8 VERB If you give a performance or speech, you perform or speak in public. □ [V n] Kotto gives a stupendous performance. □ [V n n] I am sure you remember Mrs Butler who gave us such an interesting talk last year.
9 VERB If you give something thought or attention, you think about it, concentrate on it, or deal with it. □ [V n n] I've been giving it some thought. □ [be V -ed + to ] Priority will be given to those who apply early.
10 VERB If you give a party or other social event, you organize it. □ [V n] That evening, I gave a dinner party for a few close friends.
➋ give ◆◆◆ /g I v/ (gives , giving , gave , given )
1 VERB If you give someone something that you own or have bought, you provide them with it, so that they have it or can use it. □ [V n n] They gave us T-shirts and stickers. □ [V n + to ] They gave money to 708 families for school uniforms. □ [V + to ] Americans are still giving to charity despite hard economic times.
2 VERB If you give someone something that you are holding or that is near you, you pass it to them, so that they are then holding it. □ [V n n] Give me that pencil. □ [V n + to ] He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to him.
3 VERB To give someone or something a particular power or right means to allow them to have it. □ [V n + to ] …a citizen's charter giving rights to gays. □ [V n n] The draft would give the president the power to appoint the central bank's chairman.
➌ give ◆◆◆ /g I v/ (gives , giving , gave , given )
→ Please look at categories 11 to 16 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 VERB If something gives , it collapses or breaks under pressure. □ [V ] My knees gave under me.
2 V-PASSIVE You say that you are given to understand or believe that something is the case when you do not want to say how you found out about it, or who told you. [FORMAL , VAGUENESS ] □ [be V -ed to-inf] We were given to understand that he was ill.
3 → see also given
4 PHRASE You use give me to say that you would rather have one thing than another, especially when you have just mentioned the thing that you do not want. □ I've never had anything barbecued and I don't want it. Give me a good roast dinner any day.
5 PHRASE If you say that something requires give and take , you mean that people must compromise or co-operate for it to be successful. □ …a happy relationship where there's a lot of give and take.
6 PHRASE Give or take is used to indicate that an amount is approximate. For example, if you say that something is fifty years old, give or take a few years, you mean that it is approximately fifty years old. □ They grow to a height of 12 ins–give or take a couple of inches.
7 PHRASE If an audience is asked to give it up for a performer, they are being asked to applaud. [INFORMAL ] □ Ladies and Gentlemen, give it up for Tom Hanks.
8 to give the game away → see game
9 to give notice → see notice
10 to give rise to → see rise
11 to give way → see way
▸ give away
1 PHRASAL VERB If you give away something that you own, you give it to someone, rather than selling it, often because you no longer want it. □ [V n P ] He was giving his collection away for nothing. □ [V P n] We have six copies of the book to give away.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone gives away an advantage, they accidentally cause their opponent or enemy to have that advantage. □ [V P n] We gave away a silly goal. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you give away information that should be kept secret, you reveal it to other people. □ [V n P ] She would give nothing away. □ [V P n] They felt like they were giving away company secrets.
4 PHRASAL VERB To give someone or something away means to show their true nature or identity, which is not obvious. □ [V n P ] Although they are pretending hard to be young, grey hair and cellulite give them away. [Also V P n (not pron)]
5 PHRASAL VERB In a Christian wedding ceremony, if someone gives the bride away , they officially present her to her husband. This is traditionally done by the bride's father.
▸ give back PHRASAL VERB If you give something back , you return it to the person who gave it to you. □ [V n P + to ] I gave the textbook back to him. □ [V n P n] You gave me back the projector. □ [V n P ] I gave it back politely.
▸ give in
1 PHRASAL VERB If you give in , you admit that you are defeated or that you cannot do something. □ [V P ] All right. I give in. What did you do with the ship?
2 PHRASAL VERB If you give in , you agree to do something that you do not want to do. □ [V P ] I pressed my parents until they finally gave in and registered me for skating classes. □ [V P + to ] Officials say they won't give in to the workers' demands.
▸ give off or give out PHRASAL VERB If something gives off or gives out a gas, heat, or a smell, it produces it and sends it out into the air. □ [V P n] …natural gas, which gives off less carbon dioxide than coal. [Also V n P ]
▸ give out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you give out a number of things, you distribute them among a group of people. □ [V P n] There were people at the entrance giving out leaflets. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you give out information, you make it known to people. □ [V P n] He wouldn't give out any information. □ [V n P ] How often do you give your phone number out?
3 PHRASAL VERB If a piece of equipment or part of the body gives out , it stops working. □ [V P ] All machines give out eventually. □ [V P ] One of his lungs gave out entirely.
4 → see give off
▸ give over to or give up to PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If something is given over or given up to a particular use, it is used entirely for that purpose. □ [be V -ed P P n] Much of the garden was given over to vegetables.
▸ give up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you give up something, you stop doing it or having it. □ [V P n/v-ing] Coastguards had given up all hope of finding the two divers alive. □ [V P ] …smokers who give up before 30. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you give up , you decide that you cannot do something and stop trying to do it. □ [V P ] After a fruitless morning sitting at his desk he had given up.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you give up your job, you resign from it. □ [V P n/v-ing] She gave up her job as an events manager to become a self-employed baker. □ [V P n/v-ing] He is thinking of giving up teaching. [Also V n P , V P ]
4 PHRASAL VERB If you give up something that you have or that you are entitled to, you allow someone else to have it. □ [V P n] Georgia refuses to give up any territory. □ [V P n] One of the men with him gave up his place on the bench. [Also V n P ]
5 PHRASAL VERB If you give yourself up , you let the police or other people know where you are, after you have been hiding from them. □ [V pron-refl P ] A 28-year-old man later gave himself up and will appear in court today. [Also V n P ]
▸ give up on PHRASAL VERB If you give up on something or someone, you decide that you will never succeed in doing what you want to with them, and you stop trying to. □ [V P P n] He urged them not to give up on peace efforts. □ [V P P n] My teachers gave up on me.
▸ give up to → see give over to
gi ve-and-ta ke → see give ➊
give|away /g I vəwe I / (giveaways ) also give-away
1 N‑SING A giveaway is something that makes you realize the truth about a particular person or situation. □ The only giveaway was the look of amusement in her eyes.
2 N‑COUNT A giveaway is something that a company or organization gives to someone, usually in order to encourage people to buy a particular product. □ Next week TODAY is celebrating with a great giveaway of FREE garden seeds.
giv|en ◆◇◇ /g I v ə n/
1 Given is the past participle of give .
2 ADJ If you talk about, for example, any given position or a given time, you mean the particular position or time that you are discussing. □ In chess there are typically about 36 legal moves from any given board position. □ Over a given period, the value of shares will rise and fall.
3 PREP Given is used when indicating a possible situation in which someone has the opportunity or ability to do something. For example, given the chance means 'if I had the chance'. □ Write down the sort of thing you would like to do, given the opportunity. □ Given patience, successful breeding of this species can be achieved.
4 PHRASE If you say given that something is the case, you mean taking that fact into account. □ Usually, I am sensible with money, as I have to be, given that I don't earn that much.
5 PREP If you say given something, you mean taking that thing into account. □ Given the uncertainty over Leigh's future I was left with little other choice.
6 ADJ If you are given to doing something, you often do it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] I am not very given to emotional displays.
gi v|en name (given names ) N‑COUNT [oft with poss] A given name is a person's first name, which they are given at birth in addition to their surname. [FORMAL ]
giv|er /g I və r / (givers ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a person or organization that gives or supplies a particular thing as a giver of that thing. □ It was William who was the giver of the piano. ● COMB Giver is also a combining form. □ …if the money-givers do not have specific projects in view.
giz|mo /g I zmoʊ/ (gizmos ) N‑COUNT A gizmo is a device or small machine which performs a particular task, usually in a new and efficient way. People often use gizmo to refer to a device or machine when they do not know what it is really called. [INFORMAL ] □ …a plastic gizmo for holding a coffee cup on the dashboard.
gla|cé /glæ se I , [AM ] -se I / ADJ [ADJ n] Glacé fruits are fruits that have been preserved in a thick sugary syrup and then dried. □ …pieces of glacé cherry.
gla|cial /gle I ʃ ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Glacial means relating to or produced by glaciers or ice. [TECHNICAL ] □ …a true glacial landscape with U-shaped valleys.
2 ADJ If you say that a person, action, or atmosphere is glacial , you mean that they are very unfriendly or hostile. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Inside the jeep the atmosphere was glacial.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that something moves or changes at a glacial pace, you are emphasizing that it moves or changes very slowly. [EMPHASIS ]
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone, usually a woman, as glacial , you mean they are very beautiful and elegant, but do not show their feelings. □ Her glacial beauty is magnetic.
gla|cia|tion /gle I sie I ʃ ə n/ (glaciations ) N‑VAR In geology, glaciation is the process by which the land is covered by glaciers. Glaciations are periods when this happens. [TECHNICAL ]
glaci|er /glæ siə r , [AM ] gle I ʃə r / (glaciers ) N‑COUNT A glacier is an extremely large mass of ice which moves very slowly, often down a mountain valley.
glad ◆◇◇ /glæ d/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , oft ADJ that, ADJ to-inf] If you are glad about something, you are happy and pleased about it. □ I'm glad I relented in the end. □ The people seem genuinely glad to see you. □ [+ about ] I ought to be glad about what happened. □ I'd be glad if the boys slept a little longer so I could do some ironing. [Also + of ] ● glad|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Mallarmé gladly accepted the invitation. ● glad|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …a night of joy and gladness.
2 ADJ If you say that you will be glad to do something, usually for someone else, you mean that you are willing and eager to do it. [FEELINGS ] □ I'll be glad to show you everything. □ We should be glad to answer any questions. ● glad|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The counselors will gladly baby-sit during their free time.
glad|den /glæ d ə n/ (gladdens , gladdening , gladdened )
1 PHRASE If you say that something gladdens someone's heart , you mean that it makes them feel pleased and hopeful. [WRITTEN ] □ …a conclusion that should gladden the hearts of all animal-rights activists.
2 VERB If something gladdens you, it makes you feel happy and pleased. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] Charles's visit surprised him and gladdened him.
glade /gle I d/ (glades ) N‑COUNT A glade is a grassy space without trees in a wood or forest. [LITERARY ]
gladia|tor /glæ die I tə r / (gladiators )
1 N‑COUNT In the time of the Roman Empire, a gladiator was a man who had to fight against other men or wild animals in order to entertain an audience.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to a sports player or a performer as a gladiator in order to emphasize how brave or dangerous their actions are. [JOURNALISM , EMPHASIS ] □ As the gladiators rolled away from the starting gates, a gasp went up when the Scottish cyclist's left foot clicked out of the pedal.
gladio|lus /glæ dioʊ ləs/ (gladioli ) N‑COUNT A gladiolus is a type of plant with long thin leaves and several large brightly coloured flowers.
gla d rags N‑PLURAL You can refer to clothes that you wear to parties and other special occasions as your glad rags . [INFORMAL ]
glam /glæ m/ ADJ Glam is short for glamorous. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ She was always glam. She looked like a star.
glam|or /glæ mə r / → see glamour
glam|or|ize /glæ məra I z/ (glamorizes , glamorizing , glamorized ) in BRIT, also use glamorise VERB If someone glamorizes something, they make it look or seem more attractive than it really is, especially in a film, book, or programme. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] Filmmakers have often been accused of glamorizing organized crime. □ [V -ed] …a glamorised view of the past.
glam|or|ous /glæ mərəs/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as glamorous , you mean that they are more attractive, exciting, or interesting than ordinary people or things. □ …some of the world's most beautiful and glamorous women. □ The south coast is less glamorous but full of clean and attractive hotels.
glam|our /glæ mə r / in AM, also use glamor N‑UNCOUNT Glamour is the quality of being more attractive, exciting, or interesting than ordinary people or things. □ [+ of ] …the glamour of show biz.
glance ◆◇◇ /glɑː ns, glæ ns/ (glances , glancing , glanced )
1 VERB If you glance at something or someone, you look at them very quickly and then look away again immediately. □ [V prep/adv] He glanced at his watch. □ [V prep/adv] I glanced back.
2 VERB If you glance through or at a newspaper, report, or book, you spend a short time looking at it without reading it very carefully. □ [V + through ] I picked up the phone book and glanced through it. □ [V + at ] I never even glanced at the political page of a daily paper.
3 N‑COUNT A glance is a quick look at someone or something. □ Trevor and I exchanged a glance.
4 PHRASE If you see something at a glance , you see or recognize it immediately, and without having to think or look carefully. □ One could tell at a glance that she was a compassionate person.
5 PHRASE If you say that something is true or seems to be true at first glance , you mean that it seems to be true when you first see it or think about it, but that your first impression may be wrong. □ At first glance, organic farming looks much more expensive for the farmer.
6 PHRASE If you steal a glance at someone or something, you look at them quickly so that nobody sees you looking. □ [+ at ] He stole a glance at the clock behind her.
▸ glance off PHRASAL VERB If an object glances off something, it hits it at an angle and bounces away in another direction. □ [V P n] My fist glanced off his jaw. SYNONYMS glance VERB 1
peep: Now and then she peeped to see if he was noticing her.
peek: On two occasions she had peeked at him through a crack in the wall.
glimpse: She glimpsed a group of people standing on the bank of a river. NOUN 3
peep: 'Fourteen minutes,' Chris said, taking a peep at his watch.
peek: American firms have been paying outrageous fees for a peek at the technical data.
glimpse: Some of the fans had waited 24 hours to catch a glimpse of their heroine.
glanc|ing /glɑː ns I ŋ, glæ ns-/ ADJ [ADJ n] A glancing blow is one that hits something at an angle rather than from directly in front. □ The car struck him a glancing blow on the forehead.
gland /glæ nd/ (glands ) N‑COUNT A gland is an organ in the body which produces chemical substances for the body to use or get rid of. □ …the hormones secreted by our endocrine glands. □ …sweat glands.
glan|du|lar /glæ ndʒʊlə r / ADJ [usu ADJ n] Glandular means relating to or affecting your glands. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the amount of fat and glandular tissue in the breasts.
gla n|du|lar fe |ver N‑UNCOUNT Glandular fever is a disease which causes swollen glands, fever, and a sore throat. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use mononucleosis
glare /gleə r / (glares , glaring , glared )
1 VERB If you glare at someone, you look at them with an angry expression on your face. □ [V + at ] The old woman glared at him. □ [V ] Jacob glared and muttered something. □ [V -ing] …glaring eyes.
2 N‑COUNT A glare is an angry, hard, and unfriendly look. □ His glasses magnified his irritable glare.
3 VERB If the sun or a light glares , it shines with a very bright light which is difficult to look at. □ [V ] The sunlight glared. □ [V -ing] …glaring searchlight beams.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Glare is very bright light that is difficult to look at. □ …the glare of a car's headlights. □ Special-purpose glasses reduce glare.
5 N‑SING If someone is in the glare of publicity or public attention, they are constantly being watched and talked about by a lot of people. □ Norma is said to dislike the glare of publicity. □ She attacked police in the full glare of TV cameras.
glar|ing /gleə r I ŋ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something bad as glaring , you are emphasizing that it is very obvious and easily seen or noticed. [EMPHASIS ] □ I never saw such a glaring example of misrepresentation. ● glar|ing|ly ADV □ It was glaringly obvious. □ He told a glaringly different story.
2 → see also glare
glas|nost /glæ znɒst/ N‑UNCOUNT Glasnost is a policy of making a government more open and democratic. The word glasnost was originally used to describe the policies of President Gorbachev in the former Soviet Union in the 1980s.
glass ◆◆◇ /glɑː s, glæ s/ (glasses )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Glass is a hard transparent substance that is used to make things such as windows and bottles. □ …a pane of glass. □ …a sliding glass door.
2 N‑COUNT A glass is a container made from glass, which you can drink from and which does not have a handle. □ Grossman raised the glass to his lips. ● N‑COUNT The contents of a glass can be referred to as a glass of something. □ [+ of ] …a glass of milk.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Glass is used to mean objects made of glass, for example drinking containers and bowls. □ There's a glittering array of glass to choose from at markets.
4 N‑PLURAL Glasses are two lenses in a frame that some people wear in front of their eyes in order to help them see better. □ He took off his glasses.
5 → see also dark glasses , magnifying glass COLLOCATIONS glass NOUN
1
adjective + glass : bulletproof
verb + glass : break, shatter, smash
2
verb + glass : drain, empty; raise
gla ss cei l|ing (glass ceilings ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] When people refer to a glass ceiling , they are talking about the attitudes and traditions in a society that prevent women from rising to the top jobs. [JOURNALISM ] □ She broke through the glass ceiling as the first woman CEO.
gla ssed-i n ADJ [usu ADJ n] A glassed-in room or building has large windows instead of walls.
gla ss fi |bre in AM, use glass fiber N‑UNCOUNT Glass fibre is another name for fibreglass .
glass|house /glɑː shaʊs, glæ s-/ (glasshouses ) N‑COUNT A glasshouse is a greenhouse , especially a large one which is used for the commercial production of fruit, flowers, or vegetables. [mainly BRIT ]
glass|ware /glɑː sweə r , glæ s-/ N‑UNCOUNT Glassware consists of objects made of glass, such as bowls, drinking containers, and ornaments.
glassy /glɑː si, glæ si/ ADJ If you describe something as glassy , you mean that it is very smooth and shiny, like glass. [WRITTEN ] □ The water was glassy. □ …glassy green pebbles.
glau|co|ma /glɔːkoʊ mə, [AM ] glaʊ-/ N‑UNCOUNT Glaucoma is an eye disease which can cause people to go gradually blind.
glaze /gle I z/ (glazes , glazing , glazed )
1 N‑COUNT A glaze is a thin layer of liquid which is put on a piece of pottery and becomes hard and shiny when the pottery is heated in a very hot oven. □ …hand-painted French tiles with decorative glazes.
2 N‑COUNT A glaze is a thin layer of beaten egg, milk, or other liquid that you spread onto food in order to make the surface shine and look attractive. □ Brush the glaze over the top and sides of the hot cake.
3 VERB When you glaze food such as bread or pastry, you spread a layer of beaten egg, milk, or other liquid onto it before you cook it in order to make its surface shine and look attractive. □ [V n] Glaze the pie with beaten egg.
▸ glaze over PHRASAL VERB If your eyes glaze over , they become dull and lose all expression, usually because you are bored or are thinking about something else. □ [V P ] …movie actors whose eyes glaze over as soon as the subject wavers from themselves.
glazed /gle I zd/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's eyes as glazed , you mean that their expression is dull or dreamy, usually because they are tired or are having difficulty concentrating on something. □ Doctors with glazed eyes sat in front of a television set. □ There was a glazed look in her eyes.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Glazed pottery is covered with a thin layer of a hard shiny substance.
3 ADJ A glazed window or door has glass in it.
gla|zi|er /gle I ziə r , [AM ] -ʒər/ (glaziers ) N‑COUNT A glazier is someone whose job is fitting glass into windows and doors.
gleam /gliː m/ (gleams , gleaming , gleamed )
1 VERB If an object or a surface gleams , it reflects light because it is shiny and clean. □ [V ] His black hair gleamed in the sun. □ [V -ing] …a gleaming red sports car.
2 N‑SING You can refer to the light reflected from something as a gleam . [LITERARY ] □ …the gleam of the dark river. □ In the light from the hall, her hair had a golden gleam.
3 VERB If your eyes gleam , they look bright and show that you are excited or happy. [WRITTEN ]
4 N‑COUNT A gleam of something is a faint sign of it. □ [+ of ] There was a gleam of hope for a peaceful settlement.
glean /gliː n/ (gleans , gleaning , gleaned ) VERB If you glean something such as information or knowledge, you learn or collect it slowly and patiently, and perhaps indirectly. □ [V n + from ] At present we're gleaning information from all sources. □ [be V -ed + from ] 10,000 pages of evidence were gleaned from hundreds and hundreds of interviews.
glee /gliː / N‑UNCOUNT [oft with N ] Glee is a feeling of happiness and excitement, often caused by someone else's misfortune. □ There was much glee among journalists over the leaked letter.
glee|ful /gliː fʊl/ ADJ Someone who is gleeful is happy and excited, often because of someone else's bad luck. [WRITTEN ] □ He took an almost gleeful delight in showing how wrong they can be. ● glee|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ I spent the rest of their visit gleefully boring them with tedious details.
glen /gle n/ (glens ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A glen is a deep, narrow valley, especially in the mountains of Scotland or Ireland.
glib /gl I b/ ADJ If you describe what someone says as glib , you disapprove of it because it implies that something is simple or easy, or that there are no problems involved, when this is not the case. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the glib talk of 'past misery'. □ Mr. Lewis takes an insufferably glib attitude toward it all. ● glib|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ We talk glibly of equality of opportunity.
glide /gla I d/ (glides , gliding , glided )
1 VERB If you glide somewhere, you move silently and in a smooth and effortless way. □ [V prep/adv] Waiters glide between tightly packed tables bearing trays of pasta.
2 VERB When birds or aeroplanes glide , they float on air currents. □ [V prep/adv] … the albatross, which glides effortlessly and gracefully behind the yacht. [Also V ]
glid|er /gla I də r / (gliders ) N‑COUNT A glider is an aircraft without an engine, which flies by floating on air currents.
glid|ing /gla I d I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Gliding is the sport or activity of flying in a glider.
glim|mer /gl I mə r / (glimmers , glimmering , glimmered )
1 VERB If something glimmers , it produces or reflects a faint, gentle, often unsteady light. □ [V ] The moon glimmered faintly through the mists. □ [V -ing] …the glimmering ocean.
2 N‑COUNT A glimmer is a faint, gentle, often unsteady light. □ [+ of ] In the east there is the slightest glimmer of light.
3 N‑COUNT A glimmer of something is a faint sign of it. □ [+ of ] Despite an occasional glimmer of hope, this campaign has not produced any results. □ [+ of ] He is celebrating his first glimmer of success.
glim|mer|ing /gl I mər I ŋ/ (glimmerings ) N‑COUNT A glimmering of something is a faint sign of it. □ [+ of ] …a glimmering of understanding. □ [+ of ] …the first glimmerings of civilization.
glimpse /gl I mps/ (glimpses , glimpsing , glimpsed )
1 N‑COUNT If you get a glimpse of someone or something, you see them very briefly and not very well. □ [+ of ] Some of the fans had waited 24 hours outside the hotel to catch a glimpse of the singer.
2 VERB If you glimpse someone or something, you see them very briefly and not very well. □ [V n] She glimpsed a group of people standing on the bank of a river.
3 N‑COUNT A glimpse of something is a brief experience of it or an idea about it that helps you understand or appreciate it better. □ [+ of ] The programme offers a glimpse of their working methods. □ …a glimpse into the future.
glint /gl I nt/ (glints , glinting , glinted )
1 VERB If something glints , it produces or reflects a quick flash of light. [WRITTEN ] □ [V ] The sea glinted in the sun. □ [V + on ] Sunlight glinted on his spectacles. [Also V + off ]
2 N‑COUNT A glint is a quick flash of light. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] …a glint of silver. □ [+ of ] …glints of sunlight.
glis|ten /gl I s ə n/ (glistens , glistening , glistened ) VERB If something glistens , it shines, usually because it is wet or oily. □ [V ] The calm sea glistened in the sunlight. □ [V + with ] Darcy's face was white and glistening with sweat.
glitch /gl I tʃ/ (glitches ) N‑COUNT A glitch is a problem which stops something from working properly or being successful. [INFORMAL ] □ Manufacturing glitches have limited the factory's output.
glit|ter /gl I tə r / (glitters , glittering , glittered )
1 VERB If something glitters , light comes from or is reflected off different parts of it. □ [V ] The bay glittered in the sunshine. □ [V prep] The Palace glittered with lights.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Glitter consists of tiny shining pieces of metal. It is glued to things for decoration. □ Decorate the tunic with sequins or glitter.
3 N‑UNCOUNT You can use glitter to refer to superficial attractiveness or to the excitement connected with something. □ She was blinded by the glitter and the glamour of her own life.
glit|te|ra|ti /gl I tərɑː ti/ N‑PLURAL The glitterati are rich and famous people such as actors and rock stars. [JOURNALISM ] □ The glitterati of Hollywood are flocking to Janet Vaughan's nail salon.
glit|ter|ing /gl I tər I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] You use glittering to indicate that something is very impressive or successful. □ …a brilliant school pupil destined for a glittering academic career. □ …a glittering array of celebrities.
glit|tery /gl I təri/ ADJ Something that is glittery shines with a lot of very small points of light. □ …a gold suit and a glittery bow tie.
glitz /gl I ts/ N‑UNCOUNT You use glitz to refer to something that is exciting and attractive in a showy way. □ …the glitz of Beverly Hills.
glitzy /gl I tsi/ (glitzier , glitziest ) ADJ Something that is glitzy is exciting and attractive in a showy way. □ …Aspen, Colorado, one of the glitziest ski resorts in the world.
gloat /gloʊ t/ (gloats , gloating , gloated ) VERB If someone is gloating , they are showing pleasure at their own success or at other people's failure in an arrogant and unpleasant way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + over ] Anti-abortionists are gloating over the court's decision. □ [V + about ] This is nothing to gloat about. [Also V ]
glob /glɒ b/ (globs ) N‑COUNT A glob of something soft or liquid is a small round amount of it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …oily globs of soup.
glob|al ◆◇◇ /gloʊ b ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use global to describe something that happens in all parts of the world or affects all parts of the world. □ …a global ban on nuclear testing. □ …one of the most successful organizations fighting child poverty on a global scale. ● glob|al|ly ADV □ …a globally familiar trade name.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A global view or vision of a situation is one in which all the different aspects of it are considered. □ They are confident their leader is taking a global view on important issues. □ …a global vision of contemporary societies. SYNONYMS global ADJ 1
worldwide: Today, doctors are fearing a worldwide epidemic.
international: …emergency aid from the international community.
world: …his personal contribution to world history.
glob|al|ize /gloʊ bəla I z/ (globalizes , globalizing , globalized ) in BRIT, also use globalise VERB When industry globalizes or is globalized , companies from one country link with companies from another country in order to do business with them. [BUSINESS ] □ [V ] As the world becomes more complex, some things do, of course, standardize and globalize. □ [V n] …industries that have globalized their production processes. ● glob|ali|za|tion /gloʊ bəla I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Trends toward the globalization of industry have dramatically affected food production in California.
glo b|al po|si |tion|ing sy s|tem (global positioning systems ) N‑COUNT A global positioning system is a system that uses signals from satellites to find out the position of an object. The abbreviation GPS is also used.
glo b|al rea ch N‑SING When people talk about the global reach of a company or industry, they mean its ability to have customers in many different parts of the world. [BUSINESS ] □ The company does not yet have the global reach of its bigger competitors. □ It would have to grow by acquisitions or joint ventures to achieve global reach.
glo b|al vi l|lage N‑SING People sometimes refer to the world as a global village when they want to emphasize that all the different parts of the world form one community linked together by electronic communications, especially the internet. □ Now that we are all part of the global village, everyone becomes a neighbour.
glo b|al wa rm|ing N‑UNCOUNT Global warming is the gradual rise in the earth's temperature caused by high levels of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere. □ Winters in Britain are predicted to become wetter, not drier, with global warming.
globe /gloʊ b/ (globes )
1 N‑SING You can refer to the world as the globe when you are emphasizing how big it is or that something happens in many different parts of it. □ …bottles of beer from every corner of the globe. □ 70% of our globe's surface is water.
2 N‑COUNT A globe is a ball-shaped object with a map of the world on it. It is usually fixed on a stand. □ …a globe of the world. □ Three large globes stand on the floor.
3 N‑COUNT Any ball-shaped object can be referred to as a globe . □ The overhead light was covered now with a white globe.
glo be a r|ti|choke (globe artichokes ) → see artichoke
glo be-trot (globe-trots , globe-trotting , globe-trotted ) also globetrot VERB [usu cont] If someone spends their time globe-trotting , they spend a lot of time travelling to different parts of the world. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] The son of a diplomat, he has spent much of his life globe-trotting. ● globe-trotting ADJ □ …globe-trotting academic superstars. ● globe-trotter (globe-trotters ) N‑COUNT □ A compulsive globetrotter, he frequently visits exotic locales.
globu|lar /glɒ bjʊlə r / ADJ [usu ADJ n] A globular object is shaped like a ball. [FORMAL ] □ The globular seed capsule contains numerous small seeds.
glob|ule /glɒ bjuːl/ (globules ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Globules of a liquid or of a soft substance are tiny round particles of it. □ [+ of ] …globules of saliva. □ Our bone marrow contains fat in the form of small globules.
glock|en|spiel /glɒ kənʃpiːl/ (glockenspiels ) N‑COUNT A glockenspiel is a musical instrument which consists of metal bars of different lengths arranged like the keyboard of a piano. You play the glockenspiel by hitting the bars with wooden hammers.
gloom /gluː m/
1 N‑SING [oft in/into N ] The gloom is a state of near darkness. □ …the gloom of a foggy November morning. □ I was peering about me in the gloom.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Gloom is a feeling of sadness and lack of hope. □ …the deepening gloom over the economy.
gloomy /gluː mi/ (gloomier , gloomiest )
1 ADJ If a place is gloomy , it is almost dark so that you cannot see very well. □ Inside it's gloomy after all that sunshine. □ …this huge gloomy church.
2 ADJ If people are gloomy , they are unhappy and have no hope. □ Graduates are feeling gloomy about the jobs market. ● gloomi|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He tells me gloomily that he has been called up for army service.
3 ADJ If a situation is gloomy , it does not give you much hope of success or happiness. □ …a gloomy picture of an economy sliding into recession. □ Officials say the outlook for next year is gloomy.
glo|ri|fied /glɔː r I fa I d/ ADJ [ADJ n] You use glorified to indicate that something is less important or impressive than its name suggests. □ Sometimes they tell me I'm just a glorified waitress.
glo|ri|fy /glɔː r I fa I / (glorifies , glorifying , glorified ) VERB To glorify something means to praise it or make it seem good or special, usually when it is not. □ [V n] This magazine in no way glorifies gangs. □ [V n] …the banning of songs glorifying war and racism. ● glo|ri|fi|ca|tion /glɔː r I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …the glorification of violence.
glo|ri|ous /glɔː riəs/
1 ADJ Something that is glorious is very beautiful and impressive. □ She had missed the glorious blooms of the Mediterranean spring. □ …a glorious Edwardian opera house. ● glo|ri|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ …gloriously embroidered costumes.
2 ADJ If you describe something as glorious , you are emphasizing that it is wonderful and it makes you feel very happy. [EMPHASIS ] □ The win revived glorious memories of his championship-winning days. □ We opened the windows and let in the glorious evening air. ● glo|ri|ous|ly ADV □ …her gloriously happy love life.
3 ADJ A glorious career, victory, or occasion involves great fame or success. □ Harrison had a glorious career spanning more than six decades. ● glo|ri|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ But the mission was successful, gloriously successful.
4 ADJ Glorious weather is hot and sunny. □ I got dressed and emerged into glorious sunshine. □ The sun was out again, and it was a glorious day. ● glo|ri|ous|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ For a change, it was a gloriously sunny day.
glo|ry /glɔː ri/ (glories , glorying , gloried )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Glory is the fame and admiration that you gain by doing something impressive. □ Walsham had his moment of glory when he won a 20km race. □ …we were still basking in the glory of our Championship win.
2 N‑PLURAL A person's glories are the occasions when they have done something people greatly admire which makes them famous. □ The album sees them re-living past glories but not really breaking any new ground.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] The glory of something is its great beauty or impressive nature. □ [+ of ] The glory of the idea blossomed in his mind.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The glories of a culture or place are the things that people admire most about it. □ [+ of ] …a tour of Florence, to enjoy the artistic glories of the Italian Renaissance.
5 VERB If you glory in a situation or activity, you enjoy it very much. □ [V + in ] The workers were glorying in their new-found freedom.
6 PHRASE If you go out in a blaze of glory , you do something very dramatic at the end of your career or your life which makes you famous. □ I am going to make national news headlines and go out in a blaze of glory.
gloss /glɒ s, [AM ] glɔː s/ (glosses , glossing , glossed )
1 N‑SING A gloss is a bright shine on the surface of something. □ Rain produced a black gloss on the asphalt.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Gloss is an appearance of attractiveness or good quality which sometimes hides less attractive features or poor quality. □ Television commercials seem more professional but beware of mistaking the gloss for the content.
3 N‑SING If you put a gloss on a bad situation, you try to make it seem more attractive or acceptable by giving people a false explanation or interpretation of it. □ [+ on ] He used his diary to put a fine gloss on the horrors the regime perpetrated.
4 N‑VAR Gloss is the same as gloss paint .
5 N‑VAR Gloss is a type of shiny make-up. □ She brushed gloss on to her eyelids. □ …lip glosses.
6 VERB If you gloss a difficult word or idea, you provide an explanation of it. □ [V n + as ] Older editors glossed 'drynke' as 'love-potion'. [Also V n]
▸ gloss over PHRASAL VERB If you gloss over a problem, a mistake, or an embarrassing moment, you try and make it seem unimportant by ignoring it or by dealing with it very quickly. □ [V P n] Some foreign governments appear happy to gloss over continued human rights abuses.
glos|sa|ry /glɒ səri, [AM ] glɔː s-/ (glossaries ) N‑COUNT A glossary of special, unusual, or technical words or expressions is an alphabetical list of them giving their meanings, for example at the end of a book on a particular subject.
glossies /glɒ siz, [AM ] glɔː s-/ N‑PLURAL The glossies are expensive magazines which are printed on thick, shiny paper. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
glo ss paint N‑UNCOUNT Gloss paint is paint that forms a shiny surface when it dries.
glossy /glɒ si, [AM ] glɔː si/ (glossier , glossiest )
1 ADJ Glossy means smooth and shiny. □ …glossy black hair. □ The leaves were dark and glossy.
2 ADJ You can describe something as glossy if you think that it has been designed to look attractive but has little practical value or may have hidden faults. □ …a glossy new office. □ Their TV commercials are glossy and sophisticated.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Glossy magazines, leaflets, books, and photographs are produced on expensive, shiny paper. □ …a photoshoot in a glossy magazine.
glove /glʌ v/ (gloves )
1 N‑COUNT Gloves are pieces of clothing which cover your hands and wrists and have individual sections for each finger. You wear gloves to keep your hands warm or dry or to protect them. □ …a pair of white cotton gloves.
2 PHRASE If you say that something fits like a glove , you are emphasizing that it fits exactly. [EMPHASIS ]
3 → see also kid gloves
4 hand in glove → see hand ➊
glo ve com|part|ment (glove compartments ) or glove box N‑COUNT The glove compartment in a car is a small cupboard or shelf below the front windscreen.
gloved /glʌ vd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A gloved hand has a glove on it. [mainly WRITTEN ]
glow /gloʊ / (glows , glowing , glowed )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A glow is a dull, steady light, for example the light produced by a fire when there are no flames. □ …the cigarette's red glow. □ The rising sun casts a golden glow over the fields.
2 N‑SING A glow is a pink colour on a person's face, usually because they are healthy or have been exercising. □ The moisturiser gave my face a healthy glow that lasted all day.
3 N‑SING If you feel a glow of satisfaction or achievement, you have a strong feeling of pleasure because of something that you have done or that has happened. □ [+ of ] Exercise will give you a glow of satisfaction at having achieved something. □ [+ of ] He felt a glow of pride in what she had accomplished.
4 VERB If something glows , it produces a dull, steady light. □ [V ] The night lantern glowed softly in the darkness. □ [V adj] Even the mantel above the fire glowed white.
5 VERB If a place glows with a colour or a quality, it is bright, attractive, and colourful. □ [V + with ] Used together these colours will make your interiors glow with warmth and vitality. □ [V -ing] …carved wood bathed in glowing colors and gold leaf. [Also V ]
6 VERB If something glows , it looks bright because it is reflecting light. □ [V ] The instruments glowed in the bright orange light. □ [V adj] The fall foliage glowed red and yellow in the morning sunlight.
7 VERB If someone's skin glows , it looks pink because they are healthy or excited, or have been doing physical exercise. □ [V + with ] Her freckled skin glowed with health again. □ [V -ing] …a glowing complexion. [Also V ]
8 VERB If someone glows with an emotion such as pride or pleasure, the expression on their face shows how they feel. □ [V + with ] The expectant mothers that Amy had encountered positively glowed with pride. [Also V ]
9 → see also glowing
glow|er /glaʊ ə r / (glowers , glowering , glowered ) VERB If you glower at someone or something, you look at them angrily. □ [V + at ] He glowered at me but said nothing. □ [V ] He glowered and glared, but she steadfastly refused to look his way. [Also V adv/prep]
glow|er|ing /glaʊ ər I ŋ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person as glowering , you mean they look angry and bad tempered. [WRITTEN ] □ …his glowering good looks.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a place as glowering , you mean that it looks dark and threatening. [WRITTEN ] □ …glowering castle walls.
glow|ing /gloʊ I ŋ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A glowing description or opinion about someone or something praises them highly or supports them strongly. □ The media has been speaking in glowing terms of the relationship between the two countries. ● glow|ing|ly ADV □ He speaks glowingly of the support and love of his family throughout his career.
2 → see also glow
glo w-worm (glow-worms ) N‑COUNT A glow-worm is a type of beetle which produces light from its body.
glu|cose /gluː koʊz, -oʊs/ N‑UNCOUNT Glucose is a type of sugar that gives you energy.
glue /gluː / (glues , glueing or gluing , glued )
1 N‑VAR Glue is a sticky substance used for joining things together, often for repairing broken things. □ …a tube of glue. □ …high quality glues.
2 VERB If you glue one object to another, you stick them together using glue. □ [V n prep/adv] Glue the fabric around the window. □ [be V -ed together ] They are glued together.
3 V-PASSIVE If you say that someone is glued to something, you mean that they are giving it all their attention. □ [be V -ed + to ] They are all glued to the final episode.
glue sniff|ing N‑UNCOUNT Glue sniffing is the practice of breathing the vapour from glue in order to become intoxicated.
glum /glʌ m/ (glummer , glummest ) ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is glum is sad and quiet because they are disappointed or unhappy about something. □ She was very glum and was obviously missing her children. ● glum|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ When Eleanor returned, I was still sitting glumly on the settee.
glut /glʌ t/ (gluts , glutting , glutted )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If there is a glut of something, there is so much of it that it cannot all be sold or used. □ There's a glut of agricultural products in Western Europe. □ …a world oil glut.
2 VERB If a market is glutted with something, there is a glut of that thing. [BUSINESS ] □ [be V -ed + with ] The region is glutted with hospitals. □ [V n] Soldiers returning from the war had glutted the job market.
glu|ta|mate /gluː təme I t/ → see monosodium glutamate
glu|ten /gluː t ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Gluten is a substance found in cereal grains such as wheat.
glu|ti|nous /gluː t I nəs/ ADJ Something that is glutinous is very sticky. □ The sauce was glutinous and tasted artificial. □ …soft and glutinous mud.
glut|ton /glʌ t ə n/ (gluttons )
1 N‑COUNT If you think that someone eats too much and is greedy, you can say they are a glutton . [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I can't control my eating. It's hard when people don't understand and call you a glutton.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a glutton for something, you mean that they enjoy or need it very much. □ [+ for ] He was a glutton for hard work. □ [+ for ] Ivy must be a glutton for punishment.
glut|ton|ous /glʌ tənəs/ ADJ If you think that someone eats too much and is greedy, you can say they are gluttonous . □ …a selfish, gluttonous and lazy person.
glut|tony /glʌ təni/ N‑UNCOUNT Gluttony is the act or habit of eating too much and being greedy.
glyc|er|ine /gl I sər I n/ in AM, usually use glycerin N‑UNCOUNT Glycerine is a thick, sweet, colourless liquid that is used especially in making medicine, explosives, and antifreeze for cars.
gm (gm or gms ) gm is a written abbreviation for gram . □ …450 gm (1 lb) mixed soft summer fruits.
GM /dʒiː e m/
1 ADJ GM crops have had one or more genes changed, for example in order to make them resist pests better. GM food contains ingredients made from GM crops. GM is an abbreviation for 'genetically modified'. [mainly BRIT ] □ The GM cotton is modified to produce a natural bacterial insecticide called Bacillus thuringiensis.
2 ADJ In Britain, GM schools receive money directly from the government rather than from a local authority. GM is an abbreviation for 'grant-maintained'. □ GM schools seemed to do well academically.
G M -free ADJ GM-free products or crops are products or crops that do not contain any genetically modified material. □ …GM-free soya. □ …food that is meant to be GM-free.
GMO /dʒiː em oʊ / (GMOs ) N‑COUNT A GMO is an animal, plant, or other organism whose genetic structure has been changed by genetic engineering. GMO is an abbreviation for 'genetically modified organism'.
GMT /dʒiː em tiː / GMT is the standard time in Great Britain which is used to calculate the time in the rest of the world. GMT is an abbreviation for 'Greenwich Mean Time'. □ New Mexico is seven hours behind GMT.
gnarled /nɑː r ld/
1 ADJ A gnarled tree is twisted and strangely shaped because it is old. □ …a large and beautiful garden full of ancient gnarled trees.
2 ADJ A person who is gnarled looks very old because their skin has lines on it or their body is bent. If someone has gnarled hands, their hands are twisted as a result of old age or illness. □ …gnarled old men. □ His hands were gnarled with arthritis.
gnash /næ ʃ/ (gnashes , gnashing , gnashed ) PHRASE If you say that someone is gnashing their teeth , you mean they are angry or frustrated about something. □ If you are currently gnashing your teeth at having missed out, don't despair.
gnat /næ t/ (gnats ) N‑COUNT A gnat is a very small flying insect that bites people and usually lives near water.
gnaw /nɔː / (gnaws , gnawing , gnawed )
1 VERB If people or animals gnaw something or gnaw at it, they bite it repeatedly. □ [V + at/on ] Woodlice attack living plants and gnaw at the stems. □ [V n] Melanie gnawed a long, painted fingernail.
2 VERB If a feeling or thought gnaws at you, it causes you to keep worrying. [WRITTEN ] □ [V + at ] Doubts were already gnawing away at the back of his mind. □ [V -ing] Mary Ann's exhilaration gave way to gnawing fear.
gnoc|chi /nɒ ki/ N‑PLURAL Gnocchi are a type of pasta consisting of small round balls made from flour and sometimes potato.
gnome /noʊ m/ (gnomes ) N‑COUNT In children's stories, a gnome is an imaginary creature that is like a tiny old man with a beard and pointed hat. In Britain people sometimes have small statues of gnomes in their gardens.
gno|mic /noʊ m I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A gnomic remark is brief and seems wise but is difficult to understand. [WRITTEN ] □ …the somewhat gnomic utterances of John Maynard Keynes in his General Theory.
GNP ◆◇◇ /dʒiː en piː / (GNPs ) N‑VAR In economics, a country's GNP is the total value of all the goods produced and services provided by that country in one year. GNP is an abbreviation for 'gross national product'. Compare GDP . □ We managed to increase the GNP of the country by 5 per cent.
gnu /nuː / (gnus ) N‑COUNT A gnu is a large African deer.
GNVQ /dʒiː en viː kju ː/ (GNVQs ) N‑COUNT In Britain, GNVQs are qualifications in practical subjects such as business, design, and information technology. GNVQ is an abbreviation for 'general national vocational qualification'. □ …a GNVQ in information and communication technology.
go
➊ MOVING OR LEAVING
➋ LINK VERB USES
➌ OTHER VERB USES, NOUN USES, AND PHRASES
➍ PHRASAL VERBS
➊ go ◆◆◆ /goʊ / (goes , going , went , gone ) In most cases the past participle of go is gone , but occasionally you use 'been': see been . 1 VERB When you go somewhere, you move or travel there. □ [V prep/adv] We went to Rome. □ [V prep/adv] Gladys had just gone into the kitchen. □ [V prep/adv] I went home at the weekend. □ [V amount] It took us an hour to go three miles.
2 VERB When you go , you leave the place where you are. □ [V ] Let's go. □ [V ] She's going tomorrow.
3 VERB You use go to say that someone leaves the place where they are and does an activity, often a leisure activity. □ [V v-ing] We went swimming very early. □ [V v-ing] Maybe they've just gone shopping. □ [V + for ] He went for a walk.
4 VERB When you go to do something, you move to a place in order to do it and you do it. You can also go and do something, and in American English, you can go do something. However, you always say that someone went and did something. □ [V to-inf] His second son, Paddy, had gone to live in Canada. □ I must go and see this film. □ [V inf] Go ask whoever you want.
5 VERB If you go to school, work, or church, you attend it regularly as part of your normal life. □ [V + to ] She will have to go to school. □ [V + to ] His son went to a top university in America.
6 VERB When you say where a road or path goes , you are saying where it begins or ends, or what places it is in. □ [V prep/adv] There's a mountain road that goes from Blairstown to Millbrook Village.
7 VERB You can use go in expressions such as ' don't go telling everybody ', in order to express disapproval of the kind of behaviour you mention, or to tell someone not to behave in that way. □ [V v-ing] You don't have to go running upstairs every time she rings. □ [V v-ing] Don't you go thinking it was your fault.
8 VERB You can use go with words like 'further' and 'beyond' to show the degree or extent of something. □ [V adv/prep] He went even further in his speech to the conference. □ [V adv/prep] Some physicists have gone so far as to suggest that the entire Universe is a sort of gigantic computer.
9 VERB If you say that a period of time goes quickly or slowly, you mean that it seems to pass quickly or slowly. □ [V adv] The weeks go so quickly!
10 VERB If you say where money goes , you are saying what it is spent on. □ [V prep/adv] Most of my money goes on bills. □ [V prep/adv] The money goes to projects chosen by the wider community.
11 VERB If you say that something goes to someone, you mean that it is given to them. □ [V + to ] A lot of credit must go to the chairman and his father. □ [V + to ] All the most important ministerial jobs went to men.
12 VERB If someone goes on television or radio, they take part in a television or radio programme. □ [V + on ] The president has gone on television to defend stringent new security measures. □ [V + on ] We went on the air, live, at 7.30.
13 VERB If something goes , someone gets rid of it. □ [V ] There are fears that 100,000 jobs will go. □ [V ] If people stand firm against the tax, it is only a matter of time before it has to go.
14 VERB If someone goes , they leave their job, usually because they are forced to. □ [V ] He had made a humiliating tactical error and he had to go.
15 VERB If something goes into something else, it is put in it as one of the parts or elements that form it. □ [V + into/in ] …the really interesting ingredients that go into the dishes that we all love to eat.
16 VERB If something goes in a particular place, it fits in that place or should be put there because it is the right size or shape. □ [V ] He was trying to push it through the hole and it wouldn't go. □ [V prep/adv] …This knob goes here.
17 VERB If something goes in a particular place, it belongs there or should be put there, because that is where you normally keep it. □ [V prep/adv] The shoes go on the shoe shelf. □ [V prep/adv] 'Where does everything go?'
18 VERB If you say that one number goes into another number a particular number of times, you are dividing the second number by the first. □ [V + into ] Six goes into thirty five times. [Also V num]
19 VERB If one of a person's senses, such as their sight or hearing, is going , it is getting weak and they may soon lose it completely. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] His eyes are going; he says he has glaucoma. □ [V ] Lately he'd been making mistakes; his nerve was beginning to go.
20 VERB If something such as a light bulb or a part of an engine is going , it is no longer working properly and will soon need to be replaced. □ [V ] I thought it looked as though the battery was going.
➋ go ◆◆◆ /goʊ / (goes , going , went , gone )
1 V‑LINK You can use go to say that a person or thing changes to another state or condition. For example, if someone goes crazy , they become crazy, and if something goes green , it changes colour and becomes green. □ [V adj] I'm going bald. □ [V adj] You'd better serve it to them before it goes cold. □ [V prep] 50,000 companies have gone out of business.
2 V‑LINK You can use go when indicating whether or not someone wears or has something. For example, if someone goes barefoot , they do not wear any shoes. □ [V adj] The baby went naked on the beach. □ [V adj] But if you arm the police won't more criminals go armed?
3 V‑LINK You can use go before adjectives beginning with 'un-' to say that something does not happen. For example, if something goes unheard , nobody hears it. □ [V -ed] As President, he affirmed that no tyranny went unnoticed.
➌ go ◆◆◆ /goʊ / (goes , going , went , gone )
1 VERB You use go to talk about the way something happens. For example, if an event or situation goes well , it is successful. □ [V adv] She says everything is going smoothly. □ [V adv] How did it go at the hairdresser's?
2 VERB If a machine or device is going , it is working. □ [V ] What about my copier? Can you get it going again? □ [V ] I said, 'My car won't go in fog'.
3 VERB If a bell goes , it makes a noise, usually as a signal for you to do something. □ [V ] The bell went for the break.
4 VERB If something goes with something else, or if two things go together , they look or taste nice together. □ [V + with ] I was searching for a pair of grey gloves to go with my new gown. □ I can see that some colours go together and some don't. □ [V ] Wear something else. This won't go. [Also V ]
5 VERB You use go to introduce something you are quoting. For example, you say the story goes or the argument goes just before you quote all or part of it. □ [V that] The story goes that she went home with him that night. □ [V prep] The story goes like this. □ [V with quote] As the saying goes, 'There's no smoke without fire.'
6 VERB You use go when indicating that something makes or produces a sound. For example, if you say that something goes 'bang ', you mean it produces the sound 'bang'. □ [V with sound] She stopped in front of a painting of a dog and she started going 'woof woof'. □ [V with sound] The button on his jeans went POP.
7 VERB You can use go instead of 'say' when you are quoting what someone has said or what you think they will say. [INFORMAL ] □ [V with quote] They say 'Tom, shut up' and I go 'No, you shut up'. □ [V + to ] He goes to me: 'Oh, what do you want?'
8 N‑COUNT A go is an attempt at doing something. □ [+ at ] I always wanted to have a go at football. □ She won on her first go. □ Her hair was bright orange. It took us two goes to get the colour right.
9 N‑COUNT If it is your go in a game, it is your turn to do something, for example to play a card or move a piece. □ I'm two behind you but it's your go. □ Now whose go is it?
10 → see also going , gone
11 PHRASE If you go all out to do something or go all out for something, you make the greatest possible effort to do it or get it. [INFORMAL ] □ They will go all out to get exactly what they want. □ [+ for ] They're ready to go all out for the Premier League title next season.
12 PHRASE You use expressions like as things go or as children go when you are describing one person or thing and comparing them with others of the same kind. [INFORMAL ] □ This is a straightforward case, as these things go. □ He's good company, as small boys go.
13 PHRASE If you do something as you go along , you do it while you are doing another thing, without preparing it beforehand. □ Learning how to become a parent takes time. It's a skill you learn as you go along.
14 PHRASE If you say that someone has gone and done something, you are expressing your annoyance at the foolish thing they have done. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Well, he's gone and done it again, hasn't he? □ Somebody goes and does something mindless like that and just destroys everything for you.
15 CONVENTION You say ' Go for it ' to encourage someone to increase their efforts to achieve or win something. [INFORMAL ]
16 PHRASE If someone has a go at you, they criticize you, often in a way that you feel is unfair. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Some people had a go at us for it, which made us more angry.
17 CONVENTION If someone says ' Where do we go from here? ' they are asking what should be done next, usually because a problem has not been solved in a satisfactory way.
18 PHRASE If you say that someone is making a go of something such as a business or relationship, you mean that they are having some success with it. □ I knew we could make a go of it and be happy.
19 PHRASE If you say that someone is always on the go , you mean that they are always busy and active. [INFORMAL ] □ I got a new job this year where I am on the go all the time.
20 PHRASE If you have something on the go , you have started it and are busy doing it. □ Do you like to have many projects on the go at any one time?
21 PHRASE If you say that there are a particular number of things to go , you mean that they still remain to be dealt with. □ I still had another five operations to go.
22 PHRASE If you say that there is a certain amount of time to go , you mean that there is that amount of time left before something happens or ends. □ There is a week to go until the elections.
23 PHRASE If you are in a café or restaurant and ask for an item of food to go , you mean that you want to take it away with you and not eat it there. [mainly AM ] □ Large fries to go. in BRIT, use to take out , to take away
➍ go ◆◆◆ /goʊ / (goes , going , went , gone )
▸ go about
1 PHRASAL VERB The way you go about a task or problem is the way you approach it and deal with it. □ [V P n/v-ing] I want him back, but I just don't know how to go about it.
2 PHRASAL VERB When you are going about your normal activities, you are doing them. □ [V P n] We were simply going about our business when we were pounced upon by these police officers.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you go about in a particular way, you behave or dress in that way, often as part of your normal life. □ [V P prep] He used to go about in a black cape. □ [V P v-ing] He went about looking ill and unhappy.
▸ go after PHRASAL VERB If you go after something, you try to get it, catch it, or hit it. □ [V P n] We're not going after civilian targets.
▸ go against
1 PHRASAL VERB If a person or their behaviour goes against your wishes, beliefs, or expectations, their behaviour is the opposite of what you want, believe in, or expect. □ [V P n] Changes are being made here which go against my principles and I cannot agree with them.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a decision, vote, or result goes against you, you do not get the decision, vote, or result that you wanted. □ [V P n] The prime minister will resign if the vote goes against him.
▸ go ahead
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone goes ahead with something, they begin to do it or make it, especially after planning, promising, or asking permission to do it. □ [V P + with ] The district board will vote today on whether to go ahead with the plan. [Also V P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If a process or an organized event goes ahead , it takes place or is carried out. □ [V P ] The event will go ahead as planned in Sheffield next summer.
▸ go along
1 PHRASAL VERB If you go along to a meeting, event, or place, you attend or visit it. □ [V P + to ] I went along to the meeting. □ [V P ] You should go along and have a look.
2 PHRASAL VERB [usu cont] If you describe how something is going along , you describe how it is progressing. □ [V P adv] Things were going along fairly well.
▸ go along with
1 PHRASAL VERB If you go along with a rule, decision, or policy, you accept it and obey it. □ [V P P n] Whatever the majority decided I was prepared to go along with.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go along with a person or an idea, you agree with them. □ [V P P n] 'I don't think a government has properly done it for years.'—'I'd go along with that.'
▸ go around in BRIT, also use go round 1 PHRASAL VERB If you go around to someone's house, you go to visit them at their house. □ [V P + to ] I asked them to go around to the house to see if they were there. □ [V P to-inf] Mike went round to see them.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go around in a particular way, you behave or dress in that way, often as part of your normal life. □ [V P prep] I had got in the habit of going around with bare feet. □ [V P v-ing] If they went around complaining publicly, they might not find it so easy to get another job. [Also V P adj]
3 PHRASAL VERB If a piece of news or a joke is going around , it is being told by many people in the same period of time. □ [V P ] There's a nasty sort of rumour going around about it.
4 PHRASAL VERB If there is enough of something to go around , there is enough of it to be shared among a group of people, or to do all the things for which it is needed. □ [V P ] Eventually we will not have enough water to go around.
▸ go away
1 PHRASAL VERB If you go away , you leave a place or a person's company. □ [V P ] I think we need to go away and think about this.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go away , you leave a place and spend a period of time somewhere else, especially as a holiday. □ [V P ] Why don't you and I go away this weekend?
▸ go back
1 PHRASAL VERB If something goes back to a particular time in the past, it was made or started at that time. □ [V P + to ] The feud with the Catholics goes back to the 11th century. □ [V P n] Our association with him goes back four years.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone goes back to a time in the past, they begin to discuss or consider events that happened at that time. □ [V P + to ] If you go back to 1960, you'll find that very few jobs were being created. [Also V P n]
▸ go back on PHRASAL VERB If you go back on a promise or agreement, you do not do what you promised or agreed to do. □ [V P P n] The budget crisis has forced the President to go back on his word.
▸ go back to
1 PHRASAL VERB If you go back to a task or activity, you start doing it again after you have stopped doing it for a period of time. □ [V P P n/v-ing] I now look forward to going back to work as soon as possible. □ [V P P n/v-ing] Amy went back to studying.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go back to a particular point in a lecture, discussion, or book, you start to discuss it. □ [V P P n] Let me just go back to the point I was making.
▸ go before
1 PHRASAL VERB Something that has gone before has happened or been discussed at an earlier time. □ [V P ] This is a rejection of most of what has gone before.
2 PHRASAL VERB To go before a judge, tribunal, or court of law means to be present there as part of an official or legal process. □ [V P n] The case went before the city's judge for the first time yesterday.
▸ go by
1 PHRASAL VERB If you say that time goes by , you mean that it passes. □ [V P ] My grandmother was becoming more and more sad and frail as the years went by.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go by something, you use it as a basis for a judgment or action. □ [V P n] If they prove that I was wrong, then I'll go by what they say.
▸ go down
1 PHRASAL VERB If a price, level, or amount goes down , it becomes lower or less than it was. □ [V P ] Income from sales tax went down. □ [V P amount] Crime has gone down 70 percent. □ [V P + from/to/by ] Average life expectancy went down from about 70 to 67.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go down on your knees or on all fours, you lower your body until it is supported by your knees, or by your hands and knees. □ [V P + on ] I went down on my knees and prayed for guidance.
3 PHRASAL VERB In sport, if a person or team goes down , they are defeated in a match or contest. □ [V P num] They went down 2-1 to Australia. [Also V P ]
4 PHRASAL VERB If you say that a remark, idea, or type of behaviour goes down in a particular way, you mean that it gets a particular kind of reaction from a person or group of people. □ [V P adv] Solicitors advised their clients that a tidy look went down well with the magistrates.
5 PHRASAL VERB When the sun goes down , it goes below the horizon. □ [V P ] …the glow left in the sky after the sun has gone down.
6 PHRASAL VERB If a ship goes down , it sinks. If a plane goes down , it crashes out of the sky. □ [V P ] Their aircraft went down during a training exercise.
7 PHRASAL VERB If a computer goes down , it stops functioning temporarily. □ [V P ] The main computers went down for 30 minutes.
8 PHRASAL VERB To go down means to happen. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] 'What's going down? Any ideas?'
▸ go down as PHRASAL VERB If you say that an event or action will go down as a particular thing, you mean that it will be regarded, remembered, or recorded as that thing. □ [V P P n] It will go down as one of the highlights of my career.
▸ go down with PHRASAL VERB If you go down with an illness or a disease, you catch it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P P n] Three members of the band went down with flu.
▸ go for
1 PHRASAL VERB If you go for a particular thing or way of doing something, you choose it. □ [V P n] People tried to persuade him to go for a more gradual reform programme.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go for someone or something, you like them very much. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] I tend to go for large dark men.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you go for someone, you attack them. □ [V P n] Pantieri went for him, gripping him by the throat.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you say that a statement you have made about one person or thing also goes for another person or thing, you mean that the statement is also true of this other person or thing. □ [V P n] It is illegal to dishonour bookings; that goes for restaurants as well as customers.
5 PHRASAL VERB If something goes for a particular price, it is sold for that amount. □ Some old machines go for as much as 35,000 pounds.
▸ go in PHRASAL VERB If the sun goes in , a cloud comes in front of it and it can no longer be seen. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] The sun went in, and the breeze became cold.
▸ go in for PHRASAL VERB If you go in for a particular activity, you decide to do it as a hobby or interest. □ [V P P n] They go in for tennis and bowls.
▸ go into
1 PHRASAL VERB If you go into something, you describe or examine it fully or in detail. □ [V P n] It was a private conversation and I don't want to go into details about what was said.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go into something, you decide to do it as your job or career. □ [V P n] Mr Pok has now gone into the tourism business.
3 PHRASAL VERB If an amount of time, effort, or money goes into something, it is spent or used to do it, get it, or make it. □ [V P n] Is there a lot of effort and money going into this sort of research?
▸ go off
1 PHRASAL VERB If you go off someone or something, you stop liking them. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] 'Why have they gone off him now?'—'It could be something he said.' □ [V P n] I started to go off the idea.
2 PHRASAL VERB If an explosive device or a gun goes off , it explodes or fires. □ [V P ] A few minutes later the bomb went off, destroying the vehicle.
3 PHRASAL VERB If an alarm bell goes off , it makes a sudden loud noise. □ [V P ] Then the fire alarm went off. I just grabbed my clothes and ran out.
4 PHRASAL VERB If an electrical device goes off , it stops operating. □ [V P ] As the water came in the windows, all the lights went off.
5 PHRASAL VERB If you say how an organized event went off , you are saying whether everything happened in the way that was planned or hoped. □ [V P adv/prep] The meeting went off all right.
6 PHRASAL VERB Food or drink that has gone off has gone bad. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] Don't eat that! It's mouldy. It's gone off!
▸ go off with
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone goes off with another person, they leave their husband, wife, or lover and have a relationship with that person. □ [V P P n] I suppose Carolyn went off with some man she'd fallen in love with.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone goes off with something that belongs to another person, they leave and take it with them. □ [V P P n] He's gone off with my passport.
▸ go on
1 PHRASAL VERB If you go on doing something, or go on with an activity, you continue to do it. □ [V P v-ing] Unemployment is likely to go on rising this year. □ [V P + with ] I'm all right here. Go on with your work. □ [V P ] I don't want to leave, but I can't go on.
2 PHRASAL VERB If something is going on , it is happening. □ [V P ] I don't know what's going on.
3 PHRASAL VERB If a process or institution goes on , it continues to happen or exist. □ [V P ] The population failed to understand the necessity for the war to go on.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you say that a period of time goes on , you mean that it passes. □ [V P ] Renewable energy will become progressively more important as time goes on.
5 PHRASAL VERB If you go on to do something, you do it after you have done something else. □ [V P to-inf] Alliss retired from golf in 1969 and went on to become a successful broadcaster.
6 PHRASAL VERB If you go on to a place, you go to it from the place that you have reached. □ [V P prep/adv] He goes on to Holland tomorrow.
7 PHRASAL VERB If you go on , you continue saying something or talking about something. □ [V P ] Meer cleared his throat several times before he went on. □ [V P with quote] 'Go on,' Chee said. 'I'm interested.'
8 PHRASAL VERB If you go on about something, or in British English go on at someone, you continue talking about the same thing, often in an annoying way. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P + about ] Expectations have been raised with the Government going on about choice and market forces. □ [V P + at ] She's always going on at me to have a baby.
9 PHRASAL VERB You say 'Go on' to someone to persuade or encourage them to do something. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] Go on, it's fun.
10 PHRASAL VERB If you talk about the information you have to go on , you mean the information you have available to base an opinion or judgment on. □ [V P n] But you have to go on the facts. □ [V P n] There's not much to go on.
11 PHRASAL VERB If an electrical device goes on , it begins operating. □ [V P ] A light went on at seven every evening.
▸ go out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you go out , you leave your home in order to do something enjoyable, for example to go to a party, a bar, or the cinema. □ [V P ] I'm going out tonight.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go out with someone, the two of you spend time together socially, and have a romantic or sexual relationship. □ [V P + with ] I once went out with a French man. □ They've only been going out for six weeks.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you go out to do something, you make a deliberate effort to do it. □ [V P to-inf] You do not go out to injure opponents. □ [V P ] It will be a marvellous occasion and they should go out and enjoy it.
4 PHRASAL VERB If a light goes out , it stops shining. □ [V P ] The bedroom light went out after a moment.
5 PHRASAL VERB If something that is burning goes out , it stops burning. □ [V P ] The fire seemed to be going out.
6 PHRASAL VERB If a message goes out , it is announced, published, or sent out to people. □ [V P ] Word went out that a column of tanks was on its way.
7 PHRASAL VERB When a television or radio programme goes out , it is broadcast. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] The series goes out at 10.30pm, Fridays, on Channel 4.
8 PHRASAL VERB When the tide goes out , the water in the sea gradually moves back to a lower level. □ [V P ] The tide was going out.
9 PHRASE You can say ' My heart goes out to him ' or ' My sympathy goes out to her ' to express the strong sympathy you have for someone in a difficult or unpleasant situation. [FEELINGS ] □ My heart goes out to Mrs Adams and her fatherless children.
▸ go out for PHRASAL VERB To go out for something means to try to do it or be chosen for it. [AM ] □ [V P P n] You should go out for Supreme Court justice.
▸ go out of PHRASAL VERB If a quality or feeling goes out of someone or something, they no longer have it. □ [V P P n] The fun had gone out of it.
▸ go over PHRASAL VERB If you go over a document, incident, or problem, you examine, discuss, or think about it very carefully. □ [V P n] I won't know how successful it is until an accountant has gone over the books.
▸ go over to
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone or something goes over to a different way of doing things, they change to it. □ [V P P n] The Armed Forces could do away with conscription and go over to a volunteer system.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go over to a group or political party, you join them after previously belonging to an opposing group or party. □ [V P P n] Only a small number of tanks and paratroops have gone over to his side.
▸ go round → see go around
▸ go through
1 PHRASAL VERB If you go through an experience or a period of time, especially an unpleasant or difficult one, you experience it. □ [V P n] He was going through a very difficult time. □ [V P n] South Africa was going through a period of irreversible change.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you go through a lot of things such as papers or clothes, you look at them, usually in order to sort them into groups or to search for a particular item. □ [V P n] It was evident that someone had gone through my possessions.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you go through a list, story, or plan, you read or check it from beginning to end. □ [V P n] Going through his list of customers is a massive job.
4 PHRASAL VERB When someone goes through a routine, procedure, or series of actions, they perform it in the way they usually do. □ [V P n] Every night, they go through the same routine: he opens the bedroom window, she closes it.
5 PHRASAL VERB If a law, agreement, or official decision goes through , it is approved by a parliament or committee. □ [V P ] The bill might have gone through if the economy was growing.
▸ go through with PHRASAL VERB If you go through with an action you have decided on, you do it, even though it may be very unpleasant or difficult for you. □ [V P P n] She tells Tony she can't go through with the wedding.
▸ go towards PHRASAL VERB If an amount of money goes towards something, it is used to pay part of the cost of that thing. □ [V P n/v-ing] One per cent of total public spending should eventually go towards the arts. □ [V P n/v-ing] Under the new approach more money will go towards improving the standard of training.
▸ go under
1 PHRASAL VERB If a business or project goes under , it becomes unable to continue in operation or in existence. [BUSINESS ] □ [V P ] If one firm goes under it could provoke a cascade of bankruptcies.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a boat, ship, or person in a sea or river goes under , they sink below the surface of the water. □ [V P ] The ship went under, taking with her all her crew.
▸ go up
1 PHRASAL VERB If a price, amount, or level goes up , it becomes higher or greater than it was. □ [V P ] Interest rates went up. □ [V P + to/from/by ] The cost has gone up to $1.95 a minute. □ [V P amount] Prices have gone up 61 percent since deregulation.
2 PHRASAL VERB When a building, wall, or other structure goes up , it is built or fixed in place. □ [V P ] He noticed a new building going up near Whitaker Park.
3 PHRASAL VERB If something goes up , it explodes or starts to burn, usually suddenly and with great intensity. □ [V P ] I was going to get out of the building in case it went up. □ [V P + in ] The hotel went up in flames.
4 PHRASAL VERB If a shout or cheer goes up , it is made by a lot of people together. □ [V P ] A cheer went up from the other passengers.
▸ go with
1 PHRASAL VERB If one thing goes with another thing, the two things officially belong together, so that if you get one, you also get the other. □ [V P n] …the lucrative $250,000 salary that goes with the job.
2 PHRASAL VERB If one thing goes with another thing, it is usually found or experienced together with the other thing. □ [V P n/v-ing] I know he'll enjoy all the responsibility and work that goes with being captain.
▸ go without PHRASAL VERB If you go without something that you need or usually have or do, you do not get it or do it. □ [V P n/v-ing] I have known what it is like to go without food for days. □ [V P ] The embargo won't hurt us because we're used to going without.
goad /goʊ d/ (goads , goading , goaded ) VERB If you goad someone, you deliberately make them feel angry or irritated, often causing them to react by doing something. □ [V n + into ] He wondered if the psychiatrist was trying to goad him into some unguarded response. □ [V n] Charles was always goading me. ● N‑COUNT Goad is also a noun. □ His opposition acted as a goad to her determination to succeed.
go -ahead
1 N‑SING If you give someone or something the go-ahead , you give them permission to start doing something. □ The Greek government today gave the go-ahead for five major road schemes. □ Don't do any major repair work until you get the go-ahead from your insurers.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A go-ahead person or organization tries hard to succeed, often by using new methods. □ Fairview Estate is one of the oldest and the most go-ahead wine producers in South Africa.
goal ◆◆◇ /goʊ l/ (goals )
1 N‑COUNT In games such as football, netball or hockey, the goal is the space into which the players try to get the ball in order to score a point for their team. □ The keeper was back in goal after breaking a knuckle.
2 N‑COUNT In games such as football or hockey, a goal is when a player gets the ball into the goal, or the point that is scored by doing this. □ They scored five goals in the first half of the match. □ The scorer of the winning goal.
3 N‑COUNT Something that is your goal is something that you hope to achieve, especially when much time and effort will be needed. □ It's a matter of setting your own goals and following them. □ The goal is to raise as much money as possible. SYNONYMS goal NOUN 3
aim: The aim of the festival is to increase awareness of such traditions.
target: …school leavers who failed to reach their target grades.
objective: Our main objective was the recovery of the child safe and well.
end: The police force is being manipulated for political ends.
purpose: The purpose of the occasion was to raise money for medical supplies.
goalie /goʊ li/ (goalies ) N‑COUNT A goalie is the same as a goalkeeper . [INFORMAL ]
goal|keeper /goʊ lkiːpə r / (goalkeepers ) N‑COUNT A goalkeeper is the player in a sports team whose job is to guard the goal.
goal|keeping /goʊ lkiːp I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT In games such as football and hockey, goalkeeping refers to the activity of guarding the goal. □ They were thankful for the keeper's excellent goalkeeping.
goa l ki ck (goal kicks ) N‑COUNT In football, when there is a goal kick , the goalkeeper is given the ball to kick out of the goal area because the other team has kicked it over the line by the side of goal.
goal|less /goʊ lləs/ ADJ In football, a goalless draw is a game which ends without any goals having been scored. □ The fixture ended in a goalless draw. □ The semi-final finished goalless after extra time.
goa l line (goal lines ) also goal-line N‑COUNT In games such as football and rugby, a goal line is one of the lines at each end of the field.
goal|mouth /goʊ lmaʊθ/ (goalmouths ) N‑COUNT In football, the goalmouth is the area just in front of the goal.
goal|post /goʊ lpoʊst/ (goalposts ) also goal post
1 N‑COUNT A goalpost is one of the two upright wooden posts that are connected by a crossbar and form the goal in games such as football and rugby.
2 PHRASE If you accuse someone of moving the goalposts , you mean that they have changed the rules in a situation or an activity, in order to gain an advantage for themselves and to make things difficult for other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They seem to move the goal posts every time I meet the conditions which are required.
goat /goʊ t/ (goats ) N‑COUNT A goat is a farm animal or a wild animal that is about the size of a sheep. Goats have horns, and hairs on their chin which resemble a beard.
goa t cheese (goat cheeses ) also goat's cheese N‑VAR Goat cheese is cheese made from goat's milk.
goatee /goʊ tiː / (goatees ) N‑COUNT A goatee is a very short pointed beard that covers a man's chin but not his cheeks.
gob /gɒ b/ (gobs , gobbing , gobbed )
1 N‑COUNT A person's gob is their mouth. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ] □ Shut your gob.
2 N‑COUNT A gob of a thick, unpleasant liquid is a small amount of it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a gob of spit.
3 VERB If someone gobs , they spit . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V prep] At a concert some punks gobbed at them and threw beer cans. [Also V ]
gob|bet /gɒ b I t/ (gobbets )
1 N‑COUNT A gobbet of something soft, especially food, is a small lump or piece of it. □ [+ of ] …gobbets of meat.
2 N‑COUNT A gobbet of information is a small piece of it.
gob|ble /gɒ b ə l/ (gobbles , gobbling , gobbled ) VERB If you gobble food, you eat it quickly and greedily. □ [V n] Pete gobbled all the stew. ● PHRASAL VERB Gobble down and gobble up mean the same as gobble . □ [V n P ] There were dangerous beasts in the river that might gobble you up. [Also V P n]
▸ gobble down → see gobble
▸ gobble up
1 PHRASAL VERB If an organization gobbles up a smaller organization, it takes control of it or destroys it. □ [V P n] …a company intent on gobbling up weaker rivals. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB To gobble up something such as money means to use or waste a lot of it. □ [V P n] The firm's expenses gobbled up 44% of revenues. [Also V n P ]
3 → see also gobble
gob|ble|dy|gook /gɒ b ə ldiguːk/ also gobbledegook N‑UNCOUNT If you describe a speech or piece of writing as gobbledygook , you are criticizing it for seeming like nonsense and being very technical or complicated. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ When he asked questions, the answers came back in Wall Street gobbledygook.
go -between (go-betweens ) N‑COUNT A go-between is a person who takes messages between people who are unable or unwilling to meet each other. □ He will act as a go-between to try and work out an agenda.
gob|let /gɒ bl I t/ (goblets ) N‑COUNT A goblet is a type of cup without handles and usually with a long stem.
gob|lin /gɒ bl I n/ (goblins ) N‑COUNT In fairy stories, a goblin is a small, ugly creature which usually enjoys causing trouble.
gob|smacked /gɒ bsmækt/ ADJ If you say that you were gobsmacked by something, you are emphasizing how surprised you were by it. [BRIT , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ People from other countries are gobsmacked by the food that British children eat.
god ◆◆◇ /gɒ d/ (gods )
1 N‑PROPER The name God is given to the spirit or being who is worshipped as the creator and ruler of the world, especially by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. □ He believes in God. □ God bless you.
2 CONVENTION People sometimes use God in exclamations to emphasize something that they are saying, or to express surprise, fear, or excitement. This use could cause offence. [EMPHASIS ] □ God, how I hated him! □ Oh my God he's shot somebody.
3 N‑COUNT In many religions, a god is one of the spirits or beings that are believed to have power over a particular part of the world or nature. □ [+ of ] …Pan, the God of nature. □ …Zeus, king of the gods.
4 N‑COUNT Someone who is admired very much by a person or group of people, and who influences them a lot, can be referred to as a god . □ To his followers he was a god.
5 → see also act of God
6 PHRASE If you say God forbid , you are expressing your hope that something will not happen. [FEELINGS ] □ If, God forbid, something goes wrong, I don't know what I would do.
7 PHRASE You can say God knows , God only knows , or God alone knows to emphasize that you do not know something. [EMPHASIS ] □ Gunga spoke God knows how many languages. □ God alone knows what she thinks.
8 PHRASE If someone says God knows in reply to a question, they mean that they do not know the answer. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'Where is he now?' 'God knows.'
9 PHRASE The term a man of God is sometimes used to refer to Christian priests or ministers.
10 PHRASE If someone uses such expressions as what in God's name , why in God's name , or how in God's name , they are emphasizing how angry, annoyed, or surprised they are. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ What in God's name do you expect me to do? □ Why in God's name did you have to tell her?
11 PHRASE If someone plays God , they act as if they have unlimited power and can do anything they want. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ You have no right to play God in my life!
12 PHRASE You can use God in expressions such as I hope to God , or I wish to God , or I swear to God , in order to emphasize what you are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ I hope to God they are paying you well. □ I wish to God I hadn't met you.
13 PHRASE If you say God willing , you are saying that something will happen if all goes well. □ God willing, there will be a breakthrough.
14 honest to God → see honest
15 in the lap of the gods → see lap
16 for God's sake → see sake
17 thank God → see thank
go d-a wful also godawful ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone says that something is god-awful , they think it is very unpleasant. This word could cause offence. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ]
god|child /gɒ dtʃa I ld/ (godchildren ) N‑COUNT [usu with poss] In the Christian religion, your godchild is a person that you promise to help bring up in the Christian faith.
god|dammit /gɒddæ m I t/ also goddamnit , goddamn it EXCLAM Some people say goddammit when they are angry or irritated. This use could cause offence. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ]
god|damn /gɒ dæm/ also goddam , goddamned ADJ [ADJ n] Some people use goddamn when they are angry, surprised, or excited. This use could cause offence. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] ● ADV [ADV adj] Goddamn is also an adverb.
god|damned /gɒ dæmd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Goddamned means the same as goddamn . This use could cause offence. [INFORMAL ]
god|daughter /gɒ ddɔːtə r / (goddaughters ) also god-daughter N‑COUNT [usu with poss] A goddaughter is a female godchild.
god|dess /gɒ des/ (goddesses ) N‑COUNT In many religions, a goddess is a female spirit or being that is believed to have power over a particular part of the world or nature. □ …Diana, the goddess of war.
god|father /gɒ dfɑːðə r / (godfathers )
1 N‑COUNT A godfather is a male godparent.
2 N‑COUNT A powerful man who is at the head of a criminal organization is sometimes referred to as a godfather . □ …the feared godfather of the Mafia.
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to a man who started or developed something such as a style of music as the godfather of that thing. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ of ] …the godfather of soul, James Brown.
Go d-fearing ADJ [usu ADJ n] A God-fearing person is religious and behaves according to the moral rules of their religion. □ They brought up their children to be God-fearing Christians.
god|forsaken /gɒ dfə r se I k ə n/ also God-forsaken ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that somewhere is a godforsaken place, you dislike it a lot because you find it very boring and depressing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I don't want to stay here, in this job and in this God-forsaken country.
God|head /gɒ dhed/ N‑SING The Godhead is the essential nature of God.
god|less /gɒ dləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that a person or group of people is godless , you disapprove of them because they do not believe in God. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a godless and alienated society. ● god|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …his assaults on the godlessness of America.
god|like /gɒ dla I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A godlike person or a person with godlike qualities is admired or respected very much as if he or she were perfect. □ His energy and talent elevate him to godlike status. □ They were godlike in their wisdom and compassion.
god|li|ness /gɒ dlinəs/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Godliness is the quality of being godly.
2 PHRASE If someone says that cleanliness is next to godliness , they are referring to the idea that people have a moral duty to keep themselves and their homes clean.
god|ly /gɒ dli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A godly person is someone who is deeply religious and shows obedience to the rules of their religion. □ …a learned and godly preacher.
god|mother /gɒ dmʌðə r / (godmothers ) N‑COUNT [usu with poss] A godmother is a female godparent.
god|parent /gɒ dpeərənt/ (godparents ) N‑COUNT [usu with poss] In the Christian religion, if you are the godparent of a younger person, you promise to help bring them up in the Christian faith.
god|send /gɒ dsend/ N‑SING If you describe something as a godsend , you are emphasizing that it helps you very much. [EMPHASIS ] □ Pharmacists are a godsend when you don't feel sick enough to call the doctor.
god|son /gɒ dsʌn/ (godsons ) N‑COUNT [usu with poss] A godson is a male godchild.
God|speed /gɒ dspiː d/ also godspeed CONVENTION The term Godspeed is sometimes used in order to wish someone success and safety, especially if they are about to go on a long and dangerous journey. [FORMAL ] □ I know you will join me in wishing them Godspeed.
-goer /-goʊə r / (-goers ) COMB -goer is added to words such as 'theatre', 'church', and 'film' to form nouns which describe people who regularly go to that type of place or event. □ They are regular church-goers. □ …excited party-goers.
go|fer /goʊ fə r / (gofers ) N‑COUNT A gofer is a person whose job is to do simple and rather boring tasks for someone. [INFORMAL ]
go -ge tter (go-getters ) N‑COUNT If someone is a go-getter , they are very energetic and eager to succeed. [APPROVAL ]
gog|gle /gɒ g ə l/ (goggles , goggling , goggled )
1 VERB If you goggle at something, you stare at it with your eyes wide open, usually because you are surprised by it. □ [V + at ] She goggled at me. □ [V ] He goggled in bewilderment.
2 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Goggles are large glasses that fit closely to your face around your eyes to protect them from such things as water, wind, or dust.
go ggle-e yed
1 ADJ [ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is goggle-eyed , you mean that they are very surprised or interested by something. □ Johnson stared goggle-eyed at Kravis' sumptuous quarters.
2 ADJ If you say that someone is goggle-eyed , you mean they watch television a lot. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
go -go
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A go-go dancer is a young woman whose job involves dancing to pop music in nightclubs wearing very few clothes.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A go-go period of time is a time when people make a lot of money and businesses are growing. A go-go company is very energetic and is growing fast. [mainly AM , BUSINESS ] □ …the economic go-go years of the mid-2000s. □ …a go-go business with pre-tax profits forecast to climb to £200m.
going ◆◆◆ /goʊ I ŋ/
1 PHRASE If you say that something is going to happen, you mean that it will happen in the future, usually quite soon. □ I think it's going to be successful. □ You're going to enjoy this. □ I'm going to have to tell him the truth. □ Are they going to be alright?
2 PHRASE You say that you are going to do something to express your intention or determination to do it. □ I'm going to go to bed. □ He announced that he's going to resign. □ I was not going to compromise.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [adj N ] You use the going to talk about how easy or difficult it is to do something. You can also say that something is, for example, hard going or tough going . □ He has her support to fall back on when the going gets tough. □ Though the talks had been hard going at the start, they had become more friendly.
4 N‑UNCOUNT In horse racing and horse riding, when you talk about the going , you are talking about the condition of the surface the horses are running on. □ The going was soft; some horses found it hard work.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] The going rate or the going salary is the usual amount of money that you expect to pay or receive for something. □ She says that's the going rate for a house this big. □ That's about half the going price on world oil markets.
6 → see also go ➊
7 PHRASE If someone or something has a lot going for them, they have a lot of advantages. □ This area has a lot going for it. □ I wish I could show you the things you've got going for you.
8 PHRASE When you get going , you start doing something or start a journey, especially after a delay. □ Now what about that shopping list? I've got to get going.
9 PHRASE If you say that someone should do something while the going is good , you are advising them to do it while things are going well and they still have the opportunity, because you think it will become much more difficult to do. □ People are leaving in their thousands while the going is good.
10 PHRASE If you keep going , you continue doing things or doing a particular thing. □ I like to keep going. I hate to sit still.
11 PHRASE If you can keep going with the money you have, you can manage to live on it. □ Things were difficult, and we needed her wages to keep going.
12 PHRASE If you say that something is enough to be going on with , you mean that it is enough for your needs at the moment, although you will need something better at some time in the future. [mainly BRIT ] □ It was a good enough description for Mattie to be going on with.
13 PHRASE You can use going on before a number to say that something has almost reached that number. For example, you can say that someone is going on 40 to indicate that they are nearly 40.
14 → see also comings and goings
15 going concern → see concern
-going /-goʊ I ŋ/
1 COMB [oft N n] -going is added to nouns such as 'theatre', 'church', and 'film' to form nouns which describe the activity of going to that type of place or event. □ …his party-going days as a student.
2 COMB -going is added to nouns such as 'ocean', 'sea', and 'road' to form adjectives which describe vehicles that are designed for that type of place. □ …one of the largest ocean-going liners in the world.
3 COMB -going is added to nouns that refer to directions to form adjectives which describe things that are moving in that direction. □ The material can absorb outward-going radiation from the Earth.
4 → see also easy-going , ongoing , outgoing , thoroughgoing
go ing-o ver
1 N‑SING If you give someone or something a going-over , you examine them thoroughly. [INFORMAL ] □ Michael was given a complete going-over and then treated for glandular fever.
2 N‑SING A going-over is a violent attack on or criticism of someone. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ He gets a terrible going-over in these pages.
go ings-o n N‑PLURAL If you describe events or activities as goings-on , you mean that they are strange, interesting, amusing, or dishonest. □ The girl had found out about the goings-on in the factory.
goi|tre /gɔ I tə r / (goitres ) in AM, also use goiter N‑VAR Goitre is a disease of the thyroid gland that makes a person's neck very swollen.
go -kart (go-karts ) also go-cart N‑COUNT A go-kart is a very small motor vehicle with four wheels, used for racing.
go -karting N‑UNCOUNT Go-karting is the sport of racing or riding on go-karts.
gold ◆◆◇ /goʊ ld/ (golds )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Gold is a valuable, yellow-coloured metal that is used for making jewellery and ornaments, and as an international currency. □ …a sapphire set in gold. □ The price of gold was going up. □ …gold coins.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Gold is jewellery and other things that are made of gold. □ We handed over all our gold and money.
3 COLOUR Something that is gold is a bright yellow colour, and is often shiny. □ I'd been wearing Michel's black and gold shirt.
4 N‑VAR A gold is the same as a gold medal . [INFORMAL ] □ His ambition was to win gold. □ This Saturday the British star is going for gold and a new world record.
5 PHRASE If you say that a child is being as good as gold , you are emphasizing that they are behaving very well and are not causing you any problems. [EMPHASIS ] □ The boys were as good as gold on our walk.
6 PHRASE If you say that someone has a heart of gold , you are emphasizing that they are very good and kind to other people. [EMPHASIS ] □ They are all good boys with hearts of gold. They would never steal.
7 → see also fool's gold
8 to strike gold → see strike
9 worth your weight in gold → see weight
go ld card (gold cards ) N‑COUNT A gold card is a special type of credit card that gives you extra benefits such as a higher spending limit.
go ld-digger (gold-diggers ) also gold digger N‑COUNT A gold-digger is a person who has a relationship with someone who is rich in order to get money or expensive things from them. [DISAPPROVAL ]
go ld dust
1 N‑UNCOUNT Gold dust is gold in the form of a fine powder.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that a type of thing is like gold dust or is gold dust , you mean that it is very difficult to obtain, usually because everyone wants it. [BRIT ] □ Tickets were like gold dust.
gold|en ◆◇◇ /goʊ ld ə n/
1 ADJ Something that is golden is bright yellow in colour. □ She combed and arranged her golden hair. □ …an endless golden beach.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Golden things are made of gold. □ …a golden chain with a golden locket.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something as golden , you mean it is wonderful because it is likely to be successful and rewarding, or because it is the best of its kind. □ He says there's a golden opportunity for peace which must be seized.
4 PHRASE If you refer to a man as a golden boy or a woman as a golden girl , you mean that they are especially popular and successful. □ The critics hailed the movie's director as the new golden boy.
go ld|en a ge (golden ages ) N‑COUNT A golden age is a period of time during which a very high level of achievement is reached in a particular field of activity, especially in art or literature. □ [+ of ] You grew up in the golden age of American children's books.
go ld|en goa l (golden goals ) N‑COUNT In some football matches, a golden goal is the first goal scored in extra time, which wins the match for the team that scores it. [BRIT ]
go ld|en good|by e (golden goodbyes ) N‑COUNT A golden goodbye is the same as a golden handshake . [BUSINESS ]
go ld|en ha nd|shake (golden handshakes ) N‑COUNT A golden handshake is a large sum of money that a company gives to an employee when he or she leaves, as a reward for long service or good work. [BUSINESS ]
go ld|en hel|lo (golden hellos ) N‑COUNT A golden hello is a sum of money that a company offers to a person in order to persuade them to join the company. [BUSINESS ] □ Most people recognise the need to pay a golden hello to attract the best.
go ld|en ju |bi|lee (golden jubilees ) N‑COUNT A golden jubilee is the 50th anniversary of an important or special event. □ The company is celebrating its golden jubilee.
go ld|en o ldie (golden oldies ) N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to something that is still successful or popular even though it is quite old as a golden oldie . [INFORMAL ]
go ld|en pa ra|chute (golden parachutes ) N‑COUNT A golden parachute is an agreement to pay a large amount of money to a senior executive of a company if they are forced to leave. [BUSINESS ] □ Golden parachutes entitle them to a full year's salary if they get booted out of the company.
go ld|en ru le (golden rules ) N‑COUNT A golden rule is a principle you should remember because it will help you to be successful. □ Hanson's golden rule is to add value to whatever business he buys.
go ld|en sy r|up N‑UNCOUNT Golden syrup is a sweet food in the form of a thick, sticky, yellow liquid. [BRIT ]
go ld|en we d|ding (golden weddings ) N‑COUNT A golden wedding or a golden wedding anniversary is the 50th anniversary of a wedding.
gold|field /goʊ ldfiːld/ (goldfields ) N‑COUNT A goldfield is an area of land where gold is found.
gold|fish /goʊ ldf I ʃ/ (goldfish ) N‑COUNT Goldfish are small gold or orange fish which are often kept as pets.
gold lea f N‑UNCOUNT Gold leaf is gold that has been beaten flat into very thin sheets and is used for decoration, for example to form the letters on the cover of a book.
go ld me d|al (gold medals ) N‑COUNT A gold medal is a medal made of gold which is awarded as first prize in a contest or competition.
go ld mine also goldmine N‑SING If you describe something such as a business or idea as a gold mine , you mean that it produces large profits. □ The programme was a gold mine for small production companies.
go ld-pla ted ADJ Something that is gold-plated is covered with a very thin layer of gold. □ …marble bathrooms with gold-plated taps.
go ld-ri mmed ADJ [usu ADJ n] Gold-rimmed glasses have gold-coloured frames.
go ld rush (gold rushes ) N‑COUNT A gold rush is a situation when a lot of people suddenly go to a place where gold has been discovered.
gold|smith /goʊ ldsm I θ/ (goldsmiths ) N‑COUNT A goldsmith is a person whose job is making jewellery and other objects using gold.
golf ◆◇◇ /gɒ lf/ N‑UNCOUNT Golf is a game in which you use long sticks called clubs to hit a small, hard ball into holes that are spread out over a large area of grassy land.
go lf ball (golf balls ) N‑COUNT A golf ball is a small, hard white ball which people use when they are playing golf.
go lf club (golf clubs )
1 N‑COUNT A golf club is a long, thin, metal stick with a piece of wood or metal at one end that you use to hit the ball in golf.
2 N‑COUNT A golf club is a social organization which provides a golf course and a building to meet in for its members.
go lf course (golf courses ) also golf-course N‑COUNT A golf course is a large area of grass which is specially designed for people to play golf on.
golf|er /gɒ lfə r / (golfers ) N‑COUNT A golfer is a person who plays golf for pleasure or as a profession.
golf|ing /gɒ lf I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Golfing is used to describe things that involve the playing of golf or that are used while playing golf. □ He was wearing a cream silk shirt and a tartan golfing cap. □ …a golfing holiday in Spain.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Golfing is the activity of playing golf. □ You can play tennis or go golfing.
gol|ly /gɒ li/
1 EXCLAM Some people say golly to indicate that they are very surprised by something. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED , FEELINGS ] □ 'Golly,' he says, 'Isn't it exciting!'
2 EXCLAM Some people say by golly to emphasize that something did happen or should happen. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED , EMPHASIS ] □ By golly we can do something about it this time.
gon|do|la /gɒ ndələ/ (gondolas ) N‑COUNT A gondola is a long narrow boat that is used especially in Venice. It has a flat bottom and curves upwards at both ends. A person stands at one end of the boat and uses a long pole to move and steer it.
gone ◆◆◇ /gɒ n, [AM ] gɔː n/
1 Gone is the past participle of go .
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] When someone is gone , they have left the place where you are and are no longer there. When something is gone , it is no longer present or no longer exists. □ He's already been gone four hours! □ By morning the smoke will be all gone.
3 PREP If you say it is gone a particular time, you mean it is later than that time. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ It was just gone 7 o'clock this evening when I finished.
gon|er /gɒ nə r , [AM ] gɔː n-/ (goners ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a goner , you mean that they are about to die, or are in such danger that nobody can save them. [INFORMAL ] □ She fell so heavily I thought she was a goner.
gong /gɒ ŋ, [AM ] gɔː ŋ/ (gongs ) N‑COUNT A gong is a large, flat, circular piece of metal that you hit with a hammer to make a sound like a loud bell. Gongs are sometimes used as musical instruments, or to give a signal that it is time to do something. □ On the stroke of seven, a gong summons guests into the dining-room.
gon|na /gɒ nə, [AM ] gɔː nə/ Gonna is used in written English to represent the words 'going to' when they are pronounced informally. □ Then what am I gonna do?
gon|or|rhoea /gɒ nəriː ə/ in AM, use gonorrhea N‑UNCOUNT Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease.
goo /guː / N‑UNCOUNT You can use goo to refer to any thick, sticky substance, for example mud or paste. [INFORMAL ] □ …a sticky goo of pineapple and coconut.
good ◆◆◆ /gʊ d/ (better , best )
1 ADJ Good means pleasant or enjoyable. □ We had a really good time together. □ I know they would have a better life here. □ There's nothing better than a good cup of hot coffee. □ It's so good to hear your voice after all this time.
2 ADJ Good means of a high quality, standard, or level. □ Exercise is just as important to health as good food. □ His parents wanted Raymond to have the best possible education. □ …good quality furniture.
3 ADJ If you are good at something, you are skilful and successful at doing it. □ [+ at ] He was very good at his work. □ [+ at ] I'm not very good at singing. □ He is one of the best players in the world. □ I always played football with my older brother because I was good for my age.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a piece of news, an action, or an effect as good , you mean that it is likely to result in benefit or success. □ On balance biotechnology should be good news for developing countries. □ I had the good fortune to be selected. □ This is not a good example to set other children. □ I think the response was good.
5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A good idea, reason, method, or decision is a sensible or valid one. □ They thought it was a good idea to make some offenders do community service. □ There is good reason to doubt this. □ Could you give me some advice on the best way to do this?
6 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that it is good that something should happen or good to do something, you mean it is desirable, acceptable, or right. □ I think it's good that some people are going. □ It is always best to choose organically grown foods if possible.
7 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A good estimate or indication of something is an accurate one. □ We have a fairly good idea of what's going on. □ This is a much better indication of what a school is really like. □ Laboratory tests are not always a good guide to what happens in the world.
8 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you get a good deal or a good price when you buy or sell something, you receive a lot in exchange for what you give. □ Whether such properties are a good deal will depend on individual situations. □ The merchandise is reasonably priced and offers exceptionally good value.
9 ADJ If something is good for a person or organization, it benefits them. □ [+ for ] Rain water was once considered to be good for the complexion. □ [+ for ] Nancy chose the product because it is better for the environment.
10 N‑SING [with poss] If something is done for the good of a person or organization, it is done in order to benefit them. □ Furlaud urged him to resign for the good of the country. □ I'm only telling you this for your own good!
11 N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something is no good or is not any good , they are not satisfactory or are of a low standard. □ If the weather's no good then I won't take any pictures. □ I was never any good at maths.
12 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that doing something is no good or does not do any good , you mean that doing it is not of any use or will not bring any success. □ It's no good worrying about it now. □ We gave them water and kept them warm, but it didn't do any good. □ There is no way to measure these effects; the chances are it did some good.
13 N‑UNCOUNT Good is what is considered to be right according to moral standards or religious beliefs. □ Good and evil may co-exist within one family.
14 ADJ Someone who is good is morally correct in their attitudes and behaviour. □ The president is a good man. □ For me to think I'm any better than a homeless person on the street is ridiculous.
15 ADJ Someone, especially a child, who is good obeys rules and instructions and behaves in a socially correct way. □ The children were very good. □ I'm going to be a good boy now. □ Both boys had good manners, politely shaking hands.
16 ADJ Someone who is good is kind and thoughtful. □ You are good to me. □ Her good intentions were thwarted almost immediately.
17 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Someone who is in a good mood is cheerful and pleasant to be with. □ People were in a pretty good mood. □ He exudes natural charm and good humour. □ A relaxation session may put you in a better frame of mind.
18 ADJ [ADJ n] If people are good friends, they get on well together and are very close. □ She and Gavin are good friends. □ She's my best friend, and I really love her.
19 ADJ [ADJ n] A person's good eye, arm, or leg is the one that is healthy and strong, if the other one is injured or weak.
20 ADJ You use good to emphasize the great extent or degree of something. [EMPHASIS ] □ We waited a good fifteen minutes. □ This whole thing's got a good bit more dangerous.
21 CONVENTION You say ' Good ' or ' Very good ' to express pleasure, satisfaction, or agreement with something that has been said or done, especially when you are in a position of authority. □ 'Are you all right?'—'I'm fine.'—'Good. So am I.' □ Oh good, Tom's just come in.
22 → see also best , better , goods
23 PHRASE ' As good as ' can be used to mean 'almost.' □ His career is as good as over. □ The vote as good as kills the chance of real reform.
24 PHRASE If you say that something will do someone good , you mean that it will benefit them or improve them. □ The outing will do me good. □ It's probably done you good to get away for a few hours. □ You don't do anybody any good by getting yourself arrested.
25 PHRASE If something changes or disappears for good , it never changes back or comes back as it was before. □ The days of big-time racing at the local velodrome had gone for good. □ A few shots of this drug cleared up the disease for good.
26 CONVENTION People say ' Good for you ' to express approval of your actions. [FEELINGS ] □ 'He has a girl now, who he lives with.'—'Good for him.'
27 PHRASE If you say it's a good thing , or in British English it's a good job , that something is the case, you mean that it is fortunate. □ It's a good thing you aren't married. □ It's a good job it happened here rather than on the open road.
28 PHRASE If you make good some damage, a loss, or a debt, you try to repair the damage, replace what has been lost, or repay the debt. □ It may cost several billion roubles to make good the damage.
29 PHRASE If someone makes good a threat or promise or makes good on it, they do what they have threatened or promised to do. [mainly AM ] □ Certain that he was going to make good his threat to kill her, she lunged for the gun. □ [+ on ] He was confident the allies would make good on their pledges.
30 PHRASE If you say that something or someone is as good as new , you mean that they are in a very good condition or state, especially after they have been damaged or ill. □ I only ever use that on special occasions so it's as good as new. □ In a day or so he will be as good as new.
31 PHRASE You use good old before the name of a person, place, or thing when you are referring to them in an affectionate way. [FEELINGS ] □ Good old Harry. Reliable to the end.
32 deal ➊
33 in good faith → see faith
34 so far so good → see far
35 good as gold → see gold
36 good gracious → see gracious
37 good grief → see grief
38 good heavens → see heaven
39 good job → see job
40 good lord → see lord
41 for good measure → see measure
42 the good old days → see old
43 in good shape → see shape
44 to stand someone in good stead → see stead
45 in good time → see time
46 too good to be true → see true SYNONYMS good ADJ
2
excellent: The recording quality is excellent.
first-class: The food was first-class.
splendid: The book includes a wealth of splendid photographs.
superb: There is a superb 18-hole golf course 6 miles away.
3
proficient: A great number of Egyptians are proficient in foreign languages.
skilled: …a network of highly skilled observers of wildlife.
able: They are bright, intelligent, able and confident.
capable: She's a very capable speaker.
adept: He is an adept guitar player.
4
positive: The parting from his sister had a positive effect on John.
beneficial: Using computers has a beneficial effect on children's learning.
favourable: His ability to talk tough while eating fast made a favourable impression on his dining companions.
goo d after|noo n CONVENTION You say ' Good afternoon ' when you are greeting someone in the afternoon. [FORMAL , FORMULAE ]
good|bye /gʊ dba I / (goodbyes ) also good-bye
1 CONVENTION You say ' Goodbye ' to someone when you or they are leaving, or at the end of a phone conversation. [FORMULAE ]
2 N‑COUNT When you say your goodbyes , you say something such as 'Goodbye' when you leave. □ He said his goodbyes knowing that a long time would pass before he would see his child again. □ I said a hurried goodbye and walked home in the cold.
3 PHRASE When you say goodbye to someone, you say something such as 'Goodbye', 'Bye', or 'See you', when you or they are leaving. You can also wave goodbye to someone. □ He left without saying goodbye. □ He wanted to say goodbye to you. □ They came to the front door to wave goodbye.
4 PHRASE If you say goodbye or wave goodbye to something that you want or usually have, you accept that you are not going to have it. □ He has probably said goodbye to his last chance of a gold medal. □ We can wave goodbye to the sort of protection that people at work need and deserve.
5 to kiss something goodbye → see kiss
goo d da y CONVENTION People sometimes say ' Good day ' instead of 'Hello' or 'Goodbye'. [OLD-FASHIONED , FORMULAE ] □ Well, I'd better be off. Good day to you.
goo d e ve|ning CONVENTION You say ' Good evening ' when you are greeting someone in the evening. [FORMAL , FORMULAE ]
goo d-for-no thing (good-for-nothings ) ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as good-for-nothing , you think that they are lazy or irresponsible. □ …a good-for-nothing fourteen-year-old son who barely knows how to read and count. ● N‑COUNT Good-for-nothing is also a noun. □ …lazy good-for-nothings.
Goo d Fri |day N‑UNCOUNT Good Friday is the day on which Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is the Friday before Easter Sunday.
goo d gu y (good guys ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can refer to the good characters in a film or story as the good guys . You can also refer to the good guys in a situation in real life. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ There was a fine line between the good guys and the bad guys. in BRIT, use goodies
goo d-hu moured in AM, use good-humored ADJ A good-humoured person or atmosphere is pleasant and cheerful. □ Charles was brave and remarkably good-humoured. □ It was a good humoured conference.
goodie /gʊ di/ → see goody
goo d-loo king (better-looking , best-looking ) ADJ Someone who is good-looking has an attractive face. □ Cassandra noticed him because he was good-looking. □ …a good-looking woman.
good|ly /gʊ dli/ ADJ [ADJ n] A goodly amount or part of something is a fairly large amount or part of it, often more than was expected. [FORMAL ] □ Laski spent a goodly part of his lecturing life in American universities.
goo d mo rn|ing CONVENTION You say ' Good morning ' when you are greeting someone in the morning. [FORMAL , FORMULAE ]
goo d-na tured ADJ A good-natured person or animal is naturally friendly and does not get angry easily. □ He was good natured about it, he didn't fuss.
good|ness /gʊ dnəs/
1 EXCLAM People sometimes say ' goodness ' or ' my goodness ' to express surprise. [FEELINGS ] □ Goodness, I wonder if he knows. □ My goodness, he's earned millions in his career.
2 for goodness sake → see sake
3 thank goodness → see thank
4 N‑UNCOUNT Goodness is the quality of being kind, helpful, and honest. □ He retains a faith in human goodness.
good|night /gʊ dna I t/ also good night
1 CONVENTION You say ' Goodnight ' to someone late in the evening before one of you goes home or goes to sleep. [FORMULAE ]
2 PHRASE If you say goodnight to someone or kiss them goodnight , you say something such as 'Goodnight' to them or kiss them before one of you goes home or goes to sleep. □ Eleanor went upstairs to say goodnight to the children. □ Both men rose to their feet and kissed her goodnight. □ …a goodnight kiss.
goods ◆◆◇ /gʊ dz/
1 N‑PLURAL Goods are things that are made to be sold. □ Money can be exchanged for goods or services. □ …a wide range of consumer goods.
2 N‑PLURAL Your goods are the things that you own and that can be moved. □ All his worldly goods were packed into a neat checked carrier bag. □ You can give your unwanted goods to charity. COLLOCATIONS goods NOUN
1
noun + goods : consumer, household
adjective + goods : counterfeit, damaged, faulty, stolen; durable, electrical, electronic, manufactured
verb + goods : export, import; return
2
adjective + goods : worldly SYNONYMS goods NOUN 1
merchandise: No one will buy merchandise bearing this logo.
stock: We took the decision to withdraw a quantity of stock from sale.
product: Try to get the best product at the lowest price.
wares: Vendors displayed their wares in baskets or on the ground.
goo ds train (goods trains ) N‑COUNT A goods train is a train that transports goods and not people. [BRIT ] in AM, use freight train
goo d-te mpered ADJ A good-tempered person or animal is naturally friendly and pleasant and does not easily get angry or upset. □ He was a happy, good-tempered child. □ …a horse which is quiet and good tempered.
good|will /gʊ dw I l/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Goodwill is a friendly or helpful attitude towards other people, countries, or organizations. □ I invited them to dinner, a gesture of goodwill. □ They depend on the goodwill of visitors to pick up rubbish.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The goodwill of a business is something such as its good reputation, which increases the value of the business. [BUSINESS ] □ We do not want to lose the goodwill built up over 175 years.
goody /gʊ di/ (goodies ) also goodie
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can refer to pleasant, exciting, or attractive things as goodies . [INFORMAL ] □ …a little bag of goodies.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can refer to the heroes or the morally good characters in a film or story as the goodies . You can also refer to the goodies in a situation in real life. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …the thriller, a genre which depends on goodies and baddies. in AM, usually use good guys
goo dy bag (goody bags ) N‑COUNT A goody bag is a bag of little gifts, often given away by manufacturers in order to encourage people to try their products. [INFORMAL ]
goo dy-goody (goody-goodies ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a goody-goody , you mean they behave extremely well in order to please people in authority. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
goo|ey /guː i/ (gooier , gooiest ) ADJ If you describe a food or other substance as gooey , you mean that it is very soft and sticky. [INFORMAL ] □ …a lovely, gooey, sticky mess.
goof /guː f/ (goofs , goofing , goofed )
1 VERB If you goof or goof up , you make a silly mistake. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] We goofed last week at the end of our interview with the singer. [Also V adv] ● N‑COUNT Goof is also a noun. □ But was it, in fact, a hideous goof?
2 N‑COUNT If you call someone a goof , you think they are silly. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ I could write for TV as well as any of those goofs.
goofy /guː fi/ (goofier , goofiest ) ADJ If you describe someone or something as goofy , you think they are rather silly or ridiculous. [INFORMAL ] □ …a goofy smile.
goog|ly /guː gli/ (googlies ) N‑COUNT When a cricketer bowls a googly , he or she spins the ball and makes it bounce in a different direction from the direction that the batsman is expecting.
goon /guː n/ (goons )
1 N‑COUNT A goon is a person who is paid to hurt or threaten people. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ He and the other goon began to beat me up.
2 N‑COUNT If you call someone a goon , you think they behave in a silly way. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]
goose /guː s/ (geese )
1 N‑COUNT A goose is a large bird that has a long neck and webbed feet. Geese are often farmed for their meat.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Goose is the meat from a goose that has been cooked. □ …roast goose.
3 → see also wild goose chase
goose|berry /gʊ zbəri, [AM ] guː sberi/ (gooseberries ) N‑COUNT A gooseberry is a small green fruit that has a sharp taste and is covered with tiny hairs.
goo se bumps N‑PLURAL If you get goose bumps , the hairs on your skin stand up so that it is covered with tiny bumps. You get goose bumps when you are cold, frightened, or excited.
goo se pim|ples N‑PLURAL Goose pimples are the same as goose bumps .
goo se-step (goose-steps , goose-stepping , goose-stepped ) VERB When soldiers goose-step , they lift their legs high and do not bend their knees as they march. □ [V ] …photos of soldiers goose-stepping beside fearsome missiles.
go|pher /goʊ fə r / (gophers )
1 N‑COUNT A gopher is a small animal which looks a bit like a rat and lives in holes in the ground. Gophers are found in Canada and the USA.
2 N‑PROPER ; N‑COUNT In computing, Gopher is a program that collects information for you from many databases across the internet.
gore /gɔː r / (gores , goring , gored )
1 VERB [usu passive] If someone is gored by an animal, they are badly wounded by its horns or tusks. □ [be V -ed] Carruthers had been gored by a rhinoceros. □ [be V -ed + to ] He was gored to death in front of his family.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Gore is blood from a wound that has become thick. □ There were pools of blood and gore on the pavement.
gorge /gɔː r dʒ/ (gorges , gorging , gorged )
1 N‑COUNT A gorge is a deep, narrow valley with very steep sides, usually where a river passes through mountains or an area of hard rock.
2 VERB If you gorge on something or gorge yourself on it, you eat lots of it in a very greedy way. □ [V + on ] I could spend each day gorging on chocolate. □ [V pron-refl + on ] …teenagers gorging themselves on ice-cream sundaes. [Also V ]
gor|geous /gɔː r dʒəs/
1 ADJ If you say that something is gorgeous , you mean that it gives you a lot of pleasure or is very attractive. [INFORMAL ] □ …gorgeous mountain scenery. □ It's a gorgeous day. □ Some of the Renaissance buildings are gorgeous. ● gor|geous|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ She has a gorgeously warm speaking voice.
2 ADJ If you describe someone as gorgeous , you mean that you find them very sexually attractive. [INFORMAL ] □ The cosmetics industry uses gorgeous women to sell its skincare products. □ All the girls in my house are mad about Ryan, they think he's gorgeous.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe things such as clothes and colours as gorgeous , you mean they are bright, rich, and impressive. □ …a red-haired man in the gorgeous uniform of a Marshal of the Empire. ● gor|geous|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ …gorgeously embroidered clothing.
go|ril|la /gər I lə/ (gorillas ) N‑COUNT A gorilla is a very large ape. It has long arms, black fur, and a black face.
gorm|less /gɔː r mləs/ ADJ If you say that someone is gormless , you think that they are stupid because they do not understand things very well. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
gorse /gɔː r s/ N‑UNCOUNT Gorse is a dark green bush that grows in Europe. It has small yellow flowers and sharp prickles.
gory /gɔː ri/ (gorier , goriest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] Gory situations involve people being injured or dying in a horrible way. □ …the gory details of Mayan human sacrifices. □ …the gory death scenes.
gosh /gɒ ʃ/ EXCLAM Some people say ' Gosh ' when they are surprised. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ Gosh, there's a lot of noise.
gos|ling /gɒ zl I ŋ/ (goslings ) N‑COUNT A gosling is a baby goose.
go -slow (go-slows ) N‑COUNT A go-slow is a protest by workers in which they deliberately work slowly in order to cause problems for their employers. [BRIT ] in AM, use slowdown
gos|pel /gɒ sp ə l/ (gospels )
1 N‑COUNT In the New Testament of the Bible, the Gospels are the four books which describe the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. □ …the parable in St Matthew's Gospel. □ …an illustrated and illuminated manuscript of the four gospels.
2 N‑SING In the Christian religion, the gospel refers to the message and teachings of Jesus Christ, as explained in the New Testament. □ I didn't shirk my duties. I visited the sick and I preached the gospel.
3 N‑COUNT You can use gospel to refer to a particular way of thinking that a person or group believes in very strongly and that they try to persuade others to accept. □ …the gospel according to my mom.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Gospel or gospel music is a style of religious music that uses strong rhythms and vocal harmony. It is especially popular among black Christians in the southern United States of America. □ I had to go to church, so I grew up singing gospel. □ The group perform variations on soul and gospel music.
5 N‑UNCOUNT [usu as N ] If you take something as gospel , or as gospel truth , you believe that it is completely true. □ The results were not to be taken as gospel. □ He wouldn't say this if it weren't the gospel truth.
gos|sa|mer /gɒ səmə r / ADJ [ADJ n] You use gossamer to indicate that something is very light, thin, or delicate. [LITERARY ] □ …the daring gossamer dresses of sheer black lace.
gos|sip /gɒ s I p/ (gossips , gossiping , gossiped )
1 N‑VAR Gossip is informal conversation, often about other people's private affairs. □ There has been much gossip about the possible reasons for his absence. □ Don't you like a good gossip?
2 VERB If you gossip with someone, you talk informally, especially about other people or local events. You can also say that two people gossip . □ [V ] We spoke, debated, gossiped into the night. □ [V + with ] Eva gossiped with Sarah. □ [V ] Mrs Lilywhite never gossiped.
3 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a gossip , you mean that they enjoy talking informally to people about the private affairs of others. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was a vicious gossip.
go s|sip col|umn (gossip columns ) N‑COUNT A gossip column is a part of a newspaper or magazine where the activities and private lives of famous people are discussed. □ The jet-setting couple made frequent appearances in the gossip columns. ● gos|sip col|umn|ist (gossip columnists ) N‑COUNT □ …a Hollywood gossip columnist.
gos|sipy /gɒ s I pi/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a book or account as gossipy , you mean it is informal and full of interesting but often unimportant news or information about people. □ …a chatty, gossipy account of Forster's life.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as gossipy , you are critical of them because they talk about other people's private lives a great deal. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …gossipy old women.
got ◆◆◆ /gɒ t/
1 Got is the past tense and past participle of get .
2 PHRASE You use have got to say that someone has a particular thing, or to mention a quality or characteristic that someone or something has. In informal American English, people sometimes just use 'got'. [SPOKEN ] □ I've got a coat just like this. □ She hasn't got a work permit. □ Have you got any ideas? □ Every city's got its good and bad points. □ After a pause he asked, 'You got any identification?'
3 PHRASE You use have got to when you are saying that something is necessary or must happen in the way stated. In informal American English, the 'have' is sometimes omitted. [SPOKEN ] □ I'm not happy with the situation, but I've just got to accept it. □ There has got to be a degree of flexibility. □ See, you got to work very hard.
4 PHRASE People sometimes use have got to in order to emphasize that they are certain that something is true, because of the facts or circumstances involved. In informal American English, the 'have' is sometimes omitted. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ We'll do what we got to do.
gotcha /gɒ tʃə/ EXCLAM Gotcha is used in written English to represent the words 'got you' when they are pronounced informally. □ 'Gotcha, didn't I?'
Goth|ic /gɒ θ I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Gothic architecture and religious art was produced in the Middle Ages. Its features include tall pillars, high curved ceilings, and pointed arches. □ …a vast, lofty Gothic cathedral. □ …Gothic stained glass windows.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] In Gothic stories, strange, mysterious adventures happen in dark and lonely places such as graveyards and old castles. □ This novel is not science fiction, nor is it Gothic horror.
got|ta /gɒ tə/ Gotta is used in written English to represent the words 'got to' when they are pronounced informally, with the meaning 'have to' or 'must'. □ Prices are high and our kids gotta eat.
got|ten /gɒ t ə n/ Gotten is the past participle of get in American English.→ see also ill-gotten gains
gouge /gaʊ dʒ/ (gouges , gouging , gouged ) VERB If you gouge something, you make a hole or a long cut in it, usually with a pointed object. □ [V n prep] He gouged her cheek with a screwdriver.
▸ gouge out PHRASAL VERB To gouge out a piece or part of something means to cut, dig, or force it from the surrounding surface. You can also gouge out a hole in the ground. □ [V n P ] He has accused her of threatening to gouge his eyes out. □ [V P n] …stripping off the soil and gouging out gold or iron ore.
gourd /gʊə r d, gɔː r d/ (gourds )
1 N‑COUNT A gourd is a large round fruit with a hard skin. You can also use gourd to refer to the plant on which this fruit grows.
2 N‑COUNT A gourd is a container made from the hard dry skin of a gourd fruit. Gourds are often used to carry water or for decoration.
gour|mand /gʊə r mɒnd/ (gourmands ) N‑COUNT A gourmand is a person who enjoys eating and drinking in large amounts. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The food here satisfies gourmands rather than gourmets.
gour|met /gʊə r me I / (gourmets )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Gourmet food is nicer or more unusual or sophisticated than ordinary food, and is often more expensive. □ Flavored coffee is sold at gourmet food stores and coffee shops. □ The couple share a love of gourmet cooking. □ …a gourmet dinner.
2 N‑COUNT A gourmet is someone who enjoys good food, and who knows a lot about food and wine.
gout /gaʊ t/ N‑UNCOUNT Gout is a disease which causes people's joints to swell painfully, especially in their toes.
Gov. (Govs ) N‑TITLE Gov. is a written abbreviation for governor . □ …Gov. Thomas Kean of New Jersey.
gov|ern ◆◇◇ /gʌ və r n/ (governs , governing , governed )
1 VERB To govern a place such as a country, or its people, means to be officially in charge of the place, and to have responsibility for making laws, managing the economy, and controlling public services. □ [V n] They go to the polls on Friday to choose the people they want to govern their country. □ [be V -ed] Their citizens are very thankful they are not governed by a dictator.
2 VERB If a situation or activity is governed by a particular factor, rule, or force, it is controlled by that factor, rule, or force. □ [be V -ed + by ] Marine insurance is governed by a strict series of rules and regulations. □ [V n] The government has altered the rules governing eligibility for unemployment benefit.
gov|ern|ance /gʌ və r nəns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The governance of a country is the way in which it is governed. [FORMAL ] □ They believe that a fundamental change in the governance of Britain is the key to all other necessary changes.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The governance of a company or organization is the way in which it is managed. [FORMAL ] □ …a dramatic move away from the traditional view of governance in American education.
gov|er|ness /gʌ və r nes/ (governesses ) N‑COUNT A governess is a woman who is employed by a family to live with them and educate their children.
gov|ern|ing /gʌ və r n I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] A governing body or organization is one which controls a particular activity. □ The league became the governing body for amateur fencing in the U.S.
gov|ern|ment ◆◆◆ /gʌ və r nmənt/ (governments )
1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The government of a country is the group of people who are responsible for governing it. □ The Government has insisted that confidence is needed before the economy can improve. □ …democratic governments in countries like Britain and the U.S… □ …fighting between government forces and left-wing rebels.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Government consists of the activities, methods, and principles involved in governing a country or other political unit. □ The first four years of government were completely disastrous. □ …our system of government.
gov|ern|men|tal /gʌ və r nme nt ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Governmental means relating to a particular government, or to the practice of governing a country. □ …a governmental agency for providing financial aid to developing countries.
gov|er|nor ◆◆◇ /gʌ və r nə r / (governors )
1 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In some systems of government, a governor is a person who is in charge of the political administration of a region or state. □ [+ of ] He was governor of the province in the late 1970s. □ The governor addressed the New Jersey Assembly.
2 N‑COUNT A governor is a member of a committee which controls an organization such as a school or a hospital. □ Governors are using the increased powers given to them to act against incompetent headteachers. □ …the chairman of the BBC board of governors.
3 N‑COUNT In some British institutions, the governor is the most senior official, who is in charge of the institution. □ The incident was reported to the prison governor.
Go vernor-Ge neral (Governors-General ) N‑COUNT A Governor-General is a person who is sent to a former British colony as the chief representative of Britain. [BRIT ] □ …the former Governor-General of New Zealand.
gov|er|nor|ship /gʌ vnə r ʃ I p/ (governorships ) N‑COUNT The governorship of a particular country or state is the position of being its governor. Governorship is also used to refer to the period of time a particular person spends being the governor of a country or state. □ The governorship went to a Democrat.
govt govt is a written abbreviation for government .
gown /gaʊ n/ (gowns )
1 N‑COUNT A gown is a dress, usually a long dress, which women wear on formal occasions. □ The new ball gown was a great success. □ …wedding gowns.
2 N‑COUNT A gown is a loose black garment worn on formal occasions by people such as lawyers and academics. □ …an old headmaster in a flowing black gown.
GP ◆◇◇ /dʒiː piː / (GPs ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] A GP is a doctor who does not specialize in any particular area of medicine, but who has a medical practice in which he or she treats all types of illness. GP is an abbreviation for 'general practitioner'. □ Her husband called their local GP.
GPS /dʒiː piː e s/ (GPSs ) N‑COUNT GPS is an abbreviation for global positioning system . □ GPS operates best near the equator. □ …a GPS receiver.
grab ◆◇◇ /græ b/ (grabs , grabbing , grabbed )
1 VERB If you grab something, you take it or pick it up suddenly and roughly. □ [V n] I managed to grab her hand. □ [V n + by/round ] I grabbed him by the neck.
2 VERB If you grab at something, you try to grab it. □ [V + at ] He was clumsily trying to grab at Alfred's arms. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Grab is also a noun. □ [+ for ] I made a grab for the knife. □ [+ at ] Mr Penrose made a grab at his collar.
3 VERB If you grab someone who is walking past, you succeed in getting their attention. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Grab that waiter, Mary Ann.
4 VERB If you grab someone's attention, you do something in order to make them notice you. □ [V n] I jumped on the wall to grab the attention of the crowd.
5 VERB If you grab something such as food, drink, or sleep, you manage to get some quickly. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] At night the kids grabbed a pizza from Frankie's.
6 VERB If you grab something such as a chance or opportunity, or grab at it, you take advantage of it eagerly. □ [V n] She grabbed the chance of a job interview. □ [V + at ] He grabbed at the opportunity to buy his castle.
7 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A grab for something such as power or fame is an attempt to gain it. □ [+ for ] …a grab for personal power.
8 → see also smash-and-grab
9 to grab hold of → see hold ➊
10 PHRASE If something is up for grabs , it is available to anyone who is interested. [INFORMAL ] □ The famous hotel is up for grabs for £100m.
gra b bag (grab bags )
1 N‑COUNT A grab bag is a game in which you take a prize out of a container full of hidden prizes. [AM ] in BRIT, use lucky dip 2 N‑COUNT A grab bag of things, ideas, or people is a varied group of them. □ [+ of ] …a fascinating grab bag of documents about the life of Liszt.
grace /gre I s/ (graces , gracing , graced )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone moves with grace , they move in a smooth, controlled, and attractive way. □ He moved with the grace of a trained boxer.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone behaves with grace , they behave in a pleasant, polite, and dignified way, even when they are upset or being treated unfairly. □ The new King seemed to be carrying out his duties with grace and due decorum.
3 N‑PLURAL [oft adj N ] The graces are the ways of behaving and doing things which are considered polite and well-mannered. □ She didn't fit in and she had few social graces.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Grace is used in expressions such as a day's grace and a month's grace to say that you are allowed that amount of extra time before you have to finish something. □ She wanted a couple of days' grace to get the maisonette cleaned before she moved in. □ We have only a few hours' grace before the soldiers come.
5 VERB If you say that something graces a place or a person, you mean that it makes them more attractive. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He went to the beautiful old Welsh dresser that graced this homely room. □ [be V -ed + with/by ] Her shoulders were graced with mink and her fingers sparkled with diamonds.
6 N‑UNCOUNT In Christianity and some other religions, grace is the kindness that God shows to people because he loves them. □ [+ of ] It was only by the grace of God that no one died.
7 N‑VAR When someone says grace before or after a meal, they say a prayer in which they thank God for the food and ask Him to bless it. □ Leo, will you say grace?
8 N‑COUNT ; N‑PROPER You use expressions such as Your Grace and His Grace when you are addressing or referring to a duke, duchess, or archbishop. □ Your Grace, I have a great favour to ask of you.
9 → see also coup de grace , saving grace
10 PHRASE If someone falls from grace , they suddenly stop being successful or popular. [mainly WRITTEN ] □ All went well at first, and I was in high favour; but presently I fell from grace.
11 PHRASE If someone has the good grace to do something, they are polite enough or honest enough to do it. [APPROVAL ] □ He did not even have the grace to apologise. □ Many of us do stupid things in our youth, but we should have the good grace to admit them.
12 PHRASE If you do something unpleasant with good grace or with a good grace , you do it cheerfully and without complaining. If you do something with bad grace or with a bad grace , you do it unwillingly and without enthusiasm. □ He accepted the decision with good grace, and wished me the very best of luck. □ With appallingly bad grace I packed up and we drove north.
grace|ful /gre I sfʊl/
1 ADJ Someone or something that is graceful moves in a smooth and controlled way which is attractive to watch. □ His movements were so graceful they seemed effortless. □ …graceful ballerinas. ● grace|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She stepped gracefully onto the stage.
2 ADJ Something that is graceful is attractive because it has a pleasing shape or style. □ His handwriting, from earliest young manhood, was flowing and graceful. ● grace|ful|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ She loved the gracefully high ceiling, with its white-painted cornice.
3 ADJ If a person's behaviour is graceful , it is polite, kind, and pleasant, especially in a difficult situation. □ Aubrey could think of no graceful way to escape Corbet's company. □ He was charming, cheerful, and graceful under pressure. ● grace|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ We managed to decline gracefully.
grace|less /gre I sləs/
1 ADJ Something that is graceless is unattractive and not at all interesting or charming. □ It was a massive, graceless house.
2 ADJ A graceless movement is clumsy and uncontrolled. □ …a graceless pirouette. ● grace|less|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He dropped gracelessly into a chair opposite her.
3 ADJ If you describe someone as graceless , you mean that their behaviour is impolite. □ She couldn't stand his blunt, graceless manner. ● grace|less|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The task fell to Mr Harris to deliver this bad news. It was gracelessly done.
gra|cious /gre I ʃəs/
1 ADJ If you describe someone, especially someone you think is superior to you, as gracious , you mean that they are very well-mannered and pleasant. [FORMAL ] □ She is a lovely and gracious woman.
2 ADJ If you describe the behaviour of someone in a position of authority as gracious , you mean that they behave in a polite and considerate way. [FORMAL ] □ She closed with a gracious speech of thanks. ● gra|cious|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Hospitality at the Presidential guest house was graciously declined.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use gracious to describe the comfortable way of life of wealthy people. □ He drove through the gracious suburbs with the swimming pools and tennis courts.
4 EXCLAM Some people say good gracious or goodness gracious in order to express surprise or annoyance. [FEELINGS ] □ Good gracious, look at that specimen will you?
grad /græ d/ (grads ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A grad is a graduate . [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
gra|da|tion /grəde I ʃ ə n, [AM ] gre I d-/ (gradations ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Gradations are small differences or changes in things. [FORMAL ] □ But TV images require subtle gradations of light and shade.
grade ◆◇◇ /gre I d/ (grades , grading , graded )
1 VERB If something is graded , its quality is judged, and it is often given a number or a name that indicates how good or bad it is. □ [be V -ed] Dust masks are graded according to the protection they offer. □ [V n] South Point College does not grade the students' work. □ [V -ing] …a three-tier grading system.
2 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] The grade of a product is its quality, especially when this has been officially judged. □ …a good grade of plywood. □ …a grade II listed building. ● COMB Grade is also a combining form. □ …weapons-grade plutonium. □ …aviation fuel and high-grade oil.
3 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] Your grade in an examination or piece of written work is the mark you get, usually in the form of a letter or number, that indicates your level of achievement. □ What grade are you hoping to get? □ There was a lot of pressure on you to obtain good grades.
4 N‑COUNT Your grade in a company or organization is your level of importance or your rank. □ Staff turnover is particularly high among junior grades.
5 N‑COUNT In the United States, a grade is a group of classes in which all the children are of a similar age. When you are six years old you go into the first grade and you leave school after the twelfth grade. □ Mr White teaches first grade in south Georgia.
6 N‑COUNT A grade is a slope. [AM ] □ She drove up a steep grade and then began the long descent into the desert. in BRIT, use gradient 7 N‑COUNT Someone's grade is their military rank. [AM ] □ I was a naval officer, lieutenant junior grade.
8 PHRASE If someone makes the grade , they succeed, especially by reaching a particular standard. □ She had a strong desire to be a dancer but failed to make the grade. COLLOCATIONS grade NOUN
1
adjective + grade : fine, high, premium, top; low, standard
3
noun + grade : exam
adjective + grade : good, high; low, poor
verb + grade : achieve, obtain SYNONYMS grade VERB 1
classify: Rocks can be classified according to their mode of origin.
rate: He is generally rated Italy's No. 3 industrialist.
group: The fact sheets are grouped into seven sections.
rank: Mr Short does not even rank in the world's top ten.
gra de cross|ing (grade crossings ) N‑COUNT A grade crossing is a place where a railway track crosses a road at the same level. [AM ] in BRIT, use level crossing
gra d|ed rea d|er (graded readers ) N‑COUNT A graded reader is a story which has been adapted for people learning to read or learning a foreign language. Graded readers avoid using difficult grammar and vocabulary.
-grader /-gre I də r / (-graders ) COMB -grader combines with words such as 'first' and 'second' to form nouns which refer to a child or young person who is in a particular grade in the American education system. □ …a sixth-grader at the Latta School.
gra de school (grade schools ) N‑VAR [oft in N ] In the United States, a grade school is the same as an elementary school . □ I was just in grade school at the time, but I remember it perfectly.
gra|di|ent /gre I diənt/ (gradients ) N‑COUNT A gradient is a slope, or the degree to which the ground slopes. [BRIT ] □ …a gradient of 1 in 3. □ The courses are long and punishing, with steep gradients. in AM, usually use grade
grad|ual /græ dʒuəl/ ADJ A gradual change or process occurs in small stages over a long period of time, rather than suddenly. □ Losing weight is a slow, gradual process. □ You can expect her progress at school to be gradual rather than brilliant.
gradu|al|ly ◆◇◇ /græ dʒuəli/ ADV [ADV with v] If something changes or is done gradually , it changes or is done in small stages over a long period of time, rather than suddenly. □ Electricity lines to 30,000 homes were gradually being restored yesterday. □ Gradually we learned to cope. SYNONYMS gradually ADV
steadily: The company has steadily been losing market share.
slowly: My resentment of her slowly began to fade.
bit by bit: Bit by bit I began to understand what they were trying to do.
little by little: I would have to learn, little by little, to exist alone.
step by step: I am not rushing things and I'm taking it step by step.
gradu|ate ◆◇◇ (graduates , graduating , graduated ) The noun is pronounced /græ dʒuət/. The verb is pronounced /græ dʒue I t/. 1 N‑COUNT In Britain, a graduate is a person who has successfully completed a degree at a university or college and has received a certificate that shows this. □ They are looking for graduates with humanities or business degrees. □ [+ in ] …graduates in engineering. [Also + from/of ]
2 N‑COUNT In the United States, a graduate is a student who has successfully completed a course at a high school, college, or university. □ The top one-third of all high school graduates are entitled to an education at the California State University.
3 VERB In Britain, when a student graduates from university, they have successfully completed a degree course. □ [V prep] She graduated in English and Drama from Manchester University. [Also V ]
4 VERB In the United States, when a student graduates , they complete their studies successfully and leave their school or university. You can also say that a school or university graduates a student or students. □ [V prep] When the boys graduated from high school, Ann moved to a small town in Vermont. □ [V n] In 1986, American universities graduated a record number of students with degrees in computer science. [Also V ]
5 VERB If you graduate from one thing to another, you go from a less important job or position to a more important one. □ [V + to/from ] From commercials she quickly graduated to television shows. COLLOCATIONS graduate NOUN 1
noun + graduate : college, university; arts, economics, law, science
adjective + graduate : unemployed; new, recent; bright, skilled
verb + graduate : employ, recruit; attract, produce
gradu|at|ed /græ dʒue I t I d/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Graduated means increasing by regular amounts or grades. □ The U.S. military wants to avoid the graduated escalation that marked the Vietnam War.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Graduated jars are marked with lines and numbers which show particular measurements. □ …a graduated tube marked in millimetres.
gra du|ate school (graduate schools ) N‑VAR In the United States, a graduate school is a department in a university or college where postgraduate students are taught. □ She was in graduate school, studying for a master's degree in social work.
gra du|ate stu |dent (graduate students ) N‑COUNT In the United States, a graduate student is a student with a first degree from a university who is studying or doing research at a more advanced level. [AM ] in BRIT, use postgraduate
gradua|tion /græ dʒue I ʃ ə n/ (graduations )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Graduation is the successful completion of a course of study at a university, college, or school, for which you receive a degree or diploma. □ They asked what his plans were after graduation.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft N n] A graduation is a special ceremony at university, college, or school, at which degrees and diplomas are given to students who have successfully completed their studies. □ …the graduation ceremony at Yale. □ At my brother's high school graduation the students recited a poem.
3 N‑COUNT A graduation is a line or number on a container or measuring instrument which marks a particular measurement. □ …medicine bottles with graduations on them.
graf|fi|ti /grəfiː ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [with sing or pl verb] Graffiti is words or pictures that are written or drawn in public places, for example on walls or posters. □ There's no vandalism, no graffiti, no rubbish left lying about.
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