▸ follow up


1 PHRASAL VERB If you follow up something that has been said, suggested, or discovered, you try to find out more about it or take action about it. □ [V P n] State security police are following up several leads. □ [V n P ] An officer took a statement from me, but no one's bothered to follow it up.


2 → see also follow 5 , follow-up SYNONYMS follow VERB 2


pursue: She pursued the man who had stolen a woman's bag.


track: He thought he had better track this wolf and kill it.


chase: She chased the thief for 100 yards.


trail: Two detectives were trailing him. COLLOCATIONS follow VERB 12


follow + noun : guidelines, instructions, procedures, rules

fol|low|er /fɒ loʊə r / (followers )


1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] A follower of a particular person, group, or belief is someone who supports or admires this person, group, or belief. □ …the Democratic Party's most loyal followers.


2 → see also camp follower

fol|low|ing ◆◆◇ /fɒ loʊ I ŋ/ (followings )


1 PREP Following a particular event means after that event. □ In the centuries following Christ's death, Christians genuinely believed the world was about to end. □ Following a day of medical research, the conference focused on educational practices.


2 ADJ The following day, week, or year is the day, week, or year after the one you have just mentioned. □ We went to dinner the following Monday evening. □ The following year she joined the Royal Opera House.


3 ADJ You use following to refer to something that you are about to mention. □ Write down the following information: name of product, type, date purchased and price. □ The method of helping such patients is explained in the following chapters. ● PRON The following refers to the thing or things that you are about to mention. □ Check with your doctor if you have any of the following: chest pains, high blood pressure, or heart disease.


4 N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] A person or organization that has a following has a group of people who support or admire their beliefs or actions. □ Australian rugby league enjoys a huge following in New Zealand.


5 ADJ [ADJ n] If a boat or vehicle has a following wind, the wind is moving in the same direction as the boat or vehicle. SYNONYMS following ADJ 2


next: I got up early the next morning.


subsequent: Those concerns were overshadowed by subsequent events.


successive: Jackson was the winner for a second successive year.


consecutive: They won the Cup for the third consecutive year.


ensuing: The ensuing argument had been bitter.

fo llow-on N‑SING A follow-on is something that is done to continue or add to something done previously. □ [+ to ] This course for bridge players with some experience is intended as a follow-on to the Beginners' course.

fo llow-through (follow-throughs )


1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] A follow-through is something that completes an action or a planned series of actions. □ The reality is that people's intentions are rarely matched by their follow-through.


2 N‑VAR A follow-through is a movement that completes an action such as hitting a ball. □ Focus on making a short, firm follow-through.

fo llow-up (follow-ups ) N‑VAR [oft N n] A follow-up is something that is done to continue or add to something done previously. □ They are recording a follow-up to their successful first album. □ One man was arrested during the raid and another during a follow-up operation.

fol|ly /fɒ li/ (follies )


1 N‑VAR If you say that a particular action or way of behaving is folly or a folly , you mean that it is foolish. □ It's sheer folly to build nuclear power stations in a country that has dozens of earthquakes every year.


2 N‑COUNT A folly is a small tower or other unusual building that is built as a decoration in a large garden or park, especially in Britain in former times.

fo|ment /foʊme nt/ (foments , fomenting , fomented ) VERB If someone or something foments trouble or violent opposition, they cause it to develop. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They accused strike leaders of fomenting violence.

fond /fɒ nd/ (fonder , fondest )


1 ADJ If you are fond of someone, you feel affection for them. □ [+ of ] I am very fond of Michael. □ [+ of ] She was especially fond of a little girl named Betsy. ● fond|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ for ] …a great fondness for children.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use fond to describe people or their behaviour when they show affection. □ …a fond father. □ He gave him a fond smile. ● fond|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Liz saw their eyes meet fondly across the table.


3 ADJ If you are fond of something, you like it or you like doing it very much. □ [+ of ] He was fond of marmalade. □ [+ of ] She is fond of collecting rare carpets. ● fond|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ for ] I've always had a fondness for jewels.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] If you have fond memories of someone or something, you remember them with pleasure. □ I have very fond memories of living in our village. ● fond|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ My dad took us there when I was about four and I remembered it fondly.


5 ADJ [ADJ n] You use fond to describe hopes, wishes, or beliefs which you think are foolish because they seem unlikely to be fulfilled. □ My fond hope is that we will be ready by Christmastime. ● fond|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ I fondly imagined that surgery meant a few stitches and an overnight stay in hospital.

fon|dant /fɒ ndənt/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Fondant is a sweet paste made from sugar and water. □ …fondant cakes.

fon|dle /fɒ nd ə l/ (fondles , fondling , fondled ) VERB If you fondle someone or something, you touch them gently with a stroking movement, usually in a sexual way. □ [V n] He tried to kiss her and fondle her.

fon|due /fɒ ndjuː, [AM ] -duː/ (fondues ) N‑VAR A fondue is a sauce made from melted cheese into which you dip bread, or a pot of hot oil into which you dip pieces of meat or vegetables.

font /fɒ nt/ (fonts )


1 N‑COUNT In printing, a font is a set of characters of the same style and size.


2 N‑COUNT In a church, a font is a bowl which holds the water used for baptisms.

food ◆◆◆ /fuː d/ (foods )


1 N‑VAR Food is what people and animals eat. □ Enjoy your food. □ …supplies of food and water. □ …emergency food aid. □ …frozen foods.


2 → see also convenience food , fast food , health food , junk food , wholefood


3 PHRASE If you are off your food , you do not want to eat, usually because you are ill. □ It's not like you to be off your food.


4 PHRASE If you give someone food for thought , you make them think carefully about something. □ Lord Fraser's speech offers much food for thought.

foo d bank (food banks ) N‑COUNT A food bank is a place where food and groceries are given free to people who need them. □ Too many people are living in poverty and relying on food banks.

foo d chain (food chains ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The food chain is a series of living things which are linked to each other because each thing feeds on the one next to it in the series. □ The whole food chain is affected by the over-use of chemicals in agriculture.

foodie /fuː di/ (foodies ) also foody N‑COUNT Foodies are people who enjoy cooking and eating different kinds of food. [INFORMAL ] □ Other neighbourhoods in the city offer foodies a choice of Chinese, Portuguese or Greek food.

foo d mix|er (food mixers ) also food-mixer N‑COUNT A food mixer is a piece of electrical equipment that is used to mix food such as cake mixture.

foo d poi|son|ing N‑UNCOUNT If you get food poisoning , you become ill because you have eaten food that has gone bad.

foo d pro|ces|sor (food processors ) N‑COUNT A food processor is a piece of electrical equipment that is used to mix, chop, or beat food, or to make it into a liquid.

foo d stamp (food stamps ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] In the United States, food stamps are official vouchers that are given to people with low incomes to be exchanged for food.

food|stuff /fuː dstʌf/ (foodstuffs ) N‑VAR [usu pl] Foodstuffs are substances which people eat. □ …basic foodstuffs such as sugar, cooking oil and cheese.

foo d value (food values ) N‑VAR The food value of a particular food is a measure of how good it is for you, based on its level of vitamins, minerals, or calories.

foody /fuː di/ → see foodie

fool ◆◇◇ /fuː l/ (fools , fooling , fooled )


1 N‑COUNT If you call someone a fool , you are indicating that you think they are not at all sensible and show a lack of good judgment. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ 'You fool!' she shouted. □ He'd been a fool to get involved with her!


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Fool is used to describe an action or person that is not at all sensible and shows a lack of good judgment. [mainly AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ What a damn fool thing to do!


3 VERB If someone fools you, they deceive or trick you. □ [V n] Art dealers fool a lot of people. □ [be V -ed] Don't be fooled by his appearance. □ [V n + into ] They tried to fool you into coming after us.


4 VERB If you say that a person is fooling with something or someone, you mean that the way they are behaving is likely to cause problems. □ [V + with ] What are you doing fooling with such a staggering sum of money?


5 PHRASE If you make a fool of someone, you make them seem silly by telling people about something stupid that they have done, or by tricking them. □ Your brother is making a fool of you. □ He'd been made a fool of.


6 PHRASE If you make a fool of yourself, you behave in a way that makes other people think that you are silly or lacking in good judgment. □ He was drinking and making a fool of himself.


7 PHRASE If you say to someone ' More fool you' when they tell you what they have done or what they plan to do, you are indicating that you think that it is silly and shows a lack of judgment. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Most managers couldn't care less about information technology. More fool them.


8 PHRASE If you play the fool or act the fool , you behave in a playful, childish, and foolish way, usually in order to make other people laugh. □ They used to play the fool together, calling each other silly names and giggling.


▸ fool about → see fool around 3


▸ fool around


1 PHRASAL VERB If you fool around , you behave in a silly, dangerous, or irresponsible way. □ [V P ] They were fooling around on an Army firing range. □ [V P + with ] Have you been fooling around with something you shouldn't?


2 PHRASAL VERB If someone fools around with another person, especially when one of them is married, they have a casual sexual relationship. □ [V P + with ] Never fool around with the clients' wives. □ [V P ] Her husband was fooling around.


3 PHRASAL VERB If you fool around , you behave in a playful, childish, and silly way, often in order to make people laugh. [in BRIT, also use fool about ] □ [V P ] Stop fooling about, man. □ [V P ] They fooled around for the camera. SYNONYMS fool NOUN 1


simpleton: But Ian's such a simpleton', she laughed.


idiot: You're an idiot!


dunce: Michael may have been a dunce at mathematics, but he was gifted at languages.


dolt: He's a first-class dolt who insists on doing things his way. VERB 3


deceive: He has deceived and disillusioned us all.


trick: Stephen is going to be pretty upset when he finds out how you tricked him.


mislead: Jack was furious with his London doctors for having misled him.


dupe: …a plot to dupe stamp collectors into buying fake rarities.

fool|hardy /fuː lhɑː r di/ ADJ If you describe behaviour as foolhardy , you disapprove of it because it is extremely risky. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ When he tested an early vaccine on himself, some described the act as foolhardy.

fool|ish /fuː l I ʃ/


1 ADJ If someone's behaviour or action is foolish , it is not sensible and shows a lack of good judgment. □ It would be foolish to raise hopes unnecessarily. □ It is foolish to risk skin cancer. ● fool|ish|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He admitted that he had acted foolishly. ● fool|ish|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ They don't accept any foolishness when it comes to spending money.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you look or feel foolish , you look or feel so silly or ridiculous that people are likely to laugh at you. □ I didn't want him to look foolish and be laughed at. ● fool|ish|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He saw me standing there, grinning foolishly at him.

fool|proof /fuː lpruːf/ ADJ Something such as a plan or a machine that is foolproof is so well designed, easy to understand, or easy to use that it cannot go wrong or be used wrongly. □ The system is not 100 per cent foolproof. □ I spent the day working out a foolproof plan to save him.

fools|cap /fuː lzkæp/ N‑UNCOUNT Foolscap is paper which is about 34 centimetres by 43 centimetres in size. [mainly BRIT ]

foo l's go ld


1 N‑UNCOUNT Fool's gold is a substance that is found in rock and that looks very like gold.


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that a plan for getting money is fool's gold , you mean that it is foolish to carry it out because you are sure that it will fail or cause problems. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The British establishment seems to be off on another quest for fool's gold.

foo l's pa ra|dise N‑SING If you say that someone is living in a fool's paradise , you are criticizing them because they are not aware that their present happy situation is likely to change and get worse. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …living in a fool's paradise of false prosperity.

foot ◆◆◆ /fʊ t/ (feet )


1 N‑COUNT Your feet are the parts of your body that are at the ends of your legs, and that you stand on. □ She stamped her foot again. □ …a foot injury. □ …his aching arms and sore feet. ● -footed COMB □ She was bare-footed. □ …pink-footed geese.


2 N‑SING The foot of something is the part that is farthest from its top. □ [+ of ] David called to the children from the foot of the stairs. □ [+ of ] A single word at the foot of a page caught her eye.


3 N‑SING The foot of a bed is the end nearest to the feet of the person lying in it. □ [+ of ] Friends stood at the foot of the bed, looking at her with serious faces.


4 N‑COUNT A foot is a unit for measuring length, height, or depth, and is equal to 12 inches or 30.48 centimetres. When you are giving measurements, the form 'foot' is often used as the plural instead of the plural form 'feet'. □ This beautiful and curiously shaped lake lies at around fifteen thousand feet. □ He occupies a cell 10 foot long, 6 foot wide and 10 foot high. □ I have to give my height in feet and inches.


5 ADJ [ADJ n] A foot brake or foot pump is operated by your foot rather than by your hand. □ I tried to reach the foot brakes but I couldn't.


6 ADJ [ADJ n] A foot patrol or foot soldiers walk rather than travelling in vehicles or on horseback. □ Paratroopers and foot-soldiers entered the building on the government's behalf.


7 → see also footing


8 PHRASE If you get cold feet about something, you become nervous or frightened about it because you think it will fail. □ [+ about ] The Government is getting cold feet about the reforms.


9 PHRASE If you say that someone is finding their feet in a new situation, you mean that they are starting to feel confident and to deal with things successfully. □ I don't know anyone in England but I am sure I will manage when I find my feet.


10 PHRASE If you say that someone has their feet on the ground , you approve of the fact that they have a sensible and practical attitude towards life, and do not have unrealistic ideas. [APPROVAL ] □ In that respect he needs to keep his feet on the ground and not get carried away. □ Kevin was always level-headed with both feet on the ground.


11 PHRASE If you go somewhere on foot , you walk, rather than using any form of transport. □ We rowed ashore, then explored the island on foot for the rest of the day.


12 PHRASE If you are on your feet , you are standing up. □ Everyone was on their feet applauding wildly.


13 PHRASE If you say that someone or something is on their feet again after an illness or difficult period, you mean that they have recovered and are back to normal. □ He said they all needed to work together to put the country on its feet again.


14 PHRASE If you say that someone always falls or lands on their feet , you mean that they are always successful or lucky, although they do not seem to achieve this by their own efforts. □ He has good looks and charm, and always falls on his feet.


15 PHRASE If you say that someone has one foot in the grave , you mean that they are very old or very ill and will probably die soon. [INFORMAL ]


16 PHRASE If you say, in British English, the boot is on the other foot or, mainly in American English, the shoe is on the other foot , you mean that a situation has been reversed completely, so that the person who was in the better position before is now in the worse one. □ You're not in a position to remove me. The boot is now on the other foot.


17 PHRASE If someone puts their foot down , they use their authority in order to stop something happening. □ He should have put his foot down and said it was all far too early.


18 PHRASE If someone puts their foot down when they are driving, they drive as fast as they can. □ I asked the driver to put his foot down for Nagchukha.


19 PHRASE If someone puts their foot in it or puts their foot in their mouth , they accidentally do or say something which embarrasses or offends people. [INFORMAL ] □ Our chairman has really put his foot in it, poor man, though he doesn't know it.


20 PHRASE If you put your feet up , you relax or have a rest, especially by sitting or lying with your feet supported off the ground. □ After supper he'd put his feet up and read. It was a pleasant prospect.


21 PHRASE If you never put a foot wrong , you never make any mistakes. □ When he's around, we never put a foot wrong.


22 PHRASE If you say that someone sets foot in a place, you mean that they enter it or reach it, and you are emphasizing the significance of their action. If you say that someone never sets foot in a place, you are emphasizing that they never go there. [EMPHASIS ] □ …the day the first man set foot on the moon. □ A little later I left that place and never set foot in Texas again.


23 PHRASE If someone has to stand on their own two feet , they have to be independent and manage their lives without help from other people. □ My father didn't mind whom I married, so long as I could stand on my own two feet and wasn't dependent on my husband.


24 PHRASE If you get or rise to your feet , you stand up. □ Malone got to his feet and followed his superior out of the suite. □ He sprang to his feet and ran outside.


25 PHRASE If someone gets off on the wrong foot in a new situation, they make a bad start by doing something in completely the wrong way. □ Even though they had been preparing for the election for some time, they got off on the wrong foot.


26 to foot the bill → see bill


27 foot in the door → see door


28 drag your feet → see drag


29 to vote with your feet → see vote

foot|age /fʊ t I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT Footage of a particular event is a film of it or the part of a film which shows this event. □ They are planning to show exclusive footage from this summer's festivals.

foo t-and-mou th dis|ease N‑UNCOUNT Foot-and-mouth disease or foot-and-mouth is a serious and highly infectious disease that affects cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats.

foot|ball ◆◆◇ /fʊ tbɔːl/ (footballs )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Football is a game played by two teams of eleven players using a round ball. Players kick the ball to each other and try to score goals by kicking the ball into a large net. [BRIT ] □ Several boys were still playing football on the waste ground. □ …Arsenal Football Club. □ …Italian football fans. in AM, use soccer 2 N‑UNCOUNT Football is a game played by two teams of eleven players using an oval ball. Players carry the ball in their hands or throw it to each other as they try to score goals that are called touchdowns. [AM ] □ Two blocks beyond our school was a field where boys played football. □ …this year's national college football championship. in BRIT, use American football 3 N‑COUNT A football is a ball that is used for playing football.

foot|ball|er /fʊ tbɔːlə r / (footballers ) N‑COUNT A footballer is a person who plays football, especially as a profession. [BRIT ] in AM, use soccer player

foot|balling /fʊ tbɔːl I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Footballing means relating to the playing of football. [BRIT ] □ My two years at Farnham were the best of my footballing life.

foo t|ball pools N‑PLURAL If you do the football pools , you take part in a gambling competition in which people try to win money by guessing the results of football matches. [BRIT ]

foot|bridge /fʊ tbr I dʒ/ (footbridges ) N‑COUNT A footbridge is a narrow bridge for people travelling on foot.

foo t-dragging N‑UNCOUNT Foot-dragging is the action of deliberately slowing down a plan or process. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ After years of foot-dragging, the government is listening.

-footed /-fʊ tid/


1 COMB -footed combines with words such as 'heavy' or 'light' to form adjectives which indicate how someone moves or walks. □ …a slim, light-footed little man. □ He was a nimble-footed boy of ten.


2 → see also flat-footed , foot , sure-footed

foot|er /fʊ tə r / (footers ) N‑COUNT A footer is text such as a name or page number that can be automatically displayed at the bottom of each page of a printed document. Compare header . [COMPUTING ]

foot|fall /fʊ tfɔːl/ (footfalls ) N‑COUNT A footfall is the sound that is made by someone walking each time they take a step. [LITERARY ] □ She heard Tom's familiar, flat footfall on the staircase.

foot|hills /fʊ th I lz/ N‑PLURAL The foothills of a mountain or a range of mountains are the lower hills or mountains around its base. □ [+ of ] Pasadena lies in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains.

foot|hold /fʊ thoʊld/ (footholds )


1 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] A foothold is a strong or favourable position from which further advances or progress may be made. □ [+ in ] If British business is to have a successful future, companies must establish a firm foothold in Europe.


2 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] A foothold is a place such as a small hole or area of rock where you can safely put your foot when climbing. □ [+ on ] He lowered his legs until he felt he had a solid foothold on the rockface beneath him.

footie /fu ti/ also footy N‑UNCOUNT Footie is the same as football . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …footie fans. □ …a game of footie.

foot|ing /fʊ t I ŋ/


1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu on N ] If something is put on a particular footing , it is defined, established, or changed in a particular way, often so that it is able to develop or exist successfully. □ The new law will put official corruption on the same legal footing as treason.


2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu on N ] If you are on a particular kind of footing with someone, you have that kind of relationship with them. □ They decided to put their relationship on a more formal footing. □ They are now trying to compete on an equal footing.


3 PHRASE If a country or armed force is on a war footing , it is ready to fight a war. □ The president placed the republic on a war footing.


4 N‑UNCOUNT You refer to your footing when you are referring to your position and how securely your feet are placed on the ground. For example, if you lose your footing , your feet slip and you fall. □ He was cautious of his footing, wary of the edge. □ He lost his footing and slid into the water.

foot|lights /fʊ tla I ts/ N‑PLURAL In a theatre, the footlights are the row of lights along the front of the stage.

foot|locker /fʊ tlɒkə r / (footlockers ) also foot locker N‑COUNT A footlocker is a large box for keeping personal possessions in, especially one that is placed at the end of a bed. [AM ]

foot|loose /fʊ tluːs/


1 ADJ If you describe someone as footloose , you mean that they have no responsibilities or commitments, and are therefore free to do what they want and go where they want. □ People that are single tend to be more footloose.


2 PHRASE If you describe someone as footloose and fancy-free , you mean that they are not married or in a similar relationship, and you therefore consider them to have very few responsibilities or commitments.

foot|man /fʊ tmən/ (footmen ) N‑COUNT A footman is a male servant who typically does jobs such as opening doors or serving food, and who often wears a special uniform.

foot|note /fʊ tnoʊt/ (footnotes )


1 N‑COUNT A footnote is a note at the bottom of a page in a book which provides more detailed information about something that is mentioned on that page.


2 N‑COUNT If you refer to what you are saying as a footnote , you mean that you are adding some information that is related to what has just been mentioned. □ As a footnote, I should add that there was one point on which his bravado was justified.


3 N‑COUNT If you describe an event as a footnote , you mean that it is fairly unimportant although it will probably be remembered. □ I'm afraid that his name will now become a footnote in history.

foot|path /fʊ tpɑːθ, -pæθ/ (footpaths ) N‑COUNT A footpath is a path for people to walk on, especially in the countryside.

foot|plate /fʊ tple I t/ (footplates ) N‑COUNT On a steam train, the footplate is the place where the driver stands. [mainly BRIT ]

foot|print /fʊ tpr I nt/ (footprints ) N‑COUNT A footprint is a mark in the shape of a foot that a person or animal makes in or on a surface.

foot|sie /fʊ tsi/ PHRASE If someone plays footsie with you, they touch your feet with their own feet, for example under a table, often as a playful way of expressing their romantic or sexual feelings towards you. [INFORMAL ]

foo t sol|dier (foot soldiers ) N‑COUNT The foot soldiers of a particular organization are people who seem unimportant and who do not have a high position but who do a large amount of very important and often very boring work.

foot|sore /fʊ tsɔː r / ADJ If you are footsore , you have sore or tired feet after walking a long way.

foot|step /fʊ tstep/ (footsteps )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A footstep is the sound or mark that is made by someone walking each time their foot touches the ground. □ I heard footsteps outside.


2 PHRASE If you follow in someone's footsteps , you do the same things as they did earlier. □ My father is extremely proud that I followed in his footsteps and became a doctor.

foot|stool /fʊ tstuːl/ (footstools ) N‑COUNT A footstool is a small low stool that you can rest your feet on when you are sitting in a chair.

foot|wear /fʊ tweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Footwear refers to things that people wear on their feet, for example shoes and boots. □ Some footballers get paid millions for endorsing footwear.

foot|work /fʊ twɜː r k/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Footwork is the way in which you move your feet, especially in sports such as boxing, football, or tennis, or in dancing. □ This exercise improves your coordination, balance, timing and footwork.


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to someone's footwork in a difficult situation, you mean the clever way they deal with it. □ In the end, his brilliant legal footwork paid off.

fop|pish /fɒ p I ʃ/ ADJ If you describe a man as foppish , you disapprove of the fact that he dresses in beautiful, expensive clothes and is very proud of his appearance. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]

for ◆◆◆ /fə r , STRONG fɔː r / In addition to the uses shown below, for is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information, and in phrasal verbs such as 'account for' and 'make up for'. It is also used with some verbs that have two objects in order to introduce the second object. 1 PREP If something is for someone, they are intended to have it or benefit from it. □ Isn't that enough for you? □ I have some free advice for you. □ …a table for two. □ Your mother is only trying to make things easier for you. □ What have you got for me this morning, Patrick? □ He wanted all the running of the business for himself.


2 PREP If you work or do a job for someone, you are employed by them. □ I knew he worked for a security firm. □ Have you had any experience writing for radio? □ …a buyer for one of the largest chain stores in the south.


3 PREP If you speak or act for a particular group or organization, you represent them. □ She appears nightly on the television news, speaking for the State Department. □ …the spokesman for the Democrats.


4 PREP If someone does something for you, they do it so that you do not have to do it. □ If your pharmacy doesn't stock the product you want, have them order it for you. □ He picked the bracelet up for me.


5 PREP If you feel a particular emotion for someone, you feel it on their behalf. □ This is the best thing you've ever done–I am so happy for you! □ He felt a great sadness for this little girl.


6 PREP If you feel a particular emotion for someone or something, they are the object of that emotion, and you feel it when you think about them. □ John, I'm sorry for Steve, but I think you've made the right decisions. □ Mack felt a pitiless contempt for her.


7 PREP You use for after words such as 'time', 'space', 'money', or 'energy' when you say how much there is or whether there is enough of it in order to be able to do or use a particular thing. □ Many new trains have space for wheelchair users. □ It would take three to six hours for a round trip. □ Chris couldn't even raise the energy for a smile.


8 PREP If something is for sale, hire, or use, it is available to be sold, hired, or used. □ …fishmongers displaying freshwater fish for sale. □ …a room for rent. □ …a comfortable chair, suitable for use in the living room.


9 PREP You use for when you state or explain the purpose of an object, action, or activity. □ Use olive oil for salad dressings. □ The knife for cutting sausage was sitting in the sink. □ …economic aid for the future reconstruction of the country.


10 PREP You use for after nouns expressing reason or cause. □ He's soon to make a speech in parliament explaining his reasons for going. □ The county hospital could find no physical cause for Sumner's problems. □ He has now been formally given the grounds for his arrest.


11 PREP For is used in conditional sentences, in expressions such as ' if not for ' and ' were it not for ', to introduce the only thing which prevents the main part of the sentence from being true. □ If not for John, Brian wouldn't have learned the truth. □ The earth would be a frozen ball if it were not for the radiant heat of the sun. □ She might have forgotten her completely had it not been for recurrent nightmares.


12 PREP You use for to say how long something lasts or continues. □ The toaster remained on for more than an hour. □ For a few minutes she sat on her bed watching the clock. □ They talked for a bit.


13 PREP You use for to say how far something extends. □ We drove on for a few miles. □ Great clouds of black smoke were rising for several hundred feet or so.


14 PREP If something is bought, sold, or done for a particular amount of money, that amount of money is its price. □ We got the bus back to Tange for 30 cents. □ The Martins sold their house for about 1.4 million pounds. □ The doctor was prepared to do the operation for a large sum.


15 PREP If something is planned for a particular time, it is planned to happen then. □ His next trip to Lanzarote is planned for April. □ Marks & Spencer will be unveiling its latest fashions for autumn and winter.


16 PREP If you do something for a particular occasion, you do it on that occasion or to celebrate that occasion. □ He asked his daughter what she would like for her birthday. □ I'll be home for Christmas.


17 PREP If you leave for a particular place or if you take a bus, train, plane, or boat for a place, you are going there. □ They would be leaving for Rio early the next morning.


18 PREP You use for when you make a statement about something in order to say how it affects or relates to someone, or what their attitude to it is. □ What matters for most scientists is money and facilities. □ For her, books were as necessary to life as bread. □ It would be excellent experience for him to travel a little.


19 PREP After some adjective, noun, and verb phrases, you use for to introduce the subject of the action indicated by the following infinitive verb. □ It might be possible for a single woman to be accepted as a foster parent. □ I had made arrangements for my affairs to be dealt with by one of my children. □ He held out his glass for an old waiter to refill.


20 PREP You use for when you say that an aspect of something or someone is surprising in relation to other aspects of them. □ He was tall for an eight-year-old. □ He had too much money for a young man.


21 PREP If you say that you are for a particular activity, you mean that this is what you want or intend to do. □ Right, who's for a toasted sandwich then? □ 'What'll it be?' Paul said.—'I'm for halibut.'


22 PREP [with neg] If you say that something is not for you, you mean that you do not enjoy it or that it is not suitable for you. [INFORMAL ] □ Wendy decided the sport was not for her.


23 PREP If it is for you to do something, it is your responsibility or right to do it. □ I wish you would come back to Washington with us, but that's for you to decide. □ It is not for me to arrange such matters.


24 PREP If you are for something, you agree with it or support it. □ Are you for or against public transport? □ I'm for a government that the people respect and that respects the people.


25 PREP You use for after words such as 'argue', 'case', 'evidence', or 'vote' in order to introduce the thing that is being supported or proved. □ Another union has voted for industrial action in support of a pay claim. □ The case for nuclear power is impressive. □ We have no real, objective, scientific evidence for our belief. ● ADV [ADV after v] For is also an adverb. □ 833 delegates voted for, and only 432 against.


26 PREP For is the preposition that is used after some nouns, adjectives, or verbs in order to introduce more information or to indicate what a quality, thing, or action relates to. □ Reduced-calorie cheese is a great substitute for cream cheese. □ Car park owners should be legally responsible for protecting vehicles. □ Be prepared for both warm and cool weather. □ Make sure you have ample time to prepare for the new day ahead.


27 PREP To be named for someone means to be given the same name as them. [AM ] □ The Brady Bill is named for former White House Press Secretary James Brady. in BRIT, use after 28 PREP You use for with 'every' when you are stating a ratio, to introduce one of the things in the ratio. □ For every farm job that is lost, two or three other jobs in the area are put at risk. □ There can be up to 20 dogs for every one instructor.


29 PREP You can use for in expressions such as pound for pound or mile for mile when you are making comparisons between the values or qualities of different things. □ …the Antarctic, mile for mile one of the planet's most lifeless areas. □ He insists any tax cut be matched dollar-for-dollar with cuts in spending.


30 PREP If a word or expression has the same meaning as another word or expression, you can say that the first one is another word or expression for the second one. □ The technical term for sunburn is erythema.


31 PREP You use for in a piece of writing when you mention information which will be found somewhere else. □ For further information on dealing with allergies see pages 30-2.


32 PHRASE If you say that you are all for doing something, you agree or strongly believe that it should be done, but you are also often suggesting that other people disagree with you or that there are practical difficulties. □ He is all for players earning what they can while they are in the game. □ I was all for it, but Wolfe said no.


33 PHRASE If you are in for it or, in British English, if you are for it , you are likely to get into trouble because of something you have done. [INFORMAL ]


34 PHRASE You use expressions such as for the first time and for the last time when you are talking about how often something has happened before. □ He was married for the second time, this time to a Belgian. □ For the first time in my career, I was failing.


35 as for → see as ➋


36 but for → see but


37 for all → see all USAGE for


Don’t use ‘for’ with an -ing form when saying why someone does something. Don’t say, for example, ‘ He went to the city for finding work ’. You say ‘He went to the city to find work’ or ‘He went to the city in order to find work’. □ People would stroll down the path to admire the garden.

for|age /fɒ r I dʒ, [AM ] fɔː r-/ (forages , foraging , foraged )


1 VERB If someone forages for something, they search for it in a busy way. □ [V + for ] They were forced to forage for clothing and fuel.


2 VERB When animals forage , they search for food. □ [V ] We disturbed a wild boar that had been foraging by the roadside. □ [V + for ] The cat forages for food.

for|ay /fɒ re I , [AM ] fɔː re I / (forays )


1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] If you make a foray into a new or unfamiliar type of activity, you start to become involved in it. □ [+ into ] The fashion house has made a discreet foray into furnishings. □ [+ into ] …her first forays into politics.


2 N‑COUNT You can refer to a short journey that you make as a foray if it seems to involve excitement or risk, for example because it is to an unfamiliar place or because you are looking for a particular thing. □ [+ into/to ] Most guests make at least one foray into the town.


3 N‑COUNT If a group of soldiers make a foray into enemy territory, they make a quick attack there, and then return to their own territory. □ [+ into ] …a British military foray into Abyssinia.

for|bade /fə r bæ d, -be I d/ Forbade is the past tense of forbid .

for|bear /fɔː r beə r / (forbears , forbearing , forbore , forborne ) VERB If you forbear to do something, you do not do it although you have the opportunity or the right to do it. [FORMAL ] □ [V to-inf] I forbore to comment on this. □ [V + from ] Protesters largely forbore from stone-throwing and vandalism.

for|bear|ance /fɔː r beə rəns/ N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone has shown forbearance , you admire them for behaving in a calm and sensible way about something that they have a right to be very upset or angry about. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ All the Greenpeace people behaved with impressive forbearance and dignity.

for|bear|ing /fɔː r beə r I ŋ/ ADJ Someone who is forbearing behaves in a calm and sensible way at a time when they would have a right to be very upset or angry. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ]

for|bid /fə r b I d/ (forbids , forbidding , forbade , forbidden )


1 VERB If you forbid someone to do something, or if you forbid an activity, you order that it must not be done. □ [V n to-inf] They'll forbid you to marry. □ [V n] Brazil's constitution forbids the military use of nuclear energy.


2 VERB If something forbids a particular course of action or state of affairs, it makes it impossible for the course of action or state of affairs to happen. □ [V n to-inf] His own pride forbids him to ask Arthur's help. □ [V n] Custom forbids any modernisation.


3 God forbid → see god


4 heaven forbid → see heaven

for|bid|den /fə r b I d ə n/


1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something is forbidden , you are not allowed to do it or have it. □ Smoking was forbidden everywhere. □ It is forbidden to drive faster than 20mph.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A forbidden place is one that you are not allowed to visit or enter. □ This was a forbidden area for foreigners.


3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Forbidden is used to describe things that people strongly disapprove of or feel guilty about, and that are not often mentioned or talked about. □ The war was a forbidden subject. □ Divorce? It was such a forbidden word.

for|bi d|den frui t (forbidden fruits ) N‑VAR Forbidden fruit is a source of pleasure that involves breaking a rule or doing something that you are not supposed to do. □ …the forbidden fruit of an illicit romance.

for|bid|ding /fə r b I d I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe a person, place, or thing as forbidding , you mean they have a severe, unfriendly, or threatening appearance. □ There was something a little severe and forbidding about her face. □ …a huge, forbidding building.

force ◆◆◆ /fɔː r s/ (forces , forcing , forced )


1 VERB If someone forces you to do something, they make you do it even though you do not want to, for example by threatening you. □ [V n to-inf] The royal family were forced to flee with their infant son. □ [V n] I cannot force you in this. You must decide. □ [V n prep/adv] They were grabbed by three men who appeared to force them into a car.


2 VERB If a situation or event forces you to do something, it makes it necessary for you to do something that you would not otherwise have done. □ [V n to-inf] A back injury forced her to withdraw from the tournament. □ [V n + into/to/out of ] He turned right, down a dirt road that forced him into four-wheel drive. □ [be V -ed + into/to/out of ] She finally was forced to the conclusion that she wouldn't get another paid job in her field.


3 VERB If someone forces something on or upon you, they make you accept or use it when you would prefer not to. □ [V n + on/upon ] To force this agreement on the nation is wrong.


4 VERB If you force something into a particular position, you use a lot of strength to make it move there. □ [V n prep/adv] They were forcing her head under the icy waters, drowning her.


5 VERB If someone forces a lock, a door, or a window, they break the lock or fastening in order to get into a building without using a key. □ [V n] That evening police forced the door of the flat and arrested Mr Roberts. □ [V n adj] He tried to force the window open but it was jammed shut.


6 N‑UNCOUNT If someone uses force to do something, or if it is done by force , strong and violent physical action is taken in order to achieve it. □ The government decided against using force to break up the demonstrations. □ …the guerrillas' efforts to seize power by force.


7 N‑UNCOUNT Force is the power or strength which something has. □ The force of the explosion shattered the windows of several buildings.


8 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone or something as a force in a particular type of activity, you mean that they have a strong influence on it. □ [+ in ] For years the army was the most powerful political force in the country. □ [+ behind ] One of the driving forces behind this recent expansion is the growth of services.


9 N‑UNCOUNT The force of something is the powerful effect or quality that it has. □ [+ of ] He changed our world through the force of his ideas.


10 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can use forces to refer to processes and events that do not appear to be caused by human beings, and are therefore difficult to understand or control. □ [+ of ] …the forces of nature: epidemics, predators, floods, hurricanes. □ The principle of market forces was applied to some of the country's most revered institutions.


11 N‑VAR In physics, a force is the pulling or pushing effect that something has on something else. □ …the earth's gravitational force. □ …protons and electrons trapped by magnetic forces in the Van Allen belts.


12 N‑UNCOUNT Force is used before a number to indicate a wind of a particular speed or strength, especially a very strong wind. □ Northerly winds will increase to force six by midday.


13 VERB If you force a smile or a laugh, you manage to smile or laugh, but with an effort because you are unhappy. □ [V n] Joe forced a smile, but underneath he was a little disturbed. □ [V -ed] 'Why don't you offer me a drink?' he asked, with a forced smile.


14 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Forces are groups of soldiers or military vehicles that are organized for a particular purpose. □ …the deployment of American forces in the region.


15 N‑PLURAL The forces means the army, the navy, or the air force, or all three. □ The more senior you become in the forces, the more likely you are to end up in a desk job.


16 N‑SING The force is sometimes used to mean the police force. □ It was hard for a police officer to make friends outside the force.


17 → see also air force , armed forces , labour force , peacekeeping , task force , tour de force , workforce


18 PHRASE If you do something from force of habit , you do it because you have always done it in the past, rather than because you have thought carefully about it. □ Unconsciously, by force of habit, she plugged the coffee pot in.


19 PHRASE A law, rule, or system that is in force exists or is being used. □ Although the new tax is already in force, you have until November to lodge an appeal.


20 PHRASE When people do something in force , they do it in large numbers. □ Voters turned out in force for their first taste of multi-party elections.


21 PHRASE If you join forces with someone, you work together in order to achieve a common aim or purpose. □ [+ with ] She joins forces with a maverick detective to expose the killer.


22 PHRASE If you force your way through or into somewhere, you have to push or break things that are in your way in order to get there. □ [+ through ] The miners were armed with clubs as they forced their way through a police cordon. □ [+ into ] He forced his way into a house shouting for help.


23 to force someone's hand → see hand ➊


▸ force back PHRASAL VERB If you force back an emotion or desire, you manage, with an effort, not to experience it. □ [V P n] Nancy forced back tears. She wasn't going to cry in front of all those people. [Also V n P ]

forced /fɔː r st/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A forced action is something that you do because someone else makes you do it. □ A system of forced labour was used on the cocoa plantations.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] A forced action is something that you do because circumstances make it necessary. □ He made a forced landing on a highway.


3 ADJ If you describe something as forced , you mean it does not happen naturally and easily. □ …a forced smile. □ She called him darling. It sounded so forced.

fo rce-fee d (force-feeds , force-feeding , force-fed ) VERB If you force-feed a person or animal, you make them eat or drink by pushing food or drink down their throat. □ [V n] Production of foie gras by force-feeding of birds is banned in Britain but imports are allowed.

force|ful /fɔː r sfʊl/


1 ADJ If you describe someone as forceful , you approve of them because they express their opinions and wishes in a strong, emphatic, and confident way. [APPROVAL ] □ He was a man of forceful character, with considerable insight and diplomatic skills. ● force|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Mrs. Dambar was talking very rapidly and somewhat forcefully. ● force|ful|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ She had inherited her father's forcefulness.


2 ADJ Something that is forceful has a very powerful effect and causes you to think or feel something very strongly. □ It made a very forceful impression on me. □ For most people a heart attack is a forceful reminder that they are mortal. ● force|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Daytime television tended to remind her too forcefully of her own situation.


3 ADJ A forceful point or argument in a discussion is one that is good, valid, and convincing.

for|ceps /fɔː r seps/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Forceps are an instrument consisting of two long narrow arms. Forceps are used by a doctor to hold things.

for|cible /fɔː r s I b ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Forcible action involves physical force or violence. □ …the forcible resettlement of villagers from the countryside into towns.

ford /fɔː r d/ (fords , fording , forded )


1 N‑COUNT A ford is a shallow place in a river or stream where it is possible to cross safely without using a boat.


2 VERB If you ford a river or stream, you cross it without using a boat, usually at a shallow point. □ [V n] They were guarding the bridge, so we forded the river.

fore /fɔː r /


1 PHRASE If someone or something comes to the fore in a particular situation or group, they become important or popular. □ A number of low-budget independent films brought new directors and actors to the fore.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Fore is used to refer to parts at the front of an animal, ship, or aircraft. □ There had been no direct damage in the fore part of the ship.

fore|arm /fɔː rɑː r m/ (forearms ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your forearm is the part of your arm between your elbow and your wrist.

fore|armed /fɔː r ɑː r md/ PHRASE If you say ' Forewarned is forearmed ', you are saying that if you know about a problem or situation in advance, you will be able to deal with it when you need to.

fore|bear /fɔː r beə r / (forebears ) N‑COUNT [usu with poss] Your forebears are your ancestors. [LITERARY ] □ I'll come back to the land of my forebears.

fore|bod|ing /fɔː r boʊ d I ŋ/ (forebodings ) N‑VAR Foreboding is a strong feeling that something terrible is going to happen. □ His triumph was overshadowed by an uneasy sense of foreboding.

fore|cast ◆◇◇ /fɔː r kɑːst, -kæst/ (forecasts , forecasting , forecasted ) The forms forecast and forecasted can both be used for the past tense and past participle. 1 N‑COUNT A forecast is a statement of what is expected to happen in the future, especially in relation to a particular event or situation. □ [+ of ] …a forecast of a 2.25 per cent growth in the economy. □ He delivered his election forecast. □ The weather forecast is better for today.


2 VERB If you forecast future events, you say what you think is going to happen in the future. □ [V n] They forecast a humiliating defeat for the Prime Minister. □ [V that] He forecasts that average salary increases will remain around 4 per cent.


3 → see also weather forecast SYNONYMS forecast NOUN 1


prediction: Weather prediction has never been a perfect science.


projection: …the company's projection of 11 million visitors for the first year.


prognosis: …a gloomy prognosis of the Scots' championship prospects.


prophecy: The youth, too, fulfilled the prophecy.

fore|cast|er /fɔː r kɑːstə r , -kæst-/ (forecasters )


1 N‑COUNT A forecaster is someone who uses detailed knowledge about a particular activity in order to work out what they think will happen in that activity in the future. □ Some of the nation's top economic forecasters say the economic recovery is picking up speed.


2 → see also weather forecaster

fore|cas|tle /foʊ ksl/ (forecastles ) or fo'c'sle N‑COUNT The forecastle is the part at the front of a ship where the sailors live.

fore|close /fɔː r kloʊ z/ (forecloses , foreclosing , foreclosed ) VERB If the person or organization that lent someone money forecloses , they take possession of a property that was bought with the borrowed money, for example because regular repayments have not been made. [BUSINESS ] □ [V + on ] The bank foreclosed on the mortgage for his previous home. [Also V ]

fore|clo|sure /fɔː r kloʊ ʒə r / (foreclosures ) N‑VAR Foreclosure is when someone who has lent money to a person or organization so that they can buy property takes possession of the property because the money has not been repaid. [BUSINESS ] □ If homeowners can't keep up the payments, they face foreclosure. □ If interest rates go up, won't foreclosures rise?

fore|court /fɔː r kɔː r t/ (forecourts ) N‑COUNT [n N ] The forecourt of a large building or petrol station is the open area at the front of it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] I locked the bike in the forecourt of the Kirey Hotel.

fore|deck /fɔː r dek/ (foredecks ) N‑COUNT The foredeck is the part of the deck at the front of a ship.

fore|father /fɔː r fɑːðə r / (forefathers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl, usu poss N ] Your forefathers are your ancestors, especially your male ancestors. [LITERARY ] □ They were determined to go back to the land of their forefathers.

fore|finger /fɔː r f I ŋgə r / (forefingers ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your forefinger is the finger that is next to your thumb. □ He took the pen between his thumb and forefinger.

fore|foot /fɔː r fʊt/ (forefeet ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A four-legged animal's forefeet are its two front feet.

fore|front /fɔː r frʌnt/


1 N‑SING [usu at/in/to N ] If you are at the forefront of a campaign or other activity, you have a leading and influential position in it. □ [+ of/in ] They have been at the forefront of the campaign for political change.


2 N‑SING [usu at/in/to N of n] If something is at the forefront of people's minds or attention, they think about it a lot because it is particularly important to them. □ The pension issue was not at the forefront of his mind in the spring of 1985.

fore|go /fɔː r goʊ / (foregoes , foregoing , forewent , foregone ) also forgo VERB If you forego something, you decide to do without it, although you would like it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Keen skiers are happy to forego a summer holiday to go skiing.

fore|going /fɔː r goʊ I ŋ, fɔː r goʊ -/ PRON You can refer to what has just been stated or mentioned as the foregoing . [FORMAL ] □ You might think from the foregoing that the French want to phase accents out. Not at all. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Foregoing is also an adjective. □ The foregoing paragraphs were written in 1985.

fore|gone /fɔː r gɒn/


1 Foregone is the past participle of forego .


2 PHRASE If you say that a particular result is a foregone conclusion , you mean you are certain that it will happen. □ Most voters believe the result is a foregone conclusion.

fore|ground /fɔː r graʊnd/ (foregrounds )


1 N‑VAR [oft in the N ] The foreground of a picture or scene you are looking at is the part or area of it that appears nearest to you. □ He is the bowler-hatted figure in the foreground of Orpen's famous painting.


2 N‑SING [oft in/to N ] If something or someone is in the foreground , or comes to the foreground , they receive a lot of attention. □ This is another worry that has come to the foreground in recent years.

fore|hand /fɔː r hænd/ (forehands ) N‑COUNT A forehand is a shot in tennis or squash in which the palm of your hand faces the direction in which you are hitting the ball. □ Agassi saw his chance and, with another lightning forehand, reached match point.

fore|head /fɒ r I d, fɔː r hed/ (foreheads ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your forehead is the area at the front of your head between your eyebrows and your hair.

for|eign ◆◆◆ /fɒ r I n, [AM ] fɔː r-/


1 ADJ Something or someone that is foreign comes from or relates to a country that is not your own. □ …a huge attraction for foreign visitors. □ She was on her first foreign holiday without her parents. □ …a foreign language. □ It is the largest ever private foreign investment in the Bolivian mining sector.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] In politics and journalism, foreign is used to describe people, jobs, and activities relating to countries that are not the country of the person or government concerned. □ …the German foreign minister. □ I am the foreign correspondent in Washington of La Tribuna newspaper of Honduras. □ …the effects of U.S. foreign policy in the 'free world'.


3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A foreign object is something that has got into something else, usually by accident, and should not be there. [FORMAL ] □ The patient's immune system would reject the transplanted organ as a foreign object.


4 ADJ Something that is foreign to a particular person or thing is not typical of them or is unknown to them. □ [+ to ] The very notion of price competition is foreign to many schools.

fo r|eign bo dy (foreign bodies ) N‑COUNT A foreign body is an object that has come into something else, usually by accident, and should not be in it. [FORMAL ] □ …a foreign body in the eye.

for|eign|er ◆◇◇ /fɒ r I nə r , [AM ] fɔː r-/ (foreigners ) N‑COUNT A foreigner is someone who belongs to a country that is not your own. □ They are discouraged from becoming close friends with foreigners.

fo r|eign ex|cha nge (foreign exchanges )


1 N‑PLURAL Foreign exchanges are the institutions or systems involved with changing one currency into another. □ On the foreign exchanges, the U.S. dollar is up point forty-five.


2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Foreign exchange is used to refer to foreign currency that is obtained through the foreign exchange system. □ …an important source of foreign exchange. □ …foreign-exchange traders.

Fo r|eign Of|fice (Foreign Offices ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] The Foreign Office is the government department, especially in Britain, which has responsibility for the government's dealings and relations with foreign governments. □ …a Foreign Office spokesman.

fo r|eign ser|vice N‑SING The foreign service is the government department that employs diplomats to work in foreign countries. [AM ] in BRIT, use diplomatic service

fore|knowl|edge /fɔː r nɒ l I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT If you have foreknowledge of an event or situation, you have some knowledge of it before it actually happens. □ [+ of ] She has maintained that the General had foreknowledge of the plot.

fore|leg /fɔː r leg/ (forelegs ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A four-legged animal's forelegs are its two front legs.

fore|lock /fɔː r lɒk/ (forelocks )


1 N‑COUNT A forelock is a piece of hair that falls over your forehead. People often used to pull their forelocks to show respect for other people of a higher class than they were.


2 PHRASE If you say that a person tugs their forelock to another person, you are criticizing them for showing too much respect to the second person or being unnecessarily worried about their opinions. [mainly BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ]

fore|man /fɔː r mən/ (foremen )


1 N‑COUNT A foreman is a person, especially a man, in charge of a group of workers. □ He visited the dairy daily, but left the business details to his foreman.


2 N‑COUNT The foreman of a jury is the person who is chosen as their leader. □ There was applause from the public gallery as the foreman of the jury announced the verdict.

fore|most /fɔː r moʊst/


1 ADJ The foremost thing or person in a group is the most important or best. □ He was one of the world's foremost scholars of ancient Indian culture.


2 PHRASE You use first and foremost to emphasize the most important quality of something or someone. [EMPHASIS ] □ It is first and foremost a trade agreement.

fore|name /fɔː r ne I m/ (forenames ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your forename is your first name. Your forenames are your names other than your surname. [FORMAL ]

fore|noon /fɔː r nuːn/ N‑SING The forenoon is the morning. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

fo|ren|sic /fəre ns I k/ (forensics )


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Forensic is used to describe the work of scientists who examine evidence in order to help the police solve crimes. □ They were convicted on forensic evidence alone. □ Forensic experts searched the area for clues.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Forensics is the use of scientific techniques to solve crimes. □ …the newest advances in forensics. □ …federal forensics legislation.

fore|play /fɔː r ple I / N‑UNCOUNT Foreplay is activity such as kissing and stroking when it takes place before sexual intercourse.

fore|run|ner /fɔː r rʌnə r / (forerunners ) N‑COUNT If you describe a person or thing as the forerunner of someone or something similar, you mean they existed before them and either influenced their development or were a sign of what was going to happen. □ [+ of ] …a machine which, in some respects, was the forerunner of the modern helicopter.

fore|see /fɔː r siː / (foresees , foreseeing , foresaw , foreseen ) VERB If you foresee something, you expect and believe that it will happen. □ [V n] He did not foresee any problems. □ [V that] He could never have foreseen that one day his books would sell in millions. [Also V wh]

fore|see|able /fɔː r siː əb ə l/


1 ADJ If a future event is foreseeable , you know that it will happen or that it can happen, because it is a natural or obvious consequence of something else that you know. □ It seems to me that this crime was foreseeable and this death preventable.


2 PHRASE If you say that something will happen for the foreseeable future , you think that it will continue to happen for a long time. □ Profit and dividend growth looks like being above average for the foreseeable future.


3 PHRASE If you say that something will happen in the foreseeable future you mean that you think it will happen fairly soon. □ So, might they finally have free elections in the foreseeable future?

fore|shad|ow /fɔː r ʃæ doʊ/ (foreshadows , foreshadowing , foreshadowed ) VERB If something foreshadows an event or situation, it suggests that it will happen. □ [V n] The disappointing sales figures foreshadow more redundancies.

fore|shore /fɔː r ʃɔː r / (foreshores ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] Beside the sea, a lake, or a wide river, the foreshore is the part of the shore which is between the highest and lowest points reached by the water.

fore|short|en /fɔː r ʃɔː r t ə n/ (foreshortens , foreshortening , foreshortened ) VERB To foreshorten someone or something means to draw them, photograph them, or see them from an unusual angle so that the parts of them that are furthest away seem smaller than they really are. □ [V n] She could see herself in the reflecting lenses, which had grotesquely foreshortened her.

fore|sight /fɔː r sa I t/ N‑UNCOUNT Someone's foresight is their ability to see what is likely to happen in the future and to take appropriate action. [APPROVAL ] □ He was later criticised for his lack of foresight. □ They had the foresight to invest in new technology.

fore|skin /fɔː r sk I n/ (foreskins ) N‑VAR A man's foreskin is the skin that covers the end of his penis.

for|est ◆◇◇ /fɒ r I st, [AM ] fɔː r-/ (forests )


1 N‑VAR A forest is a large area where trees grow close together. □ Parts of the forest are still dense and inaccessible. □ …25 million hectares of forest.


2 N‑COUNT A forest of tall or narrow objects is a group of them standing or sticking upright. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] They descended from the plane into a forest of microphones and cameras.

fore|stall /fɔː r stɔː l/ (forestalls , forestalling , forestalled ) VERB If you forestall someone, you realize what they are likely to do and prevent them from doing it. □ [V n] Large numbers of police were in the square to forestall any demonstrations.

for|est|ed /fɒ r I st I d, [AM ] fɔː r-/ ADJ A forested area is an area covered in trees growing closely together. □ …a thickly forested valley. □ Only 8 per cent of the country is forested.

for|est|er /fɒ r I stə r , [AM ] fɔː r-/ (foresters ) N‑COUNT A forester is a person whose job is to look after the trees in a forest and to plant new ones.

for|est|ry /fɒ r I stri, [AM ] fɔː r-/ N‑UNCOUNT Forestry is the science or skill of growing and taking care of trees in forests, especially in order to obtain wood.

fore|taste /fɔː r te I st/ (foretastes ) N‑COUNT [usu a N of n] If you describe an event as a foretaste of a future situation, you mean that it suggests to you what that future situation will be like. □ [+ of ] It was a foretaste of things to come.

fore|tell /fɔː r te l/ (foretells , foretelling , foretold ) VERB If you foretell a future event, you predict that it will happen. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] …prophets who have foretold the end of the world. [Also V that/wh]

fore|thought /fɔː r θɔːt/ N‑UNCOUNT If you act with forethought , you think carefully before you act about what will be needed, or about what the consequences will be. □ With a little forethought many accidents could be avoided.

fore|told /fɔː r toʊ ld/ Foretold is the past tense and past participle of foretell .

for|ever /fəre və r / also for ever


1 ADV [ADV with v] If you say that something will happen or continue forever , you mean that it will always happen or continue. □ I think that we will live together forever. □ I will forever be grateful for his considerable input.


2 ADV [ADV after v] If something has gone or changed forever , it has gone or changed completely and permanently. □ The old social order was gone forever. □ Their lives changed forever.


3 ADV [ADV after v] If you say that something takes forever or lasts forever , you are emphasizing that it takes or lasts a very long time, or that it seems to. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The drive seemed to take forever.

fore|warn /fɔː r wɔː r n/ (forewarns , forewarning , forewarned )


1 VERB If you forewarn someone about something, you warn them in advance that it is going to happen. □ [V n + of/about ] The Macmillan Guide had forewarned me of what to expect. [Also V n that, V n]


2 forewarned is forearmed → see forearmed

fore|went /fɔː r we nt/ Forewent is the past tense of forego .

fore|word /fɔː r wɜː r d/ (forewords ) N‑COUNT The foreword to a book is an introduction by the author or by someone else.

forex /fɒ reks/ N‑UNCOUNT Forex is an abbreviation for foreign exchange . □ …the forex market.

for|feit /fɔː r f I t/ (forfeits , forfeiting , forfeited )


1 VERB If you forfeit something, you lose it or are forced to give it up because you have broken a rule or done something wrong. □ [V n] He was ordered to forfeit more than £1.5m in profits. □ [V n] He argues that murderers forfeit their own right to life.


2 VERB If you forfeit something, you give it up willingly, especially so that you can achieve something else. □ [V n] He has forfeited a lucrative fee but feels his well-being is more important.


3 N‑COUNT A forfeit is something that you have to give up because you have done something wrong. □ That is the forfeit he must pay.

for|fei|ture /fɔː r f I tʃə r / (forfeitures ) N‑VAR Forfeiture is the action of forfeiting something. [LEGAL ] □ [+ of ] …the forfeiture of illegally obtained profits. □ [+ of ] Both face maximum forfeitures of about $1.2 million.

for|gave /fə r ge I v/ Forgave is the past tense of forgive .

forge /fɔː r dʒ/ (forges , forging , forged )


1 VERB If one person or institution forges an agreement or relationship with another, they create it with a lot of hard work, hoping that it will be strong or lasting. □ [V n + with ] The Prime Minister is determined to forge a good relationship with America's new leader. □ [V n] They agreed to forge closer economic ties. □ [V n between ] The programme aims to forge links between higher education and small businesses. □ [V n] The pair forged a formidable alliance.


2 VERB If someone forges something such as a banknote, a document, or a painting, they copy it or make it so that it looks genuine, in order to deceive people. □ [V n] She alleged that Taylor had forged her signature on the form. □ [V -ed] They used forged documents to leave the country. ● forg|er (forgers ) N‑COUNT □ …the most prolific art forger in the country.


3 N‑COUNT [oft in names] A forge is a place where someone makes metal goods and equipment by heating pieces of metal and then shaping them. □ …the blacksmith's forge. □ …Woodbury Blacksmith & Forge Co.


4 VERB If someone forges an object out of metal, they heat the metal and then hammer and bend it into the required shape. □ [V n] To forge a blade takes great skill.


▸ forge ahead PHRASAL VERB If you forge ahead with something, you continue with it and make a lot of progress with it. □ [V P + with ] He again pledged to forge ahead with his plans for reform. □ [V P ] The two companies forged ahead, innovating and expanding.

for|gery /fɔː r dʒəri/ (forgeries )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Forgery is the crime of forging money, documents, or paintings. □ He was found guilty of forgery.


2 N‑COUNT You can refer to a forged document, banknote, or painting as a forgery . □ The letter was a forgery.

for|get ◆◆◇ /fə r ge t/ (forgets , forgetting , forgot , forgotten )


1 VERB If you forget something or forget how to do something, you cannot think of it or think how to do it, although you knew it or knew how to do it in the past. □ [V n] Sometimes I improvise and change the words because I forget them. □ [V wh] She forgot where she left the car and it took us two days to find it.


2 VERB If you forget something or forget to do it, you fail to think about it or fail to remember to do it, for example because you are thinking about other things. □ [V n] She never forgets her daddy's birthday. □ [V to-inf] She forgot to lock her door one day and two men got in. □ [V that] Don't forget that all dogs need a supply of fresh water to drink. □ [V + about ] She forgot about everything but the sun and the wind and the salt spray.


3 VERB If you forget something that you had intended to bring with you, you do not bring it because you did not think about it at the right time. □ [V n] Once when we were going to Paris, I forgot my passport. [Also V + about ]


4 VERB If you forget something or someone, you deliberately put them out of your mind and do not think about them any more. □ [V n] I hope you will forget the bad experience you had today. □ [V + about ] I found it very easy to forget about Sumner. □ [V that] She tried to forget that sometimes she heard them quarrelling.


5 CONVENTION You say ' Forget it ' in reply to someone as a way of telling them not to worry or bother about something, or as an emphatic way of saying no to a suggestion. [SPOKEN , FORMULAE ] □ 'Sorry, Liz. I think I was a bit rude to you.'—'Forget it, but don't do it again!' □ 'You want more?' roared Claire. 'Forget it, honey.'


6 PHRASE You say not forgetting a particular thing or person when you want to include them in something that you have already talked about. □ The first thing is to support as many shows as one can, not forgetting the small local ones.

for|get|ful /fə r ge tfʊl/ ADJ Someone who is forgetful often forgets things. □ My mother has become very forgetful and confused recently.

forge t-me-not (forget-me-nots ) N‑COUNT A forget-me-not is a small plant with tiny blue flowers.

for|get|table /fə r ge təb ə l/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as forgettable , you mean that they do not have any qualities that make them special, unusual, or interesting. □ He has acted in three forgettable action films.

for|giv|able /fə r g I vəb ə l/ ADJ If you say that something bad is forgivable , you mean that you can understand it and can forgive it in the circumstances. □ Is infidelity ever forgivable?

for|give /fə r g I v/ (forgives , forgiving , forgave , forgiven )


1 VERB If you forgive someone who has done something bad or wrong, you stop being angry with them and no longer want to punish them. □ [V n] Hopefully she'll understand and forgive you, if she really loves you. □ [V n + for ] She'd find a way to forgive him for the theft of the money. □ [V n n] Still, for those flashes of genius, you can forgive him anything. [Also V ]


2 V-PASSIVE If you say that someone could be forgiven for doing something, you mean that they were wrong or mistaken, but not seriously, because many people would have done the same thing in those circumstances. □ [be V -ed + for ] Looking at the figures, you could be forgiven for thinking the recession is already over.


3 VERB Forgive is used in polite expressions and apologies like ' forgive me ' and ' forgive my ignorance ' when you are saying or doing something that might seem rude, silly, or complicated. [POLITENESS ] □ [V n] Forgive me, I don't mean to insult you. □ [V n] I do hope you'll forgive me but I've got to leave. □ [V n] 'Forgive my manners,' she said calmly. 'I neglected to introduce myself.'


4 VERB If an organization such as a bank forgives someone's debt, they agree not to ask for that money to be repaid. □ [V n] This man has just been forgiven a debt of $10 million.

for|give|ness /fə r g I vnəs/ N‑UNCOUNT If you ask for forgiveness , you ask to be forgiven for something wrong that you have done. □ I offered up a short prayer for forgiveness. □ …a spirit of forgiveness and national reconciliation.

for|giv|ing /fə r g I v I ŋ/ ADJ Someone who is forgiving is willing to forgive. □ Voters can be remarkably forgiving of presidents who fail to keep their campaign promises.

for|go /fɔː r goʊ / → see forego

for|got /fə r gɒ t/ Forgot is the past tense of forget .

for|got|ten /fə r gɒ t ə n/ Forgotten is the past participle of forget .

fork /fɔː r k/ (forks , forking , forked )


1 N‑COUNT A fork is a tool used for eating food which has a row of three or four long metal points at the end. □ …knives and forks.


2 VERB If you fork food into your mouth or onto a plate, you put it there using a fork. □ [V n + into/onto ] Ann forked some fish into her mouth. □ [V n + into/onto ] He forked an egg onto a piece of bread and folded it into a sandwich.


3 N‑COUNT A garden fork is a tool used for breaking up soil which has a row of three or four long metal points at the end.


4 N‑COUNT A fork in a road, path, or river is a point at which it divides into two parts and forms a 'Y' shape. □ [+ in ] We arrived at a fork in the road. □ The road divides; you should take the right fork.


5 VERB [no cont] If a road, path, or river forks , it forms a fork. □ [V ] Beyond the village the road forked. □ [V prep/adv] The path dipped down to a sort of cove, and then it forked in two directions.


6 → see also tuning fork


▸ fork out PHRASAL VERB If you fork out for something, you spend a lot of money on it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P + for/on ] He will have to fork out for private school fees for Nina. □ [V P ] You don't ask people to fork out every time they drive up the motorways. □ [V P n + for/on ] Britons fork out more than a billion pounds a year on toys.

forked /fɔː r kt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that divides into two parts and forms a 'Y' shape can be described as forked . □ Jaegers are swift black birds with long forked tails.

fo rked li ght|ning N‑UNCOUNT Forked lightning is lightning that divides into two or more parts near the ground.

fork|ful /fɔː r kfʊl/ (forkfuls ) N‑COUNT You can refer to an amount of food on a fork as a forkful of food. □ [+ of ] I put a forkful of fillet steak in my mouth.

fork|lift truck /fɔː r kl I ftrʌ k/ (forklift trucks ) in BRIT, also use fork-lift truck N‑COUNT A forklift truck or a forklift is a small vehicle with two movable parts on the front that are used to lift heavy loads.

for|lorn /fɔː r lɔː r n/


1 ADJ [ADJ n, v-link ADJ , ADJ after v] If someone is forlorn , they feel alone and unhappy. [LITERARY ] □ One of the demonstrators, a young woman, sat forlorn on the pavement.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A forlorn hope or attempt is one that you think has no chance of success. □ Peasants have left the land in the forlorn hope of finding a better life in cities.

form ◆◆◆ /fɔː r m/ (forms , forming , formed )


1 N‑COUNT A form of something is a type or kind of it. □ [+ of ] He contracted a rare form of cancer. □ [+ of ] Doctors are willing to take some form of industrial action. □ I am against hunting in any form.


2 N‑COUNT When something can exist or happen in several possible ways, you can use form to refer to one particular way in which it exists or happens. □ [+ of ] Valleys often take the form of deep canyons. □ [+ of ] They received a benefit in the form of a tax reduction.


3 VERB When a particular shape forms or is formed , people or things move or are arranged so that this shape is made. □ [V ] A queue forms outside Peter's study. □ [V n] They formed a circle and sang 'Auld Lang Syne'. □ [V + into ] The General gave orders for the cadets to form into lines. [Also V n + into ]


4 N‑COUNT The form of something is its shape. □ …the form of the body.


5 N‑COUNT You can refer to something that you can see as a form if you cannot see it clearly, or if its outline is the clearest or most striking aspect of it. □ She thought she'd never been so glad to see his bulky form.


6 VERB If something is arranged or changed so that it becomes similar to a thing with a particular structure or function, you can say that it forms that thing. □ [V n] These panels folded up to form a screen some five feet tall.


7 VERB If something consists of particular things, people, or features, you can say that they form that thing. □ [V n] Cereals form the staple diet of an enormous number of people around the world.


8 VERB If you form an organization, group, or company, you start it. □ [V n] They tried to form a study group on human rights. □ [V pron-refl + into ] They formed themselves into teams.


9 VERB When something natural forms or is formed , it begins to exist and develop. □ [V ] The stars must have formed 10 to 15 billion years ago. □ [be V -ed] Huge ice sheets were formed.


10 VERB If you form a relationship, a habit, or an idea, or if it forms , it begins to exist and develop. □ [V n] This should help him form lasting relationships. □ [V ] An idea formed in his mind.


11 VERB If you say that something forms a person's character or personality, you mean that it has a strong influence on them and causes them to develop in a particular way. □ [V n] Anger at injustice formed his character.


12 N‑UNCOUNT In sport, form refers to the ability or success of a person or animal over a period of time. □ His form this season has been brilliant.


13 N‑COUNT A form is a paper with questions on it and spaces marked where you should write the answers. Forms usually ask you to give details about yourself, for example when you are applying for a job or joining an organization. □ You will be asked to fill in a form with details of your birth and occupation. □ …application forms.


14 → see also sixth form


15 PHRASE If you say that it is bad form to behave in a particular way, you mean that it is rude and impolite. [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ It was thought bad form to discuss business on social occasions.


16 PHRASE If you say that someone is in good form , you mean that they seem healthy and cheerful. [BRIT ]


17 PHRASE If you say that someone is off form , you think they are not performing as well as they usually do. [BRIT ]


18 PHRASE If you say that someone is on form , you think that they are performing their usual activity very well. [BRIT ] □ The Booker prizewinner is back on form in this likable tale.


19 PHRASE When something takes form , it develops or begins to be visible. □ As plans took form in her mind, she realized the need for an accomplice. □ The face of Mrs Lisbon took form in the dimness.


20 PHRASE If someone or something behaves true to form , they do what is expected and is typical of them. □ My luck was running true to form. □ True to form, she kept her guests waiting for more than 90 minutes. SYNONYMS form NOUN 1


type: …several types of lettuce.


kind: The party needs a different kind of leadership.


sort: What sort of school did you go to?


variety: She has 12 varieties of old-fashioned roses.

for|mal ◆◆◇ /fɔː r m ə l/ (formals )


1 ADJ Formal speech or behaviour is very correct and serious rather than relaxed and friendly, and is used especially in official situations. □ He wrote a very formal letter of apology to Douglas. □ Business relationships are necessarily a bit more formal. ● for|mal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He took her back to Vincent Square in a taxi, saying goodnight formally on the doorstep. ● for|mal|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ Lillith's formality and seriousness amused him.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] A formal action, statement, or request is an official one. □ U.N. officials said a formal request was passed to American authorities. □ No formal announcement had been made. ● for|mal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Diplomats haven't formally agreed to Anderson's plan.


3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Formal occasions are special occasions at which people wear smart clothes and behave according to a set of accepted rules. □ One evening the film company arranged a formal dinner after the play. ● N‑COUNT Formal is also a noun. □ …a wide array of events, including school formals and speech nights, weddings, and balls.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] Formal clothes are very smart clothes that are suitable for formal occasions. □ They wore ordinary ties instead of the more formal high collar and cravat. ● for|mal|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] □ It was really too warm for her to dress so formally.


5 ADJ [ADJ n] Formal education or training is given officially, usually in a school, college, or university. □ Leroy didn't have any formal dance training. ● for|mal|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ Mr Dawe was the ancient, formally trained head gardener.


6 → see also formality SYNONYMS formal ADJ 2


official: An official announcement is expected in the next few days.


proper: The Supreme Court will ensure that the proper procedures have been followed.


correct: We were rather surprised by their sporting and correct behaviour.

for|mal|de|hyde /fɔː r mæ ldiha I d/ N‑UNCOUNT Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling gas, used especially to preserve parts of animals or plants for biological study.

for|mal|ise /fɔː r məla I z/ → see formalize

for|mal|ism /fɔː r məl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Formalism is a style, especially in art, in which great attention is paid to the outward form or appearance rather than to the inner reality or significance of things. ● for|mal|ist ADJ [ADJ n] □ …art based on formalist principles.

for|mal|ity /fɔː r mæ l I ti/ (formalities )


1 N‑COUNT If you say that an action or procedure is just a formality , you mean that it is done only because it is normally done, and that it will not have any real effect on the situation. □ He would not go as far as confirming his appointment, but that appears to be a mere formality.


2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Formalities are formal actions or procedures that are carried out as part of a particular activity or event. □ They are whisked through the immigration and customs formalities in a matter of minutes.


3 → see also formal

for|mal|ize /fɔː r məla I z/ (formalizes , formalizing , formalized ) in BRIT, also use formalise VERB If you formalize a plan, idea, arrangement, or system, you make it formal and official. □ [V n] A recent treaty signed by Russia, Canada and Japan formalized an agreement to work together to stop the pirates.

for|mat /fɔː r mæt/ (formats , formatting , formatted )


1 N‑COUNT The format of something is the way or order in which it is arranged and presented. □ [+ of ] I had met with him to explain the format of the programme and what we had in mind. □ …a large-format book.


2 N‑COUNT The format of a piece of computer software or a musical recording is the type of equipment on which it is designed to be used or played. For example, possible formats for a musical recording are CD and cassette. □ His latest album is available on all formats.


3 VERB To format a computer disk means to run a program so that the disk can be written on. [COMPUTING ]


4 VERB To format a piece of computer text or graphics means to arrange the way in which it appears when it is printed or is displayed on a screen. [COMPUTING ] □ [be V -ed] The saved text was often badly formatted with many short lines.

for|ma|tion /fɔː r me I ʃ ə n/ (formations )


1 N‑UNCOUNT The formation of something is the starting or creation of it. □ [+ of ] …the formation of a new government.


2 N‑UNCOUNT The formation of an idea, habit, relationship, or character is the process of developing and establishing it. □ [+ of ] My profession had an important influence in the formation of my character and temperament.


3 N‑COUNT [usu in N ] If people or things are in formation , they are arranged in a particular pattern as they move. □ He was flying in formation with seven other jets.


4 N‑COUNT [n N ] A rock or cloud formation is rock or cloud of a particular shape or structure. □ …a vast rock formation shaped like a pillar. □ Enormous cloud formations formed a purple mass.

forma|tive /fɔː r mət I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A formative period of time or experience is one that has an important and lasting influence on a person's character and attitudes. □ She was born in Barbados but spent her formative years in east London.

for|mer ◆◆◆ /fɔː r mə r /


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Former is used to describe someone who used to have a particular job, position, or role, but no longer has it. □ …former President Richard Nixon. □ He pleaded not guilty to murdering his former wife.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Former is used to refer to countries which no longer exist or whose boundaries have changed. □ …the former Soviet Union. □ …the former Yugoslavia.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] Former is used to describe something which used to belong to someone or which used to be a particular thing. □ …the former home of Sir Christopher Wren. □ …a former monastery.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] Former is used to describe a situation or period of time which came before the present one. [FORMAL ] □ He would want you to remember him as he was in former years.


5 PRON When two people, things, or groups have just been mentioned, you can refer to the first of them as the former . □ If there is a choice between using fresh vegetables and canned foods, always choose the former. COLLOCATIONS former ADJ 1


former + noun : boss, captain, chairman, director, head; leader, manager, president SYNONYMS former ADJ 1


previous: She has a teenage daughter from a previous marriage.


one-time: She's 87 years old, and a one-time member of the Ziegfeld Follies.


ex-: …an ex-soldier.


earlier: Earlier reports of gunshots have not been substantiated.


erstwhile: Erstwhile workers may have become managers.

for|mer|ly /fɔː r mə r li/ ADV [ADV before v] If something happened or was true formerly , it happened or was true in the past. □ He had formerly been in the Navy. □ …the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire.

For|mi|ca /fɔː r ma I kə/ N‑UNCOUNT Formica is a hard plastic that is used for covering surfaces such as kitchen tables or counters. [TRADEMARK ]

for|mi|dable /fɔː r m I dəb ə l, fə r m I d-/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as formidable , you mean that you feel slightly frightened by them because they are very great or impressive. □ We have a formidable task ahead of us. □ Marsalis has a formidable reputation in both jazz and classical music.

form|less /fɔː r mləs/ ADJ Something that is formless does not have a clear or definite structure or shape. □ A series of largely formless images rushed across the screen.

for|mu|la ◆◇◇ /fɔː r mjʊlə/ (formulae /fɔː r mjʊliː/ or formulas )


1 N‑COUNT A formula is a plan that is invented in order to deal with a particular problem. □ It is difficult to imagine how the North and South could ever agree on a formula to unify the divided peninsula. □ …a peace formula.


2 N‑SING A formula for a particular situation, usually a good one, is a course of action or a combination of actions that is certain or likely to result in that situation. □ [+ for ] Clever exploitation of the latest technology would be a sure formula for success.


3 N‑COUNT A formula is a group of letters, numbers, or other symbols which represents a scientific or mathematical rule. □ He developed a mathematical formula describing the distances of the planets from the Sun.


4 N‑COUNT In science, the formula for a substance is a list of the amounts of various substances which make up that substance, or an indication of the atoms that it is composed of.


5 N‑UNCOUNT Formula is a powder which you mix with water to make artificial milk for babies. □ …bottles of formula. PRAGMATICS formulae


In this dictionary, the label FORMULAE indicates that the word or expression doesn't change, and that it is used in particular situations such as greeting, thanking, or congratulating. Examples of formulae are Hi, Thanks, and Congratulations!

for|mu|laic /fɔː r mjʊle I I k/ ADJ If you describe a way of saying or doing something as formulaic , you are criticizing it because it is not original and has been used many times before in similar situations. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ His paintings are contrived and formulaic.

for|mu|late /fɔː r mjʊle I t/ (formulates , formulating , formulated )


1 VERB If you formulate something such as a plan or proposal, you invent it, thinking about the details carefully. □ [V n] Little by little, he formulated his plan for escape.


2 VERB If you formulate a thought, opinion, or idea, you express it or describe it using particular words. □ [V n] I was impressed by the way he could formulate his ideas.

for|mu|la|tion /fɔː r mjʊle I ʃ ə n/ (formulations )


1 N‑VAR The formulation of something such as a medicine or a beauty product is the way in which different ingredients are combined to make it. You can also say that the finished product is a formulation . □ [+ of ] There have been problems with the formulation of the vaccine. □ You can buy a formulation containing royal jelly, pollen and vitamin C.


2 N‑UNCOUNT The formulation of something such as a policy or plan is the process of creating or inventing it. □ …the process of policy formulation and implementation.


3 N‑VAR A formulation is the way in which you express your thoughts and ideas. □ This is a far weaker formulation than is in the draft resolution which is being proposed.

for|ni|cate /fɔː r n I ke I t/ (fornicates , fornicating , fornicated ) VERB To fornicate means to have sex with someone you are not married to. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] ● for|ni|ca|tion /fɔː r n I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Swearing, fornication and drunkenness were severely punished.

for|sake /fə r se I k/ (forsakes , forsaking , forsook /fə r sʊ k/, forsaken )


1 VERB If you forsake someone, you leave them when you should have stayed, or you stop helping them or looking after them. [LITERARY , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] I still love him and I would never forsake him.


2 VERB If you forsake something, you stop doing it, using it, or having it. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] He doubted their claim to have forsaken military solutions to the civil war.

for|sak|en /fə r se I k ə n/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A forsaken place is not lived in, used, or looked after. [LITERARY ] □ The delta region of the Rio Grande river was a forsaken land of thickets and swamps.


2 → see also godforsaken

for|swear /fɔː r sweə r / (forswears , forswearing , forswore , forsworn ) VERB If you forswear something, you promise that you will stop doing it, having it, or using it. [FORMAL or LITERARY ] □ [V n] The party was offered a share of government if it forswore violence.

for|sythia /fɔː r sa I θiə, [AM ] -s I θ-/ (forsythias ) N‑VAR Forsythia is a bush whose yellow flowers appear in the spring before the leaves have grown.

fort /fɔː r t/ (forts )


1 N‑COUNT A fort is a strong building or a place with a wall or fence around it where soldiers can stay and be safe from the enemy.


2 PHRASE If you hold the fort for someone, or, in American English, if you hold down the fort , you look after things for them while they are somewhere else or are busy doing something else. □ His business partner is holding the fort while he is away. [Also + for ]

forte /fɔː r te I , [AM ] fɔ rt, fɔː r te I / (fortes ) Pronounced /fɔ rt/ for meaning 1 in American English. 1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can say that a particular activity is your forte if you are very good at it. □ Originality was never his forte.


2 ADV [ADV after v] A piece of music that is played forte is played loudly. [TECHNICAL ]

forth ◆◇◇ /fɔː r θ/ In addition to the uses shown below, forth is also used in the phrasal verbs 'put forth' and 'set forth'. 1 ADV [ADV after v] When someone goes forth from a place, they leave it. [LITERARY ] □ Go forth into the desert.


2 ADV [ADV after v] If one thing brings forth another, the first thing produces the second. [LITERARY ] □ My reflections brought forth no conclusion.


3 ADV [ADV after v] When someone or something is brought forth , they are brought to a place or moved into a position where people can see them. [LITERARY ] □ Pilate ordered Jesus to be brought forth.


4 back and forth → see back ➊


5 to hold forth → see hold ➍

forth|com|ing /fɔː r θkʌ m I ŋ/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A forthcoming event is planned to happen soon. □ …his opponents in the forthcoming elections.


2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something that you want, need, or expect is forthcoming , it is given to you or it happens. [FORMAL ] □ They promised that the money would be forthcoming. □ We must first see some real evidence. So far it has not been forthcoming.


3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is forthcoming , you mean that they willingly give information when you ask them.

forth|right /fɔː r θra I t/ ADJ If you describe someone as forthright , you admire them because they show clearly and strongly what they think and feel. [APPROVAL ]

forth|with /fɔː r θw I θ/ ADV [ADV with v] Forthwith means immediately. [FORMAL ] □ I could have you arrested forthwith!

for|ti|eth ◆◆◇ /fɔː r tiəθ/ ORD The fortieth item in a series is the one that you count as number forty. □ It was the fortieth anniversary of the death of the composer.

for|ti|fi|ca|tion /fɔː r t I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ (fortifications )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Fortifications are buildings, walls, or ditches that are built to protect a place and make it more difficult to attack. □ The government has started building fortifications along its eastern border.


2 → see also fortify

fo r|ti|fied wi ne (fortified wines ) N‑VAR Fortified wine is an alcoholic drink such as sherry or port that is made by mixing wine with a small amount of brandy or strong alcohol.

for|ti|fy /fɔː r t I fa I / (fortifies , fortifying , fortified )


1 VERB To fortify a place means to make it stronger and more difficult to attack, often by building a wall or ditch round it. □ [V n] The knights had fortified the main town on the island.


2 VERB [usu passive] If food or drink is fortified , another substance is added to it to make it healthier or stronger. □ [be V -ed + with ] It has also been fortified with vitamin C. □ [V -ed] …fortified cereal products.

for|tis|si|mo /fɔː r t I s I moʊ/ ADV [ADV after v] A piece of music that is played fortissimo is played very loudly. [TECHNICAL ]

for|ti|tude /fɔː r t I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone has shown fortitude , you admire them for being brave, calm, and uncomplaining when they have experienced something unpleasant or painful. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ He suffered a long series of illnesses with tremendous dignity and fortitude.

fort|night /fɔː r tna I t/ (fortnights ) N‑COUNT A fortnight is a period of two weeks. [mainly BRIT ] □ I hope to be back in a fortnight.

fort|night|ly /fɔː r tna I tli/ ADJ [ADJ n] A fortnightly event or publication happens or appears once every two weeks. [BRIT ] □ …an exciting new fortnightly magazine. ● ADV [ADV after v] Fortnightly is also an adverb. □ They recently put my rent up and I pay it fortnightly. [in AM, use biweekly ]

for|tress /fɔː r tr I s/ (fortresses ) N‑COUNT A fortress is a castle or other large strong building, or a well-protected place, which is intended to be difficult for enemies to enter. □ …a 13th-century fortress.

for|tui|tous /fɔː r tjuː I təs, [AM ] -tuː -/ ADJ You can describe something as fortuitous if it happens, by chance, to be very successful or pleasant. □ Their success is the result of a fortuitous combination of circumstances.

for|tu|nate /fɔː r tʃʊn I t/ ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] If you say that someone or something is fortunate , you mean that they are lucky. □ He was extremely fortunate to survive. □ It was fortunate that the water was shallow. □ She is in the fortunate position of having plenty of choice.

for|tu|nate|ly /fɔː r tʃʊn I tli/ ADV Fortunately is used to introduce or indicate a statement about an event or situation that is good. □ Fortunately, the weather that winter was reasonably mild. [Also + for ]

for|tune ◆◇◇ /fɔː r tʃuːn/ (fortunes )


1 N‑COUNT You can refer to a large sum of money as a fortune or a small fortune to emphasize how large it is. [EMPHASIS ] □ We had to eat out all the time. It ended up costing a fortune. □ He made a small fortune in the London property boom.


2 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone who has a fortune has a very large amount of money. □ He made his fortune in car sales. □ He inherited a multi-million-dollar fortune from his inventor mother.


3 N‑UNCOUNT Fortune or good fortune is good luck. Ill fortune is bad luck. □ Government ministers are starting to wonder how long their good fortune can last.


4 N‑PLURAL [with poss] If you talk about someone's fortunes or the fortunes of something, you are talking about the extent to which they are doing well or being successful. □ [+ of ] The electoral fortunes of the party may decline. □ The company had to do something to reverse its sliding fortunes.


5 PHRASE When someone tells your fortune , they tell you what they think will happen to you in the future, which they say is shown, for example, by the lines on your hand.

fo r|tune cookie (fortune cookies ) N‑COUNT A fortune cookie is a sweet, crisp cake which contains a piece of paper which is supposed to say what will happen to you in the future. Fortune cookies are often served in Chinese restaurants.

fo rtune-teller (fortune-tellers ) N‑COUNT A fortune-teller is a person who tells you what they think will happen to you in the future, after looking at something such as the lines on your hand.

for|ty ◆◆◆ /fɔː r ti/ (forties )


1 NUM Forty is the number 40. □ She will be forty next birthday.


2 N‑PLURAL When you talk about the forties , you are referring to numbers between 40 and 49. For example, if you are in your forties , you are aged between 40 and 49. If the temperature is in the forties , the temperature is between 40 and 49 degrees. □ He was a big man in his forties, smartly dressed in a suit and tie.


3 N‑PLURAL The forties is the decade between 1940 and 1949. □ Steel cans were introduced sometime during the forties.

fo|rum /fɔː rəm/ (forums ) N‑COUNT A forum is a place, situation, or group in which people exchange ideas and discuss issues, especially important public issues. □ [+ for ] Members of the council agreed that it still had an important role as a forum for discussion.

for|ward ◆◆◇ /fɔː r wə r d/ (forwards , forwarding , forwarded ) In addition to the uses shown below, forward is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'bring forward' and 'look forward to'. In British English, forwards is often used as an adverb instead of forward in senses 1 , 4 , and 7 . 1 ADV [ADV after v] If you move or look forward , you move or look in a direction that is in front of you. In British English, you can also move or look forwards . □ He came forward with his hand out. 'Mr and Mrs Selby?' he enquired. □ She fell forwards on to her face.


2 ADV [be ADV , ADV after v] Forward means in a position near the front of something such as a building or a vehicle. □ The best seats are in the aisle and as far forward as possible. □ The other car had a 3-inch lower driving seat and had its engine mounted further forward. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Forward is also an adjective. □ Reinforcements were needed to allow more troops to move to forward positions.


3 ADV [usu ADV after v, oft ADV adj] If you say that someone looks forward , you approve of them because they think about what will happen in the future and plan for it. In British English, you can also say that someone looks forwards . [APPROVAL ] □ Now the leadership wants to look forward, and to outline a strategy for the rest of the decade. □ People should forget and look forwards. □ Manchester United has always been a forward-looking club. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Forward is also an adjective. □ The university system requires more forward planning.


4 ADV [ADV after v] If you put a clock or watch forward , you change the time shown on it so that it shows a later time, for example when the time changes to summer time or daylight saving time. □ When we put the clocks forward in March we go into British Summer Time.


5 ADV [from n ADV ] When you are referring to a particular time, if you say that something was true from that time forward , you mean that it became true at that time, and continued to be true afterwards. □ Velazquez's work from that time forward was confined largely to portraits of the royal family.


6 ADV [ADV after v, n ADV ] You use forward to indicate that something progresses or improves. In British English, you can also use forwards . □ And by boosting economic prosperity in Mexico, Canada and the United States, it will help us move forward on issues that concern all of us. □ They just couldn't see any way forward. □ Space scientists and astronomers have taken another step forwards.


7 ADV [ADV after v] If something or someone is put forward , or comes forward , they are suggested or offered as suitable for a particular purpose. □ Over the years several similar theories have been put forward. □ Next month the Commission is to bring forward its first proposals for action. □ He was putting himself forward as a Democrat. □ Investigations have ground to a standstill because no witnesses have come forward.


8 VERB If a letter or message is forwarded to someone, it is sent to the place where they are, after having been sent to a different place earlier. □ [be V -ed + from/to ] When he's out on the road, office calls are forwarded to the cellular phone in his truck. □ [V n + from/to ] We will forward your letters to him. [Also V n]


9 N‑COUNT In football, basketball, or hockey, a forward is a player whose usual position is in the opponents' half of the field, and whose usual job is to attack or score goals.


10 → see also centre-forward


11 backwards and forwards → see backwards

fo r|ward|ing ad|dre ss (forwarding addresses ) N‑COUNT A forwarding address is an address that you give to someone when you go and live somewhere else so that they can send your mail on to you. □ The former owner had not left any forwarding address.

fo rward-loo king ADJ If you describe a person or organization as forward-looking , you approve of the fact that they think about the future or have modern ideas. [APPROVAL ]

for|wards /fɔː r wə r dz/ → see forward

fo r|ward slash (forward slashes ) N‑COUNT A forward slash is the sloping line '/' that separates letters, words, or numbers.

for|went /fɔː r we nt/ Forwent is the past tense of forgo .

fos|sil /fɒ s ə l/ (fossils ) N‑COUNT A fossil is the hard remains of a prehistoric animal or plant that are found inside a rock.

fo s|sil fu el (fossil fuels ) also fossil-fuel N‑VAR Fossil fuel is fuel such as coal or oil that is formed from the decayed remains of plants or animals.

fos|sil|ize /fɒ s I la I z/ (fossilizes , fossilizing , fossilized ) in BRIT, also use fossilise 1 VERB If the remains of an animal or plant fossilize or are fossilized , they become hard and form fossils, instead of decaying completely. □ [V ] The most important parts, the flowers, rarely fossilise. □ [be V -ed] The survival of the proteins depends on the way in which bones are fossilised. □ [V -ed] …fossilized dinosaur bones.


2 VERB If you say that ideas, attitudes, or ways of behaving have fossilized or have been fossilized , you are criticizing the fact that they are fixed and unlikely to change, in spite of changing situations or circumstances. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] They seem to want to fossilize the environment in which people live and work. □ [V ] Needs change while policies fossilize. ● fos|sil|ized ADJ □ …these fossilized organisations.

fos|ter /fɒ stə r , [AM ] fɔː st-/ (fosters , fostering , fostered )


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Foster parents are people who officially take a child into their family for a period of time, without becoming the child's legal parents. The child is referred to as their foster child. □ Little Jack was placed with foster parents.


2 VERB If you foster a child, you take it into your family for a period of time, without becoming its legal parent. □ [V n] She has since gone on to find happiness by fostering more than 100 children.


3 VERB To foster something such as an activity or idea means to help it to develop. □ [V n] Developed countries should foster global economic growth to help new democracies.

fought /fɔː t/ Fought is the past tense and past participle of fight .

foul /faʊ l/ (fouler , foulest , fouls , fouling , fouled )


1 ADJ If you describe something as foul , you mean it is dirty and smells or tastes unpleasant. □ …foul polluted water. □ The smell was quite foul.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Foul language is offensive and contains swear words or rude words. □ He was sent off for using foul language in a match last Sunday. □ He had a foul mouth.


3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone has a foul temper or is in a foul mood, they become angry or violent very suddenly and easily. □ Collins was in a foul mood even before the interviews began.


4 ADJ Foul weather is unpleasant, windy, and stormy.


5 VERB If an animal fouls a place, it drops faeces onto the ground. □ [V n] It is an offence to let your dog foul a footpath.


6 VERB In a game or sport, if a player fouls another player, they touch them or block them in a way which is not allowed according to the rules. □ [V n] He was sent off for fouling the striker.


7 N‑COUNT A foul is an act in a game or sport that is not allowed according to the rules. □ [+ on ] He has committed more fouls than any other player this season. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Foul is also an adjective. □ …a foul tackle.


8 PHRASE If you fall foul of someone or run foul of them, you do something which gets you into trouble with them. [mainly BRIT ] □ He had fallen foul of the FBI.

fou l-mou thed ADJ If you describe someone as foul-mouthed , you disapprove of them because they use offensive words or say very rude things. [DISAPPROVAL ]

fou l pla y


1 N‑UNCOUNT Foul play is criminal violence or activity that results in a person's death. □ The report says it suspects foul play was involved in the deaths of two journalists.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Foul play is unfair or dishonest behaviour, especially during a sports game. □ Players were warned twice for foul play.

fou l-up (foul-ups ) N‑COUNT A foul-up is something that has gone badly wrong as a result of someone's mistakes or carelessness. [INFORMAL ] □ A series of technical foul-ups delayed the launch of the new product.

found ◆◇◇ /faʊ nd/ (founds , founding , founded )


1 Found is the past tense and past participle of find .


2 VERB When an institution, company, or organization is founded by someone or by a group of people, they get it started, often by providing the necessary money. □ [be V -ed] The Independent Labour Party was founded in Bradford on January 13, 1893. □ [V n] He founded the Centre for Journalism Studies at University College Cardiff. □ [V -ed] The business, founded by Dawn and Nigel, suffered financial setbacks. ● foun|da|tion /faʊnde I ʃ ə n/ N‑SING [with poss] □ [+ of ] …the foundation of the Royal Opera as a permanent international company. ● found|ing N‑SING [with poss] □ I have been a member of the club since its founding.


3 VERB [usu passive] When a town, important building, or other place is founded by someone or by a group of people, they cause it to be built. □ [be V -ed] The town was founded in 1610.


4 → see also founded , founding SYNONYMS found VERB 2


establish: The School was established in 1989 by an Italian professor.


set up: The two sides agreed to set up a commission to investigate claims.


institute: We will institute a number of measures to better safeguard the public.


inaugurate: Pan Am inaugurated the first scheduled international flight.

foun|da|tion ◆◇◇ /faʊnde I ʃ ə n/ (foundations )


1 N‑COUNT The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based. □ [+ of ] The issue strikes at the very foundation of our community. □ [+ for ] This laid the foundations for later modern economic growth. ● PHRASE If an event shakes the foundations of a society or a system of beliefs, it causes great uncertainty and makes people question their most deeply held beliefs. □ [+ of ] The destruction of war and the death of millions of young people shook the foundations of Western idealism.


2 N‑PLURAL The foundations of a building or other structure are the layer of bricks or concrete below the ground that it is built on.


3 N‑COUNT A foundation is an organization which provides money for a special purpose such as research or charity. □ …the National Foundation for Educational Research.


4 N‑UNCOUNT If a story, idea, or argument has no foundation , there are no facts to prove that it is true. □ The allegations were without foundation. □ Each complaint is analysed very closely, and if it has no foundation it is rejected.


5 N‑VAR Foundation is a skin-coloured cream that you put on your face before putting on the rest of your make-up.


6 → see also found SYNONYMS foundation NOUN 1


basis: Both have agreed that the U.N. plan is a possible basis for negotiation.


mainstay: Fish and rice were the mainstays of the country's diet.


pillar: The pillar of her economic policy was keeping tight control over money supply.

foun|da |tion course (foundation courses ) N‑COUNT A foundation course is a course that you do at some colleges and universities in order to prepare yourself for a longer or more advanced course. [BRIT ] in AM, use basic course

foun|da |tion stone (foundation stones )


1 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] A foundation stone is a large block of stone built into a large public building near the bottom. It is often involved in a ceremony for the opening of the building, and has writing on it recording this. [mainly BRIT ] □ The princess laid the foundation stone for the extension to the cathedral. in AM, use cornerstone 2 N‑COUNT The foundation stone of something is the basic, important thing which its existence or success depends on. □ [+ of ] …these foundation stones of the future: education, training, research, development.

found|ed /faʊ nd I d/


1 ADJ If something is founded on a particular thing, it is based on it. □ [+ on ] The criticisms are founded on facts as well as on convictions.


2 → see also found

found|er ◆◇◇ /faʊ ndə r / (founders , foundering , foundered )


1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The founder of an institution, organization, or building is the person who got it started or caused it to be built, often by providing the necessary money. □ He was one of the founders of the university's medical faculty.


2 VERB If something such as a plan or project founders , it fails because of a particular point, difficulty, or problem. □ [V ] Talks had foundered over the guarantees offered by the government against possible losses. SYNONYMS founder NOUN 1


initiator: …one of the major initiators of the tumultuous changes in Eastern Europe.


architect: …Russia's chief architect of economic reform.


creator: I have always believed that a garden dies with its creator.


originator: …the originator of the theory of relativity.

fou nd|er me m|ber (founder members ) N‑COUNT A founder member of a club, group, or organization is one of the first members, often one who was involved in setting it up. [BRIT ] in AM, use charter member

found|ing /faʊ nd I ŋ/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Founding means relating to the starting of a particular institution or organization. □ The committee held its founding congress in the capital, Riga. □ He is founding director of The Conservation Foundation.


2 → see also found

fou nd|ing fa |ther (founding fathers )


1 N‑COUNT The founding father of an institution, organization, or idea is the person who sets it up or who first develops it. [LITERARY ]


2 N‑PROPER‑PLURAL The Founding Fathers of the United States were the members of the American Constitutional Convention of 1787.

found|ling /faʊ ndl I ŋ/ (foundlings ) N‑COUNT A foundling is a baby that has been abandoned by its parents, often in a public place, and that has then been found by someone. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

found|ry /faʊ ndri/ (foundries ) N‑COUNT A foundry is a place where metal or glass is melted and formed into particular shapes.

fount /faʊ nt/ (founts ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe a person or thing as the fount of something, you are saying that they are an important source or supply of it. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] To the young boy his father was the fount of all knowledge.

foun|tain /faʊ nt I n/ (fountains )


1 N‑COUNT A fountain is an ornamental feature in a pool or lake which consists of a long narrow stream of water that is forced up into the air by a pump.


2 N‑COUNT A fountain of a liquid is an amount of it which is sent up into the air and falls back. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] The volcano spewed a fountain of molten rock 650 feet in the air.

fou n|tain pen (fountain pens ) N‑COUNT A fountain pen is a pen which uses ink that you have drawn up inside it from a bottle.

four ◆◆◆ /fɔː r / (fours )


1 NUM Four is the number 4. □ Judith is married with four children.


2 PHRASE If you are on all fours , your knees, feet, and hands are on the ground. □ She crawled on all fours over to the window.

fou r-letter wo rd (four-letter words ) N‑COUNT A four-letter word is a short word that people consider to be rude or offensive, usually because it refers to sex or other bodily functions.

fou r-poster be d (four-poster beds ) N‑COUNT A four-poster bed or a four-poster is a large old-fashioned bed that has a tall post at each corner and curtains that can be drawn around it.

four|some /fɔː r səm/ (foursomes ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A foursome is a group of four people or things. □ The London-based foursome are set to release their fourth single this month.

fou r-squa re also foursquare ADJ To stand four-square behind someone or something means to be firm in your support of that person or thing. □ They stood four-square behind their chief, and they would not accept pressure on him to resign.

four|teen ◆◆◆ /fɔː r tiː n/ (fourteens ) NUM Fourteen is the number 14. □ I'm fourteen years old.

four|teenth ◆◆◇ /fɔː r tiː nθ/


1 ORD The fourteenth item in a series is the one that you count as number fourteen. □ The Festival, now in its fourteenth year, has become a major international jazz event.


2 FRACTION A fourteenth is one of fourteen equal parts of something.

fourth ◆◆◇ /fɔː r θ/ (fourths )


1 ORD The fourth item in a series is the one that you count as number four. □ He ended up just outside the medals in fourth place.


2 FRACTION A fourth is one of four equal parts of something. [AM ] □ Three-fourths of the public say they favor a national referendum on the issue. in BRIT, use quarter

fou rth di|me n|sion N‑SING In physics, the fourth dimension is time. The other three dimensions, which exist in space, are length, width, and height. [TECHNICAL ]

fourth|ly /fɔː r θli/ ADV You say fourthly when you want to make a fourth point or give a fourth reason for something. □ Fourthly, the natural enthusiasm of the student teachers should be maintained.

fou rth of|fi |cial (fourth officials ) N‑COUNT In football, the fourth official is an official who assists the referee and assistant referees from the side of the pitch.

Fou rth of July N‑SING In the United States, the Fourth of July is a public holiday when people celebrate the Declaration of Independence in 1776. □ …a Fourth of July picnic.

four-wheel dri ve (four-wheel drives ) N‑COUNT A four-wheel drive is a vehicle in which all four wheels receive power from the engine to help with steering. This makes the vehicle easier to drive on rough roads or surfaces such as sand or snow.

fowl /faʊ l/ (fowls or fowl ) N‑COUNT A fowl is a bird, especially one that can be eaten as food, such as a duck or a chicken. □ Carve the fowl into 8 pieces.

fox /fɒ ks/ (foxes , foxing , foxed )


1 N‑COUNT A fox is a wild animal which looks like a dog and has reddish-brown fur, a pointed face and ears, and a thick tail. Foxes eat smaller animals.


2 VERB If you are foxed by something, you cannot understand it or solve it. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] I admit I was foxed for some time. □ [V n] Only once did we hit on a question which foxed one of the experts.

fox|glove /fɒ ksglʌv/ (foxgloves ) N‑VAR A foxglove is a tall plant that has pink or white flowers shaped like bells growing up its stem.

fox|hole /fɒ kshoʊl/ (foxholes ) N‑COUNT A foxhole is a small hole which soldiers dig as a shelter from the enemy and from which they can shoot.

fox|hound /fɒ kshaʊnd/ (foxhounds ) N‑COUNT A foxhound is a type of dog that is trained to hunt foxes.

fo x-hunting also foxhunting N‑UNCOUNT Fox-hunting is a sport in which people riding horses chase a fox across the countryside. Dogs called hounds are used to find the fox.

fox|trot /fɒ kstrɒt/ (foxtrots ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The foxtrot is a type of dance which involves a combination of long slow steps and short fast steps.

foxy /fɒ ksi/ (foxier , foxiest )


1 ADJ If you describe someone as foxy , you mean that they are deceitful in a clever, secretive way. □ He had wary, foxy eyes.


2 ADJ If a man calls a woman foxy , he means that she is physically attractive. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]

foy|er /fɔ I ə r , fwa I e I / (foyers ) N‑COUNT The foyer is the large area where people meet or wait just inside the main doors of a building such as a theatre, cinema, or hotel.

Fr The spelling Fr. is used in American English for meaning 2 . 1 Fr is a written abbreviation for French or franc .


2 Fr is a written abbreviation for father when it is used in titles before the name of a Catholic priest.

fra|cas /fræ kɑː, [AM ] fre I kəs/ N‑SING A fracas is a rough, noisy quarrel or fight.

frack /fræ k/ (fracks , fracking , fracked ) VERB To frack is to get oil or gas from rock by forcing liquid or sand into the rock. □ [V ] The company could apply for a licence to frack. □ [V n] They used the technique of pumping water at long range to frack the rock.

frack|ing /fræ k I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Fracking is a method of getting oil or gas from rock by forcing liquid and sand into the rock. □ Local people are opposed to fracking in the area.

frac|tal /fræ kt ə l/ (fractals ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] In geometry, a fractal is a shape made up of parts that are the same shape as itself and are of smaller and smaller sizes.

frac|tion /fræ kʃ ə n/ (fractions )


1 N‑COUNT A fraction of something is a tiny amount or proportion of it. □ [+ of ] She hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding. □ I opened my eyes just a fraction.


2 N‑COUNT A fraction is a number that can be expressed as a proportion of two whole numbers. For example, ½ and ¾ are both fractions. □ The students had a grasp of decimals, percentages and fractions.

frac|tion|al /fræ kʃən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something is fractional , it is very small in size or degree. □ …a fractional hesitation. ● frac|tion|al|ly /fræ kʃənli/ ADV □ Murphy, Sinclair's young team-mate, was fractionally behind him.

frac|tious /fræ kʃəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as fractious , you disapprove of them because they become upset or angry very quickly about small unimportant things. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Nancy was in a fractious mood. □ The children were predictably fractious.

frac|ture /fræ ktʃə r / (fractures , fracturing , fractured )


1 N‑COUNT A fracture is a slight crack or break in something, especially a bone. □ At least one-third of all women over ninety have sustained a hip fracture.


2 VERB If something such as a bone is fractured or fractures , it gets a slight crack or break in it. □ [V n] You've fractured a rib, maybe more than one. □ [V ] One strut had fractured and been crudely repaired in several places. □ [V -ed] He suffered a fractured skull.


3 VERB If something such as an organization or society is fractured or fractures , it splits into several parts or stops existing. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] His policy risks fracturing the coalition. □ [V ] It might be a society that could fracture along class lines.

frag|ile /fræ dʒa I l, [AM ] -dʒ ə l/


1 ADJ If you describe a situation as fragile , you mean that it is weak or uncertain, and unlikely to be able to resist strong pressure or attack. [JOURNALISM ] □ …moves that will place added strain on an already fragile economy. □ His overall condition remained fragile. ● fra|gil|ity /frədʒ I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] By mid-1988 there were clear indications of the extreme fragility of the right-wing coalition.


2 ADJ Something that is fragile is easily broken or damaged. □ He leaned back in his fragile chair. ● fra|gil|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Older drivers are more likely to be seriously injured because of the fragility of their bones.

frag|ment (fragments , fragmenting , fragmented ) The noun is pronounced /fræ gmənt/. The verb is pronounced /frægme nt/. 1 N‑COUNT A fragment of something is a small piece or part of it. □ [+ of ] …fragments of metal in my shoulder. □ [+ of ] She read everything, digesting every fragment of news. □ …glass fragments.


2 VERB If something fragments or is fragmented , it breaks or separates into small pieces or parts. □ [V ] The clouds fragmented and out came the sun. □ [V n] Fierce rivalries have traditionally fragmented the region. ● frag|men|ta|tion /fræ gmente I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the extraordinary fragmentation of styles on the music scene.

frag|men|tary /fræ gməntəri, [AM ] -teri/ ADJ Something that is fragmentary is made up of small or unconnected pieces. □ Any action on the basis of such fragmentary evidence would be foolish.

fra|grance /fre I grəns/ (fragrances )


1 N‑VAR A fragrance is a pleasant or sweet smell. □ …a shrubby plant with a strong characteristic fragrance. □ [+ of ] …the fragrance of his cologne.


2 N‑VAR Fragrance is a pleasant-smelling liquid which people put on their bodies to make themselves smell nice. □ The advertisement is for a male fragrance.

fra|grant /fre I grənt/ ADJ Something that is fragrant has a pleasant, sweet smell. □ …fragrant oils and perfumes. □ [+ with ] The air was fragrant with the smell of orange blossoms.

frail /fre I l/ (frailer , frailest )


1 ADJ Someone who is frail is not very strong or healthy. □ She lay in bed looking particularly frail.


2 ADJ Something that is frail is easily broken or damaged. □ The frail craft rocked as he clambered in.

frail|ty /fre I lti/ (frailties )


1 N‑VAR If you refer to the frailties or frailty of people, you are referring to their weaknesses. □ [+ of ] …the frailties of human nature. □ …a triumph of will over human frailty.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Frailty is the condition of having poor health. □ She died after a long period of increasing frailty.

frame ◆◇◇ /fre I m/ (frames , framing , framed )


1 N‑COUNT The frame of a picture or mirror is the wood, metal, or plastic that is fitted around it, especially when it is displayed or hung on a wall. □ Estelle kept a photograph of her mother in a silver frame on the kitchen mantelpiece. □ …a pair of picture frames.


2 N‑COUNT The frame of an object such as a building, chair, or window is the arrangement of wooden, metal, or plastic bars between which other material is fitted, and which give the object its strength and shape. □ He supplied housebuilders with modern timber frames. □ We painted our table to match the window frame in the bedroom.


3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The frames of a pair of glasses are all the metal or plastic parts of it, but not the lenses. □ He was wearing new spectacles with gold wire frames.


4 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] You can refer to someone's body as their frame , especially when you are describing the general shape of their body. □ Their belts are pulled tight against their bony frames.


5 N‑COUNT A frame of cinema film is one of the many separate photographs that it consists of. □ Standard 8mm projects at 16 frames per second.


6 VERB [usu passive] When a picture or photograph is framed , it is put in a frame. □ [be V -ed] The picture is now ready to be mounted and framed. □ [V -ed] On the wall is a large framed photograph.


7 VERB [usu passive] If an object is framed by a particular thing, it is surrounded by that thing in a way that makes the object more striking or attractive to look at. □ [be V -ed prep] The swimming pool is framed by tropical gardens.


8 VERB If someone frames an innocent person, they make other people think that that person is guilty of a crime, by lying or inventing evidence. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] I need to find out who tried to frame me.


9 PHRASE If someone is in the frame for something such as a job or position, they are being considered for it. □ We need a win to keep us in the frame for the title.


10 → see also cold frame COLLOCATIONS frame NOUN


1


noun + frame : picture, photo


adjective + frame : carved, gilt, silver, wooden


2


noun + frame : bed, door, window; metal, steel, timber


adjective + frame : lightweight, rigid


4


adjective + frame : lanky, slender, slight, wiry; bulky, muscular, stocky

fra me of mi nd (frames of mind ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] Your frame of mind is the mood that you are in, which causes you to have a particular attitude to something. □ Lewis was not in the right frame of mind to continue.

fra me of re f|er|ence (frames of reference ) N‑COUNT A frame of reference is a particular set of beliefs or ideas on which you base your judgment of things. □ We know we're dealing with someone with a different frame of reference.

fra me-up (frame-ups ) N‑COUNT A frame-up is a situation where someone pretends that an innocent person has committed a crime by deliberately lying or inventing evidence. [INFORMAL ] □ He was innocent and the victim of a frame-up.

frame|work /fre I mwɜː r k/ (frameworks )


1 N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] A framework is a particular set of rules, ideas, or beliefs which you use in order to deal with problems or to decide what to do. □ [+ of ] … within the framework of federal regulations.


2 N‑COUNT A framework is a structure that forms a support or frame for something. □ …wooden shelves on a steel framework.

franc /fræ ŋk/ (francs ) N‑COUNT [num N ] The franc was the unit of money that was used in France and Belgium, before it was replaced by the euro. It is also the unit of currency in some other countries where French is spoken. □ The price of grapes had shot up to 32 francs a kilo. ● N‑SING The franc was used to refer to the currency systems of France and Belgium, before it was replaced by the euro. It is also used to refer to the currency systems of some other countries where French is spoken. □ …the sole manufacturer of the banknote paper for the Swiss franc.

fran|chise /fræ ntʃa I z/ (franchises , franchising , franchised )


1 N‑COUNT [oft n N , N n] A franchise is an authority that is given by an organization to someone, allowing them to sell its goods or services or to take part in an activity which the organization controls. [BUSINESS ] □ …fast-food franchises. □ Talk to other franchise holders and ask them what they think of the parent company.


2 VERB If a company franchises its business, it sells franchises to other companies, allowing them to sell its goods or services. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] She has recently franchised her business. □ [V -ed] It takes hundreds of thousands of dollars to get into the franchised pizza business. ● fran|chis|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ An important aspect of franchising is the reduced risk of business failure it offers to franchisees.


3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Franchise is the right to vote in an election, especially one in which people elect a parliament. □ …the introduction of universal franchise. □ The 1867 Reform Act extended the franchise to much of the male working class.

fran|chi|see /fræ ntʃa I ziː / (franchisees ) N‑COUNT A franchisee is a person or group of people who buy a particular franchise. [BUSINESS ]

fran|chi|ser /fræ ntʃa I zə r / (franchisers ) N‑COUNT A franchiser is an organization which sells franchises. [BUSINESS ]

PREFIX Franco-


occurs in words connected with France and the French language. For example, a Francophile is someone who likes France and French culture. For example, the Franco-German border is the border between France and Germany.

Fran|co|phone /fræ ŋkoʊfoʊn/ (Francophones ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A Francophone is someone who speaks French, especially someone who speaks it as their first language. [FORMAL ]

frank /fræ ŋk/ (franker , frankest , franks , franking , franked )


1 ADJ If someone is frank , they state or express things in an open and honest way. □ [+ about/with ] 'It is clear that my client has been less than frank with me,' said his lawyer. □ They had a frank discussion about the issue. ● frank|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He now frankly admits that much of his former playboy lifestyle was superficial. ● frank|ness N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] □ The reaction to his frankness was hostile.


2 VERB [usu passive] When a letter or parcel is franked , it is marked with a symbol that shows that the proper charge has been paid or that no stamp is needed. □ [be V -ed] The letter was franked in London on August 6. □ [V -ed] …a self-addressed, franked envelope.

frank|fur|ter /fræ ŋkfɜː r tə r / (frankfurters ) N‑COUNT A frankfurter is a type of smoked sausage.

frank|in|cense /fræ ŋk I nsens/ N‑UNCOUNT Frankincense is a substance which is obtained from a tree and which smells pleasant when it is burned. It is used especially in religious ceremonies.

frank|ly /fræ ŋkli/


1 ADV [ADV adj/-ed] You use frankly when you are expressing an opinion or feeling to emphasize that you mean what you are saying, especially when the person you are speaking to may not like it. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'You don't give a damn about my feelings, do you.'—'Quite frankly, I don't.'. □ Frankly, Thomas, this question of your loan is beginning to worry me.


2 → see also frank

fran|tic /fræ nt I k/


1 ADJ If you are frantic , you are behaving in a wild and uncontrolled way because you are frightened or worried. □ A bird had been locked in and was by now quite frantic. ● fran|ti|cal|ly /fræ nt I kli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ She clutched frantically at Emily's arm.


2 ADJ If an activity is frantic , things are done quickly and in an energetic but disorganized way, because there is very little time. □ A busy night in the restaurant can be frantic in the kitchen. ● fran|ti|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ We have been frantically trying to save her life.

frape /fre I p/ (frapes , fraping , fraped ) VERB If someone frapes you, they add comments or pictures on your page of a social networking website without your permission. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Her status update was fraped.

fra|ter|nal /frətɜː r n ə l/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Fraternal actions show strong links of friendship between two people or groups of people. [FORMAL ] □ …the fraternal assistance of our colleagues and comrades.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Fraternal twins are twins born from two eggs, so they are not exactly the same. They look different from each other and may be different sexes.

fra|ter|nity /frətɜː r n I ti/ (fraternities )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Fraternity refers to friendship and support between people who feel they are closely linked to each other. [FORMAL ] □ Bob needs the fraternity of others who share his mission.


2 N‑COUNT You can refer to people who have the same profession or the same interests as a particular fraternity . □ …the spread of stolen guns among the criminal fraternity. □ …the sailing fraternity.


3 N‑COUNT In the United States, a fraternity is a society of male university or college students.

frat|er|nize /fræ tə r na I z/ (fraternizes , fraternizing , fraternized ) in BRIT, also use fraternise VERB If you fraternize with someone, you associate with them in a friendly way. □ [V + with ] At these conventions, executives fraternized with the key personnel of other banks. □ [V ] Mrs Zuckerman does not fraternize widely. □ [V ] In the recession, disparate groups have fraternised in an atmosphere of mutual support.

frat|ri|cid|al /fræ tr I sa I d ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] A fratricidal war or conflict is one in which people kill members of their own society or social group. [FORMAL ]

frat|ri|cide /fræ tr I sa I d/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone commits fratricide , they kill their brother. [FORMAL ]

fraud ◆◇◇ /frɔː d/ (frauds )


1 N‑VAR Fraud is the crime of gaining money or financial benefits by a trick or by lying. □ He was jailed for two years for fraud and deception. □ Tax frauds are dealt with by HMRC.


2 N‑COUNT A fraud is something or someone that deceives people in a way that is illegal or dishonest. □ He believes many 'psychics' are frauds who rely on perception and subtle deception.


3 N‑COUNT If you call someone or something a fraud , you are criticizing them because you think that they are not genuine, or are less good than they claim or appear to be. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I suspect her of being a fashion fraud, pretending to care about it more than she really does. SYNONYMS fraud NOUN 1


deception: He admitted conspiring to obtain property by deception.


deceit: They have been involved in a campaign of deceit.


treachery: He was deeply wounded by the treachery of close aides and old friends.


trickery: They are notorious for resorting to trickery in order to impress their clients.

frau d squa d (fraud squads ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] The fraud squad is a part of a police force whose job is to investigate crimes involving fraud.

fraud|ster /frɔː dstə r / (fraudsters ) N‑COUNT A fraudster is someone who commits the crime of fraud. [mainly BRIT ]

fraudu|lent /frɔː dʒʊlənt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A fraudulent activity is deliberately deceitful, dishonest, or untrue. □ …fraudulent claims about being a nurse. ● fraudu|lent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The report concludes that I acted neither fraudulently nor improperly.

fraught /frɔː t/


1 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If a situation or action is fraught with problems or risks, it is filled with them. □ The earliest operations employing this technique were fraught with dangers.


2 ADJ If you say that a situation or action is fraught , you mean that it is worrying or difficult. □ It has been a somewhat fraught day.

fray /fre I / (frays , fraying , frayed )


1 VERB If something such as cloth or rope frays , or if something frays it, its threads or fibres start to come apart from each other and spoil its appearance. □ [V ] The fabric is very fine or frays easily. □ [V + at ] The stitching had begun to fray at the edges. □ [V n] Her washing machine tends to fray edges on intricate designs. □ [V -ing] …fraying edges in the stair carpet. □ [V -ed] He wore frayed jeans and cowboy shirts.


2 VERB If your nerves or your temper fray , or if something frays them, you become nervous or easily annoyed because of mental strain and anxiety. □ [V ] Tempers began to fray as the two teams failed to score. □ [V n] This kind of living was beginning to fray her nerves.


3 N‑SING The fray is an exciting or challenging activity, situation, or argument that you are involved in. □ There will have to be a second round of voting when new candidates can enter the fray. □ He would be inspiring young people to get into the political fray.

freak /friː k/ (freaks , freaking , freaked )


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A freak event or action is one that is a very unusual or extreme example of its type. □ Weir broke his leg in a freak accident playing golf.


2 N‑COUNT [n N ] If you describe someone as a particular kind of freak , you are emphasizing that they are very enthusiastic about a thing or activity, and often seem to think about nothing else. [INFORMAL ] □ Oat bran became the darling of health freaks last year. □ …computer freaks.


3 → see also control freak


4 N‑COUNT People are sometimes referred to as freaks when their behaviour or attitude is very different from that of the majority of people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Not so long ago, transsexuals were regarded as freaks.


5 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a freak , you mean that they are physically abnormal in some way. This use could cause offence. [DISAPPROVAL ]


▸ freak out PHRASAL VERB If someone freaks out , or if something freaks them out , they suddenly feel extremely surprised, upset, angry, or confused. □ [V P ] I remember the first time I went onstage. I freaked out completely. □ [V n P ] I think our music freaks people out sometimes. □ [be V -ed P ] It sort of frightens me. I guess I am kind of freaked out by it. [Also V P n]

freak|ish /friː k I ʃ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is freakish is remarkable because it is not normal or natural. □ …his freakish voice varying from bass to soprano.

freaky /friː ki/ (freakier , freakiest ) ADJ If someone or something is freaky , they are very unusual in some way. [INFORMAL ] □ This guy bore a really freaky resemblance to Jones.

freck|le /fre k ə l/ (freckles ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Freckles are small light brown spots on someone's skin, especially on their face. □ He had short ginger-coloured hair and freckles.

freck|led /fre k ə ld/ ADJ If a part of your body is freckled , it has freckles on it. □ …a slight man with auburn hair and a freckled face.

free ◆◆◆ /friː / (freer , freest , frees , freeing , freed )


1 ADJ If something is free , you can have it or use it without paying for it. □ The seminars are free, with lunch provided. □ …a free brochure with details of gift vouchers.


2 free of charge → see charge


3 ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] Someone or something that is free is not restricted, controlled, or limited, for example by rules, customs, or other people. □ The government will be free to pursue its economic policies. □ The elections were free and fair. □ Economists argued that freer markets would quickly revive the region's economy. □ He wrote that a free press is essential to a democratic society. □ Dogs were allowed to roam free and 48 sheep were killed. ● free|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ They cast their votes freely and without coercion on election day. □ Merchandise can now circulate freely among the E.U. countries.


4 VERB If you free someone of something that is unpleasant or restricting, you remove it from them. □ [V n + of/from ] The 30-year-old star is trying to free himself from his recording contract.


5 ADJ [ADJ n, v-link ADJ , ADJ after v] Someone who is free is no longer a prisoner or a slave. □ More than ninety prisoners have been set free so far under a government amnesty.


6 VERB To free a prisoner or a slave means to let them go or release them from prison. □ [V n] The new government said it had freed all political prisoners. □ [V -ed] The act had a specific intent, to protect freed slaves from white mobs.


7 ADJ If someone or something is free of or free from an unpleasant thing, they do not have it or they are not affected by it. □ [+ of/from ] …a future far more free of fear. □ The filtration system provides the crew with clean air free from fumes.


8 ADJ A sum of money or type of goods that is free of tax or duty is one that you do not have to pay tax on.


9 → see also duty-free , interest-free , tax-free


10 VERB To free someone or something means to make them available for a task or function that they were previously not available for. □ [V n] Toolbelts free both hands and lessen the risk of dropping hammers. □ [V n to-inf] His deal with Disney will run out shortly, freeing him to pursue his own project. □ [V n + from/of/for ] There were more civilians working for the police, freeing officers from desk jobs. ● PHRASAL VERB Free up means the same as free . □ [V P n] It can handle even the most complex graphic jobs, freeing up your computer for other tasks. [Also V n P ]


11 ADJ If you have a free period of time or are free at a particular time, you are not working or occupied then. □ She spent her free time shopping. □ I am always free at lunchtime.


12 ADJ If something such as a table or seat is free , it is not being used or occupied by anyone, or is not reserved for anyone to use. □ There was only one seat free on the train.


13 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you get something free or if it gets free , it is no longer trapped by anything or attached to anything. □ He pulled his arm free, and strode for the door. □ The shark was writhing around wildly, trying to get free.


14 VERB If you free someone or something, you remove them from the place in which they have been trapped or become fixed. □ [V n] It took firemen two hours to cut through the drive belt to free him.


15 ADJ [ADJ n] When someone is using one hand or arm to hold or move something, their other hand or arm is referred to as their free one. □ He snatched up the receiver and his free hand groped for the switch on the bedside lamp.


16 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If you say that someone is free with something such as advice or money, you mean that they give a lot of it, sometimes when it is not wanted. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They weren't always so free with their advice. □ They would often be free with criticism, some of it unjustified.


17 PHRASE You say ' feel free ' when you want to give someone permission to do something, in a very willing way. [INFORMAL , FORMULAE ] □ If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask me.


18 PHRASE If you do something or get something for free , you do it without being paid or get it without having to pay for it. [INFORMAL ] □ I wasn't expecting you to do it for free.


19 to give someone a free hand → see hand ➊


▸ free up


1 → see free 10


2 PHRASAL VERB To free up a market, economy, or system means to make it operate with fewer restrictions and controls. □ [V P n] …policies for freeing up markets and extending competition. [Also V n P ]

-free /-friː / COMB -free combines with nouns to form adjectives that indicate that something does not have the thing mentioned, or has only a little of it. For example, sugar-free drinks do not contain any sugar, and lead-free petrol is made using only a small amount of lead. □ …a salt-free diet.

free a gent (free agents )


1 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a free agent , you are emphasizing that they can do whatever they want to do, because they are not responsible to anyone or for anyone. □ We are not free agents; we abide by the decisions of our president.


2 N‑COUNT If a sports player is a free agent , he or she is free to sign a contract with any team. [AM ]

free and ea sy also free-and-easy ADJ Someone or something that is free and easy is casual and informal. □ …the free and easy atmosphere of these cafés.

free|bie /friː bi/ (freebies ) N‑COUNT A freebie is something that you are given, usually by a company, without having to pay for it. [INFORMAL ]

free|dom ◆◆◇ /friː dəm/ (freedoms )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this. □ …freedom of speech. □ They want greater political freedom. □ Today we have the freedom to decide our own futures. □ The United Nations Secretary-General has spoken of the need for individual freedoms and human rights.


2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] When prisoners or slaves are set free or escape, they gain their freedom . □ …an agreement under which all hostages and detainees would gain their freedom.


3 N‑UNCOUNT Freedom from something you do not want means not being affected by it. □ [+ from ] …all the freedom from pain that medicine could provide. □ [+ from ] …freedom from government control.


4 N‑SING The freedom of a particular city is a special honour which is given to a famous person who is connected with that city, or to someone who has performed some special service for the city.

free |dom fight|er (freedom fighters ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a freedom fighter , you mean that they belong to a group that is trying to change the government of their country using violent methods, and you agree with or approve of this. [APPROVAL ]

free e n|ter|prise N‑UNCOUNT Free enterprise is an economic system in which businesses compete for profit without much government control. [BUSINESS ]

free fa ll (free falls ) also free-fall


1 N‑VAR [oft into/in N ] If the value or price of something goes into free fall , it starts to fall uncontrollably. [JOURNALISM ] □ Sterling went into free fall. □ The price did a free fall.


2 N‑UNCOUNT In parachuting, free fall is the part of the jump before the parachute opens.

free -floa ting ADJ [ADJ n] Free-floating things or people are able to move freely and are not controlled or directed by anything. □ …a system of free-floating exchange rates.

Free|fone /friː foʊn/ also freefone , freephone N‑UNCOUNT [N n] A Freefone telephone number is one which you can dial without having to pay for the call. [BRIT , TRADEMARK ] □ …the Freefone emergency housing helpline. in AM, use toll-free

free -for-a ll (free-for-alls )


1 N‑SING A free-for-all is a situation in which several people or groups are trying to get something for themselves and there are no controls on how they do it.


2 N‑COUNT A free-for-all is a disorganized fight or argument which lots of people join in.

free form also free-form ADJ [ADJ n] A free form work of art or piece of music has not been created according to a standard style or convention. □ …free-form jazz.

free|hand /friː hænd/ ADJ [ADJ n] A freehand drawing is drawn without using instruments such as a ruler or a pair of compasses. □ …freehand sketches. ● ADV [ADV after v] Freehand is also an adverb. □ Use a template or stencil or simply do it freehand.

free|hold /friː hoʊld/ (freeholds )


1 N‑VAR If you have the freehold of a building or piece of land, it is yours for life and there are no conditions regarding your ownership. □ People owning leasehold homes will be given a new right to buy the freehold of their property.


2 ADJ If a building or piece of land is freehold , you can own it for life. □ The property register will also say whether the property is freehold or leasehold.

free|holder /friː hoʊldə r / (freeholders ) N‑COUNT A freeholder is someone who owns the freehold to a particular piece of land.

free house (free houses ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a free house is a pub which is not owned by a particular company and so can sell whatever beers it chooses.

free ki ck (free kicks ) N‑COUNT In a game of football, when there is a free kick , the ball is given to a member of one side to kick because a member of the other side has broken a rule.

free|lance /friː lɑːns, -læns/ (freelances , freelancing , freelanced )


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Someone who does freelance work or who is, for example, a freelance journalist or photographer is not employed by one organization, but is paid for each piece of work they do by the organization they do it for. [BUSINESS ] □ Michael Cross is a freelance journalist. □ She had a baby and decided to go freelance. ● ADV [ADV after v] Freelance is also an adverb. □ He is now working freelance from his home in Hampshire.


2 N‑COUNT A freelance is the same as a freelancer .


3 VERB If you freelance , you do freelance work. □ [V + as ] She has freelanced as a writer and researcher. [Also V ]

free|lancer /friː lɑːnsə r , -læns-/ (freelancers ) N‑COUNT A freelancer is someone who does freelance work.

free|loader /friː loʊdə r / (freeloaders ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a freeloader , you disapprove of them because they take advantage of other people's kindness, for example by accepting food or accommodation from them, without giving anything in return. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

free lo ve N‑UNCOUNT A belief in free love is the belief that it is acceptable and good to have sexual relationships without marrying, often several relationships at the same time. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

free|ly /friː li/


1 ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj] Freely means many times or in large quantities. □ We have referred freely to his ideas. □ …the United States, where consumer goods are freely available.


2 ADV [ADV after v] If you can talk freely , you can talk without needing to be careful about what you say. □ She wondered whether he had someone to whom he could talk freely.


3 ADV [ADV with v] If someone gives or does something freely , they give or do it willingly, without being ordered or forced to do it. □ Danny shared his knowledge freely with anyone interested. □ Williams freely admits he lives for racing.


4 ADV [ADV after v] If something or someone moves freely , they move easily and smoothly, without any obstacles or resistance. □ You must allow the clubhead to swing freely.


5 → see also free

free|man /friː mən/ (freemen ) N‑COUNT Someone who is a freeman of a particular city has been given a special honour by that city, known as the freedom of the city. □ [+ of ] Peter was made a Freeman of the City of London.

free ma r|ket (free markets ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A free market is an economic system in which business organizations decide things such as prices and wages, and are not controlled by the government. [BUSINESS ] □ …the creation of a free market. □ …free market economies.

free -marketee r (free-marketeers ) N‑COUNT A free-marketeer is someone, especially a politician, who thinks market forces should control the economy. [BUSINESS ]

Free|mason /friː me I s ə n/ (Freemasons ) N‑COUNT A Freemason is a man who is a member of a large secret society. Freemasons promise to help each other, and use a system of secret signs in order to recognize each other.

free|masonry /friː me I s ə nri/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Freemasonry is the organization of the Freemasons and their beliefs and practices. □ He was very active in Freemasonry.


2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Freemasonry is the friendly feeling that exists between people who are of the same kind or who have the same interests. □ …the freemasonry of sailors.

free pa ss (free passes ) N‑COUNT A free pass is an official document that allows a person to travel or to enter a particular building without having to pay.

free|phone /friː foʊn/ → see Freefone

free port (free ports ) N‑COUNT A free port is a port or airport where goods can be brought in from foreign countries without payment of duty if they are going to be exported again. [BUSINESS ]

Free|post /friː poʊst/ N‑UNCOUNT Freepost is a system in Britain which allows you to send mail to certain organizations without paying for the postage. 'Freepost' is written on the envelope as part of the address. [TRADEMARK ]

freer /friː ə r / Freer is the comparative of free .

free ra di|cal (free radicals ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Free radicals are atoms that contain one or more unpaired electrons. Free radicals are believed to be a cause of ageing, heart disease, and some cancers. [TECHNICAL ]

free -ra nge ADJ [usu ADJ n] Free-range means relating to a system of keeping animals in which they can move and feed freely on an area of open ground. □ …free-range eggs.

free ru n|ning N‑UNCOUNT Free running is the activity of running through areas in a town, using skilful movements to jump over walls and other objects. □ He is part of a free running group in London.

free|sia /friː ʒə/ (freesias ) N‑VAR Freesias are small plants with yellow, pink, white, or purple flowers that are shaped like tubes.

free spi r|it (free spirits ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a free spirit , you admire them because they are independent and live as they want to live rather than in a conventional way. [APPROVAL ]

fre|est /friː I st/ Freest is the superlative of free .

free -sta nding ADJ A free-standing piece of furniture or other object is not fixed to anything, or stands on its own away from other things. □ …a free-standing cooker.

free|style /friː sta I l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Freestyle is used to describe sports competitions, especially in swimming, wrestling, and skiing, in which competitors can use any style or method that they like when they take part. □ …the 100m freestyle swimming event. □ …the reigning European Freestyle Champion. □ …freestyle skiing. ● N‑SING Freestyle is also a noun. □ She won the 800 metres freestyle.

free -thi nker (free-thinkers ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a free-thinker , you admire them because they work out their own ideas rather than accepting generally accepted views. [APPROVAL ]

free -to-ai r ADJ [usu ADJ n] Free-to-air television programmes and channels do not require a subscription or payment. ● ADV Free to air is also an adverb. □ The fight will be televised free to air on the Fox Network.

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