Gg
G , g /dʒiː / (G's, g's ) N‑VAR G is the seventh letter of the English alphabet.
gab /gæ b/ PHRASE If someone has the gift of the gab , they are able to speak easily and confidently, and to persuade people. You can also say the gift of gab , especially in American English. [APPROVAL ] □ They are naturally good salesmen with the gift of the gab.
gab|ar|dine /gæ bə r diː n, [AM ] -diːn/ (gabardines ) in BRIT, also use gaberdine 1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Gabardine is a fairly thick cloth which is used for making coats, suits, and other clothes.
2 N‑COUNT A gabardine is a coat made from gabardine.
gab|ble /gæ b ə l/ (gabbles , gabbling , gabbled ) VERB If you gabble , you say things so quickly that it is difficult for people to understand you. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] Marcello sat on his knee and gabbled excitedly. □ [V adv] Jacub gabbled on about computer games. □ [V n] One of the soldiers gabbled something and pointed at the front door. [Also V with quote]
ga|ble /ge I b ə l/ (gables ) N‑COUNT A gable is the triangular part at the top of the end wall of a building, between the two sloping sides of the roof.
ga|bled /ge I b ə ld/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A gabled building or roof has a gable.
gad /gæ d/ (gads , gadding , gadded ) VERB If you gad about , you go to a lot of different places looking for amusement or entertainment. [INFORMAL ] □ [V about ] Don't think you'll keep me here while you gad about.
gad|fly /gæ dfla I / (gadflies ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a gadfly , you believe that they deliberately annoy or challenge other people, especially people in authority.
gadg|et /gæ dʒ I t/ (gadgets ) N‑COUNT A gadget is a small machine or device which does something useful. You sometimes refer to something as a gadget when you are suggesting that it is complicated and unnecessary. □ …kitchen gadgets including toasters, kettles and percolators. □ You don't need the latest gadgets to get in shape.
gadg|et|ry /gæ dʒ I tri/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft adj N ] Gadgetry is small machines or devices which do something useful. □ …a passion for the latest electronic gadgetry.
Gael|ic /ge I l I k, gæ l I k/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Gaelic is a language spoken by people in parts of Scotland and Ireland. □ We weren't allowed to speak Gaelic at school. ● ADJ [usu ADJ n] Gaelic is also an adjective. □ …the Gaelic language.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Gaelic means coming from or relating to Scotland and Ireland, especially the parts where Gaelic is spoken. □ …an evening of Gaelic music and drama.
gaff /gæ f/ (gaffs )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] On a boat, a gaff is a pole which is attached to a mast in order to support a particular kind of sail.
2 N‑COUNT A gaff is a pole with a point or hook at one end, which is used for catching large fish.
3 → see also gaffe
gaffe /gæ f/ (gaffes ) also gaff
1 N‑COUNT A gaffe is a stupid or careless mistake, for example when you say or do something that offends or upsets people. □ He made an embarrassing gaffe at the convention last weekend. □ …social gaffes committed by high-ranking individuals.
2 PHRASE If you blow the gaffe or blow the gaff , you tell someone something that other people wanted you to keep secret. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
gaf|fer /gæ fə r / (gaffers ) N‑COUNT People use gaffer to refer to the person in charge of the workers at a place of work such as a factory. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ The gaffer said he'd been fined for not doing the contract on time.
gag /gæ g/ (gags , gagging , gagged )
1 N‑COUNT A gag is something such as a piece of cloth that is tied around or put inside someone's mouth in order to stop them from speaking. □ His captors had put a gag of thick leather in his mouth.
2 VERB If someone gags you, they tie a piece of cloth around your mouth in order to stop you from speaking or shouting. □ [V n] I gagged him with a towel.
3 VERB If a person is gagged by someone in authority, they are prevented from expressing their opinion or from publishing certain information. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [be V -ed] Judges must not be gagged. [Also V n]
4 VERB If you gag , you cannot swallow and nearly vomit. □ [V ] I knelt by the toilet and gagged.
5 N‑COUNT A gag is a joke. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ about ] …a gag about policemen giving evidence in court.
6 VERB [only cont] If you say that someone is gagging for something or is gagging to do something, you are emphasizing that they want to have it or do it very much. [INFORMAL ] □ [V + for ] Girls everywhere are gagging for a car like this. □ [V to-inf] There are thousands of students absolutely gagging to come to this university.
gaga /gɑː gɑː/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is gaga , you mean that they cannot think clearly any more, especially because they are old. [INFORMAL ] □ If you don't keep your brain working you go gaga.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone goes gaga over a person or thing, they like them very much. [INFORMAL ] □ My daughter is just gaga over men with hairy chests.
gag|gle /gæ g ə l/ (gaggles ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] You can use gaggle to refer to a group of people, especially if they are noisy or disorganized. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] A gaggle of journalists sit in a hotel foyer waiting impatiently.
gai|ety /ge I I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Gaiety is a feeling, attitude, or atmosphere of liveliness and fun. □ Music rang out adding to the gaiety and life of the market.
gai|ly /ge I li/
1 ADV [ADV with v] If you do something gaily , you do it in a lively, happy way. □ Magda laughed gaily.
2 ADV [ADV -ed] Something that is gaily coloured or gaily decorated is coloured or decorated in a bright, pretty way. □ He put on a gaily coloured shirt. □ …gaily painted front doors.
gain ◆◆◇ /ge I n/ (gains , gaining , gained )
1 VERB If a person or place gains something such as an ability or quality, they gradually get more of it. □ [V n] Students can gain valuable experience by working on the campus radio or magazine. □ [V + in ] While it has lost its tranquility, the area has gained in liveliness.
2 VERB If you gain from something such as an event or situation, you get some advantage or benefit from it. □ [V n + from ] The company didn't disclose how much it expects to gain from the two deals. □ [be V -ed + by ] There is absolutely nothing to be gained by feeling bitter. □ [V + from ] It is sad that a major company should try to gain from other people's suffering.
3 VERB To gain something such as weight or speed means to have an increase in that particular thing. □ [V n] Some people do gain weight after they stop smoking. □ [V amount] She gained some 25lb in weight during her pregnancy. [Also V ] ● N‑VAR Gain is also a noun. □ Excessive weight gain doesn't do you any good.
4 VERB If you gain something, you obtain it, especially after a lot of hard work or effort. □ [V n] They realise that passing exams is no longer enough to gain a place at university.
5 PHRASE If you do something for gain , you do it in order to get some advantage or profit for yourself, and for no other reason. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …buying art solely for financial gain.
6 PHRASE If something such as an idea or an ideal gains ground , it gradually becomes more widely known or more popular. □ The Christian right has been steadily gaining ground in state politics.
7 PHRASE If you do something in order to gain time , you do it in order to give yourself enough time to think of an excuse or a way out of a difficult situation. □ I hoped to gain time by keeping him talking.
▸ gain on PHRASAL VERB If you gain on someone or something that is moving in front of you, you gradually get closer to them. □ [V P n] The Mercedes began to gain on the van. SYNONYMS gain VERB
1
acquire: I recently acquired some wood from a holly tree.
receive: They will receive their awards at a ceremony in Stockholm.
obtain: Evans was trying to obtain a false passport and other documents.
2
benefit: Both sides have benefited from the talks.
profit: Jennifer felt she might profit from a more relaxed lifestyle.
gain|er /ge I nə r / (gainers ) N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] A gainer is a person or organization who gains something from a particular situation. □ Overall, there were more losers than gainers.
gain|ful /ge I nfʊl/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you are in gainful employment, you have a job for which you are paid. [FORMAL ] □ …opportunities for gainful employment. ● gain|ful|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ Both parents were gainfully employed.
gain|say /ge I nse I / (gainsays , gainsaying , gainsaid ) VERB If there is no gainsaying something, it is true or obvious and everyone would agree with it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] There is no gainsaying the fact that they have been responsible for a truly great building.
gait /ge I t/ (gaits ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A particular kind of gait is a particular way of walking. [WRITTEN ] □ His movements were clumsy, and his gait peculiarly awkward.
gal /gæ l/ (gals ) N‑COUNT Gal is used in written English to represent the word 'girl' as it is pronounced in a particular accent. □ …a Southern gal who wants to make it in the movies.
gal also gal. gal is a written abbreviation for gallon or gallons . □ Diesel cost over £1/gal in some places.
gala /gɑː lə, [AM ] ge I lə/ (galas ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A gala is a special public celebration, entertainment, performance, or festival. □ …a gala evening at the Royal Opera House.
ga|lac|tic /gəlæ kt I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Galactic means relating to galaxies.
gal|axy /gæ ləksi/ (galaxies ) also Galaxy
1 N‑COUNT A galaxy is an extremely large group of stars and planets that extends over many billions of light years. □ Astronomers have discovered a distant galaxy.
2 N‑PROPER The Galaxy is the extremely large group of stars and planets to which the Earth and the Solar System belong. □ The Galaxy consists of 100 billion stars.
3 N‑SING If you talk about a galaxy of people from a particular profession, you mean a group of them who are all famous or important. □ [+ of ] He is one of a small galaxy of Dutch stars on German television.
gale /ge I l/ (gales )
1 N‑COUNT A gale is a very strong wind. □ …forecasts of fierce gales over the next few days.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to the loud noise made by a lot of people all laughing at the same time as a gale of laughter or gales of laughter. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] This was greeted with gales of laughter from the audience.
ga le-fo rce ADJ [ADJ n] A gale-force wind is a very strong wind.
gall /gɔː l/ (galls , galling , galled )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone has the gall to do something, you are criticizing them for behaving in a rude or disrespectful way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She had the gall to suggest that I might supply her with information about what Steve was doing.
2 VERB If someone's action galls you, it makes you feel very angry or annoyed, often because it is unfair to you and you cannot do anything about it. □ [V n that] It must have galled him that Bardo thwarted each of these measures. □ [V n] It was their serenity which galled her most. ● gall|ing ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ It was especially galling to be criticised by this scoundrel.
3 N‑COUNT A gall is a growth on the surface of a plant that is caused by an insect, disease, fungus, or injury.
gal|lant /gæ lənt/ Also pronounced /gəlæ nt/ for meaning 3 . 1 ADJ If someone is gallant , they behave bravely and honourably in a dangerous or difficult situation. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ The gallant soldiers lost their lives so that peace might reign again. ● gal|lant|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The town responded gallantly to the War.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A gallant effort or fight is one in which someone tried very hard to do something difficult, although in the end they failed. [WRITTEN , APPROVAL ] □ He died at the age of 82, after a gallant fight against illness.
3 ADJ If a man is gallant , he is kind, polite, and considerate towards women. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ Douglas was a complex man, thoughtful, gallant, and generous. ● gal|lant|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He gallantly kissed Marie's hand as we prepared to leave.
gal|lant|ry /gæ ləntri/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Gallantry is bravery shown by someone who is in danger, for example when they are fighting in a war. [FORMAL ] □ For his gallantry he was awarded a Victoria Cross.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Gallantry is kind, polite, and considerate behaviour towards other people, especially women. [FORMAL ] □ It's that time of year again, when thoughts turn to romance and gallantry.
ga ll blad|der (gall bladders ) N‑COUNT Your gall bladder is the organ in your body which contains bile and is next to your liver.
gal|leon /gæ liən/ (galleons ) N‑COUNT A galleon is a sailing ship with three masts. Galleons were used mainly in the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries.
gal|lery ◆◇◇ /gæ ləri/ (galleries )
1 N‑COUNT A gallery is a place that has permanent exhibitions of works of art in it. □ …an art gallery. □ …the National Gallery.
2 N‑COUNT A gallery is a privately owned building or room where people can look at and buy works of art. □ The painting is in the gallery upstairs.
3 N‑COUNT A gallery is an area high above the ground at the back or at the sides of a large room or hall. □ A crowd already filled the gallery.
4 N‑COUNT The gallery in a theatre or concert hall is an area high above the ground that usually contains the cheapest seats. □ They had been forced to find cheap tickets in the gallery. ● PHRASE If you play to the gallery , you do something in public in a way which you hope will impress people. □ …but I must tell you that in my opinion you're both now playing to the gallery.
gal|ley /gæ li/ (galleys )
1 N‑COUNT On a ship or aircraft, the galley is the kitchen.
2 N‑COUNT In former times, a galley was a ship with sails and a lot of oars, which was often rowed by slaves or prisoners.
Gal|lic /gæ l I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Gallic means the same as French . You sometimes use Gallic to describe ideas, feelings, or actions that you think are very typical of France and French people. □ The proposal has provoked howls of Gallic indignation.
gal|li|vant /gæ l I vænt/ (gallivants , gallivanting , gallivanted ) VERB Someone who is gallivanting around goes to a lot of different places looking for amusement and entertainment. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V prep/adv] A girl's place is in the home, not gallivanting around and filling her head with nonsense. [Also V ]
gal|lon /gæ lən/ (gallons ) N‑COUNT A gallon is a unit of measurement for liquids that is equal to eight pints. In Britain, it is equal to 4.564 litres. In America, it is equal to 3.785 litres. □ [+ of ] …80 million gallons of water a day. □ …a gasoline tax of 4.3 cents a gallon.
gal|lop /gæ ləp/ (gallops , galloping , galloped )
1 VERB When a horse gallops , it runs very fast so that all four legs are off the ground at the same time. If you gallop a horse, you make it gallop. □ [V adv/prep] The horses galloped away. □ [V n prep/adv] Staff officers galloped fine horses down the road.
2 VERB If you gallop , you ride a horse that is galloping. □ [V prep/adv] Major Winston galloped into the distance.
3 N‑SING A gallop is a ride on a horse that is galloping. □ I was forced to attempt a gallop.
4 VERB If something such as a process gallops , it develops very quickly and is often difficult to control. □ [V adv] In spite of the recession, profits have galloped ahead. □ [V -ing] …galloping inflation.
5 VERB If you gallop , you run somewhere very quickly. □ [V prep] They are galloping around the garden playing football. [Also V n]
6 PHRASE If you do something at a gallop , you do it very quickly. □ I read the book at a gallop.
gal|lows /gæ loʊz/ (gallows ) N‑COUNT A gallows is a wooden frame used to execute criminals by hanging.
gall|stone /gɔː lstoʊn/ (gallstones ) N‑COUNT A gallstone is a small, painful lump which can develop in your gall bladder.
ga|lore /gəlɔː r / ADJ [n ADJ ] You use galore to emphasize that something you like exists in very large quantities. [INFORMAL , WRITTEN , EMPHASIS ] □ You'll be able to win prizes galore. □ …a popular resort with beaches galore.
ga|loshes /gəlɒ ʃ I z/ N‑PLURAL Galoshes are waterproof shoes, usually made of rubber, which you wear over your ordinary shoes to prevent them getting wet.
gal|va|nize /gæ lvəna I z/ (galvanizes , galvanizing , galvanized ) in BRIT, also use galvanise VERB To galvanize someone means to cause them to take action, for example by making them feel very excited, afraid, or angry. □ [V n] The aid appeal has galvanised the German business community. □ [be V -ed + into ] They have been galvanised into collective action–militarily, politically and economically. [Also V n + into ]
gal|va|nized /gæ lvəna I zd/ in BRIT, also use galvanised ADJ [usu ADJ n] Galvanized metal, especially iron and steel, has been covered with zinc in order to protect it from rust and other damage. □ …corrosion-resistant galvanized steel. □ …75mm galvanised nails.
gam|bit /gæ mb I t/ (gambits )
1 N‑COUNT A gambit is an action or set of actions, which you carry out in order to try to gain an advantage in a situation or game. □ He sees the proposal as more of a diplomatic gambit than a serious defense proposal. □ Campaign strategists are calling the plan a clever political gambit.
2 N‑COUNT A gambit is a remark which you make to someone in order to start or continue a conversation with them. □ His favourite opening gambit is: 'You are so beautiful, will you be my next wife?'. □ Bernard made no response to Tom's conversational gambits.
gam|ble /gæ mb ə l/ (gambles , gambling , gambled )
1 N‑COUNT A gamble is a risky action or decision that you take in the hope of gaining money, success, or an advantage over other people. □ …the president's risky gamble in calling a referendum.
2 VERB If you gamble on something, you take a risky action or decision in the hope of gaining money, success, or an advantage over other people. □ [V + on ] Few firms will be willing to gamble on new products. □ [V n + on ] They are not prepared to gamble their careers on this matter. □ [V + with ] Who wants to gamble with the life of a friend? [Also V , V n, V that]
3 VERB If you gamble an amount of money, you bet it in a game such as cards or on the result of a race or competition. People who gamble usually do it frequently. □ [V n] Most people visit Las Vegas to gamble their hard-earned money. □ [V + on ] John gambled heavily on the horses. □ [V ] He was gambling heavily, to the alarm of his family. □ [V n with away ] He gambled away his family estate on a single throw of the dice.
gam|bler /gæ mblə r / (gamblers )
1 N‑COUNT A gambler is someone who gambles regularly, for example in card games or horse racing.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a gambler , you mean that they are ready to take risks in order to gain advantages or success. □ English cricketers have never been gamblers by nature.
gam|bling /gæ mbl I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Gambling is the act or activity of betting money, for example in card games or on horse racing. □ Gambling is a form of entertainment. □ …gambling casinos.
gam|bol /gæ mb ə l/ (gambols , gambolling , gambolled ) in AM, use gamboling , gamboled VERB If animals or people gambol , they run or jump about in a playful way. □ [V prep/adv] …the sight of newborn lambs gambolling in the fields.
game ◆◆◆ /ge I m/ (games )
1 N‑COUNT A game is an activity or sport usually involving skill, knowledge, or chance, in which you follow fixed rules and try to win against an opponent or to solve a puzzle. □ …the wonderful game of football. □ …a playful game of hide-and-seek. □ …a video game.
2 N‑COUNT A game is one particular occasion on which a game is played. □ It was the first game of the season. □ He regularly watched our games from the stands. □ We won three games against Australia.
3 N‑COUNT A game is a part of a match, for example in tennis or bridge, consisting of a fixed number of points. □ She won six games to love in the second set. □ …the last three points of the second game.
4 N‑PLURAL Games are an organized event in which competitions in several sports take place. □ …the Commonwealth Games.
5 N‑PLURAL Games are organized sports activities that children do at school. [BRIT ] □ At his grammar school he is remembered for being bad at games but good in debates.
6 N‑SING [usu poss N ] Someone's game is the degree of skill or the style that they use when playing a particular game. □ Once I was through the first set my game picked up.
7 N‑COUNT You can describe a situation that you do not treat seriously as a game . □ Many people regard life as a game: you win some, you lose some.
8 N‑COUNT You can use game to describe a way of behaving in which a person uses a particular plan, usually in order to gain an advantage for himself or herself. □ Until now, the Americans have been playing a very delicate political game.
9 N‑UNCOUNT Wild animals or birds that are hunted for sport and sometimes cooked and eaten are referred to as game . □ …men who shot game for food.
10 ADJ [v-link ADJ , oft ADJ to-inf] If you are game for something, you are willing to do something new, unusual, or risky. □ After all this time he still had new ideas and was game to try them. □ [+ for ] He said he's game for a similar challenge next year.
11 → see also gamely
12 PHRASE If you say game on , you mean that you are ready for something challenging to begin. □ You think you can beat me? Game on! □ It's game on for toy makers as Christmas approaches.
13 PHRASE If someone or something gives the game away , they reveal a secret or reveal their feelings, and this puts them at a disadvantage. □ The faces of the two conspirators gave the game away.
14 PHRASE If you are new to a particular game , you have not done a particular activity or been in a particular situation before. □ Don't forget that she's new to this game and will take a while to complete the task.
15 PHRASE If you beat someone at their own game , you use the same methods that they have used, but more successfully, so that you gain an advantage over them. □ He must anticipate the maneuvers of the other lawyers and beat them at their own game. □ The police knew that to trap the killer they had to play him at his own game.
16 PHRASE If you say that someone is playing games or playing silly games , you mean that they are not treating a situation seriously and you are annoyed with them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ 'Don't play games with me' he thundered. □ From what I know of him he doesn't play silly games.
17 PHRASE If you say that someone has raised their game , you mean that they have begun to perform better, usually because they were under pressure to do so. □ He admitted he would have to raise his game against the Spaniard. □ The competition it offers should force the other airlines to raise their game.
18 PHRASE If you say the game is up , you mean that someone's secret plans or activities have been revealed and therefore must stop because they cannot succeed. □ Some thought they would hold out until Sunday. The realists knew that the game was already up.
ga me bird (game birds ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Game birds are birds which are shot for food or for sport.
game|keeper /ge I mkiːpə r / (gamekeepers ) N‑COUNT A gamekeeper is a person who takes care of the wild animals or birds that are kept on someone's land for hunting.
game|ly /ge I mli/ ADV [ADV with v] If you do something gamely , you do it bravely or with a lot of effort. □ He gamely defended his organisation's decision.
ga me park (game parks ) N‑COUNT A game park is a large area of land, especially in Africa, where wild animals can live safely.
ga me plan (game plans ) also game-plan
1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] In sport, a team's game plan is their plan for winning a match. □ Leeds kept quiet, stuck to their game plan and quietly racked up the points.
2 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's game plan is the actions they intend to take and the policies they intend to adopt in order to achieve a particular thing. □ If he has a game plan for winning the deal, only he understands it. □ He is unlikely to alter his game plan.
game|play /ge I mple I / N‑UNCOUNT The gameplay of a computer game is the way that it is designed and the skills that you need in order to play it. □ The game has it all–imaginative storyline, challenging gameplay, superb graphics.
gamer /ge I mə r / (gamers ) N‑COUNT A gamer is someone who plays computer games.
ga me re|serve (game reserves ) N‑COUNT A game reserve is a large area of land, especially in Africa, where wild animals can live safely.
ga mes con|sole N‑COUNT A games console is an electronic device used for playing computer games on a television screen. □ This Christmas sees the launch of a new games console.
ga me show (game shows ) N‑COUNT Game shows are television programmes on which people play games in order to win prizes. □ Being a good game-show host means getting to know your contestants.
games|man|ship /ge I mzmənʃ I p/ N‑UNCOUNT Gamesmanship is the art or practice of winning a game by clever methods which are not against the rules but are very close to cheating. □ …a remarkably successful piece of diplomatic gamesmanship.
gam|ete /gæ miːt/ (gametes ) N‑COUNT Gamete is the name for the two types of male and female cell that join together to make a new creature. [TECHNICAL ]
gam|ine /gæmiː n/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a girl or a woman as gamine , you mean that she is attractive in a boyish way. □ She had a gamine charm which men found irresistibly attractive. ● N‑SING Gamine is also a noun. □ …a snub-nosed gamine.
gam|ing /ge I m I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Gaming means the same as gambling . □ …offences connected with vice, gaming and drugs. □ …the most fashionable gaming club in London.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Gaming is the activity of playing computer games. □ Online gaming allows players from around the world to challenge each other.
gam|ma /gæ mə/ (gammas ) N‑VAR Gamma is the third letter of the Greek alphabet.
ga m|ma rays N‑PLURAL Gamma rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation that has a shorter wavelength and higher energy than X-rays.
gam|mon /gæ mən/ N‑UNCOUNT Gammon is smoked or salted meat, similar to bacon, from the back leg or the side of a pig. [BRIT ]
gam|ut /gæ mət/
1 N‑SING The gamut of something is the complete range of things of that kind, or a wide variety of things of that kind. □ There's sadness, hurt and anger. You run the gamut of emotions.
2 PHRASE To run the gamut of something means to include, express, or experience all the different things of that kind, or a wide variety of them. □ The show runs the gamut of 20th century design.
gan|der /gæ ndə r / (ganders ) N‑COUNT A gander is a male goose.
gang ◆◇◇ /gæ ŋ/ (gangs , ganging , ganged )
1 N‑COUNT A gang is a group of people, especially young people, who go around together and often deliberately cause trouble. □ During the fight with a rival gang he lashed out with his flick knife. □ Gang members were behind a lot of the violence. □ [+ of ] He was attacked by a gang of youths.
2 N‑COUNT A gang is a group of criminals who work together to commit crimes. □ Police were hunting for a gang who had allegedly stolen fifty-five cars. □ …an underworld gang. □ [+ of ] …a gang of masked robbers.
3 N‑SING The gang is a group of friends who frequently meet. [INFORMAL ] □ Come on over, we've got lots of the old gang here.
4 N‑COUNT A gang is a group of workers who do physical work together. □ [+ of ] …a gang of labourers.
▸ gang up PHRASAL VERB If people gang up on someone, they unite against them for a particular reason, for example in a fight or argument. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P + on ] Harrison complained that his colleagues ganged up on him. □ [V P to-inf] All the other parties ganged up to keep them out of power. □ [V P + against ] All the girls in my class seemed to gang up against me.
gang|buster /gæ ŋbʌstə r / (gangbusters ) PHRASE If something is going gangbusters , it is going strongly and doing very well. If someone comes on like gangbusters , they behave very energetically and sometimes aggressively. [AM ] □ The economy was still going gangbusters. □ The team, who struggled early, came on like gangbusters at precisely the right time.
gang|land /gæ ŋlænd/ ADJ [ADJ n] Gangland is used to describe activities or people that are involved in organized crime. □ It's been suggested they were gangland killings. □ …one of Italy's top gangland bosses.
gan|gling /gæ ŋgl I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Gangling is used to describe a young person, especially a man, who is tall, thin, and clumsy in their movements. □ His gangling, awkward gait has earned him the name Spiderman. □ …his gangling, bony frame.
gan|gly /gæ ŋgli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as gangly , you mean that they are tall and thin and have a slightly awkward or clumsy manner.
gang|plank /gæ ŋplæŋk/ (gangplanks ) N‑COUNT The gangplank is a short bridge or platform that can be placed between the side of a ship or boat and the shore, so that people can get on or off.
ga ng ra pe (gang rapes , gang raping , gang raped ) also gang-rape VERB [usu passive] If a woman is gang raped , several men force her to have sex with them. □ [be V -ed] For five hours, the women were gang-raped. [Also V n] ● N‑COUNT Gang rape is also a noun.
gan|grene /gæ ŋgriːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Gangrene is the decay that can occur in a part of a person's body if the blood stops flowing to it, for example as a result of illness or injury. □ Once gangrene has developed the tissue is dead.
gan|gre|nous /gæ ŋgr I nəs/ ADJ Gangrenous is used to describe a part of a person's body that has been affected by gangrene. □ …patients with gangrenous limbs.
gang|sta /gæ ŋstə/ or gangsta rap N‑UNCOUNT Gangsta or gangsta rap is a form of rap music in which the words often refer to crime and violence.
gang|ster /gæ ŋstə r / (gangsters ) N‑COUNT A gangster is a member of an organized group of violent criminals.
gang|way /gæ ŋwe I / (gangways ) N‑COUNT The gangway is the passage between rows of seats, for example in a theatre or aircraft, for people to walk along. [BRIT ] □ A man in the gangway suddenly stood up to reach for something in the overhead locker.
gan|net /gæ n I t/ (gannets ) N‑COUNT Gannets are large white sea birds that live on cliffs.
gan|try /gæ ntri/ (gantries ) N‑COUNT A gantry is a high metal structure that supports a set of road signs, railway signals, or other equipment. □ On top of the gantry the American flag flew. □ …the lighting gantries.
gaol /dʒe I l/ (gaols , gaoling , gaoled ) → see jail
gaol|er /dʒe I lə r / (gaolers ) → see jailer
gap ◆◇◇ /gæ p/ (gaps )
1 N‑COUNT A gap is a space between two things or a hole in the middle of something solid. □ He pulled the thick curtains together, leaving just a narrow gap. □ …the wind tearing through gaps in the window frames.
2 N‑COUNT A gap is a period of time when you are not busy or when you stop doing something that you normally do. □ [+ of ] There followed a gap of four years, during which William joined the Army.
3 N‑COUNT If there is something missing from a situation that prevents it being complete or satisfactory, you can say that there is a gap . □ Hunt has filled the gap left by the departure of Nick Batram. □ Like a good businessman, Stewart identified a gap in the market.
4 N‑COUNT A gap between two groups of people, things, or sets of ideas is a big difference between them. □ [+ between ] …the gap between rich and poor. □ America's trade gap widened. □ [+ between ] Britain needs to bridge the technology gap between academia and industry. COLLOCATIONS gap NOUN
3
verb + gap : fill, plug; create, identify, leave
4
noun + gap : age, gender, pay, wealth
adjective + gap : widening, yawning
verb + gap : bridge, close, narrow, reduce; widen
gape /ge I p/ (gapes , gaping , gaped )
1 VERB If you gape , you look at someone or something in surprise, usually with an open mouth. □ [V + at ] His secretary stopped taking notes to gape at me. □ [V -ing] …a grotesque face with its gaping mouth. [Also V ]
2 VERB If you say that something such as a hole or a wound gapes , you are emphasizing that it is big or wide. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V ] The front door was missing. A hole gaped in the roof. ● gap|ing ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ The aircraft took off with a gaping hole in its fuselage. □ …a gaping wound in her back.
ga p-fill (gap-fills ) N‑COUNT [usu N n] In language teaching, a gap-fill test is an exercise in which words are removed from a text and replaced with spaces. The learner has to fill each space with the missing word or a suitable word.
ga p-too thed ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person or their smile as gap-toothed , you mean that some of that person's teeth are missing. □ …a broad, gap-toothed grin.
ga p year N‑SING A gap year is a period of time during which a student takes a break from studying after they have finished school and before they start college or university. [BRIT ] □ I went around the world in my gap year.
gar|age ◆◇◇ /gæ rɑːʒ, -r I dʒ, [AM ] gərɑː ʒ/ (garages )
1 N‑COUNT A garage is a building in which you keep a car. A garage is often built next to or as part of a house.
2 N‑COUNT A garage is a place where you can get your car repaired. In Britain, you can also buy fuel for your car, or buy cars. □ Nancy took her car to a local garage for a check-up.
ga r|age sale (garage sales ) N‑COUNT If you have a garage sale , you sell things such as clothes, toys, and household items that you do not want, usually in your garage. [mainly AM ]
garb /gɑː r b/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft in adj N , oft with poss] Someone's garb is the clothes they are wearing, especially when these are unusual. [WRITTEN ] □ …a familiar figure in civilian garb. □ He wore the garb of a scout, not a general.
gar|bage /gɑː r b I dʒ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Garbage is rubbish, especially waste from a kitchen. [mainly AM ] □ …a garbage bag. □ …rotting piles of garbage.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone says that an idea or opinion is garbage , they are emphasizing that they believe it is untrue or unimportant. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ I personally think this is complete garbage. □ Furious government officials branded her story 'garbage'.
ga r|bage can (garbage cans ) N‑COUNT A garbage can is a container that you put rubbish into. [AM ] □ A bomb planted in a garbage can exploded early today. in BRIT, use dustbin
ga r|bage col|le c|tor (garbage collectors ) N‑COUNT A garbage collector is a person whose job is to take people's garbage away. [AM ] in BRIT, use dustman
ga r|bage dis|po s|al (garbage disposals ) N‑COUNT A garbage disposal or a garbage disposal unit is a small machine in the kitchen sink that breaks down waste matter so that it does not block the sink. [AM ] in BRIT, use waste disposal
ga r|bage man (garbage men ) N‑COUNT A garbage man is the same as a garbage collector . [AM ]
ga r|bage truck (garbage trucks ) N‑COUNT A garbage truck is a large truck which collects the garbage from outside people's houses. [AM ] in BRIT, use dustcart
garbed /gɑː r bd/ ADJ If someone is garbed in particular clothes, they are wearing those clothes. [LITERARY ] □ [+ in ] He was garbed in sweater, tweed jacket, and flying boots. ● COMB [usu ADJ n] Garbed is also a combining form. □ …the small blue-garbed woman with a brown wrinkled face.
gar|bled /gɑː r b ə ld/ ADJ A garbled message or report contains confused or wrong details, often because it is spoken by someone who is nervous or in a hurry. □ The Coastguard needs to decipher garbled messages in a few minutes. □ …his own garbled version of the El Greco story.
gar|den ◆◆◇ /gɑː r d ə n/ (gardens , gardening , gardened )
1 N‑COUNT In British English, a garden is a piece of land next to a house, with flowers, vegetables, other plants, and often grass. In American English, the usual word is yard , and a garden refers only to land which is used for growing flowers and vegetables. □ …the most beautiful garden on Earth.
2 VERB If you garden , you do work in your garden such as weeding or planting. □ [V ] Jim gardened at the homes of friends on weekends. ● gar|den|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ I have taken up gardening again.
3 N‑PLURAL Gardens are places like a park that have areas of plants, trees, and grass, and that people can visit and walk around. □ The Gardens are open from 10.30am until 5pm. □ …Kensington Gardens.
4 N‑COUNT Gardens is sometimes used as part of the name of a street. □ He lives at 9, Acacia Gardens.
ga r|den cen|tre (garden centres ) N‑COUNT A garden centre is a large shop, usually with an outdoor area, where you can buy things for your garden such as plants and gardening tools. [BRIT ]
gar|den|er /gɑː r dənə r / (gardeners )
1 N‑COUNT A gardener is a person who is paid to work in someone else's garden.
2 N‑COUNT A gardener is someone who enjoys working in their own garden growing flowers or vegetables. □ …enthusiastic amateur gardeners.
gar|denia /gɑː r diː niə/ (gardenias ) N‑COUNT A gardenia is a type of large, white, or yellow flower with a very pleasant smell. A gardenia is also the bush on which these flowers grow.
ga r|den|ing leave N‑UNCOUNT If someone who leaves their job is given gardening leave , they continue to receive their salary and in return they agree not to work for anyone else for a period of time. [BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ He is on gardening leave from Goldman Sachs before taking up his new part-time post.
ga r|den par|ty (garden parties ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A garden party is a formal party that is held out of doors, especially in a large private garden, during the afternoon.
ga rden-vari ety ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use garden-variety to describe something you think is ordinary and not special in any way. [mainly AM ] □ The experiment itself is garden-variety science. in BRIT, usually use common-or-garden
gar|gan|tuan /gɑː r gæ ntʃuən/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that something is gargantuan , you are emphasizing that it is very large. [WRITTEN , EMPHASIS ] □ …a marketing event of gargantuan proportions. □ …a gargantuan corruption scandal.
gar|gle /gɑː r g ə l/ (gargles , gargling , gargled ) VERB If you gargle , you wash your mouth and throat by filling your mouth with a liquid, tipping your head back and using your throat to blow bubbles through the liquid, and finally spitting it out. □ [V ] Try gargling with salt water as soon as a cough begins. □ [V n] At the sink, Neil noisily gargled something medicinal.
gar|goyle /gɑː r gɔ I l/ (gargoyles ) N‑COUNT A gargoyle is a decorative stone carving on old buildings. It is usually shaped like the head of a strange and ugly creature, and water drains through it from the roof of the building.
gar|ish /geə r I ʃ/ ADJ You describe something as garish when you dislike it because it is very bright in an unattractive, showy way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They climbed the garish purple-carpeted stairs. □ …the restaurant's garish, illuminated signs. ● gar|ish|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ …a garishly patterned three-piece suite.
gar|land /gɑː r lənd/ (garlands ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A garland is a circular decoration made from flowers and leaves. People sometimes wear garlands of flowers on their heads or around their necks. □ [+ of ] They wore garlands of summer flowers in their hair.
gar|lic /gɑː r l I k/ N‑UNCOUNT Garlic is the small, white, round bulb of a plant that is related to the onion plant. Garlic has a very strong smell and taste and is used in cooking. □ …a clove of garlic.
gar|licky /gɑː r l I ki/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is garlicky tastes or smells of garlic. □ …a garlicky salad. □ …garlicky breath.
gar|ment /gɑː r mənt/ (garments ) N‑COUNT A garment is a piece of clothing; used especially in contexts where you are talking about the manufacture or sale of clothes. □ Many of the garments have the customers' name tags sewn into the linings.
gar|ner /gɑː r nə r / (garners , garnering , garnered ) VERB If someone has garnered something useful or valuable, they have gained it or collected it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Mr Abbott could not garner enough votes to snatch power. □ [V n] He has garnered extensive support for his proposals.
gar|net /gɑː r n I t/ (garnets ) N‑COUNT A garnet is a hard, shiny stone that is used in making jewellery. Garnets can be red, yellow, or green in colour.
gar|nish /gɑː r n I ʃ/ (garnishes , garnishing , garnished )
1 N‑VAR A garnish is a small amount of salad, herbs, or other food that is used to decorate cooked or prepared food. □ …a garnish of chopped raw onion, tomato and fresh coriander. □ Reserve some watercress for garnish.
2 VERB If you garnish cooked or prepared food, you decorate it with a garnish. □ [V n] She had finished the vegetables and was garnishing the roast.
gar|ret /gæ r I t/ (garrets ) N‑COUNT A garret is a small room at the top of a house.
gar|ri|son /gæ r I s ə n/ (garrisons , garrisoning , garrisoned )
1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A garrison is a group of soldiers whose task is to guard the town or building where they live. □ …a five-hundred-man French army garrison.
2 N‑COUNT A garrison is the buildings which the soldiers live in. □ The approaches to the garrison have been heavily mined.
3 VERB To garrison a place means to put soldiers there in order to protect it. You can also say that soldiers are garrisoned in a place. □ [V n] British troops still garrisoned the country. □ [be V -ed] No other soldiers were garrisoned there. □ [V -ed] …the large, heavily garrisoned towns.
gar|rotte /gərɒ t/ (garrottes , garrotting , garrotted )
1 VERB If someone is garrotted , they are killed by having something such as a piece of wire or cord pulled tightly round their neck. □ [be V -ed] The two guards had been garrotted. [Also V n]
2 N‑COUNT A garrotte is a piece of wire or cord used to garrotte someone.
gar|ru|lous /gæ rələs/ ADJ If you describe someone as garrulous , you mean that they talk a great deal, especially about unimportant things. □ …a garrulous old woman.
gar|ter /gɑː r tə r / (garters ) N‑COUNT A garter is a piece of elastic worn round the top of a stocking or sock in order to prevent it from slipping down.
ga r|ter belt (garter belts ) N‑COUNT A garter belt is a piece of underwear for women that is used for holding up stockings. [AM ] in BRIT, use suspender belt
gas ◆◆◇ /gæ s/ (gases , gasses , gassing , gassed ) The form gases is the plural of the noun. The form gasses is the third person singular of the verb. 1 N‑UNCOUNT Gas is a substance like air that is neither liquid nor solid and burns easily. It is used as a fuel for cooking and heating. □ Coal is actually cheaper than gas. □ …a contract to develop oil and gas reserves.
2 N‑VAR A gas is any substance that is neither liquid nor solid, for example oxygen or hydrogen. □ Helium is a very light gas. □ …a huge cloud of gas and dust from the volcanic eruption.
3 N‑VAR Gas is a poisonous gas that can be used as a weapon. □ …mustard gas. □ The problem was that the exhaust gases contain many toxins.
4 N‑VAR Gas is a gas used for medical purposes, for example to make patients feel less pain or go to sleep during an operation. [INFORMAL ] □ …an anaesthetic gas used by many dentists.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Gas is the fuel which is used to drive motor vehicles. [AM ] □ …a tank of gas. □ …gas stations. in BRIT, use petrol 6 VERB To gas a person or animal means to kill them by making them breathe poisonous gas. □ [V n] Her husband ran a pipe from her car exhaust to the bedroom in an attempt to gas her.
7 → see also gas chamber , gas mask , greenhouse gas , laughing gas , natural gas , tear gas
8 PHRASE If you step on the gas when you are driving a vehicle, you go faster. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] in BRIT, use step on it
ga s cham|ber (gas chambers ) N‑COUNT A gas chamber is a room that has been specially built so that it can be filled with poisonous gas in order to kill people or animals.
gas|eous /gæ siəs, ge I ʃəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use gaseous to describe something which is in the form of a gas, rather than a solid or liquid. □ Freon exists both in liquid and gaseous states.
ga s fire (gas fires ) N‑COUNT A gas fire is a fire that produces heat by burning gas.
ga s guz|zler (gas guzzlers ) also gas-guzzler N‑COUNT If you say that a car is a gas guzzler you mean that it uses a lot of fuel and is not cheap to run. [AM , INFORMAL ]
gash /gæ ʃ/ (gashes , gashing , gashed )
1 N‑COUNT A gash is a long, deep cut in your skin or in the surface of something. □ There was an inch-long gash just above his right eye.
2 VERB If you gash something, you accidentally make a long and deep cut in it. □ [V n] He gashed his leg while felling trees.
gas|ket /gæ sk I t/ (gaskets ) N‑COUNT A gasket is a flat piece of soft material that you put between two joined surfaces in a pipe or engine in order to make sure that gas and oil cannot escape.
gas|light /gæ sla I t/ (gaslights ) also gas light N‑COUNT A gaslight is a lamp that produces light by burning gas. ● N‑UNCOUNT Gaslight is also the light that the lamp produces. □ He would show his collection by gaslight.
gas|man /gæ smæn/ (gasmen ) N‑COUNT The gasman is a man who works for a gas company, repairing gas appliances in people's houses, or checking how much gas they have used. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
ga s mask (gas masks ) N‑COUNT A gas mask is a device that you wear over your face in order to protect yourself from poisonous gases.
gaso|line /gæ səliːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Gasoline is the same as petrol . [AM ]
gasp /gɑː sp, gæ sp/ (gasps , gasping , gasped )
1 N‑COUNT A gasp is a short quick breath of air that you take in through your mouth, especially when you are surprised, shocked, or in pain. □ An audible gasp went round the court as the jury announced the verdict. □ [+ of ] She gave a small gasp of pain.
2 VERB When you gasp , you take a short quick breath through your mouth, especially when you are surprised, shocked, or in pain. □ [V + for ] She gasped for air and drew in a lungful of water. □ [V ] I heard myself gasp and cry out. [Also V with quote]
3 PHRASE You describe something as the last gasp to emphasize that it is the final part of something or happens at the last possible moment. [EMPHASIS ] □ …the last gasp of a dying system of censorship.
ga s pe|dal (gas pedals ) N‑COUNT The gas pedal is another name for the accelerator . [mainly AM ]
ga s ring (gas rings ) N‑COUNT A gas ring is a metal device on top of a cooker or stove, where you can burn gas in order to cook food on it. [BRIT ] in AM, use burner
ga s sta|tion (gas stations ) N‑COUNT A gas station is a place where you can buy fuel for your car. [AM ] in BRIT, use petrol station
gas|sy /gæ si/ (gassier , gassiest ) ADJ Something that is gassy contains a lot of bubbles or gas. □ The champagne was sweet and too gassy.
gas|tric /gæ str I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] You use gastric to describe processes, pain, or illnesses that occur in someone's stomach. [MEDICAL ] □ He suffered from diabetes and gastric ulcers.
ga s|tric ba nd (gastric bands ) N‑COUNT A gastric band is a device that is fitted inside someone's stomach to make it smaller in order to help them lose weight. [MEDICAL ] □ The surgeon fits an adjustable gastric band to restrict the amount that someone can eat.
gas|tro|en|teri|tis /gæ stroʊentəra I t I s/ also gastro-enteritis N‑UNCOUNT Gastroenteritis is an illness in which the lining of your stomach and intestines becomes swollen and painful. [MEDICAL ]
gas|tro|in|tes|ti|nal /gæ stroʊ I nte st I n ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Gastrointestinal means relating to the stomach and intestines. [MEDICAL ]
gas|tro|nome /gæ strənoʊm/ (gastronomes ) N‑COUNT A gastronome is someone who enjoys preparing and eating good food, especially unusual or expensive food. [FORMAL ]
gas|tro|nom|ic /gæ strənɒ m I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Gastronomic is used to describe things that are concerned with good food. [FORMAL ] □ Paris is the gastronomic capital of the world. □ She is sampling gastronomic delights along the Riviera.
gas|trono|my /gæstrɒ nəmi/ N‑UNCOUNT Gastronomy is the activity and knowledge involved in preparing and appreciating good food. [FORMAL ] □ Burgundy has always been considered a major centre of gastronomy.
gas|tro-pub /gæ stroʊpʌb/ (gastro-pubs ) also gastropub N‑COUNT A gastro-pub is a pub that serves very good food. [BRIT ]
gas|works /gæ swɜː r ks/ (gasworks ) also gas works N‑COUNT A gasworks is a factory where gas is made, usually from coal, so that it can be used as a fuel.
gate ◆◇◇ /ge I t/ (gates )
1 N‑COUNT A gate is a structure like a door which is used at the entrance to a field, a garden, or the grounds of a building. □ He opened the gate and started walking up to the house.
2 N‑COUNT In an airport, a gate is a place where passengers leave the airport and get on their aeroplane. □ Passengers with hand luggage can go straight to the departure gate to check in there.
3 N‑COUNT Gate is used in the names of streets in Britain that are in a place where there once was a gate into a city. □ …9 Palace Gate.
4 N‑COUNT The gate at a sporting event such as a football match or baseball game is the total number of people who attend it. □ Their average gate is less than 23,000.
ga|teau /gæ toʊ/ (gateaux ) N‑VAR A gateau is a very rich, elaborate cake, especially one with cream in it. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a slice of gateau. □ …a selection of gateaux, cakes and pastries.
gate|crash /ge I tkræʃ/ (gatecrashes , gatecrashing , gatecrashed ) VERB If someone gatecrashes a party or other social event, they go to it, even though they have not been invited. □ [V n] Scores of people tried desperately to gatecrash the party. □ [V ] He had gatecrashed but he was with other people we knew and there was no problem. ● gate|crash|er (gatecrashers ) N‑COUNT □ Panic set in as gatecrashers tried to force their way through the narrow doors and corridors.
ga t|ed com|mu |nity (gated communities ) N‑COUNT A gated community is an area of houses and sometimes shops that is surrounded by a wall or fence and has an entrance that is guarded. [mainly AM ]
gate|house /ge I thaʊs/ (gatehouses ) N‑COUNT A gatehouse is a small house next to a gate on the edge of a park or country estate.
gate|keeper /ge I tkiːpə r / (gatekeepers ) N‑COUNT A gatekeeper is a person who is in charge of a gate and who allows people through it.
ga te mon|ey N‑UNCOUNT Gate money is the total amount of money that is paid by the people who go to a sports match or other event. [mainly BRIT ]
gate|post /ge I tpoʊst/ (gateposts ) N‑COUNT A gatepost is a post in the ground which a gate is hung from, or which it is fastened to when it is closed.
gate|way /ge I twe I / (gateways )
1 N‑COUNT A gateway is an entrance where there is a gate. □ He walked across the park and through a gateway.
2 N‑COUNT A gateway to somewhere is a place which you go through because it leads you to a much larger place. □ [+ to ] Lyon is the gateway to the Alps for motorists driving out from Britain.
3 N‑COUNT If something is a gateway to a job, career, or other activity, it gives you the opportunity to make progress or get further success in that activity. □ [+ to ] The prestigious title offered a gateway to success in the competitive world of modelling.
4 N‑COUNT In computing, a gateway connects different computer networks so that information can be passed between them. [COMPUTING ]
ga te|way drug (gateway drugs ) N‑COUNT A gateway drug is a drug such as cannabis that is believed by some people to lead to the use of more harmful drugs such as heroin or cocaine.
gath|er ◆◆◇ /gæ ðə r / (gathers , gathering , gathered )
1 VERB If people gather somewhere or if someone gathers people somewhere, they come together in a group. □ [V prep/adv] In the evenings, we gathered around the fireplace and talked. □ [V n with together ] The man signalled for me to gather the children together. [Also V ]
2 VERB If you gather things, you collect them together so that you can use them. □ [V n] I suggest we gather enough firewood to last the night. □ [V n with together ] She stood up and started gathering her things together. ● PHRASAL VERB Gather up means the same as gather . □ [V P n] When Sutcliffe had gathered up his papers, he went out. □ [V n P ] He gathered the leaves up off the ground.
3 VERB If you gather information or evidence, you collect it, especially over a period of time and after a lot of hard work. □ [V n] …a private detective using a hidden recording device to gather information.
4 VERB If something gathers speed, momentum, or force, it gradually becomes faster or more powerful. □ [V n] Demands for his dismissal have gathered momentum in recent weeks. □ [V n] The raft gathered speed as the current dragged it toward the falls.
5 VERB When you gather something such as your strength, courage, or thoughts, you make an effort to prepare yourself to do something. □ [V n] You must gather your strength for the journey. ● PHRASAL VERB Gather up means the same as gather . □ [V P n] She was gathering up her courage to approach him when he called to her. [Also V n P ]
6 VERB You use gather in expressions such as ' I gather ' and ' as far as I can gather ' to introduce information that you have found out, especially when you have found it out in an indirect way. □ [V that] I gather his report is highly critical of the trial judge. □ [V n] 'He speaks English,' she said to Graham. 'I gathered that.' □ [V n] From what I could gather, he was trying to raise money by organising festivals.
7 to gather dust → see dust
▸ gather up → see gather 2 , gather 5
gath|er|er /gæ ðərə r / (gatherers ) N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A gatherer is someone who collects or gathers a particular thing. □ …professional intelligence gatherers.
gath|er|ing /gæ ðər I ŋ/ (gatherings )
1 N‑COUNT A gathering is a group of people meeting together for a particular purpose. □ His sardonic manner and good looks helped to make him sought-after at literary gatherings.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If there is gathering darkness, the light is gradually decreasing, usually because it is nearly night. □ The lighthouse beam was quite distinct in the gathering dusk.
3 → see also gather
gator /ge I tə r / (gators ) also 'gator N‑COUNT A gator is the same as an alligator . [AM , INFORMAL ]
gauche /goʊ ʃ/ ADJ If you describe someone as gauche , you mean that they are awkward and uncomfortable in the company of other people. □ We're all a bit gauche when we're young. □ She was a rather gauche, provincial creature.
gau|cho /gaʊ tʃoʊ/ (gauchos ) N‑COUNT A gaucho is a South American cowboy.
gaudy /gɔː di/ (gaudier , gaudiest ) ADJ If something is gaudy , it is very brightly-coloured and showy. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …her gaudy orange-and-purple floral hat.
gauge /ge I dʒ/ (gauges , gauging , gauged )
1 VERB If you gauge the speed or strength of something, or if you gauge an amount, you measure or calculate it, often by using a device of some kind. □ [V n] He gauged the wind at over thirty knots. □ [V n] Distance is gauged by journey time rather than miles.
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A gauge is a device that measures the amount or quantity of something and shows the amount measured. □ …temperature gauges. □ …pressure gauges.
3 VERB If you gauge people's actions, feelings, or intentions in a particular situation, you carefully consider and judge them. □ [V n] …as he gauged possible enemy moves and his own responses.
4 N‑SING A gauge of someone's feelings or a situation is a fact or event that can be used to judge them. □ [+ of ] The index is the government's chief gauge of future economic activity.
5 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A gauge is the distance between the two rails on a railway line. □ …a narrow gauge railway.
6 N‑COUNT A gauge is the thickness of something, especially metal or wire.
gaunt /gɔː nt/
1 ADJ If someone looks gaunt , they look very thin, usually because they have been very ill or worried. □ Looking gaunt and tired, he denied there was anything to worry about.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe a building as gaunt , you mean it is very plain and unattractive. [LITERARY ] □ Above on the hillside was a large, gaunt, grey house.
gaunt|let /gɔː ntl I t/ (gauntlets )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Gauntlets are long, thick, protective gloves. □ …a pair of black leather driving gauntlets.
2 PHRASE If you pick up the gauntlet or take up the gauntlet , you accept the challenge that someone has made. □ She picked up the gauntlet in her incisive Keynote Address to the Conference. □ Whoever decides to take up the gauntlet and challenge the Prime Minister will have a tough battle.
3 PHRASE If you run the gauntlet , you go through an unpleasant experience in which a lot of people criticize or attack you. □ [+ of ] The trucks tried to drive to the British base, running the gauntlet of marauding bands of gunmen.
4 PHRASE If you throw down the gauntlet to someone, you say or do something that challenges them to argue or compete with you. □ Luxury car firm Jaguar has thrown down the gauntlet to competitors by giving the best guarantee on the market.
gauze /gɔː z/ N‑UNCOUNT Gauze is a type of light, soft cloth with tiny holes in it. □ Strain the juice through a piece of gauze or a sieve.
gauzy /gɔː zi/ ADJ [ADJ n] Gauzy material is light, soft, and thin, so that you can see through it. □ …thin, gauzy curtains.
gave /ge I v/ Gave is the past tense of give .
gav|el /gæ v ə l/ (gavels ) N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft poss N ] A gavel is a small wooden hammer that the person in charge of a law court, an auction, or a meeting bangs on a table to get people's attention.
gawd /gɔː d/ EXCLAM Gawd is used to represent the word 'God' pronounced in a particular accent or tone of voice, especially to show that someone is bored, irritated, or shocked. [INFORMAL , WRITTEN ] □ I thought, oh my gawd!
gawk /gɔː k/ (gawks , gawking , gawked ) VERB To gawk at someone or something means to stare at them in a rude, stupid, or unthinking way. [INFORMAL ] □ [V + at ] The youth continued to gawk at her and did not answer. □ [V ] Tens of thousands came to gawk.
gawky /gɔː ki/ ADJ If you describe someone, especially a young person, as gawky , you mean they are awkward and clumsy. □ …a gawky lad with spots.
gawp /gɔː p/ (gawps , gawping , gawped ) VERB To gawp means the same as to gawk . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V + at ] At weekends the roads are jammed with holiday-makers coming to gawp at the parade. □ [V ] Thorpe could only stand and gawp.
gay ◆◆◇ /ge I / (gays , gayer , gayest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A gay person is homosexual. □ The quality of life for gay men has improved over the last two decades. □ …the gay community. ● N‑PLURAL Gays are homosexual people, especially homosexual men. □ More importantly, gays have proved themselves to be style leaders. ● gay|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …Mike's admission of his gayness.
2 ADJ A gay person is fun to be with because they are lively and cheerful. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ I am happy and free, in good health, gay and cheerful.
3 ADJ A gay object is brightly coloured and pretty to look at. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ I like gay, relaxing paintings. SYNONYMS gay ADJ 2
cheerful: They are both very cheerful in spite of their colds.
happy: Her face relaxed into a happy smile.
jolly: She was a jolly, kindhearted woman.
merry: He was much loved for his merry nature.
joyful: We're a very joyful people; we're very musical people and we love music.
gaze /ge I z/ (gazes , gazing , gazed )
1 VERB If you gaze at someone or something, you look steadily at them for a long time, for example because you find them attractive or interesting, or because you are thinking about something else. □ [V + at ] She stood gazing at herself in the mirror. □ [V + at ] Sitting in his wicker chair, he gazed reflectively at the fire.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing, usu with poss] You can talk about someone's gaze as a way of describing how they are looking at something, especially when they are looking steadily at it. [WRITTEN ] □ She felt increasingly uncomfortable under the woman's steady gaze. □ The interior was shielded from the curious gaze of passersby.
3 PHRASE If someone or something is in the public gaze , they are receiving a lot of attention from the general public. □ You won't find a couple more in the public gaze than Michael and Lizzie.
ga|zebo /gəziː boʊ, [AM ] -ze I -/ (gazebos ) N‑COUNT A gazebo is a small building with open sides. Gazebos are often put up in gardens so that people can sit in them to enjoy the view.
ga|zelle /gəze l/ (gazelles ) N‑COUNT A gazelle is a type of small African or Asian deer. Gazelles move very quickly and gracefully.
ga|zette /gəze t/ (gazettes )
1 N‑COUNT [n N ] Gazette is often used in the names of newspapers. □ …the Arkansas Gazette.
2 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] In Britain, a gazette is an official publication in which information such as honours, public appointments, and important decisions are announced.
gaz|et|teer /gæ z I t I ə r / (gazetteers ) N‑COUNT A gazetteer is a book or a part of a book which lists and describes places.
ga|zump /gəzʌ mp/ (gazumps , gazumping , gazumped ) VERB [usu passive] If you are gazumped by someone, they agree to sell their house to you, but then sell it to someone else who offers to pay a higher price. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] While we carry out searches, we may be gazumped by someone offering a higher price. ● ga|zump|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ During the 1980s property boom, gazumping was common.
GB /dʒiː biː / N‑PROPER GB is an abbreviation for Great Britain .
GBH /dʒiː biː e I tʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT GBH is an abbreviation for grievous bodily harm . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
GCSE /dʒiː siː es iː / (GCSEs ) N‑VAR GCSEs are British educational qualifications which schoolchildren take when they are fifteen or sixteen years old. GCSE is an abbreviation for 'General Certificate of Secondary Education'. □ She quit school as soon as she had taken her GCSEs. □ …GCSE candidates.
gdn (gdns ) gdn is a written abbreviation for garden , for example in addresses, or in advertisements for houses that are for sale. □ The Piazza, Covent Gdn, WC2. □ …flat, private gdn, close to station.
GDP ◆◇◇ /dʒiː diː piː / (GDPs ) N‑VAR In economics, a country's GDP is the total value of goods and services produced within a country in a year, not including its income from investments in other countries. GDP is an abbreviation for 'gross domestic product'. Compare GNP .
gear ◆◇◇ /g I ə r / (gears , gearing , geared )
1 N‑COUNT The gears on a machine or vehicle are a device for changing the rate at which energy is changed into motion. □ On hills, he must use low gears. □ The car was in fourth gear. □ He put the truck in gear and drove on.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The gear involved in a particular activity is the equipment or special clothing that you use. □ About 100 officers in riot gear were needed to break up the fight. □ …fishing gear. □ They helped us put our gear back into the van.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Gear means clothing. [INFORMAL ] □ I used to wear trendy gear but it just looked ridiculous.
4 V-PASSIVE If someone or something is geared to or towards a particular purpose, they are organized or designed in order to achieve that purpose. □ [be V -ed + to ] Colleges are not always geared to the needs of mature students. □ [be V -ed + towards ] My training was geared towards winning gold in Munich.
▸ gear up PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If someone is gearing up for a particular activity, they are preparing to do it. If they are geared up to do a particular activity, they are prepared to do it. □ [V P + for/to ] …another indication that the Government is gearing up for an election. □ [be V -ed P to-inf] The factory was geared up to make 1,100 cars a day. COLLOCATIONS gear NOUN 2
noun + gear : camping, diving, fishing, riding; combat, lifting, riot
adjective + gear : high-tech, outdoor, protective
gear|box /g I ə r bɒks/ (gearboxes ) N‑COUNT A gearbox is the system of gears in an engine or vehicle.
gea r lev|er (gear levers ) or gear stick N‑COUNT A gear lever or a gear stick is the lever that you use to change gear in a car or other vehicle. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use gearshift
gear|shift /g I ə r ʃ I ft/ (gearshifts ) also gear shift N‑COUNT In a vehicle, the gearshift is the same as the gear lever . [mainly AM ]
gea r stick → see gear lever
gee /dʒiː / EXCLAM People sometimes say gee to emphasize a reaction or remark. [AM , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ Gee, it's hot. □ Gee thanks, Stan.
geek /giː k/ (geeks ) N‑COUNT If you call someone, usually a man or boy, a geek , you are saying in an unkind way that they are stupid, awkward, or weak. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
geeky /giː ki/ ADJ If you describe someone as geeky , you think they look or behave like a geek.
geese /giː s/ Geese is the plural of goose .
gee whiz /dʒiː h w I z/ also gee whizz
1 EXCLAM People sometimes say gee whiz in order to express a strong reaction to something or to introduce a remark or response. [AM , INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ Gee whiz, they carried on and on, they loved the evening.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use gee whiz to describe something that is new, exciting, and impressive, but that is perhaps more complicated or showy than it needs to be. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ The trend now is towards 'lifestyle' electronics–black, shiny gee-whiz things.
gee|zer /giː zə r / (geezers ) N‑COUNT Some people use geezer to refer to a man. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …an old bald geezer in a posh raincoat.
Geiger coun|ter /ga I gə r kaʊntə r / (Geiger counters ) N‑COUNT A Geiger counter is a device which finds and measures radioactivity.
gei|sha /ge I ʃə/ (geishas ) N‑COUNT A geisha is a Japanese woman who is specially trained in music, dancing, and the art of conversation. Her job is to entertain men.
gel /dʒe l/ (gels , gelling , gelled ) The spelling jell is usually used in American English and is sometimes used in British English for meanings 1 and 2 . 1 VERB If people gel with each other, or if two groups of people gel , they work well together because their skills and personalities fit together well. □ [V + with ] They have gelled very well with the rest of the side. □ [V ] There were signs on Saturday that the team is starting to gel at last. □ [V ] Their partnership gelled and scriptwriting for television followed.
2 VERB If a vague shape, thought, or creation gels , it becomes clearer or more definite. □ [V + into ] Her interpretation has not yet gelled into a satisfying whole. □ [V ] It was not until 1974 that his ability to write gelled again.
3 N‑VAR Gel is a thick jelly-like substance, especially one used to keep your hair in a particular style.
gela|tine /dʒe l I tiːn, [AM ] -t ə n/ (gelatines ) also gelatin N‑VAR Gelatine is a clear tasteless powder that is used to make liquids become firm, for example when you are making desserts such as jelly.
ge|lati|nous /dʒ I læ t I nəs/ ADJ Gelatinous substances or mixtures are wet and sticky. □ Pour a cup of the gelatinous mixture into the blender.
geld|ing /ge ld I ŋ/ (geldings ) N‑COUNT A gelding is a male horse that has been castrated.
gel|ig|nite /dʒe l I gna I t/ N‑UNCOUNT Gelignite is a type of explosive.
gem /dʒe m/ (gems )
1 N‑COUNT A gem is a jewel or stone that is used in jewellery. □ …a gold mask inset with emeralds and other gems.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe something or someone as a gem , you mean that they are especially pleasing, good, or helpful. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a gem of a hotel, Castel Clara. □ Miss Famous, as she was called, was a gem.
Gemi|ni /dʒe m I na I , [AM ] -niː/ (Geminis )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Gemini is one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Its symbol is a pair of twins. People who are born approximately between 21st May and 20th June come under this sign.
2 N‑COUNT A Gemini is a person whose sign of the zodiac is Gemini.
gem|stone /dʒe mstoʊn/ (gemstones ) N‑COUNT A gemstone is a jewel or stone used in jewellery.
Gen. Gen. is a written abbreviation for general . □ Gen. de Gaulle sensed that nuclear weapons would fundamentally change the nature of international relations.
gen|darme /ʒɒ ndɑː r m/ (gendarmes ) N‑COUNT A gendarme is a member of the French police force.
gen|der /dʒe ndə r / (genders )
1 N‑VAR A person's gender is the fact that they are male or female. □ Women are sometimes denied opportunities solely because of their gender. □ …groups that are traditionally discriminated against on grounds of gender or age.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to all male people or all female people as a particular gender . □ Don't generalize about an entire gender because of the behaviour of one individual. □ …the different abilities and skills of the two genders.
3 N‑VAR In grammar, the gender of a noun, pronoun, or adjective is whether it is masculine, feminine, or neuter. A word's gender can affect its form and behaviour. In English, only personal pronouns such as 'she', reflexive pronouns such as 'itself', and possessive determiners such as 'his' have gender. □ In both Welsh and Irish the word for 'moon' is of feminine gender.
ge nder-bender (gender-benders ) N‑COUNT People sometimes use gender-bender to refer to a man who dresses or behaves like a woman, or a woman who dresses or behaves like a man. [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ] ● gender-bending ADJ [ADJ n] □ Hilary Swank lived for a month as a man to prepare for her Oscar-winning, gender-bending breakthrough role.
gen|der re|as|sign|ment / dʒe ndə riːəsa I nmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT Gender reassignment is the process of changing a person's sex from male to female or from female to male with an operation and other medical procedures.
gene ◆◇◇ /dʒiː n/ (genes ) N‑COUNT A gene is the part of a cell in a living thing which controls its physical characteristics, growth, and development.
ge|neal|ogy /dʒiː niæ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Genealogy is the study of the history of families, especially through studying historical documents to discover the relationships between particular people and their families. ● ge|nea|logi|cal /dʒiː niəlɒ dʒ I k ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] □ …genealogical research on his family.
gen|era /dʒe nərə/ Genera is the plural of genus .
gen|er|al ◆◆◆ /dʒe nrəl/ (generals )
1 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A general is a senior officer in the armed forces, usually in the army. □ He rose through the ranks to become a general.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you talk about the general situation somewhere or talk about something in general terms, you are describing the situation as a whole rather than considering its details or exceptions. □ The figures represent a general decline in employment. □ …the general deterioration of English society. ● PHRASE If you describe something in general terms , you describe it without giving details. □ She recounted in very general terms some of the events of recent months.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use general to describe several items or activities when there are too many of them or when they are not important enough to mention separately. □ £2,500 for software is soon swallowed up in general costs. □ His firm took over the planting and general maintenance of the park last March.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] You use general to describe something that involves or affects most people, or most people in a particular group. □ The project should raise general awareness about bullying.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something as general , you mean that it is not restricted to any one thing or area. □ …a general ache radiating from the back of the neck. □ …a general sense of well-being. □ …raising the level of general physical fitness.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] General is used to describe a person's job, usually as part of their title, to indicate that they have complete responsibility for the administration of an organization or business. [BUSINESS ] □ He joined Sanders Roe, moving on later to become General Manager.
7 → see also generally
8 PHRASE You use in general to indicate that you are talking about something as a whole, rather than about part of it. □ I think we need to improve our educational system in general. □ She had a confused idea of life in general.
9 PHRASE You say in general to indicate that you are referring to most people or things in a particular group. □ People in general will support us. □ She enjoys a sterling reputation in law enforcement circles and among the community in general.
10 PHRASE You say in general to indicate that a statement is true in most cases. □ In general, a child's joints are usually more supple and prone to dislocation than an adult's.
ge n|er|al ele c|tion ◆◇◇ (general elections )
1 N‑COUNT In Britain, a general election is an election where everyone votes for people to represent them in Parliament.
2 N‑COUNT In the United States, a general election is a local, state, or national election where the candidates have been selected by a primary election. Compare primary .
gen|er|al|ise /dʒe nrəla I z/ → see generalize
gen|er|al|ity /dʒe nəræ l I ti/ (generalities )
1 N‑COUNT A generality is a general statement that covers a range of things, rather than being concerned with specific instances. [FORMAL ] □ I'll start with some generalities and then examine a few specific examples. □ He avoided this tricky question and talked in generalities.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The generality of a statement or description is the fact that it is a general one, rather than a specific, detailed one. □ Operating at a very high level of generality it would have little importance.
gen|er|ali|za|tion /dʒe nrəla I ze I ʃ ə n/ (generalizations ) in BRIT, also use generalisation N‑VAR A generalization is a statement that seems to be true in most situations or for most people, but that may not be completely true in all cases. □ He is making sweeping generalisations to get his point across. □ The evaluation of conduct involves some amount of generalization.
gen|er|al|ize /dʒe nrəla I z/ (generalizes , generalizing , generalized ) in BRIT, also use generalise 1 VERB If you generalize , you say something that seems to be true in most situations or for most people, but that may not be completely true in all cases. □ [V ] 'In my day, children were a lot better behaved'.—'It's not true, you're generalizing'. □ [V prep] It's hard to generalize about Cole Porter because he wrote so many great songs that were so varied.
2 VERB If you generalize something such as an idea, you apply it more widely than its original context, as if it was true in many other situations. □ [V n + to ] A child first labels the household pet cat as a 'cat' and then generalises this label to other animals that look like it. [Also V n]
gen|er|al|ized /dʒe nrəla I zd/ in BRIT, also use generalised 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Generalized means involving many different things, rather than one or two specific things. □ …a generalised discussion about admirable singers. □ …generalised feelings of inadequacy.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use generalized to describe medical conditions or problems which affect the whole of someone's body, or the whole of a part of their body. [MEDICAL ] □ She experienced an increase in generalized aches and pains. □ …generalised muscle disorders.
ge n|er|al kno wl|edge N‑UNCOUNT General knowledge is knowledge about many different things, as opposed to detailed knowledge about one particular subject.
gen|er|al|ly ◆◆◇ /dʒe nrəli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] You use generally to give a summary of a situation, activity, or idea without referring to the particular details of it. □ University teachers generally have admitted a lack of enthusiasm about their subjects. □ Speaking generally, the space enterprise has served astronomy well.
2 ADV [ADV with v] You use generally to say that something happens or is used on most occasions but not on every occasion. □ As women we generally say and feel too much about these things. □ It is generally true that the darker the fruit the higher its iron content. □ Generally speaking, his judgment is sound. SYNONYMS generally ADV 1
usually: Usually, the work is boring.
typically: It typically takes a day or two, depending on size.
normally: Normally, the transportation system in Paris carries 950,000 passengers a day.
on the whole: On the whole, people miss the opportunity to enjoy leisure.
mostly: …men and women, mostly in their 30s.
ge n|er|al pra c|tice (general practices )
1 N‑UNCOUNT When a doctor is in general practice , he or she treats sick people at a surgery or office, or visits them at home, and does not specialize in a particular type of medicine. □ In recent years, doctors have been trained specifically for general practice. ● N‑COUNT General practice is also a noun. □ The sample was selected from the medical records of two general practices.
2 N‑UNCOUNT When lawyers deal with all kinds of legal matters, rather than specializing in one kind of law, you can say they have a general practice or are in general practice . [mainly AM ]
ge n|er|al prac|ti |tion|er (general practitioners ) N‑COUNT A general practitioner is the same as a GP . [BRIT , FORMAL ]
ge n|er|al pu b|lic N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] You can refer to the people in a society as the general public , especially when you are contrasting people in general with a small group. □ These charities depend on the compassionate feelings and generosity of the general public. □ Unemployment is 10 percent among the general public and about 40 percent among North African immigrants.
ge n|er|al stri ke (general strikes ) N‑COUNT A general strike is a situation where most or all of the workers in a country are on strike and are refusing to work.
gen|er|ate ◆◇◇ /dʒe nəre I t/ (generates , generating , generated )
1 VERB To generate something means to cause it to begin and develop. □ [V n] The Employment Minister said the reforms would generate new jobs. □ [V -ed] …the passion and emotion generated by football.
2 VERB To generate a form of energy or power means to produce it. □ [V n] The estate uses solar panels and wind turbines to generate power. SYNONYMS generate VERB 1
create: We set business free to create more jobs in Britain.
produce: The drug is known to produce side-effects in women.
cause: Any attempts are likely to cause problems.
bring about: So how do we bring about political change?
give rise to: This can give rise to high blood-pressure.
gen|era|tion ◆◆◇ /dʒe nəre I ʃ ə n/ (generations )
1 N‑COUNT A generation is all the people in a group or country who are of a similar age, especially when they are considered as having the same experiences or attitudes. □ [+ of ] …the younger generation of Party members. □ He has long been considered the leading American playwright of his generation.
2 N‑COUNT A generation is the period of time, usually considered to be about thirty years, that it takes for children to grow up and become adults and have children of their own. □ Within a generation flight has become the method used by many travellers.
3 N‑COUNT You can use generation to refer to a stage of development in the design and manufacture of machines or equipment. □ [+ of ] …a new generation of IBM/Apple computers.
4 ADJ Generation is used to indicate how long members of your family have had a particular nationality. For example, second generation means that you were born in the country you live in, but your parents were not. □ …a second-generation 'immigrant' of Italian and Irish descent.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Generation is the production of a form of energy or power from fuel or another source of power such as water. □ Japan has announced plans for a sharp rise in its nuclear power generation. COLLOCATIONS generation NOUN 1
adjective + generation : current, future, next, previous; older, younger, unborn; whole
verb + generation : educate, influence, inspire SYNONYMS generation NOUN 1
age group: …a style that would appeal to all age groups.
peer group: …peer group pressure.
gen|era|tion|al /dʒe nəre I ʃənəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Generational means relating to a particular generation, or to the relationship between particular generations. □ People's lifestyles are usually fixed by generational habits and fashions.
ge n|era |tion gap (generation gaps ) N‑COUNT If you refer to the generation gap , you are referring to a difference in attitude and behaviour between older people and younger people, which may cause them to argue or may prevent them from understanding each other fully.
gen|era|tive /dʒe nərət I v/
1 ADJ If something is generative , it is capable of producing something or causing it to develop. [FORMAL ] □ …the generative power of the sun.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] In linguistics, generative is used to describe linguistic theories or models which are based on the idea that a single set of rules can explain how all the possible sentences of a language are formed. [TECHNICAL ]
gen|era|tor /dʒe nəre I tə r / (generators )
1 N‑COUNT A generator is a machine which produces electricity.
2 N‑COUNT A generator of something is a person, organization, product, or situation which produces it or causes it to happen. □ [+ of ] The U.S. economy is still an impressive generator of new jobs. □ The company has been a very good cash generator.
ge|ner|ic /dʒ I ne r I k/ (generics )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use generic to describe something that refers or relates to a whole class of similar things. □ Parmesan is a generic term used to describe a family of hard Italian cheeses. ● ge|neri|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj] □ I will refer to child abuse generically (which includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect). □ …something generically called 'rock 'n' roll'.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A generic drug or other product is one that does not have a trademark and that is known by a general name, rather than the manufacturer's name. □ They encourage doctors to prescribe cheaper generic drugs. ● N‑COUNT Generic is also a noun. □ Brand names only are given, as generics are not usually prescribed.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] People sometimes use generic to refer to something that is exactly typical of the kind of thing mentioned, and that has no special or unusual characteristics. □ …generic California apartments, the kind that have white walls and white drapes and were built five years ago.
gen|er|os|ity /dʒe nərɒ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to someone's generosity , you mean that they are generous, especially in doing or giving more than is usual or expected. □ There are stories about his generosity, the massive amounts of money he gave to charities. □ …a man of great generosity of spirit.
gen|er|ous ◆◇◇ /dʒe nərəs/
1 ADJ A generous person gives more of something, especially money, than is usual or expected. □ [+ in ] German banks are more generous in their lending. □ The gift is generous by any standards. ● gen|er|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ We would like to thank all the judges who gave so generously of their time.
2 ADJ A generous person is friendly, helpful, and willing to see the good qualities in someone or something. □ [+ in ] He was always generous in sharing his enormous knowledge. □ He was generous enough to congratulate his successor on his decision. ● gen|er|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The students generously gave them instruction in social responsibility.
3 ADJ A generous amount of something is much larger than is usual or necessary. □ …a generous six weeks of annual holiday. □ He should be able to keep his room tidy with the generous amount of storage space. ● gen|er|ous|ly ADV [ADV -ed, ADV after v] □ …a generously sized sitting room. □ Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper.
gen|esis /dʒe n I s I s/ N‑SING [usu with poss] The genesis of something is its beginning, birth, or creation. [FORMAL ] □ The project had its genesis two years earlier.
ge ne the ra|py N‑UNCOUNT Gene therapy is the use of genetic material to treat disease.
ge|net|ic /dʒ I ne t I k/ ADJ You use genetic to describe something that is concerned with genetics or with genes. □ Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease in the United States. ● ge|neti|cal|ly /dʒ I ne t I kli/ ADV [usu ADV adj] □ Some people are genetically predisposed to diabetes.
ge|ne ti|cal|ly mo di|fied ADJ [usu ADJ n] Genetically modified plants and animals have had one or more genes changed, for example so that they resist pests and diseases better. Genetically modified food contains ingredients made from genetically modified plants or animals. The abbreviation GM is often used. □ Top supermarkets are to ban many genetically modified foods.
ge|ne t|ic en|gi|nee r|ing N‑UNCOUNT Genetic engineering is the science or activity of changing the genetic structure of an animal, plant, or other organism in order to make it stronger or more suitable for a particular purpose. □ Scientists have used genetic engineering to protect tomatoes against the effects of freezing.
ge|ne t|ic fi nger|print|ing N‑SING Genetic fingerprinting is a method of identifying people using the genetic material in their bodies.
ge|neti|cist /dʒ I ne t I s I st/ (geneticists ) N‑COUNT A geneticist is a person who studies or specializes in genetics.
ge|net|ics /dʒ I ne t I ks/ N‑UNCOUNT Genetics is the study of heredity and how qualities and characteristics are passed on from one generation to another by means of genes.
gen|ial /dʒiː niəl/ ADJ Someone who is genial is kind and friendly. [APPROVAL ] □ Bob was always genial and welcoming. □ He was a warm-hearted friend and genial host. ● gen|ial|ly ADV □ 'If you don't mind,' Mrs. Dambar said genially. ● ge|ni|al|ity /dʒiːniæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ He soon recovered his habitual geniality.
ge|nie /dʒiː ni/ (genies )
1 N‑COUNT In stories from Arabia and Persia, a genie is a spirit which appears and disappears by magic and obeys the person who controls it.
2 PHRASE If you say that the genie is out of the bottle or that someone has let the genie out of the bottle , you mean that something has happened which has made a great and permanent change in people's lives, especially a bad change.
geni|tal /dʒe n I t ə l/ (genitals )
1 N‑PLURAL Someone's genitals are their external sexual organs.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Genital means relating to a person's external sexual organs. □ Keep the genital area clean.
geni|ta|lia /dʒe n I te I liə/ N‑PLURAL A person's or animal's genitalia are their external sexual organs. [FORMAL ]
geni|tive /dʒe n I t I v/ N‑SING In the grammar of some languages, the genitive , or the genitive case , is a noun case which is used mainly to show possession. In English grammar, a noun or name with 's added to it, for example 'dog's' or 'Anne's', is sometimes called the genitive form .
ge|ni|us /dʒiː niəs/ (geniuses )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Genius is very great ability or skill in a particular subject or activity. □ This is the mark of her real genius as a designer. □ The man had genius and had made his mark in the aviation world. □ Its very title is a stroke of genius.
2 N‑COUNT A genius is a highly talented, creative, or intelligent person. □ Chaplin was not just a genius, he was among the most influential figures in film history.
geno|cid|al /dʒe nəsa I d ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Genocidal means relating to genocide or carrying out genocide. □ They have been accused of genocidal crimes.
geno|cide /dʒe nəsa I d/ N‑UNCOUNT Genocide is the deliberate murder of a whole community or race. □ They have alleged that acts of genocide and torture were carried out.
ge|nome /dʒiː noʊm/ (genomes ) N‑COUNT In biology and genetics, a genome is the particular number and combination of certain chromosomes necessary to form the single nucleus of a living cell. [TECHNICAL ]
ge|nom|ic /dʒ I nɒ m I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Genomic means relating to genomes. [TECHNICAL ] □ …genomic research.
ge|nom|ics /dʒ I nɒ m I ks/ N‑SING Genomics is the study of genomes. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the genomics revolution.
gen|re /ʒɒ nrə/ (genres ) N‑COUNT A genre is a particular type of literature, painting, music, film, or other art form which people consider as a class because it has special characteristics. [FORMAL ] □ …his love of films and novels in the horror genre.
gent /dʒe nt/ (gents )
1 N‑COUNT Gent is an informal and old-fashioned word for gentleman . □ Mr Blake was a gent. He knew how to behave.
2 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] People sometimes refer to a public toilet for men as the gents . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
3 N‑COUNT Gents is used when addressing men in an informal, humorous way, especially in the expression 'ladies and gents'. [HUMOROUS , INFORMAL ] □ Don't be left standing, ladies and gents, while a bargain slips past your eyes.
gen|teel /dʒentiː l/
1 ADJ A genteel person is respectable and well-mannered, and comes or seems to come from a high social class. □ It was a place to which genteel families came in search of health and quiet. □ …two maiden ladies with genteel manners and voices.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A genteel place or area is quiet and traditional, but may also be old-fashioned and dull. □ …the genteel towns of Winchester and Chichester.
gen|tian /dʒe nʃ ə n/ (gentians ) N‑COUNT A gentian is a small plant with a blue or purple flower shaped like a bell which grows in mountain regions.
Gen|tile /dʒe nta I l, [AM ] -t ə l/ (Gentiles ) also gentile N‑COUNT A Gentile is a person who is not Jewish. ● ADJ [usu ADJ n] Gentile is also an adjective. □ He's far too handsome and too gentile to play Ginsberg.
gen|til|ity /dʒent I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Gentility is the fact or appearance of belonging to a high social class. □ The hotel has an air of faded gentility.
gen|tle ◆◇◇ /dʒe nt ə l/ (gentler , gentlest )
1 ADJ Someone who is gentle is kind, mild, and calm. □ My son was a quiet and gentle man. □ Michael's voice was gentle and consoling. ● gen|tly ADV [ADV with v] □ She smiled gently at him. □ 'I'm sorry to disturb you,' Webb said gently. ● gen|tle|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …the gentleness with which she treated her pregnant mother.
2 ADJ Gentle actions or movements are performed in a calm and controlled manner, with little force. □ …a gentle game of tennis. □ His movements were gentle and deliberate. ● gen|tly ADV □ Patrick took her gently by the arm and led her to a chair.
3 ADJ If you describe the weather, especially the wind, as gentle , you mean it is pleasant and calm and not harsh or violent. □ The blustery winds of spring had dropped to a gentle breeze. ● gen|tly ADV [ADV with v] □ Light airs blew gently out of the south-east.
4 ADJ A gentle slope or curve is not steep or severe. □ …gentle, rolling meadows. ● gen|tly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj] □ …gently rolling hills.
5 ADJ A gentle heat is a fairly low heat. □ Cook for 30 minutes over a gentle heat. ● gen|tly ADV [ADV with v] □ Add the onion and cook gently.
gentle|man ◆◇◇ /dʒe nt ə lmən/ (gentlemen )
1 N‑COUNT A gentleman is a man who comes from a family of high social standing. □ …this wonderful portrait of English gentleman Joseph Greenway.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that a man is a gentleman , you mean he is polite and educated, and can be trusted. □ He was always such a gentleman.
3 N‑COUNT You can address men as gentlemen , or refer politely to them as gentlemen . [POLITENESS ] □ This way, please, ladies and gentlemen. □ It seems this gentleman was waiting for the doctor.
gentle|man|ly /dʒe nt ə lmənli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a man's behaviour as gentlemanly , you approve of him because he has good manners. [APPROVAL ] □ He was respected by all who knew him for his kind and gentlemanly consideration.
gentle|woman /dʒe nt ə lwʊmən/ (gentlewomen ) N‑COUNT A gentlewoman is a woman of high social standing, or a woman who is cultured, educated, and well-mannered. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
gen|tri|fy /dʒe ntr I fa I / (gentrifies , gentrifying , gentrified ) VERB [usu passive] When a street or area is gentrified , it becomes a more expensive place to live because wealthy people move into the area and buy the houses where people with less money used to live. □ [be V -ed] The local neighbourhood, like so many areas of Manhattan, is gradually being gentrified. ● gen|tri|fi|ca|tion /dʒe ntr I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …the gentrification of the area.
gen|try /dʒe ntri/ N‑PLURAL The gentry are people of high social status or high birth. [mainly BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ Most of the country estates were built by the landed gentry during the late 19th century.
genu|flect /dʒe njʊflekt/ (genuflects , genuflecting , genuflected )
1 VERB If you genuflect , you bend one or both knees and bow, especially in church, as a sign of respect. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] He genuflected in front of the altar.
2 VERB You can say that someone is genuflecting to something when they are giving it a great deal of attention and respect, especially if you think it does not deserve this. [mainly JOURNALISM , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + to ] They refrained from genuflecting to the laws of political economy. [Also V prep]
genu|ine ◆◇◇ /dʒe nju I n/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Genuine is used to describe people and things that are exactly what they appear to be, and are not false or an imitation. □ He is an inspiration and a genuine hero. □ …genuine leather. □ They're convinced the picture is genuine.
2 ADJ Genuine refers to things such as emotions that are real and not pretended. □ There was genuine joy in this room. □ If this offer is genuine I will gladly accept it. ● genu|ine|ly ADV □ He was genuinely surprised. ● genu|ine|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] He needed at least three days to assess the genuineness of their intentions.
3 ADJ If you describe a person as genuine , you approve of them because they are honest, truthful, and sincere in the way they live and in their relationships with other people. [APPROVAL ] □ She is very caring and very genuine. ● genu|ine|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I have no doubt about their genuineness. SYNONYMS genuine ADJ
1
authentic: …authentic Italian food.
real: …the smell of real leather.
actual: The segments are filmed using either local actors or the actual people involved.
legitimate: The New York Times has a legitimate claim to be a national newspaper.
2
heartfelt: My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the relatives.
sincere: He accepted her apologies as sincere.
honest: What do you think of the school, in your honest opinion? WORD HISTORY genuine
The word genuine comes from the Latin word genu , meaning 'knee'. This can be explained by a Roman custom in which a father used to put a newborn baby on his knee as a way of formally recognizing that the child was his.
ge|nus /dʒe nəs, [AM ] dʒiː -/ (genera /dʒe nərə/) N‑COUNT A genus is a class of similar things, especially a group of animals or plants that includes several closely related species. [TECHNICAL ]
PREFIX geo-
is used at the beginning of words that refer to the whole of the world or to the Earth's surface. For example, geology is the study of the Earth's structure, surface and origins.
geo|en|gi|neer|ing /dʒiː oʊendʒ I n I ə r I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Geoengineering is the use of scientific processes to improve the environment, especially to stop the Earth becoming any hotter. □ The company is involved in several geoengineering projects.
ge|og|ra|pher /dʒiɒ grəfə r / (geographers ) N‑COUNT A geographer is a person who studies geography or is an expert in it.
geo|graphi|cal /dʒiː əgræ f I k ə l/ The form geographic /dʒiː əgræ f I k/ is also used. ADJ [usu ADJ n] Geographical or geographic means concerned with or relating to geography. □ …a vast geographical area. ● geo|graphi|cal|ly /dʒiː əgræ f I kli/ ADV □ It is geographically more diverse than any other continent.
ge|og|ra|phy /dʒiɒ grəfi/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Geography is the study of the countries of the world and of such things as the land, seas, climate, towns, and population.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The geography of a place is the way that features such as rivers, mountains, towns, or streets are arranged within it. □ …police officers who knew the local geography.
geo|logi|cal /dʒiː əlɒ dʒ I k ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Geological means relating to geology. □ …a lengthy geological survey. ● geo|logi|cal|ly /dʒiː əlɒ dʒ I kli/ ADV □ At least 10,000 of these hectares are geologically unsuitable for housing.
ge|ol|ogy /dʒiɒ lədʒi/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Geology is the study of the Earth's structure, surface, and origins. □ He was visiting professor of geology at the University of Jordan. ● ge|olo|gist (geologists ) N‑COUNT □ Geologists have studied the way that heat flows from the earth.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The geology of an area is the structure of its land, together with the types of rocks and minerals that exist within it. □ [+ of ] …an expert on the geology of southeast Asia.
geo|met|ric /dʒiː əme tr I k/ The form geometrical /dʒiː əme tr I k ə l/ is also used. 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Geometric or geometrical patterns or shapes consist of regular shapes or lines. □ Geometric designs were popular wall decorations in the 14th century. ● geo|met|ri|cal|ly /dʒiː əme tr I kli/ ADV □ …a few geometrically planted trees.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Geometric or geometrical means relating to or involving the principles of geometry. □ Euclid was trying to convey his idea of a geometrical point.
ge|om|etry /dʒiɒ m I tri/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Geometry is the branch of mathematics concerned with the properties and relationships of lines, angles, curves, and shapes. □ …the very ordered way in which mathematics and geometry describe nature.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The geometry of an object is its shape or the relationship of its parts to each other. □ They have tinkered with the geometry of the car's nose.
geo|physi|cal /dʒiː oʊf I z I k ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Geophysical means relating to geophysics.
geo|physi|cist /dʒiː oʊf I z I s I st/ (geophysicists ) N‑COUNT A geophysicist is someone who studies or specializes in geophysics.
geo|phys|ics /dʒiː oʊf I z I ks/ N‑UNCOUNT Geophysics is the branch of geology that uses physics to examine the earth's structure, climate, and oceans.
geo|po|liti|cal /dʒiː oʊpəl I t I k ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Geopolitical means relating to or concerned with geopolitics. □ Hungary and Poland have suffered before because of their unfortunate geopolitical position on the European map.
geo|poli|tics /dʒiː oʊpɒ l I t I ks/ N‑UNCOUNT Geopolitics is concerned with politics and the way that geography affects politics or relations between countries.
Geor|gian /dʒɔː r dʒ ə n/ ADJ Georgian means belonging to or connected with Britain in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, during the reigns of King George I to King George IV. □ …the restoration of his Georgian house.
ge|ra|nium /dʒ I re I niəm/ (geraniums ) N‑COUNT A geranium is a plant with red, pink, or white flowers.
ger|bil /dʒɜː r b I l/ (gerbils ) N‑COUNT A gerbil is a small, furry animal that is often kept as a pet.
geri|at|ric /dʒe riæ tr I k/ (geriatrics )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Geriatric is used to describe things relating to the illnesses and medical care of old people. [MEDICAL ] □ There is a question mark over the future of geriatric care. □ The geriatric patients will be moved out.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Geriatrics is the study of the illnesses that affect old people and the medical care of old people.
3 N‑COUNT [oft N n] If you describe someone as a geriatric , you are implying that they are old and that their mental or physical condition is poor. This use could cause offence. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He will complain about having to spend time with such a boring bunch of geriatrics. □ …how can it be acceptable to have a load of geriatric judges deciding what should happen?
germ /dʒɜː r m/ (germs )
1 N‑COUNT A germ is a very small organism that causes disease. □ Chlorine is widely used to kill germs. □ …a germ that destroyed hundreds of millions of lives.
2 N‑SING The germ of something such as an idea is something which developed or might develop into that thing. □ [+ of ] The germ of an idea took root in Rosemary's mind.
3 → see also wheatgerm
Ger|man /dʒɜː r mən/ (Germans )
1 ADJ German means belonging or relating to Germany, or to its people, language, or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A German is a person who comes from Germany.
3 N‑UNCOUNT German is the language spoken in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. □ I heard a very angry man talking in German.
ger|mane /dʒɜː r me I n/ ADJ Something that is germane to a situation or idea is connected with it in an important way. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] …the suppression of a number of documents which were very germane to the case. □ Fenton was a good listener, and his questions were germane.
Ger|man|ic /dʒɜː r mæ n I k/
1 ADJ If you describe someone or something as Germanic , you think that their appearance or behaviour is typical of German people or things. □ He asked in his Germanic English if I was enjoying France.
2 ADJ Germanic is used to describe the ancient culture and language of the peoples of northern Europe. □ …the Germanic tribes of pre-Christian Europe.
Ge r|man mea |sles N‑UNCOUNT German measles is a disease which causes you to have a cough, a sore throat, and red spots on your skin.
ger|mi|nate /dʒɜː r m I ne I t/ (germinates , germinating , germinated )
1 VERB If a seed germinates or if it is germinated , it starts to grow. □ [V ] Some seed varieties germinate fast, so check every day or so. □ [V n] First, the researchers germinated the seeds. ● ger|mi|na|tion /dʒɜː r m I ne I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The poor germination of your seed could be because the soil was too cold.
2 VERB If an idea, plan, or feeling germinates , it comes into existence and begins to develop. □ [V ] He wrote to Eliot about a 'big book' that was germinating in his mind. [Also V + into ]
ge rm wa r|fare N‑UNCOUNT Germ warfare is the use of germs in a war in order to cause disease in enemy troops, or to destroy crops that they might use as food. □ …an international treaty banning germ warfare.
ger|on|tol|ogy /dʒe rəntɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Gerontology is the study of the process by which we get old, how our bodies change, and the problems that old people have.
ger|ry|man|der|ing /dʒe rimæ ndər I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Gerrymandering is the act of altering political boundaries in order to give an unfair advantage to one political party or group of people. [DISAPPROVAL ]
ger|und /dʒe rʌnd/ (gerunds ) N‑COUNT A gerund is a noun formed from a verb which refers to an action, process, or state. In English, gerunds end in '-ing', for example 'running' and 'thinking'.
ge|stalt /gəʃtæ lt/ N‑SING In psychology, a gestalt is something that has particular qualities when you consider it as a whole which are not obvious when you consider only the separate parts of it. [TECHNICAL ]
ges|ta|tion /dʒeste I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Gestation is the process in which babies grow inside their mother's body before they are born. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the seventeenth week of gestation. □ The gestation period can be anything between 95 and 150 days.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Gestation is the process in which an idea or plan develops. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the prolonged period of gestation of this design.
ges|ticu|late /dʒest I kjʊle I t/ (gesticulates , gesticulating , gesticulated ) VERB If you gesticulate , you make movements with your arms or hands, often while you are describing something that is difficult to express in words. [mainly WRITTEN ] □ [V ] A man with a paper hat upon his head was gesticulating wildly. □ [V prep] The architect was gesticulating at a hole in the ground. ● ges|ticu|la|tion /dʒest I kjʊle I ʃ ə n/ (gesticulations ) N‑UNCOUNT □ We communicated mainly by signs, gesticulation and mime.
ges|ture ◆◇◇ /dʒe stʃə r / (gestures , gesturing , gestured )
1 N‑COUNT A gesture is a movement that you make with a part of your body, especially your hands, to express emotion or information. □ Sarah made a menacing gesture with her fist. □ He throws his hands open in a gesture which clearly indicates his relief.
2 N‑COUNT A gesture is something that you say or do in order to express your attitude or intentions, often something that you know will not have much effect. □ [+ of ] I wasn't expecting a fortune, just a gesture of goodwill.
3 VERB If you gesture , you use movements of your hands or head in order to tell someone something or draw their attention to something. □ [V prep] I gestured towards the boathouse, and he looked inside. □ [V ] He gestures, gesticulates, and moves with the grace of a dancer. COLLOCATIONS gesture NOUN
1
noun + gesture : hand
adjective + gesture : obscene, offensive, rude, threatening
verb + gesture : make
2
noun + gesture : goodwill
adjective + gesture : dramatic, generous, grand; romantic, spontaneous, symbolic, token; empty
verb + gesture : appreciate, welcome; reciprocate, return VERB 3
gesture + adverb : angrily, rudely, vaguely, wildly SYNONYMS gesture NOUN
1
sign: They gave Lavalle the thumbs-up sign.
signal: As soon as it was dark, Mrs Evans gave the signal.
motion: He made a neat chopping motion with his hand.
2
token: As a token of goodwill, I'm going to write another letter.
demonstration: …physical demonstrations of affection.
expression: Laughter is one of the most infectious expressions of emotion.
display: Normally, such an outward display of affection is reserved for his mother.
get
➊ CHANGING, CAUSING, MOVING, OR REACHING
➋ OBTAINING, RECEIVING, OR CATCHING
➌ PHRASES AND PHRASAL VERBS
➊ get ◆◆◆ /ge t/ (gets , getting , got or gotten ) In most of its uses get is a fairly informal word. Gotten is an American form of the past participle. 1 V‑LINK You use get with adjectives to mean 'become'. For example, if someone gets cold , they become cold, and if they get angry , they become angry. □ [V adj] The boys were getting bored. □ [V adj] There's no point in getting upset. □ [V adj] From here on, it can only get better.
2 V‑LINK Get is used with expressions referring to states or situations. For example, to get into trouble means to start being in trouble. □ [V adj] Half the pleasure of an evening out is getting ready. □ [V prep/adv] Perhaps I shouldn't say that–I might get into trouble. □ [V prep/adv] How did we get into this recession, and what can we do to get out of it?
3 VERB To get someone or something into a particular state or situation means to cause them to be in it. □ [V n adj] I don't know if I can get it clean. □ [V n adj] What got me interested was looking at an old New York Times. □ [V n prep] Brian will get them out of trouble.
4 VERB If you get someone to do something, you cause them to do it by asking, persuading, or telling them to do it. □ [V n to-inf] Get your partner to massage your abdomen. □ [V n to-inf] How did you get him to pose for this picture?
5 VERB If you get something done, you cause it to be done. □ [V n -ed] I might benefit from getting my teeth fixed. □ [V n -ed] It was best to get things done quickly.
6 VERB To get somewhere means to move there. □ [V prep/adv] I got off the bed and opened the door. □ [V prep/adv] I heard David yelling and telling them to get back.
7 VERB When you get to a place, you arrive there. □ [V + to ] Generally I get to work at 9.30am. □ [V adv] It was dark by the time she got home.
8 VERB To get something or someone into a place or position means to cause them to move there. □ [V n with adv] Mack got his wallet out. □ [V n prep] The U.N. was supposed to be getting aid to where it was most needed.
9 AUX Get is often used in place of 'be' as an auxiliary verb to form passives. □ [AUX -ed] Does she ever get asked for her autograph? □ [AUX -ed] A pane of glass got broken.
10 VERB If you get to do something, you eventually or gradually reach a stage at which you do it. □ [V to-inf] No one could figure out how he got to be so wealthy.
11 VERB If you get to do something, you manage to do it or have the opportunity to do it. □ [V to-inf] Do you get to see him often? □ [V to-inf] They get to stay in nice hotels.
12 VERB You can use get in expressions like get moving , get going , and get working when you want to tell people to begin moving, going, or working quickly. □ [V v-ing] I aim to be off the lake before dawn, so let's get moving.
13 VERB If you get to a particular stage in your life or in something you are doing, you reach that stage. □ [V + to ] We haven't got to the stage of a full-scale military conflict. □ [V adv] If she gets that far, Jane may get legal aid to take her case to court. □ [V + to ] It got to the point where I was so ill I was waiting to die.
14 VERB You can use get to talk about the progress that you are making. For example, if you say that you are getting somewhere , you mean that you are making progress, and if you say that something won't get you anywhere , you mean it will not help you to progress at all. □ [V adv] Radical factions say the talks are getting nowhere and they want to withdraw. □ [V n adv] My perseverance was getting me somewhere.
15 V‑LINK When it gets to a particular time, it is that time. If it is getting towards a particular time, it is approaching that time. □ [V + to ] It got to after 1am and I was exhausted. □ [V + towards ] It was getting towards evening when we got back. □ [V adj] It's getting late.
16 VERB If something that has continued for some time gets to you, it starts causing you to suffer. □ [V + to ] That's the first time I lost my cool in 20 years in this job. This whole thing's getting to me.
17 VERB [no passive] If something gets you, it annoys you. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] What gets me is the attitude of so many of the people.
➋ get ◆◆◆ /ge t/ (gets , getting , got or gotten )
1 VERB If you get something that you want or need, you obtain it. □ [V n] I got a job at the sawmill. □ [V n] He had been having trouble getting a hotel room. □ [V n n] I asked him to get me some information. [Also V n + for ]
2 VERB If you get something, you receive it or are given it. □ [V n] I'm getting a bike for my birthday. □ [V n] He gets a lot of letters from women.
3 VERB If you get someone or something, you go and bring them to a particular place. □ [V n] I came down this morning to get the newspaper. □ [V n n] Go and get me a large brandy. □ [V n + for ] Go and get your daddy for me.
4 VERB If you get a meal, you prepare it. □ [V n] She was getting breakfast as usual.
5 VERB If you get a particular result, you obtain it from some action that you take, or from a calculation or experiment. □ [V n] You could run that race again and get a different result each time. □ [V n] What do you get if you multiply six by nine?
6 VERB If you get a particular price for something that you sell, you obtain that amount of money by selling it. □ [V n + for ] He can't get a good price for his crops.
7 VERB If you get the time or opportunity to do something, you have the time or opportunity to do it. □ [V n] You get time to think in prison. □ [V n] Whenever I get the chance I go to Maxim's for dinner.
8 VERB If you get an idea, impression, or feeling, you begin to have that idea, impression, or feeling as you learn or understand more about something. □ [V n] I get the feeling that you're an honest man. □ [V n] The study is an attempt to get a better idea of why people live where they do.
9 VERB If you get a feeling or benefit from an activity or experience, the activity or experience gives you that feeling or benefit. □ [V n] Charles got a shock when he saw him. □ [V n + out of/from ] She gets enormous pleasure out of working freelance.
10 VERB If you get a look, view, or glimpse of something, you manage to see it. □ [V n] Young men climbed on buses and fences to get a better view. □ [V n] Crowds shouted and pushed to get a glimpse of their hero.
11 VERB If a place gets a particular type of weather, it has that type of weather. □ [V n] Riyadh got 25 mm of rain in just 12 hours. □ [V n] Northern Kentucky is likely to get snow mixed with sleet.
12 VERB If you get a joke or get the point of something that is said, you understand it. □ [V n] Did you get that joke, Ann? I'll explain later. □ [V n] You don't seem to get the point.
13 VERB If you get an illness or disease, you become ill with it. □ [V n] When I was five I got measles.
14 VERB When you get a train, bus, plane, or boat, you leave a place on a particular train, bus, plane, or boat. □ [V n] What time are you getting your train?
15 VERB If you get a person or animal, you succeed in catching, killing, or hitting them. □ [V n] Take it easy. We've got him. He's not going to kill anyone else.
16 → see also getting , got
➌ get ◆◆◆ /ge t/ (gets , getting , got or gotten )
1 PHRASE You can say that something is, for example, as good as you can get to mean that it is as good as it is possible for that thing to be. □ Consort has a population of 714 and is about as rural and isolated as you can get.
2 PHRASE If you say you can't get away from something or there is no getting away from something, you are emphasizing that it is true, even though people might prefer it not to be true. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ There is no getting away from the fact that he is on the left of the party.
3 PHRASE If you get away from it all , you have a holiday in a place that is very different from where you normally live and work. □ …the ravishing island of Ischia, where rich Italians get away from it all.
4 CONVENTION Get is used in rude expressions like get stuffed and get lost to express contempt, disagreement, or refusal to do something. [RUDE , FEELINGS ]
5 PHRASE You can say get you to show that you think someone is acting as if they are more important, rich, or successful than they really are. [INFORMAL ] □ Get you in your fancy clothes!
6 PHRASE You can say, for example, ' How lucky can you get? ' or ' How stupid can you get? ' to show your surprise that anyone could be as lucky or stupid as the person that you are talking about. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ I mean, how crazy can you get?
7 PHRASE You can use you get instead of 'there is' or 'there are' to say that something exists, happens, or can be experienced. [SPOKEN ] □ You get a lot of things like that now, don't you? □ That's where you get some differences of opinion.
▸ get about
1 PHRASAL VERB If you get about , you go to different places and visit different people. □ [V P ] So you're getting about a bit again? Not shutting yourself away?
2 PHRASAL VERB The way that someone gets about is the way that they walk or go from one place to another. □ [V P ] She was finding it increasingly difficult to get about.
3 PHRASAL VERB If news gets about , it becomes well known as a result of being told to lots of people. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P ] The story had soon got about that he had been suspended.
▸ get across PHRASAL VERB When an idea gets across or when you get it across , you succeed in making other people understand it. □ [V P + to ] Officers felt their point of view was not getting across to ministers. □ [V n P ] I had created a way to get my message across while using as few words as possible. [Also V P ]
▸ get ahead PHRASAL VERB If you want to get ahead , you want to be successful in your career. □ [V P ] He wanted safety, security, a home, and a chance to get ahead.
▸ get along
1 PHRASAL VERB If you get along with someone, you have a friendly relationship with them. You can also say that two people get along . □ [V P + with ] It's impossible to get along with him. □ [V P ] They seemed to be getting along fine.
2 PHRASAL VERB Get along means the same as get by . □ [V P prep] You can't get along without water.
▸ get around in BRIT, also use get round 1 PHRASAL VERB To get around a problem or difficulty means to overcome it. □ [V P n] None of these countries has found a way yet to get around the problem.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get around a rule or law, you find a way of doing something that the rule or law is intended to prevent, without actually breaking it. □ [V P n] Although tobacco ads are prohibited, companies get around the ban by sponsoring music shows.
3 PHRASAL VERB If news gets around , it becomes well known as a result of being told to lots of people. □ [V P that] Word is getting around that this is a great place to work. □ [V P that] I'll see that it gets round that you've arrived.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you get around someone, you persuade them to allow you to do or have something by pleasing them or flattering them. □ [V P n] Max could always get round her.
5 PHRASAL VERB If you get around , you visit a lot of different places as part of your way of life. □ [V P ] He claimed to be a journalist, and he got around.
▸ get around to in BRIT, also use get round to PHRASAL VERB When you get around to doing something that you have delayed doing or have been too busy to do, you finally do it. □ [V P P n/v-ing] I said I would write to you, but as usual I never got around to it.
▸ get at
1 PHRASAL VERB To get at something means to succeed in reaching it. □ [V P n] A goat was standing up against a tree on its hind legs, trying to get at the leaves.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get at the truth about something, you succeed in discovering it. □ [V P n] We want to get at the truth. Who killed him? And why?
3 PHRASAL VERB [usu cont] If you ask someone what they are getting at , you are asking them to explain what they mean, usually because you think that they are being unpleasant or are suggesting something that is untrue. □ [V P ] 'What are you getting at now?' demanded Rick.
▸ get away
1 PHRASAL VERB If you get away , you succeed in leaving a place or a person's company. □ [V P + from ] She'd gladly have gone anywhere to get away from the cottage. □ [V P ] We hang out together after training - nobody's in a rush to get away.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get away , you go away for a period of time in order to have a holiday. □ [V P ] He is too busy to get away.
3 PHRASAL VERB When someone or something gets away , or when you get them away , they escape. □ [V P ] Dr Dunn was apparently trying to get away when he was shot. □ [V n P ] I wanted to get her away to somewhere safe.
▸ get away with PHRASAL VERB If you get away with doing something wrong or risky, you do not suffer any punishment or other bad consequences because of it. □ [V P P n/v-ing] The criminals know how to play the system and get away with it.
▸ get back
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone or something gets back to a state they were in before, they are then in that state again. □ [V P + to ] Then life started to get back to normal. □ [V P + to ] I couldn't get back to sleep. [Also V P + into ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get back to a subject that you were talking about before, you start talking about it again. □ [V P + to/onto ] It wasn't until we had sat down to eat that we got back to the subject of Tom Halliday.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you get something back after you have lost it or after it has been taken from you, you then have it again. □ [V n P ] You have 14 days in which you can cancel the contract and get your money back. [Also V P n (not pron)]
4 PHRASAL VERB If you get back at someone or get them back , you do something unpleasant to them in order to have revenge for something unpleasant that they did to you. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P + at ] Part of me wanted to get back at him for what he 'd done. □ [V n P ] I'm going to get you back so badly you'll never to be able to show your face again.
▸ get back to PHRASAL VERB If you get back to an activity, you start doing it again after you have stopped doing it. □ [V P P n] I think I ought to get back to work.
▸ get by PHRASAL VERB If you can get by with what you have, you can manage to live or do things in a satisfactory way. □ [V P ] I'm a survivor. I'll get by. □ [V P + on ] Melville managed to get by on a small amount of money.
▸ get down
1 PHRASAL VERB If something gets you down , it makes you unhappy. □ [V n P ] At times when my work gets me down, I like to fantasize about being a farmer.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get down , you lower your body until you are sitting, kneeling, or lying on the ground. □ [V P + on ] She got down on her hands and knees on the floor. □ [V P ] 'Get down!' she yelled. 'Somebody's shooting!'
3 PHRASAL VERB If you get something down , especially something that someone has just said, you write it down. □ [V n P ] The idea has been in my head for quite a while and now I am getting it down on paper. [Also V P n]
4 PHRASAL VERB If you get food or medicine down , you swallow it, especially with difficulty. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] I bit into a hefty slab of bread and cheese. When I had got it down I started talking. [Also V P n]
▸ get down to PHRASAL VERB If you get down to something, especially something that requires a lot of attention, you begin doing it. □ [V P P n] With the election out of the way, the government can get down to business.
▸ get in
1 PHRASAL VERB If a political party or a politician gets in , they are elected. □ [V P ] I think he's genuinely Left wing - and will act as such if he gets in.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get something in , you manage to do it at a time when you are very busy doing other things. □ [V n P ] I plan to get a few lessons in.
3 PHRASAL VERB To get crops or the harvest in means to gather them from the land and take them to a particular place. □ [V n P ] We didn't get the harvest in until Christmas, there was so much snow.
4 PHRASAL VERB When a train, bus, or plane gets in , it arrives. □ [V P ] We would have come straight here, except our flight got in too late.
▸ get into
1 PHRASAL VERB If you get into a particular kind of work or activity, you manage to become involved in it. □ [V P n] He was eager to get into politics.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get into a school, college, or university, you are accepted there as a student. □ [V P n] I was working hard to get into Cambridge.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you ask what has got into someone, you mean that they are behaving very differently from the way they usually behave. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] What has got into you today? Why are you behaving like this?
▸ get off
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone who has broken a law or rule gets off , they are not punished, or are given only a very small punishment. □ [V P + with ] He is likely to get off with a small fine.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get off , you leave a place because it is time to leave. □ [V P ] At eight I said 'I'm getting off now.'
3 PHRASAL VERB If you tell someone to get off a piece of land or a property, you are telling them to leave, because they have no right to be there and you do not want them there. □ [V P n] I told you. Get off the farm.
4 PHRASAL VERB You can tell someone to get off when they are touching something and you do not want them to. □ [V P ] I kept telling him to get off. □ [V P n] 'Get off me!' I screamed.
▸ get on
1 PHRASAL VERB If you get on with someone, you like them and have a friendly relationship with them. □ The host fears the guests won't get on. □ [V P + with ] What are your neighbours like? Do you get on with them?
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get on with something, you continue doing it or start doing it. □ [V P + with ] Jane got on with her work. □ [V P ] Let's get on.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you say how someone is getting on , you are saying how much success they are having with what they are trying to do. □ [V P adv] Livy's getting on very well in Russian. She learns very quickly. □ [V P adv] When he came back to see me I asked how he had got on.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you try to get on , you try to be successful in your career. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P ] Politics is seen as a man's world. It is very difficult for women to get on.
5 PHRASAL VERB [usu cont] If someone is getting on , they are getting old. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] I'm nearly 31 and that's getting on a bit for a footballer.
▸ get on to
1 PHRASAL VERB If you get on to a topic when you are speaking, you start talking about it. □ [V P P n] We got on to the subject of relationships.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get on to someone, you contact them in order to ask them to do something or to give them some information. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P P n] I got on to him and explained some of the things I had been thinking of.
▸ get out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you get out , you leave a place because you want to escape from it, or because you are made to leave it. □ [V P + of ] They probably wanted to get out of the country. □ [V P ] I told him to leave and get out.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get out , you go to places and meet people, usually in order to have a more enjoyable life. □ [V P ] Get out and enjoy yourself, make new friends.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you get out of an organization or a commitment, you withdraw from it. □ [V P + of ] I wanted to get out of the group, but they wouldn't let me. □ [V P + of ] Getting out of the contract would be no problem. [Also V P ]
4 PHRASAL VERB If news or information gets out , it becomes known. □ [V P ] If word got out now, a scandal could be disastrous. □ [V P that] Once the news gets out that Armenia is in a very critical situation, I think the world will respond.
▸ get out of PHRASAL VERB If you get out of doing something that you do not want to do, you succeed in avoiding doing it. □ [V P P v-ing/n] It's amazing what people will do to get out of paying taxes.
▸ get over
1 PHRASAL VERB If you get over an unpleasant or unhappy experience or an illness, you recover from it. □ [V P n] It took me a very long time to get over the shock of her death.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get over a problem or difficulty, you overcome it. □ [V P n] How would they get over that problem, he wondered?
3 PHRASAL VERB If you get your message over to people, they hear and understand it. □ [V n P + to ] We have got to get the message over to the young that smoking isn't cool.
▸ get over with PHRASAL VERB If you want to get something unpleasant over with , you want to do it or finish experiencing it quickly, since you cannot avoid it. □ [V n P P ] The sooner we start, the sooner we'll get it over with.
▸ get round → see get around
▸ get round to → see get around to
▸ get through
1 PHRASAL VERB If you get through a task or an amount of work, especially when it is difficult, you complete it. □ [V P n] I think you can get through the first two chapters.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you get through a difficult or unpleasant period of time, you manage to live through it. □ [V P n] It is hard to see how people will get through the winter.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you get through a large amount of something, you use it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n] You'll get through at least ten nappies a day.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you get through to someone, you succeed in making them understand something that you are trying to tell them. □ [V P + to ] An old friend might well be able to get through to her and help her. □ [V P + to ] The message was finally getting through to him. [Also V P ]
5 PHRASAL VERB If you get through to someone, you succeed in contacting them on the phone. □ [V P + to ] Look, I can't get through to this number. □ [V P ] I've been trying to ring up all day and I couldn't get through.
6 PHRASAL VERB If you get through an examination or get through , you pass it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n] Did you have to get through an entrance examination? [Also V P ]
7 PHRASAL VERB If a law or proposal gets through , it is officially approved by something such as a parliament or committee. □ [V P ] …if his referendum law failed to get through. □ [V P n] Such a radical proposal would never get through parliament.
▸ get together
1 PHRASAL VERB When people get together , they meet in order to discuss something or to spend time together. □ [V P ] This is the only forum where East and West can get together.
2 → see also get-together
3 PHRASAL VERB If you get something together , you organize it. □ [V n P ] Paul and I were getting a band together, and we needed a new record deal.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you get an amount of money together , you succeed in getting all the money that you need in order to pay for something. □ [V n P ] Now you've finally got enough money together to put down a deposit on your dream home. [Also V P n (not pron)]
▸ get up
1 PHRASAL VERB When someone who is sitting or lying down gets up , they rise to a standing position. □ [V P ] I got up and walked over to where he was.
2 PHRASAL VERB When you get up , you get out of bed. □ [V P ] They have to get up early in the morning.
3 → see also get-up
▸ get up to PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone gets up to something, you mean that they do it and you do not approve of it. [BRIT , mainly SPOKEN , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P P n] They get up to all sorts behind your back.
get|away /ge təwe I / (getaways ) also get-away
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft N n] If someone makes a getaway , they leave a place quickly, especially after committing a crime or when trying to avoid someone. □ They made their getaway along a pavement on a stolen motorcycle. □ …the burglar's getaway car.
2 N‑COUNT A getaway is a short holiday somewhere. [INFORMAL ] □ Weekend tours are ideal for families who want a short getaway.
get|ting /ge t I ŋ/
1 Getting is the present participle of get .
2 PHRASE Getting on for means the same as nearly . [BRIT , mainly SPOKEN ] □ I've been trying to give up smoking for getting on for two years now. □ It was getting on for two o'clock.
ge t-together (get-togethers ) N‑COUNT A get-together is an informal meeting or party, usually arranged for a particular purpose. □ …a get-together I had at my home.
ge t-up (get-ups ) N‑COUNT If you refer to a set of clothes as a get-up , you think that they are unusual or ridiculous. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Naturally he couldn't work in this get-up.
gey|ser /giː zə r , [AM ] ga I zə r / (geysers ) N‑COUNT A geyser is a hole in the Earth's surface from which hot water and steam are forced out, usually at irregular intervals of time.
Gha|na|ian /gɑːne I ən/ (Ghanaians )
1 ADJ Ghanaian means belonging or relating to Ghana, or to its people, language or culture.
2 N‑COUNT Ghanaians are people who are Ghanaian.
ghast|ly /gɑː stli, gæ stli/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as ghastly , you mean that you find them very unpleasant. [INFORMAL ] □ …a mother accompanied by her ghastly unruly child. □ It was the worst week of my life. It was ghastly.
GHB /dʒiː e I tʃ biː / N‑UNCOUNT GHB is a drug with some medical uses, which some people take illegally to make them feel happy and energetic. GHB is an abbreviation for 'gamma hydroxybutyrate'.
ghee /giː / N‑UNCOUNT Ghee is a hard fat that is obtained by heating butter made from the milk of a cow or a buffalo. Ghee is used in Indian cooking.
gher|kin /gɜː r k I n/ (gherkins ) N‑COUNT Gherkins are small green cucumbers that have been preserved in vinegar.
ghet|to /ge toʊ/ (ghettos or ghettoes ) N‑COUNT A ghetto is a part of a city in which many poor people or many people of a particular race, religion, or nationality live separately from everyone else. □ …the black ghettos of New York and Los Angeles.
ghe t|to blast|er (ghetto blasters ) also ghetto-blaster N‑COUNT A ghetto blaster is a large portable radio and cassette player with built-in speakers, especially one that is played loudly in public by young people. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] in AM, use boom box
ghost /goʊ st/ (ghosts , ghosting , ghosted )
1 N‑COUNT A ghost is the spirit of a dead person that someone believes they can see or feel. □ [+ of ] …the ghost of Marie Antoinette. □ [+ of ] The village is haunted by the ghosts of the dead children.
2 N‑COUNT The ghost of something, especially of something bad that has happened, is the memory of it. □ [+ of ] …the ghost of anti-Americanism.
3 N‑SING If there is a ghost of something, that thing is so faint or weak that it hardly exists. □ [+ of ] He gave the ghost of a smile. □ [+ of ] The sun was warm and there was just a ghost of a breeze from the north-west.
4 VERB If a book or other piece of writing is ghosted , it is written by a writer for another person, for example a politician or sportsman, who then publishes it as his or her own work. □ [be V -ed] I published his autobiography, which was very competently ghosted by a woman journalist from the Daily Mail. □ [V n] I ghosted his weekly rugby column for the Telegraph.
5 PHRASE [with neg] If someone does not stand or does not have a ghost of a chance of doing something, they have very little chance of succeeding in it. [INFORMAL ] □ He doesn't stand a ghost of a chance of selling the house.
ghost|ly /goʊ stli/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is ghostly seems unreal or unnatural and may be frightening because of this. □ The moon shone, shedding a ghostly light on the fields. □ …Sonia's ghostly laughter.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A ghostly presence is the ghost or spirit of a dead person. □ …the ghostly presences which haunt these islands.
gho st sto|ry (ghost stories ) N‑COUNT A ghost story is a story about ghosts.
gho st town (ghost towns ) N‑COUNT A ghost town is a town which used to be busy and wealthy but is now poor and deserted. □ Mogadishu is said to be a virtual ghost town, deserted by two-thirds of its residents.
gho st-write (ghost-writes , ghost-writing , ghost-wrote , ghost-written ) also ghostwrite VERB [usu passive] If a book or other piece of writing is ghost-written , it is written by a writer for another person, for example a politician or sportsman, who then publishes it as his or her own work. □ [be V -ed] Articles were ghost-written by company employees.
gho st writ|er (ghost writers ) also ghostwriter N‑COUNT A ghost writer is someone who writes a book or other published work instead of the person who is named as the author.
ghoul /guː l/ (ghouls ) N‑COUNT A ghoul is an imaginary evil spirit. Ghouls are said to steal bodies from graves and eat them.
ghoul|ish /guː l I ʃ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Ghoulish people and things show an unnatural interest in things such as human suffering, death, or dead bodies. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They are there only to satisfy their ghoulish curiosity.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is ghoulish looks or behaves like a ghoul. □ …the ghoulish apparitions at the window.
GHQ /dʒiː e I tʃ kjuː / N‑UNCOUNT GHQ is used to refer to the place where the people who organize military forces or a military operation work. GHQ is an abbreviation for 'General Headquarters'. [MILITARY ] □ …the dispatches he was carrying from GHQ to the Eighth Army.
GI /dʒiː a I / (GIs ) N‑COUNT A GI is a soldier in the United States army.
gi|ant ◆◇◇ /dʒa I ənt/ (giants )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Something that is described as giant is much larger or more important than most others of its kind. □ …Italy's giant car maker, Fiat. □ …a giant oak table. □ …a giant step towards unification with the introduction of monetary union.
2 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] Giant is often used to refer to any large, successful business organization or country. [JOURNALISM ] □ …Japanese electronics giant Sony. □ …one of Germany's industrial giants, Daimler-Benz.
3 N‑COUNT A giant is an imaginary person who is very big and strong, especially one mentioned in old stories. □ …a Nordic saga of giants.
4 N‑COUNT [usu a N of n] You can refer to someone, especially a man, as a giant , if they seem important or powerful or if they are big and strong. □ The biggest man in the patrol, a giant of a man, lifted Mattie on to his shoulders.
5 N‑COUNT You can refer to someone such as a famous musician or writer as a giant , if they are regarded as one of the most important or successful people in their field. □ He was without question one of the giants of Japanese literature. SYNONYMS giant ADJ 1
huge: …a tiny little woman with huge black glasses.
vast: …Afrikaner farmers who own vast stretches of land.
enormous: The main bedroom is enormous.
immense: …an immense cloud of smoke.
gigantic: …gigantic rocks.
gi ant-killer (giant-killers ) also giant killer N‑COUNT A giant-killer is a sportsman, sportswoman, or team that unexpectedly beats a much stronger opponent. [mainly BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ Giant-killers Yeovil became the most successful non-league club in history with their 5-2 win at Torquay.
gi ant-killing (giant-killings ) N‑COUNT [usu N n] In sport, when a weaker team or competitor beats a much stronger, well-known team or competitor, their success is sometimes called a giant-killing . [mainly BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ Scarborough are aiming to pull off a repeat of their giant-killing act against Chelsea three years ago.
gi ant-sized ADJ [usu ADJ n] An object that is giant-sized is much bigger than objects of its kind usually are. □ …a giant-sized TV.
gib|ber /dʒ I bə r / (gibbers , gibbering , gibbered ) VERB If you say that someone is gibbering , you mean that they are talking very fast and in a confused manner. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] Everyone is gibbering insanely, nerves frayed as showtime approaches. □ [V -ing] I was a gibbering wreck by this stage.
gib|ber|ish /dʒ I bər I ʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe someone's words or ideas as gibberish , you mean that they do not make any sense. □ When he was talking to a girl he could hardly speak, and when he did speak he talked gibberish.
gib|bet /dʒ I b I t/ (gibbets ) N‑COUNT A gibbet is a gallows . [OLD-FASHIONED ]
gib|bon /g I bən/ (gibbons ) N‑COUNT A gibbon is an ape with very long arms and no tail that lives in southern Asia.
gibe /dʒa I b/ → see jibe
gib|lets /dʒ I bl I ts/ N‑PLURAL Giblets are the parts such as the heart and liver that you remove from inside a chicken or other bird before you cook and eat it. Some people cook the giblets separately to make soup or a sauce.
gid|dy /g I di/ (giddier , giddiest )
1 ADJ If you feel giddy , you feel unsteady and think that you are about to fall over, usually because you are not well. □ He felt giddy and light-headed. ● gid|di|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ A wave of giddiness swept over her.
2 ADJ If you feel giddy with delight or excitement, you feel so happy or excited that you find it hard to think or act normally. □ Anthony was giddy with self-satisfaction. □ Being there gave me a giddy pleasure. ● gid|di|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ There's almost a giddiness surrounding the talks in Houston.
GIF /g I f/ (GIFs ) N‑COUNT A GIF is a computer file that is used on the internet for sending images, especially moving images. GIF is an abbreviation for 'Graphic Interchange Format'. □ Please send the data as a GIF.
gift ◆◇◇ /g I ft/ (gifts )
1 N‑COUNT A gift is something that you give someone as a present. □ …a gift of $50.00. □ They believed the unborn child was a gift from God. □ …gift shops.
2 N‑COUNT If someone has a gift for doing something, they have a natural ability for doing it. □ [+ for ] As a youth he discovered a gift for teaching. □ [+ of ] She had the gift of making people happy.
gift|ed /g I ft I d/
1 ADJ Someone who is gifted has a natural ability to do something well. □ …one of the most gifted players in the world. □ He was witty, amusing and gifted with a sharp business brain.
2 ADJ A gifted child is much more intelligent or talented than average. □ …a state program for gifted children.
gi ft-wrapped ADJ [usu ADJ n] A gift-wrapped present is wrapped in pretty paper.
gig /g I g/ (gigs , gigging , gigged )
1 N‑COUNT A gig is a live performance by someone such as a musician or a comedian. [INFORMAL ] □ The two bands join forces for a gig at the Sheffield Arena on November 28. □ He supplemented his income with occasional comedy gigs.
2 VERB When musicians or other performers gig , they perform live in public. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] By the time he was 15, Scott had gigged with a handful of well-known small bands.
gi|ga|byte /g I gəba I t/ (gigabytes ) N‑COUNT In computing, a gigabyte is one thousand and twenty-four megabytes.
gi|gan|tic /dʒa I gæ nt I k/ ADJ If you describe something as gigantic , you are emphasizing that it is extremely large in size, amount, or degree. [EMPHASIS ] □ …gigantic rocks. □ A gigantic task of national reconstruction awaits us.
gig|gle /g I g ə l/ (giggles , giggling , giggled )
1 VERB If someone giggles , they laugh in a childlike way, because they are amused, nervous, or embarrassed. □ [V ] Both girls began to giggle. □ [V with quote] 'I beg your pardon?' she giggled. □ [V -ing] …a giggling little girl. ● N‑COUNT Giggle is also a noun. □ She gave a little giggle.
2 N‑PLURAL If you say that someone has the giggles , you mean they cannot stop giggling. □ I was so nervous I got the giggles. □ She had a fit of the giggles.
3 N‑SING If you say that something is a giggle , you mean it is fun or is amusing. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ I might buy one for a friend's birthday as a giggle.
gig|gly /g I gəli/ ADJ Someone who is giggly keeps laughing in a childlike way, because they are amused, nervous, or drunk. □ Ray was very giggly and joking all the time. □ …giggly girls.
gigo|lo /dʒ I gəloʊ/ (gigolos ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A gigolo is a man who is paid to be the lover of a rich and usually older woman. [DISAPPROVAL ]
gild /g I ld/ (gilds , gilding , gilded ) VERB If you gild a surface, you cover it in a thin layer of gold or gold paint. □ [V n] Carve the names and gild them. □ [V -ed] …gilded statues.
gild|ing /g I ld I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Gilding is a layer of gold or gold paint that is put on something.
gill /g I l/ (gills ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Gills are the organs on the sides of fish and other water creatures through which they breathe.
gilt /g I lt/ (gilts )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A gilt object is covered with a thin layer of gold or gold paint. □ …marble columns and gilt spires.
2 N‑COUNT Gilts are gilt-edged stocks or securities. [BRIT , BUSINESS ]
gi lt-e dged ADJ [ADJ n] Gilt-edged stocks or securities are issued by the government for people to invest in for a fixed period of time at a fixed rate of interest. [BRIT , BUSINESS ]
gim|let /g I ml I t/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that someone has gimlet eyes, you mean that they look at people or things very carefully, and seem to notice every detail. [WRITTEN ] □ 'Have you read the whole book?' she asks, gimlet-eyed.
gim|me /g I mi/ Gimme is sometimes used in written English to represent the words 'give me' when they are pronounced informally. □ 'Gimme a break, kid! You know how much those things cost?'
gim|mick /g I m I k/ (gimmicks ) N‑COUNT A gimmick is an unusual and unnecessary feature or action whose purpose is to attract attention or publicity. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is just a public relations gimmick. □ The exhibition is informative, up to date, and mercifully free of gimmicks.
gim|mick|ry /g I m I kri/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe features or actions as gimmickry , you mean they are not necessary or useful, and their only purpose is to attract attention or publicity. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Privatisation and gimmickry are not the answer to improving Britain's rail service.
gim|micky /g I m I ki/ ADJ If you describe something as gimmicky , you think it has features which are not necessary or useful, and whose only purpose is to attract attention or publicity. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The campaign was gimmicky, but it had a serious side to it.
gin /dʒ I n/ (gins ) N‑VAR Gin is a strong colourless alcoholic drink made from grain and juniper berries. ● N‑COUNT A gin is a glass of gin. □ …another gin and tonic.
gin|ger /dʒ I ndʒə r /
1 N‑UNCOUNT Ginger is the root of a plant that is used to flavour food. It has a sweet spicy flavour and is often sold in powdered form.
2 COLOUR Ginger is used to describe things that are orangey-brown in colour. □ She was a mature lady with dyed ginger hair.
gi n|ger a le (ginger ales ) N‑VAR Ginger ale is a fizzy non-alcoholic drink flavoured with ginger, which is often mixed with an alcoholic drink. □ I live mostly on coffee and ginger ale. ● N‑COUNT A glass of ginger ale can be referred to as a ginger ale .
gi n|ger bee r (ginger beers ) N‑VAR Ginger beer is a fizzy drink that is made from syrup and ginger and is sometimes slightly alcoholic. ● N‑COUNT A glass of ginger beer can be referred to as a ginger beer .
ginger|bread /dʒ I ndʒə r bred/ N‑UNCOUNT Gingerbread is a sweet biscuit or cookie that is flavoured with ginger. It is often made in the shape of a man or an animal.
gi n|ger group (ginger groups ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A ginger group is a group of people who have similar ideas and who work together, especially within a larger organization, to try to persuade others to accept their ideas. [BRIT ] □ I set up a ginger group on the environment.
gin|ger|ly /dʒ I ndʒə r li/ ADV [ADV with v] If you do something gingerly , you do it in a careful manner, usually because you expect it to be dangerous, unpleasant, or painful. [WRITTEN ] □ I drove gingerly past the security check points.
gin|gery /dʒ I ndʒəri/ ADJ Something, especially hair, that is gingery is slightly ginger in colour.
ging|ham /g I ŋəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Gingham is cotton cloth which has a woven pattern of small squares, usually in white and one other colour. □ …a gingham apron. □ …gingham check shorts.
gin|seng /dʒ I nseŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Ginseng is the root of a plant found in China, Korea, and America which some people believe is good for your health.
gip|sy /dʒ I psi/ → see gypsy
gi|raffe /dʒ I rɑː f, -ræ f/ (giraffes ) N‑COUNT A giraffe is a large African animal with a very long neck, long legs, and dark patches on its body.
gird /gɜː r d/ (girds , girding , girded ) VERB If you gird yourself for a battle or contest, you prepare yourself for it. [LITERARY ] □ [V pron-refl + for ] With audiences in the U.S. falling for the first time in a generation, Hollywood is girding itself for recession.
gird|er /gɜː r də r / (girders ) N‑COUNT A girder is a long, thick piece of steel or iron that is used in the framework of buildings and bridges.
gir|dle /gɜː r d ə l/ (girdles , girdling , girdled ) N‑COUNT A girdle is a piece of women's underwear that fits tightly around the stomach and hips.
girl ◆◆◆ /gɜː r l/ (girls )
1 N‑COUNT A girl is a female child. □ …an eleven year old girl. □ I must have been a horrid little girl.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to someone's daughter as a girl . □ We had a little girl.
3 N‑COUNT Young women are often referred to as girls . This use could cause offence. □ …a pretty twenty-year-old girl.
4 N‑COUNT Some people refer to a man's girlfriend as his girl . [INFORMAL ] □ I've been with my girl for nine years.
gi rl band (girl bands ) N‑COUNT A girl band is a band consisting of young women who sing pop music and dance.
girl|friend ◆◇◇ /gɜː r lfrend/ (girlfriends )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's girlfriend is a girl or woman with whom they are having a romantic or sexual relationship. □ He had been going out with his girlfriend for seven months. □ Has he got a girlfriend?
2 N‑COUNT A girlfriend is a female friend. □ I met a girlfriend for lunch.
Gi rl Gui de (Girl Guides ) also girl guide
1 N‑PROPER In Britain, the Guides used to be called the Girl Guides .
2 N‑COUNT In Britain, a Girl Guide was a girl who was a member of the Girl Guides.
girl|hood /gɜː r lhʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] Girlhood is the period of a female person's life during which she is a girl. □ She had shared responsibility for her brother since girlhood. □ Her girlhood dream had been to study painting.
girlie /gɜː r li/ (girlies ) also girly
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Girlie magazines or calendars show photographs of naked or almost naked women which are intended to please men. [INFORMAL ]
2 ADJ Girlie things are suitable for girls or women rather than men or boys. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ She swapped her plain suit for an absurdly girlie dress. □ I'm a very girlie person while Polly is one of the lads.
3 N‑COUNT Some people refer to women as girlies , especially when they think they are not as intelligent or able as men. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ They think we're just a bunch of girlies who don't know what we're doing.
girl|ish /gɜː r l I ʃ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a woman as girlish , you mean she behaves, looks, or sounds like a young girl, for example because she is shy, excited, or lively. □ She gave a little girlish giggle.
Gi rl Scout (Girl Scouts )
1 N‑PROPER [with sing or pl verb] In the United States, the Girl Scouts is an organization similar to Guides .
2 N‑COUNT In the United States, a Girl Scout is a girl who is a member of the Girl Scouts.
girth /gɜː r θ/ (girths )
1 N‑VAR [oft poss N ] The girth of an object, for example a person's or an animal's body, is its width or thickness, considered as the measurement around its circumference. [FORMAL ] □ A girl he knew had upset him by commenting on his increasing girth.
2 N‑COUNT A girth is a leather strap which is fastened firmly around the middle of a horse to keep the saddle or load in the right place.
gist /dʒ I st/ N‑SING The gist of a speech, conversation, or piece of writing is its general meaning. □ He related the gist of his conversation to Naseby.
git /g I t/ (gits ) N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] If you refer to another person as a git , you mean you dislike them and find them annoying. [BRIT , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]
give
➊ USED WITH NOUNS DESCRIBING ACTIONS
➋ TRANSFERRING
➌ OTHER USES, PHRASES, AND PHRASAL VERBS
➊ give ◆◆◆ /g I v/ (gives , giving , gave , given )
1 VERB [no cont] You can use give with nouns that refer to physical actions. The whole expression refers to the performing of the action. For example, She gave a smile means almost the same as 'She smiled'. □ [V n] She stretched her arms out and gave a great yawn. □ [V n n] He reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
2 VERB You use give to say that a person does something for another person. For example, if you give someone a lift, you take them somewhere in your car. □ [be V -ed n] I gave her a lift back out to her house. □ [V n n] He was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. □ [V n] Sophie asked her if she would like to come and give art lessons.
3 VERB You use give with nouns that refer to information, opinions, or greetings to indicate that something is communicated. For example, if you give someone some news, you tell it to them. □ [V n] He gave no details. □ [V n n] Would you like to give me your name? □ [V n + to ] He asked me to give his regards to all of you. □ [V n + as ] He gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.
4 VERB You use give to say how long you think something will last or how much you think something will be. □ [V n n] A poll last week gave the opposition a narrow six-point lead.
5 VERB [no cont, no passive] People use give in expressions such as I don't give a damn to show that they do not care about something. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ [V n] They don't give a damn about the country.
6 VERB If someone or something gives you a particular idea or impression, it causes you to have that idea or impression. □ [V n n] They gave me the impression that they were doing exactly what they wanted in life. □ [V n] The examiner's final report does not give an accurate picture.
7 VERB If someone or something gives you a particular physical or emotional feeling, it makes you experience it. □ [V n n] He gave me a shock. □ [V n + to ] It will give great pleasure to the many thousands of children who visit the hospital each year. [Also V n]
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