5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A double room is a room intended for two people, usually a couple, to stay or live in. □ …bed and breakfast for £180 for two people in a double room. ● N‑COUNT Double is also a noun. □ The Great Western Hotel costs around £60 a night for a double.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] A double bed is a bed that is wide enough for two people to sleep in.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] You use double to describe a drink that is twice the normal measure. □ He was drinking his double whiskey too fast and scowling. ● N‑COUNT Double is also a noun. □ Give me a whisky, a double.
8 ADJ [ADJ n] Double is used when you are spelling a word or telling someone a number to show that a letter or digit is repeated. □ Ring four two double two double two if you'd like to speak to our financial adviser.
9 VERB When something doubles or when you double it, it becomes twice as great in number, amount, or size. □ [V ] The number of managers must double to 100 within 3 years. □ [V n] The program will double the amount of money available to help pay for child care.
10 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a person's double , you mean that they look exactly like them. □ Your mother sees you as her double.
11 VERB If a person or thing doubles as someone or something else, they have a second job or purpose as well as their main one. □ [V + as ] Lots of homes in town double as businesses. ● PHRASAL VERB Double up means the same as double . □ [V P + as ] The lids of the casserole dishes are designed to double up as baking dishes.
12 N‑UNCOUNT In tennis or badminton, when people play doubles , two teams consisting of two players on each team play against each other on the same court.
13 PHRASE If you are bent double , the top half of your body is bent downwards so that your head is close to your knees. □ Pickers are bent double, plucking each flower with lightning speed.
14 PHRASE If you are seeing double , there is something wrong with your eyes, and you can see two images instead of one. □ I was dizzy, seeing double.
15 in double figures → see figure
▸ double back PHRASAL VERB If you double back you go back in the direction that you came from. □ [V P ] We drove past it and had to double back.
▸ double up
1 PHRASAL VERB If something doubles you up , or if you double up , you bend your body quickly or violently, for example because you are laughing a lot or because you are feeling a lot of pain. □ [V n P ] …a savage blow in the crutch which doubled him up. □ [V P + with/in ] They laugh so hard they double up with laughter. ● PHRASAL VERB Double over means the same as double up . □ [V -ed P ] Everyone was doubled over in laughter.
2 → see also double 11
dou |ble act (double acts ) also double-act N‑COUNT Two comedians or entertainers who perform together are referred to as a double act . Their performance can also be called a double act . □ …a famous comedy double act.
dou |ble a gent (double agents ) N‑COUNT A double agent is someone who works as a spy for a particular country or organization, but who also works for its enemies.
dou ble-barrelled in AM, use double-barreled 1 ADJ [ADJ n] A double-barrelled gun has two barrels. □ …a double-barrelled shotgun.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A double-barrelled surname has two parts which are joined by a hyphen, for example 'Miss J. Heydon-Smith'. [BRIT ]
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Double-barrelled is used to describe something such as a plan which has two main parts. [JOURNALISM ]
dou|ble bass /dʌ b ə l be I s/ (double basses ) also double-bass N‑VAR A double bass is the largest instrument in the violin family. You play the double bass with a bow while standing up and holding it upright in front of you.
dou |ble bi ll (double bills ) also double-bill N‑COUNT A double bill is a theatre or cinema performance in which there are two shows on the programme.
dou |ble bi nd (double binds ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you are in a double bind , you are in a very difficult situation, because whatever decision you make will have bad results. □ Newspapers are in a double bind: falling circulation and little income from new media. [Also + of ]
dou ble-bli nd ADJ A double-blind study or experiment compares two groups of people, one of which is being tested while the other is not. Neither the people doing the testing nor the members of the two groups know which group is being tested. □ In a double-blind trial, there were definite improvements.
dou |ble blu ff (double bluffs ) N‑VAR A double bluff is an attempt to deceive someone by telling them exactly what you intend to do when you know that they will assume you are lying. [BRIT ] □ They suspected this was a double bluff on the part of Cairo Intelligence. □ …a continual round of bluff and double bluff.
dou ble-bo ok (double-books , double-booking , double-booked ) VERB If you double-book something, or if you double-book , you book two spaces or services when only one is available to use. □ [V n] Landlords occasionally double-book the apartment with no hint of apology.
dou ble-brea sted ADJ [usu ADJ n] A double-breasted jacket or suit has two very wide sections at the front of the jacket which fit over one another when you button them up.
dou ble-che ck (double-checks , double-checking , double-checked ) VERB If you double-check something, you examine or test it a second time to make sure that it is completely correct or safe. □ [V n] Check and double-check spelling and punctuation. □ [V that] Double-check that the ladder is secure. □ [V + with ] Don't believe what you are told; double-check with an independent source. [Also V ]
dou |ble chi n (double chins ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone has a double chin , they have a fold of fat under their chin, making them look as if they have two chins.
dou ble-cli ck (double-clicks , double-clicking , double-clicked ) VERB [no passive] If you double-click on an area of a computer screen, you point the cursor at that area and press one of the buttons on the mouse twice quickly in order to make something happen. [COMPUTING ] □ [V + on ] Go to Control Panel and double-click on Sounds for a list of sounds.
dou |ble crea m N‑UNCOUNT Double cream is very thick cream. [BRIT ] in AM, use heavy cream
dou ble-cro ss (double-crosses , double-crossing , double-crossed ) VERB If someone you trust double-crosses you, they do something which harms you instead of doing something they had promised to do. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Don't try and double-cross me, Taylor, because I'll kill you.
dou ble-dea ling N‑UNCOUNT Double-dealing is behaviour which is deliberately deceitful. □ Marriages were broken and lives ruined by the revelation of double-dealing.
dou ble-de cker (double-deckers )
1 N‑COUNT A double-decker or a double-decker bus is a bus that has two levels, so that passengers can sit upstairs or downstairs. [mainly BRIT ]
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Double-decker items or structures have two layers or levels instead of one. □ …a double-decker sandwich.
dou ble-di git ADJ [ADJ n] A double-digit number is between 10 and 99. □ Australia had 15 years of double-digit inflation.
dou ble-e dged
1 ADJ If you say that a comment is double-edged , you mean that it has two meanings, so that you are not sure whether the person who said it is being critical or is giving praise. □ Even his praise is double-edged.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is double-edged , you mean that its positive effects are balanced by its negative effects, or that its negative effects are greater. □ But tourism is double-edged, boosting the economy but damaging the environment.
3 a double-edged sword → see sword
dou|ble en|ten|dre /duː b ə l ɒntɒ ndrə/ (double entendres ) N‑VAR A double entendre is a word or phrase that has two meanings, one of which is rude and often sexual. □ He is a master of the pun and the double entendre.
dou |ble fau lt (double faults ) N‑COUNT In tennis, if a player serves a double fault , they make a mistake with both serves and lose the point.
dou ble-gla ze (double-glazes , double-glazing , double-glazed ) VERB If someone double-glazes a house or its windows, they fit windows that have two layers of glass which keeps the inside of the house warmer and quieter. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] The company is now offering to double-glaze the windows for £3,900. □ [have n V -ed] We recently had our house double-glazed. ● double-glazed ADJ □ …double-glazed windows…
dou |ble gla z|ing also double-glazing N‑UNCOUNT If someone has double glazing in their house, their windows are fitted with two layers of glass. People put in double glazing in order to keep buildings warmer or to keep out noise. [mainly BRIT ]
dou ble-hea der (double-headers ) in AM, also use doubleheader N‑COUNT A double-header is a sporting contest between two teams that involves two separate games being played, often on the same day. [mainly AM ]
dou |ble li fe (double lives ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that someone is living a double life , you mean that they lead two separate and very different lives, and they appear to be a different person in each. □ She threatened to publicly expose his double life if he left her.
dou ble-pa rk (double-parks , double-parking , double-parked ) VERB If someone double-parks their car or their car double-parks , they park in a road by the side of another parked car. □ [V n] Murray double-parked his car. □ [V ] The car pulled in and double-parked in front of the town hall.
dou ble-qui ck ADV [ADV after v] If you say that you will do something double-quick , you are emphasizing that you will do it very quickly. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ Don't worry. We'll have you out of here double-quick. ● PHRASE In double-quick time means the same as double-quick . □ I was over the fence in double-quick time.
double|speak /dʌ b ə lspiːk/ N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to what someone says as doublespeak , you are criticizing them for presenting things in a way that is intended to hide the truth or give people the wrong idea. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the doublespeak so fluently used by governments and their press offices.
dou |ble sta nd|ard (double standards ) N‑COUNT If you accuse a person or institution of applying double standards in their treatment of different groups of people, you mean that they unfairly allow more freedom of behaviour to one group than to another. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Mrs Starky accused the local police of operating double standards.
dou|blet /dʌ bl I t/ (doublets ) N‑COUNT A doublet was a short, tight jacket that was worn by men in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and early seventeenth centuries.
dou ble-ta ke (double-takes ) N‑COUNT If you do a double-take when you see or hear something strange or surprising, you hesitate for a moment before reacting to it because you wonder if you really saw or heard it. □ I did a double-take when I saw her dressed in biker's gear.
dou ble-talk also double talk N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to something someone says as double-talk , you mean that it can deceive people or is difficult to understand because it has two possible meanings.
dou |ble vi |sion N‑UNCOUNT If someone is suffering from double vision , they see a single object as two objects, for example because they are ill or have drunk too much alcohol.
dou|bly /dʌ bli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] You use doubly to indicate that there are two aspects or features that are having an influence on a particular situation. □ The new tax and the drop in house values make homeowners feel doubly penalised.
2 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You use doubly to emphasize that something exists or happens to a greater degree than usual. [EMPHASIS ] □ In pregnancy a high fibre diet is doubly important.
doubt ◆◆◇ /daʊ t/ (doubts , doubting , doubted )
1 N‑VAR [N that] If you have doubt or doubts about something, you feel uncertain about it and do not know whether it is true or possible. If you say you have no doubt about it, you mean that you are certain it is true. □ [+ about/as to ] This raises doubts about the point of advertising. □ I had my doubts when she started, but she's getting really good. □ There can be little doubt that he will offend again.
2 VERB If you doubt whether something is true or possible, you believe that it is probably not true or possible. □ [V if] Others doubted whether that would happen. □ [V if] He doubted if he would learn anything new from Marie. □ [V that] She doubted that the accident could have been avoided.
3 VERB If you doubt something, you believe that it might not be true or genuine. □ [V n] No one doubted his ability.
4 VERB If you doubt someone or doubt their word, you think that they may not be telling the truth. □ [V n] No one directly involved with the case doubted him.
5 PHRASE You say that something is beyond doubt or beyond reasonable doubt when you are certain that it is true and it cannot be contradicted or disproved. [EMPHASIS ] □ A referendum showed beyond doubt that voters wanted independence.
6 PHRASE If you are in doubt about something, you feel unsure or uncertain about it. □ [+ about/as to ] He is in no doubt as to what is needed. □ When in doubt, call the doctor.
7 CONVENTION You say I doubt it as a response to a question or statement about something that you think is untrue or unlikely. □ 'Somebody would have seen her.'—'I doubt it, not on Monday.'
8 PHRASE If you say that something is in doubt or open to doubt , you consider it to be uncertain or unreliable. □ The outcome was still in doubt. □ That claim is increasingly open to doubt.
9 PHRASE You use no doubt to emphasize that something seems certain or very likely to you. [EMPHASIS ] □ The contract for this will no doubt be widely advertised.
10 PHRASE You use no doubt to indicate that you accept the truth of a particular point, but that you do not consider it is important or contradicts the rest of what you are saying. □ No doubt many will regard these as harsh words, but regrettably they are true.
11 PHRASE If you say that something is true without doubt or without a doubt , you are emphasizing that it is definitely true. [EMPHASIS ] □ Without doubt this was the most important relationship I developed at college.
12 the benefit of the doubt → see benefit
13 a shadow of a doubt → see shadow COLLOCATIONS doubt NOUN 1
adjective + doubt : grave, serious; little, slightest; lingering, nagging
verb + doubt : cast; express, raise
doubt|er /daʊ tə r / (doubters ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you refer to people as doubters , you mean that they have doubts about something, especially their religious or political system. □ Some doubters fear this news may not be as good as it appears.
doubt|ful /daʊ tfʊl/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If it is doubtful that something will happen, it seems unlikely to happen or you are uncertain whether it will happen. □ For a time it seemed doubtful that he would move at all. □ It is doubtful whether Tweed, even with his fluent French, passed for one of the locals.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are doubtful about something, you feel unsure or uncertain about it. □ [+ about ] I was still very doubtful about the chances for success. □ Why did he sound so doubtful? ● doubt|ful|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Keeton shook his head doubtfully.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that something is of doubtful quality or value, you mean that it is of low quality or value. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …selling something that is overpriced or of doubtful quality.
4 ADJ If a sports player is doubtful for a match or event, he or she seems unlikely to play, usually because of injury. [JOURNALISM ]
doubt|ing Thomas /daʊ t I ŋ tɒ məs/ (doubting Thomases ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a doubting Thomas , you mean they refuse to believe something until they see definite proof or evidence of it.
doubt|less /daʊ tləs/ ADV If you say that something is doubtless the case, you mean that you think it is probably or almost certainly the case. □ He will doubtless try and persuade his colleagues to change their minds.
douche /duː ʃ/ (douches , douching , douched )
1 N‑COUNT A douche is a method of washing the vagina using a stream of water. You also refer to the object which you use to wash the vagina in this way as a douche .
2 VERB To douche means to wash the vagina using a stream of water. □ [V ] Never douche if you are pregnant.
dough /doʊ / (doughs ) In meaning 2 , dough is used in informal American English, and is considered old-fashioned in informal British English. 1 N‑VAR Dough is a fairly firm mixture of flour, water, and sometimes also fat and sugar. It can be cooked to make bread, pastry, and biscuits. □ Roll out the dough into one large circle.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to money as dough . □ He worked hard for his dough.
dough|nut /doʊ nʌt/ (doughnuts ) in AM, also use donut N‑COUNT A doughnut is a bread-like cake made from sweet dough that has been cooked in hot fat.
dough|ty /daʊ ti/ (doughtier , doughtiest ) ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as a doughty fighter, you mean they are brave, determined, and not easily defeated. [OLD-FASHIONED , APPROVAL ]
doughy /doʊ i/ ADJ If you describe something as doughy , you mean that it has a fairly soft texture like dough. □ Add water and mix with a knife to a doughy consistency.
dour /dʊə r , daʊə r / ADJ If you describe someone as dour , you mean that they are very serious and unfriendly. □ …a dour, taciturn man. ● dour|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The old man stared dourly at them.
douse /daʊ s/ (douses , dousing , doused ) also dowse
1 VERB If you douse a fire, you stop it burning by pouring a lot of water over it. □ [V n] The pumps were started and the crew began to douse the fire.
2 VERB If you douse someone or something with a liquid, you throw a lot of that liquid over them. □ [V n + with/in ] They hurled abuse at their victim as they doused him with petrol.
dove (doves ) Pronounced /dʌ v/ for meanings 1 to 3 , and /doʊ v/ for meaning 4 . 1 N‑COUNT A dove is a bird that looks like a pigeon but is smaller and lighter in colour. Doves are often used as a symbol of peace.
2 N‑COUNT In politics, you can refer to people who support the use of peaceful methods to solve difficult situations as doves . Compare hawk .
3 In American English, dove is sometimes used as the past tense of dive .
dove|cote /dʌ vkɒt, -koʊt/ (dovecotes ) also dovecot N‑COUNT A dovecote is a small building or a container for pigeons or doves to live in.
dove|tail /dʌ vte I l/ (dovetails , dovetailing , dovetailed ) VERB If two things dovetail or if one thing dovetails with another, the two things fit together neatly or have some common characteristics. □ [V ] I'm following up a few things that might dovetail. □ [V + with ] …an attempt to look for areas where U.S. interests can dovetail with Japanese concerns. □ [V n] It is important that we dovetail our respective interests.
dov|ish /dʌ v I ʃ/ also doveish ADJ Journalists use dovish to describe politicians or governments who are in favour of using peaceful and diplomatic methods to achieve something, rather than using force and violence.
dowa|ger /daʊ ədʒə r / (dowagers )
1 ADJ [ADJ n, n ADJ ] You use dowager to refer to the wife of a dead duke, emperor, or other man of high rank. □ The Dowager Queen fainted with shock. □ Nobody was allowed to eat in the Empress Dowager's presence. ● N‑COUNT Dowager is also a noun.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe a woman as a dowager , you mean that she is old and rich or looks important. [LITERARY ] □ …like stately dowagers on a cruise.
dow|dy /daʊ di/ (dowdier , dowdiest ) ADJ If you describe someone or their clothes as dowdy , you mean their clothes are dull and unfashionable. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Her clothes were clean but dowdy.
dow|el /daʊ əl/ (dowels ) N‑COUNT A dowel is a short thin piece of wood or metal which is used for joining larger pieces of wood or metal together.
down
➊ PREPOSITION AND ADVERB USES
➋ ADJECTIVE USES
➌ VERB USES
➍ NOUN USES
➊ down ◆◆◆ /daʊ n/ Down is often used with verbs of movement, such as 'fall' and 'pull', and also in phrasal verbs such as 'bring down' and 'calm down'. → Please look at categories 19 to 21 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 PREP To go down something such as a slope or a pipe means to go towards the ground or to a lower level. □ We're going down a mountain. □ A man came down the stairs to meet them. □ The tears began flooding down her cheeks. ● ADV [ADV after v] Down is also an adverb. □ She went down to the kitchen again. □ She sat on the window seat until they climbed down from the roof.
2 PREP If you are a particular distance down something, you are that distance below the top or surface of it. □ He managed to cling on to a ledge 40ft down the rock face. ● ADV Down is also an adverb. □ For the last 18 months miners have cut a face to develop a new shaft 400 metres down.
3 ADV [ADV after v] You use down to say that you are looking or facing in a direction that is towards the ground or towards a lower level. □ She was still looking down at her papers. □ She put her head down, her hands over her face.
4 ADV [ADV after v] If you put something down , you put it onto a surface. □ Danny put down his glass.
5 PREP If you go or look down something such as a road or river, you go or look along it. If you are down a road or river, you are somewhere along it. □ They set off at a jog up one street and down another. □ …sailing down the river on a barge.
6 ADV [ADV after v] If you are travelling to a particular place, you can say that you are going down to that place, especially if you are going towards the south or to a lower level of land. [SPOKEN ] □ I went down to L.A. all the way from Seattle.
7 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If an amount of something goes down , it decreases. If an amount of something is down , it has decreased and is at a lower level than it was. □ Interest rates came down today. □ Inflation will be down to three percent. □ The Dow Jones industrial average is down 5 points at 2,913.
8 PHRASE If you say that there are a number of things down and a number to go , you are saying how many of the things have already been dealt with and how many remain to be dealt with. □ Thirteen months down, twenty-four years to go.
9 PHRASE Down to a particular detail means including everything, even that detail. Down to a particular person means including everyone, even that person. □ …from the chairman right down to the tea ladies.
10 PHRASE If you are down to a certain amount of something, you have only that amount left. □ The poor man's down to his last £3.
11 PHRASE If a situation is down to a particular person or thing, it has been caused by that person or thing. [mainly BRIT ] □ Any mistakes are entirely down to us.
12 PHRASE If someone or something is down for a particular thing, it has been arranged that they will do that thing, or that thing will happen. □ Mark had told me that he was down for an interview.
13 PHRASE If you pay money down on something, you pay part of the money you owe for it. [mainly AM ] □ He paid 20 percent down.
14 → see also put-down
15 PHRASE If people shout ' down with ' something or someone, they are saying that they dislike them and want to get rid of them. [SPOKEN , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Demonstrators chanted 'down with the rebels'.
16 up and down → see up ➊
17 ups and downs → see up ➊
➋ down /daʊ n/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are feeling down , you are feeling unhappy or depressed. [INFORMAL ] □ The old man sounded really down.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is down on paper, it has been written on the paper. □ [+ on ] That date wasn't down on our news sheet.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If a piece of equipment, especially a computer system, is down , it is temporarily not working because of a fault. Compare up . □ The computer's down again.
➌ down /daʊ n/ (downs , downing , downed )
→ Please look at category 3 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 VERB If you say that someone downs food or a drink, you mean that they eat or drink it. □ [V n] He has been up all night, downing coffee and typing blog posts.
2 VERB If something or someone is downed , they fall to the ground because they have been hurt or damaged in some way. [JOURNALISM ] □ [be V -ed] Two jet fighters were downed. ● down|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …the downing of an airliner, which killed 107 people.
3 to down tools → see tool
➍ down /daʊ n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Down consists of the small, soft feathers on young birds. Down is used to make bed-covers and pillows. □ …goose down.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Down is very fine hair. □ The whole plant is covered with fine down.
3 → see also downs
do wn-and-ou t (down-and-outs ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as down-and-out , you mean that they have no job and nowhere to live, and they have no real hope of improving their situation. □ …a short story about a down-and-out advertising copywriter. ● N‑COUNT Down-and-out is also a noun. [BRIT ] □ …some poor down-and-out in need of a meal.
do wn-at-hee l also down at heel ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is down-at-heel is in bad condition because it has been used too much or has not been looked after properly. If you say that someone is down-at-heel , you mean that they are wearing old, worn clothes because they have little money. □ …down-at-heel towns that are being regenerated. □ …a down-at-heel waitress in a greasy New York diner.
down|beat /daʊ nbiːt/ (downbeats )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If people or their opinions are downbeat , they are deliberately casual and not enthusiastic about a situation. □ …a downbeat assessment of the year's economic prospects.
2 ADJ If you are feeling downbeat , you are feeling depressed and without hope. □ They found him in a gloomy, downbeat mood.
down|cast /daʊ nkɑːst, -kæst/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are downcast , you are feeling sad and without hope. □ Barbara looked increasingly downcast as defeat loomed.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If your eyes are downcast , you are looking towards the ground, usually because you are feeling sad or embarrassed. □ She was silent, her eyes downcast.
down|er /daʊ nə r / (downers ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe a situation as a downer , you think that it is very depressing. [INFORMAL ] □ What happened last week was a bit of a downer. ● PHRASE If you are on a downer , you are feeling depressed and without hope. [INFORMAL ] □ We've been on a bit of a downer since the Liverpool game.
down|fall /daʊ nfɔːl/ (downfalls )
1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The downfall of a successful or powerful person or institution is their loss of success or power. □ His lack of experience had led to his downfall.
2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The thing that was a person's downfall caused them to fail or lose power. □ His honesty had been his downfall.
down|grade /daʊ ngre I d/ (downgrades , downgrading , downgraded )
1 VERB [usu passive] If something is downgraded , it is given less importance than it used to have or than you think it should have. □ [be V -ed] The boy's condition has been downgraded from critical to serious.
2 VERB If someone is downgraded , their job or status is changed so that they become less important or receive less money. □ [be V -ed] There was no criticism of her work until after she was downgraded. □ [V n] His superiors suspended him, and then downgraded him.
down|hearted /daʊ nhɑː r t I d/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are downhearted , you are feeling sad and discouraged. □ Max sighed, sounding even more downhearted.
down|hill /daʊ nh I l/
1 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If something or someone is moving downhill or is downhill , they are moving down a slope or are located towards the bottom of a hill. □ He headed downhill towards the river. [Also + from ] ● ADJ [ADJ n] Downhill is also an adjective. □ …downhill ski runs.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If you say that something is going downhill , you mean that it is becoming worse or less successful. □ Since I started to work longer hours things have gone steadily downhill.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that a task or situation is downhill after a particular stage or time, you mean that it is easy to deal with after that stage or time. □ Well, I guess it's all downhill from here.
Down|ing Street /daʊ n I ŋ striːt/ N‑PROPER Downing Street is the street in London in which the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer live. You can also use Downing Street to refer to the Prime Minister and his or her officials. □ The Prime Minister arrived back at Downing Street from Paris this morning. □ Downing Street is taking the French opinion polls very seriously indeed.
down|load /daʊ nloʊd/ (downloads , downloading , downloaded ) VERB To download data or software means to transfer it to your computer or phone from another device or from the internet. [COMPUTING ] □ [V n] Students and educators can download the software free of charge. ● N‑VAR Download is also a noun. □ Downloads of the album have raised over $3 million for charity.
down|load|able /daʊnloʊ dəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If a computer file or program is downloadable , it can be downloaded to another computer. [COMPUTING ] □ …downloadable games.
down|market /daʊ nmɑː r k I t/ also down-market ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a product or service as downmarket , you think that they are cheap and are not very good in quality. □ It is a downmarket eating house, seating about 60. ● ADV [ADV after v] Downmarket is also an adverb. □ Why is the company going downmarket and developing smaller machines?
do wn pay|ment (down payments ) also downpayment N‑COUNT If you make a down payment on something, you pay only a percentage of the total cost when you buy it. You then finish paying for it later, usually by paying a certain amount every month.
down|play /daʊ nple I / (downplays , downplaying , downplayed ) VERB If you downplay a fact or feature, you try to make people think that it is less important or serious than it really is. □ [V n] The government is trying to downplay the violence.
down|pour /daʊ npɔː r / (downpours ) N‑COUNT A downpour is a sudden and unexpected heavy fall of rain. □ …a sudden downpour of rain.
down|right /daʊ nra I t/ ADV [ADV adj] You use downright to emphasize unpleasant or bad qualities or behaviour. [EMPHASIS ] □ …ideas that would have been downright dangerous if put into practice. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Downright is also an adjective. □ …downright bad manners.
do wn-ri ver also downriver ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] Something that is moving down-river is moving towards the mouth of a river, from a point further up the river. Something that is down-river is towards the mouth of a river. □ By 09.30 we had cast off and were heading down-river. □ …a big tourist hotel a few hundred yards down-river. □ [+ from ] Cologne is not so very far down-river from Mainz. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Down-river is also an adjective. □ …downriver factories dispensing billows of smoke.
downs /daʊ nz/ N‑PLURAL [oft in names] Downs are areas of gentle hills with few trees. [BRIT ] □ …walking across the downs. □ …the Wiltshire downs.
down|scale /daʊ nske I l/ (downscales , downscaling , downscaled ) VERB If you downscale or downscale an activity, you do or spend less in order to save money. □ …controversial plans to downscale the city's Victoria Infirmary and reduce the number of its accident and emergency departments from five to two. □ We want to downscale and buy a smaller house.
down|shift /daʊ nʃ I ft/ (downshifts , downshifting , downshifted )
1 VERB If someone downshifts , they leave a job that is well-paid but stressful for a less demanding job and a more enjoyable way of life. [BRIT ] □ [V ] Lynda now sees many of her clients downshifting in search of a new way of living. ● down|shift|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ The latest lifestyle trend is downshifting. ● down|shifter (downshifters ) N‑COUNT □ Downshifters are being tempted to leave the sophisticated city and go simple.
2 VERB If you downshift while driving, you change to a lower gear. [mainly AM ] □ [V ] He downshifted and turned the steering wheel. [Also V + to ] in BRIT, use change down
down|side /daʊ nsa I d/ N‑SING The downside of a situation is the aspect of it which is less positive, pleasant, or useful than its other aspects. □ The downside of this approach is a lack of clear leadership.
down|size /daʊ nsa I z/ (downsizes , downsizing , downsized ) VERB To downsize something such as a business or industry means to make it smaller. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] American manufacturing organizations have been downsizing their factories. □ [V -ed] …today's downsized economy. □ [V ] …a consultant who's helped dozens of companies downsize. ● down|siz|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …a trend toward downsizing in the personal computer market.
down|spout /daʊ nspaʊt/ (downspouts ) N‑COUNT A downspout is a pipe attached to the side of a building, through which water flows from the roof into a drain. [AM ] □ He installed rain gutters and downspouts. in BRIT, use drainpipe
Do wn's syn|drome also Do wn syn|drome N‑UNCOUNT Down's syndrome is a disorder that some people are born with. People who have Down's syndrome have physical differences, such as shorter stature, and learning difficulties.
down|stage /daʊ nste I dʒ/ ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] When an actor is downstage or moves downstage , he or she is or moves towards the front part of the stage. [TECHNICAL ] □ Krishna stands downstage in the open area. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Downstage is also an adjective. □ …downstage members of the cast.
down|stairs /daʊ nsteə r z/
1 ADV [ADV after v] If you go downstairs in a building, you go down a staircase towards the ground floor. □ Denise went downstairs and made some tea.
2 ADV [be ADV , n ADV ] If something or someone is downstairs in a building, they are on the ground floor or on a lower floor than you. □ The telephone was downstairs in the entrance hall.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Downstairs means situated on the ground floor of a building or on a lower floor than you are. □ She repainted the downstairs rooms and closed off the second floor.
4 N‑SING The downstairs of a building is its lower floor or floors. □ The downstairs of the two little houses had been entirely refashioned.
down|stream /daʊ nstriː m/ ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] Something that is moving downstream is moving towards the mouth of a river, from a point further up the river. Something that is downstream is further towards the mouth of a river than where you are. □ We had drifted downstream. [Also + of/from ] ● ADJ [ADJ n] Downstream is also an adjective. □ Breaking the dam could submerge downstream cities such as Wuhan.
down|swing /daʊ nsw I ŋ/ (downswings ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A downswing is a sudden downward movement in something such as an economy, that had previously been improving. □ The manufacturing economy remains on a downswing.
down|time /daʊ nta I m/
1 N‑UNCOUNT In industry, downtime is the time during which machinery or equipment is not operating. □ On the production line, downtime has been reduced from 55% to 26%.
2 N‑UNCOUNT In computing, downtime is time when a computer is not working.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Downtime is time when people are not working. [mainly AM ] □ Downtime in Hollywood can cost a lot of money.
do wn-to-ea rth ADJ If you say that someone is down-to-earth , you approve of the fact that they concern themselves with practical things and actions, rather than with abstract theories. [APPROVAL ] □ …her sincerity and her down-to-earth common sense.
down|town /daʊ ntaʊn/ ADJ [ADJ n] Downtown places are in or towards the centre of a large town or city, where the shops and places of business are. [mainly AM ] □ …an office in downtown Chicago. ● ADV [ADV after v] Downtown is also an adverb. □ By day he worked downtown for American Standard. [Also be ADV ] ● N‑UNCOUNT Downtown is also a noun. □ …in a large vacant area of the downtown.
down|trend /daʊ ntrend/ N‑SING A downtrend is a general downward movement in something such as a company's profits or the economy. □ The increase slowed to 0.4 percent, possibly indicating the start of a downtrend.
down|trod|den /daʊ ntrɒ d ə n/ ADJ People who are downtrodden are treated very badly by people with power, and do not have the ability or the energy to do anything about it. □ The owner is making huge profits at the expense of downtrodden peasants.
down|turn /daʊ ntɜː r n/ (downturns ) N‑COUNT If there is a downturn in the economy or in a company or industry, it becomes worse or less successful than it had been. □ They predicted a severe economic downturn. [Also + in ]
do wn u n|der PHRASE People sometimes refer to Australia and New Zealand as down under . [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ For summer skiing down under, there is no better place than New Zealand.
down|ward /daʊ nwə r d/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A downward movement or look is directed towards a lower place or a lower level. □ …a firm downward movement of the hands.
2 → see also downwards
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to a downward trend, you mean that something is decreasing or that a situation is getting worse. □ The downward trend in home ownership is likely to continue.
down|wards /daʊ nwə r dz/ also downward
1 ADV [ADV after v] If you move or look downwards , you move or look towards the ground or a lower level. □ Benedict pointed downwards again with his stick.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If an amount or rate moves downwards , it decreases. □ Inflation is moving firmly downwards.
3 ADV [from n ADV ] If you want to emphasize that a statement applies to everyone in an organization, you can say that it applies from its leader downwards . [EMPHASIS ] □ …from the Prime Minister downwards.
down|wind /daʊ nw I nd/ ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If something moves downwind , it moves in the same direction as the wind. If something is downwind , the wind is blowing towards it. □ He attempted to return downwind to the airfield. [Also + of ]
downy /daʊ ni/ (downier , downiest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is downy is filled or covered with small soft feathers. □ …the warm downy quilt.
2 ADJ Something that is downy is covered with very fine hairs. □ …leaves that are often downy underneath.
dow|ry /daʊə ri/ (dowries ) N‑COUNT A woman's dowry is the money and goods which, in some cultures, her family gives to the man that she marries.
dowse /daʊ s/ (dowses , dowsing , dowsed )
1 VERB If someone dowses for underground water, minerals, or some other substance, they search for it using a special rod. □ He said that dowsing for water is complete nonsense. □ [V n] We dowse oil and ore in South America for big companies. □ [V -ing] …a dowsing rod.
2 → see also douse
doy|en /dɔ I ən, dɔ I e n/ (doyens ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you refer to a man as the doyen of a group or profession, you mean that he is the oldest and most experienced and respected member of it. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ …the doyen of political interviewers.
doy|enne /dɔ I e n/ (doyennes ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you refer to a woman as the doyenne of a group or profession, you mean that she is the oldest and most experienced and respected woman in it. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ …the doyenne of British fashion.
doze /doʊ z/ (dozes , dozing , dozed ) VERB When you doze , you sleep lightly or for a short period, especially during the daytime. □ [V ] For a while she dozed fitfully.
▸ doze off PHRASAL VERB If you doze off , you fall into a light sleep, especially during the daytime. □ [V P ] I closed my eyes for a minute and must have dozed off.
doz|en ◆◆◇ /dʌ z ə n/ (dozens ) The plural form is dozen after a number, or after a word or expression referring to a number, such as 'several' or 'a few'. 1 NUM If you have a dozen things, you have twelve of them. □ You will be able to take ten dozen bottles free of duty through customs. □ His chicken eggs sell for $22 a dozen.
2 NUM You can refer to a group of approximately twelve things or people as a dozen . You can refer to a group of approximately six things or people as half a dozen . □ In half a dozen words, he had explained the bond that linked them. □ The riot left four people dead and several dozen injured.
3 QUANT If you refer to dozens of things or people, you are emphasizing that there are very many of them. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] …a storm which destroyed dozens of homes and buildings. ● PRON You can also use dozens as a pronoun. □ Just as revealing are Mr Johnson's portraits, of which there are dozens.
dozy /doʊ zi/ (dozier , doziest )
1 ADJ If you are dozy , you are feeling sleepy and not very alert. □ Maybe I eat too much and that's what makes me dozy.
2 ADJ If you describe someone as dozy , you mean they are rather stupid and slow to understand things. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
D Phil /diː f I l/ (D Phils ) in AM, use D. Phil. D Phil is an abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy .
Dr ◆◆◇ (Drs ) in AM, use Dr. 1 Dr is a written abbreviation for doctor . □ …Dr John Hardy of St Mary's Medical School in London.
2 Dr is used as a written abbreviation for drive when it is part of a street name. □ …6 Queen's Dr.
drab /dræ b/ (drabber , drabbest )
1 ADJ If you describe something as drab , you think that it is dull and boring to look at or experience. □ …his drab little office. ● drab|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the dusty drabness of nearby villages.
2 → see also dribs and drabs
drach|ma /dræ kmə/ (drachmas ) N‑COUNT [num N ] The drachma was the unit of money that was used in Greece. In 2002 it was replaced by the euro. ● N‑SING The drachma was also used to refer to the Greek currency system. □ In April 1992 the Greek drachma was the only Community currency not yet part of the EMS exchange-rate mechanism.
dra|co|nian /drəkoʊ niən/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Draconian laws or measures are extremely harsh and severe. [FORMAL ] □ …draconian measures to lower U.S. healthcare costs.
draft ◆◇◇ /drɑː ft, dræ ft/ (drafts , drafting , drafted )
1 N‑COUNT A draft is an early version of a letter, book, or speech. □ I rewrote his rough draft, which was published under my name. □ I emailed a first draft of this article to him.
2 VERB When you draft a letter, book, or speech, you write the first version of it. □ [V n] He drafted a standard letter to the editors.
3 VERB [usu passive] If you are drafted , you are ordered to serve in the armed forces, usually for a limited period of time. [mainly AM ] □ [be V -ed + into ] During the Second World War, he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
4 VERB If people are drafted into a place, they are moved there to do a particular job. □ [be V -ed + in/into ] Extra police have been drafted into the town after the violence. □ [V n + in/into ] The manager will make a special plea to draft the player into his squad as a replacement. [Also be V -ed]
5 N‑SING The draft is the practice of ordering people to serve in the armed forces, usually for a limited period of time. [mainly AM ] □ …his effort to avoid the draft.
6 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A draft is a written order for payment of money by a bank, especially from one bank to another. □ Ten days later Carmen received a bank draft for a plane ticket.
7 → see also draught SYNONYMS draft NOUN 1
outline: Following is an outline of the survey findings.
plan: …a detailed plan of action for restructuring the group.
sketch: I had a basic sketch of a plan.
dra ft dodg|er (draft dodgers ) N‑COUNT A draft dodger is someone who avoids joining the armed forces when normally they would have to join. [mainly AM , DISAPPROVAL ]
draftee /drɑː ftiː , dræ ft-/ (draftees ) N‑COUNT A draftee is the same as a conscript . [AM ]
drafts|man (draftsmen /drɑː ftsmən, dræ fts-/) → see draughtsman
drafts|man|ship /drɑː ftsmənʃ I p, dræ fts-/ → see draughtsmanship
drafty /drɑː fti, dræ fti/ → see draughty
drag ◆◇◇ /dræ g/ (drags , dragging , dragged )
1 VERB If you drag something, you pull it along the ground, often with difficulty. □ [V n prep/adv] He got up and dragged his chair towards the table.
2 VERB To drag a computer image means to use the mouse to move the position of the image on the screen, or to change its size or shape. [COMPUTING ] □ [V n] Use your mouse to drag the pictures to their new size.
3 VERB If someone drags you somewhere, they pull you there, or force you to go there by physically threatening you. □ [V n prep/adv] The vigilantes dragged the men out of the vehicles.
4 VERB If someone drags you somewhere you do not want to go, they make you go there. □ [V n adv/prep] When you can drag him away from his work, he can also be a devoted father.
5 VERB If you say that you drag yourself somewhere, you are emphasizing that you have to make a very great effort to go there. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V pron-refl adv/prep] I find it really hard to drag myself out and exercise regularly.
6 VERB If you drag your foot or your leg behind you, you walk with great difficulty because your foot or leg is injured in some way. □ [V n prep] He was barely able to drag his poisoned leg behind him.
7 VERB If the police drag a river or lake, they pull nets or hooks across the bottom of it in order to look for something. □ [V n] Yesterday police frogmen dragged a small pond on the Common.
8 VERB If a period of time or an event drags , it is very boring and seems to last a long time. □ [V adv] The minutes dragged past. □ [V ] The pacing was uneven, and the early second act dragged.
9 N‑SING If something is a drag on the development or progress of something, it slows it down or makes it more difficult. □ Spending cuts will put a drag on growth.
10 N‑SING [oft N to-inf] If you say that something is a drag , you mean that it is unpleasant or very dull. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
11 N‑COUNT If you take a drag on a cigarette or pipe that you are smoking, you take in air through it. [INFORMAL ]
12 N‑UNCOUNT Drag is the wearing of women's clothes by a male entertainer. ● PHRASE If a man is in drag , he is wearing women's clothes. □ The band dressed up in drag.
13 PHRASE If you drag your feet or drag your heels , you delay doing something or do it very slowly because you do not want to do it. □ The government, he claimed, was dragging its feet.
▸ drag down
1 PHRASAL VERB To drag someone down means to reduce them to an inferior social status or to lower standards of behaviour. □ [V n P ] She dragged him down with her. □ [be V -ed P + by ] There were fears he would be dragged down by the scandal.
2 PHRASAL VERB Something that drags you down makes you feel weak or depressed. □ [V n P ] I have had really bad bouts of flu that have really dragged me down.
▸ drag in PHRASAL VERB When you are talking, if you drag in a subject, you mention something that is not relevant and that other people do not want to discuss. □ [V P n] They disapproved of my dragging in his wealth. [Also V n P ]
▸ drag into PHRASAL VERB To drag something or someone into an event or situation means to involve them in it when it is not necessary or not desirable. □ [V n P n] Why should Carmela have dragged him into the argument?
▸ drag on PHRASAL VERB You say that an event or process drags on when you disapprove of the fact that it lasts for longer than necessary. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P ] The conflict with James has dragged on for two years.
▸ drag out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you drag something out , you make it last for longer than is necessary. □ [V P n] The company was willing to drag out the proceedings for years. □ [V n P ] Let's get it over with as soon as possible, rather than drag it out.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you drag something out of a person, you persuade them to tell you something that they do not want to tell you. □ [V n P + of ] A confession had to be dragged out of him.
▸ drag up PHRASAL VERB If someone drags up an unpleasant event or an old story from the past, they mention it when people do not want to be reminded of it. □ [V P n] I don't want to go back there and drag up that anger again. [Also V n P ]
drag|net /dræ gnet/ N‑SING [oft n N ] A dragnet is a method used by police to catch suspected criminals. A large number of police officers search a specific area, in the hope that they will eventually find the person they are looking for. □ …a massive police dragnet for two suspected terrorists.
drag|on /dræ gən/ (dragons ) N‑COUNT In stories and legends, a dragon is an animal like a big lizard. It has wings and claws, and breathes out fire.
dragon|fly /dræ gənfla I / (dragonflies ) N‑COUNT Dragonflies are brightly-coloured insects with long, thin bodies and two sets of wings. Dragonflies are often found near slow-moving water.
dra|goon /drəguː n/ (dragoons , dragooning , dragooned ) VERB If someone dragoons you into doing something that you do not want to do, they persuade you to do it even though you try hard not to agree. □ [V n + into ] …the history professor who had dragooned me into taking the exam.
drain ◆◇◇ /dre I n/ (drains , draining , drained )
1 VERB If you drain a liquid from a place or object, you remove the liquid by causing it to flow somewhere else. If a liquid drains somewhere, it flows there. □ [V n adv/prep] Miners built the tunnel to drain water out of the mines. □ [V n] Now the focus is on draining the water. □ [V prep/adv] Springs and rivers that drain into lakes carry dissolved nitrates and phosphates.
2 VERB If you drain a place or object, you dry it by causing water to flow out of it. If a place or object drains , water flows out of it until it is dry. □ [V n] Vast numbers of people have been mobilised to drain flooded land. □ [V ] The soil drains freely and slugs aren't a problem.
3 VERB If you drain food or if food drains , you remove the liquid that it has been in, especially after it has been cooked or soaked in water. □ [V n] Drain the pasta well, arrange on four plates and pour over the sauce. □ [V ] Wash the leeks thoroughly and allow them to drain.
4 N‑COUNT A drain is a pipe that carries water or sewage away from a place, or an opening in a surface that leads to the pipe. □ Tony built his own house and laid his own drains.
5 VERB If the colour or the blood drains or is drained from someone's face, they become very pale. You can also say that someone's face drains or is drained of colour. [LITERARY ] □ [V + from ] Harry felt the colour drain from his face. □ [V + of ] Thacker's face drained of colour. □ [be V -ed + of ] Jock's face had been suddenly drained of all colour. [Also V n from n]
6 VERB If something drains you, it leaves you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted. □ [V n] My emotional turmoil had drained me. ● drained ADJ □ United left the pitch looking stunned and drained. ● drain|ing ADJ □ This work is physically exhausting and emotionally draining.
7 N‑SING [usu adj N ] If you say that something is a drain on an organization's finances or resources, you mean that it costs the organization a large amount of money, and you do not consider that it is worth it. □ [+ on ] …an ultra-modern printing plant, which has been a big drain on resources.
8 → see also brain drain
9 VERB If you say that a country's or a company's resources or finances are drained , you mean that they are used or spent completely. □ [be V -ed] The state's finances have been drained by war. □ [V n] The company has steadily drained its cash reserves.
10 PHRASE If you say that something is going down the drain , you mean that it is being destroyed or wasted. [INFORMAL ] □ They were aware that their public image was rapidly going down the drain.
11 PHRASE If you say that a business is going down the drain , you mean that it is failing financially. [INFORMAL ] □ Small local stores are going down the drain.
drain|age /dre I n I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT Drainage is the system or process by which water or other liquids are drained from a place. □ Line the pots with pebbles to ensure good drainage.
drain|board /dre I nbɔː r d/ (drainboards ) N‑COUNT A drainboard is the same as a draining board . [AM ]
drai n|ing board (draining boards ) N‑COUNT The draining board is the place on a sink unit where things such as cups, plates, and cutlery are put to drain after they have been washed. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use drainboard
drain|pipe /dre I npa I p/ (drainpipes ) N‑COUNT A drainpipe is a pipe attached to the side of a building, through which rainwater flows from the roof into a drain. □ He evaded police by climbing through a window and shinning down a drainpipe.
drake /dre I k/ (drakes ) N‑COUNT A drake is a male duck.
dram /dræ m/ (drams ) N‑COUNT A dram is a small measure of whisky. [mainly SCOTTISH ] □ [+ of ] …a dram of whisky. □ Would you care for a dram?
dra|ma ◆◇◇ /drɑː mə/ (dramas )
1 N‑COUNT A drama is a serious play for the theatre, television, or radio. □ He acted in radio dramas.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You use drama to refer to plays in general or to work that is connected with plays and the theatre, such as acting or producing. □ He knew nothing of Greek drama. □ She met him when she was at drama school.
3 N‑VAR You can refer to a real situation which is exciting or distressing as drama . □ There was none of the drama and relief of a hostage release. COLLOCATIONS drama NOUN 1
noun + drama : comedy, costume, courtroom, period, sci-fi; cop, crime, detective; radio, TV
adjective + drama : comic, fact-based, historical, romantic; gripping; one-off SYNONYMS drama NOUN 3
crisis: …someone to turn to in moments of crisis.
turmoil: Her marriage was in turmoil.
mayhem: …the economic mayhem that this country's going through now.
stir: Her film has caused a stir in America.
commotion: He heard a commotion outside.
dra |ma queen (drama queens ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a drama queen , you mean they react to situations in an unnecessarily dramatic or exaggerated way. [INFORMAL ] □ Don't worry, he's just being a drama queen.
dra|mat|ic ◆◆◇ /drəmæ t I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A dramatic change or event happens suddenly and is very noticeable and surprising. □ Changes in sea level could have a dramatic effect. ● dra|mati|cal|ly /drəmæ t I kli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ At speeds above 50mph, serious injuries dramatically increase.
2 ADJ A dramatic action, event, or situation is exciting and impressive. □ He witnessed many dramatic escapes as people jumped from as high as the fourth floor. ● dra|mati|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ He tipped his head to one side and sighed dramatically.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use dramatic to describe things connected with or relating to the theatre, drama, or plays. □ …a dramatic arts major in college. SYNONYMS dramatic ADJ
1
drastic: …a drastic reduction in the numbers of people dying.
severe: I suffered from severe bouts of depression.
radical: They want a radical reform of the way football is run in England.
extreme: The scheme has been condemned as extreme.
2
thrilling: Our wildlife trips offer a thrilling encounter with wildlife in its natural state.
sensational: The world champions suffered a sensational defeat.
breathtaking: Some of their football was breathtaking, a delight to watch.
hair-raising: Her truck is a very large pickup which she drives at hair-raising speeds.
dra|mat|ics /drəmæ t I ks/
1 N‑UNCOUNT You use dramatics to refer to activities connected with the theatre and drama, such as acting in plays or producing them. □ Angela says she longs to join an amateur dramatics class. □ …the university dramatics society.
2 N‑PLURAL You talk about dramatics to express your disapproval of behaviour which seems to show too much emotion, and which you think is done deliberately in order to impress people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …another wearisome outbreak of Nancy's dramatics.
dra|ma|tis per|so|nae /dræ mət I s pə r soʊ na I / N‑PLURAL The characters in a play are sometimes referred to as the dramatis personae . [TECHNICAL ]
drama|tist /dræ mət I st/ (dramatists ) N‑COUNT A dramatist is someone who writes plays.
drama|tize /dræ məta I z/ (dramatizes , dramatizing , dramatized ) in BRIT, also use dramatise 1 VERB [usu passive] If a book or story is dramatized , it is written or presented as a play, film, or television drama. □ [be V -ed] His life was dramatized in an award-winning movie. □ [V -ed] …a dramatised version of the novel. ● drama|ti|za|tion /dræ məta I ze I ʃ ə n/ (dramatizations ) N‑COUNT □ …a dramatisation of D H Lawrence's novel, 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'.
2 VERB If you say that someone dramatizes a situation or event, you mean that they try to make it seem more serious, more important, or more exciting than it really is. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] They have a tendency to show off, to dramatize almost every situation. [Also V ]
3 VERB If something that happens or is done dramatizes a situation, it focuses people's attention on the situation in a dramatic way. □ [V n] The need for change has been dramatized by plummeting bank profits.
drank /dræ ŋk/ Drank is the past tense of drink .
drape /dre I p/ (drapes , draping , draped )
1 VERB If you drape a piece of cloth somewhere, you place it there so that it hangs down in a casual and graceful way. □ [V n prep] Natasha took the coat and draped it over her shoulders. □ [V -ed prep] She had a towel draped around her neck.
2 VERB If someone or something is draped in a piece of cloth, they are loosely covered by it. □ [be V -ed + in/with ] The coffin had been draped in a Union Jack. □ [V n + in/with ] He draped himself in the Canadian flag and went round the track.
3 VERB If you drape a part of your body somewhere, you lay it there in a relaxed and graceful way. □ [V pron-refl prep] Nicola slowly draped herself across the couch. □ [V n prep] He draped his arm over Daniels' shoulder.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Drapes are pieces of heavy fabric that you hang from the top of a window and can close to keep the light out or stop people looking in. [AM ] in BRIT, use curtains
drap|er /dre I pə r / (drapers ) N‑COUNT A draper is a shopkeeper who sells cloth. [BRIT ]
dra|pery /dre I pəri/ (draperies )
1 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to cloth, curtains, or clothing hanging in folds as drapery or draperies . □ In the dining-room the draperies create an atmosphere of elegance.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Drapery is cloth that you buy in a shop. [BRIT ] □ My mother ran a couple of drapery shops. in AM, use dry goods
dras|tic /dræ st I k/
1 ADJ If you have to take drastic action in order to solve a problem, you have to do something extreme and basic to solve it. □ Drastic measures are needed to clean up the profession. □ He's not going to do anything drastic about economic policy.
2 ADJ A drastic change is a very great change. □ …a drastic reduction in the numbers of people dying. ● dras|ti|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ As a result, services have been drastically reduced.
draught /drɑː ft, dræ ft/ (draughts )
1 N‑COUNT A draught is a current of air that comes into a place in an undesirable way. [BRIT ] □ Block draughts around doors and windows. in AM, use draft 2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Draught beer is beer which is kept in barrels rather than bottles. □ Draught beer is available too. ● PHRASE Beer that is on draught is kept in and served from a barrel rather than a bottle. □ They drink bitter on draught in the local bar.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Draughts is a game for two people, played with 24 round pieces on a board. [BRIT ] □ He was in the study playing draughts by the fire with Albert. in AM, use checkers 4 N‑COUNT A draught is one of the round pieces which are used in the game of draughts. [BRIT ] in AM, use checker
dra ughts board (draughts boards ) also draught board N‑COUNT A draughts board is a square board for playing draughts, with 64 equal-sized, black and white squares. [BRIT ] in AM, use checkerboard
draughts|man /drɑː ftsmən, dræ fts-/ (draughtsmen ) in AM, use draftsman N‑COUNT A draughtsman is someone whose job is to prepare very detailed drawings of machinery, equipment, or buildings.
draughts|man|ship /drɑː ftsmənʃ I p, dræ fts-/ in AM, use draftsmanship N‑UNCOUNT Draughtsmanship is the ability to draw well or the art of drawing.
draughty /drɑː fti, dræ fti/ (draughtier , draughtiest ) in AM, use drafty ADJ A draughty room or building has currents of cold air blowing through it, usually because the windows and doors do not fit very well.
draw ◆◆◆ /drɔː / (draws , drawing , drew , drawn )
1 VERB When you draw , or when you draw something, you use a pencil or pen to produce a picture, pattern, or diagram. □ [V ] She would sit there drawing with the pencil stub. □ [V n] Draw a rough design for a logo. ● draw|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ I like dancing, singing and drawing.
2 VERB When a vehicle draws somewhere, it moves there smoothly and steadily. □ [V adv/prep] Claire had seen the taxi drawing away.
3 VERB If you draw somewhere, you move there slowly. [WRITTEN ] □ [V adv/prep] She drew away and did not smile. □ [V adj] When we drew level, he neither slowed down nor accelerated.
4 VERB If you draw something or someone in a particular direction, you move them in that direction, usually by pulling them gently. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n prep] He drew his chair nearer the fire. □ [V n adj] He put his arm around Caroline's shoulders and drew her close to him. □ [V n with adv] Wilson drew me aside after an interview.
5 VERB When you draw a curtain or blind, you pull it across a window, either to cover or to uncover it. □ [V n] After drawing the curtains, she lit a candle. □ [V -ed] Mother was lying on her bed, with the blinds drawn.
6 VERB If someone draws a gun, knife, or other weapon, they pull it out of its container and threaten you with it. □ [V n] He drew his dagger and turned to face his pursuers.
7 VERB If an animal or vehicle draws something such as a cart, carriage, or another vehicle, it pulls it along. □ [V n] …a slow-moving tractor, drawing a trailer.
8 VERB If you draw a deep breath, you breathe in deeply once. □ [V n] He paused, drawing a deep breath.
9 VERB If you draw on a cigarette, you breathe the smoke from it into your mouth or lungs. □ [V + on ] He drew on an American cigarette. □ [V n + into ] Her cheeks hollowed as she drew smoke into her lungs. [Also V n with in ]
10 VERB To draw something such as water or energy from a particular source means to take it from that source. □ [V n + from ] Villagers still have to draw their water from wells.
11 VERB If something that hits you or presses part of your body draws blood, it cuts your skin so that it bleeds. □ [V n] Any practice that draws blood could increase the risk of getting the virus.
12 VERB If you draw money out of a bank, building society, or savings account, you get it from the account so that you can use it. □ [V n with out ] She was drawing out cash from a cash machine. □ [V n + from ] Companies could not draw money from bank accounts as cash. [Also V n]
13 VERB If you draw a salary or a sum of money, you receive a sum of money regularly. □ [V n] For the first few years I didn't draw any salary at all.
14 VERB To draw something means to choose it or to be given it, as part of a competition, game, or lottery. □ [V n] We delved through a sackful of letters to draw the winning name. ● N‑COUNT Draw is also a noun. □ …the draw for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
15 N‑COUNT A draw is a competition where people pay money for numbered or named tickets, then some of those tickets are chosen, and the owners are given prizes.
16 VERB To draw something from a particular thing or place means to take or get it from that thing or place. □ [V n + from ] I draw strength from the millions of women who have faced this challenge successfully.
17 VERB If you draw a particular conclusion, you decide that that conclusion is true. □ [V n + from ] He draws two conclusions from this. □ [V n] He says he cannot yet draw any conclusions about the murders.
18 VERB If you draw a comparison, parallel, or distinction, you compare or contrast two different ideas, systems, or other things. □ [V n] …literary critics drawing comparisons between George Sand and George Eliot. [Also V n with n]
19 VERB If you draw someone's attention to something, you make them aware of it or make them think about it. □ [V n] He was waving his arms to draw their attention. □ [V n + to ] He just wants to draw attention to the plight of the unemployed.
20 VERB If someone or something draws a particular reaction, people react to it in that way. □ [V n + from ] Such a policy would inevitably draw fierce resistance from farmers. □ [V n] The club's summer signings have drawn criticism.
21 VERB If something such as a film or an event draws a lot of people, it is so interesting or entertaining that a lot of people go to it. □ [V n] The game is currently drawing huge crowds.
22 VERB If someone or something draws you, it attracts you very strongly. □ [V n] He drew and enthralled her. □ [V n + to ] What drew him to the area was its proximity to central London.
23 VERB [usu passive] If someone will not be drawn or refuses to be drawn , they will not reply to questions in the way that you want them to, or will not reveal information or their opinion. [mainly BRIT ] □ [be V -ed + on ] The ambassador would not be drawn on questions of a political nature. □ [be V -ed] 'Did he say why?'—'No, he refuses to be drawn.'
24 VERB In a game or competition, if one person or team draws with another one, or if two people or teams draw , they have the same number of points or goals at the end of the game. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V ] Holland and the Republic of Ireland drew one–one. □ [V + with/against ] We drew with Ireland in the first game. □ [V n] Egypt drew two of their matches in Italy. [Also pl-n V , V (non-recip)] ● N‑COUNT Draw is also a noun. □ We were happy to come away with a draw against Sweden. [in AM, usually use tie ]
25 → see also drawing
26 PHRASE When an event or period of time draws to a close or draws to an end , it finishes. □ Another celebration had drawn to its close.
27 PHRASE If an event or period of time is drawing closer or is drawing nearer , it is approaching. □ And all the time next spring's elections are drawing closer.
28 to draw a blank → see blank
29 to draw the line → see line
30 to draw lots → see lot
▸ draw in
1 PHRASAL VERB If you say that the nights, evenings, or days are drawing in , you mean that it is becoming dark at an earlier time in the evening, because autumn or winter is approaching. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] The days draw in and the mornings get darker.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you draw someone in or draw them into something you are involved with, you cause them to become involved with it. □ [V n P ] It won't be easy for you to draw him in. □ [V n P n] Don't let him draw you into his strategy. [Also V P n (not pron)]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you draw in your breath, you breathe in deeply. If you draw in air, you take it into your lungs as you breathe in. □ [V n P ] Rose drew her breath in sharply. □ [V P n] Roll the wine around in your mouth, drawing in air at the same time.
▸ draw into → see draw in 2
▸ draw off PHRASAL VERB If a quantity of liquid is drawn off from a larger quantity, it is taken from it, usually by means of a needle or pipe. □ [be V -ed P ] The fluid can be drawn off with a syringe. □ [V P n] Doctors drew off a pint of his blood. [Also V n P ]
▸ draw on
1 PHRASAL VERB If you draw on or draw upon something such as your skill or experience, you make use of it in order to do something. □ [V P n] He drew on his experience as a yachtsman to make a documentary programme.
2 PHRASAL VERB As a period of time draws on , it passes and the end of it gets closer. □ [V P ] As the afternoon drew on we were joined by more of the regulars.
▸ draw out PHRASAL VERB If you draw someone out , you make them feel less nervous and more willing to talk. □ [V n P ] Her mother tried every approach to draw her out.
▸ draw up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you draw up a document, list, or plan, you prepare it and write it out. □ [V P n] They agreed to draw up a formal agreement. □ [V n P ] He wants his ministers to concentrate on implementing policy, not on drawing it up.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you draw up a chair, you move it nearer to a person or place, for example so that you can watch something or join in with something. □ [V P n] He drew up a chair and sat down. [Also V n P ]
▸ draw upon → see draw on 1
draw|back /drɔː bæk/ (drawbacks ) N‑COUNT A drawback is an aspect of something or someone that makes them less acceptable than they would otherwise be. □ He felt the apartment's only drawback was that it was too small.
draw|bridge /drɔː br I dʒ/ (drawbridges ) N‑COUNT A drawbridge is a bridge that can be pulled up, for example to prevent people from getting into a castle or to allow ships to pass underneath it.
drawer /drɔː ə r / (drawers )
1 N‑COUNT A drawer is part of a desk, chest, or other piece of furniture that is shaped like a box and is designed for putting things in. You pull it towards you to open it. □ He opened a drawer in his writing-table.
2 → see also chest of drawers
draw|ing /drɔː I ŋ/ (drawings )
1 N‑COUNT A drawing is a picture made with a pencil or pen. □ [+ of ] She did a drawing of me.
2 → see also draw
dra w|ing board (drawing boards ) in AM, use drawing-board 1 N‑COUNT A drawing board is a large flat board, often fixed to a metal frame so that it looks like a desk, on which you place your paper when you are drawing or designing something.
2 PHRASE If you say that you will have to go back to the drawing board , you mean that something which you have done has not been successful and that you will have to start again or try another idea.
dra w|ing pin (drawing pins ) also drawing-pin N‑COUNT A drawing pin is a short pin with a broad, flat top which is used for fastening papers or pictures to a board, wall, or other surface. [BRIT ] in AM, use thumbtack
dra w|ing room (drawing rooms ) N‑COUNT A drawing room is a room, especially a large room in a large house, where people sit and relax, or entertain guests. [FORMAL ]
drawl /drɔː l/ (drawls , drawling , drawled ) VERB If someone drawls , they speak slowly and not very clearly, with long vowel sounds. □ [V with quote] 'I guess you guys don't mind if I smoke?' he drawled. □ [V ] He has a deep voice and he drawls slightly. ● N‑COUNT Drawl is also a noun. □ …Jack's southern drawl.
drawn /drɔː n/
1 Drawn is the past participle of draw .
2 ADJ If someone or their face looks drawn , their face is thin and they look very tired, ill, worried, or unhappy. □ She looked drawn and tired when she turned towards me.
dra wn-ou t ADJ You can describe something as drawn-out when it lasts or takes longer than you would like it to. □ The road to peace will be long and drawn-out.
draw|string /drɔː str I ŋ/ (drawstrings ) also draw-string N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft N n] A drawstring is a cord that goes through an opening, for example at the top of a bag or a pair of trousers. When the cord is pulled tighter, the opening gets smaller. □ …a velvet bag with a drawstring.
dray /dre I / (drays ) N‑COUNT A dray is a large flat cart with four wheels which is pulled by horses.
dread /dre d/ (dreads , dreading , dreaded )
1 VERB If you dread something which may happen, you feel very anxious and unhappy about it because you think it will be unpleasant or upsetting. □ [V n/v-ing] I'm dreading Christmas this year. □ [V that] I'd been dreading that the birth would take a long time. [Also V to-inf]
2 N‑UNCOUNT Dread is a feeling of great anxiety and fear about something that may happen. □ She thought with dread of the cold winters to come.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Dread means terrible and greatly feared. [LITERARY ] □ …a more effective national policy to combat this dread disease.
4 → see also dreaded
5 PHRASE If you say that you dread to think what might happen, you mean that you are anxious about it because it is likely to be very unpleasant. □ I dread to think what will happen in the case of a major emergency.
dread|ed /dre d I d/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Dreaded means terrible and greatly feared. □ No one knew how to treat this dreaded disease.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use the dreaded to describe something that you, or a particular group of people, find annoying, inconvenient, or undesirable. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ She's a victim of the dreaded hay fever.
dread|ful /dre dfʊl/
1 ADJ If you say that something is dreadful , you mean that it is very bad or unpleasant, or very poor in quality. □ They told us the dreadful news. ● dread|fully ADV [ADV with v] □ You behaved dreadfully.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Dreadful is used to emphasize the degree or extent of something bad. [EMPHASIS ] □ We've made a dreadful mistake. ● dread|fully ADV [ADV adj, ADV after v] □ He looks dreadfully ill.
3 ADJ If someone looks or feels dreadful , they look or feel very ill, tired, or upset. □ Are you all right? You look dreadful.
dread|locked /dre dlɒkt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A dreadlocked person has their hair in dreadlocks. [WRITTEN ] □ …the dreadlocked Rastafarian, Bob Marley.
dread|locks /dre dlɒks/ N‑PLURAL If someone has dreadlocks , their hair is divided into a large number of tight strips, like pieces of rope. Dreadlocks are worn especially by men who are Rastafarians.
dream ◆◆◇ /driː m/ (dreams , dreaming , dreamed , dreamt ) American English uses the form dreamed as the past tense and past participle. British English uses either dreamed or dreamt . 1 N‑COUNT A dream is an imaginary series of events that you experience in your mind while you are asleep. □ He had a dream about Claire. □ I had a dream that I was in an old study, surrounded by leather books.
2 VERB When you dream , you experience imaginary events in your mind while you are asleep. □ [V that] Ivor dreamed that he was on a bus. □ [V + about/of ] She dreamed about her baby. [Also V ]
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to a situation or event as a dream if you often think about it because you would like it to happen. □ He had finally accomplished his dream of becoming a pilot. □ My dream is to have a house in the country.
4 VERB If you often think about something that you would very much like to happen or have, you can say that you dream of it. □ [V + of/about ] As a schoolgirl, she had dreamed of becoming an actress. □ [V + of/about ] For most of us, a brand new designer kitchen is something we can only dream about. □ [V that] I dream that my son will attend college and find a good job.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use dream to describe something that you think is ideal or perfect, especially if it is something that you thought you would never be able to have or experience. □ …a dream holiday to Jamaica.
6 N‑SING If you describe something as a particular person's dream , you think that it would be ideal for that person and that he or she would like it very much. □ Greece is said to be a botanist's dream.
7 N‑SING If you say that something is a dream , you mean that it is wonderful. [INFORMAL ]
8 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can refer to a situation or event that does not seem real as a dream , especially if it is very strange or unpleasant. □ When the right woman comes along, this bad dream will be over.
9 VERB [with neg] If you say that you would not dream of doing something, you are emphasizing that you would never do it because you think it is wrong or is not possible or suitable for you. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V + of ] I wouldn't dream of making fun of you.
10 VERB If you say that you never dreamed that something would happen, you are emphasizing that you did not think that it would happen because it seemed very unlikely. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V that] I never dreamed that I would be able to afford a home here. □ [V + of ] Who could ever dream of a disaster like this?
11 → see also pipe dream , wet dream
12 PHRASE If you tell someone to dream on , you mean that something they are hoping for is unlikely to happen. □ 'Perhaps one day I may go on a relaxing holiday.'—'Yeah, dream on.'
13 PHRASE If you say that you are in a dream , you mean that you do not concentrate properly on what you are doing because you are thinking about other things. □ All day long I moved in a dream.
14 PHRASE You say ` In your dreams! ' when you think that what someone wants is never going to happen or be true. □ He seems to think he is going to make it as a comedian. In your dreams, lad.
15 PHRASE If you say that someone does something like a dream , you think that they do it very well. If you say that something happens like a dream , you mean that it happens successfully without any problems. □ She cooked like a dream.
16 PHRASE If you describe someone or something as the person or thing of your dreams , you mean that you consider them to be ideal or perfect. □ This could be the man of my dreams.
17 PHRASE If you say that you could not imagine a particular thing in your wildest dreams , you are emphasizing that you think it is extremely strange or unlikely. [EMPHASIS ] □ Never in my wildest dreams did I think we could win.
18 PHRASE If you describe something as being beyond your wildest dreams , you are emphasizing that it is better than you could have imagined or hoped for. [EMPHASIS ] □ She had already achieved success beyond her wildest dreams.
▸ dream up PHRASAL VERB If you dream up a plan or idea, you work it out or create it in your mind. □ [V P n] I dreamed up a plan to solve both problems at once. □ [V n P ] His son hadn't dreamed it up. COLLOCATIONS dream NOUN 3
noun + dream : boyhood, childhood
adjective + dream : distant, impossible, wildest; lifelong
verb + dream : fulfil; chase, pursue; achieve, live, realize; crush, dash, shatter
dream|er /driː mə r / (dreamers ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a dreamer , you mean that they spend a lot of time thinking about and planning for things that they would like to happen but which are improbable or impractical.
dreami|ly /driː m I li/ ADV [usu ADV with v] If you say or do something dreamily , you say or do it in a way that shows your mind is occupied with pleasant, relaxing thoughts. □ 'They were divine,' she sighs, dreamily.
dream|land /driː mlænd/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] If you refer to a situation as dreamland , you mean that it represents what someone would like to happen, but that it is completely unrealistic. □ In dreamland we play them in the final.
dream|less /driː mləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A dreamless sleep is very deep and peaceful, and without dreams. □ He fell into a deep dreamless sleep.
dream|like /driː mla I k/ ADJ If you describe something as dreamlike , you mean it seems strange and unreal. □ Her paintings have a naive, dreamlike quality.
dreamt /dre mt/ In British English, dreamt is a past tense and past participle of dream .
drea m tea m (dream teams ) N‑COUNT A dream team is the best possible group of people to be in a sports team or to do a particular job. □ …American basketball's dream team.
drea m ti ck|et N‑SING If journalists talk about a dream ticket , they are referring to two candidates for political positions, for example President and Vice-President, or Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, who they think will be extremely successful.
dreamy /driː mi/ (dreamier , dreamiest )
1 ADJ If you say that someone has a dreamy expression, you mean that they are not paying attention to things around them and look as if they are thinking about something pleasant. □ His face assumed a sort of dreamy expression.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as dreamy , you mean that you like it and that it seems gentle and soft, like something in a dream. [APPROVAL ] □ …dreamy shots of beautiful sunsets.
3 → see also dreamily
dreary /dr I ə ri/ (drearier , dreariest ) ADJ If you describe something as dreary , you mean that it is dull and depressing. □ …a dreary little town in the Midwest. ● dreari|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ …a drearily familiar scenario.
dredge /dre dʒ/ (dredges , dredging , dredged ) VERB When people dredge a harbour, river, or other area of water, they remove mud and unwanted material from the bottom with a special machine in order to make it deeper or to look for something. □ [V n] Police have spent weeks dredging the lake but have not found his body.
▸ dredge up
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone dredges up a piece of information they learned a long time ago, or if they dredge up a distant memory, they manage to remember it. □ [V P n] …an American trying to dredge up some French or German learned in high school. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone dredges up a damaging or upsetting fact about your past, they remind you of it or tell other people about it. □ [V P n] I wouldn't want to dredge up the past. □ [V n P ] It's the media who keep dredging it up.
dredg|er /dre dʒə r / (dredgers ) N‑COUNT A dredger is a boat which is fitted with a special machine that is used to increase the size of harbours, rivers, and canals.
dregs /dre gz/
1 N‑PLURAL The dregs of a liquid are the last drops left at the bottom of a container, together with any solid bits that have sunk to the bottom. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Colum drained the dregs from his cup.
2 N‑PLURAL If you talk about the dregs of society or of a community, you mean the people in it who you consider to be the most worthless and bad. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He sees dissidents as the dregs of society.
drench /dre ntʃ/ (drenches , drenching , drenched ) VERB To drench something or someone means to make them completely wet. □ [V n] They turned fire hoses on the people and drenched them. □ [get V -ed] They were getting drenched by icy water. □ [V -ed] We were completely drenched and cold. ● -drenched COMB □ …the rain-drenched streets of the capital.
dress ◆◆◇ /dre s/ (dresses , dressing , dressed )
1 N‑COUNT A dress is a piece of clothing worn by a woman or girl. It covers her body and part of her legs. □ She was wearing a black dress.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to clothes worn by men or women as dress . □ He's usually smart in his dress. □ …hundreds of Cambodians in traditional dress.
3 → see also evening dress , fancy dress , full dress , morning dress
4 VERB When you dress or dress yourself , you put on clothes. □ [V ] He told Sarah to wait while he dressed. □ [V pron-refl] Sue had dressed herself neatly for work.
5 VERB If you dress someone, for example a child, you put clothes on them. □ [V n] She bathed her and dressed her in clean clothes.
6 VERB If someone dresses in a particular way, they wear clothes of a particular style or colour. □ [V + in ] He dresses in a way that lets everyone know he's got authority.
7 VERB If you dress for something, you put on special clothes for it. □ [V + for ] We don't dress for dinner here.
8 VERB When someone dresses a wound, they clean it and cover it. □ [V n] The poor child never cried or protested when I was dressing her wounds.
9 VERB If you dress a salad, you cover it with a mixture of oil, vinegar, and herbs or flavourings. □ [V n] Scatter the tomato over, then dress the salad. □ [V -ed] …a bowl of dressed salad.
10 → see also dressed , dressing
▸ dress down PHRASAL VERB If you dress down , you wear clothes that are less smart than usual. □ [V P ] She dresses down in baggy clothes to avoid hordes of admirers.
▸ dress up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you dress up or dress yourself up , you put on different clothes, in order to make yourself look smarter than usual or to disguise yourself. □ [V P ] You do not need to dress up for dinner. □ [V P + as ] Little girls dress up as angels for fiestas. [Also V n P ] [Also + in ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you dress someone up , you give them special clothes to wear, in order to make them look smarter or to disguise them. □ [V n P ] Mother loved to dress me up. [Also V P n (not pron)]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you dress something up , you try to make it seem more attractive, acceptable, or interesting than it really is. □ [V P n] Politicians dress up their ruthless ambition as a pursuit of the public good. □ [V n P ] However you dress it up, a bank only exists to lend money.
4 → see also dressed up , dressing-up
dres|sage /dre sɑːʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT Dressage is a competition in which horse riders have to make their horse perform controlled movements.
dre ss ci r|cle N‑SING The dress circle is the lowest of the curved rows of seats upstairs in a theatre.
dre ss co de (dress codes ) N‑COUNT The dress code of a place is the rules about what kind of clothes people are allowed to wear there. □ There is a strict dress code: no trainers or jeans.
dre ss-do wn Fri |day (dress-down Fridays ) N‑COUNT In some companies employees are allowed to wear clothes that are less smart than usual on a Friday. This day is known as a dress-down Friday . □ But is it really feasible to don sportswear to the office without the excuse of dress-down Friday?
dressed ◆◇◇ /dre st/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are dressed , you are wearing clothes rather than being naked or wearing your night clothes. If you get dressed , you put on your clothes. □ He was fully dressed, including shoes. □ He went into his bedroom to get dressed.
2 ADJ [adv ADJ ] If you are dressed in a particular way, you are wearing clothes of a particular colour or kind. □ [+ in ] …a tall thin woman dressed in black.
3 → see also well-dressed
dre ssed u p
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is dressed up , they are wearing special clothes, in order to look smarter than usual or in order to disguise themselves. □ You're all dressed up. Are you going somewhere?
2 ADJ If you say that something is dressed up as something else, you mean that someone has tried to make it more acceptable or attractive by making it seem like that other thing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ as ] He tried to organise things so that the trip would be dressed up as a U.N. mission. [Also + in ]
dress|er /dre sə r / (dressers )
1 N‑COUNT A dresser is a chest of drawers, usually with a mirror on the top. [AM ] in BRIT, use dressing table 2 N‑COUNT A dresser is a piece of furniture which has cupboards or drawers in the lower part and shelves in the top part. It is usually used for storing china. [mainly BRIT ]
3 N‑COUNT [adj N ] You can use dresser to refer to the kind of clothes that a person wears. For example, if you say that someone is a smart dresser , you mean that they wear smart clothes.
dress|ing /dre s I ŋ/ (dressings )
1 N‑VAR A salad dressing is a mixture of oil, vinegar, and herbs or flavourings, which you pour over salad. □ Mix the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl.
2 N‑COUNT A dressing is a covering that is put on a wound to protect it while it heals.
dre ssing-do wn N‑SING If someone gives you a dressing-down , they speak angrily to you because you have done something bad or foolish. [INFORMAL ]
dre ss|ing gown (dressing gowns ) also dressing-gown N‑COUNT A dressing gown is a long, loose garment which you wear over your night clothes when you are not in bed.
dre ss|ing room (dressing rooms ) also dressing-room
1 N‑COUNT A dressing room is a room in a theatre where performers can dress and get ready for their performance.
2 N‑COUNT A dressing room is a room at a sports stadium where players can change and get ready for their game. [BRIT ] in AM, use locker room
dre ss|ing ta|ble (dressing tables ) also dressing-table N‑COUNT A dressing table is a small table in a bedroom. It has drawers underneath and a mirror on top.
dre ssing-u p also dressing up N‑UNCOUNT When children play at dressing-up , they put on special or different clothes and pretend to be different people.
dress|maker /dre sme I kə r / (dressmakers ) N‑COUNT A dressmaker is a person who makes women's or children's clothes.
dress|making /dre sme I k I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Dressmaking is the activity or job of making clothes for women or girls.
dre ss re|hea rs|al (dress rehearsals )
1 N‑COUNT The dress rehearsal of a play, opera, or show is the final rehearsal before it is performed, in which the performers wear their costumes and the lights and scenery are all used as they will be in the performance.
2 N‑COUNT You can describe an event as a dress rehearsal for a later, more important event when it indicates how the later event will be. □ [+ for ] These elections, you could almost say, are a dress rehearsal for the real elections.
dre ss se nse N‑UNCOUNT Someone's dress sense is their ability to choose clothes that make them look attractive. □ I've no dress sense at all.
dre ss shi rt (dress shirts ) N‑COUNT A dress shirt is a special shirt which men wear on formal occasions. It is worn with a dinner jacket and bow tie.
dressy /dre si/ (dressier , dressiest ) ADJ Dressy clothes are smart clothes which you wear when you want to look elegant or formal.
drew /druː / Drew is the past tense of draw .
drib|ble /dr I b ə l/ (dribbles , dribbling , dribbled )
1 VERB If a liquid dribbles somewhere, or if you dribble it, it drops down slowly or flows in a thin stream. □ [V prep/adv] Sweat dribbled down Hart's face. □ [V n prep/adv] Dribble the hot mixture slowly into the blender.
2 VERB When players dribble the ball in a game such as football or basketball, they keep kicking or tapping it quickly in order to keep it moving. □ [V n] He dribbled the ball towards Ferris. □ [V ] He dribbled past four defenders. □ [V -ing] Her dribbling skills look second to none.
3 VERB If a person dribbles , saliva drops slowly from their mouth. □ [V ] …to protect cot sheets when the baby dribbles.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Dribble is saliva that drops slowly from someone's mouth. □ His clothes are soaked in dribble.
dribs and drabs /dr I bz ən dræ bz/ PHRASE If people or things arrive in dribs and drabs , they arrive in small numbers over a period of time rather than arriving all together. [INFORMAL ] □ Clients came in dribs and drabs.
dried /dra I d/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Dried food or milk has had all the water removed from it so that it will last for a long time. □ …an infusion which may be prepared from the fresh plant or the dried herb.
2 → see also dry
drie d frui t (dried fruits ) N‑VAR Dried fruit is fruit that has been preserved by being dried; used especially to refer to currants, raisins, or sultanas, which are kinds of dried grapes.
drie d-u p
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as dried-up , you are saying rudely that they are old and dull, and not worth paying attention to. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …her fears of becoming a dried-up old prune.
2 → see also dry up
dri|er /dra I ə r / → see dry , dryer
drift ◆◇◇ /dr I ft/ (drifts , drifting , drifted )
1 VERB When something drifts somewhere, it is carried there by the movement of wind or water. □ [V adv/prep] We proceeded to drift on up the river. □ [V ] The waves became rougher as they drifted.
2 VERB If someone or something drifts into a situation, they get into that situation in a way that is not planned or controlled. □ [V prep/adv] We need to offer young people drifting into crime an alternative set of values. □ [V ] There is a general sense that the country and economy alike are drifting.
3 VERB If you say that someone drifts around, you mean that they travel from place to place without a plan or settled way of life. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V prep/adv] You've been drifting from job to job without any real commitment. [Also V ]
4 N‑COUNT A drift is a movement away from somewhere or something, or a movement towards somewhere or something different. □ …the drift towards the cities.
5 VERB To drift somewhere means to move there slowly or gradually. □ [V prep] As rural factories shed labour, people drift towards the cities.
6 VERB If sounds drift somewhere, they can be heard but they are not very loud. □ [V prep/adv] Cool summer dance sounds are drifting from the stereo indoors.
7 VERB If snow drifts , it builds up into piles as a result of the movement of the wind. □ [V ] The snow, except where it drifted, was only calf-deep.
8 N‑COUNT A drift is a mass of snow that has built up into a pile as a result of the movement of wind. □ …a nine-foot snow drift.
9 N‑SING The drift of an argument or speech is the general point that is being made in it. □ Grace was beginning to get his drift. [Also + of ]
▸ drift off PHRASAL VERB If you drift off to sleep, you gradually fall asleep. □ [V P + to ] It was only when he finally drifted off to sleep that the headaches eased. [Also V P ]
drift|er /dr I ftə r / (drifters ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a drifter , you mean that they do not stay in one place or in one job for very long. [DISAPPROVAL ]
drift|wood /dr I ftwʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT Driftwood is wood which has been carried onto the shore by the motion of the sea or a river, or which is still floating on the water.
drill /dr I l/ (drills , drilling , drilled )
1 N‑COUNT A drill is a tool or machine that you use for making holes. □ …pneumatic drills. □ …a dentist's drill.
2 VERB When you drill into something or drill a hole in something, you make a hole in it using a drill. □ [V prep] He drilled into the wall of Lili's bedroom. □ [V n] I drilled five holes at equal distance.
3 VERB When people drill for oil or water, they search for it by drilling deep holes in the ground or in the bottom of the sea. □ [V + for ] There have been proposals to drill for more oil. □ [V ] The team is still drilling. ● drill|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Drilling is due to start early next year.
4 N‑COUNT A drill is a way that teachers teach their students something by making them repeat it many times. □ The teacher runs them through a drill–the days of the week, the weather and some counting.
5 VERB If you drill people, you teach them to do something by making them repeat it many times. □ [V n] He drills the choir to a high standard.
6 N‑VAR [oft N n] A drill is repeated training for a group of people, especially soldiers, so that they can do something quickly and efficiently. □ The Marines carried out a drill that included 18 ships and 90 aircraft.
7 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A drill is a routine exercise or activity, in which people practise what they should do in dangerous situations. □ …a fire drill. □ …air-raid drills.
dri|ly /dra I li/ → see dry
drink ◆◆◇ /dr I ŋk/ (drinks , drinking , drank , drunk )
1 VERB When you drink a liquid, you take it into your mouth and swallow it. □ [V n] He drank his cup of tea. □ [V ] He drank thirstily from the pool under the rock.
2 VERB To drink means to drink alcohol. □ [V ] He was smoking and drinking too much. ● drink|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ She had left him because of his drinking.
3 N‑COUNT A drink is an amount of a liquid which you drink. □ [+ of ] I'll get you a drink of water.
4 N‑COUNT A drink is an alcoholic drink. □ She felt like a drink after a hard day.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Drink is alcohol, such as beer, wine, or whisky. □ Too much drink is bad for your health.
6 → see also drinking
7 CONVENTION People say ' I'll drink to that ' to show that they agree with and approve of something that someone has just said. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ]
▸ drink to PHRASAL VERB When people drink to someone or something, they wish them success, good luck, or good health before having an alcoholic drink. □ [V P n] Let's drink to his memory, eh?
▸ drink up PHRASAL VERB When you drink up an amount of liquid, you finish it completely. □ [V P n] Drink up your sherry and we'll go. □ [V P ] Drink up, there's time for another.
drink|able /dr I ŋkəb ə l/
1 ADJ Water that is drinkable is clean and safe for drinking.
2 ADJ If you say that a particular wine, beer, or other drink is drinkable , you mean that it tastes quite pleasant. □ The food was good and the wine drinkable. □ …a very drinkable plonk.
dri nk-dri ve also drink drive ADJ [ADJ n] Drink-drive means relating to drink-driving. □ He was nearly three times over the drink drive limit.
dri nk-dri ver (drink-drivers ) also drink driver N‑COUNT A drink-driver is someone who drives after drinking more than the amount of alcohol that is legally allowed. [BRIT ] in AM, use drunk driver ● drink-driving N‑UNCOUNT □ …a drink-driving conviction.
drink|er /dr I ŋkə r / (drinkers )
1 N‑COUNT If someone is a tea drinker or a beer drinker , for example, they regularly drink tea or beer. □ Are you a coffee drinker?
2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a drinker , you mean that they drink alcohol, especially in large quantities. □ I'm not a heavy drinker.
drink|ing /dr I ŋk I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Someone's drinking friends or companions are people they regularly drink alcohol with.
2 → see also drink
dri nk|ing foun|tain (drinking fountains ) N‑COUNT A drinking fountain is a device which supplies water for people to drink in places such as streets, parks, or schools.
dri nk|ing wa|ter N‑UNCOUNT Drinking water is water which it is safe to drink.
drip /dr I p/ (drips , dripping , dripped )
1 VERB When liquid drips somewhere, or you drip it somewhere, it falls in individual small drops. □ [V prep/adv] Sit your child forward and let the blood drip into a tissue or on to the floor. □ [V ] Amid the trees the sea mist was dripping. □ [V n prep/adv] The children kept dripping Coke on the carpets.
2 VERB When something drips , drops of liquid fall from it. □ [V ] A tap in the kitchen was dripping. □ [V + with ] Lou was dripping with perspiration. □ [V n] He was holding a cloth that dripped pink drops upon the floor.
3 N‑COUNT A drip is a small individual drop of a liquid. □ Drips of water rolled down the trousers of his uniform.
4 N‑COUNT A drip is a piece of medical equipment by which a liquid is slowly passed through a tube into a patient's blood. □ I had a bad attack of pneumonia and spent two days in hospital on a drip.
5 VERB [usu cont] If you say that something is dripping with a particular thing, you mean that it contains a lot of that thing. [LITERARY ] □ [V + with ] They were dazed by window displays dripping with diamonds and furs.
6 → see also drip-dry , dripping
dri p-dry ADJ Drip-dry clothes or sheets are made of a fabric that dries free of creases when it is hung up wet. □ …drip-dry shirts.
dri p-feed also drip feed (drip-feeds , drip-feeding , drip-fed ) VERB If you drip-feed money into something, you pay the money a little at a time rather than paying it all at once. □ [V n + into ] …investors who adopt the sensible policy of drip feeding money into shares.
drip|ping /dr I p I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Dripping is the fat which comes out of meat when it is fried or roasted, and which can be used for frying food.
2 PHRASE If you are dripping wet , you are so wet that water is dripping from you. □ We were dripping wet from the spray.
3 → see also drip
drip|py /dr I pi/ (drippier , drippiest ) ADJ If you describe someone as drippy , you mean that they are rather stupid and weak. If you describe something such as a book or a type of music as drippy , you mean that you think it is rather stupid, dull, and sentimental. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ These men look a bit drippy. □ …drippy infantile ideas.
drive ◆◆◆ /dra I v/ (drives , driving , drove , driven )
1 VERB When you drive somewhere, you operate a car or other vehicle and control its movement and direction. □ [V prep/adv] I drove into town and went to a restaurant for dinner. □ [V ] She never learned to drive. □ [V n] Mrs Glick drove her own car and the girls went in Nancy's convertible. [Also V n prep/adv] ● driv|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …a qualified driving instructor.
2 VERB If you drive someone somewhere, you take them there in a car or other vehicle. □ [V n prep/adv] His daughter Carly drove him to the train station. [Also V n]
3 N‑COUNT A drive is a journey in a car or other vehicle. □ I thought we might go for a drive on Sunday.
4 N‑COUNT A drive is a wide piece of hard ground, or sometimes a private road, that leads from the road to a person's house.
5 VERB If something drives a machine, it supplies the power that makes it work. □ [V n] The current flows into electric motors that drive the wheels.
6 N‑COUNT You use drive to refer to the mechanical part of a computer which reads the data on disks and tapes, or writes data onto them. □ The easiest way to back up your computer is with an external hard disk drive.
7 → see also disk drive
8 VERB If you drive something such as a nail into something else, you push it in or hammer it in using a lot of effort. □ [V n prep] I used a sledgehammer to drive the pegs into the ground. □ [V n with adv] I held it still and drove in a nail.
9 VERB In games such as cricket, golf, or football, if a player drives a ball somewhere, they kick or hit it there with a lot of force. □ [V n prep/adv] Armstrong drove the ball into the roof of the net. [Also V n]
10 VERB If the wind, rain, or snow drives in a particular direction, it moves with great force in that direction. □ [V prep/adv] Rain drove against the window. ● driv|ing ADJ [ADJ n] □ He crashed into a tree in driving rain.
11 VERB If you drive people or animals somewhere, you make them go to or from that place. □ [V n prep] The last offensive drove thousands of people into Thailand. □ [V n with adv] The smoke also drove mosquitoes away.
12 VERB To drive someone into a particular state or situation means to force them into that state or situation. □ [V n + into/to ] The recession and hospital bills drove them into bankruptcy. □ [V n adj] He nearly drove Elsie mad with his fussing.
13 VERB The desire or feeling that drives a person to do something, especially something extreme, is the desire or feeling that causes them to do it. □ [V n to-inf] More than once, depression drove him to attempt suicide. □ [V n + to ] Jealousy drives people to murder. □ [be V -ed] …people who are driven by guilt, resentment and anxiety. □ [V -ed] …a man driven by a pathological need to win. [Also V n]
14 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone has drive , you mean they have energy and determination. □ John will be best remembered for his drive and enthusiasm.
15 N‑COUNT A drive is a very strong need or desire in human beings that makes them act in particular ways. □ …compelling, dynamic sex drives.
16 N‑SING A drive is a special effort made by a group of people for a particular purpose. □ They plan to launch a nationwide recruitment drive.
17 N‑COUNT Drive is used in the names of some streets. □ …23 Queen's Drive, Malvern, Worcestershire.
18 → see also driving
19 PHRASE If you ask someone what they are driving at , you are asking what they are trying to say or what they are saying indirectly. □ It was clear Cohen didn't understand what Millard was driving at.
20 to drive a hard bargain → see bargain
▸ drive away PHRASAL VERB To drive people away means to make them want to go away or stay away. □ [V n P ] Patrick's boorish rudeness soon drove Monica's friends away. □ [V P n] Increased crime is driving away customers.
▸ drive off PHRASAL VERB If you drive someone or something off , you force them to go away and to stop attacking you or threatening you. □ [V n P ] The government drove the guerrillas off with infantry and air strikes. □ [V P n] Men drove off the dogs with stones.
▸ drive out PHRASAL VERB To drive out something means to make it disappear or stop operating. □ [V P n] He cut his rates to drive out rivals.
dri ve-by ADJ [ADJ n] A drive-by shooting or a drive-by murder involves shooting someone from a moving car.
dri ve-in (drive-ins ) N‑COUNT A drive-in is a restaurant, cinema, or other commercial place which is specially designed so that customers can use the services provided while staying in their cars. □ …fast food drive-ins. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Drive-in is also an adjective. □ …a drive-in movie theater.
driv|el /dr I v ə l/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe something that is written or said as drivel , you are critical of it because you think it is very silly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ What absolute drivel!
driv|en /dr I v ə n/ Driven is the past participle of drive .
driv|er ◆◆◇ /dra I və r / (drivers )
1 N‑COUNT The driver of a vehicle is the person who is driving it. □ The driver got out of his van. □ …a taxi driver.
2 → see also back-seat driver
3 N‑COUNT A driver is a computer program that controls a device such as a printer. [COMPUTING ] □ …printer driver software. COLLOCATIONS driver NOUN 1
noun + driver : bus, car, taxi, train; delivery, racing; learner
adjective + driver : drunk, uninsured, unlicensed; female, male, young; careful, experienced, safe
driver + be + adjective : unhurt, uninjured
dri v|er's li|cense (driver's licenses ) N‑COUNT A driver's license is a card showing that you are qualified to drive because you have passed a driving test. [AM ] in BRIT, use driving licence
dri v|er's seat
1 N‑SING In a vehicle such as a car or a bus, the driver's seat is the seat where the person who is driving sits.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone is in the driver's seat , you mean that they are in control in a situation. □ Now he knows he's in the driver's seat and can wait for a better deal.
dri ve shaft (drive shafts ) N‑COUNT A drive shaft is a shaft in a car or other vehicle that transfers power from the gear box to the wheels.
dri ve-through ADJ [ADJ n] A drive-through shop or restaurant is one where you can buy things without leaving your car. □ …a drive-through burger bar.
drive|way /dra I vwe I / (driveways ) N‑COUNT A driveway is a piece of hard ground that leads from the road to the front of a house or other building.
driv|ing /dra I v I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] The driving force or idea behind something that happens or is done is the main thing that has a strong effect on it and makes it happen or be done in a particular way. □ Consumer spending was the driving force behind the economic growth in the summer.
2 → see also drive
dri v|ing li|cence (driving licences ) N‑COUNT A driving licence is a card showing that you are qualified to drive because you have passed a driving test. [BRIT ] in AM, use driver's license
dri v|ing ra nge (driving ranges ) N‑COUNT A driving range is an outdoor place where you can practise playing golf.
dri v|ing school (driving schools ) N‑COUNT A driving school is a business that employs instructors who teach people how to drive a car.
dri v|ing seat
1 N‑SING In a vehicle such as a car or a bus, the driving seat is the seat where the person who is driving the vehicle sits. □ He got into the driving seat and started the engine.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone is in the driving seat , you mean that they are in control in a situation. □ At 69 he is as firmly in the driving seat of the company as ever.
driz|zle /dr I z ə l/ (drizzles , drizzling , drizzled )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Drizzle is light rain falling in fine drops. □ The drizzle had now stopped and the sun was breaking through.
2 VERB If it is drizzling , it is raining very lightly. □ [V ] Clouds had come down and it was starting to drizzle.
driz|zly /dr I zəli/ ADJ When the weather is drizzly , the sky is dull and grey and it rains steadily but not very hard. □ …a dull, drizzly afternoon. □ It was dull and slightly drizzly as we left.
droll /droʊ l/ ADJ Something or someone that is droll is amusing or witty, sometimes in an unexpected way. [WRITTEN ] □ The band have a droll sense of humour.
drone /droʊ n/ (drones , droning , droned )
1 VERB If something drones , it makes a low, continuous, dull noise. □ [V ] Above him an invisible plane droned through the night sky. □ [V -ing] …a virtually non-stop droning noise in the background. ● N‑SING Drone is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the constant drone of the motorways. ● dron|ing N‑SING □ [+ of ] …the droning of a plane far overhead.
2 VERB If you say that someone drones , you mean that they keep talking about something in a boring way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] Chambers' voice droned, maddening as an insect around his head. ● N‑SING Drone is also a noun. □ The minister's voice was a relentless drone. ● PHRASAL VERB Drone on means the same as drone . □ [V P ] Aunt Maimie's voice droned on. □ [V P + about ] Daniel just drones on about American policy.
3 N‑COUNT A drone is a type of aircraft that does not have a pilot and is controlled by someone on the ground. □ Drones frequently pass over this region.
▸ drone on → see drone 2
drool /druː l/ (drools , drooling , drooled )
1 VERB To drool over someone or something means to look at them with great pleasure, perhaps in an exaggerated or ridiculous way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + over ] Fashion editors drooled over every item. □ [V prep] Advertisers are already drooling at reports that this might bring 20 million dollars. [Also V ]
2 VERB If a person or animal drools , saliva drops slowly from their mouth. □ [V ] My dog Jacques is drooling on my shoulder.
droop /druː p/ (droops , drooping , drooped ) VERB If something droops , it hangs or leans downwards with no strength or firmness. □ [V ] Crook's eyelids drooped. ● N‑SING Droop is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the droop of his shoulders.
droopy /druː pi/ (droopier , droopiest ) ADJ If you describe something as droopy , you mean that it hangs down with no strength or firmness. □ …a tall man with a droopy moustache.
drop ◆◆◇ /drɒ p/ (drops , dropping , dropped )
1 VERB If a level or amount drops or if someone or something drops it, it quickly becomes less. □ [V prep/adv] Temperatures can drop to freezing at night. □ [V ] His blood pressure had dropped severely. □ [V n] He had dropped the price of his London home by £1.25m. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Drop is also a noun. □ [+ in ] He was prepared to take a drop in wages.
2 VERB If you drop something, you accidentally let it fall. □ [V n] I dropped my glasses and broke them.
3 VERB If something drops onto something else, it falls onto that thing. If something drops from somewhere, it falls from that place. □ [V prep/adv] He felt hot tears dropping onto his fingers.
4 VERB If you drop something somewhere or if it drops there, you deliberately let it fall there. □ [V n prep/adv] Drop the noodles into the water. □ [V prep/adv] …shaped pots that simply drop into their own container. □ [V ] Bombs drop round us and the floor shudders. ● drop|ping N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the dropping of the first atomic bomb.
5 VERB If a person or a part of their body drops to a lower position, or if they drop a part of their body to a lower position, they move to that position, often in a tired and lifeless way. □ [V prep/adv] Nancy dropped into a nearby chair. □ [V ] She let her head drop. □ [V n prep/adv] He dropped his hands on to his knees.
6 VERB [no cont] To drop is used in expressions such as to be about to drop and to dance until you drop to emphasize that you are exhausted and can no longer continue doing something. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V ] She looked about to drop.
7 VERB If a man drops his trousers, he pulls them down, usually as a joke or to be rude. □ [V n] A couple of boozy revellers dropped their trousers.
8 VERB If your voice drops or if you drop your voice, you speak more quietly. □ [V + to ] Her voice will drop to a dismissive whisper. □ [V n] He dropped his voice and glanced round at the door. [Also V , V n to n]
9 VERB If you drop someone or something somewhere, you take them somewhere and leave them there, usually in a car or other vehicle. □ [V n prep/adv] He dropped me outside the hotel. ● PHRASAL VERB Drop off means the same as drop . □ [V n P prep/adv] Just drop me off at the airport. □ [V P n] He was dropping off a late birthday present.
10 VERB If you drop an idea, course of action, or habit, you do not continue with it. □ [V n] The prosecution was forced to drop the case. ● drop|ping N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] This was one of the factors that led to the President 's dropping of his previous objections.
11 VERB [usu passive] If someone is dropped by a sports team or organization, they are no longer included in that team or employed by that organization. □ [be V -ed] The country's captain was dropped from the tour party to England.
12 VERB If you drop a game or part of a game in a sports competition, you lose it. □ [V n] Oremans has yet to drop a set.
13 VERB If you drop to a lower position in a sports competition, you move to that position. □ [V prep/adv] Britain has dropped from second to third place in the league.
14 N‑COUNT A drop of a liquid is a very small amount of it shaped like a little ball. In informal English, you can also use drop when you are referring to a very small amount of something such as a drink. □ [+ of ] …a drop of blue ink. □ I'll have another drop of that Italian milk.
15 N‑PLURAL [oft n N ] Drops are a kind of medicine which you put drop by drop into your ears, eyes, or nose. □ …eye drops.
16 N‑COUNT [usu pl, n N ] Fruit or chocolate drops are small round sweets with a fruit or chocolate flavour.
17 N‑COUNT You use drop to talk about vertical distances. For example, a thirty-foot drop is a distance of thirty feet between the top of a cliff or wall and the bottom of it. □ There was a sheer drop just outside my window.
18 PHRASE If you drop a hint , you give a hint or say something in a casual way. □ If I drop a few hints he might give me a cutting.
19 PHRASE If you want someone to drop the subject , drop it , or let it drop , you want them to stop talking about something, often because you are annoyed that they keep talking about it. □ Mary Ann wished he would just drop it.
20 → see also air drop
21 drop (down) dead → see dead
22 at the drop of a hat → see hat
23 a drop in the ocean → see ocean
▸ drop by PHRASAL VERB If you drop by , you visit someone informally. □ [V P ] She and Danny will drop by later. □ [V P n] He dropped by my office this morning.
▸ drop in PHRASAL VERB If you drop in on someone, you visit them informally, usually without having arranged it. □ [V P ] Why not drop in for a chat? □ [V P + on ] She spent most of the day dropping in on friends in Edinburgh.
▸ drop off
1 → see drop 9
2 PHRASAL VERB If you drop off to sleep, you go to sleep. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P + to sleep ] I must have dropped off to sleep. □ [V P ] Just as I was dropping off, a strange thought crossed my mind.
3 PHRASAL VERB If the level of something drops off , it becomes less. □ [V P ] Sales to the British forces are expected to drop off.
▸ drop out
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone drops out of college or a race, for example, they leave it without finishing what they started. □ [V P + of ] He'd dropped out of high school at the age of 16. □ [V P ] She dropped out after 20 kilometres with stomach trouble.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone drops out , they reject the accepted ways of society and live outside the usual system. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P ] She encourages people to keep their jobs rather than dropping out to live in a commune.
3 → see also drop-out COLLOCATIONS drop VERB 1
drop + adverb : dramatically, sharply, steeply, suddenly; significantly NOUN 1
adjective + drop : sharp, steep, sudden SYNONYMS drop VERB
1
decline: The number of staff has declined from 217,000 to 114,000.
decrease: Population growth is decreasing by 1.4% each year.
fall: Her weight fell to under seven stone.
plummet: In Tokyo share prices have plummeted for the sixth successive day.
dwindle: The factory's workforce has dwindled from over 4,000 to a few hundred.
3
plunge: At least 50 people died when a bus plunged into a river.
fall: Bombs fell in the town.
plummet: The jet burst into flames and plummeted to the ground.
dro p-dead ADV [ADV adj] If you describe someone as, for example, drop-dead gorgeous, you mean that they are so gorgeous that people cannot fail to notice them. [INFORMAL ] □ She said that Campbell-Black was drop-dead gorgeous. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Drop-dead is also an adjective. □ …the drop-dead glamour of the designer decade.
dro ^p-down also dropdown ADJ [ADJ n] A drop-down menu, list, or box is a list of options that appears on a computer screen when you select an item with a computer mouse. [COMPUTING ] □ Select 'Delete all' from the drop-down list.
dro p goa l (drop goals ) N‑COUNT In rugby, a drop goal is a goal that a player scores by dropping the ball and kicking it between the posts.
dro p-in ADJ [ADJ n] Drop-in centres or services provide information and help for people with particular problems, usually on a free and informal basis. □ …a drop-in centre for young mothers.
drop|let /drɒ plət/ (droplets ) N‑COUNT A droplet is a very small drop of liquid. □ [+ of ] Droplets of sweat were welling up on his forehead.
dro p-out (drop-outs ) also dropout
1 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a drop-out , you disapprove of the fact that they have rejected the accepted ways of society, for example by not having a regular job. [DISAPPROVAL ]
2 N‑COUNT A drop-out is someone who has left school or college before they have finished their studies. □ …high-school drop-outs.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to the drop-out rate, you are referring to the number of people who leave a school or college early, or leave a course or other activity before they have finished it. □ The drop-out rate among students is currently one in three.
drop|per /drɒ pə r / (droppers ) N‑COUNT A dropper is a small glass tube with a hollow rubber part on one end which you use for drawing up and dropping small amounts of liquid.
drop|pings /drɒ p I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL Droppings are the faeces of birds and small animals. □ …pigeon droppings.
dross /drɒ s, [AM ] drɔː s/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe something as dross , you mean that it is of very poor quality or has no value. [LITERARY , DISAPPROVAL ] □ I go through phases where everything I write is just dross.
drought /draʊ t/ (droughts ) N‑VAR A drought is a long period of time during which no rain falls. □ Drought and famines have killed up to two million people here.
drove /droʊ v/ Drove is the past tense of drive .
drov|er /droʊ və r / (drovers ) N‑COUNT A drover is someone whose job is to make sheep or cattle move from one place to another in groups.
droves /droʊ vz/ N‑PLURAL [usu in N ] If you say that people are going somewhere or doing something in droves , you are emphasizing that there is a very large number of them. [EMPHASIS ] □ Scientists are leaving the country in droves. [Also + of ]
drown /draʊ n/ (drowns , drowning , drowned )
1 VERB When someone drowns or is drowned , they die because they have gone or been pushed under water and cannot breathe. □ [V ] A child can drown in only a few inches of water. □ [be V -ed] Last night a boy was drowned in the river. □ [V pron-refl] He walked into the sea and drowned himself. □ [V -ing] Dolphins have sometimes been known to save drowning swimmers. [Also V n]
2 VERB If you say that a person or thing is drowning in something, you are emphasizing that they have a very large amount of it, or are completely covered in it. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V + in ] …people who gradually find themselves drowning in debt. □ [be V -ed] The potatoes were drowned in chilli.
3 VERB If something drowns a sound, it is so loud that you cannot hear that sound properly. □ [V n] Clapping drowned the speaker's words for a moment. ● PHRASAL VERB Drown out means the same as drown . □ [V P n] Their cheers drowned out the protests of demonstrators. [Also V n P ]
4 PHRASE If you say that someone is drowning their sorrows , you mean that they are drinking alcohol in order to forget something sad or upsetting that has happened to them.
drowse /draʊ z/ (drowses , drowsing , drowsed ) VERB If you drowse , you are almost asleep or just asleep. □ [V ] Nina drowsed for a while.
drowsy /draʊ zi/ (drowsier , drowsiest ) ADJ If you feel drowsy , you feel sleepy and cannot think clearly. □ He felt pleasantly drowsy and had to fight off the urge to sleep. ● drowsi|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Big meals during the day cause drowsiness. ● drowsi|ly /draʊ z I li/ ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Mm,' she answered drowsily.
drub|bing /drʌ b I ŋ/ (drubbings ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone gets a drubbing , they are defeated easily. [INFORMAL ]
drudge /drʌ dʒ/ (drudges ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a drudge , you mean they have to work hard at a job which is not very important or interesting.
drudg|ery /drʌ dʒəri/ N‑UNCOUNT You use drudgery to refer to jobs and tasks which are boring or unpleasant but which must be done. □ People want to get away from the drudgery of their everyday lives.
drug ◆◆◆ /drʌ g/ (drugs , drugging , drugged )
1 N‑COUNT A drug is a chemical which is given to people in order to treat or prevent an illness or disease. □ The drug will be useful to hundreds of thousands of infected people. □ …the drug companies.
2 N‑COUNT Drugs are substances that some people take because of their pleasant effects, but which are usually illegal. □ His mother was on drugs, on cocaine. □ She was sure Leo was taking drugs. □ …the problem of drug abuse.
3 VERB If you drug a person or animal, you give them a chemical substance in order to make them sleepy or unconscious. □ [V n] She was drugged and robbed.
4 VERB If food or drink is drugged , a chemical substance is added to it in order to make someone sleepy or unconscious when they eat or drink it. □ [be V -ed] I wonder now if that drink had been drugged. □ [V n] Anyone could have drugged that wine. COLLOCATIONS drug NOUN
1
noun + drug : cancer, diabetes; prescription
adjective + drug : anti-inflammatory, antiviral, experimental, generic; life-saving
verb + drug : prescribe
2
adjective + drug : banned, illegal, illicit, prohibited; performance-enhancing, recreational
verb + drug : deal, smuggle, supply; take, use; possess SYNONYMS drug NOUN 1
medication: Are you on any medication?
medicine: People in hospitals are dying because of shortage of medicine.
remedy: …natural remedies to help overcome winter infections.
treatment: …an effective treatment for eczema.
dru g a d|dict (drug addicts ) N‑COUNT A drug addict is someone who is addicted to illegal drugs.
drug|gie /drʌ gi/ (druggies ) also druggy N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a druggie you mean they are involved with or addicted to illegal drugs. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
drug|gist /drʌ g I st/ (druggists )
1 N‑COUNT A druggist is someone who is qualified to sell medicines and drugs ordered by a doctor. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use chemist 2 N‑COUNT A druggist or a druggist's is a store where medicines and drugs ordered by a doctor are sold. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use chemist
drug|store /drʌ gstɔː r / (drugstores ) N‑COUNT In the United States, a drugstore is a shop where drugs and medicines are sold or given out, and where you can buy cosmetics, some household goods, and also drinks and snacks.
Dru|id /druː I d/ (Druids ) also druid N‑COUNT A Druid is a priest of the Celtic religion.
drum ◆◇◇ /drʌ m/ (drums , drumming , drummed )
1 N‑COUNT A drum is a musical instrument consisting of a skin stretched tightly over a round frame. You play a drum by beating it with sticks or with your hands.
2 N‑COUNT A drum is a large cylindrical container which is used to store fuel or other substances. □ …an oil drum.
3 VERB If something drums on a surface, or if you drum something on a surface, it hits it regularly, making a continuous beating sound. □ [V n + on/against ] He drummed his fingers on the leather top of his desk. □ [V + on ] Rain drummed on the roof of the car.
4 → see also drumming
5 PHRASE If someone beats the drum or bangs the drum for something, they support it strongly.
▸ drum into PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If you drum something into someone, you keep saying it to them until they understand it or remember it. □ [be V -ed P n] Standard examples were drummed into students' heads. □ [V n P n that] They drummed it into her that she was not to tell anyone. [Also V P n that]
▸ drum out PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If someone is drummed out of an organization such as the armed forces or a club, they are forced to leave it, usually because they have done something wrong. □ [be V -ed P P n] Sailors caught in a drugs scandal are to be drummed out of the service.
▸ drum up PHRASAL VERB If you drum up support or business, you try to get it. □ [V P n] It is to be hoped that he is merely drumming up business.
drum|beat /drʌ mbiːt/ (drumbeats )
1 N‑COUNT A drumbeat is the sound of a beat on a drum.
2 N‑COUNT People sometimes describe a series of warnings or continuous pressure on someone to do something as a drumbeat . [mainly AM , JOURNALISM ]
dru m kit (drum kits ) N‑COUNT A drum kit is a set of drums and cymbals.
dru m ma |jor (drum majors )
1 N‑COUNT A drum major is an officer in the army who is in charge of the drummers in a military band, or who leads the band when they are marching. [BRIT ]
2 N‑COUNT A drum major is a man who leads a marching band by walking in front of them. [AM ]
dru m ma|jor|e tte (drum majorettes ) N‑COUNT A drum majorette is a girl or young woman who wears a uniform and carries a stick which at intervals she throws into the air and catches. Drum majorettes march, often in lines, in front of a band as part of a procession.
drum|mer /drʌ mə r / (drummers ) N‑COUNT A drummer is a person who plays a drum or drums in a band or group.
drum|ming /drʌ m I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Drumming is the action of playing the drums.
2 N‑VAR [oft a N ] Drumming is the sound or feeling of continuous beating. □ [+ of ] He pointed up to the roof, through which the steady drumming of rain could be heard. □ His mouth was dry and he felt a drumming in his temples.
dru m roll (drum rolls ) also drumroll N‑COUNT A drum roll is a series of drumbeats that follow each other so quickly that they make a continuous sound. A drum roll is often used to show that someone important is arriving, or to introduce someone. □ A long drum roll introduced the trapeze artists.
drum|stick /drʌ mst I k/ (drumsticks )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A drumstick is the lower part of the leg of a bird such as a chicken which is cooked and eaten.
2 N‑COUNT Drumsticks are sticks used for beating a drum.
drunk /drʌ ŋk/ (drunks )
1 ADJ Someone who is drunk has drunk so much alcohol that they cannot speak clearly or behave sensibly. □ I got drunk and had to be carried home.
2 N‑COUNT A drunk is someone who is drunk or frequently gets drunk. □ A drunk lay in the alley.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are drunk with a strong emotion or an experience, you are in a state of great excitement because of it. □ [+ with ] They are currently drunk with success.
4 Drunk is the past participle of drink .
drunk|ard /drʌ ŋkə r d/ (drunkards ) N‑COUNT A drunkard is someone who frequently gets drunk.
dru nk dri v|er (drunk drivers ) N‑COUNT A drunk driver is someone who drives after drinking more than the amount of alcohol that is legally allowed. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use drink-driver ● drunk driv|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …efforts designed to help stop drunk driving.
drunk|en /drʌ ŋkən/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Drunken is used to describe events and situations that involve people who are drunk. □ The pain roused him from his drunken stupor.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A drunken person is drunk or is frequently drunk. □ Groups of drunken hooligans smashed shop windows and threw stones. ● drunk|en|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ One night Bob stormed drunkenly into her house. ● drunk|en|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ He was arrested for drunkenness on his way to the football ground.
dry ◆◆◇ /dra I / (drier or dryer , driest or dryest , dries , drying , dried )
1 ADJ If something is dry , there is no water or moisture on it or in it. □ Clean the metal with a soft dry cloth. □ Pat it dry with a soft towel. □ Once the paint is dry, apply a coat of the red ochre emulsion paint. ● dry|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …the parched dryness of the air.
2 VERB When something dries or when you dry it, it becomes dry. □ [V ] Leave your hair to dry naturally whenever possible. □ [V n] Wash and dry the lettuce.
3 VERB When you dry the dishes after a meal, you wipe the water off the plates, cups, knives, pans, and other things when they have been washed, using a cloth. □ [V n] Mrs. Madrigal began drying dishes. [Also V ] ● PHRASAL VERB Dry up means the same as dry . [BRIT ] □ [V P n] He got up and stood beside Julie, drying up the dishes while she washed. [Also V P ]
4 ADJ If you say that your skin or hair is dry , you mean that it is less oily than, or not as soft as, normal. □ Nothing looks worse than dry, cracked lips. ● dry|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Dryness of the skin can also be caused by living in centrally heated homes and offices.
5 ADJ If the weather or a period of time is dry , there is no rain or there is much less rain than average. □ Exceptionally dry weather over the past year had cut agricultural production.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A dry place or climate is one that gets very little rainfall. □ …a hot, dry climate where the sun is shining all the time. ● dry|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ He was advised to spend time in the warmth and dryness of Italy.
7 N‑SING [usu in N ] In the dry means in a place or at a time that is not damp, wet, or rainy. [mainly BRIT ] □ Such cars, however, do grip the road well, even in the dry.
8 ADJ If a river, lake, or well is dry , it is empty of water, usually because of hot weather and lack of rain.
9 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If an oil well is dry , it is no longer producing any oil.
10 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If your mouth or throat is dry , it has little or no saliva in it, and so feels very unpleasant, perhaps because you are tense or ill. □ His mouth was dry, he needed a drink. ● dry|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Symptoms included frequent dryness in the mouth.
11 ADJ If someone has dry eyes, there are no tears in their eyes; often used with negatives or in contexts where you are expressing surprise that they are not crying. □ There were few dry eyes in the house when I finished.
12 ADJ If a country, state, or city is dry , it has laws or rules which forbid anyone to drink, sell, or buy alcoholic drink. [INFORMAL ] □ Gujurat has been a totally dry state for the past thirty years.
13 ADJ If you say that someone is sucking something dry or milking it dry , you are criticizing them for taking all the good things from it until there is nothing left. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He's just milking the company dry.
14 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Dry humour is very amusing, but in a subtle and clever way. [APPROVAL ] □ Fulton has retained his dry humour. ● dri|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'That is surprising.'—'Hardly,' I said drily. ● dry|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Her writing has a wry dryness.
15 ADJ If you describe something such as a book, play, or activity as dry , you mean that it is dull and uninteresting. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …dry, academic phrases.
16 ADJ [ADJ n] Dry bread or toast is plain and not covered with butter or jam. □ For breakfast, they had dry bread and tea.
17 ADJ Dry sherry or wine does not have a sweet taste. □ …a glass of chilled, dry white wine.
18 high and dry → see high
19 home and dry → see home ➊
▸ dry off PHRASAL VERB If something dries off or if you dry it off , the moisture on its surface disappears or is removed. □ [V P ] They are then scrubbed with clean water and left to dry off for an hour or two in a warm room. □ [V n P ] When the bath water started to cool I got out, dried myself off, and dressed. [Also V P n]
▸ dry out
1 PHRASAL VERB If something dries out or is dried out , it loses all the moisture that was in it and becomes hard. □ [V P ] If the soil is allowed to dry out the tree could die. □ [V P n] The cold winds dry out your skin very quickly. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone dries out or is dried out , they are cured of addiction to alcohol. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] He checked into Cedars Sinai Hospital to dry out. [Also be V -ed P ]
▸ dry up
1 PHRASAL VERB If something dries up or if something dries it up , it loses all its moisture and becomes completely dry and shrivelled or hard. □ [V P ] As the day goes on, the pollen dries up and becomes hard. □ [V P n] Warm breezes from the South dried up the streets. [Also V n P ] ● dried-up ADJ □ …a tuft or two of dried-up grass.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a river, lake, or well dries up , it becomes empty of water, usually because of hot weather and a lack of rain. □ [V P ] Reservoirs are drying up and farmers have begun to leave their land. ● dried-up ADJ □ …a dried-up river bed.
3 PHRASAL VERB If a supply of something dries up , it stops. □ [V P ] Investment could dry up and that could cause the economy to falter.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you dry up when you are speaking, you stop in the middle of what you were saying, because you cannot think what to say next. □ [V P ] If you ask her what she's good at she will dry up after two minutes.
5 → see dry 3
6 → see also dried-up , drying up
dry -clea n (dry-cleans , dry-cleaning , dry-cleaned ) VERB [usu passive] When things such as clothes are dry-cleaned , they are cleaned with a liquid chemical rather than with water. □ [be V -ed] Natural-filled duvets must be dry-cleaned by a professional.
dry clea n|er (dry cleaners ) N‑COUNT A dry cleaner or a dry cleaner's is a shop where things can be dry-cleaned.
dry -clea ning also dry cleaning
1 N‑UNCOUNT Dry-cleaning is the action or work of dry-cleaning things such as clothes. □ He owns a dry-cleaning business.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Dry-cleaning is things that have been dry-cleaned, or that are going to be dry-cleaned.
dry do ck (dry docks ) N‑COUNT A dry dock is a dock from which water can be removed so that ships or boats can be built or repaired.
dry|er /dra I ə r / (dryers ) also drier
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A dryer is a machine for drying things. There are different kinds of dryer, for examples ones designed for drying clothes, crops, or people's hair or hands. □ …hot air electric hand dryers.
2 → see also dry , tumble dryer
dry -ey e d ADJ If you say that someone is dry-eyed , you mean that although they are in a very sad situation they are not actually crying. □ At the funeral she was dry-eyed and composed.
dry goods N‑PLURAL Dry goods are cloth, thread, and other things that are sold at a draper's shop. [AM ] in BRIT, use drapery , haberdashery
dry |ing u p N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] When you do the drying up , you dry things such as plates, pans, knives, and cups after they have been washed. [BRIT ] in AM, use drying
dry la nd N‑UNCOUNT [oft on N ] If you talk about dry land , you are referring to land, in contrast to the sea or the air. □ We were glad to be on dry land again.
dry ro t N‑UNCOUNT Dry rot is a serious disease of wood. It is caused by a fungus and causes wood to decay. □ The house was riddled with dry rot.
dry ru n (dry runs ) N‑COUNT If you have a dry run , you practise something to make sure that you are ready to do it properly. □ [+ for ] The competition is planned as a dry run for the World Cup finals.
dry ski slo pe (dry ski slopes ) or dry slope N‑COUNT A dry ski slope is a slope made of an artificial substance on which you can practise skiing.
dry -stone wa ll (dry-stone walls ) in AM, use dry wall N‑COUNT A dry-stone wall is a wall that has been built by fitting stones together without using any cement.
DTP /diː tiː piː / DTP is an abbreviation for desktop publishing .
DT's /diː tiː z/ N‑PLURAL When alcoholics have the DT's , the alcohol causes their bodies to shake and makes them unable to think clearly.
dual /djuː əl, [AM ] duː -/ ADJ [ADJ n] Dual means having two parts, functions, or aspects. □ …his dual role as head of the party and head of state. □ Rob may be entitled to dual nationality.
du al ca rriage|way (dual carriageways ) also dual-carriageway N‑VAR A dual carriageway is a road which has two lanes of traffic travelling in each direction with a strip of grass or concrete down the middle to separate the two lots of traffic. [BRIT ] in AM, use divided highway
dual|ism /djuː əl I zəm, [AM ] duː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Dualism is the state of having two main parts or aspects, or the belief that something has two main parts or aspects. [FORMAL ] □ …the Gnostic dualism of good and evil struggling for supremacy.
dual|ity /djuːæ l I ti, [AM ] duː-/ (dualities ) N‑VAR A duality is a situation in which two opposite ideas or feelings exist at the same time. [FORMAL ]
dub /dʌ b/ (dubs , dubbing , dubbed )
1 VERB If someone or something is dubbed a particular thing, they are given that description or name. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n + as ] …the man whom the Labour opposition dubbed as the 'no change Prime Minister'. □ [V n n] At the height of her career, Orson Welles dubbed her 'the most exciting woman in the world'.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a film or soundtrack in a foreign language is dubbed , a new soundtrack is added with actors giving a translation. □ [be V -ed + into ] It was dubbed into Spanish for Mexican audiences. [Also be V -ed]
du|bi|ous /djuː biəs, [AM ] duː -/
1 ADJ If you describe something as dubious , you mean that you do not consider it to be completely honest, safe, or reliable. □ This claim seems to us to be rather dubious. ● du|bi|ous|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed] □ Carter was dubiously convicted of shooting three white men in a bar.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are dubious about something, you are not completely sure about it and have not yet made up your mind about it. □ [+ about ] My parents were dubious about it at first but we soon convinced them. ● du|bi|ous|ly ADV □ He eyed Coyne dubiously.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that someone has the dubious honour or the dubious pleasure of doing something, you are indicating that what they are doing is not an honour or pleasure at all, but is, in fact, unpleasant or bad. □ Nagy has the dubious honour of being the first athlete to be banned in this way.
dub|step /dʌ bste p/ N‑UNCOUNT Dubstep is a type of electronic dance music with a strong bass line.
du|cal /djuː k ə l, [AM ] duː -/ ADJ [ADJ n] Ducal places or things belong to or are connected with a duke. [FORMAL ]
duch|ess /dʌ tʃ I s/ (duchesses ) N‑COUNT A duchess is a woman who has the same rank as a duke, or who is a duke's wife or widow. □ …the Duchess of Kent.
duchy /dʌ tʃi/ (duchies ) N‑COUNT A duchy is an area of land that is owned or ruled by a duke. □ …the Duchy of Cornwall.
duck /dʌ k/ (ducks , ducking , ducked )
1 N‑VAR A duck is a very common water bird with short legs, a short neck, and a large flat beak. ● N‑UNCOUNT Duck is the flesh of this bird when it is eaten as food. □ …honey roasted duck.
2 VERB If you duck , you move your head or the top half of your body quickly downwards to avoid something that might hit you, or to avoid being seen. □ [V ] He ducked in time to save his head from a blow from the poker. □ [V n] He ducked his head to hide his admiration. □ [V adv/prep] I wanted to duck down and slip past but they saw me.
3 VERB If you duck something such as a blow, you avoid it by moving your head or body quickly downwards. □ [V n] Hans deftly ducked their blows.
4 VERB You say that someone ducks a duty or responsibility when you disapprove of the fact that they avoid it. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] The Opposition reckons the Health Secretary has ducked all the difficult decisions.
5 → see also dead duck , lame duck , sitting duck
6 PHRASE You say that criticism is like water off a duck's back or water off a duck's back to emphasize that it is not having any effect on the person being criticized. [EMPHASIS ]
7 PHRASE If you take to something like a duck to water , you discover that you are naturally good at it or that you find it very easy to do. □ She took to mothering like a duck to water.
▸ duck out PHRASAL VERB If you duck out of something that you are supposed to do, you avoid doing it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P + of ] George ducked out of his forced marriage to a cousin. □ [V P ] You can't duck out once you've taken on a responsibility.
duck|ling /dʌ kl I ŋ/ (ducklings )
1 N‑COUNT A duckling is a young duck.
2 → see also ugly duckling
duct /dʌ kt/ (ducts )
1 N‑COUNT A duct is a pipe, tube, or channel which carries a liquid or gas. □ …a big air duct in the ceiling.
2 N‑COUNT A duct is a tube in your body which carries a liquid such as tears or bile. □ …tear ducts.
du ct tape N‑UNCOUNT Duct tape is a strong sticky tape that you use to join things together or to cover cracks in something. □ …a broken lid held on with duct tape.
dud /dʌ d/ (duds ) ADJ [ADJ n] Dud means not working properly or not successful. [INFORMAL ] □ He replaced a dud valve. ● N‑COUNT Dud is also a noun. □ The mine was a dud.
dude /djuː d, [AM ] duː d/ (dudes ) N‑COUNT A dude is a man. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ My doctor is a real cool dude.
du de ranch (dude ranches ) N‑COUNT A dude ranch is an American ranch where people can have holidays during which they can do activities such as riding or camping.
dudg|eon /dʌ dʒ ə n/ PHRASE If you say that someone is in high dudgeon , you are emphasizing that they are very angry or unhappy about something. [EMPHASIS ] □ Washington businesses are in high dudgeon over the plan.
due ◆◆◇ /djuː , [AM ] duː / (dues )
1 PHRASE If an event is due to something, it happens or exists as a direct result of that thing. □ [+ to ] The country's economic problems are largely due to the weakness of the recovery.
2 PHRASE You can say due to to introduce the reason for something happening. Some speakers of English believe that it is not correct to use due to in this way. □ [+ to ] Due to the large volume of letters he receives Dave regrets he is unable to answer queries personally.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , oft ADJ to-inf] If something is due at a particular time, it is expected to happen, be done, or arrive at that time. □ The results are due at the end of the month. □ Mr Carter is due in London on Monday. □ …customers who paid later than twenty days after the due date.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Due attention or consideration is the proper, reasonable, or deserved amount of it under the circumstances. □ After due consideration it was decided to send him away to live with foster parents.
5 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Something that is due , or that is due to someone, is owed to them, either as a debt or because they have a right to it. □ I was sent a cheque for £1,525 and advised that no further pension was due. □ [+ to ] I've got some leave due to me and I was going to Tasmania for a fortnight. ● PREP Due is also a preposition. □ He had not taken a summer holiday that year but had accumulated the leave due him.
6 ADJ If someone is due for something, that thing is planned to happen or be given to them now, or very soon, often after they have been waiting for it for a long time. □ [+ for ] He is not due for release until 2020. ● PREP Due is also a preposition. □ I reckon I'm due one of my travels.
7 N‑PLURAL [oft poss N ] Dues are sums of money that you give regularly to an organization that you belong to, for example a social club or trade union, in order to pay for being a member. □ Only 18 of the U.N.'s 180 members had paid their dues by the January deadline.
8 ADV Due is used before the words 'north', 'south', 'east', or 'west' to indicate that something is in exactly the direction mentioned. □ They headed due north.
9 PHRASE If you say that something will happen or take place in due course , you mean that you cannot make it happen any quicker and it will happen when the time is right for it. □ In due course the baby was born.
10 PHRASE You can say ' to give him his due ', or ' giving him his due ' when you are admitting that there are some good things about someone, even though there are things that you do not like about them. □ To give Linda her due, she had tried to encourage John in his school work.
11 PHRASE You can say ' with due respect ' when you are about to disagree politely with someone. [POLITENESS ] □ With all due respect, you're wrong.
duel /djuː əl, [AM ] duː -/ (duels , duelling , duelled ) in AM, use dueling , dueled 1 N‑COUNT A duel is a formal fight between two people in which they use guns or swords in order to settle a quarrel. □ He had killed a man in a duel.
2 VERB To duel means to fight a duel or be involved in a conflict. □ [V ] We duelled for two years and Peterson made the most of it, playing us off against each other. □ [V -ing] …two silver French duelling pistols. [Also V + with , V ]
duet /djuːe t, [AM ] duː-/ (duets ) N‑COUNT A duet is a piece of music sung or played by two people.
duff /dʌ f/ (duffer , duffest ) ADJ If you describe something as duff , you mean it is useless, broken, or of poor quality. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Sometimes you have to take a duff job when you need the money.
duf|fel /dʌ f ə l/ (duffels )
1 N‑COUNT A duffel is the same as a duffel coat .
2 N‑COUNT A duffel is the same as a duffel bag .
duf|fel bag /dʌ f ə l bæg/ (duffel bags ) also duffle bag N‑COUNT A duffel bag is a bag shaped like a cylinder and made of strong fabric such as canvas. A duffel bag has a string at one end that is used to close the bag and to carry it with.
duf|fel coat /dʌ f ə l koʊt/ (duffel coats ) also duffle coat N‑COUNT A duffel coat is a heavy coat with a hood and long buttons that fasten with loops.
duf|fer /dʌ fə r / (duffers ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a duffer , you mean that they are very bad at doing something. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]
duf|fle /dʌ f ə l/ → see duffel bag , duffel coat
dug /dʌ g/ Dug is the past tense and past participle of dig .
dug|out /dʌ gaʊt/ (dugouts )
1 N‑COUNT A dugout is a small boat that is made by removing the inside of a log.
2 N‑COUNT A dugout is a shelter made by digging a hole in the ground and then covering it or tunnelling so that the shelter has a roof over it.
duke /djuː k, [AM ] duː k/ (dukes ) N‑COUNT A duke is a man with a very high social rank. □ …the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
duke|dom /djuː kdəm, [AM ] duː k-/ (dukedoms )
1 N‑COUNT A dukedom is the rank or title of a duke. □ …the present heir to the dukedom.
2 N‑COUNT A dukedom is the land owned by a duke.
dul|cet /dʌ ls I t/ PHRASE [with poss] People often use the expression dulcet tones to refer to someone's voice. [HUMOROUS ] □ You hear his dulcet tones on the Radio 1 trailers in the morning.
dull /dʌ l/ (duller , dullest , dulls , dulling , dulled )
1 ADJ If you describe someone or something as dull , you mean they are not interesting or exciting. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I felt she found me boring and dull. ● dull|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ They enjoy anything that breaks the dullness of their routine life.
2 ADJ Someone or something that is dull is not very lively or energetic. □ The body's natural rhythms mean we all feel dull and sleepy between 1 and 3pm. ● dul|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ His eyes looked dully ahead. ● dull|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Did you notice any unusual depression or dullness of mind?
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A dull colour or light is not bright. □ The stamp was a dull blue colour. ● dul|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The street lamps gleamed dully through the night's mist.
4 ADJ You say the weather is dull when it is very cloudy. □ It's always dull and raining.
5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Dull sounds are not very clear or loud. □ The coffin closed with a dull thud. ● dul|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He heard his heart thump dully but more quickly.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] Dull feelings are weak and not intense. □ The pain, usually a dull ache, gets worse with exercise. ● dul|ly ADV □ His arm throbbed dully.
7 ADJ If a knife or blade is dull , it is not sharp. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
8 VERB If something dulls or if it is dulled , it becomes less intense, bright, or lively. □ [V ] Her eyes dulled and she gazed blankly. □ [V n] Share prices and trading have been dulled by worries over the war.
dull|ard /dʌ lə r d/ (dullards ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a dullard , you mean that they are rather boring, unintelligent, and unimaginative. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
duly /djuː li, [AM ] duː -/
1 ADV [ADV before v] If you say that something duly happened or was done, you mean that it was expected to happen or was requested, and it did happen or it was done. □ Westcott appealed to Waite for an apology, which he duly received.
2 ADV [ADV before v] If something is duly done, it is done in the correct way. [FORMAL ] □ …the duly elected president of the country.
dumb /dʌ m/ (dumber , dumbest , dumbs , dumbing , dumbed )
1 ADJ Someone who is dumb is completely unable to speak. [OFFENSIVE ] □ …a young deaf and dumb man.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is dumb on a particular occasion, they cannot speak because they are angry, shocked, or surprised. [LITERARY ] □ We were all struck dumb for a minute. ● dumb|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ I shook my head dumbly, not believing him.
3 ADJ If you call a person dumb , you mean that they are stupid or foolish. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The questions were set up to make her look dumb.
4 ADJ If you say that something is dumb , you think that it is silly and annoying. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ I came up with this dumb idea.
▸ dumb down PHRASAL VERB If you dumb down something, you make it easier for people to understand, especially when this spoils it. □ [V P n] No one favored dumbing down the magazine. [Also V n P , V ] ● dumb|ing down N‑UNCOUNT □ He accused broadcasters of contributing to the dumbing down of America.
dumb-bell /dʌ mbel/ (dumb-bells ) also dumbbell N‑COUNT A dumb-bell is a short bar with weights on either side which people use for physical exercise to strengthen their arm and shoulder muscles.
dumb|found /dʌ mfaʊ nd/ (dumbfounds , dumbfounding , dumbfounded ) VERB If someone or something dumbfounds you, they surprise you very much. □ [V n] This suggestion dumbfounded Joe.
dumb|found|ed /dʌ mfaʊ nd I d/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are dumbfounded , you are extremely surprised by something. □ I stood there dumbfounded.
dumb|struck /dʌ mstrʌk/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are dumbstruck , you are so shocked or surprised that you cannot speak. [EMPHASIS ]
du mb wai t|er (dumb waiters ) also dumbwaiter N‑COUNT A dumb waiter is a lift used to carry food and dishes from one floor of a building to another.
dum-dum /dʌ m dʌm/ (dum-dums ) N‑COUNT A dum-dum or a dum-dum bullet is a bullet that is very soft or hollow at the front. Dum-dum bullets cause large and serious wounds because they break into small pieces and spread out when they hit someone.
dum|my /dʌ mi/ (dummies )
1 N‑COUNT A dummy is a model of a person, often used to display clothes. □ …the bottom half of a shop-window dummy.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] You can use dummy to refer to things that are not real, but have been made to look or behave as if they are real. □ Dummy patrol cars will be set up beside motorways to frighten speeding motorists.
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