someone or something moves about , they keep moving in different directions. □ Everyone was running about. ● PREP About is also a preposition. □ He wandered about the town stopping to listen to bands.
8 PREP If you put something about a person or thing, you put it around them. □ Helen threw her arms about him.
9 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone or something is about , they are present or available. □ There's lots of money about these days for schemes like this.
10 ADJ If you are about to do something, you are going to do it very soon. If something is about to happen, it will happen very soon. □ I think he's about to leave. □ The film was about to start.
11 how about → see how
12 what about → see what
13 just about → see just ➊
14 PHRASE If someone is out and about , they are going out and doing things, especially after they have been unable to for a while. □ Despite considerable pain she has been getting out and about almost as normal.
15 PHRASE If someone is out and about , they are going to a lot of different places, often as part of their job. □ They often saw me out and about. USAGE about
Don’t use an -ing
form in 'about to
' sentences. Don’t say, for example, ‘
You are about crossing the River Jordan
’. Say 'You are about to cross
the River Jordan'. □
I was about to go
home.
abou t-fa ce (about-faces ) N‑COUNT An about-face is a complete change of attitude or opinion. □ Few observers believe the president will do an about-face and start spending more.
abou t-tu rn (about-turns ) N‑COUNT An about-turn is the same as an about-face . [BRIT ] in AM, use about-face
above ◆◆◇ /əbʌ v/
1 PREP If one thing is above another one, it is directly over it or higher than it. □ He lifted his hands above his head. □ Apartment 46 was a quiet apartment, unlike the one above it. □ He was staring into the mirror above him. ● ADV [ADV after v, from ADV ] Above is also an adverb. □ A long scream sounded from somewhere above. □ …a picture of the new plane as seen from above.
2 ADV [ADV after v, n ADV ] In writing, you use above to refer to something that has already been mentioned or discussed. □ Several conclusions could be drawn from the results described above. ● N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] Above is also a noun. □ For additional information, contact any of the above. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Above is also an adjective. □ For a copy of their brochure, write to the above address.
3 PREP If an amount or measurement is above a particular level, it is greater than that level. □ The temperature crept up to just above 40 degrees. □ Victoria Falls has had above average levels of rainfall this year. □ Government spending is planned to rise 3 per cent above inflation. ● ADV Above is also an adverb. □ Banks have been charging 25 percent and above for unsecured loans.
4 PREP If you hear one sound above another, it is louder or clearer than the second one. □ Then there was a woman's voice, rising shrilly above the barking.
5 PREP If someone is above you, they are in a higher social position than you or in a position of authority over you. □ I married above myself–rich county people. ● ADV [from ADV ] Above is also an adverb. □ The police officers admitted beating the student, but said they were acting on orders from above.
6 PREP If you say that someone thinks they are above something, you mean that they act as if they are too good or important for it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I'm not above doing my own cleaning.
7 PREP If someone is above criticism or suspicion, they cannot be criticized or suspected because of their good qualities or their position. □ He was a respected academic and above suspicion.
8 PREP If you value one person or thing above any other, you value them more or consider that they are more important. □ …his tendency to put the team above everything.
9 over and above → see over ➋
10 above the law → see law
11 above board → see board USAGE above
Don’t use ‘above’ in front of a number when you are talking about a quantity or number of things or people. For example, don’t say '
She had above thirty pairs of shoes
'. Say ‘She had over
thirty pairs of shoes’ or ‘She had more than
thirty pairs of shoes’. □
It cost over
3 million pounds.
□
He saw more than
800 children there.
abo ve-the-li ne pro|mo |tion (above-the-line promotions ) N‑VAR Above-the-line promotion is the use of promotional methods that cannot be directly controlled by the company selling the goods or service, such as television or press advertising. Compare below-the-line promotion . [BUSINESS ] □ For maternity clothing retailers, most above-the-line promotion is conducted through focused sources such as mother and baby magazines.
ab|ra|ca|dab|ra /æ brəkədæ brə/ EXCLAM Abracadabra is a word that someone says when they are performing a magic trick in order to make the magic happen.
abrade /əbre I d/ (abrades , abrading , abraded ) VERB To abrade something means to scrape or wear down its surface by rubbing it. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] My skin was abraded and very tender.
abra|sion /əbre I ʒ ə n/ (abrasions ) N‑COUNT An abrasion is an area on a person's body where the skin has been scraped. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] He had severe abrasions to his right cheek.
abra|sive /əbre I s I v/
1 ADJ Someone who has an abrasive manner is unkind and rude. □ His abrasive manner has won him an unenviable notoriety.
2 ADJ An abrasive substance is rough and can be used to clean hard surfaces. □ …a new all-purpose, non-abrasive cleaner.
abreast /əbre st/
1 ADV [ADV after v] If people or things walk or move abreast , they are next to each other, side by side, and facing in the same direction. □ The steep pavement was too narrow for them to walk abreast.
2 PHRASE If you are abreast of someone or something, you are level with them or in line with them. □ As he drew abreast of the man he pretended to stumble.
3 PHRASE If you keep abreast of a subject, you know all the most recent facts about it. □ He will be keeping abreast of the news.
abridged /əbr I dʒd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An abridged book or play has been made shorter by removing some parts of it. □ This is an abridged version of her new novel.
abroad ◆◇◇ /əbrɔː d/ ADV [ADV after v, n ADV , be ADV , from ADV ] If you go abroad , you go to a foreign country, usually one which is separated from the country where you live by an ocean or a sea. □ I would love to go abroad this year, perhaps to the South of France. □ …public opposition here and abroad. □ About 65 per cent of its sales come from abroad. SYNONYMS abroad ADV
overseas: Her only relatives live overseas.
away: Sophia was away on a business trip.
ab|ro|gate /æ brəge I t/ (abrogates , abrogating , abrogated ) VERB If someone in a position of authority abrogates something such as a law, agreement, or practice, they put an end to it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The next prime minister could abrogate the treaty.
ab|rupt /əbrʌ pt/
1 ADJ An abrupt change or action is very sudden, often in a way which is unpleasant. □ Rosie's idyllic world came to an abrupt end when her parents' marriage broke up. ● ab|rupt|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He stopped abruptly and looked my way.
2 ADJ Someone who is abrupt speaks in a rather rude, unfriendly way. □ He was abrupt to the point of rudeness. □ Cross was a little taken aback by her abrupt manner. ● ab|rupt|ly ADV □ 'Good night, then,' she said abruptly.
abs /æ bz/ N‑PLURAL Abs are the same as abdominals . [INFORMAL ] □ Throughout the exercise, focus on keeping your abs tight.
ab|scess /æ bses/ (abscesses ) N‑COUNT An abscess is a painful swelling containing pus.
ab|scond /æbskɒ nd/ (absconds , absconding , absconded )
1 VERB If someone absconds from somewhere such as a prison, they escape from it or leave it without permission. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] He was ordered to appear the following day, but absconded. □ [V + from ] A dozen inmates have absconded from Forest Jail in the past year.
2 VERB If someone absconds with something, they leave and take it with them, although it does not belong to them. [FORMAL ] □ [V + with ] Unfortunately, his partners were crooks and absconded with the funds.
ab|seil /æ bse I l/ (abseils , abseiling , abseiled ) VERB To abseil down a cliff or rock face means to slide down it in a controlled way using a rope, with your feet against the cliff or rock. [BRIT ] in AM, use rappel
ab|sence ◆◇◇ /æ bs ə ns/ (absences )
1 N‑VAR Someone's absence from a place is the fact that they are not there. □ …a bundle of letters which had arrived for me in my absence. □ Eleanor would later blame her mother-in-law for her husband's frequent absences.
2 N‑SING The absence of something from a place is the fact that it is not there or does not exist. □ [+ of ] The presence or absence of clouds can have an important impact on heat transfer. □ [+ of ] In the absence of a will the courts decide who the guardian is.
3 → see also leave of absence
4 conspicuous by one's absence → see conspicuous SYNONYMS absence NOUN
1
time off: She has hardly had any time off for the last four years.
leave: Why don't you take a few days' leave?
2
lack: Despite his lack of experience, he got the job.
deficiency: They did blood tests on him for signs of vitamin deficiency.
shortage: Vietnam is suffering from a food shortage.
want: The men were daily becoming weaker from want of rest.
ab|sent /æ bs ə nt/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone or something is absent from a place or situation where they should be or where they usually are, they are not there. □ [+ from ] He has been absent from his desk for two weeks. □ Evans was absent without leave from his Hong Kong-based regiment.
2 ADJ If someone appears absent , they are not paying attention because they are thinking about something else. □ 'Nothing,' Rosie said in an absent way. ● ab|sent|ly /æ bs ə ntli/ ADV □ He nodded absently.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] An absent parent does not live with his or her children. □ …absent fathers who fail to pay towards the costs of looking after their children.
4 PREP If you say that absent one thing, another thing will happen, you mean that if the first thing does not happen, the second thing will happen. [AM , FORMAL ] □ Absent a solution, people like Sue Godfrey will just keep on fighting.
ab|sen|tee /æ bs ə ntiː / (absentees )
1 N‑COUNT An absentee is a person who is expected to be in a particular place but who is not there.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Absentee is used to describe someone who is not there to do a particular job in person. □ Absentee fathers will be forced to pay child maintenance.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] In elections in the United States, if you vote by absentee ballot or if you are an absentee voter, you vote in advance because you will be away. [AM ]
ab|sen|tee|ism /æ bs ə ntiː I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Absenteeism is the fact or habit of frequently being away from work or school, usually without a good reason.
ab|sen|tia /æbse ntiə, [AM ] -se nʃə/ PHRASE If something is done to you in absentia , it is done to you when you are not present. [FORMAL ] □ He was tried in absentia and sentenced to seven years in prison.
a bsent-mi nded ADJ Someone who is absent-minded forgets things or does not pay attention to what they are doing, often because they are thinking about something else. □ In his later life he became even more absent-minded. ● absent-mindedly ADV [ADV with v] □ Elizabeth absent-mindedly picked a thread from his lapel.
ab|sinthe /æ bs I nθ/ N‑UNCOUNT Absinthe is a very strong alcoholic drink that is green and tastes bitter.
ab|so|lute ◆◇◇ /æ bsəluːt/ (absolutes )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Absolute means total and complete. □ It's not really suited to absolute beginners. □ A sick person needs absolute confidence and trust in a doctor.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use absolute to emphasize something that you are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ About 12 inches wide is the absolute minimum you should consider. □ I think it's absolute nonsense.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] An absolute ruler has complete power and authority over his or her country. □ He ruled with absolute power.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Absolute is used to say that something is definite and will not change even if circumstances change. □ They had given an absolute assurance that it would be kept secret.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] An amount that is expressed in absolute terms is expressed as a fixed amount rather than referring to variable factors such as what you earn or the effects of inflation. □ In absolute terms British wages remain low by European standards.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Absolute rules and principles are believed to be true, right, or relevant in all situations. □ There are no absolute rules.
7 N‑COUNT An absolute is a rule or principle that is believed to be true, right, or relevant in all situations.
8 → see also decree absolute SYNONYMS absolute ADJ 1
complete: It shows a complete lack of understanding by management.
total: There was an almost total lack of management control.
sheer: His music is sheer delight.
unalloyed: …an occasion of unalloyed joy.
ab|so|lute|ly ◆◆◇ /æ bsəluː tli/
1 ADV [usu ADV adj/adv, oft ADV with v] Absolutely means totally and completely. [EMPHASIS ] □ Jill is absolutely right. □ I absolutely refuse to get married. □ There is absolutely no difference!
2 ADV Some people say absolutely as an emphatic way of saying yes or of agreeing with someone. They say absolutely not as an emphatic way of saying no or of disagreeing with someone. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'It's worrying, isn't it?'—'Absolutely.' SYNONYMS absolutely ADV 1
completely: Dozens of flats had been completely destroyed.
totally: Young people want something totally different from the old ways.
fully: I don't fully agree with that.
wholly: For urban areas this approach was wholly inadequate.
utterly: Such an allegation is utterly without foundation.
a b|so|lute ma|jo r|ity (absolute majorities ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If a political party wins an absolute majority , they obtain more seats or votes than the total number of seats or votes gained by their opponents in an election.
a b|so|lute ze ro N‑UNCOUNT Absolute zero is a theoretical temperature that is thought to be the lowest possible temperature.
ab|so|lu|tion /æ bsəluː ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone is given absolution , they are forgiven for something wrong that they have done. [FORMAL ] □ She felt as if his words had granted her absolution.
ab|so|lut|ism /æ bsəluː t I zəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Absolutism is a political system in which one ruler or leader has complete power and authority over a country. □ …royal absolutism.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to someone's beliefs as absolutism if they think that their beliefs are true, right, or relevant in all situations, especially if you think they are wrong to behave in this way. [DISAPPROVAL ] ● ab|so|lut|ist ADJ □ This absolutist belief is replaced by an appreciation that rules can vary.
ab|solve /æbzɒ lv/ (absolves , absolving , absolved ) VERB If a report or investigation absolves someone from blame or responsibility, it formally states that he or she is not guilty or is not to blame. □ [V n + of/from ] A police investigation yesterday absolved the police of all blame in the incident. □ [V n] …the inquiry which absolved the soldiers.
ab|sorb /əbzɔː r b/ (absorbs , absorbing , absorbed )
1 VERB If something absorbs a liquid, gas, or other substance, it soaks it up or takes it in. □ [V n] Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and moisture from the soil. □ [be V -ed + into ] Refined sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly.
2 VERB If something absorbs light, heat, or another form of energy, it takes it in. □ [V n] The dark material absorbs light and warms up.
3 VERB If a group is absorbed into a larger group, it becomes part of the larger group. □ [be V -ed + into ] The Colonial Office was absorbed into the Foreign Office. □ [V n] …an economy capable of absorbing thousands of immigrants.
4 VERB If something absorbs a force or shock, it reduces its effect. □ [V n] …footwear which does not absorb the impact of the foot striking the ground.
5 VERB If a system or society absorbs changes, effects, or costs, it is able to deal with them. □ [V n] The banks would be forced to absorb large losses.
6 VERB If something absorbs something valuable such as money, space, or time, it uses up a great deal of it. □ [V n] It absorbed vast amounts of capital that could have been used for investment.
7 VERB If you absorb information, you learn and understand it. □ [V n] Too often he only absorbs half the information in the manual.
8 VERB If something absorbs you, it interests you a great deal and takes up all your attention and energy. □ [V n] …a second career which absorbed her more completely than her acting ever had.
9 → see also absorbed , absorbing
ab|sorbed /əbzɔː r bd/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are absorbed in something or someone, you are very interested in them and they take up all your attention and energy. □ [+ in/by ] They were completely absorbed in each other.
ab|sor|bent /əbzɔː r bənt/ ADJ Absorbent material soaks up liquid easily. □ The towels are highly absorbent.
ab|sorb|er /əbzɔː r bə r / → see shock absorber
ab|sorb|ing /əbzɔː r b I ŋ/ ADJ An absorbing task or activity interests you a great deal and takes up all your attention and energy. □ 'Two Sisters' is an absorbing read.
ab|sorp|tion /əbzɔː r pʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The absorption of a liquid, gas, or other substance is the process of it being soaked up or taken in. □ [+ of ] Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron from food.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The absorption of a group into a larger group is the process of it becoming part of the larger group.
ab|stain /æbste I n/ (abstains , abstaining , abstained )
1 VERB If you abstain from something, usually something you want to do, you deliberately do not do it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + from ] Abstain from sex or use condoms. □ [V ] Do you drink alcohol, smoke, or abstain?
2 VERB If you abstain during a vote, you do not use your vote. □ [V ] Three Conservative MPs abstained in the vote.
ab|ste|mi|ous /æbstiː miəs/ ADJ Someone who is abstemious avoids doing too much of something enjoyable such as eating or drinking. [FORMAL ]
ab|sten|tion /æbste nʃ ə n/ (abstentions ) N‑VAR Abstention is a formal act of not voting either for or against a proposal. □ …a vote of sixteen in favor, three against, and one abstention.
ab|sti|nence /æ bst I nəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Abstinence is the practice of abstaining from something such as alcoholic drink or sex, often for health or religious reasons. □ …six months of abstinence. □ [+ from ] …total abstinence from alcohol.
ab|stract /æ bstrækt/ (abstracts )
1 ADJ An abstract idea or way of thinking is based on general ideas rather than on real things and events. □ …abstract principles such as justice. □ It's not a question of some abstract concept. ● ab|stract|ly ADV □ It is hard to think abstractly in these conditions.
2 PHRASE When you talk or think about something in the abstract , you talk or think about it in a general way, rather than considering particular things or events. □ Money was a commodity she never thought about except in the abstract.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, an abstract noun refers to a quality or idea rather than to a physical object. □ …abstract words such as glory, honor, and courage.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Abstract art makes use of shapes and patterns rather than showing people or things. □ …a modern abstract painting.
5 N‑COUNT An abstract is an abstract work of art.
6 N‑COUNT An abstract of an article, document, or speech is a short piece of writing that gives the main points of it.
ab|stract|ed /æbstræ kt I d/ ADJ Someone who is abstracted is thinking so deeply that they are not fully aware of what is happening around them. [WRITTEN ] □ The same abstracted look was still on his face. ● ab|stract|ed|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She nodded abstractedly.
ab|strac|tion /æbstræ kʃ ə n/ (abstractions ) N‑VAR An abstraction is a general idea rather than one relating to a particular object, person, or situation. [FORMAL ] □ Is it worth fighting a big war, in the name of an abstraction like sovereignty?
ab|struse /æbstruː s/ ADJ You can describe something as abstruse if you find it difficult to understand, especially when you think it could be explained more simply. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …fruitless discussions about abstruse resolutions.
ab|surd /æbsɜː r d/ ADJ If you say that something is absurd , you are criticizing it because you think that it is ridiculous or that it does not make sense. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is absurd to be discussing compulsory redundancy policies for teachers. □ I've known clients of mine go to absurd lengths, just to avoid paying me a few pounds. ● N‑SING The absurd is something that is absurd. [FORMAL ] □ Parkinson had a sharp eye for the absurd. ● ab|surd|ly ADV □ Prices were still absurdly low, in his opinion. ● ab|surd|ity /æbsɜː r d I ti/ (absurdities ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] I find myself growing increasingly angry at the absurdity of the situation.
ab|surd|ist /æbsɜː r d I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An absurdist play or other work shows how absurd some aspect of society or human behaviour is.
abun|dance /əbʌ ndəns/ N‑SING [with sing or pl verb, oft in N ] An abundance of something is a large quantity of it. □ [+ of ] The area has an abundance of wildlife. □ Food was in abundance.
abun|dant /əbʌ ndənt/ ADJ Something that is abundant is present in large quantities. □ There is an abundant supply of cheap labour. □ Birds are abundant in the tall vegetation.
abun|dant|ly /əbʌ ndəntli/
1 ADV [ADV adj] If something is abundantly clear, it is extremely obvious. □ He made it abundantly clear that anybody who disagrees with his policies will not last long.
2 ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] Something that occurs abundantly is present in large quantities. □ …a plant that grows abundantly in the United States.
abuse ◆◆◇ (abuses , abusing , abused ) The noun is pronounced /əbjuː s/. The verb is pronounced /əbjuː z/. 1 N‑UNCOUNT Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them. □ …investigation of alleged child abuse. □ …victims of sexual and physical abuse. □ …controversy over human rights abuses.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Abuse is extremely rude and insulting things that people say when they are angry. □ I was left shouting abuse as the car sped off.
3 N‑VAR Abuse of something is the use of it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose. □ [+ of ] What went on here was an abuse of power. □ …drug and alcohol abuse.
4 VERB If someone is abused , they are treated cruelly and violently. □ [be V -ed] Janet had been abused by her father since she was eleven. □ [V n] …parents who feel they cannot cope or might abuse their children. □ [V -ed] …those who work with abused children. ● abus|er (abusers ) N‑COUNT □ …a convicted child abuser.
5 VERB You can say that someone is abused if extremely rude and insulting things are said to them. □ [be V -ed] He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers. [Also V n]
6 VERB If you abuse something, you use it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose. □ [V n] He showed how the rich and powerful can abuse their position. ● abus|er N‑COUNT □ …the treatment of alcohol and drug abusers. SYNONYMS abuse NOUN 1
ill-treatment: lll-treatment of animals is still commonplace.
injury: She was awarded £3,500 for injury to her feelings.
maltreatment: 2,000 prisoners died as a result of torture and maltreatment. VERB 4
ill-treat: They were not ill-treated, but their time in captivity was miserable.
maltreat: He said that he was not tortured or maltreated during his detention.
abu|sive /əbjuː s I v/
1 ADJ Someone who is abusive behaves in a cruel and violent way towards other people. □ He became violent and abusive toward Ben's mother. □ One in eight women lives in an abusive relationship.
2 ADJ Abusive language is extremely rude and insulting.
abut /əbʌ t/ (abuts , abutting , abutted ) VERB When land or a building abuts something or abuts on something, it is next to it. [FORMAL ]
abuzz /əbʌ z/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone says that a place is abuzz with rumours or plans, they mean that everyone there is excited about them. [JOURNALISM ]
abys|mal /əb I zm ə l/ ADJ If you describe a situation or the condition of something as abysmal , you think that it is very bad or poor in quality. □ …our abysmal record at producing a scientifically trained workforce. □ The general standard of racing was abysmal. ● abys|mal|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV after v] □ The standard of education was abysmally low. □ As the chart shows, it has failed abysmally.
abyss /æb I s/ (abysses )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] An abyss is a very deep hole in the ground. [LITERARY ]
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone is on the edge or brink of an abyss , they are about to enter into a very frightening or threatening situation. [LITERARY ]
AC /e I siː / N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] AC is used to refer to an electric current that continually changes direction as it flows. AC is an abbreviation for 'alternating current'.
aca|cia /əke I ʃə/ (acacias or acacia ) N‑VAR An acacia or an acacia tree is a tree which grows in warm countries and which usually has small yellow or white flowers.
aca|deme /æ kədiːm/ N‑UNCOUNT The academic world of universities is sometimes referred to as academe . [FORMAL ]
aca|demia /æ kədiː miə/ N‑UNCOUNT Academia refers to all the academics in a particular country or region, the institutions they work in, and their work. □ …the importance of strong links between industry and academia.
aca|dem|ic ◆◇◇ /æ kəde m I k/ (academics )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Academic is used to describe things that relate to the work done in schools, colleges, and universities, especially work which involves studying and reasoning rather than practical or technical skills. □ Their academic standards are high. □ I was terrible at school and left with few academic qualifications. ● aca|dem|ical|ly /æ kəde m I kli/ ADV □ He is academically gifted.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Academic is used to describe things that relate to schools, colleges, and universities. □ …the start of the last academic year. □ I'd had enough of academic life.
3 ADJ Academic is used to describe work, or a school, college, or university, that places emphasis on studying and reasoning rather than on practical or technical skills. □ The author has settled for a more academic approach.
4 ADJ Someone who is academic is good at studying. □ The system is failing most disastrously among less academic children.
5 N‑COUNT An academic is a member of a university or college who teaches or does research.
6 ADJ You can say that a discussion or situation is academic if you think it is not important because it has no real effect or cannot happen. □ Such is the size of the problem that these arguments are purely academic. SYNONYMS academic ADJ 4
scholarly: He was an intellectual, scholarly man.
intellectual: He belonged to an intellectual elite.
learned: She is a serious scholar, a genuinely learned woman.
erudite: Maria was never dull, always erudite and well informed.
well-read: He was clever, well-read and interested in the arts.
acad|emi|cian /əkæ dəm I ʃ ə n, [AM ] æ kədə-/ (academicians ) N‑COUNT An academician is a member of an academy, usually one which has been formed to improve or maintain standards in a particular field.
acad|emy ◆◇◇ /əkæ dəmi/ (academies )
1 N‑COUNT Academy is sometimes used in the names of secondary schools and colleges, or private high schools in the United States. □ [+ of ] …the Royal Academy of Music. □ …her experience as a police academy instructor.
2 N‑COUNT Academy appears in the names of some societies formed to improve or maintain standards in a particular field. □ [+ of ] …the American Academy of Psychotherapists.
ac|cede /æksiː d/ (accedes , acceding , acceded )
1 VERB If you accede to someone's request, you do what they ask. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to ] Britain would not accede to France's request.
2 VERB When a member of a royal family accedes to the throne, they become king or queen. [FORMAL ] [Also V ]
ac|cel|er|ate /ækse ləre I t/ (accelerates , accelerating , accelerated )
1 VERB If the process or rate of something accelerates or if something accelerates it, it gets faster and faster. □ [V ] Growth will accelerate to 2.9% next year. □ [V n] The government is to accelerate its privatisation programme.
2 VERB When a moving vehicle accelerates , it goes faster and faster. □ [V ] Suddenly the car accelerated. □ [V prep/adv] She accelerated away from us.
ac|cel|era|tion /ækse ləre I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The acceleration of a process or change is the fact that it is getting faster and faster. □ [+ of/in ] He has also called for an acceleration of political reforms.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Acceleration is the rate at which a car or other vehicle can increase its speed, often seen in terms of the time that it takes to reach a particular speed. □ Acceleration to 60 mph takes a mere 5.7 seconds.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Acceleration is the rate at which the speed of an object increases. [TECHNICAL ]
ac|cel|era|tor /ækse ləre I tə r / (accelerators ) N‑COUNT The accelerator in a car or other vehicle is the pedal which you press with your foot in order to make the vehicle go faster. □ He eased his foot off the accelerator.
ac|cent /æ ks ə nt/ (accents )
1 N‑COUNT Someone who speaks with a particular accent pronounces the words of a language in a distinctive way that shows which country, region, or social class they come from. □ He had developed a slight American accent.
2 N‑COUNT An accent is a short line or other mark which is written above certain letters in some languages and which indicates the way those letters are pronounced.
3 N‑SING If you put the accent on a particular feature of something, you emphasize it or give it special importance. □ [+ on ] He is putting the accent on military readiness.
ac|cent|ed /æ ksent I d/
1 ADJ Language or speech that is accented is spoken with a particular accent. □ I spoke rather good, but heavily accented English.
2 → see also accent
ac|cen|tu|ate /ækse ntʃue I t/ (accentuates , accentuating , accentuated ) VERB To accentuate something means to emphasize it or make it more noticeable. □ [V n] His shaven head accentuates his large round face.
ac|cept ◆◆◆ /ækse pt/ (accepts , accepting , accepted )
1 VERB If you accept something that you have been offered, you say yes to it or agree to take it. □ [V n] Eventually Sam persuaded her to accept an offer of marriage. □ [V ] All those invited to next week's peace conference have accepted.
2 VERB If you accept an idea, statement, or fact, you believe that it is true or valid. □ [V that] I do not accept that there is any kind of crisis in British science. □ [V n] I don't think they would accept that view. □ [V n + as ] He did not accept this reply as valid. □ [V -ed] …a workforce generally accepted to have the best conditions in Europe.
3 VERB If you accept a plan or an intended action, you agree to it and allow it to happen. □ [V n] The Council will meet to decide if it should accept his resignation.
4 VERB If you accept an unpleasant fact or situation, you get used to it or recognize that it is necessary or cannot be changed. □ [V n] People will accept suffering that can be shown to lead to a greater good. □ [V n + as ] Urban dwellers often accept noise as part of city life. □ [V that] I wasn't willing to accept that her leaving was a possibility.
5 VERB If a person, company, or organization accepts something such as a document, they recognize that it is genuine, correct, or satisfactory and agree to consider it or handle it. □ [V n] We advised newspapers not to accept the advertising. □ [be V -ed] Cheques can only be accepted up to the value guaranteed on the card. [Also V n as n/adj]
6 VERB If an organization or person accepts you, you are allowed to join the organization or use the services that are offered. □ [be V -ed] All-male groups will not be accepted. □ [V n + as ] …incentives to private landlords to accept young people as tenants. [Also V n into n]
7 VERB If a person or a group of people accepts you, they begin to be friendly towards you and are happy with who you are or what you do. □ [V n] My grandparents have never had a problem accepting me. □ [V n + as ] Many men still have difficulty accepting a woman as a business partner. □ [be V -ed + into ] Stephen Smith was accepted into the family like an adopted brother.
8 VERB If you accept the responsibility or blame for something, you recognize that you are responsible for it. □ [V n] The company cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage.
9 VERB If you accept someone's advice or suggestion, you agree to do what they say. □ [V n] The army refused to accept orders from the political leadership.
10 VERB If a machine accepts a particular kind of thing, it is designed to take it and deal with it or process it. □ [V n] The telephone booths accept 10 and 20 pence coins.
11 → see also accepted SYNONYMS accept VERB
1
take: When I took the job, I thought I could change the system.
take on: Don't take on more responsibilities than you can handle.
undertake: She undertook the very difficult task of monitoring the elections.
2
acknowledge: Belatedly, the government has acknowledged the problem.
admit: I am willing to admit that I do make mistakes.
allow: Warren allows that the policy may sometimes result in increased social inequality.
4
take: Harry's rudeness to everyone was becoming hard to take.
stand: Stoddart can stand any amount of personal criticism.
put up with: They had put up with terrible behaviour from their son.
tolerate: She can no longer tolerate the position that she's in.
bear: They will have to bear the misery of living in constant fear of war. USAGE accept
Don’t say that you ‘
accept to do
’ what someone suggests. You say that you agree
to do it. □
The princess agreed to go
on television.
ac|cept|able ◆◇◇ /ækse ptəb ə l/
1 ADJ Acceptable activities and situations are those that most people approve of or consider to be normal. □ [+ for ] Is it acceptable for fans to boo their own side? □ The air pollution exceeds most acceptable levels by 10 times or more. ● ac|cept|abil|ity /ækse ptəb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a greater acceptability of other accents. ● ac|cept|ably /ækse ptəbli/ ADV □ The aim of discipline is to teach children to behave acceptably.
2 ADJ If something is acceptable to someone, they agree to consider it, use it, or allow it to happen. □ [+ to ] They are working together to produce a plan that will be acceptable to all of them. □ They recently failed to negotiate a mutually acceptable new contract.
3 ADJ If you describe something as acceptable , you mean that it is good enough or fairly good. □ On the far side of the street was a restaurant that looked acceptable. ● ac|cept|ably ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ …a method that provides an acceptably accurate solution to a problem. SYNONYMS acceptable ADJ 3
all right: 'How was school?'—'It was all right.'
satisfactory: Neither solution seemed satisfactory.
fine: The skiing is fine.
adequate: The western diet should be perfectly adequate for most people.
passable: She speaks passable French.
ac|cept|ance /ækse ptəns/ (acceptances )
1 N‑VAR [oft poss N ] Acceptance of an offer or a proposal is the act of saying yes to it or agreeing to it. □ [+ of ] The Party is being degraded by its acceptance of secret donations. □ …a letter of acceptance. □ …his acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If there is acceptance of an idea, most people believe or agree that it is true. □ …a theory that is steadily gaining acceptance. □ There was a general acceptance that the defence budget would shrink.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Your acceptance of a situation, especially an unpleasant or difficult one, is an attitude or feeling that you cannot change it and that you must get used to it. □ [+ of ] …his calm acceptance of whatever comes his way.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Acceptance of someone into a group means beginning to think of them as part of the group and to act in a friendly way towards them. □ …an effort to ensure that people with disabilities achieve real acceptance.
ac|cept|ed ◆◆◇ /ækse pt I d/
1 ADJ [oft adv ADJ ] Accepted ideas are agreed by most people to be correct or reasonable. □ There is no generally accepted definition of life. □ It is accepted wisdom that science has been partly responsible for the decline of religion.
2 → see also accept
ac|cess ◆◇◇ /æ kses/ (accesses , accessing , accessed )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you have access to a building or other place, you are able or allowed to go into it. □ [+ to ] The facilities have been adapted to give access to wheelchair users. □ [+ to ] Scientists have only recently been able to gain access to the area. □ [+ to ] The Mortimer Hotel offers easy access to central London.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you have access to something such as information or equipment, you have the opportunity or right to see it or use it. □ [+ to ] …a Code of Practice that would give patients right of access to their medical records.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you have access to a person, you have the opportunity or right to see them or meet them. □ [+ to ] He was not allowed access to a lawyer.
4 VERB If you access something, especially information held on a computer, you succeed in finding or obtaining it. □ [V n] You've illegally accessed and misused confidential security files. SYNONYMS access NOUN 1
admission: There have been increases in hospital admissions of children.
entry: Entry to the museum is free.
admittance: We had not been able to gain admittance to the flat. VERB 4
acquire: I recently acquired some wood from a holly tree.
get: I asked him to get me some information.
gather: …a private detective using a hidden microphone to gather information.
obtain: Evans was trying to obtain a false passport and other documents. COLLOCATIONS access NOUN
1
verb + access : allow, grant; deny, restrict; gain
2
adjective + access : unlimited, unfettered, unrestricted VERB 4
access + noun : the internet, the Web
a c|cess course (access courses ) N‑COUNT An access course is an educational course which prepares adults with few or no qualifications for study at a university or other place of higher education. [BRIT ]
ac|ces|sible /ækse s I b ə l/
1 ADJ If a place or building is accessible to people, it is easy for them to reach it or get into it. If an object is accessible , it is easy to reach. □ [+ to ] The Centre is easily accessible to the general public. □ The premises are wheelchair accessible. ● ac|ces|sibil|ity /ækse s I b I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the easy accessibility of the area.
2 ADJ If something is accessible to people, they can easily use it or obtain it. □ [+ to ] The legal aid system should be accessible to more people. ● ac|ces|sibil|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the quality and accessibility of health care.
3 ADJ If you describe a book, painting, or other work of art as accessible , you think it is good because it is simple enough for people to understand and appreciate easily. [APPROVAL ] □ [+ to ] …literary books that are accessible to a general audience. ● ac|ces|sibil|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ to ] Seminar topics are chosen for their accessibility to a general audience.
ac|ces|sion /ækse ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] Accession is the act of taking up a position as the ruler of a country. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] …the 50th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.
ac|ces|so|rize /ækse səra I z/ (accessorizes , accessorizing , accessorized ) in BRIT, also use accessorise VERB To accessorize something such as a set of furniture or clothing means to add other things to it in order to make it look more attractive. □ [V n] Use a belt to accessorise a plain dress. [Also V n + with ]
ac|ces|so|ry /ækse səri/ (accessories )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Accessories are items of equipment that are not usually essential, but which can be used with or added to something else in order to make it more efficient, useful, or decorative. □ …an exclusive range of hand-made bedroom and bathroom accessories.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Accessories are articles such as belts and scarves which you wear or carry but which are not part of your main clothing.
3 N‑COUNT If someone is guilty of being an accessory to a crime, they helped the person who committed it, or knew it was being committed but did not tell the police. [LEGAL ] □ [+ to ] She was charged with being an accessory to the embezzlement of funds.
a c|cess road (access roads ) N‑COUNT An access road is a road which enables traffic to reach a particular place or area. □ [+ to ] …the access road to the airport.
a c|cess time (access times ) N‑COUNT Access time is the time that is needed to get information that is stored in a computer. [COMPUTING ] □ This system helps speed up access times.
ac|ci|dent ◆◇◇ /æ ks I dənt/ (accidents )
1 N‑COUNT An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage. □ She was involved in a serious car accident last week. □ Six passengers were killed in the accident.
2 N‑COUNT If someone has an accident , something unpleasant happens to them that was not intended, sometimes causing injury or death. □ 5,000 people die every year because of accidents in the home. □ The police say the killing of the young man was an accident.
3 N‑VAR [usu by N ] If something happens by accident , it happens completely by chance. □ She discovered the problem by accident. COLLOCATIONS accident NOUN
1
noun + accident : car, motorcycle, road, traffic; riding, skiing
adjective + accident : fatal, serious; minor
verb + accident : investigate, report, witness; survive
2
noun + accident : workplace
adjective + accident : freak, horrific, tragic, unfortunate; industrial, nuclear; minor
verb + accident : avoid, prevent; cause
ac|ci|den|tal /æ ks I de nt ə l/ ADJ An accidental event happens by chance or as the result of an accident, and is not deliberately intended. □ The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. □ His hand brushed against hers; it could have been either accidental or deliberate. ● ac|ci|den|tal|ly /æ ks I de ntli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ A policeman accidentally killed his two best friends with a single bullet. □ A special locking system means the door cannot be opened accidentally.
a c|ci|dent and eme r|gen|cy N‑COUNT The accident and emergency is the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment. The abbreviation A & E is also used. [BRIT ] in AM, use emergency room
a c|ci|dent prone also accident-prone ADJ If you describe someone or something as accident prone , you mean that a lot of accidents or other unpleasant things happen to them.
ac|claim /əkle I m/ (acclaims , acclaiming , acclaimed )
1 VERB [usu passive] If someone or something is acclaimed , they are praised enthusiastically. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed for n/v-ing] She has been acclaimed for her leading roles in both theatre and film. □ [be V -ed + as ] He was acclaimed as England's greatest modern painter. □ [be V -ed n] The group's debut album was immediately acclaimed a hip hop classic. ● ac|claimed ADJ □ She has published six highly acclaimed novels.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft adj N ] Acclaim is public praise for someone or something. [FORMAL ] □ She has won critical acclaim for her excellent performance.
ac|cla|ma|tion /æ kləme I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Acclamation is a noisy or enthusiastic expression of approval for someone or something. [FORMAL ] □ The news was greeted with considerable popular acclamation.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone is chosen or elected by acclamation , they are elected without a written vote. [FORMAL ] □ At first it looked like I was going to win by acclamation.
ac|cli|ma|tize /əkla I məta I z/ (acclimatizes , acclimatizing , acclimatized ) in BRIT, also use acclimatise VERB When you acclimatize or are acclimatized to a new situation, place, or climate, you become used to it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to ] The athletes are acclimatising to the heat by staying in Monte Carlo. □ [V pron-refl] This year he has left for St Louis early to acclimatise himself. □ [V ] They have been travelling for two days and will need some time to acclimatise. [Also V n to n] ● ac|cli|ma|ti|za|tion /əkla I məta I ze I ʃ ə n, [AM ] -t I z-/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ to ] Acclimatization to higher altitudes may take several weeks. ● ac|cli|ma|tized ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ [+ to ] It took her a while to get acclimatized to her new surroundings.
ac|co|lade /æ kəle I d/ (accolades ) N‑COUNT If someone is given an accolade , something is done or said about them which shows how much people admire them. [FORMAL ] □ The Nobel prize has become the ultimate accolade in the sciences.
ac|com|mo|date /əkɒ məde I t/ (accommodates , accommodating , accommodated )
1 VERB [no cont] If a building or space can accommodate someone or something, it has enough room for them. □ [V n] The school in Poldown was not big enough to accommodate all the children.
2 VERB To accommodate someone means to provide them with a place to live or stay. □ [V n] …a hotel built to accommodate guests for the wedding of King Alfonso. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Students are accommodated in homes nearby.
3 VERB If something is planned or changed to accommodate a particular situation, it is planned or changed so that it takes this situation into account. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The roads are built to accommodate gradual temperature changes.
4 VERB If you do something to accommodate someone, you do it with the main purpose of pleasing or satisfying them. □ [V n] He has never put an arm around his wife to accommodate photographers.
ac|com|mo|dat|ing /əkɒ məde I t I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe someone as accommodating , you like the fact that they are willing to do things in order to please you or help you. [APPROVAL ]
ac|com|mo|da|tion ◆◇◇ /əkɒ məde I ʃ ə n/ (accommodations )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Accommodation is used to refer to buildings or rooms where people live or stay. [BRIT ] □ The government will provide temporary accommodation for up to three thousand people. □ Rates are higher for deluxe accommodations. in AM, use accommodations 2 N‑UNCOUNT Accommodation is space in buildings or vehicles that is available for certain things, people, or activities. [FORMAL ] □ The school occupies split-site accommodation on the main campus. SYNONYMS accommodation NOUN 1
housing: …a shortage of affordable housing.
board: Free room and board are provided for all hotel staff.
lodging: He was given free lodging in a three-room flat.
dwelling: Some 3,500 new dwellings are planned for the area. USAGE accommodation
In American English, accommodation is usually a countable noun. □ The motel provides cheap accommodations and good steaks. COLLOCATIONS accommodation NOUN
1
noun + accommodation : hotel, student; emergency
adjective + accommodation : overnight, rental, sheltered, temporary; affordable, cheap, comfortable, suitable
verb + accommodation : include, offer, provide; book, find
2
noun + accommodation : office
ac|com|pa|ni|ment /əkʌ mpn I mənt/ (accompaniments )
1 N‑COUNT The accompaniment to a song or tune is the music that is played at the same time as it and forms a background to it. □ He sang 'My Funny Valentine' to a piano accompaniment.
2 N‑COUNT An accompaniment is something which goes with another thing. □ [+ to ] This recipe makes a good accompaniment to ice-cream. ● PHRASE If one thing happens to the accompaniment of another, they happen at the same time. □ The team came out to the accompaniment of fireworks.
ac|com|pa|nist /əkʌ mpən I st/ (accompanists ) N‑COUNT An accompanist is a musician, especially a pianist, who plays one part of a piece of music while someone else sings or plays the main tune.
ac|com|pa|ny ◆◇◇ /əkʌ mpəni/ (accompanies , accompanying , accompanied )
1 VERB If you accompany someone, you go somewhere with them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Ken agreed to accompany me on a trip to Africa. □ [V -ed] The Prime Minister, accompanied by the governor, led the President up to the house.
2 VERB If one thing accompanies another, it happens or exists at the same time, or as a result of it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] This volume of essays was designed to accompany an exhibition in Cologne.
3 VERB If you accompany a singer or a musician, you play one part of a piece of music while they sing or play the main tune. □ [V n] He sang and Alice accompanied him on the piano. SYNONYMS accompany VERB 1
escort: I escorted him to the door.
guide: He took the bewildered Elliott by the arm and guided him out.
lead: He took Dickon by the hand to lead him into the house.
usher: I ushered him into the office.
ac|com|pli /ækɒ mpliː/ → see fait accompli
ac|com|plice /əkʌ mpl I s, [AM ] əkɒ m-/ (accomplices ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's accomplice is a person who helps them to commit a crime. □ The gunman escaped on a motorcycle being ridden by an accomplice.
ac|com|plish /əkʌ mpl I ʃ, [AM ] əkɒ m-/ (accomplishes , accomplishing , accomplished ) VERB If you accomplish something, you succeed in doing it. □ [V n] If we'd all work together, I think we could accomplish our goal. □ [be V -ed] They are sceptical about how much will be accomplished by legislation.
ac|com|plished /əkʌ mpl I ʃt, [AM ] əkɒ m-/ ADJ If someone is accomplished at something, they are very good at it. [FORMAL ] □ She is an accomplished painter.
ac|com|plish|ment /əkʌ mpl I ʃmənt, [AM ] əkɒ m-/ (accomplishments )
1 N‑COUNT An accomplishment is something remarkable that has been done or achieved. □ For a novelist, that's quite an accomplishment.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft poss N ] Your accomplishments are the things that you can do well or the important things that you have done. [FORMAL ]
ac|cord ◆◆◆ /əkɔː r d/ (accords , according , accorded )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] An accord between countries or groups of people is a formal agreement, for example to end a war. □ …a fitting way to celebrate the peace accord.
2 VERB If you are accorded a particular kind of treatment, people act towards you or treat you in that way. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed n] His predecessor was accorded an equally tumultuous welcome. □ [V n n] The government accorded him the rank of Colonel. □ [V -ed] The treatment accorded to a United Nations official was little short of insulting. [Also V n + to ]
3 VERB If one fact, idea, or condition accords with another, they are in agreement and there is no conflict between them. [FORMAL ] □ [V + with ] Such an approach accords with the principles of socialist ideology.
4 → see also according to
5 PHRASE If one person, action, or fact is in accord with another, they are in agreement and there is no conflict between them. You can also say that two people or things are in accord . [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] …this military action, taken in accord with United Nations resolutions.
6 PHRASE If something happens of its own accord , it seems to happen by itself, without anyone making it happen. □ In many cases the disease will clear up of its own accord.
7 PHRASE If you do something of your own accord , you do it because you want to, without being asked or forced. □ He did not quit as France's prime minister of his own accord.
8 PHRASE If a number of people do something with one accord , they do it together or at the same time, because they agree about what should be done. [LITERARY ] □ With one accord they turned and walked back over the grass. SYNONYMS accord NOUN 1
agreement: The two countries signed an agreement to jointly launch satellites.
treaty: …negotiations over a 1992 treaty on global warming.
pact: Last month he signed a new non-aggression pact with Germany.
ac|cord|ance /əkɔː r dəns/ PHRASE If something is done in accordance with a particular rule or system, it is done in the way that the rule or system says that it should be done. □ Entries which are not in accordance with the rules will be disqualified.
ac|cord|ing|ly /əkɔː r d I ŋli/
1 ADV [oft ADV with v] You use accordingly to introduce a fact or situation which is a result or consequence of something that you have just referred to. □ We have a different background. Accordingly, we have the right to different futures.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If you consider a situation and then act accordingly , the way you act depends on the nature of the situation. □ It is a difficult job and they should be paid accordingly.
ac|co rd|ing to ◆◆◆
1 PHRASE If someone says that something is true according to a particular person, book, or other source of information, they are indicating where they got their information. □ Philip stayed at the hotel, according to Mr Hemming. □ He and his father, according to local gossip, haven't been in touch for years.
2 PHRASE If something is done according to a particular set of principles, these principles are used as a basis for the way it is done. □ They both played the game according to the rules.
3 PHRASE If something varies according to a changing factor, it varies in a way that is determined by this factor. □ Prices vary according to the quantity ordered.
4 PHRASE If something happens according to plan , it happens in exactly the way that it was intended to happen. □ If all goes according to plan, the first concert will be Tuesday evening. USAGE according to
Don’t say '
according to me
'. If you want to say what your opinion is, you can say in my opinion
. □
In my opinion
, all children should learn to swim.
ac|cor|di|on /əkɔː r diən/ (accordions ) N‑COUNT An accordion is a musical instrument in the shape of a fairly large box which you hold in your hands. You play the accordion by pressing keys or buttons on either side while moving the two sides together and apart. Accordions are used especially to play traditional popular music.
ac|cost /əkɒ st, [AM ] əkɔː st/ (accosts , accosting , accosted ) VERB If someone accosts another person, especially a stranger, they stop them or go up to them and speak to them in a way that seems rude or threatening. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] A man had accosted me in the street.
ac|count ◆◆◆ /əkaʊgla nt/ (accounts , accounting , accounted )
1 N‑COUNT If you have an account with a bank or a similar organization, you have an arrangement to leave your money there and take some out when you need it. □ Some banks make it difficult to open an account. □ [+ with ] I had two accounts with the bank, a savings account and a current account.
2 N‑COUNT In business, a regular customer of a company can be referred to as an account , especially when the customer is another company. [BUSINESS ] □ The Glasgow-based marketing agency has won two Edinburgh accounts.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Accounts are detailed records of all the money that a person or business receives and spends. [BUSINESS ] □ He kept detailed accounts. □ …an account book.
4 N‑COUNT An account is a written or spoken report of something that has happened. □ [+ of ] He gave a detailed account of what happened on the fateful night.
5 → see also accounting , bank account , current account , deposit account
6 PHRASE If you say that something is true by all accounts or from all accounts , you believe it is true because other people say so. □ He is, by all accounts, a superb teacher.
7 PHRASE If you say that someone gave a good account of themselves in a particular situation, you mean that they performed well, although they may not have been completely successful. □ The team fought hard and gave a good account of themselves.
8 PHRASE If you say that something is of no account or of little account , you mean that it is very unimportant and is not worth considering. [FORMAL ] □ These obscure groups were of little account in national politics.
9 PHRASE If you buy or pay for something on account , you pay nothing or only part of the cost at first, and pay the rest later. □ The cards are issued to employees so they can purchase fuel on account.
10 PHRASE You use on account of to introduce the reason or explanation for something. □ The President declined to deliver the speech himself, on account of a sore throat.
11 PHRASE Your feelings on someone's account are the feelings you have about what they have experienced or might experience, especially when you imagine yourself to be in their situation. □ Mollie told me what she'd done and I was really scared on her account.
12 PHRASE If you tell someone not to do something on your account , you mean that they should do it only if they want to, and not because they think it will please you. [SPOKEN ] □ Don't leave on my account.
13 PHRASE If you say that something should on no account be done, you are emphasizing that it should not be done under any circumstances. [EMPHASIS ] □ On no account should the mixture boil.
14 PHRASE If you do something on your own account , you do it because you want to and without being asked, and you take responsibility for your own action. □ I told him if he withdrew it was on his own account.
15 PHRASE If you take something into account , or take account of something, you consider it when you are thinking about a situation or deciding what to do. □ The defendant asked for 21 similar offences to be taken into account. □ Urban planners in practice have to take account of many interest groups in society.
16 PHRASE If someone is called, held, or brought to account for something they have done wrong, they are made to explain why they did it, and are often criticized or punished for it. □ [+ for ] Ministers should be called to account for their actions.
▸ account for
1 PHRASAL VERB If a particular thing accounts for a part or proportion of something, that part or proportion consists of that thing, or is used or produced by it. □ [V P n] Computers account for 5% of the country's commercial electricity consumption.
2 PHRASAL VERB If something accounts for a particular fact or situation, it causes or explains it. □ [V P n] Now, the gene they discovered today doesn't account for all those cases.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you can account for something, you can explain it or give the necessary information about it. □ [V P n] How do you account for the company's alarmingly high staff turnover? □ [be V -ed P ] He said only 200 of the train's 600 passengers had been accounted for.
4 PHRASAL VERB If someone has to account for an action or policy, they are responsible for it, and may be required to explain it to other people or be punished if it fails. □ [V P n] The President and the President alone must account for his government's reforms.
5 PHRASAL VERB If a sum of money is accounted for in a budget, it has been included in that budget for a particular purpose. □ [be V -ed P ] The really heavy redundancy costs have been accounted for. [Also V P n] COLLOCATIONS account NOUN
1
noun + account : deposit, savings
adjective + account : current, joint; offshore
verb + account : open; close
4
noun + account : eyewitness
adjective + account : detailed, first-hand, full
verb + account : give, provide SYNONYMS account NOUN 4
description: Police have issued a description of the man who was aged between fifty and sixty.
report: With a report on these developments, here's Jim Fish in Belgrade.
record: There's no record of any marriage or children.
story: The parents all shared interesting stories about their children.
version: There are widely differing versions in the newspapers about the prison siege.
ac|count|able /əkaʊ ntəb ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are accountable to someone for something that you do, you are responsible for it and must be prepared to justify your actions to that person. □ [+ for ] Public officials can finally be held accountable for their actions. [Also + to ] ● ac|count|abil|ity /əkaʊ ntəb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …an impetus towards democracy and greater accountability.
ac|count|an|cy /əkaʊ ntənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Accountancy is the theory or practice of keeping financial accounts.
ac|count|ant /əkaʊ ntənt/ (accountants ) N‑COUNT An accountant is a person whose job is to keep financial accounts.
ac|count|ing /əkaʊ nt I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Accounting is the activity of keeping detailed records of the amounts of money a business or person receives and spends. □ …the accounting firm of Leventhal & Horwath.
2 → see also account
ac|cou|tre|ment /əkuː trəmənt/ (accoutrements ) in AM, also use accouterment N‑COUNT [usu pl] Accoutrements are all the things you have with you when you travel or when you take part in a particular activity. [HUMOROUS or OLD-FASHIONED ]
ac|cred|it /əkre d I t/ (accredits , accrediting , accredited ) VERB [usu passive] If an educational qualification or institution is accredited , it is officially declared to be of an approved standard. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] This degree programme is fully accredited by the Institution of Electrical Engineers. □ [V -ed] …an accredited college of Brunel University. ● ac|credi|ta|tion /əkre d I te I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ This is the body responsible for the accreditation of MBA courses.
ac|cre|tion /əkriː ʃ ə n/ (accretions )
1 N‑COUNT An accretion is an addition to something, usually one that has been added over a period of time. [FORMAL ] □ The script has been gathering editorial accretions for years.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Accretion is the process of new layers or parts being added to something so that it increases in size. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] A coral reef is built by the accretion of tiny, identical organisms.
ac|cru|al /əkruː əl/ (accruals ) N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft N n] In finance, the accrual of something such as interest or investments is the adding together of interest or different investments over a period of time. [BUSINESS ]
ac|crue /əkruː / (accrues , accruing , accrued )
1 VERB If money or interest accrues or if you accrue it, it gradually increases in amount over a period of time. [BUSINESS ] □ [V -ed] I owed £5,000–part of this was accrued interest. □ [V ] If you do not pay within 28 days, interest will accrue. □ [V n] Officials say the options will offer investors a longer time in which to accrue profits.
2 VERB If things such as profits or benefits accrue to someone, they are added to over a period of time. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] …the expectation that profits will accrue. □ [V + to ] …a project from which considerable benefit will accrue to the community. [Also V n, V to n]
ac|cu|mu|late /əkjuː mjʊle I t/ (accumulates , accumulating , accumulated ) VERB When you accumulate things or when they accumulate , they collect or are gathered over a period of time. □ [V n] Households accumulate wealth across a broad spectrum of assets. □ [V ] Lead can accumulate in the body until toxic levels are reached.
ac|cu|mu|la|tion /əkjuː mjʊle I ʃ ə n/ (accumulations )
1 N‑COUNT An accumulation of something is a large number of things which have been collected together or acquired over a period of time. □ [+ of ] …an accumulation of experience and knowledge.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Accumulation is the collecting together of things over a period of time. □ [+ of ] …the accumulation of capital and the distribution of income.
ac|cu|mu|la|tive /əkjuː mjʊlət I v, [AM ] -le I t I v/ ADJ If something is accumulative, it becomes greater in amount, number, or intensity over a period of time. □ The consensus is that risk factors have an accumulative effect.
ac|cu|ra|cy /æ kjʊrəsi/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The accuracy of information or measurements is their quality of being true or correct, even in small details. □ [+ of ] We cannot guarantee the accuracy of these figures.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with N ] If someone or something performs a task, for example hitting a target, with accuracy , they do it in an exact way without making a mistake. □ …weapons that could fire with accuracy at targets 3,000 yards away.
ac|cu|rate ◆◇◇ /æ kjʊrət/
1 ADJ Accurate information, measurements, and statistics are correct to a very detailed level. An accurate instrument is able to give you information of this kind. □ Police have stressed that this is the most accurate description of the killer to date. □ Quartz timepieces are very accurate, to a minute or two per year. ● ac|cu|rate|ly ADV □ The test can accurately predict what a bigger explosion would do.
2 ADJ An accurate statement or account gives a true or fair judgment of something. □ It is too early to give an accurate assessment of his condition. □ They were accurate in their prediction that he would change her life drastically. ● ac|cu|rate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ What many people mean by the word 'power' could be more accurately described as 'control'.
3 ADJ You can use accurate to describe the results of someone's actions when they do or copy something correctly or exactly. □ Marks were given for accurate spelling and punctuation.
4 ADJ An accurate weapon or throw reaches the exact point or target that it was intended to reach. You can also describe a person as accurate if they fire a weapon or throw something in this way. □ The rifle was extremely accurate. ● ac|cu|rate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …the technology to aim bombs accurately from aircraft.
ac|curs|ed /əkɜː r s I d, əkɜː r st/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Some people use accursed to describe something which they are very annoyed about. [OLD-FASHIONED , FEELINGS ]
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If a person is accursed , they have been cursed. [LITERARY ]
ac|cu|sa|tion /æ kjʊze I ʃ ə n/ (accusations )
1 N‑VAR [oft N that] If you make an accusation against someone, you criticize them or express the belief that they have done something wrong. □ Kim rejects accusations that Country music is over-sentimental.
2 N‑COUNT [N that] An accusation is a statement or claim by a witness or someone in authority that a particular person has committed a crime, although this has not yet been proved. □ [+ of ] …people who have made public accusations of rape.
ac|cu|sa|tive /əkjuː zət I v/ N‑SING In the grammar of some languages, the accusative , or the accusative case , is the case used for a noun when it is the direct object of a verb, or the object of some prepositions. In English, only the pronouns 'me', 'him', 'her', 'us', and 'them' are in the accusative. Compare nominative .
ac|cu|sa|tory /əkjuː zətəri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ An accusatory look, remark, or tone of voice suggests blame or criticism. [WRITTEN ] □ …the accusatory tone of the questions.
ac|cuse ◆◆◇ /əkjuː z/ (accuses , accusing , accused )
1 VERB If you accuse someone of doing something wrong or dishonest, you say or tell them that you believe that they did it. □ [V n + of ] He was accusing my mum of having an affair with another man. □ [V ] Talk things through in stages. Do not accuse or apportion blame. [Also V n]
2 VERB If you are accused of a crime, a witness or someone in authority states or claims that you did it, and you may be formally charged with it and put on trial. □ [be V -ed + of ] Her assistant was accused of theft and fraud by the police. □ [V n + of ] All seven charges accused him of lying in his testimony. □ [V -ed] The accused men have been given relatively light sentences. [Also V n]
3 → see also accused , accusing
4 PHRASE If someone stands accused of something, they have been accused of it. □ [+ of ] The candidate stands accused of breaking promises even before he's in office. SYNONYMS accuse VERB
1
blame: If it wasn't Sam's fault, why was I blaming him?
allege: It was alleged that the restaurant discriminated against black customers.
denounce: Some 25,000 demonstrators denounced him as a traitor.
2
charge: Police have charged Mr Bell with murder.
indict: He was later indicted on corruption charges.
impeach: …an opposition move to impeach the President.
ac|cused /əkjuː zd/ (accused ) N‑COUNT You can use the accused to refer to a person or a group of people charged with a crime or on trial for it. [LEGAL ] □ The accused is alleged to be a member of a right-wing gang.
ac|cus|er /əkjuː zə r / (accusers ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] An accuser is a person who says that another person has done something wrong, especially that he or she has committed a crime. □ …a criminal proceeding where defendants have the right to confront their accusers.
ac|cus|ing /əkjuː z I ŋ/
1 ADJ If you look at someone with an accusing expression or speak to them in an accusing tone of voice, you are showing that you think they have done something wrong. □ The accusing look in her eyes conveyed her sense of betrayal. ● ac|cus|ing|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ 'Where have you been?' he asked Blake accusingly.
2 → see also accuse
ac|cus|tom /əkʌ stəm/ (accustoms , accustoming , accustomed )
1 VERB If you accustom yourself or another person to something, you make yourself or them become used to it. [FORMAL ] □ [V pron-refl + to ] The team has accustomed itself to the pace of first division rugby. □ [V n + to ] Shakespeare has accustomed us to a mixture of humor and tragedy in the same play.
2 → see also accustomed
ac|cus|tomed /əkʌ stəmd/
1 ADJ If you are accustomed to something, you know it so well or have experienced it so often that it seems natural, unsurprising, or easy to deal with. □ [+ to ] I was accustomed to being the only child at a table full of adults.
2 ADJ When your eyes become accustomed to darkness or bright light, they adjust so that you start to be able to see things, after not being able to see properly at first. □ [+ to ] My eyes were becoming accustomed to the gloom.
3 ADJ You can use accustomed to describe an action that someone usually does, a quality that they usually show, or an object that they usually use. □ He took up his accustomed position with his back to the fire. □ Fred acted with his accustomed shrewdness. □ His cap was missing from its accustomed peg. USAGE accustomed
Don’t say that someone is ‘
accustomed to do
’ something or ‘
used to do
’ something. You can say that someone is accustomed to doing
something or used to doing
something. □
The manager is accustomed to working
late.
□
I'm used to getting up
early.
ace ◆◇◇ /e I s/ (aces )
1 N‑COUNT An ace is a playing card with a single symbol on it. In most card games, the ace of a particular suit has either the highest or the lowest value of the cards in that suit. □ [+ of ] …the ace of hearts.
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] If you describe someone such as a sports player as an ace , you mean that they are very good at what they do. [JOURNALISM ] □ …the motor-racing ace. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Ace is also an adjective. □ …an ace horror-film producer.
3 ADJ If you say that something is ace , you think that it is good and you like it a lot. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ …a really ace film.
4 N‑COUNT In tennis, an ace is a serve which is so fast that the other player cannot reach the ball.
5 PHRASE If you say that someone holds all the aces , you mean that they have all the advantages in a contest or situation.
acer|bic /əsɜː r b I k/ ADJ Acerbic humour is critical and direct. [FORMAL ] □ He was acclaimed for his acerbic wit and repartee.
acer|bity /əsɜː r b I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Acerbity is a kind of bitter, critical humour. [FORMAL ]
ac|etate /æ s I te I t/ N‑UNCOUNT Acetate is a shiny artificial material, sometimes used for making clothes or records.
acetic acid /əsiː t I k æ s I d/ N‑UNCOUNT Acetic acid is a colourless acid. It is the main substance in vinegar.
ac|etone /æ s I toʊn/ N‑UNCOUNT Acetone is a type of solvent.
acety|lene /əse t I liːn/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Acetylene is a colourless gas which burns with a very hot bright flame. It is often used in lamps and for cutting and welding metal.
ache /e I k/ (aches , aching , ached )
1 VERB If you ache or a part of your body aches , you feel a steady, fairly strong pain. □ [V adv/prep] Her head was throbbing and she ached all over. □ [V ] My leg still aches when I sit down. □ [V -ing] The weary walkers soothed their aching feet in the sea.
2 N‑COUNT [n N ] An ache is a steady, fairly strong pain in a part of your body. □ Poor posture can cause neck ache, headaches and breathing problems.
3 → see also backache , headache , heartache , stomach ache
4 VERB If you ache for something or your heart aches , you want something very much, and feel very unhappy because you cannot have it. [WRITTEN ] □ [V + for ] … couples aching for a child □ [V ] It was quite an achievement to keep smiling when his heart must have been aching.
5 PHRASE You can use aches and pains to refer in a general way to any minor pains that you feel in your body. □ It seems to ease all the aches and pains of a hectic and tiring day.
achiev|able /ətʃiː vəb ə l/ ADJ If you say that something you are trying to do is achievable , you mean that it is possible for you to succeed in doing it. □ A 50% market share is achievable. □ It is often a good idea to start with smaller, easily achievable goals.
achieve ◆◆◇ /ətʃiː v/ (achieves , achieving , achieved ) VERB If you achieve a particular aim or effect, you succeed in doing it or causing it to happen, usually after a lot of effort. □ [V n] There are many who will work hard to achieve these goals. □ [V n] We have achieved what we set out to do. COLLOCATIONS achieve VERB
achieve + noun : goal, objective, result, success; feat, grade, growth; fame, status
noun + achieve : pupil, student; company
achieve + adverb : consistently, easily
achieve|ment ◆◇◇ /ətʃiː vmənt/ (achievements )
1 N‑COUNT An achievement is something which someone has succeeded in doing, especially after a lot of effort. □ Reaching this agreement so quickly was a great achievement.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Achievement is the process of achieving something. □ [+ of ] Only the achievement of these goals will bring lasting peace. COLLOCATIONS achievement NOUN 1
noun + achievement : career, lifetime; landmark
adjective + achievement : major, notable, outstanding, remarkable; academic, educational, sporting; crowning, personal, proud
verb + achievement : celebrate, honour; acknowledge, recognize SYNONYMS achievement NOUN 1
accomplishment: By any standards, the accomplishments of the past year are extraordinary.
feat: A racing car is an extraordinary feat of engineering.
coup: The sale is a big coup for the auction house.
achiev|er /ətʃiː və r / (achievers ) N‑COUNT A high achiever is someone who is successful in their studies or their work, usually as a result of their efforts. A low achiever is someone who achieves less than those around them. □ High achievers will receive cash bonuses.
Achilles heel /ək I liːz hiː l/ N‑SING [usu poss N ] Someone's Achilles heel is the weakest point in their character or nature, where it is easiest for other people to attack or criticize them. □ Horton's Achilles heel was that he could not delegate.
Achilles ten|don /ək I liːz te ndən/ (Achilles tendons ) N‑COUNT Your Achilles tendon or your Achilles is the tendon inside the back of your leg just above your heel.
ach|ing|ly /e I k I ŋli/ ADV [ADV adj/adv] You can use achingly for emphasis when you are referring to things that create feelings of wanting something very much, but of not being able to have it. [WRITTEN , EMPHASIS ] □ …three achingly beautiful ballads.
achy /e I ki/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you feel achy , your body hurts. [INFORMAL , SPOKEN ] □ I feel achy all over.
acid ◆◇◇ /æ s I d/ (acids )
1 N‑VAR An acid is a chemical substance, usually a liquid, which contains hydrogen and can react with other substances to form salts. Some acids burn or dissolve other substances that they come into contact with. □ …citric acid.
2 ADJ An acid substance contains acid. □ These shrubs must have an acid, lime-free soil. ● acid|ity /æs I d I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the acidity of rainwater.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The drug LSD is sometimes referred to as acid . [INFORMAL ]
4 → see also amino acid , hydrochloric acid , nitric acid , nucleic acid , sulphuric acid
a cid hou se N‑UNCOUNT Acid house is a type of electronic dance music with a strong, repeated rhythm.
acid|ic /əs I d I k/ ADJ Acidic substances contain acid. □ Dissolved carbon dioxide makes the water more acidic.
a cid rai n N‑UNCOUNT Acid rain is rain polluted by acid that has been released into the atmosphere from factories and other industrial processes. Acid rain is harmful to the environment.
a cid te st N‑SING The acid test of something is an important aspect or result that it might have, which allows you to decide whether it is true or successful. □ [+ of ] The acid test of a school is 'would you send your own children there?'
ac|knowl|edge ◆◇◇ /æknɒ l I dʒ/ (acknowledges , acknowledging , acknowledged )
1 VERB If you acknowledge a fact or a situation, you accept or admit that it is true or that it exists. [FORMAL ] □ [V that] We have to acknowledge that something is wrong with the system. □ [V n] Belatedly, the government has acknowledged the problem. □ [V -ed] There is an acknowledged risk of lung cancer from radon. [Also V n to-inf, V n as n/adj]
2 VERB If someone's achievements, status, or qualities are acknowledged , they are known about and recognized by a lot of people, or by a particular group of people. □ [be V -ed + as ] He is also acknowledged as an excellent goal-keeper. □ [V n] Some of the clergy refused to acknowledge the new king's legitimacy. [Also V n to-inf]
3 VERB If you acknowledge a message or letter, you write to the person who sent it in order to say that you have received it. □ [V n] The army sent me a postcard acknowledging my request.
4 VERB If you acknowledge someone, for example by moving your head or smiling, you show that you have seen and recognized them. □ [V n] He saw her but refused to even acknowledge her.
ac|knowl|edge|ment /æknɒ l I dʒmənt/ (acknowledgements ) also acknowledgment
1 N‑SING [oft N that] An acknowledgement is a statement or action which recognizes that something exists or is true. □ The President's resignation appears to be an acknowledgment that he has lost all hope of keeping the country together.
2 N‑PLURAL The acknowledgements in a book are the section in which the author thanks all the people who have helped him or her.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] A gesture of acknowledgement , such as a smile, shows someone that you have seen and recognized them. □ Farling smiled in acknowledgement and gave a bow.
4 N‑COUNT An acknowledgement is a letter or message that you receive from someone, telling you that something you have sent to them has arrived. □ I have received neither an acknowledgment nor a reply.
acme /æ kmi/ N‑SING The acme of something is its highest point of achievement or excellence. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] His work is considered the acme of cinematic art.
acne /æ kni/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone has acne , they have a skin condition which causes a lot of spots on their face and neck.
aco|lyte /æ kəla I t/ (acolytes ) N‑COUNT An acolyte is a follower or assistant of an important person. [FORMAL ] □ To his acolytes, he is known simply as 'the Boss'.
acorn /e I kɔː r n/ (acorns ) N‑COUNT An acorn is a pale oval nut that is the fruit of an oak tree.
acous|tic /əkuː st I k/ (acoustics )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] An acoustic guitar or other instrument is one whose sound is produced without any electrical equipment. ● acous|ti|cal|ly /əkuː st I kli/ ADV □ …acoustically based music.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to the acoustics or the acoustic of a space, you are referring to the structural features which determine how well you can hear music or speech in it. ● acous|ti|cal|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ The church is acoustically perfect.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Acoustics is the scientific study of sound.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Acoustic means relating to sound or hearing. Compare aural . □ …acoustic signals.
ac|quaint /əkwe I nt/ (acquaints , acquainting , acquainted )
1 VERB If you acquaint someone with something, you tell them about it so that they know it. If you acquaint yourself with something, you learn about it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + with ] …efforts to acquaint the public with their rights under the new law. □ [V pron-refl + with ] I want to acquaint myself with your strengths and weaknesses.
2 → see also acquainted
ac|quaint|ance /əkwe I ntəns/ (acquaintances )
1 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] An acquaintance is someone who you have met and know slightly, but not well. □ [+ of ] The proprietor was an old acquaintance of his.
2 N‑VAR [oft poss N , on N ] If you have an acquaintance with someone, you have met them and you know them. □ [+ with ] He had met her through his acquaintance with Anne.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Your acquaintance with a subject is your knowledge or experience of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] They had little or no acquaintance with philosophy or history.
4 PHRASE When you make someone's acquaintance , you meet them for the first time and get to know them a little. [FORMAL ] □ I first made his acquaintance in the early 1960s.
ac|quaint|ed /əkwe I nt I d/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If you are acquainted with something, you know about it because you have learned it or experienced it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] He was well acquainted with the literature of France, Germany and Holland.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are acquainted with someone, you have met them and you know them. You can also say that two people are acquainted . [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] No-one personally acquainted with the couple was permitted to talk to the Press. □ It's true we were acquainted, but no more than that.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you get or become acquainted with someone that you do not know, you talk to each other or do something together so that you get to know each other. You can also say that two people get or become acquainted . □ [+ with ] The meetings were a way to get acquainted with each other.
4 → see also acquaint
ac|qui|esce /æ kwie s/ (acquiesces , acquiescing , acquiesced ) VERB If you acquiesce in something, you agree to do what someone wants or to accept what they do. [FORMAL ] □ [V + in/to ] Steve seemed to acquiesce in the decision. □ [V ] When her mother suggested that she stay, Alice willingly acquiesced.
ac|qui|es|cence /æ kwie s ə ns/ N‑UNCOUNT Acquiescence is agreement to do what someone wants, or acceptance of what they do even though you do not agree with it. [FORMAL ] □ Deirdre smiled her acquiescence.
ac|qui|es|cent /æ kwie s ə nt/ ADJ Someone who is acquiescent is ready to agree to do what someone wants, or to accept what they do. [FORMAL ] □ Perhaps you are too acquiescent.
ac|quire ◆◇◇ /əkwa I ə r / (acquires , acquiring , acquired )
1 VERB If you acquire something, you buy or obtain it for yourself, or someone gives it to you. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He yesterday revealed he had acquired a 2.98 per cent stake in the company. □ [V n + from ] I recently acquired some wood from a holly tree.
2 VERB If you acquire something such as a skill or a habit, you learn it, or develop it through your daily life or experience. □ [V n] I've never acquired a taste for spicy food.
3 VERB If someone or something acquires a certain reputation, they start to have that reputation. □ [V n] He has acquired a reputation as this country's premier solo violinist.
4 PHRASE If you describe something as an acquired taste , you mean that a lot of people do not like it when they first experience it, but often start to like it more when they get to know it better. □ Broad beans are very much an acquired taste. SYNONYMS acquire VERB 1
get: I'm getting a bike for my birthday.
receive: They will receive their awards at a ceremony in Stockholm.
obtain: Evans was trying to obtain a false passport and other documents.
ac|qui red im|mune de|fi |cien|cy syn|drome N‑UNCOUNT Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is the same as AIDS .
ac|quir|er /əkwa I ə rə r / (acquirers ) N‑COUNT In business, an acquirer is a company or person who buys another company. [BUSINESS ]
ac|qui|si|tion ◆◇◇ /æ kw I z I ʃ ə n/ (acquisitions )
1 N‑VAR If a company or business person makes an acquisition , they buy another company or part of a company. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] …the acquisition of a profitable paper recycling company.
2 N‑COUNT If you make an acquisition , you buy or obtain something, often to add to things that you already have. □ [+ of ] …the President's recent acquisition of a helicopter.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [n N ] The acquisition of a skill or a particular type of knowledge is the process of learning it or developing it. □ …language acquisition.
ac|quisi|tive /əkw I z I t I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person or an organization as acquisitive , you do not approve of them because you think they are too concerned with getting new possessions. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ We live in an acquisitive society.
ac|quit /əkw I t/ (acquits , acquitting , acquitted )
1 VERB [usu passive] If someone is acquitted of a crime in a court of law, they are formally declared not to have committed the crime. □ [be V -ed + of ] Mr Ling was acquitted of disorderly behaviour by magistrates.
2 VERB If you acquit yourself well or admirably in a particular situation, other people feel that you have behaved well or admirably. [FORMAL ] □ [V pron-refl adv] Most officers and men acquitted themselves well throughout the action.
ac|quit|tal /əkw I t ə l/ (acquittals ) N‑VAR Acquittal is a formal declaration in a court of law that someone who has been accused of a crime is innocent. □ [+ of ] …the acquittal of six police officers charged with beating a suspect. □ The jury voted 8-to-4 in favor of acquittal.
acre ◆◇◇ /e I kə r / (acres ) N‑COUNT An acre is an area of land measuring 4840 square yards or 4047 square metres. □ [+ of ] The property is set in two acres of land.
acre|age /e I kər I dʒ/ (acreages ) N‑VAR Acreage is a large area of farm land. [FORMAL ] □ He has sown coffee on part of his acreage. □ [+ of ] Enormous acreages of soya beans are grown in the United States.
ac|rid /æ kr I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An acrid smell or taste is strong and sharp, and usually unpleasant. □ The room filled with the acrid smell of tobacco.
ac|ri|mo|ni|ous /æ kr I moʊ niəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Acrimonious words or quarrels are bitter and angry. [FORMAL ] □ There followed an acrimonious debate. ● ac|ri|mo|ni|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Our relationship ended acrimoniously.
ac|ri|mo|ny /æ kr I məni, [AM ] -moʊni/ N‑UNCOUNT Acrimony is bitter and angry words or quarrels. [FORMAL ] □ The council's first meeting ended in acrimony.
ac|ro|bat /æ krəbæt/ (acrobats ) N‑COUNT An acrobat is an entertainer who performs difficult physical acts such as jumping and balancing, especially in a circus.
ac|ro|bat|ic /æ krəbæ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An acrobatic movement or display involves difficult physical acts such as jumping and balancing, especially in a circus.
ac|ro|bat|ics /æ krəbæ t I ks/ N‑PLURAL Acrobatics are acrobatic movements.
ac|ro|nym /æ krən I m/ (acronyms ) N‑COUNT An acronym is a word composed of the first letters of the words in a phrase, especially when this is used as a name. An example of an acronym is 'NATO', which is made up of the first letters of the 'North Atlantic Treaty Organization'.
across ◆◆◆ /əkrɒ s, [AM ] əkrɔː s/ In addition to the uses shown below, across is used in phrasal verbs such as 'come across', 'get across', and 'put across'. 1 PREP If someone or something goes across a place or a boundary, they go from one side of it to the other. □ She walked across the floor and lay down on the bed. □ He watched Karl run across the street to Tommy. □ …an expedition across Africa. ● ADV [ADV after v] Across is also an adverb. □ Richard stood up and walked across to the window.
2 PREP If something is situated or stretched across something else, it is situated or stretched from one side of it to the other. □ …the floating bridge across Lake Washington in Seattle. □ He scrawled his name across the bill. ● ADV [ADV after v] Across is also an adverb. □ Trim toenails straight across using nail clippers.
3 PREP If something is lying across an object or place, it is resting on it and partly covering it. □ She found her clothes lying across the chair. □ The wind pushed his hair across his face.
4 PREP Something that is across something such as a street, river, or area is on the other side of it. □ Anyone from the houses across the road could see him. □ When I saw you across the room I knew I'd met you before. ● ADV [ADV after v] Across is also an adverb. □ [+ from ] They parked across from the Castro Theatre.
5 ADV [ADV after v] If you look across at a place, person, or thing, you look towards them. □ He glanced across at his sleeping wife. □ …breathtaking views across to the hills.
6 PREP You use across to say that a particular expression is shown on someone's face. □ An enormous grin spread across his face.
7 PREP If someone hits you across the face or head, they hit you on that part. □ Graham hit him across the face with the gun.
8 PREP When something happens across a place or organization, it happens equally everywhere within it. □ The film opens across America in December.
9 PREP When something happens across a political, religious, or social barrier, it involves people in different groups. □ …parties competing across the political spectrum.
10 across the board → see board
11 ADV Across is used in measurements to show the width of something. □ This hand-decorated plate measures 30cm across.
acryl|ic /ækr I l I k/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Acrylic material is artificial and is manufactured by a chemical process.
act ◆◆◆ /æ kt/ (acts , acting , acted )
1 VERB When you act , you do something for a particular purpose. □ [V ] The deaths occurred when police acted to stop widespread looting and vandalism. □ [V adv/prep] I do not doubt that the bank acted properly.
2 VERB If you act on advice or information, you do what has been advised or suggested. □ [V + on/upon ] A patient will usually listen to the doctor's advice and act on it.
3 VERB If someone acts in a particular way, they behave in that way. □ [V adv] …a gang of youths who were acting suspiciously. □ [V + as if ] He acted as if he hadn't heard any of it. □ [V + like ] Open wounds act like a magnet to flies.
4 VERB If someone or something acts as a particular thing, they have that role or function. □ [V + as ] He acted as the ship's surgeon. [Also V + like ]
5 VERB If someone acts in a particular way, they pretend to be something that they are not. □ [V adj] Chris acted astonished as he examined the note. □ [V n] Kenworthy had tried not to act the policeman.
6 VERB When professionals such as lawyers act for you, or act on your behalf , they are employed by you to deal with a particular matter. □ [V + for ] Lawyers acting for the families of the victims … □ [V prep] Because we travelled so much, Sam and I asked a broker to act on our behalf.
7 VERB If a force or substance acts on someone or something, it has a certain effect on them. □ [V + on/upon ] The drug acts very fast on the central nervous system. [Also V ]
8 VERB If you act , or act a part in a play or film, you have a part in it. □ [V ] She confessed to her parents her desire to act. □ [V + in ] She acted in her first film when she was 13 years old. [Also V n]
9 N‑COUNT An act is a single thing that someone does. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Language interpretation is the whole point of the act of reading.
10 N‑SING If you say that someone's behaviour is an act , you mean that it does not express their real feelings. □ His anger was real. It wasn't an act.
11 N‑COUNT An Act is a law passed by the government. □ [+ of ] …an Act of Parliament.
12 N‑COUNT An act in a play, opera, or ballet is one of the main parts into which it is divided. □ Act II contained one of the funniest scenes I have ever witnessed.
13 N‑COUNT An act in a show is a short performance which is one of several in the show. □ This year numerous bands are playing, as well as comedy acts.
14 PHRASE If you catch someone in the act , you discover them doing something wrong or committing a crime. □ [+ of ] The men were caught in the act of digging up buried explosives.
15 PHRASE If someone who has been behaving badly cleans up their act , they start to behave in a more acceptable or responsible way. [INFORMAL ] □ The nation's advertisers need to clean up their act.
16 PHRASE If you get in on the act , you take part in or take advantage of something that was started by someone else. [INFORMAL ] □ Unsurprisingly, other firms are keen to get in on the act.
17 PHRASE You say that someone was in the act of doing something to indicate what they were doing when they were seen or interrupted. □ Ken was in the act of paying his bill when Neil came up behind him.
18 PHRASE If you get your act together , you organize your life or your affairs so that you are able to achieve what you want or to deal with something effectively. [INFORMAL ] □ The Government should get its act together.
19 to act one's age → see age
20 to act the fool → see fool
▸ act out PHRASAL VERB If you act out an event which has happened, you copy the actions which took place and make them into a play. □ [V P n] I used to come home and act out the movie for the kids. [Also V n P ]
▸ act up
1 PHRASAL VERB [usu cont] If something is acting up , it is not working properly. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] She was messing with the coffee pot, which was acting up again.
2 PHRASAL VERB [usu cont] If a child is acting up , they are behaving badly. [INFORMAL ]
act|ing /æ kt I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Acting is the activity or profession of performing in plays or films. □ She pursued an acting career after four years of modelling.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use acting before the title of a job to indicate that someone is doing that job temporarily. □ …the new acting President.
ac|tion ◆◆◆ /æ kʃ ə n/ (actions , actioning , actioned )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Action is doing something for a particular purpose. □ The government is taking emergency action to deal with a housing crisis.
2 N‑COUNT An action is something that you do on a particular occasion. □ Jack was the sort of man who did not like his actions questioned.
3 N‑COUNT To bring a legal action against someone means to bring a case against them in a court of law. [LEGAL ] □ [+ against ] Two leading law firms are to prepare legal actions against tobacco companies.
4 N‑SING The action is all the important and exciting things that are happening in a situation. [INFORMAL ] □ Hollywood is where the action is now.
5 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] The fighting which takes place in a war can be referred to as action . □ …a murderous war that would see millions die, as a result of direct military action. □ 13 soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in action.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] An action movie is a film in which a lot of dangerous and exciting things happen. An action hero is the main character in one of these films.
7 VERB [usu passive] If you action something that needs to be done, you deal with it. [BUSINESS ] □ [be V -ed] Documents can be actioned, or filed immediately.
8 PHRASE If someone or something is out of action , they are injured or damaged and cannot work or be used. □ He's been out of action for 16 months with a serious knee injury.
9 PHRASE If someone wants to have a piece of the action or a slice of the action , they want to take part in an exciting activity or situation, usually in order to make money or become more important.
10 PHRASE If you put an idea or policy into action , you begin to use it or cause it to operate. □ They have learned the lessons of business management theory, and put them into action. COLLOCATIONS action NOUN
1
adjective + action : appropriate, decisive, drastic; emergency, immediate, urgent; disciplinary, legal, military
verb + action : take; defend, justify, support; demand
3
verb + action : bring, initiate, launch, pursue; threaten SYNONYMS action NOUN
1
measure: He said stern measures would be taken against the killers
step: He greeted the agreement as the first step towards peace.
manoeuvre: …manoeuvres to block the electoral process.
2
deed: His heroic deeds were celebrated in every corner of India.
move: It may also be a good move to suggest she talks things over.
act: My insurance excludes acts of sabotage and damage done by weapons of war.
ac|tion|able /æ kʃənəb ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something that you do or say to someone is actionable , it gives them a valid reason for bringing a legal case against you.
a c|tion re |play (action replays ) N‑COUNT An action replay is a repeated showing, usually in slow motion, of an event that has just been on television. [BRIT ] in AM, use instant replay
ac|ti|vate /æ kt I ve I t/ (activates , activating , activated ) VERB [usu passive] If a device or process is activated , something causes it to start working. □ [be V -ed] Video cameras with night vision can be activated by movement. □ [V -ed] …a voice-activated computer. ● ac|ti|va|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] A computer controls the activation of an air bag.
ac|tive ◆◆◇ /æ kt I v/
1 ADJ Someone who is active moves around a lot or does a lot of things. □ Having an active youngster about the house can be quite wearing. □ …a long and active life.
2 ADJ If you have an active mind or imagination, you are always thinking of new things. □ …the tragedy of an active mind trapped by failing physical health.
3 ADJ If someone is active in an organization, cause, or campaign, they do things for it rather than just giving it their support. □ …a chance for fathers to play a more active role in childcare. ● ac|tive|ly ADV □ They actively campaigned for the vote.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Active is used to emphasize that someone is taking action in order to achieve something, rather than just hoping for it or achieving it in an indirect way. [EMPHASIS ] □ Companies need to take active steps to increase exports. □ …active discouragement from teachers. ● ac|tive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ They have never been actively encouraged to take such risks.
5 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that a person or animal is active in a particular place or at a particular time, you mean that they are performing their usual activities or performing a particular activity. □ Guerrilla groups are active in the province.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An active volcano has erupted recently or is expected to erupt quite soon. □ …molten lava from an active volcano.
7 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An active substance has a chemical or biological effect on things. □ The active ingredient in some of the mouthwashes was simply detergent.
8 N‑SING In grammar, the active or the active voice means the forms of a verb which are used when the subject refers to a person or thing that does something. For example, in 'I saw her yesterday', the verb is in the active. Compare passive . SYNONYMS active ADJ 1
busy: Phil Martin is an exceptionally busy man.
lively: Josephine was bright, lively and cheerful.
energetic: Blackwell is 59, strong-looking and enormously energetic.
sprightly: …the sprightly 85-year-old President.
a c|tive du ty N‑UNCOUNT [oft on N ] Active duty means the same as active service . [mainly AM ]
a c|tive se r|vice N‑UNCOUNT [oft on N ] Someone who is on active service is taking part in a war as a member of the armed forces. [mainly BRIT ] □ In April 1944 he was killed on active service.
ac|tiv|ism /æ kt I v I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Activism is the process of campaigning in public or working for an organization in order to bring about political or social change.
ac|tiv|ist ◆◇◇ /æ kt I v I st/ (activists ) N‑COUNT An activist is a person who works to bring about political or social changes by campaigning in public or working for an organization. □ The police say they suspect the attack was carried out by animal rights activists. COLLOCATIONS activist NOUN
noun + activist : community, party; human rights, peace
adjective + activist : environmental, political; anti-apartheid, black, gay, left-wing
verb + activist : arrest, detain; anger SYNONYMS activist NOUN
militant: The militants might still find some new excuse to call a strike.
organizer: The organisers of the demonstration concede that they hadn't sought permission for it.
ac|tiv|ity ◆◆◇ /ækt I v I ti/ (activities )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Activity is a situation in which a lot of things are happening or being done. □ …an extraordinary level of activity in the government bonds market. □ [+ of ] …the electrical activity of the brain.
2 N‑COUNT An activity is something that you spend time doing. □ You can take part in activities from canoeing to bird watching.
3 N‑PLURAL The activities of a group are the things that they do in order to achieve their aims. □ He had also been imprisoned for his political activities. COLLOCATIONS activity NOUN
1
noun + activity : brain; business
adjective + activity : electrical, planetary, volcanic; economic, physical; frantic, heightened, intense
verb + activity : stimulate; monitor
2
noun + activity : holiday, leisure, sports
adjective + activity : daily, everyday, extracurricular; criminal, suspicious
3
noun + activity : fundraising, government, terrorist
adjective + activity : military
verb + activity : coordinate, monitor, organize, undertake; suspend SYNONYMS activity NOUN
1
action: Hollywood is where the action is now.
bustle: There was a good deal of cheerful bustle.
commotion: Sounds of voices and commotion could be heard downstairs now.
2
pursuit: His favourite childhood pursuits were sailing, swimming and cycling.
hobby: My hobbies are letter writing, football, music, photography, and tennis.
pastime: His favourite pastime is golf.
a ct of Go d (acts of God ) N‑COUNT An act of God is an event that is beyond human control, especially one in which something is damaged or someone is hurt.
ac|tor ◆◇◇ /æ ktə r / (actors ) N‑COUNT An actor is someone whose job is acting in plays or films. 'Actor' in the singular usually refers to a man, but some women who act prefer to be called 'actors' rather than 'actresses'. □ His father was an actor in the Cantonese Opera Company. □ You have to be a very good actor to play that part.
ac|tress ◆◇◇ /æ ktrəs/ (actresses ) N‑COUNT An actress is a woman whose job is acting in plays or films. □ She's a very great dramatic actress.
ac|tual ◆◇◇ /æ ktʃuəl/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use actual to emphasize that you are referring to something real or genuine. [EMPHASIS ] □ The segments are filmed using either local actors or the actual people involved. □ In this country, the actual number of miscarriages in humans is never fully recorded.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use actual to contrast the important aspect of something with a less important aspect. [EMPHASIS ] □ She had compiled pages of notes, but she had not yet gotten down to doing the actual writing.
3 in actual fact → see fact SYNONYMS actual ADJ 1
genuine: There was a risk of genuine refugees being returned to Vietnam.
real: Who's to know if they're real guns or not?
true: I think he's a true genius.
authentic: She has authentic charm whereas most people simply have nice manners.
a c|tual bodi|ly ha rm N‑UNCOUNT Actual bodily harm is a criminal offence in which someone gives another person a minor injury.
ac|tu|al|ity /æ ktʃuæ l I ti/ (actualities )
1 PHRASE You can use in actuality to emphasize that what you are saying is true, when it contradicts or contrasts with what you have previously said. [EMPHASIS ] □ In actuality, we've found that leaders appreciate the training.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Actuality is the state of really existing rather than being imagined. □ It exists in dreams rather than actuality.
ac|tu|al|ly ◆◆◆ /æ ktʃuəli/
1 ADV [ADV before v] You use actually to indicate that a situation exists or happened, or to emphasize that it is true. [EMPHASIS ] □ One afternoon, I grew bored and actually fell asleep for a few minutes. □ Interest is only payable on the amount actually borrowed.
2 ADV You use actually when you are correcting or contradicting someone. [EMPHASIS ] □ No, I'm not a student. I'm a doctor, actually. □ 'So it's not a family show then?'—'Well, actually, I think that's exactly what it is.'
3 ADV You can use actually when you are politely expressing an opinion that other people might not have expected from you. [POLITENESS ] □ 'Do you think it's a good idea to socialize with one's patients?'—'Actually, I do, I think it's a great idea.'
4 ADV You use actually to introduce a new topic into a conversation. □ Well actually, John, I rang you for some advice. SYNONYMS actually ADV 1
really: What was really going on?
indeed: He did indeed keep important documents inside his hat.
in fact: We've had a pretty bad time while you were away. In fact, we very nearly split up this time.
genuinely: He was genuinely surprised. USAGE actually
Don’t use actually when you want to say that something is happening now. Use at present , at the moment , or right now . □ He’s in a meeting at the moment .
ac|tu|ari|al /æ ktʃueə riəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Actuarial means relating to the work of an actuary. □ The company's actuarial report is available on demand.
ac|tu|ary /æ ktʃuəri, [AM ] -tʃueri/ (actuaries ) N‑COUNT An actuary is a person who is employed by insurance companies to calculate how much they should charge their clients for insurance.
ac|tu|ate /æ ktʃue I t/ (actuates , actuating , actuated )
1 VERB If a person is actuated by an emotion, that emotion makes them act in a certain way. □ [be V -ed] They were actuated by desire.
2 VERB If something actuates a device, the device starts working. □ [V n] The flow of current actuates the signal.
acu|ity /ækjuː I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Acuity is sharpness of vision or hearing, or quickness of thought. [FORMAL ] □ We work on improving visual acuity.
acu|men /æ kjʊmen, [AM ] əkjuː mən/ N‑UNCOUNT Acumen is the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions. □ His sharp business acumen meant he quickly rose to the top.
acu|pres|sure /æ kjʊpreʃə r / N‑UNCOUNT Acupressure is the treatment of pain by a type of massage in which pressure is put on certain areas of a person's body.
acu|punc|ture /æ kjʊpʌŋktʃə r / N‑UNCOUNT Acupuncture is the treatment of a person's illness or pain by sticking small needles into their body at certain places.
acu|punc|tur|ist /æ kjʊpʌŋktʃər I st/ (acupuncturists ) N‑COUNT An acupuncturist is a person who performs acupuncture.
acute /əkjuː t/
1 ADJ You can use acute to indicate that an undesirable situation or feeling is very severe or intense. □ The report has caused acute embarrassment to the government. □ The labour shortage is becoming acute.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] An acute illness is one that becomes severe very quickly but does not last very long. Compare chronic . [MEDICAL ] □ …a patient with acute rheumatoid arthritis.
3 ADJ If a person's or animal's sight, hearing, or sense of smell is acute , it is sensitive and powerful. □ In the dark my sense of hearing becomes so acute.
4 ADJ An acute angle is less than 90°. Compare obtuse angle.
5 ADJ [ADJ n, n ADJ ] An acute accent is a symbol that is placed over vowels in some languages in order to indicate how that vowel is pronounced or over one letter in a word to indicate where it is stressed. You refer to a letter with this accent as, for example, e acute . For example, there is an acute accent over the letter 'e' in the French word 'café'.
acute|ly /əkjuː tli/
1 ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] If you feel or notice something acutely , you feel or notice it very strongly. □ He was acutely aware of the odour of cooking oil.
2 ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] If a feeling or quality is acutely unpleasant, it is extremely unpleasant. □ It was an acutely uncomfortable journey back to London.
ad ◆◇◇ /æ d/ (ads ) N‑COUNT An ad is an advertisement. [INFORMAL ] □ She replied to a lonely hearts ad.
AD /e I diː / You use AD in dates to indicate the number of years or centuries that have passed since the year in which Jesus Christ is believed to have been born. Compare BC . □ The cathedral was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1136 AD. □ The Roman Empire was divided in the fourth century AD.
ad|age /æ d I dʒ/ (adages ) N‑COUNT An adage is something which people often say and which expresses a general truth about some aspect of life. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …the old adage, 'Every baby brings its own love'.
ada|gio /ədɑː dʒioʊ, [AM ] -dʒoʊ/ (adagios )
1 ADV [ADV after v] Adagio written above a piece of music means that it should be played slowly.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] An adagio is a piece of music that is played slowly. □ …Samuel Barber's Adagio For Strings. □ …the Adagio movement of his Sixth Symphony.
ada|mant /æ dəmənt/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , oft ADJ that] If someone is adamant about something, they are determined not to change their mind about it. □ The prime minister is adamant that he will not resign. □ [+ about ] Sue was adamant about that job in Australia. ● ada|mant|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ She was adamantly opposed to her husband travelling to Brussels.
Adam's ap|ple /æ d ə mz æ p ə l/ (Adam's apples ) N‑COUNT Your Adam's apple is the lump that sticks out of the front of your neck below your throat.
a|dapt /ədæ pt/ (adapts , adapting , adapted )
1 VERB If you adapt to a new situation or adapt yourself to it, you change your ideas or behaviour in order to deal with it successfully. □ [V + to ] The world will be different, and we will have to be prepared to adapt to the change. □ [V pron-refl + to ] They have had to adapt themselves to a war economy. [Also V ]
2 VERB If you adapt something, you change it to make it suitable for a new purpose or situation. □ [V n] Shelves were built to adapt the library for use as an office. [Also V n + to ]
3 VERB If you adapt a book or play, you change it so that it can be made into a film or a television programme. □ [V n] The scriptwriter helped him to adapt his novel for the screen. □ [be V -ed] The film has been adapted from a play of the same title.
4 → see also adapted
adapt|able /ədæ ptəb ə l/ ADJ If you describe a person or animal as adaptable , you mean that they are able to change their ideas or behaviour in order to deal with new situations. □ …a more adaptable and skilled workforce. ● adapt|abil|ity /ədæ ptəb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The adaptability of wool is one of its great attractions.
ad|ap|ta|tion /æ dæpte I ʃ ə n/ (adaptations )
1 N‑COUNT An adaptation of a book or play is a film or a television programme that is based on it. □ [+ of ] …Branagh's screen adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry the Fifth.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Adaptation is the act of changing something or changing your behaviour to make it suitable for a new purpose or situation. □ Most living creatures are capable of adaptation when compelled to do so.
a|dapt|ed /ədæ pt I d/ ADJ If something is adapted to a particular situation or purpose, it is especially suitable for it. □ [+ to/for ] The camel's feet, well adapted for dry sand, are useless on mud.
adap|tion /ədæ pʃ ə n/ (adaptions ) N‑VAR Adaption means the same as adaptation .
adap|tive /ədæ pt I v/ ADJ Adaptive means having the ability or tendency to adapt to different situations. [FORMAL ] □ Societies need to develop highly adaptive behavioural rules for survival.
adap|tor /ədæ ptə r / (adaptors ) also adapter
1 N‑COUNT An adaptor is a special device for connecting electrical equipment to a power supply, or for connecting different pieces of electrical or electronic equipment together.
2 N‑COUNT The adaptor of a book or play is the person who rewrites it for a film or a television programme.
add ◆◆◆ /æ d/ (adds , adding , added )
1 VERB If you add one thing to another, you put it in or on the other thing, to increase, complete, or improve it. □ [V n + to ] Add the grated cheese to the sauce. □ [be V -ed + to ] Since 1908, chlorine has been added to drinking water. □ [V n + to ] He wants to add a huge sports complex to Binfield Manor. [Also V n]
2 VERB If you add numbers or amounts together , you calculate their total. □ [V n with together ] Banks add all the interest and other charges together. □ [V -ed together ] Two and three added together are five. ● PHRASAL VERB Add up means the same as add . □ [V P ] More than a quarter of seven year-olds cannot add up properly. □ [V n P ] We just added all the numbers up and divided one by the other. □ [V P ] He said the numbers simply did not add up.
3 VERB If one thing adds to another, it makes the other thing greater in degree or amount. □ [V + to ] This latest incident will add to the pressure on the government.
4 VERB To add a particular quality to something means to cause it to have that quality. □ [V n] The generous amount of garlic adds flavour. □ [V n + to ] Pictures add interest to plain painted walls.
5 VERB If you add something when you are speaking, you say something more. □ [V with quote] 'You can tell that he is extremely embarrassed,' Mr Brigden added. □ [V that] The President agreed, adding that he hoped for a peaceful solution.
6 to add insult to injury → see insult
▸ add in PHRASAL VERB If you add in something, you include it as a part of something else. □ [V P n] Once the vegetables start to cook add in a couple of tablespoons of water.
▸ add on
1 PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If one thing is added on to another, it is attached to the other thing, or is made a part of it. □ [V P n] Holiday-makers can also add on a week in Majorca before or after the cruise. □ [V -ed P ] To the rear is a large dining room–added on early this century.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you add on an extra amount or item to a list or total, you include it. □ [V P n] Many loan application forms automatically add on insurance. [Also V n P ]
▸ add up
1 → see add 2
2 PHRASAL VERB [usu with neg] If facts or events do not add up , they make you confused about a situation because they do not seem to be consistent. If something that someone has said or done adds up , it is reasonable and sensible. □ [V P ] Police said they arrested Olivia because her statements did not add up.
3 PHRASAL VERB If small amounts of something add up , they gradually increase. □ [V P ] Even small savings can add up.
▸ add up to PHRASAL VERB If amounts add up to a particular total, they result in that total when they are put together. □ [V P P n] For a hit show, profits can add up to millions of dollars. SYNONYMS add VERB
1
include: The President is expected to include this idea in his education plan.
attach: The gadget can be attached to any vertical surface.
supplement: I suggest supplementing your diet with vitamins E and A.
append: Violet appended a note at the end of the letter.
2
count: I counted 34 wild goats grazing.
calculate: From this you can calculate the total mass in the Galaxy.
add up: It's good to be able to add up quickly.
total: They haven't totalled the exact figures.
ADD /e I diː diː / ADD is an abbreviation for attention deficit disorder .
add|ed /æ d I d/ ADJ [ADJ n] You use added to say that something has more of a particular thing or quality. □ For added protection choose a lipstick with a sun screen.
a dd|ed va lue N‑UNCOUNT In marketing, added value is something which makes a product more appealing to customers. [BUSINESS ]
ad|den|dum /əde ndəm/ (addenda /əde ndə/) N‑COUNT An addendum is an additional section at the end of a book or document.
add|er /æ də r / (adders ) N‑COUNT In Europe and Asia, an adder is a small poisonous snake that has a black pattern on its back. In North America, a number of different poisonous and non-poisonous snakes are called adders .
ad|dict /æ d I kt/ (addicts )
1 N‑COUNT An addict is someone who takes harmful drugs and cannot stop taking them. □ He's only 24 years old and a drug addict.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is an addict , you mean that they like a particular activity very much and spend as much time doing it as they can. □ She is a TV addict and watches as much as she can.
ad|dict|ed /əd I kt I d/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is addicted to a harmful drug cannot stop taking it. □ [+ to ] Many of the women are addicted to heroin and cocaine.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is addicted to something, you mean that they like it very much and want to spend as much time doing it as possible. □ [+ to ] She had become addicted to golf.
ad|dic|tion /əd I kʃ ə n/ (addictions )
1 N‑VAR [oft n N ] Addiction is the condition of taking harmful drugs and being unable to stop taking them. □ She helped him fight his drug addiction. □ [+ to ] …long-term addiction to nicotine.
2 N‑VAR An addiction to something is a very strong desire or need for it. □ [+ to ] He needed money to feed his addiction to gambling.
ad|dic|tive /əd I kt I v/
1 ADJ If a drug is addictive , people who take it cannot stop taking it. □ Cigarettes are highly addictive. □ Crack is the most addictive drug on the market.
2 ADJ Something that is addictive is so enjoyable that it makes you want to do it or have it a lot. □ This Japanese-developed game quickly becomes addictive.
ad|di|tion ◆◆◇ /əd I ʃ ə n/ (additions )
1 PHRASE You use in addition when you want to mention another item connected with the subject you are discussing. □ Part-time English classes are offered. In addition, students can take classes in other languages. □ [+ to ] There's a postage and packing fee in addition to the repair charge.
2 N‑COUNT An addition to something is a thing which is added to it. □ [+ to ] Most would agree that this particular use of technology is a worthy addition to the game.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The addition of something is the fact that it is added to something else. □ [+ of ] It was completely refurbished in 1987, with the addition of a picnic site.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Addition is the process of calculating the total of two or more numbers. □ …simple addition and subtraction problems.
ad|di|tion|al ◆◇◇ /əd I ʃən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Additional things are extra things apart from the ones already present. □ The U.S. is sending additional troops to the region. □ The insurer will also have to pay the additional costs of the trial. SYNONYMS additional ADJ
extra: Extra staff have been taken on to cover busy periods.
further: They believed there were likely to be further attacks.
supplementary: Provide them with additional background or with supplementary information.
spare: Don't forget to take a few spare batteries.
ad|di|tion|al|ly /əd I ʃənəli/
1 ADV You use additionally to introduce something extra such as an extra fact or reason. [FORMAL ] □ You can pay bills over the Internet. Additionally, you can check your balance or order statements.
2 ADV [ADV with v] Additionally is used to say that something happens to a greater extent than before. □ The birds are additionally protected in the reserves at Birsay.
ad|di|tive /æ d I t I v/ (additives ) N‑COUNT An additive is a substance which is added in small amounts to foods or other things in order to improve them or to make them last longer. □ Strict safety tests are carried out on food additives.
ad|dle /æ d ə l/ (addles , addling , addled ) VERB If something addles someone's mind or brain, they become confused and unable to think properly. □ [V n] I suppose the shock had addled his poor old brain.
ad|dled /æ d ə ld/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as addled , you mean that they are confused or unable to think properly. □ You're talking like an addled romantic.
a dd-on (add-ons ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] An add-on is an extra piece of equipment, especially computer equipment, that can be added to a larger one which you already own in order to improve its performance or its usefulness. □ [+ for ] Speakers are sold as add-ons for personal stereos.
ad|dress ◆◆◇ /ədre s, [AM ] æ dres/ (addresses , addressing , addressed )
1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your address is the number of the house, flat, or apartment and the name of the street and the town where you live or work. □ The address is 2025 M Street, Northwest, Washington, DC, 20036. □ We require details of your name and address.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a letter, envelope, or parcel is addressed to you, your name and address have been written on it. □ [be V -ed + to ] Applications should be addressed to: The business affairs editor.
3 N‑COUNT The address of a website is its location on the internet, for example http://www.collinsdictionary.com. [COMPUTING ]
4 VERB If you address a group of people, you give a speech to them. □ [V n] He is due to address a conference on human rights next week. ● N‑COUNT Address is also a noun. □ [+ to ] The President gave an address to the American people.
5 VERB If you address someone or address a remark to them, you say something to them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The two foreign ministers did not address each other directly when they last met. □ [V n + to ] He addressed his remarks to Eleanor, ignoring Maria.
6 VERB If you address a problem or task or if you address yourself to it, you try to understand it or deal with it. □ [V n] Mr King sought to address those fears when he spoke at the meeting. □ [V pron-refl + to ] Throughout the book we have addressed ourselves to the problem of ethics. COLLOCATIONS address VERB
5
address + noun : audience, crowd, gathering, rally; conference, meeting
8
address + noun : concern, issue, problem, question; challenge, crisis, shortage, situation
address + adverb : adequately, appropriately, effectively, properly, satisfactorily; immediately, urgently
ad|dre ss book (address books )
1 N‑COUNT An address book is a book in which you write people's names and addresses.
2 N‑COUNT An address book is a computer file which contains a list of email addresses. [COMPUTING ]
ad|dressee /æ dresiː / (addressees ) N‑COUNT The addressee of a letter or parcel is the person or company that it is addressed to. [FORMAL ]
ad|duce /ædjuː s, [AM ] -duː s/ (adduces , adducing , adduced ) VERB If you adduce something such as a fact or reason, you mention it in order to support an argument. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] We can adduce evidence to support the claim.
ad|enoids /æ d I nɔ I dz/ N‑PLURAL Adenoids are soft lumps of flesh at the back and top of a person's throat that sometimes become swollen and have to be removed.
adept /æde pt/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is adept at something can do it skilfully. □ [+ at ] He's usually very adept at keeping his private life out of the media. ● adept|ly /æde ptli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ The therapist adeptly manipulated and massaged my body.
ad|equa|cy /æ d I kwəsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Adequacy is the quality of being good enough or great enough in amount to be acceptable.
ad|equate ◆◇◇ /æ d I kwət/ ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] If something is adequate , there is enough of it or it is good enough to be used or accepted. □ One in four people worldwide are without adequate homes. □ The old methods weren't adequate to meet current needs. [Also + for ] ● ad|equate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Many students are not adequately prepared for higher education. □ I speak the language adequately.
ADHD /e I diː e I tʃ diː / ADHD is an abbreviation for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder .
ad|here /ædh I ə r / (adheres , adhering , adhered )
1 VERB If you adhere to a rule or agreement, you act in the way that it says you should. □ [V + to ] All members of the association adhere to a strict code of practice.
2 VERB If you adhere to an opinion or belief, you support or hold it. □ [V + to ] If you can't adhere to my values, then you have to find another place to live.
3 VERB If something adheres to something else, it sticks firmly to it. □ [V + to ] Small particles adhere to the seed. □ [V adv/prep] This sticky compound adheres well on this surface. [Also V ]
ad|her|ence /ædh I ə rəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Adherence is the fact of adhering to a particular rule, agreement, or belief. □ [+ to ] …strict adherence to the constitution.
ad|her|ent /ædh I ə rənt/ (adherents ) N‑COUNT An adherent is someone who holds a particular belief or supports a particular person or group. □ This idea is gaining adherents.
ad|he|sion /ædhiː ʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Adhesion is the ability of one thing to stick firmly to another. [FORMAL ] □ Better driving equipment will improve track adhesion in slippery conditions.
ad|he|sive /ædhiː s I v/ (adhesives )
1 N‑VAR An adhesive is a substance such as glue, which is used to make things stick firmly together. □ Glue the mirror in with a strong adhesive.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An adhesive substance is able to stick firmly to something else. □ …adhesive tape.
ad hoc /æ d hɒ k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An ad hoc activity or organization is done or formed only because a situation has made it necessary and is not planned in advance. □ The Council meets on an ad hoc basis to discuss problems.
adieu /ədjuː / (adieus ) CONVENTION Adieu means the same as goodbye . [LITERARY , OLD-FASHIONED ]
ad in|fi|ni|tum /æ d I nf I na I təm/ ADV [ADV after v] If something happens ad infinitum , it is repeated again and again in the same way. □ This cycle repeats itself ad infinitum.
adj. Adj. is a written abbreviation for adjective .
ad|ja|cent /ədʒe I s ə nt/ ADJ If one thing is adjacent to another, the two things are next to each other. □ He sat in an adjacent room and waited. □ [+ to ] …offices adjacent to the museum.
ad|jec|ti|val /æ dʒ I kta I v ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Adjectival means relating to adjectives or like an adjective. □ …an adjectival phrase.
ad|jec|tive /æ dʒ I kt I v/ (adjectives ) N‑COUNT An adjective is a word such as 'big', 'dead', or 'financial' that describes a person or thing, or gives extra information about them. Adjectives usually come before nouns or after link verbs.
a d|jec|tive group (adjective groups ) N‑COUNT An adjective group or adjectival group is a group of words based on an adjective, such as 'very nice' or 'interested in football'. An adjective group can also consist simply of an adjective.
ad|join /ədʒɔ I n/ (adjoins , adjoining , adjoined ) VERB If one room, place, or object adjoins another, they are next to each other. [FORMAL ]
ad|journ /ədʒɜː r n/ (adjourns , adjourning , adjourned ) VERB If a meeting or trial is adjourned or if it adjourns , it is stopped for a short time. □ [be V -ed] The proceedings have now been adjourned until next week. □ [V ] I am afraid the court may not adjourn until three or even later.
ad|journ|ment /ədʒɜː r nmənt/ (adjournments ) N‑COUNT An adjournment is a temporary stopping of a trial, enquiry, or other meeting. □ The court ordered a four month adjournment.
ad|judge /ədʒʌ dʒ/ (adjudges , adjudging , adjudged ) VERB [usu passive] If someone is adjudged to be something, they are judged or considered to be that thing. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed to-inf] He was adjudged to be guilty. □ [be V -ed n] He was adjudged the winner by 54 votes to 3.
ad|ju|di|cate /ədʒuː d I ke I t/ (adjudicates , adjudicating , adjudicated ) VERB If you adjudicate on a dispute or problem, you make an official judgment or decision about it. [FORMAL ] □ [V prep] …a commissioner to adjudicate on legal rights. □ [V n] The international court of justice might be a suitable place to adjudicate claims. [Also V ] ● ad|ju|di|ca|tion /ədʒuː d I ke I ʃ ə n/ (adjudications ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …unbiased adjudication of cases of unfair dismissal. ● ad|ju|di|ca|tor /ədʒuː d I ke I tə r / (adjudicators ) N‑COUNT □ …an independent adjudicator.
ad|junct /æ dʒʌŋkt/ (adjuncts )
1 N‑COUNT Something that is an adjunct to something larger or more important is connected with it or helps to perform the same task. □ [+ to ] Physical therapy is an important adjunct to drug treatments. [Also + of ]
2 N‑COUNT In grammar, an adjunct is a word or group of words which indicates the circumstances of an action, event, or situation. An adjunct is usually a prepositional phrase or an adverb group.
ad|just ◆◇◇ /ədʒʌ st/ (adjusts , adjusting , adjusted )
1 VERB When you adjust to a new situation, you get used to it by changing your behaviour or your ideas. □ [V n + to ] We have been preparing our fighters to adjust themselves to civil society. □ [V + to ] I felt I had adjusted to the idea of being a mother very well. □ [V ] It has been hard to adjust but now I'm getting satisfaction from my work. [Also V adv]
2 → see also well-adjusted
3 VERB If you adjust something, you change it so that it is more effective or appropriate. □ [V n] To attract investors, the government has adjusted its tax and labour laws.
4 VERB If you adjust something such as your clothing or a machine, you correct or alter its position or setting. □ [V n] Liz adjusted her mirror and then edged the car out of its parking bay.
5 VERB If you adjust your vision or if your vision adjusts , the muscles of your eye or the pupils alter to cope with changes in light or distance. □ [V n] He stopped to try to adjust his vision to the faint starlight. □ [V ] We stood in the doorway until our eyes adjusted. SYNONYMS adjust VERB
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