Free|view /friː vjuː/ N‑UNCOUNT In Britain, Freeview is a free service providing digital terrestrial television. [TRADEMARK ] □ Freeview uses a standard aerial to receive the signal, so the service has the potential to reach virtually every home in the UK.
free|ware /fri ːweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Freeware is computer software that you can use without payment. [COMPUTING ] □ Is there a freeware program that I can use to produce my own graphics?
free|way /friː we I / (freeways ) N‑COUNT A freeway is a major road with several lanes that has been specially built for fast travel over long distances. [AM ] □ The speed limit on the freeway is 55mph. □ …Boston's freeway system. in BRIT, usually use motorway
free|wheel /friː h wiː l/ (freewheels , freewheeling , freewheeled ) also free-wheel VERB If you freewheel , you travel, usually downhill, on a bicycle without using the pedals, or in a vehicle without using the engine. □ [V adv/prep] He freewheeled back down the course. [Also V ]
free|wheeling /friː h wiː l I ŋ/ also free-wheeling ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you refer to someone's freewheeling lifestyle or attitudes, you mean that they behave in a casual, relaxed way without feeling restricted by rules or accepted ways of doing things. □ He has given up his freewheeling lifestyle to settle down with his baby daughter.
free wi ll
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you believe in free will , you believe that people have a choice in what they do and that their actions have not been decided in advance by God or by any other power. □ …the free will of the individual.
2 PHRASE If you do something of your own free will , you do it by choice and not because you are forced to do it. □ Would Bethany return of her own free will, as she had promised?
freeze ◆◇◇ /friː z/ (freezes , freezing , froze , frozen )
1 VERB If a liquid or a substance containing a liquid freezes , or if something freezes it, it becomes solid because of low temperatures. □ [V ] If the temperature drops below 0°C, water freezes. □ [V adj] The ground froze solid. □ [V n] …the discovery of how to freeze water at higher temperatures. □ [V -ed] …frozen puddles. [Also V n adj]
2 VERB If you freeze something such as food, you preserve it by storing it at a temperature below freezing point. You can also talk about how well food freezes . □ [V n] You can freeze the soup at this stage. □ [V adv] Most fresh herbs will freeze successfully.
3 VERB When it freezes outside, the temperature falls below freezing point. □ [V ] What if it rained and then froze all through those months? ● N‑COUNT Freeze is also a noun. □ The trees were damaged by a freeze in December.
4 VERB If you freeze , you feel extremely cold. □ [V ] The windows didn't fit at the bottom so for a while we froze even in the middle of summer.
5 VERB If someone who is moving freezes , they suddenly stop and become completely still and quiet. [WRITTEN ] □ [V ] She froze when the beam of the flashlight struck her.
6 VERB If the government or a company freeze things such as prices or wages, they state officially that they will not allow them to increase for a fixed period of time. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] They want the government to freeze prices. ● N‑COUNT Freeze is also a noun. □ A wage freeze was imposed on all staff earlier this month.
7 VERB If a government freezes a plan or process, they state officially that they will not allow it to continue for a period of time. □ [V n] Britain has already frozen its aid programme. □ [be V -ed] Diplomatic relations were frozen until August this year. ● N‑COUNT Freeze is also a noun. □ …a freeze in nuclear weapons programs.
8 VERB If someone in authority freezes something such as a bank account, fund, or property, they obtain a legal order which states that it cannot be used or sold for a particular period of time. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] The governor's action freezes 300,000 accounts. □ [be V -ed] Under these laws, he said, Mr. Rice's assets could have been frozen. ● N‑COUNT Freeze is also a noun. □ …a freeze on private savings.
9 → see also freezing , frozen
▸ freeze out PHRASAL VERB If you freeze someone out of an activity or situation, you prevent them from being involved in it by creating difficulties or by being unfriendly. □ [V n P + of ] Other traders did everything they could to freeze us out of the business. [Also V n P ]
▸ freeze over PHRASAL VERB If something freezes over , it becomes covered with a layer of ice or other frozen substance. □ [V P ] The air temperature was well below freezing, and lakes and rivers froze over. □ [V -ed P ] The lakes are still frozen over.
▸ freeze up PHRASAL VERB If something freezes up or if something freezes it up , it becomes completely covered or blocked with ice. □ [V P ] …lavatories that often freeze up in winter. □ [V P n] Ice could freeze up their torpedo release mechanisms. [Also V n P ] COLLOCATIONS freeze NOUN 7
noun + freeze : pay, price, wage
verb + freeze : announce, impose, put VERB
2
freeze + noun : food; eggs, embryo
7
freeze + noun : pay, price, wage
free ze-dried ADJ Freeze-dried food has been preserved by a process of rapid freezing and drying. □ …freeze-dried instant mashed potato. □ …freeze-dried coffee granules.
free ze-frame (freeze-frames ) N‑COUNT A freeze-frame from a film is an individual picture from it, produced by stopping the film or video tape at that point.
freez|er /friː zə r / (freezers ) N‑COUNT A freezer is a large container like a fridge in which the temperature is kept below freezing point so that you can store food inside it for long periods.
freez|ing /friː z I ŋ/
1 ADJ If you say that something is freezing or freezing cold , you are emphasizing that it is very cold. [EMPHASIS ] □ The cinema was freezing. □ …a freezing January afternoon.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that you are freezing or freezing cold , you are emphasizing that you feel very cold. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'You must be freezing,' she said.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Freezing means the same as freezing point . □ It's 15 degrees below freezing.
4 → see also freeze
free z|ing point (freezing points ) also freezing-point
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu above/below/to N ] Freezing point is 0° Celsius, the temperature at which water freezes. Freezing point is often used when talking about the weather. □ The temperature remained below freezing point throughout the day.
2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The freezing point of a particular substance is the temperature at which it freezes.
freight /fre I t/ (freights , freighting , freighted )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Freight is the movement of goods by lorries, trains, ships, or aeroplanes. □ France derives 16% of revenue from air freight.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Freight is goods that are transported by lorries, trains, ships, or aeroplanes. □ 90% of managers wanted to see more freight carried by rail.
3 VERB [usu passive] When goods are freighted , they are transported in large quantities over a long distance. □ [be V -ed adv/prep] From these ports the grain is freighted down to Addis Ababa.
frei ght car (freight cars ) N‑COUNT On a train, a freight car is a large container in which goods are transported. [mainly AM ]
freight|er /fre I tə r / (freighters ) N‑COUNT A freighter is a large ship or aeroplane that is designed for carrying freight.
frei ght train (freight trains ) N‑COUNT A freight train is a train on which goods are transported.
French /fre ntʃ/
1 ADJ French means belonging or relating to France, or to its people, language, or culture.
2 N‑PLURAL The French are the people of France.
3 N‑UNCOUNT French is the language spoken in France and in parts of some other countries, including Belgium, Canada, and Switzerland. □ The villagers spoke French.
Fre nch bea n (French beans ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] French beans are narrow green beans that are eaten as a vegetable. They grow on a tall climbing plant and are the cases that contain the seeds of the plant. [BRIT ] in AM, use string beans
Fre nch brea d N‑UNCOUNT French bread is white bread which is baked in long, thin loaves.
Fre nch Ca|na |dian (French Canadians ) also French-Canadian
1 ADJ French Canadian means belonging or relating to people who come from the part of Canada where French is spoken.
2 N‑COUNT French Canadians are Canadians whose native language is French.
Fre nch doo r (French doors ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] French doors are the same as French windows .
Fre nch dre ss|ing N‑UNCOUNT French dressing is a thin sauce made of oil, vinegar, salt, and spices which you put on salad.
Fre nch fries N‑PLURAL French fries are long, thin pieces of potato fried in oil or fat.
Fre nch ho rn (French horns ) N‑VAR A French horn is a musical instrument of the brass family. It is shaped like a long metal tube with one wide end, wound round in a circle. You play the French horn by blowing into it and moving valves in order to obtain different notes.
French|man /fre ntʃmən/ (Frenchmen ) N‑COUNT A Frenchman is a man who comes from France.
Fre nch po l|ish N‑UNCOUNT French polish is a type of varnish which is painted onto wood so that the wood has a hard shiny surface.
Fre nch wi n|dow (French windows ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] French windows are a pair of glass doors which you go through into a garden or onto a balcony.
French|woman /fre ntʃwʌmən/ (Frenchwomen ) N‑COUNT A Frenchwoman is a woman who comes from France.
fre|net|ic /fr I ne t I k/ ADJ If you describe an activity as frenetic , you mean that it is fast and energetic, but rather uncontrolled. □ …the frenetic pace of life in New York.
fren|zied /fre nzid/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Frenzied activities or actions are wild, excited, and uncontrolled. □ …the frenzied activity of the general election. □ The man was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack.
frenzy /fre nzi/ (frenzies ) N‑VAR Frenzy or a frenzy is great excitement or wild behaviour that often results from losing control of your feelings. □ The country was gripped by a frenzy of nationalism.
fre|quen|cy /friː kwənsi/ (frequencies )
1 N‑UNCOUNT The frequency of an event is the number of times it happens during a particular period. □ [+ of ] The frequency of Kara's phone calls increased rapidly. □ The tanks broke down with increasing frequency.
2 N‑VAR In physics, the frequency of a sound wave or a radio wave is the number of times it vibrates within a specified period of time. □ You can't hear waves of such a high frequency. □ [+ of ] …a frequency of 24 kilohertz. □ …low frequency waves.
fre|quent ◆◆◇ (frequents , frequenting , frequented ) The adjective is pronounced /friː kwənt/. The verb is pronounced /fr I kwe nt/. 1 ADJ If something is frequent , it happens often. □ Bordeaux is on the main Paris-Madrid line so there are frequent trains. □ He is a frequent visitor to the house. ● fre|quent|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Iron and folic acid supplements are frequently given to pregnant women.
2 VERB If someone frequents a particular place, they regularly go there. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] I hear he frequents the Cajun restaurant in Hampstead. SYNONYMS frequent ADJ 1
common: Earthquakes are not common in this part of the world.
usual: She's smiling her usual friendly smile.
repeated: He did not return the money, despite repeated reminders.
everyday: …the everyday problems of living in the city.
regular: This condition usually clears up with regular shampooing.
recurrent: …buildings in which staff suffer recurrent illness.
persistent: His cough grew more persistent until it never stopped.
fres|co /fre skoʊ/ (frescoes or frescos )
1 N‑COUNT A fresco is a picture that is painted on a plastered wall when the plaster is still wet.
2 → see also alfresco
fresh ◆◆◇ /fre ʃ/ (fresher , freshest )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A fresh thing or amount replaces or is added to a previous thing or amount. □ He asked Strathclyde police, which carried out the original investigation, to make fresh inquiries. □ I need a new challenge and a fresh start somewhere else.
2 ADJ Something that is fresh has been done, made, or experienced recently. □ There were no fresh car tracks or footprints in the snow. □ With the memory of the bombing fresh in her mind, Eleanor became increasingly agitated.
3 ADJ Fresh food has been picked or produced recently, and has not been preserved, for example by being frozen or put in a tin. □ …locally caught fresh fish. □ …fresh fruit.
4 ADJ If you describe something as fresh , you like it because it is new and exciting. □ These designers are full of fresh ideas. □ …a fresh image.
5 ADJ If you describe something as fresh , you mean that it is pleasant, bright, and clean in appearance. □ Gingham fabrics always look fresh and pretty.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something smells, tastes, or feels fresh , it is clean or cool. □ The air was fresh and for a moment she felt revived.
7 ADJ Fresh water is water that is not salty, for example the water from rivers or lakes.
8 ADJ If you say that the weather is fresh , you mean that it is fairly cold and windy. □ It was a fine, fresh summer morning. □ Outside the breeze was fresh and from the north.
9 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you feel fresh , you feel full of energy and enthusiasm. □ It's vital we are as fresh as possible for those matches.
10 ADJ Fresh paint is not yet dry. [AM ] in BRIT, use wet 11 ADJ If you are fresh from a particular place or experience, you have just come from that place or you have just had that experience. You can also say that someone is fresh out of a place. □ [+ from ] I returned to the office, fresh from Heathrow. □ [+ out of ] From what I've heard he started wheeling and dealing fresh out of college.
fresh- /fre ʃ-/ COMB [ADJ n] Fresh- is added to past participles in order to form adjectives which describe something as having been recently made or done. □ …a vase of fresh-cut flowers. □ …a meadow of fresh-mown hay.
fre sh ai r N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] You can describe the air outside as fresh air , especially when you mean that it is good for you because it does not contain dirt or dangerous substances. □ 'Let's take the baby outside,' I suggested. 'We all need some fresh air.'
fresh|en /fre ʃ ə n/ (freshens , freshening , freshened ) VERB If the wind freshens , it becomes stronger and colder. □ [V ] The wind had freshened.
▸ freshen up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you freshen something up , you make it clean and pleasant in appearance or smell. □ [V P n] A thorough brushing helps to freshen up your mouth. □ [V n P ] My room needed a lick of paint to freshen it up.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you freshen up , you wash your hands and face and make yourself look neat and tidy. □ [V P ] After Martine had freshened up, they went for a long walk.
fresh|er /fre ʃə r / (freshers )
1 Fresher is the comparative form of fresh .
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Freshers are students who have just started their first year at university or college. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] in AM, use freshmen
fresh|ly /fre ʃli/ ADV [ADV -ed] If something is freshly made or done, it has been recently made or done. □ …freshly baked bread. □ …freshly cut grass.
fresh|man /fre ʃmən/ (freshmen ) N‑COUNT In America, a freshman is a student who is in his or her first year at university or college.
fresh|water /fre ʃwɔːtə r / ADJ [ADJ n] A freshwater lake contains water that is not salty, usually in contrast to the sea. Freshwater creatures live in water that is not salty. □ …Lake Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in Europe. □ The perch is a freshwater fish.
fret /fre t/ (frets , fretting , fretted )
1 VERB If you fret about something, you worry about it. □ [V + about/over ] I was working all hours and constantly fretting about everyone else's problems. □ [V that] But congressional staffers fret that the project will eventually cost billions more. □ [V ] Don't fret, Mary. This is all some crazy mistake.
2 N‑COUNT The frets on a musical instrument such as a guitar are the raised lines across its neck.
fret|ful /fre tfʊl/ ADJ If someone is fretful , they behave in a way that shows that they worried or unhappy about something. □ Don't assume your baby automatically needs feeding if she's fretful.
fret|work /fre twɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Fretwork is wood or metal that has been decorated by cutting bits of it out to make a pattern.
Freud|ian /frɔ I diən/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Freudian means relating to the ideas and methods of the psychiatrist Freud, especially to his ideas about people's subconscious sexual feelings. □ …the Freudian theory about daughters falling in love with their father.
Freu d|ian sli p (Freudian slips ) N‑COUNT If someone accidentally says something that reveals their subconscious feelings, especially their sexual feelings, this is referred to as a Freudian slip .
Fri. Fri. is a written abbreviation for Friday .
fri|ar /fra I ə r / (friars ) N‑COUNT A friar is a member of one of several Catholic religious orders.
fric|tion /fr I kʃ ə n/ (frictions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If there is friction between people, there is disagreement and argument between them. □ Sara sensed that there had been friction between her children.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Friction is the force that makes it difficult for things to move freely when they are touching each other. □ The pistons are graphite-coated to reduce friction.
Fri|day /fra I de I , -di/ (Fridays ) N‑VAR Friday is the day after Thursday and before Saturday. □ Mr Cook is intending to go to Brighton on Friday. □ The weekly series starts next Friday. □ I get home at half seven on Fridays. □ He left Heathrow airport on Friday morning.
fridge /fr I dʒ/ (fridges ) N‑COUNT A fridge is a large metal container which is kept cool, usually by electricity, so that food that is put in it stays fresh. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use refrigerator
friend ◆◆◆ /fre nd/ (friends , friending , friended )
1 N‑COUNT A friend is someone who you know well and like, but who is not related to you. □ I had a long talk about this with my best friend. □ [+ of ] She never was a close friend of mine. □ …Sara's old friend, Ogden.
2 N‑PLURAL If you are friends with someone, you are their friend and they are yours. □ [+ with ] I still wanted to be friends with Alison. □ We remained good friends. □ Sally and I became friends.
3 N‑PLURAL ; N‑COUNT The friends of a country, cause, organization, or a famous politician are the people and organizations who help and support them. □ [+ of ] …The Friends of Birmingham Royal Ballet.
4 N‑COUNT If one country refers to another as a friend , they mean that the other country is not an enemy of theirs. □ Do Italy's friends and partners have to accept the situation?
5 PHRASE If you make friends with someone, you begin a friendship with them. You can also say that two people make friends . □ He has made friends with the kids on the street. □ He had made a friend of both girls.
6 VERB If you friend someone, you ask them to be your friend on a social media website, so that you can see each other's posts. □ [V n on ] People you have friended on Facebook could be complete strangers in real life. □ [V n] He friended dozens of other graduates of his college. COLLOCATIONS friend NOUN
1
noun + friend : childhood, college, family, school, university
adjective + friend : best, close, dear, good, great; lifelong, longtime, old; loyal, true; female, male; mutual
2
verb + friend : become, remain, stay
friend|less /fre ndləs/ ADJ Someone who is friendless has no friends. □ The boy was unhappy because he thought he was friendless.
friend|ly ◆◇◇ /fre ndli/ (friendlier , friendliest , friendlies )
1 ADJ If someone is friendly , they behave in a pleasant, kind way, and like to be with other people. □ [+ to ] Godfrey had been friendly to me. □ …a man with a pleasant, friendly face. □ Robert has a friendly relationship with his customers. □ …a friendly atmosphere. □ Your cat isn't very friendly. ● friend|li|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ She also loves the friendliness of the people.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are friendly with someone, you like each other and enjoy spending time together. □ [+ with ] I'm friendly with his mother.
3 ADJ You can describe another country or their government as friendly when they have good relations with your own country rather than being an enemy. □ …a worsening in relations between the two previously friendly countries.
4 N‑COUNT In sport, a friendly is a match which is not part of a competition, and is played for entertainment or practice, often without any serious effort to win. [BRIT ] □ Athletic Bilbao agreed to play a friendly at Real Sociedad. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Friendly is also an adjective. □ …an ill-deserved 2-1 win over Japan in a friendly match. [in AM, use exhibition game ] USAGE friendly
Friendly
is never an adverb. Don’t say, for example, ‘
He behaved friendly
’. Say ‘He behaved in a friendly way
’. □
She smiled at him in a friendly way
.
-friendly /-fre ndli/
1 COMB -friendly combines with nouns to form adjectives which describe things that are not harmful to the specified part of the natural world. □ Palm oil is environment-friendly. □ …ozone-friendly fridges.
2 COMB -friendly combines with nouns to form adjectives which describe things which are intended for or suitable for the specified person, especially things that are easy for them to understand, appreciate, or use. □ …customer-friendly banking facilities.
3 → see also user-friendly
frie nd|ly so|ci|ety (friendly societies ) N‑COUNT A friendly society is an organization to which people regularly pay small amounts of money and which then gives them money when they retire or when they are ill. [BRIT ]
friend|ship ◆◇◇ /fre ndʃ I p/ (friendships )
1 N‑VAR A friendship is a relationship between two or more friends. □ [+ with ] She struck up a close friendship with Desiree during the week of rehearsals. □ After seven years of friendship, she still couldn't tell when he was kidding.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You use friendship to refer in a general way to the state of being friends, or the feelings that friends have for each other. □ …a hobby which led to a whole new world of friendship and adventure.
3 N‑VAR Friendship is a relationship between two countries in which they help and support each other. □ [+ with/between ] …as president of a foundation that promotes friendship between Italy and America.
frieze /friː z/ (friezes ) N‑COUNT A frieze is a decoration high up on the walls of a room or just under the roof of a building. It consists of a long panel of carving or a long strip of paper with a picture or pattern on it.
frig|ate /fr I gət/ (frigates ) N‑COUNT A frigate is a fairly small ship owned by the navy that can move at fast speeds. Frigates are often used to protect other ships.
frig|ging /fr I g I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Frigging is used by some people to emphasize what they are saying, especially when they are angry or annoyed about something. [INFORMAL , RUDE , EMPHASIS ]
fright /fra I t/ (frights )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Fright is a sudden feeling of fear, especially the fear that you feel when something unpleasant surprises you. □ The steam pipes rattled suddenly, and Franklin uttered a shriek and jumped with fright. □ The birds smashed into the top of their cages in fright. □ To hide my fright I asked a question.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A fright is an experience which makes you suddenly afraid. □ The snake picked up its head and stuck out its tongue which gave everyone a fright. □ The last time you had a real fright, you nearly crashed the car.
3 PHRASE If a person or animal takes fright at something, they are suddenly frightened by it, and want to run away or to stop doing what they are doing. □ An untrained horse had taken fright at the sound of gunfire. □ When costs soared, the studio took fright and recalled the company from Rome.
fright|en /fra I t ə n/ (frightens , frightening , frightened )
1 VERB If something or someone frightens you, they cause you to suddenly feel afraid, anxious, or nervous. □ [V n] He knew that Soli was trying to frighten him, so he smiled to hide his fear. □ [be V -ed] Most children are frightened by the sight of blood.
2 PHRASE If something frightens the life out of you, frightens the wits out of you, or frightens you out of your wits , it causes you to feel suddenly afraid or gives you a very unpleasant shock. [EMPHASIS ] □ Fairground rides are intended to frighten the life out of you.
▸ frighten away or frighten off
1 PHRASAL VERB If you frighten away a person or animal or frighten them off , you make them afraid so that they run away or stay some distance away from you. □ [V P n] The fishermen said the company's seismic survey was frightening away fish. □ [V n P ] He fired into the air, hoping that the noise would frighten them off.
2 PHRASAL VERB To frighten someone away or frighten them off means to make them nervous so that they decide not to become involved with a particular person or activity. □ [V n P ] Building society repossessions have frightened buyers off. □ [V P n] The government is convinced that the bombers want to frighten away foreign investors.
▸ frighten off → see frighten away
fright|ened /fra I t ə nd/ ADJ [ADJ to-inf] If you are frightened , you are anxious or afraid, often because of something that has just happened or that you think may happen. □ [+ of ] She was frightened of flying. □ Miriam was too frightened to tell her family what had happened.
fright|en|ing /fra I tən I ŋ/ ADJ If something is frightening , it makes you feel afraid, anxious, or nervous. □ It was a very frightening experience and they were very courageous. □ The number of youngsters involved in crime is frightening. ● fright|en|ing|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ The country is frighteningly close to possessing nuclear weapons.
fright|ful /fra I tfʊl/
1 ADJ Frightful means very bad or unpleasant. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ My father was unable to talk about the war, it was so frightful.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Frightful is used to emphasize the extent or degree of something, usually something bad. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED , EMPHASIS ] □ He got himself into a frightful muddle.
frig|id /fr I dʒ I d/
1 ADJ Frigid means extremely cold. [FORMAL ] □ A snowstorm hit the West today, bringing with it frigid temperatures.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a woman is frigid , she finds it difficult to become sexually aroused. You can often use frigid to show disapproval. □ My husband says I am frigid. ● fri|gid|ity /fr I dʒ I d I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …an inability to experience orgasm (often called frigidity).
frill /fr I l/ (frills )
1 N‑COUNT A frill is a long narrow strip of cloth or paper with many folds in it, which is attached to something as a decoration. □ …net curtains with frills.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you describe something as having no frills , you mean that it has no extra features, but is acceptable or good if you want something simple. [APPROVAL ] □ This booklet restricts itself to facts without frills.
frilled /fr I ld/ ADJ [ADJ n] A frilled item of clothing is decorated with a frill or frills.
frilly /fr I li/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Frilly items of clothing or fabric have a lot of frills on them. □ …maids in frilly aprons.
fringe /fr I ndʒ/ (fringes )
1 N‑COUNT A fringe is hair which is cut so that it hangs over your forehead. [BRIT ] in AM, use bangs 2 N‑COUNT A fringe is a decoration attached to clothes, or other objects such as curtains, consisting of a row of hanging strips or threads. □ The jacket had leather fringes.
3 N‑COUNT [usu on the N of n] To be on the fringe or the fringes of a place means to be on the outside edge of it, or to be in one of the parts that are farthest from its centre. □ [+ of ] …black townships located on the fringes of the city. □ They lived together in a mixed household on the fringe of a campus.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The fringe or the fringes of an activity or organization are its less important, least typical, or most extreme parts, rather than its main and central part. □ [+ of ] The party remained on the fringe of the political scene until last year.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] Fringe groups or events are less important or popular than other related groups or events. □ The monarchists are a small fringe group who quarrel fiercely among themselves.
fri nge be n|efit (fringe benefits )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Fringe benefits are extra things that some people get from their job in addition to their salary, for example a car. [BUSINESS ]
2 N‑COUNT The fringe benefits of doing something are the extra advantages which you get from it, although you may not have expected them and they were not the main reason for doing it. □ [+ of ] His support was one of the nicest fringe benefits of pursuing this research.
fringed /fr I ndʒd/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Fringed clothes, curtains, or lampshades are decorated with fringes. □ Emma wore a fringed scarf round her neck.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If a place or object is fringed with something, that thing forms a border around it or is situated along its edges. □ Her eyes were large and brown and fringed with incredibly long lashes.
frip|pery /fr I pəri/ (fripperies ) N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to something as frippery , you mean that it is silly or unnecessary, and only done or worn for pleasure [mainly BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …all the fripperies with which the Edwardian woman indulged herself. □ …a sombre display, with no frills or frippery.
Fris|bee /fr I zbi/ (Frisbees ) N‑COUNT A frisbee is a light plastic disc that one person throws to another as a game. [TRADEMARK ]
frisk /fr I sk/ (frisks , frisking , frisked ) VERB If someone frisks you, they search you, usually with their hands in order to see if you are hiding a weapon or something else such as drugs in your clothes. □ [V n] Drago pushed him up against the wall and frisked him.
frisky /fr I ski/ (friskier , friskiest ) ADJ A frisky animal or person is energetic and playful, and may be difficult to control. □ His horse was feeling frisky, and he had to hold the reins tightly.
fris|son /friː sɒn, [AM ] friːsoʊ n/ (frissons ) N‑COUNT A frisson is a short, sudden feeling of excitement or fear. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] A frisson of apprehension rippled round the theatre.
frit|ter /fr I tə r / (fritters , frittering , frittered ) N‑COUNT [usu n N ] Fritters are round pieces of fruit, vegetables, or meat that are dipped in batter and fried. □ …apple fritters.
▸ fritter away PHRASAL VERB If someone fritters away time or money, they waste it on unimportant or unnecessary things. □ [V P n] The firm soon started frittering away the cash it was generating. □ [V n P ] I seem to fritter my time away at coffee mornings.
fri|vol|ity /fr I vɒ l I ti/ (frivolities ) N‑VAR If you refer to an activity as a frivolity , you think that it is amusing and rather silly, rather than serious and sensible. □ There is a serious message at the core of all this frivolity. □ He was one of my most able pupils, but far too easily distracted by frivolities.
frivo|lous /fr I vələs/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as frivolous , you mean they behave in a silly or light-hearted way, rather than being serious and sensible. □ I just decided I was a bit too frivolous to be a doctor.
2 ADJ If you describe an activity as frivolous , you disapprove of it because it is not useful and wastes time or money. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The group wants politicians to stop wasting public money on what it believes are frivolous projects.
frizz /fr I z/ N‑UNCOUNT Frizz is frizzy hair. □ Manic brushing will only cause frizz.
friz|zy /fr I zi/ (frizzier , frizziest ) ADJ Frizzy hair is very tightly curled. □ Carol's hair had a slightly frizzy perm.
fro /froʊ / to and fro → see to ➊
frock /frɒ k/ (frocks ) N‑COUNT A frock is a woman's or girl's dress. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
fro ck coat (frock coats ) also frock-coat N‑COUNT A frock coat was a long coat that was worn by men in the 19th century.
frog /frɒ g, [AM ] frɔː g/ (frogs )
1 N‑COUNT A frog is a small creature with smooth skin, big eyes, and long back legs which it uses for jumping. Frogs usually live near water.
2 N‑COUNT Frogs is sometimes used to refer to French people. [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE ]
frog|man /frɒ gmən, [AM ] frɔː g-/ (frogmen ) N‑COUNT A frogman is someone whose job involves diving and working underwater, especially in order to mend or search for something. Frogmen wear special rubber suits and shoes, and carry equipment to help them to breathe underwater.
fro g-march (frog-marches , frog-marching , frog-marched ) also frogmarch VERB If you are frog-marched somewhere, someone takes you there by force, holding you by the arms or another part of your body so that you have to walk along with them. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] He was frog-marched through the kitchen and out into the yard. □ [V n prep/adv] They arrested the men and frog-marched them to the local police station.
frog|spawn /frɒ gspɔːn, [AM ] frɔː g-/ also frog spawn N‑UNCOUNT Frogspawn is a soft substance like jelly which contains the eggs of a frog.
fro -ing → see to-ing and fro-ing
frol|ic /frɒ l I k/ (frolics , frolicking , frolicked ) VERB When people or animals frolic , they play or move in a lively, happy way. □ [V ] …lambs frolicking in the fields.
from ◆◆◆ /frəm, STRONG frɒm, [AM ] frʌm/ In addition to the uses shown below, from is used in phrasal verbs such as 'date from' and 'grow away from'. 1 PREP If something comes from a particular person or thing, or if you get something from them, they give it to you or they are the source of it. □ He appealed for information from anyone who saw the attackers. □ …an anniversary present from his wife. □ The results were taken from six surveys. □ The dirt from the fields drifted like snow.
2 PREP Someone who comes from a particular place lives in that place or originally lived there. Something that comes from a particular place was made in that place. □ Katy Jones is nineteen and comes from Birmingham. □ …wines from Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence.
3 PREP A person from a particular organization works for that organization. □ …a representative from the Israeli embassy.
4 PREP If someone or something moves or is moved from a place, they leave it or are removed, so that they are no longer there. □ The guests watched as she fled from the room.
5 PREP If you take one thing or person from another, you move that thing or person so that they are no longer with the other or attached to the other. □ In many bone transplants, bone can be taken from other parts of the patient's body. □ Remove the bowl from the ice and stir in the cream.
6 PREP If you take something from an amount, you reduce the amount by that much. □ The £103 is deducted from Mrs Adams' salary every month. □ Three from six leaves three.
7 PREP From is used in expressions such as away from or absent from to say that someone or something is not present in a place where they are usually found. □ Her husband worked away from home a lot. □ Jo was absent from the house all the next day.
8 PREP If you return from a place or an activity, you return after being in that place or doing that activity. □ …a group of men travelling home from a darts match.
9 PREP If you are back from a place or activity, you have left it and have returned to your former place. □ Our economics correspondent, James Morgan, is just back from Germany. □ One afternoon when I was home from school, he asked me to come to see a movie with him.
10 PREP If you see or hear something from a particular place, you are in that place when you see it or hear it. □ Visitors see the painting from behind a plate glass window.
11 PREP If something hangs or sticks out from an object, it is attached to it or held by it. □ Hanging from his right wrist is a heavy gold bracelet. □ …large fans hanging from ceilings. □ He saw the corner of a magazine sticking out from under the blanket.
12 PREP You can use from when giving distances. For example, if a place is fifty miles from another place, the distance between the two places is fifty miles. □ The centre of the town is 4 kilometres from the station. □ How far is it from here?
13 PREP If a road or railway line goes from one place to another, you can travel along it between the two places. □ …the road from St Petersburg to Tallinn.
14 PREP From is used, especially in the expression made from , to say what substance has been used to make something. □ …bread made from white flour. □ …a luxurious resort built from the island's native coral stone.
15 PREP You can use from when you are talking about the beginning of a period of time. □ Breakfast is available to fishermen from 6 a.m. □ From 1922 till 1925 she lived in Prague.
16 PREP You say from one thing to another when you are stating the range of things that are possible, or when saying that the range of things includes everything in a certain category. □ Over 150 companies will be there, covering everything from finance to fixtures and fittings.
17 PREP If something changes from one thing to another, it stops being the first thing and becomes the second thing. □ The expression on his face changed from sympathy to surprise. □ Unemployment has fallen from 7.5 to 7.2%.
18 PREP You use from after some verbs and nouns when mentioning the cause of something. □ The problem simply resulted from a difference of opinion. □ He is suffering from eye ulcers, brought on by the intense light in Australia. □ They really do get pleasure from spending money on other people. □ Most of the wreckage from the 1985 quake has been cleared.
19 PREP You use from when you are giving the reason for an opinion. □ She knew from experience that Dave was about to tell her the truth. □ He sensed from the expression on her face that she had something to say.
20 PREP From is used after verbs with meanings such as 'protect', 'free', 'keep', and 'prevent' to introduce the action that does not happen, or that someone does not want to happen. □ Such laws could protect the consumer from harmful or dangerous remedies. □ 300 tons of Peruvian mangoes were kept from entering France. USAGE from
1
Don’t use ‘from’ to say that something started to happen at a particular time in the past and is still happening now. Don’t say, for example, ‘
I have lived here from 1984
’. Say ‘I have lived here since
1984’. □
He has been a teacher since
1998.
2
Don’t use ‘from’ to say who wrote a book, play, or piece of music. Don’t say, for example, ‘
Have you seen any plays from Ibsen
?’ You say ‘Have you seen any plays by
Ibsen?’ □
We listened to some pieces by
Mozart.
fro|mage frais /frɒmɑːʒ fre I / (fromage frais ) N‑VAR Fromage frais is a thick, creamy dessert that is made from milk and often flavoured with fruit. A fromage frais is a small pot of fromage frais.
frond /frɒ nd/ (fronds ) N‑COUNT A frond is a long leaf which has an edge divided into lots of thin parts. □ …palm fronds.
front ◆◆◆ /frʌ nt/ (fronts , fronting , fronted )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The front of something is the part of it that faces you, or that faces forward, or that you normally see or use. □ [+ of ] One man sat in an armchair, and the other sat on the front of the desk. □ Stand at the front of the line. □ Her cotton dress had ripped down the front.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The front of a building is the side or part of it that faces the street. □ [+ of ] Attached to the front of the house, there was a large veranda.
3 N‑SING A person's or animal's front is the part of their body between their head and their legs that is on the opposite side to their back. □ If you lie your baby on his front, he'll lift his head and chest up.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Front is used to refer to the side or part of something that is towards the front or nearest to the front. □ I went out there on the front porch. □ She was only six and still missing her front teeth. □ Children may be tempted to climb into the front seat while the car is in motion.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] The front page of a newspaper is the outside of the first page, where the main news stories are printed. □ The Guardian's front page carries a photograph of the two foreign ministers. □ The story made the front page of most of the newspapers.
6 → see also front-page
7 N‑SING The front is a road next to the sea in a seaside town. [BRIT ] □ Amy went out for a last walk along the sea front.
8 N‑COUNT In a war, the front is a line where two opposing armies are facing each other. □ Sonja's husband is fighting at the front.
9 → see also front line
10 N‑COUNT If you say that something is happening on a particular front , you mean that it is happening with regard to a particular situation or field of activity. □ We're moving forward on a variety of fronts.
11 N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] If someone puts on a particular kind of front , they pretend to have a particular quality. □ Michael kept up a brave front both to the world and in his home.
12 N‑COUNT An organization or activity that is a front for one that is illegal or secret is used to hide it. □ [+ for ] …a firm later identified by the police as a front for crime syndicates.
13 N‑COUNT In relation to the weather, a front is a line where a mass of cold air meets a mass of warm air. □ A very active cold front brought dramatic weather changes to Kansas on Wednesday.
14 VERB A building or an area of land that fronts a particular place or fronts onto it is next to it and faces it. □ [V n] …real estate, which includes undeveloped land fronting the city convention center. □ [V + onto ] There are some delightful Victorian houses fronting onto the pavement. □ [V -ed] …quaint cottages fronted by lawns and flowerbeds.
15 VERB The person who fronts an organization is the most senior person in it. [BRIT ] □ [V n] He fronted a formidable band of fighters. □ [V -ed] The public relations operation has been fronted by Mr Hayward. in AM, use head
16 PHRASE If a person or thing is in front , they are ahead of others in a moving group, or further forward than someone or something else. □ Officers will crack down on lunatic motorists who speed or drive too close to the car in front. □ 'What's with this guy?' demanded an American voice in the row in front.
17 PHRASE Someone who is in front in a competition or contest at a particular point is winning at that point. □ That Campbell was in front at halfway was astounding, given his battle with injury. □ Some preliminary polls show him out in front.
18 PHRASE If someone or something is in front of a particular thing, they are facing it, ahead of it, or close to the front part of it. □ She sat down in front of her dressing-table mirror to look at herself. □ Something darted out in front of my car, and my car hit it. □ A police car was parked in front of the house.
19 PHRASE If you do or say something in front of someone else, you do or say it when they are present. □ They never argued in front of their children. □ He has been brought up not to swear in front of women.
20 PHRASE On the home front or on the domestic front means with regard to your own country rather than foreign countries. [JOURNALISM ] □ Its present economic ills on the home front are largely the result of overspending. □ On the domestic front, the president got his way with his budget proposals.
front|age /frʌ nt I dʒ/ (frontages ) N‑COUNT A frontage of a building is a wall which faces a public place such as a street or a river. □ The restaurant has a river frontage.
front|al /frʌ nt ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Frontal means relating to or involving the front of something, for example the front of an army, a vehicle, or the brain. [FORMAL ] □ Military leaders are not expecting a frontal assault by the rebels. □ He pioneered the surgical technique called frontal lobotomy.
2 → see also full-frontal
fro nt be nch (front benches ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] In Britain, the front bench or people who sit on the front bench are members of Parliament who are ministers in the Government or who hold official positions in an opposition party. □ Some of the Government front bench still believe our relationship with the U.S. is paramount.
front|bencher /frʌ ntbe ntʃə r / (frontbenchers ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a frontbencher is a member of Parliament who is a minister in the Government or who holds an official position in an opposition party.
fro nt burn|er N‑SING [usu on the N ] If an issue is on the front burner , it receives a lot of attention because it is considered to be more urgent or important than other issues. □ It helps to put an important issue back on the front burner.
fro nt doo r (front doors ) N‑COUNT The front door of a house or other building is the main door, which is usually in the wall that faces a street.
fron|tier /frʌ nt I ə r , -t I ə r / (frontiers )
1 N‑COUNT A frontier is a border between two countries. [BRIT ] □ It wasn't difficult then to cross the frontier. in AM, usually use border 2 N‑COUNT When you are talking about the western part of America before the twentieth century, you use frontier to refer to the area beyond the part settled by Europeans. □ …a far-flung outpost on the frontier.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl, adj N ] The frontiers of something, especially knowledge, are the limits to which it extends. □ [+ of ] …pushing back the frontiers of science. □ …technological frontiers.
fron|tis|piece /frʌ nt I spiːs/ (frontispieces ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The frontispiece of a book is a picture at the beginning, opposite the page with the title on.
fro nt li ne (front lines ) also front-line
1 N‑COUNT The front line is the place where two opposing armies are facing each other and where fighting is going on. □ …a massive concentration of soldiers on the front line.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A front line state shares a border with a country that it is at war with or is in conflict with. □ …the front-line states bordering South Africa.
3 PHRASE Someone who is in the front line has to play a very important part in defending or achieving something. □ Information officers are in the front line of putting across government policies.
fro nt man (front men ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a front man for a group or organization, you mean that their role is to represent and give a good impression of it to the public, especially when it is not very respectable or popular. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He is the company's front man in Washington. [Also + for ]
fro nt-pa ge ADJ [ADJ n] A front-page article or picture appears on the front page of a newspaper because it is very important or interesting. □ …a front-page article in last week's paper.
fro nt-ru nner (front-runners ) N‑COUNT In a competition or contest, the front-runner is the person who seems most likely to win it. □ Neither of the front-runners in the presidential election is a mainstream politician.
frost /frɒ st, [AM ] frɔː st/ (frosts ) N‑VAR When there is frost or a frost , the temperature outside falls below freezing point and the ground becomes covered in ice crystals. □ There is frost on the ground and snow is forecast. □ The wind had veered to north, bringing clear skies and a keen frost.
frost|bite /frɒ stba I t, [AM ] frɔː st-/ N‑UNCOUNT Frostbite is a condition in which parts of your body, such as your fingers or toes, become seriously damaged as a result of being very cold. □ The survivors suffered from frostbite.
frost|bitten /frɒ stb I t ə n, [AM ] frɔː st-/ ADJ If a person or a part of their body is frostbitten , they are suffering from frostbite.
frost|ed /frɒ st I d, [AM ] frɔː st-/
1 ADJ Frosted glass is glass that you cannot see through clearly. □ The top half of the door to his office was of frosted glass.
2 ADJ Frosted means covered with frost. □ …the frosted trees.
3 ADJ Frosted means covered with something that looks like frost. □ …frosted blue eye shadow.
4 ADJ Frosted means covered with icing. [AM ] □ …a plate of frosted cupcakes. in BRIT, usually use iced
frost|ing /frɒ st I ŋ, [AM ] frɔː st-/ N‑UNCOUNT Frosting is a sweet substance made from powdered sugar that is used to cover and decorate cakes. [AM ] □ …a huge pastry with green frosting on it. in BRIT, usually use icing
frosty /frɒ sti, [AM ] frɔː sti/ (frostier , frostiest )
1 ADJ If the weather is frosty , the temperature is below freezing. □ …sharp, frosty nights.
2 ADJ You describe the ground or an object as frosty when it is covered with frost. □ The street was deserted except for a cat lifting its paws off the frosty stones.
froth /frɒ θ, [AM ] frɔː θ/ (froths , frothing , frothed )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Froth is a mass of small bubbles on the surface of a liquid. □ …the froth of bubbles on the top of a glass of beer. □ The froth is blown away.
2 VERB If a liquid froths , small bubbles appear on its surface. □ [V prep] The sea froths over my feet. □ [V ] Add a little of the warmed milk and allow to froth a little.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to an activity or object as froth , you disapprove of it because it appears exciting or attractive, but has very little real value or importance. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ No substance at all, just froth.
frothy /frɒ θi, [AM ] frɔː θi/ (frothier , frothiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] A frothy liquid has lots of bubbles on its surface. □ …frothy milk shakes.
frown /fraʊ n/ (frowns , frowning , frowned ) VERB When someone frowns , their eyebrows become drawn together, because they are annoyed, worried, or puzzled, or because they are concentrating. □ [V ] Nancy shook her head, frowning. □ [V + at ] He frowned at her anxiously. □ [V -ing] …a frowning man. ● N‑COUNT Frown is also a noun. □ There was a deep frown on the boy's face.
▸ frown upon or frown on PHRASAL VERB If something is frowned upon or is frowned on people disapprove of it. □ [be V -ed P ] This practice is frowned upon as being wasteful. □ [V P n] Many teachers frown on such practices.
froze /froʊ z/ Froze is the past tense of freeze .
fro|zen /froʊ z ə n/
1 Frozen is the past participle of freeze .
2 ADJ If the ground is frozen it has become very hard because the weather is very cold. □ It was bitterly cold now and the ground was frozen hard. □ …the frozen bleakness of the Far North.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Frozen food has been preserved by being kept at a very low temperature. □ …frozen desserts like ice cream.
4 ADJ If you say that you are frozen , or a part of your body is frozen , you are emphasizing that you feel very cold. [EMPHASIS ] □ He put one hand up to his frozen face. ● PHRASE Frozen stiff means the same as frozen . □ It was cold and damp; he pulled up his collar and was aware of being frozen stiff.
fruc|tose /frʊ ktoʊz/ N‑UNCOUNT Fructose is a sweet substance which occurs naturally in fruit and vegetables. It is sometimes used to make food sweeter.
fru|gal /fruː g ə l/
1 ADJ People who are frugal or who live frugal lives do not eat much or spend much money on themselves. □ She lives a frugal life. ● fru|gal|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ We must practise the strictest frugality and economy. ● fru|gal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ We lived fairly frugally. □ He frugally saved various bits of the machine in carefully marked boxes.
2 ADJ A frugal meal is small and not expensive. □ The diet was frugal: cheese and water, rice and beans.
fruit ◆◆◇ /fruː t/ (fruit or fruits , fruits , fruiting , fruited )
1 N‑VAR Fruit or a fruit is something which grows on a tree or bush and which contains seeds or a stone covered by a substance that you can eat. □ Fresh fruit and vegetables provide fibre and vitamins. □ …bananas and other tropical fruits. □ Try to eat at least one piece of fruit a day.
2 VERB If a plant fruits , it produces fruit. □ [V ] The scientists will study the variety of trees and observe which are fruiting.
3 N‑COUNT The fruits or the fruit of someone's work or activity are the good things that result from it. □ [+ of ] The team have really worked hard and are enjoying the fruits of that labour. □ The findings are the fruit of more than three years' research.
4 → see also dried fruit , forbidden fruit , kiwi fruit , passion fruit
5 PHRASE If the effort that you put into something or a particular way of doing something bears fruit , it is successful and produces good results. □ He was naturally disappointed when the talks failed to bear fruit.
6 PHRASE The first fruits or the first fruit of a project or activity are its earliest results or profits. □ [+ of ] This project is one of the first fruits of commercial co-operation between the two countries. USAGE fruit
Don’t use ‘fruits’ to talk about several oranges, bananas, etc. Use some fruit
. For example, don’t say ‘
I’m going to the market to buy some fruits
’ Say ‘I’m going to the market to buy some fruit
’. □
…a table with some fruit
on it.
frui t bowl (fruit bowls ) N‑COUNT A fruit bowl is a large bowl in which fruit is kept and displayed.
fruit|cake /fruː tke I k/ (fruitcakes ) also fruit cake
1 N‑VAR A fruitcake is a cake that contains raisins, currants, and other dried fruit.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a fruitcake , you mean that they are mad or that their behaviour is very strange. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
frui t co ck|tail (fruit cocktails ) N‑VAR Fruit cocktail is a mixture of pieces of different kinds of fruit eaten as part of a meal.
frui t fly (fruit flies ) N‑COUNT Fruit flies are very small flies which eat fruit and rotting plants.
fruit|ful /fruː tfʊl/
1 ADJ Something that is fruitful produces good and useful results. □ We had a long, happy, fruitful relationship. □ The talks had been fruitful, but much remained to be done. ● fruit|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …taking their skills where they can be applied most fruitfully.
2 ADJ Fruitful land or trees produce a lot of crops. □ …a landscape that was fruitful and lush.
frui|tion /fru I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu to N ] If something comes to fruition , it starts to succeed and produce the results that were intended or hoped for. [FORMAL ] □ These plans take time to come to fruition.
fruit|less /fruː tləs/ ADJ Fruitless actions, events, or efforts do not achieve anything at all. □ It was a fruitless search. □ Talks have so far have been fruitless.
frui t ma|chine (fruit machines ) N‑COUNT A fruit machine is a machine used for gambling. You put money into it and if a particular combination of symbols, especially fruit, appears, you win money. [BRIT ] in AM, use slot machine
frui t sa l|ad (fruit salads ) N‑VAR Fruit salad is a mixture of pieces of different kinds of fruit. It is usually eaten as a dessert.
fruity /fruː ti/ (fruitier , fruitiest )
1 ADJ Something that is fruity smells or tastes of fruit. □ This shampoo smells fruity and leaves the hair beautifully silky. □ …a lovely rich fruity wine.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A fruity voice or laugh is pleasantly rich and deep. □ Jerrold laughed again, a solid, fruity laugh.
frumpy /frʌ mpi/ ADJ If you describe a woman or her clothes as frumpy , you mean that her clothes are dull and not fashionable. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I looked so frumpy next to these women.
frus|trate ◆◇◇ /frʌstre I t, [AM ] frʌ stre I t/ (frustrates , frustrating , frustrated )
1 VERB If something frustrates you, it upsets or angers you because you are unable to do anything about the problems it creates. □ [V n] These questions frustrated me. □ [V n] Doesn't it frustrate you that audiences in the theatre are so restricted? ● frus|trat|ed ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ Roberta felt frustrated and angry. □ [+ with ] …voters who are frustrated with the council. ● frus|tra|tion /frʌstre I ʃ ə n/ (frustrations ) N‑VAR □ The results show the level of frustration among hospital doctors. □ [+ of ] …a man fed up with the frustrations of everyday life.
2 VERB If someone or something frustrates a plan or attempt to do something, they prevent it from succeeding. □ [V n] The government has frustrated his efforts to gain work permits for his foreign staff. □ [V -ed] …her frustrated attempt to become governor.
frus|trat|ing /frʌstre I t I ŋ/ ADJ Something that is frustrating annoys you or makes you angry because you cannot do anything about the problems it causes. □ [+ for ] The current situation is very frustrating for us. □ …It is a frustrating and difficult time for Pat. ● frus|trat|ing|ly ADV □ Poverty and unemployment are frustratingly hard to tackle.
fry ◆◇◇ /fra I / (fries , frying , fried )
1 VERB When you fry food, you cook it in a pan that contains hot fat or oil. □ [V n] Fry the breadcrumbs until golden brown. □ [V -ed] …fried rice.
2 N‑PLURAL Fry are very small, young fish.
3 N‑PLURAL Fries are the same as French fries .
4 → see also small fry
fry|er /fra I ə r / (fryers ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A fryer is a type of deep pan which you can use to fry food in hot oil.
fry |ing pan (frying pans ) N‑COUNT A frying pan is a flat metal pan with a long handle, in which you fry food.
fry -up (fry-ups ) N‑COUNT A fry-up is a meal consisting of a mixture of foods such as sausages, bacon, and eggs that have been fried. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
ft ft is a written abbreviation for feet or foot . □ Flying at 1,000 ft, he heard a peculiar noise from the rotors. □ …an area of 2,750 sq ft.
fuch|sia /fjuː ʃə/ (fuchsias ) N‑VAR A fuchsia is a plant or a small bush which has pink, purple, or white flowers. The flowers hang downwards, with their outer petals curved backwards.
fuck /fʌ k/ (fucks , fucking , fucked ) Fuck is a rude and offensive word which you should avoid using. 1 EXCLAM Fuck is used to express anger or annoyance. [VERY RUDE , FEELINGS ]
2 VERB To fuck someone means to have sex with them. [VERY RUDE ] ● N‑COUNT Fuck is also a noun.
3 PHRASE Fuck all is used to mean 'nothing at all'. [VERY RUDE , EMPHASIS ]
▸ fuck off PHRASAL VERB [usu imper] Telling someone to fuck off is an insulting way of telling them to go away. [VERY RUDE ]
▸ fuck up PHRASAL VERB If you fuck something up , you make a mistake or do something badly. [VERY RUDE ]
fuck|er /fʌ kə r / (fuckers ) N‑COUNT If someone calls a person a fucker , they are insulting them. [VERY OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]
fuck|ing /fʌ k I ŋ/ ADJ Fucking is used by some people to emphasize a word or phrase, especially when they are feeling angry or annoyed. [VERY RUDE , EMPHASIS ]
fud|dled /fʌ d ə ld/ ADJ Someone who is fuddled cannot think clearly, for example because they are very tired or slightly drunk. □ [+ by ] Fuddled by brandy, her brain fumbled over the events of the night.
fuddy-duddy /fʌ di dʌdi/ (fuddy-duddies ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a fuddy-duddy , you are criticizing or making fun of them because they are old-fashioned in their appearance or attitudes. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He didn't want all those old fuddy-duddies around.
fudge /fʌ dʒ/ (fudges , fudging , fudged )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Fudge is a soft brown sweet that is made from butter, cream, and sugar.
2 VERB If you fudge something, you avoid making a clear and definite decision, distinction, or statement about it. □ [V n] Both have fudged their calculations and avoided specifics.
fuel ◆◆◇ /fjuː əl/ (fuels , fuelling , fuelled ) in AM, use fueling , fueled 1 N‑VAR Fuel is a substance such as coal, oil, or petrol that is burned to provide heat or power. □ They ran out of fuel. □ …industrial research into cleaner fuels.
2 VERB To fuel a situation means to make it become worse or more intense. □ [V n] The result will inevitably fuel speculation about the Prime Minister's future. □ [be V -ed] The economic boom was fueled by easy credit.
3 PHRASE If something adds fuel to a conflict or debate, or adds fuel to the fire , it makes the conflict or debate more intense. □ His comments are bound to add fuel to the debate. □ The decision to raise tariffs on imports will only add fuel to the fire.
fuel in|je c|tion N‑UNCOUNT Fuel injection is a system in the engines of some vehicles which forces fuel directly into the part of the engine where it is burned.
fuelled /fjuː əld/ in AM, use fueled ADJ A machine or vehicle that is fuelled by a particular substance works by burning that substance. □ [+ by ] It is less polluting than power stations fuelled by oil, coal and gas.
fu el rod (fuel rods ) N‑COUNT Fuel rods are metal tubes containing nuclear fuel. They are used in some nuclear reactors.
fug /fʌ g/ N‑SING People refer to the atmosphere somewhere as a fug when it is smoky and smelly and there is no fresh air. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] …the fug of cigarette smoke.
fu|gi|tive /fjuː dʒ I t I v/ (fugitives ) N‑COUNT A fugitive is someone who is running away or hiding, usually in order to avoid being caught by the police. □ …the fugitive train robber.
fugue /fjuː g/ (fugues ) N‑COUNT A fugue is a piece of music that begins with a simple tune which is then repeated by other voices or instrumental parts with small variations. [TECHNICAL ]
SUFFIX -ful
forms nouns that refer to the amount of a substance that something contains or can contain. For example, a handful of sand is the amount of sand that you can hold in your hand.
ful|crum /fʊ lkrəm/ N‑SING If you say that someone or something is the fulcrum of an activity or situation, you mean that they have a very important effect on what happens. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The decision is the strategic fulcrum of the Budget.
ful|fil ◆◇◇ /fʊlf I l/ (fulfils or fulfills , fulfilling , fulfilled ) also fulfill
1 VERB If you fulfil something such as a promise, dream, or hope, you do what you said or hoped you would do. □ [V n] The president fulfilled his promise of announcing a date for the referendum.
2 VERB To fulfil a task, role, or requirement means to do or be what is required, necessary, or expected. □ [V n] Without them you will not be able to fulfil the tasks you have before you. □ [be V -ed] All the necessary conditions were fulfilled.
3 VERB If something fulfils you, or if you fulfil yourself , you feel happy and satisfied with what you are doing or with what you have achieved. □ [V n] The war was the biggest thing in her life and nothing after that quite fulfilled her. □ [V pron-refl] They don't like the idea that women can fulfil themselves without the assistance of a man. ● ful|filled ADJ □ I feel more fulfilled doing this than I've ever done. ● ful|fil|ling ADJ □ …a fulfilling career. □ I found it all very fulfilling. SYNONYMS fulfil VERB
1
carry out: Commitments have been made with very little intention of carrying them out.
perform: We're looking for people who have performed outstanding acts of bravery.
execute: We are going to execute our campaign plan to the letter.
2
comply with: The commander said that the army would comply with the ceasefire.
meet: Only a third of the candidates met the entry requirements.
satisfy: The procedures should satisfy certain basic requirements.
ful|fil|ment /fʊlf I lmənt/ also fulfillment
1 N‑UNCOUNT Fulfilment is a feeling of satisfaction that you get from doing or achieving something, especially something useful. □ …professional fulfilment.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The fulfilment of a promise, threat, request, hope, or duty is the event or act of it happening or being made to happen. □ [+ of ] Visiting Angkor was the fulfilment of a childhood dream.
full ◆◆◆ /fʊ l/ (fuller , fullest )
1 ADJ If something is full , it contains as much of a substance or as many objects as it can. □ Once the container is full, it stays shut until you turn it clockwise. □ …a full tank of petrol.
2 ADJ If a place or thing is full of things or people, it contains a large number of them. □ [+ of ] The case was full of clothes. □ [+ of ] The streets are still full of debris from two nights of rioting. □ [+ of ] …a useful recipe leaflet full of ideas for using the new cream.
3 ADJ If someone or something is full of a particular feeling or quality, they have a lot of it. □ [+ of ] I feel full of confidence and so open to possibilities. □ [+ of ] Mom's face was full of pain. □ [+ of ] …an exquisite mousse, incredibly rich and full of flavour.
4 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] You say that a place or vehicle is full when there is no space left in it for any more people or things. □ The main car park was full when I left about 10.45. □ They stay here a few hours before being sent to refugee camps, which are now almost full. □ The bus was completely full, and lots of people were standing.
5 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If your hands or arms are full , you are carrying or holding as much as you can carry. □ [+ of ] Sylvia entered, her arms full of packages. □ People would go into the store and come out with their arms full.
6 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you feel full , you have eaten or drunk so much that you do not want anything else. □ It's healthy to eat when I'm hungry and to stop when I'm full. ● full|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ High fibre diets give the feeling of fullness.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] You use full before a noun to indicate that you are referring to all the details, things, or people that it can possibly include. □ Full details will be sent to you once your application has been accepted. □ May I have your full name?
8 ADJ [ADJ n] Full is used to describe a sound, light, or physical force which is being produced with the greatest possible power or intensity. □ From his study came the sound of Mahler, playing at full volume. □ Then abruptly he revved the engine to full power. ● ADV [ADV adv] Full is also an adverb. □ …a two-seater Lotus, parked with its headlamps full on.
9 ADJ [ADJ n] You use full to emphasize the completeness, intensity, or extent of something. [EMPHASIS ] □ We should conserve oil and gas by making full use of other energy sources. □ Television cameras are carrying the full horror of this war into homes around the world. □ The lane leading to the farm was in full view of the house windows.
10 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A full statement or report contains a lot of information and detail. □ He gave a full account of his meeting with the President. □ …the enormous detail in this very full document.
11 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has or leads a full life, you approve of the fact that they are always busy and do a lot of different things. [APPROVAL ] □ You will be successful in whatever you do and you will have a very full and interesting life.
12 ADV You use full to emphasize the force or directness with which someone or something is hit or looked at. [EMPHASIS ] □ She kissed him full on the mouth.
13 ADJ [ADJ n] You use full to refer to something which gives you all the rights, status, or importance for a particular position or activity, rather than just some of them. □ How did the meeting go, did you get your full membership?
14 ADJ [ADJ n] A full flavour is strong and rich. □ Italian plum tomatoes have a full flavour, and are best for cooking.
15 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a part of someone's body as full , you mean that it is rounded and rather large. □ The Juno Collection specialises in large sizes for ladies with a fuller figure. □ …his strong chin, his full lips, his appealing mustache.
16 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A full skirt or sleeve is wide and has been made from a lot of fabric. □ My wedding dress has a very full skirt. ● full|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The coat has raglan sleeves, and is cut to give fullness at the back.
17 ADJ [usu ADJ n] When there is a full moon, the moon appears as a bright, complete circle.
18 PHRASE You say that something has been done or described in full when everything that was necessary has been done or described. □ The medical experts have yet to report in full.
19 PHRASE If you say that a person knows full well that something is true, especially something unpleasant, you are emphasizing that they are definitely aware of it, although they may behave as if they are not. [EMPHASIS ] □ He knew full well he'd be ashamed of himself later.
20 PHRASE Something that is done or experienced to the full is done to as great an extent as is possible. □ She probably has a good mind, which should be used to the full.
21 to be full of beans → see bean
22 full blast → see blast
23 to come full circle → see circle
24 to have your hands full → see hand ➊
25 in full swing → see swing
fu ll-back (full-backs ) also fullback N‑COUNT In rugby or football, a full-back is a defending player whose position is towards the goal which their team is defending.
fu ll-bloo ded ADJ [ADJ n] Full-blooded behaviour and actions are carried out with great commitment and enthusiasm. □ Experts are agreed that full-blooded market reform is the only way to save the economy.
fu ll-blo wn ADJ [ADJ n] Full-blown means having all the characteristics of a particular type of thing or person. □ Before becoming a full-blown director, he worked as the film editor on Citizen Kane.
fu ll boa rd also full-board N‑UNCOUNT If the price at a hotel includes full board , it includes all your meals. [mainly BRIT ]
fu ll dre ss N‑UNCOUNT Someone who is in full dress is wearing all the clothes needed for a ceremony or formal occasion.
fu ll-fla voured in AM, use full-flavored ADJ Full-flavoured food or wine has a pleasant fairly strong taste.
fu ll-fle dged ADJ Full-fledged means the same as fully fledged .
fu ll-fro ntal also full frontal
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If there is full-frontal nudity in a photograph or film, you can see the whole of the front part of someone's naked body, including the genitals. □ Why is full-frontal male nudity still so scarce in films?
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you use full-frontal to describe someone's criticism or way of dealing with something, you are emphasizing that it is very strong and direct. [EMPHASIS ] □ …a full-frontal attack on the opposition leader.
fu ll-gro wn ADJ An animal or plant that is full-grown has reached its full adult size and stopped growing. □ …a full-grown male orang-utan.
fu ll hou se (full houses ) N‑COUNT If a theatre has a full house for a particular performance, it has as large an audience as it can hold. □ …playing to a full house.
fu ll-le ngth
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A full-length book, record, or film is the normal length, rather than being shorter than normal. □ …his first full-length recording in well over a decade.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A full-length coat or skirt is long enough to reach the lower part of a person's leg, almost to the ankles. A full-length sleeve reaches a person's wrist.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Full-length curtains or other furnishings reach to the floor.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] A full-length mirror or painting shows the whole of a person.
5 ADV [ADV after v] Someone who is lying full-length , is lying down flat and stretched out. □ She stretched herself out full-length.
fu ll marks N‑PLURAL If you get full marks in a test or exam, you get everything right and gain the maximum number of marks. [BRIT ] □ Most people in fact got full marks in one question and zero in the other. in AM, use a perfect score
full monty /fʊ l mɒ nti/ N‑SING You use the full monty to describe something that impresses you because it includes everything that you could possibly expect it to include. [BRIT , INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ There was everything from simple piano to a full orchestral finish. The full monty.
full|ness /fʊ lnəs/
1 → see full
2 PHRASE If you say that something will happen in the fullness of time , you mean that it will eventually happen after a long time or after a long series of events. [WRITTEN ] □ …a mystery that will be revealed in the fullness of time.
fu ll-o n ADJ Full-on is used to describe things or activities that have all the characteristics of their type, or are done in the strongest or most extreme way possible. [INFORMAL ] □ What they were really good at was full-on rock'n'roll.
fu ll-pa ge ADJ [ADJ n] A full-page advertisement, picture, or article in a newspaper or magazine uses a whole page.
fu ll-sca le
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Full-scale means as complete, intense, or great in extent as possible. □ …the possibility of a full-scale nuclear war.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A full-scale drawing or model is the same size as the thing that it represents. □ …working, full-scale prototypes.
fu ll-si ze or full-sized ADJ [ADJ n] A full-size or full-sized model or picture is the same size as the thing or person that it represents. □ I made a full-size cardboard model.
fu ll sto p (full stops ) N‑COUNT A full stop is the punctuation mark . which you use at the end of a sentence when it is not a question or exclamation. [BRIT ] in AM, use period
full-stre ngth → see strength
fu ll-throa ted ADJ [ADJ n] A full-throated sound coming from someone's mouth, such as a shout or a laugh, is very loud. □ …full-throated singing.
fu ll-ti me also full time
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Full-time work or study involves working or studying for the whole of each normal working week rather than for part of it. □ …a full-time job. □ …full-time staff. ● ADV [ADV after v] Full-time is also an adverb. □ Deirdre works full-time.
2 N‑UNCOUNT In games such as football, full-time is the end of a match. [BRIT ] □ The score at full-time was 1-1.
fu ll-ti mer (full-timers ) N‑COUNT A full-timer is someone who works full-time. □ The company employs six full-timers and one part-time worker.
fu ll u p also full-up
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Something that is full up has no space left for any more people or things. □ The prisons are all full up.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are full up you have eaten or drunk so much that you do not want to eat or drink anything else. [INFORMAL ]
ful|ly ◆◆◇ /fʊ li/
1 ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] Fully means to the greatest degree or extent possible. □ She was fully aware of my thoughts. □ I don't fully agree with that.
2 ADV [ADV with v] You use fully to say that a process is completely finished. □ He had still not fully recovered.
3 ADV [ADV with v] If you describe, answer, or deal with something fully , you leave out nothing that should be mentioned or dealt with. □ Major elements of these debates are discussed more fully later in this book.
4 ADV Fully is used to emphasize how great an amount is. [WRITTEN , EMPHASIS ] □ Fully 30% of the poor could not even afford access to illegal shanties. SYNONYMS fully ADV 1
completely: Make sure that you defrost it completely.
entirely: Their price depended almost entirely on their scarcity.
wholly: The accusation is wholly without foundation.
utterly: Such an allegation is utterly without foundation.
totally: The fire totally destroyed the top floor.
fu l|ly fle dged also fully-fledged ADJ [ADJ n] Fully fledged means complete or fully developed. □ The students will become fully-fledged chartered accountants after five years.
ful|mi|nate /fʊ lm I ne I t, fʌ l-/ (fulminates , fulminating , fulminated ) VERB If you fulminate against someone or something, you criticize them angrily. [FORMAL ] □ [V + against/about ] They all fulminated against the new curriculum.
ful|some /fʊ lsəm/ ADJ If you describe expressions of praise, apology, or gratitude as fulsome , you disapprove of them because they are exaggerated and elaborate, so that they sound insincere. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Newspapers have been fulsome in their praise of the former president.
fum|ble /fʌ mb ə l/ (fumbles , fumbling , fumbled )
1 VERB If you fumble for something or fumble with something, you try and reach for it or hold it in a clumsy way. □ [V + for/with ] She crept from the bed and fumbled for her dressing gown. [Also V + in ]
2 VERB When you are trying to say something, if you fumble for the right words, you speak in a clumsy and unclear way. □ [V + for ] I fumbled for something to say. □ [V n] He fumbled his lines, not knowing what he was going to say. [Also V ]
fume /fjuː m/ (fumes , fuming , fumed )
1 N‑PLURAL Fumes are the unpleasant and often unhealthy smoke and gases that are produced by fires or by things such as chemicals, fuel, or cooking. □ …car exhaust fumes.
2 VERB If you fume over something, you express annoyance and anger about it. □ [V + over/at/about ] He was still fuming over the remark. □ [V with quote] 'It's monstrous!' Jackie fumed.
fu|mi|gate /fjuː m I ge I t/ (fumigates , fumigating , fumigated ) VERB If you fumigate something, you get rid of germs or insects from it using special chemicals. □ [be V -ed] …fruit which has been treated with insecticide and fumigated. ● fu|mi|ga|tion /fjuː m I ge I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Methods of control involved poisoning and fumigation.
fun ◆◆◇ /fʌ n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT You refer to an activity or situation as fun if you think it is pleasant and enjoyable and it causes you to feel happy. □ It was such a success and we had so much fun doing it. □ It could be fun to watch them. □ You still have time to join in the fun.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone is fun , you mean that you enjoy being with them because they say and do interesting or amusing things. [APPROVAL ] □ Liz was wonderful fun to be with.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something as a fun thing, you mean that you think it is enjoyable. If you describe someone as a fun person, you mean that you enjoy being with them. [INFORMAL ] □ It was a fun evening. □ What a fun person he is!
4 PHRASE Someone who is a figure of fun is considered ridiculous, so that people laugh at them or make jokes about them.
5 PHRASE If you do something for fun or for the fun of it , you do it in order to enjoy yourself rather than because it is important or necessary. □ I took my M. A. just for fun really. □ He had just come for the fun of it.
6 PHRASE If you do something in fun , you do it as a joke or for amusement, without intending to cause any harm. □ Don't say such things, even in fun.
7 PHRASE If you make fun of someone or something or poke fun at them, you laugh at them, tease them, or make jokes about them in a way that causes them to seem ridiculous. □ Don't make fun of me. □ She poked fun at people's shortcomings. SYNONYMS fun NOUN 1
amusement: Steamers tooted at us as sailors on deck waved in amusement.
pleasure: He gets huge pleasure from ballet and contemporary dance.
enjoyment: …her enjoyment of the beauty of the countryside.
func|tion ◆◆◇ /fʌ ŋkʃ ə n/ (functions , functioning , functioned )
1 N‑COUNT The function of something or someone is the useful thing that they do or are intended to do. □ [+ of ] The main function of the merchant banks is to raise capital for industry.
2 VERB If a machine or system is functioning , it is working or operating. □ [V ] The authorities say the prison is now functioning normally.
3 VERB If someone or something functions as a particular thing, they do the work or fulfil the purpose of that thing. □ [V + as ] On weekdays, one third of the room functions as workspace.
4 N‑COUNT A function is a series of operations that a computer performs, for example when a single key or a combination of keys is pressed.
5 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that one thing is a function of another, you mean that its amount or nature depends on the other thing. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Investment is a function of the interest rate.
6 N‑COUNT A function is a large formal dinner or party. COLLOCATIONS function NOUN
1
noun + function : brain, kidney, liver, lung; memory
adjective + function : bodily, cognitive; basic, important, primary; administrative
verb + function : exercise, fulfil, perform, serve; affect, impair
6
noun + function : charity, gala
adjective + function : official, social
verb + function : attend; host, organize VERB 2
function + adverb : efficiently, normally, properly, smoothly SYNONYMS function NOUN 1
purpose: The purpose of the occasion was to raise money for medical supplies.
job: Their main job is to preserve health rather than treat illness.
role: …the drug's role in preventing more serious effects of infection. VERB 2
work: The pump doesn't work and we have no running water.
run: We told him to wait out front with the engine running.
operate: The number of these machines operating around the world has increased hugely.
func|tion|al /fʌ ŋkʃən ə l/
1 ADJ Functional things are useful rather than decorative. □ …modern, functional furniture. □ The decor is functional.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Functional means relating to the way in which something works or operates, or relating to how useful it is. □ …rules defining the territorial boundaries and functional limits of the local state.
3 ADJ Functional equipment works or operates in the way that it is supposed to. □ We have fully functional smoke alarms on all staircases.
func|tion|al|ism /fʌ ŋkʃənəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Functionalism is the idea that the most important aspect of something, especially the design of a building or piece of furniture, is how it is going to be used or its usefulness. [TECHNICAL ]
func|tion|al|ity /fʌ ŋkʃ ə næ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT The functionality of a computer or other machine is how useful it is or how many functions it can perform. □ It is significantly more compact than any comparable laptop, with no loss in functionality.
func|tion|ary /fʌ ŋkʃənəri, [AM ] -neri/ (functionaries ) N‑COUNT A functionary is a person whose job is to do administrative work, especially for a government or a political party. [FORMAL ]
fu nc|tion key (function keys ) N‑COUNT Function keys are the keys along the top of a computer keyboard, usually numbered from F1 to F12. Each key is designed to make a particular thing happen when you press it. [COMPUTING ] □ It's always worth consulting the manual to find out what the function keys do.
fund ◆◆◆ /fʌ nd/ (funds , funding , funded )
1 N‑PLURAL Funds are amounts of money that are available to be spent, especially money that is given to an organization or person for a particular purpose. □ The charity raises funds for research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. □ …government funds.
2 → see also fund-raising
3 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A fund is an amount of money that is collected or saved for a particular purpose. □ [+ for ] …a scholarship fund for undergraduate engineering students.
4 → see also trust fund
5 VERB When a person or organization funds something, they provide money for it. □ [be V -ed] The airport is being privately funded by a construction group. □ [V -ed] …a new privately funded scheme. ● -funded COMB □ …government-funded institutions.
6 N‑COUNT If you have a fund of something, you have a lot of it. □ [+ of ] He is possessed of an extraordinary fund of energy.
fun|da|men|tal ◆◇◇ /fʌ ndəme nt ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use fundamental to describe things, activities, and principles that are very important or essential. They affect the basic nature of other things or are the most important element upon which other things depend. □ Our constitution embodies all the fundamental principles of democracy. □ A fundamental human right is being withheld from these people.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use fundamental to describe something which exists at a deep and basic level, and is therefore likely to continue. □ But on this question, the two leaders have very fundamental differences.
3 ADJ If one thing is fundamental to another, it is absolutely necessary to it, and the second thing cannot exist, succeed, or be imagined without it. □ The method they pioneered remains fundamental to research into the behaviour of nerve cells.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use fundamental to show that you are referring to what you consider to be the most important aspect of a situation, and that you are not concerned with less important details. □ The fundamental problem lies in their inability to distinguish between reality and invention. SYNONYMS fundamental ADJ 1
central: …a central part of their culture.
key: Education is likely to be a key issue in the next election.
basic: Access to justice is a basic right.
essential: Jordan promised to trim the city budget without cutting essential services.
fun|da|men|tal|ism /fʌ ndəme ntəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Fundamentalism is the belief in the original form of a religion or theory, without accepting any later ideas. □ Religious fundamentalism was spreading in the region. ● fun|da|men|tal|ist (fundamentalists ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] □ He will try to satisfy both wings of the party, the fundamentalists and the realists. □ …fundamentalist Christians.
fun|da|men|tal|ly /fʌ ndəme ntəli/
1 ADV You use fundamentally for emphasis when you are stating an opinion, or when you are making an important or general statement about something. [EMPHASIS ] □ Fundamentally, women like him for his sensitivity and charming vulnerability. □ He can be very charming, but he is fundamentally a bully.
2 ADV [ADV with v] You use fundamentally to indicate that something affects or relates to the deep, basic nature of something. □ He disagreed fundamentally with the President's judgment. □ Environmentalists say the treaty is fundamentally flawed.
fun|da|men|tals /fʌndəme ntəlz/ N‑PLURAL The fundamentals of something are its simplest, most important elements, ideas, or principles, in contrast to more complicated or detailed ones. □ [+ of ] …teaching small children the fundamentals of road safety. □ They agree on fundamentals, like the need for further political reform.
fund|ing ◆◇◇ /fʌ nd I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Funding is money which a government or organization provides for a particular purpose. □ They hope for government funding for the scheme. □ Many colleges have seen their funding cut.
fund|rais|er /fʌ ndre I zə r / (fundraisers ) also fund-raiser
1 N‑COUNT A fundraiser is an event which is intended to raise money for a particular purpose, for example, for a charity. □ [+ for ] Organize a fundraiser for your church.
2 N‑COUNT A fundraiser is someone who works to raise money for a particular purpose, for example, for a charity. □ [+ for ] He was a keen fundraiser for the Party.
fu nd-raising also fundraising N‑UNCOUNT Fund-raising is the activity of collecting money to support a charity or political campaign or organization. □ Encourage her to get involved in fund-raising for charity.
fu|ner|al /fjuː nərəl/ (funerals ) N‑COUNT A funeral is the ceremony that is held when the body of someone who has died is buried or cremated. □ His funeral will be on Thursday at Blackburn Cathedral. □ He was given a state funeral.
fu |ner|al di|rec|tor (funeral directors ) N‑COUNT A funeral director is a person whose job is to arrange funerals.
fu |ner|al home (funeral homes ) N‑COUNT A funeral home is a place where a funeral director works and where dead people are prepared for burial or cremation.
fu |ner|al par|lour (funeral parlours ) N‑COUNT A funeral parlour is a place where a funeral director works and where dead people are prepared for burial or cremation. [BRIT ] in AM, use funeral home
fu|ner|ary /fjuː nərəri, [AM ] -reri/ ADJ [ADJ n] Funerary means relating to funerals, burials, or cremations. [FORMAL ] □ …funerary monuments.
fu|nereal /fjuːn I ə riəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A funereal tone, atmosphere, or colour is very sad and serious and would be suitable for a funeral. □ He addressed the group in funereal tones.
fun|fair /fʌ nfeə r / (funfairs ) N‑COUNT A funfair is an event held in a park or field at which people pay to ride on various machines for amusement or try to win prizes in games. The people who organize and operate it usually take it from one place to another. [BRIT ] in AM, use carnival
fun|gal /fʌ ŋg ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Fungal means caused by, consisting of, or relating to fungus. □ Athlete's foot is a fungal infection.
fun|gi /fʌ ŋgiː, fʌ ndʒa I / Fungi is the plural of fungus .
fun|gi|cide /fʌ ŋg I sa I d, fʌ ndʒ-/ (fungicides ) N‑VAR A fungicide is a chemical that can be used to kill fungus or to prevent it from growing.
fun|gus /fʌ ŋgəs/ (fungi ) N‑VAR A fungus is a plant that has no flowers, leaves, or green colouring, such as a mushroom or a toadstool. Other types of fungus such as mould are extremely small and look like a fine powder.
fu|nicu|lar /fjuːn I kjʊlə r / N‑SING A funicular or a funicular railway is a type of railway which goes up a very steep hill or mountain. A machine at the top of the slope pulls the carriage up the rails by a steel rope.
funk /fʌ ŋk/ N‑UNCOUNT Funk is a style of dance music based on jazz and blues, with a strong, repeated bass part. □ …a mixture of experimental jazz, soul and funk.
funky /fʌ ŋki/ (funkier , funkiest )
1 ADJ Funky jazz, blues, or pop music has a very strong, repeated bass part. □ It's a funky sort of rhythm.
2 ADJ If you describe something or someone as funky , you like them because they are unconventional or unusual. [mainly AM , INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ It had a certain funky charm, I guess, but it wasn't much of a place to raise a kid.
fun|nel /fʌ n ə l/ (funnels , funnelling , funnelled ) in AM, use funneling , funneled 1 N‑COUNT A funnel is an object with a wide, circular top and a narrow short tube at the bottom. Funnels are used to pour liquids into containers which have a small opening, for example bottles.
2 N‑COUNT A funnel is a metal chimney on a ship or railway engine powered by steam. □ …a merchantman with three masts and two funnels.
3 N‑COUNT You can describe as a funnel something that is narrow, or narrow at one end, through which a substance flows and is directed. □ These fires create convection funnels, and throw a lot of particles into the upper atmosphere.
4 VERB If something funnels somewhere or is funnelled there, it is directed through a narrow space. □ [V adv/prep] The winds came from the north, across the plains, funnelling down the valley. □ [be V -ed adv/prep] High tides in the North Sea were funnelled down into the English Channel by a storm.
5 VERB If you funnel money, goods, or information from one place or group to another, you cause it to be sent there as it becomes available. □ [V n prep/adv] The country announced new laws that it said would punish charities that funnelled money to extremists.
fun|ni|ly /fʌ n I li/ PHRASE You use funnily enough to indicate that, although something is surprising, it is true or really happened. □ Funnily enough I can remember what I had for lunch last Monday, but not what I had for breakfast today.
fun|ny ◆◇◇ /fʌ ni/ (funnier , funniest , funnies )
1 ADJ Someone or something that is funny is amusing and likely to make you smile or laugh. □ Wade was smart and not bad-looking, and he could be funny when he wanted to. □ I'll tell you a funny story.
2 ADJ If you describe something as funny , you think it is strange, surprising, or puzzling. □ Children get some very funny ideas sometimes! □ There's something funny about him. □ It's funny how love can come and go.
3 ADJ If you feel funny , you feel slightly ill. [INFORMAL ] □ My head had begun to ache and my stomach felt funny.
4 N‑PLURAL The funnies are humorous drawings or a series of humorous drawings in a newspaper or magazine. [AM , INFORMAL ]
fu n|ny bone (funny bones ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] Your funny bone is the soft part of your elbow which gives you an uncomfortable feeling on your skin if it is hit. [INFORMAL ]
funny|man /fʌ nimæn/ (funnymen ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A funnyman is a male comedian . [JOURNALISM ] □ The TV funnyman takes to the road with his biggest tour ever.
fu n run (fun runs ) N‑COUNT A fun run is a long distance race which anyone can take part in. Fun runs are often held to raise money for charity. [BRIT , AUSTRALIAN ]
fur /fɜː r / (furs )
1 N‑VAR Fur is the thick and usually soft hair that grows on the bodies of many mammals. □ This creature's fur is short, dense and silky.
2 N‑VAR [oft N n] Fur is the fur-covered skin of an animal that is used to make clothing or small carpets. □ She had on a black coat with a fur collar. □ …the trading of furs from Canada.
3 N‑COUNT A fur is a coat made from real or artificial fur, or a piece of fur worn round your neck. □ There were women in furs and men in comfortable overcoats.
4 N‑VAR Fur is an artificial fabric that looks like fur and is used, for example, to make clothing, soft toys, and seat covers.
fu|ri|ous /fjʊə riəs/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , ADJ that] Someone who is furious is extremely angry. □ [+ at/with ] He is furious at the way his wife has been treated. □ I am furious that it has taken so long to uncover what really happened. ● fu|ri|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door furiously behind him.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Furious is also used to describe something that is done with great energy, effort, speed, or violence. □ A furious gunbattle ensued. ● fu|ri|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Officials worked furiously to repair the centre court.
furl /fɜː r l/ (furls , furling , furled ) VERB When you furl something made of fabric such as an umbrella, sail, or flag, you roll or fold it up because it is not going to be used. □ [V n] An attempt was made to furl the headsail. □ [V -ed] …a furled umbrella.
fur|long /fɜː r lɒŋ, [AM ] -lɔːŋ/ (furlongs ) N‑COUNT A furlong is a unit of length that is equal to 220 yards or 201.2 metres.
fur|lough /fɜː r loʊ/ (furloughs , furloughing , furloughed )
1 N‑VAR If workers are given furlough , they are told to stay away from work for a certain period because there is not enough for them to do. [AM ] □ This could mean a massive furlough of government workers.
2 VERB If people who work for a particular organization are furloughed , they are given a furlough. [AM ] □ [be V -ed] We regret to inform you that you are being furloughed indefinitely. □ [V n] The factories have begun furloughing hundreds of workers.
3 N‑VAR When soldiers are given furlough , they are given official permission to leave the area where they are based or are fighting, for a certain period. [AM ] □ I was at home on furlough. in BRIT, use leave
fur|nace /fɜː r n I s/ (furnaces ) N‑COUNT A furnace is a container or enclosed space in which a very hot fire is made, for example to melt metal, burn rubbish, or produce steam.
fur|nish /fɜː r n I ʃ/ (furnishes , furnishing , furnished )
1 VERB If you furnish a room or building, you put furniture and furnishings into it. □ [V n + with ] Many proprietors try to furnish their hotels with antiques. [Also V n]
2 VERB If you furnish someone with something, you provide or supply it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + with ] They'll be able to furnish you with the rest of the details.
fur|nished /fɜː r n I ʃt/
1 ADJ A furnished room or house is available to be rented together with the furniture in it.
2 ADJ [adv ADJ ] When you say that a room or house is furnished in a particular way, you are describing the kind or amount of furniture that it has in it. □ We took tea by lamplight in his sparsely furnished house.
fur|nish|ings /fɜː r n I ʃ I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL The furnishings of a room or house are the furniture, curtains, carpets, and decorations such as pictures.
fur|ni|ture ◆◇◇ /fɜː r n I tʃə r / N‑UNCOUNT Furniture consists of large objects such as tables, chairs, or beds that are used in a room for sitting or lying on or for putting things on or in. □ Each piece of furniture in their home suited the style of the house.
fu|ro|re /fjʊrɔː ri, fjʊə rɔː r / in AM, use furor N‑SING [oft adj N ] A furore is a very angry or excited reaction by people to something. □ The disclosure has already caused a furore among MPs. [Also + over ]
fur|ri|er /fʌ riə r , [AM ] fɜː r-/ (furriers ) N‑COUNT A furrier is a person who makes or sells clothes made from fur.
fur|row /fʌ roʊ, [AM ] fɜː r-/ (furrows , furrowing , furrowed )
1 N‑COUNT A furrow is a long, thin line in the earth which a farmer makes in order to plant seeds or to allow water to flow along.
2 N‑COUNT A furrow is a deep, fairly wide line in the surface of something. □ Dirt bike trails crisscrossed the grassy furrows.
3 N‑COUNT A furrow is a deep fold or line in the skin of someone's face. □ …the deep furrows that marked the corners of his mouth.
4 VERB If someone furrows their brow or forehead or if it furrows , deep folds appear in it because the person is annoyed, unhappy, or confused. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n] My bank manager furrowed his brow, fingered his calculator and finally pronounced 'Aha!'. □ [V ] Midge's forehead furrowed as she saw that several were drinking. □ [V -ed] Fatigue and stress quickly result in a dull complexion and a furrowed brow.
5 PHRASE If you say that someone ploughs a particular furrow or ploughs their own furrow , you mean that their activities or interests are different or isolated from those of other people. [BRIT ] □ The government is more than adept at ploughing its own diplomatic furrow.
fur|ry /fɜː ri/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A furry animal is covered with thick, soft hair. □ …the coyote's furry tail.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as furry , you mean that it has a soft rough texture like fur. □ …his herringbone tweed coat with its furry lining.
fur|ther ◆◆◆ /fɜː r ðə r / (furthers , furthering , furthered ) Further is a comparative form of far . It is also a verb. 1 ADV [ADV with v] Further means to a greater extent or degree. □ Inflation is below 5% and set to fall further. □ The rebellion is expected to further damage the country's image. □ The government's economic policies have further depressed living standards.
2 ADV [ADV with v] If you go or get further with something, or take something further , you make some progress. □ They lacked the scientific personnel to develop the technical apparatus much further.
3 ADV [ADV after v] If someone goes further in a discussion, they make a more extreme statement or deal with a point more thoroughly. □ On February 7th the Post went further, claiming that Mr Wood had grabbed and kissed another 13 women. □ To have a better comparison, we need to go further and address such issues as insurance.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] A further thing, number of things, or amount of something is an additional thing, number of things, or amount. □ His speech provides further evidence of his increasingly authoritarian approach. □ There was nothing further to be done for this man.
5 ADV [ADV adv/prep] Further means a greater distance than before or than something else. □ Now we live further away from the city centre. □ He came to a halt at a crossroads fifty yards further on. □ Further to the south are some of the island's loveliest unspoilt coves.
6 ADV [ADV adv/prep] Further is used in expressions such as ' further back ' and ' further ahead ' to refer to a point in time that is earlier or later than the time you are talking about. □ Looking further ahead, by the end of the century world population is expected to be about ten billion.
7 VERB If you further something, you help it to progress, to be successful, or to be achieved. □ [V n] Education needn't only be about furthering your career.
8 ADV You use further to introduce a statement that relates to the same general topic and that gives additional information or makes an additional point. [FORMAL ] □ Many people believe there is no sense to human past and, further, no predictability to human future.
9 PHRASE Further to is used in letters in expressions such as ' further to your letter ' or ' further to our conversation ', in order to indicate what you are referring to in the letter. [BRIT , FORMAL ] □ Further to your letter, I agree that there are some problems, politically speaking.
fur|ther|ance /fɜː r ðərəns/ N‑UNCOUNT The furtherance of something is the activity of helping it to be successful or be achieved. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The thing that matters is the furtherance of research in this country.
fu r|ther edu|ca |tion N‑UNCOUNT Further education is the education of people who have left school but who are not at a university or a college of education. [mainly BRIT ] □ Most further-education colleges offer A-level courses. in AM, use continuing education
further|more /fɜː r ðə r mɔː r / ADV Furthermore is used to introduce a piece of information or opinion that adds to or supports the previous one. [FORMAL ] □ Furthermore, they claim that any such interference is completely ineffective.
further|most /fɜː r ðə r moʊst/ ADJ [ADJ n] The furthermost one of a number of similar things is the one that is the greatest distance away from a place. □ We walked to the furthermost point and then sat on the sand dunes.
fur|thest /fɜː r ð I st/ Furthest is a superlative form of far . 1 ADV [ADV with v] Furthest means to a greater extent or degree than ever before or than anything or anyone else. □ Wages slipped furthest in the retail, customer service and sales sectors. □ The smallest of the home nations went furthest in the competition.
2 ADV [n ADV , ADV after v, be ADV ] Furthest means at a greater distance from a particular point than anyone or anything else, or for a greater distance than anyone or anything else. □ The risk of thunder is greatest in those areas furthest from the coast. □ Amongst those who have travelled furthest to take part in the Festival are a group from Northern Ireland. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Furthest is also an adjective. □ …the furthest point from earth that any controlled spacecraft has ever been.
fur|tive /fɜː r t I v/ ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour as furtive , you disapprove of them behaving as if they want to keep something secret or hidden. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ With a furtive glance over her shoulder, she unlocked the door and entered the house.
fury /fjʊə ri/ N‑UNCOUNT Fury is violent or very strong anger. □ She screamed, her face distorted with fury and pain.
fuse /fjuː z/ (fuses , fusing , fused )
1 N‑COUNT A fuse is a safety device in an electric plug or circuit. It contains a piece of wire which melts when there is a fault so that the flow of electricity stops. □ The fuse blew as he pressed the button to start the motor. □ Remove the circuit fuse before beginning electrical work.
2 VERB When an electric device fuses or when you fuse it, it stops working because of a fault. [BRIT ] □ [V ] The wire snapped at the wall plug and the light fused. □ [V n] Rainwater had fused the bulbs.
3 N‑COUNT A fuse is a device on a bomb or firework which delays the explosion so that people can move a safe distance away. □ A bomb was deactivated at the last moment, after the fuse had been lit.
4 VERB When things fuse or are fused , they join together physically or chemically, usually to become one thing. You can also say that one thing fuses with another. □ [V ] The skull bones fuse between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five. □ [V + with ] Conception occurs when a single sperm fuses with an egg. □ [V n] Manufactured glass is made by fusing various types of sand. □ [V n + with ] Their solution was to isolate specific clones of B cells and fuse them with cancer cells. □ [V together ] The flakes seem to fuse together and produce ice crystals.
5 VERB If something fuses two different qualities, ideas, or things, or if they fuse , they join together, especially in order to form a pleasing or satisfactory combination. □ [V n + with ] His music fused the rhythms of jazz with classical forms. □ [V n] They have fused two different types of entertainment, the circus and the rock concert. □ [V ] Past and present fuse. [Also V + with ]
6 PHRASE If you blow a fuse , you suddenly become very angry and are unable to stay calm. [INFORMAL ] □ For all my experience, I blew a fuse in the quarter-final and could have been sent off.
7 PHRASE If someone or something lights the fuse of a particular situation or activity, they suddenly get it started. □ Hopes for an early cut in interest rates lit the market's fuse early on.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone has a short fuse or is on a short fuse you mean that they are quick to react angrily when something goes wrong. □ I have a very short fuse and a violent temper.
fu se box (fuse boxes ) N‑COUNT The fuse box is the box that contains the fuses for all the electric circuits in a building. It is usually fixed to a wall.
fused /fjuː zd/ ADJ If an electric plug or circuit is fused , it has a fuse in it.
fu|selage /fjuː z I lɑːʒ/ (fuselages ) N‑COUNT The fuselage is the main body of an aeroplane, missile, or rocket. It is usually cylindrical in shape.
fu|sil|lade /fjuː z I le I d, [AM ] -lɑː d/ N‑SING A fusillade of shots or objects is a large number of them fired or thrown at the same time. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Both were killed in a fusillade of bullets fired at close range.
fu|sion /fjuː ʒ ə n/ (fusions )
1 N‑COUNT A fusion of different qualities, ideas, or things is something new that is created by joining them together. □ [+ of ] His previous fusions of jazz, pop and African melodies have proved highly successful.
2 N‑VAR The fusion of two or more things involves joining them together to form one thing. □ [+ of ] His final reform was the fusion of regular and reserve forces.
3 N‑UNCOUNT In physics, fusion is the process in which atomic particles combine and produce a large amount of nuclear energy. □ …research into nuclear fusion.
fuss /fʌ s/ (fusses , fussing , fussed )
1 N‑SING Fuss is anxious or excited behaviour which serves no useful purpose. □ I don't know what all the fuss is about. □ He just gets down to work without any fuss.
2 VERB If you fuss , you worry or behave in a nervous, anxious way about unimportant matters or rush around doing unnecessary things. □ [V about ] Carol fussed about getting me a drink. □ [V + over ] Jack was fussing over the food and clothing we were going to take. □ [V prep] A team of waiters began fussing around the table. □ [V ] 'Stop fussing,' he snapped. [Also V n]
3 VERB If you fuss over someone, you pay them a lot of attention and do things to make them happy or comfortable. □ [V + over ] Auntie Hilda and Uncle Jack couldn't fuss over them enough.
4 PHRASE If you make a fuss or kick up a fuss about something, you become angry or excited about it and complain. [INFORMAL ] □ If enough parents kick up a fuss, you can change things.
5 PHRASE If you make a fuss of someone, you pay them a lot of attention and do things to make them happy or comfortable. [BRIT ] □ When I arrived my nephews made a big fuss of me.
fussed /fʌ st/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say you are not fussed about something, you mean you do not mind about it or do not mind what happens. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ I'm not fussed as long as we get where we want to go.
fussy /fʌ si/ (fussier , fussiest )
1 ADJ Someone who is fussy is very concerned with unimportant details and is difficult to please. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] She is not fussy about her food. □ Her aunt was small, with a rather fussy manner.
2 ADJ If you describe things such as clothes and furniture as fussy , you are criticizing them because they are too elaborate or detailed. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ We are not very keen on floral patterns and fussy designs.
fus|ty /fʌ sti/ (fustier , fustiest )
1 ADJ If you describe something or someone as fusty , you disapprove of them because they are old-fashioned in attitudes or ideas. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The fusty old establishment refused to recognise the demand for popular music.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A fusty place or thing has a smell that is not fresh or pleasant. □ …fusty old carpets.
fu|tile /fjuː ta I l, [AM ] -t ə l/ ADJ If you say that something is futile , you mean there is no point in doing it, usually because it has no chance of succeeding. □ He brought his arm up in a futile attempt to ward off the blow. □ It would be futile to sustain his life when there is no chance of any improvement.
fu|til|ity /fjuːt I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Futility is a total lack of purpose or usefulness. □ [+ of ] …the injustice and futility of terrorism.
fu|ton /fuː tɒn/ (futons ) N‑COUNT A futon is a piece of furniture which consists of a thin mattress on a low wooden frame which can be used as a bed or folded up to make a chair.
fu|ture ◆◆◆ /fjuː tʃə r / (futures )
1 N‑SING The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then. □ The spokesman said no decision on the proposal was likely in the immediate future. □ He was making plans for the future. □ I had little time to think about what the future held for me.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Future things will happen or exist after the present time. □ By taking action now we can ensure that future generations will not be put at risk. □ …a report on the future role of local government. □ …the future King and Queen.
3 for future reference → see reference
4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Someone's future , or the future of something, is what will happen to them or what they will do after the present time. □ His future as prime minister depends on the outcome of the elections. □ …a proposed national conference on the country's political future.
5 N‑COUNT If you say that someone or something has a future , you mean that they are likely to be successful or to survive. □ These abandoned children have now got a future. □ There's no future in this relationship.
6 N‑PLURAL When people trade in futures , they buy stocks and shares, commodities such as coffee or oil, or foreign currency at a price that is agreed at the time of purchase for items which are delivered some time in the future. [BUSINESS ] □ This report could spur some buying in corn futures when the market opens today.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, the future tense of a verb is the one used to talk about things that are going to happen. In English, this applies to verb groups consisting of 'will' or 'shall' and the base form of a verb. The future perfect tense of a verb is used to talk about things that will have happened at some time in the future.
8 PHRASE You use in future when saying what will happen from now on, which will be different from what has previously happened. The form in the future is sometimes used instead, especially in American English. □ I asked her to be more careful in future. □ In the future, Mr. Fernandes says, he won't rely on others to handle this. COLLOCATIONS future NOUN 1
adjective + future : bright, rosy, secure; uncertain, unclear; distant, forseeable, immediate, long-term, near; bleak, dystopian
verb + future : predict; secure; shape
fu ture-proof (future-proofs , future-proofing , future-proofed ) also futureproof
1 VERB If you future-proof something, you design or change it so that it will continue to be useful or successful in the future if the situation changes. □ [V n] I am refurbishing my home. What cabling should I install to future-proof it?
2 ADJ If something is future-proof , it will continue to be useful or successful in future if the situation changes. □ In these times of economic uncertainty, these are the future-proof skills you need.
fu|tur|ism /fjuː tʃər I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Futurism was a modern artistic and literary movement in the early twentieth century.
fu|tur|ist /fjuː tʃər I st/ (futurists )
1 N‑COUNT Futurists were artists and writers who were followers of futurism.
2 N‑COUNT A futurist is someone who makes predictions about what is going to happen, on the basis of facts about what is happening now. [mainly AM ]
fu|tur|is|tic /fjuː tʃər I st I k/
1 ADJ Something that is futuristic looks or seems very modern and unusual, like something from the future. □ The theatre is a futuristic steel and glass structure. □ …futuristic cars.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A futuristic film or book tells a story that is set in the future, when things are different. □ …the futuristic hit film, 'Terminator 2'.
fu|tur|ol|ogy /fjuː tʃərɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Futurology is the activity of trying to predict what is going to happen, on the basis of facts about what is happening now. □ The way a good investor does really well is by engaging in successful futurology. ● fu|tur|olo|gist /fjuː tʃərɒ lədʒ I st/ (futurologists ) N‑COUNT □ Predicting the future should not be left to futurologists, who can be detached from reality.
fuzz /fʌ z/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Fuzz is a mass of short, curly hairs.
2 N‑PLURAL The fuzz are the police. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]
fuzzy /fʌ zi/ (fuzzier , fuzziest )
1 ADJ Fuzzy hair sticks up in a soft, curly mass. □ He had fuzzy black hair and bright black eyes.
2 ADJ If something is fuzzy , it has a covering that feels soft and like fur. □ …fuzzy material.
3 ADJ A fuzzy picture, image, or sound is unclear and hard to see or hear. □ A couple of fuzzy pictures have been published. □ …fuzzy bass lines.
4 ADJ If you or your thoughts are fuzzy , you are confused and cannot think clearly. □ He had little patience for fuzzy ideas.
5 ADJ You describe something as fuzzy when it is vague and not clearly defined. □ The border between science fact and science fiction gets a bit fuzzy.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] Fuzzy logic is a type of computer logic that is supposed to imitate the way that humans think, for example by adapting to changing circumstances rather than always following the same procedure.
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