2 MODAL You use could to indicate that something sometimes happened. □ Though he had a temper and could be nasty, it never lasted. □ He could be very pleasant when he wanted to.


3 MODAL You use could have to indicate that something was a possibility in the past, although it did not actually happen. □ He could have made a fortune as a lawyer. □ He did not regret saying what he did but felt that he could have expressed it differently.


4 MODAL You use could to indicate that something is possibly true, or that it may possibly happen. □ Doctors told him the disease could have been caused by years of working in smokey clubs. □ An improvement in living standards could be years away.


5 MODAL You use could not or couldn't to indicate that it is not possible that something is true. □ Anne couldn't be expected to understand the situation. □ He couldn't have been more than fourteen years old.


6 MODAL You use could to talk about a possibility, ability, or opportunity that depends on other conditions. □ Their hope was that a new and better country could be born. □ I knew that if I spoke to Myra, I could get her to call my father.


7 MODAL You use could when you are saying that one thing or situation resembles another. □ The charming characters she draws look like they could have walked out of the 1920s.


8 MODAL You use could , or couldn't in questions, when you are making offers and suggestions. □ I could call the local doctor. □ You could look for a career abroad where environmental jobs are better paid and more secure. □ It would be a good idea if you could do this exercise twice or three times on separate days.


9 MODAL You use could in questions when you are making a polite request or asking for permission to do something. Speakers sometimes use couldn't instead of 'could' to show that they realize that their request may be refused. [POLITENESS ] □ Could I stay tonight? □ Could I speak to you in private a moment, John? □ He asked if he could have a cup of coffee. □ Couldn't I watch you do it?


10 MODAL People sometimes use structures with if I could or could I as polite ways of interrupting someone or of introducing what they are going to say next. [FORMAL , SPOKEN , POLITENESS ] □ Well, if I could just interject. □ Could I ask you if there have been any further problems? □ First of all, could I begin with an apology for a mistake I made last week?


11 MODAL You use could to say emphatically that someone ought to do the thing mentioned, especially when you are annoyed because they have not done it. You use why couldn't in questions to express your surprise or annoyance that someone has not done something. [EMPHASIS ] □ We've come to see you, so you could at least stand and greet us properly. □ Idiot! You could have told me! □ He could have written. □ Why couldn't she have said something?


12 MODAL You use could when you are expressing strong feelings about something by saying that you feel as if you want to do the thing mentioned, although you do not do it. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'Welcome back' was all they said. I could have kissed them! □ She could have screamed with tension.


13 MODAL You use could after 'if' when talking about something that you do not have the ability or opportunity to do, but which you are imagining in order to consider what the likely consequences might be. □ If I could afford it I'd have four television sets. □ If only I could get some sleep, I would be able to cope.


14 MODAL You use could not or couldn't with comparatives to emphasize that someone or something has as much as is possible of a particular quality. For example, if you say 'I couldn't be happier', you mean that you are extremely happy. [EMPHASIS ] □ The rest of the players are a great bunch of lads and I couldn't be happier. □ The news couldn't have come at a better time.


15 MODAL In speech, you use how could in questions to emphasize that you feel strongly about something bad that has happened. [EMPHASIS ] □ How could you allow him to do something like that? □ How could she do this to me?


16 could do with → see do ➋

couldn't /kʊ d ə nt/ Couldn't is the usual spoken form of 'could not'.

could've /kʊdəv/ Could've is the usual spoken form of 'could have', when 'have' is an auxiliary verb.

coun|cil ◆◆◆ /kaʊ ns ə l/ (councils )


1 N‑COUNT A council is a group of people who are elected to govern a local area such as a city or, in Britain, a county. □ …Cheshire County Council. □ The city council has voted almost unanimously in favour. □ …David Ward, one of just two Liberal Democrats on the council.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Council houses or flats are owned by the local council, and people pay rent to live in them. [BRIT ] □ There is a shortage of council housing.


3 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb, usu in names] Council is used in the names of some organizations. □ …the National Council for Civil Liberties. □ …community health councils.


4 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb, usu sing] In some organizations, the council is the group of people that controls or governs it. □ [+ of ] He was a member of the council of the Royal Northern College of Music.


5 N‑COUNT A council is a specially organized, formal meeting that is attended by a particular group of people. □ [+ of ] The President said he would call a grand council of all Afghans. COLLOCATIONS council NOUN 1


noun + council : city, county, district, town


adjective + council : governing, local, regional


verb + council : contact, elect SYNONYMS council NOUN 4


committee: …an elected Management Committee who serve the Association on a voluntary basis.


board: …the agenda for the September 12 board meeting.


panel: The advisory panel disagreed with the decision.


quango: Powers have been transferred to a wide variety of new quangos.

cou n|cil hou se (council houses ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a council house is a house that is owned by a local council and that people can rent at a low cost.

coun|cil|lor /kaʊ nsələ r / (councillors ) in AM, use councilor N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A councillor is a member of a local council. □ …Councillor Michael Poulter.

council|man /kaʊ ns ə lmən/ (councilmen ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A councilman is a man who is a member of a local council. [AM ] □ …a city councilman. in BRIT, use councillor

cou n|cil of wa r (councils of war ) N‑COUNT A council of war is a meeting that is held in order to decide how a particular threat or emergency should be dealt with. [FORMAL ]

cou n|cil tax N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] In Britain, council tax is a tax that you pay to your local authority in order to pay for local services such as schools, libraries, and rubbish collection. The amount of council tax that you pay depends on the value of the house or flat where you live.

coun|cil|woman /kaʊ ns ə lwʊmən/ (councilwomen ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A councilwoman is a woman who is a member of a local council. [AM ] □ …Councilwoman Johnson. in BRIT, use councillor

coun|sel ◆◇◇ /kaʊ ns ə l/ (counsels , counselling , counselled ) in AM, use counseling , counseled 1 N‑UNCOUNT Counsel is advice. [FORMAL ] □ He had always been able to count on her wise counsel. □ His parishioners sought his counsel and loved him.


2 VERB If you counsel someone to take a course of action, or if you counsel a course of action, you advise that course of action. [FORMAL ] □ [V n to-inf] My advisers counselled me to do nothing. □ [V n] The prime minister was right to counsel caution about military intervention. [Also V with quote]


3 VERB If you counsel people, you give them advice about their problems. □ [V n] …a psychologist who counsels people with eating disorders. □ [V n + on ] Crawford counsels her on all aspects of her career. [Also V on n]


4 N‑COUNT Someone's counsel is the lawyer who gives them advice on a legal case and speaks on their behalf in court. □ Singleton's counsel said after the trial that he would appeal.

coun|sel|ling /kaʊ nsəl I ŋ/ in AM, use counseling N‑UNCOUNT Counselling is advice which a therapist or other expert gives to someone about a particular problem.

coun|sel|lor /kaʊ nsələ r / (counsellors ) in AM, use counselor N‑COUNT A counsellor is a person whose job is to give advice to people who need it, especially advice on their personal problems.

count ◆◆◇ /kaʊ nt/ (counts , counting , counted )


1 VERB When you count , you say all the numbers one after another up to a particular number. □ [V ] He was counting slowly under his breath. □ [V + to ] Brian counted to twenty and lifted his binoculars.


2 VERB If you count all the things in a group, you add them up in order to find how many there are. □ [V n] I counted the money. It was more than five hundred pounds. □ [V num] I counted 34 wild goats grazing. □ [V -ed] With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, the Liberals should win nearly a third of the seats. [Also V ] ● PHRASAL VERB Count up means the same as count . □ [V P n] Couldn't we just count up our ballots and bring them to the courthouse? [Also V n P ] ● count|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The counting of votes is proceeding smoothly.


3 N‑COUNT A count is the action of counting a particular set of things, or the number that you get when you have counted them. □ The final count in last month's referendum showed 56.7 per cent in favour.


4 N‑COUNT [n N ] You use count when referring to the level or amount of something that someone or something has. □ He cut his daily calorie count from 3,000 to 2,000.


5 → see also blood count , pollen count


6 N‑SING You use count in expressions such as a count of three or a count of ten when you are measuring a length of time by counting slowly up to a certain number. □ [+ of ] Hold your breath for a count of five, then slowly breathe out.


7 VERB If something or someone counts for something or counts , they are important or valuable. □ [V ] It doesn't matter where charities get their money from: what counts is what they do with it. □ [V + for ] When I first came to college I realised that brainpower didn't count for much.


8 VERB If something counts or is counted as a particular thing, it is regarded as being that thing, especially in particular circumstances or under particular rules. □ [V + as ] No one agrees on what counts as a desert. □ [V ] When you were a child, your wishes didn't always count. □ [V n + as ] They can count it as a success. [Also V n n/adj]


9 VERB If you count something when you are making a calculation, you include it in that calculation. □ [V n] Statistics don't count the people who aren't qualified to be in the work force. □ [be V -ed + as ] The years before their arrival in prison are not counted as part of their sentence. [Also V n + as ]


10 N‑COUNT You can use count to refer to one or more points that you are considering. For example, if someone is wrong on two counts , they are wrong in two ways. □ 'You drink Scotch,' she said. 'All Republicans drink Scotch.'—'Wrong on both counts. I'm a Democrat, and I drink bourbon.'


11 N‑COUNT In law, a count is one of a number of charges brought against someone in court. □ [+ of ] He was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of murder.


12 PHRASE If you keep count of a number of things, you note or keep a record of how many have occurred. If you lose count of a number of things, you cannot remember how many have occurred. □ [+ of ] He struggles to keep count of the number of flights he takes yearly. □ [+ of ] She'd lost count of the interviews she'd been called for.


13 PHRASE If someone is out for the count , they are unconscious or very deeply asleep. [INFORMAL ]


14 PHRASE If you say that someone should stand up and be counted , you mean that they should say publicly what they think, and not hide it or be ashamed of it. □ Those involved and benefiting from the scandal must be prepared to stand up and be counted.


15 to count your blessings → see blessing


▸ count against PHRASAL VERB If something counts against you, it may cause you to be rejected or punished, or cause people to have a lower opinion of you. □ [V P n] He is highly regarded, but his youth might count against him.


▸ count in PHRASAL VERB [usu imper] If you tell someone to count you in , you mean that you want to be included in an activity. □ [V n P ] She shrugged. 'You can count me in, I guess.'


▸ count on or count upon


1 PHRASAL VERB If you count on something or count upon it, you expect it to happen and include it in your plans. □ [V P n/v-ing] The government thought it could count on the support of the trades unions.


2 PHRASAL VERB If you count on someone or count upon them, you rely on them to support you or help you. □ [V P n] Don't count on Lillian. □ [V P n to-inf] I can always count on you to cheer me up.


▸ count out


1 PHRASAL VERB If you count out a sum of money, you count the notes or coins as you put them in a pile one by one. □ [V P n] Mr. Rohmbauer counted out the money and put it in an envelope. [Also V n P ]


2 PHRASAL VERB [usu imper] If you tell someone to count you out , you mean that you do not want to be included in an activity. □ [V n P ] If this is the standard to which I have to drop to gain membership, then count me out!


▸ count towards in AM, usually use count toward PHRASAL VERB If something counts towards or counts toward an achievement or right, it is included as one of the things that give you the right to it. □ [V P n] In many courses, work from the second year onwards can count towards the final degree.


▸ count up → see count 2


▸ count upon → see count on COLLOCATIONS count VERB


1


count + adverb : backwards, slowly


2


count + noun : calories, cash, minutes, votes; number


7


noun + count : opinion

Count /kaʊ nt/ (counts ) also count N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A Count is a European nobleman with the same rank as an English earl. □ Her father was a Polish Count.

count|able noun /kaʊ ntəb ə l naʊ n/ (countable nouns ) N‑COUNT A countable noun is the same as a count noun .

count|down /kaʊ ntdaʊn/ (countdowns )


1 N‑SING A countdown is the counting aloud of numbers in reverse order before something happens, especially before a spacecraft is launched. □ The countdown has begun for the launch of the space shuttle.


2 N‑COUNT The countdown to an event is the period of time leading up to the event. □ [+ to ] …the countdown to the next election.

coun|te|nance /kaʊ nt I nəns/ (countenances , countenancing , countenanced )


1 VERB If someone will not countenance something, they do not agree with it and will not allow it to happen. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Jake would not countenance Janis's marrying while still a student.


2 N‑COUNT Someone's countenance is their face. [LITERARY ]

coun|ter ◆◇◇ /kaʊ ntə r / (counters , countering , countered )


1 N‑COUNT In a place such as a shop or café, a counter is a long narrow table or flat surface at which customers are served. □ …a woman serving behind the counter at a bakery. □ …the cosmetics counter.


2 VERB If you do something to counter a particular action or process, you do something which has an opposite effect to it or makes it less effective. □ [V n] The leadership discussed a plan of economic measures to counter the effects of such a blockade. □ [V + by ] Sears then countered by filing an antitrust lawsuit.


3 N‑SING Something that is a counter to something else has an opposite effect to it or makes it less effective. □ [+ to ] Pay and benefits can be used as a counter to job insecurity.


4 VERB If you counter something that someone has said, you say something which shows that you disagree with them or which proves that they are wrong. □ [V n] Both of them had to counter fierce criticism. □ [V + with ] The union countered with letters rebutting the company's claims. □ [V + by ] The Prime Minister countered by stating that he had grave misgivings about the advice he had been given. □ [V with quote] 'But Peter, it's not that simple,' Goldstone countered in a firm voice. [Also V that]


5 N‑COUNT A counter is a mechanical or electronic device which keeps a count of something and displays the total. □ …an answerphone with an LED display call counter.


6 N‑COUNT A counter is a small, flat, round object used in board games.


7 → see also bargaining counter , bean counter , Geiger counter , rev counter


8 PHRASE If a medicine can be bought over the counter , you do not need a prescription to buy it. □ Are you taking any other medicines whether on prescription or bought over the counter? □ …basic over-the-counter remedies.


9 PHRASE Over-the-counter shares are bought and sold directly rather than on a stock exchange. [BUSINESS ]


10 PHRASE If one thing runs counter to another, or if one thing is counter to another, the first thing is the opposite of the second thing or conflicts with it. [FORMAL ] □ Much of the plan runs counter to European agriculture and environmental policy.


11 PHRASE If someone buys or sells goods under the counter , they buy or sell them secretly and illegally. □ The smugglers allegedly sold the gold under the counter, cheating the VAT man out of £5 million. COLLOCATIONS counter VERB


2


counter + noun : attack, extremism, terrorism, threat; effect


4


counter + noun : accusation, argument, claim, criticism

PREFIX counter-


forms words that refer to actions or activities that oppose another action or activity. For example, a counter-measure is an action you take to weaken the effect of another action or situation.

counter|act /kaʊ ntərækt/ (counteracts , counteracting , counteracted ) VERB To counteract something means to reduce its effect by doing something that produces an opposite effect. □ [V n] My husband has to take several pills to counteract high blood pressure.

cou nter-argument (counter-arguments ) in AM, usually use counterargument N‑COUNT A counter-argument is an argument that makes an opposing point to another argument. □ [+ to ] …an attempt to develop a counter-argument to the labour theory.

cou nter-attack (counter-attacks , counter-attacking , counter-attacked ) also counterattack VERB If you counter-attack , you attack someone who has attacked you. □ [V ] The security forces counter-attacked the following day and quelled the unrest. [Also V n] ● N‑COUNT Counter-attack is also a noun. □ The army began its counter-attack this morning.

counter|bal|ance /kaʊ ntə r bælens/ (counterbalances , counterbalancing , counterbalanced ) also counter-balance


1 VERB To counterbalance something means to balance or correct it with something that has an equal but opposite effect. □ [V n] Add honey to counterbalance the acidity.


2 N‑COUNT Something that is a counterbalance to something else counterbalances that thing. □ [+ to ] …organisations set up as a counterbalance to groups allied to the ANC.

coun|ter|bid /kaʊ ntə r b I d/ (counterbids ) N‑COUNT A counterbid is a bid that is made in response to a bid from another person or group, offering the seller more advantages. □ Bass is expected to make a surprise counterbid for First Leisure's family entertainment division on Tuesday, sparking a bid war.

counter|blast /kaʊ ntə r blɑːst, -blæst/ (counterblasts ) also counter-blast N‑COUNT A counterblast is a strong angry reply to something that has been said, written, or done. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ to ] British experts delivered a strong counter-blast to the Professor's claims.

counter|clockwise /kaʊ ntə r klɒ kwa I z/ also counter-clockwise ADV [ADV after v] If something is moving counterclockwise , it is moving in the opposite direction to the direction in which the hands of a clock move. [AM ] □ Rotate the head clockwise and counterclockwise. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Counterclockwise is also an adjective. □ The dance moves in a counter-clockwise direction. [in BRIT, use anticlockwise ]

cou nter-culture (counter-cultures ) also counterculture N‑VAR Counter-culture is a set of values, ideas, and ways of behaving that are completely different from those of the rest of society. □ …a history of British counter-culture.

cou nter-e spionage in AM, use counterespionage N‑UNCOUNT Counter-espionage is the same as counter-intelligence .

counter|feit /kaʊ ntə r f I t/ (counterfeits , counterfeiting , counterfeited )


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Counterfeit money, goods, or documents are not genuine, but have been made to look exactly like genuine ones in order to deceive people. □ He admitted possessing and delivering counterfeit currency. ● N‑COUNT Counterfeit is also a noun. □ They sold luxury watches and handbags – all counterfeits.


2 VERB If someone counterfeits something, they make a version of it that is not genuine but has been made to look genuine in order to deceive people. □ [V n] …the coins Davies is alleged to have counterfeited. ● counter|feit|er (counterfeiters ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] □ …a gang of counterfeiters.

counter|foil /kaʊ ntə r fɔ I l/ (counterfoils ) N‑COUNT A counterfoil is the part of a cheque, ticket, or other document that you keep when you give the other part to someone else.

cou nter-inte lligence also counter intelligence , counterintelligence N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Counter-intelligence consists of actions that a country takes in order to find out whether another country is spying on it and to prevent it from doing so. □ …the FBI's department of counter-intelligence. □ …a counter-intelligence officer.

counter|mand /kaʊ ntə r mɑː nd, -mæ nd/ (countermands , countermanding , countermanded ) VERB If you countermand an order, you cancel it, usually by giving a different order. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] I can't countermand an order Winger's given.

cou nter-measure (counter-measures ) also countermeasure N‑COUNT A counter-measure is an action that you take in order to weaken the effect of another action or a situation, or to make it harmless. □ Because the threat never developed, we didn't need to take any real countermeasures.

counter|pane /kaʊ ntə r pe I n/ (counterpanes ) N‑COUNT A counterpane is a decorative cover on a bed. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

counter|part ◆◇◇ /kaʊ ntə r pɑː r t/ (counterparts ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Someone's or something's counterpart is another person or thing that has a similar function or position in a different place. □ The Foreign Secretary telephoned his Italian counterpart to protest.

counter|point /kaʊ ntə r pɔ I nt/ (counterpoints ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] Something that is a counterpoint to something else contrasts with it in a satisfying way. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ to ] Paris is just a short train journey away, providing the perfect counterpoint to the peace and quiet of Reims.

cou nter-produ ctive also counterproductive ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Something that is counter-productive achieves the opposite result from the one that you want to achieve. □ In practice, however, such an attitude is counter-productive.

cou nter-revolu tion (counter-revolutions ) in AM, also use counterrevolution 1 N‑COUNT A counter-revolution is a revolution that is intended to reverse the effects of a previous revolution. □ The consequences of the counter-revolution have been extremely bloody.


2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to activities that are intended to reverse the effects of a previous revolution as counter-revolution . □ Such actions would be regarded as counter-revolution.

cou nter-revolu tionary (counter-revolutionaries ) in AM, also use counterrevolutionary 1 ADJ Counter-revolutionary activities are activities intended to reverse the effects of a previous revolution. □ …counter-revolutionary propaganda.


2 N‑COUNT A counter-revolutionary is a person who is trying to reverse the effects of a previous revolution.

counter|sign /kaʊ ntə r sa I n/ (countersigns , countersigning , countersigned ) VERB If you countersign a document, you sign it after someone else has signed it. □ [V n] The President refused to countersign the Prime Minister's decree.

counter|ten|or /kaʊ ntə r tenə r / (countertenors ) also counter-tenor N‑COUNT A countertenor is a man who sings with a high voice that is similar to a low female singing voice.

coun|ter|ter|ror|ism /kaʊ ntə r te rər I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Counterterrorism consists of activities that are intended to prevent terrorist acts or to get rid of terrorist groups. ● coun|ter|ter|ror|ist ADJ □ There were gaps in their counterterrorist strategy.

counter|top /kaʊ ntə r tɒp/ (countertops ) N‑COUNT A countertop is a flat surface in a kitchen which is easily cleaned and on which you can prepare food. [AM ] in BRIT, use worktop , work surface

counter|vail|ing /kaʊ ntə r ve I l I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] A countervailing force, power, or opinion is one which is of equal strength to another one but is its opposite or opposes it. [FORMAL ] □ Their strategy is greatest in effect when there is no countervailing power.

counter|weight /kaʊ ntə r we I t/ (counterweights ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A counterweight is an action or proposal that is intended to balance or counter other actions or proposals. □ [+ to ] His no-inflation bill serves as a useful counterweight to proposals less acceptable to the Committee.

coun|tess /kaʊ nt I s/ (countesses ) also Countess N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A countess is a woman who has the same rank as a count or earl, or who is married to a count or earl. □ …the Countess of Lichfield.

count|ing /kaʊ nt I ŋ/


1 PREP Not counting a particular thing means not including that thing. Counting a particular thing means including that thing. □ …an average operating profit of 15% to 16% of sales, not counting administrative expenses.


2 PHRASE If you say and counting after a number or an amount of something, you mean that the number or amount is continuing to increase. □ There is a 1,700-year-old tea tree still living in southern China which is more than 100 feet tall and counting.

count|less /kaʊ ntləs/ ADJ [ADJ n] Countless means very many. □ There are countless small ski areas dotted about the province.

cou nt noun (count nouns ) N‑COUNT A count noun is a noun such as 'bird', 'chair', or 'year' which has a singular and a plural form and is always used after a determiner in the singular.

coun|tri|fied /kʌ ntr I fa I d/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use countrified to describe something that seems or looks like something in the country, rather than in a town. □ The house was so handsome, with a lovely countrified garden.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Countrified is used to describe pop music that sounds similar to country music. [JOURNALISM ] □ The sound veers between jazz and countrified blues.

coun|try ◆◆◆ /kʌ ntri/ (countries )


1 N‑COUNT A country is one of the political units which the world is divided into, covering a particular area of land. □ Indonesia is the fifth most populous country in the world. □ …that disputed boundary between the two countries. □ Young people do move around the country quite a bit these days.


2 N‑SING The people who live in a particular country can be referred to as the country . □ Seventy per cent of this country is opposed to blood sports.


3 N‑SING The country consists of places such as farms, open fields, and villages which are away from towns and cities. □ …a healthy life in the country. □ She was cycling along a country road near Compiègne.


4 N‑UNCOUNT A particular kind of country is an area of land which has particular characteristics or is connected with a particular well-known person. □ Varese Ligure is a small town in mountainous country east of Genoa.


5 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Country music is popular music from the southern United States. □ The brilliant young country singer tours her songs about lost love and cigarettes, from March 7.


6 PHRASE If you travel across country , you travel through country areas, avoiding major roads and towns. □ From here we walked across country to Covington.


7 PHRASE If you travel across country , you travel a long distance, from one part of a country to another. □ We've just moved all the way across country to begin a new life.


8 PHRASE If a head of government or a government goes to the country , they hold a general election. [BRIT ] □ The Prime Minister does not have to go to the country for another year. USAGE country


When you use country to talk about a place far away from the city, the only determiner you can use with it is the . Don’t say, for example, ‘ I like living in Paris, but my parents prefer to live in a country ’. You say ‘I like living in Paris, but my parents prefer to live in the country ’. □ We have a house in the country . COLLOCATIONS country NOUN 1


adjective + country : home, native; developing, poor, rich; foreign


verb + country : flee, leave

cou n|try and we st|ern also country-and-western N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Country and western is the same as country music. □ …a successful country and western singer.

cou n|try club (country clubs ) N‑COUNT A country club is a club in the country where you can play sports and attend social events.

cou n|try cou s|in (country cousins ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a country cousin , you think that they are unsophisticated because they come from the country.

cou n|try da nc|ing N‑UNCOUNT Country dancing is traditional dancing in which people dance in rows or circles.

cou n|try hou se (country houses ) N‑COUNT A country house is a large, often attractive, house in the country, usually one that is or was owned by a rich or noble family. [BRIT ]

country|man /kʌ ntrimən/ (countrymen )


1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your countrymen are people from your own country. □ Unlike Handel's fellow countryman and contemporary Johann Bach, Handel never had a musical family.


2 N‑COUNT A countryman is a person who lives in the country rather than in a city or a town. □ He had the red face of a countryman.

cou n|try sea t (country seats ) N‑COUNT A country seat is a large house with land in the country which is owned by someone who also owns a house in a town. □ His family have a country seat in Oxfordshire.

country|side ◆◇◇ /kʌ ntrisa I d/ N‑UNCOUNT The countryside is land which is away from towns and cities. □ I've always loved the English countryside. □ We are surrounded by lots of beautiful countryside. SYNONYMS countryside NOUN


country: She was cycling along a country road near Compiègne.


outdoors: Life in the great outdoors isn't supposed to be luxurious.


green belt: The result will be at least 3,000 houses on our green belt.

country|wide /kʌ ntriwa I d/ ADV [ADV after v, n ADV ] Something that happens or exists countrywide happens or exists throughout the whole of a particular country. □ Armed robbery and abduction have been on the increase countrywide. □ They sent out questionnaires to 100 schools countrywide. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Countrywide is also an adjective. □ …a countrywide network of volunteers.

country|woman /kʌ ntriwʊmən/ (countrywomen )


1 N‑COUNT A countrywoman is a woman who lives in the country rather than in a city or a town. □ She had the slow, soft voice of a countrywoman.


2 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your countrywomen are women from your own country. □ The 25-year-old hit long to allow her fellow countrywoman to extend her lead to 4–0.

coun|ty ◆◆◇ /kaʊ nti/ (counties ) N‑COUNT A county is a region of Britain, Ireland, or the USA which has its own local government. □ Over 50 events are planned throughout the county.

cou n|ty cou n|cil (county councils ) N‑COUNT A county council is an organization which runs local government in a county in Britain. □ …Devon County Council.

cou n|ty cou rt (county courts ) N‑COUNT A county court is a local court which deals with private disputes between people, but does not deal with serious crimes. [BRIT ]

cou n|ty sea t (county seats ) N‑COUNT A county seat is the same as a county town . [AM ]

cou n|ty to wn (county towns ) N‑COUNT A county town is the most important town in a county, where the local government is. [BRIT ] □ We met in Dorchester, Dorset's bustling county town. in AM, use county seat

coup ◆◇◇ /kuː / (coups )


1 N‑COUNT When there is a coup , a group of people seize power in a country. □ …a military coup. □ They were sentenced to death for their part in April's coup attempt.


2 N‑COUNT A coup is an achievement which is thought to be especially good because it was very difficult. □ [+ for ] The sale is a big coup for the auction house. COLLOCATIONS coup NOUN


1


noun + coup : boardroom, leadership, palace


adjective + coup : attempted, failed, successful; bloodless, military


verb + coup : mount, plot, stage


2


noun + coup : propaganda, publicity


adjective + coup : major


verb + coup : score SYNONYMS coup NOUN 2


achievement: Reaching this agreement so quickly was a great achievement.


feat: A racing car is an extraordinary feat of engineering.


masterstroke: Graham pulled a masterstroke by playing Merson in the centre of midfield.


accomplishment: For a novelist, that's quite an accomplishment.


stroke of genius: At the time, his appointment seemed a stroke of genius.

coup de grace /kuː də grɑː s/ N‑SING A coup de grace is an action or event which finally destroys something, for example an institution, which has been gradually growing weaker. [FORMAL ] □ Irving Kristol delivered the coup de grace in a letter dated June 12: they had decided to reject the proposal.

coup d'état /kuː de I tɑː / (coups d'état ) N‑COUNT When there is a coup d'état , a group of people seize power in a country.

cou|pé /kuː pe I / (coupés ) N‑COUNT A coupé is a car with a fixed roof, a sloping back, two doors, and seats for four people. [BRIT ] in AM, use coupe

coupe /kuː p/ (coupes ) N‑COUNT A coupe is the same as a coupé . [AM ]

cou|ple ◆◆◇ /kʌ p ə l/ (couples , coupling , coupled )


1 QUANT If you refer to a couple of people or things, you mean two or approximately two of them, although the exact number is not important or you are not sure of it. □ [+ of ] Across the street from me there are a couple of police officers standing guard. □ [+ of ] I think the trouble will clear up in a couple of days. □ [+ of ] …a small town a couple of hundred miles from New York City. ● DET Couple is also a determiner in spoken American English, and before 'more' and 'less'. □ …a couple weeks before the election. □ I think I can play maybe for a couple more years. ● PRON Couple is also a pronoun. □ I've got a couple that don't look too bad.


2 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A couple is two people who are married, living together, or having a sexual relationship. □ The couple have no children. □ …after burglars ransacked an elderly couple's home.


3 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A couple is two people that you see together on a particular occasion or that have some association. □ …as the four couples began the opening dance.


4 VERB [usu passive] If you say that one thing produces a particular effect when it is coupled with another, you mean that the two things combine to produce that effect. □ [be V -ed + with ] …a problem that is coupled with lower demand for the machines themselves. □ [V -ed] Over-use of those drugs, coupled with poor diet, leads to physical degeneration.


5 VERB [usu passive] If one piece of equipment is coupled to another, it is joined to it so that the two pieces of equipment work together. □ [be V -ed + to ] Its engine is coupled to a semiautomatic gearbox. □ [be V -ed + together ] The various systems are coupled together in complex arrays.


6 → see also coupling COLLOCATIONS couple NOUN 2


adjective + couple : gay, heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, same-sex; married, unmarried; childless; elderly, middle-aged, young SYNONYMS couple NOUN


2


item: She and Gino were an item.


pair: He and Paula made an unlikely pair.


3


duo: …Britain's former golden duo of Linford Christie and Sally Gunnell.


pair: They have hit more runs together than any pair in history.

cou|plet /kʌ pl I t/ (couplets ) N‑COUNT A couplet is two lines of poetry which come next to each other, especially two lines that rhyme with each other and are the same length. □ …rhyming couplets.

cou|pling /kʌ pl I ŋ/ (couplings )


1 N‑COUNT A coupling is a device which is used to join two vehicles or pieces of equipment together. □ Before driving away, re-check the trailer coupling.


2 N‑COUNT An act of sexual intercourse is sometimes referred to as a coupling . [FORMAL ] □ …sexual couplings.


3 → see also couple

cou|pon /kuː pɒn/ (coupons )


1 N‑COUNT A coupon is a piece of printed paper which allows you to pay less money than usual for a product, or to get it free. □ Bring the coupon below to any Tecno store and pay just £10.99. □ …a 50p money-off coupon.


2 N‑COUNT A coupon is a small form, for example in a newspaper or magazine, which you send off to ask for information, to order something, or to enter a competition. □ Send the coupon with a cheque for £18.50, made payable to 'Good Housekeeping'.

cour|age ◆◇◇ /kʌ r I dʒ, [AM ] kɜː r-/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Courage is the quality shown by someone who decides to do something difficult or dangerous, even though they may be afraid. □ He has impressed everyone with his authority and personal courage. □ They do not have the courage to apologise for their actions.


2 → see also Dutch courage


3 PHRASE If you have the courage of your convictions , you have the confidence to do what you believe is right, even though other people may not agree or approve. □ Developers should have the courage of their convictions and stick to what they do best.


4 to pluck up the courage → see pluck SYNONYMS courage NOUN 1


bravery: He deserves the highest praise for his bravery.


nerve: He never got up enough nerve to meet me.


fortitude: He suffered a long series of illnesses with tremendous dignity and fortitude.


daring: His daring may have cost him his life.

cou|ra|geous /kəre I dʒəs/ ADJ Someone who is courageous shows courage. □ It was a very frightening experience and they were very courageous. □ It was a courageous decision, and one that everybody admired.

cour|gette /kʊə r ʒe t/ (courgettes ) N‑VAR Courgettes are long thin vegetables with dark green skin. [BRIT ] in AM, use zucchini

cou|ri|er ◆◇◇ /kʊ riə r / (couriers , couriering , couriered )


1 N‑COUNT A courier is a person who is paid to take letters and parcels direct from one place to another. □ The cheques were delivered to the bank by a private courier firm.


2 N‑COUNT A courier is a person employed by a travel company to look after people who are on holiday.


3 VERB If you courier something somewhere, you send it there by courier. □ [V n + to ] I couriered it to Darren in New York. [Also V n]

course ◆◆◆ /kɔː r s/ (courses , coursing , coursed )


1 Course is often used in the expression 'of course', or instead of 'of course' in informal spoken English. See of course .


2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] The course of a vehicle, especially a ship or aircraft, is the route along which it is travelling. □ The pilot requested clearance to alter course to avoid the storm. □ The tug was seaward of the Hakai Passage on a course that diverged from the Calvert Island coastline.


3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A course of action is an action or a series of actions that you can do in a particular situation. □ [+ of ] My best course of action was to help Gill by being loyal, loving and endlessly sympathetic. □ [+ for ] Vietnam is trying to decide on its course for the future.


4 N‑SING You can refer to the way that events develop as, for example, the course of history or the course of events . □ [+ of ] …a series of decisive naval battles which altered the course of history.


5 N‑COUNT A course is a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject. □ [+ in ] …a course in business administration. □ [+ on ] I'm shortly to begin a course on the modern novel.


6 → see also access course , correspondence course , refresher course , sandwich course


7 N‑COUNT A course of medical treatment is a series of treatments that a doctor gives someone. □ [+ of ] Treatment is supplemented with a course of antibiotics to kill the bacterium.


8 N‑COUNT A course is one part of a meal. □ The lunch was excellent, especially the first course. □ …a three-course dinner.


9 N‑COUNT In sport, a course is an area of land where races are held or golf is played, or the land over which a race takes place. □ Only 12 seconds separated the first three riders on the Bickerstaffe course.


10 N‑COUNT The course of a river is the channel along which it flows. □ Romantic chateaux and castles overlook the river's twisting course.


11 PHRASE If something happens in the course of a particular period of time, it happens during that period of time. □ In the course of the 1930s, steel production in Britain approximately doubled. □ We struck up a conversation, in the course of which it emerged that he was a sailing man.


12 PHRASE If you do something as a matter of course , you do it as part of your normal work or way of life. □ If police are carrying arms as a matter of course then doesn't it encourage criminals to carry them?


13 PHRASE If a ship or aircraft is on course , it is travelling along the correct route. If it is off course , it is no longer travelling along the correct route. □ The ill-fated ship was sent off course into shallow waters and rammed by another vessel.


14 PHRASE If you are on course for something, you are likely to achieve it. □ The company is on course for profits of £20m in the next financial year.


15 PHRASE If something runs its course or takes its course , it develops naturally and comes to a natural end. □ Over 20,000 cows died before the epidemic ran its course.


16 PHRASE If you stay the course , you finish something that you have started, even though it has become very difficult. □ The oldest president in American history had stayed the course for two terms.


17 PHRASE If something changes or becomes true in the course of time , it changes or becomes true over a long period of time. □ In the course of time, many of their myths become entangled.


18 in due course → see due SYNONYMS course NOUN 5


curriculum: …the history curriculum.


studies: She gave up her studies to have Alexander.


module: These courses are organized into three four-week modules.

cou rse book (course books ) also coursebook N‑COUNT A course book is a textbook that students and teachers use as the basis of a course.

cou rse work also coursework N‑UNCOUNT Course work is work that students do during a course, rather than in exams, especially work that counts towards a student's final grade. □ Some 20 per cent of marks are awarded for coursework.

cours|ing /kɔː r s I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Coursing is a sport in which rabbits or hares are hunted with dogs.


court


➊ NOUN USES


➋ VERB USES


➊ court ◆◆◆ /kɔː r t/ (courts )


1 N‑COUNT [oft n N , N n, oft in/at N ] A court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate. □ At this rate, we could find ourselves in the divorce courts! □ …a county court judge. □ He was deported on a court order following a conviction for armed robbery. □ The 28-year-old striker was in court last week for breaking a rival player's jaw.


2 N‑COUNT You can refer to the people in a court, especially the judge, jury, or magistrates, as a court . □ A court at Tampa, Florida has convicted five officials on fraud charges.


3 N‑COUNT [oft on/off N ] A court is an area in which you play a game such as tennis, basketball, badminton, or squash. □ The hotel has several tennis and squash courts. □ She watched a few of the games while waiting to go on court.


4 N‑COUNT [oft with poss, oft at N ] The court of a king or queen is the place where he or she lives and carries out ceremonial or administrative duties. □ [+ of ] She came to visit England, where she was presented at the court of James I.


5 → see also Crown Court , High Court , kangaroo court


6 PHRASE If you go to court or take someone to court , you take legal action against them. □ They have received at least twenty thousand pounds each but had gone to court to demand more. □ …members of trade associations who want to take bad debtors to court.


7 PHRASE If someone holds court in a place, they are surrounded by a lot of people who are paying them a lot of attention because they are interesting or famous. □ …in the days when Marlene Dietrich and Ernest Hemingway held court in the famous El Floridita club.


8 PHRASE If a legal matter is decided or settled out of court , it is decided without legal action being taken in a court of law. □ …a payment of two million pounds in an out of court settlement.

➋ court /kɔː r t/ (courts , courting , courted )


1 VERB To court a particular person, group, or country means to try to please them or improve your relations with them, often so that they will do something that you want them to do. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] Commercial radio stations are courting listeners who prefer different types of music.


2 VERB If you court something such as publicity or popularity, you try to attract it. □ [V n] She has to court publicity to sell records and concert tickets.


3 VERB If you court something unpleasant such as disaster or unpopularity, you act in a way that makes it likely to happen. □ [V n] If he thinks he can remain in power by force, he is courting disaster. SYNONYMS court NOUN ➊3


ground: …the city's football ground.


field: He was the fastest thing I ever saw on a baseball field.


arena: …the largest indoor sports arena in the world.


pitch: There was a swimming-pool, cricket pitches, playing fields.


park: Professional baseball has been played in one park or another since 1896.

cour|teous /kɜː r tiəs/ ADJ Someone who is courteous is polite and respectful to other people. □ He was a kind and courteous man. □ My friend's reply was courteous but firm. ● cour|teous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Then he nodded courteously to me and walked off to perform his unpleasant duty.

cour|tesan /kɔː r t I zæ n, [AM ] -zən/ (courtesans ) N‑COUNT In former times, a courtesan was a woman who had sexual relationships with rich and powerful men for money.

cour|tesy /kɜː r t I si/ (courtesies )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Courtesy is politeness, respect, and consideration for others. [FORMAL ] □ …a gentleman who behaves with the utmost courtesy towards ladies. □ He did not even have the courtesy to reply to my email.


2 N‑SING If you refer to the courtesy of doing something, you are referring to a polite action. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] By extending the courtesy of a phone call to my clients, I was building a personal relationship with them.


3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Courtesies are polite, conventional things that people say in formal situations. [FORMAL ]


4 ADJ [ADJ n] Courtesy is used to describe services that are provided free of charge by an organization to its customers, or to the general public. □ A courtesy shuttle bus operates between the hotel and the town. □ …a courtesy phone.


5 ADJ [ADJ n] A courtesy call or a courtesy visit is a formal visit that you pay someone as a way of showing them politeness or respect. □ The President paid a courtesy call on Emperor Akihito.


6 N‑UNCOUNT [N n, by N ] A courtesy title is a title that someone is allowed to use, although it has no legal or official status. □ Both were accorded the courtesy title of Lady.


7 PHRASE If something is provided courtesy of someone or by courtesy of someone, they provide it. You often use this expression in order to thank them. □ [+ of ] The waitress brings over some congratulatory glasses of champagne, courtesy of the restaurant.


8 PHRASE If you say that one thing happens courtesy of another or by courtesy of another, you mean that the second thing causes or is responsible for the first thing. □ [+ of ] The air was fresh, courtesy of three holes in the roof. □ As millions will have seen, by courtesy of the slow motion re-runs, the referee made a mistake.

court|house /kɔː r thaʊs/ (courthouses )


1 N‑COUNT A courthouse is a building in which a court of law meets. [AM ] in BRIT, use court 2 N‑COUNT A courthouse is a building used by the government of a county. [AM ]

cour|ti|er /kɔː r tiə r / (courtiers ) N‑COUNT Courtiers were noblemen and women who spent a lot of time at the court of a king or queen.

court|ly /kɔː r tli/ ADJ You use courtly to describe someone whose behaviour is very polite, often in a rather old-fashioned way. [LITERARY ] □ The waiter made a courtly bow.

cou rt ma r|tial (court martials , court martialling , court martialled ) also court-martial The spellings court martialing and court martialed are used in American English; courts martial is also used as a plural form for the noun. 1 N‑VAR A court martial is a trial in a military court of a member of the armed forces who is charged with breaking a military law. □ [+ on ] He is due to face a court-martial on drugs charges. □ He was arrested, tried by court martial and shot.


2 VERB [usu passive] If a member of the armed forces is court martialled , he or she is tried in a military court. □ [be V -ed] I was court-martialled and sentenced to six months in a military prison.

Cou rt of Ap|pea l (Courts of Appeal ) in AM, usually use Court of Appeals N‑COUNT A Court of Appeal is a court which deals with appeals against legal judgments. □ The case is being referred to the Court of Appeal.

cou rt of in|qui ry (courts of inquiry ) N‑COUNT A court of inquiry is a group of people who are officially appointed to investigate a serious accident or incident, or an official investigation into a serious accident or incident. [mainly BRIT ] □ The government has instituted a court of inquiry to look into the allegations.

cou rt of la w (courts of law ) N‑COUNT When you refer to a court of law , you are referring to a legal court, especially when talking about the evidence that might be given in a trial. □ We have a witness who would swear to it in a court of law.

court|room /kɔː r truːm/ (courtrooms ) N‑COUNT A courtroom is a room in which a legal court meets.

court|ship /kɔː r tʃ I p/ (courtships )


1 N‑VAR Courtship is the activity of courting or the time during which a man and a woman are courting. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ After a short courtship, she accepted his marriage proposal.


2 N‑UNCOUNT The courtship of male and female animals is their behaviour before they have sex. □ Courtship is somewhat vocal with a lot of displaying by the male.

cou rt shoe (court shoes ) N‑COUNT Court shoes are women's shoes that do not cover the top part of the foot and are usually made of plain leather with no design. [BRIT ] in AM, use pumps

court|yard /kɔː r tjɑː r d/ (courtyards ) N‑COUNT A courtyard is an open area of ground which is surrounded by buildings or walls. □ They walked through the arch and into the cobbled courtyard.

cous|cous /kuː skuːs/ N‑UNCOUNT Couscous is a type of food that is made from crushed steamed wheat, or a dish consisting of this food served with a spicy stew. It is traditionally eaten in North Africa.

cous|in ◆◆◇ /kʌ z ə n/ (cousins )


1 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] Your cousin is the child of your uncle or aunt. □ My cousin Mark helped me. □ We are cousins.


2 → see also country cousin , second cousin

cou|ture /kuːtjʊə r , [AM ] -tʊ r/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Couture is the designing and making of expensive fashionable clothes, or the clothes themselves. [FORMAL ] □ …Christian Lacroix's first Paris couture collection.

cou|tu|ri|er /kuːtʊə rie I , [AM ] kuːtʊrie I / (couturiers ) N‑COUNT A couturier is a person who designs, makes, and sells expensive, fashionable clothes for women.

cove /koʊ v/ (coves ) N‑COUNT A cove is a part of a coast where the land curves inwards so that the sea is partly enclosed. □ …a hillside overlooking Fairview Cove.

cov|en /kʌ vən/ (covens ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A coven is a group of witches.

cov|enant /kʌ vənənt/ (covenants )


1 N‑COUNT A covenant is a formal written agreement between two or more people or groups of people which is recognized in law. □ …the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.


2 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A covenant is a formal written promise to pay a sum of money each year for a fixed period, especially to a charity. [mainly BRIT ] □ If you make gifts through a covenant, you can reclaim the tax which already paid on this money. in AM, usually use pledge

Cov|en|try /kɒ v ə ntri, [AM ] kʌ v I ntri/ PHRASE If people send you to Coventry , they avoid speaking to you whenever they meet you, as a way of punishing you for something that you have done. [BRIT ]

cov|er ◆◆◆ /kʌ və r / (covers , covering , covered )


1 VERB If you cover something, you place something else over it in order to protect it, hide it, or close it. □ [V n + with ] Cover the casserole with a tight-fitting lid. □ [V n] He whimpered and covered his face. □ [V -ed] Keep what's left in a covered container in the fridge.


2 VERB If one thing covers another, it has been placed over it in order to protect it, hide it, or close it. □ [V n] His finger went up to touch the black patch which covered his left eye. □ [be V -ed + with ] His head was covered with a khaki turban.


3 VERB If one thing covers another, it forms a layer over its surface. □ [V n] The clouds had spread and nearly covered the entire sky. □ [be V -ed + with/in ] The desk was covered with papers.


4 VERB To cover something with or in something else means to put a layer of the second thing over its surface. □ [V n + with/in ] The trees in your garden may have covered the ground with apples, pears or plums.


5 VERB If you cover a particular distance, you travel that distance. □ [V n] It would not be easy to cover ten miles on that amount of petrol.


6 VERB To cover someone or something means to protect them from attack, for example by pointing a gun in the direction of people who may attack them, ready to fire the gun if necessary. □ [V n] You go first. I'll cover you.


7 N‑UNCOUNT Cover is protection from enemy attack that is provided for troops or ships carrying out a particular operation, for example by aircraft. □ They said they could not provide adequate air cover for ground operations.


8 N‑UNCOUNT Cover is trees, rocks, or other places where you shelter from the weather or from an attack, or hide from someone. □ Charles lit the fuses and they ran for cover.


9 VERB An insurance policy that covers a person or thing guarantees that money will be paid by the insurance company in relation to that person or thing. □ [V n] Their insurer paid the £900 bill, even though the policy did not strictly cover it. □ [V n + against ] You should take out travel insurance covering you and your family against theft.


10 N‑UNCOUNT Insurance cover is a guarantee from an insurance company that money will be paid by them if it is needed. □ Make sure that the firm's insurance cover is adequate.


11 VERB If a law covers a particular set of people, things, or situations, it applies to them. □ [V n] The law covers four categories of experiments.


12 VERB If you cover a particular topic, you discuss it in a lecture, course, or book. □ [V n] The Oxford Chemistry Primers aim to cover important topics in organic chemistry.


13 VERB If journalists, newspapers, or television companies cover an event, they report on it. □ [V n] Robinson was sent to Italy to cover the World Cup.


14 VERB If a sum of money covers something, it is enough to pay for it. □ [V n] Send it to the address given with £1.50 to cover postage and administration.


15 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A cover is something which is put over an object, usually in order to protect it. □ …a family room with washable covers on the furniture. □ …a duvet cover.


16 N‑PLURAL The covers on your bed are the things such as sheets and blankets that you have on top of you.


17 N‑COUNT The cover of a book or a magazine is the outside part of it. □ …a small spiral-bound booklet with a green cover. □ I used to read every issue from cover to cover.


18 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Something that is a cover for secret or illegal activities seems respectable or normal, and is intended to hide the activities. □ [+ for ] They set up a spurious temple that was a cover for sexual debauchery. □ As a cover story he generally tells people he is a freelance photographer.


19 VERB If you cover for someone who is doing something secret or illegal, you give false information or do not give all the information you have, in order to protect them. □ [V + for ] Why would she cover for someone who was trying to kill her?


20 VERB If you cover for someone who is ill or away, you do their work for them while they are not there. □ [V + for ] She did not have enough nurses to cover for those who went ill or took holiday.


21 VERB To cover a song originally performed by someone else means to record a new version of it. □ [V n] He must make a decent living from other artists covering his songs.


22 N‑COUNT A cover is the same as a cover version . □ [+ of ] The single is a cover of an old Rolling Stones song.


23 → see also covered , covering


24 PHRASE To blow someone's cover means to cause their true identity or the true nature of their work to be revealed. [INFORMAL ] □ The young man looked embarrassed, as if he were a spy whose cover had been blown.


25 PHRASE If you break cover , you leave a place where you have been hiding or sheltering from attack, usually in order to run to another place. □ They began running again, broke cover and dashed towards the road.


26 PHRASE If you take cover , you shelter from gunfire, bombs, or the weather. □ Shoppers took cover behind cars as police marksmen returned fire.


27 PHRASE If you are under cover , you are under something that protects you from gunfire, bombs, or the weather. □ 'Get under cover!' shouted Billy, and we darted once more for the tables.


28 PHRASE If you do something under cover of a particular situation, you are able to do it without being noticed because of that situation. □ They move under cover of darkness.


29 PHRASE If you cover your back or cover your rear , you do something in order to protect yourself, for example against criticism or against accusations of doing something wrong. □ David has covered his back by having a clause inserted in the contract.


▸ cover up


1 PHRASAL VERB If you cover something or someone up , you put something over them in order to protect or hide them. □ [V n P ] He fell asleep in the front room so I covered him up with a duvet. [Also V P n]


2 PHRASAL VERB If you cover up something that you do not want people to know about, you hide the truth about it. □ [V P n] He suspects there's a conspiracy to cover up the crime. □ [V n P ] They knew they had done something terribly wrong and lied to cover it up. □ [V P + for ] How do we know you're not just covering up for your friend?


3 → see also cover-up SYNONYMS cover VERB 2


conceal: The hat concealed her hair.


screen: Most of the road behind the hotel was screened by a block of flats.


hide: The man's heavy moustache hid his upper lip completely.


mask: A thick grey cloud masked the sun.

cov|er|age ◆◇◇ /kʌ vər I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT The coverage of something in the news is the reporting of it. □ [+ of ] Now a special TV network gives live coverage of most races. COLLOCATIONS coverage NOUN


noun + coverage : media, news, press, television


adjective + coverage : blanket, detailed, extensive, wide; live


verb + coverage : expand, extend, provide; receive, watch

co v|er charge (cover charges ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A cover charge is a sum of money that you must pay in some restaurants and nightclubs in addition to the money that you pay there for your food and drink.

cov|ered /kʌ və r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] A covered area is an area that has a roof. □ There are 40 shops, cafes and restaurants in a covered mall.

co v|ered wa g|on (covered wagons ) N‑COUNT A covered wagon is a wagon that has an arched canvas roof and is pulled by horses. Covered wagons were used by the early American settlers as they travelled across the country.

co v|er girl (cover girls ) N‑COUNT A cover girl is an attractive woman whose photograph appears on the front of a magazine.

cov|er|ing /kʌ vər I ŋ/ (coverings ) N‑COUNT A covering is a layer of something that protects or hides something else. □ [+ of ] Leave a thin covering of fat. □ Sawdust was used as a hygienic floor covering.

co v|er|ing le t|ter (covering letters ) N‑COUNT A covering letter is a letter that you send with a parcel or with another letter in order to provide extra information. [BRIT ] in AM, use cover letter

cov|er|let /kʌ və r l I t/ (coverlets ) N‑COUNT A coverlet is the same as a bedspread . [OLD-FASHIONED ]

co v|er le t|ter (cover letters ) N‑COUNT A cover letter is the same as a covering letter . [AM ]

cov|er|mount /kʌ və r maʊnt/ (covermounts ) N‑COUNT A covermount is a small gift attached to the front cover of a magazine.

co ver-mou nted also covermounted ADJ Cover-mounted items such as makeup and CDs are attached to the front of a magazine as free gifts. □ The first issue has a cover-mounted CD-ROM.

cov|ert /kʌ və r t, koʊ vɜː r t/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Covert activities or situations are secret or hidden. [FORMAL ] □ They have been supplying covert military aid to the rebels. ● cov|ert|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He was arrested after being filmed covertly by the authorities.

co ver-up (cover-ups ) in AM, also use coverup N‑COUNT A cover-up is an attempt to hide a crime or mistake. □ General Schwarzkopf denied there'd been any cover-up.

co v|er ver|sion (cover versions ) N‑COUNT A cover version of a song is a version of it recorded by a singer or band who did not originally perform the song. □ …British cover versions of American hits.

cov|et /kʌ v I t/ (covets , coveting , coveted ) VERB If you covet something, you strongly want to have it for yourself. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] She coveted his job so openly that conversations between them were tense.

cov|et|ed /kʌ v I t I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use coveted to describe something that very many people would like to have. □ …one of sport's most coveted trophies. □ …a supply of highly-coveted hard currency.

cov|et|ous /kʌ v I təs/ ADJ A covetous person has a strong desire to possess something, especially something that belongs to another person. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He has attracted covetous glances from England's biggest clubs.

cov|ey /kʌ vi/ (coveys ) N‑COUNT A covey of grouse or partridges is a small group of them.

cow ◆◇◇ /kaʊ / (cows , cowing , cowed )


1 N‑COUNT A cow is a large female animal that is kept on farms for its milk. People sometimes refer to male and female animals of this species as cows . □ Dad went out to milk the cows. □ …a herd of cows.


2 → see also cattle


3 N‑COUNT [oft N n] Some female animals, including elephants and whales, are called cows . □ …a cow elephant.


4 N‑COUNT If someone describes a woman as a cow , they dislike her and think that she is unpleasant or stupid. [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]


5 VERB If someone is cowed , they are made afraid, or made to behave in a particular way because they have been frightened or badly treated. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] The government, far from being cowed by these threats, has vowed to continue its policy. □ [V n + into ] …cowing them into submission. ● cowed ADJ □ [+ by ] By this time she was so cowed by the beatings that she meekly obeyed.


6 → see also mad cow disease , sacred cow

cow|ard /kaʊ ə r d/ (cowards ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a coward , you disapprove of them because they are easily frightened and avoid dangerous or difficult situations. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She accused her husband of being a coward.

cow|ard|ice /kaʊ ə r d I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Cowardice is cowardly behaviour. □ He openly accused his opponents of cowardice.

cow|ard|ly /kaʊ ə r dli/ ADJ If you describe someone as cowardly , you disapprove of them because they are easily frightened and avoid doing dangerous and difficult things. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I was too cowardly to complain. □ …a cowardly act of violence.

cow|bell /kaʊ bel/ (cowbells ) N‑COUNT A cowbell is a small bell that is hung around a cow's neck so that the ringing sound makes it possible to find the cow.

cow|boy /kaʊ bɔ I / (cowboys )


1 N‑COUNT A cowboy is a male character in a western. □ …cowboy films.


2 N‑COUNT A cowboy is a man employed to look after cattle in North America, especially in former times.


3 N‑COUNT [oft N n] You can refer to someone who runs a business as a cowboy if they run it dishonestly or are not experienced, skilful, or careful in their work. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ We don't want to look like a bunch of cowboys.

cow|er /kaʊ ə r / (cowers , cowering , cowered ) VERB If you cower , you bend forward and downwards because you are very frightened. □ [V ] The hostages cowered in their seats.

cow|hide /kaʊ ha I d/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Cowhide is leather made from the skin of a cow. □ …cowhide boots.

cowl /kaʊ l/ (cowls ) N‑COUNT A cowl is a large loose hood covering a person's head, or their head and shoulders. Cowls are worn especially by monks.

co -wo rker (co-workers ) N‑COUNT Your co-workers are the people you work with, especially people on the same job or project as you.

cow|pat /kaʊ pæt/ (cowpats ) also cow pat N‑COUNT A cowpat is a pile of faeces from a cow.

cow|shed /kaʊ ʃed/ (cowsheds ) N‑COUNT A cowshed is a building where cows are kept or milked.

cow|slip /kaʊ sl I p/ (cowslips ) N‑COUNT A cowslip is a small wild plant with yellow, sweet-smelling flowers.

cox /kɒ ks/ (coxes ) N‑COUNT In a rowing boat, the cox is the person who gives instructions to the rowers.

cox|swain /kɒ ks ə n/ (coxswains ) N‑COUNT The coxswain of a lifeboat or other small boat is the person who steers the boat.

coy /kɔ I /


1 ADJ A coy person is shy, or pretends to be shy, about love and sex. □ She is modest without being coy. ● coy|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She smiled coyly at Algie as he took her hand and raised it to his lips.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is being coy , they are unwilling to talk about something that they feel guilty or embarrassed about. □ [+ about ] Mr Alexander is not the slightest bit coy about his ambitions. ● coy|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The administration coyly refused to put a firm figure on the war's costs.

coy|ote /ka I oʊ ti/ (coyotes ) N‑COUNT A coyote is a small wolf which lives in the plains of North America.

coy|pu /kɔ I puː/ (coypus ) N‑COUNT A coypu is a large South American rodent which lives near water.

cozy /koʊ zi/ → see cosy

Cpl. N‑TITLE Cpl. is the written abbreviation for corporal when it is used as a title. □ …Cpl. G. Walker.

CPR /siː piː ɑː r / N‑UNCOUNT CPR is a medical technique for reviving someone whose heart has stopped beating by pressing on their chest and breathing into their mouth. CPR is an abbreviation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation . [MEDICAL ] □ McMullen performed CPR while other bystanders called 911.

CPU /siː piː juː / (CPUs ) N‑COUNT In a computer, the CPU is the part that processes all the data and makes the computer work. CPU is an abbreviation for 'central processing unit'. [COMPUTING ]

crab /kræ b/ (crabs ) N‑COUNT A crab is a sea creature with a flat round body covered by a shell, and five pairs of legs with large claws on the front pair. Crabs usually move sideways. ● N‑UNCOUNT Crab is the flesh of this creature eaten as food.

cra b ap|ple (crab apples ) N‑COUNT A crab apple is a tree like an apple tree that produces small sour fruit.

crab|by /kræ bi/ (crabbier , crabbiest ) ADJ Someone who is crabby is bad-tempered and unpleasant to people. [INFORMAL ]

crab|meat /kræ bmiːt/ also crab meat N‑UNCOUNT Crabmeat is the part of a crab that you eat.


crack


➊ VERB USES


➋ NOUN AND ADJECTIVE USES


➊ crack ◆◇◇ /kræ k/ (cracks , cracking , cracked )


1 VERB If something hard cracks , or if you crack it, it becomes slightly damaged, with lines appearing on its surface. □ [V ] A gas main had cracked under my neighbour's garage and gas had seeped into our homes. □ [V n] Crack the salt crust on the fish and you will find the skin just peels off.


2 VERB If something cracks , or if you crack it, it makes a sharp sound like the sound of a piece of wood breaking. □ [V ] Thunder cracked in the sky. □ [V n] He cracked his fingers nervously.


3 VERB If you crack a hard part of your body, such as your knee or your head, you hurt it by accidentally hitting it hard against something. □ [V n] He cracked his head on the pavement and was knocked cold.


4 VERB When you crack something that has a shell, such as an egg or a nut, you break the shell in order to reach the inside part. □ [V n] Crack the eggs into a bowl.


5 VERB If you crack a problem or a code, you solve it, especially after a lot of thought. □ [V n] He has finally cracked the system after years of painstaking research.


6 VERB If someone cracks , they lose control of their emotions or actions because they are under a lot of pressure. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] She's calm and strong, and she is just not going to crack.


7 VERB If your voice cracks when you are speaking or singing, it changes in pitch because you are feeling a strong emotion. □ [V ] Her voice cracked and she began to cry.


8 VERB If you crack a joke, you tell it. □ [V n] Somebody cracked a joke and we all laughed.


9 → see also cracked , cracking


10 PHRASE If you say that something is not all it's cracked up to be , you mean that it is not as good as other people have said it is. [INFORMAL ] □ Package holidays are not always all they're cracked up to be.


▸ crack down


1 PHRASAL VERB If people in authority crack down on a group of people, they become stricter in making the group obey rules or laws. □ [V P + on ] The government has cracked down hard on those campaigning for greater democracy. □ [V P ] There has been a lot of drinking. We are cracking down now. Anyone who gets caught is fired.


2 → see also crackdown


▸ crack on PHRASAL VERB If you crack on with something, you continue doing it, especially with more effort than before, or as quickly as possible. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] You've just got to crack on, whatever the problems are. □ [V P + with ] Just tell him what to do and he'll crack on with the work.


▸ crack up


1 PHRASAL VERB If someone cracks up , they are under such a lot of emotional strain that they become mentally ill. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] She would have cracked up if she hadn't allowed herself some fun.


2 PHRASAL VERB If you crack up or if someone or something cracks you up , you laugh a lot. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] She told stories that cracked me up and I swore to write them down so you could enjoy them too. □ [V P ] We all just cracked up laughing.

➋ crack /kræ k/ (cracks )


1 N‑COUNT A crack is a very narrow gap between two things, or between two parts of a thing. □ [+ in ] Kathryn had seen him through a crack in the curtains.


2 N‑SING If you open something such as a door, window, or curtain a crack , you open it only a small amount. □ He went to the door, opened it a crack, and listened.


3 N‑COUNT A crack is a line that appears on the surface of something when it is slightly damaged. □ [+ in ] The plate had a crack in it. □ [+ in ] Hundreds of office buildings and homes developed large cracks in walls and ceilings.


4 N‑COUNT A crack is a sharp sound, like the sound of a piece of wood breaking. □ Suddenly there was a loud crack and glass flew into the car. □ 'Crack!'–The first shot rang out, hitting Paolo.


5 N‑SING If you have or take a crack at something, you make an attempt to do or achieve something. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ at ] I should love to have a crack at the Olympia title in my last year.


6 N‑COUNT A crack is a slightly rude or cruel joke. □ [+ about ] When Paul made the crack about the 'famous girl detective', I began to suspect that he had it in for you.


7 N‑UNCOUNT Crack is a very pure form of the drug cocaine.


8 → see also crack cocaine


9 ADJ [ADJ n] A crack soldier or sportsman is highly trained and very skilful. □ …a crack undercover police officer.


10 → see also craic


11 PHRASE If you say that someone does something at the crack of dawn , you are emphasizing that they do it very early in the morning. [EMPHASIS ] □ I often start work at the crack of dawn when there is a big order to get out.

cra ck co|cai ne also crack-cocaine N‑UNCOUNT Crack cocaine is a form of the drug cocaine which has been purified and made into crystals.

crack|down /kræ kdaʊn/ (crackdowns ) N‑COUNT A crackdown is strong official action that is taken to punish people who break laws. □ …anti-government unrest that ended with the violent army crackdown.

cracked /kræ kt/


1 ADJ An object that is cracked has lines on its surface because it is damaged. □ The ceiling was grey and cracked. □ …a cracked mirror.


2 ADJ A cracked voice or a cracked musical note sounds rough and unsteady. □ When he spoke, his voice was hoarse and cracked.

crack|er /kræ kə r / (crackers )


1 N‑COUNT A cracker is a thin, crisp biscuit which is often eaten with cheese.


2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone or something is a cracker , you like and admire them very much. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ She's a cracker. □ [+ of ] 'Dude' is a cracker of an album.


3 N‑COUNT A cracker is a hollow cardboard tube covered with coloured paper. Crackers make a loud noise when they are pulled apart and usually contain a small toy and a paper hat. In Britain they are used mainly at Christmas. □ …a Christmas cracker.

crack|ing /kræ k I ŋ/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use cracking to describe something you think is very good or exciting. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ It's a cracking novel.


2 PHRASE If you tell someone to get cracking , you are telling them to start doing something immediately. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Mark, you'd better get cracking, the sooner the better.

crack|le /kræ k ə l/ (crackles , crackling , crackled ) VERB If something crackles , it makes a rapid series of short, harsh noises. □ [V ] The radio crackled again. □ [V -ing] …a crackling fire. ● N‑COUNT Crackle is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the crackle of flames and gunfire.

crack|ly /kræ k ə li/ ADJ Something that is crackly , especially a recording or broadcast, has or makes a lot of short, harsh noises. □ …a crackly phone line.

crack|pot /kræ kpɒt/ (crackpots ) ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone or their ideas as crackpot , you disapprove of them because you think that their ideas are strange and crazy. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …crackpot schemes. ● N‑COUNT A crackpot is a crackpot person. □ She was no more a crackpot than the rest of us.

cra|dle /kre I d ə l/ (cradles , cradling , cradled )


1 N‑COUNT A cradle is a baby's bed with high sides. Cradles often have curved bases so that they rock from side to side.


2 N‑COUNT The cradle is the part of a telephone on which the receiver rests while it is not being used. □ I dropped the receiver back in the cradle.


3 N‑COUNT A cradle is a frame which supports or protects something. □ He fixed the towing cradle round the hull.


4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A place that is referred to as the cradle of something is the place where it began. □ [+ of ] Mali is the cradle of some of Africa's richest civilizations.


5 VERB If you cradle someone or something in your arms or hands, you hold them carefully and gently. □ [V n + in ] I cradled her in my arms. □ [V n] He was sitting at the big table cradling a large bowl of milky coffee.


6 PHRASE If something affects you from the cradle to the grave , it affects you throughout your life. □ The bond of brotherhood was one to last from the cradle to the grave.

craft ◆◇◇ /krɑː ft, kræ ft/ (crafts , crafting , crafted ) craft is both the singular and the plural form for meaning 1 . 1 N‑COUNT You can refer to a boat, a spacecraft, or an aircraft as a craft . □ With great difficulty, the fisherman manoeuvred his small craft close to the reef.


2 → see also landing craft


3 N‑COUNT A craft is an activity such as weaving, carving, or pottery that involves making things skilfully with your hands. □ All kinds of traditional craft industries are preserved here.


4 N‑COUNT You can use craft to refer to any activity or job that involves doing something skilfully. □ Maurice Murphy, one of the country's leading classical trumpeters, learnt his craft with the Black Dyke Mills band.


5 VERB If something is crafted , it is made skilfully. □ [be V -ed] The windows would probably have been crafted in the latter part of the Middle Ages. □ [V n] Many delegates were willing to craft a compromise. □ [V -ed] The author extracts the maximum from every carefully-crafted scene in this witty tale. □ [V -ed] …original, hand-crafted bags at affordable prices.

cra ft fair (craft fairs ) N‑COUNT A craft fair is an event at which people sell goods they have made.

crafti|ly /krɑː ft I li, kræ ft-/ → see crafty

crafts|man /krɑː ftsmən, kræ ft-/ (craftsmen ) N‑COUNT A craftsman is a man who makes things skilfully with his hands. □ The table in the kitchen was made by a local craftsman.

crafts|man|ship /krɑː ftsmənʃ I p, kræ ft-/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Craftsmanship is the skill that someone uses when they make beautiful things with their hands. □ [+ of ] It is easy to appreciate the craftsmanship of Armani.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Craftsmanship is the quality that something has when it is beautiful and has been very carefully made. □ His canoes are known for their style, fine detail and craftsmanship.

crafts|people /krɑː ftspiːp ə l, kræ ft-/ N‑PLURAL Craftspeople are people who make things skilfully with their hands. □ …highly-skilled craftspeople.

crafts|wom|an /krɑː ftswʊmən, kræ fts-/ (craftswomen ) N‑COUNT A craftswoman is a woman who makes things skilfully with her hands.

crafty /krɑː fti, kræ fti/ (craftier , craftiest ) ADJ If you describe someone as crafty , you mean that they achieve what they want in a clever way, often by deceiving people. □ …a crafty, lying character who enjoys plotting against others. □ A crafty look came to his eyes.

crag /kræ g/ (crags ) N‑COUNT A crag is a steep rocky cliff or part of a mountain.

crag|gy /kræ gi/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A craggy cliff or mountain is steep and rocky. □ …tiny villages on craggy cliffs.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A craggy face has large features and deep lines. □ He's a very small man with a lined, craggy face.

craic /kræ k/ in BRIT, also use crack N‑SING If you are talking about something that you did and you say 'the craic was great', or 'it was a good craic ', you mean that you had a really good time, especially because everyone was talking, joking, and laughing. [IRISH , INFORMAL ] □ They go to the pubs not for the drink alone, but for the crack.

cram /kræ m/ (crams , cramming , crammed )


1 VERB If you cram things or people into a container or place, you put them into it, although there is hardly enough room for them. □ [V n prep/adv] While nobody was looking, she squashed her school hat and crammed it into a wastebasket. □ [V n + full of ] I crammed my bag full of swimsuits and T-shirts and headed for the coast. □ [V n + with ] She crammed her mouth with caviar.


2 VERB If people cram into a place or vehicle or cram a place or vehicle, so many of them enter it at one time that it is completely full. □ [V prep] We crammed into my car and set off. □ [V n] Friends and admirers crammed the chapel at the small Los Angeles cemetery where Monroe is buried.


3 VERB If you are cramming for an examination, you are learning as much as possible in a short time just before you take the examination. □ [V + for ] She was cramming for her Economics exam. ● cram|ming N‑UNCOUNT □ It would take two or three months of cramming to prepare for Vermont's bar exam.

crammed /kræ md/


1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a place is crammed with things or people, it is full of them, so that there is hardly room for anything or anyone else. □ [+ with/full of ] The house is crammed with priceless furniture and works of art.


2 ADJ If people or things are crammed into a place or vehicle, it is full of them. □ [+ into ] Between two and three thousand refugees were crammed into the church buildings.

cram|mer /kræ mə r / (crammers ) N‑COUNT A crammer is a school, teacher, or book which prepares students for an exam by teaching them a lot in a short time. [BRIT ]

cramp /kræ mp/ (cramps , cramping , cramped )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Cramp is a sudden strong pain caused by a muscle suddenly contracting. You sometimes get cramp in a muscle after you have been making a physical effort over a long period of time. □ [+ in ] Hillsden was complaining of cramp in his calf muscles. □ She started getting stomach cramps this morning.


2 PHRASE If someone or something cramps your style , their presence or existence restricts your behaviour in some way. [INFORMAL ] □ People think having your dad on tour would cramp your style.

cramped /kræ mpt/ ADJ A cramped room or building is not big enough for the people or things in it. □ There are hundreds of families living in cramped conditions on the floor of the airport lounge.

cram|pon /kræ mpɒn/ (crampons ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Crampons are metal plates with spikes underneath which mountain climbers fasten to the bottom of their boots, especially when there is snow or ice, in order to make climbing easier.

cran|berry /kræ nbəri, [AM ] -beri/ (cranberries ) N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft N n] Cranberries are red berries with a sour taste. They are often used to make a sauce or jelly that you eat with meat.

crane /kre I n/ (cranes , craning , craned )


1 N‑COUNT A crane is a large machine that moves heavy things by lifting them in the air. □ The little prefabricated hut was lifted away by a huge crane.


2 N‑COUNT A crane is a kind of large bird with a long neck and long legs.


3 VERB If you crane your neck or head, you stretch your neck in a particular direction in order to see or hear something better. □ [V n] She craned her neck to get a better view. □ [V to-inf] Children craned to get close to him. □ [V adv/prep] She craned forward to look at me.

crane|fly /kre I nfla I / (craneflies ) also crane fly N‑COUNT A cranefly is a harmless flying insect with long legs.

cra|nial /kre I niəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Cranial means relating to your cranium. [TECHNICAL ] □ …cranial bleeding.

cra|nium /kre I niəm/ (craniums or crania /kre I niə/) N‑COUNT Your cranium is the round part of your skull that contains your brain. [TECHNICAL ]

crank /kræ ŋk/ (cranks , cranking , cranked )


1 N‑COUNT If you call someone a crank , you think their ideas or behaviour are strange. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The Prime Minister called Councillor Marshall 'a crank'.


2 N‑COUNT A crank is a device that you turn in order to make something move.


3 VERB If you crank an engine or machine, you make it move or function, especially by turning a handle. □ [V n] The chauffeur got out to crank the motor.


▸ crank up


1 PHRASAL VERB If you crank up a machine or a device, you make it function harder or at a greater level. [BRIT ] □ [V P n] Just crank up your hearing aid a peg or two. [Also V n P ]


2 PHRASAL VERB If you crank up a machine or device, you start it. [AM ] □ [V P n] …May's warm weather, which caused people to crank up their air conditioners. [Also V n P ]


3 PHRASAL VERB If you crank up the volume of something, you turn it up until it is very loud. □ [V P n] Someone cranked up the volume of the public address system. □ [V n P adj] By about six, they're cranking the music up loud again. [Also V n P ]


4 PHRASAL VERB To crank something up means to increase it or make it more intense. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n] The legal authorities cranked up the investigation. [Also V n P ]

crank|shaft /kræ ŋkʃɑːft, -ʃæft/ (crankshafts ) N‑COUNT A crankshaft is the main shaft of an internal combustion engine. □ The engine had a broken crankshaft.

cranky /kræ ŋki/ (crankier , crankiest )


1 ADJ If you describe ideas or ways of behaving as cranky , you disapprove of them because you think they are strange. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Vegetarianism has shed its cranky image.


2 ADJ Cranky means bad-tempered. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ It was a long trek, and Jack and I both started to get cranky after about ten minutes.

cran|ny /kræ ni/ (crannies )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Crannies are very narrow openings or spaces in something. □ They fled like lizards into crannies in the rocks.


2 every nook and cranny → see nook

crap /kræ p/ (craps , crapping , crapped )


1 ADJ If you describe something as crap , you think that it is wrong or of very poor quality. [INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ] ● N‑UNCOUNT Crap is also a noun. □ It is a tedious, humourless load of crap.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Crap is sometimes used to refer to faeces. [INFORMAL , RUDE ]


3 VERB To crap means to get rid of faeces from your body. [INFORMAL , RUDE ]


4 N‑UNCOUNT Craps or crap is a gambling game, played mainly in North America, in which you throw two dice and bet what the total will be. □ I'll shoot some craps or play some blackjack.

crap|py /kræ pi/ (crappier , crappiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as crappy , you think it is of very poor quality. Many people consider this word offensive. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …reading a crappy detective novel.

crash ◆◆◇ /kræ ʃ/ (crashes , crashing , crashed )


1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A crash is an accident in which a moving vehicle hits something and is damaged or destroyed. □ His elder son was killed in a car crash a few years ago. □ …a plane crash.


2 VERB If a moving vehicle crashes or if the driver crashes it, it hits something and is damaged or destroyed. □ [V ] The plane crashed mysteriously near the island of Ustica. □ [V + into ] …when his car crashed into the rear of a van. □ [V n] He crashed his bike into a parked car and broke his arm. □ [V -ed] Her body was found near a crashed car.


3 VERB If something crashes somewhere, it moves and hits something else violently, making a loud noise. □ [V prep/adv] The door swung inwards to crash against a chest of drawers behind it. □ [V prep/adv] I heard them coming, crashing through the undergrowth, before I saw them.


4 N‑COUNT A crash is a sudden, loud noise. □ Two people in the flat recalled hearing a loud crash about 1.30 a.m.


5 VERB If a business or financial system crashes , it fails suddenly, often with serious effects. [BUSINESS ] □ [V ] When the market crashed, they assumed the deal would be cancelled. ● N‑COUNT Crash is also a noun. □ He predicted correctly that there was going to be a stock market crash.


6 VERB If a computer or a computer program crashes , it fails suddenly. [COMPUTING ] □ [V ] …after the computer crashed for the second time in 10 days.


▸ crash out PHRASAL VERB If someone crashes out somewhere, they fall asleep where they are because they are very tired or drunk. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] I just want to crash out on the sofa. □ [V -ed P ] The band are crashed out on the floor. COLLOCATIONS crash NOUN 1


noun + crash : car, helicopter, plane, train, tram


adjective + crash : fatal, near-fatal; head-on, high-speed; horrific VERB 2


noun + crash : aircraft, helicopter, jet, plane; bus, car, lorry, motorcycle, truck


crash + noun : aircraft, helicopter, jet, plane; bus, car, lorry, motorcycle, truck


crash + adverb : headlong, head-on

cra sh bar|ri|er (crash barriers ) N‑COUNT A crash barrier is a strong low fence built along the side of a road or between the two halves of a motorway in order to prevent accidents. [BRIT ] in AM, use guardrail

cra sh cou rse (crash courses ) N‑COUNT A crash course in a particular subject is a short course in which you are taught basic facts or skills, for example before you start a new job. □ [+ in ] I did a 15-week crash course in typing.

cra sh hel|met (crash helmets ) N‑COUNT A crash helmet is a helmet that motorcyclists wear in order to protect their heads if they have an accident.

cra sh-la nd (crash-lands , crash-landing , crash-landed ) also crash land VERB If a pilot crash-lands an aircraft, or if it crash-lands , it lands more quickly and less safely than usual, for example when there is something wrong with the aircraft, and it cannot land normally. □ [V n] He arrives in his biplane and crash lands it in a tree. □ [V ] A light aircraft crash-landed on a putting green yesterday. ● crash-landing (crash-landings ) N‑COUNT □ His plane made a crash-landing during a sandstorm yesterday.

crass /kræ s/ (crasser , crassest ) ADJ Crass behaviour is stupid and does not show consideration for other people. □ The government has behaved with crass insensitivity. ● crass|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ …one of the most crassly stupid political acts of modern times. □ These teachings can be crassly misinterpreted.

crate /kre I t/ (crates , crating , crated )


1 N‑COUNT A crate is a large box used for transporting or storing things. □ …a pile of wooden crates. □ A crane was already unloading crates and pallets.


2 VERB [usu passive] If something is crated , it is packed in a crate so that it can be transported or stored somewhere safely. □ [be V -ed] The much repaired plane was crated for the return journey.


3 N‑COUNT A crate is a plastic or wire box divided into sections which is used for carrying bottles. ● N‑COUNT A crate of something is the amount of it that is contained in a crate. □ [+ of ] We've also got a bonus quiz with crates of beer as prizes!

cra|ter /kre I tə r / (craters ) N‑COUNT A crater is a very large hole in the ground, which has been caused by something hitting it or by an explosion.

cra|tered /kre I tə r d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If the surface of something is cratered , it has many craters in it. □ … the Moon's cratered surface.

cra|vat /krəvæ t/ (cravats ) N‑COUNT A cravat is a piece of folded cloth which a man wears wrapped around his neck.

crave /kre I v/ (craves , craving , craved ) VERB If you crave something, you want to have it very much. □ [V n] There may be certain times of day when smokers crave their cigarette. □ [V + for ] You may be craving for some fresh air. [Also V to-inf] ● crav|ing (cravings ) N‑COUNT □ [+ for ] …a craving for sugar. □ …her craving to be loved.

cra|ven /kre I v ə n/ ADJ Someone who is craven is very cowardly. [WRITTEN , DISAPPROVAL ] □ They condemned the deal as a craven surrender.

craw|fish /krɔː f I ʃ/ (crawfish ) N‑COUNT A crawfish is a small shellfish with five pairs of legs which lives in rivers and streams. You can eat some types of crawfish. [AM ] in BRIT, use crayfish

crawl /krɔː l/ (crawls , crawling , crawled )


1 VERB When you crawl , you move forward on your hands and knees. □ [V ] Don't worry if your baby seems a little reluctant to crawl or walk. □ [V prep/adv] I began to crawl on my hands and knees towards the door. □ [V prep/adv] As he tried to crawl away, he was hit in the shoulder.


2 VERB When an insect crawls somewhere, it moves there quite slowly. □ [V prep] I watched the moth crawl up the outside of the lampshade.


3 VERB If someone or something crawls somewhere, they move or progress slowly or with great difficulty. □ [V prep/adv] I crawled out of bed at nine-thirty. □ [V ] Hairpin turns force the car to crawl at 10 miles an hour in some places. ● N‑SING Crawl is also a noun. □ The traffic on the approach road slowed to a crawl.


4 VERB [only cont] If you say that a place is crawling with people or animals, you are emphasizing that it is full of them. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ [V + with ] This place is crawling with police.


5 N‑SING The crawl is a kind of swimming stroke which you do lying on your front, swinging one arm over your head, and then the other arm.


6 PHRASE If something makes your skin crawl or makes your flesh crawl , it makes you feel shocked or disgusted. □ I hated this man, his very touch made my skin crawl.


7 → see also kerb-crawling , pub crawl

crawl|er /krɔː lə r / (crawlers ) N‑COUNT A crawler is a computer program that visits websites and collects information when you do an internet search. [COMPUTING ]

cray|fish /kre I f I ʃ/ (crayfish ) N‑COUNT A crayfish is a small shellfish with five pairs of legs which lives in rivers and streams. You can eat some types of crayfish.

cray|on /kre I ɒn/ (crayons ) N‑COUNT A crayon is a pencil containing coloured wax or clay, or a rod of coloured wax used for drawing.

craze /kre I z/ (crazes ) N‑COUNT If there is a craze for something, it is very popular for a short time. □ Walking is the latest fitness craze.

crazed /kre I zd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Crazed people are wild and uncontrolled, and perhaps insane. [WRITTEN ] □ A crazed gunman slaughtered five people last night.

-crazed /-kre I zd/ COMB -crazed combines with nouns to form adjectives that describe people whose behaviour is wild and uncontrolled because of the thing the noun refers to. □ …a drug-crazed killer.

cra|zi|ly /kre I z I li/


1 ADV [ADV after v] If something moves crazily , it moves in a way or in a direction that you do not expect. [WRITTEN ] □ The ball bounced crazily over his shoulder into the net.


2 → see also crazy

cra|zy ◆◇◇ /kre I zi/ (crazier , craziest , crazies )


1 ADJ If you describe someone or something as crazy , you think they are very foolish or strange. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ People thought they were all crazy to try to make money from manufacturing. □ That's why he's got so caught up with this crazy idea about Mr. Trancas. ● cra|zi|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj] □ The teenagers shook their long, black hair and gesticulated crazily.


2 ADJ Someone who is crazy is insane. [INFORMAL ] □ If I sat home and worried about all this stuff, I'd go crazy. □ He strides around the room beaming like a crazy man. ● N‑COUNT Crazy is also a noun. □ Outside, mumbling, was one of New York's ever-present crazies.


3 ADJ If you are crazy about something, you are very enthusiastic about it. If you are not crazy about something, you do not like it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ about ] He's still crazy about both his work and his hobbies. ● COMB Crazy is also a combining form. □ This city is football-crazy and deserves a top side.


4 ADJ If you are crazy about someone, you are deeply in love with them. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ about ] None of that matters, because we're crazy about each other.


5 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something or someone makes you crazy or drives you crazy , they make you extremely annoyed or upset. [INFORMAL ] □ This sitting around is driving me crazy. □ When Jock woke up and found you gone he went crazy.


6 PHRASE You use like crazy to emphasize that something happens to a great degree. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The stuff was selling like crazy.

cra |zy pa v|ing N‑UNCOUNT Crazy paving is pieces of stone of different shapes fitted together to make a path or flat area.

creak /kriː k/ (creaks , creaking , creaked ) VERB If something creaks , it makes a short, high-pitched sound when it moves. □ [V ] The bed-springs creaked. □ [V adj] The door creaked open. □ [V -ing] …the creaking stairs. ● N‑COUNT Creak is also a noun. □ The door was pulled open with a creak.

creaky /kriː ki/


1 ADJ A creaky object creaks when it moves. □ She pushed open a creaky door.


2 ADJ If you describe something as creaky , you think it is bad in some way because it is old or old-fashioned. □ …its creaky and corrupt political system.

cream ◆◆◇ /kriː m/ (creams , creaming , creamed )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Cream is a thick yellowish-white liquid taken from milk. You can use it in cooking or put it on fruit or desserts. □ …strawberries and cream.


2 → see also clotted cream , double cream , single cream , sour cream , whipping cream


3 N‑UNCOUNT Cream is used in the names of soups that contain cream or milk. □ [+ of ] …cream of mushroom soup.


4 N‑VAR A cream is a substance that you rub into your skin, for example to keep it soft or to heal or protect it. □ Gently apply the cream to the affected areas. □ …sun protection creams.


5 → see also face cream


6 COLOUR Something that is cream is yellowish-white in colour. □ …cream silk stockings. □ …a cream-coloured Persian cat.


7 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] Cream is used in expressions such as the cream of society and the cream of British athletes to refer to the best people or things of a particular kind. □ [+ of ] The Ball was attended by the cream of Hollywood society. ● PHRASE You can refer to the best people or things of a particular kind as the cream of the crop .


8 → see also ice cream , peaches and cream , salad cream , shaving cream


▸ cream off


1 PHRASAL VERB To cream off part of a group of people means to take them away and treat them in a special way, because they are better than the others. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P n] The private schools cream off many of the best pupils.


2 PHRASAL VERB If a person or organization creams off a large amount of money, they take it and use it for themselves. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P n] This means smaller banks can cream off big profits during lending booms.

crea m chee se N‑UNCOUNT Cream cheese is a very rich, soft white cheese.

crea m cra ck|er (cream crackers ) N‑COUNT Cream crackers are crisp dry biscuits which are eaten with cheese. [BRIT ]

cream|er /kriː mə r / (creamers ) N‑VAR Creamer is a white powder that is used in tea and coffee instead of milk. □ …coffee whitened with a non-dairy creamer.

cream|ery /kriː məri/ (creameries ) N‑COUNT A creamery is a place where milk and cream are made into butter and cheese.

crea m of ta r|tar N‑UNCOUNT Cream of tartar is a white powder used in baking.

crea m tea (cream teas ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a cream tea is an afternoon meal that consists of tea to drink and small cakes called scones that are eaten with jam and cream. Cream teas are served in places such as tea shops.

creamy /kriː mi/ (creamier , creamiest )


1 ADJ Food or drink that is creamy contains a lot of cream or milk. □ …rich, creamy coffee. □ …a creamy chocolate and nut candy bar.


2 ADJ Food that is creamy has a soft smooth texture and appearance. □ …creamy mashed potato. □ Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.

crease /kriː s/ (creases , creasing , creased )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Creases are lines that are made in cloth or paper when it is crushed or folded. □ [+ in ] She stood up, frowning at the creases in her silk dress. □ [+ of ] Papa flattened the creases of the map with his broad hands.


2 VERB If cloth or paper creases or if you crease it, lines form in it when it is crushed or folded. □ [V ] Most outfits crease a bit when you are travelling. □ [V n] Liz sat down on the bed, lowering herself carefully so as not to crease her skirt. ● creased ADJ □ His clothes were creased, as if he had slept in them.


3 N‑COUNT Creases in someone's skin are lines which form where their skin folds when they move. □ When Crevecoeur smiled, the creases in his face deepened. ● creased ADJ □ …Jock's creased drunken face.


4 N‑SING In cricket, the crease is a line on the playing surface where the batsman stands. □ Haynes was still at the crease, unbeaten on 84.

cre|ate ◆◆◆ /krie I t/ (creates , creating , created )


1 VERB To create something means to cause it to happen or exist. □ [V n] We set business free to create more jobs in Britain. □ [V n] Criticizing will only destroy a relationship and create feelings of failure. ● crea|tion /krie I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] These businesses stimulate the creation of local jobs.


2 VERB When someone creates a new product or process, they invent it or design it. □ [V n] It is really great for a radio producer to create a show like this. SYNONYMS create VERB


1


cause: Attempts to limit family size among some minorities are likely to cause problems.


lead to: Ethnic tensions among the republics could lead to civil war.


bring about: The only way they can bring about political change is by putting pressure on the country.


2


make: She made her own bread.


form: They formed a circle and sang 'Auld Lang Syne'.


produce: The drug is known to produce side-effects in women.


invent: He invented the first electric clock.


devise: We devised a scheme to help him.

crea|tion /krie I ʃ ə n/ (creations )


1 N‑COUNT You can refer to something that someone has made as a creation , especially if it shows skill, imagination, or artistic ability. □ The bathroom is entirely my own creation.


2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] In many religions, creation is the making of the universe, Earth, and creatures by God. □ A guy who believes in divine creation argues with a girl who believes in evolution.


3 N‑UNCOUNT People sometimes refer to the whole world or universe and everything in it as creation . [LITERARY ] □ We seek not only to save ourselves, but to save all creation.


4 → see also create

crea|tion|ism /krie I ʃ ə n I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Creationism is the belief that the account of the creation of the universe in the Bible is true, and that the theory of evolution is incorrect.

crea|tion|ist /krie I ʃ ə n I st/ (creationists ) N‑COUNT A creationist is someone who believes that the story of the creation of the universe in the Bible is true, and who rejects the theory of evolution.

crea|tive ◆◇◇ /krie I t I v/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A creative person has the ability to invent and develop original ideas, especially in the arts. □ Like so many creative people, he was never satisfied. □ …her obvious creative talents. ● crea|tiv|ity /kriː e I t I v I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ American art reached a peak of creativity in the '50s and '60s.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Creative activities involve the inventing and making of new kinds of things. □ …creative writing. □ Cooking is creative.


3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you use something in a creative way, you use it in a new way that produces interesting and unusual results. □ …his creative use of words. ● crea|tive|ly ADV □ Genet teaches you to think creatively.

crea |tive ac|cou nt|ing N‑UNCOUNT Creative accounting is when companies present or organize their accounts in such a way that they gain money for themselves or give a false impression of their profits. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Much of the apparent growth in profits that occurred in the 1980s was the result of creative accounting.

crea|tor /krie I tə r / (creators )


1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The creator of something is the person who made it or invented it. □ [+ of ] …Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond.


2 N‑PROPER God is sometimes referred to as the Creator . □ This was the first object placed in the heavens by the Creator.

crea|ture /kriː tʃə r / (creatures )


1 N‑COUNT You can refer to any living thing that is not a plant as a creature , especially when it is of an unknown or unfamiliar kind. People also refer to imaginary animals and beings as creatures . □ Alaskan Eskimos believe that every living creature possesses a spirit. □ The garden is surrounded by a hedge in which many small creatures can live.


2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a particular type of creature , you are focusing on a particular quality they have. □ She's charming, a sweet creature. □ [+ of ] She was a creature of the emotions, rather than reason.


3 a creature of habit → see habit

crea |ture co m|forts N‑PLURAL Creature comforts are the things that you need to feel comfortable in a place, for example good food and modern equipment. □ [+ of ] They appreciate all the creature comforts of home.

crèche /kre ʃ/ (crèches ) also creche N‑COUNT A crèche is a place where small children can be left to be looked after while their parents are doing something else. [BRIT ] in AM, use day nursery

cre|dence /kriː d ə ns/


1 N‑UNCOUNT If something lends or gives credence to a theory or story, it makes it easier to believe. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] Studies are needed to lend credence to the notion that genuine progress can be made.


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you give credence to a theory or story, you believe it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] You're surely not giving any credence to this story of Hythe's?

cre|den|tials /kr I de nʃ ə lz/


1 N‑PLURAL Someone's credentials are their previous achievements, training, and general background, which indicate that they are qualified to do something. □ [+ as ] …her credentials as a Bach specialist. □ [+ of ] I can testify to the credentials of the clientele.


2 N‑PLURAL [usu poss N ] Someone's credentials are a letter or certificate that proves their identity or qualifications. □ Britain's new ambassador has presented his credentials to the President.

cred|ibil|ity /kre d I b I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something has credibility , people believe in them and trust them. □ The police have lost their credibility.

cre d|ibi l|ity gap N‑SING A credibility gap is the difference between what a person says or promises and what they actually think or do. □ There is a credibility gap developing between employers and employees.

cred|ible /kre d I b ə l/


1 ADJ Credible means able to be trusted or believed. □ [+ to ] Her claims seem credible to many. □ To maintain a credible threat of intervention, we have to maintain a credible alliance.


2 ADJ A credible candidate, policy, or system, for example, is one that appears to have a chance of being successful. □ Mr Robertson would be a credible candidate.

cred|it ◆◆◇ /kre d I t/ (credits , crediting , credited )


1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft on N ] If you are allowed credit , you are allowed to pay for goods or services several weeks or months after you have received them. □ The group can't get credit to buy farming machinery. □ You can ask a dealer for a discount whether you pay cash or buy on credit.


2 N‑UNCOUNT [in N , N n] If someone or their bank account is in credit , their bank account has money in it. [mainly BRIT ] □ The idea that I could be charged when I'm in credit makes me very angry. □ Interest is payable on credit balances.


3 VERB When a sum of money is credited to an account, the bank adds that sum of money to the total in the account. □ [be V -ed + to ] She noticed that only $80,000 had been credited to her account. □ [V n + to ] The bank decided to change the way it credited payments to accounts. □ [be V -ed] Interest is calculated daily and credited once a year, on 1 April. [Also V n]


4 N‑COUNT A credit is a sum of money which is added to an account. □ The statement of total debits and credits is known as a balance.


5 N‑COUNT A credit is an amount of money that is given to someone. □ The senator outlined his own tax cut, giving families $350 in tax credits per child.


6 N‑UNCOUNT If you get the credit for something good, people praise you because you are responsible for it, or are thought to be responsible for it. □ It would be wrong for us to take all the credit. □ [+ for ] Some of the credit for her relaxed manner must go to Andy.


7 VERB If people credit someone with an achievement or if it is credited to them, people say or believe that they were responsible for it. □ [V n + with ] The staff are crediting him with having saved Hythe's life. □ [be V -ed + to ] There are 630 words whose first-time use is credited to Milton by the Oxford English Dictionary. [Also V n + to , V + with ]


8 VERB If you credit someone with a quality, you believe or say that they have it. □ [V n + with ] I wonder why you can't credit him with the same generosity of spirit.


9 N‑SING If you say that someone is a credit to someone or something, you mean that their qualities or achievements will make people have a good opinion of the person or thing mentioned. □ [+ to ] He is one of the greatest British players of recent times and is a credit to his profession.


10 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The list of people who helped to make a film, a CD, or a television programme is called the credits .


11 N‑COUNT A credit is a successfully-completed part of a higher education course. At some universities and colleges you need a certain number of credits to be awarded a degree.


12 PHRASE If you say that something does someone credit , you mean that they should be praised or admired because of it. □ You're a nice girl, Lettie, and your kind heart does you credit.


13 PHRASE To give someone credit for a good quality means to believe that they have it. □ [+ for ] Bratbakk had more ability than the media gave him credit for.


14 PHRASE You say on the credit side in order to introduce one or more good things about a situation or person, usually when you have already mentioned the bad things about them. □ On the credit side, he's always been wonderful with his mother.


15 PHRASE If something is to someone's credit , they deserve praise for it. □ She pulled herself together and, to her credit, looked upon life as a positive experience.


16 PHRASE If you already have one or more achievements to your credit , you have achieved them. □ I have twenty novels and countless magazine stories to my credit.

cred|it|able /kre d I təb ə l/


1 ADJ A creditable performance or achievement is of a reasonably high standard. □ They turned out a quite creditable performance.


2 ADJ If you describe someone's actions or aims as creditable , you mean that they are morally good. □ Not a very creditable attitude, I'm afraid.

cre d|it card (credit cards ) N‑COUNT A credit card is a plastic card that you use to buy goods on credit. Compare charge card .

cre d|it crunch N‑SING A credit crunch is a period during which there is a sudden reduction in the amount of money that banks and other lenders have available to lend. [JOURNALISM ] □ The most common argument for cutting interest rates is to prevent a global credit crunch.

cre d|it hour (credit hours ) N‑COUNT A credit hour is a credit that a school or college awards to students who have completed a course of study. [AM ] □ Now he needs only two credit hours to graduate.

cre d|it note (credit notes ) N‑COUNT A credit note is a piece of paper that a shop gives you when you return goods that you have bought from it. It states that you are entitled to take goods of the same value without paying for them. [BRIT ] in AM, use credit slip

credi|tor /kre d I tə r / (creditors ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your creditors are the people who you owe money to. □ The company said it would pay in full all its creditors.

cre d|it rat|ing N‑SING Your credit rating is a judgment of how likely you are to pay money back if you borrow it or buy things on credit.

cre d|it slip (credit slips ) N‑COUNT A credit slip is the same as a credit note . [AM ]

cre d|it tra ns|fer (credit transfers )


1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A credit transfer is a direct payment of money from one bank account into another. [BRIT ] in AM, use money transfer 2 N‑COUNT If a student has a credit transfer when they change from one school or college to another, their credits are transferred from their old school or college to their new one. [AM ]

credit|worthy /kre d I twɜː r ði/ also credit-worthy ADJ A creditworthy person or organization is one who can safely be lent money or allowed to have goods on credit, for example because in the past they have always paid back what they owe. □ Building societies make loans to creditworthy customers. ● credit|worthi|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] They now take extra steps to verify the creditworthiness of customers.

cre|do /kriː doʊ, kre I -/ (credos ) N‑COUNT A credo is a set of beliefs, principles, or opinions that strongly influence the way a person lives or works. [FORMAL ] □ Lord Clarendon's liberal credo was one of the foundations of his political conduct.

cre|du|lity /kr I djuː l I ti, [AM ] -duː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Credulity is a willingness to believe that something is real or true. [WRITTEN ] □ The plot does stretch credulity.

credu|lous /kre dʒʊləs/ ADJ If you describe someone as credulous , you have a low opinion of them because they are too ready to believe what people tell them and are easily deceived. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …quack doctors charming money out of the pockets of credulous health-hungry citizens.

creed /kriː d/ (creeds )


1 N‑COUNT A creed is a set of beliefs, principles, or opinions that strongly influence the way people live or work. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …their devotion to their creed of self-help.


2 N‑COUNT A creed is a religion. [FORMAL ] □ The centre is open to all, no matter what race or creed.

creek /kriː k/ (creeks )


1 N‑COUNT [oft in names] A creek is a narrow place where the sea comes a long way into the land. [BRIT ]


2 N‑COUNT [oft in names] A creek is a small stream or river. [AM ] □ Follow Austin Creek for a few miles.


3 PHRASE If someone is up the creek , they are in a bad or difficult situation, or are wrong in some way. You can also say that someone is up the creek without a paddle . [INFORMAL ]

creep /kriː p/ (creeps , creeping , crept )


1 VERB When people or animals creep somewhere, they move quietly and slowly. □ [V adv/prep] Back I go to the hotel and creep up to my room. □ [V adv/prep] The rabbit creeps away and hides in a hole.


2 VERB If something creeps somewhere, it moves very slowly. □ [V adv/prep] Mist had crept in again from the sea.


3 VERB If something creeps in or creeps back, it begins to occur or becomes part of something without people realizing or without them wanting it. □ [V in ] Insecurity might creep in. □ [V + into ] An increasing ratio of mistakes, perhaps induced by tiredness, crept into her game. □ [V adv/prep] …a proposal that crept through unnoticed at the National Council in December.


4 VERB If a rate or number creeps up to a higher level, it gradually reaches that level. □ [V + up to ] The inflation rate has been creeping up to 9.5 per cent. □ [V up ] The average number of students in each class is creeping up from three to four. [Also V adj]


5 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a creep , you mean that you dislike them a great deal, especially because they are insincere and flatter people. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]


6 PHRASE If someone or something gives you the creeps , they make you feel very nervous or frightened. [INFORMAL ] □ I always hated that statue. It gave me the creeps.


7 to make someone's flesh creep → see flesh


▸ creep up on


1 PHRASAL VERB If you creep up on someone, you move slowly closer to them without being seen by them. □ [V P P n] They'll creep up on you while you're asleep.


2 PHRASAL VERB If a feeling or state creeps up on you, you hardly notice that it is beginning to affect you or happen to you. □ [V P P n] The desire to be a mother may creep up on you unexpectedly.

creep|er /kriː pə r / (creepers ) N‑COUNT Creepers are plants with long stems that wind themselves around objects.

creepy /kriː pi/ (creepier , creepiest ) ADJ If you say that something or someone is creepy , you mean they make you feel very nervous or frightened. [INFORMAL ] □ There were certain places that were really creepy at night.

creepy-crawly /kriː pi krɔː li/ (creepy-crawlies ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can refer to insects as creepy-crawlies when they give you a feeling of fear or disgust. This word is mainly used by children. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

cre|mate /kr I me I t, [AM ] kriː me I t/ (cremates , cremating , cremated ) VERB [usu passive] When someone is cremated , their dead body is burned, usually as part of a funeral service. □ [be V -ed] She wants Chris to be cremated. ● cre|ma|tion /kr I me I ʃ ə n/ (cremations ) N‑VAR □ At Miss Garbo's request there was a cremation after a private ceremony. □ Half of California's deceased opt for cremation.

crema|to|rium /kre mətɔː riəm/ (crematoria /kre mətɔː riə/ or crematoriums ) N‑COUNT A crematorium is a building in which the bodies of dead people are burned.

crema|tory /kriː mətɔːri/ (crematories ) N‑COUNT A crematory is the same as a crematorium . [AM ]

crème de la crème /kre m də lɑː kre m/ N‑SING If you refer to someone or something as the crème de la crème , you mean they are the very best person or thing of their kind. [JOURNALISM , APPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] …the crème de la crème of fashion designers.

crème fraiche /kre m fre ʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT Crème fraiche is a type of thick, slightly sour cream.

cren|el|lat|ed /kre nəle I t I d/ in AM, also use crenelated ADJ [usu ADJ n] In a castle, a crenellated wall has gaps in the top or openings through which to fire at attackers. [TECHNICAL ] □ …crenellated turrets.

cre|ole /kriː oʊl/ (creoles ) also Creole


1 N‑VAR A creole is a language that has developed from a mixture of different languages and has become the main language in a particular place. □ She begins speaking in the Creole of Haiti. □ …French Creole.


2 N‑COUNT A Creole is a person of mixed African and European race, who lives in the West Indies and speaks a creole language.


3 N‑COUNT A Creole is a person descended from the Europeans who first settled in the West Indies or the southern United States of America.


4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Creole means belonging to or relating to the Creole community. □ Coconut Rice Balls is a Creole dish.

creo|sote /kriː əsoʊt/ N‑UNCOUNT Creosote is a thick dark liquid made from coal tar which is used to prevent wood from rotting.

crepe /kre I p/ (crepes )


1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Crepe is a thin fabric with an uneven surface and is made of cotton, silk, or wool. □ Use a crepe bandage to support the affected area.


2 N‑COUNT A crepe is a thin pancake . □ …chicken-filled crepes.


3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Crepe is a type of rubber with a rough surface. □ …a pair of crepe-soled ankle-boots.

cre pe pa |per N‑UNCOUNT Crepe paper is stretchy paper with an uneven surface. Coloured crepe paper is often used for making decorations.

crept /kre pt/ Crept is the past tense and past participle of creep .

cre|pus|cu|lar /kr I pʌ skjʊlə r / ADJ [ADJ n] Crepuscular means relating to twilight . [LITERARY ] □ …peering through the crepuscular gloom.

cre|scen|do /kr I ʃe ndoʊ/ (crescendos )


1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A crescendo is a noise that gets louder and louder. Some people also use crescendo to refer to the point when a noise is at its loudest. □ The applause rose to a crescendo and cameras clicked.


2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] People sometimes describe an increase in the intensity of something, or its most intense point, as a crescendo . [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ of ] There was a crescendo of parliamentary and press criticism.


3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] In music, a crescendo is a section of a piece of music in which the music gradually gets louder and louder.

cres|cent /kre s ə nt, kre z-/ (crescents )


1 N‑COUNT A crescent is a curved shape that is wider in the middle than at its ends, like the shape of the moon during its first and last quarters. It is the most important symbol of the Islamic faith. □ A glittering Islamic crescent tops the mosque. □ [+ of ] …a narrow crescent of sand dunes. □ …a crescent moon.


2 N‑COUNT Crescent is sometimes used as part of the name of a street or row of houses that is usually built in a curve. [mainly BRIT ] □ …44 Colville Crescent.

cress /kre s/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Cress is a plant with small green leaves that are used in salads or to decorate food. See also mustard and cress .


2 N‑UNCOUNT mustard and cress is sometimes referred to as cress .

crest /kre st/ (crests )


1 N‑COUNT The crest of a hill or a wave is the top of it. ● PHRASE If you say that you are on the crest of a wave , you mean that you are feeling very happy and confident because things are going well for you. □ The band are riding on the crest of a wave with the success of their new single.


2 N‑COUNT A bird's crest is a group of upright feathers on the top of its head. □ Both birds had a dark blue crest.


3 N‑COUNT A crest is a design that is the symbol of a noble family, a town, or an organization. □ On the wall is the family crest.

crest|ed /kre st I d/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A crested bird is a bird that has a crest on its head. □ …crested hawks.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Crested objects have on them the crest of a noble family, a town, or an organization. □ …crested writing paper.

crest|fallen /kre stfɔːlən/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you look crestfallen , you look sad and disappointed about something.

cret|in /kre t I n, [AM ] kriː t ə n/ (cretins ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a cretin , you think they are very stupid. [OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]

cret|in|ous /kre t I nəs, [AM ] kriː tənəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as cretinous , you think they are very stupid. [OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]

cre|vasse /kr I væ s/ (crevasses ) N‑COUNT A crevasse is a large, deep crack in thick ice or rock. □ He fell down a crevasse.

crev|ice /kre v I s/ (crevices ) N‑COUNT A crevice is a narrow crack or gap, especially in a rock. □ …a huge boulder with rare ferns growing in every crevice.

crew ◆◇◇ /kruː / (crews , crewing , crewed )


1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The crew of a ship, an aircraft, or a spacecraft is the people who work on and operate it. □ [+ of ] The mission for the crew of the space shuttle is essentially over. □ The surviving crew members were ferried ashore.


2 N‑COUNT A crew is a group of people with special technical skills who work together on a task or project. □ …a two-man film crew making a documentary.


3 VERB If you crew a boat, you work on it as part of the crew. □ [V ] She took part in ocean races and crewed on yachts. □ [V n] There were to be five teams of three crewing the boat. □ [V -ed] …a fully-crewed yacht.


4 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] You can use crew to refer to a group of people you disapprove of. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …one of the youngest members of a criminal crew.

cre w cut (crew cuts ) also crewcut N‑COUNT A crew cut is a man's hairstyle in which his hair is cut very short.

crew|man /kruː mæn/ (crewmen ) N‑COUNT A crewman is a member of a crew.

cre w neck (crew necks ) in AM, use crewneck N‑COUNT A crew neck or a crew neck sweater is a sweater with a round neck.

crib /kr I b/ (cribs ) N‑COUNT A crib is a bed for a small baby. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use cot

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

cri b sheet (crib sheets ) N‑COUNT A crib sheet is the same as a cheat sheet . [BRIT ] □ He spoke without notes but with a crib sheet of four points.

crick /kr I k/ (cricks ) N‑COUNT If you have a crick in your neck or in your back, you have a pain there caused by muscles becoming stiff.

crick|et ◆◇◇ /kr I k I t/ (crickets )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Cricket is an outdoor game played between two teams. Players try to score points, called runs, by hitting a ball with a wooden bat. □ During the summer term we would play cricket at the village ground. □ …the Yorkshire County Cricket Club.


2 N‑COUNT A cricket is a small jumping insect that produces short, loud sounds by rubbing its wings together.

crick|et|er /kr I k I tə r / (cricketers ) N‑COUNT A cricketer is a person who plays cricket.

crick|et|ing /kr I k I t I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Cricketing means relating to or taking part in cricket. □ …Australia's cricketing heroes. □ …his cricketing career.

cri|er /kra I ə r / → see town crier

cri|key /kra I ki/ EXCLAM Some people say crikey in order to express surprise, especially at something unpleasant. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ]

crime ◆◆◇ /kra I m/ (crimes )


1 N‑VAR A crime is an illegal action or activity for which a person can be punished by law. □ He and Lieutenant Cassidy were checking the scene of the crime. □ Mr Steele has committed no crime and poses no danger to the public. □ We need a positive programme of crime prevention.


2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that doing something is a crime , you think it is very wrong or a serious mistake. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It would be a crime to travel all the way to Australia and not stop in Sydney. COLLOCATIONS crime NOUN 1


noun + crime : gun, knife; hate, sex, war; gang, youth


adjective + crime : heinous, horrific, violent; organized, serious; petty, victimless, white-collar; unsolved; juvenile


verb + crime : combat, fight, prevent, reduce, tackle; investigate, solve; commit, perpetrate

cri me scene (crime scenes ) N‑COUNT A crime scene is a place that is being investigated by the police because a crime has taken place there. □ Photographs of the crime scene began to arrive within twenty minutes.

cri me wave also crimewave N‑SING When more crimes than usual are committed in a particular place, you can refer to this as a crime wave . □ The country is in the grip of a teenage crime wave.

crimi|nal ◆◆◇ /kr I m I n ə l/ (criminals )


1 N‑COUNT A criminal is a person who regularly commits crimes. □ A group of gunmen attacked a prison and set free nine criminals in Moroto.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Criminal means connected with crime. □ He faces various criminal charges.


3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe an action as criminal , you think it is very wrong or a serious mistake. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He said a full-scale dispute involving strikes would be criminal.

cri mi|nal cou rt (criminal courts ) N‑COUNT A criminal court is a law court that deals with criminal offences.

crimi|nal|ize /kr I m I nəla I z/ (criminalizes , criminalizing , criminalized ) in BRIT, also use criminalise VERB If a government criminalizes an action or person, it officially declares that the action or the person's behaviour is illegal. □ [V n] Every nation should criminalise malicious activities on computer networks.

crimi|nol|ogy /kr I m I nɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals. ● crimi|nolo|gist /kr I m I nɒ lədʒ I st/ (criminologists ) N‑COUNT □ …a criminologist at the University of Montreal.

crimp /kr I mp/ (crimps , crimping , crimped )


1 VERB If you crimp something such as a piece of fabric or pastry, you make small folds in it. □ [V n] Crimp the edges to seal them tightly.


2 VERB To crimp something means to restrict or reduce it. [AM ] □ [V n] The dollar's recent strength is crimping overseas sales and profits.

Crimp|lene /kr I mpliːn/ also crimplene N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Crimplene is an artificial fabric used for making clothes which does not crease easily. [mainly BRIT , TRADEMARK ]

crim|son /kr I mz ə n/ (crimsons ) COLOUR Something that is crimson is deep red in colour. □ …a mass of crimson flowers.

cringe /kr I ndʒ/ (cringes , cringing , cringed ) VERB If you cringe at something, you feel embarrassed or disgusted, and perhaps show this feeling in your expression or by making a slight movement. □ [V ] Molly had cringed when Ann started picking up the guitar. □ [V + at ] Chris had cringed at the thought of using her own family for publicity. □ [V + in ] I cringed in horror.

crin|kle /kr I ŋk ə l/ (crinkles , crinkling , crinkled )


1 VERB If something crinkles or if you crinkle it, it becomes slightly creased or folded. □ [V ] He shrugged whimsically, his eyes crinkling behind his glasses. □ [V n] When she laughs, she crinkles her perfectly-formed nose.


2 N‑COUNT Crinkles are small creases or folds.

crin|kly /kr I ŋkli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A crinkly object has many small creases or folds in it or in its surface. □ …her big crinkly face. □ …crinkly paper.

crino|line /kr I nəl I n/ (crinolines ) N‑COUNT A crinoline was a round frame which women wore under their skirts in the 19th century.

crip|ple /kr I p ə l/ (cripples , crippling , crippled )


1 N‑COUNT A person with a physical disability or a serious permanent injury is sometimes referred to as a cripple . [OFFENSIVE ] □ She has gone from being a healthy, fit, and sporty young woman to being a cripple.


2 VERB If someone is crippled by an injury, it is so serious that they can never move their body properly again. □ [be V -ed] Mr Easton was seriously crippled in an accident and had to leave his job. □ [V n] He had been warned that another bad fall could cripple him for life. □ [V -ed] He heaved his crippled leg into an easier position.


3 VERB If something cripples a person, it causes them severe psychological or emotional problems. □ [V n] Howard wanted to be a popular singer, but stage fright crippled him. □ [V -ed] I'm not perfect but I'm also not emotionally crippled or lonely.


4 VERB To cripple a machine, organization, or system means to damage it severely or prevent it from working properly. □ [V n] A total cut-off of supplies would cripple the country's economy. □ [V -ed] The pilot was able to maneuver the crippled aircraft out of the hostile area.

crip|pling /kr I pl I ŋ/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A crippling illness or disability is one that severely damages your health or your body. □ Arthritis and rheumatism are prominent crippling diseases.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that an action, policy, or situation has a crippling effect on something, you mean it has a very serious, harmful effect. □ The high cost of borrowing has a crippling effect on many small firms.

cri|sis ◆◆◇ /kra I s I s/ (crises /kra I siːz/) N‑VAR A crisis is a situation in which something or someone is affected by one or more very serious problems. □ Natural disasters have obviously contributed to the continent's economic crisis. □ He had made arrangements for additional funding before the company was in crisis. □ …children's illnesses or other family crises. □ …someone to turn to in moments of crisis. SYNONYMS crisis NOUN 1


emergency: The hospital will cater only for emergencies.


catastrophe: From all points of view, war would be a catastrophe.


disaster: Many had lost all in the disaster and were destitute.

cri |sis ma n|age|ment N‑UNCOUNT People use crisis management to refer to a management style that concentrates on solving the immediate problems occurring in a business rather than looking for long-term solutions. [BUSINESS ] □ Today's NSC is overcome by day-to-day crisis management. □ …a crisis-management team.

crisp /kr I sp/ (crisper , crispest , crisps , crisping , crisped )


1 ADJ Food that is crisp is pleasantly hard, or has a pleasantly hard surface. [APPROVAL ] □ Bake the potatoes for 15 minutes, till they're nice and crisp. □ …crisp bacon. □ …crisp lettuce. ● crisp|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The pizza base retains its crispness without becoming brittle. ● crisp|ly ADV □ …crisply-fried onion rings.


2 VERB If food crisps or if you crisp it, it becomes pleasantly hard, for example because you have heated it at a high temperature. □ [V ] Cook the bacon until it begins to crisp. □ [V n] Spread breadcrumbs on a dry baking sheet and crisp them in the oven.


3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Crisps are very thin slices of fried potato that are eaten cold as a snack. [BRIT ] □ …a packet of crisps. □ …cheese and onion potato crisps. in AM, use chips or potato chips 4 ADJ Weather that is pleasantly fresh, cold, and dry can be described as crisp . [APPROVAL ] □ …a crisp autumn day.


5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Crisp cloth or paper is clean and has no creases in it. □ I slipped between the crisp clean sheets. □ …crisp banknotes. ● crisp|ly ADV □ …his crisply-pressed suit.

crisp|bread /kr I spbred/ (crispbreads ) N‑VAR Crispbreads are thin dry biscuits made from wheat or rye. They are often eaten instead of bread by people who want to lose weight.

crispy /kr I spi/ (crispier , crispiest ) ADJ Food that is crispy is pleasantly hard, or has a pleasantly hard surface. [APPROVAL ] □ …crispy fried onions. □ …crispy bread rolls.

criss-cross /kr I s krɒs, [AM ] - krɔːs/ (criss-crosses , criss-crossing , criss-crossed ) also crisscross


1 VERB If a person or thing criss-crosses an area, they travel from one side to the other and back again many times, following different routes. If a number of things criss-cross an area, they cross it, and cross over each other. □ [V n] They criss-crossed the country by bus. □ [V n] Telephone wires criss-cross the street.


2 VERB If two sets of lines or things criss-cross , they cross over each other. □ [V ] Wires criss-cross between the tops of the poles, forming a grid. □ [V n] The roads criss-cross one another in a fashion that at times defies logic. [Also V n]


3 ADJ [ADJ n] A criss-cross pattern or design consists of lines crossing each other. □ Slash the tops of the loaves with a sharp serrated knife in a criss-cross pattern.

cri|teri|on /kra I t I ə riən/ (criteria /kra I t I ə riə/) N‑COUNT A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something. □ [+ for ] The most important criterion for entry is that applicants must design and make their own work.

crit|ic ◆◆◇ /kr I t I k/ (critics )


1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A critic is a person who writes about and expresses opinions about things such as books, films, music, or art. □ The New York critics had praised her performance.


2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] Someone who is a critic of a person or system disapproves of them and criticizes them publicly. □ Her critics accused her of caring only about success. SYNONYMS critic NOUN 1


judge: A panel of judges is now selecting the finalists.


reviewer: …the reviewer for the Times Literary Supplement.

criti|cal ◆◆◇ /kr I t I k ə l/


1 ADJ A critical time, factor, or situation is extremely important. □ The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign. □ He says setting priorities is of critical importance. □ How you finance a business is critical to the success of your venture. ● criti|cal|ly /kr I t I kli/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Economic prosperity depends critically on an open world trading system. □ It was a critically important moment in his career.


2 ADJ A critical situation is very serious and dangerous. □ The authorities are considering an airlift if the situation becomes critical. □ Its day-to-day finances are in a critical state. ● criti|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ Moscow is running critically low on food supplies.


3 ADJ If a person is critical or in a critical condition in hospital, they are seriously ill. □ Ten of the injured are said to be in critical condition. ● criti|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV with v] □ She was critically ill.


4 ADJ To be critical of someone or something means to criticize them. □ [+ of ] His report is highly critical of the trial judge. □ He has apologised for critical remarks he made about the referee. ● criti|cal|ly ADV □ [+ of ] She spoke critically of Lara.


5 ADJ [ADJ n] A critical approach to something involves examining and judging it carefully. □ We need to become critical text-readers. □ …the critical analysis of political ideas. ● criti|cal|ly ADV □ Wyman watched them critically.


6 ADJ [ADJ n] If something or someone receives critical acclaim, critics say that they are very good. □ The film met with considerable critical and public acclaim. SYNONYMS critical ADJ


1


crucial: …the most crucial election campaign for years.


momentous: The past three years have been among the most momentous in world history.


decisive: The election campaign has now entered its final, decisive phase.


vital: After her release, she was able to give vital information about her kidnapper.


4


scathing: He then launched a scathing attack on previous leaders.


disparaging: He was critical of the people, disparaging of their crude manners.


derogatory: He refused to withdraw derogatory remarks made about his boss.


disapproving: Janet gave him a disapproving look.


contemptuous: He's openly contemptuous of all the major political parties.

cri ti|cal ma ss


1 N‑SING In physics, the critical mass of a substance is the minimum amount of it that is needed for a nuclear chain reaction. [TECHNICAL ]


2 N‑SING A critical mass of something is an amount of it that makes it possible for something to happen or continue. □ [+ of ] Only in this way can the critical mass of participation be reached.

criti|cise /kr I t I sa I z/ → see criticize

criti|cism ◆◆◇ /kr I t I s I zəm/ (criticisms )


1 N‑VAR [N that] Criticism is the action of expressing disapproval of something or someone. A criticism is a statement that expresses disapproval. □ This policy had repeatedly come under strong criticism on Capitol Hill. □ [+ of ] …unfair criticism of his tactics. □ The criticism that the English do not truly care about their children was often voiced.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Criticism is a serious examination and judgment of something such as a book or play. □ She has published more than 20 books including novels, poetry and literary criticism. COLLOCATIONS criticism NOUN 1


adjective + criticism : constructive, legitimate, widespread; fierce, harsh, heavy, strong; unfair, unjustified, unwarranted


verb + criticism : attract, draw, face, spark; direct, level, voice; deflect, dismiss, reject SYNONYMS criticism NOUN 1


censure: It is a controversial policy which has attracted international censure.


disapproval: His action had been greeted with almost universal disapproval.


disparagement: Reviewers have been almost unanimous in their disparagement of this book.


denigration: …the denigration of minorities in this country.

criti|cize ◆◇◇ /kr I t I sa I z/ (criticizes , criticizing , criticized ) in BRIT, also use criticise VERB If you criticize someone or something, you express your disapproval of them by saying what you think is wrong with them. □ [V n] His mother had rarely criticized him or any of her children. □ [V n + for ] The minister criticised the police for failing to come up with any leads.

cri|tique /kr I tiː k/ (critiques ) N‑COUNT A critique is a written examination and judgment of a situation or of a person's work or ideas. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] She had brought a book, a feminist critique of Victorian lady novelists.

crit|ter /kr I tə r / (critters ) N‑COUNT A critter is a living creature. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ …little furry critters.

croak /kroʊ k/ (croaks , croaking , croaked )


1 VERB When a frog or bird croaks , it makes a harsh, low sound. □ [V ] Thousands of frogs croaked in the reeds by the riverbank. ● N‑COUNT Croak is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the guttural croak of the frogs.


2 VERB If someone croaks something, they say it in a low, rough voice. □ [V with quote] Tiller moaned and managed to croak, 'Help me.'. □ [V n] She croaked something unintelligible. ● N‑COUNT Croak is also a noun. □ His voice was just a croak.

croaky /kroʊ ki/ ADJ If someone's voice is croaky , it is low and rough.

cro|chet /kroʊ ʃe I , [AM ] kroʊʃe I / (crochets , crocheting , crocheted )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Crochet is a way of making cloth out of cotton or wool by using a needle with a small hook at the end. □ …a black crochet waistcoat.


2 VERB If you crochet , you make cloth by using a needle with a small hook at the end. □ [V ] She offered to teach me to crochet. □ [V n] Ma and I crocheted new quilts. □ [V -ed] …crocheted rugs.

crock /krɒ k/ (crocks )


1 N‑COUNT A crock is a clay pot or jar. [OLD-FASHIONED ]


2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as an old crock , you mean that they are old and weak. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]


3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe what someone has said as a crock , you mean that you think it is foolish, wrong, or untrue. [mainly AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

crock|ery /krɒ kəri/ N‑UNCOUNT Crockery is the plates, cups, saucers, and dishes that you use at meals. [mainly BRIT ] □ We had no fridge, cooker, cutlery or crockery.

croco|dile /krɒ kəda I l/ (crocodiles ) N‑COUNT A crocodile is a large reptile with a long body and strong jaws. Crocodiles live in rivers and eat meat.

cro co|dile tea rs N‑PLURAL If someone is crying crocodile tears , their tears and sadness are not genuine or sincere. □ The sight of George shedding crocodile tears made me sick.

cro|cus /kroʊ kəs/ (crocuses ) N‑COUNT Crocuses are small white, yellow, or purple flowers that are grown in parks and gardens in the early spring.

croft /krɒ ft, [AM ] krɔː ft/ (crofts ) N‑COUNT In Scotland, a croft is a small piece of land which is owned and farmed by one family and which provides them with food. □ …a remote croft near Loch Nevis.

croft|er /krɒ ftə r , [AM ] krɔː ft-/ (crofters ) N‑COUNT In Scotland, a crofter is a person who lives on a croft or small farm.

croft|ing /krɒ ft I ŋ, [AM ] krɔː ft-/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] In Scotland, crofting is the activity of farming on small pieces of land. □ …isolated crofting communities.

crois|sant /kwæ sɒn, [AM ] kwɑːsɑː n/ (croissants ) N‑VAR Croissants are small, sweet bread rolls in the shape of a crescent that are eaten for breakfast. □ …coffee and croissants.

crone /kroʊ n/ (crones ) N‑COUNT A crone is an ugly old woman. [LITERARY ]

cro|ny /kroʊ ni/ (cronies ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] You can refer to friends that someone spends a lot of time with as their cronies , especially when you disapprove of them. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He returned from a lunchtime drinking session with his business cronies.

cro|ny|ism /kroʊ ni I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse someone in authority of cronyism , you mean that they use their power or authority to get jobs for their friends. [JOURNALISM , DISAPPROVAL ]

crook /krʊ k/ (crooks , crooking , crooked )


1 N‑COUNT A crook is a dishonest person or a criminal. [INFORMAL ] □ The man is a crook and a liar.


2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The crook of your arm or leg is the soft inside part where you bend your elbow or knee. □ [+ of ] She hid her face in the crook of her arm.


3 VERB If you crook your arm or finger, you bend it. □ [V n] He crooked his finger: 'Come forward,' he said.


4 N‑COUNT A crook is a long pole with a large hook at the end. A crook is carried by a bishop in religious ceremonies, or by a shepherd. □ …a shepherd's crook.


5 PHRASE If someone says they will do something by hook or by crook , they are determined to do it, even if they have to make a great effort or use dishonest means. □ They intend to get their way, by hook or by crook.

crook|ed /krʊ k I d/


1 ADJ If you describe something as crooked , especially something that is usually straight, you mean that it is bent or twisted. □ …the crooked line of his broken nose. □ …a crooked little tree.


2 ADJ A crooked smile is uneven and bigger on one side than the other. □ Polly gave her a crooked grin. ● crook|ed|ly ADV □ Nick was smiling crookedly at her.


3 ADJ If you describe a person or an activity as crooked , you mean that they are dishonest or criminal. [INFORMAL ] □ …a crooked cop.

croon /kruː n/ (croons , crooning , crooned )


1 VERB If you croon , you sing or hum quietly and gently. □ [V ] He would much rather have been crooning in a smoky bar. □ [V n] Later in the evening, Lewis began to croon another Springsteen song.


2 VERB If one person talks to another in a soft gentle voice, you can describe them as crooning , especially if you think they are being sentimental or insincere. □ [V with quote] 'Dear boy,' she crooned, hugging him heartily. □ [V n] The man was crooning soft words of encouragement to his wife. [Also V ]

croon|er /kruː nə r / (crooners ) N‑COUNT A crooner is a male singer who sings sentimental songs, especially the love songs of the 1930s and 1940s.

crop ◆◇◇ /krɒ p/ (crops , cropping , cropped )


1 N‑COUNT Crops are plants such as wheat and potatoes that are grown in large quantities for food. □ Rice farmers here still plant and harvest their crops by hand. □ The main crop is wheat and this is grown even on the very steep slopes.


2 → see also cash crop


3 N‑COUNT The plants or fruits that are collected at harvest time are referred to as a crop . □ [+ of ] Each year it produces a fine crop of fruit. □ This year's corn crop should be about 8 percent more than last year.


4 N‑SING You can refer to a group of people or things that have appeared together as a crop of people or things. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The present crop of books and documentaries about Marilyn Monroe exploit the thirtieth anniversary of her death.


5 VERB When a plant crops , it produces fruits or parts which people want. □ [V ] Although these vegetables adapt well to our temperate climate, they tend to crop poorly.


6 VERB To crop someone's hair means to cut it short. □ [V n] She cropped her hair and dyed it blonde. ● cropped ADJ □ She had cropped grey hair.


7 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A crop is a short hairstyle. □ She had her long hair cut into a boyish crop.


8 VERB If you crop a photograph, you cut part of it off, in order to get rid of part of the picture or to be able to frame it. □ [V n] I decided to crop the picture just above the water line. □ [be V -ed + from ] Her husband was cropped from the photograph. [Also V n from n]


9 the cream of the crop → see cream


▸ crop up PHRASAL VERB If something crops up , it appears or happens, usually unexpectedly. □ [V P ] His name has cropped up at every selection meeting this season. COLLOCATIONS crop NOUN


1


noun + crop : cereal, potato, root, wheat; cash


verb + crop : harvest, produce; plant, sow; damage, destroy


3


adjective + crop : bumper, fine; agricultural, staple


4


adjective + crop : current, present

cropped /krɒ pt/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Cropped items of clothing are shorter than normal. □ Women athletes wear cropped tops and tight shorts.


2 → see also crop

crop|per /krɒ pə r / PHRASE If you say that someone has come a cropper , you mean that they have had an unexpected and embarrassing failure. [INFORMAL ] □ …internet businesses that came a cropper.

cro p top (crop tops ) N‑COUNT A crop top is a very short, usually tight, top worn by a girl or a woman.

cro|quet /kroʊ ke I , [AM ] kroʊke I / N‑UNCOUNT Croquet is a game played on grass in which the players use long wooden sticks called mallets to hit balls through metal arches.

cro|quette /kroʊke t/ (croquettes ) N‑COUNT Croquettes are small amounts of mashed potato or meat rolled in breadcrumbs and fried.


cross


➊ VERB AND NOUN USES


➋ ADJECTIVE USE


➊ cross ◆◆◇ /krɒ s, [AM ] krɔː s/ (crosses , crossing , crossed )


→ Please look at categories 16 to 21 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.


1 VERB If you cross something such as a room, a road, or an area of land or water, you move or travel to the other side of it. If you cross to a place, you move or travel over a room, road, or area of land or water in order to reach that place. □ [V n] She was partly to blame for failing to look as she crossed the road. □ [V n] They have crossed the border into Greece and asked for political asylum. □ [V + to ] Egan crossed to the drinks cabinet and poured a Scotch. [Also V adv/prep, V + into ]


2 VERB A road, railway, or bridge that crosses an area of land or water passes over it. □ [V n] The Defford to Eckington road crosses the river half a mile outside Eckington.


3 VERB Lines or roads that cross meet and go across each other. □ [V ] …the intersection where Main and Center Streets cross. □ [V n] It is near where the pilgrimage route crosses the road to Quimper.


4 VERB If someone or something crosses a limit or boundary, for example the limit of acceptable behaviour, they go beyond it. □ [V n] I normally never write into magazines but Mr Stubbs has finally crossed the line.


5 VERB If an expression crosses someone's face, it appears briefly on their face. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n] Berg tilts his head and a mischievous look crosses his face.


6 N‑COUNT A cross is a shape that consists of a vertical line or piece with a shorter horizontal line or piece across it. It is the most important Christian symbol. □ Round her neck was a cross on a silver chain.


7 VERB If Christians cross themselves , they make the sign of a cross by moving their hand across the top half of their body. □ [V pron-refl] 'Holy Mother of God!' Marco crossed himself.


8 N‑COUNT If you describe something as a cross that someone has to bear, you mean it is a problem or disadvantage which they have to deal with or bear. □ Two young men perishing in such circumstances is a hard cross to bear for each family.


9 N‑COUNT A cross is a written mark in the shape of an X. You can use it, for example, to indicate that an answer to a question is wrong, to mark the position of something on a map, or to indicate your vote on a ballot paper. □ Put a tick next to those activities you like and a cross next to those you dislike.


10 VERB If you cross your arms, legs, or fingers, you put one of them on top of the other. □ [V n] Jill crossed her legs and rested her chin on one fist, as if lost in deep thought. □ [V -ed] He was sitting there in the living room with his legs crossed.


11 VERB If you cross someone who is likely to get angry, you oppose them or refuse to do what they want. □ [V n] If you ever cross him, forget it, you're finished.


12 N‑SING Something that is a cross between two things is neither one thing nor the other, but a mixture of both. □ [+ between ] It was a lovely dog. It was a cross between a collie and a golden retriever.


13 N‑COUNT In some team sports such as football and hockey, a cross is the passing of the ball from the side of the field to a player in the centre, usually in front of the goal. □ He hit an accurate cross to Groves.


14 ADJ [ADJ n] A cross street is a road that crosses another more important road. [AM ] □ The Army boys had personnel carriers blockading the cross streets.


15 → see also crossing


16 to cross your fingers → see finger


17 cross my heart → see heart


18 to cross your mind → see mind ➊


19 people's paths cross → see path


20 to cross the Rubicon → see Rubicon


21 to cross swords → see sword


▸ cross off PHRASAL VERB If you cross off words on a list, you decide that they no longer belong on the list, and often you draw a line through them to indicate this. □ [V P n] I checked the chart and found I had crossed off the wrong thing. □ [V n P n] They have enough trouble finding nutritious food without crossing meat off their shopping lists. [Also V n P ]


▸ cross out PHRASAL VERB If you cross out words on a page, you draw a line through them, because they are wrong or because you want to change them. □ [V P n] He crossed out 'fellow subjects', and instead inserted 'fellow citizens'. [Also V n P ]

➋ cross /krɒ s, [AM ] krɔː s/ (crosser , crossest ) ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is cross is rather angry or irritated. □ [+ with ] I'm terribly cross with him. □ [+ about ] She was rather cross about having to trail across London. ● cross|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'No, no, no,' Morris said crossly. SYNONYMS cross ADJ ➋1


angry: Are you angry with me for some reason?


irritated: Not surprisingly, her teacher is getting irritated with her.


annoyed: She tapped her forehead and looked annoyed with herself.


grumpy: Some folk think I'm a grumpy old man.


peevish: Aubrey had slept little and that always made him peevish.

cross|bar /krɒ sbɑː r , [AM ] krɔː s-/ (crossbars )


1 N‑COUNT A crossbar is a horizontal piece of wood attached to two upright pieces, for example a part of the goal in football.

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